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Kempower opens a new EV charger production facility in Lahti, Finland, to meet the growing demand – new facilities to open gradually during 2024

  • Kempower opens a new EV charger production facility in Lahti to respond to the growth of the e-mobility market.
  • The new premises will cover an area of 10,000 square meters and be suitable for production, research, and office use.
  • Kempower expects to recruit around 200 new employees in Lahti between 2024 and 2025.
  • The new production facility is to be opened gradually during 2024.

The leading rapid EV charging solutions provider Kempower will expand its operations and open a new production facility in Lahti, Finland. The company has signed a letter of intent for the lease of the premises, comprising approximately 10 000 square meters of space, and an option to expand the premises in the future.

In addition to production, the new premises will also house RDI and office space, among other functions. The new production facility will be opened gradually during 2024, and it will double Kempower’s production facilities in Europe. The new facilities are the first part of Kempower’s capacity expansions in Europe during 2024-2025. The company continues to consider the possible need for additional production capacity in Europe.

Kempower’s new premises will be located in the Isku Center in Lahti. The premises have previously been used entirely as Isku’s furniture factory, but now they’re housing Isku, LAB University of Applied Sciences, LUT University, and other companies. The choice of premises was based, among other factors, on the suitability and the possibility of future expansion. The parties will design and build the new facilities in close cooperation.

Kempower also strengthens its collaboration with universities by opening a new re-search center at the LUT University campus in Lahti. The new research center will be opened by the end of 2023, conveniently located on the same property as Kempower’s new premises. Local collaboration provides valuable resources and generates new academic research to support the company’s growth globally.

“Expanding our company’s operations in its hometown of Lahti feels great. With our new premises, we will be able to meet the growing demand for reliable fast charging solutions. By locating our product development and research close to production, we can continue our growth efficiently and build the top expertise in e-mobility in Finland”, said Kempower’s CEO Tomi Ristimäki.

“The City of Lahti’s and Isku’s active commitment to the climate goals played a key role in our decision on the new premises. I want to thank all Kempower’s customers, partners, subcontractors, and employees for making this growth possible”, Ristimäki continues.

Roope Vikström, Isku’s General Counsel says:

“Ever since Isku has been centralizing its production on its modern factory located on the neighboring property, it has been great to see how the former premises have been utilized for new purposes. This is an excellent example of the reuse of an old factory property. Kempower’s arrival at the property is a natural continuation of the responsibility work that started when the property was renovated for university use. In the same context, a comprehensive geothermal system was built on the property and a year ago the building was connected to the local solar power plant. The university co-operation, Kempower and other companies on the same property in Lahti are apt to create new innovations towards a greener future.”

Roope Vikström, Isku’s General Counsel

The expansion of Kempower’s operations in Lahti is part of the company’s growth strategy to become one of the top five players in Europe and North America by 2030. By the end of this year, Kempower also opens a new production facility in Durham, North Carolina.

For further information, please contact:

Tomi Ristimäki, CEO, Kempower
tomi.ristimaki@kempower.com
Tel. +358 29 0021900

Roope Vikström, General Counsel, ISKU
roope.vikstrom@isku.com
Puh. +358 44 3131721

Kempower, media
Fredrik Palmén, Communications Specialist, Kempower
fredrik.palmen@kempower.com
Tel. +358 50 911 9712

Kempower in brief

We design and manufacture reliable and user-friendly DC fast-charging solutions for electric vehicles. Our vision is to create the world’s most desired EV charging solutions for everyone, everywhere. Our product development and production are based in Finland, with the majority of our materials and components sourced locally. We focus on all areas of e-mobility, from electric cars, trucks, and buses to machines and marine. Our modular and scalable charging system and world-class software are designed by EV drivers for EV drivers, enabling the best user experience for our customers around the world. Kempower is listed in the Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland. www.kempower.com

ISKU in brief

ISKU is a Finnish family-owned company established by Eino Vikström in 1928 in Lahti, Finland. Its products and services are renowned for their high quality. ISKU has centralized its production to Lahti, Finland. In addition to the extensive service network in Finland, Isku operates in the Nordics, the Baltics, France, Poland, Central Asia and the Middle East, and is involved in various projects all around the world.

Isku Center is an environmentally friendly, modern and flexible business facility on Mukkulankatu 19 in Mukkula, Lahti. The building houses Isku’s production facilities and its head office as well as about a dozen tenants. The largest of these tenants is the LAB University of Applied Sciences, which occupies around 24,000 m2