CLEARWATER, Fla., June 30, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BlastGard International, Inc. (OTCBB:BLGA) ("BlastGard" or the "Company") and its recently acquired subsidiary HighCom Security, Inc. ("HighCom"), a worldwide security equipment manufacturer, announce that its Special Meeting in Lieu of Annual Shareholders Meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. local time on Friday, July 29, 2011, at the National Properties Trust Building, 2451 McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, Florida 33759. In order to attend the Annual Meeting, you need to be a registered shareholder or a beneficial holder as of the close of business on the record date, June 27, 2011. You may also attend if you hold a valid proxy for the Annual Meeting. All attendees should be prepared to present photo identification for admission.
BlastGard is also pleased to announce the successful reorganization and consolidation of HighCom Security operations which draw on BlastGard and HighCom's core strengths to ignite further innovation, strengthen competitiveness, improve profitability, and position BlastGard as a major contender for military and defense armor and blast mitigating programs. A number of key initiatives have been completed since BlastGard took over ownership and control of HighCom. At the heart of the key initiatives were the restrictions placed on HighCom's export authority and the listing as an excluded party. As of March 29th 2011 HighCom received notification from the U.S. State Department, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, of their decision to reinstate HighCom's export authority based on the actions taken to restructure and improve future controls for compliance. As of April 26th 2011 HighCom received notification from the Department of the Army, Army Legal Services Agency, of their decision to reinstate HighCom's export authority based on the actions taken to restructure and improve future controls for compliance. Other key events were completed as well. As of March 1st 2011 BlastGard relocated and consolidated the research, development, testing, and distribution to a single site facility in Columbus, OH. The new facility is located minutes from the Columbus International Airport and less than five miles from the U.S. Government DFAS Columbus center. As of March 21st 2011 HighCom received continuing assessment and approval of their ISO certification. As of April 29th 2011 BlastGard secured an exclusive contract agreement from a key sub contract facility where they will continue to produce hard armor products and ballistic shields. As of May 1st 2011 BlastGard completed the closure and relocation of HighCom's San Francisco corporate office to BlastGard's Clearwater, FL location. The company considers this a major victory in cutting all non-essential spending and refocusing capital investment towards strategic key products and sales opportunities to generate long term growth for the combined companies.
Michael Bundy, COO for BlastGard stated, "The steps taken in the past ninety days show the true strength and commitment by the new BlastGard management team to revitalize a U.S. based armor producer. Our shared vision and determination has been a major reason why we have been able to reach our restructuring goals much quicker than originally anticipated. Now, with these key initiatives completed, we are prepared to hit the global market tomorrow with Made in the USA NIJ certified ballistic plates and other defense related products."
About BlastGard International, Inc.
BlastGard International, Inc., doing business as BlastGard Defense Group, manufactures and markets proprietary blast mitigation materials through BlastGard International and designs, manufactures and distributes a unique range of leading security products and personal protective gear through HighCom Security. The Company's patent-pending BlastWrap® technology effectively mitigates blast effects and suppresses post-blast fires. This unique technology can be used to create new, finished products or be used to retrofit to existing products. BlastGard's core market focus is on blast effects mitigation for the commercial sector, military, law enforcement and government agencies. HighCom provides a wide range of security products and personal protective gear (including tactical armor) that are tailored and offer protection solutions to specific customer requirements. Given the equipment and ballistic protection solutions provided by HighCom, compliance with the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of the Treasury and all other governmental agencies' regulations is a high priority. HighCom has sold its products in the defense and law enforcement sectors and is known for innovative technology, exceptional customer service and superior quality performance. Additional information on BlastGard Defense Group's companies can be found at http://www.blastgardintl.com; http://www.highcomsecurity.com; and http://highcomonline.com.
"Safe Harbor'' statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations and assumptions contained in the foregoing are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. It is possible that the assumptions made by management are not necessarily the most likely and may not materialize. In addition, other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include the following: the Company's ability to market its products; the Company's ability to obtain additional funding; the Company's ability to obtain regulatory approvals on new products, the general economy; competitive factors; ability to attract and retain personnel; the price of the Company's stock; and other risk factors. The Company takes no obligation to update or correct forward-looking statements.