Press Release: Osaka, Japan / De Soto, KS, USA

Leading cell manufacturer Panasonic Energy chose H&T Recharge as their strategic supplier for cylindrical battery cans for advanced technology battery cells for automotive applications at the new EV battery facility in De Soto, Kansas.

Panasonic Energy broke ground for the co-located facility in De Soto in November 2022. The new facility in De Soto will be the second EV battery facility in the U.S., where the two companies are working together in a factory-in-factory approach, following their battery manufacturing operation in Sparks, Nevada. Initially, the new manufacturing facility in Kansas will expand the existing battery can production for Panasonic’s 2170 EV batteries. Mass production is targeted to begin by the end of March 2025, with an initial production capacity of approximately 30 GWh.

With over 40 years’ experience, H&T is one of the largest battery component manufacturers globally and is a recognized world leader in precision cylindrical battery components for the lithium-ion battery can market. The EV battery can maker H&T Recharge is part of the Heitkamp & Thumann Group (H&T), a leading global company focused on the development and supply of precision-formed components and devices in metal and plastic.

Panasonic Energy and H&T have already been working together since 2017 when H&T was also selected as supplier of cylindrical battery cans for Panasonic Energy’s existing cell production in Sparks, Nevada.

In De Soto, H&T will install four new fully automated battery can production lines for mass manufacturing volumes. The product and process development is taking place at H&T’s Center of Excellence in Marsberg, Germany.

Kansas City’s skilled manufacturing workforce, reliable infrastructure, and central location in North America makes it an ideal location for the new co-located facility and marks a key milestone for H&T’s growth in the EV battery market.

Tobias Ott, President, H&T Recharge:

“We are honored to engage with Panasonic Energy to support the battery cell production in De Soto, KS. Panasonic Energy is a great partner for H&T who has over 40 years of experience in the mass production of cylindrical battery cans. We will ensure a successful execution with our US-based mass production resources and experience combined with research and development out of our Center of Excellence in Germany.”

Click here to view Panasonic Energy’s official press release on this agreement.

For further information please contact us.

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About Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd.

Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd., established in April 2022 as part of the Panasonic Group’s switch to an operating company system, provides innovative battery technology-based products and solutions globally. Through its automotive lithium-ion batteries, storage battery systems and dry batteries, the company brings safe, reliable, and convenient power to a broad range of business areas, from mobility and social infrastructure to medical and consumer products. Panasonic Energy is committed to contributing to a society that realizes happiness and environmental sustainability, and through its business activities the Company aims to address societal issues while taking the lead on environmental initiatives. For more details, please visit https://www.panasonic.com/global/energy/

About H&T Recharge

H&T Recharge is part of the Heitkamp & Thumann Group, a leading global partner for the development and supply of world class precision formed components, devices in both metal and plastic as well as services. Established in 1978, the family-owned group of companies has grown into a dynamic Group, encompassing three forward thinking Divisions and three innovative Business Units strategically situated across nine countries and three continents. Global presence, strategic vision and a company philosophy that puts customer orientation, over 1800 employees and innovation at the very center of all corporate activities are the ingredients for the Heitkamp & Thumann Group’s stable growth and success. H&T Recharge is one of the Group’s three Divisions and is the partner of choice for battery can solutions in the rechargeable Lithium-ion battery industry. H&T Recharge entered this new industry early and has become the largest deep drawn cylindrical can manufacturer in the Western Hemisphere. Supporting both automotive and non-automotive applications, H&T Recharge supports manufacturers serving the increasing cylindrical battery demand with a range of customized component solutions. For more details, please visit https://ht-recharge.com/