The Battery Clinic started business in 2003. After a year experimenting with the Sulfarid battery desulphator we set up a production factory at Church Street in Penrose, Auckland, New Zealand. Business grew and within a year we had to move to larger premises in Otahuhu. Six years later we are still based in Otahuhu but our product range and services have grown considerably.
2003 – 2004 Early Days
Opened factory at Church Street in Penrose to manufacture reconditioned and restored batteries. Most of the batteries manufactured were automotive batteries with a small amount of deep cycle batteries for marine use. As our customer base grew through direct sales and motor vehicle dealers we soon outgrew our premises at Penrose.
2005 – Move to 33 Great South Road, Otahuhu.
We moved to our current premises in Otahuhu in late 2005. Our first impression of the place was that it was bigger than we required, however within a year we fully occupied all the space in this new building and we expect that by the end of next year (2011) we will need either a larger building or additional premises. With this move we were able to offer battery reconditioning services. Reconditioning of forklift batteries was our speciality and we also started supplying storage batteries for marine, caravan and off grid power installations.
The most difficult part about battery reconditioning is changing public perception about the quality of our batteries. However we were able to allay fears with our 6 months unconditional warranty. Average life of our batteries was 2 years, with the record standing at 5 years we soon grew our customer base. The lowest savings even on the cheapest automotive battery is about $100 and more than $200 for a european battery. Our customer base grew quite quickly.
2006 – Branches opening and closure.
For the best of reasons this was the worst strategic decision we made. Although the business was growing we did not have the resources and manpower for this move and as a result both branches in Hamilton an Whangarei never made past break even figures. We closed Hamilton in late 2007 and by May 2008 we closed Whangarei. Opening of these branches stretched our resources and took our eye off the ball. However with these closure we were soon able to concentrate on our core business and started to grow again.
2007 – Alternative Energy
We always knew that the most critical part of an off grid power system are the batteries and we used this fact to push our off grid power systems. For the cost of a new battery bank we could set up a whole off grid system if a similar size reconditioned battery bank was used.
Our assessment was that amorphous solar panels were the most cost efficient, as a result we imported these panels for use with our solar systems.
As wind energy was also an integral part of off grid power systems we partnered with a local manufacturer and designer to supply the Aerotek wind generator.
2008 – Hybrid Vehicles and HEV battery reconditioning
We started reconditioning and rebuilding the HEV battery for the Prius as a result of a request from a customer. Over the years we kept improving our techniques in reconditioning these batteries and also came to understand how hybrid cars work and how to service these vehicles. As far as we knew we were the only commercial business offering HEV battery reconditioning service and backing it up with a 1 year warranty.
2009 – Power Jockey A product designed, manufactured and patented in New Zealand.
We started thinking about developing a HEV battery augmentation system in 2009 as we needed something to support these fast aging batteries which are getting increasingly costly to offer our warranty. This is especially difficult as anything wrong with other parts of the vehicle always affects the battery.
2010 – Power Jockey prototype and marketing.
We made the first prototype in early 2010 and tested the unit over several months. Convinced of it’s effectiveness we started using the Power Jockey with all HEV battery reconditioning. As the development of the Power Jockey progressed, it became clearer that we now have an enabling technology that will move hybrid vehicles into mainstream use.
Hybrid vehicle technology is hampered by the limited life of the HEV battery and high depreciation rate. This weakness is effectively negated as with a Power Jockey installed, that same battery can now last the life of the vehicle.
2011 – New Businesses
As a result of the enabling technology feature that the Power Jockey brings 3 new businesses have evolved.
Green Cars Only – A hybrid car sales specialising in hybrid vehicles
Hybrid and Electric – A business installing Power Jockeys, repairing and servicing hybrid vehicles.
Green Rentals – A rental car business using only hybrid cars.
