GE Drivetrain Technolgies, a unit of GE Transportation, has formed a joint venture company with Chongqing XinXing Fengneng Investment Co., Ltd. to produce large- diameter gears for the wind turbine industry. 

Under the established terms, Chongqing XinXing Fengneng is the majority owner, and the gears will be manufactured in a new facility in Chongqing, China. Initially, the business will manufacture the gears for GE Drivetrain Technologies' wind turbine gearbox production facility in Shenyang, China. GE Drivetrain and A-Power Energy Systems announced the facility's development as part of a joint venture agreement made in January 2009.

"As a supplier to some of the world's leading automotive and motorcycle companies, Chongqing XinXing brings a world-class manufacturing mentality to the production of wind turbine gears," says Tim Schweikert, president of GE Technology Infrastructure in China. "GE Transportation's large-diameter gear manufacturing expertise perfectly complements Chongqing XinXing's proven high volume gear production capabilities."

According to Prescott Logan, business leader for GE Drivetrain Technologies, "This partnership is a key building block in our larger strategy to grow our wind drivetrain business in China and Asia Pacific by integrating our gear manufacturing supply chain and ensuring a secure supply of high quality gears to our Shenyang-based gearbox assembly plant."

The joint venture is important for Chongqing XinXing since it enables the company to participate in the Chinese wind market.

"We are pleased to enter this partnership with GE Transportation because of its renowned engineering expertise and global presence," says Xingming Li, chairman, Chongqing XinXing Fengneng Investment Co., Ltd. "This agreement is an exciting opportunity to expand our product line and customer base, and a great chance to upgrade our existing products and improve our management skill as we continue our proud tradition of manufacturing high precision gears."