Panasonic is 'SFC Energy Approved' partner of SFC

  • Partnership certifies Toughbook products by Panasonic for operationwith SFC fuel cells
  • „SFC Energy Approved“ certification by SFC standardizes green fuel cell technology for defense applications

Brunnthal/Munich and Wiesbaden, Germany, September 27, 2010 – Panasonic, worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products, is „SFC Energy Approved” partner of SFC. The partnership comprises a certification of Panasonic’s Toughbook products for operation with fuel cells by SFC. Within this certification, products of the Toughbook family by Panasonic, with Panasonic Toughbook models CF-19, CF-31 CF-52 und CF-U1 leading the way, successfully completed compatability checks with SFC products. They receive the quality seal of the fuel cell manufacturer which approves ecological operation and improved efficiency of the hardened notebooks through combination of conventional energy supply with fuel cells.

„SFC Energy Approved“ standardizes green fuel cell technology including intelligent power management solutions by SFC for defense applications and qualifies electronical equipment for environmentally friendly fuel cell technology. Fuel cells by SFC extend autonomy of electrical devices compared to conventional batteries by a multiple degree. As reliable, emission-free, ecological power supply they offer maximum security of supply at minimum of weight to the soldier.

“The partnership between Panasonic and SFC Energy achieves decisive benefits for our defense customers“, explains Holger W. Kalnischkies, General Manager Panasonic Computer Products Europe. „Besides the customer appreciated mobility and ergonomics of our Panasonic Toughbook systems the fuel cell solutions enable longer standby times on missions. Compact dimensions, light weight and simplified field logistics play an outstanding role thereby. The products of both companies excellently complement each other and take account of the changed conditions in military operations. This offers our industrial customers significant competitive advantages because they can meet the increased requirements”.

„We are very pleased about our partnership with Panasonic”, says Dr. Peter Podesser, CEO of SFC Energy AG. „This cooperation once again confirms that our product solutions guarantee more flexible and prolonged periods of application for products by Panasonic. And all this with considerable competitive advantages, especially for end-users and soldiers. With our primary product features, lightweight and non-detectable energy supply, we jointly ensure not only to improve soldiers’ abilities but also to simplify logistics for power supply in the field”.

SFC Energy AG is technology and market leader for mobile and off-grid power solutions based on fuel cells, having sold about 19,000 fully commercialised fuel cells for leisure, industry and defense markets for more than six years. For defense applications the company offers reliable, lightweight and environmentally friendly energy supply with the portable energy network consisting of the JENNY fuel cell and the SFC Power Manager and the mobile EMILY 2200 fuel cell for vehicle and field-based operation. The products increase mobility, effectiveness and security of soldiers in the field.

For further information visit www.sfc.com and www.toughbook.eu

SFC Energy AG (www.sfc.com) is market leader in fuel cell technologies for mobile and off-grid power applications serving the leisure, industrial and defense markets.As one of Germany’s technology pioneers, SFC has won numerous innovation awards.SFC has alliances with leading companies in a wide range of industries.Unlike most other fuel cell manufacturers, who are in the research and development phase or run subsidized demonstration projects, SFC has shipped about 19,000 fully commercial products to industrial and private end users for more than six years, and has created a convenient fuel cartridge supply infrastructure. SFC is DIN ISO 9001:2008 certified. SFC is based in Brunnthal, Germany, and has a sales and technical service office in the U.S.

About Panasonic

Best known by its Panasonic brand name, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business, and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated net sales of JPY 7,42 billion for FY 2009 (ended March 31, 2010). The Company's shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York (NYSE:MC) stock exchanges. For more information on the Company and the Panasonic brand, visit the Company's website at http://www.panasonic.net.

SFC Press Contact:
Claudia von Junker und Bigato
Public Relations
SFC Energy AG
Eugen-Saenger-Ring 7
D-85649 Brunnthal
Tel. +49 89 673 592-377
Fax. +49 89 673 592-169
Email: claudia.junker@sfc.com

Panasonic Press contact:
Marco Rach
Marketing Manager Germany TOUGHBOOK
Panasonic Marketing Europe GmbH
Hagenauer Straße 43
65203 Wiesbaden
Tel.: +49-611-235-165
Fax. +49-611-235-371
Email: Marco.Rach@eu.panasonic.com

SFC Investor Relations:
Barbara von Frankenberg
Head of IR and PR
SFC Energy AG
Eugen-Saenger-Ring 7
D-85649 Brunnthal
Tel. +49 89 673 592-378
Fax. +49 89 673 592-169
Email: barbara.frankenberg@sfc.com