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EXHIBIT 99.1

Energy Conversion Devices Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2011 Financial Results

Shipments Increase 39% Over Prior Quarter

Challenges in Key European Markets Drive Lower Annual Revenue

Company to Divest Ovonic Battery subsidiary

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 25, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) (Nasdaq:ENER), a leading global provider of flexible thin-film solar laminate products and systems for the building-integrated and commercial rooftop markets, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2011.

Total consolidated revenues for the quarter were $73.1 million, compared to $21.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2011, a 240% increase, and $86.2 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, a 15% decrease. Solar product sales for the quarter were $28.9 million, compared to $17.5 million in the previous quarter, an increase of 65%, and $66.9 million in the same quarter last year, a 57% decrease. Solar system sales for the quarter were $41.3 million compared to $1.1 million in the prior quarter, and $14.4 million in the year-ago quarter. Most of the $41.3 million of solar system revenue in the fourth quarter was attributable to a single large project in Italy, which is now substantially complete.

Shipments of solar laminates in the quarter were 15.9 megawatts ("MW") compared to 11.4 MW in the previous quarter, an increase of 39%, and 33.8 MW in the year-ago quarter, a decrease of 53%.

For the fourth quarter, the company reported a net loss of $42.1 million or $0.84 per share, which includes a non-cash impairment charge of $6.0 million, or $0.12 per share. This compares to a net loss of $243.2 million, or $4.88 per share, in the previous quarter, which includes a non-cash impairment charge of $222.8 million or $4.47 per share. The net loss in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2010 was $20.9 million or $0.49 per share.

Fourth quarter net results were negatively affected by under-absorption of factory overhead costs of $9.5 million, the previously noted non-cash impairment charge of $6.0 million due to the write-down of the company's outstanding development loan for certain solar projects in Italy, a $4.1 million charge for raw materials and other commitments, a $2.3 million adjustment to the carrying value of certain inventory, and a restructuring charge of $4.6 million related to employee severance costs from the company's previously announced strategic corporate restructuring. The net impact of these items was an increase of the quarter's net loss by $26.5 million or $0.53 per share.

As of June 30, 2011, the company had $140.7 million of cash, cash-equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash, compared to $172.0 million as of March 31, 2011. The company's decrease in cash was due primarily to the cash loss from operations, timing of receipts and disbursements for system projects and capital spending on the technology roadmap.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, total consolidated revenues were $232.5 million compared to $254.4 million in the prior fiscal year. Combined solar product and system sales were $220.1 million for fiscal year 2011 compared to $227.3 million in the prior fiscal year, a decline of 3%, driven primarily by lower total shipments of 85.7 MW versus 95.4 MW in the prior year and lower average selling price, offset by an increase in system sales.

The net loss for fiscal year 2011 was $306.4 million or $6.41 per share compared to a net loss of $457.2 million or $10.75 per share in the year-ago period. Excluding non-cash impairment charges of $228.8 million and $359.2 million, respectively, the net loss for fiscal year 2011 was $77.6 million, or $1.62 per share, compared to $98.0 million, or $2.30 per share, in fiscal year 2010.

Jay Knoll, ECD's Interim President, said, "Our quarterly increase in shipments and revenue is a step in the right direction, as we are starting to see signs of returning growth in key European markets, following two disruptive quarters caused by market uncertainties. We are also continuing to expand our North American business, where we recently completed the largest operating solar rooftop project in North America and one of the largest solar rooftop projects in Ontario. Overall, we see trends in key solar markets that are favoring our unique rooftop products and we are focused on executing on these opportunities to further improve our sales.

"We are proud to announce our newest initiative, Open Solar™. By unlocking third-party innovation using our solar cells and laminates, we can expand our addressable markets while defining new product categories. Also, we will seek to more thoroughly integrate our products into building materials and everyday applications which will drive down the total cost of solar energy and increase market adoption of solar technology."

Knoll added, "At the same time, we recognize the urgent need to improve our competitiveness now and for the future in response to fundamental shifts in market dynamics and are therefore focused on our strategic corporate restructuring to reduce cost, globalize our sales and enhance our technology. As part of these initiatives, we have completed a company-wide reduction-in-force of approximately 300 associates which we expect will reduce labor expenses by more than $15 million on an annual basis coupled with an additional $5 million of other annualized cost reductions. We are also closely examining our technology roadmap to find areas where we can reduce capital expenditures, improve manufacturability and shorten ramp-up times. While this may result in near-term delays to our roadmap, we will ultimately strengthen our operational capabilities to deliver higher-efficiency and lower-cost products to our customers."

"In addition, we recently announced that we would divest our Ovonic Battery Company subsidiary to focus on our solar business. We believe that we are taking the right steps to improve the company's operations and strengthen the company for the future," concluded Knoll.

Conference Call / Webcast Details

Management of Energy Conversion Devices will review these financial results on a conference call on Thursday, August 25, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. ET. To participate in the conference call, please dial (877) 858-2512 or (706) 643-3219 (international) at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. Callers will need to reference conference ID number 91537072. The conference call will be webcast live over the Internet and can be accessed in the Investor Relations – Events section of the company's website at energyconversiondevices.com. The webcast will also be archived on the Company's website.

About Energy Conversion Devices

Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) (Nasdaq:ENER) is a global leader in building-integrated and rooftop photovoltaics. Through its United Solar Ovonic subsidiary, the company manufactures, sells and installs thin-film solar laminates that convert sunlight to clean, renewable energy using proprietary technology. ECD's UNI-SOLAR® brand products are unique because of their flexibility, light weight, ease of installation, durability, and real-world efficiency. The company also designs, manufactures and installs rooftop photovoltaic systems, which enable customers to transform unused rooftop space into a value-generating asset. ECD's Ovonic Materials Division includes the Ovonic Battery Company, the inventor and worldwide licensor of nickel-metal-hydride battery technology and the developer of proprietary advanced lithium-ion cathode materials, along with other emerging energy storage technologies. ECD's Ovonyx joint venture is the inventor and worldwide licensor of phase change memory (PCM) technology. For more information, please visit ECD on the web at energyconversiondevices.com, on Facebook and follow ECD on Twitter @ECD_ENER.

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, future net sales or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, restructuring, plans or intentions relating to expansions, business trends and other information that is not historical information.  All forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us on the date of this release and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.  Risks that could cause such results to differ include: our ability to maintain our customer relationships and establish new relationships; the worldwide market for solar energy systems; changes to government incentives related to solar energy; our customers' ability to access capital to finance the purchase of our products; our ability to achieve expense reductions and levels of one-time costs, including restructuring charges; our ability to meet all the terms and conditions of our debt obligations; and our ability through technology improvements to reduce cost and improve the conversion efficiency of our solar products.  The risk factors identified in the ECD filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, could impact any forward-looking statements contained in this release.  Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. assumes no responsibility to update any forward-looking statements contained herein. This release refers to various non-GAAP financial measures. We believe that this information is useful to understanding the operating results and ongoing performance of our underlying businesses.

ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands)
     
  Quarter Ended June 30, Year Ended June 30,
  2011 2010(1) 2011 2010(1)
Revenues
 

 

 
 
 
 Product sales $ 28,961 $ 66,889 $ 154,691 $ 200,451
 System sales  41,290  14,362  65,832  29,781
 Royalties  2,147  1,852  8,070  7,984
 Revenues from product development agreements  393  2,187  2,373  11,765
 License and other revenues  317  864  1,580  4,435
 Total Revenues  73,108  86,154  232,546  254,416
Expenses
 

 

 
 
 
 Cost of product sales  40,276  67,756  144,966  203,510
 Cost of System sales  42,178  13,645  65,280  33,087
 Cost of revenues from product development agreements  214  1,775  1,006  9,399
 Product development and research  2,904  2,530  10,259  11,347
 Preproduction costs  304  223  397  305
 Selling, general and administrative  13,720  16,645  63,079  66,797
 Loss on asset disposal  20  (188)  95  1,108
 Loss on asset impairment  6,028  --  228,831  359,228
 Restructuring costs  4,601  1,276  6,700  4,736
 Total Expenses 110,245  103,662  520,613  689,517
Operating Income (Loss)  (37,137)  (17,508)  (288,067)  (435,101)
Other Income (Expense)        
 Interest income  380  371  2,603  1,331
 Interest expense  (5,513)  (7,262)  (25,404)  (28,676)
 Gain on debt extinguishment --  4,294  3,327  4,294
 Distribution from joint venture --  --  --  1,309
 Other non-operating income(expense)  495  (988)  1,609  (2,321)
 Total Other (Expense) Income  (4,638)  (3,585) (17,865)  (24,063)
Net income (Loss) before income taxes and equity loss  (41,775)  (21,093)  (305,932)  (459,164)
Income taxes  99  (293)  394  (2,248)
Net income (Loss) before equity loss  (41,874)  (20,800)  (306,326)  (456,916)
Equity Loss  (194)  (74)  (91)  (259)
Net income (loss)  (42,068)  (20,874)  (306,417)  (457,175)
Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (68)  (73)  (345)  (113)
Net loss attributed to ECD stockholders (42,000)  (20,801)  (306,072)  (457,062)
(Loss) earnings per share, attributable to ECD Stockholders $ (0.84) $ (0.49) $ (6.40) $ (10.75)
Diluted (Loss) Earnings Per Share, Attributable to ECD Stockholders $ (0.84) $ (0.49) $ (6.40) $ (10.75)
         
Basic weighted average shares outstanding  49,804 42,544 47,827 42,533
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding  49,804 42,544  47,827 42,533
         
(1) As adjusted due to implementation of FASB ASC 470-20 (See Note 1 of our most recent 10-K).        
 
ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(In thousands)
     
  June 30,
  2011 2010(1)
ASSETS     
Current Assets:     
Cash and cash equivalents  $27,769 $79,158
Short-term investments  102,926 113,771
Accounts receivable, net  39,153 72,021
Inventories, net  68,499 61,495
Other current assets  29,022 27,237
Total Current Assets  267,369 353,682
Property, Plant and Equipment, net  91,275 301,056
Other Assets:     
Restricted cash  10,009 11,749
Lease receivable, net  10,094 10,854
Other assets  9,731 14,606
Total Other Assets  29,834 37,209
Total Assets  $388,478 $691,947
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY     
Current Liabilities:     
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  $46,958 $56,035
Current portion of warranty liability  13,642 12,125
Other current liabilities  9,897 9,130
Total Current Liabilities  70,497 77,290
Long-Term Liabilities:     
Convertible senior notes  232,226 243,654
Capital lease obligations  19,018 20,296
Warranty liability  24,338 29,210
Other liabilities  17,350 19,872
Total Long-Term Liabilities  292,932 313,032
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 16)     
Stockholders' Equity     
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 150 million shares authorized, 53,311,152 and 48,554,812    
issued at June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively  533 486
Additional paid-in capital  1,106,961 1,079,910
Treasury stock  (798) (700)
Accumulated deficit  (1,080,460) (774,388)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net  (729) (3,570)
Total ECD stockholders' equity  25,507 301,738
Accumulated deficit – noncontrolling interest  (458) (113)
Total Stockholders' Equity  25,049 301,625
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity  $388,478 $691,947
     
 (1) As adjusted due to implementation of FASB ASC 470-20 (See Note 1 of our most recent 10-K).
 
ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
  Year Ended June 30,
  2011 2010(1) 2009(1)
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net (loss) income  $(306,417) $(457,175) $7,839
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:      
Impairment loss 228,829 359,228 --
Depreciation and amortization 18,045 32,708 33,605
Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing fees 16,547 17,157 15,380
Share-based compensation 5,342 4,428 5,273
Gain on debt extinguishment (3,327) (4,294) --
Other-than-temporary impairment of investment -- -- 1,002
Net loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 95 1,258 2,287
Equity loss 91 259 --
Other -- (180) (597)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of foreign exchange:      
Accounts receivable 33,783 (8,538) (17,376)
Inventories (4,097) 35,283 (43,054)
Other assets (5,855) (8,634) (7,054)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (5,810) (7,201) 13,714
Other liabilities  (1,376) 1,525 70
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (24,150) (34,176) 11,089
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (38,418) (31,992) (242,257)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired -- (2,088) --
Investment in joint venture -- -- (1,000)
Purchases of investments (87,316) (102,657) (203,355)
Proceeds from maturity and sale of investments 94,469 231,880 6,150
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 219 48 --
Development loans 7,177 (14,155) --
Increase in restricted cash 1,740 (10,186) --
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (22,129) 70,850 (440,462)
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Principal payments under capitalized lease obligations and other debt (1,610) (1,549) (1,054)
Repayment of revolving credit facility -- (5,705) --
Repayment of convertible notes -- (8,000) --
Increase in long-term customer deposits -- -- --
Proceeds from sale of stock and share-based compensation, net of expenses -- -- 1,966
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (1,610) (15,254) 912
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (3,500) 1,359 348
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (51,389) 22,779 (428,113)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 79,158 56,379 484,492
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $27,769 $79,158 $56,379
       
(1)  As adjusted due to implementation of FASB ASC 470-20 (See Note 1 of our most recent 10-K).
CONTACT: Michael E. Schostak
         Director of Business Development & Communications
         Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
         (248) 299-6063
         investor.relations@energyconversiondevices.com