Honda
Today, drivers along Interstate 71 about 45 minutes southwest of Columbus can see the steel structure that has emerged from the site since the steel work began last June, he said.
“Today is an important milestone for the LG Energy Solution-honda team as the structure of the EV battery production facility takes its final shape,” Bob Lee, CEO of the joint venture, said in a statement.
Honda, LG kicked off project with Statehouse celebration
Honda and LG announced the $4.4 billion project in October 2022 at an Ohio Statehouse celebration, another major step in Honda’s history in Ohio that dates back more than 40 years.
Honda also announced that it will spend $700 million to retrofit three of its Ohio plants to make electric vehicles and provide components for them.
The two companies launched the joint venture in August 2022 but did not
identify the site of the plant at that time.
The Honda-lg plant will produce pouch-type lithium-ion batteries that will be supplied to Honda auto plants making electric vehicles that will be sold in North America.
Honda plans to begin production of EVS in 2026.
The automaker has set a goal of all of its sales coming from battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles by 2040 and becoming carbon neutral for all products and corporate activities by 2050.
LG, a global manufacturer for lithium-ion batteries, has struck similar partnerships with other automakers, including General Motors, Hundai Motor Group and Stellantis.
Construction of battery plant on schedule
Construction of the 2-millionsquare-foot plant is on track to be finished this year
With the final steel beam in place, work this spring will focus on the siding, roof and final concrete slabs as well as the interior of the building, including the heating and cooling systems, electrical,
plumbing and duct work.
Later this spring, the companies will start to install equipment in the plant. This fall, final work on the plant will be completed, including tests on the samples to be produced by the plant to make sure they meet quality, safety and other standards.
“Everything has been going per our plan,” Riggle said, praising the workers and the three contractors that came together to build the project, Turner Construction, Kokosing Industrial and Yates Construction.
“Any project of this size is going to have challenges,” he said. “I’m not going to fool anybody. We’ve had speed bumps here and there . ... But overall, we’re happy with the progress.”
As work continues on the building, hiring is ramping up.
The companies have established a website where candidates can research openings and get more information about jobs at the plant.
Starting March 11, applicants also can visit the Ohiomeansjobs Fayette County Recruitment Center at Destination Outlets at Suite 8120 Factory Shops
Blvd. in Jeffersonville.
The postings so far include jobs as production supervisor, production engineers, warehouse manager and accounts payable specialist, according to the website.
The companies have been hitting county fairs, the Circleville Pumpkin Show and other places to answer questions and recruit prospective candidates.
“What we’re looking for is that initial foundation,” Riggle said of the engineers, technical workers and support staff that will be the first workers at the plant.
As was predicted when the project started, applicants are coming from areas including Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Fayette County and Chillicothe.
Riggle said so far there’s been a nice mix of workers with various skill sets, educational background and experience.
“It’s going to be a growing industry across the world, not just here in Ohio and the U.S.,” he said. “People are kind of attracted to about what might be coming next.” mawilliams@dispatch.com @Bizmarkwilliams