The multinational chemicals and precious metals group behind battery-maker Axeon has confirmed the rebranding of the Dundee firm following a £40 million takeover late last year.
The Wester Gourdie-based company has been renamed Johnson Matthey Battery Systems, signifying the ambition of its new owner in developing fresh energy storage technology for automotive and other sectors.
New signs went up late last week, as part of a drive to make what used to be known as Axeon the “core” of a new division at the global parent.
Revealing its annual results earlier this year, Johnson Matthey which has extensive global expertise in catalytic converters and other chemical processes said it would seek to snap up more expertise in the battery sector, foreseeing long-term opportunities in the electric car market.
Johnson Matthey Battery Systems marketing and corporate affairs manager Rebecca Trengove said formal inclusion in the newly-expanded Johnson Matthey family would help the Dundee business make the most of the research, development and commercialisation opportunities offered by its new owners.
“This is a very positive announcement for us,” she said. “It’s great that we are seen as core to the growth of this new business area, and this is really allowing us to access all the research within Johnson Matthey. It strengthens our position in the industry.”
Johnson Matthey expects its new battery technologies business to focus on the development of new, advanced technologies, including improved chemical compounds used to increase the range and commercial viability of cells.
It is expected that electric vehicles will become much more attractive to drivers when new lithium ion cells currently in the early stages of development enter the market in several years.
JMBS will show off its new corporate identity at the UK’s leading low carbon vehicle conference LCV2013 early next month, and at the US equivalent in Detroit two weeks later.
It will present the results of its EU-funded SmartBatt programme at the former, while global technical director Don Newton will speak on the company’s leading role in energy storage on behalf of the automotive council.
The company will also present two sessions at the Battery Show in Michigan later in the month.
As The Courier revealed earlier this year, JMBS developed and built the battery pack used in the new McLaren P1 hypercar from its base in Dundee and has worked with a string of other manufacturers on prototype vehicles.
It also enjoys a leading role in the e-bikes and power tool market, designing and manufacturing in high volumes, and provides solutions for a wide range of other battery-powered high technology applications.
The firm employs around 70 people at its Dundee facility, and a further 450 in manufacturing roles in the Polish city of Gliwice.