Jun 22 2010
ZF has signed an agreement with wind energy company Vestas to provide wind turbine gear boxes. These gear boxes will be produced at a novel facility that is currently being built in Gainesville, Georgia. With production slated to commence in early 2012, the facility is likely to produce 2,000 gear boxes annually.
In addition to this, ZF will add production test stands meant for the wind gear box sector to its development test benches. Since 2007, ZF has been offering solutions targeted at the wind energy sector. Currently, the company is investing in service facilities for wind turbines in the U.S. and in Dortmund, Germany.
ZF intends to attain gear box sales of over $200 million annually. Vestas is one of the world leaders in the wind energy sector, with over 40,000 turbines in 63 nations. Presently, ZF is investing around $90 million for building the facility in Gainesville, which will employ approximately 200 people.
The Commercial Vehicle and Special Driveline Technology Division head of ZF Rolf Lutz commented that owing to the need to decrease carbon dioxide emissions and the concern regarding global warming, there has been increased focus on developing environmentally-friendly, sustainable energy.