A Taiwan solar maker that is among the world’s largest plans to open a Waterbury distribution center, and the firm will eventually manufacture solar photovoltaic panels there as well.
Officials from Motech Industries, Inc. — among the world’s 10 largest — and the Industrial Management & Training Institute in Waterbury will make the announcement on Nov. 19 the Taiwanese company will establish a distribution office at 179 Freight St. IMTI will employ five interns initially and develop that property into a source of green equipment and products to sell to solar building contractors and consumers.
In 2011, Motech became the sixth largest manufacturer of solar products and services in the world, with close to $1 billion in revenues. The company first started selling solar cells in 1999.
IMTI in July 2011 established one of Connecticut’s first formal, apprenticeship programs to qualify graduates for installation and service jobs in the solar industry at its facility at 233 Mill St. in Waterbury. The organization graduated its first solar class on July 20.
For the Motech distribution center, IMTI plans to offer five intern positions for its students. IMTI plans to increase the number of employees to 70 within five years, offering distribution, retail sales, and eventually manufacturing out of the Freight Street location.
