Just after news emerged about Tesla‘s new lithium refinery near Corpus Christi, the automaker’s expansion projects seem to be unstoppable as it now gained access to a one-million-square-foot building near Brookshire, Texas, as reported by Electrek.
However, it is indeed hard to guess what Tesla plans, given that the new plant is about two hours from Tesla’s Austin headquarters and three hours from Corpus Christi. The facility is reportedly situated at 111 Empire West in Brookshire, Texas.
Recent expansion efforts
Giga Texas
Tesla is undoubtedly big in expanding its operations, considering the great demand for its electric cars. In fact, its newest Gigafactory seems to be undergoing a significant expansion, as previous reports suggest.
Moreover, Tesla moved the company’s headquarters from California to Texas, implying its significance to the automaker’s value chain.
The American electric automaker has rapidly grown in its homeland and firmly established itself as a “Texas company” it introduced the Gigafactory Texas in Austin two years ago.
Lithium refinery
Tesla appears to control and operate as much as it can internally. The automaker is now constructing a new lithium refinery west of Corpus Christi, Texas.
Interestingly, Tesla’s vehicles may continue to qualify for the updated US federal EV tax credit if supplies are sourced and batteries are produced domestically.
Furthermore, it aims to be a huge player in lithium refineries and batteries, as its CEO previously stated that the world needs more of both.
New building lease
As previously noted, the world’s most valued automaker obtained access to a 1 million square foot structure close to Brookshire, Texas.
Tesla is apparently leasing the new facility, which turns out to be part of the 300-acre Empire West Business Park, Electrek reports citing Houston Chronicle. However, the publication noted that there is not a lot of data regarding Tesla’s plans with the facility, and the automaker declined a request for comment.
“Little is known about Tesla’s plans, but the Fortune 500 company signed a lease late last year for about 1.03 million square feet at 111 Empire West, part of the 300-acre Empire West Business Park in Brookshire, according to research reports from real estate brokerages Cushman & Wakefield and Savills. The landlord and developer of the park, Dallas-based Stream Realty Partners, declined to comment. Tesla officials did not respond to a request for comment.”
Houston Chronicle
Meanwhile, interim city administrator Mike Barnes confirmed that he is familiar with Tesla’s project solely because of permits. He continued that there have apparently been discussions between Tesla representatives and city employees. However, there are few details at this time.
Hints about Tesla’s plans with the new building
Notably, Tesla recently posted job advertisements on its webpage.
The report also highlighted that the positions are significantly related to “warehouse and production.”
Tesla stated the following in the job description for “Associate Manager, Production Control” in Brookshire:
“As an Associate Manager of Production Control, you will have the responsibility to design and oversee material handing functions at Gigafactory Texas. You will lead a team of Supervisors and take a KPI driven approach toward meeting daily operational objectives. In this role, you will work cross-functionally with inventory control, Production Control process, and various other supply and logistics organizations to solve problems, drive continuous improvement, and to achieve production targets.”
Tesla
Apart from that, the job ad also noted a “Cell Materials production area.” It is another hint which implies that Tesla may produce battery materials at the new facility for Gigafactory Texas’ cell production.
All that said, Tesla may use the new facility for producing battery materials for cell manufacturing at Giga Texas. Apart from that, the new facility may also store batteries and materials for the automaker.
