GS Yuasa Stock

GS Yuasa Corporation manufactures and sells batteries, power supply systems, lighting equipment, and membrane systems.

Divisions

The company operates through four business divisions: Automotive Batteries (Japan), Automotive Batteries (Overseas), Industrial Batteries and Power Supplies, and Automotive Lithium-ion Batteries. Focusing on lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries and various power supply devices, the company develops and manufactures products that meet social needs.

Automotive Batteries (Japan)

This division manufactures and markets domestic automotive and motorcycle lead-acid batteries. The company is developing high-performance, high-quality batteries for such vehicles and launching them in the market.

In the area of lead-acid batteries for Japanese-market motorcycles, the company engages in developing new technologies for leisure bikes, general commuter bikes and others. Additionally, the company is developing lead-acid batteries for ISS vehicles as next-generation eco-friendly vehicles.

Automotive Batteries (Overseas)

This division has 37 overseas sites in 19 countries around the world, with an especially large presence in Southeast Asia (mainly in Thailand and Indonesia) and China. The company uses these sites to manufacture and market automotive and motorcycle lead-acid batteries.

In the field of automotive lead-acid batteries for overseas markets, the company is developing products and manufacturing technologies for charge control vehicles and vehicles with start-stop systems produced and sold overseas. At Turkey’s Inci GS Yuasa Aku Sanayi ve Ticaret Annimim Sirketi, which was incorporated in 2015, the company is developing lead-acid batteries for cars with start-stop systems in the European market. The company is also developing auxiliary batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles produced and used overseas and will roll them out to markets in stages.

For the overseas motorcycle market, the company developed medium-capacity class valve-regulated lead-acid batteries for medium-sized motorcycles, responding to the expanding production of such motorcycles for export in Southeast Asia, and is conducting phased market deployment. The company also developed valve-regulated lead-acid batteries for commuter motorcycles and motorcycles with start-stop systems in the Indian market, which is expected to grow substantially. This has boosted the company’s product lineup and has resulted in orders for use in new bikes.

Additionally, the company is developing valve-regulated lead-acid batteries with special exhaust structures by adapting motorcycle lead-acid battery technologies for use in European luxury car system startup and backup batteries and aim to introduce them to the European repair market.

Automotive Lithium-Ion Batteries

This division manufactures and markets automotive lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

To improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries, the company explored materials for next-generation positive and negative electrodes and improved their capabilities. The company also conducted research on post lithium-ion batteries. With regard to automotive lithium-ion batteries, the company is engaged in enhancing mass production capabilities of products for electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles. The company is widening its product palette with a focus on even better reliability and higher safety. The company is also developing 12 V lithium-ion batteries.

Industrial Batteries and Power Supplies

In addition to lead-acid batteries for electric-powered vehicles, such as forklifts, this division manufactures and markets backup batteries and power supplies for social infrastructure, such as office buildings, water and sewer systems, and power plants; and other products.

In the field of industrial lead-acid batteries, the company is working to expand its SLR line of stationary lead-acid batteries for large-capacity power storage systems, featuring super long life and world-leading cycle life performance. In addition to the existing 1000 Ah SLR-1000, the company introduced the SLR-500 model in 2017 and SLR-50 model in 2018. The company also developed an additive that significantly improves the performance of lead-acid batteries for electric forklifts. This was brought to market in products in 2018.

With regard to the overseas stationary lead-acid battery segment, to respond to robust demand in communications markets in Southeast Asia, the company developed industrial lead-acid batteries and began production at its plant in Vietnam in 2017. To expand the lineup, the company began new product development of four types of 2V batteries and a 12V front terminal type battery in 2018 and plans to begin mass production in 2019. It can be installed in semi-self checkout registers, which are increasing, and the design standard use time of the UPS unit has been increased by eight years compared to earlier products, making reductions in running costs possible.

The company supplemented the product lineup with a 200VA output uninterruptible power supply for cable television use with a lithium-ion battery. This new product saves approximately twice as much energy as earlier lead-acid batteries and weighs less, enabling it to be installed on a messenger wire, eliminating the need for dedicated poles and enhancing serviceability. In addition, the company developed the new DATAWINDOW-S Ver. 3, a battery monitoring system that automatically measures voltage, internal resistance and temperature of industrial valve-regulated lead-acid batteries for early detection of abnormalities and signs that a battery is approaching its useful lifespan to facilitate preventive maintenance of battery systems. The sensor unit that performs measurement is directly connected to the battery and is equipped with a control unit that performs management via wireless communication, improving installation workability and convenience.

In addition, network monitoring has been enhanced to support distributed monitoring. In the field of industrial lithium-ion batteries, the high output type LIM 25H-8 module that supports instant high-current charge and discharge is being used in dockside gantry cranes and automated guided vehicles, etc., saving energy and reducing emissions, and thereby contributing to a reduction of environmental impact.

In the field of lighting, the company is expanding the lineup of HID alternative LED lamps, emergency lighting and other products. In the field of environment-related equipment, the company has developed membranes with less clogging and inexpensive membranes for membrane bioreactors and is working on expanding sales to the Asian market. The company successfully increased the size of electrolytic diaphragms for plating use and began sales for large plating devices.

Others

The company manufactures and markets lithium-ion batteries for a wide range of applications, from the deep sea (manned research submersibles) to outer space (satellites and rockets). This segment also includes the development, production, and distribution of batteries and power supplies for other specialized uses.

The company’s other business activities include research and development of lithium-ion batteries for aircraft and spacecraft applications and research on post lithium-ion batteries. In the aviation sector, the company has supplied lithium-ion batteries used in the Boeing 787 aircraft. In the space exploration sector, its lithium-ion batteries for rocket applications have been adopted for the liquid fuel rockets H-II A, H-II B, and Epsilon. In December 2016, the H-II Transfer Vehicle Kounotori 6 began transportation of lithium-ion batteries to be used for supplying power to the International Space Station.

History

GS Yuasa Corporation was founded in 2004. The company was incorporated in 2004.