EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Nov. 14, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cereplast, Inc. (Nasdaq:CERP), a leading manufacturer of proprietary biobased, compostable and sustainable plastics, reported financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2011.
"Demand for bioplastic resin remains very strong as a result of new legislation across Europe; however, macro-economic factors impacted the company during the third quarter," stated Frederic Scheer, chairman and chief executive officer. "The European financial crisis has precipitated, leading to longer payment terms than typical for even Europe. While the quality of the receivables remains high, the length is unacceptable, and we have taken action. In addition to aggressive collections, we implemented more stringent controls for customer orders and stopped shipments to customers with account balances aged beyond 150 days."
"Although this impacted our revenue in the near term, we are confident in our ability to drive long term growth. In fact to meet increasing demand, we secured an Italy-based manufacturing plant to broaden our reach. In addition, we extended our agreement with Italy-based Colortec S.r.l to supply bioplastic resin to the Italian marketplace. Meanwhile, our disciplined pricing strategy has been well accepted. As a result, we sequentially increased our third quarter 2011 gross margins by 460 basis points to 16.7%, positioning us to exit the year with margins in the 20% range."
Recent Operating Highlights
- Raised $5.0 million in a registered direct offering.
- Extended its agreement with Italy-based Colortec S.r.l, to supply bioplastic resin to the Italian and Slovenian markets. Under the terms of the agreement, Colortec is projecting to purchase $20 million of materials in 2012.
- Purchased an Italy-based industrial plant to create efficiencies and to continue expansion in the European market.
- Appointed bioplastics expert Dr. Michael Thielen as ombudsman for the new bioplastics symbol; Thielen will oversee all matters related to the usage and licensing requirements surrounding the symbol.
Financial Results Third Quarter 2011
For the third quarter of 2011, net sales were $5.4 million, compared to $1.5 million for the third quarter of 2010. This increase reflects growth in order flow, relating to the growing demand for bioplastics. Gross profit for the third quarter of 2011 was $894,000, or a 16.7% gross margin, compared to 25.2% for the third quarter of 2010 and 12.1% in the second quarter of 2011. The expected year-over-year gross margin decrease reflects the company's stated strategy to offer introductory pricing to certain key customers while Cereplast strives to gain critical mass, and the sequential gross margin improvement reflects operational efficiencies, and positive pricing trends. Third quarter 2011 net loss was $3.6 million, or $0.23 per share, compared to a net loss of $2.2 million, or $0.17 per share in the same period a year ago.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 Financial Results
Net sales for the first nine months of 2011 were $20.2 million, compared to $2.4 million for the same period a year ago. Gross profit was $2.5 million, or 12.5% of net sales, compared to $671,000, or 27.4% for the same period a year ago. Net loss was $7.7 million, or $0.50 per share, compared to a net loss of $5.6 million, or $0.49 per share in the same period a year ago.
Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was $22.2 million, compared to $5.3 million for the same period in 2010, reflecting the increase in accounts receivable amounts.
At September 30, 2011, total cash and cash equivalents were $4.0 million, compared to $2.4 million at December 31, 2010. At September 30, 2011, working capital reached $21.4 million, compared to $5.2 million at December 31, 2010. Shareholders' equity at September 30, 2011 was $11.3 million, compared to $6.9 million at December 31, 2010.
Outlook
Management expects to report revenue for 2011 in the range of $25.0 million to $28.0 million, representing a significant increase over its 2010 net sales of $6.3 million. In addition, management expects to exit the year with gross margins of 20% or higher.
Conference Call
The company will conduct a conference call and live webcast on November 14, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. PST (5:00 p.m. EST), to discuss its third quarter 2011 financial results. Participants include Frederic Scheer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Heather Sheehan, Chief Financial Officer.
To join the live conference call five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled conference call time, please dial: 877-312-5508. International callers should dial 253-237-1135. A live webcast and archive of the call will also be available on the Investor Relations section of Cereplast's website at www.cereplast.com. If you are unable to participate in the call at this time, a telephonic replay will be available for three days starting two hours after the conclusion of the call. To access the telephonic replay, dial 855-859-2056, international callers dial 404-537-3406, and enter the Conference ID 20491688.
About Cereplast, Inc.
Cereplast, Inc. (Nasdaq:CERP) designs and manufactures proprietary biobased, sustainable plastics which are used as substitutes for traditional plastics in all major converting processes - such as injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding and extrusions - at a pricing structure that is competitive with traditional plastics. On the cutting-edge of biobased plastic material development, Cereplast now offers resins to meet a variety of customer demands. Cereplast Compostables® resins are ideally suited for single-use applications where high biobased content and compostability are advantageous, especially in the food service industry. Cereplast Sustainables® resins combine high biobased content with the durability and endurance of traditional plastic, making them ideal for applications in industries such as automotive, consumer electronics and packaging. Learn more at www.cereplast.com. You may also visit the Cereplast social networking pages at Facebook.com/Cereplast, Twitter.com/Cereplast and Youtube.com/Cereplastinc.
The Cereplast, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=9567
Safe Harbor Statement
Matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting the Company and its operations, markets, product, and distributor performance, the impact on the national and local economies resulting from terrorist actions, and U.S. actions subsequently; and other factors detailed in reports filed by the Company.
| CEREPLAST, INC. | ||
| CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||
| (in thousands, except shares data) | ||
| September 30, 2011 | December 31, 2010 | |
| (Unaudited) | ||
| ASSETS | ||
| Current Assets | ||
| Cash | $4,030 | $2,391 |
| Accounts Receivable, Net | 19,119 | 5,289 |
| Inventory, Net | 3,486 | 1,392 |
| Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets | 1,593 | 65 |
| Total Current Assets | 28,228 | 9,137 |
| Property and Equipment | ||
| Property and Equipment | 7,007 | 5,564 |
| Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization | (2,894) | (2,213) |
| Property and Equipment, Net | 4,113 | 3,351 |
| Other Assets | ||
| Restricted Cash | 43 | 43 |
| Deferred Loan Costs | 1,459 | 266 |
| Intangible Assets, Net | 160 | 173 |
| Deposits | 49 | 14 |
| Total Other Assets | 1,711 | 496 |
| Total Assets | $34,052 | $12,984 |
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||
| Current Liabilities | ||
| Accounts Payable | $3,207 | $2,567 |
| Accrued Expenses | 2,095 | 1,251 |
| Capital Leases, Current Portion | 36 | 9 |
| Loan Payable, Current Portion | 1,504 | 149 |
| Total Current Liabilities | 6,842 | 3,976 |
| Long-Term Liabilities | ||
| Loan Payable | 3,318 | 2,119 |
| Convertible Subordinated Notes | 12,500 | -- |
| Capital Leases, Long-Term | 59 | -- |
| Total Long-Term Liabilities | 15,877 | 2,119 |
| Total Liabilities | 22,719 | 6,095 |
| Equity | ||
| Shareholders' Equity | ||
| Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized and none outstanding | -- | -- |
| Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 495,000,000 shares authorized; 15,793,553 and 12,992,195 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively | 16 | 13 |
| Additional Paid in Capital | 61,992 | 49,737 |
| Accumulated Deficit | (50,658) | (42,933) |
| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | (21) | 72 |
| Total Shareholders' Equity | 11,329 | 6,889 |
| Noncontrolling Interests | 4 | -- |
| Total Equity | 11,333 | 6,889 |
| Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | $34,052 | $12,984 |
| CEREPLAST, INC. | ||||
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | ||||
| (unaudited, in thousands, except per share data) | ||||
| Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||
| September 30, 2011 | September 30, 2010 | September 30, 2011 | September 30, 2010 | |
| GROSS SALES | $5,414 | $1,515 | $20,849 | $2,519 |
| Sales Discounts, Returns and Allowances | (45) | (2) | (628) | (70) |
| NET SALES | 5,369 | 1,513 | 20,221 | 2,449 |
| COST OF SALES | 4,475 | 1,132 | 17,701 | 1,778 |
| GROSS PROFIT | 894 | 381 | 2,520 | 671 |
| Research and Development | 280 | 106 | 789 | 302 |
| Selling, General and Administrative | 3,689 | 2,233 | 8,457 | 5,432 |
| LOSS FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE OTHER EXPENSES | (3,075) | (1,958) | (6,726) | (5,063) |
| OTHER EXPENSES | ||||
| Restructuring Costs | -- | (275) | -- | (586) |
| Interest Expense, Net | (513) | 1 | (999) | -- |
| TOTAL OTHER EXPENSE, NET | (513) | (274) | (999) | (586) |
| NET LOSS BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES | (3,588) | (2,232) | (7,725) | (5,649) |
| Provision for Income Taxes | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| NET LOSS | (3,588) | (2,232) | (7,725) | (5,649) |
| OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | ||||
| Gain (Loss) on Foreign Currency Translation | (54) | 52 | (93) | 52 |
| TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS | $(3,642) | $(2,180) | $(7,818) | $(5,597) |
| BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE | $(0.23) | $(0.17) | $(0.50) | $(0.49) |
| WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING, BASIC AND DILUTED | 15,778 | 12,925 | 15,470 | 11,400 |
| CEREPLAST, INC. | ||
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | ||
| (unaudited, in thousands, except shares data) | ||
| Nine Months Ended | ||
| September 30, 2011 | September 30, 2010 | |
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||
| Net Loss | $(7,725) | $(5,649) |
| Adjustment to Reconcile Net Loss to Net Cash Used in Operating Activities | ||
| Depreciation and Amortization | 694 | 588 |
| Allowance for Doubtful Accounts | 1,780 | 33 |
| Common Stock Issued for Services, Salaries and Wages | 874 | 1,333 |
| Amortization of Loan Discount | 57 | -- |
| Loss on Disposal of Leasehold Improvements | -- | 15 |
| Impairment of Intangible Assets | 64 | -- |
| Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities | ||
| Accounts Receivable | (15,609) | (1,263) |
| Deferred Loan Costs | 223 | -- |
| Inventory | (2,095) | (210) |
| Deposits | (35) | 56 |
| Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets | (1,514) | 92 |
| Restricted Cash | -- | (43) |
| Accounts Payable | 269 | (315) |
| Accrued Expenses | 864 | 58 |
| NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES | (22,153) | (5,305) |
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||
| Purchase of Property and Equipment, and Intangibles | (1,290) | (184) |
| NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES | (1,290) | (184) |
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||
| Payments on Capital Leases | (13) | (23) |
| Proceeds from Capital Leases | 96 | -- |
| Noncontrolling Interest Activities | 4 | -- |
| Payments made on Notes Payable | -- | (59) |
| Proceeds from Loan Payable, Net of Loan Costs | 2,500 | 20 |
| Proceeds from Convertible Subordinated Notes, Net of Issuance Costs | 11,225 | -- |
| Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock and Subscriptions, | 11,363 | 7,507 |
| Net of Issuance Costs | ||
| NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES | 25,175 | 7,445 |
| FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION | (93) | 52 |
| NET INCREASE IN CASH | 1,639 | 2,008 |
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | 2,391 | 1,306 |
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD | $4,030 | $3,314 |