In May, WIRE-Net's Great Lakes WIND Network unveiled its new web-based wind energy supply chain database and mapping system. This first-of-its-kind industry resource features an interactive GIS (geographical information system) map and searchable database containing the profiles of more than 1,000 manufacturers and supporting organizations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico actively serving or emerging in the wind industry. Designed to facilitate customer-supplier relationships, the system quickly connects manufacturers and suppliers with OEMs, economic development officials, consultants, and other wind power supply chain partners.

Site users are able to search the database of organizations by company name, industry sector, specialization, or wind supplier activity status – “active” for companies currently serving the wind industry and “emerging” for those interested in entering the wind supply chain. Company profiles include name, address, and website. Among the industry sectors represented in the database are machine shops, fabricators, foundries, forging, electrical, electronics, control systems, gears, bearings, hydraulics, fasteners, metal coatings, composites, and other auxiliary products and services.

“The wind energy sector is the fastest-growing industry in North America. By linking buyers, sellers and other industry partners, we believe this system can be a catalyst for business expansion, investment and new jobs,” said Ed Weston, Director of the Great Lakes WIND Network. “We are very excited at the prospect of being able to service our global network with a single site that supports supply chain needs.”

Check out the GLWN website for more information.