• Order for BMW pilot line in Parsdorf includes equipment for coating the electrode material and assembling lithium-ion battery cells
• Cooperation with BMW as one of the leading German car manufacturers underscores Manz' technology leadership
• Together with its partner network, Manz covers the entire value chain in lithium-ion battery production
• Total order volume in the substantial double-digit million euro range

Reutlingen, 04 November 2021 - Manz AG, a globally active high-tech equipment manufacturer with a comprehensive technology portfolio, has convinced BMW Group, one of Germany's leading automotive manufacturers, with its machines for the production of lithium-ion battery cells and has been awarded the contract for the construction of a highly integrated battery production line. The order for the BMW site in Parsdorf near Munich includes equipment for coating the electrode material and assembling the lithium-ion battery cells. The electrode coating sub-project will be implemented within Manz AG's established partner network. The cell assembly equipment will be developed and designed at Manz' locations in Germany and Slovakia. Together with its partners, Manz covers the entire value chain in lithium-ion battery production. Around one third of the projects are expected to have an impact on revenues and earnings this year.

Martin Drasch, CEO of Manz AG, comments: "We are very proud that we will realize the pilot line for the industrial production of high-performance battery cells for BMW Group in Parsdorf. Our production equipment is scalable and is therefore also designed for possible capacity expansions." On the one hand, Drasch sees the cooperation with one of Germany's leading automobile manufacturers as further proof of Manz AG's excellent technological expertise in the industry. On the other hand, the start of the project underlines the fact that the market is now clearly picking up speed, after investment decisions had been postponed in some cases in the recent past. "We have registered a whole series of announcements and enquiries from customers for investments in new production capacities in recent weeks and months. These are also absolutely necessary in order to achieve the political goal of meeting around 30 percent of global demand for battery cells from German and European production by 2030," says Drasch.

Together with strategic partners, Manz has a unique technology portfolio in Europe along the entire value chain - from electrode coating to module assembly. For customers, this holistic range of services results in significant competitive advantages in terms of the efficiency, performance and safety of battery cells and modules. In 2020 Manz entered into a cooperation agreement with the Chinese company Yinghe to offer customers equipment in the field of electrode production in the manufacture of lithium-ion battery cells. At the beginning of 2021 this was followed by a strategic cooperation with the equipment manufacturer GROB-WERKE GmbH & Co. KG. GROB is a pioneer in the construction of production and automation systems and impresses with highly complex and customized systems for mass production, especially for the automotive industry. Through cooperation with various partners, Manz combines the best for efficient cell and module production in one portfolio - from stand-alone machines for laboratory production, to systems for pilot and small series production, to complete assembly lines and turnkey solutions. At the same time, Manz stands out for its innovative strength and development expertise. Thus, flanked by the IPCEI funding project of the European Commission, the company is already developing solutions today for the requirements of tomorrow. Manz therefore sees itself very well positioned to win upcoming project awards from other manufacturers.

"We want to set standards for battery production systems from Europe. At the same time, we will continue to drive innovation in the industry and thus enable the transition to globally competitive production solutions, including for upcoming technologies such as solid-state batteries," Martin Drasch elaborates and adds: "Our goal is clear, we want to develop Manz AG into Europe's leading integrator of machinery and equipment for battery production. And the conditions on the electromobility market are currently excellent for this."

Company Profile:

Manz AG - engineering tomorrow's production

Manz AG is a globally active high-tech engineering company.

With a focus on the automotive industry and electromobility, battery production, electronics, energy, and medical technology, Manz develops and builds innovative and efficient production solutions: From customized single machines for laboratory production or pilot and small series production, to standardized modules and systems, to turnkey lines for mass production.

Technologically, Manz's production equipment is based on many years of experience in automation, laser processing, inspection systems, and wet chemistry.

With currently around 1,400 employees, the Manz Group develops and produces in Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, Italy, China and Taiwan. Sales and service subsidiaries also exist in the USA and India.

Manz AG was founded in 1987 and has been listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since 2006. In fiscal year 2020, the Group generated revenues of around 237 million euros.

Contact:

Manz AG
Axel Bartmann
Tel.: +49 (0)7121 - 9000-395
Fax: +49 (0)7121 - 9000-99
Email: [email protected]

cometis AG
Claudius Krause
Tel.: +49 (0)611 - 205855-28
Fax: +49 (0)611 - 205855-66
E-mail: [email protected]