From Bavaria to the Battery Belt: Building FENECON Inc. USA

How a summer lunch turned into a startup journey across the Atlantic – and why South Carolina became our new energy home.

A Humble Beginning with a Bold Idea

Sometimes, big stories start in small moments. For me, it began over lunch in early summer 2023. I was still working in a great position at Zambelli, when I met up with Franz Feilmeier, founder & CEO of FENECON. We talked about business, life – and then he mentioned his vision of expanding FENECON to the U.S.

I didn’t say much at first. Deep down, I already knew: if I got involved, it would be all-in. A good friend at the table saw it clearly. He looked at Franz and said, “You can stop searching. Thomas has always wanted to do this. And we both know he’s the right guy.”

And so it began. After a few conversations – including some key ones with our families – we decided to take the leap. We’d move to the U.S. for a school year. I would build FENECON Inc. from scratch. The destination? Still open. In classic Franz style, the vision was clear: “Go where you can make money. Build something sustainable.” The path? That was up to me.

The First Leap: Across the Atlantic and Into the Unknown

In December 2023, I officially joined FENECON. I still remember my first day: snowstorms in Bavaria, a key meeting in Iggensbach, and then a flight to the U.S. That Saturday morning, I was picked up in Greenville by Andreas – a local contact who would soon become a close friend. He gave me a tour of the city in his golf cart. My first arrival in South Carolina started with a golf cart and ended at a backyard barbecue with ten adults, ten kids, and lots of Southern charm.

While Greenville wasn’t confirmed from day one, it was always among our top contenders. With support from the Upstate Alliance, local economic developers like John Lummus, and advisors across real estate and legal, it quickly became clear: this was a strategic fit. The presence of familiar faces, including BMW colleagues my wife already knew, only reinforced our choice.

Discovery, Decision, and Early Momentum

The following week was packed with meetings: site visits, discussions about incentives, HR support, and industrial facilities. By the time I returned to Germany for the holidays, the decision was made: Greenville would be our base.

January 2024 was all about building the foundation. With support from our HR team, I began recruiting key team members. In February, I traveled with Ludwig, our CTO and early technical driver of the project, to Intersolar North America in San Diego. We studied the market and came back even more convinced: we would build our future here in South Carolina, at the heart of the emerging Battery Belt.

Milestones That Made It Real

By June, things were accelerating. We finalized the lease on our future headquarters and production facility in one of Greenville’s newest industrial parks – a key milestone.

And on July 1st, 2024, I moved with my family to South Carolina. A year after that first conversation with Franz, and just half a year after our official start, FENECON Inc. USA was no longer an idea. It was real.

What We’re Building: A Vision Bigger Than Ourselves

FENECON Inc. USA isn’t just a branch. It’s a bold extension of what we believe: that energy systems can be smarter, more sustainable, and more circular. That batteries deserve a second chance. And that passionate people – across continents – can come together to make that happen.

Starting something new is never easy. But when you lead with purpose and surround yourself with the right people, you find ways to keep moving forward. From snowstorms in Bavaria to transatlantic flights, golf cart rides, and even Best Buy runs, each step brings the future more clearly into view.

We’re proud to call South Carolina home. And we’re just getting started.