Tower maker DMI Industries ups capacity by 25 per cent

DMI Industries is increasing production capacity by 25% at its manufacturing facility in Fort Erie, Ontario, to meet the growing demand for towers in eastern Canada and the northern United States. "The Canadian wind energy industry is in early development stages and we're a key player in moving it forward," says DMI's Tony Claroni. "There is a lot of potential here and we're growing to keep up with the needs of our customers." Expansions at the DMI factory include the addition of several new sub-arc stations to increase welding capacity, allowing for more than a 20% greater flow of product through the facility, along with more bevelling capacity in plate processing. An additional fit-up line has added to the facility's capacity to build more tower sections on a week-by-week basis -- and new material handling equipment facilitates the move of more finished product. The increased capacity in the welding shop has prompted a need for more skilled workers in various departments, says Claroni, resulting in the recent hiring of nearly 100 employees. DMI acquired the Fort Erie facility in October 2005 and began manufacturing towers there in May 2006. Its original workforce of 30 has grown to more than 200.