Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ H-2B rocket. Photo: NecoVideo Visual Solutions (Flickr)

[Via Satellite 07-23-2015] Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (MHPS) have decided to reorganize, respectively, their Nagasaki Shipyard and Machinery Works and Nagasaki Works facilities to consolidate manufacturing by product. MHI will concentrate its defense and space systems, and MHPS will concentrate its operations involving thermal power generation systems. The reorganization initiatives are slated for completion by the end of March 2018.

MHI performs special machinery and equipment operations for the Japanese Ministry of Defense and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) at its Nagasaki Shipyard and Machinery Works site. This work will be consolidated in order to strengthen the company’s manufacturing base and to establish a robust intelligence security system. Specifically, all operations currently performed at the Saiwaimachi Plant — including machining, and assembly and testing of equipment installed on naval vessels — will be transferred to the Isahaya Plant. This step consolidates the manufacture of underwater equipment and naval vessel installations for the Ministry of Defense, and space equipment for JAXA in the plant. Management and engineering divisions currently located at MHI’s main plant at Akunoura will also be shifted to the Isahaya plant.