DMI Industries Finds Perfect Location at Tulsa Port of Catoosa

In 2006, North Dakota-based wind energy tower manufacturer DMI decided to expand its operations to the Southern United States. The company began its search with two needs: an existing building in which to put their wind tower factory, assuring speed to market, and land/acreage where a developer could build to suit.

In fact, they found the perfect location in Tulsa, near the Port of Catoosa, in the form of a railcar/wheel factory built a decade before but never used. With heavy cranes, rail access and a lot of space, the location had everything DMI needed to start.

"The Port of Catoosa delivers to 30 different states, making it strategic for national and international deliveries and exports," said Charles Kimbrough, director of business recruitment for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. "When we presented the Port of Catoosa as a transportation method to DMI, you could see their faces light up. Not only did the factory's central U.S. location allow for DMI to deliver their equipment to key locations where the wind industry was growing, the waterway also gives them the opportunity to do it in a cost-effective way when the time was right."

According to DMI, another essential element to their business plan was a high quality, skilled workforce that includes machinists, engineers and welders. While exploring expansion into the mid-South region, DMI officials found a skilled pool of people already available in the greater Tulsa area, including experienced welders ready to take on the challenges of the emerging wind power tower manufacturing industry.

The building and skilled workforce were not the only things that brought DMI to Oklahoma. Also adding to the enticing picture were Oklahoma's aggressive Quality Jobs Program, which reimburses companies who hire skilled labor up to five percent of costs; the state's ready workforce with skills adaptable to wind energy; and the state's centralized location, with proximity to the nation's growing wind power corridor. 

"Oklahoma is a great location for us. The Port of Catoosa and the nature of the plant were significant factors in our decision to come to Tulsa, since both water transport and rail are accessible to the site. Also factoring in our decision were easy access to land transportation and the adjacency to the emerging wind power corridor where most development is going to come in the next 10 years," continued Forknell.

About DMI:
With 30 years experience in manufacturing big, heavy steel components to exact tolerances and specifications, from corporate offices located in Fargo, North Dakota, DMI has emerged as a recognized leader in wind tower manufacturing. The company has a policy of continuous investment to improve efficiency and expand capability. In 2008, DMI invested $30 million in facility expansions and improvements at its three locations (North Dakota, Canada and Oklahoma).

DMI Industries At-A-Glance:   DMI builds high-tech wind towers to cutting-edge specifications in the U.S. emerging wind power industry.   DMI is one of 12 companies in the respected Otter Tail Corporation. It trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol OTTR. Corporate information is available at www.ottertail.com   Tulsa is the southern beachhead of DMI's strategically-located factories, with easy access to road, rail or barge. DMI towers support wind power turbines "from California to New York and the Yukon to Texas."   Workforce safety is a priority for DMI. The company is ISI 9001:2000 Certified, OSHA & EPA compliant and takes the initiative in retaining all weld certifications.

Contact:
Charles Kimbrough
405-815-5361
800-879-6552