Exhibit 99.1

 

 

Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc.
7400 Excelsior Boulevard, Minneapolis MN 55426 (952) 930-9000

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Appliance Recycling Centers of America Reports Strong Second Quarter Operating Results

 

Reports Diluted EPS of $0.35

 

Minneapolis, MN—August 8, 2011—Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARCI) today reported operating results for the second quarter ended July 2, 2011. Operating income for the second quarter increased by 112% to $2.3 million from $1.1 million in the same period of the prior year. The increase in operating income for the quarter was driven primarily by higher byproduct revenues, higher recycling revenues and stronger profit margins from ARCA Advanced Processing, LLC (“AAP”). Diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2011 increased to $0.35 from $0.13 for the second quarter of 2010.

 

Edward R. (Jack) Cameron, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are very pleased with our results for the second quarter and for the first half of 2011. AAP has made significant strides in its operations with a steady increase in revenues and profitability over the past year. Additionally, our California utility replacement program was bolstered by a strong surge of advertising that increased our volumes substantially in the second quarter. While our retail revenues and gross margins remained relatively flat in the second quarter, the improvements we have made in retail operating efficiencies over the past two years have positioned us to operate effectively in the continuing difficult economic climate.”

 

Highlights of the second quarter of 2011 included:

 

·                  A $3.7 million or 349% increase in appliance replacement revenues over the second quarter of 2010, primarily from increased volumes in a California utility customer’s program.

 

·                  Recognition by Southern California Edison Company (“SCE”) as the sole recipient of the 2010 Environmental Excellence Award for ARCA’s “exemplary support and service of SCE’s Appliance Recycling Program” and commitment to providing “the highest levels of performance and service to SCE and program participants while maintaining the strong values

 

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and ethics that exemplify a value-added supplier.” ARCA has provided services for SCE since 1994.

 

·                  Selection by Austin Utilities, Owatonna Public Utilities and Rochester Public Utilities to provide recycling services for the Conserve & Save® Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling Program in southern Minnesota.

 

·                  Renewal of a lease through April 2016 for the Company’s ApplianceSmart store in the Columbus Square Shopping Center in Columbus, Ohio.

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s second quarter operating results (in millions, except per share amounts) for fiscal years 2011 and 2010:

 

 

 

Second Quarter Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

July 2,
2011

 

July 3,
2010

 

Change

 

July 2, 
2011

 

July 3, 
2010

 

Change

 

Revenues

 

$

32.9

 

$

28.2

 

17

%

$

62.8

 

$

55.5

 

13

%

Revenues – retail segment (1)

 

$

18.8

 

$

19.0

 

(1

)%

$

38.4

 

$

40.4

 

(5

)%

Revenues – recycling segment (1)

 

$

14.1

 

$

9.2

 

52

%

$

24.4

 

$

15.1

 

62

%

Gross profit

 

$

9.6

 

$

8.7

 

11

%

$

18.6

 

$

16.7

 

12

%

Gross profit – retail segment

 

$

5.2

 

$

5.5

 

(4

)%

$

10.8

 

$

11.5

 

(6

)%

Gross profit – recycling segment

 

$

4.4

 

$

3.2

 

37

%

$

7.8

 

$

5.2

 

50

%

Net income (2)

 

$

2.0

 

$

0.7

 

191

%

$

2.7

 

$

0.8

 

237

%

Diluted EPS (2)

 

$

0.35

 

$

0.13

 

177

%

$

0.47

 

$

0.16

 

200

%

 


(1)          Both the retail segment and recycling segment include a portion of byproduct revenues.

 

(2)          Represents net income and diluted income per share (EPS) attributable to controlling interest.

 

Second Quarter Financial Overview

 

Total revenues for the second quarter of 2011 increased 16.6% to $32.9 million from $28.2 million in the second quarter of 2010. Comparable store revenues from ApplianceSmart stores operating during the second quarters of 2011 and 2010 decreased 0.9%, and total retail revenues decreased 0.9% to $18.4 million from $18.6 million in the second quarter of 2010. The decline in retail revenues was due primarily to lower sales in the Georgia, Ohio and Texas markets. The sales declines in those markets were partially offset by an 8.5% increase in sales in the Minnesota market.

 

Recycling revenues, which are comprised of appliance recycling fees and appliance replacement program revenues, increased 52.0% to $9.6 million in the second quarter of 2011 compared to revenues of $6.3 million in the second quarter of 2010. Appliance recycling fees decreased 6.8% to

 

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$4.9 million in the second quarter of 2011 compared to $5.3 million in the second quarter of 2010, due primarily to lower average per-unit recycling fees. Replacement program revenues of $4.7 million increased 349.0% or $3.7 million from revenues of $1.0 million in the second quarter of 2010, primarily as the result of higher volumes from a California utility customer’s refrigerator replacement program. The Company expects an increase in replacement program revenues in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010.  However, it does not expect this trend to continue past the third quarter of 2011.

 

Byproduct revenues of $4.9 million increased 46.8% or $1.6 million in the second quarter of 2011 compared to $3.3 million in the second quarter of 2010. The increase in byproduct revenues was primarily the result of higher recycling volumes and higher revenues generated at AAP. Byproduct revenues include all of the revenues generated by AAP. Revenues from AAP of $2.6 million increased 39.2% or $0.7 million compared to revenues of $1.9 million in the second quarter of 2010.

 

Overall gross profit as a percentage of total revenues declined to 29.3% for the second quarter of 2011 compared to 30.7% for the second quarter of 2010. The gross profit percentage for the retail segment was 28.0% in the second quarter of 2011 compared to 28.9% in the second quarter of 2010. The decline in the retail segment gross profit percentage was due primarily to a shift in sales mix. In the second quarter of 2011, the Company sold a higher level of in-the-box product, which typically has lower profit margins, compared to the second quarter of 2010. The gross profit percentage for the recycling segment decreased to 31.1% for the second quarter of 2011 compared to 34.5% for the second quarter of 2010, primarily related to lower average per-unit recycling fees, lower average per-unit replacement fees and higher fuel costs.

 

Selling expenses decreased $0.5 million to $4.6 million or 14.0% of total revenues in the second quarter of 2011 compared to $5.1 million or 18.2% of total revenues for the second quarter of 2010. The decrease in selling expenses was due primarily to reduced advertising expenses. General and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2011 increased $0.3 million to $2.8 million compared to general and administrative expenses of $2.5 million for the second quarter of 2010. The increase was related primarily to the impact of restoring compensation reductions as compared to the second quarter of 2010. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased to 8.5% for the second quarter of 2011 compared to 8.8% of total revenues for the second quarter of 2010 as a result of leveraging overhead with increased total revenues for the quarter.

 

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The Company recorded a $0.2 million benefit from income taxes for the second quarter of 2011 compared to a provision for income taxes of $0.2 million for the second quarter of 2010.  During the second quarter of 2011, the Company concluded, based on the assessment of all available evidence, including previous three-year cumulative income before infrequent and unusual items, a history of generating income before taxes for six consecutive quarters and estimates of future profitability, that it is more likely than not that it will be able to realize a portion of its deferred tax assets in the future and recorded a $0.9 million non-cash reversal of its deferred tax asset valuation allowance representing $0.16 per diluted share. The reversal of the valuation allowance was partially offset by a $0.7 million provision for income taxes related to taxable income generated for the second quarter of 2011.

 

The Company reported net income attributable to controlling interest of $2.0 million or $0.35 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2011 compared to $0.7 million or $0.13 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2010. Net income attributable to controlling interest included net income of $48,000 from AAP, which represents 50% of AAP’s net income of $96,000 for the second quarter of 2011.

 

Six Months Ended July 2, 2011 Financial Overview

 

Total revenues for the six months ended July 2, 2011 increased 13.2% to $62.8 million from $55.5 million for the six months ended July 3, 2010. Comparable store revenues from ApplianceSmart stores operating during the six months ended July 2, 2011 and July 3, 2010 decreased 5.4%, and total retail revenues decreased 5.4% to $37.6 million from $39.8 million for the six months ended July 3, 2010. Revenues for the six months ended July 3, 2010 were boosted by sales from state-administered ENERGY STAR® appliance rebate programs that were not repeated this year, resulting in the year-over-year decrease in retail revenues for the six months ended July 2, 2011.

 

Recycling revenues, which are comprised of appliance recycling fees and appliance replacement program revenues, increased 44.6% to $15.3 million for the six months ended July 2, 2011 compared to revenues of $10.6 million for the six months ended July 3, 2010. Appliance recycling fees of $8.5 million remained the same for the six months ended July 2, 2011 compared to the six months ended July 3, 2010. For the six months ended July 2, 2011, recycling volumes were up 16.6% and average per-unit recycling fees were down 13.4% compared to the six months ended July 3, 2010. Replacement program revenues of $6.8 million increased 222.4% or $4.7 million from revenues of $2.1 million for the six months ended July 3, 2010, primarily as the result of higher volumes from a California utility customer’s refrigerator replacement program.

 

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Byproduct revenues of $9.9 million increased 92.4% or $4.8 million for the six months ended July 2, 2011 compared to $5.1 million for the six months ended July 3, 2010. The increase in byproduct revenues was primarily the result of higher recycling volumes and higher revenues generated at AAP. Byproduct revenues include all of the revenues generated by AAP. Revenues from AAP of $5.2 million increased 103.7% or $2.6 million compared to revenues of $2.6 million for the six months ended July 3, 2010.

 

Overall gross profit as a percentage of total revenues declined to 29.7% for the six months ended July 2, 2011 compared to 30.1% for the six months ended July 3, 2010. Gross profit for the retail segment was 28.3% for the six months ended July 2, 2011 compared to 28.5% for the six months ended July 3, 2010.  Gross profit for the recycling segment decreased to 31.9% for the six months ended July 2, 2011 compared to 34.5% for the six months ended July 3, 2010, primarily related to lower average per-unit recycling fees and higher fuel costs.

 

Selling expenses decreased $0.9 million to $9.4 million or 15.0% of total revenues for the six months ended July 2, 2011 compared to $10.3 million or 18.6% of total revenues for the six months ended July 3, 2010. The decrease in selling expenses was due primarily to a combination of lowering retail store operating expenses and reducing advertising expenses. General and administrative expenses for the six months ended July 2, 2011 increased $0.5 million to $5.4 million compared to general and administrative expenses of $4.9 million for the six months ended July 3, 2010. The increase was related primarily to the impact of restoring compensation reductions as compared to the same period in 2010. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased to 8.6% for the six months ended July 2, 2011 compared to 8.9% of total revenues for the six months ended July 3, 2010.

 

The Company recorded a $0.3 million provision for income taxes for the six months ended July 2, 2011 compared to $0.2 million for the six months ended July 3, 2010.  As a result of generating taxable income for the six months ended July 2, 2011, the Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $1.2 million at an effective tax rate of 40.4%.  The provision for income taxes was partially offset by recording a $0.9 million discrete item or $0.16 per diluted share related to the reversal of a portion of the Company’s deferred tax asset valuation allowance during the second quarter of 2011.

 

The Company reported net income attributable to controlling interest of $2.7 million or $0.47 per diluted share for the six months ended July 2, 2011 compared to $0.8 million or $0.16 per diluted share

 

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for the six months ended July 3, 2010. Net income attributable to controlling interest included net income of $111,000 from AAP, which represents 50% of AAP’s net income of $222,000 for the six months ended July 2, 2011. Net income of $0.2 million generated by AAP increased $0.4 million for the six months ended July 2, 2011 compared to a net loss of $0.2 million for the same period in 2010.  The increase is related primarily to stronger revenues, higher profit margins and the elimination of start-up expenses.

 

Liquidity

 

Cash and cash equivalents as of July 2, 2011 were $4.5 million compared to $3.1 million as of January 1, 2011. As of July 2, 2011, the Company had $5.0 million of available borrowings under its revolving line of credit. Working capital increased to $8.4 million as of July 2, 2011 compared to $1.3 million as of January 1, 2011. The improvement in working capital was related primarily to three factors: 1) paying off several of AAP’s short-term loans with the $4.75 million in proceeds from three Susquehanna Bank term loans, which mature over ten years, 2) a higher level of accounts receivable from the increased volume of a California utility customer’s replacement program and 3) cash generated from operations as a result of the overall positive improvement in operating results for the six months ended July 2, 2011.

 

Conference Call Information

 

In conjunction with this release, Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc will host a conference call tomorrow, August 9, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. CDT. To participate in the conference call, please dial the following number ten minutes prior to the scheduled time: 1-800-699-5854. A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company’s website at www.ARCAInc.com.

 

About ARCA

 

ARCA (www.ARCAInc.com), one of the nation’s largest recyclers of major household appliances for the energy conservation programs of electric utilities, currently provides services for more than 175 utilities in the U.S. and Canada. Toxic chemicals and environmentally harmful materials such as ozone-depleting refrigerants, PCBs, mercury and oil are carefully recovered in the decommissioning process for destruction or disposal, preventing them from contaminating soil, air and water resources. The Company is also the exclusive North American distributor for UNTHA Recycling Technology (URT), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of technologically advanced refrigerator recycling systems and recycling facilities for electrical household appliances and electronic scrap. Through its ApplianceSmart operation (www.ApplianceSmart.com), ARCA also is one of the nation’s leading

 

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retailers of special-buy household appliances, primarily those manufactured by General Electric, Electrolux and Whirlpool. These special-buy appliances, which include close-outs, factory overruns and discontinued models, typically are not integrated into the manufacturer’s normal distribution channel. ApplianceSmart sells these new appliances at a discount to full retail, offers a 100% money-back guarantee and provides warranties on parts and labor. As of August 2011, ApplianceSmart was operating 19 stores: six in the Minneapolis/St. Paul market; one in the Rochester, Minn., market; four in the Columbus, Ohio, market; six in the Atlanta market; and two in San Antonio, Texas.

 

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements as defined within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding ARCA’s future success. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including the risks associated with general economic conditions, competition in the retail and recycling industries and regulatory risks. Other factors that could cause operating and financial results to differ are described in ARCA’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other risks may be detailed from time to time in reports to be filed with the SEC.

 

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

 

Edward R. (Jack) Cameron, CEO, or

 

Peter Hausback, EVP and CFO

 

(952) 930-9000

 

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APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

July 2,
2011

 

July 3,
2010

 

July 2,
2011

 

July 3,
2010

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail

 

$

18,385

 

$

18,552

 

$

37,604

 

$

39,737

 

Recycling

 

9,612

 

6,324

 

15,350

 

10,615

 

Byproduct

 

4,894

 

3,334

 

9,863

 

5,125

 

Total revenues

 

32,891

 

28,210

 

62,817

 

55,477

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs of revenues

 

23,244

 

19,542

 

44,181

 

38,773

 

Gross profit

 

9,647

 

8,668

 

18,636

 

16,704

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

7,394

 

7,605

 

14,855

 

15,247

 

Operating income

 

2,253

 

1,063

 

3,781

 

1.457

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

(284

)

(231

)

(602

)

(497

)

Other expense, net

 

(45

)

(36

)

(74

)

(10

)

Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest

 

1,924

 

796

 

3,105

 

950

 

Provision for (benefit of) income taxes

 

(152

)

155

 

292

 

229

 

Net income

 

2,076

 

641

 

2,813

 

721

 

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

(48

)

78

 

(111

)

100

 

Net income attributable to controlling interest

 

$

2,028

 

$

719

 

$

2,702

 

$

821

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.37

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.49

 

$

0.16

 

Diluted

 

$

0.35

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.47

 

$

0.16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

5,493

 

5,493

 

5,493

 

5,040

 

Diluted

 

5,820

 

5,718

 

5,801

 

5,246

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

2,076

 

$

641

 

$

2,813

 

$

721

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of foreign currency translation adjustments

 

17

 

(89

)

85

 

(29

)

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

17

 

(89

)

85

 

(29

)

Comprehensive income

 

2,093

 

552

 

2,898

 

692

 

Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

(48

)

78

 

(111

)

100

 

Comprehensive income attributable to controlling interest

 

$

2,045

 

$

630

 

$

2,787

 

$

792

 

 

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APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

July 2,
2011

 

January1,
2011

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

4,477

 

$

3,065

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $28 and $44, respectively

 

9,435

 

5,030

 

Inventories, net of reserves of $94 and $286, respectively

 

16,353

 

16,593

 

Other current assets

 

1,232

 

519

 

Deferred tax assets

 

641

 

 

Total current assets

 

32,138

 

25,207

 

Property and equipment, net

 

12,470

 

11,747

 

Restricted cash

 

 

701

 

Goodwill

 

1,120

 

1,120

 

Other assets

 

1,564

 

1,060

 

Deferred income taxes

 

306

 

29

 

Total assets (a)

 

$

47,598

 

$

39,864

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

5,794

 

$

4,468

 

Checks issued in excess of bank balance

 

 

42

 

Accrued expenses

 

5,267

 

4,771

 

Line of credit

 

10,760

 

10,139

 

Current maturities of long-term obligations

 

1,089

 

4,396

 

Income taxes payable

 

828

 

60

 

Total current liabilities

 

23,738

 

23,876

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term obligations, less current maturities

 

7,470

 

2,501

 

Deferred gain, net of current portion

 

1,096

 

1,340

 

Total liabilities (a)

 

32,304

 

27,717

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock, no par value; 10,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding: 5,493 shares at both periods

 

19,989

 

19,740

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(6,556

)

(9,258

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(189

)

(274

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

13,244

 

10,208

 

Noncontrolling interest

 

2,050

 

1,939

 

 

 

15,294

 

12,147

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

47,598

 

$

39,864

 

 


(a) Assets of the consolidated VIE that can only be used to settle obligations of the consolidated VIE were $11,386 and $10,207 and liabilities of the consolidated VIE for which creditors do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company were $1,903 and $3,774 as of July 2, 2011 and January 1, 2011, respectively.

 

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