Feb.12, 2019 –– PORT HURON, Mich. and JOPLIN, Mo. –– ZAF Energy Systems Inc. (ZAF), a developer of next-generation battery technology, and Wirtz Manufacturing (Wirtz), a global leader in equipment design and technology for the lead-acid battery market, are pleased to announce that Wirtz has made a strategic investment in ZAF Energy Systems. The investment will expand ZAF’s manufacturing capacity from hundreds of batteries per month to thousands of batteries per month in the ZAF Joplin facility. This added capacity will allow ZAF to rapidly seed the market and meet the growing customer demand for its rechargeable nickel-zinc (NiZn) batteries globally. This investment in a full production line will allow licensing and joint venture (JV) partners to validate the quality and throughput of the technology for commercially-scaled factories that are expected to begin buildouts in 2019.
Wirtz has a long history of driving new technology innovations in the battery industry. “We became very excited in partnering with ZAF when we experimented with the ZAF electrodes and found that we could produce plates at similar production rates as lead-acid technology after seeing the performance improvements and cost savings being delivered by nickel-zinc battery technologies, and we are proud to invest in ZAF to bring its next-generation technology to the marketplace,” commented John Wirtz, CEO of Wirtz Manufacturing.
“The investment from Wirtz, a respected leader and innovator in the battery industry, offers further validation of the company’s NiZn battery technology. As ZAF continues to commercialize our technology it is vital to have a partner like Wirtz,” commented ZAF Energy Systems President and CEO Randy Moore.
ZAF’s batteries are helping to meet customer demands for powerful, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly battery solutions. “We’re seeing our technology perform well in rigorous battery performance testing by major commercial trucking, telecommunications, and large-scale data storage companies,” Moore added. “Customers are ready to place orders as soon as our manufacturing capacity is available, and this investment will help us do that. We believe our partnership with Wirtz provides ZAF with best in class manufacturing equipment lines to ensure our quality is both excellent and consistent worldwide.”
The investment by Wirtz follows a $600,000 investment commitment ZAF received last year from Missouri’s Department of Economic Development Fund. These investments are being used by the company to hire employees, expand production, and forge strategic partnerships. This additional production capability will further enable ZAF to accelerate licensing and joint venture negotiations and commercialize its NiZn batteries on a global scale.
ZAF’s NiZn batteries have potential uses in a wide range of applications including: automotive, heavy trucking, remote telecom, and renewable energy. NiZn batteries are poised to disrupt the $50 billion conventional lead-acid battery market with its ability to provide twice the storage capacity and three times the power of legacy lead-acid batteries in a smaller, lighter package.
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About ZAF Energy Systems, Inc.
Incorporated in 2011 and with locations in northwestern Montana and southwest Missouri, ZAF Energy Systems develops and commercializes next-generation battery technologies that use sustainable, non‑toxic materials and can be safely and easily recycled. Its breakthrough battery technologies include a nickel zinc (NiZn) chemistry and a zinc-air chemistry, both of which deliver the highest power and energy density of any battery system in their class. ZAF’s rechargeable batteries provide long-life and economical solutions in a safe package for a variety of applications, including: electric vehicles, commercial trucking, renewables integration, back-up power, consumer electronics, mobility, and recreation vehicles. For more information, visit: www.zafsys.com
About Wirtz Manufacturing Co., Inc
Wirtz Manufacturing is a global leader in equipment design and technology for the lead-acid battery market. Since John Wirtz started in 1932 through today the fourth generation of the Wirtz family continues managing the company focused on high quality products, continuous improvement of existing technologies, and the development of new technologies. Through this philosophy, Wirtz has been able to develop some of the key technologies known and used today, which include gravity casting, continuous cast grid making systems, continuous punching positive grid making systems, high speed precision pasting lines, as well as the precision tooling used in each of these technologies. By acquiring Oxmaster, Leko, Conbro and Battery Recycling Systems, Wirtz has been able to expand its portfolio of technology in order to be able to offer its customers the ability to purchase all of their necessary equipment from one company. With manufacturing operations in the United States, China, and India, and sales and service teams within each respective region of the world, you can be sure we can provide the value and service you are looking for and expect in your technology partner. For more information, visit: www.wirtzusa.com
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