Company Expansions - Vehicles & Alternative Fuels
UQM Technologies, a developer and manufacturer of high-performance, power-dense, and energy-efficient electric motors, acquired a 129,304-square-foot facility in 2009 on 30 acres in Longmont to support the growth of its manufacturing operations. UQM received $45 million in federal stimulus money to accelerate the manufacturing and deployment of electric vehicles, batteries, and components in the United States. The company will grow from 70 employees to 300 by fall 2010.
BioSource Solutions Inc., after conducting extensive research and due diligence in the electric bike or e-bike market, has determined that a significant opportunity exists in this emerging field of transportation. BioSource Solutions would utilize its national and international retail contacts as well as the company's warehouse and marketing infrastructure to move forward with this specialized division.
Bye Energy Inc., an integrator of alternative energy technologies for business and general aviation aircraft, has located its corporate headquarters to Centennial Airport. The larger facility provides space for its Green Flight Project, which will enhance development of a commercial and electric-hybrid propulsion system for light general aviation application.
Gevo, a leading technology development company for biobutanol, a versatile platform chemical for the liquid fuels and petrochemical market, expanded its operations in Englewood. The U.S. Departments of Energy and Agriculture’s Biomass R&D Initiative awarded Gevo $1.8 million to help fund ongoing development of its yeast strain to produce biobutanol from cellulosic biomass. The company also conducts demonstration projects in the Midwest to retrofit corn-based ethanol plants to produce advanced biofuels. Gevo has also received $40 million in private venture capital.
Lightning Hybrids, an automotive research and manufacturing company located in Loveland, announced that it would expand in Loveland, creating 50 new jobs. The hybrid vehicle startup projects added says it will grow to 300 employees with an output of 6,000 cars by 2013.
Solix Biofuels, founded in 2006, is developing bioreactors for the mass production of algae as a biodiesel feedstock. In 2009, Solix began full-scale production of algae-based biofuels at the Coyote Gulch Demonstration Facility in southwest Colorado. Solix’ founders include Doug Henston, CEO, and Professor Bryan Willson, Director, of the Engines and Energy Conversion Lab at Colorado State University.
