By Mike Boyer
The Cincinnati Enquirer

GE Marine Engines, a unit of GE Aircraft Engines in Evendale, continues to weigh anchor in the ocean cruise market.

An Evendale-built LM2500 aeroderivative gas turbine recently began operating a combined diesel and gas turbine configuration on the Holland America Line's 1,800-passenger Zuiderdam cruise ship. It is the first Holland American cruise ship to incorporate gas turbines.

GE also reported at the recent Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami that LM2500-plus aeroderivative turbines on six cruise ships have demonstrated excellent in-service reliability and availability.

GE has combined the turbines on four Celebrity Cruise and two Royal Caribbean International cruise ships with steam turbine integrated electric drive systems supplied by Houston-based GE Aero Energy Products.

The first GE gas turbine began powering a cruise ship in July 2000. Five GE LM2500 and 22 LM2500-plus gas turbine generator sets are either in operation on cruise ships or planned.

Machine tool orders lethargic in January

Orders for machines that cut and form metal continued to show weakness in January, according to data compiled by two industry trade groups.

Orders totaled $149.7 million in January, down 19 percent from the $184.7 million recorded in January last year, and down 25 percent from the $199.4 million recorded in December.

The U.S. machine tool consumption report is compiled by the ATM -Association for Manufacturing Technology and AMTDA, American Machine Tool Distributors' Association, from data submitted by participating manufacturers and distributors.

Cognis Corp. cited as partner in quality

Cincinnati's Cognis Corp. recently marked its 10th year, earning a partner-in-quality award from SC Johnson, the Racine, Wis., household products company, becoming only the second chemical company to reach that milestone.

Cognis supplies chemicals for SC Johnson's Edge shave gel and Fantastik home cleaner products.

Cognis was one of the original Johnson suppliers to participate in the quality program, which includes a commitment to quality and service improvements, and was the first chemical supplier to receive the award.

New lab receives quick certification

Metallurgical Solutions Inc., a recently created sister company to Middletown Tube Works, has earned A2LA certification from the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation.

The certification is required of high-quality labs serving industries such as automotive, construction and aerospace. The company said the process, that can take up to nine months, was completed in record time - less than four months.

MSI is owned by Ralph H. Phillips, who also owns Middletown Tube Works, a manufacturer of high-quality welded steel tubing.

Plant improvement methods showcased

Midwest Manufacturing Solutions, the manufacturing improvement firm in Mason, will present a benchmarking plant tour at Ghent Manufacturing Co., in Lebanon, Thursday at 2 p.m.

The free event, aimed at manufacturing managers, is designed to show how Ghent implemented lean manufacturing techniques improving productivity and operating profits. Information: Sherri McDonald at Midwest Manufacturing, 381-7200, ext. 120, or e-mail smcdonald@mmsresults.com.

Storage Systems Co. now top distributor

Storage Systems Co., Sycamore Township supplier of industrial storage equipment, was recently named a top distributor by Nashville Wire Products and Steel King Industries.

E-mail mboyer@enquirer.com