EB expects to add 500 jobs by ’14

ELECTRIC Boat is expanding its facility at Quonset Point to include a new, four-bay, 146,000-square-foot production facility. / COURTESY ELECTRIC BOAT
ELECTRIC Boat is expanding its facility at Quonset Point to include a new, four-bay, 146,000-square-foot production facility. / COURTESY ELECTRIC BOAT

NORTH KINGSTOWN – Electric Boat expects to add several hundred manufacturing jobs over the next two years and anticipates a solid work projection until 2020. The announcement was made Jan. 10 by company President John P. Casey at a ceremony opening the company’s new 146,000-square-foot production facility located in the Quonset Business Park.

Called “Bay 4”, the new building will enable Electric Boat to fabricate modules for Virginia class submarines under one roof, simplifying the process and increasing efficiency.

The jobs increase is in response to the new facility. “We’ll be seeking a variety of workers, from welders, pipe fitters and machinists to engineers,” Casey said. “The company plans to hire 250 more workers by the end of 2012 and another 250 by 2014.”

The current U.S. Department of Defense budget calls for construction of two submarines each year for 2012 and 2013. The Virginia-class submarine is an advanced stealth, multi-mission, nuclear-powered submarine for both deep ocean anti-submarine warfare and shallow water operations, tailored to today’s needs, according to the U.S. Navy. The Electric Boat division of General Dynamics is the lead design authority for the Virginia class.

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