21.05.2015

Trojan opens Irish R&D centre

Trojan Battery has opened a new Research & Development centre on the campus of the IT Sligo Institute of Technology, in Ireland.

Trojan Battery Ireland will focus on the development of advanced material additives, fundamental electrochemistry and other innovative technologies which will be used to advance the production and performance of Trojan deep cycle batteries for its core and emerging market segments. The company said that the Advanced Materials Centre will enable it to introduce ground-breaking advancements in deep-cycle battery technology more quickly.

Trojan has employed two new research scientists to manage various Trojan projects at the new facility. Cormac O’Keeffe has been appointed supervisor of advanced materials and manages the overall research and development efforts at the centre. His speciality is inorganic chemistry, while he is currently studying hybrid inorganic/organic material development. Anita Hamilton joins the centre as a laboratory research chemist, having studied electrochemistry.
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Niall McEvoy, head of Innovation at IT Sligo said: “The addition of Trojan Battery to our list of resident technology companies, exemplifies the strategic focus of IT Sligo – to provide an advanced setting for companies to further their innovative research and product development efforts. Trojan will have access to some of the world’s most advanced R&D capabilities available.”

Gordon Beckley, Trojan’s senior vice president of engineering and quality assurance, added: “Establishing the Sligo facility is a key step in expanding our R&D activities, and will strengthen our ability to remain on the cutting edge of battery technology research. Having a research facility separate from any of Trojan’s manufacturing plants, allows the Sligo engineering team to remain focused on true research and advanced development, while not being pulled into manufacturing continuous improvement projects. This independence is important as technology innovation plays a larger role in our long term success.”

“As Trojan continues to expand its international business, the Sligo facility will be key to providing the technical resources and expertise to customers in the region, while expanding the European original equipment manufacturer (OEM) business, as well as better support our existing European customers.”