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Obama Visits Wind Component Manufacturer
What do the Statue of Liberty, the Golden Gate Bridge, an airport in Saudi Arabia, an amusement park roller coaster, and a wind turbine have in common? Not much, except that you'll find Cardinal Fastener products in each. And last month, in its plant in Bedford Heights, Ohio, you would have found President-Elect Barack Obama, who toured the company four days before his inauguration as our 44th president, discussing his Recovery and Reinvestment Plan.
 Then-President-Elect Barack Obama hoists a Cardinal Fastener as an icon of the future of manufacturing |
Obama selected Cardinal Fastener because it is one of a number of manufacturers that have transformed themselves in the face of new opportunities in alternative energy—in this case wind. "You can't think of a more iconic company," Obama said. "If anyone doubts that we can dig ourselves out of this hole, I invite them here to look at Cardinal Fastener."
Cardinal Fastener & Specialty Co., Inc. manufactures and stocks a full range of large diameter fasteners. It specializes in alloy and carbon materials, using only Special Bar Quality grade of steel purchased from American manufacturers. Its high-quality, quick-turnaround capability, coupled with its Lean operations, has enabled the business to qualify with a growing number of wind turbine generator OEMs. Cardinal Fastener's wind business is growing significantly and now represents 20% of the company's volume, up from zero just two years ago. According to President John Grabner, the company has planned its next capital project and will be making the purchase of additional production equipment soon.
Cardinal has been a member of the Great Lakes WIND Network for almost two years.
Obama Speaks to Wind Industry Executives
At an impromptu meeting between North American wind industry executives and Barack Obama, the then-President-Elect provided reassurance that help is on the way.
The setting was Cardinal Fastener on January 16, 2009—just four days prior to his Inauguration. Assembled to receive him were leaders from Vestas, Gamesa, Clipper Windpower, Suzlon, REPower, Nordex, Mitsubishi, AAER, AWEA, and the Great Lakes WIND Network, all of whom had come at the invitation of Cardinal Fastener President John Grabner.
According to Ed Weston, Director of GLWN, President-Elect Obama told the group that he was counting on them to create new jobs in the wind industry as part of his economic recovery plan. He assured the executives that he would be working quickly to free up the credit markets and extend the electrical grid. The response: smiles all around.
Wind Industry Match-Making in High Gear
85 OEM connections in 90 days. That's what Great Lakes WIND Network has arranged in four match-making events for member companies already this winter.
Starting in the fall of 2007 when it hosted supply chain managers from Clipper Windpower, GLWN has been making a business of business introductions and industry connections. Most recently, the OEMs partnering with GLWN for supply chain support have been Vestas and Enercon-India.
Vestas is currently building an assembly plant for nacelles in Brighton, Colorado. That facility is expected to reach full capacity in 2010, and with the help of GLWN it is mining the rich network of suppliers in the Great Lakes Region.
Enercon-India, on the other hand, is seeking manufacturers capable of providing components for export to supplement its current supply chain for Indian operations.
Here is GLWN's formula for selecting component manufactures to connect with wind turbine generator OEMs: we work directly with the OEMs, seeking detailed technical capabilities plus the certifications and quality systems needed, as well as its profiles for ideal manufacturing partners. We then compare those specifications against information in our database from companies in the Great Lakes WIND Network. We look for strong matches and make connections appropriately.
When the OEM need is for a small group of components, we usually perform business introductions by telephone and email. When larger groups of components are sought, like when a company is building its ground floor supply chain, we select a good geographic location, arrange a schedule of interviews, and invite OEM officials to fly out for a day or two to meet company representatives one at a time.
GLWN connection and match-making activities create opportunities for manufacturers and help OEMs save time by finding pre-qualified companies for partnership opportunities. This service is available to all GLWN member companies.
For more information on business introductions, contact Dee Holody at 216.588.1440 ext. 126.
Exhibit with GLWN at WINDPOWER 2009
This year WINDPOWER 2009 will be held in Chicago, IL from May 4th through May 7th. As you may know, this is the wind industry's largest trade show. This year AWEA expects over 16,000 people will attend from all around the globe, representing OEMs, first-tier suppliers, and many companies who are in the business or eager to enter the wind supply chain.
This year our Great Lakes WIND Network team will be conducting workshops during the Supply Chain Pre-Conference on May 4th, speaking during the conference, as well as showcasing the capacity of our Great Lakes WIND Network in a 30"x 30" Island Pavilion.
We are delighted to offer Great Lakes WIND Network members interested in exhibiting at the conference an opportunity to join our Pavilion. Space is available on a first come first served basis. Details can be found on our website. For more information, contact Pamela Holmes at 216.588.1440 ext. 104.
Partnering Opportunities with European Manufacturers
If you're looking for new wind business and are open to a German partner, then Great Lakes WIND Network may be able to help. Director Ed Weston will be attending the 1st German American Energy Conference 2009, an event aimed at assisting German wind-industry manufacturers, interested in joint ventures, learn about U.S. opportunities and to find willing U.S. counterparts.
Ed will be making a presentation at the conference on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 entitled "The Supplier Situation in the U.S. Wind Energy Market." Part of his talk will be about the availability of manufacturers with existing facilities that could be converted into excellent 1st- or 2nd-tier wind component plants with help from the right partners. Examples might be existing machine builders (assemblers), gear manufacturers (gearbox suppliers), boat builders (blades/nacelle covers manufacturers), or large fabricators (towers plants).
Ed would like to be able to provide specific connections for GLWN member companies who are interested. If this is you, please contact Ed Weston at 216.588.1440 ext. 125.
The 1st German American Energy Conference will take place in Berlin, Germany on March 30 through April 2, 2009. If you are interested in attending, or for more information, visit their website.
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