Powering growth through investment

New battery facility opened

SOUTH AFRICA: Representing an investment of some R150 million, Balancell officially opened their new state-of-the-art Gigafactory in Ndabeni, Cape Town with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Deputy Minister of Trade Industry and Competition Andrew Whitfield.

The new facility will help the company – which designs, engineers, and manufactures lithium ferro-phosphate smart batteries used in a wide range of industries – take its cutting-edge technology to the world, while continuing to power South African industry towards a cleaner future.

Balancell’s lithium ferro-phosphate batteries are designed, engineered, and produced in South Africa. The batteries use almost exclusively local components, making them a truly South African innovation.

A key aspect is the modular design, which allows individual components to be replaced in the event of a fault or damage, rather than having to replace the whole battery. It’s a more sustainable way of operating, as well as creating massive cost saving over the long term.

Furthermore, the batteries have a longer lifespan, are more recyclable, and are built to be durable, reliable and safe even in the harshest environments. Another key aspect of Balancell batteries is that they connect to the cloud, constantly uploading diagnostic information that allows battery health to be monitored remotely.

The first Balancell batteries powered electric forklifts. While this remains a key market for Balancell, the technology has since been adapted and built on, expanding to other industries.

Speaking at the event, Whitfield commended Balancell for its investment into the local manufacturing industry, and the positive knock-on effects that this investment will yield: “Balancell’s investment of R150 million in this factory is not only directly in line with the strategic priorities of the Government of National Unity, but also testament to the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit that defines many South African businesses. We are excited about the prospects for growth and job creation in the coming years.”

After officially opening its doors in 2013 with just three employees, the company now employs 75 direct staff, 69% of whom are from previously disadvantaged backgrounds and 49% of whom are women.

Balancell was founded by Dr Ian de Vries, whose passion for science and technology was ignited in high school. Fuelled by the idea that “the cost of living is fundamentally related to the cost of energy”, Dr De Vries has spent the last two decades working to make energy more cost-effective and accessible.

Photo: Dr Ian de Vries cuts the ribbon to officially open the new facility with Deputy Minister of Trade Industry and Competition Andrew Whitfield.