BG Varasto Oy, a subsidiary of retail powerhouse Broman Group, has invested in a new battery charging system for its vast warehouse that serves 55 retail outlets across Finland. The system comes from GNB® Industrial Power, a division of Exide Technologies, and will allow the company to operate up to three shifts a day, without the need for additional investment in forklifts or charging rooms.

The new charging system consists of batteries, high-frequency chargers and battery replacement systems. BG Varasto believes the chargers will reduce power consumption by 15%, leading to improved energy efficiency and operating margins for the business. GNB® also will provide advice and services in ventilation, electrical installation and fitting.

The system enables BG Varasto to use its forklifts more efficiently. Previously, the company left batteries inside the forklifts while charging, which restricted its ability to operate over multiple shifts in one day. This approach also meant that batteries had to be partially charged while workers took breaks, which shortened battery lifespan.

“When investing in the new system, we decided to change our procedures and now remove the batteries from the trucks when they need to be charged. This has reduced the costs of charging rooms and allows us to use all our trucks more efficiently,” said Petri Nietula, Logistics Manager at BG Varasto. “We use machinery to move the batteries, which reduces the risk of work accidents. The equipment enables us to replace both small and large batteries weighing up to a tonne.”

BG Varasto Oy is an independent subsidiary of Broman Group and handles importation and logistics for the group’s Motonet and AD VaraosaMaailma businesses. The company’s logistics centre in Hyvinkää is 23,000 m², with 30km of shelf space and an additional 25,000 pallet spaces.

About GNB® Industrial Power
GNB® Industrial Power is a division of Exide Technologies, one of the world's largest producers and recyclers of lead-acid batteries. The company's four global business groups - Transportation Americas, Transportation Europe and Rest of World, Industrial Energy Americas, and Industrial Energy Europe and Rest of World - provide a comprehensive range of stored electrical energy products and services for industrial and transportation applications.

Transportation markets include original equipment, aftermarket automotive, heavy-duty truck, agricultural and marine applications, and new technologies for hybrid vehicles. Industrial markets include network power applications such as telecommunications systems, electric utilities, railroads, photovoltaics, uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs), and motive-power applications including lift trucks, mining and other commercial vehicles.