HII Expands Shipbuilding Capacity with Acquisition of South Carolina Facility

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has announced the closure of its acquisition of an advanced manufacturing facility and assets in South Carolina, further expanding its shipbuilding capacity and throughput. The acquisition, which was first announced in December 2024, is expected to have a significant impact on HII's overall shipbuilding capabilities and support the company's commitment to increasing build rates for its national security customers.

The acquired facility, located in Goose Creek, South Carolina, will operate as part of HII's Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division. The site will support the construction of nuclear-powered submarine and aircraft carrier modules and structures for U.S. Navy programs. Substantially all current employees have been offered positions with HII to continue working on site, ensuring a smooth transition and immediate access to a skilled and experienced workforce.

The acquisition provides HII with advanced production facilities featuring state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment, tooling, and infrastructure used to fabricate complex metal modules and structures. The facility is strategically located on a 45-acre site with more than 480,000 square feet of manufacturing space, offering barge and rail access, and proximity to the rapidly growing shipbuilding ecosystem in the Charleston region.

HII President and CEO Chris Kastner emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition, stating, "HII is committed to going where the labor is to increase shipbuilding capacity and increase throughput for our national security customers. This lets us efficiently add trained talent and state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities to the urgent job of building ships, making it a unique opportunity to accelerate throughput at Newport News Shipbuilding in support of the Navy and AUKUS."

The acquisition aligns with HII's broader growth strategy, which focuses on expanding shipbuilding capacity and increasing throughput for national security customers. By expanding into South Carolina, HII gains access to a skilled workforce and a growing shipbuilding ecosystem, enabling the company to better support U.S. Navy programs and take advantage of future growth opportunities in the shipbuilding industry.

The integration of the acquired workforce and facilities into HII's Newport News Shipbuilding division is expected to have a positive impact on the company's operational efficiency and cost structure. By increasing throughput and accessing a skilled workforce, HII can improve its cost and schedule performance on shipbuilding programs while maintaining cost control. Additionally, the acquisition allows HII to diversify its manufacturing footprint, reducing its dependence on a single location and mitigating risks associated with natural disasters, labor disputes, or other disruptions.



In conclusion, HII's acquisition of the advanced manufacturing facility and assets in South Carolina is a strategic move that aligns with the company's broader growth strategy. By expanding its shipbuilding capacity and accessing a skilled workforce, HII is well-positioned to support U.S. Navy programs and take advantage of future growth opportunities in the shipbuilding industry. The integration of the acquired workforce and facilities into HII's Newport News Shipbuilding division is expected to improve operational efficiency and cost structure, further enhancing the company's competitive position in the market.