This week: Nordex ends US production

Nordex said it would cease nacelle production at its Jonesboro, Arkansas, facility after it completes the orders in its current pipeline. The decision was driven by the wind industry's global overcapacity and the continued uncertainty and instability of the US market, the company said.

The nacelle factory at Jonesboro began operating in 2010 with the aim that it would eventually expand to  include rotor blade production.

However, Nordex CEO Jürgen Zeschky today said poor demand in the US market had forced the closure.

"We are reacting to the weakened demand from the US market, brought on by the unpredictable extensions of the production tax credit (PTC), and the resulting low utilisation rate of our US assembly plant," said Zeschky.

Around 40 employees will be affected by layoffs, beginning in October 2013, and all future nacelles for the North and Latin American markets will be supplied from Nordex's factory in Rostock, Germany.