Kreisel Electric expanding battery production

Deere & Co. announced its next steps in meeting the growing demand for batteries as a sole- or hybrid-propulsion system. In addition to the production facility in Austria, John Deere is making an immediate investment in two additional locations to increase the production capacity expansion of Kreisel Electric – the battery technology specialist in which John Deere recently acquired majority ownership.

John Deere has made new investments that will boost production capacity of Kreisel batteries. (Photo: John Deere)

The significant capital commitment will bring an increase of over 2 GWh to Kreisel battery production capacity, beginning with the opening of a new facility at Deere’s Saran factory, the primary manufacturing location for John Deere engines in the European Union. In parallel with this project, John Deere will also invest in battery assembly in the United States to support the growth of its customers and Deere products.

“This investment will put a strong focus on the industrialization and automation of the entire production process, as well as research and development capacities at Kreisel HQ in Rainbach,” said Jennifer Preston, global director, John Deere Electric Power.

Deere said that by leveraging the established expertise at Saran, Kreisel will have access to world-class supply chain management, manufacturing engineering, quality assurance, logistics coordination and cutting-edge automation solutions. The funds from the investment will primarily be deployed within the mobile commercial and industrial solutions as well as the charging infrastructure division of Kreisel.

This investment follows the finalization of the acquisition of majority ownership by John Deere earlier this year and emphasizes the commitment of John Deere to expand and strengthen the position of Kreisel as an international battery technology leader. The strategic alignment with Kreisel will also serve as the cornerstone for the electrification of John Deere Brand products, the company said. “We are embarking toward a future with zero emissions propulsion,” Preston said, “and pursuing our sustainability goal to demonstrate viable low- and no-carbon alternative power solutions by 2026.”