Dear Reader!
This is the September 2019 issue of UPTIME! OneCharge monthly news digest on what’s new in our industry with a special focus on Li-ion technology.
We put together what caught our attention during the past 4 weeks and share it with the community. Feel free to further share it with your friends an colleagues!

You can always find more at our News and Media page or learn from our experts and register for FREE ONLINE SEMINARS.
 
INDUSTRY HEADLINES
 

Li-ion battery market growth

Material Handling & Logistics sums up the recent BCC research report on the market, noting the adoption rate for lithium-ion batteries in the material handling market in 2018 was 2.5 percent.
ResearchAndMarkets.com released its Asia-Pacific Lithium Battery Market Forecast to 2025 this month

The study tracks the demand for lithium-ion batteries emanating from the APAC region that includes Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Southeast Asian countries (such as Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia), Australia, and New Zealand.

2 Hidden Opportunities for China’s Tesla
Although BYD Co Ltd is regarded as an EV and battery maker, it could potentially make billions from these two under-the-radar business lines.

GM fuel cell battery program

For the past year, GM has been piloting a program in which its mobile forklifts are powered by fuel cell batteries instead of acid lead batteries.

The switch has led to a 38% percent decrease in fleet maintenance costs and a five-year increase in average battery life for each forklift, spokesman William Bradley said.

Podcast: At 97, lithium-ion battery pioneer John Goodenough says his work is not done
The famed scientist tells Stereo Chemistry about childhood adventures, infernal exams with Enrico Fermi, and what keeps him coming to the office after seven decades.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

The Northeast Lean Conference
Oct. 23 and 24
Hartford, Conn.
Created by the non-profit GBMP to provide information and inspiration to Lean practitioners – from those just starting out to seasoned Lean leaders from the manufacturing, healthcare, service and other vital industry sectors.

MODEX 2020
March 9 -12, 2020
Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center
“From illuminating educational seminars to exhibits of next-generation technology and equipment in action, MODEX lets you see what’s coming — and take advantage of it to power your supply chain for years to come.”
 
INDUSTRIAL TRUCK MANUFACTURERS’ NEWS
 

Toyota Material Handling North America Opens Submissions for Research Program

The sponsored research program, created to drive and advance the next generation of material handling industry technology, will be accepting proposals on its website.

Combilift Exhibits Aisle Master, powered by Li-ion

Combilift is exhibiting its 15,000th product for a UK customer on its stand at IMHX. The model in question is an Aisle Master articulated truck, supplied by Combilift dealer Briggs Equipment to its customer Nestlé, a leading brand in the food sector. The Aisle Master is an electric powered 15NE model and is fitted with a Lithium-Ion battery – a choice that Combilift now offers as an option on a number of its models for customers wishing to benefit from this technology.
Vecna and UniCarriers Team Up on Autonomous Mobile Robots
Navigation technology and workflow orchestration could improve material handling productivity, partners say.

 
DEALERS’ OF INDUSTRIAL TRUCKS NEWS
 

Briggs Equipment and Yale Europe Materials Handling Joint Showcase

Yale Europe Materials Handling showcased a variety of material handling solutions for logistics and warehousing applications at IMHX 2019, alongside its UK partner Briggs Equipment. Alternative power solutions continues to be a growing topic within the materials handling industry and Yale industry experts were on hand to discuss the most appropriate energy solutions for specific applications at IMHX. This year the Yale stand featured an all-electric line-up, including a lithium-ion powered MP20 pedestrian pallet truck.

 
BATTERIES MANUFACTURERS’ NEWS
 

EnerSys Announces Agreement to Acquire NorthStar Battery Company from Altor Fund

EnerSys announced Sept. 19 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.

Flux Power Holdings Earnings

Flux Power Holdings, Inc., a developer of lithium industrial batteries for commercial and industrial equipment, this month reported results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2019.

Q4 FY’19 Revenue vs Q4 FY ’18 Rose 172 percent from $1.1M to $3.0M, supported by walkie pallet jack LiFT Pack sales which grew 70 percent to $1.4M, in addition to $1.6M from rollout of larger packs (for Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 end riders).


Electrovaya Inc. this month announced that it has secured new purchase orders under a contract with Walmart Canada for its forklift battery systems


The retailer will convert all the forklifts at two of its distribution centers to Electrovaya’s drop-in lithium ion battery systems. The new purchase orders are worth approximately $7.3 million in Canadian dollars.

 
ONECHARGE NEWS
 

OneCharge is nominated to MHI Innovation Award for its advanced Battery Management System! The winners will be announced during MODEX2020, we”ll keep our fingers crossed!

OneCharge Academy continues FREE ONLINE SEMINARS on Li-ion batteries usage tips and benefits for material handling industry. The 101 and 102 Advanced courses are 45-60 minutes sessions led by Mark D’Amato, a life-long professional in lift trucks and motive power.
This month Nate Hyatt, Service Manager, continues his “How to?” video blog. In the recent episodes he talks about Battery Management System, Charging, Maintaining, Customizing and more! Check our Blog at https://www.onecharge.biz/blog/