About Ballistic Barrier Products

Why and how Ballistic Barrier Products was founded.

Background

As Plato famously wrote: “Our need will be the real creator”. While it is true that necessity most often precedes invention, historical solutions have more often depended on available materials and/or technology to enable widespread adoption by all of those in “need."  This explains why many problems persist over decades or even centuries until technologies evolve to overcome the undesirable tradeoffs and limitations that impede adoption. This is certainly true for the life protection industry.

    Material unavailability

    In 1998, a group of private companies composed and released a global industrial standard and test methodology for bullet-resistant window coverings that would be lighter, less expensive, and easier to install than existing products. A few years later, on September 11, 2001, the most devastating attack on US soil in 60 years occurred, plunging America and many allied nations into war in the Middle East. Specialty materials used for ballistic protection, including those required to meet the new window covering standard, were prioritized for national defense during the years-long conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    Homeland needs for security

    Unfortunately, conflicts do not just happen overseas.  Many cities across America experienced unprecedented public unrest during the tumultuous 2020. Current data suggests a disturbing increase in random shooter activity in suburbs and rural areas affecting innocent bystanders. Painfully visible vulnerabilities in readiness including, government, law enforcement, churches, schools, businesses, and private residences, highlighted years of inaction due to shortcomings of existing life security products. Two industry-wide factors significantly contribute to the lack of preparedness: the complexity and cost of installing ballistic materials and the unavoidable downtime/impact to operations when retrofitting existing structures with bullet-resistant products.

    The birth of Ballistic Barrier Products

    Ballistic Barrier Products (“BBP”), based in Johnson City, Tennessee, was founded in 2021 to create products that address the limitations of bullet-resistant windows and doors. To provide a solution to a growing population in “need," partners Ron Egres, Andy Finch, and Mick Davis leveraged decades of work experience, professional networks, and even called in a few favors to develop and certify flexible bullet-resistant barriers. Dr. Egres is a subject matter expert in materials, ballistics, and manufacturing processes. Andy focuses on business processes, finished products, sales, and marketing. Mick is responsible for funding and back-office support. Thankfully, the founders have capable and competent senior leaders in each of these functional areas to support rapid, sustainable growth.