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EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - BIRCH BRANCH INCv313114_ex32-1.htm
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EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - BIRCH BRANCH INCv313114_ex31-1.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

  

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

  

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012

 

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from ______to______.

 

BIRCH BRANCH, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in Charter)

 

Colorado   333-126654   84-1124170

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  (Commission File No.)   (IRS Employee
Identification No.)

 

c/o Henan Shuncheng Group Coal Coke Co., Ltd.

Henan Shuncheng Group Coal Coke Co., Ltd. (New Building), Cai Cun Road Intersection,

Anyang County, Henan Province, China 455141

 (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

 

+86 372 323 7890

 (Issuer Telephone number)

 

 
(Former Name or Former Address if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Check whether the issuer (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports), and (2)has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes x No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer” and “large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

 

Large Accelerated Filer o Accelerated Filer o Non-Accelerated Filer o Smaller Reporting Company x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Yes ¨ No x

 

State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common equity, as of May 13, 2012: 32,047,222.

 

 
 

 

BIRCH BRANCH, INC.

 

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

March 31, 2012

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

      PAGE
PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION      
       
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)   4
       
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   22
       
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   34
       
Item 4. Controls and Procedures   34
       
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION      
       
Item 1. Legal Proceedings   35
       
Item 1A. Risk Factors   35
       
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds   35
       
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities   35
       
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures   35
       
Item 5. Other Information   35
       
Item 6. Exhibits   35
       
SIGNATURES     36

 

2
 

  

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Report”) contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements discuss matters that are not historical facts. Because they discuss future events or conditions, forward-looking statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “may,” “seek,” “plan,” “might,” “will,” “expect,” “predict,” “project,” “forecast,” “potential,” “continue” negatives thereof or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, are based on various underlying assumptions and current expectations about the future and are not guarantees. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievement to be materially different from the results of operations or plans expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

 

We cannot predict all of the risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, such information should not be regarded as representations that the results or conditions described in such statements or that our objectives and plans will be achieved and we do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are found at various places throughout this Report and include information concerning possible or assumed future results of our operations, including statements about potential acquisition or merger targets; business strategies; future cash flows; financing plans; plans and objectives of management; any other statements regarding future acquisitions, future cash needs, future operations, business plans and future financial results, and any other statements that are not historical facts.

 

These forward-looking statements represent our intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors. Many of those factors are outside of our control and could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events described in the forward-looking statements might not occur or might occur to a different extent or at a different time than we have described. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Report. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning other matters addressed in this Report and attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this Report.

 

Except to the extent required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, a change in events, conditions, circumstances or assumptions underlying such statements, or otherwise.

 

CERTAIN TERMS USED IN THIS REPORT

 

When this report uses the words “we,” “us,” “our,” and the “Company,” they refer to Birch Branch, Inc. and its subsidiaries. “SEC” refers to the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

 

3
 

  

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements.

Birch Branch, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

   3/31/2012   12/31/2011 
Assets  (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
Current assets:          
Cash  $5,818,892   $2,704,987 
Restricted cash   172,519,958    142,168,060 
Bank notes receivable   40,656    145,162 
Trade receivables   27,000,401    15,822,298 
Other receivables   9,876,327    7,514,142 
Related party receivables   6,010,161    3,500,715 
Inventories   45,461,289    50,042,822 
Advances to suppliers and prepayments   74,506,554    66,450,939 
Deposits   2,996,838    3,301,491 
Total current assets   344,231,076    291,650,616 
           
Non-current assets:          
Property, plant and equipment, net   145,970,379    68,927,116 
Construction in Progress   28,073,317    83,621,292 
Intangible assets, net   855,091    870,903 
Long-term investments   25,878,023    24,352,460 
Total non-current assets   200,776,810    177,771,771 
           
Total assets  $545,007,886   $469,422,387 
           
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity          
           
Liabilities          
           
Current liabilities:          
Bank notes payable  $247,356,725   $186,890,191 
Short term bank loans   66,250,417    66,538,879 
Accounts payable   95,538,441    68,841,304 
Accrued liabilities   1,002,343    660,695 
Taxes payable   12,040,269    12,199,742 
Other payable   7,417,538    9,179,612 
Long-term bank loans, current portion   6,354,956    3,142,331 
Capital lease obligation, current portion   3,767,730    4,087,562 
Customer deposits   18,838,824    8,202,109 
Total current liabilities   458,567,243    359,742,425 
           
Non-current liabilities:          
Notes payable to related party   66,204,812    70,190,769 
Forgivable loans   6,305,705    6,235,959 
Long-term bank loans   -    3,142,332 
Capital lease obligation, non-current portion   11,375,150    11,509,361 
Total non-current liabilities   83,885,667    91,078,421 
Total liabilities  $542,452,910   $450,820,846 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements 

 

4
 

  

Birch Branch, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

   3/31/2012   12/31/2011 
   (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
Stockholders’ Equity          
Preferred stock, 50,000,000 shares authorized, $0 par value, 0 shares issued and outstanding  $-   $- 
           
Common stock, 500,000,000 shares authorized, $0 par value, 32,047,222 and 32,047,222 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011   6,963,403    6,963,403 
Statutory reserve   234,683    234,683 
Retained earnings   (11,566,186)   6,369,358 
Accumulated other comprehensive income   6,486,270    4,594,559 
Non-controlling interest   436,806    439,538 
Total stockholders’ equity   2,554,976    18,601,541 
           
Total liabilities and equity  $545,007,886   $469,422,387 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements 

 

5
 

  

Birch Branch, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

   3/31/2012
(Unaudited)
   3/31/2011
(Unaudited)
 
Revenues  $76,245,660   $80,033,295 
Cost of revenues   81,702,893    71,459,779 
Gross profit   (5,457,233)   8,573,516 
           
Operating expenses:          
Sales and marketing   1,416,753    2,125,809 
General and administrative   4,594,130    2,152,260 
Total operating expenses   6,010,883    4,278,069 
           
Income (loss) from operations   (11,468,116)   4,295,447 
           
Other income (expenses):          
Interest income   1,027,044    331,859 
Interest expense   (7,682,685)   (3,941,313)
Other income   199,236    205,664 
Other expenses   (14,570)   (121,722)
Gain on investment   815    - 
Total other income (expenses)   (6,470,160)   (3,525,512)
           
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes   (17,938,276)   769,935 
           
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes   -    204,264 
           
Net income (loss)  $(17,938,276)  $565,671 
           
Net income attributable to:          
- Common stockholders   (17,935,544)   571,409 
- Non-controlling interest   (2,732)   (5,738)
           
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)          
Foreign currency translation adjustments   1,891,711    144,084 
Total Comprehensive Income/(Loss)  $(16,046,565)  $709,755 
           
Earnings per share          
- Basic  $(0.56)  $0.02 
- Diluted  $(0.56)  $0.02 
           
Weighted average shares outstanding          
- Basic   32,047,222    32,047,222 
- Diluted   32,047,222    32,047,222 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements 

 

6
 

  

Birch Branch, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

   3/31/2012   3/31/2011 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net income (loss)  $(17,938,276)  $565,671 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash          
provided by (used in) operating activities:          
Share based compensation   -    - 
Depreciation and amortization   3,242,152    1,985,628 
           
Change in assets and liabilities:          
Decrease/(Increase) in Notes and trade receivables   (10,895,005)   6,442,290 
Decrease/(Increase) in Inventories   5,141,248    (2,524,841)
Decrease/(Increase) in Prepayments and other receivables   (9,590,521)   (22,674,232)
Decrease/(Increase) in Related party receivables   363,995    (5,473,816)
Increase in Notes and accounts payable   84,303,385    47,927,874 
Decrease in Other payables and current liabilities   8,718,566    (5,866,360)
     Net cash provided by operating activities   63,345,544    20,382,214 
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Decrease in restricted cash   (28,761,788)   (13,440,625)
Long-term investment in equities   (1,253,187)   (128,209)
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment   (10,445,817)   (808,803)
Increase in construction in progress   (12,683,936)   (5,277,930)
Purchase of Intangible assets   -    (6,176)
Collection/(Advance) to related parties   (2,834,286)   - 
      Net cash used in investing activities   (55,979,014)   (19,661,743)
           
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Proceeds from borrowings from bank and others   23,354,464    13,698,423 
Repayment of bank borrowings and others   (24,387,144)   (12,162,083)
Repayment of capital lease obligation   (922,900)   (55,746)
Proceeds from deposit for capital lease obligation   341,579    (30,238)
Proceeds from forgivable loans   -    211,082 
Payment to related parties   (4,771,021)   - 
      Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   (6,385,022)   1,661,438 
           
Net increase in cash   981,508    2,381,909 
           
Effect of exchange rate changes   2,132,397    144,084 
           
Cash at beginning of the period   2,704,987    9,213,760 
           
Cash at end of the period  $5,818,892   $11,739,753 
           
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:          
Interest received  $1,027,044   $331,859 
Interest paid   7,682,685    3,966,586 
Income taxes paid   -    - 
           
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:          
Addition of PPE transferred from CIP  $69,044,607      

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

7
 

 

Birch Branch, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011

And for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011

 

1.The Company and Principal Business Activities

 

A.Organizational History

 

I.Ultimate Holding Company

 

a.)Birch Branch, Inc. (“BRBH”) was incorporated in the State of Colorado on September 29, 1989.  BRBH was originally formed to pursue real estate development projects until December 16, 2006.   Unless the context requires or is otherwise indicated, the term the “Company” includes BRBH and the following entities, after giving effect to the Share Exchange (as defined herein):

 

II.Intermediary Holding Companies

 

a.)Shun Cheng Holdings HongKong Limited (“Shun Cheng HK”) is an investment holding company that was incorporated in Hong Kong on December 18, 2009.

 

Shun Cheng HK does not have any operations.  Its sole purpose is to act as an intermediary holding company.

 

b.)On March 17, 2010, under the laws of the Henan Province, in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), Anyang Shuncheng Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Anyang WOFE”) was incorporated as a wholly-foreign owned entity.  Anyang WOFE is wholly-owned by Shun Cheng HK.

 

Anyang WOFE does not conduct operations.  All operations are conducted through the operating entities via a variable interest entity agreement detailed below.

 

III.Operating Entities

 

All of the Company’s operations are located in the PRC, and are conducted through its operating entities detailed below:

 

a.)           Henan Shuncheng Group Coal Coke Co., Ltd. (“SC Coke”) is a limited liability company organized in the PRC on August 27, 1997 as Anyang ShunCheng Washing Co., Ltd.  In February 2005, the name was changed to Coal Coking Co., Ltd.  In August 2007, the name was changed to the current name of Henan Shuncheng Group Coal Coke Co., Ltd.  SC Coke has three shareholders: Wang Xinshun, Wang Xinming and Cheng Junsheng (collectively, the “SC Coke Shareholders”) owning 60%, 20% and 20% interests, respectively.

 

SC Coke is located in the Henan Province coal chemical industry cluster area in Anyang County, about 40 kilometers (approximately 25 miles) to the northwest of Anyang City.  SC Coke is principally engaged in the processing of coal into coke, and related byproducts of cleaned coal, tar, crude benzene, and ammonium sulfate.

 

b.)           Henan Shuncheng Group Longdu Trade Co., Ltd. (“Longdu”) is a limited liability company organized in the PRC on May 25, 2004.  SC Coke holds an 86% interest in Longdu.  The Company’s Chairman, Mr. Wang Xinshun, owns a 5% interest in Longdu.

 

Longdu is principally engaged in coal-washing and the production of refined coal, medium coal and coal slurry.  The majority of Longdu’s coal is sent to the Company for further processing, while the remainder is sold to outside customers.

 

8
 

 

Birch Branch, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011

And for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 

 

B.Variable Interest Entity Agreement

 

On March 19, 2010, Anyang WOFE entered into four contractual arrangements that for accounting purposes will be collectively known as the variable interest entity (“VIE”) agreement with the SC Coke Shareholders.  The VIE agreement entitles Anyang WOFE to 100% of the future earnings and losses of both SC Coke, and its proportional 86% share of the earnings of Longdu.  The Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a Current Report on Form 8-K on July 2, 2010 that included the documents comprising the VIE agreement as exhibits.  The Company accounted for the VIE agreement, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification™ (“ASC”) 810-10, by consolidating SC Coke and Longdu as operating entities (similar to a subsidiary) of both Anyang WOFE and the Company, because the Company: (1) has the authority to direct the operations of SC Coke and Longdu, (2) has the authority to provide financial support for SC Coke and Longdu, and (3) is primary beneficiary of the results of operations of SC Coke and Longdu.  The significant terms of the VIE agreement are detailed for each of the contractual arrangements below:

 

I.Entrusted Management Agreement

 

Anyang WOFE has full and exclusive rights to manage SC Coke.  These rights include, but are not limited to: appointment and dismissal of the members of the board of directors, hiring and termination of managerial and administrative personnel, and control over assets, which includes deployment and disposition thereof, and related cash flows generated by these assets.

 

Anyang WOFE is entitled to receive a quarterly management fee paid 45 days in arrears from the end of the quarter equivalent to SC Coke’s earnings before taxes for the quarter, subject to quarterly and annual adjustments.

 

Anyang WOFE is subject to operational risk and is obligated to settle debts on behalf of SC Coke, if SC Coke does not have sufficient funds to pay its debts itself.

 

II.Exclusive Option Agreement

 

Anyang WOFE, or parties designated by Anyang WOFE, has been granted the irrevocable right to purchase all or part of the ownership interest of SC Coke from the SC Coke Shareholders for the minimum possible price permissible by PRC law.  The option is exercisable only to the extent that such purchase does not violate any PRC law then in effect.  The purchase right is exclusively granted to Anyang WOFE and is not transferable without the express written consent of the SC Coke Shareholders.

 

The SC Coke Shareholders cannot dispose, assign or mortgage SC Coke assets or operations without the express written consent of Anyang WOFE.

 

Unless unanimously terminated by all parties, the Exclusive Option Agreement remains in effect for SC Coke, the SC Coke Shareholders, and Anyang WOFE and their successors.

 

III.Shareholders' Voting Proxy Agreement

 

The SC Coke Shareholders have irrevocably appointed the board of directors of Anyang WOFE as their proxy to vote on all matters that require the approval of the SC Coke Shareholders.  These voting rights include, but are not limited to, the election of directors and the chairman of the board.

 

9
 

 

Birch Branch, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011

And for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 

 

In the event that PRC regulations change (which regulations presently prohibit the transfer of SC Coke to Anyang WOFE), the SC Coke Shareholders may be exclusively permitted to transfer their ownership in SC Coke to Anyang WOFE; however, they are strictly prohibited from transferring their ownership in SC Coke to any other individuals or entities.

 

The SC Coke Shareholders have agreed to irrevocably and unconditionally indemnify the board of directors of Anyang WOFE from claims arising from the exercise of any of the powers conferred upon Anyang WOFE under the agreement.

 

IV.Shares Pledge Agreement

 

The SC Coke Shareholders have pledged all of their ownership interests in SC Coke, including rights to PRC registered capital and dividends related to ownership in SC Coke, to guarantee their obligations under the Entrusted Management Agreement, the Exclusive Option Agreement and the Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement.

 

C.Share Exchange Agreements

 

On June 28, 2010, BRBH closed a share exchange transaction (the “Share Exchange”) in which BRBH issued 30,233,750 common shares to the former shareholders of Shun Cheng HK in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding shares of Shun Cheng HK.  In connection with the Share Exchange, certain shareholders of BRBH agreed to cancel 435,123 common shares and BRBH issued 540,472 common shares to financial consultants.  Immediately prior to the closing of the Share Exchange there were 1,708,123 common shares outstanding.  Upon completion of the Share Exchange and transactions contemplated by the Share Exchange agreement, there were 32,047,222 common shares outstanding.  Immediately following the closing of the Share Exchange, the former shareholders of Shun Cheng HK and the original shareholders of BRBH own approximately 95% and approximately 5% of BRBH’s issued and outstanding common shares, respectively.

 

The Share Exchange has been accounted for as a recapitalization of Shun Cheng HK in which BRBH (the legal acquirer) is considered the accounting acquiree and Shun Cheng HK (the legal acquiree) is considered the accounting acquirer.  As a result of the Share Exchange, BRBH is deemed to be a continuation of the business of Shun Cheng HK.  Accordingly, the financial data included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for all periods prior to June 28, 2010 is that of the accounting acquirer Shun Cheng HK.  The historical stockholders’ equity of the accounting acquirer prior to the Share Exchange has been retroactively restated as if the Share Exchange occurred as of the beginning of the first period presented.

  

2.Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

  

A.Financial Statement Presentation

 

The financial statements are prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of BRBH, Shun Cheng HK, Anyang WOFE, SC Coke, and Longdu. All intercompany transactions, such as sales, cost of sales, and balances due to/due from, investment in subsidiaries, and subsidiaries’ capitalization have been eliminated.

  

10
 

  

Birch Branch, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011

And for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 

 

B.Non-controlling Interest

 

14% of the registered capital of Longdu is owned by parties other than SC Coke.  The Company’s Chairman, Mr. Wang Xinshun, owns a 5% interest in Longdu, while other investors own the remaining 9% interest.  Mr. Wang’s and the other investors’ share of capital, retained earnings, and income are separately disclosed on the Company’s balance sheet and statement of operations.

 

C.Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  Significant estimates and assumptions are used for, but not limited to: (1) allowance for trade receivables, (2) economic lives of property, plant and equipment, (3) asset impairments, and (4) contingency reserves.  The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  Actual results may differ from these estimates.  In addition, any change in these estimates or their related assumptions could have an adverse effect on the Company’s operating results.

 

D.Foreign Currency Translation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. Dollars. The functional currency of the Company’s operating entities is the RMB, the official currency of the PRC. Capital accounts of the consolidated financial statements are translated into U.S. Dollars from RMB at their historical exchange rates when the capital transactions occurred.  Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates as of the balance sheet date.  Income and expenditures are translated at the average exchange rates for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011. Currency translation adjustment results from translation to U.S. Dollar for financial reporting purposes are recorded in other comprehensive income as a component of owners’ equity.  A summary of the conversion rates for the periods presented is as follows:

 

    3/31/2012     12/31/2011     3/31/2011  
Period/year end RMB: U.S. Dollar exchange rate     6.2943       6.3647       6.5701  
Average RMB: U.S. Dollar exchange rate     6.2972       6.4735       6.5894  

 

RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currency and all foreign exchange transactions must take place through authorized institutions. No representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. Dollars at the rates used in translation.

 

E.Comprehensive Income

 

The Company accounts for comprehensive income in accordance with the provisions of ASC topic 220, Comprehensive Income, which establishes standards for reporting comprehensive income or loss and its components in the financial statements. The accumulated other comprehensive income represents foreign currency translation adjustments.

 

F.Revenue Recognition

 

In accordance with ASC 605-10, the Company recognizes revenue upon receipt of an acceptance of goods document issued by its customers. Each customer enters into an annual master sales agreement with the Company which will indicate a total volume for the year, and an acceptable range of prices, given market fluctuations on a short term basis, for the Company’s coke and coal byproducts. Final determination of the price for coke is determined on individual purchase orders which lie in the aforementioned price range. The Company’s coke and coal byproducts are fully usable at the point of shipment. From a revenue recognition perspective, the Company believes that collectability of the revenue is reasonably assured at the time that customers acknowledge receipt and accept the Company’s product. The Company has not experienced any material return of products, and as such, it has not prepared allowances for returns.

 

Customer payments received prior to completion of the above criteria are recorded as a liability on the Company’s balance sheet as unearned revenue.

 

11
 

 

Birch Branch, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011

And for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 

 

3.Trade Receivables

 

The Company’s trade receivables as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, as well as the activity in the Company’s allowance for bad debts for the three-month ended March 31, 2012 and the year ended December 31, 2011 are set forth below:

 

   3/31/2012   12/31/2011 
Trade Receivables  $30,258,468   $20,093,732 
Less: Allowance for Bad Debt   3,258,067    4,271,434 
Trade Receivables, net   27,000,401    15,822,298 
           
Allowance for Bad Debts          
Beginning Balance   4,271,434    1,653,287 
Provision for bad debts   -    2,618,147 
Less: Allowance write back because of bad debt recovery   1,013,367    - 
Ending Balance  $3,258,067   $4,271,434 

 

4.Other Receivables

 

Other receivables as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are detailed in the table below:

 

   3/31/2012   12/31/2011 
Project safety deposit  $7,944   $110 
Non-collateralized, non-interest bearing loans to individuals and companies receivable on demand   9,818,183    3,784,696 
Others   50,200    3,729,336 
   $9,876,327   $7,514,142 

 

5.Inventories

 

The components of the Company’s inventories as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

   3/31/2012   12/31/2011 
Raw materials  $3,751,703   $1,588,832 
Work in process and semi-finished goods   10,465,948    19,162,264 
Finished goods   31,243,638    29,291,726 
Total inventories  $45,461,289   $50,042,822 

 

6.Advances to Suppliers and Prepayments

 

The components of the Company’s advances to suppliers and prepayments as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

   3/31/2012   12/31/2011 
Construction projects prepayments  $-   $- 
Prepayments for raw materials in operations   74,506,554    66,336,798 
Prepaid taxes   -    114,141 
   $74,506,554   $66,450,939 

  

12
 

 

Birch Branch, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011

And for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011

 

7.Property, Plant and Equipment, net

 

The components of the Company’s plant and equipment are as follows:

 

       Accumulated     
3/31/2012  At Cost   Depreciation   Net 
Buildings and plant  $35,974,096   $5,296,939   $30,677,157 
Machinery and equipment   135,274,131    22,405,080    112,869,051 
Electronic equipment   1,071,465    490,782    580,683 
Vehicles   3,783,711    2,215,424    1,568,287 
Wastewater treatment and environmental equipment   826,362    551,161    275,201 
Total plant and equipment  $176,929,765   $30,959,386   $145,970,379 

  

       Accumulated     
12/31/2011  At Cost   Depreciation   Net 
Buildings and plant  $35,576,186   $4,820,117   $30,756,069 
Machinery and equipment   1,388,507    848,902    539,605 
Electronic equipment   3,604,960    1,982,054    1,622,906 
Vehicles   54,974,689    19,277,467    35,697,222 
Wastewater treatment and environmental equipment   817,221    505,907    311,314 
Total plant and equipment  $96,361,563   $27,434,447   $68,927,116 

 

Depreciation expenses related to plant and equipment were $ 3,216,610 and $ 8,713,579 for the three months and twelve months ended March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. 

 

8.Construction in Progress

 

The components of the Company’s construction in progress are as follows: 

 

Description  3/31/2012   12/31/2011 
Coking furnace  $332,335   $40,380,647 
Office buildings   4,617,165    5,662,946 
Plant and facilities   1,756,748    26,582,072 
Sewage system   402,178    35,526 
Deposits for construction projects   20,964,891    10,960,101 
   $28,073,317   $83,621,292 

 

9.Investments

 

The following tabulation presents SC Coke’s investment in non-controlled entities, which are not included in the consolidation:

 

Investment  Ownership   Type   3/31/2012 
Anyang Rural Credit Cooperative - Tongye Branch   11.26%   Equity   $5,846,560 
Anyang Urban Credit Cooperative   11.26%   Equity    9,497,323 
Ansteel Group Metallurgy Stove Co., Ltd.   19%   Equity    2,475,255 
Anyang Xinlong Coal (Group) Hongling Coal Co., Ltd.   16%   Equity    8,058,885 
             $25,878,023 

 

13
 

  

Birch Branch, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011

And for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011

 

10.Bank Notes Payable

 

The following table provides the name of the financial institutions, due dates, and amounts outstanding at March 31, 2012 for the Company’s bank notes payable:

 

Financial Institution  Due Date   3/31/2012 
         
Agricultural Bank of China - Anyang Branch   6/28/2012    1,588,739 
Bank of  Ping Ding Shan   9/26/2012    9,532,434 
Bank of China-Huojiacun Branch   9/15/2012    6,434,393 
Bank of China-Huojiacun Branch   6/26/2012    1,588,739 
Bank of Luoyang - Zhengzhou Branch   4/17/2012    6,354,956 
Bank of Mingsheng - Zhengzhou Branch   6/5/2012    3,971,848 
Bank of Mingsheng - Zhengzhou Branch   6/2/2012    5,560,587 
Bank of Mingsheng - Zhengzhou Branch   6/2/2012    4,766,217 
Bank of Mingsheng - Zhengzhou Branch   4/19/2012    7,308,199 
Bank of Mingsheng - Zhengzhou Branch   8/8/2012    7,943,695 
Bank of Mingsheng - Zhengzhou Branch   6/15/2012    4,369,032 
Bank of Mingsheng - Zhengzhou Branch   8/13/2012    3,971,848 
Bank of Mingsheng - Zhengzhou Branch   5/29/2012    3,177,478 
Bank of Mingsheng - Zhengzhou Branch   6/20/2012    1,588,739 
China Citic Bank- Anyang Branch   5/8/2012    4,766,217 
China Citic Bank- Anyang Branch   6/23/2012    1,588,739 
China Construction Bank - Zhongzhou Branch   4/9/2012    6,354,956 
China Construction Bank - Zhongzhou Branch   9/19/2012    6,354,956 
China Everbright Bank - Zhengzhou Branch   4/11/2012    3,177,478 
China Everbright Bank - Zhengzhou Branch   8/20/2012    4,766,217 
China Everbright Bank - Zhengzhou Branch   6/19/2012    7,943,695 
China Everbright Bank - Zhengzhou Branch   7/30/2012    6,345,016 
China Everbright Bank - Zhengzhou Branch   8/21/2012    3,177,478 
China Everbright Bank - Zhengzhou Branch   4/21/2012    6,354,956 
China Everbright Bank - Zhengzhou Branch   8/15/2012    3,177,478 
China Everbright Bank - Zhengzhou Branch   8/27/2012    1,588,739 
China Merchants Bank - Anyang Branch   9/13/2012    7,943,695 
China Merchants Bank - Anyang Branch   5/3/2012    4,766,217 
China Merchants Bank - Anyang Branch   5/10/2012    1,588,739 
China Merchants Bank - Anyang Branch   6/1/2012    1,588,739 
Commercial Bank of Anyang   8/6/2012    9,532,434 
Commercial Bank of Anyang   5/29/2012    6,354,956 
Guangdong Development Bank - Anyang Branch   9/16/2012    3,177,478 
Guangdong Development Bank - Anyang Branch   9/19/2012    3,177,478 
Guangdong Development Bank - Anyang Branch   9/5/2012    3,177,478 
Guangdong Development Bank - Anyang Branch   9/20/2012    1,588,739 
Guangdong Development Bank - Anyang Branch   9/6/2012    3,177,478 
Guangdong Development Bank - Anyang Branch   9/27/2012    1,588,739 
Industrial Bank-Weiyi Branch   7/9/2012    7,943,695 
Industrial Bank-Weiyi Branch   7/10/2012    7,943,695 
Industrial Bank-Weiyi Branch   7/12/2012    6,354,956 
Industrial Bank-Weiyi Branch   8/28/2012    1,588,739 
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank -Zhengzhou Branch   7/5/2012    6,354,956 
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank -Zhengzhou Branch   7/6/2012    3,177,478 
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank -Zhengzhou Branch   7/6/2012    3,177,478 
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank -Zhengzhou Branch   5/29/2012    2,383,109 
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank -Zhengzhou Branch   5/25/2012    1,588,739 
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank -Zhengzhou Branch   5/24/2012    1,588,739 
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank -Zhengzhou Branch   5/16/2012    3,177,478 
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank -Zhengzhou Branch   6/6/2012    3,177,478 
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank -Zhengzhou Branch   6/22/2012    3,971,848 
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank -Zhengzhou Branch   6/16/2012    4,766,217 
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank -Zhengzhou Branch   8/21/2012    1,588,739 
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank -Zhengzhou Branch   9/21/2012    3,177,478 
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank -Zhengzhou Branch   9/28/2012    3,177,478 
Zhengzhou Bank - Nongye Eastern Road Branch   6/5/2012    3,971,848 
Zhengzhou Bank - Nongye Eastern Road Branch   6/16/2012    3,177,478 
China Minsheng Bank   8/15/2012    3,654,100 
     $247,356,725 

 

The bank notes payable do not carry a stated interest rate, but do carry a specific due date.  These notes are negotiable documents issued by financial institutions on the Company’s behalf to vendors. These notes can either be endorsed by the vendor to other third parties as payment, or prior to coming due, they can factor these notes to other financial institutions. These notes are short term in nature and, as such, the Company does not calculate imputed interest with respect to them. These notes are collateralized by the Company’s deposits as described in Note 2 E - Restricted Cash.

 

14
 

  

Birch Branch, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011

And for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011

 

11.Loans

 

The components of the Company’s loans payable are as follows:

 

       Due   Interest     
Name of Creditors  Note   Date   Rate   3/31/2012 
Anyang Rural Credit Cooperative – Tongye Branch   A    3/23/2013    10.933%   4,766,217 
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank - Zhengzhou Branch   B    9/11/2012    6.710%   6,354,956 
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank - Zhengzhou Branch   C    3/23/2013    7.820%   6,354,956 
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank - Zhengzhou Branch   D    8/21/2012    6.710%   1,588,739 
Bank of China – Huojiacun Branch   E    9/27/2012    7.216%   3,177,478 
Commercial Bank of Anyang   F    5/9/2012    7.888%   3,177,478 
Agricultural Bank of China – Anyang Branch   G    10/10/2012    8.856%   1,112,117 
Agricultural Bank of China – Anyang Branch   H    10/10/2012    8.856%   1,588,739 
Agricultural Bank of China – Anyang Branch   I    10/10/2012    8.856%   1,588,739 
Agricultural Bank of China – Anyang Branch   J    10/10/2012    8.856%   3,654,100 
Guangdong Development Bank - Anyang Branch   K    7/14/2012    7.216%   4,766,217 
Guangdong Development Bank - Anyang Branch   L    6/7/2012    6.940%   1,588,739 
Bank of Luoyang – Zhengzhou Branch   M    7/14/2012    7.872%   3,177,478 
Bank of Luoyang – Zhengzhou Branch   N    4/10/2012    7.320%   3,177,478 
China Merchants Bank – Anyang Branch   O    11/9/2012    7.544%   1,588,739 
China Merchants Bank – Anyang Branch   P    11/30/2012    7.544%   1,588,739 
Zhengzhou Bank – Nongye Eastern Road Branch   Q    12/14/2012    8.528%   4,766,217 
Industrial Bank – Weiyi Branch   R    1/13/2013    7.216%   4,766,217 
ICBC – Shuiye Branch   S    9/7/2012    7.216%   4,289,595 
China Construction Bank – Anyang Branch   T    9/26/2012    6.655%   1,588,739 
China Citic Bank - Anyang Branch   U    7/26/2012    7.216%   3,177,478 
Tongye Credit Cooperatives - Anyang Branch   V    12/21/2012    15.088%   4,766,218 
                     
                  $72,605,373 

 

15
 

 

Birch Branch, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011

And for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 

 

SC Coke has collateralized its debt obligations above.  Refer to notes below for collateral corresponding to each obligation.

 

A.Guaranteed by Henan Hubo Cement Co., Ltd and Linzhou Hongqiqu Electrical Carbon co., Ltd
B.Guaranteed by Anyang Liyuan Coking Co., Ltd and shareholders (Xinshun Wang, xinming Wang and Junsheng Cheng
C.Guaranteed by Anyang Liyuan Coking Co., Ltd
D.Guaranteed by Anyang Liyuan Coking Co., Ltd
E.Guaranteed by Henan Xinlei Coking Group Co., Ltd
F.Guaranteed by Anyang Liyuan Coking Co., Ltd
G.Guaranteed by Henan Hubo Cement Co., Ltd
H.Guaranteed by Henan Hubo Cement Co., Ltd
I.Guaranteed by Henan Hubo Cement Co., Ltd
J.Guaranteed by Henan Hubo Cement Co., Ltd
K.Guaranteed by Henan Chengyu Coking Co., Ltd and Henan Hubo Cement Co., Ltd
L.Guaranteed by Henan Chengyu Coking Co., Ltd and Henan Hubo Cement Co., Ltd
M.Guaranteed by Anyang Xinpu Steel Co., Ltd, Xinshun Wang and Fengyun Wu
N.Guaranteed by Xinlei Group Cheng Chen Coking and Xinshun Wang
O.Guaranteed by Anyang Liyuan Coking Co., Ltd and Henan Chengyu Coking Co., Ltd
P.Guaranteed by Anyang Liyuan Coking Co., Ltd and Henan Chengyu Coking Co., Ltd
Q.Guaranteed by Anyang Liyuan Coking Co., Ltd and Linzhou Hongqiqu electrical Carbon Co., Ltd
R.Guaranteed by Henan Yutian Chemical Co., Ltd and Henan Chengyu Coking Co., Ltd
S.Guaranteed by Cleaned coal
T.Guaranteed by Linzhou Hongqiqu electrical Carbon Co., Ltd
U.Guaranteed by Henan Shuncheng Group Coking Co., Ltd and Henan Small Corporation Investment Co., Ltd
V.Guaranteed by Anyang Nianxinpu Steel Co., Ltd

 

12.Other Payable

 

Other payable as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 is detailed in the table below:

 

   3/31/2012   12/31/2011 
Project safety deposit  $1,611,310   $2,681,680 
Payable for raw materials in operation   -    20,542 
Advances from individuals and companies payable on demand   5,844,511    5,477,457 
Others   -    999,933 
           
   $7,455,821   $9,179,612 

 

13.Notes Payable to Related Party

 

Creditor  Note   3/31/2012   12/31/2011 
Chairman, Wang Xinshun   A   $23,247,799   $25,785,216 
SC Coke Shareholders   B    42,957,013    44,405,553 
        $66,204,812   $70,190,769 

 

16
 

 

 

Birch Branch, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011

And for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011

 

A.Notes Payable to Wang Xinshun

 

On May 23, 2010, SC Coke entered into a formal loan agreement with the Company’s Chairman, Mr. Wang Xinshun, for amounts owed to him in the amount of approximately $35.6 million at December 31, 2009. The significant terms of the loan are: (a) 12 year term, beginning as of December 31, 2009 to December 31, 2021, (b) 3% fixed simple annual interest, (c) SC Coke has the option, but not the obligation, to pay interest for the first two years, (d) after the first two years, the balance of the loan will be amortized over the remaining 10 years of the term and SC Coke is required to make monthly interest and principal payments, and (e) Mr. Wang Xinshun is prohibited from declaring default against SC Coke.

 

The Company has neither accrued nor paid any interest for the note payable to Mr. Wang Xinshun during the three months ended March 31, 2012.

 

B.Notes Payable to SC Coke Shareholders

 

On March 31, 2010, the SC Coke Shareholders, and Anyang Xinlong Coal (Group) Hongling Coal Co., Ltd., Anyang Huichang Coal Washing Co., Ltd. and Anyang Jindu Coal Co., Ltd (collectively, the “third party lenders”) formalized the terms for approximately $35.5 million of loans previously extended to SC Coke by the three lenders.

 

On June 21, 2010, the SC Coke Shareholders entered into an agreement with the third party lenders to assume the obligations of the third party lenders, and concurrently the third party lenders released SC Coke from any liability.

 

Also, on June 21, 2010, SC Coke and the SC Coke Shareholders entered into a debt agreement for the original principal amount of the loans due to the third party lenders (approximately $35.5 million), the significant terms of which are: (a) 15 year term, commencing on June 21, 2010, (b) 2% fixed simple annual interest, (c) SC Coke has the option, but not the obligation, to pay interest when accrued, and (d) the SC Coke Shareholders do not have the ability to declare a default.

 

14.Forgivable Loans

 

SC Coke is currently the beneficiary of two government grants that are generally intended to be used towards capital technology improvement with the end goal of increased production and energy efficiency. The grants were awarded during 2008 and 2009, respectively. These grants have been recorded as forgivable loans in the liability section of the balance sheet. SC Coke has received payment of the grants, but has not yet met all the criteria set forth under the grant.  Upon receiving government approval of fulfilling all of the criteria set forth under the grant, SC Coke will credit the balance to other income on the consolidated statement of operations. SC Coke will also appropriate that same amount from retained earnings to statutory reserves indicating that the assets associated with these grants are not available for dividend distribution.

 

17
 

  

Birch Branch, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011

And for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011

 

15.Related Party Transactions

 

SC Coke has specified the following transactions with related parties with ending balances as of March 31, 2012:

 

A.Trade Receivables and Revenue

 

(a)Angang Steel Group Metallurgy Furnace Co., Ltd (Angang), in which SC Coke owns a 19% stake, is one of the customers of SC Coke.

 

There was an ending balance in accounts receivable from Angang of approximately $250,088 as of March 31, 2012.

 

Revenue recorded in the consolidated financial statements from Angang amounts to approximately $ 449,513 for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

 

B.Deposits and Cost of Revenues

 

(a)The Chairman and majority owner, Mr. Wang Xinshun, owns a 43.86% interest in Anyang Bailianpo Coal Co., Ltd. (Bailianpo) which provides raw coal to SC Coke.

 

SC Coke had outstanding prepayment to Bailianpo of $ 374,856 as of March 31, 2012.

 

There were purchase transactions from Bailianpo amounted to approximately $7,401 for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

 

(b)SC Coke holds a 16% interest in Anyang Xinlong Coal (Group) Hongling Coal Co., Ltd. (Anyang Xinlong), which is a coal mine located in Anyang County providing SC Coke with a substantial portion of its coking coal requirements.

 

SC Coke has an ending balance in accounts receivable from Anyang Xinlong of $ 172,812 as of March 31, 2012.

 

C. Advance to relatives of the Chairman

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the advances to relatives of the Chairman are $5,212,405 and $2,351,815, respectively 

 

18
 

 

Birch Branch, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011

And for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011

 

16.Income Taxes

 

The Company and its operating entities are subject to income tax under the jurisdictions where they operate. The following table details the Company and its operating entities, and the statutory tax rates to which they are subject:

 

Entity  Country of Domicile   Income Tax Rate 
Birch Branch, Inc.   USA    15.00% - 35.00
Shuncheng Holdings HongKong Ltd.   HK    16.50%
Anyang Shuncheng Energy Technology Co., Ltd.   PRC    25.00%
Henan Shuncheng Group Coal Coke Co., Ltd.   PRC    25.00%
Henan Shuncheng Group Longdu Trade Co., Ltd.   PRC    25.00%

 

Although the Company is subject to United States income taxes, it is a holding company with no operations or profits within the U.S. borders. The Company currently only incurs expenses in the United States that are associated with being a public company.

 

Income (loss) before taxes and provision for taxes (tax benefit) consisted of the following for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively:

 

   3/31/2012   3/31/2011 
Income (loss) before tax:          
USA  $-   $- 
HK   4    4 
PRC   (17,938,280)   769,931 
Total:  $(17,938,276)  $769,935 
           
Provision for income taxes:          
US Federal   -    - 
State   -    - 
PRC  $-   $204,264 
Total provision for taxes (tax benefit):  $-   $204,264 
           
Effective tax rate   25%   26.53%

 

The differences between the U.S. federal statutory income tax rates and the Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 are shown in the following table:

 

   3/31/2012   3/31/2011 
US statutory tax rate   35%   34%
Lower rates in the PRC   -10%   -9%
Accrual and reconciling items   -    1.53%
Fully reserved net Operating Loss   -25%     
Effective tax rate:   0%   26.53%

 

19
 

 

Birch Branch, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011

And for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011

 

17.Commitments and Contingencies

 

Third Party Guarantees

 

SC Coke entered into agreements as a guarantor of debt for eighteen companies (the “guarantees”) in the amount of approximately $136,027,835 at March 31, 2012. Of the aforementioned guarantees, six of the eighteen companies have, in turn, guaranteed debts of approximately $57,194,605 on behalf of SC Coke at March 31, 2012.  SC Coke has not historically incurred any losses due to such debt guarantees.  Additionally, the Company has determined that the fair value of the guarantees is immaterial.  For more details of the outstanding guarantees, see the table below:

 

        Guarantee      
Guarantee Beneficiary   Creditor   End   3/31/2011  
Anyang Minshan Group Co.   China Minsheng Banking Group   4/30/2013     4,766,217  
Linzhou Hongqiqu Electrical Carbon Co., Ltd   Agricultural Bank of China – Linzhou Branch   5/15/2012     7,943,695  
Linzhou Hongqiqu Electrical Carbon Co., Ltd   Agricultural Bank of China – Linzhou Branch   4/9/2012     3,177,478  
Linzhou Hongqiqu Electrical Carbon Co., Ltd   Agricultural Bank of China – Linzhou Branch   7/3/2012     7,943,695  
Linzhou Hongqiqu Electrical Carbon Co., Ltd   Agricultural Bank of China – Linzhou Branch   9/2/2012     7,943,695  
Anyang Hengxiang Coal Co., Ltd   Agricultural Bank of China – Linzhou Branch   5/28/2012     667,270  
Henan Hubo Cement Co., Ltd.   Bank of China – Anyang Branch   11/14/2012     4,766,217  
Henan Hubo Cement Co., Ltd.   Guangdong Development Bank – Anyang Branch   6/16/2012     3,812,974  
Anyang Liyuan Coking co., Ltd   China Merchants Bank – Anyang Branch   1/31/2013     1,588,739  
Anyang Liyuan coking co., Ltd   Shanghai Pudong Development Bank – Zhengzhou Branch    1/14/2014     14,298,651  
Anyang Liyuan coking co., Ltd   Shanghai Pudong Development Bank – Zhengzhou Branch   6/10/2012     3,177,478  
Anyang Liyuan coking co., Ltd   Shanghai Pudong Development Bank – Zhengzhou Branch   6/13/2012     2,383,109  
Anyang Liyuan coking co., Ltd   Bank of Ping Ding Shan   5/2/2012     4,766,217  
Anyang Liyuan coking co., Ltd   China Citic Bank   9/15/2012     3,177,478  
Anyang Liyuan coking co., Ltd   Bank of Luoyang   4/21/2012     4,766,217  
Anyang Liyuan coking co., Ltd   Bank of Luoyang   8/20/2012     4,766,217  
Henan Baoshun Technology Co., Ltd   Agricultural Bank of China   6/24/2012     3,177,478  
Henan Baoshun Technology Co., Ltd   Agricultural Bank of China   6/16/2012     3,177,478  
Anyang Xintianhe Cement Co., Ltd   Guangdong Development Bank   6/13/2012     6,354,956  
Henan Chengyu Coking co., Ltd   Guangdong Development Bank – Anyang Branch   9/20/2012     9,532,434  
Henan Chengyu Coking co., Ltd   Anyang Rural Credit Cooperative – Tongye Branch   4/15/2013     3,177,478  
Anyang Lichuag Co.   Guangdong Development Bank – Anyang Branch   3/8/2012     3,177,478  
Henan Xinlei Group   Bank of Minsheng – Zhengzhou Branch   10/10/2012     1,588,739  
Anyang Xinpu Steel Co., Ltd   City Cooperative   6/4/2012     7,149,326  
Anyang Oili Cement Co., Ltd   Commercial Bank of Anyang   5/23/2012     635,496  
Anyang Hongyuan Yinsheng Steel Co., Ltd   Commercial Bank of Anyang   5/5/2012     317,748  
Henan Shuncheng Group Longdu Trade Co., Ltd   China Citic Bank – Anyang Branch   7/27/2012     3,177,478  
Taifeng Company   Bank of Minsheng – Zhengzhou Branch   8/26/2012     1,588,739  
Anyang Yuxin Activity of Limestone Co., Ltd   China Construction Bank   1/4/2013     1,906,487  
Yulong Coking Co., Ltd   Guangdong Development Bank   2/1/2013     3,177,478  
Yulong Coking Co., Ltd   Anyang Rural Credit Cooperative – Tongye Branch   2/15/2013     3,177,478  
Linzhou Fengbao Pipe Co., Ltd   China Merchants Bank – Anyang Branch   3/30/2013     4,766,217  
            $ 136,027,835  

  

20
 

   

Capital Lease Obligations

 

SC Coke has entered into a non-cancellable lease agreement for certain machinery and equipment. The following table details SC Coke’s commitments for minimum lease payments and the related principal outstanding at March 31, 2012:

 

Quarter ending  March 31, 2012:  Principal   Payments 
2012  $2,928,220   $3,675,889 
2013   4,015,340    4,901,185 
2014   4,370,983    4,901,185 
2015   2,653,378    2,877,338 
2016   1,174,959    1,198,891 
Total future minimum lease payments  $15,142,880   $17,554,488 

  

Accrued Payment of Enterprise Income Taxes

 

Effective January 1, 2008, PRC government implements a new 25% income tax rate for all enterprise regardless of whether domestic or foreign enterprise without any tax holiday. Certain local government has the authority to defer the enterprise’s tax payment in a way to support local business. SC Coke is subject to the 25% tax rule. However, Anyang City government defers SC Coke income tax payment by implementing fixed payment quota instead of determining based on taxable income assessment. As of March 31, 2012, SC Coke had accrued approximately $12.4 million liability for estimated taxes. In the event that, PRC tax authority starts to collect this deferral, SC Coke will be subject to an overdue fine at the rate of 0.05% per day of the amount of taxes in arrears. The tax authority may also impose an additional fine of 50% to five times the underpaid taxes. SC Coke has been unable to determine the potential penalties and interest related to the overdue tax balance at this time.

 

SC Coke has available funds to cover the unpaid tax liability, but may not have sufficient funds available to pay the fine. The Chairman entered into a tax indemnity agreement on May 23, 2010, pursuant to which he agreed to indemnify SC Coke for any interest, penalties or other related extra costs resulting from the prior and any future tax underpayments in tax years in which he managed and operated SC Coke.  The indemnification is capped at $35.6 million.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

The following discussion provides information which management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of our results of operations and financial condition. The discussion should be read along with our financial statements and notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Report. The following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ significantly from the results, expectations and plans discussed in these forward-looking statements.

 

Background

 

Operating through Henan Shuncheng Group Coal Coke Co., Ltd. (“SC Coke”), a variable interest entity incorporated under the laws of People’s Republic China (“PRC”), we are a vertically integrated coke producer with facilities and operations based solely in the PRC, principally in Henan Province. SC Coke, which operates and derives its revenue solely in the PRC, has a coke production plant with current capacity of approximately 1.7 million tons of coke annually, equity ownership in a coal mine and two coal washing plants (producing refined coal). 

 

We control SC Coke and its operations through a series of contractual arrangements between Anyang Shuncheng Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Anyang WOFE”), our Chinese wholly-foreign owned enterprise subsidiary, and SC Coke and its shareholders.

 

Corporate History

 

We were incorporated in the State of Colorado on September 28, 1989.  We were previously a residential real estate holding company.  In September 2006, we sold our real estate assets to its then president and, effective December 6, 2006, our plan was to evaluate the structure and complete a merger with, or acquisition of, prospects consisting of private companies, partnerships or sole proprietorships. 

 

On May 14, 2010, we entered into a share exchange agreement (the “Share Exchange Agreement”) with Shun Cheng Holdings Hong Kong Limited (“Shun Cheng HK”), the former shareholders of Shun Cheng HK (the “Shun Cheng HK Shareholders”), and our former principal shareholders, pursuant to which the Shun Cheng HK Shareholders agreed to transfer all of the issued and outstanding securities of Shun Cheng HK to us in exchange for 30,233,750 shares of our common stock (the “Share Exchange”).  The Share Exchange closed on June 28, 2010, at which time Shun Cheng HK became our wholly-owned subsidiary.  The acquisition of Shun Cheng HK has been accounted for as a reverse merger.  For accounting purposes, Shun Cheng HK is the acquirer in the reverse acquisition transaction and, consequently, its financial results have been reported on a historical basis.

 

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 The corporate structure of the Company, after taking into account the Share Exchange, is as follows:

 

 

Contractual Arrangements

 

Our relationships with SC Coke and its shareholders are governed by a series of contractual arrangements, described below, through which we exercise management rights over SC Coke.  None of the Company, Shun Cheng HK, and Anyang WOFE owns any direct equity interest in SC Coke.  On March 19, 2010, Anyang WOFE entered into the following contractual arrangements with SC Coke and its shareholders:

 

Entrusted Management Agreement.  Pursuant to the entrusted management agreement between Anyang WOFE, on the one hand, and SC Coke and Wang Xinshun, Wang Xinming and Cheng Junsheng (collectively, the “SC Coke Shareholders”), on the other hand, (the “Entrusted Management Agreement”), SC Coke and the SC Coke Shareholders agreed to entrust the business operations of SC Coke and its management to Anyang WOFE until Anyang WOFE acquires all of the assets or equity of SC Coke (as more fully described under “Exclusive Option Agreement” below).  Under the Entrusted Management Agreement, Anyang WOFE manages SC Coke’s operations and assets, and controls all of SC Coke’s cash flow and assets through entrusted or designated bank accounts.  In turn, it is entitled to any of SC Coke’s net earnings as a management fee, and is obligated to pay all SC Coke’s debts to the extent SC Coke is not able to pay such debts.  Such management fees payable by SC Coke shall accrue until such time as the parties shall mutually agree.  The Entrusted Management Agreement will remain in effect until the acquisition of all assets or equity of SC Coke by Anyang WOFE is completed.

 

Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement.  Under the shareholders’ voting proxy agreement (the “Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement”) between Anyang WOFE and the SC Coke Shareholders, the SC Coke Shareholders irrevocably and exclusively appointed the board of directors of Anyang WOFE as their proxy to vote on all matters that require SC Coke shareholder approval.  The Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement shall not be terminated prior to the completion of the acquisition of all assets or equity of SC Coke by Anyang WOFE.

 

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Exclusive Option Agreement.  Under the exclusive option agreement (the “Exclusive Option Agreement”) between Anyang WOFE, on the one hand, and SC Coke and the SC Coke Shareholders, on the other hand, the SC Coke Shareholders granted Anyang WOFE an irrevocable exclusive purchase option to purchase all or part of the shares or assets of SC Coke.  The option is exercisable at any time on or after June 28, 2010, but only to the extent that such purchase does not violate any PRC law then in effect.  The exercise price shall be the minimum price permitted under the PRC law then applicable and such price, subject to applicable PRC law, shall be refunded to Anyang WOFE or SC Coke for no consideration or the minimum consideration permitted under the PRC law then applicable, whichever is more, in a manner decided by Anyang WOFE, at its reasonable discretion.

 

Shares Pledge Agreement.  Under the shares pledge agreement between Anyang WOFE, on the one hand, and SC Coke and the SC Coke Shareholders, on the other hand, (the “Shares Pledge Agreement”), the SC Coke Shareholders pledged all of their equity interests in SC Coke, including the proceeds thereof, to guarantee all of Anyang WOFE’s rights and benefits under the Entrusted Management Agreement, the Exclusive Option Agreement and the Shareholders’ Voting Proxy Agreement.  Prior to termination of the Shares Pledge Agreement, the pledged equity interests cannot be transferred without Anyang WOFE’s prior consent.

 

Overview

 

SC Coke, which operates and derives its revenue solely in the PRC, is a vertically integrated coke producer, that has a coke production plant with current capacity of approximately 1.7 million tons of coke annually, equity ownership in a coal mine and two coal washing plants (producing refined coal).  From our refined coal production process, byproducts such as medium coal and coal slurry are produced and sold.  From coke production, SC Coke recycles and produces coke byproducts, including crude benzol, amsulfate, coal gas and tar.  These coke byproducts are either marketed and sold, or recycled and consumed to provide electricity for its internal operations.  For the purpose of this discussion, such refined coal and coke byproducts are referred to as “secondary products.”

 

The PRC coke manufacturing industry is highly competitive.  The average sale prices for products are driven by a number of factors, including the particular composition and grade or quality of the coal or coke being sold, prevailing market prices for these products in the Chinese local, national and global marketplace, timing of sales, delivery terms, negotiations between SC Coke and its customers, and relationships with those customers.

 

The Chinese coking industry is also a regionalized business where supply of raw materials and the demand for coke become uneconomical at long distances as transportation costs become prohibitive.  SC Coke estimates that supply of raw materials and demand for coke to be delivered by truck transportation is uneconomical beyond 800 kilometers (approximately 500 miles); and access to and delivery by rail becomes a critical competitive factor.  SC Coke is located in close proximity to the main coal mining provinces of Shanxi and Henan in China and has a private railway line, approximately 1.7 kilometers (approximately 1 mile) in length, which provides connection to the national railway network.

 

As the coke industry is highly dependent on the iron and steel industries, it is affected by many of the same factors that impact the iron and steel industries.  Iron and steel are basic commodities that are required in many other industries, such as construction, infrastructure works, automotive and aerospace.  The iron and steel industries are highly cyclical and have historically been very volatile.  Similarly, the price and demand for coke has also experienced such cyclicality and volatility.  SC Coke intends to focus on better recycling and use of its secondary products, in particular coke byproducts.  The applications for coke byproducts are expected to be more diverse; therefore, demand factors for coke byproducts are likely to be different from the factors applicable to the iron and steel industries; for example, coal tar is used for the treatment of psoriasis and amsulfate is used as agricultural fertilizer.

 

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 The primary raw material for coke production is coal, principally coking coal.  Raw coal is washed to produce refined coal which is the main raw material for SC Coke’s coke production.  Coke prices are highly correlated to coal prices.  SC Coke’s production process is as follows:

 

 

Because of our reliance on coal, SC Coke acquired an equity ownership interest in a coal mine.  Although SC Coke has developed multiple sources of coal supplies and long term relationships with its coal suppliers, because of the PRC government policies of encouraging consolidation in the coal mining industry, SC Coke may continue to invest in coal mines, if, when and where opportunities are available and the terms of such investments are economically attractive.

 

The PRC government recently adopted policies to encourage consolidation in the PRC coal mining industry whereby smaller and inefficient coal mines have been shut down.  Similarly in the iron and steel industries, which are SC Coke’s main customers, companies have been merged and consolidated by the government.  We believe that the coke manufacturing industry may face similar consolidation pressures in the future.  Accordingly, SC Coke intends to continue its capacity expansion to maintain its competitive positioning.

 

SC Coke has started construction on two additional coke ovens which when completed are expected to increase SC Coke’s production capacity to approximately 3.0 million tons of coke annually.  This increase in coke production may produce sufficient quantities of coke byproducts to allow SC Coke to potentially consider producing further downstream secondary products; for example, crude benzol, a current byproduct, may be processed further to produce benzene.

 

For the reasons above, the availability of expansion capital is critical to SC Coke to facilitate capacity expansion, downstream diversification or upstream acquisitions.  If such capital is unavailable on commercial terms, if at all, SC Coke’s growth and business could be materially adversely affected.

 

Results of Operations

 

Three Months ended March 31, 2012 Compared to the Three Months ended March 31, 2011

 

Revenues.  During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the primary business of production and sale of coke has contributed 82% of SC Coke’s total revenues.  However, because refined coal is a raw material for coke production, as coke production increases, our internal consumption of refined coal increases, which reduces the amount of SC Coke’s own refined coal available for external sales and no external sales incurred in the first three months.

 

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Primary Products

 

SC Coke’s revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, contributed by its primary products of coke and refined coal, were as follows:

  

  Revenues            
  Coke     Refined Coal    Total  
Revenues                 
Three months ended March 31 2012  $62,469,009.00    0    $62,469,009.00 
Three months ended March 31 2011   65,200,598.15     332,746.13     65,533,344.28 
Increase (decrease)  $(2,731,589.15)   (332,746.13)    $(3,064,335.28)
% Increase (decrease)   (4.2)%    (100)%     (4.6)%
As Percentage of Total Revenues                 
Three months ended March 31 2012   82%    0%     82.0%
Three months ended March 31 2011   81%    0.4%     81.8%
Quantity Sold (metric tons)                 
Three months ended March 31 2012   250,162     0     250,162 
Three months ended March 31 2011   259,140     1,800     260,940 
Increase (decrease)   (8,978)    (1,800)     (10,778)
% Increase (decrease)   (3.5)%    (100)%     (4.1)%
Average Price Per Ton                 
Three months ended March 31 2012  $249.71    N/A      
Three months ended March 31 2011   251.60     184.86       
Increase (decrease)  $19.10    N/A     
% Increase (decrease)   1%    N/A       

 

Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2012 decreased slightly from the revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2011, primarily from the downturn in Coke Market.

  

Sales volume for coke benefited from the downturn in Coke Market, while sales volume for refined coal decreased due to the decrease in the amount of refined coal available for external sales. Sales volume for the three months ended March 31, 2012 decreased over the comparable period in 2011 by 3.5% (from 259,140 tons to 250,162 tons); and there was no sales on refined coal.

 

Product unit price for coke was kept under low level. When compared with the same period of 2011, average sales price per ton for coke decreased from $251.60 to $249.71

 

Because of the downturn in product unit price and sales volume, revenues generated from coke and refined coal decreased from $65 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 to $62 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

 

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Secondary Products

 

SC Coke’s secondary product revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011were as follows: 

 

   Medium
Coal
   Crude
Benzol
   Amsulfate   Coal Gas   Tar   Coke Grain   Coke Powder   Others   Total 
Revenues                                             
Three months ended March 31 2011  $473,688   $2,365,075   $301,987   $1,004,375   $6,719,954   $4,281   $2,899,921   $730,670   $14,499,950 
Three months ended March 31 2012   10,917    3,027,807    606,384    838,868    5,532,524    -    3,440,101    320,050    13,776,651 
Change  $(462,771)  $662,732   $304,397   $(165,507)  $(1,187,430)  $(4,281)  $540,180   $(410,620)  $(723,299)
% Change   -98%   28%   101%   -16%   -18%   -100%   19%   -56%   -5%
As% of Total Revenues                                             
Three months ended March 31 2011   0.6%   3.0%   0.3%   1.3%   8.4%   0.0%   3.6%   0.9%   18.1%
Three months ended March 31 2012   0.0%   4.0%   0.8%   1.1%   7.3%   0.0%   4.5%   0.4%   18.1%

 

Along with the decrease in coke production and sales, the total revenue of our secondary products significantly decreased to $13.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $14.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011, which was a decrease of 5%, similarly as a result of the downturn in coke market.  Revenue contribution from secondary products as a percentage of total revenues was 18.1% , in the three months ended March 31, 2012, same as in the three months ended March 31, 2011.  The percentage of revenues contributed by secondary products was primarily from the increase in the sales of tar.

 

Of the secondary products, the largest contributor to revenue was tar sales.  Tar sales decreased by 18% from $6.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 to $5.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012.  Other secondary products sales experienced an increase from $7.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 to $8.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

 

Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Profit.   Cost of goods sold is comprised of raw material, labor and manufacturing costs.  Cost of goods sold increased from $71 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 to $82 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012.  The primary reasons for this increase were the increase in production and raw material costs.  Gross profit decreased from $8.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 to $5.5 million loss in the three months ended March 31, 2012; and gross profit margin decreased from 10.7% in the three months ended March 31, 2011 to 7.2% loss in the three months ended March 31, 2012, due to an increase in the average unit raw material price.

 

Operating Expenses.  Operating expenses increased by 41% from $4.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 to $6.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012.  Operating expenses are comprised of sales and marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses.  Sales and marketing expenses decreased marginally from $2.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 to $1.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012.  General and administrative expenses increased from $2.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011 to $4.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012 due to costs associated with the impairment loss on inventory during the three months ended March 31, 2012.

 

Other Income and Expense.   Other income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was $0.2 million compared to other expense of $0.01 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 due to an increase in sales of waste material created during the production process.

 

Interest Income and Expense.  Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was $3.9 million compared to interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2012 of $7.7 million, due to an increase in bank notes payable during the period.  Interest income increased by $0.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011.

 

27
 

 

Provision for Income Taxes.  Provision for income taxes in the three months ended March 31, 2012 was nil compared to provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2011 of $0.2 million.  SC Coke and Longdu were subject to a corporate income tax rate of 25% during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011. 

 

Net Income.   SC Coke recorded net loss of $18.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to net income of $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.  The decrease was primarily due to the increase of $10.2 million of cost of sales.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

 

Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was $63,345,544 compared with net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2011 of $20,382,214.  Net cash used by notes and accounts receivable was $10,895,005 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared with net cash provided of approximately $6,442,290 for the three months ended March 31, 2011.  However, net cash provided by notes and accounts payable was $84,303,385 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared with net cash provided of $47,927,874 for the three months ended March 31, 2011. 

 

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was $55,979,014 compared to $19,661,743 for the three months ended March 31, 2011.  The primary reasons were increased in restricted cash by $15,321,163 from $13,440,625 for the three months ended March 2011 to $28,761,788 for the three months ended March 31, 2012. And net cash used by purchase of PPE was $10,445,817 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared with net cash used of approximately $808,803 for the three months ended March 31, 2011

 

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities

 

Net cash used by financing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2012 was $6,385,022 compared with net cash provided in financing activities of $1,661,438 for the three months ended March 31, 2011.  In the three months ended March 31, 2011, SC Coke repaid loans of $4,771,021 to related parties.  

 

Capital Resources

 

Funding for our business activities has historically been provided by cash flow from operations, and short-term lender financing, including loans from SC Coke’s sole director Xinshun Wang, who is also our Chairman of the Board of Directors, and/or from short term and long term bank loans obtained from local financial institutions.

 

The original loans from Xinshun Wang were interest free and had no repayment terms.  On May 23, 2010, SC Coke entered into a loan agreement with its sole director regarding outstanding loans to SC Coke of $35.6 million as of December 31, 2009.  The principal terms of the loan are: (a) 12 year term, from December 31, 2009 to December 31, 2021, (b) 3% fixed annual interest on a non-compounded basis over the term of the loan, (c) SC Coke has the option, but not the obligation, to pay interest for the first two years, (d) 10 year equal payments from December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2021, and (e) the lender has no ability to call a default.  Additionally, on May 31, 2010, SC Coke’s sole director agreed to indemnify SC Coke from any underpayment of its income tax in prior and future years, and all associated interest, penalties and costs as a result of such underpayment, up to a maximum of $35.6 million.

 

On March 31, 2010, the SC Coke Shareholders, and Anyang Xinlong Coal (Group)Hongling Coal Co., Ltd., Anyang Huichang Coal Washing Co., Ltd. and Anyang Jindu Coal Co., Ltd (collectively, the “third party lenders”) formalized the terms for approximately $35.5 million of loans previously extended to SC Coke by the three lenders.

 

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On June 21, 2010, the SC Coke Shareholders entered into an agreement with the third party lenders to assume the obligations of the third party lenders, and concurrently the third party lenders released SC Coke from any liability.  Also, on June 21, 2010, SC Coke and the SC Coke Shareholders entered into a debt agreement for the original principal amount of the loans due to the third party lenders

 

Because of SC Coke’s rapid capacity expansion, its internally generated funds from operations have historically been insufficient to meet its liquidity requirements. The growth of SC Coke has been dependent on outside financings to meet its liquidity, working capital and expansion expenditures. As of March 31, 2012, total loans payable were $72.6 million (excluding $66.2 million related party loan from SC Coke’s sole director), among which $72.6 million was short term and payable in the next 12 months. These loans have interest rates ranging from 5.31% to 8.85%, and certain of the loans are collateralized.

 

The loans are guaranteed by various parties in exchange for corresponding guarantees obtained from SC Coke.  For a description of such guarantees, refer to “Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.”  If such bank financings become unavailable to us and/or additional funding is not obtained, we may not be able to meet our financing obligations, which could have a material adverse impact on our business.  If SC Coke is required to satisfy obligations of any of its guarantees, it could have a material adverse impact on its financial condition.

 

As part of our operations, SC Coke issues bank notes payable as payments to its suppliers.  These bank notes payable are issued by financial institutions and require deposits from SC Coke, ranging from 50% to 100% of the bank notes issued.  Bank notes were payable outstanding at March 31, 2012 were $247 million.

 

SC Coke’s management intends to continue to develop its business through (1) increased coking production volumes to seek to achieve greater economies of scale which it believes will increase productivity and energy efficiency; (2) better recycling and usage of coking byproducts which have higher profit margins and create less environmental impact; and (3) potential acquisitions or equity participation in third party coal mines to source raw materials.  Growth through facility expansion and acquisition will require additional bank financing and/or equity capital, and therefore the sustainability of such growth will be dependent upon the availability of financing arrangements and capital, if any, on acceptable terms.  SC Coke’s management believes that the costs associated with its expansion activities will be funded through cash flows from operations and additional short and long-term debt obligations and/or raising funds through equity offerings, if any such financing is available on terms acceptable to the Company.  If additional funding is not obtained, SC Coke will need to reduce, defer or cancel development programs, planned initiatives or overhead expenditures, to the extent necessary.  The failure to fund SC Coke’s capital requirements would have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

During the year ended March 31, 2012, SC Coke made approximately additional capital expenditures of $2.7 million. Such additional capital expenditures were primarily used for the purchases of coking equipment, upgrades and improvements to its coke production facilities.

 

Foreign Currency Translation Gains and Losses

 

During three months ended March 31, 2012, SC Coke recognized a foreign currency translation gain of $1.9 million as compared to a foreign currency translation gain of $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 due to a increase in the value of the RMB to the U.S. Dollar and the increase in SC Coke’s overall debt to equity ratio.

 

29
 

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

SC Coke has entered into financial guarantees and similar commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of third parties.  Conversely, SC Coke’s debt with lenders is also guaranteed by other parties which may be related or unrelated to us.  As an industry practice, Chinese financial institutions require third party guarantees in order to provide both short term and long term bank loans to any corporate borrower.  Because of this requirement, it is common practice that Chinese private enterprises enter into arrangements with other private enterprises to provide mutual guarantees in order to obtain bank loans from local Chinese financial institutions.

 

Typically, SC Coke enters into such mutual guarantees for companies that have good longstanding relationships with SC Coke or its sole director and our Chairman of the Board of Directors, Xinshun Wang, and a mutual guarantee provided to SC Coke of approximately similar amounts.  Such guarantees are typically for a period of 2 years from the date of issuance of the guarantees.

 

Changes in the economic environment could leave SC Coke exposed for obligations that it has guaranteed which could have a materially negative impact on our ongoing business, and cause SC Coke to potentially be unable to meet its obligations under other bank financings.  Additionally, should any of the companies for which SC Coke provides guarantees defaults, and the banks enforce SC Coke’s guarantees, SC Coke’s recourse may only be limited to default on the mutual guarantee; SC Coke may not be able to meet the liquidity and working capital requirements for our ongoing business, resulting in a material adverse impact on our business.

 

As of March 31, 2012, SC Coke guaranteed the obligations of eighteen companies of approximately $136 million in total principal outstanding.  SC Coke’s potential liability under guarantees could include interest, default interest and the obligation to pay costs of collection in addition to principal amounts to which the guarantees relate.

 

We have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as shareholder’s equity or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements.  Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity.  We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk, or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging, or research and development services with us.

 

Inflation

 

In recent years, the Chinese economy has experienced periods of rapid expansion and high rates of inflation.  During the past fifteen years, the official consumer price index in China has been as high as 24.1% and as low as -1.4%; while these inflation rates are an average national basis, the regional inflation in the major cities has been higher.  These factors have led to the adoption by the PRC government, from time to time, of various corrective measures designed to restrict the availability of credit or regulate growth and contain inflation including bank lending restrictions on property investment in China.  While inflation has been more moderate since 1995, high inflation may in the future cause the PRC government to impose controls on credit and/or prices, or to take other action, which could inhibit economic activity in China, and thereby harm the market for SC Coke’s products.  SC Coke’s operations have also experienced cost increases, including labor costs and raw material costs.  SC Coke expects its operating costs to increase in tandem with the inflationary environment, particularly because of the economic growth in China, and we expect higher inflation rates to impact our operating costs in the near term.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Basis of Presentation

 

In preparing our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, we are required to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect: (i) the reported amounts of our assets and liabilities; (ii) the disclosure of our contingent assets and liabilities at the end of each reporting period; and (iii) the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during each reporting period. We continually evaluate these estimates based on our own historical experience, knowledge and assessment of current business and other conditions, our expectations regarding the future based on available information and reasonable assumptions, which together form our basis for making judgments about matters that are not readily apparent from other sources. Because the use of estimates is an integral component of the financial reporting process, our actual results could differ from those estimates. We believe that any reasonable deviation from those judgments and estimates would not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. To the extent that the estimates used differ from actual results, however, adjustments to the statement of operations and corresponding balance sheet accounts would be necessary. These adjustments would be made in future financial statements. When reading our financial statements, you should consider: (i) our critical accounting policies; (ii) the judgment and other uncertainties affecting the application of such policies; and (iii) the sensitivity of reported results to changes in conditions and assumptions. We believe the following accounting policies involve the most significant judgment and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements. SC Coke has not made any material changes in the methodology used in these accounting polices during the past two years.

 

We consolidated the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of SC Coke and Longdu based on accounting guidance found in FASB ASC 810 Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities which calls for us to consider various factors indicative of the relationship between the WOFE and SC Coke and Longdu. We considered the risks (absorption of potential losses), benefits (residual returns), obligations (repayment of debt on behalf of subsidiaries or the operating entities), nature of the business, legal aspects, and the purpose of the entities in concluding that SC Coke and Longdu should be treated for accounting purposes as wholly-owned subsidiaries.

 

Use of Estimates

 

In preparing the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., management makes estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Significant estimates and assumptions are used for, but not limited to, allowance for trade receivables, economic lives of property, plant and equipment, asset impairments, and contingency reserves. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates. In addition, any change in these estimates or their related assumptions could have an adverse effect on the Company’s operating results.

 

Long lived assets make up a significant portion of our asset base. Accordingly, we make regular assessments of our estimates of the useful lives, potential residual values, and potential impairments of our long lived assets.

 

The carrying value of trade receivables is subject to our estimate of the allowance for doubtful accounts. We perform a regular analysis of the aging of our receivables in order to determine that estimate.

 

Bank Notes Receivable/Payable

 

Banks in China commonly issue bank notes to companies for transactional purposes. The bank notes do not have a stated interest rate, but may be redeemed by the holder at a discount before the maturity date. The requirements by the banks vary, but the usual transaction will require the borrowing company to pay approximately 50% of the bank note upon issuance and deposit the remaining 80% to 100% with the bank as restricted funds. The amount of money required depends on bank policy and the credit rating of the requesting company. The notes are settled at maturity, which is usually between three to six months.

 

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SC Coke accepts bank notes receivable from vendors in China as payment for products sold in the ordinary course of business. SC Coke also obtains bank notes from various banks to pay vendors for coal or for deposits on machinery or coal. Due to the short-term nature of the bank notes and the immaterial credit risk, as a function of the notes bearing the full creditworthiness of the issuing banks, SC Coke considers both bank notes receivable and bank notes payable at face value to be recorded at their fair market value. Despite the liquid nature of the bank notes, SC Coke does not include in current cash bank notes receivable with a maturity of less than three months.

 

Revenue Recognition and Trade Receivables

 

SC Coke is primarily in the business of processing coal to produce and sell coke. During the production process, several byproducts are produced, which SC Coke refines to produce and sell additional products. SC Coke’s primary customers are long-term customers with which SC Coke has developed long-term selling relationships. Most of these customers have long term contracts with SC Coke, but the terms of the contracts tend to change with the prevailing market price of coal and/or coke. Credit investigations are performed on new customers before a contract is approved. SC Coke reviews trade receivables and provides an allowance for receivables its suspects might not be collectable.

 

Revenue is recognized when products are fully delivered and accepted and collection is reasonably assured.

 

We believe that our revenue recognition policy meets the prescribed guidelines found in the FASB ASC 605-10 and is conservative in nature because our policy is reliant on customer acceptance documentation.

 

Plant and Equipment

 

Plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets.

 

Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Gain or loss on disposals are immaterial and included in cost of revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009. SC Coke capitalizes interest attributable to capital construction projects in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification subtopic 835-20, Capitalization of Interest , which requires interest to be capitalized for assets that are constructed or otherwise produced for an entity’s own use, including assets constructed or produced for the entity by others for which deposits or progress payments have been made.

 

Our existing plant and equipment make up a very material portion of our asset base. We are also actively adding to our facilities in order to both increase capacity and efficiency. The selection of a useful life for assets heavily impacts the amount of depreciation that we record and in turn the results of our operations. In accordance with PRC tax law, the PRC national government provides guidelines for useful lives for plant and equipment. The PRC tax depreciation guidelines are very strong indicators of appropriate useful lives; accordingly the PRC useful lives are used for both PRC tax law and US GAAP reporting purposes.

 

Long-term Investments

 

 Long-term investments represent investments SC Coke has in private companies within China. SC Coke did not hold a greater than 20% interest in, and it has determined that it did not have significant control or influence over, any of SC Coke’s investment holdings other than Longdu. SC Coke’s investments are in private companies where there is not a market to determine the value of the investments. Accordingly, SC Coke records these investments at cost. SC Coke will continually evaluate its investments.

 

We have made equity investments in four private companies. The investments are passive in nature. We do not participate in management of the companies in which we invest. In the event that the companies in which we have invested become insolvent, the maximum loss that we would experience is up to the amount that we have invested. We review the financial statements of such companies annually to determine if there has been any impairment of our investment. We have not yet received any cash dividends from our investments. We are not aware that the companies in which we have invested currently have any plans to become public listed companies. If any of our investments became publicly listed, we would mark their values to fair market value on a quarterly basis.

 

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Guarantees

 

 From time to time, SC Coke provides guarantees of loans and other obligations for other, unrelated local enterprises. SC Coke’s potential liability under such guarantees could include interest, default interest and the obligation to pay costs of collection in addition to principal amounts to which the guarantee relates. Because banks typically require security for loans, such as guarantees, mortgages or pledges, and these enterprises, including SC Coke, have mortgaged and pledged all of their available assets in order to obtain additional bank loans, the local enterprises often agree to provide guarantees for one another. All of the guarantees provided by SC Coke are joint liability guarantees, which provide that when the debtor defaults, the bank can request SC Coke to pay the total debt outstanding without first enforcing its rights against the debtor. SC Coke records a liability for guarantees of loans and other obligations for others when: (i) information available indicates that it is probable that a liability has been incurred at the financial statement date, and (ii) the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.

 

Forgivable Loans

 

SC Coke is currently the beneficiary of two government grants that are generally intended to be used towards capital technology improvement with the end goal of increased production and energy efficiency. The grants were awarded during 2008 and 2009, respectively. These grants are recorded as deferred income in the liability section of the balance sheet when cash is received and will be recognized as non-operating income when the fulfillment of the obligation has occurred.

 

When all of the criteria set forth in the grants have been fulfilled, the amounts will become part of SC Coke’s permanent capital, which is restricted for growth purposes and cannot be used to pay dividends.

 

Income Taxes

 

SC Coke accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (ASC 740) (formerly SFAS 109 Accounting for Income Taxes ). ASC 740 requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in our financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. We adopted accounting policies in accordance with GAAP with regard to provisions, reserves, inventory valuation method, and depreciation that are consistent with requirements under Chinese income tax laws. Therefore, there were no significant deferred tax assets or liabilities recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2010. We adopted the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes , on January 1, 2009. This interpretation clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in our financial statements. The interpretation also provides guidance for the measurement and classification of tax positions, interest and penalties, and requires additional disclosure on an annual basis. The cumulative effect of the change was not material. Following implementation, the ongoing recognition of changes in measurement of uncertain tax positions will be reflected as a component of income tax expense. Interest and penalties incurred associated with unresolved income tax positions will continue to be included in other income (expense).

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

Smaller reporting companies are not required to provide the information required by this item.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted to the SEC under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms, and that information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive and financial officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer evaluated the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2012, pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act.  Based on that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be included in our periodic SEC filings is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms.

 

A system of controls, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the system of controls are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

No changes were made to our internal control over financial reporting during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

None.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

Smaller reporting companies are not required to provide the information required by this item.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

None.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information.

 

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

(a)  Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Number

  Description
31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
101*   Interactive Data File (Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011 furnished in XBRL)

 

*    Furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise not subject to liability under these sections.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  BIRCH BRANCH, INC.
   
Date: May 15, 2011 By: /s/ Feng Wang
    Feng Wang
   

President, Chief Executive Officer and

Director

     
Date: May 15, 2011 By: /s/ Lei Wang
    Lei Wang
    Chief Financial Officer

 

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