InoBat, a Slovak firm specializing in innovative electric vehicle battery development and manufacturing, celebrates a significant achievement. The company has successfully produced its first batch of batteries labeled “made in Slovakia,” alongside securing all necessary certifications and commencing production of high-performance cells.
The launch of production in Voderady marks Slovakia’s entry as the fifth European country, after Sweden, Norway, Germany, and France, capable of producing certified battery cells using European expertise. Voderady represents a crucial transition from a mere assembly plant to an innovation hub. InoBat CEO, Marián Boček, underscores this transition, stating, “We not only manufacture batteries but also design and tailor them to meet each customer’s needs. This process demands exceptional knowledge and specialized skills, and I am proud that we have cultivated it in Slovakia.”
Patrick Križanský, Director of the Slovak Association for Electromobility, views this development as pivotal for the automotive industry’s shift toward electromobility. “The Slovak automotive sector is a global player, and its transition to electromobility is essential not only for environmental sustainability but also for maintaining our industry’s competitiveness,” says Križanský. He highlights InoBat’s emergence as evidence that Slovakia can foster globally competitive innovations with conducive conditions and R&D incentives.
In recent months, InoBat has expanded its workforce, requiring requalification of dozens of operators and maintenance technicians from Slovakia due to the advanced technologies involved. Presently, the company boasts an international team of experts from 18 countries. Leveraging local talent and direct battery technology experience, InoBat has introduced Slovakia’s first requalification course for battery cell production operators.
CEO Marián Boček emphasizes the importance of personnel preparation, stating, “We aim to educate top-notch experts and professionals capable of presenting revolutionary products to our customers.” InoBat’s requalification process encompasses theoretical, technical, and on-the-job training, developed in-house and tailored to company requirements.
Andrej Hutta, Chairman of the Employers’ Board for Vocational Education and Training, praises InoBat’s educational initiatives, stressing the need for technical education adaptability in light of evolving technological processes. He sees electromobility as a sector with significant employment potential and values the emergence of specialized professions in Slovakia.
InoBat plans to replicate its educational and requalification processes in the planned gigafactory in Šurany, a joint venture with Chinese company Gotion High-Tech. The collaboration aims to establish Europe’s most advanced battery factory in Šurany with a zero carbon footprint, offering employment opportunities to over 1500 individuals, many of whom will require requalification or vocational education.
