Mound House company wins $2.45 million in Air Force work

Phoenix Aerospace, a five-year-old company located in Mound House, has won a government contract worth $2.45 million to provide engine trailers to the U.S. Air Force, said Zahir Teja, chief executive officer of Phoenix

International Ventures, the parent company of Phoenix Aerospace.

Engine trailers are used to install or remove large engines from jet fighter aircraft. The contract comes with an additional $2.9 million option which is contingent upon the government needing additional engine trailer units, Teja said.

In addition to engine trailers, Phoenix Aerospace manufactures ground support equipment such as weapons loaders, air start-carts and engine lift booms for the defense and aerospace markets. Air start carts are used to spin and pre-heat jet engines prior to ignition.

Phoenix Aerospace employs 10 in 7,500 square feet, and Teja expects to add five more employees within the next year. The recent contract provides a significant boost to the company, Teja said.

"It means we have more work and can hire more people," he said. "It is good for our state and good for the northern Nevada economy. Now we are headed in the right direction."