Toptec to take part in BlueOval SK battery kit bidding process 

Display equipment maker Toptec is expected to take part in the bidding process for BlueOval SK’s battery equipment order next month, TheElec has learned.

The joint venture between battery maker SK On and US car giant Ford is planning to place orders for equipment it will use for its planned factory in Tennessee.

Toptec had so far focused on back-end equipment and its first customer was SK Innovation, which it supplied welders for in 2019.

Toptec is aiming to expand in the battery equipment sector since it broke ties with Samsung back in 2018.

The company’s employees allegedly stole technologies related to flexible OLED from Samsung Display and were charged with the crime.

Toptec is aiming to supply BlueOval SK with tab welders and packaging equipment this time around.

SK On had so far ordered the two equipment together from one vendor but is expected to order them separately this time around, sources said.

It also plans to diversify its supplier of laser welders, which will include Bosch and Rockewell Automation, they said.

Packaging equipment is used in the assembly of pouch batteries it is used to package a film over battery materials.

They are rarely not ordered together with tab welders are tabbed are welded right after the packaging process.

The separate orders of the two were likely done in consideration of Toptec, which lacks the experience to offer both equipment.

It could just win orders for tab welders, which it has more experience in than packaging equipment.

Other companies aiming to win these orders include Mplus and Hana Technology.