Spanish wind energy manufacturer to locate in Ankeny

Spanish wind energy manufacturer to locate in Ankeny Another wind energy part manufacturer is coming to Iowa.

Spanish company Elevadores Goian announced today that it will locate its first U.S. facility in Ankeny's Metro North Business Park. It will employ 12 people who will support the company in the manufacturing, selling, installation and servicing of industrial elevation systems used inside support towers for wind turbines.

The company will operate as Goian North America LLC and will lease and build out a 16,000-square-foot facility from Denny Elwell Co.

The company looked at five states for its new operations and chose Ankeny partially for its interstate access and location near wind energy installation projects. It has applied for a loan from Ankeny's revolving loan fund, and Ankeny Mayor Steven Van Oort said the company also will benefit from Des Moines Area Community College's new wind energy program.

"Goian is confident that our decision to place our first North American facility in the Des Moines area will be an excellent investment," said Iñaki Sancho, general manager of Goian North America LLC, in a release. "We have easy access to the suppliers, customers and workforce that will grow our company well into the future."

In the past couple of years, six other major wind energy manufacturers have announced plans to locate or expand their operations in Iowa, including TPI Composites Inc. and Trinity Industries Inc. in Newton. Foreign-based companies Acciona Energy (Spain) and Siemans AG (Denmark) also have opened manufacturing plants in Iowa.

"The wind industry continues to be a source of tremendous growth for Iowa," said Michael Tramontina, director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development. "We are pleased to add Goian to the growing list of wind-related companies that are choosing Iowa for their first North American location."

Goian is a subsidiary of the Jaso Group and claims to be the first company to develop its own rack and pinion technology and cable technology used for elevation systems in wind turbines. Goian has installed about 2,500 lifts so far.

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