A leading producer of batteries and energetic devices, EaglePicher Technologies started construction on its 100,000-plus square-foot Lithium Ion Center of Excellence in Joplin, Missouri. The facility will be built adjacent to its current Lithium Ion facility at the Crossroads Industrial Park in Joplin and will expand the EaglePicher cell and battery portfolio.

According to the firm, this new state-of-the-art facility will provide large-scale production of lithium-ion batteries for mission critical applications. The new facility will support our growing applications for the aerospace, defense, and medical industries.

"This new facility furthers our role as a key supplier in the Lithium Ion market, allowing us to provide the critical battery power needed for applications where failure is not an option," said Randy Moore, President of EaglePicher Technologies. "We are looking forward to scaling up our capabilities for high-output manufacturing."

“The Lithium Ion Center of Excellence will provide a reliable, high-volume supply of critical items identified as essential for national defense, alleviating concerns regarding market volatility and uncertainty within the current international market,” company officials said. EaglePicher anticipates this new facility will be completed near the end of 2015 and will create 171 jobs for the area over the next several years.

"EaglePicher is excited by this expansion because it brings innovative solutions to the market and growth opportunities to the company and the community," said Ron Nowlin, Vice President & General Manager of Aerospace Systems. "This facility will significantly increase our product portfolio and volume production capability for Lithium Ion batteries."