A letter of agreement between Poland and the United States signed on Tuesday will assure several years of work for the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center. Taskforce Lima heard an update from officials at the tank plant on the order of 250 Abrams tanks. The plant is currently working on contracts with the U.S. Military and Kuwait. The additional 250 tanks will allow the JSMC to start what is called a heel-to-toe production line.
From
To
Also at Task Force Lima the plant manager gave an update to the tank plant's employment.
In 2016 the plant employed 425 people. Now employment is up over 800 people. The Joint Systems Manufacturing Center began a big wave of hires over a year ago. They began with welders and have recruited 25 so far, but that may increase based on demand. The plant also ramped up production, pumping out 13 Stryker Vehicles a month and 35 Abrams Tanks a month. Next in the hiring line will be assembly line positions such as mechanics. The plant manager says how important the partnership with Ohio Means Jobs has been to their efforts.
An idea was tossed around about connecting schools with the Lima Tank Plant at the bi-monthly Task Force Lima meeting. Col. Joseph Zeis put the idea on the table after talking to different career tech schools and state colleges around Ohio. Zeis told the group these schools are looking for an employment pipeline for their welders, craftsmen and STEM students. Hank Kennedy of Joint Systems Manufacturing Center said that is a possibility. The plant is currently in a hiring process, but have found there is stiff competition in the economy right now. Kennedy said JSMC is already working with nearby Apollo Career Center.
On the heels of the presidential visit last week, Task Force Lima reconvened at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center. Plant Director of Operations, Hank Kennedy, said the visit by President Donald Trump was "huge." Kennedy also spoke about production as the plant gets back to normal this week. He said as of late, Abrams tanks have been rolling out seven to eight a month and about 10 Stryker vehicles are produced a month.