Posts Tagged ‘ alternative energy ’

Northern Power Systems, a wind turbine supplier in Vermont is preparing for the "Supply Chain Open House" they are set to host on Friday, November 13. Their goal is to find local suppliers for tooling, components and services–many which have eagerly sought–for the looming boom in green manufacturing.

What is impressive to me about this, was the action of a politician who "gets it". One who has a clear understanding of how powerful the manufacturing industry is to the sustainability and growth of the American economy. Lieutenant Governor Mr. Brian Dubie came up with this idea and roughly 50 local Vermont manufacturing companies are eagerly anticipating the upcoming opportunity.

According to Dubie, "This is a win-win for our state. A key employer in a green industry sector is strengthened by shortening its supply chain, and other businesses in the state get a new market for their products and services.”

Hats off to you Lieutenant Governor Dubie.

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To lower risk exposure many of you are dilligently trying to enter non-automotive sectors to diversify your revenue streams. Who can blame you? Perhaps, you’ve found it to be a daunting and frustrating task. Hopefully, you find encouragement in knowing that it’s starting to happen. In this case, two long-time Sturgis, Michigan residents have been awarded work for three different components for a new initiative in windmills requiring talented toolmakers.   Joe Brown

With the Wind

Sturgis, Mich. –

Using renewable energy is becoming a necessity
rather than a nice idea, and Michigan Tool Works, a Sturgis tool and
die company, is in on the latest technology.

Pete Stemen and Brent Morgan, co-owners of Michigan Tool, were in
the “right place at the right time” to get the bid for three components
for Windspire, a new concept in windmills created by Mike Hess, CEO of
Mariah Power of Reno, Nev.

The company was wooed to Manistee by the city and MasTech
Manufacturing. MasTech, a manufacturing and material handling
specialist, was able to retrofit a former auto parts factory to
accommodate manufacturing for Mariah Windspire turbine.

MasTech’s goal is to keep parts manufacturing in Michigan. Mariah’s goal is to keep it in the U.S.
Michigan Tool’s goal is to keep all the business at their end in Sturgis.

When they got the bid on three components, Michigan Tool hired two
new part-time and two full-time employees to create  parts for 200
windmills per month.

Those three components equal 42 pieces per windmill — six safety rings, 18 struts and 18 clamps — all made in Sturgis.

Local element

Keeping the work in Sturgis is crucial to the owners, both hometown boys and graduates of Sturgis High School.

“We are big on community,” Stemen said. “If we work together we can make it through this downturn.”
 

They use Sturgis Tool, PKG LLC, Maple Crest Packaging and Litho Printers for their new demands.

The parts are boxed to  exact specifications for overseas shipping,
because 75 percent of the sales are in Europe, where electricity is
three times more expensive than here, Morgan said.

For the complete story, see the Journal’s Monday edition or visit sturgisjournal.mi.newsmemory.com

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Not only is this a story about Wal-Mart helping to create jobs but also a possible glimpse into the future of the tool and die industry.  A historically automotive dependent tool and die supplier that has flirted on the brinks of closing down will now be very busy. They will even need to hire  additional die makers as they enter the “green” era.  Wal-Mart is wasting no time entering this environmentally progressive time in our lives.  Woodbine Tool and Die has been awarded the responsibility of making dies for the gigantic all-encompassing solar power roof at the new Wal-Mart.  This is the first of its kind.

Hopefully this is the start of a beneficial and sustainable trend for North American die builders.

Here is one story about this partnership:

Tyler Hamilton
Energy Reporter
Wal-Mart Canada announced plans this morning to build the country’s largest rooftop solar-energy system atop a new Supercentre planned for Markham later this year, a project with potential to spread across the retailer’s national chain.

Ontario’s Ministry of Research and Innovation is contributing a $3-million forgivable loan to support the demonstration system, which will supply emission-free electricity and heat to the Wal-Mart store. Minister John Wilkinson attended an event this morning to launch the project.

“On just one Wal-Mart store, this Ontario product can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 390 tonnes per year,” said Wilkinson.

But the announcement was just as much about creating green-collar jobs as is was about green technology adoption. Ottawa-based Menova Energy Inc., which is supplying the system for Wal-Mart, has turned to struggling automotive parts maker Woodbine Tool & Die for its manufacturing.

“They’re just stoked, and they’ve really been super accommodating,” said Dave Gerwing, president and founder of Menova. “They offer the kind of scale we needed.”

Menova has created a “concentrated” solar-energy system that magnifies the sunlight by 1,000 times onto tiny solar cells, resulting in a dramatic reduction in costs and highly efficient electricity production. The heat from this intense focusing of sunlight is also captured, creating another source of emission-free energy that can replace fossil fuels typically used for space and hot-water heating.

In what could be called a solar hat trick, Menova is also capable of capturing the sunlight in fibre-optic cables and redirecting it inside a building. By bringing outside sunlight indoor, buildings can reduce their reliance during the day on conventional lighting and the electricity it requires.

Gerwing has leased 25,000 square feet of space at Woodbine Tool & Die’s stamping facility in Markham, close to where Wal-Mart plans to build its new Supercentre. Menova has the option of doubling its space requirements.

“It’s the kind of scale we need,” said Gerwing, adding that Woodbine Tool & Die is an example of how highly skilled yet struggling industries in Ontario can adapt to new opportunities, such as solar. “We have a great shot at a global business from Ontario.”

Tibor Urbanek, founder of Woodbine Tool & Die, said the company has no choice but to be flexible, given the current economic climate in the automotive sector. “Physically, we are ready to expand in this new direction,” he said. “This project is exciting.”

Wilkinson said Menova and its collaboration with Woodbine Tool & Die is a “shining example” of how the province’s manufacturing economy can be retooled for green jobs of the future.

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