Reorganisation of solar cell production
Meyer Burger will not completely relocate its production to the USA as announced in the spring: the establishment of solar module production in Colorado Springs has been stopped, as has the further expansion in Goodyear. Contrary to plans, Meyer Burger is maintaining production in Germany.
Meyer Burger is initiating comprehensive restructuring measures. The plan communicated in the spring to relocate the entire solar cell production to the USA in the medium term appears to be off the table. In an ad hoc release, the company announced that the construction of a solar cell production facility in Colorado Springs in the US state of Colorado has been cancelled. This has proved to be unfinanceable at present.
It had been announced in July that it would be opened as soon as possible. Meyer Burger had secured a former semiconductor factory as a location and concluded a long-term lease agreement. Production machines that were intended for the expansion of the solar cell factory at the Thalheim site in Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Saxony, were to be redirected to Colorado Springs.
Instead, the largest Swiss manufacturer of solar modules is now reportedly focussing on the operation of the plant in Goodyear in the US state of Arizona with a capacity of 1.4 gigawatts, which is currently being ramped up. However, its planned expansion by 0.7 gigawatts has been suspended for the time being, but remains an option.
In contrast to previous plans, the existing cell production site in Thalheim will remain in full operation and will continue to form the backbone of Meyer Burger’s solar cell supply in the future. According to the press release, these solar cells are the most economical option for supplying module production in Goodyear under the current market conditions. Due to the poor operating result in 2023, Meyer Burger announced the closure of the plant in Freiberg, Saxony, which according to Meyer Burger is the largest operating solar module production facility in Europe with around 500 employees, in January 2024 and implemented it in mid-March.
The Board of Directors assumes that, as a result of this reorganisation, the company’s financing requirements as well as the medium-term EBITDA level and the Group’s gearing ratio will be significantly lower than previously expected. The Board has instructed the Executive Board to draw up a comprehensive restructuring and cost-cutting programme.
Board member Mark Kerekes has announced his resignation. The restructuring of the company requires a reorganisation of the Board of Directors.