Jan 10 2011
Schuff Steel Company, a subsidiary of Schuff International, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: SHFK), a leading family of steel companies providing fully integrated steel construction services, is moving ahead with preparation of construction documents for a new wind tower manufacturing plant planned for Ottawa, Kansas.
"We are currently building a first article prototype wind tower at our plant in Ottawa, Kansas and are pursuing opportunities for volume manufacturing of the tower," said Dennis Randall, executive vice president of Schuff's Midwest Division. According to Mr. Randall, "Volume manufacturing of this new type of wind tower would require construction of a new plant due to its uniqueness." Construction documents being prepared are for construction of a new 200,000 sq ft facility at Schuff's current location on Davis Road. Schuff anticipates potential employment levels of 200 to 250 people for the new facility once it is at full capacity.
Architectural Rendering of Proposed Facility
Demand for the new tower is expected to develop in early 2012, giving Schuff plenty of time to build the plant if it can secure sufficient orders. Early preparation of construction documents is expected to aid in this effort.
Schuff had originally planned to build the plant in North Dakota, but changing market conditions and providing a location central to the wind belt were factors in the decision to relocate the planned facility.