Blink Charging Co. (BLNK) 25th Annual Needham Growth Conference (Transcript)
BlinkBlink(US:BLNK)2023-01-12 22:07

Blink Charging Co. Conference Call Summary Company Overview - Company: Blink Charging Co. (NASDAQ: BLNK) - Industry: Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure - Key Participants: Brendan Jones (President), Chris Pierce (Needham Research) Core Points and Arguments Business Model and Offerings - Blink Charging is a full-service EV infrastructure company providing a range of options including equipment sales, network services, and owner-operator solutions [3][4] - The company is described as the only fully vertically-integrated player in the industry, controlling design, manufacturing, sales, and operation of its equipment [3] - Blink offers four ownership models: owner-operated, Blink-owned, hybrid-owned, and Blink-as-a-service, allowing flexibility to meet diverse customer needs [5][6][8] Product Development and Market Position - Recently announced five new products at CES, including DC fast charging and home charging solutions [4] - The company has a bias towards the owner-operator model due to its preference for product revenue, which currently constitutes the majority of its income [12] - Blink is expanding its manufacturing footprint in India and the U.S. to control costs and improve margins [13][66] Market Dynamics and Competition - The company anticipates hyper-commoditization in the L2 market, leading to suppressed margins, and aims to offset this through the owner-operator model [12][17] - Blink has won approximately $27 million in grants and RFPs over the past two years, primarily for DC fast chargers under the owner-operator model [24] - The company is actively involved in M&A, acquiring companies like SemaConnect to expand its market share and integrate technology [30][31] Charging Infrastructure Insights - Blink emphasizes the importance of L2 charging, predicting that 90% of global charging will be L2, while only 10% will be DC fast charging [26] - The company recognizes the need for a robust charging infrastructure to alleviate range anxiety among consumers, especially as more EVs enter the market [39][40] Future Outlook - Blink aims to keep pace with industry growth, targeting a sustainable business model that balances sales and owner-operator opportunities [75][77] - The company is focused on expanding its presence in both the U.S. and European markets, adapting its strategies to local conditions [33][36] Additional Important Insights - Blink's home charging solutions are sold through major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, with a focus on connectivity and energy management features [10][44] - The company is addressing the issue of charger reliability, noting that many failures are due to credit card reader issues rather than mechanical failures [61][62] - Blink's manufacturing capabilities in Bowie, Maryland, are being expanded to meet growing demand and comply with U.S. manufacturing standards [66][67] Conclusion - Blink Charging Co. is positioned as a leader in the EV infrastructure market with a comprehensive range of products and flexible business models. The company is actively expanding its operations and adapting to market dynamics while focusing on sustainable growth and technological integration.