New Division of HII Launches Operations in South Carolina

News Summary

Huntington Ingalls Industries has launched its Newport News Shipbuilding-Charleston Operations in Goose Creek, South Carolina. This facility will manufacture critical components for U.S. Navy vessels, including nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers. The site is expected to expand its workforce significantly, with a comprehensive training program in place. HII aims to significantly impact the local economy while also investing in education and creating job opportunities in the growing shipbuilding industry.

Goose Creek, South Carolina – Newport News Shipbuilding-Charleston Operations, a new division of Virginia-based Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), launched its operations at a facility in Goose Creek, South Carolina, approximately two months ago. This facility marks a significant expansion for HII, the largest military shipbuilder in the United States, and is set to send off its first structural unit to its headquarters in Virginia in just two days, intended for U.S. Navy aircraft carrier production.

The Goose Creek facility spans nearly 50 acres and contains 500,000 square feet of manufacturing space. It primarily focuses on producing modules for nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers, including habitability modules, auxiliary machine rooms, and weapons modules. General Manager Matt Needy highlighted that the purpose of the Charleston Operations is to specialize in these crucial components, supporting the ongoing needs of the U.S. Navy.

Newport News Shipbuilding is the exclusive builder of aircraft carriers for the U.S. military and one of only two companies nationwide tasked with submarine production. The establishment of the Charleston Operations comes as part of HII’s strategic effort to expand its workforce and production capabilities in South Carolina. The company recently acquired the assets of metal fabricators W International SC LLC and Vivid Empire SC LLC, which have been instrumental in setting up the new operations. Financial details regarding this acquisition remain undisclosed, but it has been reported that 99% of the legacy employees from W International have transitioned to become part of the new operations.

Currently, about 475 workers are employed at the Goose Creek site, with plans to increase this number significantly as operations ramp up. The facility is expected to undergo a phased growth plan, with full-rate production capacity not anticipated until 2027-2028. Employees undergo a comprehensive 12-week training program upon hiring, during which they are classified as full-time staff with benefits. Since its inception in October 2021, nearly 1,200 students have successfully graduated from the training program.

The location of the Goose Creek operations was chosen due to South Carolina’s established manufacturing workforce, which provides a robust talent pool for production roles. Additionally, local high schools, including Goose Creek High School and Berkley High School, work with HII to align educational curriculums, facilitating student transitions into operations roles within Newport News Shipbuilding.

HII has committed to making a significant economic impact in the Lowcountry region, spending approximately $500 million annually on local sourcing. The company’s contributions to the local workforce, which include investments in education and scholarships, amount to around $110 million each year. These efforts are aimed at fostering a skilled labor force that can meet the growing demands of the shipbuilding industry.

As part of the ongoing developments, the Goose Creek site, which was formerly a welding facility, aims to scale into a larger production operation in the coming years. Its strategic location offers access to deep water transportation and rail systems, important factors that enhance logistical capabilities for delivering products. Nearby, a new building for Leonardo DRS is also under construction and is expected to open in 2026, reflecting the region’s growing importance as a hub for military and defense manufacturing.

Overall, the launch of the Newport News Shipbuilding-Charleston Operations at Goose Creek represents a significant advancement for Huntington Ingalls Industries as it continues to bolster its role as a leader in the military shipbuilding sector while providing new job opportunities and contributing to the local economy.

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