BlueOval City leader departs for EV plant in MS
One of the main leadership cogs behind Ford’s BlueOval City in West Tennessee is leaving for a rival auto manufacturer.
On Wednesday, Amplify Cell Technologies announced Kel Kearns as its new chief executive officer. The appointment comes after the company has completed its joint venture between Accelera by Cummins, Daimler Trucks & Buses US Holding LLC and PACCAR, according to a news release.
“Amplify Cell Technologies will enable Accelera by Cummins and our partners to deliver solutions that best serve our customers and the planet. This is a significant step forward as we lead our industry into the next era of smarter, cleaner power,” Cummins CEO Jennifer Rumsey said in a statement.
The joint venture, Amplify Cell Technologies is planning to begin construction on a new $1.9 billion electric vehicle plant in Marshall County, Mississippi. The factory is expected to add 2,000 manufacturing jobs and begin operations in 2027. In January, Mississippi legislators passed a $482 million incentive package to help fund the new electric vehicle and battery manufacturing plant.
Kearns has been with Ford since 1995 and has been operating as the plant manager for BlueOval City’s Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center. In April, Ford doubled down on its investment in electric vehicles and its focus at BlueOval City in Stanton.
Ford provided this statement regarding Kearns:
“Kel chose to retire. He decided the time was right, after guiding the early development of the Tennessee Electric Vehicle Plant (which is now nearly built), assembling a strong leadership team and establishing a culture focused on people and quality. We thank Kel for his many years of service around the world.”
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The Amplify ownership is broken down by thirds. Accelera, Daimler Truck and PACCAR each own 30% of the business with EVE Energy Co., a Chinese lithium battery producer, serving as a partner with a 10% ownership stake.
Neil Strebig is a journalist with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at neil.strebig@commercialappeal.com, 901-426-0679 or via X:@neilStrebig.
