• Commitment to safety and continuous innovation as the plant progresses toward completion and is on pace for the start of production in early 2025.

• Momentum builds as the team ramps up new employee hiring as part of its effort to create over 1,700 new high-tech jobs in Lansing, Michigan.

Lansing, MI – Ultium Cells' Lansing site marked a significant milestone, celebrating the completion of 2 million construction build hours on its new plant in Delta Township, Michigan.

According to Safety Specialist Sandy Sheils, "This achievement is substantial, as OSHA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics utilize construction build hours to assess a company’s safety and risk performances. Two million hours represent a decade of dedicated work." For perspective, 200,000 hours is the equivalent of 100 employees working 40 hours per week, providing a standardized measurement of work.

Ultium Cells, a joint venture between General Motors and LG Chem, will mass-produce Ultium battery cells at the facility to advance the push for a zero-emissions, all-electric future. GM and LG Chem are investing $2.6 billion in the facility to support EV manufacturing in the U.S. and, in turn, growing local jobs, education, career training and infrastructure. 

Announced in January 2022 and breaking ground in June of that year, the construction of the Ultium Cells Lansing plant is currently around 35% complete. To commemorate such a momentous occasion, Barton Malow, the general contractor for the battery cell manufacturing facility, held an event in person at the plant construction site for all contract and trade workers.

Chris Peterson, construction manager at Barton Malow, emphasizes that this milestone signifies much more than meets the eye. “The true celebration at this time in the project is not in the two million craft labor hours alone but rather in the teamwork and cooperation that has been performed collaboratively among the client, contractors and local union labor to achieve what we have thus far. Building a battery plant requires very detailed coordination among many different trades, and we are thankful to be working with professional and talented Michigan tradespeople who make it all possible.”

The building’s framework allows for an innovative open floor plan, with a main corridor spanning the width of the building interior and creating a natural connection point across the operation. The size of the plant will be greater than 48 football fields and will have an annual capacity of over 36 gigawatt hours with room to expand.

As construction continues, so does hiring. Ultium Cells is currently hiring for key positions to execute the setup and launch of battery cell manufacturing. Currently, Ultium Cells Lansing has around 120 employees, almost 50 of whom have been hired since December.  “We are thankful for the dedicated team of gifted individuals who are putting the structure in place to allow us to bring our facility to life. With the support of the greater Lansing region and Michigan, we are progressing toward a successful launch,” said Grace Griffin, plant director. 

Interested applicants can visit www.ultiumcell.com to learn more about Ultium Cells or apply for career openings.

Ultium Cells is a joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution that will mass-produce Ultium battery cells to advance the push for a zero-emissions, all-electric future. Ultium Cells will provide battery cell capacity to support GM's North American electric vehicle assembly capacity of more than 1 million units by mid-decade while supporting GM plans to supply other automotive companies and other industries, including rail, aerospace, heavy trucking and marine customers. For more information about Ultium Cells, please visit www.ultiumcell.com.

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MBN's Jeffrey Mosher was on hand at Lansing Community College’s West Campus, at the end of January. As Ultium Cells Invited Community Members And Job Seekers To Explore The Future At Their latest Talent Showcase.

Watch Grace review Ultium Cells event for that day from the Ultium Cells perspective:

Watch Kate Snyder share CAMW!'s perspective on the Ultium Cells event from late January.

Watch Tony Willis share LEAP's perspective on the Ultium Cells event from late January.

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