Joplin manufacturer continues space shuttle work

LaBarge Inc.'s Joplin manufacturing plant has begun work on a new $1.8 million project for the United Space Alliance to produce complex cables and wiring harnesses for the space shuttle's solid rocket boosters.

According to CEO Craig LaBarge, the contract is likely one of the last that will be bid out for work on the space shuttle because the government is phasing out the program.

"We've been involved with the program for 20 years or more - really since the space shuttle program began," LaBarge said. "It's starting to wind down, though. Recently there has been a lot of discussion on what kind of manned space flights there will be in the future, and this could be close to the end of it for us."

The rocket boosters for which the Joplin plant will manufacture wiring provide the main propulsion system that launches the shuttle. Work on the shuttle cable project will likely continue through the summer and possibly into the fall of 2010, LaBarge said.

LaBarge said the company as a whole has withstood the recent national recession "as well as could be expected," returning good numbers on all of its defense contracts - which make up half of the company's revenues - and diversifying its commercial contracts.

"Commercial has been off, especially in mining, oil and gas industries," LaBarge said. "I think as the economy gains some traction, however, we can hope to see some of that pick up. We're well-known in the industry and well-respected. We've invested in upgrading our capabilities and facilities in Joplin, and I think we'll continue to offer the broadest range of capabilities anywhere in the country."