Ultium Cells to Start Hiring Hourly Workforce

LORDSTOWN, Ohio – Installation of production equipment at Ultium Cells LLC’s $2.3 billion electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant is now underway, as the company prepares to start hiring its hourly workforce over the next several weeks.

“We’re looking to do some hourly hiring going into December,” says Chris Allen, human resources manager at Ultium. “Then, we’ll ramp up on the hiring going into the first quarter and second quarter of next year.”

Allen says Ultium currently employs about 100 on its launch team, and work is on track to start regular production during the third quarter of 2022.

Once fully operational, the plant is expected to employ in excess of 1,100 workers. 

Ultium has hosted several job fairs and has an office at the Eastwood Mall in Niles where prospective candidates could apply for positions.

Among the first pieces of equipment installed are mixing vessels used in the plant’s electrode section, Allen says. 

He says it’s been a challenge dealing with supply issues, but the project is close to its intended production schedule.

“We’re close to it — probably a little bit behind,” he says. “We’re working through that. We have a whole group of people working on this 24/7.”

About 1,000 construction workers and tradesmen are on site as construction continues at Ultium.

Ultium is a joint venture between General Motors and Korea-based LG Energy Solution. 

The Lordstown plant will produce battery cells used in GM’s next generation of electric vehicles. 

A second Ultium plant is under construction in Spring Hill, Tenn., where GM will manufacture its all-electric Cadillac Lyriq.

Pictured: The Ulitum Cells plant under construction in Lordstown.

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