Azure Dynamics Reports Fiscal 2008 Year End Results
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OAK PARK, MI, March 31, 2009: Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX: AZD & LSE: ADC) ("Azure" or the "Company") a leading developer of hybrid electric and electric powertrains for commercial vehicles, today announced its financial results for the three and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2008. The Company also provided an update on corporate and product development activities in the year.
"2008 was highlighted with the launch of our revolutionary Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric commercial delivery truck and shuttle bus vehicles. As a result, we were able to nearly triple our sales revenue versus 2007," said Scott T. Harrison, Azure Chief Executive Officer. "Significantly, despite the difficult global and national economies, we're expecting to continue our sales revenue growth in the upcoming year as more customers continue to seek vehicles that reduce operational costs and improve their environmental position."
Key 2008 Milestones
- Completed private placement offering of $25 million at a significant
premium to the market. The financing allows Azure to continue its
product development and commercialization activities.
- Executed an agreement with Waukesha, IN, based Utilimaster for the
assembly, hybridization, and manufacturing engineering of Azure's
Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric (P1) commercial delivery vans and shuttle
buses.
- Shipped a record number of units during the year, including
149 Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric vehicles to a variety of major
delivery van and shuttle bus customers including Purolator, AT&T,
FedEx Express, Consolidated Edison and others.
- Achieved new orders for the LEEP Freeze(TM) (Low Emission Electric
Power) system to provide dependable power for transport refrigeration
and cold storage product protection.
- The Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric shuttle bus passed the U.S. federal
government's rigorous "Altoona" durability test enabling purchasers
of the units to apply for significant financial assistance from the
government.
- As a result of the 2008 initiative to broaden the sales, service and
distribution network for Azure's Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric
vehicles, the company has signed a total of 26 dealerships to date.
- In January 2009, Azure signed a five year supply agreement with
Johnson Controls-Saft under which Johnson Controls-Saft will supply
the Company with its state-of-the-art lithium-ion hybrid batteries.
This agreement with one of the world's leading developers of hybrid
electric technology will enable Azure to provide a cost-effective,
consistent and timely product flow to all of its customers.
Financial Results
Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2008 totaled $2.6 million compared to $0.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. For the year ended December 31, 2008 revenue increased to $7.7 million compared to $2.8 million in 2007. Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2008 totaled $14.5 million, or $(0.04) per share compared to a loss of $8.4 million or $(0.03) per share in the fourth quarter of 2007. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company's net loss was $38.9 million, or $(0.12) per share, compared to a net loss of $30.2 million, or $(0.14) per share in 2007.
Before contributions, the Company's engineering, research and development ("R&D") expenses in the quarter totaled $6.0 million (including $3.1 million in product development costs), compared to $5.0 million for the same period in 2007 (including $2.7 million in product development costs). For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company's engineering and R&D expenses totaled $21.5 million (including $11.6 million in product development costs) compared to $17.8 million in 2007 (including $10.0 million in product development costs).
As of December 31, 2008, the Company's cash and cash equivalents totaled $13.8 million and working capital totaled $19.8 million, compared to cash and cash equivalents of $24.1 million and working capital of $32.3 million as at December 31, 2007. During the year, the Company completed an equity financing, raising net proceeds of $24.3 million to fund ongoing product development, operations and working capital.
Corporate
"During 2008 we accomplished all our major goals and positioned ourselves to become a major player in the hybrid electric commercial vehicle business in the future," said Harrison. "Our partnership with Ford to hybridize their E-450 commercial vans continued to grow stronger, our manufacturing arrangement with Utilimaster ran smoothly, and our new agreement with Johnson Controls-Saft resolves potential future battery supply problems, so we feel very good about where we are. Our products are performing well in customer fleets and we're hearing from potential new customers on a regular basis.
"Our major concern is the same as everybody else, the state of the economy. Customers are reluctant to make new investments while their own businesses are in flux and until they have a better idea of where the economy is headed," said Harrison. "My belief is that opportunity exists at every inflection point. The economy is certainly at an inflection point and our recent restructuring and product development activities will enable us to take full advantage of opportunities as they arise. Furthermore, we are encouraged by the Obama administration's stimulus plans and believe that Azure's products will qualify for federal funding assistance from a variety of programs. The addition of federal support could greatly accelerate our production ramp."
Azure's restructuring, announced this January, included a 25% workforce reduction, cuts in discretionary spending, and a focused effort to share its product development costs with its partners. It also involved rationalization of the product line to allow the company to concentrate its efforts on existing products and product programs.
Product Development
Azure continued to form significant relationships with industry leaders to increase penetration into its target markets and advance its product development programs. Along with Ford Motor Company, StarTrans (a business division of Supreme Corporation), Utilimaster Corporation and Kidron, Azure also formed relationships with Altec and launched new products with key customers such as FedEx Express, AT&T and Purolator.
G1 Series (7,500 to 16,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight, "GVW")
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- Purolator's fleet of 49 G1 hybrid vehicles has accumulated over
930,000 miles as of December 31, 2008. The vehicles are deployed in
Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver. Nine of the 19 diesel
hybrids have now surpassed three years in service, while the 30 G1
gas hybrids have exceeded a year and a half in service.
- Azure delivered 16 more G1 hybrid shuttle buses (CitiBus Hybrid
Senator HD or "CitiBus") in 2008 including 10 for PennDOT. Five buses
sold to Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (BOEDC) have
now been in service for approximately one year.
Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric (P1) Parallel (10,000 - 19,000 lbs. GVW)
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- During 2008, the Company completed the production launch of the main,
Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric development program on the model year
2008 Ford E-450 chassis. The Company also started model year 2009
production in December.
- In total, the Company delivered 149 model year 2008 Balance(TM)
Hybrid Electric chassis in 2008. 105 of these were delivered to
Purolator, 20 to FedEx Express and 15 to AT&T. These vehicles
accumulated more than 200,000 miles while in service in 2008.
- The Federal Transit Administration's accelerated seven year
durability test on the shuttle bus variant was completed in September
in Altoona, Pennsylvania and the final report has now been issued.
This successful completion of this test qualifies Azure's Balance(TM)
gasoline hybrid drive system for federally-supported hybrid bus
purchases by public transit agencies across the United States.
LEEP Freeze(TM) & LEEP Lift(TM) (Low Emission Electric Power)
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- Azure and Kidron continued their relationship on the LEEP Freeze(TM)
system and supported 12 fleet demonstrations including over a week
trial in Phoenix during the month of August, where the LEEP
Freeze(TM) system demonstrated its capability to effectively operate
at temperatures above 100 degree F.
- Azure delivered seven LEEP Freeze(TM) systems to Kidron in the fourth
quarter which will be used in conjunction with the Kidron cold plate
technology, of which six were delivered to Buchy Foods in Ohio.
- Azure and Altec signed a Memorandum of Understanding in March, 2008
to develop LEEP Lift(TM) systems for electric utility and telecom
aerial lift trucks. Pursuant to the completion of the definitive
agreement, Altec will integrate Azure's LEEP Lift(TM) systems into
their utility and telecom truck bodies and Altec will market, sell
and service the systems through their existing sales and service
network.
- The first demonstration LEEP Lift(TM) system was commissioned and
tested during the third quarter and delivered to Altec for additional
internal testing. The initial unit demonstrated up to a 30% fuel
savings versus a conventionally equipped truck on a representative
test cycle. This vehicle will be used for various customer in-service
demonstrations in early 2009.
Other Product Developments
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- Azure evaluated, developed and tested advanced energy storage systems
throughout 2008 including NiMH and Li-Ion batteries as well as
ultracapacitors.
- Azure continued to develop and test advanced power electronics,
electric motors and flexible embedded control systems in 2008,
including gasoline engine control, automatic transmission control as
well as advanced energy management and diagnostic strategies.
Sales and Marketing Highlights:
- The Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric is the only hybrid shuttle bus to
have been certified as Altoona tested. Under the current guidelines,
successful completion of this test qualifies Azure's Balance(TM)
Hybrid Electric drive train system for Federal Transit Authority
(FTA) programs of up to 80% funding when purchased by public transit
agencies across the United States. In addition to FTA programs,
Azure's Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric may qualify for up to a $3,000 US
Federal tax credit and/or numerous individual state and agency
programs
- The Company shipped 16 G1 CitiBus Series Hybrid Electric shuttle
buses and 31 Force Drive(TM) Electric vehicle systems in 2008.
- Azure's LEEP system was specified in an order from a major player in
the baking industry. As a whole, the baking industry operates one of
the largest vehicle fleets in North America.
- On January 13, 2009, Johnson Controls-Saft and Azure Dynamics managed
a joint press conference at the North American International Auto
Show at Cobo Hall in Detroit. The conference attracted over 200
guests and resulted in more than 250 relevant media placements.
Coverage of the announcement was included in prestigious outlets such
as: New York Times; Wall Street Journal; Automotive News as well as
significant coverage in on-line news sources like MSN; CNN; AOL;
Yahoo to name just a few.
- Azure Dynamics has been featured in numerous automotive,
environmental, business and lifestyle publications. Select titles
include: Business News Network (BNN), Forbes; Government Product
News; Green Car Journal, Popular Mechanics; Automotive Engineering
International; Trailer Body Builders; Ward's Auto World.
- Displayed the Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric to thousands of potential
customers at the Bus Con Conference at Navy Pier in Chicago and at
the American Public Transit Association in San Diego. Products
received favorable response from shuttle bus industry attendees.
- Azure has signed Sales and Service agreements with 26 Ford
Dealerships in key major metro markets.
- The Company is researching current federal stimulus bill elements and
will manage an aggressive marketing campaign to educate and encourage
customers to participate.
Conclusion
"2009 is going to be a difficult business year for everybody. The economy is going to take awhile to settle and in the meantime businesses and consumers alike are going to be nervous about spending," said Harrison. "Having said that, I'm confident the economy will come back and when it does Azure will be in a sweet spot to help fleet owners control their fuel and maintenance costs and decrease the environmental impact of their products. Overall, we are well positioned and are ready with products the market needs as soon as the market is ready to purchase again."
