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<Wonik PNE’s Suwon Plant>

Wonik PNE increased the number of employees for its secondary battery manufacturing equipment by 23% compared to last year. The number of employees is expected to be 700 by this year.

The expected employees of Wonik PNE in October was estimated at 660 people. This is a 22.6% increase from 538 employees since last year. This is the combination of employees from battery assembly and Mars equipment. Battery assembly and Mars equipment play a role in making the structure of battery and giving electrical characteristics, respectively. Wonik recently completed a merger between its subsidiaries NS and Wonik PNE. The management efficiency will be increased and competitiveness of the battery equipment business will be enhanced through this merger.

Wonik PNE responds to demand for battery equipment by increasing the number of employees. The battery equipment industry is expanding its equipment production capacity through investment in overseas facilities from domestic and foreign battery manufacturers. For domestic companies, LG Energy Solution, SK On, and Samsung SDI are building overseas production lines and placing equipment orders LG Energy Solution expects to jointly invest in batteries with General Motors (GM), SK On with Ford, and Samsung SDI with Stellantis. There is a big possibility that demand for battery equipment will increase as battery manufacturers in overseas also expand the battery investments in their countries. Wonik PNE recently received an order for battery charging and discharging equipment from Northvolt's Swedish plant. It is anticipated that the company can reduce the development period for battery equipment by increasing the number of employees.

Wonik PNE is hiring new personnel in the second half of the year as well. This is a plan increase the number of battery equipment employees in battery development, production, and projects. Wonik PNE develops software (SW) for battery equipment development, and enhances its production efficiency. The company prepares new businesses such as battery recycling and battery inspection.

Next year’s sales for Wonik PNE expected to reach 350 billion KRW, and the company aims 500 billion KRW for sales by 2024 with the increased number of battery equipment employees. Kichae Lee, CEO of Wonik PNE, said, “We will grow Wonik PNE into a battery equipment company representing Korea.”

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<Wonik PNE CEO Kichae Lee, Wonik Group Vice Chairman Namseong Cho, Wonik PNE CEO Dongchan Park (fifth from the left) and others are taking a commemorative photo after declaring the vision of the merger of Wonik PNE.>

By Staff Reporter Jiwoong Kim (jw0316@etnews.com)