Industry News

Northrop Grumman Corporation opened the 156,000-sf Innovation Institute in Linthicum, Md., in December of 2009. The advanced technology center houses 450 engineers, researchers, and staff engaged in collaborative research and development of global defense electronics technologies. Featuring team research laboratories, modular offices, and a 175-seat conference center, the LEED-certified facility was built by Manekin Construction of Columbia. 

The National Center for Atmospheric Research will build a $66 million supercomputer facility in Cheyenne, Wyo. The 153,000-sf project will be constructed by Saunders Construction of Denver. Supporting advanced climate modeling, the computer will comprise more than 100,000 processors in a 24,000-sf area with a sub-floor ten feet deep to accommodate infrastructure and cooling needs. Occupancy is expected by year-end 2011.

OSRAM Opto Semiconductors opened its LED chip production plant in Penang, Malaysia, in December of 2009. Ground was broken on the 35,000-sm project in July of 2007. The building is the world’s most advanced LED chip plant and includes cleanroom facilities.

Natural Resources Canada has awarded Nahanni Construction a $10.9 million contract to expand and renovate the Polar Continental Shelf Program facility in Iqaluit, Nunavut. The facility is located at Resolute Bay and is an important center for arctic research. The design-build project will include construction of a new laboratory, a kitchen and dining facility, and a social and health science research area. Existing lab space will transformed into an expanded office area. Completion is expected in March of 2011.

IBM initiated construction in December of 2009 on a $57 million data center in Manukau City, New Zealand. Located in the Highbrook Business Park in East Tamaki, the 56,000-sf facility will feature energy efficient technologies and systems. The high reliability data center will support cloud computing. Completion is expected in late 2010.