Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas will locate its new 500,000-sf headquarters in Portland, Ore. LEED Platinum sustainable design certification will be sought for the $250 million facility. Vestas will also open an R&D facility in Boston to develop generators, converters, and control technologies for next-generation wind turbines.
Siemens Healthcare completed an 115,000-sf expansion of its Diagnostic Reagent Facility in East Walpole, Mass., in November of 2008. Comprised of manufacturing and warehouse facilities, the project was finished by Columbia Construction three months ahead of schedule. The sustainably-designed expansion features an energy-efficient roof, light sensors, high-efficiency equipment motors, and a water recharge system.
Wacker Polymers America broke ground on its 67,000-sf headquarters in Allentown, Pa., in November of 2008. Supporting the creation of environmentally friendly dispersions, binders, polymer additives, and dispersible powders, the facility will house administrative functions and laboratories for R&D, applications testing, and product development. Occupancy is expected in late summer of 2009. Wacker Polymers America is a subsidiary of Germany-based Wacker Chemie AG.
Idexx Laboratories completed construction of a 200,000-sf office and manufacturing building in November of 2008. The project represents a major expansion of Idexx’s campus in Westbrook, Maine, which was acquired in 2006. Additionally, a $24 million renovation of existing buildings at the site began in fall of 2008 and is slated for completion in 2010. Idexx is a maker of animal health devices, tests, software, and diagnostic kits.
NPR Manufacturing opened its $48.7 million auto parts manufacturing plant in Bardstown, Ky., in November of 2008. The 200,000-sf facility will accommodate 150 workers. NPR Manufacturing Kentucky is a subsidiary of Japan-based Nippon Piston Ring Co. Ltd.
American Howa initiated a 56,000-sf expansion of its manufacturing facility in Bowling Green, Ky., in November of 2008. The $12 million expansion will accommodate three new manufacturing lines and 24 additional employees. The existing 81,294-sf facility was completed in early 2008.
Soitec SA opened its 300-mm wafer fabrication plant in Singapore in November of 2008. Sited on 2.7 hectares at the company’s Pasir Ris campus, the facility houses 4,000-sm of cleanroom space. Construction of the €350 million project began in August of 2006. Soitec SA is a manufacturer of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers headquartered in Bernin, France.
U.S. automation company National Instruments will initiate construction in 2009 on an $80 million R&D facility in Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia. The building will accommodate up to 1,500 employees and is slated for occupancy in 2010.
United Solar Ovonic began construction in fall of 2008 on a $220 million solar cell manufacturing facility in Battle Creek, Mich. Located in the Fort Custer Industrial Park, the 265,000-sf building is slated for completion by year-end 2009. United Solar Ovonic is a subsidiary of photovoltaics developer Energy Conversion Devices of Detroit.
Merck Sharp and Dohme will begin construction in summer of 2009 on a €220 million vaccine manufacturing plant in Carlow, Ireland. Located in the IDA Business and Technology Park, the project includes formulation, manufacturing, and sterile filling facilities. Accommodating R&D, quality control, and administration, the building will support 170 employees and is expected to reach completion in 2011. Merck Sharp and Dohme is the U.K. subsidiary of Merck & Co.
Chinese equipment manufacturer Sany Heavy Industry is constructing a $30 million headquarters and manufacturing facility in Peachtree City, Ga. The 400,000-sf project will include assembly, testing, training, office, and R&D space. Completion is expected in late 2010.
U.S.-based auto parts manufacturer BorgWarner began construction on a $120 million R&D center in Shanghai in October of 2008. The 43,000-sm China Technology Center (CTC) is located in the Shanghai Zizhu Science-based Industrial Park and is slated for completion by year-end 2009.
Honda R&D Americas will open its 11,000-sf marine engine research facility in Grant-Valkaria, Fla., in December of 2008. Supporting testing and product development for boat motors, the sustainably-designed facility will feature local and recycled construction materials, rainwater harvesting, passive heating, a wind-powered air conditioning system, and the use of biodiesel fuel.
GSI Group, a manufacturer of laser and precision motion technologies, completed a 150,000-sf renovation of its Bedford, Mass., facility in October of 2008. Comprised of improvements to 90,000-sf of manufacturing, testing, and assembly areas and 60,000-sf of office space, the project included the creation of Class 100,000 cleanroom environments. The project team included Winter Street Architects and RDK Engineers.
Toyota opened the $187 million Toyota Technical Center in York Township, Mich., in October of 2008. Sited on 700 acres, the 530,000-sf project is comprised of a crash test and safety building and an engineering design building. The facility can accommodate up to 1,000 workers.
