Enersys Australia has completed its acquisition of the assets of First National Battery Pty Ltd, the Brisbane, Queensland-based Australian distributor for First National Battery in South Africa.

Enersys general manager and resident director, Lindsay Cordner, said the acquisition would give his company increased market share in the Australian industrial battery market. He would not reveal the purchase price.

"Asia-Pacific is an important region for Enersys," he said. "We have been in Australia since last year, and we've achieved significant growth, which is very pleasing."

First National's Australian operation had been run by Peter Nemo, who had left the industry, Cordner said. Nemo could not be contacted.

The acquisition adds two offices, a warehouse and an assembly plant to the Enersys sales offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

"Enersys is a worldwide leader in industrial batteries, having a 24% global market share in 2003 and a 30% market share in both the US and Europe," he said. "We have two factories in China and offices in Japan and Singapore.

"Enersys believes that the Asia-Pacific region presents significant opportunities, which is why we are interested in developing the markets here."

Confirming this corporate direction, Enersys chairman, chief executive and president, John Craig, said, "we plan to make investments consistent with our stated strategy of continuing to strengthen our global presence."