New maintenance free battery made in Oz

Century Batteries takes the wraps off first locally-made Sealed Maintenance Free (SMF) battery

Battery specialist Century says its new Sealed Maintenance Free battery was manufactured in Australia, for Australia.

The iconic blue and yellow SMF batteries feature an array of design improvements and specialist internal components to better suit Australia’s extreme climate and harsh conditions.

Century’s Training and Development Manager, Johnny Kennedy says the company decided to produce a local SMF battery following increasing demand in the market for sturdier batteries to cope with increasingly complex vehicle technology and engine management systems.

"Our new batteries incorporate design enhancements and internal improvements to maximise performance, improve overall battery life and, in the majority of cases, deliver improved performance ratings," he says.

"Our decision to produce a local SMF battery not only took in market research but a range of factors including the fact that batteries are no longer confined to under the bonnet. Increasingly we are seeing fitments under seats and in the boot – and this is more suited to an SMF design."

A key feature of the new battery is the heat-sealed double lid technology to reduce water loss.

It also features increased electrolyte levels, advanced plate designs and specialist paste formulations that Century says deliver superior cranking performance, corrosion resistance and heat tolerance.

"These new batteries have been two years in the making. We have invested heavily in research and development and have put the battery through rigorous testing before launching," says Century’s Australasian Automotive General Manager, Stu Stanners.

"This is a damn good battery. It is built to withstand the robust conditions of Australian motoring including our extreme weather conditions.

"Batteries fail in extremes – mostly cold but equally when temperatures exceed 36 degrees Celsius – common in many parts of Australia and in some all year round."

Century says it invested millions of dollars on technology upgrading its Carole Park (Qld) facility to produce the SMF battery, hence keeping manufacturing and jobs local.

"Just as Australians have supported the dairy industry we want people to know we are about keeping jobs here," Stanners says.

"We employ over 600 people alone, and when you take into account the other national businesses dependent on our contracts, this stretches to thousands of Aussie jobs.

"Our manufacturing operations reaches Australian businesses all around the country as far south as Port Pirie in South Australia for lead, to New South Wales for recycled components and back to Queensland for plastics and signage.

"So you can see why we are passionate about keeping manufacturing in Australia."

More information the new Sealed Maintenance Free batteries can be found on the Century Batteries website.

New maintenance free battery made in Oz

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