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.
Local News
Related Photos
-
John Rucosky
Discussion
Defense contractor leases Richland site; 'significant number' of jobs expected
- Local News
-
-
Lawsuit: Bedford County shooting not 'justified'
The widow of a man who a prosecutor determined committed “suicide by cop” by pointing a weapon at state police during a standoff is suing, claiming the shooting was not justified.
-
Book honors Flight 93 co-pilot Homer
The widow of Flight 93 copilot LeRoy W. Homer Jr. is releasing a book this month on the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
-
Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.
-
Blogging with heart
Although it was probably high school English classes that propelled by career, I always liked science and history – with some notable, teacher-personality-or-competence-related exceptions.
-
Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.
-
Cambria abolishes 16 jobs
Following through on promises to cut budget costs, the Cambria County commissioners voted Thursday to abolish 16 positions, including nine full-time jobs.
-
Wozniak defends his support of drilling bill
State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, one of only seven Democrats to support the Marcellus Shale legislation adopted this week, said the bill protects the environment and provides help to local communities impacted by the natural gas drilling.
-
Businessman hoping to unseat Wozniak
Tim Houser uses two words – “challenging opportunity” – to describe his goal in this year’s elections.
-
Judge tosses evidence in robbery
A Cambria County prosecutor said he’ll have to drop robbery charges against a Twin Rocks woman after much of his evidence was suppressed by a judge.
-
Shooting defendant pleads to attempted murder
A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty Thursday in county court to attempted murder and theft in a Nov. 18 home invasion in which the homeowner was shot.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Lawsuit: Bedford County shooting not 'justified'
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
