BAE Systems, Army cut ribbon on new facility
Posted: 2010-04-27
Kingsport Times-News
By Sharon Hayes
KINGSPORT — BAE Systems and the U.S. Army have partnered to convert an empty warehouse at Holston Army Ammunition Plant into a multi-use facility that’s ultimately saving taxpayers millions of dollars.
Officials from BAE Systems and the Army gathered Monday morning along with U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new consolidated Risk Management Facility, which now houses everything from security and safety operations to wellness services at the plant.
“It was a facility that was going to go to waste,” said Jerry Hammonds, plant manager for BAE Systems, the operating contractor at HAAP.
“What we’ve put in now is a facility that’s going to be very beneficial to the Army for 25 to 30 years with very low maintenance costs associated with it,” said Hammonds.
The complex includes a 30,000-square-foot main building that houses a large meeting space, security operations, environmental offices, wellness services and a gym area for exercising.
Another 20,000-square-foot facility is designed for materials handling.
And a 7,000-square-foot building features the plant’s fire station, complete with sleeping quarters and kitchen for fire personnel and emergency medical staff.
The complex sits on 5.5 acres within the 6,000-acre plant.
Hammonds said the project totaled $3.2 million. Of that, BAE Systems contributed more than $800,000, and the Army chipped in $2.4 million, Hammonds said.
He said the Army had planned on building a new fire station at the plant and was expecting to pay about $7.2 million for the construction.
“We said that’s ridiculous, when we’ve got a facility down here that we can convert into a fire station, but also achieve all these other things as well,” Hammonds said.
He said the project saved the Army, and ultimately taxpayers, between $3.5 million and $4 million.
Hammonds said he came up with the idea for the project two years ago while driving back to Kingsport from BAE Systems’ North American headquarters in Rockville, Md.
Hammonds said a commercial tenant had already invested money into the building, but the tenant’s business failed, leaving a vacant warehouse at the plant. Hammonds said it made sense to combine all the security, safety, fire protection and wellness services at the site.
He approached Bob Ragan, onsite commander’s representative for the Army, who liked the idea. Together, the two developed the plan for the complex and approached Army and BAE officials about funding the project.
Funding was secured, and construction began five months ago on the facility.
“It took a lot of contributions from a lot of people,” Hammonds said. “I’m very proud in what BAE Systems and the Army have accomplished.”
Roe told those gathered that he was impressed by what he saw. He said BAE Systems’ wellness program can set an example for the rest of the nation in ways to contain costs and keep employees healthy.
Roe also commended the company on its safety record at the plant, which has produced explosives for the military since World War II.
“I know that safety and training is very important. One of the things you did here, you not only made safety better by getting the asset closer to a potential accident, but you also created a place where you can get wellness and health care, and you can find those emergency services all in a one-stop shop. Very smart thing to do,” Roe said.
“It also sounds like you saved $4 million. That’s innovative thinking,” he said.
Hammonds said 80 to 100 employees will work out of the new complex.