North American firm Exide Technologies is set to up production of its lead-acid batteries following a $30.7million deal with the US Navy.
The funding will allow improvements to the firm’s battery production process at its Fort Smith, Arkansas, facility which produces flooded and valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries.
Improvements include enhancements to quality control, automated data collection systems, new equipment and improved process flow, creating a state-of-the-art battery manufacturing facility.
The US firm will stump up $12million for its part in the cost-sharing partnership with the United States Government as part of a project to manufacture batteries for nuclear submarines.
The five-year project, known as Project Neptune, will begin this month and is expected to be complete by August 2021.
