THE British lion – in the form of Accutronics – is roaring from strength to strength where the Chinese dragon whimpered and failed.

Today the Newcastle battery firm with its Li-on (lithium ion) range is a power house on the world stage.

It sells more than 90 per cent of its output overseas.

Yet it was only founded little more than two years ago when a group of investors, led by entrepreneur Rob Phillips, bought up the assets of a failed Chinese-owned battery manufacturer.

A sea-change – including massive research and development investment – later, the new owners have turned major losses into significant profits for a growing company now turning over more than £5 million a year.

Accutronics, which employs 45 people, exports to more than 30 countries.

And it is now a contender for The Sentinel Business Awards – presented in association with North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

Accutronics has been entered in the Staffordshire University-sponsored Small Business of the Year category.

Along the way it has also bought the sole distribution rights to market a range of 'smart' batteries and chargers manufactured by U.S. supply partner Inspired Energy.

It is a relationship which gives customers an off-the-shelf battery option.

Today Accutronics' largely bespoke products have a huge variety of applications ranging from hi-tech hospital monitoring and examination equipment, through motive and back-up power sources in industry, to powering battlefield night-vision goggles.

Its main customers are original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and its understanding of such clients' needs has been pivotal to its success.

Previous experience in the field had enabled managing director Rob Phillips to spot both the potential of taking over the assets of the former owners.

And highlight the market opening for a full-service, quality driven specialist battery company.

He said: "In just two years we have been able to turn the company around and write a success story.

"That is thanks to maintaining good relationships with key suppliers and customers through economically challenging times.

"From a company making a loss to a highly profitable and solvent business, we have travelled a along way in a short time thanks to clear vision and the dedication of our close-knit management team."

Results of that include a growing double-digit share of the European medical device market, with sales to leading medical OEMs now accounting for 80 per cent of turnover.

A significant research and development budget has allowed for the development of new products such as the firm's credit-card sized rechargeable 'smart' battery, part of its Intellion range.

That development is intended to help meet equipment manufacturers' current and future needs.

Rob said: "They are ideal for applications which include tele-healthcare devices, data recorders, point of sale terminals, handheld security scanners and numerous other electronic devices intended for professional use."