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Clipper Is Looking For a Few Good Vendors

[Vendor solicitation written for Clipper Windpower]

A Growing Demand

Clean, renewable energy. Once an elusive dream, in the twenty-first century, it’s become a necessity. Until recently, carbon-based fuels seemed like the answer to our energy needs. But these resources are getting scarcer. And, as world events remind us, their price and availability are unpredictable. Meanwhile, as the world scrambles to control these finite fuels, they’re degrading our environment in ways that may be irreversible. Other power sources like nuclear and hydroelectric pose their own environmental hazards. Yet, global demand for electricity is increasing. This is the dilemma confronting every nation, every person on the planet.

On the Cutting Edge

Against this backdrop, wind power has emerged as an important piece of the solution. Wind is now the world’s fastest-growing energy source. From a few commercial turbines in the 1980’s, it has spread to more than 70 countries. The U.S. has taken a leading role, increasing its total wind capacity by 45 percent in 2007—enough now to power almost three million homes. Since the first wind farms went up in California, 31 states have followed suit. But almost every state has commercial wind energy potential. And that’s just the United States.

Worldwide, wind power capacity is growing at 25-30 percent every year. The total economic value of that global market is estimated at 25 billion Euro, or $36 billion. Sound like a good industry to be part of? Read on.

Technological advances have lowered the cost of wind power production by 80 percent in the last 20 years. A new wind installation can be up and running in months—as opposed to years, for traditional power plants. Wind turbines on farmland provide, in effect, a second crop—one unaffected by drought, disease, or fluctuation in food prices. And, for every ten turbines installed, a permanent job is created in maintenance and operations.

Best of all, no matter how much we use it, the wind is never depleted. It blows on, and on, and on …

The Vision

Currently, only two U.S. companies make commercial-scale wind turbines. It’s no accident that both were founded by one man. James G.P. Dehlson had a vision: to make wind a viable, competitive source of energy throughout the world. That vision took root in 1980, when he formed The Zond Group. The firm caught the eye of established energy companies, and General Electric eventually acquired it. As GE’s wind energy segment, it remains one of the world’s leading wind energy manufacturers. But Jim Dehlson wasn’t done.

The Clipper Arrives

In 2001, Jim marshaled his experience and entrepreneurial talent for a new venture in wind energy. He brought his son Brent onboard, with a seasoned crew of experts, and Clipper Windpower was born.

He named the new company after the ships that revolutionized commerce in the nineteenth century. Like them, Clipper Windpower has changed the face of a nascent industry. The early clipper ships had one outstanding feature: speed. With their bold sail rigs and sleek hull design, they simply caught the wind more efficiently than any ships the world had ever seen. In an era when commerce depended on ocean travel, that meant increased profitability.

In a similar way, Clipper Windpower has improved existing technology to make wind energy more efficient and competitive than ever before. From its headquarters in Carpinteria, California and its 330,000 square-foot manufacturing plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Clipper has expanded into Mexico, the United Kingdom and continental Europe. Our crew worldwide now includes about 600 people.

Clipper’s patented Liberty Wind Turbine has set new standards in design and functionality. Now, our Britannia Project is applying those innovations to an ambitious new project: a 7.5-megawatt turbine that will be the world’s largest.

A Culture of Quality

From its beginning, Clipper has been about excellence. That shows in our innovative designs, our scrupulous attention to detail, and our continuous monitoring of the products and services we provide. It shows in our ISO-compliant quality management system (ISO 9001:2000) and quality assurance staff. Most importantly, it shows in the vendors we choose to work with.

Our customers expect the best. They know we produce a cutting-edge wind turbine. But they also expect it to be delivered and installed on time. They expect all the components to work consistently. And they expect continuing excellence in operations and maintenance. In short, they expect us to keep our commitments. And that’s what we expect from our suppliers.

Does your company provide a product or service pertinent to the wind industry? Are you committed to excellence? If so, we want to hear from you. Here’s a profile of the vendor that will catch our interest:

Excellent. We seek only superior products that are accompanied by a robust warranty. Our success depends on components that work properly, without fail.
Innovative Our imaginative, bold approach to wind power has invigorated the industry. We like working with others who share that mindset.
Reliable. As our customers depend on us, we depend on our suppliers. That means products and services delivered on time, every time. It also means fast, effective on-site support after the installation.
Cost-competitive. Superior quality and service are only part of the equation. They must also be delivered at the lowest possible cost. That’s our commitment to our customers. Can we have the same commitment from you?

Catch the Wind

Clipper is seeking vigorous, skilled partners to fill out its crew. If your company shares our vision of the future and our commitment to quality, let’s talk. The voyage will be demanding. But the rewards will be great. A world of achievement and adventure awaits.

Ready to sign on?

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