Headquartered in Denmark, LM Wind Power was acquired by GE Renewable Energy in 2017 and expanded its operations to New Orleans East in the fall of 2018, now occupying 60,000 square feet of manufacturing space and 20,000 square feet of office space at the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility.
Officially titled The LM Wind Power Technology Center (TCA), it is part of a network of global technology hubs. Its global manufacturing footprint includes production facilities in or close to the major wind energy markets, with 15 production facilities on four continents.
The company provides services and products to GE Renewable Energy Onshore and Offshore and also serves all wind industry customers.
It develops and tests new techniques for designing and building wind turbine blades and manufactures blades in all major wind energy markets across the globe.
New Orleans East was selected “unanimously” due to the services NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility could provide, said Bob Fudickar, director of engineering excellence for the TCA. “The facility provides LM Wind Power’s customers in North America with a local presence to help address their engineering needs, further enhancing our ability to serve one of the largest wind power markets in the world.”
As of early 2019, the company employed nearly 14,000 people worldwide; the facility in the East supports 70 employees, though that number is expected to increase in the next few years.
“Both personal and internal projects are continuing to grow,” said Fudickar.
Support from civic leaders in the East have also solidified its importance on a local level.
“LM Wind Power’s collaborative efforts with City Councilwoman Cyndi Nguyen are exemplary,” said Fudickar. “We enjoy an enormously positive relationship with her. She directly embraces our mission.”
Nunez Community College also benefits from LM Wind Power as part of its workforce and labor initiative. The company provides curricular data in direct response to the needs of students.
It also prioritizes community outreach events, such as supporting the Regional Business Park, a quasi-government agency to promote the region.
“LM Wind Power embraces and supports Louisiana through its reciprocal relationship with Louisiana Economic Development and the New Orleans metro area, with another fabulous relationship with Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.). LM Wind Power participates in various events for each of those agencies along with other civic groups in the region,” said Fudickar.
On a larger scale, LM Wind Power has a commitment to sustainability. In 2010, it joined the UN Global Compact as a signal of commitment to this. According to its website, the company “strives to align strategies and operations with universal principles on human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption.”
