Defense contractor Litton Corp. launched operations Friday at the 64,000-square-foot addition to its Salt Lake electronics plant.
The addition, which cost nearly $6 million, was designed to accommodate the consolidation of its guidance and control systems operations from Grants Pass, Ore., and Woodland Hills, Calif. Company officials say Litton needed to consolidate its military guidance-and-navigation systems manufacturing to reduce operating costs and increase competitiveness in a declining defense market.The enlarged facility, now 216,000-square-feet in size, accommodates additional manufacturing equipment and 400 employees. The company employs about 900 people locally, up from 500 last summer.
About 300 workers have been transferred to the Utah facility from Litton operations out of state.
Melvyn Ashcraft, division vice president in charge of Salt Lake operations, said the company's payroll has increased from about $10 million to $25 million since last summer.
Litton builds navigation systems for tactical military aircraft. The company has produced precision equipment for aircraft, ships, missiles and land vehicles in Salt Lake City since 1960.
"This expansion reinforces Salt Lake City's stature as an important contributor to the high-technology defense capability of the U.S. And it provides Litton with the finest production facility of its kind in the industry. We're proud to be a part of the community's vital economic base," Ashcraft said.
Jacobsen Construction Co. of Salt Lake City was general contractor for the addition at Litton's Salt Lake operation, located at 2211 W. North Temple.