Investment in location: customcells strengthens sustainable battery industry “made in Germany”.
Setting the course for the future of the German battery industry: Customcells is investing a double-digit million sum in the expansion of its Itzehoe site in Schleswig-Holstein. The production team on site is tripled.
With more research and innovations as well as joint process development, the specialists for application-specific premium battery cells are providing start-up aid for Germany’s path to becoming the international lead market for green high-performance technology – and thus enabling the mobility transition thanks to holistic electrification on the road, on water and in the air.
Dr. Dirk Abendroth, CEO of the Customcells Group, said:
With the expansion in Itzehoe and the investments we are making here, we are also making a commitment: We believe in Germany as the location of a successful battery industry.
“We literally energize ‘Made in Germany’ – sustainable, innovative, powerful, high-tech.”
Said Dr. Dirk Abendroth, CEO of the Customcells Group, on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone for the expansion of the company location in Itzehoe. The experts for premium battery cells are investing a double-digit million sum for the buildings on site alone. As a result, the total number of employees will double.
Opportunities for innovative strength through sustainability
German and European politicians had recently expressed concerns that the US government’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) could also have consequences for the development of the battery industry in Germany.
At the beginning of February, Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) had therefore campaigned in the USA for concessions. In Habeck’s northern German homeland, Dirk Abendroth now emphasized the opportunities that continue to be offered to the industry if it relies on the interplay of innovative strength, digitization and sustainability.
Significant potential for Customcells in aviation electrification
As one of the leading developers and manufacturers of application-specific battery cells, Customcells has an eye on the electrification of air traffic, among other things. The company sees considerable potential for the use of high-performance battery cells in conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) machines – i.e. both conventionally take-off and landing aircraft and vertical take-off aircraft, which include drones as well as air taxis.
Among other things, Customcells is involved in the development and series production of battery cells for the 7-seater jet from Lilium, one of the leading companies in the field of regional electric air mobility.
Daria Saharova, co-founder of the World Fund, one of Europe’s largest climate funds, said:
There is no future where there is no air transport.
“Electrification of aviation is therefore indispensable. Customcells has the necessary technology to enable the decarbonization of much of the industry, and that from Germany,”
Silicon Valley technology in the far north
In concrete terms, Customcells is massively expanding its development work at the Itzehoe site with the expansion that has begun and will in future make the company’s research more independent of the project business.
In this way, it is possible to significantly strengthen the innovative strength as a whole and also the company’s own product pipeline. At the same time, Customcells and the company’s customers work much more closely together on topics such as process development.
Claus Ruhe Madsen, Schleswig-Holstein’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Transport, Labour, Technology and Tourism, said:
Above all, I would like to thank Customcells for its willingness to invest in the latest technologies in Schleswig-Holstein and for making research and development possible here that is otherwise only known from Silicon Valley.
“If we look back in a few years and consider where the new technology for mobility in the world’s metropolises comes from, then people will say ‘made in Schleswig-Holstein’. And yes, I’m proud of that.”
Benno Leuthner, Head of Project Planning/Sales and General Operation Manager at Customcells in Itzehoe, explains what holistic process optimization looks like:
The customers develop the processes together with us here on site.
“In this way, the time intervals between planning, construction and commissioning of battery factories can be drastically reduced. All they have to do is wait for the cement of their new Gigafactory to dry – then they can get started right away.”
Customcells pulls another option for site expansion
The property, on which Customcells is constructing a modern office building as well as a warehouse or factory hall in the course of the expansion, covers an area of 10,251 m². Customcells has also secured the option to expand the property by an additional 5,749 m² over the next five years.
Leopold König, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Customcells, said:
Due to the high demand and the attractive opportunities we find here in Itzehoe, we will take this option immediately.
Together with Torge Thönnessen, König founded the company in 2012.
Ralf Hopp, Itzehoe’s mayor said:
Cutting-edge research and Itzehoe – they now belong together.
“Companies like Customcells are instrumental in the success story of the innovation space. This is where solutions for future-oriented storage technologies are born. Itzehoe is thus providing strong impetus for the energy transition. We are therefore all the more pleased with Customcells’ commitment to the location.”
Customcells employs more than 150 highly qualified employees and operates development and production sites in Itzehoe and Tübingen. As an independent premium brand, the battery cell manufacturer stands for tailor-made solutions in a variety of industries and is constantly pushing the boundaries of what is technically possible through the use of digital technologies – in the future increasingly with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).
Sustainable office complex ready for occupancy as early as 2023
The new office building at the Itzehoe site is scheduled to be ready for occupancy before the end of this year, and the number of employees will increase from 112 to 160 by October. The new wooden building creates space for new work concepts and will help Customcells to keep the development speed high in the long term – and even to increase it even further. The size of the production team in Itzehoe will triple with the construction of the warehouse and factory hall by 2024.
The Customcells site is already supplied 100 percent by electricity from renewable energies. In addition, the company plans to install e-charging stations on the factory premises in order to be able to comprehensively promote sustainable mobility among its own employees.
Related Quotes
Klaus Weinmann, CEO & Co-Founder PRIMEPULSE SE:
For the mobility sovereignty of Europe, it is important to establish local battery development and production in Germany. Innovative companies such as Customcells play a key role here, because powerful and sustainable battery technology is essential for the successful development of the mobility and energy transition.
“We look forward to continuing to support Customcells in its rise to become a global player in the global premium battery cell business “Made in Germany”.
Dr. Dirk Abendroth, CEO of the Customcells Group:
What we need to establish in Germany is a much stronger awareness of the importance and even more the potential of battery technology.
“This ranges from combating climate change to the necessary reorientation of our economic model. The lithium-ion battery is the key technology of the 21st century.”
Torge Thönnessen, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Customcells:
In order to prevent the shortage of skilled workers, a cross-industry dialogue is needed about the necessary skills, needs and common standards in the battery cell industry.
“Above all, advancing digitalization, sustainability and the introduction of technologies such as artificial intelligence into production require a real reskilling approach. Together with our partners, we are happy to take on a leading role here and to invest sustainably in the training of our employees.”
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INVESTMENT IN LOCATION: CUSTOMCELLS STRENGTHENS SUSTAINABLE BATTERY INDUSTRY “MADE IN GERMANY”, February 28, 2023
