Truck Service Body Maker, Knapheide Manufacturing, Names Clean Energy Subsidiary BAF Technologies as Exclusive CNG System Supplier for Knapheide-Equipped Ford Trucks
Seal Beach, Calif. (Feb. 24, 2011) — Knapheide Manufacturing Company, makers of an extensive line of steel service truck bodies, has selected BAF Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq: CLNE), as the exclusive provider of aftermarket CNG fuel systems for light-duty Ford trucks configured with Knapheide service bodies.
Under the terms of the new agreement, BAF will provide its proprietary CNG fuel systems to Knapheide for use on Knapheide-configured Ford service body vehicles, primarily Ford F-350 and F-450 truck platforms.
“The agreement will expand opportunities for both our companies to meet the growing demand across America for clean-burning, natural gas-powered Ford service vehicles,” said John Bacon, President, BAF Technologies. “BAF is the first CNG vehicle upfitter in the United States to be named a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier for gaseous fuels, and we are honored to provide our CNG fuel system capabilities to Knapheide, a manufacturer long recognized for its high-quality products.”
Chris Weiss, Vice President, Engineering, Knapheide Manufacturing, said, ”With our BAF partnership, we see a great opportunity to provide work-ready CNG solutions for our Ford customers on many different platforms.”
In operation for 163 years, Quincy, Illinois-based Knapheide is the leading producer of steel service truck bodies and platform/stake style truck bodies in the United States. Their product line includes a wide range of distinctive types of service bodies, designed and custom-configured to meet individual and fleet customer requirements. Typical users include municipalities, utility and telecommunication service providers, business fleets and construction companies.
BAF Technologies is the leading provider of natural gas vehicle systems and conversions in the United States and supports clients with alternative fuel systems. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, BAF was acquired by Clean Energy in October 2009.
BAF provides alternative fuel systems, application engineering, service and warranty support and research and development. The company’s aftermarket systems ensure that current natural gas vehicles (NGVs) are available for domestic light-duty fleets. Its vehicle conversions include taxis, vans, pick-up trucks and shuttle buses. BAF utilizes advanced natural gas system integration technology and has certified NGVs under both EPA and CARB standards achieving Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle emissions.
Clean Energy (Nasdaq: CLNE) is the largest provider of natural gas fuel for transportation in North America and a global leader in the expanding natural gas vehicle market. It has operations in CNG and LNG vehicle fueling, construction and operation of CNG and LNG fueling stations, biomethane production, vehicle conversion and compressor technology.
Clean Energy fuels over 19,900 vehicles at 211 strategic locations across the United States and Canada with a broad customer base in the refuse, transit, trucking, shuttle, taxi, airport and municipal fleet markets. It owns (70%) and operates a landfill gas facility in Dallas, Texas, that produces renewable methane gas, or biomethane, for delivery in the nation’s gas pipeline network. It owns and operates LNG production plants in Willis, Texas and Boron, Calif. with combined capacity of 260,000 LNG gallons per day and that are designed to expand to 340,000 LNG gallons per day as demand increases. NorthStar, a wholly owned subsidiary, is the recognized leader in LNG/LCNG (liquefied to compressed natural gas) fueling system technologies and station construction and operations. BAF Technologies, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, is a leading provider of natural gas vehicle systems and conversions for taxis, vans, pick-up trucks and shuttle buses. IMW Industries, Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary based in Canada, is a leading supplier of compressed natural gas equipment for vehicle fueling and industrial applications with more than 1,000 installations in 24 countries. www.cleanenergyfuels.com
Forward-Looking Statements — This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the demand for CNG fuel systems by Knapheide. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the performance, availability and price of CNG vehicles relative to gasoline and diesel models. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date of this press release and the company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
