By Kay Harris
VALDOSTA — While some companies may be cutting back on resources, others continue to thrive in this global economy, including Saft, which this week announced the expansion of its product lines made at the Valdosta plant.
Saft, an international company headquartered in France, has been in Valdosta for more than 40 years, manufacturing batteries used in all types of commercial applications, from helicopters to monorails.
The production line of the new Tel.X batteries was unveiled to a small group of visitors from around the world Thursday at the plant.
The line has taken nearly two years from conception to reality, with an old, unused storage warehouse at the plant converted into the new, modern, and perfectly pristine production facility.
The cleanliness of the plant is a necessity to ensure that the product lines are manufactured in a safe but productive environment, said plant manager Peter Denoncourt.
The new line of batteries will be sold to telecommunications companies worldwide and used to ensure that even if your electricity goes out, your telephone will continue to work.
The batteries are housed in hubs located unobtrusively around neighborhoods and business clusters, and Denoncourt said the nickel-cadmium-powered batteries from Saft cost more than lead acid batteries, they also last much longer.
“We have a 10-year guarantee on our batteries, but it’s not unusual for them to last 20 or even 30 years. Lead acid batteries cost less, but they also only last for two to three years, making our batteries also better for the environment,” Denoncourt said.
The Tel.X battery line is a new technology, Denoncourt said, and will ultimately replace its counterpart telecom battery that Saft also still manufactures.
The batteries are built cell by cell in a largely automated process, which features robotic machines capable of moving faster than the human eye can detect. Each machine has a human counterpart to ensure that the process runs smoothly and to detect any faults in the components as they are made.
Company officials led a plant tour for local officials, including members of the Industrial Authority and the Chamber of Commerce, prior to a ribbon-cutting ceremony, featuring the general manager of the Industrial Battery Division from the French headquarters.
Xavier Delacroix thanked the community for its support of Saft over the years, and for a great working relationship as Denoncourt cut the ribbon signifying that the first Tel.X batteries are ready for shipment to customers.
Fred-Eric Hapiak, director of sales and marketing for the Industrial Battery Division, said the batteries are marketed worldwide to companies from the United Arab Emirates to Scandinavia.
“One of the best features of the battery is that they survive well in extreme weather conditions, making them particularly valuable in Africa and other very hot or cold climates. Our customers don’t have to replace the batteries nearly as often as others,” Hapiak said.
He acknowledged that there are a few companies who manufacture similar batteries, but stated that the durability of the batteries ensures a longer life and ultimately results in lower costs for Saft’s customers.
For more information, see www.saftbatteries.com.
