Fairbanks Morse to launch training center

Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD), a portfolio company of Arcline Investment Management, is launching a 45,000 sq.ft. training and service center campus in Chesapeake, Va. The defense contractor will move its existing service center from Norfolk, Va., to the Chesapeake campus to add the new training facility and further expand advanced service support for its customers. The move represents a $13 million investment in the community.

Fairbanks Morse Defense is investing $13 million to create a campus in Virginia that expands service and hands-on training opportunities for technicians and customers. (Photo: Fairbanks Morse Defense)

FMD’s new training and service center campus is near Norfolk, Va., the largest U.S. Navy and Military Sealift Command fleet concentration in the U.S. The U.S. Coast Guard also has a strong presence in the area.

“Training is the forefront of good maintenance practices, and Fairbanks Morse Defense’s training center is incorporating our cutting-edge mixed reality training technology to provide the most comprehensive, interactive marine equipment training solution available,” said Jamie McMullin, FMD president of Services. “This location will strengthen FMD’s position as the preferred service solutions and training provider for our core customers while enhancing our rigorous Factory Certified Training programs for our large network of field service technicians.”

FMD’s Chesapeake Training and Service Center will include:

-  13,000 sq. ft. of training center shop space, including four fully dressed workstations featuring four different FMD engines for students to pull apart and reassemble, in addition to dedicated training available on all FMD products.

- 20,000 sq. ft. of service center space, providing local and responsive full-service capabilities that include equipment overhauls and repairs as well as unit exchange solutions for rapid turnaround.

- 6000 sq. ft. for training center offices, classrooms, break rooms and conference space.

- 6000 sq. ft. for service center offices, a tech library, a service center classroom, and break rooms.

The site also provides room for growth, allowing FMD and its expanded family of brands to utilize additional space as the company integrates new turnkey products, service solutions and training programs into the training and service center offerings.

Upon completion in 2023, the site will create approximately 50 new jobs.