Eastern Kentucky Business Secures Major Supply Contract with the Department of Homeland Security

The On-Dock Rail System was developed and tested for deployment to improve radiation detection capabilities at port locations. (Photo: Business Wire)

The On-Dock Rail System was developed and tested for deployment to improve radiation detection capabilities at port locations. (Photo: Business Wire)

WORTHINGTON, Ky.--()--Worthington, KY-based DropBox, Inc., announced it has entered into an approximately $2.15 million contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to build container-based scanning units to detect nuclear materials entering U.S. ports, a project expected to create up to 30 full-time jobs at its facility in nearby Wurtland.

“There are many commercial container ports that currently serve various locations around the United States,” said Robert Slagel, President & CEO of Portable Solutions Group, parent company of DropBox. “This contract calls for the assembly of two On-Dock Rail Straddle Carrier Portal (ODRSCP) units for installation at Maher Terminals in Elizabeth, New Jersey. With border protection a critical pillar of homeland security, and with one of our portals already in service at the Port of Tacoma, Washington, we are optimistic this first contract is only the tip of the iceberg and that other similar contracts may be forthcoming in the near future.”

The security-centric, job-creating contract culminates a nearly decade-long development process between DropBox and the DHS’ Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office.

“We congratulate DropBox, Inc. on this significant DHS contract award, and we thank the company for its commitment to the commonwealth in acquiring its facility in Wurtland,” Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin said. “Not only will this project create quality jobs in Northeast Kentucky, it will play a key role in keeping Americans safe at our international ports of entry. We are proud that a Kentucky company is supporting this vitally important effort, even as we further solidify our reputation as the nation’s center for engineering and manufacturing excellence.”

U.S. Senator Rand Paul echoed Gov. Bevin’s sentiments: “When I visited DropBox, Inc., in Worthington just a few months ago, I was truly impressed with the tremendous success of this Kentucky business. As a strong supporter of Right to Work, it’s always exciting to see companies economically benefit and create more jobs here in the Commonwealth due to business-friendly policies and getting government out of the way. It’s why I have always fought for tax cuts, and was thrilled that we were recently able to pass historic federal tax reforms that are helping businesses throughout Kentucky and all across the country. Congratulations to Robert Slagel and his team on their well-deserved accomplishments and growth.”

The contract comes in response to 2010 data that showed only 5 percent of all overseas shipping containers entering the U.S. were scanned for radioactive material. Inspection of incoming containers is labor intensive and can cause significant delays at high-traffic ports. The current system requires containers to be targeted individually for inspection and scanned manually with wands.

DropBox’s ODRSCP units will streamline the process, enabling the straddle carrier and shipping container to pass through the unit’s high-tech, automated scanner tunnel on their way to their designated railroad car or truck.

About Portable Solutions Group

Portable Solutions Group is the parent company to Modular Security Systems Inc., DropBox Inc., and Portable Solutions Manufacturing. PSG, through its operating companies, provides equipment to customers on six continents for containerized, security, and infrastructure needs.

Contacts

Robert Rhett Slagel
President & CEO
Portable Solutions Group
740.532.7822

Contacts

Robert Rhett Slagel
President & CEO
Portable Solutions Group
740.532.7822