As a result, gross profit for the three months ended December 31, 2006 was $8.2 million or 19.0% of net revenues as compared to gross profit of $7.1 million or 27.1% of net revenues for the same period in 2005. The decrease in gross profit as a percentage of net revenues was primarily due to (1) the decreased average selling price by 7% due to the pricing pressure in increasingly competitive market and price cuts implemented in order to maintain our market share; (2) at the same time, the unit cost only increased slightly for the three months ended December 31, 2006 compared to the same period of 2005.
Research and Development Costs. Research and development costs increased to $637,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2006 as compared to $495,000 for the same period in 2005. Share-based compensation included in research and development expenses was $159,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2006 as compared to $254,000 of the same period of the prior year, a decrease of $95,000 or 37.4%. On December 26, 2006, we made grants of a total of 914,994 shares of restricted stock to the employees whose options had been terminated and who continued to be employed by us on December 26, 2006, in order to replace the cancellation on September 22, 2006, of options to purchase 1,400,000 shares of stock that had been granted to those employees in May 2005. See Note 8 of the Notes to condensed interim consolidated financial statements for further information. Salaries related to research increased to $227,000 from $87,000 for the same period of the prior year, an increase of $140,000, primarily due to increased headcount.
Sales and Marketing Expenses. Sales and marketing expenses decreased to $1.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2006 as compared to $1.2 million for the same period in 2005, a decrease of $164,000 or 5.1%. As a percentage of net revenues, sales and marketing expenses have decreased to 2.4% for the three months ended December 31, 2006, from 4.6% for the same period in 2005, primarily attributable to an increase in net revenue.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased to $3.0 million, or 6.9% of revenues, for the three months ended December 31, 2006 as compared to $2.2 million, or 8.3% of revenues, for the same period in 2005, an increase of $799,000 or 36.9%. Salaries increased by $322,000 as a result of increased headcount of administrative staff due to the restructuring of certain departments. Depreciation charges also increased by $253,000 due to the expansion of certain of our facilities in the three months ended December 31, 2006.
On August 15, 2006, the SEC declared effective a post-effective amendment that we had filed on August 4, 2006, terminating the effectiveness of a resale registration statement on Form SB-2 that had been filed pursuant to a registration rights agreement with certain shareholders to register the resale of shares held by those shareholders. On October 11, 2006, we filed a registration statement on Form S-1 that covered resales of the shares held by those shareholders, which was declared effective on October 19, 2006. Because the interval from August 15, 2006 to October 19, 2006 exceeded 30 trading days, those selling shareholders became eligible for liquidated damages totaling $487,946 from us. We therefore recognized in general and administrative expenses an amount of $197,000 for the liquidated damage for the three months ended December 31, 2006 (the remainder of the liquidated damanges was recognized in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006). There was no comparable expense in the first fiscal quarter of 2006.
Operating Income. As a result of the above, operating income totaled $3.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2006, as compared to operating income of $3.2 million for the same period of the prior year, an increase of $343,000 or 10.7%. As a percentage of net revenues, operating income was 8.2% for the three months ended December 31, 2006 as compared to 12.3% for the same period of the prior year.
Finance Costs, Net. Finance costs, net, increased to $901,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2006 as compared to $181,000 for the same period of the prior year, an increase of $720,000 or 397.8%. We had $71.1 million in short term loans and $12.8 million in long term loans outstanding as of December 31, 2006, as compared to $39.0 million in short term loans outstanding as of December 31, 2005. The increase in net finance costs is also attributable to the increase in the exacted bank loan interest rates.
Other Expenses/(Income). Other income was $932,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2006, as compared to other expenses of $4,000 for the same period of 2005. Other income for the three months ended December 31, 2006 mainly consists of government subsidy given as recognition of our contribution to the economic development of the area. No present or future obligation will arise from the receipt of such amount. There was no comparable income in the same period of the prior year.
Gain on Trading Securities. We recognized income of $279,000 from BAK International’s short-term investment in trading securities during the three months ended December 31, 2005. There was no such trading gain during the three months ended December 31, 2006.
Income tax expenses. Income tax expenses decreased to $5,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2006, as compared to $116,000 for the same period of 2005. The decrease was the result of a decrease in income tax rate in calendar year 2006 due to the additional capital invested in Shenzhen BAK.
Net Income. As a result of the foregoing, we increased our net income to $3.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2006 from $3.2 million for the same period of the prior year.
28
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have historically financed our liquidity requirements from a variety of sources, including short-term bank loans and bills payable under bank credit agreements, long term bank loans, sale of bills receivable and issuance of capital stock. As of December 31, 2006, we had cash and cash equivalents of $25.4 million, as compared to $21.1 million as of September 30, 2006. In addition, we had pledged deposits amounting to $9.4 million and $13.0 million at December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2006, respectively. Typically, banks will require borrowers to maintain deposits of approximately 20% to 100% of the outstanding loan balances and bills payable. The individual short term bank loans have maturities ranging from five to twelve months which coincides with the periods the cash remains pledged to the banks.
The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated:
| | Three Months Ended December 31, | |
| |
| |
| | 2005 | | 2006 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| | (in thousands) | |
Net cash used in operating activities | | | (3,742 | ) | | (2,155 | ) |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (12,166 | ) | | (13,198 | ) |
Net cash (used in) / provided by financing activities | | | (5,762 | ) | | 19,560 | |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | | | (17 | ) | | 57 | |
Net (decrease)/ increase in cash and cash equivalent | | | (21,687 | ) | | 4,264 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period | | | 33,056 | | | 21,100 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period | | | 11,369 | | | 25,364 | |
Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $2.2 million in the three months ended December 31, 2006 compared to $3.7 million in the same period in 2005. The improvement by $1.5 million in operating activities was mainly attributable to the better control in collection of trade accounts receivable and inventory management. While our sales volume has increased significantly compared to the period ended December 31, 2005, there is no significant increase in our operating assets. The negative cash flow was mainly result of a decrease in bills payable as part of bills payable had been settled as maturity in the three months ended December 31, 2006. However, we expect that our negative operating cash flow will improve through our increased effort to collect accounts receivables.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities decreased from $13.2 million in the three months ended December 31, 2005 to $12.1 million in the same period in 2006. The net cash used in investing activities during the period ended December 31, 2006 was mainly used for the construction of the facility to house a new cylindrical cell production line and a new automated aluminum cell line.
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $19.6 million in the three months ended December 31, 2006 compared to net cash used in finance activities of $5.8 million in the same period in 2005. This was mainly attributable to (i) a $16.5 million increase in net proceeds from borrowing due to more loans being secured for working capital and construction of new production line in the three months ended December 31, 2006, and (ii) $9.1 million decrease in cash deposited to bank as collateral in the three months ended December 31, 2006.
As of December 31, 2006, the principal outstanding under our credit facilities and lines of credit were as follows:
29
| | Maximum Amount Available | | Amount Borrowed | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| | (in thousands) | |
Short-term credit facilities: | | | | | | | |
Agricultural Bank of China | | $ | 51,225 | | $ | 28,925 | |
Shenzhen Development Bank | | | 19,209 | | | 12,806 | |
Shenzhnen Commercial Bank | | | 12,806 | | | 7,315 | |
China CITIC Bank | | | 16,403 | | | 597 | |
Bank of China | | | 64,031 | | | 28,478 | |
CITIC Ka Wah Bank Limited | | | 6,000 | | | — | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Subtotal—short-term credit facilities | | $ | 169,674 | | $ | 78,121 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Long-term credit facilities: | | | | | | | |
Agricultural Bank of China | | | 25,612 | | | — | |
China Development Bank | | | 12,806 | | | 12,806 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Subtotal—long-term credit facilities | | | 38,418 | | | 12,806 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Lines of Credit: | | | | | | | |
Agricultural Bank of China | | | | | | 1,987 | |
Shenzhen Development Bank | | | | | | 104 | |
China Construction Bank | | | | | | 6,110 | |
China Merchants Bank | | | | | | 835 | |
| | | | |
|
| |
Subtotal—lines of credit | | | | | | 9,036 | |
| | | | |
|
| |
Total Principal Outstanding | | | | | $ | 99,963 | |
| | | | |
|
| |
There are no restrictions for our above unused credit facilities.
The above principal outstanding amounts under credit facilities included short-term bank loans of $71.1 million, bills payable of $16.1 million and long-term bank loans of $12.8 million.
30
For the purpose of presentation, the movement in bills payable balances is included in operating activities in the statements of cash flows due to their nature.
We refinanced our short-term bank loans during the three months ended December 31, 2006 at annual interest rates of 4.725% to 5.85%, payable monthly, and for terms of six to twelve months. These debt arrangements are generally guaranteed by Mr. Li Xianqian, our chairman, president, and chief executive officer.
Pursuant to the refinancing, we pledged $10.2 million of inventory and $5.8 million of equipment and machinery as security for our comprehensive credit facility with Shenzhen Development Bank as of December 31, 2006. In addition, as all of the bank loans were borrowed by Shenzhen BAK, in the event (i) Shenzhen BAK has a bad credit record at any other bank or we are involved in any material adverse litigation with any other bank, (ii) Shenzhen BAK’s liabilities exceed 70% of its assets, or Shenzhen BAK’s current ratio is less than 0.8, or (iii) Shenzhen BAK’s monthly sales revenue declines by 10% as compared with the same period of the prior year, Shenzhen Development Bank is entitled to accelerate the loan repayment (such ratios are based on the financial data of Shenzhen BAK prepared under PRC GAAP). We were in compliance with these requirements as of December 31, 2006.
During the three months ended December 31, 2006, we repaid four short-term bank loans totaling $12.4 million, and entered into five new short-term bank loan agreements totaling $14.7 million. The five new facilities provide for monthly interest payments at fixed annual interest rates from 5.508% to 5.58%, with principal repayments at maturities during the second calendar quarter and the fourth calendar quarter of 2007.
On November 23, 2006, Shenzhen BAK entered into a $26 million long-term loan agreement with Shenzhen Eastern Branch, Agricultural Bank of China, which became effective on December 18, 2006. The long-term loan may be drawn at any time within five years of the effective date of the loan agreement, and will mature in five years after it is drawn. The long-term loan when drawn will carry a floating interest rate of 90% of the People’s Bank of China benchmark rate. The long-term loan is secured by pledged machinery and equipment valued at $13.6 million as of December 31, 2006. Shenzhen BAK’s obligations under the loan agreement are guaranteed by BAK International and by Mr. Li. As of December 31, 2006, we had no borrowings under this loan agreement.
On December 26, 2006, Shenzhen BAK entered into a four-year long-term loan agreement of $12.8 million with Shenzhen Branch, China Development Bank. The long-term loan is payable in three installments as follows:
RMB 30 million on November 20, 2008;
RMB 30 million on November 20, 2009; and
RMB 40 million on December 26, 2010.
The long-term loan carries an annual interest rate of 6.48%, which is the benchmark rate of the People’s Bank of China for three- to five-year long-term loans. The long-term loan will be secured by Shenzhen BAK’s pledge of its new Research and Development Test Center, which is to be constructed in Shenzhen, China, after Shenzhen BAK obtains the required land use rights for the location of the facility; such land use rights will also be pledged as security. The obligations of Shenzhen BAK under the loan agreement are guaranteed by Mr. Li. We borrowed the full $12.8 million under this loan agreement on December 27, 2006.
We had a working capital (refer to current assets less current liabilities excluding share-based payment liabilities) surplus of $19.2 million as of December 31, 2006, as compared to $4.6 million as of September 30, 2006, an increase of $14.6 million. This increase was primarily attributable to a decrease in bills payable because parts of bills payable were settled as maturity. We had short-term bank loans maturing in less than one year of $71.1 million as of December 31, 2006, as compared to $67.9 million as of September 30, 2006, an increase of $3.2 million.
We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents and anticipated cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs, including our cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months. We may, however, require additional cash due to changing business conditions or other future developments, including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. If our existing cash and amount available under existing credit facilities is insufficient to meet our requirements, we may seek to sell debt securities or borrow from lending institutions. We can make no assurances that financing will be available in the amounts we need or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. The sale of additional equity securities, including convertible debt securities, would dilute our shareholders. The incurrence of debt would divert cash for working capital and capital expenditures to service debt obligations and could result in operating and financial covenants that restrict our operations and our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders. If we are unable to obtain additional equity or debt financing as required, our business operations and prospects may suffer.
31
Capital Expenditures
We made capital expenditures of $12.2 million and $12.1 million in the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Our capital expenditures were used primarily to purchase plant and equipment to expand our production capacity. The table below sets forth the breakdown of our capital expenditures by use for the periods indicated.
| | Three months Ended December 31, | |
| |
| |
| | 2005 | | 2006 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| | (in thousands) | |
Construction costs | | $ | 4,542 | | $ | 4,098 | |
Purchase of equipment | | | 7,624 | | | 9,100 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Total capital expenditures | | $ | 12,166 | | $ | 13,198 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
We estimate that our total capital expenditures in fiscal 2007 will reach approximately $55.0 million, primarily to purchase manufacturing equipment for the expansion of our production lines.
We have completed the construction of 185,993 square meters of new facilities comprised of manufacturing facilities, warehousing and packaging facilities, dormitory space and administrative offices at the BAK Industrial Park. Of that space, approximately 111,000 square meters are new manufacturing facilities. We have completed construction and put into use an additional administrative area, production facility, four manufacturing facilities, a warehouse and packaging facility, three dormitories and two dining halls. At present, we have no significant payment obligations related to these facilities, although we continue to make payments regarding the construction of the facility as costs arise.
We do not hold the land use right to the tract of property on which we have constructed our manufacturing facilities and other related facilities. According to the relevant PRC laws and regulations, a land use right certificate, along with government approvals for land planning, project planning, and construction must be obtained before the construction of any building is commenced. An ownership certificate will be granted by the government upon application under the condition that the aforementioned certificate and government approvals are obtained.
We are constructing and have completed part of the construction of our facilities with the approval of the local government of Kuichong Township of Longgang District of Shenzhen, which we understand does not have the authority to grant us the land use rights certificate. Under our agreement with the Kuichong Township government, we have to pay for a 50-year land use rights certificate at an agreed unit price, which in the aggregate amounted to $4.0 million as of September 30, 2004 and $3.3 million as of September 31, 2006, following an adjustment of the site area after a land survey. Out of the $3.3 million, $0.3 million has been paid to the Kuichong Township government. We have been actively negotiating with the Shenzhen municipal government with a view to resolving the lack of authority issue, but we can make no assurances that we will be able to acquire the land use right by purchasing it directly from the Shenzhen municipal government on the same terms, or if at all. In the meantime, we have recognized a net payable purchase price of $3.0 million for the land use rights on the assumption that it will be on the same terms as those agreed with the Kuichong Township government.
We are also required to contribute $20 million in fiscal year 2007 as the first installment of capital to our new subsidiary BAK Tianjin. Such amount would be applied by BAK Tianjin in respect of the acquisition of land use right as well as the facility and is included in our estimate of capital expenditure for fiscal year 2007 described above.
We plan to construct our new Research and Development Test Center in Shenzhen in the second half of 2007.
32
The following table sets forth our contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2006:
| | Payment Due by Period | |
| |
| |
| | Total | | Less than 1 Year | | 1-3 Years | | 3-5 Years | | More than 5 Years | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| | | (in thousands) | |
Short-term bank loans | | | 71,075 | | | 71,075 | | | — | | | — | | | — �� | |
Bills payable | | | 16,082 | | | 16,082 | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Long-term bank loans(1) | | | 12,806 | | | — | | | 7,684 | | | 5,122 | | | — | |
Land use rights payable(2) | | | 3,070 | | | 3,070 | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital commitments(2) | | | 8,458 | | | 8,458 | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Future interest payment on short-term bank loans | | | 1,210 | | | 1,210 | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Future interest payment on long -term bank loans | | | 2,550 | | | 841 | | | 1,336 | | | 373 | | | — | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Total | | | 115,251 | | | 100,736 | | | 9,020 | | | 5,495 | | | — | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Other than the contractual obligations and commercial commitments set forth above, we did not have any other long-term debt obligations, operating lease obligations, capital commitments, purchase obligations or other long-term liabilities as of December 31, 2006.
|
(1) | On November 23, 2006, Shenzhen BAK entered into a RMB 200 million (approximately $26 million) long-term loan agreement with Shenzhen Eastern Branch, Agricultural Bank of China, which became effective on December 18, 2006. The long-term loan may be drawn at any time within five years from the effective date of the agreement and will mature five years after it is drawn. As of December 31, 2006, no amount has been drawn under this loan agreement. The above table regarding our contractual obligations and commercial commitments does not include this loan. |
| |
(2) | We are required to contribute $20 million in fiscal year 2007 as the first installment of capital to our new subsidiary BAK Tianjin. Such amount would be applied by BAK Tianjin in respect of the acquisition of land use right as well as the facilities. We are also required to contribute the remaining capital of $79.99 million on or before December 11, 2008 to BAK Tianjin. The above table regarding our contractual obligations and commercial commitments does not include such capital contribution requirements. |
Off-Balance Sheet Transactions
In the ordinary course of business practices in China, we enter into transactions with banks or other lenders where we guarantee the debt of other parties. These parties may be related to or unrelated to us. Conversely, our debt with lenders may also be guaranteed by other parties which may be related or unrelated to us.
Under U.S. GAAP, these transactions may not be recorded on our balance sheet or may be recorded in amounts different than the full contract or notional amount of the transaction. Our primary off balance sheet arrangements would result from our loan guaranties in which Shenzhen BAK would provide contractual assurance of the debt, or guarantee the timely re-payment of principal and interest of the guaranteed party.
33
Typically, no fees are received for this service. Thus in those transactions, Shenzhen BAK would have a contingent obligation related to the guarantee of payment in the event the underlying loan is in default.
Transactions described above require accounting treatment under FASB Interpretation 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others, or FIN 45. Under that standard, we would be required to recognize the fair value of guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002 for non-contingent guarantee obligations, and also a liability for contingent guarantee obligations based on the probability that the guaranteed party will not perform under the contractual terms of the guaranty agreement.
We have assessed the liabilities arising from these guarantees and considered they are immaterial to the consolidated financial statements. Therefore, no liabilities in respect of the guarantees were recognized as of December 31, 2006. We had guaranteed the timely re-payment of principal and interest of two parties to a bank. The maximum amount of our exposure for those guarantees was $3.8 million at both December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2006.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our consolidated financial information has been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect (1) the reported amounts of our assets and liabilities, (2) the disclosure of our contingent assets and liabilities at the end of each fiscal period and (3) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during each fiscal period. We continually evaluate these estimates based on our own historical experience, knowledge and assessment of current business and other conditions, our expectations regarding the future based on available information and reasonable assumptions, which together form our basis for making judgments about matters that are not readily apparent from other sources. Since the use of estimates is an integral component of the financial reporting process, our actual results could differ from those estimates. Some of our accounting policies require a higher degree of judgment than others in their application.
When reviewing our financial statements, the following should also be considered: (1) our selection of critical accounting policies, (2) the judgment and other uncertainties affecting the application of those policies, and (3) the sensitivity of reported results to changes in conditions and assumptions. We believe the following accounting policies involve the most significant judgment and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.
Recoverability of Long-Lived Assets
Our business is capital intensive and has required, and will continue to require, significant investments in property, plant and equipment. As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2006, the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment, net was $109.4 million and $113.2 million, respectively. We assess the recoverability of property, plant and equipment to be held and used by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets to the future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or group of assets. If such assets are considered impaired, the impairment recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.
A prolonged general economic downturn and, specifically, a continued downturn in the battery cell industry as well as other market factors could intensify competitive pricing pressure, create an imbalance of industry supply and demand, or otherwise diminish volumes or profits. Such events, combined with changes in interest rates, could adversely affect our estimates of future net cash flows to be generated by our long-lived assets. Consequently, it is possible that our future operating results could be materially and adversely affected by additional impairment charges related to the recoverability of our long-lived assets.
34
Inventory Obsolescence
We review our inventory for potential impairment on a quarterly or more frequent basis as deemed necessary. Such review includes, but is not limited to, reviewing the levels of inventory versus customer requirements and obsolescence. The review and evaluation also considers the potential sale of impaired inventory at lower than market prices. At each balance sheet date, we identify inventories that are worth less than cost and write them down to their net realizable value and the difference is charged to our cost of revenues of that period. Though management considers such write-down of inventories adequate and proper, changes in sales volumes due to unexpected economic or competitive conditions are among the factors that could materially affect the adequacy of such write down.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The allowance for doubtful accounts is our best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in our accounts receivable. We determine the allowance based on historical write-off experience, customer specific facts and economic conditions. Bad debt expense is included in the general and administrative expenses. We review outstanding account balances individually for collectibility. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. As of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2006, we had not charged off any balances as we had yet to exhaust all means of collection.
Stock-Based Compensation
We have adopted the alternate intrinsic value method recognition provision of SFAS 123. Pursuant to the requirements of SFAS 123, we have disclosed in our annual financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2005 the pro forma effect of application of the preferred fair value method recognition provision. Further, effective October 1, 2005, we adopted the provisions of SFAS 123R, which requires the use of the fair value method of accounting for share-based compensation. Under the fair value based method, compensation cost related to employee stock options or similar equity instruments is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period. SFAS 123R also requires measurement of cost of a liability- classified award based on its current fair value. The fair value of the liability-classified award will be subsequently remeasured at each reporting date through the settlement date. Change in fair value during the requisite service period will be recognized as compensation cost over that period.
We determine fair value using the Black-Scholes model. Under this model, certain assumptions, including the risk-free interest rate, the expected life of the options and the estimated fair value of our ordinary shares and the expected volatility, are required to determine the fair value of the options. If different assumptions had been used, the fair value of the options would have been different from the amount we computed and recorded, which would have resulted in either an increase or decrease in the compensation expense.
Pursuant to SFAS 123R, we have recognized compensation costs of $262,000 in relation to stock-based award to our employees and non-employee directors in the three months ended December 31, 2006 as an increase in the operating costs.
Changes in Accounting Standards
In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109,” or FIN 48, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions. This Interpretation requires that we recognize in our consolidated financial statements the impact of a tax position if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. The provisions of FIN 48 are effective for us on October 1, 2007, with the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle, if any, recorded as an adjustment to opening retained earnings. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting FIN 48 on its consolidated financial statements.
35
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” or SFAS 157, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in U.S. GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, where fair value is the relevant measurement attribute. The standard does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS 157 on its consolidated financial statements.
In September 2006, the SEC issued SAB No. 108, which provides guidance on the process of quantifying financial statement misstatements. In SAB No. 108, the SEC staff establishes an approach that requires quantification of financial statement errors, under both the iron-curtain and the roll-over methods, based on the effects of the error on each of our financial statements and the related financial statement disclosures. SAB No. 108 is generally effective for annual financial statements in the first fiscal year ending after November 15, 2006. The transition provisions of SAB No. 108 permits existing public companies to record the cumulative effect in the first year ending after November 15, 2006 by recording correcting adjustments to the carrying values of assets and liabilities as of the beginning of that year with the offsetting adjustment recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings. We do not expect that the adoption of SAB No. 108 would have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
Exchange Rates
The financial records of Shenzhen BAK and BAK Electronics are maintained in Renminbi. In order to prepare our financial statements, we have translated amounts in Renminbi into amounts in U.S. dollars. The amounts of our assets and liabilities on our balance sheets are translated using the closing exchange rate as of the date of the balance sheet. Revenues, expenses, gains and losses are translated using the average exchange rate prevailing during the period covered by such financial statements. Adjustments resulting from the translation, if any, are included in our cumulative other comprehensive income (loss) in our stockholders’ equity section of our balance sheet. All other amounts that were originally booked in Renminbi and translated into U.S. dollars, were translated using the closing exchange rate on the date of recognition. Consequently, the exchange rates at which the amounts in those comparisons were computed varied from year to year.
The exchange rates used to translate amounts in Renminbi into U.S. dollars in connection with the preparation of our financial statements were as follows:
| | RMB per U.S. Dollar | |
| |
| |
| | 2006 | | 2005 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Balance sheet items as of December 31 | | | 7.8087 | | | N/A | |
Amounts included in the statement of income and comprehensive income, statement of changes in stockholders’ equity and statement of cash flows for the years ended September 30 | | | 7.8647 | | | 8.0833 | |
Balance sheet items as of September 30 | | | 7.9087 | | | N/A | |
Renminbi is not readily convertible into U.S. dollars in the foreign exchange markets. The foreign exchange rate between the RMB and the U.S. dollar had been stable at approximately RMB 8.28 to $1.00 for the last few years. On July 21, 2005, the Central Bank of China announced that it would allow the RMB to move to a flexible exchange rate with a maximum daily variance against the U.S. dollar of 0.3%. No provision has been made in the accompanying financial statements for the change in currency policy, nor has any determination been made, as to the potential impact, this may have on our future operations. As a result, the stated exchange rates may not accurately reflect the amount in U.S. dollars into which RMB could be actually converted at the date or during the periods reflected in the foregoing table.
36
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to interest rate risk primarily with respect to our short-term bank loans and long-term bank loans. Although the interest rates, based on the banks’ prime rates for short-term loans and the benchmark rate of the People’s Bank of China for three to five year long term loan for long-term bank loan, are fixed for the terms of the loans, the terms are typically five to twelve months for short-term bank loans and interest rates are subject to change upon renewal.
The term of long term bank loan is 4 year and interest rates are subject to the changing the benchmark rate of the Peoples Bank of China announced. There were no material changes in interest rates for short-term bank loans renewed during the three months ended December 31, 2006. A hypothetical 1.0% increase in the annual interest rates for all of our credit facilities at December 31, 2006 would decrease net income before provision for income taxes by $208,000 or 6.1% for the three months ended December 31, 2006. Management monitors the banks’ prime rates in conjunction with our cash requirements to determine the appropriate level of debt balances relative to other sources of funds. We have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to interest rate risk.
Foreign Exchange Risk
Although our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, the financial records of our operating subsidiaries are maintained in their local currency, the RMB, which is the functional currency. Approximately 72.9% of our revenues and 94.0% of our costs and expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2006 are denominated in RMB, with the balance denominated in U.S. dollars. Approximately 95.1% of our assets except for cash were denominated in RMB as of December 31, 2006. As a result, we are exposed to foreign exchange risk as our revenues and results of operations may be affected by fluctuations in the exchange rate between U.S. dollars and RMB. If the RMB depreciates against the U.S. dollar, the value of our Renminbi revenues, earnings and assets as expressed in our U.S. dollar financial statements will decline. Assets and liabilities of our operating subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at the balance sheet date, their equity accounts are translated at historical exchange rate and their income and expenses items are translated using the average rate for the period. Any resulting exchange differences are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. An average appreciation (depreciation) of the RMB against the U.S. dollar of 5% would increase (decrease) our comprehensive income by $5.4 million based on our outstanding revenues, costs and expenses, assets and liabilities denominated in RMB as of December 31, 2006. As of December 31, 2006, our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) was $5.0 million. We have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign exchange risk.
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act, our management has carried out an evaluation, with the participation and under the supervision of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2006. Disclosure controls and procedures refer to controls and other procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that such information 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. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating and implementing possible controls and procedures.
Management conducted its evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures under the supervision of our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer. Based upon, and as of the date of this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective, because of the material weaknesses described in Item 9A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 (the “2006 Form 10-K”), which we are still in the process of remediating. Investors are directed to Item 9A of the 2006 Form 10-K for the description of these weaknesses.
(b) Remediation Measures of Material Weaknesses
To remediate the first five material weaknesses reported in Item 9A, “Controls and Procedures — Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006, we have implemented the measures described below. We will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of such measures, and may in the future implement additional measures, as necessary, to remediate such weaknesses.
1. We planned remediation measures of hiring and training of personnel which are intended to generally address these material weaknesses by ensuring that we will have sufficient personnel with knowledge, experience and training in the application of U.S. GAAP commensurate with our financial reporting requirements. These measures include the following:
i) We hired a U.S. accountant in May 2006 with relevant accounting experience, skills and knowledge in the preparation of financial statements under the requirements of U.S. GAAP and financial reporting disclosure under the requirement of SEC rules;
ii) We plan to train our accounting personnel in the application of U.S. GAAP commensurate with our financial reporting requirements, which include: (a) basic accounting personnel will be participating in training programs concerning general accounting policies and principles provided by the governmental agencies and professional accounting firms; (b) key accounting personnel, including the U.S. accountant, finance manager, finance controller and chief financial officer, are participating in special training programs (in addition to the training of general accounting policies and principles described in item i) above) provided by professional accounting firms retained by us concerning the difference between U.S. GAAP and the accounting principles generally accepted in the People’s Republic of China, SEC rules, recent developments in accounting policies, with particular attention to the areas where errors in the preparation and disclosure of our financial statements were previously identified.
2. We intend to engage outside consultants, with relevant accounting experience, skills and knowledge, working under the supervision and direction of our management, to supplement our existing accounting personnel on U.S. GAAP;
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3. We retained and intend to continue to retain the services of outside U.S. counselors to advise us on the SEC disclosure requirements;
Management believes that these measures, all of which were undertaken during the fiscal year 2006 and the first quarter of fiscal year 2007, or would be undertaken subsequent to December 31, 2006, will address those five material weaknesses. However, such measures have not yet been in place long enough to be adequately tested. Following the implementation and the completion of testing, management will evaluate whether the material weaknesses have been successfully remediated.
To remediate the last two material weaknesses described in Item 9A, “Controls and Procedures -- Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting” in our Annual Report Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006, we have implemented the measures described below. We will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of such measures, and may in the future implement additional measures, as necessary, to remediate such weaknesses.
4. We implemented procedures to ensure construction in progress projects are recorded based on the expenditures actually incurred on a quarterly basis and to be reviewed accordingly, including:
i) Engaging an independent construction surveyor company to supervise the progress of the construction projects and report the expenditures actually incurred in the form of project progress reports to us on a quarterly basis;
ii) Requiring our construction manager of the Company to review and approve the project progress reports and the finance department records construction in progress based on the approved project progress reports on a quarterly basis;
iii) Requiring the finance manager to review the accounting entry as well as the approved project progress reports.
5. We implemented procedures to ensure construction in progress is transferred to property, plant, and equipment in order to commence depreciation of the asset when it is ready for intended use and to be reviewed accordingly, including:
i) Finance department transfers construction in progress to cost of property, plant and equipment when it is ready for its intended use, at which time depreciation charges commence thereon. The criteria used to determine when an asset is ready for intended use are based on policies that are consistent with U.S. GAAP.
ii) Independent construction surveyors are retained to assist management in the determination of readiness for construction projects that meet certain minimum criteria.
iii) Finance manager reviews the accounting entry and time of transfer.
iv) Estimated unbilled costs and costs to complete assets that have been determined to be ready for their intended use are based on relevant historical cost and budget information by authorized personnel within the finance department.
Management has successfully completed implementation of all measures described above during fiscal year 2006 and the first quarter of fiscal year 2007 and believes that the implementation of such measures, which were designed to remediate those two material weakness, will provide sufficient basis to conclude as to the absence of these material weaknesses at such time that formal testing as completed. However, until such testing of operation of the implemented measures has been completed, we lack sufficient evidence to conclude as to absence of the material weaknesses.
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We believe that we are taking the steps necessary for remediation of the material weaknesses identified above, and we will continue to monitor the effectiveness of these steps and to make any changes that our management deems appropriate.
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
Other than the remediation measures described above, there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting after September 30, 2006 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
Except as described below, we are not a party to any legal proceedings, nor are we aware of any threatened or contemplated proceedings which are expected to result in a material adverse effect on our business financial position, or result of operation.
On September 12, 2006, Hydro-Quebec, a Canadian company, and the Board of Regents of the University of Texas System brought a federal patent infringement suit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas against us. We have an agreement with A123Systems, Inc., under which we agree to manufacture products for A123Systems, Inc. according to the specifications furnished by, and using the finished electrodes and other materials consigned by, A123Systems, Inc. to us. The plaintiffs alleged that by manufacturing rechargeable lithium cells for one of our customers, A123Systems, Inc., for use in DeWalt 36-volt cordless power tools manufactured by Black & Decker Corporation, we had infringed two U.S. patents owned by and exclusively licensed to the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs seek injunctive relief and damages in an unspecified amount. If the court issues an adverse decision, we may be required to pay the plaintiffs substantial monetary damages, terminate our existing production of rechargeable lithium cells manufactured for A123Systems, Inc., or pay royalties to continue such production. The court has not yet issued a decision on this matter and we are unable to quantify the extent of any possible award of damages that might become payable by us.
Furthermore, if A123Systems, Inc. is found liable for the infringement, it may not be able to continue its cooperation with us at all or on terms and conditions acceptable to us, which in turn would adversely affect our ability to execute our strategy to expand our production of cells for power tools and capture high-margin businesses. Accordingly, our revenues and business prospects would be materially adversely affected.
We are liable for liquidated damages to certain shareholders whose shares were included in a resale registration statement on Form SB-2 that we filed pursuant to a registration rights agreement that we entered into with such shareholders in September 2005. Under the registration rights agreement, if a registration statement filed pursuant thereto ceases to be effective after its effective date to cover the resale of the shares for more than 30 trading days, while the relevant shares could not be put back to us, we would be liable to pay partial liquidated damages equal to 1.0% of the aggregate investment amount paid by those selling shareholders for the shares, and on each monthly anniversary thereafter until the default is cured, an additional 1.5% on a daily pro-rata basis. On August 15, 2006, the SEC declared effective a post-effective amendment we filed on August 4, 2006 to terminate the effectiveness of the resale registration statement on Form SB-2 that included the resale of the shares held by those selling shareholders. On October 11, 2006, we filed a registration statement on Form S-1 that covers resales of the shares held by those shareholders, which was declared to be effective on October 19, 2006. Because the interval from August 15, 2006 to October 19, 2006 exceeds 30 trading days, those selling shareholders will be eligible for the liquidated damages of $487,946 from us based on the formula specified in the registration rights agreement. The liquidated damage of $290,575, which was incurred before September 30, 2006, has been charged to our statement of income and comprehensive income of fiscal year 2006 and $197,371 has also been charged to our statement of income and comprehensive income for the three months ended December 31, 2006.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
See Item 1A. “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
None.
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Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
None.
Item 5. Other Information.
None.
Item 6. Exhibits.
Number | | Description |
| |
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3.1 | | Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to China BAK Battery, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006) |
| | |
3.2 | | Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006) |
| | |
10.1 | | Form of Restricted Stock Grant Agreement |
| | |
10.2 | | Summary of loan Agreement, dated October 23, 2006, by and between Shenzhen Eastern Branch, Agricultural Bank of China and Shenzhen BAK Battery Co., Ltd. |
| | |
10.3 | | Summary of loan agreement, dated November 15, 2006, by and between Shenzhen Eastern Branch, Agricultural Bank of China and Shenzhen BAK Battery Co., Ltd. |
| | |
10.4 | | Summary of loan agreement, dated November 23, 2006, by and between Shenzhen Eastern Branch, Agricultural Bank of China and Shenzhen BAK Battery Co., Ltd. |
| | |
10.5 | | Mortgage Contract, dated November 23, 2006, by and between Shenzhen Eastern Branch, Agricultural Bank of China and Shenzhen BAK Battery Co., Ltd. |
| | |
31.1 | | Chief Executive Officer Certification furnished pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | |
31.2 | | Chief Financial Officer Certification furnished pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | |
32.1 | | Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certifications furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: February 9, 2007 | CHINA BAK BATTERY, INC. |
| | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Xiangqian Li |
| |
|
| | Xiangqian Li, Chief Executive Officer |
| | (Principal Executive Officer) |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Yongbin Han |
| |
|
| | Yongbin Han, Chief Financial Officer |
| | (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
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