Forbatt
Forbatt SA is a Johannesburg-based exclusive agent and distributor founded in 1999, importing and reselling surveillance technology, batteries, backup power, and access control products from global brands (TVT, KEDACOM, NUUO, FLIR, Idemia) to enterprises, mining operators, government, and residential customers across all nine South African provinces.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersJohannesburg, South Africa
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Forbatt does
Forbatt SA is a South African private company founded in 1999 that operates as an exclusive agent and authorized distributor for international surveillance, security, and energy-storage brands, serving customers across all nine South African provinces through offices in Johannesburg (headquarters) and Cape Town. The company does not manufacture products; instead, it imports and distributes third-party technology under multi-brand agency and distribution agreements, with a go-to-market built around partner and project registration systems, in-house product experts, and a downstream reseller network.
The product portfolio spans three main areas: surveillance technology solutions (cameras, recorders, and video management software from TVT, KEDACOM, NUUO, Sunell, Tiandy, and Vacron, including AI-enabled cameras for ANPR, face recognition, and perimeter protection); batteries and backup power (proprietary Forbatt Batteries in gel, VRLA, and motorcycle variants, plus OUTDO batteries endorsed by BMW Motorrad Motorsport, and installation accessories including mag-locks, power supplies, and PoE switches); and proprietary/lifestyle add-ons, notably the Forbatt Holographic Screen (transparent 3D display with 90% transparency) and Forbatt Reusable Water Balloons. The company also distributes FLIR thermal solutions and Idemia access control products.
Forbatt SA's revenue model is hardware sales through a B2B channel, with pricing quoted on application ("POA") rather than published and contracts structured on a multi-year basis. Customer segmentation covers corporate/enterprise security, industrial and mining power-backup, residential, and public-sector/government (smart cities) buyers, with use cases ranging from CCTV and access control to battery backup for banks, mines, server rooms, and solar installations. Distribution is exclusively domestic South African, with no disclosed international footprint of its own, while vendor-claimed reach (e.g., NUUO's 94,000+ installations across 65 countries) belongs to the upstream brands rather than to Forbatt.
Forbatt firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Forbatt
- Legal name
- Forbatt SA
- Website
- https://forbatt.co
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Forbatt SA is a Johannesburg-based exclusive agent and distributor founded in 1999, importing and reselling surveillance technology, batteries, backup power, and access control products from global brands (TVT, KEDACOM, NUUO, FLIR, Idemia) to enterprises, mining operators, government, and residential customers across all nine South African provinces.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Forbatt industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Security & Surveillance Equipment Distribution
- NAICS
- Photographic Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (423410)
- SIC
- Photographic Equipment & Supplies (3861)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cameras, Imaging & Drones Distribution (CRAOACAH)
Keywords
Where Forbatt is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Johannesburg
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices2 records
Markets served
Forbatt business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Product Distribution and Sales: Forbatt SA generates revenue by importing and distributing surveillance technology, batteries, and security products through their network of distributors across South Africa
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | No public tiered pricing available |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Forbatt product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Forbatt SA operates as an exclusive agent and distributor in South Africa for global brands of video surveillance technology (TVT, KEDACOM, NUUO, Sunell, Tiandy, Vacron) and battery/power backup products (Forbatt Batteries, OUTDO, Peak Power), serving corporate, industrial, residential, and government customers across all nine South African provinces. The company imports, distributes, and supplies professional-grade cameras, recorders, video management software, lead-acid batteries, access control products, and installation accessories through a network of authorized distributors.
Product overview
Forbatt SA operates as a distribution agent and official distributor of energy products, video surveillance technology, security peripherals, and access control solutions in South Africa. The product portfolio centers on three core offerings: (1) Surveillance Technology Solutions encompassing multiple branded product lines (TVT, Kedacom, NUUO, Sunell, Tiandy, Vacron) covering cameras (bullets, domes, fisheye, PTZ, covert, purpose-built), recorders (AHD DVRs, NVRs), and video management software; (2) Batteries & Backup Power featuring proprietary Forbatt Batteries (Gel, VRLA, motorcycle batteries), OUTDO batteries, and installation accessories (mag-locks, power supplies, PoE switches); and (3) Innovative display technology through the Forbatt Holographic Screen (transparent 3D display). The company also distributes Idemia access control products and FLIR thermal solutions. Additionally, a lifestyle product line includes Forbatt Reusable Water Balloons.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- OUTDO: Globally recognized battery brand trusted by professionals and endorsed by BMW Motorrad Motorsport. Known for innovation, reliability, and intelligent engineering delivering high-performance energy solutions.
- Vacron
- Sunell
- Tiandy
- Kedacom
- TVT
- NUUO
- Forbatt Batteries
- Forbatt Holographic Screen
- Forbatt Accessories
- Forbatt Lifestyle
Products and services
- Surveillance Technology Solutions Professional-grade CCTV and surveillance solutions ranging from residential home kits to customized enterprise systems, including cameras, recorders, and video management software from TVT, KEDACOM, NUUO, Sunell, Tiandy, and Vacron brands.
- Batteries & Backup Power Lead-acid batteries and power supply products for commercial and residential applications including banks, mines, server rooms, and solar array installations.
- Forbatt Batteries Market-leading own-brand battery product offering Gel batteries (3-year warranty), VRLA batteries, and motorcycle batteries for power backup and energy storage applications.
- Forbatt Holographic Screen Transparent 3D holographic display solution with 90% transparency on glass walls, lightweight and sleek design, available in floor standing, hanging, and glass mounting configurations for customer engagement applications.
- Access Control Solutions Access control products distributed through Idemia partnership, enabling diverse security needs for various enterprise applications.
- Forbatt Accessories Installation and security peripherals including mag-locks, power supplies, and PoE switches for complete surveillance system installations.
- FLIR Thermal Solutions State-of-the-art thermal imaging solutions distributed through FLIR partnership for industrial and security applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- 3-year warranty on Gel batteries, 1-year warranty on Sealed-Lead Acid batteries
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Forbatt
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Forbatt technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature1 record
Forbatt partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- KEDACOMcoreForbatt SA is the exclusive agent for KEDACOM surveillance technology in South Africa. KEDACOM is one of the largest manufacturers in the surveillance sector, offering body-worn cameras, mobile cameras, and mobile NVR solutions. KEDACOM is described as one of the leading global mobile surveillance security and niche surveillance manufacturers.
- TVTcoreForbatt SA is the exclusive agent for TVT surveillance technology in South Africa. TVT is a listed surveillance technology manufacturer with an exceptional range, particularly noted for their recorders. They offer solutions from entry-level to high-end market segments.
- NUUOcoreForbatt SA is the exclusive agent for NUUO video management software in South Africa. NUUO's intelligent surveillance solutions are deployed in over 94,000 installations across 65 countries, spanning retail, industrial, transportation, residential, education, government, banking, and hospitality sectors.
- Forbatt BatteriescoreForbatt SA distributes their own Forbatt Batteries brand which has been a market leader for many years. The brand offers Gel batteries with 3-year warranty, Sealed-Lead Acid batteries with 1-year warranty, and VRLA batteries. Products are used in banks, mines, server rooms, homes, solar array banks, and mining helmets.
- Peak PowermajorForbatt SA is the exclusive agent for Peak Power products in South Africa, which includes power supply and accessory products.
- FLIRmajorForbatt SA is an official distributor of the FLIR product range including state-of-the-art thermal solutions.
- IdemiamajorForbatt SA is an official distributor of Idemia's comprehensive range of Access Control products, enabling them to cater to diverse security needs.
- OUTDOmajorOUTDO is a globally recognized battery brand trusted by professionals and endorsed by BMW Motorrad Motorsport. Known for its innovation, reliability, and intelligent engineering, OUTDO delivers high-performance energy solutions to riders and manufacturers around the world. Available in IGel and Maintenance Free variants.
- SunellmajorSunell offers a wide range of surveillance products including Anti-Corrosion Series, Eco Series, Explosion-Proof Optical and Thermal Series, Horn Speaker Series, Nighthawk Ultra Series, Pro Series, Radar Series, SmartVu Series, Starlight Series, Thermal Series, and Ultra Series.
- TiandymajorTiandy offers comprehensive surveillance solutions including AK Series, Color Maker, Decoding, Lite, Lite SMD, NVR, Pro, Pro AI+, Pro SMD, Spark, and Ultra product lines.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Forbatt competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Reditron: South African electronic security and surveillance equipment distributor. Competes directly with Forbatt in CCTV, access-control, and intrusion product distribution to the same installer and integrator channel across South Africa.
- Elvey Group: Established South African distributor of security, surveillance, and access-control products. Operates as an exclusive agent for multiple global brands — directly analogous to Forbatt's agency-led distribution model in the same end markets.
Broad incumbents
- Ingram Micro: Worldwide technology distributor carrying surveillance, networking, and security categories. Comparable to Forbatt in the wholesale-distribution model for imaging/security hardware, although Ingram Micro operates across hundreds of product categories globally.
- ScanSource: Global technology distributor with a specialty in physical security, AV, and networking. Comparable to Forbatt as a value-added distributor of branded surveillance and security hardware to resellers and integrators, but at significantly larger scale.
- Wesco: Global distributor (formed via the Anixter merger) serving security, communications, and industrial customers. Comparable to Forbatt in the security-product distribution category and in the agent/distributor business model, but at vastly larger scale and breadth.
- ADI Global Distribution: Global wholesale distributor of security, audio, and low-voltage products with thousands of dealers worldwide. Comparable to Forbatt as a multi-brand security distributor, though operating at global scale rather than within a single country.
- Johnson Controls International: Global provider of building and security solutions including video surveillance and access control. Comparable to Forbatt as a player in the South African enterprise security stack, though Johnson Controls is an integrator/manufacturer rather than a pure distributor.
Others
- EnerSys: Global industrial battery manufacturer serving telecom, mining, and backup-power customers. Comparable to Forbatt as an ecosystem participant in the same end markets (mining, server rooms, banks) where Forbatt Batteries compete, though as a manufacturer rather than distributor.
- Nedap: Dutch manufacturer of access-control, vehicle identification, and security solutions. Adjacent comparable to Forbatt's Idemia-distributed access-control line, representing the type of principal whose products flow through distributors like Forbatt.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Forbatt social profiles
Digital presenceForbatt financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Forbatt leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Forbatt funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Forbatt M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Forbatt
What does Forbatt do?
Forbatt SA operates as an exclusive agent and distributor in South Africa for global brands of video surveillance technology (TVT, KEDACOM, NUUO, Sunell, Tiandy, Vacron) and battery/power backup products (Forbatt Batteries, OUTDO, Peak Power), serving corporate, industrial, residential, and government customers across all nine South African provinces. The company imports, distributes, and supplies professional-grade cameras, recorders, video management software, lead-acid batteries, access control products, and installation accessories through a network of authorized distributors.
Is Forbatt a public or private company?
Forbatt is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Forbatt founded?
Forbatt was founded in 1999. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Forbatt based?
Forbatt is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does Forbatt make money?
One revenue line is on record: product Distribution and Sales.
Who are Forbatt's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Reditron and Elvey Group. Broad incumbents are Ingram Micro, ScanSource, Wesco, ADI Global Distribution and Johnson Controls International. Others are EnerSys and Nedap.
Does Forbatt have an API?
No public API is recorded for Forbatt.
What industry is Forbatt in?
Forbatt's product category is Security & Surveillance Equipment Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAOACAH, Cameras, Imaging & Drones Distribution. Its NAICS code is 423410 and its SIC code is 3861.