Palladium Energy Acquires MicroSun Technologies, Forming an Industry Powerhouse

Last Thursday, we expanded our engineering research and development capabilities by adding a new Engineering and Technology Center of Excellence (here's the press release).  The 6,000-square foot expansion gives us more than 10,000-square feet of engineering and testing space under one roof. The world-class facility provides the additional resources needed to innovate the power solutions industry into the future.

At a ribbon cutting ceremony, our employees, partners and customers got a first look at the next-generation addition, which features a secure research and development area and a state-of-the-art testing lab area.  Situated adjacent to our on-site manufacturing plant in Woodridge, Ill., it also furthers our Made-in-America capabilities.  
 The Engineering and Technology Center of Excellence will serve as our United States research and development hub, collaborating with nearly 100 degreed engineers, including four PhDs around the globe, to solve our customers’ portable power needs.
 

 



The battery packs and chargers developed within this facility will power end use devices ranging from portable medical devices to military electronics to data center uninterruptible power systems. By opening this next-generation facility, we’re affirming our commitment to developing innovative, custom battery packs and chargers that allow our customers to differentiate themselves in the marketplace. 


- Rebecca Kritzman, director of marketing and communications

At Palladium Energy, we manufacture lithium-based battery packs and battery chargers for many industries, including medical, data capture and data storage devices and consumer electronics.  But perhaps we’re most proud of the battery packs and chargers that we manufacture for the United States military. These power solutions withstand the harshest, most physically demanding environments for military needs – keeping our servicemen and women powered and safe.

Our customized power solutions support handheld and manpack radios, military PDAs and computers, unmanned aerial vehicles, forward mission devices, military vehicle applications — virtually any electronic device required for the mission.

In fact, our passion for innovation has yielded us exclusive rights to the patented phase change material (PCM). The outstanding thermal management characteristics of PCM make it possible for lithium-ion batteries to be a viable option for high-power and high-temperature military applications.

Many of Palladium’s military customers know Mark Batts, our division technical lead.  Mark helps our company deliver military battery packs ranging from early prototypes to finished products.  But what our customers might not know is that Mark is actually a veteran, having served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1990 to 1998 as an Automated Logistical Specialist (92A).  During his military career, Mark was promoted to Sergeant (E-5) and was a squad leader.

"Years ago I used the GI Bill and my drill compensation to pay for college.  Today, I’m using what I learned in college to support the military – bringing my career full circle,” Mark said.

Mark has been a Palladium team member since early 2011, creating solutions for the military’s unique design challenges and improving on existing technologies to provide our servicemen and women rapid and valuable power supplies.  As a veteran, Mark brings added value to our company since he understands the unique requirements that soldiers need to stay powered in the battlefield.

“As a veteran, I enjoy the interaction with today’s modern soldiers and the engineering challenge to make their jobs easier and safer,” he said.  “Having the privilege to support them is a job perk here at Palladium.”

At Palladium, we’re proud to employ numerous veterans and are extremely grateful for their service. It’s gratifying to play a small part in protecting our country and keeping America’s heroes safe.  From all of us – Happy Memorial Day!

- Rebecca Kritzman, director of marketing and communications

In baseball, the term “battery” refers jointly to the pitcher and the catcher.  My beloved baseball battery is the Brave’s Tim Hudson and Brian McCann; but what most spectators don’t realize is that America’s favorite pastime wouldn’t be possible without reliable and long-lasting lithium batteries. 
Today, everyone from sports journalists to coaches to paramedics to box office agents rely on portable battery power to send, receive and store information.  Further, lithium’s green properties, small, light-weight profile and extended life make it the perfect chemistry for these sporty portable devices.

So, next time I’m at a Braves game, you can bet that when Fredi Gonzalez confers with his bullpen coaches, he’ll have portable electronic battery power to thank.  And if the power goes out (a la Super Bowl XLVII), you can count on battery power to keep the scoreboard lit.  And when you use your credit card to buy peanuts and cotton candy, the vendor will rely on the battery power in its data capture device to process your purchase.  

The transmission of communication and storage of data are critical to large-scale sporting events, like Major League Baseball (MLB) games. Moreover, portable devices must meet increasing demand for long-lasting life.  That’s why today’s batteries must swing-for-the-fences in order to survive nine innings.  In addition, since the MLB season consists of 162 games over six months, batteries that power the game must be able to perform in a range of environments, climates and temperatures.

Interested in learning more about portable lithium power? Contact us. 

-       Rebecca Kritzman, director of marketing and communications

When it comes to U.S. design and manufacturing news, industry experts turn to Assembly Magazine.  So, we are excited to be highlighted in the publication’s May 2013 issue!  Click here to read the full article.

Recently, Assembly Magazine’s senior editor, Austin Weber, visited Palladium Energy’s manufacturing and testing facility in Woodridge, Ill. for an up-close look at our 55,000 square-foot (and growing!) plant.   Our senior manufacturing manager, Steve Hagemaster, showed Austin our battery and charger assembly lines, SMT capabilities, safety testing and more. 

In addition, our vice president of operations, Bob Sweeney, talked with Austin about next-generation battery assembly trends and processes.  Here’s an excerpt from this month’s article:

Palladium Energy recently implemented a new program involving robotics and automation. “This worked great for us, since the program was one product with high volumes,” Sweeney points out. “Most of the automation was centered around mechanical, dimensional and electrical functional testing. We want to take this experience and see if we can apply it economically to the larger part of our business that is lower volume with much higher mix.”
Palladium Energy specializes in engineered custom batteries for a variety of industries, ranging from medical to defense, rather than manufacturing large quantity AA alkaline batteries for consumer consumption.
“We have reasonable volumes in our consumer-oriented products, but generally we are faced with the challenge of lower volumes and higher mix,” explains Sweeney. “Most of our processes are manual and semiautomatic. So, for us, we think more about economies of scope.”
Interested in our Made-in-America battery packs and power supplies? Click here to request a custom quote.
- Rebecca Kritzman, director of marketing and communications