HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) — A company focused on preventing vehicle attacks at public events is officially calling Williamson County home.
Meridian Rapid Defense Group celebrated the opening of its new operations hub in Hutto on Tuesday. The company designs and manufactures mobile security barriers and vehicle-rated gates intended to stop cars and trucks from driving into crowds, buildings, or restricted areas.
The company has a couple of products, one of them being a gate designed to stop vehicles. The system is designed to collapse in a controlled way, capturing the vehicle and bringing it to a stop.
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“The beam is designed, on impact, to collapse, and the net you can see here will capture the vehicle and bring it to a controlled stop,” said Meridian CEO Peter Whitford. “The arch… [will] wrap around the vehicle entering without permission.”
In addition to fixed security gates, Meridian also produces mobile barriers that can be deployed quickly for outdoor events like festivals, parades, and street closures.
“Typically, to do a parade or an outdoor event, we would have four barriers covering two laneways,” Whitford said. “These barriers are designed to stop vehicles traveling at 30, 45, and even 60 miles an hour.”
The expanded presence of such security measures comes as public safety officials continue to focus on preventing vehicle-ramming attacks. Deadly incidents around the country — including an attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans in 2025 and another involving a vehicle crashing into a hospital in Austin in 2024 — have heightened concerns about event and building security.
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“It is certainly important that all event planners are prepared for the unfortunate possibility that someone may take a car where it’s not supposed to be,” said Gregory Zerzan, general counsel for the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Zerzan noted the importance of proactive planning, especially as the U.S. prepares to host large-scale celebrations and global events.
“That certainly applies to large events like the World Cup… [and] celebrations like America’s 250th birthday.” said Zerzan.
Hutto’s director of economic development Cheney Gamboa said Meridian’s expansion is also expected to strengthen the local economy as the city continues to grow.
“We expect bigger events and more frequent events,” Gamboa said.
Gamboa added that the company’s arrival reflects Hutto’s rapid growth and available space for development.
“The city of Hutto is the 13th fastest-growing city with a population over 20,000 in the entire country,” Gamboa said. “We’re going to see that growth continue, and we’ve got plenty of land available.”
Meridian Rapid Defense Group said the Hutto facility will serve as a central hub for manufacturing, operations, and deployment across Central Texas and beyond.
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