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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
– The Navy today awarded a five-year, phased-maintenance
contract for LSD – 41/49-class ships to Southwest Marine
(SWM), a member of the United States Marine Repair (USMR) family
of shipyards. USMR is America's largest non-nuclear ship repair,
modernization, conversion and overhaul company.
SWM has now won all of the LPD and LSD-class ships in San Diego.
On June 13th, 2000, a $100 million, five-year, phased-maintenance
contract for work on six LPD-class ships, two LSD-class ships
and one AGF was awarded to SWM. These Best Value Procurement awards
were made based on cost, past performance and an outstanding track
record of craftsmanship and on-time delivery.
Monty Dickinson, SWM's president and general manager and president
of USMR West, said, "This is great news for our entire workforce.
Winning this award further shows that our commitment to continuous
improvement in all of our processes makes good business sense
and is recognized as extremely valuable to our biggest customer,
the U.S. Navy. Our "People are Important" philosophy
pertains not only to our workforce, but to our customers and community
outside our company as well. By treating each and every one of
our people with respect and dignity, they, in turn, treat our
customers in the same manner. It's really a very simple concept,
but it works. Our customers have also seen the extensive improvements
we've made to our facility over the last few years. These changes,
such as new equipment, a new training center and newly remodeled
offices have enabled us to provide the very best working environment
for our people and the best value for the dollar to the Navy and
the taxpayers. We have dramatically increased our efficiency and
productivity and have truly become the "go-to" shipyard
in San Diego."
USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD-52) arrives at SWM on October 11, 2000.
USS COMSTOCK (LSD-45), the last availability, is scheduled to
complete on September 14th, 2005. USS RUSHMORE (LSD-47), USS HARPERS
FERRY (LSD-49) and USS GERMANTOWN (LSD-42) are also part of the
contract. The ships are all home ported in San Diego, and keeping
the work here enhances the quality of life for the sailors onboard
the vessels. The work package includes advance planning, general
repairs and alterations. Approximately 150 additional workers
will be hired, increasing SWM's work force to almost 1400 people.
NASSCO had this contract from 1995 through this year. One of the
reasons SWM won this work is the groundbreaking teaming arrangement
with Continental Maritime and Pacific Ship Repair and Fabrication.
This partnership helps to level the manning peaks and valleys
by better distribution of work. The other reason for the award
was the competitive price and outstanding prior performance on
past availabilities.
Dickinson also added, "Due to lack of government funding,
we've seen a drastic downturn in Navy work over the summer. In
fact, there was a period when our yard was completely empty. We're
very glad to have won this contract and to be able to recall our
people and hire additional shipyard workers. We're also pleased
to be able to support the readiness of our fleet, which has been
in decline for some time."
In addition to SWM in San Diego, USMR shipyards are located in
San Francisco (San Francisco Drydock Inc.); San Pedro, Calif.;
Ingleside, Texas; and Norfolk, Va., the company's corporate headquarters.
The Carlyle Group, a Washington, D.C.-investment banking company,
owns USMR.
Bob Kilpatrick (619) 238-1000, ext. 2810
Jackie Kreisler (619) 557-4289
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