For Immediate Release
May 16, 2008
Contact TREO:
Laura Shaw, Sr. Vice President, Corporate & Community Affairs
(520) 243-1940 office, (520) 609-5972 cell or laura.shaw@treoaz.org
Contact Schletter Inc.:
Martin Hausner, CEO
(520) 618-0172 or martin.hausner@schletter-inc.us
Solar manufacturer Schletter Inc. chooses Tucson for its first U.S. location
Tucson, AZ (May 16, 2008) – Schletter Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of solar mounting systems based in Germany, has chosen Tucson for its first U.S.-based operations center. The new operation is located in a 22,000 sq. foot facility at 2520 N. Jackrabbit Ave. The expansion came as a result of the efforts of the Arizona Global Network (AGN), a super regional marketing alliance designed to promote foreign direct investment in the state, and Global Advantage, a joint partnership of University of Arizona, TREO and other international business partners. Schletter worked with Realty Executives to broker the deal.
Schletter has operated more than 40 years in the design and manufacturing of steel and aluminum products, and rose to be the largest provider of solar mounting systems in Europe, supplying utility-sized PV-projects. Following the German lead, the Tucson facility will offer everything from design and development to manufacturing of Schletter products. There are more than 620 Schletter employees worldwide.
“Pursuing the chances of solar-power across the globe, we decided to start our U.S. operations in Tucson,” said Martin Hausner, CEO, Schletter Inc. “We looked at locations in Phoenix and Flagstaff, as well as cities in Colorado and California, but we found Tucson most appealing based on living costs, taxes and shipping costs.”
“Attraction and expansion of solar companies is one of TREO’s top industry cluster strategies for proactive business development, and the addition of another solar company to the region is a great success,” said The Honorable Sharon Bronson, Acting Chair of the Pima County Board of Supervisors and Co-Chair of TREO’s Board of Directors.
“The City of Tucson is committed to supporting the region’s growing solar industry, and we are thrilled that Schletter chose Tucson as the location of its first U.S. operations,” said Councilmember Regina Romero, City of Tucson Ward 1 (where Schletter is located). “This proves that Tucson is truly emerging as a location of choice for solar companies.”
“We welcome Schletter to Arizona and applaud the announcement of additional foreign direct investment in the state,” said Jan Lesher, Director, Arizona Department of Commerce. “It’s an optimal time for international companies to come to Arizona, as they get a better value for their dollar, and our state reaps the benefits of diversifying the economy.”
Three employees have moved from Germany to Tucson, and Schletter hopes to hire 10-15 employees by the end of the year for manufacturing positions. By the end of 2009, the Tucson Schletter office may potentially employ up to 40 people and will include sales and marketing positions in addition to manufacturing employees. Hausner expects the facility to be fully operational in June.
Schletter Inc. joins a growing list of solar companies locating in Tucson, including Global Solar Energy, Solon America Corporation, and Prism Solar.
About Schletter Inc.
With a history and experience of 40 years in design and manufacturing of steel and aluminum products, Schletter rose to be the largest provider for Solar-Mounting-Systems in Europe, supplying utility-size PV-projects. Schletter is proud to be a supplier of the world’s largest PV-plant near Leipzig in Germany. In the last 4 years over 620 employees have designed, developed and produced PV-racks for more than 800 MW of installed module capacity on roofs and ground mounted systems. In addition to solar mounting systems, Schletter produces exhibition stand and booth designs; sales promotion systems; products for the railway, car, and bus industry; light box advertising systems; profile designs for special uses; as well as many other applications in aluminum. For more information, visit www.schletter-inc.us.
About TREO (Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities, Inc.)
TREO’s mission is to provide insight, infrastructure, resources and development efforts to accelerate economic prosperity throughout the Southern Arizona region. TREO supports the creation of new business, the growth and expansion of existing businesses, and the attraction of companies that offer high-impact jobs and share the community’s values. For more information, visit www.treoaz.org.
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