Ballard Power Systems says it has signed a follow-on fuel cell technology solutions contract with an unnamed, major global automotive OEM, extending the contract extension signed and announced on July 20, 2016.
Under the new contract extension, Ballard will continue to provide expertise in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology to advance the customer’s membrane electrode assembly development program related to future versions of its engine for fuel cell vehicles.
“We continue to see increased levels of fuel cell activity from major OEMs throughout the global automotive industry,” says Randy MacEwen, Ballard’s president and CEO. “At Ballard, we are uniquely positioned to offer these companies bundled technology solutions, with access to our leading intellectual capital and intellectual property focused on PEM fuel cell technology. These opportunities provide high value to our customers and long-term embedded optionality for Ballard shareholders.”
Kevin Colbow, Ballard’s vice president of technology and product development, comments, “This latest follow-on contract reflects our customer’s satisfaction with the measured progress we have made during the 2014-16 period to provide compelling solutions for challenging technical issues. This next phase of our collaboration with this partner sets a clear road map for Ballard technology being integrated into future generations of their fuel cell vehicle platforms.”
In addition, Ballard has also announced that, effective May 1, the company has appointed Rob Campbell vice president and chief commercial officer, following his career in senior leadership roles in the global cleantech and power generation industries, including the hydrogen fuel cell industry.
As reported, Karim Kassam, vice president – commercial, will be leaving Ballard at the end of May.
“Having previously worked with Rob in both the fuel cell and solar industries, I am very familiar with his experience as a high-performing business executive and with his extensive qualifications for the CCO role at Ballard,” says MacEwen. “Rob has considerable experience in global business development, sales, marketing, product line management and service, including experience in China, Japan, Europe and the United States. He has deep knowledge of high-growth markets and engineering-based capital equipment solution sales to sophisticated customers. Rob will be a complementary addition to our executive team as we enter the next phase of market growth and corporate scaling.”
In his role as chief commercial officer, Campbell will report directly to the CEO and be responsible for global business development, sales, marketing, product line management and after-sales service activities in the company’s key power products markets of heavy-duty motive, material handling and backup power.
Campbell was most recently president and CEO of SoloPower Systems Inc., a Portland, Ore., manufacturer of photovoltaic technology.
