Deere & Company and Kreisel Electric GMBH, an Austrian lithium-ion battery systems manufacturer, have announced the companies will invest $69.9 million and create 50 new jobs to develop and produce hybrid and electric off-road equipment at a site adjacent to Deere & Company’s Kernersville, North Carolina, manufacturing facility. This partnership will create the North American headquarters for John Deere Electric Powertrain and will allow the companies to design and manufacture cutting-edge battery technology for off-highway applications.
“With North Carolina’s commitment to clean energy, top workforce in the country and favorable business climate, the state has become a leader in the electric vehicle and battery sector,” said Christopher Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. “We are positive John Deere and Kreisel’s partnership will continue to propel North Carolina and the nation into a clean energy economy.”
John Deere’s facility in Kernersville has been in operation for 35 years, manufacturing John Deere branded hydraulic excavators and providing on-site plate processing, welding, machining, logistics, paint and assembly. In 2022, John Deere acquired majority ownership of Kreisel to include zero-emissions electric options and hybrid-electric solutions to their construction equipment portfolio by 2026. Kreisel develops immersion-cooled electric battery modules and packs for high-performance and off-highway applications including marine and e-motorsports.
In addition to manufacturing Kreisel battery packs for high performance and large, off-highway equipment applications, the facility will also manufacture CHIMERO charger technology for e-mobility, stationary systems and Level 3 charging solutions. New positions will include assemblers, material handlers, packagers and quality inspectors, with a potential annual payroll impact of more than $3.3 million to the region. The EDPNC assisted the project with site identification and viability, infrastructure support, and workforce development and training. The EDPNC team also connected John Deere and Kreisel with local and state partners and funding opportunities.
The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina would like to recognize the North Carolina Department of Commerce as well as other key partners involved in this project, including the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, Forsyth Tech Community College, Forsyth County, the Town of Kernersville, Greater Winston-Salem, Inc., Whitaker Park Development Authority and Duke Energy.