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Firm builds wind turbine gearbox factory in Georgia

ZF Group will take its automotive transmission experience into the wind industry

German transmission manufacturer ZF Group is building a $90 million factory in Georgia to make gearboxes for wind turbines.

The company, which already builds driveline and chassis components for the automotive industry in the Gainesville area of Hall County, is setting up the new plant just minutes away in the Gainesville Business Park.

The project is expected to create 215 jobs.

Attending the ground-breaking ceremony last week, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue said: “Georgia’s a logistical advantages and the innovative research being done at our universities and prime research facilities make our state a strategic location for renewable energy projects.

“The ZF Group’s decision to expand its operations here bodes well for Gainesville and communities throughout northeast Georgia.”

With construction of the new facility now getting underway, it is scheduled to open in February 2011 with the start of production slated for January 2012.

Opportunity

Elizabeth Umberson, ZF’s division president for Commercial Vehicle and Special Driveline Technology, said her company’s expansion into the wind sector was prompted by a “heightened global focus” on renewable energy production.

Ms Umberson said: “We believe there is an opportunity to leverage our automotive driveline and chassis technology leadership in this exciting and growing alternative energy sector.”

ZF has a workforce of 60,000 employees around the world, operating 123 plants in 27 countries.