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HII Newport News Shipbuilding Furloughs 471 Employees

HII Newport News Shipbuilding yard working on various ship projects.

News Summary

HII Newport News Shipbuilding has announced the furlough of 471 employees as part of restructuring efforts aimed at improving efficiency and financial stability. This decision follows a comprehensive review of the company’s workforce and is expected to last up to five months. The company is implementing this furlough along with cost-cutting measures targeting $250 million in savings. With a workforce of around 26,000, the shipyard faces production challenges and seeks to adapt its operations to better meet commitments to the U.S. Navy.

Newport News – HII Newport News Shipbuilding has furloughed 471 employees as part of financial adjustments aimed at increasing efficiency and accountability in meeting commitments to the U.S. Navy. This decision comes as the company undertook a careful review of its salaried workforce to align with its current business needs.

The furloughs, affecting a portion of the company’s workforce, are expected to last no longer than five months. HII Newport News Shipbuilding, which employs approximately 26,000 workers, stated that the situation would be reevaluated during the furlough period to assess ongoing operational needs.

This move is part of a broader cost-reduction strategy as the company aims to cut $250 million by the end of the year. Profits have already seen a decline of 19% from 2023 to 2024, and a report indicated that the shipyard’s first-quarter revenues totaled $1.4 billion, reflecting a decline of $38 million, or 2.6%, from the previous year. Furthermore, HII’s President, Chris Kastner, highlighted that the shipyard is currently 20% behind in production improvements compared to the previous year.

The furloughed employees are now in a state of uncertainty, remaining technically employed but unable to perform their duties, which may create further financial strains for those affected. In response to this, financial coach Betty Lewis, also known as Coach Bee, has provided strategies for those impacted to regain financial stability. She stresses the significance of having an emergency fund and a thorough spending plan to navigate through these uncertain times. Families are encouraged to explore available state and federal resources to support them during this challenging period.

This furlough comes on the heels of well-documented delays in major equipment at the shipyard, which have hindered progress on the future aircraft carrier Enterprise. In light of the existing production challenges, HII has shifted focus toward hiring experienced shipbuilders and skilled workers, while also planning to increase outsourcing by 30% to bolster its operations.

Despite the significant changes within the workforce, it is worth noting that HII Newport News Shipbuilding retained 99% of the workforce from its recently acquired South Carolina production plant. This reflects the company’s commitment to maintaining a strong labor force while navigating through financial adjustments aimed at securing its commitments to the U.S. Navy.

The impacts of these furloughs are pivotal, not just for the affected employees but also for HII Newport News Shipbuilding’s operational efficiency and profitability. As the company continues to adapt to its financial landscape, the future for both its workforce and its production capabilities remains closely tied to these strategic decisions.