We’re going to Schleswig-Holstein
When Julia von Kap-herr (née Kutter) utters this sentence, the family business Battery-Kutter ist on the verge of an important leap forward. The company has grown, and space in Hamburg-Poppenbüttel is running out. "In the beginning, we all sat in one room - great for communication, but suddenly even another flooe wasn't enough," recalls von Kap-herr. The solution lies just five minutes north of the state border - in Norderstedt, Schleswig-Holstein.
Arriving with momentum
In 2020, the decision was made, and shortly afterwards, the conversion of an existing property from the late 1960s began. A former printing plant is transformed into a modern corporate location - designed as a true family effort. "We really turned everything upside down: outdoor facilities, interiors, processes. Today, new employees think the building is new," says Franc Meyer, operations & quality manager.
The move to Schleswig-Holstein was supported by WTSH, the regional economic development agency, as well as EGNO GmbH and Investitionsbank Schleswig-Holstein. "At the beginning, the jungle of subsidies seemed like a Sisyphean task - individual receipts, digital submissions, deadlines," says Meyer. "But the contacts took us by the hand and guided us through the process, from the application to the supporting documents. In the end, the support and cooperation clearly paid off." WTSH worked closely with the company for over two years. A commitment period ensures that the investment will have a lasting effect.
Why Schleswig-Holstein?
The decision to choose Norderstedt combines two advantages: planning security through funding and consistency for the workforce. "We wanted as little change as possible for our team. Schleswig-Holstein offered us room for growth right on our doorstep," says von Kap-herr. Today, over 100 employees work at the site. The company has professionalised its processes, established departments and team leaders, and continues to grow.
For Battery-Kutter the quality of the location also includes sustainability in practice: its own photovoltaic systems on the roofs and an e-charging infrastructure in the yard. Those who stay are rewarded: "After the probationary period, we offer company vehicles - preferably electric. This way, we don't make the commute to work an obstacle," says von Kap-herr.
Funding, advice, network
The establishment of Battery-Kutter is a prime example of how Schleswig-Holstein supports companies in their new ventures. WTSH not only assists in the search for suitable commercial space and real estate, the appropriate funding, and contacts with authorities and institutions, but also in the processing of applications and approval procedures. "Looking back, the support helped us enormously and the nature of the cooperation created trust," says Meyer. For Battery-Kutter, this is not only made it possible to cross the state border but also led to a growth spurt with long-term prospects.
Looking ahead
The next step has already been outlined: additional storage and logistic space - ideally in the neighbourhood in Norderstedt. Even though space is becoming tighter, managing directors Hendrick and Kai Kutter are certain that Schleswig-Holstein will remain their base. "We want to shape our growth here in the state. Short distances, reliable partners and space for further development make Schleswig-Holstein the ideal location for us," says von Kap-herr.
Battery-Kutter GmbH & Co. KG
- Location: Norderstedt
- Founded: 1989
- Employees: 100
- Services: batteries and battery packs
- More information: battery-kutter.de

