Northrop Corp. Dedicates $5 Million Facility Addition on Morse Street in Norwood-October 8, 1976

Signifying a strong, continuing faith in the Commonwealth’s economic recovery, Northrop Corp. yesterday formally dedicated its $5 million facility addition at its Precision Products Department on Morse Street in Norwood.

The high-profile dedication ceremony drew top corporate leadership and state officials to celebrate an investment that local leaders hailed as a major milestone for Massachusetts industry and employment.

Investment Rooted in Local Brainpower and Business Climate

Northrop President Dr. Thomas O. Paine explained that the aerospace giant decided to make the major capital investment in Norwood because of the region’s unmatched academic-intellectual resources, alongside active state efforts to improve the business climate.

“We are extremely proud of our Norwood facility,” Dr. Paine stated. “It’s the kind of investment that gives us the best chance of good return because it provides the best performance, the lowest cost, the best service and is dedicated to service customer needs.”

“In addition,” he said, “We are impressed with the effort to improve the climate for business here in the state and we’re willing to bet on it.”

In particular, Dr. Paine highlighted the Norwood plant’s close technological association with Draper Laboratories and MIT, praising their respective researchers as a “rare statewide resource.”

Expansion Plans and High-Tech Production

The new facility addition—housing engineering, data processing, and administrative functions—was unveiled by Joseph Yamron, vice president and manager of the Precision Products Department. Yamron noted that the addition represents the first phase of an ambitious master expansion program that could increase the facility’s overall footprint by 70 percent.

• Current and Future Employment: The plant currently employs between 800 and 900 workers, but that figure is projected to climb to about 1,300 employees within two years. Looking ahead over a five-year horizon, Yamron expressed hope to approach corporate management for further expansion, pointing out that the new building was specifically designed with a removable western wall to facilitate future structural extensions.
• Cutting-Edge Output: The Morse Street plant produces a wide array of advanced technology, including sophisticated gyroscopes, inertial guidance, and control instruments utilized across more than 200 defense and space programs. Yamron noted with pride that Northrop gyroscopes play vital roles in both the Space Shuttle and Apollo space programs. Despite economic pressures, Yamron emphasized that the company maintained stable pricing through rigorous customer collaboration and product reliability.

Governor Michael Dukakis Cites “New Spirit of Optimism”

Governor Michael Dukakis, who was on hand to press the electronic switch unveiling the building’s cornerstone, delivered an upbeat address citing a “new spirit of optimism, hope and strength” across Massachusetts.

“This project,” the governor said, “is a reflection about what is best in the economic potential of our state.”

Reflecting on past challenges, Dukakis added, “Things were not pleasant in the Commonwealth a year ago. But in the course of the past year we have made great strides in moving toward a goal — for all of us — economic growth, vitality and strength. The thing now is to not relax and get comfortable again. We are very grateful to Northrop, and we hope to go down the road that has been started. We need jobs. There can be no group or social services without jobs.”

U.S. Representative J. Joseph Moakley (D-Mass.) also addressed the gathering, commenting that “it is nice to be able to congratulate people who have faith in us” and praising Governor Dukakis for his ongoing economic development initiatives.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger