ENER Accretion Acquisition Corporation

- Solar Gross Margin Exceeds 33% due to Continued Focus on Operational Excellence ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., Nov. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) (NASDAQ:ENER), the leading global manufacturer of thin-film flexible solar laminate products for the building integrated and commercial rooftop markets, today announced financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. Total consolidated revenues for the quarter were $95.8 million, an increase of 16 percent over the $82.4 million in revenues from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, and 104 percent higher than revenues of $47.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Solar product sales were $89.5 million, a 16 percent sequential increase and a 124 percent increase over the prior- year quarter. The average selling price for solar laminates during the quarter was $3.04. Net income for the first quarter was $12.7 million, or $0.29 per fully diluted share, compared to net income of $9.9 million, or $0.24 per fully diluted share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, and a net loss of $7.6 million, or $0.19 per fully diluted share, in the year-ago period. The company reported net operating cash flow of $26.5 million for the first quarter, versus a use of cash of $14.8 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2008. First quarter net income and per-share figures include preproduction costs of $2.0 million or $0.05 per fully diluted share, restructuring costs of $0.2 million, or less than one cent per fully diluted share. The company also recorded an "other-than-temporary impairment of investment" of approximately $1.0 million, or $0.02 per fully diluted share, to reflect the decreased market value of a floating rate note issued by Lehman Brothers. Gross margin in the first quarter on solar product sales was 33.4 percent, and total gross margin was 34.1 percent. United Solar Ovonic produced 30.8 MWs and shipped 29.5 MWs of solar laminates in the first quarter. Mark Morelli, ECD's president and chief executive officer, said, "Fiscal 2009 is off to a strong start and demand continues for UNI-SOLAR products from our target markets in Europe, Asia and the US. We recognize that there are new challenges in the present environment, and we are actively managing our business model accordingly. For example, our ongoing commitment to operational excellence enabled us to complete the retrofit of our Auburn Hills 1 facility quickly, while simultaneously ramping a new production line in Greenville ahead of schedule. These improvements elevated our productivity during the quarter and contributed to stronger than anticipated gross margins." Harry Zike, ECD's vice president and chief financial officer, commented, "Our strong balance sheet and fully funded growth plan differentiates us in today's market. With a strong cash position, positive operating cash flow, and an increasing earnings stream, we have the resources to fund demand-driven growth." Guidance for Second Quarter and Fiscal Year For the fiscal second quarter ending December 31, 2008: -- Consolidated revenues are expected to be $100 - $108 million. -- Solar product sales are expected to be $95 - $103 million. -- Gross margin on solar product sales is expected to be approximately 33 percent and total gross margin is expected to be approximately 34 percent. -- Pre-production costs are expected to be $2.0 - $2.5 million. -- Restructuring costs are expected to be $1.0 - $1.4 million. For the full 2009 fiscal year ending June 30, 2009: -- Total consolidated revenues are expected to be $455 - $485 million. -- Solar product sales are expected to be $430 - $450 million. -- Gross margin on solar product sales is expected to be approximately 34 percent, and total gross margin is expected to be approximately 35 percent. -- Pre-production costs are expected to be $7.0 - $9.0 million. -- Restructuring will be completed in the second quarter and costs are expected to be $1.2 - $1.6 million. This is a reduction of $1.3 - $1.4 million compared to previous guidance. "Looking ahead, we believe that our proven value proposition, strong balance sheet, focus on operational excellence and sustained profitable growth will continue to set us apart from the competition. We have the right strategy, which is to target countries with the highest feed-in tariffs for rooftop and building-integrated solar photovoltaic installations. Our opportunity in the U.S. is even greater now that the federal ITC has been extended. We continue to implement meaningful operational improvements which lower our costs and help us meet the continued demand for our products. In these uncertain times, our customers and partners place even greater value on ECD's financial strength and operational stability," concluded Morelli. Conference Call / Webcast Details Management of Energy Conversion Devices will review these financial results on a conference call on Monday, November 10, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. ET. The dial-in number for the live audio call is 877-858-2512 or 706-634-6076 (international) with conference ID number 71196238. The conference call will be webcast live over the Internet and can be accessed in the Investor Relations - Conference Calls - section of the company's website at http://www.ovonic.com/. An audio replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call. The audio replay will remain available until 11:59 p.m., November 12, 2008, and can be accessed by dialing 800-642-1687 or 706-645-9291 (international), with conference ID number 71196238. The webcast will also be archived on the company's website. About Energy Conversion Devices Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD) (NASDAQ:ENER) is the leader in building integrated and commercial rooftop photovoltaics, one of the fastest growing segments of the solar power industry. The company manufactures and sells thin-film solar laminates that convert sunlight to energy using proprietary technology. ECD's UNI-SOLAR(R) brand products are unique because of their flexibility, light weight, ease of installation, durability, and real-world efficiency. ECD also pioneers other alternative technologies, including a new type of nonvolatile digital memory technology that is significantly faster, less expensive, and ideal for use in a variety of applications including cell phones, digital cameras and personal computers. For more information, please visit http://www.ovonic.com/. This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, future net sales or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans or intentions relating to expansions, business trends and other information that is not historical information. All forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us on the date of this release and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Risks that could cause such results to differ include: our ability to achieve sustainable profitability; our ability to maintain our customer relationships; our ability to expand our manufacturing capacity in a timely and cost-effective manner; the worldwide demand for electricity and the market for solar energy; the supply and price of components and raw materials for our products; and the resolution of pending legal disputes. The risk factors identified in the ECD filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, could impact any forward-looking statements contained in this release. ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share data) (unaudited) Quarter Ended September 30, 2008 2007 Revenues Product sales $90,801 $42,467 Royalties 1,344 1,015 Revenue from product development agreements 3,271 2,877 Other revenues 349 683 Total revenues 95,765 47,042 Expenses Cost of product sales 60,967 35,069 Cost of revenues from product development agreements 2,181 1,709 Product development and research 2,190 3,462 Preproduction costs 1,977 2,545 Selling, general and administrative 14,434 11,695 Restructuring charges 244 2,515 Total expenses 81,993 56,995 Income (Loss) from operations 13,772 (9,953) Other income (expense) Interest income 2,604 2,452 Interest expense (2,732) - Other nonoperating expense (926) (60) Total other (expense) income (1,054) 2,392 Net income (loss) before income taxes 12,718 (7,561) Income taxes 57 6 Net income (loss) $12,661 $(7,567) Basic net income (loss) per share $.30 $(.19) Diluted net income (loss) per share $.29 $(.19) Shares used in calculation of net income(loss) per share(1): Basic 42,222 39,838 Diluted 43,052 39,838 (1) Excludes for 2008 the effect of the 3.4 million shares loaned pursuant to the share lending agreement ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In Thousands) September 30, June 30, 2008 2008 (unaudited) ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $467,018 $484,492 Short-term investments 11,201 14,989 Accounts receivable (net) 63,165 53,525 Inventories 34,342 31,337 Assets held for sale 1,532 1,539 Property, plant and equipment (net) 443,390 404,119 Other 54,171 51,966 TOTAL ASSETS $1,074,819 $1,041,967 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Accounts payable and other current liabilities $68,455 $52,103 Long-term liabilities 350,396 347,952 TOTAL LIABILITIES 418,851 400,055 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 655,968 641,912 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $1,074,819 $1,041,967 ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In Thousands) Quarter Ended September 30, 2008 2007 (unaudited) OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net Income (loss) $12,661 $(7,567) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 6,969 3,693 Stock and stock options issued for services rendered 1,478 268 Other-than-temporary impairment of investment 964 - Other 330 713 Changes in working capital 4,130 (11,915) NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES 26,532 (14,808) INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchases of property, plant and equipment (including construction in progress) (46,909) (30,118) Investment in joint venture (1,000) - Purchase of investments - (42,400) Proceeds from maturities of investments 2,700 66,760 Proceeds from sale of investments - 10,610 Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment - 9 NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES (45,209) 4,861 NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES 935 758 EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 268 118 NET CASH FLOW (17,474) (9,071) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD 484,492 80,770 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $467,018 $71,699 ENERGY CONVERSION DEVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES SEGMENT REVENUE AND OPERATING INCOME/(LOSS) (In Thousands) Quarter ended September 30, 2008 2007 2008 2007 Income (Loss) from Revenues Operations United Solar Ovonic $91,811 $41,887 $20,786 $(468) Ovonic Materials 3,879 5,092 254 (700) Corporate activities(1) 75 169 (7,327) (8,833) Consolidating entries - (106) 59 48 Consolidated $95,765 $47,042 $13,772 $(9,953) (1) Revenues consist primarily of services, facilities and miscellaneous administrative and laboratory services provided to certain affiliates; expense primarily includes corporate operations, including facilities, human resources, legal, finance, information technology, business development, purchasing and restructuring. Segment Operations - United Solar Ovonic (In Thousands) Quarter ended September 30, 2008 2007 PV product sales $89,450 $39,870 Megawatts produced 30.8 10.4 Megawatts shipped 29.5 13.1 Cost of product sales 59,589 32,622 Gross margin 29,861 7,248 Gross margin % 33.4% 18.2% Research and development revenue $2,361 $2,017 Total revenues 91,811 41,887 Other expenses: Cost of revenues from product development agreements 1,555 1,150 Product development and research 984 1,125 Preproduction costs 1,977 2,545 Selling, general and administrative expenses 6,920 4,913 Total other expenses 11,436 9,733 Income (loss) from operations $20,786 $(468) Segment Operations - Ovonic Materials (In Thousands) Quarter ended September 30, 2008 2007 Product sales $1,351 $2,615 Cost of product sales 1,437 2,568 Other revenues: Royalties 1,345 1,015 Product development agreements 910 860 Other revenues 273 602 Other revenues total 2,528 2,477 Total revenues 3,879 5,092 Other expenses: Cost of revenues from product development agreements 627 577 Product development and research 1,206 2,338 Selling, general and administrative Expenses 355 309 Total other expenses 2,188 3,224 Income (loss) from operations $254 $(700) Segment Operations - Corporate Activities (In Thousands) Quarter ended September 30, 2008 2007 Other revenues $75 $169 Other expenses: Selling, general and administrative expenses 7,157 6,486 Restructuring costs 245 2,516 Total expenses 7,402 9,002 Loss from operations $(7,327) $(8,833) DATASOURCE: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. CONTACT: Mark Trinske, Vice President, Investor Relations & Communications, +1-248-299-6063 Web site: http://www.ovonic.com/

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