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FM Siemens Plant Begins Employee Recall with 13

By on February 2, 2013

FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) — Lee County’s wind turbine blade factory has recalled some workers laid off last fall.

 Siemens Energy has recalled 13 workers to its Fort Madison plant and is looking for another 73 to bring back to their jobs.

Plant manager Tony McDowell says new orders are coming in and as business expands the work force will be increased to match demand. Some of the new orders are coming from projects in Brazil and Chile.

More than 400 workers received layoff notices in September.

The company blamed difficult market conditions, lack of congressional action on a wind energy tax credit, and increased use of natural gas-fired power plants.

Congress passed tax credit extension in January.