Vanguard and OPS Controls Join Forces to Electrify Heavy Industry

MILWAUKEE, WI – January 27, 2026 – In a significant move to accelerate the electrification of heavy-duty mobile machinery, Briggs & Stratton has announced that Ohio-based OPS Controls has joined its Vanguard™ Battery Technology Partner Program. The partnership combines Vanguard's advanced lithium-ion battery systems with OPS Controls' deep expertise in custom electrical and control systems, creating a powerful synergy aimed at providing original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with seamless, turnkey zero-emission solutions.

This collaboration marks a pivotal step in the transition away from traditional internal combustion engines in some of the world's most demanding industries, including military, utility, waste management, mining, and rail. By integrating Vanguard's scalable power sources with OPS's sophisticated control technologies, the partnership promises to help OEMs navigate the complexities of electrification, reduce operating costs, and meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations without sacrificing performance.

A Strategic Synergy in the Electrification Race

The alliance between Vanguard and OPS Controls is a calculated strategic maneuver for Briggs & Stratton, a company historically synonymous with gasoline engines. This partnership deepens its push into the burgeoning electrification market, leveraging collaboration to gain a competitive edge. Rather than simply selling battery packs, Vanguard's partner program is designed to create a comprehensive ecosystem that simplifies the adoption of electric power for OEMs.

OPS Controls, with over two decades of experience engineering robust electrical systems for rugged mobile equipment, provides the critical integration expertise that many OEMs lack in-house. The company specializes in creating custom control panels, advanced CANbus solutions, and wireless remote technologies that can now be pre-engineered to work flawlessly with Vanguard's battery packs. This "turnkey" approach is the partnership's core value proposition, allowing OEMs to shorten development cycles, reduce R&D costs, and get high-performance electric vehicles to market faster.

“OPS Controls brings deep expertise in engineering electrical systems for the most rugged mobile machinery, and we are excited to welcome them to our Battery Technology Partner program,” said David Frank, senior vice president and president of Electrification at Briggs & Stratton. “Their ability to integrate our scalable battery systems with their custom control panels and CANbus solutions will be vital in helping OEMs deploy complete electrification packages that reduce total operating costs and meet environmental goals.”

Powering Progress in Demanding Sectors

The impact of this partnership is poised to be felt across several industrial sectors where electrification has historically faced significant hurdles. In underground mining, for instance, the move to zero-emission equipment is critical for improving air quality and worker safety. For utility and waste management fleets operating in urban and residential areas, the quieter, cleaner operation of electric machinery offers a substantial reduction in noise and air pollution.

The collaboration directly addresses the key drivers pushing these industries toward electrification. Beyond environmental regulations and corporate sustainability goals, there is a compelling business case built on a lower total cost of ownership. Electric powertrains have fewer moving parts than diesel engines, resulting in significantly reduced maintenance needs and less downtime. The fast-charging capabilities and extended runtime of Vanguard's batteries further enhance productivity, ensuring machinery is available when needed. End users will ultimately benefit from machines that are not only cleaner and quieter but also more efficient and reliable.

“Partnering with Vanguard allows us to deliver electrification solutions that combine cutting-edge battery technology with our proven control systems — helping OEMs meet sustainability goals without compromising performance,” noted Brandon Flick, vice president of OPS Controls. This sentiment underscores a shared vision for accelerating the adoption of sustainable, high-performance systems across the off-highway equipment landscape.

Advanced Technology Under the Hood

At the heart of this partnership is a fusion of advanced battery technology and sophisticated control systems. Vanguard's lithium-ion battery portfolio is engineered specifically for the harsh conditions of industrial use. The product line includes a range of modular battery packs from 1.5 kWh to 10 kWh, which can be connected in parallel to create systems as large as 100 kWh, offering OEMs immense flexibility to match power to application needs.

These batteries are not simply a power source; they are an intelligent system. An integrated Battery Management System (BMS) continuously monitors voltage and temperature to prevent damage and ensure safe operation. Using high-quality cylindrical cells with built-in safety mechanisms and a design that resists passive propagation, Vanguard has prioritized reliability and safety. The packs are housed in durable metal casings designed to withstand vibration, impact, and moisture, and can even be pressure-washed.

This robust power technology is then seamlessly integrated by OPS Controls. Their expertise in CANbus communication allows the Vanguard battery to "talk" to the vehicle's other systems, providing real-time data on state-of-charge, temperature, and performance. This integration enables intelligent power management, optimizing efficiency and extending the life of both the battery and the machine. By combining Vanguard's U.S.-assembled battery packs with custom-engineered wire harnesses and control panels from OPS, OEMs receive a fully vetted, plug-and-play power solution. This level of integration ensures that end users gain quieter, cleaner, and more efficient machines with significantly reduced maintenance and downtime, backed by an extensive eight-year commercial limited warranty on the battery packs.