Published: February 13, 2008 10:53 pm      

Defense contractor leases Richland site; 'significant number' of jobs expected

A Norwegian company will open its first American manufacturing facility in May in Richland Township, creating a “significant number” of jobs for the region.

Officials from Kongsberg Defense Corp. confirmed Wednesday that the company has leased more than 100,000 square feet in the former Bestform building at the Greater Johnstown Industrial Park. Kongsberg’s Manufacturing Operation Center is expected to begin production in May.

“We’re not sure how many employees we’re going to need just yet,” said Greg Platt, who began just this week as vice president of operations at the new facility. “It will be a significant number of workers, but we’re not certain of exactly how many.”

Building co-owner Jim Vasilko presented plans to the Richland Township Planning Commission on Tuesday for a 380-space parking lot to be constructed at the building. Vasilko said East Hills Commons had a “major tenant” for the former Bestform location.

The additional parking would be necessary for the tenant to add a second shift, Vasilko told planners.

The plant initially will manufacture Kongsberg’s Protector Remote Weapons System for the Army’s Common Remotely Operated Weapons Station, or CROWS. In August, the company won a $1.3 billion contract spanning five years for delivery of its Protector system for the CROWS program.

The Manufacturing Operation Center represents Kongsberg’s second presence in the region. The company’s Customer Support Center employs 25 at the JARI Center for Business Development along JARI Drive in Richland.

Espen Henriksen, a vice president of remote weapons system operations for Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace AS, Kongsberg Defense Corp.’s parent company, said Kongsberg likes the results it has seen at its Johnstown operation.

“This decision was based on a lot of research and the reputation of the work ethic of the people here,” Henriksen said. “Plus, we have a very good relationship with Johnstown Area Regional Industries, and that’s really what facilitated what we’re doing here.”

The company’s lease at the new site began Feb. 1.

The company is renovating the space by removing the majority of an existing mezzanine level to provide more vertical space for manufacturing. Kongsberg will completely overhaul the facility’s lighting and outfit it with a climate control system.

“We see good potential for growth and good long-term prospects for business here,” Henriksen.

Plans presented Tuesday show a new street connecting the proposed parking lot and an existing parking area at the 117 Allenbill Drive building of Concurrent Technologies Corp. The new street would extend from Allenbill to Industrial Park Road, creating a four-way intersection at Donald Lane and Industrial Park Drive.



Staff writer Randy Griffith contributed to this story.