Weidmann Electrical Technology plans an investment at its manufacturing plants

Weidmann Electrical Technology plans an investment at its manufacturing plants of about $55 million to meet the “unprecedented” demand for its products, and much of that money is to enhance operations at the local plant. Francis Fisher, head of global marketing and communications for Weidmann, said he couldn’t yet say what the total amount of local spending will be, but it will be significant. Weidmann is a global leader in the manufacturing of insulation materials needed in electricity transformers. It has multiple plants throughout the world, and the one in St. Johnsbury is among our region’s biggest employers. The company was founded as EHV Industries on Oct. 1, 1969, by Gordon Mills and Bob Fuehrer. The Switzerland-based Weidmann invested in the company in 1971 and later purchased it. The push for renewable energy means a need for greater capacity to carry the current, and upgrades are needed in decades-old power line installation. Meeting the demand means expansion and upgrades, he said. Information from Weidmann online notes that investments are planned over the next 12 to 18 months.