The investments will accelerate ongoing modernization of Fincantieri’s Wisconsin System of Shipyards, adding advanced cutting, forming, welding, and automation capabilities that will improve production efficiency and strengthen the shipyards’ ability to execute the Landing Ship Medium (LSM) program and other current and future shipbuilding requirements. The initiative is part of Fincantieri’s broader commitment to expanding US shipbuilding capacity, enhancing workforce readiness, and supporting the long-term competitiveness of the American maritime industrial base.
The approximately $8.3 million Navy Shipbuilding Capability Industrial Base (SCIB) funding and $1.3 million MARAD Small Shipyard Grant build on Fincantieri’s long-standing investments in its US shipyards to expand and modernize American shipbuilding.
“This investment is an important demonstration of the Navy’s confidence in Fincantieri, our people and our ability to be a partner in strengthening American shipbuilding,” said George Moutafis, CEO of Fincantieri Marine Group. “It also complements our efforts to put proven advanced manufacturing technologies into the hands of our employees so that we can deliver at speed. Together, these investments are helping create the industrial capabilities, skilled workforce and modern infrastructure needed to support the Navy’s future fleet requirements.”
The Navy agreement also enables Fincantieri to continue to offer its Employee Dependent Care Contribution Program through 2027. The annual tax-free $5,000 payment has helped employees offset childcare and elder care costs.
Previous Navy SCIB funding supported the development of a new Weld Lab at Fincantieri Marinette Marine, currently underway, that will bring more welding training, qualification and recertification in-house and help accelerate skills development for the shipyard workforce. The facility will also provide a model for expanding in-house skilled-trade development across FMG’s Wisconsin shipyards, building on its existing training partnerships and programs, to expand its reach and accelerate the development of the company’s workforce.
Since establishing its presence in the United States two decades ago, Fincantieri has steadily expanded its American industrial footprint, investing more than $800 million in its US shipyards and transforming them into one of the most advanced and capable shipbuilding networks in the country. Through Fincantieri Marine Group, the company employs approximately 3,000 skilled American workers and continues to invest in advanced technologies, workforce development and industrial infrastructure to support the US Navy and the long-term growth of the American maritime industrial base.
Together with the technology, industrial expertise and global shipbuilding experience from Fincantieri Group, FMG is using these investments to accelerate the development of the people, infrastructure and production capabilities needed to build ships faster and more efficiently in America.
