Danfoss Power Solutions campus in Ames is undergoing an expansion project that will double the space for engineers to do work on innovative solutions with a focus on sustainability.
Known internally as Americas Application Development Center (ADC), the area will focus on research and development and will be available to current and potential customers to experience Danfoss solutions on demonstration vehicles.
Danfoss Power Solutions is the largest private sector employer in Story County and is celebrating 52-years in Ames. The ADC hosts many visitors each year – more than 60 customer visits alone since the start of 2022. These visits can be powerful for driving sales. The team attributes $100 million in sales wins to ADC visits since the test facility’s opening 10 years ago.
“Our demonstration vehicles allow us the opportunity to show a customer and have them experience what it is our Danfoss technology can do for them,” said Jeff Herrin, senior vice president of Research & Development. “We dig. We show performance on different slopes. It’s significantly more powerful than sitting in a conference room listening to a presentation.”
After a $5 million investment to develop the ADC test track in the years leading up to its opening, this project is focused on increasing the work area. The 8,700-square-foot addition will more than double the ADC’s existing shop space with three additional work bays, a vehicle wash bay, and more. The bays will have high clearance to accommodate combines and large machines.
“We outgrew our existing space about five years ago,” said Jay Moline, senior director of Application Engineering – Americas. He’s thrilled about how this expansion will help his team better do their jobs and put their best foot forward with customers.
“We have many customers, and customer confidentiality in a single space has become very difficult,” said Jay. “Our new space will now have four separate spaces, which we desperately need. We’ve also designed the space with the customer in mind by including a dedicated customer welcome area.”
Danfoss’ commitment to sustainability is evident in this project to align with our goals of being carbon neutral by 2030. The HVAC system, insulation, natural lights, and skylights were all chosen with energy efficiency as the primary goal. The facility will be electric-powered and have electric vehicle charging capabilities.
Overall construction is expected to be finished in January 2024.
