Lithium Werks announced that it has acquired the original A123 Systems manufacturing plants located in Changzhou, China.

Lithium Werks is a fast-growing global lithium ion battery company with production facilities in China and offices in the U.S., the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Norway. Lithium Werks provides cells, modules and battery management systems for markets such as material handling, stationary energy storage, medical and commercial marine.

These plants introduced NanoPhosphate technology in the form of cylindrical cells that have been used globally in a wide array of applications, especially in the industrial market. As part of the transaction, Lithium Werks has taken over the customer relationships in China, Europe and the United States, as well as the operations, staff and product designs associated with the Changzhou business. Lithium Werks also is the new owner of the “POWER. SAFETY. LIFE.” trademark that characterized A123’s product portfolio in its early years. The transaction was financed through the working capital of Lithium Werks.

“We are confident that this acquisition helps propel Lithium Werks into a leadership position in the Lithium Iron Phosphate market globally,” said Knut Nylænde, Lithium Werks’ chairman.

“A123 Systems is pleased to have concluded this agreement and is confident that our former customers in the industrial market are in great hands with Lithium Werks. A123 is sharpening its focus on world-class automotive applications ranging from mild-hybrids to fully electric vehicles,” said Jeff Kessen, A123 Systems’ vice president of corporate strategy.