Revenue increases 67% year-over-year to $30.5 million
Net income rose 107% to $4.8 million
BAODING, Hebei, China, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Orient Paper, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: ORPN) ("Orient Paper" or the "Company"), which controls and operates Hebei Baoding Orient Paper Milling Co., Ltd. ("HBOP"), a leading manufacturer and distributor of diversified paper products in Hebei, China, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009.
Third Quarter 2009 Highlights
-- Revenue for the third quarter of 2009 increased 67.3% year-over-year to
approximately $30.5 million
-- Gross profit increased 107.4% year-over-year to approximately $7.1
million
-- Gross margin was 23.3%, up 4.5 percentage points year-over-year
-- Operating income rose 107.0% year-over-year to approximately $6.6
million
-- Net income increased 107.1% year-over-year to approximately $4.8
million, or $0.41 (post reverse split) per diluted share
"In the third quarter, we continued to see growing demand for our products, especially our high-margin, medium-grade offset printing paper, which increased fourfold year-over-year and accounted for almost half of our revenue. We also took advantage of short-term declines in the purchase cost of recycled paperboard, thereby reducing our average unit cost of this key raw material by 27% quarter-over-quarter and significantly enhancing our profitability during the quarter," commented Mr. Liu Zhenyong, chairman and chief executive officer of Orient Paper. "We added 12 new customers during the quarter, including a large paper distributor in Shanghai, further expanding our market reach in China's rapidly growing paper industry," added Mr. Liu.
Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results
Revenue for the third quarter of 2009 was approximately $30.5 million compared to $18.3 million for the same period in 2008, an increase of 67.3%. The increase in revenue was primarily attributable to increased sales of the Company's medium-grade offset printing paper and corrugating medium paper products as a result of the relatively healthy (as opposed to the same period last year) level of manufacturing activities around Northern China. Revenue from medium-grade offset printing paper was approximately $14.1 million, up 447.7% from approximately $2.6 million for the same period in 2008, as we converted a significant portion of the production capacities of writing paper and high-grade offset printing paper to the production of medium-grade offset printing paper to meet the strong market demand for medium-grade. The Company also added twelve new customers during the quarter, which accounted for 6.3% of the total sales revenue. Revenue from corrugating medium paper was approximately $10.3 million compared to approximately $8.2 million for the same period in 2008, an increase of 25.4%. Revenue from high-grade offset printing paper declined 20.1% to approximately $2.3 million from approximately $2.8 million for the same period in 2008. Revenue from writing paper decreased 56.6% to $2.0 million from approximately $4.6 million during the same period in 2008. The Company also produced 2,269 tons of white card paper for $1.8 million in July 2009 to fill a special order.
Gross profit for the third quarter of 2009 increased 107.4% to approximately $7.1 million from approximately $3.4 million for the third quarter of 2008. The Company reported gross margin of 23.3%, an increase of 4.5 percentage points, from 18.8% in the third quarter of 2008. The significant improvement in gross margin was a mainly attributable to a temporary decline in recycled paperboard prices, which lowered the Company's average cost of this raw material and, to a lesser extent, a higher portion of the gross profit mix contributed by our white paper products, which usually command a higher gross profit margin.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for three months ended September 30, 2009 were approximately $0.5 million, up 112.7% from approximately $0.2 million in the same period last year. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to increase in professional fees and expenses related to the Company's status as a public company.
Operating income for third quarter of 2009 was approximately $6.6 million, up 107.0% from approximately $3.2 million in the third quarter of 2008. The increase was primarily attributable to revenue and gross profit growth in the quarter ended September 30, 2009.
Net income in the third quarter of 2009 was approximately $4.8 million, up 107.1% from approximately $2.3 million in the same period last year. Basic and diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2009 were $0.41. Weighted average shares used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share were 11,716,579 in the quarter ended September 30, 2009 compared to 11,275,497 a year ago.
Nine Months Results
Total revenue for the first nine months of 2009 was approximately $70.8 million, up 43.5% from the first nine months of 2008. Gross profit for the first nine months of 2009 was approximately $14.4 million, up 58.8% from gross profit of approximately $9.1 million in the comparable period a year ago. Gross margin was 20.4% for the first nine months of 2009, an increase of approximately 2.0 percentage points from 18.4% for the same period a year ago. Operating income was approximately $13.5 million, up 59.6% from approximately $8.4 million in the first nine months of 2008. Net income for the first nine months of 2009 was approximately $9.6 million, up 57.8% from approximately $6.1 million in the first nine months of 2008. Basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.84 for the first nine months of 2009 compared to $0.57 in the first nine months of 2008. Weighted average shares used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share were 11,424,749 in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 10,600,132 a year ago.
Financial Condition
As of September 30, 2009, Orient Paper had approximately $11.5 million in unrestricted cash and approximately $11.2 million in working capital. Short term debt stood at approximately $5.2 million and the company had approximately $6.1 million in long term debt, of which approximately $4.1 million is from a group of related parties. Inventory totaled approximately $7.1 million, up from approximately $0.9 million at year end. Approximately 90% of the inventory was raw materials inventory, as the Company increased its stock of recycled paper board in anticipation of the continued rising raw material prices. As of September 30, 2009, shareholders' equity was approximately $47.7 million, up 39.7% from shareholder's equity of approximately $34.1 million as of December 31, 2008. For the first nine months of 2009, the Company generated net cash flow from operating activities of approximately $10.2 million.
Recent Events
On October 7, 2009, Orient Paper closed a private placement financing to support its future growth. It issued approximately 2.1 million post-reverse split shares of the Company's common stock for an approximate aggregate purchase price of $5.0 million.
On October 14, 2009, Orient Paper announced that it has engaged BDO Limited, the Hong Kong member firm of the BDO International network, as its new independent auditor.
On October 29, 2009, the Company announced the appointment of Mr. Drew Bernstein, Mr. Wenbing Christopher Wang, and Ms. Zhaofang Wang to its Board of Directors as independent directors effective October 28, 2009. The Company also announced that effective October 28, 2009, Mr. Xiaodong Liu and Mr. Chen Li resigned as directors of the Company. The Company also established Audit, Nominating, and Compensation Committees.
On November 5, 2009, the Company has effected a one-for-four reverse split of the Company's common stock and traded on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board under the new ticker symbol "ORPN.OB" effective at the open of the market on November 5, 2009. As a result of the reverse split, the Company now has approximately 14,579,420 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.
Business Outlook
Orient Paper is using the proceeds of its recent financing to acquire a digital photo paper plant to enter into the high-margin digital photo paper business. The Company expects to close the acquisition by the middle of December 2009.
"We expect to continue our strong revenue and net income growth trend for the rest of the year and into 2010. We believe our entry into the high-end digital photo paper market will expand our product portfolio, accelerate our revenue growth, improve our profitability and further strengthen our position in the industry," commented Mr. Liu Zhenyong, Chief Executive Officer of Orient Paper. "In addition to our commitment to business expansion, we enhanced our corporate governance and oversight with the addition of three new and highly experienced independent directors to our Board."
The Company has already achieved its fiscal year 2009 make good target ($10.0 million minus a 10% margin of error as defined in the financing documents) in the first nine months of 2009. Orient Paper expects to achieve its make good guidance of $18.0 million for fiscal year 2010, provided the digital photo paper project proceeds as planned.
About Orient Paper, Inc.
Orient Paper, Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Shengde Holdings, Inc. and Baoding Shengde Paper Co., Ltd., controls and operates Hebei Baoding Orient Paper Milling Co., Ltd ("HBOP"). Founded in 1996, HBOP is engaged in the production and distribution of products such as corrugating medium paper, offset printing paper, writing paper, and other paper and packaging-related products in China. The Company uses recycled paper as its primary raw material. As one of the largest paper producers in Hebei Province, China, the Company is strategically located in Baoding, a city in close proximity to Beijing where the majority of publishing houses are based. Orient Paper is led by an experienced management team committed to diversifying the Company's product offering and delivering tailored services to its customers. For more information, please visit http://www.orientalpapercorporation.com .
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, the availability of funds and working capital to finance its activities; the actions and initiatives of current and potential competitors; the Company's ability to introduce new products; market acceptance of new products; general economic and business conditions; the ability to attract or retain qualified senior management personnel and research and development staff; and other risks detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about the companies and the industry. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or to changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that its expectations will turn out to be correct, and investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results.
-- Financial tables follow --
ORIENT PAPER, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND DECEMBER 31, 2008
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
As of As of
September 30, December 31,
2009 2008
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $11,542,958 $3,234,419
Restricted cash 260,158 --
Accounts receivable -
Trade (net of allowance for doubtful
accounts of $56,764 and $0 as of
September 30, 2009 and December 31,
2008, respectively) 2,781,415 1,425,899
Other 150 --
Inventories 7,069,798 2,821,063
Prepaid consulting fees and other 59,018 --
Total current assets 21,713,497 7,481,381
Property, Plant, and Equipment:
Building and improvements 9,846,424 9,876,637
Machinery and equipment 47,202,267 47,347,109
Vehicles 543,004 544,670
57,591,695 57,768,416
Less - Accumulated depreciation
and amortization (15,023,408) (12,427,735)
Net property, plant, and
equipment 42,568,287 45,340,681
Total Assets $64,281,784 $52,822,062
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Short-term loans $5,195,229 $6,858,652
Accounts payable - Trade and
accrued liabilities 3,810,761 740,846
Income taxes payable 1,547,007 1,047,678
Total current liabilities 10,552,997 8,647,176
Long-Term Debt, less current
portion:
Loan from credit union 1,942,202 1,948,176
Related party notes 4,110,494 8,137,554
Total long-term debt 6,052,696 10,085,730
Total liabilities 16,605,693 18,732,906
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock, 500,000,000 shares
authorized, $0.001 par value per
share, 12,496,088 and 11,275,497
shares issued and outstanding as
of September 30, 2009 and December
31, 2008, respectively 12,496 11,275
Additional paid-in capital 13,695,913 9,598,944
Statutory earnings reserve 3,079,063 3,079,063
Accumulated other comprehensive
income 3,494,728 3,592,839
Retained earnings 27,393,891 17,807,035
Total stockholders' equity 47,676,091 34,089,156
Total Liabilities and Stockholders'
Equity $64,281,784 $52,822,062
ORIENT PAPER, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2008
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2009 2008 2009 2008
Revenues:
Sales, net $30,548,611 $18,256,309 70,786,472 $49,337,596
Cost of Sales:
Cost of sales 23,369,005 14,731,043 56,223,156 40,044,007
Business tax and
surcharges 53,915 89,673 132,204 204,322
Total cost of sales 23,422,920 14,820,716 56,355,360 40,248,329
Gross Profit 7,125,691 3,435,593 14,431,112 9,089,267
Selling, General and
Administrative
Expenses 491,676 231,116 966,238 654,889
Income from Operations 6,634,015 3,204,477 13,464,874 8,434,378
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income 35,522 34,621 67,464 37,920
Interest (expense) (208,471) (139,799) (624,551) (373,232)
Total other (expense) (172,949) (105,178) (557,087) (335,312)
Income before Income
Taxes 6,461,067 3,099,299 12,907,788 8,099,066
Provision for Income
Taxes (1,647,468) (774,825) (3,320,931) (2,024,767)
Net Income 4,813,598 2,324,474 9,586,856 6,074,299
Comprehensive Income:
Foreign currency
translation
adjustment 48,155 223,619 (98,111) 1,963,066
Total Comprehensive
Income $4,861,753 $2,548,093 9,488,745 $8,037,365
Earnings Per Share:
Basic Earning per Share $0.41 $0.21 $0.84 $0.57
Fully Diluted Earning
per Share $0.41 $0.21 $0.84 $0.57
Weighted Average Number
of Shares
Outstanding - Basic 11,697,557 11,275,497 11,418,338 10,600,132
Outstanding - Fully
Diluted 11,716,579 11,275,497 11,424,749 10,600,132
ORIENT PAPER, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2008
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2009 2008
Cash Flows from Operating
Activities:
Net income $9,586,856 $6,074,299
Adjustments to reconcile net
income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 2,595,673 2,956,454
Non-cash warrants compensation 17,723 --
Non-cash issuance of stock for
services 27,300 500,000
Changes in net assets and
liabilities:
Accounts receivable - Trade (1,355,665) (750,313)
Inventories (4,248,735) (499,031)
Prepaid expenses (5,851) (130,000)
Accounts payable - Trade and
accrued liabilities 3,069,915 2,065,846
Income taxes payable 499,328 499,918
Net Cash Provided by Operating
Activities 10,186,544 10,717,173
Cash Flows from Investing
Activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and
equipment 176,721 (12,554,348)
Net Cash (Used in) Investing
Activities 176,721 (12,554,348)
Cash Flows from Financing
Activities:
Proceeds from related party loans -- 4,304,045
Payments on related party loans (27,060) --
Payments on short term loans (1,663,423) --
Payments on loan from credit union (5,974) --
Proceeds from borrowing on credit
facility -- 1,124,413
Net Cash Provided by (Used in)
Financing Activities (1,696,457) 5,428,458
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on
Cash and Cash Equivalents (98,111) 1,963,066
Net Increase in Cash and Cash
Equivalents 8,568,697 5,554,349
Cash and Cash Equivalents -
Beginning of Period 3,234,419 622,661
Less: Restricted Cash (260,158) --
Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of
Period $11,542,958 $6,177,010
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow
Information:
Cash paid for interest $503,093 $373,232
Cash paid for income taxes $275,497 $1,729,172
ORIENT PAPER, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2008
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
On October 29, 2007, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger between
Orient Paper; CARZ Merger Sub, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company; DZH Limited; and the stockholders of DZH Limited. Under the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, the Company issued to the stockholders of DZH Limited 7,450,497 (post reverse split) shares of the Company's common stock, par value $.001, in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding shares of stock of DZH Limited (50,000 shares).
In May 2008, the Company issued 1,250,000 (post reverse split) shares of common stock to three consultants for services rendered during the year ending December 31, 2008, valued at $500,000.
On May 10, 2009 the Company issued 1,250 (post reverse split) shares of common stock to its CFO as compensation with a fair value of $900. No cash is received as a result of the issuance of stock.
On June 24, 2009 the Company issued 15,000 (post reverse split) shares of common stock for legal fees with a fair value of $26,400. No cash is received for the issuance of stock.
On July 23, 2009, the Company issued a two-year warrant to purchase 25,000 (post reverse split) shares of the Company's common stock at $4.00 (post reverse split) per share as an incentive for certain consulting services. The value of the warrant was determined to be $70,890, and has an amortization period of 12 months. No cash was received from the issuance of the warrant.
On August 31, 2009 Mr. Zhenyong Liu, Chairman and CEO of the Company, converted $4,000,000 of his loan to the Company into 1,204,341 (post reverse split) shares of common stock. No cash is paid for the retirement of the $4,000,000 loan.
For more information, please contact:
Orient Paper, Inc.
Winston C. Yen, Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +1-562-818-3817 (Los Angeles)
Email: info@orientalpapercorporation.com
CCG Investor Relations Inc.
Mr. Crocker Coulson, President
Tel: +1-646-213-1915 (New York)
Email: crocker.coulson@ccgir.com
Web: http://www.ccgirasia.com
