New business will set up and install wind turbines

Michiana Wind Systems launched in April as a complement to the owners existing business, Ferguson Michiana Inc., reports the Herald-Palladium.

The company does directional drilling, cable and duct construction and aerial and underground cable installation, primarily for AT&T. So getting into the business of selling and installing wind turbines was a good fit for Dave Ferguson, who owns Ferguson Michiana with his brother, Jim. Office manager Tracy Galbreath co-owns the wind business with Dave Ferguson.

Excerpt:

"We researched for about a year and found this would be a good complement to Ferguson Michiana," Dave Ferguson said.

"We already have the equipment to do it. We learned by doing. The first one is a demonstration unit that serves this property. Our own employees installed it."

Ferguson and Galbreath said they hope to add to the current Ferguson Michiana workforce of 35 as they get wind turbine customers.

"It seems to be sort of a hot market. There are a few wind turbines around, but we believe this is the first wind turbine business in Berrien County," Ferguson said.

The owners divide the market into three categories: Small wind -- enough energy for an individual residence, farm or small business; community -- bigger towers serving 25 to 50 houses or a larger business; and big wind -- a power company that decides part of its power will come from wind.

Ferguson expects their biggest market to be country homes and small businesses.

For information on what the company expects from its first wind turbine now that the blades are spinning, read the entire story.

Source: Herald-Palladium