Contact: Cathy Fairbanks
231-723-4325
info@allianceforeconomicsuccess.com
Issued as a Service to MasTech Manufacturing and
Mariah Power by the Alliance for Economic Success
For Immediate Release:
MARIAH POWER AND MASTECH FORGE AGREEMENT TO BEGIN VOLUME MANUFACTURING OF SMALL WIND POWER SYSTEMS
Manistee, Michigan – Amid deepening concerns about the global economy, two companies have forged ahead with a business they believe is recession proof and has world-wide demand.
MasTech Manufacturing based in Manistee, Michigan and Mariah Power of Reno, Nevada announced today a five-year agreement to begin volume manufacturing and distribution of what the companies say is the only small wind power system that will be able to supply world markets.
The vertical axis wind turbine, ideal for residential and small commercial applications, is called WINDSPIRE®. The 30-foot tall, propeller-free turbine that harnesses the power of wind was recognized in “Best in What’s New” in the green tech category by Popular Science in its December 2008 issue. With its near silent operation, the 1.2kW Windspire will supply about 25% of a home's power needs, or about 2000 kilowatt-hours per year in areas with an average wind speed of 12 mph.
The first Windspires will be rolling off MasTech’s production line in March 2009 and 1,000 units per month will be manufactured and sold by the end of 2009. The two companies will also introduce new products in 2009, including a battery-charging solution, a Low Wind Windspire that generates substantial power in areas with 10 mph average winds, and a more powerful Windspire that supplies 100% of the power needed by an average home..
Over 4,000 Windspire’s have been ordered and 500 people have applied for the initial 41 jobs that will be created by MasTech in Manistee. The company expects to create at least 116 new jobs for the business by 2011. About 98% of all of the components for Windspire will be purchased from Michigan companies. MasTech will oversee manufacturing and distribution. Mariah will manage sales, marketing and new product development and testing.
The Windspire is currently priced at $4995, excluding shipping, and provides a payback to most purchasers within ten years, excluding tax breaks and incentives that many states and municipalities now provide to encourage alternative energy and a decreased reliance upon fossil fuels. The product can be installed by a homeowner in about two hours and is accompanied by a five year warranty.
“Windspire’s unique features make it head and shoulders above any other small wind generating system on the market today,” said John Holcomb, General Manager of MasTech Manufacturing’s Manistee Divisions. “This is the only product I know of that lets people world-wide reduce their carbon footprint on our environment. Windspire is as much about today’s energy challenges as it is about the health and quality of life of our kids and grandkids.”
“We chose Manistee and Michigan over several other locations in the nation,” says Mike Hess, CEO of Mariah Power. “Michigan has a legacy of making quality products out of steel, and in MasTech we found something more: a company with unparalleled expertise in automation and diversification. In addition to MasTech, we found a strong community with a great deal of enthusiasm that was committed to bringing our business to Manistee and Michigan.”
Hess said that 75% of Windspire sales are expected to overseas markets.
“China has over 70 million people who are not connected to the national electricity grid,” Hess said. “Five million people in Latin America and Mexico are without power. And a Windspire can produce about 44% of the power required by a home in Japan and 57% of the power needed by a European home.”
“This is a big win for our businesses, for Manistee County and Michigan and people throughout the world who will benefit from a reliable, low cost, user friendly product that taps the power of the wind to supply energy.”
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Note: Attached to this news release is a photo of the signing of the agreement between Mariah Power and MasTech Manufacturing.
Suggested caption: John Holcomb of MasTech Manufacturing and Mike Hess, CEO of Mariah Power, sign agreement to begin manufacturing Windspire®, a wind power system designed especially for homes and other small users world-wide.
About Mariah Power
Based in Reno, Nevada, Mariah Power provides low-cost, low-noise, attractive wind power appliances for use with residential, business, and commercial buildings. The company’s patented technology maximizes energy conversion from wind into the electric power, regardless of changing wind speed and direction. The company’s first vertical axis wind power appliance, Windspire®, is now available for shipment. For more information, visit www.mariahpower.com.
About MasTech
MasTech Manufacturing was formed in 2004 as the manufacturing arm of Troy based MasTech Inc. MasTech Manufacturing provides in house, engineering, fabrication, machining, assembly, testing, and installation of all types of equipment. With over 100 years of combined manufacturing experience the MasTech team supplies modern, innovative solutions to even the most complex manufacturing problems.