Boeing fights off Airbus to remain top maker of jetliners
Boeing edged out European rival Airbus to retain its title as the world’s top jetmaker. Boeing said it delivered a record number of aircraft in 2018, its tally of 806 narrowly topping Airbus’ count of 800 deliveries for the year. A Cowen analyst told The Associated Press that Boeing deliveries were “a tad light,” but added deliveries of its new 737 MAX beat expectations. On the order front, Boeing tallied a net of 893 aircraft orders in 2018. Airbus tallied 747, a sharp drop from the 1,109 it sold in 2017. Both companies have a large presence in Alabama. – USA Today
Government shutdown taking a toll on Huntsville
Once known for its cotton trade and watercress farms, Huntsville, is now the ultimate government town: About 70 federal agencies are located at the Army’s 38,000-acre Redstone Arsenal. More than half of the area’s economy is tied to Washington spending. As the government shutdown drags into a third week, people and businesses that rely on federal largesse are showing the strain. – AP
Three board members reportedly quit BCRI after Davis decision
Three members quit the board of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute after its decision to first grant, then to rescind an award for iconic activist Angela Davis, following objections to her anti-Israel statements. The gesture of protest came hours after Davis took to Facebook and called the retraction “not an attack against me but rather against the very spirit of the indivisibility of justice.” – RT
Humatics expanding Huntsville offices, workforce
Microlocation tech company Humatics announced this week it has raised $28 million in a Series A1 financing, and is planning on expanding its Huntsville offices. Humatics will move into its new office along Corporate Drive Northwest sometime in the second quarter of this year. – AL.com
New AC Hotel in downtown Huntsville now booking rooms
Huntsville’s second major downtown hotel overlooking Big Spring Park and across the street from the Von Braun Center is now ready for you to make your travel arrangements. The AC Hotel Huntsville Downtown announced Thursday that it is now accepting reservations ahead of its spring opening. – AL.com
Mobile-based Arc Controls acquires Parkway Machine & Metal
Arc Controls recently announced its acquisition of Parkway Machine & Metal Works Inc. of Saraland, Alabama. Parkway Machine has served the chemical, oil and gas, shipyard, steel mill and aircraft industries in the Gulf South region for more than 40 years. – News release
