APM Specialty Services, a member of the American Wind Energy Association, will be in attendance at the 2008 Wind Energy Conference and Exhibition taking place in Houston, Texas June 1 – 4. APMSS is sponsoring a booth at the convention, showcasing 30 years of successful experience as a major mechanical/electrical contractor in the power generation industry.

Chicago - by Albert Smith

APM Specialty Services, an affiliate of General Electric, in recognizing the importance to America of “ Green” energy in power production, is in the process of expanding its wind turbine technician-training program. With Wind Farm development growing at an enormous rate of 30% a year, training of craft personnel to become qualified and certified wind turbine technicians/mechanics is essential for serving the industry’s construction and maintenance needs.

Dan Reinhardt, General Manager for APM Specialty Services, states that, “The rapid development of wind energy farms will soon outstrip the nation’s ability to supply qualified technicians/mechanics to build, maintain and upgrade thousands of wind turbines. That’s precisely why we are reinforcing our craft labor force to be the experts in wind turbine technology. There is an enormous frenzy of growth taking place”, he said,   “not only in America but, worldwide. If this growth in ‘Green Power’ is to continue, successfully, we can’t let the demand for qualified wind turbine technicians to service these wind farms, lie dormant during this tremendous surge of construction. Now is the time to build this work force and that is what we are adamant in accomplishing.”

Reinhardt, himself an engineer, reinforced his company’s business plan by saying,
“While we may build and install thousands of wind turbines in the next ten or twenty years, the success of the industry will depend on keeping the turbines operating at peak efficiency. Down time for a wind turbine means the increase usage of fossil fuel power generation to make up the power shortage. It means more pollution, more dependence on foreign oil producers, profit loss to wind energy producers, and, undoubtedly, higher costs to the consumer.”

General Electric Corporation, with whom APM Specialty Services is affiliated, recently reported a two-year backlog on wind turbine production and is expanding its GE Wind engineering and production facilities in Schenectady, New York and several other locations throughout the United State and the world.

Mr. Reinhardt concluded by saying, “ It is our constant and continuing goal to be the largest and best provider of Wind Turbine mechanics and technicians in America. Not only will we, APM Speciality Services, continue to construct wind farms but, we will be the world class provider of choice for services, not only for GE but, to all wind turbine manufacturers, in preventative maintenance, warranty compliance, inspections, modifications and emergency services.”