Multiple media outlets have reported that Carpinteria-based Clipper Windpower will shed its Carpinteria workforce and consolidate operations in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa with less than a hundred employees. Purchased in August by private equity firm Platinum Equity, Clipper, which peaked at 750 employs, has undergone several rounds of layoffs, the Coastal View News reported. The company was hamstrung by cracking problems on its turbines’ blades, and will face the expiration of tax credits in December.
Clipper Cutting Carpinteria Jobs
Tuesday, November 20, 2012


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Guess what California? We are not the leader in alternative energy when a wind power company cannot stay in biz here. Many places in the USA are much better equipped to design and manufacture in this heavy industry AKA: wind towers. In fact Texas has the most capacity and avail heavy industry to do the job. What are we thinking California? So called green jobs are also going to states with better biz climates for manufacturing- OMG! Wake up and smell the green Calif before all we have is hotel and restaurant service jobs!
Dont_mess_with_Goleta (anonymous profile)
November 20, 2012 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Solar power is still a Green option and better design and manufacturing methods of Wind Towers, trash refuse reclamation of Methane Gas is an option, in Michigan, they use this to heat nearly all the homes during the winter months and sell the rest throughout the US, and what happen to the Microsoft program to recaim energy from spent Nucular rods and heavy water from reactors? I thought that idea was now in the practical experimental phase?
There still options for green energy in California....
dou4now (anonymous profile)
November 21, 2012 at 6:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like a story about a company plagued by catastrophic quality problems. Not sure how Dont_Mess blames that on the state of California. Those defective blades could have easily been made in any state in the union.
TrailHacker (anonymous profile)
November 21, 2012 at 6:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No, but they could have choses to consolidate operations in Goleta. I guess they figured it was more cost-effective to consolidate in Iowa instead.
Botany (anonymous profile)
November 21, 2012 at 7:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is cheaper to operate a company in just about any other state. CA has made it increasingly difficult for corporations to thrive here. And if they begin to do well we tax them extra for their efforts. I wouldn't own a business here either.
MSSB (anonymous profile)
November 21, 2012 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Certainly warranty problems were part of the reason for the fall of Clipper's Carp work force. Seems clear if we want a green economy, some incentives need to be offered by CA and local govern that will encourage companies like Clipper to hang in there.
Check this opinion out:
http://www.pacbiztimes.com/2012/11/23...
Dont_mess_with_Goleta (anonymous profile)
December 2, 2012 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)