- Repositioning standard PV business solutions to Asia, mainly China
- Continued strategic focus on further developing Heterojunction, SWCT™ and next step cell/module technologies
- Increased robustness against market volatility by substantial reduction of net earnings breakeven point
Meyer Burger Technology Ltd (SIX Swiss Exchange: MBTN) today launched a transformation programme and structural changes to further increase customer proximity, optimise its global production footprint and existing fixed cost base and improve the company’s robustness against market volatilities.
Hans Brändle, CEO of Meyer Burger said: “Meyer Burger successfully returned to profitability in the first half of 2018. However the same period also showed substantial market volatility in terms of customer demand for our photovoltaic products and solutions. We have initiated an ambitious transformation programme that will enable Meyer Burger to become leaner and more focussed. Our strategic priorities remain Heterojunction, SmartWire Connection Technology as well as next generation cell/module technologies.”
Repositioning standard PV business solutions to Asia
As the manufacturing industry for PV wafers, cells and modules is predominantly located in Asia, Meyer Burger will also move a significant part of its global sales and services functions for the standard PV business solutions from Europe to Asia, largely to China. The company is also evaluating further outsourcing or co-operation partnership models for its standard PV products in order to bring its mainstream business closer to its customers and localise design and manufacturing to reduce costs and safeguard margins. At the same time, the global production footprint will be optimised. With these moves, Meyer Burger’s future PV business activities will be mainly concentrated in Hohenstein-Ernstthal (Germany) and Wuxi-Shanghai (China). The company will rightsize its headquarter structure accordingly.
Strategic priorities: Heterojunction, SWCT™ and next generation cell/module technologies
Meyer Burger will concentrate its strategic focus in PV mainly on Heterojunction, SmartWire Connection Technology (SWCT™) and on promising next generation cell/module technologies, such as tandem cells that use different types of stacked cells. We have registered increased customer interest in these technologies. In particular, enquiries from prospects outside of China have gained momentum. However, as the market environment remains uncertain, the timing of order entries continues to be difficult to predict.
