Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) was on-hand for the groundbreaking ceremony for Danfoss' new logistics facility in Loves Park, IL.

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Danfoss hosted Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL), local officials and community leaders for a groundbreaking ceremony for the company’s new logistics facility in Loves Park, IL – home to Danfoss’ VLT Drives division. Fueled by strong growth, the company will relocate its receiving, shipping and warehousing operations into this new facility, which will create additional manufacturing capacity at the current location.

During his visit, Manzullo, who founded and serves as co-chairman of the House Manufacturing Caucus, also participated in a discussion with top Danfoss managers about how Danfoss VLT variable frequency drives (VFDs) are helping the environment by reducing energy consumption. He was also given a plant tour so he could learn more first-hand about Danfoss’ manufacturing business in his Congressional district.

In application, VFDs present an opportunity to save significant amounts of energy and reduce the impact on the environment by reducing the dependence on fossil fuels and the need to build power plants. VFDs can typically save 15 to 40 percent of energy required to operate a motor, depending on the installation. However, 70 to 80 percent of new industrial electric motors globally do not have variable speed drives. There are more than 3.5 million Danfoss VLT variable speed drives installed worldwide that account for a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of 33 million tons per year.

Additionally, clean energy technologies, like those manufactured by Danfoss VLT Drives, help to create sustainable jobs. The speakers during the groundbreaking ceremony expressed a similar idea, reinforcing the importance of the impact a company like Danfoss has on the local economy.

“We are very pleased that Danfoss has chosen to keep this new warehouse facility here in Loves Park,” said Manzullo. “Our region depends on the help of businesses like Danfoss to create jobs and impact the growth of our economy. It’s been a great pleasure to be here today to see first-hand the large contributions to economy, energy efficiency and environment that a U.S. manufacturing facility is making worldwide.”

Speakers at the ceremony included:

• Congressman Don Manzullo, U.S. House of Representatives – Illinois
• Darryl Lindberg, Mayor, City of Loves Park
• Dave Holmgren, Director of Purchasing, Danfoss Power Electronics
• Janyce Fadden, President, Rockford Area Economic Development Council
• Einar Forsman, President, Rockford Chamber of Commerce
• Scott Christiansen, Chairman, Winnebago County Board
• Mark Goode, Principal, VentureOne Real Estate

The facility project is being led by design-build firm Meridian Design Build and developer VentureOne Real Estate, LLC. Construction on the new logistics building, which will add 100,000 square feet of facility space to the campus, is expected to be completed by November 1, 2011.

This is the second expansion at the Danfoss plant in two years, as the current facility was doubled in size (from 125,000 to 250,000 sq. ft.) in 2009.