Ford and SK On name new CEO to oversee planning for battery plant in Stanton
Ford Motor Co. and SK On have appointed a new CEO to oversee production and planning of the joint venture’s battery plant in Stanton.
Robert Rhee was appointed BlueOval SK CEO, effective Jan. 1, according to a tweet from BlueOval SK on Thursday afternoon. The battery plant is expected to employ 2,500 people when it opens in 2025.
BlueOval SK’s inaugural CEO David Hahm will remain with the company and is now responsible for BlueOval SK business administration.
Rhee previously was Head of Key Production Divisions at SK On, and at Samsung SDI, he served as vice president at Automotive Battery Business Division, Pack Development Group, Research & Development Headquarters.
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Ford and SK On finalized plans in July for a joint venture EV battery plant at BlueOval City in Haywood County. The two companies hold equal ownership in the new venture.
Ford and SK On plan to invest $5.6 billion for BlueOval City to produce electric trucks and batteries at a 3,600-acre site in Stanton. The project is expected to create about 5,800 jobs.
Rhee will also oversee the $5.8 billion electric battery project Ford and SK are also partnering on in Glendale, Kentucky.
Omer Yusuf covers the Ford project in Haywood County, FedEx, tourism and banking for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached via email Omer.Yusuf@commercialappeal.com or followed on Twitter @OmerAYusuf.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Ford and SK On name new CEO for battery plants in Tennessee, Kentucky
