Category: Auto / Truck Parts

SORL Auto Parts Inc ( SORL )

Published: 31 March 2017
Written by Editor
Nasdaq   Financial Results   Up on News  

SORL Auto Parts Reports Approximately 40% Rise in Net Income in the Fourth Quarter of 2016

ZHEJIANG, China, March 31, 2017  -- SORL Auto Parts, Inc. (NASDAQ: SORL) ("SORL" or the "Company"), a leading manufacturer and distributor of automotive brake systems as well as other key safety-related auto parts in China, announced today its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2016.
 
Fourth Quarter 2016 Financial Highlights
Net sales for the 2016 fourth quarter rose 45.7% to $82.9 million from $56.9 million;
Operating margin was 12.9% as compared to 10.8% in the fourth quarter of 2015;
Net Income attributable to stockholders was $8.3 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, compared with $5.9 million, or $0.31 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2015.
2016 Full Year Highlights
 
Net sales increased 24.5% to a record $272.1 million from $218.7 million in 2015;
Gross margin was 26.8% as compared with 27.2% a year ago;
Net income attributable to stockholders for fiscal 2016 increased 44.4% to $19.2 million, or $1.00 per diluted share compared with $13.3 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, in 2015
Mr. Xiaoping Zhang, SORL's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, stated, "We closed out the year on a high note as we achieved strong growth in the fourth quarter. As we are the market leader in China, we decided to take some strategic pricing adjustments to place greater pressure on some of the low-margin or low-quality smaller companies. As a result, our gross margin temporarily declined in the fourth quarter. However, with improved economies of scale, successful receivables collections and effective cost control programs, our operating margin remains attractive." 
 
Ms. Jinrui Yu, SORL's Chief Operating Officer, added, "We are excited about the compound effect from the growth in both the Chinese truck market and SORL products' traction in the marketplace. Our technology and quality leadership in the braking system market in China places us in the most favorable position as OEMs and large aftermarket distributors tend to turn to reputable and large-scale brake system producers to meet their surging demands."
 
Fourth Quarter 2016 Financial Results
 
For the fourth quarter of 2016, net sales increased by 45.7% to $82.9 million from $56.9 million from the fourth quarter of 2015.  Revenues from the Company's domestic OEM customers were $39.2 million, an increase of 53.7% from $25.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2015. The higher sales to our OEM customers were mainly due to growing total truck sales, an increase of 21.4% in the fourth quarter of 2016 led by an increase of 69.5% in the heavy-duty segment. Strict enforcement of the anti-overloading regulations beginning in September 2016 led to higher sales of medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Sales from China's domestic aftermarket increased to $31.0 million, compared with $16.0 million in the same quarter of 2015. Aftermarket sales increased due to our increased marketing effort to expand market share. Revenues from international markets decreased 17.6% to $12.6 million, compared to $15.3 million in the same quarter of 2015 due to lower demand in several overseas markets.
 
The gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2016 increased by 21.5% to $17.2 million from $14.1 million a year ago.  Gross margin was 20.7% compared with 24.9% in the fourth quarter of 2015.
 
In the fourth quarter of 2016, operating expenses decreased to $8.9 million from $11.0 million in the same quarter of 2015. As a percentage of revenue, operating expenses were 10.7% in the fourth quarter of 2016, compared with 19.4% in the fourth quarter of 2015.
 
Selling and distribution expenses were $9.2 million, or 11.1% of quarterly revenues, compared with $7.4 million, or 13.1% a year ago. The higher selling and distribution expenses were mainly due to the higher freight, packaging and compensation to the sales team for outperforming the market and increasing the company's market share. 
General and administrative ("G&A") expenses in the fourth quarter of 2016 were -$1.5 million, compared with -$1.7 million a year ago. The negative G&A expenses were mainly due to a large amount of aged receivables that was collected in the quarter which reversed bad debt provisions in the G&A expenses.
Research and development ("R&D") expenses were $1.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared with $1.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2015. As a percentage of revenue, R&D expenses were 1.4% in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared with 2.7% of revenue in the fourth quarter of 2015.
During the fourth quarter of 2015, there was a loss on disposal of subsidiary of $3.2 million.
Financial expenses were $0.4 million, compared with $0.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2015.
 
Income before income taxes was $10.8 million compared with $6.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2015. The increase in income before income taxes reflected higher sales and increased income from operations during the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the fourth quarter of 2015. The pretax income margin was 13.1% in the fourth quarter of 2016, compared with 11.0% in the fourth quarter of 2015.
 
The provision for income taxes was $1.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 as compared to a $0.2 million reversal in the fourth quarter of last year. The unusual provision of income taxes in the fourth quarter of 2015 was mainly due to the reversal of the tax provisions over-accrued in the previous three quarters. The renewal of high-tech enterprise status was approved in the fourth quarter of 2015 that qualified the company for 15% annual income tax rate, while the Company took the conservative tax provision of the standard 25% for the previous three quarters.
 
Net income attributable to stockholders for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $8.3 million, or $0.43 per basic and diluted share, compared with $5.9 million, or $0.31 per basic and diluted share a year ago. Net income and EPS in the fourth quarter grew year-over-year by 39.7% and 38.7% respectively.
 
Full Year 2016 Financial Results
 
SORL's net sales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 increased 24.5% to $272.1 million from $218.7 million in 2015.
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, the Company's sales to domestic OEM market increased by 32.0% to $131.9 million from $99.9 million in 2015. Commercial vehicle sales increased 5.8% for the 2016 year and sales of heavy- and medium-duty trucks rose by 33.1% and 13.4% respectively. The bus market excluding electric vehicle sales reported a decline in the 2016 year.
 
Aftermarket sales increased by 40.2% to $80.9 million from $57.7 million in the 2015 year. The expiration of OEM warranties from commercial vehicle sales over the past few years helped drive aftermarket growth in 2016. International sales decreased by 2.8% to $59.3 million compared with $61.0 million last year as truck production declined in certain foreign markets.
 
SORL's gross profit increased 22.7% to $72.9 million from $59.4 million in 2015 due to increased sales of higher-margin products. Gross margin decreased to 26.8% from 27.2% in 2015.
 
SORL's operational expenses increased to $52.8 million from $47.9 million in 2015.
 
Selling expenses increased by approximately $7.2 million compared with 2015 primarily due to higher freight, packaging and commissions. As a percentage of sales revenue, selling expenses were 11.0% for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared with 10.4% in 2015. 
G&A expenses increased by $1.1 million in 2016 mainly due to higher sales. G&A expenses decreased to 5.6% of sales revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to 6.4% for the 2015 year. 
R&D costs increased by $0.3 million from 2015 as SORL continued to build new products and enhance traditional technologies. The Company's focus was on developing electronically controlled products to enhance braking performance in 2016.  As a percentage of sales revenue, R&D expenses were 2.8% for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared with 3.4% in the 2015 year.
In 2015, there was a loss on disposal of subsidiary of $3.2 million.
Financial expenses decreased to $0.9 million from $1.3 million in 2015, mainly due to lower bank loans and lower rates.
 
Income before provision for income taxes was $24.6 million from $16.6 million.  The pretax income margin was 9.0% in the 2016 year compared with 7.6% in 2015.
 
The provision for income taxes was $3.3 million representing a 13.3% tax rate compared with $2.0 million, or a 12.3% tax rate in 2015.
 
The net income attributable to stockholders in 2016 was $19.2 million, compared with $13.3 million in 2015. Earnings per share, both basic and diluted, for the full year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, were $1.00 and $0.69 per share, respectively. Net income and EPS grew year-over-year by 44.4% and 44.9%, respectively.
 
Balance Sheet
 
As of December 31, 2016, the Company had cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments of $8.1 million compared to $91.2 million on December 31, 2015. Inventory was $65.8 million compared to $73.7 million on December 31, 2015.  Short-term bank loans were $27.4 million compared to $23.4 million on December 31, 2015. Total equity was $162.4 million at December 31, 2015 compared with $222.4 million at December 31, 2015. The reduction in equity was due to a transaction between SORL entities under common control and represented the difference between the carrying value of assets received, assets transferred and total cash consideration paid which was recognized as distribution to the owners.  On December 31, 2016, working capital was $100.3 million with a current ratio of 1.7 to 1. Net cash flow from operating activities was $5.4 million compared with $39.3 million in 2015.
 
Business Outlook
 
For the fiscal year 2017, management expects net sales to be approximately $300 million and net income attributable to stockholders to be approximately $21.0 million. These targets are based on the Company's current views on the operating and market conditions, which are subject to change.
 
"We are experiencing increased orders in the first half of the year. As the Chinese government is determined to tackle the air pollution problems, we expect the ongoing anti-overloading regulation campaign and new National 5 emission standard will increase the market size of trucks and accelerate the replacement of old trucks. We believe that we are well positioned to capture these market opportunities," Ms. Jinrui Yu, SORL's Chief Operating Officer, stated.
 
Conference Call
 
Management will host a conference call on Friday, March 31, 2017, at 8:00 A.M. EDT/ 8:00 P.M. Beijing Time to discuss its 2016 fourth quarter and year end results. Listeners may access the call by dialing U.S. toll free number +1-877-407-0778 and +1-201-689-8565 for international callers, and Mainland China toll free +864-001-202-840. A live web cast of the conference call will also be available at http://www.sorl.cn.
 
A replay of the call will be available shortly after the conference call through 11:59 P.M. EDT on May 1, 2017, or 11:59 A.M. Beijing Time on May 2, 2017. The replay dial-in numbers are: U.S. toll free number +1-877-481-4010 or the international number +1-919-882-2331; using Conference ID "10290" to access the replay.
 
About SORL Auto Parts, Inc.
 
As a global tier one supplier of brake and control systems to the commercial vehicle industry, SORL Auto Parts, Inc. is the market leader for commercial vehicles brake systems, such as trucks and buses in China. The Company distributes products both within China and internationally under the SORL trademark. SORL is listed among the top 100 auto component suppliers in China, with a product range that includes 65 categories with over 2000 specifications in brake systems and others. The Company has four authorized international sales centers in UAE, India, the United States and Europe. SORL is working to establish a broader global sales network. For more information, please visit http://www.sorl.cn.
 
Safe Harbor Statement
 
This press release may include certain statements that are not descriptions of historical facts, but are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "targets," "goals," "projects," "intends," "plans," "seeks," "estimates," "may," "will," "should" or similar expressions. For example, when the Company describes the evaluation of the preliminary non-binding proposal letter, it is using forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may also include statements about the Company's proposed discussions related to its business or growth strategy, which are subject to change. Such information is based upon expectations of the Company's management that were reasonable when made, but may prove to be incorrect. All of such assumptions are inherently subject to uncertainties and contingencies beyond the Company's control and upon assumptions with respect to future business decisions, which are subject to change. The Company does not undertake to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. These risks and uncertainties may include, but are not limited to general political, economic and business conditions which may impact the demand for commercial vehicles or passenger vehicles in China and the other significant markets where the Company's products are sold, uncertainty regarding such political, economic and business conditions, trends in consumer debt levels and bad debt write-offs, general uncertainty related to possible recessions, natural disasters, the political stability of China and the impact of any of those events on demand for commercial or passenger vehicles, changes in consumer confidence, new product development and introduction, competitive products and pricing, seasonality, availability of alternative sources of supply in the case of the loss of any significant supplier or any supplier's inability to fulfill the Company's orders, cost of labor and raw materials, the loss of or curtailed sales to significant customers, the Company's dependence on key employees and officers, the ability to secure and protect trademarks, patents and other intellectual property rights, potential effects of competition in the Company's business, the dependency of the Company upon the normal operation of its sole manufacturing facility, potential effect of the economic and currency instability in China and countries to which the Company sold its products, the ability of the Company to successfully manage its expenses on a continuing basis, the continued availability to the Company of financing and credit on favorable terms, business disruptions, disease, general risks associated with doing business in China or other countries including, without limitation, foreign trade policies, import duties, tariffs, quotas, political and economic stability, and the other factors discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause the Company's results to differ from its projected results, please see its filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Copies of filings made with the SEC are available through the SEC's electronic data gathering analysis retrieval system (EDGAR) at http://www.sec.gov.
 
Contact Information
 
Raymond Lin
+86-181-5771-6556
+86-577-6581-7721
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
Phyllis Huang
+86-151-6770-5972
+86-577-6581-7721
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
Kevin Theiss
Investor Relations
Awaken Advisors
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
 

-Tables Follow -

 

SORL Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2016  and December 31, 2015
 
   

December 31, 2016

  

December 31, 2015
         

Assets

        

Current Assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

US$

8,057,155

US$

30,230,828

Accounts receivable, net, including $5,025,509 and $- 
from related parties at December 31, 2016 and 2015, 
respectively

  

102,129,294

  

71,823,328

Bank acceptance notes from customers

  

42,697,276

  

22,870,791

Short term investments

  

-

  

61,007,709

Inventories, net

  

65,776,517

  

73,661,860

Prepayments

  

10,797,601

  

3,350,607

Current portion of prepaid capital lease interest

  

-

  

93,458

Restricted cash

  

5,476,621

  

785,999

Other current assets

  

1,124,608

  

1,241,864

Deferred tax assets

  

3,210,575

  

2,909,729

Total Current Assets

  

239,269,647

  

267,976,173
         

Property, plant and equipment, net

  

53,737,706

  

37,561,905

Land use rights, net

  

8,309,333

  

13,232,149

Intangible assets, net

  

11,438

  

23,854

Security deposits on lease agreement

  

-

  

1,759,975

Total Non-Current Assets

  

62,058,477

  

52,577,883

Total Assets

US$

301,328,124

US$

320,554,056
         

Liabilities and Equity

        

Current Liabilities

        

Accounts payable and bank acceptance notes to 
vendors, including $1,953,707 and $1,133,537 due to 
related parties at December 31, 2016 and 2015, 
respectively.

 US$

65,672,626

US$

35,292,277

Deposit received from customers

  

22,733,742

  

20,012,087

Short term bank loans

  

27,416,376

  

23,367,207

Income tax payable

  

996,522

  

-

Accrued expenses

  

20,103,392

  

13,870,587

Capital lease obligations

  

-

  

3,519,949

Other current liabilities

  

2,013,943

  

2,067,449

Total Current Liabilities

  

138,936,601

  

98,129,556
         

Total Liabilities

  

138,936,601

  

98,129,556
         

Equity

        

Preferred stock - no par value; 1,000,000 authorized; 
none issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2016 
and 2015

  

-

  

-

Common stock - $0.002 par value; 50,000,000 authorized,

        

19,304,921 issued and outstanding as of

        

December 31, 2016 and 2015

  

38,609

  

38,609

Additional paid-in capital

  

(28,582,654)

  

42,199,014

Reserves

  

15,129,935

  

13,207,972

Accumulated other comprehensive income

  

6,117,042

  

15,662,639

Retained earnings

  

146,352,530

  

129,055,099

Total SORL Auto Parts, Inc. Stockholders' Equity

  

139,055,462

  

200,163,333

Noncontrolling Interest In Subsidiaries

  

23,336,061

  

22,261,167

Total Equity

  

162,391,523

  

222,424,500

Total Liabilities and Equity

US$

301,328,124

US$

320,554,056

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                           


SORL Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

For The Years Ended on December 31, 2016 and 2015
 
   

2016

  

2015
         

Sales

US$

272,120,504

US$

218,656,886

Include: sales to related parties

  

13,436,421

  

7,781,763

Cost of sales

  

199,216,223

  

159,246,468

Gross profit

  

72,904,281

  

59,410,418
         

Expenses:

        

Selling and distribution expenses

  

29,837,757

  

22,681,469

General and administrative expenses

  

15,206,423

  

14,100,715

Impairment on long-lived assets

  

-

  

561,847

Research and development expenses

  

7,709,533

  

7,358,563

Loss on disposal of subsidiary

  

-

  

3,170,821

Total operating expenses

  

52,753,713

  

47,873,415
         

Other operating income, net

  

3,041,701

  

3,204,286
         

Income from operations

  

23,192,269

  

14,741,289
         

Interest income

  

1,047,667

  

1,102,447

Government grants

  

832,264

  

768,607

Other income

  

1,244,078

  

2,217,204

Interest expenses

  

(887,097)

  

(1,269,091)

Other expenses

  

(807,858)

  

(1,000,613)
         

Income before provision for income taxes

  

24,621,323

  

16,559,843
         

Provision for income taxes

  

3,266,413

  

2,034,776
         

Net income

US$

21,354,910

US$

14,525,067
         

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries

  

2,135,516

  

1,216,581
         

Net income attributable to common stockholders

US$

19,219,394

US$

13,308,486
         

Comprehensive income:

        
         

Net income

US$

21,354,910

US$

14,525,067

Foreign currency translation adjustments

  

(10,606,219)

  

(13,194,113)

Comprehensive income

  

10,748,691

  

1,330,954

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest in 
subsidiaries

  

1,074,894

  

(123,965)

Comprehensive income attributable to common shareholders

US$

9,673,797

US$

1,454,919
         

Weighted average common share - basic

  

19,304,921

  

19,304,921
         

Weighted average common share - diluted

  

19,304,921

  

19,304,921
         

EPS - basic

US$

1.00

US$

0.69
         

EPS - diluted

US$

1.00

US$

0.69
         
 

 

SORL Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For The Years Ended on December 31, 2016 and 2015
 
   

2016

  

2015
         

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

        

Net Income

US$

21,354,910

US$

14,525,067

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash

        

provided by operating activities:

        
         

Allowance for doubtful accounts

  

395,491

  

2,042,952

Depreciation and amortization

  

7,239,908

  

7,409,441

Deferred income tax

  

(502,903)

  

(1,183,270)

Gain on disposal of property and equipment

  

-

  

(47,556)

Loss on disposal of subsidiary

  

-

  

3,170,821

Impairment on long-lived assets

  

-

  

561,847
         

Changes in assets and liabilities:

        

Account receivable

  

(39,422,631)

  

(10,617,554)

Bank acceptance notes from customers

  

(21,991,160)

  

(6,446,881)

Other currents assets

  

(291,979)

  

(412,073)

Inventories, net

  

3,281,901

  

5,100,033

Prepayments

  

(7,366,749)

  

299,376

Prepaid capital lease interest  

  

90,373

  

273,896

Accounts payable and bank acceptance notes to vendors

  

31,988,447

  

22,657,753

Income tax payable

  

1,314,808

  

(1,372,293)

Deposits received from customers

  

4,135,536

  

2,126,933

Other current liabilities and accrued expenses

  

5,201,618

  

1,225,759

Net Cash Flows Provided By Operating Activities

  

5,427,570

  

39,314,251
         

Cash Flows From Investing Activities

        

Change in short term investments

  

58,993,591

  

(29,015,636)

Acquisition of property, equipment, plant and land use 
right

  

(15,889,693)

  

(3,062,369)

Proceeds of disposal of property and equipment

  

-

  

47,571

Advance to related party

  

(18,247,384)

  

-

Repayment from related party

  

18,247,384

  

-

Change in restricted cash

  

(4,897,377)

  

(809,344)

Cash paid for disposal of subsidiary

  

-

  

(99,915)

Net Cash Flows Provided by (Used In) Investing Activities

  

38,206,521

  

(32,939,693)
         

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

        

Proceeds from bank loans

  

53,895,058

  

38,313,044

Repayment of bank loans  

  

(48,153,831)

  

(24,218,204)

Distribution to owners Distribution to controlling 
shareholders in connection with plant and land use rights 
exchange with entity under common control

  

(70,781,668)

  

-

Repayment of capital lease

  

(1,779,040)

  

(3,624,493)

Net Cash Flows Provided By (Used In) Financing 
Activities

  

(66,819,481)

  

10,470,347
         

Effects on changes in foreign exchange rate

  

(1,011,717)

  

(623,674)
         

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

  

(22,173,673)

  

16,221,231
         

Cash and cash equivalents- beginning of the year

  

30,230,828

  

14,009,597
         

Cash and cash equivalents - end of the year

US$

8,057,155

US$

30,230,828
         
         

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures:

        

Interest paid

US$

807,587

US$

1,108,388

Income taxes paid

US$

3,284,070

US$

4,590,244
         

Non-cash Investing and Financing Transactions

        

Transfer of plant and land use right to entity under 
common control

US$

17,342,372

US$

-

Liabilities assumed in connection with the plant and land 
use right exchange

US$

5,351,196

US$

-

SOURCE SORL Auto Parts, Inc.