Manufacturing Environment News

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released its Offshore Wind Energy Strategy, a first of its kind, comprehensive summary of the Department’s efforts to meet President Biden’s goal to deploy 30GW of offshore wind energy by 2030.The strategy aims to set the nation on a pathway to 110GW or more by 2050.Deploying 30GW of offshore wind would provide enough power for 10 million homes, support 77,000 jobs, and spur $12 billion per year in direct private investment, says the DOE.The…

As maritime digests a number of historical changes, Norway’s Fjellstrand shipyard wants to put aside the rule book and look at the whole process in a new way, reducing engineering costs up to 70% and production costs up to 20%.The process of designing and building a ship, even in today’s highly standardized mass manufacturing environment, remains largely a one-off, one-of-a-kind design and build. Ships are most often built to a shipowner’s or operator’s specific requirements, which are often based on fixed parameters such as speed…

As maritime digests a number of historical changes, Norway’s Fjellstrand shipyard wants to put aside the rule book and look at the whole process in a new way, reducing engineering costs up to 70% and production costs up to 20%.The process of designing and building a ship, even in today’s highly standardized mass manufacturing environment, remains largely a one-off, one-of-a-kind design and build. Ships are most often built to a shipowner’s or operator’s specific requirements, which are often based on fixed parameters such as speed…

Samson has completed its 15,000-square-foot expansion at its Ferndale Washington facility. The expansion includes a new Innovation and Training Center (ITC) and several enhancements to the manufacturing area. According to Samson, the ITC was designed to create an environment of collaboration and innovation, now housing the research and development and quality functions, as well as an expanded test lab. The office space accommodates 16 engineers and field service technicians, nine quality assurance technical professionals, a large-capacity training room and a full testing facility.

Highly automated, fully variable assembly process allows Cat to provide uniform service to a myriad of marine customers. But, MCOE is only one part of Cat’s new business strategy. In August of 2007, the first Cat marine engine left Caterpillar’s new Marine Center of Excellence (MCOE) in Greenville, South Carolina. In the ensuing years, countless engines have gone through the same process. Caterpillar Marine Power Systems brings together all the sales and service activities for Cat and MaK branded marine products within Caterpillar Inc. The organization provides marine power solutions (high and medium speed with outputs from 11 kW to 16,000 kW) and customer service from a single source for the global ocean-going, commercial and pleasure craft markets.

FarSounder, Inc. announced the move to their new Global Headquarters in Warwick, Rhode Island. The move enables consolidation and expansion of their corporate and sales offices, R&D, and manufacturing into one facility. The company's stand-alone building will allow on site incorporation of their Acoustic Tank Testing Facility. “We are excited to move into a facility that supports our plans for the future”, stated company CEO, Cheryl M. Zimmerman, “This move provides a permanent home, as well as an effective manufacturing environment, for our expanding product line”. With proximity and access to international airports and to the Narragansett Bay and Newport Harbor…

W&O takes the guesswork out of distribution, supply and the marine manufacturing environment. In the busy U.S. Gulf Coast shipbuilding sectors, W&O Supply remains active within four very strong markets: navy marine, commercial marine, marine offshore and offshore fabrication. Even with the uncertainty surrounding sequestration, business in the Gulf continues to be strong, as well as diversified. With major shipyards in the region continuing to receive contracts for follow-on vessels, the opportunity for continued success is therefore very good. Nevertheless, and not content to sit back and do ‘business as usual,’ W&O continues to look for new ways to do business, with new products and further enhance their offerings to the marine markets.

Three Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV) currently under construction. On November 8, 2011, Austal held a keel-laying ceremony for its second Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), Choctaw County (JHSV 2), one of seven Austal-designed 103-meter U.S. Navy Joint High Speed Vessels under contract with the U.S. Department of Defense. Captain Henry W. Stevens, III (USN), Strategic and Theater Sealift Program Manager, PMS 385, served as the Authenticator for today’s ceremony. He was assisted by Brandon Mims. Brandon is an “A” Class welder that has been part of the Austal team since June of 2007.

Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) announced that it is expanding its High-Horsepower Technical Center and high-horsepower engine product line at its manufacturing facility in Seymour. The expansion of the center will provide the company with more opportunities for producing high-horsepower clean-diesel and natural gas engines in the future. Mark Levett, Vice President and General Manager  High-Horsepower Business, made the announcement at the plant and was joined by Indiana Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman, U.S. Rep. Baron Hill and several members of local and state government representing the Seymour area. Cummins plans to invest approximately $100m in the expansion at the Seymour plant, which is expected to result in approximately 200 engineering and manufacturing jobs over the next five years.

Unidynamics welcomed back William H. Kell to its team as Director of Systems Engineering responsible for estimating, product development, design and manufacturing engineering. Bill comes to us with over 15 years of engineering experience and was with Crane Defense Systems, the parent company of Unidynamics prior to its acquisition by Gulf Coast Holdings in the fall of 1999. Bill's desire to return to Unidynamics coupled with his history with the company made him an optimal choice for this position. His most recent experience was with SGI-Integrated Graphic Systems as their Director of Engineering. During his tenure with SGI, he was responsible for Product Development and Estimating, Product Configuration Control, Drafting and Art.

information officer. Newport News. Schievelbein, Northrop Grumman corporate vice president and president of its Newport News sector. "We are very pleased to have Leni join us," said Schievelbein. Prior to this promotion, Kaufman served as a program director for the Integrated Systems sector located in Melbourne, Fla. her career with Northrop Grumman in 1979 and has held several leadership positions of increasing responsibility that include project manager of integrated solutions, manager of software engineering and technical specialist of manufacturing systems. Kaufman earned her bachelor's degree in professional studies at Barry University, Miami, Fla. Institute Level II & III certification and is a member of the American Production Inventory Control Society.