centrotherm photovoltaics concentrates silicon expertise in newly founded company
Blaubeuren (euro adhoc) -
- Planning, engineering, and key equipment on a one-stop shop basis
- Expansion of product portfolio to include crystallization and wafering - Simplification of Group structures
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Blaubeuren, October 20, 2008 - centrotherm photovoltaics AG, Blaubeuren, is bundling its expertise in the solar silicon area into a 100% subsidiary, centrotherm SiTec GmbH, as of October 8. centrotherm SiTec brings together the know-how of SolMic GmbH, which centrotherm photovoltaics already acquired in its entirety in August this year, and that of its former subsidiary centrotherm SiQ GmbH. This allows the company to take a further important step towards simplifying the Group structure, and creating areas of expertise with a clear performance profile. The merger aims to unify all planning, technology, and engineering services relating to design and process-optimization for the manufacturing of polysilicon, ingots, and wafers, including key equipment, under one roof. This will allow centrotherm SiTec customers to benefit from a seamlessly integrated range of services on a one-stop shop basis. Besides the well-known professional services already offered in the polysilicon area, the product range will also be supplemented to include crystallization and wafering in the future. A special focus at centrotherm SiTec is research and development aimed at pushing ahead with process-optimization in the above-mentioned production areas.
Dr. Albrecht Mozer, a specialist with over 26 years of experience in semiconductor manufacturing, will head up the management board of centrotherm SiTec. His experience includes more than 15 years of service as CTO of a well-known German polysilicon, ingot, and wafer manufacturer. Dr. Mozer, who is qualified to doctoral level in semiconductor physics, holds over 20 patents in the semiconductor technology and modules area, and has published articles and studies in over 50 specialist publications as both an author and a co-author. He was a co-founder of SolMic GmbH in 2005, and of centrotherm SiQ GmbH. Besides Dr. Mozer, the company's management includes Dr. Frank Stubhan, who is responsible for the operating business, Michael Harro Liese, who will be managing marketing and sales, and Holger Hilsenitz heading up the financial area. Dr. Stubhan helped to establish centrotherm SiQ, and draws on many years of experience as a managing director of high-tech companies. He was responsible for the creation of two joint ventures in China, and, as the holder of a doctorate in physics, contributes over 10 years of experience in the CVD processes area (chemical vapor deposition). Holger Hilsenitz has also acted as managing director in various plant engineering companies over the course of his international career, including a five-year tenure in Brazil. Michael Harro Liese, a further silicon specialist, supplements the management team of centrotherm SiTec. He has over 24 years of experience in the power setpoint adjustor area, and expanded this division into an internationally leading market position at his previous employer, a major German electrical plant and systems manufacturer.
"The founding of centrotherm SiTec allows us to create a clear profile for the solar silicon area within the centrotherm Group, and enables us to exploit synergies more efficiently," explains Robert Hartung, CEO of centrotherm photovoltaics AG. "With this new management we have a dynamic team of experts on board that will play a critical role in helping to structure the expansion of the silicon area as an important component of the solar value-creation chain." Good growth over recent months in the solar silicon division has confirmed centrotherm photovoltaics' strategy of further establishing itself across the value-creation chain, all the way through to offering complete silicon factories, while focusing on silicon manufacturing. Major orders from China and the Ukraine bear testimony to the strong position of the Blaubeuren-based company in this area. Dr. Albrecht Mozer comments: "As centrotherm SiTec, we are optimally positioned to promptly integrate our customers' requirements, and to implement our bundled know-how for the development of new solar silicon manufacturing process techniques."
end of announcement euro adhoc
Further inquiry note:
Company contact:
Saskia Schultz-Ebert
Senior Manager Investor Relations
Tel: +49 7344 918-8890
E-mail: saskia.schultz-ebert@centrotherm.de
Press contact:
Christina Siebels, Grit Pauli
HOSCHKE & CONSORTEN Public Relations GmbH
Tel: +49 40 3690 50-58 /-31
E-mail: c.siebels@hoschke.de; g.pauli@hoschke.de
Branche: Energy
ISIN: DE000A0JMMN2
WKN: A0JMMN
Börsen: Börse Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard