Newport News Shipbuilding recently welcomed more than 85 representatives of suppliers from across the country that provide crucial parts and services for nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.

Carrier Supplier Days was a two-day event that featured panel discussions, ship tours and dialogue about the connections between the shipyard and those businesses that supply everything from fasteners to furniture, allowing NNS to complete its mission-critical work.

“The 2023 Carrier Supplier Days was our opportunity to connect with suppliers in the shipyard and show them firsthand how they support the mission,” said Cullen Glass, vice president of Supply Chain Management. “Suppliers walked away with a wealth of new tools through workshops, networking and collaboration with NNS employees and fellow suppliers. The suppliers have a renewed sense of mission and energy to bring back to their companies thanks to the robust engagements and insightful panel discussions – including Navy participants – who shared the customer’s perspective.”

In all, more than 60 companies were represented.

Construction Superintendent Doug Pettigrew (X01) helped lead tours of aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79). It offered suppliers the chance to see how their products fit into the larger picture. They are just as proud of their work as shipbuilders are, he said.

“They’ll say, ‘hey, we built that,’” Pettigrew said. “It’s pride.”

Workshops and presentations covered workforce training and retention, welding procedures, additive manufacturing, and more. Besides CVN 79, the group stopped at Dry Dock 12, the CVN Assembly Hall, and viewed the progress of aircraft carriers Enterprise (CVN 80) and Doris Miller (CVN 81).

“It gives us the chance to thank them for what they do,” added Construction Superintendent Shayne Laws (X01). After leading a tour of CVN 79, he agreed that giving suppliers a firsthand look was a plus. “It’s like the old saying, a picture is worth a thousand words.”

Jamie Farrell, representing Wurth Revcar Fasteners, said Supplier Days was “a real eye opener.”

For Barry Lewis, Supplier Days was like a homecoming. Lewis is the vice president of sales and development at Riggins Company. Before that, he spent 16 years at NNS, graduating from The Apprentice School. He left the company in 2001 and was impressed by the expansion in the North Yard since his departure.

“It was a wow moment for me,” he said.