Exciting Battery Town conference
Established in 1998, Battery Town is New Zealand’s strongest network of privately-owned battery and auto electrical businesses, with more than 100 members nationwide, marketed and managed by HCB Technologies Ltd.
This year’s edition of the Battery Town conference was held at the luxurious Intercontinental hotel on Wellington’s waterfront from September 17–19. The conference began with a fun evening of dinner and beer tasting and at Mac’s Brewbar hosted by “Mac the Brewer,” aka comedian Greg Ellis. This set the scene for an excellent few days catching up with friends and enjoying hospitality.
With a mix of speakers presenting new business initiatives, technical battery information, launching new products and brands, highlighting marketing strategy and business assistance with issues relative for today’s auto electrical workshops, the conference programme was packed with value.
Important networking time among all attendees is also a major part of the programme. There were a number of social activities on offer, allowing new members to quickly become part of this unique group, and to be welcomed with open arms.
Insight into the future direction of HCB Technologies was presented by general manager Paul Eden. Under the new structure, and within Hellaby Holdings Automotive division, a management team and shared resources will be placed to oversee HCB Technologies, JAS Oceania and Diesel Distributors. The result will see the management of “three businesses under one roof”, and significant future opportunities and product choice for New Zealand’s auto electrical industry.
Major sponsors and supporters of Battery Town include Varta Batteries, Hella New Zealand, Lifeline Batteries, JAS Oceania, Motobatt, US Batteries, Oz Charge and Kuehne and Nagel. Many sponsors were present during the event, exhibiting and networking in the Battery Town trade show area, as always these sponsors added great depth and value to the conference experience.
Following the close of business on the Saturday, groups departed to attractions such as Weta Workshops for a guided tour and prop-making experience, and to Boomrock Adventures for target shooting, knife throwing, a clifftop golf driving range, and a skid pan driving challenge.
A highlight of the conference schedule is always the Battery Town awards dinner. Sponsored by Varta Batteries, this year event goers were transported back to the world of Jake and Elwood as a fantastic Blues Brothers themed evening got underway. Comedian Ben Hurley kept the laughs flowing as he entertained the crowd and was MC, while cops, robbers, nuns and numerous interpretations of the movie’s famous lead characters in trademark hats, sunglasses and side burns partied into the night.
The Varta Battery Town awards dinner recognise excellence and achievements amongst the network in sales and marketing. Congratulations to all award winners, fantastic results
from businesses benefitting from the support and national marketing power of the Battery Town network. Below is a summary of the winners. Highest sales volume automotive batteries Gold: Newport Auto Electrical Hastings Silver: Collins Auto Electrical Hamilton
Bronze: Auto & Marine Electrics Blenheim Highest sales volume commercial batteries Gold: Spark City Hamilton Silver: Spurdle Auto Electrical Auckland Bronze: Rodger Devlin Auto Electrician Greymouth Highest sales volume deep cycle batteries Gold: P& B Auto Electrical Hamilton Silver: Rodger Devlin Auto Electrician Greymouth
Bronze: Auto Tech Northland Whangarei
Proactive branding Battery Town business
Gold: Rodger Devlin Auto Electrician Greymouth
Silver: Roses Auto Electrical Christchurch
Bronze: Newport Auto Electrical Hastings
Bronze: Deans Auto Electric Kaiapoi Battery Town branding excellence award
Bensons Auto Electrical Gisborne In recognition of valued contribution Warrick Reber, Reber Auto Electrical Auckland Greatest overall sales volume increase Platinum: P& B Auto Electrical
Hamilton