Delivering Power to the People

Steatite Battery team at events

Two events in April kept our Power team busy, showcasing our custom battery design expertise.

Ocean Business, as its name suggests, is an exhibition for ocean technology and a training forum. On 16th-18th April we were in Southampton displaying our battery solutions for oceanographic applications and autofocus-zoom cameras suitable for marine ROVs.

Battery Tech Expo took place on 20th April in Silverstone, and we talked visitors through the features of our custom-designed power packs for UAVs and battery solutions for robotics and automation. We also displayed automotive HVDC & LVDC contactors and relays from our sister company, Durakool.

Take a closer look at our battery design and manufacture capabilities.

Rugged Mobile Communication Equipment Up Close

Rugged communication equipment on an exhibition booth

Our Communications team had a busy start to this year, showcasing Persistent Systems’ and Steatite’s military certified and rugged mobile communication equipment.

The team headed to London for Future Soldier Technology on 6-8 March, and our partners DataHertz attended SOFINS on 28-30 March in Bordeaux. May will see them exhibiting at AOC Europe in Bonn and supporting our partner MENPRO at FEINDEF in Madrid. Look out for them across Europe!

Our solutions for building scalable and reliable networks in the most challenging environments include the best-in-class MPU5 radio, versatile Embedded Module and our rugged mobile operations hub, the CRiB. Read more about the products and support we offer for rugged communications.

Better Batteries Manufactured with a Wire Bonder

pictures of Steatite's wire bonder

We’ve recently installed an Asterion wire bonder in our Power facility in Crewkerne to add wire bonding to our inhouse capabilities. Compared to traditional methods of interconnecting, wire bonding enables manufacturers to offer custom battery packs with high discharge capabilities and reduced assembly time (in a shorter lead time) which meet even higher levels of reliability and safety. Wire bonding helps to prolong cell life and improve battery performance as a result of lower resistance.

We will now be able to deliver wire bonded battery packs to customers covering a range of applications including medical, industrial, oceanographic, transport and energy.

We know that every cell that leaves our factory having been wire bonded is safe, reliable and robust. This is in addition, of course, to our traditionally bonded battery packs which have been tried and tested over decades. See more about wire bonding.

Steatite signs the Armed Forces Covenant

Two men shaking hands seated at a table

We’re proud to confirm our commitment to honour and support the Armed Forces by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.

This means that we will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant including supporting the employment of veterans, recognising military skills and qualifications in our recruitment and selection process, and working with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) to support the employment of Service leavers.

Read more to see what it means to us and our partners.

Steatite awarded a multi-million dollar contract by NATO Support and Procurement Agency

Two hands being shaken with an electronic overlay and Steatite logo

Steatite has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to supply customers with MANET radio systems through the NATO Logistics Stock Exchange (NLSE). The NLSE is a secure web-based application linking Armed Forces and Suppliers via a single electronic marketplace. The NSPA’s e-business application provides online & paperless procurement to satisfy consolidated requirements from participating NATO nations and partners

See our full range of communications technology for challenging environments.

Solid State Plc completes acquisition of Custom Power

Solid State is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of Custom Power LLC., the battery systems and energy solutions provider based near Los Angeles in the United States, details of which were announced on 12 July 2022.

Gary Marsh, Chief Executive of Solid State, said:

“We are delighted to have completed the transformational acquisition of Custom Power, which represents a step-change in our power business.

“The newfound scale and increasingly international offering open up opportunities in specialist and growth markets driven by decarbonisation and the drive for cordless power.

“We look forward to integrating Custom Power and welcoming our new colleagues to the Solid State Group.”

Solid State Plc enters agreement to acquire battery pack manufacturer Custom Power LLC.

Solid State Plc, our parent company, has entered into a conditional agreement to acquire Custom Power LLC for a maximum consideration of $45.0m.

Custom Power is a battery systems manufacturer and energy solutions provider based near Los Angeles in the United States of America.

Commenting on the acquisition, Solid State Plc CEO Gary Marsh said: “After lengthy negotiations, we are delighted to be able to announce this very exciting news. This will be Solid State’s largest acquisition to date and brings huge benefits to the group as well as to Custom Power.”

Solid State’s strategy for expansion, through both organic growth and highly targeted acquisitions, is providing increased scale to the group’s capabilities in addition to providing access to lucrative markets that have historically had high barriers to entry.

The acquisition of Custom Power further builds upon this by bringing many benefits that are highly complementary to the group and in-line with the group’s strategic aims to internationalise the business, further develop its “our brand” product portfolio, broaden its complimentary product portfolio, and invest in developing its talent. In particular, the move will bring new and increased capabilities to the group’s power business, specifically within the defence, medical and industrial markets.

Mel Weis, CEO of Custom Power, commented: “This is an exciting move that will combine the battery power capabilities of Custom Power with those of Solid State Plc. allowing our customers access to highly customised power solutions on an international level. Both businesses are leaders in this field and together they will benefit from increased reach, resource and expertise. We are very much looking forward to joining the Solid State family and the opportunities that the increased scale will bring.”