Ad-hoc | 7 February 2012 07:15
Leclanché SA / Key word(s): Capital Increase
07.02.2012 07:15
Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 KR
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Not for release, publication or distribution in the United States of
America, Canada, Japan or Australia
Leclanché
Press Release
Leclanché announces successful completion of capital increase by raising
approximately CHF 28 million in gross proceeds
Yverdon-les-Bains, February 7, 2012 - Leclanché S.A. (SIX Swiss Exchange:
LECN), a Swiss company specialized in the production of large-format
lithium-ion cells and energy storage solutions, announces the successful
completion of its capital increase by raising gross proceeds of
approximately CHF 28 million. This corresponds to 93% of the maximum
transaction size. In total, Leclanché has issued a total of 2,148,238 new
registered shares and 2,148,238 warrants at the offer price of CHF 13. Net
proceeds from the issue amount to approximately CHF 25 million.
'After having made significant progress in 2011 on several fronts, the
successful completion of this capital increase supports our ambition to
become one of the leading providers for electric storage solutions based on
large format lithium-Ion technology,' said Dr. Ulrich Ehmes, CEO of
Leclanché.
He added: 'We will now focus our efforts to complete, as planned, the
installation and ramp-up of our mass production line for large-format
lithium-ion cells, which is expected to commence commercial production by
the end of the second quarter of 2012. At the same time we will pursue
concrete business opportunities by providing energy storage solutions both
in the home storage market as well for utilities and for the industrial
generation of renewable energies.'
The 2,148,238 warrants sold in the offering will entitle the holders
thereof to purchase up to 1,074,119 new registered shares at the strike
price of CHF 16 per registered share at any time during the warrant
exercise period which runs from February 6, 2012 until 12:00 noon (CEST) on
August 6, 2012. The warrants are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange as of
February 6, 2012 until and including August 3, 2012.
About Leclanché
Leclanché specializes in the production of tailor-made energy storage
solutions. Leclanché's strategy is to expand its position as one of the
leading lithium-ion cell producers and solution providers for lithium-ion
electric energy storage systems for the storage of renewable energy in
Europe. Its initial strategic priority is on stationary home electric
energy storage applications and on expanding into the stationary industrial
and grid electricity storage markets. Through participation in research
consortia focusing on off-road and automotive applications, Leclanché
intends to remain in a position to take advantage of new market
opportunities.
Through a licensed 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. Leclanché currently operates a fully automated pilot
production line with an installed annual production capacity of up to 4 MWh
in large-format lithium-ion cells. By the end of the second quarter of
2012, Leclanché expects to commence commercial production on its first mass
production line with an installed annual capacity of up to 76 MWh in
lithium-titanate cells.
Leclanché was founded in 1909 in Yverdon-les-Bains. 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 120 staff and recorded revenues of CHF 15.1
million in 2010. The company has its headquarters in Yverdon-les-Bains
(Switzerland) 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.
This press release 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. The securities have already been sold.
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.
07.02.2012 News transmitted by EquityStory AG.
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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
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