Ekoenergetyka wins PLN 741 million for dynamic growth
Ekoenergetyka S.A., a leading European manufacturer of electric vehicle chargers, has signed a PLN 741 million loan agreement with Bank Pekao S.A. to finance the company’s further dynamic growth in the European market.
In the first period, the company will receive financing in the amount of PLN 691 million. The agreement provides for an increase in the amount of the loan to PLN 741 million, upon fulfillment of certain conditions. Bank Pekao is acting as the leader and agent of the consortium, and in a further stage of the transaction, it and the company will select co- contractors.
Ekoenergetyka launched a new production line this month, which will multiply production efficiency and improve the quality of the product itself. The company plans to further automate the line, introducing industrial robots for some elements of the production process. The investment in the new line is part of a strategic plan to increase production capacity and meet the growing demand for electric car chargers in the European market.
– The acquired financing will provide the company with the opportunity for further dynamic development both in the area of international expansion across Europe and in the area of planned ambitious investments,” said Bartosz Kubik, co-founder and CEO of Ekoenergetyka. – We are pleased to be able to develop our cooperation with one of the leaders of the Polish financial market. Since the beginning of our cooperation, Bank Pekao S.A. has supported the company with uncommon commitment, supported and understood the needs of dynamic development hence in a way somehow natural was the decision to choose this Bank as the leader of the process. Taking into account how much interest the financial market has in the sector of electromobility and new technologies sector, in which we are a leader, we believe that the consortium will attract interest from other leading financial institutions,” – added Barbara Wacht, vice chairman of the board.
The loan agreement provides for the possibility of structuring financing in the first year of cooperation under the Sustainability Linked Loan (SLL) formula, which makes the cost of the loan contingent on meeting sustainability indicators.
– Electromobility is our future, and an important factor in its dynamic development is the emergence of adequate infrastructure. We are very pleased that Bank Pekao can contribute to this development by financing a company that has a significant impact on shaping the market for electric vehicle chargers. Importantly, not only the investment objective itself, but also the financing fits into the criteria of sustainable development, as the terms of the loan are linked to the implementation of ESG goals,” says Magdalena Zmitrowicz, deputy CEO of Bank Pekao S.A.
– We are pleased to support such an innovative company as Ekoenergetyka in its international expansion. We see this as the next step in our relationship and already see opportunities for further joint development,” says Dieter Lobnig, head of Investment Banking and Real Estate Finance.
Ekoenergetyka, which controls about 20 percent of the market for urban bus charging stations in Europe, is now focused on increasing its market share in electric car and truck charging. The company recently announced the world premieres of its latest fast charging station solutions: Axon Easy 400kW and Axon Side 360kW with SAT400 satellites, dedicated to professional charging hubs of major European operators. The company has already completed the first deliveries of these products for Ionita and Orlen Deutschland, among others, and has won further contracts for significant operators in Europe. Ekoenergetyka has been cooperating with many operators for years, including Portugal’s Powerdot, and its products can be found in the parking lots of most supermarkets in Poland.
Ekoenergetyka’s legal advisor in the loan negotiations was Rubicon law firm, while Pekao Bank was assisted by Schoenherr law firm. Pekao Investment Banking S.A. will additionally advise the company in the further syndication process.
Founded in 2009, Ekoenergetyka grew out of an academic research project and now employs more than 1,000 people. The company’s international expansion is backed by Enterprise Investors, a leading Central European private equity fund, which took a significant minority stake in 2022 in a deal of nearly €50 million.