Peru company expanding to build parts for wind turbines

Every wind turbine needs to be held together with big nuts and bolts.  A company in Peru plans to be a place making those parts.

Unytite is building a 14,000 square foot addition to accommodate the production of nuts and bolts to be used in wind turbines.  They’ll be able to use some of the same equipment they have on hand but a state grant worth about $874,000 is helping pay for the retooling and a new press.

Company officials were joined this morning by Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Warren Bibley to explain their plans.

Construction of the addition has already begun and should be completed by the end of the year.  They hope to have the modified production line up and running next spring.

They plan to expand their workforce by five employees in the first year, adding up to a total of 20 by 2013.  The new production line is also expected to boost sales which took a hit with the recession.