Battery handling company charges forward with expansion

A company that designs and manufactures battery handling products is expanding at a Wolverhampton industrial estate following rapid growth.

CAPS Systems Ltd has been based at The Dunstall Hill Estate – owned and managed by West Midlands-based property company London & Cambridge Properties (LCP) – for the past five years. But, following a significant increase in orders, the company has taken a new 10-year lease on Unit 3 – a neighbouring 4,992 sq ft unit.

CAPS Systems designs, manufactures and provides battery handling equipment to forklift truck suppliers who supply to companies with large warehouse facilities. The equipment ensures drained batteries can be replaced within minutes to minimise downtime and increase productivity. Major customers include: GNB, Hoppecke, Linde Materials Handling and STILL Materials Handling.

Peter Smith, managing director of CAPS Systems LTD, said: “Forklift trucks are powered by heavy duty batteries that normally last for eight hours at a time and take the same amount of time to charge. This could result in the forklift truck becoming out of action while the battery is being charged. However, we provide an extraction device that removes the battery from the vehicle, takes it to the ‘charge room’ and brings back a fully charged battery immediately, ensuring the business can continue operating.”

As Internet shopping and the distribution sector continues to grow, CAPS Systems has seen a substantial increase in orders and new customers, resulting in the company doubling the size of its team and needing additional workspace.

Peter added: “We will make 15 extraction units this year and are currently in discussions with a major automotive company to provide our units, which will be a further boost for the business.

“We are thrilled to be expanding within The Dunstall Hill Estate and, as the majority of our employees live in Wolverhampton, the move couldn’t have been easier. Our clients are based across the UK so the estate’s close proximity to the M54 and M6 is a particular advantage.”

Paula James, sales negotiator at LCP, said: “We are pleased that CAPS Systems has chosen The Dunstall Hill Estate to supports its expansion. As the business continues to grow and create new job opportunities, the new unit will provide plenty of space for more employees.”

The Dunstall Hill Estate is accessed off Gorsebrook Road, close to the entrance of Dunstall Hill Racecourse. The main A449 Wolverhampton to Stafford Road is approximately 250 yards from the site, providing access to Wolverhampton City Centre, and to junction 2 of the M54 and the wider national motorway network. Existing tenants include Gunnebo UK Ltd, Wyko Group and Heinrich Georg (UK) Ltd.