Escambia County
Manufacturing
76% Increase
66% Increase
Can you tell us a bit about your background?
I started my career in composites at a young age. I was just 17 when I had my first contact with this kind of material. Over the initial years, I worked and learned alongside composite leaders globally renowned for their technical expertise and projects. I collaborated with these professionals for a decade, traveling the world, gaining knowledge, and contributing to incredible projects for markets such as aeronautics, architecture, transportation, agriculture, and renewable energy. Following this technical phase, I dedicated the next 12 years to business management, progressing from roles like industrial manager, operations, and finance to executive directorship, leading a team of approximately 1,500 professionals. In 2019, the BlueWind project began in Pensacola, FL, marking my family’s move from Brazil to the USA. The last four years have been a period of rich experiences and profound learning, shaping me into the professional and individual I am today.
Was there an “ah-ha” moment that led you to start BlueWind?
In 2017, one of our key shareholders said, “Jean, we need to establish a business in the USA.” Initially hesitant due to my limited English proficiency, we tirelessly worked, and after numerous meetings and travels, BlueWind Technology was born. The best part? I had to learn English within 90 days. It was a real shift in mindset going from an employee to an entrepreneur!
We are a high-performance composites manufacturer, primarily operating in the renewable energy market, producing components for wind turbines that generate clean energy, contributing to the decarbonization of our planet. Our delivered product provides the design for our customer’s products and protects the machine head that produces energy from the wind turbine blades. The stringent quality requirements set us apart, as only some companies can achieve the qualifications necessary to deliver such a product. The 130 professionals at BlueWind are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality product.
BlueWind is a young company with highly committed professionals boasting extensive experience in the composite market. Initially, our geographical region lacked composites knowledge. We had to develop our own talent on the production floor. Now, many of those employees have years of experience, and we now have a deeply knowledgeable team. Our core values prioritize the safety of our professionals, quality of our products and services, technology and innovation, on-time delivery, and excellent service to our business partners—whether they are customers or suppliers. We treat both equally, believing that “no one grows alone.” We work hard to maintain a positive organizational climate in our day-to-day operations. We appreciate smiles and strive to create a pleasant environment for people to work happily and deliver their best.
Further, we have our “second chance” program – hiring individuals who have less than perfect backgrounds – arrests, incarceration, and so on. They simply want a chance to re-enter society, and we are very happy with their work ethics and results.
BlueWind unites essential strengths such as Technology, Innovation, Product Quality, and remarkably quick and exceptional customer service. As for our competitive edge, we rely on two key factors: People and Process.
In terms of People, our team is dedicated and driven to surpass our customers’ expectations.
Regarding Process, our innovative technology empowers us to curtail customers’ initial investment in CAPEX (tooling, molds, and so on). Furthermore, processes extend the life of the molds, delivering high quality products that distribute overhead costs over a longer period of time.
I am privileged to have the backing of shareholders who assist and support me in strategic and often challenging decisions. Our shareholder board comprises incredible individuals and professionals with diverse profiles, highly competent in their respective fields. In a very positive way, this support significantly impacts my day-to-day activities and how we manage obstacles at BlueWind.
Challenges could be synonymous with BlueWind. We set up our entire factory and operation in 90 days. It was 100 days of intense work, facing numerous challenges, from leasing our first warehouse to delivering our first product (Nacelle). The most significant was hiring our team of professionals and subsequently training them to work with composites. Soon after production began, we faced the COVID-19 pandemic, which almost paralyzed the world. We couldn’t afford to stop and we didn’t. In the same year, 2019, Pensacola was then hit by Hurricane Sally, damaging our city and impacting the homes of many of our professionals. Nevertheless, our team was tireless and highly competent, overcoming these challenging moments, and today, we are a family with 130 members.
We have a well-structured strategic plan with clearly defined actions and guidelines. Very well positioned in a segment that expects to grow exponentially over the next ten years due to the need for clean energy generation and decarbonization, we aim to double in size in the next five years, starting from 2023.
Do you have proudest moment so far?
Seeing the company grow sustainably and witnessing our professionals develop and grow with us is delightful. Since the start of our operations, we have promoted over 30 individuals. For instance, when we began operations, our current HR manager started in the company’s warehouse as a forklift operator on the second shift. He believed in the company, studied, was the first in his family to then graduate college, and is now out HR professional helping us to take care of the 130 families under the BlueWind umbrella. Undoubtedly, having satisfied customers with our products and services, delivering with quality, innovation, sustainability, and competitive cost, brings me immense pride.
What does it mean to be selected as an Honoree?
We are humbled to be considered among the esteemed nominees for this prestigious award. The recognition is a testament to the hard work, innovation, and commitment that define BlueWind’s core values. It validates the passion and excellence our team consistently brings to every project and endeavor, and this nomination motivates us to continue striving for excellence and pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve.
Being recognized by GrowFL, is particularly meaningful to us, and we are honored to be in the company of other outstanding nominees.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank for getting you to where you are now?
Absolutely yes. Our shareholders. They have kept believing in the project from day one and are always ready to contribute and help face the challenges of daily business growth. And I must not forget to thank our employees. Everyone has been essential to where we are today.
What is your advice for aspiring or fellow business owners?
Believe in your dreams and projects, surround yourself with competent and kind-hearted people, don’t give up, be resilient, and even in the most challenging moments, stay positive and always strive to inspire your team. And undoubtedly, make decisions and take actions—don’t stand still.
GrowFL is driven by one goal – to cultivate second-stage growth companies across the state. Second-stage companies are the backbone of Florida’s economy and the definition of economic success and prosperity.
GrowFL, through our diverse programs and services, provides proven methods to help overcome unique challenges facing second-stage companies as they grow.