WarBird Protection Group

WarBird Protection Group is a manufacturer of high-performance protective equipment for law enforcement and the military, with products ranging from body armor to ear and eye protection. Working in the protective equipment industry for over 25 years, CEO Matt Davis has built on the legacy of his father, Richard Davis, the original inventor of what is considered the modern-day bulletproof vest. He considers his work to protect and save lives a “lifelong pursuit.”

Leaving the Nest

Prior to WarBird, Davis founded Armor Express, a leading manufacturer and distributor of high-performance body armor systems, in 2005 and served as its CEO until 2020. Davis parted ways with the company after it merged with KDH Defense Systems and relocated its Central Lake operations out of state. Under his leadership, Armor Express became the primary armor contractor to Boston, Seattle, Newark, San Francisco and Nashville Police Departments as well as the Department of Homeland Security, Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Marshal Service, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Capitol Police and Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.

In 2023, Davis founded WarBird with former Armor Express CFO Ed Kiessel to develop the latest in cutting-edge personal protective products for U.S. law enforcement – both state and local – as well as the federal government and the military. Davis began working with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to learn about state support for his new business, which he was interested in growing in Michigan.

Under the MEDC’s Wing

“Prior to kicking off our application process, I had a conversation with Jessie Mitchell, who is our regional representative for the MEDC,” said Davis. “We talked about what the MEDC was looking for in terms of people and business operations that it would want to partner with. From that initial exploratory call, I really felt like it was going to be a match made in heaven. Based on the MEDC’s desire to create job growth and long-term stable, steady businesses in the region, that's exactly what I wanted to do.”

Davis worked with the MEDC to learn about funding cycles and the company’s application submission. He says the team, including Mitchell and business development manager Dan Neebes, “was just phenomenal” in helping guide him through the process. “I think they really felt like it would be a great stimulus for the local economy in Kalkaska, and it turned out to be a perfect match for us,” he said. From the region’s proximity to major highways and connectivity to its industrial base, Kalkaska proved to be the right place for WarBird’s future.

In 2025, the company announced it would be launching operations at an existing facility in Kalkaska, with the goal of collocating the personal protective equipment design, manufacturing, sales and distribution under one roof. The $3 million investment from the company was supported by a $750,000 Michigan Business Development Program (MBDP) performance-based grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund, in addition to local support from Village of Kalkaska and the Economic Development Corporation of the County of Kalkaska. Due to major renovations needed at the facility, the MBDP grant was critical to securing the company’s investment; Davis says much of the funding went toward upgrading the building and making it suitable for the company’s needs.

Flocking Together

Davis says that while he grew up in Traverse City, he wasn’t very familiar with Kalkaska. While serving on the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation board, he connected with Kalkaska Downtown Development Authority’s executive director Cash Cook and learned about opportunities in the area. He quickly became impressed by the area’s industrial base and hardworking population.

“I've been all over the country and the world, and I will tell you that there are no workers that exist like there are in Northern Michigan. People from this area have really been able to get behind our lifesaving mission, and the pride they take in their work and the dedication they put forth has been really something to see. Ever since we threw our sign up outside, we have had a steady flow of people showing up on our doorstep with resumes, ready to work.”

WarBird’s investment in Kalkaska has been a catalyst for additional business interest in the region, creating new jobs and opportunities for the community.

Most recently, WarBird has been working to secure government certifications from the National Institute of Justice based on the division’s performance-based body armor standard, to sell to law enforcement. During the testing protocol, every model of WarBird’s body armor undergoes accelerated aging testing, blunt force trauma and hundreds of impacts from bullets to ensure they pass the government standard; “One failure, and you’re done,” Davis said.

WarBird’s new Kalkaska facility includes a fully capable ballistic testing laboratory inside the building, allowing the company to test its products on site in preparation for the rigorous government protocol.  “That's a part of our daily routine: testing different ballistic designs and getting them ready for the certification process.”

While the company tests its products, it has also been building strong relationships with nearly 100 law enforcement equipment distributors across the United States and expects a strong order flow when certification is complete.

Taking Flight

As WarBird continues its growth from the perch of Northern Michigan, Davis is proud to carry on the legacy of his father and the mission of protecting lives.

“There's nothing more gratifying in the world than meeting somebody who was wearing your vest and got shot and it saved their life. To bring that person and their family to your factory and introduce them to the people who actually made that product, it's an incredibly moving experience that reinforces that the work we do is very important. There's not a dry eye in the facility.”

Learn how the MEDC helps companies like WarBird Protection Group take flight.