Alpine Power Systems expands into the Arkansas motive power market
Alpine Power Systems just announced that their Motive Power Division has expanded their footprint into the Arkansas market. The expansion of Alpine’s motive power presence within the state of Arkansas has led to multiple sales and operational hires to help support their growth within the market. Alpine has secured a facility in Little Rock which will be utilized to service the entire Arkansas market including Little Rock, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Jonesboro and more. Alpine’s Arkansas Facility is located at 8602 Riverwood Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72113. Alpine will be providing the best-in-class products to the material-handling industry including new & used forklift batteries, chargers, watering systems, battery wash systems, and battery handling systems. Alpine has extensive experience with the latest motive power technologies including lithium, thin plate pure lead (TPPL), valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA), and fast / opportunity charging. Alpine’s battery services for the material-handling industry include on-site battery and charger repairs, load testing, comprehensive maintenance programs, safety assessment services, and battery recycling. Sean Davis, Alpine’s Vice President of Sales says: “This expansion creates a nearly contiguous market for Alpine Power Systems, from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. Enhancing the customer experience is our priority and we are excited about the future in these areas.”
Crown Equipment now offers line of Lithium-Ion-Powered Forklifts
Crown Equipment Corporation, one of the world’s largest material handling companies, just announced that its recently introduced V-Force-Lithium-Ion Energy Storage System (ESS) is now available for the majority of Crown’s complete line of electric forklifts. The announcement signifies the increasing viability of lithium-ion technology as a practical alternative power source for forklifts, especially for multi-shift operations utilizing opportunity charging. The V-Force Lithium-Ion ESS is fully integrated with the truck for flexibility, scalability and convenience. The integration allows the truck’s display to show battery discharge levels and alerts the operator through an early warning system before truck operation is stopped. In addition to the lithium-ion technology, the system also includes a modular V-Force charger, as well as a battery management system that extends battery life by preventing operation outside of warranted conditions. “Crown is committed to working with customers interested in implementing alternative power sources for their forklifts to eliminate some of the pain points associated with the lead-acid battery power source,” said Todd Fleck, director of parts and motive power, Crown Equipment. “The Crown V-Force Lithium-Ion Energy Storage System is specifically designed to seamlessly integrate with our forklifts. Through both modeling and application testing, our research team determined specific design modifications needed to help ensure the lithium-ion-powered forklift matches the performance, efficiency and safety standards to which the truck was initially designed.” Lithium-ion batteries offer a number of advantages compared to lead-acid batteries. They are maintenance-free, sealed units, which eliminates the need for battery watering. They can be opportunity charged during operator breaks without adversely affecting battery life, which contributes to longer run times and removes the need for battery changing. They do not emit gas during charging and do not require special battery rooms. Lithium-ion batteries also offer greater energy efficiency over lead-acid batteries. Earlier this summer, Crown introduced the V-HFM3 Series of modular battery chargers that can be configured to charge lead-acid and V-Force lithium-ion batteries. The V-HFM3 Series is part of Crown Equipment’s full line of V-Force forklift chargers, batteries and accessories.
XL Lifts launches the Xlerator series
XL Lifts, specializing in zero and low emissions forklifts, today announced the availability of the XLerator line of forklift battery chargers. XLerator battery chargers are universal so operations with forklifts from multiple product lines and brands (or even ones that use different battery types like lithium and lead acid) can turn to a single forklift battery charger company to power their entire fleet of forklifts. Free from the constraints of having to buy a specific charger for each forklift brand, companies can now more easily update their electric forklift fleets with reduced infrastructure costs. In addition, the XLerator’s weather-resistant design* means that they can be charged outdoors, freeing up precious and expensive indoor space. “We are ecstatic to offer our customers a forklift battery charger that is flexible in its design and its configuration,” said Mike Marzahl, President of XL Lifts, the creators of the XLerator line of forklift battery chargers. “Our XLerator battery chargers will free companies from the current constraints of powering electric material handling equipment and ultimately save them both time and money.” Key features and benefits of the new XLerator battery chargers include: Flexible and scalable design able to work with a wide range of forklift brands Can be programmed for conventional, opportunity or fast applications Compatible with lithium ion, lead acid, VGA and other battery types “Plug and Play” utility makes expansion easy and inexpensive Available weather-resistant design for use both indoors and outdoors Eliminates need for large indoor space to house and charge electric forklifts Zero downtime thanks to an advanced design that remains operational even if a power module fails Multi-voltage 1.3kW power modules, that can be combined to produce over 30kW output Chargers for a 24 volt-36 Volt-48 volt up to 80 Volts for all forklifts, AGV’s (automated guided vehicles) and GSE (ground support equipment) Wireless communication
Linde Material Handling expands its portfolio of lithium-ion batteries
Wider choice for more efficient operation The right battery for every application: This is what intralogistics specialist Linde Material Handling promises its customers. Matching the lithium-ion battery to the specific operational demands offers the additional benefit of cost savings. Compared to a conventional lead-acid battery, lithium-ion batteries in industrial trucks possess numerous advantages: Intermediate charging and short charging times ensure high availability, while the efficient overall system reduces energy expenses. Further advantages include at least twice as a long service life and lower maintenance and handling costs. The only drawback regarding the innovative energy system is relatively high battery acquisition costs. “As these rise with increasing capacity, the batteries should be precisely tailored to the application requirements on hand,” says Christoph Englert, Product Manager Energy Strategy and Solutions at Linde Material Handling. Logically, the greater the variety of battery sizes to choose from, the better this can be achieved. Linde Material Handling is therefore expanding its lithium-ion battery portfolio. For trucks in the load capacity range from 2 to 3.5 tons (Linde E20 to E35), the existing 24.1 kWh and 60.3 kWh battery versions have been complemented by a larger variant with 84.6 kWh capacity, which is designed for energy-intensive three-shift applications found in the paper and beverage industries, for example. Furthermore, a new medium-capacity battery has been added for industrial trucks in the load capacity range between 3.5 and 5 tons. Here, Linde Material Handling closes the gap between the smaller (36.2 kWh) and the larger (118.4 kWh) battery with a 66.3 kWh battery. Last but not least, a second battery size of 64.7 kWh is now available for the 6-8 ton forklift trucks as a supplement to the existing 118.4 kWh battery. “If a forklift needs large amounts of energy, for example to transport heavy loads, the battery must be dimensioned accordingly. The same applies if the vehicles are used intensively for many continuous hours in multi-shift operation and the drivers have little opportunity to drive their trucks to the charging station for a longer period of time,” explains Englert. However, the situation is different if the truck can be parked and recharged multiple times in between. In this case, a smaller battery would still be sufficient to continuously supply the truck with the required amount of energy. All new 90 Volt batteries are compatible with the 9 kW, 17 kW and 30 kW chargers on offer. The choice of charger also depends on the application requirements: If there is little time available for charging, the station needs to be appropriately powerful. If, on the other hand, the charging process may take longer, a smaller charger is sufficient. With these new batteries, Linde Material Handling is making it even easier for its customers to begin using lithium-ion technology. The company already offers lithium-ion models for all its electric trucks. A major advantage of Linde trucks is that the overall system consisting of vehicle and battery carries the CE seal of approval and all components have undergone extensive testing. Furthermore, drawing on its extensive expertise and using special tools such as the lithium-ion calculator, the Linde sales organization can provide advice when it comes to converting from lead-acid to lithium-ion trucks.
REO confirms rumors about new generation of frequency converters
EO AG has confirmed that the rumours about a new generation of frequency converters are true with an initial video teaser. According to REO, the premiere of the product will be coming soon. The company wants to release further details in mid-October. Initial information concerning the frequency converter involves a new development in collaboration with the technicians of the start-up company REO Digital Connect 4.0, a subsidiary of REO. It is exclusively concerned with digitalisation and device communication with regards to Industry 4.0.
Why invest in battery monitoring?
There are probably several things you could do to improve inventory movement and boost your facility’s bottom line, but battery monitoring might be the easiest one to implement and generate the greatest results. Battery monitoring technology is an investment that pays off because it easily lets you drive efficiency by monitoring your batteries, the charging habits, and the rotations of equipment – all of which saves money. According to SupplyChain 24/7, battery monitoring and regular scheduled maintenance can help a business avoid major pain-points caused by unexpected equipment issues and it can reduce the costs of doing business. Value-driven reasons to invest battery monitoring technology Reduce frequency of battery replacement purchases. Replacement costs for batteries can be thousands of dollars, so prolonging battery lifespan can reduce what your business spends each year on battery units. With monitoring technology you can eliminate a common error – premature charging – which eats away at battery lifespans. Each charge costs a battery a cycle, cutting its lifespan. Knowing when to charge is as important as knowing how to charge. Reduce downtime and productivity losses. Battery monitoring facilitates optimal fleet performance by eliminate habits that cut into warehouse productivity –like time lost from opportunity charging or swapping equipment mid-shift. For example, it provides accurate details – like when charges are occurring, targeted temperature readings, and the state of each charge – in real-time. Management and right-sizing of equipment. Detailed data analysis can help you determine, for instance, which trucks are causing amperage overloads and what operators are topping off. Monitoring can also help determine how many batteries. Three batteries for each forklift is typical, inventory today can possibly be reduced by “pooling and more effectively managing batteries”- through monitoring technology. Battery monitoring delivers measurable ROI When a manager can make educated adjustments – driven by real-time data on SOC, amperage, temperature, voltage, and recharge protocol – it leads to longer battery life and greater efficiency. Those small, important details determine what is working well, what is not, and deliver help ROI. For example, discharged batteries are left sitting and are not recharged right away. Batteries left sitting uncharged for extended periods allow for hard sulfation and significant loss of run-time strength, and it reduces the battery lifespan. Identifying this detail –and addressing it – can saves time, frustration and money. Battery watering is a typical maintenance requirement, but how it is done is rarely optimal and can be damaging to equipment and productivity. It is possible to over-water or under-water a battery unless a system is in place to monitor correct procedure. With proper charging, cleaning and care, batteries have an expected lifespan of approximately 1,500 cycles — lasting approximately five years. But this only occurs under the right conditions. Battery monitoring technology provides the data needed to get the most life out of each unit and to provide optimum battery care. Topics: fleet monitoring, telematic diagnostics, battery monitoring, value driven strategies, waste stream reduction, cost reduction
Nano One receives $1,181,944 from SDTC
Dan Blondal, CEO of Nano One Materials Corp., has announced that Nano One has received a combined sum of $1,181,944 from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (“SDTC”). This amount represents the final payment for Nano One’s Demonstration Pilot Plant Project and initial payment toward the recently launched Scaling Advanced Battery Materials project. The Demonstration Pilot Plant Project, launched in July 2016, was completed in March of this year. Nano One has successfully delivered on all commitments and reporting requirements related to this project and SDTC has released the 10% holdback portion of their contribution totaling $208,130. As reported on May 31 2019, Nano One has been approved for an additional $5 million from SDTC to support Nano One’s Scaling Advanced Battery Materials project. Nano One and SDTC have recently executed a Project Funding Agreement resulting in Nano One’s receipt of an initial contribution of $973,814. “This is a new round of support from SDTC and it extends and leverages the success Nano One achieved during our demonstration pilot project” explained Mr. Blondal. “The first contribution is almost a million dollars, it strengthens our financial position and it is the first of five such installments from SDTC over the next three years. The goals are to expand our laboratory, pilot plant and staffing to support the advancement of next generation lithium ion battery cathode materials, used in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. The new round of funds will support activities on various cathode materials initiatives with consortium partners Volkswagen, Pulead Technology and Saint-Gobain. This includes detailed supply chain validation, process optimization and plant design for the full scale production of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP). In parallel, Nano One aims to demonstrate improved durability and production of high energy density lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides (NMC) through its joint development activities. The SDTC funding proceeds are non-dilutive, non-repayable and will be awarded in five installments and dispersed at the beginning of four sequential project phases with a 10% holdback awarded upon completion of the project. Mr. Blondal added, “SDTC is globally recognized for funding clean technology projects at the piloting stage and we are proud to be a recipient of their support. It validates our unique approach and provides valuable leverage to investors and our strategic partners. We look forward to advancing both LFP and NMC materials through this project and sharing news as it progresses.”
Sakor will exhibit engine, hybrid and electric vehicle and battery testing technologies
Sakor Technologies Inc., a recognized leader in the area of high-performance dynamometer systems, announces that it will be exhibiting at the Automotive Testing Expo North America 2019, October 22-24, 2019 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan. SAKOR will be highlighting many of their innovative technologies at Booth #10009, including hybrid and electric vehicle testing, high voltage battery testing and simulation, and the smallest AC regenerative engine dynamometer available in the industry. SAKOR technical experts will be on hand at the booth to offer expertise and answer questions about their products. An industry leader in developing testing technology for hybrid and electric vehicles, SAKOR has extensive experience in electric motor and generator testing, as well as engine and powertrain testing. The DynoLAB™ Test Cell Control System being highlighted can perform a wide variety of road load profiles and simulations, and is designed for testing to all international standards, including existing and proposed EPA, CARB, and Euro standards. The High Voltage Battery Simulator/Testing System is ideal for customers conducting research and development, performance evaluation, and durability testing of high voltage DC power systems. It can be used for testing high voltage batteries as well as simulating high voltage batteries while testing hybrid and electric vehicle drive lines and inverter systems. The High Voltage Battery Test System is fully line regenerative, resulting in a very power efficient unit, minimizing electricity usage, lowering operating costs, and providing an extremely environmentally friendly “green” profile. The Small Engine AC Motoring Dynamometer on display is the smallest available on the market today. Featuring ultra-low inertia properties, the unit can convert easily between horizontal and vertical orientations, accommodating either shaft orientation. It was developed specifically to meet the needs of small engine manufacturers who must comply with engine testing procedures required by 40 CFR Part 1065 emission standards. This innovative machine can test both steady state and transient emissions cycles, and allows users to avoid the issues associated with larger dynamometers, such as breaking of drive-shafts or couplings.
EnerSys announces agreement to acquire NorthStar Battery Company
With $78 million cash consideration and the assumption of $104.5 million in debt this acquisition combines world-class complementary products and expedites $500 million of Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) production capacity when combined with the new high-speed TPPL production line and supporting equipment Synergy savings greater than $40 million per annum achieved primarily by minimizing transoceanic freight by manufacturing locally and longer, more efficient, production runs Increases our manufacturing capacity for the world class NexSys® motive power batteries and SBS® battery products for the Telecom and Uninterruptible Power Supply industry Facilitates the growth of our ODYSSEY® battery brand into the high performance sectors of transportation markets, including Class 8 over the road trucking Available floor space at existing NorthStar facility will accommodate our new high-speed TPPL production line, preserving over $100 million of existing TPPL production capacity Upon closing, adds over $150 million in annualized revenue EnerSys, the global provider in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire all issued and outstanding shares of N Holding AB, the parent company of NorthStar, from Altor Fund II. With two production facilities in Springfield, Missouri, NorthStar manufactures and distributes batteries nearest in design and performance to EnerSys TPPL products. The acquired companies generated $157 million in revenue for the twelve months ending August 31, 2019 and adjusted EBITDA of $14 million, or 9% adjusted EBITDA margin. The transaction enterprise value is 13x of the LTM adjusted EBITDA (pre-synergies) and only 3x adjusted EBITDA, including run-rate synergies. “In line with our previously disclosed strategy to increase sales of premium products we are excited to announce the acquisition of NorthStar, which will enable EnerSys to dramatically accelerate our sales for TPPL batteries,” said David M. Shaffer, President and Chief Executive Officer of EnerSys. “The manufacturing processes and quality standards of NorthStar are very similar to EnerSys® TPPL production. It will require a modest capital investment to convert the NorthStar factories to build our ODYSSEY®, NexSys®, and SBS® battery products over a six month period. The proven expertise and training of the NorthStar production teams will dramatically accelerate our growth versus building Greenfield sites and training new teams. We are very impressed with the NorthStar team and we look forward to welcoming the organization to the EnerSys® family. “In addition, the newer of the two NorthStar factories was not fully built out and has floor space immediately available for our new TPPL high-speed production line. The highly automated and digitized line has passed manufacturer acceptance tests and was already on route to Missouri. The line adds $175 million of production capacity, produces batteries three times faster than our existing production lines and requires significantly less operators and is well aligned with our operational excellence goals. It also eliminates the need to remove two existing production lines from our Warrensburg, Missouri facility to accommodate this line. “Finally, NorthStar has blue chip customers in Europe and EnerSys currently imports significant amounts of batteries from Europe into the US market. This transaction will allow a rebalancing of factory loading and a dramatic reduction in inventory, freight, duty and currency risks. It will also allow us to better match the rate and amount of future capital expenditure to specific market requirements.” Shaffer continued, “Our premium TPPL core technology distinguishes EnerSys in various vertical markets and we look forward to combining the strengths of these two businesses to deliver enhanced value to our customers and shareholders.” The transaction is predicted to generate annual run-rate synergies in excess of $40 million to EnerSys and to be accretive to EnerSys’ earnings, excluding any one-time or acquisition related costs. The transaction is expected to close in the next fifteen (15) days, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The transaction will also be covered during our Investor Day presentation at The New York Stock Exchange on October 2, 2019.
Canadian Prime Minster Trudeau visits Nano One
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Nano One‘s pilot facility in Burnaby BC. Trudeau was in British Columbia to announce a climate change initiative and a cut in corporate taxes for companies that develop technologies or manufacture products that have zero emissions. The target is to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Today’s announcement is aligned with Nano One’s focus to accelerate the adoption of lithium ion batteries and reduce carbon emissions. Nano One’s process aims to increase performance and safety while reducing the cost of battery materials for applications in advanced lithium ion batteries used in transportation, grid storage and consumer electronics. Nano One’s patented process for making cathode materials is changing the way the world makes battery materials, addressing waste, cost and performance. The Nano One team gave the Prime Minister a tour of their pilot and laboratory facility, and they demonstrated the process of making cathode materials such as lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and lithium nickel manganese cobalt (NMC). Mr. Trudeau also participated in the assembly of electrodes and separators into lithium ion battery test cells. “It is great to see increased support on climate change initiatives,” said Dan Blondal CEO of Nano One, “and Nano One is pleased to have the ongoing support of the Government of Canada. To date, we have been awarded over $10 million in non-dilutive non-repayable funds and this support has been critical in expanding our scientific, engineering and marketing activities as we advance towards commercialization. This support is also complementary to recently announced partnerships with Volkswagen, Pulead Technology and Saint-Gobain.” Nano One’s pilot and partnership activities are being funded with the assistance and support of the Government of Canada through Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) and the Automotive Supplier Innovation Program (ASIP) a program of the Strategic Innovation Fund. Nano One also receives financial support from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP). Nano One’s mission is to establish its patented technology as a leading platform for the global production of a new generation of battery materials.
Cummins invests in fuel cell technology firm Loop Energy
Loop Energy, a provider of fuel cell electric range extenders for medium- and heavy-duty transport applications, announced that it received a cash investment from Cummins Inc. Loop Energy, a provider of fuel cell electric range extenders for medium- and heavy-duty transport applications, announced that it received a cash investment from Cummins Inc. Hydrogen fuel cells are gaining interest from transportation industry leaders as they facilitate the transition from vehicles running on fossil fuels to sustainable electric solutions. In commercial transport applications, fuel cell range extended vehicles emit no greenhouse gas or pollutant emissions and there is no impact to vehicle payload weight, power demands or refueling time compared to battery-only systems. The quantity of the investment was not disclosed. Earlier this month, Cummins completed a $290 million acquisition of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada-based fuel-cell and hydrogen-production technology company Hydrogenics Corp. Cummins acquired an 81-percent share in Hydrgenics. Also a Canadian company, Loop Energy is based in Burnaby, B.C. “Cummins investment in Loop Energy affirms the positioning of our company and technologies to meet the demand for a cost-effective alternative to the internal combustion engine in commercial trucking,” said Ben Nyland, president and CEO of Loop Energy. “This new investment by Cummins is solid evidence of the traction we are gaining in the market through investments, customer orders, and vehicle demonstration programs.” Loop Energy will also supply Cummins with range extender systems for incorporation into demonstration trucks. Loop’s n-compromise module provides a breakthrough in terms of cost and power density, allowing truck operators to transition to zero emissions without an impact to cost of ownership. “Cummins is investing in a broad portfolio of power solutions, including advancements in hydrogen fuel cell technologies and the electrification of commercial applications,” said Thad Ewald, vice president of corporate strategy, Cummins. “This investment is continued evidence of our commitment to next-generation trucking technologies, and we look forward to working with Loop Energy to further validate the provision of zero-emissions fuel cell rage extenders for customers.”
Industrial Scientific introduces Wi-fi Battery for Ventis® Pro5 Multi-Gas Monitors
New wi-fi battery instantly transmits data from Ventis Pro5 monitors to iNet Now for real-time monitoring using existing infrastructure Industrial Scientific, a global provider in connected sensing technology, has announced the expansion of its connected safety portfolio to include a new wi-fi battery for the Ventis Pro5 Multi-Gas Monitor for customers in the United States and Canada. The new battery uses standard wi-fi networks to instantly transmit data directly to cloud-based iNet® Now software, providing real-time alerts and visibility into gas hazards, panic, and man-down situations. With data transmitted instantly to iNet Now, safety managers can receive real-time alerts when a worker is in distress and quickly access the data they need to monitor sites, keep workers safe, and make smart decisions in the moment. Real-time insights on where workers are located and what hazards they face gives organizations the power to increase productivity, reduce risk, and strengthen their safety culture. “We believe that instant visibility into worker safety will save more lives and provide our customers with valuable insights to continuously improve worker safety,” said Tae-Yeon Won, product manager at Industrial Scientific. “The new wi-fi battery gives organizations easy, cost-effective access to live monitoring.” The new wi-fi battery will run 16 hours on a single charge and is compatible with existing chargers and the DSX™ Docking Station. Current Ventis Pro5 customers can easily convert their personal multi-gas monitor to a wirelessly-connected wi-fi monitor by simply switching the battery pack. The wi-fi battery is also available as an option for all new Ventis Pro5 Multi-Gas Monitors. Learn more about wi-fi batteries for the Ventis Pro5.
Delta-Q Technologies releases new Software capability to provide Stackable Charging Solutions
Delta-Q Technologies (Delta-Q), a leader in battery charging solutions for electric vehicles and industrial equipment, announced today its entry into mid-range power charging through its new stackable charging software. This software allows for two to six Delta-Q chargers to link together to create charging solutions that can deliver up to 7.5 kW. Driven by changes in the market, Delta-Q designed the stackable charging system for OEMs in need of a charging solution that is modular, scalable and can be distributed across their vehicle or equipment. The stackable solution provides added flexibility in that it can be used as an onboard or offboard charger or as combination of the two. Further, the new stackable charger is ideal for electric vehicles in the urban mobility, utility, articulated booms, compact construction, and material handling industries. “This launch is an exciting move for Delta-Q,” says Steve Blaine, executive vice president of engineering and quality. “With this new software, our products can scale across our customers’ electric product lines. OEMs will also have the flexibility to choose how they want to charge their products based on their needs.” Key benefits of the stackable charging system include: • Allows modular, scalable and rugged onboard and offboard battery charging solution delivering up to 7.5kW • Offers CAN bus communication for BMS charge control, vehicle, and telematics system integration • Supports charging from North American and European standard charging stations (EVSEs) • Delivers precise charge of battery packs of various chemistries and voltages, up to 120 Vdc prolonging battery life while minimizing charge time • Helps OEMs reduce SKU count and wiring infrastructure overhead costs Delta-Q is now accepting sample requests and will start production of the stackable charging system in November 2019.
BCI announces new president and Board retirement
Battery Council International (BCI) has announced the appointment of David M. “Dave” Shaffer to President of the BCI Board of Directors effective Sept. 1st succeeding Joseph A. “Joe” Walicki who has announced he will step down as president and resign from the BCI Board of Directors effective Aug. 31st coinciding with his retirement. “We are excited to welcome Dave into his new role as BCI’s president and we are eager to see where his leadership will take us, as the organization is poised to enter a new strategic planning phase,” said Kevin Moran, BCI executive vice president. “On behalf of BCI, I’d like to extend my gratitude to Joe for his many contributions and service to BCI. We wish him years of happiness in his retirement.” Shaffer currently serves as director, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of EnerSys, a manufacturer and distributor of reserve power and motive power batteries, battery chargers, power equipment, battery accessories and outdoor equipment enclosure solutions. Shaffer reaffirmed the focus of BCI by stating that, “Energy storage has never been more important or exciting, and our industry continues to meet the world’s energy storage needs as they transition to decarbonization. BCI has a vital role to help its members adapt to an evolving technology and regulatory landscape. I thank the BCI board and membership for the opportunity to serve as president as we work together to sustain our collective success.” Walicki welcomed Shaffer to his position as board president by stating, “As I step down from my role as board president, I am pleased to have Dave assume this leadership position. His passion, energy and commitment to the industry will be valuable to the BCI board, staff and members.” Until Aug. 31st Walicki is the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Clarios, previously known as Johnson Controls Power Solutions. He represents the company in the advancement of energy storage technologies, the support of vehicle energy efficiency standards and is an advocate for sound energy and environmental policies. In announcing his retirement, Walicki stated, “After more than 30 years at Johnson Controls, now Clarios, I am looking forward to the next chapter in my life. I have never been as proud as I am today of the Clarios team and the work they have done and will continue to perform under its leadership. My wife, Claire, and I look forward to returning to our home back East where we will be surrounded by our family and reconnect with longtime friends.”
CNH Industrial to lead NIKOLA’s Series D round with $250 million investment
Parties announces a strategic partnership to industrialize fuel-cell and battery electric Heavy-Duty Trucks for North America and Europe CNH Industrial N.V., has announced its intention to enter into a strategic and exclusive Heavy-Duty Truck partnership with Nikola Corporation, based in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A., to accelerate industry transformation towards emission neutrality of Class 8/Heavy-Duty Trucks in North America and Europe through the adoption of fuel-cell technology. Nikola’s zero-emission Heavy Duty Trucks, powered by proprietary hydrogen fuel cell and battery technology, will be the first-to-production. The company’s disruptive business model foresees an industry-first ‘all-in’ lease rate, which includes vehicle, service, maintenance and fuel costs, providing long-term total cost of ownership certainty at or below diesel costs. CNH Industrial will take a $250 million strategic stake in Nikola as the lead Series D investor, comprising $100 million cash and $150 million in services, such as product development, manufacturing engineering, and other technical assistance, as well as supply of certain key components to accelerate the production timeline of the Nikola TWO and Nikola TRE. Pre-money valuation was set at $3 billion. Nikola anticipates raising over $1 billion in the D round, granting approximately 25% ownership to new investors and business partners, including CNH Industrial. IVECO and FPT Industrial, the commercial vehicle and powertrain brands of CNH Industrial respectively, will assist in engineering and manufacturing expertise to industrialize Nikola’s fuel-cell and battery electric trucks. The following vehicles will benefit from this partnership: the Nikola ONE, a NAFTA- compliant Class 8 sleeper truck; the Nikola TWO, a NAFTA-compliant Class 8 day-cab truck; and the Nikola TRE, a European compliant cab-over Heavy-Duty Truck. Nikola will contribute technologies for a European Joint Venture with CNH Industrial that will include class-leading fuel-cell expertise, e-axles, inverters, independent suspension, on-board hydrogen fuel storage, over-the-air software update functionality, infotainment, vehicle controls, vehicle-to-station communication protocols, power electronics, and access to a hydrogen fueling network. Fuel-cell technology is the logical next step to liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered engines as it builds on existing refueling networks, enabling local on-site production of hydrogen. FPT Industrial has been at the forefront of alternative propulsion solutions for over two decades, having produced some 50,000 natural gas-powered engines to date. IVECO is the absolute European leader in natural gas vehicles, with some 28,000 of its trucks and buses powered by FPT Industrial engines. FPT Industrial and IVECO have been instrumental in the development and expansion of Europe’s natural gas refueling network, in addition to successfully introducing new powertrain technology. Following a similar path, Nikola is actively working with partners to develop the required hydrogen refueling infrastructure in North America and Europe. Strategic near-term project milestones include the industrialization of the Nikola TWO fuel cell- powered Class 8 truck for the North American market, as well as the integration of IVECO S-Way truck technology into the battery-electric powered Nikola TRE cab-over model for both the North American and European markets. In the long-term, a European Joint Venture will cover both battery electric vehicles (BEV) and fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV) launched by Q4 2022. Nikola plans to leverage IVECO’s European sales, service and warranty channels to accelerate access to the European market. “The increasing focus on the recognition that there needs to be fundamental reductions in automotive emissions is driving our industry to rapidly seek advanced technological solutions. IVECO is now ideally placed to offer customers an even wider range of transport solutions including natural gas, electric and fuel-cell powered vehicles,” said Hubertus Mühlhäuser, Chief Executive Officer, CNH Industrial. “Nikola’s choice of IVECO as its strategic partner is testament to our internationally recognized excellence in heavy duty trucks and alternative powertrain technologies.” “The time has come to finally provide a zero-emission solution to the heavy-duty truck market. While other OEMs believe zero-emission solutions cannot happen in the timeframe regulators have mandated, Nikola, FPT Industrial and IVECO are proving that these timelines are not unreasonable,” said Trevor Milton, Chief Executive Officer, Nikola Corporation. “Nikola has the technology but needs a partner with a European network to achieve it in a timely manner. With CNH Industrial’s investment and partnership, we can now bring zero-emission trucks to Europe. It is exciting to see IVECO taking the lead in providing zero-emission solutions in Europe through its partnership with Nikola. By bringing CNH Industrial on board, we now have access to manufacturing know-how, purchasing power, validated truck parts, plant engineering and much more. Few will doubt our ability to commercialize a truck now.” “Global climate change, geopolitical conflicts, future availability of fossil fuels and a self-aware circular economy all call for a fundamental change in how we operate,” added Gerrit Marx, President Commercial and Specialty Vehicles, CNH Industrial. “While today LNG delivers significantly lower well-to-wheel emissions, in the medium to long-term, fuel-cell and BEV technologies will deliver the ultimate goal of zero-emission trucking. With our LNG technology we have proven to be European disruptors, taking the lead in industry transformations including fuel supply and lifecycle ownership.” A European press conference and fleet day will be jointly-hosted by Nikola Corporation, FPT Industrial and IVECO later this year to explain the partnership in greater detail.
East Penn acquires majority share of Navitas Systems
East Penn has announced the acquisition of a majority interest in Navitas Systems. Navitas Systems is a global provider in larger-format lithium battery technology and systems for heavy-duty commercial/industrial as well as government/defense market segments. The acquisition will accelerate East Penn’s expansion of its Motive Power battery offering, as well as its strategic integration into other market segments. This exciting new venture aligns with East Penn’s existing plans of providing the most robust array of optimized energy storage system solutions. This will enhance the company’s efforts in completely meeting the ever-expanding demands of its customers well into the future. Navitas products will complement East Penn’s offerings, and its lithium Research and Development expertise will add to East Penn’s current lithium R&D program. “East Penn and Navitas share corporate values of quality, research and development, and ethical integrity. Chairman and Founder, Alan ElShafei, has built a rich company culture at Navitas very similar to ours here at East Penn. Navitas also shares our passion for producing safe, high quality Lithium products,” said Chris Pruitt, East Penn CEO and President. “We are happy to be joining in partnership with such a strong, well-established company.” Navitas Systems will continue to be run by their current management team, and both of their research and manufacturing facilities will remain in Ann Arbor, MI. “We are delighted to join in this major partnership with East Penn” said Alan ElShafei, Chairman and Founder of Navitas Systems. “They have earned such tremendous loyalty from customers and distributors alike, resulting from their caring culture, quality products, and continued focus on innovation. We could not imagine a stronger company to partner with, and we look forward to helping bring advanced lithium battery solutions in a complementary fashion to the already innovative portfolio of battery products offered by East Penn.” East Penn’s commitment to innovations in lead batteries and other advancements in new technology has availed the company unique opportunities in many new markets. The company remains on the forefront of exploring the many possibilities of advanced battery technology. While East Penn remains focused on manufacturing lead batteries and its continued innovation, expanding its offerings will help meet broader customer demands as well as enabling entry into new markets.
Industry remains charged up about lithium-ion batteries
Though lithium-ion technology has been around for more than two decades, it’s just recently that this technology has been available in material handling applications. “We’re definitely in an evolution, if you think of it as crawl-walk-run adaptation, we’re still in that crawl stage,” says Jennifer de Souza, senior director of Energy Solutions & Procurement for Raymond. “There’s a lot of shiny objects.” But that interest and buzz is good for the industry, as lithium-ion does offer advances not available with lead-acid batteries. “Lithium-ion batteries offer a lot of advantages to the material handling industry but one of the most valuable benefits of this design is its ability to deliver a better overall end-user experience,” says Harold Vanasse, senior director of marketing, Motive Power Americas at EnerSys. “Nowadays, especially with rising real estate and labor costs, material handlers are searching for ways to cut expenses and boost productivity, which in turn is driving demand for lower maintenance lift trucks.” Vanass says that, for example, EnerSys’ NexSys iON battery eliminates watering requirements and enables fast, effective opportunity charging. “No watering means less labor and no risk of spills, and opportunity charging means no more dedicated battery changing rooms, further reducing labor while freeing up valuable floorspace for revenue-generating activities,” he says. Focus on Education The benefits are clear, but industry experts all note that much of the focus right now is really on educating customers to ensure that they not only understand this latest-and-greatest technology, but that they are able to separate the truth from the hype and find the right power solution for their own needs. “Everyone knows lithium ion batteries give longer battery life, save energy with less charging time and provide virtually maintenance-free operation,” says Frank Russo, vice president of sales, marketing, dealer development for HC Forklift America Inc. “It’s our responsibility as industry professionals to teach, train and involve our customers in the latest cost-saving technologies.” For example, de Souza says that not all li-ion batteries are created equally, and that can ultimately be a factor that’s not always considered. “Your battery should be UL certified or UL equivalent,” she says, noting that not all lithium-ion batteries are in the market. “Not all lithium batteries are made the same, and not everyone understands that.” Initial Investment One of the biggest initial hurdles in introducing lithium-ion batteries to forklift fleets is the upfront cost, but those companies that are dabbling in this new technology are looking at this investment a little differently. While some customers are piloting a few batteries to see how they work and what the return could be on this type of investment, others are crunching the numbers in advance and then making a more comprehensive switch. “We’ve been working with the larger fleets, with the companies that are looking to eke out more cost efficiencies,” reports Ron Dutt, CEO of Flux Power. “They’re approaching it from an ‘all-in’ cost perspective – not just the cost of the battery. When you do that kind of side-by-side comparison, that’s usually the tipping point.” Like all new technologies moving through the market adaptation process, the cost of lithium-ion batteries have started, and will continue, to decrease over time. “Costs for lithium-ion batteries have been dropping and will continue to drop as the chemistry of the compounds improve,” says Russo. “Understand that the lithium-ion battery and the manufacturing expertise of such is not equal across our competitors. We believe and can show a 50-percent lower cost of ownership with the use of lithium-ion batteries for most any application vs. other battery configurations.” The Green Factor Lithium-ion batteries offer an eco-friendlier power option, which is not going unnoticed by the industry. Dutt says that this incentive is starting to hit the radar of government customers as well as private/public companies who have made green initiatives a priority. “Especially in California, the costs [of lithium-ion batteries] have been offset by grants,” adds Mike Marzahl, president of XL Lifts. “For example, we just delivered our World Lithium forklifts to the Port of Stockton as part of the California Air Resources Board’s Zero and Near-Zero Emissions Freight Facilities Project.” Marzahl also notes that other grant funding is now being rolled out in that state: California’s Air Resources Board recently announced the Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project, a $44-million acceleration program that provides purchasers with point-of-sale incentives to purchase and deploy zero-emission off-road freight equipment. A Hybrid Environment Ultimately, there is likely room for both lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries in the material handling workplace. “At the same time lithium-ion has been entering the marketplace, there have also been advances in lead-acid technology,” said de Souza. “I think there’s a definitely a middle ground there.” She notes that Raymond offers a power study to customers, which meters power usage and gathers data on how fleets are using it. From there, customers are able to see which battery sources are the most appropriate for their needs. “I think we’ll eventually see room for both, in terms of power usage,” she said. “It’s the usage that justifies the power application, whether it is lead-acid or lithium-ion.” Laurie Arendt is an award-winning business writer based in Wisconsin. Her writing regularly appears in national trade publications in a variety of industries. To contact Laurie Arendt email editorial@MHWmag.com.