Page 30: of Marine News Magazine (June 2020)

29 31

COMBAT & PATROL CRAFT longer the only answer to building a high-speed mission ca- sential to national security and has been able to remain in pable craft, he says. “USMI uses what materials are best suited full production throughout the coronavirus pandemic. And for the application, whether that is carbon ?ber, aluminum, again, like most, the shipyard had no set playbook to han- stainless steel or titanium. We leverage them all to provide a dle what would unfold. But that doesn’t mean USMI wasn’t lower total ownership cost.” ready. With diligent preparation and a family-like team effort mentality, the company has been able to successfully react to

FAMILY dynamic situations as they occurred.

Perhaps the strongest of USMI’s core values is family. Unit- In early February the company secured the necessary per- ed States Marine Inc. was started by Barry’s father in 1984, sonal protective equipment (PPE) for its staff, and in March and today the privately held company is majority-owned by it started in-depth tracking employee health, monitoring leg- current management (each with more than 25 years in the islation and holding daily leadership meetings.

business). But Dreyfus takes the term “family business” to an- USMI also holds weekly meetings to solicit employees’ in- other level. “Our customers are part of our family, and we put for improvements. “Together, USMI has been able to gen- make sure our relationships are strong,” he says. “In our mar- erate actions and alter those as needed during this crisis. We ket, DoD, we have built upon our previous successful con- started screening entrance check points because of employee tract performances. We feel the best way to keep a customer suggestions weeks before they became standard processes for is make sure we support them from start to ?nish. There are most businesses. All work stations have sanitization available in many businesses that say it, USMI does it.” abundant quantities, bathrooms are cleaned three times a day,

USMI also counts its employees as family, as evidenced by doors are propped open so a person does not have to touch the its response to COVID-19. “Because of the hard work of our handle, tools are disinfected and the list goes on and on.” congressional delegation in helping retain the work force, we “Make no mistake, this event is a challenge for everyone. gave out an extra pay check to all employees for their efforts We are planning a long game strategy for the virus, but hop- and sacri?ces,” Dreyfus says. ing it will end sooner,” Dreyfus says. “As my father, Tom

Like many of America’s shipbuilders, USMI is deemed es- Dreyfus, once said, ‘It is fourth down and you cannot punt.’

U.S. Navy photo by RJ Stratchko !' % ! % (% & &

June 2020 30 MN