Automatic Coating to establish operation in the City of Suffolk to support U.S. Navy, creating 50 new jobs
RICHMOND, Va.—Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that Automatic Coating Ltd., a technologically advanced provider of custom powder, liquid, and corrosion coating services with headquarters in Toronto, will invest $22.8 million to locate its U.S. operation in the City of Suffolk. The move will support an existing contract with the U.S. Navy and expand with new industrial and commercial customers in the United States, according to a release from the Governor’s Office.
Automatic Coating contracts with the U.S. Navy to use its patented process for corrosion coating on a wide variety of components, including watertight doors, louvers, hatches, and scuttles. Virginia successfully competed with Florida for the project, which is projected to create 50 new jobs, the release said.
“I am proud that another international company has selected the Commonwealth as home to its first U.S. operation, again reinforcing the strategic advantages a Virginia location offers,” said Youngkin in the release. “Hampton Roads boasts a robust workforce that includes a high veteran and exiting military population to supply Automatic Coating with a pipeline of talent to serve its contracts with the U.S. Navy, strengthening the region’s reputation as a hub for innovation in defense.”
“Establishing Automatic Coating’s U.S. operation in a region known for building the nation’s Naval ships is the perfect combination, and we are thrilled to welcome the company to Virginia,” said Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick, in the release. “The services Automatic Coating provides for the U.S. Navy will strengthen our country’s defense and ensure job opportunities for Virginians for years to come.”
“Automatic Coating Limited is pleased to announce the expansion of our company with the opening of Automatic Coating Limited U.S.A.,” said Jocelyn Bamford, CEO of Automatic Coating Limited U.S.A., in the release. “This is the next step in the evolution of our company and will deliver a local and made-in-America presence to our patented Tidal Coat system. This will assist the U.S. Navy in their North Star 75 project and will save the Navy millions of dollars in cost avoidance and extended life cycle of parts.
“We could not have found a better support in the Hampton Roads Alliance, the City of Suffolk, and the State of Virginia,” Bamford continued. “We look forward to being an integral part of community and contributing to job growth and prosperity in the region.”
Brad Bamford, president of Automatic Coating Limited, added, “We are looking forward to furthering the incredible partnership with the U.S. Navy which has been fostered over the past 25 years and developing new partnerships with general industrial companies, as well as the pipeline industry in the United States.”
“We welcome Automatic Coating Ltd, an innovative leader in the technology industry, to the City of Suffolk,” said Suffolk Mayor Michael Duman, in the release. “With a $22.8 million investment, Automatic Coating will support the U.S. Navy’s mission of excellence. Automatic Coating provides corrosion-resistant solutions that help protect our nation’s most valuable assets: our Naval ships and the men and women who serve upon them.”
Founded in 1954, Automatic Coating Ltd. is reported to be one of the largest and most technologically advanced custom powder, liquid, and blasting shops in North America. In addition to field corrosion coating, the company offers mobile field coating services, coating removal, mobile blasting, pipe rehabilitation, and other services.
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Suffolk and the Hampton Roads Alliance to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Youngkin approved a $200,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist the City of Suffolk with the project. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the release said.