Combining Korean and Canadian work ethics will create a unique corporate culture that will lead to DSTN success, says Nam-Ki Lee, CEO of the
wind turbine manufacturer.
For the past year, employees from both countries have worked side by side to transform the old rail car plant into a wind turbine manufacturer.
On Tuesday DSTN marked the culmination of the year-long effort of removing old equipment, renovating office space, hiring 115 employees and installing new equipment. A grand opening was held with employees, local and provincial politicians, business and community leaders invited to the event, which included a tour of the updated facilities.
Premier Darrell Dexter, Daewoo president and CEO Sang-Tae Lee, DSTN CEO Nam-Ki Lee and Percy Paris, Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, addressed the attendees.
Nam said in 2011 the plant plans to manufacture 50 towers, to be increased to 250 towers and blades with sales revenue of $150 million by 2015.
“After the tragic incident in Japan many countries are turning away from nuclear power,” said Nam. “I believe the future of renewal energy belongs to wind.”
DSTN has won contracts to manufacture five wind turbines for Dewind, a sister company based in California. The turbines will be installed on Prince Edward Island for the Wind Energy Institute of Canada.
The second contract is 15 turbines for Suzion Wind Energy for a project developed by Sprott Power Corp in Amherst.
“It is my hope that the product that we make here in
Trenton will soon gain the reputation as the best product in the market,” said Lee.
He said the styles of the two country’s working cultures complement each other well: Korean workers are eager to take action and Canadian workers pay close attention to safety procedures.
“We need a safe work environment and a we need to make a quality product to satisfy our customers demand,” said Lee. “All of these are indispensible to ensuring our success.”
In his speech, Dexter announced DSTN has signed a memorandum of understanding with Dalhousie University to share intelligence on leading-edge renewable energy research.
Nova Scotia Community College, Pictou County campus, has completed curriculum to train workers to produce the blades and will make an announcement on the delivery of the curriculum in the future.
“It is my hope that DSTN will make its mark as a workplace that is not only dedicated to its employees, but to the growth and the development of the community,” said Dexter.
