Vestas

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Vestas Wind Systems A/S
Type Public (OMX: VWS)
Founded 1945
Founder(s) Peder Hansen
Headquarters Randers, Denmark
Key people Ditlev Engel (President and CEO), Bent Erik Carlsen (Chairman of the board)
Industry Wind power industry
Products Wind turbines
Revenue €6.035 billion (2008)[1]
Operating income ▲ €668 million (2008)[1]
Profit ▲ €511 million (2008)[1]
Employees 20,829 (end 2008)[1]
Website www.vestas.com
Vestas V47-660kW wind turbine at the American Wind Power Center in Lubbock, Texas

Vestas, or Vestas Wind Systems, is the largest wind turbine manufacturer in the world with a 28% market share.[2] The company operates plants in Denmark, Germany, India, Italy, Britain, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Australia, China, and Windsor, Colorado,[2] and employs more than 20,000 people globally.[3]

After a sales slump in 2005,[2] Vestas recovered and was voted Top Green Company of 2006.[4] In December, 2008, Vestas announced a major expansion of its North American headquarters in Portland, Oregon.[5] In late 2008 the company also announced a manufacturing expansion in Colorado.[6][7]

Contents

[edit] History

Vestas is a Danish company that designs, manufactures, sells, erects and services wind turbines. Vestas was founded in 1945 by Peder Hansen as "Vestjysk Stålteknik A/S" (West-Jutlandish steel technology), as manufacturer of household appliances. The company progressed to the manufacture of agricultural equipment in 1950, intercoolers in 1956, hydraulic cranes in 1968, and began the manufacture of wind turbines in 1979.[8]

In 2003, the company merged with the Danish wind turbine manufacturer NEG Micon to create the largest wind turbine manufacturer in the world under the name Vestas Wind Systems. After an operational loss in 2005, Vestas recovered in 2006, and continues to have 28% market share.[2]

In February 2009 the company announced two new turbine types, a V112-3.0 MW and a V100-1.8 MW. Production has started and both types will be available in 2010.[9]

[edit] Operations

Vestas has installed over 33,500 wind turbines in 63 countries on five continents.[10] The company employs more than 20,000 people globally,[3] and has built production facilities in more than 12 countries. It is currently expanding and opening up new production facilities in China, Spain and USA.[10] Vestas announced expansion of its North American headquarters in Portland, Oregon from 350 to at least 1200 employees on December 1, 2008.[5] It further employs 200 persons at a blade manufacturing facility in Windsor, Colorado and plans to add 1400 jobs at a new blade and nacelle assembly facility under construction near Brighton, Colorado.[6]

[edit] Products

Some of the more recent wind turbine models made by Vestas are listed below.[11] The rotor diameter (in meters) follows the V.

  • V47-660kW
  • V52-850kW
  • V66-1.75MW
  • V80-1.8MW
  • V80-2.0MW
  • V82-1.65MW
  • V90-1.8MW
  • V90-2.0MW
  • V90-3.0MW
  • V100-1.8MW
  • V112-3.0MW

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d "Annual Report 2008". Vestas. http://www.vestas.com/files//Filer/EN/Investor/Company_announcements/2009/090211-CA_UK-04.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-03-04. 
  2. ^ a b c d Goska Romanowicz (21 March 2007). "Profits soar for top wind turbine maker". Environmental Data Interactive Exchange. Faversham House Group Ltd. http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=12798&channel=0. Retrieved on 2009-01-22. 
  3. ^ a b Vestas History
  4. ^ Portfolio 21: Vestas Wind Systems Top Green Company of 2006
  5. ^ a b "Wind-Power Co. Plans To Expand In Portland". KPTV. 2008-12-01. http://www.kptv.com/money/18180440/detail.html. Retrieved on 2008-12-01 {dead link}. 
  6. ^ a b "Wind Turbine Maker Vestas To Add 1,350 Colorado Jobs". KCNC. 2008-08-16. http://cbs4denver.com/seenon/vestas.colorado.wind.2.796234.html. Retrieved on 2009-02-11. 
  7. ^ Vestas Breaks Ground in Colorado
  8. ^ Vestas history: 1898-1969
  9. ^ http://www.investindk.com/visNyhed.asp?artikelID=21271
  10. ^ a b Wind as a modern energy source: the Vestas view
  11. ^ We face the challenge Vestas films

[edit] External links

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