MediaInfo Banner is on the move! The Austrian battery manufacturer is heading for a successful financial year Linz-Leonding (November 24, 2010). Following the first half-year results for the current financial year, Banner is heading for a successful 2010/11 with an anticipated increase in sales of over 10 per cent. Among the contributory factors to this figure are additional orders in the OEM sector from BMW, VW und Volvo. Indeed, in view of the high demand for battery technology for start/stop vehicles, Banner has invested EUR 15 million in its Leonding production centre. Banner was really on the move in the first half of the 2010/11 financial year and in the sales area the Austrian battery manufacturer is on course to reach the four million battery mark by year-end on March 31, 2011. This represents an increase of around five per cent or 200,000 pieces over the preceding twelve months.
Sales are heading in the
direction of EUR 225 million, which constitutes a rise of more than 10 per cent over 2009/10. Among other factors, this result is due to additional demand from vehicle manufacturers, especially with regard to AGM batteries, a product for which Banner has technological market leadership in Europe. In addition, advance purchases for stocks for the coming winter are proceeding in a highly positive manner. In September, Banner chalked up the highest monthly figure in its history with record sales of some 510,000 batteries. Moreover, since the summer, the upturn in the economy has also generated a leap in the demand for truck batteries. Start/stop vehicles have led to investments at the company location During the current financial year, Banner, which is based in Leonding near Linz, has invested EUR 15 million in the modernisation and expansion of its plant. In October, a new battery assembly line with a
MediaInfo potential output of roughly 2,500 fully assembled batteries per day went into operation and thus created twenty additional jobs. Furthermore, in the coming financial year 2011/12, another EUR 8 million are to be spent on increased production capacity. This expenditure has been necessitated primarily by the sizeable demand for AGM batteries for start/stop vehicles, as all the leading German manufacturers, e.g. Audi, BMW, Mercedes and VW are looking to this technology to cut the fuel consumption and CO2-emissions of their vehicle fleets. New customers for first fitting and product innovation In November, Volkswagen nominated Banner as one of its AGM battery suppliers for the coming three years and deliveries are scheduled to commence in late winter. Banner has also gained an additional new client in the shape of Volvo, which with its DRIVe programme is another pioneer in the field of environment-friendly vehicles with combustion engines. Since 2010, among other customers, Banner has been supplying the British premium producer Aston Martin with starter batteries for its new Rapide model, which is being manufactured by Magna Steyr in Graz. In fact, around 30 per cent of Banner’s starter production goes to OEM sector customers. November 2010 saw the market launch of Banner’s Power Bull GENERATION 2011, which has been especially developed for the needs of modern cars. GENERATION 2011 is characterised by enhanced durability, the cyclical loads on starter batteries haven risen sharply as a consequence of the massive increase in on-board power consumption caused by numerous control devices. The new battery has a height of 190mm and therefore, as opposed to standard batteries, offers a larger electrolyte volume that provides greater safety, improved deep discharge capacity and easier recharging.
MediaInfo Pictures: Production: November 2010 saw the market launch of Power Bull GENERATION 2011 which has been especially developed for the needs of modern cars and is characterised by enhanced durability Management: On course to a very successful financial year 2010/11: the Banner management Thomas (li.) and Andreas Bawart Corporate data Banner GmbH is an innovative, steadily expanding producer of top quality starter batteries. The company, which is based in Leonding, Austria, has been manufacturing batteries for all types of vehicles since 1937. The family-owned firm, which is headed by Andreas Bawart and Thomas Bawart, employs a workforce of around 710 across Europe. Banner produces and sells over 3.8 million starter batteries annually and thus numbers among the oldest, most experienced and important brands in the battery production field. Banner batteries are used for the first fitting of numerous models from von BMW, Mitsubishi, Skoda, Volvo, VW, Kässbohrer, Liebherr, MAN, Scania, Dethleffs and Jungheinrich. In Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, the UK, Denmark, Poland, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Hungary, Russia, Romania and Bulgaria dealers are served via Group sales companies with a total of 28 branches. Moreover, Banner products are sold in more than 40 European, African and Asian states via direct importers. Future-oriented technology and outstanding quality underline the international reputation of these exemplary products with “buffalo power”, which are also characterised by the Banner logo. Further information and photos are available under: www.bannerbatterien.com For enquiries, please contact: Günther Lemmerer, Marketing and PR Banner GmbH Banner Strasse 1;4021 Linz-Leonding (A) Tel. +43/(0)732/38 88 – 21550; Fax DW 61550 Mobile +43/(0)676/873 81 550 E-mail: guenther.lemmerer@bannerbatterien.com www.bannerbatterien.com