Dan Gilbert-associated firm to make football helmets in Southwest Detroit

By Ryan Felton

Apr 27, 2015 at 2:01 pm

Audio By Carbonatix

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Rock Ventures, the umbrella entity for companies associated with Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert, said on Monday it will mark the launch of a production facility in Southwest Detroit for Xenith, a company that makes football helmets.

Xenith was founded in 2004 in Lowell, Massachusetts. The company developed a helmet technology that "reduces the risk and severity of concussions and other traumatic brain injuries," says Rock. It also makes helmet pads, shoulder pads, and face masks.

An announcement has been scheduled for 1 p.m. tomorrow at the new Xenith production facility located at 4335 W. Fort Street; the company has apparently relocated entirely to Detroit. Expected speakers include Gilbert; Tom Lewand, group executive for jobs and economic growth in Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan's administration; Matt Cullen, president and CEO of Rock; and Lorron James, vice president of business affairs at James Group International.

It's unclear how many people will be employed at the new production. Gilbert is one of a group of investors who've poured $30 million into Xenith, according to a Forbes profile from last September. A message was left for a Rock Ventures spokesperson seeking comment.

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About The Author

Ryan Felton

Ryan Felton was born in 1990 and spent the majority of his childhood growing up in Livonia. In 2009, after a short stint at Eastern Michigan University, he moved to Detroit where he has remained ever since. After graduating from Wayne State University’s journalism program, he went on to work as a staff writer...