Solar energy is booming around the globe, with more and more individuals exploring their options in residential solar power. Fronius, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of solar inverters offers a range of home and commercial solar solutions – and just last year eclipsed $1 billion in global sales.
To help meet the increased demand, Fronius USA announced recently that their 400,000-square-foot headquarters in Portage is set to add new solar inverter production lines, a new data center, and is actively hiring engineers to grow their research and development team. Currently employing roughly 200 individuals, Fronius USA expects to more than double that number by the end of 2024.
“The business-friendly environment in Portage, Indiana, combined with the large pool of highly skilled workers in Northwest Indiana is why we are investing in this area,” said Elisabeth Strauss, CEO of Fronius International. “The solar boom in the United States offers great opportunities for sustainable business and a healthy climate.”
Fronius has occupied their facility in Portage since 2012 but have been in the US solar market for over 20 years. With their expansion, construction and hiring efforts underway, they are excited to see their investment in Northwest Indiana continue to grow. Fronius USA hosted an open house at their Portage headquarters on Thursday to showcase the progress, and their business as a whole. Many local representatives were on hand to explore the building, including Portage Mayor Sue Lynch.
“I’m so excited to see them growing, expanding, and bringing many jobs to our city,” Lynch said. “They’re a wonderful company to do business with.”
Lynch noted that as a “green mayor,” she is particularly excited to see a company with a focus on renewable energy showing such commitment to the city.
“We hope that when we bring companies in here they’ll look to use solar energy to power their businesses,” she said. “I’d love to have a lot more of that for the city. It’s cost savings, and it’s clean energy.”
Fronius not only manufactures solar inverters, it is also a global innovator in industrial and private welding systems. Tours of the open house also included demonstrations of Fronius’ products in action – even underwater.
“I don’t even know if people in Portage are fully aware of just how many unique businesses are here,” said Andy Maletta, executive director of the Portage Economic Development Corporation. “Fronius is from Austria. Companies from all over the world choose to be here in Portage, they’re all growing and doing very well.”
Fronius first entered Portage a little over a decade ago and the renewed commitment shown with the upgraded facilities and new hires indicate what Maletta called “planted roots.”
“When we outgrew our original facility we looked pretty much nationwide, but Indiana and the city of Portage were very supportive,” said Richard Baldinger, director of Solar Sales & Marketing for Fronius USA. “We feel good about investing further into Portage.”
To learn more about Fronius USA, visit www.fronius.us.