FUQING CITY, CHINA--(Marketwire -03/30/12)- Guanwei Recycling Corp. (the "Company") (NASDAQ: GPRC - News), China's leading clean tech manufacturer of recycled low density polyethylene (LDPE), today reported record sales and profits in 2011. Continuing strong domestic demand for the high quality, competitively priced recycled plastic manufactured at its zero discharge facility, also is expected to produce another year of record growth in 2012.
Highlights
2011 net revenues increased 34% to a record $63,600,678 from $47,534,645 a year earlier.
Net income in 2011 grew 29% to a record $12,793,448, or $0.64 per diluted share, compared with $9,927,396, or $0.50 per diluted share in 2010.
The Company's annual combined raw material import quota was increased to 99,000 tons in 2011 and 115,000 tons in 2012.
Production capacity was expanded to 80,000 tons from 65,000 tons.
Short term debt was paid off and working capital increased at year end to $23.8 million from $13.4 million a year earlier.
With new equipment and improved facilities, product quality was enhanced while the Company maintained its pricing advantage over virgin plastic.
Volume and Sales Price Increases
Year over year sales of self-manufactured recycled LDPE grew more than 39% to $61,900,588, reflecting increases in sales volume and pricing. Tonnage sales of manufactured recycled LDPE increased 27% from 41,478 tons a year earlier to 52,666 tons in 2011. Average selling prices increased approximately 9.6% from $1,072 per ton a year earlier to $1,175 per ton in 2011. While 2010 revenues included approximately $1.99 million in low margin sales of purchased recycled LDPE to meet customer requirements, there were no such sales in 2011.
Increased Production Capacity
During 2011, the Company continued the construction and expansion of its facilities as well as the replacement of machinery and equipment. Its capital asset expenditure for these improvements and equipment purchases was over $3.8 million. As a consequence of these significant improvements, manufacturing capacity during 2011 was increased from 65,000 tons to 80,000 tons and will continue to be enhanced in the current year.
Expanded Plastic Waste Import Quota
Of additional significance, the Company received government approval in July for expansion of its quota for imported plastic waste, the key raw material needed to manufacture recycled LDPE. In 2011, the annual quota was increased from 24,000 tons to 64,000 tons. When combined with the import quota of 35,000 tons annually which the Company has contracted with another company (Huan Li), its total quota in 2011 was 99,000 tons. For 2012, the Company received approval to increase its quota to 80,000 tons, bringing its combined total quota for the current year to 115,000 tons.
Gross Margin Down Slightly But Above 30%
While gross profit increased approximately 27% year over year in 2011 to $19.48 million, gross margins decreased to 30.64% from 32.20% a year earlier. This primarily was a consequence of an approximately 22% increase in raw material costs. In order to reduce these costs, the Company continues to develop relationships with new suppliers, primarily in Europe. Guanwei's ability to purchase raw materials directly from European suppliers -- reflecting its dedication to meeting the highest pollution and environmental standards -- continues to provide the Company with a significant competitive advantage. Additionally, the Company continues to focus on managing operating costs. In 2011, higher raw material costs were partially offset by operating expense increases that were smaller than the growth in revenues.
No Outstanding Borrowings
Shareholders' equity as of December 31, 2011 increased to approximately $45 million from $34.1 million a year earlier, reflecting among other factors a reduction in short term borrowing to zero from approximately $3.7 million a year earlier and an increase in retained earnings to $28.62 million from $15.84 million in the prior year. Total assets of $45.08 million at year end included cash and cash equivalents of $12.43 million, and accounts receivable of $4.48 million, reflecting an increased use of terms with certain customers. Inventories increased to $16.85 million, from $10.72 million a year earlier, and pre-payments and other assets of $2.10 million as of year end 2011 compared with $475,195 at the end of 2010.
Strong Growth Outlook For 2012
"2011 certainly was another banner year for our Company," Mr. Chen Min, Chairman and CEO of the Company, commented. He continued, "not only did we see core sales advance nearly 40%, but we continued to maintain gross margins above 30% and generated another strong gain on our bottom line."
"Further," he added, "through careful planning and sound execution, we were able to ratchet up our production capacity on a largely self-financed basis, and enter the new year with strong financials and no debt. Additionally, we obtained a substantial increase in our government quota for imported raw material."
"With these accomplishments," he stated, "we are confident of another year of record results in 2012. Even with an anticipated slowing in our domestic economy, we have a customer base that is well diversified, and the more than 40% price advantage our recycled plastic offers compared with virgin plastic continues to make it quite attractive."
"At the same time," Mr. Chen added, "we hope that in 2012 investor perceptions in the U.S. of Chinese companies such as ours with outstanding track records and continuing strong growth potential will begin to improve, and the patience of our shareholders will begin to be rewarded."
