Battery maker seeks a jump-start from U.S. - lithium ion battery manufacturers

Executive of a lithium battery product Quallion
Ion battery manufacturers believe that if they can get part of the $2 billion stimulus money that is designed to develop hybrid car batteries, they can provide a vibrant stimulus to the Southern California economy.
Silver, owned by California philanthropist and serial entrepreneur Alfred Mann, has convinced the California Energy Council, several members of Congress and believers in the city of Palmdale.
Now it needs to go
In front of Uncle Sam.
The exploration of Quallion shows the potential reward-
Incredible competition-
In the competition of development
Called Green Technology
Only seven or eight companies will receive grants to build factories to produce lithium
Many believe that ion batteries are the next step in making mass production more efficient and easier for hybrid cars.
The company is asking for $0. 22 billion to build a manufacturing plant that will produce more than 20,000 batteries a year for hybrid cars and trucks by 2012.
Paul Beach, president of Quallion, said the plant will create about 400 construction jobs in Southern California.
Extra 2,350 longterm "green-
The job will be-
He said that with the growth of the business, the state and all parts of the country are growing.
But in order for Quallion to put the plan into practice, it must convince the US government. S.
Department of Energy--
To control the stimulus fund. -
It should get the money.
This is not an easy feat.
More than 120 companies have submitted funding proposals, including about $1.
5 billion is used in factories like Quallion wants to build.
The remaining $0. 5 billion will be spent on other aspects of manufacturing.
Sarah Bradford, energy and power systems consultant at Frost & Sullivan, said the process was highly competitive.
This is because companies that receive stimulus money will be ahead of competitors in their efforts to win the U. S. market. S.
The future of lithium-
Ion technology, she says. Until now, U. S.
The company is silent about entering the lithium market.
Bradford said that the ion business was expensive because of R & D costs, and until recently, the results were relatively uncertain.
As a result, manufacturers in Japan, China and South Korea account for 80% of their business-
It is largely because their government subsidizes the work.
"Stimulus is necessary for the United States. S.
Remain competitive on the world stage, "Bradford said.
"The company knows it's their chance.
"At the end of June, when a two-party California delegation of 17 Americans encountered some wind in the voyageS.
On behalf of the company, delegates sent a letter to Energy Minister Zhu steven Wen.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Anthony ovitch, who represents the Pam Dale region, also supports the award and will ask the board of supervisors to support the award at a meeting on Tuesday.
The city of Palmdale offers the company more than $10.
The construction of the plant there saved 6 million of the cost, including 9 acres of free land, tax credits and fee relief at fairway Commercial Park.
The California Energy Commission says it will invest up to $9 million if Quallion wins the stimulus prize.
His net worth hovers around $1.
4 billion, he also said that he would also invest some of the money needed to build the business.
"I will increase my share of costs if necessary," said Mann . ".
Man, he has accumulated wealth in the medical device industry.
Quallion was established in 1998 as a company that can manufacture batteries for products produced by his other companies.
Now, in addition to the medical field, Quallion also makes batteries for the United States. S.
Military and aerospace applications.
The company expects revenue to exceed $25 million this year.
Still, Quallion is new to the automotive sector and could be a loser in government funding competition, Bradford said. He added that the company's competitors include the a123 System in Watertown.
The company has signed an agreement to supply Chrysler with the batteries of its electric vehicle.
Other government-funded competitors include Compact Power Inc. , a U. S.
South Korea LG Chemical subsidiary that supplies lithium-
The upcoming Chevrolet Volt ion battery; and JC-
Milwaukee t, Milwaukee-
Headquartered in Johnson Control
French battery maker Saft produces batteries for Mercedes hybrid cars.
Bob Kanode, CEO and president of varance technology.
Another competitor who applied for the fund said that some companies seem to be closer to getting funds because they are familiar with the car market, but nothing is certain.
"This is a juggling show," Kanode said . " Kanode company provides batteries for Segway personal transport vehicles and some famous double transport vehicles in Londondecker buses.
"The government wants people to work and they want to put money behind the new ideas.
If they can do both, they have a chance.
"Executives at Quallion think they cover both areas of lithium.
Keep heavy duty ion batteries
Truck air
Adjust or heat the operation when the engine is turned off.
Such a product will be designed to satisfy
Pollution laws in about 20 states, including California, have greatly limited time. rigs can idle.
Quallion has received $951,000 in special funds for-
Idling technology and hope it will help attract stimulus money.
"We are ready to move forward in this regard;
"We think it could have a significant impact on us and the entire Southern California," Beach said . ".
"Now we are waiting to see what the government says. "--william.
Hennigan @ latimes.