Manz AG and GROB agree on strategic cooperation in the field of lithium-ion battery systems

• Cooperation focusing on production solutions for lithium-ion battery cells and modules as well as for the assembly of battery packs for e-mobility
• Combination of Manz and GROB's technology portfolio enables innovative, integrated turnkey solutions, from electrode coating to pack assembly
• Strategic cooperation with the aim of becoming the leading European supplier in the field of fully comprehensive production solutions for lithium-ion battery systems

Reutlingen / Mindelheim, April 8, 2021 - Manz AG and GROB-WERKE GmbH & Co. KG have entered into a strategic cooperation in the field of lithium-ion battery systems. As part of the partnership, the companies plan to set innovative machine standards "made in Europe". This will combine market and customer access and bundle technical expertise. From now on, the companies will be able to offer the complete production process for manufacturing lithium-ion battery cells and modules, from coating the electrode material to pack assembly, from a single source and fully integrated. For customers, the holistic view results in significant competitive advantages in terms of efficiency, performance and safety of their battery cells and modules. The primary goal is a high-quality standard, stability, and cost efficiency by reducing friction losses while maintaining a high level of integration. The common goal of Manz and GROB is to establish themselves as the leading European supplier of production solutions in the field of lithium-ion battery systems with a clear focus on the upcoming needs of electromobility.

Manz AG brings to the cooperation its decades of experience in essential production steps for the manufacture of different lithium-ion cell types and their assembly into a battery module, from wound button cells to prismatic cells and stacked pouch cells. For more than 90 years GROB has been a pioneer in the construction of production and automation systems and has been convincing with its implementation strength in the conception, planning and commissioning of highly complex and customer-specific systems for mass production, especially for the automotive industry, with a strong focus on e-mobility in the past 5 years.

Martin Drasch, CEO of Manz AG, comments: "Manz has positioned itself excellently in the battery market. We see outstanding opportunities to take advantage from the dynamic development of e-mobility - which is why we have focused our business model accordingly. We are absolutely convinced that, based on the trend-setting cooperation with GROB, we have added another important building block to fully tap the enormous market potential, especially for scaled and efficient production solutions in the GWh range. The fact that this consistent orientation makes sense is underlined not least by the recently received funding commitment from the European Commission for the further development of lithium-ion battery technology as part of the so-called IPCEI (Important Project of Common European Interest) "EuBatIn - European Batteries Innovation". GROB's expertise combined with our technological know-how makes it possible to further accelerate and market the development of innovative, flexible technologies and solutions in the field of electromobility."

German Wankmiller, Chairman of the Management Board of the GROB Group, added: "We are delighted to be cooperating with such a renowned mechanical engineering company as Manz. In a very short time, the family-owned company GROB has built up comprehensive knowledge in machinery as well as equipment and process technology for the entire e-mobility portfolio and is now the world market leader in the manufacture of production systems for e-drives. At the same time, process knowledge for battery modules with pouch and hardcase cells has been developed in battery storage technologies with a focus on systems engineering, and several large-scale plants have already been delivered. As a further consistent step, GROB has also started the development of equipment technology to produce battery cells. Through our cooperation with Manz, we see ourselves in an even better position and can realize large-scale plants for the international automotive manufacturers and their suppliers in a short time. This allows us to offer solutions from a single source along the entire value chain, from coating to pack assembly. As a result, our customers enjoy benefits such as high throughput, low production costs and maximum innovative strength."

Company profiles:

Manz AG - passion for efficiency

Founded in 1987, Manz AG is a globally active high-tech engineering company. Its business activities comprise the Solar, Electronics, Energy Storage, Contract Manufacturing and Service segments.

With many years of expertise in automation, laser processing, image processing and metrology, wet chemistry and roll-to-roll processes, the company offers manufacturers and their suppliers innovative production solutions in the fields of photovoltaics, electronics and lithium-ion battery technology. The product portfolio includes both customer-specific developments and standardized individual machines and modules that can be interlinked to form complete, individual systems. Above all, by involving Manz AG in customer projects at an early stage, the company makes a significant contribution to its customers' success with high-quality, demand-oriented solutions.

The group of companies, which has been listed in Germany since 2006, develops and produces in Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, Italy, China and Taiwan. There are also sales and service subsidiaries in the USA and India. Manz AG currently employs around 1,400 people worldwide, around half of whom work in Asia, the key region for the company's target industries. The Manz Group's revenues amounted to around 237 million euros in the 2020 fiscal year.

GROB-WERKE GmbH & Co. KG - Driven by E-motion

For over 90 years, GROB has been active as a globally operating family company in the development and manufacture of systems and machine tools. Its customers include the most renowned automotive manufacturers, their suppliers and companies from a wide range of industries. With five production plants in Germany (headquarters), the USA, Brazil, China and Italy, as well as 15 worldwide service and sales subsidiaries, GROB is internationally positioned. Worldwide, the GROB Group generates an output of 1.1 billion euros (FY 20/21) with 6,800 employees.

The portfolio ranges from 4- and 5-axis universal machining centers and highly complex manufacturing systems with their own automation to production lines for electric motors and assembly lines for battery and fuel cell technology.

The specially developed GROB-NET⁴Industry software for digitizing and networking production plants rounds off the GROB product portfolio.

Contact

Manz AG
Axel Bartmann
Tel.: +49 (0)7121 - 9000-395
Fax: +49 (0)7121 - 9000-99
E-mail: [email protected]

GROB-WERKE GmbH & Co.KG
Klaus Eberts
Tel.: +49 (0)8261 - 996-370
E-mail: [email protected]