THE battery distribution industry is a complex one in Australia with the market dominated by a few key players.
For a small family-owned business to compete with the battery giants whilst facing increased competition from online retailers is no easy feat. The story of R&J Batteries is not one of an overnight success but one driven by sheer hard work, determination and passion spanning nearly three decades.
Today, R&J Batteries is one of the fastest growing battery distributors with 29 company-owned branches and a vast network of more than 10,000 stockists across Australia and New Zealand.
After gaining skills from working at a local battery company as young adults, founders Ray Robson and John Webb invested every cent they had in a run-down shed in Ballarat, Victoria to start R&J Batteries in 1995. While Webb eventually left the business in 2011 to pursue other interests, Robson remained as the managing director and plays an active role in day-to-day operations of the business.
In the early years, R&J Batteries focused its efforts on establishing the company as the local battery expert and a premier destination for batteries for all applications. An opportunity to open a second branch in Bendigo and expand its service network further in regional Victoria came in 2001.
The company’s strong reputation and even stronger demand for high-quality battery products allowed R&J Batteries to open many more branches in the subsequent years. Today, the battery distributor has nationwide presence in all states and major territories in Australia.
Its success in Australia paved the way for international expansion. In 2017 R&J Batteries opened its first branch in Auckland, New Zealand. While it was initially challenging to operate in a new country, the battery distributor’s years of experience and strong understanding of the battery market led to rapid growth.
Since the opening of its Auckland branch and subsequent relocation to bigger premises in Wiri, R&J Batteries now also have branches in Christchurch, Hamilton, Albany and Nelson.
With more branches in the pipeline, the company aims to grow its footprint to establish a strong distribution and service network in the North and South Islands of the nation.
Currently, the battery distributor is making news on several fronts particularly, for its involvement in motorsports. R&J Batteries has a long history of supporting motorsport teams in diverse categories and classes from grassroot levels and upwards. It currently manages several active sponsorships including Brad Jones Racing (BJR), Greg Gartner Motorsports, Lamattina Top Fuel Racing and PremiAir Racing.
“Our motorsport participation has created greater relationships between the R&J Batteries team, our customers and our industry partners. Being able to support teams locally and nationally make us part of the community, allowing for more genuine conversations which lead to providing an even better level of service,” said Stuart Hamilton, chief executive officer at R&J Batteries.
Its high-profile sponsorship of Brad Jones Racing’s #8 car has proven to be successful over the years. Driver André Heimgartner won four podiums in the 2022 season of the Supercars Championship. He has already beaten his own record halfway through the 2023 season and currently sits in sixth place in the overall championship leader board.
“The sponsorship of BJR’s #8 car and André Heimgartner is a fantastic conversation starter which allows customers to affirm our brand identity and trust that we can provide the best power solution. There is no doubt our involvement in motorsports has helped us increase brand awareness, as more people are familiar with the R&J Batteries brand,” Hamilton added.
R&J Batteries attributes its success to three things: its people, its products and its service.
The company strives to hire, train and retain the best staff as they are an integral part of all facets of the business from sales and delivery right through to finance and administration. They are responsible for delivering the consistently high level of customer service that R&J Batteries is well regarded for.
R&J Batteries’ products and service go hand in hand.
“One of the key factors of our continued success is securing distribution rights for the highest quality products available and then having the best people on the ground providing a high level of customer service. Sourcing the highest quality products possible remains one of our key priorities,” said
R&J Batteries MD Ray Robson.
R&J Batteries takes pride in its diverse range of products which have been carefully selected and sourced from all over the world. Their extensive portfolio consists of batteries, accessories and lubricants for golf carts, cars, trucks, boats, caravans, motorcycles, solar systems and more. These products from world class brands cater to all power requirements of residential, commercial and industrial applications making R&J Batteries a one-stop-shop for all battery needs.
In the golf cart and utility category, R&J Batteries’ brands such as U.S Battery, ALLiON, Predator, Fullriver, Lester Electrical and Flow-Rite dominate the market. These brands cover your standard sizes and chemistries for golf carts including in lead acid, Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) and Lithium to suit different power requirements, configurations, budgets and service needs.
U.S. Battery Deep Cycle Batteries
U.S Battery has a long history of manufacturing excellence spanning over 95 years. Made 100% in the USA, U.S Battery products have a strong reputation for quality and dependability.
Available in 6-volt, 8-volt and 12-volt, U.S Battery products are built with unique Xtreme Capacity 2TM formulation and Diamond Plate Technology®. This combination produces highly efficient battery plates capable of delivering greater watt-hours per litre and watt-hours per kilogram than any other flooded lead-acid battery in the market.
This makes U.S Battery a suitable choice for applications with batteries requiring deep discharge and fast recharge on a daily or continuous basis such as golf carts and industrial equipment like aerial work platforms and floor cleaning machines.
The Xtreme Capacity 2 formulation consists of uniform layers of tetrabasic sulphate crystals which allows U.S Battery products to have the highest initial capacity and highest rated capacity on the market. The Diamond Plate Technology when combined with Xtreme Capacity 2 formulation creates a highly efficient cell-plate design which produces greater overall capacity, longer battery life and ability to reach peak capacity in fewer cycles. U.S Battery deep cycle batteries are built for applications subjected to rigorous use and their SpeedCap® Venting Positive Locking System makes for easy maintenance.
ALLiON Lithium Batteries
R&J Batteries recognise demand for high quality lithium batteries is increasing. The company is gearing up to launch a new product in the coming months to offer customers even greater choice.
The new ALLiON GC2 battery is a high performing 48V lithium battery with a capacity of 30Ah. This battery has been designed as a lightweight, high cycle replacement for lead acid batteries in 48V applications such as golf carts, commercial turf equipment and floor scrubbers. The integrated Battery Management System (BMS) ensures battery operation is safe and reliable over the life of the battery.
Fullriver Batteries
Fullriver is one of the most respected battery manufacturers with an envious track record for quality and reliability around the world. The Fullriver DC AGM Series and DCG Gel Series offer maintenance-free, corrosion-free and high reserve capacity batteries made to withstand deep discharge and high-amp recharge common to EV golf carts.
Without the added burden of having to fill batteries or replace corroded cables, golfers can experience a gentle cruise around the course. The long run time and high cycle life makes Fullriver golf cart batteries a worthy investment. They are available in a variety of sizes and configurations to suit all sorts of power requirements.
Lester Electrical Battery Chargers
Lester Electrical is a world leader in commercial and industry battery chargers specialising in electrical power conversions and storage for a wide range of applications. Designed in the USA, the Summit Series® II family of chargers are available in 650W, 1050W and 1425W models.
Summit Series ® II chargers provide industry-leading charging performance and intelligence. Their proprietary Progressive DV /DT ™ charge algorithm ensures a precisely charged battery every time. The chargers are built to last, tested in extreme temperatures and operating conditions.
These chargers also offer multi-voltage support. The 650W comes in two models, a 24V and 36/48V. The 1050W comes in one model providing 24/36/48V all in one. The 1425W also covers 24/36/48V. The chargers are also equipped with Bluetooth communication and cloud connectivity.
This comprehensive set of features make them ideal for use in any motive power application such as golf carts, aerial work platforms, floor care machines, industrial vehicles, lift trucks and outdoor power equipment.
Predator Batteries
The Predator GC Series of deep cycle golf cart batteries have been gaining a lot of attention since its launch. The R&J Batteries owned brand has been successful in finding the best products from around the globe to best power its applications.
The GC Series’ characteristic thick plates provide dimensional stability, making them suitable for high cycle motive applications such as golf carts. Their high conductivity terminals and proprietary cap design which minimises water loss during use, both mean less down time and more time out on the course.
Flow-Rite Battery Watering System
The Pro-Fill Single-Point Battery Watering System by Flow-Rite is specially designed for use with golf cart batteries. The Pro-Fill on-board battery watering system works by replacing the battery’s existing vent caps with valves that are interconnected with tubing allowing the user to fill all cells of the battery system from a single remote location.
Each valve independently shuts off water flow to the cell when the proper electrolyte level is reached, allowing the batteries to be filled perfectly without having to look at the batteries.
Catering to customer demand is at the forefront of R&J Batteries’ operations.
As a trusted battery distributor with a loyal customer base nationwide, R&J Batteries takes its job of supplying the best in-class products to all Australians very seriously. While its current line-up of products for the golf industry consists of U.S Battery, Predator, Fullriver, ALLiON, Lester Electrical and Flow-Rite, the battery distributor is always on the hunt for new, innovative and technologically advanced products to add to its portfolio.
U.S Battery, Predator, ALLiON and Lester Electrical products are exclusively distributed by R&J Batteries and associated stockists in Australia. For more information about these brands and their products, please visit rjbatt.com.au or call 1300 769 282.
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