The Armament Retooling and Manufacturing Support (ARMS) Program and Pendulum Management Company have been selected as one of five national recipients of Expansion Solution Magazine’s 2008 Award of Excellence in the “Defense” industry category. This award recognizes organizations which have demonstrated exceptional progress and potential in the development of their areas – by successfully recruiting, retaining and growing businesses.

ARMS’ solid economic impact has translated into lower overhead costs for the Army which directly impacts the future of our soldiers and the strength of our nation’s defense.  ARMS is a government program designed to treat its ammunition production facilities and surrounding real estate as assets rather than liabilities. ARMS allows the commercial marketplace to help in the reduction of the cost of Army operations and production. This program has been responsible for a cumulative economic benefit of over $6.5 billion and has created or sustained over 2700 jobs at the Government sites that have participated in the program. The success of the program is a result of the utilization of creative techniques and tools to attract commercial tenants to military, industrial production facilities. In addition, the ARMS program offers incentive packages and the use of state-of-the-art cooperative marketing techniques. Pendulum Management Company is the National Marketing Support Contractor for the ARMS program.

One example that demonstrates the effectiveness of the ARMS Program is MAST Technology, Inc., a tenant at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, Missouri. MAST Technology came to Lake City in 2001 with two employees, great confidence in their product and previous manufacturing experience. Today MAST Technology has expanded into four facilities and employs more than 130 workers making munitions-related products that benefit the U. S. Army directly. Projected growth plans indicate that MAST Technology will be a successful supplier of small caliber ammunition to the soldiers around the world guarding the U. S. Embassies. In addition to these Department of State customers, MAST sees a role for their business supporting the Department of Energy and the Department of Homeland Security according to Gerald Pickens, President and CEO of MAST Technology, Inc.

“ARMS is a successful proven program which allows startup, small and large businesses to utilize idle infrastructure and space to start and or grow their business. It is truly an opportunity that should not be overlooked when starting or expanding a business,” explained Jim Burgin of Pendulum Management Company.