Camp Code teaches vital, fun STEM skills

Coding and its applications just got a lot more interesting, thanks to Code Camp sessions at the Bevill Environmental and Technology Center at Northwest-Shoals Community College. The camps, sponsored by the Shoals Chamber of Commerce Foundation, introduced students in fourth through eighth grades to the basics of mechanical engineering and circuitry, while helping meet the needs of one of the fastest growing areas of interest in the STEM field. Boys attended the camp last week, and this week has been the girls' turn. This is the first year of the camp, but organizers hope to make it an annual offering. The girls camp concludes today, then all students will come together later today for the culminating event - the Bot Bash celebration. Kim Sheppard, a co-director of the camp, said the three-day camps are operated with loaner equipment from Texas Instruments that partners with the nation's BEST Robotics programs. As a hub director for the state's BEST Robotics program in northwest Alabama, Sheppard said the partnership with the two entities has provided great opportunities for students.

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Comfort Systems USA Announces Acquisition

Business Wire | February 01, 2024

Comfort Systems USA, Inc. today announced that it has closed its previously announced transaction to acquire Summit Industrial Construction, LLC (“Summit”) headquartered in Houston, Texas. As previously disclosed, Summit is a specialty industrial mechanical contractor offering engineering, design-assist and turnkey, direct hire construction services of modular systems serving the advanced technology, power, and industrial sectors. Summit’s capabilities encompass a wide range of modular and site-based construction, including process piping, equipment setting, large pipe rack trestles, and related steel erection and specialty concrete work. Summit is a trusted supplier to some of the world’s largest advanced technology, power and industrial companies and is currently deployed on several major chip fabrication projects. Initially, Summit is expected to contribute annualized revenues of approximately $375 million to $400 million, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization of $35 million to $40 million. In light of the amortization expense, Summit is expected to make a neutral to slightly accretive contribution to earnings per share in 2024 and 2025. Brian Lane, Comfort Systems USA’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are delighted to announce the closing of our agreement to acquire Summit, an extremely capable provider of modular and other complex mechanical services. Summit brings a stellar reputation as a modular technology leader in growing end markets, including multiple ongoing and large semiconductor projects. We are happy to welcome Summit’s wonderful leadership team and excellent production and craft workers across many states, and we are confident Summit will continue to innovate and grow as a part of our network of world-class contracting companies. We are grateful that Summit has chosen to become part of Comfort Systems USA.”

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