John Deere Electric Powertrain LLC has announced a monumental investment of $69.6 million to set up its North American headquarters and construct a 115,000-square-foot battery and charger manufacturing facility in Kernersville, North Carolina. The state-of-the-art facility will produce Kreisel battery packs specifically designed for high-performance and large, off-highway equipment applications. In addition, John Deere will employ the facility to manufacture its CHIMERO charger technology for various applications, including e-mobility, stationary systems, and Level 3 charging solutions.
The company's Senior Vice President of Power Systems and Chairman of Kreisel Electric, Pierre Guyot, emphasized the strategic significance of the investment. He stated, “As the demand for electric solutions continues to increase, this strategic investment in growing our production capacity will help strengthen our position as an international battery technology leader. We are prioritizing the development of a robust charging ecosystem and battery portfolio that can support the long-term adoption of electrification across a wide variety of applications.”
Adding to the financial backing, John Deere will potentially receive a $100,000 performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund, contingent on meeting job creation and capital investment targets. This fund is designed to support local governments in attracting economic investments and facilitating job growth.
Several key partners have collaborated to develop this project, including the North Carolina General Assembly, North Carolina Community College System, Forsyth Tech Community College, Forsyth County, and the North Carolina Department of Commerce and Economic Development.
The announcement was met with enthusiasm by local officials. N.C. Representative Donny Lambeth expressed gratitude and optimism, saying, “This is outstanding news for our region. We appreciate John Deere’s vote of confidence in our people for this new venture and the work of the economic developers and local and state officials that helped the company make their decision.” The move not only marks a significant stride in John Deere's growth but also positions North Carolina as a vital player in the future of electric power technology.
Source: John Deere, KREISEL