On Tuesday, May 16 at 11AM, LG Energy Solution Michigan Inc’s new EV battery manufacturing plant in Holland reached a major construction milestone. The final piece of steel was placed in a topping out ceremony. This marks the completion of the structural steel framework, a major milestone in the expansion project.
To date, nearly 525,000 man-hours have been invested in the project, with over 18,000 pieces of steel fabricated, shipped, unloaded and erected, weighing a combined total of 16,000 tons.
“The steel erection topping out is a major milestone in the construction process and signifies the successful completion of the most challenging and critical phase of the project. It is a symbol of progress and achievement, and an opportunity to recognize and thank the workers and teams who contributed to the successful completion of this critical phase,” said Charles Hyun, LG Energy Solution Michigan Inc. president.
When complete, this new facility will feature state-of-the-art manufacturing, testing, and warehouse capabilities and will be highly automated. It will increase the lithium-ion battery production capacity from 5GWh to 25GWh and will add more than 1,000 well-compensated, quality jobs to the local community and surrounding area. Construction began in 2022 and is expected to be completed by 2025.
“As we witness the last beam placed on this remarkable facility, I am excited for the opportunities this will bring to our community members, and for the role that this region will play in ushering in a new era in the automotive industry,” said Jennifer Owens, president of Lakeshore Advantage. “Today’s ceremony marks the start of thousands more good jobs for Allegan and Ottawa county residents.”
The construction project will now shift focus toward the interior and exterior finishes, installation of mechanical and electrical systems, and other final touches that will bring the building to completion.
“This new plant is not just important for the local community and the US, but also for the global effort to reduce carbon emissions. It is a reminder that every step we take toward sustainability and renewable energy is a step in the right direction, and we must continue to invest in the future of our planet and our economy,” said Charles Hyun, LG Energy Solution Michigan Inc. president.
LG Energy Solution partnered with Yates/CCC JV (Joint Venture) as general contractor, Ghafari Associates as design partner, Faithful + Gould as construction manager, MidWest Steel as structural steel fabrication and erection trade partner.