EXHIBIT 99.1
Published on February 1, 2018
Exhibit 99.1
ZK
International Announces Earnings Per Share of $0.45 on Record
Revenue of $44.95 Million for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
2017
WENZHOU, China, January 31, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- ZK International Group Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq: ZKIN) (“ZKIN”, “ZK International” or the “Company”), today announced its financial results for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.
During the period the Company:
| · | Generated record revenue of $44.95 million, an increase of 22.1% comparing to that of fiscal year 2016. |
| · | Net income totaled $5.93 million or $0.45 per share, an increase of 11.9% comparing to that of fiscal year 2016. |
Mr. Jiancong Huang, Chairman and CEO of ZK International, stated, “The last six months has been a transformative period for the Company, having successfully closed on our IPO in August and yielding us the working capital to execute on our growth initiatives. Our ability to increase capacity at our facility with new, state-of-the art machinery, as well as increasing our sales force in our retail piping division from 15 to 49 professionals in 37 cities and 16 provinces, has allowed us to sell our products direct to the consumer and build new customer relationships. We are pleased to have signed and begun working with leading global corporations such as Huawei Technologies, China Railway Construction Engineering and Shenzhen Water Group. It is a testament to the efficient execution of our strategy and quality of our proprietary stainless steel piping and fittings.”
Significant Contracts Signed Since Listing on NASDAQ:
| · | Signed agreement with Shenzhen Water Group Co., Ltd. in the amount of $3.0 million to deploy the Company’s proprietary stainless steel pipes and fittings through the city’s Community Pipeline Network Upgrade Program. |
| · | Entered into $1.2 million contract with The XingRong Group, one of the largest water treatment and supply companies in Western China, to supply approximately 280,000 meters of piping and 280,000 pipe fittings over the course of one year. |
| · | Signed multiple initial pipeline infrastructure contracts to supply Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., a leading global information and communication technology solutions provider, and China Railway Construction Engineering Group (“CRCEG”), one of the largest construction and engineering companies in China, for approximately $2.75 Million USD. |
| · | Signed initial framework contract of $300,000 USD for its consumer piping division with one of China's largest interior design and contract companies, Bo Tao Decoration Group Co. Ltd, ("Bo Tao"). |
| · | Signed an initial pipeline infrastructure contract with Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. ("Huawei"), a leading global information and communication technology solutions provider, for $2.0 million USD. |
Operational Highlights for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2017 to Date:
| · | In order to sell direct to the consumer at a higher margin, the Company increased its sales force in the retail piping division by 227% from 15 to 49 professionals who are strategically located in 37 cities and 16 provinces throughout China. |
| · | The Pipe Network Division of Shenzhen Water Group Co., Ltd. invited ZK International to participate in drafting the product regulations and standards to be used in Phase II of the Community Pipeline Network Upgrade Program (CPNUP). |
| · | The Company participated in water and gas industry exhibitions and seminars including the Gas & Heating China 2017 Exhibition and the 2017 Annual Water and Gas Academic Seminar. The Gas & Heating China 2017 Exhibition is one of the largest exhibitions for gas and heating technology and equipment, attracting more than 300 companies who participate and present their products and technology. The ZK International team presented the Company's patented products including the Double-Compression Pipe Connection Series and Integral Casted Gas Meter Connection. Both products have successfully reduced the gas leakage and installation cost for our clients due to its effective and durable structure. |
On August 30, 2017, ZK International announced the closing of its initial public offering of 1,068,346 ordinary shares at a public offering price of $5.00 per share. ZK International received $5,341,730 in gross proceeds before underwriter’s commission and expenses. The shares began trading on September 1, 2017 on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol 'ZKIN'. Prior to closing on the Company’s initial public offering, the Company completed three private transactions in December 2016, March 2017 and May 2017 in the total amount of $2.3 million. With the pre-IPO financings and the proceeds from the IPO the Company raised a total of $7,641,730.
Mr. Jiancong Huang continued, “We are pleased to increase revenue and net income year-over-year while maintaining cash on hand of approximately $11.3 million. Our additional working capital has allowed us to make investments in the future growth of the Company, which resulted in increases in selling and marketing as well as general and administrative expenses year-over-year. This falls in line with our growth strategy.”
Financial Results for the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2017:
Record revenue for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 totaled $44,951,740, an increase of 22.1%, as compared to $36,809,094 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016. The increase in revenue is primarily due to the Company’s increasing its market share and closing more government projects to replace aged piping infrastructure and improve local water supply systems.
Total cost of revenue was $31,843,337 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, as compared to $25,333,318 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016. Total cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue increased by 2.02% to 70.84% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 as compared to 68.82% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016. The increase is primarily due to increase of raw material cost and labor cost.
Selling and marketing expenses for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 totaled $1,915,127, as compared to $957,990 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016. Selling and marketing expenses increased primarily due to increases in advertisement expenses and compensation for the additional sales personnel we hired during the year.
General and administrative expenses for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 totaled $1,782,318, as compared to $1,599,743 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016. General and administrative expenses increased primarily due to the increase in administrative expenses relating to the increase in sales volume, plus increased compliance and consulting fees related to our IPO closed on September 01, 2017.
Research and development expenses for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 totaled $1,331,111, as compared to $1,302,022 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016. R&D expenses increased primarily due to the expenses relating to the materials and equipment we use to conduct our research for our new products.
Operating income totaled $8,079,847 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, as compared to operating income of $7,616,021 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, an increase of operating income of $463,826, or approximately 6.09%.
Income tax expense totaled $995,005 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, compared to $1,105,440 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016. The decrease is primarily attributable to the taxation adjustments made according to PRC Tax Law.
Net income for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 was $5,933,688, compared to net profit of $5,302,691 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, an increase in profit of $630,997. Earnings per share for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 was $0.45 per share based on approximately 13.1 million shares outstanding.
As of September 30, 2017 the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $11,278,475.
About ZK International Group Co., Ltd.
ZK International Group Co., Ltd. is a China-based
designer, engineer, manufacturer and supplier of patented high-performance stainless steel and carbon steel pipe products that
require sophisticated water or gas pipeline systems. The Company owns 28 patents, 21 trademarks, 2 Technical Achievement Awards,
and 10 National and Industry Standard Awards. ZK International is preparing to capitalize on the $850 Billion commitment
made by the Chinese Government to improve the quality of water, which in its current supply state is 70% unfit for human contact.
ZK International is Quality Management System Certified (ISO9001), Environmental Management System Certified (ISO1401),
and a National Industrial Stainless Steel Production Licensee that is focused on supplying steel piping for the multi-billion
dollar industries of Gas and Water sectors. ZK has supplied stainless steel pipelines for over 2,000 projects, which include
the Beijing National Airport, the "Water Cube" and "Bird's Nest", which were venues for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Emphasizing superior properties and durability of its steel piping, ZK International is providing a solution for the delivery
of high quality, highly sustainable, environmentally sound drinkable water to not only to the China market but to international
markets such as Europe, East Asia and Southeast Asia.
For more information please visit www.ZKInternationalGroup.com. Additionally, please follow the Company on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube,
and Weibo. For further information on the Company's SEC filings please visit www.sec.gov.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, words such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate,"
"intend," "could," "estimate" or "continue" or the negative or other variations thereof
or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations,
projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult
to predict and many of which are beyond the control of ZK International. Actual results may differ from those projected in
the forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties, as well as other risk factors that are included in the Company’s
filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Although ZK International believes that the assumptions underlying
the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove inaccurate and, therefore, there can be no assurance
that the results contemplated in forward-looking statements will be realized. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent
in the forward-looking information included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation
by ZK International or any other person that their objectives or plans will be achieved. ZK International does not undertake any
obligation to revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or
to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Investor Contact:
KCSA Strategic Communications
Valter Pinto, Managing Director
PH: +1 (212) 896-1242
ZKInternational@KCSA.com
ZK INTERNATIONAL GROUP CO., LTD
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN U.S. DOLLARS)
| As of September 30, | ||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 11,278,475 | $ | 123,649 | ||||
| Restricted cash | 529,837 | 3,236,482 | ||||||
| Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,817,050 and $1,648,178, respectively | 21,261,609 | 23,843,980 | ||||||
| Notes receivable | 214,999 | 89,941 | ||||||
| Other receivables | 1,514,545 | 1,625,872 | ||||||
| Inventories | 10,048,568 | 6,444,088 | ||||||
| Advance to suppliers | 9,630,518 | 3,251,295 | ||||||
| Deferred tax assets, current portion | 272,557 | 247,227 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 54,751,108 | 38,862,534 | ||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 5,645,724 | 5,907,985 | ||||||
| Intangible assets, net | 463,171 | 468,148 | ||||||
| Other long-term assets | 313,066 | 312,289 | ||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 61,173,069 | $ | 45,550,956 | ||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 717,272 | $ | 1,141,803 | ||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 4,457,170 | 3,416,613 | ||||||
| Accrued payroll and welfare | 325,675 | 375,428 | ||||||
| Advance from customers | 1,983,713 | 1,618,216 | ||||||
| Related party payables | 7,911,720 | 1,662,160 | ||||||
| Short-term bank borrowings | 21,335,938 | 21,793,454 | ||||||
| Notes payable | - | 3,897,426 | ||||||
| Income tax payable | 3,074,635 | 2,066,934 | ||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | $ | 39,806,123 | $ | 35,972,034 | ||||
| Equity | ||||||||
| Common stock, no par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 13,068,346 and 9,000,000 shares issued and outstanding, respectively |
- | - | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 8,382,876 | 2,800,777 | ||||||
| Statutory surplus reserve | 1,173,363 | 579,994 | ||||||
| Retained earnings | 10,978,891 | 5,697,984 | ||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 681,788 | 411,239 | ||||||
| Total equity attributable to ZK International Group Co., Ltd. | 21,216,918 | 9,489,994 | ||||||
| Equity attributable to non-controlling interests | 150,028 | 88,928 | ||||||
| Total equity | 21,366,946 | 9,578,922 | ||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | $ | 61,173,069 | $ | 45,550,956 | ||||
ZK INTERNATIONAL GROUP CO., LTD
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(IN U.S. DOLLARS)
| For the year ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | |||||||
| Revenues | $ | 44,951,740 | $ | 36,809,094 | ||||
| Cost of sales | (31,843,337 | ) | (25,333,318 | ) | ||||
| Gross profit | 13,108,403 | 11,475,776 | ||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||
| Selling and marketing expenses | 1,915,127 | 957,990 | ||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 1,782,318 | 1,599,743 | ||||||
| Research and development costs | 1,331,111 | 1,302,022 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 5,028,556 | 3,859,755 | ||||||
| Operating Income | 8,079,847 | 7,616,021 | ||||||
| Other income (expenses): | ||||||||
| Interest expenses | (1,245,385 | ) | (1,417,745 | ) | ||||
| Interest income | 24,459 | 51,058 | ||||||
| Other income, net | 69,772 | 158,797 | ||||||
| Total other expenses, net | (1,151,154 | ) | (1,207,890 | ) | ||||
| Income before income taxes | 6,928,693 | 6,408,131 | ||||||
| Income tax provision | (995,005 | ) | (1,105,440 | ) | ||||
| Net income | $ | 5,933,688 | $ | 5,302,691 | ||||
| Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | (59,412 | ) | (53,154 | ) | ||||
| Net income attributable to ZK International Group Co., Ltd. | 5,874,276 | $ | 5,249,537 | |||||
| Net income | $ | 5,933,688 | $ | 5,302,691 | ||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss): | ||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | 272,237 | (403,865 | ) | |||||
| Total comprehensive income | $ | 6,205,925 | $ | 4,898,826 | ||||
| Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests | (61,100 | ) | 3,406 | |||||
| Comprehensive income attributable to ZK International Group Co., Ltd. | $ | 6,144,825 | $ | 4,902,232 | ||||
| Basic and diluted earnings per share | ||||||||
| Basic | $ | 0.56 | $ | 0.59 | ||||
| Diluted | 0.56 | 0.59 | ||||||
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding | ||||||||
| Basic | 10,970,000 | 9,000,000 | ||||||
| Diluted | 10,973,674 | 9,000,000 | ||||||
ZK INTERNATIONAL GROUP CO., LTD
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN U.S. DOLLARS)
| For the year ended September 30, | ||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | |||||||
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | 5,933,688 | $ | 5,302,691 | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation expense | 425,696 | 442,793 | ||||||
| Amortization expense | 12,705 | 13,248 | ||||||
| Bad debt expense | 160,944 | 691,156 | ||||||
| Deferred tax benefits | (24,142 | ) | (103,673 | ) | ||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable | 2,419,491 | (10,200,868 | ) | |||||
| Other receivables | 411,554 | (381,751 | ) | |||||
| Notes receivable | (121,937 | ) | (76,531 | ) | ||||
| Inventories | (3,505,158 | ) | (775,275 | ) | ||||
| Advance to suppliers | (6,153,011 | ) | (805,016 | ) | ||||
| Accounts payable | (417,453 | ) | 796,189 | |||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 791,312 | 412,894 | ||||||
| Accrued payroll and welfare | (49,512 | ) | 50,897 | |||||
| Advance from customers | 282,817 | 1,400,622 | ||||||
| Income tax payable | 979,288 | 2,031,515 | ||||||
| Net cash provided (used in) operating activities | 1,146,282 | (1,201,109 | ) | |||||
| Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | ||||||||
| Purchases of property, plant and equipment | (155,152 | ) | (123,945 | ) | ||||
| Purchases of intangible assets | (6,704 | ) | - | |||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (161,856 | ) | (123,945 | ) | ||||
| Cash Flows from Financing activities: | ||||||||
| Net proceeds from issuance of shares | 5,582,099 | - | ||||||
| Capital contributions from non-controlling interest | - | 15,306 | ||||||
| Net proceeds released from (placed into) restricted cash | 2,651,704 | (206,633 | ) | |||||
| Net proceeds (repayments) from short-term bank borrowings | (499,904 | ) | 2,148,310 | |||||
| Repayments on notes payable | (3,816,458 | ) | (2,602,037 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from related parties | 6,051,523 | 1,485,555 | ||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 9,968,964 | 840,501 | ||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | 201,436 | (18,589 | ) | |||||
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 11,154,826 | (503,142 | ) | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year | 123,649 | 626,791 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year | $ | 11,278,475 | $ | 123,649 | ||||
| Supplemental disclosures of cash flows information: | ||||||||
| Cash paid for income taxes | $ | 54,215 | $ | 108,825 | ||||
| Cash paid for interest expenses | $ | 1,233,066 | $ | 939,914 | ||||