May 29 2008
Broadwind Energy, Inc. announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tower Tech Systems, will expand its wind tower manufacturing operations to Sioux Falls, S.D. and Abilene, Texas. Tower Tech Systems currently operates a manufacturing facility in Manitowoc, Wis. that has been producing wind towers since 2004.
Broadwind CEO J. Cameron Drecoll said transportation and logistics for tower sections have become increasingly complex and costly to the wind energy marketplace. Broadwind and Tower Tech will provide tower production capabilities close to major wind energy development areas and supply logistical services to project sites. He added that the service bundle will provide benefits to customers that will be unique in the industry, such as reducing risks associated with long-distance transport.
"Our customers will be able to depend on Broadwind to provide a more complete and cost-effective supply-chain solution," Drecoll said. "Our existing Manitowoc facility continues to perform well and will increase tower production capacity, and it will be supplemented by these new facilities in the heart of wind energy markets. This expansion to new regions, combined with our recent acquisition of a transportation and logistics provider to the wind industry, will result in the introduction of significant savings into the marketplace and ensure that we continue to deliver the highest level of quality."
Lars Moller, Broadwind's chief operating officer, said, "The factories are specially-designed, single-piece-flow production units that capitalize on lean technologies. These greenfield facilities will be the first of their kind in North America specifically built for tower manufacturing, thus allowing for optimum production efficiencies for our customers."
The local economic development councils in each of the communities were pivotal in site selection, providing incentive packages and aggressively supporting the projects. Paul Smith, representing the Tower Tech implementation team, added, "Our team has been working closely with the economic development organizations in both Sioux Falls and Abilene, and the experiences have been very rewarding. Whenever we ran into an issue, they went the extra mile to find solutions. The support during this process was excellent, and we look forward to long-standing and mutually-beneficial relationships with these communities."
Each facility is expected to initially employ more than 150 workers, with significant expansion options available. Both sites also have direct rail access, ample tower storage and the most modern tower production equipment available in the marketplace. Both plants will begin production by early 2009.