Each dot on the Wind Energy Supply Chain Network map (Indiana and Ohio in this case) indicates a company dealing with or that would like to deal with the wind industry. Industry sectors represented in the database include machine shops, fabricators, foundries, forging, electrical, electronics, control systems, gears, bearings, hydraulics, fasteners, metal coatings, composites, and auxiliary products and services.

A wind energy supply chain advisory group has launched the web-based WIND Energy Supply Chain Database and Mapping System. Development firm Great Lakes WIND Network, Cleveland, makes the database available at http://maps.glwn.org/wind/.

The industry resource features an interactive map and searchable supply-chain database with profiles of more than 1,000 manufacturers and supporting organizations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico serving or emerging in the wind industry.

Intended to facilitate customer-supplier relationships, the system is said to quickly connect manufacturers and suppliers with OEMs, economic development officials, consultants and other wind power supply chain partners.

Users can search the database of organizations by company name, industry sector, specialization, or wind supplier activity status – “active” for companies currently serving the wind industry and “emerging” for those interested in entering the wind supply chain.

“The wind-energy sector is the fastest-growing industry in North America,” says Ed Weston, Director of WIRE-Net’s Great Lakes WIND Network. “By linking buyers, sellers, and other industry partners, we believe this system can be a catalyst for business expansion, investment, and new jobs.”

Access to the site is free and available 24/7. To register with the database, visit www.glwn.org, select “Get Listed,” and complete a Wind Capabilities Profile.