UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
 
 

FORM 8-K
 
 

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): March 17, 2017

FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Delaware
 
1-14204
 
06-0853042
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
 
 
   3 Great Pasture Road, Danbury, Connecticut
 
06810
 
 
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (203) 825-6000
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
 
¨

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
¨

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
¨

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
¨

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))





 


Item 1.01
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
 
As previously disclosed, FuelCell Energy, Inc., (the "Company") is a party to the following agreements with POSCO Energy Co., Ltd. ("POSCO Energy");
 
(a)     Alliance Agreement ("AA"), dated as of February 7, 2007, with an expiration date of October 31, 2027;
(b)     the Technology Transfer, Distribution and Licensing Agreement ("TTA"), dated as of February 7, 2007, with  an expiration date of October 31, 2027; 
(c)     the Stack Technology Transfer and License Agreement ("STTA"), dated October 27, 2009, with an expiration date of October 27, 2027; and
(d)    the Cell Technology Transfer and License Agreement ("CTTA"), dated October 31, 2012, with an original expiration date of October 31, 2027

On March 17, 2017, the Company entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“2017 MOU”) with POSCO Energy to engage in discussions to further amend the above referenced agreements and other agreements between the parties, as well as engaging in discussions relating to entering into new agreements to further the parties mutual interests. The 2017 MOU contemplates that POSCO Energy will continue to service the existing installed base of fuel cell plants in South Korea. In addition, the 2017 MOU contemplates entering into a module procurement agreement with POSCO Energy that the Company anticipates will provide that POSCO Energy will commit to a specified level of module purchases from the Company to supplement its own local manufacturing for servicing their existing fleet. Definitive agreements are expected to be finalized in autumn 2017 subject to completion of due diligence, regulatory approvals, and customary closing conditions.

Pursuant the 2017 MOU, the Company will immediately commence marketing the entire suite of SureSource solutions in Korea as well as the broader Asian markets for the supply, recovery and storage of energy. This agreement is a binding provision of the 2017 MOU.
The foregoing description of the 2017 MOU is qualified by reference to the complete document, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K.

Item 8.01
Other Information.

On March 21, 2017, the Company issued a press release related to the 2017 MOU, which is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 8-K.

Cautionary Language  Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company's plans and expectations regarding the 2017 MOU. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Factors that could cause such a difference include, without limitation, changes to projected deliveries and order flow, changes to production rate and product costs, general risks associated with product development, manufacturing, changes in the regulatory environment, customer strategies, unanticipated manufacturing issues that impact power plant performance, changes in critical accounting policies, potential volatility of energy prices, rapid technological change, competition, and the Company's ability to achieve its sales plans and cost reduction targets, as well as other risks set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statement to reflect any change in the Company's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.







Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)
Exhibits.

 
 
 
Exhibit
No.
 
Description
 
 
 
10.1
 
Memorandum of Understanding for Market Transition dated as of March 17, 2017, by and between the Company and POSCO Energy
99.1
 
FuelCell Energy, Inc., Press Release, dated March 21, 2017.






























2







SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
 
 
 
Date: March 21, 2017
 
By:
 
/s/ Michael S. Bishop
 
 
 
 
Michael S. Bishop
 
 
 
 
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer





 
 

 
Exhibit 10.1

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
FOR MARKET TRANSITION

This MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (the " MOU ") is made and entered into as of the 17th day of March, 2017 (the "Effective Date") by and between POSCO Energy Co., Ltd., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of Korea (" Korea "), having its principal place of business at POSCO Center, 440 Teheranr-ro, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, 135-777, Korea (" POSCO Energy ") and Fuel Cell Energy, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the state of Delaware having a place of business at 3 Great Pasture Rd., Danbury, CT 06810 (" FCE "). POSCO Energy and FCE are sometimes referred to herein individually as a " Party " and collectively as the " Parties ".


RECITALS

WHEREAS, POSCO Energy is currently engaged in conducting fuel cell business including but not limited to manufacturing fuel cell products in Korea and selling and servicing fuel cell products in various Asian countries including South Korea through a series of agreements with FCE, including but not limited to certain licensing agreements, a securities purchase agreement, an alliance agreement and other agreements (the “ Agreements ”); and

WHEREAS, FCE has developed, continues to develop and owns certain fuel cell related technology, including, but not limited to, those based on Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (" MCFC ") technology and applications, and is engaged in conducting fuel cell manufacturing and related business throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, the Parties have determined that in order to capitalize on the current market opportunities in both South Korea and other parts of Asia, it would be beneficial for both Parties to further discuss and collaborate on market strategies of fuel cell business in all of Asia, including South Korea, in order to leverage mutual experience and expertise to grow the global business and to maintain desired level of service to existing fuel cell fleet in South Korea (the “ Proposed Transaction ”).

NOW THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1.      PURPOSE

The purpose of this MOU is to confirm the intent and desire of FCE and POSCO Energy in facilitating the discussions and collaboration between the Parties on (i) cooperation between the Parties in respect with supply of modules for the purpose of executing and performing of efficient and cost-effective long term maintenance services to existing fuel cell fleet in South Korea, and (ii) the development of market strategies to make the best use of potentials over Asia, including South Korea, as fuel cell market. The Parties understand that such collaboration may require amending certain of the Agreements subject to mutual agreements.


ARTICLE 2. COOPERATION MARKET STRATEGIES AND LONG TERM SERVICES

a. In the event FCE desires to sell its products directly to customers in the region of Asia, including South Korea (the “ Targeted Market ”), which certain rights currently belong to POSCO Energy,





POSCO Energy shall provide its best support to FCE to assist FCE achieving its business objective. In order for FCE to sell its products in the Targeted Market and for POSCO Energy to provide services under its current Long Term Services Agreements (the “ LTSA ”), the Parties shall engage in discussions for amending and agreeing to the terms and conditions of the relevant Agreements including but not limited to licensing agreements, alliance agreement, Master Service Agreement (the “ MSA ”) and the Module Procurement Agreement (the “ MPA ”), which shall take place no later than September 30, 2017. The exclusive and irrevocable right for FCE to sell its products in the Targeted Market shall be granted to FCE in consideration of commissions to be paid to POSCO Energy for FCE’s sales in the Targeted Market of any product for which POSCO Energy had a right to sell under the Agreements prior to amendment. Any amendments to the Agreements agreed on by the Parties to reflect the terms of this MOU will be likely to contain reasonable and customary terms as deemed appropriate by the Parties, including waivers of claims, events of default, and appropriate remedies.

b. The Parties shall collaborate on managing the global production volume of DFC modules. To supplement POSCO Energy’s planned production and support existing LTSAs, FCE shall negotiate with POSCO Energy as to the principle terms and conditions to be included in the MPA. The Parties envisage to execute the MPA in the future in connection with POSCO Energy’s long term plan of stack modules procurement so that POSCO Energy may have reliable supply of stack modules necessary in providing stable long term maintenance services to the existing fuel cell fleet in South Korea. The Parties shall agree to the price of the FCE Modules which price shall be reasonable and consistent with the unit price of a FCE Module in previous contracts between the Parties and FCE shall agree to the warranty term equivalent to a stack life as set forth in the specification of the purchase contracts that the Parties customarily entered into.
  
c. The provisions of this Paragraph 2(c) are legally binding on the Parties. Upon execution of this MOU, notwithstanding Paragraph 2(a) above, the Parties acknowledge that FCE shall immediately commence market development activities and seek to secure and fulfill orders to become the business and backlog of FCE and/or FCE’s designated subsidiaries. POSCO Energy, by signing this MOU, waives all rights to claim at any time that FCE is in breach of its rights under any of the Agreements by engaging market and sales activities described in this Paragraph 2(c) or otherwise seek to prevent FCE from engaging in market and sales activity during the period prior to execution of definitive amendments to the Agreements or termination of this MOU, whichever is earlier. For the sake of clarity, FCE may fulfill any sales commitments secured in writing following any such termination in the event the commitment was entered into prior to such termination.

d.
During the pendency of this MOU, the Parties shall collaborate to pursue investor opportunities in furtherance of the global market for fuel cells.

ARTICLE 3.      LANGUAGE

The negotiations will be conducted in English and all legal agreements relating to the contemplated transactions, if and once agreed by the Parties to be executed, will be prepared in English. The English version will control over any translations.

ARTICLE 4.      MISCELLANEOUS

 
a.
Except for Paragraph 2(c) and Article 4 which shall be legally binding, the Parties acknowledge and agree that, unless otherwise agreed between the Parties herein, nothing in this MOU is intended





to create nor shall be construed to create any legally binding obligations on either Party, unless and until the execution of a definitive agreement between the Parties. Unless the Parties agreed otherwise in Paragraph 2(c) , the Agreements remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms.

b. The Parties shall engage in their commercially reasonable efforts to consummate the transactions described in this MOU. If definitive amendments to the Agreements are not entered into by the target date set forth in Paragraph 2(a), each Party shall have the right, but not the obligation to terminate this MOU. Such termination shall be accomplished by thirty (30) day’s prior written notice by the terminating Party to the other Party.

a.
This MOU, and the negotiations between POSCO Energy and FCE in connection with the Proposed Transaction, and all disputes or claims arising out of or in connection with them or their subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims) will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of New York, U.S.A., without giving effect to the principles of choice or conflict of laws provisions thereof.

d. In the event of any dispute, controversy or claim (collectively, “ Dispute ”) arising out of or relating to this MOU or its breach, termination or invalidity, the Parties shall attempt in the first instance to resolve such Dispute through friendly consultations. If the Dispute cannot be resolved through friendly consultations between the Parties within ninety (90) days following the first written request from a Party for consultations, then the Parties agree to settle and resolve any Dispute by way of international arbitration with the international arbitration rules of International Chamber of Commerce then applicable with three (3) arbitrators to be appointed pursuant to the said rules. The seat for arbitration shall be Singapore and the language of such arbitration shall be English language.

e. Each Party is responsible for its own costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Proposed Transaction, including costs associated with its own respective third party advisors (i.e., investment bank, legal advisor and/or accounting firm) appointed by each Party in performing transaction services as set forth in this MOU, including without limitation the preparation and negotiation of this MOU and amendment of the Agreements, the definitive transaction agreements and any documents contemplated by them.

f. This MOU is for the benefit of the Parties to it and is not intended to benefit, or be enforceable by, anyone else.

g. Each Party agrees that it will continue to conduct its business and these negotiations prudently, in good faith, in a commercially reasonable manner, and in a manner that does not attract unfavorable publicity, or a negative reputation in the energy industry, which in any case would be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the transactions contemplated herein or on the fuel cell business or industry.








IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this MOU to be executed by their duly
authorized representatives as of the day and year first set forth above.


For and on behalf of
 
 
For and on behalf of
 
 
 
 
 
 
POSCO Energy Co., Ltd
 
 
FUELCELL ENERGY, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Dong-Jun Yoon
 
 
/s/ Arthur A. Bottone
 
Name: Yoon, Dong-Jun
 
 
Name: Arthur A. Bottone
 
Position: President and CEO
 
 
Position: President and CEO
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 






FUELCELLLOGOA01.JPG
 
 

 
Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FuelCell Energy and Korean-based POSCO Energy Announce Strategic Agreement to Globalize the Stationary Fuel Cell Market

FuelCell Energy to commence market activities for Asian market development offering entire portfolio of SureSource solutions
POSCO Energy to support existing South Korean fuel cell installations and operate local manufacturing facility
Parties expect to finalize detailed definitive agreements by fall 2017


DANBURY, CT - March 21, 2017 -- FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: FCEL), a global leader in delivering clean, innovative and affordable fuel cell solutions for the supply, recovery and storage of energy, today announced a memorandum of understanding with partner POSCO Energy to use an existing FuelCell Energy subsidiary to directly develop the Asian fuel cell business for the purpose of expanding Asian market opportunities. Under this agreement, FuelCell Energy will immediately commence marketing the entire suite of SureSource solutions in Korea as well as the broader Asian markets for the supply, recovery and storage of energy. POSCO Energy will continue to service the existing installed base of fuel cell plants in South Korea and will commit to a specified level of module purchases from FuelCell Energy to supplement its own local manufacturing for servicing their existing fleet. Definitive agreements are expected to be finalized by fall 2017 subject to completion of due diligence, regulatory approvals, and customary closing conditions.

“Offering our entire portfolio of solutions throughout Asia aligns well with our growing list of global customers as well as sizeable projects with existing customers of POSCO Energy,” said Chip Bottone, President and Chief Executive Officer FuelCell Energy. “This revised relationship is structured to rapidly grow market opportunities and enable project-level investment by third parties while leveraging the deep relationships of POSCO Energy.”

“We believe FuelCell Energy will be successful in the significant Asian utility-scale stationary fuel cell market by now directly marketing its high quality products,” said Dong Jun Yoon, President and Chief Executive Officer, POSCO Energy.

The installed fleet in South Korea consists of 18 sites, totaling more than 170 megawatts with a customer base that includes 15 of Korea’s largest utilities and independent power producers. The backlog for the underlying service agreements for these installations includes over 300 megawatts of future fuel cell module production under existing service agreements.

“We have the capabilities in place for the development, construction, operation and maintenance of fuel cell projects in Korea as we leverage our decade-plus working relationship with POSCO Energy; utilize our global monitoring and control center to remotely operate and monitor plants worldwide; continue to manage the joint purchasing from our shared global supply chain; and we helped design the production process and procured manufacturing equipment on behalf of POSCO Energy for the fuel cell





manufacturing facility in South Korea,” commented Tony Rauseo, Chief Operating Officer, FuelCell Energy. “We see this as a natural evolution for growing the Asian market.”

Fuel cells are well suited for addressing the energy, environmental and economic goals of the Korean government. High population density, limited land, and scarce natural resources that lead to the importation of more than 90 percent of the fuel needed to generate power and heat requires highly efficient and affordable power that can be located near where the power is used. The virtual lack of criteria pollutants and low carbon footprint of fuel cells combined with affordable economics and minimal space needs have led to significant fuel cell adoption by Korean utilities and independent power producers. With high availability and capacity factors, fuel cell power plants make meaningful contributions to Renewable Portfolio Standard targets.

Cautionary Language Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company's plans and expectations regarding the memorandum of understanding. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Factors that could cause such a difference include, without limitation, changes to projected deliveries and order flow, changes to production rate and product costs, general risks associated with product development, manufacturing, changes in the regulatory environment, customer strategies, unanticipated manufacturing issues that impact power plant performance, changes in critical accounting policies, potential volatility of energy prices, rapid technological change, competition, and the Company's ability to achieve its sales plans and cost reduction targets, as well as other risks set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statement to reflect any change in the Company's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

About FuelCell Energy
FuelCell Energy (NASDAQ: FCEL) delivers efficient, affordable and clean solutions for the supply, recovery and storage of energy. We design, manufacture, undertake project development, install, operate and maintain megawatt-scale fuel cell systems, serving utilities, industrial and large municipal power users with solutions that include both utility-scale and on-site power generation, carbon capture, local hydrogen production for transportation and industry, and long duration energy storage. With SureSource™ installations on three continents and millions of megawatt hours of ultra-clean power produced, FuelCell Energy is a global leader with environmentally responsible power solutions. Visit us online at www.fuelcellenergy.com and follow us on Twitter .

SureSource, SureSource 1500, SureSource 3000, SureSource 4000, SureSource Recovery, SureSource Capture, SureSource Hydrogen, SureSource Storage, SureSource Service, SureSource Capital, FuelCell Energy, and FuelCell Energy logo are all trademarks of FuelCell Energy, Inc.


Contact:

FuelCell Energy, Inc.
Kurt Goddard, Vice President Investor Relations
203-830-7494
ir@fce.com
Source: FuelCell Energy
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