Jun. 1, 2011 (Canada NewsWire Group) --
TSX: ATA
CAMBRIDGE, ON, June 1, 2011 /CNW/ - ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. ("ATS") today announced that its subsidiary, Photowatt Ontario Inc., has entered into a supply agreement with Hanwha SolarOne (Qidong) Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of Hanwha SolarOne Co., Ltd., to produce Hanwha SolarOne photovoltaic modules for the Ontario marketplace.
The agreement is for Photowatt Ontario to produce and deliver approximately 160 megawatts of modules over four years, using cells supplied by Hanwha SolarOne with the potential for the parties to increase the volumes by up to another 160 megawatts over the four-year period. The modules, which are intended to serve demand in connection with the Ontario Feed in Tariff ("FIT") program, will be fully compliant with FIT and Micro FIT Program domestic content requirements. The agreement is subject to Photowatt Ontario satisfying itself with respect to certain technical information to be provided by Hanwha SolarOne. Shipments are currently expected to begin in October.
Photowatt Ontario will produce the modules at its photovoltaic module facility in the Green Wing of the ATS campus in Cambridge, Ontario. The "Made in Ontario" production facility, designed and built by the ATS Automation Systems Group's Cambridge division, serves Ontario's rapidly growing demand for solar energy products in residential, commercial and industrial markets as well as large-scale solar fields.
Chris Waters, Vice President and General Manager of Photowatt Ontario said: "We are very pleased to be able to assist a proven international photovoltaic company such as Hanwha SolarOne to establish in Ontario. ATS's core strengths in manufacturing automation, combined with Photowatt Ontario's solar manufacturing excellence give us an advantage in serving the rapidly growing Ontario renewable energy market. For these reasons, we are the partner of choice for many global PV companies and domestic developers alike. Working closely with ATS, Photowatt Ontario has the solar and automation know-how, facilities and resources to rapidly expand module production capacity as demand from the Ontario marketplace continues to grow."
"Our new customer relationship with Hanwha SolarOne is another positive development for Photowatt Ontario and its employees in Cambridge, as Photowatt Ontario continues to grow as a leading provider of solar solutions in Ontario and beyond," said Anthony Caputo, President and CEO, ATS. "The Green Energy Act, feed-in tariff program and domestic content goals have provided an excellent foundation for both ATS and Photowatt Ontario to apply our skills and experience to serve our home market."
Dr. Peter Xie, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hanwha SolarOne, added, "We are pleased to expand our brand to the Ontario market by joining forces with two of Canada's finest local manufacturing companies, ATS and Photowatt Ontario. Ontario's commitment to long-term renewable energy investment under the Ontario Green Energy Act provides us many favorable incentives for future growth. Likewise, Hanwha SolarOne's high-quality, cost-effective PV modules are especially suited to the needs of Ontario's domestic developers. The local expertise of ATS and Photowatt Ontario, combined with our established and growing presence in North America, will allow us to offer close management of distributors and superior customer support to the province."
Bruce Ludemann, Vice President & General Manager of Hanwha SolarOne, North America said: "We will establish a regional office in Ontario, staffed with business development, technical support and administrative personnel."
About Photowatt Ontario
Photowatt Ontario has been established as part of the Photowatt group to
serve the Ontario solar market. Combined with ATS, it is uniquely
positioned, with over one million square feet of Ontario-based
manufacturing, substantial automation and project expertise and
extensive global solar capabilities and experience to be a natural
domestic solar market leader. The module line is one element of
Photowatt Ontario's investment in Ontario to serve the Ontario solar
market with module manufacturing and turnkey solar project development
and installations. Photowatt Ontario is also developing solar projects
directly, including 64 megawatts of large-scale renewable energy
projects in Northern Ontario with a joint venture partner and is
actively pursuing partnerships with developers/building
owners/operators and municipalities for roof-top solar installations.
The Photowatt group is a turnkey solar project developer and integrated manufacturer. Photowatt designs, manufactures and sells solar modules, and installation kits, and provides solar power systems design and other value-added services, principally in Western Europe and Ontario. Photowatt France has a well-established and ongoing research and development program, alliances with energy industry leaders through the PV Alliance joint venture and 30 years of experience in processing silicon and making ingots, wafers, cells and modules. Visit the Photowatt website at www.photowatt.com and the Photowatt Ontario website at www.photowattontario.com.
About ATS
ATS Automation provides innovative, custom designed, built and installed
manufacturing solutions to many of the world's most successful
companies. Founded in 1978, ATS uses its industry-leading knowledge and
global capabilities to serve the sophisticated automation systems'
needs of multinational customers in industries such as life sciences,
computer/electronics, energy, transportation, and consumer products. It
also leverages its many years of experience and skills to fulfill the
specialized automation product manufacturing requirements of customers.
Through Photowatt, ATS participates in the growing solar energy
industry. ATS employs approximately 3,000 people at 21 manufacturing
facilities in Canada, the United States, Europe, Southeast Asia and
China. The Company's shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange
under the symbol ATA. Visit the Company's website at www.atsautomation.com.
About Hanwha SolarOne
Hanwha SolarOne Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: HSOL) is a vertically integrated
manufacturer of silicon ingots, wafers, PV cells and modules. Hanwha
SolarOne offers high-quality, reliable products and services at
competitive prices. Partnering with third party distributors, OEM
manufacturers, and system integrators, Hanwha SolarOne serves the
utility, commercial/government, and residential markets. The company
maintains a strong worldwide presence with employees located throughout
Europe, North America, and Asia and embraces environmental
responsibility and sustainability with an active role in the voluntary
photovoltaic recycling program. The Company benefits from its
strategic partnership with its largest shareholder Hanwha Group who is
active in solar project development and financing and plans to produce
polysilicon in the future. For more information visit: www.hanwha-solarone.com. HSOL-G
Notes to Readers:
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain statements that constitute
forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities
laws ("forward-looking statements"). Such forward-looking statements
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that
may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of ATS
Automation Tooling Systems Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company"),
or developments in the Company's businesses or in its industry, to
differ materially from the anticipated results, performance,
achievements or developments expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include all
disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or results of
operations that is based on assumptions about future economic
conditions and courses of action. Forward-looking statements may also
include, without limitation, any statement relating to future events,
conditions or circumstances. The Company cautions you not to place
undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak
only as of the date they are made. Forward-looking statements relate
to, among other things: the supply of 160 megawatts of modules over a
four-year period; potential for the order volume to be increased;
expectation that supply will begin in October; Photowatt Ontario
satisfying itself with respect to technical information; intention to
serve demand in connection with the Ontario FIT program; demand for
solar energy products; and expansion capability. The risks and
uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements include, among
others: economic and market conditions; the financial attractiveness
of, and demand for, solar projects and solar products; the availability
and possible reduction, modification, or elimination of government
subsidies and the potential that the market for solar products may
shrink or not grow as quickly as expected if any of these possible
outcomes is realized; the performance of the respective parties to the
agreement; that Photowatt Ontario cannot satisfy itself with respect to
technical information and as a result sales under the agreement are
delayed or do not occur; the possibility that the agreement could be
terminated early pursuant to its terms, or otherwise impaired, if a
cancellation of, or material change in, the FIT program in Ontario
occurred and, as a result, contemplated amounts to be supplied over
four years are not supplied with resulting impacts on revenue and
profitability; the availability of supplies, including production
equipment; the potential for module supplies to customers or the ramp
up to full production of the Photowatt Ontario module line to be
hindered or delayed due to an inability to procure necessary permits,
approvals, materials or equipment on a timely basis; political, labour
or supplier disruptions; and other risks detailed from time to time in
the filings of the Company with Canadian provincial securities
regulators. Forward-looking statements are based on management's
current plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions, and the
Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking
statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates,
projections, beliefs and opinions change.
Maria Perrella, Chief Financial Officer
Carl Galloway, Vice-President, Treasurer
519 653-6500