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Germany-Based H&T Recharge Plans De Soto, Kansas, EV Battery Production Operations

03/22/2024
Germany-based H&T Recharge, a battery component manufacturer, plans to establish EV battery production operations in De Soto, Kansas. The $110 million project is expected to create 180 jobs.

The investment will include four new fully automated battery can production lines for mass manufacturing volumes, expanding the existing battery can production for Panasonic’s 2170 EV batteries. Panasonic Energy chose H&T Recharge as its strategic supplier for cylindrical battery cans. Operations are scheduled to begin by the end of March 2025.

“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 execution with our U.S.-based mass production resources and experience, combined with research and development out of our Center of Excellence in Germany.”

H&T Recharge is part of the Heitkamp & Thumann Group, a global company focused on developing and supplying precision-formed metal and plastic components and devices.

“My administration is dedicated to making Kansas the best place for businesses to start or grow,” Governor Laura Kelly noted. “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.”

“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 added. “The expansion of the EV battery sector is not only creating new job opportunities but is adding to the momentum that has made Kansas the nation’s best place to live, work, and invest.”

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