Posts filed under 'Technology'
November 11th, 2008
Here’s one industry that shows strength as it does in the U.S. Source: Guardian, U.K.
The UK’s aerospace and defence industry turned in a strong performance last year and has the resilience to weather the global financial crisis, claims a report out today.
Orders rose 65% to a record £43.8bn in 2007, though sales were only 1% higher at £19.8bn, the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) said. Growth had been held back by exchange-rate fluctuations between sterling, in which UK companies report figures, and the dollar.
The SBAC’s annual survey also showed research and development spending had risen sharply, climbing from £2.5bn in 2006 to £2.9bn last year when the aerospace and defence industry contributed £628m to the UK balance of payments. The society’s chief executive, Ian Godden, said: “At a time of gathering clouds in other major business sectors, the industry continues to deliver for Britain.”
Godden warned that, despite its strengths, the UK industry was “at a crossroads” and would not escape the financial crisis unscathed, but added, “providing liquidity is maintained in the sector, it should play a major role in the recovery of the UK economy”.
The SBAC said competition was becoming more global and fiercer, while recruiting, retaining and developing skilled workers was becoming more difficult. “If the UK industry is to maintain its position of strength, it is essential industry and government work together to address the challenges we face, especially in terms of investment in the future,” Godden said.
October 31st, 2008
Excel Gear, Inc. announces its transition from the prototype to the production stage on the first order of its 36:1 ratio gear boxes, specifically designed to assist positioning of the 78-ton gun turrets utilized in the Advanced Gun System (AGS) program.
BAE Systems, the Excel customer for this project, recently approved the prototypes on these 36:1 ratio gear boxes. BAE Systems is the primary contractor on the AGS, designed for use on the DDG 1000 destroyers used to support U.S. Navy and Marine Corps expeditionary and joint operation in the littorals and deep inland.
Check it out:Â http://www.pddnet.com/scripts/ShowPR.asp?RID=23586&CommonCount=0
Congratulations, Excel Gear!!
October 30th, 2008
If you are a supplier to Boeing, this looks like a strong market! Note the link below for the complete market forecast.
BEIJING, Oct. 29, 2008 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] detailed its 2008 Current Market Outlook (CMO) for the China region today, forecasting a market for 3,710 new airplanes worth about $390 billion over the next 20 years.
“China will continue to be the fastest-growing aviation center in the world, requiring 41 percent of the entire Asia-Pacific region airplane demand. This makes China the largest market outside of the U.S. for new commercial airplanes,” said Randy Tinseth, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president - Marketing.
China air travel and air cargo market growth will cause China’s fleet to more than triple to 4,560 airplanes by 2027-about as many airplanes as are in Europe today.
Single-aisle airplanes will account for 70 percent of the new purchases, driven by the world’s fast-growing domestic market. Single-aisle airplanes such as the Boeing Next-Generation 737 will be the largest category, with 2,600 new airplane deliveries. Demand for intermediate twin-aisles, such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777, will result in approximately 780 airplane deliveries. When combined, the single-aisle and intermediate twin-aisle market will make up 91 percent of China’s total delivery dollars.
Demand will include a limited number of large airplanes (747-size and larger) to connect China with other major world destinations. The market forecast calls for about 100 airplanes in that category.
With China’s cargo markets leading the global industry, Chinese air carriers will add about 370 freighter airplanes by 2027, quadrupling its total freighter fleet size.
The Boeing 2008 forecast combines today’s market environment with a long-term view that portrays how air transport will be transformed over the next 20 years. It’s an outlook that indicates continued strong fundamentals underlying the need for new airplanes-including economic growth, world trade, aviation market liberalization and new aircraft capabilities.
The detailed study enables Boeing to better work with airlines in supporting their fleet plans in conjunction with their future economic growth. The outlook facilitates Boeing’s strategic plans to drive the development of new airplanes and the improvement of existing models.
Worldwide, Boeing projects investments of $3.2 trillion for 29,400 new commercial airplanes to be delivered during the next 20 years. The complete forecast is available on the Boeing Web site at www.boeing.com/commercial/cmo/index.html.
October 30th, 2008
Some good news from Boone County:
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) recognized the Belvidere, Illinois-based entity acknowledged Growth Dimensions for Belvidere-Boone County for its sustainable development initiative with an Honorable Mention at IEDC’s Annual Conference, which took place in Atlanta, Georgia, October 19-22. The organization was noticed for this achievement during an awards ceremony on Tuesday, October 21st. “Economic development efforts have long been a keystone in the quest to bolster the economy and improve quality of life in every locality across the country,” said Robin Roberts Krieger, IEDC chair. “As the nation continues to tackle longstanding challenges in the midst of an inhospitable financial climate, these efforts have taken on an even greater significance. With the award, we laud trendsetting organizations like Growth Dimensions for leading the charge.”
Competing in the category of Sustainable and Green Development by organizations serving areas with populations under 50,000, Growth Dimensions was a clear standout. In 2006 Vandewalle and Associates, retained by Growth Dimensions, completed what is now known as the Flora Neighborhood Plan to encompass the land use plans for both the AgTech Initiative and the Tollway Station Point Project. Growth Dimensions and its partner’s efforts were recognized with other award winning communities including Santa Fe, New Mexico; Boulder, Colorado and Seattle, Washington.
“It’s very rewarding to know that nationally, premier economic development organizations, consultants and experts in the field of sustainable and green development recognize the value of our economic development programs,” stated Mark Williams, executive director of Growth Dimensions. “Our local and regional members can be proud of the support and leadership they provide.”
Growth Dimensions in partnership with the City of Belvidere and Boone County, Illinois; Northern Illinois University, Illinois; Technology Development Alliance in conjunction with the northern Illinois business community, embarked upon the AgTech Initiative of northern Illinois. The purpose of the AgTech Initiative is to establish the long-term support system for the commercialization and entrepreneur development of agricultural research into alternative industrial use products. Product sector focus areas include bio-energy, bio-based lubricants, bio-based chemicals, bio-based plastics and bio-based composites.
Tollway Station Point is a Transit-Oriented Development Plan created for the purpose of organizing land development along the I-90 corridor. The development plan calls for Planned Mixed Use Development, specifically, high-density, mixed-use, transit-oriented development. The Transit Center will provide multiple transit options including commuter rail service linking Belvidere and Rockford to Chicago.
“Growth Dimensions and a dedicated group of volunteers have worked very hard to bring both of these initiatives to where they are today,” said Belvidere Mayor Fred Brereton. “Our community should be grateful for the work completed. Because of their efforts, our community is better positioned to compete in the 21st Century.”
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is headquartered in Washington, DC. Its mission is to provide leadership and excellence in economic development for communities, members and partners. IEDC’s professional economic development awards annually recognize excellence in the economic development profession.
Pictured above right (L-R): Robin Roberts Krieger, IEDC chair; Mayor Fred Brereton; Mark Williams; Paul Cutting, IEDC Marketing & Awards Program Coordinator
For further information, contact:
Growth DimensionsKelly Galluzzo
Associate Director
email: kgalluzzo@growthdimensions.org
October 27th, 2008
The local Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) chapter hosted Electric Motions Systems and its E-Plus bicycle at their monthly meeting. It is a fascinating unit with the front hub housing the battery and an electric motor in the rear hub. The unit travels easily at 15 MPH for a 30 mile range. See a picture at http://www.wrex.com/Global/story.asp?s=9118449. Joe Etminam, a professor at Rock Valley College will demonstrate the unit at this month’s Venture Club meeting at the EIGERlab on Wednesday, October 29, at 7:00pm. There is no charge but seating is limited. You can register by email to vclub@eigerlab.org or calling Laura at 815-965-3522.
Many opportunities exist in our region for alternative energy systems. Not only to use them but to manufacture them as well. A sort of double whammy for our lifestyle. Electric Motions Systems is seeking additional manufacturing capability and Rockford is a natural choice to explore. Energy systems are not a stranger to local companies. High density power systems are a flagship of Hamilton Sundstrand. Woodward provides the speed controls for all types of power generation systems. Motor systems are produced by Danaher Motion.
October 18th, 2008
 Alex Gary covered the story of the Security demonstration held yesterday at Rock Valley College which I also attended . The effort is a collaboration among M.A.S.C.; Balanced IT Solutions, another EIGERlab-based company; Boeing; Bluecasting of the United Kingdom; and Canada-based BelAir Networks. Read his story here…
http://www.businessrockford.com/biznews/x1157487073/Developers-want-Rockford-to-be-center-of-security-boom
I was impressed that technologies are developing to make our schools, cities and country more secure. To think Alert Notices could be seconds away is somewhat comforting.
If you want to see something really High Techy…see the movie “Eagle Eye”. This is when computers will take over all the technology of our everyday lives and begin to TRACK & CONTROL our lives!  Yikes!
October 15th, 2008
What is the future of manufacturing in the United States throughout the rest of this decade and into the next? To hear some manufacturers tell it, a more accurate way of phrasing that question might be, “Is there a future for U.S. manufacturing?” Based on the responses to the “Future of Manufacturing” survey undertaken by IndustryWeek and consulting firm Crowe Horwath, manufacturers of all sizes, in all industry verticals, face mounting challenges on several fronts: The ability to attract and keep skilled labor. Intense, and some would say unfair, competition from low-cost countries. Rising healthcare costs that show no sign of slowdown. Environmental compliance and other regulatory demands.
See the rest of the story here….
http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=17524
October 15th, 2008
A good story that proves small and mid-sized manufacturers can compete with larger multinational companies by focusing on specialized products and continuing to be innovative and flexible….see it here….
http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=17517
October 6th, 2008
 The latest Business Week had this a s their lead story…enough to want to stop buying everything from China!
“The American military faces a growing threat of potentially fatal equipment failure—and even foreign espionage—because of counterfeit computer components used in warplanes, ships, and communication networks. Fake microchips flow from unruly bazaars in rural China to dubious kitchen-table brokers in the U.S. and into complex weapons. Senior Pentagon officials publicly play down the danger, but government documents, as well as interviews with insiders, suggest possible connections between phony parts and breakdowns.”
See the rest here….
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_41/b4103034193886.htm?chan=magazine+channel_top+stories
September 30th, 2008
Here’s a good article about car and parts manufacturers in the U.S….
http://www.chicagofed.org/publications/fedletter/cfloctober2008_255a.pdf
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