Venner Accumulators ~1950's

[Cleggy]

I have a small silver-zinc accumulator made by Venner Accumulators back in the 1950's, which is still in its original packaging, with little plastic ampoules of sodium hydroxide solution, having never been used. Back in their day, silver-zinc batteries offered very good storage density and were used in various missiles and space applications.

Some time ago, I searched Google and found out the Venner company had come to the end of the road sometime around 1970, though their accumulator business had been picked up by someone else....who it turn were acquired by some multinational, and the final owner was still in business to the current time. Sadly, I didn't make any notes, and searching Google today, I cannot find anything about Venner's fate .

I'd be very grateful if anyone could offer me any info about what happened to Venner Accumulators.

Thanks

[Cleggy]

Sorry guys, false alert - I've managed to find the tunnel again. Venner were acquired in 1971 by the French headquartered Saft company, which is a name not previously known to me, but is a big multinational and does actually still make batteries in the UK!

[Refugee]

Saft used to make NiCad batteries and now make NiMh batteries for exit lights in public buildings.
You can by there domestic batteries from the likes of Farnell and so on.

[Cleggy]

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel deeply glum when you learn about yet another British company that just didn't survive and was bought out by some overseas outfit? You know, little companies like...Rolls Royce cars!

[Terry]

Is it just me ...

Don't tempt me! Considering the letter that BMW sent to all Rolls Royce staff recently on the subject of a certain referendum, you are in danger of taking this thread down the (forbidden!) political path ...

[Cleggy]

The best company I ever worked for got sold to one our American competitors. Pretty much everyone volunteered for redundancy and I was one of the lucky ones who got out!

I wonder if this small Venner unit (unused and still in its MoD packaging) could have any collector value? May be SAFT would buy it for their heritage exhibition (if they have one). A house move is looming so a clear-out is in progress.