11:05:07 EDT Fri 29 Mar 2024
Enter Symbol
or Name
USA
CA



SORL Auto Parts Reports Record Sales For the 2014 Fourth Quarter and Year

2015-03-31 05:26 ET - News Release

ZHEJIANG, China, March 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2014.

Fourth Quarter 2014 Financial Highlights

  • Net sales for the fourth quarter increased by 14.4% to a fourth quarter record high of  $63.2 million;
  • Gross profit increased 23.5% with a gross margin of 27.7% compared with 25.6% in the fourth quarter of 2013;
  • Net Income attributable to stockholders was $4.3 million, or $0.20 per diluted share from $0.8 million, or $0.05 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2013;
  • Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $48.8 million with a current ratio of 3.4 to 1 at December 31, 2014.

2014 Full Year Highlights

  • Net sales increased 13.9% to an annual record high of $237.7 million;
  • Gross margin was stable at 28.1%;
  • Net income attributable to stockholders for fiscal 2014 was $13.8 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, compared with $9.4 million, or $0.49 per diluted earnings per share in 2013.

Mr. Xiaoping Zhang, SORL's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, stated, "We are very pleased to have achieved record sales for the fourth quarter and the year in an extremely challenging sales environment for commercial vehicles. The enforcement of the National IV emission standard on commercial vehicles in the second half of 2014 resulted in a reduction in the sale of 'pre-buy' commercial vehicles that are not in compliance with the National IV emission standard, especially trucks sales. However, we continued to capture market share in 2014 as our 14.4% quarterly sales growth surpassed the 2.3% decline in the commercial vehicle sales market and the 5.9% lower truck sales in the fourth quarter of 2014. Our annual sales growth of 13.9% far exceeded the 6.5% decline in total commercial vehicles and the 8.9% reduction in truck sales in the 2014 year. All three of our market segments achieved annual sales growth for the 2014 year led by a 31.9% increase in aftermarket sales and followed by a 12.5% increase in international sales."

"Our expanded product line of advanced braking systems led to several new contracts. We were contracted to supply our three-pedal braking system to the new model M3000 heavy-duty vehicles produced by the Shaanxi Automotive Group. We are also supplying our first advanced braking products to Sichuan Hyundai Motor Company for its Chuanghu brand premium heavy-duty truck."

"We have also made a breakthrough in the end user market and expanded beyond our traditional commercial vehicle markets as we have become a qualified supplier to Changchun Railway Vehicles (also known as China North Railway or CNR) in early 2015 for its CRH3 bullet trains. We are supplying our energy absorbing systems, and providing repair and replacement services for certain pneumatic valve modules used throughout the train. We are also supplying repair and replacement services for certain pneumatic valve modules for the CRH5 bullet trains. The expanding railway system in China provides additional growth opportunities for our products. We continue to be focused on increasing the technology in our products to capture market share and sustain our high gross margins," Mr. Zhang concluded.

Fourth Quarter 2014 Financial Results

For the fourth quarter of 2014, net sales increased by 14.4% to a fourth-quarter record high of $63.2 million compared with $55.3 million in the same quarter in 2013. Revenues from the Company's domestic OEM customers were $27.6 million, a decrease of 5.8% from $29.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. The lower OEM sales were mainly due to the reduction in the sale of 'pre-buy' vehicles before the January 2015 nationwide implementation of the new National IV emission standards. Sales from China's domestic aftermarket increased by 58.0% to $18.4 million, compared with $11.6 million in the same quarter of 2013. Aftermarket sales increased as the Company's expanded line of advanced products serviced a larger number of vehicles passed their warranty period. Revenues from international markets increased 19.4% to $17.2 million, compared to $14.4 million in the same quarter of 2013.

The gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2014 increased 23.5% to $17.5 million, compared with $14.2 million a year ago. Gross margin was 27.7%, an increase from a gross margin of 25.6% in the same quarter of 2013.

In the fourth quarter of 2014, operating expenses decreased to $12.5 million from $12.8 million in the same quarter of 2013. The decrease reflected reduced selling and research and development expenses partially offset by higher general and administrative expenses. As a percentage of revenue, operating expenses were 19.8% in the fourth quarter of 2014, compared with 23.1% in the fourth quarter of 2013.

  • Selling and distribution expenses were $5.6 million, or 8.9% of quarterly revenues, compared with $6.3 million, or 11.4% a year ago. The lower selling and distribution expenses as a percentage of revenue in fourth quarter of 2014 was mainly due to reduced costs for packaging materials.
  • General and administrative ("G&A") expenses in the fourth quarter of 2014 were $5.2 million, or 8.2% of revenue, compared with $4.3 million, or 7.8% a year ago. The increase in G&A expenses was mainly due to higher labor cost and the increase of other management expenditures.
  • Research and development ("R&D") expenses were $1.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared with $2.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2013. As a percentage of revenue, R&D expenses declined to 2.6% in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to 3.9% of revenue in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Financial expenses were $0.4 million, unchanged from the fourth quarter of 2013.

  • Income before income taxes was $5.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to $1.9 million for the same quarter of 2013. The increase in income reflected higher operating income and other income during the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to the fourth quarter of 2013. The pretax income margin was 9.0% in the fourth quarter of 2014, compared with 3.4% in the fourth quarter of 2013. 
  • The provision for income taxes increased to $1.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 from $1.0 million in the fourth quarter of last year.  
  • Net income attributable to stockholders for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $4.0 million, or $0.20 per basic and diluted share, compared with $0.8 million, or $0.05 per basic and diluted share a year ago.

Full Year 2014 Financial Results

SORL's net sales for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 increased by 13.9% to an annual record high of $237.7 million from $208.6 million in 2013.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, the Company's sales to domestic OEM market increased by 6.8% to $112.1 million from $105 million in 2013. The 'pre-buy' of the less expensive Chinese commercial vehicles compatible with the National III emission standard vehicles resulted in higher sales during 2013, before the nationwide enforcement of the more stringent and more expensive National IV emission standard on January 1, 2015. The pre-buy sales reduction in the second half of 2014 was due to a growing number of localities requiring commercial vehicles to comply with the National IV emission standard. Aftermarket sales increased by 31.7% to $61.5 million from $46.7 million in the year of 2013. Our sales of new advanced products expanded our product portfolio providing more solutions to more vehicles being passed their warranty period. International sales increased by 12.5% to $64.0 million compared with $56.9 million last year as our foreign customer base continued to expand.

SORL's gross profit increased 14.1% to $66.9 million in 2014 from $58.6 million in 2013 due to the increase in sales. Gross margin was 28.1% in 2014 and 2013.  

SORL's operational expenses increased to $49.3 million in 2014 from $45.8 million in 2013.

  • Selling expenses increased by $2.8 million compared with 2013 primarily due to increased freight expenses from higher unit sales. As a percentage of sales revenue, selling expenses were 10.0% for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
  • G&A expenses increased by $0.6 million in 2014 mainly due to higher labor expenses. G&A expenses decreased to 7.6% of sales revenue for the year ended December 31, 2014, as compared to 8.3% for the 2013 year. 
  • R&D costs increased by $0.05 million from 2013 as SORL continued to build new products and advance traditional technologies. The Company's focus was on developing electronically controlled products to enhance braking performance in 2014 especially as the Company expands its global presence. As a percentage of sales revenue, R&D expenses were 3.2% for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared with 3.6% in the 2013 year.

 Financial expenses decreased by 17.1% to $2.1 million from $2.6 million in 2013, mainly due to decreased bank loans.

Income before provision for income taxes was $18.0 million in 2014, compared with $12.6 million in 2013.  The pretax income margin was 7.6% versus 6.0% in 2013.

The provision for income taxes was $2.9 million, or a 15.9% tax rate in 2014, as compared to $2.0 million, or a 16.3% tax rate in 2013.

The net income attributable to stockholders in 2014 was $13.8 million compared with $9.3 million in 2013. Earnings per share, both basic and diluted, for the full year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, were $0.71 and $0.49 per share, respectively.

Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2014, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $48.8 million compared to $28.2 million on December 31, 2013. Total equity increased to $220.2 million at December 31, 2014 compared with $199.5 million at December 31, 2013. On December 31, 2014, working capital was $160.2 million with a current ratio of 3.4 to 1. Net cash flow from operating activities increased to $22.6 million from $1.4 million last year.

Recent Events

In February 2015, SORL announced that it has become a qualified supplier to Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd., for the supply, repair and replacement of the Changke CRH3 and CRH5 series of bullet trains.

In January 2015, SORL announced that the Company won its first "Excellent Supplier" award from Shaanxi HANDE Axle Co., Ltd.

Business Outlook

For the fiscal year 2015, management expects net sales to be approximately $256.0 million and net income to be approximately $20.3 million. These targets are based on the Company's current views on the operating and market conditions, which are subject to change.

"We continue to capture market share as our investment in R&D builds our portfolio of advanced braking products for the commercial vehicle market. The higher technology our products provide the better performance our products deliver for our customers, which also creates a challenge for our competitors in China. In addition, our advanced products and our growing production efficiency help sustain our higher margins. The bus market is stable and we are gaining more shares in the Chinese aftermarket and further building our international customer base. We are also beginning to penetrate the railroad vehicle transportation system. We welcome the merger between China North Railway (CNR) and China South Railway (CSR) which will further increase the competitiveness of Chinese trains in the global market. We believe that we are well positioned for future growth opportunities," Ms. Jinrui Yu, SORL's Chief Operating Officer, stated.     

Conference Call

Management will host a conference call on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at 8:00 A.M. EDT/ 8:00 P.M. Beijing Time to discuss its 2014 fourth quarter and fiscal year financial results. Listeners may access the call by dialing U.S. toll free number +1-877-407-0778, or +1-201-689-8565 for international callers, and mainland China toll free +86 400 120 2840. 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, 2015, or 11:59 a.m. Beijing Time on May 2, 2015. The replay dial-in numbers are:  U.S. toll free number +1-877-660-6853, or international number +1-201-612-7415; use Conference ID "13605042" 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, 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. 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
+86.139.6777.6556
+86.577.6581.7721  
ljf@sorl.com.cn

Phyllis Huang
+86.151.6770.5972
+86.577.6581.7721
phyllis@sorl.com.cn                                                          

Kevin Theiss
Grayling
+1.646.284.9409
kevin.theiss@grayling.com

- Tables Follow -

SORL Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2014 and 2013










December 31, 2014


December 31, 2013








Assets





Current Assets






Cash and cash equivalents

US$

14,009,597

US$

28,241,983


Short-term investments


34,838,757


-


Accounts receivable, net


68,171,387


57,912,384


Bank acceptance notes from customers


17,626,704


20,186,787


Inventories


84,186,766


76,364,019


Prepayments, including $83,206 and $- due from related parties at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively


4,663,002


3,773,750


Current portion of prepaid capital lease interest


282,280


453,053


Other current assets


1,282,182


2,537,300


Deferred tax assets


1,868,371


1,392,955


 Total Current Assets


226,929,046


190,862,231






Non-Current Assets






Property, plant and equipment, net


43,550,927


45,469,013

     Land use rights, net


14,421,729


14,409,170


Intangible assets, net


37,661


50,271


Security deposits on lease agreement


1,867,719


1,818,244


Non-current portion of prepaid capital lease interest


 

99,180


371,355


    Total Non-Current Assets


59,977,216


62,118,053


Total Assets

US$

286,906,262

US$

252,980,284








Liabilities and Equity





Current Liabilities






Accounts payable, including $136,609 and $810,310 due to related parties at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

US$

13,867,316

US$

13,290,282


Deposits received from customers


19,045,172


13,931,658


Short-term bank loans


9,539,476


4,526,863


Income tax payable


1,101,103


494,658


Accrued expenses


13,561,163


10,066,969


Current portion of capital lease obligations


3,735,438


3,636,488


Other current liabilities, including $17,681 and $94,246 due to related parties at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.


2,131,527


256,430


 Total Current Liabilities


62,981,195


46,203,348







Non-Current Liabilities






Non-current portion of capital lease obligations


3,735,437


7,272,975


 Total Non-Current Liabilities


3,735,437


7,272,975








     Total Liabilities

US$

66,716,632

US$

53,476,323







Equity












Preferred stock - no par value; 1,000,000 authorized; none issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2014 and 2013


-


-


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




19,304,921 issued and outstanding as of





December 31, 2014 and 2013


38,609


38,609


Additional paid-in capital


42,199,014


42,199,014


Reserves


12,019,532


10,609,435


Accumulated other comprehensive income


27,516,206


22,465,720


Retained earnings


116,935,053


104,544,120


Total SORL Auto Parts, Inc. Stockholders' Equity


198,708,414


179,856,898


Noncontrolling Interest In Subsidiaries


21,481,216


19,647,063


Total Equity


220,189,630


199,503,961


Total Liabilities and Equity

US$

286,906,262

US$

252,980,284








 

SORL Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

For Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
















2014


2013










Sales





US$

237,654,865

US$

208,571,812

Include: sales to related parties




1,618,349


2,524,019

Cost of sales





170,793,868


149,949,176










Gross profit






66,860,997


58,622,636









Expenses:









Selling and distribution expenses




23,676,176


20,906,914

General and administrative expenses



18,011,110


17,379,521

Research and development expenses




7,601,342


7,550,010

Total operating expenses




49,288,628


45,836,445










Other operating income





2,270,147


2,074,520










Income from operations





19,842,516


14,860,711










Other income





606,112


524,370

Interest expense





(1,135,177)


(1,399,851)

Other expense





(1,273,053)


(1,410,141)










Income before provision for income taxes



18,040,398


12,575,089










Provision for income taxes




2,872,912


2,048,056










Net income





US$

15,167,486

US$

10,527,033










Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries

1,366,456


1,164,068










Net income attributable to common stockholders

US$

13,801,030

US$

9,362,965










Comprehensive income:

















Net income





US$

15,167,486

US$

10,527,033










Foreign currency translation adjustments



5,518,183


505,247










Comprehensive income





20,685,669


11,032,280










Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries

1,834,153


1,223,603










Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders

US$

18,851,516

US$

9,808,677



















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$

0.71

US$

0.49










EPS - Diluted




US$

0.71

US$

0.49











 

SORL Auto Parts, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013












2014


2013









Cash Flows From Operating Activities





Net income




US$

15,167,486

US$

10,527,033

  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash




   provided by operating activities:






 Allowance for doubtful accounts



2,658,641


2,808,960

 Depreciation and amortization



7,386,953


7,188,064

 Deferred income taxes




(431,640)


(995,102)

 Loss on disposal of property and equipment


53,052


5,089

 Write-down of inventories



139,572


28,709

  Changes in assets and liabilities:





Accounts receivable




(11,017,981)


(3,916,133)

Bank acceptance notes from customers


3,067,636


(10,050,861)

Other currents assets




1,200,416


(2,779,274)

Inventories





(5,836,031)


(19,454,080)

Prepayments




(776,251)


2,207,828

Prepaid capital lease interest



459,134


630,521

Accounts payable

211,449


3,577,338

Income tax payable




585,087


494,050

Deposits received from customers



4,670,996


7,306,556

Other current liabilities and accrued expenses


5,022,675


3,775,285

  Net Cash Flows Provided By Operating Activities


22,561,194


1,353,983









Cash Flows From Investing Activities





Acquisition of property and equipment


(4,003,170)


(4,877,633)

Proceeds of disposal of fixed assets


63,460


14,301

Change in security deposit on lease agreement




-


66,170

Change in short term investments





(34,371,133)


-

  Net Cash Flows Used In Investing Activities


(38,310,843)


(4,797,162)









Cash Flows From Financing Activities





Proceeds from bank loans



34,318,277


60,979,931

Repayment of bank loans  



(29,524,282)


(70,935,757)

Repayment of capital lease



(3,685,299)


(14,103,295)

Proceeds from capital lease



-


14,527,922

  Net Cash Flows Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities


1,108,696


(9,531,199)









Effects on changes in foreign exchange rate


408,567


(36,992)









Net change in cash and cash equivalents


(14,232,386)


(13,011,370)









Cash and cash equivalents- beginning of the year


28,241,983


41,253,353









Cash and cash equivalents - end of the year

US$

14,009,597

US$

28,241,983

















Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures:





  Interest paid



US$

1,135,177

US$

1,399,851

  Income taxes paid




US$

2,714,779

US$

2,418,239

 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sorl-auto-parts-reports-record-sales-for-the-2014-fourth-quarter-and-year-300058303.html

SOURCE SORL Auto Parts, Inc.

© 2024 Canjex Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.