German’s Hoppecke Industrial Batteries has extended its lease on a facility in the UK— and said it’s “business as usual” whatever the outcome of Brexit.
The company said it had “signalled its commitment to doing business in the UK” by signing a 15-year lease on its assembly and warehouse facility in Staffordshire.
Hoppecke said the move “comes amid a period of stability” that has seen its UK subsidiary “outperform the market across all areas of its business, with total revenue up by more than 36% over the past two years”.
The decision “also provides clear reassurance both to Hoppecke’s customers and its workforce that the company intends to continue with the unique offering of battery assembly, sales, rental, refurbishment and servicing in the UK for the long term”, the firm said.
Hoppecke’s regional MD for Northern Europe Jason Howlett said: “Although we have to contend with strong price competition, volatile currency issues and the rising cost of lead, we’re committed to building our business in the UK and are taking proactive steps to position it to meet these challenges.”
Howlett said: “Whatever the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, we intend to capitalise on our market reputation, quality product range and dedicated workforce to take full advantage of the growth potential in the UK, particularly in relation to energy storage.”
Despite ongoing pressure on margins in the mature motive power sector, Hoppecke UK is benefiting from the trend towards greater use of electric equipment, the company said.
