50 years of commitment to Quality for a start. In that time we've got to know our product well. We've manufactured, imported, exported, wholesaled, distributed and installed literally millions of batteries and the experience we have gained continues to point us in the right direction for the future. With over fifty years of trading we've also got to know our customers pretty well too, and the feedback we get from them continues to shape our policy as we move further into the 21st century. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 1952 Harry Pemberton began assembling and distributing car and commercial batteries at Turnpike Cottages, Abergele, North Wales. The plates for these were made in Manchester, hence the name, Manchester Batteries. His construction process featured a new design using glass fibre separators, this was reflected in his brand name, Glassklad. Glassklad Batteries became synonymous with quality throughout North and Mid-Wales over the next twenty five years and the business grew accordingly. The first year's turnover amounted to £7,500. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 1969 Larger Premises in Water Street, Abergele, were purchased. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 1970 The Snowdon Battery made its first appearance. This brand accounted for 40% of the group's turnover for the next thirty years. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 1979 Harry's son, Michael joined the firm at Abergele -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 1980 Harry's son, Roger, opened a branch of the family business in Shrewsbury. By this time the old fashioned hard rubber battery box with its pitched lids and exposed connector bars had been replaced by polypropylene cases and lids with through-the-wall inter-cell connectors. Battery assembly ceased at Abergele but over the next few years the distribution side expanded steadily. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 1982 Manchester Batteries began its association with VARTA BATTERIES of Germany, an association which continues to the present day. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 1983 A new company was set up in central Manchester under the direction of Malcolm Hodgkinson. Manchester Batteries Ltd grew rapidly, expanding its area of operation from Cheshire to Carlisle. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 1988 Another new company, Snowdon Batteries Ltd was formed to operate from a branch in Chesterfield and distribute batteries throughout South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 1993 Harry Pemberton, the founder of the company died while on holiday in Portugal, aged 65 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 1994 A new company MANBAT LTD was formed to handle exports and imports and to act as the purchasing company for the group. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 1995 MANBAT sent its first consignment of 5,000 batteries to South Africa. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 1997 The four original companies and the purchasing company were incorporated into one company, MANBAT LTD. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 1998 MANBAT Shrewsbury moved into a new 8,000 square foot warehouse. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 1999 MANBAT·S quality control system achieved registration to ISO 9002 in August, while in November the fifth branch of MANBAT opened for business in Bristol. The Bristol branch serves a very large area covering South Wales and the South West of England. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 2000 MANBAT opened its sixth branch at Kirkintilloch near Glasgow. This branch, though the smallest of all our branches has the largest geographical area to look after. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 2002 MANBAT·S GOLDEN JUBILEE YEAR. This year MANBAT celebrated 50 years in battery distribution by launching a new brand, NUMAX. NUMAX quickly established itself as a major player in the market. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 2003 Manbat formed its first supply partnership, with Longton Batteries >Ltd of Preston, Lancashire. Alan Secker, Proprietor of Longton Batteries now has access to some of the most powerful brands in the business - and all from one supplier. Manbat Ltd achieves registration to the new ISO Standard, ISO 9001:2000.Manbat Ltd is awarded a Supplier of the Year Award by Sunseeker International (Boats) Ltd. Sunseeker is the largest privately owned boat builder in the world. They build luxury motor yachts which are exported across the world. Sunseeker say that Manbat has totally eliminated their warranty problems and that is the reason they have awarded them this prestigious award. Business takes off in the Republic of Ireland when National Autoparts of Dublin is appointed sole agent for NUMAX products.Keith Davies who joined the company in 1953 retires after fifty years of loyal service. Manbat·s NUMAX PREMIUM car battery is recommended by AUTOEXPRESS magazine as BEST BUY in the budget range. AUTOEXPRESS is Britain·s best-selling consumer, automotive publication. What they said:"Our winners were some way clear of the pack, with the remarkable Delphi well out in front. For those on a tight budget, the NUMAX PREMIUM is for you."Of course both Delphi and Numax brands are available from Manbat!" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 2004 Manbat Scotland moves to larger premises at the Taywood Buiness Centre, Duchess Place, Rutherglen, GLASGOW. March 2004 Manbat acquires Direct Battery Supplies (UK) Ltd, Specialists in Battery Distribution and thereby opens its seventh wholly owned branch in the U.K. and its first branch in the South East of England. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 2005 Manbat buys Auto Battery Service of Guildford, Surrey. This new location, run by Les Blackburn and his colleagues becomes Manbat·s eighth branch. It will serve South London and the South Coast.December 2005 sees the launch of the new NUMAX Premium Silver Battery - Manbat remains in the technological vanguard. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 2006 Manbat acquires R. Thursby Ltd of Sunderland, the North East's premier battery specialist. Colin Crawford, Don Simpson, Gordon Dickinson and Paul Wilson are the inside men here with Paul Dyer, Area Sales Manager in the field. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- In 2007 Manbat moves its Bristol operation to new premises at the Mead Distribution Centre. Manager Lee Morgan achieved the move with no disruption whatsover to business in the South West. Also in 2007 the Guildford Branch moved to new premises at the Riverside Business Centre on Walnut Tree Close.