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John Deere’s new electric battery factory.
Global ag machinery giant Deere & Company has announced it has chosen a location in Kernersville, North Carolina, for the construction of a new 115,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, with production commencing in 2025.
The factory will expand production capacity of Kreisel Electric products, the company John Deere acquired majority ownership of in 2022, that produces innovative battery technology for e-mobility and stationary systems as well as comprehensive Level 3 charging solutions.
Jennifer Preston, global director of John Deere Electric Powertrain and CEO of Kreisel, comments: “Together with Kreisel, John Deere is expanding its electrification portfolio to include more scalable solutions to meet a wider range of our customers’ application needs. This investment is a great step forward as we work toward our goal of demonstrating viable low- and near-zero-carbon power solutions by 2026.”
With the new battery manufacturing facility, John Deere will develop and manufacture Kreisel battery and CHIMERO charger technology, alongside supporting a production capacity increase to serve the off-highway market in North America. The facility will have a non-fossil-fuel-consuming design and is prioritising sustainable energy features in major systems like the facility’s HVAC, energy recovery system, state-of-the-art lighting, and irrigation control.
The company is also upgrading its primary manufacturing location for John Deere engines in Europe at Saran in France to also enable battery production. The new facility will be equipped to produce Kreisel battery pack designs and CHIMERO chargers as the company reinforces its commitment to helping John Deere and original equipment manufacturers navigate the rapidly changing electrification landscape.
“As the demand for electric solutions continues to increase, these strategic investments in growing our production capacity will help strengthen our position as an international battery technology leader.
“Within the evolving off-highway equipment market, we are prioritising the development of a robust charging ecosystem and battery portfolio that can support and sustain the long-term adoption of electrification across a wide variety of applications,” said Pierre Guyot, senior vice president of John Deere Power Systems and chairman of Kreisel.
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