777-300ER order could grow to 13 jets

Virgin Blue Holdings, Ltd., today confirmed that the Brisbane- based company has ordered six Boeing 777-300ER jetliners, with options for six more, and will lease one additional 777-300ER. The new airplanes will allow Virgin Blue to establish its new long-haul airline, providing service from Australia to the United States and other destinations. The six-airplane order is valued at $1.5 billion at list prices. Virgin Blue currently operates an all-Boeing fleet of 53 Next-Generation 737s. In addition, Boeing said that Virgin Blue had exercised options for five 737-800s that were attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries Web site in late 2006. These airplanes are valued at $350 million.

Lumera to continue government work

Lumera Corp. of Bothell has received an extension of a U.S. government contract to develop advanced wideband optical modulators. The year-long contract is valued at more than $1.1 million; the overall contract value has reached $6.9 million. Lumera is developing better modulators for fiber-optic systems that are expected to deliver increased bandwidth.

Fishermen’s tribute group meets today

A group hoping to create a waterfront tribute to Everett’s commercial fishing fleet will meet at 2 p.m. today at the Everett Public Library, 2702 Hoyt Ave. The group will review information about writing a book on the fleet and will hear a report on a visit to the Fishermen’s Memorial in San Pedro, Calif.

Strong sales lift Oracle profits

Oracle Corp.’s fiscal third-quarter profit climbed 35 percent, lifted by strong software sales. The software maker said Tuesday that it earned $1.03 billion for the three months ended in February. That compared with net income of $765 million at the same time last year.

Home building rises in February

New home construction rebounded in February following a steep January slide. But analysts pointed to a further decline in building permits as a worrisome signal of future problems for the troubled housing industry. Construction of new homes and apartments rose 9 percent in February, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday.

Fed meeting to consider rates

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues are expected to strike a reassuring tone about the country’s economic health today despite persistent worries that problems with risky mortgages could spread.

Officials pursue patent complaint

Microsoft says French telecom Alcatel-Lucent infringed on its patents for unified communications products, and the U.S. International Trade Commission on Tuesday voted to begin a probe. The company is asking the ITC to bar Alcatel-Lucent from importing products that it says infringes on three patented technologies.

From Herald staff and news services

Talk to us

More in Herald Business Journal

Members of Gravitics' team and U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen stand in front of a mockup of a space module interior on Thursday, August 17, 2023 at Gravitics' Marysville facility. Left to right: Mark Tiner, government affairs representative; Jiral Shah, business development; U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen; Mike DeRosa, marketing; Scott Macklin, lead engineer. (Gravitics.)
Marysville startup prepares for space — the financial frontier

Gravitics is building space station module prototypes to one day house space travelers and researchers.

Orca Mobility designer Mike Lowell, left, and CEO Bill Messing at their office on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023 in Granite Falls, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Could a Granite Falls startup’s three-wheeler revolutionize delivery?

Orca Mobility’s battery-powered, three-wheel truck is built on a motorcycle frame. Now, they aim to make it self-driving.

Catherine Robinweiler leads the class during a lab session at Edmonds College on April 29, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Grant aids apprenticeship program in Mukilteo and elsewhere

A $5.6 million U.S. Department of Labor grant will boost apprenticeships for special education teachers and nurses.

Peoples Bank is placing piggy banks with $30 around Washington starting Aug. 1.
(Peoples Bank)
Peoples Bank grant program seeks proposals from nonprofits

Peoples Bank offers up to $35,000 in Impact Grants aimed at helping communities. Applications due Sept. 15.

Workers build the first all-electric commuter plane, the Eviation Alice, at Eviation's plant on Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021 in Arlington, Washington.  (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Arlington’s Eviation selects Seattle firm to configure production plane

TLG Aerospace chosen to configure Eviation Aircraft’s all-electric commuter plane for mass production.

Jim Simpson leans on Blue Ray III, one of his designs, in his shop on Friday, August 25, 2023, in Clinton, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Whidbey Island master mechanic building dream car from “Speed Racer”

Jim Simpson, 68, of Clinton, is using his knowledge of sports cars to assemble his own Mach Five.

Inside the new Boeing 737 simulator at Simulation Flight in Mukilteo, Washington on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
New Boeing 737 simulator takes ‘flight’ in Mukilteo

Pilots can test their flying skills or up their game at Simulation Flight in Mukilteo.

An Amazon worker transfers and organizes items at the new PAE2 Amazon Fulfillment Center on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Amazon cuts ribbon on colossal $355M fulfillment center in Arlington

At 2.8 million square feet, the facility is the largest of its kind in Washington. It can hold 40 million “units” of inventory.

A computer rendering of the North Creek Commerce Center industrial park in development at 18712 Bothell-Everett Highway. (Kidder Mathews)
Developer breaks ground on new Bothell industrial park

The North Creek Commerce Center on Bothell Everett Highway will provide warehouse and office space in three buildings.

Dan Bates / The Herald
Funko president, Brian Mariotti is excited about the growth that has led his company to need a 62,000 square foot facility in Lynnwood.
Photo Taken: 102312
Former Funko CEO resigns from the Everett company

Brian Mariotti resigned Sept. 1, six weeks after announcing he was taking a six-month sabbatical from the company.

Cash is used for a purchase at Molly Moon's Ice Cream in Edmonds, Washington on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Paper or plastic? Snohomish County may require businesses to take cash

County Council member Nate Nehring proposed an ordinance to ban cashless sales under $200. He hopes cities will follow suit.

A crowd begins to form before a large reception for the opening of Fisherman Jack’s at the Port of Everett on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Seafood with a view: Fisherman Jack’s opens at Port of Everett

“The port is booming!” The new restaurant is the first to open on “restaurant row” at the port’s Waterfront Place.