A123 Systems opens new factory in the Czech Republic

A123 Systems, a manufacturer of advanced lithium-ion batteries, opened its new production facility in Ostrava on Thursday, 2 March 2017. This is the company’s first manufacturing plant in Europe. The grand opening was attended by the company’s management, representatives of the government, the region and the city of Ostrava, representatives of four major European carmakers and the CEO of CzechInvest, which helped to bring the investment to the Czech Republic.

The factory in the Ostrava-Hrabová industrial zone will annually produce more than 600,000 automobile batteries for the European market. In the future, the company plans to employ 150 people, primarily highly qualified technicians and engineers.

A123 Systems manufactures new platforms for starter batteries which, in comparison with standard lead batteries, offer more environmentally friendly systems, as well as reduced fuel consumption and thus lower emissions. The company currently operates manufacturing plants also in China and in the United States.