Logistics Support Inc. is a Charleston-area defense contractor that is laying off 98 workers due to the unexpected loss of military funding in Goose Creek. The company, a division of Z Systems Corp., has not provided any additional information beyond the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filing given to the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce. While it is unclear if the Goose Creek site will be closing, Lt. Col. Christopher Manganaro, commander of the Army Field Support Battalion-Charleston at Joint Base Charleston, emphasized the importance of APS-3 vessels in providing flexibility and agility for the warfighter.
Logistics Support Inc. is responsible for providing mechanics and material coordinators that assist in maintaining equipment on APS-3 vessels, also called Army Prepositioned Stock vessels. These ships are used to transport and store military equipment and supplies, with Logistics Support coordinating all deployment medical and dental screenings, drug testing, and background checks for personnel. Once training is finished, individuals are deployed to a specific port to meet the supported ship. These vessels are serviced by the Army Field Support Battalion-Charleston at Joint Base Charleston.
The impending layoffs affect various positions such as motor vehicle and shipboard mechanics, supply technicians, site managers, and material coordinators. While there may be potential for affected employees to transition to a new employer if the work is awarded to another defense contractor, their future job security remains uncertain due to this sudden change in funding sources.
It’s important for Logistics Support Inc., as well as other defense contractors facing similar challenges due to military funding cuts, to consider alternative solutions that would allow them to continue supporting their clients while minimizing job losses among their employees. This could include diversifying their services or seeking out new contracts with government agencies or private companies.
Overall, this news highlights how unpredictable government funding can be for defense contractors and how important it is for them to have contingency plans in place when faced with unexpected changes in funding sources.
