Norwegian discount chain Europris is investing in lithium-ion batteries supplied by GNB Industrial Power, a division of Exide Technologies, for its forklift fleet.

Europris trialed GNB’s Sonnenschein Lithium batteries on some of its forklift fleet for six months, and says using the batteries lowered its operating costs significantly. The battery was tested on a pallet stacker, operated over two shifts, that was acquired in December 2013.

Harald Myhre, sales manager Norway at GNB Industrial Power, tells Forkliftaction.com News that Europris currently runs its warehouse operations over two shifts from 6 am to 10 pm. "Lithium (will allow) the client to more easily increase this to three shifts in the future – something they are considering."

On the cost savings, Myhre says: "We don’t know the specific calculations used by Europris, but a huge factor is that the company is considering running three shifts in the future. Using lithium-ion, they can do this without having to stop to recharge or replace the battery."

He says the main benefits of the Sonnenschein batteries over lead-acid batteries include extended operating times, fast charge and opportunity charging, deeper discharge capability, extended cycle life – up to 4,000 cycles at 80% depth of discharge, voltage stability over different discharge rates and minimal maintenance.

Europris claims to be one of Norway’s biggest discount chains, with over 220 stores. The company has around 200 forklifts, including counterbalance forklifts, reach trucks, pallet trucks and order pickers, in five warehouses, with the majority based in its main Øra warehouse just outside Fredrikstad.

Europris is in the process of replacing some of its forklifts, with GNB providing lead-acid and Sonnenschein Lithium batteries, and a set of GNB chargers with specially optimised charging algorithms. GNB will supply its products through local Linde and Still forklift dealers, and will be assisting Europris directly by providing knowledge and expertise.

At the end of last year and the first quarter of 2015, the wholesaler had replaced 149 forklifts, 89 forklift trucks from Linde and 60 picking trucks from Still.

Europris bought five Sonnenschein Lithium batteries initially, with four supplied through Linde and one through Still. Linde was also involved in the six-month trial process, working closely with GNB.  

GNB is a division of Exide Technologies, one of the world's largest producers and recyclers of lead-acid batteries.