Flux Power presents in the live 2021 LD Micro Main Event XIV
Flux Power Holdings, Inc., a developer of advanced lithium-ion industrial batteries for commercial and industrial equipment, has announced that CEO Ron Dutt presented at the live 2021 LD Micro Main Event XI on Wednesday, October 13th at 4:30 PM ET (1:30 PM PT). The LD Micro Main Event XIV will take place on October 12th through the 14th, in person, at the Luxe Sunset Bel Air, and virtually on the Sequire Virtual Events platform. This event features over 100 companies, presenting for 25 minutes each, followed by Q&A by a panel of investors and analysts. For those that missed the Flux Power presentation, it can be replayed on Sequire Virtual Events platform. Watch the replay here.
Nano One and Euro Manganese to Co-develop Applications for High-Purity Manganese in Lithium-Ion Battery Cathode Materials
Nano One and Euro Manganese have entered into a Joint Development Agreement. Joint activities will focus on developing manganese products expected to be produced by Euro Manganese for use in cathode materials made by Nano One, in the context of rapidly rising demand for high-purity manganese products. Manganese will be sourced by Euro Manganese’s proposed Chvaletice Manganese Project and refined into high purity manganese products. Cathode materials will be made using Nano One’s patented One-Pot, M2CAM, and coated nanocrystal technologies. Nano One® is a clean technology company with patented processes for the low-cost, low-environmental footprint production of high-performance cathode materials used in lithium-ion batteries, and Euro Manganese is a battery raw materials company developing a significant manganese deposit in the Czech Republic. Both companies are pleased to announce a Joint Development Agreement. The two companies will collaborate on developing economically viable and environmentally sustainable applications of high-purity manganese expected to be produced by Euro Manganese from its proposed Chvaletice Manganese Project. The manganese will be evaluated by Nano One in the formation of its innovative cathode materials including LNMO (lithium nickel manganese oxide) and nickel rich NMC (lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide). LNMO and NMC materials will be prepared using Nano One’s patented One-Pot process, coated nanocrystal powders, and M2CAM technology (Metal direct to Cathode Active Material), enabling the use of sulfate-free metals and lithium carbonate as low-cost and environmentally sustainable feedstocks. LNMO, also known as high voltage spinel (HVS), and NMC both have great potential in conventional and solid-state battery applications for electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and consumer electronic devices. LNMO delivers energy and power on par with NMC and is more cost-effective because it is manganese-rich, cobalt-free, low in nickel, and does not require excess lithium. LNMO also operates at a voltage that is 25% higher than commercial high nickel cathodes, enabling fewer cells, improved productivity, efficiency, thermal management, and power. “Nano One has ambitious plans to be a major participant in the battery-driven transformation of mobility and renewable energy storage, and we are doing so by changing how the world makes cathode materials,” said Nano One CEO, Mr. Dan Blondal. “Our LNMO is unique, differentiated, and well-positioned to address the automotive industry’s recent interest in manganese-rich batteries and our coated nanocrystal NMC is targeting demand for increased durability in long-range battery applications. Manganese plays a critical role in both chemistries and we are aligned with Euro Manganese in developing low-cost high-performance cathode materials with a differentiated and environmentally sustainable supply chain.” Mr. Marco Romero, Euro Manganese’s CEO, said “We are delighted to be working with Nano One on developing ways to use our manganese products in its ground-breaking process for making cathode active materials at a time when demand for high-purity manganese products is rising rapidly. Euro Manganese stands to become a leader in sustainably produced battery-grade manganese products. We look forward to a day when our manganese and Nano One’s cathode materials are an integral part of the world’s battery supply chain and helping drive the electrification of mobility.”
electroVolt introduces configurable PRISLogic™ Lithium-Ion Battery Modules
PRISLogic Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Batteries Feature Thermal Shield Technology, Passive Thermal Cooling and Custom-Tailored Battery Management and Communication System electroVolt, a developer of application-specific lithium-ion batteries and modules, announces its new PRISLogic Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries. Engineered for safety and reliability, the PRISLogic prismatic cells provide the highest level of performance without the cost, complexity, and lead time of a custom-built solution. Designed to support a variety of specialized applications, including telecommunications, data center backup, material handling, and unmanned systems, the 12.8v PRISLogic modules are scalable to 800v. Featuring electroVolt’s BMS Beyond™ each module is engineered from the ground up and optimized to meet the buyer’s requirements. LiFePO4 cells are known for their safety and reliability as they are less prone to experience thermal runaway associated with overcharge and lithium plating. electroVolt engineers have gone a step further to solve heat issues with its proprietary Thermal Shield Technology that improves thermal management, provides optimum distributed pressure on the electrode surface, and reduces cell-to-cell fire propagation. To address a spectrum of end-use applications with varying demands, the innovative PRISLogic batteries also feature electroVolt’s custom-tailored and optimizable Battery Management and Communication System – BMS Beyond™ – that maximizes a customer’s application’s safety, reliability, and performance. BMS Beyond provides an accurate state of charge and discharge as well as data aggregation and comprehensive system communication. In addition, BMS Beyond™ enables the connection of multiple modules in series or parallel to meet system needs without losing critical system monitoring and control. “Our PRISLogic design allows for the customization of the control parameters and communications without the need for additional application-specific hardware or software, lowering the development cost and time to market of energy storage projects,” noted Keith Wallace, electroVolt’s CEO. “The extensive capability for customization and safety gives users the flexibility to quickly integrate PRISLogic batteries into their applications without developing the usual ancillary control systems to assure adherence with various compliance requirements. Our new PRISLogic battery modules are a game-changer as they allow for custom system performance without the complexity that results in extended development time.” With nine customizable models available, electroVolt’s energy storage experts work closely with customers to tailor every module and system configuration to meet specific needs and requirements, including charging, discharging, cycle life optimization, data aggregation, and system communication. This unique approach removes application limits from less dependable “out of the box” configurations and provides maximum system performance, reliability, safety, and long life. Available now, electroVolt’s PRISLogic modules meet North American safety and EMI standards and offer a wide operating temperature range (-4ºF to 113ºF), 4,000 cycle life, and easy maintenance.
Flux Power announces $15 million Registered Direct Offering priced at a premium to market
Flux Power Holdings, Inc., a developer of advanced lithium-ion battery packs for commercial and industrial equipment, today announced that it has entered into securities purchase agreements with several institutional investors, for the purchase and sale of 2,142,860 shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,071,430 shares of common stock, at a purchase price of $7.00 per share and associated warrant, in a registered direct offering priced at-the-market under Nasdaq rules. The registered direct offering is expected to close on or about September 27, 2021, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. H.C. Wainwright & Co. is acting as the exclusive placement agent for the registered direct offering. The warrants have an exercise price equal to $7.00 per share, will be exercisable immediately upon issuance, and will expire five years from the issuance date. The gross proceeds from the registered direct offering are expected to be approximately $15.0 million, before deducting placement agent’s fees and other offering expenses. Flux Power currently intends to use the net proceeds from this registered direct offering for general corporate and working capital purposes. The securities described above are being offered and sold by Flux Power pursuant to a “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-249521), including a base prospectus, previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on October 16, 2020, and declared effective by the SEC on October 26, 2020. The registered direct offering of the securities is being made only by means of a prospectus supplement that forms a part of the effective registration statement. A final prospectus supplement and an accompanying base prospectus relating to the securities being offered in the registered direct offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website located at http://www.sec.gov. Electronic copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus may also be obtained by contacting H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC at 430 Park Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10022, by phone at (212) 856-5711 or e-mail at placements@hcwco.com.
Lithium batteries get the top score based on OSHA’s safety ranking. Lead-acid batteries are not as safe… But is that a surprise?
Why are OSHA data statistics important? Ensuring employee safety in the workplace is a key challenge for all companies. Apart from the moral imperative to preserve workers’ health, there are all sorts of financial and legal costs, and direct losses to employers and employees due to operation interruptions and forced downtimes in the event of any work-related injuries. OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is part of the U.S. Department of Labor. The OSH Act covers most private-sector employers and their workers, in addition to some public-sector employers and workers in the 50 states and certain territories and jurisdictions under federal authority. OSHA requires employers to report all severe work-related injuries. This requirement started on January 1, 2015. Information from those reports, including a description of the incident and the name and address of the establishment where it happened, is published in Severe Injury Reports. OSHA data proves: most battery-related incidents occur during battery moving or watering. By August 2021, the database included 60,912 records. Good news: the data show that direct handling of batteries designated for installation and operation in electric vehicles, forklifts, and pallet jacks is the cause of less than 1% of injuries (52 incidents). But of course, even these are 52 too many! Fifty-two people suffered severe injuries, which could have been avoided. When were workers hurt? Processes with the largest number of incidents: replacement (19 incidents); relocation (8 incidents); maintenance (4 incidents). The most common injury types: fractures caused by batteries falling on arms/legs after slipping from lifts, jacks, and shelves, or slipping out of hands (17 incidents); compression of fingers and toes resulting from batteries displacing and moving (14 incidents); burns due to acid spills from liquid batteries during the process of adding water (3 incidents); internal injuries in instances of single employees lifting a battery (3 incidents). Batteries’ heavyweight, significant size, and toxic hazards (flooded lead-acid) pose a real risk for workers during battery replacement/relocation and maintenance. In “single-battery” material handling operations, with just one battery per lift truck, there is no need for daily swapping of batteries and maintenance. In most cases, it makes economic sense to switch your forklift fleet to lithium batteries. This move is certain to eliminate the safety risks associated with lead-acid batteries. Why aren’t lithium batteries found in OSHA injury reports? The answer is straightforward: the established brands of lithium forklift batteries on the US market comply with the highest safety standards, resulting in zero incident reports in OSHA statistics. Modern lithium batteries were engineered in full compliance with UL requirements. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is a global safety certification company with dozens of offices worldwide, serving more than a hundred countries, and with more than 100 years of history. UL is included in OSHA’s list of Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL). As the global safety science leader, UL provides testing in many industries for a wide variety of products, including industrial batteries. UL safety standards ensure that the battery industry complies with the best industrial practices. These standards are best described in the scope of the UL tests. There are two specific UL listed certifications for lithium-ion batteries: UL 2580. Batteries for Use in Electric Vehicles. This standard evaluates the electrical energy storage assembly’s ability to safely withstand simulated abuse conditions and prevents any exposure of people to hazards as a result of the abuse. The standard evaluates both the electric energy storage assembly and modules based upon the manufacturer’s specified charge and discharge parameters at specified temperatures. The test program includes both mechanical and electric tests. Electric tests include overcharge, short-circuit, over-discharge, temperature, imbalanced-charging, dielectric, isolation-resistance, continuity, and thermal-stability testing. Mechanical tests include rotation, vibration, shock, drop, crush, thermal cycling, salt spray, immersion, and external and internal fire tests. UL 991.Tests for Safety-Related Controls Employing Solid-State Devices. These requirements address the potential risks unique to the electronic nature of battery controls, the Battery Management System (BMS). Equipment or components employed in the electronic features shall also comply with the basic construction and performance requirements. These requirements are intended to supplement the battery standards and are not intended to serve as the sole basis for investigating the risks of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons associated with a control. The test programs include a transient overvoltage test, electrical fast transient/burst test, signal circuit fast transient test, radiated semi-test, electrostatic discharge test, discharge test, electric field test, magnetic field test, composite operational and thermal cycling test, test for effects of shipping and storage, and thermal cycling test. All these tests are common for lithium batteries and allow them to be named the safest technology on the battery market. Lithium forklift batteries create an opportunity for a “single-battery” material handling operation, when there is no need for forklift battery swapping. Nor is there a need for daily watering, so all risks associated with lead-acid technology are eliminated. However, it is important to make sure that your lithium forklift batteries are compliant with the very latest safety standards. Most of the main lithium vendors like Navitas, Green Cubes, OneCharge, and others are employing the most innovative technologies to achieve the highest battery safety and comply in most cases with UL and OSHA requirements. Lithium Iron (Ferrum) Phosphate (LFP) cells are recognized as the most tested and trusted technology on the US market. They are safer (including environmental safety) than other lithium chemistries—LFP cells have a higher thermal runaway threshold. The OneCharge is a typical example of an LFP battery managed by a highly sophisticated and reliable BMS equipped with data logging and IoT capabilities. Multilayered safety measures prevent the OneCharge battery from overheating or otherwise malfunctioning, with safe battery shutdown in case of potential danger. You can learn more about LFP technology compared to NMC and other chemistries in the article LFP vs NMC degradation tests. Lithium will make forklifts great again! Finally, it is obvious that the market is moving away from lead-acid technology, switching to safer and more reliable lithium batteries. With the current rate of
Flux Power’s FY 2021 Revenue increased by 56% to $26.3M; Gross Margins improved to 22.1%
Flux Power Holdings, Inc., a developer of advanced lithium-ion battery packs for commercial and industrial equipment, today reported financial results for its fourth quarter (Q4’21) and fiscal year (FY‘21) ended June 30, 2021. Financial Highlights: Q4’21 revenue grew 33% to $8.3M compared to Q4’20 revenue of $6.3M FY’21 revenue increased 56% to $26.3M vs FY’20 revenue of $16.8M Q4’21 gross margin increased to 21.0% compared to 17.5% in Q4’20 FY’21 gross margin improved to 22.1% vs FY’20 gross margin of 13.0% Strategic Highlights: Uplisted on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “FLUX.” Prior to the listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, Flux Power’s common stock was quoted on the OTCQB. Raised $12.4M in equity capital, increasing its shareholder base, including institutional investors. Converted $5.2M of debt to equity, eliminating all debt, to strengthen the balance sheet and capital structure. Launched next-generation lithium-ion battery pack for end riders & center riders – feedback from customers has been positive with substantial orders. Initiated deliveries to the world’s largest meat processor and two major customers (paper products & chemicals manufacturer and a packaging manufacturer). Resumed deliveries that were deferred by a global airline during the travel disruptions caused by the COVID pandemic. Signed partnership agreement with CLARK Material Handling Company to supply lithium-ion batteries. Initiated deliveries of a new proprietary battery pack to a provider of “autonomous electric shuttle vehicles”. Announced three patents pending for advanced lithium-ion battery technology. Reached milestone of 9,000 battery packs in the field (surpassed by 10,000 battery packs in July – FY’22), while being challenged by global supply change disruption. Expanded into additional warehouse space to accommodate growth and allocate more space for inventory and production lines. Named to the Financial Times “Americas Fastest Growing Companies” List. Received the 2020 Supply & Demand Chain Executive Green Supply Chain Award. Named to Food Logistics’ 2021 Top Green Providers List. “Our 2021 Fiscal Year was quite a challenge, with supply chain disruptions and continuing effects from the COVID pandemic,” Flux Power CEO Ron Dutt commented. “Despite these challenges, we delivered substantial revenue growth and gross margin improvements, while launching new products and obtaining UL listings.” Q4’21 Financial Results Revenue: Q4’21 revenue increased 33% to $8.3M compared to $6.3M in Q4’20, driven by sales of larger LiFT Packs. Q4’21 represented the 12th consecutive quarter of year-over-year revenue increases. Gross Profit: Q4’21 gross profit improved to $1.8M compared to a gross profit of $1.1M in Q4’20 principally reflecting higher sales volumes and benefits from Flux Power’s revenue growth and gross margin improvement program. Selling & Administrative: Expenses increased to $3.4M in Q4’21 from $2.7M in Q4’20, principally reflecting increased staffing to support expanded operations and growth. Research & Development: Expenses increased to $2.0M in Q4’21, compared to $1.1M in Q4’20 reflecting continued product range evolution and optimization, including high voltage battery packs (400 Volts), and developed adaptions of battery packs for “second sourcing” of battery cells. Net Loss: Q4’21 net loss increased to $3.7M from a loss of $3.3M in Q4’20, principally reflecting higher operating costs and interest expense. FY’21 Financial Results Revenue: FY’21 revenues rose 56% to $26.3M compared to $16.8M in FY’20, reflecting the continued momentum rolling out a full lineup of large LiFT Packs and adding large new Fortune 500 customers with large fleets having multi-year ordering demands. Gross Profit: FY’21 gross profit improved to $5.8M compared to $2.2M in FY’20, based on higher sales and improved gross margins reflecting the benefit of sourcing initiatives, lower prices from higher volume purchasing, and specific design cost reductions. Selling & Administrative: Expenses increased to $12.6M in FY’21 from $9.8M in FY’20, principally due to additional cash and stock-based compensation expense related to new hires across the business to facilitate production and market growth, and legal fees supporting debt and equity issuances. Research & Development: Expenses increased to $6.7M in FY’21 from $5.0M in FY’20, reflecting development costs supporting expanded product offering as well as third party certification efforts such UL Listing and UN38.3 (transportation) requirements. Net Loss: Net loss decreased to $12.8M (a loss of $1.08 per share) in FY’21 from a net loss of $14.3M (a loss of $2.80 per share) in FY’20 mainly due to higher operating expenses and increased interest expense. Per-share results are based on 11.8M and 5.1M weighted average basic shares outstanding at the end of FY’21 and FY’20, respectively. Capital Structure Flux Power completed equity private placements during Q1’21 totaling $3.2M. Additionally, a total debt conversion to equity of $5.2M, combined with debt repayment of $2.6M was achieved resulting in a debt-free condition at year-end. On August 18, 2020, Flux Power closed an underwritten public offering of its common stock priced at a public offering for gross proceeds of approximately $12.4 million, which included the full exercise of the underwriter’s over-allotment option to purchase additional shares, prior to deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by Flux Power. A total of 3,099,250 shares of common stock were issued in the offering, including the full exercise of the over-allotment option. Flux Power raised additional gross proceeds of $12.7M in an ATM Offering, prior to deducting commissions and other offering-related expenses, and issued an aggregate of 978,782 shares of common stock at an average price of $12.93 per share in the offering. The fiscal Year 2022 Outlook Flux Power anticipates revenue growth to continue its FY’21 momentum in FY’22 reflecting: (i) acquisition of new Fortune 500 customers; (ii) launching new product innovations; (iii) and continued mitigation of supply chain challenges. The supply chain disruption in the global marketplace has impacted Flux Power in past months reflecting delays in shipments from Asia, higher steel prices, scarcity of electronic components, and higher shipping costs. While Flux Power customer deliveries of battery packs have been delayed in some cases, no customer orders have been lost, only deferred. To that point, total backlog, or open sales orders, total $18M as of this date. Mitigation actions have been implemented to address the impact to supply chain disruption while anticipating continued impact but with a gradual recovery. The first quarter (Q1’22) of the fiscal year is a seasonally slower revenue quarter,
Combilift adopts BSLBATT Lithium Batteries
Combilift is revolutionizing the way companies handle and store goods. March Huang, the Senior Sales Specialist, explained what makes BSLBATT Combilift Forklift lithium batteries special. If you’re ready for improved power efficiency and the longest charge retention of any other battery type, now is the time to switch to Combilift Lithium-Ion batteries. BSL Batteries is the most advanced lithium material handling battery for all-electric material handling (MHE) Classes 1-3, including small pallet jacks, end riders, center riders, narrow aisle forklifts, 3-4 wheel forklifts, Combilift, large turret trucks, and other material handling vehicles. Then, why it’s so special of this case? Now we’re at the scene, come on, let’s have a look! BSL Lithium Solution However, when it comes to BSL lithium’s solution. They want to ensure end-users experience, simplify operation and save your purchasing cost. BSL adopts the way of using one battery compartment for power While another small box is only for counterbalance. Then in this way, the charging and removal would be not that difficult for this truck anymore. BSL has integrated the whole 80V system into the big box When you need to charge it, just connect the REMA plug and start charging 1 step operation! LEAD-ACID SITUATION In the previous lead-acid scenario. This case is for two batteries connected in series to use together as an 80V battery system. The original type of lead-acid battery is one big compartment for 62V battery pack and 1 small compartment for 18V battery pack. COUNTERBLOCK INTRO For this battery box, originally for an 18V battery, we changed it into a completely counter-block-weight. And so for that, we don’t need any cables as you can see, you don’t need any cables to connect it with another battery part. Wisdom Industrial Power Co., Ltd., Huizhou, China., reached an agreement with Combilift to fit its trucks with lithium-ion batteries. “We’re excited to be the first lithium battery manufacturer in China to be approved by Combilift. It allows us to offer our solutions to many new customers and to provide better support to many of our customers who already enjoy BSLBATT lithium batteries in their Combilift lift trucks”, adds Haley Ning, Marketing Manager of BSLBATT. “We have been focusing on promoting lithium batteries for use in the material handling equipment for over 10 years, and are happy to see the growing acceptance of this technology in this market.” BSLBATT lithium batteries have full communications integration with the whole line of Combilift electric lift trucks. The plug-and-play configuration allows a lithium battery to integrate seamlessly into the truck, retaining full functionality of the battery state of charge indicator and low battery warning system. “We witness a growing interest of our customers to the new power technologies, and BSLBATT facilitates the adoption of Li-ion batteries through the optimum combination of performance, reliability, and safety in their products,” added Ning.
Nano One achieves milestone 2 of the scaling Advanced Battery Materials Project
Nano One Achieves Milestone 2 of the Scaling Advanced Battery Materials Project with Support from Sustainable Development Technology Canada and the British Columbia Innovative Clean Energy Fund Nano One® Materials Corp. is a clean technology company with patented processes for the low-cost, low-environmental footprint production of high-performance cathode materials used in lithium-ion batteries. Nano One is pleased to announce the achievement of milestone 2 of the “Scaling Advanced Battery Materials” project jointly funded by Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) and the British Columbia Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) fund. Consequently, the advance funding for project milestone 3, in the amount of $1,652,859 – $1,095,057 from SDTC and $557,802 from the ICE fund – has been released to Nano One. “Within milestone 2, Nano One has strengthened our process for both Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) and Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) cathode materials.” said Mr. Dan Blondal, CEO, “Nano One’s capabilities and capacity have also significantly increased in this milestone through the addition of staff and equipment and the tripling of our laboratory, pilot and office facilities. Nano One is now focused on milestone 3 which involves economic modeling and scaled-up demonstration of both LFP and NMC.” The SDTC funding of the Scaling of Advanced Battery Materials project was announced in Nano One’s News Release of May 31, 2019. The British Columbia ICE fund became a joint funder of this project as announced in the Nano One’s news release of May 6, 2020. All funds are non-dilutive and non-repayable. The project involves a number of consortium and strategic partners and has a combined funding of $8.2M over 4 milestones. “Through the B.C. Innovative Clean Energy Fund, we are supporting made-in-B.C. innovations that will help grow our world-leading cleantech sector and create good jobs,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “Nano One’s project will help grow our local electric vehicle sector and support our transition to a low-carbon economy.”
Nano One appoints Gordon Kukec Independent Director
Nano One® Materials Corp., a clean technology company with patented processes for the low-cost, low-environmental footprint production of high-performance cathode materials used in lithium-ion batteries, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Gordon Kukec as an Independent Director to the Board effective immediately. Mr. Kukec has 30 years of experience spanning a range of senior executive leadership roles responsible for innovating and adapting corporate, commercial, and IT strategies at various international Canadian corporations. Focused on how emerging environmental and information technology developments, such as climate change and cybersecurity, impact business transformation, corporate strategy, and board governance, Mr. Kukec brings a distinct and valuable skillset to the companies he works with. Gord Kukec, noted “I am excited to be joining the Nano One Board at such a significant stage in the development of the Company. The rapid electrification of transportation and other sectors is critical to mitigating climate change. Nano One is a key player in accelerating battery technology adoption. I look forward to supporting the Company’s ambitious development and operational plans to drive long-term meaningful stakeholder value.” Paul Matysek, Executive Chair, commented, “We are pleased to have Gord joining us on the Board where his insights and experience will support the continued advancement of Nano One’s development strategy. He will add numerous and significant strengths to Nano One’s team and the addition of Mr. Kukec’s sustainability, governance, and cybersecurity expertise is an asset that will continue to advance Nano One’s operating objectives and goals.” Mr. Kukec holds a BA, Economics from the University of Calgary, an MBA from Queen’s University, the Institute of Corporate Directors Director designation (ICD.D), the Sustainable Energy Management (SEMAC) designation from BCIT, and certifications in Cybersecurity and Governance of Enterprise Information Technology (CGEIT) from ISACA, and currently sits on the boards of Intelligent City, BC Ferry Services Inc., and Solshare Energy Corp. The appointment of Mr. Kukec to the Nano One Board is part of a staged effort to expand the skillset, expertise, and independence of the Board which will provide long-term benefits to the Company and Nano One stakeholders as we consider future development and growth.
PACT awarded U.S. Patent for Thermo Shield™ Fire Suppressant Shipping Wrap
100% recyclable wrap solution exceeds SAE G27 lithium battery packaging performance standards PACT, LLC, an innovator of packaging and crating technologies, has been granted a US patent for its Thermo Shield™, a paper-based, fire-resistant shipping wrap designed to prevent catastrophes caused by battery explosions during transport. Utilizing a revolutionary technology that actively and automatically cools the internal environment of a corrugated container, the paper-based, 100% recyclable protective logistics product prevents damage to the outside shipping container, suppresses fumes or gasses from escaping, and limits external oxygen supply. Thermo Shield™ comprises a lightweight pleated material with a non-toxic moisture vapor application that ensures the safety of lithium-ion products in transport. The solution can suppress thermal runaway and propagation at temperatures up to 800°C, and restrict the temperature outside the wrap itself to 60°C. Importantly considering the push for sustainable packing solutions, the pleated paper is an eco-friendly material that protects the environment even while shielding items from hazardous thermal runaway events, including fires. The solution’s credentials are a step up from competitors: Thermo Shield™ is a paper-based wrap solution that exceeds the proposed SAE G27 lithium battery packaging performance standards for safety in shipping. The shipper also is lightweight and reusable, lending to cost efficiency both at initial purchase and during use. The urgent industry needs to mitigate dangerous thermal runaway events makes Thermo Shield™ a potentially groundbreaking solution, one capable of drastically limiting the amount of thermal runaway to protect both logistics personnel and valuable cargo. Per the United Parcel Service (UPS), just seven of their customers are responsible for shipping over 40 million lithium-ion batteries per year. Further, the majority of cells or battery packs are produced in Asia, leading to long transit times when shipping to the Western Hemisphere. “Thermo Shield’s one-of-a-kind design allows it to suppress serious thermal runaway incidents, protecting freight transporters and the cargo they’re tasked with delivering,” said Rodger Mort, President of PACT, LLC. “Being recognized with a US patent serves as validation that Thermo Shield™ not only works but does so in a novel, unique fashion.”
How to choose the right Forklift Battery
Choosing industrial batteries can be complicated—there are just so many options that it can be difficult to decide which factors are most important: Ah capacity, chemistry, charging speed, cycle life, brand, price, etc. If you already know what to expect of your battery, use the forklift battery selector to see available options. If you’d like to learn which requirements of your material handling operations are crucial for choosing the right forklift battery, read on. 1. Start with the make and model of your forklifts and lift truck specs Your choice of power source for the equipment is defined primarily by the forklift’s technical specifications. As the users of diesel- or propane-powered Class 4 and 5 sit-down forklifts continue to convert to Class 1 electric, more than half of lift trucks today are battery-powered. Durable, high-capacity Li-ion batteries have become available for even the most demanding applications handling heavy and bulky loads like steel, lumber, paper, and beverages. The following are the main specs you need to look at. 1.1 Battery voltage (V) and capacity (Ah) There are several standard voltage options (12V, 24V, 36V, 48V, 72V, 80V) and different capacity options (from 100Ah to 1000Ah and higher) available for various lift truck models. For example, a 24V 210Ah battery is typically used in 4,000-pound pallet jacks, and 80V 1050Ah would fit a counterbalanced sit-down forklift to handle loads up to 20K pounds. 1.2 Battery compartment size The dimensions of a forklift’s battery compartment are often unique, so it is crucial to find a perfect and precise fit. It is also important to consider the cable connector type and its location on the battery and a truck. Some OEM manufacturers (e.g. Combilift, AisleMaster) have two battery compartments of different sizes. The CUSTOM Series lithium battery is a good example of how a battery is engineered to meet certain equipment’s unique specs. 1.3 Battery weight and counterweight Different forklift models have different recommended battery weight requirements that you should consider while making your choice. An additional counterweight is added to a battery intended for use in applications with heavy loads. 1.4 Li-ion vs. lead-acid forklift batteries in different types of electric forklifts (Classes I, II, and III) Lithium batteries are best suited for Class I, II, and III forklifts and other off-road electric vehicles, like sweepers and scrubbers, tugs, golf carts, etc. The reasons? Triple the lifespan of lead-acid technology, excellent safety, minimal maintenance, stable operation at low or high temperatures, and high energy capacity in kWh. LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) and NMC (Lithium-Manganese-Cobalt-Oxide) batteries are both used in electric forklifts. The recent tests of lithium battery types at Sandia Laboratories show that LFP batteries will actually last longer and are more reliable than NMC. NMC and NCA (Lithium-Cobalt-Nickel-Oxide) types of lithium batteries are more commonly used in passenger EVs and electronics due to their lower overall weight and higher energy density per kilogram. NMC industrial batteries are used by some OEM manufacturers (Kalmar, for example) in construction equipment like cranes and excavators. Until recently, lead-acid batteries have been widely used in all types of electric forklift trucks. TPPL is the newer version of such batteries. It has higher efficiency and higher charging speed but only compared to traditional flooded lead-acid technology or sealed lead-acid batteries, like absorbent glass mat (AGM). In most cases, lithium-ion batteries are a much more economical and efficient choice for industrial applications than any lead-acid battery, including AGM or TPPL batteries. 1.5 Forklift-battery communication A Controller Area Network (CAN bus) allows microcontrollers and devices to communicate with each other’s applications without a host computer. Not all battery brands are fully integrated with all forklift models through the CAN bus. Then there is the option of using an external Battery Discharge Indicator (BDI), which provides the operator with visual and audio signals of the battery’s state of charge and readiness to work. At OneCharge, we make both options and are ready to develop CAN options with any lift truck make and model. 2. Factor in the details of your material handling equipment application and your company policies The battery’s performance must fit the actual use of the forklift or lift truck. Sometimes the same trucks are used in different ways (handling different loads, for example) in the same facility. In this case, you may need different batteries for them. Your corporate policies and standards may also be in play. 2.1 Load weight, lift height, and travel distance The heavier the load, the higher the lift, and the longer the route, the more battery capacity you will require to last the whole day. Take into consideration the average and maximum weight of the load, travel distance, height of the lift, and ramps. The most demanding applications, such as paper and packaging or food and beverage, where load weight can reach 15–20 thousand pounds, will require an 80V POWER Series lithium battery with up to 1050Ah capacity. 2.2 Forklift attachments As with the load weight, the size of the pallet, or the shape of the load that needs to be moved, using heavy forklift attachments will require more “gas in the tank”—higher battery capacity. A hydraulic paper clamp is a good example of an attachment for which you need to plan some extra power. 2.3 Freezer or cooler Will a forklift operate in a cooler or freezer? For low-temperature operations, you’ll probably need to choose a forklift battery equipped with additional insulation and heating elements, like the FROST Series lithium battery. 2.4 Charging schedule and speed: LFP and NMC Li-ion vs lead-acid battery Single battery operation eliminates the need to replace a dead battery with a fresh one during the workday. In most cases, this is only possible with the opportunity charging of a Li-ion battery during breaks, when it is convenient for the operator and does not disrupt the production process. Several 15-minute breaks during the day are enough to keep the lithium battery at over 40% charge. This is a recommended charging mode that provides top performance
Battery Watering Technologies promotes Elliott as Business Development Manager
Battery Water Technologies has announced that Jack Elliott has been promoted to the position of Business Development Manager. As a 2020 graduate of High Point University, Jack began his career as a Regional Account Manager and has been instrumental in BWT’s overall growth this past year. Jack will be transitioning his duties to business development for our parent company, FourShare, LLC. “Jack will continue to be involved with Battery Watering Technologies as he assists with the development and implementation of new products and services. said Rob Soares, president of FourShare LLC. “He will continue to manage select accounts and serve as a member of our Brand Advancement Team,” Soares added. FourShare, LLC. is a manufacturer serving the material handling, aerospace, automotive, and technology sectors.
EP 207: Energy Management with Enersys
On this episode, I was joined by a previous guest, Harold Vanasse of Enersys®. Harold is the Senior Director of Marketing for the Motive Power arm at Enersys and has been a long-time friend of the show. He was on one of the first episodes when I did my coverage of ProMat 2019 and has always been very supportive of the podcast. This time around we discuss how the motive power industry was impacted by COVID-19, new energy management tools, the total cost of ownership, and what is coming next for battery technology. Key Takeaways Enersys is one of the largest battery providers and I was curious to know how the battery market did through the pandemic. As we know supply chain was the center of attention and as certain industries like grocery surged, Harold explains how the increase in demand made companies need more material handling equipment which ultimately means they needed more batteries to power them. Definitely a great sign for our industry as consumer behavior has made a major shift to e-commerce and ordering things online. One other thing from the pandemic is how can companies get creative with cutting costs and Harold mentions about their recent launch of lithium-ion batteries which is part of their move to make their batteries as maintenance-free as possible resulting in lower costs. In addition to launching the new lithium-ion batteries, Enersys also recently launched some energy management tools that can give you further insights into your batteries. These products are the WI-IQ, E Connect, and Truck IQ which all have their own purpose and help to improve your overall battery maintenance costs and life. The WI-IQ is a monitoring device which is collecting the information and sending it out so it can be analyzed in many different ways. The Truck IQ is the dashboard on the truck itself that gives the operator more insights into the battery they are utilizing at the moment. I was very impressed to hear about the E Connect which is an app for your phone that can give you better visualization into your fleet. One of my favorite features of the app is that it can sync up with the charger and give you insights or push insights to a tech over the phone which potentially avoids waiting for a service call to show up. Harold helps us to understand what total cost of ownership (TCO) means in this episode which is incredibly important when you are looking at purchases like batteries for your equipment. When calculating this you are taking in the total cost throughout the life of that item which is not just the initial upfront cost, it includes the maintenance, accessories that may be needed, and anything else that is a cost related to the item. This is incredibly important to understand because in some cases the upfront cost may be higher but when you calculate the total cost over the life of the item it can end up being less if there is less maintenance or if you don’t need other things to support it properly. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 207: Energy Management with Enersys
East Penn receives 2021 America’s Best Employers for Women recognition by Forbes and Statista
East Penn is proud to announce that the company ranks as one of America’s Best Employers for Women 2021 by Forbes and Statista. This is East Penn’s first year being recognized with this honor. Previously, the company has been recognized as one of America’s Best Large Employers three times, most recently in 2021. East Penn was also ranked as one of Pennsylvania’s Best-In-State Employers for 2020. The Best Employers for Women 2021 list was compiled by an independent survey of 50,000 Americans, including 30,000 women, working for businesses with at least 1,000 employees. Prior to the award, there was no submission process and companies were not made aware of the survey. Representation at the executive and board levels were taken into account, as were initiatives to improve gender equity and recent or unresolved allegations regarding discrimination or misconduct. Women surveyed were asked to also rate their own employers regarding parental leave, family support, flexibility, discrimination, representation & career, and pay equity. “As part of our culture of respect and inclusion at East Penn, we treat advancing women in the organization as a business priority because we know diversity at all levels results in improved problem solving, better customer relations, and better financial performance,” said Christy Weeber, East Penn CFO. The company gives credit for this award to the incredible people of East Penn. “East Penn has a long legacy of extraordinary women who have helped establish our foundation, shape our culture, and spur us on to tremendous growth,” said Donna Snyder, East Penn VP Marketing and Advertising. “That’s why we are passionate about empowering all of our people in the workplace to a future that will continue to grow our company in a way that benefits the employees, their communities, and the customers that we serve.” East Penn was awarded along with 300 other large American companies, which have more than 1,000 employees. To see the ranking, go to Forbes Best Employers for Women List: https://www.forbes.com/best-employers-women/#6334513f7de9
OneCharge appoints Suarez as Western Regional VP
OneCharge Inc., a provider of lithium batteries for the material handling industry, announced that it has appointed David Suarez as the Western Regional Vice President. OneCharge has named David Suarez as the Western Regional Vice President, reporting to Mark D’Amato, Vice President of Sales. He comes to OneCharge with more than 20 years of experience in mobile power across numerous industries, including underground mining, energy storage, and telecom, among others. Before joining the OneCharge team, Suarez held sales and sales leadership roles with companies such as Interstate Batteries, EnerSys, Voltabox of North America, and recently Green Cubes Technology. “I am excited to work with the leadership team on driving clean, safe, and efficient solutions to the markets we serve,”- says Suarez. “The culture aligns with the mission here at OneCharge. Manufacture the best product, provide the best customer experience, all while delivering efficient and clean solutions. Through innovative tools and best-in-class engineering, we are doing our part to accelerate the adoption of lithium-ion.” added Suarez. Tim Karimov, president at OneCharge, says: “We are very happy to have David on board. His expertise and personal energy are a good fit for the team and business. Creation of this role is in an important step forward for the company development strategy.”
Flux Power reaches a new milestone of 10,000+ Battery Packs Shipped to Customers
Flux Power Holdings, Inc., a developer of advanced lithium-ion industrial batteries for commercial and industrial equipment, announced on July 30th that over 10,000 battery packs have been shipped to customers. Flux Power’s lithium-ion battery packs are used by customers throughout North America in applications such as material handling equipment, airport ground support equipment (GSE), and stationary energy storage. “We are excited to reach this milestone at Flux Power,” commented CEO Ron Dutt. “We believe these 10,000+ battery packs are a testament to the contributions of our employees and the customer demand for innovative and safe lithium-ion solutions.”
Green Cubes Technology appoints Power Industry Veteran as Chief Operating Officer
Ken Johnson adds manufacturing and supply chain expertise to global operations Green Cubes Technology (Green Cubes), the provider in producing Lithium-ion (Li-ion) power systems that facilitate the transition from lead-acid batteries and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) power to green Li-ion battery power, appointed Ken Johnson as Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the company. Mr. Johnson reports to Keith Washington, president and CEO of Green Cubes, supporting all business units and operations. Mr. Johnson provides leadership to supply chain, operations and manufacturing roles to build processes for continued growth for Green Cubes within Telecom, Materials Handling, and Industrial Automation markets. Mr. Johnson will manage Green Cube’s production facilities in Malaysia, Slovakia, Kokomo (Indiana), and Dunlap (Tennessee). “Ken has led both domestic and international operations and supply chains through new product introduction, lean transformations, inventory reductions, and overall working capital improvement,” said Mr. Washington. “I am confident his experience and focused vision will help Green Cubes successfully execute its continued growth within strategic markets and geographic locations.” Mr. Johnson has a history of success in energy storage and power electronics technology as an operations leader with a demonstrated track record of success in these markets, spending over 25 years in global manufacturing and supply chain with companies such as IBM, Danaher, Eaton, and Active Power. The range of products manufactured under Mr. Johnson’s supervision includes personal computers, motors, DC power systems, and single-phase/three-phase complex Uninterruptable Power System (UPS). Mr. Johnson graduated with a Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering degree from Texas A&M in Industrial Engineering.
VARTA Lithium Button Cells for the world’s smallest wireless sensor
VARTA empowers technologies of the future: VARTA supplies energy in the form of primary lithium button cells to the Norwegian company Disruptive Technologies. Disruptive Technologies is the manufacturer of the world’s smallest wireless sensors. These IoT sensors are tiny, robust, low cost, and scalable with long battery life. VARTA supplies the primary lithium coin cell CR1216, which enables the small size of the sensor through special battery assembly and low weight. A custom connection to the battery is provided by VARTA to allow for a miniaturized sensor design. Due to low internal resistance, a high pulse load can take place. The button cell has a runtime of up to 15 years and a low self-discharge for long storage and operating time. It withstands a wide temperature range and operates with UL certification. “The high and repeatable quality of the button cells with customized pin tags was the main criterion for selecting VARTA as a supplier”, says Oystein Moldsvor, VP of Engineering at Disruptive Technologies. Wireless sensors belong to the field of the Internet of Things. They are designed to make our everyday lives easier and more convenient by connecting several components with each other, thus ensuring an intelligent exchange of data between the devices. Wireless sensors are used, for example, in smart buildings and facilities management, in the area of smart offices and workplaces, and smart manufacturing and warehousing. VARTA develops battery solutions for the future that empower others to make their products even better – and that means smaller, more powerful, and more independent.
Flux Power announces Sales Order backlog of $13.7M for Lithium-ion Battery Packs
Flux Power Holdings, Inc., a developer of advanced lithium-ion industrial batteries for commercial and industrial equipment, has announced that on July 20, 2021, its sales order backlog reached $13.7M. These battery packs, to be delivered to customers in the current and subsequent quarters, will be used to power material handling equipment, airport ground support equipment (GSE), and other industrial equipment. The $13.7M in sales order backlog represents the Company’s highest open sales orders and reflects the Company’s growing customer base and recovering status of some of its COVID-19 impacted customers. “We are pleased to see a recovery in the travel industry and repeat purchase orders from our global airline customers,” commented CEO Ron Dutt. “We believe this sales order backlog reflects broad customer satisfaction with our full line of lithium-ion battery packs.”
Green Cubes Technology announces MultiVoltage Lithium SAFEFlex Batteries
Green Cubes Technology (Green Cubes), a provider in producing Lithium-ion (Li-ion) power systems that facilitate the transition from lead-acid batteries and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) power to green Li-ion battery power, today announced a full line of MultiVoltage SAFEFlex batteries. Patent-pending MultiVoltage technology enables the battery to charge at double its output voltage, which cuts charging time in half and makes opportunity charging a more accessible option with simplicity and ease of use for the operator. Applicable to the material handling market, Green Cubes Technology’s MultiVoltage battery completes a full charge in less than one hour and is offered in 24/48V, 36/72V, and 48/96V combinations. Green Cubes has deployed over 200 MultiVoltage batteries across these three different voltage combinations. It is common for high use and high-capacity batteries, such as a large 48V battery, to be charged with two cables to increase the charge current. The MultiVoltage battery utilizes single connector 4/0 cabling in a charge port configuration, which delivers cost efficiencies and minimizes the chance of cable damage over traditional fast charging with dual cables. In addition, due to the lower insertion and extraction forces of the single connector equipment, operators appreciate the MultiVoltage systems over their dual cable counterparts. “The ability to opportunity charge is a key feature of Li-ion batteries’ value proposition for material handling equipment,” said Anthony Cooper, General Manager of Green Cubes’ Motive Group. “MultiVoltage SAFEFlex batteries accommodate an even faster charging time which widens the performance gap between Li-ion and Lead Acid Batteries. Our class 2, 36V products, have been extremely popular for Reach Trucks because they are very highly utilized and recognize the benefits.” Other than the battery configuration itself, the MultiVoltage battery uses standard chargers and requires no changes to the equipment. Lithium SAFEFlex is the integration of Lithium Iron Phosphate cells, electronics, packaging, and a software platform that was designed specifically for the rugged requirements of material handling. The advanced mechanical packaging meets the impact forces of a large forklift and the rugged automotive-grade Battery Management System (BMS) makes Lithium SAFEFlex the most reliable lithium battery for the material handling industry. With MultiVoltage technology, a quick coffee or lunch break can be used to charge a battery, keeping material handling equipment in full utilization.