NORWICH – On Monday, GE Aviation announced that it has received a record-breaking number of order commitments from different engine and airframe manufacturers in 2011, which in turn will ensure long-term stability for Unison Industries in Norwich.
In 2011, the commercial airplane manufacturer Boeing announced it would replace its current CFM56 airplane engine models – which is present on most of their planes – with the newer LEAP (Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion) engines, which will be used to power the newly announced Boeing 737 MAX airplane.
Earlier this week, a Norwegian airline ordered 100 of the highly demanded 737 MAX airplanes. With this order, a total 3,056 order commitments have been made to GE for the new LEAP engine, which is certainly good news for the more than 300 technicians employed at the Norwich branch of Unison Industries who manufacture electronics including temperature gauges and alternators to sell to GE for use on the engine.
“We are certainly growing and this will help us grow,” said Unison Director of Operations Gary Cummings. “The people here now are working on parts for the next generation of aircraft.”
In addition to the record number of commitments to GE Aviation that will directly benefit Unison, the Norwich plant also produces temperature sensors for GE’s newest aircraft engine, the GEnx, which is used for many versions of Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner airplane. According to the Boeing website, the Dreamliner is a super-efficient aircraft that uses 20 percent less fuel than planes of a similar size. This will have a direct impact on airlines that often appropriate 30 percent of their budget toward fuel costs, said Cummings. The temperature sensors used on the plane’s engines are vital to safety and performance, he explained. The first of these model planes will be distributed to its airline customers this year, warranting a big year for Unison.
Michael Weaver, Unison’s Product Line Manager, explained that like the older CFM56 engine, the new LEAP and GEnx engines will be heavily manufactured and in demand for the next decade. Unison will also continue producing parts for the CFM56, which is expected to take many more years to be completely phased out by the newer models.
Unison has grown in leaps and bounds since it was purchased by GE in 2002, with a significant amount of its growth being in the last five years. The latest news of reassurance is more than welcomed for the plant, Weaver said.
“These aircrafts are going to be around for many more years,” Weaver said, explaining that the current CFM56 has been in demand for nearly two decades now and a similar life span is expected of the newer model engines. “This is a long term thing; we’re already working on technologies that will come out a decade from now,” he added. “It’s nice to be able to support manufacturing; it’s good support for the local economy.”
For more information about Unison Industries, visit their website, www.unisonindustries.com.