German wind turbine manufacturer Nordex opened its North American headquarters in Chicago, US. The area has plenty of talent, and with the recent troubles faced by the US automotive industry, there is plenty of talent in the highly skilled workforce now available. One other reason the company chose Chicago was also for the efforts the city has made in environmental leadership.

Nordex' move is also quite logical from another perspective – the US renewable energy market is a fast growing market, and also the largest in the world. With the announced investments and subsidies for renewable energy by the US government, the US renewables market is expected to explode, and naturally every major renewable energy supplier wants a piece of the cake. According to Ralf Sigrist, Nordex President and CEO, the company has chosen Chicago as the location of its headquarters because it puts the company right at the heart of the market and the wind industry.

Norder currently employs about 2200 people, and is involved in manufacturing of large wind turbines (MW class units). It has sustained more than 50% sales growth for the fourth consecutive year. Back in October 2008, the company announced plans to open a manufacturing facility in Arkansas (a US$100 million investment) which will provide jobs for about 700 people, and another 100 jobs in Chicago, by 2015. Manufacture will cover every component, except towers, and will peak at 750 MW annually.