Shaun ‘Mr Invicta’ Burrows is a driving force behind Sealed Performance Batteries (SPB)

The National Sales Manager for Sealed Performance Batteries (SPB), Shaun Burrows was born and raised around Brisbane’s northside in sunny Queensland.
“Aside from a brief stint living in the UK, I have always lived locally,” he explains.
While today he might be a well-known face of Australia’s battery industry, it wasn’t until his early thirties that Shaun knew this was the career path he wanted to take.
“My first job was actually as an apprentice butcher straight out of high school – my uncle owned a few shops and I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, so I just figured it was a start. But spending hours in a cold-room did not fill me with joy, that is for sure,” Shaun reflects.
“After I realised the butcher shop held no future for me, I took a job working at the Royal Children’s Hospital as a wardsperson. I figured I always liked helping people, so why not get paid for it?
“After a few years there, I felt a change was in order. I had always enjoyed sport and keeping fit, so I figured I would try my hand at Personal Training. I ended up moving to the UK on a working visa and did a year working as a personal trainer over there and loved it.
“Once I returned to Australia, however, I managed to injure my shoulder in a touch footy mishap, then a severe abdominal tear, an appendix removal, and a minor heart operation ultimately spelled the end for my fitness journey.
“From there I was a bit lost on what to do, so I took a job as a delivery driver for a battery company.”
It was here that everything changed for Shaun.
“I quickly realised there was a lot more to batteries than a box and terminals,” he said.
“I had the pleasure of working with very knowledgeable experts within the industry, including our very own Ryan Hammond, which really sparked a passion to learn everything I possibly could about the products and the applications they fit.
“Now here I am, 15 years later, getting to help design new products, travel the country training and working with some great people and incredible businesses, and still learning every day.”

Ten years ago, Shaun made the move to Sealed Performance Batteries (SPB) – a decision he holds up as something that was definitely the right thing to do.
“I had learned a lot and truly enjoyed my time at my previous business, but I felt I had run out of room to grow. Since coming to SPB almost 10 years ago, I have learned so much more than I thought possible, grown my own career significantly, and have been able to share the journey from being a good business to a truly standout business,” Shaun explains.
Since Shaun joined SPB, the business has grown substantially.
“From a small battery shop to the business you see now, SPB has been working and improving for over 25 years,” Shaun said.
“When I first started, we had a decent sized warehouse in Queensland, a small office space in Melbourne, and were opening a small space in Sydney.
“Since then, we have opened a branch in Perth, upgraded to a large facility in Melbourne, upsized twice in Sydney, and secured warehouses in Mackay, Townsville, and Cairns.
“Our staff has also grown dramatically, which has introduced entirely new skill sets and knowledge bases.
“Just recently, we moved to our new HQ in Queensland: 50 percent larger than our previous space, our new facility is over 2,800m2, providing us with the room we need to grow.
“This expansion will allow us to increase our stock levels and improve logistical efficiency, ensuring our customers receive the products they need even faster.
“Looking to the future, we are still looking at more locations, and of course, new and innovative products to bring to market.
“I can only see growth for us, as we have all the right tools to make our brands household names in the Australian market.”
When asked what makes SPB a leader in battery distribution in Australia, Shaun says it comes down to the three Ps.
“Passion, People, and Products,” he said.
“From the owners to the legends in our warehouse, our whole team put in to provide the best we can in service, quality and innovation. And we manage to have a bit of fun along the way which makes everything a bit easier.
“Of course, there are always going to be challenges in business, for example, the economy, competitors, and so on, and obviously, the cost of living, and the volatile international trade situations that are always changing.
“But as long as we continue to hire the right people and sell the right product, I can’t see any challenges that can’t be overcome.”
Shaun is quick to extol the virtues of the products SPB offers, while giving a hint of what is coming up.
“The Energizer Automotive range was a great new lineup that really increased our national reach with a recognisable household brand and has been overwhelmingly successful since its introduction two years ago,” he says.

“The Invicta Lithium range has always managed to impress, and the Xero product with its advanced comms and waterproof casing have been a mover.
“The Invicta Black has really changed the market in the budget friendly space, and we are looking forward to expanding that range in the future.
“We will also soon be releasing a new range of DCDC Chargers, increasing our Inverter range and a few new battery sizes on the way.
“When I started we really only had a few brands, in Powersonic, ACDelco and Invicta.
“Since then we have grown to incorporate the Energizer Automotive range, we have built the Zeal VRLA brand from nothing, and Invicta Lithium has gone from new kid on the block to market leader.
“We have the Spectrum home solar range, and now we are launching another great quality product range in Zeal Automotive, which is backed by one of the biggest battery companies in the world, Leoch.
“Our new Zeal Automotive range will also sit as our value option for workshops, offering exceptional value at a price everyone can afford.
“When it comes to what is next, Lithium Iron Phosphate is still the star performer, but we are keeping our eye on the future of things like sodium ion.
“Sodium Ion is an exciting product but, in our opinion, it still has a while to develop. But we are continually keeping our finger on the pulse with new technology.”
As a high achiever of the industry, Shaun has the following advice for those starting out.
“Listen and learn: our industry has some great minds, with lots to teach,” he said.
“And find a product you are truly passionate about. If you are selling something you use and honestly believe in, it doesn’t feel very much like work.”
When he isn’t undertaking his varied duties for SPB, Shaun loves to spend time with his family.
“I have an amazing wife and two great boys, aged seven and three. Obviously as much as I love my work, the family is always number one in my life,” Shaun says.
“My older boy Maximus is the Karate Kid. He has a very keen mind and much like his father he can talk underwater!
“Our little man Logan is a character; always quick to smile and cause a little chaos. And they were absolutely named after Gladiator and Wolverine if you were wondering!
“My wife Madison is my rock and an absolute star. I couldn’t do the travel and the time I do at work without her never-ending support. I still thank my lucky stars she had low enough standards to give me a shot!” he laughed.

To learn more about SPB, visit www.spb.net.au or contact the team on 1300 001 772 or sales@spb.net.au