[April 23, 2012]

"We Save Lives": Critical Solutions International Expands U.S. Headquarters in Carrollton, Texas

Heralding the expansion of its U.S. headquarters and remembering fallen heroes, Critical Solutions International (CSI (News - Alert)) today announced that it will conduct intensive research of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at its Texas facility as well as expanding its parts inventory, logistics, and training footprint.

Congressman Kenny Marchant (R-Coppell) of the 24th District of Texas and Critical Solutions International (CSI) CEO Michael McCormack display a U.S. flag flown over Camp Dwyer in Afghanistan. CSI announced today it is expanding its U.S. headquarters and conducting intensive research of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to better protect U.S. troops and allies in the Middle East. CSI is the exclusive provider of the Husky Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector to the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps. The Husky operates out of Camp Dwyer. (Photo: Business Wire)

CSI is the exclusive provider of the Husky Vehicle Mounted Mine Detector to the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps, which has proven to be the most durable, survivable vehicle in the Department of Defense's wheeled fleet. The Husky has been involved in more than 6,500 blast events in Iraq and Afghanistan, with only minimal operator injuries.

"The bottom line: We save lives. That is our daily mission. We know every time we put a Husky or another one of our mine detector vehicles in service that our men and women in uniform are going to be depending on it," said CEO Michael McCormack, a West Point graduate whose company is mostly comprised of military veterans. "We are proud to call Texas home, and we completely admire and appreciate our State's long tradition of patriotism and spirit of independence combined with its robust business environment."

The recently-expanded 29,000-square-foot facility in Carrollton will mean additional job growth opportunities for the city and the North Texas economy. Currently, the facility is home to 35 employees.

"I could not be more proud to have CSI in myDistrict and to support them as they continue to find new ways to combat the number one killer of Coalition Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Congressman Kenny Marchant (R-Coppell), who represents the 24^th Congressional District of Texas. "CSI's technology did not exist for the U.S. military when we began these fights for freedom and against terrorism more than a decade ago. Now, the company's lifesaving technology is allowing us to go deeper into enemy territory and find those terrorists who are severely disrupting the lives and economies of ordinary citizens who wish to be free."

The U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps are CSI's primary customers for the Husky and have ordered more than 1,000 vehicles since 2004. The governments of Canada, Australia and Kenya have purchased Husky systems for their military route clearance teams. By 2008, the Husky vehicle had proven itself as the most survivable vehicle in the U.S. military's wheeled fleet, leading route clearance convoys with its ground penetrating radars, sophisticated sensors, and heavily armored vehicle cab to protect drivers and operators.

"IEDs are an enduring threat and are going to confront us operationally for decades," said Lieutenant General Michael Babero, the Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) Director.

To keep up with evolving threats, CSI is championing the development of a two-occupant variant of the legacy Husky MKIII. In addition to expanding the Husky's capabilities, a second occupant will unburden the driver from sensor operations and extend mission duration. Recently recognized as a "Top 10 Military Invention" by the U.S. Army Material Command, the deployment of the 2G Husky by U.S. and NATO forces is the next evolutionary step in enhancing counter IED measures.

Following today's expansion ceremony featuring a ribbon cutting with Congressman Marchant, McCormack and CSI Board Directors, CSI's Iwo Jima Conference Room was dedicated to three U.S. servicemen who lost their lives in combat conditions operating the Husky. A plaque was unveiled memorializing their names:

• SGT Robert W. Crow, Jr. / Army National Guard/ 203^rd Engineer Battalion/ Joplin, MO
• SGT Denis Kisseloff / Army National Guard/ 1141^st Engineer Company/ Kansas City, MO
• PFC Adam L. Marion / Army National Guard/ 171^st Engineer Company/ Saint Pauls, NC

A framed U.S. flag flown at Camp Dwyer in Afghanistan was also commemorated in the room honoring the heroes. Camp Dwyer is a Marine Corps base and airfield used to forward-deploy and support Husky vehicles in the dangerous Helmand River Valley.

"Every time we meet in this room we will remember these heroes and the reason we are in business," McCormack told employees and invited guests.

CSI's Texas expansion plans in Carrollton include expanding security/protection technology research and warehousing capabilities while becoming the distribution and logistics hub for North American customers. Within 36 months, CSI will have manufacturing capabilities to allow full production of defense and security technologies developed in-house.

CSI has been a consistent resource to the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps for the successful acquisition, testing, development, and production of numerous mine-detection vehicles and systems. Through these efforts, CSI has become a world leader in Land Mine and UXO detection, as well as ballistic and blast protected vehicles. CSI continues to support the U.S. countermine and humanitarian demining community with special purpose ballistic and blast protected systems designed for detection, clearing, land mine neutralization, and ballistic and blast protected troop transport/personnel carriers. The privately-held corporation is led by a team of U.S. military veterans. More information is available at: www.c-s-i.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50249592&lang=en

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