newsdesk in depth l Manbat acquires BPS
Manbat, the UK’s largest battery distributor has substantially increased its presence in the industrial battery sector with the acquisition of Battery Power Systems Ltd (BPS) of East Kilbride.
BPS is a leading independent that supplies the forklift, floor-care, emergency power and electric vehicle sectors with batteries, chargers and quality service on a national basis. With this acquisition, Manbat immediately becomes one of the country’s largest suppliers in the 2-Volt, 6-Volt and 12- Volt industrial traction battery sector. Commenting on the move, Manbat’s managing director, Steve Sheppard (pictured), said: “The acquisition fits well with Manbat’s desire to strengthen its position within the industrial battery sector and generally into markets additional to automotive. It is also a good indication of parent company Eco- Bat’s desire to support Manbat in its expansion plans and now means that Manbat’s industrial division is a £9 million turnover business.”
For BPS, George Wotherspoon added:
“Although prior to our talks with Manbat we had no thought of selling the business, it was clear during our conversations that there was an obvious synergy with the two businesses and a comfortable relationship was quickly formed between our organisations. We are now looking forward to an even brighter future together as our combined strengths will allow us to grow evermore quickly.”
Manbat has confirmed that all 35 members of staff currently employed by BPS will remain with the business and that BPS will continue to be headed by commercial director, Keith MacDonald.
www.manbat.co.uk
Gunnell to present FLTA Awards
The FLTAhas confirmed an Olympic- quality line-up of entertainment for the industry’s Awards in 2012, co-hosted by wold-leading sporting icon Sally Gunnell OBE.
The greatest female athlete this country has ever produced, and the only woman in history to have ever concurrently held all four major championship gold medals – Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European – as well as the World record, Sally is the spirit of excellence personified. FLTA Chairman Martyn Fletcher says: “This year’s Awards ceremony is going to be the best yet. In a year that sees the UK host the world’s greatest sporting event – the Olympics – who better than Sally Gunnell OBE to present this industry’s awards? Sally represents everything these awards stand for – excellence, drive and achievement.” A total of 24 nominations from nineteen different companies from the UK, Europe and beyond will vie to earn an Archie – the Oscar of the fork lift truck industry – at Awards 2012, on Saturday 18th February at
Birmingham’s Hilton Metropole. Opening the Awards ceremony will be Joe Oakley, star of a sport that made its Olympic debut four years ago in Beijing: BMX. Most recently, Joe impressed judges and national television audiences alike with his incredible skill and balance on the live semi-finals of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent.
For more information about this year’s finalists, and how to cast a vote online, go to the Awards section of the FLTA website at
www.fork-
truck.org.uk/awards. Voting closes on Wednesday 18th January 2012.
10 ShD January 2012
www.PressOnShD.com
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