Hyzon Evaluates Strategic Moves and Potential Sales After Halting Operations

Author: Benzinga Newsdesk | July 08, 2024 06:42am

Hyzon (NASDAQ:HYZN) (Hyzon or the Company), a U.S.-based manufacturer and global supplier of high-performance hydrogen fuel cell systems focused on providing zero-emission power to decarbonize the most demanding industries, today announced that after considering its options as well as completing its assessment of the challenging market conditions across Europe and Australia, the Company will halt its operations in the Netherlands and Australia. Hyzon logo (PRNewsfoto/Hyzon) In comparison to North American efforts to accelerate the hydrogen transition and adoption of zero-emission, fuel cell technology, Hyzon said the government support for fuel cell-powered transportation in Europe and Australia has waned, including the disbandment in many European countries of hydrogen subsidies. Hyzon currently intends to maintain the potential to return to the European and Australian markets as a fuel cell system supplier to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). "I would like to express my utmost gratitude to our dedicated European and Australian teams who have tirelessly worked toward advancing the hydrogen transition," said Hyzon Chief Executive Officer Parker Meeks. "This was a complex and difficult decision. Given the challenges of bringing new technology to market in an emerging industry, we believe we need to focus our efforts on the North American market and refuse industry as well as overseeing our large fleet trial programs, which commence this summer," added Meeks. In connection with the planned exit activities, the Company expects to incur charges of approximately $17 million, of which approximately $7 million is expected to be in cash. Components of the charges include non-cash inventory write-downs of approximately $7 million, employee-related costs of approximately $3 million, other exit related costs of approximately $4 million and non-cash impairment charges of approximately $3 million. The Company expects to incur these costs in the second and third quarters of 2024 and make the related cash payments in the third and fourth quarters of 2024. Further, the Company anticipates derecognition of certain liabilities, which may result in non-cash gains in the third and fourth quarters of 2024. The Company is presently unable to estimate these non-cash gains. Nasdaq Capital Market Application On January 23, 2024, the Company received a letter (the "Notice") from the listing qualifications staff of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC ("Nasdaq") notifying the Company that it was not in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rules 5550(a)(2) (the "Bid Price Rule") for continued listing. The Bid Price Rule requires listed securities to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share, and Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A) (the "Compliance Period Rule") provides that a failure to meet the minimum bid price requirement exists if the deficiency continues for a period of thirty consecutive business days. The Notice had no immediate effect on the listing of the Company's common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the "Common Stock"), which has traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "HYZN." In accordance with the Compliance Period Rule, the Company has 180 calendar days to regain compliance. If, at any time before the end of this 180-day period, or through July 22, 2024, the closing bid price of the Common Stock closes at or above $1.00 per share for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days, subject to the Staff's discretion to extend this period pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(H), the Staff will provide written notification that the Company has achieved compliance with the Bid Price Rule. The Company has not yet achieved compliance with the Bid Price Rule. Pursuant to Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4450(i), on July 5, 2024, the Company applied to transfer the listing of its Common Stock from The Nasdaq Global Select Market to The Nasdaq Capital Market. Provided that it satisfies all of the criteria for such transfer, upon listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market, the Company will be afforded an additional 180 calendar days to comply with the Bid Price Rule and regain compliance if it meets certain criteria and notifies Nasdaq of its intent to cure the deficiency. Strategic Capital Efforts and Liquidity Management The Company continues to pursue its previously disclosed efforts to secure capital via the capital markets and explore various other strategic alternatives. These alternatives include a sale of all or a portion of the Company, a potential divestiture of its Europe and / or Australia/New Zealand businesses and subsidiaries, additional cost reductions, liquidity management, a reduction in workforce and other significant corporate transactions. The Company is also evaluating the need to pursue bankruptcy protection or other in-court relief if its financing efforts or other strategic alternatives are not successful. In closing, despite its decision to halt the Netherlands and Australian operations, the Company reaffirms its commitment -- subject to its success with respect to capital raising and various other strategic alternatives -- to better position its first-to-market, zero-emission single stack 200kW hydrogen fuel cell technology for the North American Class 8 and refuse truck FCEV platforms. These platforms will both be featured in significant large-fleet trial programs throughout the United States and Canada starting this summer. Additionally, the Company continues to optimize its operations in China.

Posted In: HYZN