Demand for turbines generates growth and jobs for Industrial Heat Transfer Inc.

0 Comments | La Crosse Tribune, Feb 20, 2001 | by Cahalan, Steve

Industrial Heat Transfer Inc. of Coon Valley, Wis., has opened a plant in La Crosse that makes heat exchangers, used in high-efficiency turbines that utility companies are buying to generate electricity during periods of peak demand.

The company has leased about 30,000 square feet of space at 3097 Airport Road, in a building in the Airport Industrial Park. Production began two weeks ago at the plant, which has 27 employees, IHT coowner Bill Thomas said Monday. He expects to have about 45 employees at the new facility by summer.

IHT's 30,000-square-foot facility in Coon Valley has 39 employees. Having a La Crosse facility will not reduce production or the number of employees at the Coon Valley plant, Thomas said.

Thomas and Bob Nelson own the business, which started in 1987 in Coon Valley as a spin-off from The Trane Co. It makes heat exchangers for industrial uses. Some of IHT's products go into equipment used by utility companies, chemical manufacturers, paper mills and steel mills.

IHT decided to open a second plant because demand for turbines and therefore the heat exchangers IHT makes for turbines is increasing nationwide. The turbines burn natural gas or other types of fuel, such as oil and jet fuel.

"It was available in the time frame we needed," Thomas said of the company's decision to open the La Crosse plant, rather than add on to its Coon Valley facility.

Most of IHT's products are used in the United States, but some go to Mexico and Europe. IHT has not really tried to market its products in Europe, but plans to start doing that, Thomas said.

Europe has the same problem as the United States, he said. "There's not enough power plants producing enough energy."

Thomas said a utility company can buy and put a turbine into operation much faster than it can obtain a license for and build a new coal-fired electric plant.

City and state business and government leaders spoke at a welcoming ceremony at the new La Crosse plant Monday.