Lithium Battery Systems (LBS) makes a range of 12V, 24V, 36V and 48V lithium batteries for outdoor recreation, fleet vehicle conversion and special applications markets across Australia.
Established in 2015, the operation has grown exponentially during the past 12 months, increasing its workforce from five to 24 employees.
LBS manufactures more than 500 batteries each month at its Loganholme facility.
The demand for LBS batteries has never been stronger, forcing the firm to acquire a second factory last month to let it keep up with demand, some of which has been due to Covid 19 and increases in the domestic holiday sector.
Director of operations Spencer Smith said: “While we started off servicing retail customers in the early days, in order to attain production efficiencies, we now only manufacture batteries for distributors and resellers in our primary markets”.
LBS utilised the Federal Government’s research and development tax rebate to develop its own Battery Management System (BMS – a printed circuit board used in every battery made at its premises.
Unlike lead/acid batteries, a BMS is required in lithium batteries to provide protection over charge and over discharge functions and to ensure that the cells are always balanced.
Mr Smith said: “We are the poster child of R&D innovation and the tax rebate scheme.
“We used the rebate scheme to grow and tap into local talent, suppliers and customers, without it wouldn’t be where we are today.”
In April this year the Federal Member for Forde, Bert van Manen officially opened the LBS Loganholme facility and spoke about the importance of the R&D tax rebate scheme, applauding LBS for using the scheme to grow the business while using local talent and resources.
Mr Smith went on to say: “We are currently implementing lean manufacturing principles with the aim of doubling our daily battery output within the next six months.
“Our goal is 1000 batteries per month by March 2022.”
Leave a Reply