HOPPECKE Gmbh, Brilon, Germany, has signed a Europe-wide partner agreement with CATL Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited, Ningde, China, the world market leader in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage system, for servicing CATL battery systems.
Despite the COVID-19 crisis and declining sales, car manufacturers and suppliers are sticking to their e-mobility strategies. The increased purchase premium for electrically powered vehicles, which will be introduced by the German government this month, will reduce the purchase costs for e-cars. If the savings from the reduction in value-added tax are included, the next few months could mark a decisive turn for electric mobility on German roads. In addition, from 2021, a CO2 cap prescribed by the EU will apply to car manufacturers’ fleets. If carmakers exceed this upper limit, fines in the billions could be imposed. Many reasons to implement e-projects at full speed.
CATL is a partner and supplier of worldwide, well-known car manufacturers. On behalf of CATL, the German medium-sized company HOPPECKE is responsible for testing, repairing and replacing the lithium-ion batteries installed in the electrically powered vehicles, initially with a focus on vans and buses.
With 23 subsidiaries worldwide and more than 300 service engineers in Europe, HOPPECKE is ideally positioned for CATL in terms of its European presence and experience in battery service. The battery manufacturer with its headquarters in the Sauerland region of Germany is renowned for its decades of expertise in the service of industrial lead and nickel-fibre-structure batteries for industrial trucks, stationary energy storage systems and railway applications. 15 years ago, the family-owned company expanded its product and service portfolio to include high-voltage lithium applications and complex storage systems for industrial trucks, rail and bus systems and large-scale storage systems. For this rapidly growing and dynamic market segment, HOPPECKE also founded the company INTILION in 2019, thus combining its worldwide lithium battery activities in a powerful and agile company.
“We are starting out in the six European countries Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, Poland and Hungary. The contract with CATL is confirmation of our strategy of positioning ourselves as manufacturer-independent energy storage experts for all battery technologies and a wide range of applications. At the same time, the partnership is an incentive to consistently develop the HOPPECKE service. When other market players abandoned the service business in recent years, we have continuously expanded our service network in Europe. We will continue our expansion strategy and significantly expand our lithium service location at INTILION in Zwickau. CATL is looking for partners who can keep up with the rapid growth and who share the same customer-oriented philosophy. With HOPPECKE, CATL has access to 90 years of experience and a worldwide network. With this cooperation, we are proud that as a medium-sized company we are making a further contribution to the turnaround in mobility”, explains Kai Köllermann, HOPPECKE Service Director.
A win-win situation for both groups
With this partnership, HOPPECKE is able to have better success in expanding the business of lithium-ion battery supply, by having CATL as a potential strategic partner for the procurement of reliable battery solutions. Within the HOPPECKE Group, INTILION is the specialist for the construction and sale of lithium-ion battery systems for railway and subway applications, commercial and large-scale storage systems and industrial trucks. The HOPPECKE sister company purchases lithium-ion cells and assembles them into battery systems with intelligent battery management systems.
About the HOPPECKE Group
HOPPECKE is the partner and expert for energy storage. From the comprehensive product range of batteries and cells, through complete energy systems with state-of-the-art charging technologies, monitoring units and engineering, to pay-per-use energy billing – the portfolio always includes the right product for the user. In 2007 the company concentrated its service activities under the umbrella of HOPPECKE Service GmbH & Co. KG. HOPPECKE Service is positioned worldwide with a strong focus on the European market. With more than 300 service engineers, HOPPECKE Service is one of the largest providers of service solutions for lead acid, FNC and lithium-ion energy storage systems. The service portfolio includes classic maintenance and repair services, analysis and consultancy, training and rental models, and extends to remote service, operator models and pay-per-use business models (usage-based energy billing).
HOPPECKE has been a competent partner and system supplier of lithium-ion based systems for almost 15 years. The HOPPECKE R&D facility in Zwickau, founded at that time, has evolved into a centre of competence and has created value in all aspects of new lithium-ion technology, employing around 100 people. INTILION GmbH, which was created from this at the beginning of 2019 and is 100% owned by the HOPPECKE Group, has further locations in Paderborn and China. Today, INTILION is the partner for high-voltage lithium applications and complex storage systems for industrial trucks, railway systems and big energy storage systems. In addition, the battery systems developed and built by INTILION are assembled, commissioned and serviced in the field by the HOPPECKE Service. By monitoring all systems in the field and a 24/7 hotline, HOPPECKE / INTILION customers are guaranteed the shortest possible response times.
With its headquarters in Brilon and 23 subsidiaries, the family-owned company hires more than 2,000 employees and generates a turnover of over 400 million euros. Today HOPPECKE is the largest privately-owned European manufacturer of industrial batteries.
