Etergo's global search for the ideal partner to set up their production line for electric motorcycles ended in their own backyard, at Technologies Added in Emmen. There, the Amsterdam-based scaleup that became famous with their AppScooter found exactly what they were looking for: manufacturing craftsmanship, enough space to scale up and a strong vision for the factory of the future. Besides a good commercial partnership, location is also ideal for Etergo. Emmen is an ideal base for the AppScooter's European rollout, which is expected to begin with the Netherlands and Germany in mid-2020.
Just 2 hours from Amsterdam, Etergo's engineers can provide support during the crucial first months of starting and scaling up production. This allows continuous improvements to be implemented quickly and communication lines are short. This ensures that Etergo is 100% ready to solve problems smoothly before things even resemble Tesla's infamous "production hell. Moreover, in addition to plenty of experience, Technologies Added also offers the square footage to soon be able to make up to 60,000 units per year for Etergo's future product portfolio. The factory in Emmen should thus become the home base for the first large-scale production facility for electric motorcycles in the Netherlands.
Etergo AppScooter, also called the "Dutch Tesla on two wheels"
Etergo is in the driver seat to become a global leader in the fast-growing electric scooter market. In their mission to drastically reduce air pollution, founders Marijn Flipse and Bart Jacobsz Rosier drew inspiration from Tesla. In a slick design, AppScooter takes the concept of the electric scooter to the next level by combining safety, communication technology, music, apps and a luggage space that even fits a beer crate. Etergo raised a total of 20 million euros from an investor from the German auto industry and from more than 5,000 investors in their community. In doing so, they broke almost all crowdfunding records in the Netherlands and now Europe and became one of the one figureheads of the Dutch startup community.
Industry 4.0 Smart Factory - future proof & price competitive manufacturing in the Netherlands
Technologies Added, created after the closure of the Philips factory in Emmen in 2017, is set up as an Industrie 4.0 Smart Factory with completely digitized production processes, putting it at the forefront of the new manufacturing industry in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is becoming a forerunner in the field of Smart Factories, making it increasingly attractive for the new generation of global players, such as Etergo, to house production for the European market. Among the companies that have now settled at Technologies Added in Emmen are several innovative sustainable products in the fields of new mobility, clean energy, smart cities and urban technology.
Impulse Drenthe manufacturing industry
The deal between Etergo and Technologies Added came about partly with the support of the Province of Drenthe and the Noordelijke Ontwikkelingsmaatschappij (NOM). The arrival of Etergo is an important boost for Southeast Drenthe. The project will create 50 new jobs, which may increase to many hundreds in time. Suppliers from the region are also likely to be involved in the production of the Appscooter's components. The selection of Etergo confirms Technologies Added's position as one of the top Industry 4.0 Smart Factories in the Netherlands.