R&J Batteries Doveton Branch.
IT has been a significant year for one of Australia’s fastest growing battery distributors —R&J Batteries. What began in a run-down shed in Ballarat, Victoria has grown into an Australasian success story.
As R&J Batteries celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025, it reflects not just on the milestones achieved but on the core values that have set the company apart in a highly competitive industry.
Founded by Ray Robson and John Webb in 1995, R&J Batteries was initially established to serve Ballarat and surrounding communities. While Webb stepped away from the business in 2011, Robson has remained the driving force behind R&J Batteries, with the company growing under his leadership, from its local roots into a national leader in battery distribution boasting 29 branches and a vast network of over 10,000 stockists.
R&J Batteries’ journey over the past 30 years is marked by key milestones. The opening of a second branch in Bendigo in 2001 paved the way for national expansion, with R&J Batteries now enjoying a presence in every State and Territory in Australia.
In 2017, the company took a step beyond Australian shores by opening its first New Zealand branch in Auckland and while initially challenging to operate in a new and competitive market, R&J Batteries adhered to its core values of supplying good quality products backed by exceptional customer service. R&J Batteries has since opened branches in Christchurch, Hamilton, Nelson and Albany while continuing to expand its footprint in New Zealand.
Climate Active Certification
R&J Batteries recently became the first battery company in Australia to be officially recognised as carbon neutral under the Australian Government’s Climate Active program. Carbon neutrality is achieved when there is a balance between the amount of carbon emitted by an organisation and the carbon offsets they purchase. The Climate Active certification highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.
The battery distributor has been making voluntary changes to its business over the last two years, including reducing electricity consumption and transitioning its fleet to more fuel-efficient vehicles. With 13 of its 24 Australian branches now powered by solar energy, R&J Batteries continues to reduce its carbon footprint while driving the transition to green energy. Carbon credits from Australian and Pacific forestation projects have offset the remaining emissions, ensuring a truly sustainable operation.
“We are extremely proud to be the very first Australian battery company to be officially recognised as carbon neutral. Achieving certification under the Climate Active program was no easy feat, but it reflects our unwavering commitment to reducing our environmental impact and supporting a cleaner, greener future,” said Stuart Hamilton, Chief Executive Officer at R&J Batteries.
R&J Batteries is committed to a future where business growth and environmental sustainability go hand in hand. By pioneering climate action in the battery industry, the company aims to positively influence other Australian businesses to do their part to safeguard the planet for future generations.
R&J Batteries celebrates 30 year anniversary with custom shirts.
Expansion of OPTIMA and Motobatt Battery Brands
R&J Batteries has earned a solid reputation as a trusted supplier of high-quality and reliable battery solutions. Its portfolio of world class brands cover popular makes and models of all applications such as automotive, commercial, industrial, golf, marine, leisure and many more.
As part of its commitment to offering a diverse range of products for Australians across the country, R&J Batteries has recently expanded the distribution of OPTIMA across Australia and New Zealand, while also expanding Motobatt offerings to Kiwi shores. The OPTIMA range consists of colour-coded batteries suited to automotive, marine, and off-road applications. Motobatt brings a strong focus on advanced technology with its AGM batteries for motorcycles and recreational vehicles. By expanding the distribution of OPTIMA and Motobatt products, R&J Batteries can now service parts of the nations that were not previously serviced.
Golf and Utility Batteries
R&J Batteries offers a diverse range of products for golf carts and utility vehicles with its category leading brands such as U.S Battery, ALLiON, Predator, Lester and Flow-Rite. These trusted brands cater to various power needs and configurations, ensuring there is a solution for every requirement. With options designed for different power capacities, budget levels, and service needs, R&J Batteries ensures that every customer finds the ideal battery solution to keep their golf carts and utility vehicles running smoothly and efficiently.
U.S Battery
For close to a century, U.S. Battery has been on a mission to power industries with the highest quality and longest lasting batteries available on the market. U.S. Battery developed their lead acid batteries with Xtreme Capacity 2TM formulation and Diamond Plate Technology® and has recently added the exclusive Essential Li® series of Lithium-ion batteries to its portfolio.
U.S. Battery has been building flooded lead acid batteries since 1926 and are 100% manufactured in the USA. Available in 6-volt, 8-volt and 12-volt options, these batteries are the best choice for applications where batteries are subjected to deep discharge and fast recharge on a regular basis.
The ESSENTIAL Li® Lithium-ion battery series is powered by LiFePO4 chemistry, which is well-regarded as one of the safest lithium chemistries available as they are not susceptible to thermal runaway. With a cycle life up to three times more than standard lead acid batteries, the ESSENTIAL Li batteries are designed to be ‘the only battery you need’.
The R&J Batteries showroom at Stapylton, QLD.
ALLiON Lithium Batteries
The demand for high quality lithium batteries is increasing year after year. The ALLiON GC2 battery is a high performing 48V lithium battery with a capacity of 30Ah. This battery has been designed as a lightweight, high cycle replacement for lead acid batteries in 48V applications such as golf carts, commercial turf equipment and floor scrubbers. The safe and reliable Integrated Battery Management System (BMS) is a key feature that sets this battery apart and even small details like a dust cap over the power switch has been accounted for.
The ALLiON Battery Monitor is also available which, when connected to your CAN enabled ALLiON Batteries, can show the real-time State of Charge, voltage and current flow.
Predator Batteries
The Predator GC Series of deep cycle golf cart batteries has been attracting plenty of attention. The GC Series’ characteristic thick plates provide dimensional stability, making them suitable for high cycle motive applications such as golf carts. Their high conductivity terminals and proprietary cap design, which minimises water loss during use, both mean less down time and more time out on the course.
Lester Electrical Battery Chargers
Lester Electrical is a world leader in commercial and industry battery chargers specialising in electrical power conversions and storage for a wide range of applications. Designed in the USA, the Summit Series® II family of chargers are available in 650W, 1050W and 1425W models. Summit Series ® II chargers provide industry-leading charging performance and intelligence. Their proprietary Progressive DV /DT 
charge algorithm ensures a precisely charged battery every time and they also offer multi-voltage support. The chargers are built to last, tested in extreme temperatures and operating conditions. The 650W comes in two models, a 24V and 36/48V. The 1050W comes in one model providing 24/36/48V all in one. The 1425W also covers 24/36/48V. The chargers are equipped with Bluetooth communication and cloud connectivity. This comprehensive set of features make them ideal for use in any motive power application such as golf carts, aerial work platforms, floor care machines, industrial vehicles, lift trucks and outdoor power equipment.
Flow-Rite Battery Watering System
The Pro-Fill Single-Point Battery Watering System by Flow-Rite is specially designed for use with accessible golf cart batteries. The Pro-Fill on-board battery watering system works by replacing the battery’s existing vent caps with valves that are interconnected with tubing allowing the user to fill all cells of the battery system from a single remote location. Each valve independently shuts off water flow to the cell when the proper electrolyte level is reached, allowing the batteries to be filled perfectly without having to look at the batteries.
For more information about R&J Batteries and our portfolio of brands, please visit rjbatt.com.au or call 1300 769 282 to get in touch with the nearest R&J Batteries branch.
The post BUSINESS OF THE MONTH: R&J Batteries – An Australian success story celebrating 30 years first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia’s Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.