Ultium Cells, the battery partnership between General Motors and LG Chem’s LG Energy Solution in Lordstown, Ohio, is celebrating the completion of the steel building structure after ten months and 500,000 construction hours.
About 85 members of Ironworkers gathered to sign the final beam of the structure, which will become a 2.8 million-square-foot plant in the near future.
“The team hoisted and installed the final beam as part of a traditional ‘topping out’ ceremony, where employees of leaders and trading partners had the opportunity to draw the beam and take part in a photo.”
The site will be completed by mid-2022 and will be able to produce 30 GWh of lithium-ion battery cells annually (with an option to expand) employing more than 1,100 people.
GM and LG Chem have agreed to jointly invest $ 2.3 billion in the lithium-ion cell business for the entire range of new electric vehicles.
“More than 500,000 hours have been devoted to the development of the facility, which is expected to be completed in 2022. This includes the erection and installation of the US-made steel structure. The building’s framework provides for an innovative open floor plan environment. with a main corridor that extends across the width of the interior of the building and creates a natural connection point for the operation.The plant is equal to 30 football fields and has annual capacity of more than 30 gigawatt-hours with space to expand. “
“As construction continues, so will rent. The company will take 30 new Ultium Cells team members on board on March 1.”
Kee Eun, president of Ultium Cells LLC, said:
“We are delighted that construction at Ultium is progressing safely and on schedule. Although we have faced unprecedented challenges from the outset due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been able to execute according to plan successfully thanks to the collaborative efforts between General Motors and LG Chem, as well as the support and commitment of our contract partners. and the local community. ”
Tom Gallagher, chief operating officer of Ultium Cells LLC, said:
‘This is an important milestone for the Ultium Cells team and our construction trading partners, as we continue to build our physical foundation through the construction of our site, and our cultural foundation as we stand up for our staff members. Ultium Cells is on track to achieve our vision of an inclusive and engaging workforce as we add another 30 members of the launch team in March. It is exciting to see how the team stands together to support the launch of this important venture. ”
Briefly Ultium Cells LLC:
- General Motors and LG Chem Joint Venture (50/50)
- manufacture of lithium-ion battery cells for electric vehicles
- $ 2.3 billion investment and more than 1,100 new jobs
- 2.8 million square foot facility in Lordstown, Ohio
- target production capacity of 30 GWh per year (with an option for further expansion)
- pioneering work in May 2020
- production starts from 2022