Battle Motors executives show off $40-million plant expansion
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Sept. 22, 2022) – The Battle Motor Company’s expanded New Philadelphia production facility on Reiser Avenue is officially open for business.
The plant reopened Wednesday after undergoing a nearly $40-million makeover that added 200,000 square feet of production space, more than 200 jobs, and a second line for making electric vehicles. Elected officials, Chamber of Commerce members, and others joined company executives there Wednesday to commemorate the achievement with a ceremonial ribbon cutting.
One of the attendees was New Philadelphia Mayor Joel Day who made a special announcement.
“Next Monday, I’ll ask New Philadelphia City Council to adopt a resolution to give this stretch of Reiser Avenue a special designation as ‘Battle Motors Road.'”
Day commended Battle Motors CEO Mike Patterson for his commitment to bringing jobs, EV technology, and advanced manufacturing to the city.
“His plan was aggressive and his determination to meet his employment and production goals was apparent. Today, we are celebrating the result of his passion and the fact that it has made New Philadelphia a center for diesel, CNG and electric vocational truck manufacturing.”
Patterson says he’s been so impressed with the local workforce that he’s considering building another facility in Ohio down the road.
“I’m from Toledo, Ohio. I wanted to do this in Ohio. I’m very lucky to have chosen New Philadelphia because the New Philadelphia people just outwork everybody else. It’s just a fact.”
Patterson’s team is holding an on-site barbeque Friday to show their appreciation for the plant’s employees.
