Navistar buying West Point building

NAVISTAR PRESS RELEASE

Melrose Park, Ill., January 13, 2020 – Navistar Defense, LLC (Navistar Defense) Monday announced the acquisition of its assembly plant located in West Point, Mississippi. The company has leased the facility from Babcock and Wilcox since 2006.

“The purchase of the assembly plant is a part of our strategic plan to grow our business,” said Ted Wright, Navistar Defense chief executive officer. “With the hard work of the local workforce, Navistar Defense has manufactured tens of thousands of vehicles at this facility since 2006. This acquisition shows our commitment to the West Point community and to Mississippi.”

“West Point is pleased that Navistar Defense has made a long term, permanent commitment to our community,” said West Point Mayor Robbie Robinson. “We look forward to working with Navistar Defense for the good of our city, state and nation.”

“Navistar Defense’s long-term investment in West Point is great news for Mississippi’s growing defense industry. The skilled workforce in the Golden Triangle will continue to play an important role in supporting America’s armed forces,” said Senator Roger Wicker.

The West Point Assembly Plant (WAP) has been Navistar Defense’s primary manufacturing site since 2006. The plant is located on 161 acres and has 562,000 square feet of manufacturing, storage and office space comprised of five multi-purpose, moving assembly lines.

“This facility has the ability to produce armored and unarmored tactical vehicles from the ground up,” said Wright. “Beyond that, the plant’s large capacity offers the potential to manufacture a variety of products in addition to our core product lines.”

In addition to assembly tooling and equipment, the plant has high-volume chemical agent resistant coating (CARC) painting, certified welding, and technical automotive capabilities.