Wind Energy

Draka opening Kansas parts plant for wind turbines

Draka, a Dutch cable company that is the third largest in Europe, said yesterday that it will open an office in an existing building in Hutchinson, Kans., to provide components to a Siemens wind turbine nacelle factory in that city. The Draka facility will initially be small—plans call for five to 10 employees to start, and double that number within a year.

A global manufacturer of wire and cable is opening a facility in Hutchinson, Kan., to supply a company that will build parts for wind turbines.

Draka, which has its headquarters in Holland and is the third largest manufacturer of cable in Europe, said it will occupy an existing building in Hutchinson which will initially house 5 to 10 employees with plans to double the number within a year.

Draka will supply the Siemens–owned plant which is also in Hutchinson. That wind energy facility is scheduled to have its grand opening next month.

In November 2009, Siemens began construction on a nacelle manufacturing plant in Hutchinson, KS. A nacelle is the part of the wind turbine that houses the gearbox, drive train and control electronics on wind turbines.

The first 90-ton nacelle is slated for shipping from the wind power factory in December 2010. This manufacturing plant in Hutchinson will represent the first major wind turbine equipment factories in Kansas.

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