NEWS

We believe success is in the details. At first glance, it’s just another crisp, clear morning at our Hutchinson, MN Generator facility. But look a little closer, and the Zephyr story starts to reveal itself.

You’ll notice every vehicle backed into its spot — not because it’s easier, but because it’s safer. You’ll see a clean, well-kept campus, snow markers ready for winter maintenance, and pride in our country. You’ll see our president and founder out front, sprinkling deicer — not because anyone asked him to, but because he’s looking out for everyone’s safety. You’ll see enthusiasm, kindness, and mutual respect. Quality at Zephyr starts with the little things — and it ripples through every part of our business.

#ZephyrWindServices #Quality #DoWork

Perhaps we can all agree that sunrise pictures of wind turbines producing energy aren’t unique. What is unique, however, is our culture here at Zephyr. The pride and dedication our team brings to all aspects of our business shine through in how we approach, plan, and execute our projects. Beyond delivering technical excellence, we actively promote a collaborative environment where safety, innovation, and integrity are at the core of everything we do. It’s this commitment—to our customers, to each other, and to the future of our industry—that we’re most proud of.

#ZephyrWindServices #TeamWork

Really starting to green up out there ☘️

#StPatricksDay #ZephyrWindServices #GreenEnergy

70 (of countless) ways our parts division keep you up and running

#ZephyrWindServices #WindParts #OurPartsDivisionRocks

We’re in full stride at O&M in Nashville today, come say hi at booth 728

#OMS25 #ZephyrWindServices #DoWork

We’re proud to announce the promotions of Joel Dreistadt to Vice President of Operations and Kristen Haag to Vice President of Business Development in our Parts Division

Both Joel and Kristen have played instrumental roles in establishing and scaling the division, making it a key driver of growth for Zephyr Wind Services. Their leadership and expertise have strengthened our operations, supply chain management, sales, and customer relationships, positioning us for long-term success in the wind energy industry.

Joel Dreistadt
Since joining Zephyr Wind Parts in 2021 as Senior Manager, Joel has been pivotal in optimizing supply chain efficiency, procurement, logistics, and warehouse operations. His leadership has transformed the division, and in his new role, he will oversee strategic sales growth initiatives and operational excellence.

With over a decade of experience in operations management, Joel previously served as Plant Manager, where he led multimillion-dollar inventory operations and significantly improved efficiency. His ability to build high-performing teams and drive process improvements will continue to strengthen Zephyr Wind Parts’ operational foundation.

Kristen Haag
Since joining Zephyr Wind Services in December 2021 as a Senior Manager, Kristen has played a critical role in expanding the Parts Division. Her expertise in sales and budget forecasting, contract management, procurement, and logistics has positioned Zephyr as a trusted provider of new and reconditioned parts. In her new role, Kristen will lead strategic initiatives to strengthen client relationships and drive market expansion.

With over 15 years of experience in procurement, supply chain management, and business development, Kristen has held multiple leadership roles across the industry. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Business from Washington State University and brings deep expertise in international logistics and proposal development.

We are excited for Joel and Kristen as they take on these leadership roles, further enhancing our ability to serve you all in our wind energy industry. Please join us in congratulating them on their well-earned promotions!

#zephyrwindservices #dowork #teamwork

We’re excited to see you all in Nashville, TN next week! We’re at booth 728, come by and say hi!

#OMS25 #ZephyrWindServices

Friday Night Lights!

Another great photo from Repower Director of Sales, Dustin Carlson. Not pictured: the countless hours of preparation, safety planning, weather monitoring, and teamwork that make every operation possible.

Incoming! 15 of us are headed to the O&M + Safety show in Nashville, TN. Swing by booth 728 March 3rd-5th and say hi. We’re excited to see you all!

#ZephyrWindServices #OMS25

What’s Up? At Zephyr, we’re fully dedicated to the wind energy industry. Our four divisions — Generators, Parts, Repower, and Drivetrains all work seamlessly together, making us a unique one stop solution for our customers. By focusing exclusively on wind, we’ve created a company structure that drives innovation and delivers exceptional problem solving for the challenges we face while doing our work. We’re proud of what we’ve built and excited to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

#DoWork #ZephyrWindServices

Rigged, ready and flying into 2025. Photo by Repower Service Manager Corey Heinemann

At Zephyr Wind Services, our mission is simple: to be a trusted partner for the wind industry by providing reliable, world-class solutions dedicated exclusively to renewables.

That’s why we’re excited to announce our new partnership with Mersen. As a trusted distributor of Mersen brushes Zephyr now offers:

• Reliable stock availability of Mersen’s world-class carbon brushes
• Expert technical support to match the best brush to your generator
• Minimize downtime for your operations

While small, a generator brush plays a critical role in turbine performance. The right brush ensures smooth operation, optimal slip ring protection, and balanced longevity. Learn more about this partnership and how we can support your operations. Reach out to our parts team today!

With safety as our top priority, we embrace the challenges of working in all kinds of weather to get the job done. A blanket of snow and a pitch-black sky are just some of the unique conditions we encounter on the job. A huge thank you to our incredible team for going above and beyond while keeping safety at the forefront. 

We are delighted to announce that Sean Bonato has joined Zephyr Wind Services as the new Vice President of our Repower Division. Sean brings a vast wealth of experience, a passion for innovation, and a proven track record of leadership that will undoubtedly elevate our efforts in this crucial area of our business.

Sean has spent more than 24 years managing and maintaining aircraft systems, combustion engines, wind turbines, and their associated subsystems. His extensive expertise spans leadership roles across complex operations, including his tenure as a Combustion & Wind Turbine Supervisor at Montana Dakota Utilities. In addition to his professional achievements, Sean is a veteran with over 22 years of service, where he honed his skills in team building, strategic planning, and program development.

Beyond his professional credentials, Sean’s collaborative nature and ability to build strong relationships resonate deeply with Zephyr’s values. Having worked alongside members of our team on past projects, Sean has already demonstrated his ability to create win-win scenarios and foster a culture of respect and trust.

As Vice President of the Repower Division, Sean will lead initiatives to enhance our capabilities in the field and between our various divisions, ensuring Zephyr remains at the forefront of innovation in wind energy. We’re thrilled to have him on board and look forward to the impact he will make in shaping the future of our company.

2024 was an incredible year for Zephyr Wind Services, made possible by the hard work of our outstanding team and the trust of our many customers. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to our success! As we look ahead to 2025, we’re eager to continue innovating and finding new ways to enhance our services and support the wind energy sector.

The longest nights of the year often lead to breathtaking sunrises, like this one captured last week by our repower team deep in the heartland.

Winter landscapes provide striking backdrops for wind energy, reminding us of the incredible environments we get to work in. Wishing everyone a safe and productive season – stay warm and take care out there!

In the United States, wind energy production typically peaks during the winter months, driven by seasonal atmospheric conditions like stronger pressure gradients and powerful jet stream activity. While the exact percentage varies by region and year, wind turbines generally generate 25-30% of their annual energy output between December and February. Here’s to wishing our customers and colleagues a successful and productive peak wind energy season.

This Thanksgiving, we reflect on all we have to be grateful for — especially our incredible team, colleagues, customers, and all our families. Wishing you all a joyful and memorable holiday filled with gratitude and warmth.

At Zephyr Wind Services, precision and reliability are at the core of everything we do. In this video, President Trevor Armstrong and Director of Engineering John VanderKuur explain the critical role of the balance stand in ensuring the smooth operation and longevity of wind turbines. Just like an unbalanced car tire can cause vibrations, an unbalanced rotor in a wind generator produces vibrations that must be absorbed by the machine. To address this, we go above and beyond industry standards, balancing our rotors to ISO Grade 1.0—far superior to the typical ISO Grade 2.5. From the rotor to the fan subassembly and the complete rotor assembly, we meticulously balance each component to achieve unparalleled precision and efficiency.