In the midst of the airline industry slump, GE Aircraft Engines Thursday got that rarest of commodities, good news.

        It landed a major engine order potentially worth more than $1 billion to supply CFM56 engines for up to 150 Boeing 737-800 jetliners sought by Ryanair, a Dublin, Ireland-based low-fare carrier.

        GEAE, which splits the CFM International (CFMI) business with Snecma Moteurs of France, said the firm order for 100 jets would be worth $1 billion. Ryanair also took options on another 50 jets.

        CFMIsplits engine assembly between Evendale and Villaroche, France. The Boeing jets are set for delivery starting this year through 2010.

        CFM International is the sole engine supplier on Boeing's 737 family of twin-jets. Ryanair has a fleet of 39 737s now and serves about 10 million passengers annually. The airline plans to expand its routes challenging British Airways, Lufthansa and other larger carriers.
       

Aeronca awards expansion contract

        Aeronca, the Middletown aerospace components maker and unit of Magellan Aerospace Inc., has awarded a $1.8 million plant-expansion project to Ferguson Construction Co. of Dayton.

        Ferguson said the project calls for a 53,000-square-foot expansion of office and manufacturing space and is slated for completion in June. Viox Services Inc. in Cincinnati is handling construction management for the project.
       

Designer-builder picked by ThermoView

       ThermoView Industries Inc., which operates Primax replacement windows and doors in Greater Cincinnati, has picked Winchester Industries Inc. of Saltsburg, Pa., to design and build a new line of windows with climate-resistant composite materials.

        Louisville-based ThermoView expects to launch its new Compozit line of windows incorporating thermoplastic resins developed by GE Plastics this summer. The composite materials are expected to be stronger than vinyl and can withstand temperature extremes.

Global Logistics aligns with U.S. Express

        Global Shipping Co., a new logistics company at 430 Reading Road, downtown Cincinnati, has been named local manager for U.S. Express, a global-logistics provider in New York City.

        Danny McKee, who started Global Shipping three months ago, said the agreement with U.S. Express could mean dramatic expansion of his business in the years ahead. The company now employs eight.

        U.S. Express handles documentation and communication on shipping for manufacturers and consignees both domestically and overseas.
       

TechSolve presents program on trust

        TechSolve, the Bond Hill manufacturing-assistance organization, will present a former winner of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award on Feb. 21.

        Michael S. Simms, former plant manager of Wainwright Industries in St. Peters, Mo. will discuss building and maintaining a culture built on trust during the 8 a.m. speech. An optional roundtable discussion follows at 11 a.m.

        For more information contact Kristen Wiltanger at 513-948-2108 or wiltanger@techsolve.org.

        Contact Mike Boyer at 768-8494; fax 564-6991; or e-mail mboyer@enquirer.com.
       

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