History

Exide Industries Ltd, headquartered in Kolkata, India, stands as a prominent Indian multinational specialising in the manufacturing of storage batteries, particularly lead-acid batteries. As the largest producer of these batteries in India, Exide also serves as a key provider of power storage solutions. The company is distinguished by 10 state-of-the-art factories scattered across five Indian states, with eight dedicated to lead-acid batteries and two core prioritying on Home UPS Systems. These manufacturing facilities are strategically located in Maharashtra, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, and Gujarat. Expanding its global footprint, Exide operates manufacturing units in Sri Lanka, the UK, and Singapore, conducting business worldwide through subsidiaries and international affiliates. With a robust network of over 95,000 distributors, dealers, and sub-dealers, Exide exports its batteries to more than 60 countries. In response to the evolving energy storage landscape, Exide has diversified its portfolio by venturing into the production of lithium-ion battery modules and packs. This initiative, facilitated by its subsidiary Exide Energy Private Limited (branded as Nexcharge), addresses the burgeoning electric vehicle market and stationary applications in India. Moreover, the establishment of Exide Energy Solutions Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary, signals the company's entry into multi-giga-watt hour lithium-ion cell manufacturing, with a new plant underway in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Exide's commitment to sustainable practices is evident through Chloride Metals Limited, its wholly-owned subsidiary operating three advanced lead recycling facilities in West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Delving into its historical roots, Exide's journey in India began with the inception of the Chloride Electrical Storage Company (CESCO) in 1920. Initially serving as an assembly and manufacturing unit, the company established its first manufacturing facility in Shyamnagar, West Bengal, in 1947. Over the years, Exide's impact extended beyond road vehicles, supplying batteries for railways and contributing to national defence efforts. The company's growth trajectory included the establishment of a second factory in Chinchwad, Maharashtra, in 1969, strategically positioned near automobile Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Exide's resilience and adaptability are evident in its constant innovations, modernisation of manufacturing processes, and commitment to service excellence. Celebrating 75 years of corporate existence in India in 2022, Exide Industries continues to be a stalwart in the energy storage industry, shaping the landscape of battery technology on a global scale.

Business Segments

Exide Industries has a wide range of battery solutions. The main business segments of Exide Industries are:

• Automotive:Exide is the largest manufacturer of automotive batteries in India. The organization's automotive batteries are used in a variety of vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses.
• Industrial:Exide's industrial batteries are used in various applications, including power generation, material handling, and telecommunications. The company delivers a variety of industrial battery technologies, including lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, and lithium-ion.
• Inverter batteries:Exide's inverter batteries are used to convert direct current (DC) power from solar panels or generators into alternating current (AC) power for use in homes and businesses. The company delivers a variety of inverter batteries, including lead-acid, gel, and lithium-ion batteries.
• Solar Solutions:Exide delivers a complete range of solar solutions, including solar panels, inverters, and batteries. The company's solar solutions are used to provide power for homes, businesses, and off-grid applications.
• Genset Batteries:Exide's Genset batteries are used to provide backup power for generators. The company delivers a variety of Genset batteries, including lead-acid, gel, and inverter batteries.
• Aftermarket sales:Exide has a strong aftermarket sales network that offers battery service and maintenance. The company also offers a variety of aftermarket products, such as chargers and accessories.

Subsidiaries of Exide Industries

As of March 31, 2023, the company has 7 subsidiaries including:

1. Chloride Metals Limited:Exide Industries holds complete ownership of Chloride Metals Limited (CML), a subsidiary specialising in secondary smelting and refining. CML strategically contributes to Exide's backward integration, fulfilling lead and lead alloy needs through a circular economy model. Scrap batteries are collected and recycled, and the recovered lead is supplied to Exide to produce new batteries.

1. Exide Energy Solutions Limited:Established on March 24, 2022, Exide Energy Solutions Limited (EESL) administers as a wholly-owned subsidiary in West Bengal. EESL primarily manufactures advanced battery cells, including cylindrical, pouch, and prismatic varieties. The company is also engaged in producing, assembling, and selling battery modules, packs, and related activities.

1. Associated Battery Manufacturers Ltd:(ABML) is a subsidiary of Exide Industries Limited. ABML is engaged in the manufacturing and marketing of batteries for automotive and industrial applications.

Key Personnel

Subir Chakraborty, Managing Director and CEO Subir Chakraborty is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Exide Industries Limited, a prominent storage battery company in India. Appointed in May 2021, he succeeded Gautam Chatterjee, who retired after a remarkable 39-year tenure with the company. Chakraborty has been associated with Exide since 1996. Over the years, he has held key roles within the company, overseeing critical functions such as automotive, industrial, and submarine operations.

Management Outlook

• With the solar rooftop market rebounding to pre-COVID levels, there's optimism due to improved supply and resolved shipping issues, particularly in residential and small commercial rooftops.

• A resurgence in thermal power plants creates a strong order pipeline and a growing need for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), promising substantial enterprise in the future.

• Strong demand in infrastructure projects, fueled by government spending, with significant opportunities in metro, railways, defence, and data centres, and potential in converting technology in certain sectors.

• The shift towards lithium batteries in material handling, especially in rentals, presents a changing market, bringing forth Exide opportunities to adapt and meet evolving demands.

• Significant enterprise opportunities in 2V standby batteries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South-East Asia, and continued growth in 12V batteries in West Asia and the Middle East, with Exide considered a reliable partner after recent industry consolidation in Europe.