Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: "Ener1 Acquires Enertech International, Securing Automotive Lithium-ion Battery Manufacturing Capacity"

Home > Press > Ener1 Acquires Enertech International, Securing Automotive Lithium-ion Battery Manufacturing Capacity

Abstract:
Ener1, Inc. (Amex: HEV), a leading manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries for the automotive industry, announced today the closing of its acquisition of an 83% interest in Enertech International, one of South Korea's largest lithium-ion cell producers.

Ener1 Acquires Enertech International, Securing Automotive Lithium-ion Battery Manufacturing Capacity

New York, NY | Posted on October 27th, 2008

Ener1 purchased the equity stake in Enertech International (formerly Saehan Enertech) for 5 million shares of Ener1, Inc. common stock, 2.56 million warrants and $600,000 in cash from TVG Capital Partners, a mid-market private equity firm that has operated in Asia since 1998. The warrants have a two-year maturity and are exercisable into Ener1 stock at a strike price of $7.50. As a result of this transaction, Ener1's consolidated shareholders' equity is set to increase by approximately $45 million.

"This is an opportune time to buy a compelling strategic asset at a very attractive valuation," Charles Gassenheimer, CEO of Ener1, commented. "The number of hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles in circulation is set to quintuple by 2012, suggesting a potential market for automotive lithium-ion batteries at $20-30 billion, versus the $7 billion that is spent on consumer electronics today. The current manufacturing base for consumer electronics was built over a 20 year period, while this new production capacity is targeted for completion in a quarter of that time."

"We are pleased to become long-term shareholders of Ener1, Inc. We have monitored the performance of the company as a key supplier for the past 6 months and believe that Ener1 is particularly well-positioned to create significant equity value for shareholders in this explosive growth market," said Varun Bery, co-founder of TVG Capital Partners.

Gassenheimer added, "Ener1 has succeeded in overcoming significant barriers to entry in the automotive battery market through our ability to work with multiple chemistries, expressly designed for the auto industry over the past five years. These chemistries solve the current problems associated with lithium-ion battery technology including thermal performance and long life. The acquisition of a prime operational facility in a key manufacturing location accelerates our lead time and intensifies our global footprint, further substantiating Ener1's position as a market leader at a crucial time for the industry."

In addition to acquiring a state of the art production facility and highly skilled engineers, the acquisition also increases the number of patents in Ener1's extensive portfolio by 20 to a total 132, including a U.S. and worldwide patent for the stack winding and manufacturing method, a vital technique in the manufacture of large format flat (or "prismatic") cells, widely considered to be the most advanced battery solution for automotive applications. The Korean plant is ISO9001 and TL9000 certified, and generated 2007 revenues of $60.9 million, and EBITDA of $7.2 million. Enertech has previously worked with Ener1's lithium-ion battery subsidiary, EnerDel, to supply prototype and preproduction battery systems for Think Global, a European based electric vehicle manufacturer. It is expected that Think Global and EnerDel will produce the first commercially available pure electric vehicle powered with a lithium-ion battery, to be marketed in Europe at the beginning of 2009.

Ener1's manufacturing facilities in Asia and the U.S. currently have the potential to generate $125 and $250 million in annual revenues respectively, with limited additional capital expenditures. The company has stated it will continue to invest in plant and machinery to increase existing capacity as volume orders from auto manufacturers are confirmed. Once they are fully built-out, Ener1's facilities will have the ability to produce battery packs for approximately 45,000 electric vehicles, or 450,000 hybrid electric vehicles, per year which would equate to as much as $700 million in annualized revenue at current wholesale prices. Ener1 estimates that for every dollar it spends on capital expenditure, it will return $4-6 in annual revenues.

Management hosted a conference call on Thursday, October 16, to discuss the acquisition. A replay of the call is available on the company website at www.ener1.com.

Safe Harbor Statement:

Certain statements made in this press release constitute forward-looking statements that are based on management's expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "believes," "scheduled," "estimates" and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual future results and trends may differ materially from what is forecast in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and the company does not undertake any obligation to update or publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or changes in expectations after the date of this press release.

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About Ener1, Inc.
Ener1 develops and manufactures compact, high performance lithium-ion batteries to power the next generation of hybrid and electric vehicles. The publicly traded company (Amex: HEV) is led by an experienced team of engineers and energy system experts at its EnerDel subsidiary located in Indiana. EnerDel has developed proprietary battery systems based on technology originally pioneered with the assistance of the Argonne National Lab.

Ener1 is seeking to become the first company to mass produce a cost- competitive lithium-ion battery for hybrid and electric vehicles. Demand for battery solutions is being driven by a need to reduce dependence on oil as well as growing concern about vehicle emissions. In addition to the automobile market, applications for Ener1 lithium-ion battery technology include medical, military, aerospace, electric utility and other growing markets.

Major shareholders of Ener1 include Ener1 Group, Inc., a privately held, global investment and advisory firm, and ITOCHU Corporation, a Japanese trading company and distributor of manufacturing equipment essential to lithium-ion battery production. ITOCHU has annual revenue of approximately $90 billion and offices in more than 80 countries. Ener1 has also received funding from a growing number of institutional investors.

In addition to battery technology, Ener1 develops commercial fuel cell products through its EnerFuel subsidiary and nanotechnology-based materials and manufacturing processes for batteries and other applications through its NanoEner subsidiary.

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Contacts:
INVESTOR RELATIONS
Rachel Carroll
VP Corporate Communications
P: 212 920 3500

MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Coifman
Waggener Edstrom Worldwide
P: 212 551 4815

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