Palfinger enters US Wind market

Palfinger has formed a joint venture with Fairwind of Lawton, Oklahoma for servicing wind turbines. The new company is FairWind Renewable Energy Services which Palfinger owns a controlling 51 percent stake.

Fairwind employs 25 trained specialists for the servicing of wind and oil industry equipment. The new joint venture will specialise exclusively in the maintenance of wind energy plants. It already owns a number of truck mounted lifts, including a 103 metre Palfinger WT1000 and a 70 metre Socage, both of which are rented out for general work.

In a first step, Palfinger will supply aerial work platforms as well as providing stability and financial power to the new business so that it can quote and support long-term contracts. The new company will be managed by Fairwind’s owners Brett Bain and Brian Edwards and will begin operations next week.

In a statement the crane and access equipment manufacturer said: “The use of large access platforms can double or even triple the efficiency of service and maintenance work. To date, workman baskets or rope access technicians have been the main methods of access."

“The wind service industry has grown significantly in the USA and Canada. All in all, there are now more than 60,000 onshore wind turbines requiring regular cleaning, routine service, blade repairs, painting and inspections. In order to enhance efficiency, large access platforms have been gradually ousting traditional methods in the USA."

Palfinger chief executive Herbert Ortner added: “This joint venture will open up an additional high-growth sales market for Palfinger’s large access platforms in North America. What we and the owners and managers of Fairwind have in common is a similar corporate culture. To us, this joint venture is a forward integration in the world’s largest market."