Rhoads Industries invests $100M to build ship manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania 

Rhoads Industries invests $100M to build ship manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania 

July 31, 2025
The project will create at least 450 new jobs and retain 541 full-time positions at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. 

Rhoads Industries has announced plans to build a new manufacturing facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The company, which provides large-scale industrial fabrication and maritime services, is investing nearly $100 million in the new 95,000-square-foot facility and creating at least 450 new jobs while retaining 541 existing positions.   

The facility will expand production capacity for the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base and submarine program. Located at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, the new site will support continuous fabrication, additional outfitting, and allow for direct barge shipping via pier access. Rhoads received a $4 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and will benefit from being located in a Keystone Opportunity Zone, which offers significant tax savings. 

What people are saying 

In a recent quote, Dan Rhoads, Jr., CEO, Rhoads Industries, said, “This investment by the Commonwealth will expedite and accelerate our production output and rapid hiring by at least one year. Governor Shapiro’s commitment to our company is significant and signals the importance of the defense industry’s growth in Pennsylvania.” 

Josh Shapiro, Governor, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, added, “Shipbuilding has always been key part of Philadelphia’s identity and our economy, and today, I’m proud to announce that Rhoads Industries is investing $100 million and creating over 450 new jobs at the Navy Yard. With support from the Commonwealth — including a new $4 million investment and more than $17 million over the past decade — Rhoads will expand its footprint, double its capacity for the U.S. Navy’s submarine program, and strengthen our national security. The future of shipbuilding runs through Philadelphia — and just like generations before us, it’s Pennsylvania workers who will build what keeps our nation safe. We’re investing in that future because it’s good for our economy, our communities, and for the people of Pennsylvania.” 

Manufacturers investing in Pennsylvania 

Berner International invests $15.4M to expand air curtain manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania
The facility will feature advanced manufacturing technologies to support increased production and logistics operations. 

Chelsea Building Products invests in new 228,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania 
The new plant will blend compound materials and increase production of PVC window and door profiles. 

Bayer invests $44M to expand consumer health product manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania
The expansion strengthens Bayer’s ability to deliver health-focused products more efficiently across North America. 

Investing in American manufacturing in 2025 

This map shows where manufacturers are choosing to invest their resources, whether they are building new production facilities or expanding existing plants. 

About the Author

Alexis Gajewski | Senior Content Strategist

Alexis Gajewski has over 15 years of experience in the maintenance, reliability, operations, and manufacturing space. She joined Plant Services in 2008 and works to bring readers the news, insight, and information they need to make the right decisions for their plants. Alexis also authors “The Lighter Side of Manufacturing,” a blog that highlights the fun and innovative advances in the industrial sector. 

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