Vestas is implementing its plan to create a more flexible and scalable business to adapt the company to the uncertain market situation in the wind industry. Part of this plan is to more effectively use the existing production capacity. This new agreement is a step in securing this.
The agreement means that Vestas will ramp up at its tower factory in Pueblo, Colorado, US. Vestas will begin manufacturing the first part of the third-party tower supply agreement that could use up to 25% of the production capacity. The agreement will create more than 100 jobs by the end of the first quarter of 2013.
"We are pleased with this new agreement. Vestas is known for having industry-leading quality in our manufacturing processes and facilities, and it is satisfying that other companies recognise this by choosing to use our factories to produce components for their projects," said Jean-Marc Lechêne, executive vice-president and COO for Vestas Wind Systems A/S.
"Vestas is continuously evaluating its manufacturing footprint and opportunities to utilise the current production capacity better. Producing components for third parties is part of this strategy, and although we have had other smaller orders, this new agreement is the first major step in realising this plan," Lechêne said.
"Our tower factory employees are very excited about this new order," said Tony Knopp, vice-president of Vestas Towers America, Inc, in Pueblo. "The extension of the Production Tax Credit (PTC) at the beginning of the year also was an important factor in securing this contract, and we are now in the process of evaluating our ramp-up plan."