SPRINGDALE, Ark., Aug. 2, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:AERT) announced today that sales for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 were $23.2 million, up 5% from $22.1 million for the second quarter of 2009. Increased MoistureShield distribution and acceptance of new products contributed to the sales growth.
Second quarter gross margin improved 2.4 percentage points for 2010 over 2009 as tight cost control continued.
Selling and administrative costs for the quarter increased by $0.5 million or 1.3 percentage points of sales primarily due to increased promotional expenses.
The company recorded operating income of $2.5 million, a $0.3 million improvement over the quarter ended June 30, 2009. Last year a $0.3 million reversal of a late registration fee was recorded, increasing net income to $1.3 million, the same as the net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.
Commenting on the results, Joe Brooks, CEO of AERT noted, "A key goal for 2009 was to reduce AERT's overall cost structure and operating costs while maintaining our ability to react to market opportunities. We continue to work on this in 2010 and while our new recycling facility at Watts, Oklahoma is up and running we are implementing Phase II to effectively double it's capacity with the assistance of a 15 year, 3% interest loan for over $3 million sponsored by the State of Oklahoma under the ARRA State Energy Program."
AERT's second quarter conference call is scheduled for Tuesday, August 3rd at 4:00 pm EDT/3:00 pm CDT. To join the call, please dial 1-877-388-5744. Web access to the conference call can be found at http://www.aertinc.com/ir/webcasts.aspx .
About Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies, Inc.
Since 1989, AERT (OTCBB:AERT) has pioneered the use of recycled polyethylene plastic in the manufacture of composite building materials. With its constantly evolving portfolio of patented and proprietary recycling technologies, AERT has been widely recognized as a leader in resource conservation innovation and received the EPA Award for Environmental Excellence for its process of converting scrap plastic to composite outdoor decking. The company recently received an ESGR Patriot Award for its support of our Guard and Reserve Units in the U. S. Armed Forces. AERT converts reclaimed plastic and wood fiber waste into quality outdoor decking systems, fence systems, and door and window components. The Company is the exclusive manufacturer of ChoiceDek(R) decking, which is available in multiple colors and is sold in Lowe's Home Improvement stores nationwide. See http://www.choicedek.com/">http://www.choicedek.com for more information. AERT's MoistureShield(R) decking program is expanding and products are now available throughout the U.S. See http://www.moistureshield.com/">http://www.moistureshield.com for product information or to find a regional distributor or dealer. AERT operates manufacturing facilities in Springdale and Lowell, Arkansas and recently commenced operations at its Green Age recycling facility in Watts, Oklahoma. For more information on the Company, visit http://www.aertinc.com/">http://www.aertinc.com.
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Certain statements in this news release regarding projected results of operations, or, projected results of financial plans or future strategies and initiatives, including, but not limited to, projections of revenue, projections of profitability, any and all future expectation, and plans for future activities may and should be regarded as "forward-looking statements'' within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. These statements involve, among other things, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause AERT, Inc.'s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. AERT currently is considering, but may or may not in the future implement any or all of the items and issues listed in any planned budget or strategic initiative, due to, among other things, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors.
AERT, Inc. undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, change in strategy, or otherwise. The above-mentioned listing of risks and uncertainties is not inclusive. For a more detailed discussion of some, but not all, of the risks and uncertainties that may affect AERT, Inc., see AERT, Inc.'s filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.