News: Global deal sees Rotherham-based IBCS acquired

Rotherham-based Industrial Battery & Charger Services Ltd (IBCS), one of the UK's largest independent suppliers of forklift truck batteries and chargers, has been acquired by EnerSys, a global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications.

IBCS helps businesses maximize the performance and lifespan of their battery systems. Established in 1984, it moved from its original base in Darnall, Sheffield, to premises at Hellaby in 2012.

Listed on the New Yorks Stock Exchange, EnerSys is the largest industrial battery manufacturer in the world, operating manufacturing and assembly facilities worldwide for customers in over 100 countries. It is headquarted in Pennsylvania, USA with regional headquarters in Zug, Switzerland and Singapore.

The deal, for an undisclosed sum, represents a strategic move for EnerSys, enabling the company to expand its motive power service offerings and strengthen its presence in the UK market. With the addition of IBCS, EnerSys will be able to further enhance its comprehensive range of battery-related services, from installation and maintenance to repair and replacement.

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Vincent Baudelet, VP Sales and Service, Motive Power EMEA, at EnerSys, said: "We are excited to welcome IBCS to the EnerSys family. Their expertise in battery service and maintenance will enhance our ability to provide end-to-end solutions for our customers, and their strong reputation in the UK market will help us grow our business in the region."

IBCS will continue to operate under its current name and branding, and its management team is expected to remain in place.

Paul Hewson, Managing Director at IBCS, said: “We are delighted to be joining forces with EnerSys. This partnership will allow us to offer our customers even more comprehensive and integrated battery solutions, including top-of-the-line lead acid batteries, proprietary Thin Plate Pure Lead technology (TPPL), and the industry’s most advanced lithium battery while also providing new opportunities for our employees.”

IBCS website

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News: Apprentices jump start careers at IBCS

Rotherham-based Industrial Battery and Charger Services Limited (IBCS), one of the UK's largest independent suppliers of forklift truck batteries and chargers, is growing with apprenticeships.

Funding from HSBC and a £120,000 business loan from Finance Yorkshire enabled the company to move from its original base in Darnall, Sheffield, to premises at Hellaby in 2012. The business has since moved again – to premises twice the size at the same location – to meet the growth in customer demand. Turnover has increased from £2.6m in 2012 to more than £4m in 2014.

IBCS operates an apprenticeship scheme which has seen two apprentices already qualify as electrical engineers while a third is six months into his apprenticeship at the company. The scheme is run in conjunction with Rotherham College.

Jonathan Jones, managing director at IBCS (pictured, right), said: "We see apprentices very much as the future of our business – once they are qualified, they have a trade and stay with us while we continue to invest in their training and development. Having an apprenticeship scheme has been very positive for us."

Dylan Bartholomew is the latest IBCS apprentice and has already completed a Level 2 Electrical Engineering course.

Dylan, 18, from Maltby (pictured, left), said: "This is my first job and I'm enjoying it very much. I'm learning a lot while at the same time going to college where I do my course in two-week blocks which works well alongside being at IBCS. Doing an apprenticeship is definitely the right route for me."

Alex McWhirter, chief executive at Finance Yorkshire, added: "Our investments help companies to grow and create job opportunities which enables them to invest in people – including apprentices – who acquire invaluable skills which allow Yorkshire and the Humber to become an even stronger economy."

The eighth annual National Apprenticeship Week takes place from March 9-13 2015, with hundreds of events expected to take place across England.

The week, which is coordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service, is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the economy.

IBCS website

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News: Loan boosts Rotherham battery business

Industrial Battery & Charger Services Ltd (IBCS), one of the UK's largest independent suppliers of forklift truck batteries and chargers, is on the charge thanks to continued backing from Finance Yorkshire.

IBCS supplies batteries, chargers and service to the entire distribution chain, from original equipment manufacturers through forklift truck dealers to the end users.

Funding from HSBC and a £120,000 business loan from Finance Yorkshire enabled the company to move from its original base in Darnall, Sheffield, to premises at Hellaby in 2012. The business has since moved again – to premises twice the size at the same location – to meet the growth in customer demand.

Jonathan Jones bought IBCS with Glynn Woon in 2001 and together with sales director Paul Hewson they employ more than 20 staff. Turnover has grown from £2.6m in 2012 to more than £4m in 2014.

Jonathan Jines, managing director at IBCS, said: "The investment from Finance Yorkshire was crucial to our first move and then giving us the springboard to move again. We're 40% ahead of where we were last year and we are planning for strong growth in the next 12 to 18 months through new and existing customers."

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IBCS has seen significant growth in the hire of its forklift truck batteries and chargers where there is demand from companies moving large amounts of stock, particularly in peak seasons. IBCS is also investing in training and development.

Jones added: "We are bringing apprentices through the business as well as investing in the development of our engineers. We have got an excellent group of people and their customer service, the quality of our product and our modern warehouse allows us to operate more efficiently and achieve growth."

Melanie Reynolds, portfolio executive at Finance Yorkshire, said: "IBCS is a great example of a company that has significantly grown as a result of investment from Finance Yorkshire. It is a well-established company which has shown consistent growth and profitability and has the ability to further cement its leading position in the UK market."

Finance Yorkshire is the first European JEREMIE (Joint European Resources for Micro to medium Enterprise) initiative to become fully invested in England. Its £90m fund had three investment teams, Seedcorn Finance, Business Loans and Equity Linked Investments. It secured £45m from the European Investment Bank, together with £30m investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and £15m from the Government via Yorkshire Forward.

IBCS website
Finance Yorkshire website

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News: Finance Yorkshire pass £20m mark

Finance Yorkshire has invested more than £23m across Yorkshire, the Humber and North and North East Lincolnshire.

The figure amounts to 224 investments in 183 small and medium sized enterprises since August 2010, leading to more than 4,600 jobs created and safeguarded in the region.

Finance Yorkshire provides seedcorn, loan and equity linked investments, ranging from £15,000 to £2m. It has attracted £30m investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), £15m from Yorkshire Forward's Single Programme, and £45m match funding from the European Investment Bank.

In the last quarter alone, the venture capital and loan fund completed 30 investments totaling more than £4.3m.

Alex McWhirter, chief executive of Finance Yorkshire, said: "These are some great results and we are looking forward to building on these figures and helping more companies and employees achieve growth in the coming months.

"We urge established and early stage companies and their professional advisers to continue to speak to us to see if Finance Yorkshire can help turn their ambitions into a reality."

A number of Rotherham companies have secured funding through Finance Yorkshire, enabling them to grow and create more local jobs. Companies include; online discount food and drink retailer, Approved Food; S3 ID, the UK's market-leading provider of innovative location awareness solutions; Industrial Battery & Charger Services Ltd (IBCS); clean technology company, Sterecycle; Labfacility, a leading manufacturer of temperature sensors for industry; and Xeros Limited, an innovative company developing a virtually waterless washing machine.

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News: Hellaby deals done

The strong start to the calendar year for the Rotherham commercial property market continues with a hat trick of deals on the Hellaby Industrial Estate.

Acting on behalf of Suon Industrials Limited, the team at CBRE in Sheffield has completed the sale of Units 4 and 5, and the letting of Unit 2, at Eden Close.

The 10,000 sq ft Unit 5 has been sold to Pyronix and 6,000 sq ft Unit 4 to Sheffield business Industrial Battery Charger Services. The team has also let a 12,000 sq ft Unit 2 to Clarence Merwe Systems.

Headquarterd nearby, Pyronix is the one of world's leading providers of quality security equipment.

Sheffield's Industrial Battery & Charger Services Ltd (IBCS), one of the UK's largest independent suppliers of forklift truck batteries and chargers has expanded, following funding support from HSBC and Finance Yorkshire.

The modern industrial warehouse accommodation is situated along Eden Close, forming part of the established Hellaby Industrial Estate, which is well located within the South Yorkshire region immediately adjacent to Junction 1 of the M18.

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Roger Haworth, senior director of Industrial Agency at CBRE in Sheffield, said: "This development has proved hugely successful to date with the three new occupiers joining a number of well-known companies including Stanley Tools, Cert Logistics and Dexel Tyres to name but a few.

"Interest in the units was high when the properties came to the market and the deals represent an excellent result for all parties. Unit 3 Eden Close is now available for sale or lease and we anticipate strong demand for the 6,000 sq ft detached unit."

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News: IBCS secure funding for Rotherham expansion

Industrial Battery & Charger Services Ltd (IBCS), one of the UK's largest independent suppliers of forklift truck batteries and chargers has expanded, following funding support from HSBC and Finance Yorkshire.


The Darnall company has secured funding from HSBC's South Yorkshire Commercial Banking team that will finance the purchase of new premises at Hellaby Industrial Estate in Rotherham, providing them with the space required to expand the hire division of the business.

The company was established in 1984 and currently has a turnover of £2m and employs 14 staff. The move is expected to create a number of new jobs in the area throughout 2012.

The deal was led by Jon Gillgrass at HSBC and Karl Hodson at Finance Yorkshire.

Jonathan Jones, the managing director at IBCS, said: "The financial support from HSBC and Finance Yorkshire will enable our business to implement its ambitious growth strategy.

"We have experienced an increase in demand for hire products and the new premises will provide us with the space we need to increase our stock levels to meet demand from new and existing customers."

Martin Nattrass, area commercial director for South Yorkshire at HSBC, added: "We have worked closely with IBCS since 2003, and we are pleased to continue our support as the company takes its next step.

"The business has enjoyed significant success and this move will allow it to continue its growth strategy, benefitting the local economy by creating new jobs."

Industrial Battery & Charger Services Ltd website

Images: forklift-batteries.co.uk

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