ABS completes acquisition of Robert Bosch Battery Systems

Aug. 2, 2019
The acquisition positions ABS to target applications in the bus, rail and construction markets.

American Battery Solutions, Inc. (ABS), an advanced battery systems company, has completed the acquisition of high-voltage manufacturing and testing assets from Robert Bosch Battery Systems.  

With the transaction completed, the 170,000-sq-ft. battery systems manufacturing facility and production lines in Springboro, Ohio are now wholly owned by ABS. The key manufacturing personnel from the plant have also joined ABS as its employees.

"We are excited to have the highly experienced manufacturing team join our world-class battery professionals and automotive experts together with world-class development and manufacturing facilities," said Subhash Dhar, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of ABS.

ABS says the target applications for its products include high performance and autonomous EVs; delivery trucks, buses and utility vehicles; rail and marine; mobile commercial power; material handling equipment; and construction, agriculture and mining equipment.

"ABS will focus on the middle of the spectrum of battery systems value chain," Dhar said, "concentrating on module production, pack assembly and customer integration."

It will work with the world's leading OEMs, system integrators and battery manufacturers to supplement and extend their brands with a combination of engineering, testing and manufacturing services. The venture will partner with leading cell suppliers to offer a variety of chemistries and cell form factors to optimize each application.

ABS notes that it is already in discussions with several potential customers to develop, test and manufacture modular battery solutions for underserved transportation, industrial and commercial markets, primarily in North America and Europe.

ABS is backed by a $50 million committed investment from KCK Group, a principal investment firm with global offices in London, New York, San Francisco and Dubai.