Europe 
United States
EnerSys (NYSE: ENS), a global leader in stored energy solutions and manufacturer of ODYSSEY® batteries, has donated batteries worth more than £10,000 to help secure the future of the Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canal Trust’s (MBACT) much-loved community canal boat, The Lord Raglan.
The volunteer-run charity had been facing the difficult prospect of scrapping the boat due to lack of funds to replace its worn-out batteries. Upon learning of the situation, the team at EnerSys’ Newport facility stepped in to donate a brand-new set of high-performance ODYSSEY® batteries, expected to power the vessel for at least another decade.
The donation will enable MBACT to continue operating community boat trips and leisure cruises along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal aboard The Lord Raglan, which is specially adapted with wheelchair access, an internal lift and a fully accessible toilet.
Proceeds from the boat trips are reinvested into preserving and restoring the historic waterway. MBACT also delivers boat crew courses, provides heritage craft skills training through canal restoration schemes and offers educational resources that engage the wider community including school visits aboard The Lord Raglan and to the Fourteen Locks Canal Centre in Newport.
The importance of access to local infrastructure resonates deeply with EnerSys’ leadership team, many of whom have experienced the impact of community support first-hand. “As one of the region’s largest employers and a business that has been part of the local community for 65 years, we’re incredibly proud to support MBACT,” said Tim Gibbons, Plant Manager at EnerSys Newport. The charity plays a vital role in preserving our cultural heritage and developing restoration skills along the historic Mon and Brec Canal. We’re thrilled that the ODYSSEY® batteries we’ve donated will help secure The Lord Raglan’s future for many years to come.”
Reverend John Collier, Chairman of MBACT, added: “Without support from EnerSys, The Lord Raglan may well have ended up in the scrapyard. While that would have been heartbreaking, we simply couldn’t afford to replace the batteries needed to keep the boat running. We’re hugely grateful for this generous donation, which will enable us to resume boat trips, allowing the local community and visitors alike to enjoy the beauty and history of the Mon and Brec Canal.”
MBACT was established in 1984 and has since campaigned to protect, promote and restore the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. Restoration efforts have re-opened a 35 mile section from Brecon Basin to Five Locks, Cwmbran.
EnerSys has maintained a strong presence in Newport since opening its Stephenson Street facility in 1961, creating local employment opportunities and contributing to the region’s advanced manufacturing capabilities. The partnership with MBACT underscores the company’s ongoing community investment, ethical business practices and sustainability. EnerSys also supports Newport Wetlands Reserve and sponsors Newport Cricket Club.
EnerSys operates in the UK from Newport, Culham and Manchester. For more information on EnerSys and its full line of products, systems and support, visit www.enersys.com. For the latest ODYSSEY® battery news, visit www.eu.odysseybattery.com, connect on social media using the hashtag #MYODYSSEY or follow on Instagram and Facebook.
For more information on MBACT, visit www.mbact.org.uk.
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Notes to Editor
About EnerSys
EnerSys is a global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications and designs, manufactures, and distributes energy systems solutions and motive power batteries, specialty batteries, battery chargers, power equipment, battery accessories and outdoor equipment enclosure solutions to customers worldwide. The company goes to market through four lines of business: Energy Systems, Motive Power, Specialty and New Ventures. Energy Systems, which combine power conversion, power distribution, energy storage, and enclosures, are used in the telecommunication, broadband and utility industries, uninterruptible power supplies, and numerous applications requiring stored energy solutions. Motive power batteries and chargers are utilized in electric forklift trucks and other industrial electric powered vehicles. Specialty batteries are used in aerospace and defense applications, portable power solutions for soldiers in the field, large over-the-road trucks, premium automotive, medical and security systems applications. New Ventures provides energy storage and management systems for various applications including demand charge reduction, utility back-up power, and dynamic fast charging for electric vehicles. EnerSys also provides aftermarket and customer support services to its customers in over 100 countries through its sales and manufacturing locations around the world. To learn more about EnerSys please visit https://www.enersys.com/en/
