Amara Raja to launch FAT back-up batteries

Amara Raja Batteries Ltd (ARBL), manufacturer of the Amaron brand of batteries, will be launching Front Access Terminal (FAT) back-up batteries by the next financial year. Primarily, these batteries will be used by telecom players for their base stations.

On the product, Indeevar G, Head-Automotive Aftermarket, ARBL said, "Presently, in India telecom players use the basic 2 volt cells as back-up batteries at their base stations. But we will be introducing the Front Access Terminal back-up batteries which are being extensively used by telecom operators in other countries. It will be cost-efficient and more convenient for operators and users."

Indeevar added that the company is in talks with all the major telecom players but refused to divulge further details. The new product will be developed at ARBL's engineering unit at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.

ARBL is also expanding its overseas operations. "We want to expand our overseas operations and have a strong presence outside, especially in Asia," said Indeevar.

PitStops are ARBL's retail centres providing technologically-advanced products and services.

The company is into manufacturing batteries for industrial as well as automotive segments. Over 70 per cent of its raw material consists of lead which the company sources from the London Metal Exchange.

ARBL earned a turnover of Rs 735 crore in overall batteries for fiscal 2006-07. The company boasts of 1.5 million vehicles with Amaron batteries under the hood.