Trojan Battery Company partners with Lester Electrical and Pack Mule at ProMat 2023 to showcase Its Lithium-Ion Batteries
Trojan Battery Company teams up with two other industry powerhouses – Lester Electrical and Pack Mule – to showcase its lithium-ion batteries for use with Lester’s Summit II Charger and in Pack Mule’s material-handling equipment Trojan Battery Company, a provider of deep-cycle battery technology, partners with Lester Electrical, a global provider of industrial battery chargers, and Pack Mule, a major manufacturer of electric industrial vehicles and carts, to display Trojan’s lithium-ion batteries at ProMat 2023 in Chicago, Illinois, March 20 –23. ‘Trojan has a close working relationship with Lester Electrical that lets us finetune our batteries to Lester chargers for a superior customer experience,” says Trojan’s Director of Business Development for Lithium-Ion and Emerging Technologies Darren Brittain. See the Trojan/Lester Prototype Battery Pack Lester Electrical will showcase a prototype Trojan/Lester Battery Pack with a Lester-designed tray, Summit II Charger, and Trojan’s GC2 24-Volt Lithium-Ion Batteries in booth N8427. Trojan and Lester are working to bring the complete package to market. “This prototype, developed cooperatively between Lester Electrical and Trojan Battery Company, brings 150+ years of combined experience to the Class 3 pallet jack industry. It offers users unparalleled charging and battery technology as well as unmatched value,” says Lester Electrical Development Manager Lucas Berndt. The package offers several advantages. Lester and Trojan cooperatively built the charger profiles to optimize efficiency and ensure safe charging. Unlike other technologies, Trojan’s GC2 24-Volt Battery charges faster delivers longer runtimes, and accepts opportunity charging, increasing productivity. Further, the Summit II Battery Charger employs an intuitive and free Bluetooth®app and cloud connectivity so users can review charge history records and anomalies from the field and increase accountability. Pack Mule Offering Trojan’s Lithium-Ion as a Premium Selection Pack Mule will showcase the Trojan CG2 48-Volt Lithium-Ion Battery as a premium offering in two of its vehicles: the BCT-9000 NXG Burden Carrier and the PCT 3500 NXG Tugger. Visit booth S3841 to see these products. This premium option combines lithium-ion batteries that increase run times and accept opportunity charging with rugged, high-capacity vehicles that decrease maintenance and round trips. The lithium-ion batteries also last much longer than flooded lead-acid or AGM, cutting replacements and total cost of ownership. “Trojan Battery’s range of lithium-ion batteries boost efficiency, productivity, and ultimately provide the highest return on investment when paired with Pack Mule vehicles. We chose to partner with Trojan because they are the most established, trustworthy brand and have proven their products to be a cut above others,” says Director of Engineering and Quality Assurance William Hoose.
366: Wireless Charging with Resonant Link
Resonant Link is a provider of wireless charging solutions for medical devices, industrial and material handling equipment, electric vehicles, and consumer electronics. CEO and co-founder at Resonant Link, Grayson Zulauf, joins The New Warehouse Podcast to discuss wireless charging solutions for Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR), forklifts, and other material handling equipment (MHE) commonly found in a warehouse environment. This technology promises to improve safety and reliability compared to other charging options. Key Takeaways Resonant Link recently announced their new 19.2 kW, 400 A wireless lift truck charger. The technology offers an efficient and fast way of wireless charging with a greater tolerance in terms of location accuracy and enhanced safety – automatically turning off if any metal is detected or operators are nearby. Next week, you can see the new charger at ProMat 2023 by visiting them at booth #N9428. Resonant Link is driving innovation in the material handling industry by lowering operating costs, lowering capital expenses, and driving revenue. Grayson adds wireless charging can decrease the number of vehicles, batteries, and energy required to produce and find materials. Wireless charging is compatible with lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries, does not require any changes to existing battery architecture, and only requires four screws on the vehicle and install a transmitter for installation. This simplifies implementation and increases productivity, as forklift operators can focus more on their work without worrying about plugging in/charging at the end of their shift. Fleet managers can look to adopt the technology for their fleet vehicles, so operators no longer have to worry about plugging in the vehicles during their breaks – this also reduces battery size and cost. Grayson envisions the future warehouse as an entire power ecosystem with intelligent routing based on charging needs and opportunities. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 366: Wireless Charging with Resonant Link
BSLBATT lithium-ion batteries to ensure uninterrupted multi-shift warehouse forklift operations in cold temperatures
One of South Africa’s leading chocolate producers switched to BSLBATT lithium-ion batteries to ensure uninterrupted multi-shift warehouse forklift operations in temperatures ranging from -25℃ to 30℃. The company profiled here is one of the largest branded food companies in South Africa and has its own manufacturing plant in South Africa. In 2021, companies are looking for ways to improve operational efficiency and safety. Low-temperature freezer and refrigerator environments can put a lot of stress on lead-acid batteries, resulting in longer charging times and frequent interruptions to daily operations. The conversion to Jungheinrich trucks powered by Eternity Technologies South Africa, the exclusive distributor of BSLBATT lithium-ion batteries in South Africa, went smoothly and did not require any operational or infrastructure changes. As a result, operations management saw an increase in forklift operating time, a significant reduction in recharging time, and overall battery maintenance time. Workplace safety has also improved. This time we came to Ferrero’s chocolate factory to visit our customers and investigate the usage of our BSLBATT 51.2V 690Ah forklift battery after one year. The forklift used is a Jungheinrich forklift. The use environment is in cold storage at a low temperature of -25 ℃ to -30 ℃ degrees, and the forklift is replaced every 45 minutes. The battery is in excellent condition after a year of use! No fault codes whatsoever! No problems during use! More and more companies are looking to use the advantages of lithium-ion batteries in forklift trucks and warehouse equipment for their intralogistics processes. But is this also possible in a temperature-controlled environment, such as cold storage in arctic temperatures? How do lithium-ion batteries maintain performance in cold and fluctuating temperatures? Why use lithium batteries in cold storage? ● Batteries that retain capacity in cold warehouse temperatures (conventional lead-acid batteries can lose 30–50% of their capacity in cold conditions) ● Electrical equipment that is unaffected by condensation and humidity inside temperature-controlled facilities ● Top safety and hygiene standards ● Increased uptime, reduced costs, greater efficiency, and equipment utilization ● Data-driven management of material handling operations ● A greater share of clean power and overall reduction of energy use in order to meet corporate sustainability goals Why BSLBATT Lithium Forklift Battery? ● BSLBATT Low-temperature series lithium Batteries maintain 95% of their nominal capacity and demonstrate stable performance in a cooler or freezer at -25° to +30°C ● All BSLBATT Low-temperature series Lithium Batteries are sealed against condensation; all other battery series can be upgraded with a sealed package ● Li-ion batteries are a safe, non-toxic power source with zero emission of pollutants ● Single-battery operation through multiple shifts, zero daily maintenance, no battery room ● BSLBATT advanced BMS provides data on each lift truck battery charging event, energy throughput and much more ● Lithium batteries use up to 30% less electricity than lead-acid batteries due to better energy conversion ● Absolutely secure system with high availability If you want to know more about the maintenance and use of lithium batteries for forklift trucks, please subscribe to us!
UgoWork offers a sneak peek into a new lithium-ion battery management solution at ProMat 2023
UgoWork™, a Canadian energy solutions provider specializing in lithium-ion batteries and Energy as a Service (EaaS) solutions in the material handling industry, has announced that it will unveil a brand-new lithium-ion battery management solution at ProMat 2023, which will take place from March 20 to 23 in Chicago, IL. To be showcased at UgoWork’s booth (#N6760) alongside its lithium-ion batteries for industrial trucks, pay-per-use approach, and real-time fleet monitoring services, the company’s lithium-ion battery management solution will put material handling team’s in the driver’s seat for more effective and efficient means to track performance levels and energy usage. “This new platform is akin to business intelligence for both industrial trucks and the batteries that power them,” explained Philippe Beauchamp, UgoWork’s CEO. “We have drawn upon a decade of experience in energy management and most importantly, listened to fleet operator’s challenges, to develop an intuitive solution that is easy to use and provides clear insights to maximize the ROI of lithium-ion batteries, reduce unnecessary expenses, and, overall, accelerate material handling operations throughput. Our ultimate goal is to maintain our success story record with our Fortune 500 clients, who all achieved exceptional outcomes from every perspective.” To book an exclusive demo of UgoWork’s latest innovations at ProMat 2023, visit get.ugowork.com/promat.
EnerSys® gains MHEDA 2023 Most Valuable Supplier Award
EnerSys®, the global provider of stored energy solutions for industrial applications, has earned the 2023 Most Valuable Supplier (MVS) Award from the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association (MHEDA). Each year, MHEDA recognizes member companies who have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to their dealer network, their employees, and their community. This marks the ninth consecutive year that EnerSys® has received the award, a testament to the Company’s desire to “give back” to the industry through participating in a series of activities. “We are proud to be a MHEDA supplier member and honored to have earned this recognition for the ninth year in a row,” said Chad Uplinger, Vice President, Motive Power Americas at EnerSys. “The 2023 MVS Award underlines our ongoing commitment to MHEDA’s mission of providing the material handling industry with access to resources, training and networking opportunities that help it grow and thrive.” To qualify for the 2023 MVS Award, EnerSys® demonstrated an overall commitment to business excellence by documenting programs specific to Industry Advocacy, Distributor Advocacy, Business Networking, Continuing Education, and Business Best Practices. In addition to maintaining a Documented Safety Program and enrolling in MHEDA’s Learning Management System (LMS), award recipients had to provide documentation of active participation in a community service program. “The MVS Award recognizes the best-of-the-best in our industry,” said John L. Gelsimino, MHEDA Chairman and President of All Lift Service Co. Inc. “MHEDA appreciates your dedication to being an industry leader by checking all the boxes from education, industry best practices, and awards to networking, employee engagement, giving back and much more.”
Concentric introduces PowerHIVE® the industry’s first Automated Forklift Battery System
A faster and safer way to manage your power from the leader that invented GuaranteedPOWER® Concentric, an OnPoint Group Company, is launching PowerHIVE™, the industry’s first automated forklift battery and charger system, providing on-demand, sustainable, and scalable battery power whenever it is needed. Their newest innovation in equipment power management marries automation with forklift battery systems – eliminating the need to think about forklift charging or battery maintenance. An automated, three-minute battery reload is all that’s required to provide a safer, more cost-effective solution designed to support forklift operations in a way that’s easily scalable and flexible. PowerHIVE’s simple model doesn’t require any change to existing operations, ensuring an unlimited supply of power at whatever velocity is needed. “This is an exciting milestone for Concentric continuing our mission to deliver uninterruptible, guaranteed power to customers. PowerHIVE is a quantum leap forward. It provides plug-and-play, on-demand power that’s scalable to every piece of equipment you operate today and tomorrow. PowerHIVE unleashes your equipment to move at the productivity and velocity you require from day one until you retire the equipment,” said Concentric Chief Operating Officer, John Winter. “Customers experience cost savings with less equipment, no equipment issues due to lack of power, peak energy savings, and less headache for their forklift operators.” Distribution and manufacturing facilities face an array of challenges from labor shortages and productivity to worker safety and sustainability. PowerHIVE eases those challenges by providing a faster and safer equipment experience ensuring operators always have the battery power they need. Operators no longer have to handle the repercussions of downtime, safety risks, and failing equipment. “Forklift power is too often an afterthought, and facilities are numb to its negative impact on equipment and operator productivity, not to mention morale and safety,” said John Winter. “For facilities with multiple shifts, PowerHIVE delivers an automated and safe forklift power experience for every forklift type. The system eliminates the need to think about forklift charging or battery maintenance as operators receive a battery that’s ready to go in less than three minutes. Lithium and Hydrogen alone don’t solve your power issues as there are failure points in a one battery per forklift approach,” said Antonio Mendonca, Director of Engineering. To learn more about how PowerHIVE aligns with Concentric’s mission to provide intelligent power, while positively impacting People, Planet, and Profits, visit Concentricusa.com.
UK Forklift Battery Dealer touts BSL Battery
Want a lithium-powered model that handles like a yard truck? Want a retrofit lithium battery for any forklift you have? Lithium Battery Solutions brings to market a range of products that will enable you to do just that, Stephen Burton tells HSS editor Simon Duddy. WHOLLY-OWNED Windsor Materials Handling subsidiary Lithium Battery Solutions has launched a two-pronged approach to bring nuance to the lithium revolution. Managing director Stephen Burton talks about the concept which aims to transform the market’s mindset when considering their transition to electric, which he believes will make lithium power accessible to new applications, as well as make the retrofit of lithium power to existing forklifts easier and less expensive. Stephen says: “The typical three-ton electric truck is not a yard truck, they are built for the interior, they have no suspension, the chassis is too stiff, so it will not work for many applications, such as tradesmen for builders, which is what we That’s why the range of forklifts with BSL lithium batteries come into play.” “Builder’s merchants are absolutely primed for this. Applications tend to be up to 20-25 hours per week, where the user needs the availability.” For traditional IC truck users, moving to lead-acid battery trucks is arguably a bigger change, as it involves battery maintenance. They must be refilled regularly with distilled water to function properly and stay healthy, which in turn brings added implications to health and safety procedures. “Typically, switching to lithium is a change of mind for diesel balance users,” Stephen said. “While you can get on a forklift with a BSL lithium battery, the set-up feels very similar—we can tweak the program settings to run like a hydraulic regulator or a traditional torque converter IC truck, which makes the operation The clerk felt like—loved to drive.” With the BSLBATT Battery, users can get up to 5 hours of runtime on a single charge, but the upcoming 2023 third-generation BSL forklift lithium batteries are expected to run even longer. SO WHICH USERS WOULD BE MOST SUITED TO THIS TWIST ON THE LITHIUM FORKLIFT? “Builder’s merchants are absolutely primed for this,” says Stephen. “Applications tend to be up to 20-25 hours per week, where the user needs the availability. For a lot of the independent builder’s merchants, it’s all about quick delivery, they’ve got to keep their customer service levels going and this truck enables them to do that. “Our advice is, if it’s idle, charge it, you can get a 10% charge in 20 minutes, and a full charge in two hours. You’re getting the opportunity charging with maintenance-free batteries. We describe it as hassle-free motoring.” Stephen explains: “The BSLBATT range of batteries that we are bringing to market is proving to be a game changer for our customers. We can fit lithium batteries to any manufacturer’s truck, which could be anything from a walk-behind powered pallet truck to VNA man-up machines, providing unchallenged run times. There are two types of battery on offer: a water-based cell, which is suitable for cold stores; as well as an oil-based cell. The chemistry used is Lithium Iron Phosphate – known as LiFePO 4. – rather than NMC. “We work closely with the factory to design and build our own batteries to fit inside the trucks and do all the aftermarket modifications to suit any solution. Currently, we don’t work with the CANbus on the trucks, it’s all done via our separate BMS, so we can monitor remotely and keep abreast of utilization,” says Stephen. “A lead-acid battery has 1,500 cycles, and if you discharge by 20%, that is considered a cycle. With lithium, if you discharge by 20%, you still have 80% usage without impacting performance. You’re getting double in terms of battery lifetime, and despite people sometimes worrying about how to dispose of the batteries once they are no longer fit for use, we’re aligned to a secondary market in uninterruptible supply systems (UPS).” “Within the market, there is an undoubtable belief that lithium is a dangerous, flammable product with dangerously high voltage which is a challenge we have come across when pitching recommendations to customers” adds Stephen. “We’re going through an education process to demonstrate that LiFePo4 is in fact, incredibly stable and has been through rigorous lab tests before entering the market. We have test data on all of our cells, including crush and nail tests, and have consulted with the fire brigade on the treatment of a lithium battery fire which transpires is the same as for a lead-acid battery fire.” That all said, there is still room for traditional lead acid in some applications. “I still struggle to see why in 24/7 applications reach trucks should be lithium-powered,” explains Stephen. “They hot shift, back-to-back, and I don’t believe there are many companies that have the time to opportunity charge them. “This last 12 months particularly has shown that the drive in becoming Net Zero by 2030 is not going away.” “One common mistake that we have identified is that when many people are considering the change to lithium that it has to be either/or, we find we say to customers, this part of your fleet is suited to lead-acid, and for this part, lithium will pay off. This is where the consultancy approach comes in where we will run the operational calculations and work with customers to get the most efficient and cost-effective solution for them.” Windsor Material Handling is a customer of Lithium Battery Solutions and a distributor for both product types, with Stephen also looking to go out to a select dealer network. “We are approaching this part of the offering with great consideration, what we don’t want to do is flood the market and find ourselves in a situation with multiple dealers quoting customers on the same product which is frustrating for all parties,” he says. THE FUTURE OF LIB While the adoption of lithium-ion technology is growing, it still represents a rather small percentage of the material handling industry. Experts expect that to change over the next five years. “There’s a misconception that in five years, someone can just create
How to select a Lithium-ion Battery Supplier: OEM eight questions to ask
Making the Decision: Lithium-Ion Battery Supplier The lithium-ion battery market is in a state of flux. Lithium-ion is a relatively new technology that has taken off in the last five to 10 years and demand for these batteries is high and growing. This has attracted many OEMs and created something of a buyer-beware market for OEMs. Many critical factors must be considered when deciding on a forklift battery supplier. Choosing the wrong lithium-ion battery for a forklift can impact the entire operation of an OEM’s business, from procurement to production. An OEM’s day-to-day operations depend on forklift transportation, and a forklift’s day-to-day operations rely heavily on the battery. Choosing a lithium-ion forklift battery supplier is the first step in determining the success of an OEM’s daily processes. OEMs need suppliers who can meet JIT shipping demands, lead technical innovation, and provide extended technical service. Without that, you may end up with a lithium-ion supplier instead of a lithium-ion partner who will be with you for the long run. That can lead to dissatisfied customers and lost time and money. Ask the manufacturers these questions: To get an idea of how established the company is ask how long they have been in business, how long they have been serving the material handling industry, and whether they have supplied batteries to major OEMs. You could also ask if they offer a full portfolio of batteries including flooded lead-acid, AGM, and lithium-ion. You may want to move on if the manufacturer is a start-up, has been serving the material handling industry for just a few years, or has not supplied batteries to OEMs. Older, more seasoned companies that understand the material handling industry and manufacture and sell a full line of forklift lithium battery products generally know the issues that can damage batteries and shorten their lifespans. They often engineer solutions to these problems in their products. How long have you been working with lithium-ion technology? Again, the company probably has a lot to learn if the answer is just a few years. What kind of customer support do you provide? Make sure the company has a U.S.-based and Europe customer support line staffed by real people who can answer questions and help your technicians troubleshoot issues. Ask if support is available 24/7 and if the staff includes representatives dedicated to lithium-ion products. Many newcomers to the market simply don’t have the infrastructure to provide that level of service. How do you support the dealers who carry your products? You don’t want to work with a supplier who sells products and then forgets about you. To avoid phone tags and long hold times, look for a manufacturer with a systematic approach to communicating with dealers. Ask if the manufacturer has an authorized dealer network through which it trains dealers to sell its products and provides them with the information and materials they need. How do you sell your batteries? Many battery manufacturers sell directly to dealerships and are unable to provide the follow-up services dealers may need. Look for a supplier who sells their batteries through a network of trained distributors. These distributors generally know and stand by their products, adding value to your purchase. How is your battery different from others in terms of design and engineering? Look for products with UL2580 certification and at least an IP67 rating. This helps protect the battery from damage from vibration, water, and dust and can extend its life. Make sure the battery is embedded and modular expandable. Ask how the battery is designed to move the damaging heat it generates away from the cells. Most manufacturers do this through inexpensive components called heat sinks because they are easy to make and add on. But heat sinks should not be the only method of heat management. Well-made batteries reduce the heat generated and allow for natural cooling in the design. This requires more engineering expertise, but it boosts efficiency, improves safety, and prolongs battery life. What range does your battery get? To help OEMs, BSLBATT has developed 43 standard modules for lithium batteries of different capacities, which can form parallel building blocks in forklift battery compartments. Up to 20 of these modules can be stacked in parallel, and the total capacity can be tailored to forklift OEM needs. It’s also worth mentioning that OEMs must check usable capacity, not advertised capacity. The stated capacity may be based on the sum of the individual cells within the battery, which does not take into account internal losses like usable capacity. Real-world test data and customer testimonials are the best way to understand the usable range of a battery. This is especially important in the high-capacity, high-current, and relatively low-voltage batteries used in MHE. What safety features are built into your battery? Look for a battery with lithium-iron-phosphate cells, one of the most stable lithium-ion battery chemistries. Make sure the BMS features several levels of safety redundancy. That way, if one level fails another will step in, catch the issue, and turn the battery off, protecting you and your property. Ask about UL certifications. Is the entire pack UL-certified or does the manufacturer rely solely on the cell provider’s UL listing? BSLBATT is the first forklift lithium battery in China to obtain UL2580 certification for its complete product line. Stocking batteries on pricing alone is a big mistake that can impact your bottom line. Be sure to compare the manufacturers’ experience, support services, and products. Investing a little time in your decision can have big payoffs in your sales, service, and customer satisfaction. BSLBATT -Your trust OEM Lithium-Ion Battery Supplier in China BSLBATT battery has owned 10 years of OEM battery pack experience for Material Handling, Paper, and Packaging, Food and Beverage, Refrigerated Storage, Manufacturing Industry, Fresh Produce, Wine Industry, Distribution, and 3PL industries applications. What makes the BSLBATT the Superior Lithium Battery for your Motive Power needs? The answer is quality at every step. The BSLBATT Battery has been validated to over 60 industry quality and safety checks. It has multiple layers of monitoring, safety, and backup redundancies
Bluewater Battery Logistics and OneCharge announce a strategic partnership
OneCharge Inc., Garden Grove, CA, and Bluewater Battery Logistics, Santa Barbara, CA, has entered into a strategic partnership to recycle and repurpose advanced lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries at the end of useful life. Lithium forklift batteries provide an efficient and economically viable alternative to older lead-acid batteries. Lithium technology also enables the switch to electric power from propane and diesel engines in power-hungry applications where companies could not electrify their fleets with lead-acid batteries being limited by capacity and indoor-only requirements. The proliferation of lithium batteries requires safe and environmentally friendly recycling and re-purposing, especially as we expect the influx of end-of-life used lithium batteries. Forklift lithium batteries can be repurposed for less demanding applications, such as energy storage in solar power generation systems. With this new partnership, OneCharge offers its customers the most sustainable and responsible way to utilize their end-of-life batteries and capitalize on the advanced lithium technology to reduce waste and improve the sustainability of their operations. “Bluewater Batteries Logistics is proud to partner with OneCharge, Inc.,” said Ben Firestone, CEO of Bluewater Batteries Logistics. “The share of Li-ion power supply in the forklift industry is growing at a rapid rate and even though Li-ion battery packs last times longer than lead-acid, we anticipate large numbers of end-of-life batteries accumulate in the coming years. With lithium technology, it is possible not only to recycle but in many cases to repurpose these batteries and dramatically reduce waste.” “We’re happy to partner with Bluewater Battery Logistics, an innovative and dynamic company that shares our drive for cleaner and more sustainable materials handling operations. Repurposing lithium batteries before recycling allows us to extract more value from every battery cell, and reduce waste. OneCharge customers can rely on us for the most sustainable and innovative disposal process,” said Tim Karimov, President of OneCharge. ESG requirements for materials handling operations are becoming more important for all companies as the world faces climate change and the issues of the ongoing energy transition. Lithium battery technology allows OneCharge customers to reduce energy use and carbon footprint, as well as reduce waste through prolonged battery life and repurposing of cells before recycling. Renewable energy generation facilities can grow faster with a decreased cost of energy storage units built with repurposed lithium battery packs.
Bringing Li-ion to material handling markets
As lithium-ion power becomes more common in material handling industries, companies providing the batteries are working through current supply chain logistics and within the rare materials markets to get Li-ion power to customers. And some say they foresee the demand for lithium being strong through 2023. Green Cubes Technology is a business that develops and manufactures “safe and reliable electrification solutions that enable customers to transition from lead acid and internal combustion engines to lithium-ion battery power,” according to Robin Schneider, director of marketing. She said Li-ion batteries improve operational efficiency because the batteries can be fast charged and last “for thousands of cycles, allowing a single battery to support a truck operating 24/7.” Green Cubes, which Schneider said utilizes proven hardware and software platforms to build reliable lithium power solutions for the material handling industry, has over 300 employees across six countries. The business has been producing “innovative, high-performance and high-quality power solutions” since 1986, according to Schneider. She said procuring electronics for the company’s products is a challenge in the current market. “As in most industries, we are experiencing issues securing electronics that provide safety and intelligence for the battery management system. While this is presenting a challenge to our team, for the most part, our batteries are purchased along with new industrial trucks and the truck lead time is longer than the lead time for the battery,” Schneider said. Green Cubes also manufactures Li-ion battery chargers and the lead time for those is much shorter, according to Schneider. She said the company projects increased demand for Li-ion batteries in 2023 since the value proposition is “now widely recognized in the industry.” “Increasingly, we see large enterprise customers replacing lead-acid batteries in existing fleets over the course of a few years,” said Schneider, who noted that Green Cubes is a charger member of the new Advanced Energy Council. The council is “a working group within MHI which will help this nascent industry develop standards and collect industry-wide data trends,” Schneider said. At BSLBATT, lithium-ion technology solutions are both designed and manufactured, according to Haley Ning, marketing manager, who dubbed the business a “fast-paced, high growth and high-tech company.” “Our battery packs are used to power industrial and commercial equipment,” said Ning, noting forklifts, renewable energy equipment, and new applications like golf carts, floor machines, marine, and mobile elevated work platform stations as examples. “The company takes the development and production of advanced series BSLBATT best solution lithium batteries as its mission,” Ning said. One issue in the business in recent years has been the price of lithium carbonate, according to Ning. “Since 2021, the price of lithium carbonate has soared about 10 times based on 2020 prices. No one expected prices to fluctuate so much,” said Ning, who said the price shifts have been attributed to a mismatch between supply and demand. The price fluctuation of the commodity lithium is in line with the development of the industry and is expected to ease within two to three years, according to Ning. “Electric vehicles and energy storage are the main drivers of global lithium demand. In order to accelerate the promotion of zero-emission vehicles, countries have increased policy support and government subsidies for new energy vehicles,” said Ning, who said the acceleration of transportation electrification has driven the rapid expansion of lithium battery production capacity. The dual demand for energy storage and new energy vehicles has translated to global lithium resources being tight, according to Ning. “In addition, due to the complex mining process and long cycle of iron ore and lithium ore, the increase in production capacity of upstream mining companies often lags behind the growth of downstream demand,” Ning said. However, price increases must have an upper limit as new energy and energy storage systems bring sustainable energy to more users around the world, according to Ning, who noted that reducing costs and increasing production will go hand-in-hand. BSLBATT puts “quality first” and has a layout of overseas offices and warehouses in the U.S., offices in Europe, and the establishment of a BSL factory in Mexico, according to the business. The locations are “all aimed at delivering high-quality products to our customers quickly. In addition, we strive to create value for global customers and partners and seek to grow together with them,” Ning said. Products associated with batteries have also seen a high demand recently. Valley Industrial Battery sells many battery slings designed for safety, according to Kenny Strong, the company owner. “We sell a ton of those slings,” said Strong, who said the slings are rated for up to 5,000 pounds. He said the slings, which include rubber-coated hooks, prevent conducting electricity and can be operated by one person. The slings themselves weigh just four pounds at shipping. “That includes the box,” said Strong, who said the product presents a safer alternative to steel chains for battery changing. “Basically, a guy if he’s going to do an install, he’s not lugging in a 150-pound battery or a rusty old chain,” said Strong, who said the business has been selling the slings for the past four to five years. “We sell them all over the country,” said Strong, who said the business has never had a supply chain issue with supplying customers with slings. “It’s a very basic product. When we’ve got a customer who is apprehensive, we just send a demo. Knock on wood, they’ve never sent them back,” Strong said. “They’ve always kept them and ordered more.” About the Author: Eileen Mozinski Schmidt is a freelance writer and journalist based in the Greater Milwaukee area. She has written for print and online publications for the past 14 years. Email editorial@MHWmag.com. If your company would like to be featured, email editorial@MHWmag.com
Whose customer is it anyway
Electrification in the material handling industry, electrified equipment, and fleets, are not just ‘buzz’ words anymore as much as they are business trends within our industry. As we continue to see this increasing trend of electrification of forklift fleets across our industry, many dealers and independent service providers are embracing this as part of their business strategy. They must also understand and be educated on environmental regulatory changes that will affect our industry and adjacent industries in the years to come. If you recall what I wrote in last month’s edition, many businesses now have dedicated departments and positions for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). Some may be instituting corporate policies around environmental issues such as air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and compliance with government environmental regulations. For example, The California Air Resources Board wants to “accelerate the transition to zero-emission to meet the state’s air quality and greenhouse gas reduction goals. They are currently developing a measure that would drive the greater deployment of zero-emission forklifts within fleets throughout the state; one of several near-term actions intended to facilitate further zero-emission equipment penetration in the off-road sector. This measure is scheduled for Board consideration in 2023.” Keep in mind; they already passed legislation requiring all new cars sold in the state by 2035 to be free of greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide. Just this past December, the Material Handling Industry (MHI) launched a new Industry Group, the Advanced Energy Council (AEC), focused on advanced energy solutions including lithium-ion batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, and other technologies and accessories. As stated on the MHI website, “The group’s mission is to uplift and promote the safe use and adoption of advanced energy technologies in motive material handling applications by advancing sustainable motive material handling energy solutions.” The rental equipment industry is also embracing these regulatory impacts as they look to provide customers with higher efficiency, lower emission, and alternatively fueled rental equipment. In particular, with their MEWP rental fleets, many of the MEWP OEMs have introduced fully electric models, as well as incorporating lithium-ion battery technology too. The end-customer they rent to, particularly on job sites, must adhere to stricter emission and noise standards. So what does this all mean to the sales of aftermarket parts and service for forklifts? Well, in general, electric forklifts tend to last longer than internal combustion trucks because they have fewer parts. Having fewer replaceable parts, means fewer service and maintenance requirements, translating to fewer service and parts dollars available to capture for the lift truck service provider. Enter the additional ‘solution’ to the full-solutions provider lift truck dealership. Optimizing forklift battery management is a value-added service to the end customer that dealerships are recognizing as another revenue stream. In the traditional model, the dealership sells the truck to the end customer and the battery agent sells the battery through the dealership. This raises the question, who owns the customer relationship and the customer experience? Furthermore, who owns the forklift battery management after the sale of the new or used forklift? As I have stated previously, modern lift truck dealership and independent service provider has evolved as they look to be a full solutions provider for all of the needs of their customers. Adding sales and service of everything in the warehouse, including forklifts, personnel burden carriers, sweeper scrubber equipment, racking, dock and door, warehouse management systems, etc. Promoting the ‘one-stop shop’ full-service offering and delivering outstanding customer service, the forklift battery management is now being considered an addition to that same ‘one-stop shop’ offering. Today, battery manufacturers are sometimes more than just a manufacturer; they also provide after-sales support to their dealers for the forklift batteries, chargers, and accessories that they produce. Many of these battery manufacturers have existing strategic partnerships with OEMs. The rise of lithium-ion battery manufacturers has also led to an increase in strategic partnerships with said manufacturers and OEMs. Over the past few years, many dealerships have started to acquire forklift battery agent businesses or ventured on their own to provide full forklift battery solutions for their customers. Solutions include industrial chargers, battery maintenance, used and reconditioned batteries, battery and charger rentals, and battery parts and accessories. This is a trend that I feel will continue to be on the rise. This trend will put the battery agents and the OEM dealers in an interesting situation. As with the sale of a lift truck, the recurring revenue is in the parts and service after the sale of the lift truck as is the same for the sale of a forklift battery, there is more money in the service. The threat to the traditional OEM-Dealership model is the third-party service provider as they have already shifted their business strategies to attempt to capture a competitive advantage in the market. As with dealerships, the third-party service providers have also started racking up acquisitions in the full-service forklift battery management space. If the trend in automotive does mirror itself into the off-road equipment sector such as the forklift industry, what will the impact be on your business and your market? Everything from the diagnostics to the parts consumption are factors that will have an impact on your service departments. The revenue in the sale and service of forklift batteries while maintaining and monitoring them for consistent, reliable performance and long service life is the value to the end customer regardless of who provides the battery service as it is a crucial part of the uptime of their electric forklift fleet. The question is who owns this customer and the customer experience? About the Author: Chris Aiello is the Business Development Manager at TVH Parts Co. He has been in the equipment business for 16-plus years as a service manager, quality assurance manager, and business development manager. Chris now manages a national outside sales team selling replacement parts and accessories in various equipment markets such as material handling, equipment rental, and construction/earthmoving dealerships.
KION Group to develop and produce its own Fuel Cell Systems for Industrial Trucks
Intralogistics group begins production of hydrogen propulsion systems KION Group plans to invest more than €11 million in this technology Launch of a 24 V fuel cell system planned for Spring 2023, with other systems to follow Advantages over other energy sources: Lower emissions and more sustainable drive with quick tank filling CEO Smith: “As of today, KION will be the only forklift manufacturer in the European market to produce its own fuel cells, something that truly sets us apart.” The KION Group is expanding its hydrogen propulsion range. The global intralogistics group will soon develop and produce its own fuel cell systems for its industrial trucks. The company is going to invest more than €11 million in this technology. The KION Group plans to launch its own 24 V fuel cell system for warehouse equipment to the market in spring 2023. Completion of the fuel cell portfolio is expected to follow in the coming years. This means that the KION brands will soon be able to offer their customers everything they need from a single source: the forklift, the fuel cells, and the associated service. “As of today, the KION Group will be the only manufacturer of forklifts and warehouse equipment in the European market to produce its own fuel cells, something that truly sets us apart,” says Rob Smith, CEO of the KION GROUP AG. “There is huge demand from our customers and we hope that this technology will allow us to meet ever-increasing calls for intralogistics to become more resource-conscious and sustainable, while at the same time also meet demands for rapid refueling.” The group plans to supply the first forklift trucks with its own fuel cell systems this year. Easy and Practical, Fast and Clean The advantages of fuel cell technology are manifold. The energy system does not generate any emissions during operation, making it ideal for use in warehouses. If the hydrogen also comes from regenerative sources, e.g., biogas or electrolysis from the sun or wind energy, it is climate neutral. A further advantage of the energy system comes to the fore when stopping to fill up at the hydrogen filling station: Fully refilling the tank takes just one to three minutes. This helps minimize interruptions and increase the availability of forklifts—a massive advantage for multi-shift operations and for large fleets. A further advantage is that they contain no toxic acids or other pollutants, a real plus not just in terms of recycling, but also for daily operation. For example, this makes the fuel-cell drive an attractive alternative to a lead-acid battery, particularly in hygiene-critical industries such as the pharmaceutical and food industries. Hydrogen Production at the Aschaffenburg Site Alongside the development and production of fuel cell systems, the Group is also installing its own hydrogen production at its Aschaffenburg site. The construction work for a state-funded hydrogen filling station including an electrolyzer is nearly finished. After construction work on the hydrogen infrastructure is completed, 21 hybrid fuel cell systems will be put into operation and will replace the majority of the forklifts with combustion engines that are currently in operation at the site. Decades of Experience With This Energy Source The KION Group brands were quick to embrace the idea that hydrogen and fuel cell technologies could offer significant potential for intralogistics. KION subsidiary Linde Material Handling GmbH (Linde MH) has been focusing intensively on this multi-faceted technology since 1997 and began series production of its first trucks with this technology in 2010. Today, Linde MH offers one of the widest portfolios of fuel cell drive industrial trucks on the market. Around 80% of all models are available with this future-oriented drive technology, including pallet trucks, tractors or reach trucks, and counterbalanced trucks. The technology has also been a core part of KION subsidiary STILL GmbH’s product portfolio for many years. For its customers, the company has been implementing regular hydrogen projects for various truck types since 2003. STILL is currently operating one of Europe’s largest fleets of forklift trucks with hydrogen drive for a customer in France. KION subsidiary STILL has also entered into a partnership with Hydrogentle GmbH to be able to better advise and support its customers in all things fuel cell technology. The partnership is aimed at planning special plant engineering projects, producing feasibility analyses, and advising customers on the topic of hydrogen infrastructure, from initial conversations through to the supply of complete hydrogen infrastructure for filling industrial trucks. Fuel Cell Technology in Industrial Trucks In fuel cell systems, energy is obtained through a chemical reaction between oxygen (O2) and hydrogen (H2), which feeds a compact lithium-ion battery. This hybrid combination powers the forklift truck by supplying the drive and lifting motors with energy. The fuel cell generates the electrical energy required to operate the forklift truck directly on board. The only by-products generated during “cold combustion” are heat, water vapor, and pure water.
EnerSys® 24-Hour Quick Ship Program makes Motive Power Battery models available for immediate shipment
EnerSys®, a global provider of stored energy solutions for industrial applications, has announced that its 24-Hour Quick Ship Program for its Motive Power portfolio now includes the most popular IRONCLAD Deserthog® flooded battery models. With a 24-hour turnaround in shipment from receipt of the purchase order, the EnerSys Quick Ship program will improve the Company’s customer service through enhanced delivery capabilities, streamlined product processing procedures, and faster order fulfillment. EnerSys developed the 24-Hour Quick Ship Program to help lift truck fleets cope with ongoing supply chain challenges and be better able to handle seasonal increases in product demand. The IRONCLAD Deserthog® batteries will ship from the recently expanded EnerSys Distribution Center (DC) in Richmond, Kentucky. “Running our 24-Hour Quick Ship Program through our Richmond DC allows us to store more inventory at one centralized location,” said Troy Baxter, Richmond, KY, Plant Manager at EnerSys®. “Thanks to our recent DC expansion, we can help our customers react to rapid changes in power demands to keep their fleets moving more efficiently.” EnerSys IRONCLAD Deserthog® batteries feature an industry-leading amp-hour capacity rating and are engineered to power fleets to lift and drive faster, last longer into the shift, and reduce maintenance costs. To take advantage of the 24-Hour Quick Ship Program, EnerSys customers should contact their local Technical Sales Rep representatives for assistance at 1-800-ENERSYS.
Episode 345: eThium at MODEX 2022
In addition to being generous booth neighbors with snacks and coffee, eThium offers a wide range of lithium-ion technology solutions specifically designed for material handling operations. Arvind Kolhar is the program manager for eThium, and he sat down with The New Warehouse to discuss lithium-ion in warehousing and the benefits in the material handling industry. Key Takeaways Arvind explains how eThium is relatively new to the market. Their parent company, EControls, has been around for 25-30 years, working primarily in the area of internal combustion engines. eThium focuses on lithium-ion batteries instead of lead-acid because they are less maintenance than lead-acid batteries and work well in hot and cold conditions The iron phosphate chemistry used in eThium’s batteries helps them operate in warm and cold environments instead of picking one of the two options. Arvind adds how the software with their batteries allows them to track performance in real time. These capabilities help warehouses and other material handlers achieve optimum performance from their batteries and material handling equipment. Arvind lists opportunity charging, little or no maintenance, and reducing downtime as three of the most significant advantages of lithium-ion when you compare them to lead acid. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 345: eThium at MODEX 2022
Green Cubes announces Patent Award for Battery Management System with Dual CAN Messaging
The latest generation of the Battery Management System is built for reliability and service features Green Cubes, the leader 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, has announced a patent award for its Battery Management System with dual CAN messaging. Rechargeable Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery power for industrial motive applications, such as those used in material handling and ground support aviation equipment, require large battery arrays supported by a Battery Management System (BMS) that must communicate via a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus communication to optimize battery utilization. Dual CAN enables Green Cubes’ Lithium SAFEFlex batteries to communicate to both the industrial truck that is powered by the battery and the charger that charges the battery. While CAN messaging for a charger interface and a vehicle interface is possible with only a single transceiver on the BMS circuit board, it is not optimal or efficient for industrial trucks like forklifts, pallet jacks, and reach trucks. Adding a second CAN transceiver to a BMS consumes a lot of overhead in terms of the circuit board, software, firmware design, testing, and integration. In Green Cubes’ solution, the BMS comprises dual CAN transceivers; a first CAN transceiver for the lift truck, a second CAN transceiver for a charger, and a computer program operable to communicate with both that toggles back and forth between messaging states to improve battery operating efficiency. The use of two transceivers along with accompanying software provides the BMS with an improved ability to determine baud rate settings automatically. This eliminates the need for a common baud rate between the vehicle and the charger. “As the only manufacturer of both Li-ion batteries and chargers for material handling equipment, it is imperative that we provide seamless integration with robust communication between the lift truck, the Li-ion battery, and the industrial charger in order to optimize performance,” said Nicola Cinagrossi, Chief Technology Officer of Green Cubes, “the use of dual CAN transceivers represents a breakthrough in the approach to this complex problem.” As a leader in motive power, Green Cubes continues to invent new and better technology, like the dual CAN bus communication. The technology roadmap includes the introduction of new features such as multi-voltage fast charging, wireless IoT features, industrial chargers, and high-voltage solutions. Green Cubes is committed to continuous improvements.
EnerSys® receives the Richmond Chamber of Commerce’s Industry Award for 2022
EnerSys®, the global provider of stored energy solutions for industrial applications, has received the 2022 Industry Award from the Richmond Chamber of Commerce. The award was presented on November 3, 2022, during the 38th Annual Richmond Chamber Awards Banquet, held at the Keene Johnson Building on the Eastern Kentucky University campus. The Industry Award recognizes an industrial business that has enjoyed success in its market and constructive engagement with the local community. Nominated by their peers from the greater Richmond, Kentucky area, Industry Award recipients typically demonstrate ongoing business growth and a positive impact on the Madison County, Kentucky economy. The EnerSys manufacturing campus in Richmond employs more than 500 people and produces traditional lead-acid and Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) motive power batteries and chargers for material handling, floor care, mining, and other applications. In early 2022, EnerSys opened an expanded, 195,000-square-foot Regional Distribution Center (RDC) that serves customers across the United States and North America including industry leaders in manufacturing, retail, and distribution segments. “We are extremely proud to be receiving this honor from the Richmond Chamber of Commerce,” said Chad Uplinger, Vice President of Sales, Motive Power Americas at EnerSys. “With the expansion of our Richmond-based RDC in July of 2022, we are equally proud to be able to play an even greater positive economic role for the Madison County community.”
Episode 338: UgoWork at MODEX 2022
The New Warehouse Podcast welcomes Stephan Dumont and Jean-Francois Marchand from UgoWork. Based out of Canada, UgoWork manufactures lithium-ion batteries for the material handling industry. They provide a full range of UL-listed lithium-ion batteries designed for multiple classes of forklifts. On today’s show, Kevin and his guests discuss energy as a service and the advantages of switching from lead-acid to lithium-ion batteries. If you are wondering if lithium-ion is the right fit for your operation, give this episode a listen. Key Takeaways For material handling, switching to lithium-ion batteries involves questions about power and performance. Stephan explains how UgoWork starts learning the customer’s pain points to identify the proper solution. He adds many companies are looking to reduce maintenance time and energy consumption and achieve carbon-neutral objectives. Making the switch to lithium-ion power can help achieve these goals. Regarding return on investment(ROI), Stephan shares how the ROI for lithium-ion accelerates the more shifts you have. He adds that while the upfront cost of lead-acid batteries is cheaper than lithium-ion, the benefits quickly outweigh the price in the proper setting. Reducing maintenance, downtime, labor, and carbon footprint make lithium-ion batteries a better long-term option, especially when running at least two shifts. At this year’s MODEX show, UgoWork displayed its entire lineup of twenty-four, thirty-six, and forty-eight-volt lithium-ion batteries. Stephan shares how UgoWork differentiates itself through its unique charging infrastructure that is the same for all its batteries. The simple-to-use charging feature is very popular with their customers. Another differentiator is the intelligence of the UgoWork batteries. With each battery having a battery management system (BMS), customers can use data to improve performance and equipment usage. UgoWork also monitors the batteries 24/7 to ensure they operate in perfect condition. Stephan adds that if something happens to the battery, UgoWork knows before the customer, reducing downtime. They use data to provide their customers with insights to help them optimize power and equipment usage. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 338: UgoWork at MODEX 2022
BSLBATT receives $1.65M replacement order for Yale, Toyota Jungheinrich, Nichiyu and Still forklift batteries
BSLBATT battery is a fast-paced, high-growth (200% YoY ) hi-tech company that is leading the adoption of lithium-ion technology solutions. We design, manufacture, and sell advanced lithium-ion battery packs that are disrupting the 100+-year-old market for lead-acid batteries. Today announced the receipt of a battery purchase order through its BSLBATT sales channel valued at about US$1.65 million. The batteries will be used by a leading forklift Dealer company to power end customers in Material Handling, Paper and Packaging, Food and Beverage, Refrigerated Storage, Manufacturing Industry, Fresh Produce, Wine Industry, Distribution, and 3PL industries in a new distribution center in South East Asia. The purchase order follows the company’s announcement on November 24, 2022, to confirm receipt of the customer’s 30% deposit to start production. A detailed description of the specific purchase order for the battery model and delivery location is shown in the figure below. The company expects to deliver batteries in its fiscal fourth quarter ending December 31, 2022. What made the customer decide to replace the lead-acid battery on the original forklift? With lead-acid batteries, Jenny Zeng says, trucks typically cycle through 8 hours of use, 8 hours of charging, and 8 hours of cooling per day to accommodate acid-level maintenance and other maintenance requirements. “It’s a very delicate process if done right; people who do it right can make their lead-acid batteries last a long time. Unfortunately, the reverse is also true. If people are careless, they will experience things like running Issues like short times, battery sulfation, and even acid leaking onto the floor. With lead-acid batteries, maintenance can become an issue, and the battery life is not five or six years, but three or four years.” In addition, the charging room of the warehouse needs air conditioning and ventilation fans to reduce the toxic gas released when the lead-acid battery is charged. This is not a problem with lithium-ion batteries. “Concerns about corrosive acids are gone. Handling batteries and switching at the start and end of each shift is gone,” Jenny Zeng said. “You can put the charging room space to its maximum and best use, not just overhead.” Other benefits of lithium-ion batteries include: TOLL – More flexible charging times: “opportunistic charging” (i.e. charging anywhere, even for brief downtimes such as lunch breaks) – No off-season maintenance: the lithium battery can be turned off and idle for 3-9 months at a time, then turned on and put into use with negligible power loss – Fast charging (2 hours or less), no “memory” effect Performance – Fast lifting and travel speeds at all discharge levels (no voltage drop) – Single battery operation with multi-shift charging – Service life > 3,500 cycles Cut costs – Longer service life: The expected service life of lithium-ion batteries is at least twice that of lead-acid batteries. With a typical new lithium battery forklift lease, the Li-on will likely last for two three-year leases. Afterward, it is still possible to transfer it to second-hand equipment or repurpose it (e.g. for energy storage) – Zero routine maintenance – Reduced wear and tear on forklift parts “This is not only an exciting project but also demonstrates the company’s ability to quickly deliver large-scale projects. Considering the rapid rise in demand for rental lithium battery forklifts by end users in the Southeast Asian market, we expect that by the end of this year, this user will become BSLBATT Southeast Asia The largest forklift rental battery operator in the regional lithium battery replacement lead-acid market,” said Mr. Haley, Chief Operating Officer of BSLBATT.
BSLBATT makes gains in forklift lithium batteries
Following many decades of engineering evolution around the only power-source technology (the lead-acid battery), electric lift trucks and forklifts have finally adopted a new power source: Industrial lithium-ion battery packs. The benefits of lithium solutions are well-known by now — higher performance, less maintenance, and higher ROI. Lithium batteries provide a better return on investment and enable the use of automated guided vehicles and mobile robots (AGVs and AMRs), which rely heavily on durable ”hands-off” lithium batteries. Just how rapidly lithium batteries are taking hold in the lift truck market is something research firm Interact Analysis has studied closely, looking at data from multiple angles, including forklift classes, countries, and regions. The firm’s latest analysis finds that by 2030, 45% of the total forklift market, including combustion engines, will be powered by lithium batteries. Among all electric lift trucks, that share will be about 70%, says Maya Xiao, the senior analyst with Interact heading up the research. “There are two overall directions the research shows,” says Xiao. “One is that electric power is replacing internal combustion as a power source; and two is that within electric units, there’s an increasing trend from lead-acid batteries toward lithium batteries.” The OEMs that make smaller electric units, such as walkie-pallet jacks, will offer nearly all lithium-ion-powered products by the end of the decade. OEMs producing units weighing less than 250 kilograms already are focused on lithium power, explains Xiao, and by 2030, those offerings are expected to be nearly 100% lithium-powered. “It’s very easy for one order of these smaller forklifts to number into the hundreds at a larger logistics services or e-commerce company,” Xiao says. “Companies will ‘rinse and repeat’ with large orders as they replace older equipment, other companies will see the success, and that will help drive the market.” Xiao expects a shift toward lithium in Class 2 trucks, which cover narrow aisle equipment, moving toward automated narrow aisle systems with lithium power. When investing in these solutions, the battery price tag is not a huge factor because they’re focused on other aspects like uptime, throughput, and productivity, Xiao points out. The main areas of appeal for lithium lift truck batteries include low maintenance, high energy density, higher efficiency means more power, and fast opportunity charging during breaks, which when done properly, allows electric forklifts to run without battery swaps. However, lithium has faced some recent bumps, including ongoing supply chain delays this year, and rising costs for materials, since lithium batteries are in high demand in other vehicle segments. Interact Analysis lowered its lithium growth prediction for the lift truck market recently due to ongoing supply chain and cost concerns, says Xiao. Such concerns have generally led to longer lead times for lift truck buyers, Xiao added that such concerns often lead to longer delivery times for forklift buyers, which in some cases means that forklift manufacturers, as well as forklift dealer companies, look for high-quality forklift lithium battery manufacturers in the Chinese market, Instead of waiting for the original forklift manufacturer to provide. On this blog, BSLBATT compiled the 10 Best Lithium Forklift Battery Brands and Manufacturers (Comprehensive List and Reviews) Learn about the company history and what batteries each company offers.
UgoWork named one of Canada’s Companies-to-Watch in Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50™ program
UgoWork™, a Canadian energy solutions provider specializing in the material handling industry, received a Companies-to-Watch award as part of the 2022 Deloitte Technology Fast 50™ program. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the award recognizes emerging companies based on their revenue growth percentage. “At UgoWork, our mission is to enable organizations to really focus on their core business all while taking control over their material handling operations,” said Philippe Beauchamp, President and CEO of UgoWork. “We thank Deloitte Canada for this recognition and we maintain our commitment to expanding the reach and innovation of our lithium-ion energy solutions with our data-forward approach.” The Companies-to-watch category is a ranking of Canadian technology companies with the potential to be future Technology Fast 50™ candidates by their revenue growth percentage over their last three years of operation. The winners of this year’s companies to watch category must have a minimum of $50 thousand in 2019. “Congratulations to this year’s Companies-to-Watch winners,” commented Anders McKenzie, partner and national leader for the Technology Fast 50 program at Deloitte Canada. “These companies have demonstrated promising growth trajectories and an exemplary ability to seize opportunities even in the face of a challenging economic context. This sets them apart as members of an emerging cohort of tech leaders in Canada. We look forward to keeping an eye on their progress in the months and years to come.”