Industrial Battery & Charger, Inc.

What Industrial Battery & Charger, Inc. does

Industrial Battery & Charger, Inc. (IBCI) is a family-owned wholesale distributor and service provider of motive and stationary power solutions for electric forklift fleets, founded in 1977 and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, now led by the third generation of the Earnhardt family. The company sells and services industrial forklift batteries (lead-acid, thin-plate pure lead, and lithium-ion), battery chargers, stationary power systems for backup and telecom applications, and complementary accessories including battery handling and watering equipment. IBCI distributes products from manufacturers such as EnerSys, Hawker, Flux Power, and GECI alongside its own IBCI Private Label batteries, and operates a fleet of 75+ mobile service units staffed by 65+ certified technicians across 16 service centers spanning Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The business operates five distinct revenue streams: hardware sales of batteries and chargers, professional repair and maintenance services, the Total Power™ subscription program (a single monthly payment bundling batteries, chargers, maintenance, and fleet management), usage-based rentals and leases, and EPA-compliant battery recycling managed services. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales through regional service centers with channel partnerships through forklift dealerships, where IBCI serves as EnerSys manufacturer's representative and was named EnerSys Motive Power Manufacturer's Representative of the Year for FY2026. The customer base spans distribution, manufacturing, aviation ground support, telecom/data centers, emergency and public infrastructure, energy/utilities/mining, and forklift dealerships, with named enterprise customers including Merchants Distributors and Southeast Industrial Equipment.

Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; a free on-site Power Study serves as a freemium funnel leading into Total Power™ subscriptions, rental/lease terms, or direct equipment purchase. Direct competitors include other regional motive power distributors and the direct service arms of major OEMs; IBCI's differentiation rests on regional density (16 centers, 75+ mobile units), same/next-day dispatch, multi-vendor product breadth, and a relationship-driven sales motion anchored in 48 years of continuous family ownership.

Name

Industrial Battery & Charger, Inc.

Legal name

Industrial Battery & Charger, Inc.

Website

https://ibcipower.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Industrial Battery & Charger, Inc. (IBCI) is a family-owned wholesale distributor and service provider, founded in 1977 and headquartered in Charlotte, NC, supplying forklift batteries, chargers, and stationary power systems across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast through 16 service centers and 75+ mobile units.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Forklift Batteries and Power Solutions

NAICS

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (3353), Battery Manufacturing (33591)

SIC

Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Material Handling & Warehouse Charging (forklift/AGV chargers, battery swapping) (IMAGAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Battery Modules & Packs (Industrial/Commercial pack assembly) (IMAGAHAB)

Keywords

• Forklift battery distribution
• Industrial battery chargers
• Motive power solutions
• Stationary power systems
• Battery service and recycling

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlotte

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Battery and Charger Sales: Sale of industrial forklift batteries (lead-acid, thin-plate pure lead, lithium-ion), battery chargers, stationary power systems, and related accessories. Products sourced from vendor partners including EnerSys, Hawker, GECI, and sold alongside IBCI private label products.
2. Service and Repair: On-site and off-site battery service including scheduled maintenance, emergency repairs, troubleshooting, battery washing, cable and cell replacements. Revenue from 75+ mobile service units across 16 locations.
3. Total Power™ Program: Monthly subscription program bundling battery and charger solutions, scheduled maintenance, fleet management, and predictable monthly billing. One price covers all power needs, reducing maintenance stress and ensuring uptime.
4. Rental and Leasing: Short-term and long-term battery and charger rentals for peak demand, seasonal spikes, emergency coverage, and operational gaps. Flexible terms to preserve customer capital while maintaining productivity.
5. Battery Recycling: Certified battery recycling services with EPA-compliant documentation, pickup, and disposal. Revenue generated through recycling fees and environmental compliance services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Industrial Battery & Charger, Inc. (IBCI) is a wholesale distributor and service provider of motive and stationary industrial power solutions. It sells forklift batteries (lead-acid, thin-plate pure lead, and lithium-ion), industrial battery chargers, stationary power systems, battery handling and watering equipment, and related accessories, complemented by on-site service, scheduled maintenance, emergency repairs, rentals, battery recycling, and a managed Total Power™ subscription program for electric forklift fleets.

Product overview

Industrial Battery & Charger, Inc. (IBCI) is a family-owned industrial power solutions provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of forklift batteries, battery chargers, and stationary power systems. The core product lineup includes Lead-Acid and Lithium-Ion forklift batteries (both from branded partners like EnerSys and Hawker, as well as IBCI's own private label), industrial battery chargers and power management systems, and stationary power solutions for backup and critical infrastructure. These products are complemented by add-on modules including Battery Handling Systems (BHS) for changeout operations and Battery Watering Technologies (BWT) for maintenance. IBCI also provides an integrated suite of services including Power Studies (data-driven fleet assessment), Scheduled Maintenance programs, Emergency Repairs (with 75+ mobile units), Emergency Rentals, Battery Recycling, and the Total Power Program (a managed services offering with monthly billing). The company operates 16 service centers across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast with over 65 certified technicians.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IBCI Private Label: IBCI's own brand of batteries and battery chargers.

Quantifiable outcome

• EnerSys batteries consistently last 1-2 years beyond their 5-year warranty
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• EnerSysflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIBCI serves as EnerSys manufacturer's representative for motive power products across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Distributes EnerSys lead-acid and lithium-ion forklift batteries. Named EnerSys Motive Power Manufacturer's Representative of the Year for FY2026. EnerSys batteries are noted as consistently lasting 1-2 years beyond their 5-year warranty.
• HawkercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Hawker brand industrial batteries including lead-acid and lithium-ion solutions for electric forklifts.
• GECI Green EnergycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for GECI Green Energy battery solutions.
• Flux PowercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Flux Power lithium-ion battery solutions for material handling applications.
• Battery Watering Technologies (BWT)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for BWT automated battery watering systems, electrolyte sensors, and quick-connect valves that extend battery life and reduce maintenance time.
• Battery Handling Systems (BHS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for BHS battery handling equipment including transfer carts, extractor systems, and storage stands for safe battery changeouts.
• C&D TechnologiesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for C&D Technologies stationary power and battery solutions.
• LaMarcheminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for LaMarche battery chargers and power systems.
• Lester ElectricalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Lester Electrical battery charging solutions.
• EatonminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Eaton stationary power and UPS solutions.
• APC (Schneider Electric)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for APC uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems.
• Saft (TotalEnergies)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Saft industrial batteries serving demanding applications.
• HoppeckeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Hoppecke industrial battery systems.
• Hindle PowerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Hindle Power stationary battery solutions.
• National Railway SupplyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for railway and industrial battery applications.
• Light GuardminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for emergency lighting and safety systems.
• Myers Power ProductsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Myers power products and emergency power solutions.
• EPA-Certified RecyclerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBCI partners exclusively with EPA-certified recycling facilities for responsible disposal of lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries. Ensures environmental compliance and provides documented chain of custody for customer sustainability reporting.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Continental Battery Systems: Multi-branch industrial battery and charger distributor and service provider operating across multiple US regions. Closely comparable business model to IBCI, combining hardware sales, on-site service, recycling, and emergency support for forklift fleet operators.
• Flux Power Holdings: Designs and sells lithium-ion battery packs for industrial forklifts, airport ground support, and other material-handling equipment. Flux Power is a direct competitor in IBCI's growing lithium-ion forklift battery segment and an emerging alternative to traditional lead-acid distributor-driven sales.

Broad incumbents

• EnerSys: Global manufacturer of industrial batteries (including the Hawker, Genesis, and ODYSSEY brands) and the largest direct supplier of motive power batteries to electric forklifts. EnerSys is IBCI's flagship vendor partner and Manufacturer's Representative of the Year, and also competes through its own direct-to-customer sales motion and service programs across the same end markets.
• Crown Equipment: Major electric forklift OEM that also offers battery, charger, and energy solutions alongside its lift truck fleet. Crown sells motive power systems directly to large fleet operators and dealers, overlapping with IBCI's distribution, service, and Total Power-style managed offerings.
• Hyster-Yale Group: Global forklift OEM (Hyster, Yale, Nuvera) with motive power offerings including fuel cells, lithium-ion, and lead-acid solutions. Competes with IBCI as an integrated OEM-channel provider of forklift power systems and supporting service to large distribution and manufacturing customers.
• Sunlight Group: Global manufacturer of industrial and motive power batteries, including lithium-ion and lead-acid solutions for forklifts and material handling equipment. Competes broadly with IBCI's vendor partners in the same end markets across distribution, warehousing, and industrial mobility.
• Trojan Battery Company: Manufacturer of deep-cycle batteries with industrial and motive power product lines used in floor machines, material handling, and renewable applications. Operates as a competitor brand within the same industrial battery distribution channels used by IBCI.
• East Penn Manufacturing: Privately held manufacturer of lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries (Deka, MK Battery, STAR Lithium brands) with deep industrial motive power offerings. Competes with IBCI's lead-acid product lines and sells through overlapping dealer and distributor networks.
• Discover Battery: Manufacturer of motive power, stationary power, and lithium-ion batteries for industrial and commercial applications. Overlaps with IBCI's product portfolio across both lead-acid and lithium-ion forklift batteries distributed to industrial fleets.
• Fullriver Battery: Manufacturer of sealed lead-acid and lithium batteries used in motive power, material handling, and industrial applications. Competes with IBCI's vendor lineup across the same wholesale distribution and fleet-power end markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IBCIpower
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@industrialbatterychargerin1077
• Facebookfacebook.com/ibcipower
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ibcipower

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Industrial Battery & Charger, Inc.