Bel Acquires a Stake in innolectric AG, Further Enhancing Its Position in the Rapidly Evolving EV On-board Charging Market for Commercial Vehicles

Rhea-AI Summary

Bel Fuse Inc. (Nasdaq:BELFA, BELFB) has announced a strategic alliance through a minority stake investment in Germany's innolectric AG, focusing on electric vehicle (EV) on-board power electronics and fast charging technology. Innolectric, established in 2016, specializes in power electronics for eMobility and has shown significant product development potential. Bel's CEO emphasized the growth opportunity in the EV sector through this partnership, highlighting the lack of product overlap and the complementary nature of their businesses. Bel retains minority protection rights and the option to increase its ownership based on key milestones.

Positive

• Strategic alliance with innolectric AG enhances Bel's position in the EV sector.
• Opportunity for revenue growth through next-generation fast charging technology.
• Bel's reputation and resources may facilitate rapid scaling for innolectric.

Negative

• None.

JERSEY CITY, N.J., Feb. 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bel Fuse Inc. (“Bel,” or, “the Company”) (Nasdaq:BELFA and Nasdaq:BELFB), a leading supplier of products that power, protect and connect electronic circuits, today announced that the Company has entered into an agreement and closed on a minority stake investment with Germany-based innolectric AG (“innolectric”). This passive investment will create a strategic alliance that is focused on Electric Vehicles (“EV”) on-board power electronics broadly, but specifically on next generation fast charging technology.

innolectric was founded in 2016 through a closely held ownership group to be a platform-based business in the field of power electronics for eMobility and in particular the on-board fast-charging for commercial vehicles. With its talented engineering team, innolectric focuses its efforts on development and launching its products.

innolectric shareholder, Dr. Roger Uhlenbrock commented “as an early-stage company with a great proven product, and a more notable pipeline of new developments, we are excited to partner with a leader in the EV space.” CEO of innolectric, Tim Karcher said “our focus to date has been on product development and we look forward to leveraging Bel’s solid reputation, customer base and global reach to introduce our products to new customers. With outsourced manufacturing and procurement functions and an undeveloped sales team, we believe Bel’s capabilities will be additive in these areas to us.”

Bel Fuse CEO Dan Bernstein noted “EV has been a target growth area for Bel and we are excited to accelerate growth through this partnership with innolectric. With no product overlap, this complementary relationship will expand the Bel eMobility Power portfolio, allowing us to stay ahead of the competition with next generation fast charging technology, and cement our reputation as the go-to supplier in this space. innolectric has terrific engineering talent for both hardware and software development. They have an impressive list of customer relationships for an early-stage company which is a testament to its technology. Bel looks forward to partnering with the ownership group and its CEO Tim Karcher to rapidly scale innolectric.”

As part of the investment, Bel will have usual minority protection rights and the option to further expand its 1/3 ownership stake upon the achievement of key milestones.

Stephens Inc. acted as exclusive financial advisor to Bel, and METIS Rechtsanwälte PartG mbB served as legal advisor.

About Bel
Bel (NASDAQ: BELFA and BELFB) designs, manufactures and markets a broad array of products that include circuit protection, connectors, cable assemblies, discrete components, magnetics and power supplies. The Company serves a global market and operates facilities around the world.

Company Contact:
Farouq Tuweiq  
Chief Financial Officer  
ir@belf.com 

Investor Contact:
Three Part Advisors
Jean Marie Young, Managing Director or Steven Hooser, Partner
631-418-4339

Media Contacts:
Bel Fuse, Inc.
Kelly Wigginton
Kelly.Wigginton@belf.com 

Publitek
Zach Hynoski
zach.hynoski@publitek.com

FAQ

What is the purpose of Bel's investment in innolectric AG?

The investment aims to create a strategic alliance focused on electric vehicles and next-generation fast charging technology.

How much of a stake did Bel Fuse take in innolectric AG?

Bel Fuse has acquired a minority stake, with the option to expand its ownership based on milestones.

What are the expected benefits of the partnership between Bel Fuse and innolectric?

The partnership is expected to leverage Bel's reputation and resources to accelerate innolectric's market presence and product development.

What is innolectric AG known for?

Innolectric AG is known for its power electronics focused on eMobility, especially on-board fast charging for commercial vehicles.

When was innolectric AG founded?

Innolectric AG was founded in 2016.