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Harbin Electric (HRBN) Reports Record Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009 Results

HARBIN, China, Mar. 10, 2010 (PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall) — Harbin Electric, Inc. (“Harbin Electric” or the “Company”, Nasdaq: HRBN), a leading developer and manufacturer of a wide array of electric motors in the People’s Republic of China, today reported its preliminary full-year and fourth quarter 2009 financial results. The Company will release fully audited financials in its 10K filing in the coming days and does not expect any material changes.

    Fourth Quarter 2009 Financial Highlights
    -- Total revenues were $107.2 million, up 209% from $34.7 million in 4Q08
    -- Adjusted net income attributable to controlling interest (excluding
       non-recurring items) was $19.4 million, up 220% from $6.0 million
       in 4Q08
    -- GAAP earnings attributable to controlling interest were $0.59 per
       diluted share, compared with $0.27 in 4Q08
    -- Adjusted earnings attributable to controlling interest (excluding
       non-recurring items) were $0.62 per diluted share

    Fiscal Year 2009 Financial Highlights
    -- Total revenues were $223.2 million, up 85% from $120.8 million in 2008
    -- Adjusted net income attributable to controlling interest (excluding
       non-recurring items) was $43.8 million, up 73% from $25.4 million
       in 2008
    -- GAAP earnings attributable to controlling interest were $0.77 per
       diluted share, compared with $1.19 in 2008
    -- Adjusted earnings attributable to controlling interest (excluding
       non-recurring items) were $1.71 per diluted share

    Financial Summary for Fourth Quarter 2009 versus Fourth Quarter 2008

                                            4Q09          4Q08         YoY%
                                                                       Change

    Revenue                             $107,213,986    $34,743,375     209%

    Gross Profit                         $36,063,886    $11,489,202     214%
    Gross Profit Margin                        33.6%         33.10%      --
    Operating Income                     $25,962,245     $7,013,528     270%
    Operating Margin                           24.2%          20.2%      --
    Net Income Attributable to
     Controlling Interest                $18,319,775     $6,040,852     203%
    Adjusted Net Income Attributable to
     Controlling Interest(*)             $19,356,385     $6,040,852     220%
    Adjust Net Margin(*)                       18.1%          17.4%      --
    Diluted EPS Attributable to
    Controlling Interest                       $0.59          $0.27     119%
    Adjusted Diluted EPS Attributable to
    Controlling Interest(*)                    $0.62          $0.27     130%

    (*)See Reconciliation of non-GAAP measure to GAAP net income. Also see
       "About Non-GAAP Financial Measures" toward the end of this release

In the fourth quarter of 2009, total sales more than tripled to $107.2 million compared to $34.7 million in 4Q08, which was negatively impacted by the global financial crisis. The acquisition of Xi’an Tech Full Simo Electric Motor Co. Ltd. (“Xi’an Simo”) in October 2009 contributed approximately $44 million in the fourth quarter. Excluding this acquisition, sales in the fourth quarter increased 82% year over year. The higher sales were primarily driven by increased sales in all product lines resulting from strong economic growth in China. The linear motor propulsion systems developed by the Company for coal transportation trains contributed $7.3 million to total sales as the Company started the delivery during the quarter and 116 oil pumps were sold in 4Q09, up from 31 units in 4Q08.

Net income attributable to controlling interest in the quarter totaled $18.3 million ($0.59 per diluted share), up from $6.0 million ($0.27 per diluted share) in 4Q08. Excluding the $1.04 million non-cash charge for the change in fair value of warrants, adjusted net income for 4Q09 was $19.4 million ($0.62 per diluted share). The following table presents the reconciliation of non-GAAP measure to GAAP net income for the quarter versus 4Q08.

                                                4Q09           4Q08
    Net Income Attributable to
     Controlling Interest                   $18,319,775     $6,040,852
     Add back:
      Change in fair value of warrant        $1,036,610             $0
    Adjusted Net Income Attributable
     to Controlling Interest                $19,356,385     $6,040,852
    Diluted EPS Attributable to
     Controlling Interest                         $0.59          $0.27
     Add back:
      Change in fair value of warrant             $0.03          $0.00
    Adjusted EPS Attributable to
     Controlling Interest                         $0.62          $0.27

The table below presents the sales distribution and gross profit margin by each of our product line in 4Q09 compared to 4Q08.

                              Percent of Total
    Product Line                 Revenues             Gross Profit Margin
                              4Q09       4Q08          4Q09       4Q08
    Linear Motors and
    Related Systems           19.0%      36.9%         61.6%      52.5%
    Specialty Micro-Motors    17.2%      22.3%         37.9%      40.3%
    Rotary Motors             63.2%      36.5%         23.9%      10.5%
     Weihai                   22.1%      36.5%          9.6%      10.5%
     Xi'an                    41.1%         0%         31.6%       N/A
    Others                     0.6%       4.3%         49.3%      47.0%
    Total/Average            100.0%     100.0%         33.6%      33.1%

    Financial Summary for 2009 versus 2008

                                            2009          2008         YoY%
                                                                       Change
    Revenue                              $223,234,394  $120,820,302     85%
    Gross Profit                          $76,612,174   $47,476,781     61%
    Gross Profit Margin                          34.3%         39.3%    --
    Operating Income                      $55,847,301   $34,393,177     62%
    Operating Margin                             25.0%         28.5%    --
    Net Income Attributable to
     Controlling Interest                 $19,646,781   $25,378,699    (23)%
    Adjusted Net Income Attributable to
     Controlling Interest(*)              $43,813,233   $25,378,699     73%
    Adjusted Net Margin*                         19.6%         21.0%    --
    Diluted EPS  Attributable to
     Controlling Interest                       $0.77         $1.19    (35)%
    Adjusted Diluted EPS  Attributable
     to Controlling Interest*                   $1.71         $1.19     44%

    (*) See Reconciliation of non-GAAP measure to GAAP net income. Also see
        "About Non-GAAP Financial Measures" toward the end of this release

For the year 2009, revenues increased by 85% to $223.2 million from $120.8 million in 2008. Strong sales growth resulted from the acquisition of Xi’an Simo ($44 million) as well as higher sales across all product lines. The Company delivered 519 oil pumps compared to 214 units in 2008. Linear motor propulsion systems developed for coal transportation trains contributed $7.3 million to our sales as the Company started to deliver units during the 4th quarter.

Net income attributable to controlling interest in 2009 totaled $19.6 million ($0.77 per diluted share), which included $24.2 million charges related to non-recurring and non-cash items. Excluding these non-recurring items and non-cash charges, adjusted net income attributable to controlling interest for 2009 was $43.8 million ($1.71 per diluted share) compared to net income of $1.19 per diluted share in 2008. The following table presents the reconciliation of non-GAAP measure to GAAP net income for full-year 2009 versus 2008.

                                                         2009           2008
    Net Income Attributable to
     Controlling Interest                           $19,646,781    $25,378,699
    Deduct:
     Other Income - Government Grant                ($1,172,560)            $0
     Gain on debt repurchase                        ($4,155,000)            $0
    Add back:
     Amortization associated with debt
      repurchase                                     $7,279,487             $0
     Loss on cross currency swap
      settlement                                     $9,000,000             $0
     Change in fair value of warrant                $13,214,525             $0
    Adjusted Net Income Attributable
     to Controlling Interest                        $43,813,233    $25,378,699
    Diluted EPS                                           $0.77          $1.19
    Deduct:
     Other Income - Government Grant                    ($0.050)         $0.00
     Gain on debt repurchase                            ($0.160)         $0.00
    Add back:
     Amortization associated with debt
      repurchase                                         $0.280          $0.00
     Loss on cross currency swap
      settlement                                         $0.350          $0.00
     Change in fair value of warrant                     $0.520          $0.00
    Adjusted Diluted EPS Attributable
     to Controlling Interest                              $1.71          $1.19

The table below presents the sales distribution and gross profit margin by each of our product line in 2009 versus 2008.

                                 Percent of Total
    Product Line                    Revenues              Gross Profit Margin
                              2009             2008         2009        2008
    Linear Motors and
    Related Systems           27.2%            41.0%        59.3%       54.0%
    Specialty Micro-Motors    18.6%            28.0%        39.2%       40.0%
    Rotary Motors             52.1%            23.0%        18.9%       10.7%
     Weihai                   32.4%            23.0%        11.2%       10.7%
     Xi'an                    19.7%             0.0%        31.6%        N/A
    Others                     2.1%             8.0%        48.4%       44.7%
    Total/Average            100.0%           100.0%        34.3%       39.3%

Overall gross profit margin declined to 34.3% in 2009 from 39.3% in 2008 due to changes in the product mix as sales of lower-margin industrial rotary motors expanded, in part as a result of the acquisition of Xi’an Simo. Operating profits in 2009 were $55.8 million compared to $34.4 million in 2008.

“We are extremely pleased to have delivered the best quarter and the best year in our Company’s history despite weak economic conditions early on,” said Mr. Tianfu Yang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Harbin Electric. “2009 was also a year of great strategic, operational and financial accomplishments as we further strengthened our leadership position in the electric motor industry in China. The acquisition of Xi’an Simo, one of China’s leading electric motor companies, and its successful integration allowed us to start realizing synergies and provided a solid platform for continuous growth. Faster economic growth in the second half of the year fueled by the massive government stimulus program created a positive environment for our business. On the financial front, we raised additional equity capital which allowed us to repay a significant portion of our existing indebtedness, complete the acquisition of Xi’an Simo, and maintain a strong balance sheet as we continue to implement our growth strategy. We view these record results, accomplished with the hard work and dedication of our employees, as well as the continuous support of our shareholders, as a validation of our vision, strategic focus and relentless execution.”

Looking ahead, Mr. Yang commented, “We are ready to move the Company forward to a sustained profitability in 2010 supported by a solid platform that we have built over the past years as we expect continuous growth and leverage our strong financial position and promising portfolio of products. Although the first quarter is traditionally slower with the long Chinese new-year holiday, we do not expect this seasonality to impact our business significantly compared to the fourth quarter. We also expect that the Chinese government’s commitment to sustainable economic growth and the accelerated industrialization and urbanization of China will continue to drive our business and support our long term growth objectives. We look forward to a productive 2010 as we continue to capture the synergies of the Xi’an Simo acquisition, advance R&D and strengthen growth in all core businesses. We believe that 2010 will be another strong year for Harbin Electric and we remain committed to our strategies to achieve both our near and long term goals and maximize value for our shareholders.”

Conference Call Details

The Company will host a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2009 financial results at 8:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, March 10, 2010. Tianfu Yang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Zedong Xu, Chief Financial Officer, and Christy Shue, Executive Vice President of the Company will be on the call.

To participate in the conference call, please dial any of the following numbers:

    USA:           1-800-603-1779
    International: 1-706-643-7429
    North China:   10-800-713-0924
    South China:   10-800-130-0748

    The conference ID for the call is 55950962.

A replay of the call will be available beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET on March 10, 2010 and will remain available through midnight on March 17th, 2010.

    To access the replay, please dial any of the following numbers:

    USA:           1-800-642-1687
    International: 1-706-645-9291

    Passcode is 55950962.

This conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet. To listen to the live webcast, please go to http://www.harbinelectric.com and click on “Harbin Electric Q4 and Full Year 2009 Financial Results Conference Call.” The replay of the webcast will be available for 30 days and will be archived on the Investor Kits page of the website after 30 days.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The management of Harbin Electric uses non-GAAP adjusted net earnings to measure the performance of the Company’s business internally by excluding non-recurring items as well as special non-cash charges. The Company’s management believes that these non-GAAP adjusted financial measures allow the management to focus on managing business operating performance because these measures reflect the essential operating activities of Harbin Electric and provide a consistent method of comparison to historical periods. The Company believes that providing the non-GAAP measures that management uses internally to its investors is useful to investors for a number of reasons. The non-GAAP measures provide a consistent basis for investors to understand Harbin Electric’s financial performance in comparison to historical periods without variations caused by non-recurring items and non-operating related charges. In addition, it allows investors to evaluate the Company’s performance using the same methodology and information as that used by the management. Non-GAAP measures are subject to inherent limitations because they do not include all of the expenses included under GAAP and because they involve the exercise of judgment of which charges are excluded from GAAP financial measure. However, the management of Harbin Electric compensates for these limitations by providing the relevant disclosure of the items excluded.

About Harbin Electric, Inc.:

Harbin Electric, headquartered in Harbin, China, is a leading developer and manufacturer of a wide array of electric motors with a focus on innovative, customized and value-added products. Its major product lines include industrial rotary motors, linear motors, and specialty micro-motors. The Company’s products are purchased by a broad range of domestic and international customers, including those involved in energy industry, factory automation, food processing, packaging, transportation, automobile, medical devices, machinery and tool manufacturing, chemical, petrochemical, as well as in the metallurgical and mining industries. With a recent acquisition of industrial rotary motor business, the Company operates four manufacturing facilities in China located in Xi’an, Weihai, Harbin and Shanghai.

Harbin Electric has built a strong research and development capability by recruiting talent worldwide and through collaborations with top scientific institutions. The Company owns numerous patents in China and has developed award-winning products for its customers. Relying on its own proprietary technology, the Company developed an energy efficient linear motor driving oil pump, the first of its kind in the world, for the largest oil filed in China. Its self-developed linear motor propulsion system is powering China’s first domestically made linear motor driving metro train. As China continues to grow its industrial base, Harbin Electric aspires to be a leader in the industrialization and technology transformation of the Chinese manufacturing sector. To learn more about Harbin Electric, visit http://www.harbinelectric.com .

Safe Harbor Statement

The actual results of Harbin Electric, Inc. could differ materially from those described in this press release. Detailed information regarding factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by statements in this press release may be found in the Company’s periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in the press release. This press release contains forward-looking information about the Company that is intended to be covered by the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believe,” “expect,” “may, “will,” “should,” “project,” “plan,” “seek,” “intend,” or “anticipate” or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, and include discussions of strategy, and statements about industry trends and the Company’s future performance, operations and products.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    In China
     Harbin Electric, Inc.
     Tel:   +86-451-8611-6757
     Email: MainlandIR@Tech-full.com

    In the U.S.
     Christy Shue
     Harbin Electric, Inc.
     Executive VP, Finance & Investor Relations
     Tel:   +1-631-312-8612
     Email: cshue@HarbinElectric.com

     Kathy Li
     Christensen Investor Relations
     Tel:   +1-212-618-1987
     Email: kli@christensenir.com

                     HARBIN ELECTRIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                        AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008
                                     ASSETS
                                              December 31,      December 31,
                                                  2009              2008

    CURRENT ASSETS:
        Cash and cash equivalents              $92,902,400       $48,412,263
        Restricted cash                          3,522,009           513,450
        Notes receivable                         1,086,929         1,451,977
        Accounts receivable, net                93,322,885        30,284,080
        Inventories                             74,913,877        21,960,084
        Other receivables & prepaid
         expenses                                5,828,453           248,552
        Advances on inventory purchases         11,718,544         3,529,607
          Total current assets                 283,295,097       106,400,013

    PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net                   156,364,548        94,931,999

    OTHER ASSETS:
        Debt issuance costs, net                   359,255         1,672,279
        Advances on equipment purchases         10,532,902        10,416,187
        Advances on intangible assets            3,133,512         1,892,430
        Goodwill                                61,300,241        12,273,778
        Other intangible assets, net of
         accumulated amortization               14,245,984         6,430,397
        Other assets                             1,722,693           471,220
        Deposit in derivative hedge                     --         1,000,000
          Total other assets                    91,294,587        34,156,291

            Total assets                      $530,954,232      $235,488,303

                     LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

    CURRENT LIABILITIES:
        Notes payable - short term              $4,533,268         1,026,900
        Accounts payable                        47,102,564         8,415,919
        Short term loan - bank                  38,291,634         4,180,950
        Short term loan - officers                 918,342                --
        Short term loan - others                 5,229,653                --
        Other payables                           8,912,586           875,395
        Accrued liabilities                      3,292,999         1,914,397
        Customer deposits                       18,455,842         1,244,622
        Taxes payable                            8,230,512         2,096,521
        Interest payable                           123,730           800,954
        Cross currency hedge payable                    --           175,986
        Current portion of notes payable,
         net                                     7,660,210         1,979,871
          Total current liabilities            142,751,340        22,711,515

    LONG TERM LIABILITIES:
        Amounts due to original
         shareholder                            28,681,976           733,500
        Long term loan - bank                    4,401,000                --
        Notes payable - long term, net                  --        31,630,995
        Fair value of derivative
         instrument                                     --         5,762,958
        Warrant liability                        4,623,558                --

            Total liabilities                  180,457,874        60,838,968

    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

    SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
        Common Stock, $0.00001 par value,
         100,000,000 shares authorized,
         31,067,471 and 22,102,078
         shares issued and outstanding
         as of December 31, 2009 and
         2008, respectively                            310               220
        Paid-in-capital                        218,094,374        95,029,290
        Retained earnings                       69,594,113        52,100,479
        Statutory reserves                      22,869,423        14,573,994
        Accumulated other comprehensive
         income                                 18,638,297        12,945,352
          Total shareholders' equity           329,196,517       174,649,335

    NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS                    21,299,841                --

            Total liabilities and
             shareholders' equity             $530,954,232      $235,488,303

                      HARBIN ELECTRIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
               FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007

                                           For the Years ended December 31,
                                            2009         2008         2007

    REVENUES                            $223,234,394 $120,820,302 $65,402,864

    COST OF SALES                        146,622,220   73,343,521  32,967,887

    GROSS PROFIT                          76,612,174   47,476,781  32,434,977

    RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE       2,093,366    1,170,169   1,064,074

    SELLING, GENERAL AND  ADMINISTRATIVE
     EXPENSES                             18,671,507   11,913,435   7,659,611

    INCOME FROM OPERATIONS                55,847,301   34,393,177  23,711,292

    OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME), NET
        Other (income) expenses, net      (5,462,148)  (1,575,224)    188,654
        Interest expense, net             12,315,645    6,065,814   6,619,954
        Loss on cross currency hedge
         settlement                        9,000,000           --          --
        Gain on debt repurchase           (4,155,000)          --          --
        Change in fair value of warrant   13,214,525           --          --
            Total other expense, net      24,913,022    4,490,590   6,808,608

    INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME
     TAXES                                30,934,279   29,902,587  16,902,684

    PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES             7,796,084    4,523,888          --

    NET INCOME BEFORE NONCONTROLLING
     INTEREST                             23,138,195   25,378,699  16,902,684

    LESS: NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO
     NONCONTROLLING INTEREST               3,491,414           --          --

    NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO
     CONTROLLING INTEREST                $19,646,781  $25,378,699 $16,902,684

    EARNINGS PER SHARE
        Basic
            Weighted average number of
             shares                       25,568,936   20,235,877  17,082,300
            Earnings per share before
             noncontrolling interest           $0.90        $1.25       $0.99
            Earnings per share
             attributable to controlling
             interest                          $0.77           --          --
            Earnings per share
             attributable to
             noncontrolling interest           $0.14           --          --

        Diluted
            Weighted average number of
             shares                       25,672,420   21,323,660  18,634,739
            Earnings per share before
             noncontrolling interest           $0.90        $1.19       $0.91
            Earnings per share
             attributable to controlling
             interest                          $0.77           --          --
            Earnings per share
             attributable to
             noncontrolling interest           $0.13           --          --

                      HARBIN ELECTRIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
              FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008

                                                    2009             2008

    REVENUES                                   $107,213,986       $34,743,375

    COST OF SALES                                71,150,100        23,254,173

    GROSS PROFIT                                 36,063,886        11,489,202

    RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE                823,255           755,438

    SELLING, GENERAL AND  ADMINISTRATIVE
     EXPENSES                                     9,278,386         3,720,236

    INCOME FROM OPERATIONS                       25,962,245         7,013,528

    OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME), NET
        Other (income) expenses, net             (1,759,234)         (620,042)
        Interest expense, net                     1,553,417           529,760
        Loss on cross currency hedge
         settlement                                      --                --
        Gain on debt repurchase                          --                --
        Change in fair value of warrant           1,036,610                --
            Total other expense (income),
             net                                    830,793           (90,282)

    INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME
     TAXES                                       25,131,452         7,103,810

    PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES                    3,320,263         1,062,958

    NET INCOME BEFORE NONCONTROLLING
     INTEREST                                    21,811,189         6,040,852

    LESS: NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO
     NONCONTROLLING INTEREST                      3,491,414                --

    NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO
     CONTROLLING INTEREST                       $18,319,775        $6,040,852

    EARNINGS PER SHARE
        Basic                                         $0.59             $0.28
        Diluted                                       $0.59             $0.27
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 Uncategorized