Inauguration of the HM Battery Solutions company

Manitou Group and Hangcha Group, have inaugurated their joint-venture HM Battery Solutions, which specializes in the manufacture and distribution of lithium-ion batteries.

The inauguration of the HM Battery Solutions facility took place  in the presence of numerous elected officials and journalists. Specializing in the design and assembly of high-performance lithium-ion battery modules and packs, the new facility demonstrates HM Battery Solutions’ ambition to become the European benchmark in the optimization of electric industrial equipment, by leveraging the technological potential of lithium to increase fleet longevity and sustainably decarbonize the industry.

Louise Laumet, CEO of HM Battery Solutions, said, “It is with great pride that we inaugurate this facility dedicated to the design and assembly of lithium-ion batteries. Alongside Hangcha Group and Manitou Group, we have developed this site to serve as a model of performance and social commitment. Our roots are deeply local, and we place inclusion and diversity at the core of our development. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to the teams at Le Mans Métropole as well as all our local partners for their decisive support in bringing this future-oriented project to fruition.”

The modern  plant is equipped with optimized, secure infrastructures to meet the highest industrial standards: 1500sqm is dedicated to production and R&D, with 800sqm reserved for logistics and administrative functions and 760sqm of highly secure storage area for components and battery modules. The plany will produce more than 250 battery models ranging from 5 kWh to more than 45 kWh capacities

The industrial process extends from design to assembly across two state-of-the-art assembly lines: a semi-automated line equipped with  four workstations dedicated to module creation, and a final assembly line for battery packs comprising up to seven workstations, operated by certified technicians holding specific electrical certifications.

This integrated solution, comprising the lithium iron phosphate battery and its dedicated charger, enables the replacement of legacy lead-acid technologies in existing fleets of industrial forklifts currently in service in the field. By significantly extending the lifespan of material handling equipment, this approach averts the premature renewal of machinery, thereby aligning fully with the principles of a circular economy and a drastic reduction in corporate carbon footprints.

The operational launch of the joint venture is also reflected in sustainable job creation in Le Mans. Driven by ambitious commercial development, HM Battery Solutions projects a workforce around of 30 employees, which will include logistics specialists, assembly operators, technicians, engineers, marketing experts, accountants, and sales representatives.