Kevin Demyon

No two warehouses operate exactly alike, which is why there cannot be a one-size-fits-all power solution for the material handling industry. Power is expensive and choices made today can have far-reaching implications. Therefore, it’s critically important that the unique needs of each warehouse application are carefully evaluated so that an optimal power solution can be designed and implemented.

A professional battery solutions provider has the prerequisite knowledge and experience to review your existing operation and accurately assess current needs, identify opportunities to improve existing efficiencies and ensure sufficient power bandwidth for anticipated future growth.

 The first step will typically include a high-level review of the entire operation to ensure the application is fully understood and all needs can be accurately assessed.

 Next, a 24-hour monitoring device would be installed in the most heavily used trucks for 15-30 days to capture the power consumption of the fleet as well as determining the actual recharge windows based on downtime, breaks and shift changes.

 Information would then be collected and evaluated against various power solutions to recommend the most flexible and cost-effective solution over the long term, which may include a lead, lithium or hybrid option.

Customized Power Solutions Design Process

The design of individualized power solutions is a complex process that involves careful consideration of multiple factors. Some of these considerations include:

 how does this affect demand for individual lift trucks and time available for charging and maintenance activities?

 what is the average number of lifts, and at what average height and pallet weight?

 what is the ambient operating temperature (cold storage application?) and are there any emissions restrictions (food, pharmacy, etc.)?

 what is the space requirement to accommodate fleet charging stations and maintenance facilities, and where should they be located throughout the warehouse?

 is it sufficient to accommodate a plannedexpansion, what would be the additional cost to upgrade if required?

The answer to this question is that it depends on the application. The choice between lead or lithium battery technology should be driven primarily by economics and expected ROI, although factors such as maintenance, safety and end-of-life disposal are additional considerations.

From a purely economic perspective, the initial investment in lead technology is significantly less costly than lithium. However, lithium batteries are expected to last longer (while laboratory testing has produced extremely positive results, more extensive field experience is required before actual life span can be verified) and require less ongoing maintenance.

One key difference between lead and lithium technologies is the need for regular watering of lead batteries. Battery watering requires specially trained personnel to follow a disciplined maintenance schedule to ensure that batteries can continue to operate at peak performance. Fleet size will dictate the level of investment required for battery maintenance activities, which could be substantial for larger operations. However, there are options available to mitigate these costs.

East Penn Canada offers a battery watering service that eliminates the need for specially trained personnel and reduces safety risks associated with handling batteries. In addition, there are products available that allow for reduced watering intervals or, in the case of sealed gel batteries, eliminating the need to add water and providing the added benefit of emissions free operation. With certain multiple shift warehouse applications, the time available to recharge batteries to 100% capacity is limited. Lithium batteries can accept a charge more quickly than lead ones, which means that they can be fully charged and ready to put back into service more quickly than a lead battery in a conventional charge environment. On the other hand, opportunity and fast charging methods can be used to keep a lead battery operating in a partial state of charge so that recharge time is no longer an issue.

 The Best Battery Depends on the Application

While lithium technology appears to have a promising future, cost remains a prohibiting factor for most applications. East Penn Canada believes that at the present time, lithium is best suited for heavy use applications where regular power draws exceed 150% of battery capacity and there is limited time available for recharge. This would be a scenario where fast charging a lead battery is no longer feasible or in a multi-shift operation where a battery change system is being considered or needs to be replaced. The cost of operating a battery room is extremely high and a lot of facilities find it challenging to manage it effectively. East Penn Canada offers a full line of lead and lithium batteries for motive power applications. If you would like additional information or if power within your facility is a pain point, please do not hesitate to reach out to me through LinkedIn or by contacting an 

Learn the process that East Penn takes to customize power solutions for specific motive power applications. Read about designing application based power solutions.

Designing Application Based Power Solutions

Mike Wells

Mike Wells Executive Vice President (Retired)

Forty-three years ago, a 25-year-old travelling sales rep was being driven to the airport by his father after a family gathering. On the way, the young man expressed his frustration with the constant travel, especially with having a young family. He needed a change that would allow him to stay closer to home. It was during that drive, that the seeds of an idea were sown. His employer was Varta Batteries, at the time, the largest battery manufacturer in Canada. The men knew that Varta didn’t have a reliable distributor in the Toronto area. It struck them, why not approach Varta to establish an exclusive distributorship in the east end of Toronto? Although Varta didn’t want to lose an up-and-coming star, they also realized the potential to increase sales in this creative way and so agreed to the proposal.

Consequently, on February 20, 1979, Jim Bouchard and his father Phil incorporated a new company, Power Battery Sales Ltd. The business started operating in the back corner of Phil’s machine shop with two sections of racking, and Phil started selling to his customers that needed batteries. One month later, Jim left Varta and took control of all aspects of the new company.

What Varta didn’t realize was that Jim had a much more ambitious vision for his company than just a small local automotive battery distributor, and he started to expand it very quickly – first throughout Southern Ontario and then into Quebec and Manitoba. Within five years, Power Battery had seven branches, 25 employees and annual sales approaching mid-seven figures. Jim had also expanded into other battery markets such as marine, RV, commercial, motorcycle, medical, farm, golf, construction, emergency lighting, and more.

The company continued to grow steadily under Jim’s philosophy of aggressive sales and marketing, combined with a responsible fiscal approach. Profits were re-invested into the company’s growth, and nothing was spent that wouldn’t generate further growth and profitability.

In fact, Power Battery was literally a textbook example of how to manage and successfully grow a start-up business. In the early 80’s the company was frequently used as a case study in the in-house training programs of their auditors, Clarkson Gordon (now Ernst & Young) to demonstrate the ideal process for young companies to grow and succeed. Jim had found the right balance of best business practices, creativity, innovation, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

I was an audit manager at Clarkson Gordon at the time and from 1981 to 1984, I was responsible for the Power Battery account. It was my favourite client, and Jim and I really hit it off. Not only through our business dealings, but we grew up in the same area of Scarborough, had similar backgrounds, and even played in a men’s hockey league against each other. I had often thought that if there was one client I would consider working for, it would be Power Battery.

Fortunately, Jim was of the same mind, so when he decided in 1984 that Power Battery needed a more experienced Controller to manage the company’s finances and administration, he offered me the position. It was a major decision for me as I was being groomed for a possible partnership and we had just had our first child a few days earlier. But after meeting with Jim to discuss the details, I knew it would be the right move for me. It was the best career decision I ever made.

By 1987, sales had more than doubled again but, as with many rapidly growing businesses, Power Battery lacked the capital needed to continue to operate effectively – let alone grow. Things were becoming difficult but, after a lot of toil and stress, we were able to secure the financing required to support our growth and plans. It was like letting the genie out of the bottle. It allowed Jim and the sales team to be even more aggressive and they really started to make major inroads in the Canadian battery market, particularly with our POW-R-SURGE brand.

It was around this time that the first Canada/US Free Trade Agreement was signed. One of its ultimate consequences was the closing of all battery manufacturing plants in Canada – including Varta. The attention of the US battery manufacturers turned northward, and they quickly noticed our growth and aggressive sales approach. This was both positive and negative for Power Battery. Most of them were threatened by our ambitious and independent vision and began to take a hostile approach toward us. However, one of them - East Penn Manufacturing - saw the mutually beneficial potential of the two companies working together. East Penn wanted to secure and grow its distribution in Canada and Power Battery needed a high quality, reliable source of supply. By late 1988 Power Battery began to distribute East Penn products throughout Canada.

Within 4 years, our annual sales volume had grown by another 70%. East Penn was so impressed that in 1993 they approached us about acquiring Power Battery. Although the company wasn’t for sale, it was apparent to us that the opportunity for exponential growth and achieving our goal of being the #1 battery distributor in Canada would be significantly enhanced with the support of a company like East Penn. During the negotiations our primary concern was to ensure that the Canadian business and our Canadian employees would not only be protected but would benefit from the merger. A prime example is that we made it clear from the beginning that our employee profit-sharing plan must remain in place, or there would be no deal. Although the negotiations were intense, we had a friendly rivalry with the East Penn management team. During the height of our negotiations, the 1993 World Series was taking place between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Philadelphia Phillies. Jim and I were fortunate enough to attend Game 4 in Philadelphia as East Penn’s guests. (The Blue Jays won Game 4 and the Series). 

Our growth exploded after that as we acquired many new accounts from our association with East Penn (and they acquired some significant customers through Power Battery). It also allowed us to delve into new battery markets. In 1996 we entered the Motive and Reserve Power markets using our automotive distribution network and business model. Industrial battery industry experts said such a model hadn’t been done before and wouldn’t succeed. We were determined to prove them wrong – and we did in a big way.

This expansion required us to expand our business support infrastructure by adding or expanding departments such as HR, IT, Operations, Marketing, and Financial Analysis.These major changes brought in many bright new people with expertise and experience that further enhanced our ability to grow and succeed.

By the end of the 1990’s our annual sales volume had tripled since the acquisition by East Penn. We had a national distribution network of 15 locations in every province except PEI and Newfoundland (both aptly serviced by our Dartmouth, NS branch), a national fleet of delivery vehicles, and most importantly, over 100 bright, hard working and motivated people.

The company’s impressive growth continued into the 2000’s. Two significant events occurred in 2005 that reflected how far the company had come. First, we acquired our own Head Office and Central Distribution Centre building in Ajax, Ontario. Previously we had always leased our Headquarter locations. Secondly, we decided to change our business and trade name. Going forward, we would now be known as East Penn Canada. This further associated the company with East Penn Manufacturing, which was particularly important in our Motive and Reserve divisions. The Power Battery name had been recognized mainly in the Automotive market and our use of the name was causing some confusion in our other markets. The name change lead to acquiring even more new customers in all our divisions.

After these moves, sales growth continued unabated, and from 2000 to 2008 doubled once again, which allowed us to reach a record milestone. We were also winning supplier of the year awards from many prestigious customers and environmental awards for our recycling programs.

The Motive and Reserve divisions in particular, experienced spectacular growth – so much so, that from 2008 to 2011, we acquired four well established industrial battery sales and service companies located in geographic areas where we needed to expand quickly. One in BC, two in Alberta and one in New Brunswick (our current Moncton branch). These moves did wonders to solidify our national sales and service network and our Motive and Reserve expertise by adding some great people.

Shortly thereafter, our Consumer products division was born, giving us more penetration into the overall Canadian battery market, with even more products to offer to our customers.

Another quantum leap in East Penn Canada’s history occurred in 2015. In the span of three short months, we had been awarded the business of three of the largest battery retailers in Canada. Virtually overnight, the company was doubling in size. The increase in our sales volume meant that major increases to our warehousing footprint, fleet size and employee complement were required – and in an extremely short time frame. With the extraordinary efforts and teamwork of all departments and employees, we pulled it off. Not only that, but the largest of our new customers rewarded us as their Supplier of the Year for the first full year after being awarded their business.

East Penn Canada now has over 400 employees, a truly national network, and we are the undisputed #1 battery distribution and power solution company in Canada. In the past few years, we have continued to succeed while taking on some major projects required to ensure our future success. In 2016 we implemented a new state-of-the-art, enterprise-wide computer software system. This was a daunting and complex project but as usual, our amazing employees and leadership team ensured that it was a huge success. And just this past year, we completed the construction of our new 200,000 sq. ft. Head Office and National Distribution Centre which also entailed consolidating our two major DC’s and HO locations under one (very large) roof, located just east of Toronto in Courtice, ON. Again, a huge project with a very successful outcome.

Forty-three years later, Jim is still the CEO of East Penn Canada. He has handed over the reins of the day-to-day management of the company to his son, company President Mike Bouchard, but he is still actively involved.

In his 25 years with the company, Mike has worked his way up the Company ranks from junior sales rep to Manager, Director, VP, EVP, and now President. Mike has already overseen many significant improvements to ensure the Company continues the path to success, while also leading the major projects referred to above. He and Jim work closely to carry on our vision of success and growth.

East Penn Canada’s success has allowed hundreds of Canadians to build very successful careers over the years. In April 2022, two of them, Shaun Keogh and Jim Decoste, will each celebrate their 40th year with East Penn Canada – an amazing accomplishment.

We’re still a young company with a skilled, aggressive team of excellent people. The future promises to be just as exciting and rewarding as our history.

Forty-three years ago, a 25-year-old travelling sales rep was being driven to the airport by his father after a family gathering. On the way, the young man expressed his frustration with the constant travel, especially with having a young family. He needed a change that would allow him to stay closer to home. It was during that drive, that the seeds of an idea were sown...

The Journey of East Penn Canada – Our History and Bright Future

East Penn Canada

At East Penn Canada we are committed to being green leaders in the lead battery industry while making conservation and waste reduction a priority. Our industry relies on a voluntary closed-loop system to minimize waste at every step of the manufacturing, collection and recycling process. The sustainability of this circular economy approach ensures resources remain in use for as long as possible to efficiently recycle and reuse all major components of a lead battery in the production of new products. It’s quite remarkable that more than 99% of used batteries are recycled and the lead can be recycled infinitely in the production of batteries, with no negative impact to performance. 

Not only does the circular economy reduce waste but it also optimizes the production cycle time. With only a 30-40 day requirement for used batteries to be recovered and re-manufactured into new batteries, the system is a successful and certainly efficient, closed-loop process.

The model below demonstrates the success and sustainability of the circular economy system.

 – A new lead battery is comprised of over 80% recycled material. The re-manufacturing of battery components, coupled with the high recycling rate of batteries, greatly reduces the mining of virgin materials.

 – Leveraging a steady supply of recycled lead battery components, battery manufacturers use safe, sustainable practices to make innovative new batteries.

 – Lead batteries are used in multiple applications including transportation, industrial, medical, data and telecom, renewable energy, military and more. Nearly every hybrid and electric vehicle uses a lead battery.

 – A nationwide infrastructure, high recycling awareness, customer pay-back programs and reverse distribution models ensures both consumers and industries return used batteries

 – Modern, closed-loop recycling keeps millions of lead batteries from Ontario landfills each year. Responsible members of the CBA (Canadian Battery Association) leverage best practices to ensure safe and responsible collection, storage, transport and processing of spent batteries.

In 2020, East Penn Canada in partnership with Terrapure Environmental, received a prestigious Environment + Energy Leader Award for Project of the Year for our closed-loop, circular economy approach to lead battery recycling.

Our commitment to sustainability doesn’t end with lead batteries as East Penn Canada also prioritizes the responsible management of industrial wastewater. Battery washes result in wastewater that is collected at customer sites by East Penn Canada and then we work with our third-party partners to pick up the wastewater, treat it for the removal of contaminants and manage the safe disposal of it. 

Our goal for the future is to continue to support the global shift to a greener future.East Penn Canada is a proud member of the Canadian Battery Association, a group of like-minded manufacturers, distributors, recyclers and dealers who inform, advocate and support the responsible management of lead batteries nationally.

We are proud to be part of an industry that keeps this initiative at the forefront of all they do from manufacturing, distribution, right through to recycling. East Penn Canada’s commitment to a circular economy approach, based on robust sustainability principles, is who we are and will continue to remain a priority as we move forward in our dedication to building a greener future.

At East Penn Canada we are committed to being green leaders in the lead battery industry while making conservation and waste reduction a priority. Our industry relies on a voluntary closed-loop system to minimize waste at every step of the manufacturing, collection and recycling process. The sustainability of this circular economy approach ensures resources remain in use for as long as possible to efficiently recycle and reuse all major components of a lead battery in the production of new products...

Lead Batteries: The Circular Economy

Go beyond the basics with East Penn Canada as we transform you and your team into battery experts for transportation applications.

Whether you are seeking to provide your team with 

, East Penn Canada can help. We have a team of industry specialists who can support your unique business needs, transform your business and keep you ahead of the competition. Read more about the Power of Partnership.

Many customers ask – How long should batteries last?

Did you know that batteries have three measures of life: run life, shelf life and cycle life. As the industry leader in the manufacturing of battery power for decades, we believe in the importance of ongoing training, education and support to help you keep up with an ever-evolving industry. Whether it's about the best batteries in the market, cutting-edge technologies, or understanding the specifics of battery testing, let us help you set your business apart and keep you ahead of the competition.

Customers are typically seeking personalized options with product-specific attributes, including technology, brand and/or price, and because of this, they rely heavily on your retail team for advice.

Empowering your retail team to provide expertise, demonstrate knowledge, and build trust with a customer can help drive customer loyalty. Our East Penn Canada Battery Specialists will help train your entire team on the fundamentals of batteries so that your customers are confident in their choice for battery power.

Understanding the latest battery technology and which one is best for your customer


Customers may not always be familiar with (or aware of) cutting-edge technologies while purchasing batteries, so they may not have a strong understanding of the benefits that each battery technology can provide them.

At East Penn Canada, we provide comprehensive on-site or online training support that highlights the differences between battery technologies and battery group sizes. This will help you address any technology-related concerns that your customers may have regardless of their application needs.

Understanding what affects the life of a battery


Caring for your batteries begins with proper maintenance. One common issue with battery maintenance is when batteries are in a state of discharge for an extended period of time, which may cause premature deterioration. In addition, driving habits, stopping and starting a vehicle, and extreme weather conditions will all wreak havoc with battery life.


Providing customers with information on how to maximize battery life can help ensure their batteries last longer and saves them from experiencing issues in the future. Our specialists will train you and your team about battery care and maintenance. By providing you with a wide range of training materials on battery solutions, we ensure that you are customer-ready to deliver excellent service.



Four Key Training Topics That Improve Customer Satisfaction

You have the knowledge and experience to understand your customers’ needs, but if you want to continue building customer confidence and satisfaction, then read on! Our battery specialists have identified four areas that, if addressed correctly, could greatly improve your customer experience.


Our comprehensive technology training helps you understand the difference between the types of batteries (flooded, gel, AGM) and how they should be used. Being able to walk customers through their options and include the pros and cons of different battery types as they relate to their applications, while also considering their driving habits and battery storage ability will put you a cut above the competition.




If a vehicle is failing to start again and again, it may be due to a dead battery. Having a battery that you can rely on is crucial - Not only does it provide the power to start your vehicle, but it also plays other important roles in its operation. It’s extremely helpful to be aware of battery testing (especially during the summer months) when a simple battery inspection can help prevent your customers from being stranded in an empty parking lot.
Being able to explain the importance of battery testing as well as break down a vehicle’s battery test results will allow your customers to make the most informed decision about their battery’s health.



Premature battery failure can be caused by improper battery care and maintenance. Being aware of how to store and maintain the battery when it’s not in use is crucial.
Other common causes of battery failure include:


If the battery is being used for proper application in which it was designed

Our training specialists will guide you through the on-site or visual inspection of batteries, and instructions that will help eliminate the risk of premature battery failure.

By giving your retail team the tools, insights and education on the products you’re selling and the battery industry in general, your customers are more likely to trust you as a good provider, become repeat customers, and refer you to their friends.
Through your partnership with East Penn Canada, you can access our team of local battery specialists to provide the education that’s going to empower your retail staff and give them the edge to succeed. Learn more about specific batteries for different transportation applications 

A Partnership Designed To Help Power You and Your Customers

At East Penn Canada, we don’t just sell batteries, we provide you with innovative battery technologies and solutions to support your customers. As a component of our partnership agreement, you’ll have access to our comprehensive training and educational sales support. Facing concerns regarding battery technology, safety, best practices or just want to make sure you’re aware of the basics? We’ve got you covered.

To find out more about what training program options and services are available, or to schedule a session that works for you and your team please contact your local East Penn Canada 

 and one of our Battery Specialists will be happy to help.



Whether you are seeking to provide your team with battery basics, a greater understanding of battery technologies or battery testing skills, East Penn Canada can help. We have a team of industry specialists who can support your unique business needs, transform your business and keep you ahead of the competition.  Read more about the Power of Partnership.

The Power of Partnership

News, information, events and more from Canada's premier battery manufacturer and distributor.

East Penn Canada Blog


East Penn Canada is pleased to announce the acquisition of Action Battery Service, currently Saskatchewan’s top motive battery and charger service provider.

This acquisition will further expand East Penn Canada’s Motive Power offering in Saskatchewan and allow a larger service footprint in Canada.  This exciting new venture aligns with East Penn Canada’s growth plans to ensure that we continue to meet the ever-expanding needs of our customers coast to coast well into the future.  Action Battery Service capabilities will complement East Penn Canada’s offerings in Saskatchewan and its service presence and expertise will add to East Penn Canada’s national footprint.

East Penn Canada and Action Battery Service share corporate values of quality, customer experience, sustainability and integrity.  Their Director and Founder Al Dehod has built a strong company culture at Action Battery Service, that is very similar to ours at East Penn Canada.  They have earned a tremendous loyalty from customers in Saskatchewan, resulting from their caring culture, deep relationships and continued focus on service.  This team shares our passion for taking a customer centric approach to industrial service which ensures that their customer warehouses and distribution centres stay up and running, are able to reduce costly downtime and increase productivity.

For East Penn Canada customers we are pleased to now be able to offer you end to end support for your motive needs in the province of Saskatchewan effective immediately.  For those customers currently supported by Action Battery Service, they will continue to be provided premium products and services through the expanded East Penn Canada team.  The team at Action Battery Service will join the East Penn Canada family, and over the next few months we will fully transition the team, systems and customers.

We are very excited about this new addition to our capabilities and look forward to being able to offer you end to end support in Saskatchewan.    

East Penn Canada Expands Industrial Service Capabilities In Western Canada  by Acquiring Action Battery Service

Action Battery Services