Nordex to build US wind turbine plant in Jonesboro, Arkansas
Key pillar in the strategy to serve the rapidly growing US alternative energy market Investment of $100 million will lead to 700 new jobs in the region Jonesboro expects more companies to follow suit
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Norderstedt (euro adhoc) - Jonesboro, Arkansas, October 24, 2008 - Nordex USA, Inc., the US subsidiary of Nordex AG, a leading manufacturer of wind turbines for geographic regions across the globe, today announced plans to locate its US manufacturing facility in Jonesboro. Nordex will invest approximately $100 million in the new facility, which will employ 700 people at an average wage of $17.00 an hour. The company is building on 187 acres in the Craighead Technology Park.
"Today we celebrate another important step for our State into the renewable-energy industry with Nordex´s decision to make a significant investment in Arkansas," Governor Mike Beebe said. "While we have seen a lot of high-quality jobs coming to Jonesboro in the past few years, Nordex opens up all kinds of future opportunities for Northeast Arkansas."
Milestone in Nordex international expansion "The new plant in Jonesboro is a key pillar in our international strategy. It will enable us to serve the US, one of the fastest growing markets for wind energy, and come closer to our objective of generating 20% of our revenues in the US," stated Nordex CEO, Thomas Richterich.
Nordex is one of the fastest growing companies in the wind energy industry, with Compound Annual Growth Rates (CAGR) greater than 50% from 2004-2007. Headquartered in Germany, Nordex has offices and subsidiaries in 18 countries and employs more than 2,000 people around the world. Nordex USA, Inc. is headquartered in Chicago.
Nordex´s Jonesboro operation will be an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) that will comprise every component of a wind turbine except the tower, including the manufacturing of rotor blades and the assembly of nacelles. The facility will have a target annual assembly capacity of approximately 750 megawatts (MW), with planned production to start by January 2010.
Nordex will focus in Jonesboro on its large-scale turbine family N90 and N100 (2.5 MW), which is one of the largest series in the world. The average size of the newly installed turbines in the US will amount to 1.7 MW.
"Jonesboro offers a perfect environment for alternative energy companies. It is centrally located, has an ideal infrastructure, and a large, skilled workforce. We appreciate the state and local support throughout the planning process and look forward to ongoing positive and productive relationships," stated Ralf Sigrist, President of Nordex USA, Inc.
More companies are expected As a result of this project, Jonesboro and the surrounding region can also expect numerous parts and components suppliers for Nordex to locate in the area.
"We are very excited that Nordex has selected Jonesboro," said Mark Young, president and CEO of the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce. "They will be a tremendous asset to our community and Northeast Arkansas."
About Nordex As a technological leader among suppliers of megawatt turbines, Nordex benefits particularly from the global trend towards large-scale wind turbines. The product range includes one of the largest series wind power systems in the world (N80/N90/N100 2.5 MW). More than 1,000 of these turbines have been produced to date. This experience with multi-megawatt turbines gives Nordex a decisive lead over most of its competitors. Nordex has installed a total of over 3,400 turbines with a capacity of more than 4,200 MW around the world. With exports accounting for over 95 percent of its business, Nordex AG plays a key role in international high-growth regions.
end of announcement euro adhoc --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Further inquiry note:
Felix Losada
Tel.: +49 (0)40 300 30 1141
flosada@nordex-online.com
Branche: Alternative energy
ISIN: DE000A0D6554
WKN: A0D655
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