Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NYSE: STP), the world's largest producer of solar panels, has been honored by the Phoenix Business Journal, a leading Arizona business publication, as one of Arizona's top places to work. Among medium-sized companies, Suntech's Goodyear, Arizona, manufacturing facility was the only cleantech employer to be ranked in the top 10.
In its ninth annual Best Places to Work review, the Phoenix Business Journal highlighted Arizona companies whose operations are changing the Arizona and global business landscapes while fostering a fun and healthy work environment. Hundreds of companies were surveyed for the annual ranking.
"Being a good place to work isn't hard," wrote project editor Patrick O'Grady, reporter with the Phoenix Business Journal. "Transitioning that into being a best place to work is entirely different… The one key they all seem to have, regardless of the money or perks they offer, is that they want people to be happy coming to work. It's the motive that sets them on the path from good to best."
The Best Places to Work list ranked companies based on employee participation in a survey conducted by research partner, Quantum Workplace. In the survey, Suntech Arizona employees noted several reasons why Suntech Arizona is a great place to work, including: the friendships they've made; the great attitudes of their colleagues; and the satisfaction of creating a product that has a positive impact on the environment.
"We will continue to grow and work together, ensuring that Suntech Arizona remains a fulfilling place to work," said Jerry Liu, Suntech Arizona's General Manager. "There are no limits to what we can accomplish together as we work to change the way the world produces energy."
"Working for a global leader in a growing industry that makes a tangible impact on a better future is incredibly rewarding," said Mike Starr, a retired Army NCO and former glass industry employee who is now Suntech Arizona's Production Manager. "If we continue to improve our operations, there's a bright future ahead for Suntech and the entire solar industry."
Suntech's Goodyear, Arizona, manufacturing facility was opened in October 2010. The operation has steadily increased its workforce, adding a second shift in January 2011 and a third shift in May 2011. In addition, approximately 80 percent of Suntech Arizona's current workforce was hired out of unemployment, demonstrating the job creation and economic benefit the solar industry brings to Arizona.
"We're honored to be recognized as one of the top employers in a region that's well-positioned to lead the growth of U.S. solar industry," said John Lefebvre, President of Suntech America. "Our highly-skilled workforce in Arizona has enabled the steady growth of our first U.S. manufacturing facility. We look forward to continuing that momentum in the years ahead."
The state-of-the-art Goodyear module manufacturing facility runs twenty-four hours per day with more than 100 highly-skilled employees. The facility's annualized production throughput is nearly 50MW, representing about 15,000 high-quality solar panels per month, or enough to power 10,000 average sized homes.
The 117,000 square foot manufacturing facility features highly-automated manufacturing and product testing equipment and currently produces Suntech's 280W solar panels for commercial and utility-scale electricity generation. All modules produced at the facility are backed by an industry-leading 25-year power output warranty and are compliant for procurement in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and Buy American Act projects.