John Craig

EnerSys and Accumulateur Tunisie Assad SA have formed a joint venture company to produce and sell industrial batteries.

The new company, EnerSys-Assad SARL, will be 51% owned by EnerSys and 49% by Assad.

EnerSys chairman John Craig says the investment in Tunisia is a part of the company's strategy to boost production in lower-cost world regions and to expand its global market presence.

"Through this joint venture, EnerSys will gain additional access to the fast growing African markets," Craig adds.

Assad claims to be a market leader in automotive batteries in Tunisia and North Africa.

Abdelwaheb Kallel, chairman of Assad, says the joint venture brings together the experience, technology and capability of both companies to serve high growth markets.

The joint venture will start production later this year in Tunisia, focusing on high-performance 12 volt products to increase EnerSys's production capacity for motive and reserve power products.