TPT March 2007

From the AmericaS

the region will post more than 5,500 manufacturing job openings for skilled workers each year. Salaries start at $40,000 to $45,000 a year; a seasoned worker commands an average of $63,000. Through print, radio, and television advertisements, as well as billboards and sponsorship of the kind of venues that attract young people, MAGNET hopes to persuade those in the age group 18 to 34 to consider preparing themselves to apply for those jobs. John Engler, president and chief executive of the National Association of Manufacturers , put the initiative in a broader context. “America can’t compete without skilled workers,” he said in a prepared statement, “Eighty per cent of NAM members are having trouble finding qualified employees for today’s high-tech workplace. And this problem is getting worse as the baby boom generation retires.” Meantime, Mr Engler told Ms Cho, “Companies are starting to hire each other’s employees,” to fill critical jobs. Boeing returns to No 1 after five years behind Europe’s Airbus According to sales figures released 17 January, Boeing Co beat out Airbus SAS in total aircraft orders last year for the first time since 2000. The Chicago-based aircraft maker garnered 1,050 orders in 2006 versus 824 for its European rival. Boeing also topped Airbus in production of wide-body jets, probably the most lucrative market in

the industry. Boeing tallied 317 orders for these planes, compared with 134 for Airbus. Writing in the Washington Post , Del Quentin Wilber noted that analysts see the figures as evidence that Boeing has regained the momentum it sacrificed to corporate scandals, business missteps, and sluggish sales. By contrast, Airbus, which has its headquarters in Toulouse, France, had “a rough year.” Mr Wilber wrote, “Wiring problems caused production snafus in the much- touted Airbus A380 super-jumbo jet, delaying its delivery to customers by two years. FedEx dropped orders for 10 freighter versions of the jet. Several top executives left Airbus and its parent company EADS NV.” ( ‘Boeing takes lead in aircraft orders,’ 17 January). Airbus was also forced to redesign its new wide-body A350 XWB because airlines and leasing companies prefer Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner. Boeing has taken 448 orders for the 787, which is still in production. Even so, despite falling behind in orders Airbus had the second-best year in its history. It also delivered more planes to customers than Boeing and has a slightly larger backlog of jets than the US aircraft maker. But Boeing chose to concentrate on its supremacy in sales – and to revel in it. “We are excited about it,” Randolph S Baseler, vice president of marketing for Boeing, told the Post . “Like sports teams or anything else you are on, you want to be a winner in what you do. It didn’t feel good to be number two.”

An advanced range of N.C. single and twin headed machines • Quick tool change • High production capability • No tube clamping required • End form on or near bends • Up to 6" ø • High quality robust construction • 12 month warranty. AV85C Twin Head. TUBE END FORMING Infinitely adjustable expansion & reduction

For further information or a brochure please contact:

Unit 24, Padgets Lane, South Moons Moat, Redditch, Worcester B98 0RB, England. Telephone: (01527) 518520 Fax: (01527) 518526 E-mail: info@avamatic.co.uk www.avamatic.co.uk France: Tel: (1) 39 57 96 00 Germany: Tel: 02150 2500 Netherlands/Belgium: Tel: (04756) 6888 USA: Tel: 708 272 7880

77

M arch /A pril 2007