Advent Technologies announces acquisition of the Fischer Group’s fuel cell systems businesses.
Advent Technologies Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADN) (“Advent”) announced that it had successfully closed its acquisition of Serenergy A/S (“SerEnergy”) and fischer eco solutions GmbH (“FES”), the fuel cell business of the fischer Group.
SerEnergy, which operates facilities in Aalborg, Denmark, and in Metro Manila, Philippines, is a leading manufacturer of high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane (“HT-PEM”) fuel cells globally, with thousands of systems shipped around the globe during its 15 years of operation.
The company employs approximately 75 people across its two locations in research and development (“R&D”), production, sales and service, all with expertise in the area of HT-PEM fuel cell systems. SerEnergy manufactures remote, off-grid power fuel cell systems that are a natural fit for Advent’s “Any Fuel. Anywhere.” strategy and portfolio.
FES, which operates out of a facility on fischer Group’s campus in Achern, Germany, provides fuel-cell stack assembly and testing as well as the production of critical fuel cell components, including membrane electrode assemblies (“MEAs”), bipolar plates, and reformers.
Effective as of the closing of the transaction, Advent entered into a lease for the portion of the fischer Group’s campus used by FES. Its 17 employees, along with all of SerEnergy’s employees, are expected to remain with Advent.
Dr. Vasilis Gregoriou, Chairman and CEO of Advent, remarked,
We are excited to welcome the highly skilled and innovative team of SerEnergy and fischer eco solutions to the Advent family.
“The technical expertise and manufacturing capabilities of our new colleagues in Denmark and Germany are an excellent match for our strategic growth plan. We expect the SerEnergy off-grid and telecom-tower products to benefit significantly from Advent’s product development advances in new materials.”
“In return, we expect that the manufacturing experience they bring will further accelerate our go-to-market plan. This acquisition is expected to position Advent as a fuel cell leader with the ability to deliver thousands of systems per year in the off-grid, portable, and other power-generation markets, with capacity in place.”
Hans-Peter Fischer, General Manager of the fischer Group, stated,
The Fischer family is pleased with the merger and the cooperation with Advent.
“From the start we were aware of Advent’s strong technology, and during the past months we have gotten to know the people who drive the company. They are uniquely qualified to take the fuel cell business to the next level.”
“Advent is already a key player in the decarbonization of energy and now, with this merger, the company is ready to move forward fast. As a major shareholder, the Fischer family is excited to share in that growth potential.”
Gleiss Lutz Hootz Hirsch PartmbB, Kromann Reumert, and Ropes and Gray acted as legal counsel to Advent and Grant Thornton served as its financial advisor. Ernst & Young, Duane Morris LLP, and Tecnafin GmbH acted as counsel to the fischer Group.
Advent Technologies Announces Acquisition of the fischer Group’s Fuel Cell Systems Businesses, Boston, Mass, September 1, 2021