Ad-hoc | 8 November 2011 18:20
Leclanché SA / Key word(s): Miscellaneous
08.11.2011 18:20
Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 KR
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Press Release
This document constitutes neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation to
buy any securities. It does not constitute a prospectus pursuant to art.
652a and/or 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or art. 27 et seq. of the
SIX Swiss Exchange Listing Rules. A decision to invest in shares of
LECLANCHE S.A. should be based exclusively on the issue and listing
prospectus published by the company for such purpose. This press release
and the information contained herein are not for distribution in or into
the United States of America and must not be distributed to U.S. persons
(as defined in Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended
('Securities Act')) or to publications with a general circulation in the
United States. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a
solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities in the United States.
The securities of LECLANCHE S.A. have not been and will not be registered
under the Securities Act and may not be offered, sold or delivered within
the United States or to U.S. persons absent registration under or an
applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities
Act. There will be no public offer of securities of LECLANCHE S.A. in the
United States.
This press release is directed only to persons (i) who are outside the
United Kingdom or (ii) who have professional experience in matters relating
to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and
Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2001 (as amended) (the
'Order') or (iii) who fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) ('high net worth
companies, unincorporated associations, etc.') of the Order (all such
persons together being referred to as 'Relevant Persons'). Any person who
is not a Relevant Person must not act or rely on this communication or any
of its contents. Any investment or investment activity to which this
communication relates is available only to relevant persons and will be
engaged in only with Relevant Persons.
Leclanché's Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting approves all agenda items
with a large majority
- Creation of a conditional capital for the issuance of shareholder
options in the maximum amount of CHF 6'471'700
- Ordinary increase of the share capital by a maximum nominal amount of
CHF 3'750'000 through the issue of a maximum of 750'000 new registered
shares
- Shareholders' approval opens the way to the intended capital increase
Yverdon-les-Bains, 8 November 2011 - Leclanché SA (SIX Swiss Exchange:
LECN), specialized in the production of large-format lithium-ion cells and
energy storage solutions, today announces shareholders approved all agenda
points with a large majority at its Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting
held today in Yverdon-les-Bains. Shareholders decided in particular to
adopt the suggested creation of a conditional capital for the issuance of
shareholder options in the maximum amount of CHF 6'471'700 as well as an
ordinary increase of the share capital by a maximum nominal amount of CHF
3'750'000 through the issue of a maximum of 750'000 new registered shares.
This approval opens the way to a planned capital increase to finance the
final phase of commissioning the new mass production line for large format
lithium-ion cells, its adaptation to larger lithium-ion cells type 17.300,
as well as other costs related to its ramp-up, and to increase the
company's working capital in connection with the expansion of its
production capacity and for general corporate purposes
'Today's approval was important as it will allow Leclanché to pursue its
strategic development plans and take advantage of upcoming market
opportunities,' said Rolf Eckrodt, Chairman of the Board of Directors. 'We
will now consider the implementation of the planned capital increase to
notably allow Leclanché to enter the growing market of energy storage at
industrial scale with a 'container' solution.'
About Leclanché
Leclanché specializes in the production of tailor-made energy storage
solutions and is a leading manufacturer of large-format lithium-ion cells
in Europe. Through a unique, patented ceramic separator technology for
increased thermal safety, the core element of lithium-ion cells, Leclanché
is capable of manufacturing cells with above-average safety features and a
significantly increased life in an automated production process. The
Company's core markets are industries that have the highest demands on
energy storage systems. They include energy storage solutions, which allow
better utilization of the power supply system, large hybrid diesel engines
and electric vehicles.
Leclanché currently operates a fully automated pilot production line for
large format lithium-ion cells with a theoretical annual maximum capacity
of up to 4 MWh. To prepare for an increase in demand, Leclanché is
currently in the process of expanding its production capacity by setting up
a new production line for large format lithium-ion cells with a theoretical
annual maximum capacity of up to 76 MWh.
Leclanché was founded in 1909 in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland. Through
the integration of a spin-off from the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in 2006, the
Company developed from being a traditional battery manufacturer to becoming
a leading developer and manufacturer of lithium-ion cells in Europe.
Leclanché currently employs 110 staff and recorded revenues of CHF 15.05
million in 2010. The Company has its headquarters in Yverdon-les-Bains and
has production facilities in Willstätt, Germany. Leclanché is listed on the
SIX Swiss Exchange (LECN).
Media contact:
Christophe Lamps, Dynamics Group S.A.: Telephone: +41 79 476 26 87,
cla@dynamicsgroup.ch
Contact for German media:
Markus Wieser, CNC AG: Telephone: +49 89 599 458 114,
markus.wieser@cnc-communications.com
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.
08.11.2011 News transmitted by EquityStory 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: CH0016271550, CH0110303119
Swiss Security Number: 812950 , A1CUUB
Listed: SIX
End of Announcement EquityStory News-Service
---------------------------------------------------------------------------