UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

FORM 10-K/A 

(Amendment No. 1)

(Mark One)

xANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 20102013

OR

 

¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission file number: 001-33717

 

General Steel Holdings, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Nevada41-2079252
(State of Incorporation)(I.R.S. Employer
 Identification Number)

 

Level 21, Tower B, Jiaming Center

No. 27 Dong San Huan North Road

Chaoyang District,

Beijing, China, 100020

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number: +86 (10) 5775 7691

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per shareNew York Stock Exchange
(Title of each class)(Name of each exchange on which registered)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes¨ Nox

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes¨ Nox

 

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. Yesx No¨ Nox

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, 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). Yesx No¨ Nox

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.x

 

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 “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ¨o Accelerated filer ¨o
   
Non-accelerated filer ¨o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 Smaller reporting company x

 

*Please note that while the registrant qualified as an accelerated filer at the time of filing its Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2011, as of the date of filing this Amendment No. 1 to Annual Report on Form 10-K, the registrant has exited the accelerated filer status at the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 and now holds the status as a smaller reporting company.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes¨ Nox

 

The aggregate market value of the voting common equity held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2010,28, 2013, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, based upon the price of $1.00 that was the closing price of the common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GSI” on such date, was approximately $73.5$32.6 million. The registrant has no non-voting common equity.

 

The numberAs of March 17, 2014, 58,314,688 shares outstanding of capitalcommon stock, as of August 28, 2012 was 56,932,788.

Documents Incorporated by Reference:

Certain information required by Part III is incorporated by reference to the Definitive Proxy Statement in conjunction with the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the registrant, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 2, 2011.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Annual Report on Form 10-K/A is being filed as Amendment No. 1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Amendment No.1”), which amends and restates our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 (the “Original 10-K”), originally filed on March 16, 2011 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). This Amendment No. 1 restates the following items:

- Part I; Item I – Business;

- Part I; Item IA – Risk Factors;

- Part II; Item 6- Selected Financial Data;

- Part II, Item 7- Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations;

- Part II, Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data;

- Part II, Item 9A- Controls and Procedures; and

- Part IV, Item 15- Exhibit, Financial Statement Schedules.

While the Original 10-K is being amended and restated as a whole, except for the Items noted above, no other information included in the Original 10-K is being amended or updated by this Amendment No. 1. This Amendment No. 1 continues to describe the conditions as of the date of the Original 10-K and, except as contained therein, we have not updated or modified the disclosures contained in the Original 10-K. Accordingly, this Amendment No. 1 should be read in conjunction with our filings made with the SEC subsequent to the filing of the Original 10-K, including any amendment to those filings.

This Amendment No. 1 is being filed in order to restate:

Our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 by recording the deferred lease income on the land use right amounted to $57.6 million and $16.5 million, respectively.

Our consolidated statements of operation and other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2010, and 2009. As a result, our consolidated net loss attributable to controlling interest for the years ended December 31, 2010, and 2009 increased by $22.3 million and by $5.4 million respectively; and

Our consolidated statements of changes in equity for the years ended December 31, 2010, and 2009. As a result, our consolidated total shareholder’s equity decreased by $29.4 million and $5.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The restatement relates to our accounting treatment forcertain reimbursements received in relation to the collaboration with Shaanxi Iron and Steel Group, Co. Ltd. ("Shaanxi Steel") on the construction of equipment by Shaanxi Steel during the period from June 2009 to March 2011. The Company believed that the original accounting treatment for the reimbursement was in accordance with U.S. GAAP, based upon its understanding of the economic substance and the nature of reimbursement and its interpretation of U.S. GAAP.

However, in connection with the preparation of its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, the Company revisited the appropriate treatment for these items. Given the complexity, and the unique structure of the transaction and the challenge with respect to finding the appropriate accounting guidance, either by direct application or analogy in relation to various aspects of the transaction, both the Company's current and former auditors agreed that a review by the Office of the Chief Accountant ("OCA") of the SEC with respect to the appropriate accounting treatment for the compensation would be helpful. On April 20, 2012, after several rounds of written and oral communications, the OCA provided the Company with its guidance with respect to the accounting treatment. Upon receipt of the guidance from the OCA, the Company concluded amendment to the Original 10-K was necessary.

A summary of the effects of this restatement to our financial statements included within this Amendment No. 1 is presented under Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA at Note 2, “Restatement”.

This Amendment No. 1 includes a re-issued dual dated audit report of Frazer Frost, LLP, and new officer certifications are being filed as exhibits to this Amendment No. 1.par value $0.001 per share, were outstanding. 

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I
   
ITEM 1.BUSINESS.14
ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS.913
ITEM 1B.UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.2523
ITEM 2.PROPERTIES.2524
ITEM 3.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.2725
ITEM 4.(REMOVED AND RESERVED).MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.2725
   
PART II
   
ITEM 5.MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.2725
ITEM 6.SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.2926
ITEM 7.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.3026
ITEM 7A.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.5345
ITEM 8.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.5545
ITEM 9.CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.8793
ITEM 9A.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.8793
ITEM 9B.OTHER INFORMATION.9094
   
PART III
   
ITEM 10.DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.9094
ITEM 11.EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.9098
ITEM 12.SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.90100
ITEM 13.CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.91101
ITEM 14.PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.91107
   
PART IV
   
ITEM 15.EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.91109
  
SIGNATURES.94111

Cautionary Statement

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements relate to future events or the Company’s future financial performance. The Company has attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “can,” “continues,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “should” or “will” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including the matters set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K or other reports or documents the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those projected. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company’s expectations are as of the date this Annual Report on Form 10-K is filed, and the Company does not intend to update nor is obligated to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date this Annual Report on Form10-K is filed to confirm these statements to actual results, unless required by applicable law.

PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.

 

Overview

 

Our Company wasWe were incorporated on August 5, 2002, in the State of Nevada. We are headquartered in Beijing, China and operate a diverse portfolio of Chinese steel companies. Our Company servesWe serve various industries and producesproduce a variety of steel products including:including, but not limited to: reinforced bars (“rebar”), hot-rolled carbon, and silicon sheets, spiral-weld pipes and high-speed wire. Our current aggregate annual production capacity of crude steel products, consisting mainly of steel rebar, is 7 million crude steel metric tons,tons. Our rebar products have a variety of which the majority is rebar. Individual industry segments have unique demand drivers, such as agriculture equipments,rural income, infrastructure construction and energy consumption. Domestic economic conditions are also an overall demand driver for all our products.

 

Our vision is to become one of the largest and most profitable non-government ownedcontrolled steel companies in China.

the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). Our mission is to grow our business organically, and through the acquisition of Chinese steel companies, to increase their profitability and efficienciesefficiency by utilizing western management practices and advanced production technologies, and the infusion of capital resources.

 

Our two-pronged growth strategy includes organic growth and mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”). On the organic growth side, we aim to grow through operation optimization,focuses on a combination of capacity expansion, as well as optimizing operating efficiencies and margin expansion by improved operational efficiency and cost structure. On the M&A side, we aim to expand through aggressive mergers, joint ventures and acquisitions targeting state-owned enterprise steel companies and selected entities with outstanding potential. We have executed this strategy in acquiring controlling interest positions in three joint ventures. Our business currently operates through five steel-related subsidiaries and we are actively attempting to acquire additional assets.leverage.

·We aim to grow revenue by increasing capacity and through continual cooperation and partnerships with leading state-owned enterprises (SOEs).
·We aim to drive profitability through improved operational efficiencies and optimization of our cost structure.

 

Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used herein the terms “General Steel”, the “Company”, “Registrant”,“we”“we”, “our” and “us” all refer to General Steel Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

Steel Related Subsidiaries and Raw Material Trading Company

 

We presently have controlling interests in four steel-related subsidiaries and one raw material trading subsidiary:subsidiaries:

 

·General Steel (China) Co., Ltd. (“General Steel (China)”);
·Baotou Steel - General Steel Special Steel Pipe Joint Venture Company Limited;Limited (“Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture”);
·Shaanxi Longmen Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. (“Longmen Joint Venture”); and
·Maoming Hengda Steel Co., Ltd.; and
·Tianwu General Steel Material Trading Co., Ltd. (“Maoming Hengda”).

 

Our Company, together with our subsidiaries, majority owned subsidiaries and variable interest entity, are referred to as the “Group.”

General Steel (China) Co., Ltd.Ltd

 

General Steel (China), formerly known as “Tianjin Daqiuzhuang Metal Sheet Co., Ltd.” started operations in 1988. General Steel (China)’s core business is manufacturing high quality hot-rolled carbon and silicon steel sheets mainly used in the production of small agricultural vehicles and other specialty markets.

General Steel (China) has ten steel sheet production lines capable of processing approximately 400,000 metric tons of 0.75mm to 2.0mm hot-rolled steel sheets per year. Products are sold through a nation-wide network of 35 distributors and three regional sales offices.

General Steel (China) uses a traditional rolling mill production sequence, including heating, rolling, cutting, annealing, and flattening to process and cut coil segments into steel sheets which have a length of approximately 2,000mm, a width of approximately 1,000mm, and a thickness ranging from 0.75mm to 2.0mm. Limited size adjustments can be made to meet order requirements. Products sell under the registered “Qiu Steel” brand name.

 

On May 14, 2009, General Steel (China) changed its official name from “Tianjin Daqiuzhuang Metal Sheet Co., Ltd.” to better reflect its role as a merger and acquisition platform for steel company investments in China.  In some instances, we retainGeneral Steel (China) retains the use of the name Daqiuzhuang Metal“Daqiuzhuang Metal” for brand recognition purposes within the industry.

On March 31,January 1, 2010, General Steel (China) entered into a lease agreement with Tianjin Daqiuzhuang Steel Plates Co., Ltd. (the “Lessee”), whereby General Steel (China) leased its facility located at No. 1, Tonga Street, Daqiuzhuang Town, Jinghai County, Tianjin City to Tianjin Daqiuzhuang Steel Plates Co., Ltd. (“Lessee”the Lessee (the “Lease Agreement”). The leaseLease Agreement provides approximately 776,078 square feet of workshops, land, equipment and other facilities to the Lessee and reducesallows our Company to reduce overhead costs while providing a recurring monthly revenueincome stream resulting from payments due thereunder.under the lease. The initial term of the lease isLease Agreement was from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011 and the monthly base rental rate due to General Steel (China) iswas approximately $246,096 (RMB1.68$0.2 million (RMB1.7 million). On July 28, 2011, General Steel (China) signed a supplemental agreement with the Lessee to extend the lease for an additional five years to December 31, 2016. However, due to current steel market conditions, the Lessee has informed us that it did not intend to continue with the lease at June 30, 2012. There was no penalty for early termination. Subsequently, General Steel(China) leased parts of its facilities to Tianjin Shuangjie Liansheng Rolled Steel Co., Ltd. for a monthly payment of $0.1 million (RMB 0.5 million). The former General Manager of General Steel (China) currently manages Tianjin Daqiuzhuang Steel Plates Co., Ltd. Changing the business model of this facility from a direct operations model to a leased operations model reduces overhead costs and provides a steady revenue streamlease expires in May 2021. A write-down in the formcarrying value of fixed monthly lease revenue.property, plant and equipment in relation to this event has been assessed and an impairment of $5.4 million (RMB 35.1 million) was recorded in the selling, general and administrative expenses in the second quarter of 2011 and an additional $3.9 million (RMB 24.3 million) was recorded in the selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2012. Management re-evaluates the fair value of its long-term assets on annual basis, or upon a triggering event which would require an assessment sooner.

 

Baotou Steel - General Steel Special Steel Pipe Joint Venture Company Limited.Limited

 

On April 27, 2007, General Steel (China) and Baotou Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd. (“Baotou Steel”) entered into an Amended and Restated Joint Venture Agreement, amending the Joint Venture Agreement entered into on September 28, 2005, to increase General Steel (China)'s’s ownership interest in the related joint venture to 80%. The joint venture company’sventure’s name is Baotou Steel - General Steel Special Steel Pipe Joint Venture Company Limited, a Chinese limited liability company (“Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture”). Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture obtained its business license from governmentgovernmental authorities in Chinathe PRC on May 25, 2007, and started itscommenced operations in July 2007. Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture has four production lines capable of producing 100,000 metric tons of double spiral-weld pipes primarily used in the energy sector to transport oil and steam. These pipes have a diameter ranging from 219mm to 1240mm, a wall thickness ranging from 6mm to 13mm, and a length ranging from 6m to 12m. Presently, Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture sells its products using an internal sales force to customers in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the northwest region of China.the PRC.

 

Shaanxi Longmen Iron and Steel Co., Ltd.Ltd

 

Effective June 1, 2007, through two subsidiaries, General Steel (China) and Tianjin Qiu Steel Investment Co., Ltd. (“Qiu Steel”), a 99% owned subsidiary of General Steel (China), we entered into a Joint Venture Agreement with Shaanxi Longmen Iron & Steel Group Co., Ltd. (“Long Steel Group”) to form Shaanxi Longmen Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. (“Longmen Joint Venture.Venture”). Through our two subsidiaries,General Steel (China) and Qiu Steel, we invested approximately $39$39.3 million in cash and collectively hold approximatelyheld a 60% ofownership interest in Longmen Joint Venture.Venture until April 29, 2011, when a 20-year Unified Management Agreement (the “Unified Management Agreement”) was entered into between our Company, Longmen Joint Venture, Shaanxi Coal and Shaanxi Steel. Longmen Joint Venture was determined as a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) and we are the primary beneficiary.

Long Steel Group, located in Hancheng city, Shaanxi province,Province, in China’s centralWestern region, was founded in 1958 and incorporated in 2002.2002, and is owned by a state owned entity through Shaanxi Steel. Long Steel Group holds the remaining 40% ownership interest in Longmen Joint Venture and operates as a fully-integrated steel production facility.  LessFewer than 10% of steel companies in China have fully-integrated steel production capabilities.

 

Currently, Longmen Joint Venture has five branch offices, five subsidiaries under direct controlfour consolidated subsidiaries/VIE and sixfive entities in which it has a non-controllingnoncontrolling interest. It employs approximately 7,9848,700 full-time workers.  In addition to steel production, Longmen Joint Venture operates transportation services through its Changlong Branch, located atin Hancheng city, Shaanxi province.Province. Changlong Branch owns 154177 vehicles and provides transportation services exclusively to Longmen Joint Venture.

 

Longmen Joint Venture does not own iron pelletizing facilities.

Longmen Joint Venture’s rebar products are categorized within the steel industry as “longs” (referencing(in reference to their shape). Rebar is generally considered a regional product because its weight and dimension make it ill-suited for cost-effective long-haul ground transportation. By our estimates, the provincial market demand for rebar in Shaanxi Province is six to eight million metric tons per year. Slightly more than half of this demand comes from Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province,Province, located 180km from Longmen Joint Venture’s main steel production site. Currently, we estimate that we have an approximateapproximately a 72% share of the Xi’an market for rebar.

 

An established regional network of approximately 100one hundred twenty-eight distributors, together with smaller distributors and fourthree sales offices sell Longmen Joint Venture’s products. All products sellare sold under the registered brand name of “Yulong,”“Yulong”, which has strong regional recognition and awareness. Rebar and billet products carry ISO 9001 and 9002 certification and other of Longmen Joint Venture’s products have won national quality awards. Products produced at the facility have been used in the construction of the Yangtze River Three Gorges Dam, the Xi’an International Airport, the Xi’an city subway system and the Xi Luo Du and the Xiang Jia Ba hydropower projects.

InOn September 24, 2007, Longmen Joint Venture acquired a 74.92%74.9% ownership interest ofin Longmen Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd. Environmental Protection Industry Development Co., Ltd. (“Longmen EPID”). At the same time, Longmen Joint Venture also entered into aan equity transfer agreement with LongmenLong Steel Group to acquire itsa 36% ownership interest in its subsidiary, Longmen Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd. Hualong Fire Retardant Materials Co., Ltd. (“Hualong”). Longmen Joint Venture paid $430,000 (RMB3.3$0.4 million (RMB 3.3 million) in exchange for the ownership interest and is the largest shareholder in Hualong. TheHualong’s facility produces fire-retardant materials used in various steel making processes.

 

In January 2010, Longmen Joint Venture completed its acquisition of a controllingthe remaining 25.1% interest in Longmen EPID. Longmen Joint Venture entered intoEPID pursuant to an equity transfer agreement with Shaanxi Fangxin Industrial Co., Ltd. (“Shaanxi Fangxin”), the other shareholder of Longmen EPID, for $1.3 million (RMB 8.7 million). Longmen Joint Venture paid RMB8,678,383 to Shaanxi Fangxin to acquire its 25.08% ownership interest in Longmen EPID. Longmen EPID then became a branch of Longmen Joint Venture.

 

On January 11, 2008, Longmen Joint Venture completed its acquisition of a controlling interest in Hancheng Tongxing Metallurgy Co., Ltd. (“Tongxing”). Longmen Joint Venture contributed its land use right of 21.45 hectares (approximately 53 acres) with an appraised value of approximately $4.1 million (RMB30 million). Pursuant to the agreement, the land was exchanged for shares of Tongxing valued at approximately $3.1 million (RMB22.7 million), giving Longmen Joint Venture a 22.76% ownership stake in Tongxing and making it Tongxing’s largest shareholder. Tongxing has a rebar processing facility with an annualized rolling capacity of 300,000 metric tons.

In November 2010, we brought online the 800,000 metric ton capacity rebar production line relocated from the Maoming Hengda facility.

From June 2009 to 2010,March 2011, we worked with Shaanxi Steel who builtto build new iron and state-of-the-art equipment,steel making facilities, including two 1,280 cubic meter blast furnaces, two 120 metric ton converters, and one 400 square meter sintering machine. During the periodmachine and some auxiliary systems.  As a result, Longmen Joint Venture incurred certain costs of construction we provided assistance such as labor and technology while we dismantled the operationswell as economic losses on suspended production of certain small furnaces and other equipment to accommodate the construction of the new production systems. After negotiatingequipment, on behalf of Shaanxi Steel.

Dismantling of certain assets and a sub-lease of Longmen Joint Venture’s land associated with the construction by Shaanxi Steel began in June 2009. At the beginning of the construction in June 2009, Longmen Joint Venture reached an oral agreement with Shaanxi Steel our subsidiary,that all costs incurred related to the construction would be reimbursed by Shaanxi Steel. From that point forward through construction and testing until completion of the project in March 2011, Longmen Joint Venture recorded the related costs as they were incurred according to the nature of these costs and recognized the related receivable from Shaanxi Steel. In December 2010, Shaanxi Steel and Longmen Joint Venture were able to finalize the amount of costs incurred by the Longmen Joint Venture to be reimbursed and executed two agreements between the two parties on December 20, 2010. To compensate us, in the fourth quarter of 2010, Shaanxi Steel reimbursed Longmen Joint Venture $11.1 million (RMB 70.1 million) relating to the value of assets dismantled and rent under a 40-year property sub-lease that was entered into by the parties in June 2009, and $29.0 million (RMB 183.1 million) for the reduced production efficiency caused by the construction. In addition, in 2010 and 2011, Shaanxi Steel reimbursed Longmen Joint Venture $14.2 million (RMB 89.5 million) and $14.2million (RMB 89.3 million), respectively, for trial production costs related to the new equipment.

During the period from June 2010 to March 2011, as construction progressed and certain of the assets came online, Longmen Joint Venture used the assets free of charge to produce saleable units of steel products. As such, the cost of using these assets, and therefore the fair value of the free rent received, was imputed with reference to what the depreciation charge would have been on these assets had they been owned or under capital lease to Longmen Joint Venture during the period. Costs of $7.0 million (RMB 43.9 million) each year were deferred and will be recognized over the term of the land sub-lease similar to the other charges and credits related to the construction of these assets

The amount of reimbursement was deferred as lease income and is being recognized, and amortized to income over the remaining terms of the 40-year sub-lease. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we recognized lease income of $2.1 million and $2.1 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the deferred lease income on the land sub-lease was $77.4 million and $77.2 million, respectively. The remaining life of amortization is 35.3 years as of December 31, 2013.

On April 29, 2011, we entered into a 20-year Unified Management Agreement (the “Unified Management Agreement”) with Longmen Joint Venture, Shaanxi Coal and Shaanxi Steel. Shaanxi Steel is the controlling shareholder of Long Steel Group which is the non-controlling interest holder in Longmen Joint Venture, and Shaanxi Steel have entered into an agreement on April 29, 2011 to operateCoal is the aforementioned equipment. We paid certain costs on behalfparent company of Shaanxi Steel, a state-owned entity. Under the terms of the Unified Management Agreement, all manufacturing machinery of Longmen Joint Venture and economic losses during$587.3 million (or approximately RMB 3.7 billion) of the construction. On December 22, 2010 we were reimbursednewly constructed iron and steel making facilities owned by Shaanxi Steel, which includes one 400m2 sintering machine, two 1,280m3 blast furnaces, two 120 ton converters and some auxiliary systems, are managed collectively as a single virtual asset pool (the “Asset Pool”). Longmen Joint Venture manages the Asset Pool as the principal operating entity and is responsible for the daily operation of the new and existing facilities.

Furthermore, under the terms of the Unified Management Agreement, Shaanxi Coal has committed to providing Longmen Joint Venture with raw materials, including coke and coal, at a cost not higher than the market rate. In addition, the Unified Management Agreement includes provisions pursuant to which both Shaanxi Coal and Shaanxi Steel are expected to provide financial support, including credit guarantees, as needed for operations by Longmen Joint Venture. In February 2014, Shaanxi Steel agreed that it will not demand capital lease payments from Longmen Joint Venture until February 2017. In March 2013, Shaanxi Coal agreed to provide bank loan guarantees to Longmen Joint Venture in the amount of $320.9 million (RMB 2.0 billion).

Longmen Joint Venture pays Shaanxi Steel for the use of the newly constructed iron and steel making facilities an amount that equals the depreciation expense on the equipment constructed by Shaanxi Steel in addition to 40% of the amountpre-tax profit generated by the Asset Pool. The remaining 60% of approximately $25.0 million (RMB169.0 million) for the cost that we paid, on behalf of Shaanxi Steel, and compensated by Shaanxi Steelpre-tax profit is allocated to Longmen Joint Venture. As a result, our economic interest in the amountprofits generated by the Asset Pool decreased from 60% to 36%. However, the overall capacity under the management of approximately $27.1Longmen Joint Venture has increased by three million (RMB183.1 million)tons, or 75%. The Unified Management Agreement is also expected to improve Longmen Joint Venture’s cost structure through sustainable and steady sourcing of key raw materials and reduced transportation costs. The distribution of profit is subject to a prospective adjustment after the first two years based on each entity’s actual investment of time and resources into the Asset Pool.

The parties to the Unified Management Agreement have agreed to establish the Shaanxi Longmen Iron and Steel Unified Management Supervisory Committee to ensure that the facilities and related resources are being operated and managed according to the stipulations set forth in the Unified Management Agreement. However, the Board of Directors of Longmen Joint Venture remains the controlling decision-making body of Longmen Joint Venture and the Asset Pool.

The Unified Management Agreement constitutes an arrangement that involves a lease which met certain of the criteria of a capital lease and a derivative liability and therefore, is accounted for as such by Longmen Joint Venture. See Note 2 - “Summary of significant accounting policies”, Note 15 - “Capital lease obligations” and Note 16 - “Profit sharing liability” of the economic losses incurred through September 30, 2010.Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.

 In November 2010, we brought online a 1,200,000 metric ton capacity rebar production line, which was renovated based on an existing 800,000 metric ton capacity rebar production line. In July 2011, we brought online a 1,000,000 metric ton capacity high speed wire production line. These two newly installed production lines were both relocated from the Maoming Hengda (as defined below) facility and consume less energy when running at maximum efficiency compared to our previous production line.

 

Maoming Hengda Steel Co., Ltd.Ltd

 

On June 25, 2008, through our subsidiary Qiu Steel, Investment Co., Ltd., we paid approximately $7.1 million (RMB50 million) in cash to purchase 99% of Maoming Hengda Steel Group, Ltd. (“Maoming Hengda”).  The total registered capital of Maoming Hengda is approximately $77.8 million (RMB544.6(RMB 544.6 million).

 

Maoming Hengda’s core business is the production of high-speed wire and rebar products used in the construction industry.  Located on 140 hectares (approximately 346 acres) in Maoming city, Guangdong province,Province, the Maoming Hengda facility previously had two production lines capable of producingannual production capacities of 1.8 million metric tons of 5.5mm to 16mm diameter high-speed wire and 12mm to 38mm diameter rebar annually.rebar. The products were sold through nine distributors targetingwhich targeted customers in Guangxi provinceProvince and the western region of Guangdong province.

In December 2010, we brought online a new 400,000 ton capacity production line. The new production line is the result of a strategic alliance agreement between Maoming and Zhuhai Yueyufeng Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. (“Yueyufeng”) on February 3, 2010. According to the agreement, Yueyufeng paid the processing fee in advance in three installments to support the construction of the rebar production line at the Maoming facility. In exchange, Maoming facility will process at least 25,000 metric tons of rebar for Yueyufeng on a monthly basis for two years.Guangdong.

 

To take advantage of a stronger market demand in Shaanxi Province, in the second quarter of 2009, we relocated the 800,000 metric ton capacity rebar production line from Maoming Hengda’s facility to Longmen Joint Venture.

In  Thereafter, in December 2010, we relocated the 1,000,000 metric ton capacity high-speed wire production line from Maoming Hengda’s facility to Longmen Joint Venture to meet the increasingincreased demand in Shaanxi province.Province.

 

Tianwu GeneralIn December 2010, we brought online a new 400,000 ton capacity rebar production line. The new rebar line was constructed as a result of a strategic alliance agreement between Maoming Hengda and Zhuhai Yueyufeng Iron and Steel Material Trading Co., Ltd.

We formed Tianwu General Steel Material Trading Co. (“Yueyufeng”), Ltd (“Tianwu JV”) with Tianjin Material and Equipment Group Corporation (“TME Group”). The contributed capital of Tianwu JV is approximately $2.9executed on February 3, 2010.  According to this agreement, Yueyufeng paid in advance $4.4 million (or RMB20 million), of which we hold a 60% controlling interest. TME Group is onein three installments to support the construction of the largestrebar production line for Maoming Hengda, and most diversified commodity trading groupscharged Maoming Hengda interest at a rate of 10% annually.  The interest expense incurred was recorded in China.

Tianwu JV will source raw materials, mainly overseas iron ore, and is expected to supply approximately 20% to 50% of our iron-ore needs, amounting to approximately two to three million metric tons on an annual basis.finance expenses.

 

On September 13, 2010, Tianwu JVDecember 15, 2013, Maoming Hengda entered into a lease agreement with Zhongshan Baohua Rebar Factory, with which Maoming Hengda leased the 400,000 ton capacity rebar production line and various other buildings and equipment to Zhongshan Baohua Rebar Factory, for an iron ore Salesannual payment of $1.2 million (RMB 7.2 million) for eight years between March 2014 and Purchase Contract with Minera Santa Fe, a Chilean iron ore supplier. Pursuant to the contract, Tianwu JV received favorable pricing on the purchase of 138,000 tons of iron ore in 2010February 2022.

OperatingProduction Capacity Information Summary by Subsidiaries

 

Annual Production
Capacity (metric tons)
 General Steel 
(China)(1)
 Baotou Steel Pipe
Joint Venture
 Longmen Joint
Venture 
 Maoming
Hengda(1)
 General Steel 
(China)
 Baotou Steel Pipe
Joint Venture
 Longmen Joint
Venture 
 Maoming
Hengda
  
Annual Production Capacity (metric tons)      
Crude Steel - - 7 million -  - - 7 million -
Processing 400,000 100,000 2.1 million 400,000  400,000 100,000 4.3 million 400,000
         
Main Products Hot-rolled sheet Spiral-weld pipe 

Rebar/High-speed

wire

 Rebar  Hot-rolled sheet Spiral-weld pipe Rebar/High-speed wire Rebar
         
Main Application Light agricultural
vehicles
 Energy
transport
 

Infrastructure and

construction

 Infrastructure and
construction
  Light agricultural vehicles Energy transport Infrastructure and construction Infrastructure and construction

(1) The production facilities of General Steel (China) and Maoming Hengda currently are leased to unrelated parties.

 

Marketing and Customers

 

We sell our products primarily to distributors, and we typically collectingcollect payment from these distributors in advance.  Our marketing efforts are mainly directed toward those customers who have exactingdemanding requirements for on-time delivery, customer supportgeneral inquiries and product quality and wequality.  We believe that these requirements, as well as product planning, are critical factors in our ability to serve this segment of the market.

 

Our revenue is dependent, in large part, on significant contracts with a limited number of large customers. For the year ended December 31, 2013, approximately 22.1% of our sales were to five customers. We believe that revenue derived from our current and future large customers will continue to represent a significant portion of our total revenue.

Moreover, our success will depend in part upon our ability to obtain orders from new customers, as well as the financial condition and success of our customers and the general economic conditions in China.

Demand for our productsProducts

 

For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, rebar, our major product, comprised of more than 99% and 99% of our sales, respectively. Overall, domestic economic growth is an important demand driver of demand for our products,major product, especially from construction and infrastructure projects, rural income growth and energy demand.projects.

 

At Longmen Joint Venture, growth in regional construction and infrastructure projects drives demand for our products. According to the 12th Five Year National Economic and Social Development Plan (“NESDP”) (2011-2015), development of China’s western region is one of the top-fiveChina’s top five economic priorities of the nation.priorities. Shaanxi province,Province, where Longmen Joint Venture is located, has been designated as a focal point for development intoin the westernWestern region, and Xi’an, the provincial capital, has been designated as a focal point for this development. Ourdevelopment in China. Longmen Joint Venture is 180 kmkilometers from Xi’an and it does not have a major competitor within a 250 km radius.

The Western region of China, where our major sales market is located, has experienced a higher rate of growth than other Chinese regions in recent years. Compared to an increase of 7.7% for the national GDP, a GDP increase of 11% was reported by Shaanxi Province in 2013 over the previous year. Additionally, according to Accounting and Corporate Finance Production Statistics in China, Sichuan Province also reported a GDP increase of 10%. We have a sales office in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province to meet the increasing demand for the production of steel.

According to the Shaanxi provincial government, the total fixed asset investment for the Shaanxi provinceProvince was approximately RMB850$257.4 billion (approximately $129 billion)(RMB 1.59 trillion) for the year ended December 31, 2010,2013, an increase of 30%24.1% over the same period last year.in 2012.

At the end of June 2009, the State Council Office announced that it approved the Guanzhong-Tianshui Economic Zone development program. This program covers the development of two western provinces and seven cities from 2009 to 2020.

 

In addition, the Guanzhong-Tianshui Economic Zone will concentrate on the development of the Xi’an area. The metropolitan area construction program focuses on the cities of Xi’an, Xianyang, and their surrounding areas, covering up to 12,000 square kilometers, including the construction of railways, highways, subways, airport expansion and newly developed areas. Under this program, the Shaanxi provincial government has announced that it will build approximately 4,500 kilometers of railway with an investment of approximately $40.2 billion (RMB260 billion) by 2015 and 8,080 kilometers of highway by 2020. The infrastructure and construction projects provide strong and stable demand for our steel products in this area, in which we have over 70% of the market share.

In January 2011, the Shaanxi provincial government announced that it will invest RMB80billion (approximatelyapproximately $12.2 billion (RMB80 billion) in the construction of hydroprojects,hydro projects, which is triplethree times the amount invested during the 11th Five Year National Economic and Social Development Plan.  In addition to hydro projects, according to the central government, 5,000 miles16,000 total kilometers of high-speedhigh speed railway will be built in 2011, with 16,000 miles to be built by 2020. 

In JanuaryMay 2011, the central government announced its low-income housing policy. Under this policy, 10 million low-income housespassed the Cheng-Yu Economic Zone Plan focusing on Chongqing City and Sichuan Province, covering 206,000 square kilometers, to further accelerate the development of the western region of China.  We anticipate that in the near future, the demand for our products will increase in those areas, and we expect that our expanded production capacity will be builtable to successfully meet the increase in 2011, with 36 million low-income housesdemand. Furthermore, we have a sales office located in Chengdu to be built over a five-year period.help facilitate such increased demand.

In February 2012, the government approved the Western Development 12th Five Year Plan, which continues the efforts to develop the Western areas. The Plan is centered on the infrastructure and construction, highlighted by the development of economic zones, construction of roads/railway and hydro projects, which drive the local demand for steel products.

In February 2014, National Development and Reform Commission (“NDRC”) announced nine focal points of the western development, which will speed up the major infrastructure construction in the western areas, including the construction of railway, highway and hydro-projects.

 

We anticipate strong demand for our products driven by these and many other construction and infrastructure projects. We believe there will be sustained regional demand for several years as both the government continuescentral and provincial governments continue to drive western region development efforts.

 

At Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture, energy sector growth, which spurs the need to transport oil, natural gas and steam, drives demand for spiral-weld steel pipe. Presently, demand is fueled by smaller pipeline projects and municipal energy infrastructure projects within the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

 

At Maoming Hengda, infrastructure growth and business development in Maoming city, the surrounding Guangxi cities and the western region of Guangdong province drive demand for our construction steel products. As a second tier city, the industrialization and urbanization of Maoming city is one of the focal points of economic development in the west Guangdong province.

Supply of raw materialsRaw Materials

 

The primary raw materials we use for steel production are iron ore, coke, hot-rolled steel coil and steel billets.  Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture uses hot-rolled steel coil as theirits main raw material.  Longmen Joint Venture uses iron ore and coke as its main raw materials.  Maoming Hengda uses steel billets as its main raw material. Iron ore is the main raw material used to produce hot-rolled steel coil and steel billets. As a result,Therefore, the prices of iron ore and coke are the primary raw material cost drivers for our products.

 

Iron Ore

Longmen Joint Venture has 7 million tons of annual crude steel production capacity. At Longmen Joint Venture, approximately 80%77% of production costs are associated with raw materials, with iron ore being the largest component.

  

According to the China Iron and Steel Association, approximately 60% of the ChinaChinese domestic steel industryindustry’s demand for iron ore must be filled by imports. At Longmen Joint Venture, we purchase iron ore from four primary sources: the Mulonggou mine (owned by Longmen Joint Venture), the Daxigou mine (owned by Long Steel Group, our partner in Longmen Joint Venture), and surrounding local mines and frommines located abroad. According to the terms of our Longmen Joint VentureVenture‘s Agreement with the Long Steel Group, we have a first rightsright of refusal for sales from the mine and for its development.Daxigou mine. We presently purchase all of the production fromiron ore produced by this mine.

Coke

 

Coke, produced from metallurgical coal (also known as coking coal), is our second most consumed raw material, after iron ore. It requires approximately 550kg to 600kg of coke to make one metric ton of crude steel.

 

Under the terms of the Unified Management Agreement, our partner, Shaanxi Coal, has committed to providing coke and coal to us at a cost not higher than the market price.

Our Longmen Joint Venture facility is located in the center of China’s coal belt. We source all coke used at Longmen Joint Venture from the town in which Longmen Joint Venture is located. This ensures a dependable, local supply and minimum transportation costs.

 

The sources and/or our top five major suppliers of our raw materials for the year ended December 31, 2013 are as follows (1):

Longmen Joint Venturefollows:

 

Name of the Major SupplierSuppliers Raw Material
Purchased
 % of Total Raw
Material
Purchased
  Relationship with
GSICompany
Longgang Group Import & Export Co., Ltd.Coke12.0%Related Party
Shaanxi Longmen Coal Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.Coke9.0% Third Party
Long Steel Group Iron Ore  23.88.3% Related Party
Shaanxi Haiyan Coal Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. Coke  13.37.7% Related Party
Shaanxi HuangheTianwu General Steel Material Co., Ltd.Coke7.0%Others
Shaanxi Yingde gas Co., Ltd.Gas3.2%Others
Shaanxi Longmen Iron & Steel Group Fuping RollingTrading Co., Ltd. Iron Ore  2.93.2% OthersRelated Party
 Total  50.240.2%  

 

Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture

Name of the Major SupplierRaw Material
Purchased
% of Total Raw
Material
Purchased
Relationship with
GSI
Inner Mongolia Chenggang Material Co., LtdSteel coil25.3%Others
Tianjin Baolai Industry Co., Ltd.Steel coil11.2%Others
Baotou Shunye Material Co., LtdSteel coil8.5%Others
Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co., LtdSteel coil7.2%Related Party
Baotou Jiaxiang Material Trading Co., LtdSteel coil6.8%Others
Total59.0%

Maoming Hengda

Name of the Major SupplierRaw Material
Purchased
% of Total Raw
Material
Purchased
Relationship with
GSI
Maoming Dazhongmao Petrochem Co., Ltd.Billet38.4%Others
Maoming Zhengmao Develop Co., Ltd.Heavy oil32.4%Others
Total70.8%

7

Industry consolidationEnvironment

 

Despite demand growth experienced during 2010 and 2011, the overall nationwide steelmaking capacity still exceeds steel demand. There is significant over-capacity in the Chinese steel sector which is putting pressure on operators’ profitability which has become the most significant challenge in the steel manufacturing business. Chinese crude steel production was 712.86 million tons from January to November in 2013, an increase of 7.82% compared to the same period last year, while the total consumption of crude steel reached 666.50 million tons from January to November in 2013, increased by 7.36% from the same period last year, according to the China Iron and Steel Association.

For steelmakers, operating performance depends on the volatility of the cost of raw materials. The shortage of these raw materials in the market has allowed suppliers of iron ore and metallurgical coal to rebuild the pricing mechanisms through the shift from annual to shorter-term price contracts. This has created numerous challenges for steelmakers as they must now deal with volatility in raw material prices, as well as maintain margins with fluctuating demand. Over the past few years, we have witnessed perseverance in steel prices that has given iron ore producers an opportunity to increase the prices in the next contract; however the reverse may not be true as steel companies cannot always pass on the rise in iron ore prices to end consumers due to the market overcapacity and fragmentation.

The Chinese central government has had a long-stated goal to consolidate 50%70% of domestic steel production among the top ten producers by 20102020.  Currently, there are approximately over 500 crude steel producers throughout China, and 70% by 2020.the top ten producers account for approximately 48% of total national output. In September 2009,December 2011, the central government published an industry target to eliminate 8096 million metric tons of inefficient iron and steel capacity fromduring the 12th five-year plan. The central government had successfully reduced obsolete iron production capacities of 31.9 million tons in 2011. In April 2012, the central government announced its goal of reducing obsolete iron and steel capacities of 17.8 million tons in 2012 and successfully reached the goal and eliminated 20.2 million tons of obsolete iron and steel capacity. In April 2013, the central government published the industry bytarget of eliminating 10.4 million tons of obsolete iron and steel capacities in 2013 and successfully eliminated 16.9 million tons of obsolete iron and steel capacity. In March 2014, the endgovernment reaffirmed its determination of 2011.industry consolidation, and announced that it plans to eliminate 27 million tons of obsolete iron and steel capacity in order to reach the industry goal of 12th five-year plan ahead of schedule in 2014.However, we continue to see a strong demand for our products and believe there are significant growth opportunities in the industry and market we service and such consolidation is not expected to directly impact our Company.

 

On July 12, 2010, the Ministry of Industry & Information Technology Commission issuedenacted the Steel Industry Admittance and Operation Qualifications.Qualifications standards. The new standard specified requirementstandards specify requirements for all aspects of steel production in China, which include: size of blast furnace,furnaces, size of converters, emission of wastedwaste water, dust per ton offrom steel producing,production, quantity of coal used for each process ofin steel makingproduction and output capacity commencing in 2009. Thecapacity.  According to the new policystandards, blast furnaces under 450 cubic meters are targeted to be eliminated. These standards once again confirmsconfirmed the central government’s determination to push forward the consolidation of this fragmented industry of more than 800 companies.industry.  While the operational conditions become more stringent, more small and medium sizesized companies will likely to aggressively look for valued partners which could lead to opportunities for high quality acquisitions for our Company.us.  We believe the directives have indirectly strengthenedabove government policy will strengthen our position as an industry consolidator by creating quantitative measures we can use to better qualifyqualified potential acquisition targets.

Since 2013, the government has exerted more stringent environment protection policy on the steel industry. In January 2014, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China (the "MIIT") announced a List of Enterprises Fulfilling the Iron and Steel Industry Specification (the "List"). The List includes a highly-selected group of large and medium steel manufacturers that have met or exceeded more stringent national requirements and standards on product quality, environmental protection, energy consumption, workmanship and equipment, production scale, as well as work safety and social responsibility. The MIIT will collaborate with China's other governmental agencies to provide support to the List's members and to speed up the steel industry's restructuring and consolidation. Steel makers omitted from the List will most likely face higher electricity costs, more restrictive administrative measures, and adverse effects of forceful regulations intent on reducing the nation's overcapacity. Longmen Joint Venture, the major facility of General Steel, has been included on the List as the only enterprise in China’s Shaanxi Province.

Intellectual Property Rights

 

“Qiu Steel” is the registered trademark under which we sell hot-rolled carbon and silicon steel sheets products produced at General Steel (China). The “Qiu Steel” logo has been registered with the China National Trademark Bureau under No. 586433. “Qiu Steel” is registered under the GB 912-89 national quality standard and certified under the National Quality Assurance program.

 

“Baogang Tongyong” is the trademark under which we sell spiral-weld steel pipes products produced at Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture. This trademark is currently being registered with China National Trademark Bureau.

 

“Yu Long” is the registered trademark under which we sell rebar and high-speed wire products produced in Longmen Joint Venture. The trademark is registered under the ISO9001:2000 international quality standard.

 

“Heng Da” is the registered trademark under which we sell high-speed wire and rebar products produced at our Maoming facility. The trademark is registered under the ISO9001:2000 international quality standard.

 

Employees

 

As of December 31, 2010,2013, we had approximately 8,4079,050 full-time employees.

 

Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

The following sets forth certain information as of March 16, 201125, 2014 concerning our executive officers.

 

Name Age Title
Zuosheng Yu 4649 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
John Chen 3943 

Chief Financial Officer

8

Mr. Zuosheng Yu,age 46,49, Chairman of the Board of Directors.  Mr. Yu joined usour Company in October 2004 and became Chairman of the Board at that time. He also serves as our Chief Executive Officer. Since February 2001, he has been President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Beijing Wendlar Investment Management Group, Beijing, China. Since March 2001, he has been President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Baotou Sheng Da Steel Pipe Limited, Inner Mongolia, China and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sheng Da Steel and Iron Mill, Hebei province, China. Since April 2001, he has been President and Chairman of Sheng Da Industrial Park Real Estate Development Limited. Since December 2001, Mr. Yu has been President and Chairman of Beijing Shou Lun Real Estate Development Company, Beijing, China. Mr. Yu graduated in 1985 from Sciences and Engineering Institute, Tianjin, China. In July 1994, he received a Bachelor’s degree from Institute of Business Management for Officers. Mr. Yu received the title of “Senior Economist” from the Committee of Science and Technology of Tianjin City in 1994. In July 1997, he received an MBA degree from the Graduate School of Tianjin Party University. Since April 2003, Mr. Yu has held a position as a member of China’s APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation) Development Council.

 

Mr. John Chen, age 39,43, Director.  Mr. Chen joined usour Company in May 2004 and was elected as a director in March 2005. He also serves as our Chief Financial Officer. From August 1997 to July 2003, he served as a senior accountant at Moore Stephens, Wurth, Frazer and Torbet, LLP in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Chen graduated from Norman Bethune University of Medical Science, Changchun city,City, Jilin province,Province, China in September 1992. He received a B.S. degree in accounting from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California, U.S. in July 1997.   He currently also serves on the board of directors of China Carbon Graphite Group, Inc. (OTCBB: CHGI), SGOCO Group, Ltd. (NASDAQ: SGOC), and China HGS Real Estate Inc. (NASDAQ: HGSH).

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

 

Our business, financial condition and results of operations are subject to various risks, including those discussed below, which may affect the value of our securities. The risks discussed below are those that we believe are currently the most significant, although additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem less significant may also impact our business, financial condition and results of operations, perhaps materially.

 

Risks Related to Our Business

 

We face substantial competition which, among other things, may lead to price pressure and adversely affect our sales.

 

We compete with other market players on the basis of product quality, responsiveness to customer needs and price. There are two types of steel and iron companies in China: state-owned enterprises (“SOEs”) and privately owned companies.

 

Criteria important to our customers when selecting a steel supplier include:

 

Quality;
Price/cost competitiveness;
System and product performance;
Reliability and timeliness of delivery;
New product and technology development capability;
Excellence and flexibility in operations;
Degree of global and local presence;
Effectiveness of customer service; and
Overall management capability.

We compete with both SOEs and privately owned steel manufacturers. While we believe that our price and quality are superior to other manufacturers, many of our competitors are better capitalized, more experienced, and have deeper ties in the Chinese marketplace. We consider there to be the following ten major competitors of similar size, production capability and product line in the marketplace competing against our four operating subsidiaries as indicated:

 

• Competitors of General Steel (China) include: Tianjin No. 1 Rolling Steel Plant, Tianjin Yinze Metal Sheet Plant and Tangshan Fengrun Metal Sheet Plant;

• Competitors of Longmen Joint Venture include: Shanxi Haixin Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. and Gansu Jiuquan Iron and Steel Co., Ltd.;

• Competitors of Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture include: Tianjin Bo Ai Steel Pipe Co., Hebei Cangzhou Zhong Yuan Steel Pipe Co., and Shanxi Taiyuan Guo Lian Steel Pipe Co.; and

• Competitors of Maoming Hengda include: Guangdong Shao Guan Iron and Steel Group and Zhuhai Yue Yu Feng Iron and Steel Co., Ltd.

 

In addition, with China’s entry into the World Trade Organization and China’s agreements to lift many of the barriers to foreign competition, we believe that competition will increase as a whole with the entry of foreign companies into this market. This may limit our opportunities for growth, lead to price pressure and reduce our profitability. We may not be able to compete favorably and this increased competition may harm our business, our business prospects and results of operations.

 

Our limited operating history may not serve as an adequate basis to judge our future prospects and results of operations.

Our limited operating history may not provide a meaningful basis on which to evaluate our business. Although our revenues have grown rapidly since inception, we might not be able to maintain our profitability or we may incur net losses in the future. We expect that our operating expenses will increase as we expand. Any significant failure to realize anticipated revenue growth could result in significant operating losses. We will continue to encounter risks and difficulties frequently experienced by companies at a similar stage of development, including our potential failure to:

• Implement our business model and strategy and adapt and modify them as needed;

• Increase awareness of our brands, protect our reputation and develop customer loyalty;

• Manage our expanding operations and service offerings, including the integration of any future acquisitions;

• Maintain adequate control of our expenses;

• Anticipate and adapt to changing conditions in the markets in which we operate as well as the impact of any changes in government regulation; and

• Anticipate mergers and acquisitions involving our competitors, technological developments and other significant competitive and market dynamics.

Our inability to fund our capital expenditure requirements may adversely affect our growth and profitability.

 

Our continued growth is dependent upon our ability to raise additional capital from outside sources. Our strategy is to grow through aggressive mergers, joint ventures and acquisitions targeting SOE steel companies and selected entities withwe believe have outstanding potential. Our growth strategy will require us to obtain additional financing through capital markets. In the future, we may be unable to obtain the necessary financing on a timely basis and on favorable terms, if at all, and our failure to do so may weaken our financial position, reduce our competitiveness, limit our growth and reduce our profitability. Our ability to obtain acceptable financing at any given time may depend on a number of factors, including:

• Our financial condition and results of operations;

• The condition of the PRC economy and the industry sectors in which we operate; and

• Conditions in relevant financial markets in the United States, the PRC and elsewhere in the world.

Disruptions in world financial markets and the resulting governmental action of the United States and other countries could have a material adverse impact on our ability to obtain financing, our results of operations, financial condition and cash flow and could cause the market price of our common sharesstock to decline.

The current deep and potentially prolonged global recession that began in the United States in December 2007 has, since the beginning of the third quarter of 2008, had a material adverse effect on demand for our products and consequently the results of our operations, financial condition and cash flows. In mid-February 2009, the Federal Reserve warned that the United States economy faces an “unusually gradual and prolonged” period of recovery from this deep, recessionary period.

 

The credit markets worldwide and in the United States have experienced significant contraction, de-leveraging and reduced liquidity, and the United States government and foreign governments have either implemented or are considering a broad variety of governmental action and/or new regulation of the financial markets. Securities and futures markets and the credit markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations and other requirements.

 

The uncertainty surrounding the future of the global credit markets has resulted in reduced access to credit worldwide. Major market disruptions, the current adverse changes in global market conditions, and the regulatory climate in the United States and worldwide may adversely affect our business or impair our ability to borrow funds as needed. The current market conditions may last longer than we anticipate. These recent and developing economic and governmental factors may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows and could cause the price of our common stock to decline significantly.

 

We have made and may continue to make acquisitions which could divert management's attention, cause ownership dilution to our stockholders, or be difficult to integrate, which may adversely affect our financial results.

 

We have made a number of acquisitions, and it is our current plan to continue to acquire companies and technologies that we believe are strategic to our future business. Integrating newly acquired businesses or technologies could put a strain on our resources, could be costly and time consuming, and might not be successful. Such acquisitions could divert our management's attention from other business concerns. In addition, we might lose key employees while integrating new organizations. Acquisitions could also result in customer dissatisfaction, performance problems with an acquired company or technology, potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities or the incurrence of debt, assumption or incurrence of contingent liabilities, possible impairment charges related to goodwill or other intangible assets or other unanticipated events or circumstances, any of which could harm our business. We might not be successful in integrating any acquired businesses, products or technologies, and might not achieve anticipated revenues and cost benefits.

We may not be able to effectively control and manage our growth.

 

If our business and markets grow and develop, it will be necessary for us to finance and manage such an expansion in an orderly fashion. This growth will lead to an increase in the responsibilities of existing personnel, the hiring of additional personnel and expansion of our scope of operations. It is possible that we may not be able to obtain the required financing under terms that are acceptable to us or hire additional personnel to meet the needs of our expansion.

 

Our business, revenues and profitability are dependent on a limited number of large customers.

 

Our revenue is dependent, in large part, on significant contracts with a limited number of large customers. For the year ended December 31, 2010,2013, approximately 28%22.1% of our sales were to five customers. We believe that revenue derived from our current and future large customers will continue to represent a significant portion of our total revenue. Our inability to continue to secure and maintain a sufficient number of large contracts or the loss of, or significant reduction in purchases by, one or more of our major customers would have the effect of reducing our revenues and profitability.

 

Moreover, our success will depend in part upon our ability to obtain orders from new customers, as well as the financial condition and success of our customers and general economic conditions in China.

 

Steel consumption is cyclical and worldwide overcapacity in the steel industry and the availability of alternative products have resulted in intense competition, which may have an adverse effect on profitability and cash flow.

 

Steel consumption is highly cyclical and follows general economic and industrial conditions both worldwide and in regional markets. The steel industry has historically been characterized by an excess in the world supply, which has led to substantial price decreases during periods of economic weakness. We currently have an annual steel production capacity of 7 million metric tons of crude steel and if the market for steel cannot support such production levels, the price for our products may go down. In addition, future economic downturns could decrease the demand for our products. Substitute materials are increasingly available for many steel products, which further reduces demand for steel.

We may not be able to pass on to customers the increases in the costs of our raw materials, particularly iron-ore, coke, steel billets and steel coil.

 

The major raw materials that we purchase for production are iron-ore, coke, steel billets and steel coil. The price and availability of these raw materials are subject to market conditions affecting supply and demand. Our financial condition or results of operations may be impaired by further increases in raw material costs to the extent we are unable to pass those increases to our customers. In addition, if these materials are not available on a timely basis or at all, we may not be able to produce our products and our sales may decline.

 

The price of steel may declinecontinue declining due to an overproduction by the Chinese steel companies.

 

According to the China Iron and Steel Association, there are approximately 800 to 1,000 steel companies in China. Each steel company has its own production plan. The Chinese government released new guidance on the steel industry to encourage consolidation within the fragmented steel sector to mitigate problems of low-end repetitive production and inefficient use of resources. The current overproduction may not be solved by these measures enacted by the Chinese government. If the current overproduction continues, our product shipments could decline, our inventory could build up and eventually we may be required to decrease our sales price, which may decrease our profitability.

Disruptions to our manufacturing processes could adversely affect our operations, customer service and financial results.

 

Steel manufacturing processes are dependent on critical steel-making equipment, such as furnaces, continuous casters, rolling mills and electrical equipment (such as transformers), and such equipment may become temporarily inoperable as a result of unanticipated malfunctions or other events, such as fires or furnace breakdowns. Although our manufacturing plants have not experienced plant shutdowns or periods of reduced production as a result of such equipment failures or other events, we may experience such problems in the future. To the extent that lost production as a result of such a disruption could not be recovered by unaffected facilities, such disruptions could have an adverse effect on our operations, customer service and financial results.

 

Because we are a holding company with substantially all of our operations conducted through our subsidiaries, our performance will be affected by the performance of such subsidiaries.

 

We have no operations other than General Steel (China), Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture, Longmen Joint Venture, Maoming Hengda, and Tianwu JV,Joint Venture, and our principal assets are our investments in these subsidiaries.subsidiaries and VIE. As a result, we are dependent upon the performance of our subsidiaries and VIE and we will be subject to the financial, business and other factors affecting them as well as general economic and financial conditions. As substantially all of our operations are and will be conducted through our subsidiaries and VIE, we will be dependent on the cash flow of our subsidiaries to meet our obligations.

 

Because virtually all of our assets are and will be held by operating subsidiaries and VIE, the claims of our stockholders will be structurally subordinate to all existing and future liabilities and obligations, and trade payables of such subsidiaries.subsidiaries and VIE. In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization, our assets and those of our subsidiaries will be available to satisfy the claims of our stockholders only after all of our subsidiaries’ and VIE’s liabilities and obligations have been paid in full.

We depend on acquiring companiesBecause we have entered into a significant number of related party transactions through the course of our routine business operations, there is a risk that we may not be able to fulfillcontrol the valuation of such transactions, which could then adversely impact our growth plan.profitability.

An important elementIn the course of our planned growth strategynormal business, we have purchased raw materials and supplies from our related parties and also engaged in sales of our products to our related parties. Because such related party transactions may not always be completed at arm’s length due to their nature, we may not be able to control the valuation of such transactions and as a result, there is a risk that the pursuit and acquisitionsvalue of other businesses that increasesuch related party transactions exceeds market value, which could ultimately impact our existing production capacity. However, integrating businesses involves a number of special risks, including the possibility that management may be distracted from regular business concerns by the need to integrate operations, unforeseen difficulties in integrating operations and systems, problems relating to assimilating and retaining employees of the acquisition, challenges in retaining customers, and potential adverse short-term effects on operation results. If we are unable to successfully complete and integrate strategic acquisitions in a timely manner, our growth strategy may be adversely impacted.profitability.

 

We depend on bank financing for our working capital needs.

 

We have various financing facilities which are due on demand or within one year.Soyear. So far, we have not experienced any difficulties in repaying such financing facilities. However, we may in the future encounter difficulties in repaying or refinancing such loansfinancings on time and may face severe difficulties in our operations and financial position.

Our bank loans may not be renewed if certain covenants of the loan agreements are not met.

We have various financing facilities with banks which are due on demand or within one year. So far, we have not experienced any difficulties in repaying such financing facilities. As of December 31, 2013, we have not satisfied our financial covenants stipulated by certain loan agreements because of debt to asset ratios. Furthermore, we are party to loan agreements with cross default clause where any breach of other loan covenants will automatically result in default of such loans. According to the loan agreements, the bank could request more collateral or guarantees if the covenant is not satisfied or request early repayment of the loan if we cannot remedy the default within a period of time. As of today, we have not received any notice from the banks requesting more collateral, guarantees or early repayment of our short term loans due to a breach. However, we may in the future encounter difficulties in repaying or refinancing such loans on time, or providing more collateral or guarantees to the banks or making early repayment of our loans.

We depend on our affiliates financing for our working capital needs. We have various types of financing with our affiliates.

We rely on Mr. Zuosheng Yu for important business leadership.

 

We depend, to a large extent, on the abilities and operations of our current management team. However, we have a particular reliance upon Mr. Zuosheng Yu, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and significant shareholder, for the direction of our business and leadership in our growth effort.efforts. The loss of the services of Mr. Yu, for any reason, may have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects. We cannot guarantee that Mr. Yu will continue to be available to us, or that we will be able to find a suitable replacement for Mr. Yu on a timely basis.

 

ThereFailure to achieve and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could have been historical deficiencies witha material adverse effect on our internal controls which require further improvements,business, results of operations and the trading rice of our common stock. Also, we are exposed to potential risks from regulations requiring companies to evaluate controls under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

We are exposed to potential risks from regulations requiring companies to evaluate controls under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.Ensuring that we have adequate internal financial and accounting controls and procedures in place to produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis is a costly and time-consuming effort that needs to be re-evaluated frequently. Failure on our part to have effective internal financial and accounting controls, including the material weakness, described below, hashad and could in the future cause our financial reporting to be unreliable, hashad and could in the future have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition, and hashad and could in the future cause the trading price of our common stock to fall dramatically.

We and our independent registered public accounting firm have identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting that is described in greater detail in “Item 9A—Controls and Procedures.” Remedying this material weakness and maintaining proper and effective internal controls has and will require substantial management time and attention and has resulted in our incurring substantial incremental expenses. Our outside consultants are assisting us with designing and implementing an adequate risk assessment process to identify complex transactions requiring specialized knowledge to ensure the appropriate accounting for and disclosure of such transactions. We cannot be certain that further remedies including accounting restatements will not occur in the future. Such remedies, including accounting restatements could create a significant strain on our internal resources and cause delays in our release of quarterly or annual financial results and the filing of related reports, increase our costs and cause management distraction.

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, we have and will continue to evaluate our internal controls systems in order to allow management to report on and our registered independent public accounting firm to attest to, our internal controls, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We have performed and will continue to perform the system and process evaluation and testing required in an effort to comply with the management certification and auditor attestation requirements of Section 404. As a result, we have incurred and will continue to incur additional expenses and a diversion of management’s time. If we are not able to meet the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner or with adequate compliance, we might be subject to sanctions or investigation by regulatory authorities, such as the SEC or the New York Stock Exchange. Any such action could adversely affect our financial results and the market price of our stock.

We do not presently maintain product liability insurance in China, and our property and equipment insurance does not cover the full value of our property and equipment, which leaves us with exposure in the event of loss or damage to our properties or claims filed against us.

 

We currently do not carry any product liability or other similar insurance in China. We cannot assure you that we would not face liability in the event of the failure of any of our products.

 

We have purchased automobile insurance with third party liability coverage for our vehicles. In addition, we have purchased property insurance to cover production equipment. Except for property and automobile insurance, we do not have other insurance such as business liability or disruption insurance coverage for our operations in China. In the event of a significant product liability claim or other uninsured event, our financial results and the price of our common stock may be adversely affected.

Risks Related to Operating Our Business in China

 

We face the risk that changes in the policies of the Chinese government could have significant impact upon the business we may be able to conduct in China and the profitability of such business.

 

The economy ofin China is transitioning from a planned economy to a market oriented economy, subject to five-year and annual plans adopted by the government that set downforth national economic development goals. Policies of the Chinese government can have significant effects on the economic conditions of China. The Chinese government has confirmed that economic development will follow a model of a market economy under socialism. Under this direction, we believe that China will continue to strengthen its economic and trading relationships with foreign countries and business development in China will follow market forces. While we believe that this trend will continue, there can be no assurance that such will be the case. A change in policies by the Chinese government could adversely affect our interests through, among other factors: changes in laws; regulations or the interpretation thereof; confiscatory taxation; restrictions on currency conversion; imports or sources of supplies; or the expropriation or nationalization of private enterprises. Although the Chinese government has been pursuing economic reform policies for approximately two decades, the Chinese government may significantly alter such policies, especially in the event of a change in leadership, social or political disruption, or other circumstances affecting China’s political, economic and social climate.

The ChinesePRC laws and regulations governing our current business operations and contractual arrangements are uncertain, and if we are found to be in violation of such laws and regulations, we could be subject to sanctions. In addition,sanctions, which along with, any changes in such Chinese laws and regulations may have a material and adverse effect on our business.

 

There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of ChinesePRC laws and regulations, including but not limited to the laws and regulations governing our business, or the enforcement and performance of our arrangements with customers in the event of the imposition of statutory liens, death, bankruptcy, andor criminal proceedings.proceedings against us or our customers. Along with our subsidiaries, we are considered foreign persons or foreign funded enterprises under Chinese laws,PRC law, and, as a result, we are required to comply with certain ChinesePRC laws and regulations. These laws and regulations are relatively new and may be subject to future changes, and their official interpretation and enforcement may involve substantial uncertainty. The effectiveness of newly enacted laws, regulations or amendments may be delayed, resulting in detrimental reliance by foreign investors. New laws and regulations that affect existing and proposed future businesses may also be applied retroactively. In addition, the Chinese authorities retain broad discretion in dealing with violations of laws and regulations, including levying fines, revoking business licenses and requiring actions necessary for compliance. In particular, licenses, permits and beneficial treatment issued or granted to us by relevant governmental bodies may be revoked at a later time under contrary findings of higher regulatory bodies. We cannot predict what effect the interpretation of existing or new ChinesePRC laws or regulations may have on our businesses. We may be subject to sanctions, including fines, and could be required to restructure our operations. Such restructuring may not be deemed effective or may encounter similar or other difficulties. As a result of these substantial uncertainties, there is a risk that we may be found in violation of current or future ChinesePRC laws or regulations.

A slowdown or other adverse developments in the Chinese economy may materially and adversely affect our customers, demand for our services and our business.

 

Substantially all of our assets, and the assets of our operating subsidiary,subsidiaries and VIE, are located in China and our revenue is derived from our operations in China. We anticipate that our revenues generated in China will continue to represent all of our revenues in the near future. Accordingly, our results of operations and prospects are subject, to a significant extent, to the economic, political and legal developments in China. Although the PRC economy has grown significantly in recent years, we cannot assure you that such growth will continue. In addition, the Chinese government also exercises significant control over Chinese economic growth through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. Efforts by the Chinese government to slow the pace of growth of the Chinese economy could result in reduced demand for our products. A slowdown in overall economic growth, an economic downturn or recession or other adverse economic developments in the PRC may materially reduce the demand for our products and materially and adversely affect our business.

 

The PRC government’s recent measures to curb inflation rates could adversely affect future results of operations.

 

In recent years, the Chinese economy has experienced periods of rapid expansion and high rates of inflation. Rapid economic growth can lead to growth in the money supply and rising inflation. China’s Consumer Price Index increased by 3.3%2.6% for full year of 20102013 according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, or the NBS.IfNBS. If prices for our products rise at a rate that is insufficient to compensate for the rise in the costs of supplies, it may have an adverse effect on profitability. These factors have led to the adoption by the Chinese government, from time to time, of various corrective measures designed to restrict the availability of credit or regulate growth and contain inflation. High inflation may in the future cause the Chinese government to impose controls on credit and/or prices, or to take other action, which could inhibit economic activity in China, and thereby harm the market for our products.

In recent years, the government of China has undertaken various measures to alleviate the effects of inflation, especially with respect to key commodities. From time to time, the PRC National Development and Reform Commission announcedannounces national price controls on various products. The government of China has also encouraged local governments to institute price controls products. Such price controls could adversely affect our future results of operations and, accordingly, the price of our Common Stock.common stock.

If relations between the United States and China deteriorate, our stock price may decrease and we may experience difficulties accessing the United States capital markets.

 

At various times during recent years, the United States and China have had disagreements over political and economic issues. Controversies may arise in the future between these two countries. Any political or trade controversies between the United States and China could impact the market price of our common stock and our ability to access United States capital markets.

The Chinese Government could change its policies toward private enterprises, which could result in the total loss of our investments in China.

 

Our business is subject to political and economic uncertainties in China and may be adversely affected by its political, economic and social developments. Over the past several years, the Chinese government has pursued economic reform policies including the encouragement of private economic activity and greater economic decentralization. The Chinese government may not continue to pursue these policies or may alter them to our detriment. Conducting our business might become more difficult or costly due to changes in policies, laws and regulations, or in their interpretation or the imposition of confiscatory taxation, restrictions on currency conversion, restrictions or prohibitions on dividend payments to stockholders, devaluations of currency or the nationalization or other expropriation of private enterprises. In addition, nationalization or expropriation could result in the total loss of our investments in China.

 

The Chinese State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, requires Chinese residents to register with, or obtain approval from SAFE regarding their direct or indirect offshore investment activities.

 

China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange Regulations regarding offshore financing activities by Chinese residents has undertaken continuous changes which may increase the administrative burden we face and create regulatory uncertainties that could adversely affect the implementation of our acquisition strategy. A failure by our shareholders who are Chinese residents to make any required applications and filings pursuant to such regulations may prevent us from being able to distribute profits and could expose us and our Chinese resident shareholders to liability under ChinesePRC law.

 

Our business, results of operations and overall profitability are linked to the economic, political and social conditions in China.

 

All of our business, assets and operations are located in China. The economy of China differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange, and allocation of resources. The economy of China has been transitioning from a planned economy to a more market-oriented economy. Although the Chinese government has recently implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the establishment of sound corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of productive assets in China is still owned by the Chinese government. In addition, the Chinese government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry by imposing industrial policies. It also exercises significant control over China’s economic growth through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign currency denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. Therefore, the Chinese government’s involvement in the economy may negatively affect our business operations, results of operations and our financial condition.

 

If there will be any changes in PRC Law, the PRC legal system could limit our Company’s ability to enforce the Unified Management Agreement, which in turn may lead to reconsideration of the VIE assessment with respect to Longmen Joint Venture.

Prior to entering into the Unified Management Agreement, Longmen Joint Venture had been consolidated as our 60% directly owned subsidiary. Upon entering into the Unified Management Agreement on April 29, 2011, Longmen Joint Venture was considered to be a VIE of which we are the primary beneficiary and therefore we continue to consolidate Longmen Joint Venture.

We believe that the Unified Management Agreement between Longmen Joint Venture and Shaanxi Coal is in compliance with PRC law and is legally enforceable. The Board of Directors of Longmen Joint Venture continues to be the controlling decision-making body with respect to Longmen Joint Venture. We control 60% of the voting rights of the Board of Directors, and have control over the operations of Longmen Joint Venture. As such, we believe we have the power to control the activities of the VIE. However, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce the Unified Management Agreement, which in turn, may lead to reconsideration of, and a different conclusion under the VIE assessment.

Governmental control of currency conversion may cause the value of your investment in our common stock to decrease.

 

The Chinese government imposes controls on the conversion of Renminbi or RMB into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of China. We receive substantially all of our revenues in Renminbi, which is currently not a freely convertible currency. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict our ability to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends, or otherwise satisfy foreign currency denominated obligations. Under existing Chinese foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from thea transaction, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, approval from appropriate governmental authorities is required where Renminbi is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of bank loans denominated in foreign currencies.

The Chinese government may also at its discretion restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our currency demands, we may not be able to pay certain of our expenses as they come due.

 

Currency fluctuations and restrictions on currency exchanges may adversely affect our business, including limiting our ability to convert RMB into foreign currencies and, if RMB were to decline in value, reducing our revenue in U.S. dollar terms.

 

Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar and our operations in China use their local currency as their functional currencies. Substantially all of our revenue and expenses are in Renminbi, or RMB. We are subject to the effects of exchange rate fluctuations with respect to local currencies. For example, the value of the RMB depends to a large extent on Chinese government policies and China’s domestic and international economic and political developments, as well as supply and demand in the local market. Since 1994,Prior to July 21, 2005, the official exchange rate for the conversion of RMB to the U.S. dollar had generally been stable and the RMB had appreciated slightly against the U.S. dollar. However, on July 21, 2005, the Chinese government changed its policy of pegging the value of RMB to the U.S. dollar. Under the new policy, RMB may fluctuate within a narrow and managed band against a basket of certain foreign currencies. The four main currencies in the basket are the U.S. dollar, the Euro, the Japanese yen and the Korean won. In the three years that followed, a slight appreciation against the U.S. currency occurred and by the end of October 2008, the RMB exchange rate with the U.S. dollar had risen to nearly 6.8 to the U.S. dollar. Since mid-2008, the RMB has been held stable as the Chinese government considers how best to respond to the global economic crisis. In June 2010, the temporary dollar peg was again abandoned, after the Chinese RMB rose approximately 16% against the Euro as a result of the Greek fiscal crisis. However, the Chinese government has signaled that going forward its currency will only be allowed to appreciate gradually against the dollar. It is possible that the Chinese government could adopt a more flexible currency policy, which could result in more significant fluctuation of RMB against the U.S. dollar. We can offer no assurance that RMB will be stable against the U.S. dollar or any other foreign currency.

Our financial statements are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates in each applicable period. To the extent the U.S. dollar strengthens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currency-denominated transactions results in reduced revenue, operating expenses and net income for our international operations. Similarly, to the extent the U.S. dollar weakens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currency-denominated transactions results in increased revenue, operating expenses and net income for our international operations. We are also exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as we convert the financial statements of our foreign consolidated subsidiaries into U.S. dollars in consolidation. If there is a change in foreign currency exchange rates, the conversion of the foreign consolidated subsidiaries’ financial statements into U.S. dollars will lead to a translation gain or loss which is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. In addition, we have certain assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the relevant entity’s functional currency. Changes in the functional currency value of these assets and liabilities create fluctuations that will lead to a transaction gain or loss. We have not entered into agreements or purchased instruments to hedge our exchange rate risks, although we may do so in the future. The availability and effectiveness of any hedging transaction may be limited and we may not be able to hedge our exchange rate risks.

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We are subject to environmental and safety regulations, which may increase our compliance costs and reduce our overall profitability.

 

We are subject to the requirements of environmental and occupational safety and health laws and regulations in China. We may incur substantial costs or liabilities in connection with these requirements. Additionally, these regulations may become stricter, which will increase our costs of compliance in a manner that could reduce our overall profitability. The capital requirements and other expenditures that may be necessary to comply with environmental requirements could increase and become a significant expense linked to the conduct of our business.

 

Our operating subsidiaries must comply with environmental protection laws that could adversely affect our profitability.

 

We are required to comply with the environmental protection laws and regulations promulgated by the national and local governments of China. Yearly inspections of waste treatment systems require the payment of a license fee which could become a penalty fee if standards are not maintained. If we fail to comply with any of these environmental laws and regulations in China, depending on the types and seriousness of the violation, we may be subject to, among other things, warning from relevant authorities, imposition of fines, specific performance and/or criminal liability, forfeiture of profits made, being ordered to close down our business operations and suspension of relevant permits.

 

Because the Chinese legal system is not fully developed, our legal protections may be limited.

 

The Chinese legal system is based upon written statutes. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference but are not binding on subsequent cases and have limited value as precedent. Since 1979, China’s legislative bodies have promulgated laws and regulations dealing with economic matters such as foreign investment, corporate organization and governance, commerce, taxation and trade. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system and the array of new laws and regulations may not be sufficient to cover all aspects of economic activities in China. In particular, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published decisions and their non-binding nature, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involves uncertainties. In addition, published government policies and internal rules may have retroactive effects and, in some cases, the policies and rules are not published at all. As a result, we may be unaware of our violation of these policies and rules until sometime later. The laws of China govern our contractual arrangements with our affiliated entities and the enforcement of these contracts and the interpretation of the laws governing these relationships are subject to uncertainty.

 

In addition, our VIE and all of our subsidiaries that are incorporated in China are subject to all applicable PRC laws and regulations. Because of the relatively short period for enacting such a comprehensive legal system, the laws, regulations and legal requirements are relatively recent, and their interpretation and enforcement involve uncertainties. These uncertainties could limit the legal protections available to us and other foreign investors, including you, and may lead to penalties imposed on us because of the different understanding between the relevant authority and us. For example, according to current tax laws and regulations, we are responsible to pay business tax on a “Self-examination and Self-application” basis. However, since there is no clear guidance as to the applicability of certain preferential tax treatments, we may be found in violation of the interpretation of local tax authorities with regard to the scope of taxable services and the percentage of tax rate and therefore might be subject to penalties, including but not limited to, monetary penalties. In addition, we cannot predict the effect of future developments in the PRC legal system, including the promulgation of new laws, changes to existing laws or the interpretation or enforcement thereof, or the preemption of local regulations by national laws.

The resolution of these matters may be subject to the exercise of considerable discretion by agencies of the Chinese government, and forces unrelated to the legal merits of a particular matter or dispute may influence their determination. Any rights we may have to specific performance or to seek an injunction under PRC law, in either of these cases, are severely limited, and without a means of recourse by virtue of the Chinese legal system, we may be unable to prevent these situations from occurring. Although legislation in China over the past 30 years has significantly improved the protection afforded to various forms of foreign investment and contractual arrangements in China, these laws, regulations and legal requirements are relatively new and their interpretation and enforcement involve uncertainties, which could limit the legal protection available to us and foreign investors, including you.

The PRC State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to receive and use our sales revenue effectively and to pay dividends.

 

All of our sales revenues and expenses are denominated in RMB. Under PRC law, RMB is currently convertible under the “current account,” which includes dividends and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but not under the “capital account,” which includes foreign direct investment and loans. Currently, our PRC operating subsidiaries may purchase foreign currencies for settlement of current account transactions, including payments of dividends to us, without the approval of SAFE, by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, the relevant PRC government authorities may limit or eliminate our ability to purchase foreign currencies in the future. Since substantially all of our future revenue will be denominated in RMB, any existing and future restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to utilize revenue generated in RMB to fund our business activities outside China that are denominated in foreign currencies.

Foreign exchange transactions by PRC operating subsidiaries under the capital account continue to be subject to significant foreign exchange controls and require the approval of or need to register with PRC government authorities, including SAFE. In particular, if our PRC operating subsidiaries borrow foreign currency through loans from us or other foreign lenders, these loans must be registered with SAFE, and if we finance our PRC operating subsidiaries by means of additional capital contributions, these capital contributions must be approved by certain government authorities, including the MOFCOM,Ministry of Commerce People’s Republic of China, or their respective local counterparts. These limitations could affect our PRC operating subsidiaries’ ability to obtain foreign exchange through debt or equity financing.

 

The PRC government also may at its discretion restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining foreign currency, we may be unable to meet obligations that may be incurred in the future that require payment in foreign currency.

 

Under the New EIT Law, as defined below, we may be classified as a “resident enterprise” of China, which would likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders.

 

Under China’s Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the “New EIT“EIT Law”, and its implementing rules, which became effective in 2008, an enterprise established outside of China with “de facto management bodies” within China is considered a “resident enterprise,” meaning that it can be treated in a manner similar to a Chinese enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes. Under the implementing rules of the New EIT Law, de facto management means substantial and overall management and control over the production and operations, personnel, accounting, and properties of the enterprise. Because the New EIT Law and its implementing rules are new, it is unclear how tax authorities will determine tax residency based on the facts of each case.

 

In April 2009, the State Administration of Taxation (“SAT”) issued a new circular to clarify the criteria for recognizing the resident enterprise status for Chinese controlled foreign companies. According to the Circular Regarding the Determination Criteria on Chinese Controlled Offshore Companies as Resident Enterprises (Circular Guoshuifa 2009 No. 82), if a foreign company simultaneously satisfies the following four criteria:criteria it will have resident enterprise status:

·It constitutes a Chinese controlled foreign company and shall be deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise.
·The premises where the senior management and the senior management bodies responsible for the routine production and business management of the enterprise perform their functions are mainly located within China.
·The financial decisions (including, borrowing, lending, financing, financial risk management, etc.) and the personnel decisions (for example, appointment, dismissal, remuneration, etc.) of the enterprise are made by the bodies or persons within China or are subject to the approval of the bodies or persons within China.
·The enterprise’s primary properties, accounting books, company seals, minutes and archives of the meetings of the board of directors and shareholders are located or preserved within China. The enterprise’s directors or senior management with fifty percent or more of the voting rights usually live in China.

Despite the issuance of the new clarifying circular referenced above, the application of these standards remains uncertain. If the PRC tax authorities determine that we are a “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, unfavorable PRC tax consequences could follow. First, we will be subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 25% on our worldwide taxable income as well as PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. Second, although under the New EIT Law and its implementing rules dividends paid to us from our PRC subsidiaries would qualify as “tax-exempt income,” such dividends may be subject to a 10% withholding tax, as the PRC foreign exchange control authorities, which enforce the withholding tax, have not yet issued guidance with respect to the processing of outbound remittances to entities that are treated as resident enterprises for PRC enterprise income tax purposes. Finally, it is possible that future guidance issued with respect to the new “resident enterprise” classification would result in a situation in which a 10% withholding tax is imposed on dividends we pay to our non-PRC shareholders and with respect to gains derived by our non-PRC shareholders from transferring our shares. We are actively monitoring the possibility of “resident enterprise” treatment for the 2008 and 2009 tax years and are evaluating appropriate organizational changes to avoid this treatment, to the extent possible.

 

If we were treated as a “resident enterprise” by PRC tax authorities, we would be subject to tax in both the U.S. and China, and our PRC tax may not be creditable against our U.S. tax. In addition, we have not accrued any tax liability associated with the possible payment of dividends to our U.S. parent company. Such a tax would be an added expense appearing on our income statement, which would reduce our net income.

The PRC legal system embodies uncertainties which could limit the legal protections available to us and you, or could lead to penalties on us.

The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike common law systems, it is a system in which decided legal cases have little precedential value. In 1979, the PRC government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws and regulations governing economic matters in general. Our PRC operating subsidiaries are subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investment in China. In addition, our VIE and all of our subsidiaries that are incorporated in China are subject to all applicable Chinese laws and regulations. Because of the relatively short period for enacting such a comprehensive legal system, the laws, regulations and legal requirements are relatively recent, and their interpretation and enforcement involve uncertainties. These uncertainties could limit the legal protections available to us and other foreign investors, including you, and may lead to penalties imposed on us because of the different understanding between the relevant authority and us. For example, according to current tax laws and regulations, we are responsible to pay business tax on a “Self-examination and Self-application” basis. However, since there is no clear guidance as to the applicability of certain preferential tax treatments, we may be found in violation of the interpretation of local tax authorities with regard to the scope of taxable services and the percentage of tax rate and therefore might be subject to penalties, including but not limited to, monetary penalties.In addition, we cannot predict the effect of future developments in the PRC legal system, including the promulgation of new laws, changes to existing laws or the interpretation or enforcement thereof, or the preemption of local regulations by national laws

We may have limited legal recourse under the PRC laws if disputes arise under our contracts with third parties.

The Chinese government has enacted significant laws and regulations dealing with matters, such as corporate organization and governance, foreign investment, commerce, taxation and trade. However, the PRC’s experience in implementing, interpreting and enforcing these laws and regulations is limited, and our ability to enforce commercial claims or to resolve commercial disputes is unpredictable. If our new business ventures are unsuccessful, or other adverse circumstances arise from these transactions, we face the risk that the parties to these ventures may seek ways to terminate the transactions, or may hinder or prevent us from accessing important information regarding the financial and business operations of these acquired companies. The resolution of these matters may be subject to the exercise of considerable discretion by agencies of the Chinese government, and forces unrelated to the legal merits of a particular matter or dispute may influence their determination. Any rights we may have to specific performance or to seek an injunction under the PRC laws, in either of these cases, are severely limited, and without a means of recourse by virtue of the Chinese legal system, we may be unable to prevent these situations from occurring. The occurrence of any such events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Although legislation in China over the past 30 years has significantly improved the protection afforded to various forms of foreign investment and contractual arrangements in China, these laws, regulations and legal requirements are relatively new and their interpretation and enforcement involve uncertainties, which could limit the legal protection available to us and foreign investors, including you. The inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our future agreements could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Our labor costs are likely to increase as a result of changes in Chinese labor laws.

We expect to experience an increase in our cost of labor due to recent changes in Chinese labor laws, which are likely to increase costs further and also to impose restrictions on our relationship with our employees. In June 2007, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the PRC enacted labor law legislation called the Labor Contract Law and more strictly enforced existing labor laws. This law, which became effective on January 1, 2008, amended and formalized workers’ rights concerning overtime hours, pensions, layoffs, employment contracts and the role of trade unions. As a result of this law, we had to reduce the number of hours of overtime our employees can work, substantially increase the salaries of our employees, provide additional benefits to our employees, and revise certain of our other labor practices.The increase in labor costs has increased our operating costs, and we have not always been able to pass through this increase to our customers. As a result, we have incurred certain operating losses as our costs of manufacturing increased. No assurance can be given that we will not in the future be subject to labor strikes or that we will not have to make other payments to resolve future labor issues. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the labor laws will not change further or that their interpretation and implementation and enforcement will not vary, which may have a negative effect upon our business and results of operations.

Failure to comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could subject us to penalties and other adverse consequences.

 

We are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, which generally prohibits United States companies from engaging in bribery or other prohibited payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. In addition, we are required to maintain records that accurately and fairly represent our transactions and have an adequate system of internal accounting controls. Foreign companies, including some that may compete with us, are not subject to these prohibitions, and therefore may have a competitive advantage over us. Corruption, extortion, bribery, pay-offs, theft and other fraudulent practices occur from time-to-time in the PRC. We can make no assurance that our employees or other agents will not engage in such conduct for which we might be held responsible. If our employees or other agents are found to have engaged in such practices, we could suffer severe penalties and other consequences that may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If we become subject to the recent scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity involving U.S.-listed Chinese companies, we may have to expend significant resources to investigate and resolve such allegations, which could harm our business operations, stock price and reputation, especially if such matter cannot be addressed and resolved favorably.

Recently, U.S. public companies that have substantially all of their operations in China, particularly companies like us which have completed so-called reverse merger transactions, have been the subject of intense scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity by investors, financial commentators and regulatory agencies, such as the SEC. Much of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity has centered around financial and accounting irregularities and mistakes, a lack of effective internal controls over financial accounting, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in many cases, allegations of fraud. As a result of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity, the publicly traded stock of many U.S. listed Chinese companies has sharply decreased in value and, in some cases, has become virtually worthless. Many of these companies are now subject to shareholder lawsuits, SEC enforcement actions and are conducting internal and external investigations into the allegations. It is not clear what effect this sector-wide scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity will have on our Company, our business and our stock price. If we become the subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or untrue, we will have to expend significant resources to investigate such allegations and/or defend our Company. This situation will be costly and time consuming and distract our management from growing our Company. If such allegations are not proven to be groundless, our Company and our business operations will be severely impacted and your investment in our stock could be rendered worthless.

The disclosures in our reports and other filings with the SEC and our other public pronouncements are not subject to the scrutiny of any regulatory bodies in the PRC. Accordingly, our public disclosure should be reviewed in light of the fact that no governmental agency that is located in China where substantially all of our operations and business are located had conducted any due diligence on our operations or reviewed or cleared any of our disclosure.

We are regulated by the SEC and our reports and other filings with the SEC are subject to SEC review in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Since substantially all of our operations and business takes place in China, it may be more difficult for the SEC to overcome the geographic and cultural obstacles when reviewing our disclosure. These same obstacles are not present for similar companies whose operations or business take place entirely or primarily in the United States. Furthermore, our SEC reports and other disclosure and public pronouncements are not subject to the review or scrutiny of any PRC regulatory authority. For example, the disclosure in our SEC reports and other filings are not subject to the review of the Chinese Securities Regulatory Commission, a PRC regulator that is tasked with oversight of the capital markets in China. Accordingly, you should review our SEC reports, filings and our other public pronouncements with the understanding that no local regulator has done any due diligence on our Company and with the understanding that none of our SEC reports, other filings or any of our other public pronouncements has been reviewed or otherwise been scrutinized by any local regulator.

We make equity compensation grants to persons who are PRC citizens and they may be required to register with SAFE. We may also face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to adopt equity compensation plans for our directors and employees and other parties under PRC laws.

 

On March 28, 2007, SAFE issued the “Operating Procedures for Administration of Domestic Individuals Participating in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan or Stock Option Plan of An Overseas Listed Company,” also known as “Circular 78.” It is not clear whether Circular 78 covers all forms of equity compensation plans or only those which provide for the granting of stock options. For any plans which are so covered and are adopted by a non-PRC listed company, such as our Company, after March 28, 2007, Circular 78 requires all participants who are PRC citizens to register with and obtain approvals from SAFE prior to their participation in the plan. In addition, Circular 78 also requires PRC citizens to register with SAFE and make the necessary applications and filings if they participated in an overseas listed company’s covered equity compensation plan prior to March 28, 2007. We believe that the registration and approval requirements contemplated in Circular 78 will beare burdensome and time consuming.

In the future, we may adoptWe currently have an effective equity incentive plan and make numerous stock option grants under the plan to our officers, directors and employees, some of whom are PRC citizens and may be required to register with SAFE. If it is determined that any of our equity compensation plans are subject to Circular 78, failure to comply with suchrelevant provisions may subject us and participants of any such equity incentive plan who are PRC citizens to fines and legal sanctions and prevent us from being able to grant equity compensation to our PRC employees. In that case, our ability to compensate our employees and directors through equity compensation wouldand to attract and retain employees and directors may be hindered and our business operations may be adversely affected.

 

Due to various restrictions under PRC lawslaw on the distribution of dividends by our PRC operating companies, we may not be able to pay dividends to our shareholders.

 

The Wholly-Foreign Owned Enterprise Law (1986) (“WFOE”), as amended and the Wholly-Foreign Owned Enterprise Law Implementing Rules (1990), as amended and the Company Law of the PRC (2006) contain the principal regulations governing dividend distributions by wholly foreign owned enterprises. Under these regulations WFOE’s may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Additionally, a WFOE is required to set aside a certain amount of its accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends, except in the event of liquidation, and cannot be used for working capital purposes.

 

Furthermore, if any of our consolidated subsidiaries in China incurs debt in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict our ability to pay dividends or make other payments. If we or our consolidated subsidiaries are unable to receive all of the revenues from our operations due to these contractual or dividend arrangements, we may be unable to pay dividends on our Common Stock.common stock. In addition, under WFOE regulations mentioned above, we must retain a reserve equal to 10 percent of net income after taxes, not to exceed 50 percent of registered capital. Accordingly, this reserve will not be available to be distributed as dividends to our shareholders. We presently do not intend to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. Our management intends to follow a policy of retaining all of our earnings to finance the development and execution of our strategy and the expansion of our business.

We may have difficulty establishing adequate management, legal and financial controls in the PRC.

 

The PRC historically has been deficient in western style management and financial reporting concepts and practices, as well as in modern banking and other control systems. We may have difficulty in hiring and retaining a sufficient number of qualified employees to work in the PRC. As a result of these factors, and especially given that we are an exchange listed company in the U.S. and subject to regulation as such, we may experience difficulty in establishing management, legal and financial controls, collecting financial data and preparing financial statements, books of account and corporate records and instituting business practices that meet western standards. As there is a shortage of well-educated and experienced professionals who have bilingual and bicultural backgrounds in China, especially in remote areas where our factories are located, we may experience high turnover in our staff. Therefore, we may, in turn, experience difficulties in implementing and maintaining adequate internal controls as required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other applicable laws, rules and regulations. This may result in significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in our internal controls which could impact the reliability of our financial statements and prevent us from complying with SEC rules and regulations and the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Any such deficiencies, weaknesses or lack of compliance could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the public announcement of such deficiencies could adversely impact our stock price.

 

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

 

Our officers, directors and affiliates control us through their positions and stock ownership and their interests may differ from other stockholders.

 

Our officers, directors and affiliates beneficially own approximately 39.8%40.6% of our common stock. Mr. Zuosheng Yu, our major stockholder, beneficially owns approximately 39.5%39.9% of our common stock. Mr. Yu can effectively control us and his interests may differ from other stockholders.

All of our subsidiaries and substantially all of our assets are located outside the United States.

All our subsidiaries are located in China and substantially all of our assets are located outside the United States. It may therefore be difficult for investors in the United States to enforce their legal rights based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us in the courts of either the United States or China and, even if civil judgments are obtained in United States courts, such judgments may not be enforceable in Chinese courts. Most of our directors and officers reside outside of the United States. It is unclear if extradition treaties now in effect between the United States and China would permit effective enforcement against us or our officers and directors of criminal penalties under the U.S. federal securities laws or otherwise.

 

We have never paid cash dividends and are not likely to do so in the foreseeable future.

 

We currently intend to retain any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business. We do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future but will review this policy as circumstances dictate.

 

Our common stock is subject to price volatility unrelated to our operations.

 

The market price of our common stock could fluctuate substantially due to a variety of factors, including market perception of our ability to achieve our planned growth, quarterly operating results of other steel makers, trading volume in our common stock, changes in general conditions in the economy and the financial markets or other developments affecting our competitors or us. In addition, the stock market is subject to extreme price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has had a significant effect on the market price of securities issued by many companies for reasons unrelated to their operating performance and could have the same effect on our common stock.

Investors may experience dilution from exercise of warrants we issued in December 2007 and December 2009.2007.

Shares of our common stock are issuable upon conversion of senior convertible notes and warrants to purchase common stock issued in a private placement that closed on December 13, 2007. The senior convertible notes were initially convertible into 4,170,009 shares of our common stock based on a conversion price of $12.47 per share and applicable interest rates. As of the date of this report, all of the convertible notes had been converted. Prior to the adjustments described below, upon the exercise of the warrants, an additional aggregate amount of 1,154,958 shares of our common stock were issuable based upon the then exercise price of $13.51 per share. The senior convertible notes have a five year term through December 12, 2012, and the warrants are exercisable from May 13, 2008, to May 13, 2013. The conversion price of the notes and the exercise price of the warrants (and the number of shares issuable under the warrants) are each subject to adjustment under certain customary circumstances, including, among others, if the sale price of securities issued by us in subsequent offerings is less than the conversion or exercise pricesprice then in effect. The conversion price of the notes was adjusted and reset to $4.2511, the market price (as defined in the notes) on May 7, 2009. As of August 5, 2010, all of the convertible notes had been converted. As discussed below, the warrants have been adjusted such that upon their exercise, an aggregate of 3,900,871 shares of our common stock are now issuable based upon the current adjusted exercise price of $5.00 per share.

 

In addition to the notes and warrants issued in December 2007, we issued 5,555,556 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase 2,777,778 shares of our common stock in a registered direct offering that closed on December 30, 2009. The warrants issued as part of the December 2009 transaction are exercisable beginning six months from the date of issuance for a period of two years from the initial exercise date, and carry an initial exercise price per share equal to $5.00. Certain anti-dilution adjustment provisions contained in the warrants issued in 2007 may have been triggered by the December 2009 transaction. Rather than giving full effect to the anti-dilution provisions, we entered into warrant reset agreements with investors from our December 2007 financing whereby the aggregate number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants issued in the December 2007 transaction is increased from 1,154,958 shares to 3,900,871 shares, and the exercise price of the December 2007 Warrants was reduced from $13.51 per share to $5.00 per share.

The issuance of shares of our common stock upon conversion of the notes which remain outstanding and exercise of any of our outstanding warrants (including any increased amount of shares that may be issued in the future because of reductions in exercise price and conversion price)thereof) will dilute our current shareholders.

Our failure to comply with conditions required for our common stock to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) could result in delisting of our common stock from the NYSE and have a significant negative effect on the value and liquidity of our securities as well as other matters.

On September 26, 2013, we received a notice from NYSE Regulations, Inc. (“NYSE Regulations”) that we were not in compliance with the continuedlisting standard set forth in Sections 802.01B and 802.01C of the Listed Company Manual of the NYSE (the “Manual”). Noncompliance with Section 802.01B of the Manual (the “Market Cap Standard”) was due to the Company not maintaining an average market capitalization of at least fifty million dollars ($50,000,00.00) over a consecutive 30 trading-day period.  Noncompliance with Section 802.01C of the Manual (the “Pricing Standard”) was due to the average closing price of the Company’s common stock being less than $1.00 over a consecutive 30 trading-day period.  As a result of the Company’s noncompliance with both the Market Cap Standard and the Pricing Standard (collectively, the “Listing Standards”), we were required to submit a business plan to the NYSE and remain subject to quarterly monitoring for compliance with the Listing Standards and the submitted business plan through March of 2015.  On March 10, 2014, we received a notice from NYSE Regulations that we had gained compliance with the Pricing Standard; however, we remain in noncompliance with the Market Cap Standard.

We are required to comply with the Manual as a condition for our common stock to continue to be listed on the NYSE. If we are unable to comply with such conditions, then our shares of common stock are subject to immediate delisting from the NYSE. We intend to appeal any decision to delist our shares from the NYSE, but cannot provide any assurance that our appeal will be successful. Any such appeal will not stay the decision to delist our shares. If our common stock is delisted from the NYSE, such securities may be traded over-the-counter on the “pink sheets.” The alternative market, however, is generally considered to be less efficient than, and not as broad as, the NYSE. Accordingly, delisting of our common stock from the NYSE could have a significant negative effect on the value and liquidity of our securities. In addition, the delisting of such stock could adversely affect our ability to raise capital on terms acceptable to us or at all. In addition, delisting of our common stock may preclude us from using exemptions from certain state and federal securities regulations, including the SEC’s “penny stock” rules.

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

 

None.

Not Applicable.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

 

General Steel (China)

 

The properties of General Steel (China) consist of manufacturing sites and office buildings located in Jinghai county, about 20 miles (45 kilometers) southwest of the Tianjin city center on a total of 17.81 acres (7.21 hectares) of land, which includes 320,390 square feet (29,667 square meters) of building space.

 

Under ChinesePRC law, all land in China is owned by the government, which grants a “land use right” to an individual or entity after a purchase price for such “land use right” is paid to the government. The land use right allows the holder the right to use the land for a specified long-term period of time and enjoy all the ownership incidents to the land. We are the registered owner of the land use rights for the parcels of land identified in the chart below.

Registered Owner of
Land Use Right
 Location & Certificate of
Land Use Right
 Usage Space
(acres)
Life of Land
Use Right
Remaining
Life
  Life of Land
Use Right
 Remaining
Life
Tianjin Daqiuzhuang
Metal Sheet Co., Ltd.
No. 6 West Gangtuan Road, Daqiuzhuang, Jinghai Country, TianjinIndustrial Use6.7850 years41 years
           
Tianjin Daqiuzhuang Metal Sheet Co., Ltd.Ltd No. 35 Baiyi6 West Gangtuan Road, Daqiuzhuang, Jinghai County,Country, Tianjin Industrial Use 9.896.78 50 years 4138 years
           
Tianjin Daqiuzhuang Metal Sheet Co., Ltd.*LtdNo. 35 Baiyi Road, Daqiuzhuang, Jinghai County, TianjinIndustrial Use9.8950 years38 years
Tianjin Daqiuzhuang Metal Sheet Co., Ltd Ying FongFeng Road North, Daqiuzhuang, Jinghai country Tianjin Commercial Use 1.14 50 years 40 and 4338 years

*In the process of changing name to General Steel (China).

 

Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture

 

The properties of Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture consist of our production and administrative sites located on the main production campus of the Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture located in Baotou, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The land is leased from Baotou Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd., our strategic partner in the Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture.

 

Longmen Joint Venture

 

The properties of Longmen Joint Venture consist of production and administrative sites located in various locations throughout the southern half of Shaanxi province on land totaling approximately 301307 acres (121.5(124.4 hectares).

 

We areLongmen Joint Venture is the registered owner of the land use rights for the parcelsparcel of land identified in the chart below.

 

Registered Owner of
Land Use Right
 Location & Certificate
Of Land Use Right
 Usage Space
(acres)
 Life of Land
Use Right
 Remaining
Life
           
Longmen Joint Venture North Huanyuan Road, Weiyang District, Xi'an, Shaanxi Industrial Use 19.1 50 Years 3833 Years
Longmen Joint Venture Longmen Town, Hancheng, Shaanxi Industrial Use 173.2179.6 40-48 Years 35-39 Years33-37 Years*
Longmen Joint Venture Sanping Village, Shipo Town, Zhashui County, Shaanxi Industrial Use 103.2 50 Years 4539 Years
Longmen Joint Venture Zhaikouhe Village, Xunjian Town, Zhashui County, Shaanxi Industrial Use 1.9 50 Years 4538 Years
Longmen Joint Venture East Taishi Avenue, Xincheng District, Hancheng, Shaanxi Commercial Use 3.6 40 Years 3629 Years

*This location consists of six land use rights with various remaining useful lives.

Maoming Hengda

 

The properties of Maoming Hengda consist of our production and administrative sites located in two separated sites inside Maoming city, Guangdong province, on land totaling approximately 239.6240 acres (96.9 hectares).

 

We areMaoming Hengda is the registered owner of the land use rights for the parcels of land identified in the chart below.

 

Registered Owner of Land
Use Right
Location & Certificate
Of Land Use Right
 UsageLocation & Certificate
Of Land Use Right
 Space
(acres)Usage
 Space
(acres)
Life of Land
Use
Right
 Remaining
Life
           
Maoming Hengda 

Diancheng Town,


Dianbai County, Maoming City, Industrial Zone of Bohe Port, Guangdong

 Industrial Use 239.6240 50 Years 4441 Years

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

 

From time to time, we are subject to certain legal proceedings, claims and disputes that arise in the ordinary course of our business. Although we cannot predict the outcomes of these legal proceedings, we do not believe these actions, in the aggregate, will have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity. We are currently not a party to any material legal proceedings.

 

ITEM 4. (Removed and Reserved).MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

 

The information required by Item 4 is not applicable to us, as we have no mining operations in the United States.

PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

 

Our common stock is listed on the New York Exchange under the symbol “GSI”. The high and low closing common stock price for each quarter of the last two years is as follows:

HIGH AND LOW STOCK PRICES 1ST QTR  2ND QTR  3RD QTR  4TH QTR 
2010                
High $5.04  $4.22  $3.54  $3.15 
Low $3.78  $2.35  $2.28  $2.38 
2009                
High $4.59  $7.35  $5.74  $5.79 
Low $1.85  $2.77  $3.32  $3.62 

HIGH AND LOW SALES PRICES 1ST QTR  2ND QTR  3RD QTR  4TH QTR 
2012                
High $1.17  $1.11  $1.33  $1.28 
Low $0.75  $0.80  $0.57  $0.91 
2013                
High $1.35  $1.12  $1.04  $1.09 
Low $0.94  $0.94  $0.83  $0.85 

As of March 14, 2011,17, 2014, there were approximately 315322 holders of record of our common stock. On the same date, the trading price of our common stock closed at $2.45$1.40 per share.

Stock Repurchase Program

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES(1)
Period (a) Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
  (b)
Average
Price Paid
per Share
  (c) Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
  (d) Maximum Number
(or Approximate Dollar
Value) of Shares that
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs
 
December 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010  316,760  $2.7475   316,760   683,240 

(1)On December 21, 2010, we issued a press release announcing that our Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to an aggregate of one million (1,000,000) shares of our common stock as part of a share repurchase program (the “Share Repurchase Program”). The Share Repurchase Program does not have an expiration date and these repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions in accordance with applicable laws. As of December 31, 2010, we have repurchased in open market transactions 316,760 shares of common stock at an average per share price of $2.7475.

 

Dividend Policy

 

Our Board of Directors currently does not intend to declare dividends or make any other distributions to our shareholders. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be at our board’s discretion and will depend upon our results of operations, financial condition and prospects as well as other factors deemed relevant by our boardBoard of directors.

Directors.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Sale Securities

 

NoneNone. 

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

 

Year ended December, 31

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS 2010
As restated
  2009
As restated
  2008  2007  2006 
(USD and number of shares in thousands, except per share amounts)                    
Sales $1,882,140  $1,679,770  $1,351,203  $772,440  $139,495 
Cost of Goods Sold  1,850,725   1,590,958   1,343,275   715,751   135,324 
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses  52,577   41,059   36,942   16,164   2,421 
Income (Loss) from operations  (21,162)  47,753   (29,014)  40,525   1,750 
Net (Loss) Income                    
Attributable to Controlling Interest $(30,006) $(30,620) $(11,323) $22,426  $1,033 
(Loss) Earnings per Share, Basic $(0.56) $(0.73) $(0.32) $0.69  $0.03 
(Loss) Earnings per Share, Diluted $(0.56) $(0.73) $(0.32) $0.69  $0.03 
Basic Weighted Average Shares Outstanding  53,113   41,860   35,381   32,425   31,250 
Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding  53,113   41,860   35,381   32,558   31,250 
LONG TERM OBLIGATIONS                    
Convertible Notes Payables $-  $1,050  $7,155  $5,440   - 
Derivative Liabilities $5,573  $23,340  $9,903  $28,483   - 

As of December, 31

FINANCIAL DATA 2010  2009  2008  2007  2006 
  As restated  As restated          
(USD in thousands, except the ratios)               
Total Assets $1,799,380  $1,224,370  $865,714  $478,407  $73,822 
Depreciation and Amortization $41,153  $33,107  $22,414  $10,337  $1,917 
Current Ratio  0.72   0.59   0.43   0.67   0.87 

Three months ended December, 31               
STATEMENT OF               
OPERATIONAL DATA 2010  2009  2008  2007  2006 
  As restated  As restated          
(USD in thousands, except share and per share amounts)                    
Statement of Operations Data                    
Sales $467,161  $463,277  $261,087  $268,192  $42,496 
Cost of Goods sold  462,445   449,623   282,662   247,239   42,838 
Gross Profit  4,716   13,654   (21,575)  20,953   (342)
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses  17,204   11,855   8,578   5,894   266 
Income (Loss) from Operations  (12,488)  1,799   (30,153)  15,059   (607)
Net income (Loss) Attributable to Controlling Interest $(18,606) $(14,652) $(9,705) $12,057  $514 
Earnings (Loss) per share                    
Basic $(0.34)  $ (0. 35 )  $(0.27) $0.36  $0.01 
Diluted $(0.34) $(0.35) $(0.27) $0.36  $0.01 
                     
Balance Sheet Data                    
Current Assets $1,139,303  $617,607  $315,445  $232,608  $44,670 
Total Assets $1,799,380   1,224,370  $865,714  $478,407  $73,822 
Total Liabilities $1,677,858   1,066,086  $751,476  $382,974  $53,575 
Noncontrolling interest $51,969   70,148  $54,330  $42,044  $6,186 

The financial data included within the proceeding table should be read in conjunction with our Management’s Discussion and Analysis as well as the Financial Statements and Supplementary Data (Items 7 and 8 of this Amendment No. 1), and with our previously filed Original 10-K.Not Applicable.

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

 

Forward-Looking Statements:

 

The following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto.thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements. General Steel Holdings, Inc. is referred to herein as “we” or “our., “our,” “us” and “the Company.” The words or phrases “would be,” “will allow,” “expect to”, “intends to,” “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include those concerning our expected financial performance, our corporate strategy and operational plans. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, including: (a) those risks and uncertainties related to general economic conditions in People’s Republic of China, including regulatory factors that may affect such economic conditions; (b) whether we are able to manage our planned growth efficiently and operate profitable operations, including whether our management will be able to identify, hire, train, retain, motivate and manage required personnel or that management will be able to successfully manage and exploit existing and potential market opportunities; (c) whether we are able to generate sufficient revenues or obtain financing to sustain and grow our operations; and (d) whether we are able to successfully fulfill our primary requirements for cash which are explained below under “Liquidity and Capital Resources”. as well as other factors described in “Item 1A: Risk Factors” in this Annual Report. You should carefully review all of these factors, as well as the comprehensive discussion of forward-looking statements on page 4 of this Annual Report. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, we do not undertake, and we specifically disclaim any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences, developments, unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statement.

 

OVERVIEW

 

We were founded on the strategy to aggressively merge, partner with, and acquire State-owned enterprises and selected steel companies with great growth potential within China’s highly fragmented steel industry. As of December 31, 2010,2013, we were comprised of four steel producing and processing subsidiariessubsidiaries/VIE of which Longmen Joint Venture is the largest, and one raw material trading company subsidiary.largest. Located in Shaanxi province, Longmen Joint Venture contributed approximately 98.1%99.5% and 99.1% of our total revenue for the 20102013 and 2012 fiscal year.years, respectively.

 

Fiscal year 20102013 was highlighted by increased sales revenue, formation of a material trading company and compensation for economic losses:with the following:

 

·Sales revenue increaseddecreased by 12.0%$399.8 million, or 14.0% year-over-year to $1.9$2.5 billion, updown from $1.7$2.9 billion in 2009.2012, mainly due to the decrease in both the sales volume and average selling price of our rebar products. For the year of 2013, sales volume in Longmen Joint Venture totaled 5.0 million metric tons, a decrease of 0.1 million metric tons, or 1.3%, compared to 5.1 million metric tons in the year of 2012, with an average selling price of rebar of $490.7 per ton in the year of 2013, compared to $560.6 per ton in the year of 2012.

·Gross loss in the year of 2013 totaled $(55.9) million, or (2.3)% of total revenue, as compared to a gross profit of $32.1 million, or 1.1% of total revenue in the year of 2012.

·Total finance expenses in the year of 2013 were $91.9 million, as compared to $153.7 million in the year of 2012. Finance expenses mainly consisted of interest expense on capital lease, which was $20.8 million and $20.6 million in the year of 2013 and 2012, respectively, and interest expense on bank loans and discounted notes receivable, which was $71.1 million and $133.1 million in years of 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Our two-pronged growth strategy focused on a combination of capacity expansion, as well as optimizing operating efficiencies and leverage:

·We aim to grow revenue by increasing capacity and through continual cooperation and partnerships with leading state-owned enterprises (SOEs); and
·The construction of the two 1,280 cubic meter blast furnaces, two 120 metric ton convertersWe aim to drive profitability through improved operational efficiencies and one 400 square meter sintering machine funded by Shaanxi Steel at the business property of Longmen Joint Venture were finalized.

·In connection with the construction of the two new blast furnaces, to compensate the Company, in the fourth quarter of 2010, Shaanxi Steel reimbursed Longmen Joint Venture $16.4 million (RMB 108 million) related to the value of assets dismantled, various site preparation costs incurred by Longmen Joint Venture and for rent under a 40-year property sub-lease that was entered into by the parties in June 2009 (the "Longmen Sub-lease"), and $27.8 million (RMB 183 million) for the reduced production efficiency caused by the construction. In addition, in 2010 and 2011, Shaanxi Steel reimbursed Longmen Joint Venture $13.5 million (RMB 89 million) each year for production inefficiencies related to the two new blast furnaces, two new converters and one new sintering machine constructed and owned by Shaanxi Steel. The compensations total $57.7 million (RMB 380 million), among which $52.0 million (RMB 343 million) as of December 31, 2010, was recorded as a deferred sub-lease income from the land which was sub-leased by Longmen Joint Venture to Shaanxi Steel on the new furnaces constructed.
·In December 2010, we brought online a new 400,000 metric tons capacity rebar production line at Maoming Hengda’s facility.
·In September 2010, we formed Tianwu JV with TME Group, one of the largest and most diversified commodity trading groups in China. We hold a 60% controlling interest in Tianwu JV. Tianwu JV will source raw materials including iron ore domestically and overseas, and is expected to supply approximately 20% to 50%optimization of our iron-ore needs amounting to approximately two to three million metric tons on an annual basis.
·On December 21, 2010, we announced the adoption of a share repurchase program (“Share Repurchase Program”) pursuant to which we may repurchase up to an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of our common stock. The repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions in accordance with applicable federal securities laws. The Share Repurchase Program does not have an expiration date. As of December 31, 2010, we have repurchased 316,760 shares of common stock in open market transactions at an average price of $2.7475 price per share.cost structure.

 

Industry Environment

Despite demand growth experienced during 2010 through 2012, recent developments in the Chinese economy, including a projected downgrade in the national GDP in the coming years, the tightening of the monetary policy in the PRC by PRC policy makers on June 20, 2013 by increasing short-term borrowing rates, and the removal of the floor rate charged to customers by the Chinese central bank, may put more financial pressure on the real estate development and construction industries and, by extension, affect product demand in the Chinese steel industry.

At the same time, the overall nationwide steelmaking capacity still exceeds steel demand in China. There is a significant over-capacity in the Chinese steel industry which is putting pressure on operators’ profitability. This has become the most significant challenge in the steel manufacturing business. From January to November 2013, China’s crude steel production increased by 7.82% to 712.86 million tons from the same period last year, while the consumption of crude steel increased by 7.36% to 666.50 million tons from the same period last year, according to the China Iron & Steel Association. However, due to the rapid economic development and urbanization in the Western region of China, which is the core market we serve, steel demand in the region has seen a stable growth compared to the rest of the country. 

For steelmakers, operating performance depends on the volatility of the cost of raw materials. The results reflectshortage of these raw materials in the market has allowed suppliers of iron ore and metallurgical coal to rebuild the pricing mechanisms through the shift from annual to shorter-term price contracts. This has created numerous challenges for steelmakers, as they must now deal with volatility in raw material prices, as well as maintain margins with fluctuating demand. Over the past two years, we have witnessed perseverance in steel prices that has given iron ore producers an opportunity to increase the prices in the next contract; however the reverse may not be true as steel companies cannot always pass on the rise in iron ore prices to end consumers due to the market overcapacity and fragmentation.

The Chinese central government has had a long-stated goal to consolidate 70% of domestic steel production among the top ten producers by 2020. Currently, there are approximately over 500 crude steel producers throughout China, and the top ten producers account for approximately 48% of total national output. In December 2011, the central government published an industry target to eliminate 96 million tons of inefficient iron and steel capacity during the 12th five-year plan. The central government had successfully reduced obsolete iron production capacities of 31.9 million tons in 2011. In April 2012, the central government announced its goal of reducing obsolete iron and steel capacities of 17.8 million tons in 2012 and successfully reached the goal and eliminated 20.2 million tons of obsolete iron and steel capacity. In April 2013, the central government published the industry target of eliminating 10.4 million tons of obsolete iron and steel capacities in 2013 and successfully eliminated 16.9 million tons of obsolete iron and steel capacity. In March 2014, the government confirmed its determination of the industry consolidation, and announced that it plans to eliminate 27 million tons of obsolete iron and steel capacity in order to reach the industry goal of 12th five-year plan ahead of schedule in 2014. However, we continue to see a strong demand for our construction steel products and believe significant growth opportunities in the industry and market we serve and such consolidation is not expected to directly impact our Company. In January 2014, our principal markets of Shaanxi and western China. Our subsidiary,facility, Longmen Joint Venture, continues to benefit from a large number of infrastructure projectshas been included in the region fueledList of Enterprises Fulfilling the Iron and Steel Industry Specification (the "List") released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China (the "MIIT").  Longmen Joint Venture is the only enterprise in China's Shaanxi province included in the List.

As the Chinese government aims to speed up the steel industry's restructuring and consolidation, the List members will receive the supports from the MIIT and China's other governmental agencies, while those who are omitted from the List will most likely face higher electricity costs, more restrictive administrative measures, and adverse effects of forceful regulations intent on reducing the nation's overcapacity.

On July 12, 2010, the Ministry of Industry & Information Technology Commission enacted the Steel Industry Admittance and Operation Qualifications standards. These new standards set forth requirements for all aspects of steel production in China, which include: size of blast furnaces, size of converters, emission of waste water, dust per ton from steel production, quantity of coal used for each process in steel production and output capacity.  According to the new standards, blast furnaces under 450 cubic meters are targeted to be eliminated. These standards once again confirmed the central government’s determination to push forward the consolidation of this fragmented industry.  While the operational conditions become more stringent, more small and medium sized companies will likely aggressively look for valued partners which could lead to opportunities for high quality acquisitions.  We believe these standards do not impact our Company and we also believe that the above-mentioned policy will strengthen our position as an industry consolidator by creating numerous qualified potential acquisition targets.

Since 2013, the Chinese government has exerted a more stringent environmental protection policy on the steel industry. In January 2014, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China (the "MIIT") announced a List of Enterprises Fulfilling the Iron and Steel Industry Specification (the "List"). The List includes a highly-selected group of large and medium steel manufacturers that have met or exceeded more stringent national stimulus planrequirements and standards on product quality, environmental protection, energy consumption, workmanship and equipment, production scale, as well as work safety and social responsibility. The MIIT will collaborate with China's other governmental agencies to provide support to the national “Go West” economic development initiative.List's members and to speed up the steel industry's restructuring and consolidation. Steel makers omitted from the List will most likely face higher electricity costs, more restrictive administrative measures, and adverse effects of forceful regulations intent on reducing the nation's overcapacity. Longmen Joint Venture, the major facility of General Steel was included on the List as the only enterprise in China’s Shaanxi Province.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Industry Environment

In 2010, China’s steel industry experienced positive growth compared to fiscal 2009 due to the recovering and restabilazationStatements of the domestic economy. While the price of steel continued to fluctuate in 2010, the price was still lower, on average, than the price that existed before the 2008 financial crisis. However, the price did reach its highest point of the year in the end of 2010. In addition, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the price of rebar had increased approximately 23.1% at the end of the year of 2010 compared to the beginning of the year.As a result of the gradual recovery in the global markets, the demand for raw materials has increased due to increased production of main crude steel producers which has resulted in rapid increases in the international demand for such raw materials which has resulted in increased prices of raw materials in China. Such increased prices in raw materials, coupled with the relatively lower price of steel in China, have led to a decrease in the overall profitability of China’s steel industry.

Overview of Company Operations.

Income Statement for the yearyears ended December 31, 2010, 20092013 and 2008:2012:

 

           Percentage Change 
 2010  2009  2008  2010 VS 2009  2009 VS 2008 
Unit-thousands except share data  As restated  As restated     As restated   As restated 
Sales $1,882,140  $1,679,770  $1,351,203   12.0%  24.3%
Cost of Goods Sold  1,850,725   1,590,958   1,343,275   16.3%  18.4%
Gross Profit  31,415   88,812   7,928   (64.6)%  1020.2%
Gross Profit Margin %  1.7%  5.3%  0.6%  (67.9)%  783.3%
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses  52,577   41,059   36,942   28.1%  11.1%
Income (Loss) from Operations  (21,162)  47,753   (29,014)  (144.3)%  (264.6)%
                     
Total Other Income (expense), net  (33,891)  (54,857)  3,738   (38.2)%  (1567.5)%
                     
Income (Loss) Before Provision for Income Tax and Noncontrolling Interest  (55,053)  (7,104)  (25,276)  675.0%  (71.9)%
                     
Total (Benefit) Provision for Income Taxes  (8,782)  4,449   (5,411)  (297.4)%  (182.2)%
Loss before Noncontrolling Interest  (46,271)  (11,553)  (19,865)  300.5%  (41.8)%
Less: Net Income (loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest  (16,265)  19,067   (8,542)  (185.3)%  (323.2)%
Net Loss Attributable to Controlling Interest $(30,006) $(30,620) $(11,323)  (2.0)%  170.4%
Loss Per Share                    
Basic $(0.56) $(0.73) $(0.32)  (23.3)%  128.1%
Diluted $(0.56) $(0.73) $(0.32)  (23.3)%  128.1%

(In thousands except share data) 2013  2012  Change  Percentage
Change
 
Sales $2,463,747  $2,863,593  $(399,846)  (14.0)%
Cost of Goods Sold  2,519,685   2,831,474   (311,789)  (11.0)%
Gross Profit (Loss)  (55,938)  32,119   (88,057)  (274.2)%
Gross Profit (Loss) Margin %  (2.3)%  1.1%  (3.4)%    
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses  (84,226)  (105,077)  20,851   (19.8)%
Change in Fair Value of Profit Sharing Liability  174,569   (22,499)  197,068   (875.9)%
Income (Loss) from Operations  34,405   (95,457)  129,862   (136.0)%
                 
Other Expense, net  (76,676)  (135,685)  59,009   (43.5)%
Loss Before Provision for Income Taxes and Noncontrolling Interest  (42,271)  (231,142)  188,871   (81.7)%
Provision for Income Taxes  354   796   (442)  (55.5)%
Net Loss  (42,625)  (231,938)  189,313   (81.6)%
Less: Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest  (9,609)  (79,241)  69,632   (87.9)%
Net Loss Attributable to General Steel Holdings, Inc. $(33,016) $(152,697) $119,681   (78.4)%
Loss Per Share                
Basic and Diluted $(0.60) $(2.78) $2.18   (78.4)%

 

RevenueSales

 

Fiscal year ended December 31, 20102013 compared to fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and 20082012

 

Revenue by Subsidiary and Product Percentage Change 
USD in thousands 2010  2009  2008  2010 VS
2009
  2009 VS
2008
 
    As restated  As restated     As restated   As restated 
Subsidiary Product                    
Longmen Joint Venture Rebar $1,845,577  $1,540,367  $1,182,433   19.8%  30.3%
Others   $36,563   139,403   168,770   (73.8)%  (17.4)%
                       
Total Revenue   $1,882,140  $1,679,770  $1,351,203   12.0%  24.3%

Percentage ChangeSales by Subsidiary and Product

 

In thousands metric tons 2010 2009 2008 2010 VS
2009
  2009 VS
2008
 
   As restated As restated   As restated   As restated 
(in thousands)(in thousands) 2013  2012  Change  Percentage
Change
 
Subsidiary Product             Product         
Longmen Joint Venture Rebar  3,510   3,420   2,030   2.6%  68.5% Rebar $2,450,256  $2,837,609  $(387,353)  (13.7)%
Others    415   439   278   (5.5)%  57.9%  13,491   25,984   (12,493)  (48.1)%
                     
Total Production    3,925   3,859   2,308   1.7%  67.2%
Total Sales   $2,463,747  $2,863,593  $(399,846)  (14.0)%

 

(In thousand metric tons) 2013  2012  Change  Percentage
Change
 
Subsidiary Product            
Longmen Joint Venture Rebar  4,994   5,062   (68)  (1.3)%
Others    106   274   (168)  (61.3)%
Total Sales Volume    5,100   5,336   (236)  (4.4)%

Total Sales Revenuesales for the fiscal year 2010 increased 12.0%2013 decreased by $399.8 million or 14.0% to $1.9$2.5 billion from $1.7$2.9 billion in last year.2012. The increasedecrease in sales revenue compared to last year is predominantly2012 was due to thedecreases in both sales volume increaseand average selling price of 1.7%our rebar products. Longmen Joint Venture comprised 99.5% and a 16.1% increase99.1% of total sales for the year ended 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Sales volume of rebar decreased by 0.1 million metric tons, or 1.3% to 5.0 million metric tons, compared to 5.1 million metric tons in the2012. The average selling price of rebar at Longmen Joint Venturedecreased by 12.5% to approximately $524.6 (RMB3,546)$490.7 per ton in 20102013 from approximately $452.0 (RMB3,083)$560.6 per ton in 2009.2012.

  

Longmen Joint Venture comprised 98.1%Our product demands and prices had been rising in the first two quarters of total sales for 2010. We operated at about 89% of our total capacity in 2010 due to a stable market demand for our construction steel products.

Maoming Hengda comprised $10.0 million, or less than 1% of our total sales in 2010. The decrease in sales revenue compared to last year is primarily due to a greater number of processing contracts versus production contracts. In 2010, Maoming Hengda only executed processing contracts which generated less sale revenue whereas both processing and production contracts were performed in 2009.

Income Statement for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009:

Income Statement       Percentage
Change
 
Unit-thousands except share data 

2010 Q4

As restated

  

2009 Q4

As restated

  2010 Q4 VS 2009
Q4
 
  (Unaudited)   As restated 
Sales $467,161  $463,277   0.8%
Cost of Goods Sold  462,445   449,623   2.9%
Gross Profit  4,716   13,654   (65.5)%
Gross Profit Margin %  1.0%  2.9%  (65.5)%
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses  17,204   11,855   45.1%
Income (loss) from Operations  (12,488)  1,799   (794.2)%
Total Other expense, net  (18,405)  (18,985)  (3.1)%
Income (Loss) Before Provision for Income Tax and Noncontrolling Interest  (30,893)  (17,186)  79.8%
Total Expense (Benefit) for Income Taxes  (3,698)  (1,416)  161.2%
             
Income (Loss) before Noncontrolling Interest  (27,195)  (15,770)  72.4%
             
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest  (8,589)  (1,118)  668.2%
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Controlling Interest $(18,606) $(14,652)  27.0%
Earnings(Loss) Per Share            
Basic $(0.34) $(0.35)  (2.9)%
Diluted $(0.34) $(0.35)  (2.9)%

Three months ended December 31, 2010 compared to three months ended December 31, 2009

Revenue by Subsidiary and Product           
USD in thousands         

Percentage Change

 
Subsidiary Product 

2010 Q4

As restated

  

2009 Q4

As restated

  

2010 Q4 VS

2009 Q4

As restated

 
    (Unaudited)    
Longmen Joint Venture Rebar   456,339    433,489   5.3%
Other     10,822    29,788   (63.7)%
  Total Sales   467,161    463,277   0.8%

Production by Subsidiary and Product

(in thousand metric tons)

       Percentage Change 
Subsidiary Product 

2010 Q4

As restated

  

2009 Q4

As restated

  2010 Q4 VS2009 Q4
As restated
 
    (Unaudited)     
Longmen Joint Venture Rebar  805   969   (16.9)%
Other    134   180   (25.6)%
  Total Production  939   1,149   (18.3)%

Total Sales Revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2010 only increased 0.8% to $467.2 million from $463.3 million for the same period last year. The slight increase is predominantly2012. As a result of a 25.3% risethe China and global steel industry over-capacity, Chinese economic control polices and the financial crisis, commodity prices declined significantly in the averagethird quarter of 2012. With weakened demand, market forces kicked-in and the price of steel dropped substantially. As such, our sales prices have dropped since the third quarter of 2012, evidencing a continued decline. The over-capacity issue continued to impact our results during the year of 2013. Further, the Chinese economy remained weak, which had an indirect impact of affecting our industry, and the selling price of rebar from approximately $447.2 (RMB3,048)our products continued to decrease during this period in the fourth quarter of 2009 to approximately $560.2 (RMB3,787) in fourth quarter of 2010 and a 18.3% drop of production decrease from 1,149 metric tons in the fourth quarter of 2009 to 939 metric tons in the fourth quarter of 2010 due to the production inefficiency caused by the construction of Shaanxi Steel’s blast furnaces.

Longmen Joint Venture comprised 97.7% of total sales for the fourth quarter of 2010. Comparedcomparison to the same period in 2009, the production decreased 16.9% to 805,000 metric tons from 969,000 metric tons. The decrease is due to the negative impact2012.

Our five major customers were distributors and collectively represented approximately 22.1% of blast furnace construction by Shaanxi Steel, as is more fully described in the gross profit analysis section. Total Sales Revenue of Longmen Joint Ventureour total sales for the three monthsyear ended December 31, 2010 increased 5.3%2013 in comparison to $456.3 million from $433.5 million26.7% of our total sales for year ended December 31, 2012. These five customers included related parties and major distributors owned by central government. As we are the largest supplier in the same period last year. The increase is predominantlyShaanxi Province, we maintain a result of a 25.3% rise in the average selling price of rebargood relationship with these five customers to approximately $560.2 (RMB3,787) in fourth quarter of 2010 from approximately $447.2 (RMB3,048) in the fourth quarter of 2009.stabilize our sales channel.

 

Compared to the same period last year, the sales revenue of other subsidiaries decreased 63.7% to $10.8 million from $29.8 million in the fourth quarter in 2009. The decrease is mainly because we changed the operating model at General Steel (China) and only executed processing contracts at Maoming Hengda which generated less sale revenue in 2010.

Cost of Goods Sold

Fiscal year ended December 31, 20102013 compared with fiscal yearsyear ended December 31, 2009 and 20082012

 

Cost of Goods Sold    Percentage Change 
USD in thousands 

2010

As restated

  

2009

As restated

  

2008

 

  

2010 VS

2009

As restated

  

2009 VS

2008

As restated

 
                
Cost of Goods Sold $1,369,523  $1,141,471  $999,318   20.0%  14.2%
Cost of Goods Sold - Related Parties $481,202  $449,487  $343,957   7.1%  30.7%
Total Cost of Goods Sold $1,850,725  $1,590,958  $1,343,275   16.3%  18.4%

Three months ended December 31, 2010 compared to three months ended December 31, 2009

        Percentage Change 
(USD in thousands) 

2010 Q4

As restated

  

2009 Q4

As restated

  

2010 Q4 VS 2009 Q4

As restated

 
Cost of Goods Sold $347,671  $319,082   9.0%
Cost of Goods Sold - Related Parties $114,774  $130,541   (12.1)%
Total Cost of Goods Sold $462,445  $449,623   2.9%
 (in thousands) 2013  2012  Change  Percentage
Change
 
Subsidiary            
Longmen Joint Venture $2,506,322  $2,803,318  $(296,996)  (10.6)%
Others  13,363   28,156   (14,793)  (52.5)%
Total Cost of Goods Sold $2,519,685  $2,831,474  $(311,789)  (11.0)%

 

Our primary cost of goods sold is the cost of raw materials, such as iron ore, coke, alloy and scrap steel. The costs of iron ore and coke account for approximately 80%63.3% of our total cost of sales. As a result, the cost of goods sold increased by 16.3% to $1.9 billion in 2010 from $1.6 billion in the year ago period. The increase is mainly due to the ascending of sales volume and the rise of iron ore and coke price. The cost of goods sold increased 2.9% slightlydecreased by $311.8 million or 11.0% to $462.4$2.5 billion in 2013 from $2.8 billion in 2012. This decrease was mainly driven by the decreased unit costs of raw materials as a result of the decline in iron ore and coke purchase prices of approximately 2.5% and approximately 20.6%, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the same period in 2012. In addition, the decrease was also offset by the increase in inventory valuation allowance. We provided allowance for inventory valuation of approximately $15.2 million as of December 31, 2013 for both our raw materials and finished goods due to the drop in market price of iron ore, coke and our rebar products as of December 31, 2013, whereas only $9.6 million allowance for inventory valuation was provided as of December 31, 2012.

As such, the fourth quarteraverage costs of 2010rebar manufactured decreased 9.4% to approximately $501.9 per ton during the year ended December 31, 2013 from $449.6 millionapproximately $553.8 per ton in the same period of 20092012. Longmen Joint Venture’s production line stoppages during 2013 due to mechanical repairs also led to the negative impactdecrease of Shaanxi Steel’s constructionproduction volume and production inefficiencies in the fourth quarterincrease of 2010 and which is discussed in detail in the following section.unit cost.

Gross Profit (Loss)

 

Fiscal year ended December 31, 20102013 compared to fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and 20082012

 

     Percentage Change 
USD in thousands 

2010

As restated

  

2009

As restated

  

2008

 

  

2010 VS
2009

As restated

  

2009 VS
2008

As restated

 
                
Gross Profit $31,415  $88,812  $7,928   (64.6)%  1,020.2%
Gross Profit Margin  1.7%  5.3%  0.6%        
(in thousands) 2013  2012  Change  Percentage
Change
 
Gross Profit (Loss) $(55,938) $32,119  $(88,057)  (274.2)%
Gross Profit (Loss) Margin  (2.3)%  1.1%        

 

Gross loss for the year of 2013 was $55.9 million, or 2.3% of total sales, as compared to a gross profit for 2010 decreased 64.6% to $31.4of $32.1 million, from $88.8 millionor 1.1% of total sales in 2009.the same period in 2012. The decrease is primarilyin gross margin percentage was mainly attributable to the percentage decrease of average rebar selling price of 12.5% was higher than the percentage decrease of costs of rebar manufactured of 9.4% for the year of 2013 as compared to the same period of 2012.

Gross Profit (Loss) and Gross Profit (Loss) Margin by Quarters

Our product demands and prices had been rising in the first two quarters of 2012. As such, we have been able to achieve positive gross profit margin. As a result of the China and global steel industry over-capacity, Chinese economic control polices and the financial crisis, commodity prices abruptly plummeted in the third quarter of 2012. With weakened demand, market forces kicked-in and the price of steel dropped substantially. As a result, we were forced to manufacture with high priced raw material inventories that we had previously purchased during the first two quarters of 2012, while the market selling prices for finished goods had dropped below the cost of goods again during the third quarter of 2012. However, we were able to achieve positive gross profit margin again during the fourth quarter of 2012, as we manufactured our products with the decreased unit costs of raw materials as a result of the price decline in both iron ore and coke that we purchased during the third quarter of 2012.

The over-capacity issue continued to affect our results during 2013 and the Chinese economy remained weak, which indirectly affected our industry, and our selling prices suffered further decline during the first two quarters of 2013. At the same time, the prices of iron ore and coke, which accounted for the majority of our cost goods sold, had slightly rebounded at the beginning of 2013 before declining again in the second and third quarter of 2013. Consequently our selling prices in the second quarter of 2013 dropped below the cost of raw materials purchased earlier in the year, resulting in a gross loss in the second quarter of 2013. In the third quarter of 2013, demand and prices of our products rose slightly while unit cost declined further as a result of decreasing cost of raw materials purchased earlier in the year, leading to an increase in gross margins. However, the combination of a slight climb in raw material costs and Longmen Joint Venture’s production line stoppage due to mechanical repairs, which increased our unit cost, caused our unit cost of goods sold to increase above the unit selling price again, leading to a drop in gross profit at Longmen Joint Venture because the costs for production inefficiencies from construction of furnaces that Shaanxi Steel compensated are recorded as deferred lease income. The purchase price of our primary raw materials including iron ore and coke increased in 2010, which had a negatively impact on gross profit margin.

Three months ended December 31, 2010 compared to three months ended December 31, 2009

(USD in thousands)       Percentage Change 
  

2010 Q4

As restated

  

2009 Q4

As restated

  

2010 Q4 VS 2009 V4

As restated

 
  (Unaudited)    
Gross Profit $4,716  $13,654   (65.5)%
Gross Profit Margin  1.0%  2.9%    

The gross margin decreased in the fourth quarter 2010 to 1.0% compared to 2.9% in the same period last year. The decrease is predominantly due to certain fees and costs for production inefficiencies from construction of furnaces that Shaanxi Steel compensated but recorded as deferred lease income. The deferred lease income will be amortized over the 40 year sub-lease term at Longmen Joint Venture during the construction of blast furnaces by Shaanxi Steel.2013.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Fiscal year ended December 31, 20102013 compared with fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and 20082012

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses    Percentage Change 
USD in thousands 

2010

As restated

  

2009

As restated

  

2008

 

  

2010 VS 2009

As restated

  

2009 VS 2008

As restated

 
                     
Selling, General and Administrative expenses $52,577  $41,059  $36,942   28.1%  11.1%
                     
Selling, General and Administrative expenses as percentage of sales  2.8%  2.4%  2.7%        

SG&A Expenses increased 28.1% to $52.6 million in 2010 compared to $41.1 million in 2009. The increase is mainly due to the climbing transportation and sales agent charges at Longmen Joint Venture related to the increase of shipping volume and long distance sales deliveries to markets in Henan, Hubei and Chongqing. SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenue increased slightly to 2.8% for 2010 from 2.4% in 2009 and 2.7% in 2008.

Three months ended December 31, 2010 compared with three months ended December 31, 2009

(USD in thousands) 

2010 Q4

As restated

  

2009 Q4

As restated

  

Percentage Change

 2010 Q4 VS 2009 Q4

As restated

 
  (Unaudited)    
Selling, General and Administrative expenses $17,204  $11,855   45.1%
SG&A/Revenue %  3.7%  2.6%    
     Percentage 
(in thousands) 2013  2012  Change  Change 
             
Selling, General and Administrative expenses $84,226  $105,077  $(20,851)  (19.8)%
SG&A expenses as percentage of total revenue  3.4%  3.7%        

 

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses including transportation charges, executive compensation, office expenses, legal and accounting charges, travel charges, equipment maintenance and various taxes increased 45.1%decreased by $20.9 million, or 19.8% to $17.2$84.2 million for the three monthsyear ended December 31, 20102013, compared to $11.9$105.1 million for of the same period in 2012.

Selling expenses decreased by 13.2% to $34.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to $39.3 million in the same period of 2009.2012. The increase isdecrease was mainly due to the rising transportationdecrease in sales and rail transport expenses along with the decrease in cross-province sales agent charges on long distance deliveries outside of Shaanxi province.for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the same period in 2012.

Selling,In addition, general and administrative (“G&A”) expenses as a percentage of revenue increaseddecreased by 23.8% to 3.7%$50.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2010 from 2.6%year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to $65.8 million in the same period of 2009.2012. The increase isdecrease was mainly due to the rising transportationequipment impairment charge in the amount of $20.2 million in General Steel (China) for the year ended December 31, 2012 while no additional impairment was charged in 2013. The decrease in impairment expense was offset by $2.1 million increase in bad debt expenses in 2013 as compared to 2012 and sales agent charges on long distance deliveries outside$1.9 million prepaid special fund tax written off in 2013 as the PRC tax authorities granted us an exemption for the special fund tax in 2013 and the future realization of Shaanxi province.the prepaid amount was remote.

Change in Fair Value of Profit Sharing Liability

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 compared with fiscal year ended December 31, 2012

(in thousands) 2013  2012  Change  Change % 
             
Change in fair value of profit sharing liability (gain (loss)) $174,569  $(22,499)  197,068   (875.9)%

For 2013, we considered the recent changes in China’s economic situation, which included a new estimation and downgrade of 2014 GDP by major investment bankers in June 2013, and a steel industry outlook reports issued for 2014. Also, there has been a tightening of the monetary policy by the Chinese policy makers since June 20, 2013 by increasing the short-term borrowing rates of approximately 1% in China, and removal of the floor rate charged to customers by the Chinese central bank. As a result, we have re-evaluated our projected operating profit (loss) taking into consideration the recent macroeconomic events in China, as well as our fourth quarter and year to date operating results. Due to the continued decrease in our rebar selling price, the market slow-down in the fourth quarter of 2013, and the lack of gross profit recovery as quickly as expected in the year ended December 31, 2013, we have foreseen a greater downward trend in 2014 through 2016 than previously anticipated. As our projected profit (loss) decreased, the fair value of our profit sharing liability has been reduced as compared to our previous estimates in 2012 and we have recognized a gain of $174.6 million in our income from operations for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to a loss from present value discount of $22.5 million recognized for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

Income (Loss) from Operations

 

Fiscal year ended December 31, 20102013 compared to fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and 20082012

    Percentage Change 
USD in thousands 

2010

As restated

 

2009

As restated

 

2008

 

 

2010 VS 2009

As restated

 

2009 VS 2008

As restated

 
                    
( in thousands) 2013 2012 Change Percentage
Change
 
Income (Loss) from Operations $(21,162) $47,753  $(29,014)  (144.3)%  (264.6)% $34,405  $(95,457) $129,862   (136.0)%

 

The lossIncome from operations in 2010 amounted to $21.2for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $34.4 million as compared to income of $47.8$95.5 million incomeloss from operations for the same period last year.in 2012. The decrease isincrease in income from operations was predominantly due to the dropgain from change in fair value of profit sharing liability offset by the increase in gross profit caused by higher purchase price of iron ore and coke in 2010 and costs for production inefficiencies from construction of furnaces that Shaanxi Steel compensated but recorded as deferred lease income.

Three months ended December 31, 2010 compared with three months ended December 31, 2009

(USD in thousands)       Percentage Change 
  

2010 Q4

As restated

  

2009 Q4

As restated

  

2010 Q4 VS 2009 Q4

As restated

 
  (Unaudited)    
Income (Loss) from Operations $(12,488) $1,799   (794.2)%

Loss from operations for the three months ended December 31, 2010 decreased to $12.5 million from $1.8 million income for the same period last year. The decrease is primarily due to the revenue loss and cost increase from the production inefficiency caused by the construction of blast furnaces of Shaanxi Steel. Also costs for production inefficiencies from construction of the furnaces that Shaanxi Steel compensated but recorded as deferred lease income, has resulted in an extra decrease.loss.

 

Total Other Income (Expense), Net

Fiscal year ended December 31, 20102013 compared with fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008

Total Other Income (Expense), Net    Percentage Change 
USD in thousands 

2010

As restated

  

2009

As restated

  

2008

 

  

2010 VS 2009

As restated

  

2009 VS 2008

As restated

 
Interest Income $6,154   3,334  $4,251   84.6% $(21.6)%
Finance/interest expense  (51,283)  (27,843)  (23,166)  84.2%  20.2%
Change in Fair Value of Derivative Liabilities  15,055   (33,159)  12,821   (145.4)%  (358.6)%
Gain from Debt Extinguishment  -   7,331   7,169   -   2.3%
Government Grant  -   3,430   -   -   - 
Loss on Disposal of Fixed Assets  (9,447)  (15,265)  -   (38.1)%  - 
Realized income from future contract  1,424   -   -   -   - 
Income from Investment  6,383   6,257   1,896   2.0%  230.0%
Lease Income  943   119   -   692.4%  - 
Other Non-operating Income, net  (3,120)  939   767   (432.3)%  22.4%
Total Other (Expense) Income, Net  (33,891)  (54,857)  3,738   (38.2)%  (1,567.5)%

Total other expenses for the year ended December 31, 2010 were $33.9 million compared to $54.9 million in 2009 and total other income of $3.7 million in 2008.

The decrease of total other expenses, net was mainly a result of the combined effect of a $23.4 million increase in Finance/Interest expense and a gain of $48.2 million in the change in fair value of derivative liabilities.

2012

Three months ended December 31, 2010 compared with three months ended December 31, 2009

Other Income (Expense)

OTHER INCOME(EXPENSE), NET    Percentage Change 
(USD in thousands) 

2010 Q4

As restated

  

2009 Q4

As restated

  

2010 Q4 VS 2009 Q4

As restated

 
  (Unaudited)    
Interest Income $2,678  $866   209.2%
Finance/interest Expense  (13,666)  (9,421)  45.1%
Change in Fair Value of Derivative Liabilities  1,476   (9,931)  (114.9)%
Gain from Debt Extinguishment  -   4,399   -%
Government Grant  (1,381)  -   -%
Gain from Investment in Future Contracts  1,424   -   -%
Loss on Disposal of Fixed assets  (9,447)  (15,265)  (38.1)%
Income from Investment  2,316   2,596   (10.8)%
Lease Income  345   82   320.7%
Other Non-operating Expense, net $(2,150) $7,692   (128.4)%
Total Other Expense, net $(18,405) $(18,985)  (3.1)%
(in thousands) 2013  2012  Change  Percentage
Change
 
Interest Income $11,214  $15,059  $(3,845)  (25.5)%
Finance/Interest Expense  (71,079)  (133,120)  62,041   (46.6)%
Financing Cost on Capital Lease  (20,799)  (20,623)  (176)  0.9%
Change in Fair Value of Derivative Liabilities  1   9   (8)  (88.9)%
Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Equipment and Intangible Assets  424   (2,134)  2,558   (119.9)%
Government Grant  4,216   2,253   1,963   87.1%
Income from Equity Investments  203   217   (14)  (6.5)%
Foreign Currency Transaction (Loss) Gain  1,394   (1,248)  2,642   (211.7)%
Lease income  2,158   2,119   39   1.8%
Gain on deconsolidation of a subsidiary  1,011   -   1,011   100%
Payment for public highway construction  (6,462)  -   (6,462)  (100)%
Other non-operating income (expense), net  1,043   1,783   (740)  (41.5)%
Total Other Expense, Net $(76,676) $(135,685) $59,009   (43.5)%

Total other expenses, net for the three monthsyear ended December 31, 20102013 were $18.4$76.7 million a 3.1% decrease compared to $19.0$135.7 million in the same period last year.2012. The decrease of total other expenses, net$59.0 million or 43.5% was mainly a result of the combined effectdecrease of $62.0 million in financial expenses primarily due to decreased discounted interest on notes receivable and loan interest offset by $6.5 million (RMB 40 million) additional expense due to our payment for building a $4.2new exit ramp from a highway that leads to our manufacturing facility. This project was initiated by us, Shaanxi Coal Co., Ltd. and its affiliates (all companies are located adjacent to each other) during 2013. Total project cost is approximately $13.4 million increase(RMB 82 million).  The local government will be responsible for approximately $3.3 million (RMB 20 million). Our share of the total costs will be approximately $8.0 million (RMB 49 million). The remaining $2.1 million (RMB 13 million) with be shared by others.  All the payments for this project are made to the department of transportation of the local government for controlling and monitoring the project. The companies do not retain any control in Finance/connection with this project construction. The completion of the exit ramp from the highway that leads to our facilities will greatly enhance our efficiency, especially the savings in our transportation costs and our labor time. Interest expenses for early submission request of payment decreased by $52.1 million or 57.9% to $37.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $90.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The decrease in discounted interest on notes receivables in 2013 as compared to 2012 was mainly due to fewer conversions of notes receivables before the maturity date into cash for financing our operations in 2013 as compared to 2012. Short-term loan interest expense also decreased by $9.9 million to $33.2 million in 2013 from $43.1 million in 2012 mainly as a $9.5result of decreased short-term borrowings from third parties in 2013 compared to 2012.

Income Taxes

For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we had a total tax provision from our profitable subsidiaries of $0.4 million loss on disposal of fixedand $0.8 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we had current income tax provisions for our profitable subsidiaries, amounting to $0.4 million and $0.6 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we evaluated the deferred tax assets and aconcluded the net operating loss may not be fully realizable and provided 100% valuation allowance for the deferred tax assets. No deferred income tax benefit was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2013 as the resulting deferral of $1.5 million intax assets had been fully reserved because the change in fair value of derivative liabilities.benefit was not considered to be realizable due to recent historical experience.

 

Change in Fair ValueFor the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we had effective tax rates of Derivative Liabilities

According to GAAP, our December 2007 Convertible Notes, December 2007 Warrants(0.8%) and the December 2009 Warrants (as defined below) are considered a derivative and therefore must be “marked to market.” One of the drivers used to calculate the value of this derivative is stock price. Changes in our stock price cause gains or losses to this income statement item.

(0.3% ), respectively. The change in fair value of derivative liabilitiesnegative effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2010 was a gain of $15.1 million compared to a loss of $33.2 million for the same period last year. The change in fair value of derivative liabilities for the three months ended December 31, 2010 was a gain of $1.5 million compared to a loss of $9.9 million for the same period last year. This gain is2013 and 2012 were mainly due to a change of stock price of our common stock as of December 31, 2010 compared toconsolidated loss before income tax while we provided 100% valuation allowance for the one as of December 31, 2009. According to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States regarding valuing derivatives, the dropdeferred tax assets at subsidiaries with losses and incurred income tax expenses in our share price and the conversion of our convertible notes resulted in a $1.5 million and $15.1 million gain for the three months and the year ended December 31, 2010, respectively.

As of August 5, 2010, all of the convertible promissory notes issued in connection with the private placement that closed on December 13, 2007 have been converted into common stock.profitable subsidiaries.

   

Net Income (Loss) Before Noncontrolling InterestLoss

 

Fiscal year ended December 31, 20102013 compared with fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and 20082012

 

Net Income (Loss) Before Noncontrolling Interest    Percentage Change 
USD in thousands 

2010

As restated

  

2009

As restated

  

2008

 

  

2010 VS

2009

As restated

  

2009 VS

2008

As restated

 
                     
Net loss before noncontrolling interest $(46,271) $(11,553) $(19,865)  300.5%  (41.8)%

Three months ended December 31, 2010 compared with three months ended December 31, 2009

  

2010 Q4

As restated

  

2009 Q4

As restated

  

Percentage Change

As restated

 
  (Unaudited)    
             
Net loss before noncontrolling interest $(27,195) $(15,770)  72.4%

39
( in thousands) 2013  2012  Change  Percentage
Change
 
Net loss $(42,625) $(231,938) $189,313   (81.6)%

 

Net (Loss) IncomeLoss attributable to General Steel Holdings, Inc.

 

Fiscal year ended December 31, 20102013 compared to fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and 20082012

 

     Percentage Change 
USD in thousands 

2010

As restated

  

2009

As restated

  

2008

 

  

2010 VS

2009

As restated

  

2009 VS

2008

As restated

 
Net loss before noncontrolling interest $(46,271) $(11,553) $(19,865)  300.5%  (41.8)%
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest $(16,265) $19,067  $(8,542)  (185.3)%  (323.2)%
Net loss attributable to controlling interest $(30,006) $(30,620) $(11,323)  (2.0)%  170.4%
( in thousands) 2013  2012  Change  Percentage
Change
 
             
Net loss $(42,625) $(231,938) $189,313   (81.6)%
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest  (9,609)  (79,241)  69,632   (87.9)%
Net loss attributable to General Steel Holdings, Inc. $(33,016) $(152,697) $119,681   (78.4)%

 

Three monthsNet loss attributable to us for the year ended December 31, 20102013 decreased to $33.0 million compared with three monthsto $152.7 million for the year ended December 31, 20092012. The decrease in net loss for the year ended December 31, 2013 was mainly a result of an increase in gross loss of $88.1 million offset by an increase in gain from change in fair value of profit sharing liability of $197.1 million, a decrease in SG&A expenses of $20.9 million and a decrease in other expense of $59.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the same period in 2012.

 

(USD in thousands)       Percentage Change 
  

2010 Q4

As restated

  

2009 Q4

As restated

  

2010 Q4 VS 2009 Q4

As restated

 
  (Unaudited) 
Net loss before noncontrolling interest $(27,195) $(15,770)  72.4%
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest $(8,589) $(1,118)  668.2%
Net loss attributable to controlling interest $(18,606) $(14,652)  27.0%

TheWe have subsidiaries in which we do not have a 100% ownership interest. Allocation of income or loss attributable to the non-controlling interests are calculated by the income or loss after tax shared in percentage by the minority group in any subsidiaries which are not 100% owned by us. Long Steel Group’s non-controlling interest is calculated by using Longmen Joint Venture’s consolidated net income (loss) after tax, multiplied by the share percentage of Longmen Group in Longmen Joint Venture. Net income (loss) attributable to Long Steel Group is then equal to the net income (loss) of Longmen Joint Venture multiplied by the 40% non-controlling interest held by Long Steel Group.

At the consolidation level of Longmen Joint Venture, there are subsidiaries where Longmen Joint Venture does not have 100% ownership. Income/loss allocation to these non-controlling interests is based on the percentage of their equity percentages andinvestment times the actual results.subsidiaries’ net income or loss.

 

4032
 

(Loss) Earnings per Share

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 compared to fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008

     Percentage Change 
(in thousands, except earnings per share) 

2010

As restated

  

2009

As restated

  

2008

 

  

2010 VS

2009

As restated

  

2009 VS

2008

As restated

 
Net loss attributable to controlling interest $(30,006) $(30,620) $(11,323)  (2.0)%  170.4%
                     
Weighted average number of shares                    
                     
Basic  53,113   41,860   35,381   26.9%  18.3%
Diluted  53,113   41,860   35,381   26.9%  18.3%
                     
Loss per share                    
                     
Basic $(0.56) $(0.73) $(0.32)  (23.3)%  128.1%
Diluted $(0.56) $(0.73) $(0.32)  (23.3)%  128.1%

Three months ended December 31, 2010 compared three months ended December 31, 2009

(in thousands, except earnings per share)       Percentage Change 
  

2010 Q4

As restated

  

2009 Q4

As restated

  2010 Q4 VS2009 Q4
As restated
 
  (Unaudited)    
Net loss attributable to controlling interest $(18,606) $(14,652)  27.0%
             
Weighted average number of shares            
Basic  54,704   41,860   30.7%
Diluted  54,704   41,860   30.7%
             
Loss per share            
Basic $(0.34) $(0.35)  (2.9)%
Diluted $(0.34) $(0.35)  (2.9)%

Income Taxes

We did not conduct any business and did not maintain any branch office in the United States during the three months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009. Therefore, no provision for withholding of U.S. federal or state income taxes or tax benefits on the undistributed earnings and/or losses of our Company has been made.

General Steel (China) is located in Tianjin Coastal Economic Development Zone and is subject to an effective income tax rate at 25%.

Longmen Joint Venture is located in the mid-west region of China. It qualifies for the “Go-West” tax rate of 15% promulgated by the government by the end of 2010. This special tax treatment will be evaluated on a year-to-year basis by the local tax bureau.

Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture is located in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and is subject to an effective income tax rate of 25%.

Maoming Hengda is located in Guangdong province and is subject to an effective income tax rate of 25%.

Tianwu Joint Venture is located in Tianjin Coastal Economic Development Zone and is subject to an effective income tax rate at 25%.

For the three months ended December 31, 2010, we had a total tax benefit of $3.7 million. For the years ended December 31, 2010, we had a total tax benefit of $8.8 million.

We had cumulative undistributed deficit of foreign subsidiaries of approximately $21.3 million as of December 31, 2010. Accordingly, no provision has been made for U.S. deferred taxes related to future repatriation of these earnings, nor is it practicable to estimate the amount of income taxes that would have to be provided if we concluded that such earnings will be remitted in the future.

We were incorporated in the United States and have incurred net operating losses for income tax purposes for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009. The net operating loss carry forwards for United States income taxes amounted to $1.8 million which may be available to reduce future years’ taxable income. These carry forwards will expire, if not utilized at the end of 2030. Management believes that the realization of the benefits from these losses appears uncertain due to our limited operating history and continuing losses for United States income tax purposes. Accordingly, we have provided a 100% valuation allowance on the deferred tax asset benefit to reduce the asset to zero. The valuation allowance as of December 31, 2010 was $0.6 million. The net change in the valuation allowance for the year ended December 31, 2010, versus the year ended December 31, 2009, was $0.1 million. Management will review this valuation allowance periodically and make adjustments as warranted.

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interest mainly consists of Long Steel Group’s 40% interest in Longmen Joint Venture, Baotou Iron and Steel Group’s 20% interest in Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture, a 1% interest in Maoming Hengda by a third party and TME Group’s 40% interest in Tianwu GS.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable and accounts receivable-related party were $22.7 million as of December 31, 2010 has decreased from $27.4 million on December 31, 2009. This decrease was due to a combination effect of increase of accounts receivable and decrease of accounts receivable-related parties. Accounts receivable has increased to $18.5 million as of December 31, 2010 from $9.1 million as of December 31, 2009 due to the fact that we have extended the payment terms with certain government projects.

Inventories

We had an inventory balance of $453.6 million as of December 31, 2010 compared to $177.4 million as of December 31, 2009. Such balance is comprised of raw material and finished products. The increase of raw materials at the end of 2010 is due to the management’s expectation of price rise and preparation for the test run of the new furnaces.

  December 31,2010  December 31,2009  Percentage Change 
(in thousands) As restated  As restated  As restated 
          
Supplies $13,733  $12,235   12.2%
Raw materials  381,178   134,874   182.6%
Finished goods  58,725   30,260   94.1%
Total inventories $453,636  $177,369   155.8%

Quarterly Data

Year Ended December 31, First  Second  Third  Fourth    
(In thousands except per share data Quarter  Quarter  Quarter  Quarter  Full Year 
  As restated 
2010                    
Revenues $453,023  $501,679  $460,277  $467,161  $1,882,140 
Gross profit $5,746  $7,364  $13,589  $4,716  $31,415 
Net loss  attributable to controlling Interest $(5,612) $(2,004) $(3,784) $(18,606) $(30,006)
Basic loss per Share $(0.11) $(0.04) $(0.07) $(0.34) $(0.56)
Diluted loss per Share $(0.11) $(0.04) $(0.07) $(0.34) $(0.56)
                     
2009                    
Revenues $322,794  $408,947  $484,752  $463,277  $1,679,770 
Gross profit $12,921  $22,499  $39,738  $13,654  $88,812 
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling Interest $7,334  $(31,789) $8,487  $(14,652) $(30,620)
Basic earnings (loss) per Share $0.20  $(0.80) $0.19  $(0.35) $(0.73)
Diluted earnings (loss) per Share $0.20  $(0.80) $0.17  $(0.35) $(0.73)

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

As of December 31, 2010,2013, our current liabilities exceeded the current assets by approximately $1.2 billion. Given our expected capital expenditure in the foreseeable future, we have comprehensively considered our available sources of funds as follows:

·Financial support and credit guarantee from related parties; and

·Other available sources of financing from domestic banks and other financial institutions given our credit history.

Based on the above considerations, our Board of Directors is of the opinion that we have sufficient funds to meet our working capital requirements and debt obligations as they become due. As a result, our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 have been prepared on a going concern basis.

As of December 31, 2013, we had cash and restricted cash aggregating $263.1$431.3 million, of which $399.3 million was restricted. As of December 31, 2012, we had cash and restricted cash aggregating $369.9 million, of which $323.4 million was restricted. There was an increase of $61.4 million.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2010, we used cash flow from continuing operations, borrowings, cash and cash equivalents to fund working capital requirements, pay interest payments, capital expenditures and to make investments.

We believe our cash flows generated from operations (whichand financing, which include customer prepaymentprepayments and vendor financing),financing, existing cash balances and credit facilities, will be adequate to finance our working capital requirements, fund capital expenditures, make required debt and interest payments, pay taxes, and support our operating strategies.

 

The steel business is capital intensive and we utilize leverage greater than our industry peers, which we believe enables us to generate revenue compared to our shareholder equity at a rate higher than our industry peers. We utilize leverage in the form of credit from banks, vendor financing, customer deposits and others.from other sources. This blended form of financing reduces our reliance on any single source.

 

Substantially all our operations are conducted in China and all of our revenues are denominated in Renminbi (RMB). RMB is subject to the exchange control regulation in China, and, as a result, we may have difficulty distributing any dividends outside of China due to PRC exchange control regulations that restrict its ability to convert RMB into U.S. Dollars.

Under applicable PRC regulations, foreign-invested enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, a foreign-invested enterprise in China is required to set aside at least 10.0% of its after-tax profit based on PRC accounting standards each year to its general reserves until the accumulative amount of such reserves reaches 50.0% of its registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. The board of directors of a foreign-invested enterprise has the discretion to allocate a portion of its after-tax profits to staff welfare and bonus funds, which may not be distributed to equity owners except in the event of liquidation. Under PRC law, RMB is currently convertible into U.S. Dollars under a company’s “current account,” which includes dividends, trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, without prior approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), but is not from a company’s “capital account,” which includes foreign direct investments and loans, without the prior approval of the SAFE.

We have previously raised money in the U.S. capital markets which provided the capital needed for our operations and for General Steel Investment Co, Ltd. (“General Steel Investment”). Thus the foreign currency restrictions and regulations in the PRC on the dividends distribution will not have a material impact on the liquidity, financial condition and results of operations of General Steel Holdings, Inc. and General Steel Investment.

Although the steel industry is slowing down due to over-capacity issues in the PRC, in order for us to stay competitive, we continue to look for opportunities to improve the efficiency on our production lines. In addition to the 1,200,000 metric ton capacity rebar production renovation of an existing 800,000 metric ton capacity rebar production line that we brought online in November 2010, in July 2011, we also brought online a 1,000,000 metric ton capacity high speed wire production line. These two newly installed production lines were both relocated from the Maoming Hengda (as defined below) facility and are expected to consume less energy when running at maximum efficiencies compared to our previous production line. In September 2012 we began the construction of a 900,000 metric ton capacity rebar production line, which was completed and put into production in September 2013. In March 2013, we began the construction of a 1,200,000 metric ton capacity rebar production line for the purpose of reducing our reprocessing cost and to increase our profit margin. The 1,200,000 metric ton capacity rebar production lines was completed and put into test production in November 2013. Any future facility expansion will require additional financing and/or equity capital and will be dependent upon the availability of financing arrangements and capital at the time.

Short-term notes payableNotes Payable

 

As of December 31, 2010,2013, we had $480.2 million$1.0 billion in short-term notes payables, liabilities, which are secured by restricted cash of $167.7$399.3 million and restricted notes receivable of $159.3 million and other assets.$231.7 million. These are lines of credit extended by banks for a maximum of 6six months and are used to finance working capital. The short-term notes payablespayable must be paid in full at maturity and credit availability is continued upon payment at maturity. There are no additional significant financial covenants. We pay zero interest on this type of credit as this is a monetary tool used by China’s central bank to injectcontrol liquidity intoover the Chinese monetary system. However, we are subject to pay a transaction fee of 0.05% of the notes’ value. In addition, the banks usually require us to deposit either a certain amount of cash at the bank as a guarantee deposit or provide notes receivable as security.

 

Short-term loansLoans – banks

 

As of December 31, 2010,2013, we had $285.2$301.9 million in short-term bank loans. These are bank loans with a one year term and must be paid in full upon maturity. There are no additional significant financial covenants tied to these loans. Chinese banks have not been impacted as heavily by the financial crisis as U.S. banks and weWe believe our current creditors will renew their lendingloans to us after our loans mature as they havedid in the past. Longmen Joint Venture has been included in the List of Enterprises Fulfilling the Iron and Steel Industry Specification (the "List") released by the MIIT in January 2014. The MIIT will collaborate withChina's other governmental agencies to provide various supports to the List's members, which includes financing supports from the banks.

As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, we breached certain a financial covenant, debt to equity ratio, on outstanding short term loans, and due to the breach, a loan with cross default clause was automatically considered as breached, and the affected loan amounted to $6.4 million and $12.7 million, respectively. According to the loan agreements, the bank has the right to request collateral or guarantees if the covenant is breached or request early repayment of the loan if we do not remedy the breach within a certain period of time. As of the date of the filing of this report, we have not received any notice from the banks to request more collateral or guarantee or early repayment of the short term loans due to the breach.

 

We are able to repay our short-term notes payables and short-termshort term bank loans upon maturity using available capital resources.

 

For more details about our debts, please see Note 89 in our Notes to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

For more details about our related party debt financing, see Note 20 in our Notes to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

As part of our working capital management, Longmen Joint Venture has entered into a number of sale and purchase back contracts (“Contracts”) with third party companies and two 100% owned subsidiaries of Longmen Joint Venture, named Yuxin Trading Co., Ltd. (“Yuxin”) and Yuteng Trading Co., Ltd. (“Yuteng”). Pursuant to the Contracts, Longmen Joint Venture sells rebar to the third party companies at a certain price, and within the same month, Yuxin and Yuteng will purchase back the rebar from the third party companies at a price of 4.2% to 5.9% higher than the original selling price from Longmen Joint Venture (this transaction is referred to as “financing sales”). Based on the Contract terms, Longmen Joint Venture is paid in advance for the rebar sold to the third party companies and Yuxin and Yuteng are given a credit period of several months to one year from the third party companies. There is no physical movement of the inventory during the sale and purchase back arrangement. A margin of between 4.2% and 5.9% is determined by reference to the bank loan interest rates at the time when the Contracts are entered into, plus an estimated premium based on the financing sale amount, which represents the interest charged by the third party companies for financing Longmen Joint Venture through the above sale and purchase back arrangement. As such, the revenue and cost of goods sold arising from the above transactions are recorded on a net basis and the incremental amounts paid by Yuxin and Yuteng to purchase back the goods are treated as financing costs in the consolidated financial statements.

Total financing sales for the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 amounted to $724.3 million and $1.0 billion, respectively, which were eliminated in our consolidated financial statements. The financial cost related to financing sales for the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, accounted to $5.4 million and $9.2 million, respectively.

Liquidity

Our accounts have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP on a going concern basis. The going concern basis assumes that assets are realized and liabilities are extinguished in the ordinary course of business at amounts disclosed in the financial statements. Our ability to continue as a going concern depends upon aligning our sources of funding (debt and equity) with our expenditure requirements and repayment of the short-term debt facilities as and when they become due.

The steel business is capital intensive and as a normal industry practice in PRC, our Company is highly leveraged. Debt financing in the form of short term bank loans, loans from related parties, financing sales, bank acceptance notes, and capital leases have been utilized to finance the working capital requirements and the capital expenditures of our Company. As a result, our debt to equity ratio as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were (6.5) and (7.1), respectively. As of December 31, 2013, our current liabilities exceed current assets (excluding non-cash item) by $1.2 billion. And as of December 31, 2014, our estimated current liabilities may exceed current assets (excluding non-cash item) by $1.2 billion.

Longmen Joint Venture, as our most important subsidiary, accounted for a majority of our total sales. As such, the majority of our working capital needs to come from Longmen Joint Venture. Our ability to continue as a going concern depends heavily on Longmen Joint Venture’s operations. Longmen Joint Venture has obtained different types of financial supports, which include line of credit from banks, vendor financing, financing sales, other financing and sales representative financing.

For more details and terms about our financial supports, see Note 2(d) in our Notes to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

With the financial support from the banks and the companies discussed in Note 2(d) in our Notes to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report, management is of the opinion that we have sufficient funds to meet our future operations, working capital requirements and debt obligations until the end of December 31, 2014. The detailed breakdown of Longmen Joint Venture’s estimated cash flows items are listed below.

  Cash inflow (outflow)
(in millions)
 
  For the twelve months
ended
December 31, 2014
 
Estimated current liabilities over current assets (excluding non-cash items) as of December 31, 2013 $(1,179.2)
Projected cash financing and outflows:    
Cash provided by line of credit from banks  230.7 
Cash provided by vendor financing  818.5 
Cash provided by other financing  217.7 
Cash provided by sales representatives  26.3 
Cash projected to be used in operations in the twelve months ended December 31, 2014  (35.4)
Cash projected to be used for financing cost in the twelve months ended December 31, 2014  (55.2)
Net projected change in cash for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 $23.4 

As a result, the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 have been prepared on a going concern basis.

  

Cash-flow

 

Operating activities

 

Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 20102013 was an outflow $164.2$163.9 million compared to an inflow $4.8$5.2 million infor the same period of 2009.year ended December 31, 2012. This change was mainly due to the combination of the following factors:

 

SomeThe impact of non-cash items included in net income resulting an impact of $21.9loss was $69.1 million onin the cash flow statement in 2010,year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $71.1$149.2 million infor the same period in 2009.2012. The non-cash items are the following:

 

-depreciationDepreciation, amortization and amortizationdepletion;
-debt extinguishmentImpairment of plant and equipment;
-bad debt allowanceChange in fair value of derivative liabilities;
-inventory written-offGain/loss on disposal of equipment and intangible assets;
-impairment of long-lived assetsProvision for doubtful accounts;
-gain/loss on disposalReservation of equipmentmine maintenance fee;
-stockStock issued for services and compensationcompensation;
-net income from compensationAmortization of deferred financing cost on capital lease;
-make whole shares interest expense on notes conversionIncome from equity investments;
-amortization of deferred note issuance cost and discount on convertible notesForeign currency transaction gain/loss;
-change in fair valueGain on deconsolidation of derivative instrumenta subsidiary;
-income from investmentDeferred tax assets;
-deferred tax assetsDeferred lease income; and
-Change in fair value of profit sharing liability.

 

The other primary reasons for the material fluctuations in cash inflow from operations are as follow:follows:

 

1.-Notes receivable: The decrease of notes receivable was mainly due to our acceptance of fewer notes receivables as a substitute for cash receipts during year ended December 31, 2013;
-Accounts payable/receivable, including related parties: The decrease in accounts receivables was mainly due to the better collection effort of our accounts receivable from our customers for the year ended December 31, 2013;
-Advance on inventory purchases: The decrease in advance on inventory purchases to third parties was mainly due to more advances being paid to related party vendors instead of third parties for the year ended December 31, 2013.
-Accounts payable, including related parties: theThe increase in accounts payable, isincluding related parties, was mainly due to Longmen Joint Venture paying less to its suppliers as compared to the increased raw material purchasesame period in 2012. Pursuant to the supplier financing agreements signed between Longmen Joint Venture and its suppliers, those suppliers agreed not to demand certain cash payment for a period of time under the trial production of the two new blast furnaces systems and the management expected that the raw materials purchase price and steel sales prices are going to be increased in the first quarter of 2011 and intended to storage more inventories.agreements;
2.-Other payables - related parties: The increase in other payables – related parties: the increase isparties was mainly due to additional borrowing fromLongmen Joint Venture paying less to its related parties during the entities that are under common control by our CEOyear ended December 31, 2013. Pursuant to the related party financing agreements signed between Longmen Joint Venture and those related parties, such related parties agreed not to demand certain cash payment; and
3.-Deferred Lease Income: theCustomer deposits – related parties: The increase isin customer deposit – related parties was mainly due to the receipt of compensation inour related party customers making prepayment to us prior to the constructionend of two new blastfurnaces systems2013. These deposits were subsequently recognized as sales after December 31, 2013 in the fourth quarter of 2010 that will be deferred for future periods.accordance with our sales recognition policy.

 

The primary reasons for the material fluctuations in cash outflows are as follow:follows:

1.-Other receivables, including related parties: theThe increase iswas mainly due to the additional borrowings to the entities that are under common control byan increase in receivables incurred with related parties for cash flow purpose for doing business on our CEObehalf;
2.-Inventories: The increase in inventories in the increase isyear of 2013 was mainly due to the increase in the price of their raw materials storage fortowards the trial productionend of the two new blast furnaces systemsyear and the management expected that the raw materials purchase price and steel sales prices are going to be increasedproduction line stoppage in the firstfourth quarter, which decreased the consumption of 2011 and intended to storage more inventories.raw materials;
3.-Customer deposit: the decrease isAdvances on inventory purchases - related parties: The increase was mainly due to the completion offact that more advance payments were made for raw material purchases to related parties to meet future production capacity. Advance payment is a prevailing requirement on iron ore purchases in the steel production industry;
-Other payables and accrued liabilities: The decrease in other payables and accrued liabilities was mainly due to an increase in payments to various third parties for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to the prior year;
-Customer deposits: The decrease was mainly due to the China and global steel industry over-capacity which led to lower demands from our customers’ orders during 2010.third party customers on our products, as such, we received fewer advanced payments made by our these customers; and
-Taxes payable: The decrease was mainly due to the decrease in VAT taxes payable as our sales VAT tax payables relative to purchase VAT tax receivables decreased in 2013 compared to the prior year.

 

Investing activities

 

Net cash used byin investing activities was $86.9$105.8 million and $63.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to $166.3 million for2013 and 2012, respectively. Cash inflow from investing activities mainly came from the year ended December 31, 2009. Fluctuationsale of our 28% ownership interest in cash outflow between two periods was mainly due to the equipment purchases and advance on equipment purchases for the production line relocated from Maoming Hengda to LongmenTianwu Joint Venture in 2010, which improved2013. The increase in cash provided was partially offset by the useful life of the production line, as well as the quality of the goods and efficiency of the productionincrease in restricted cash. Restricted cash was used as a resultpledge for our notes payable as required by the bank. In 2013, such balance increased because less notes payable were due and settled by December 31, 2013 as compared to 2012. We also incurred additional spending on equipment purchase of the technical updates. In 2009,$43.3 million. Furthermore, $12.7 million cash held in Tianwu Joint Venture was deconsolidated when we sold our cash flow is mainly dueinterests in Tianwu Joint Venture to the equipment purchases in relation to our two 1,280 cubic meter blast furnaces at Longmen Joint Venture.

a related party.

Financing activities

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was $232.4$254.0 million for the year ended December 31, 20102013 compared to $228.8net cash used in financing activities of $6.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Compared to same the period in 2009, the2012. The increase of cash inflow from financing activities was mainly driven by the following:

 

1.-Short term loan: The Company increased more loan borrowing fromCapital contributed by noncontrolling interest: On August 16, 2013, additional capital of $45.1 million (or RMB 280 million) was contributed to Tianwu Joint Venture with $27.1 million (or RMB 168 million) contributed by us and $18.0 million (or RMB 112 million) contributed by TME Group, the bank compared to the same period last yearnoncontrolling shareholder;
2.-Notes payables: The Company increasedShort term notes payable: We borrowed more short term notes borrowingpayable during the year ended December 31, 2013; and
-Short term loans: We borrowed more from banks and related parties during the bank to settling the payables to suppliersyear ended December 31, 2013.

 

Compared to the same period in 2009, the increase ofThe cash outflow from financing activitiesinflow was mainly drivenoffset by the increase in restricted notes receivable as the Company has notes receivable pledged as collateral for short-term loans and short-term notes payable issued by banks, which is consistentfollowing cash outflow:

-Notes receivable - restricted: The decrease in notes receivable – restricted was mainly due to less notes receivable was used as guarantee for notes payable and bank loans during the year ended December 31, 2013;
-Short term loans: We repaid more money to other parties during the year ended December 31, 2013 as short term loans became due;
-Deposits due to sales representatives: We repaid more deposits to third party sales representatives during the year ended December 31, 2013; and
-Payments on current maturities of long-term loans - related party: We repaid $22.9 million current maturities of long-term loans to our related party during the year ended December 31, 2013 as they became due.

Restrictions on our ability to the increase of the loans and notes borrowings.distribute dividends

 

Substantially all of our operations are conducted in China and substantially all of our assets are located in China. In addition, substantially all of our transactions are denominated in Renminbi (RMB). RMB is subject towithin the exchange control regulation in China, and, as a result, China has strict rules for converting RMB to other currencies and the transfer of funds from PRC subsidiaries to the offshore structure and the U.S. holding companies.

PRC. Under the laws of the PRC governing foreign invested enterprises, dividend distribution and other funds transfers are allowed but subject to special procedures under relevant rules and regulations. Foreign-invested enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, a foreign-invested enterprise in China is required to set aside at least 10.0% of its after-tax profit based on PRC accounting standards each year to its general reserves until the accumulative amount of such reserves reaches 50.0% of its registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. The board of directors of a foreign-invested enterprise has the discretion to allocate a portion of its after-tax profits to staff welfare and bonus funds, which may not be distributed to equity owners except in the event of liquidation. Under PRC regulations, RMB is currently convertible into U.S. Dollars under a company’s “current account” which includes dividends, trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, without prior approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE). Transfers from a company’s “capital account,” which includes foreign direct investments and loans, can’t be executed without the prior approval of the SAFE.

 

There are no restrictions to distribute or transfer other funds from General Steel Investment to us.

 

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends to our shareholders. We do not plan to pay any dividends out of our retained earnings for the year ended December 31, 2010.2013. With respect to retained earnings accrued after such date, our Board of Directors may declare dividends after taking into account our operations, earnings, financial condition, cash requirements and availability and other factors as it may deem relevant at such time. Any declaration and payment, as well as the amount, of dividends will be subject to our By-Laws, charter and applicable Chinese and U.S. state and federal laws and regulations, including the approval from the shareholders of each subsidiary which intends to declare such dividends, if applicable.

 

We have previously raised money in the U.S. capital markets which has provided the capital needed for our operations and investments activities. Thus, the foreign currency restrictions and regulations in the PRC on the dividends distribution will not have a material impact on our liquidity, financial condition, and results of operation.

Shelf Registration SEC Form S-3

On October 22, 2009, our shelf registration statement on Form S-3 for an aggregate offering amount of $60 million was declared effective by the SEC. From time to time we may sell common stock, preferred stock, warrants, debt securities, rights and units in one or more offerings. As discussed below, in December 2009, we consummated a registered direct offering using the Form S-3 shelf registration statement to issue common stock and warrants. We may sell the remaining securities registered on the Form S-3 shelf registration statement to or through underwriters, directly to investors, through agents or any combination of the foregoing.

Each time we offer securities under our Form S-3 shelf registration statement, we will file a prospectus supplement with the SEC containing more specific information about the particular offering. The prospectus supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. The Form S-3 shelf registration statement may not be used to offer or sell securities without a prospectus supplement which includes a description of the method of sale and terms of the offering.

  

Impact of Inflation

 

We are subject to commodity price risks arising from price fluctuations in the market prices of the raw materials. We have generally been able to pass on cost increases through price adjustments. However, the ability to pass on these increases depends on market conditions influenced by the overall economic conditions in China. We manage our price risks through productivity improvements and cost-containment measures. We do not believe that inflation risk is material to our business or our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Compliance with environmental laws and regulation

 

Longmen Joint Venture:

 

Along with our joint venture partner Longmen Steel Group and Shaanxi Steel, we have invested RMB580 million in a series of comprehensive projects to reduce its waste emissions of coal gas, water, and solid waste. In 2005, we received ISO 14001 certification for our overall environmental management system. We have received several awards from the Shaanxi provincial government as a result of our increased effort in environmental protection.

 

We have spent more than RMB57 million on a comprehensive waste water recycling and water treatment system. The 2,000 cubic meter/h treatment capacity system wassystems were implemented at the end of 2005. In 2010, 1.082011, 0.91 metric tons of new water was consumed per metric ton of steel produced.

 

We have one 10,000 cubic meter coke-oven gas tank, and one 50,000 cubic meter blast furnace coal gas tank and one 80,000 cubic meter converter furnace coal gas tank to collect the residual coal gas produced from our facility and that of surrounding enterprises. We also have spent RMB230$35.6 million (RMB 230 million) on a thermal power plant with two 25 Kilowatt generators that use the residual coal gas from the blast furnaces and converters as fuel to generate power.

 

We have several plants to further process solid waste generated from the steel making process into useful products such as construction materials, building blocks, porcelain tiles, curb tops, and ornamental tiles.tiles, as well as other products.

In 2009, we treated and recycled about 6.8 million tons of waste water, 335,320 tons of slag, 130 million m³ of gas from the converters and 6.1 billion m³ of gas from the blast furnaces. We also reused 855,714 tons of hot steam and generated 433 million KWH of electricity.

 

Recently, we spentDuring 2010 and 2011, more than RMB60$9.6 million (RMB 60 million) was used on the technical upgrade and renovation of theour converters and RMB5.5$0.88 billion (RMB 5.5 billion) was used on the upgrade of the blast furnaces and the sintering machines.

In 2012, we installed desulfidation equipment for two sintering machines, which started operating in June 2012.

  

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

There were no off-balance sheet arrangements for the 20102013 fiscal year.year that have or that in the opinion of management, are likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTSContractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

 

We have certain fixed contractual obligations and commitments that include future estimated payments. Changes in our business needs, cancellation provisions, changing interest rates, and other factors may result in actual payments differing from the estimates. We cannot provide certainty regarding the timing and amounts of payments. Throughout our operating history, we have funded our contractual obligations and commercial commitments through financing arrangements and operating cash flow, including, but not limited to, the operating income, payments collected from the customers in advance and stock issuances. Below, we have presented a summary of the most significant assumptions used in our determination of amounts presentedcontractual obligations and commercial commitments in the tables, in order to assist in the review of this information within the context of our consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

 

The following tables summarize our contractual obligations as of December 31, 20102013 and the effect these obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods.

 

  Payment due by period 
  Less than 
Contractual obligations 

Total

As restated

  

1 year

As restated

  

1-3 years

 

  

4- 5 years

As restated

 
  Dollars amounts in thousands 
Bank loans $285,198  $285,198  $-  $- 
Other loans  233,280   142,260   -   91,020 
Notes payable  480,152   480,152   -   - 
Deposits due to sales representatives  52,079   52,079       - 
Lease with Bao Gang Group  410   273   137   - 
Construction obligations - Longmen Joint Venture and Maoming Hengda  13,912   13,912   -   - 
Total $1,065,031  $973,874  $137  $91,020 

  Principal due by period    
     Less than          
Contractual obligations Total  1 year  1-3 years  3- 5 years  5 years after 
  (in thousands)    
Note payable $1,017,830  $1,017,830  $-  $-  $- 
Bank loans  301,917   301,917   -   -   - 
Other loans, including related parties  188,760   188,760   -   -   - 
Deposits due to sales representatives, including related parties  26,340   26,340   -   -   - 
Operating lease obligations  23,774   1,450   1,245   1,124   19,955 
Construction obligations - Longmen Joint Venture  353,024   353,024   -   -   - 
Long term loan – Shaanxi Steel  72,657   53,013   19,644   -   - 
Capital lease obligations  379,340   4,321   7,124   129,286   238,609 
Profit sharing liability  162,295   -   -   -   162,295 
Total $2,525,937  $1,946,655  $28,013  $130,410  $420,859 

Bank loans in Chinathe PRC are due either due on demand or, more typically, within one year. These loans can be renewed with the banks.banks subject to bank’s credit reevaluation. This amount includes estimated interest payments as well as debt maturities.principal repayment.

 

As of December 31, 2010,2013, Longmen Joint Venture guaranteed bank loans for related parties and third parties, including linelines of credit, amounting to $326.8 million, as follows:

Nature of guarantee Guarantee
amount
  Guaranty Due Date
  (In thousands)   
Line of credit $226,618  Various from January 2014 to August 2015
Three-party financing agreements  13,096  Various from January to July 2014
Confirming storage  41,252  Various from March to December 2014
Financing by the rights of goods delivery in future  45,836  Various from April to October 2014
Total $326,802   

As of December 31, 2013, we did not accrue any liability for the amount guaranteed for third and others, amountedrelated parties because those parties are current in their payment obligations and we have not experienced any loss from providing guarantees. We evaluated the debt guarantees and concluded that the likelihood of having to $60.5 million.make payments under the guarantees is remote and that the fair value of the stand-ready obligation under these commitments is not material.

  Guarantee   
Nature of amount   
guarantee In thousands  Guaranty period
Line of credit $11,608  March 2011 to January 2012
Bank Loans  7,585  March 2011 to May 2011
Notes payable  18,238  June 2011 to September 2012
Confirming Storage  19,089  April 2011 to December 2011
Financing by the rights of goods delivery in future  3,946  March 2011 to July 2011
Total $60,466   

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Management’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Our financial statements reflect the selection and application of accounting policies which require management to make significant estimates and judgments. See Note 32 to our consolidated financial statements, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.” Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

We believe that the following reflect the more critical accounting policies that currently affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Principles of consolidation – subsidiaries

 

We follow ASC 810-10-15 “Consolidation – ScopeThe accompanying consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of our Company, our subsidiaries, our variable interest entity (“VIE”) for which we are the ultimate primary beneficiary, and Scope Exceptions” when determining whetherthe VIE’s subsidiaries.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis to consolidatereflect the financial position and results of operations of our Company in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

Subsidiaries are those entities in which our Company, directly or indirectly, controls more than one half of the voting power; or has the power to govern the financial and operating policies, to appoint or remove the majority of the members of the board of directors, or to cast a majority of votes at the meeting of directors. 

A VIE is an entity in which our Company, or our subsidiary, through contractual arrangements, bears the risks of, and enjoys the rewards normally associated with, ownership of the entity, and therefore our Company or our subsidiary is the primary beneficiary of the entity.

All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Consolidation of VIE

Prior to entering into the Unified Management Agreement on April 29, 2011, Longmen Joint Venture had been consolidated as our 60% directly owned subsidiary. Upon entering into the Unified Management Agreement, Longmen Joint Venture was evaluated by our Company to determine if Longmen Joint Venture is a VIE and if we are the primary beneficiary.

Based on the projected profit in this entity and future operating plans, Longmen Joint Venture ’s equity at risk is considered insufficient to finance its activities and therefore Longmen Joint Venture is considered to be a VIE.

We would be considered the primary beneficiary of the VIE if we have both of the following characteristics:

a.The power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; and
b.The obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

A Supervisory Committee was formed during the negotiation of the Unified Management Agreement. Given there is both a Supervisory Committee and a board of directors with respect to Longmen Joint Venture, the powers rights and roles of both bodies were considered to determine which has the power to direct the activities of Longmen Joint Venture, and by extension, whether we continue to have the power to direct Longmen Joint Venture’s activities after this Supervisory Committee was formed. The Supervisory Committee, which we hold 2 out of 4 seats, requires a ¾ majority vote, while the board of directors, which we hold 4 out of 7 seats, requires a simple majority vote. As the Supervisory Committee’s role is limited to supervising and monitoring management of Longmen Joint Venture and in the event there is any disagreement between the board of directors and the Supervisory Committee, the board of directors prevails. In other words, the Supervisory Committee is considered to be subordinate to the board of directors. Thus, the board of directors of Longmen Joint Venture continues to be the controlling decision-making body with respect to Longmen Joint Venture. We control 60% of the voting rights of the board of directors, have control over the operations of Longmen Joint Venture and as such, have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact Longmen Joint Venture’s economic performance.

In connection with the Unified Management Agreement, Shaanxi Coal, we and Shaanxi Steel may provide such support on a discretionary basis in the future, which could expose us to a loss.

As discussed in Note 2(c) to the consolidated financial statements. Allstatements – Consolidation of VIE, we have the obligation to absorb losses and the rights to receive benefits based on the profit allocation as stipulated by the Unified Management Agreement. As both conditions are met, we are the primary beneficiary of Longmen Joint Venture and therefore, continue to consolidate Longmen Joint Venture.

We believe that the Unified Management Agreement between Longmen Joint Venture and Shaanxi Coal is in compliance with PRC law and is legally enforceable. The board of directors of Longmen Joint Venture continues to be the controlling decision-making body with respect to Longmen Joint Venture. We control 60% of the voting rights of the board of directors and have control over the operations of Longmen Joint Venture. As such, we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE. However, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit our ability to enforce the Unified Management Agreement, which in turn, may lead to reconsideration of the VIE assessment.

Longmen Joint Venture has two 100% owned subsidiaries, Yuxin Trading Co., Ltd. (“Yuxin”) and Yuteng Trading Co., Ltd (“Yuteng”). Prior to March 1, 2012, Longmen Joint Venture had three consolidated subsidiaries, Hualong Fire Retardant Material Co., Ltd. (“Hualong”), Hancheng Tongxing Metallurgy Co., Ltd. (“Tongxing”) and Beijing Huatianyulong International Steel Trading Co., Ltd. (“Huatianyulong”), in which Longmen Joint Venture did not hold a controlling interest. On March 1, 2012, Longmen Joint Venture sold its equity interest in Tongxing, and, as of December 31, 2013, Longmen Joint Venture has two consolidated subsidiaries, Hualong and Huatianyulong, in which it does not hold a controlling interest. Hualong and Huatianyulong are separate legal entities which wewere established in the PRC as limited liability companies and subsequently acquired by Longmen Joint Venture in June 2007 and July 2008, respectively. Prior to and subsequent to their acquisition by Longmen Joint Venture, these two entities have been operating as self-sustaining with integrated sets of activities and assets conducted and managed for the purpose of providing a return to shareholders consisting of all the inputs, processes and outputs of a business. However, these two entities do not meet the definition of variable interest entities. Further consideration was given to whether consolidation was appropriate under the voting interest model, specifically where the power of control may exist with a lesser percentage of ownership (i.e. less than 50%), for example, by contract, lease, agreement with other stockholders or by court decree.

40

Hualong

Longmen Joint Venture, the single largest shareholder, holds a 36.0% equity interest in Hualong. The other two shareholders, who own directly or indirectly more than 50 percent34.67% and 29.33% respectively, assigned their voting rights to Longmen Joint Venture in writing at the time of the outstandingacquisition of Hualong. The voting sharesrights have been assigned through the date Hualong ceases its business operation or the other two shareholders sell their interest in Hualong. Hualong’s main business is to supply refractory.

Tongxing

Prior to March 1, 2012, Longmen Joint Venture held a 22.76% equity interest in Tongxing while hundreds of employees of Longmen Joint Venture owned the remaining 77.24%. Each individual employee shareholder comprising the remaining 77.24% assigned its voting rights to Longmen Joint Venture in writing at the time of the acquisition of Tongxing. The voting rights assigned were effective until Tongxing ceased its business operations or Longmen Joint Venture liquidated its equity interest of Tongxing, whichever came first.

On March 1, 2012, Longmen Joint Venture sold its 22.76% equity interest of Tongxing to two individuals, who are required to bethe representatives from Long Steel Group. As of March 1, 2012, Tongxing had a carrying value of net assets of $40.5 million which were included in our consolidated given that control restsnet assets and a noncontrolling interest in Tongxing of $32.5 million. We retained the land use right associated with the majority owner. EntitiesTongxing property adjacent to the Longmen Joint Venture facility, which had a carrying value of $3.6 million immediately prior to the transaction and relinquished its controlling interest in whichthe remaining net assets (primarily operating assets). In connection with the transaction, we own less than 50 percent voting sharesalso settled with a payable in cash of $0.3 million and transferred the dividend receivable of $0.9 million from Tongxing to the two individuals. Therefore, these transactions are evaluatedeconomically justified when considered together. These arrangements meet the criteria of ASC 810-10-40-6b and 6d, deconsolidation of a Subsidiary with multiple arrangements treated as a single transaction. As the land use rights held in Tongxing have been included as part of our consolidated assets, this transaction was considered as a change in our ownership interest in the land use right similar to a change in a parent company’s ownership interest in a subsidiary in accordance with generally accepted account principlesASC 810-10-45-23 and therefore the carrying value of the land use right was not stepped up to determine whether we may holdfair value. The net impact of these transactions resulted in a reduction of $3.1 million paid-in capital.

Huatianyulong

Longmen Joint Venture holds a 50.0% equity interest in Huatianyulong and the other unrelated shareholder holds the remaining 50.0%. The other shareholder assigned its voting rights to Longmen Joint Venture in writing at the time of acquisition of Huatianyulong. The voting rights have been assigned through the date Huatianyulong ceases its business operation or the other unrelated shareholder sells its interest in Huatianyulong. Huatianyulong mainly sells imported iron ore.

We have determined that it is appropriate for Longmen Joint Venture to consolidate Hualong and Huatianyulong with appropriate recognition in our financial statements of the non-controlling interests in each entity, beginning on the acquisition dates as these were also the effective dates of the agreements with other stockholders granting a majority voting rights in each entity, and thereby, the power of control. If we hold establishedcontrol, to Longmen Joint Venture. We also have determined that it is appropriate for Longmen Joint Venture to consolidate Tongxing’s net income from the beginning of the acquisition date to March 1, 2012, the date on which Longmen Joint Venture relinquished its equity interest and majority voting rights in Tongxing, and thereby its power of control in such entities, we consolidate the entities with recognition of the non-controlling interest in them accordingly.Tongxing.

 

Revenue recognition

 

We follow the generally accepted accounting principles of the United StatesU.S. GAAP regarding revenue recognition. Sales revenue is recognized at the date of shipment to customers when a formal arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, the delivery is completed, we have no other significant obligations of us exist and collectability is reasonably assured. Payments received before all of the relevant criteria for revenue recognition are recorded as customer deposits. Sales revenue represents the invoiced value of goods, net of value-added tax (VAT). All our products sold in the PRC are subject to a Chinese value-added taxVAT at a rate of 13% to 17% of the gross sales price. This VAT may be offset by VAT paid by us on raw materials and other materials included in the cost of producing the finished product.

Accounts receivable, other receivables and allowance for doubtful accounts

Accounts receivable include trade accounts due from customers and other receivables from cash advances to employees, related parties or third parties. An allowance for doubtful accounts is established and recorded based on managements’ assessment of potential losses based on the credit history and relationships with the customers. Management reviews its receivable on a regular basis to determine if the bad debt allowance is adequate, and adjusts the allowance when necessary. Delinquent account balances are written-off against allowance for doubtful accounts after management has determined that the likelihood of collection is not probable.

Useful lives of plant and equipment

Plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets with a 3%-5% residual value. The depreciation expense on assets acquired under capital leases is included with depreciation expense on owned assets.

The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Buildings and Improvements10-40 Years
Machinery10-30 Years
Machinery under capital lease10-20 Years
Other equipment5 Years
Transportation Equipment5 Years

We have re-evaluated the useful lives of depreciation and amortization to determine whether subsequent events and circumstances warrant any revisions.

Impairment of long-lived assets

The carrying values of long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Based on the existence of one or more indicators of impairment, we measure any impairment of long-lived assets using the projected undiscounted cash flow method. The estimation of future cash flows requires significant management judgment based on our historical results and anticipated results and is subject to many factors.

The discount rate that is commensurate with the risk inherent in our business model is determined by our management. An impairment charge would be recorded if we determined that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable. The impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying values of the assets exceed the fair value of the assets.

As of December 31, 2013, the fair value of our plant and equipment exceeded our carrying value of these assets by approximately 73.8%. We used the discounted cash flows model to determine the fair value of these assets. The key assumptions that were included in the model are projected selling units and growth in the steel market, projected unit selling price in the steel market, projected unit purchase cost in the coal and iron ore markets, selling and general and administrative expenses to be in line with the growth in the steel market, and projected bank borrowings. We believed these assumptions provided us the best estimates of projecting our future cash flows on these assets, net of any related cash outflow of our cost, expenses and taxes in related to these revenues. The estimated fair value of these assets may be lower than their current fair value, thus could result in future impairment charge if potential events occur to further reduce the current selling price or product demand in the steel market or increase our cost that are associated with our revenues. In addition, competitive pricing pressure and changes in interest rates could materially and adversely affect our estimates of future net cash flows to be generated by our long-lived assets, and thus could result in future impairment losses.

Use of estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles of the United StatesU.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant accounting estimates reflected in our financial statements include the useful lives of and impairment for property, plant and equipment, potential losses on uncollectible receivables, the recognition of contingent liabilities, the interest rate used in financing sales, the fair value of the assets recorded under capital lease, the present value of the net minimum lease payments of the capital lease and convertible notes.the fair value of the profit share liability. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

Financial instruments

 

The accounting standard regarding “Disclosures about fair value of financial instruments” defines financial instruments and requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments held by us. We consider the carrying amount of cash, accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities to approximate their fair values because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization. For short-term loans and notes payable, we concluded the carrying values are a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the short period of time between the origination and repayment and their stated interest rate approximates current rates available.

We also analyze all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity under the accounting standard establishing, “accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity,” the accounting standard regarding “accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities” and “accounting for derivative financial instruments indexed to, and potentially settled in, a company’s own stock.” Additionally, we analyze registration rights agreements associated with any equity instruments issued to determine if penalties triggered for late filing should be accrued under accounting standard establishing “accounting for registration payment arrangements.”

 

Fair value measurements

 

The accounting standards regarding fair value of financial instruments and related fair value measurement define fair value, establish a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of fair value measurement and enhance disclosures requirements for fair value measures. The three levels are defined as follow:

 

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 assets or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instruments.

 

Level 3: inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value.

 

The December 2007 Warrantswarrants issued in conjunction with the December 2007 Notesnotes and December 2009 Warrantswarrants issued in connection with a registered direct offering, were carried at fair value. The aforementioned warrants and the conversion option embedded in the notes meet the definition of a derivative instrument in the accounting standards. Therefore these instruments are accounted for as derivative liabilities and recorded at their fair value as of each reporting period. As all of the notes were converted to common stock by the end of 2010, the derivative instruments include only the outstanding warrants of 0 and 3,900,871 as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The fair value was determined using the Cox Rubenstein Binomial Model. Because all inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices are observable, fair value is carried as level 2 inputs, and the change in earnings was recorded. As a result, the derivative liability is carried on the balance sheet at its fair value.

Noncontrolling interests

Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted generally accepted accounting principals regarding noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements. Certain provisions of this statement are required to be adopted retrospectively for all periods presented. Such provisions include a requirementWe determined that the carrying value of noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interests) be removed from the mezzanine sectionprofit sharing liability using Level 3 inputs by taking consideration of the balance sheet and reclassified as equity.present value of our projected profits/losses with the discount interest rate of 7% based on our average borrowing rate. The projected profits/losses in Longmen Joint Venture were based upon, but not limited to, the following assumptions until April 30, 2031:

·projected selling units and growth in the steel market;
·projected unit selling price in the steel market;
·projected unit purchase cost in the coal and iron ore markets;
·selling and general and administrative expenses to be in line with the growth in the steel market;
·projected bank borrowing;
·interest rate index;
·gross nation product index;
·industry index; and
·government policy.

Income tax

 

Further,We did not conduct any business and did not maintain any branch office in the United States during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. Therefore, no provision for withholding of U.S. federal or state income taxes has been made. The tax impact from undistributed earnings from overseas subsidiaries is not recognized as a resultthere is no intension for future repatriation of adoptionthese earnings.

General Steel (China) is located in Tianjin Costal Economic Development Zone and is subject to an income tax rate of this accounting standard, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is now excluded from the determination of consolidated net income. In addition, the foreign currency translation adjustment is allocated between controlling and noncontrolling interests.25%.

 

As a result, we reclassified noncontrolling interestsLongmen Joint Venture is located in the amountsMid-West Region of $52.0China. It qualifies for the “Go-West” tax rate of 15% promulgated by the government. In 2010, the central government announced that the “Go-West” tax initiative was extended for 10 years, and thus, the preferential tax rate of 15% will be in effect until 2020. This special tax treatment will be evaluated on a year-to-year basis by the local tax bureau.

Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture is located in Inner Mongolia autonomous region and is subject to an income tax rate of 25%.

Maoming Hengda is located in Guangdong Province and is subject to an income tax rate of 25%.

For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we had total tax provisions of $0.4 million and $70.1$0.8 million, from the mezzanine section to equity on December 31, 2010 and 2009 balance sheets, respectively.

 

Deferred lease income

 

From June 2009 to March 2011, we worked with Shaanxi Steel to build new state-of-the-art equipment at the site of our principal subsidiary, Longmen Joint Venture. As a result,To compensate Longmen Joint Venture incurred certainfor costs of construction as well asand economic losses on suspended production of certain small furnaces and other equipment to accommodate theincurred during construction of the new equipment, on behalf ofiron and steel making facilities owned by Shaanxi Steel. To compensate us,Steel, Shaanxi Steel reimbursed Longmen Joint Venture $11.5 million (RMB 70.1 million) in the fourth quarter of 2010 Shaanxi Steel reimbursed Longmen Joint Venture $16.4 million (RMB 108 million) related tofor the value of assets dismantled various site preparation costs incurred by Longmen Joint Venture and rent under a 40-year property sub-lease that was entered into by the parties in June 2009, (the "Longmen Sub-lease"), and $27.8$30.0 million (RMB 183183.1 million) for the reduced production efficiency caused by the construction. ApplyingIn addition, in 2010 and 2011, Shaanxi Steel reimbursed Longmen Joint Venture $14.7 million (RMB 89.5 million) and $14.6 million (RMB 89.3 million), respectively, for trial production costs related to the new iron and steel making facilities.

During the period June 2010 to March 2011, as construction progressed and certain of the assets came online, Longmen Joint Venture used the assets free of charge to produce saleable units of steel products during this period. As such, the cost of using these assets was imputed with reference to what the depreciation charge would have been on these assets had they been owned or under capital lease accounting guidance (ASC 840-20-25-1), we concluded that, except forto Longmen Joint Venture during the reimbursement for site preparation costs, the amountfree use period. This cost of reimbursement should be$7.2 million (RMB 43.9 million) each year were deferred and will be recognized as a componentover the term of the property that was sub-leased duringland sub-lease similar to the other charges and credits related to the construction to beof these assets.

The deferred lease income is amortized to income over the remaining termsterm of the 40-year land sub-lease.

 

DeferredCapital lease income representsobligations

Iron and steel production facilities

On April 29, 2011, our subsidiary, Longmen Joint Venture entered into a Unified Management Agreement with Shaanxi Steel and Shaanxi Coal under which Longmen Joint Venture uses new iron and steel making facilities including one sintering machine, two converters, two blast furnaces and other auxiliary systems constructed by Shaanxi Steel. As the 20-year term of the agreement exceeds 75% of the assets’ useful lives, this arrangement is accounted for as a capital lease. The ongoing lease payments are comprised of two elements: (1) a monthly payment based on Shaanxi Steel’s cost to construct the assets of $2.3 million (RMB14.6 million) to be paid over the term of the Unified Management Agreement of 20 years; and (2) 40% of any remaining balancepre-tax profits from the Asset Pool which includes Longmen Joint Venture and the newly constructed iron and steel making facilities. In February 2014, Shaanxi Steel agreed that it would not demand capital lease payment from Longmen Joint Venture until February 2017. The profit sharing component does not meet the definition of compensation being deferred.contingent rent because it is based on future revenue and is therefore considered part of the financing for the capital leased assets which is related to the Unified Management Agreement. For purposes of determining the value of the leased asset and obligation at the inception of the lease, the lease liability is then reduced by the value of the profit sharing component, which is recognized as a separate financial liability carried at fair value. See Note 16 – “Profit sharing liability”.

Energy-saving equipment

During 2013, our subsidiary, Longmen Joint Venture, entered into capital lease agreements for energy-saving equipment to be installed throughout the production chain. Under these agreements, Longmen Joint Venture uses the energy-saving equipment for which the vendors are responsible for the design, purchase, installation, and on-site testing, as well as the ownership rights to the equipment during the lease periods. The lease periods, which vary between four to six years, begin upon the completion of the equipment installation, testing, and the issuance of the energy-saving rate reports to be agreed upon by both the vendors and Longmen Joint Venture. As the ownership rights of the equipment transfer to Longmen Joint Venture at the end of the lease periods, these agreements are accounted for as capital leases.

The minimum lease payments are based on the energy cost saved during the lease periods, which is determined by the estimated annual equipment operating hours per the lease agreements. If the actual annual equipment operating hours are less than the estimated amount, the lease periods may be extended, subject to further negotiation and agreement between us and the vendors. If the actual annual equipment operating hours exceed the estimated amount, we are obligated to pay the additional lease payment based on the additional energy cost saved during the lease period and recognize the additional lease payments as contingent rent expense. For the year ended December 31, 20102013, $18.1 million (RMB $110.3 million) energy-saving equipment under these lease agreements have been capitalized and no contingent rent expense has been incurred.

Profit sharing liability

The profit sharing liability is recognized initially at its estimated fair value at the lease commencement date and included in the initial measurement and recognition of the capital lease in addition to the fixed payment component of the minimum lease payments. This financial instrument is accounted for separately from the lease accounting (Note 15 - “Capital lease obligation” to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) and has met the definition of a derivative instrument under ASC 815-10-15-83; as such, the profit sharing liability is treated as a derivative liability. The value of the profit sharing liability will be reassessed each reporting period with any change in fair value accounted for on a prospective basis. Refer to Note 2(h) – “Financial instruments” to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for details.

Based on the performance of the Asset Pool, no profit sharing payment, which is not required until net cumulative profits are achieved, was made for the years ended December 31, 2009,2013 and 2012. Payments to Shaanxi Steel for the balance of $57.6 million and $16.5 million represented the balance of remaining deferred lease income respectively.profit sharing are made based on net cumulative profits.

 

Recent

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In January 2010,July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”("ASU") No. 2010-06 – Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. This update provides amendments2013-11,Presentation of Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carry forward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carry forward Exists,an amendment to Subtopic 820-10 that requires new disclosure as follows: 1) Transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2. A reporting entity should disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers. 2) Activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. In the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), a reporting entity should present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (that is, on a gross basis rather than as one net number)FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 740,Income Taxes("FASB ASC Topic 740"). This update provides amendments to Subtopic 820-10clarifies that clarify existing disclosures as follows: 1) Levelan unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of disaggregation. A reporting entityan unrecognized tax benefit, should provide fair value measurement disclosures for each class of assets and liabilities. A class is often a subset of assets or liabilities within a line itembe presented in the statementfinancial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carry forward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carry forward if such settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax position is disallowed. In situations where a net operating loss carry forward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carry forward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of financial position. A reportingthe applicable jurisdiction or the tax law of the jurisdiction does not require, and the entity needsdoes not intend to use, judgment in determining the appropriate classes of assets and liabilities. 2) Disclosures about inputs and valuation techniques. A reporting entitydeferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should provide disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. Those disclosures are required for fair value measurements that fall in either Level 2 or Level 3. The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlementsbe presented in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010,financial statements as a liability and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU. However, the Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-13, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Effect of Denominating the Exercise Price of a Share-Based Payment Award in the Currency of the Market in Which the Underlying Equity Security Trades,” or ASU 2010-13. ASU 2010-13 provides amendments to Topic 718 to clarify that an employee share-based payment award with an exercise price denominated in currency of a market in which a substantial porting of the entity’s equity securities trades should not be considered to contain a condition thatcombined with deferred tax assets. This ASU is not a market, performance, or service condition. Therefore, an entity would not classify such an award as a liability if it otherwise qualifies as equity. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2010-13 to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-20, “Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses.” This update amends codification topic 310 on receivables to improve the disclosures that an entity provides about the credit quality of its financing receivables and the related allowance for credit losses. As a result of these amendments, an entity is required to disaggregate by portfolio segment or class certain existing disclosures and provide certain new disclosures about its financing receivables and related allowance for credit losses. This guidance is being phased in, with the new disclosure requirements for period end balances effective as of December 31, 2010, and the new disclosure requirements for activity during the reporting period are effective March 31, 2011. The troubled debt restructuring disclosures in this ASU have been delayed by ASU 2011-01 “Deferral of the Effective Date of Disclosures about Troubled Debt Restructurings in Update No. 2010-20,” which was issued in January 2011.

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-28 which amend “Intangibles- Goodwill and Other” (Topic 350). The ASU modifies Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting entities, they are required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. An entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that impairment may exist. The qualitative factors are consistent with the existing guidance in Topic 350, which requires that goodwill of a reporting unit be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances changes that would more likely than not reduce the faire value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. ASU 2010-28 is effectiveprospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010. Early adoption2013. Retrospective application is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU; however, the Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU willguidance did not have a materialany significant impact on itsour consolidated financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-29 which address diversity in practice about the interpretation of the pro forma revenue and earnings disclosure requirements for business combinations (Topic 805). This ASU specifies that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. This ASU also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosures under Topic 805 to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. ASU 2010-29 is effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU and expected the adoption of this ASU will have an impact on its future business combinations.

 

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

 

Commodity Price Risk and Related RisksNot Applicable.

 

In the normal course of our business, we are exposed to market risk or price fluctuations related to the purchase, production or sale of steel products over which we have little or no control. We do not use any derivative commodity instruments to manage the price risk. Our market risk strategy has generally been to obtain competitive prices for our products and allow operating results to reflect market price movements dictated by supply and demand. Based upon a 2010 annual production capacity of 7 million metric tons, a $1 change in the annual average price of our steel products would change annual pre-tax profits by approximately $7 million.ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

 

Interest Rate RiskGENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Index to consolidated financial statements

  

Page
Number 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – Friedman LLP46
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 201247
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 201248
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Deficiency for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 201249
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 201250
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements51

We are subject to interest rate risk since our outstanding debts are short-term and bear interest at variable interest rates. The future interest expense would fluctuate in case of any change in the borrowing rates. We do not use swaps or other interest rate protection agreements to hedge this risk. We believe our exposure to interest rate risk is not material.

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

Our operating units, General Steel (China), Longmen Joint Venture, Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture, Maoming Hengda, and Tianwu Joint Venture are all located in China. They produce and sell all of their products domestically in the PRC. They are subject to the foreign currency exchange rate risks due to the effects of fluctuations in the RMB on revenues and operating costs and existing assets or liabilities. We have not generally used derivative instruments to manage this risk. Generally, a ten percent (10%) decrease in RMB exchange rate would result in a $1.9 million decrease in net income.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of

General Steel Holdings, Inc.

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of General Steel Holdings, Inc. and subsidiariesSubsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 20102013 and 2009,2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations and other comprehensive income,loss, changes in equity,deficiency and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010.then ended. General Steel Holdings, Inc.’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includesstatements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of General Steel Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 20102013 and 2009,2012, and the consolidated results of itstheir operations and itstheir cash flows for each of the years in the three-year periodthen ended December 31, 2010 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), General Steel Holdings, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established inInternal Control—Integrated Frameworkissued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 16, 2011, except for the effects of the material weakness described in the ninth paragraph of that report, as to which the date is August 29, 2012, expressed an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.

 

/s/ Frazer Frost,Friedman LLP

New York, New York

March 27, 2014

 

 

Brea, California

March 16, 2011, except for the effects on the consolidated financial statements of the restatement described in Note 2, as to which the date is August 29, 2012 

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 20102013 AND 20092012

(In thousands, except per share data)

(As restated)thousands)

 

 2013 2012 
ASSETS          
 2010  2009         
CURRENT ASSETS:                
Cash $65,271  $82,118  $31,967  $46,467 
Restricted cash  197,797   192,041   399,333   323,420 
Notes receivable  49,147   29,185   60,054   145,502 
Restricted notes receivable  240,298   -   395,589   357,900 
Loans receivable - related parties  4,540   69,319 
Accounts receivable, net  18,500   9,140   4,078   6,695 
Accounts receivable - related parties  4,160   18,225   2,942   14,966 
Other receivables, net  11,150   5,357   54,716   8,407 
Other receivables - related parties  10,938   43,620   54,106   68,382 
Dividend receivable  -   3,926 
Inventories  453,636   177,369   212,921   212,671 
Advances on inventory purchase  24,577   28,407   44,897   79,715 
Advances on inventory purchase - related parties  6,187   2,995   83,003   46,416 
Prepaid expense  5,018   692 
Prepaid value added tax  37,323   19,488 
Deferred tax assets  15,301   5,044 
Prepaid expense and other  1,388   450 
Prepaid taxes  28,407   24,116 
Short-term investment  2,783   2,619 
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS  1,139,303   617,607   1,380,724   1,407,045 
                
PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net  602,612   552,114   1,271,907   1,167,836 
                
OTHER ASSETS:                
Advances on equipment purchase  14,898   8,419   6,409   6,499 
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries  17,456   20,022 
Long-term other receivable  -   43,008 
Investment in unconsolidated entities  16,943   1,166 
Long-term deferred expense  1,439   2,069   668   1,062 
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization  23,672   23,733   23,707   24,066 
Note issuance cost  -   406 
TOTAL OTHER ASSETS  57,465   54,649   47,727   75,801 
                
TOTAL ASSETS $1,799,380  $1,224,370  $2,700,358  $2,650,682 
                
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY        
LIABILITIES AND DEFICIENCY        
                
CURRENT LIABILITIES:                
Short term notes payable $480,152  $254,608  $1,017,830  $983,813 
Accounts payable  241,367   158,126   434,979   352,052 
Accounts payable - related parties  79,694   48,151   235,692   177,432 
Short term loans - bank  285,198   148,968   301,917   147,124 
Short term loans - others  127,712   183,578   62,067   147,323 
Short term loans - related parties  14,548   11,751   126,693   79,557 
Current maturities of long-term loans - related party  53,013   54,885 
Other payables and accrued liabilities  30,087   30,596   45,653   54,589 
Other payables - related parties  18,214   5,760 
Other payable - related parties  94,079   73,025 
Customer deposits  133,464   118,900   87,860   125,890 
Customer deposits - related parties  54,922   3,041   64,881   21,998 
Deposit due to sales representatives  52,079   49,544   24,343   33,870 
Deposit due to sales representatives - related parties  1,997   1,238 
Taxes payable  6,237   12,186   4,628   16,674 
Deferred lease income  57,591   16,487 
Deferred lease income, current  2,187   2,120 
Capital lease obligations, current  4,321   - 
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES  1,581,265   1,041,696   2,562,140   2,271,590 
                
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Long term loans - related parties  91,020   - 
TOTAL NONCURRENT LIABILITIES  91,020   - 
        
CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE, net of debt discount of $0 and $2,250
as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively
  -   1,050 
        
DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES  5,573   23,340 
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Long-term loans - related party  19,644   38,088 
Long-term other payable - related party  -   43,008 
Deferred lease income, noncurrent  75,257   75,079 
Capital lease obligations, noncurrent  375,019   330,099 
Profit sharing liability  162,295   328,827 
TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES  632,215   815,101 
                
TOTAL LIABILITIES  1,677,858   1,066,086   3,194,355   3,086,691 
                
COMMITMENT AND CONTINGENCIES        
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES        
                
EQUITY:        
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 3,092,899 shares
issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2010 and 2009
  3   3 
Common Stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 54,678,083
and 51,618,595 issued, 54,522,973 and 51,618,595 outstanding as of
December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively
  55   52 
Treasury stock, $0.001 par value, 316,760 shares as of December 31, 2010  (871)  - 
DEFICIENCY:        
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 3,092,899 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012  3   3 
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 58,234,688 and 57,269,838 shares issued, 55,762,382 and 54,797,532 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively  58   57 
Treasury stock, at cost, 2,472,306 shares as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012  (4,199)  (4,199)
Paid-in-capital  104,970   95,588   106,878   105,714 
Statutory reserves  6,202   6,162   6,243   6,076 
Accumulated deficits  (51,793)  (21,787)  (414,798)  (381,782)
Accumulated other comprehensive income  10,987   8,118   729   10,185 
TOTAL SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY  69,553   88,136 
TOTAL GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. DEFICIENCY  (305,086)  (263,946)
                
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS  51,969   70,148   (188,911)  (172,063)
                
TOTAL EQUITY  121,522   158,284 
TOTAL DEFICIENCY  (493,997)  (436,009)
                
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $1,799,380  $1,224,370 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND DEFICIENCY $2,700,358  $2,650,682 

 

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5547
 

 

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONOPERATIONS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)LOSS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 20092013 AND 20082012

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 2010  2009  2008 
 As restated As restated    2013 2012 
            
SALES $1,392,770  $1,205,191  $1,004,848  $2,016,548  $1,966,391 
                    
SALES - RELATED PARTIES  489,370   474,579   346,355   447,199   897,202 
TOTAL SALES  1,882,140   1,679,770   1,351,203   2,463,747   2,863,593 
                    
COST OF GOODS SOLD  1,369,523   1,141,471   999,318   2,062,570   1,930,793 
                    
COST OF GOODS SOLD - RELATED PARTIES  481,202   449,487   343,957   457,115   900,681 
TOTAL COST OF GOODS SOLD  1,850,725   1,590,958   1,343,275   2,519,685   2,831,474 
                    
GROSS PROFIT  31,415   88,812   7,928 
GROSS (LOSS) PROFIT  (55,938)  32,119 
                    
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES  52,577   41,059   36,942   (84,226)  (105,077)
CHANGE IN FAIR VALUE OF PROFIT SHARING LIABILITY  174,569   (22,499)
                    
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS  (21,162)  47,753   (29,014)  34,405   (95,457)
                    
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)                    
Interest income  6,154   3,334   4,251   11,214   15,059 
Finance/interest expense  (51,283)  (27,843)  (23,166)  (91,878)  (153,743)
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities  15,055   (33,159)  12,821   1   9 
Gain from debt extinguishment  -   7,331   7,169 
Gain (loss) on disposal of equipment and intangible assets  424   (2,134)
Government grant  -   3,430   -   4,216   2,253 
Loss on disposal of fixed assets  (9,447)  (15,265)  - 
Realized income from future contracts  1,424   -   - 
Income from equity investments  6,383   6,257   1,896   203   217 
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)  1,394   (1,248)
Lease income  943   119   -   2,158   2,119 
Other non-operating (expense) income, net  (3,120)  939   767 
Total other income (expense), net  (33,891)  (54,857)  3,738 
Gain on deconsolidation of a subsidiary  1,011   - 
Payment for public highway construction  (6,462)  - 
Other non-operating income (expense), net  1,043   1,783 
Other expense, net  (76,676)  (135,685)
                    
LOSS BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
  (55,053)  (7,104)  (25,276)  (42,271)  (231,142)
                    
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES                    
Current  1,267   2,154   1,424   354   627 
Deferred  (10,049)  2,295   (6,835)  -   169 
Total (benefit) provision for income taxes  (8,782)  4,449   (5,411)
Provision for income taxes  354   796 
                    
NET LOSS BEFORE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST  (46,271)  (11,553)  (19,865)
NET LOSS  (42,625)  (231,938)
                    
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest  (16,265)  19,067   (8,542)
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest  (9,609)  (79,241)
                    
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTROLLING INTEREST  (30,006)  (30,620)  (11,323)
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. $(33,016) $(152,697)
                    
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)            
NET LOSS $(42,625) $(231,938)
        
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS        
Foreign currency translation adjustments  2,869   (587)  5,420   (14,425)  (744)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest  1,754   349   3,654 
                    
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS $(25,383) $(30,858) $(2,249)  (57,050)  (232,682)
                    
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest  (15,107)  (79,970)
        
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. $(41,943) $(152,712)
        
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES                    
Basic & Diluted  53,113,177   41,860,238   35,381,210 
Basic and Diluted  55,126   54,867 
                    
LOSS PER SHARE                    
Basic & Diluted $(0.56) $(0.73) $(0.32)
Basic and Diluted $(0.60) $(2.78)

 

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITYDEFICIENCY

(In thousands, except per share data)thousands)

 

  Preferred stock  Common stock  Treasury stock     Retained earnings /
Accumulated deficits
     Accumulated other       
                    Paid-in  Statutory     Contribution  comprehensive  Noncontrolling    
  Shares  Par value  Shares  Par value  Shares  Par value  capital  reserves  Unrestricted  receivable  income  interest  Totals 
                                        
BALANCE, December 31, 2007  3,092,899  $3   34,634,765  $35   -   -  $23,429  $3,632  $22,686  $(960) $3,285  $43,322  $95,432 
                                                     
Net loss attributable to controlling interest                                  (11,323)              (11,323)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest                                              (8,542)  (8,542)
Adjustment to statutory reserve                              1,270   (1,270)              - 
Common stock issued for compensation          491,804   0.49           3,929                       3,929 
Common stock transferred by CEO for compensation                          207                       207 
Common stock issued for consulting fee          100,000   0.10           360                       360 
Common stock issued for public relations          25,000   0.03           90                       90 
Common stock issued for cash          140,000   0.14           700                       700 
Acquired noncontrolling interest                                              15,896   15,896 
Notes converted to common stock          541,299   0.54           6,103                       6,104 
Make whole shares issued on notes conversion          195,965   0.18           2,310                       2,310 
Foreign currency translation adjustments                                          5,420   3,654   9,074 
                                                     
BALANCE, December 31, 2008  3,092,899  $3   36,128,833  $36   -  $-  $37,128  $4,902  $10,093  $(960) $8,705  $54,330  $114,237 
                                                     
Net loss attributable to controlling interest, as restated                                  (30,620)              (30,620)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest, as restated                                              19,067   19,067 
Disposal of subsidiaries                                              (293)  (293)
Distribution of dividend to noncontrolling shareholders                                              (3,305)  (3,305)
Adjustment to statutory reserve                              1,260   (1,260)              - 
Common stock issued for compensation          596,650   0.77           1,875                       1,876 
Common stock issued for interest payments          196,305   0.20           745                       745 
Common stock issued for repayment of debt          300,000   0.30           1,800                       1,800 
Notes converted to common stock          7,045,274   7.05           32,072                       32,079 
Make whole shares issued on notes conversion          1,795,977   1.80           7,085                       7,087 
Common stock transferred by CEO for compensation                          276                       276 
Reduction of registered capital                                      960           960 
Common stock issued for private placement          5,555,556   5.56           14,607                       14,613 
Foreign currency translation adjustments, as restated                                          (587)  349   (238)
                                                     
BALANCE, December 31, 2009, as restated  3,092,899  $3   51,618,595  $52   -  $-  $95,588  $6,162  $(21,787) $-  $8,118  $70,148  $158,284 
                                                     
Net loss attributable to controlling interest, as restated                                  (30,006)              (30,006)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest, as restated                                              (16,265)  (16,265)
Distribution of dividend to noncontrolling shareholders                                              (3,934)  (3,934)
Noncontrolling interest acquired                                              (1,270)  (1,270)
Registered capital received from noncontrolling shareholders                                              1,182   1,182 
Adjustment to special reserve                              40               354   394 
Common stock issued for compensation          733,300   0.73           2,201                       2,202 
Common stock issued for repayment of debt          928,163   0.93           2,403                       2,404 
Common stock transferred by CEO for compensation                          276                       276 
Notes converted to common stock          1,208,791   1.21           3,544                       3,545 
Make whole shares issued on notes conversion          271,507   0.27           741                       741 
Common stock issued for accrued interest on notes          79,377   0.08           217                       217 
Treasury stock purchased          (316,760)  (0.32)  316,760   (871)                          (871)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, as restated                                          2,869   1,754   4,623 
                                                     
BALANCE, December 31, 2010, as restated  3,092,899  $3   54,522,973  $55   316,760  $(871) $104,970  $6,202  $(51,793) $-  $10,987  $51,969  $121,522 
  Preferred stock  Common stock  Treasury stock     Retained earnings / Accumulated deficits  Accumulated other       
                    Paid-in  Statutory     comprehensive  Noncontrolling    
  Shares  Par value  Shares  Par value  Shares  At cost  capital  reserves  Unrestricted  income  interest  Total 
BALANCE, December 31, 2011  3,093  $3   56,602  $56   (1,091) $(2,795) $107,940  $6,388  $(229,083) $10,200  $(56,189) $(163,480)
                                                 
Net loss attributable to General Steel Holdings, Inc.                                  (152,697)          (152,697)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest                                          (79,241)  (79,241)
Adjustment to statutory reserve                              2   (2)          - 
Addition to special reserve                              691           605   1,296 
Usage of special reserve                              (693)          (566)  (1,259)
Common stock transferred by CEO for compensation                          276                   276 
Common stock issued for compensation          668   1           641                   642 
Treasury stock purchased                  (1,381)  (1,404)                      (1,404)
Deconsolidation of a subsidiary                          (3,143)  (312)          (35,943)  (39,398)
Foreign currency translation adjustments                                      (15)  (729)  (744)
                                                 
BALANCE, December 31, 2012  3,093  $3   57,270  $57   (2,472) $(4,199) $105,714  $6,076  $(381,782) $10,185  $(172,063) $(436,009)
                                                 
Net loss attributable to General Steel Holdings, Inc.                                  (33,016)          (33,016)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest                                          (9,609)  (9,609)
Addition to special reserve                              619           553   1,172 
Usage of special reserve                              (452)          (393)  (845)
Common stock transferred by CEO for compensation                          276                   276 
Common stock issued for compensation          665   1           633                   634 
Common stock issued for services          300               255                   255 
Addition to Tianwu paid-in capital                                          18,028   18,028 
Deconsolidation of a subsidiary                                      (529)  (19,929)  (20,458)
Foreign currency translation adjustments                                      (8,927)  (5,498)  (14,425)
                                                 
BALANCE, December 31, 2013  3,093  $3   58,235  $58   (2,472) $(4,199) $106,878  $6,243  $(414,798) $729  $(188,911) $(493,997)

 

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

49

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 20092013 AND 20082012

(In thousands, except per share data)thousands)

 

 2010  2009  2008  2013 2012 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: As restated As restated           
Consolidated net loss $(46,271) $(11,553) $(19,865)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in (provided by) operating activities:            
Depreciation and amortization  41,153   33,107   22,414 
Debt extinguishment  -   (7,331)  (7,169)
Bad debt allowance  326   (714)  704 
Inventory written-off  1,061   (1,533)  2,204 
Impairment of long-lived assets  1,747   -   - 
Loss (gain) on disposal of equipment  8,257   12,995   (598)
Net loss $(42,625) $(231,938)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:        
Depreciation, amortization and depletion  89,048   83,931 
Impairment of plant and equipment  -   20,173 
Change in fair value of derivative liabilities  (1)  (9)
(Gain) loss on disposal of equipment and intangible assets  (424)  2,134 
Provision for doubtful accounts  (677)  (157)
Reservation of mine maintenance fee  327   37 
Stock issued for services and compensation  2,479   2,063   2,723   1,165   918 
Net income from compensation  (1,377)  -   - 
Make whole shares interest expense on notes conversion  1,130   2,892   2,310 
Amortization of deferred note issuance cost and discount on convertible notes  17   60   833 
Change in fair value of derivative instrument  (15,055)  33,159   (12,821)
Income from investment  (7,806)  (6,257)  (1,896)
Amortization of deferred financing cost on capital lease  20,799   20,623 
Income from equity investments  (203)  (217)
Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss  (1,394)  1,248 
Gain on deconsolidation of a subsidiary  (1,011)  - 
Deferred tax assets  (10,058)  2,700   (6,937)  -   169 
Deferred lease income  (2,158)  (2,119)
Change in fair value of profit sharing liability  (174,569)  22,499 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities                    
Notes receivable  (18,498)  9,017   (33,064)  25,555   (53,946)
Accounts receivable  (8,647)  18,911   2,091   1,281   6,694 
Accounts receivable - related parties  14,065   (37,829)  (18,275)  12,161   5,835 
Other receivables  (3,210)  3,526   (2,426)  (1,116)  7,221 
Other receivables - related parties  (38,524)  6,666   2,423   (48,017)  1,820 
Inventories  (270,046)  (116,196)  29,220   (40,632)  86,635 
Advances on inventory purchase  4,681   52,655   19,916 
Advances on inventory purchase - related parties  13,782   (13,341)  7,814 
Advances on inventory purchases  25,414   (18,677)
Advances on inventory purchases - related parties  (145,686)  (69,573)
Prepaid expense and other  (916)  (83)
Long-term deferred expense  422   (424)
Prepaid taxes  (3,485)  320 
Accounts payable  76,003   10,421   11,975   23,760   (35,719)
Accounts payable - related parties  45,480   55,445   44,725   113,034   90,833 
Other payables and accrued liabilities  (1,527)  12,578   (8,828)  (10,508)  14,138 
Other payables - related parties  30,618   (13,346)  (1,482)  8,332   49,991 
Customer deposits  (24,433)  (23,400)  95,132   (41,069)  34,410 
Customer deposits - related parties  18,855   (14,319)  (2,287)  41,636   (46,960)
Taxes payable  (19,543)  (22,067)  (22,443)  (12,367)  4,957 
Deferred lease income  41,104   16,487   - 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities  (164,237)  4,796   106,393 
Net cash used in operating activities  (163,924)  (5,236)
                    
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                    
Restricted cash  741   (61,303)  (87,121)  (64,860)  78,826 
Acquired long term investment  (2,021)  (6,597)  - 
Dividend receivable      -     
Cash proceeds from disposal of long-term investment  8,137   4,912   2,782 
Cash proceeds from investment in future contracts  1,424   -   - 
Loans to related parties  (200)  (69,299)
Repayments from related parties  1,660   - 
Cash proceeds from (made to) short term investment  (81)  317 
Cash proceeds from sales of equipments and intangible assets  160   337 
Long-term other receivable  -   -   (4,788)  -   (42,994)
Cash proceeds from sales of equipment  1,828   7,231   598 
Advance on equipment purchases  (7,106)  1,604   (8,029)
Equipments purchase and intangible assets  (89,916)  (112,194)  (194,644)
Equipment purchase and intangible assets  (43,355)  (27,976)
Cash proceeds from sale of equity ownership  13,619   - 
Effect on cash due to deconsolidation of a subsidiary  (12,735)  (2,975)
Net cash used in investing activities  (86,913)  (166,347)  (291,202)  (105,792)  (63,764)
                    
CASH FLOWS FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                    
Capital contributed by noncontrolling interest  18,028   - 
Payments made for treasury stock acquired  -   (1,404)
Notes receivable - restricted  (234,342)  -   13,158   (26,066)  232,218 
Dividend payable  -   (2,343)  (815)
Cash received on stock issuance  -   23,090   700 
Payments made for treasury stock acquired  (870)  -   - 
Capital contributed by noncontrolling interest  1,184   -   - 
Payments made to dividend distribution  (2,855)  -   - 
Borrowings on short term notes payable  1,913,987   1,923,584 
Payments on short term notes payable  (1,911,006)  (2,064,571)
Borrowings on short term loans - bank  327,807   174,290   71,057   371,685   260,611 
Payments on short term loans - bank  (199,905)  (93,212)  (103,641)  (222,104)  (371,241)
Borrowings on short term loan - others  152,517   159,296   87,207   69,632   184,890 
Payments on short term loans - others  (174,913)  (126,650)  (53,031)  (72,989)  (284,242)
Borrowings on short term loan - related parties  71,714   4,398   7,222   393,833   356,989 
Payments on short term loans - related parties  (11,850)  -   (7,693)  (248,119)  (297,718)
Borrowings on short term notes payable  905,124   636,136   335,870 
Payments on short term notes payable  (693,633)  (587,598)  (200,416)
Borrowings on long term loan - related parties  91,020   -   - 
Deposits due to sales representatives  1,431   41,370   4,782   (10,455)  10,743 
Net cash provided by financing activities  232,429   228,777   154,400 
Deposit due to sales representatives - related parties  711   286 
Payments on current maturities of long-term loans - related party  (22,940)  - 
Principal payment under capital lease obligation  (218)  - 
Long-term other payable - related party  -   42,994 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  253,979   (6,861)
                    
EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGE IN CASH  1,874   (3)  1,591   1,237   2,312 
                    
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH  (16,847)  67,223   (28,818)
DECREASE IN CASH  (14,500)  (73,549)
                    
CASH, beginning of period  82,118   14,895   43,713 
CASH, beginning of year  46,467   120,016 
                    
CASH, end of period $65,271  $82,118  $14,895 
            
Non-cash transactions of investing and financing activities:            
Share issuance for debt settlement $2,404  $82,118  $- 
Other receivable - related parties offset with short-term loans of the same related party $43,323  $-  $- 
CASH, end of year $31,967  $46,467 

 

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

 

Note 1 – BackgroundOrganization and Operations

 

General Steel Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated on August 5, 2002 in the state of Nevada. The Company through its 100% owned subsidiary, General Steel Investment, operates a portfolio of steel companies serving various industries in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). The Company’s main operation is manufacturing and sales of steel products such as steel rebar, hot-rolled carbon and silicon sheets and spiral-weld pipes. The Company, together with its subsidiaries, majority owned subsidiaries and variable interest entity, is referred to as the “Group”.

 

Recent developments

TheOn April 29, 2011, a 20-year Unified Management Agreement (“the Agreement”) was entered into between the Company, has formed a new joint venture, Tianwu General Steel Material Trading Co., Ltd. (“Tianwu JV”) with Tianjin Materials and Equipment Group Corporation. The contributed capital of Tianwu JV is approximately $2.9 million (or RMB20 million), of which General Steel holds a 60% controlling interest.

Effective January 1, 2010, one of the Company’s subsidiaries, General Steel (China) Co. Ltd. changed its business model from a direct operations model to a lease operations model which will provide a steady revenue stream in the form of fixed monthly lease revenue.  See note 16 for details of the lease transaction.

Note 2 – Restatement

This financial statements contain restatements related to the certain reimbursements received related to its collaboration with Shaanxi Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd. ("Shaanxi Steel") on the construction of equipment by Shaanxi Steel during the period from June 2009 to March 2011.

During June 2009 to March 2011, General Steel worked with Shaanxi Steel to build new state-of-the-art equipment at the site of General Steel's principal60%-owned subsidiary Shaanxi Longmen Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. ("(“Longmen JV"Joint Venture”), Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group Co., Ltd. (“Shaanxi Coal”) and Shaanxi Iron and Steel Group (“Shaanxi Steel”). AsShaanxi Steel is the controlling shareholder of Shaanxi Longmen Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd (“Long Steel Group”) which is the non-controlling interest holder in Longmen Joint Venture, and Shaanxi Coal, a result,state owned entity, is the Company's Longmen JV incurred certain costsparent company of construction as well as economic losses on suspended production of certain small furnaces and other equipment to accommodateShaanxi Steel. Under the constructionterms of the newAgreement, all manufacturing machinery and equipment on behalf of Shaanxi Steel.

Dismantling began in June 2009. From that point forward through constructionLongmen Joint Venture and testing until completionthe $605.8 million (or approximately RMB 3.7 billion) of the project in March 2011, Longmen JV recorded these certain costs as they were incurred according to the nature of these costs. At the beginning of the construction in June 2009, Longmen JV reached an oral agreement with Shaanxi Steel that these costs would be reimbursed by Shaanxi Steel. In December 2010, Shaanxi Steelnewly constructed iron and Longmen JV were able to finalize the amount of costs incurred by the Longmen JV and executed two signed agreements between the two parties on December 20, 2010. Therefore, to compensate the Company, in the fourth quarter of 2010, Shaanxi Steel reimbursed Longmen JV USD 16.4 million (RMB 108 million) related to the value of assets dismantled, various site preparation costs incurred by Longmen JV and rent under a 40-year property sub-lease that was entered into by the parties in June 2009 (the "Longmen Sub-lease"), and USD 27.8 million (RMB 183 million) for the reduced production efficiency caused by the construction. These reimbursements were reported as other income and a reduction of cost of goods sold in the fourth quarter of 2010. In addition, in 2010 and 2011, Shaanxi Steel reimbursed Longmen JV USD 13.5 million (RMB 89 million) each year for trial production costs related to the two new blast furnaces, two new converters and one new sintering machine constructed andsteel making facilities owned by Shaanxi Steel, which were recordedincludes one 400m2 sintering machine, two 1,280m3 blast furnaces, two 120 ton converters and some auxiliary systems, are managed collectively as reductionsa single virtual asset pool (“Asset Pool”). Longmen Joint Venture manages the Asset Pool as the principal operating entity and is responsible for the daily operations of the new and existing facilities.

The Agreement leverages each of the parties’ operating strengths, allowing Longmen Joint Venture to costderive the greatest benefit from the cooperation and the newly constructed iron and steel making facilities. At the designed efficiency level, these new facilities are expected to contribute three million tons of goods soldcrude steel production capacity per year.

Longmen Joint Venture pays Shaanxi Steel for the use of the constructed iron and steel making facilities an amount equaling the depreciation expense on the equipment constructed by Shaanxi Steel as well as 40% of the pre-tax profit generated by the Asset Pool. The remaining 60% of the pre-tax profit is allocated to Longmen Joint Venture. As a result, the Company’s economic interest in the fourth quarterprofit generated by Longmen Joint Venture decreased from 60% to 36%. However, the overall capacity under the management of 2010Longmen Joint Venture has increased by three million tons, or 75%. The Agreement is also expected to improve Longmen Joint Venture’s cost structure through sustainable and insteady sourcing of key raw materials and reduced transportation costs. The distribution of profit is subject to a prospective adjustment after the first quartertwo years based on each entity’s actual investment of 2011. All of these reimbursements were settledtime and resources into the Asset Pool. There has been no adjustment to the Agreement from its inception to the present time nor intention to make future adjustment by offsetting other payables due from Longmen JV tothe Company and Shaanxi Steel.

 

The Company believedparties to the Agreement have agreed to establish the Shaanxi Longmen Iron and Steel Unified Management Supervisory Committee ("Supervisory Committee") to ensure that the original accounting treatment forfacilities and related resources are being operated and managed according to the reimbursement wasstipulations set forth in accordance with U.S. GAAP, based upon its understandingthe Agreement. However, the Board of Directors of Longmen Joint Venture, of which the economic substanceCompany holds 4 out of 7 seats, requires a simple majority vote. Therefore, the Board of Directors of Longmen Joint Venture remains the controlling decision-making body of Longmen Joint Venture and the natureAsset Pool. See Note 2(c) “Consolidation of reimbursement and its interpretation of U.S. GAAP. Specifically, the reimbursement to Longmen JV of the costs incurred was recognized and treated as income as the reimbursements were received, based on an oral agreement reached with Shaanxi Steel at the onset of the construction in June 2009. Subsequently, the parties entered into a written agreement in December 2010, which was effectively the implementation of the prior oral agreement and the confirmation that such costs would be reimbursed subject to an independent audit firm's verification. The reimbursements were legally and contractually unrelated to any future agreements between the parties, which may have changed the accounting treatment.

However, in connection with the preparation of its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, the Company revisited the appropriate treatment for these items. Given the complexity, and the unique structure of the transaction and the challenge with respect to finding the appropriate accounting guidance, either by direct application or analogy in relation to various aspects of the transaction, both the Company's current and former auditors agreed that a review by the Office of the Chief Accountant ("OCA") of the SEC with respect to the appropriate accounting treatment for the compensation would be helpful.

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

On April 20, 2012, after several rounds of written and oral communications, the OCA provided the Company with its guidance with respect to the accounting treatment. Following receipt of the guidance from the OCA, the Company centered the accounting treatment on the Longmen Sub-lease, under which Longmen JV sub-leased the land to Shaanxi Steel on which the new furnaces were constructed. Under this approach, the reimbursement for the net book value of the fixed assets that were demolished and for the inefficiency costs caused by the construction and loss incurred in the beginning stages of the system production are considered a part of the sub-lease. Applying the leasing guidance, these reimbursements are effectively additional rent under the sub-lease and are incorporated into the accounting treatment for the sub-lease and amortized to income over the remaining sub-lease term. In other words, the Company has concluded that, except for the reimbursement for site preparation costs, for which the income statement treatment will remain unchanged, the amount of reimbursement and previously recorded income should be deferred and recognized as a component of the property that was sub-leased during the construction, to be amortized to income over the remaining terms of the 40-year sub-lease.

As a result of the restatement, the deferred lease income on the land used right was $57.6 million and $16.5 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company recognized deferred lease income of $942,619 and $118,900, respectively. The net loss attributable to controlling interest increased by $22.3 million and $5.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.VIE.”

 

The impactAgreement constitutes an arrangement that involves a lease which met certain of these restatements on the December 31, 2010criteria of a capital lease and 2009 financial statementstherefore, the lease is reflected in the following table:

(In thousands except earnings per share) 

 December 31, 2010  December 31, 2009 
Consolidated Balance Sheets Original  Restatement  Restated  Original  Restatement  Restated 
Current Assets $1,154,591  $(15,288) $1,139,303  $615,278  $2,329  $617,607 
Plant and Equipments, net  602,612   -   602,612   555,111   (2,997)  552,114 
Total Assets  1,814,668   (15,288)  1,799,380   1,228,064   (3,694)  1,224,370 
Total Liabilities  1,644,765   33,093   1,677,858   1,061,735   4,351   1,066,086 
Accumulated Deficits  (24,086)  (27,707)  (51,793)  (16,411)  (5,376)  (21,787)
Total Shareholders' Equity  98,986   (29,433)  69,553   93,731   (5,595)  88,136 
Consolidated Statements of Operation                        
Gross Profit $71,913  $(40,498) $31,415  $88,554  $258  $88,812 
Other Expense, net  (28,561)  (5,330)  (33,891)  (45,008)  (9,849)  (54,857)
Net Loss Attributable to Controlling Interest  (7,675)  (22,331)  (30,006)  (25,244)  (5,376)  (30,620)
                         
Loss Per Share                        
Basic & Diluted  (0.14)  (0.42)  (0.56)  (0.60)  (0.13)  (0.73)
                        
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow                        
Consolidated net loss $(7,487) $(38,784) $(46,271) $(3,681) $(7,872) $(11,553)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities  (165,089)  852   (164,237)  4,798   (2)  4,796 
Net cash used in investing activities  (88,764)  1,851   (86,913)  (63,674)  (102,673)  (166,347)
Net cash provided by financing activities  234,280   (1,851)  232,429   126,104   102,673   228,777 

accounted for as such by Longmen Joint Venture as a capital lease. See reportNotes 2 “Summary of independent registered publicsignificant accounting firm.policies”, 15 “Capital lease obligations” and 16 “Profit sharing liability”.

 

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

Note 32 – Summary of significant accounting policies

Basis of presentation

The consolidated financial statements of the Company reflect the activities of the following directly and indirectly owned subsidiaries: 

Subsidiary

Percentage

of Ownership

General Steel Investment Co., Ltd.British Virgin Islands100.0%
General Steel (China) Co., Ltd. (“General Steel (China)”)PRC100.0%
Baotou Steel – General Steel Special Steel Pipe Joint Venture Co., Ltd.PRC80.0%
Yangpu Shengtong Investment Co., Ltd.PRC99.1%
Qiu Steel Investment Co., Ltd. (“Qiu Steel”)PRC98.7%
Shaanxi Longmen Iron and Steel Co. Ltd. (“Longmen Joint Venture”) (1)PRC60.0%
Maoming Hengda Steel Company, Ltd. (“Maoming Hengda”)PRC99.0%
Tianwu General Steel Material Trading Co., LtdPRC60.0%

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for information pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The financial statements include the accounts of all directly, and indirectly owned subsidiaries and the variable interest entity listed above.below. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(1)(a)Longmen Joint Venture has three consolidated subsidiaries, Hualong Fire Retardant Material Co., Ltd. (“Hualong”), Hancheng Tongxing Metallurgy Co., Ltd. (“Tongxing”) and Beijing Huatianyulong International Steel Trading Co., Ltd. (“Huatianyulong”), in which Longmen Joint Venture does not hold a controlling equity interest. Hualong, Tongxing and Huatianyulong are separate legal entities established in the PRC as limited liability companies and subsequently acquired by Longmen Joint Venture in June 2007, January 2008 and July 2008, respectively. Prior to and subsequent to their acquisition by Longmen Joint Venture, these three entities have been operating as self-sustaining integrated setsBasis of activities and assets conducted and managed for the purpose of providing a return to shareholders consisting of all the inputs, processes and outputs, which has indicated their business nature as defined in ASC 805-10-20. A step by step examination approach then has been undertaken to determine whether the aforementioned entities are eligible for a scope exception under ASC 810-10-15-17(d). After a comprehensive analysis, the Company has concluded that none of the conditions of ASC 810-10-15 and, in particular 810-10-15-14 were met upon acquisition. Therefore, Hualong, Tongxing and Huatianyulong are not VIEs. Further consideration was given to whether consolidation was appropriate under the voting interest model, specifically, ASC 810-10-15-8 which states that the power of control may exist also with a lesser percentage of ownership (i.e. less than 50%).presentation

 

The consolidated financial statements of the Company reflect the activities of the following major directly owned subsidiaries:

Percentage
Subsidiaryof Ownership
General Steel Investment Co., Ltd.British Virgin Islands100.0%
General Steel (China) Co., Ltd. (“General Steel (China)”)PRC100.0%
Baotou Steel – General Steel Special Steel Pipe Joint Venture Co., Ltd.PRC80.0%
Yangpu Shengtong Investment Co., Ltd. (“Yangpu Shengtong”)PRC99.1%
Tianjin Qiu Steel Investment Co., Ltd. (“Qiu Steel”)PRC98.7%
Longmen Joint VenturePRCVIE/60.0%
Maoming Hengda Steel Company, Ltd. (“Maoming Hengda”)PRC99.0%

Tianwu

Prior to November 19, 2013, the Company held a 60.0% equity interest in Tianwu General Steel Material Trading Co., Ltd. (“Tianwu”). 32% interest was held by General Steel (China) and 28% interest was held by Yangpu Shengtong. On November 19, 2013, the Company sold its 28% equity interest of Tianwu held by Yangpu Shengtong to Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co., Ltd., a related party through indirect common ownership, for $13.6 million (RMB 84.3 million) while retaining 32% interest held by General Steel (China). Tianwu is in the process of registering the ownership change with the local State Administration for Industry and Commerce (“SAIC”) office. As a result of this transaction, the Company met the criteria under ASC 810-10-40-4 to deconsolidate Tianwu at disposal date and recognized a gain in accordance with ASC 810-10-40-5. See Note 17 – Other income (expense) under the section “Gain on deconsolidation of a subsidiary” for details. At the same time, General Steel (China)’s remaining 32% interest is accounted for as an investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries using the equity method. See Note 2(t) - Investments in unconsolidated entities for details.

(b)Principles of consolidation – subsidiaries

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiaries, its variable interest entity (“VIE”) for which the Company is the ultimate primary beneficiary, and the VIE’s subsidiaries.

Subsidiaries are those entities in which the Company, directly or indirectly, controls more than one half of the voting power; or has the power to govern the financial and operating policies, to appoint or remove the majority of the members of the board of directors, or to cast a majority of votes at the meeting of directors.

A VIE is an entity in which the Company, or its subsidiary, through contractual arrangements, bears the risks of, and enjoys the rewards normally associated with ownership of the entity, and therefore the Company or its subsidiary is the primary beneficiary of the entity.

All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.

(c)Consolidation of VIE

Prior to entering into the Unified Management Agreement on April 29, 2011, Longmen Joint Venture had been consolidated as the Company’s 60% direct owned subsidiary. Upon entering into the Unified Management Agreement on April 29, 2011, Longmen Joint Venture was re-evaluated by the Company to determine if Longmen Joint Venture is a VIE and if the Company is the primary beneficiary.

Based on projected profits in this entity and future operating plans, Longmen Joint Venture ’s equity at risk is considered insufficient to finance its activities and therefore Longmen Joint Venture is considered to be a VIE.

The Company would be considered the primary beneficiary of the VIE if it has both of the following characteristics:

a.The power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; and
b.The obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

A Supervisory Committee was formed during the negotiation of the Unified Management Agreement. Given there is both a Supervisory Committee and a Board with respect to Longmen Joint Venture , the powers (rights and roles) of both bodies were considered to determine which party has the power to direct the activities of Longmen Joint Venture , and by extension, whether the Company continues to have the power to direct Longmen Joint Venture ’s activities after this Supervisory Committee was formed and the significant investment in plant and equipment by owners of the Longmen Joint Venture partner. The Supervisory Committee, in which the Company holds 2 out of 4 seats, requires a ¾ majority vote, while the Board, which the Company holds 4 out of 7 seats, requires a simple majority vote. As the Supervisory Committee’s role is limited to supervising and monitoring management of Longmen Joint Venture and in the event there is any disagreement between the Board and the Supervisory Committee, the Board prevails, the Supervisory Committee is considered subordinate to the Board. Thus, the Board of Directors of Longmen Joint Venture continues to be the controlling decision-making body with respect to Longmen Joint Venture. The Company, which controls 60% of the voting rights of the Board of Directors, has control over the operations of Longmen Joint Venture and as such, has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact Longmen Joint Venture ’s economic performance.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In connection with the Unified Management Agreement, the Company, Shaanxi Coal and Shaanxi Steel may provide such support on a discretionary basis or as needed in the future. See Note 2 item (d) Liquidity.

The Company has the obligation to absorb losses and the rights to receive benefits based on the profit allocation as stipulated by the Unified Management Agreement that are significant to the VIE. As both conditions are met, the Company is the primary beneficiary of Longmen Joint Venture and therefore, continues to consolidate Longmen Joint Venture as a VIE.

The Company believes that the Unified Management Agreement between Longmen Joint Venture and Shaanxi Coal is in compliance with PRC law and is legally enforceable. The Board of Directors of Longmen Joint Venture continues to be the controlling decision-making body with respect to Longmen Joint Venture. The Company, which controls 60% of the voting rights of the Board of Directors, has control over the operations of Longmen Joint Venture and as such, has the power to direct the activities of the VIE. However, PRC law and/or uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit the Company’s ability to enforce the Unified Management Agreement, which in turn, may lead to reconsideration of the VIE assessment and the potential for a different conclusion. If the Unified Management Agreement cannot be enforced, the Company would not consolidate Longmen Joint Venture as a VIE. However, the current PRC legal system has not limited the Company’s ability to enforce the Unified Management Agreement nor does the Company believe it is likely to do so in the future. The Company makes ongoing assessment to determine whether Longmen Joint Venture is a VIE.

The carrying amount of the VIE and its subsidiaries’ consolidated assets and liabilities are as follows:

  December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Current assets $1,282,054  $1,285,967 
Plant and equipment, net  1,262,144   1,154,811 
Other noncurrent assets  29,014   72,428 
Total assets  2,573,212   2,513,206 
Total liabilities  (3,040,879)  (2,943,761)
Net liabilities $(467,667) $(430,555)

VIE and its subsidiaries’ liabilities consist of the following:

  December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Current liabilities:        
Short term notes payable $988,364  $971,117 
Accounts payable  393,816   324,563 
Accounts payable - related parties  235,116   177,160 
Short term loans - bank  267,688   114,935 
Short term loans - others  55,844   141,290 
Short term loans - related parties  125,236   35,839 
Current maturities of long-term loans – related party  56,614   54,885 
Other payables and accrued liabilities  37, 028   29,769 
Other payables - related parties  88,914   64,941 
Customer deposits  87,661   109,120 
Customer deposits - related parties  18,359   21,998 
Deposit due to sales representatives  24,343   33,870 
Deposit due to sales representatives – related parties  1,997   1,238 
Taxes payable  3,357   15,339 
Deferred lease income  2,187   2,120 
Capital lease obligations, current  4,321   - 
Intercompany payable to be eliminated  21,420   30,476 
Total current liabilities  2,412,265   2,128,660 
Non-current liabilities:        
Long term loans - related parties  16,043   38,088 
Long-term other payable – related party  -   43,008 
Deferred lease income - noncurrent  75,257   75,079 
Capital lease obligations, noncurrent  375,019   330,099 
Profit sharing liability  162,295   328,827 
Total non-current liabilities  628,614   815,101 
Total liabilities of consolidated VIE $3,040,879  $2,943,761 

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  For the year ended
December 31, 2013
  For the year ended
December 31, 2012
 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Sales $2,450,256  $2,837,608 
Gross (loss) profit $(56,065) $29,512 
Income (loss) from operations $45,161  $(45,582)
Net loss attributable to controlling interest $(16,457) $(114,936)

Longmen Joint Venture has two 100% owned subsidiaries, Yuxin Trading Co., Ltd. (“Yuxin”) and Yuteng Trading Co., Ltd. (“Yuteng”). Prior to March 1, 2012, Longmen Joint Venture had three consolidated subsidiaries, Hualong Fire Retardant Material Co., Ltd. (“Hualong”), Hancheng Tongxing Metallurgy Co., Ltd. (“Tongxing”) and Beijing Huatianyulong International Steel Trading Co., Ltd. (“Huatianyulong”), in which Longmen Joint Venture did not hold a controlling equity interest. On March 1, 2012, Longmen Joint Venture sold its equity interest in Tongxing, and, as of March 31, 2012, Longmen Joint Venture has two consolidated subsidiaries, Hualong and Huatianyulong, in which it does not hold a controlling interest. Hualong and Huatianyulong are separate legal entities which were established in the PRC as limited liability companies and subsequently invested in by Longmen Joint Venture in June 2007 and July 2008, respectively. However, these two entities do not meet the definition of variable interest entities. Further consideration was given to whether consolidation was appropriate under the voting interest model, specifically where the power of control may exist with a lesser percentage of ownership (i.e. less than 50%), for example, by contract, lease, agreement with other stockholders or by court decree.

Hualong

 

Longmen Joint Venture, the single largest shareholder, holds a 36.0% equity interest in Hualong. The other two shareholders, who own 34.67% and 29.33% respectively, have assigned their voting rights to Longmen Joint Venture in writing at the time of the acquisition of Hualong. The voting rights have been assigned through the date Hualong ceases its business operationoperations or the other two shareholders sell their interest in Hualong. Hualong’s main business is to supply refractory. ForThe assets, liabilities and the operating results of Hualong are immaterial to the Company’s consolidated financial statements as for and during the years ended December 31, 2008, 20092013 and 2010, 97.4%, 99.7% and 92.1% sales of Hualong were generated through sales2012.

Tongxing

Prior to March 1, 2012, Longmen Joint Venture respectively.

Tongxing

Longmen Joint Venture holdsheld a 22.76% equity interest in Tongxing andwhile hundreds of employees of Longmen Joint Venture ownowned the remaining 77.24%. Each individual employee shareholder comprising the remaining 77.24% has assigned its voting rights to Longmen Joint Venture in writing at the time of the acquisition of Tongxing. The voting rights have been assigned through the datewere effective until Tongxing ceasesceased its business operationoperations or the employees sell their interest in Tongxing. Tongxing’s business highly relies on Longmen Joint Venture. Tongxing’s rebar processing is fully and solely engaged by Longmen Joint Venture. The metallurgical coke produced has been primarily sold to Longmen Joint Venture until August 2010 when the coke ovens were dismantled. Tongxing’s sales toliquidated its equity interest of Tongxing, whichever came first.

On March 1, 2012, Longmen Joint Venture has accounted for 98.3%, 98.4% and 98.4%sold its 22.76% equity interest of Tongxing to two individuals, who are the representatives from Long Steel Group. As of March 1, 2012, Tongxing had a carrying value of net assets of $40.5 million which were included in the consolidated net assets of the total revenue forCompany and a noncontrolling interest in Tongxing of $32.5 million. The Company retained the year ended December 31, 2008, 2009land use right associated with the Tongxing property adjacent to the Longmen Joint Venture facility, which had a carrying value of $3.6 million immediately prior to the transaction and 2010, respectively.

See reportrelinquished its controlling interest in the remaining net assets (primarily operating assets). In connection with the transaction, the Company also settled with a payable in cash of independent registered public accounting firm.

$0.3 million and transferred the dividend receivable of $0.9 million from Tongxing to the two individuals. These arrangements meet the criteria of ASC 810-10-40-6b and 6d, deconsolidation of a Subsidiary with multiple arrangements treated as a single transaction. As the land use rights held in Tongxing have been included as part of the Company’s consolidated assets, this transaction was considered as a change in the Company’s ownership interest in the land use right similar to a change in a parent company’s ownership interest in a subsidiary in accordance with ASC 810-10-45-23 and therefore the carrying value of the land use right was not stepped up to fair value. The net impact of these transactions resulted in a reduction of $3.1 million paid-in capital on March 1, 2012.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

Huatianyulong

 

Longmen Joint Venture holds a 50.0% equity interest in Huatianyulong and the other unrelated shareholder holds the remaining 50.0%. The other shareholder has assigned its voting rights to Longmen Joint Venture in writing at the time of acquisition of Huatianyulong. The voting rights have been assigned through the date Huatianyulong ceases its business operation or the other unrelated shareholder sells its interest in Huatianyulong. Huatianyulong mainly sells imported iron ore. ForThe assets, liabilities and the consecutive threeoperating results of Huatianyulong are immaterial to the Company’s consolidated financial statements as for and during the years from 2008 to 2010, more than 90% of its sales were generated through selling iron ore to Longmen Joint Venture, directlyended December 31, 2013 and indirectly.2012.

 

The Company has determined that it is appropriate for Longmen Joint Venture to consolidate these three entitiesHualong and Huatianyulong with appropriate recognition in the Company’s financial statements of the non-controlling interests in each entity, beginning on the acquisition dates as these were also the effective dates of the agreements with other stockholders granting a majority voting rights in each entity, and thereby, the power of control, to Longmen Joint Venture. The Company also has determined that it is appropriate for Longmen Joint Venture to consolidate Tongxing’s net income from the beginning of the acquisition date to March 1, 2012, the date on which Longmen Joint Venture relinquished its equity interest and majority voting rights in Tongxing, and thereby its power of control of Tongxing.

 

(d)Liquidity

Principles

The Company’s accounts have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP on a going concern basis. The going concern basis assumes that assets are realized and liabilities are extinguished in the ordinary course of consolidation – subsidiariesbusiness at amounts disclosed in the financial statements. The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern depends upon aligning its sources of funding (debt and equity) with the expenditure requirements of the Company and repayment of the short-term debt facilities as and when they fall due.

 

The Company follows ASC 810-10-15 “Consolidation – Scopesteel business is capital intensive and Scope Exceptions” when determining whether to consolidate an entityas a normal industry practice in our financial statements. All legal entities whichPRC, the Company owns directly or indirectly more than 50 percentis highly leveraged. Debt financing in the form of short term bank loans, loans from related parties, financing sales, bank acceptance notes, and capital leases have been utilized to finance the working capital requirements and the capital expenditures of the Company. As a result, the Company’s debt to equity ratio as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were (6.5) and (7.1), respectively. As of December 31, 2013, the Company’s current liabilities exceed current assets (excluding non-cash item) by $1.2 billion.

Longmen Joint Venture, as the most important entity of the Company, accounted for majority of total sales of the Company. As such, the majority of the Company’s working capital needs come from Longmen Joint Venture. The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern depends heavily on Longmen Joint Venture’s operations. Longmen Joint Venture has obtained different types of financial supports, which are listed below by category:

Line of credit

The Company received lines of credit from the listed major banks totaling $230.7 million with expiration dates ranging from March 23, 2015 to July 17, 2015.

Banks Amount of
Line of Credit
(in millions)
  Repayment Date 
Bank of Chongqing  49.1  March 23, 2015 
Industrial Bank Co., Ltd.  49.1  May 5, 2015 
China Merchant Bank  49.1  May 19, 2015 
China CITIC Bank  32.7  June 16, 2015 
Bank of Communication  18.0  July 17, 2015 
Bank of Jinzhou  32.7  March 23, 2015 
Total $230.7    

As of the date of this report, the Company utilized $182.5 million of these lines of credit.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Vendor financing

Longmen Joint Venture signed additional vendor financing agreements, which will provide liquidity to the Company in a total amount of $818.5 million with the following companies:

Company Financing period covered Financing Amount
(in millions)
 
       
Company A – related party July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2015 $163.7 
Company B – third party January 22, 2014 – January 22, 2017  163.7 
Company C – third party October 1, 2013 – March 31, 2015  491.1 
Total   $818.5 

Company A, a related party company and Company B, a third party company, are both Longmen Joint Venture’s major coke suppliers. They have been doing business with Longmen Joint Venture for years. On January 6, 2013, Company A signed a two-year agreement with Longmen Joint Venture to finance its coke purchase up to $81.9 million. On July 1, 2013, Company A agreed to increase the financing amount to $163.7 million and extend the financing period to June 30, 2015. Company B Signed a two-year agreement with Longmen Joint Venture on November 7, 2013 to finance its coke purchase up to $163.7 million and agreed to extend the financing period for another three years effective on January 22, 2014. According to the above signed agreements, both Company A and B will not demand any cash payments during their respective financing periods. As of the date of this report, our payables to Company A and Company B were approximately $54.4 million and $51.8 million, respectively.

Company C is a Fortune 500 Company. On June 28, 2013, Company C signed an agreement with Longmen Joint Venture to finance Longmen Joint Venture’s purchase of iron ore for an amount up to $491.1 million to commence on October 1, 2013 and end on March 31, 2015. Subject to the terms of the agreement, Longmen Joint Venture is subject to a penalty of 0.05% of the daily outstanding voting sharesbalance owed to Company C in an event of late payment. As of the date of this report, our payable to Company C is approximately $2.0 million.

Other financing

On February 20, 2014 and March 5, 2014, Longmen Joint Venture signed a payment extension agreement with each company listed below. In total, Longmen Joint Venture can get $217.7 million in financial support from two-year and three-year balancing payment extensions granted by the following five companies:

Company Financing period covered Financing Amount
(in millions)
 
      
Company D – related party February 20, 2014 – February 20, 2017 $32.7 
Company E – related party February 20, 2014 – February 20, 2017  37.7 
Company F – related party February 20, 2014 – February 20, 2017  32.7 
Company G – related party March 5, 2014 – March 5, 2016  57.3 
Company H – related party March 5, 2014 – March 5, 2016  57.3 
Total   $217.7 

According to the contract terms, Company D, Company E, Company F, Company G and Company H have agreed to grant payment extensions in the amounts of $32.7 million, $37.7 million, $32.7 million, $57.3 million and $57.3 million respectively. As of the date of this report, our payables to Company D, Company E, Company F, Company G and Company H are approximately $16.4 million, $26.6 million, $17.1 million, $49.1 million and $49.9, respectively.

Amount due to sales representatives

Longmen Joint Venture entered into agreements with various entities to act as the Company’s exclusive sales agents in specified geographic areas.  These exclusive sales agents must meet certain criteria and are required to deposit a certain amount of money with the Company. In return, the sales agents receive exclusive sales rights in a specified area and discounted prices on products they order. These deposits bear no interest and are required to be consolidated givenreturned to the sales agent once the agreement is terminated. As of December 31, 2013, Longmen Joint Venture has collected a total amount of $26.3 million. Historically, this amount is quite stable and we do not expect a big fluctuation in this amount for the next twelve months from December 31, 2013 onwards.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

With the financial support from the banks and the companies above, management is of the opinion that control rests with the majority owner. Entities in which the Company owns less than 50 percent voting shareshas sufficient funds to meet its future operations, working capital requirements and debt obligations until the end of December 31, 2014. The detailed breakdown of Longmen Joint Venture’s estimated cash flows items are evaluated in accordance with generally accepted account principles to determine whether the Company may hold the power of control. If we hold established power of control in such entities, the Company consolidates the entities with recognition of the non-controlling interest in them accordingly.listed below.

 

  Cash inflow (outflow)
(in millions)
 
  For the twelve months
ended December 31,
2014
 
Current liabilities over current assets (excluding non-cash items) as of December 31, 2013 $(1,179.2)
Projected cash financing and outflows:    
Cash provided by line of credit from banks  230.7 
Cash provided by vendor financing  818.5 
Cash provided by other financing  217.7 
Cash provided by sales representatives  26.3 
Cash projected to be used in operations in the twelve months ended December 31, 2014  (35.4)
Cash projected to be used for financing cost in the twelve months ended December 31, 2014  (55.2)
Net projected change in cash for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 $23.4 

Use of estimates

As a result, the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 have been prepared on a going concern basis.

(e)Use of estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United StatesU.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.footnotes. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements include the fair value of financial instruments,the profit sharing liability, the useful lives of and impairment for property, plant and equipment, and potential losses on uncollectible receivables.receivables, allowance for inventory valuation, the interest rate used in the financing sales, the fair value of the assets recorded under capital lease and the present value of the net minimum lease payments of the capital lease. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

Concentration of risks

(f)Concentration of risks and uncertainties

 

The Company’s operations are carried out in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environment in the PRC, and by the general state of the PRC’s economy. 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. 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 has significant exposure to the fluctuation of raw materials and energy prices as part of its normal operations. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company does not have any open commodity contracts to mitigate such risks.

Cash includes demand deposits in accounts maintained with banks within the PRC, Hong Kong and the United States. Total cash (including restricted cash balances) in these banks on December 31, 20102013 and 20092012 amounted to $263.1$431.3 million and $274.2$369.9 million, including $2.0 million and $2.3 million that were deposited in Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group Financial Co., Ltd., a related party, respectively. As of December 31, 2010, $1.12013, $0.1 million cash in the bank was covered by insurance. The Company has not experienced any losses in other bank accounts and believes it is not exposed to any risks on its cash in bank accounts.

 

The Company’s five major customers are all distributors and collectively represented approximately 28%, 29%22.1% and 34%26.7% of the Company’s total sales for the years ended December 31, 2010, 20092013 and 20082012, respectively. None of the five major customers accounted for more than 10% of total sales for the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These five major customers accounted for 0%, 1% and 0%47.8% of total accounts receivable, including related parties, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. None of the five major customers accounted for more than 10% of total accounts receivable as of December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.2013. One of the five major customers accounted for more than 10% of total accounts receivable as of December 31, 2012.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

For the years ended December 31, 2010, 20092013 and 2008,2012, the Company purchased approximately 48%, 42%40.2% and 30%38.9% of its raw materials from five major suppliers, respectively. One of the five major suppliers individually accounted for more than 10% of the total purchases for the year ended December 31, 2013 and none of the five major suppliers individually accounted for more than 10% of the total purchases for the year ended December 31, 2012. These five vendors accounted for 28%, 10%29.1% and 7%33.8% of total accounts payable, including related parties, as of December 31, 2010, 20092013 and 2008, respectively, none2012, respectively. None of the five major suppliers individually accounted for more than 10% of total accounts payable.

payable as December 31, 2013 and one of the five major suppliers individually accounted for more than 10% of total accounts payable as December 31, 2012.

 

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

Revenue recognition

(g)Revenue recognition

 

Sales revenue is recognized at the date of shipment to customers when a formal arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, the delivery is completed, the Company has no other significant obligations and collectability is reasonably assured. Payments received before all of the relevant criteria for revenue recognition are recorded as customer deposits. Sales revenue representsrepresent the invoiced value of goods, net of value-added tax (VAT). All of the Company’s products sold in the PRC are subject to a Chinese value-added tax at a rate of 13% or 17% of the gross sales price. This VAT may be offset by VAT paid by the Company on raw materials and other materials included in the cost of producing the finished product.

 

Foreign currency translation and other comprehensive income (as restated)

(h)Foreign currency translation and other comprehensive income

 

The reporting currency of the Company is the USU.S. dollar. The Company’s subsidiaries and VIE in China use the local currency, Renminbi (RMB), as their functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the unified exchange rate as quoted by the People’s Bank of China at the end of the period. The statement of operations accounts are translated at the average translation rates and the equity accounts are translated at historical rates. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are included in accumulated other comprehensive income in the statement of equity. Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in the results of operations as incurred.

 

Translation adjustments included in accumulated other comprehensive income amounted to $11.0$0.7 million and $8.1$10.2 million as of December 31, 20102013 and 2009,2012, respectively. The balance sheet amounts, with the exception of equity at December 31, 20102013 and 20092012 were translated at 6.596.11 RMB and 6.826.30 RMB to $1.00, respectively. The equity accounts were stated at their historical rate. The average translation rates applied to statement of operations accounts for the years ended December 31, 2010, 20092013 and 20082012 were 6.76 RMB, 6.826.19 RMB and 7.076.30 RMB, respectively. Cash flows are also translated at average translation rates for the periods, therefore, amounts reported on the statement of cash flows will not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the consolidated balance sheet.

 

The PRC government imposes significant exchange restrictions on fund transfers out of the PRC that are not related to business operations. These restrictions have not had a material impact on the Company because it has not engaged in any significant transactions that are subject to the restrictions.

 

Financial instruments

(i)Financial instruments

 

The accounting standards regarding fair value of financial instruments and related fair value measurements defines financial instruments and requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments held by the Company. The Company considers the carrying amount of cash, short term investment, accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, to approximate their fair values because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization. For short term loans and notes payable, the Company concluded the carrying values are a reasonable estimate of fair valuevalues because of the short period of time between the origination and repayment and as their stated interest rate approximatesrates approximate current rates available.

 

The Company analyzes all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity, pursuant to which the Company’s warrants were required to be recorded as a liability at fair value and marked to market each reporting period.

 

The accounting standards define fair value, establish a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of fair value measurement and enhance disclosure requirements for fair value measures. The three levels are defined as follow:

 

 ·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 assets or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instruments.

 

 ·Level 3 inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value.

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On December 31, 2010

In December13, 2007, the Company issued convertible notes totaling $40entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) with certain institutional investors issuing $40.0 million (“Notes”) and 1,154,958 warrants. The warrants can be exercised for common stock through May 13, 2013 at $13.51 per share, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. On December 24, 2009, the holders of the existing warrants of 1,154,958 shares entered into an agreement with the Company that reset the exercise price from $13.51 to $5 per share and increased the number of warrants from 1,154,958 to 3,900,871, which expired on May 13, 2013.

In December 2009, the Company issued an additional 2,777,778 warrants in connection with a registered direct offering. offering, which expired as of June 24, 2012.

The aforementioned warrants and the conversion option embedded in the Notes meetmet the definition of a derivative instrument in the accounting standards. Therefore, these instruments arewere accounted for as derivative liabilities and recorded at their fair value onas of each reporting period. The change in the value of the derivative liabilities is charged against or credited to income.  The fair value was determined using the Cox Rubenstein Binomial Model, defined in the accounting standard as levelLevel 2 inputs, and recorded the change in earnings. The value of the warrants reduced to $0 upon the expiration of the exercise option of the warrants. See Note 12– “Convertible notes and warrants” for the variables used in the Cox Rubenstein Binomial model.

The Unified Management Agreement related to the capital lease of the Asset Pool consisted of two components: (1) a fixed monthly payment based on Shaanxi Steel’s cost to construct the assets of $2.3 million (RMB 14.6 million) to be paid over the 20 year term of the Unified Management Agreement; and (2) 40% of any remaining pre-tax profits from the Asset Pool, which includes Longmen Joint Venture and the constructed iron and steel making facilities. The aforementioned profit sharing component meets the definition of a derivative instrument under ASC 815-10-15-83, as such, the profit sharing liability is treated as a derivative liability. Therefore, it is recognized initially at its estimated fair value at inception in accordance with ASC 815-10-25-1 and recorded at their fair value as of each reporting period. The change in the value of the profit sharing liability is charged against or credited to income.

The Company determined the fair value of the profit sharing liability using Level 3 inputs by considering the present value of Longmen Joint Venture’s projected profits/losses with a discount rate of 7.3% based on the Company’s average borrowing rate. The projected profits/losses in Longmen Joint Venture were based upon, but not limited to, the following assumptions until April 30, 2031:

·projected selling units and growth in the steel market
·projected unit selling price in the steel market
·projected unit purchase cost in the coal and iron ore markets
·selling and general and administrative expenses to be in line with the growth in the steel market
·projected bank borrowings
·interest rate index
·gross nation product index
·industry index
·government policy

The above assumptions were reviewed by the Company at December 31, 2013 and the Company changed those assumptions as compared to the assumption used at December 31, 2012 because of the changes in market conditions in PRC. Since the Company had the most updated information from the banks, GDP report, government policies, and the operating results from the year ended December 31, 2013, all of the above information indicated the downward trend in the steel manufacturing industry in the coming years. As a result, the derivative liabilities are carriedCompany re-measured the fair value of the 40% profit sharing liability as of the period ended December 31, 2013 and recorded a gain on change in fair value of profit sharing liability of $ $174.6 million for the consolidated balance sheet at their fair value.year ended December 31, 2013.

 

(in thousands) Carrying Value
as of December
31, 2010
  Fair Value Measurements at December 31,
2010 Using Fair Value Hierarchy
 
     Level 1  Level 2  Level 3 
Derivative liabilities $5,573      $5,573     

If there will be any slight changes in any of the assumptions that we used, the fair value of the profit sharing liability will be changed accordingly. If we would reduce the projected bank borrowings rate by 1.0% and other factors remained unchanged, our profit sharing liability as of December 31, 2013 would have been $186.0 million and we would reduce the gain from the change in the fair value of profit sharing liabilities by $23.4 million. If we would reduce the projected selling units and growth in the steel market rate by 1.0% and other factors remained unchanged, our profit sharing liability as of December 31, 2013 would have been $159.8 million and we would increase the gain from the change in the fair value of profit sharing liabilities by $2.5 million.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table sets forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013:

  Carrying Value as  Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 
(in thousands) of December 31,
2013
  2013
Using Fair Value Hierarchy
 
     Level 1  Level 2  Level 3 
Profit sharing liability $162,295  $-  $-  $162,295 
Total $162,295  $-  $-  $162,295 

The following table sets forth by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2012:

(in thousands) Carrying Value as
of December 31,
2012
  Fair Value Measurements at December 31,
2012
Using Fair Value Hierarchy
 
     Level 1  Level 2  Level 3 
Derivative liabilities - warrants $1  $-  $1  $- 
Profit sharing liability  328,827   -   -   328,827 
Total $328,828  $-  $1  $328,827 

The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

  December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Beginning balance $328,828  $303,243 
Change in fair value of profit sharing liability  (174,569)  22,499 
Change of derivative liabilities charged to earnings  1   9 
Exchange rate effect  8,035   3,077 
Ending balance $162,295  $328,828 

 

Except for the derivative liabilities and profit sharing liability, the Company did not identify any other assets or liabilities that are required to be presented on the balance sheet at fair value in accordance with the accounting standard. The carrying value of the long term loans-related party approximates to its fair value as of the reporting date.

 

Level 3 Valuation Reconciliation:

  Convertible Notes 
  (in thousands) 
Balance, December 31, 2009 $1,050 
Current period effective interest charges on notes  389 
Current period payments made for principal and stated interest  (217)
Current period note converted carrying value  (1,222)
Balance, December 31, 2010 $- 
(j)Cash

 

Cash

Cash includes cash on hand and demand deposits in banks with original maturities of less than three months.

 

Restricted cash

(k)Restricted cash

 

The Company has notes payable outstanding with various banks and is required to keep certain amounts on deposit that are subject to withdrawal restrictions. The notes payable are generally short term in nature due to its maturity period of six months or less, thus restricted cash is classified as a current asset.

 

(l)Short term investment

Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts

Short-term investments are certificated deposits maintained with banks within the PRC with maturity date of less than one year.

(m)Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts

 

Accounts receivable include trade accounts due from customers and other receivables from cash advances to employees, related parties or third parties. An allowance for doubtful accounts is established and recorded based on managements’ assessment of potential losses based on the credit history and relationships with the customers. Management reviews its receivablereceivables on a regular basis to determine if the bad debt allowance is adequate, and adjusts the allowance when necessary. Delinquent account balances are written-off against allowance for doubtful accounts after management has determined that the likelihood of collection is not probable.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Notes receivable

(n)Notes receivable

 

Notes receivable represents trade accounts receivable due from various customers where the customers’ banks have guaranteed the payment. The notes are non-interest bearing and normally paid within three to six months. The Company has the ability to submit request for payment to the customer’s bank earlier than the scheduled payment date, but will incur an interest charge and a processing fee. The Company had $49.1 million and $29.2 million outstanding as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

Restricted notes receivable represents notes receivable pledged as collateral for short-term loans and short-term notes payable issued by banks. As

Interest expenses for early submission request of payment amounted to $37.9 million and $90.0 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 20102013 and 2009, restricted notes receivable amounted to $240.3 million and $0, respectively.2012.

 

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

Advances on inventory purchase

(o)Advances on inventory purchase

 

Advances on inventory purchases are monies deposited or advanced to outside vendors or related parties on future inventory purchases. Due to the high shortage of steelraw material in China, most of the Company’s vendors require a certain amount of money to be deposited with them as a guarantee that the Company will complete its purchases on a timely basis.

 

This amount is refundable and bears no interest. The Company has legally binding contracts with its vendors, which required the deposit to be returned to the Company when the contract ends. The inventory is normally delivered within one month after the monies have been advanced. The total outstanding amount, including advances to related parties, was $30.8 million and $31.4 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

Inventories

(p)Inventories

 

Inventories are comprised of raw materials, work in progress and finished goods and are stated at the lower of cost or market using the weighted average cost method. Management reviews inventories for obsolescence and cost in excess of net realizable value at least annually and records a reserve against the inventory and additional cost of goods sold when the carrying value exceeds net realizable value. The Company had written-off $1.1$9.8 million and $38.5 million inventory cost as of December 31, 2010.2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

Shipping and handling

(q)Shipping and handling

 

Shipping and handling for raw materials purchased are included in cost of goods sold. Shipping and handling cost incurred to ship finished products to customers are included in selling expenses. Shipping and handling expenses for finished goods for the years ended December 31, 2010, 20092013 and 20082012 amounted to $9.5 million, $6.8$23.1 million and $4.9$23.7 million, respectively.

 

Plant and equipment, net

(r)Plant and equipment, net

 

Plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets with a 3%-5% residual value.

The depreciation expense on assets acquired under capital leases is included with depreciation expense on owned assets. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

 

Buildings and Improvements 10-40 Years 
Machinery 10-30 Years
Machinery and equipment under capital lease10-20 Years 
Other equipment 5 Years 
Transportation Equipment 5 Years 

The Company assesses all significant leases for purposes of classification as either operating or capital. At lease inception, if the lease meets any of the four following criteria, the Company will classify it as a capital lease; otherwise it will be treated as an operating lease: a) transfer of ownership to lessee at the end of the lease term, b) bargain purchase option, c) lease term is equal to 75% or more of the estimated economic life of the leased property, d) the present value of the minimum lease payments is 90% or more of the fair value of the leased asset.

 

Construction in progress represents the costs incurred in connection with the construction of buildings or new additions to the Company’s plant facilities. No depreciation is provided for construction in progress until such time as the assets are completed and are placed into service, maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are charged directly to expense as incurred. Major additions and betterment to buildings and equipment are capitalized. Interest incurred during construction is capitalized into construction in progress. All other interest is expensed as incurred.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Long lived assets, including buildings and improvements, equipment and intangible assets are reviewed if events and changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable, to determine whether their carrying value has become impaired. The Company considers assets to be impaired if the carrying value exceeds the future projected cash flows from related operations. The Company also re-evaluates the periods of depreciation and amortization to determine whether subsequent events and circumstances warrant revised estimates of useful lives. As of December 31, 2010, the Company impaired long lived assets in the amount of $1.7 million.

 

Intangible assets

(s)Intangible assets

 

All land in the PRC is owned by the government. However, the government grants “land use rights.”  General Steel (China) acquired land use rights in 2001 for a total of $3.6 million. These land use rights are for 50 years and expire in 2050 and 2053. Management elected to amortize the land use rights over the ten-year business term because its initial business license had a ten-year term. Although General Steel (China) became a Sino-Foreign Joint Venture in 2004, and obtained a new business license for twenty years, the Company decided to continue amortizing the land use rights over the original ten-year business term.

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

Long Steel Group contributed land use rights for a total amount of $22.5 million to the Longmen Joint Venture. The contributed land use rights are for 50 years and expire in 2048 to 2052.

Maoming Hengda has land use rights amounting to $2.3 million for 50 years that expire in 2054.

Entity Original Cost  Expires on
  (in thousands)   
General Steel (China) $3,599  2050 & 2053
Longmen Joint Venture $22,546  2048 & 2052
Maoming Hengda $2,317  2054

IntangibleFinite lived intangible assets of the Company are reviewed at least annually, more often whenfor impairment if events and circumstances require, determining whether their carrying value has become impaired.require. The Company considers assets to be impaired if the carrying value exceeds the future projected cash flows from related operations. The Company also re-evaluates the periods of amortization to determine whether subsequent events and circumstances warrant revised estimates of useful lives.  As of December 31, 2010,2013, the Company expects these assets to be fully recoverable.

 

InvestmentsLand use rights

All land in unconsolidated subsidiariesthe PRC is owned by the government. However, the government grants “land use rights.”  General Steel (China) acquired land use rights in 2001 for a total of $3.9 million (RMB 23.7 million). These land use rights are for 50 years and expire in 2050 and 2053. The Company amortizes the land use rights over the twenty-year business term because its business license had a twenty-year term.

 

SubsidiariesLong Steel Group contributed land use rights for a total amount of $24.3 million (RMB 148.3 million) to the Longmen Joint Venture. The contributed land use rights are for 50 years and expire in 2048 to 2052.

Maoming Hengda has land use rights amounting to $2.7 million (RMB 16.6 million) for 50 years that expire in 2054.

Other than the land use rights that General Steel (China) acquired in 2001, the Company amortizes the land use rights over their 50 year term.

Entity Original Cost  Expires on 
  (in thousands)    
General Steel (China) $3,884   2050 & 2053 
Longmen Joint Venture $24,283   2048 & 2052 
Maoming Hengda $2,717   2054 

Mining right

Mining rights are capitalized at cost when acquired, including amounts associated with any value beyond proven and probable reserves, and amortized to operations as depletion expense using the units-of-production method over the estimated proven and probable recoverable tons. Longmen Joint Venture has iron ore mining right amounting to $2.5 million (RMB 15.0 million), which is amortized over the estimated recoverable reserve of 4.2 million tons.

(t)Investments in unconsolidated entities

Entities in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not have a controlling interest, are accounted for using the equity method. Significant influence is generally considered to exist when the Company has an ownership interest in the voting stock between 20% and 50%, and other factors, such as representation on the Board of Directors, voting rights and the impact of commercial arrangements, are considered in determining whether the equity method of accounting is appropriate. The Company accounts for investments with ownership less than 20% using the cost method.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The table below summarizes Longmen Joint VentureVenture’s investment holdings as of December 31, 2013 and its subsidiary - Hancheng Tongxing Metallurgy Co., Ltd. (“Tongxing Metallurgy”) invested in several companies from 2004 to 2009.2012.

 

Unconsolidated subsidiary Year acquired Amount invested
(In thousands)
  % owned 
Shaanxi Daxigou Mining Co., Ltd 2004 $4,779   22.0 
Shaanxi Xinglong Thermoelectric Co., Ltd 2004 - 2007  8,534   20.7 
Huashan Metallurgical Equipment Co.,  Ltd. 2003  2,907   25.0 
Shaanxi Longgang Group Xian Steel Co., Ltd 2005  -   10.0 
Xian Delong Powder Engineering Materials Co., Ltd. 2006  1,236   27.0 
Total   $17,456     
Unconsolidated entities Year
acquired
  December 31,
2013
Net investment
(In thousands)
  Owned
%
  December 31,
2012
Net investment
(In thousands)
  Owned
%
 
Xi’an Delong Powder Engineering Materials Co., Ltd.  2007  $1,215   24.1  $1,166   24.1 

The table below summarizes General Steel (China)’s investment holding (see Note 2(a) - Basis of presentation) as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.

Unconsolidated entities Year
acquired
  December 31,
2013
Net investment
(In thousands)
  Owned
%
  December 31,
2012
Net investment
(In thousands)
  Owned
%
 
Tianwu General Steel Material Trading Co., Ltd.  2010  $15,728   32.0  $1,064   32.0 

 

Total investment income in unconsolidated subsidiaries amounted to $6.4$0.2 million and $6.3$0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 20102013 and 2009, respectively.2012, respectively, which was included in “Income from equity investments” in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

 

On May 2010, Tongxing Metallurgy disposed its long-term investment in Shaanxi Longmen Coal Chemical Industry Co., Ltd to an unrelated party for consideration of $8.1 million (RMB 55 million). Tongxing Metallurgy realized a $1.5 million gain on disposal for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Short-term notes payable

(u)Short-term notes payable

 

Short-term notes payable are lines of credit extended by banks. The banks in-turn issue the Company a bankers acceptance note, which can be endorsed and assigned to vendors as payments for purchases. The notes payable are generally payable at a determinable period, generally three to six months. This short-term notenotes payable bears no interest and is guaranteed by the bank for its complete face value and usually matures within three to six-month period. The banks usually require the Company to deposit a certain amount of cash at the bank as a guarantee deposit, which is classified on the balance sheet as restricted cash.

 

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

Customer deposits (as restated)

(v)Customer deposits

 

Customer deposits represent amounts advanced by customers on product orders. The product normally is shipped within one month after receipt of the advance payment, and the related sale is recognized in accordance with the Company’s revenue recognition policy. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, customer deposits amounted to $188.4 million and $121.9 million, including deposits paid to relate parties, which amounted to $54.9 million and $3.0 million, respectively.

 

Deferred lease income(as restated)

(w)Deferred lease income

 

During June 2009 to March 2011, General Steel worked with Shaanxi Steel to build new state-of-the-art equipment at the site of General Steel's principal subsidiary, ShaanxiTo reimburse Longmen Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. ("Longmen JV"). As a result, the Company's Longmen JVJoint Venture for certain construction costs incurred certain costs of construction as well as economic losses on suspended production of certain small furnaces and other equipment to accommodate the construction of the new equipment,iron and steel making facilities on behalf of Shaanxi Steel. To compensate the Company,Steel, in the fourth quarter of 2010, Shaanxi Steel reimbursed Longmen JV USD 16.4 million (RMB 108 million) related toJoint Venture for the value of assets dismantled, various site preparation costs incurred by Longmen JV and rent under a 40-year propertyland sub-lease that was entered into by the parties in June 2009 (the "Longmen Sub-lease"), and USD 27.8 million (RMB 183 million) for the reduced production efficiency caused by the construction. Applying the lease accounting guidance, (ASC 840-20-25-1), the Company has concluded that, except for the reimbursement for site preparation costs incurred, the amount of reimbursement should be deferred and recognized as a component of the propertyland that was sub-leased during the construction, to be amortized to income over the remaining termsterm of the 40-year sub-lease.

Deferred lease income represents the remaining balance of compensation being deferred. As of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the balance of $57.6 million and $16.5 million represented the balance of remaining deferredSee Note 14 - “Deferred lease income respectively.income”.

 

(x)Non-controlling Interest

Earnings per share

Non-controlling interest mainly consists of Long Steel Group’s 40% interest in Longmen Joint Venture, Baotou Iron and Steel Group’s 20% interest in Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture, an individuals’ 0.9% interest in Yangpu Shengtong, two individuals’ 1.3% interest in Qiu Steel, and an individual’s 1% interest in Maoming Hengda, The non-controlling interests are presented in the consolidated balance sheets, separately from equity attributable to the shareholders of the Company. Non-controlling interests in the results of the Company are presented on the face of the consolidated statement of operations as an allocation of the total income or loss for the year between non-controlling interest holders and the shareholders of the Company.

(y)Earnings (loss) per share

 

The Company has adopted the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States regarding earnings per share (“EPS”), which requires presentation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share in conjunction with the disclosure of the methodology used in computing such earnings (loss) per share.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share are computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share takes into account the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised and converted into common stock.

 

(z)Treasury Stock

Income taxes

Treasury stock consists of shares repurchased by the Company that are no longer outstanding and are held by the Company. Treasury stock is accounted for under the cost method.

As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had repurchased 2,472,306 total shares of its common stock under the share repurchase plan approved by the Board of Directors in December 2010.

(aa)Income taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method as required by this accounting standard, the recognition of deferred income tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the income tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities. Provision for income taxes consists of taxes currently due plus deferred taxes. The accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for accounting for uncertainty in income taxes clarify the accounting and disclosure for uncertain tax positions.  A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded.

 

The charge for taxation is based on the results for the year as adjusted for items, which are non-assessable or disallowed. It is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

 

Deferred tax is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method in respect of temporary differences arising from differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and the corresponding tax basis used in the computation of assessable tax profit. In principle, deferred tax liabilities are recognized for all taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilized. Deferred tax is calculated using tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized or the liability is settled. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it is related to items credited or charged directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Company intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.

 

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

Deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, net operating loss carry forwards and credits, by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Current income taxes are provided for in accordance with the laws of the relevant taxing authorities.

 

Share-based compensationAn uncertain tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. Penalties and interest incurred related to underpayment of income tax are classified as income tax expense in the period incurred. No significant penalties or interest relating to income taxes have been incurred during the years ended December 31, 2013, and 2012. As of December 31, 2013, the Company’s income tax returns filed for December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 remain subject to examination by the taxing authorities.

(bb)Share-based compensation

 

The Company accounts for equity instruments issued in exchange for the receipt of goods or services from other than employees in accordance with the accounting standards regarding accounting for stock-based compensation and accounting for equity instruments that are issued to other than employees for acquiring or in conjunction with selling goods or services. Costs are measured at the estimated fair market value of the consideration received or the estimated fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably determinable. The value of equity instruments issued for consideration other than employee services is determined on the earlier of a performance commitment or completion of performance by the provider of goods or services as defined by these accounting standards. In the case of equity instruments issued to consultants, the fair value of the equity instrument is recognized over the term of the consulting agreement.

Noncontrolling interests

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted accounting principles generally accepted in the United States regarding noncontrolling interest in the consolidated financial statements. Certain provisions of this statement are required to be adopted retrospectively for all periods presented. Such provisions include a requirement that the carrying value of noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interests) be removed from the mezzanine section of the balance sheet and reclassified as equity.

Further, as a result of adopting this accounting standard, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is now excluded from the determination of consolidated net income. In addition, the foreign currency translation adjustment is allocated between controlling and noncontrolling interests.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-06 – Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. This update provides amendments to Subtopic 820-10 that requires new disclosure as follows: 1) Transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2. A reporting entity should disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers.  2)  Activity in Level 3 fair value measurements.  In the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), a reporting entity should present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (that is, on a gross basis rather than as one net number). This update provides amendments to Subtopic 820-10 that clarify existing disclosures as follows: 1) Level of disaggregation. A reporting entity should provide fair value measurement disclosures for each class of assets and liabilities. A class is often a subset of assets or liabilities within a line item in the statement of financial position. A reporting entity needs to use judgment in determining the appropriate classes of assets and liabilities. 2) Disclosures about inputs and valuation techniques. A reporting entity should provide disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. Those disclosures are required for fair value measurements that fall in either Level 2 or Level 3. The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU. However, the Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-13, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Effect of Denominating the Exercise Price of a Share-Based Payment Award in the Currency of the Market in Which the Underlying Equity Security Trades,” or ASU 2010-13. ASU 2010-13 provides amendments to Topic 718 to clarify that an employee share-based payment award with an exercise price denominated in currency of a market in which a substantial porting of the entity’s equity securities trades should not be considered to contain a condition that is not a market, performance, or service condition. Therefore, an entity would not classify such an award as a liability if it otherwise qualifies as equity. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2010.  The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2010-13 to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

(cc)Recently issued accounting pronouncements

 

In July 2010,2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-11,Presentation of Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carry forward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carry forward Exists,an amendment to FASB issued ASU 2010-20, “Disclosures aboutAccounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 740,Income Taxes("FASB ASC Topic 740"). This update clarifies that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the Credit Qualityfinancial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carry forward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carry forward if such settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax position is disallowed. In situations where a net operating loss carry forward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carry forward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of Financing Receivablesthe applicable jurisdiction or the tax law of the jurisdiction does not require, and the Allowanceentity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for Credit Losses.”such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. This update amends codification topic 310 on receivables to improve the disclosures that an entity provides about the credit quality of its financing receivables and the related allowance for credit losses. As a result of these amendments, an entityASU is required to disaggregate by portfolio segment or class certain existing disclosures and provide certain new disclosures about its financing receivables and related allowance for credit losses. This guidance is being phased in, with the new disclosure requirements for period end balances effective as of December 31, 2010, and the new disclosure requirements for activity during the reporting period are effective March 31, 2011. The troubled debt restructuring disclosures in this ASU have been delayed by ASU 2011-01 “Deferral of the Effective Date of Disclosures about Troubled Debt Restructurings in Update No. 2010-20,” which was issued in January 2011.

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-28 which amend “Intangibles- Goodwill and Other” (Topic 350). The ASU modifies Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting entities, they are required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. An entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that impairment may exist. The qualitative factors are consistent with the existing guidance in Topic 350, which requires that goodwill of a reporting unit be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances changes that would more likely than not reduce the faire value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. ASU 2010-28 is effectiveprospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010. Early adoption2013. Retrospective application is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU; however, the Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU willguidance did not have a materialany significant impact on itsthe Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-29 which address diversity in practice about the interpretation of the pro forma revenue and earnings disclosure requirements for business combinations (Topic 805). This ASU specifies that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. This ASU also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosures under Topic 805 to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. ASU 2010-29 is effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU and expected the adoption of this ASU will have an impact on its future business combinations.

Reclassifications

(dd)Reclassifications

 

Certain prior periodyear amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current periodyear presentation. These classificationsreclassifications have no effect on net income.the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and cash flows.

Note 3 – Loans receivable – related parties

Loans receivable – related parties represents amounts the Company expects to collect from related parties upon maturity.

The Company had the following loans receivable – related parties due within one year as of:

  December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Loans to Long Steel Group; due on demand and non-interest bearing. $-  $63,319 
Loan to Teamlink Investment Co., Ltd; due in June, July and December 2014; interest rate was 4.75%  4,540   6,000 
Total loans receivable – related parties $4,540  $69,319 

See Note 20“Related party transactions and balances” for the nature of the relationship of related parties.

Total interest income for the loans amounted to $0.3 million and $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

Note 4 – Accounts receivable (including related parties), net (as restated)

 

Accounts receivable, excludingincluding related party receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts consists of the following:

 

  December 31, 2010
As restated
  December 31,2009
As restated
 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Accounts receivable $18,796  $9,630 
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts  (296)  (490)
Net accounts receivable $18,500  $9,140 

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.

  December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Accounts receivable $5,131  $8,062 
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts  (1,053)  (1,367)
Accounts receivable – related parties  2,942   14,966 
Net accounts receivable $7,020  $21,661 

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

Movement of allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:

 

 December 31, 2010 December 31, 2009  December 31, 2013 December 31, 2012 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands)  (in thousands) (in thousands) 
Beginning balance $490  $401  $1,367  $2,023 
Charge to expense  174   246   96   433 
Less Write-off  (386)   (157) 
Less: recovery  (449)  (1,109)
Exchange rate effect  18   -   39   20 
Ending balance $296  $490  $1,053  $1,367 

 

Note 5 – Inventories (as restated)

 

Inventories consist of the following:

 

 December 31, 2010  December 31, 2009 
  As restated  As restated   December 31, 2013 December 31, 2012 
 (in thousands) (in thousands)  (in thousands) (in thousands) 
Supplies $13,733  $12,235  $21,040  $23,123 
Raw materials  381,178   134,874   164,301   141,503 
Finished goods  58,725   30,260   42,977   57,630 
Less: allowance for inventory valuation  (15,397)  (9,585)
Total inventories $453,636  $177,369  $212,921  $212,671 

 

Raw materials consist primarily of iron ore and coke at Longmen Joint Venture. The cost of finished goods includes direct costs of raw materials as well as direct labor used in production. Indirect production costs at normal capacity such as utilities and indirect labor related to production such as assembling, shipping and handling costs for purchasing are also included in the cost of inventory.

 

The Company values its inventory at the lower of cost or market, determined on a weighted average method, or net realizable value. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had provided allowance for inventory valuation in the amounts of $15.4 million and $9.6 million, respectively.

Movement of allowance for inventory valuation is as follows:

  December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Beginning balance $9,585  $38,143 
Addition  15,194   9,582 
Less: write-off  (9,757)  (38,519)
Exchange rate effect  375   379 
Ending balance $15,397  $9,585 

Note 6 – Advances on inventory purchases

Advances on inventory purchases are monies deposited or advanced to outside vendors or related parties on future inventory purchases. Most of the Company’s vendors require a certain amount of money to be deposited with them as a guarantee that the Company will complete its purchases on a timely basis.

This amount is refundable and bears no interest. The Company has legally binding contracts with its vendors, which require the deposit to be returned to the Company or netted against accounts payable due to its vendors to the extent there are unpaid balances when the contract ends. The inventory is normally delivered within one month after the monies have been advanced. The total outstanding amount, including advances to related parties, was $127.9 million and $126.1 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Note 7 – Plant and equipment, net (as restated)

 

Plant and equipment consist of the following:

 

 December 31, 2010  December 31, 2009 
 As restated  As restated  December 31, 2013 December 31, 2012 
 (in thousands) (in thousands)  (in thousands) (in thousands) 
Buildings and improvements $116,294  $121,837  $274,402  $214,661 
Machinery  502,958   464,070   667,093   573,572 
Machinery under capital lease  623,895   587,334 
Transportation and other equipment  13,253   8,660   22,991   20,274 
Construction in progress  65,749   31,715   11,412   4,645 
Subtotal  698,254   626,282   1,599,793   1,400,486 
Less accumulated depreciation  (95,642)  (74,168)
Less: accumulated depreciation  (327,886)  (232,650)
Total $602,612  $552,114  $1,271,907  $1,167,836 

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Construction in progress consisted of the following as of December 31, 2010:2013:

 

Construction in progress Value  Estimated
completion
 Estimated
additional cost
 
description In thousands  date In thousands 
Employee cafeteria $4,527  July 2011 $1,070 
3# lime stone grinding machine  2,572  In trial production  - 
Rebar production line  51,969  June 2011  3,078 
Transformation of slag processing  1,392  September, 2011  7,892 
Grand handling for new material yard  1,088  May 2011  85 
Other  4,201  By the end of 2011  3,669 
Total $65,749    $15,794 
Construction in progress Value Completion  Estimated
additional cost to
complete
 
description (In thousands) date  (In thousands) 
Iron-making system dust removing equipment $141  January 2014  $1,381 
Factory wall repair  945  March 2014   105 
Equipment updates  843  January 2014   2,725 
Sintering machine construction  257  November 2014   143,525 
#5 blast furnace construction  1,907  December 2014   176,526 
Electrical substation construction  4  August 2014   24,229 
Reconstruction of miscellaneous factory buildings  4,428  June 2014   4,533 
Project materials  2,156      - 
Others  731      - 
Total $11,412     $353,024 

 

See reportThe Company is obligated under a capital lease for the iron and steel making facilities, including one sintering machine, two converters, two blast furnaces and some auxiliary systems that expire on April 30, 2031. During 2013, Longmen Joint Venture entered into a number of independent registered public accounting firm.capital lease agreements for energy-saving equipment installed throughout the steel production line. The Company is obligated under the capital lease for the equipment upon the confirmation of the energy-saving rate between the Company and its vendors.

 

The carrying value of assets acquired under the capital lease consists of the following:

  December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Machinery $623,895  $587,334 
Less:accumulated depreciation  (77,086)  (46,497)
Carrying value of leased assets $546,809  $540,837 

The Company assessed the recoverability of all of its remaining long-lived assets at December 31, 2012, and the sum of the discounted future cash flows expected to result from the long-lived assets and their disposition was less than the carrying value by $20.2 million (RMB 127.2 million), which was impaired and included in the selling, general and administrative expenses for the for the year ended December 31, 2012. The discounted cash flows were determined using certain expected changes to the current operational assumptions. If those expectations are not met, the Company may be required to record additional impairment charges in future periods.

The Company assessed the recoverability of all of its remaining long lived assets at December 31, 2013 and such assessment did not result in any other impairment charges for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 amounted to $87.9 million and $82.5 million, respectively. These amounts include depreciation of assets held under capital leases for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, which amounted to $28.7 million and $27.9 million, respectively.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

Long lived assets, including construction in progress are reviewed if events and changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable, to determine whether their carrying value has become impaired. The Company determined that the construction in progress in Maoming Hengda was impaired as of June 30, 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2010, $1.7 million construction-in-progress has been written off and included in operating expense.

Depreciation, including amounts in cost of goods sold, for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 amounted to $40.1 million, $32.1 and $21.5 million, respectively.

 

Note 78 – Intangible assets, net

 

Intangible assets consist of the following:

 

  December 31, 2010  December 31, 2009 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Land use rights $28,462  $27,519 
Software  660   424 
Subtotal  29,122   27,943 
         
Accumulated amortization – land use right  (5,316)   (4,143) 
Accumulated amortization – software  (134)   (67) 
Subtotal  (5,450)   (4,210) 
Intangible assets, net $23,672  $23,733 

  December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Land use rights $30,884  $29,986 
Mining right  2,459   2,384 
Software  743   692 
Subtotal  34,086   33,062 
Less:        
Accumulated amortization – land use rights  (8,498)  (7,577)
Accumulated amortization – mining right  (1,320)  (993)
Accumulated amortization – software  (561)  (426)
Subtotal  (10,379)  (8,996)
Intangible assets, net $23,707  $24,066 

 

The gross amount of the intangible assets amounted to $29.1$34.1 million and $27.9$33.1 million as of December 31, 20102013 and 2009,2012, respectively. The remaining weighted average amortization period is 32.0 years.33.5 years as of December 31, 2013.

 

Total amortization expense for the yearsyear ended December 31, 2010, 20092013 and 20082012 amounted to $1.1 million, $1.0$0.8 million and $0.9$1.2 million, respectively.

Total depletion expense for the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 amounted to $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

 

The estimated aggregate amortization expenseand depletion expenses for each of the five succeeding years is as follows:

 

Years ended Estimated
Amortization Expense
  Gross carrying
Amount
 
Year ending Estimated
amortization and
depletion expenses
 Gross carrying
amount
 
 (in thousands) (in thousands)  (in thousands) (in thousands) 
December 31, 2011 $1,070  $22,602 
December 31, 2012  976   21,626 
December 31, 2013  950   20,677 
December 31, 2014  946   19,730  $1,086   22,621 
December 31, 2015  946   18,784   1,086   21,535 
December 31, 2016  1,086   20,449 
December 31, 2017  1,086   19,363 
December 31, 2018  1,086   18,277 
Thereafter  18,784   -   18,277   - 
Total $23,672      $23,707     

 

Note 89 – Debt (as restated)

 

Short-term notes payable

 

Short-term notes payable are lines of credit extended by the banks. The banksBanks in turn issue the Company a bank acceptance note, which can be endorsed and assigned to vendors as payments for purchases. The notes payable are generally payable at a determinable period, generallywithin three to six months. This short-term note payable is guaranteed by the bank for its complete face value. The banks usually do not charge interest on these notes, but usually charge a transaction fee of 0.05% of the notes value. In addition, the banks usually require the Company to deposit either a certain amount of cash at the bank as a guarantee deposit, which is classified on the balance sheet as restricted cash.cash, or provide notes receivable as security, which are classified on the balance sheet as restricted notes receivable. Restricted cash as a guarantee for the notes payable amounted to $167.7$399.4 million and $192.0$322.7 million as of December 31, 20102013 and 2009,2012, respectively. Restricted notes receivable as a guarantee for the notes payable amounted to $159.3$231.7 million and $345.8 million as of December 31, 2010.2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.The Company had the following short-term notes payable as of:

 

  December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
General Steel (China): Notes payable to various banks in China, due various dates from January to April 2014. Restricted cash required of $16.4 million and $6.3 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively; guaranteed by third parties. These notes payable were either repaid or renewed subsequently on the due dates. $29,466  $12,696 
Longmen Joint Venture: Notes payable to various banks in China, due various dates from January to August 2014. $383.0 million restricted cash and $231.7 million notes receivable are secured for notes payable as of December 31, 2013, and comparatively $316.4 million restricted cash and $345.8 million notes receivable secured as of December 31, 2012, respectively; some notes are further guaranteed by third parties. These notes payable were either repaid or renewed subsequently on the due dates.  988,364   971,117 
Total short-term notes payable $1,017,830  $983,813 

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

The Company had the following short-term notes payable:

  December 31, 2010  December 31, 2009 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
General Steel (China): Notes payable from banks in China, due various dates from January to May 2011. Restricted cash required of $11.7 million and $4.0 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively; guaranteed by third parties. $21,541  $7,628 
Longmen Joint Venture: Notes payable from banks in China, due various dates from January to June 2011. $150.7 million restricted cash and $159.3 million notes receivable are secured for notes payable as of December 31, 2010, and comparatively $162.3 million restricted cash secured as of December 31, 2009, respectively; some notes are further guaranteed by third parties while others are secured by equipments and land use rights.  447,992   216,173 
Bao Tou: Notes payable from banks in China, due date in April 2011, restricted cash of $5.3 million and $5.1 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively; pledged by buildings.  10,619   10,269 
Maoming Hengda: Notes payable from banks in China, restricted cash of $0 and $20.6 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  -   20,538 
Total short-term notes payable $480,152  $254,608 

 

Short-term loans

 

Short-term loans represent amounts due to various banks, other companies and individuals, andincluding related parties, normally due within one year. The principlesprincipal of the loans are due at maturity. However, the loansmaturity but can be renewed.renewed at the bank’s option. Accrued interest is due either monthly or quarterly.

 

Short term loans due to banks, related parties and other parties consisted of the following:

  December 31, 2010  December 31, 2009 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
General Steel (China): Loan from banks in China, due various dates from March 2011 to October 2011. Weighted average interest rate 6.0% per annum; some are guaranteed by third parties while others are secured by equipment and inventory. $24,220  $25,476 
Longmen Joint Venture: Loan from banks in China, due various dates from February to November 2011. Weighted average interest rate 6.0% per annum; some are guaranteed by third parties, restricted cash or notes receivables while others are secured by equipment, buildings, land use right and inventory.  260,978   123,492 
Total short-term loans - bank $285,198  $148,968 

  December 31, 2010
As restated
  December 31, 2009
As restated
 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Longmen Joint Venture: Loans from various unrelated companies and individuals, due various dates from January to June 2011, and weighted average interest rates 6.0% per annum. $75,380  $91,106 
Longmen Joint Venture: due on demand, average interest rates ranging between 0.6% and 3.2% per annum.  37,947   73,220 
Maoming Hengda: Loans from one unrelated parties and one related party, due on demand, none interest bearing.  14,385   19,252 
Total short-term loans – others $127,712  $183,578 

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.following as of:

 

Due to banks

  December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
General Steel (China): Loans from various banks in China, due various dates from March to September 2014. Weighted average interest rate was 7.2% per annum and 7.6% per annum as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively; some are guaranteed by third parties. These loans were either repaid or renewed subsequently on the due dates. $34,229  $32,189 
Longmen Joint Venture: Loans from various banks in China, due various dates from January to December 2014. Weighted average interest rate was 6.3% per annum and 6.8% per annum as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively; some are guaranteed by third parties, restricted cash or notes receivables. $163.9 million and $12.4 million restricted notes receivable were secured for the loans as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively; These loans were either repaid or renewed subsequently on the due dates.  267,688   114,935 
Total short-term loans - bank $301,917  $147,124 

As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had not met its financial covenants stipulated by certain loan agreements related to the Company’s debt to asset ratio. As of December 31, 2013, three of General Steel (China)’s bank loans contained financial covenants stipulating debt to asset ratios below 20% and 70%. However, as of December 31, 2013, General Steel (China)’s debt to asset ratio was 89.7%. As of December 31, 2012, one of Longmen Joint Venture’s bank loans contained a financial covenant that stipulated a debt to asset ratio below 85%. However, as of December 31, 2012, Longmen Joint Venture’s debt to asset ratio was 117.1%.

Furthermore, the Company is a party to a loan agreement with a cross default clause whereby any breach of loan covenants will automatically result in default of the loan. The outstanding balance of the short term loans affected by the above breach of covenants and cross default as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $6.4 million and $12.7 million, respectively. According to the Company’s short term loan agreements, the banks have the rights to request for more collateral or additional guarantees if the breach of covenant is not remedied or request early repayment of the loan if the Company does not cure such breach within a certain period of time. As of the date of this report, the Company has not received any notice from the banks to request more collateral, additional guarantees or early repayment of the short term loans due to the breach of covenant.

Due to unrelated parties

  December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Longmen Joint Venture: Loans from various unrelated companies and individuals, due various dates from January to June 2014, and weighted average interest rate was 5.2% per annum and 6.0% per annum as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These loans were either repaid or renewed subsequently on the due dates. $22,720  $25,324 
Longmen Joint Venture: Loans from financing sales.  33,124   115,966 
Maoming Hengda: Loans from one unrelated parties and one related party, due on demand, none interest bearing.  6,223   6,033 
Total short-term loans – others $62,067  $147,323 

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

  December 31, 2010
As restated
  December 31, 2009 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Longmen Joint Venture: Loans from Shaanxi Steel, due July 2011, and interest rates 5.6% per annum. $14,548  $- 
Longmen Joint Venture: Loans from one subsidiary of Long Steel Group, due in May 2010, and interest rates 8.4% per annum.  -   4,401 
Qiu Steel: Related party loans from Tianjin Heng Ying and Tianjin Da Zhan, due in 2010. Annual interest rate of 5.0%.  -   7,350 
Total short-term loans - related parties $14,548  $11,751 

  December 31, 2010
As restated
  December 31, 2009
As restated
 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Longmen Joint Venture: Loans from Shaanxi Steel, due November 2015, and interest rates 5.6% per annum. $91,020  $- 
Total long-term loans - related parties $91,020  $- 

 

The Company had various loans from unrelated companies. The balances amountedcompanies amounting to $127.7$62.1 million and $183.6$147.3 million as of December 31, 20102013 and 2009,2012, respectively. Of the $127.7$62.1 million, $14.4$6.2 million loans carry no interest, $37.9$33.1 million of financing sales are subject to interest rates ranging between 0.6%4.2% and 3.2%5.9%, and the remaining $75.4$22.7 million are subject to interest rates ranging from 5.6%4.7% to 6.0%12.0%. All short term loans from unrelated companies are duepayable on demand and unsecured.

 

As part of its working capital management, Longmen Joint Venture has entered into a number of sale and purchase back contracts ("contracts") with third party companies and Yuxin and Yuteng. According to the contracts, Longmen Joint Venture sells rebar to the third party companies at a certain price, and within the same month, Yuxin and Yuteng will purchase back the rebar from the third party companies at a price of 4.2% to 5.9% higher than the original selling price from Longmen Joint Venture. Based on the contract terms, Longmen Joint Venture is paid in advance for the rebar sold to the third party companies and Yuxin and Yuteng are given a credit period of several months to one year from the third party companies. There is no physical movement of the inventory during the sale and purchase back arrangement. The margin of 4.2% to 5.9% is determined by reference to the bank loan interest rates at the time when the contracts are entered into, plus an estimated premium based on the financing sale amount, which represents the interest charged by the third party companies for financing Longmen Joint Venture through the above sale and purchase back arrangement. The revenue and cost of goods sold arising from the above transactions are eliminated and the incremental amounts paid by Yuxin and Yuteng to purchase back the goods are treated as financing costs in the consolidated financial statements.

Total financing sales for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 amounted to $724.3 million and $1.0 billion, respectively, which are eliminated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The financial cost related to financing sales for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 amounted to $5.4 million and $9.2 million, respectively.

Short term loans due to related parties

  December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Baotou Steel: Loans from Tianjin Hengying Trading Co., Ltd, due on demand, and interest rates is 10% per annum. $-  $4,133 
General Steel China: Loans from Tianjin Hengying Trading Co., Ltd., due on demand, and interest rates is 10% per annum.  -   15,416 
General Steel China: Loans from Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co, Ltd., due on demand, and interest rates is 10% per annum.  -   21,397 
General Steel China: Loans from Beijing Shenhua Xinyuan Metal Materials Co., Ltd., due on demand, and interest rates is 10% per annum.  -   1,359 
General Steel China: Loans from Yangpu Capital Automobile, due on demand, and interest rates is 10% per annum.  1,458   1,413 
Longmen Joint Venture: Loan from Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group Co., Ltd., due on demand, and interest rate is 7.0% per annum.  28,216   - 
Longmen Joint Venture: Loan from Shaanxi Steel Group due in November 2014, and interest rate is 6.6% per annum.  49,110     
Longmen Joint Venture: Loans from financing sales.  47,909   35,839 
Total short-term loans - related parties $126,693  $79,557 

Long-term loans due to related party

  December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Longmen Joint Venture: Loans from Shaanxi Steel Group, due on various dates through November 2015 and interest rate are 5.6% - 5.9% per annum. $72,657  $92,973 
Less: Current maturities of long-term loans – related party  (53,013)  (54,885)
Long-term loans - related party $19,644  $38,088 

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Total interest expenses, excludingexpense, net of capitalized interest, amounted to $51.3 million, $27.8$33.2 million and $23.2$43.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 20092013 and 2008,2012, respectively.

 

Capitalized interest amounted to $2.1 million, $13.1$2.8 million and $10.6$0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 20092013 and 2008,2012, respectively.

 

Note 910DepositCustomer deposits

Customer deposits represent amounts advanced by customers on product orders. The product normally is shipped within one month after receipt of the advance payment, and the related sale is recognized in accordance with the Company’s revenue recognition policy. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, customer deposits amounted to $152.7 million and $147.9 million, respectively, including deposits received from related parties, which amounted to $64.9 million and $22.0 million, respectively.

Note 11 – Deposits due to sales representatives

 

Longmen Joint Venture entered into agreements with various entities to act as the Company’s exclusive sales agent in a specified geographic area.  These exclusive sales agents must meet certain criteria and are required to deposit a certain amount of money with the Company. In return the sales agents receive exclusive sales rights in a specified area and at discounted prices on products they order. These deposits bear no interest and are required to be returned to the sales agent once the agreement has beenis terminated. The agreement is normally entered/or renewed on an annual basis. Termination of the agreement can be mutually agreed to by both parties at any time. The Company had $52.1$26.3 million and $49.5$35.1 million in deposits due to sales representatives, including deposits due to related parties, as of December 31, 20102013 and 2009,2012, respectively.

 

Note 1012 – Convertible notes and derivative liabilitieswarrants

 

On December 13,The Company had 3,900,871 outstanding warrants in connection with the $40 million convertible notes issued in 2007, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) with certain institutional investors (the “Buyers”) issuing $40.0 million in promissory notes (“Notes”) and 1,154,958 warrants. The warrants can be converted to common stock throughwhich expired on May 13, 2013, at an initial exercise priceand 2,777,778 warrants in connection with a registered direct offering in 2009, which expired on June 24, 2012. The aforementioned warrants met the definition of $13.51 per share, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. On December 24, 2009, the warrant exercise price was reset to $5.00 per share.

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

The Notes bear initial interest at 3% per annum, which will be increased each year as specifieda derivative instrument in the Agreement, payable semi-annually in cash or shares of the Company’s common stock. The Notes have a five year term through December 12, 2012. They are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. The initial conversion price was $12.47 which was reset to $4.25 on May 7, 2009. The Company may redeem the Notes at 100% of the principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, beginning December 13, 2008, provided the market price of the common stock is at least 150% of the then applicable conversion price for 30 consecutive trading days prior to the redemption.

Pursuant to the generally accepted accounting standards ofand were recorded at their fair value on each reporting date. The change in the United States for convertible debt and debt issued with stock purchase warrants, the Company discounted the Notes equal to the fair value of the warrants. The Notes were further discounted for the fair value of the conversion option. The combined discountderivative liabilities is being amortizedcharged against or credited to interest expense over the life of the Notes using the effective interest method.income each period.

 

The fair value of conversion option and the warrants were initiallyas of December 31, 2012 was calculated using the Cox Rubenstein Binomial model based on the following variables:

 

Expected volatility adjusted to 125%

Expected dividend yield of 0%

Risk-free interest rate of 1.27%

  December 31, 2012 
Expected volatility  86%
Expected dividend yield  0%
Risk-free interest rate  0.08%
Expected lives  0.36 years 
Market price $0.99 
Strike price $5.00 

 

Expected livesAs of five years

Market price at issuance date of $10.43

Strike price of $12.47December 31, 2013 and $13.51, for the conversion option2012, derivative liabilities, which were included in other payables and the warrants

Pursuant to accounting principles generally acceptedaccrued liabilities in the United States, the Company determined that both the warrantsconsolidated balance sheets, amounted to $0 and the conversion option embedded in the Notes meet the definition of a derivative instrument and must be carried as a liability and recorded at fair value in each reporting period. On December 13, 2007, the Company recorded $34.7 million as derivative liability, including $9.3 million for the fair value of the warrants and $25.4 million for fair value of the conversion option. The initial carrying value of the Notes was $5.3 million. The financing cost of $5.2 million was recorded as note issuance cost and is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the Notes using the effective interest method.

Reset of conversion price$1.0 thousand, respectively.

 

The derivative liability related toCompany has the embedded conversion option was adjusted as of May 7, 2009, based on the revised conversion price. As a result of the reduced conversion price, the derivative liability increased as of May 7, 2009 by $27.1 million, which amount is included in the change in the value of the derivative liability in the consolidated statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss).following warrants outstanding:

 

Note conversion

On August 5, 2010, the $3.3 million Notes were converted to 1,208,791 shares of common stocks. Pursuant to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, the Company valued the conversion option on the note conversion date. A total of $3.5 million of the carrying value and derivative liability had been reclassified into equity. In connection with such conversion, the Company incurred the make-whole interest expense of $0.7 million and accrued interest of $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. All accrued interest and make-whole interest were settled with 350,884 shares of common stocks.

$30.0 million of the Notes was converted to 7,045,274 shares of common stock at a conversion price of $4.2511 in 2009. A total of $32.1 million of the carrying value and derivative liability had been reclassified into equity. According to the convertible note agreement, the Company incurred the make-whole interest expense of $8.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009.

The carrying value of the Notes was $0 million and $1.1 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The effective interest charges on the Notes totaled $0.4 million, $2.3 million and $3.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Note issuance cost was amortized to interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 amounted to $0.02 million, $0.06 million and $0.05 million, respectively. A total of $0.4 million deferred fees remaining unamortized at the date of conversion are transferred (charged) to equity (debited to additional paid-in capital).

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.

Outstanding as of December 31, 20116,678,649
Granted-
Forfeited / expired(2,777,778)
Exercised-
Outstanding as of December 31, 20123,900,871
Granted-
Forfeited / expired(3,900,871)
Exercised-
Outstanding as of December 31, 2013-

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

Reset of warrants exercise price

On December 24, 2009, the holders of the existing warrants to purchase 1,154,958 shares of the Company’s common stock entered into warrant reset agreements whereby the exercise price was reset from $13.51 to $5.00 per share and the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants was increased by 2.3775 times from 1,154,958 to 3,900,871. The Company booked $10.1 million derivative loss in 2009 for this reset accordingly.

As of December 31 2009, the balance of derivative liabilities, including 2009 issued warrants (see Note 17), was $23.3 million, which consisted of $20.8 million for the warrants and $2.5 million for the conversion option. As of December 31, 2010, the balance of derivative liabilities was $5.6 million.

 

Note 11 –13 - Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information (as restated)

 

Interest paid, net of capitalized, amounted to $20.9 million, $14.5 million and $12.0$22.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 20092013 and 2008,2012, respectively.

 

The Company paid income tax amounted to $1.8 million, $3.0$0.9 million and $6.6$0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 20092013 and 2008,2012, respectively.

 

Effective interest charge on the Notes of $0.4 million was capitalized into construction in progress forDuring the year ended December 31, 2010.2013, the Company had receivables of $1.2 million as a result of the disposal of equipment that has not been collected.

 

Other receivables – related parties from Shaanxi Steel in the amount of $43.3 million was offset with short-term loans due to the same related party forDuring the year ended December 31, 2010.2013, the Company converted $1.0 million of equipment into inventory productions.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company used $46.3 million inventory in plant and equipment constructions.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company capitalized $17.8 million (RMB 110.3 million) on energy-saving equipment under capital lease agreements.

The Company had $63.3 million notes receivable from financing sales loans to be converted to cash as of December 31, 2013.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company offset $64.5 million accounts payable to a related party as loan receivable – related party repayment as contractually agreed to with the related party.

During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company offset $120.3 million and $43.6 million, respectively, advance on inventory purchases and other receivables to related parties as short-term loan repayments.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company reclassified $3.8 million refundable advances on inventory purchase – related parties to other receivables – related parties.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company incurred $48.7 million accounts payable to be paid for the purchase of equipment and construction in progress.

During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, two and one of the Company’s unconsolidated entities declared dividend and the Company was entitled for the dividend amounted to $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively, which was not yet collected.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company sold its 22.76% equity interest of Tongxing at the carrying value of $8.0 million to two individuals who are representatives from Long Steel Group, a related party. In connection with this transaction, the Company received a land use rights from Tongxing at carrying value for $3.6 million and settled with a payable in cash of $0.3 million that the Company has not been paid. In addition, the Company determined that dividend receivables of $0.9 million will be transferring to the two individuals and will not be collected from Tongxing after these transactions.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company converted $48.0 million of our accounts payable and other payables from our related parties to short term loans upon the execution of the loan agreements.

 

Note 12 –14 - Deferred lease income (as restated)

 

As discussed in Note 2, in connection toTo compensate the Company for costs and economic losses incurred during construction of two new blast furnaces systems, to compensate the Company,iron and steel making facilities owned by Shaanxi Steel, Shaanxi Steel reimbursed Longmen Joint Venture $11.5 million (RMB 70.1 million) in the fourth quarter of 2010 Shaanxi Steel reimbursed Longmen JV USD 16.4 million (RMB 108 million) related tofor the value of assets dismantled various site preparation costs incurred by Longmen JV and rent under a 40-year property sub-lease that was entered into by the parties in June 2009 (the "Longmen Sub-lease"), and USD 27.8$30.0 million (RMB 183183.1 million) for the reduced production efficiency caused by the construction. In addition, in 2010 and 2011, Shaanxi Steel reimbursed Longmen JV USD 13.5Joint Venture $14.7 million (RMB 8989.5 million) each yearand $14.6 million (RMB 89.3 million), respectively, for trial production costs related to the two new blast furnaces, two new convertersequipment.

During the period from June 2010 to March 2011, as construction progressed and one new sintering machine constructed and owned by Shaanxi Steel. The compensations totaled USD 57.7 million (RMB 380 million), among which USD 52.0 million (RMB 343 million) ascertain of December 31, 2010, was recorded as a deferred sub-lease income from the land which was sub-leased byassets came online, Longmen Joint Venture used the assets free of charge to Shaanxi Steelproduce saleable units of steel products during this period. As such, the cost of using these assets and therefore the fair value of the free rent received was imputed with reference to what the depreciation charge would have been on these assets had they been owned or under capital lease to Longmen Joint Venture during the new furnaces constructed asfree use period. This cost of December 31, 2010. $7.2 million (RMB 43.9 million) each year were deferred and will be recognized over the term of the land sub-lease similar to the other charges and credits related to the construction of these assets.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The deferred lease income is amortized to income over the remaining term of the 40-year land sub-lease. For the year ended December 31, 20102013 and 2009,2012, the Company recognized deferred lease income of $942,619$2.2 million and $118,900,$2.1 million, respectively. As of December 31, 20102013 and 2009,2012, the balance of deferred lease income amounted to $57.6$77.4 million and $16.5 million.$77.2 million, respectively, of which $2.2 million and $2.1 million represents balance to be amortized within one year. See Note 20 – Related party transactions and balances (m) – Deferred lease income for details.

 

  December 31, 2010
As restated
  

December 31, 2009

As restated

 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Beginning balance $16,487  $- 
Add: Compensation for dismantled assets  568   9,735 
Add: Compensation for loss of efficiency  20,676   6,871 
Add: Compensation for trial production cost  13,584   - 
Add: Deferred depreciation cost during trial production  6,656   - 
Less: Lease income realized  (943)  (119)
Exchange rate effect  563     
Ending balance $57,591  $16,487 

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.Note 15 - Capital lease obligations

 

Iron and steel production facilities

On April 29, 2011, the Company’s subsidiary, Longmen Joint Venture entered into a Unified Management Agreement with Shaanxi Steel and Shaanxi Coal under which Longmen Joint Venture uses new iron and steel making facilities including one sintering machine, two converters, two blast furnaces and other auxiliary systems constructed by Shaanxi Steel. As the 20-year term of the agreement exceeds 75% of the assets’ useful lives, this arrangement is accounted for as a capital lease. The ongoing lease payments are comprised of two elements: (1) a monthly payment based on Shaanxi Steel’s cost to construct the assets of $2.3 million (RMB14.6 million) to be paid over the term of the Unified Management Agreement of 20 years and (2) 40% of any remaining pre-tax profits from the Asset Pool which includes Longmen Joint Venture and the newly constructed iron and steel making facilities. In February 2014, Shaanxi Steel agreed that it will not demand capital lease payment from Longmen Joint Venture until February 2017. The profit sharing component does not meet the definition of contingent rent because it is based on future revenue and is therefore considered part of the financing for the capital leased assets which is related to the Unified Management Agreement. For purposes of determining the value of the leased asset and obligation at the inception of the lease, the lease liability is then reduced by the value of the profit sharing component, which is recognized as a derivative liability, which is carried at fair value. See Note 16 – “Profit sharing liability”.

Energy-saving equipment

During 2013, the Company’s subsidiary, Longmen Joint Venture, entered into capital lease agreements for energy-saving equipment to be installed throughout the production chain. Under these agreements, Longmen Joint Venture uses the energy-saving equipment for which the vendors are responsible for the design, purchase, installation, and on-site testing, as well as the ownership rights to the equipment during the lease periods. The lease periods, which vary between four to six years, begin upon the completion of the equipment installation, testing, and the issuance of the energy-saving rate reports to be agreed upon by both the vendors and Longmen Joint Venture. As the ownership rights of the equipment transfer to Longmen Joint Venture at the end of the lease periods, these agreements are accounted for as capital leases.

The minimum lease payments are based on the energy cost saved during the lease periods, which is determined by the estimated annual equipment operating hours per the lease agreements. If the actual annual equipment operating hours are less than the estimated amount, the lease periods may be extended, subject to further negotiation and agreement between the Company and the vendors. If the actual annual equipment operating hours exceed the estimated amount, the Company is obligated to pay the additional lease payment based on the additional energy cost saved during the lease period and recognize the additional lease payments as contingent rent expense. For the year ended December 31, 2013, $18.1 million (RMB $110.3 million) energy-saving equipment under these lease agreements have been capitalized and no contingent rent expense has been incurred.

Presented below is a schedule of estimated minimum lease payments on the capital lease obligation for the next five years as of December 31, 2013:

Year ending December 31, Capital Lease Obligations
Minimum Lease Payments
 
  (in thousands) 
2014 $5,292 
2015  4,248 
2016  4,248 
2017  195,506 
2018  31,057 
Thereafter  356,191 
Total minimum lease payments  596,542 
Less:amounts representing interest  (217,202)
Ending balance $379,340 

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

Note 13 - Other income (expense)

Debt extinguishment

ForInterest expense for the yearyears ended December 31, 2009,2013 and 2012 on the Company recorded gain from debt extinguishment totaling $7.3 million. In 2009, Maoming Hengda, a subsidiary, entered into a Debt Waiver Agreement with Guangzhou Hengda, pursuant to which Guangzhou Hengda agreed to waive $7.3capital lease obligations was $20.8 million (RMB 50.0 million) of debt that Maoming Hengda owes to Guangzhou Hengda. and $20.6 million, respectively.

Note 16 –Profit sharing liability

The Company determined that the subsequent debt settlement does not constitute a contingencyprofit sharing liability is recognized initially at its estimated fair value at the lease commencement date of purchase as definedand included in the accounting standard - business Combinationsinitial measurement and thus should not result in a reallocationrecognition of the purchase price.capital lease in addition to the fixed payment component of the minimum lease payments. This financial instrument is accounted for separately from the lease accounting (Note 15 - “Capital lease obligation”) and has met the definition of a derivative instrument under ASC 815-10-15-83; as such, the profit sharing liability is treated as a derivative liability. The waivervalue of the profit sharing liability will be reassessed each reporting period with any change in fair value accounted for on a prospective basis. Refer to Note 2(h) – “Financial instruments” for details.

Based on the performance of the Asset Pool, no profit sharing payment, which is irrevocable.not required until net cumulative profits are achieved, was made for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. Payments to Shaanxi Steel for the profit sharing are made based on net cumulative profits.

Note 17 – Other income (expense)

 

Government grant

 

Due to an increasing emphasisOn November 8, 2013 and December 31, 2013, the Company received government puts on energy savings and pollution emission controls, the Shaanxi Province Development and Reform Commission provided incentives for local companies to eliminate outdated iron and steel production machineries and equipment. Longmen Joint Venture, received $4.3grants totaling $4.2 million (RMB 29.226.1 million) infrom the local government grants as compensationproduction equipment upgrade incentive and rural urbanization development incentive for the loss of dismantling two blast furnaces in 2009. The Company wrote off the residual book value of the furnaces dismantled totaling $0.9 million (RMB 5.8 million), and recorded gain on compensation of $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Realized income from future contractsbuilding material suppliers.

 

On May 2010,June 14, 2012 and December 31, 2012, the Company entered a future brokerage contract with one unrelated partyreceived government grants totaling $2.3 million (RMB 14.2 million) from the local government as economic development incentive for building material manufacturers, such as steel rebar and engaged speculative investment to hedge price fluctuations of steel rebar. For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company realized $1.4 million gain on investment of future contracts. There was no cash deposit held in the brokerage account and no trading financial assets held as of December 31, 2010.cement.

 

Lease income (as restated)

 

The deferred lease income from the reimbursement from Shaanxi Steel for the net book value of the fixed assets that were demolished and for the inefficiency costs caused by the construction and loss incurred in the beginning stages of the system production is amortized to income over the remaining sub-lease term. For the year ended December 31, 20102013 and 2009,2012, the Company recognized deferred lease income of $942,619$2.2 million and $118,900,$2.1 million, respectively.

Gain on deconsolidation of a subsidiary

On November 19, 2013, the Company sold its 28% equity interest of Tianwu held by Yangpu Shengtong to Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co., Ltd., a related party through indirect common ownership, for $13.6 million (RMB 84.3 million) while retaining 32% interest held by General Steel (China). As a result of this transaction, the Company met the criteria under ASC 810-10-40-4 to deconsolidate Tianwu at disposal date and recognized a gain in accordance with ASC 810-10-40-5. At the same time, Tianwu’s cumulative translation adjustment as of the disposal date was released to net income in accordance with ASC 830-30-40-1A. At the time of deconsolidation, the fair value of the 32% equity interest retained by General Steel (China) was $15.3 million (RMB 96.3 million), which was based on an independent third-party valuation, while Tianwu’s carrying value was $48.2 million (RMB 301.0 million). $19.4 million (RMB 121.2 million) noncontrolling interest in Tianwu was deconsolidated (see Note 21 – Equity) while 0.9 million cumulative translation adjustment was released to net income. The total gain from the deconsolidation of Tianwu was approximately $1.0 million.

Payment for public highway construction

During 2013, Longmen Joint Venture paid $6.5 million (RMB 40 million) for the construction of an exit ramp from a highway that leads to its facility. Total costs for this project is approximately $8.0 million (RMB 49 million) for Longmen Joint venture.  Longmen Joint Venture will not be able to obtain any easement rights, land use rights or exclusive rights after the completion of the exit ramp. Therefore, this payment was recorded as an expense for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

Note 1418 – Taxes (as restated)

 

Income tax

 

Significant components of the provision for income taxes on earnings and deferred taxes on net operating losses from operationoperations for the years ended December 31, 2010, 20092013 and 20082012 are as follows:

 

(In thousands) December 31,2010
As restated
  December 31,2009
As restated
  December 31,2008 
Current $1,267  $2,154  $1,424 
Deferred  (10,049)  2,295   (6,835)
Total provision (benefit) for income taxes $(8,782) $4,449  $(5,411)

According to Chinese tax regulations, the net operating loss can be carried forward to offset with operating income for the next five years. Management believes the deferred tax asset is fully realizable.

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.

(In thousands) For the year ended
December 31, 2013
  For the year ended
December 31, 2012
 
Current $354  $627 
Deferred  -   169 
Total provision for income taxes $354  $796 

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

The principal component of the deferred income tax assets is as follows:

  December 31, 2010
As restated
  December 31, 2009
As restated
 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Beginning balance $5,044  $7,487 
Net operating loss carry forward (tax assets realized) for subsidiaries  2,343   (864)
Effective tax rate  25%  25%
Deferred tax asset $586  $(216)
Long Gang Headquarter, net operating loss carry-forward (tax asset realized)  65,019   (14,840)
Effective tax rate  15%  15%
Deferred tax asset $9,753  $(2,226)
Exchange difference  (82)  (1)
Totals $15,301  $5,044 

The estimated tax savings due to the reduced tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 are $(6.1) million, $2.0 million and $(3.3) million, respectively. The net effect on income per share if the income tax had been applied would increase loss per share by $0.11 and $0.09 for the year ended December 31, 2010 and 2008, and decrease loss per share by $0.05 for the years ended December 31, 2009.

 

Under the Income Tax Laws of the PRC, the Company’s subsidiary, General Steel (China), is generallyBaotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture (located in Inner Mongolia province), Maoming Hengda (located in Guangdong province) and Tianwu Joint Venture (located in Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone) are subject to an income tax at an effectivea rate of 25% on income reported in the statutory financial statements after appropriate tax adjustments, unless the enterprise is located in a specially designated region where it allows foreign enterprises a two-year income tax exemption and a 50% income tax reduction for the following three years. General Steel (China) became a Chinese Sino-foreign joint venture at the time of the merger on October 14, 2004 and it became eligible for the tax benefit. General Steel (China) is located in Tianjin Costal Economic Development Zone and under the Income Tax Laws of Tianjin City of the PRC; it is eligible for an income tax rate of 25% and 12% for the periods ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively..

 

The Company’s subsidiary, Longmen Joint Venture is located in the mid-westMid-West region of China. ItChina and as such, qualifies for the “Go-West” tax rebaterate of 15% tax rate promulgated by the government; therefore, incomegovernment. In 2010, the Chinese government announced that the “Go-West” tax is atinitiative would be extended for 10 years, and thus, the preferential tax rate of 15% deducted rate till December 31, 2010.

Baotou Steel Pipewill be in effect until 2020. This special tax treatment for Longmen Joint Venture is located in Inner Mongolia province, Maoming Hengda is located in Guangdong province and Tianwu Joint Venture is located in Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone. The three subsidiaries are subject to an effective incomewill be evaluated on a year-to-year basis by the local tax rate at 25%.bureau.

 

The following table reconciles the U.S. statutory rates to the Company’s effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2010, 20092013 and 20082012 are as follows:

 

  December 31,2010
As restated
  December 31,2009
As restated
  December 31,2008 
          
U.S. Statutory rates  34.0%  34.0%  34.0%
Foreign income not recognized in the US  (34.0)%  (34.0)%  (34.0)%
China income taxes  25.0%  25.0%  25.0%
Tax effect of income not taxable for tax purposes (1)  2.3%  1.1%  (4.3)%
Effect of different tax rate of subsidiaries operating in other jurisdictions  (12.3)%  7.3%  (12.0)%
Total provision for income taxes  15.0%  33.4%  8.7%

(1) This represents derivative expenses (income) and stock compensation expenses incurred by the Company that are not deductible/taxable in the PRC for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
  December 31, 2013  December 31,2012 
       
U.S. Statutory rates  34.0%  34.0%
Foreign income not recognized in the U.S.  (34.0)%  (34.0)%
China income tax rate  25.0%  25.0%
Effect of tax rate differential of subsidiaries/VIE  (12.0)%  (8.3)%
Effect of change in deferred tax assets valuation allowance  (58.4)%  (10.9)%
Effect of permanent difference – change in fair value of profit sharing liability  61.9%  - 
Effect of permanent difference – capital lease obligation for iron and steel production facilities  (17.3)%  (6.1)%
Total provision for income taxes*  (0.8)%  (0.3)%

 

*The negative effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were mainly due to a consolidated loss before income tax while the Company has cumulative undistributed deficitprovided 100% valuation allowance for the deferred tax assets at subsidiaries with losses and incurred income tax expenses in our profitable subsidiaries.

Deferred taxes assets – China

According to Chinese tax regulations, net operating losses can be carried forward to offset operating income for the next five years. The Group’s losses carried forward of foreign subsidiaries$493.7 million will begin to expire in 2014. The Chinese government recently announced several policies to curb the real estate price increases across the country which led to a slowdown in demand for construction steel products. Additionally due to the continued global economic slowdown and the overcapacity issues in China's steel market, management expected there would be a sustained increase in margin pressure in the next five years until all the existing but outdated steel capacity across the whole industry are eliminated. Management took into consideration this potential negative impact on average selling price and gross margin of approximately $21.3 millionits products, re-performed an operating forecast for the next five years and concluded that the beginning-of-the-year balance of deferred tax assets mainly relating to the net operating loss carry forward may not be fully realizable due to the reduction in the projection of income to be available in the next 5 years. Management therefore decided to provide 100% valuation allowance for the deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance as of December 31, 2010. Accordingly, no provision has been made for U.S.2013 and 2012 was $97.6 million and $72.9 million, respectively. Management will review this valuation allowance periodically and make adjustments as warranted. Temporary differences represent tax and book differences in various items, such as receivable allowances, inventory allowances, impairments on fixed assets and deferred taxes related to future repatriation of these earnings, nor is it practicable to estimate the amount of income taxes that would have to be provided if we concluded that such earnings will be remitted in the future.

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.

lease income.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

The movement of the deferred income tax assets arising from carried forward losses is as follows:

 

  December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Beginning balance $-(A) $167(A)
(Tax assets realized) net operating losses carried forward
for subsidiaries subject to a 25% tax rate
  (272)  2,484 
Effective tax rate  25%  25%
Addition (deduction) in deferred tax asset  (68)(B)  621(B)
Net operating losses carried forward for Longmen Joint
Venture and subsidiaries subject to a 15% tax rate
  143,873   95,453 
Effective tax rate  15%  15%
Addition in deferred tax asset  21,581(C)  14,318(C)
Temporary difference carried forward for subsidiaries subject to a 25% tax rate  (2,697)  22,427 
Effective tax rate  25%  25%
Addition (deduction) in deferred tax asset  (674)(D)  5,607(D)
Temporary difference carried forward for subsidiaries subject to a 15% tax rate  10,282   29,836 
Effective tax rate  15%  15%
Addition (deduction) in deferred tax asset  1,542(E)  4,475(E)
Addition in valuation allowance  (22,087)(F)  (25,180)(F)
Deconsolidation of Tongxing  -(G)  (216)(G)
Exchange difference  (294)(H)  208(H)
Total (A+B+C+D+E+F+G+H) $-  $- 

Movement of valuation allowance:

  December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Beginning balance $72,891  $47,703 
Current period addition  23,293   25,180 
Current period reversal  (1,206)  - 
Deconsolidation of Tongxing  -   (216)
Exchange difference  2,591   224 
Ending balance $97,569  $72,891 

Deferred taxes assets – U.S.

General Steel Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in the United States and has incurred net operating losses for income tax purposes for the yearsyear ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008.2013. The net operating loss carry forwards for United States income taxes amounted to $1.8$1.9 million, which may be available to reduce future years’ taxable income. These carry forwards will expire, if not utilized, starting from 2026 through 2030.2032. Management believes that the realization of the benefits from these losses appears uncertain due to the Company’s limited operating history and continuing losses for United States income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Company has provided a 100% valuation allowance on the deferred tax asset benefit to reduce the asset to zero. The valuation allowance as of December 31, 20102013 was $0.6$0.7 million. The net change in the valuation allowance for the year ended December 31, 20102013 was $0.1$0.2 million. Management will review this valuation allowance periodically and make adjustments as warranted.

 

The Company has no cumulative proportionate retained earnings from profitable subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013. Accordingly, no provision has been made for U.S. deferred taxes related to future repatriation of these earnings, nor is it practicable to estimate the amount of income taxes that would have to be provided if we concluded that such earnings will be remitted in the future.

Value added tax

 

Enterprises or individuals who sell commodities, engage in repair and maintenance or import and export goods in the PRC are subject to a value added tax in accordance with PRC laws. The value added tax (“VAT”) standard rates are 13% to 17% of the gross sales price. A credit is available whereby VAT paid on the purchases of semi-finished products or raw materials used in the production of the Company’s finished products can be used to offset the VAT due on sales of the finished product. As of December 31, 20102013 and 2009,2012, the Company had $37.3$3.5 million and $19.5$4.2 million in value added tax credit which wereare available to offset the future VAT payable,payables, respectively.

 

VAT on sales and VAT on purchases amounted to $519.0 million and $482.44 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2010, $440.4 million and $409.8 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2009, $341.5 million and $308.5 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2008. Sales and purchases are recorded net of VAT collected and paid as the Company acts as an agent for the government.government for VAT taxes are not impacted bycollection. VAT on sales and VAT on purchases amounted to $751.6 million and $713.5 million, respectively, for the income tax holiday.year ended December 31, 2013 and $812.4 million and $985.9 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2012.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Taxes payable consisted of the following:

 

 December 31, 2010
As restated
  December 31, 2009
As restated
  December 31, 2013 December 31, 2012 
 (in thousands) (in thousands)  (in thousands) (in thousands) 
VAT taxes payable $3,921  $9,126  $2,211  $13,579 
Income taxes payable  840   1,633   173   68 
Misc taxes  1,476   1,427 
Totals $6,237  $12,186 
Misc. taxes  2,244   3,027 
Total $4,628  $16,674 

 

Note 15 – Earnings19 –Loss per share (as restated)

 

The calculationcomputation of earningsloss per share is as follows:

 

(in thousands except per share data) 2010
As restated
  2009
As restated
  2008 
Loss attributable to holders of common shares $(30,006) $(30,620) $(11,323)
Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding  53,113,177   41,860,238   35,381,210 
Loss per share            
Basic & diluted $(0.56) $(0.73) $(0.32)
(in thousands, except per share data) For the year ended
December 31, 2013
  For the year ended
December 31, 2012
 
Loss attributable to holders of common stock $(33,016) $(152,697)
Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding  55,126   54,867 
Loss per share        
Basic and diluted $(0.60) $(2.78)

 

There is no dilutive effectThe Company had warrants exercisable for its3,900,871 shares of the Company’s common stock at December 31, 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2012, all outstanding warrants were excluded from the diluted earnings per share ascalculation since they are anti-dilutive.

Other than the Company incurred net lossaforementioned potentially dilutive securities, there were no other potentially dilutive securities outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2010,2013 and 2009.2012.

 

Note 1620 – Related party transactions and balances (as restated)

 

Related party transactions

 

a.Capital lease

As disclosed in Notes 15 – “Capital lease obligations”, Longmen Joint Venture entered into a capital lease arrangement on April 29, 2011, with Shaanxi Coal and Shaanxi Steel, which are related parties of the Group. The following is an analysis of the leased assets under the capital lease:

  December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Machinery $605,839  $587,334 
Less:accumulated depreciation  (76,740)  (46,497)
Carrying value of leased assets $529,099  $540,837 

b.  On March 31,January 1, 2010, General Steel (China), a subsidiary in which the Company holds a controlling interest, entered into a lease agreement with Tianjin Daqiuzhuang Steel Plates Co., Ltd. (the “Lessee”), whereby General Steel (China) will leaseleases its facility located at No. 1, Tonga Street, DaqizhuangDaqiuzhuang Town, JunghaiJinghai County, Tianjin City to the Lessee (the “Lease Agreement”). The Lease Agreement provides approximately 776,078 square feet of workshops, lands, equipmentsland, equipment and other facilities amounting to RMB 215.8 million ($34.4 million) to the Lessee and allows the Company to reduce overhead costs while providing a recurring monthly revenueincome stream resulting from payments due thereunder.under the lease. The term of the Lease Agreement iswas from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011 and the monthly base rental rate due to General Steel (China) iswas approximately $0.2 million (RMB1.68(RMB 1.7 million). The lessee partially owned by a related party Beijing Wendlar Co., Ltd, and is managed by the former general manager ofOn July 28, 2011, General Steel (China). For (lessor) signed a supplemental agreement with the year endedlessee to extend the lease for an additional five years to December 31, 2010, General Steel (China) realized rental income2016. However, due to current steel market conditions, the lessee informed the Company that they did not intend to extend the lease at June 30, 2012 and has terminated the supplemental agreement early. There was no penalty for early termination. The Company assessed the recoverability of all of its remaining long lived assets at December 31, 2013 and such assessment did not result in the amount of $3.0 million from the Lessee. 

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.

any impairment charges.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

The future rental payments to be received associated withFor the Lease Agreement are as follow:

Year ended December 31, Amount 
  (in thousands) 
2011 $2,982 
Thereafter  - 
Total $2,982 

 The following chart summarized sales to the related party transactions for the yearsyear ended December 31, 20102013 and 2009.2012, General Steel (China) realized rental income $0 million and $1.6 million, respectively, which has been included in “other non-operating income (expense), net” in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

 

Name of related parties Relationship December 31,2010
As restated
  December 31,2009
As restated
 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Shaanxi Longmen (Group) Co, Ltd and its subsidiaries (“Long Steel Group”) Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture $344,556  $351,912 
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co., Ltd Common control under CEO  47,268   26,398 
Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co, Ltd Common control under CEO  43,778   18,279 
Hancheng Haiyan Coking Investee of Long Steel Group  38,545   49,541 
Shaanxi Steel Majority shareholder of Long Steel Group  1,152   112 
Beijing Daishang Trade Co., Ltd. Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture’s subsidiary  5,503   6,923 
Tianjin Daqiuzhuang Steel Plates Co., Ltd. Common control under CEO  8,385   - 
Maoming Shengze Trade Co., Ltd.    -   19,002 
Others   183   2,412 
Total   $489,370  $474,579 
c.The following chart summarized sales to related parties for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

Name of related parties Relationship For the year ended
December 31, 2013
  For the year ended
December 31, 2012
 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture $255,859  $438,951 
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO* through indirect shareholding  -   5,953 
Sichuan Yutai Trading Co., Ltd Significant influence by Long Steel Group**  73   147,968 
Shaanxi Yuchang Trading Co., Ltd Significant influence by Long Steel Group  21,570   92,724 
Shaanxi Haiyan Trade Co., Ltd Significant influence by Long Steel Group  16,273   46,998 
Shaanxi Shenganda Trading Co., Ltd Significant influence by Long Steel Group  77,899   53,866 
Shaanxi Steel Majority shareholder of Long Steel Group  3,221   3,332 
Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group Co., Ltd. Shareholder of Shaanxi Steel  27,911   24,515 
Shaanxi Long Steel Group Baoji Steel Rolling Co., Ltd Subsidiary of Long Steel Group  7,325   35,542 
Shaanxi Junlong Rolling Co., Ltd Investee of Long Steel Group  37,068   47,110 
Others Entities either owned or have significant influence by our affiliates or management  -   243 
Total   $447,199  $897,202 

*The CEO is referred to herein as the chief executive officer of General Steel Holdings, Inc.

**Long Steel Group has the ability to significantly influence the operating and financial decisions of the entity through equity ownership either directly or through key employees, commercial contractual terms, or the ability to assign management personnel.

d.The following charts summarize purchases from related parties for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

Name of related parties Relationship For the year ended
December 31, 2013
  For the year ended
December 31, 2012
 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture $522,295  $483,058 
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co., Ltd. Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  -   43,160 
Tianjin General Qiugang Pipe Co., Ltd. Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  -   6,933 
Hancheng Haiyan Coking Co., Ltd Noncontrolling shareholder of Long Steel Group  180,401   255,800 
Xi’an Pinghe Metallurgical Raw
Material Co., Ltd
 Noncontrolling shareholder of Long Steel Group  19,943   88,094 
Shaanxi Long Steel Group Baoji
Steel Rolling Co., Ltd
 Subsidiary of Long Steel Group  -   6,379 
Shaanxi Junlong Rolling Co., Ltd Investee of Long Steel Group  213   7,334 
Shaanxi Huafu New Energy Co., Ltd Significant influence by the Long Steel Group  32,824   32,693 
Beijing Daishang Trading Co., Ltd. Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture’s subsidiary  6,933   5,400 
Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group Co., Ltd. Shareholder of Shaanxi Steel  26,047   - 
Tianwu General Steel Material Trading Co., Ltd. Investee of General Steel (China)  76,735   - 
Shaanxi Shenganda Trading Co., Ltd. Significant influence by the Long Steel Group  20,213   - 
Others Entities either owned or have significant influence by our affiliates or management  797   154 
Total   $886,401  $929,005 

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Related party balances

a.Loans receivable – related parties:

Name of related parties Relationship December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture $-  $63,319 
Teamlink Investment Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  4,540   6,000 
Total   $4,540  $69,319 

See Note 3 – loans receivable – related parties for loan details.

b.Accounts receivables – related parties:

Name of related parties Relationship December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture $548  $10,409 
Shaanxi Long Steel Group Baoji
Steel Rolling Co., Ltd
 Subsidiary of Long Steel Group  -   2,017 
Tianjin Daqiuzhuang Steel Plates Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  19   18 
Shaanxi Steel Majority shareholder of Long Steel Group  1,741   2,435 
Others    634   87 
Total   $2,942  $14,966 

c.Other receivables – related parties:

Other receivables - related parties are those nontrade receivables arising from transactions between the Company and its related parties, such as advances or payments made on behalf of these related parties.

 

 The following charts summarize purchases from the related party transactions

Name of related parties Relationship December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture $406  $301 
Shaanxi Steel Majority shareholder of Long Steel Group  46,439   65,981 
Tianjin General Quigang Pipe Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  1,247   1,195 
Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co, Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  491   476 
Beijing Shenhua Xinyuan Metal Materials Co., Ltd. Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  4,901   - 
Others Entities either owned or have significant influence by our affiliates or management  622   429 
Total   $54,106  $68,382 

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

d.Advances on inventory purchase – related parties:

Name of related parties Relationship December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture $9,123  $1,367 
Shaanxi Shenganda Trading Co., Ltd. Significant influence by Long Steel Group  25,607   - 
Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  10,343   - 
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  16,158   - 
Tianjin General Qiugang Pipe Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  555   41,316 
Maoming Shengze Trading Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  21,197   3,733 
Others Entities either owned or have significant influence by our affiliates or management  20   - 
Total   $83,003  $46,416 

e.Accounts payable - related parties:

Name of related parties Relationship December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Hancheng Haiyan Coking Co., Ltd Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture $58,163  $58,661 
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture  134,758   91,511 
Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group Co., Ltd. Shareholder of Shaanxi Steel  29,990   5,652 
Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  958   3 
Xi’an Pinghe Metallurgical Raw Material Co., Ltd Noncontrolling shareholder of Long Steel Group  8,714   5,278 
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  1   13,919 
Henan Xinmi Kanghua Fire Refractory Co., Ltd Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture’s subsidiary  716   1,146 
Beijing Daishang Trading Co., Ltd Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture’s subsidiary  1,004   875 
Tianjin General Qiugang Pipe Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  -   52 
Tianwu General Steel Material Trading Co., Ltd. Investee of General Steel (China)  759   - 
Others Entities either owned or have significant influence by our affiliates or management  629   335 
Total   $235,692  $177,432 

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

f.Short-term loans - related parties:

Name of related parties Relationship December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Shaanxi Steel Majority shareholder of Long Steel Group $49,110  $35,839 
Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group Co., Ltd Shareholder of Shaanxi Steel  28,216   - 
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture  33,183   - 
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  8,178   19,549 
Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  6,548   21,397 
Beijing Shenhua Xinyuan Metal Materials Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  -   1,359 
Yangpu Capital Automobile Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  1,458   1,413 
Total   $126,693  $79,557 

See Note 9 – Debt for the years endedloan details.

g.Current maturities of long-term loans – related parties

Name of related party Relationship December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Shaanxi Steel Majority shareholder of Long Steel Group $53,013  $54,885 
Total   $53,013  $54,885 

h.Other payables – related parties:

Other payables – related parties are those nontrade payables arising from transactions between the Company and its related parties, such as advances or payments from these related parties on behalf of the Group.

Name of related parties Relationship December 31,
2013
  December 31,
2012
 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co, Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding $380  $2,770 
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture  43,636   60,180 
Shaanxi Steel Majority shareholder of Long Steel Group  44,363   - 
Wendlar Investment & Management Group Co., Ltd Common control under CEO  895   836 
Yangpu Capital Automobile Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  291   141 
Xi’an Pinghe Metallurgical Raw Material Co., Ltd Noncontrolling shareholder of Long Steel Group  -   4,761 
Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  473   3,695 
Maoming Shengze Trading Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  1,745   - 
Victory Energy Resource Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  1,375   - 
Others Entities either owned or have significant influence by our affiliates or management  921   642 
Total   $94,079  $73,025 

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

i.Customer deposits – related parties:

Name of related parties Relationship December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Shaanxi Yuchang Trading Co., Ltd Significant influence by Long Steel Group $10  $4,869 
Sichuan Yutai Trading Co., Ltd Significant influence by Long Steel Group  -   2,163 
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co, Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  -   90 
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture  15,038   8,864 
Shaanxi Junlong Rolling Co., Ltd Investee of Long Steel Group  2,748   5,615 
Shaanxi Shenganda Trading Co., Ltd Significant influence by Long Steel Group  275   353 
Tianwu General Steel Material Trading Co., Ltd. Investee of General Steel (China)  46,521   - 
Others Entities either owned or have significant influence by our affiliates or management  289   44 
Total   $64,881  $21,998 

j.Deposits due to sales representatives – related parties

Name of related parties Relationship December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Hancheng Haiyan Coking Co., Ltd Noncontrolling shareholder of Long Steel Group $-  $619 
Shaanxi Junlong Rolling Co., Ltd Investee of Long Steel Group  -   619 
Gansu Yulong Trading Co., Ltd. Significant influence by Long Steel Group  1,408   - 
Shaanxi Yuchang Trading Co., Ltd Significant influence by Long Steel Group  589   - 
Total   $1,997  $1,238 

k.Long-term loans – related party:

Name of related party Relationship December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Shaanxi Steel Majority shareholder of Long Steel Group $19,644  $38,088 
Total   $19,644  $38,088 

The Company also provided guarantee on related parties’ bank loans amounting to $205.8 million and $118.0 million as of December 31, 20102013 and 2009.

Name of related parties Relationship December 31,
2010
  December 31,
2009
 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture  553,752   382,948 
Hengying and Dazhan Common control under CEO  -   45,296 
Jingma Jiaohua Investee of Longmen Joint Venture’s subsidiary (unconsolidated)  8,489   17,099 
Hancheng Haiyan Coking Investee of Long Steel Group  234,479   148,091 
Beijing Daishang Trade Co., Ltd. Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture’s subsidiary  1,984   32,346 
Others    1,019   1,259 
Total   $799,723  $627,039 

See reportas of independent registered public accounting firm.

December 31, 2012, respectively.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

l.Long-term other payable – related party:

Long-term other payable – related party is a nontrade payable arising from a transaction between the Company and its related party, Shaanxi Steel, in which the Company received an advance from Shaanxi Steel to make payment to a third party for a construction project.

Name of related party Relationship December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Shaanxi Steel Majority shareholder of Long Steel Group $-  $43,008 
Total   $-  $43,008 

m.Deferred lease income

  December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Beginning balance $77,199  $78,524 
Less: Lease income realized  (2,158)  (2,119)
Exchange rate effect  2,403   794 
Ending balance  77,444   77,199 
Current portion  (2,187)  (2,120)
Noncurrent portion $75,257  $75,079 

For the year ended December 31, 2010

Related2013 and 2012, the Company realized lease income from Shaanxi Steel, a related party, balancesamounted to $2.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

 

a.n.Accounts receivables – related parties:
Name of related parties   December 31,2010 December 31,2009
 Relationship As restated As restated
    (in thousands) (in thousands)
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture $3,023 $18,225
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co., Ltd. Common control under CEO  1,054  -
Shaanxi Steel Majority shareholder of Long Steel Group  83  -
 Total   $ 4,160 $18,225

b.Other receivables - related parties:Equity

 

Name of related parties 

 

Relationship

 

December 31,2010

As restated

  

December 31,2009

As restated

    (in thousands)  (in thousands)
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture $993  $13,258
Shaanxi Steel Majority shareholder of Long Steel Group  -   16,918
Mao Ming Sheng Zhe Common control under CEO  8,095   3,021
Tianjin Daqiuzhuang Steel Plates Co., Ltd. Common control under CEO  1,078   -
Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co, Ltd Common control under CEO       455   10,268
Others    317   155
Total   $10,938  $43,620

c.Advances on inventory purchase – related parties:

Name of related parties Relationship 

December 31,

2010

  

December 31,

2009

    (in thousands)  (in thousands)
Tianjin General Qiugang Pipe Common control under CEO $6,187  $-
Others    -   2,995
Total   $6,187  $2,995

d.Accounts payable - related parties:

Name of related parties 

 

Relationship

 

December 31,2010

As restated

  

December 31,2009

 

    (in thousands)  (in thousands)
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co., Ltd Common control under CEO $17,264  $17,256
Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co., Ltd Common control under CEO  2,764   6,047
Tianjin General Qiugang Pipe Common control under CEO  -   4,800
Hancheng Haiyan Coking Investee of Long Steel Group  25,708   -
Henan Xinmi Kanghua Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture’s subsidiary  880   960
Jingma Jiaohua Investee of Longmen Joint Venture’s subsidiary (unconsolidated)  1,579   1,360
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture  28,329   15,310
Beijing Daishang Trading Co., Ltd Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture’s subsidiary     1,101   1,315
Mao Ming Sheng Zhe Common control under CEO  1,954   -
Others    115   1,103
Total   $79,694  $48,151

See reportOn November 19, 2013, the Company sold its 28% equity interest of independent registered public accounting firm.Tianwu held by Yangpu Shengtong to Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co., Ltd., a related party through indirect common ownership by the CEO, for $13.6 million (RMB 84.3 million) while retaining the 32% interest held by General Steel (China). As a result of this transaction, the Company met the criteria under ASC 810-10-40-4 to deconsolidate Tianwu as of the ownership disposal date and recognize a gain, which amounted to $1.0 million. After the deconsolidation of Tianwu, General Steel (China)’s 32% interest in Tianwu was accounted for as an equity method investment, which amounted to $15.8 million as of December 31, 2013.

 

Note 21 – Equity

Preferred Stock

On May 18, 2007, the Company entered into a Purchase Agreement with Victory New Holdings Limited (“Victory New”), a British Virgin Islands registered company under the control of the Company’s Chairman, CEO and majority shareholder, Zuosheng Yu (aka Henry Yu), to acquire Victory New’s 30% interest in General Steel (China). The Company agreed to issue to Victory New an aggregate of 3,092,899 shares of its Series A Preferred Stock with a fair value of $8,374,000. These shares of Series A Preferred Stock carry a voting power of 30% of the combined voting power of the Company’s common and preferred stock while outstanding. The holders of preferred stock are entitled to receive noncumulative dividends, when and if declared by the board of directors.  Dividends are not mandatory and shall not accrue. Preferred shares are non-redeemable.

2012 Equity Transactions

On March 1, 2012, Longmen Joint Venture sold its 22.76% equity interest of Tongxing to two individuals, who are the representatives from Long Steel Group. As of March 1, 2012, Tongxing had a carrying value of net assets of $40.5 million which were included in the consolidated net assets of the Company and a noncontrolling interest in Tongxing of $32.5 million. The Company retained the land use right associated with the Tongxing property adjacent to the Longmen Joint Venture facility, which had a carrying value of $3.6 million immediately prior to the transaction and relinquished its controlling interest in the remaining net assets (primarily operating assets). In connection with the transaction, the Company also settled with a payable in cash of $0.3 million and transferred the dividend receivable of $0.9 million from Tongxing to the two individuals. These arrangements meet the criteria of ASC 810-10-40-6b and 6d, deconsolidation of a Subsidiary with multiple arrangements treated as a single transaction. As the land use rights held in Tongxing have been included as part of the Company’s consolidated assets, this transaction was considered as a change in the Company’s ownership interest in the land use right similar to a change in a parent company’s ownership interest in a subsidiary in accordance with ASC 810-10-45-23 and therefore the carrying value of the land use right was not stepped up to fair value. The net impact of these transactions resulted in a reduction of $3.1 million paid-in capital.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following is a reconciliation of the Company’s noncontrolling interest for the year ended December 31, 20102012:

(in thousands) Noncontrolling interest 
  Total  Tongxing  Others 
Balance at December 31, 2011 $(56,189) $32,934  $(89,123)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest  (79,241)  341   (79,582)
Addition to special reserve  605   -   605 
Usage of special reserve  (566)  -   (566)
Deconsolidation of Tongxing  (35,943)  (33,654)  (2,289)
Foreign currency translation adjustments  (729)  379   (1,108)
Balance at December 31, 2012 $(172,063) $-  $(172,063)

On March 26, 2012, the Company granted senior management and directors 165,400 shares of common stock at $0.75 per share, as compensation under the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the grant date. The Company recorded compensation expense of $0.1 million.

 

e.Short-term loans - related parties:

Name of related parties 

 

Relationship

 

December 31,2010

As restated

  

December 31,2009

 

 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Shaanxi Steel Majority shareholder of Long Steel Group $14,548  $- 
Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co., Ltd Common control under CEO  -   3,946 
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co., Ltd Common control under CEO  -   3,404 
Shaanxi Shenganda Trading Co., Ltd Common control under Long Steel Group  -   4,401 
Total   $14,548  $11,751 

f.Other payables - related parties:

Name of related parties Relationship 

December 31,

2010

  

December 31,

2009

 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co, Ltd Common control under CEO $10,168  $2,415 
Beijing Wendlar Co., Ltd Common control under CEO  -   704 
Yangpu Capital Automobile Common control under CEO  1,350   587 
Tianjin General Qiugang Pipe Common control under CEO  4,547   - 
Wenchun Han Director of General Steel (China)  2,124   2,054 
Others    25   - 
Total   $18,214  $5,760 

g.Customer deposits – related parties:

Name of related parties 

 

Relationship

 

December 31,2010

As restated

  

December 31,2009

As restated

 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co., Ltd Common control under CEO $-  $1,544 
Hancheng Haiyan Coking Investee of Long Steel Group  5,081   566 
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture  48,161   - 
Beijing Shenhua Xinyuan Common control under CEO  1,299   - 
Beijing Daishang Trading Co., Ltd Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture’s subsidiary  -   728 
Others    381   203 
Total   $54,922  $3,041 

See reportOn March 27, 2012, we launched another share repurchase program to repurchase up to an aggregate of independent registered public accounting firm.2,000,000 shares of our common stock. Together with the previous share repurchase program launched in December 2010 and this newly announced Share Repurchase Program, it brought the total authorized shares of our common stock available for purchase to 4,000,000. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company has repurchased 1,381,328 shares with $1.4 million pursuant to the Share Repurchase Program. The Company had a total of 2,472,306 shares of treasury stock as of December 31, 2012.

 

On June 28, 2012, the Company granted senior management and directors 165,400 shares of common stock at $0.80 per share, as compensation under the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the grant date. The Company recorded compensation expense of $0.1 million.

On September 27, 2012, the Company granted senior management and directors 167,900 shares of common stock at $1.29 per share, as compensation under the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the grant date. The Company recorded compensation expense of $0.2 million.

On December 28, 2012, the Company granted senior management and directors 169,150 shares of common stock at $1.00 per share, as compensation under the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the grant date. The Company recorded compensation expense of $0.2 million.

2013 Equity Transactions

On March 28, 2013, the Company granted senior management and directors 174,900 shares of common stock at $1.01 per share, as compensation under the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the grant date.

On June 27, 2013, the Company granted senior management and directors 163,150 shares of common stock at $1.02 per share, as compensation under the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the grant date.

On August 16, 2013, an additional $45.1 million (or RMB 280 million) was contributed to Tianwu Joint Venture with $27.0 million (or RMB 168 million) contributed by the Company and $18.0 million (or RMB 112 million) contributed by Tianjin Material and Equipment Group Corporation (“TME Group”). The Company’s controlling interest of Tianwu Joint Venture remains at 60% after the capital contribution.

On September 28, 2013, the Company granted senior management and directors 163,150 shares of common stock at $0.88 per share as compensation under the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the grant date.

On October 11, 2013, the Company granted 300,000 shares of common stock at $0.85 per share as service fee for corporate advisory services under a one year service agreement dated September 25, 2013. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the grant date.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On December 31, 2010

h.Long-term loans – related parties:
Name of related parties 

 

Relationship

 

December 31,2010

As restated

  

December 31,2009

 

 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Shaanxi Steel Majority shareholder of Long Steel Group 91,020  - 
Total   $91,020  $- 

The Company also guaranteed bank loans of related parties amounting to $3.0 million as of December 31, 2010.

i. Deferred lease income

  December 31, 2010  December 31, 2009 
  As restated  As restated 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Beginning balance $16,487  $- 
Add: Compensation for dismantled assets  568   9,735 
Add: Compensation for loss of efficiency  20,676   6,871 
Add: Compensation for trial production cost  13,584   - 
Add: Deferred depreciation cost during trial production  6,656   - 
Less: Lease income realized  (943)  (119)
Exchange rate effect  563   - 
Ending balance $57,591  $16,487 

For30, 2013, the year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company realized deferred lease income from Shaanxi Steel, a related party, amounting $942,619 and $118,900, respectively.

Note 17 - Equity

2009 Equity Transactions

The Company granted senior management and directors 596,650163,650 shares of common stock at $0.91 per share as compensation in 2009.under the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the grant date.

Prior to November 19, 2013, the Company held a combined 60.0% equity interest in Tianwu. 32% interest was held by General Steel (China) and 28% interest was held by Yangpu Shengtong. On November 19, 2013, the Company sold its 28% equity interest of Tianwu held by Yangpu Shengtong to Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co., Ltd., a related party through indirect common ownership, for $13.6 million (RMB 84.3 million) while retaining the 32% interest held by General Steel (China). As a result of this transaction, the Company met the criteria under ASC 810-10-40-4 to deconsolidate Tianwu at disposal date granted.and recognized a gain in accordance with ASC 810-10-40-5. At the same time, Tianwu’s cumulative translation adjustment as of the disposal date was released to net income in accordance with ASC 830-30-40-1A. The Company recorded compensation expensetotal gain from the deconsolidation of $1.9 millionTianwu amounted to $1.0 million.

The following is a reconciliation of the Company’s noncontrolling interest for the year ended December 31, 2009.2013:

 

On January 15, 2009, the Company granted convertible notes holders 152,240 shares of common stock at $3.66 per share, as share payments for interest. The shares were computed as 90% of the arithmetic average of the Weighted Average Price of the Common Shares on each for the ten consecutive Trading Days immediately preceding the applicable Interest Date.

On July 15, 2009 and August 21, 2009 the Company granted convertible notes holders 44,065 shares of common stock at price of $4.2511 as cash payments made for interest.

On May 8, 2009, the Company issued 300,000 shares of common stock to Maoming Hengda’s debtor, Guangzhou Hengda at $6.00 per share, as cash payments made for settling other short term loan.

From May 7 to December 31, 2009, $30.0 million of notes was converted to 7,045,274 shares of common stock at a conversion price of $4.2511. According to the convertible note agreement, the Company incurred the make whole interest expense of $8.8 million and 1,795,977 shares of common stock were issued. See Note 11 for details.

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

On December 24, 2009, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with certain institutional investors issuing 5,555,556 shares and 2,777,778 warrants (the “2009 Warrants”). The 2009 Warrants can be converted to common stock from June 24, 2010 to June 23, 2013 at $5.00 per share. The 2009 Warrants have a strike price equal to $5.00 and a term of two and a half years. Because the 2009 Warrants are denominated in U.S. dollars and the Company’s functional currency is the Renminbi, and the 2009 Warrants permit the holder to request cash buy-back in the event of a Fundamental Transaction, this results in a significant change in the Company structure and/or equity. The 2009 Warrants do not meet the requirements of the accounting standards to be indexed only to the Company’s stock.  Accordingly, they are accounted for at fair value as derivative liabilities each period.

The initial value of the 2009 Warrants was determined using the Cox-Ross-Rubinstein binomial model using the following assumptions:

·Expected volatility of 125%
·Expected dividend yield of 0%
·Risk-free interest rate of 1.28%
·Expected lives of two and a half years
·Market price at issuance date of $4.57
·Strike price of $5.00

The 2009 Warrants were valued at $8.5 million when they were issued on December 24, 2009. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the estimated fair value of the warrants was $2.0 million and $8.1 million, resulting in a gain of $6.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively. The gain was recorded in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss).

The volatility of the Company’s common stock was based on the Company’s historical stock prices, the risk free interest rate was based on Treasury Constant Maturity Rates published by the U.S. Federal Reserve for periods applicable to the life of the warrants, the dividend yield was based on the Company’s current and expected dividend policy and the expected term is equal to the contractual life of the warrants.  The value of the warrants was based on the Company’s common stock price on the date the warrants were issued.

2010 Equity Transactions

The Company granted senior management and directors 733,300 shares of common stock as compensation in 2010. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the date granted. The Company recorded compensation expense of $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.

On June 7, 2010, the Company issued 928,163 shares of common stock to one of Maoming Hengda’s creditor to settle the other short-term loans.

On August 4, 2010, $3.3 million of the Notes was converted to 1,208,791 shares of common stock. According to the Notes agreement, the Company incurred the make whole interest expense of $0.7 million and accrued interest expense of $0.2 million, 350,885 shares of common stock were issued. See Note 11 for details.

On December 21, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized to repurchase up to an aggregate of one million (1,000,000) shares of its common stock as part of a share repurchase program (the “Share Repurchase Program”).  The Share Repurchase Program does not have an expiration date and these repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions in accordance with applicable laws. As of December 31, 2010, the Company has repurchased 316,760 shares with $ 0.9 million cost.

The Company has the following warrants outstanding:

Outstanding as of January 1, 20091,154,958
Granted5,523,691
Forfeited-
Exercised-
Outstanding As of December 31, 20096,678,649
Granted-
Forfeited-
Exercised-
Outstanding As of December 31, 20106,678,649

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

Outstanding Warrants  Exercisable Warrants 
Exercise Price  Number  Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
  Average
Exercise Price
  Number  Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
 
$5.00   6,678,649   2.0  $5.00   6,678,649   2.0 
(in thousands) Noncontrolling interest 
  Total  Tianwu  Others 
Balance at December 31, 2012 $(172,063) $1,339  $(173,402)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest  (9,609)  2   (9,611)
Addition to special reserve  553   -   553 
Usage of special reserve  (393)  -   (393)
Addition to Tianwu paid-in capital  18,028   18,028   - 
Deconsolidation of a subsidiary  (19,929)  (19,929)  - 
Foreign currency translation adjustments  (5,498)  560   (6,058)
Balance at December 31, 2013 $(188,911) $-  $(188,911)

 

Note 1822 – Retirement plan

 

Regulations in the PRC require the Company to contribute to a defined contribution retirement plan for all employees. All Joint Venturethe employees of the Company’s entities in China are entitled to a retirement pension amount calculated based upon their salary at their date of retirement and their length of service in accordance with a government managed pension plan. The PRC government is responsible for the pension liability to the retired staff. The Company isCompany’s entities in China are required to contribute based on the higher of 20% of the employees’ monthly base salary or 12% of the minimum social average salary of the city where the factory located, which is higher.facilities are located. Employees are required to contribute 8% of their base salary to the plan. The minimum social average salary is announced by the local Social Security bureau and renewedupdated annually. Total pension expense incurred by the Company amounted to $5.1million, $3.8 million and $3.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 20092013 and 2008,2012 amounted to $8.5 million and $7.4 million, respectively.

 

Note 1923 – Statutory reserves

 

The laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China require that before ana foreign -invested enterprise distributes profits to its partners,shareholders, it must first satisfy all tax liabilities, provideprovision for losses in previous years, and make allocations, in proportions determined at the discretion of the board of directors, to the statutory reserves. The statutory reserves include the surplus reserve funds and the enterprise fund and these statutory reserves represent restricted retained earnings.

 

Surplus reserve fund

 

The Company is required to transfer 10% of its net income, as determined in accordance with the PRC accounting rules and regulations, to a statutory surplus reserve fund until such reserve balance reaches 50% of the Company’s registered capital.

 

The transfer to this reserve must be made before distribution of any dividend to shareholders. 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.

Note 20 – Commitment For the years ended December 31, 2013 and contingencies2012, the Company did not make any contributions to these reserves.

 

CommitmentsSpecial reserve

 

Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture has a 5The Company is required by the PRC government to reserve safety and maintenance expense to the cost of production based on the actual quantity of mineral exploited.  The amount of reserves is determined within the unit price range provided by Ministry of Finance of PRC. For the years rental agreement with Bao Gang Jianan for buildings. The agreement began on June 2007 for $0.3 million (or RMB1.8 million) per year.

As ofended December 31, 2010, total future minimum lease payments for2013 and 2012, the unpaid portion under an operating lease were as follows:

Year ended, Amount 
  (in thousands) 
December 31, 2011 $273 
December 31, 2012  137 
Total $410 

See reportCompany made contributions of independent registered public accounting firm.

$1.2 million and $1.3 million to these reserves, respectively and used $0.8 million and $1.3 million of safety and maintenance expense, respectively.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

Note 24 – Commitment and contingencies

 

Operating Lease Commitments

Total operating lease commitments for rental of offices, buildings, equipment and land use rights of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 is as follows:

Year ending December 31, Minimum lease payment 
  (in thousands) 
2014 $1,450 
2015  683 
2016  562 
2017  562 
2018  562 
Years after  19,955 
Total minimum payments required $23,774 

Total rental expense amounted to $0.4 million, $0.3was $3.2 million and $0.3$3.3 million for the yearsyear ended December 31, 2010, 20092013 and 2008, respectively,2012, respectively.

Contractual Commitments

 

Longmen Joint Venture has $13.9$353.0 million contractual obligations in itsrelated to construction projectprojects as of December 31, 2010.

The Company entered an agreement2013 estimated to build a TRT Electricity Generator (“TRT”) inside Longmen Joint Venture’s production plant. The Company makes payments for the cost via scheduled payments after the TRT was put into use in April 2009. The future payment schedule associated with the arrangement is as follow:be fulfilled between January and December 2014.

Years ended, Amount 
  (in thousands) 
December 31, 2011 $1,428 
Thereafter  - 
Total $1,428 

 

Contingencies

 

As of December 31, 2010,2013, Longmen Joint Venture guaranteed bank loans forprovided guarantees to related partiesparties’ and third partiesparties’ bank loans, including linelines of credit and others, amounting to $60.5$326.8 million.

 

Nature of guarantee 

Guarantee

amount

 Guaranty period Guarantee
amount
 Guaranty Due Date 
 (In thousands)  (In thousands) 
Line of credit $11,608 Various from March 2011 to January 2012 $226,618  Various from January 2014 to August 2015 
Bank loans  7,585 Various from March 2011 to May 2011
Notes payable  18,238 Various from June 2011 to September 2012
Three-party financing agreements  13,096  Various from January to July 2014 
Confirming storage  19,089 Various from April 2011 to December 2011  41,252  Various from March to December 2014 
Financing by the rights of goods delivery in future  3,946 Various from March 2011 to July 2011  45,836  Various from April to October 2014
Total $60,466  $326,802   

Name of parties being guaranteed Guarantee amount  Guaranty Due Date 
  (In thousands)    
Long Steel Group $68,099  Various from February 2014 to August 2015 
Hancheng Haiyan Coking Co., Ltd  46,818  Various from January to December 2014 
Long Steel Group Fuping Rolling Steel Co., Ltd  16,820  Various from January to June 2014 
Yichang Zhongyi Industrial Co., Ltd  28,909  June 2014 
Xi’an Laisheng Logistics Co., Ltd  6,548  May 2014 
Xi'an Kaiyuan Steel Sales Co., Ltd  1,637  January 2014 
Shaanxi Anlin Logistics Co., Ltd  6,548  April 2014 
Shaanxi Huatai Huineng Group Co., Ltd  24,555  March 2014 
Hancheng Sanli Furnace Burden Co., Ltd.  16,370  March 2015 
Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co., Ltd  45,018  Various from January 2014 to March 2015 
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co., Ltd  40,925  Various from January to October 2014 
Tianjin Qiu Steel Pipe Industry Co., Ltd  4,911  April 2014 
Jinmen Desheng Metallurty Co., Ltd  19,644  August 2014 
Total $326,802    

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

As of December 31, 2013, the Company did not accrue any liability for the amounts the Group has guaranteed for third and related parties because those parties are current in their payment obligations and the Company has not experienced any losses from providing guarantees. The Company has evaluated the debt guarantees and concluded that the likelihood of having to make payments under the guarantees is remote.remote and that the fair value of the stand-ready obligation under these commitments is not material.

 

Note 2125 – Segments (as restated)

 

The Company sells steel which is used by customers in various industries.  The Company’s chief operating decision-makers (i.e. chief executive officerdecision maker evaluates performance and his direct reports) review financial information presenteddetermines resource allocations based on a consolidated basis, accompanied by disaggregated information about revenues by product lines for purposesnumber of allocating resourcesfactors, the primary measure being income from operations of the Group’s four regional divisions in the PRC: Longmen Joint Venture in Shaanxi province, Maoming Hengda in Guangdong province, Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture in Inner Mongolia province and evaluatingGeneral Steel (China) & Tianwu Joint Venture in Tianjin City.

The Group operates in one business segment that includes four different divisions. These reportable divisions are consistent with the way the Company manages its business, each division operates under separate management groups and produces discrete financial performance. There are no segment managers who are held accountable forinformation. The accounting principles applied at the operating division level in determining income from operations operating results and plans for levels or components belowis generally the same as those applied at the consolidated unitfinancial statement level.  Based on qualitative

The following represents results of division operations for the years ended December 31, 2013 and quantitative criteria established by the accounting standards, the Company considers itself to be operating within one reportable segment.2012:

 

 The Company does not have long-lived assets located in foreign countries. In accordance with the enterprise-wide disclosure requirements of the accounting standard, the Company's net sales from external customers by main product lines are as follows:

(In thousands)      
Sales: 2013  2012 
Longmen Joint Venture $2,450,256  $2,837,608 
Maoming Hengda  3,814   6,502 
Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture  5,585   6,760 
General Steel (China) & Tianwu Joint Venture  58,630   161,613 
Total sales  2,518,285   3,012,483 
Interdivision sales  (54,538)  (148,890)
Consolidated sales $2,463,747  $2,863,593 

 

  For the years ended 
Products (in thousands) 2010
As restated
  2009
As restated
  2008 
Re-bar $1,854,991  $1,540,367  $1,182,433 
Hot-Rolled Sheets  8,385   58,833   132,458 
High Speed Wire  1,100   68,140   23,280 
Spiral-Welded Steel Pipe  12,315   12,430   13,032 
Iron Powder  5,349   -   - 
Total sales revenue $1,882,140  $1,679,770  $1,351,203 
Gross profit (loss): 2013  2012 
Longmen Joint Venture $(56,065) $29,512 
Maoming Hengda  (130)  (1,350)
Baotou Steel  229   69 
General Steel (China) & Tianwu Joint Venture  28   3,888 
Total gross profit (loss)  (55,938)  32,119 
Interdivision gross profit  -   - 
Consolidated gross profit (loss) $(55,938) $32,119 

 

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.

Income (loss) from operations: 2013  2012 
Longmen Joint Venture $45,161  $(68,081)
Maoming Hengda  (2,811)  (19,789)
Baotou Steel  (407)  (7)
General Steel (China) & Tianwu Joint Venture  (2,971)  (2,539)
Total income (loss) from operations  38,972   (90,416)
Interdivision income (loss) from operations  -   - 
Reconciling item (1)  (4,567)  (5,041)
Consolidated income (loss) from operations $34,405  $(95,457)

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2010

Net income (loss) attributable to General Steel Holdings, Inc.: 2013  2012 
Longmen Joint Venture $(16,457) $(114,936)
Maoming Hengda  (2,721)  (18,968)
Baotou Steel  70   (531)
General Steel (China) & Tianwu Joint Venture  (10,485)  (13,128)
Total net income (loss) attributable to General Steel Holdings, Inc.  (29,593)  (147,563)
Interdivision net income  -   - 
Reconciling item (1)  (3,423)  (5,134)
Consolidated net loss attributable to General Steel Holdings, Inc. $(33,016) $(152,697)

Depreciation, amortization and depletion: 2013  2012 
Longmen Joint Venture $85,603  $79,048 
Maoming Hengda  1,237   1,984 
Baotou Steel  246   185 
General Steel (China) & Tianwu Joint Venture  1,962   2,714 
Consolidated depreciation, amortization and depletion $89,048  $83,931 

Finance/interest expenses: 2013  2012 
Longmen Joint Venture $83,062  $142,086 
Maoming Hengda  1   13 
Baotou Steel  -   485 
General Steel (China) & Tianwu Joint Venture  8,812   10,861 
Interdivision interest expenses  -   - 
Reconciling item (1)  3   298 
Consolidated interest expenses $91,878  $153,743 

Capital expenditures: 2013  2012 
Longmen Joint Venture $43,341  $27,837 
Maoming Hengda  2   73 
Baotou Steel  8   11 
General Steel (China) & Tianwu Joint Venture  4   55 
Reconciling item (1)  -   - 
Consolidated capital expenditures $43,355  $27,976 

Total Assets as of: December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
Longmen Joint Venture $2,573,212  $2,513,206 
Maoming Hengda  29,211   29,687 
Baotou Steel Pipe Joint Venture  4,448   5,186 
General Steel (China) & Tianwu Joint Venture  121,883   152,965 
Interdivision assets  (34,213)  (57,436)
Reconciling item (2)  5,817   7,074 
Total Assets $2,700,358  $2,650,682 

(1)Reconciling item represents the unallocated income or expenses of the Company, arising from General Steel Investment Co., Ltd, Yangpu Shengtong Investment Co., Ltd and Qiu Steel for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

(2)Reconciling item represents assets held at General Steel Holdings, Inc., General Steel Investment Co., Ltd, Yangpu Shengtong Investment Co., Ltd and Qiu Steel as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.

 

Note 2226 – Subsequent events

 

On February 3, 2014, the Company granted 80,000 shares of common stock at $1.01 per share as service fees for investor relations consulting services under two service agreements dated January 14, 2014. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the grant date.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC.

SCHEDULE 1 - CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY  BALANCE SHEETS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2011,2013 AND 2012

(In thousands)

ASSETS      
  2013  2012 
CURRENT ASSETS:        
Cash $11  $88 
Restricted cash  -   - 
Other receivables  39   19 
Prepaid expense  301   45 
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS  351   152 
         
OTHER ASSETS:        
Intercompany receivable  82,987   83,320 
TOTAL OTHER ASSETS  82,987   83,320 
         
TOTAL ASSETS $83,338  $83,472 
         
LIABILITIES AND DEFICIENCY        
         
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
Other payables and accrued liabilities $6  $7 
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES  6   7 
         
OTHER LIABILITIES:        
Loss in excess of investment in subsidiaries  388,418   347,411 
TOTAL OTHER LIABILITIES  388,418   347,411 
         
TOTAL LIABILITIES  388,424   347,418 
         
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES        
         
DEFICIENCY:        
 Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 3,092,899 shares        
  issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012  3   3 
 Common stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 58,234,688        
 and 57,269,838 shares issued, 55,762,382 and 54,797,532 shares outstanding        
 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively  58   57 
 Treasury stock, at cost, 2,472,306 shares as of December 31, 2013 and        
December 31, 2012  (4,199)  (4,199)
 Paid-in-capital  106,878   105,714 
 Statutory reserves  6,243   6,076 
 Accumulated deficits  (414,798)  (381,782)
 Accumulated other comprehensive income  729   10,185 
  TOTAL GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC. DEFICIENCY  (305,086)  (263,946)
         
 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND DEFICIENCY $83,338  $83,472 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC.

SCHEDULE 1 -  CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013 AND 2012

(In thousands)

  2013  2012 
       
OPERATING EXPENSES        
         
    General and administrative expenses $(1,324) $(1,260)
     Total operating expenses  (1,324)  (1,260)
         
OTHER INCOME        
    Change in fair value of derivative liabilities  1   9 
         Total other income, net  1   9 
         
EQUITY LOSS OF SUBSIDIARIES  (31,693)  (151,446)
         
NET LOSS  (33,016)  (152,697)
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENTS  (8,927)  (802)
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS $(41,943) $(153,499)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC.

SCHEDULE 1 - CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013 AND 2012

(In thousands)

  2013  2012 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:        
Net loss $(33,016) $(152,697)
         
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:        
Change in fair value of derivative instrument  (1)  (9)
Stock issued for services and compensation  1,165   919 
Loss from subsidiaries  31,693   151,446 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities        
Other receivables  (20)  (18)
Prepaid expense  (257)  15 
Other payables and accrued liabilities  -   (1)
Net cash used in operating activities  (436)  (345)
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
Restricted cash  -   4 
Loan repayment from subsidiaries  334   1,785 
Net cash provided by investing activities  334   1,789 
         
CASH FLOWS FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
Payments made for treasury stock acquired  -   (1,404)
Borrowings from subsidiaries  25   - 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  25   (1,404)
         
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH  (77)  40 
         
CASH, beginning of year  88   48 
         
CASH, end of year $11  $88 
         
Non-cash transactions of investing and financing activities:        
Deconsolidation of a subsidiary as a reduction to paid-in-capital $-  $3,143 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED NOTES TO SCHEDULE 1 

1.Basis of presentation

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. The Company’s investment in subsidiaries is stated at cost plus equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on the accompanying condensed parent company statements of operations and cash flows.

2.Restricted net assets

Schedule I of Article 5-04 of Regulation S-X requires the condensed financial information of registrant shall be filed when the restricted net assets of consolidated subsidiaries exceed 25 percent of consolidated net assets as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year. For purposes of the above test, restricted net assets of consolidated subsidiaries shall mean that amount of the registrant’s proportionate share of net assets of consolidated subsidiaries (after intercompany eliminations) which as of the end of the most recent fiscal year may not be transferred to the parent company by subsidiaries in the form of loans, advances or cash dividends without the consent of a third party (i.e., lender, regulatory agency, foreign government, etc.).

The condensed parent company financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Rule 12-04, Schedule I of Regulation S-X as the restricted net assets of the subsidiaries of General Steel Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) issuedexceed 25% of the consolidated net assets of General Steel Holdings, Inc. The ability of our Chinese operating affiliates to pay dividends may be restricted due to the foreign exchange control policies and availability of cash balances of the Chinese operating subsidiaries. Because a press release announcingsignificant portion of our operations and revenues are conducted and generated in China, a significant portion of our revenues being earned and currency received are denominated in Renminbi (RMB). RMB is subject to the exchange control regulation in China, and, as a result, we may be unable to distribute any dividends outside of China due to PRC exchange control regulations that it will test run two newly constructed 1,280 cubic meter blast furnaces, two 120 metric ton converters and one 400 square meter sintering machine at its Shaanxi Longmen Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. facilities, a joint venture with Shaanxi Longmen Iron & Steel Group Co., Ltd.  restrict our ability to convert RMB into US Dollars.

3.Derivative instrument

The Company will havehas 3,900,871 warrants outstanding in connection with the opportunity to sell$40 million convertible notes issued in 2007, which expire on May 13, 2013 and collect revenue from2,777,778 warrants outstanding in connection with a registered direct offering in 2009, which expired on June 24, 2012. The aforementioned warrants met the crude steel produced duringdefinition of a derivative instrument in the test runaccounting standards and are recorded at their fair value on each reporting date. The change in the value of the new equipment.derivative liabilities is charged against or credited to income each period.

Refer to Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the convertible notes and derivative liabilities.

4.Equity

Preferred Stock

On May 18, 2007, the Company entered into a Purchase Agreement with Victory New Holdings Limited (“Victory New”), a British Virgin Islands registered company under the control of the Company’s Chairman, CEO and majority shareholder, Zuosheng Yu (aka Henry Yu), to acquire Victory New’s 30% interest in General Steel (China ). The Company agreed to issue to Victory New an aggregate of 3,092,899 shares of its Series A Preferred Stock with a fair value of $8,374,000, and these shares of Series A Preferred Stock carry a voting power of 30% of the combined voting power of the Company’s common and preferred stock while outstanding. The holders of preferred stock are entitled to receive noncumulative dividends, when and if declared by the board of directors.  Dividends are not mandatory and shall not accrue. Preferred shares are non-redeemable.

2012 Equity Transactions

On March 1, 2012, Longmen Joint Venture sold its 22.76% equity interest of Tongxing to two individuals, who are the representatives from Long Steel Group. As of March 1, 2012, Tongxing had a carrying value of net assets of $40.5 million which were included in the consolidated net assets of the Company and a noncontrolling interest in Tongxing of $32.5 million. The Company retained the land use right associated with the Tongxing property adjacent to the Longmen Joint Venture facility, which had a carrying value of $3.6 million immediately prior to the transaction and relinquished its controlling interest in the remaining net assets (primarily operating assets). In connection with the transaction, the Company also settled with a payable in cash of $0.3 million and transferred the dividend receivable of $0.9 million from Tongxing to the two individuals. These arrangements meet the criteria of ASC 810-10-40-6b and 6d, deconsolidation of a Subsidiary with multiple arrangements treated as a single transaction. As the land use rights held in Tongxing have been included as part of the Company’s consolidated assets, this transaction was considered as a change in the Company’s ownership interest in the land use right similar to a change in a parent company’s ownership interest in a subsidiary in accordance with ASC 810-10-45-23 and therefore the carrying value of the land use right was not stepped up to fair value. The net impact of these transactions resulted in a reduction of $3.1 million paid-in capital.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED NOTES TO SCHEDULE 1 

 

The constructionfollowing is a reconciliation of the new equipment was funded by Shaanxi Steel.Company’s noncontrolling interest for the year ended December 31, 2012:

(in thousands) Noncontrolling interest 
  Total  Tongxing  Others 
Balance at December 31, 2011 $(56,189) $32,934  $(89,123)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest  (79,241)  341   (79,582)
Addition to special reserve  605   -   605 
Usage of special reserve  (566)  -   (566)
Deconsolidation of Tongxing  (35,943)  (33,654)  (2,289)
Foreign currency translation adjustments  (729)  379   (1,108)
Balance at December 31, 2012 $(172,063) $-  $(172,063)

On March 26, 2012, the Company granted senior management and directors 165,400 shares of common stock at $0.75 per share, as compensation under the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the grant date. The Company is currentlyrecorded compensation expense of $0.1 million.

On March 27, 2012, we launched another share repurchase program to repurchase up to an aggregate of 2,000,000shares of our common stock. Together with the previous share repurchase program launched in negotiations with Shaanxi SteelDecember 2010 and this newly announced Share Repurchase Program, it brought the total authorized shares of our common stock available for purchase to enter into an agreement to operate4,000,000. During the new equipment. During this test run period,year ended December 31, 2012, the Company will be ablehas repurchased 1,381,328 shares with $1.4 million pursuant to use the equipment to produce and deliver products to its customers. It is anticipated that this test run period will continue untilShare Repurchase Program. The Company had a lease agreement between Shaanxi Steel andtotal of 2,472,306 shares of treasury stock as of December 31, 2012.

On June 28, 2012, the Company is finalized.granted senior management and directors 165,400 shares of common stock at $0.80 per share, as compensation under the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the grant date. The Company recorded compensation expense of $0.1 million.

 

See reportOn September 27, 2012, the Company granted senior management and directors 167,900 shares of independent registered public accounting firm.common stock at $1.29 per share, as compensation under the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the grant date. The Company recorded compensation expense of $0.2 million.

On December 28, 2012, the Company granted senior management and directors 169,150 shares of common stock at $1.00 per share, as compensation under the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the grant date. The Company recorded compensation expense of $0.2 million.

2013 Equity Transactions

On March 28, 2013, the Company granted senior management and directors 174,900 shares of common stock at $1.01 per share, as compensation under the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the grant date.

On June 27, 2013, the Company granted senior management and directors 163,150 shares of common stock at $1.02 per share, as compensation under the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the grant date.

On August 16, 2013, an additional $45.1 million (or RMB 280 million) was contributed to Tianwu Joint Venture with $27.0 million (or RMB 168 million) contributed by the Company and $18.0 million (or RMB 112 million) contributed by Tianjin Material and Equipment Group Corporation (“TME Group”). The Company’s controlling interest of Tianwu Joint Venture remains at 60% after the capital contribution.

On September 28, 2013, the Company granted senior management and directors 163,150 shares of common stock at $0.88 per share as compensation under the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the grant date.

On October 11, 2013, the Company granted 300,000 shares of common stock at $0.85 per share as service fee for corporate advisory services under a one year service agreement dated September 25, 2013. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the grant date.

On December 30, 2013, the Company granted senior management and directors 163,650 shares of common stock at $0.91 per share as compensation under the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the grant date.

GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED NOTES TO SCHEDULE 1 

Prior to November 19, 2013, the Company held a combined 60.0% equity interest in Tianwu. 32% interest was held by General Steel (China) and 28% interest was held by Yangpu Shengtong. On November 19, 2013, the Company sold its 28% equity interest of Tianwu held by Yangpu Shengtong to Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co., Ltd., a related party through indirect common ownership, for $13.6 million (RMB 84.3 million) while retaining the 32% interest held by General Steel (China). As a result of this transaction, the Company met the criteria under ASC 810-10-40-4 to deconsolidate Tianwu at disposal date and recognized a gain in accordance with ASC 810-10-40-5. At the same time, Tianwu’s cumulative translation adjustment as of the disposal date was released to net income in accordance with ASC 830-30-40-1A. The total gain from the deconsolidation of Tianwu amounted to $1.0 million.

The following is a reconciliation of the Company’s noncontrolling interest for the year ended December 31, 2013:

(in thousands) Noncontrolling interest 
  Total  Tianwu  Others 
Balance at December 31, 2012 $(172,063) $1,339  $(173,402)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest  (9,609)  2   (9,611)
Addition to special reserve  553   -   553 
Usage of special reserve  (393)  -   (393)
Addition to Tianwu paid-in capital  18,028   18,028   - 
Deconsolidation of a subsidiary  (19,929)  (19,929)  - 
Foreign currency translation adjustments  (5,498)  560   (6,058)
Balance at December 31, 2013 $(188,911) $-  $(188,911)

5.Subsequent events

On February 3, 2014, the Company granted 80,000 shares of common stock at $1.01 per share as service fees for investor relations consulting services under two service agreements dated January 14, 2014. The shares were valued at the quoted market price on the grant date.

 

86

 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

 

None.

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

a)Evaluation Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our Company, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the ‘Exchange“Exchange Act”), as of December 31, 2010.2013. Our Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designeddesigned: (i) to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and formsforms; and (ii) to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Based on their original evaluation,evaluations, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2010.

In connection with the preparation of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, the Company revisited the appropriate treatment for certain reimbursements received related to the Company’s collaboration with Shaanxi Steel on the construction of equipment by Shaanxi Steel during the period from June 2009 to March 2011. Based on the guidance received from the OCA, which provided materially different accounting treatment for the reimbursements, management determined that restatement was necessary and a material weakness existed with respect to the reporting of the complex, non-routine transactions.

Solely as a result of the material weakness indentified with respect to our reporting of complex non-routine transactions, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have re-evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures, and on June 8, 2012, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2010.

Despite the existence of the material weakness in reporting, we believe that the consolidated financials included in this Amendment No. 1 present, in all material aspects, our financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with U.S. GAAP.2013.

  

b)Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with USU.S. GAAP. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

 

· pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;

·pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;

 

·provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and members of our board of directors; and

· provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the United States, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and members of our board of directors; and

· provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.

·provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations. Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper override. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process, and it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.

 

In connection with this Amendment No.1,Our management conducted the above-referenced assessment ofassessed the effectiveness of ourits internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010 using2013. In making this assessment, management used the 1992 framework set forth in the report entitled “InternalInternal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, or COSO. The COSO framework summarizes each of the COSO Report.components of a company’s internal control system, including: (i) the control environment, (ii) risk assessment, (iii) control activities, (iv) information and communication, and (v) monitoring. Based on such evaluation, management revised itsthis assessment, of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, originally included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting in the Company’s Original 10-K. In the Original 10-K,our management concluded that the Company’sour internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2010.Subsequent to the Original 10-K, we have restated2013. 

This Annual Report does not include an attestation report of our 2010 and 2009 financial statements under specific guidance of the OCA. Management has concluded that the restatements resulted from control deficiencies that represent material weaknesses inregistered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. As a result, management has revised its assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting due to a material weakness in our reporting of complex, non-routine transactions.

Based on this assessment and the determination that a material weakness exists with our reporting of non-routine, complex transactions, our management concluded that, as of December 31, 2010, our internal control over financial reportingManagement’s report was not effective based on those criteria duesubject to the material weakness described above.

The Company’s independentattestation by our registered public accounting firm Frazer Frost, LLP, has audited and issued an audit report on management’s revised assessmentpursuant to rules of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and theirSEC that permit our Company to provide only management’s report is included herein.in this Annual Report.

 

Remediation

Our management has dedicated significant resources to correcting the accounting items discussed with the OCA and to ensure that we take proper steps to improve our internal control over financial reporting in the areas of accounting for complex and non-routine transactions.

We have taken a number of remediation actions that we believe will improve the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting including the following:

·We have engaged an outside professional consulting firm to supplement us with our internal control over financial reporting;95
·We have engaged accounting experts to identify complicated accounting transactions and apply applicable accounting policies thereto;
·We have established an enhanced staff training program to update our employees on current accounting pronouncements.

Subsequent to June 8, 2012, management believes the foregoing efforts will effectively remediate the material weakness described above.

 

c)Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Except as otherwise noted above, thereDuring the most recent fiscal quarter, we have engaged accounting experts to assist management in identifying complicated accounting transactions and applying applicable accounting policies. In addition, we have implemented an internal review process over financial reporting to review all recent accounting pronouncements and to verify that any accounting treatment identified in such report has been fully implemented and confirmed by our outside professional consultants. An enhanced training program, including, but not limited to, accounting and auditing updates, and review of consolidated guidance of variable interest entities, was also established to update our employees on current accounting pronouncements. There has not been any other changes in our 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 most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of General Steel Holdings, Inc.

We have audited General Steel Holdings, Inc.(“the Company”)’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established inInternal Control—Integrated Frameworkissued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). General Steel Holdings, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (as revised)”. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our report dated March 16, 2011, we expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010. As described in the following paragraph, the Company subsequently indentified material misstatements in its financial statements, which caused the annual financial statements to be restated. Accordingly, our opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, expressed herein is different from that expressed in our previous report.

A material weakness is a control deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The following material weakness has been identified and included in management’s assessment.

In connection with the preparation of its quarterly report on Form 10Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 the Company revisited the appropriate treatment for certain reimbursements received related to the Company’s collaboration with Shaanxi Iron and Steel Group, Co. Ltd (“Shaanxi Steel”) on the construction of equipment by Shaanxi Steel during the period from June 2009 to March 2011. Upon guidance received from the OCA, which provided materially different accounting treatment for the reimbursements. Thus the management determined that restatement was necessary and a material weakness exited with respect to the reporting of the complex, non-routine transactions.

This material weakness was considered in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the 2010 consolidated financial statements, and this report does not affect our report dated March 16, 2011, except for the effects on the consolidated financial statements of the restatement described in Note 2, as to which the date is August 29, 2012, on those financial statements.

In our opinion, because of the effect of the material weakness described above on the achievement of the objectives of the control criteria, the Company has not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established inInternal Control—Integrated Frameworkissued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations and other comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010 of General Steel Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries, and our report dated March 16, 2011, except for the effects on the consolidated financial statements of the restatement described in Note 2, as to which the date is August 29, 2012, expressed an unqualified opinion.

/s/ Frazer Frost, LLP

Brea, California

March 16, 2011, except for the effects of the material weakness described in the ninth paragraph above, as to which the date is August 29, 2012

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.

 

None.

 

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

 

Directors and executive officers

The following table sets forth the names and ages of our current directors and executive officers, their principal offices and positions and the date each such person became our director or executive officer. Our executive officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors. Our directors serve one-year terms until they are re-elected or their successors are elected. The executive officers serve by election of the Board of Directors for one year terms or until their death, resignation, removal or renewal by the Board of Directors. The executive officers are all full-time employees of General Steel Holdings, Inc.

There are no known familial relationships between any of the directors and executive officers. In addition, there was no arrangement or understanding between any executive officer and any other person pursuant to which any person was selected as an executive officer. Our Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or “NYSE.” Under NYSE listing standards, the Board of Directors is required to affirmatively determine that each “independent” director has no material relationship with our Company, either directly or as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Company. Our Board has determined that the following directors are “independent” as required by NYSE listing standards: Angela He, Zhongkui Cao and James Hu.  Additionally, all members of our Audit Committee are “independent” as defined in Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act and as required by NYSE listing standards.  The non-management directors, all of whom currently are independent, met once during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 without management present and James Hu served as the lead independent director at such meeting.

Our directors and executive officers are as follows:

NameAgePositionDate of
appointment
Zuosheng Yu49Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer10/14/04
John Chen43Director/Chief Financial Officer03/07/05
James Hu41Independent Director02/15/10
Angela He44Independent Director07/23/10
Zhongkui Cao64Independent Director04/13/07

On February 25, 2011, James Hu was chosen to preside at the regularly scheduled executive sessions of the independent directors to comply with Section 303A.03 of the corporate governance rules of the NYSE.  Any stockholder or interested party who wishes to communicate with our Board of Directors or any specific director, including the Presiding Director, any non-management director or the non-management directors as a group, may do so by writing to such direct or directors at: General Steel Holdings, Inc., Level 21, Tower B, Jia Ming Center, No. 27 Dong San Huan North Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100020, China.  This communication will be forwarded to the director or directors to whom addressed.  This information set forthregarding contacting the board of directors is also posted on our website atwww.gshi-steel.com.

Biographical information

Mr. Zuosheng Yu,age 49, Chairman of the Board of Directors.  Mr. Yu joined our Company in October 2004 and became Chairman of the Board at that time. He also serves as our Chief Executive Officer. Since February 2001, he has been President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Beijing Wendlar Investment Management Group, Beijing, China. Mr. Yu graduated in 1985 from Sciences and Engineering Institute, Tianjin, China. In July 1994, he received a Bachelor’s degree from Institute of Business Management for Officers. Mr. Yu received the title of “Senior Economist” from the Committee of Science and Technology of Tianjin City in 1994. In July 1997, he received an MBA degree from the Graduate School of Tianjin Party University. Since April 2003, Mr. Yu has held a position as a member of China’s APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation) Development Council.  Mr. Yu’s strong knowledge of, and experience in, the Chinese steel industry, as well as his extensive institutional knowledge of our Company make him well suited to contribute to our Board of Directors.

Mr. John Chen, age 43, Director.  Mr. Chen joined us in May 2004 and was elected as a director in March 2005. He also serves as our Chief Financial Officer. From August 1997 to July 2003, he served as a senior accountant at Moore Stephens, Wurth, Frazer and Torbet, LLP in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Chen graduated from Norman Bethune University of Medical Science, Changchun City, Jilin Province, China in September 1992. He received a B.S. degree in accounting from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California, U.S. in July 1997.  Mr. Chen’s accounting skills and experience make him well suited to contribute to our Board.  He currently also serves on the board of directors of China Carbon Graphite Group, Inc. (OTCBB: CHGI), SGOCO Group, Ltd. (NASDAQ: SGOC), and China HGS Real Estate Inc. (NASDAQ: HGSH).

Mr. James Hu,age 41, Independent Director. Mr. Hu was elected as an independent director in February 2009. Since 2006, Mr. Hu has worked at Standard Chartered Bank (China) Limited. Previously, Mr. Hu was a Senior Auditor with Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu in the United States before moving on to hold management positions at both U.S. and China-based firms. His education includes a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of California at Berkeley and a Masters degree in Business Administration from the Darden Graduate School at the University of Virginia. He is a California licensed certified public accountant. Mr. Hu’s auditing and consulting experience make him well suited to contribute to our Board of Directors.

Ms. Angela He,age 44, Independent Director.   Ms. He was elected as an independent director in July 2010.  She currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Procell Biotech Asia Corp. in Newport Beach, California and as an SEC reporting and accounting advisor to various publicly traded and private companies in the United States.  From 2010 to 2012, she served as the Chief Officer of Aero Technology in Long Beach, California. From 2006 to 2007, she served as a Senior Auditor for PriceWaterhouse Coopers in Los Angeles.  From 2003 to 2006, she served as an auditor for Moore Stephens Wurth Frazer and Torbet, LLP (now known as Frazer LLP).  Ms. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from California State University at Fullerton and is a California Certified Public Accountant. Ms. He’s strong accounting skills and experiences of advising public companies make her well suited to contribute to our Board of Directors.

Mr. Zhongkui Cao,age 64, Independent Director. Mr. Cao was elected as a director in April 2007. From January 1994 to December 1998, Mr. Cao was President and Chairman of the Board at Baotou Metallurgy Machinery State-owned Asset Management Co. Mr. Cao graduated from Baotou Institute of Iron and Steel in 1974. Mr. Cao’s understanding and experience relating to the Chinese steel industry make him well suited to contribute to our Board of Directors.

Board Committees and Meetings of the Board of Directors

Our business is managed under the caption “Executive Officersdirection of our Board of Directors, which meets during the year to review significant developments affecting us and acts upon matters requiring its approval. Our Board of Directors met one time during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.  Our Board of Directors acted by written consent six times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. 

It is our policy to encourage all directors to attend the Annual Meeting.  

Our Board of Directors has three standing committees: the Compensation Committee, the Audit Committee and the Governance and Nominating Committee. A brief description of the Registrant”composition and functions of each committee follows.

Audit Committee

Our Audit Committee consists of James Hu, Angela He and Zhongkui Cao.  Mr. Hu is the Chairman of the Audit Committee. Each member of our Audit Committee is “independent” within the meaning of the NYSE listing standards and the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and related federal law.  The Audit Committee held four meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.

The primary responsibilities of the Audit Committee are to review the results of the annual audit and to discuss the financial statements, including the independent auditors’ judgment about the quality of accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of the disclosures in Part I, Item I of this Amendment No. 1 and as set forth herein, the information that is required by this Item is incorporated by referencefinancial statements. Additionally, the Audit Committee meets with our independent auditors to review the interim financial statements prior to the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement filed pursuantfiling of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recommends independent auditors to Regulation 14A,our Board of Directors to be retained by us, oversees the independence of the independent auditors, evaluates the independent auditors’ performance, receives and considers the independent auditors’ comments as to controls, adequacy of staff and management performance and procedures in connection with audit and financial controls, including our system to monitor and manage business risks and legal and ethical compliance programs, audit and non-audit services provided to us by our independent auditors, and considers conflicts of interest involving executive officers or Board members. Our Board of Directors has determined that each of Mr. Hu and Ms. He are “audit committee financial experts” as defined by the Company’s 2011 Annual MeetingSEC.   Our Board of Stockholders.

Code of Ethics

We haveDirectors has adopted a Code of Ethicswritten charter for the Audit Committee which may be accessed and Business Conduct and Corporate Governance Guidelines which provide information to guide employees so that their business conduct is consistent withreviewed through our ethical standards and improve the understanding of our ethical standards among customers, suppliers and others outside the Company. Our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on our website at website: http://www.gshi-steel.com. This website address is not intended to function as a hyperlink, and the information contained in our website is not intended to be a part of this Amendmentfiling.

To the best of our knowledge, none of the following has ever occurred to any of our directors and officers.

(1)   Any bankruptcy petition filed by or against any business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time;

(2)   Any conviction in a criminal proceeding or being subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses);

(3)   Being subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities; or

(4)   Being found by a court of competent jurisdiction (in a civil action), the SEC or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated.

Compensation Committee

Our Compensation Committee consists of James Hu, Angela He and Zhongkui Cao.  Ms. He is the Chairwoman of the Compensation Committee. Each member of our Compensation Committee is a non-management director and each is (i) independent as defined under the NYSE listing standards and as determined by the Board of Directors, (ii) a “non-employee director” for purposes of Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and (iii) an “outside director” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.  The Compensation Committee met once during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.

The Compensation Committee reviews and recommends compensation policies and programs, as well as salary and other compensation levels for individual executives, including our Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee makes these recommendations to our Board of Directors which, in turn, provides final approval on individual compensation matters for our executives. The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain any advisors, counsel and consultants as the members deem necessary in order to carry out these functions. The Compensation Committee also administers the compensation programs for our employees, including executive officers, reviews and approves all awards granted under these programs, and approves the compensation committee report. Our Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Compensation Committee which may be accessed and reviewed through our website: http://www.gshi-steel.com. This website address is not intended to function as a hyperlink, and the information contained in our website is not intended to be a part of this filing.

Governance and Nominating Committee

Our Governance and Nominating Committee consists of James Hu, Angela He and Zhongkui Cao. Mr. Cao serves as the Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committee.  All of the members of the Governance and Nominating Committee are considered “independent” within the meaning of the NYSE listing standards. The Governance and Nominating Committee held one meeting during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.

The Governance and Nominating Committee recommends criteria for service as a director, reviews candidates and recommends appropriate governance practices for the Company in light of corporate governance guidelines set forth by the NYSE and other regulatory entities, as applicable. The Governance and Nominating Committee considers director candidates who are suggested by directors, management, stockholders and search firms hired to identify and evaluate qualified candidates. From time to time, the Governance and Nominating Committee may recommend highly qualified candidates who it believes will enhance the strength, independence and effectiveness of the Company’s Board of Directors. Additionally, the Governance and Nominating Committee annually reviews the size of our Board of Directors.  The Governance and Nominating Committee does not have a formal policy specifically focusing on the consideration of diversity; however, diversity is one of the many factors that the Governance and Nominating Committee considers when identifying candidates and making its recommendations to the Board.

The Governance and Nominating Committee considers nominees for the Board recommended by stockholders if such recommendations are submitted in writing to our Secretary, John Chen, at Level 21, Tower B, Jia Ming Center, No. 1.27 Dong San Huan North Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China 100020.  At this time, no additional specific procedures to propose a candidate for consideration by the Governance and Nominating Committee or minimum criteria for consideration of a proposed candidate for nomination to the Board of Directors have been adopted as the Company believes that the procedures currently in place will continue to serve the needs of the Board and stockholders. Our Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Nominating Committee which may be accessed and reviewed through our website: http://www.gshi-steel.com. This website address is not intended to function as a hyperlink, and the information contained in our website is not intended to be a part of this filing.

Risk-Management Oversight

Risk is inherent in any business and our management is responsible for the day-to-day management of risks that we face.  Our Board of Directors has responsibility for the oversight of risk management. In its risk oversight role, our Board of Directors has the responsibility to evaluate the risk management process to ensure its adequacy and to seek assurances that it is implemented properly by management.

Our Board of Directors believes that full and open communication between management and our Board of Directors is essential for effective risk management and oversight. Relevant members of senior management, as necessary, attend the Board of Directors’ meetings and, as necessary, Board committee meetings, in order to address any questions or concerns raised by our Board of Directors on risk management-related and other matters.  At meetings, our Board of Directors may receive presentations from senior management on business operations, financial results and strategic matters, including an assessment of the sensitivity of the various financial, operational and strategic risks faced by our Company, and discuss strategies, key challenges, risks and opportunities.

Our committees assist our Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities in certain areas of risk. The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to risk management in the areas of financial reporting, internal controls and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Compensation Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the management of risks arising from our compensation policies and programs and succession planning for executives. The Governance and Nominating Committee assists our Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the management of risks associated with Board organization and structure, code of conduct, conflict of interest policies and corporate governance, and in overseeing the membership and independence of our Board of Directors. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of those risks, the entire Board of Directors is regularly informed about those risks and committee activities through committee reports. 

Board Leadership Structure

Our Chief Executive Officer, Zuosheng Yu, also serves as the Chairman of our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors believes that this leadership structure is appropriate because Mr. Yu founded General Steel Holdings, Inc. and has the most comprehensive institutional knowledge of any member of our Board of Directors and is thus best positioned to develop agendas that ensure that the Board’s time and attention are focused on the most critical matters.  Mr. Yu’s combined role also provides decisive leadership, ensures clear accountability and enhances our ability to communicate our message and strategy clearly and consistently to our stockholders, employees, and investors.  James Hu, our lead independent director, serves as a liaison between the Chairman and our non-management directors, consults with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer regarding information sent to directors, reviews meeting agendas and schedules and may call meetings of our non-management directors.

Each of the directors other than Mr. Yu and Mr. Chen are independent and our Board of Directors believes that the independent directors provide effective oversight of management.  Moreover, in addition to feedback provided during the course of Board meetings, the independent directors provide the Chairman with regular input regarding agenda items for Board of Directors and committee meetings and coordinate with the Chairman regarding information to be provided to the independent directors in performing their duties. Our Board of Directors believes that this approach appropriately and effectively complements the combined Chairman/Chief Executive Officer structure.

Our Board of Directors periodically evaluates whether the leadership structure of our Board of Directors continues to be optimal for our Company and our stockholders. Although we believe that the combination of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer roles is appropriate in our current circumstances, our Board of Directors has the flexibility to modify the leadership structure in the future if it determines that to be appropriate.

Communications with the Board of Directors

Stockholders and all interested parties who wish to communicate with our Board of Directors, or specific individual directors, may do so by directing correspondence to our Secretary, John Chen, at Level 21, Tower B, Jia Ming Center, No. 27 Dong San Huan North Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China 100020. Such correspondence should prominently display the fact that it is a stockholder-director communication and indicate whether the correspondence should be forwarded to the entire Board of Directors or to particular directors.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock and other equity securities.  Based solely on a review of copies of such forms received with respect to fiscal year 2012 and the written representations received from certain reporting persons that no other reports were required, we believe that all Section 16(a) filings were timely made by our directors, executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of our common stock and other equity securities.

Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and Corporate Governance Guidelines

Our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and Corporate Governance Guidelines provides information to guide employees, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and our Directors, so that their business conduct is consistent with our ethical standards and improves the understanding of our ethical standards among customers, suppliers and others outside our Company.  Our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on our website at www.gshi-steel.com. We intend to post any amendments to or waivers from our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct at this location on its website. This website address is not intended to function as a hyperlink, and the information contained in our website is not intended to be a part of this filing. 

Our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and Corporate Governance Guidelines may also be obtained free of charge by contacting Investor Relations at jenny.wang@gshi-steel.com or by phone: +86-10-5775-7691.

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.COMPENSATION

Employment Agreements

We have not entered into employment agreements with any of our named executive officers.

Severance Arrangements

We do not have any severance agreements or other arrangements with any of our named executive officers.

Change of Control Arrangements

We do not have any change of control agreements or other arrangements with any of our named executive officers.

No Policies Regarding Equity Ownership and Hedging

We do not have any equity or other security ownership requirements or guidelines that specify applicable amounts or forms of ownership. We do not have any policies regarding hedging the economic risk of equity ownership.

Executive Compensation

 

The table below sets forth all compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our named executive officers for the fiscal years indicated. No other executive officers received more than $100,000 in total compensation.

Summary Compensation Table

Name and Principal Position Year Salary
($) (1)
  Bonus
($) (1)
  Stock Awards
($)(2)
  Total
($) (1)
 
Zuosheng Yu, 2013  169,007      171,900   340,907 
Chief Executive Officer 2012  165,973      172,800   338,773 
                   
John Chen, 2013  67,871      51,850   119,721 
Chief Financial Officer 2012  66,683      38,400   105,083 

(1)The amounts shown were paid in RMB and were translated into U.S. dollars at the rate of $0.16155 per RMB for 2013, and $0.15865 per RMB for 2012.

(2)The stock price assumption used to calculate the grant date fair value of all stock awards granted in the year indicated, as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, and as disclosed in Note 21 to the financial statements in this Annual Report.

Director Compensation

The table below sets forth information requiredregarding compensation earned by this Item is incorporateddirectors, other than our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as compensation for their service to our Company during the year ended December 31, 2013.

Name Stock Awards
($) (1)
  Total
($) (1)
 
James Hu $14,325  $14,325 
Angela He  14,325   14,325 
Qinghai Du (2)  1,910   1,910 
Zhongkui Cao  1,910   1,910 
Wenbing Chris Wang (2)  14,325   14,325 
Yong Tao Si (2)  9,550   9,550 

(1)The stock price assumption used to calculate the grant date fair value of all stock awards granted on the date indicated, as computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, and as disclosed in Note 21 to the financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(2)These directors no longer serve on our Board of Directors as a result of the Board election held during our annual meeting of the stockholders on December 27, 2013.

Currently, we do not pay annual fees to our directors. During fiscal year 2013, we granted fully-vested unregistered shares of common stock to our directors on a quarterly basis. We determined the amount of each grant based on level of involvement, responsibility and length of service.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

During 2013, the members of the Compensation Committee were Angela He, James Hu and Wenbing Chris Wang.  Wenbing Chris Wang no longer served on our Compensation Committee and was replaced by reference toZhongkui Cao as a result of the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement filed pursuant to Regulation 14A, in connection withBoard election held during our annual meeting of the Company’s 2011 Annual Meetingstockholders on December 27, 2013. In fiscal 2013, no member of Stockholders.the Compensation Committee was an officer or employee of our Company or any of our subsidiaries.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.MATTERS

 

The following table sets forth certain information requiredas of March 17, 2014, as to shares of common stock and preferred stock beneficially owned by: (i) each person who is known by this Itemour Company to own beneficially more than 5% of common stock and preferred stock, (ii) each of our current named executive officers, (iii) each of our current directors, and (iv) all of our current directors and named executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise stated below, the address of each beneficial owner listed on the table is incorporatedc/o General Steel Holdings, Inc., Level 21, Tower B, Jia Ming Center, No. 27 Dong San Huan North Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China 100020.

Name of Beneficial Owner Shares
Beneficially
Owned
  Percentage Beneficial 
Ownership of Class (1)
  Percentage of
Voting Power
 
Common Stock            
Directors and Named Executive Officers    Common
Stock
  Series A
Preferred Stock
    

Zuosheng Yu (2)

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors

  8,203,900   14.7%      10.3%

John Chen

Chief Financial Officer and Director

  195,000   *       * 

James Hu

Independent Director

  55,000   *       * 

Angela He

Independent Director

  48,750   *       * 

Zhongkui Cao

Independent Director

  12,500   *       * 
Executive Officers and Directors as a group  8,515,150   15.3%      10.8%
5% Owners                
Golden Eight Investments Limited (2)  14,000,000   25.1%      17.9%
                 
Series A Preferred Stock                
Victory New Holdings Limited (3)  3,092,899       100%  30.0%

* Less than 1%

(1) Percentages based on 55,762,382 shares of Common Stock and 3,092,899 shares of Preferred Stock outstanding as of December 31, 2013.

(2) Mr. Yu is the beneficial owner of 8,203,900 shares of common stock held in his name and 14,000,000 shares of common stock held in the name of Golden Eight Investments Limited (“Golden Eight”).  Mr. Yu is the sole director of Golden Eight.  Golden Eight is wholly owned by referenceThe GSI Family Trust U/A/D 01/21/10 (the “Trust”).  Mr. Yu has sole power of revocation over the Trust and is the sole member of the Investment Committee of the Trust. As such, Mr. Yu has voting and investment control directly over the securities held by the Trust and indirectly over the securities held by Golden Eight. Mr. Yu also has voting and investment control over 3,092,899 shares of Series A Preferred Stock held in the name of Victory New Holdings Limited, a British Virgin Islands registered company, which, while outstanding, have a voting power equal to 30% of the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement filed pursuantcombined voting power of our common stock and Preferred Stock.

(3) Victory New Holdings Limited, a British Virgin Islands registered company (“Victory New”), is controlled by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Zuosheng Yu.  Victory New holds 3,092,899 shares of our Series A Preferred Stock which, while outstanding, have a voting power equal to Regulation 14A, in connection with30% of the Company’s 2011 Annual Meetingcombined voting power of Stockholders.our common stock and preferred stock.

EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN INFORMATION

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2013, about compensation plans under which shares of our Common Stock may be issued to employees, consultants or non-employee directors upon exercise of options, warrants or rights.

(a)(b)(c)
Plan CategoryNumber of Securities
to be Issued Upon
Exercise of Outstanding
Options, Warrants and
Rights(1)
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and
Rights(1)
Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities Reflected in
Column (a))(2)
Plans approved by stockholders-$-1,307,766
Plans not approved by stockholders---
Total$1,307,766

(1)We grant fully vested, unregistered shares of our common stock to employees under our 2008 Equity Incentive Plan.  Our stock grants are not restricted and therefore there are no securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights.

(2)Represents the number of securities remaining available for issuance under our 2008 Equity Incentive Plan.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.

 

Set for below are our related party transactions.

Related party transactions

a. Capital lease

As disclosed in Notes 15 – “Capital lease obligations”, Longmen Joint Venture entered into a capital lease arrangement on April 29, 2011, with Shaanxi Coal and Shaanxi Steel, which are related parties of the Group. The information required by this Itemfollowing is incorporated by referencean analysis of the leased assets under the capital lease:

  December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Machinery $605,839  $587,334 
Less:accumulated depreciation  (76,740)  (46,497)
Carrying value of leased assets $529,099  $540,837 

b. On January 1, 2010, General Steel (China), entered into a lease agreement with Tianjin Daqiuzhuang Steel Plates Co., Ltd. (the “Lessee”), whereby General Steel (China) leases its facility located at No. 1, Tonga Street, Daqiuzhuang Town, Jinghai County, Tianjin City to the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement filed pursuantLessee (the “Lease Agreement”). The Lease Agreement provides approximately 776,078 square feet of workshops, land, equipment and other facilities amounting to Regulation 14A, in connectionRMB 215.8 million ($34.4 million) to the Lessee and allows the Company to reduce overhead costs while providing a recurring monthly income stream resulting from payments due under the lease. The term of the Lease Agreement was from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011 and the monthly base rental rate due to General Steel (China) was approximately $0.2 million (RMB 1.7 million). On July 28, 2011, General Steel (China) (lessor) signed a supplemental agreement with the Company’s 2011 Annual Meetinglessee to extend the lease for an additional five years to December 31, 2016. However, due to current steel market conditions, the lessee informed the Company that they did not intend to extend the lease at June 30, 2012 and has terminated the supplemental agreement early. There was no penalty for early termination. The Company assessed the recoverability of Stockholders.all of its remaining long lived assets at December 31, 2013 and such assessment did not result in any other impairment charges for the three and for the year ended December 31, 2013.

For the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, General Steel (China) realized rental income $0 million and $1.6 million, respectively, which has been included in “other non-operating income (expense), net” in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

c. The following chart summarized sales to related parties for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. 

Name of related parties Relationship For the year ended
December 31, 2013
  For the year ended
December 31, 2012
 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of
Longmen Joint Venture
 $255,859  $438,951 
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO* through indirect shareholding  -   5,953 
Sichuan Yutai Trading Co., Ltd Significant influence by Long Steel Group**  73   147,968 
Shaanxi Yuchang Trading Co., Ltd Significant influence by Long Steel Group  21,570   92,724 
Shaanxi Haiyan Trade Co., Ltd Significant influence by Long Steel Group  16,273   46,998 
Shaanxi Shenganda Trading Co., Ltd Significant influence by Long Steel Group  77,899   53,866 
Shaanxi Steel Majority shareholder of Long Steel Group  3,221   3,332 
Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group Co., Ltd. Shareholder of Shaanxi Steel  27,911   24,515 
Shaanxi Long Steel Group Baoji Steel Rolling Co., Ltd Subsidiary of Long Steel Group  7,325   35,542 
Shaanxi Junlong Rolling Co., Ltd Investee of Long Steel Group  37,068   47,110 
Others Entities either owned or have significant influence by our affiliates or management  -   243 
Total   $447,199  $897,202 

*The CEO is referred to herein as the chief executive officer of General Steel Holdings, Inc. 

**Long Steel Group has the ability to significantly influence the operating and financial decisions of the entity through equity ownership either directly or through key employees, commercial contractual terms, or the ability to assign management personnel.

d. The following charts summarize purchases from related parties for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

Name of related parties Relationship For the year ended
December 31, 2013
  For the year ended
December 31, 2012
 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture $522,295  $483,058 
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co., Ltd. Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  -   43,160 
Tianjin General Qiugang Pipe Co., Ltd. Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  -   6,933 
Hancheng Haiyan Coking Co., Ltd Noncontrolling shareholder of Long   Steel Group  180,401   255,800 
Xi’an Pinghe Metallurgical Raw
Material Co., Ltd
 Noncontrolling shareholder of Long Steel Group  19,943   88,094 
Shaanxi Long Steel Group Baoji
Steel Rolling Co., Ltd
 Subsidiary of Long Steel Group  -   6,379 
Shaanxi Junlong Rolling Co., Ltd Investee of Long Steel Group  213   7,334 
Shaanxi Huafu New Energy Co., Ltd Significant influence by the Long Steel Group  32,824   32,693 
Beijing Daishang Trading Co., Ltd. Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture’s subsidiary  6,933   5,400 
Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group Co., Ltd. Shareholder of Shaanxi Steel  26,047   - 
Tianwu General Steel Material Trading Co., Ltd. Investee of General Steel (China)  76,735   - 
Shaanxi Shenganda Trading Co., Ltd. Significant influence by the Long Steel Group  20,213   - 
Others Entities either owned or have significant influence by our affiliates or management  797   154 
Total   $886,401  $929,005 

Related party balances

a.Loans receivable – related parties:

Name of related parties Relationship December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture $-  $63,319 
Teamlink Investment Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  4,540   6,000 
Total   $4,540  $69,319 

See Note 3 – loans receivable – related parties for loan details.

b. Accounts receivables – related parties:

Name of related parties Relationship December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture $548  $10,409 
Shaanxi Long Steel Group Baoji
Steel Rolling Co., Ltd
 Subsidiary of Long Steel Group  -   2,017 
Tianjin Daqiuzhuang Steel Plates Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  19   18 
Shaanxi Steel Majority shareholder of Long Steel Group  1,741   2,435 
Others    634   87 
Total   $2,942  $14,966 

c. Other receivables – related parties:

Other receivables - related parties are those nontrade receivables arising from transactions between the Company and its related parties, such as advances or payments made on behalf of these related parties.

Name of related parties Relationship December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture $406  $301 
Shaanxi Steel Majority shareholder of Long Steel Group  46,439   65,981 
Tianjin General Quigang Pipe Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  1,247   1,195 
Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co, Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  491   476 
Beijing Shenhua Xinyuan Metal Materials Co., Ltd. Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  4,901   - 
Others Entities either owned or have significant influence by our affiliates or management  622   429 
Total   $54,106  $68,382 

d. Advances on inventory purchase – related parties:

Name of related parties Relationship December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture $9,123  $1,367 
Shaanxi Shenganda Trading Co., Ltd. Significant influence by Long Steel Group  25,607   - 
Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  10,343   - 
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  16,158   - 
Tianjin General Qiugang Pipe Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  555   41,316 
Maoming Shengze Trading Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  21,197   3,733 
Others Entities either owned or have significant influence by our affiliates or management  20   - 
Total   $83,003  $46,416 

e.Accounts payable - related parties:

Name of related parties Relationship December 31, 2013  December 31,
2012
 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Hancheng Haiyan Coking Co., Ltd Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture $58,163  $58,661 
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture  134,758   91,511 
Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group Co., Ltd. Shareholder of Shaanxi Steel  29,990   5,652 
Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  958   3 
Xi’an Pinghe Metallurgical Raw Material Co., Ltd Noncontrolling shareholder of Long Steel Group  8,714   5,278 
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  1   13,919 
Henan Xinmi Kanghua Fire Refractory Co., Ltd Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture’s subsidiary  716   1,146 
Beijing Daishang Trading Co., Ltd Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture’s subsidiary  1,004   875 
Tianjin General Qiugang Pipe Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  -   52 
Tianwu General Steel Material Trading Co., Ltd. Investee of General Steel (China)  759   - 
Others Entities either owned or have significant influence by our affiliates or management  629   335 
Total   $235,692  $177,432 

f. Short-term loans - related parties:

Name of related parties Relationship December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Shaanxi Steel Majority shareholder of Long Steel Group $49,110  $35,839 
Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group Co., Ltd Shareholder of Shaanxi Steel  28,216   - 
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture  33,183   - 
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  8,178   19,549 
Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  6,548   21,397 
Beijing Shenhua Xinyuan Metal Materials Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  -   1,359 
Yangpu Capital Automobile Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  1,458   1,413 
Total   $126,693  $79,557 

See Note 9 – Debt for the loan details.

g. Current maturities of long-term loans – related parties

Name of related party Relationship December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Shaanxi Steel Majority shareholder of Long Steel Group $53,013  $54,885 
Total   $53,013  $54,885 

h. Other payables – related parties:

Other payables – related parties are those nontrade payables arising from transactions between the Company and its related parties, such as advances or payments from these related parties on behalf of the Group.

Name of related parties Relationship December 31,
2013
  December 31,
2012
 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co, Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding $380  $2,770 
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture  43,636   60,180 
Shaanxi Steel Majority shareholder of Long Steel Group  44,363   - 
Wendlar Investment & Management Group Co., Ltd Common control under CEO  895   836 
Yangpu Capital Automobile Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  291   141 
Xi’an Pinghe Metallurgical Raw Material Co., Ltd Noncontrolling shareholder of Long Steel Group  -   4,761 
Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  473   3,695 
Maoming Shengze Trading Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  1,745   - 
Victory Energy Resource Co., Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  1,375   - 
Others Entities either owned or have significant influence by our affiliates or management  921   642 
Total   $94,079  $73,025 

i. Customer deposits – related parties:

Name of related parties Relationship December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Shaanxi Yuchang Trading Co., Ltd Significant influence by Long Steel Group $10  $4,869 
Sichuan Yutai Trading Co., Ltd Significant influence by Long Steel Group  -   2,163 
Tianjin Hengying Trading Co, Ltd Partially owned by CEO through indirect shareholding  -   90 
Long Steel Group Noncontrolling shareholder of Longmen Joint Venture  15,038   8,864 
Shaanxi Junlong Rolling Co., Ltd Investee of Long Steel Group  2,748   5,615 
Shaanxi Shenganda Trading Co., Ltd Significant influence by Long Steel Group  275   353 
Tianwu General Steel Material Trading Co., Ltd. Investee of General Steel (China)  46,521   - 
Others Entities either owned or have significant influence by our affiliates or management  289   44 
Total   $64,881  $21,998 

j. Deposits due to sales representatives – related parties

Name of related parties Relationship December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Hancheng Haiyan Coking Co., Ltd Noncontrolling shareholder of Long Steel Group $-  $619 
Shaanxi Junlong Rolling Co., Ltd Investee of Long Steel Group  -   619 
Gansu Yulong Trading Co., Ltd. Significant influence by Long Steel Group  1,408   - 
Shaanxi Yuchang Trading Co., Ltd Significant influence by Long Steel Group  589   - 
Total   $1,997  $1,238 

k. Long-term loans – related party:

Name of related party Relationship December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Shaanxi Steel Majority shareholder of Long Steel Group $19,644  $38,088 
Total   $19,644  $38,088 

The Company also provided guarantee on related parties’ bank loans amounting to $205.8 million and $118.0 million as of December 31, 2013 and as of December 31, 2012, respectively.

l. Long-term other payable – related party:

Long-term other payable – related party is a nontrade payable arising from a transaction between the Company and its related party, Shaanxi Steel, in which the Company received an advance from Shaanxi Steel to make payment to a third party for a construction project.

Name of related party Relationship December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
    (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Shaanxi Steel Majority shareholder of Long Steel Group $-  $43,008 
Total   $-  $43,008 

m. Deferred lease income

  December 31, 2013  December 31, 2012 
  (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Beginning balance $77,199  $78,524 
Less: Lease income realized  (2,158)  (2,119)
Exchange rate effect  2,403   794 
Ending balance  77,444   77,199 
Current portion  (2,187)  (2,120)
Noncurrent portion $75,257  $75,079 

For the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company realized lease income from Shaanxi Steel, a related party, amounted to $2.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

n. Equity

On November 19, 2013, the Company sold its 28% equity interest of Tianwu held by Yangpu Shengtong to Tianjin Dazhan Industry Co., Ltd., a related party through indirect common ownership by the CEO, for $13.6 million (RMB 84.3 million) while retaining the 32% interest held by General Steel (China). As a result of this transaction, the Company met the criteria under ASC 810-10-40-4 to deconsolidate Tianwu as of the ownership disposal date and recognize a gain, which amounted to $1.0 million. After the deconsolidation of Tianwu, General Steel (China)’s 32% interest in Tianwu was accounted for as an equity method investment, which amounted to $15.8 million as of December 31, 2013.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.

 

On December 31, 2010,Fees for professional services provided by our independent registered public accounting firms in each of the last two fiscal years, in each of the following categories are as follows:

  2013  2012 
Audit fees $870,000  $900,000 
Audit-related fees $-  $- 
Tax fees $29,000  $29,000 
All other fees $-  $- 

Audit Committeefees were for the audit of our Company’s Boardannual financial statements and the review of Directors approved the engagement of PricewaterhouseCoopers Zhong Tian CPAs Limited Company (“PwC”) as our Company’s newfinancial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and services that are normally provided by our independent registered public accounting firm in connection with the statutory and regulatory filings. Tax fees involved the preparation of our consolidated tax returns. Please note that the audit fees include services provided by our current independent registered public accounting firms. Our current auditor, Friedman LLP, fees are $870,000 and $900,000 in fiscal year 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services.  Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is generally subject to a specific budget. The Audit Committee has delegated pre-approval authority to the Audit Committee Chairman, or any Audit Committee member in his absence, when services are required on an expedited basis, with such pre-approval disclosed to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. None of the fees paid to the independent auditors under the categories “Audit-Related fees” and “All other fees” described above were approved by the Audit Committee prior to services being rendered pursuant to the de minimis exception established by the SEC.

All of the Audit fees and Tax fees provided by our independent registered public accounting firm in fiscal 2013 and related fees were approved in advance by our Audit Committee.

Audit Committee Report

The Audit Committee oversees our financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the system of internal controls. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements for this Annual Report on Form 10-K with management, including a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles; the reasonableness of significant judgments; and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements.

The Audit Committee discussed with Friedman LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm (independent auditors) for the fiscal year endingended December 31, 2011. During2013, who are responsible for expressing an opinion on the two most recent fiscal yearsconformity of those audited financial statements with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, their judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of our accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm under generally accepted auditing standards including Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 90 (Communication with Audit Committees), other standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), rules of the SEC and other applicable regulations.  In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the auditors’ independence from management and our Company, including the matters in the written disclosures required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, which the Audit Committee received from the independent registered public accounting firm, and considered the compatibility of non-audit services with the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence.

The Audit Committee also reviewed management’s report on its assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.

The Audit Committee discussed with our independent registered public accounting firm and the interim periods precedingpersons responsible for the engagement,internal audit function the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Audit Committee meets with the independent registered public accounting firm and the persons responsible for the internal audit function, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Company’s internal control, including internal control over financial reporting, and the overall quality of our Company has not consulted PwC regarding either (i)financial reporting.  During 2013, the applicationAudit Committee held four meetings, including quarterly closing conferences with the independent registered public accounting firm and management during which financial results and related issues were reviewed and discussed prior to the release of accounting principlesquarterly results to the public.

The Audit Committee is governed by a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that mightcharter which may be renderedfound on our Company’swebsite.  The members of the Audit Committee are considered to be “independent” because they satisfy the independence requirements of the NYSE listing standards and Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors has approved the inclusion of the audited financial statements and either a written report was providedmanagement’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for filing with the SEC.

Audit Committee:James Hu, Chairman
Angela He, Member
Zhongkui Cao, Member

The Audit Committee Report does not constitute soliciting material, and shall not be deemed to be filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that our Company or oral advice was provided that PwC concluded was an important factor consideredspecifically incorporates the Audit Committee Report by our Company in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was the subject of a disagreement or reportable event as defined in Regulation S-K, Item 304(a)(1)(iv) and Item 304(a)(1)(v).reference therein.

 

We have removed some of the material contracts (10 Exhibits).  A 10 Exhibit can be removed, other than what we have removed, if: (1) they are not being performed in whole or in part at or after the filing of this Annual Report; and (2) if they were notified that, effective January 1, 2010, certain partnersentered into more than two years before the filing of its previous independent accounting firm, Moore Stephens Wurth Frazer and Torbet, LLP (“MSWFT”), and certain partners of Frost, PLLC (“Frost”) formed Frazer Frost, LLP (“Frazer Frost”), a new partnership. Pursuant to the terms of a combination agreement by and among MSWFT, Frazer Frost and Frost (the “Combination Agreement”), each of MSWFT and Frost contributed all of their assets and certain of their liabilities to Frazer Frost, resulting in Frazer Frost assuming MSWFT’s engagement letter with us. On January 7, 2010, the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors approved the engagement of Frazer Frost as MSWFT’s successor to continue as our independent accounting firm.

Other than as set forth herein, the information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement filed pursuant to Regulation 14A, in connection with the Company’s 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.Report.

 

PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

(a)(1) and (2) –LIST OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES set forth below
(b)

The following financial statements are included herein under Part II,(3) See Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:15(b) below.

ŸReport of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
ŸConsolidated Balance Sheets—December 31, 2010 and 2009

ŸConsolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008
91
 (b)
ŸConsolidatedThe following financial statements are included herein under Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008Supplementary Data:

ŸConsolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008
ŸNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements

• Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

• Consolidated Balance Sheets —December 31, 2013 and 2012

• Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2013, and 2011

• Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

• Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

• Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the SECSecurities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions, are not applicable, or information required is included in the financial statements or notes thereto and, therefore, have been omitted.

 

(3)(c)LIST OF EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number
 Description
   
3.1 Articles of Incorporation of General Steel Holdings, Inc. (included as Exhibit 3.1 to the Form SB-2 filed with the Commission on June 6, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference).

3.2 Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation dated February 22, 2005 (included as Exhibit 3.2 to the Form 10-K filed March 16, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
 
3.3 Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation dated November 14, 2007 (included as Exhibit 3.3 to the Form 10-K filed March 16, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
   
3.4 Certificate of Designation of Series A Preferred Stock of the registrant (included as Exhibit 10.6 to the Form 10-K filed March 31, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).
   
3.5 Bylaws of General Steel Holdings, Inc. (included as Exhibit 3.5 to the Form 10-K filed March 16, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.1Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant (included as Exhibit 4.1 to the Form 8-K filed on December 24, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.1Form of Warrant Reset Agreement by and between General Steel Holdings, Inc. and Hudson Bay Fund, LP (included as Exhibit 10.3 to the Form 8-K filed on December 24, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.2Form of Warrant Reset Agreement by and between General Steel Holdings, Inc. and the holders of the December 2007 Warrants (not including Hudson Bay Fund, LP) (included as Exhibit 10.4 to the Form 8-K filed on December 24, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.3 General Steel Holdings, Inc. 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (included as Appendix A to the Schedule 14A filed June 20, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.4Service Agreement, dated February 25, 2009, by and between General Steel Holdings, Inc. and James Hu thereto (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 27, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.5Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 24, 2009, by and between General Steel Holdings, Inc. and each purchaser signatory thereto (included as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 24, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.6Form of Voting Agreement (included as Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K filed on December 24, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.7Amendment to the Securities Purchase Agreement dated October 5, 2009 to the Securities Purchase Agreement, December 13, 2007 by and among General Steel Holdings, Inc. and the Buyers set forth therein  (included as Exhibit 10.12 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 16, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.8 Lease Agreement, dated March 31, 2010, by and between General Steel (China) Co., Ltd. and Tianjin Daqiuzhuang Steel Plates Co., Ltd. (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 6, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
   
10.910.3 Joint Venture Framework Agreement, dated May 13, 2010, by and between General Steel Holdings, Inc. and Shanxi Meijin EnergeryEmergeEnergy Group Co., Ltd. (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 18, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.4Cooperation Agreement (also referred to as the Unified Management Agreement), dated April 29, 2011, by and among General Steel Holdings, Inc., Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group Co., Ltd., Shaanxi Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd., and Shaanxi Longmen Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 5, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).
   
10.1010.5 Debt Repayment Agreement, dated June 7, 2010,16, 2011, by and between General Steel Holdings, Inc.,among Maoming Hengda GroupSteel Co. Ltd., Tianjin Qiu Gang Investment Co., Ltd, Guangzhou Hengda Industrial Group Ltd., and Ms. Ding Yumei (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 9, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).
16.1Letter of Frazer Frost, LLP to the Commission dated January 4, 2011 (included as Exhibit 16.1 to the Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 5,20, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).
   
21 Subsidiaries of the registrant (included(filed herewith).

31.1*Certification of the CEO (Principal Executive Officer) pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as Exhibit 21 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 16, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).herewith.
   
2331.2* ConsentCertification of Frazer Frost, LLP (filed herewith).the CFO (Principal Financial Officer) pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as filed herewith.
   
31.132.1* Certification of Chief Executive Officer (filed herewith).the CEO and CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as filed herewith.

101.INS***XBRL Instance Document
   
31.2101.SCH*** Certification of Chief Financial Officer (filed herewith).XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
   
32.1101.CAL*** CertificationXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF***XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB***XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE***XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

***XBRL (Extensive Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed or a part of Chief Executive Officera registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Chief Financial Officer (filed herewith).otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

 GENERAL STEEL HOLDINGS, INC
   
 By:/s/ Zuosheng Yu
  Name: Zuosheng Yu
  

Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

  Date: August 29, 2012March 27, 2014

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
     
/s/ Zuosheng Yu Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Director August 29, 2012March 27, 2014
YU, Zuosheng (Principal Executive Officer)  
     
/s/ John Chen Chief Financial Officer and Director August 29, 2012March 27, 2014
CHEN, John (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)  
     
/s/ Xiao Zeng XuDirectorAugust 29, 2012
XU, Xiao Zeng
/s/ Si Yong TaoJames Hu Independent Director August 29, 2012March 27, 2014
TAO, Si YongHU, James    
     
/s/ Angela He Independent Director August 29, 2012March 27, 2014
HE, Angela    
     
/s/ Zhong Kui Cao Independent Director August 29, 2012March 27, 2014
CAO, Zhong Kui    
     
/s/ Chris WangIndependent DirectorAugust 29, 2012
WANG, Chris
/s/ James HuIndependent DirectorAugust 29, 2012
HU, James
/s/ Quinghai DuIndependent DirectorAugust 29, 2012
DU, Quinghai

 

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