| Thanks To The US Navy |
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Louisiana's largest manufacturing based defense contractor received a new lease of life thanks to the timely support of United States Navy. Avondale Shipbuilders of Louisiana has been at the helm of US ship manufacturing industry, making some of the most advanced warships in the last 75 years that form a part of US Navy today.
On September 17, 2010, an assistant secretary of the United States Navy declared a set of key commitments on the part of Navy to ensure that the shipbuilding activities continue in region and ensure sustaining jobs for the people of the area. One of the huge blows to the local ship building industry came recently when Northrop Grumann Shipbuilding which owns Avondale, was rumored to be mulling that they will close this ship building complex in West Jefferson by 2013. It is expected that the company will lay off first 5000 people on October 2010. Bruce Lightell who worked in the plant says that he has worked as an operator for the last 27 years and now he will be laid off as will other hundreds of people who will be let go. With the closure of this plant, the navy was expecting serious decline in the production capability for the area hence the need to move in and salvage the situation. The navy informed that there are two Amphibious Transport Vessels, currently in different stages of construction at Avondale. The navy has guaranteed their completion. In the meanwhile, Northrop Grumann has planned that their semi-constructed ship hulks will be floated to the Mississippi facility for the rest of construction part. Clifton McGee, a well respected pipe fitter informed that he hopes that the navy will stand up to its commitment and let the ship manufacturing activities continue in the area. He also added that the area has a number of competent people working in the construction facilities and letting them go would result in some serious capability losses. Along with the guarantee of completion of the amphibious transports, the Navy has also declared that the construction of double hulled tankers which was scheduled for 2017 shall be pre-poned. The construction activities will now begin as early as 2014. An advancement of three years in schedule of construction is not unheard of, yet it cannot be considered a day to day news either. The good part is that the advancement of schedule allows a good bidding chance to the new Avondale tenant when it moves in. Meanwhile, the New Orleans mayor has declared that the yard will be a great opportunity for the new buyer, thanks to the commitments declared by the navy. Related Articles
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