Wind Turbine Manufacturing Jobs Coming to Manistee
Governor Granholm and close to 300 local officials and citizens attended the grand opening ceremonies of Mariah Power and Mas Tech Manufacturing’s new facility in Manistee that will produce the Windspire turbine, a 30ft tall, revolutionary concept that can reduce energy costs for home or business. Mas Tech will employ 30 people within the next month, and up to 100-140 workers when the full production goal of 1,000 turbines a month is expected to be met by the end of the year.
WPBN 7 & 4 TV brings us the video of the ceremonies, as well as an interview with the CEO of Mariah Power, Mike Hess.
From the report:
“The beauty of the Windspire is it’s 100% recyclable, it’s made of steel and aluminum which is something Manistee really knows a lot about….We will in July and August start building this plant to do a 1,000 a month,” says Hess.
Both Hess and Governor Granholm stress that the manufacturing site will not only help the local economy but Michigan as a whole.
“What the Windspire is doing a homerun for us. It’s a homerun because individuals will be able to generate energy, make money and save money on energy bills,” says Governor Granholm.
“Michigan has something I’m not sure it always recognized it had. It has the capability to manufacture steel and aluminum into any shape and we’re working with their skills to make our product better, more reliable, higher quality at a lower costs,” says Hess.
The state release highlights that the Windspire will be made almost entirely from Michigan-based components, and MasTech will be looking for employees who have experience in machining and advanced manufacturing technology.
Mariah Power is investing $2 million to buy steel and hire up to 140 workers over the next three years. MasTech is investing $1.5 million in new equipment for the Windspire plant.
The 30,000-square-foot Windspire site is a retrofitted auto parts automation manufacturing facility. The plant will employ former auto industry workers who have experience working with steel, building assembly lines, and using auto robotics.
“The partnership between MasTech and Mariah Power demonstrates how we can put Michigan’s strong manufacturing infrastructure to new use making renewable energy products that are in high demand,” said Greg Main, MEDC president and CEO. “MasTech chose to locate here, rather than in other states or overseas, in part because of our experienced manufacturers who can quickly apply their machining and advanced technology skills to making the Windspire. This is one of the many industries where Michigan can leverage its manufacturing strength.”
The manufacturing site has the capability to produce 1,000 Windspire wind turbines per month. Almost 98 percent of components for the Windspire wind turbine will be purchased from Michigan companies, including Alro Steel in Cadillac, Whitehall Industries in Ludington, Norton Packaging in Grand Haven, and Amptech Inc. in Freesoil.
For more information on the Windspire turbine, check out http://www.mariahpower.com.
