COLUMBUS -- When the first 787 Dreamliner takes off in 2008, Boeing will have several Ohio aerospace companies to thank for helping the first-of-its-kind airliner get off the ground. Six Ohio companies are involved in the research, development and manufacturing of parts and essential components for the Dreamliner, Boeing's next-generation, long-range jet. According to Boeing, the Dreamliner will provide airlines with unmatched fuel efficiency and passengers with increased comfort and convenience.
"Ohio is leveraging its standing as a national leader in aerospace industry innovation to assist in the Dreamliner project, one of the most anticipated launches of a commercial airliner in aviation history," says Marlon Cheatham, brand manager for the Ohio Business Development Coalition (OBDC), the nonprofit organization that markets the state for capital investment.
Most recently, Niles, OH-based RTI International Metals Inc. signed a 10-year, $900 million-plus agreement to supply structural titanium components for the 787 Dreamliner. RTI, a parts manufacturer, expects that the contract could be worth more than
Other Ohio contributions include: a hydraulic subsystem developed by Parker Hannifin that will operate the Dreamliner's main landing gears, flight controls, flaps and steering components; a variety of motors, pumps, fittings, valves and ducts from Eaton Corporation; lightweight, corrosion-resistant bearings and fasteners that will lower fuel costs from Brush Engineered Materials Inc.; and state-of-the-art, fuel-efficient engines developed by both GE Aviation and Rolls-Royce. Boeing will offer both engines as a choice to its customers.
"Ohio's legacy in manufacturing and the development of jet engine components and advanced materials make the state one of the top supplier concentrations in the aerospace industry," says Dr. Mike Heil, president of the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI), the nonprofit corporation that works with more than 100 partners in industry, government, and universities to carry out aerospace-related research and technology development. "By taking advantage of our state's many assets, the government, along with industry leaders, is helping to make Ohio an even stronger force in aerospace innovation."
Ohio boasts two federal laboratories, ten leading universities with dedicated doctoral level research and education programs in aerospace related disciplines, and more than 450 aerospace manufacturers and suppliers all working in collaboration to develop innovative solutions for the nation's aerospace needs. These entities, along with Ohio's internationally renowned federal aerospace research centers, attract the industry's top talent to provide limitless opportunities in aeropropulsion and power research and development, manufacturing innovation and commercialization of aerospace components and products.
Ohio's aerospace industry is supported by the state's Third Frontier Project, a
"Businesses are realizing the opportunities and resources the state of Ohio offers for business growth and success," says Ed Burghard, executive director of the OBDC. "In addition to its long history of innovation through collaboration, business owners profit from the bottom-line benefits of better work-life balance for their employees. Ohio offers low-cost, low stress communities in a combination of micropolitan and metropolitan cities. This diversity provides executives and employees the resources and time to make any ambition achievable. Ohio truly is the state of perfect balance."
For more information, visit www.ohiomeansbusiness.com.
For more information about Ohio's aerospace industry, view the complete brochure at www.ohiomeansbusiness.com/key/aerospace.php.
