IT Tech Packaging, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Results

BAODING, China, March 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- IT Tech Packaging, Inc. (NYSE American: ITP) ("IT Tech Packaging" or the "Company"), a leading manufacturer and distributor of diversified paper products in North China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and audited financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

Mr. Zhenyong Liu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, " In 2023, the company achieved a revenue of $86.55 million and a gross profit of $1.00 million. The overall performance improved due to slightly increased sales volume. Considering current conditions, including supportive policies and the implementation of plastic-restriction-orders,  we expect a rise in domestic demand for packaging paper. In the long run, we will focus on acquiring new customers, reducing costs and improving efficiency and ensuring safe and environmentally friendly production. Moreover, we plan to implement flexible pricing and inventory management in line with market trends to maintain cash flow and minimize risks while achieving reasonable profit levels."

Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results

• Revenue decreased by 1.91% to approximately $20.96 million, primarily attributable to a decrease in the average selling price("ASP") of CMP, partially offset by an increase in sales volume of regular CMP, light-weight CMP and offset printing paper.
• Gross profit decreased by 75.61% to approximately $0.25 million. Total gross margin decreased by 3.61 percentage point to 1.19%.  
• Loss from operations was approximately $3.80 million, compared to $0.49 million for the same period of previous year.
• Net loss was approximately $3.98 million, or loss of $0.40 per basic and diluted share, compared to $11.91 million, or loss of $1.19 per basic and diluted share, for the same period of previous year.
• Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") decreased by 97.08% to approximately $0.11 million.

Revenue

For the fourth quarter of 2023, total revenue decreased by approximately $0.41 million, or 1.91%, to approximately $20.96 million from approximately $21.37 million for the same period of previous year. The decrease in total revenue was mainly due to the decrease in ASP of CMP and offset printing paper, partially offset by increase in sales volume of regular CMP, light-weight CMP and offset printing paper.

The following table summarizes revenue, volume and ASP by product for the fourth quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively:

Revenue from CMP, including both regular CMP and light-Weight CMP, decreased by $0.58 million, or 2.78%, to approximately $20.46 million and accounted for 97.62 % of total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to approximately $21.05 million, or 98.49% of total revenue, for the same period of previous year. The Company sold 56,805 tonnes of CMP at an ASP of $360/tonne in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 51,306 tonnes at an ASP of $410/tonne in the same period of previous year.

Of the total CMP sales, revenue from regular CMP decreased by approximately $0.26 million, or 1.52%, to approximately $17.02 million, resulting from sales of 46,958 tonnes at an ASP of $362/tonne, during the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to revenue of approximately$17.28  million, resulting from sales of 41,941 tonnes at an ASP of $412/tonne, for the same period of previous year. Revenue from light-weight CMP decreased by approximately $0.32 million, or 8.54%, to approximately $3.45 million, resulting from sales of 9,847 tonnes at an ASP of $350/tonne for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to revenue of approximately $3.77 million, resulting from sales of 9,365 tonnes at an ASP of $402/tonne for the same period of previous year.

Revenue from offset printing paper was $nil for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Revenue from tissue paper products increased by $0.22 million, or 87.04%, to approximately $0.47 million, resulting from sales of 480 tonnes at an ASP of $987/tonne, for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to revenue of approximately$0.25million, resulting from sales of 234 tonnes at an ASP of $1,083/tonne for the same period of previous year.

Revenue from face masks decreased by $45,791, or 80.65%, to approximately $10,983  for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023, from $56,774 for the same period of 2022. The Company sold 360 thousand pieces of face masks for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023, compared to 1,330 thousand pieces of face masks for the same period of 2022.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Total cost of sales increased by $0.37 million, or 1.81%, to approximately $20.71 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 from approximately $20.34 million for the same period of previous year. For paper products, overall cost of sales per tonne was $361 for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to $394 for the same period of previous year. Costs of sales per tonne for regular CMP, light-weight CMP, offset printing paper, and tissue paper products were $343, $331, $nil and $2,785, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to  $378, $361, $nil and $4,494, respectively, for the same period of previous year.

Total gross profit was approximately $0.25 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, compare to the gross profit of approximately $1.03 million for the same period of previous year as a result of factors described above. Overall gross margin was 1.19% for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 4.8% for the same period of previous year. Gross profit (loss) margins for regular CMP, light-weight CMP, offset printing paper, tissue paper products and face mask products were 5.32%, 5.50%, 41.02%, -182.10% and -21.19%, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 8.28%, 10.28%, n/a, -315.16% and 27.47%, respectively, for the same period of previous year.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") increased by $1.86 million, or 122.80%, to approximately $3.38 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 from approximately $1.52 million for the same period of previous year.

Income (Loss) from Operations

Loss from operations was approximately $3.80 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, an increase of $3.31 million, or 673.41%, from $0.49 million for the same period of previous year. Operating loss margin was 18.13% for the fourth quarter of 2023, 2.30% for the same period of previous year.

Net Income (Loss)

Net loss was approximately $3.98 million, or $0.40 loss per basic and diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2023, representing a decrease of $7.92 million, or 66.54%, from  $11.91 million, or $1.19 loss per basic and diluted share, for the same period of previous year.

EBITDA

EBITDA was approximately $0.11 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to approximately $3.77 million for the same period of previous year.

Note 1: Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to our U.S. GAAP results, this press release includes a discussion of EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The Company defines EBITDA as net income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is a key measure used by management to evaluate our results and make strategic decisions. Management believes this measure is useful to investors because it is an indicator of operational performance. Because not all companies use identical calculations, the Company's presentation of EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, and should not be viewed as an alternative to measures of financial performance or changes in cash flows calculated in accordance with the U.S. GAAP.

Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA

(Amounts expressed in US$)

Full Year Ended December 31, 2023 Financial Results

Revenue

For the year ended December 31, 2023, total revenue decreased by $13.81 million, or 13.76%, to approximately $86.55 million from approximately $100.35 million for 2022. The decrease in total revenue was mainly due to the decrease in average selling price ("ASP") of CMP, partially offset by increase in sales volume of regular CMP, light-weight CMP and offset printing paper .

The following table summarizes revenue, volume and ASP by product for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively:

Revenue from CMP, including both regular CMP and light-Weight CMP decreased by $16.83 million, or 17.05%, to approximately $81.89 million, and accounted for 94.62% of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to  approximately $98.73 million, or 98.38% of total revenue for 2022. The Company sold 223,823 tonnes of CMP at an ASP of $366/tonne in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 218,331 tonnes at an ASP of $452/tonne in 2022.

Of the total CMP sales, revenue from regular CMP decreased by $14.93 million, or 18.14%, to approximately $67.37 million, resulting from sales of 182,870 tonnes at an ASP of $368/tonne during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to revenue of approximately $82.30 million, resulting from sales of 180,977 tonnes at an ASP of $455/tonne for 2022. Revenue from light-weight CMP decreased by $1.91 million, or 11.61%, to approximately$14.52 million, resulting from sales of 40,953 tonnes at an ASP of $355/tonne for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to revenue of approximately $16.43 million, resulting from sales of 37,354 tonnes at an ASP of $440/tonne for 2022.

Revenue from offset printing paper was $3.22 for the year ended December 31, 2023. Due to COVID-19, our paper production was restricted and production of offset printing paper was suspended in 2022.

Revenue from tissue paper products decreased by $0.05 million, or 3.76%, to approximately $1.31 million, resulting from sales of 1,205 tonnes at an ASP of $1,083/tonne, for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to revenue of approximately $1.36 million, resulting from sales of 1,273 tonnes at an ASP of $1,065/tonne for 2022.

Revenue from face masks decreased by $0.15 million, or 58.86%, to approximately $0.11 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, from approximately $0.26 million for 2022. The Company sold 3,383 thousand pieces of face masks for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 5,625 thousand pieces of face masks for 2022.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Total cost of sales decreased by $10.05 million, or 10.51%, to approximately $85.55 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from approximately $95.60 million for 2022. The decrease in overall cost of sales was mainly due to due to the decrease of material costs of CMP in the year ended December 31, 2023.  Costs of sales per tonne for regular CMP, light-weight CMP, offset printing paper, tissue paper products were, $349, $345, $563, and $3,584, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $421, $398, $nil, and $3,370 respectively, for 2022.

Total gross profit decreased by $3.75 million, or 78.97%, to approximately $1.00 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from approximately $4.75 million for 2022. Overall gross margin decreased by 3.58 percentage points to 1.16% for the year ended December 31, 2023 from 4.74% for 2022. Gross margins for regular CMP, light-weight CMP, offset printing paper, tissue paper products and face mask products were 5.27%, 2.59%, 2.41, -230.86% and -10.49%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 7.39%, 9.42%, nil, -216.34% and 26.11%, respectively, for 2022.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

SG&A expenses decreased by $0.98 million, or 9.78%, to approximately $9.08 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from approximately $10.06 million for 2022. As a percentage of total revenue, SG&A expenses was 10.45% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 10.02% for 2022.

Income (Loss) from Operations

Loss from operations decreased by $4.27million, or 80.52% to approximately $9.58 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $5.30 million for 2022. Operating loss margin was 11.06% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 5.29% for 2022.

Net Income (Loss)

Net loss increased by $6.63 million, or 39.98%, to approximately $9.95  million, or loss per basic and diluted share of $0.99, for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to net loss of approximately $16.57 million, or  loss  per basic and diluted share of $1.66 for 2022.

EBITDA

EBITDA decreased by $5.35 million, or 48.81%, to approximately $5.61 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from approximately $10.96 million for 2022.

Note 1: Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to our U.S. GAAP results, this press release includes a discussion of EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The Company defines EBITDA as net income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is a key measure used by management to evaluate our results and make strategic decisions. Management believes this measure is useful to investors because it is an indicator of operational performance. Because not all companies use identical calculations, the Company's presentation of EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, and should not be viewed as an alternative to measures of financial performance or changes in cash flows calculated in accordance with the U.S. GAAP.

Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA
(Amounts expressed in US$)

Cash, Liquidity and Financial Position

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had cash and bank balances, short-term debt (including bank loans, current portion of long-term loans from credit union and related party loans), and long-term debt (including loan from credit union) of approximately $3.92 million, $8.03 million and $4.50 million, respectively, compared to  approximately $9.52 million, $11.16 million and $4.20 million, respectively, at the end of 2022.

Net accounts receivable was approximately $0.58 million as of December 31, 2023, compared to  approximately $nil million as of December 31, 2022. Net inventory was approximately $3.56 million as of December 31, 2023, compared to approximately $2.87 million at the end of 2022. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had current assets of approximately $28.36  million and current liabilities of approximately $21.42 million, resulting in a working capital of approximately $6.94 million. This was compared to current assets of approximately $47.17 million and current liabilities of approximately $17.64 million, resulting in a working capital of approximately $29.53 million at the end of 2022.

Net Cash provided by operating activities was approximately $12.87 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to approximately $10.72 million for 2022. Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $22.24 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to approximately $10.90 million for 2022. Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $4.41 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to net cash used in financing activities of approximately $0.88 million for 2022.

About IT Tech Packaging, Inc.

Founded in 1996, IT Tech Packaging, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and distributor of diversified paper products and single-use face masks in North China. Using recycled paper as its primary raw material (with the exception of its tissue paper products), ITP produces and distributes three categories of paper products: corrugating medium paper, offset printing paper and tissue paper products. With production based in Baoding and Xingtai in North China's Hebei Province, ITP is located strategically close to the Beijing and Tianjin region, home to a growing base of industrial and manufacturing activities and one of the largest markets for paper products consumption in the country. ITP has been listed on the NYSE American since December 2009. For more information, please visit: https://www.itpackaging.cn/.

Safe Harbor Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated, including risks outlined in the Company's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's latest annual report on Form 10-K. All information provided in this press release speaks as of the date hereof. Except as otherwise required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements.

For more information, please contact:

At the Company
Email: ir@itpackaging.cn
Tel: +86 0312 8698215