DGAP-Adhoc: Leclanché SA provides business updates
12.12.2013 – 07:06
Leclanché SA / Key word(s): Miscellaneous 12.12.2013 07:00 Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 KR --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Press Release Leclanché SA provides business updates Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland, December 12, 2013 - Leclanché S.A. (SIX Swiss Exchange: LECN), specialized in the production of large-format lithium-ion cells and energy storage solutions, today confirmed that its EBITDA loss for the year is likely to be at or close to the target previously announced and provided a business update. Leclanche SA 2013 Guidance On July 9, 2013 Leclanché SA stated that it expected its EBITDA loss for the year to December 31, 2013 to be less than 10 million CHF versus a loss of 12.9 million CHF in 2012. Based on unaudited results year to date, the Company confirms that its EBITDA loss for the year is likely to be at or close to this target. This is consistent with its turnaround plan. New appointments Leclanché SA is pleased to announce that Mr. Joachim Simonis, Head of Sales and Marketing, and Mr. Thierry Perronnet, General Manager Distribution, both of whom joined the company earlier this year, have been appointed to the company's Executive Committee. In addition, and in line with its plan to continuously review and reduce procurement costs, Leclanché announced the appointment of Mr. Ralf Kimmel as Strategic Buyer. Mr Kimmel is a German national and a graduate of the University of Applied Sciences of Pforzheim where he specialised in purchasing and logistics. He previously worked in the automobile sector at TRW Automotive and in the Industrial Chemicals industry at Rhodia and Syngenta. Business update Leclanché further announced that it has secured orders for a 25kWh system from the Haute Ecole Spécialisée de Suisse Occidentale and a 63kWh system for a commercial application to a client in Germany. A 25kWh system was also delivered to the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) for micro-grid research in September. Furhermore, consistent with its strategy of building an international network of alliances, it has signed three international distributorship/agency agreements with Ampere SPA in Italy, JAL Limited in Saudi Arabia and Bisol EPC in Slovenia, Ampere SPA is an established distributor of electrical equipment in Italy and will be responsible for the development of Leclanché sales of Stationary and Portable products and cells in Italy. JAL Limited is a leading electrical contractor in Saudi Arabia and will be responsible for the development of Leclanche's sales of both Stationary and Portable products in Saudi Arabia, the GCC countries and Jordan. Bisol EPC is an established manufacturer of solar equipment in Eastern Europe and will be responsible for the development of Leclanché sales of both Portable and Stationary products in Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Greece and Cyprus. Financial Results The Company will announce preliminary unaudited consolidated revenue on January 15, 2014 and the audited financial results for 2013 on March 5, 2014. About Leclanché Leclanché's strategy is to become one of the leading lithium-ion cell producers and solution providers for energy storage systems in Europe. Its strategic priorities are to develop and market energy storage products for home, industrial markets and grid applications and to grow its existing businesses of developing portable energy storage systems for military, medical and industrial applications. It also includes providing a range of professional energy storage systems to a diversified customer base. 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 will have 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 more than 100 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. 12.12.2013 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------