Fuling Global Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2017 Financial Results

ALLENTOWN, PA., Nov. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Fuling Global Inc. (NASDAQ: FORK) ("Fuling Global" or the "Company"), a 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Mr. Xinfu Hu, Chief Executive Officer of Fuling Global, commented, "We are very pleased to report strong results for the third quarter with both revenues and sale volume reached record high on the back of continuing demand momentum for our products. Total revenues increased by 23.3% to $34.4 million, thanks to a 19.2% increase sales volume as well as a moderate increase in blended average selling price ("ASP") of 3.5%. However, our margins and profitability decreased as the increase in cost of goods sold outpaced the increase in revenues due to increase in material costs which were not able to fully pass over to customers."

Ms. Guilan Jiang, Chairwoman of Fuling Global, added, "Despite uncertainty on market factors, particularly material costs and pricing environment for our products, we are optimistic in our near-term outlook as our order book remains strong and our manufacturing capacity keeps expanding with the recent launch of the new factory in China. We look forward to better day ahead as we continue our steady growth path."

Third Quarter 2017 Highlights

• Revenues increased by 23.3% to $34.4 million for the third quarter 2017 from $27.9 million for the same period of last year, as a result of the combined effect of increases in both sales volume and blended ASP.
• Total sales volume increased by 19.2% to 13,649 tons for the third quarter 2017 from 11,454 tons for the same period of last year. The increase in sales volume was across all product categories. Blended ASP also increased by 3.5% to $2.52 per kilogram for the third quarter 2017 from $2.44 per kilogram for the same period of last year.
• Gross profit increased by 7.0% to $7.4 million for the third quarter 2017 from $6.9 million for the same period of last year. Gross margin decreased by 3.3 percentage points to 21.5% for the third quarter 2017 from 24.8% for the same period of last year. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to increase in the price of raw material, particularly Polypropylene.
• Net income attributable to Fuling Global was $2.0 million, or $0.13 per basic and diluted share, for the third quarter 2017, compared to $2.1 million, or $0.13 per basic and diluted share for the same period of last year. The decrease in net income attributable to Fuling Global was mainly due to the increase in total operating and interest expenses that more than offset the increase in gross profit.

Third Quarter 2017 Financial Results

Revenues

For the third quarter 2017, total revenues increased by $6.5 million, or 23.3%, to a record level of $34.4 million from $27.9 million for the same period of last year. The increase in total revenues was a combined result of increases in both sales volume and blended ASP.

Overall sales volume increased by 2,196 tons, or 19.2%, to 13,649 tons for the third quarter 2017 from 11,454 tons for the same period of last year. The increase in overall sales volume was across all product categories. Blended ASP increased by $0.08 per kilogram, or 3.5%, to $2.52 per kilogram for the third quarter 2017 from $2.44 per kilogram for the same period of last year.

The increase in revenues was across all major product categories. Revenues from cutlery increased by $1.4 million, or 9.1%, to $17.2 million for the third quarter 2017 from $15.8 million for the same period of last year. Revenues from straws sales increased by $2.4 million, or 81.0%, to $5.4 million for the third quarter 2017 from $3.0 million for the same period of last year. Revenues from cups and plates sales increased by $2.0 million, or 28.2%, to $8.9 million for the third quarter 2017 from $6.9 million for the same period of last year. Revenues from other products sales increased by $0.7 million, or 32.1%, to $2.9 million for the third quarter 2017 from $2.2 million for the same period of last year. Cutlery, straws, cups and plates, and other products accounted for 50.1%, 15.7%, 25.9%, and 8.3% of total revenues for the third quarter 2017, compared to 56.6%, 10.7%, 24.9%, and 7.8% for the same period of last year, respectively.

On a geographical basis, sales in the U.S., Fuling Global's largest market, increased by $6.7 million, or 28.4%, to $30.3 million for the third quarter 2017 from $23.6 million for the same period of last year. Sales in Canada also increased by $0.2 million, or 23.0%, to $0.8 million for the third quarter 2017 from $0.7 million for the same period of last year. Sales in China, our second largest market, were the strongest and increased by $0.7 million, or 41.6%, to $2.5 million for the third quarter 2017 from $1.8 million for the same period of last year. Sales in Europe and other regions were $0.5 million and $0.3 million, respectively, for the third quarter 2017, compared to $1.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively, for the same period of last year.

Gross profit

Total cost of goods sold increased by $6.0 million, or 28.7%, to $27.0 million for the third quarter 2017 from $21.0 million for the same period of last year. The increase was mainly due to increased sale volume as well as higher unit price of raw materials, particularly Polypropylene. Gross profit increased by $0.5 million, or 7.0%, to $7.4 million for the third quarter 2017 from $6.9 million for the same period of last year. Gross margin was 21.5% for the third quarter 2017, compared to 24.8% for the same period of last year. The decline in gross margin percentage was primarily due to increase in raw material cost partially offset by increase in ASP.  It usually takes one to two quarters to successfully implement price increases to customers after increase in material prices.

Operating income

Selling expenses increased by $0.4 million, or 25.5%, to $2.2 million for the third quarter 2017 from $1.7 million for the same period of last year. As a percentage of sales, selling expenses were 6.3% in the third quarter 2017, compared to 6.2% in the same period of last year. General and administrative expenses decreased by $0.3 million, or 12.0%, to $1.9 million for the third quarter 2017 from $2.1 million for the same period of last year. As a percentage of sales, general and administrative expenses were 5.5% in the third quarter 2017, compared to 7.7% in the same period of last year. Research and development expenses increased by $0.2 million, or 37.3%, to $0.9 million for the third quarter 2017 from $0.6 million for the same period of last year. We expect R&D expense to stay at current levels as we continued to conduct research and development activities, especially seeking to increase the use of environmentally-friendly materials, develop biodegradable materials and reduce reliance on fossil-based raw materials. 

As a result, total operating expenses increased by $0.4 million, or 9.4%, to $4.9 million for the third quarter 2017 from $4.5 million for the same period of last year.

Operating income increased by $0.1 million, or 2.5%, to $2.5 million for the third quarter 2017 from $2.4 million for the same period of last year. Operating margin was 7.2% for the third quarter 2017, compared to 8.6% for the same period of last year. The decrease in operating margin was due to decrease in gross margin and partially offset by decrease in operating expenses as a percentage of sales.

Income before income taxes

Total net other expense, which includes interest income and expenses, subsidy income and other non-operating income and expenses, was $0.3 million for the third quarter 2017, compared to $0.1 million for the same period of last year.

Income before income taxes decreased by $0.1 million, or 4.8%, to $2.2 million for the third quarter 2017 from $2.3 million for the same period of last year. The decrease was primarily due to higher interest expense due to increase in borrowings

Provision for income taxes was $0.2 million for the third quarter 2017, compared to $0.3 million for the same period of last year.  

Net income

Net income was essentially unchanged at $2.0 million for the third quarter 2017. After deduction of non-controlling interest, net income attributable to Fuling Global decreased by $0.1 million, or 3.2%, to $2.0 million for the third quarter 2017 from $2.1 million for the same period of last year.

Basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.13 for the third quarter 2017, unchanged from the same period of last year.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Financial Results

Revenues

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, total revenues increased by $18.2 million, or 24.9%, to $91.3 million from $73.1 million for the same period of last year. The increase in total revenues was a combined result of increases in both sales volume and blended ASP.

Overall sales volume increased by 5,791 tons, or 19.4%, to 35,583 tons for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from 29,792 tons for the same period of last year. The increase in overall sales volume was across the board, particularly related to cups and plates as well as straws. Blended ASP increased by $0.11 per kilogram, or 4.6%, to $2.57 per kilogram for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $2.45 per kilogram for the same period of last year. The increase in blended ASP was mainly related to straws and other products and partially offset by decrease in ASP for cups and plates.

The increase in revenues was across all product categories. Revenues from cutlery sales increased by $2.4 million, or 5.7%, to $44.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $42.2 million for the same period of last year. Revenues from straws sales increased by $7.0 million, or 92.7%, to $14.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $7.5 million for the same period of last year. Revenues from cups and plates sales increased by $6.3 million, or 34.7%, to $24.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $18.3 million for the same period of last year. Revenues from other products sales increased by $2.5 million, or 49.4%, to $7.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $5.1 million for the same period of last year. Cutlery, straws, cups and plates, and other products accounted for 48.8%, 15.8%, 27.0%, and 8.4% of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to 57.7%, 10.3%, 25.0%, and 7.0% for the same period of last year, respectively.

On a geographical basis, sales in the U.S., Fuling Global's largest market, increased by $14.3 million, or 21.8%, to $79.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $65.6 million for the same period of last year. Sales in Europe were essentially unchanged at $2.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Sales in China, our second largest market, were the strongest and increased by $3.5 million, or 137.4%, to $6.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $2.6 million for the same period of last year. Sales in Canada increased by $0.3 million, or 22.3%, to $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $1.2 million for the same period of last year.

Gross profit

Total cost of goods sold increased by $18.9 million, or 35.3%, to $72.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $53.6 million for the same period of last year. The increase was mainly due to increased sale volume as well as higher unit price of raw material, particularly Polypropylene. Gross profit decreased by $0.7 million, or 3.5%, to $18.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $19.5 million for the same period of last year. Gross margin was 20.6% the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to 26.6% for the same period of last year.

Operating income

Selling expenses increased by $0.5 million, or 10.0%, to $5.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $4.8 million for the same period of last year. As a percentage of sales, selling expenses were 5.8% in the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to 6.6% in the same period of last year. General and administrative expenses decreased by $0.1 million, or 2.2%, to $5.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $5.7 million for the same period of last year. As a percentage of sales, general and administrative expenses were 6.1% in the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to 7.8% in the same period of last year. Research and development expenses increased by $0.3 million, or 16.6%, to $2.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $1.7 million for the same period of last year. As a percentage of sales, research and development expenses were 2.2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to 2.4% in the same period of last year. We expect research and development expense to stay at current levels as we continued to conduct research and development activities, especially seeking to increase the use of environmentally-friendly materials, develop biodegradable materials and reduce reliance on fossil-based raw materials. 

As a result, total operating expenses increased by $0.6 million, or 5.3%, to $12.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $12.2 million for the same period of last year.

Operating income decreased by $1.3 million, or 18.4%, to $5.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $7.2 million for the same period of last year. Operating margin was 6.5% for nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to 9.9% for the same period of last year. The decrease in operating margin was due to decrease in gross margin.

Income before income taxes

Total net other expense, which includes interest income and expenses, subsidy income and other non-operating income and expenses, was $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared other income of $1.6 million for the same period of last year. The difference was mainly due to decrease in subsidiary income to $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $2.1 million for the same period of last year.  

Income before income taxes decreased by $3.0 million, or 34.2%, to $5.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $8.8 million for the same period of last year. The decrease was a result of decrease in gross profit and subsidy income as well as increase in total operating expenses this year.

Provision for income taxes was $0.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $1.2 million for the same period of last year.  

Net income

Net income decreased by $2.6 million, or 34.8%, to $4.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $7.6 million for the same period of last year. After deduction of non-controlling interest, net income attributable to Fuling Global decreased by $2.6 million, or 34.6%, to $4.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $7.5 million for the same period of last year.

Basic and diluted earnings per share were $0.31 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $0.48 for the same period of last year. The decrease in earnings per share was mainly due to decrease in net income as a result of lower gross profit and subsidy income as well as higher total operating expenses in 2017.

Financial Condition

As of September 30, 2017, the Company had cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and certificates of deposits of $3.0 million, $4.8 million, and $1.6 million, respectively, compared to $4.0 million, $2.3 million, and $1.5 million, respectively, at the end of 2016. Short-term borrowing and bank notes payable were $22.6 million and $4.1 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2017, compared to $17.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively, at the end of 2016. Long-term borrowing was $1.4 million as of September 30, 2017, compared to $0.8 million at the end of 2016.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $1.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $1.5 million for the same period of last year. Net cash used in investing activities was $7.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $16.1 million for the same period of last year. Net cash provided by financing activities was $4.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $1.5 million for the same period of last year.  

About Fuling Global Inc.

Fuling Global Inc. ("Fuling Global") is a specialized producer and distributor of 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, Taco Bell, KFC (China only), Walmart, and McKesson. 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:

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

Investor Relations:
Tony Tian, CFA
Weitian Group LLC
Email: tony.tian@weitian-ir.com
Phone: +1-732-910-9692

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