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.”
