Kokam America Locates Complete Operations in KC Region

Lee’s Summit earns more than 100 new jobs

October 10, 2007 – LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. - Kokam America will locate its headquarters, R & D, manufacturing and distribution operations to Lee’s Summit, Missouri. The company will create 100 new executive and manufacturing jobs.

Kokam America develops and manufactures a new generation superior lithium polymer battery that provides advanced energy efficiency.

The company will begin production in May 2008. It will primarily provide lithium batteries to several branches of the U.S. military, in addition to the commercial and private sectors.  U.S. Senator Kit Bond secured a multi-million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to expedite the agreement.

Kokam America also will partner with the City of Kansas City, Mo. and the Missouri Transportation Institute (MTI) to manufacture batteries that will be used in all-electric vehicles for the City of Kansas City, Mo.

KCADC Partners:

• Aquila
• City of Lee’s Summit
• Davidson-Brown
• Full Employment Council
• Grub & Ellis/The Winbury Group
• Lee’s Summit Economic Development Council
• Missouri Department of Economic Development
• Missouri Technology Corporation
• Missouri Transportation Institute
• U.S. Senator Kit Bond

About Kokam America

Kokam America’s batteries are far from the traditional lead-based batteries one sees in an automobile engine compartment.  The superior lithium polymer batteries are much smaller, lighter and longer lasting, and can be recharged faster.  The end result is an exceptional, high performance product that lasts longer and weighs less. 

• In military applications, a combat soldier can carry fewer batteries and have more room for ammunition, food or other mission critical equipment.  Or, an aircraft can have the battery power to start an engine at very cold temperatures with significant weight reduction.
• For craftsmen and do-it-yourselfers, a cordless power tool can have more runtime and weigh less.
• Medical devices from heart-assist devices to hearing aids can be more efficient, weigh less and last longer.
• All electric vehicles can travel 150 miles on a single charge, or a plug-in hybrid can achieve 100 miles to the gallon when operating in conjunction with a Kokam America battery pack the size of a laptop computer case.