4 Questions with Neal Benson I February 2010 Enterprise Minnesota Magazine

Enterprise Minnesota Magazine - February 2010

HELPING MANUFACTURERS GROW PROFITABLY

4 Questions with Neal Benson

Position: Director of GreenLean^SM, Kato Engineering

Role: In November 2009, Neal Benson was invited to travel to New York City for the commissioning of the USS New York, an amphibious transport dock ship designed for the U.S. Navy. Benson attended the ceremony on behalf of his company, Kato Engineering, which manufactured the alternators that power the entire ship.

How did Kato Engineering become involved in the USS New York project?

We have provided products to the U.S. Navy since the 1970s, and today we have alternators or control systems installed on more than 200 vessels. Our involvement with this project began in 1999 when we were originally awarded a contract to provide alternators for this class of ship. The first ship in this class was LPD-17, called the San Antonio. The USS New York is LPD-21, the fifth ship in this class. It's more than 600 feet in length and carries a crew of up to 800 sailors and Marines. It is an amphibious transport dock ship designed to deliver Marine troops and equipment via landing craft or helicopter. We supply the alternators that provide the ship's 12.5 megawatts of power.

Was there a particular significance to this event?

This ship is particularly significant because 7.5 tons of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center wreckage were melted down and cast into the bow section. The ship's motto is "Strength Forged Through Sacrifice. Never Forget." There are always many events happening in New York City, but people were clearly excited about the commissioning because of the personal connection to the 9/11 disaster. As we walked from the pier after the commissioning, people on the street asked about the ceremony. You could see the emotion in their faces. The commissioning was very well attended. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, and all of the presenters and speakers focused on how the ship will help us to remember the victims and heroes of 9/11, and will keep our country safe by fighting terrorism away from our shores. The same command is always given at the end of a commissioning ceremony. In this case, it was Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus who said, "Man our ship and bring her to life." Then all of the crewmembers stood at attention on all of the decks. It was very well done, and it makes you feel very proud and patriotic.

Did you interact with the ship's crewmembers?

Yes, and to have that personal connection with the sailors who depend on our product as they're deployed was very inspiring. We've been a supplier to the U.S. Navy for a long time. They know us, and they are very appreciative of what we do to support them. You just realize that these sailors' lives depend on how our product performs. When these ships are not providing national security, they're also providing aid around the world during natural disasters. If there's a tsunami or an earthquake, for example, chances are one of the ships we equip is delivering a crew there to support recovery. Since the average life of a U.S. Navy ship is 30 to 40 years, the impact of how our products help to protect our country and help those in need is significant.

What will be your enduring memory of attending the event?

Supplying products to the U.S. Navy and other branches of service is certainly a business, but it's really more than a business to us. We have a very strong sense of patriotism and duty knowing that our products help to provide safety and security to U.S. citizens. You can't help but feel that. It's an awesome responsibility--something that we take very seriously, and something that we're very proud of.