Manitowoc wind tower maker plans to hire 60 workers
From an article by Charlie Mathews in the Manitow Hearld Times Reporter:
MANITOWOC — Paul Smith is excited to hang a “Jobs Open” sign at Tower Tech’s manufacturing plant on the Manitowoc River peninsula.
With two major new contracts, the wind tower company’s chief operating officer said about 60 people will be hired in the next month, increasing the work force to more than 200.
“It feels pretty good to bring some individuals back from layoff, as well as hire new to do welding, painting, blasting and assembling,” said Smith.
The recession hit the wind industry hard, but contracts awarded in late June and this week to supply 265-foot, 200-ton towers for Danish-based Vestas and Spanish firm Gamesa Technology Corp. will keep the Manitowoc plant operating at full capacity for the next year.
“Our people have a work ethic combined with basic fabrication and welding knowledge that enable us to build some of the heaviest towers in the industry better than anybody,” Smith said.
It also helps that Milwaukee-based We Energies was looking for Wisconsin suppliers for its $367 million Glacier Hills Wind Park to be erected in 2011 in Columbia County. Tower Tech will build 90 towers for the project.
