Frederick J. Stefany
Frederick J. "Jay" Stefany, Director of the U.S. Navy's Maritime Industrial Base Program (MIB), delivered an insightful presentation during our General Membership Luncheon this month. The discussion highlighted the Navy's renewed focus on bolstering the nation's shipbuilding and repair capabilities.
Stefany emphasized the MIB's role in addressing the Navy's growing demands, which include increasing shipyard capacity and enhancing workforce capabilities. Established on September 6, 2024, the MIB represents a strategic pivot toward strengthening the industrial foundation critical to supporting the Navy's fleet readiness.
Tackling Challenges Across Five Pillars
The MIB is driving improvements across five core lines of effort:
-
Workforce Development: Stefany discussed the need to recruit and train 25,000 trades workers annually. Programs like the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) are central to meeting this goal, alongside initiatives aimed at engaging younger generations in ship repair and construction careers. Additional conversation with the audience was had about changing the perspective and reputation of the industry with parents and families so a younger generation is encouraged by ship repair.
-
Advanced Manufacturing: Innovations such as additive manufacturing are revolutionizing production, with several examples already reducing delays across the fleet. The Navy is working to integrate advanced technologies, including robotics and non-destructive testing, into shipyards to enhance productivity.
-
Supply Chain Resilience: Investments totaling $480 million have been made to support sequence-critical materials and develop secondary suppliers, ensuring stability and reducing reliance on sole-source vendors.
-
Shipyard Infrastructure: With shipyards facing unprecedented workloads, the Navy is investing in new facilities and upgrades to support both submarine and surface ship projects.
-
Strategic Outsourcing: To alleviate pressure on shipyards, the MIB is facilitating partnerships with nontraditional suppliers to handle tasks traditionally managed in-house, freeing up resources for more critical operations.
Key Achievements and Goals
Stefany highlighted notable successes, including:
- The application of additive manufacturing to produce over 180 ship parts, saving more than 900 days of maintenance delays.
- A significant outreach effort, including the "We Build Giants" campaign, which has garnered over 1.5 billion media impressions and attracted tens of thousands of job applicants.
- Regional workforce pipelines, such as the one in Hampton Roads, which has already trained and placed more than 1,300 workers.
Collaboration with Industry
Stefany underscored the Navy’s commitment to working closely with the private sector. He invited attendees to participate in MIB programs and provide feedback to improve processes. He also encouraged collaboration on workforce initiatives and the adoption of advanced manufacturing practices.
“Your insights and participation are vital to achieving our shared goals,” Stefany told the audience. “We’re building a stronger, more resilient maritime industrial base, and we can’t do it without you.”
Looking Ahead
As the Navy seeks to meet its ambitious fleet expansion targets, the MIB will play a role in ensuring the necessary infrastructure and workforce are in place. Stefany concluded with a call to action, urging industry representatives to connect with the MIB and contribute to its mission of supporting a robust and agile industrial base while taking questions from the audience.
« Return to Newsletter