Beckmann Volmer, a manufacturer of major steel components for wind turbines, announced it will locate a new manufacturing facility in Osceola. The company, a direct supplier to Nordex along with other wind-energy companies, will invest $10 million in the new facility, where approximately 300 people will be employed at an average hourly wage of $18.00.
“We are delighted to call Osceola, Arkansas our new home,” said Bernd Volmer, managing director and co-owner of the company. “After a thorough search considering more than 100 possible locations in the Midwest and South, we believe that we have found the best place for us to set up shop."
Upon completion of the initial investment and hiring of the first 300 employees, the company will consider an additional $7.5 million investment, along with 200 more employees.
Governor Mike Beebe, who visited Beckmann Volmer’s leadership on his European business trip in October 2009, joined local and company leaders at the announcement.
“Beckmann Volmer is the latest international company to select Arkansas as the home for its North American operations, and their commitment will bring quality jobs to Mississippi County,” Beebe said. “Our stature in the renewable-energy sector continues to bring this type of economic investment to Arkansas.”
Beckman Volmer is headquartered in Germany and also has operations in Poland and China.
Steel components manufactured by Beckmann Volmer have a wide variety of applications in a wind turbine. The largest component to be produced in Osceola will be turbine main frames – the structural backbone of the turbine.
“We are very pleased to welcome Beckmann Volmer to Mississippi County,” said Clif Chitwood, executive director of the Great River Economic Development Foundation. “They bring to Northeast Arkansas the kind of high skill, good paying jobs our growing industrial base needs. I invite all who would work, all who would invest, to examine Mississippi County -- where a mighty future is building.”
In selecting its site in Oseola, Beckmann Volmer was advised by Ullrich Kämmerer at Rödl Langford de Kock LLP and Florian A. Stamm at Smith Gambrell & Russell LLP. “Qualified workforce, transportation costs and a pro-business environment were leading criteria in identifying East Arkansas as location for the investment, “ said Stamm.
The Beckmann Volmer group of companies was founded in 1995 with 4 employees. More than 650 people are now employed by the company.
More information on Beckmann Volmer can be found at www.beckmann-volmer.de/en/.