CHAMBER CHAT: Battery manufacturing could bring jobs to Sanford

When you think of Orlando Florida, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Probably not the 2023 International Battery Seminar, right?

As I’m writing this, the “battery show” is in Day 2. More than 2,100 attendees, including battery technologists from key OEMs, leading cell manufacturers, and the entire advanced battery ecosystem will participate. This is the largest International Battery Seminar ever!

Why are we here? Since the VinFast and Toyota Battery announcements, we’ve worked a double handful of battery related manufacturing company projects. Lithium battery technology has advanced exponentially…and not just for the cars of the future or cell phones or computers. Batteries that can store power from many sources, including sustainable sources like solar and wind, are coming on line in the workplace. If a company wants to manufacture any type of battery component and is considering a North Carolina location, we want to talk with them.

Here are just a few of the companies that are here:

Apple, Amazon, Airbus, Albemarle, BMW, Daimler, Dell EMC, Duracell, ExxonMobil, Facebook, Ford Motor, GE, General Dynamics, General Motors, Google…well, you get the idea…there are several hundred Fortune 500 companies represented here. ?

Some of the programs have been incredibly technical, with discussions of designing new stable anode, cathode and electrolyte chemistries; engineering new separator technologies to provide higher energy, longer life and superior safety. There’s a whole day on Next-Gen Battery Research.

Do I understand it all? Heck no.?My job here is to explain our competitive advantages….explaining to these companies that our Sanford/Broadway/Lee County manufacturing environment, our workforce, our community college training and our business-friendly approach is the perfect place to build their next factory and be successful.

So, while I haven’t been anywhere near Disney or Universal or Sea World, and I haven’t been outside to enjoy the 80 degree Orlando weather, I have been able to spend time talking about my favorite subject – our great community!

Bob Joyce

Senior Director

[email protected]