ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- Anniston Army Depot took another step toward the modernization of its industrial processes May 11 with a ribbon cutting ceremony at its new Powertrain Transmission Facility.
"This is the fourth ribbon cutting we have had here at the depot in the last four years," said Col. Timothy Sullivan, the depot's commander. "This building is an example of an Army that is modernizing our industrial base."
The 109,874 square-foot facility will house every process necessary to disassemble, clean, repair, paint and assemble transmissions for a variety of Army combat vehicles, including the M1, M113 and Stryker families of vehicles.
"Our employees deserve the very best facilities to do their work in and that's what they are getting today," said Sullivan.
Prior to the opening of this facility, transmission operations at the depot were spread through nine buildings, most of them converted 1940s-era warehouses.
"Our previous facility was a 1940s warehouse that was converted into a rebuild facility and our cleaning, finishing and painting processes were spread out in other buildings," said Steve Pennington, chief of the Transmission Drive Gear Division. "Here, every process is under one roof. We don't have to send anything out."
The ultimate goals of the new facility are efficiency and quality -- ensuring the best product possible is available for Soldiers at the best price.
"This is about the warfighter and making sure the young men and women have exactly what they need to do their job and come home safely," said Congressman Mike Rogers during the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Lt. Col. Thomas F. Nelson, deputy to the commander of the Mobile District Army Corps of Engineers, underscored the installation's importance to the troops in his remarks.
Recalling his deployment as a battalion executive officer, Nelson said he saw firsthand how important it was that the equipment turned in at the end of a tour of duty would be overhauled or repaired at a depot. He said it comforted him knowing the equipment was repaired better than new for the next Soldier who would take it into battle.
At maximum capacity, the Powertrain Transmission Facility can rebuild 1,675 transmissions per year on one shift.
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