Collins Aerospace encourages girls to take an interest in STEM

Meridian Creek Middle School student Ruby Windsheimer was intrigued by the "Introduce a Girl to STEM" event hosted by Collins Aerospace at its facility in Wilsonville because she likes science and wanted to see if a career in engineering sparked her interest. The verdict: It did. "I think I'd enjoy it from what I've learned," she said. "The job would be fun and keep me on my toes. I would never get bored." The company, which develops aerospace systems and other services for commercial aircraft, has hosted this event in Wilsonville for the past 10 years to try to inspire girls at Meridian Creek and Inza R. Wood middle schools to consider a career in a STEM science, technology, engineering and math field. Thirty-six girls from those schools attended the event Thursday, Feb. 20. "We should be telling them that any option you want is available to you," said Lorrin Johnson, Collins Aerospace's marketing manager. According to the Society of Women Engineers, women represent just 13% of engineers in the United States. Collins Aerospace has a 20% female population, but wants to forge a more equal gender balance, according to Jeff Priborsky, director of engineering.

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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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