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Exide Technologies Launches AbsolyteŽ GP
New Battery Demonstrates Evolution Of Power
For Network Power Applications
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Alpharetta, Georgia - (June 5, 2008) -
Exide Technologies (NASDAQ: XIDE, www.exide.com), a global leader
in stored electrical-energy solutions, introduces the AbsolyteŽ
GP, the Company’s latest addition to its premier stand-by power
product family of valve-regulated, network power batteries. Engineered,
marketed and sold by Exide’s GNB Industrial Power Business, the
AbsolyteŽ GP incorporates a technologically and environmentally-advanced
design that delivers a 20 year design life with enhanced cycling
performance – a key attribute to support photovoltaic, wind turbine
and other renewable energy initiatives.
The AbsolyteŽ GP is designed to support a wide range of network
power applications including telecommunications, uninterruptible
power supply, alternative energy, outside plant, railway and utility/switchgear.
Manufactured in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, U.S.A., the AbsolyteŽ GP will
be a direct replacement for the AbsolyteŽ IIP.
“For more than 25 years, the Exide AbsolyteŽ product line, known
for its robust design, low maintenance and high power density, has
earned a reputation with our global customers for high performance
in the most demanding of network power applications,” said Mark
Jesko, Director of Marketing for Exide Technologies Industrial Energy
- Americas. “As a result, the AbsolyteŽ product range enjoys one
of the largest installed bases of industrial VRLA products in the
industry, and we expect the advanced AbsolyteŽ GP to expand that
base by providing even better performance for our customers.”
Lean and “Green” for Tomorrow’s Applications
One critical objective of the R&D surrounding the AbsolyteŽ GP
was to create an industrial power product that supports environmental
sustainability.
To address that objective, the AbsolyteŽ GP is designed with a patented,
proprietary alloy that reduces the content of heavy metal in the
finished product, making it easier than ever for Exide’s global
customers to recycle spent batteries. In addition, the battery is
manufactured with an increased ratio of recycled materials compared
to previous generations. “Exide adheres to lean engineering principles
that result in reduced waste in product design. With the AbsolyteŽ
GP, we turned our attention to refining the front end of product
design ─ not just on reducing the heavy metals, but also utilizing
an increased quantity of recycled materials required in the final
product,” said David Wyrick, Senior Product Manager for Exide Technologies
Industrial Energy - Americas.
The improved design of the AbsolyteŽ GP offers a number of additional
environmental benefits, including a 75 percent lower float current
compared to previous generation products which will result in reduced
energy consumption and reduced heat generation. This would be a
significant benefit for large users, both telecom and data centers,
who are looking to reduce energy costs required to maintain and
cool battery rooms. In addition, the AbsolyteŽ GP can provide more
than 1,200 cycles at 80 percent depth of discharge, and significantly
more cycles for more shallow discharges. These attributes make the
AbsolyteŽ GP exceptionally well suited to photovoltaic and other
alternative energy applications that require routine cycling.
“The Exide AbsolyteŽ GP valve-regulated battery truly represents
an evolution in lead-acid storage technology, responding to the
needs of our industrial energy customers who require increased reliability
and superior performance, while at the same time meeting their goals
for sustainability,” said Mitch Bregman, President – Exide Technologies
Industrial Energy - Americas. “Our Company’s investment in developing
a product with significant environmental attributes and enhanced
cycle life underscores our commitment to continuous improvement
and serving the needs of the network power marketplace.”
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About Exide Technologies
Exide Technologies, with operations in more than 80 countries,
is one of the world's largest producers and recyclers of lead-acid
batteries. The Company's four global business groups – Transportation
Americas, Transportation Europe and Rest of World, Industrial Energy
Americas and Industrial Energy Europe and Rest of World – provide
a comprehensive range of stored electrical energy products and services
for industrial and transportation applications.
Transportation markets include original-equipment and aftermarket
automotive, heavy-duty truck, agricultural and marine applications,
and new technologies for hybrid vehicles and 42-volt automotive
applications. Industrial markets include network power applications
such as telecommunications systems, electric utilities, railroads,
photovoltaic (solar-power related) and uninterruptible power supply
(UPS), and motive-power applications including lift trucks, mining
and other commercial vehicles.
Further information about Exide, including its financial results,
are available at www.exide.com.
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Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical
information, this press release may be deemed to contain
"forward-looking" statements. The Company desires to avail
itself of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act") and is including this
cautionary statement for the express purpose of availing itself
of the protection afforded by the Act. The Company undertakes no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statement in this or any prior forward-looking statements
whether as a result of new information, future developments or
otherwise.
Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not
limited to, (a) projections of revenues, cost of raw materials,
income or loss, earnings or loss per share, capital
expenditures, growth prospects, dividends, the effect of
currency translations, capital structure and other financial
items, (b) statements of plans and objectives of the Company or
its management or Board of Directors, including the introduction
of new products, or estimates or predictions of actions by
customers, suppliers, competitors or regulating authorities, (c)
statements of future economic performance and (d) statements of
assumptions, such as the prevailing weather conditions in the
Company's market areas, underlying other statements and
statements about the Company or its business.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from these forward-looking statements include, but are not
limited to, the following general factors such as: (i) the
Company's ability to implement and fund business strategies and
restructuring plans, (ii) unseasonable weather (warm winters and
cool summers) which adversely affects demand for automotive and
some industrial batteries, (iii) the Company's substantial debt
and debt service requirements which may restrict the Company's
operational and financial flexibility, as well as imposing
significant interest and financing costs, (iv) the fact that
lead, a major constituent in most of the Company's products,
experiences significant fluctuations in market price and is a
hazardous material that may give rise to costly environmental
and safety claims, (v) competitiveness of the battery markets in
North America and Europe, (vi) the Company's exposure to
fluctuations in interest rates on its variable debt, (vii)
general economic conditions, (viii) the ability to acquire goods
and services and/or fulfill labor needs at budgeted costs, (ix)
the Company's reliance on a single supplier for its polyethylene
battery separators, and (x) the Company's ability to
successfully pass along increased material costs to its
customers.
Therefore, the Company cautions each reader of this press
release carefully to consider those factors set forth above and
those factors described in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year 2007 and its most recent interim report
filed with the SEC because such factors have, in some instances,
affected and in the future could affect, the ability of the
Company to achieve its projected results and may cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed herein.
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Media Contacts
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Investor Contact
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Carol Knies
Senior Director of Investor Relations
Exide Technologies
678/566-9316 phone
carol.knies@exide.com
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