Wind association nurtures supply chain

Enlarge Image

The Northwest Wind Industry Alliance has grown to 23 members, up from just six in January. The organization is nurturing a cadre of wind-energy suppliers that are looking to manufacture parts and provide service for the herds of wind turbines sprouting around the region.

This month, the alliance released to its members a top-10 list of to-dos for companies looking to grab a piece of the turbine business.

The group is eyeing the nearly 80 percent of wind turbines whose manufacturer warranties will expire in the near future and whose operators will be looking for the best deal on parts and maintenance.

At the top of the top-10 list, which is only available to members, is “Do your homework,” the admonition to understand potential customers needs and procurement strategies.

“It’s a real mix,” said Doug Riggs, one of the organizers of NWIA and director at Northwest Grassroots & Communications. “What we’re doing is working to coordinate opportunities for businesses and manufacturers that want to be a part of the supply chain.”

Miles Fiberglass & Composites of Happy Valley has already carved out a niche in the wind industry, but Chad Freeman, a wind-industry business development officer with Oregon’s economic development department thinks there are other companies that can adapt to the emerging need.

For example he mentioned a ship-building business whose representative was surprised to see that the guts of a turbine looked very similar to the parts the company was already making for ship engines.

“Oregon is kind of an oddball state,” Freeman said. “We in terms of wind capacity we have the 26th best capacity, but in terms of installed wind, we’re the sixth best. We have a big market lead and a head start on the rest of the country.”

Oregon companies aiming at the supply chain will be attending the largest trade show for the industry, Windpower 2010, in May in Dallas to drum up business.