Friday 4/4/2008 Page: 5
AN expansion of Keppel Prince Engineering's wind energy sector will create up to 40 new jobs in Portland. The firm will invest more than $6 million into transforming the former Vestas blade manufacturing factory into an engineering and fabrication workshop. The project will see a $1.5 million third production line developed, which will increase the company's ability to make wind towers by 50 per cent. The new venture was announced yesterday as two State Government ministers toured the growing facility.Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan committed $200,000 to help kick-start the enterprise. "With the use of wind power and other alternative energies increasing this project will put the company in the box seat to secure further business opportunities," Ms Allan said. Keppel's general manager Steve Garner said the grant would help offset some capital and training costs. One major purchase slated is a new 100-tonne crane worth $1.5 million.
The former Vestas site has come full circle in recent years, with the Danish blade-making firm eventually purchasing the site. From mid-2005, the factory grew to employ 130 people before it closed its doors last December. Keppel Prince has since employed about 25 former Vestas workers, with the new venture expected to provide opportunities for many more former employees to stay in the industry. Mr Garner said the expansion would also help current staff who had been working in confined spaces to develop two wind towers per week. With the expansion, the firm will be able to create a further tower each week.
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