State Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar of Somerset joined community members in Harrisburg to celebrate a milestone for Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, recognizing the company’s more than 20 years of operation in the region with a ribbon-cutting event.
“Kongsberg’s investment into our region has provided great benefit to our communities and nation through stable family-sustaining jobs,” said Metzgar. “This is a rewarding operation that employs Somerset County residents to help our brave men and women defend the greatest country in the world. When companies choose to conduct business in the Commonwealth, we all win. Congratulations, Kongsberg, on reaching this milestone achievement.”
Kongsberg began its presence locally with a small office in Johnstown in 2005 and has since expanded into a manufacturing facility. The site now delivers over 20,000 Remote Weapons Stations and more than 100 remote turrets for U.S. defense needs. It is Kongsberg’s largest production location outside Norway, employing over 200 people from Pennsylvania. The company works with local businesses Leiss Tool and Die and Augustine Die and Mold, Inc., to increase manufacturing capacity.
Kongsberg is currently expanding further by adding more than 30,700 square feet of new manufacturing space and over 12,400 square feet of office space as it prepares for turret production under the ACV-30 program for the United States Marine Corps.
Metzgar serves as Pennsylvania state representative for the 69th Legislative District and chairs the Republican Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee (official website). He supports efforts toward economic growth, public safety, reduced government oversight, lower taxes, and Second Amendment protections (official website). Metzgar grew up on a farm outside Berlin where he continues to live with his wife Molly and their five children (official website). He graduated from Berlin Brothersvalley High School in 2000 (official website).
