Rutronik to Distribute Maxwell's Ultracapacitors Throughout Europe

SAN DIEGO and ISPRINGEN, Germany, May 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Maxwell Technologies (Nasdaq: MXWL) and Rutronik Elektronische Bauelemente GmbH today announced an agreement through which Rutronik will distribute Maxwell's BOOSTCAP® ultracapacitor products throughout Europe. Under this new contract, Rutronik will especially address the European industrial, automotive, renewable energies and other key energy storage market segments with Maxwell's ultracapacitor products.

Available in a range of sizes and modular configurations, BOOSTCAP® ultracapacitors from Maxwell bring high levels of efficiency (>95%) and power (10kW to MW) to a wide range of applications, including consumer electronics, hybrid cars and renewable energy sources. With energy density hundreds of times greater than conventional capacitors, ultracapacitors provide an independent, instantly available source of power with a broad operational temperature range, and are unaffected by shock, overcharging and millions of charge/discharge cycles.

Maxwell's BOOSTCAP® ultracapacitors reliably bridge power in uninterruptible back up power and telecom network systems, assure around-the-clock power availability for wind turbine pitch systems and deliver peak power for drive systems and actuators. They also ensure peak shaving and graceful power-down of robotic systems, augment the primary energy source for portable devices such as power tools, smooth energy throughput from renewable energy storage sources and efficiently enable high power pulse forming in power generators. The capabilities of ultracapacitors for efficient electrical energy storage and rapid discharge/recharge are integral to low-emission, fuel-efficient, hybrid powertrains and advanced electrical drive systems.

"Rutronik's comprehensive coverage of the entire European continent and their commitment to providing a complete range of value-added support services brings a significant additional dimension to our channel partner network," said Van Andrews, Maxwell's vice president of ultracapacitor sales and marketing. "This new partnership will be instrumental in educating and better serving the European energy storage marketplace and accelerating BOOSTCAP products' penetration of this large and dynamic market."  

"Ultracapacitors by Maxwell are an excellent design option for advanced power systems designs. They are cost-effective, perform well, are very reliable and are an outstanding choice in terms of energy storage technologies", states Markus Krieg, Managing Director Marketing at Rutronik. "With this new franchise, we can offer our customers an even broader and wider range of products especially for inverters, energy saving applications and other groundbreaking technologies. This is consistent with our continuing effort to support our customers in developing future-oriented energy saving electronic devices and to address the fast growing market of renewable energies, where ultracapacitors are indispensable."

About Rutronik (www.rutronik.com)

Rutronik Elektronische Bauelemente GmbH is one of Europe's leading broadline distributors for semiconductors, passive and electromechanical components in addition to wireless products, displays and PC components. The markets that the company primarily targets include the automotive, telecommunications, consumer goods and industrial electronics industries. Rutronik also offers photovoltaic solutions from its subsidiary company Rusol. Wide-ranging services, competent support in the areas of product development and design, as well as individual logistics and supply chain management solutions round off its customer and future-orientated range of goods and services. The company, established by Helmut Rudel in Ispringen/Germany in 1973, employs about 1,100 staff throughout Europe and achieved sales of EUR 587 million in fiscal year 2008.

About Maxwell (www.maxwell.com)

Maxwell is a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative, cost-effective energy storage and power delivery solutions. Its BOOSTCAP® ultracapacitor cells and multi-cell modules provide safe and reliable power solutions for applications in consumer and industrial electronics, automotive, transportation and telecommunications. Its CONDIS® high-voltage grading and coupling capacitors help to ensure the safety and reliability of electric utility infrastructure and other applications involving transport, distribution and measurement of high-voltage electrical energy. Its radiation-mitigated microelectronic products include power modules, memory modules and single board computers that incorporate powerful commercial silicon for superior performance and high reliability in aerospace applications.

SOURCE Maxwell Technologies