GE widens repair deal with airline

        GE Engine Services, the maintenance and repair business of GE Aircraft Engines, has won a $36 million contract with Continental Airlines to extend the scope of an existing agreement.

        The eight-year contract calls for GE to repair items that can be handled without removing the engine from the aircraft on 131 CFM56-3 power plants on its fleet of Boeing 737 jets. The new agreement extends a 10-year service agreement signed in 1999 covering overhauls and shop repairs.

Balluff to begin headquarters addition

        Balluff Inc., a maker of electronic sensors and industrial automation products, will break ground this morning on a $1 million addition to its headquarters at 8125 Holton Drive in Florence.

        The 18,000-square-foot, two-story expansion will increase the plant's size by 45 percent and improve the company's product design, manufacturing and delivery capabilities, officials said. The company employs 100 in Florence. Paul Hemmer Cos. will handle the project, slated for completion in November.
       

Competitor denies Milacron's claims

        Boy Machines Inc., an Exton, Pa., unit of Dr Boy GmbH plastic injection molding machines, has denied claims by Milacron Inc., that it is infringing on Milacron's patent on computer controls.

        Last week, Milacron said it was seeking an investigation by the U.S. International Trade Commission against Boy and several other injection molding machine importers which could led to barring the machines from coming into the United States.

        “We are quite confident Boy will not be found to have infringed on Milacron's patent,” said Mike Provini, president of Boy Machines. The company says Milacron's patent might be invalid because it's based on technology that existed before the company sought a patent.
       

Madison Tools gets quality certification

        Madison Tools Inc., a Madison, Ind., company which does tool-and-die work, makes screw machine products and does contract manufacturing, has received QS-9000 and ISO 9002 quality certification after review by a third-party auditor.

        The certification, a requirement for doing work with American car and truck suppliers, will open that market to the company, said James Sparks, chairman, who started the company in 1975 with his sons, Terry and Gary.

        The quality standards were developed by the International Organization for Standards to assure effective operating systems.
       

Moraine Materials opens Harrison plant

        Moraine Materials Co., Franklin-based ready-mix concrete company, has opened a new plant in Harrison, its ninth in the Cincinnati-Dayton region.

        The Dry Fork Road plant, employing 11, will produce 150 cubic yards of concrete an hour.
       

Pirtek USA opens Reading Road outlet

        Pirtek USA, a Florida-based franchiser of hydraulic hoses, fitting and accessories, has opened a Cincinnati location at 8060 Reading Road, suite 6.

        The new outlet, Pirtek's 17th, is owned by Danny and Kendra Pridemore. Mr. Pridemore is a former oil industry technical manager. The company offers around-the-clock service on hydraulic hose failures.

        Mike Boyer covers manufacturing for the Enquirer. Have news? Call him at 768-8494, e-mail at mboyer@enquirer.com or fax 564-6991.

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