Contact Magazine April 2018

INNOVATORS
Lange Trinidad
to supply the
Caribbean’s battery
needs
WORDS By: natalie dookie
PHOTOGRAPHY courtesy: LANGE TRINIDAD
Astalwart in the automotive industry since 1957, Lange is one of the
leading battery distributors in Trinidad and Tobago. With 80 employees
and four departments – automotive, batteries, industrial and insurance –
the firm was one of the first companies in Trinidad and Tobago to earn an
official “SME 2000 certification for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Quality and
Environmental Management System”.
Today, Lange is building on that track record of success by establishing its first
manufacturing venture, through its subsidiary LTL Manufacturing Limited.
Lange carries a wide range of battery products, including Premium, E-Series,
Heavy Duty, 6-Volt, Traction and Gel Batteries for light and heavy duty automotive
application. It also supplies the construction and marine sectors’ needs.
Steven Blanc, Chief Operating Officer, Lange Trinidad Limited, notes that the
locally produced TRACK battery brand, established in 1987, is a household name
with consumers. “In 2014, we began looking at new export markets and decided to
source an international supply that would be able to compete on quality globally.
“Eventually, we found a manufacturer in Turkey, which met our needs of being
strong on quality, and research and development. We began importing from them
with the goal of setting up a plant in Trinidad and Tobago.”
From importer to manufacturer
Blanc believed that, as Trinidad and Tobago was heavily reliant on revenues from
the oil and gas industry, there was a shortage of export-oriented manufacturing
businesses generating foreign exchange. “We saw this opportunity as a member of
the private sector, to help improve the economy, through diversifying our business
into manufacturing. As a distribution firm, we had been experiencing foreign
exchange challenges, and wanted to reduce our import bill. Now, as an export driven
manufacturer, we will become a net positive US dollar earner.”
The Ministry of Trade and Industry came in for high praise from Blanc, who
credits their team with providing excellent support to first-time manufacturers,
especially one like Lange, whose product is sophisticated and requires significant
engineering and research and development services. The Ministry also assisted with
obtaining the necessary certifications, and with the preparations for export. The
Environmental Management Authority (EMA), the Customs and Excise Division and
exporTT were also helpful in getting Lange to this point.
10
Trinidad
and Tobago Chamber
of Industry and Commerce
www.chamber.org.tt/contact-magazine