Battery manufacturer Northvolt is considering slowing down its extensive international plans.
We have been a bit too aggressive in our expansion plans and that's what we're reviewing now, says CEO Peter Carlsson to Dagens industri.
The announcement comes after recent turbulence due to, among other things, mysterious deaths in Skellefteå, delayed deliveries, and a halted factory construction in Borlänge.
Northvolt has invested 60 billion kronor in recent years to grow, writes Di. This includes the factory in Skellefteå and the development facility in Västerås. But also plans for new factories in Gothenburg, German Heide, and Canadian Montréal.
According to Peter Carlsson, the company must now better focus "on the core of the business". Not least, the lagging production in Skellefteå is weighing heavily.
In order to be able to move forward in Germany and Montréal, it is fundamental that we have made Skellefteå the model factory that the plan is based on. Since we are now behind schedule, we therefore need to review the subsequent steps, and that's what we're working on right now, he says to Di.
Full capacity at the Skellefteå factory is now expected to be reached in 2026, instead of 2025.
I wouldn't say it's a crisis, but it's very focused and people understand the importance of meeting our plans, primarily for Skellefteå, says Carlsson.
Exactly how the timeline for Canada and Germany will be affected is unclear, but according to Carlsson, the board's strategy days in September will be crucial "for adjusting the plan".
