Howell Company Secures $465 Million Contract With Army

A company with only 40 employees in Howell is one of five that will share in a $465 million dollar contract with the U.S. Army. It's a contract that holds the opportunity to bring jobs and money to the area.

"We've been doing military work for over 20 years. They're a great customer," said Ralph Beebe, President of Highland Engineering.

Ralph Beebe and his crew at Highland Engineering work hard to provide our troops with what they need.

"When something leaves our facility, the people know where it's going…who's using it and we make sure it's right," said Beebe.

15 years ago they designed a water treatment purifier now used by the Air Force, NATO and FEMA. Recently, they've added on some new products to their list.

"It was a competitively bid contract. Highland Engineering was one of the winners and that's up to a $465 million contract over the next 5 years," said Beebe.

Beebe's company was one out of 5 companies across the country and the only one in Michigan chosen by the U.S. Army to build portable bathrooms, showers, laundry rooms and kitchens that will be shipped to troops all around the world.

The local company brings the comfort of home to our troops, the things we take for granted, like running water to wash your hands and to flush the toilet.

Not only is this one of the biggest contracts for Beebe's company, he says local suppliers will also feel the effects and when these units are in full production it will add about 40 to 50 jobs.

"The veteran unemployment rate right now is an issue and as new jobs come on that would certainly be our first stop...is hiring the vets," said Beebe.

The focus of their work is making the troops as comfortable as they possible.

"They're doing one of the hardest and most difficult jobs, a hot shower at the end of the day is great thing," said Beebe.

Beebe says they hope to be in full production of the units in 5 to 6 months. They plan to produce about 60 a month and ship more than 700 a year to troops.