Economy Minister has welcomed a £475,000
investment by Newry company Resonate Testing to establish the
first battery testing facility on the island of Ireland.
This milestone expansion positions Resonate Testing at the
forefront of certified lithium battery testing, catering to
industries including eBikes, electric vehicles, consumer
electronics, and the space and medical sectors. The investment
will create five high-quality jobs and is projected to boost the
company's turnover by 50% by June 2026.
During a visit to the company's new testing laboratories,
Minister Murphy said: “This pioneering new facility is a
significant development for the north which will strengthen our
position as a leader in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and
green technologies. Supported by Invest NI, this is the first
battery testing centre in Ireland, and one of only a few across
these islands. The new facility will play a crucial role in
supporting the growing demand for battery innovation and safety
testing.
“The company's focus on sustainability and innovation is
clear to see, and I am particularly impressed that Resonate
Testing is well on the way to generating 100% of its own energy.
The creation of five high-quality jobs in Newry and the company's
projected growth further demonstrates the value of this
investment for our economy.”
Invest Northern Ireland has offered support to the company to
help it develop the new battery testing facility and invest in
the equipment. The facility includes an explosive and fireproof
chamber, multiple battery abuse test rigs, a preparation area and
robust sensor equipment.
Tom Mallon, Director at Resonate Testing, said: “We have provided
leading specialist engineering test facilities to the aerospace
and advanced manufacturing sector for almost a decade. This new
battery testing facility marks a significant milestone for our
business, positioning us at the forefront of the rapidly growing
rechargeable battery sector.
“Through mechanical and environmental testing, we can ensure
product adequacy in the severest and most demanding environments,
resulting in batteries that are fit for purpose across a range of
industries. We are immensely grateful for the support from Invest
NI, which has enabled us to expand our capabilities and bring
this pioneering facility to life. We are delighted to be
supporting our own net zero ambitions and contributing to the
development of innovative and sustainable solutions for the
rapidly evolving battery sector.”
Currently, lithium batteries in the UK and Europe are
self-certified, but increasing pressure for stricter regulatory
testing and restrictions on transporting batteries on aircraft or
via postal and courier services presents significant
opportunities for the company.
John McKibben, Invest NI's Southern Regional Manager, said:
“Invest NI has supported Resonate Testing since the business was
established in 2015 through R&D, skills development, and
export growth. Our financial assistance for this latest
investment has enabled Resonate to carry out important building
adaptions and purchase battery testing equipment which will
enhance the company's capabilities. We are pleased to welcome the
launch of this new facility, which will contribute to a
regionally balanced economy and boost Newry and Northern
Ireland's reputation as a leader in this sector.”
