VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 28, 2020
/CNW/ - Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP) (TSX: BLDP) today
announced the company is expanding manufacturing capacity for
production of its proprietary membrane electrode assemblies, or
MEAs – a critical component of every fuel cell – 6x by early 2021
at its headquarter facility in Vancouver. The upgraded capacity for
production of 6 million MEAs annually, equivalent to approximately
1.66 Gigawatts of product, will make Ballard's Vancouver facility the largest fuel cell MEA
production operation globally for commercial vehicles. Details of
the expansion plan will be reviewed at Ballard's virtual
"Investor and Analyst Day 2020" event being held on
September 29th, with
further event details available here.
"We embarked on a strategic investment to expand MEA
manufacturing capacity approximately 18-months ago in preparation
for expected growth in the demand for fuel cell engines to power
Heavy- and Medium-Duty Motive applications, including bus, truck,
train and marine vessels," said Ms. Jyoti
Sidhu, Ballard Vice President
of Operations. "With completion of this expansion program planned
for early 2021, we will be providing a review of our production
capacity expansion, including a video overview, during our upcoming
virtual Investor and Analyst Day 2020 on September 29th."
Ms. Sidhu also noted, "We have focused on achieving our
operational excellence plan as we significantly expand production
capacity. In addition to the increased MEA production capability,
we are simultaneously expanding our capacity for fuel cell stacks
and assembly of complete modules, or engines, in Vancouver by a similar factor of 6-times."
Dr. Lee Sweetland, Ballard
Director of Advanced Manufacturing added, "Capacity expansion is
being enabled in part through investment in advanced manufacturing
technology, together with the extensive use of automation and
in-line quality control to drive high yields for product assembly.
We are also integrating systems, from the supply chain throughout
our manufacturing process, including a Manufacturing Execution
System to enhance available data and streamline production."
About Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems'
(NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLDP) vision is to deliver fuel cell power for
a sustainable planet. Ballard zero-emission PEM fuel cells are
enabling electrification of mobility, including buses, commercial
trucks, trains, marine vessels, passenger cars, forklift trucks and
UAVs. To learn more about Ballard, please visit
www.ballard.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements concerning the
anticipated completion date of expansion activities. These
forward-looking statements reflect Ballard's current expectations
as contemplated under section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. Any such forward-looking statements are based on Ballard's
assumptions relating to its financial forecasts and expectations
regarding its product development efforts, manufacturing capacity,
and market demand.
These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause
Ballard's actual results to be materially different, including
general economic and regulatory changes, detrimental reliance on
third parties, successfully achieving our business plans and
achieving and sustaining profitability. For a detailed discussion
of these and other risk factors that could affect Ballard's future
performance, please refer to Ballard's most recent Annual
Information Form. Readers should not place undue reliance on
Ballard's forward-looking statements and Ballard assumes no
obligation to update or release any revisions to these
forward-looking statements, other than as required under applicable
legislation.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy securities.
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SOURCE Ballard Power Systems Inc.