Ecobat Battery Technologies boosts sales team

Having recently been appointed as a key strategic partner for Exide in the UK & Ireland, Ecobat Battery Technologies (EBT) has recruited Brian Sanders and Scott Barker from Exide Technologies to spearhead the company’s nationwide push with the brand.

On joining EBT, both Sanders and Barker, who will be the company’s Exide business development managers for the north and south of the country respectively, cited the wealth of industry knowledge, depth of products and broad range of sectors in which the company is active, as reasons for joining the battery distributor.

“Brian and Scott have both had long and distinguished aftermarket careers and consistently demonstrated their considerable battery knowledge,” said EBT’s managing director, Steve Sheppard. “These factors, along with an infectious enthusiasm, have convinced us that alongside our existing team, they have what it takes to help us grow the presence of the Exide brand in the UK and Ireland.

“Besides development of the brand’s wide portfolio of products for multiple sector applications, Brian and Scott will add additional focus to our commitment to education and development of AGM and EFB batteries within the independent aftermarket, where despite considerable progress, helped in no small part by the introduction of our ‘One Box’ solution, challenges concerning the awareness of start/stop compatible batteries among both individual technicians and workshops in general, still persist. However, with these two valuable additions to the national sales team, we have a larger presence on the ground and an additional AGM and EFB original equipment option with which to fulfil the growing demand.”

“When I started as an apprentice in the 1980s, batteries came dry and it was my job to add the acid and charge them when they were due to be fitted to a customer’s car,” said Sanders. “Now you need specific batteries designed for vehicles equipped with a start/stop system, so the battery market is undergoing massive change. And although this may make some installers a little nervous, actually with the right equipment (such as One Box) independent workshops can install these batteries with confidence.

“Although a huge challenge, getting this message across to my customers and updating them of the new technologies and where they can benefit from them, is something I relish, and with Exide, as well as the other brands we have at our disposal, we’ve the products to fulfil all their needs.”

For Scott Barker, it’s the diversity of the industry that is of particular interest. “The changing technology that Brian mentioned is significant, but the move to AGM and EFB also creates an enhanced profit opportunity for workshops. Change though is not just affecting the automotive sector, it’s across the board,” he explains. “So, engaging with customers in the leisure sector, for which, with Exide and Numax, we have a couple of exceptional brands, as well as in motorcycle, commercial vehicle and other specialist sectors, are all opportunities I’m very keen to exploit.

“In fact, there are so many opportunities, as batteries are literally everywhere, from mobility, golf, marine, industry, through all types of transport, to infrastructure within hospitals, businesses and sometimes houses being equipped with battery systems to be able to power the home ‘Off Grid’. They are even used in the most unlikely scenarios, such as one of our customers that uses VRLA batteries to make heated horse blankets!”