ASHEVILLE, NC—GE Aviation’s assembly plant here is the first in the world to make jet engine parts with new materials, called ceramic matrix composites, that will revolutionize flight in the years ahead.

MOBILE, AL—Airbus Americas has awarded the paint shop contract for its A320 final assembly line under construction at Mobile Aeroplex to MAAS Aviation Aircraft Services.

BROUSSARD, LA—Bell Helicopter has opened a new composites manufacturing facility here. The $4.5 million, 28,000-square-foot plant will employ 30.

Metal blades are typically used to strip insulation from wire or cable. However, there is an alternative—lasers.

These days, manufacturers of all stripes are taking a closer at their energy consumption as a potential source of cost savings—even manufacturers of the largest, most expensive products in the world.

ROCHESTER, NH—Two companies that are partnering to manufacture lightweight airplane engine blades are marking the opening of a large production facility here.

LAFAYETTE, IN—GE Aviation is building a $100 million jet engine assembly plant here to produce its next-generation engine for passenger jets.

EL SEGUNDO, CA—Millennium Space Systems has opened a new 70,000-square-foot headquarters and assembly plant here. The factory can produce more than 40 satellites simultaneously.

KENT, WA—Aerospace supplier Exotic Metals Forming Co. plans to build a 150,000-square-foot manufacturing facility here, creating up to 150 jobs.

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC—The Machinists union has opened an office here, hoping to organize Boeing’s new assembly plant.