Drone competition helps ‘bridge gap between education and industry’

Young engineers will be challenged to design, build and operate drones as part of the IMechE’s fourth annual UAS challenge. This year’s competition for Unmanned Aircraft Systems has 25 teams, including four international teams, and a group from last year’s winners, the University of Bath. The Challenge is a year-long project that requires teams to adhere to strict qualifying standards. Their drones must complete a series of tasks, including navigation, location search, and accurately delivering a package. The teams will receive expert advice from a steering group of specialist professionals in aerospace and flight safety, and the commercial viability of the projects will be tested with Dragons’ Den-style pitches. “Taking part in the UAS Challenge provides students with an excellent opportunity to bridge the gap between education and industry,” said Peter Finegold, head of education at IMechE. “Students are involved in an engineering project which brings theoretical knowledge to life and encourages authentic work experiences such as working in teams, to deadlines and solving real problems as they arise.”

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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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