A new Wisconsin-based company, Gearbox Express, has been formed to specialize in the repair and re-manufacturing of wind turbine gearboxes that could need replacing every five to 10 years.
Gearbox Express says it will focus on down-tower services and the re-manufacturing of wind turbine gearboxes. In an effort to get gearbox quickly back up-tower, the company says it will keep a stock of re-manufactured gearboxes ready to exchange.
Gearbox Express was formed by Bruce Neumiller, Brian Hastings and Brian Halverson, who have a combined 40 years of experience in gearbox manufacturing and re-manufacturing. The company, which expects to begin manufacturing next year, was provided a $1.8 million Small Business Administration loan and a $3.4 million loan from the state of Wisconsin through the federal stimulus package.
