Australia’s largest wholly locally owned importer and distributor of battery products in Australasia, R&J says it is fuelling its next chapter of growth with the latest truck technology from Isuzu.
The company is celebrating its 30th year as the number one battery distributor and says the partnership it was forged in the reliability of Isuzu and has strengthened over decades, and it reckons it is a case study in how the right tool for the job can help propel a business to the top of its field.
R&J says that in an era defined by energy demand, whether it is the simple turn of a key or the complex needs of national power backup and the renewable revolution, it says that businesses that keep the lights on are more critical than ever.
R&J Batteries says it has evolved from a small independent operation into a dominant force across Australia and New Zealand, and believes it is a journey intrinsically linked to the vehicles that power its distribution.
R&J founders, Ray Robson and John Webb, started in December 1995 with a single, second-hand Isuzu NQR 450, and it has since grown into an enterprise with a formidable footprint.
The company now boasts 29 outlets and distribution centres, which it says is a testament to three decades of strategic growth and says its product range is a mirror of modern energy needs, spanning from the smallest point cell to immense 4,000-amp hour solar batteries that support the nation’s shift to renewables.
The company says its success is rooted in a uniquely personal service model even with 20,000 direct customers, ranging from major Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) partners to walk-in retail clients,
“While 90 per cent of our business is B2B, our hallmark is a customer service model where our team manages a dedicated list of clients every single day as part of their sales routes,” explained R&J Batteries’ CEO of Australia and New Zealand, Stuart Hamilton.
“Being the biggest independently owned distributor in Australasia isn’t just about volume; it’s about the personal touch,” Stuart explained.
“That’s why our fleet of six to 12-tonne Isuzu trucks is so critical, they are the lifeline that services a host of remote areas throughout Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland,”
R&J says that operating a national logistics operation requires a disciplined fleet strategy.
The company turns over its trucks every five years, with a cycle dictated by kilometres covered and operational efficiency.
When it comes time to choose a manufacturer, the decision has been remarkably consistent for three decades, a loyalty born from firsthand experience.
Managing director, Ray Robson, fondly recalls the humble beginnings.
“Our first Isuzu back in 1995 was an NQR 450 and it came to us with 45,000 kilometres already on the clock,” said Robson.
“Five years and 400,000 kilometres later we turned it over for a new model, and the real proof for me was hearing that original truck was still in operation years later, with well over a million clicks on it, you don’t forget that kind of durability,” he said.
“It was that first impression of Isuzu that solidified the brand for me, and it’s a standard of reliability that continues today with our latest MY25 NQR acquisition.”
R&J says that in the battery distribution business, every kilogram counts, because the product is inherently weighty, making payload capacity a non-negotiable feature.
Isuzu says its NQR, is known as a crossover model between the light and medium duty segments, and provides the essential combination of increased payload and a nimble platform, maximising efficiency and allowing drivers to navigate both industrial estates and urban deliveries with confidence.
The MY25 NQR is powered by Isuzu’s advanced 4HK1-TCC engine, delivering an enthusiastic 140 kW (190 horsepower) and supporting a robust GVM range of 8,000 kg to 8,800 kg.
R&J says that aside from ticking all the boxes operationally, the N Series aligns perfectly with its forward-looking environmental ethos.
The truck’s new powerplant complies with Australian Design Rule (ADR) 80/04 emissions standards, achieved via a combined DPD and SCR system alongside proven exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx).
Safety of its team on the road is also a top priority for R&J and on this front it says that the NQR has been significantly enhanced in 2025, with a second-generation stereo camera system, which is a key part of Isuzu’s Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS).
This comprehensive suite integrates both active and passive safety technology, including features like Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and Lane Keep Assist (LKA) fitted as standard, offering peace of mind for both drivers and management.
R& J says the partnership with Isuzu extends beyond the factory floor.
R&J Batteries mates its MY25 NQR cab chassis with a custom-made body specially engineered for its unique requirements, including robust, sliding doors that allow entire pallets of batteries and other supplies to be loaded and removed with forklift efficiency, speeding up deliveries and reducing manual handling.
Its latest acquisition, sourced through Wagga Motors Isuzu, has been assigned to the vast and varied terrain of the Victorian Gippsland region.
It covers a demanding route operating from its Bairnsdale base, that includes Moe, Lakes Entrance, Mallacoota and even crosses the NSW border to Eden, making it a vast territory where breakdowns are not an option.
“Quality is paramount over saving a buck, and a big part of that operational integrity is Isuzu trucks, especially when it comes to safety and reliability,” Robson explained.
“The MY25 NQR not only underlines the quality of the Isuzu brand, but it also reflects on our own business—that we value the best in all facets of what we do.
“The other key part is the ongoing relationship with the Isuzu dealer network; they have our back. This includes servicing, which we always get done on time and exclusively with Isuzu Genuine Parts to maintain that standard.”
R&J says the upgrade to the MY25 Isuzu range is more than a simple fleet refresh; it’s a crucial component of R&J Batteries’ wider corporate pledge to decarbonisation and sustainable operations.
“We’re proud to be the first battery company in Australia to be certified carbon neutral under the Australian Government’s Climate Active Program,” Hamilton said.
“So, with the new range of Isuzu trucks meeting the latest Euro 6-equivalent emissions standards, it is a clear and purposeful statement. We only work with partners who actively support our mission to reduce our carbon footprint.”
“The range of improvements across the board with the Isuzu MY25 models translates into tangible benefits: greater efficiencies in our total cost of ownership, a safer and more comfortable vehicle for our employees, and overall, a superior driving experience.
“From that first NQR 30 years ago to today, Isuzu has been and remains the right choice for R&J Batteries,” Hamilton concluded.
