|
In a move that signals the company’s commitment to rapidly grow its solar energy business, BTU International Inc. announced several initiatives, including the formation of a new business group for its Alternative Energy equipment business, the addition of key talent, and the establishment of international solar research and process application centers. According to BTU, its experience in providing thermal processing systems used to manufacture solar cells makes the company well positioned to take advantage of the rapid expansion occurring in both silicon and thin filmsolar energy markets. John J McCaffrey Jr has joined BTU as Vice President of Alternative Energy, in charge of Engineering and Product Development while Douglas A Lawson joined the company as Vice President of Alternative Energy in charge of Marketing and Business Development. His primary responsibilities will focus on growing the company’s Alternative Energy business. In addition to the creation of the Alternative Energy Group, the company is building two new solar research and process application laboratories - one in Billerica, Massachusetts and one in Shanghai, China. These laboratories will be used to develop new solar process capabilities and provide an environment where customers can test and process their photovoltaic cells on BTU systems. The Shanghai lab was scheduled to open in March 2008, while the Billerica lab is expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year, the company said. www.btu.com | 
