Industry News

United Technical Industries is relocating tool-and-die manufacturing subsidiaries Advanced Coatings and Unitech  from two Northeast Kansas City plants to a new facility in Lee's Summit, Mo. The companies will be housed in a new 40,000-sf building which began construction in June 2002 and is now nearing completion. General contractor for the $3-million-plus project is Triad Construction Co. of Kansas City.

Battelle, an Ohio-based technology research company, opened its $20-million Harford County research facility in early March 2003. Sited on 89 acres at the Higher Education and Applied Technology (HEAT) Center in Aberdeen, Ohio, the facility will accommodate over 200 engineers, scientists and technicians in laboratories dedicated to chemical, biological, and technology R&D.

Vista-based BioFilm Inc.'s new headquarters will be built on 3.52 acres in the Palomar Corporate Center in Vista, Calif. The 60,860-sf leased facility, developed by Moxie Pacific Palomar LLC, will be ready for occupancy by Jan. 1, 2004.

The Kaiser Family Foundation, based in Menlo Park, Calif., opens its new Washington, D.C., public affairs center on March 27, 2003. The facility features a technologically equipped conference center, a broadcast studio, and a lobby with interactive displays and exhibits including a video wall. Housing 40 employees, the nine-story center will also be available for use by other D.C. nonprofit organizations.

The Boeing Co. is constructing a 140,000-sf complex in St. Louis where it will fuel, install avionics and prepare for test flights T-45s (Navy jet trainers), F-15s and F/A-18s. The $104-million complex will include a hangar, painting facilities, "hush houses" for testing jet engines, and shelters for airplanes awaiting work. The hangar will house office space and three "clear span" bays for airplane work. The project began construction in July 2002 and is slated for completion in January 2004. Contractor for the project is McCarthy.