Batteries Plus location opens up on Silver Parkway in Fenton
March 2009
BY Eric Fish | Fenton Press

FENTON, Michigan -- A declining economic forecast and hasn't shaken the hopes of Batteries Plus.

The nation's largest battery chain opened a new location March 2 in Fenton at 18040 Silver Parkway, citing the city's balance of residential population, business density and attractive household income for its reasons.

"This is about providing availability for any type of battery for anything," said John Twist, Vice President and Franchise and Business Development Coordinator.

Twist isn't exaggerating when he says Batteries Plus can provide any type of battery for any type of product -- laptop computers, digital cameras, cellphones, hand-held scanners, automobiles, etc. There's also an in-store tech center where batteries can be custom-assembled to meet specific needs.

"We virtually never really have to say no," Twist said. "That's one of the reasons why our system continues to grow."

In 2008, Twist said Batteries Plus outlets sold 18,000 unique battery types and increased sales 28 percent over 2007 records.

The national battery industry is a $24 billion business that Twist said grows six percent each year. The company was started in Green Bay, Wis., in 1988 and has expanded to over 350 stores nationwide.

Twist said each Batteries Plus outlet carries between 800-900 unique battery types and has many hard-to-find items unavailable in other retail outlets.

Batteries Plus locations also offer free recycling of old lead acid, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion batteries and alkaline batteries at every location. In 2008, Batteries Plus recycled over 191 tons of batteries.

"Being environmentally responsible is very much a part of our business model," Twist said. "We have a very active recycling program. We have a recycling program that provides a retail receptacle. That's important to us. We want to be good neighbors to the community."