PASCAGOULA, Miss., Nov. 1, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), in partnership with the Mississippi Contract Procurement Center and the Mississippi Development Authority, will host a suppliers conference Nov. 6, 2002, at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center.
Businesses from the state of Mississippi and Gulf Coast area will have the opportunity to learn about Northrop Grumman's Ship Systems sector and will be provided information on steps they can take to become a supplier for the corporation's shipbuilding operations in Mississippi and Louisiana.
"Our company is fortunate to have won a number of major shipbuilding contracts this year, and it is important to us that businesses in the states in which we operate have every opportunity to compete for supplier contracts or subcontractor projects that we may have available," said Dr. Philip A. Dur, Northrop Grumman corporate vice president and president of the company's Ship Systems sector. "This conference has been set up specifically so that local companies can learn more about these opportunities and how they can compete for them."
In May, the U.S. Navy selected a team led by Northrop Grumman to complete the system design for the Navy's advanced, 21st century surface combatant, DD(X). The Ship Systems sector will lead the system design, engineering prototype developing and testing. The initial design contract has a total value of approximately $2.9 billion over four years.
Additionally, the U.S. Coast Guard in June awarded a Lockheed Martin-Northrop Grumman joint venture a contract for a far-reaching modernization program for the agency's Deepwater forces. This contract is valued at $11 billion over a 20-year period, with a total potential value of $17 billion over three decades.
The Mississippi Contract Procurement Center has offered full support for this conference and is helping share the message that Northrop Grumman Ship Systems is looking for all types of businesses to be a part of the company's success.
"We understand the significance of Northrop Grumman Ship Systems to the state of Mississippi and this is a great way to energize the economies in our local area and statewide," said Richard Speights, executive director, Mississippi Contract Procurement Center. "Right now we have nearly 600 participants signed up for this event and we expect more. Northrop Grumman Ship Systems is looking for suppliers from all walks of life. Whether it's small or minority-owned businesses or larger industries that may offer some sort of service, many diverse areas are needed in the shipbuilding business. With the consolidation of the shipyards under Northrop Grumman, which includes Mississippi facilities in Pascagoula and Gulfport, and Louisiana facilities in New Orleans and Tallulah, many of these businesses have a better opportunity to be suppliers."
"This conference identifies the types of networking that can be advantageous to all businesses in the state of Mississippi," said Den Knecht, chairman of the board for the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. "The economic value of pre-existing business is just as significant and important as new industries to our state. The suppliers conference offers an opportunity for all of us to work together to create economic stimulation through the largest industry in the state."
Pre-registration is required for businesses to attend the conference. To register, businesses may call the Mississippi Contract Procurement Center at (228) 396-1288.
Northrop Grumman's Ship Systems Sector includes primary operations in Pascagoula and Gulfport, Mississippi, and in New Orleans and Tallulah, Louisiana, as well as a network of fleet support offices in the U.S. and Japan. The sector, which currently employs more than 17,000 shipbuilding professionals, primarily in Mississippi and Louisiana, is one of the nation's leading full service systems companies for the design, engineering, construction, and life cycle support of major surface ships for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and international navies, and for commercial vessels of all types.