JOBS HAVE GROWN SIX-FOLD IN LAST SIX MONTHS, THE FACTORY HAS BEEN RESTARTED AND DOOSAN FUEL CELL AMERICA IS PRIMED TO BEGIN FULL PRODUCTION THIS SPRING
The management uncertainty is over as U.S.-based fuel cell manufacturer moves ahead under leadership of Korean conglomerate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: NSTIG8 Communications, Jeff Green jeff@nstig8.com (760) 585-7054
South Windsor, Conn (Jan. 22, 2015) – Doosan Fuel Cell America Inc. has blossomed from 30 employees to 180 in just the last six months, the factory in Connecticut has already produced seven fuel cell stacks (with expectations to reach full capacity by spring) and long-range business, manufacturing and marketing plans target 2025 for assuming global leadership in the clean-energy fuel cell industry.
That’s quite a turnaround from July 2014 when fuel cell manufacturer and provider Doosan first opened its doors. The company had just been purchased by Doosan Corporation, a South Korean industrial conglomerate with operations in 38 countries and a Fortune Global 2000 pedigree since 2007, but it was the fuel cell company’s third owner in three years. Doosan had acquired 50-plus years of assets developed by global aerospace pioneer United Technologies Corp. (UTC) – including fuel cell technology, patents, machinery and customer contracts – but fuel cell production at the South Windsor facility had been completely shut-down for three months.
“Due to the commitment of employees and strategic partners, the factory has restarted, fuel cell stacks are being built, all the equipment is operational and we’ll be completely up and running in a few months,” says Vice President of Manufacturing Jim Dayton. “Doosan is not well-known in the U.S. – though it owns other U.S. companies such as Bobcat – but they’re financially strong, innovative and building for the future by leveraging its strengths today.”
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The 60,000 sq. ft. manufacturing plant is producing fuel cell stacks by using current inventory as suppliers “rev up” for renewed production. The next phase is focused on achieving full capacity by mid-year and expanding the manufacturing capabilities, with the corporate goal to employ up to 300 by the end of 2015.
“I’ve been in the fuel cell industry more than three decades, and the Doosan culture is unlike anything I’ve experienced,” says Dayton. “Their business is based on core values of cultivating people, inspiring limitless aspirations and promoting teamwork (described as “Inhwa”), and Doosan leadership believes it is socially responsible to provide a clean, sustainable and dependable energy resource.
“Even with our recent business rollercoaster ride, I have always loved this industry because it applies space age technology, right here on earth. Fuel cells are a proven technology and product, it’s a growing market and no other company has our level of expertise. In fact, Doosan expects to bring fuel cells into our everyday life and for the fuel cell business to become a pillar of their global business blueprint.”
About Doosan Fuel Cell America, Inc.
Doosan Fuel Cell America, Inc. (Doosan) is a subsidiary of Doosan Corporation, a South Korea-based industrial company founded in 1896 that has current operations in 38 countries and has been a Fortune Global 2000 company since 2007. Doosan, located in South Windsor, Connecticut, designs, engineers and manufactures fuel cells for commercial and industrial applications. Formed in July 2014 following Doosan Corporation’s acquisition of ClearEdge Power (formerly UTC Power), Doosan is the U.S. arm of the Doosan Fuel Cell Business Group and focuses on 400-kilowatt phosphoric acid fuel cells capable of supplying combined heat and power to building and utility systems. With its growing team, and focus on innovation and technology leadership, Doosan’s stated vision is to be the global leader in the fuel cell industry. For more information about Doosan Fuel Cell America, Inc., please visit www.doosanfuelcellamerica.com.
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