Hicksville company moves to N. Carolina

A Hicksville manufacturer of defense and law enforcement equipment, American Defense Systems Inc., has announced that it is moving to North Carolina as part of an effort to save $1.5 million a year.

"We have been proud to be one of the few remaining government defense contractors based on Long Island, however, it makes prudent financial sense for us to relocate our business to a significantly lower cost center in North Carolina," Anthony Piscitelli, the chief executive, said in announcing the move.

The company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol EAG, said its Hicksville operations will cease as of Tuesday. The company began operations in Lillington, N.C., on June 1. ADSI's main products include defense armor, security systems, and other law enforcement tools. ADSI employed 41 employees in Hicksville, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Gary Sidorsky, the chief financial officer, said the company is saving as much as $80,000 per month in rent by moving to North Carolina. According to ADSI's annual SEC filing, the company had about 117,000 square feet of space in Hicksville, while the Lilington property is around 68,000 square feet.

The smaller space is part of the company's downsizing efforts and the new building will be able to sustain operations, Sidorsky said. The company plans to cut staff and salaries.

Sidorsky said the company has laid off four employees and plans on letting as many as three more workers go, all in sales and clerical jobs. Ten employees will remain on Long Island to work from home, and 10 others will be moved to Lilington, Sidorsky said. Other employees will convert to part-time work, and company executives will commute to North Carolina.

Phyllis Owens, the Harnett County Economic Development director, said Lilington has become popular for defense contractors because of its proximity to Fort Bragg.