Smart Powerr Corp. - Quarter Report: 2011 March (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011
OR
For the transition period from to
Commission File No. 000-12536
China Recycling Energy Corporation
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Nevada
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90-0093373
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(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
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12/F, Tower A
Chang An International Building
No. 88 Nan Guan Zheng Jie
Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, China
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Zip Code)
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Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: + 86-29-8769-1097
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock, as of May 10, 2011 was 39,198,982.
INDEX
Page No.
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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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Item 1.
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Financial Statements
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3 | ||
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2011 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2010
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3 | |||
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) – Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010
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4 | |||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) – Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010
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5 | |||
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
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6 | |||
Item 2.
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
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28 | ||
Item 3.
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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
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42 | ||
Item 4.
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Controls and Procedures
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42 | ||
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
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Item 1.
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Legal Proceedings
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43 | ||
Item 1A.
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Risk Factors
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43 | ||
Item 2.
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Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
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43 | ||
Item 3.
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Defaults Upon Senior Securities
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43 | ||
Item 4.
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[Removed and Reserved]
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43 | ||
Item 5.
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Other Information
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43 | ||
Item 6.
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Exhibits
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43 |
2
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
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|||
AS OF MARCH 31, 2011 AND DECEMBER 31, 2010
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2011
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2010
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|||||||
ASSETS
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(UNAUDITED)
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|||||||
CURRENT ASSETS
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||||||||
Cash & equivalents
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$ | 21,911,053 | $ | 11,072,250 | ||||
Restricted cash
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- | 2,151,690 | ||||||
Current portion of investment in sales type leases, net
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8,046,236 | 7,624,637 | ||||||
Interest receivable on sales type leases
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1,021,157 | 554,930 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses
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16,141 | 33,274 | ||||||
Other receivables
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347,120 | 393,015 | ||||||
Total current assets
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31,341,707 | 21,829,796 | ||||||
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
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||||||||
Prepaid interest
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782,442 | 774,609 | ||||||
Investment in sales type leases, net
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128,120,322 | 117,586,131 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net
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146,882 | 159,968 | ||||||
Construction in progress
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23,490,162 | 25,377,983 | ||||||
Total non-current assets
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152,539,808 | 143,898,691 | ||||||
TOTAL ASSETS
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$ | 183,881,515 | $ | 165,728,487 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
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||||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES
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||||||||
Accounts payable
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$ | 6,034,739 | $ | 5,012,640 | ||||
Notes payable - bank acceptances
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- | 2,868,921 | ||||||
Taxes payable
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1,232,663 | 1,631,900 | ||||||
Interest payable on Trust loans
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1,531,694 | 380,524 | ||||||
Accrued liabilities and other payables
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2,964,375 | 3,160,950 | ||||||
Advance from related parties
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2,056,233 | 1,365,877 | ||||||
Convertible notes, net of discount due to beneficial conversion feature
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4,403,078 | 4,403,078 | ||||||
Accrued interest on short term convertible notes
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253,634 | 191,828 | ||||||
Deferred tax liability - current
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1,252,526 | 1,188,504 | ||||||
Bank loans payable - current
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3,202,977 | 1,811,950 | ||||||
Trust loans payable - current
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5,132,390 | 5,081,010 | ||||||
Total current liabilities
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28,064,309 | 27,097,182 | ||||||
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
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||||||||
Shares to be issued
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11,780,471 | 11,780,471 | ||||||
Deferred tax liability, net
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7,077,810 | 6,429,139 | ||||||
Convertible notes, net of discount due to beneficial conversion feature
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5,806,788 | 4,095,356 | ||||||
Conversion liability
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10,365,872 | 6,438,035 | ||||||
Accrued interest on long term convertible notes
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484,716 | 419,922 | ||||||
Bank loans payable
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4,575,682 | 2,264,937 | ||||||
Trust loans payable
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33,326,215 | 32,992,586 | ||||||
Total noncurrent liabilities
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73,417,554 | 64,420,446 | ||||||
Total liabilities
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101,481,863 | 91,517,628 | ||||||
CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS
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||||||||
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
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||||||||
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 39,198,982 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively
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39,200 | 39,200 | ||||||
Additional paid in capital
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46,755,088 | 44,666,824 | ||||||
Statutory reserve
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5,767,504 | 5,203,605 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income
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7,065,712 | 6,083,840 | ||||||
Retained earnings
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18,811,698 | 14,812,630 | ||||||
Total Company stockholders' equity
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78,439,202 | 70,806,099 | ||||||
Noncontrolling interest
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3,960,450 | 3,404,760 | ||||||
Total equity
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82,399,652 | 74,210,859 | ||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
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$ | 183,881,515 | $ | 165,728,487 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
3
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
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(UNAUDITED)
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THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
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||||||||
2011
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2010
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Revenue
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Sales of systems
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$ | 11,271,254 | $ | 10,125,436 | ||||
Contingent rental income
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291,895 | - | ||||||
Total revenue
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11,563,149 | 10,125,436 | ||||||
Cost of sales
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Cost of systems
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8,456,032 | 7,798,245 | ||||||
Total cost of sales
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8,456,032 | 7,798,245 | ||||||
Gross profit
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3,107,117 | 2,327,191 | ||||||
Interest income on sales-type leases
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5,138,303 | 3,094,568 | ||||||
Total operating income
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8,245,420 | 5,421,759 | ||||||
Operating expenses
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General and administrative
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1,767,689 | 1,359,697 | ||||||
Total operating expenses
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1,767,689 | 1,359,697 | ||||||
Income from operations
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6,477,731 | 4,062,062 | ||||||
Non-operating income (expenses)
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||||||||
Interest income
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34,781 | 59,139 | ||||||
Interest expense
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(2,525,961 | ) | (567,474 | ) | ||||
Changes in conversion liability fair value
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2,533,594 | - | ||||||
Other income (expenses)
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(41,043 | ) | 70,370 | |||||
Financial expense
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(1,067 | ) | (1,931 | ) | ||||
Total non-operating income (expenses), net
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304 | (439,896 | ) | |||||
Income before income tax
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6,478,035 | 3,622,166 | ||||||
Income tax expense
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1,395,930 | 1,036,766 | ||||||
Net Income
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5,082,105 | 2,585,400 | ||||||
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interest
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519,138 | 394,441 | ||||||
Net income attributable to China Recycling Energy Corp
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4,562,967 | 2,190,959 | ||||||
Other comprehensive items
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Foreign currency translation gain (loss) attributable to China Recycling Energy Corp
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981,872 | (41,918 | ) | |||||
Foreign currency translation gain attributable to noncontrolling interest
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36,552 | 206 | ||||||
Comprehensive income attributable to China Recycling Energy Corp
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$ | 5,544,839 | $ | 2,149,041 | ||||
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
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$ | 555,690 | $ | 394,647 | ||||
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
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39,198,982 | 38,778,035 | ||||||
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding *
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55,126,048 | 48,973,914 | ||||||
Basic net earnings per share
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$ | 0.12 | $ | 0.06 | ||||
Diluted net earnings per share *
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$ | 0.09 | $ | 0.05 |
* Interest expense on convertible notes is added back to net income for the computation of diluted EPS.
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
4
CHINA RECYCLING ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
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THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
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2011
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2010
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CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
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Income including noncontrolling interest
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$ | 5,082,105 | $ | 2,585,400 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile income including noncontrolling interest to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
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Changes in sales type leases receivables
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(11,271,254 | ) | (10,125,436 | ) | ||||
Depreciation and amortization
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14,643 | 10,648 | ||||||
Amortization of discount related to conversion feature of convertible note
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1,524,895 | 444,998 | ||||||
Interest expense from changes in conversion liability
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(2,533,594 | ) | - | |||||
Stock options expense
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1,110,093 | 743,400 | ||||||
Changes in deferred tax
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633,074 | 544,818 | ||||||
(Increase) decrease in current assets:
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||||||||
Interest receivable on sales type lease
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(458,740 | ) | (258,908 | ) | ||||
Collection of principal on sales type leases
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1,621,074 | 962,163 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses
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17,399 | - | ||||||
Other receivables
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49,666 | (1,016,977 | ) | |||||
Advance to supplier
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- | 217,066 | ||||||
Construction in progress
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2,135,719 | 4,261,940 | ||||||
Increase (decrease) in current liabilities:
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||||||||
Accounts payable
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967,457 | 1,725,527 | ||||||
Taxes payable
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(414,047 | ) | 229,324 | |||||
Interest payable
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1,142,652 | 385,118 | ||||||
Accrued liabilities and other payables
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(222,842 | ) | (178,852 | ) | ||||
Accrued interest on convertible notes
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126,213 | 122,500 | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used) in operating activities
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(475,487 | ) | 652,729 | |||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
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Restricted cash
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2,164,601 | (265,933 | ) | |||||
Acquisition of property & equipment
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- | (91,879 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
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2,164,601 | (357,812 | ) | |||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
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||||||||
Issuance of convertible notes
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7,583,801 | - | ||||||
Notes payable - bank acceptances
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(2,886,134 | ) | 632,132 | |||||
Proceeds from loans
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4,101,349 | - | ||||||
Repayment of loans
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(455,705 | ) | - | |||||
Advance from related parties
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676,962 | 1,198,651 | ||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities
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9,020,273 | 1,830,783 | ||||||
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGE ON CASH & EQUIVALENTS
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129,416 | (2,042 | ) | |||||
NET INCREASE IN CASH & EQUIVALENTS
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10,838,803 | 2,123,658 | ||||||
CASH & EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
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11,072,250 | 1,111,943 | ||||||
CASH & EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
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$ | 21,911,053 | $ | 3,235,601 | ||||
Supplemental Cash flow data:
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||||||||
Income tax paid
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$ | 1,007,538 | $ | 341,200 | ||||
Interest paid
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$ | 305,755 | $ | - |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
5
CHINA RECYCLING ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED) AND DECEMBER 31, 2010
1. ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
China Recycling Energy Corporation (the “Company” or “CREG”) (formerly China Digital Wireless, Inc.) was incorporated on May 8, 1980, under the laws of the State of Colorado. On September 6, 2001, the Company re-domiciled its state of incorporation from Colorado to Nevada. The Company, through its subsidiary, Shanghai TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd (“Shanghai TCH”), sells and leases energy saving systems and equipment. On March 8, 2007, the Company changed its name to “China Recycling Energy Corporation.”
On February 1, 2007, the Company’s subsidiary, Shanghai TCH, conditionally entered into two top gas recovery turbine systems (“TRT”) projects, each evidenced by a joint-operation agreement, with Xi’an Yingfeng Science and Technology Co., Ltd. (“Yingfeng”) which were approved and made effective by our Board of Directors on April 8, 2007. TRT is an electricity generating system that utilizes the exhaust pressure and heat produced in the blast furnace of a steel mill to generate electricity. Yingfeng is a joint stock company registered in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, Peoples Republic of China (the “PRC”), and engages in designing, installing, and operating TRT systems and sales of other renewable energy products.
Under the Joint-Operation Agreement, Shanghai TCH and Yingfeng jointly pursued a top gas recovery turbine project ("TRT Project") which was to design, construct, install and operate a TRT Project for Zhangzhi Iron and Steel Holdings Ltd. ("Zhangzhi"). This TRT Project was initiated by a Contract to Design and Construct TRT System (“Project Contract”) entered by Yingfeng and Zhangzhi in 2006. Due to Yingfeng’s lack of capital in pursuing this Project alone, Yingfeng sought Shanghai TCH’s cooperation. Shanghai TCH provided various investments and properties into this TRT Project including cash, hardware, software, equipment, major components and devices. In return, Shanghai TCH obtained all the rights, titles, benefits and interests that Yingfeng originally had under this Project Contract, including but not limited to the regular cash payments made by Zhangzhi and other property rights and interests. This project was completed and put into operation in February 2007.
Under another Joint-Operation Agreement, Shanghai TCH and Yingfeng jointly pursued another TRT project to design, construct, install and operate a TRT Project for Xingtai Iron and Steel Company, Ltd. (“Xingtai”). This Project was initiated by a Contract to Design and Construct TRT Project (“Project Contract”) entered by Yingfeng and Xingtai on September 26, 2006. Due to Yingfeng’s lack of capital in pursuing this Project alone, Yingfeng sought Shanghai TCH’s cooperation. Shanghai TCH agreed to pursue this project with Yingfeng as a joint venture. Under the terms of the Joint-Operation Agreement, Shanghai TCH provided various investments and properties into the Project including cash, hardware, software, equipment, major components and devices. In return, Shanghai TCH obtained all the rights, titles, benefits and interests that Yingfeng originally had under this Project Contract, including but not limited to the regular cash payments made by Xingtai and other property rights and interests. This project was completed and put into operation in August 2007.
On October 31, 2007, Shanghai TCH entered an asset-transfer agreement with Yingfeng to transfer from Yingfeng to Shanghai TCH all electricity-generating related assets owned by Yingfeng. As the result, the contractual relationships between Shanghai TCH and Yingfeng under the TRT Project Joint-Operation Agreement on April 8, 2007 were terminated.
In November 2007, Shanghai TCH signed a cooperative agreement with Shengwei Group to build two sets of 12MW pure low temperature cement waste heat power generator systems (“CHPG”) for Shengwei’s two 2,500-tons-per-day cement manufacturing lines in Jin Yang and for a 5,000-tons-per-day cement manufacturing line in Tong Chuan. Total investment in these projects was $12,593,000 (RMB 93,000,000). At the end of 2008, construction of the CHPG in Tong Chuan was completed at a cost of $6,191,000 (RMB 43,000,000) and put into operation. Under the original agreement, the ownership of the power generator system would belong to Shengwei from the date the system was put into service. Shanghai TCH is responsible for the daily maintenance and repair of the system, and charges Shengwei a monthly electricity fee based on the actual power generated by the system at 0.4116 RMB per KWH for an operating period of five years with the assurance from Shengwei of a properly functioning 5,000-tons-per-day cement manufacturing line and not less than 7,440 heat hours per year for the electricity generator system. Shengwei Group collateralized the cement manufacturing line in Tong Chuan to guarantee its obligations to provide the minimum electricity income from the power generator system under the agreement during the operating period. At the end of the five year operating period, Shanghai TCH will have no further obligations under the cooperative agreement. On May 20, 2009, Shanghai TCH entered into a supplementary agreement with Shengwei Group to amend the timing for title transfer to the end of the lease term. In addition, the supplementary agreement provided that Shanghai TCH will charge Shengwei based on actual power usage subject to a minimum of $0.31 million (RMB 2.1 million) per month during the operating period.
6
On June 29, 2009, construction of the CHPG in Jin Yang was completed at a cost of $7,318,000 (RMB 50,000,000) and put into operation. Shanghai TCH charges Shengwei a technical service fee of $336,600 (RMB 2,300,000) monthly for the sixty months of the lease term. Shengwei has the right to purchase the CHPG systems for $29,000 (RMB 200,000) at the end of the lease term. Shengwei is required to provide assurance of properly functioning 5,000-tons-per-day cement manufacturing lines and not less than 7,440 heat hours per year for the CHPG. Shengwei Group collateralized the cement manufacturing lines in Jin Yang to guarantee its obligations to provide the minimum electricity income from the power generator system under the agreement during the operating period. Effective July 1, 2009, Shanghai TCH outsourced the operation and maintenance of the CHPG systems in Tong Chuan and JinYang to a third party for $732,000 (RMB 5,000,000) per year.
On April 14, 2009, the Company incorporated a joint venture (“JV”) with Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. (“Erdos”) to recycle waste heat from Erdos’ metal refining plants to generate power and steam, which will then be sold back to Erdos. The name of the JV is Inner Mongolia Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd (“Erdos TCH”) with a term of 20 years, and registered capital of $2,635,000 (RMB 18,000,000). On September 30, 2009, Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Xi’an TCH”) injected additional capital of $4.03 million (RMB 27,500,000). In November 2009, Xi’an TCH injected further capital of $5.05 million (RMB 34,500,000). As of March 31, 2011, total registered capital was raised to $17.55 million (RMB 120 million), of which, $16.37 million (RMB112 million) was contributed by Xi’an TCH and $1.18 million (RMB 8 million) was from Erdos. Total investment for the project is estimated at approximately $74 million (RMB 500 million) with an initial investment of $17.55 million (RMB 120,000,000). As of March 31, 2011, Erdos contributed 7% of the total investment of the project, and Xi’an TCH contributed 93%. According to Xi’an TCH and Erdos’ agreement on profit distribution, Xi’an TCH and Erdos will receive 80% and 20% of the profit from the JV, respectively, until Xi’an TCH receives complete return on its investment. Xi’an TCH and Erdos will then receive 60% and 40% of the profit from the JV, respectively. The profits to be distributed will be computed based on Chinese generally accepted accounting principles. The main difference between US GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and Chinese GAAP with regards to Erdos is that Erdos is treated as a sales-type lease under US GAAP and as an operating lease under Chinese GAAP. When the term of the JV expires, Xi’an TCH will transfer its equity in the JV to Erdos at no additional cost.
On April 18, 2009, Erdos TCH signed a Cooperation Agreement with Erdos to recycle heat from groups of furnaces of Erdos Metallurgy’s metal refining plants to generate power and steam, which will then be sold back to Erdos Metallurgy. According to the contract, Erdos TCH will install a group of power generation projects with a total of 70MW power capacity, which may expand up to 120MW, and 30-ton steam per hour, with an estimated total investment in excess of $75 million (RMB 500 million). The construction of the projects was split into three phases, two power generation systems in Phase I with a total of 18MW power capacity, three power generation systems in Phase II with a total of 27MW power capacity and one power generation system in Phase III with 25MW power capacity.
At the end of 2009, Erdos TCH completed the first 9MW power station of Phase I of the project and put it into operation. Phase I includes two 9MW units for a combined 18MW power capacity. In March of 2010, the Company completed the second 9MW capacity power station and put it into operation. Pursuant to the Co-operation Agreement and the supplement agreements signed between Erdos and Erdos TCH, Erdos shall purchase all the electricity and steam to be generated from the JV’s power generation projects. Erdos TCH leased the two 9 MW units to Erdos and will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the units.
For each phase of the project, the lease term is 20 years starting from the date of completion of the phase. Erdos agreed to pay a fixed minimum of $0.22 million (RMB 1.5 million) per month for each 9MW capacity power generation unit. In addition Erdos will pay the actual amount if the sale of the electricity generated by each unit is more than $0.22 million (RMB 1.5 million) monthly.
On December 10, 2010, Erdos TCH entered into a supplementary agreement with Xi’an Huaxin Energy Tech Co., Ltd (the contractor for construction) for changing Erdos Phase II project of four 9MW waste heat generation systems to three 9MW systems, and moved the 4th 9MW waste heat generation system into Phase III of the project; and accordingly, the construction cost decreased from $37.4 million (RMB248 million) to $28.1 million (RMB186 million) for the Phase II. In the first quarter of 2011, the Company completed all three 9MW power stations of Phase II and put them into operation. Erdos TCH also outsourced to an independent third party the operation and maintenance of these three 9 MW power generation systems for an annual charge $947,000 (RMB 6.27 million) for each system. After 20 years, the systems will be transferred to Erdos without charge.
On September 30, 2009, Xi’an TCH delivered to Shenmu County Jiujiang Trading Co., Ltd. (“Shenmu”) three 6 MW capacity Waste Gas Power Generation (“WGPG”) power generating systems pursuant to a Cooperative Contract on Coke-oven Gas Power Generation Project (including its Supplementary Agreement) and a Gas Supply Contract for Coke-oven Gas Power Generation Project. The terms of these contracts are for 10 years, and they provide that Xi’an TCH will recycle coke furnace gas from the coke-oven plant of Shenmu to generate power, which will be supplied back to Shenmu. Shenmu agrees to supply Xi’an TCH the coke-oven gas free of charge. Shenmu will pay the Company an annual “energy-saving service fee” of approximately $5.6 million in equal monthly installments for the life of the contracts, as well as such additional amount as may result from the supply of power to Shenmu in excess of 10.8 million kilowatt hours per month. The Company is responsible for operating the systems and will do so through an unrelated third party. Shenmu guarantees that monthly gas supply will not be less than 21.6 million standard cubic meters. If gas supply is less, Shenmu agrees to pay Xi’an TCH an energy-saving service fee described above or up to 10.8 million kilowatt-hours per month. Xi’an TCH maintains the ownership of the project for the term of the contracts, including the already completed investment, design, equipment, construction and installation as well as the operation and maintenance of the project. At the end of the 10-year term, ownership of the systems transfers to Shenmu at no charge. Shenmu gave a lien on its production line to guarantee its performance under the contracts. Shenmu’s three major shareholders provide an unlimited joint liability guarantee to Xi’an TCH for Shenmu’s performance under the contracts and the Yulin Huiyuan Group, an independent third party, provides a guarantee to Xi’an TCH for Shenmu’s performance under the contracts.
7
On January 20, 2010, Xi’an TCH entered into a Technical Reconstruction Letter of Intent with Xueyi Dong (“Dong”) a natural person with Chinese citizenship for Xi’an TCH reconstructing and transforming a Thermal Power Generation System owned by Dong into a 12MW Biomass Power Generation Systems (“Biomass Systems” or “BMPG”) for approximately RMB 15 million (approximately $2.2 million), of which, RMB 7 million ( approximately $1.03 million) was payable to Dong, and RMB 8 million (approximately $1.18 million) was payable to one of the Company’s shareholders, who had previously paid that amount to Dong on behalf of the Company. After the successful transformation of the system, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Asset Transfer Agreement (the “Transfer Agreement”) with Dong on June 29, 2010. Under the Transfer Agreement, Dong transferred the Biomass Systems to Xi’an TCH, and Xi’an TCH will pay Dong RMB 100,000,000 ($14,705,900) for the systems, including RMB 20,000,000 in cash and RMB 80,000,000 in shares of the Company’s common stock. The stock price will be the same as the Company’s public offering price in the first public offering which occurs in 2010 or 2011 but in no circumstance less than $4 per share. The exchange rate between U.S. Dollar and Chinese RMB in connection with the stock issuance is 1:6.8. As of March 31, 2011, the Company had paid the cash portion in full and had shares to be issued of $11.78 million in connection with this transaction.
On June 29, 2010, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Project Lease Agreement with PuCheng XinHengYuan Biomass Power Generation Co., Ltd., (“XHY”). Under this lease agreement, Xi’an TCH leased this same set of 12MW biomass power generation systems to XHY at minimum RMB 1,900,000 per month ($279,400) for 15 years. The leasing fee will increase proportionately with the biomass generated electricity fee in China during the term of this lease agreement.
On September 30, 2010, Xi’an TCH delivered to Zhongbao Binhai Nickel Co., Ltd. (“Zhongbao”) a 7 MW capacity Waste Heat Power Generation (“WHPG”) system, an integral part of the facilities designed to produce 80,000 tons of nickel-alloy per year according to the recovery and power generation of waste heat agreement with Zhongbao, a nickel-alloy manufacturing joint venture between Zhonggang and Shanghai Baoshan Steel Group established in June 2009. Total investment in this project was approximately $7.8 million (RMB 55 million). The waste heat agreement with Zhongbao has a term of nine years and provides that Xi’an TCH will recycle waste heat from the nickel-alloy rotary kilns of Zhongbao to generate power and steam, which will be supplied back to Zhongbao, and help reduce over 20,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year. At the end of the term, the WHPG system will be transferred to Zhongbao for RMB 1. Pursuant to the agreement, Zhongbao will pay Xi’an TCH a monthly “energy-saving service fee” based on the volume of electricity and steam generated the previous month at a pre-agreed price, but no less than a minimum monthly payment of $224,000 (RMB 1.5 million). Zhongbao will supply Xi’an TCH certain gas, water and compressed air from the nickel-alloy rotary kilns free of charge. Zhongbao also guarantees to continuously supply not less than 6800 heat hours per year for the WHPG, or the operating term will be extended accordingly. Xi’an TCH outsourced the operation and maintenance of the WHPG for the whole operation period to a third party for an annual fee of RMB 2.4 million ($366,000). In addition, Xi’an TCH is responsible for applying for the Clean Development Mechanism (“CDM”) under the Kyoto Protocol. Net proceeds from any CDM credit will be distributed between Zhongbao and Xi’an TCH at 60% and 40%, respectively. Xi’an TCH had not commenced the CDM application process as of March 31, 2011.
On March 15, 2011, the Company incorporated a new wholly owned subsidiary Pingshan County Shengda Energy Technology Co., Ltd (“Shengda”). Xi’an TCH contributed cash of $4,559,271(RMB 30,000,000) into Shengda as initial capital. Shengda was set up in order to undertake waste energy recycling projects from a steel and chemical company in Pingshan county as to a Recycling Economy Projects Cooperative Framework Agreement that has been developed by the parties. The final terms for the projects have not been reached and entered, and Shengda is not currently operational.
The unaudited financial statements included herein were prepared by the Company, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The information furnished herein reflects all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals and adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the operating results for the respective periods. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally present in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and footnotes included in the Company’s 2010 audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2011.
8
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
These accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for annual financial statements.
Basis of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CREG and, its subsidiary, Sifang Holdings, its wholly owned subsidiaries, Huahong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. ("Huahong") and Shanghai TCH, Shanghai TCH’s subsidiaries Xi’an TCH Energy Tech Co., Ltd. (“Xi’an TCH”) and Xingtai Huaxin Energy Tech Co., Ltd. (“Huaxin”), and Xi’an TCH’s subsidiary, Pingshan Xian Shengda Energy Technology Ltd Co. (“Shengda”) and Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd (“Erdos TCH”), in which 93% of the investment is from Xi’an TCH. Substantially all of the Company’s revenues are derived from the operations of Shanghai TCH and its subsidiaries, which represent substantially all of the Company’s consolidated assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions were eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
In preparing these consolidated financial statements in accordance with US GAAP, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the balance sheets and revenues and expenses during the period reported. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Sales-type Leasing and Related Revenue Recognition
We construct and lease waste energy recycling power generating projects to our customers. We usually transfer ownership of the waste energy recycling power generating projects to our customers at the end of lease term. Our investment in these projects is recorded as investment in sales-type leases in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 13, “Accounting for Leases” (codified in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 840) and its various amendments and interpretations. We finance construction of waste energy recycling power generating projects and our customers for the price of the projects. The sales and cost of sales are recognized at the inception of lease. The investment in sales-type leases consists of the sum of the total minimum lease payments receivable less unearned interest income and estimated executory cost. Minimum lease payments are part of the lease agreement between the Company (lessor) and the customer (lessee). The discount rate implicit in the sales type lease is used to calculate the present value of minimum lease payments. The minimum lease payment consists of the gross lease payments net of executory costs and contingent rentals, if any. Unearned interest income is amortized to income over the lease term to produce a constant periodic rate of return on net investment in the lease. While revenue is recognized at the inception of the lease, the cash flow from the sales-type lease occurs over the course of the lease which results in interest income and reduction of receivables. Revenue is recognized net of Sales Tax.
Contingent Rental Income
The Company records income from actual electricity usage in addition to minimum lease payments of each project as contingent rental income in the period contingent rental income is earned. Contingent rent is not part of minimum lease payments.
Cash and Equivalents
Cash and equivalents includes cash on hand, demand deposits placed with banks or other financial institutions and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less as of the purchase date of such investments.
9
Accounts Receivable and Concentration of Credit Risk
Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amounts and do not bear interest. The Company extends unsecured credit to its customers in the ordinary course of business but mitigates the associated risks by performing credit checks and actively pursuing past due accounts. The Company does not require collateral or other security to support these receivables. The Company conducts periodic reviews of its clients’ financial condition and customer payment practices to minimize collection risk on accounts receivable. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had accounts receivable of $0.
An allowance for doubtful accounts is established and determined based on management’s assessment of known requirements, aging of receivables, payment history, the customer’s current credit worthiness and the economic environment. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had accounts receivable allowance of $0.
The operations of the Company are located in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic, and legal environments in the PRC, as well as by the general state of the PRC economy.
Inventory
Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost of work in progress and finished goods comprises direct material cost, direct production cost and an allocated portion of production overheads.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred; additions, renewals and betterments are capitalized. When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss is included in operations. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated lives as follows:
Building
|
20 years
|
|
Vehicle
|
2 - 5 years
|
|
Office and Other Equipment
|
2 - 5 years
|
|
Software
|
2 - 3 years
|
Impairment of Long-life Assets
In accordance with SFAS 144 (codified in FASB ASC Topic 360), the Company reviews its long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be fully recoverable. If the total of the expected undiscounted future net cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value and carrying amount of the asset. There was no impairment as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales consists primarily of the direct material of the power generating system and expenses incurred directly for project construction for sales-type leasing; and rental expenses for two pieces of power generation equipment for the operating lease.
Income Taxes
The Company utilizes SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 740), which requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
10
The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, (“FIN 48”), codified in FASB ASC Topic 740. When tax returns are filed, it is likely that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheets along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination. Interest associated with unrecognized tax benefits are classified as interest expense and penalties are classified in selling, general and administrative expenses in the statements of income. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had not taken any uncertain positions that would necessitate recording of tax related liability.
Non-Controlling Interest
The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation,” which established new standards governing the accounting for and reporting of noncontrolling interests (NCIs) in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries and the loss of control of subsidiaries. Certain provisions of this standard indicate, among other things, that NCIs (previously referred to as minority interests) be treated as a separate component of equity, not as a liability (as was previously the case), that increases and decreases in the parent’s ownership interest that leave control intact be treated as equity transactions rather than as step acquisitions or dilution gains or losses, and that losses of a partially owned consolidated subsidiary be allocated to the NCI even when such allocation might result in a deficit balance.
The net income (loss) attributed to the NCI was separately designated in the accompanying statements of income and other comprehensive income. Losses attributable to the NCI in a subsidiary may exceed the NCI’s interests in the subsidiary’s equity. The excess attributable to the NCI is attributed to those interests. The NCI shall continue to be attributed its share of losses even if that attribution results in a deficit NCI balance.
Statement of Cash Flows
In accordance with SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 230), cash flows from the Company’s operations are calculated based upon the local currencies. As a result, amounts related to assets and liabilities reported on the statement of cash flows may not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the balance sheet.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
For certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and short-term debt, the carrying amounts approximate their fair values due to their short maturities. Receivables on sales-type leases are based on interest rates implicit in the lease.
ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments held by the Company. ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” defines fair value, and establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of fair value measurement that enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measures. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for receivables and current liabilities each qualify as financial instruments and are a reasonable estimate of their fair values because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and their current market rate of interest. The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows:
·
|
Level 1 inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
|
·
|
Level 2 inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
|
·
|
Level 3 inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
|
The Company analyzes all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity under ASC 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity,” and ASC 815.
As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company did not identify any assets and liabilities that are required to be presented on the balance sheet at fair value.
11
Stock Based Compensation
The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment, an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 123” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 718 and 505). The Company recognizes in its statement of operations the grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation issued to employees and non-employees.
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share
The Company presents net income (loss) per share (“EPS”) in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 128, “Earnings per Share” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 740). Accordingly, basic income (loss) per share is computed by dividing income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding, without consideration for common stock equivalents. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing the net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding as well as common share equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury-stock method for stock options and warrants and the if-converted method for convertible notes. The Company has made an accounting policy election to use the if-converted method for convertible securities that are eligible to receive common stock dividends, if declared. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur based on the exercise of stock options or warrants or conversion of convertible securities using the if-converted method. The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
Three months Ended
March 31,
|
||||||||
2011
|
2010
|
|||||||
Net income for common shares
|
$
|
4,562,967
|
$
|
2,190,959
|
||||
Interest expense on convertible notes*
|
366,600
|
122,500
|
||||||
Net income for diluted shares
|
4,929,567
|
2,313,459
|
||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic
|
39,198,982
|
38,778,035
|
||||||
Effect of dilutive securities:
|
||||||||
Convertible notes
|
13,858,294
|
7,625,969
|
||||||
Options granted
|
2,045,104
|
2,437,175
|
||||||
Warrants granted
|
23,668
|
132,735
|
||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted
|
55,126,048
|
48,973,914
|
||||||
Earnings (loss) per share – basic
|
$
|
0.12
|
$
|
0.06
|
||||
Earnings (loss) per share – diluted
|
$
|
0.09
|
$
|
0.05
|
*
|
Interest expense on convertible notes was added back to net income for the computation of diluted earnings per share.
|
Foreign Currency Translation and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The Company’s functional currency is the Renminbi (“RMB”). For financial reporting purposes, RMB were translated into United States Dollars (“USD”) as the reporting currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during the reporting period. Translation adjustments arising from the use of different exchange rates from period to period are included as a component of stockholders’ equity as “Accumulated other comprehensive income.” Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in income. There was no significant fluctuation in the exchange rate for the conversion of RMB to USD after the balance sheet date.
The Company uses SFAS 130 “Reporting Comprehensive Income” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 220). Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and all changes to the statements of stockholders’ equity, except those due to investments by stockholders, changes in paid-in capital and distributions to stockholders.
12
Segment Reporting
SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 280) requires use of the “management approach” model for segment reporting. The management approach model is based on the way a company’s management organizes segments within the company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Reportable segments are based on products and services, geography, legal structure, management structure, or any other manner in which management disaggregates a company. SFAS 131 has no effect on the Company’s financial statements as substantially all of the Company’s operations are conducted in one industry segment. All of the Company’s assets are located in the PRC.
Registration Rights Agreement
The Company accounts for payment arrangements under a registration rights agreement in accordance with ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” which requires the contingent obligation to make future payments or otherwise transfer consideration under a registration payment arrangement, whether issued as a separate agreement or included as a provision of a financial instrument or other agreement, be separately recognized and measured in accordance with ASC Topic 450, “Contingencies,” (see Note 14, Registration Rights Agreement for Convertible Note).
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts were reclassified to conform to the manner of presentation in the current period.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In April 2010 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2010-13, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Effect of Denominating the Exercise Price of a Share-Based Payment Award in the Currency of the Market in Which the Underlying Equity Security Trades. This Update provides amendments to Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718 to clarify that an employee share-based payment award with an exercise price denominated in the currency of a market in which a substantial portion of the entity’s equity securities trades should not be considered to contain a condition that is not a market, performance, or service condition. Therefore, an entity would not classify such an award as a liability if it otherwise qualifies as equity. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The amendments in this Update should be applied by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The cumulative-effect adjustment should be calculated for all awards outstanding as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which the amendments are initially applied, as if the amendments had been applied consistently since the inception of the award. The cumulative-effect adjustment should be presented separately. Earlier application is permitted. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In December 2010, FASB issued ASU No. 2010-28, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts. The amendments in this Update affect all entities that have recognized goodwill and have one or more reporting units whose carrying amount for purposes of performing Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test is zero or negative. The amendments in this Update modify Step 1 so that for those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that goodwill impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that impairment may exist. The qualitative factors are consistent with existing guidance, which requires that goodwill of a reporting unit be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010. Early adoption is not permitted. Upon adoption of the amendments, any resulting goodwill impairment should be recorded as a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings in the period of an adoption. Any goodwill impairments occurring after the initial adoption of the amendments should be included in earnings. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In December 2010, FASB issued ASU No. 2010-29, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations. The amendments in this Update specify that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. The amendments also expand the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. The amendments in this Update are effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The Company intends to adopt the disclosure requirements for any business combinations in 2011and thereafter.
13
On March 5, 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-11 Derivatives and Hedging Topic 815 “Scope Exception Related to Embedded Credit Derivatives.” This ASU clarifies the guidance within the derivative literature that exempts certain credit related features from analysis as potential embedded derivatives requiring separate accounting. The ASU specifies that an embedded credit derivative feature related to the transfer of credit risk that is only in the form of subordination of one financial instrument to another is not subject to bifurcation from a host contract under ASC 815-15-25, Derivatives and Hedging — Embedded Derivatives — Recognition. All other embedded credit derivative features should be analyzed to determine whether their economic characteristics and risks are “clearly and closely related” to the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract and whether bifurcation is required. The ASU is effective for the Company on July 1, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In January 2010, FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. This update provides amendments to ASC Topic 820 that will provide more robust disclosures about (1) the different classes of assets and liabilities measured at fair value, (2) the valuation techniques and inputs used, (3) the activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, and (4) the transfers between Levels 1, 2, and 3. This standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In January 2010, FASB issued ASU N0. 2010-01, Equity (Topic 505): Accounting for Distributions to Shareholders with Components of Stock and Cash. The update clarifies that the stock portion of a distribution to shareholders that allows them to elect to receive cash or stock with a potential limitation on the total amount of cash that all shareholders can elect to receive in the aggregate is considered a share issuance that is reflected prospectively in earnings per share and is not considered a stock dividend for purposes of ASC Topic 505 and Topic 260, Earnings Per Share. This standard is effective for interim and annual periods ending on or after December 15, 2009, and should be applied on a retrospective basis. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
3. NET INVESTMENT IN SALES-TYPE LEASES
Under sales-type leases, Shanghai TCH leased TRT systems to Xingtai and Zhangzhi with terms of five and thirteen years, respectively and leased CHPG systems to Tong Chuan Shengwei and Jin Yang Shengwei respectively for five years, WGPG systems to Shenmu for ten years, BMPG systems to Pucheng for fifteen years, and a power and steam generating system from waste heat from metal refining to Erdos for twenty years. The components of the net investment in sales-type leases as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:
2011
|
2010
|
|||||||
Total future minimum lease payments receivable
|
$
|
420,879,568
|
$
|
379,641,671
|
||||
Less: executory cost
|
(112,327,484
|
)
|
(99,866,170
|
)
|
||||
Less: unearned interest income
|
(172,385,526
|
)
|
(154,564,733
|
)
|
||||
Net investment in sales - type leases
|
136,166,558
|
125,210,768
|
||||||
Current portion
|
8,046,236
|
7,624,637
|
||||||
Noncurrent portion
|
$
|
128,120,322
|
$
|
117,586,131
|
As of March 31, 2011, the future minimum rentals to be received on non-cancelable sales-type leases by years are as follows:
2012
|
$
|
36,944,340
|
||
2013
|
35,218,714
|
|||
2014
|
34,406,765
|
|||
2015
|
28,246,325
|
|||
2016
|
27,163,098
|
|||
Thereafter
|
258,900,326
|
|||
Total
|
$
|
420,879,568
|
14
4. RESTRICTED CASH, NOTES PAYABLE – BANK ACCEPTANCES
Restricted cash as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was $0 and $2,151,690, respectively, held by the bank as collateral to issue bank acceptances. The Company endorses bank acceptances to vendors as payment of their own obligations. Most of the bank acceptances have maturities of less than six months. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had bank acceptances of $0 and $2,868,921, respectively.
5. PREPAID EXPENSES
Prepaid expenses mainly consisted of prepayment for supplies, office rental, parking space, insurance and legal fees.
6. CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS
“Construction in progress” is the amount paid for constructing power generation systems. During the first quarter of 2011, Erdos power generation system Phase II, the third 9MW Capacity Electricity power generation system was completed and put into operation. At March 31, 2011, the Company had paid approximately $18.19 million for Phase III of the Erdos TCH power generation system projects, and $5.34 million for Shannxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation project (See Note 20). The Company was committed to pay additional $0.72 million for Phase III projects excluding quality deposits of $120,000 in 2011, and $22.12 million for Shannxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation project.
7. TAXES PAYABLE
“Taxes payable” consisted of the following at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
2011
|
2010
|
|||||||
Income tax
|
$
|
1,004,657
|
$
|
1,237,823
|
||||
Business tax
|
203,304
|
347,654
|
||||||
Other taxes
|
24,702
|
46,423
|
||||||
$
|
1,232,663
|
$
|
1,631,900
|
8. ACCRUED LIABILITIES AND OTHER PAYABLES
“Accrued liabilities and other payables” consisted of the following as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
2011
|
2010
|
|||||||
Employee training, labor union expenditure and social insurance payable
|
$
|
247,497
|
$
|
245,019
|
||||
Consulting and legal expenses
|
372,679
|
541,638
|
||||||
Payable to Yingfeng
|
1,705,243
|
1,730,451
|
||||||
Payable to Pucheng
|
289,793
|
286,892
|
||||||
Accrued payroll and welfare
|
258,238
|
259,120
|
||||||
Accrued system maintenance expense
|
73,142
|
72,409
|
||||||
Other
|
17,783
|
25,421
|
||||||
Total
|
$
|
2,964,375
|
$
|
3,160,950
|
“Payable to Yingfeng” is the cost of obtaining the ownership of two TRT projects (Zhangzhi and Xingtai) that were previously owned by Yingfeng. This amount is non-interest bearing and is payable on demand. “Payable to Pucheng” is the deposit for rental payments by Pucheng.
9. ADVANCE FROM RELATED PARTY, NET
As of March 31, 2011, “Advance from related party” was $2,056,233, including $1,342,200 from Erdos (the minority shareholder of Erdos TCH) as an advance for the capital needs of Erdos TCH, and $725,000 advance from a shareholder of the Company with no interest, payable on demand, reduced by $10,967 which was the quick advance the Company made to its manager. At December 31, 2010, “Advance from related party” was $1,365,877, including $1,328,763 from Erdos (the minority shareholder of Erdos TCH) as an advance for the capital needs of Erdos TCH and a $37,114 payment by the Company’s management for paying certain operating expenses on behalf of the Company.
15
10. NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
“Non-controlling interest” was a 7% equity interest of Erdos JV owned by Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. According to Xi’an TCH and Erdos’ agreement on profit distribution, Xi’an TCH and Erdos will receive 80% and 20% of the profit from the JV, respectively, until Xi’an TCH has received a complete return on its investment. Xi’an TCH and Erdos will then receive 60% and 40% of the profit from the JV, respectively.
As of March 31, 2011, the total registered capital of Erdos JV is RMB 120,000,000 ($17.55 million), of which, $16.37 million (RMB112 million) was contributed by Xi’an TCH and $1.18 million (RMB 8 million) was from Erdos. Erdos TCH engages in a business similar to that of Xi’an TCH.
Erdos TCH allocates its income to Xi’an TCH and Erdos at a proportion of 80% and 20% based on net income calculated under Chinese GAAP. The main difference between US GAAP and Chinese GAAP with respect to Erdos is that the Erdos agreement is treated as a sales-type lease under US GAAP and as an operating lease under Chinese GAAP. The following is the profit and loss statement of Erdos TCH, prepared under Chinese GAAP for the three months ended March 31, 2011:
Net Revenue
|
$
|
2,834,715
|
||
Cost of Revenue
|
(1,626,852
|
)
|
||
Gross Profit
|
1,207,863
|
|||
Operating expenses
|
8,251
|
|||
Income from operations
|
1,199,612
|
|||
Non-operating income
|
1,057
|
|||
Income tax expense
|
(300,167
|
)
|
||
Net Income
|
$
|
900,502
|
The following is a reconciliation of net income per Chinese GAAP to net income per US GAAP:
Net income per Chinese GAAP
|
$
|
900,502
|
||
Adjustments under US GAAP
|
||||
Revenue per sales-type lease
|
8,498,505
|
|||
Cost of revenue
|
(7,048,919
|
)
|
||
Income from operation
|
2,350,088
|
|||
Interest income
|
808,888
|
|||
Income before income tax
|
3,158,976
|
|||
Deferred income tax expense
|
(563,287
|
)
|
||
Net income per US GAAP
|
$
|
2,595,689
|
The following is the balance sheet of Erdos TCH, prepared under Chinese GAAP at March 31, 2011:
Assets
|
||||
Cash and equivalents
|
$
|
3,115,711
|
||
Other current assets
|
956,580
|
|||
Property and equipment
|
49,049,398
|
|||
Construction in process
|
18,720,089
|
|||
Total Assets
|
$
|
71,841,778
|
||
Liabilities
|
||||
Accounts payable
|
$
|
2,568,483
|
||
Other current liabilities
|
2,737,878
|
|||
Long term loan
|
45,756,818
|
|||
Total liabilities
|
51,063,179
|
|||
Equity
|
||||
Paid in capital
|
17,573,578
|
|||
Statutory reserve
|
153,147
|
|||
Other comprehensive income
|
782,222
|
|||
Retained earnings
|
2,269,652
|
|||
Total stockholders’ equity
|
20,778,599
|
|||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
|
$
|
71,841,778
|
16
11. DEFERRED TAX
Deferred tax asset was a result of the accrued maintenance cost on power generation systems that can be deducted for tax purposes in the future; and difference between tax and accounting basis of cost of fixed assets which was capitalized for tax purposes and expensed as part of cost of systems in the book. Deferred tax liability arose from the difference between tax and accounting basis of net investment in sales-type leases.
As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, deferred tax asset (liability) consisted of the following:
2011
|
2010
|
|||||||
Deferred tax asset — noncurrent (accrual of system maintenance cost)
|
$
|
156,029
|
$
|
23,161
|
||||
Deferred tax asset — noncurrent (depreciation of fixed assets)
|
24,584,087
|
22,571,649
|
||||||
Deferred tax liability — noncurrent (net investment in sales-type leases)
|
(31,817,926
|
)
|
(29,023,949
|
)
|
||||
Deferred tax liability, net of deferred tax asset – noncurrent
|
$
|
(7,077,810
|
)
|
$
|
(6,429,139
|
)
|
||
Deferred tax liability — current (net investment in sales-type leases)
|
$
|
(1,252,526
|
)
|
$
|
(1,188,504
|
)
|
12. INCOME TAX
Effective January 1, 2008, the PRC government implemented a new corporate income tax law with a maximum rate of 25%. The Company is governed by the Income Tax Law of the PRC concerning privately-run enterprises, which are generally subject to tax at 25% (33% prior to 2008) on income reported in the statutory financial statements after appropriate tax adjustments. Under the 2008 Chinese tax law, the tax treatment of finance and sales-type leases is similar to US GAAP. However, the local tax bureau continues to treat CREG sales-type leases as operating leases. Accordingly, the Company recorded deferred income taxes.
The Company’s subsidiaries generate all of their net income from their PRC operations. Shanghai TCH’s effective income tax rates for 2011 and 2010 are 24% and 22%, respectively. Xi’an TCH’s effective income tax rate for 2011 and 2010 is 15% as a result of its high tech enterprise status that was approved by the taxing authority. Xingtai Huaxin’s effective income tax rate for 2011 and 2010 is 25%. Huahong and Erdos TCH’s effective income tax rate for 2011 and 2010 is 25%. Pingshan Shengda’s effective income tax rate for 2011 is 25%. Shanghai TCH, Xi’an TCH, Xingtai Huaxin, Huahong, Pingshan Shengda and Erdos TCH file separate income tax returns. If Xi’an TCH had not been granted high tech enterprise status, income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2011, would have been increased by $357,578 and earnings per share would have been reduced by $0.01.
Shanghai TCH, as a business in a Development Zone, was subject to a 15% income tax rate. According to the new income tax law that became effective January 1, 2008, for those enterprises to which the 15% tax rate was applicable previously, the applicable rates shall increase over five-years as follows:
Year
|
Tax Rate
|
|||
2007
|
15
|
%
|
||
2008
|
18
|
%
|
||
2009
|
20
|
%
|
||
2010
|
22
|
%
|
||
2011
|
24
|
%
|
||
2012
|
25
|
%
|
There is no income tax for companies domiciled in the Cayman Islands. Accordingly, the Company’s consolidated financial statements do not present any income tax provisions related to Cayman Islands tax jurisdiction where Sifang Holding is domiciled.
The parent company, China Recycling Energy Corporation, is taxed in the U.S. and has net operating loss carry forwards for income taxes of $5.51 million at March 31, 2011, which may be available to reduce future years’ taxable income as NOLs can be carried forward up to 20 years from the year the loss is incurred. Management believes the realization of benefits from these losses appears uncertain due to the Company’s limited operating history and continuing losses. Accordingly, a 100% deferred tax asset valuation allowance was provided.
17
The following table reconciles the U.S. statutory rates to the Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively:
2011
|
2010
|
|||||||
US statutory rates
|
34.0
|
%
|
34.0
|
%
|
||||
Tax rate difference – current provision
|
(10.0
|
)%
|
(13.0)
|
%
|
||||
Effect of tax holiday
|
(5.5
|
)%
|
(7.2)
|
%
|
||||
Non tax-deductible expense
|
5.3
|
%
|
4.2
|
%
|
||||
Other
|
(0.8)
|
%
|
(0.4)
|
%
|
||||
Valuation allowance on US NOL
|
(1.5)
|
%
|
11.0
|
%
|
||||
Tax per financial statements
|
21.5
|
%
|
28.6
|
%
|
The provision for income tax expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 consisted of the following:
2011
|
2010
|
|||||||
Income tax expense - current
|
$
|
762,856
|
$
|
491,948
|
||||
Income tax benefit - deferred
|
633,074
|
544,818
|
||||||
Total income tax expenses
|
$
|
1,395,930
|
$
|
1,036,766
|
13. LOANS PAYABLE
Collective Capital Trust Plan
On December 3, 2009, the Company and Beijing International Trust Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Trust”) formed a Low Carbon Fortune-Energy Recycling No. 1 Collective Capital Trust Plan (“Plan”). Under the Plan, Beijing Trust raised RMB 181,880,000 ($26.75 million) through sale of 181,880,000 trust units at RMB 1 per unit. All amounts raised under the Plan were loaned to Erdos TCH in connection with its waste heat power generation projects Phase II and Phase III construction and operation.
The Plan included 145,500,000 category A preferred trust units ($21.4 million), consisting of category A1 preferred trust 12,450,000 units ($1.8 million), category A2 preferred trust 15,000,000 units ($2.2 million), category A3 preferred trust 118,050,000 units ($17.4 million); and 36,380,000 category B secondary trust units ($5.35 million), consisting of category B1 secondary trust 9,100,000 units ($1.34 million) and category B2 secondary trust 27,280,000 units ($4.01 million). The B1 units were purchased by members of management of Erdos TCH and the B2 units were purchased by Xi’an TCH. Under the Agreement, the annual base interest rate is 9.94% for A1 preferred trust fund units with a term of two years, 11% for A2 preferred trust fund units with a term of three years, 12.05% for A3 preferred trust fund units and 8.35% for the category B secondary trust fund units, each with a term of four years.
Erdos TCH provided a lien on its equipment, assets and accounts receivable to guarantee the loans under the Agreement. Xi’an TCH and Mr. Guohua Ku (the Company’s CEO) also provided unconditional and irrevocable joint liability guarantees to Beijing Trust for Erdos TCH’s performance under the Agreement. Erdos (the minority shareholder and customer of Erdos TCH) provided a commitment letter on minimum power purchase from Erdos TCH.
On December 18, 2009, an additional RMB 25,000,000 ($3.7 million) was raised to support the Company’s Erdos Power Generation Projects. The Company sold 25,000,000 trust units at RMB 1 per unit which included 20,000,000 category A1 preferred trust units ($ 2.9 million) and 5,000,000 category B2 secondary trust units ($ 0.7 million). The B2 units were purchased by Xi’an TCH.
During December 2009, the Plan sold aggregate 206,880,000 units for RMB 206,880,000 ($30.3 million), of which, 9,100,000 units ($1.3 million) were purchased by the management of Erdos TCH; the 32,280,000 units purchased by Xi’an TCH, the amount of $4.7 million was considered as investment by Xi’an TCH into Erdos TCH and, accordingly, was eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. The net long term loan payable under this trust plan was $25.6 million at December 31, 2009.
On April 15, 2010, Beijing Trust completed the second expansion of the Plan. The second expansion raised RMB 93,120,000 ($13.7 million) through the sale of 93,120,000 trust units at RMB 1 per unit. All amounts raised under the Second Expansion were loaned to Erdos TCH. The second expansion included 2,800,000 category A1 preferred trust units ($0.4 million), 5,000,000 category A2 preferred trust units ($0.7 million), 66,700,000 category A3 preferred trust units ($9.8 million), 4,650,000 category B1 preferred trust units ($0.7 million), and 13,970,000 category B2 secondary trust units ($2.1 million). The B1 units were purchased by members of management of Erdos TCH and the B2 units were purchased by Xi’an TCH.
18
With the completion of the second expansion, the Low Carbon Fortune-Energy Recycling No. 1 Collective Capital Trust Plan reached RMB 300,000,000 ($44.1 million) and completed all its trust plan raising work, of which, 13,750,000 units ($2.0 million) were purchased by the management of Erdos TCH; 47,850,000 units were purchased by Xi’an TCH, of which, 46,250,000 ($6.8 million) was B2 units and 1,600,000 ($235,600) units was A1 units, the amount was considered as investment by Xi’an TCH into Erdos TCH and, accordingly, was eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. The net long term loan payable under this trust plan was RMB 252,150,000 ($38.5 million) at March 31, 2011. Interest expense accrued on this trust loan was $5.9 million and $4.5 million at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.
In addition to the above, under the Loan Agreement, Erdos TCH must pay a management incentive benefit to Beijing Trust upon maturity of the category A3 and category B trust units in December 2013 if the ratio of Erdos TCH’s profit to its registered capital exceeds a base amount. If this criterion is met, the amount of the management incentive benefit is calculated based on a formula tied to Erdos TCH’s net profit and the average registered capital for the 2012 fiscal year. Under this formula the management incentive benefit could range between 0% and 100% of the net profit of Erdos TCH in the 2012 fiscal year.
The management incentive benefit was structured to provide an incentive to management to make the joint venture profitable. Under the Plan, Beijing Trust will distribute the entire amount of the management incentive benefit it receives to the holders of the category B trust units. As previously disclosed, the holders of the category B trust units are the management of Erdos TCH and Xi’an TCH. Category B trust units receive a lower base interest rate than the category A trust units but the economic return to the holders of category B trust units will be enhanced by any management incentive benefit.
Erdos TCH also will share the benefits from Clean Development Mechanism ("CDM") under the Kyoto Protocol equally with Beijing Trust during the term of the loan. Any benefit received from CDM will be paid to Erdos Metallurgy first. Under the agreement with Xi’an TCH, Erdos Metallurgy agrees to deliver to Xi’an TCH 50% of the benefit Erdos Metallurgy receives. Xi’an TCH agrees to share 50% of the benefit it receives from Erdos Metallurgy with Erdos TCH. Under the Capital Trust Loan Agreement between Erdos TCH and Beijing Trust, Erdos TCH agrees that 50% of any benefit it receives will be delivered to Beijing Trust. Pursuant to the Plan, Beijing Trust will distribute 70% of the CDM benefit it receives to the holders of the category B trust units. The receipt of any CDM benefit is subject to a process of evaluation and certification of the project by the CDM Executive Board and is under the guidance of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The first stages of the certification process have been completed successfully.
Bank Long Term Loans - Industrial Bank
The Company entered a loan agreement with Industrial Bank Co., Ltd., Xi’an Branch (the “Lender”) for a loan designed for energy saving and emission reduction projects, whereby the Lender agreed to loan RMB 30,000,000 ($4,575,682) to Xi’an TCH for three years from April 6, 2010 to April 6, 2013. The proceeds of the loan are required to be used in payment for equipment for Xi’an TCH’s energy saving and emission reduction projects. The Loan Agreement has a floating interest rate that resets at the beginning of each quarter at 110% of the national base interest rate for the same term and same level loan (currently 7.015%). Under the loan, Xi’an TCH is required to make quarterly interest payments and, beginning six months after the date of the release of the funds, to make minimum quarterly principal payments of RMB 3,000,000 ($457,568) each quarter. The Loan Agreement contains standard representations, warranties and covenants, and the loan is guaranteed by Xi’an TCH, Shaanxi Shengwei Construction Material Group and Mr. Guohua Ku. At March 31, 2011, $457,568 of the principal was repaid and $1,830,273 will be repaid within one year which was classified as current liability.
The loan has the following covenants during the loan period: 1) maintain the current assets and net assets not less than RMB500million; 2) assets to liability ratio not less than 80%; and 3) the current ratio not less than 2.5. The borrower was Xi’an TCH. As of March 31, 2011, the amount of net assets and the current ratio of Xi’an TCH were not in compliance with the covenants; however, the Company received a waiver letter from the lender from the bank.
The Company entered another loan agreement with the same Industrial Bank for energy saving and emission reduction projects, whereby the Lender agreed to loan RMB 30,000,000 ($4,575,682) to Xi’an TCH for three years from March 31, 2011 to March 30, 2014. As of March 31, 2011, the Company received RMB 27,000,000 ($4,118,114) of the loan. The proceeds of the loan are required to be used in payment for construction and equipment purchase for Xi’an TCH’s energy saving and emission reduction projects. The Loan Agreement has a floating interest rate that resets at the beginning of each quarter at 115% of the national base interest rate for the same term and same level loan (currently 7.015%). Under the loan, Xi’an TCH is required to make quarterly interest payments and, beginning six months after the date of the release of the funds, to make minimum quarterly principal payments of RMB 3,000,000 ($457,568) each quarter. The Loan Agreement contains standard representations, warranties and covenants, and the loan is guaranteed by Xi’an TCH, Mr. Guohua Ku and Ms Chaoying Zhang.
19
The loan has the following covenants during the loan period: 1) maintain the current assets and net assets not less than RMB500million; 2) assets to liability ratio not less than 80%; and 3) the current ratio not less than 1. The borrower was Xi’an TCH. As of March 31, 2011, the amount of net assets of Xi’an TCH was not in compliance with the covenants; however, the Company received a waiver letter from the lender from the bank.
14. CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE
Convertible Notes from Caryle
On November 16, 2007, the Company entered into a Stock and Notes Purchase Agreement (“Purchase Agreement”) with Carlyle Asia Growth Partners III, L.P. (“CAGP”) and CAGP III Co. Investment, L.P. (together with CAGP, the “Investors”). Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Company sold the Investors a 10% Secured Convertible Promissory Note of $5,000,000 (the “First Note”). Additionally, the Purchase Agreement provides for two subsequent transactions to be effected by the Company and the Investors, which include (i) the issuance by the Company of and subscription by the Investors for 4,066,706 shares of common stock of Company, at $1.23 per share for $5,000,000, and (ii) the issuance and sale by the Company to the Investors of a 5% Secured Convertible Promissory Note of $15,000,000 (the foregoing transactions, together with sale and purchase of the First Note, are hereinafter referred to as the “Offering”). The subsequent transactions are contingent upon the satisfaction of certain conditions specified in the Purchase Agreement, including entry into specified energy and recycling project contracts and the purchase of certain energy recycling systems.
The First Note bore interest at 10% and was due November 16, 2009. The principal amount of the First Note, together with any interest thereon, converted, at the option of the holders at any time on or prior to maturity, into shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial conversion price of $1.23 per share (subject to anti-dilution adjustments). The First Note was subject to mandatory conversion upon the consummation of the aforementioned issuance and subscription of shares of the Company’s common stock under the Purchase Agreement. The obligations of the Company under the First Note ranked senior to all other debt of the Company.
As collateral for the First Note, the President and a major shareholder of the Company pledged 9,653,471 shares of the Company’s common stock held by him to secure the First Note. This pledge was released during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011 and is of no further force or effect.
The First Note was considered to have a beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”) because the conversion price was less than the quoted market price at the time of issuance. Accordingly, the beneficial conversion feature of $5,000,000 was recorded separately as unamortized beneficial conversion feature based on the intrinsic value method. As the BCF was greater than the face value of the note, all of the proceeds were allocated to the BCF. No value was assigned to the note option or the equity option (two subsequent transactions discussed above). The First Note was recorded in the balance sheet at face value less the unamortized beneficial conversion feature. The terms for the First Note were amended on April 29, 2008 and the First Note was repaid in full on June 25, 2008, as described below.
On April 29, 2008, the Company entered into an Amendment to the Purchase Agreement with the Investors. Under the terms of the Amendment, (i) the Company issued and the Investors subscribed for 4,066,706 shares of common stock of the Company, at $1.23 per share for $5,002,048, as originally contemplated under the Agreement; (ii) the Investors converted the principal under the First Note (and waived any accrued interest thereon) into 4,065,040 shares of common stock of the Company at $1.23, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the First Note issued under the Agreement; (iii) the Company issued and sold to the Investors a new 5% Secured Convertible Promissory Note of $5,000,000 (the “Second Note” and collectively with the First Note, the “Notes”); and (iv) the Company granted to the Investors an option to purchase a 5% Secured Convertible Promissory Note of $10,000,000, exercisable by the Investors at any time within nine (9) months following the date of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Amendment (the “Option Note”).
The Second Note bears interest at 5% and matured on April 29, 2011. The principal face amount of the Second Note, together with any interest thereon, converts, at the option of the holders at any time on or after March 30, 2010 (or such earlier date if the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009 are available prior to March 30, 2010) and prior to maturity, into shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial conversion price that is tied to the after-tax net profits of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2009, as described in the Second Note. As more fully described in the Second Note, the obligations of the Company under the Second Note are senior to all other debt of the Company.
20
The Second Note and the 8% Note described below are both secured by a security interest granted to the Investors pursuant to the Share Pledge Agreement.
The Second Note was not considered to have a beneficial conversion feature prior to the year ended December 31, 2009 because the conversion price and convertible shares were contingent upon 2009 audited net profits.
On June 25, 2008, the Company and investors entered into a Rescission and Subscription Agreement to rescind the conversion of the First Note and the issuance of conversion shares of Common Stock at the Second Closing pursuant to Amendment to Stock and Notes Purchase Agreement dated April 29, 2008. The Company and the Investors rescinded the conversion of the principal amount ($5,000,000) under the First Note into 4,065,040 shares of Common Stock, and the Investors waived accrued interest on the First Note. Accordingly, the interest expense which had accrued on the note was recorded as a decrease in interest expense for the period. At the Rescission and Subscription Closing, the Company repaid in full the First Note and issued to the Investors, 4,065,040 shares of Common Stock at $1.23 per share for $5,000,000. This was done through a cross receipt arrangement; the BCF was reversed to additional paid in stock. The Company has now concluded that in substance the transaction resulted in the conversion of the first $5,000,000 note into common stock, and based on substance over form, the remaining BCF of $3,472,603 at the date of conversion should have been expensed.
On April 29, 2009, CREG issued an 8% Secured Convertible Promissory Note of $3 million to CAGP with a maturity of April 29, 2012. The note holder has the right to convert all or any part of the outstanding principal amount of this note, together with interest, if any, into shares of the Company’s common stock, at any time on or after March 30, 2010 (or such earlier date if the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009 are available on a date prior to March 30, 2010) and prior to the maturity date (or such later date on which this note is paid in full), at a conversion price per share of common stock equal to US $0.80. The conversion feature of this note is not beneficial to the holder as the stock price on April 29, 2009 was $0.47.
On April 29, 2009, CREG amended and restated the 5% secured convertible promissory note (the “Second Note”), which was issued as part of the amendment of the First Note on April 28, 2008. Accordingly the Conversion Rights and Conversion Price were amended so that the holder of the Second Note has the right, but not the obligation, to convert all or any part of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Second Note, together with interest, into shares of the Company’s common stock, at any time on or after March 30, 2010 (or such earlier date if the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009 are available on a date prior to March 30, 2010) and prior to the maturity date (or such later date on which this Note is paid in full), at the following conversion price: (a) an amount equal to (i) the Company’s net profit, adjusted in accordance with the Second Note, multiplied by (ii) 5.5, and less (iii) the principal amount of the Second Note, together with accrued interest, divided by (b) the then total shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding on a fully-diluted basis. This note is considered to have a beneficial conversion feature starting from January 1, 2010 because the conversion price for this note was $1.148 as of March 31, 2011, based on 2009 audited net profits and the stock price on April 29, 2008 was $1.88. This note was convertible in full into 4,577,851 shares of our common stock as of March 31, 2011. Prior to the maturity date, the Investors informally expressed their intent to exercise their conversion rights on the terms and conditions set forth herein; however, as of May 16, 2011, the Company has not yet received formal notice from the Investors, indicating that the Investors have elected to exercise their conversion rights, and, as such, the formal conversion process has not yet commenced and the shares to be issued upon conversion to the Investors have not been issued. Accordingly, the beneficial conversion feature of $3.35 million was recorded separately as unamortized beneficial conversion feature based on the intrinsic value method and the Second Note was recorded in the balance sheet at face value less the unamortized beneficial conversion feature as of March 31, 2011. During 2011, the Company amortized $623,441 from unamortized BCF.
The interest on the convertible debts is payable annually, in arrears, provided the holder gives 30-day notice before each April 29 that it requires the interest payment. Unpaid interest is due and payable at maturity. At the holder’s election, at the time the holder elects to convert the debt into shares, shares can be issued as paid-in-kind interest to the extent that there is unpaid interest at the time of conversion. To date, the Company has timely paid all interest payable, in cash.
On April 29, 2009, the Company also agreed with the Investors to amend and restate the Registration Rights Agreement for the convertible notes to amend the rights for demand registration by the Investors and the applicable liquidated damages for the Company if it fails to timely comply with the demand for registration.
Registration Rights Agreement
Under the registration rights agreement, the Company must file the registration statement within 90 days of receipt of a demand notice to convert (the “Filing Date”), and the registration statement must have become effective within 120 days after filing (the “Effective Date”) or the Company must pay damages to the holders of the shares to be registered. The Company must also pay damages if the registration statement ceases for any reason to remain continuously effective as to all Registrable Shares for which it is required to be effective, or the holders are not permitted to utilize the prospectus to resell shares for thirty (30) consecutive calendar days during any 12-month period.
21
The damages for failure to meet any of these requirements are equal to 1% of the sum of:
(x)
|
the purchase price of the unconverted notes;
|
(y)
|
the purchase price of shares of Company Common Stock purchased under a related agreement; and
|
|
(z)
|
the conversion price of shares of Common Stock received on conversion of notes, for each 30 days, or a pro rata portion of such 1% for a period less than 30 days.
|
The liquidated damages must be paid in cash; the registration rights agreement does not provide for any alternative payment arrangement. The maximum potential amount of consideration, undiscounted, that the Company could be required to transfer under the registration payment arrangement cannot exceed 1% of the sum described above in any thirty (30) calendar day period.
Convertible Note Agreement with China Cinda
On August 18, 2010, the “Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Sifang, Shanghai TCH and Xi’an TCH entered into a Notes Purchase Agreement (the “Note Agreement”) with China Cinda (HK) Asset Management Co., Ltd, a company organized under the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China (“Cinda”). Under the terms of the Note Agreement, the Company will issue to Cinda two tranches of convertible notes (the “Notes”), each having a principal amount equal to the US Dollar equivalent of RMB 50 million. Also on August 18, 2010, Xi’an TCH and China Jingu International Trust Co. Ltd. (“Jingu”), an affiliate of Cinda also entered into a Capital Trust Loan Agreement (“Trust Loan Agreement”), in which Jingu will raise 100 million RMB under a Jingu CREG Recycling Economy No. 1 Collective Fund Trust Plan (“Trust Plan”) and lend such amount under the Trust Plan to Xi’an TCH (the “Loans”). If the Loans under the Trust Loan Agreement do not occur, then under the Note Agreement the principal amount of the Notes to be issued in each tranche will be the US dollar equivalent of RMB 100 million. All proceeds from the Notes and the Loans will be used to complete the Phases IV and V of the Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd. (“Erdos TCH”) project, a joint venture between Xi’an TCH and Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. to recycle waste heat from Erdos Metallurgy’s refining plants to generate power and steam and sell them back to Erdos Metallurgy, as well as other working capital needs.
Under the Trust Loan Agreement and separate agreements entered by Jingu, Erdos TCH, Shanghai TCH, Xi’an TCH and Mr. Guohua Ku on August 18, 2010, Erdos TCH shall pledge the accounts receivable, equipment and assets of its Phases IV and V projects to Jingu as a guarantee to the Loans, Xi’an TCH shall pledge its 80% equity in Erdos TCH to Jingu as a guarantee to the Loans, Shanghai TCH shall provide a joint liability guarantee to Jingu for the Loans, and Mr. Guohua Ku shall provide his personal joint liability to Jingu for the Loans.
Under the Note Agreement the Notes shall be issued before August 18, 2011. The Notes have a three year maturity date from the date of the issuance of the first tranche. The exchange rate between RMB and US Dollar for each issue of Notes is the middle rate published by the PBOC for the second business day prior to each issuance. Each Note bears interest at a rate equal to that of PBOC base interest rate for the relevant interest period (the period commencing on and including January 1 of each year and ending on and including December 31 of such year) plus two percent (2%). If Cinda does not convert or fully convert the Notes to shares prior to maturity, the Company will pay the difference between the interest rate described above and 18% on the outstanding amount.
The loan has the following covenants: 1) maintain at all time a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 2.0:1.0; 2) obtain consent from the lender prior to pay or declare any cash dividends or distributions on outstanding common stock; and 3) maintain at all time a consolidated leverage ratio of not less than 65%. The Company was in compliance with these covenants as of March 31, 2011.
Each Note has a conversion price at the lower of (i) US$2.46 per share or (ii) an amount equal to the Company’s earnings per share based upon the consolidated earnings of the Company for 2010 on a weighted average fully diluted basis, multiplied by 7. In connection with the Trust Loan Agreement, the Company also entered into an Exchange Rights Agreement pursuant to which the Loans can be exchanged (on the same terms as the Notes can be converted) for shares of the Company’s common stock which can in turn be registered under the Registration Rights Agreement. The Notes will have a contingent beneficial conversion feature which will be recorded when the contingency is resolved.
22
As collateral for the Notes, Mr. Guohua Ku, the CEO and a major shareholder of the Company, has entered into a Share Pledge Agreement with Cinda, on August 18, 2010, to pledge 4,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock held by him to secure the first Note. The Agreement also calls for an additional 4,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock held by Mr. Ku to secure the second Note before its issuance.
As of December 31, 2010, the Company received proceeds of RMB 50,000,000 ($7,533,391) from the first tranche of the loan. As of January 30, 2011, the Company received proceeds of RMB 50,000,000 ($7,533,391) from the second tranche of the loan. Under ASC 815 – Derivatives and Hedging, the fair value of the conversion option is a derivative that has been bifurcated and treated as liability at the date of inception. Based on AU 560 - subsequent events, the conversion feature has been accounted for at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 using the conversion price of $2.46. The conversion feature is akin to a call option, therefore, the Black-Scholes option pricing model was used by using the maximum conversion price of $2.46 as a the strike price. Since the conversion option is an embedded derivative and is bifurcated from the host contact, BCF analysis is not required. The fair value of the conversion feature has been recorded as a liability and will be marked to market until the conversion rate is set. As the loan has a reset clause in the event the Company issues shares below the conversion price, it will be treated as a liability as long as the loan is outstanding. The unamortized discount due to beneficial conversion feature will continue to be amortized over the term of the loan; during the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company amortized $901,454 from unamortized discount due to beneficial conversion feature.
For the first tranche of the loan, the Company recorded the derivative liability of $5.19 million for conversion option at March 31, 2011 based on the Black-Scholes model by using the following assumptions: estimated life of three years, volatility of 100%, risk free interest rate of 1.07%, and dividend yield of 0%. For the second tranche, the Company recorded the derivative liability of $5.17 million for conversion option at March 31, 2011 based on the Black-Scholes model by using the following assumptions: estimated life of three years, volatility of 100%, risk free interest rate of 0.96%, and dividend yield of 0%.
15. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN
Options to Employees
On November 13, 2007, the Company approved the 2007 Non-statutory Stock Option Plan, which was later amended and restated in August 2008 (the “2007 Plan”), and granted 3,000,000 options to acquire the Company’s common stock at $1.23 per share to twenty (20) managerial and non-managerial employees under the 2007 Plan.
The vesting terms of options granted under the 2007 Plan are subject to the Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreements for managerial and non-managerial employees. For managerial employees, no more than 15% of the total stock options shall vest and become exercisable on the six month anniversary of the grant date. An additional 15% and 50% of the total stock options shall vest and become exercisable on the first and second year anniversary of the grant date, respectively. The remaining 20% of the total stock options shall vest and become exercisable on the third year anniversary of the grant date. For non-managerial employees, no more than 30% of the total stock options shall vest and become exercisable on the first year anniversary of the grant date. An additional 50% of the total stock options shall vest and become exercisable on the second year anniversary of the grant date. The remaining 20% of the total stock options shall vest and become exercisable on the third year anniversary of the grant date. Each stock option shall become vested and exercisable over a period of no longer than five years from the grant date.
Based on the fair value method under SFAS No. 123 (Revised) “Share Based Payment” (“SFAS 123(R)”), codified in FASB ASC Topic 718, the fair value of each stock option granted is estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes option pricing model has assumptions for risk free interest rates, dividends, stock volatility and expected life of an option grant. The risk free interest rate is based upon market yields for United States Treasury debt securities at a maturity near the term remaining on the option. Dividend rates are based on the Company’s dividend history. The stock volatility factor is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price. The expected life of an option grant is based on management’s estimate as no options have been exercised in the Plan to date. The fair value of each option grant to employees is calculated by the Black-Scholes method and is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of each stock option award. For stock options issued, the fair value was estimated at the date of grant using the following range of assumptions:
The options vest over three years and have a life of 5 years. The fair value of the options was calculated using the following assumptions, estimated life of five years, volatility of 100%, risk free interest rate of 3.76%, and dividend yield of 0%. No estimate of forfeitures was made as the Company has a short history of granting options.
Effective June 25, 2008, the Company cancelled all vested shares and accepted optionees’ forfeiture of any unvested shares underlying the currently outstanding options.
23
On August 4, 2008, the Company granted stock options to acquire 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001, at $0.80 per share to 17 employees under the 2007 Plan. The options vest over a period of three years and have a life of 5 years. The fair value of the options was calculated using the following assumptions, estimated life of five years, volatility of 100%, risk free interest rate of 2.76%, and dividend yield of 0%. No estimate of forfeitures was made as the Company has a short history of granting options. The options were accounted for as a modification to the options that were cancelled on June 25, 2008. The grant date fair value of options was $5.04 million.
On November 9 and 11, 2009, the Company and three optionees agreed to cancel vested but unexercised options for 87,000 vested but not exercised shares and forfeit unvested options for 203,0000 unvested shares. On November 11, 2009, the Company granted options to two other employees for 290,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at $2.35 per share. The options vest over three years and have a life of 5 years. The fair value of the options was calculated using the following assumptions, estimated life of five years, volatility of 100%, risk free interest rate of 3.84%, and dividend yield of 0%. The grant date fair value of options was $518,513.
On August 13, 2010, the Company granted 2,200,000 options to acquire the Company’s common stock at $3.05 per share to thirty six (36) managerial and non-managerial employees as new equity awards pursuant to the Corporation’s Amended and Restated 2007 plan.
According to the vesting terms, the options granted were divided into three tranches, (i) 1/3 (one third) of the total number of shares subject to the options shall vest and become exercisable if the Corporation meets its minimum revenue and earnings goals in the Corporation’s guidance for 2010 as delivered in its earnings releases and/or conference calls in the first quarter of 2010, such vesting to occur immediately upon completion of the annual audit confirming the financial results for 2010; and (ii) an additional 1/3 (one third) of the total number of shares subject to the options shall vest and become exercisable if the Corporation meets certain financial goals of 2011 which will be set out and decided by the Compensation Committee, such vesting to occur immediately upon Compensation Committee’s determination that the Corporation has met such goals for 2011; and (iii) the remaining 1/3 (one third) of the total number of shares subject to the options shall vest and become exercisable if the Corporation meets certain financial goals of 2012 which will be set out and decided by the Compensation Committee, such vesting to occur immediately upon Compensation Committee’s determination that the Corporation has met such goals for 2012. The Option may only be exercised to the extent that the Option has become vested and exercisable. The management used its estimates for determining the probability of achieving each year’s financial goals; these were 100%, 50% and 50% for 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.
The options have a life of 5 years. The fair value of the options was calculated using the following assumptions; estimated life of five years, volatility of 92%, risk free interest rate of 3.54%, and dividend yield of 0%. No estimate of forfeitures was made as the Company has a short history of granting options. Each tranche of the options was deemed independent of the others; therefore, the fair value of each tranche of the options will be fully expensed within each year.
The following table summarizes activity for employees in the Company’s Plan:
Number of
Shares
|
Average
Exercise
Price per Share
|
Weighed
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term in Years
|
||||||||||
Outstanding at January 1, 2009
|
3,000,000
|
$
|
0.80
|
4.59
|
||||||||
Granted
|
290,000
|
2.35
|
5.00
|
|||||||||
Exercised
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Cancelled vested options
|
(87,000
|
)
|
0.80
|
-
|
||||||||
Forfeited
|
(203,000
|
)
|
0.80
|
-
|
||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2009
|
3,000,000
|
0.95
|
3.71
|
|||||||||
Exercisable at December 31, 2009
|
813,000
|
0.80
|
3.59
|
|||||||||
Granted
|
2,200,000
|
3.05
|
5.00
|
|||||||||
Exercised
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Forfeited
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
|
5,200,000
|
1.84
|
3.52
|
|||||||||
Exercisable at December 31, 2010
|
2,255,000
|
$
|
0.86
|
2.59
|
||||||||
Granted
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Exercised
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Forfeited
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Outstanding at March 31, 2011
|
5,200,000
|
1.84
|
3.27
|
|||||||||
Exercisable at March 31, 2011
|
2,255,000
|
$
|
0.86
|
2.34
|
24
The Company recorded $1,069,080 and $506,126 compensation expense for stock options to employees during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. There were no options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2011.
Options to Independent Directors
On October 30, 2009, the Company granted stock options for 130,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001, at $1.85 per share to three independent directors. The options vested and became exercisable on the six-month anniversary of the grant date with a life of 5 years. The fair value of the options was calculated using the following assumptions: estimated life of five years, volatility of 100%, risk free interest rate of 3.54%, and dividend yield of 0%. The grant date fair value of options was $183,000.
On January 20, 2010, the Company granted stock options for 40,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001, at $4.68 per share to another independent director. The options vest and become exercisable on the six-month anniversary of the grant date with a life of 5 years. The fair value of the options was calculated using the following assumptions: estimated life of five years, volatility of 100%, risk free interest rate of 3.54%, and dividend yield of 0%. The grant date fair value of options was $142,000.
On October 7, 2010, the Board of Directors (“BOD”) of the Company approved the increase in its size from seven to nine members as a result of entering the Loan and Note agreements with Cinda on August 18, 2010 as described in Note 16 above. At the same time, the BOD appointed Mr. Yilin Ma and Mr. Chungui Shi as new members of the Board to fill the vacancies on the BOD until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. Mr. Shi is also appointed as a member of the Compensation Committee of the BOD. In connection with the appointment, the BOD of the Company has authorized the Company to provide Mr. Shi with (i) compensation of $2,000 per month and (ii) the grant of an option to purchase 40,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $0.001, at an exercise price equal to the closing price per share of the Company's Common Stock on October 7, 2010. The options vested and became exercisable on the six-month anniversary of the grant date with a life of 5 years. The fair value of the options was calculated using the following assumptions: estimated life of five years, volatility of 87%, risk free interest rate of 3.54%, and dividend yield of 0%. The grant date fair value of options was $83,000.
The following table summarizes option activity with respect to the independent directors:
Number of
Shares
|
Average
Exercise
Price per Share
|
Weighed
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term in Years
|
||||||||||
Outstanding at January 1, 2009
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||
Granted
|
130,000
|
1.85
|
5.00
|
|||||||||
Exercised
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Forfeited
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2009
|
130,000
|
1.85
|
4.83
|
|||||||||
Exercisable at December 31, 2009
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Granted
|
80,000
|
3.83
|
5.00
|
|||||||||
Exercised
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Forfeited
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
|
210,000
|
2.60
|
4.05
|
|||||||||
Exercisable at December 31, 2010
|
170,000
|
$
|
2.52
|
3.89
|
||||||||
Granted
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Exercised
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Forfeited
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Outstanding at March 31, 2011
|
210,000
|
2.60
|
3.80
|
|||||||||
Exercisable at March 31, 2011
|
170,000
|
$
|
2.52
|
3.64
|
25
The Company recorded $41,013 and $146,525 compensation expense for stock options to independent directors during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. There were no options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2011.
Warrants to Investor Relation Firms
On October 1, 2009, the Company granted warrants to acquire 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001, at $1.50 per share to certain investor relations firms. The warrants are exercisable, in whole or in part, at any time from July 1, 2010 (the “Vesting Date”) to October 1, 2014 (the “Expiration Date”). The Company accounted for warrants issued to investor relations firms based on ASC 505-50 at each balance sheet and expense recorded based on the period elapsed at each balance sheet date, which is the date at which the counterparty’s performance is deemed to be completed for the period. The fair value of each warrant granted is estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model under ASC 505-30-11 and is recognized as compensation expense over the service term of the investor relations agreement as it is a better matching of cost with services received. Under that Agreement, the issuance of the warrants was irrevocable and the Company agreed to take no action to cause the warrants to be void or revoked or their issuance to be otherwise terminated. The warrants are classified as equity instruments and are exercisable into a fixed number of common shares. There is no commitment or requirement to change the quantity or terms based on conditions to the counterparty’s performance or market conditions. The fair value of the warrants was calculated using the following assumptions: estimated life of five years, volatility of 100%, risk free interest rate of 3.54%, and dividend yield of 0%.
The following table summarizes activity for the warrants to certain investor relations firms:
Number of
Shares
|
Average
Exercise
Price per Share
|
Weighed
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term in Years
|
||||||||||
Outstanding at January 1, 2009
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||
Granted
|
200,000
|
1.50
|
5.00
|
|||||||||
Exercised
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Forfeited
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2009
|
200,000
|
1.50
|
4.75
|
|||||||||
Exercisable at December 31, 2009
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Granted
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Exercised
|
150,000
|
1.50
|
-
|
|||||||||
Forfeited
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
|
50,000
|
1.50
|
3.75
|
|||||||||
Exercisable at December 31, 2010
|
50,000
|
$
|
1.50
|
3.75
|
||||||||
Granted
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Exercised
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Forfeited
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Outstanding at March 31, 2011
|
50,000
|
1.50
|
3.50
|
|||||||||
Exercisable at March 31, 2011
|
50,000
|
$
|
1.50
|
3.50
|
The Company recorded $0 and $90,749 compensation expense for warrants to the IR during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. There were no warrants exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2011.
16. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
On June 29, 2010, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Asset Transfer Agreement (the “Transfer Agreement”) with Dong, a natural person with Chinese citizenship. Under the Transfer Agreement, Dong transferred the Biomass Systems to Xi’an TCH, and Xi’an TCH will pay Dong RMB 100,000,000 ($14,705,900) for the systems, including RMB 20,000,000 in cash and RMB 80,000,000 with equivalent shares of the Company’s common stock. The stock price will be the same price as the Company’s public offering price in the first public offering which occurs in 2010 or 2011 but in no circumstance less than $4 per share. The exchange rate between U.S. Dollar and Chinese RMB in connection with the stock issuance is 1:6.8. At March 31, 2011, the Company recorded shares to be issued of $11.78 million in connection with this transaction.
26
ARC Settlement
The Company and investment relationship company ARC China, Inc (“ARC”) entered into a Share Purchase Binding Letter of Intent dated as of July 17, 2009 regarding ARC’s purchase of certain Preferred Stock Units of the Company (the “LOI”). Disputes arose between the Parties regarding the LOI, and a lawsuit was pending in federal court. On September 27, 2010, the Company approved the settlement of the lawsuit and the related disputes, claims or disagreements regarding the LOI and the Preferred Stock Units. Pursuant to the settlement, the Company will issue to ARC up to 520,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at $1.23 per share. The Company issued 350,000 of these shares upon the execution of the settlement agreement. Upon satisfaction of certain conditions of the settlement agreement, the Company may issue to ARC or its affiliates up to an additional 170,000 shares at a price of $1.23 per share. ARC has agreed to provide consulting and investor relations services from November 1, 2010 to February 28, 2011. The Company received $430,500 from issuance of 350,000 shares in October 2010, which was recorded as subscription receivable as of September 30, 2010. The difference between the stock price at the settlement date and the issuance price for the 350,000 settlement shares was recorded as stock compensation expense for investor relations services in the amount of $602,000. A copy of the dismissal of the lawsuit with prejudice was filed by ARC China in Nevada federal court on November 10, 2010. The conditions for the issuance of the additional 170,000 shares were not met; consequently, 150,000 of those shares, which had been issued and delivered to an escrow agent, were returned to the Company and cancelled on March 29, 2011, and the other 20,000 shares were never issued.
17. STATUTORY RESERVES
Pursuant to the corporate law of the PRC effective January 1, 2006, the Company is only required to maintain one statutory reserve by appropriating from its after-tax profit before declaration or payment of dividends. The statutory reserve represents restricted retained earnings.
Surplus Reserve Fund
The Company is required to transfer 10% of its net income, as determined under PRC accounting rules and regulations, to a statutory surplus reserve fund until such reserve balance reaches 50% of the Company’s registered capital.
The surplus reserve fund is non-distributable other than during liquidation and can be used to fund previous years’ losses, if any, and may be utilized for business expansion or converted into share capital by issuing new shares to existing shareholders in proportion to their shareholdings or by increasing the par value of the shares currently held by them, provided that the remaining reserve balance after such issuance is not less than 25% of the registered capital.
Common Welfare Fund
The common welfare fund is a voluntary fund to which the Company can elect to transfer 5% to 10% of its net income. This fund can only be utilized on capital items for the collective benefit of the Company’s employees, such as construction of dormitories, cafeteria facilities, and other staff welfare facilities. This fund is non-distributable other than upon liquidation. The Company does not participate in this voluntary fund.
18. CONTINGENCIES
The Company’s operations in the PRC are subject to specific considerations and significant risks not typically associated with companies in North America and Western Europe. These include risks associated with, among others, the political, economic and legal environments and foreign currency exchange. The Company’s results may be adversely affected by changes in governmental policies with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion and remittance abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things.
The Company’s sales, purchases and expense transactions are denominated in RMB and all of the Company’s assets and liabilities are also denominated in RMB. The RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currencies under the current law. In China, foreign exchange transactions are required by law to be transacted only by authorized financial institutions. Remittances in currencies other than RMB may require certain supporting documentation in order to make the remittance.
27
19. COMMITMENTS
Erdos Phase III of Power Generation Projects
In April 2009, Erdos TCH signed a contract with Erdos Metallurgy to recycle heat from groups of furnaces of Erdos Metallurgy’s metal refining plants to generate power and steam, to be sold back to Erdos Metallurgy. According to the contract, Erdos TCH will install a group of power generation projects with a total of 70MW power capacity, which may grow up to 120MW, and 30-ton steam per hour, with an estimated total investment in excess of $75 million (RMB 500 million). The Company split the construction of the projects into three phases, two units of power generation in Phase I with a total of 18MW power capacity, three units in Phase II with a total of 27MW power capacity and one unit in Phase III with 25MW power capacity. For each phase of the project, the lease term is 20 years starting from the date of completion of the phase. During the lease term, Erdos TCH will be responsible for operating the projects and charge Erdos Metallurgy for supply of electricity and steam. Erdos Metallurgy agreed to pay a fixed minimum of $0.22 million (RMB 1.5 million) per month for each 9MW capacity power generation system.
During the first quarter of 2010, Erdos power generation system Phase I project was completed and put into operation. During the fourth quarter of 2010 and first quarter of 2011, three 9MW power generation systems of Phase II were completed and put into operation. Erdos TCH outsourced to an independent third party the operation and maintenance of the power generation system for $922,000 (RMB 6.27 million) per year for each system. After 20 years, the systems will be transferred to Erdos without any charge.
As of March 31, 2011 the projects of Erdos Phase III are under construction. At March 31, 2011, the Company has paid approximately $18.19 million for Phase III. The Company expects the completion of Phase III projects no later than the end of 2011.
Shannxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation Projects
In February 2011, Xi'an TCH signed a contract with Shannxi Datong Coal Group Steel Ltd Co (Shannxi Datong) to recycle gas and steam from groups of blast-furnaces and converter of Shannxi Datong's metal refining plants to generate power. According to the contract, the Company will install two 3MW TRT and one 15MW WGPG and two 1MW steam power generation systems, with a total of 23MW power capacity for an estimated total investment of $27.45 million (RMB 180 million). The lease term is 30 years. During the lease term, Shannxi Datong will be responsible for operating the projects and pay a service fee to the Company. The service fee is based on an average of 8,000 electricity-generating hours per year and RMB 0.33 per kilowatt hour ("Kwh") for the first 5 years from the completion of each power generation station. For each of the leases, at the 6th year, 11th year and 21st year thereafter, the rate will be RMB 0.3 Kwh, 0.27 Kwh and 0.25 Kwh, respectively. After 30 years, the units will be transferred to Shannxi Datong without any charge.
On February 28,2011, Xi’an TCH entered into an agreement with Xi’an Huaxin Energy Tech Co., Ltd (the contractor for construction) for Shannxi Datong Coal projects of two 3MW TRT and one 15 MW WGPG systems described above. The project is scheduled to complete in 12 months from construction commencement.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q and other reports filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC (collectively the “Filings”) contain or may contain forward-looking statements and information that are based upon beliefs of, and information currently available to, Company’s management as well as estimates and assumptions made by Company’s management. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. When used in the filings, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “future”, “intend”, “plan”, or the negative of these terms and similar expressions as they relate to Company or Company’s management identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current view of Company with respect to future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors (including the statements in the section “results of operations” below), and any businesses that Company may acquire. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ significantly from those anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended, or planned.
Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, the Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made throughout the entirety of this report, which attempts to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
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Our financial statements are prepared in US Dollars and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. See “Foreign Currency Translation and Comprehensive Income (Loss)” below for information concerning the exchange rates at which Renminbi (“RMB”) were translated into US Dollars (“USD”) at various pertinent dates and for pertinent periods.
OVERVIEW OF BUSINESS BACKGROUND
China Recycling Energy Corporation (the “Company” or “CREG”) (formerly China Digital Wireless, Inc.) was incorporated on May 8, 1980, under the laws of the State of Colorado. On September 6, 2001, the Company re-domiciled its state of incorporation from Colorado to Nevada. The Company, through its subsidiary Shanghai TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai TCH”), is in the business of selling and leasing energy saving systems and equipment. On March 8, 2007, the Company changed its name to “China Recycling Energy Corporation”.
In September 2001, Boulder Brewing changed its state of incorporation from Colorado to Nevada and its name to Boulder Acquisitions, Inc., or Boulder Acquisitions. From the date of reincorporation until June 23, 2004, Boulder Acquisitions had no material operations or assets.
On June 23, 2004, we completed a stock exchange transaction with the stockholders of Sifang Holdings Co., Ltd. (“Sifang Holdings”). The exchange was consummated under Nevada and Cayman Islands law pursuant to the terms of a Securities Exchange Agreement, dated June 23, 2004 by and among Boulder Acquisitions, Sifang Holdings and the stockholders of Sifang Holdings. Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Agreement, we issued 13,782,636 shares of our common stock to the stockholders of Sifang Holdings, approximately 89.7% of our post-exchange issued and outstanding common stock, for 100% of the outstanding capital stock of Sifang Holdings.
Effective August 6, 2004, we changed our name from Boulder Acquisitions, Inc. to China Digital Wireless, Inc. From August 2004 to December 2006, we primarily engaged in pager and mobile phone distribution and provided value added information services to the customers in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). We phased out and scaled down most of the business of mobile phone distribution and provision of pager and mobile phone value-added information services, and on May 10, 2007, the Company approved and announced that it ceased and discontinued these businesses.
In December 2006, we began to conduct business in the energy saving and recycling industry, including purchasing certain equipment, devices, hardware and software for the construction and installation of TRT systems and other renewable energy products. TRT is an electricity generating system that utilizes the exhaust pressure and heat produced in the blast furnace of steel mills to generate electricity. It has commercial value for the steel mills by using waste heat and steam to produce electricity for the operation of the mills
On March 8, 2007, we changed our name from China Digital Wireless, Inc. to China Recycling Energy Corporation.
Our current business is primarily conducted through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Sifang Holdings, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Huahong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Huahong”) and Shanghai TCH, Shanghai TCH’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Company, Ltd (“Xi’an TCH”) and Xingtai Huaxin Energy Tech Co., Ltd. (“Huaxin”), and Xi’an TCH’s subsidiary Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd (“Erdos TCH”), in which 93% of the investment is from Xi’an TCH, a joint venture between Xi’an TCH and Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. Shanghai TCH was established as a foreign investment enterprise in Shanghai under the laws of the PRC on May 25, 2004, currently with a registered capital of $29.80 million. Xi’an TCH was incorporated in Xi’an, Shannxi Province under the laws of the PRC on November 8, 2007. Huaxin was incorporated in Xingtai, PRC in November, 2007. Erdos TCH was incorporated in April, 2009. Huahong was incorporated in February, 2009.
On April 8, 2007, our Board of Directors approved and made effective a TRT Project Joint-Operation Agreement (“Joint-Operation Agreement”) which was conditionally entered into on February 1, 2007 between Shanghai TCH and Xi’an Yingfeng Science and Technology Co., Ltd. (“Yingfeng”). Yingfeng is a Chinese company located in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China, which designs, sells, installs, and operates TRT systems and other renewable energy products. Due to Yingfeng’s lack of capital in pursuing this project alone, Yingfeng sought Shanghai TCH’s cooperation. On October 31, 2007, Shanghai TCH entered an asset-transfer agreement with Yingfeng to transfer from Yingfeng to Shanghai TCH all electricity-generating related assets owned by Yingfeng. As a result, the contractual relationships between Shanghai TCH and Yingfeng under the TRT Project Joint-Operation Agreement entered on April 8, 2007 were terminated.
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On April 14, 2009, the Company incorporated a joint venture (“JV”) between Xi’an TCH and Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. (“Erdos”) to recycle waste heat from Erdos’ metal refining plants to generate power and steam, which will then be sold back to Erdos. The name of the JV is Inner Mongolia Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd (“Erdos TCH”) with a term of 20 years. As of December 31, 2010, Erdos contributed 7% of the total investment of the project, and Xi’an TCH contributed 93% of the total investment. Xi’an TCH and Erdos will receive 80% and 20% of the profit from the JV, respectively, until Xi’an TCH has received a complete return on its investment. Xi’an TCH and Erdos will then receive 60% and 40% of the profit from the JV, respectively.
On March 15, 2011, the Company incorporated a new wholly owned subsidiary Pingshan Xi’an Shengda Energy Technology Ltd Co. (“Shengda”). Xi’an TCH contributed cash of $4,559,271(RMB 30,000,000) into Shengda as initial capital. Shengda was set up in order to undertake waste energy recycling projects from a steel and chemical company in Pingshan county as to a Recycling Economy Projects Cooperative Framework Agreement that has been developed by the parties but the final terms for the projects have not been reached and entered, and Shengda is not currently operational.
Hebei Xingtai Steel Group Project
On April 8, 2007, our Board of Directors approved and made effective a TRT Project Joint-Operation Agreement (“Joint-Operation Agreement”) which was conditionally entered into on February 1, 2007 between Shanghai TCH and Xi’an Yingfeng Science and Technology Co., Ltd. (“Yingfeng”). Under the Joint-Operation Agreement, Shanghai TCH and Yingfeng jointly pursued a project to design, construct, install and operate two TRT systems for Xingtai Iron and Steel Company, Ltd. (“Xingtai”). Shanghai TCH provided various forms of investments and properties into the project including cash, hardware, software, equipment, major components and devices. In return, Shanghai TCH obtained all the rights, titles, benefits and interests that Yingfeng originally had under the Project Contract, including but not limited to the regular cash payments made by Xingtai and other property rights and interests. On October 31, 2007, Shanghai TCH entered an asset-transfer agreement with Yingfeng to transfer from Yingfeng to Shanghai TCH all electricity-generating related assets owned by Yingfeng. According to the transferred contracts, Shanghai TCH installed and owns two TRT systems and leases them to Xingtai for five years, from January 25, 2007 to January 25, 2012. During the lease, Xingtai will pay Shanghai TCH monthly rent of RMB 0.9 million ($0.13 million) to use the systems. Assuming all amounts due under the lease have been paid, Shanghai TCH will transfer the title of the systems to Xingtai free of charge.
Shanxi Zhangzhi Steel Group Project
Under the Joint-Operation Agreement discussed above, Shanghai TCH and Yingfeng also jointly pursued a project contract, which was entered into between Yingfeng and Zhangzhi Iron and Steel Company, Ltd. (“Zhangzhi”) on June 22, 2006, to design, construct, install and operate a TRT system for Zhangzhi Iron. Shanghai TCH provided various forms of investments and properties into the project including cash, hardware, software, equipment, major components and devices. In return, Shanghai TCH obtained all the rights, titles, benefits and interests that Yingfeng originally had under the Project Contract, including but not limited to the regular cash payments made by Xingtai and other property rights and interests. On October 31, 2007, Shanghai TCH acquired this contract as part of its asset-transfer agreement with Yingfeng as discussed above. According to the transferred contracts, Shanghai TCH installed and owns a TRT system and leases it to Zhangzhi for 13 years, from July 25, 2007 to July 25, 2020. During the lease term, Zhangzhi will pay Shanghai TCH a monthly rent of RMB 1.1 million ($0.16 million). After the term is over and all due rents are paid, Shanghai TCH will transfer the title of the system to Zhangzhi free of charge.
Shengwei Group – Tongchuan Project
In November 2007, Shanghai TCH signed a cooperative agreement with Shengwei Group to build two sets of 12MW cement low temperature heat power generation systems for Shengwei’s two 2,500-tons-per-day cement manufacturing lines in Jin Yang and for a 5,000-tons-per-day cement manufacturing line in Tong Chuan. At the end of 2008, construction of the cement low temperature heat power generation in Tong Chuan was completed at a cost of approximately $6,191,000 (RMB 43,000,000) and put into operation. Under the original agreement, the ownership of the cement low temperature heat power generation systems would belong to Shengwei from the date the projects were put into service. Shanghai TCH is responsible for the daily maintenance and repair of the projects, and charges Shengwei a monthly electricity fee based on the actual power generated by the projects at 0.4116 RMB per KWH for an operating period of five years with the assurance from Shengwei of a properly functioning 5,000-tons-per-day cement manufacturing line and not less than 7,440 heat hours per year for the electricity generator system. Shengwei Group collateralized the cement manufacturing line in Tong Chuan to guarantee its obligations to provide the minimum electricity income from the power generator system under the agreement during the operating period. At the end of the five year operating period, Shanghai TCH will have no further obligations under the cooperative agreement. On May 20, 2009, Shanghai TCH entered into a supplementary agreement with Shengwei Group to amend the timing for title transfer to the end of the lease term. In addition, the supplementary agreement provided that Shanghai TCH will charge Shengwei based on actual power usage subject to a minimum of $0.31 million (RMB 2.1 million) per month during the operating period.
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Shengwei Group – Jinyang Project
On June 29, 2009, construction of the cement low temperature heat power generation system in Jin Yang was completed at a cost of approximately $7,318,000 (RMB 50,000,000) and put into operation. Shanghai TCH charges Shengwei a technical service fee of $336,600 (RMB 2,300,000) monthly for the sixty months of the lease term. Shengwei has the right to purchase the ownership of the cement low temperature heat power generation system for $29,000 (RMB 200,000) at the end of lease term. Shengwei is required to provide assurance of properly functioning 5,000-tons-per-day cement manufacturing lines and not less than 7,440 heat hours per year for the cement low temperature heat power generation. Shengwei Group collateralized the cement manufacturing lines in Jin Yang to guarantee its obligations to provide the minimum electricity income from the waste energy power generator system under the agreement during the operating period. Effective July 1, 2009, Shanghai TCH outsourced the operation and maintenance of the cement low temperature heat power generation systems in Tong Chuan and JinYang to a third party for $732,000 (RMB 5,000,000) per year.
Shenmu Project
On September 30, 2009, Xi’an TCH delivered to Shenmu County Jiujiang Trading Co., Ltd. (“Shenmu”) a set of three 6 MW capacity waste gas power generation systems pursuant to a Cooperative Contract on Coke-oven Gas Power Generation Project (including its Supplementary Agreement) and a Gas Supply Contract for Coke-oven Gas Power Generation Project. These contracts are for 10 years and provide that Xi’an TCH will recycle coke furnace gas from the coke-oven plant of Shenmu to generate power, which will be supplied back to Shenmu. Shenmu agrees to supply Xi’an TCH the coke-oven gas free of charge. Under the contracts, Shenmu will pay us an annual “energy-saving service fee” of approximately $5.6 million in equal monthly installments for the life of the contracts, as well as such additional amount as may result from the supply of power to Shenmu in excess of 10.8 million kilowatt hours per month. We are responsible for operating the projects and will do so through an unrelated third party. Shenmu guarantees that monthly gas supply will not be less than 21.6 million standard cubic meters. If gas supply is less, Shenmu agrees to pay Xi’an TCH the energy-saving service fee described above for up to 10.8 million kilowatt-hours per month. Xi’an TCH maintains the ownership of the project throughout the term of the contracts, including the already completed investment, design, equipment, construction and installation as well as the operation and maintenance of the project. At the end of the 10-year term, ownership of the projects transfers to Shenmu at no charge. Shenmu gave a lien on its production line to guarantee its performance under the Contracts. Shenmu’s three major stockholders provided an unlimited joint liability guarantee to Xi’an TCH for Shenmu’s performance under the Contracts and the Yulin Huiyuan Group, an independent third party, provides a guarantee to Xi’an TCH for Shenmu’s performance under the Contracts.
Erdos Projects
On April 14, 2009, the Company incorporated the JV between Xi’an TCH and Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. (“Erdos”) to recycle waste heat from Erdos' metal refining plants to generate power and steam, which will then be sold back to Erdos. The name of the JV is Inner Mongolia Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd (“Erdos TCH”) with a term of 20 years, and initial registered capital of $2,635,000 (RMB 18,000,000). As of December 31, 2010, total registered capital was increased to $17.55 million (RMB 120 million), of which $16.37 million (RMB 112 million) was contributed by Xi’an TCH and $1.18 million (RMB 8 million) was from Erdos Metallurgy. Total investment for the project is estimated at approximately $74 million (RMB 500 million) with an initial investment of $17.55 million (RMB 120,000,000). Erdos contributed 7% of the total investment of the project, and Xi’an TCH contributed 93% of the total investment. Xi’an TCH and Erdos will receive 80% and 20% of the profit from the JV, respectively, until Xi’an TCH has received a complete return on its investment. Xi’an TCH and Erdos will then receive 60% and 40% of the profit from the JV, respectively. The profits to be distributed will be computed based on Chinese generally accepted accounting principles. The principal difference between US GAAP and Chinese GAAP with regards to the Erdos TCH project is that a sales-type lease under US GAAP is treated as an operating lease under Chinese GAAP. When the term of the JV expires, Xi’an TCH will transfer its equity in the JV to Erdos at no additional cost.
At the end of 2009, Erdos TCH completed the first 9MW power station of Phase I of the project and put it into operation. At the end of March 2010, Erdos TCH completed the construction of Phase I through completion of the second 9MW power station and delivery of it for operation. Phase I includes two 9MW systems for a combined 18MW power capacity. Pursuant to the Co-operation Agreement and the supplement agreements signed between Erdos and Erdos TCH, Erdos shall purchase all the electricity and steam to be generated from the JV’s power generation systems. Erdos TCH leased the two 9 MW systems to Erdos and is responsible for their operation and maintenance. For each phase of the project, the lease term is 20 years starting from the date of completion of the phase. Erdos agreed to pay a fixed minimum of $0.22 million (RMB 1.5 million) per month for each 9MW capacity power generation system. In addition Erdos will pay the actual amount if the actual sale of the electricity generated is more than $0.22 million (RMB 1.5 million) monthly per unit. Effective January 1, 2010 and April, 2010 respectively, Erdos TCH outsourced to an independent third party the operation and maintenance of the two 9MW power generation projects for $922,000 (RMB 6.27 million) each per year. After 20 years, the units will be transferred to Erdos without any charge.
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During the fourth quarter of 2010, Erdos power generation system Phase II two 9MW capacity electricity power generation systems were completed and put into operation. During the first quarter of 2011, Erdos power generation system Phase II the 3rd 9MW capacity electricity power generation system was completed and put into operation through sales type lease with the similar terms to the Phase I project. At March31, 2011, the Company paid approximately $18.19 million for Phase III of the Erdos TCH power generation system projects. The Company currently expects to complete Phase III in the third quarter of 2011.
Biomass Project
On January 20, 2010, Xi’an TCH entered into a Technical Reconstruction Letter of Intent with Xueyi Dong (“Dong”) a natural person with Chinese citizenship for Xi’an TCH reconstructing and transforming a Thermal Power Generation Systems owned by Dong into a 12MW Biomass Power Generation Systems (“Biomass Systems” or “BMPG”) for approximately RMB 15 million (approximately $2.2 million), of which, RMB 7 million (approximately $1.03 million) was payable to Dong, and RMB 8 million (approximately $1.18 million) was payable to one of the Company’s shareholders, who had previously paid that amount to Dong on behalf of the Company.
After the successful transformation of the systems, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Asset Transfer Agreement (the “Transfer Agreement”) with Dong on June 29, 2010. Under the Transfer Agreement, Dong transferred the Biomass Systems to Xi’an TCH, and Xi’an TCH will pay Dong RMB 100,000,000 (approximately $14,705,900) for the systems, including RMB 20,000,000 in cash and RMB 80,000,000 in shares of the Company’s common stock. The stock price will be the same as in the Company’s first public offering which is expected to occur in 2010 or 2011, but in no circumstance less than $4 per share. The exchange rate between U.S. Dollar and Chinese RMB in connection with the stock issuance is 1:6.8. As of March 31, 2011, the Company paid the cash portion in full; however, the shares to be issued in connection with this transaction, valued at $11.78 million as of March 31, 2011, have not been issued.
On June 29, 2010, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Project Lease Agreement with PuCheng XinHengYuan Biomass Power Generation Co., Ltd., (“XHY”). Under this lease agreement, Xi’an TCH leased this same set of 12MW biomass power generation systems to XHY at minimum RMB 1,900,000 per month (approximately $279,400) for 15 years. The leasing fee will increase proportionately with the biomass generated electricity fee in China during the term of this lease agreement.
Zhongbao Project
On September 30, 2010, Xi’an TCH delivered to Zhongbao Binhai Nickel Co., Ltd. (“Zhongbao”) a set of 7 megawatt capacity Waste Heat Power Generation (“WHPG”) system, which is an integral part of the facilities designed to produce 80,000 tons of nickel-alloy per year according to the recovery and power generation of waste heat agreement with Zhongbao, an agreement that was transferred from China Zhonggang Binhai Enterprise Ltd. (“Zhonggang”) in July 2009. Zhongbao is a nickel-alloy manufacturing joint venture between Zhonggang and Shanghai Baoshan Steel Group established in June 2009. Total investment in this project was approximately $7.8 million (RMB 55 million). The Contract is for 9 years and provided that Xi’an TCH will recycle waste heat from the nickel-alloy rotary kilns of Zhongbao to generate power and steam, which will be supplied back to Zhongbao, and help to reduce over 20,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year. By the end of the term, the system shall be transferred to Zhongbao at RMB 1. Under the Contracts, Zhongbao will pay the Company a monthly “energy-saving service fee” based on the volume of the electricity and steam generated from the WHPG system in the prior month within the first five days of each month at a pre-agreed price, but no less than the minimum monthly payment of $224,000 (RMB 1.5 million). Zhongbao agrees to supply Xi’an TCH the nickel-alloy rotary kilns gas, water and compressed air free of charge, except salty water at RMB 6.3 per ton. Zhongbao also guarantees to continuously supply not less than 6800 heat hours per year for the WHPG, or the operating term will be extended accordingly. Xi’an TCH outsourced its operation and maintenance works to a third party for annual payments of RMB 2.4 million (approximately $352,000) for the whole operation period. In addition, Xi’an TCH shall be responsible for applying Clean Development Mechanism (“CDM”) and the net proceeds from CDM will be distributed between Zhonggang and Xi’an TCH at 60% and 40%, respectively. The CDM work has not commenced as of March 31, 2011.
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Shannxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation Projects
In February 2011, Xi’an TCH signed a contract with Shannxi Datong Coal Group Steel Ltd Co (Shannxi Datong) to recycle gas and steam from groups of blast-furnaces and converter of Shannxi Datong’s metal refining plants to generate power. According to the contract, the Company will install two 3MW TRT and one 15MW WGPG and two 1MW steam power generation systems, with a total of 23MW power capacity for an estimated total investment of $27.45 million (RMB 180 million). The lease term is 30 years. During the lease term, Shannxi Datong will be responsible for operating the projects and pay service fee to the Company. The service fee is based on an average of 8,000 electricity-generating hours per year and RMB 0.33 per kilowatt hour (“Kwh”) for the first 5 years from the completion of each power generation station. For each of the leases, at the 6th year, 11th year and 21st year thereafter, the rate will be RMB 0.3 Kwh, 0.27 Kwh and 0.25 Kwh, respectively. After 30 years, the units will be transferred to Shannxi Datong without any charge.
Related Party Transactions
Erdos TCH sold all power generation stations through sales type leases to Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd., the noncontrolling interest. Total sales and interest income for this noncontrolling interest was $11.3 million and $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, and $10.1 million and $0.3 million for the same period of 2010, respectively.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported net sales and expenses during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
While our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements, we believe that the following accounting policies are the most critical to aid you in fully understanding and evaluating this management discussion and analysis.
Basis of presentation
These accompanying consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with US GAAP and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for annual financial statements.
Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CREG and, its subsidiary, Sifang Holdings; Sifang Holdings’ wholly owned subsidiaries, Huahong and Shanghai TCH; Shanghai TCH’s subsidiaries Xi’an TCH and Huaxin; and Xi’an TCH’s subsidiary, Shengda and Erdos TCH, in which 93% of Erdos TCH’s investment is from Xi’an TCH. Substantially all of the Company’s revenues are derived from the operations of Shanghai TCH and its subsidiaries, which represent substantially all of the Company’s consolidated assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions were eliminated in the consolidation.
Use of estimates
In preparing these consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the balance sheets and revenues and expenses during the year reported. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
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Accounts receivable and concentration of credit risk
Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amounts and do not bear interest. The Company extends unsecured credit to its customers in the ordinary course of business but mitigates the associated risks by performing credit checks and actively pursuing past due accounts. An allowance for doubtful accounts is established and determined based on managements’ assessment of known requirements, aging of receivables, payment history, the customer’s current credit worthiness and the economic environment.
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk primarily are accounts receivable, receivables on sales-type leases and other receivables. The Company does not require collateral or other security to support these receivables. The Company conducts periodic reviews of its clients’ financial condition and customer payment practices to minimize collection risk on accounts receivable.
The operations of the Company are located in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic, and legal environments in the PRC, as well as by the general state of the PRC economy.
Inventory
Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost of work in progress and finished goods comprises direct material cost, direct production cost and an allocated portion of production overheads.
Property and equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred; additions, renewals and betterments are capitalized. When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss is included in operations. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided using the straight-line method over estimated lives as follows:
Building
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20 years
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Vehicle
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2 - 5 years
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Office and Other Equipment
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2 - 5 years
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Software
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2 - 3 years
|
Revenue Recognition
Sales-type Leasing and Related Revenue Recognition
The Company constructs and then leases waste energy recycling power generating projects to its customers. The Company usually transfers ownership of the waste energy recycling power generating projects to its customers at the end of each lease. Investment in these projects is recorded as investment in sales-type leases in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 13, “Accounting for Leases” (codified in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 840) and its various amendments and interpretations. The Company manufactures and constructs the waste energy recycling power generating projects and finances its customers for the price of the projects. The sales and cost of sales are recognized at the time of sale or inception of the lease. The investment in sales-type leases consists of the sum of the total minimum lease payments receivable less unearned interest income and estimated executory cost. Unearned interest income is amortized to income over the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of return on the net investment in the lease. While a portion of revenue is recognized at the inception of the lease, the cash flow from the sales-type lease occurs over the course of the lease. Revenue is net of Value Added Tax.
Contingent Rental Income
The Company records the income from actual electricity usage in addition to minimum lease payment of each project as contingent rental income in the period earned. Contingent rent is not part of minimum lease payments.
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Foreign Currency Translation and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The Company’s functional currency is the Renminbi (“RMB”). For financial reporting purposes, RMB were translated into United States dollars (“USD”) as the reporting currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during the reporting period. Translation adjustments arising from the use of different exchange rates from period to period are included as a component of stockholders’ equity as “Accumulated other comprehensive income”. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in income. There has been no significant fluctuation in exchange rate for the conversion of RMB to USD after the balance sheet date.
The Company uses SFAS 130 “Reporting Comprehensive Income.” Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and all changes to the statements of stockholders’ equity, except those due to investments by stockholders, changes in paid-in capital and distributions to stockholders.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In April 2010 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2010-13, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Effect of Denominating the Exercise Price of a Share-Based Payment Award in the Currency of the Market in Which the Underlying Equity Security Trades. This Update provides amendments to Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718 to clarify that an employee share-based payment award with an exercise price denominated in the currency of a market in which a substantial portion of the entity’s equity securities trades should not be considered to contain a condition that is not a market, performance, or service condition. Therefore, an entity would not classify such an award as a liability if it otherwise qualifies as equity. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The amendments in this Update should be applied by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The cumulative-effect adjustment should be calculated for all awards outstanding as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which the amendments are initially applied, as if the amendments had been applied consistently since the inception of the award. The cumulative-effect adjustment should be presented separately. Earlier application is permitted. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In December 2010, FASB issued ASU No. 2010-28, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts. The amendments in this Update affect all entities that have recognized goodwill and have one or more reporting units whose carrying amount for purposes of performing Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test is zero or negative. The amendments in this Update modify Step 1 so that for those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that goodwill impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that impairment may exist. The qualitative factors are consistent with existing guidance, which requires that goodwill of a reporting unit be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010. Early adoption is not permitted. Upon adoption of the amendments, any resulting goodwill impairment should be recorded as a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings in the period of an adoption. Any goodwill impairments occurring after the initial adoption of the amendments should be included in earnings. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In December 2010, FASB issued ASU No. 2010-29, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations. The amendments in this Update specify that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. The amendments also expand the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. The amendments in this Update are effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The Company intends to adopt the disclosure requirements for any business combinations in 2011and thereafter.
On March 5, 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-11 Derivatives and Hedging Topic 815 “Scope Exception Related to Embedded Credit Derivatives.” This ASU clarifies the guidance within the derivative literature that exempts certain credit related features from analysis as potential embedded derivatives requiring separate accounting. The ASU specifies that an embedded credit derivative feature related to the transfer of credit risk that is only in the form of subordination of one financial instrument to another is not subject to bifurcation from a host contract under ASC 815-15-25, Derivatives and Hedging — Embedded Derivatives — Recognition. All other embedded credit derivative features should be analyzed to determine whether their economic characteristics and risks are “clearly and closely related” to the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract and whether bifurcation is required. The ASU is effective for the Company on July 1, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
35
In January 2010, FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. This update provides amendments to ASC Topic 820 that will provide more robust disclosures about (1) the different classes of assets and liabilities measured at fair value, (2) the valuation techniques and inputs used, (3) the activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, and (4) the transfers between Levels 1, 2, and 3. This standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In January 2010, FASB issued ASU N0. 2010-01, Equity (Topic 505): Accounting for Distributions to Shareholders with Components of Stock and Cash. The update clarifies that the stock portion of a distribution to shareholders that allows them to elect to receive cash or stock with a potential limitation on the total amount of cash that all shareholders can elect to receive in the aggregate is considered a share issuance that is reflected prospectively in earnings per share and is not considered a stock dividend for purposes of ASC Topic 505 and Topic 260, Earnings Per Share. This standard is effective for interim and annual periods ending on or after December 15, 2009, and should be applied on a retrospective basis. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 and 2010
The following table sets forth the results of our operations for the periods indicated as a percentage of net sales:
2011
|
2010
|
|||||||||||||||
$
|
% of Sales
|
$
|
% of Sales
|
|||||||||||||
Sales
|
$
|
11,271,254
|
100
|
%
|
$
|
10,125,436
|
100
|
%
|
||||||||
Sales of products
|
11,271,254
|
97
|
%
|
10,125,436
|
100
|
%
|
||||||||||
Contingent rental income
|
291,895
|
3
|
%
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||
Cost of sales
|
(8,456,032
|
)
|
73
|
%
|
(7,798,245
|
)
|
77
|
%
|
||||||||
Cost of products
|
(8,456,032
|
)
|
73
|
%
|
(7,798,245
|
)
|
77
|
%
|
||||||||
Gross profit
|
3,107,117
|
27
|
%
|
2,327,191
|
23
|
%
|
||||||||||
Interest income on sales-type lease
|
5,138,303
|
44
|
%
|
3,094,568
|
31
|
%
|
||||||||||
Total operating income
|
8,245,420
|
71
|
%
|
5,421,759
|
54
|
%
|
||||||||||
Total operating expenses
|
(1,767,689
|
)
|
15
|
%
|
(1,359,697
|
)
|
14
|
%
|
||||||||
Income from operations
|
6,477,731
|
56
|
%
|
4,062,062
|
40
|
%
|
||||||||||
Total non-operating income (expenses), net
|
304
|
0
|
%
|
(439,896
|
)
|
(4
|
)%
|
|||||||||
Income before income tax
|
6,478,035
|
56
|
%
|
3,622,166
|
36
|
%
|
||||||||||
Income tax expense
|
1,395,930
|
12
|
%
|
1,036,766
|
10
|
%
|
||||||||||
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
|
519,138
|
4
|
%
|
394,441
|
4
|
%
|
||||||||||
Net income attributable to China Recycling Energy Corp
|
$
|
4,562,967
|
40
|
%
|
$
|
2,190,959
|
22
|
%
|
SALES. Net sales of systems for the three months ended March 31, 2011 were $11.27 million while our net sales for the same period of 2010 were $10.13 million, an increase of $1.14 million. The increase was primarily due to the completion and sale of the 3rd 9MW capacity power station of Erdos Phase II project through sales-type leasing arrangements in the first quarter of 2011; in comparison, net sales for the same period, in fiscal year 2010, reflected the completion and sale of the 2nd 9MW capacity power station of Erdos Phase II project through sales-type leasing arrangements. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company received contingent rental income of $0.29 million, compared to no contingent rental income for the same period in fiscal year 2010. The increase in contingent rental income resulted from actual usage of the electricity, in addition to the minimum lease payments we received in the first quarter of 2011 from our Shengwei Group - Tongchuan Project, Erdos Project and Shenmu Project. For the sales-type lease, sales and cost of sales are recorded at the time of leases; the interest income from the sales-type leases is our other major revenue source in addition to sales revenue.
36
COST OF SALES. Cost of sales for the first quarter of 2011 was $8.46 million while our cost of sales for the comparable period of 2010 was $7.80 million, an increase of $0.66 million. Our cost of sales for the first quarter of 2011 consisted of the 3rd 9MW recycling waste heat power generation system of Erdos Phase II project. For the first quarter of 2010, the cost of sales was for Erdos Phase I the second 9MW recycling wasted heat power generation system.
GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit was $3.11 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $2.33 million for the same period of 2010, a gross margin of 27% and 23% for the comparable period of 2011 and 2010, respectively. The gross profit was mainly from the selling of the Erdos Phase II 3rd 9MW capacity power station in the first quarter of 2011, and contingent rental income of $0.29 million, while in the first quarter of 2010, it was mainly for the selling of the Erdos Phase I second 9 MW power generation system.
OPERATING INCOME. Operating income was $8.25 million for the first quarter of 2011 while our operating income for the first quarter of 2010 was $5.42 million, an increase of $2.82 million. The growth in operating income was mainly due to the increase in interest income from selling and leasing our energy saving systems through sales-type leasing.
INTEREST INCOME ON SALES TYPE LEASES. Interest income on sales-type leases for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was $5.14 million, a $2.05 million increase from $3.09 million for the comparable period of 2010. During the first quarter of 2011, the interest income was derived from eleven systems: two TRT systems, two CHPG systems, one WGPG system, two waste heat power generating systems associated with our Erdos Phase I project and two systems of Erdos Phase II project, the Pucheng biomass power generation system and Zhongbao WHPG system. The 3rd 9MW waste heat power generating system of Erdos Phase II project was sold at the first quarter of 2011 and will start to generate interest income in April of 2011. During the first quarter of 2010, the interest income was from seven systems: two TRT systems, two CHPG systems, one WGPG system, and two waste heat power generating systems associated with our Erdos Phase I project.
OPERATING EXPENSES. Operating expenses consisted of selling, general and administrative expenses totaling $1.77 million for the first quarter of 2011 as compared to $1.36 million for the same period of 2010, an increase of $0.41 million or 30%. The increase was due to proportional increases in our payroll, welfare, business trip and marketing expenses as a result of the sale of the 3rd 9MW recycling waste heat power generation system of Erdos Phase II project and continuous expansion of our business; in addition, we recorded $1.11 million compensation expense for stock options during the first quarter of 2011, compared to $0.74 million for the same period of 2010.
NON-OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSES). Non-operating expenses consisted of non sales-type lease interest income, interest expense, bank charges and some miscellaneous expenses. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, net non-operating income was $304 as compared to net non-operating expense of $439,896 for the comparable period of 2010. In the first quarter of 2011, we had $1 million interest expense on loans, $1.52 million interest expense arising from the beneficial conversion feature of the convertible note from Carlyle and China Cinda, but offset by $2.53 million from changes in fair value of conversion feature liability of the convertible note from China Cinda; while in the same period of 2010, the interest expense was $567,474, offset by interest and other income of $127,000.
INCOME TAX EXPENSE. The income tax expense was $1.40 million for the first quarter of 2011, an increase of $0.36 million from $1.04 million for the comparable period of 2010. The increase was mainly due to the increase of income before income tax from $3.62 million for the first quarter of 2010 to $6.48 million for the same period of 2011. The consolidated effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2011 and 2010 was 21.5% and 28.6%, respectively. The change in the consolidated effective tax rate was mainly due to a permanent non-tax deductible interest expense resulting from amortization of a beneficial conversion feature for a convertible note and changing in fair value of conversion feature liability, approximately 5.3% of pretax income; non-tax deductible expenses were added back to taxable income for US income tax return purposes. The income tax rate for Shanghai TCH was 24% and 22% for 2011 and 2010, respectively. Xi’an TCH’s effective income tax rate for 2011 and 2010 is 15% as a result of its high tech enterprise status that was approved by the taxing authority. Xingtai Huaxin’s effective income tax rate for 2011 and 2010 is 25%. Huahong, Erdos TCH and Shengda’s effective income tax rate for 2011 is 25%.
NET INCOME. Our net income for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was $4.56 million compared to $2.19 million for the same period of 2010, an increase of $2.37 million. This increase in net income was mainly due to increased interest income from lease payments for energy saving systems compared with the first quarter of 2010, as well as the sale of the 3rd 9MW recycling waste heat power generation system of the Erdos Phase II project.
37
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 and 2010
As of March 31, 2011, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $21.91 million, other current assets were $9.43 million and current liabilities were $28.06 million. Working capital was $3.28 million. The debt-to-equity ratio was 0.66:1 at March 31, 2011.
The following is a summary of cash provided by or used in each of the indicated types of activities during the three month ended March 31, 2011and 2010:
2011
|
2010
|
|||||||
Cash provided by (used in):
|
||||||||
Operating Activities
|
$
|
(475,487
|
)
|
$
|
652,729
|
|||
Investing Activities
|
2,164,601
|
(357,812
|
)
|
|||||
Financing Activities
|
9,020,273
|
1,830,783
|
Net cash flow used in operating activities was $475,487 during the first quarter of 2011, as compared to $652,729 provided by the comparable period of 2010. The increase in net cash outflow was mainly from the sale of our 3rd 9MW recycling waste heat power generation system of the Erdos Phase II project through sales-type lease for $11.56 million. This project commenced construction in 2010 and was completed in the first quarter of 2011, which resulted in cash inflow from construction in progress in 2011, but we paid $5.34 million for constructing Shannxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation Projects. The construction was considered an operating activity due to the similar nature of producing inventory for sale. Cash received from collection of principal on sales type leases was $1.91 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared with $0.96 million in the same period of 2010, an increase of $0.95 million.
Net cash flow provided by investing activities was $2.16 million in the first quarter of 2011, compared to $0.36 million used in the comparable period of 2010. The increase of net cash flow provided by investing activities was mainly due to the release of restricted cash of 2.16 million from the bank which we previously deposited in the bank as collateral for the bank acceptances. While in the same period of 2010, we deposited into bank of $0.27 million as restricted cash and purchased equipment for $91,879.
Net cash flow provided by financing activities was $9.02 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $1.83 million for the comparable period in 2010. The increase was mainly due to the $7.58 million proceeds from convertible notes from China Cinda, $4.1 million proceeds from a bank loan, despite repayment on notes payable (bank acceptances) of $2.89 million and repayment of bank loan for $0.46 million.
On June 29, 2010, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Asset Transfer Agreement (the “Transfer Agreement”) with Dong, a natural person with Chinese citizenship. Under the Transfer Agreement, Dong transferred the Biomass Systems to Xi’an TCH, and Xi’an TCH will pay Dong RMB 100,000,000 ($14,705,900) for the systems, including RMB 20,000,000 in cash and RMB 80,000,000 with equivalent shares of the Company’s common stock. The stock price will be the same price as the Company’s public offering price in the first public offering which occurs in 2010 or 2011 but in no circumstance less than $4 per share. The exchange rate between U.S. Dollar and Chinese RMB in connection with the stock issuance is 1:6.8. As of March 31, 2011, the Company recorded shares to be issued of $11.78 million in connection with this transaction, although the shares have not yet been issued.
We believe we have sufficient cash to continue our current business through 2011 due to stable recurring receipts from interest income from sales-type leases in place. As of March 31, 2011, we have two TRT systems, two CHPG systems, one WGPG system, five recycling waste heat power generating systems from the Erdos projects, one BMPG and one WHPG of Zhongbao, currently generating net cash inflow. In addition, we have access to bank loans in case of an immediate need for working capital. We believe we have sufficient cash resources to cover our anticipated capital expenditures in 2011.
We do not believe inflation has had a significant negative impact on our results of operations during 2011.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have not entered into any other financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. We have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as stockholder’s equity or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us.
38
Contractual Obligations
Convertible Notes Payable - Carlyle
On April 29, 2008, we issued and sold to Carlyle Asia Growth Partners III, L.P. (“CAGP”) and CAGP III Co. Investment, L.P. (together with CAGP, the “Investors”) a 5% Secured Convertible Promissory Note of $5,000,000. The terms for the Note were amended and restated on April 29, 2009.
This note bears interest at 5% and matured on April 29, 2011. The principal amount of the note, together with any interest thereon, convert, at the option of the holders at any time on or after March 16, 2010 and prior to maturity, into shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial conversion price tied to the after-tax net profits of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009. Based on our after-tax profits in 2009, the conversion price is $1.148 per share, and this note was convertible in full into 4,577,851 shares of our common stock as of March 31, 2011. Prior to the maturity date, the Investors informally expressed their intent to exercise their conversion rights on the terms and conditions set forth herein; however, as of May 16, 2011, the Company has not yet received formal notice from the Investors, indicating that the Investors have elected to exercise their conversion rights, and, as such, the formal conversion process has not yet commenced and the shares to be issued upon conversion to the Investors have not been issued. The obligation of the Company under this note is ranked senior to all other debt of the Company. The note is secured by a security interest granted to the investors pursuant to a share pledge agreement. This pledge was released during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011 and is of no further force or effect
On April 29, 2009, we issued an 8% Secured Convertible Promissory Note of $3 million to Carlyle Asia Growth Partners III, L.P. with a maturity date of April 29, 2012. The note holder has the right to convert all or any part of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of this note, together with interest, if any, into shares of our common stock, at any time on or after March 16, 2010 and prior to the maturity date (or such later date on which this note is paid in full), at a conversion price per share of common stock equal to US $0.80, and this note was convertible in full into 3,750,000 shares of our common stock as of March 31, 2011. These conversion shares rank pari-passu with those issuable under the 5% Secured Convertible Promissory Note.
Loan Payable – Collective Capital Trust Plan
On December 3, 2009, Beijing International Trust Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Trust”) formed a Low Carbon Fortune-Energy Recycling No. 1 Collective Capital Trust Plan (“Plan”), pursuant to the Capital Trust Loan Agreement entered into by Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd and Beijing Trust dated November 19, 2009. Under the Plan, Beijing Trust raised RMB 181,880,000 ($26.75 million) through the sale of 181,880,000 total trust units at RMB 1 per unit. All amounts raised under the Plan are loaned to Erdos TCH in connection with the construction and operation of Phases II and III of the Erdos Power Generation Projects. These projects, when completed, will recycle waste heat from Erdos Metallurgy’s metal refining plants to generate electric power and steam, which will then be sold back to Erdos Metallurgy.
The Plan included 145,500,000 category A preferred trust units ($21.4 million), consisting of 12,450,000 category A1 preferred trust units ($1.8 million), 15,000,000 category A2 preferred trust units ($2.2 million), 118,050,000 category A3 preferred trust units ($17.4 million); and 36,380,000 category B secondary trust units ($5.35 million), consisting of 9,100,000 category B1 secondary trust units ($1.34 million) and 27,280,000 category B2 secondary trust units ($4.01 million). The B1 units were purchased by members of management of Erdos TCH and the B2 units were purchased by Xi’an TCH. Under the Agreement, the annual base interest rate is 9.94% for A1 preferred trust fund units with a term of two years, 11% for A2 preferred trust fund units with a term of three years, 12.05% for A3 preferred trust fund units and 8.35% for the category B secondary trust fund units, each with a term of four years.
Erdos TCH gave a lien on its equipment, assets and accounts receivable to guarantee the loans under the Agreement. Xi’an TCH and Mr. Guohua Ku, our CEO, also gave unconditional and irrevocable joint liability guarantees to Beijing Trust for Erdos TCH’s performance under the Agreement. Erdos (the minority stockholder and customer of Erdos TCH) provided a commitment letter on minimum power purchase from Erdos TCH.
On December 18, 2009, an additional RMB 25,000,000 ($3.68 million) was raised by Beijing Trust to support the Company’s Erdos Power Generation Projects. Beijing Trust sold 25,000,000 trust units at RMB 1 per unit which included 20,000,000 category A1 preferred trust units ($ 2.94 million) and 5,000,000 category B2 secondary trust units ($ 0.74 million). The B2 units were purchased by Xi’an TCH.
39
During December 2009, the Company sold aggregate 206,880,000 units for RMB 206,880,000 ($30.30 million), of which 9,100,000 units ($1.33 million) were purchased by the management of Erdos TCH; 32,280,000 units ($4.73 million) were purchased by Xi’an TCH; the amount of $4.73 million was considered as investment by Xi’an TCH into Erdos TCH and, accordingly, was eliminated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
On April 15, 2010, Beijing Trust completed the second expansion of the Plan. The second expansion of the Plan raised RMB 93,120,000 ($13.69 million) through the sale of 93,120,000 trust units at RMB 1 per unit. All amounts raised under the Second Expansion of the Plan are to be loaned to Erdos TCH. The second expansion of the Plan includes 2,800,000 category A1 preferred trust units ($0.41 million), 5,000,000 category A2 preferred trust units ($0.73 million), 66,700,000 category A3 preferred trust units ($9.81 million) and 4,650,000 category B1 preferred trust units ($0.68 million) and 13,970,000 category B2 secondary trust units ($2.05 million). The B1 units were purchased by members of management of Erdos TCH and the B2 units have been purchased by Xi’an TCH. With the completion of the second expansion of the Plan, the Low Carbon Fortune-Energy Recycling No. 1 Collective Capital Trust Plan has reached RMB 300,000,000 ($44.12 million) and completed its entire trust plan fund raising work. The net long term loan payable under this trust plan was RMB 252,150,000 ($38.5 million) at March 31, 2011. Interest expense accrued on this trust loan was $5.9 million and $4.5 million at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.
In addition to the above, under the Loan Agreement, Erdos TCH must pay a management incentive benefit to Beijing Trust upon maturity of the category A3 and category B trust units in December 2013 if the ratio of Erdos TCH’s profit to its registered capital exceeds a base amount. If this criterion is met, the amount of the management incentive benefit is calculated based on a formula tied to Erdos TCH’s net profit and the average registered capital for the 2012 fiscal year. Under this formula the management incentive benefit could range between 0% and 100% of the net profit of Erdos TCH in the 2012 fiscal year.
The management incentive benefit was structured to provide an incentive to management to make the joint venture profitable. Under the Plan, Beijing Trust will distribute the entire amount of the management incentive benefit it receives to the holders of the category B trust units. As previously disclosed, the holders of the category B trust units are the management of Erdos TCH and Xi’an TCH. Category B trust units receive a lower base interest rate than the category A trust units but the economic return to the holders of category B trust units will be enhanced by any management incentive benefit.
Erdos TCH also agrees to share the benefits from Clean Development Mechanism ("CDM") under the Kyoto Protocol equally with Beijing Trust during the term of the loan. Any benefit received from CDM will be paid to Erdos Metallurgy first. Under the agreement with Xi’an TCH, Erdos Metallurgy agrees to deliver to Xi’an TCH 50% of the benefit Erdos Metallurgy receives. Xi’an TCH agrees to share 50% of the benefit it receives from Erdos Metallurgy with Erdos TCH. Under the Capital Trust Loan Agreement between Erdos TCH and Beijing Trust, Erdos TCH agrees that 50% of any benefit it receives will be delivered to Beijing Trust. Pursuant to the Plan, Beijing Trust will distribute 70% of the CDM benefit it receives to the holders of the category B trust units. The receipt of any CDM benefit is subject to a process of evaluation and certification of the project by the CDM Executive Board and is under the guidance of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The first stages of the certification process have been completed successfully.
Bank Long Term Loan
The Company entered a loan agreement with Industrial Bank Co., Ltd., Xi’an Branch (the “Lender”) for a loan designed for energy saving and emission reduction projects, whereby the Lender agreed to loan RMB 30,000,000 ($4,529,875) to Xi’an TCH for three years from April 6, 2010 to April 6, 2013. The proceeds of the loan are required to be used for equipment for Xi’an TCH’s energy saving and emission reduction projects. The Loan Agreement has a floating interest rate that resets at the beginning of each quarter at 110% of the national base interest rate for the same term and same level loan (currently 5.4%). Under the loan, Xi’an TCH is required to make quarterly interest payments and, beginning six months after the date of the release of the funds, to make minimum quarterly principal payments of RMB 3,000,000 (approximately $452,987) each quarter. The Loan Agreement contains standard representations, warranties and covenants, and the loan is guaranteed by Xi’an TCH, Shaanxi Shengwei Construction Material Group and Mr. Guohua Ku. At March 31, 2011, $457,568 of the principal was repaid and $1,830,273 is schedule to be repaid within one year.
The Company entered another loan agreement with the same Industrial Bank for energy saving and emission reduction projects, whereby the Lender agreed to loan RMB 30,000,000 ($4,575,682) to Xi’an TCH for three years from March 31, 2011 to March 30, 2014. As of March 31, 2011, the Company received RMB 27,000,000 ($4,118,114) of the loan. The proceeds of the loan are required to be used in payment for construction and equipment purchase for Xi’an TCH’s energy saving and emission reduction projects. The Loan Agreement has a floating interest rate that resets at the beginning of each quarter at 115% of the national base interest rate for the same term and same level loan (currently 7.015%). Under the loan, Xi’an TCH is required to make quarterly interest payments and, beginning six months after the date of the release of the funds, to make minimum quarterly principal payments of RMB 3,000,000 ($457,568) each quarter. The Loan Agreement contains standard representations, warranties and covenants, and the loan is guaranteed by Xi’an TCH, Mr. Guohua Ku and Ms Chaoying Zhang.
40
Convertible note agreement with China Cinda
On August 18, 2010, the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Sifang, Shanghai TCH and Xi’an TCH entered into a Notes Purchase Agreement (the “Note Agreement”) with China Cinda (HK) Asset Management Co., Ltd, a company organized under the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China (“Cinda”). Under the terms of the Note Agreement, the Company will issue to Cinda two tranches of convertible notes (the “Notes”), each having a principal amount equal to the US Dollar equivalent of RMB 50 million ($7.6 million). Also on August 18, 2010, Xi’an TCH and China Jingu International Trust Co. Ltd. (“Jingu”), an affiliate of Cinda also entered into a Capital Trust Loan Agreement (“Trust Loan Agreement”), in which Jingu will raise 100 million RMB under a Jingu CREG Recycling Economy No. 1 Collective Fund Trust Plan (“Trust Plan”) and lend such amount under the Trust Plan to Xi’an TCH (the “Loans”). If the Loans under the Trust Loan Agreement do not occur, then under the Note Agreement the principal amount of the Notes to be issued in each tranche will be the US dollar equivalent of RMB 100 million ($15.2 million). All proceeds from the Notes and the Loans will be used to complete the Phases IV and V of the Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd. (“Erdos TCH”) project, a joint venture between Xi’an TCH and Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. to recycle waste heat from Erdos Metallurgy’s refining plants to generate power and steam and sell them back to Erdos Metallurgy, as well as other working capital needs.
The term of the Loans is for three years from the date of the first draw. The interest rate for the Loans is the People’s Bank of China (“PBOC”)’s three year loan base interest rate plus two percent (2%). If the Loans are not fully exchanged for shares of the Common Stock of the Company as described below prior to maturity, Xi’an TCH will pay the difference between the interest rate described above and 18% on the outstanding amount. Under the Trust Loan Agreement and separate agreements entered by Jingu, Erdos TCH, Shanghai TCH, Xi’an TCH and Mr. Guohua Ku on August 18, 2010, Erdos TCH shall pledge the accounts receivable, equipment and assets of its Phases IV and V projects to Jingu as a guarantee to the Loans, Xi’an TCH shall pledge its 80% equity in Erdos TCH to Jingu as a guarantee to the Loans, Shanghai TCH shall provide a joint liability guarantee to Jingu for the Loans, and Mr. Guohua Ku shall provide his personal joint liability to Jingu for the Loans.
Under the Note Agreement the Notes shall be issued before August 18, 2011. The Notes have a three year maturity date from the date of the issuance of the first tranche. The exchange rate between RMB and US Dollar for each issue of Notes is the middle rate published by the PBOC for the second business day prior to each issuance. Each Note bears interest at a rate equal to that of PBOC base interest rate for the relevant interest period (the period commencing on and including January 1 of each year and ending on and including December 31 of such year) plus two percent (2%). If Cinda does not convert or fully convert the Notes to shares prior to maturity, the Company will pay the difference between the interest rate described above and 18% on the outstanding amount.
As collateral for the Notes, Mr. Guohua Ku, the CEO and a major shareholder of the Company, has entered into a Share Pledge Agreement with Cinda, on August 18, 2010, to pledge 4,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock held by him to secure the first Note. The Agreement also calls for an additional 4,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock held by Mr. Ku to secure the second Note before its issuance. On December 30, 2010, the Company received proceeds of RMB50, 000,000 ($7,533,391) from the first tranche of the loan. On January 30, 2011, the Company received proceeds of RMB 50,000,000 ($7,533,391) from the second tranche of the loan.
Commitments
Erdos Phase III of Power Generation Projects
In April 2009, Erdos TCH signed a contract with Erdos Metallurgy to recycle heat from groups of furnaces of Erdos Metallurgy’s metal refining plants to generate power and steam, to be sold back to Erdos Metallurgy. According to the contract, Erdos TCH will install a group of power generation projects with a total of 70MW power capacity, which may grow up to 120MW, and 30-ton steam per hour, with an estimated total investment in excess of $75 million (RMB 500 million). The Company split the construction of the projects into three phases, two units of power generation in Phase I with a total of 18MW power capacity, three units in Phase II with a total of 27MW power capacity and one unit in Phase III with 25MW power capacity. For each phase of the project, the lease term is 20 years starting from the date of completion of the phase. During the lease term, Erdos TCH will be responsible for operating the projects and charge Erdos Metallurgy for supply of electricity and steam. Erdos Metallurgy agreed to pay a fixed minimum of $0.22 million (RMB 1.5 million) per month for each 9MW capacity power generation system.
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During the first quarter of 2010, Erdos power generation system Phase I project was completed and put into operation. During the fourth quarter of 2010 and first quarter of 2011, three 9MW power generation systems of Phase II were completed and put into operation. Erdos TCH outsourced to an independent third party the operation and maintenance of the power generation system for $922,000 (RMB 6.27 million) per year for each system. After 20 years, the systems will be transferred to Erdos without any charge.
As of March 31, 2011 the projects of Erdos Phase III are under construction. At March 31, 2011, the Company has paid approximately $18.19 million for Phase III. The Company expects the completion of Phase III projects no later than the end of 2011.
Shannxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation Projects
In February 2011, Xi'an TCH signed a contract with Shannxi Datong Coal Group Steel Ltd Co (Shannxi Datong) to recycle gas and steam from groups of blast-furnaces and converter of Shannxi Datong's metal refining plants to generate power. According to the contract, the Company will install two 3MW TRT and one 15MW WGPG and two 1MW steam power generation systems, with a total of 23MW power capacity for an estimated total investment of $27.45 million (RMB 180 million). The lease term is 30 years. During the lease term, Shannxi Datong will be responsible for operating the projects and pay a service fee to the Company. The service fee is based on an average of 8,000 electricity-generating hours per year and RMB 0.33 per kilowatt hour ("Kwh") for the first 5 years from the completion of each power generation station. For each of the leases, at the 6th year, 11th year and 21st year thereafter, the rate will be RMB 0.3 Kwh, 0.27 Kwh and 0.25 Kwh, respectively. After 30 years, the units will be transferred to Shannxi Datong without any charge.
On February 28,2011, Xi’an TCH entered into an agreement with Xi’an Huaxin Energy Tech Co., Ltd (the contractor for construction) for Shannxi Datong Coal projects of two 3MW TRT and one 15 MW WGPG systems described above. The project is scheduled to complete in 12 months from construction commencement.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Not applicable.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures which are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s periodic SEC reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rules 13a – 15(e) and 15d – 15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) at the end of the period covered by the report.
Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, at March 31, 2011, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that (i) the information required to be disclosed by us in this Report was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (ii) information required to be disclosed by us in our reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
With the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company also conducted an evaluation of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Based on such evaluation, management concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, there have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The Company is not currently involved in any material pending legal proceedings.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Removed and Reserved.
None
Item 5. Other Information
None
Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
|
Description
|
|
31.1
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).*
|
|
31.2
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).*
|
|
32.1
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.*
|
|
32.2
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.*
|
* Filed herewith.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
CHINA RECYCLING ENERGY CORPORATION
(Registrant)
|
|||
Date: May 16, 2011
|
|
/s/ Guohua Ku
|
|
Guohua Ku
|
|||
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
|
Date: May 16, 2011
|
|
/s/ David Chong
|
|
David Chong
|
|||
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
|
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
|
Description
|
|
31.1
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).*
|
|
31.2
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).*
|
|
32.1
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.*
|
|
32.2
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.*
|
* Filed herewith.
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