Apower Electronics Co. Ltd (AEC) is a Sino-American joint venture specializing in Li-ion batteries. AEC was formed in 2002 by the collaboration of Guoguang Electric Co.Ltd, Ateka Co. Ltd and New Harvest Co. Ltd. AEC's polymer Li-ion batteries are widely used in Bluetooth handsets, mobile phones, notebook PCs, PDAs, MP3 players, portable DVD players, miners' lamps, video cameras, mobile satellite communication equipment, aero modelling, electronic bicycles and aviation and missile systems.

Single polymer Li-ion battery cells are available in capacities ranging from 40mAh to 150Ah. Shapes differ depending on customer requirement — these may be cylindrical, arced, trapezoid, W- or U-shaped. The company exports 10 percent of its output mainly to Europe and the US. The bulk of its products are absorbed by the domestic market, including Taiwan and Hong Kong SAR.

In 2004, the company's total output is estimated to have reached 7 million units. It expects its annual output to reach 20 million units by 2007.

In an effort to enter the South Korean market, AEC sent a sample of its thinnest Li-ion battery, which measures 0.5mm. The model is designed for use in Bluetooth handsets. Plans to enter the Japanese market are also underway.

To boost production, AEC partnered with Guangzhou Tiger Head Battery Group, one of the largest export-oriented paste-lined battery makers in mainland China.

Manufacturing capability
AEC has a 5,000-square-meter production facility in Huahai Industrial Park in Huadu, Guangzhou. The company utilizes 90 percent of its production capacity. Its production lines are semi-automatic. Some key production equipment, including HT Industries hot sealers, Colmen polymer gellers, and Batt Holen presses, were imported from the US and Japan.

The company turns out 700,000 polymer Li-ion batteries a month. With the installation of new equipment, such as cathode and anode pieces cutting machine, de-air machine and coil-winding machine, AEC aims to add 50,000 units more to its monthly output by the end of 2005.

Its production facility has battery formation and sorting/test workrooms. There were around 100 battery formation, grading and test equipment, some of which bore the NewAre brand. Each of the equipment can inspect 256 batteries.

The facility also has a coating workshop with two coaters in operation. During the factory visit, workers were observed anode-plating 3.7V polymer Li-Ion batteries intended for use in digital electronic products.

The inspection workroom is equipped with 20 BS-9088A lithium series automatic test devices fo polymer lithium batteries. Battery packing was being done by 15 workers.

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All information contained in China Sourcing Reports is the result of exclusive, ground-level and definitive research conducted by Global Sources' analysts. Companies featured in these reports may or may not be clients of Global Sources.

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	Supplier Profile
	Company Background
	Year established		2002
	Head office location		Guangzhou, Guangdong
	Number of factories		1
	Location of factories		Guangzhou, Guangdong
	Total factory space of all factories		5,000 sqm
	Number of production workers		300
	Batteries Production & Export Data
	Type of batteries produced		Lithium
	Year when batteries were first produced		2002
	Monthly in-house capacity		700,000 units
	Average monthly production		630,000 units
	Export percentage (%)		10%
	Quality and safety approvals of products		CE, UL
	Current capacity utilization (%)		90%
	R&D and Quality Index
	Management/quality systems acquired		ISO 9001
	R&D budget (% of sales)		10%
	Technology partners		South China University of Technology; China Academy of Sciences
	Total QC workers		6
	Total R&D workers		10