Wrap Technologies Unveils Go-Forward Strategy, Pioneering End-to-End Public Safety and Defense Solutions with New Virginia Facility

Rhea-AI Summary

Wrap Technologies (NASDAQ: WRAP) announced the relocation of its manufacturing and distribution facility to Virginia, marking a strategic expansion of its public safety solutions business. The new 20,000-square-foot facility will centralize production of BolaWrap® and Wrap Reality™ platforms, while housing R&D zones for AR, VR, and integrated public safety devices. The $4.1 million project, supported by Virginia's government, aims to create over 120 new jobs and establish a professional services division focused on training and customer support. The company currently partners with over 40 agencies in Virginia, including major law enforcement departments.

Positive

• Secured government support for $4.1 million facility project
• Creating 120+ new jobs in Virginia
• Partnerships with 40+ law enforcement agencies in Virginia
• Expansion of manufacturing capabilities with 20,000-square-foot facility
• Strategic location for enhanced distribution capabilities

Negative

• None.

Insights

Business Strategy Analyst

The relocation to Virginia represents a significant strategic pivot for Wrap Technologies, with several key business implications. The $4.1 million facility investment, coupled with plans to create 120 new jobs, signals substantial operational expansion. The 20,000-square-foot facility will serve multiple strategic purposes: manufacturing, R&D and professional services.

The company's expansion into integrated solutions (AI, VR, body cameras, drones) indicates a shift from a single-product focus to a comprehensive public safety technology provider. This diversification could reduce business risk and create multiple revenue streams. The "Made-in-America" positioning and Virginia's strategic location near federal agencies could strengthen government contract opportunities.

Partnerships with 40+ Virginia agencies provide a strong foundation for market validation and product development. The professional services division suggests a move toward recurring revenue models through training and support services, which could improve revenue predictability and margins.

Manufacturing Operations Expert

The facility consolidation strategy offers significant operational advantages. The Virginia location provides superior logistics access to major East Coast markets and federal agencies, potentially reducing distribution costs and response times. The integration of manufacturing, R&D and training under one roof can accelerate product development cycles and improve quality control.

The 20,000-square-foot facility's scale suggests capacity for significant production expansion beyond current levels. The focus on domestic manufacturing aligns with growing government preferences for US-made security products, potentially providing competitive advantages in procurement processes. The creation of dedicated R&D zones indicates a commitment to continuous innovation and product development, essential for maintaining market leadership in law enforcement technology.

Comprehensive Offering Plans to Integrate AI, VR, Body Cameras, and Drone Technology

WISE, Va., Nov. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wrap Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: WRAP) (“Wrap” or the “Company”), a global leader in public safety solutions, announced today the relocation of its manufacturing and distribution facility to Virginia, citing Virginia's strategic location and commitment to invest in public safety innovation as key factors in its decision. This move underscores Wrap's commitment to delivering comprehensive tools and training for law enforcement. It also highlights Wrap's dedication to expanding “Made-in-America” partnerships with state and federal policymakers across the United States, with the goal to drive nationwide adoption of its solutions.

“This facility is a major step forward in our mission to equip every officer with cutting-edge tools and training that prioritize the safety of both officers and the communities they serve,” said Scot Cohen, Chief Executive Officer of Wrap. “We also believe that critical infrastructure in the United States needs to be made in the United States to promote security and reliability for our public safety partners. Virginia provides an ideal location and environment to advance this mission.”

Wrap’s new state-of-the-art 20,000-square-foot facility is the cornerstone of its next-generation strategy for end-to-end public safety solutions, with a dedicated professional services division at its core. This division will focus on training, talent development, and customer support to promote seamless integration, large-scale implementation, and ongoing service excellence for law enforcement agencies nationwide. Strategically located in an emerging global hub for law enforcement talent and expertise, the facility will centralize the production of the BolaWrap®, the first major innovation on the police tool belt in over 30 years, and Wrap Reality™, an immersive virtual reality training platform that integrates the latest in de-escalation tactics, defensive techniques, and evidence-based law enforcement practices. It will also house advanced research and development (R&D) zones dedicated to creating cutting-edge solutions in augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and integrated public safety devices, reflecting Wrap’s commitment to driving innovation in policing technology.

This initiative is supported by Governor Youngkin and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) as part of a $4.1 million project and underscores the region’s emerging status as a global hub for law enforcement expertise. With over 40 partner agencies in Virginia, including the Virginia Department of Corrections, Fairfax County Police Department, Richmond Police Department, and Virginia Commonwealth University, this initiative allows Wrap to leverage the region’s talent pool and professional services capabilities to enhance public safety outcomes while adding over 120 new jobs to the state and local economy.

Expanding Leadership in Public Safety Solutions

The new facility marks a pivotal expansion for Wrap as the Company positions itself to be the leading “Made-in-America” supplier for public safety. Wrap is committed to offering end-to-end solutions that include evidence-based tools, hardware, software, cameras, and training programs to meet the evolving needs of law enforcement.

“Virginia’s support for public safety innovation aligns perfectly with Wrap’s vision of creating safer communities,” Mr. Cohen continued. “Our enhanced training curriculum focuses on de-escalation tactics, which is supported by evidence-based practices, and enables officers to be better prepared for real-world challenges.”

About Wrap 
Wrap Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: WRAP) is a leading global provider of advanced public safety solutions, integrating ultramodern technology, cutting-edge tools, and comprehensive services to address the complex, modern day challenges facing public safety organizations around the world. Guided by a no-harm principle, Wrap is dedicated to developing groundbreaking solutions that empower public safety agencies to safeguard the communities they serve in a manner that fosters stronger relationships, driving safer outcomes, empowering public safety and communities to move forward together.

Wrap’s BolaWrap^® solution encompasses an innovative and patented hand-held remote restraint device, strategically engineered with Wrap’s no-harm guiding principle to proactively deter escalation by deploying a Kevlar^® tether that safely restrains individuals from a distance. Combined with BolaWrap^® training, certified by the esteemed International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST), Wrap enables officers from over 1000 agencies across the U.S. and 60 countries around the world, with the expertise to effectively use BolaWrap^® as an early intervention measure, mitigating potential risks and injuries, averting tragic outcomes, with the goal to save lives with each wrap.

Wrap Reality™, the Company’s advanced virtual reality training system, is a fully immersive training simulator and comprehensive public safety training platform that equips first responders with the discipline and practice to prevent escalation, de-escalate conflicts, and apply appropriate tactical use-of-force measures to better perform in the field. By offering a growing range of real-life scenarios, Wrap Reality™ addresses the dynamic nature of modern law enforcement situations for positive public safety outcomes, building safer communities one decision at a time.

Wrap’s Intrensic solution is a comprehensive, secure and efficient body worn camera and evidence collection and management solution designed with innovative technology to quickly capture, safely handle, securely store, and seamlessly track evidence, all while maintaining full transparency throughout the process. With meticulous consolidation and professional management of evidence, confidence in law enforcement and the justice system soars, fostering trust and reliability in court outcomes. Intrensic’s efficient system streamlines the entire process seamlessly, empowering all public safety providers to focus on what matters, expediting justice with integrity.

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Trademark Information
Wrap, the Wrap logo, BolaWrap^®, Wrap Reality™ and Wrap Training Academy are trademarks of Wrap Technologies, Inc., some of which are registered in the U.S. and abroad.  All other trade names used herein are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective holders.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements – Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “should”, “believe”, “target”, “project”, “goals”, “estimate”, “potential”, “predict”, “may”, “will”, “could”, “intend”, and variations of these terms or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Moreover, forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond the Company’s control. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to: the Company’s ability to maintain compliance with the Nasdaq Capital Market’s listing standards; the Company’s ability to successfully implement training programs for the use of its products; the Company’s ability to manufacture and produce products for its customers; the Company’s ability to develop sales for its products; the market acceptance of existing and future products; the availability of funding to continue to finance operations; the complexity, expense and time associated with sales to law enforcement and government entities; the lengthy evaluation and sales cycle for the Company’s product solutions; product defects; litigation risks from alleged product-related injuries; risks of government regulations; the business impact of health crises or outbreaks of disease, such as epidemics or pandemics; the impact resulting from geopolitical conflicts and any resulting sanctions; the ability to obtain export licenses for counties outside of the United States; the ability to obtain patents and defend intellectual property against competitors; the impact of competitive products and solutions; and the Company’s ability to maintain and enhance its brand, as well as other risk factors mentioned in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K, subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and were based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or changes in its expectations.

Investor Relations Contact:

800.583.2652
ir@wrap.com

FAQ

What is Wrap Technologies' new facility investment in Virginia worth?

Wrap Technologies' new facility in Virginia is part of a $4.1 million project supported by Governor Youngkin and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP).

How many jobs will Wrap Technologies (WRAP) create with its new Virginia facility?

Wrap Technologies will create over 120 new jobs in the state and local economy with its new Virginia facility.

How many partner agencies does Wrap Technologies (WRAP) have in Virginia?

Wrap Technologies has over 40 partner agencies in Virginia, including the Virginia Department of Corrections, Fairfax County Police Department, Richmond Police Department, and Virginia Commonwealth University.

What is the size of Wrap Technologies' new facility in Virginia?

Wrap Technologies' new state-of-the-art facility in Virginia is 20,000 square feet.