Business 14 www.aftermarketonline.net JULY/AUGUST 2025 Aftermarket driving increased lead battery sales and revenue, says Banner Lead battery giant Banner has announced increases sales and revenue, noting that lead acid technology continues to be a mainstay for the industry — and the aftermarket in particular. Banner said in June that sales of lead batteries in the 2024-25 financial year were in excess of four million — an increase of more than 200,000 over the previous year. Revenue increased by €312 million (£266 million), an increase of over €10 million compared to the previous year. Banner said the results reflected the success of investments totalling €25 million over the past three years, a consistently high export share of 95% and a dedicated team of 760 employees throughout Europe. With increasing electrification of vehicles and structural change, it is becoming clear that lead acid batteries are retaining their relevance – whether as starter and on-board power supply batteries or in applications with customerspecific energy solutions, Banner said. Meanwhile, the firm forecast the “stable development” of lead batteries in the European market up to 2030, although declining production of new vehicles in the OEM sector is set to realise a slight fall in demand as the market shifts significantly towards supplying the aftermarket. One of the reasons for this is the increasing average vehicle age, which has now increased by almost two years in Europe, Banner said. This trend is having a positive impact on demand in the replacement business, as older vehicles require new batteries more frequently. In addition, the lead acid battery remains indispensable even in modern electric vehicles. More than 90% of all electric cars are currently equipped with a 12V onboard power supply battery based on proven and environmentally friendly lead acid technology, Banner said. The robustness, recyclability and costeffectiveness of lead batteries continue to make them the first choice for numerous systems. The outlook for the firm’s energy solutions business unit is also positive, supplying batteries for applications including traction batteries for electric forklifts to energy systems for golf carts and UPS facilities. Austria-headquartered Banner invested €10 million in its Leonding site in the past financial year, including a major maintenance construction project that was completed in April 2024 at a cost of around €3.5 million. The project included establishing a tool shop to help reduce external costs by producing more spare parts in-house. The company is also investing in apprenticeships and a training centre. Banner said it is currently supporting 10 apprentices — five each in the electrical engineering and commercial sectors. Earlier this year, Banner has announced that Werner Töpfl had become the first externally-appointed CEO in the company’s history, after more than three decades of leadership by owners Andreas and Thomas Bawart. Töpfl took over operational management of the firm on April 1, supported by two long-standing managers, Franz Märzinger and Florian Steinhart, who act as members of the management board. The UK is a key market for the battery giant and Aftermarket reported earlier this year that Andrew Russell had been appointed business development manager, with the task of boosting the firm’s presence in the automotive aftermarket across the north of England and Scotland. Russell, who has more than 23 years’ experience of the UK aftermarket and is a former business development manager with Ring Automotive, has a reputation for developing strong customer relationships and identifying new business opportunities, Banner said. Russell, who reports directly to country manager, Lee Quinney, is responsible for targeting Banner’s growing customer base of motor factors, garages, independent distributors and other specialist automotive parts outlets. The UK is a key market for the lead acid battery giant Andrew Russell
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