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AIKEN COUNTY RAMBLER. Thursday. March 24. 1983 - Pag# 3FMC Introduces Bradley Fighting VehicleMore than 2,000 Parts for This Modern Tank Are Produced at FMC's Aiken PlantUnit of Swamp Fox Cavalry, Dating to the Revolution, Dramatizes Change in Battle TacticsBy HELEN MARINEAIKEN-The Bradley Fighting Vehicle is human engineered with the soldier in mind,” according to FMC Corp officials participating in ceremonies dedicating their new military parts plant in the Aiken Verenes Industrial Park.Among those attending the ceremonies last Friday were FMC Chief Executive Officer Robert H. Malott, U.S. Rep. Butler Derrick, S.C. Lt. Gov. Michael Daniel, Aiken Mayor, H. O. Weeks, City Manager Roland Windham and Aiken County Council Chairman Carrol Warner.The 206,000 square-foot facility houses equipment to fabricate, machine, or weld parts for the vehicle, which resembles a tank, and is described as a highly mobile fighting system” which is second to none.”At full capacity the plant will process more than 2,200 components for the Bradley and other vehic es, and employment will grow from the present 200 to approx-Monday, March 28: Belvedere Methodist Church, 9*9:30; North Augusta Library, 9:40-10; Sweetwater Community Center, 10:15-10:45: Miller M»rtinfnwnimately 450.In his remarks Chairman Malott stressed the importance of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle program to the rebuilding of America’s conventional ground forces. He also cited the positive pro-business climate of South Carolina as aStore, 1 1:20-1 1:30; Lunch, 11:45-12:30; Perry. 12:45-1; Salley. 1:15-2:15; Brodie Greenhill, 2:30-3; Croft House, 3:15-4.\MT 1____1___ 1KM I- oa n 1____1reason for locating the facility here.Rep. Derrick was delighted Aiken County was chosen to be the flagship of the FMC operation”, adding Aiken has always been noted for horses--now it will be noted for horsepower.” He pointed out this is a cause for rejoicing, for every FMC employee creates three more support jobs in the county.Sgt. Sanford Eyler, a Bradley Fighting Vehicle instructor at Ft. Benning, then described the behemoth as the greatest innovation in equipment since themachine gun and said it gives soldiers the capabilities they need on the modern battlefront.As the fighting vehicle was being described by the infantryman, two of the tanks sped to the parking lot from where they had been parked at the Aiken Airport. Demonstrating theirmanueverability, the vehicles roared in at about 40 m.p.h.As they approached, employees and official guests assembled undera canopy beside the plant. The vehicles slowed as the Signal Corps Band played the theme from the motion picture Patton and Swamp Fox Cavalry unit of the S.C. 2nd Regiment slowly trotted alongside. —FMC Corp, has been in Aiken about eight years and previously produced lawn mowers and rototillers. The firm announced in the summer of 1981 it was closing down to rC-build and re-equip to fullfil defense contracts.Bookmobile
Newspaper Details
Aiken County Rambler
Aiken, South Carolina, US
Thu, Mar 24, 1983
Page 22
Full Page
Clipped by
David K.
NA, 16 Apr 2024
Other Publications Near Aiken, South Carolina
Aiken Daily Mail
Aiken County Rambler
Aiken County Register
Aiken County Journal
Aiken Standard
