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Foundry manager say work 'on track'
0523 RH rotary
Firth Rixson General Manager Chris Bohlmann gives a presentation during the Richmond Hill Rotary Club’s Thursday meeting. - photo by Photo by Katie McGurl
Firth Rixson Limited General Manager Chris Bohlmann spoke to the Richmond Hill Rotary Club on Thursday about the company’s progress on the new Liberty County facility in Tradeport East and local job creation.
The construction of the 200,000-square-foot building is “on track,” according to Bohlmann, but he could not provide details regarding dates for its completion or opening day.
Firth Rixson estimates the forging plant, which will supply parts primarily to the aerospace industry, will create more than 200 jobs in the area. Those will be in addition to the locally hired contractors and electricians already working on the 21-acre site.
“We’re very excited about this investment. I think it’s a fantastic economic opportunity for the whole community, and we’re excited to be a part of that,” Bohlmann said.
When asked about required experience and starting salary rates for prospective plant workers, Bohlmann said Firth Rixson will seek reliable, disciplined individuals who are willing to learn the trade. The company wants to bring in a number of people with engineering or technical backgrounds who can train less experienced workers. Qualified individuals can expect competitive salaries in “the upper tier, or 75th percentile, of the Liberty County average,” Bohlmann said.
“We’re in the initial stages of employing people. There are lots of applicants, thousands of applicants (already). We’re happy to be here and looking forward to the future,” he said.
Firth Rixson Limited is a Sheffield, England,-based forging company whose products are used as aircraft components. Their management team is in the United States, and their primary markets are the aerospace industries in North America, Europe and Asia.
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