It’s only three months old, but 2014 is shaping up to be a banner year, both for Mitsubishi’s Savannah Machinery Works and its parent company half a world away.
After delivering its first 300-ton commercial gas turbine just 18 months ago, the Savannah plant — Mitsubishi’s first turbine production facility in North America — has cranked out seven more from its 500-square-foot factory set on a 120-acre campus on the Pooler megasite.
In addition to operating a busy service and repair facility, Savannah Machinery Works manufactures and services large gas and steam turbines to provide power to the electric grid both in the U.S. and around the world.
“With approximately 400 employees — 340 full time and 60 on contract — we’ve stayed pretty much on track,” said Jim Williams, senior vice president of North American manufacturing and repair.
“There seems to be a growing demand for our efficient, clean burning natural gas and steam powered generators.”
Indeed, just last month, the company signed a contract with the Grand River Dam Authority in Oklahoma to provide a natural-gas powered M501J gas turbine, an SRT-50 steam turbine and associated electric generators as part of a new unit at the authority’s existing power plant.
The M501J, considered one of the most efficient large-capacity gas turbines in the world, will be built at Savannah Machinery Works and will be the first of its kind in North America.
While he didn’t offer specifics, Williams estimated the unit’s value “in the tens of millions.”
A new name
In Japan in early February, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and Hitachi Ltd. announced the finalization of a joint venture that merges the global fossil business of both companies. The historic merger combines 150 years of technology leadership in power generation solutions, with Mitsubishi holding a 65 percent equity stake and Hitachi the other 35 percent.
“This has been in the works for nearly two years,” Williams said.
“Before the Hitachi joint venture, we acquired Pratt & Whitney Power Systems, which builds small units. Hitachi does primarily mid-sized units and Mitsubishi builds larger turbines. So, now we have an entire spectrum of products to offer.”
As a result of the joint venture, the collective presence and product lines in the Americas will be expanded, with the new company named Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Americas.
The new logo already is visible throughout the plant and the large Mitsubishi logo on the side of the main building is set to be replaced, Williams said.
A new boss
In perhaps the biggest news of all, the company announced last week that David M. Walsh has been appointed president and CEO of Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Americas Inc., becoming the first American CEO in the history of the company.
As senior vice president of sales and marketing, projects and services for the Americas, Walsh was instrumental in getting Mitsubishi’s Savannah Machinery Works off the ground three years ago.
In his new role, he has responsibility for all aspects of the business in the Western Hemisphere.
He will also serve as a corporate officer of the parent company, Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Ltd. in Japan.
“Dave is very experienced, very strong and strategic,” Williams said.
“It’s a great — and historic — choice.”
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