Siemens announced that it will build a new production plant to build 60-Hz gas turbines at its existing facility in Charlotte, N.C. As part of an effort to expanded and emphasize its U.S. presence, Siemens said the new facility will be a global production hub for manufacturing, servicing and other support functions related to the supply of its gas and steam turbines and generators to 60-Hz markets around the world. The initial investment will be approximately $135 million. Production is slated to start in the fall of 2011.
"This decision underscores our commitment to the U.S. Over the next five years, we expect employment at the Charlotte site to grow to nearly 1,800 people, with more than 1,000 of those positions new to Charlotte," said Peter Loscher, president and CEO of Siemens AG. Some 825 new positions will be for the planned gas turbine production, while 226 new jobs were already announced last October.
In the past three years, Siemens built and expanded a wind turbine blade manufacturing plant in Fort Madison, Iowa, and a second production plant for wind turbine gearboxes in Elgin, Ill. Construction on a plant in Hutchinson, Kan., to make nacelles for wind turbines is underway, Loscher said. Details.