NORTH KINGSTOWN – North Atlantic Distribution Inc. has announced plans to hire at least 25 people after signing an agreement with Ford Motor Company and the Norfolk & Southern Railroad that will increase the company’s distribution volume by 25 to 75 percent.
Under the agreement, the Quonset-based distributor will initially handle 25,000 Ford cars and trucks per year, with the volume potentially increasing to 75,000 in the future. NORAD already processes roughly 100,000 autos per year for distribution throughout New England.
“NORAD has led the way in job growth at the Port of Davisville facility here at Quonset, and this agreement expands and diversifies its already successful business,” said Steven J. King, managing director of the Quonset Development Corporation, in a press release.
The agreement with Ford will require NORAD to expand its use of railways, which will be used to carry the cars and trucks to the facility for processing. The distributor has enough length of track to stage 50 rail cars for loading and unloading, which is expected to be sufficient for the terms of the agreement.
NORAD employs 250 people at its facility in Quonset Business Park, but will need to create at least 25 additional jobs to handle the increased volume.
“I am thrilled that NORAD continues to grow and create jobs at Quonset Business Park,” said Keith W. Stokes, executive director of the R.I. Economic Development Corporation and QDC chairman. “Continued investment in the state’s assets, such as Quonset/Davisville and the infrastructure needed to help in business growth will help to ensure further [development of] Rhode Island’s economy.”
NORAD currently provides automobile processing and distribution for Volkswagen/Audi of North America, Subaru of New England, and Bentley Motors Inc. Past customers include Chrysler, Fiat, Maserati, Nissan, Peugot and Saab. Financial details of the agreement with Ford Motor Company were not disclosed.
A spokesman for QDC told Providence Business News that NORAD began receiving shipments from Ford three to four weeks ago. NORAD declined to disclose the length of the contract. Officials from NORAD were unavailable for confirmation or comment on QDC’s statements.
The Port of Davisville ranks as one of the country’s largest importers of autos by ship, according to the QDC. A quasi-public company, the QDC is responsible for the development and management of the Quonset Business Park, where more than 160 businesses are located.
Additional information can be found at the NORAD website, www.noradinc.com, or the Quonset Development Corporation website qdcri.com.
