Wind development

by The City Wire staff ([email protected]) 73 views 

German-based Beckmann Volmer officially broke ground on its new facility in Osceola, Ark., where the company will invest $12 million and employ approximately 300 people.

The company is a direct supplier to Nordex, which has a manufacturing facility in Jonesboro, along with several additional wind-energy companies, according to a statement from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
 
Beckmann Volmer’s leadership, including managing director and co-owner Bernd Volmer and vice president Thomas Grigoleit, joined Governor Mike Beebe and local leaders at the groundbreaking.

“I see this as a beginning of a long-lasting relationship with the city of Osceola, the State of Arkansas, and the whole United States,” Bernd Volmer, managing director and co-owner of Beckmann Volmer, said in the statement. “Arkansas is a leader in wind energy manufacturing and we hope that our presence and success will persuade many more manufacturing companies to follow.”

At the company’s initial announcement in 2010, Beckmann Volmer officials said they will consider an additional $7.5 million investment and 200 more employees after the initial investment and hiring of the first 300 employees is complete.

“We welcome Beckmann Volmer to Arkansas as our state continues building its stature in the wind-energy sector,” Governor Beebe said. “Beckmann Volmer is a world leader in a field that holds great potential for continuing to provide high-paying jobs to Arkansans, and we believe they are a perfect fit for Northeast Arkansas.”

Employees at the facility in Osceola will produce turbine main frames – the structural backbone of the turbine. The company chose Osceola because of the area’s dedicated workforce, transportation costs, and pro-business environment.

Headquartered in Germany, Beckmann Volmer also has operations in Poland and China in addition to Arkansas. The company was founded in 1995 with four employees and now employs more than 650 worldwide.