Business productivity grant sparks growth at battery supplier

A Barnsley-based business which supplies more than 7,000 different types of batteries to businesses across the UK and Europe is setting its sights on expansion after securing support from a grant scheme.

Battery Dynamics, headquartered at the Nexus Business Park, Dodworth, sources energy storage solutions including lithium batteries which are used in a range of industries including rail, marine, automotive and aerospace.

The company was founded in 2019 by industry expert Jordan Garland who spotted a gap in the market to deliver a comprehensive range of premium lead acid and lithium batteries.

Despite facing challenges to its supply chains due to Brexit and COVID-19, the business has found its services in high demand as more firms swap petrol power for electric solutions.

The high volumes of products being sold meant Battery Dynamics was dependent on a number of different systems and processes.

To help the company operate more effectively, Garland reached out to Enterprising Barnsley for help.

Key account manager Paul Johnson directed the firm to the Business Productivity Programme, a match-funded grant scheme designed to help businesses across South Yorkshire to overcome barriers to growth.

After successfully installing new planning software which integrated different parts of the company, Battery Dynamics has enjoyed a significant period of growth.

Today it is responsible for delivering more than 8,000 units each week to businesses.

Improved stock management has also helped reduce errors by 95% and in order to meet growing demand, the company has increased its workforce to 13 members of staff, with plans to create a further five roles over the next 12 months.

Garland, managing director, said: “The sheer volumes of batteries being distributed each day, coupled with the thousands of different batteries we stock meant the systems and software we’ve used to manage the business were no longer fit for purpose.

“Many of the systems we used did not communicate with each other and this was costing us thousands of pounds in lost time.

“The support we’ve received from the Business Productivity Programme has helped us implement new software, which gives us greater control over the stock levels we hold, as well as identifying and forecasting demand for the products we stock.

“We’ve never applied for grants or funding support previously because we felt the application process could be quite difficult and time consuming, but the support we received from Paul and the Enterprising Barnsley team made the process very straightforward.”

Johnson, of Enterprising Barnsley, added: “Battery Dynamics is a great example of a local business which spotted a niche in the marketplace and in a relatively short period of time has built a significant national and international client base.

“The Business Productivity Programme was developed to help businesses across South Yorkshire overcome barriers to growth and ultimately help to create new skilled jobs within the regional economy.

“As a direct result of the support provided through the scheme, Battery Dynamics has doubled its workforce and is planning to create an additional five jobs within the business.”

The Business Productivity Programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and provides businesses with 50% grant funding up to a maximum of £12,499.

The scheme is delivered by Enterprising Barnsley, Business Sheffield, Business Doncaster and Rotherham Investment and Development Office (RiDO).