20.09.2011

Trojan partners on Lithium

Trojan Battery, the leading manufacturer of deep cycle batteries to the aerial lift industry has formed a strategic alliance with Palladium Energy, a manufacturer of custom lithium-based battery packs.

The two companies will explore the development of lithium-based battery packs for use in Trojan's key market sectors which, in addition to aerial lifts includes: renewable energy, golf carts, marine and recreational vehicles.

This strategic partnership will combine Palladium's expertise in cell technology, with Trojan's experience in lead-acid battery engineering and marketing to develop lithium-based battery packs under the Trojan brand.
Please register to see all images

Mat Segal, Trojan’s recently appointed senior vice president of global business development said: "As industry leaders in the development of innovative battery technologies, the partnership between Trojan and Palladium will allow us to provide the market with the most advanced battery solutions to support the evolving needs and demands of Trojan customers. Broadening Trojan's product portfolio to include lithium-based solutions also better enables the company to expand Trojan's reach into new and evolving industry segments worldwide."

Art Salyer, chief executive of Palladium Energy added: "By partnering with an industry leader such as Trojan, Palladium can produce battery packs for a wider variety of market segments. The world's leading original equipment manufacturers and contract manufacturers already trust our power solutions, but this partnership will catapult our company into new and emerging verticals and medium and large format applications, allowing us to have an even larger role in powering the world with green technology."

Palladium Energy was founded in 1974 as TDI Batteries becoming Tyco Electronics Battery Systems before adopting the Palladium branding. It is a leading provider of custom battery packs for consumer electronics, medical, telematics and smart grid devices with manufacturing facilities in the United States, Brazil and China.

Vertikal Comment

With Lithium–ion batteries already installed on some specialist truck mounted aerial lifts and a number of spider lift manufacturers offering all electric lithium options, the potential for more lithium powered aerial lifts is interesting.

In particular big electric scissor and boom lifts are likely to be the next products to benefit from advanced battery packs. Until now all of the development on lithium power packs has been carried out by the lift manufacturers such as Hinowa.

For the technology to win a larger share of the market it needs battery suppliers such as Trojan to drive it forward.

Who knows one day there may be a significant enough breakthrough to make lithium based batteries attractive for small scissor lifts? If it is to ever happen it is likely to be as a result of alliances such as this one.