John Sneddon

The GNB Industrial Power division of Exide Technologies has signed an agreement to supply Jungheinrich Lift Truck Corp, of Richmond, Virginia, batteries for its forklifts sold in North America.

The batteries will be painted to match Jungheinrich's yellow colour scheme and carry the Jungheinrich brand.

Jungheinrich Lift Truck Corp president John Sneddon said the company's goal was to become a "major player" in the North American market.

"Our new business partner, GNB Industrial Power, is willing and able to supply the batteries we need, when we need them, even with our significant growth expectations."

GNB motive power product manager Michael Matson said it was the first time in North America that a battery manufacturer and an OEM forklift company had signed "such a co-operative agreement".

Jungheinrich technicians will match each forklift with the correctly-rated battery and charger at its distribution centres in Richmond, Virginia, and Fresno, California, before the forklifts are shipped for sale.

Previously, Jungheinrich dealers and sales offices received batteries and installed them themselves.

Through the new partnership, GNB has established "quick ship" inventories on a consignment basis at Jungheinrich distribution centres.

"So, in effect, we treat their facilities as our own," Taylor Frederickson, GNB's OEM account manager said.

GNB supplies 10 different Jungheinrich-branded batteries to Jungheinrich distribution centres.

GNB makes forklift batteries in North America. Exide Technologies' Industrial Energy Europe division makes forklift batteries for the rest of the world.