February 2023

Industrial Batteries Australia are extremely proud to announce a new multi-year partnership with Team 18 on the racetrack for the 2023 Repco Supercars Championship.

This deal will see Industrial Batteries Australia supply our range of CEIL battery and Motive Power products for Waverley Forklifts’ fleet of new age Toyota electric forklifts. Both Team 18 and Waverley Forklifts are owned by Forklift Industry stalwart, Charlie Schwerkolt.

Industrial Batteries Australia branding will be featured on the front bumper and the windscreen banner of Mark Winterbottom’s #18 DEWALT Racing Team 18 Camaro, with CEIL Batteries displayed on the front and windscreen of Scott Pye’s #20 Hino Team 18 Camaro.

Team 18 announced the partnership alongside team driver Scott Pye, team owner and Waverley Forklifts Group Managing Director Charlie Schwerkolt, and Industrial Batteries Australia Managing Director David Cooper.

Team 18 will shake down their two Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Supercars at Winton Motor Raceway on 16 February, before the Supercars Championship pre-season test at Sydney Motorsport Park on 22 February and the season opener for the 2023 Repco Supercars Championship at the Thrifty Newcastle 500 on 10-12 March.

Charlie Schwerkolt said of the partnership:

“To partner with not only a well known and trusted forklift battery brand in CEIL, but also an Australian success story in Industrial Batteries Australia is a feather in our cap for the team and the Waverley Forklifts Group.

“Already the synergies between both organisations are increasingly visible in terms of innovation and high-performance capabilities as we complete the first Team 18 built cars to hit the track in the Supercars Championship this year. 

“We look forward to engaging with their staff and customers throughout the season as we get set to kick off the year at the Newcastle 500 next month.”

David Cooper is excited about the year ahead:

This is an exciting partnership, and one which will further promote the Forklift Industry and the global leading Forklift products that our Company powers here in Australia, by providing Industry leading “CEIL” Batteries and Battery Chargers for all Electric Forklift products.

“Industrial Batteries Australia stands for unbeaten quality and performance, synonymous with Team 18 and their talented drivers Mark Winterbottom and Scott Pye.”

“We’re excited to support Team 18 on the track and stand alongside some of the other fantastic sponsors in our industry like Waverley Forklifts.”

“Industrial batteries Australia provides performance you can rely on.”

“I am confident of a long and successful partnership between International Batteries Australia / CEIL and Team 18.”