A Long Island, N.Y.-based defense contractor is moving to North Carolina.

American Defense Systems Inc. said Thursday it was relocating its corporate headquarters to Lillington, N.C. as of July 5.

A spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Commerce declined to say whether the state was working with ADSI in the move. “We don’t comment on any project we may or may not be working with,” he said.

In a brief phone conversation, a company representative declined comment. 

ADSI is looking to cut costs as part of the move, saying in a statement: “[T]his relocation in addition to further staff and salary reductions will save the company approximately $1.5 million annually.”

“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,” ADSI Chief Executive Officer Anthony Piscitelli said in the announcement. “Our lower cost basis, particularly regarding logistics, will allow us to be that much more competitive in our bid processes and should translate to more contract wins.”

The company is publicly traded on the AMEX exchange under the symbol EAG. Its shares closed at 7 cents on Thursday. The 52-week range is between 5 and 31 cents. ADSI faces the prospect of its stock being delisted due to a failure to meet listing requirements.

ADSI provides protective armor, fire suppression systems what it calls “architectural hardening concepts” and tactical training solutions.

The company reported an operating loss of $1.27 million on revenues of $2.5 million for the quarter ending March 31. It did sell a business unit in March.

Revenues have dropped sharply from $15.6 million in the quarter ending June 30, 2010, to $8.7 million and $3.9 million in the following quarters.

As of March 31, the company reported a contract backlog of $10 million.

The firm said it had working capital of $569,610 and cash on hand of $745,689 as of March 31.

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