On Monday, Deere & Company announced plans to build a new 115,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in North Carolina. According to the company, the new factory will expand production capacity for Kreisel Electric products, namely battery technology for e-mobility and stationary systems, as well as Level 3 charging solutions. If you recall, John Deere bought a majority ownership stake in the Austrian company in February 2022.
John Deere plans to break ground this fall, with production targeted to begin in 2025. The new factory will create 50 jobs, and the company will invest some $69.6 million to make Kreisel battery and CHIMERO charger technology. The location will also become the company's North American headquarters.
According to Jennifer Preston, global director of John Deere Electric Powertrain and CEO of Kreisel, the company is expanding its electrification portfolio to include more scalable solutions.
The new facility in Kernersville will serve the North American off-highway market. Meanwhile, John Deere is also retooling its Saran, France factory to increase battery production.
The Kernersville facility will prioritize sustainable energy, everything from the plant's HVAC and energy recovery system to state-of-the-art lighting and irrigation control.
John Deere has a history in Kernersville that dates back to 1988 when the company established a campus in town.
According to Governor Roy Cooper, new positions at the factory include assemblers, material handlers, packagers and quality inspectors. The new jobs could contribute an annual payroll impact of more than $3.3 million to the region.
The One North Carolina Fund will provide the company with a $100,000 performance-based grant. The fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and create jobs. Companies get no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for incentives. Local governments must match all One NC grants.
The next phases of the development as well as construction timelines, are still subject to additional regulatory approval.
