AUBURN HILLS–The safety science organization UL Solutions has begun construction of its North America Advanced Battery Laboratory in Auburn Hills. Officials said the lab will help electric vehicle and industrial battery makers and their suppliers achieve shorter development cycles, faster time-to-market and the ability to be more competitive in the global marketplace.
UL Solutions commemorated the milestone June 5, at the site of its future laboratory in Auburn Hills alongside federal, state and local government officials, including:
- S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
- S. Rep. Haley Stevens
- Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
- Quentin Messer, Jr., CEO, Michigan Economic Development Corp.
- David Coulter, county executive, Oakland County
- Kevin McDaniel, mayor of Auburn Hills
“We are thrilled to be part of this region’s innovation ecosystem, where we will sit side-by-side with the world’s top OEMs, electric vehicle and industrial battery product manufacturers, and high-tech companies focusing on the future of mobility and electrification,” said Jennifer Scanlon, president and CEO, UL Solutions. “The development of our Auburn Hills laboratory demonstrates UL Solutions’ commitment to operating at the forefront of the industry and applying our safety science expertise to enable technological innovation and speed to market.”
Supply chain issues, energy independence, sustainability goals, and local innovation and manufacturing velocity are among the key factors driving an influx of public and private investment to establish the foundation of a new domestic supply chain for EV and industrial batteries. The U.S. government reported that EV suppliers and OEMs have announced $36 billion of investment.
The new laboratory will house UL Solutions experts and equipment capable of providing thermal fire propagation, electrical, mechanical abuse and environmental testing based on various UL and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards, United Nations (UN) goals and initiatives, and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and OEM specifications.
UL Solutions plans to open the lab in mid-2024. When completed, the facility will be one of North America’s most extensive battery testing and engineering laboratories.
Pictured above (left to right): Kathy Seegebrecht, regional vice president, Americas, UL Solutions, David Coulter, County Executive, Oakland County, Oakland County Commissioner Brendan Johnson, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, Auburn Hills Mayor Kevin McDaniel, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Jennifer Scanlon, president and CEO, UL Solutions, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Jeff Smidt, senior vice president, Industrial Testing, Inspection and Certification, UL Solutions, Quentin Messer, Jr., Chief Executive & Economic Competitiveness Officer – Chair, Michigan Strategic Fund at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Milan Dotlich, vice president and general manager, Energy and Industrial Automation, UL Solutions and Mary Joyce, vice president and general manager, New Mobility, UL Solutions.