Slate Auto, a young newcomer in the electric vehicle space, made headlines last month with a big announcement. The company intends to lease a gigantic 1.4 million-square-foot facility in Warsaw, Indiana, that used to house a printing plant. This factory, known as the capability center, was the longtime home of R.R. Donnelly, built in 1958. It has languished unused for the past two years.
The historic nature of this decision to occupy this site perfectly fits with Slate Auto’s mission to bring back the American manufacturing glory. The factory had deep historical roots in the community. Its vast expanse of space gives it the perfect environment for Slate’s electric truck production.
At a launch event last month, Chris Barman, CEO of Slate Auto, focused on the startup’s mission. He stated, “Our new production truck will be built right here in the USA, emphasizing our dedication to re-industrializing America.” Slate can create electric vehicles and sell with purpose. They’re equally concerned with building local jobs and economic development.
Slate Auto originated within Re:Build Manufacturing, a Massachusetts-based company known for innovative approaches to manufacturing. The connection to Re:Build Manufacturing provides Slate with a robust foundation as it embarks on its journey in the competitive electric vehicle market.
At the announcement, Barman stood in front of a screen showing an aerial photograph of the plant. That one picture represented a historic turning point for both the newly established Slate Auto and the historic former site. The overall effect of the image was to tell the story of the factory’s past and its possible future in cutting-edge, high-tech, advanced manufacturing.
The factory’s lease is part of a broader strategy by Slate Auto to capitalize on existing infrastructure and revitalize areas impacted by industrial decline. More and more startups are following suit, locating in old manufacturing hubs. This key trend plays a fundamental role in advancing innovation and sustainability.
The terms of the lease agreement are still not public. As project participant Peggy Friday told us earlier this year, right now they’re able to have those conversations under a very tight non-disclosure agreement. That seems to indicate that more good news could be on the way as negotiations continue.