Organization

RTD Manufacturing gets contract to assemble materials for U.S. Army: update

By Chris Gautz | Jackson Citizen Patriot
October 26, 2009

Standing in front of the dozen or so employees left at RTD Manufacturing, a host of politicians and business leaders announced a major military contract that could keep those workers busy and add to their ranks.

Warren-based Waltonen Engineering Inc. won a five year contract earlier this month with the U.S. Army’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center with a ceiling of $430 million.

RTD will be the primary manufacturer on the team Waltonen assembled to produce the materials the Army requests.

It does not guarantee work, but it does give them the opportunity, RTD President Bryant Ramsey said.

“The opportunity is very exciting,” Ramsey said.

RTD Manufacturing Inc., 1150 S. Elm St. is a full-service job shop, from machining high-tolerance details to replacement parts and fixtures.

Tom Laboda, director of business development for Waltonen, said the products they could build could range from unmanned robots to look for improvised explosive devices, to putting up-armor kits on Humvees.

“Anything that moves in the Army on the ground, comes through this contract,” Laboda said.

U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek, said this will help to aid the war effort.

“We will protect and provide the tools for the warfighters… here together, as a team,” Schauer said.

State Rep. Martin Griffin, D-Jackson helped the company search for locations when it moved to Jackson several years ago while he was the city’s mayor. He said he is happy to see it have the potential to grow.

“These people are in a position to do pretty much anything,” Griffin said. “In this economy, it’s either adapt, or go out of business and they’re looking everywhere… to change their business and stay afloat, and they’re doing a really good job.”

RTD vice president of operations Stephen Artz said RTD will work with The Enterprise Group to get local manufacturers qualified to assist them in this level of military work, so they can subcontract the work locally when possible.

“It could really benefit a lot in the Jackson area,” Artz said.