German Renewable Energy Company Selects Delaware County for Its North American Headquarters, Service and Manufacturing Operations
YORKTOWN, IND. - (June 12, 2009) -Delaware County is establishing itself as a dynamic center for green, renewable and alternative energy innovation. VAT-Energies, LLC and VAT-Service, LLC a wholly owned subsidiaries of VAT-Service Getriebetechnik in Germany announced today the company's plans to locate its North American corporate headquarters, service and manufacturing facilities near Yorktown in Delaware County. The companies will invest $3.3 million to locate in an existing 60,000 SF facility in Park One Business Park, at the intersection of Interstate 69 and Indiana State Road 332.
Initially, the marketing, installation, service and maintenance operations will locate in the existing building in Park One. Additional local buildings as well as new construction will be considered for future operations to include design and manufacturing. The plans call for creating 105 - 120 new jobs locally by 2011. Later this year, the company will begin hiring engineers, service technicians, logistics managers and administrative staff members.
The announcement was made following the public opening of competitive bids received in response to the Delaware County Redevelopment Commission's request for quotations for a $1.5 million project including a vertical vane wind turbine and solar / wind powered street lights for Park One Business Park, plus renewable energy lighting units to be installed at other strategic locations in Delaware County. VAT-Energies, LLC was the successful bidder for the publicly advertised project.
Oliver Viehweider, Managing Director of the VAT-Group of companies, stated, "We see, in the U.S. marketplace, great opportunity based on our expertise in wind technology and renewable lighting alternatives for both commercial and community applications. The 20 years of expertise we bring from Europe has enabled the VAT-Group to succeed globally. We anticipate the same success in the U.S. marketplace."
"This is an exciting announcement for Delaware County and East Central Indiana, and helps continue the region's leadership in green technology industries. I would like to thank all of the people who played a role during the past months in bringing VAT-Energies, LLC and VAT-Service, LLC to Park One Business Park," said Terry Murphy, Vice President of the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance. "The company's vertical vane wind turbines and solar / wind powered street lighting systems have been installed in Great Britain, Greece, Germany and in South Africa, at the World Cup Stadium in Cape Town. The U.S. market offers tremendous potential for VAT products and service."
"Finding ways to be more energy independent has become increasingly necessary in today's world and I can't think of a better place than right here in Indiana to launch the newest developments in alternative energy," said Governor Mitch Daniels. "We are celebrating today as another global leader in renewable energy innovation has chosen to plant its North American roots in our state."
Delaware County worked with the Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance to develop incentives for the opportunity. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered VAT up to $1 million in performance-based tax credits and up to $100,000 in training grants based on the company's job creation plans.
"We are excited about the opportunity to bring VAT to Delaware County. Increasing the presence of alternative energy companies is a strong component of our community's economic development effort. These are the type of high-paying, high-tech companies that we want to bring to Delaware County," said Todd Donati, President of the Delaware County Commissioners.
VAT is the second group of companies specializing in wind and renewable energy components production to select Delaware County, Indiana for its U.S. headquarters in the eight months. Last fall, Brevini announced plans to locate its North American wind turbine gearbox manufacturing facilities in the Muncie area, creating 450 jobs and adding over $60 million in new capital investment.
VAT-Getriebetechnik established the companies along two separate business divisions. VAT-Energies, LLC is an international manufacturer of vertical vane wind turbines and renewable energy powered lighting systems for municipalities and neighborhoods, while VAT-Service, LLC is a will provide maintenance and service for the wind turbine industry.
According to a report issued June 10 by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the number of clean air jobs in Indiana grew by nearly 18 percent between 1998 and 2007, ranking the state first in the Midwest in overall job growth in the clean energy economy.
About VAT-Service, LLC and VAT-Energies, LLC - History
Oliver Viehweider established VAT-Service in Germany in 2006, utilizing his 20 years of wind energy experience specializing in the maintenance, repair, design and development of wind turbine main drive systems. Since its inception, VAT-Service has continued to grow, ending 2008 with more than 40 employees and exceeding 5 million Euros in gross revenue. Building on this growth, Mr. Vieweider established VAT-Getriebetechnik Gmbh with an additional 42 employees. Since November 2008, Mr. Vieweider has successfully grown VAT-Getriebetechnik/August Moller Gmbh to more than 80 employees and a gross revenue of 12.8 million Euros. The combined employee count of both companies now exceeds 130 in Europe with gross revenues of 18 million Euros during the past 12 months.
Dedicated to Technical InnovationWith a full line of solar/wind powered street lighting systems for municipalities and neighborhoods and more than 100 small vertical vane wind turbine installations around the world ranging in power generation from 1 to 20KW, VAT-Getriebetechnik / August Moller Gmbh is evolving into a highly innovative wind energy company with a global market. Given the pace of change in the wind, solar and lighting markets, VAT-Getriebetechnik / August Moller Gmbh has continued to push forward to lead development of both its renewable energy lighting systems and small vertical vane wind turbine applications. Designs have been streamlined to improve performance and maintenance while lowering the cost of manufacturing. This process of technical innovation and product improvement will continue as the company seeks to compete globally and develop the North American markets.
Company Projections
Projected 2009 gross revenues for VAT-Service and VAT-Getriebetechnik combined are expected to exceed 20 million Euros with the new U.S. subsidiaries in Muncie, Ind. VAT-Service, LLC and VAT-Energies, LLC generating an estimated $3 million (U.S.) of this total.
With core competencies in wind turbine main drive design, field survey, analysis, maintenance & repair (including rebuild oversight with stringent quality assurance and quality control systems), the future growth potential for VAT-Service, LLC in the U.S. market is very promising. As wind farm developers and operators deal with turbines no longer covered by the original warranties, cost effective service and maintenance programs will be essential. This broad market opportunity is enhanced by Mr. Vieweider's position as a capital partner with Brevini Wind, Inc. As the main drive designer for Brevini Wind, Inc., the warranty work will add to the U.S. business for VAT-Service, LLC in 2011 and beyond.
The opportunity is equally promising for VAT-Getriebetechnik as it launches its U.S. subsidiary VAT-Energies, LLC to manage marketing, sales, delivery, service and maintenance of its line of solar/wind powered street lighting for municipal and neighborhood use and small vertical vane wind turbines. Following the successful launch in 2009 of its marketing, service and maintenance operations, VAT-Energies, LLC will begin the manufacturing of both the solar/wind powered lighting systems and vertical vane wind turbines in Delaware County, Ind. The U.S. market presents unparalleled opportunities as energy efficiency and independence become the new standard for development across U.S. market sectors. For additional information, visit the VAT company websites at www.vat-getriebetechnok.de and www.vat-group.eu.
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