First Solar Recognizes Top Suppliers with 2013 Achievement Awards

  • SMA Solar Technology AG
  • OMCO Solar
  • Airgas USA, LLC
  • Air Liquide Malaysia

TEMPE, Ariz.--()--First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) has announced recipients of the company’s 2013 NOVA award for outstanding performance by suppliers. The suppliers – SMA Solar Technology AG, OMCO Solar, Airgas USA, LLC and Air Liquide Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. – were recognized for providing enduring value to First Solar’s manufacturing and EPC project activities.

SMA Solar Technology AG was recognized for their continued partnership with First Solar on a number of key strategic initiatives, including third party sales support, around the world, while maintaining quality and controlling costs.

OMCO Solar was recognized for demonstrating considerable manufacturing flexibility that accommodated First Solar’s dynamic EPC project schedules in North America.

Airgas USA, LLC was recognized for ensuring continued, uninterrupted supply of manufacturing materials to First Solar’s Perrysburg production facility, as well as personal protection equipment and safety equipment, while remaining open to creative approaches to managing inventory and reducing costs.

Air Liquide Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (ALM) was recognized for delivering an expanded nitrogen generation system in support of new manufacturing processes at First Solar’s production facility in Kulim, Malaysia, and for supporting First Solar’s requirements at competitive rates.

“Our suppliers play a critical role in fulfilling our mission to create enduring value by enabling a world powered by clean, affordable solar electricity,” said Shellie Molina, First Solar’s Vice President of Global Supply Chain. “We appreciate the exceptional efforts of these NOVA award recipients and the value they provide through the highest standards of quality, cost and performance in both the manufacturing and EPC environments.”

First Solar estimates that its business operations support approximately 33,000 supply chain jobs on a global basis. The company established the NOVA Award in 2011 to honor suppliers who significantly support its mission.

About First Solar, Inc.

First Solar is a leading global provider of comprehensive photovoltaic (PV) solar systems which use its advanced module and system technology. The company’s integrated power plant solutions deliver an economically attractive alternative to fossil-fuel electricity generation today. From raw material sourcing through end-of-life module recycling, First Solar’s renewable energy systems protect and enhance the environment. For more information about First Solar, please visit www.firstsolar.com.

For First Solar Investors

This release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements, among other things, concerning: our business strategy, including anticipated trends and developments in and management plans for our business and the markets in which we operate; future financial results, operating results, revenues, gross margin, operating expenses, products, projected costs, warranties, solar module efficiency and balance of systems (“BoS”) cost reduction roadmaps, restructuring, product reliability and capital expenditures; our ability to continue to reduce the cost per watt of our solar modules; our ability to reduce the costs to construct photovoltaic (“PV”) solar power systems; research and development programs and our ability to improve the conversion efficiency of our solar modules; sales and marketing initiatives; and competition. These forward-looking statements are often characterized by the use of words such as “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “forecast,” “foresee,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “goal,” “target,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “predict,” “continue” and the negative or plural of these words and other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and our projections about future events. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements for any reason. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the matters discussed in Item 1A: “Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as updated and supplemented by risk factors included in our Prospectus dated June 12, 2013 filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5) (the “Prospectus”), Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other reports filed with the SEC.

Contacts

First Solar Media
Steve Krum
+1 602-427-3359
steve.krum@firstsolar.com
or
First Solar Investors
David Brady
+1 602-414-9315
dbrady@firstsolar.com

Release Summary

First Solar recognizes top suppliers with 2013 achievement awards

Contacts

First Solar Media
Steve Krum
+1 602-427-3359
steve.krum@firstsolar.com
or
First Solar Investors
David Brady
+1 602-414-9315
dbrady@firstsolar.com