Canadian Wind Tower Manufacturers Launches First US Plant

Expansion Management

Canadian Wind Tower Manufacturer Launches First US Plant

May 29, 2013

Marmen Energy will open a plant in South Dakota and hire 250 new employees.

Marmen Energy, based in Quebec, Canada, announced yesterday that it will move into a 150,000 square foot manufacturing plant in Brandon, South Dakota.The company, which manufacturers high-precision machining, fabrication, will hire 250 workers by 2014, to build wind towers.

The site was built in 2010 for Tower Tech Systems, a division of Broadwind Energy, but operations were put on hold.

"The choice of South Dakota was strategic,” said Patrick Pellerin, president of Marmen. “This ideal location brings us closer to our clients. In addition, Brandon and Sioux Falls offer a pro-business climate with engaged political, academic and corporate leaders. Lastly, the entire community is facilitating our integration. We believe that the area has one of the best workforces in the country.”

Marmen has been serving the U.S. wind market from its Quebec-based locations in Trois-Rivieres and Matane.

The Brandon location, Marmen's first in the U.S., will become operational in the last quarter of the year.

“The addition of 250 new jobs to Minnehaha County significantly impacts the growth of our region,” said Nick Fosheim, executive director of the Minnehaha County Economic Development Association. “When an energy company as experienced as Marmen chooses our area, that encourages other companies to consider the business advantages of South Dakota and the communities surrounding Sioux Falls.”

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.