Slate Auto Eyes Former Indiana Printing Plant for EV Production
Slate Auto, the fast-rising EV startup that just emerged from stealth mode this week, is nearing a deal to lease a former printing plant in Warsaw, Indiana, as the site for its upcoming affordable electric truck, according to a review of public records.
The company plans to lease the 1.4 million-square-foot facility for an undisclosed amount. Local economic development officials previously hinted that an unnamed company — now known to be Slate — could bring up to 2,000 jobs to the area, along with an incentive package. However, the full details of that package remain unclear. Slate has not commented, and Peggy Friday, CEO of the Kosciusko County Economic Development Corporation, confirmed she is bound by a strict non-disclosure agreement.
During Slate’s launch event Thursday, the company displayed an aerial image of the future factory without revealing its location. However, the image matches a public listing on the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s website. As TechCrunch previously reported, Slate intends to build its EVs — priced at under $20,000 after federal tax credits — in Indiana.
“Our truck will be made here in the USA as part of our commitment to re-industrializing America,” said Slate CEO Chris Barman during the presentation.
Domestic manufacturing is deeply ingrained in Slate’s philosophy. The startup was incubated inside Re:Build Manufacturing, a Massachusetts-based firm dedicated to strengthening U.S. industrial capabilities.
The Warsaw facility, originally constructed in 1958, housed printing giant R.R. Donnelley for decades before becoming dormant about two years ago, local media reports.
Transforming an aging printing plant into a modern EV factory will be no small feat — but Slate has raised significant funding to meet the challenge. Backed by investors like Jeff Bezos, Mark Walter (CEO of Guggenheim Partners), and General Catalyst, the company has secured over $100 million so far.
Slate’s cost-conscious approach to vehicle production could further ease the transition. Instead of traditional automotive painting, Slate plans to offer custom wraps for its trucks, eliminating the need for an expensive paint shop — a move that could save hundreds of millions in factory buildout costs.
