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Battery Maker Navitas To Create 125 Jobs, Invest $9.3 million In Michigan

DETROIT (WWJ) -- Navitas Systems LLC will expand its Michigan operations and move to a new location in Pittsfield Charter Township, investing $9.3 million and creating 125 jobs over the coming four years, according to the state advanced energy industry accelerator NextEnergy.

Navitas produces advanced batteries and power electronics for commercial and government markets.

The company says the new location will allow it to expand and add low-volume production of power electronics and energy storage systems.

Said NextEnergy president and CEO Jean Redfield: "Advanced energy technology industries have seen significant growth in the state, and Navitas is a great example of just one of the companies driving that growth. We look forward to providing ongoing support to Navitas Systems as they continue to expand their operations."

The company's commitment to job growth and capital investment prompted a $1 million performance-based grant through the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
The company's operations employ highly educated researchers and support staff as well as highly skilled and seasoned engineers, all making above-average wages --which is an important qualifier for incentives.

"The State of Michigan is a treasure trove of opportunity for energy storage companies like Navitas Systems," said Nancie ElShafei, CEO of Woodridge, Ill.-based Navitas Systems

NextEnergy began working with Navitas Systems to identify opportunities in advanced energy technologies, including energy storage products and power electronics, after the company acquired the Government Solutions Group of lithium battery maker A123 Systems in early 2013. Since then, NextEnergy and the MEDC introduced several opportunities to Navitas. For example, NextEnergy invited Navitas to bid on energy storage idle reduction systems in local ambulances, connected Navitas with police departments to demonstrate this same technology in Michigan police vehicles, and linked Navitas to key industry partners, funding opportunities and potential customers.

"What we love about NextEnergy is that they're like an 'air traffic controller' -- they have a terrific radar screen of energy storage opportunities spanning the local, state and federal levels, as well as visibility of attractive commercial opportunities," ElShafei said. "They then 'radio' companies like Navitas Systems and guide us in to these opportunities. We couldn't ask for better than what NextEnergy provides."

Founded in 2002 as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, NextEnergy has helped attract more than $1 billion of new investment in the state of Michigan, including programs in excess of $150 million in which NextEnergy has directly participated. For more information, visit nextenergy.org.

NextEnergy is also collaborating with several other organizations – including the MEDC, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Automation Alley, the Center for Automotive Research, the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, and the Corporation for a Skilled Workforce – to accelerate growth in the state's burgeoning energy storage sector. Visit chargeupmi.org for more on this initiative.

More about Navitas Systems at www.navitassys.com.

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