Category: Food & Beverage

American Dairy Reports First Quarter 2009 Financial Results

- 1Q09 Sales Increase 191% to $113.8 Million vs $39.1 Million in 1Q08 -- Income from Continuing Operations Up 523% to $32.0 million vs $5.1 million in 1Q08 -- Net Income up 282% to $27.8 Million vs $7.3 Million in 1Q08 -

BEIJING and LOS ANGELES, May 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- American Dairy, Inc. (NYSE Arca: ADY) ("American Dairy" or the "Company"), one of the leading producers and distributors of premium infant formula, milk powder and soybean, rice and walnut products in China, today announced financial results for the first quarter 2009.

Sales increased 191.1% to $113.8 million in the first quarter 2009 from $39.1 million in the first quarter of 2008.

Sales performance reflects the Company's expanding market areas and distribution network through China and increased demand for high quality products, as well as an increase in sales quantities of the Company's high profit margin products, such as infant formula and other milk powders. Specifically, the Company's milk powder sales increased 318.4% from the prior year period to $107.6 million, and contributed to 94.5% of total sales in the first quarter of 2009, up significantly from contributing 65.7% of total sales in the first quarter of 2008.

 

Mr. Leng You-Bin, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Our first quarter 2009 sales reflect consumers' flight to quality at the height of the melamine crisis in China. Feihe's consistent quality standards, trusted brand name, secure raw milk supply and ability to meet increased demand, allowed us to drive revenue growth and report record financial results caused by the short-term disruption in the market. The first quarter's growth rate was exceptional, and we expect the second and third quarters to trend in line with historical results, in which we deliver year over year growth. We are focused on consistent and sustainable growth over the long term, particularly measured on an annual basis and not quarter to quarter."

Mr. Leng continued, "We believe the addressable market for infant formula is currently about $5.5 billion in China, and is projected to grow to around $12.0 billion through 2014. Our goal is to capture as much of this addressable market as possible and to build American Dairy into the leading infant formula provider in China. To achieve these goals, we intend to enhance our distribution capabilities into first-tier PRC markets, strengthen our premium-quality brand awareness particularly in southern and western China, expand our production capabilities by investing in world-class production processes, and strategically align sourcing, production and distribution by region."

Gross profit increased 401.5% to $72.6 million in the first quarter of 2009 from $14.5 million in the first quarter of 2008. Gross margin for the first quarter of 2009 was 63.76%, compared to 37.02% in the prior year's period. Gross profit margin performance reflects increasing sales of higher margin infant formula products.

Income from continuing operations increased 523.1% to $32.0 million in the first quarter of 2009 from $5.1 million in the prior year period. Sales and marketing expenses increased 322.3% to $31.6 million in the first quarter of 2009 from $7.5 million in the first quarter of 2008. General and administrative expenses increased 384.5% to $9.0 million in the first quarter of 2009 from $1.9 million in the first quarter of 2008. Operating expenses in the first quarter of 2009, as compared to the first quarter of 2008, reflect a number of new initiatives to reposition the Company's brand on a nationwide basis, in Tier I, II and III cities in China, as well as increased headcount versus the prior year period.

The Company recognized other expenses of $370,000 during the first quarter of 2009, compared to other income of $3.9 million in the first quarter of 2008. The year over year change is primarily attributable to a decrease in gain on derivatives of $9.0 million offset by a decrease in interest and finance costs of approximately $3.7 million.

 

Net income for the first quarter of 2009 increased 282.0% to $27.8 million, or $1.55 per diluted share, from $7.3 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, in the prior year's period.

 

As of March 31, 2009, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $54.1 million and total current assets of $184.3 million, compared with cash and cash equivalents of $11.8 million and total current assets of $151.9 million as of December 31, 2008.

 

The Company believes that cash generated from operations and existing cash on hand is sufficient to fund current obligations. The Company paid $15.3 million in April 2009 related to the restructuring of its 1% Guaranteed Senior Secured Convertibles Notes, and remaining payments include $15.3 million due July 2009 and $46.0 million due October 2009. The Company also has access to a line of credit with the Construction Bank of China and other Chinese banks to fund its operations. Additionally, the Company received approximately $32.0 million in May 2009 related to the sale of the Company's Moveup subsidiary. Please refer to the Company's Form 10-Q for the first quarter 2009 for additional details.

 

Jonathan Chou, the Chief Financial Officer of American Dairy, stated, "We believe much of the dairy market in China is underserved, particularly with respect to infant formula. We have successfully capitalized on the increased demand for high quality products in the recent past, operating our milk production facilities at maximum capacity, and aggressively branding our products in the premium and super-premium categories. Going forward, we believe we can continue to drive market share gains with increased production capacity and strengthened premium-quality brand awareness. These efforts will require a degree of reinvestment in our operations and our revenue performance and cash generation allows us to invest in key, strategic areas so that we ultimately drive long-term shareholder value."

 

Chou concluded, "As we move through the remainder of the year, we are confident that we have a solid team to navigate the growing dairy market in China. We recently adopted an option plan so that we attract and retain top talent across the organization. We have a stronger accounting and finance team than ever before, and in 2008 we engaged a big four accounting firm and made several new hires to address areas of improvement in our internal controls. We also intend to meet regularly with investors and host an analyst day in the U.S. or in China later this year."

 

Investor questions and inquiries should be directed toward management by contacting the Company's investor relations representatives at 1-203-682-8208.

 

About American Dairy, Inc.

American Dairy, Inc. (NYSE Arca: ADY) is one of the leading producers and distributors of premium infant formula, milk powder, and soybean, rice walnut products in the People's Republic of China. American Dairy conducts operations in China through its wholly owned subsidiary, Feihe Dairy. Founded in 1962, Feihe Dairy is headquartered in Beijing, China, and has processing and distribution facilities in Kedong, Qiqihaer, Baiquan, Gannan, Shanxi, and Langfang. Using proprietary processing techniques, American Dairy makes products that are specially formulated for particular ages, dietary needs and health concerns. American Dairy has over 200 company-owned milk collection stations, six production facilities with an aggregate milk powder production capacity of approximately 1,220 tons per day and an extensive distribution network that reaches over 50,000 retail outlets throughout China. For more information about American Dairy, please visit http://www.americandairyinc.com.

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking information about the Company's operating results and business prospects that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Statements that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the Company's plans, objectives, expectations, strategies, intentions or other characterizations of future events or circumstances and are generally identified by the words "may," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "could," "would," and similar expressions. Because these forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, the Company's actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, quarterly report on Form 10-Q for its first quarter in 2009, and in current reports on Form 8-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.

    CONTACT
    Integrated Corporate Relations, Inc.
    In the United States: Ashley Ammon: 1-203-682-8200
    In China: Wei-Jung Yang: 86-10-6599-7968

 

                               AMERICAN DAIRY, INC.
                       CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                          March 31,     December 31,
                                             2009           2008
                                              US$            US$
                                          (unaudited)
     ASSETS
     Current assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents            54,112,534       11,785,408
      Notes and loans receivable, net               -        1,493,245
      Trade receivables, net of
       allowance of $3,491,543 and
       $670,113, respectively               9,628,016       12,275,497
      Due from related parties              1,902,701          265,479
      Employee receivable                     596,526          307,249
      Advances to suppliers                26,516,230       24,943,046
      Receivable from discontinuing
       operations                          31,041,845       31,002,897
      Inventories, net                     46,925,871       52,330,333
      Prepayments and other current
       assets                                  89,776           63,711
      Refundable taxes                        291,321          488,938
      Deposit for equity investment         2,191,189
      Other receivables                     1,427,143        4,598,359
      Current assets of discontinuing
       operations                           9,554,368       12,392,384
     Total current assets                 184,277,520      151,946,546

     Investments:
      Investment in mutual funds -
       available for sale                      97,631           77,504
      Investment at cost                      262,942          262,611
                                              360,573          340,115
     Property and equipment:
      Property and equipment, net          88,282,947       88,289,858
      Construction in progress             39,210,806       28,847,959
                                          127,493,753      117,137,817
     Biological assets:
      Immature biological assets           19,785,266       23,784,479
      Mature biological assets, net         7,454,456        1,483,355
                                           27,239,722       25,267,834
     Other assets:
      Deferred tax assets                     730,490          730,490
      Prepaid leases                       29,018,719       29,146,748
      Goodwill                              2,285,706        2,282,838
      Deferred charges, net                    73,483          107,396
      Long term assets of discontinuing
       operations                          31,626,665       31,587,018
     Total assets                         403,106,631      358,546,802

     LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
      EQUITY
     Liabilities
     Current liabilities:
      Current maturities of long term
       debt                                 4,023,752        4,018,704
      Convertible debt redeemable within
       one year                            17,888,021       17,732,033
      Short term debts                     71,683,981       73,809,893
      Notes and loans payable              13,908,184        8,055,450
      Accounts payable                     30,133,611       36,643,041
      Accrued expenses                     14,145,168       10,620,393
      Income tax payable                    3,309,098        1,185,528
      Advances from customers               6,259,924        9,864,080
      Due to related parties                  338,211        1,017,399
      Advances from employees                 484,259        1,016,173
      Accrued employee benefits             2,394,168        2,873,889
      Other payables                       29,141,932       19,513,681
      Current liabilities of
       discontinuing operations            32,250,818       35,063,603
     Total current liabilities            225,961,128      221,413,867

     Long term debt, net of current
      portion                              12,976,584        9,146,034
     Long term tax payable                  4,154,934        2,750,887
     Deferred income                       14,997,192        8,416,492
     Long term liability of
      discontinuing operations                395,176          395,176
     Total liabilities                    258,485,014      242,122,456


     Equity
     Ordinary shares (US$0.001 par
      value, 50,000,000 shares
      authorized; 17,253,907 issued and
      outstanding as of March 31, 2009
      and December 31, 2008)                   17,254           17,254
     Additional paid-in capital            26,899,114       26,758,425
     Ordinary share warrants                3,003,448        3,003,448
     Statutory reserves                     6,861,224        6,861,224
     Accumulated other comprehensive
      income                               25,442,002       25,146,055
     Retained earnings                     81,878,276       54,091,493
     Total shareholders' equity           144,101,318      115,877,899
     Minority interests                       520,299          546,447

     Total equity                         144,621,617      116,424,346

     Total liabilities and equity         403,106,631      358,546,802


 

 

                               AMERICAN DAIRY, INC.
     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
                                     (unaudited)

                                              For the period ended March 31,
                                                    2009          2008
                                                     US$           US$

    Sales                                       113,821,847     39,100,654

    Cost of goods sold                           41,244,269     24,627,183

    Gross profit                                 72,577,578     14,473,471

    Operating and administrative expenses:
      Sales and marketing                        31,639,888      7,491,684
      General and administrative                  8,978,204      1,852,921
    Total operating expenses                     40,618,092      9,344,605

    Income from continuing operations            31,959,486      5,128,866

      Other income (expenses):
      Interest income                                92,317         40,809
      Interest and finance costs                 (1,585,546)    (5,276,718)
      Amortization of deferred charges              (33,914)      (184,897)
      Registration rights penalty                         -       (720,325)
      Gain on derivatives                                 -      9,000,786
      Government subsidy-tax refund                 730,289        560,792
      Other income, net                             424,137        509,223
    Income from continuing operations
     before income tax expenses
     and minority interests                      31,586,769      9,058,536

    Income tax expenses                           3,829,348      1,772,076
    Net income from continuing
     operations before minority interests        27,757,421      7,286,460

    Minority interests                               26,148        (13,179)
    Net income from continuing operations        27,783,569      7,273,281
    Net income (loss) from discontinuing
     operations                                       3,214         (1,776)
    Net income attributable to ordinary
     shareholders                                27,786,783      7,271,505

    Other comprehensive income:
    Cumulative currency translation adjustments     275,917      7,763,882
    Change in fair value of available for
     sale investments                                20,030        (46,117)

    Total comprehensive income                   28,082,730     14,989,270

    Earnings per ordinary share - Basic
      Income from continuing operations               $1.61          $0.43
      Income from discontinuing operations,
       net of tax                                     $0.00          $0.00
      Net income                                      $1.61          $0.43
    Earnings per ordinary share - Diluted
      Income from continuing operations               $1.55          $0.41
      Income from discontinuing operations,
       net of tax                                     $0.00          $0.00
      Net income                                      $1.55          $0.41

    Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding
      Basic                                      17,253,907     16,962,823
      Diluted                                    17,926,990     17,588,852