Wind turbine maker Nordex to close Arkansas production plant

[FBaggins]

Germany-based Nordex SE has announced the company will close its production plant in Jonesboro, Ark. and produce all nacelles at its plant in Rostock, Germany. The company stated in a release the decision “was driven by the wind industry’s overcapacity and the continued uncertainty and instability of the U.S. market.”

Nordex CEO Jurgen Zeschky called it “a difficult decision,” but noted there was a weakened demand from the U.S. market caused by “the unpredictable extensions of the Production Tax Credit” causing a lower utilization rate of the U.S. assembly plant.

The company stated nacelles for the U.S. and Latin America markets will be supplied from its facility in Germany, and services activities for existing U.S. wind farms will not be affected. The company will continue to operate the training academy, central parts storage and repair facility in Jonesboro.

Around 40 employees will be laid off beginning in fall 2013, Nordex stated.

http://www.power-eng.com/articles/2013/06/wind-turbine-maker-nordex-to-close-arkansas-production-plant.html