Fuling Global Inc. Reports First Half-Year and Second Quarter 2016 Financial Results

ALLENTOWN, Pa., August 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Fuling Global Inc. (NASDAQ: FORK) ("Fuling Global" or the "Company"), an environmentally friendly specialized producer and distributor of plastic serviceware, with precision manufacturing facilities in both the U.S. and China, today announced its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016.

Mr. Xinfu Hu, Chief Executive Officer of Fuling Global, commented, "We continued to execute well with sales volume crossing the 10,000-ton mark for the first time in company history to 10,709 tons for the second quarter, highlighting strong demand for our products across all major product categories. Gross margin of 29.8% improved significantly from the prior quarter and was essentially unchanged from a year ago. Despite a slight dip in revenues driven by decrease in average selling price ("ASP") in connection with drop in oil prices, net income attributable to our stockholders increased by 56.3% to $4.67 million for the second quarter, benefitting from $1.82 million in local government subsidy income."

Ms. Guilan Jiang, Chairwoman of Fuling Global, added, "With all of our factories running near full capacity, we are facing increasing challenges to expand our production capacity promptly to meet the increasing demand for our products. Following the $10.24 million purchase of a 32.86-acre land parcel in April, we broke ground for the construction of a new factory in Wenling City in the second quarter. Phase I construction is expected to complete by the end of this year with commercial production to commence in the first quarter of 2017. Our Allentown factory continues to ramp, now with 12 straw machines up and running. With increasing orders from existing customers and orders from new customers, our Allentown factory is on track to reach $5.5 million annual revenue run rate in the third quarter this year."

Second Quarter of 2016 Financial Highlights

• Net income attributable to Fuling Global increased by 56.3% to $4.67 million, or $0.30 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $2.99 million, or $0.26 per basic and diluted share, for the same period of last year. The increases in net income and earnings per share were primarily due to a $1.82 million subsidy income received from local government which included a one-time government incentive of approximately $1.5 million for breaking ground on our new factory in Wenling City.
• Revenues decreased by 2.0% to $24.59 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 with increase in sales volume offset by decrease in blended average selling price ("ASP").
• Total sales volume increased by 21.2% to 10,709 tons for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from 8,834 tons for the same period of last year. The increase in total sales volume was across all product categories.
• Blended ASP decreased by 19.2% to $2.30 per kilogram for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $2.84 per kilogram for the same period of last year. The decrease in ASP was across all product categories and in line with the decrease in crude oil prices.
• Gross profit decreased by 1.9% to $7.33 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $7.47 million for the same period of last year. Gross margin was essentially unchanged at 29.8%.

Second Quarter 2016 Financial Results

Revenues

For the three months ended June 30, 2016, total revenues decreased by $0.51 million, or 2.0%, to $24.59 million from $25.11 million for the same period of last year. Overall sales volume increased by 1,875 tons, or 21.2%, to 10,709 tons for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from 8,834 tons for the same period of last year. The increase in overall sales volume was across all product categories. Blended ASP decreased by $0.54 per kilogram, or 19.2%, to $2.30 per kilogram for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $2.84 per kilogram for the same period of last year. The decrease in ASP was across all product categories and in line with year-over-year change trend in crude oil prices. Cutlery, straws, cups and plates, and other products accounted for 59.8%, 9.9%, 23.7%, and 6.7% of total revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2016, compared to 59.5%, 11.6%, 24.8%, and 4.1% for the same period of last year, respectively.

On a geographical basis, sales in Fuling Global's largest market, the U.S., decreased by $1.43 million, or 6.0%, to $22.53 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $23.96 million for the same period of last year. Sales in Europe increased by $0.49 million, or 92.2%, to $1.02 million. Sales in China increased by $0.36 million, or 516.9%, to $0.43 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. Sales in Canada was $0.29 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016, down 2.7% from the same period of last year.

Gross profit

Total cost of goods sold decreased by $0.37million, or 2.1%, to $17.26million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $17.63 million for the same period of last year[1]. Gross profit decreased by $0.14 million, or 1.9%, to $7.33 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $7.47 million for the same period of last year. Gross margin was 29.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2016, essentially unchanged from the same period of last year.

Operating income

Selling expenses decreased by $0.31 million, or 17.4%, to $1.45 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $1.76 million for the same period of last year. The decrease in selling expenses was due to decrease in ocean freight cost. General and administrative expenses increased by $0.34 million, or 30.0%, to $1.48 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $1.14 million for the same period of last year. The increase in general and administrative expenses was due to professional fees related to being a public company as well as increase in administrative expenses at our Allentown facility. Research and development expenses increased by $0.08 million, or 12.5%, to $0.68 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $0.60 million for the same period of last year. As a result, total operating expenses increased by $0.11 million, or 3.2%, to $3.61 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $3.50 million for the same period of last year.

Operating income decreased by $0.25 million, or 6.4%, to $3.72 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $3.97 million for the same period of last year. Operating margin was 15.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2016, compared to 15.8% for the same period of last year.

Income before income taxes

After adjustment for interest income and expenses, subsidy income and other non-operating income and expenses, income before income taxes increased by $1.76 million, or 47.8%, to $5.45 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $3.69 million for the same period of last year. The increase was primarily due to subsidy income of $1.82 million received in the second quarter of this year from local government.

Provision for income taxes was $0.62 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016, compared to $0.62 million for the same period of last year.

Net income

Net income increased by $1.77 million, or 57.5%, to $4.84 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $3.07 million for the same period of last year. After deduction of non-controlling interest, net income attributable to Fuling Global was $4.67 million, or $0.30 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2016, compared to $2.99 million, or $0.26 per basic and diluted share, for the same period of last year.

Year-to-Date 2016 Financial Results

Revenues

For the six months ended June 30, 2016, total revenues decreased by $0.57 million, or 1.3%, to $45.17 million from $45.75 million for the same period of last year. Overall sales volume increased by 2,411 tons, or 15.1%, to 18,338 tons for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from 15,927 tons for the same period of last year. The increase in overall sales volume was across all product categories. Blended ASP decreased by $0.41 per kilogram, or 14.2%, to $2.46 per kilogram for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $2.87 per kilogram for the same period of last year. ASPs for cutlery, straws, and cups and plates all decreased while others increased slightly year-over-year.

Cutlery, straws, cups and plates, and other products accounted for 58.4%, 10.0%, 25.0%, and 6.5% of total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to 60.0%, 11.9%, 24.3%, and 3.9% for the same period of last year, respectively.

On a geographical basis, sales in Fuling Global's largest market, the U.S., decreased by $1.65 million, or 3.8%, to $42.00 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $43.66 million for the same period of last year. Sales in Europe increased by $0.52 million, or 56.5%, to $1.45 million. Sales in China increased by $0.71 million, or 1,008.9%, to $0.78 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. Sales in Canada was $0.49 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, up 5.1% from the same period of last year.

Gross profit

Total cost of goods sold decreased by $1.04 million, or 3.1%, to $32.64 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $33.68 million for the same period of last year. Gross profit increased by $0.47 million, or 3.9%, to $12.54 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $12.07 million for the same period of last year. Gross margin was 27.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to 26.4% for the same period of last year.

Operating income

Selling expenses decreased by $0.05 million, or 1.7%, to $3.08 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $3.14 million for the same period of last year. The decrease in selling expenses was due to decrease in ocean freight. General and administrative expenses increased by $0.87 million, or 32.5%, to $3.55 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $2.68 million for the same period of last year. The increase in general and administrative expenses was due to professional fees related to being a public company as well as increase in administrative expenses at our Allentown facility. As we spent significant efforts and resources training new staff, testing machines, and streamlining production lines in the first half of this year, we expect more moderate increases in general and administrative expenses with increasing productivity and operating efficiency in the latter half of this year. Research and development expenses increased by $0.16 million, or 17.3%, to $1.09 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $0.93 million for the same period of last year.

As a result, total operating expenses increased by $0.98 million, or 14.5%, to $7.73 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $6.75 million for the same period of last year.

Operating income decreased by $0.51 million, or 9.6%, to $4.81 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $5.32 million for the same period of last year. Operating margin was 10.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to 11.6% for the same period of last year.

Income before income taxes

After adjustment for interest income and expenses, subsidy income and other non-operating income and expenses, income before income taxes increased by $1.43 million, or 28.2%, to $6.49 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $5.06 million for the same period of last year. The increase was primarily due to higher subsidy income received from local government this year.

Provision for income taxes was $0.93 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to $0.75 million for the same period of last year.

Net income

Net income increased by $1.24 million, or 28.9%, to $5.56 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $4.31 million for the same period of last year. This increase was primarily due to: 1) $1.70 million increase in subsidiary income; 2) $0.47 million increase in gross profit; and 3) partially offset by $0.98 million increase in operating expenses.

After deduction of non-controlling interest, net income attributable to Fuling Global increased by $1.19 million, or 28.2%, to $5.42 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 from $4.23 million for the same period of last year.

Basic and diluted earnings per share were each $0.34 for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to $0.36 for the same period of last year.

Financial Condition

As of June 30, 2016, the Company had cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and certificates of deposits of $3.35 million, $2.57 million, and $1.91 million, respectively, compared to $15.57 million, $2.13 million, and $3.19 million, respectively, at the end of 2015. Short-term borrowing and bank notes payable were $16.34 million and $3.48 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2016, compared to $15.26 million and $2.84 million, respectively, at the end of 2015.

Net cash used in operating activities was $3.74 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to $1.91 million for the same period of last year.

Net cash used in investing activities was $9.93 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to $2.42 million for the same period of last year. The Company spent $10.24 million in purchasing a 32.86-acre land parcel for its newest factory in Wenling, China this April and received one-time subsidy income of approximately $1.5million from the Wenling government in association with the purchase.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $1.47 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to $4.60 million for the same period of last year.

Recent Update

On April 12, 2016, the Company announced that it has purchased a 32.86-acre land parcel for its newest factory in Wenling, China for approximately $10.24 million. The Company anticipates that it will complete construction, equipment installation and testing and will ultimately commence commercial production in the new factory in the first quarter of 2017.

Correction

In our press release dated May 16, 2016, we incorrectly reported sales volume growth of 4.6% to 7,418 tons for the three months ended March 31, 2016, which should be 7.6% growth to 7,629 tons. In addition, in our press release dated March 31, 2016, we incorrectly reported sales volume growth of 30% for the year 2015, which should be 15% increase.

Earnings Conference Call

The Company will host its second quarter of 2016 financial results conference call at 8:00 am Eastern Time (5:00 am Pacific Time/8:00 pm Beijing Time) on Tuesday, August 16, 2016. To attend the call, please use the information below for either dial-in access or webcast access. When prompted on dial-in, ask for "Fuling Global Inc./ FORK".

Please dial in at least fifteen minutes before the call to ensure timely participation. For those unable to participate, an audio replay of the conference call will be available beginning approximately one hour after the end of the live call through August 23, 2016. The audio replay can be accessed by dialing +1-877-344-7529 within the United States or +1-412-317-0088 internationally, and entering access code No. 10091411.

About Fuling Global Inc.

Fuling Global Inc. ("Fuling Global") is an environmentally friendly specialized producer and distributor plastic serviceware, with precision manufacturing facilities in both the U.S. and China. The Company's plastic serviceware products include disposable cutlery, drinking straws, cups, plates and other plastic products and are used by more than one hundred customers primarily from the U.S. and Europe, including Subway, Wendy's, Burger King, KFC (China only), Walmart, McKesson, and Woolworths. More information about the Company can be found at: http://ir.fulingglobal.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains information about Fuling Global's view of its future expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from historical results or those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with its application of IPO proceeds, its ability to raise additional funding, its ability to maintain and grow its business, variability of operating results, its ability to maintain and enhance its brand, its development and introduction of new products and services, the successful integration of acquired companies, technologies and assets into its portfolio of software and services, marketing and other business development initiatives, competition in the industry, general government regulation, economic conditions, dependence on key personnel, the ability to attract, hire and retain personnel who possess the technical skills and experience necessary to meet the requirements of its clients, and its ability to protect its intellectual property. Fuling Global encourages you to review other factors that may affect its future results in Fuling Global's registration statement and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For more information, please contact:

Investor Relations:
Tina Xiao
Weitian Group LLC
Email: fork@weitian-ir.com
Phone: +1-917-609-0333

At the Company:
Gilbert Lee, CFO
Email: ir@fulingplasticusa.com
Phone: +1-610-366-8070x1835
Web: http://ir.fulingglobal.com/

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