Shipyards create
new trade group

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By Russ Lynch
rlynch@starbulletin.com

Hawaii's shipyards have come together in their first trade association, aimed at keeping military business, other government contracts and commercial jobs from slipping away to the mainland.

"I have seen this done successfully in other ports where contractors, even though they may be competitors, all get together," said Bill Clifford, chief executive of Pacific Shipyards International LLC and the first president of the new Ship Repair Association of Hawaii.

The companies bid against each other for work, he said, but they can all benefit by showing their capacity and skills to the world and working together to fight moves to take business away from Hawaii.

Cooperation and joint promotion of the skills that are available here will mean a united voice to protect a local industry where it may be "better to get half of something, than nothing," Clifford said.

San Diego contractors have led the way by forming their own group, he said, in a business that is "very fragile."

Companies other than his that are involved are Honolulu Marine Inc., Honolulu Shipyard Inc., HSI Electric, HSI Mechanical, Marisco, Propulsion Controls Engineering, Walashek Industries, C&S Services, Southwest Marine Hawaii, AMSEC Hawaii and Corrosion Engineering Services.

Officers other than Clifford are Bob Dewitz, HSI Electric president, as vice president; and John Henderson, general manager of C&S Services, secretary-treasurer.