As a producer of the industry's highest power lithium-ion battery cells for
high-rate applications, E-One Moli Energy Ltd. (Molicel) of Maple Ridge has
established an exclusive contract with an American power tool company.
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation recently launched the world's first
complete line of lithium-ion cell powered, cordless professional power tools,
including the world's first cordless band saw.
ˇ@ˇ@ˇ@ˇ@ˇ@ˇ@ˇ@ˇ@ˇ@ˇ@ˇ@ˇ@By Jason Lang
Edmundo Paulino is a process
operator at the Molicel plant in
the Maple Meadows Business
Park.
As a producer of the industry's highest power lithium-ion battery cells for
high-rate applications, E-One Moli Energy Ltd. (Molicel) of Maple Ridge has
established an exclusive contract with an American power tool company.
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation recently launched the world's first
complete line of lithium-ion cell powered, cordless professional power tools,
including the world's first cordless band saw.
The 28-volt, Molicel battery used in these tools offers a unique advantage
over traditional systems by providing increased power and twice the run
time of traditional 18-volt models. The cells are also lighter, more
environmentally friendly, and perform well in low temperatures.
Milwaukee employees worked together with Molicel
engineers to develop this latest technology
for lithium-ion battery cells by helping them
understand what is needed to power a power
tool. As of late last year, Molicel began
exclusively supplying the new cell to
Milwaukee.
"We are also looking at other applications for this cell," said Blair
Tweten, manager of sales and marketing with Molicel.
"They might be used in pumps or medical
equipment in the future."
The introduction of this new technology allows
the company special opportunities to enter
markets previously served only by lead acid,
nickel cadmium, or nickel-metal-hydride batteries.
Molicel has recently implemented a new high-speed
production line capable of producing 1.5 million
battery cells per month to support the new
technology.
"We see this high-rate product as the future of the company," Tweten said.
"Lithium-ion technology is everywhere,
but not everybody has it in high power."
The company strives to
stay ahead of their competitors
in Asia, by marketing
themselves as the only
high-volume lithium-ion
cell producer in North
America.
"We have a group of sales reps from across the U.S. who bring us
applications to approve," Tweten said.
Molicel currently employs approximately 400 people at its local plant,
making the company one of the largest private employers in Maple Ridge.
2005 News
