LADSON, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 18, 2025--
Keel Holdings, LLC (“Keel”), a leading advanced defense manufacturing company supporting critical national security programs, today announced a $22 million investment in advanced precision machining capacity and key leadership appointments to support continued growth across its Midwest and Southeast operations.
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$22 Million Investment in State-of-the-Art Precision Machining Centers
As part of its commitment to supporting the nation’s most demanding defense programs, Keel is investing $22 million in four large, high-speed, precision 5-axis machining centers. These state-of-the-art machines represent the next phase of Keel’s Midwest expansion, enhancing machining capacity and ensuring the company remains optimally equipped to serve mission-critical needs for key customers.
The new machines—sourced from leading manufacturer EMCO —will be installed in Keel’s recently expanded 160,000 square-foot large-format machining facility in Merrill, MI, following a $36 million investment in 2024. The additions include:
The expanded capacity will support a three-shift operation and require 18 additional highly skilled CNC operators, further strengthening Keel’s Midwest workforce, and supporting Keel’s broader operations in South Carolina, where a $67 million investment is underway to expand the company’s shipyard that is critical for delivering large modules for the Navy.
“These machines are the next phase of Keel’s Midwest expansion and will ensure we’re equipped to support our customers’ most critical defense programs,” said Stephen Ross, Vice President of Business Development at Keel. “This investment reflects our unwavering commitment to advancing essential defense initiatives and providing best-in-class manufacturing capabilities.”
Strengthening Leadership for Operational Excellence
In parallel with this investment, Keel is pleased to announce key leadership appointments to reinforce operational discipline and accelerate throughput.
Allen Couture has joined Keel as Chief Operating Officer and President, Southeast Operations. Allen brings significant operational leadership, experience and a strong track record of driving execution, alignment, and performance in complex defense manufacturing environments including more than 10 years with Raytheon. Most recently, Allen was COO of Frontgrade Technologies.
Brian Johnson appointed Vice President, Quality.
A former U.S. Navy submariner, Brian joins Keel from BWXT, where he led critical quality programs for submarine shipboard products. Based in Ladson, SC and reporting to Allen, Brian will strengthen Keel’s quality systems to meet the demands of an expanding portfolio.
“These leadership changes, alongside our strategic investments, reinforce Keel’s operational foundation as we continue to scale,” said Brian Carter, Keel CEO. “They ensure we have the right structure, discipline and leadership in place to execute reliably for our customers and partners.”
To learn more about Keel, visit keelusa.com and follow Keel on LinkedIn.
About Keel
Built for precision with an eye for innovation, Keel was formed through the merger of Pegasus Steel, Merrill Technologies Group and Metal Trades. Keel is focused on delivering unmatched quality in fabrication, machining and integration to the U.S. Navy, the broader Defense Industrial Base supply chain, and industrial customers.
POWERMILL
Keel Gratiot Large Machining Facility
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s handpicked board voted Thursday to rename Washington’s leading performing arts center as the Trump-Kennedy Center, the White House said, in a move that was quickly denounced as a “disgrace” by the Democratic leader of the House, who is on the board.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the vote on social media, attributing it to the “unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building. Not only from the standpoint of its reconstruction, but also financially, and its reputation.”
Trump, a Republican who's chairman of the board, said at the White House that he was “surprised" and “honored” by the vote.
“The board is a very distinguished board, most distinguished people in the country and I was surprised by it and I was honored by it,” he said.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters that Trump’s handpicked board has no authority to rename the center in the absence of legislative action, “and we’re going to make that clear.” The New York Democrat is an ex officio member of the board because of his position in Congress.
Trump often refers to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which is named for a Democratic predecessor, as the “Trump Kennedy Center.”
Asked Dec. 7 as he walked the red carpet for the Kennedy Center Honors program whether he would rename the venue after himself, Trump said such a decision would be up to the board.
Earlier this month, Trump talked about a “big event" happening at the "Trump Kennedy Center” before saying, “excuse me, at the Kennedy Center,” as his audience laughed. He was referring to the FIFA World Cup soccer draw for 2026, in which he participated.
A name change won’t sit well with some Kennedy family members.
Maria Shriver, a niece of John F. Kennedy, referred to the legislation introduced in Congress to rebrand the Kennedy Center as the Donald J. Trump Center for the Performing Arts as “insane” in a social media post in July.
“It makes my blood boil. It’s so ridiculous, so petty, so small minded,” she wrote. “Truly, what is this about? It’s always about something. ‘Let’s get rid of the Rose Garden. Let’s rename the Kennedy Center.’ What’s next?”
Trump earlier this year turned the Kennedy-era Rose Garden at the White House into a patio by removing the lawn and laying down paving stones.
Another Kennedy family member, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., serves in Trump’s Cabinet as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Trump showed scant interest in the Kennedy Center during his first term as president, but since returning to office in January he has replaced board members appointed by Democratic presidents with some of his most ardent supporters, who then elected him as board chairman.
He also has criticized the center’s programming and its physical appearance and has vowed to overhaul both.
Trump secured more than $250 million from the Republican-controlled Congress for renovations of the building.
He attended opening night of the musical “Les Misérables,” and last week he served as host of the Kennedy Center Honors program after not attending the show during his first term as president. The awards program is scheduled to be broadcast by CBS and Paramount+ on Dec. 23.
Sales of subscription packages are said to have declined since Trump's takeover of the center, and several touring productions, including “Hamilton,” have canceled planned runs there. Rows upon rows of empty seats have been seen in the Concert Hall during performances by the National Symphony Orchestra.
Some performers, including actor Issa Rae and musician Rhiannon Giddens, have scrapped scheduled appearances, and Kennedy Center consultants including musician Ben Folds and singer Renée Fleming have resigned.
FILE - A memorial wreath stands next to the bronze memorial bust by Robert Berks of President John F. Kennedy in the grand foyer at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, Nov. 22, 2013, on the 50th anniversary of Kennedy's death. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
FILE - The John F. Kennedy Center Memorial Center for the Performance Arts illuminated as part of the "Nordic Cool 2013: Northern Lights" exhibit, in Washington, Feb. 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
The Kennedy Center is seen Thursday, Dec, 18, 2025 in Washington. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
President Donald Trump finishes his remarks in an address to the nation from the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Washington. (Doug Mills/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
