New Markets

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  MFG is leveraging its manufacturing capabilities to offer newly manufactured spare and replacement parts for older model wind turbines.

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MFG Now Supplying Spare Composite Parts for Wind Turbines

MFG is now supplying spare and replacement parts for older turbines. Operators of ageing fleets now have a premium resource for aftermarket replacement blades, nose cones, nacelles, hatch covers and other FRP components that are no longer stocked by the OEM.

Traditionally, MFG has primarily been a supplier of FRP components to wind energy OEM’s. As the population of turbine fleets gets larger and older, the need for replacement composite parts for equipment is on the rise. Frequently, operators in need of a composite part — due to a devastating weather event or normal wear — discover that the OEM no longer carries what they need, or may no longer be in business. To answer this need, MFG has leveraged their manufacturing capabilities to offer newly manufactured spares made from tooling generated from the customer’s part. This process is fast and does not injure the original part.

Another pocket of opportunity for repair services and spare parts is supporting resellers of pre-owned turbines. These businesses acquire smaller turbines that are being removed from service by operators upgrading to more powerful, larger models. Once reconditioned, this equipment can be resold to individual ranchers, universities and communities.

“We are discovering that operators are thrilled to know there is a dependable, high quality resource for spares,” reports Gary Kanaby, director of sales for wind energy. “We recently delivered 15 nacelle covers and spinners as well as 50 replacement hatches to a wind farm that suffered a disastrous wind event. The insurance carrier covered the replacement cost — but the OEM no longer carried the parts. Thanks to Tony Drake and the teammates at MFG West, we were able to deliver so they were operating at full productivity in a matter of weeks.”