Plug Power Acquires Frames Group to Boost Engineering, Process and Systems Integration Capabilities

Rhea-AI Summary

Plug Power (NASDAQ: PLUG) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Frames Group, enhancing its electrolyzer solutions and European presence. The acquisition, valued at €85M in cash and €30M in earnouts, aims to meet the target of three gigawatts (GW) of installed electrolyzer capacity by 2025. Plug Power anticipates revenue opportunities from a backlog worth approximately €100 million, driven by increasing demand for renewable energy solutions. This strategic move is expected to complete by year-end 2021, bolstering Plug Power's position in the green hydrogen market.

Positive

• Acquisition expected to generate revenue from an order backlog of approximately €100 million.
• Strategic alignment with Frames Group supports a goal of 3 GW installed electrolyzer capacity by 2025.
• Enhanced integration capabilities through Frames' 35 years of experience in energy sector systems.

Negative

• Transaction size of €115 million may strain resources, impacting short-term financials.
• Integration challenges could arise due to merging operational frameworks and corporate cultures.

Acquisition enables Plug Power to scale delivery of electrolyzer solutions and deepen its presence in Europe

LATHAM, N.Y., Nov. 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG), a leading provider of turnkey hydrogen solutions for the global green hydrogen economy, signed a definitive agreement to acquire Frames Group, a leader in turnkey systems integration for the energy sector. With over 35 years of experience, Frames designs, builds, and delivers processing equipment, separation technologies, flow control and safeguarding systems, for water and renewable energy solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Frames has about 300 employees located largely in Europe and India.

Plug is building a hydrogen ecosystem by systematically adding complementary strengths and capabilities through key acquisitions, joint ventures, and other partnerships. Plug has steadily gained competency in key technology and critical supply chain areas such as fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), hydrogen delivery logistics and electrolyzers to deliver turnkey green hydrogen solutions for its customers. Partnerships with Renault, SK, Acciona, Fortescue Future Industries, Airbus and Lhyfe provide access and scale in markets new to Plug.

The Frames acquisition will support Plug Power’s goal to reach an installed electrolyzer capacity of three gigawatts (GW) by 2025. Plug will combine its world-class stack technology with Frames’ systems integration capabilities to deliver a range of turnkey electrolyzer solutions from one megawatt (MW) containers to 1,000 MW standalone plants.

“Frames Group delivers outstanding services cost-effectively to many of the world’s largest energy providers. We look forward to our journey together, delivering value to customers around the world through our green hydrogen solutions,” said Andy Marsh, CEO for Plug Power. “Plug Power is set to become one of the largest pure play green hydrogen ecosystem companies.”

With Frames’ long-standing roots in Europe, supported by an extensive European customer base, supply chain and manufacturing capabilities, Plug Power continues to build out and deepen its European presence. Through the Frames acquisition, organic growth, and partnerships, Plug will now have 200 employees in Europe. Set to open its new European headquarters in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, in early 2022, Plug has also invested in a manufacturing facility, service center, and a green hydrogen fund in Europe.

Revenue opportunities from the acquisition include an order backlog valued at approximately €100 million and a sizeable project pipeline that will generate revenues through 2023 with major on-shore and off-shore energy providers seeking to transition to renewable energies and green hydrogen.

Frames’ relationship with Plug Power goes back to 2017. “We are delighted to become part of the Plug Power organization,” said Frans Roozendaal, CEO of the Frames Group. “There is a great cultural fit and alignment between our teams, which we have developed over the years as partners. Together with the Plug Power team, we can assist our current customer base, accelerate their journeys and decarbonize their energy offerings.”

The acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of the year once all required approvals have been obtained. The transaction includes €85M in cash and €30M in earnouts.

About Plug Power

Plug Power is building the hydrogen economy as the leading provider of comprehensive hydrogen fuel cell turnkey solutions. The Company’s innovative technology powers electric motors with hydrogen fuel cells amid an ongoing paradigm shift in the power, energy, and transportation industries to address climate change and energy security, while meeting sustainability goals. Plug Power created the first commercially viable market for hydrogen fuel cell technology. As a result, the Company has deployed over 50,000 fuel cell systems for e-mobility, more than anyone else in the world, and has become the largest buyer of liquid hydrogen, having built and operated a hydrogen highway across North America. Plug Power delivers a significant value proposition to end-customers, including meaningful environmental benefits, efficiency gains, fast fueling, and lower operational costs. Plug Power’s vertically-integrated GenKey solution ties together all critical elements to power, fuel, and provide service to customers such as Amazon, BMW, Ikea, Carrefour, and Walmart. The Company is now leveraging its know-how, modular product architecture and foundational customers to rapidly expand into other key markets including zero-emission on-road vehicles, robotics, and data centers.
www.plugpower.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This communication contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve significant risks and uncertainties about Plug Power Inc.(“PLUG”), including but not limited to statements about the expected commercial release in 2022 and expected additional vehicle prototypes. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in these statements. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of PLUG in general, see PLUG’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” section of PLUG’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and PLUG undertakes no obligation to update such statements as a result of new information.

About Frames Group

Frames was founded in 1984 as a valve actuator company. Over the past 35 years we have expanded rapidly both in portfolio and geographic reach. Working together with our clients, suppliers, and employees we are energizing the world. Frames designs, builds, and delivers processing equipment, separation technologies, flow control & safeguarding systems, renewable energy and water solutions.
Our core competence is process and control system integration. At Frames, we convert your process and control concepts into compact, highly integrated and autonomous skid-mounted solutions. We have a global reach through our network of offices and are continuously adding new technologies to our portfolio. Although the oil and gas industry has historically been our core market, we have also seen a strong expansion of our downstream and renewables activities.

Our vision is to be the first-choice partner in all your energy challenges. We will achieve this by utilizing our know-how and core values to better understand the needs of clients. Therefore, we will continue to develop our skills and technologies to exceed your expectations, continuously striving to create sustainable added value for our clients.

Plug Power Media Contact
Caitlin Coffee
Allison + Partners
plugPR@allisonpr.com

Frames Group Media Contact
Mr. Suerd Polderdijk
s.polderdijk@frames-group.com

 

FAQ

What is the purpose of Plug Power's acquisition of Frames Group?

The acquisition aims to scale delivery of electrolyzer solutions and strengthen Plug Power's presence in Europe.

How much did Plug Power agree to pay for Frames Group?

The transaction is valued at €115 million, including €85M in cash and €30M in earnouts.

What are the revenue opportunities associated with the Frames acquisition?

Plug Power anticipates revenue from a backlog valued at approximately €100 million and a significant project pipeline.

When is Plug Power expected to complete the acquisition of Frames Group?

The acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of 2021, pending required approvals.

How will the Frames acquisition impact Plug Power's electrolyzer capacity?

The acquisition supports Plug Power's goal to achieve an installed electrolyzer capacity of three gigawatts by 2025.