German battery giant Sonnen has just produced its first sonnenBatteries at its manufacturing facility in Elizabeth, South Australia, and has announced increased investment in the state.
Sonnen’s investment in South Australia has reached two new investment milestones with the recruitment of 50 new full-time employees in Adelaide to manage its production, call centre and technical support operations.
Sonnen has further expanded its warehousing in Australia with an additional 1000 square metres of warehousing space leased at LIONSGATE Business Park to store sonnenBatteries.
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These landmarks were announced at the launch of sonnen’s manufacturing facility at the former Holden factory. The facility was officially opened by Hon. Steven Marshall MP, Premier of South Australia, Hon. Dan van Holst Pellekaan MP, Minister for Energy and Mining and Christoph Ostermann, CEO of Sonnen.
Mr Ostermann said the production of the first sonnenBatteries in SA marks a new milestone for Sonnen as the company has commenced production in the Asia Pacific region for the first time.
“Sonnen is committed to our expansion and investment in South Australia with the hiring of a highly skilled operations team right here in Adelaide,” Mr Ostermann said.
Chairman of Pelligra and owner of the LIONSGATE Business Park where sonnen has a lease for its manufacturing and warehousing facility Ross Pelligra said Sonnen has established a presence in Elizabeth at a time when South Australia’s manufacturing industry is undergoing a period of transition.
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“Their choice to build a world-class manufacturing facility in the former Holden factory and Sonnen’s investment is an endorsement of South Australia’s advanced manufacturing talent and industry,” he said.
Sonnen aims to produce 10,000 batteries a year to meet demand from Australian households and for export to Asia Pacific. It plans to create up to 430 new jobs in South Australia as it ramps up production as a home battery supplier for the $100 million South Australia Home Battery Scheme.