Hi,

Below are elements to complete a job, you won't get further details,
if you're sure then post as an answer, otherwise as a comment and the
right answer, if found, will be given the opportunity to repost as an
answer.

Elements:

1. 47,000 tons of precision-welding steel.
2. 1,000,000 distinct parts.
3. 900 miles of wire and cable.
4. 40,000,000 skilled worker-hours.
5. 7 years of 24/7 shifts.
6. 17,800 employees.

-Mao

Hi Mao,

The answer is putting together an aircraft carrier.

"Putting together an aircraft carrier is like no other manufacturing
task, past or present. Each ship costs more than $ 4 billion, with
some 80% of that going to the yard and the rest spent on Navy-supplied
components. The job involves 47,000 tons of precision-welded steel up
to four inches thick, more than a million distinct parts, 900 miles of
wire and cable, around 40 million skilled-worker hours, battalions of
engineers, and over seven years of hard work. You think you have tough
specs and demanding customers? The Navy expects carriers to dominate
the seas for 50 years and come home only once for refueling."

Source:
Build To Order: One Aircraft Carrier
Fortune - July 22, 2002 
By: Philip Siekman

Cited on InfoManage Forum: http://www.infomanage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4693


Search criteria:
"17,800 employees" "900 miles of wire and cable"

I hope this is helpful. If you have any questions regarding my answer
please don?t hesitate to ask before rating it.

Best regards,
Rainbow

Very quick response and accurate and to the point!

-Mao

Seventeen minutes!  
I can just see the researchers drooling around the "virtual" starting
gate to grab the first, best question ... ;)