ELBC 2022: TIMELINE — THE PAST 10 YEARS
A decade of turmoil but also of progress
To the outsider the lead battery business seems to be a tranquil landscape where nothing seems to change very rapidly. But to those in the know, the history of the battery is more a series of torrid episodes resembling scenes from Peyton Place than Little House on the Prairie! It’s also a strange industry. Competitive to its core but gracious in helping competitors when circumstances change. 2012 • Johnson Power Solutions opens its first US battery recycling centre in Florence, South Carolina. • Emerson completes acquisition of Chloride Group, the end of one of
the most famous brands in lead battery history but one that had lost its way a quarter of a century before. • Exide Technologies’ recycling plant in Frisco, Texas is closed, followed by Vernon, California the year after. The issue of lead contamination of
the surrounding areas continued to be a problem for Exide until it was sold this year. It also closes its plant in New Zealand. 2013 • Exide Technologies files for bankruptcy protection a second time. As with first Chapter 11, it will take two years before it is able to trade again. • After 22 years of struggling, bipolar start-up Atraverda goes into receivership. • Charlesbank Capital Partners makes initial investment in Trojan Battery. The firm had been in the Godber family since its foundation in 1925.
Exide Technologies’ recycling plant in Vernon, California closed in 2013
30 • Batteries International • ELBC 2022 Show Guide • Summer 2022
• Ador Digatron joint venture goes ahead between German headquartered Digatron and Ador, a well respected Indian firm and a further move by Digatron to expand its presence in Asia.
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