SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
___________________
FORM 8-K
___________________
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT
REPORTED): August 8, 2013
___________________
RESEARCH FRONTIERS
INCORPORATED
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS
SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
DELAWARE | 1-9399 | 11-2103466 | ||
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION | (COMMISSION FILE NUMBER) | (IRS EMPLOYER | ||
OF INCORPORATION) | IDENTIFICATION NO.) |
240 CROSSWAYS PARK DRIVE
WOODBURY,
NEW YORK 11797-2033
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL
EXECUTIVE OFFICES AND ZIP CODE)
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (516) 364-1902
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure
On August 8, 2013, after disclosure in its quarterly conference call, Research Frontiers (Nasdaq: REFR) issued a press release discussing the use of its SPD-SmartGlass technology in the panoramic glass roof of new Mercedes-Benz S-Class automobile.
WORLDS BEST SELLING LUXURY SEDAN,
THE MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS, WILL
OFFER RESEARCH FRONTIERS SPD-SMARTGLASS
TECHNOLOGY
Mercedes-Benz Flagship S-Class
Sedan will be the third serial production car
to offer Research Frontiers
patented SPD-SmartGlass technology.
The all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is once again the benchmark in the premium luxury segment, offering the MAGIC SKY CONTROL panoramic glass roof as an option to customers during the second half of 2014. The MAGIC SKY CONTROL feature uses patented SPD-SmartGlass technology developed by Research Frontiers Inc. to turn the roof transparent by electrically aligning tiny particles within its glass. With the touch of a button, drivers and passengers can instantly change the tint of their roof to help keep out harsh sunlight and heat, and create an open-air feeling even when the sunroof is closed. Glass or plastic using Research Frontiers patented SPD-SmartGlass technology effectively blocks UV and infrared rays in either mode, helping keep the cabin cooler, and protecting passengers and interiors.
The all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the third large-scale serial production vehicle to offer MAGIC SKY CONTROL using SPD-Smart technology. In January 2011, Daimler introduced the new Mercedes-Benz SLK as the first car ever to offer this innovative feature, and in December of 2011 Daimler followed up with MAGIC SKY CONTROL on the new Mercedes-Benz SL roadster. In addition to the all-new S-Class sedan, several variants of the S-Class are planned for release over the next few years.
Joseph M. Harary, President and CEO of Research Frontiers noted today in his quarterly conference call with investors and security analysts: The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class promises to be the most technologically advanced vehicle in the market in terms of luxury, technology, comfort and safety. It will offer the largest panoramic MAGIC SKY CONTROL roof ever put into serial production. The surface area of the panoramic roof using SPD-SmartGlass technology on the S-Class is approximately three times the size of the roof glass used on the current SLK and SL roadster, and third-party market forecasters estimate that the total vehicle production volumes for the S-Class will be higher than the SLK and SL roadsters combined. Because of these high production volumes, greater surface area per vehicle, and the anticipated high take rates for this option by S-Class buyers, we believe that the addition of the S-Class next year to the two other Mercedes car models currently using SPD-SmartGlass technology should result in significantly higher royalty income to Research Frontiers from the automotive market starting next year. The addition of this new car model is also significant since it applies our SPD-Smart light-control technology to the broader class of vehicles by moving beyond roadsters to now also be in passenger sedans.
Historically, since its debut over 40 years ago, the S-Class represents the premier platform to introduce new technologies to the customer, which in many cases expand to the other model lines within the Mercedes-Benz brand. In addition to being a proving ground for innovations in the automotive industry, the S-Class also provides solid profits for Daimler. Last year, Automotive News reported deliveries of 80,300 S-Class vehicles, compared with 59,200 BMW 7-Series and 38,600 Audi A8s, both of which are competitive vehicles to the S-Class in the marketplace.
Mercedes-Benz put the MAGIC SKY CONTROL roof using SPD-SmartGlass technology through rigorous durability and performance testing in some of the most extreme conditions on Earth. This included testing in the arctic cold of Scandinavia (with temperatures below -22ºF/-30ºC) and the blistering desert heat of Death Valley, California (with temperatures exceeding 122ºF/50ºC). The MAGIC SKY CONTROL feature using patented SPD-Smart light-control technology allows drivers many benefits including the ability to create the open-air feeling of a roadster. It also blocks over 99% of harmful UV radiation and substantially reduces heat inside the vehicle. Test data published by Mercedes-Benz shows the ability of the roof to reduce sun exposure to 1/20th of direct exposure levels (from over 1,000 watts/square meter to less than 50 watts/square meter). When compared to conventional automotive glass, Mercedes-Benz reported that the use of SPD-SmartGlass significantly reduces the temperature inside the vehicle by up to 18ºF/10ºC. This increases passenger comfort and reduces air conditioning loads, thereby saving fuel and reducing CO2 emissions.
Details are noted in the press release attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. This press release is also available on the Company's website at www.SmartGlass.com and at various other places on the internet.
This report and the press releases referred to herein may include statements that may constitute "forward-looking" statements as referenced in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements usually contain words such as "believe", "estimate", "project", "intend", "expect", or similar expressions. Any forward-looking statements are made by the Company in good faith, pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Act. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and projections regarding economic conditions, industry environments and Company performance. Factors, which could significantly change results, include but are not limited to: sales performance, expense levels, competitive activity, interest rates, changes in the Company's financial condition and several business factors. Additional information regarding these and other factors may be included in the Company's quarterly 10-Q and 10K filings and other public documents, copies of which are available from the Company on request. By making these forward-looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this report.
The information in this Form 8-K or the press release reproduced herein shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall they be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits.
99.1 | Research Frontiers Press Release dated August 8, 2013. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
RESEARCH FRONTIERS INCORPORATED | ||
/s/ Seth L. Van Voorhees | ||
By: | Seth L. Van Voorhees | |
Title: | CFO and VP, Business Development |
Dated: August 8, 2013