When Mark Burton founded International Armoring Group in 1993, he planned to bulletproof about 25 cars a year.

That first year, the company produced more than 200 armored vehicles.

Since then, fears of terrorist attacks, kidnappings and other threats to safety have only increased, and International Armoring has built more than 5,000 bullet-resistant automobiles for clients in 54 countries — including, says Burton, more than 30 heads of state.

IAG has developed much of the technology it uses to armor vehicles, making not only various types of vehicle body armor, but also reinforced engine compartments, tires and windows. These products are used mainly on sport utility vehicles, but the company has worked on more than 125 car models.

Besides its gee-whiz technology, International Armoring has found success in staying virtually debt free, enabling the company to post profits every year since it was founded.

Recently, IAG had a direct impact on the lives of U.S. soldiers serving in war zones when the company developed armoring kits that can be installed on military vehicles in the field, shipping more than 1,500 of the kits within four weeks of the Army's initial request. The company estimates that these products have so far saved more than 200 soldiers from injury or death.