HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Siemens Gamesa continues to prepare for shutting down the Hutchinson nacelle facility this month, putting 92 employees out of work.
According to a Siemens Gamesa spokesperson, the company has been coordinating with Hutch Chamber and Kansas Workforce to assist employees who may be seeking other employment during the hibernation of the plant.
Siemens Gamesa held a meeting June 7 between its affected employees and Kansas Workforce, who presented the services offered to employees through the Kansas Workforce program. In addition, a representative from the Kansas Department of Labor was present to answer questions regarding unemployment benefits, and Siemens Gamesa provided information packets to employees with details on area employers looking to hire.
The wind turbine company announced in May that it would shut down the facility in Hutchinson and the blade plant in Fort Madison, Iowa, to address what it said were continued challenges in production demand for the U.S. onshore wind energy market.
Siemens Gamesa also faced a patent challenge against features of its onshore wind turbines in 2021 brought by a competitor. While the International Trade Commission ultimately ruled in favor of Siemens Gamesa, the company was unable to pursue orders during that period.
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