DGAP-Adhoc: Rolf Eckrodt resigns as Chairman of the Board of directors of Leclanché SA
24.07.2013 – 20:06
Leclanché SA / Key word(s): Change of Personnel 24.07.2013 19:58 Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 KR --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rolf Eckrodt resigns as Chairman of the Board of directors of Leclanché SA Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland, July 24, 2013 - Leclanché S.A. (SIX Swiss Exchange : LECN), which specializes in the production of large-format lithium ion cells and energy storage solutions, announces today that Rolf Eckrodt has resigned as Chairman of the Board of directors after having guided Leclanché SA to a successful medium term financing with Precept Fund Management SPC. For health reasons, his decision is effective on July 31, 2013. Until the election of a new Chairman, he will be replaced on an interim basis by Mr Stefan A. Müller, member of the Board of Leclanché. 'On behalf of the entire Board, I would like to warmly thank Rolf Eckrodt for his valuable contribution over the last few years, which were particularly important for the company. During this time, the company developed innovative energy storage solutions for domestic and industrial use, and completed a new large scale lithium-ion production unit of a capacity of 76 MWh,' commented Stefan A. Müller, 'Thanks to his broad business experience he was able to skilfully advise the company and guide its decision-making process. We wish him all the best for the future, especially for his health.' 'I am convinced that Leclanché has the right technology and industrial approach to address a large market. I am sorry to be leaving but feel that having been able to secure its medium term financing with a solid financial partner, Leclanché is now in a good position to reach commercial deployment and take advantage of this exciting market opportunity,' added Rolf Eckrodt. With over 40 years' of experience in the transport and automotive industry, Rolf Eckrodt has been serving Leclanché as Chairman of the Board since 2010. About Leclanché Leclanché's strategy is to become one of the leading lithium-ion cell producers and solution providers for renewable energy storage systems in Europe. Its strategic priorities are stationary home electrical energy storage applications and expansion into the stationary industrial and grid electricity storage markets. Through participation in research consortia focusing on hybrid and E-mobility applications, Leclanché is positioned to take advantage of new market opportunities. Through a unique, patented ceramic separator technology and focus on lithium-titanate technology, Leclanché manufactures large-format lithium-ion cells, optimized for safety and cycle-life, in a fully automated production process. The newly installed production line has an annual capacity of one million cells or 76 MWh. Leclanché was founded in 1909 in Yverdon-les-Bains. Through the integration of a spin-off from the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in 2006, the company evolved from a traditional battery manufacturer to become a leading developer and manufacturer of lithium-ion cells in Europe. Leclanché currently employs 120 staff and is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LECN). The company has its headquarters in Yverdon-les-Bains (Switzerland) and production facilities in Willstätt (Germany). www.leclanche.eu Media contact: Christophe Lamps, Dynamics Group S.A.: Telephone: +41 79 476 26 87, cla@dynamicsgroup.ch Disclaimer This press release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to Leclanché's business, which can be identified by terminology such as 'strategic', 'proposes', 'to introduce', 'will', 'planned', 'expected', 'commitment', 'expects', 'set', 'preparing', 'plans', 'estimates', 'aims', 'would', 'potential', 'awaiting', 'estimated', 'proposal', or similar expressions, or by expressed or implied discussions regarding the ramp up of Leclanché's production capacity, potential applications for existing products, or regarding potential future revenues from any such products, or potential future sales or earnings of Leclanché or any of its business units. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of Leclanché regarding future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no guarantee that Leclanché's products will achieve any particular revenue levels. Nor can there be any guarantee that Leclanché, or any of the business units, will achieve any particular financial results. 24.07.2013 News transmitted by EQS Schweiz AG. The issuer is responsible for the contents of the release. EquityStory publishes regulatory releases, media releases on the capital market and press releases. The EquityStory Group distributes authentic and real-time financial news for over 1'300 listed companies. The Swiss news archive can be found at www.equitystory.ch/news --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Company: Leclanché SA Av. des Sports 42 1400 Yverdon-les-Bains Switzerland Phone: +41 (24) 424 65-00 Fax: +41 (24) 424 65-20 E-mail: investors@leclanche.com Internet: www.leclanche.com ISIN: CH0110303119, CH0016271550 Valor: A1CUUB, 812950 Listed: SIX End of Announcement EQS Group News-Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------------