Team Wendy, a designer and manufacturer of multiple-application products that serve to protect against serious and potentially life-threatening impact-related injuries, is returning to where it began with the release of a new and complete helmet solution, the EXFIL. 

The company developed and manufactured its line of W Helmets for the skiing, biking and multi-sport markets from 1998 to 2004 before moving away from complete helmet solutions and into helmet liner protection systems for the U.S. military. The company has supplied the U.S. military with more than five million Zorbium Action Pad (ZAP) protection systems since 2005. 
 
Team Wendy’s new helmet uses technology partially developed through collaboration on a key U.S. Army Natick Soldier RD&E Center program. The helmet features a hybrid sling/polymer structure impact management system that stands up to multiple impacts.

“With the EXFIL, we are not only excited about a return to complete helmet solutions but we are also pleased with our ongoing advancements in liner protection technology,” says CEO Jose Rizo-Patron.

While Team Wendy continues to produce the seven-pad ZAP sets for standard issue military helmets, they are also now assembling the new EXFIL helmet at its 50,000-square-foot Collinwood facility. “We really make it a concerted effort to stay local,” says Rizo-Patron. “Cleveland and greater Northeast Ohio’s strong manufacturing and engineering roots allow us to maintain a hiring pool that is largely local.  The majority of our vendors are also companies based in Ohio.”

Team Wendy consistently employs between 50 and 75 people in pre-assembly, final assembly and fabrication jobs. The company also works with local and state universities and design institutes to recruit new talent.

Source: Jose Rizo-Patron
Writer: Karin Connelly