Meyer Burger Technology Ltd further advancing focussing process at technology centre in Hohenstein-Ernstthal
Meyer Burger Technology Ltd (SIX Swiss Exchange: MBTN) announced today that it is further advancing the focussing process at its Roth & Rau AG technology and product centre in Hohenstein-Ernstthal in order to decisively align its core technologies of heterojunction (HJT) and Passivated Emitter Rear Cell (PERC) technologies for the photovoltaic industry and its plasma and ION beam surface technologies.
Both the heterojunction technology for the manufacture of high efficiency cells and the MB-PERC upgrade technology for existing cell lines are key technologies for Meyer Burger for the coating of solar cells with which cell efficiencies of ≥20% (MB-PERC) and ≥22% (heterojunction) can be achieved. The plasma and ION beam technologies from MicroSystems deliver excellent solutions for surface processing and the manufacture of sensors within the semiconductor industry and in the field of precision optics.
The restructuring measures at the product centre in Hohenstein-Ernstthal are expected to result in a reduction of around 120 personnel in Hohenstein-Ernstthal. The goal of these additional measures is the sustainable reduction in operating costs of around CHF 12 million at the Hohenstein-Ernstthal production centre.
Reduction of Management Board Roth & Rau AG
The Management Board of Roth & Rau AG will be reduced to two members. Dr Jürgen Bode will be responsible for the photovoltaic business unit. Peter Frankfurter will remain as Head of the Management Board. In addition to being responsible for Finance, he will also assume responsibility for the new Specialised Technologies business unit. Bernhard Gerber, ad interim member of the Management Board of Roth & Rau AG since 1 July 2013, will leave the Management Board as planned on 30 June 2014 in order to focus on his role as COO of Meyer Burger Technology Ltd. Thomas Hengst, current member of the Management Board responsible for Sales, will leave the Management Board effective 30 June 2014. He will continue in his sales management role at Roth & Rau AG with an emphasis on other areas.
For further information:
Werner Buchholz
Head of Corporate Communications
Phone +41 (0)33 221 25 06
werner.buchholz@meyerburger.com
Ingrid Carstensen
Corporate Communications
Phone +41 (0)33 221 28 34
ingrid.carstensen@meyerburger.com
About Meyer Burger Technology Ltd
www.meyerburger.com
Meyer Burger is a leading global technology Group specialising on innovative systems and processes based on semiconductor technologies. The Group’s focus is on photovoltaics (solar industry) while its competencies and technologies also cover important areas of the semiconductor and the optoelectronic industries as well as other selected high-end markets based on semiconductor materials. The Group currently employs more than 1,700 people across three continents. Over the past ten years, Meyer Burger has risen to the forefront of the photovoltaic market and established itself as an international premium brand by offering superior precision products and innovative technologies.
The Group’s offering in systems, production equipment and services along the photovoltaic value chain includes the manufacturing processes for wafers, solar cells, solar modules and solar systems. Meyer Burger provides substantial added value to its customers and clearly differentiates itself from its competitors by focusing on the entire value chain.
The Group’s comprehensive product portfolio is complemented by a worldwide service network with spare parts, consumables, process know-how, customer support, after-sales services, training and other services. Meyer Burger Group is represented in Europe, Asia and North America in the respective key markets and has subsidiaries and own service centres in China, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Singapore, Taiwan and the USA. The Group is also working intensively to develop new markets such as South America, Africa and the Arab region. The registered shares of Meyer Burger Technology Ltd are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (Ticker: MBTN).
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