Northvolt grew fast—maybe too fast. After expanding with new R&D labs and factories, they’ve hit some turbulence. Problems in cell manufacturing and BMW pulling the plug on a major offtake agreement have forced the company to shed excessive assets and refocus on what really matters: their core cell manufacturing business.
🔋 Why does this matter? When scaling, it’s tempting to chase every opportunity—more factories, new R&D labs, bigger deals. But Northvolt’s recent pivot is a powerful reminder: focus is everything.
Scaling doesn’t just mean getting bigger; it means growing sustainably. And when things get tough, the companies that succeed are the ones that stay true to their core. Northvolt’s decision to slim down and concentrate on cell manufacturing is the right one. Whether it’s timely or too late - we are yet to see.
📊 Lesson for scaleups: Don’t spread yourself too thin. It’s better to excel in one area than to stretch your resources across too many.
Kudos to Northvolt for recognizing when to adjust the course and showing us all the importance of strategic focus during a scaleup. 🧠
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