JUNAN COUNTY, China, May 13 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- American Lorain Corporation (NYSE Amex: ALN) ("American Lorain" or the "Company"), an international processed snack foods, convenience foods, and frozen foods company based in Shandong Province, China, today announced financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2010.
First Quarter 2010 Highlights
-- Revenue reaches $24.6 million, up 15.8% from Q1 2009
-- Convenience foods sales increased 586.0% year over year
-- Operating income was $3.3 million, up 10.6% from Q1 2009
-- Net income was $1.86 million, up 6% from Q1 2009
-- Earnings per diluted share was $0.07 based on 26.7 million
diluted weighted average shares outstanding on March 31, 2010.
First Quarter 2010 Results
1Q 2010 1Q 2009 CHANGE
Net Sales $24.6 million $21.2 million +15.8%
Gross Profit $5.7 million $5.2 million +10.9%
Net Income $1.86 million $1.76 million +6.0%
EPS (Diluted) $0.07 $0.07 --
"The growth of our convenience food sales is evidence of the diversification strategy we implemented for our Company," said Chairman Si Chen of American Lorain. "Our nearly six-fold revenue increase in sales from our convenience food segment during the first quarter confirms the growth potential of our lunch box, cold dish and bean products. These products are part of a multi-billion dollar packaged foods market in China. While our traditional chestnut revenues account for a significant percentage of our revenues and supplier relationships, we plan to leverage our expertise in processed and packaged foods to introduce new products through a large and growing distributor and customer base we have built over the last 15 years in China. Our goal is to become one of the premier packaged foods manufacturers in China in the next three to five years."
First Quarter 2010 Results
Revenues in the first quarter of 2010 reached $24.6 million, an increase of 15.8% over the prior year. Growth was driven by sales of Lorain(R)-branded convenience foods which accounted for 28.9% of total revenues in the first quarter of 2010 compared to 4.9% in the first quarter of 2009. American Lorain produces 113 convenience foods in three core categories; ready to heat and eat lunch box foods, pickled cold dish vegetables in single serving packages and whole bean products packaged in a variety of flavors. Convenience foods yielded revenues of $7.1 million in the first quarter of 2010, a $6.1 million or 586.0% increase, from $1.0 million in the first quarter of 2009.
American Lorain's core product line, chestnuts and chestnut-based snack foods, accounted for approximately 52.8% of revenues for the quarter, and increased 2.2% quarter over quarter. Due to the timing of Chinese New Year in 2010, domestic sales of chestnuts in the first quarter were relatively flat year over year as a majority of American Lorain's distributors took inventory positions in the fourth quarter of 2009 in preparation for January 2010 sales to their customers. Sales benefited from exports to Korea and Japan in the first quarter of 2010 and indicated that American Lorain's key export markets in northeast Asia are rebounding after a soft year in 2009. In the coming quarters, American Lorain sees higher demand for its traditional chestnut product line along with additional sales revenues being generated by frozen chestnut summer promotions in Beijing and Chongqing. On May 3rd, American Lorain detailed a summer promotion of frozen chestnuts for sales at Lorain(R)-branded counters which is expected to contribute approximately $3.6 million in revenues in 2010.
Frozen foods sold primarily to select export markets in Europe and wholesale customers like Yums! Foods in China contributed approximately 18.4% in revenues for the quarter compared to 35.3% in the first quarter of 2009. American Lorain will continue servicing its frozen food customers as part of a broader marketing strategy and in response to a highly competitive environment in which the Company is not actively seeking new customers. American Lorain uses mostly outsourced, third party manufacturing facilities for its frozen foods and maintains limited production exposure and contractual obligations in this segment.
Gross profits for the quarter were $5.7 million, an increase of 10.9% from the same period in 2009. Gross margins were 23.3% in the first quarter of 2010 compared to 24.4 % in the first quarter of 2009. The sales mix of products sold by American Lorain contributes to the blended margins the Company reports in any given quarter. Gross profit margins by product segment are 25-28% for chestnuts, 22-24% for convenience foods and 16-18% for frozen foods. The increase in revenues from the convenience food segment contributed to a slight decrease in blended gross profit margins for the quarter.
Operating income for the quarter increased 10.6% to $3.3 million, with operating margin of 13.6%, versus $3.0 million with operating margin of 14.2% in the first quarter of 2009. Sales, marketing and general and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2010 were $2.4 million versus $2.2 million the first quarter of 2009.
Net income for the quarter was $1.86 million, an increase of 6.0% from $1.76 million in the same period in 2009. American Lorain's blended tax rate was 24.9% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, compared to 23.4% for the corresponding quarter in 2009. Earnings per share was $0.07 based on 26.7 million diluted weighted average shares versus $0.07 in the first quarter of 2009 based on 25.2 million diluted shares.
Financial Condition
As of March 31, 2010, the Company had $8.5 million in cash compared to $12.1 million at the end of 2009. Working capital was $51.8 million on March 31, 2010. Accounts receivable were $20.2 million, compared to $23.0 million as of December 31, 2009, with corresponding DSO's in 2010 decreasing to 74 days versus 98 days in the same period in 2009. Current liabilities were $47.4 million compared to $46.8 million at the end of 2009. Shareholder's Equity was $97.0 million, a 2.4 % increase from $94.7 million as of December 31, 2009. The Company had $35.5 million in short term loans which will be used for working capital requirements during the year on March 31, 2010 with a weighted average interest rate of 7.1%.
Recent Highlights
-- In April of 2010, The Company announced that 550 7-Eleven
convenience stores in Guangzhou, China began selling Lorain(R)-
branded "Lunch Box" products
-- In May of 2010, American Lorain announced that it began promoting
sales of open bottom frozen chestnuts at Lorain(R)-branded retail
food counters in 40 locations which it plans to expand to 70 in
Beijing and Chongqing, and are expected to generate total annual
revenue of $3.6 million a year
2010 Guidance
American Lorain provided 2010 guidance of $182.0 to $190.0 million in revenues or 24.1% - 29.5% organic growth for the year. The Company also provided net income guidance of $17.8 - $19.0 million in net income which will represent 23.6% - 31.9% growth.
"We will continue to focus resources on our core products and the high-growth areas of our business," said Si Chen, Chairman and CEO of American Lorain. "We have a number of products and sales strategies in place that are designed to focus our marketing effort on higher margin product line and streamline our distribution systems to encourage larger stocking orders with proven and supportive distributors in China. Though our year will still be seasonal with the fourth quarter as the strongest, we expect that our entry into new product lines will help distribute our revenue generation more evenly than in previous years. We remain confident that these initiatives will help us drive incremental growth and to meet our guidance for 2010," Chen concluded.
First Quarter 2010 Earnings Conference Call
To attend the call, please use the dial information below. When prompted, ask for the "American Lorain Corporation Call" and/or be prepared to provide the conference ID.
Conference Call
Date: May 13, 2010
Time: 10:00 am Eastern
Conference Line Dial-In (U.S.): 1-877-941-1428
International Dial-In: 1-480-629-9665
Conference ID: 4299996
Webcast link: http://viavid.net/dce.aspx?sid=00007559
Please dial in at least 10 minutes before the call to ensure timely participation. A playback will be available through May 20, 2010. To listen, please call 1-800-406-7325 within the United States or +1-303-590-3030 when calling internationally. Utilize the pass code 4299996 to access the playback.
This call is being webcast by ViaVid Broadcasting and can be accessed by clicking on this link http://viavid.net/dce.aspx?sid=00007559 or at ViaVid's website at http://www.viavid.net , where the webcast can be accessed through May 12, 2011.
About American Lorain Corporation
American Lorain Corporation is a Nevada corporation that develops, manufactures and sells various food products. The Company's products include chestnut products, convenience food products and frozen food products. The Company currently sells over 230 products to 26 provinces and administrative regions in China as well as to 42 foreign countries. The Company operates through its four direct and indirect subsidiaries and one leased factory located in China. For further information about American Lorain Corporation, please visit the Company's website at http://www.americanlorain.com .
Forward-looking statements:
Statements contained herein that relate to the Company's future performance, including statements with respect to forecasted revenues, margins, cash generation and capital expenditures are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those anticipated. Such statements are based on current expectations only, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected. Among the factors that could cause actual results to materially differ include: general business and economic conditions, particularly the current downturn in the worldwide economy; our ability to obtain adequate supplies of raw materials; our ability to manage our expansion strategy; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; government regulation; difficulties in new product development; changing consumer tastes in disparate markets worldwide and our ability to address those changes; our ability to attract and retain highly qualified personnel; and other factors affecting our operations that are set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
For more information, please contact:
At the company:
American Lorain Corporation
Alan Jin, CFO
Tel: +86-539-731-7959
Email: alanjin@americanlorain.com
Web: http://www.americanlorain.com
Investor relations:
John Mattio, SVP
HC International, New York
Tel: +1-203-616-5144
Email: john.mattio@hcinternational.net
Web: http://www.hcinternational.net
AMERICAN LORAIN CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF MARCH 31, 2010 AND DECEMBER 31, 2009
(Stated in US Dollars)
(Audited)
3/31/2010 12/31/2009
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $8,529,664 $12,111,532
Restricted cash 1,118,054 1,299,889
Short-term investment 9,423,450 7,320,248
Trade accounts receivable 20,161,456 23,025,772
Other receivables 4,544,271 7,837,675
Related party receivable 546,384 603,116
Inventory 35,873,815 26,400,117
Advance to suppliers 17,765,172 16,938,872
Prepaid expenses and taxes 1,034,651 905,266
Deferred tax asset 199,876 199,867
Total current assets $99,196,793 $96,642,354
Property, plant and equipment, net 41,342,373 41,280,407
Land use rights, net 3,850,713 3,871,547
Deposit 16,090 16,088
TOTAL ASSETS $144,405,969 $141,810,396
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Short-term bank loans $35,463,979 $35,488,212
Long Term Debt - Current Portion 186,152 --
Accounts payable 2,814,130 2,614,515
Taxes payable 707,362 2,235,341
Accrued liabilities and other
payables 7,448,897 6,422,492
Customers deposits 731,413 13,842
Total current liabilities $47,351,933 $46,774,402
Long-term bank loans 25,599 294,873
TOTAL LIABILITIES $47,377,532 $47,069,275
3/31/2010 12/31/2009
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred Stock, $.001 par value,
5,000,000 shares authorized; 0
shares issued and outstanding at
March 31, 2010 and December 31,
2009 -- --
Common stock, $0.001 par value,
200,000,000 shares authorized;
30,240,202 shares issued and
outstanding as of March 31, 2010 and
December 31, 2009 30,240 30,240
Additional paid-in capital 35,517,609 35,268,603
Statutory reserves 9,982,807 8,895,477
Retained earnings 39,228,550 38,455,349
Accumulated other comprehensive
income 6,088,030 6,068,569
Non-controlling interests 6,181,201 6,022,883
$97,028,437 $94,741,121
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY $144,405,969 $141,810,396
AMERICAN LORAIN CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009
(Stated in US Dollars)
(Audited)
3/31/2010 3/31/2009
Net revenues $24,560,216 $21,200,537
Cost of revenues (18,836,126) (16,038,203)
Gross profit $5,724,090 $5,162,334
Operating expenses
Selling and marketing expenses (1,372,352) (1,170,847)
General and administrative expenses (1,016,452) (976,306)
(2,388,804) (2,147,153)
Operating income $3,335,286 $3,015,181
Government subsidy income 181,421 98,589
Interest income 2,804 64,990
Other income 119,277 16,379
Foreign exchange loss -- (87,433)
Other expenses (27,523) (24,884)
Interest expense (920,424) (603,826)
(644,445) (536,185)
Earnings before tax $2,690,841 $2,478,996
Income tax (671,992) (580,772)
Net income $2,018,849 $1,898,224
Net income attributable to:
- Common stockholders 1,860,531 1,756,076
- Non-controlling interests 158,318 142,148
2,018,849 1,898,224
Earnings per share
- Basic $0.07 $0.07
- Diluted 0.07 0.07
Weighted average shares outstanding
- Basic 26,075,413 25,177,640
- Diluted 26,730,651 25,177,640
AMERICAN LORAIN CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009
(Stated in US Dollars)
March 31, 2010 March 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income $2,018,849 $1,898,224
Stock and share based compensation 249,006 --
Depreciation 365,569 334,454
Amortization 35,720 44,377
(Increase)/decrease in accounts &
other receivables 4,089,021 1,598,659
(Increase)/decrease in inventories (9,473,698) (2,860,568)
(Increase)/decrease in prepayments (238,115) --
Increase/(decrease) in accounts and
other payables (301,956) (1,485,752)
Net cash (used in)/provided by
operating activities $(3,255,604) $(470,606)
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of plant and equipment -- (143,166)
Sales of short term investment fund 22,227 --
Decrease/(increase) in restricted cash 181,835 --
Payments for the purchase of land use
rights (14,887) (22,689)
Payments for Purchase of Equipment &
Construction Plant (427,535) --
Payments for rental deposit -- (215,905)
Sales/(purchase) of securities -- 2,780
Net cash used in investing activities $(238,360) $(378,980)
Cash flows from financing activities
Issue of common stock -- 5
Payment of notes -- (5,208,485)
Proceeds from bank borrowings 17,853,746 --
Repayment of bank borrowings (17,961,100) 14,649,047
Net cash provided by/(used in)
financing activities $(107,354) $9,440,566
Net in cash and cash equivalents
(used)/sourced (3,601,318) 8,590,979
Effect of foreign currency translation
on cash and cash equivalents 19,450 811,404
Cash and cash equivalents-beginning of
year 12,111,532 2,841,339
Cash and cash equivalents-end of year $8,529,664 $12,243,722
