MINNEAPOLIS, May 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. today reported operating results for the first quarter ended April 4, 2009.
Total revenues for the first quarter of 2009 increased 1.8% to $26.2 million from $25.7 million in the first quarter of 2008. ARCA reported a first quarter 2009 operating loss of $1.7 million compared to operating income of $0.6 million during the same period of 2008. The first quarter 2009 operating loss was due primarily to lower retail gross profit compared to 2008. Gross profit as a percentage of total revenues declined to 24.2% for the first quarter of 2009 compared to 31.4% for the first quarter of 2008. The decline was due primarily to price compression on product to remain competitive with other retailers in the current economic environment and to lower same store sales. The Company reported a loss from continuing operations of $2.0 million or $0.43 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2009 compared to income from continuing operations of $0.3 million or $0.07 per diluted share for the same period of the previous year.
Comparable store revenues from the fifteen ApplianceSmart Factory Outlets operating during the entire first quarters of 2009 and 2008 decreased 8.9%, while total store revenues increased 11.0% to $20.9 million from $18.9 million during the same period of 2008 due to the opening of five factory outlet stores later in 2008 and early 2009. The decline in comparable store revenues was due primarily to the price compression previously mentioned along with the lower same store sales. Revenues from ARCA's recycling segment decreased 23.8% to $5.2 million in the first quarter of 2009 compared to revenues of $6.8 million in the same period of 2008. The decrease was due primarily to lower recycling volumes in California and, to a lesser extent, lower scrap metal prices compared to the first quarter of 2008. Selling expenses as a percentage of total revenues in the first quarter of 2009 increased to 21.3% compared to 18.7% for the previous year. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenues decreased to 9.3% in the first quarter of 2009 from 10.3% in the first quarter of 2008. The Company's net loss for the first quarter was $2.0 million or $0.43 per diluted share compared to net income of $0.1 million or $0.03 per share for the first quarter of 2008.
Edward R. (Jack) Cameron, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: "The first quarter of 2009 continued to be a very difficult operating environment. While our ApplianceSmart Factory Outlets actually performed well in the Minnesota and Ohio markets, the Georgia market was very challenging. The Georgia market has two new retail outlets that have been open for less than two quarters, so it will take some time before they gain momentum in the continued sluggish retail economy. For our appliance recycling business, we feel good overall about our operating results in the first quarter. While total revenues were down, the operating profit before corporate allocations for the recycling segment increased 18% compared to the first quarter of 2008."
About ARCA
ARCA (http://www.arcainc.com/) is one of the nation's largest recyclers of major household appliances for the energy conservation programs of electric utilities. 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 (http://www.appliancesmart.com/), ARCA also is one of the nation's leading retailers of special-buy household appliances, primarily those manufactured by Maytag, GE, Frigidaire and Whirlpool. These special-buy appliances, which include close-outs, factory overruns and scratch-and-dent units, 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 May 2009, ApplianceSmart was operating 20 factory outlets: six in the Minneapolis/St. Paul market; one in Rochester, Minn., market, four in the Columbus, Ohio, market; six in the Atlanta market; and three in San Antonio, Texas. As previously announced, the Company will open an ApplianceSmart Factory Outlet in Cumming, Ga., in August 2009.
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.
APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC. UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts) Three Months Ended April 4, March 29, 2009 2008 Revenues: Retail $20,940 $18,858 Recycling 4,562 5,944 Byproduct 656 900 Total revenues 26,158 25,702 Costs of revenues 19,829 17,641 Gross profit 6,329 8,061 Selling, general and administrative expenses 8,011 7,454 Operating income (loss) (1,682) 607 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (319) (397) Other expenses, net 24 - Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (1,977) 210 Benefit of income taxes (15) (117) Income (loss) from continuing operations (1,962) 327 Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax - (210) Net income (loss) $(1,962) $117 Basic income (loss) per share: Continuing operations $(0.43) $0.07 Discontinued operations - (0.04) Net income (loss) $(0.43) $0.03 Diluted income (loss) per share: Continuing operations $(0.43) $0.07 Discontinued operations - (0.04) Net income (loss) $(0.43) $0.03 Weighted average number of shares outstanding: Basic 4,578 4,556 Diluted 4,578 4,624 APPLIANCE RECYCLING CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In Thousands) April 4, January 3, 2009 2009 (unaudited) Asset Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $1,732 $3,498 Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $331 and $292, respectively 4,587 6,056 Inventories, net of reserves of $300 and $115, respectively 16,750 18,834 Other current assets 741 950 Deferred income taxes 448 448 Total current assets 24,258 29,786 Property and equipment, net 6,902 6,967 Deferred income taxes 174 177 Other assets 495 485 Total assets $31,829 $37,415 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $4,344 $4,473 Checks issued in excess of cash in bank 85 - Accrued expenses 3,980 4,073 Line of credit 11,381 14,527 Current maturities of long-term obligations 446 579 Income taxes payable 31 362 Total current liabilities 20,267 24,014 Long-term obligations, less current maturities 4,966 4,892 Deferred income tax liabilities 519 520 Total liabilities 25,752 29,426 Commitments and contingencies - - Shareholders' equity: Common Stock, no par value; 10,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding: 4,578 shares 16,373 16,221 Accumulated deficit (9,891) (7,929) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (405) (303) Total shareholders' equity 6,077 7,989 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $31,829 $37,415
Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc.
CONTACT: Edward R. (Jack) Cameron, CEO, or Peter Hausback, EVP and CFO,
+1-952-930-9000, both of Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc.
Web Site: http://www.arcainc.com/
