1994

Battery Works began operating in Brisbane, Queensland as a battery re-packing business.

At the time, most of the work consisted of replacing Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) cells in products like power tools. Battery Works had the technical knowledge and the equipment to do what others could not.

Then, lithium-ion batteries kicked off a technology revolution when they began to appear in consumer products like laptops and mobile phones.

Battery Works invested in the new technology and became the first business in Australia licensed to re-pack lithium battery cells.

Simultaneously, we were among the first to import aftermarket replacement batteries for mobile phones, camcorders, cordless phones and laptops under our own Stoltz brand. This was ahead of the pack and at the time batteries were manufactured in Japan, long before they were sourced from China.

2014

Battery Works was purchased by the current owner, who merged operations with Panapower, another established Queensland company.

Panapower specialised in the distribution of Panasonic ‘single-use’ consumer batteries such as heavy duty 9 volt and alkaline AA, etc.

The combination of the two businesses delivered customers a better range, increased technical ability and an unrivalled knowledge of the Australian battery market. We were supplying many of the country’s best known national retail chains.

2016

Once again, Battery Works made the decision to change direction and invest in a different market with more growth potential.

Battery Works used their expertise and national distribution capability to become distributors for the Victron Energy range of products from the Netherlands. Up until this point, they were best known as marine product in Australia.

With a unique strategy, different business model and a fresh team, Battery Works quickly built it’s Victron Energy sales in the off-grid market. It wasn’t long before the foundation business of re-packing and Stoltz battery businesses were ceased to focus energy and resources into Victron Energy and battery energy storage systems.

2017

Battery Works delivers increased system design and technical support during commissioning and post-installation for customers for Victron Energy systems with nearly any kind of battery. Lead battery systems dominate with 80% of the market, but lithium begins to get some traction.

2018

Regular customer classroom training for Victron Energy begins in Brisbane. Classes are divided between Marine/Automotive and Off-grid/BESS systems – both are sell-outs. Battery Works begins to provide a battery sourcing service for some customers and develops its own abilities to technically support the products we sell. Lithium sales increase to 50% of the market.

2019

Battery Works builds its first training and testing facility by converting the old re-packing rooms in Brisbane into live off-grid and grid-connected systems. This allows customers more advanced hands-on training. System 1 includes a Victron Energy Quattro 48/10000 with DC Coupled SmartSolar 150/100 solar charge controller, AC Coupled Fronius 3kW Primo PV inverter, generator and a lead battery bank.

First interstate Victron Energy training classes for off-grid and marine are provided in Sydney. Events are sold out. Lithium battery bank sales are now 80% of the market.

2020

During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, Battery Works continued to build its technical team and distribution capabilities by opening a second warehouse with full training facilities at Smithfield in Western Sydney.

Sydney’s live training and testing facility is designed to be more flexible with 3 phase and parallel systems and the ability to easily switch solar voltages or battery banks.

Battery Works becomes national distributor for Pylontech ‘smart’ lithium batteries to deliver a complete and integrated product solution for customers. Design assistance, training and technical support for entire system reduces risk for the installer and the customer.

A full year calendar of training at Archerfield and Smithfield facilities is delivered. More interstate training is required to meet demand, but border restrictions cause cancellation of nearly all training events requiring travel. Pylontech training is added in the second half of the year.

2021

Despite challenging travel restrictions due to continuing pandemic border closures, Battery Works continues to deliver training at existing facilities and still manages two trips to Perth, Western Australia in the first half of the year. Training days for Victron Energy and Pylontech are both sold out.

Brisbane training facility is renovated and upgraded. New warranty testing room is added, and systems are upgraded to integrate with off-grid licensing provided by registered training organisations. In addition, Victron Energy single and 3 phase systems include Selectronic, SMA Sunny Island inverter/chargers and well as various brands of battery.

Battery Works team continues to grow its national distribution, support and training capabilities with a facility at Canning Vale in Perth. Victron Energy and Pylontech are stocked and dispatched to customers before Christmas. First Victron order for Perth is the largest single order in history for Victron Energy Australia.

2022

Perth training and testing facility is completed in the first quarter to the new standard like Sydney. Brisbane’s training facility is completely rebuilt to higher standards, also including SMA and Selectronic systems.