Wind Factory Watch: Beckmann Volmer, Arkansas By Carl Levesque (AWEA)

The wind energy company, a direct supplier to wind turbine manufacturer Nordex, will invest $10 million in the new facility, where the 300-person staff will be employed at an average hourly wage of $18.

The announcement exemplifies the geographic ripple effect of the wind power supply chain and how component producers prefer to be near the customers they supply—whether in the same country or, in this case, the same state. Nordex is also building a plant in Arkansas, as is fellow turbine assembler Mitsubishi.

“We are delighted to call Osceola, Ark., our new home,” said Bernd Volmer, managing director and co-owner of the company. “After a thorough search considering more than 100 possible locations in the Midwest and South, we believe that we have found the best place for us to set up shop.”

Upon completion of the initial investment and hiring of the first 300 employees, the company will consider an additional $7.5 million investment, along with 200 more employees, Beckmann Volmer said. The company is headquartered in Germany and also has operations in Poland and China.

Governor Mike Beebe (D), who visited Beckmann Volmer’s leadership on his European business trip in October 2009, joined local and company leaders at the announcement. “Beckmann Volmer is the latest international company to select Arkansas as the home for its North American operations, and their commitment will bring quality jobs to Mississippi County,” Beebe said. “Our stature in the renewable energy sector continues to bring this type of economic investment to Arkansas.”

Steel components manufactured by Beckmann Volmer have a wide variety of applications in a wind turbine. The largest component to be produced in Osceola will be turbine main frames, the structural backbone of the unit.

By Carl Levesque, AWEA, www.awea.org/blog/