Nordex Group transfers composite rotor blade production to TPI Composites
Per a strategic partnership, Nordex Group’s Matamoros, Mexico, operations will be turned over to TPI for three years to further increase rotor blade efficiency and output.
Wind blade production. Photo Credit: Nordex
Against the backdrop of continuing market momentum and a strong order intake, the Nordex Group (Hamburg, Germany) and composite rotor blade manufacturer TPI Composites (Scottsdale, Ariz., U.S.) have agreed on a strategic partnership in addition to collaborating in Turkey and India. As part of this innovative collaboration model, the Nordex Group will transfer the operation of its Mexican rotor blade production in Matamoros to TPI for a period of three years. Beginning in July 2021, during this period, both partners will further increase the efficiency and output of rotor blade production, which mainly serves U.S. markets, by leveraging TPI’s expertise in rotor blade process technology.
The Nordex facility currently produces two different rotor blade types. TPI will take over the facility and start blade production exclusively for the Nordex Group. The agreement also includes the details of the return of the fully operational facility to the Nordex Group in 2024. The agreement also has an extension option upon mutual agreement. In order to ensure production continuity, TPI will take over the approximately 1,500 employees of the Nordex rotor blade production facility in Matamoros.
Overall, the transaction is said to mark another milestone in the Nordex Group’s growth by strengthening its global production footprint further and increasing the flexibility of its key component supply chain.
“We are pleased to have TPI, the leading global manufacturer of rotor blades with a strong foothold in Mexico, as our strategic partner,” explains José Luis Blanco, CEO of the Nordex Group. “This partnership allows us to safeguard our profitable growth in the coming years and to capture further market opportunities by securing fast deliveries and high delivery reliability for our U.S. customers in particular. This enables us to focus our resources on our other worldwide strategic ramp-up activities.”
The Nordex Group has been purchasing rotor blades from TPI in Turkey since 2013, TPI’s location in China through 2020, as well as its source in India beginning in 2021.
Related Content
-
Materials & Processes: Fibers for composites
The structural properties of composite materials are derived primarily from the fiber reinforcement. Fiber types, their manufacture, their uses and the end-market applications in which they find most use are described.
-
Materials & Processes: Composites fibers and resins
Compared to legacy materials like steel, aluminum, iron and titanium, composites are still coming of age, and only just now are being better understood by design and manufacturing engineers. However, composites’ physical properties — combined with unbeatable light weight — make them undeniably attractive.
-
Materials & Processes: Fabrication methods
There are numerous methods for fabricating composite components. Selection of a method for a particular part, therefore, will depend on the materials, the part design and end-use or application. Here's a guide to selection.
