MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (NYSE: WFR), and SunEdison, its solar energy subsidiary, along with manufacturing partner Flextronics (NASDAQ: FLEX), announced the creation of approximately 400 jobs to ramp production of MEMC solar panels being manufactured at Flextronics' facility in Newmarket, Ontario. This announcement was made during a dedication ceremony of the new line, which produces MEMC photovoltaic (PV) modules that will be used by SunEdison and its channel partners for solar PV projects.
The companies welcomed the Honourable Sandra Pupatello, Ontario Minister of Economic Development and Trade, to Flextronics' manufacturing facilities to see the modules being built and to speak with the employees who are benefiting from the new green economy.
"Companies such as MEMC, their SunEdison subsidiary and Flextronics are creating real green jobs in local communities such as Newmarket, and are helping to build a renewable industry in the province through their investment in solar manufacturing," explained Minister Pupatello. "With each investment, Ontario is building toward an energy economy that will contribute to cleaner air and sustainable jobs for today and tomorrow."
At the event, Minister Pupatello was joined on a guided tour of the Flextronics manufacturing plant by the Mayor of Newmarket Tony Van Bynen, representatives from the Ontario Power Authority and delegates from the Town of Newmarket (York region). Executives from Flextronics and MEMC were also in attendance, along with more than 350 solar industry employees and stakeholders.
"The new jobs created through this investment make a significant impact on the prosperity and sustainability of our community," said Mayor Van Bynen. "As a leader in environmental sustainability, we are thrilled to be a part of a growing renewable industry that brings real jobs to our community through companies like MEMC."
The job creation is a direct result of the 60 percent domestic content requirement of Ontario's Feed-in Tariff (FIT) Program. MEMC and Flextronics' panel manufacturing facility signals a long-term investment in the region to help facilitate a sustainable green economy for the foreseeable future.
In addition to job creation through investments in solar panel and racking manufacturing, SunEdison's Toronto office has grown from two full-time employees in November 2009 to more than 50 employees engaged in the delivery of both ground-mount and rooftop solar projects across the province.
"On behalf of MEMC and our SunEdison subsidiary, we are pleased to invest in this green solar production opportunity that benefits the local economy, creates long-term job opportunities and is good for our environment," said Ken Hannah, Executive Vice President of MEMC.
"We are very pleased to be expanding the number of green jobs in the Town of Newmarket through the partnership with global leaders in renewable energy such as MEMC and SunEdison," said E.C. Sykes, President, Industrial and Emerging Industries at Flextronics. "We are committed to providing clean tech manufacturing solutions and we look forward to contributing to the growth of the Cleantech industry here in Ontario."
