Business Wire News

Kao Has Set New Targets for 1.5°C Science Based Target Initiative Certification, and Is Aiming to Join RE100

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--#CO2--Kao Corporation (TOKYO:4452) has set new targets for realizing a decarbonized society and is aiming to reduce its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to zero by 2040, and become a carbon negative company by 2050. Consequently, Kao is now seeking to upgrade the 2.0°C target certification it was awarded by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)*1 in 2019 to 1.5°C. It has also signed up to the “Business Ambition for 1.5°C” initiative, which was launched by the UN Global Compact, the SBTi, and We Mean Business. This is a corporate pledge for businesses to set science-based targets aligned with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C instead of 2.0°C. In addition, Kao is aiming to join RE100, an international program which brings together hundreds of large businesses committed to 100% renewable electricity.



*1 The SBTi is an international joint initiative by the CDP, the UN Global Compact, the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The SBTi provides science-based verification and certification as to whether the greenhouse gas reduction targets set by business enterprises are consistent with the decarbonization levels mandated by the Paris Agreement.

The Kao Group has been working with a variety of stakeholders to reduce the environmental impact throughout their products lifecycles. In April 2019, Kao defined a sustainable lifestyle in an age of increasing consumer needs as the Kirei Lifestyle, and developed the Kirei Lifestyle Plan (KLP), a new ESG Strategy. The Japanese word 'kirei' describes something that is both clean and beautiful. For Kao, Kirei not only encapsulates appearance, but also attitude—to create beauty for oneself, other people, and for the world around us. Mid- to long-term targets have been announced for each of the 19 “Kao Actions” as specified by the KLP, which includes decarbonization.

Recently, Kao’s responsibilities have grown as well as the role it is expected to play in relation to tackling climate change caused by global warming. In order to be able to deliver a Kirei Lifestyle not only to today’s consumers but also to the consumers of the future, Kao has set new decarbonization objectives aimed at the realization of a decarbonized society. By implementing Innovation in Reduction and Innovation in Recycling with regards to CO2, Kao is aiming to achieve carbon zero by 2040, and carbon negative 2050 in its business activities. Kao is also proceeding with the development of products, services, and technologies that will contribute towards reducing CO2 emissions in society as a whole.

The Kao Group’s new decarbonization objectives

Aiming to be carbon zero by 2040, and carbon negative by 2050.

CO2 related Innovation in Reduction /Targets to achieve zero CO2 emissions by 2040

By 2030, Kao will have reduced Scope 1+2*2 CO2 emissions (absolute value) by 55% (taking 2017 as the base year) *3

  • In line with the SBTi 1.5°C target, Kao has increased the rate of reduction, which was originally set in 2019 (as one of the mid- to long-term decarbonization goals in the Kirei Lifestyle Plan ESG strategy), by 22% (taking 2017 as the base year) in Scope 1+2 CO2 emissions (absolute value).
  • By utilizing the internal carbon pricing system that was adopted in 2006, Kao is promoting the use of equipment that has low CO2 emissions, and in the use of renewable energy.

*2 The volume of greenhouse gases emitted directly by business enterprises and other organizations.
*3 1.5°C target certification from the SBTi has been applied for.

By 2030, 100% of the electricity used will be sourced from renewable energy*4

Kao is aiming to join the RE100 initiative, and will continue to use renewable energy in its business practices with the adoption of photovoltaic electricity generation equipment and the purchase of electricity generated from renewable energy.

*4 Kao has applied for RE100

By 2030, Kao will have reduced CO2 emissions (absolute value) throughout the product lifecycle*5 by 22% (taking 2017 as the base year)*6

  • Kao will continue to implement the mid- to long-term decarbonization targets outlined in 2019 in the Kirei Lifestyle Plan ESG strategy.
  • Kao will promote reduction in raw material usage, use of natural raw materials, development of water-saving products, reduction in plastic packaging usage, and use of recycled plastic.

*5 The volume of CO2 emissions deriving from raw materials procurement, manufacturing, transportation, product usage, and disposal of used products.
*6 1.5°C target certification from the SBTi has been applied for.

By 2030, CO2 emissions in society as a whole will have been reduced by 10 million tons through the use of Kao products and services

In its Consumer Products business and Chemical business, Kao will promote the development of products, services, and technologies that contribute towards the sustainability of society.

CO2 related Innovation in Recycling/ Targets to achieve negative CO2 emissions by 2050

Kao will develop technology that enables CO2 to be used as a raw material.

About Kao
Kao creates high-value-added products that enrich the lives of consumers around the world. Through its portfolio of over 20 leading brands such as Attack, Bioré, Goldwell, Jergens, John Frieda, Kanebo, Laurier, Merries, and Molton Brown, Kao is part of the everyday lives of people in Asia, Oceania, North America, and Europe. Combined with its chemical division, which contributes to a wide range of industries, Kao generates about 1,400 billion yen in annual sales. Kao employs about 33,000 people worldwide and has 130 years of history in innovation. Please visit the Kao Group website for updated information.
https://www.kao.com/global/en/

Related Information

Kao Sustainability website
https://www.kao.com/global/en/sustainability/

Kao launches new ESG Strategy “Kirei Lifestyle Plan” to support consumer lifestyle changes
https://www.kao.com/global/en/news/sustainability/2019/20190422-001/

Kao’s New Challenges for the Future: Accelerating Purposeful Business Commitment with ESG
https://www.kao.com/global/en/news/business-finance/2019/20190926-001/


Contacts

Media inquiries should be directed to:
Hiwako Yoshino
Corporate Strategy
Kao Corporation
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SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--APsystems has joined the approved vendor list (AVL) for Loanpal, the nation’s leading technology platform for residential solar financing.


The partnership brings APsystems’ advanced microinverter technology to Loanpal’s fast, frictionless financing experience, delivering further value to residential solar customers throughout the U.S.

“The tremendous value and convenience Loanpal delivers to homeowners makes them the perfect partner,” said Ryan Davies, U.S. Head of Sales & Operations for APsystems. “We’re proud to bring our solar technology to the Loanpal platform to help empower more homeowners to build their renewable energy future.”

APsystems is currently an approved vendor with several solar financing firms including Mosaic, Sungage Financial, Dividend and Ygrene. The addition of Loanpal to this list of solar financing platforms further expands U.S. homeowners’ access to APsystems’ groundbreaking technology.

About APsystems

APsystems is the #1 global multi-platform MLPE solution provider, offering both AC and DC MLPE power conversion products as well as energy storage and rapid shutdown devices for the global solar PV industry. APsystems microinverters are intelligent, innovative, and the best-selling multi-module microinverters in the world.

Founded in Silicon Valley in 2010, APsystems encompasses 4 global business units serving customers in more than 120 countries. With millions of units sold producing more than 1 TWh of clean, renewable energy, APsystems continues to be a leader in the ever-growing solar MLPE segment.

Information on APsystems can be found at https://APsystems.com.


Contacts

Press contact: Jason Higginson – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

World’s first comprehensive energy roadmap shows government actions to rapidly boost clean energy and reduce fossil fuel use can create millions of jobs, lift economic growth and keep net zero in reach


PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--#NetZero2050Roadmap--The world has a viable pathway to building a global energy sector with net-zero emissions in 2050, but it is narrow and requires an unprecedented transformation of how energy is produced, transported and used globally, the International Energy Agency said in a landmark special report released today.

Climate pledges by governments to date – even if fully achieved – would fall well short of what is required to bring global energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to net zero by 2050 and give the world an even chance of limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 °C, according to the new report, Net Zero by 2050: a Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector.

The report is the world’s first comprehensive study of how to transition to a net zero energy system by 2050 while ensuring stable and affordable energy supplies, providing universal energy access, and enabling robust economic growth. It sets out a cost-effective and economically productive pathway, resulting in a clean, dynamic and resilient energy economy dominated by renewables like solar and wind instead of fossil fuels. The report also examines key uncertainties, such as the roles of bioenergy, carbon capture and behavioural changes in reaching net zero.

“Our Roadmap shows the priority actions that are needed today to ensure the opportunity of net-zero emissions by 2050 – narrow but still achievable – is not lost. The scale and speed of the efforts demanded by this critical and formidable goal – our best chance of tackling climate change and limiting global warming to 1.5 °C – make this perhaps the greatest challenge humankind has ever faced,” said Fatih Birol, the IEA Executive Director. “The IEA’s pathway to this brighter future brings a historic surge in clean energy investment that creates millions of new jobs and lifts global economic growth. Moving the world onto that pathway requires strong and credible policy actions from governments, underpinned by much greater international cooperation.”

Building on the IEA’s unrivalled energy modelling tools and expertise, the Roadmap sets out more than 400 milestones to guide the global journey to net zero by 2050. These include, from today, no investment in new fossil fuel supply projects, and no further final investment decisions for new unabated coal plants. By 2035, there are no sales of new internal combustion engine passenger cars, and by 2040, the global electricity sector has already reached net-zero emissions.

In the near term, the report describes a net zero pathway that requires the immediate and massive deployment of all available clean and efficient energy technologies, combined with a major global push to accelerate innovation. The pathway calls for annual additions of solar PV to reach 630 gigawatts by 2030, and those of wind power to reach 390 gigawatts. Together, this is four times the record level set in 2020. For solar PV, it is equivalent to installing the world’s current largest solar park roughly every day. A major worldwide push to increase energy efficiency is also an essential part of these efforts, resulting in the global rate of energy efficiency improvements averaging 4% a year through 2030 – about three times the average over the last two decades.

Most of the global reductions in CO2 emissions between now and 2030 in the net zero pathway come from technologies readily available today. But in 2050, almost half the reductions come from technologies that are currently only at the demonstration or prototype phase. This demands that governments quickly increase and reprioritise their spending on research and development – as well as on demonstrating and deploying clean energy technologies – putting them at the core of energy and climate policy. Progress in the areas of advanced batteries, electrolysers for hydrogen, and direct air capture and storage can be particularly impactful.

A transition of such scale and speed cannot be achieved without sustained support and participation from citizens, whose lives will be affected in multiple ways.

“The clean energy transition is for and about people,” said Dr Birol. “Our Roadmap shows that the enormous challenge of rapidly transitioning to a net zero energy system is also a huge opportunity for our economies. The transition must be fair and inclusive, leaving nobody behind. We have to ensure that developing economies receive the financing and technological know-how they need to build out their energy systems to meet the needs of their expanding populations and economies in a sustainable way.”

Providing electricity to around 785 million people who have no access to it and clean cooking solutions to 2.6 billion people who lack them is an integral part of the Roadmap’s net zero pathway. This costs around $40 billion a year, equal to around 1% of average annual energy sector investment. It also brings major health benefits through reductions in indoor air pollution, cutting the number of premature deaths by 2.5 million a year.

Total annual energy investment surges to USD 5 trillion by 2030 in the net zero pathway, adding an extra 0.4 percentage points a year to global GDP growth, based on a joint analysis with the International Monetary Fund. The jump in private and government spending creates millions of jobs in clean energy, including energy efficiency, as well as in the engineering, manufacturing and construction industries. All of this puts global GDP 4% higher in 2030 than it would reach based on current trends.

By 2050, the energy world looks completely different. Global energy demand is around 8% smaller than today, but it serves an economy more than twice as big and a population with 2 billion more people. Almost 90% of electricity generation comes from renewable sources, with wind and solar PV together accounting for almost 70%. Most of the remainder comes from nuclear power. Solar is the world’s single largest source of total energy supply. Fossil fuels fall from almost four-fifths of total energy supply today to slightly over one-fifth. Fossil fuels that remain are used in goods where the carbon is embodied in the product such as plastics, in facilities fitted with carbon capture, and in sectors where low-emissions technology options are scarce.

“The pathway laid out in our Roadmap is global in scope, but each country will need to design its own strategy, taking into account its own specific circumstances,” said Dr Birol. “Plans need to reflect countries’ differing stages of economic development: in our pathway, advanced economies reach net zero before developing economies. The IEA stands ready to support governments in preparing their own national and regional roadmaps, to provide guidance and assistance in implementing them, and to promote international cooperation on accelerating the energy transition worldwide.”

The special report is designed to inform the high-level negotiations that will take place at the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) of the United Nations Climate Change Framework Convention in Glasgow in November. It was requested as input to the negotiations by the UK government’s COP26 Presidency.

“I welcome this report, which sets out a clear roadmap to net-zero emissions and shares many of the priorities we have set as the incoming COP Presidency – that we must act now to scale up clean technologies in all sectors and phase out both coal power and polluting vehicles in the coming decade,” said COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma. “I am encouraged that it underlines the great value of international collaboration, without which the transition to global net zero could be delayed by decades. Our first goal for the UK as COP26 Presidency is to put the world on a path to driving down emissions, until they reach net zero by the middle of this century.”

New energy security challenges will emerge on the way to net zero by 2050 while longstanding ones will remain, even as the role of oil and gas diminishes. The contraction of oil and natural gas production will have far-reaching implications for all the countries and companies that produce these fuels. No new oil and natural gas fields are needed in the net zero pathway, and supplies become increasingly concentrated in a small number of low-cost producers. OPEC’s share of a much-reduced global oil supply grows from around 37% in recent years to 52% in 2050, a level higher than at any point in the history of oil markets.

Growing energy security challenges that result from the increasing importance of electricity include the variability of supply from some renewables and cybersecurity risks. In addition, the rising dependence on critical minerals required for key clean energy technologies and infrastructure brings risks of price volatility and supply disruptions that could hinder the transition.

“Since the IEA’s founding in 1974, one of its core missions has been to promote secure and affordable energy supplies to foster economic growth. This has remained a key concern of our Net Zero Roadmap,” Dr Birol said. “Governments need to create markets for investments in batteries, digital solutions and electricity grids that reward flexibility and enable adequate and reliable supplies of electricity. The rapidly growing role of critical minerals calls for new international mechanisms to ensure both the timely availability of supplies and sustainable production.”

The full report is available for free on the IEA’s website along with an online interactive that highlights some of the key milestones in the pathway that must be achieved in the next three decades to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.


Contacts

Media contacts International Energy Agency
Merve Erdil
Media Relations Officer
Tel.: +33 784 53 1149
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NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sherritt International Corporation (“Sherritt”) (TSX:S) today announced the appointment of Leon Binedell, a 25-year mining industry veteran with a history of building shareholder value, as President and CEO effective June 1, 2021.


“In searching for our new Chief Executive, the Board was mindful of the need to recruit a candidate with the strategic capability to drive Sherritt’s future agenda whilst at the same time possessing a thorough understanding of mining,” said Sir Richard Lapthorne, Chair of Sherritt’s Board of Directors. “I am delighted with Leon’s appointment. He is a dedicated leader whose deep sector expertise and proven ability to deliver results in complex stakeholder and multi-jurisdictional landscapes will be great advantages for Sherritt for many years to come. His proactivity, high ethics, strategic mindset and dependability make him a true asset, and we are confident in Sherritt’s ability to create significant value under his leadership.”

Originally from South Africa, Mr. Binedell is a mining executive with 25 years of industry experience in leading global mining companies and adjacent joint ventures. Most recently, he worked as Chief Financial Officer of Guyana Goldfields Inc. (“Guyana Goldfields”), a Canadian-based gold producer focused on gold deposits in Guyana. During his tenure with Guyana Goldfields, Mr. Binedell was instrumental in maximizing shareholder value and ensured stability through the effective recruitment of team members, the renegotiation of all major operating and supply contracts and the development of finance and governance practices that guided Guyana Goldfields through its successful sale.

Mr. Binedell has served in a variety of senior leadership roles at leading mining companies, including nickel and other base metals businesses. Prior to joining Guyana Goldfields, he served as Finance Operating Executive with Resource Capital Funds, a leading private equity fund focused on the mining sector and the commercialization of mining innovation. In his role, he advised a portfolio of 25 companies representing $2 billion in assets under management that spanned seven commodities and mining related innovations across eight countries on improving their overall strategies, financial performance and finance practices. Additional sector experience includes his time as National Leader of Finance Consulting in Mining & Energy at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, General Manager of Business Services at Xstrata Nickel (now Glencore) and Chief Financial Officer at Koniambo Nickel SAS.

“I am excited to be joining Sherritt at this important juncture in its ongoing transformation as the Company continues to capitalize on growing demand for high-purity nickel and cobalt, while also expanding its Technologies business,” said Leon Binedell, incoming President and CEO of Sherritt. “Sherritt’s exposure to the electric vehicle revolution and unique ability to deliver crucial hydrometallurgy technology illustrates that the business has a compelling future. I look forward to building on the nearly 100 years of Sherritt’s history in innovation and to delivering long-term value for our shareholders while continuing our focus on safe, environmentally conscious operations for the benefit of our employees and various stakeholders.”

Mr. Binedell will succeed current President and CEO David Pathe, who in November 2020 announced his intention to step down from the role in 2021. As previously communicated, Mr. Pathe will remain with Sherritt for a period of time to ensure an orderly transition. He will leave Sherritt after almost 10 successful years as Chief Executive improving every aspect of its business. He guided the Company through its contractual obligations from the legacy Ambatovy Project to completion, rebuilt the balance sheet by eliminating $3.5 billion in debt, and improved performance from operations, all amid challenging market conditions and an increasingly hostile US policy towards Cuba. Mr. Pathe additionally showed clear commitment to environmental stewardship and fostered the diverse and inclusive culture that Sherritt has today.

“David’s performance as Chief Executive was critical to Sherritt during a difficult and extremely volatile period for the nickel market, which provided no space for financial comfort," said Sir Richard. “His tireless work over many years addressing financial recovery from the consequences of the Ambatovy investment produced the remarkable balance sheet restructuring completed last year. This, in turn, enabled Sherritt to stop needing to spend all its time looking backwards. Instead, Sherritt is now able to look to the future with confidence and optimism, and has started to create options for setting the Company onto a positive trajectory. That is David’s legacy. The Board and I thank him and wish him great success in his future endeavours.”

Notice of Annual Meeting

Sherritt’s 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on May 20th, 2021. As a result of the continuing impact of COVID-19 and to ensure the health and welfare of our shareholders, employees and other stakeholders, the meeting will be held virtually.

  • Time: 10:00 am (ET)
  • Meeting website: https://web.lumiagm.com/416715960
  • Click “Login” and then enter control number and Password: sherritt2021 (case sensitive); OR
  • Click “I am a Guest” and then complete the online form.

Attending the Meeting online enables registered shareholders or their duly appointed proxyholders and non-registered shareholders who have duly appointed themselves as proxyholder, or their duly appointed proxyholders, to participate at, submit questions in writing and vote at the Meeting, all in real time.

Sherritt recommends shareholders and guests to log in at least 15 minutes before the Meeting starts.

About Sherritt

Sherritt is a world leader in the mining and refining of nickel and cobalt -- metals essential for the growing adoption of electric vehicles. Its Technologies Group creates innovative, proprietary solutions for oil and mining companies around the world to improve environmental performance and increase economic value. Sherritt is also the largest independent energy producer in Cuba. Sherritt’s common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “S”.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of statements that include such words as “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “plan”, “forecast”, “likely”, “may”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “suspect”, “outlook”, “potential”, “projected”, “continue” or other similar words or phrases. Specifically, forward-looking statements in this document include, but are not limited to, statements set out in the “Outlook” section of this press release and certain expectations regarding production volumes, operating costs and capital spending; supply, demand and pricing outlook in the nickel and cobalt markets; the impact of COVID-19; continued qualification for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS); the potential impact of Cuba’s currency unification; anticipated payments of outstanding receivables, including re-directed distributions from the Corporation’s Moa Joint Venture partner; the impact of U.S. sanctions on Cuban; and amounts of certain other commitments.

Forward looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations, assumptions and projections about future events, including commodity and product prices and demand; the level of liquidity and access to funding; share price volatility; production results; realized prices for production; earnings and revenues; environmental rehabilitation provisions; availability of regulatory and creditor approvals and waivers; compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations; debt repayments redemptions and deferrals; collection of accounts receivable; and certain corporate objectives, goals and plans. By their nature, forward looking statements require the Corporation to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. There is significant risk that predictions, forecasts, conclusions or projections will not prove to be accurate, that those assumptions may not be correct and that actual results may differ materially from such predictions, forecasts, conclusions or projections.

The Corporation cautions readers of this press release not to place undue reliance on any forward looking statement as a number of factors could cause actual future results, conditions, actions or events to differ materially from the targets, expectations, estimates or intentions expressed in the forward looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in the global price for nickel, cobalt, oil and gas, fertilizers or certain other commodities; security market fluctuations and price volatility; level of liquidity; access to capital; access to financing; the risk to Sherritt’s entitlements to future distributions from the Moa Joint Venture; risk of future non-compliance with debt restrictions and covenants and mandatory repayments; Sherritt’s ability to replace depleted mineral reserves; risks associated with the Corporation’s joint venture partner; variability in production at Sherritt’s operations in Cuba; risks related to Sherritt’s operations in Cuba; risks related to the U.S. government policy toward Cuba, including the U.S. embargo on Cuba and the Helms-Burton legislation; potential interruptions in transportation; uncertainty of gas supply for electrical generation; the Corporation’s reliance on key personnel and skilled workers; the possibility of equipment and other failures; risks associated with mining, processing and refining activities; uncertainty of resources and reserve estimates; the potential for shortages of equipment and supplies, including diesel; supplies quality issues; risks related to environmental liabilities including liability for reclamation costs, tailings facility failures and toxic gas releases; risks related to the Corporation’s corporate structure; political, economic and other risks of foreign operations; risks associated with Sherritt’s operation of large projects generally; risks related to the accuracy of capital and operating cost estimates; foreign exchange and pricing risks; compliance with applicable environment, health and safety legislation and other associated matters; risks associated with governmental regulations regarding climate change and greenhouse gas emissions; risks relating to community relations and maintaining the Corporation’s social license to grow and operate; credit risks; competition in product markets; future market access; interest rate changes; risks in obtaining insurance; uncertainties in labour relations; uncertainty in the ability of the Corporation to enforce legal rights in foreign jurisdictions; uncertainty regarding the interpretation and/or application of the applicable laws in foreign jurisdictions; legal contingencies; risks related to the Corporation’s accounting policies; identification and management of growth opportunities; uncertainty in the ability of the Corporation to obtain government permits; risks to information technologies systems and cybersecurity; failure to comply with, or changes to, applicable government regulations; bribery and corruption risks, including failure to comply with the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act or applicable local anti-corruption law; the ability to accomplish corporate objectives, goals and plans for 2021; and the Corporation’s ability to meet other factors listed from time to time in the Corporation’s continuous disclosure documents. Additional risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Corporation to achieve its financial goals; the ability of the Corporation to continue to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities and commitments; the Corporation’s future liquidity position, and access to capital, to fund ongoing operations and obligations (including debt obligations); the ability of the Corporation to stabilize its business and financial condition; the ability of the Corporation to implement and successfully achieve its business priorities; and the ability of the Corporation to comply with its contractual obligations, including, without limitation, its obligations under debt arrangements. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive and should be considered in conjunction with the risk factors described in this press release and in the Corporation’s other documents filed with the Canadian securities authorities, including without limitation the Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three months and year ended March 31, 2021 and the Annual Information Form of the Corporation dated March 19, 2021 for the period ending December 31, 2020, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

The Corporation may, from time to time, make oral forward-looking statements. The Corporation advises that the above paragraph and the risk factors described in this press release and in the Corporation’s other documents filed with the Canadian securities authorities should be read for a description of certain factors that could cause the actual results of the Corporation to differ materially from those in the oral forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Corporation undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any oral or written forward-looking information or statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information and statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.


Contacts

Joe Racanelli, Director of Investor Relations
Telephone: 416-935-2457
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.sherritt.com

This dedicated capability supports the development of the Australian Commonwealth’s Industry Capability and Sovereign Shipbuilding Programs

PARIS-LA DÉFENSE, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspection, and certification (TIC), has celebrated the opening of a new laboratory and testing facility in Regency Park close to Port Adelaide, the hub for Australian naval shipbuilding in South Australia. The facility was officially opened by the Premier for South Australia, the Hon. Steven Marshall MP in a ceremony on 11th May 2021.


The newly opened laboratory is offering ISO 17025 NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities) accredited Mechanical Testing on state-of-the-art methods. It demonstrates the commitment of Bureau Veritas to support defence and naval shipbuilding within South Australia. It complements the Group’s existing operations within the state, where 300 staff have been supporting key industry sectors including General Fabrication, Mining and Oil & Gas for more than 50 years.

Alongside the new Regency Park laboratory, a naval liaison office established in Adelaide’s Defence and Space Innovation Precinct - Lot Fourteen enables Bureau Veritas to drive growth in this strategic and emerging sector of the South Australian economy and provide dedicated support for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

Premier for South Australia Steven Marshall declared: “Bureau Veritas’ commitment to support defence and naval shipbuilding within South Australia is sustaining and creating jobs in this key industry for our state. It was a great privilege to open Bureau Veritas’ brand new laboratory and testing facility and I look forward to seeing the great work this company will be doing as the Federal Government’s naval shipbuilding program ramps up in the coming months and years.”

Rhys LEWIS, Director – Strategic Development – Bureau Veritas Pacific: “This latest investment into South Australia continues our long history of providing independent Testing Inspection & Certification services to strategic and economically significant industries within the state. Whilst this new facility is supporting Sovereign Shipbuilding capability, we have previously supported similar growth and capabilities with developments in Mining and commodities testing businesses within South Australia.”

Pierre de Chateau Thierry, Director, Marine & Offshore, Bureau Veritas Australasia: “Our marine and naval know how, combined with the Group’s global testing and certification expertise, enable to provide a unique mix of maritime and industrial capability. Supporting Australia’s naval ambitions requires that combination of marine technology capabilities with the broader TIC breadth and depth that we offer.”

Bureau Veritas is already supporting the strengths and capabilities of the Royal Australian Navy to prescribe the naval ‘material’ policies and a new standardized naval material rule set for Australia to provide the necessary ecosystem for the design, build and commissioning of naval ships now - and into the future.

About Bureau Veritas

Bureau Veritas is a world leader in laboratory testing, inspection and certification services. Created in 1828, the Group has 75,000 employees located in more than 1,600 offices and laboratories around the globe. Bureau Veritas helps its clients improve their performance by offering services and innovative solutions in order to ensure that their assets, products, infrastructure and processes meet standards and regulations in terms of quality, health and safety, environmental protection and social responsibility.

Bureau Veritas is listed on Euronext Paris and belongs to the Next 20 index.

Compartment A, ISIN code FR 0006174348, stock symbol: BVI.

For more information, visit www.bureauveritas.com, and follow us on Twitter (@bureauveritas) and LinkedIn.


Contacts

ANALYST/INVESTOR CONTACTS
Laurent Brunelle
+33 (0)1 55 24 76 09
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Florent Chaix
+33 (0)1 55 24 77 80
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MEDIA CONTACTS
Véronique Gielec
+33 (0)1 55 24 76 01
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Nicholas Brown
+33 (0) 6 04 91 72 41
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Alexandra Beverley
+33 (0) 6 37 67 46 84
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Compact, entry-level marine stereo features modern aesthetics, music streaming over Bluetooth and more

OLATHE, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Garmin® International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the world’s largest1 and most innovative marine electronics manufacturer, today announced the MS-RA60 marine stereo from Fusion® Entertainment, a Garmin brand, delivering boaters a high-quality onboard entertainment experience at an affordable price with a new modern look. Featuring an anti-fogging display and compact design, the MS-RA60 is Fusion’s latest entry-level marine stereo solution for boat owners wanting a full-featured stereo that fits their boat’s style and size.



“We are thrilled to introduce this fresh take on the existing Fusion MS-RA55 and RA50 marine stereos,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of global consumer sales. “With the new MS-RA60 onboard, boaters can enjoy the look and feel of a premium marine stereo without breaking the bank. The conveniently small form factor and ability to reproduce powerful, high-quality audio makes the MS-RA60 the perfect fit for boats with limited space at the helm, from pontoons to small fishing boats.”

Boasting Fusion’s latest audio technology, the MS-RA60 is designed to amplify every minute spent on the water. Modern features include:

  • Stylish design: Anti-fogging, daylight readable edge-bonded display with modern style
  • Wireless connectivity: Stream music over Bluetooth® with control via the Fusion-Link™ app
  • Multi-Zone™ control: Volume control for two independent audio zones on the boat
  • Wireless control: Control music via ANT-compatible smartwatches or the ARX70 remote
  • Weather resistant: IPX6 and IPX7 Water Ingress Protection standards
  • Power and efficiency: Class D amplification powers up to four speakers onboard
  • Built-in Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) tuner: Access a wider range of radio stations by reducing interference and static

With its stylish new look, the MS-RA60 enhances the dash of any boat while continuing to deliver the best of Fusion technology for an unparalleled onboard entertainment experience. Boaters can conduct over-the-air software updates from compatible smart devices – via Bluetooth connection – with the Fusion-Link app, and wirelessly control music with the Fusion-Link app, handheld ARX70 remote or compatible Garmin quatix 6 series smartwatch. Thanks to a built-in DAB tuner, a first for Fusion stereos, boaters can tap into more frequencies than AM or FM radio alone, meaning no more tedious tuning to access a desired radio station.

Built to last season-after-season, the MS-RA60 is engineered and designed with marine elements in mind. For protection against salt, fog, UV, dust and more, a quality edge-bonded display with IPX6 and IPX7 weather resistance ensures that the MS-RA60 will consistently perform well in harsh marine environments.

The MS-RA60 marine stereo will be available in Q2 with a suggested retail price of $199.99, backed by Fusion’s one-year consumer warranty. For boats that currently have a Fusion MS-RA55 stereo installed onboard, the MS-RA60 fits easily in the same cut-out for an effortless and simple upgrade. For more information about the MS-RA60 and its seamless integration with Garmin marine electronics, visit www.garmin.com/fusionaudioentertainment.

Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin products have revolutionized life for anglers, sailors, mariners and boat enthusiasts everywhere. Committed to developing the most sophisticated marine electronics the industry has ever known, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday. For the sixth consecutive year, Garmin was recently named the Manufacturer of the Year by the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA). Other Garmin marine brands include Navionics®. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom at garmin.com/newsroom, contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200, or follow us at facebook.com/garmin, twitter.com/garminnews, instagram.com/garmin or youtube.com/garmin.

1 Based on 2019 reported sales.

About Garmin International, Inc. Garmin International, Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin, Fusion and Navionics are registered trademarks and Multi-Zone, Fusion-Link and True-Marine are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.

Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:

This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 2020, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at http://www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.


Contacts

Riley Swickard
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DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Liquid Biofuels - Global Market Trajectory & Analytics" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.


Global Liquid Biofuels Market to Reach $96.7 Billion by 2027

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Liquid Biofuels estimated at US$67.6 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$96.7 Billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.2% over the analysis period 2020-2027.

Bioethanol, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to record a 5.6% CAGR and reach US$59.8 Billion by the end of the analysis period. After an early analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Biodiesel segment is readjusted to a revised 5% CAGR for the next 7-year period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at $18.3 Billion, While China is Forecast to Grow at 8.1% CAGR

The Liquid Biofuels market in the U.S. is estimated at US$18.3 Billion in the year 2020. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$20.1 Billion by the year 2027 trailing a CAGR of 8.1% over the analysis period 2020 to 2027. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 2.9% and 4.7% respectively over the 2020-2027 period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 3.3% CAGR.

Other Products Segment to Record 4.1% CAGR

In the global Other Products segment, the USA, Canada, Japan, China and Europe will drive the 3.7% CAGR estimated for this segment. These regional markets accounting for a combined market size of US$6 Billion in the year 2020 will reach a projected size of US$7.8 Billion by the close of the analysis period.

China will remain among the fastest growing in this cluster of regional markets. Led by countries such as Australia, India, and South Korea, the market in Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach US$12.9 Billion by the year 2027, while Latin America will expand at a 5.1% CAGR through the analysis period.

Key Topics Covered:

I. METHODOLOGY

II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. MARKET OVERVIEW

  • Influencer Market Insights
  • World Market Trajectories
  • Impact of Covid-19 and a Looming Global Recession

2. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS (Total 45 Featured):

  • Archer Daniels Midland Company
  • Bangchak Petroleum Company, Ltd.
  • Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
  • CropEnergies AG
  • Emami Agrotech Limited
  • Enerkem, Inc.
  • Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inc.
  • Gevo, Inc.
  • Pacific Ethanol, Inc.
  • Poet LLC

3. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

4. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE

III. MARKET ANALYSIS

  • UNITED STATES
  • CANADA
  • JAPAN
  • CHINA
  • EUROPE
  • FRANCE
  • GERMANY
  • ITALY
  • UNITED KINGDOM
  • SPAIN
  • RUSSIA
  • REST OF EUROPE
  • ASIA-PACIFIC
  • AUSTRALIA
  • INDIA
  • SOUTH KOREA
  • REST OF ASIA-PACIFIC
  • LATIN AMERICA
  • ARGENTINA
  • BRAZIL
  • MEXICO
  • REST OF LATIN AMERICA
  • MIDDLE EAST
  • IRAN
  • ISRAEL
  • SAUDI ARABIA
  • UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
  • REST OF MIDDLE EAST
  • AFRICA

IV. COMPETITION

  • Total Companies Profiled: 45

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/wdqz18


Contacts

ResearchAndMarkets.com
Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager
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EVANSVILLE, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Berry Global Group, Inc. (NYSE: BERY) announced investment in renewable energy through the use of a long-term virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) aligned to provide the equivalent electricity requirements of the Company’s Spanish operations. In its Impact 2025 sustainability strategy, Berry commits to minimizing its absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 25 percent by 2025 vs. a 2019 baseline. This target was validated as being in line with the Paris Agreement and limiting warming to 1.5°C by the Science Based Targets initiative earlier this year. Agreements in renewable energy are a prioritized strategy to support its operational goals while additionally investing in reducing overall energy demand. The VPPA investment will support the construction of a solar park in Guadalajara, which will greatly reduce the Company’s carbon footprint in Spain with a reduction of approximately 20,000 tons per year.


Sites benefitting from the agreement include Tarragona, Madrid, Pamplona, La Caniza, and two in Barcelona. Tarragona is the primary site, with 70 percent of Berry’s energy consumption for the country. Achieving this broader impact comes with partnership across the value chain, including Berry’s chosen VPPA partnership with renewable energy leader Axpo Iberia.

“This agreement of the production of renewable energy is one of many steps Berry Global is taking to lower the carbon emissions of our operations,” said Rodgers Greenawalt, Executive Vice President Operations at Berry. “By taking strides to lower our greenhouse gas emissions, we in turn reduce our customers’ Scope 3 emissions.”

Berry’s commitment to renewable energy in Spain will contribute to additionality, enabling the addition of new renewable energy to the grid as part of one of the largest European solar park projects. Berry recognizes that in order to succeed in its quest to limit global warming, it must also help lay the groundwork for its communities and peers. Through this investment, Berry is strengthening the local infrastructure for renewable energy sources with the installment of 50 MW of new capacity, belonging to Trillo project, the largest PV plant in Europe with 626 MW.

Berry continues to be aggressive in its progress, solidifying its promise of limiting global warming to 1.5°C and in support of achieving a net-zero economy by 2050 with its recent announcement of Science-Based Targets. Find more information on Berry Global’s sustainability commitments and progress in the Company’s Impact Report 2020.

About Berry
At Berry Global Group, Inc. (NYSE:BERY), we create innovative packaging and engineered products that we believe make life better for people and the planet. We do this every day by leveraging our unmatched global capabilities, sustainability leadership, and deep innovation expertise to serve customers of all sizes around the world. Harnessing the strength in our diversity and industry leading talent of 47,000 global employees across more than 295 locations, we partner with customers to develop, design, and manufacture innovative products with an eye toward the circular economy. The challenges we solve and the innovations we pioneer benefit our customers at every stage of their journey. For more information, visit our website at berryglobal.com, or connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter.

About Axpo:
Axpo is the largest producer of renewable energy in Switzerland and an international leader in the trading and marketing of solar and wind energy. With a workforce of 5,000 employees and operations in more than 30 countries in Europe and the United States, it develops innovative solutions by combining more than 100 years of experience with its capacity for innovation for a sustainable energy future.

Axpo Iberia has been managing for 20 years the main independent portfolio of renewable plants on the peninsula and offers products and services in Spain and Portugal that range from electricity and gas supply, to energy efficiency and trading of electricity, gas, biomass and CO2.


Contacts

Berry Media Contact:
Amy Waterman
+1 812 306 2435
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Report identifies best practices for reinvention and notes that industry leaders expect transformative impact from cloud and a boost in value from low-carbon businesses

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The oil and gas companies most committed to reinventing themselves over the next three years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic expect to grow their revenues and margins at twice the rate of companies least committed to reinvention, according to a new report from Accenture (NYSE: ACN) that outlines best practices companies should adopt to thrive in the energy transition.



The report, titled “Necessity is the Mother of (Re)invention” features results from a global survey of more than 200 oil and gas executives and introduces Accenture’s “Reinvention Index,” which analyzed the companies across key factors related to reinvention. Accenture classified the 10% of companies that scored the highest in the Index — who are setting the pace for reinvention through bold and decisive action — as reinvention “Leaders,” with those in the bottom 25% labeled “Laggards.”

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all of the Leaders plan at least some level of significant changes to their business, with half (50%) intending radical reinvention, compared with only 9% of the Laggards. Almost seven in 10 Leaders (69%) consider enterprise-wide transformation essential to this reinvention and 77% of Leaders see cloud as essential to their business reinvention plans in the next three years.

And reinvention could drive substantial rewards. For instance, Leaders expect minimum margin growth of 7%, on average, in the next three years, more than double that of the Laggards (3%), and expect to grow revenues over the same period by at least 11%, compared with just 6% for the Laggards.

“Competition from new energy sources, environmental accountability, talent scarcity, investor apathy and the COVID-19 pandemic have led most oil and gas companies to realize the need to transform to ensure profitability, embrace sustainability and maintain their relevance,” said Muqsit Ashraf, a senior managing director at Accenture who leads its Energy industry group. “What’s required isn’t just piecemeal transformation but wholesale business reinvention, which is anchored in a new approach that we call our ‘5C’ model.”

The ‘5C’ model for reinvention comprises:

  • Competitiveness — Shaping a resilient portfolio and operating model, including ways of working, that achieve accretive returns through cycles; and
  • Connectivity — Enabling an intelligent and secure enterprise with end-to-end connectivity, optimization and autonomous capabilities, facilitated by cloud capabilities;
  • Carbon — Achieving carbon neutrality by transforming or shifting investments, operations and products;
  • Customer — Delivering superior customer experiences through services, solutions, formats/channels and customization; and
  • Culture — Building a distinct purpose-led culture and employee experience with an emphasis on collaboration, innovation and agility.

The report notes that attaining carbon neutrality, in particular, is a key facet of the reinvention required to thrive in today’s era of accelerated energy transition. In fact, more than a third (37%) of respondents, including all the Leaders, expect margin improvements of 20% or more from their low-carbon businesses in the next three years. Refocusing investments, operations and products will be key, with 97% of all respondents citing environmental performance as a priority and one-third (33%) naming it their top priority.

The Leaders are already making some headway in this area; almost all (96%) have set ambitious environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) targets, with the same number committed to reporting frequently on their emission-reduction progress. In contrast, only 56% of Laggards have set targets, with less than half (47%) regularly publicizing their results. Additionally, all Leaders expect ESG performance to have, at the minimum, a strong impact on their competitiveness over the next three years.

Hydrogen and renewable power were identified as the two low-carbon businesses with the most growth potential. In fact, more than half of Leaders expect hydrogen (cited by 62%) and renewable power (54%) to account for more than 7% of their revenues within the decade.

“This decade will be a make-or-break period for the oil and gas industry, which remains rutted in a low-price environment, but the opportunities presented in the report provide a blueprint for reinvention for continued success,” Ashraf said. “All oil and gas companies should aim to emulate the reinvention Leaders to maintain relevance during and after the energy transition. Otherwise, the transition will transform from an opportunity to build a sustainable and profitable future to an existential risk.”

The full report can be found here.

Research Methodology

In early 2021, Accenture conducted its Oil and Gas Reinvention Index research to understand the actions that oil and gas companies are taking to meet the challenges of the energy transition, their progress toward reinvention, and the outcomes they expect to achieve. The research included a survey of 214 C-suite executives from 179 oil and gas companies across five continents. More than four-fifths (83%) of the companies were international or independent oil companies, with the rest national oil companies and oilfield and equipment services companies. More than one-third (36%) of the companies have revenues exceeding US$10 billion, and 48% have annual revenues between US$1 billion and US$10 billion. Accenture also created a Reinvention Index Score, based on selected survey results and composed of equally weighted scores from each of the five identified facets of reinvention (competitiveness, carbon, connectivity, customers and culture). Responses were grouped (n = 214) into companies (n = 179) to determine an aggregated score for each, then companies were defined and grouped. The top 10% of companies were identified as reinvention “Leaders,” with the bottom 25% identified as “Laggards.”

About Accenture

Accenture is a global professional services company with leading capabilities in digital, cloud and security. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries, we offer Strategy and Consulting, Interactive, Technology and Operations services — all powered by the world’s largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. Our 537,000 people deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity every day, serving clients in more than 120 countries. We embrace the power of change to create value and shared success for our clients, people, shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

Accenture helps oil and gas companies develop innovation-led capabilities to drive end-to-end transformation and make energy more available, affordable and sustainable. To learn more, visit Accenture’s oil and gas industry portal.

Copyright ©2021 Accenture. All rights reserved. Accenture and its logo are registered trademarks of Accenture.


Contacts

Guy Cantwell
Accenture
+1 281 900 9089
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Matt Corser
Accenture
+44 755 784 9009
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2021 OUTLOOK RAISED; ORDERS UP 70% AT SYPRIS ELECTRONICS

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--$SYPR--Sypris Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq/GM: SYPR) today reported financial results for its first quarter ended April 4, 2021.


HIGHLIGHTS

─────────────────────

  • Customer orders were robust during the period, while revenue was less than the prior year quarter due to late material receipts and customer releases that have since been resolved and are expected to support future growth.
  • Gross margin decreased from the prior-year period as a result of lower revenue, sales mix and the costs incurred to ramp up production in order to meet the significant increase in demand for future deliveries experienced at Sypris Technologies, since substantially resolved.
  • Orders for Sypris Electronics increased 70% during the first quarter compared to the same period in 2020, driving backlog up 36.3% over the prior-year period and up 56.3% for the sequential quarter. Similarly, backlog for the energy products of Sypris Technologies increased 37.9% over the prior-year period and 74.9% sequentially, while the order board from commercial vehicle customers continued to increase significantly.
  • The Company increased its full-year outlook for 2021, with revenue now expected to increase 25-30% year-over-year, up from prior guidance of 20%. The Company also reaffirmed its margin and cash flow expectations for the year, forecasting a 200-300 basis point expansion of margins and strong double-digit percentage growth in cash flow from operations.
  • Sypris Electronics announced a contract award to manufacture and test a variety of electronic power supply modules for a mission-critical, long-range, precision-guided, anti-ship missile system, with production to begin during 2021.
  • Sypris Technologies announced a long-term contract extension with a leading commercial vehicle manufacturer. The new contract continues the existing product lines and includes the award of two additional axle shaft model lines to begin production in 2021 and the adoption of certain Sypris Ultra® series lightweight axle shaft design features.
  • Sypris Technologies also announced awards from two high-pressure energy projects. The contracts, which provide for the use of closures in the Anchor Field development project in the Gulf of Mexico and the planned upgrade of a natural gas pipeline system in North America, call for shipments to begin prior to year-end 2021.
  • Subsequent to quarter-end, Sypris Electronics announced a contract award to manufacture and test a variety of electronic assemblies for a Government spacecraft program with production to begin during 2021.

────────────────────

“We are clearly now at the inflection point for Sypris. The significant growth in orders and the underlying strength of our markets is expected to have a material impact on the financial results of the Company beginning in the second quarter of 2021. Backlog is up 56% sequentially for Sypris Electronics, while the OEM backlog of Class 8 commercial vehicles is up 160% since August,” commented Jeffrey T. Gill, President and Chief Executive Officer.

“Customer orders for Sypris Electronics increased 70% over the prior-year period, with deliveries now scheduled well into 2023. Shipments were impacted during the first quarter by late material receipts and a delay in customer releases; however, both issues have since been resolved. We expect the first quarter shortfall to be recovered during the balance of the year, combining with recent contract wins to provide meaningful sequential growth in the top line going forward.

“Demand from customers serving the automotive, commercial vehicle, sport utility and off-highway markets has continued to accelerate. Freight demand is currently overwhelming industry capacity with orders for the past six months up 153% year-over-year. The recent announcement of the long-term contract extension with one of our key customers combined with the improved outlook for these markets gives us a clear path to support our growth objectives going forward.

“As we discussed on our previous call, activity levels in the oil and gas industry are expected to remain challenging during the first half of 2021. However, steadily improving commodity prices, gradually reopening economies and increasing pipeline activity have resulted in increased orders recently, and we continue to anticipate year-over-year growth of our energy related products.”

Concluding, Mr. Gill said, “Our customer base and the markets we serve are considerably more diversified than at any point in our recent history. As an essential business, we have a responsibility to ensure that our defense, communications, energy, and transportation sectors remain vibrant. We will continue to monitor developments, act promptly to mitigate risks and take the necessary steps required to ensure deliveries continue to be made to our customers in a timely manner.”

First Quarter Results

The Company reported revenue of $20.0 million for the first quarter of 2021, compared to $22.4 million for the prior-year period. Additionally, the Company reported a net loss of $1.6 million for the first quarter of 2021, or $0.08 per share, compared to a net loss of $0.3 million, or $0.01 per share, for the prior-year period.

Sypris Technologies

Revenue for Sypris Technologies was $13.2 million in the first quarter of 2021 compared to $13.7 million for the prior-year period, primarily reflecting reduced demand in the oil and gas market partially offset by a rebound in the commercial vehicle market. Gross profit for the first quarter of 2021 was $1.2 million, or 8.9% of revenue, compared to $2.5 million, or 18.2% of revenue, for the same period in 2020. Gross profit for the first quarter of 2021 was impacted by additional costs associated with ramping up production to meet the substantial increase in demand driven by the commercial vehicle market.

Sypris Electronics

Revenue for Sypris Electronics was $6.8 million in the first quarter of 2021 compared to $8.7 million for the prior-year period. Shipments during the first quarter of 2021 were impacted by a customer design change and the timing of material receipts to resolve the design change, as well as lower sales to a commercial communications customer during the period. Gross profit for the first quarter of 2021 was $0.6 million, or 9.5% of revenue, compared to $1.2 million, or 14.1% of revenue, for the same period in 2020.

Outlook

Commenting on the future, Mr. Gill added, “Demand has strengthened significantly from customers serving the automotive, commercial vehicle and sport utility markets, with Class 8 forecasts showing year-over-year production increases of over 43% for 2021. Similarly, demand from customers in the defense and communications sector remains robust. While the energy market continues to be volatile, we continue to secure new orders on important projects around the world.

“The first quarter marks the turning point for the Company. We expect the significant growth in orders and strength of our markets to have a substantial impact on our financial results beginning in the second quarter, with a strong increase in revenue and income for the period and continuing going forward.

“The continuing momentum of new contract awards, when combined with increasingly positive market conditions, provide important support to increase our revenue guidance for 2021. Our current outlook includes a 25-30% growth in the Company’s top line in 2021, a 200 to 300 basis points expansion in the Company’s gross margin and strong double-digit percentage growth in cash flow generated from operations.

“We remain focused on meeting the important needs of our customers who serve defense, communications, energy, transportation, and other critical infrastructure industries. With a strong backlog and recovering markets, we are confident that the remainder of 2021 has the potential to be very positive for Sypris.”

About Sypris Solutions

Sypris Solutions is a diversified provider of truck components, oil and gas pipeline components and aerospace and defense electronics. The Company produces a wide range of manufactured products, often under multi-year, sole-source contracts. For more information about Sypris Solutions, visit its Web site at www.sypris.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include our plans and expectations of future financial and operational performance. Such statements may relate to projections of the company’s revenue, earnings, and other financial and operational measures, our liquidity, our ability to mitigate or manage disruptions posed by the current coronavirus disease (“COVID-19”), and the impact of COVID-19 and economic conditions on our future operations, among other matters. In March 2020, the President of the United States declared the COVID-19 outbreak a national emergency. COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the United States and other countries across the world, and the duration and severity of its effects are currently unknown. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted, and is likely to continue to result, in significant economic disruption and has and will likely adversely affect our business. The Company has continued to operate at each location and sought to remain compliant with government regulations imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each forward-looking statement herein is subject to risks and uncertainties, as detailed in our most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and other SEC filings. Briefly, we currently believe that such risks also include the following: the impact of COVID-19 and economic conditions on our future operations; possible public policy response to the pandemic, including legislation or restrictions that may impact our operations or supply chain; our failure to successfully complete final contract negotiations with regard to our announced contract “orders”, “wins” or “awards”; our failure to successfully win new business; the termination or non-renewal of existing contracts by customers; our failure to achieve and maintain profitability on a timely basis by steadily increasing our revenues from profitable contracts with a diversified group of customers, which would cause us to continue to use existing cash resources or require us to sell assets to fund operating losses; breakdowns, relocations or major repairs of machinery and equipment, especially in our Toluca Plant; the cost, quality, timeliness, efficiency and yield of our operations and capital investments, including the impact of tariffs, product recalls or related liabilities, employee training, working capital, production schedules, cycle times, scrap rates, injuries, wages, overtime costs, freight or expediting costs; dependence on, retention or recruitment of key employees and distribution of our human capital; disputes or litigation involving governmental, supplier, customer, employee, creditor, stockholder, product liability, warranty or environmental claims; our failure to achieve targeted gains and cash proceeds from the anticipated sale of certain equipment and other assets; the fees, costs and supply of, or access to, debt, equity capital, or other sources of liquidity; our ability to comply with the requirements of the SBA and seek forgiveness of all or a portion of our Paycheck Protection Program loan; our inability to develop new or improved products or new markets for our products; cost, quality and availability or lead times of raw materials such as steel, component parts (especially electronic components), natural gas or utilities; our ability to maintain compliance with the NASDAQ listing standards minimum closing bid price; our reliance on a few key customers, third party vendors and sub-suppliers; inventory valuation risks including excessive or obsolescent valuations or price erosions of raw materials or component parts on hand or other potential impairments, non-recoverability or write-offs of assets or deferred costs; other potential weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting and enterprise risk management; failure to adequately insure or to identify product liability, environmental or other insurable risks; unanticipated or uninsured disasters, public health crises, losses or business risks; unanticipated or uninsured product liability claims; volatility of our customers’ forecasts, scheduling demands and production levels which negatively impact our operational capacity and our effectiveness to integrate new customers or suppliers, and in turn cause increases in our inventory and working capital levels; the costs of compliance with our auditing, regulatory or contractual obligations; labor relations; strikes; union negotiations; pension valuation, health care or other benefit costs; costs associated with environmental claims relating to properties previously owned; our inability to patent or otherwise protect our inventions or other intellectual property from potential competitors; adverse impacts of new technologies or other competitive pressures which increase our costs or erode our margins; U.S. government spending on products and services that Sypris Electronics provides, including the timing of budgetary decisions; changes in licenses, security clearances, or other legal rights to operate, manage our work force or import and export as needed; risks of foreign operations; currency exchange rates; war, terrorism, or political uncertainty; cyber security threats and disruptions; inaccurate data about markets, customers or business conditions; risk related to owning our common stock including increased volatility; or unknown risks and uncertainties. We undertake no obligation to update our forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.

SYPRIS SOLUTIONS, INC.
Financial Highlights
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Three Months Ended

April 4,

April 5,

2021

2020

(Unaudited)
Revenue

$

19,982

 

$

22,425

 

Net loss

$

(1,630

)

$

(305

)

Loss per common share:
Basic

$

(0.08

)

$

(0.01

)

Diluted

 

(0.08

)

 

(0.01

)

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic

 

21,394

 

 

20,988

 

Diluted

 

21,394

 

 

20,988

 

 

Sypris Solutions, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except for per share data)
 
Three Months Ended

April 4,

April 5,

2021

2020

(Unaudited)
Net revenue:
Sypris Technologies

$

13,190

 

$

13,717

 

Sypris Electronics

 

6,792

 

 

8,708

 

Total net revenue

 

19,982

 

 

22,425

 

Cost of sales:
Sypris Technologies

 

12,019

 

 

11,224

 

Sypris Electronics

 

6,147

 

 

7,476

 

Total cost of sales

 

18,166

 

 

18,700

 

Gross profit (loss):
Sypris Technologies

 

1,171

 

 

2,493

 

Sypris Electronics

 

645

 

 

1,232

 

Total gross profit

 

1,816

 

 

3,725

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

2,882

 

 

3,448

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(1,066

)

 

277

 

Interest expense, net

 

222

 

 

227

 

Other expense, net

 

221

 

 

283

 

Loss before taxes

 

(1,509

)

 

(233

)

Income tax expense, net

 

121

 

 

72

 

Net loss

$

(1,630

)

$

(305

)

Loss per common share:
Basic

$

(0.08

)

$

(0.01

)

Diluted

$

(0.08

)

$

(0.01

)

Dividends declared per common share

$

-

 

$

-

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic

 

21,394

 

 

20,988

 

Diluted

 

21,394

 

 

20,988

 

Sypris Solutions, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except for share data)
 

April 4,

December 31,

2021

2020

(Unaudited)

(Note)

ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents

$

9,369

 

$

11,606

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

7,962

 

 

7,234

 

Inventory, net

 

18,675

 

 

16,236

 

Other current assets

 

4,580

 

 

4,360

 

Total current assets

 

40,586

 

 

39,436

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

10,430

 

 

10,161

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

5,887

 

 

6,103

 

Other assets

 

4,691

 

 

5,008

 

Total assets

$

61,594

 

$

60,708

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable

$

10,056

 

$

6,734

 

Accrued liabilities

 

11,681

 

 

13,409

 

Operating lease liabilities, current portion

 

988

 

 

965

 

Finance lease obligations, current portion

 

403

 

 

393

 

Equipment financing obligations, current portion

 

104

 

 

-

 

Note payable - PPP Loan, current portion

 

1,779

 

 

1,186

 

Note payable - related party, current portion

 

2,500

 

 

-

 

Total current liabilities

 

27,511

 

 

22,687

 

 
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion

 

5,683

 

 

5,941

 

Finance lease obligations, net of current portion

 

1,822

 

 

1,927

 

Equipment financing obligations, net of current portion

 

197

 

 

-

 

Note payable - PPP Loan, net of current portion

 

1,779

 

 

2,372

 

Note payable - related party, net of current portion

 

3,979

 

 

6,477

 

Other liabilities

 

8,125

 

 

6,529

 

Total liabilities

 

49,096

 

 

45,933

 

Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, 975,150 shares authorized; no shares issued

 

-

 

 

-

 

Series A preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, 24,850 shares authorized; no shares issued

 

-

 

 

-

 

Common stock, non-voting, par value $0.01 per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued

 

-

 

 

-

 

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized; 21,436,982 shares issued and 21,436,963 outstanding in 2021 and 21,302,194 shares issued and 21,300,958 outstanding in 2020

 

214

 

 

213

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

154,783

 

 

155,025

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(117,395

)

 

(115,765

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(25,104

)

 

(24,698

)

Treasury stock, 19 and 1,236 in 2021 and 2020, respectively

 

-

 

 

-

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

12,498

 

 

14,775

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

61,594

 

$

60,708

 

 

 

Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 2020, has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for a complete set of financial statements.

Sypris Solutions, Inc.
Consolidated Cash Flow Statements
(in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
April 4, April 5,

2021

2020

(Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss

$

(1,630

)

$

(305

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
(used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization

 

621

 

 

620

 

Deferred income taxes

 

116

 

 

-

 

Non-cash compensation expense

 

61

 

 

94

 

Deferred loan costs recognized

 

2

 

 

4

 

Net loss (gain) on the sale of assets

 

20

 

 

(154

)

Provision for excess and obsolete inventory

 

2

 

 

40

 

Non-cash lease expense

 

217

 

 

288

 

Other noncash items

 

36

 

 

190

 

Contributions to pension plans

 

(120

)

 

(34

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable

 

(733

)

 

(1,478

)

Inventory

 

(2,431

)

 

846

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

(108

)

 

(99

)

Accounts payable

 

3,346

 

 

1,474

 

Accrued and other liabilities

 

(309

)

 

(772

)

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

(910

)

 

714

 

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures

 

(790

)

 

(453

)

Proceeds from sale of assets

 

-

 

 

288

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(790

)

 

(165

)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on finance lease obligations

 

(94

)

 

(143

)

Principal payments on equipment financing obligations

 

(22

)

 

-

 

Indirect repurchase of shares for minimum statutory tax withholdings

 

(301

)

 

(7

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(417

)

 

(150

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash balances

 

(120

)

 

(288

)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(2,237

)

 

111

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

11,606

 

 

5,095

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

9,369

 

$

5,206

 

 


Contacts

Anthony C. Allen
Chief Financial Officer
(502) 329-2000

Much of the early success in these markets is the result of financial incentives and government support for energy storage and other distributed energy resources


BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--#DistributedEnergy--A new report from Guidehouse Insights provides global forecasts for annual deployments of new distributed energy storage (DES) projects in terms of power capacity, energy capacity, and project deployment revenue, through 2030.

2020 proved transformational for the DES industry thanks to cost and performance improvements, an uptick in renewable generation capacity, grid-modernization plans, and improved opportunities for wholesale market participation. Additionally, national and local government financial incentives and deployment mandates, as well as phase-outs of feed-in tariffs (FITs) or net metering, helped drive the market. Rapid growth is expected to continue in 2021, with growth concentrated in three key regions. According to a new report from Guidehouse Insights, North America, Western Europe, and Asia Pacific are expected to account for around 98.4% of the global DES market in 2021.

“Much of the early success in these markets is the result of financial incentives and government support for energy storage and other distributed energy resources (DER),” says Ricardo F. Rodriguez, research analyst with Guidehouse Insights. “Incentives and subsidies in each of these three markets, paired with support from utilities, have made DES an economical investment for many customers.”

Between 2021 and 2030, the DES market is projected to expand into an increasing number of countries as utilities charge customers based on usage patterns, relay accurate price signals, and design rate structures that reflect the fixed and variable costs of providing electric service. From time-of-use (TOU) rates to demand charges to real-time pricing, these rate structures are expected to be key to increased DES adoption. In addition, new market participation models that enable system owners to capture multiple value streams are emerging as important enablers of continued DES growth around the world.

The report, Market Data: Distributed Energy Storage and Solar PV, provides global forecasts for annual deployments of new DES projects in terms of power capacity, energy capacity, and project deployment revenue. These forecasts are segmented by global region, technology, and the application or services that the system is intended to provide. In addition, this report provides a review of the market issues surrounding DES. Global forecasts for DES from 2021 to 2030 are provided. An executive summary of the report is available for free download on the Guidehouse Insights website.

About Guidehouse Insights

Guidehouse Insights, the dedicated market intelligence arm of Guidehouse, provides research, data, and benchmarking services for today’s rapidly changing and highly regulated industries. Our insights are built on in-depth analysis of global clean technology markets. The team’s research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research, and demand assessment, paired with a deep examination of technology trends, to provide a comprehensive view of emerging resilient infrastructure systems. Additional information about Guidehouse Insights can be found at www.guidehouseinsights.com.

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is a leading global provider of consulting services to the public and commercial markets with broad capabilities in management, technology, and risk consulting. We help clients address their toughest challenges and navigate significant regulatory pressures with a focus on transformational change, business resiliency, and technology-driven innovation. Across a range of advisory, consulting, outsourcing, and digital services, we create scalable, innovative solutions that prepare our clients for future growth and success. The company has more than 8,000 professionals in over 50 locations globally. Guidehouse is a Veritas Capital portfolio company, led by seasoned professionals with proven and diverse expertise in traditional and emerging technologies, markets, and agenda-setting issues driving national and global economies. For more information, please visit: www.guidehouse.com.

* The information contained in this press release concerning the report, Market Data: Distributed Energy Storage and Solar PV, is a summary and reflects the current expectations of Guidehouse Insights based on market data and trend analysis. Market predictions and expectations are inherently uncertain and actual results may differ materially from those contained in this press release or the report. Please refer to the full report for a complete understanding of the assumptions underlying the report’s conclusions and the methodologies used to create the report. Neither Guidehouse Insights nor Guidehouse undertakes any obligation to update any of the information contained in this press release or the report.


Contacts

Lindsay Funicello-Paul
+1.781.270.8456
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  • Acquires Permian Basin upstream assets in the Eunice Monument Field
  • Addition of 48,000 held-by-production acres; production of ~1,100 BOEPD

TULSA, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Empire Petroleum Corporation (“Empire”) (OTCQB:EMPR) announced today that it has acquired producing oil and gas assets and related gathering assets located in Lea County, New Mexico through its wholly owned subsidiary, Empire New Mexico LLC (“Empire New Mexico”). The assets were acquired from ExxonMobil Corporation’s (NYSE:XOM) XTO Holdings, LLC (“Sellers”), in a transaction that has been previously reported by Empire in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The acquired operated assets are comprised of ~700 gross oil, gas, and injector wells and encompass approximately ~40,000 net acres of Permian leasehold. The properties are characterized by high working and net revenue interests, producing approximately 1,100 net BOEPD (Barrels of Oil Equivalent per Day) with sixty-seven percent being oil.

The Eunice Monument (also “EMSU”) and Arrowhead Grayburg fields (also “AGU”) are located on the northwestern edge of the Permian Basin’s Central Basin Platform in southeastern Lea County, New Mexico, approximately 15 miles southwest of the city of Hobbs. The EMSU field was discovered on March 21, 1929, with the majority of field development occurring from 1934 through 1937 as the 2nd largest carbonate reservoir in the Texas-New Mexico Permian area. USGS estimates that known recoverable efficiency in the Eunice Field and surrounding satellites at close to forty percent with Primary and Secondary recovery of an estimated 4.5 billion Original Oil barrels in Place “OOIP” making Eunice Monument one of the largest fields in the United States. The well development in the Eunice Monument South Unit was on 40-acre spacing. The field was produced under primary means until unitization of the field occurred in February 1985 as a Secondary Waterflood. The productive intervals at Eunice are mostly the Queen, San Andres and Grayburg formations.

In connection with financing of the acquisition, Empire New Mexico entered into a $16.25 Million senior secured convertible note with Energy Evolution Master Fund, Ltd at 3.8% per annum interest.

“We believe the EMSU and surrounding acquired fields have a significant resource base,” stated Mike Morrisett, President of Empire Petroleum. “In our view, these assets have current infill drilling and return-to-production well potential that should shortly enhance daily production. We thank our major and core shareholders in providing 100% of the capital to close this key accretive transaction for Empire. We are also excited to have retained the existing Sellers’ team that has successfully run the field for several years. With this acquisition Empire operates in five states, with an aggregate of over 100,000 net leasehold acres and ~1800 net BOEPD”.

Empire CEO Tommy Pritchard added, “This acquisition is a terrific example of what Empire looks to manage in their assets: mature producing oil properties with predictable, long life production with significant upside potential. Looking towards the future, the geologic location of the Permian EMSU and AGU holds 23,400 acres of residual oil zone potential (“ROZ”). The pipeline of growth opportunities around EMSU and AGU remains robust, and we are currently evaluating additional deal flow with a focus on building scale in the Permian.”

About Empire Petroleum Corporation

Empire Petroleum Corporation is a publicly traded, Tulsa-based oil and gas company with current producing assets in Texas, Louisiana, North Dakota, Montana and New Mexico. Management is focused on targeted acquisitions of proved developed assets with synergies with its existing portfolio of wells. Empire looks for assets where its operational team can deploy rigorous field/well management techniques to reduce unit operating costs and improve margins while optimizing production.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts that address activities, events or developments that Empire expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary materially from the forward-looking statements. For a list of certain material risks relating to Empire, see Empire’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.


Contacts

Tommy Pritchard, CEO
Mike Morrisett, President
539-444-8002

MILLBRAE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--$STEM #AI--Stem, Inc. (“Stem” or the “Company”) (NYSE: STEM), a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven clean energy storage services, today announced the appointment of Saul Laureles as its Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary. In this role, Laureles will lead the Company’s global legal function, including corporate governance, securities and mergers & acquisitions (M&A), as well as environmental, social, and governance compliance.


Laureles brings more than 20 years of legal and strategic business experience including handling complex legal and financial matters and advising executives and board members on corporate governance, securities and M&A, and other general corporate matters. Before joining Stem, Laureles served as Director, Corporate Legal Affairs and Assistant Corporate Secretary at Schlumberger Limited, the world’s leading oilfield services company, which he joined in 2007. At Schlumberger, Laureles oversaw the global corporate legal department, where he was responsible for legal matters involving corporate governance, securities law compliance, M&A, corporate finance, executive compensation, benefits employment matters, and risk issues affecting the parent company and its subsidiaries around the world. Prior to Schlumberger, Laureles was a corporate and finance lawyer at Mayer Brown LLP. Laureles earned his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and B.A. from the University of Chicago.

“We are pleased to welcome Saul to Stem’s executive management team,” said John Carrington, Stem’s CEO. “Saul is a proven leader who combines extensive legal, financial, and business expertise with a demonstrated ability to effectively meet legal and compliance objectives. We look forward to his perspective and insights as we continue to guide Stem forward through this critical period.”

“I’m excited to join Stem as its Chief Legal Officer in the Company’s pivotal next chapter as a newly-public company. I look forward to helping the Company navigate the future as it executes its growth plan,” added Laureles.

About Stem, Inc.

Stem, Inc. (NYSE: STEM) provides solutions that address the challenges of today’s dynamic energy market. By combining advanced energy storage solutions with Athena™, a world-class AI-powered analytics platform, Stem enables customers and partners to optimize energy use by automatically switching between battery power, onsite generation and grid power. Stem’s solutions help enterprise customers benefit from a clean, adaptive energy infrastructure and achieve a wide variety of goals, including expense reduction, resilience, sustainability, environmental and corporate responsibility and innovation. Stem also offers full support for solar partners interested in adding storage to standalone, community or commercial solar projects – both behind and in front of the meter. For more information, visit www.stem.com.

Source: Stem, Inc.


Contacts

Investor Contacts – Stem
Ted Durbin, Stem, Inc.
Marc Silverberg, ICR, Inc.
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Media Contact – Stem
Cory Ziskind, ICR, Inc.
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Names New Board of Directors and Leadership Team

Emerges from Bankruptcy with Greatly Improved Balance Sheet and Cost Structure; Poised to Deliver Sustainable Free Cash Flow Generation and Shareholder Returns

OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gulfport Energy Corporation (NYSE: GPOR) (the “Company” and together with its wholly owned subsidiaries, “Gulfport”) today announced that it has successfully completed its restructuring process and emerged from chapter 11 protection. As contemplated by Gulfport’s Plan of Reorganization (the “Plan”) that was confirmed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas on April 28, 2021, Gulfport has exited bankruptcy with a new Board of Directors; a strengthened balance sheet, with $853 million of total debt representing more than $1.2 billion of deleveraging through the Chapter 11 process; and approximately $135 million of liquidity. At emergence, Gulfport’s net-debt-to-EBITDA is approximately 1.5x. Please refer to Gulfport’s emergence presentation for more details which will be provided in a Form 8-K and can also be found on the Company’s Investor Relations site: https://ir.gulfportenergy.com.


New Board of Directors and Leadership Team

In accordance with the Plan, the Company has appointed a new Board of Directors effective immediately. The Board is comprised of five new directors who are experienced industry professionals: Timothy J. Cutt (Chairman), David Wolf (Lead Independent Director), Guillermo “Bill” Martinez, Jason Martinez and David Reganato. Biographies for the directors can be found on the Company’s website at: https://www.gulfportenergy.com/about/board-of-directors.

The Company also announced the retirement of David M. Wood, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer effective immediately. Additionally, Quentin Hicks, Gulfport’s Chief Financial Officer, has resigned effective immediately to pursue other opportunities. The Board has appointed Chairman Timothy J. Cutt as Interim Chief Executive Officer and William “Bill” J. Buese as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Cutt will serve in the interim position at least through year end 2021 and the Board will conduct a search for a permanent CEO at the appropriate time.

Message from Timothy J. Cutt, Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer

“We want to thank Dave, Quentin and the departing Gulfport Board for their leadership through a complex and challenging Chapter 11 process. Gulfport is emerging from its successful restructuring having materially improved its balance sheet and midstream cost structure, which leaves Gulfport well-positioned for future success. Today, we begin a new chapter at Gulfport with a strategy focused on continuing to reduce costs and generating sustainable free cash flow in an effort to drive shareholder value. In addition, we are committed to an emphasized focus on sustainability, and Gulfport will continue to prioritize safety, environmental stewardship, and maintaining strong relationships with the communities in which we operate.”

“I also want to thank the entire Gulfport workforce for their hard work and commitment to the Company and each other through the restructuring process.”

Listing on the NYSE

Gulfport’s new common shares will be listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "GPOR" and is expected to commence trading on May 18, 2021.

Details of the restructuring, the securities issued pursuant to the Plan and the debt and other agreements entered into as part of the Plan will be provided in a Form 8-K which can be viewed on the Company's website or the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov.

Advisors

Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Jackson Walker L.L.P. served as legal co-counsel, Perella Weinberg Partners and its affiliate, Tudor Pickering Holt & Co. served as financial advisors, and Alvarez & Marsal served as restructuring advisor to the Company.

Additional Information

Additional information regarding the securities issued pursuant to the Plan, debt and other agreements entered into as part of the Plan has also been provided in a Form 8-K, which can be viewed on the Company’s website or the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. Additional information regarding the Company’s restructuring is available at www.gulfportenergy.com/restructuring. Court filings are available at https://dm.epiq11.com/Gulfport. Questions should be directed to the Company’s claims agent by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at (888) 905-0409 (toll free) or +1 (503) 597-7687 (international).

About Gulfport

Gulfport Energy is an independent returns-oriented, gas-weighted, exploration and development company and is one of the largest producers of natural gas in the contiguous United States. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Gulfport holds significant acreage positions in the Utica Shale of Eastern Ohio and the SCOOP Woodford and SCOOP Springer plays in Oklahoma.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are statements other than statements of historical fact. They include statements regarding: (i) the effect of the chapter 11 reorganization and sufficiency of the financing package; (ii) Gulfport’s ability to continue implementing operating efficiencies and technical developments; and (iii) Gulfport’s ability to capitalize on the reorganization and emerge as a stronger and more competitive enterprise. Although Gulfport believes the expectations and forecasts reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, Gulfport can give no assurance they will prove to have been correct. They can be affected by inaccurate or changed assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Important risks, assumptions and other important factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are described under "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of Gulfport’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and any updates to those factors set forth in Gulfport's subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K (available at https://ir.gulfportenergy.com/all-sec-filings). Gulfport undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements, to report events or to report the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure equal to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, plus interest expense, income tax expense, accretion expense, depreciation, depletion and amortization and impairment of oil and gas properties. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure equal to EBITDA less non-cash derivative loss rig terminations fees, gain on debt extinguishment, non-recurring general and administrative expenses and loss from equity method investments cash flow from operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities is a non-GAAP financial measure equal to cash provided by operating activity before changes in operating assets and liabilities and inclusive of capitalized expenses incurred during the given period. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure defined as cash flow from operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities (as defined above) less capital expenditures incurred. Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP financial measure equal to pre-tax net income less non cash derivative loss, impairment of oil and gas properties, rig terminations fees, gain on debt extinguishment and loss from equity method investments. Gulfport has presented EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, cash flow from operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities and free cash flow because it uses these measures as an integral part of its internal reporting to evaluate its performance and the performance of its senior management. These measures are considered important indicators of the operational strength of Gulfport's business and eliminate the uneven effect of considerable amounts of non-cash depletion, depreciation of tangible assets and amortization of certain intangible assets. A limitation of these measures, however, is that they do not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenues in Gulfport’s business. Management evaluates the costs of such tangible and intangible assets and the impact of related impairments through other financial measures, such as capital expenditures, investment spending and return on capital. Therefore, Gulfport believes that these measures provide useful information to its investors regarding its performance and overall results of operations. EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, cash flow from operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities and free cash flow are not intended to be performance measures that should be regarded as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, either net income as an indicator of operating performance or to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. In addition, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and cash flow from operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities are not intended to represent funds available for dividends, reinvestment or other discretionary uses, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, cash flow from operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities and free cash flow presented in this press release may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies, and may not be identical to corresponding measures used in Gulfport's various agreements.


Contacts

Investor Contact
Jessica Antle – Director, Investor Relations
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405-252-4550

Media Contact
Reevemark
Hugh Burns / Paul Caminiti / Nicholas Leasure
212-433-4600

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Genesis Energy, L.P. (NYSE: GEL) announced today that it will participate in the 2021 Energy Infrastructure Council (“EIC”) Investor Conference. The conference is being held in person and virtually on Tuesday, May 18th, 2021 through Thursday, May 20th, 2021. Genesis will be attending virtually.


The Partnership’s latest presentation materials are available and may be downloaded by visiting the Partnership’s website at www.genesisenergy.com under “Presentations” under the Investors tab.

Genesis Energy, L.P. is a diversified midstream energy master limited partnership headquartered in Houston, Texas. Genesis’ operations include offshore pipeline transportation, sodium minerals and sulfur services, onshore facilities and transportation and marine transportation. Genesis’ operations are primarily located in the Gulf Coast region of the United States, Wyoming and the Gulf of Mexico.


Contacts

Genesis Energy, L.P.
Ryan Sims
SVP – Finance and Corporate Development
(713) 860-2521

Mr. Matheson brings decades of experience in advocating, supporting and leading clean energy initiatives, innovation and investments across the globe


BURLINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FirstLight Power, a leading clean power producer and energy storage company, today announced that Jim Matheson has joined the company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Matheson is on the faculty at The Harvard Business School where he teaches courses at the intersection of innovation, finance and sustainability, and is an Affiliate of the Business & Environment Initiative. He is also a Special Advisor to both The Engine at MIT and Breakthrough Energy Ventures, and serves as a Director and Advisor to several climate and sustainability focused companies.

“Jim is a highly respected clean energy leader with a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of bringing new clean technology to market,” said Alicia Barton, CEO of FirstLight. “Jim’s background and values align directly with FirstLight’s mission to accelerate the decarbonization of the electric grid and dedication to creating new market-leading solutions to stay ahead of unprecedented changes in the energy industry. We greatly admire Jim’s deep commitment to sustainability innovation across the critical realms of technology, finance and policy.”

Previously, as a General Partner at Flagship Pioneering, Mr. Matheson spearheaded the venture capital firm’s sustainability practice and was involved in founding, investing in and growing numerous innovative ventures. He also served as President and CEO of Oasys Water, which developed and deployed best-in-class large-scale water treatment solutions for energy and natural resource customers around the world. Before embarking on his second career in sustainable technology investing and entrepreneurship, Mr. Matheson was a decorated Navy F-14 and FA-18 pilot and TOPGUN Instructor. He retired in 2008 as a Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserves and earned his BS from the United States Naval Academy and his MBA from The Harvard Business School.

“With decades of experience across the clean energy sector, Jim’s passion and support for combating climate change will bring invaluable contributions to FirstLight,” said Stephan Rupert, Board Chair of FirstLight. “He has a deep devotion to advising organizations in their mission to solve the world’s most important challenges especially climate change. Jim’s experience will build upon FirstLight’s goal of ensuring reliable power that will reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions for a cleaner, more sustainable future.”

FirstLight is working to enable the conversion to a clean energy future faster by delivering clean, locally made hydropower, and by leveraging large-scale storage facilities such as Northfield Mountain to integrate renewable energy and store it for times when it is needed. FirstLight is building on a strong legacy of environmental stewardship and clean energy leadership to help lead the drive to a more sustainable future in the years ahead.

ABOUT FIRSTLIGHT POWER

FirstLight Power (FirstLight) is a leading clean power producer and energy storage company in New England with a portfolio that includes nearly 1,400 megawatts of pumped-hydro storage, battery storage, hydroelectric generation, and solar generation – the largest clean energy generation portfolio in New England today. Based in Burlington, MA, with operating offices in Northfield, MA and New Milford, CT, FirstLight provides stewardship of and recreational access to 14,000 acres of land and waters along the Connecticut, Housatonic, Shetucket, Still, and Quinebaug Rivers. To learn more, visit www.firstlightpower.com.


Contacts

Len Greene, Director of Government Affairs & Communications
Office: 413-659-4426, Cell: 860-795-4310

Travis Small, Slowey McManus Communications
Cell: 617-538-9041, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Companies introduce full-field fiber and seismic imaging to improve downhole insight

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Halliburton Company (NYSE: HAL) and TGS-NOPEC Geophysical ASA (OSLO:TGS) today announced a collaboration to bring advanced seismic imaging to fiber optic sensing. The alliance will provide operators with advanced insight to determine their reservoir potential for oil and gas production or carbon storage. The Halliburton FiberVSP™ and Odassea™ distributed acoustic sensing solutions will now incorporate TGS’s seismic imaging workflows that process the entire seismic wavefield to generate high-resolution reservoir images.

We are excited to transform vertical seismic profiling to a full-field, digital, and intervention-less surveillance solution,” said Trey Clark, vice president of Wireline and Perforating. “Through our collaboration with TGS, we can now enable real-time monitoring of production across an entire field, allowing our customers to make better decisions and increase ultimate recovery.”

This solution enables enhanced reservoir understanding for our customers with a lower total cost of ownership relative to conventional 4D seismic,” said Jan Schoolmeesters, executive vice president of TGS Operations and New Energy Solutions. “We’ve leveraged the competencies and know-how of both organizations to drive the change our industry needs for proactive reservoir management. For TGS, this collaboration meets our strategic initiatives to increase our focus on technology and mature basins, capture more repeatable business, and offer customers cost efficient new energy solutions like carbon storage monitoring.”

Work is underway to deliver this combined solution for multiple onshore and offshore reservoir monitoring projects.

About Halliburton

Founded in 1919, Halliburton is one of the world's largest providers of products and services to the energy industry. With approximately 40,000 employees, representing 130 nationalities in more than 70 countries, the company helps its customers maximize value throughout the lifecycle of the reservoir – from locating hydrocarbons and managing geological data, to drilling and formation evaluation, well construction and completion, and optimizing production throughout the life of the asset. Visit the company’s website at www.halliburton.com. Connect with Halliburton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

About TGS

TGS provides scientific data and intelligence to companies active in the energy sector. In addition to a global, extensive and diverse energy data library, TGS offers specialized services such as advanced processing and analytics alongside cloud-based data applications and solutions.

For more information, visit TGS online at www.tgs.com.


Contacts

For Halliburton

Investors:
Abu Zeya
Halliburton, Investor Relations
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281-871-2633

Media:
William Fitzgerald
Halliburton, External Affairs
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713-876-0105

For TGS

Investors:
Sven Børre Larsen
SVP Strategy
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Media:
Jaclyn Townsend
Director, Corporate Marketing
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PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CHRYSO, a leading player in the development of sustainable solutions in the construction industry, launches EnviroMix®, a global range of innovative products and services aimed at reducing and controlling the carbon footprint of concrete, dedicated to the ready-mix and precast concrete industries.



“The construction industry is accelerating its transformation to manage and reduce the environmental impact of its carbon footprint. CO2 footprint is a major challenge in the development of concrete formulations, coupled with the traditional properties of this material, and at the heart of our construction techniques (classes of strength and durability, workability, setting time, etc.)", states Frédéric Guimbal, Director of Concrete BU.

In order to pick up the pace of this low-carbon transition in the construction industry, the new range of tailor-made admixtures CHRYSO®EnviroMix combines technical performance and carbon footprint reduction.
CHRYSO®EnviroMix delivers a reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 50% and CHRYSO®EnviroMix ULC (Ultra Low-Carbon) provides superior levels of performance as well as reduction of more than 50% in the carbon footprint. Products adapted to the specific performance requirements of ready-mixed concrete and precast applications will be deployed to support customers in the evolution of construction methods.

Customers can benefit from dedicated services such as EnviroMix®Impact, which allows the environmental impact calculation of a concrete mix design and to set up a formulation strategy adapted to their target. CHRYSO also offers a digital solution for real-time monitoring of CHRYSO®Maturix concretes. This solution allows the optimization of the rise in compressive strength at early age in the precast plant or on site.

Over the past 15 years, CHRYSO has bolstered its expertise in the field of low carbon impact concrete admixtures. Backed by a highly innovative technological portfolio, CHRYSO also benefits from specific know-how adapted to the chemistry of new low-carbon cements via its cement additives activity. CHRYSO solutions dedicated to this low carbon transformation are based on multiple scientific collaborations and industrial partnerships that reinforce the knowledge of these new binders, including geopolymers and Calcined Clay Cements (LC3).

"With this new comprehensive EnviroMix® product range, CHRYSO is creating new development levers for the construction industry by delivering solutions to produce the cements of tomorrow. It also offers the control of concrete admixtures using new binders, the formulation and real-time monitoring of low-carbon concretes on building sites while providing an accurate measurement of their CO2 impact. CHRYSO is supporting industry stakeholders in this low carbon revolution" declares Frédéric Guimbal, Concrete BU Director.

About CHRYSO: https://www.chryso.com/about-us/


Contacts

Contact RP:
Elodie Pujo Saulnier
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Tel.: 06 33 97 20 80

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Piedmont Lithium Inc. (NASDAQ:PLL, ASX:PLL) (Piedmont or Company) is pleased to advise that the scheme of arrangement (Scheme) to give effect to the re-domiciliation of Piedmont Lithium Limited (Piedmont Australia) from Australia to the United States of America has been implemented.


All Piedmont Australia shares have been transferred to Piedmont. The Scheme consideration, comprising Piedmont CDIs and Piedmont shares, has been issued to Piedmont Australia shareholders and Piedmont Australia ADS holders respectively, other than ineligible foreign shareholders and small parcel holders who did not make an election (Non-Electing Small Parcel Holders).

Ineligible foreign shareholders and Non-Electing Small Parcel Holders will have the Scheme consideration that they would have otherwise been entitled to receive issued to a sale agent who will then sell those Piedmont CDIs and remit the proceeds to those shareholders.

Further information

If you require further information or have questions, please contact the please contact the Piedmont Scheme Information Line on 1300 218 182 (within Australia) or +61 3 9415 4233 (outside Australia) Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 5:00pm (AEDT).

This announcement has been authorized for release by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.


Contacts

Keith Phillips
President & CEO
T: +1 973 809 0505
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Brian Risinger
VP - Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
T: +1 704 910 9688
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BBVA USA, as Trustee of the San Juan Basin Royalty Trust (the “Trust”) (NYSE:SJT), today declared a monthly cash distribution to the holders of its Units of beneficial interest (the “Unit Holders”) of $1,880,140.70 or $0.040339 per Unit, based primarily upon estimated production during the month of March 2021, subject to certain adjustments by the owner of the Trust’s subject interests, Hilcorp San Juan L.P. (Hilcorp”), for prior months. The distribution is payable June 14, 2021, to Unit Holders of record as of May 28, 2021.

Based upon information provided to the Trust by Hilcorp, gas production for the subject interests totaled 2,617,042 Mcf (2,907,824 MMBtu) for March 2021, as compared to 2,401,460 Mcf (2,668,289 MMBtu) for February 2021. Dividing revenues by production volume yielded an average gas price for March 2021 of $2.07 per Mcf ($1.86 per MMBtu), as compared to an average gas price for February 2021 of $4.67 per Mcf ($4.20 per MMBtu).

Hilcorp informed the Trust that due to Hilcorp’s transition to a new accounting system, the March 2021 reporting month is based on estimated production, estimated prices and estimated costs.

Hilcorp also reported that for the reporting month of March 2021, revenue included an estimated $100,000 for non-operated revenue. For the month ended March 2021, Hilcorp reported to the Trust capital costs of $64,225, lease operating expenses and property taxes of $2,061,485, and severance taxes of $1,026,287.

Contact:

San Juan Basin Royalty Trust

 

BBVA USA, Trustee

 

 

2200 Post Oak Blvd., Floor 18

 

 

Houston, TX 77056

 

 

website: www.sjbrt.com

e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Joshua R. Peterson, Head of Trust Real Assets & Mineral Resources

 

and Senior Vice President

 

 

Kaye Wilke, Investor Relations, toll-free: (866) 809-4553

 

Except for historical information contained in this news release, the statements in this news release are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “estimates,” “anticipates,” “could,” “plan,” or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Forward-looking statements and the business prospects of San Juan Basin Royalty Trust are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results in future periods to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, certain information provided to the Trust by Hilcorp, volatility of oil and gas prices, governmental regulation or action, litigation, and uncertainties about estimates of reserves. These and other risks are described in the Trust’s reports and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


Contacts

Joshua R. Peterson, Head of Trust Real Assets & Mineral Resources
and Senior Vice President
Kaye Wilke, Investor Relations, toll-free: (866) 809-4553

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