Higgins Industries

Higgins Industries. It was a major shipbuilding company founded by entrepreneur Andrew Higgins in New Orleans, Louisiana. The firm rose to global prominence during World War II as the primary producer of the iconic Higgins boat landing craft, which were pivotal to Allied amphibious operations. Renowned for its innovative designs and rapid production, it became one of the largest manufacturers of naval vessels in the United States, operating multiple plants and employing tens of thousands of workers.

History and Founding

The origins of the company trace back to the lumber export business established by Andrew Higgins in the 1920s. To navigate the shallow waters of the Louisiana bayous, Higgins began designing and building specialized shallow-draft boats, founding his own manufacturing operation in 1930. The company's early success was built on vessels for the oil industry and Coast Guard contracts, with its main facility located on the Industrial Canal in New Orleans. Higgins's relentless focus on practical design and efficient production methods laid the groundwork for the massive expansion that would follow with the onset of global conflict.

World War II Production

With the entry of the United States into World War II, the company's operations expanded exponentially to meet the demands of the Allied war effort. It operated seven plants in the New Orleans area, employing over 20,000 workers, including many women and African Americans, in roles previously unavailable to them. Beyond landing craft, production included PT boats, notably used in the Pacific Theater, PT-109 commanded by John F. Kennedy, and components for Curtiss C-46 Commando aircraft. The firm's output was so critical that General Dwight D. Eisenhower later credited it with being crucial to the Allied victory.

Higgins Boats (LCVP)

The most famous product was the Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel, universally known as the Higgins boat. Adapted from a design for civilian use, this rugged, shallow-draft craft could ferry a platoon of infantry or a vehicle directly onto beaches. Its bow ramp allowed for rapid disembarkation, a feature perfected after observing Japanese landing craft. These vessels were the workhorses of every major Allied amphibious assault, including Operation Torch in North Africa, the Allied invasion of Sicily, the Normandy landings, and countless operations across the Pacific Ocean theater of World War II. Over 20,000 were built during the war.

Postwar Operations and Decline

Following the end of World War II, the massive government contracts that sustained production were abruptly canceled, leading to severe financial strain. Attempts to diversify into peacetime markets, such as producing pleasure boats, trailers, and prefabricated houses, met with limited commercial success. The company struggled against larger, established manufacturers and was unable to replicate its wartime dominance. After years of declining fortunes and following the death of Andrew Higgins in 1952, the remaining assets were gradually sold off, with the company formally dissolving in 1959.

Legacy and Historical Significance

The company's legacy is indelibly linked to the success of Allied amphibious strategy in World War II. The National World War II Museum in New Orleans features the Higgins boat prominently, recognizing its transformative impact on modern warfare. Andrew Higgins was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army), and his operations are studied for their innovative labor practices and production efficiency. The firm's story remains a quintessential example of American industrial mobilization, and its iconic landing craft endure as powerful symbols of the Normandy landings and the broader Allied effort to liberate Europe and defeat the Empire of Japan.