Lt. Gov. Drew Wrigley, representatives from the offices of U.S. Senator John Hoeven, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp and Congressman Kevin Cramer, employees, civic leaders and special guests joined Northrop Grumman Corporation Thursday in celebrating 45 years of manufacturing excellence in New Town and the site’s earning of Voluntary Protection Programs Star status from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The New Town facility opened in late 1970 as the North Dakota Manufacturing Plant, a Northrop Grumman subsidiary. Today, the site is part of Northrop Grumman’s Aerospace Systems sector and currently produces low-cost, high-quality cables and harnesses for a wide range of systems. The site is also part of Northrop Grumman’s growing presence in North Dakota.

In expanding to the eastern part of the state, Northrop Grumman recognized the special commitment the Red River Valley region is making to develop a world class autonomous systems technology corridor and signed a Strategic Alliance Agreement with North Dakota officials in 2013 to expand business operations in the state. As a world leader in autonomous systems, Northrop Grumman cemented its commitment to North Dakota by being the first company to sign a lease with Grand Sky in 2015.

In addition to celebrating 45 years in New Town, the ceremony included a presentation by OSHA, with the agency officially recognizing Northrop Grumman’s New Town facility with VPP Star status, the agency’s highest workplace safety distinction.

“Northrop Grumman’s safety record is a shining example for all companies in North Dakota,” said Brad Baptiste, OSHA Regional VPP Manager. “Northrop Grumman is the only company in New Town, North Dakota to earn VPP Star status, one of only 10 companies in North Dakota to earn this designation, and part of only 0.03 percent of companies nationwide to receive OSHA’s highest safety recognition.”

“In receiving VPP Star status, Northrop Grumman is being recognized for the safety and health management systems put in place in New Town,” said Billy Riles, North Dakota Manufacturing Center site manager, Northrop Grumman. “VPP Star status is a testament to Northrop Grumman’s focus on safety and our commitment to delivering for our customers.”

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.