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8-K - FORM 8-K - Highpower International, Inc.v307162_8k.htm

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Highpower International, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 Financial Results

  

New York, USA & Shenzhen, China – March 26, 2012 – Highpower International, Inc. (NasdaqGM: HPJ), a developer, manufacturer and marketer of nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) and lithium rechargeable batteries and battery solutions, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year-ended December 31, 2011.

 

Fiscal Year 2011 Highlights

 

·Net sales of $110.6 million for fiscal year 2011, an increase of 6% over fiscal year 2010 sales of $104.2 million
·Continued strong grow in Lithium segment—lithium net sales up 33% in fiscal year 2011 over fiscal year 2010; total lithium battery pieces sold increased 11%; and a 35% increase in volume per ampere hour
·Key investments made during 2011 in R&D and sales and marketing to position Highpower for shift to higher margin energy storage systems and transportation market opportunities
·Appointed new independent auditor—Marcum Bernstein & Pinchuk (MarcumBP)

 

Management Commentary

 

“We continued to execute on our strategy to expand our business into new market segments,” said Mr. George Pan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Highpower International. “Our lithium battery segment posted solid growth in 2011 as market demand shifted towards higher-performance and cleaner batteries. We also focused on strategic investments in R&D to further our position in this attractive market segment. However, our Ni-MH business faced a tough operating environment in 2011 due to weaker global demand, volatile commodity prices, and increased labor costs in China.”

 

“In 2012, our emphasis will be on higher margin and growing business segments such as energy storage systems and transportation, including e-bikes and scooters for the Asian and European end-markets. In our Materials segment, we plan to shift to a more profitable, full-scale battery and electronic waste recycling business. Overall, we have made the right investments for our future growth and we should begin to see the positive results from these efforts in our sales and profitability in 2012,” concluded Mr. Pan.

 

 
 

 

Mr. Henry Sun, Chief Financial Officer of Highpower International, added, “We believe we are well positioned to deliver improved results in 2012 because of our diversified geographic and end market mix. While we expect that our Ni-MH business will improve slightly from its lower levels in 2011, we expect to continue to see strong growth from our lithium business. Across all of our products, we will opportunistically look to raise prices where we can and we will continue our drive towards selling higher-value and therefore higher margin products.”

 

Fourth Quarter 2011 Financial Results

 

Net sales for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011 totaled $26.4 million, a year-over-year decrease of 5% compared with $27.7 million for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010. The decrease in sales for the fourth quarter was primarily due to a decrease in the number of Ni-MH battery units sold and a decline in revenues in the Materials segment as this business shifts to a full recycling platform.

 

Fourth quarter 2011 gross profit decreased to $5.3 million, as compared with $6.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2010. Gross profit margin was 20.0% for the fourth quarter 2011, as compared with 22.4% for the fourth quarter of 2010. The year-over-year decrease in gross profit margin for the fourth quarter of 2011 was primarily due to higher battery production costs, particularly raw materials, labor and unabsorbed overhead as a result of lower Ni-MH volumes.

 

R&D spending was $0.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2011, as compared with $0.4 million for the comparable period in 2010, reflecting our increased investments in new product research.

 

Selling and distribution costs were $0.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2011, as compared with $1.0 million for the comparable period in 2010.

 

General and administrative expenses, including non-cash stock-based compensation, were $3.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2011, as compared to $2.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2010.

 

Income from operations for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $96,000, as compared with income from operations of $1.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2010. Included in these results were non-cash stock-based compensation expenses of $39,000 and $17,000, respectively.

 

Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $1.6 million, or ($0.12) per diluted share, based on 13.6 million weighted average shares outstanding. This compares with fourth quarter 2010 net income of $1.4 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, based on 13.6 million weighted average shares outstanding. Included in the fourth quarter 2011 results was a $1.5 million litigation settlement expense for a fire incident that occurred in 2006 and $39,000 of non-cash stock-based compensation.

 

 
 

 

Full Year 2011 Financial Results

 

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2011 totaled $110.6 million, a year-over-year increase of 6% compared with $104.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to a 33% increase in overall lithium revenue, driven by a 35% increase in volume of lithium batteries per ampere hour, which helped off-set a 10% decline in volume in the Ni-MH battery segment. In addition, our Materials revenue increased to $17.4 million in 2011 from $12.6 million in 2010.

 

Gross profit for 2011 decreased to $17.7 million, as compared with $21.6 million for 2010. Gross profit margin was 16.1% for 2011, as compared with 20.7% for 2010. The lower gross profit margins in 2011 were primarily the result of a 24% decrease in margins in our Ni-MH segment due to higher battery production costs, particularly raw materials, labor and unabsorbed overhead as a result of the lower volumes. In addition, our materials business generates lower gross margins than what we achieve from our battery sales and therefore contributed to the lower overall gross profit margin.

 

R&D spending was $3.2 million for 2011, as compared with $1.8 million for 2010, reflecting our increased investments in new product research. Selling and distribution costs were $4.5 million for 2011, as compared with $4.0 million for 2010, reflecting increased investment in sales and marketing.

 

General and administrative expenses, including stock-based compensation, were $9.7 million for 2011, as compared to $7.9 million for 2010. The $1.8 million overall increase was primarily due to increased spending on senior and mid-level management staffing, higher stock based compensation expenses, and higher professional expenses in order to support our expanding operations.

 

Loss from operations for 2011 was $0.7 million, as compared with income from operations of $7.1 million for 2010. Included in these results were non-cash stock-based compensation expenses of $0.7 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

 

Net loss for the year-ended December 31, 2011 was $2.5 million, or ($0.18) per diluted share, based on 13.6 million weighted average shares outstanding. This compares with 2010 net income of $6.0 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, based on 13.6 million weighted average shares outstanding. Included in the 2011 results was a $1.5 million litigation settlement expense for a fire incident which occurred in 2006 and $0.7 million of non-cash stock-based compensation.

 

For the full year 2010, the Company has adjusted its consolidated financial statements to adjust certain accounting treatments. These adjustments resulted in a reduction of revenues of $0.7 million, a reduction in income from operations of $0.2 million, and a reduction in net income of $0.1 million.  A detailed explanation of these accounting adjustments will be contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (”SEC”).

 

Balance Sheet

 

At December 31, 2011, Highpower International had cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash totaling $17.9 million, total assets of $88.6 million, and stockholders’ equity of $28.7 million. Bank credit facilities totaled $56.5 million at December 31, 2011, of which $22.6 million was utilized and $33.9 million was available as unused credit.

 

 
 

 

Outlook

 

Based on our current expectations for global demand for the rechargeable battery market in 2012 and our continued shift toward higher-value energy storage systems and transportation products, we expect revenues to grow between 15% to 25% over 2011 revenue levels.

 

Conference Call and Webcast

 

The Company will host a conference call today at 7:00 a.m. Pacific time/10:00 a.m. Eastern time to discuss these results and answer questions.

  

Individuals interested in participating in the conference call may do so by dialing 800-762-8779 from the U.S. or 480-629-9645 from outside the U.S. and referencing the reservation code 4526511. Those interested in listening to the conference call live via the Internet may do so by visiting the Investor Relations section of the Company's Web site.

 

About Highpower International, Inc.

 

Highpower International was founded in 2001 and produces rechargeable batteries using Ni-MH and lithium technologies. With over 2,600 employees and prominent international customers, Highpower is committed to expanding its market through continuous research and development as well as increased vertical integration efforts. As a company, Highpower International is committed to clean technology, not only in the products it makes, but also in the processes used to make them. The majority of Highpower International's products are distributed worldwide to markets in the United States, Europe, China and Southeast Asia.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the “safe-harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are not historical facts. These statements  can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “project,” “plan,” “seek,” “intend,” or “anticipate” or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, and include discussions of strategy, and statements about industry trends and the Company's future performance, operations and products. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by such statements. For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties see "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Company's public filings with the SEC.  Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The Company has no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.

 

Financial Profiles, Inc.

Tricia Ross

+1-916-939-7285

HPJ@finprofiles.com

 

financial tables to follow – 

 

 
 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Stated in US Dollars)

  

   Three months ended
December 31
 
   2011   2010 
         
Net sales   26,403,946    27,703,657 
Cost of sales   (21,128,021)   (21,499,640)
           
Gross profit   5,275,925    6,204,017 
Research and development costs   (937,273)   (443,452)
Selling and distribution costs   (797,245)   (1,050,698)
General and administrative costs, including stock-based compensation   (3,333,259)   (2,758,812)
Loss on exchange rate difference   (194,318)   (304,171)
Loss on derivative instruments   82,557    (5,136)
Loss in equity of an associate        (32,611)
    (5,179,538)   (4,594,880)
(Loss) income from operations   96,387    1,609,137 
Other income   294,789    110,821 
Litigation expenses   (1,500,000)   - 
Interest expenses   (145,503)   (116,887)
           
(Loss) income before taxes   (1,254,327)   1,603,071 
Income taxes expense   (394,461)   (228,565)
           
Net (loss) income for the year   (1,648,788)   1,374,506 
           
Other comprehensive income          
Foreign currency translation gain   751,829    573,054 
Comprehensive (loss) income   (896,959)   1,947,560 
           
(Loss) earnings per share of common stock          
 - Basic   (0.12)   (0.10)
- Diluted   (0.12)   (0.10)
           
Weighted average common shares outstanding          
 - Basic   13,582,106    13,582,106 
 - Diluted   13,582,106    13,930,096 

 

 
 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

   For the year ended December 31, 
   2011   2010 
         
Net sales   110,600,477    104,152,816 
Cost of sales   (92,852,899)   (82,583,007)
           
Gross profit   17,747,578    21,569,809 
Research and development costs   (3,239,436)   (1,781,813)
Selling and distribution costs   (4,451,548)   (4,046,012)
General and administrative costs, including stock-based compensation   (9,739,554)   (7,853,623)
Loss on exchange rate difference   (851,899)   (785,576)
Loss on derivative instruments   (54,229)   (11,984)
Loss in equity of an associate   (108,346)   (39,391)
    (18,445,012)   (14,518,399)
(Loss) income from operations   (697,434)   7,051,410 
Other income
Litigation expenses
   

752,875

(1,500,000)

    393,521- 
Interest expenses   (545,884)   (281,854)
           
(Loss) income before taxes   (1,990,443)   7,163,077 
Income taxes expense   (463,556)   (1,208,933)
           
Net (loss) income for the year   (2,453,999)   5,954,144 
           
Other comprehensive income          
Foreign currency translation gain   1,972,214    518,549 
Comprehensive (loss) income   (481,785)   6,472,693 
           
(Loss) earnings per share of common stock          
- Basic   (0.18)   0.44 
- Diluted   (0.18)   0.44 
           
Weighted average common shares outstanding          
 - Basic   13,582,106    13,582,106 
 - Diluted   13,613,544    13,638,476 

 

 
 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

   December 31,   December 31, 
   2011   2010 
ASSETS          
Current Assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents   5,175,623    8,490,629 
Restricted cash   12,708,999    6,044,960 
Accounts receivable, net   21,129,418    19,949,243 
Notes receivable   515,107    256,574 
Prepayments   4,251,723    2,115,142 
Other receivables   1,041,614    793,405 
Inventories   13,512,942    13,944,352 
           
Total Current Assets   58,335,426    51,594,305 
           
Property, plant and equipment, net   25,462,656    13,837,581 
Land use right, net   3,132,965    3,022,293 
Intangible asset, net   750,000    800,000 
Investment in an associate   -    103,123 
Investment securities   -    53,904 
Deferred tax assets   857,209    785,226 
Foreign currency derivatives assets   15,653    - 
           
TOTAL ASSETS   88,553,909    70,196,432 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
           
LIABILITIES          
Current Liabilities:          
Foreign currency derivatives liabilities   -    77,699 
Accounts payable   22,153,822    12,889,297 
Notes payable   17,909,843    9,896,169 
Letter of credit   2,880,000    1,341,924 
Other payables and accrued liabilities   6,941,063    4,983,269 
Income taxes payable   411,536    1,164,007 
Bank borrowings   9,545,383    11,300,939 
           
Total Current Liabilities   59,841,647    41,653,304 

 

 
 

  

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)

(Stated in US Dollars)

  

   December 31,   December 31, 
   2011   2010 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES         
         
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Preferred stock          
(Par value: $0.0001, authorized: 10,000,000 shares, Issued and outstanding: none)   -    - 
           
Common stock          
(Par value : $0.0001, authorized: 100,000,000 shares, 13,582,106 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010)   1,358    1,358 
Additional paid-in capital   5,831,237    5,180,318 
Statutory and other reserves   2,726,390    2,596,155 
Retained earnings   15,638,656    18,222,890 
Accumulated other comprehensive income   4,514,621    2,542,407 
           
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   28,712,262    28,543,128 
           
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   88,553,909    70,196,432 

 

 
 

 

Highpower International, Inc.

Page 10 of 10

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Stated in US Dollars)

  

   For the year ended December 31, 
   2011   2010 
Cash flows from operating activities          
Net (loss) income   (2,453,999)   5,954,144 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities :          
Depreciation and amortization   1,848,824    1,505,317 
Allowance for doubtful accounts   387,734    19,103 
Allowance for inventory obsolescence   523,921    303,445 
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment   24,279    87,741 
Loss on exchange rate difference   851,899    785,576 
Equity loss in an associate   108,346    - 
Loss on derivative instruments   54,229    11,984 
Deferred income tax   (27,532)   (59,531)
Share based payment   650,919    114,891 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities :          
Accounts receivable   (672,361)   (5,052,739)
Notes receivable   (241,465)   340,221 
Prepayments   (1,936,925)   (401,639)
Other receivables   (225,015)   (140,173)
Inventories   856,753    (3,614,231)
Accounts payable   3,107,868    2,150,583 
Other payables and accrued liabilities   1,630,890    1,419,961 
Income taxes payable   (793,633)   287,268 
Net cash flows provided by operating activities   3,694,732    3,711,921 
           
Cash flows from investing activities          
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment   (7,674,215)   (5,201,977)
Investment in associate   -    (103,123)
Net cash flows used in investing activities   (7,674,215)   (5,305,100)
           
Cash flows from financing activities          
Proceeds from bank borrowings   13,936,095    11,703,718 
Repayment of bank borrowings   (16,186,300)   (4,691,110)
Proceeds from notes payable   36,655,387    21,556,479 
Repayment of notes payable   (29,407,905)   (18,715,372)
Proceeds from letter credit   11,403,244    8,129,007 
Repayment of letter credit   (9,916,133)   (9,585,337)
Increase in restricted cash   (6,279,671)   (566,542)
Net cash flows provided by financing activities   204,717    7,830,843 
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents   459,760    (714,621)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents   (3,315,006)   5,523,043 
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year   8,490,629    2,967,586 
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year   5,175,623    8,490,629 
           
Supplemental disclosures for cash flow information :          
Cash paid for :          
Income taxes   1,303,348    1,036,479 
Interest expenses   788,815    406,534 
           
Non-cash transactions          
Accounts payable for construction in progress   5,319,488    -