Press Release with Kansas Department of Commerce

TOPEKA – Kansas Governor Laura Kelly today announced that H&T Recharge, a leading global battery component manufacturer, is investing more than $100 million and creating 180 new jobs in De Soto, Kansas. Leading cell manufacturer Panasonic Energy chose H&T Recharge as its strategic supplier for cylindrical battery cans at the new EV battery facility currently under construction.

“My administration is dedicated to making Kansas the best place for businesses to start or grow,” KS Governor Laura Kelly said. “Kansas is attractive to companies from around the world because of our history of steady economic performance, talented workforce, and growing electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem. H&T’s decision to co-locate with Panasonic is proof that the work we are doing to attract business is paying off.”

With more than 40 years’ experience, H&T is one of the largest battery component manufacturers globally and is recognized as one of the world leaders in precision cylindrical battery components for the lithium-ion battery market. H&T and Panasonic Energy already have been working together in a factory-in-factory approach since 2017, when H&T was selected as the supplier of cylindrical battery cans for Panasonic’s facility in Reno, Nevada.

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

“We are honored to engage with Panasonic Energy to support the battery cell production in De Soto,” H&T Recharge President Tobias Ott said. “Panasonic Energy is a great partner for H&T, which has over 40 years of experience in the mass production of cylindrical battery cans. We will ensure a successful start of production in De Soto with our experienced U.S.-based production team, combined with research and development out of our Center of Excellence in Germany.”

H&T cited the Kansas City area’s skilled manufacturing workforce, reliable infrastructure and central location in North America as the factors that make it an ideal location for the new facility and this next milestone for the company’s growth in the EV battery market.

“H&T’s investment in Kansas is significant as they are the first of many companies that will be adding to the transformational stimulus begun when Panasonic broke ground in De Soto,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “The expansion of the EV battery sector not only is creating new job opportunities but is adding to the momentum that has made Kansas the nation’s best place to live, work and invest.”

The new Kansas manufacturing facility will initially 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 Gigawatt hours (GWh).

“We’re always happy to see more good jobs coming to De Soto,” De Soto Mayor Rick Walker said.  “We’re also excited about the work being done to bring electric vehicle battery suppliers to our area. Keeping the supply chain local not only produces more jobs in the region, it reduces the overall carbon footprint. We’re looking forward to seeing more of this in the future.”

H&T Recharge is part of the Heitkamp & Thumann Group, a leading global family-owned company focused on the development and supply of precision-formed components and devices in metal and plastic. The Group is headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany, while H&T Recharge’s central functions are based in Marsberg, Germany.

View Kansas Department of Commerce’s press release here.

For more information, please contact us.

—END—

About the Kansas Department of Commerce:

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.

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. For more information, please visit ht-recharge.com.