Smart Powerr Corp. - Quarter Report: 2014 March (Form 10-Q)
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014
OR
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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 | 90-0093373 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
12/F, Tower A
Chang An International Building
No. 88 Nan Guan Zheng Jie
Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, China
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Zip Code)
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.
Yes x No ¨
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).
Yes x No ¨
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.
Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨ Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ¨ No x
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock, as of May 7, 2014 was 60,946,182.
INDEX
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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CHINA RECYCLING ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
AS OF MARCH 31, 2014 AND DECEMBER 31, 2013
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
(UNAUDITED) | ||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||||
Cash & equivalents | $ | 16,237,957 | $ | 7,701,530 | ||||
Restricted cash | 731,458 | 2,296,249 | ||||||
Accounts receivable | 12,535 | 71,573 | ||||||
Current portion of investment in sales type leases, net | 8,353,510 | 9,063,386 | ||||||
Interest receivable on sales type leases | 1,148,898 | 765,010 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses | 991,438 | 1,045,802 | ||||||
Other receivables | 1,604,529 | 1,813,220 | ||||||
Notes receivable | - | 656,071 | ||||||
Prepaid loan fees - current | 82,899 | 83,649 | ||||||
Total current assets | 29,163,224 | 23,496,490 | ||||||
NON-CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||||
Prepaid loan fees - noncurrent | 103,623 | 125,474 | ||||||
Investment in sales type leases, net | 172,007,924 | 175,441,561 | ||||||
Long term investment | 702,833 | 738,513 | ||||||
Long term deposit | 381,618 | 385,073 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 34,334 | 44,243 | ||||||
Construction in progress | 105,178,173 | 83,719,596 | ||||||
Total non-current assets | 278,408,505 | 260,454,459 | ||||||
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 307,571,729 | $ | 283,950,949 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 2,661,885 | $ | 2,642,662 | ||||
Notes payable - bank acceptances | 3,576,015 | 5,740,622 | ||||||
Taxes payable | 2,205,596 | 1,560,829 | ||||||
Accrued liabilities and other payables | 1,597,252 | 1,517,191 | ||||||
Due to related parties | 7,287,929 | 2,420,391 | ||||||
Deferred tax liability | 1,351,555 | 1,442,317 | ||||||
Loans payable - current | 10,971,864 | 14,925,618 | ||||||
Interest payable on entrusted loans | 283,722 | 287,887 | ||||||
Current portion of long term payable | 1,456,452 | 1,441,051 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 31,392,270 | 31,978,568 | ||||||
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||||||
Deferred tax liability, net | 12,201,609 | 11,884,068 | ||||||
Refundable deposit from customers for systems leasing | 1,154,077 | 1,164,526 | ||||||
Long term payable | 1,989,108 | 2,385,422 | ||||||
Loans payable | 42,034,427 | 18,862,045 | ||||||
Entrusted loan payable | 62,092,619 | 62,654,792 | ||||||
Total noncurrent liabilities | 119,471,840 | 96,950,852 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 150,864,110 | 128,929,421 | ||||||
CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS | - | - | ||||||
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 60,910,058 and 50,224,350 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively | 60,910 | 60,910 | ||||||
Additional paid in capital | 78,130,053 | 78,130,053 | ||||||
Statutory reserve | 10,041,240 | 9,672,754 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 14,796,918 | 16,209,403 | ||||||
Retained earnings | 53,357,830 | 50,603,291 | ||||||
Total Company stockholders' equity | 156,386,951 | 154,676,411 | ||||||
Noncontrolling interest | 320,668 | 345,117 | ||||||
Total equity | 156,707,619 | 155,021,528 | ||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | $ | 307,571,729 | $ | 283,950,949 |
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CHINA RECYCLING ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, | ||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
(UNAUDITED) | ||||||||
Revenue | ||||||||
Sales of systems | $ | - | $ | 14,079,796 | ||||
Contingent rental income | 177,607 | 260,775 | ||||||
Total revenue | 177,607 | 14,340,571 | ||||||
Cost of sales | ||||||||
Cost of systems | 21,904 | 10,900,912 | ||||||
Total cost of sales | 21,904 | 10,900,912 | ||||||
Gross profit | 155,703 | 3,439,659 | ||||||
Interest income on sales-type leases | 6,305,716 | 3,824,840 | ||||||
Total operating income | 6,461,419 | 7,264,499 | ||||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||
General and administrative | 844,975 | 1,082,446 | ||||||
Total operating expenses | 844,975 | 1,082,446 | ||||||
Income from operations | 5,616,444 | 6,182,053 | ||||||
Non-operating income (expenses) | ||||||||
Interest income | 39,289 | 92,588 | ||||||
Interest expense | (912,573 | ) | (1,494,496 | ) | ||||
Investment income | 11,313 | - | ||||||
Other expenses | (415,391 | ) | (980 | ) | ||||
Total non-operating expenses, net | (1,277,362 | ) | (1,402,888 | ) | ||||
Income before income tax | 4,339,082 | 4,779,165 | ||||||
Income tax expense | 1,237,529 | 1,360,054 | ||||||
Income before noncontrolling interest | 3,101,553 | 3,419,111 | ||||||
Less: Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest | (21,471 | ) | 120,921 | |||||
Net income attributable to China Recycling Energy Corp | 3,123,024 | 3,298,190 | ||||||
Other comprehensive items | ||||||||
Foreign currency translation loss attributable to China Recycling Energy Corp | (1,412,485 | ) | 325,334 | |||||
Foreign currency translation gain attributable to noncontrolling interest | (2,978 | ) | 11,774 | |||||
Comprehensive income attributable to China Recycling Energy Corp | $ | 1,710,539 | $ | 3,623,524 | ||||
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest | $ | (24,449 | ) | $ | 132,695 | |||
Basic weighted average shares outstanding | 60,912,775 | 50,224,350 | ||||||
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding * | 61,103,645 | 50,945,906 | ||||||
Basic earnings per share | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.07 | ||||
Diluted earnings per share * | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.07 |
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CHINA RECYCLING ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, | ||||||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
(UNAUDITED) | ||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Income including noncontrolling interest | $ | 3,101,553 | $ | 3,419,111 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile income including noncontrolling | ||||||||
interest to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | ||||||||
Changes in sales type leases receivables | - | (14,079,796 | ) | |||||
Depreciation and amortization | 9,565 | 11,305 | ||||||
Amortization of prepaid loan fees | 20,840 | 20,307 | ||||||
Changes in deferred tax | 348,282 | 751,402 | ||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
Interest receivable on sales type lease | (392,930 | ) | 850,419 | |||||
Collection of principal on sales type leases | 2,501,901 | 2,179,702 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses | 45,231 | (3,749 | ) | |||||
Accounts receivable | 58,721 | 26,074 | ||||||
Other receivables | 222,711 | (78,746 | ) | |||||
Construction in progress | (22,333,546 | ) | 1,655,880 | |||||
Accounts payable | (2,081,703 | ) | 4,268,535 | |||||
Taxes payable | 662,444 | 128,657 | ||||||
Interest payable | (1,591 | ) | 975,447 | |||||
Accrued liabilities and other payables | 89,872 | 271,341 | ||||||
Accrued interest on convertible notes | - | 179,183 | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | (17,748,650 | ) | 575,072 | |||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Changes of restricted cash | 1,552,795 | 1,692,761 | ||||||
Acquisition of property & equipment | - | (4,420 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by investing activities | 1,552,795 | 1,688,341 | ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Notes receivable | 653,808 | (637,095 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from loans | 27,149,395 | 4,778,211 | ||||||
Repayment of loans | (7,518,797 | ) | (6,848,770 | ) | ||||
Long term payable | (348,512 | ) | - | |||||
Convertible note | - | (313,941 | ) | |||||
Advance from related parties | 4,916,108 | 482,283 | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 24,852,002 | (2,539,312 | ) | |||||
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGE ON CASH & EQUIVALENTS | (119,720 | ) | 121,144 | |||||
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH & EQUIVALENTS | 8,536,427 | (154,755 | ) | |||||
CASH & EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | 7,701,530 | 45,004,304 | ||||||
CASH & EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD | $ | 16,237,957 | $ | 44,849,549 | ||||
Supplemental cash flow data: | ||||||||
Income tax paid | $ | 500,315 | $ | 481,732 | ||||
Interest paid | $ | 3,540,294 | $ | 513,574 |
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CHINA RECYCLING ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2014 (UNAUDITED) AND DECEMBER 31, 2013
1. ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
China Recycling Energy Corporation (the “Company” or “CREG”) was incorporated on May 8, 1980 as Boulder Brewing Company under the laws of the State of Colorado. On September 6, 2001, the Company changed its state of incorporation to the State of Nevada. In 2004, the Company changed its name from Boulder Brewing Company to China Digital Wireless, Inc. and on March 8, 2007, the Company again changed its name from China Digital Wireless, Inc. to its current name, China Recycling Energy Corporation. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides energy saving solution and services, including selling and leasing energy saving systems and equipment to customers.
Erdos TCH – Joint Venture
On April 14, 2009, the Company formed a joint venture (the “JV”) with Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. (“Erdos”) to recycle waste heat from Erdos’ metal refining plants to generate power and steam to be sold back to Erdos. The name of the JV was Inner Mongolia Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd with a term of twenty (20) years. Total investment for the project was estimated at $79 million (RMB 500 million) with an initial investment of $17.55 million (RMB 120 million). Erdos contributed 7% of the total investment of the project, and Xi’an TCH contributed 93%. According to the parties’ agreement on profit distribution, Xi’an TCH and Erdos will each receive 80% and 20%, respectively, of the profit from the JV until Xi’an TCH receives the complete return of its investment. Xi’an TCH and Erdos will then receive 60% and 40%, respectively, of the profit from the JV. On June 15, 2013, Xi’an TCH and Erdos entered into a share transfer agreement, pursuant to which Erdos transferred and sold its 7% ownership interest in the JV to Xi’an TCH for $1.29 million (RMB 8 million), plus certain accumulated profits as described below. Xi’an TCH paid the $1.29 million in July 2013 and, as a result, became the sole shareholder of the JV. In addition, Xi’an TCH paid Erdos accumulated profits from inception up to June 30, 2013 in accordance with the supplementary agreement entered on August 6, 2013. In August 2013, Xi’an TCH paid 20% of the accumulated profit (calculated under PRC GAAP) of $226,000 to Erdos. The JV currently has two power generation systems in Phase I with a total of 18MW power capacity, and three power generation systems in Phase II with a total of 27MW power capacity.
Pucheng Biomass Power Generation (“BMPG”) Projects
On June 29, 2010, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Project Lease Agreement with Pucheng Xin Heng Yuan Biomass Power Generation Co., Ltd. (“Pucheng”). Under this lease agreement, Xi’an TCH leased a set of 12MW biomass power generation (“BMPG”) systems to Pucheng at a minimum of $279,400 (RMB 1,900,000) per month for a term of fifteen (15) years.
On September 11, 2013, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Asset Transfer Agreement (the “Pucheng Transfer Agreement”) with Pucheng Xin Heng Yuan Biomass Power Generation Corporation (“Pucheng”), a limited liability company incorporated in China. The Pucheng Transfer Agreement provided for the sale by Pucheng to Xi’an TCH of a set of 12MW biomass power generation systems with completion of system transformation for a purchase price of RMB 100,000,000 ($16.48 million) in the form of 8,766,547 shares of common stock of the Company at the price of $1.87 per share. These shares were issued to Pucheng on October 29, 2013. Also on September 11, 2013, Xi’an TCH also entered into a Biomass Power Generation Project Lease Agreement with Pucheng (the “Pucheng Lease”). Under the Pucheng Lease, Xi’an TCH will lease this same set of 12MW biomass power generation system to Pucheng, and combine this lease with the lease for the 12MW biomass power generation station of Pucheng Phase I project, under a single lease to Pucheng for RMB 3,800,000 million ($0.63 million) per month (the “Pucheng Phase II Project”). The term for the combined lease is from September 2013 to June 2025. The lease agreement for the 12MW station from Pucheng Phase I project terminated upon the effective date of the Pucheng Lease. The ownership of two 12 MW BMPG systems will be transferred to Pucheng at no additional charge when the Pucheng Lease expires.
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Zhongbao Waste Heat Power Generation (“WHPG”) Projects
On September 30, 2010, Xi’an TCH delivered to Zhongbao Binhai Nickel Co., Ltd. (“Zhongbao”) a 7MW 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. The waste heat agreement with Zhongbao has a term of nine (9) 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. 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. As of March 31, 2014, Xi’an TCH had not yet commenced the CDM application process.
Shenqiu Yuneng Biomass Power Generation (“BMPG”) Projects
On May 25, 2011, Xi’an TCH entered into a Letter of Intent with Shenqiu YuNeng Thermal Power Co., Ltd. (“Shenqiu”) to reconstruct and transform a Thermal Power Generation System owned by Shenqiu into a 75T/H Biomass Power Generation System for $3.57 million (RMB 22.5 million). The project commenced in June 2011 and was completed in the third quarter of 2011. On September 28, 2011, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Asset Transfer Agreement with Shenqiu (the “Shenqiu Transfer Agreement”). Pursuant to the Shenqiu Transfer Agreement, Shenqiu sold Xi’an TCH a set of 12 MW biomass power generation systems (after Xi’an TCH converted the system for biomass power generation purposes). As consideration for the biomass power generation systems, Xi’an TCH agreed to pay Shenqiu $10,937,500 (RMB 70 million) in cash in three installments within six (6) months upon the transfer of ownership of the systems. By the end of 2012, all of the consideration was paid. On September 28, 2011, Xi’an TCH and Shenqiu also entered into a Biomass Power Generation Project Lease Agreement (the “2011 Shenqiu Lease”). Under the 2011 Shenqiu Lease, Xi’an TCH agreed to lease a set of 12MW biomass power generation systems to Shenqiu at a monthly rental rate of $286,000 (RMB 1,800,000) for eleven (11) years. Upon expiration of the 2011 Shenqiu Lease, ownership of this system will be transferred from Xi’an TCH to Shenqiu at no additional cost. In connection with the 2011 Shenqiu Lease, Shenqiu paid one (1) month’s rent as a security deposit to Xi’an TCH, in addition to providing personal guarantees.
On October 8, 2012, Xi’an TCH entered into a Letter of Intent for technical reformation of Shenqiu Project Phase II with Shenqiu for technical reformation to enlarge the capacity of the Shenqiu Project Phase I (the “Shenqiu Phase II Project”). The technical reformation involved the construction of another 12MW biomass power generation system. After the reformation, the generation capacity of the power plant increased to 24MW. The project commenced on October 25, 2012 and was completed during the first quarter of 2013. The total cost of the project was $11.1 million (RMB 68 million). On March 30, 2013, Xi’an TCH and Shenqiu entered into a Biomass Power Generation Project Lease Agreement (the “2013 Shenqiu Lease”). Under the 2013 Shenqiu Lease, Xi’an TCH agreed to lease the second set of 12MW biomass power generation systems to Shenqiu for $239,000 (RMB 1.5 million) per month for 9.5 years. When the 2013 Shenqiu Lease expires, ownership of this system will be transferred from Xi’an TCH to Shenqiu at no additional cost.
Shanxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation Projects
In February 2011, Xi’an TCH entered into an agreement with Shanxi Datong Coal Group Steel Co., Ltd (“Shanxi Datong”) to recycle gas and steam from groups of blast-furnaces and converters at Shanxi Datong’s metal refining plants to generate power and pursuant to which Xi’an TCH agreed to install two 3MW BPRT systems and, one 15MW WGPG system with a total of 21MW power capacity for an estimated total investment of $28.6 million (RMB 180 million). In June 2013, the two 3MW BPRT power generation systems were completed. The lease term is thirty (30) years, during which time Shanxi Datong will pay a service fee to Xi’an TCH. The service fee is based on an average of 8,000 electricity-generating hours per year and $0.05 (RMB 0.33) per kilowatt hour (“kWh”) for the first five (5) years from the completion of each power generation station. For each of the leases, at the 6th, 11th and 21st year anniversary of the date of the lease, the rates will change to RMB 0.3 kWh, 0.27 kWh and 0.25 kWh, respectively. On June 10, 2013, Xi’an TCH and Shanxi Datong entered into a supplemental agreement relating to the minimum service fee. The minimum service fee per month for the first five (5) years is $0.19 million (RMB 1.2 million), $0.18 million ($1.1 million) for the second five (5) years, $0.16 (RMB 1.0 million) for the following ten (10) years and $0.15 million (RMB 0.9 million) for the last ten (10) years. After thirty (30) years, the units will be transferred to Shanxi Datong at no additional charge.
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Jitie Power Generation Projects
In May 2013, Xi’an TCH signed a contract with Sinosteel Jilin Ferroalloys Co., Ltd. (“Jitie”) to build furnace gas waste heat power generation systems for electricity generation from recycled heat and steam from groups of ferroalloy furnaces and electric furnaces (the “Jitie Project”). According to the contract, Xi’an TCH will install a 7.5 MW and a 3 MW turbine power generation system with a total of 10.5 MW power capacity for an estimated total investment of $9.71 million (RMB 60 million). The lease term is twenty-four (24) years. During the term of this lease, Jitie will pay a service fee to Xi’an TCH based on the actual generating capacity with a minimum service fee per month of $300,000 (RMB 1.8 million). Xi’an TCH will be responsible for the systems operation and will own the power generation systems. In December 2013, the Jitie Project was completed and began operations.
The Fund Management Company
On June 25, 2013, Xi’an TCH and Hongyuan Huifu Venture Capital Co. Ltd (“Hongyuan Huifu”) jointly established Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Management Beijing Co., Ltd (the ”Fund Management Company”) with registered capital of RMB 10 million. Xi’an TCH made an initial capital contribution of RMB 4 million ($650,000) and has a 40% ownership interest in the Fund Management Company. With respect to the Fund Management Company, voting rights and dividend rights are allocated 80% and 20% between Hongyuan Huifu and Xi’an TCH, respectively.
The Fund Management Company serves as the general partner of Beijing Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Center, LLP (the “HYREF Fund”), a limited liability partnership established on July 18, 2013 in Beijing. The Fund Management Company made an initial capital contribution of RMB 5 million ($830,000) to the HYREF Fund. An initial total amount of RMB 460 million ($75 million) has been fully subscribed by all partners for the HYREF Fund. The HYREF Fund has three limited partners: (1) China Orient Asset Management Co., Ltd., which made an initial capital contribution of RMB 280 million ($46.67 million) to the HYREF Fund and is a preferred limited partner; (2) Hongyuan Huifu, which made an initial capital contribution of RMB 100 million ($16.67 million) to the HYREF Fund and is an ordinary limited partner; and (3) the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Xi’an TCH, which made an initial capital contribution of RMB 75 million ($12.5 million) to the HYREF Fund and is a secondary limited partner. The term of the HYREF Fund’s partnership is six (6) years from the date of its establishment, expiring on July 18, 2019. The term is three (3) years from the date of contribution for the preferred limited partner, or four (4) years from the date of contribution for the ordinary limited partner. The total size of the HYREF Fund is RMB 460 million (approximately $76.66 million). The HYREF Fund was formed for the purpose of investing in Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a 90% owned subsidiary of Xi’an TCH, for the construction of two coke dry quenching (“CDQ”) waste heat power generation stations with Jiangsu Tianyu Energy and Chemical Group Co., Ltd. (“Tianyu”) and one CDQ waste heat power generation station with Boxing County Chengli Gas Supply Co., Ltd. (“Chengli”).
Chengli Waste Heat Power Generation (“WHPG”) Projects
On July 19, 2013, Xi’an TCH formed a new company “Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd” (“Zhonghong”) with registered capital of RMB 30 million ($4.85 million). Xi’an TCH paid RMB 27 million ($4.37 million) and owns 90% of Zhonghong. Zhonghong is engaged to provide energy saving solution and services, including constructing, selling and leasing energy saving systems and equipment to customers.
On July 24, 2013, Zhonghong entered into a Cooperative Agreement of Coke Dry Quenching (CDQ) and CDQ Waste Heat Power Generation Project with Boxing County Chengli Gas Supply Co., Ltd. (“Chengli”). The parties entered into a supplement agreement on July 26, 2013. Pursuant to these agreements, Zhonghong will design, build and maintain a 25 MW CDQ system and a CDQ waste heat power generation system to supply power to Chengli, and Chengli will pay energy saving fees (the “Chengli Project”). Chengli will contract the operation of the system to a third party contractor that is mutually agreed to by Zhonghong. In addition, Chengli will provide the land for the CDQ system and CDQ waste heat power generation system at no cost to Zhonghong. The term of the Agreements is for twenty (20) years. The first 800 million watt hours generated by the Chengli Project will be charged at RMB 0.42 ($0.068) per kilowatt hour (excluding tax); thereafter, the energy saving fee will be RMB 0.20 ($0.036) per kilowatt hour (excluding tax). The operating time shall be based upon an average 8,000 hours annually. If the operating time is less than 8,000 hours per year due to a reason attributable to Chengli, then time charged shall be 8,000 hours a year, and if it is less than 8,000 hours due to a reason attributable to Zhonghong, then it shall be charged at actual operating hours. The construction of the Chengli Project is anticipated to be completed twelve (12) months from the date the parties enter into a Technical Agreement. When operations begin, Chengli shall ensure its coking production line works properly and that working hours for the CDQ system are at least 8,000 hours per year, and Zhonghong shall ensure that working hours and the CDQ waste heat power generation system will be at least 7,200 hours per year.
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On July 22, 2013, Zhonghong entered into a EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) General Contractor Agreement for the Boxing County Chengli Gas Supply Co., Ltd. CDQ Power Generation Project (the “Huaxin Project”) with Xi’an Huaxin New Energy Co., Ltd. (“Huaxin”). Zhonghong, as the owner of the Huaxin Project, contracted engineering, procurement and construction services for a CDQ system and a 25 MW CDQ waste heat power generation system for Chengli to Huaxin. Huaxin shall provide construction, equipment procurement, transportation, installation and adjustment, test run, construction engineering management and other necessary services to complete the Huaxin Project and ensure the CDQ system and CDQ waste heat power generation system for Chengli meet the inspection and acceptance requirements and work normally. The Huaxin Project is a turn-key project where Huaxin is responsible for monitoring the quality, safety, duration and cost of the project. The total contract price is RMB 200 million (approximately $33.34 million), which includes all the materials, equipment, labor, transportation, electricity, water, waste disposal, machinery and safety costs.
Tianyu Waste Heat Power Generation (“WHPG”) Project
On July 19, 2013, Zhonghong entered into a Cooperative Agreement (the “Tianyu Agreement”) for Energy Management of Coke Dry Quenching (CDQ) and CDQ Waste Heat Power Generation Project with Jiangsu Tianyu Energy and Chemical Group Co., Ltd (“Tianyu”). Pursuant to the Tianyu Agreement, Zhonghong will design, build, operate and maintain two sets of 25 MW CDQ systems and CDQ WHPG systems for two subsidiaries of Tianyu – Xuzhou Tian’an Chemical Co., Ltd (“Xuzhou Tian’an”) and Xuzhou Huayu Coking Co., Ltd (“Xuzhou Huayu”) – to be located at Xuzhou Tian’an and Xuzhou Huayu’s respective locations (the “Tianyu Project”). Upon completion of the Tianyu Project, Zhonghong will charge Tianyu an energy saving service fee of RMB 0.534 ($0.087) per kilowatt hour (excluding tax). The operating time will be based upon an average 8,000 hours annually for each of Xuzhou Tian'an and Xuzhou Huayu. If the operating time is less than 8,000 hours per year due to a reason attributable to Tianyu, then time charged will be 8,000 hours a year. The construction of the Tianyu Project is anticipated to be completed in fourteen (14) months from the date the parties enter into a Technical Agreement. Tianyu will provide the land for the CDQ systems and CDQ waste heat power generation systems for free. Tianyu also guarantees that it will purchase all of the power generated by the CDQ WHPG systems.
On July 22, 2013, Zhonghong entered into a EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) General Contractor Agreement for the Boxing County Chengli Gas Supply Co., Ltd. CDQ Power Generation Project (the “Huaxin Project”) with Xi’an Huaxin New Energy Co., Ltd. (“Huaxin”). Zhonghong, as the owner of the Huaxin Project, contracted engineering, procurement and construction services for a CDQ system and a 25 MW CDQ waste heat power generation system for Chengli to Huaxin. Huaxin shall provide construction, equipment procurement, transportation, installation and adjustment, test run, construction engineering management and other necessary services to complete the Huaxin Project and ensure the CDQ system and CDQ waste heat power generation system for Chengli meet the inspection and acceptance requirements and work normally. The Huaxin Project is a turn-key project where Huaxin is responsible for monitoring the quality, safety, duration and cost of the project. The total contract price is RMB 200 million (approximately $33.34 million), which includes all the materials, equipment, labor, transportation, electricity, water, waste disposal, machinery and safety costs.
Zhongtai Waste Heat Power Generation Energy Management Cooperative Agreement
On December 6, 2013, Xi’an entered into a CDQ” and Waste Heat Power Generation Energy Management Cooperative Agreement (the “Zhongtai Agreement”) with Xuzhou Zhongtai Energy Technology Co., Ltd. ( “Zhongtai”), a limited liability company incorporated in Jiangsu Province, China.
Pursuant to the Zhongtai Agreement, Xi’an TCH will design, build and maintain a 150 ton per hour CDQ system and a 25 MW CDQ waste heat power generation system and sell the power to Zhongtai, and Xi’an TCH will also build a furnace to generate steam from the waste heat of the smoke pipeline and sell the steam to Zhongtai.
The construction period of the Project is expected to be 18 months from the date when conditions are ready for construction to begin. Zhongtai will start to pay an energy saving service fee from the date when the waste heat power generation station passes the required 72 hour test run. The term of payment is for 20 years. For the first 10 years of the term, Zhongtai shall pay an energy saving service fee at RMB 0.534 ($0.089) per kilowatt hour (including value added tax) for the power generated from the system. For the second 10 years of the term, Zhongtai shall pay an energy saving service fee at RMB 0.402 ($0.067) per kilowatt hour (including value added tax). During the term of the contract the energy saving service fee shall be adjusted at the same percentage as the change of local grid electricity price. Zhongtai shall also pay an energy saving service fee for the steam supplied by Xi’an TCH at RMB 100 ($16.67) per ton (including value added tax). Zhongtai and its parent company will provide guarantees to ensure Zhongtai will fulfill its obligations under the Agreement. Upon the completion of the term, Xi’an TCH will transfer the systems to Zhongtai at RMB 1. Zhongtai shall provide waste heat to the systems for no less than 8,000 hours per year and waste gas volume no less than 150,000 Nm3 per hour with a temperature no less than 950°C. If these requirements are not met, the term of the Agreement will be extended accordingly. If Zhongtai wants to terminate the Zhongtai Agreement early, it shall provide Xi’an TCH a 60 day notice and pay the termination fee and compensation for the damages to Xi’an TCH according to the following formula: 1) if it is less than 5 years into the term when Zhongtai requests termination, Zhongtai shall pay: Xi’an TCH’s total investment amount plus Xi’an TCH’s annual investment return times (5 years minus the years of which the system has already operated); or 2) if it is more than 5 years into the term when Zhongtai requests the termination, Zhongtai shall pay: Xi’an TCH’s total investment amount minus total amortization cost (the amortization period is 10 years).
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Rongfeng CDQ Power Generation Energy Management Cooperative Agreement
On December 12, 2013, Xi’an TCH entered into a CDQ Power Generation Energy Management Cooperative Agreement (with Tangshan Rongfeng Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. (the “Rongfeng Agreement”), a limited liability company incorporated in Hebei Province, China.
Pursuant to the Rongfeng Agreement, Xi’an TCH will design, build and maintain a CDQ system and a CDQ waste heat power generation system and sell the power to Rongfeng. The construction period of the Project is expected to be 18 months after the Agreement takes effect and from the date when conditions are ready for construction to begin.
Rongfeng will start to pay an energy saving service fee from the date when the waste heat power generation station passes the required 72 hour test run. The term of payment is for 20 years. For the first 10 years of the term, Rongfeng shall pay an energy saving service fee at RMB 0.582 ($0.095) per kilowatt hour (including tax) for the power generated from the system. For the second 10 years of the term, Rongfeng shall pay an energy saving service fee at RMB 0.432 ($0.071) per kilowatt hour (including tax). During the term of the contract the energy saving service fee shall be adjusted at the same percentage as the change of local grid electricity price. Rongfeng and its parent company will provide guarantees to ensure Rongfeng will fulfill its obligations under the Rongfeng Agreement. Upon the completion of the term, Xi’an TCH will transfer the systems to Rongfeng at RMB 1. Rongfeng shall provide waste heat to the systems for no less than 8,000 hours per year with a temperature no less than 950°C. If these requirements are not met, the term of the Agreement will be extended accordingly. If Rongfeng wants to terminate the Agreement early, it shall provide Xi’an TCH a 60 day notice and pay the termination fee and compensation for the damages to Xi’an TCH according to the following formula: 1) if it is less than 5 years (including 5 years) into the term when Rongfeng requests termination, Rongfeng shall pay: Xi’an TCH’s total investment amount plus Xi’an TCH’s average annual investment return times (5 years minus the years of which the system has already operated); 2) if it is more than 5 years into the term when Rongfeng requests the termination, Rongfeng shall pay: Xi’an TCH’s total investment amount minus total amortization cost (the amortization period is 10 year).
Baoliyuan CDQ Power Generation Energy Management Cooperative Agreement
On March 26, 2014, Xi’an TCH entered into a CDQ Waste Heat Recycling Project Energy Management Cooperative Agreement with Tangshan Baoliyuan Coking Co., Ltd. (“Baoliyuan”), a limited liability company incorporated in Hebei Province, China.
Pursuant to the Agreement, Xi’an TCH will design, build and maintain a CDQ system and a CDQ waste heat power generation system and sell the power to Baoliyuan (the “CDQ Project”) and Xi’an TCH will also build a high scale waste water treatment system for Baoliyuan and charge monthly payment for two years (the “ Waste Water Treatment Project”).
The construction period of the CDQ Project is expected to be 15 months from the effective date of the Agreement. Baoliyuan will start to pay an energy saving fee from the date when the waste heat power generation station passes the required 72 hour test run. The term of payment is for 20 years and Baoliyuan shall pay an energy saving fee at RMB 0.7 (approximately $0.114) per kilowatt hour (including tax) for the power generated from the system, from which Xi’an TCH shall take 92.86% and Baoliyuan shall take 7.14% as parties to share the energy saving benefits. During the term of the contract the energy saving fee shall be adjusted at the same percentage as the change of local grid electricity price. Baoliyuan shall provide guarantees to ensure it will fulfill its obligations under the Agreement. Upon the completion of the term, Xi’an TCH will transfer the systems to Baoliyuan at RMB 1.
Baoliyuan shall provide waste heat to the systems for no less than 8,000 hours per year and coking production shall reach 80% of its capacity. If these requirements are not met, the energy saving fee will be calculated according to such hours and capacity.
If Baoliyuan wants to terminate the Agreement early, it shall provide Xi’an TCH a 60 day notice and pay the termination fee and compensation for the damages to Xi’an TCH according to the following formula: 1) if it is less than 5 years (including 5 years) into the term when Baoliyuan requests termination, Baoliyuan shall pay: Xi’an TCH’s total investment amount plus Xi’an TCH’s average annual investment return times (5 years minus the years of which the system has already operated); 2) if it is more than 5 years into the term when Baoliyuan requests the termination, Baoliyuan shall pay: Xi’an TCH’s total investment amount minus total amortization cost (the amortization period is 20 year).
From the first month of the completion of Waste Water Treatment Project, Baoliyuan shall pay a fixed monthly fee for the waste water treatment system at RMB 1.05 million per month (approximately $171,010) for the first 12 months and RMB 940,000 per month (approximately $153,094) for the next 12 months.
Summary for the three months ended March 31, 2014 Sales-Types Leases
As of March 31, 2014, Xi’an TCH leases the following systems: (i) TRT systems to Zhangzhi (13 year term); (ii) CHPG systems to Jing Yang Shengwei (5 year term); (iii) BMPG systems to Pucheng Phase I and II (15 and 11 year terms, respectively); (iv) BMPG systems to Shenqiu Phase I (11 year term); (v) Shenqiu Phase II (9.5 year term); (vi) WHPG system to Zhongbao (9 year term); (vii) WHPG systems to Jitie (24 year term); and (viii) two BPRT systems to Shanxi Datong (30 year term). In addition, as of March 31, 2014, Erdos TCH leased power and steam generating systems from waste heat from metal refining to Erdos (five systems) for a term of 20 years.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
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”) were 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 2013 audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year ending December 31, 2014.
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 wholly-owned subsidiary, Xi’an TCH Energy Tech Co., Ltd. (“Xi’an TCH”) and Xi’an TCH’s subsidiaries, Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd (“Erdos TCH”), 100% owned by Xi’an TCH (See note 1), and Zhonghong, 90% owned by 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, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions were eliminated in consolidation.
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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 as well as revenues and expenses during the period reported. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Sales-type Leasing and Related Revenue Recognition
The Company constructs and leases waste energy recycling power generating projects to its customers. The Company typically transfers ownership of the waste energy recycling power generating projects to its customers at the end of the lease. The 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 finances construction of waste energy recycling power generating. 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 minimum lease payments receivable less unearned interest income and estimated executory cost. Minimum lease payments are part of the lease agreement between the Company (as the lessor) and the customer (as the lessee). The discount rate implicit in the 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 (3) months or less as of the purchase date of such investments.
Accounts Receivable
As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had accounts receivable of $12,535 and $71,573, respectively, from contingent rental income.
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 | |
Vehicles | 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 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, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
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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 sales tax and additions for contingent rental income.
Non-Controlling Interests
The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation,” which established new standards governing the accounting for and reporting of non-controlling 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 NCIs even when such allocation might result in a deficit balance.
The net income (loss) attributed to NCIs was separately designated in the accompanying statements of income and other comprehensive income (loss). Losses attributable to NCIs in a subsidiary may exceed an NCI’s interests in the subsidiary’s equity. The excess attributable to NCIs is attributed to those interests. NCIs shall continue to be attributed their share of losses even if that attribution results in a deficit NCI balance.
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 debts, 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 (“FV”) of financial instruments held by the Company. ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” defines FV, and establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of FV measurement that enhances disclosure requirements for FV 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 FV 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 FV measurement. |
The Company analyzes all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity under ASC 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity,” and ASC 815.
The following are the considerations with respect to disclosures of FV of long-term debt obligations:
As of March 31, 2014, the Company’s long-term debt obligations consisted of the following: (i) various bank loans and Zhongrong International Trust Co., Ltd (“ZRIT”) trust loan payable of $42.03 million, (ii) a long-term payable for a sale-leaseback transaction of $1.99 million, and (iii) Zhonghong entrusted loan of $62.09 million. As of December 31, 2013, the Company’s long-term debt obligations consisted of the following: (i) bank loans payable of $18.86 million, (ii) a long-term payable for a sale-leaseback transaction of $2.39 million, and (iii) Zhonghong entrusted loan of $62.65 million.
FV measurements and approximations for certain financial instruments are based on what a reporting entity would likely have to pay to transfer the financial obligation to an entity with a comparable credit rating. The Company’s bank loans and trust loans payable are privately held (i.e., nonpublic) debt; therefore, pricing inputs are not observable. For this reason, the Company classified bank loans and trust loans payable as a Level 3 FV measurement in the valuation hierarchy.
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For the Company’s long term bank loans, ZRIT trust loan and Zhonghong entrusted loans noted above, the Company believes the carrying amounts approximate their FV. Based on the Company’s understanding of the credit markets, the Company’s business is in a sector (energy-saving green) that is supported by the PRC government and the lending bank, the Company believes it could have obtained similar loans on similar terms and interest rates. In addition, in connection with the FV measurement, the Company considered nonperformance risk (including credit risk) relating to the debt obligations, including the following: (i) the Company is considered a low credit risk customer to the lending bank and its creditors; (ii) the Company has a good history of making timely payments and have never defaulted on any loans; and (iii) the Company has a stable and continuous cash inflow from collections from its sales-type lease of energy saving projects.
As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company did not identify any assets and liabilities that are required to be presented on the balance sheet at FV other than the sale-lease back transaction of $1.99 million at March 31, 2014 and $2.39 million at December 31, 2013, which was the present value of the total future cash outflow including principal and interest payments (See Note 15).
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 FV at the grant date for 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 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 EPS 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 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 EPS 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 EPS:
The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
Net income for common shares | $ | 3,123,024 | $ | 3,298,190 | ||||
Interest expense on convertible notes* | - | 179,183 | ||||||
Net income for diluted shares | $ | 3,123,024 | $ | 3,477,373 | ||||
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic | 60,912,775 | 50,224,350 | ||||||
Effect of dilutive securities: | ||||||||
Options granted | 190,870 | 721,556 | ||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted | 61,103,645 | 50,945,906 | ||||||
Earnings per share – basic | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.07 | ||||
Earnings per share – diluted | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.07 |
* Interest expense on convertible notes was added back to net income for the computation of diluted EPS.
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” or “$”) 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.
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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.
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.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2014, FASB issued, Accounting Standards Update 2014-01, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects. The objective of this Update is to provide guidance on accounting for investments by a reporting entity in flow-through limited liability entities that manage or invest in affordable housing projects that qualify for the low-income housing tax credit. The amendments in this Update permit reporting entities to make an accounting policy election to account for their investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. The amendments in this Update should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. A reporting entity that uses the effective yield method to account for its investments in qualified affordable housing projects before the date of adoption may continue to apply the effective yield method for those preexisting investments. The amendments in this Update are effective for public business entities for annual periods and interim reporting periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of this ASU will not affect the Company’s financial statements.
In January 2014, FASB issued, Accounting Standards Update 2014-05, Service Concession Arrangements (Topic 853), The objective of this Update is to specify that an operating entity should not account for a service concession arrangement within the scope of this Update as a lease in accordance with Topic 840, Leases. Service concession arrangements may become more prevalent in the United States as public-sector entities seek alternative ways to provide public services on a more efficient and cost-effective basis. The amendments apply to an operating entity of a service concession arrangement entered into with a public-sector entity grantor when the arrangement meets certain conditions. The amendments in this Update should be applied on a modified retrospective basis to service concession arrangements that exist at the beginning of an entity’s fiscal year of adoption. The modified retrospective approach requires the cumulative effect of applying this Update to arrangements existing at the beginning of the period of adoption to be recognized as an adjustment to the opening retained earnings balance for the annual period of adoption. The amendments are effective for a public business entity for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of this ASU will not affect the Company’s financial statements.
3. NET INVESTMENT IN SALES-TYPE LEASES
Under sales-type leases, Xi’an TCH leases the following systems: (i) TRT systems to Zhangzhi (13 year term); (ii) CHPG systems to Jing Yang Shengwei (5 year term); (iii) BMPG systems to Pucheng Phase I and II (15 and 11 year terms, respectively); (iv) BMPG systems to Shenqiu Phase I (11 year term); (v) Shenqiu Phase II (9.5 year term); (vi) WHPG system to Zhongbao (9 year term); (vii) WHPG systems to Jitie (24 year term); and (viii) two BPRT systems to Shanxi Datong (30 year term). In addition, as of March 31, 2014, Erdos TCH leased power and steam generating systems from waste heat from metal refining to Erdos (five systems) for a term of 20 years. The components of the net investment in sales-type leases as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are as follows:
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
Total future minimum lease payments receivable | $ | 544,714,357 | $ | 560,187,391 | ||||
Less: executory cost | (131,019,483 | ) | (134,447,605 | ) | ||||
Less: unearned interest income | (233,333,440 | ) | (241,234,839 | ) | ||||
Net investment in sales - type leases | 180,361,434 | 184,504,947 | ||||||
Current portion | 8,353,510 | 9,063,386 | ||||||
Noncurrent portion | $ | 172,007,924 | $ | 175,441,561 |
As of March 31, 2014, the future minimum rentals to be received on non-cancelable sales-type leases by years are as follows:
2014 | $ | 41,507,794 | ||
2015 | 39,108,706 | |||
2016 | 39,108,706 | |||
2017 | 39,108,706 | |||
2018 | 38,970,724 | |||
Thereafter | 346,909,721 | |||
Total | $ | 544,714,357 |
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4. RESTRICTED CASH, NOTES PAYABLE – BANK ACCEPTANCES
Restricted cash as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was $731,458 and $2,296,249, respectively, held by the bank as collateral to issue bank acceptances. The Company endorses bank acceptances to vendors as payment of its own obligations. Most of the bank acceptances have maturities of less than six months.
5. PREPAID EXPENSES
Prepaid expenses mainly consisted of prepayment for office rental and decorations, and consulting fees for the Company’s RMB 460 million ($74 million) fund project completed in July 2013. Before the HYREF Fund released the money to Zhonghong, Xi'an TCH paid 2% of the funds raised for Zhonghong, i.e. RMB 9.2 million ($1.5 million) to the Fund Management Company as a consulting fee and it shall pay such 2% on the amount of funds actually contributed as an annual management fee on every 365 day anniversary thereafter until Zhonghong fully repays the loan and the HYREF Fund no longer has an ownership interest in Zhonghong. The Company prepaid consulting expense to the Fund Management Company of $1.5 million in 2013, and had $0.45 million prepaid consulting expense as of March 31, 2014.
6. CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS
Construction in progress was for constructing power generation systems. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had construction in progress of $105.18 million, including $17.81 million for Shanxi Datong Coal Group one 15MW WGPG; $19.25 million for Xuzhou Zhongtai project; $26.06 million for Xuzhou Huayu project, $17.53 for Xuzhou Tian’an project and $24.47 million for Shandong Boxing project. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had construction in progress of $83.72 million, including $17.01 million for Shanxi Datong Coal Group one 15MW WGPG and two 1MW steam power generation projects; $25.54 million for Xuzhou Huayu project, $17.19 for Xuzhou Tian’an project and $23.98 million for Shandong Boxing project. As of March 31, 2014, the Company was committed to pay an additional $2.44 million for the Shanxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation project, $13.43 million for Xuzhou Zhongtai project, $8.20 million for Xuzhou Huayu project, $16.25 million for Xuzhou Tian’an project, and $9.75 million for Shandong Boxing project.
7. TAXES PAYABLE
Taxes payable consisted of the following as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
Income | $ | 1,185,773 | $ | 806,231 | ||||
Business | 555,444 | 316,485 | ||||||
VAT arising from transfer WGPG to Shenmu | 74,268 | 393,643 | ||||||
Other | 390,111 | 44,470 | ||||||
$ | 2,205,596 | $ | 1,560,829 |
8. ACCRUED LIABILITIES AND OTHER PAYABLES
Accrued liabilities and other payables consisted of the following as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
Employee training, labor union expenditure and social insurance payable | $ | 516,695 | $ | 521,373 | ||||
Consulting, auditing, and legal expenses | 374,845 | 403,860 | ||||||
Accrued payroll and welfare | 343,992 | 318,871 | ||||||
Accrued system maintenance expense | 48,764 | 49,205 | ||||||
Other | 312,956 | 223,882 | ||||||
Total | $ | 1,597,252 | $ | 1,517,191 |
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9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
On March 1, 2014, Xi’an TCH entered a loan agreement with Mr. Guohua Ku, a major shareholder and the Company's Chairman and CEO, pursuant to which Mr. Ku will loan the Company, from time to time, up to RMB 80 million ($13 million) for the Company’s operating needs. The loan bore no interest, had one-year term from the actual lending date, the Company can repay the principal in installment. As of March 31, 2014, the Company borrowed $7,247,241 from Mr. Ku, including $2,379,734 outstanding balance prior to the loan agreement date; and had $40,688 in advances from the Company’s management, which bore no interest, and payable upon demand of the management.
As of December 31, 2013, due to related parties totaled $2,420,391, including $2,379,734 advance from Mr. Ku, a major shareholder and the Company's Chairman and CEO; and $40,657 in advances from the Company’s management, which bore no interest, and were payable on demand. The $2,379,734 advance from the Company’s shareholder became short term, non-interest bearing, one-year loan as a result of the loan agreement entered on March 31, 2014.
10. LONG TERM INVESTMENT
On June 25, 2013 Xi’an TCH with Hongyuan Huifu Venture Capital Co. Ltd (“Hongyuan Huifu”) jointly established Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Management Beijing Co., Ltd (the "Fund Management Company") with registered capital of RMB 10 million ($1.6 million), to manage a fund that will be used for financing a coke dry quenching (“CDQ”) waste heat power generation project. Xi’an TCH made an initial capital contribution of RMB 4 million ($0.65 million) and has a 40% ownership interest in Fund Management Company. Voting rights and dividend rights are allocated between Hongyuan Huifu and Xi'an TCH at 80% and 20%, respectively. The Company accounted for this investment using equity method. The Company recorded $53,543 equity based investment income during the three months ended March 31, 2014; however it was eliminated with financial fee of Zhonghong as 100% of Fund Management Company’s revenue is from Zhonghong’s financial fee and Zhonghong is 91.7% owned by Xi’an TCH (Note 11). Xi’an TCH paid $1.6 million one-time commission (recorded as other expense) to the Fund Management Company during 2013 for initiating and completion of the Fund financing for the Company.
On July 18, 2013, Beijing Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Center, LLP (the “HYREF Fund”) was established as a limited liability partnership in Beijing. Pursuant to the Partnership Agreement, the HYREF Fund has a general partner, the Fund Management Company, which made an initial capital contribution of RMB 5 million ($0.83 million) to the HYREF Fund. The HYREF Fund has three limited partners: (1) China Orient Asset Management Co., Ltd., which made an initial capital contribution of RMB 280 million ($46.67 million) and is a preferred limited partner, (2) Hongyuan Huifu, which made an initial capital contribution of RMB 100 million ($16.67 million) and is an ordinary limited partner and (3) the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Xian TCH, which made an initial capital contribution of RMB 75 million ($12.5 million) and is a secondary limited partner. The term of the HYREF Fund’s partnership is six (6) years from the date of its establishment, July 18, 2013. The term for the preferred limited partner is three (3) years from the date of its contribution and for the ordinary limited partner is four (4) years from the date of its contribution. Unless otherwise approved by the general partner (the Fund Management Company), upon the expiration of their respective terms, each partner shall exit from the partnership automatically. The total size of the HYREF Fund is RMB 460 million ($75.0 million), and the purpose of the HYREF Fund is to invest in Zhonghong for constructing 3 new CDQ WHPG projects. Xi’an TCH owns 16.3% of the HYREF Fund. The Company accounted for this investment using the cost method. The Company netted off the investment of RMB 75 million ($12.2 million) by Xi’an TCH with the entrusted loan payable of the HYREF Fund by Xi’an TCH.
11. NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
Prior to June 15, 2013, “Non-controlling interest” was a 7% equity interest of Erdos TCH (the “JV”) owned by Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. (“Erdos”).
As of June 15, 2013, the total registered capital of Erdos TCH was $17.55 million (RMB 120,000,000), 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. Erdos TCH engages in a business similar to that of Xi’an TCH. On June 15, 2013, Xi’an and Erdos Metallurgy entered into a share purchase agreement. Xi’an TCH will pay Erdos Metallurgy $1.29 million (RMB 8 million) for the 7% equity interest of Erdos TCH and then become 100% owner of Erdos TCH. In addition, Erdos TCH distributed 20% of the accumulated profit (calculated under PRC GAAP) to Erdos Metallurgy up to June 30, 2013, in accordance with the supplementary agreement entered on August 6, 2013. In July 2013, Xi’an TCH paid $1.29 million (RMB 8 million) to Erdos Metallurgy, and in August 2013, Xi’an TCH paid 20% of the accumulated profit (calculated under PRC GAAP) in the amount of $226,000 to Erdos Metallurgy.
On July 15, 2013, Xi’an TCH and HYREF Fund jointly established Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology (“Zhonghong”) with registered capital of RMB 30 million ($4.88 million), to manage new projects. Xi’an TCH paid RMB 27 million ($4.37 million). Xi'an TCH owns 90% of Zhonghong while HYREF Fund owns 10% of Zhonghong as non-controlling interest of Zhonghong.
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In addition, the HYREF Fund was 16.3% owned by Xi’an TCH and 1.1% owned by the Fund Management Company, and the Fund Management Company was 40% owned by Xi’an TCH as described in Note 10, which resulted in an additional indirect ownership of Xi’an TCH in Zhonghong of 1.7%; accordingly, the ultimate non-controlling interest (HYREF Fund) in Zhonghong became 8.3%.
12. DEFERRED TAX
Deferred tax asset resulted from 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 accordance with US GAAP. Deferred tax liability arose from the difference between tax and accounting basis of net investment in sales-type leases.
As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, deferred tax liability consisted of the following:
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
Deferred tax asset — noncurrent (accrual of system maintenance cost) | $ | 69,918 | $ | 70,551 | ||||
Deferred tax asset — noncurrent (depreciation of fixed assets) | 30,281,311 | 31,308,695 | ||||||
Deferred tax liability — noncurrent (net investment in sales-type leases) | (42,552,838 | ) | (43,263,314 | ) | ||||
Deferred tax liability, net of deferred tax asset – noncurrent | $ | (12,201,609 | ) | $ | (11,884,068 | ) | ||
Deferred tax liability — current (net investment in sales-type leases) | $ | (1,351,555 | ) | $ | (1,442,317 | ) |
13. INCOME TAX
The Company’s Chinese subsidiaries are governed by the Income Tax Law of the PRC concerning privately-run enterprises, which are generally subject to tax at 25% on income reported in the statutory financial statements after appropriate tax adjustments. Under the 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 rate for 2014 and 2013 was 25%. During 2013, Xi’an TCH was re-approved for high tech enterprise status and enjoyed 15% preferential income tax rate for 3 years effective January 1, 2013. Huahong, Zhonghong and Erdos TCH’s effective income tax rate for 2014 and 2013 was 25%. Shanghai TCH, Xi’an TCH, Huahong, Zhonghong and Erdos TCH file separate income tax returns.
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, as of March 31, 2014, had net operating loss (“NOL”) carry forwards for income taxes of $12.43 million, 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. Our management believes the realization of benefits from these losses may be uncertain due to the Company’s limited operating history and continuing operating losses. Accordingly, a 100% deferred tax asset valuation allowance was provided.
The following table reconciles the U.S. statutory rates to the Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively:
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
U.S. statutory rates | 34.0 | % | 34.0 | % | ||||
Tax rate difference – current provision | (9.6 | )% | (10.5 | )% | ||||
Effective tax holiday | (7.0 | )% | - | % | ||||
Other | 0.2 | % | - | % | ||||
2013 income tax adjustment per income tax return filed in 2014 | 8.6 | % | - | % | ||||
Effect of tax rate change on deferred tax items | - | % | (0.5 | )% | ||||
Valuation allowance on US NOL | 2.3 | % | 5.5 | % | ||||
Tax per financial statements | 28.5 | % | 28.5 | % |
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The provision for income taxes expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
Income tax expense - current | $ | 889,247 | $ | 608,652 | ||||
Income tax expense - deferred | 348,282 | 751,402 | ||||||
Total income tax expenses | $ | 1,237,529 | $ | 1,360,054 |
14. LOANS PAYABLE
Collective Capital Trust Plan
On December 3, 2009, the Company and Beijing International Trust Co., Ltd. (the “Beijing Trust”) formed a Low Carbon Fortune-Energy Recycling No. 1 Collective Capital Trust Plan (the “Capital Trust Plan”) pursuant to that certain Capital Trust Loan Agreement, dated November 19, 2009, by and between Erdos TCH and the Beijing Trust (the “Capital Trust Agreement”). All amounts raised under the Capital Trust Plan were loaned to Erdos TCH in connection with its WHPG projects Phase II and Phase III construction and operation.
Under the Capital Trust Agreement, the annual base interest rate was 9.94% for A1 preferred trust fund units with a term of two (2) years, 11% for A2 preferred trust fund units with a term of three (3) 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 (4) years. Erdos TCH provided a lien on its equipment, assets and accounts receivable to guarantee the loans under the Capital Trust Agreement. Xi’an TCH and Mr. Guohua Ku, the CEO, the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors and a major shareholder, provided unconditional and irrevocable joint liability guarantees to the Beijing Trust for Erdos TCH’s performance under the Capital Trust Agreement. Erdos (the former minority shareholder and customer of Erdos TCH) provided a commitment letter on minimum power purchase from Erdos TCH.
The Capital Trust Plan raised $44.1 million (RMB 300,000,000) through a series of capital raises in 2009 and 2010, including (i) 13,750,000 B1 units ($2.0 million) purchased by the management of Erdos TCH; (ii) 1,600,000 ($235,600) A1 units and (iii) 46,250,000 B2 units ($7.4 million) purchased by Xi’an TCH, which was considered an investment by Xi’an TCH into Erdos TCH and, accordingly, was eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. On behalf of Erdos TCH, Xi’an TCH paid in full to Beijing Trust for the Trust Loan in December 2013 except the principal of RMB 46.25 million ($7.59 million) that was previously invested by Xi’an TCH to the Trust Loan plus accumulated interest of RMB 2,775,000 ($0.46 million), and RMB 7,650,000 ($1.25 million) that was previously invested by Mr. Guohua Ku to the Trust Loan plus accumulated interest of RMB 459,000 ($75,000), remained as outstanding liability of Erdos TCH. Beijing Trust transferred credit rights of the above outstanding balances to Xian TCH and Mr. Guohua Ku. In addition, Xi’an TCH assumed liability of Erdos TCH to pay Mr. Ku. The outstanding liability of Erdos TCH to Xi’an TCH was eliminated in the consolidation. The related management incentive benefit and Clean Development Mechanism under the Kyoto Protoco were terminated accordingly without further execution as a result of repayment to Beijing Trust.
Entrusted Loan Payable
The newly established HYREF Fund (Beijing Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Center, LLP) with total fund size of RMB 460 million ($75.0 million) invests in Xi’an Zhonghong for Zhonghong’s three new coke dry quenching (CDQ) waste heat power generation projects. The HYREF Fund invested RMB 3 million ($0.5 million) as an equity investment and RMB 457 million ($74.5 million) as a debt investment; in return for such investments, the HYREF Fund will receive an interest payment from Zhonghong for the HYREF Fund’s debt investment. The RMB 457 million ($74.5 million) was released to Zhonghong through an entrusted bank, which is also the supervising bank for the use of the loan. The loan shall be deposited to a bank account at the Supervising Bank (the Industrial Bank Xi’an Branch) and will be jointly supervised by Zhonghong and the Fund Management Company. Project spending shall be verified by the Fund Management Company to confirm that it is in accordance with the project schedule before the funds are released. All the operating accounts of Zhonghong shall be opened with the branches of the Supervising Bank and the Supervising Bank has the right to monitor all bank accounts opened by Zhonghong. The entrusted bank will charge 0.1% of loan amount as service fee and will not take any lending risk. The loan was collateralized by the accounts receivable and the fixed assets of Shenqiu Phase I and II power generation systems, the accounts receivable and fixed assets of Zhonghong’s three CDQ waste heat power generation systems, and a 27,000,000 RMB capital contribution made by Xi’an TCH. Repayment of the loan (principal and interest) was also jointly and severally guaranteed by Xi’an TCH and Mr. Guohua Ku, the Chairman and CEO of the Company.
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Zhonghong shall also maintain certain capital level in its account with the Supervising Bank to make sure it has sufficient funds to make interest payments when they are due:
· | During the first three years from the first release of the loan, the balance in its account shall be no less than RMB 7.14 million ($1.19 million) on the 20th day of the 2nd month of each quarter and no less than RMB 14.28 million ($2.38 million) on the 14th day of the last month of each quarter; |
· | During the fourth year from the first release of the loan, the balance in its account shall be no less than RMB 1.92 million ($0.32 million) on the 20th day of the 2nd month of each quarter and no less than RMB 3.85 million ($0.64 million) on the 14th day of the last month of each quarter; and |
· | During the fifth year from the first release of the loan, the balance in its account shall be no less than RMB 96,300 ($16,050) on the 20th day of the 2nd month of each quarter and no less than RMB 192,500 ($32,080) on the 14th day of the last month of each quarter. |
The term of this loan is for 60 months from July 31, 2013 to July 30, 2018. On August 6, 2016, Zhonghong shall repay principal in the amount of RMB 280 million ($45.54 million); on August 6, 2017, it shall repay principal of RMB 100 million ($16.27 million) and on July 30, 2018, it shall repay the remainder of RMB 77 million ($12.52 million). The interest rate is 12.5% per year. Zhonghong shall maintain a minimal funding level and capital level in its designated account with the Supervising Bank to make sure it has sufficient funds to make principal payments when they are due. As of March 31, 2014, the entrusted loan payable had an outstanding balance of $74.28 million, of which, $12.2 million was from the investment of Xi’an TCH; accordingly, the Company netted off the loan payable of $12.2 million with the long-term investment to the HYREF Fund made by Xi’an TCH. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company recorded interest expense of $342,228 on this loan.
Bank Loans - Industrial Bank
Xi’an TCH entered into an agreement with Industrial Bank Co., Ltd., Xi’an Branch (the “Industrial Bank”) for a loan designed for energy saving and emission reduction projects, whereby the Industrial Bank agreed to loan $4.88 million (RMB 30,000,000) to Xi’an TCH for three (3) years from April 6, 2010 to April 5, 2013. The loan had a floating interest rate that reset at the beginning of each quarter at 110% of the national base interest rate for the same term and same level loan (then 6.77%). The loan agreement contained standard representations, warranties and covenants, and was guaranteed by Xi’an TCH, Shaanxi Shengwei Construction Material Group and Mr. Guohua Ku. The principal was paid in full at maturity.
On March 31, 2011, Xi’an TCH entered into another loan agreement with the Industrial Bank for energy saving and emission reduction projects, whereby the Industrial Bank agreed to loan $4.88 million (RMB 30,000,000) to Xi’an TCH for three (3) years to March 30, 2014. 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 (then 7.07%). Under the loan, Xi’an TCH is required to make quarterly interest payments and, beginning six (6) months after the date of the release of the funds, to make minimum quarterly principal payments of $488,000 (RMB 3,000,000). 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. As of March 31, 2014, this loan was paid in full at maturity
On November 8, 2011, Xi’an TCH entered the third loan agreement with the same Industrial Bank for energy saving and emission reduction projects, whereby the Lender agreed to loan $21.04 million (RMB 130,000,000) to Xi’an TCH for four years to November 28, 2015. 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 (then 7.36%). Under the loan, Xi’an TCH is required to make quarterly interest payments and, beginning nine months after the date of the release of the funds, to make minimum quarterly principal payments of $1,618,463 (RMB 10,000,000). For the first nine months, the loan was in a grace period and there was no repayment requirement. The loan is guaranteed by accounts receivable of Xi’an TCH, Pucheng and Shenqiu BMPG systems and Mr. Guohua Ku. As of March 31, 2014, this loan had outstanding balance of $9.75 million, of which, $6.50 million was to be repaid within one year and was classified as current liability, and $3.25 million will be repaid after one year and was classified as noncurrent liability.
On October 9, 2013, Xi’an TCH entered the fourth loan agreement with the same Industrial Bank for energy saving and emission reduction projects, whereby the Lender agreed to loan $16.40 million (RMB 100,000,000) to Xi’an TCH for four years to October 8, 2017. The loan agreement has a floating interest rate that resets at the beginning of each month at 120% of the national base interest rate for the same term and same level loan. 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 $615,067 (RMB 3,750,000) for 2014, $1,025,111 (RMB 6,250,000) for 2015, and $1,230,133 (RMB 7,500,000) for 2016 and 2017. For the first six months, the loan was in a grace period and there was no repayment requirement. The loan is guaranteed by the assets of the Erdos project systems, the accounts receivable of Jilin Ferroallys and Mr. Guohua Ku. As of March 31, 2014, this loan had outstanding balance of $16.25 million, of which, $3.65 million was to be repaid within one year and was classified as current liability, and $12.60 million will be repaid after one year and was classified as noncurrent liability.
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Bank Loan – Bank of Xi’an
During the first quarter of 2012, Xi’an TCH entered into an agreement with Bank of Xi’an, whereby Bank of Xi’an agreed to loan $4.88 million (RMB 30,000,000) to Xi’an TCH for one (1) year with maturity on March 1, 2013. The monthly interest rate of the loan was 0.60133%. Under the terms of the loan, Xi’an TCH was required to make monthly interest payments and the principal was to be repaid at maturity. The loan was guaranteed by a third party guarantee company and Mr. Guohua Ku. The Company paid the third party guarantee company $119,322 (RMB 750,000) as a re-guarantee service fee. This loan was repaid at maturity.
On March 28, 2013, Xi’an TCH entered into another agreement with Bank of Xi’an, whereby Bank of Xi’an agreed to loan $4.88 million (RMB 30,000,000) to Xi’an TCH for one (1) year with maturity on March 27, 2014. The monthly interest rate of the loan is 0.575%. Under the terms of the loan, Xi’an TCH is required to make monthly interest payments and the principal is to be repaid at maturity. The loan is guaranteed by a third party guarantee company and Mr. Guohua Ku. The Company paid a third party $115,315 (RMB 712,500) as a re-guarantee service fee. This loan was repaid at maturity.
Trust Loan - Zhongrong International Trust - Xuzhou Zhongtai and Tangshan Rongfeng
On February 17, 2014, Xi’an TCH entered into a trust loan agreement with Zhongrong International Trust Co., Ltd (“ZRIT”), for Xi’an TCH to borrow RMB 150 million ($24.5 million) for the CDQ system and the CDQ Waste Heat Power Generation Project with Xuzhou Zhongtai Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (the “Zhongtai Project”). ZRIT will set up a Zhongrong-Green Recycling Energy Collective Capital Trust Plan No. 1 (the “Trust Plan No. 1”) to raise money and loan the proceeds to Xi’an TCH for the Zhongtai Project (the “Zhongtai Loan”). The Zhongtai Loan is secured by the pledge of CDQ equipment and power generation system of the Zhongtai Project, by personal guarantee of Mr. Ku Guohua, and by a corporate guarantee of Xuzhou Zhongtai Energy Technology Co., Ltd. and its affiliated companies. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had $24.38 million outstanding balance under Zhongtai Loan.
The Zhongtai Loan has a term of four years. The annual interest rate for the first 24 months of the loan is 12%. ZRIT has the right to adjust the interest rate according to the market conditions after 24 months and Xi'an TCH has the right to prepay the Zhongtai Loan before maturity if Xi’an TCH does not agree to such adjustment of interest rate. ZRIT has the right to request repayment of all principal and interest of the Zhongtai Loan on the 24-month anniversary date of the establishment of Trust Plan No. 1. Under the terms of the loan, Xi’an TCH should make the first, second, and all remaining repayment of the principal which is 30%, 30%, and 40% of the accumulated amount released by ZRIT on the last day of the 24th month, 36th month, and maturity date from the establishment of the trust plan.
On February 17, 2014, Xi’an TCH entered into another trust loan agreement with ZRIT, for Xi’an TCH to borrow RMB 135 million ($22.1 million) for the CDQ system and the CDQ WHPG Project with Tangshan Rongfeng Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. (the “Rongfeng Project”). ZRIT will set up a Zhongrong-Green Recycling Energy Collective Capital Trust Plan No. 2 (the “Trust Plan No. 2”) to raise money and loan the proceeds to Xi’an TCH for the Rongfeng Project (the “Rongfeng Loan”). The Rongfeng Loan is secured by the pledge of CDQ equipment and power generation system of the Rongfeng Project, by a personal guarantee of Mr. Ku Guohua, and by a corporate guarantee of Tangshan Rongfeng Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. and its parent company. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had $2.62 million outstanding balance under Rongfeng Loan.
The Rongfeng Loan has a term of four years. The annual interest rate for the first 24 months of the loan is 12%. ZRIT has the right to adjust the interest rate according to the market conditions after 24 months and Xi'an TCH has the right to prepay the Rongfeng Loan before maturity if Xi’an TCH does not agree to such adjustment of the interest rate. ZRIT has the right to request repayment of all principal and interest of the Rongfeng Loan on the 24-month anniversary date of the establishment of Trust Plan No. 2. Under the terms of the loan, Xi’an TCH should make the first, second, and all remaining repayment of the principal which is 30%, 30%, and 40% of the accumulated amount released by ZRIT on the last day of the 24th month, 36th month, and maturity date from the establishment of the trust plan.
As of March 31, 2014, the future minimum repayment of all the loans including entrusted loan to be made by years was as follows:
2015 | 10,971,864 | |||
2016 | 15,820,615 | |||
2017 | 58,488,971 | |||
2018 | 29,492,368 | |||
2019 | 325,092 | |||
Total | $ | 115,098,910 |
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15. LONG TERM PAYABLE – FINANCING AGREEMENT FOR SALE LEASE-BACK TRANSACTION
On June 28, 2011, Xi’an TCH entered into a Financing Agreement (the “Cinda Agreement”) with Cinda Financial, an affiliate of China Cinda (HK) Asset Management Co., Ltd, a company organized under the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China (“Cinda HK”).
Under the Cinda Agreement, Xi’an TCH transferred its ownership of (i) a set of 7MW steam turbine waste heat power generation systems and (ii) four furnaces and ancillary apparatus ((i) and (ii) collectively, the “Assets”) to Cinda Financial for $6.72 million (RMB 42.50 million), and Cinda Financial leased the Assets to Xi’an TCH for five (5) years for $8.15 million (RMB 51.54 million) based on the transfer cost and benchmark interest rate for five (5) year loans by People’s Bank of China (“PBOC”) (then 6.65%) plus 15% of that rate (7.6475%). The interest rate will increase if the five-year benchmark interest rate of PBOC increases but will remain the same if the benchmark rate decreases in the future. Xi’an TCH shall make pro rata quarterly payments to Cinda Financial for the leasing fees. Upon the completion of the lease term and full payment of all leasing fees and other fees, Xi’an TCH can pay $676 (RMB 4,250) to acquire the Assets from Cinda Financial. The quarterly minimum leasing payment to Cinda Financial is $412,855 (RMB 2,594,998).
In addition to the leasing fees, Xi’an TCH prepaid a one-time non-refundable leasing service charge of $405,696 (RMB 2,550,000) and a refundable security deposit of $338,079 (RMB 2,125,000) to Cinda Financial. The prepaid leasing service fee is to be: amortized over five (5) years. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, $20,725 (RMB 127,500) and $20,307 (RMB 127,500) was amortized, respectively. The unamortized portion was recorded as prepaid loan fees of $82,899 and $103,623 into current and non-current portions, respectively, as of March 31, 2014.
In accordance with ASC 840-10-25-4, since CREG retains substantially all of the benefits and risks relating to the property, this transaction was a financing and was recorded as such. The proceeds of this financing were not received prior to September 30, 2011; therefore, this transaction was recorded in the third quarter of 2011. As of March 31, 2014, the Company made repayments of $4,639,569 to Cinda Financial.
As of March 31, 2014, the future minimum payment to be made by years was as follows:
2014 | $ | 1,265,421 | ||
2015 | 1,687,228 | |||
2016 | 843,613 | |||
Total | 3,796,262 | |||
Unamortized interest | (350,702 | ) | ||
Total long term payable | 3,445,560 | |||
Current portion | 1,456,452 | |||
Noncurrent portion | $ | 1,989,108 |
16. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN
Options to Employees
On August 4, 2008, the Company granted certain employees stock options under the Company’s 2007 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan, which was later amended and restated in 2010, to acquire 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001, at $0.80 per share. The options vested over three years and have a life of five years. The Company’s 2007 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan has expired.
Based on the FV method under SFAS No. 123 (Revised) “Share Based Payment” (“SFAS 123(R)”), codified in FASB ASC Topic 718, the FV of each stock option granted is estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model (“BSOPM”). The BSOPM 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 FV of each option granted to employees is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of each stock option award. The FV 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 of the options cancelled on June 25, 2008. The grant date FV of options was $5.04 million.
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On November 9 and 11, 2009, the Company and three option holders agreed to cancel 87,000 vested but unexercised shares and forfeit unvested options for 203,000 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 vested over three years and have a life of five years. The FV 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 FV of options was $518,513.
In July 2011, the Compensation Committee approved and provided the employees cashless exercise elections to the stock options granted by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) on August 4, 2008. On August 20, 2013, the Board further approved and provided the Employee Recipients (stock options granted to purchase shares of common stock of the Company in its resolutions on November 11, 2009 and August 13, 2010) cashless exercise elections. The holder of the stock options may elect to receive shares equal to the value (as determined below) of his/her option (or the portion thereof being canceled) according to the following formula:
X = Y (A-C)
A
Where | X = | the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to the holder | |
Y = | the number of shares of stock option or, if only a portion of the stock option is being exercised, the portion of the option being canceled | ||
A = | the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock as defined below | ||
C = | Stock Option Exercise Price |
For purposes of the above calculation, the fair market value per share shall be the closing price quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market for the five (5) trading days prior to the date on which a written notice of such holder’s election to exercise his/her option has been received by the Company. During 2013, the Employee Recipients exercised 2,650,000 shares of stock options (granted on August 4, 2008) into 1,887,411 shares of the Company’s common stock.
On August 13, 2010, the Company granted 2,200,000 options to acquire the Company’s common stock at $3.05 per share to 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 Company meets its minimum revenue and earnings goals in the Company’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 Company 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 Company 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 Company meets certain financial goals of 2012 which is set out and decided by the Compensation Committee, such vesting is to occur immediately upon Compensation Committee’s determination that the Company has met such goals for 2012. The options may only be exercised to the extent that such options have become vested and exercisable.
The Company did not meet the financial goals of 2012 and 2011; accordingly, the second and third tranche (two thirds of the total number of 2,200,000 options) was forfeited.
The options have a life of five years. The FV 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%. Each tranche of the options is deemed to be independent of the others. Therefore, the FV of the first tranche of options was expensed during 2011; the second and third tranche of options were forfeited due to the non-achievement of established financial benchmarks.
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The following table summarizes activity for employees in the Company’s Plan:
Number of Shares | Average Exercise Price per Share | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years | ||||||||||
Outstanding at January 1, 2014 | 1,023,333 | 2.85 | 1.40 | |||||||||
Exercisable at January 1, 2014 | 1,023,333 | 2.85 | 1.40 | |||||||||
Granted | - | - | - | |||||||||
Exercised | - | - | - | |||||||||
Forfeited | - | - | - | |||||||||
Outstanding at March 31, 2014 | 1,023,333 | 2.85 | 1.15 | |||||||||
Exercisable at March 31, 2014 | 1,023,333 | $ | 2.85 | 1.15 |
Options to Independent Directors
On October 30, 2009, the Company granted stock options for 130,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, 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 five years. The FV 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 FV of options was $183,000.
On January 20, 2010, the Company granted stock options for 40,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, at $4.68 per share to another independent director. The options vested and became exercisable on the six-month anniversary of the grant date with a life of five years. The FV 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 FV of options was $142,000.
On October 7, 2010, the Board appointed Mr. Yilin Ma and Mr. Chungui Shi as new members of the Board to fill the director vacancies until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. In connection with their appointment, the Board 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, at an exercise price equal to the closing price per share of the Company’s common stock on October 7, 2010. The Director Stock Options vested and became exercisable upon shareholder approval; the options had a life of five years from the original grant date. The FV of these 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 FV of the Director Stock Options was $83,000. On October 31, 2013, the Company was notified by NASDAQ that the grant of options to Mr. Chungui Shi were subject our shareholders’ approval pursuant to NASDAQ rule 5635(c); accordingly, on November 11, 2013, the Company and Mr. Shi entered into that certain First Amendment to the Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement. Per the First Amendment, the parties agreed that the underlying Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement would be subject to stockholder approval at the Company's 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and that if shareholder approval is not obtained, the initial grant shall be deemed null and void and Mr. Shi shall not have a right to these shares.
The Director Stock Options did not include a cashless exercise right clause. On August 20, 2013, the Board approved and provided the Director Recipients cashless exercise elections to the Director Stock Options. The holder of the stock options may elect to receive shares equal to the value (as determined below) of his/her option (or the portion thereof being canceled) according to the following formula:
X = Y (A-C)
A
Where | X = | the number of shares of common stock to be issued to the holder | |
Y = | the number of shares of stock option or, if only a portion of the stock option is being exercised, the portion of the option being canceled | ||
A = | the Fair Market Value of one share of common stock as defined below | ||
C = | Stock Option Exercise Price |
For purposes of the above calculation, the fair market value per share shall be the closing price quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market for the five (5) trading days prior to the date on which a written notice of such holder’s election to exercise his/her option has been received by the Company. During 2013, one of the Company’s directors exercised 10,000 shares of stock options into 5,261 shares of the Company’s common stock. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, two of the Company’s directors exercised 60,000 shares (50,000 and 10,000 shares respectively) of stock options into 36,124 shares (30,575 and 5,549 shares respectively) of the Company’s common stock.
The following table summarizes option activity with respect to the independent directors:
Number of Shares | Average Exercise Price per Share | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years | ||||||||||
Outstanding at January 1, 2014 | 200,000 | 2.64 | 1.05 | |||||||||
Exercisable at January 1, 2014 | 160,000 | 2.64 | 0.74 | |||||||||
Granted | - | - | - | |||||||||
Exercised | 60,000 | 1.85 | - | |||||||||
Forfeited | - | - | - | |||||||||
Outstanding at March 31, 2014 | 140,000 | 2.98 | 0.98 | |||||||||
Exercisable at March 31, 2014 | 100,000 | $ | 2.98 | 0.67 |
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Warrants to Investor Relation Firms
On October 1, 2009, the Company granted warrants to acquire 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, 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 FV of each warrant granted is estimated on the date of the grant using the BSOPM 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 were classified as equity instruments and were exercisable into a fixed number of common shares. There was no commitment or requirement to change the quantity or terms based on conditions to the counterparty’s performance or market conditions. The FV 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%. On August 6, 2013, the 50,000 warrants were exercised into 26,489 shares of the Company’s common stock through cashless exercise, and the Company did not have any outstanding warrants since then.
Shares issued to a consulting firm
On October 16, 2013, the Company entered a one-year financing consulting service agreement with a consulting firm. The Company will pay 75,000 restricted Rule 144 shares for the service. The Board approved such share issuance on March 27, 2014. The fair value of the 75,000 shares was $187,500 at agreement date, and will be amortized over the term of the service.
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’s Chinese subsidiaries are required to transfer 10% of their 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 shareholding or by increasing the par value of the shares currently held by them, provided that the remaining reserve balance after such issue 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 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 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.
The Company sells electricity to its customers and receives commercial notes (bank acceptance) from them in lieu of payments for accounts receivable. The Company discounts the commercial notes with the bank or endorses the commercial notes to vendors for payment of their own obligations or to get cash from third parties. Most of the commercial notes have a maturity of less than six months. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Xi’an TCH had outstanding notes receivable of $0 and RMB 4,000,000 ($656,071), respectively.
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Xi’an TCH was granted a subsidy by Xi’an City Science and Technology Bureau and Xi’an City Finance Bureau under Xi’an Hi-Tech Industry Development Special Project Fund. The special project fund for Xi’an TCH is for a three years period, from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014, with two criteria established to measure the performance of Xi’an TCH: (i) total accumulated sales in three years should be RMB 320 million ($52.8 million), and (ii) total accumulated taxable income should be RMB 56.9 million ($9.0 million). In 2012, Xi’an TCH’s total sales were RMB 129 million ($20.5 million) and total taxable income was RMB 59.8 million ($9.5 million) under PRC GAAP. Xian TCH achieved total accumulated taxable income target of RMB 56.9 million ($9.0 million) in 2012 under PRC GAAP. In 2013, Xi’an TCH’s total sales were RMB 154 million ($24.9 million) under PRC GAAP; in the three months ended March 31, 2014, Xi’an TCH’s total sales were RMB 45 million ($7.4 million) under PRC GAAP; as a result, Xian TCH achieved total accumulated sales target of RMB 320 million ($52.8 million) under PRC GAAP as of March 31, 2014, and therefore was fully entitled to the subsidy income. Total subsidy income for 3 years was $499,000 (RMB 3,150,000) and Xi’an TCH paid third party consulting company fees of $149,700 (RMB 945,000), for services relating to project evaluation and audit, application document preparation, assembling and compiling, the net subsidy received was $349,300 (RMB 2,205,000), which was recorded as part of other income in 2012.
19. COMMITMENTS
Lease Commitment
On March 4, 2014, Xi’an TCH’s office lease expired. Xi’an TCH renewed this lease for an additional three (3) years with an 8% increase on rent upon renewal; the monthly rental payment was $18,000 before March 4, 2014 and is now $19,440 after Mach 4, 2014. In March 2013, Xi’an TCH leased an office in Jinan for a three (3) year term, expiring on March 22, 2016, with a monthly rental payment of $3,800, which amount will be increased by 5% each year. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the rental expense of Xi’an TCH was $106,431 and $54,502, respectively.
Future minimum annual rental payments required under operating leases as of March 31, 2014 were as below (by year):
2015 | $ | 282,000 | ||
2016 | 285,000 | |||
2017 | 214,000 | |||
Total | $ | 781,000 |
Construction Commitment
Refer to Note 1 for additional details related to lease commitments with Shanxi Datong, Chengli Boxing, Tianyu (and its subsidiaries Xuzhou Tian’an and Xuzhou Huayu), and Zhongtai, and Note 6 for commitment on construction in progress.
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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 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.
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”) was incorporated on May 8, 1980 as Boulder Brewing Company under the laws of the State of Colorado. On September 6, 2001, the Company changed its state of incorporation to the State of Nevada. In 2004, the Company changed its name from Boulder Brewing Company to China Digital Wireless, Inc. and on March 8, 2007, the Company again changed its name from China Digital Wireless, Inc. to its current name, China Recycling Energy Corporation. The Company, through its subsidiaries, sells and leases energy saving systems and equipment to its customers. Typically, the Company transfers ownership of the waste energy recycling power generating projects to its customers at the end of each sales-type lease and finances its customers for the cost of the projects as described below.
Our Subsidiaries
Our 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”), Xi’an TCH’s wholly-owned subsidiary Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd (“Erdos TCH”) and Xi’an TCH’s 90% owned subsidiary Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Zhonghong is engaged to provide energy saving solutions and services, including constructing, selling and leasing energy saving systems and equipment to customers.
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The Company’s organizational chart is as follows:
Shanghai TCH and its Subsidiaries
Shanghai TCH was established as a foreign investment enterprise in Shanghai under the laws of the PRC on May 25, 2004 and has a registered capital of $29.80 million. Xi’an TCH was incorporated in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province under the laws of the PRC on November 8, 2007. In February 2009, Huahong was incorporated in Xi’an, Shaanxi province. Erdos TCH was incorporated in April 2009 in Erdos, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. On July 19, 2013, Xi’an TCH formed a new company called Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd (“Zhonghong”). Xi’an TCH owns 90% of Zhonghong, which provides energy saving solutions and services, including constructing, selling and leasing energy saving systems and equipment to customers.
As of March 31, 2014, Shanghai TCH had sales or sales-type leases with the following parties: (i) Zhangzhi (for one top gas recovery turbine (“TRT”) system); (ii) Jing Yang Shengwei (for one cement waste heat power generator (“CHPG”) system); (iii) Erdos (for five recycling waste heat power generating systems); (iv) Zhongbao (for one waste heat power generation (“WHPG”) system); (v) Sinosteel Jilin Ferroalloys Co., Ltd. (for one waste heat power generation system (“WHPG”)); (vi) Pucheng (for two biomass power generation (“BMPG”) systems); (vii) Shenqiu (for two biomass power generation (“BMPG”) systems); and (viii) Shanxi Datong Coal Group Steel Co., Ltd (for two BPRT systems).
The Fund Management Company and the HYREF Fund
On June 25, 2013, Xi’an TCH and Hongyuan Huifu Venture Capital Co. Ltd (“Hongyuan Huifu”) jointly established Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Management Beijing Co., Ltd (the ”Fund Management Company”) with registered capital of RMB 10 million. Xi’an TCH made an initial capital contribution of RMB 4 million ($650,000) and has a 40% ownership interest in the Fund Management Company. With respect to the Fund Management Company, voting rights and dividend rights are allocated 80% and 20% between Hongyuan Huifu and Xi’an TCH, respectively.
The Fund Management Company serves as the general partner of Beijing Hongyuan Recycling Energy Investment Center, LLP (the “HYREF Fund”), a limited liability partnership established on July 18, 2013 in Beijing. The Fund Management Company made an initial capital contribution of RMB 5 million ($830,000) to the HYREF Fund. An initial total amount of RMB 460 million ($75 million) has been fully subscribed by all partners for the HYREF Fund. The HYREF Fund has three limited partners: (1) China Orient Asset Management Co., Ltd., which made an initial capital contribution of RMB 280 million ($46.67 million) to the HYREF Fund and is a preferred limited partner; (2) Hongyuan Huifu, which made an initial capital contribution of RMB 100 million ($16.67 million) to the HYREF Fund and is an ordinary limited partner; and (3) the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Xi’an TCH, which made an initial capital contribution of RMB 75 million ($12.5 million) to the HYREF Fund and is a secondary limited partner. The term of the HYREF Fund’s partnership is six (6) years from the date of its establishment, expiring on July 18, 2019. The term is three (3) years from the date of contribution for the preferred limited partner, or four (4) years from the date of contribution for the ordinary limited partner. The total size of the HYREF Fund is RMB 460 million (approximately $76.66 million). The HYREF Fund was formed for the purpose of investing in Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a 90% owned subsidiary of Xi’an TCH, for the construction of two coke dry quenching (“CDQ”) waste heat power generation stations with Jiangsu Tianyu Energy and Chemical Group Co., Ltd. (“Tianyu”) and one CDQ waste heat power generation station with Boxing County Chengli Gas Supply Co., Ltd. (“Chengli”).
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Erdos TCH – Joint Venture
On April 14, 2009, the Company formed Erdos TCH as a joint venture (the “JV”) with Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. (“Erdos”) to recycle waste heat from Erdos’ metal refining plants to generate power and steam to be sold back to Erdos. The JV has a term of 20 years with a total investment for the project estimated at $79 million (RMB 500 million) and an initial investment of $17.55 million (RMB 120 million). Erdos contributed 7% of the total investment for 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%, respectively, of the profit from the JV until Xi’an TCH receives the complete return of its investment. Xi’an TCH and Erdos will then receive 60% and 40%, respectively, of the profit from the JV. On June 15, 2013, Xi’an TCH and Erdos entered into a share transfer agreement, pursuant to which Erdos transferred and sold its 7% ownership interest in the JV to Xi’an TCH for $1.29 million (RMB 8 million), plus certain accumulated profits as described below. Xi’an TCH paid the $1.29 million in July 2013 and, as a result, became the sole shareholder of the JV. In addition, Xi’an TCH is required to pay Erdos accumulated profits from inception up to June 30, 2013 in accordance with the supplementary agreement entered on August 6, 2013. In August 2013, Xi’an TCH paid 20% of the accumulated profit (calculated under PRC GAAP) of $226,000 to Erdos. The JV currently has two power generation systems in Phase I with a total of 18MW power capacity, and three power generation systems in Phase II with a total of 27MW power capacity.
Shanxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation Projects
In February 2011, Xi’an TCH entered into an agreement with Shanxi Datong Coal Group Steel Co., Ltd (“Shanxi Datong”) to recycle gas and steam from groups of blast-furnaces and converters at Shanxi Datong’s metal refining plants to generate power and pursuant to which Xi’an TCH agreed to install two 3MW BPRT systems, and one 15MW WGPG system with a total of 21MW power capacity for an estimated total investment of $28.6 million (RMB 180 million). In June 2013, the two 3MW BPRT power generation systems were completed. The lease term is thirty (30) years, during which time Shanxi Datong will pay a service fee to Xi’an TCH. The service fee is based on an average of 8,000 electricity-generating hours per year and $0.05 (RMB 0.33) per kilowatt hour (“kWh”) for the first five (5) years from the completion of each power generation station. For each of the leases, at the 6th, 11th and 21st year anniversary of the date of the lease, the rates will change to RMB 0.3 kWh, 0.27 kWh and 0.25 kWh, respectively. On June 10, 2013, Xi’an TCH and Shanxi Datong entered into a supplemental agreement relating to the minimum service fee. The minimum service fee per month for the first five (5) years is $0.19 million (RMB 1.2 million), $0.18 million ($1.1 million) for the second five (5) years, $0.16 (RMB 1.0 million) for the following ten (10) years and $0.15 million (RMB 0.9 million) for the last ten (10) years. After thirty (30) years, the units will be transferred to Shanxi Datong at no additional charge.
As of March 31, 2014, the Company had construction in progress of $17.81 million for the remaining Shanxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation project and is committed to paying an additional $2.44 million.
Shenqiu Yuneng Biomass Power Generation (“BMPG”) Projects
On May 25, 2011, Xi’an TCH entered into a Letter of Intent with Shenqiu YuNeng Thermal Power Co., Ltd. (“Shenqiu”) to reconstruct and transform a Thermal Power Generation System owned by Shenqiu into a 75T/H Biomass Power Generation System for $3.57 million (RMB 22.5 million). The project commenced in June 2011 and was completed in the third quarter of 2011. On September 28, 2011, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Asset Transfer Agreement with Shenqiu (the “Shenqiu Transfer Agreement”). Pursuant to the Shenqiu Transfer Agreement, Shenqiu sold Xi’an TCH a set of 12 MW biomass power generation systems (after Xi’an TCH converted the system for biomass power generation purposes). As consideration for the biomass power generation systems, Xi’an TCH agreed to pay Shenqiu $10,937,500 (RMB 70 million) in cash in three installments within six (6) months upon the transfer of ownership of the systems. By the end of 2012, all of the consideration was paid. On September 28, 2011, Xi’an TCH and Shenqiu also entered into a Biomass Power Generation Project Lease Agreement (the “2011 Shenqiu Lease”). Under the 2011 Shenqiu Lease, Xi’an TCH agreed to lease a set of 12MW biomass power generation systems to Shenqiu at a monthly rental rate of $286,000 (RMB 1,800,000) for eleven (11) years. Upon expiration of the 2011 Shenqiu Lease, ownership of this system will be transferred from Xi’an TCH to Shenqiu at no additional cost. In connection with the 2011 Shenqiu Lease, Shenqiu paid one (1) month’s rent as a security deposit to Xi’an TCH, in addition to providing personal guarantees.
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On October 8, 2012, Xi’an TCH entered into a Letter of Intent for technical reformation of Shenqiu Project Phase II with Shenqiu for technical reformation to enlarge the capacity of the Shenqiu Project Phase I (the “Shenqiu Phase II Project”). The technical reformation involved the construction of another 12MW biomass power generation system. After the reformation, the generation capacity of the power plant increased to 24MW. The project commenced on October 25, 2012 and was completed during the first quarter of 2013. The total cost of the project was $11.1 million (RMB 68 million). On March 30, 2013, Xi’an TCH and Shenqiu entered into a Biomass Power Generation Project Lease Agreement (the “2013 Shenqiu Lease”). Under the 2013 Shenqiu Lease, Xi’an TCH agreed to lease the second set of 12MW biomass power generation systems to Shenqiu for $239,000 (RMB 1.5 million) per month for 9.5 years. When the 2013 Shenqiu Lease expires, ownership of this system will be transferred from Xi’an TCH to Shenqiu at no additional cost.
Pucheng Biomass Power Generation (“BMPG”) Projects
On September 11, 2013, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Asset Transfer Agreement (the “Pucheng Transfer Agreement”) with Pucheng Xin Heng Yuan Biomass Power Generation Corporation (“Pucheng”), a limited liability company incorporated in China. The Pucheng Transfer Agreement provided for the sale by Pucheng to Xi’an TCH of a set of 12MW biomass power generation systems with completion of system transformation for a purchase price of RMB 100,000,000 ($16.48 million) in the form of 8,766,547 shares of common stock of the Company at the price of $1.87 per share. Also on September 11, 2013, Xi’an TCH also entered into a Biomass Power Generation Project Lease Agreement with Pucheng (the “Pucheng Lease”). Under the Pucheng Lease, Xi’an TCH will lease this same set of 12MW biomass power generation system to Pucheng, and combine this lease with the lease for the 12MW biomass power generation station of Pucheng Phase I project, under a single lease to Pucheng for RMB 3,800,000 million ($0.63 million) per month (the “Pucheng Phase II Project”). The term for the combined lease is from September 2013 to June 2025. The lease agreement for the 12MW station from Pucheng Phase I project terminated upon the effective date of the Pucheng Lease. The ownership of two 12 MW BMPG systems will be transferred to Pucheng at no additional charge when the Pucheng Lease expires.
Jitie Power Generation Projects
In May 2013, Xi’an TCH signed a contract with Sinosteel Jilin Ferroalloys Co., Ltd. (“Jitie”) to build furnace gas waste heat power generation systems for electricity generation from recycled heat and steam from groups of ferroalloy furnaces and electric furnaces (the “Jitie Project”). According to the contract, Xi’an TCH will install a 7.5 MW and a 3 MW turbine power generation system with a total of 10.5 MW power capacity for an estimated total investment of $9.71 million (RMB 60 million). The lease term is twenty-four (24) years. During the term of this lease, Jitie will pay a service fee to Xi’an TCH based on the actual generating capacity with a minimum service fee per month of $300,000 (RMB 1.8 million). Xi’an TCH will be responsible for the systems operation and will own the power generation systems. In December 2013, the Jitie Project was completed and began operations.
Chengli Waste Heat Power Generation (“WHPG”) Projects
On July 24, 2013, Zhonghong entered into a Cooperative Agreement of Coke Dry Quenching (CDQ) and CDQ Waste Heat Power Generation Project with Boxing County Chengli Gas Supply Co., Ltd. (“Chengli”). The parties entered into a supplement agreement on July 26, 2013. Pursuant to these agreements, Zhonghong will design, build and maintain a 25 MW CDQ system and a CDQ waste heat power generation system to supply power to Chengli, and Chengli will pay energy saving fees (the “Chengli Project”). Chengli will contract the operation of the system to a third party contractor that is mutually agreed to by Zhonghong. In addition, Chengli will provide the land for the CDQ system and CDQ waste heat power generation system at no cost to Zhonghong. The term of the Agreements is for twenty (20) years. The first 800 million watt hours generated by the Chengli Project will be charged at RMB 0.42 ($0.068) per kilowatt hour (excluding tax); thereafter, the energy saving fee will be RMB 0.20 ($0.036) per kilowatt hour (excluding tax). The operating time shall be based upon an average 8,000 hours annually. If the operating time is less than 8,000 hours per year due to a reason attributable to Chengli, then time charged shall be 8,000 hours a year, and if it is less than 8,000 hours due to a reason attributable to Zhonghong, then it shall be charged at actual operating hours. The construction of the Chengli Project is anticipated to be completed twelve (12) months from the date the parties enter into a Technical Agreement. When operations begin, Chengli shall ensure its coking production line works properly and that working hours for the CDQ system are at least 8,000 hours per year, and Zhonghong shall ensure that working hours and the CDQ waste heat power generation system will be at least 7,200 hours per year.
On July 22, 2013, Zhonghong entered into a EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) General Contractor Agreement for the Boxing County Chengli Gas Supply Co., Ltd. CDQ Power Generation Project (the “Huaxin Project”) with Xi’an Huaxin New Energy Co., Ltd. (“Huaxin”). Zhonghong, as the owner of the Huaxin Project, contracted engineering, procurement and construction services for a CDQ system and a 25 MW CDQ waste heat power generation system for Chengli to Huaxin. Huaxin shall provide construction, equipment procurement, transportation, installation and adjustment, test run, construction engineering management and other necessary services to complete the Huaxin Project and ensure the CDQ system and CDQ waste heat power generation system for Chengli meet the inspection and acceptance requirements and work normally. The Huaxin Project is a turn-key project where Huaxin is responsible for monitoring the quality, safety, duration and cost of the project. The total contract price is RMB 200 million (approximately $33.34 million), which includes all the materials, equipment, labor, transportation, electricity, water, waste disposal, machinery and safety costs.
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Tianyu Waste Heat Power Generation (“WHPG”) Project
On July 19, 2013, Zhonghong entered into a Cooperative Agreement (the “Tianyu Agreement”) for Energy Management of Coke Dry Quenching (CDQ) and CDQ Waste Heat Power Generation Project with Jiangsu Tianyu Energy and Chemical Group Co., Ltd (“Tianyu”). Pursuant to the Tianyu Agreement, Zhonghong will design, build, operate and maintain two sets of 25 MW CDQ systems and CDQ WHPG systems for two subsidiaries of Tianyu – Xuzhou Tian’an Chemical Co., Ltd (“Xuzhou Tian’an”) and Xuzhou Huayu Coking Co., Ltd (“Xuzhou Huayu”) – to be located at Xuzhou Tian’an and Xuzhou Huayu’s respective locations (the “Tianyu Project”). Upon completion of the Tianyu Project, Zhonghong will charge Tianyu an energy saving service fee of RMB 0.534 ($0.087) per kilowatt hour (excluding tax). The operating time will be based upon an average 8,000 hours annually for each of Xuzhou Tian'an and Xuzhou Huayu. If the operating time is less than 8,000 hours per year due to a reason attributable to Tianyu, then time charged will be 8,000 hours a year. The construction of the Tianyu Project is anticipated to be completed in fourteen (14) months from the date the parties enter into a Technical Agreement. Tianyu will provide the land for the CDQ systems and CDQ waste heat power generation systems for free. Tianyu also guarantees that it will purchase all of the power generated by the CDQ WHPG systems.
On July 22, 2013, Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. entered into a EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) General Contractor Agreement for the Xuzhou Tianyu Group CDQ Power Generation Project with Xi’an Huaxin New Energy Co., Ltd. (“Huaxin”). Zhonghong as the owner of the Project contracted EPC for the two sets of CDQ systems and 25 MW CDQ waste heat power generation systems for Tianyu to Huaxin—one for Xuzhou Tian’an and one for Xuzhou Huayu. Huaxin shall provide construction, equipment procurement, transportation, installation and adjustment, test run, construction engineering management and other necessary works to complete the Project and ensure the CDQ systems and CDQ waste heat power generation systems for Tianyu meet the inspection and acceptance requirements and work normally. The project is a turn-key project and Huaxin is responsible for the quality, safety, duration and cost of the Project. The total contract price is RMB 400 million (approximately $66.67) of which RMB 200 million ($33.34 million) is for the Xuzhou Tian’an system and RMB 200 million is for the Xuzhou Huayu system. The price is a cover-all price which includes but not limited to all the materials, equipment, labor, transportation, electricity, water, waste disposal, machinery and safety matters.
Related Party Transactions
On March 1, 2014, Xi’an TCH entered a loan agreement with Mr. Ku, a major shareholder and the Company’s Chairman and CEO, in which Mr. Ku will loan the Company, from time to time, up to RMB 80 million ($13 million) for the Company’s operating needs. The loan bore no interest, had one-year term from the actual lending date, the Company can repay the principal in installment. As of March 31, 2014, the Company borrowed $7,247,241 from this shareholder.
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 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 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 the following accounting policies are the most critical to assist 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 financial statements.
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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 wholly-owned subsidiary Xi’an TCH; and Xi’an TCH’s subsidiaries, Erdos TCH and Zhonghong. 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, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions were eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the balance sheets as well as revenues and expenses during the year reported. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Cash includes cash on hand and demand deposits in accounts maintained within China. Balances at financial institutions within China are not covered by insurance. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
Certain other financial instruments, which subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist of accounts and other receivables. The Company does not require collateral or other security to support these receivables. The Company conducts periodic reviews of its customers’ 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.
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 typically 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 costs 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 the 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.
Foreign Currency Translation and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The Company’s functional currency is the Renminbi (“RMB”). For financial reporting purposes, RMB figures were translated into United States dollars (“USD”) as the reporting currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect on 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” (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.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 and 2013
The following table sets forth the results of our operations for the periods indicated as a percentage of net sales:
2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||
$ | % of Sales | $ | % of Sales | |||||||||||||
Sales | $ | 177,607 | 100 | % | $ | 14,340,571 | 100 | % | ||||||||
Sales of systems | - | 0 | % | 14,079,796 | 98 | % | ||||||||||
Contingent rental income | 177,607 | 100 | % | 260,775 | 2 | % | ||||||||||
Cost of sales | 21,904 | 12 | % | 10,900,912 | 76 | % | ||||||||||
Cost of systems | 21,904 | 12 | % | 10,900,912 | 76 | % | ||||||||||
Gross profit | 155,703 | 88 | % | 3,439,659 | 24 | % | ||||||||||
Interest income on sales-type lease | 6,305,716 | 3550 | % | 3,824,840 | 27 | % | ||||||||||
Total operating income | 6,461,419 | 3638 | % | 7,264,499 | 51 | % | ||||||||||
Total operating expenses | (844,975 | ) | 476 | % | (1,082,446 | ) | (8 | )% | ||||||||
Income from operations | 5,616,444 | 3162 | % | 6,182,053 | 43 | % | ||||||||||
Total non-operating expenses, net | (1,277,362 | ) | (719 | )% | (1,402,888 | ) | (10 | )% | ||||||||
Income before income tax | 4,339,082 | 2443 | % | 4,779,165 | 33 | % | ||||||||||
Income tax expense | 1,237,529 | 697 | % | 1,360,054 | 9 | % | ||||||||||
Less: net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest | (21,471 | ) | (12 | )% | 120,921 | 1 | % | |||||||||
Net income attributable to China Recycling Energy Corp | $ | 3,123,024 | 1758 | % | $ | 3,298,190 | 23 | % |
SALES. Total sales, including system sales and contingent rental income, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were $0.18 million while total sales for the comparable period of 2013 were $14.34 million, a decrease of $14.16 million as a result of no sales of systems. Of the total sales, sales of systems for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were $0, as compared to $14.08 million for the comparable period of 2013, a decrease of $14.08 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, no power generation system were completed and sold. In comparison, in the same period of 2013, the Shenqiu Phase II project was completed and sold. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company received contingent rental income of $0.18 million from the usage of electricity in addition to the minimum lease payments, compared to $0.26 million for the comparable period in year 2013. For the sales-type lease, sales and cost of sales (“COS”) are recorded at the time of the lease; in addition to sales revenue, our other major source of revenue is interest income from the sales-type leases.
COST OF SALES. COS for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $0.02 million while our COS for the comparable period of 2013 was $10.90 million, a decrease of $10.88 million. This decrease was mainly due to the lack of the completion and sales of any power generation systems for the three months ended March 31, 2014, in comparison to the comparable period in 2013 when the Shenqiu Phase II project was sold.
GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit was $0.16 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $3.44 million for the comparable period of 2013, representing a blended gross margin of 88% and 24% for the comparable period of 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increased profit margin for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was mainly attributable to contingent rental income; for the same period of 2013, the profit margin for project sales was lower ranging between 23% to 28%.
INTEREST INCOME ON SALES-TYPE LEASES. Interest income on sales-type leases for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $6.31 million, a $2.49 million increase from $3.82 million for the comparable period of 2013. This increase was primarily due to a greater number of sales-type leases in the comparable period of 2014. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, interest income was derived from the following fifteen (15) sales-type leases:
i. | One (1) TRT system to Zhangzhi (13 years); | ||
ii. | One (1) CHPG system to Jing Yang Shengwei (5 years); | ||
iii. | Two (2) BMPG systems to Pucheng Phase I and II (15 and 11.9 years, respectively); | ||
iv. | One (1) BMPG system to Shenqiu Phase I (11 years); | ||
v. | One (1) BMPG system to Shenqiu Phase II (9.5 years); | ||
vi. | Five (5) power and steam generating systems to Erdos (20 years); | ||
vii. | One (1) WHPG system to Zhongbao (9 years); | ||
viii. | One (1) WHPG system to Jitie (24 years); and | ||
ix. | Two (2) BPRT systems to Shanxi Datong (30 years). |
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In comparison, during the comparable period of 2013, interest income was derived from eleven (11) systems: one (1) TRT system, two (2) CHPG systems, two (2) systems for the Erdos Phase I project, three (3) systems for the Erdos Phase II project, one (1) BMPG system to Pucheng, one (1) BMPG system to Shenqiu, and one (1) WHPG system to Zhongbao.
OPERATING EXPENSES. Operating expenses consisted of selling, general and administrative expenses totaling $0.84 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 as compared to $1.08 million for the comparable period of 2013, a decrease of $0.24 million or 22%. The decrease was mainly due to a $0.25 million decrease in legal and consulting expenses compared to the same period of last year.
NON-OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSES). Non-operating expenses consisted of non-sales-type lease interest income, interest expenses, bank charges and miscellaneous expenses. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, net non-operating expense was $1.28 million compared to $1.40 million for the comparable period of 2013. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, we had $0.91 million interest expenses on loans, and $0.42 million financial expenses including an amortized consulting fee of $0.38 million for the Company’s Zhonghong funding project as well as $0.04 million interest income and $0.01 million invest income. For the comparable period of 2013, we had $1.49 million interest expenses on loans, which were partly offset by $0.09 million interest income.
INCOME TAX EXPENSE. Income tax expense was $1.24 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, a decrease of $0.12 million from $1.36 million for the comparable period of 2013. The decrease was mainly due to decreased taxable income. The consolidated effective income tax rate for the March 31, 2014, 2014 and 2013 was 28.5% and 28.5%, respectively. The income tax rate for Shanghai TCH was 25% for 2014 and 2013. Xi’an TCH’s income tax rate for 2014 and 2013 is 15%. Xingtai Huaxin’s income tax rate for 2014 and 2013 is 25%. Huahong, Erdos TCH and Zhonghong’s income tax rate for 2014 and 2013 is 25%.
NET INCOME. Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $3.12 million compared to net income of $3.30 million for the comparable period of 2013, a decrease of $0.18 million. This decrease in net income was mainly due to no sales of systems in the three months ended March 31, 2014 though we significantly increased interest income from sales-type leases.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013
As of March 31, 2014, the Company had cash and equivalents of $16.24 million, other current assets of $12.93 million, current liabilities of $31.39 million, a working capital deficit of $(2.23) million, and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76:1.
The following is a summary of cash provided by or used in each of the indicated types of activities during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
Cash provided by (used in): | ||||||||
Operating Activities | $ | (17,748,650 | ) | $ | 575,072 | |||
Investing Activities | 1,552,795 | 1,688,341 | ||||||
Financing Activities | 24,852,002 | (2,539,312 | ) |
Net cash used in operating activities was $17.75 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $0.58 million provided by operating activities in the comparable period of 2013. The increase in net cash outflow was mainly due increased payments of $22.33 million in connection with the construction and commencement of the Xuzhou Zhongtai project and increased cash outflow on accounts payable of $2.08 million; however, the increase in cash outflow was partially offset by the increased collection on sales-type lease receivables.
Net cash provided by investing activities was $1.55 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to $1.69 million in the comparable period of 2013. We had $1.55 million cash inflow from releasing of restricted cash in the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared with $1.69 million cash inflow from releasing of restricted cash in the same period of 2013.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $24.85 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to net cash used in financing activities of $2.54 million for the comparable period of 2013. The cash inflow in the three months ended March 31, 2014 included $27.15 million of loan proceeds, $4.92 million from an advance from Mr. Ku, a major shareholder and the Company's Chairman and CEO, and $0.65 million from decreased notes receivable which were offset by $7.52 million repayment of bank loans and $0.35 million repayment of a long-term payable. In comparison, the cash outflow for the three months ended March 31, 2013, resulted from the repayment of a bank loan of $6.85 million, repayment of convertible debt of $0.31 million, and increased notes receivable of $0.64 million, despite $4.78 million proceeds from bank loans and $0.48 million from an advance from the related party.
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We believe we have sufficient cash to continue our current business through 2014 based on recurring receipts from existing sales-type leases. As of March 31, 2014, we have one (1) TRT system, one (1) CHPG system, five (5) recycling WHPG systems from the Erdos projects, four (4) BMPG systems (two for Pucheng and two for Shenqiu, two (2) WHPG systems for each of Zhongbao and Jitie, and two (2) BPRT systems for Shanxi Datong, all of which generate cash flows. 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 2014. In addition, we currently have 15 projects in operation with minimum monthly lease payments of RMB 17.79 million ($2.89 million).
We do not believe inflation has had or will have a significant negative impact on our results of operations in 2014.
Transfers of Cash To and From our Subsidiaries
The PRC has currency and capital transfer regulations that require us to comply with regulations for the movement of capital. The Company is able to transfer cash (U.S. dollars) to its PRC subsidiaries through: (i) an investment (by increasing the Company’s registered capital in a PRC subsidiary), or (ii) a shareholder loan. Except as described below, the Company’s subsidiaries in the PRC have not transferred any earnings or cash to the Company to date. The Company’s business is primarily conducted through its subsidiaries. The Company is a holding company and its material assets consist solely of the ownership interests held in its PRC subsidiaries. The Company relies on dividends paid by its subsidiaries for its working capital and cash needs, including the funds necessary: (i) to pay dividends or cash distributions to its shareholders, (ii) to service any debt obligations and (iii) to pay operating expenses. As a result of PRC laws and regulations (noted below) that require annual appropriations of 10% of after-tax income to be set aside in a general reserve fund prior to payment of dividends, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are restricted in that respect, as well as in others respects noted below, in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets to the Company as a dividend.
With respect to transferring cash from the Company to its subsidiaries, increasing the Company’s registered capital in a PRC subsidiary requires the pre-approval of the local commerce department, while a shareholder loan requires a filing with the state administration of foreign exchange or its local bureau.
With respect to the payment of dividends, we note the following:
1. | PRC regulations currently permit the payment of dividends only out of accumulated profits, as determined in accordance with accounting standards and PRC regulations (an in-depth description of the PRC regulations is set forth below); |
2. | Our PRC subsidiaries are required to set aside, at a minimum, 10% of their net income after taxes, based on PRC accounting standards, each year as statutory surplus reserves until the cumulative amount of such reserves reaches 50% of their registered capital; |
3. | Such reserves may not be distributed as cash dividends; |
4. | Our PRC subsidiaries may also allocate a portion of their after-tax profits to fund their staff welfare and bonus funds; except in the event of a liquidation, these funds may also not be distributed to shareholders; the Company does not participate in a Common Welfare Fund; |
5. | The incurrence of debt, specifically the instruments governing such debt, may restrict a subsidiary’s ability to pay shareholder dividends or make other cash distributions; and |
6. | The Company is subject to covenants and consent requirements (presently, the Company has all consents necessary). |
If, for the reasons noted above, our subsidiaries are unable to pay shareholder dividends and/or make other cash payments to the Company when needed, the Company’s ability to conduct operations, make investments, engage in acquisitions, or undertake other activities requiring working capital may be materially and adversely affected. However, our operations and business, including investment and/or acquisitions by our subsidiaries within China, will not be affected as long as the capital is not transferred in or out of the PRC
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PRC Regulations
In accordance with PRC regulations on Enterprises with Foreign Investment and their articles of association, a foreign-invested enterprise (“FIE”) established in the PRC is required to provide statutory reserves, which are appropriated from net profit, as reported in the FIE’s PRC statutory accounts. An FIE is required to allocate at least 10% of its annual after-tax profit to the surplus reserve until such reserve has reached 50% of its respective registered capital (based on the FIE’s PRC statutory accounts). The aforementioned reserves may only be used for specific purposes and may not be distributed as cash dividends. In the event that the FIE’s statutory accounts are insufficient to satisfy this requirement, the FIE’s shareholders are required to contribute capital required to satisfy the registered capital requirement. Until such contribution of capital is satisfied, the FIE is not allowed to repatriate profits to its shareholders, unless approved by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. After satisfaction of this requirement, the remaining funds may be appropriated at the discretion of the FIE’s board of directors. Our subsidiary, Shanghai TCH, qualifies as an FIE and is therefore subject to the above-mandated regulations on distributable profits.
Additionally, in accordance with PRC corporate law, a domestic enterprise is required to maintain a surplus reserve of at least 10% of its annual after-tax profit until such reserve has reached 50% of its respective registered capital based on the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts. A domestic enterprise is also required to provide discretionary surplus reserve, at the discretion of the board of directors, from the profits determined in accordance with the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts. The aforementioned reserves can only be used for specific purposes and may not be distributed as cash dividends. Xi’an TCH, Huahong, and Erdos TCH were established as domestic enterprises; therefore, each is subject to the above-mentioned restrictions on distributable profits.
As a result of PRC laws and regulations that require annual appropriations of 10% of after-tax income to be set aside, prior to payment of dividends, in a general reserve fund, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are restricted in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets to the Company as a dividend or otherwise.
Chart of the Company’s Statutory Reserve
Pursuant to PRC corporate law, effective on January 1, 2006, the Company is now required to maintain a statutory reserve by appropriating from its after-tax profit before declaration or payment of dividends. The statutory reserve represents restricted retained earnings. Our restricted and unrestricted retained earnings under US GAAP are set forth below:
As at | ||||||||
March 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | |||||||
Unrestricted retained earnings | $ | 53,357,830 | $ | 50,603,291 | ||||
Restricted retained earnings (surplus reserve fund) | 10,041,240 | 9,672,754 | ||||||
Retained earnings (including surplus reserve fund) | $ | 63,399,070 | $ | 60,276,045 |
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 stockholders’ 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.
Contractual Obligations
Company’s contractual obligations as of March 31, 2014 are as follows:
Contractual Obligation | 1 year or less | More than 1 year | See Note (for details) | |||||||||
Bank loans and trust loan payable | $ | 10,971,864 | $ | 42,034,427 | 14 | |||||||
Long term payable | 1,456,452 | 1,989,108 | 15 | |||||||||
Entrusted loan | - | 62,092,619 | 14 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 12,428,316 | $ | 106,116,154 |
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The Company believes that it has a stable cash inflow each month and a sufficient channel to commercial institutions to obtain any loans that may be necessary to meet its working capital needs. Historically, we have been able to obtain loans or otherwise achieve our financing objectives due to the Chinese government’s support for energy-saving businesses with stable cash inflows, good credit ratings and history. The Company does not believe it will have difficulties related to the repayment of its outstanding short-term loans.
Commitments
Shanxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation Projects
In February 2011, Xi’an TCH entered into an agreement with Shanxi Datong Coal Group Steel Co., Ltd (“Shanxi Datong”) to recycle gas and steam from groups of blast-furnaces and converter of Shanxi Datong’s metal refining plants to generate power. According to the contract, Xi’an TCH will install two 3MW BPRT, and one 15MW WGPG with a total of 21MW power capacity for an estimated total investment of $27.45 million (RMB 180 million). The lease term is 30 years. During the term of the lease, Shanxi Datong will pay service fee to Xi’an TCH. The service fee is based on an average of 8,000 electricity-generating hours per year and $0.05 (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 Shanxi Datong without any charge.
As of March 31, 2014, the two 3 MW BPRT systems were completed, and the Company paid $16.25 million excluding the capitalized interest of the project for the remaining Shanxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation projects. The Company is committed to pay an additional $2.44 million for completing the Shanxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation projects.
Boxing Chengli Power Generation Projects
On July 24, 2013, Zhonghong entered into a Cooperative Agreement of Coke Dry Quenching (CDQ) and CDQ Waste Heat Power Generation Project with Boxing County Chengli Gas Supply Co., Ltd. (“Chengli”), including a supplement agreement entered by the parties on July 26, 2013.
Pursuant to the agreements, Zhonghong will design, build and maintain a CDQ system and a 25 MW CDQ waste heat power generation system to supply power to Chengli, and Chengli will pay energy saving fees. Zhonghong will contract the operation of the system to a third party contractor that is mutually agreed to by Chengli. In addition, Chengli will provide the land for the CDQ system and CDQ waste heat power generation system at no cost to Zhonghong. The term of the Agreements is for 20 years. The energy saving service fees generated by the Project will be charged at RMB 0.42 ($0.068) per kilowatt hour (excluding tax). The operating time shall be based upon an average 8,000 hours annually. If the operating time is less than 8,000 hours due to a reason attributable to Chengli’s, then time charged shall be 8,000 hours a year, and if it is less than 8,000 hours due to a reason attributable to Zhonghong, then it shall be charged at actual operating hours. The construction of the Project is anticipated to be completed in 12 months from the date the parties enter into a Technical Agreement. From the date of the operation, Chengli shall ensure its coking production line works properly and that working hours for the CDQ system are no less than 8,000 hours/year, while Zhonghong shall ensure that working hours and the CDQ waste heat power generation system will be no less than 7,200 hours/year.
On July 22, 2013, Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. entered into a EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) General Contractor Agreement for the Boxing County Chengli Gas Supply Co., Ltd. CDQ Power Generation Project (the “Project”) with Xi’an Huaxin New Energy Co., Ltd. (“Huaxin”). Zhonghong as the owner of the Project contracted EPC for a CDQ system and a 25 MW CDQ waste heat power generation system for Chengli to Huaxin. Huaxin shall provide construction, equipment procurement, transportation, installation and adjustment, test run, construction engineering management and other necessary works to complete the Project and ensure the CDQ system and CDQ waste heat power generation system for Chengli meet the inspection and acceptance requirements and work normally. The project is a turn-key project and Huaxin is responsible for the quality, safety, duration and cost of the Project. The total contract price is RMB 200 million (approximately $33.34 million). The price is a cover-all price which includes but is not limited to all the materials, equipment, labor, transportation, electricity, water, waste disposal, machinery and safety matters. As of March 31, 2014, Zhonghong has paid $22.76 million excluding capitalized interest of the project, and is committed to pay additional $9.75 million for the Boxing project.
Xuzhou Tian’an and Xuzhou Huayu CDQ Power Generation Projects
On July 19, 2013, Zhonghong entered into a Cooperative Agreement for Energy Management of Coke Dry Quenching (CDQ) and CDQ Waste Heat Power Generation Project (the “Tianyu Project”) with Jiangsu Tianyu Energy and Chemical Group Co., Ltd (“Tianyu”).
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Pursuant to the Tianyu Agreement, Zhonghong will design, build, operate and maintain two sets of 25 MW CDQ systems and CDQ waste heat power generation systems for two subsidiaries of Tianyu: one is for and will be located at Xuzhou Tian’an Chemical Co., Ltd and one set is for and will be located at Xuzhou Huayu Coking Co., Ltd. Upon the completion of the Tianyu Project, Zhonghong will charge Tianyu an energy saving service fee of RMB 0.534 ($0.088) per kilowatt hour (excluding tax). The operating time shall be based upon an average 8,000 hours annually. If the operating time is less than 8,000 hours a year due to the reason attributable to Tianyu, then time charged shall be 8,000 hours a year. The construction of the Tianyu Project is anticipated to be completed in 14 months from the date the parties enter into a Technical Agreement. Tianyu will provide the land for the CDQ systems and CDQ waste heat power generation systems for free. Tianyu also provided guarantee to purchase all the power generated by CDQ Waste Heat Power Generation system.
On July 22, 2013, Xi’an Zhonghong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. entered into a EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) General Contractor Agreement for the Xuzhou Tianyu Group CDQ Power Generation Project (the “Project”) with Xi’an Huaxin New Energy Co., Ltd. (“Huaxin”). Zhonghong as the owner of the Project contracted EPC for the two sets of CDQ systems and 25 MW CDQ waste heat power generation systems for Tianyu to Huaxin—one for Xuzhou Tian’an and one for Xuzhou Huayu. Huaxin shall provide construction, equipment procurement, transportation, installation and adjustment, test run, construction engineering management and other necessary works to complete the Project and ensure the CDQ systems and CDQ waste heat power generation systems for Tianyu meet the inspection and acceptance requirements and work normally. The project is a turn-key project and Huaxin is responsible for the quality, safety, duration and cost of the Project. The total contract price is RMB 400 million (approximately $66.67) of which RMB 200 million ($33.34 million) is for the Xuzhou Tian’an system and RMB 200 million is for the Xuzhou Huayu system. The price is a cover-all price which includes but not limited to all the materials, equipment, labor, transportation, electricity, water, waste disposal, machinery and safety matters. As of March 31, 2014, Zhonghong has paid $24.40 million for Huayu project and $16.25 million for Tian’an project, excluding the capitalized interest for each project, and is committed to pay additional $8.20 million for Huayu project and $16.25 million for Tian’an project.
Zhongtai Waste Heat Power Generation Energy Management Cooperative Agreement
On December 6, 2013, Xi’an entered into a CDQ” and Waste Heat Power Generation Energy Management Cooperative Agreement with Xuzhou Zhongtai Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (the “Zhongtai Agreement”), a limited liability company incorporated in Jiangsu Province, China.
Pursuant to the Zhongtai Agreement, Xi’an TCH will design, build and maintain a 150 ton per hour CDQ system and a 25 MW CDQ waste heat power generation system and sell the power to Zhongtai, and Xi’an TCH will also build a furnace to generate steam from the waste heat of the smoke pipeline and sell the steam to Zhongtai.
The construction period of the Project is expected to be 18 months from the date when conditions are ready for construction to begin. Zhongtai will start to pay an energy saving service fee from the date when the waste heat power generation station passes the required 72 hour test run. The term of payment is for 20 years. For the first 10 years of the term, Zhongtai shall pay an energy saving service fee at RMB 0.534 ($0.089) per kilowatt hour (including value added tax) for the power generated from the system. For the second 10 years of the term, Zhongtai shall pay an energy saving service fee at RMB 0.402 ($0.067) per kilowatt hour (including value added tax). Zhongtai shall also pay an energy saving service fee for the steam supplied by Xi’an TCH at RMB 100 ($16.67) per ton (including value added tax). Upon the completion of the term, Xi’an TCH will transfer the systems to Zhongtai at RMB 1. Zhongtai shall provide waste heat to the systems for no less than 8,000 hours per year and waste gas volume no less than 150,000 Nm3 per hour with a temperature no less than 950°C. If these requirements are not met, the term of the Agreement will be extended accordingly. If Zhongtai wants to terminate the Agreement early, it shall provide Xi’an TCH a 60 day notice and pay the termination fee and compensation for the damages to Xi’an TCH according to the following formula: 1) if it is less than 5 years into the term when Zhongtai requests termination, Zhongtai shall pay: Xi’an TCH’s total investment amount plus Xi’an TCH’s annual investment return times (5 years minus the years of which the system has already operated); 2) if it is more than 5 years into the term when Zhongtai requests the termination, Zhongtai shall pay: Xi’an TCH’s total investment amount minus total amortization cost (the amortization period is 10 year). As of March 31, 2014, the Company has paid $19.08 million excluding capitalized interest on the project for Zhongtai project, and is committed to pay additional $13.43 million for completing the project.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Exchange Rate Risk
Our operations are conducted mainly in the PRC. As such, our earnings are subject to movements in foreign currency exchange rates when transactions are denominated in RMB, which is our functional currency. Accordingly, our operating results are affected by changes in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and those currencies.
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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, as of as of March 31, 2014, 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 as of March 31, 2014, 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.
Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
Our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of controls to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.
The Company is not a party to any legal proceedings that it believes will have a material adverse effect upon the conduct of its business or its financial position.
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, 2013. An investment in our common stock involves various risks. When considering an investment in our company, you should consider carefully all of the risk factors described in our most recent Form 10-K. If any of those risks, incorporated by reference in this Form 10-Q, occur, the market price of our shares of common stock could decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones facing us and there may be additional matters that we are unaware of or that we currently consider immaterial. All of these could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and, thus, the value of an investment in our company.
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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not Applicable
None
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.* |
101.INS | XBRL Instance Document.** |
101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.** |
101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.** |
101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.** |
101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.** |
101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Definitions Linkbase Document.** |
* Filed herewith
** Furnished with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2014
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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 14, 2014 | /s/ Guohua Ku | |
Guohua Ku Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal |
Date: May 14, 2014 | /s/ David Chong | |
David Chong Chief Financial Officer, Principal Accounting 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.* | |
101.INS | XBRL Instance Document.** | |
101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.** | |
101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.** | |
101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.** | |
101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.** | |
101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Definitions Linkbase Document.** |
* Filed herewith
** Furnished with the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2014
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