http://www.qconline.com/archives/qco/sections.cgi?prcss=display&id=200856
Print publication date: June 30, 2004
Alcoa, Airbus to partner on Airbus 380 jetliner
By Rita Pearson, rpearson@qconline.com
RIVERDALE, Iowa -- Alcoa and Airbus officials Tuesday celebrated their partnership that sustained 2,100 Quad-Cities jobs and will lead to the development of the world's largest commercial airline.
The European-based Airbus began developing the 555-passenger Airbus 380 with Alcoa's engineers in 1997 as part of a multimillion dollar, multi-year contract, said Robert Wetherbee, president of Alcoa Mill Products Division.
Airbus is building the A380 to meet the air-travel demand of the 21st century, said Allen McArtor, chairman of Airbus North America Holdings Inc. of Herndon, Va.
The first test flight will occur in early 2005, he said. After a year of flight certification, the A380 will be delivered to Singapore Airlines in early 2006.
Alcoa is a partner, not a supplier, with Airbus, Mr. McArtor said. A supplier makes parts and components based on a manufacturer's specifications, he said.
"We gave Alcoa a challenge, and Alcoa gave us engineered solutions," he said. "That's what partners do. They solve complex manufacturing problems, and they reduced our costs."
Airbus and Alcoa officials credited the 2,100 workers at Davenport Works for their quality work and development of new alloys that went into the Airbus 380. Half of the A380�s components and subsystems will be made in the United States.
"The A380 has more new Alcoa alloys and products than any other aircraft in our 100 years of aviation history," Mr. Wetherbee said.
The Davenport Works added about 100 new jobs in the last few months because of the Airbus contract.
Employees at Davenport Works supply the aluminum wings and fuselage, or the body, of the new A380, a double-decker aircraft with the largest upper and lower wingspan ever built at Davenport Works. Alcoa had to modify existing equipment and develop new machines to handle the bigger pieces.
"The A380 will have the largest wing skins and fuselage skins we have ever produced at Davenport Works," Mr. Wetherbee said.
About 200 selected workers attended Tuesday's ceremonies to hear company officials sing their praises. Other speakers were the mayors of Riverdale and Bettendorf; U.S. Rep. Jim Leach, R-Iowa; Iowa state Rep. Maggie Tinsman, and several other dignitaries. The hour-long event was dubbed "On Board the Airbus 380."
After the luncheon, Airbus and Alcoa officials planted a tree on the Davenport Works grounds.
The contract with Airbus has steadied employment at Davenport Works and contributed to 300 new hires since 1997, said Bob Larson, vice president of sales and marketing for Alcoa Mill Products.
The first shipments of Alcoa aluminum were sent out in 2003, Mr.Larson said. Alcoa will supply aluminum this year for the first six aircraft. The A380 will be built for the next 30 to 40 years, he said.
"Someone starting at Alcoa today could spend his or her whole career with this aircraft," he said.
Airbus spends more than $5 billion annually in the United States, or about $15 million a day, said David Venz, Airbus vice president.
Half of the A380 procurement budget is being spent with American aerospace suppliers and creating or sustaining 120,000 aerospace industry jobs in the United States.
During the program, two union representatives gave the Airbus executives a painting. Another Alcoa employee gave them a scroll with the names of supportive Davenport Works employees.
"It's good for Alcoa. It's good for the economy," said Ernest Huston, president of IBEW 1379 at Alcoa. "We're fortunate to be in partnership with Airbus and have the Airbus 380 aircraft."
Members of the United Steel Workers Union also are part of the production on the Airbus contract. They package and ship aluminum products that keep the Airbus contract going, said Ken Jubell, second vice president of United Steel Workers of America Union Local 105.
The Airbus 380 jetliner
-The world's largest commercial aircraft
-Developed for long-haul flights
-Holds 555 passengers
-Will travel more than 8,000 nautical miles
-Features twin decks with four aisles
-Under construction in France, with U.S.-made materials
-Meets the demands of industry forecasters, who say ridership will triple in the next 20 years and airports are not going to change as quickly
-More fuel efficient than your car
-Half the engine noise and less emission
-35 percent more personal space per passenger
-Lower operating costs than competing aircraft in long-range markets
-Begins service in early 2006
Source: Airbus
Thursday, July 01, 2004
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
IBEW LU 353 Member Appointed CEO of Retrocom Growth Fund Inc.
Press Release Source: Retrocom Growth Fund Inc.
Retrocom Growth Fund Inc. Announces New Chief Executive Officer
Wednesday May 26, 5:39 pm ET
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 26, 2004--At its Annual General Meeting, Michael Steplock, Chairman of the Fund, was pleased to announce that the Board of Directors of Retrocom Growth Fund Inc. ("Fund") have appointed Joseph Fashion as Chief Executive Officer.
Joseph Fashion has been a director of the Fund since its inception and brings with him over 48 years of experience in business management and the construction industry. Mr. Fashion has been the Business Manager and Financial Secretary for Local Union 353 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for the last 16 years and is a member of the Electrical Trades Joint Board of the Construction Council of Ontario. He is also President of the IBEW Construction Council of Ontario.
"I look forward to serving the shareholders of Retrocom Growth Fund as CEO," said Mr. Fashion. "Having been with the fund for almost 10 years, I can confidently say that I have never been more excited about our growth prospects than I am this year."
At the same Annual General Meeting, Mr. Neil McCormick was appointed as a director of the Fund. Since 2000, Mr. McCormick has been the Business Manager of the Ontario Pipe Trades Council of Plumbers and Steamfitters and is currently the Vice President of the Ontario Building and Construction Trades Department. Prior to 2000, Mr. McCormick was the Business Manager of the United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters, Local 67, in Hamilton, Ontario.
The re-elected directors at this year's Annual General Meeting included the following individuals: Michael Steplock, Joseph Fashion, Patrick Dillon, Robert Blakely, Robert Nash, Ralph Tersigni, Eryl Roberts, Primo Fantin and James Henley.
About Retrocom Growth Fund Inc.
Retrocom Growth Fund Inc. is a leading labour-sponsored investment fund which primarily makes subordinated and mezzanine investment loans to small and medium sized companies for the construction and development of real estate projects. To date, the Fund's investments have created or will create more than 3 million man-hours in Canada. The Fund has consistently met labour-sponsored investment fund requirements. Please see www.retrocom.ca for more information.
Contact:
Retrocom Investment Management Inc.
Brett Mckinstry, 905-848-2430
bmckinstry@retrocom.ca.
www.retrocom.ca
Source: Retrocom Growth Fund Inc.
Retrocom Growth Fund Inc. Announces New Chief Executive Officer
Wednesday May 26, 5:39 pm ET
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 26, 2004--At its Annual General Meeting, Michael Steplock, Chairman of the Fund, was pleased to announce that the Board of Directors of Retrocom Growth Fund Inc. ("Fund") have appointed Joseph Fashion as Chief Executive Officer.
Joseph Fashion has been a director of the Fund since its inception and brings with him over 48 years of experience in business management and the construction industry. Mr. Fashion has been the Business Manager and Financial Secretary for Local Union 353 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for the last 16 years and is a member of the Electrical Trades Joint Board of the Construction Council of Ontario. He is also President of the IBEW Construction Council of Ontario.
"I look forward to serving the shareholders of Retrocom Growth Fund as CEO," said Mr. Fashion. "Having been with the fund for almost 10 years, I can confidently say that I have never been more excited about our growth prospects than I am this year."
At the same Annual General Meeting, Mr. Neil McCormick was appointed as a director of the Fund. Since 2000, Mr. McCormick has been the Business Manager of the Ontario Pipe Trades Council of Plumbers and Steamfitters and is currently the Vice President of the Ontario Building and Construction Trades Department. Prior to 2000, Mr. McCormick was the Business Manager of the United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters, Local 67, in Hamilton, Ontario.
The re-elected directors at this year's Annual General Meeting included the following individuals: Michael Steplock, Joseph Fashion, Patrick Dillon, Robert Blakely, Robert Nash, Ralph Tersigni, Eryl Roberts, Primo Fantin and James Henley.
About Retrocom Growth Fund Inc.
Retrocom Growth Fund Inc. is a leading labour-sponsored investment fund which primarily makes subordinated and mezzanine investment loans to small and medium sized companies for the construction and development of real estate projects. To date, the Fund's investments have created or will create more than 3 million man-hours in Canada. The Fund has consistently met labour-sponsored investment fund requirements. Please see www.retrocom.ca for more information.
Contact:
Retrocom Investment Management Inc.
Brett Mckinstry, 905-848-2430
bmckinstry@retrocom.ca.
www.retrocom.ca
Source: Retrocom Growth Fund Inc.
Monday, June 28, 2004
IBEW LU 481 (Indianapolis IN) Volunteers Preserve "Circle of Light"
March 22, 2004
Downtown Indianapolis Tradition Announces New Partner
Circle of Lights® Welcomes New Presenting Partner in 2004
Quality Connection and IBEW Local 481 have signed on to become title sponsors of Circle of Lights beginning in 2004. Circle of Lights® presented by the Contractors of Quality Connection and Electrical Workers of IBEW 481 is the new name for the 43rd year of this Downtown holiday tradition!
The Quality Connection is a labor-management partnership between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 481 and the Central Indiana Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). The team has a 50 year history of progressive labor relations and unites more than 80 electrical contractors with more than 2,400 highly trained electrical workers who can perform any electrical job from a quick residential service call to a multi-million dollar Downtown destination.
"The Quality Connection Contractors and IBEW Local 481 electrical workers have been instrumental in the construction of the Conseco Fieldhouse, American United Life Insurance building, Circle Centre Mall and many other notable destinations throughout Central Indiana. We look forward to their commitment to Circle of Lights®," said Mayor Bart Peterson.
This is the first year for Quality Connection and IBEW Local 481 to be title sponsors of the event but not the first year of their involvement. Volunteer union members of IBEW Local 481 have been installing the lights on the monument for 42 years. Each November and January more than 200 electrical workers volunteer to install and remove the 4,784 lights for this beloved annual tradition.
"With our 42-year partnership with the Contractors of Quality Connection and the electrical workers of IBEW Local 481, we are very proud to become the presenting partners of the Circle of Lights celebration" said Tom O'Donnell, business manager, IBEW Local 481.
"Circle of Lights is a great opportunity to continue the labor-management relationship and support a tradition that has been part of our community for 42 years," said Nanci Fields, executive director, Quality Connection.
Circle of Lights® presented by the Contractors of Quality Connection and Electrical Workers of IBEW 481 is the official kick-off of the holiday season in Central Indiana. The event will take place on Friday, Nov. 26, 2004, the day after Thanksgiving with more than 100,000 spectators.
"On behalf of Downtown and the hundreds of thousands of people who enjoy the holidays in Downtown each year, we are thrilled to welcome the contractors of Quality Connection and electrical workers of IBEW Local 481," said Tamara Zahn, president, Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.
###
Downtown Indianapolis Tradition Announces New Partner
Circle of Lights® Welcomes New Presenting Partner in 2004
Quality Connection and IBEW Local 481 have signed on to become title sponsors of Circle of Lights beginning in 2004. Circle of Lights® presented by the Contractors of Quality Connection and Electrical Workers of IBEW 481 is the new name for the 43rd year of this Downtown holiday tradition!
The Quality Connection is a labor-management partnership between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 481 and the Central Indiana Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). The team has a 50 year history of progressive labor relations and unites more than 80 electrical contractors with more than 2,400 highly trained electrical workers who can perform any electrical job from a quick residential service call to a multi-million dollar Downtown destination.
"The Quality Connection Contractors and IBEW Local 481 electrical workers have been instrumental in the construction of the Conseco Fieldhouse, American United Life Insurance building, Circle Centre Mall and many other notable destinations throughout Central Indiana. We look forward to their commitment to Circle of Lights®," said Mayor Bart Peterson.
This is the first year for Quality Connection and IBEW Local 481 to be title sponsors of the event but not the first year of their involvement. Volunteer union members of IBEW Local 481 have been installing the lights on the monument for 42 years. Each November and January more than 200 electrical workers volunteer to install and remove the 4,784 lights for this beloved annual tradition.
"With our 42-year partnership with the Contractors of Quality Connection and the electrical workers of IBEW Local 481, we are very proud to become the presenting partners of the Circle of Lights celebration" said Tom O'Donnell, business manager, IBEW Local 481.
"Circle of Lights is a great opportunity to continue the labor-management relationship and support a tradition that has been part of our community for 42 years," said Nanci Fields, executive director, Quality Connection.
Circle of Lights® presented by the Contractors of Quality Connection and Electrical Workers of IBEW 481 is the official kick-off of the holiday season in Central Indiana. The event will take place on Friday, Nov. 26, 2004, the day after Thanksgiving with more than 100,000 spectators.
"On behalf of Downtown and the hundreds of thousands of people who enjoy the holidays in Downtown each year, we are thrilled to welcome the contractors of Quality Connection and electrical workers of IBEW Local 481," said Tamara Zahn, president, Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.
###
IBEW LU 51 (Springfield IL) Volunteers Light Up Park
MEMBERS OF LOCAL 51 OF THE INDEPENDENT (SIC) (International) BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS(IBEW) WERE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR VOLUNTEER WORK ON THE WHITE OAK AREA IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT. IBEW LOCAL 51 MEMBERS CONTRIBUTED LABOR FOR THE DESIGN & INSTALLATION OF UTILITY LINES AND LIGHTING TO THE WHITE OAK AREA AT COMLARA COUNTY PARK. DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION BILL WASSON, STATED “ THE NUMEROUS VOLUNTEER HOURS CONTRIBUTED BY THE MEMBERS OF IBEW LOCAL 51 AND THE EQUIPMENT ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY CORNBELT ENERGY AND ILLINOIS POWER WILL IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF RECREATION AND THE SECURITY OF PARKS VISITORS FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.” CORNBELT ENERGY AND ILLINOIS POWER WERE RECOGNIZED FOR MAKING EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE FOR THE WHITE OAK AREA IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
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