A/Z Hosts Topping Off Ceremony for Electric Boat’s Advanced Manufacturing Project

Article posted on the EB Landing webpage.

A topping off ceremony was held on April 13 for Quonset Point’s new advanced manufacturing project, known as the AMP building. Located at 215 Mainsail Drive in Quonset Point, RI, this 100,000 square-foot facility will enable QP to supplement Electric Boat’s missile tube manufacturing capability from across the country right at Quonset Point.

The last steel beam was signed by those in attendance before being hoisted by crane and placed atop the structure, accompanied by the American flag and an evergreen tree—a topping-off tradition that holds various meanings, including the symbolization of a structure reaching its final height and luck to future occupants.

The ceremony was hosted by A/Z Corporation for the men and women of their subcontractors and consultants, who have worked tirelessly through tough weather conditions and a pandemic, to construct this new building that will support the Department of Defense’s number-one priority—the Columbia program. “Our job is to build submarines,” said Joe Drake, Vice President of Real Estate and Facilities. Addressing the crowd of A/Z employees, he continued, “You are the first line in that process and without you, we couldn’t do it. When someone asks you what you do for a living, you tell them you build submarines.”

Christian Lange, Director of Manufacturing Operations at Quonset Point, has overseen the project since construction start at the end of 2021. “Without this facility, we couldn’t achieve our strategic long-term goals,” said Lange. In addition to the AMP being essential to the continued defense of our nation, Christian noted the over 150 new jobs it will provide to the men and women who will work there. “Employment in the AMP is more than just a job, but a career if they choose that path. It will provide opportunities for young men and women to have good paying jobs while supporting the defense of our nation,” he said.

The AMP is on track for delivery in December of 2022, with first use anticipated in the second quarter of 2023.