A German maker of wind turbines is locating to Arkansas, part of that state’s growing wind turbine manufacturing industry.
This article from the Northwest Arkansas Morning News says Nordex USA Inc will build a $100 million plant, employing 700 people in Jonesboro and beginning production in January 2010:
Nordex is an original equipment manufacturer, meaning some of its parts and components suppliers are expected to locate in the area, officials said.
Jonesboro’s location was a main consideration in the company’s decision to locate there, according to Nordex USA CEO Ralf Sigrist.
“Logistics is one of the main concerns, main constraints, main challenges for our industry,” Sigrist said. “The unique location in this area — it’s in the midst of the various possible wind markets: West Coast, Texas and the South up to North Dakota and the eastern corridor.”
Friday’s announcement broadens Arkansas’ rapidly growing wind energy industry.
Earlier this month, Netherlands-based Polymarin Composites, a fully owned subsidiary of Emergya Wind Technologies, said it would invest $16 million in a windmill blade plant in Little Rock that would employ 630 people within four years. One of the company’s suppliers, Wind Water Technology, simultaneously planned to employ 200 at the plant.
Last year, Danish-based LM Glasfiber announced it would build a $150 million windmill blade plant and eventually employ 1,000 people in Little Rock. That company also planned to open a training academy there as well as its North American headquarters.
Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe praised the move, saying this is an indication of the type of business that will only grow in the future.