ADS-TEC Energy, a German-owned electric charging infrastructure producer, is establishing its first U.S. location in Auburn.
To serve the North American market, ADS-TEC plans to invest $8 million and create around 180 jobs over the next two years, according to the Alabama Department of Commerce.
The company’s Lee County facility will include sales, warehousing and assembly operations.
In a statement celebrating ADS-TEC’s expansion to the Yellowhammer State, Gov. Kay Ivey said Auburn was “excited to welcome yet another high-tech German company to Alabama.”
“The partnership between German engineering and Alabama manufacturing has brought many innovative products to the North American market,” said Ivey. “We’re excited to add ADS-TEC Energy’s battery-buffered fast charging stations to that list, serving the quickly growing electric vehicle market.”
“Congratulations to ADS-TEC Energy’s leadership for selecting Auburn as their U.S. home.”
The announcement reflects a growing trend of German-based manufacturers choosing to expand their respective operations to Alabama.
SEE: Germany trade mission offers new possibilities for Alabama firms
ADS-TEC, for more than a decade, has utilized lithium-ion technology to create rapid electric charging stations. According to the department, the German-based company’s systems have unique battery buffers that allow for fast charging without the need to expand limited power grids.
“This will represent a successful market presence in the USA embedded in a strong, innovation- and growth-driven economic environment,” said ADS-TEC founder and CEO Thomas Speidel. “We are very grateful for the intensive support by the City of Auburn and the State of Alabama, in particular by Governor Kay Ivey, as well as the business-oriented local decision-makers, who continue to support us constructively.
“ADS-TEC is ‘Engineered in Germany,’ and we are proud to extend our quality products to the U.S. Out of America for America.”
The company cited Auburn University’s engineering program as one of the main reasons why Alabama was such an attractive location for its first U.S.-based site. ADS-TEC looks to identify and develop Auburn students to join its ranks.
ADS-TEC has begun hiring for its Lee County location.
Auburn Mayor Ron Anders said the city was honored to have been chosen as the company’s preferred destination to serve the North American market.
“The City of Auburn is grateful for the trust that Mr. Speidel and his team have in our community, and we will do everything we can to support ADS-TEC Energy in establishing a successful operation in Auburn,” said Anders. “The assembling and servicing of innovative equipment for the emerging electric charging infrastructure market right here in Auburn will create well-paying and clean high-tech jobs for Auburn residents.
“Welcome to the Auburn family, ADS-TEC Energy, and thank you to Governor Ivey and her team at the Alabama Department of Commerce for their support for this project.”
The state is prepared to become a leader in the auto industry’s emerging EV field, according to Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield.
“Alabama’s auto sector aims to play an important role in the industry’s EV revolution, so it’s great to see a company like ADS-TEC Energy planning to establish a manufacturing operation in Auburn for ultra-fast charging stations that will help accelerate EV adoption across America,” said Canfield.
“This is a win for Auburn and a win for Alabama.”
Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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