ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
Overview
We were incorporated in Nevada in November 2003, but since July 2007, have been headquartered in Hainan, China. Through our operating subsidiaries, Hainan Shiner, Shiny-Day, Hainan Modern, Zhuhai Modern, Shimmer Sun, Ningbo and Shanghai Juneng we manufacture and sell packaging and anti-counterfeit plastic film to manufacturers and producers in China. We sell anti-counterfeit film, coated film, and color printing, in international markets through a network of distributors and converters.
Our primary business consists of the manufacture and distribution of technology driven advanced packaging film products in five business segments: bi-axially oriented polypropylene, or BOPP, film for wrapping tobacco; water-based latex; coated film; color printed packaging; and advanced film. Our products are sold to customers in the food, tobacco, chemical, medical and pharmaceutical, personal care, electronics, automotive, construction, graphics, music and video publishing industries. Our current production capacity consists of: five coated film lines with a capacity of 15,000 tons a year; two BOPP tobacco film production lines with a capacity of 13,500 tons a year; one BOPP film production line with a capacity of 7,000 tons a year; three color printing lines; four anti-counterfeit film lines with a capacity of 2,500 tons a year; and two water-based latex reaction kettles with a capacity of 3,000 tons a year.
The table below shows the percentage of revenue by each of our business segments for the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
We have 22 patents issued by the State Intellectual Property Office of China and have 48 patent applications relating to our products and manufacturing processes pending. Although our patents and processes provide us a competitive advantage, we do not believe the loss of any single patent would have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our principal executive offices are located at 19th Floor, Didu Building, Pearl River Plaza, No. 2 North Longkun Road, Haikou, Hainan Province, China 570125. Our telephone number is +86-898-68581104 and our website is www.shinerinc.com.
Corporate History and Structure
We were incorporated in Nevada on November 12, 2003 as Cartan Holdings Inc. Until July 23, 2007, we were an exploration stage company involved in the search for mineral deposits and owned a 100% undivided right, title and interest in and to the mineral property known as the “Cartan Mineral Claim,” which expired on December 15, 2007.
Acquisition of Shiny-Day
On July 23, 2007, we entered into a Share Exchange Agreement and Plan of Reorganization with Sino Palace Holdings Limited, or “Sino Palace,” a corporation formed under the laws of the BVI. Pursuant to the share exchange agreement, we acquired from Sino Palace all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Shiny-Day, a PRC company, in exchange for the issuance of an aggregate of 16,500,000 shares of our common stock to the stockholders of Sino Palace. As a result of the acquisition, Shiny-Day and its subsidiaries, Zhuhai Modern and Shiner Industrial became our wholly-owned subsidiaries.
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Shiny-Day, formed on March 19, 2004 and acquired on July 23, 2007 with a registered capital of $8,000,000, engages in the business of manufacturing and sales of color printing, plastic and rubber type products.
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Shiner Industrial, formed on May 21, 2003 with a registered capital of RMB100,000 (approximately $15,873), engages in the business of manufacture and sales of plastic film, packaging materials, PVDC latex and PVOH and R&D, manufacture, application and sales of anti-counterfeit film
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Zhuhai Modern, formed on October 27, 2006 with a registered capital of RMB5,000,000 (approximately $79,365), engages in the business of manufacturing and sales of color printing, plastic and rubber type products, and packaging materials and R&D for flexible packaging materials.
In late 2009, in an effort to improve efficiencies, reduce expenses and take advantage of favorable tax treatment, we consolidated the operations that were previously carried on by three of our subsidiaries - Hainan Shiner, Shiny-Day and Hainan Modern - into Shiner International. Shiny-Day and Hainan Modern are currently inactive subsidiaries of the Company.
Establishment of Shanghai Juneng
On September 20, 2010, we commenced operations of our 70% majority-owned subsidiary, Shanghai Juneng. The remaining 30% minority interest in Shanghai Juneng is held by Shanghai Shifu Material Co., Ltd., an unaffiliated third-party. Shanghai Juneng was formed on July 21, 2010 for the purpose of wholesale and retail of plastic film and packaging materials, chemical products, labels and anti-counterfeit film. Shanghai Juneng currently markets and sells food safety packaging products to domestic food producers.
Acquisition of Shimmer Sun
On May 2, 2011, we entered into an equity transfer agreement with Fu Zhiyong, pursuant to which we acquired Shimmer Sun from Fu Zhiyong for an aggregate purchase price of $3,200,000. As a result of the transaction, Shimmer Sun became our wholly-owned subsidiary and its subsidiaries and indirect subsidiaries, Jingyue, Shunhao, Yongxin and Ningbo became our indirect subsidiaries.
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Jingyue, formed on January 25, 2011 with a registered capital of HK$3,900,000 (approximately $495,237), engages in the business of sales of plastic film packaging, printing products, anti-counterfeit and packaging materials, water-based latex, and related consulting and technological services.
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Shunhao, formed on March 15, 2011 with a registered capital of RMB2,500,000 (approximately $396,825) , engages in the business of sales of plastic film, packaging and printing products, anti-counterfeit and packaging materials, water-based latex, and related consulting and technological services.
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Yongxin, formed on April 15, 2011 with a registered capital of RMB2,000,000 (approximately $317,460), engages in the business of sales of water-based latex, plastic film and packaging printing products, and R&D application and sale of anti- counterfeit technology products.
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Ningbo, formed on May 8, 2007 with a registered capital of RMB 2,080,000 (approximately $330,158) , engages in the business of manufacture and R&D and processing of PVDC latex series of products and being an import and export agent for latex products and technologies.
The following chart reflects our organizational structure as of the date of this report:
Our Growth Strategy
Our principal business objective is to grow our market share in the flexible packaging film business and continue to expand domestically and internationally by pursuing the following key strategies:
Increase our market share by expanding our sales network and customer service. We believe the flexible packaging industry in China has substantial growth potential. In order to penetrate the key markets, we plan to set up a processing factory and warehouse in Shanghai. We plan to attract new customers and increase our market share by increasing our existing sales and marketing activities and strengthening our customer service within and outside of China. We plan to strengthen our customer service network by establishing a global customer service center located in Shanghai.
Continue to expand our production capacity with a focus on key geographic markets. We plan to increase our production capacity through potential acquisitions or installation of new production lines, or both, to meet the expected increase in the demand for our products. We foresee industry consolidation and believe we are well positioned to benefit from such a market trend. We believe we are in a position to acquire companies with advanced technology and a good customer base to expand our production capacity.
Strengthen our R&D capabilities, expand our product portfolio and improve our production efficiency. In order to maintain our competitiveness, we will continue to strengthen our R&D capabilities through staff training, equipment upgrades and collaborative R&D programs. We will focus our R&D efforts on the expansion of our product portfolio to meet the changing needs of our customers and the growing demands for packaging products. Moreover, we intend to develop technologies that would help us improve production efficiency and product quality while lowering production costs.
Strategically explore value-enhancing acquisitions and/or joint ventures to further grow our market share. To date, we have relied on organic expansion to achieve growth. We may strategically explore value-enhancing acquisitions and/or joint ventures to further grow our market share. We may also consider targeted acquisitions or investments where we stand to gain access to additional production capacity or proprietary technology relating to packaging, which we believe may further enhance our current products and services, and expand our position in key markets.
Further expand and penetrate selective international markets. We plan to continue our efforts to move beyond the PRC market and establish new sales offices in select markets to grow as a flexible packaging provider in 2012 and beyond. These new sales offices will allow us to maintain closer relationships and contacts with the end users of our products, improving our responsiveness and our ability to gather intelligence and feedback.
Industry Overview and Outlook
PRC Package Industry
We manufacture and distribute advanced packaging film products in China. China’s packaging industry has grown steadily since the mid-1980s with one of the highest growth rates in the international packaging market. Domestic consumption has always been considered by the Chinese government as one of the key drivers for national economic growth. Over the past several years, the Chinese government has released a number of industry policies and measures to encourage domestic consumption that would benefit the packaging industry. In July 2008, the Ministry of Finance of China established a fund to support the development of new and innovative products and technologies for the packaging industry, focusing on environmental protection, energy efficiency and renewable applications. According to China Packaging Federation, the Chinese packaging market reached over RMB1.0 trillion (approximately $147.5 billion) in 2009 and is estimated to have reached over RMB1.4 trillion (approximately $216.7billion) in 2011. China is the second largest packaging market in the world since 2008. According to Euromonitor International’s Packaging Industry in China Report in January 2009, the packaging industry became China’s 14th largest industry sector and contributes about 2.5% of the country’s GDP.
Market Trends
With the mild recovery of the global economy, and growing consumer confidence in the Chinese domestic markets, we are cautiously optimistic that consumption of our products will continue to grow. We are experiencing an increase of inquiries from food manufacturers on how to comply with the Food Safety Law that went into effect in 2009. This renewed interest from manufacturers affects our entire breadth of products and we are confident this will lead to an overall improvement in our business. We believe we are well positioned to be the prime beneficiary of increased domestic consumption, a growing world economy, and increased market penetration as the full impact of the Food Safety Law requirements are realized.
We believe there are several positive trends that will continue to accelerate our growth, consumer demand for packaged goods, which offer convenience, quality, aesthetics and lifestyle branding will grow as Chinese consumers find themselves with increasing disposable income and as more purchases are made in supermarkets and away from wet markets and small independent food stores. We are well positioned to take advantage of these trends by providing retail foods and consumer goods manufacturers with beautiful printed flexible packaging.
Rapid Economic Growth and Rising Disposable Income. The growth of the flexible packaging industry is highly correlated with economic growth as the demand for packaging products is driven by improving demographic trends, including living standards and urbanization, as well as expanding industrial output. According to China National Bureau of Statistics, China is one of the fastest growing economies, its GDP having grown rapidly with a compound annual growth rate of 16.0% in the past five years. Per capita disposable income of urban households had a compound annual growth rate of 11.8% over the past ten years and per capita disposable income of rural households had a compound annual growth rate of 9.6% during the same period. China’s economy is expected to continue to grow in the next few years with an average GDP growth forecast of 8.4% from 2009 to 2014 by the World Bank.
High Growth of the Domestic Consumer Sectors. The main customers of the flexible packaging industry are consumer and industrial goods manufacturers that use corrugated paper cartons for packaging and shipping their products, including food and beverage, daily necessities, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. Catalyzed by the high growth of per capita disposable income and a series of favorable government policies, retail sales of consumer goods in China have grown rapidly and reached RMB18.4 trillion (approximately $2.8 trillion) in 2011, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.1% from 2004, according to China National Bureau of Statistics. The continued robust growth in retail sales of consumer goods has had a significant positive impact on the demand for flexible packaging products.
Substitution to Other Packaging Materials Due to Environmental Concerns. With environmental concerns becoming an increasingly important topic around the world, the Chinese government is demanding more environmentally friendly properties in packaging materials. Packaging materials are expected to be energy saving, toxic-free, reusable, degradable and multi-functional. Compared to packaging materials made of metal, plastic, wood or glass, flexible packaging film has always been regarded as relatively “greener packaging” due to its lighter weight and degradable qualifies, along with the ease of storage, shipment and processing.
Products
We produce customized, high-quality and competitively priced products used by manufacturers in a variety of applications, including producers of foods such as baked goods, beverages, candy and confections, dairy, fruits/vegetables and nuts, and consumer goods, like pharmaceuticals, tobacco, cosmetics and compact discs. Our packaging provides protection from tampering and contamination and preserves the texture, flavor and integrity of perishable items. In addition, we provide printing services for a variety of consumer products. Packaged goods require different porosity levels for humidity, gases, as well as fragrance and heat resistance barriers depending on whether the item is edible or a non-food product.
Flexible Packaging Material
We primarily use biaxially-oriented polypropylene (“BOPP”) as the base film from which more sophisticated films, such as advanced, coated and tobacco films are produced. There are multiple manufacturers of BOPP film in China qualified to meet international standards. BOPP refers to the manufacture of polypropylene films using an orienting system. BOPP is manufactured by three different processes, with resulting films having different properties. BOPP films are widely used in printing, lamination and over-wrap packaging. The main benefits of BOPP films are its stiffness, durability, high tensile strength and clear optics. The film is lightweight, non-toxic, odorless, transparent, glossy, temperature and moisture-resistant, and retains high barrier resistance, making it suitable for many forms of flexible packaging, printing, laminating, and other applications. We sell our products to packaging customers and distributors in China and throughout Asia, and have been expanding out international business in the Middle East, Australia, North America and Europe.
Upon request of our customers we may use different base films to create products customized to our customers’ needs. The base films include: biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate (“BoPET”), a polyester film made from stretched polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”) that is used for its high tensile strength, chemical and dimensional stability, transparency, reflectivity and gas and aroma barrier properties; and biaxially-oriented polyamide film (“BOPA”), a nylon film used for its high tensile strength, high flex-/stress-crack and puncture resistance, barrier to gases, flavors and odors and high resistance to oil, greases, hydrocarbons and chemicals. Each base film can undergo one of three different processes to create films with different properties. A sequential or double bubble process is used for coating the films, in which a base film, generally a BOPP, BoPET or BOPA film is coated with a water-based latex compound. That compound is usually acrylic, Polyvinylidene Chloride (“PVDC”) or polyvinyl alcohol (“PVOH”), which enhance the moisture and oxygen barrier properties of the film while retaining its functionality. Films can be single or double coated with co-extruded structures, in transparent, opaque, or metalized varieties. In the metalized variety, the base film is usually coated with aluminum foil, which gives the film stronger insulation and anti-pressure properties.
Coated film is a functional packaging film in which a thin layer of polyolefin-based film is sealed either on one or both sides of the film with a varying type of chemical substance (coating layer). Depending on which coating layer is used, coated films have greater endurance and tensile strength and can be produced in heat-resistant, shrink-wrapped, peelable or other varieties. Coated film is a functional packaging film with moisture and oxygen barrier property, flavor and aroma preservation properties, as well as their superior clarity and printability. We currently produce 15 varieties of regular coated packaging films and can produce irregular coated packaging films according to the requirements of customers. As a result of these capabilities and our technology, we believe we provide the most diverse film product offering in China.
BOPP tobacco film is a box over-wrap film designed to meet the industry requirements for packaging appearance, product freshness and clear optics.
We provide color printing services that consist of surface printing and reverse printing services used mainly by consumer goods manufacturers and beverage companies. We provide printing services to our clients in our effort to provide value-added services and a one-stop-shop experience. Our printing capabilities span a range of products, such as food, drugs, cosmetics and chemicals. We use alcohol-soluble, benzene free printing ink to meet international environmental and safety standards.
Advanced Film
Advanced film is a specialty product derived from BOPP film and embossed with an advanced technology, multi-dimensional insignia that creates eye-catching images and makes it easier for user’s to increase brand identity. We use proprietary technology to develop specialized advanced film products. Losses from piracy and counterfeiting affect a wide number of industries including: music and video publishing, food, medicine, cosmetics, cigarettes and liquor. Advanced film is generally used in the packaging of high-end cigarettes, DVDs and other frequently imitated or pirated products.
Manufacturing
Our production facilities for packaging film are located in Haikou, Hainan Province in the PRC and our water-based latex production facilities are located in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. Our production facilities are more fully discussed in Item 2, “Properties.”
Our products have been ISO9001:2000 accredited since 2003. We believe stringent quality control standards are crucial to our success and the continuous growth of our business. In order to maintain such standards, we conduct inspection at all stages during the production process. In that regard, we have adopted a quality management system covering the sourcing of raw materials, each stage of production, the delivery of final products, and post-sales quality control. We also provide employees with continuous training in order to help reduce the frequency of repeated errors. Below chart is our production process.
Our current production capacity consists of:
five coated film lines with a total capacity of 15,000 tons a year;
one BOPP tobacco film production line with a total capacity of 3,500 tons a year;
one BOPP film production line with a total capacity of 10,000 tons a year;
three color printing lines;
four advanced film lines with a total capacity of 2,500 tons a year; and
Two water-based latex reaction kettles with a total capacity of 3,000 tons a year.
Awards and Certifications
Our subsidiary, Shiner Industrial, has received the following awards and certificates, each of which, we believe, is an indication of our achievements, the quality of our products and makes us more attractive to potential customers and therefore a more competitive company both in the local and international markets:
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ISO 9000 certification has become an international reference for quality management requirements in business-to-business dealings. This certification enables us to compete on many more markets around the world and provides our customers with assurances about our quality, safety and reliability.
Sales and Marketing
Our sales and marketing strategy focuses on establishing and maintaining a reputation for consistent and stable production of innovative high quality packaging film at competitive prices, providing dependable and efficient customer support services, and building stable and enduring relationships with our customers.
We sell our packaging film and services to dozens of food, beverage, and consumer goods manufacturers throughout the world, with a focus on the PRC market. Our customers are located in 20 provinces, three municipalities and three autonomous regions in the PRC. Our sales group is divided into two teams, a domestic sales team focusing on the PRC market and an international sales team focusing on the European, North American, Southeast Asian, Australasian and Middle Eastern markets. We currently have 30 full time sales representatives servicing our domestic and international customers. The majority of our sales professionals are university graduates and 10 of them have more than ten years industry experience. We seek to expand our market share in the European and North American markets that we believe possess growth potential. Our domestic sales team is divided into five major sales regions in the PRC based on the location of our customers - Guangdong and Guangxi, Northwest China, Southwest China, Northeast China and Eastern China.
Our sales representatives maintain regular contact with customers to track product performance to ensure customer satisfaction. They are responsible for handling inquiries, processing and allocating orders to our production team, confirming orders and product specifications from customers, and providing after-sales services such as gathering market information and conducting surveys. In addition, these sales personnel are also responsible for handling ad hoc product inquiries and for cultivating relationships with potential new customers. Through regular contact with our customers, we are able to ascertain the current and future demand for existing products and the potential demand for new products.
In the international market, our sales team has adopted a strategic regional sales and marketing system and established an extensive sales and marketing network throughout North America, Europe and Southeast Asia. We have entered into preliminary letters of intent with potential representatives and agents in Southeast Asia, Europe, and the United States in relation to marketing and distribution of our products.
We have refocused our marketing and sales strategy to match our customer focused business strategy. Our marketing activities are geared towards supporting the activities of our sales team by keeping abreast of industry trends, interacting with existing customers, cultivating new relationships and building brand awareness. By visiting our customers in the PRC regularly and nurturing close relationships it enables us to identify market trends, understand customers’ evolving needs, adjust and manage our production processes and proactively resolve customers’ issues and concerns. These regular contacts, visits, and interviews allow us to gain insight into the latest market trends and to capture business opportunities ahead of our competitors. We also distribute marketing materials we produce from time to time to our customers in person during such visits or otherwise by email or mail. Because of the attractive location of our plant and facilities in Haikou on Hainan Island, generally known as the “Hawaii” of China, we frequently invite potential customers to visit and inspect our operations first-hand and we also host many of the annual tobacco and other large industry management conventions.
We participate regularly in industry exhibitions and international trade fairs held in the PRC and internationally. To attract new customers and to maintain brand awareness in the industry, we regularly advertise our Company and products in industry magazines and on our own website. Members of our senior management team are frequent speakers at industry events and also give interviews to industry magazines from time to time to raise our profile.
Raw Materials and Suppliers
Major raw materials required in the manufacturing processes for our packaging products include petroleum-based resins and mixing chemicals, which are primarily supplied to us by large chemical companies. For these raw materials, we generally maintain purchase contracts for a period of up to six months. However, for many other materials, we can generally choose from multiple producers and such orders are placed on an “as-needed” monthly basis.
As all BOPP film is petroleum based, the effects of any short-term fluctuations in the price of oil will be averaged into the earnings over the period due to the cyclical nature of production, inventory and sales. Any long-term increases in the price of oil will have an adverse impact on our earnings. However, as there are currently no synthetics or substitute materials available in the market, management believes that any long-term increase in the price of oil will be made up for by an increase in sale prices by all film producers.
The base materials for many of Shiner Industrial’s products are derived from petroleum. Approximately 50% of the raw materials for Hainan Shiner’s BOPP tobacco film operation are imported from multi-national chemical companies such as Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. In contrast, only about 8% of the raw materials for our coated films are imported because the current base BOPP film can be supplied through qualified domestic suppliers in China. All of the raw materials for our color printing operations are purchased domestically in China. There are numerous suppliers for these raw materials. We generally select a supplier based on the best combination of quality, price and service. There are no raw materials used in our color printing production process that are provided by any sole supplier.
BOPP is a major raw material for our flexible packaging films; our new BOPP film line produces sufficient basic BOPP film to satisfy our coated film production needs.
In general, we do not have long term contracts with our suppliers. We maintain relationships with two to three approved suppliers for each raw material purchased and generally experience no delay in meeting our production needs on a timely basis. Currently, raw materials are readily available and we expect to continue to successfully manage raw material supplies without significant supply interruptions. Our largest suppliers accounted for more than 10% of raw material purchases in 2013.
Customers
Our customers are composed mainly of consumer products manufacturers, distributors, printers and packaging industry distributers. About 80% of our customers are in China, with the remainder in Southeast Asia, Europe and North America. While most of our products are sold in the international market, our color printing business mainly serves customers in China who are looking for one-stop service to fulfill their printing and packaging needs by a single vendor.
Flexible Packaging Material
We are the leading producer of coated film in China, with approximately 65% market share of the Chinese domestic coated film output in 2013. Our domestic competitors exist only in the form of smaller rivals with an average annual capacity of several hundred metric tons. Approximately 70% of our sales are made directly to customers and the remaining 30% of our sales are made through domestic distributors servicing one-off, small-scale packaging operations. We believe we are the leading producer of coated films nationally, and enjoy a reputation both for first-rate quality and service. We maintain contracts with our larger customers generally for periods ranging from six months to one year. Smaller customers, those that constitute less than 2% of our overall sales are subject to pre-payment on all orders.
During 2013, our top 10 customers accounted for approximately 75% of our total international coated film sales, with an average sale of $420,000 per customer. Approximately 45% of our exported coated film is sold to printing and packaging companies located in Australia with the remainder sold to companies located in the United States, Europe, New Zealand and Turkey. Approximately 55% of our exported coated film sales are made to the “converter” industry, which represents mass packaging operations mainly in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe that serve as packaging hubs for products sold in the US and European markets. Rolls of finished coated film are sent to the converters where they print, cut, fold, and insert re-sealable zips to form pouches for items such as dried fruits, nuts, beverages and dairy products like cheese and yogurt. Our largest international customer, Impak Films Pty. Ltd. (“Impak”), an Australian packaging distributor, accounted for approximately 13% of our coated film sales and 4% of our total sales in 2013.
As tobacco remains one of the state-controlled industries in China, all of our domestic BOPP tobacco film sales are made to provincial cigarette manufacturers who can buy only from pre-approved domestic manufacturers meeting the quality and technical specifications as well as the standard price requirements of the Chinese government. We currently sell our BOPP tobacco film to 28 of 32 provincial cigarette manufacturers (representing approximately 70% of this market) and have contracts to sell over 5,000 metric tons of film per year to the state owned cigarette company of China.
The main customers of our color printing business are brand-name food and commodity companies in China that have strict requirements for quality and service. We believe our customers are also attracted to the one-stop service that we offer by fulfilling both their packaging film and printing requirements. Our largest customer, Chun Guang Foodstuff Co., Ltd., accounted for 25% of color printing sales in 2013.
Advanced Film
We introduced advanced film products in 2005 as a superior alternative to the industry’s hologram printed films. Our largest customer in the domestic market is Hainan Yeshu Group, and our largest customer in the international market is Vietnam Tobacco Imports and Exports Co. (“Vintaba”), the tobacco production company of the Government of Vietnam. Our advanced product sales were approximately $6.2 million in 2013 of which Vintaba accounted for approximately 45% and the Hainan Yeshu Group accounted for approximately 10% of these sales. A majority of our customers are brand name producers seeking to protect copyrights and reduce the occurrence of pirated product. According to the American Film Institute, the Chinese film market suffers a loss of $2.7 billion each year due to piracy, including the annual loss of $1.6 billion from piracy of CDs and DVDs.
At the Sixth Global Congress to Combat Counterfeiting & Piracy in February 2011, International Chamber of Commerce Secretary General Jean-Guy Carrier reported that “the total impact of illicit trade in “fakes” is staggering, with more than $1.0 trillion in annual losses to global economies, governments and consumers and potentially more than two million jobs at risk.” Reports from the Congress showed that the trade of counterfeit cigarettes currently accounts for 6% of the global tobacco trading and manufacturing and selling counterfeit cigarettes in the global market has reached approximately 150 billion units per year. According to new research of the Business Software Alliance, the percentage of counterfeit software in the global market increased to 45% in 2013 from 41% in 2008, resulting in more than $55 billion in losses to the industry.
Research and Development
We highly value our strong R&D support team. Our R&D team includes 22 engineers and technicians with each person holding a Bachelor’s or other advanced degree, and most of whom have direct or related field experience. Our R&D team strives to improve our production process, product quality and product compatibility to reinforce our competitive advantage in the market. In particular, our R&D efforts are focused on: (i) identifying processes that improve our cost-efficiency and our customers’ production efficiency; (ii) identifying alternative production materials to generate comparable performance at a lower cost to our customers
Our R&D team is the first point of contact for customers in the event of quality related concerns and assists customers with identifying and resolving problems, offering effective and efficient solutions and facilitating discussion with our production team. Our R&D team has a long track record of experience in the flexible packaging industry and is capable of translating customer requests into solutions.
We built Hainan Film Engineering Center in Haikou, which has four well-equipped professional laboratories. In addition, we also set up R&D centers in both of our Hainan and Zhuhai locations. Our engineers have designed two of our coated film production lines. By designing our own production lines, we intend to reduce our fixed asset investment by approximately 35% and better meet our specific manufacturing needs. The director of our research department has over 15 years experience in the industry.
During 2013 and 2012, we spent approximately $5.1 million and $4.1 million respectively, on R&D projects with the majority expended on new product trials and experimental manufacturing techniques, including fog prevention and high heat shrinkable films.
In 2013, we spent approximately $3.5 million in the development of functional coatings of coated films and functional BOPP film. Functional coatings and film are designed to meet certain functional requirements of our customers and market, such as improved sealing and barrier properties. All R&D costs are funded through our operating cash flow and are expensed as incurred.
In addition to in-house R&D, we have sponsored several projects with research institutions and universities in China to which we retain all proprietary rights for the research funded by us. We also have a formal agreement with China’s Science & Technology University through 2015 for which we have proprietary rights to all findings based upon dedicated research conducted on our behalf. We also have informal alliances with Fudan University in Shanghai, Sun Yat Sen University (Zhong Shan) in Guangzhou and Tsinghua University in Beijing.
Intellectual Property
We hold 22 patents on both products and production equipment that have been issued by the State Intellectual Property Office of China.
We have additional products and production equipment for which 48 patent applications are currently pending which we expect to receive approval for in 2013 Our current patents expire between 2013 and 2030. We also have two trademarks issued by the State Intellectual Property Office of China.
Employees
We have a centralized labor management system for our operating subsidiaries. Labor and employment affairs of each subsidiary are managed by our central human resources department. Currently, we have 384 full-time, and no part-time, employees.
The following table sets forth the number of our employees by function.
Each employee must enter into multiple employment contracts, including a non-competition agreement, which are then filed with the municipal government. All employees receive a base monthly salary. Executive employees are also entitled to a year-end bonus based upon our overall performance results, seniority and individual performance and contribution to the Company. Production employees are entitled to a monthly bonus calculated on the basis of the quality of the products produced, and their respective contribution to volume, safe production, correct use of equipment and energy saving. Our production employees are not subject to collective bargaining agreements. However, we maintain a satisfactory working relationship with our employees, and we have not experienced any significant labor disputes or any difficulty in recruiting staff for our operations.
Our employees in China participate in a state pension plan mandated by Chinese municipal and provincial governments. Benefits include social security, pension benefits, and medical insurance. The Company contributes approximately 37% of annual salaries to the pension plan on behalf of all qualified employees.
We believe that we are in material compliance with relevant PRC labor laws.
Regulation
The Food Safety Law of the PRC, or the “Food Safety Law,” was enacted on February 28, 2009 by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and became effective on June 1, 2009. The Implementation Regulations of the Food Safety Law, or the “Implementation Regulations,” were subsequently promulgated on July 20, 2009 and were immediately effective.
Pursuant to the Food Safety Law and its Implementation Regulations, the Chinese government regulates food manufacturers (producers and processors) and operators (distributors and caterers), as well as manufacturers of (i) food additives, (ii) packaging materials, containers, detergents and disinfectants used with food and (iii) tools and equipment used in production and processing of food. Under this law, manufacturers who are engaged in the production of food, food additives and food related products must comply with applicable food safety standards and must satisfy inspection and approval procedures with regard to their products before sending them into the market. In addition, food manufacturers are required to check business permits and product qualification certificates of their suppliers from whom they purchase food materials, additives and related products and to inspect such products to ensure that they conform to applicable food safety standards. Any violation of the Food Safety Law and its Implementation Regulations may result in legal liabilities, such as warnings, fines, damages, or even in criminal liabilities for serious violations.
Shiner has been appointed a “Standards Creator” in Coated Film by the Standardization Administration of the PRC. As such, Shiner has been working closely with various government agencies to assist the regulatory authorities in drafting new packaging guidelines that that will help ensure a safe food supply as outlined in the Food Safety Law. It is our belief that large domestic Chinese food manufacturers will utilize coated film packaging to meet the requirements detailed in the Food Safety Law standards.
Additionally, our products are subject to regulation by agencies of the provincial government of Haikou responsible for food packaging and hygiene and the regulatory schemes of international governmental authorities governing the food safety, quality and hygiene of our customers. The safety, quality and hygiene requirements of many of our customers, especially those located internationally, exceed government requirements in China. Our PVDC and all coated films have already met FDA requirements, as well as the requirements for food products packaging sold in the European Economic Community, or the “EEC.”
Business registrations, our production processes, and certain products are certified on a regular basis and must be in compliance with the laws, rules and regulations of various governments and industry agencies. Our subsidiaries have been assessed and certified as meeting the requirements of ISO 9001:2000 for designing and manufacturing BOPP films, PVDC coated film, BOPP laser holographic advanced film for packaging by the SGS Group.
We are also subject to China’s National Environmental Protection Law as well as a number of other national and local laws and regulations regarding pollutant discharge for air, water and noise pollution. We believe we are in compliance with such laws and regulations.
In each of 2013 and 2012, we incurred expenses of approximately $15,000 to comply with governmental and environmental regulations in China.
Competition
We believe our expertise in manufacturing specialty films provides us a distinct advantage over competitors in China, most of whom are focused mainly on commodity films, such as BOPP, BoPET, PVC and BOPA. We are the leading producer of coated films in China with limited domestic competition only in the form of smaller rivals with an average annual capacity of several hundred metric tons. Internationally, we face competition from industry leaders such as DuPont Energy Co., Innovia Films Ltd. and Exxon Mobil Corporation. Each of these corporations has much larger production capacity than us and has a strong reputation as they have significant experience in the coated films market.
As tobacco remains a state-owned and operated industry in China, the government buys only from approved PRC domestic vendors and competition exists only in the form of other domestic film companies. In addition, each province is required to maintain two to three suppliers. Thus, competition among qualified players is limited. In the domestic market there are several qualified large producers including: Jiangsu Zhongda New Material Group Co., Ltd., Foshan Plastics Group Co., Ltd, Zhanjiang Packaging Enterprises Ltd., Yunnan Kunlene Film Industries Co., Ltd., Yunnan Hongta Plastics Co., Ltd., Hubei Firsta Packaging Co., Ltd. As we have attained certification as a government supplier, a certain level of annual sales is guaranteed to us from the government of China. In the international market, we face competition from large multi-nationals as well as Southeast Asian and Japanese firms. We believe we have a price advantage over our Western competitors due to our lower production costs.
Our advanced film is unique; as such we do not have a direct competitor for this product. However, established international producers such as Applied Extrusion Technologies, Inc. and Innovia Films Ltd. do produce their own advanced films based mainly on printed holograms, which are relatively simple to duplicate. Rather than direct competition, we are focusing on marketing efforts on awareness and educating buyers as to the superior quality of our products over these hologram-based counterfeit films.
We are the largest color printing service provider in Hainan province and rank approximately 20th in the overall Chinese market. Due to low operating costs, the printing industry is highly fragmented with approximately 4,000 soft packaging and printing companies in China. As a result, competition in China is fierce and industry margins are low. Accordingly, we maintain our printing services mainly as a convenience for current film customers who are more concerned with quality, service, and one-stop printing and packaging service than with price.
The primary barriers to enter the market include obtaining a printing license and significant capital investment in large-scale production facilities. We believe our competitive advantages over domestic players are better cost-efficiencies due to economies of scale and significant order volumes, long standing relationships with customers, advanced technologies and equipment deployed in our manufacturing process, high product quality with competitive cost structure and a well-known brand name. Our competitive advantages over international players include significant production capacity, a large existing customer base, the flexibility to customize our products, better local knowledge and connections in the PRC, lower price resulting from our lower cost structure and competitive product quality.
Competitive Strengths
We believe we are able to effectively compete in both the domestic Chinese and international markets by means of proven quality, cost advantages and a service team that supports our customers before, during and after the sale process in order to build long-term customer relationships. Our customer-oriented perspective permeates each business unit and is largely responsible for our ability to penetrate new markets and successfully build on sales to new customers.
Established long-term relationships with reputable customers in diversified end markets. We have established an extensive customer base in a wide variety of industries, including food, beverage, cigarette, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and other consumer and industrial goods. We believe this wide range of end markets reflects the strength of our experience and reputation as a qualified flexible packaging and advanced film producer, as well as the broad range of available markets for our products. Many of our customers are PRC’s Top 500 enterprises, and we believe we are well positioned to benefit from our established customer relationships.
Ability to provide customized products and solutions. As part of our differentiation strategy, we work closely with customers to understand and design innovative products based on our ability to formulate different blends of resins and additives to produce film with specific properties for our customers based on their unique requirements. This strategic advantage is difficult for our competitors to duplicate given the technological and manufacturing flexibility that it demands. As a result of our diverse, high quality product offering, we have been able to increase pricing of our certain coated film products.
One-stop service. We are able save customers both lead-time and costs by providing one-stop service in which we not only sell the film but also develop the production processes that produce the end packaging product.
Advanced production facilities and stringent quality control. We continually invest in our production capabilities and furnish our facilities with advanced equipment. Our products have been ISO9001:2000 accredited since 2003. We believe stringent quality control standards are crucial to our success and the continuous growth of our business. In order to maintain such standards, we conduct inspection at all stages during the production process. In that regard, we have adopted a quality management system covering the sourcing of raw materials, each stage of production, the delivery of final products, and post-sales quality control. We also provide employees with continuous training in order to help reduce the frequency of repeated errors.
Strong R&D capabilities. We have an experienced R&D team of 22 professionals. The team has successfully developed new products and technologies, which have led to 16 patents and 10 pending patent applications. We also work with reputable academic and research institutions to undertake specific R&D projects. In 2006, we entered into a five-year research agreement with China’s Science & Technology University. Under the terms of this agreement, six professors, all holding advanced degrees, work in conjunction with our R&D team. Shiner owns the proprietary rights to all findings to dedicated research projects which are undertaken at our request. We pay the university estimated fees of $12,850 annually under this agreement. This agreement was renewed in 2010 for an additional five years under the same terms.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all of the other information included in this report, before making an investment decision. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could suffer. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. You should read the section entitled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” above for a discussion of what types of statements are forward-looking statements, as well as the significance of such statements in the context of this report.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
We cannot be certain that our product innovations and marketing successes will continue.
We believe our past performance has been based on, and our future success will depend upon, in part, our ability to continue to improve our existing products through product innovation and to develop, market and produce new products. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in the introduction, marketing and production of new products or product innovations, or that we will develop and introduce in a timely manner innovations to our existing products which satisfy customer needs or achieve market acceptance. Although we have developed products that have met customers’ requirements in the past, there is no assurance that any of our R&D efforts will necessarily lead to any new or enhanced products or generate sufficient market share to justify commercialization. We must continually improve our current products and develop and introduce new or enhanced products that address the requirements of our customers and are competitive in terms of functionality, performance, quality and price in order to maintain and increase our market share. If our new products are unable to gain market acceptance, we would be forced to write-off the related inventory and would not be able to generate future revenue from our investment in R&D. In such event, we would be unable to increase our market share and achieve and sustain profitability. Our failure to develop new products and introduce them successfully and in a timely manner could harm our ability to grow our business and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our advanced technology may not satisfy the changing needs of our customers.
With any advanced product authentication technology, including the technology of our current and proposed products, there are risks that the technology may not successfully address all of our customers’ needs. While we have already established successful relationships with Chinese customers with regard to our products, our customers’ ultimate needs may change or vary, thus introducing variables which may affect the ability of our proposed products to address all of our customers’ ultimate technology needs in an economically feasible manner.
Our growth strategy and future success depends upon commercial acceptance of products incorporating technologies we have developed and are continuing to develop. Technological trends have had and will continue to have a significant impact on our business. Our results of operations and ability to remain competitive are largely based upon our ability to accurately anticipate customer and market requirements. Our success in developing, introducing and selling new and enhanced products depends upon a variety of factors, including:
accurate technology and product selection;
timely and efficient completion of product design and treatment;
timely and efficient implementation of manufacturing processes;
product performance; and
product support and effective sales and marketing.
We may not be able to accurately forecast or respond to commercial and technological trends in the industries in which we operate.
We may not be able to keep pace with rapid technological changes in the advanced film product industry.
The advanced film product authentication industry is a relatively new industry and market, especially in China and other parts of Asia, and continues to evolve in terms of customer/market needs, applications, and technology. We believe we have hired or engaged personnel and outside consultants who have experience and are recognized within the industry to be experts. With respect to technology, while we continue to seek out and develop “next generation” technology through acquisition, strategic partnerships, and our own R&D, there is no guarantee that we will be able to keep pace with technological developments and market demands in this evolving industry and market. Technological changes, process improvements, or operating improvements that could adversely affect us include:
development of new technologies by our competitors or counterfeiters;
changes in product requirements of our customers; and
improvements in the alternatives to our technologies.
We may not have sufficient funds to devote to R&D, or our R&D efforts may not be successful in developing products in the time, or with the characteristics, necessary to meet customer needs. If we do not adapt to such changes or improvements, our competitive position, operations and prospects would be materially affected.
Intense competition in the advanced and packaging markets may adversely affect our operating results.
We operate in highly competitive and rapidly evolving fields, and new developments are expected to continue at a rapid pace. We believe there are few barriers to entry into many of our markets. As a result, we may experience competition resulting from new manufacturers of various types of film in our product lines. Competitors may succeed in developing alternative technologies and products that are more effective, easier to use or less expensive than those which have been or are being developed by us or that would render our technology and products obsolete and non-competitive. Any of these actions by our competitors could adversely affect our sales.
In addition, we face competition from a substantial number of companies, which sell similar and substitute packaging products. Although we believe we have developed strategic relationships in China to best penetrate China’s market, we face competition from other providers, some of which have greater financial and human resources, have had a longer operating history, and have greater name recognition than we do. Many of these competitors have substantially greater financial and technical resources, production and marketing capabilities, and may have extensive production facilities, well-developed sales and marketing staffs and substantial financial resources. Competitive products are also available from a number of local manufacturers. This results in competition that is highly price sensitive. We also compete on the basis of quality, service, timely delivery and differentiation of product properties.
An increase in competition could result in material selling price reductions or loss of our market share. This could materially adversely affect our operations and financial condition.
We are a major purchaser of many commodities that we use for raw materials in the manufacturing process of our products, and price changes for the commodities we depend on may adversely affect our profitability.
With the rapid growth of China’s economy, the demand for certain raw materials is great while the supply may be more limited. This may affect our ability to secure the necessary raw materials we need in a cost-effective manner, including chemicals and other items needed for production of our products at the volume of purchase orders that we anticipate receiving.
For example, the PET resin used in our coated film products is currently used as a raw material in China’s textile industry, and the market prices of PET resin may fluctuate due to changes in supply and demand conditions in that industry. Any sudden shortage of supply of, or significant increase in demand for, PET resin and additives may result in higher market prices and thereby increase our cost of sales. The prices of PET resin and additives are, to a certain extent, affected by the price movement of crude oil.
If there is a significant increase in the cost of our raw materials and we are unable to pass on such increase to our customers on a timely basis or at all, our profit margins and results of operations will be adversely affected.
Petroleum prices impact our operating results.
Petroleum is the prime ingredient in many plastics that we use to make many of our products. We estimate that an increase in the price of crude oil of $10.00 per barrel could cause our gross margin to decline by up to 6% on the sale of these products. There has been some increase in the cost of our raw materials as a result of an increase in crude oil prices throughout the year. Current political unrest in the Middle East has resulted in an increase in the price of crude oil and may result in further increases in the price of crude oil.
We may not be able to adequately protect our technology and other proprietary rights.
Our success will depend in part on our ability to obtain and protect our products, methods, processes and other technologies, to preserve our trade secrets, and to operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of third parties both domestically in China and abroad. We rely on patents, trademarks and licenses to protect our intellectual property. We also have patent applications pending in China, and have worked and continue to work closely with China’s patent officials to preserve our intellectual property rights. If we are unable to adequately protect or enforce our intellectual property rights with respect to our products, methods, processes and other technologies, our prospects for revenue growth could be significantly diminished. Additionally, if our products, methods, processes and other technologies infringe on the intellectual property rights of other parties, we could incur substantial costs.
Our ability to compete in our markets and to achieve future revenue growth will depend, in significant part, on our ability to protect our proprietary technology and operate without infringing upon the intellectual property rights of others. The legal regime in China for the protection of intellectual property rights is still at its early stage of development. Intellectual property protection became a national effort in China in 1979 when China adopted its first statute on the protection of trademarks. Since then, China has adopted its Patent Law, Trademark Law and Copyright Law and promulgated related regulations such as Regulation on Computer Software Protection, Regulation on the Protection of Layout Designs of Integrated Circuits and Regulation on Internet Domain Names. China has also acceded to various international treaties and conventions in this area, such as the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, Patent Cooperation Treaty, Madrid Agreement and its Protocol Concerning the International Registration of Marks. In addition, when China became a party to the World Trade Organization in 2001, China amended many of its laws and regulations to comply with the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. Despite many laws and regulations promulgated and other efforts made by China over the years to tighten up its regulation and protection of intellectual property rights, private parties may not enjoy intellectual property rights in China to the same extent as they would in many Western countries, including the US, and enforcement of such laws and regulations in China have not achieved the levels reached in those countries. Both the administrative agencies and the court system in China are not well-equipped to deal with violations or handle the nuances and complexities between compliant technological innovation and non-compliant infringement.
There is no assurance that the measures that we have put into place to protect our intellectual property rights will be sufficient. As the number of patents, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property rights in our industry increases, and as the coverage of these rights and the functionality of the products in the market further overlap, we believe business entities in our industry may face more frequent infringement claims. Litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights could result in substantial costs and may not be successful. If we are not able to successfully defend our intellectual property rights, we might lose rights to technology that we need to conduct and develop our business. This may seriously harm our business, operating results and financial condition, and enable our competitors to use our intellectual property to compete against us.
Entry of new BOPP and advanced film producers in China may increase the supply of, and decrease the prices of, BOPP and advanced film in the industry, and hence lead to a decline in our profit margins.
We believe we are currently one of the few producers of BOPP and advanced film in China with R&D capabilities. Our past financial performance is attributable to our market position in the industry. Over time, there may be new entrants into our industry, whether as a result of increased access to the production technology of BOPP and advanced film or otherwise. Accordingly, we may experience increased competition, and the entry of new BOPP and advanced film producers will also lead to an increase in the industry supply of BOPP and advanced film resulting in more competitive pricing. We may have to price our products in response to competitive market conditions and this may lead to a decline in our profit margins. In the event that we are unable to successfully compete or retain effective control over the pricing of our products, our profit margins will decrease and our revenues and net income may also decrease.
In addition, China has gradually lifted its import restrictions, lowered import tariffs and relaxed foreign investment restrictions after its entry into the World Trade Organization in December 2001. This may lead to increased competition from foreign companies in our industry, some of which are significantly larger and financially stronger than us. If we fail to compete effectively with these companies in the future, our current business and future growth potential could be adversely affected.
With respect to our BOPP tobacco film and other flexible packaging materials, we have a large amount of sales concentrated in a small number of customers.
Any decrease in the demand for our flexible packaging materials, particularly our BOPP tobacco film, will significantly affect our financial performance. Although demand for our BOPP tobacco film has gradually been increasing, any significant fall in the consumption of tobacco, in particular, whether as a result of health concerns or otherwise, could result in a decline in the sales of our products and adversely impact our financial condition, business and operation.
A disruption in the supply of utilities, fire or other calamity at our manufacturing plants would disrupt production of our products and adversely affect our sales.
Our films are manufactured solely at our production facilities located in Haikou City and Zhuhai City in China. While we have not experienced any calamities in the past which disrupted production, any disruption in the supply of utilities, in particular, electricity or power supply or any outbreak of fire, flood or other calamity resulting in significant damage at our facilities, would severely affect our production capabilities. As a result, we could incur substantial liabilities that could reduce or eliminate the funds available for product development, or result in a loss of equipment and properties. While we maintain insurance policies covering losses with respect to damage to our properties, machinery and inventories of raw materials and products, we cannot assure you that our insurance would be sufficient to cover all of our potential losses.
We have limited experience in operating outside mainland China, and failure to achieve our international marketing and sales strategy may have an adverse effect on our business growth in the future.
Our future growth depends, to a considerable extent, on our ability to develop both the domestic and overseas markets. We are currently exploring new business opportunities outside mainland China for our products. We have a limited number of customers outside China, mainly in the US and Europe. However, we have limited experience in operating outside mainland China, including dealing with foreign regulatory environments and market practices, and cannot guarantee that we will be able to penetrate any international market. In connection with our initial efforts to expand overseas, we have encountered many obstacles, including cultural and linguistic differences, difficulties in keeping abreast of market, business and technical developments in foreign jurisdictions, and political and social disturbances. Failure in the development of international markets may have an adverse effect on our business growth in the future.
Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related corporate governance and public disclosure requirements have resulted in significant additional expense.
Changing laws, regulations, and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the associated SEC regulations have resulted in significant additional expense as well as a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. If our efforts to comply with new or changed laws, regulations, and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies, we might be subject to lawsuits or sanctions or investigation by regulatory authorities, such as the SEC, and our reputation may be harmed.
We are subject to many environmental and safety regulations that may result in unanticipated costs or liabilities, that could reduce our profitability.
We are subject to extensive federal, local and foreign laws, regulations, rules and ordinances relating to pollution, protection of the environment and the generation, storage, handling, transportation, treatment, disposal and remediation of hazardous substances and waste materials. Actual or alleged violations of environmental laws or permit requirements could result in restrictions or prohibitions on plant operations, substantial civil or criminal sanctions, as well as, under some environmental laws, the assessment of strict liability and/or joint and several liability. Moreover, changes in environmental regulations could inhibit or interrupt our operations, or require us to modify our facilities or operations. Accordingly, environmental or regulatory matters may cause us to incur significant unanticipated losses, costs or liabilities that could reduce our profitability.
In addition, we could incur significant expenditures in order to comply with existing or future environmental or safety laws. Capital expenditures and costs relating to environmental or safety matters will be subject to evolving regulatory requirements and will depend on the timing of the promulgation and enforcement of specific standards which impose requirements on our operations. Capital expenditures and costs beyond those currently anticipated may therefore be required under existing or future environmental or safety laws.
Furthermore, we may be liable for the costs of investigating and cleaning up environmental contamination on or from our properties or at off-site locations where we disposed of or arranged for the disposal or treatment of hazardous materials or from disposal activities that pre-dated our purchase of our businesses. We may therefore incur additional costs and expenditures beyond those currently anticipated to address all such known and unknown situations under existing and future environmental laws. In 2013, we incurred expenses of approximately $15,000 to comply with environmental and safety laws.
Failure to adequately comply with hygiene and food safety standards set by the PRC may disrupt our operations.
In accordance with the laws and regulations of the PRC, we are required to comply with applicable hygiene and food safety standards, including the standards set forth in the Food Safety Law, and any rules and regulations promulgated by the central Chinese government or local provincial governments thereunder. Failure to comply with these laws, rules and regulations, could require us to temporarily or permanently suspend some or all of our production operations, which could disrupt our operations and adversely affect our revenues and profitability.
PRC food safety and hygiene laws may become more onerous, which may adversely affect our operations and financial performance and lead to an increase in our costs which we may be unable to pass on to our customers.
As a manufacturer of food-related products, we are subject to extensive governmental regulation. For example, we are subject to the Food Safety Law (“FSL”) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. We cannot assure stockholders that in the future the PRC food safety and hygiene laws will not become more onerous, providing for stricter and more comprehensive monitoring and regulation of food-related product manufacturers, which may lead to an increase in our costs of complying with such regulations resulting in a material adverse effect on its results of operations. In 2013, we incurred expenses of approximately $10,000 to comply with the FSL
Concerns with the safety and quality of packaged food products could cause consumers to avoid such products and our customers to stop producing packaged food products.
We could be adversely affected if consumers lose confidence in the safety and quality of packaged food products. Adverse publicity about these types of concerns, such as the publicity concerning the use of the substance melamine in milk and infant formula, may discourage consumers from buying packaged food products, which would reduce or eliminate the need for our food packaging, causing production disruptions. Any negative change in customer perceptions about the safety and quality of packaged food products could adversely affect our business and financial condition.
Increased consumption tax on cigarettes may materially impact our tobacco film sales
On May 1, 2009, the central Chinese government raised the consumption tax on cigarettes in an effort to curb smoking and increase state revenues. The consumption tax was raised by between 6% and 11% and is based on the sales price of the cigarettes - the higher the sales price the higher the percentage of consumption tax. This tax hike, together with a new 5% tax on cigarette wholesalers, which became effective on May 1, 2009, may negatively impact the cigarette manufacturing business in China and, depending on the severity of the impact thereon, may create a severe softening of our sales in the tobacco film market. Coupled with the decrease in our sales as a result of the economic crisis, the new tobacco-related taxes may have a material adverse effect on both our sales price and volume for the foreseeable future.
Deterioration of economic conditions could negatively impact our business.
Our business may be adversely affected by changes in global economic conditions, including inflation, interest rates, availability of capital markets, consumer spending rates, energy availability and costs (including fuel surcharges) and the effects of governmental initiatives to manage economic conditions. Any such changes could adversely affect the demand for our products or the cost and availability of our needed raw materials, thereby negatively affecting our financial results.
The recent disruptions in credit and other financial markets and deterioration of global economic conditions, could, among other things:
make it more difficult or costly for us to obtain financing for our operations or investments or to finance debt in the future;
impair the financial condition of some of our customers or suppliers, thereby increasing bad debts or non-performance by suppliers; and
negatively impact demand for our products, which could result in a reduction of sales, operating income and cash flows.
RISKS RELATED TO CONDUCTING OUR BUSINESS IN CHINA
We are subject to international economic and political risks over which we have little or no control and may be unable to alter our business practice in time to avoid the possibility of reduced revenues.
A substantial portion of our business is conducted in China. Doing business outside the US, particularly in China, subjects us to various risks including changing economic and political conditions, major work stoppages, exchange controls, currency fluctuations, armed conflicts and unexpected changes in United States and foreign laws relating to tariffs, trade restrictions, transportation regulations, foreign investments and taxation. We have no control over most of these risks and may be unable to anticipate changes in international economic and political conditions. Therefore, we may be unable to alter our business practices in time to avoid the possibility of reduced revenues.
China’s economic policies could affect our business.
Generally, all of our assets are located in China and a substantial amount of our revenue is derived from our operations in China. Accordingly, our results of operations and prospects are subject, to a significant extent, to the economic, political and legal developments in China.
While China’s economy has experienced significant growth in the past twenty years, such growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. China’s government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures benefit the overall economy of China, but they may also have a negative effect on us. For example, operating results and financial condition may be adversely affected by the government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations. The economy of China has been changing from a planned economy to a more market-oriented economy. In recent years, China government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets, and the establishment of corporate governance in business enterprises; however, a substantial portion of productive assets in China are still owned by our government. In addition, China government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing industrial policies. It also exercises significant control over China’s economic growth through the allocation of resources, the control of payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, the setting of monetary policy and the provision of preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.
We may have difficulty establishing adequate management, legal and financial controls in China.
China historically has not adopted a Western style of management and financial reporting concepts and practices, as well as in modern banking, computer and other control systems. We may have difficulty in hiring and retaining a sufficient number of qualified employees to work in China. As a result of these factors, we may experience difficulty in establishing management, legal and financial controls, collecting financial data and preparing financial statements, books of account and corporate records and instituting business practices that meet Western standards.
Our bank accounts are not insured or protected against loss.
We maintain our cash with various banks and trust companies located in China. Our cash accounts are not insured or otherwise protected. Should any bank or trust company holding our cash deposits become insolvent, or if we are otherwise unable to withdraw funds, we would lose the cash on deposit with that particular bank or trust company.
As we have limited business insurance coverage in China, any loss which we suffer may not be insured or may be insured to only a limited extent.
The insurance industry in China is still in an early state of development and insurance companies located in China offer limited business insurance products. In the event of damage or loss to our properties, our insurance may not provide as much coverage as if we were insured by insurance companies in the United States.
Tax laws and regulations in China are subject to substantial revision, some of which may adversely affect our profitability.
China’s tax system is in a state of flux, and it is anticipated that China’s tax regime will be altered in the coming years. Tax benefits that we presently enjoy may not be available in the wake of these changes, and we could incur tax obligations to our government that are significantly higher than anticipated. These increased tax obligations could negatively impact our financial condition and our revenues, gross margins, profitability and results of operations may be adversely affected as a result.
Certain tax exemptions that we presently enjoy in China are scheduled to expire over the next several years.
Since a substantial portion of our operations are located in a privileged economic zone, we are entitled to certain tax benefits. These tax benefits are presently scheduled to expire over the next several years. For example, Zhuhai presently has a 50% exemption from federal tax through December 31, 2013. As these exemptions expire, our income tax expenses will increase, reducing our net income below what it would be if we continued to enjoy these exemptions.
We may face judicial corruption in China.
Another obstacle to foreign investment in China is corruption. There is no assurance that we will be able to obtain recourse in any legal disputes with suppliers, customers or other parties with whom we conduct business, if desired, through China’s poorly developed and sometimes corrupt judicial systems.
If relations between the United States and China worsen, investors may be unwilling to hold or buy our stock and our stock price may decrease.
At various times during recent years, the United States and China have had significant disagreements over political and economic issues. Controversies may arise in the future between these two countries. Any political or trade controversies between the United States and China, whether or not directly related to our business, could reduce the price of our common stock.
The government of China could change its policies toward private enterprise or even nationalize or expropriate private enterprises, which could result in the total loss of our and your investment.
Our business is subject to significant political and economic uncertainties and may be affected by political, economic and social developments in China. Over the past several years, the government of China has pursued economic reform policies including the encouragement of private economic activity and greater economic decentralization. The government of China may not continue to pursue these policies or may significantly alter them to our detriment from time to time with little, if any, prior notice.
Changes in policies, laws and regulations or in their interpretation or the imposition of confiscatory taxation, restrictions on currency conversion, restrictions or prohibitions on dividend payments to stockholders, or devaluations of currency could all cause a decline in the price of our common stock, should a market for our common stock ever develop. Nationalization or expropriation could even result in the total loss of your investment.
The nature and application of many laws of China create an uncertain environment for business operations and they could have a negative effect on us.
The legal system in China is a civil law system. Unlike the common law system, the civil law system is based on written statutes and decided legal cases have little value as precedents. In 1979, China began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws and has since introduced many laws and regulations to provide general guidance on economic and business practices in China and to regulate foreign investment. Progress has been made in the promulgation of laws and regulations dealing with economic matters such as corporate organization and governance, foreign investment, commerce, taxation and trade. The promulgation of new laws, changes of existing laws and the abrogation of local regulations by national laws could cause a decline in the price of our common stock. Since these laws, regulations and legal requirements are relatively recent, their interpretation and enforcement involve significant uncertainty.
As we import goods into and export goods out of China, fluctuation of the RMB may affect our financial condition by affecting the volume of cross-border money flow.
Although we use the United States dollar (“USD”) for financial reporting purposes, many of the transactions effected by our operating subsidiaries are denominated in RMB. The value of the RMB fluctuates and is subject to changes in China’s political and economic conditions. We do not currently engage in hedging activities to protect against foreign currency risks. Even if we chose to engage in such hedging activities, we may not be able to do so effectively. Future movements in the exchange rate of the RMB could adversely affect our financial condition as we may suffer financial losses when transferring money raised outside of China into the country or when paying vendors for services performed outside of China.
We may not be able to obtain regulatory approvals for our products.
The manufacture and sale of our products in China are regulated by China and the local provincial governments. Although our licenses and regulatory filings are current, the uncertain legal environment in China and our industry may be vulnerable to local government agencies or other parties who wish to renegotiate the terms and conditions of, or terminate their agreements or other understandings with us.
It will be extremely difficult to acquire jurisdiction and enforce liabilities against our officers, directors and assets based in China.
As our executive officers and several of our directors, including the chairman of our Board of Directors, are Chinese citizens, it may be difficult, if not impossible, to acquire jurisdiction over these persons in the event a lawsuit is initiated against us and/or our officers and directors by a stockholder or group of stockholders in the United States. Also, because our operating subsidiaries and assets are located in China, it may be extremely difficult or impossible for one to access those assets to enforce judgments rendered against us or our directors or executive officers by United States courts. In addition, the courts in China may not permit the enforcement of judgments arising out of United States federal and state corporate, securities or similar laws. Accordingly, United States investors may not be able to enforce judgments against us for violation of United States securities laws.
Recent PRC regulations relating to acquisitions of PRC companies by foreign entities may create regulatory uncertainties that could restrict or limit our ability to operate. Our failure to obtain required prior approval for the share exchange, reverse merger and the listing and trading of our common stock could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, reputation and trading price of our common stock.
The PRC State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or “SAFE,” issued a public notice in November 2005, known as Circular 75, concerning the use of offshore holding companies controlled by PRC residents in mergers and acquisitions in China. This circular requires that (1) a PRC resident shall register with a local branch of the SAFE before he or she establishes or controls an overseas special purpose vehicle, or “SPV,” for the purpose of overseas equity financing (including convertible debt financing); (2) when a PRC resident contributes the assets of or his or her equity interests in a domestic enterprise to an SPV, or engages in overseas financing after contributing assets or equity interests to an SPV, such PRC resident must register his or her interest in the SPV and any changes in such interest with a local branch of the SAFE; and (3) when the SPV undergoes a material change outside of China, such as a change in share capital or merger or acquisition, the PRC resident shall, within 30 days from the occurrence of the event that triggers the change, register such change with a local branch of the SAFE. In addition, SAFE issued updated internal implementing rules, or the Implementing Rules in relation to Circular 75. The Implementing Rules were promulgated and became effective on May 29, 2007. Such Implementing Rules provide more detailed provisions and requirements regarding the overseas investment foreign exchange registration procedures. However, even after the promulgation of Implementing Rules there still exist uncertainties regarding the SAFE registration for PRC residents’ interests in overseas companies. If any PRC resident stockholder of a SPV fails to make the required SAFE registration and amended registration, the onshore PRC subsidiaries of that offshore company may be prohibited from distributing their profits and the proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to the offshore entity. Our PRC resident beneficial holders have not completed such approvals and registrations required by the SAFE regulations. Failure to comply with the SAFE registration and amendment requirements described above could result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions. Because of uncertainty in how the SAFE notice will be interpreted and enforced, we cannot be sure how it will affect our business operations or future plans. For example, our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to conduct foreign exchange activities, such as the remittance of dividends and foreign currency-denominated borrowings, may be subject to compliance with the SAFE notice by our PRC resident beneficial holders over whom we have no control. In addition, we cannot assure you that such PRC residents will be able to complete the necessary approval and registration procedures required by the SAFE regulations. Failure by any PRC resident beneficial holder to register as required with the relevant branch of SAFE could subject these PRC resident beneficial holders to fines or legal sanctions, restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to make distributions or pay dividends or affect our ownership structure, which could adversely affect our business and prospects.
On August 8, 2006, the PRC Ministry of Commerce (“MOFCOM”), joined by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the State Administration of Taxation, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) and SAFE, released a substantially amended version of the Provisions for Foreign Investors to Merge with or Acquire Domestic Enterprises (the “Revised M&A Regulations”), which took effect September 8, 2006. These new rules significantly revised China’s regulatory framework governing onshore-to-offshore restructurings and foreign acquisitions of domestic enterprises. These new rules signify greater PRC government attention to cross-border merger, acquisition and other investment activities, by confirming MOFCOM as a key regulator for issues related to mergers and acquisitions in China and requiring MOFCOM approval of a broad range of merger, acquisition and investment transactions. Further, the new rules establish reporting requirements for acquisition of control by foreigners of companies in key industries, and reinforce the ability of the Chinese government to monitor and prohibit foreign control transactions in key industries.
Among other things, the Revised M&A Regulations include new provisions that purport to require that an offshore special purpose vehicle, or a SPV, formed for listing purposes and controlled directly or indirectly by PRC companies or individuals must obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such SPV’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. On September 21, 2006, the CSRC published on its official website procedures specifying documents and materials required to be submitted to it by SPVs seeking CSRC approval of their overseas listings. However, the application of this PRC regulation remains unclear with no consensus currently existing among the leading PRC law firms regarding the scope and applicability of the CSRC approval requirement.
According to the M&A Regulations, a “Related Party Acquisition” is defined as having taken place when a PRC business that is owned by PRC individual(s) is sold to a non-PRC entity that is established or controlled, directly or indirectly, by those same PRC individual(s). Under the M&A Regulations, any Related Party Acquisition must be approved by MOFCOM and any indirect arrangement or series of arrangements which achieves the same end result without the approval of MOFCOM is a violation of PRC law.
The PRC regulatory authorities may take the view that the acquisition by us from Sino Palace of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each of Shiner Industrial and Shiny-day, Hainan Hi-Tech and Zhuhai in exchange for the issuance of an aggregate of 16,500,000 shares of our common stock to the stockholders of Sino Palace was a Related Party Acquisition, because at the end of these transactions, PRC individuals become majority owners and effective controlling parties of a foreign entity that acquired ownership of PRC subsidiaries. If the PRC regulatory authorities take the view that the acquisition of the PRC subsidiaries constituted a Related Party Acquisition without the approval of the national offices of MOFCOM, they could invalidate our acquisition and ownership of these entities. Additionally, the PRC regulatory authorities may take the view that the share exchange constitutes a transaction which requires the prior approval of the CSRC. If this takes place, we would attempt to find a way to re-establish control of the PRC subsidiaries’ business operations through a series of contractual arrangements rather than an outright purchase of PRC subsidiaries. But we cannot assure you that any such contractual arrangements will be protected by PRC law or that the Company can receive as complete or effective economic benefit and overall control of the PRC subsidiaries’ business than if the Company had direct ownership of these subsidiaries. In addition, we cannot assure you that any such contractual arrangements can be successfully effected under PRC law. If we cannot obtain MOFCOM or CSRC approval if required by the PRC regulatory authorities to do so, and if we cannot put in place or enforce relevant contractual arrangements as an alternative and equivalent means of control of PRC subsidiaries, our business and financial performance will be materially adversely affected.
If the CSRC approval is not obtained, we may face regulatory actions or other sanctions from the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies. These regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations in the PRC, limit our operating privileges in the PRC, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from any financings into the PRC, or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the trading price of our common stock. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies also may take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt the proposed public offering before settlement and delivery of the common stock offered thereby. Consequently, if investors engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery, they do so at the risk that settlement and delivery may not occur.
Any uncertainties and/or negative publicity regarding this CSRC approval requirement could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our common stock. Furthermore, published news reports in China recently indicated that the CSRC may have curtailed or suspended overseas listings for Chinese private companies. These news reports have created further uncertainty regarding the approach that the CSRC and other PRC regulators may take with respect to us.
It is uncertain how our business operations or future strategy will be affected by the interpretations and implementation of the aforementioned rules and regulations. It is anticipated that application of the new rules will be subject to significant administrative interpretation, and we will need to closely monitor how MOFCOM and other ministries apply the rules to ensure that our domestic and offshore activities continue to comply with PRC law. Given the uncertainties regarding interpretation and application of the new rules, we may need to expend significant time and resources to maintain compliance.
Our labor costs are likely to increase as a result of changes in Chinese labor laws.
We expect to experience an increase in our cost of labor due to recent changes in Chinese labor laws which are likely to increase costs further and impose restrictions on our relationship with our employees. In June 2007, the National People’s Congress of the PRC enacted new labor law legislation called the Labor Contract Law and more strictly enforcing existing labor laws. The new labor law, which became effective on January 1, 2008, amended and formalized workers’ rights concerning overtime hours, pensions, layoffs, employment contracts and the role of trade unions. Generally, this labor law increased our cost of labor. In addition, under the new law, employees who either have worked for the Company for 10 years or more or who have had two consecutive fixed-term contracts must be given an “open-ended employment contract” that, in effect, constitutes a lifetime, permanent contract, which is terminable only in the event the employee materially breaches the Company’s rules and regulations or is in serious dereliction of his duty. Such non-cancelable employment contracts will substantially increase its employment related risks and limit the Company’s ability to downsize its workforce in the event of an economic downturn. No assurance can be given that the Company will not in the future be subject to labor strikes or that it will not have to make other payments to resolve future labor issues caused by the new laws.
Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the labor laws will not change further or that their interpretation and implementation will vary, which may have a negative effect upon our business and results of operations.
Inflation in the PRC could negatively affect our profitability and growth.
While the PRC economy has experienced rapid growth, such growth has been uneven among various sectors of the economy and in different geographical areas of the country. Rapid economic growth can lead to growth in the money supply and rising inflation. Furthermore, in order to control inflation in the past, the PRC government has imposed controls on bank credits, limits on loans for fixed assets and restrictions on state bank lending. In January 2010, the Chinese government took steps to tighten the availability of credit including ordering banks to increase the amount of reserves they hold and to reduce or limit their lending. The implementation of such policies may impede economic growth. In 2004, the People’s Bank of China, or the PBOC, the PRC’s central bank, raised interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade and indicated in a statement that the measure was prompted by inflationary concerns in the Chinese economy. Since then, the PBOC has raised rates to restrain inflation and limit the risk of asset bubbles, including the most recent rate hikes in connection with the global economic crisis. Repeated rises in interest rates by the PBOC would likely slow economic activity in China which could, in turn, materially increase our costs and also reduce demand for our products and services.
Failure to comply with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could subject us to penalties and other adverse consequences.
As our ultimate holding company is a Nevada corporation, we are subject to the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which generally prohibits United States companies from engaging in bribery or other prohibited payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Foreign companies, including some that may compete with us, are not subject to these prohibitions. Corruption, extortion, bribery, pay-offs, theft and other fraudulent practices may occur from time-to-time in the PRC. We can make no assurance, however, that our employees or other agents will not engage in such conduct for which we might be held responsible. If our employees or other agents are found to have engaged in such practices, we could suffer severe penalties and other consequences that may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Any outbreak of the Swine Flu (H1N1), severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, the Avian Flu, or another widespread public health problem in the PRC could adversely affect our operations.
There have been recent outbreaks of the highly pathogenic Swine Flu, caused by the H1N1 virus, in certain regions of the world, including parts of China, where all of our manufacturing facilities are located and where all of our sales occur. Our business is dependent upon our ability to continue to manufacture and distribute our products, and an outbreak of the Swine Flu, or a renewed outbreak of SARS, the Avian Flu, or another widespread public health problem in China, could have a negative effect on our operations. Any such outbreak could have an impact on our operations as a result of:
quarantines or closures of our manufacturing or distribution facilities or offices;
quarantines or closures of the manufacturing or distribution facilities or officers of our suppliers or customers;
the sickness or death of our key officers and employees; and
a general slowdown in the Chinese economy.
Any of the foregoing events or other unforeseen consequences of public health problems could adversely affect our operations.
We face risks related to natural disasters, terrorist attacks or other events in China that could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Our business could be materially and adversely affected by natural disasters, terrorist attacks or other events in China. The Hainan province in which we operate is prone to typhoons and flooding. Earthquakes, tsunamis and other storms that may occur in China may impact our distribution capabilities and those of our suppliers. Any future natural disasters, terrorist attacks or other events in China could cause severe disruptions to our operations, as well as those of our suppliers and customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Because our business is located in the PRC, we may have difficulty establishing adequate management, legal and financial controls, which we are required to do in order to comply with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“US GAAP”) and securities laws, and which could cause a materially adverse impact on our financial statements, the trading of our common stock and our business.
PRC companies have historically not adopted a Western style of management and financial reporting concepts and practices, which includes strong corporate governance, internal controls and, computer, financial and other control systems. Most of our middle and top management staff are not educated and trained in the Western system, and we may have difficulty hiring new employees in the PRC with experience and expertise relating to US GAAP and US public-company reporting requirements. In addition, we may have difficulty in hiring and retaining a sufficient number of qualified employees to work in the PRC. As a result of these factors, we may experience difficulty in establishing management, legal and financial controls, collecting financial data and preparing financial statements, books of account and corporate records and instituting business practices that meet Western standards. Therefore, we may, in turn, experience difficulties in implementing and maintaining adequate internal controls as required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. This may result in significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in our internal controls which could impact the reliability of our financial statements and prevent us from complying with SEC rules and regulations and the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Any such deficiencies, material weaknesses or lack of compliance could result in restatements of our historical financial information, cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, have an adverse impact on the trading price of our common stock, adversely affect our ability to access the capital markets and our ability to recruit personnel, lead to the delisting of our securities from the stock exchange on which they are traded, lead to litigation claims, thereby diverting management’s attention and resources, and which may lead to the payment of damages to the extent such claims are not resolved in our favor, lead to regulatory proceedings, which may result in sanctions, monetary or otherwise, and have a materially adverse effect on our reputation and business.
Contract drafting, interpretation and enforcement in China involve significant uncertainty.
We have entered into numerous contracts governed by PRC law, many of which are material to our business. As compared with contracts in the United States, contracts governed by PRC law tend to contain less detail and are not as comprehensive in defining contracting parties’ rights and obligations. As a result, contracts in China are more vulnerable to disputes and legal challenges. In addition, contract interpretation and enforcement in China is not as developed as in the United States, and the result of any contract dispute is subject to significant uncertainties. Therefore, we cannot assure you that we will not be subject to disputes under our material contracts, and if such disputes arise, we cannot assure you that we will prevail.
Under the new Enterprise Tax Law, we may be classified as a “resident enterprise” of China for tax purpose, which may subject us and/or our subsidiaries to PRC income tax on taxable global income.
Under the new PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law (the “New EIT Law”) and its implementing rules, both of which became effective on January 1, 2008. Under the New EIT Law, enterprises are classified as resident enterprises and non-resident enterprises. An enterprise established outside of China with its “de facto management bodies” located within China is considered a “resident enterprise,” meaning that it can be treated in a manner similar to a Chinese domestic enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes.
The implementing rules of the New EIT Law define de facto management body as a managing body that in practice exercises “substantial and overall management and control over the production and operations, personnel, accounting, and properties” of the enterprise. Due to the short history of the New EIT law and lack of applicable legal precedents, it remains unclear how the PRC tax authorities will determine the PRC tax resident treatment of a foreign company such as us, with all of the members of its management located in China. If the PRC tax authorities determine that we are a “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, we may be subject to the enterprise income tax at a rate of 25% on our worldwide taxable income, as well as PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations.
We are actively monitoring the possibility of “resident enterprise” treatment for the applicable tax years and are evaluating appropriate organizational changes to avoid this treatment, to the extent possible. If we are required to pay income tax on our worldwide income at the 25% tax rate, the amount of dividends we could, if any, pay to our stockholders would be materially reduced.
If we were treated as a “resident enterprise” by PRC tax authorities, we would be subject to taxation in both the US and China, and our PRC tax may not be credited against our US tax. As a result of the New EIT Law, our historical operating results will not be indicative of our operating results for future periods and the value of our common stock.
Dividends we receive from our subsidiaries located in the PRC may be subject to PRC withholding tax.
If we are not treated as a resident enterprise under the New EIT Law, then dividends that we receive from our Chinese subsidiaries may be subject to PRC withholding tax. The New EIT Law provides that an income tax rate of 20% may be applicable to dividends payable to non-resident investors, which (i) do not have an establishment or place of business in the PRC or (ii) have an establishment or place of business in the PRC but the relevant income is not effectively connected with the establishment or place of business, to the extent such dividends are derived from sources within the PRC. The State Council of the PRC reduced such rate to 10% through the implementation regulations of the New EIT Law. Further, pursuant to the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement between Hong Kong and Mainland China and the Notice on Certain Issues with Respect to the Enforcement of Dividend Provisions in Tax Treaties issued on February 20, 2009 by the State Administration of Taxation, if the Hong Kong resident enterprise owns more than 25% of the equity interest in a company in China incessantly within 12 months immediately prior to obtaining dividend from such company, the 10% withholding tax on the dividends the Hong Kong resident enterprise received from such company in China is reduced to 5%.
However, based on the Notice on Certain Issues with Respect to the Enforcement of Dividend Provisions in Tax Treaties, if the relevant PRC tax authorities determine, in their discretion, that a company benefits from such reduced income tax rate due to a structure or arrangement that is primarily tax-driven, such PRC tax authorities may adjust the preferential tax treatment; and based on the Notice on the Comprehension and Recognition of Beneficial Owner in Tax Treaties issued on October 27, 2009 by the State Administration of Taxation, funnel companies, which are established for the purpose of evading or reducing tax, transferring or accumulating profits, shall not be recognized as beneficial owner, and thus, are not entitled to the abovementioned reduced income tax rate of 5% under the Double Tax Avoidance Arrangement. If we are required under the New EIT Law to pay income tax for any dividends we receive from our PRC subsidiaries, or if our PRC subsidiaries are determined by PRC government authority as receiving benefits from reduced income tax rate due to a structure or arrangement that is primarily tax-driven, it would materially and adversely affect the amount of dividends, if any, we may pay to our stockholders.
Dividends payable by us to our foreign investors and any gain on the sale of our shares may be subject to taxes under PRC tax laws.
If dividends payable to stockholders by the Company are treated as income derived from sources within China, then the dividends that stockholders receive from us, and any gain on the sale or transfer of our shares, may be subject to taxes under PRC tax laws.
Under the New EIT Law, PRC enterprise income tax at the rate of 20% is applicable to dividends payable by us to our investors that are non-resident enterprises which (i) do not have an establishment or place of business in the PRC or (ii) have an establishment or place of business in the PRC but the relevant income is not effectively connected with the establishment or place of business, to the extent such dividends are derived from sources within the PRC. The State Council of the PRC reduced such rate to 10% through the implementation regulations of the New EIT Law. Similarly, any gain realized on the transfer of our shares by such investors is also subject to a 10% PRC income tax if such gain is regarded as income derived from sources within China and the Company is considered as a resident enterprise which is domiciled in China for tax purpose. If we are required under the New EIT Law to withhold PRC income tax on our dividends payable to our foreign stockholders or investors who are non-resident enterprises, or if you are required to pay PRC income tax on the transfer or our shares under the circumstances mentioned above, the value of your investment in our shares may be materially and adversely affected.
In January 2009, the State Administration of Taxation promulgated the Provisional Measures for the Administration of Withholding of Enterprise Income Tax for Non-resident Enterprises (“Measures”), pursuant to which, the entities which have the direct obligation to make the following payment to a non-resident enterprise shall be the relevant tax withholders for such non-resident enterprise, and such payment includes: incomes from equity investment (including dividends and other return on investment), interests, rents, royalties, and incomes from assignment of property as well as other incomes subject to enterprise income tax received by non-resident enterprises in China. Further, the Measures provides that in case of equity transfer between two non-resident enterprises which occurs outside China, the non-resident enterprise which receives the equity transfer payment shall, by itself or engage an agent to, file tax declaration with the PRC tax authority located at place of the PRC company whose equity has been transferred, and the PRC company whose equity has been transferred shall assist the tax authorities to collect taxes from the relevant non-resident enterprise. However, it is unclear whether the Measures refer to the equity transfer by a non-resident enterprise which is a direct or an indirect stockholder of the said PRC company. Given these Measures, there is a possibility that the Company may have an obligation to withhold income tax in respect of the dividends paid to non-resident enterprise investors.
Furthermore, non-resident individual investors may be required to pay PRC individual income tax at a rate of 20% on interests or dividends payable to the investors or any capital gains realized from the transfer of shares if such gains are deemed income derived from sources within the PRC. Under the PRC Individual Income Tax Law, or IIT Law, non-resident individual refers to an individual who has no domicile in China and does not stay in the territory of China or who has no domicile in China and has stayed in the territory of China for less than one year. Pursuant to the IIT Law and its implementation rules, for purposes of the PRC capital gains tax, the taxable income will be the balance of the total income obtained from the transfer of the shares minus all the costs and expenses that are permitted under PRC tax laws to be deducted from the income. If we are considered a ’‘resident enterprise’’ and relevant competent PRC tax authorities consider dividends we could pay with respect to our shares and the gains realized from the transfer of our shares to be income derived from sources within the PRC, such gains earned by non-resident individuals may be subject to PRC withholding tax at a rate of 20%. If we are required under PRC law to withhold PRC income tax on dividends payable to our non-PRC investors that are non-resident individuals or if you are required to pay PRC income tax on the transfer of our shares, the value of your investment in our shares may be materially and adversely affected.
We will not be able to complete an acquisition of prospective acquisition targets in the PRC unless their financial statements can be reconciled to US GAAP in a timely manner.
Companies based in the PRC may not have properly kept financial books and records that may be reconciled with US GAAP. If we attempt to acquire a significant PRC target company and/or its assets, we would be required to obtain or prepare financial statements of the target that are prepared in accordance with and reconciled to US GAAP. Federal securities laws require that a business combination meeting certain financial significance tests require the public acquirer to prepare and file historical and/or pro forma financial statement disclosure with the SEC. These financial statements must be prepared in accordance with, or be reconciled to US GAAP and the historical financial statements must be audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), or PCAOB. If a proposed acquisition target does not have financial statements that have been prepared in accordance with, or that can be reconciled to, US GAAP and audited in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB, we will not be able to acquire that proposed acquisition target. These financial statement requirements may limit the pool of potential acquisition targets with which we may acquire and hinder our ability to expand our retail operations.
We face uncertainty from China’s “Circular on Strengthening the Administration of Enterprise Income Tax on Non-Resident Enterprises’ Share Transfer” that was released in December 2009 with retroactive effect from January 1, 2008.
The Chinese State Administration of Taxation released a circular (“Circular 698”) on December 10, 2009 that addresses the transfer of shares by nonresident companies. Circular 698, which is effective retroactively to January 1, 2008, may have a significant impact on many companies that use offshore holding companies to invest in China. Pursuant to Circular 698, where the withholding agent does not withhold in accordance with laws or cannot perform the withholding obligation, the non-resident enterprises shall file a tax declaration with the PRC tax authority located at place of the resident enterprise whose equity has been transferred, within seven days since the date of equity transfer provided under the contracts.
Where a foreign investor indirectly transfers equity interests in a Chinese resident enterprise by selling the shares in an offshore holding company, and the latter is located in a country or jurisdiction where the effective tax burden is less than 12.5% or where the offshore income of his, her, or its residents is not taxable, the foreign investor is required to provide the tax authority in charge of that Chinese resident enterprise with the relevant information within 30 days of the transfers. Moreover, where a foreign investor indirectly transfers equity interests in a Chinese resident enterprise through an abuse of form of organization and there are no reasonable commercial purposes such that the corporate income tax liability is avoided, the PRC tax authority will have the power to re-assess the nature of the equity transfer and deny the existence of the offshore holding company that is used for tax planning purposes.
There is uncertainty as to the application of Circular 698. For example, while the term “indirectly transfer” is not defined, it is understood that the relevant PRC tax authorities have jurisdiction regarding requests for information over a wide range of foreign entities having no direct contact with China. Moreover, the relevant authority has not yet promulgated any formal provisions or formally declared or stated how to calculate the effective tax in the country or jurisdiction and to what extent and the process of the disclosure to the tax authority in charge of that Chinese resident enterprise. In addition, there are not any formal declarations with regard to how to decide abuse of form of organization and reasonable commercial purpose, which can be utilized by us to balance if our company complies with the Circular 698. As a result, we may become at risk of being taxed under Circular 698 and we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with Circular 698 or to establish that we should not be taxed under Circular 698, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR SECURITIES
There is not now, and there may not ever be, an active market for our common stock and we cannot assure you that the common stock will become liquid or that it will be listed on a securities exchange.
There currently is no active market for our common stock. We plan to list our common stock as soon as practicable. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to meet the initial listing standards of any stock exchange, or that we will be able to maintain any such listing. Until our common stock is listed on an exchange, we expect that it would be eligible to continue being quoted in the over-the-counter market maintained by the OTC Markets Group Inc. In this venue, however, an investor may find it difficult to obtain accurate quotations as to the market value of the common stock and trading of our common stock may be extremely sporadic. For example, several days may pass before any shares may be traded. A more active market for the common stock may never develop. In addition, if we failed to meet the criteria set forth in SEC regulations, various requirements would be imposed by law on broker-dealers who sell our securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors. Consequently, such regulations may deter broker-dealers from recommending or selling the common stock, which may further affect its liquidity. This would also make it more difficult for us to raise additional capital.
We are subject to penny stock regulations and restrictions that may affect our ability to sell our securities on the secondary market.
The SEC has adopted regulations that generally define “penny stock” to be an equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to specific exemptions. The market price of our common stock is less than $5.00 per share and therefore is a “penny stock.” Brokers or dealers effecting transactions in “penny stock” must disclose certain information concerning the transaction, obtain a written agreement from the purchaser and determine that the purchaser is reasonably suitable to purchase the securities. These rules may restrict the ability of brokers or dealers to sell our common stock and may affect your ability to sell shares. In addition, so long as our common stock is quoted in the “pink sheets” (as is currently the case), investors will find it difficult to obtain accurate quotations of the stock, and may find few buyers to purchase such stock and few market makers to support its price.
Future sales of shares of our common stock by our stockholders could cause our stock price to decline.
We cannot predict the effect, if any, that market sales of shares of our common stock or the availability of shares of common stock for sale will have on the market price prevailing from time to time. Sales of shares of our common stock in the public market covered under an effective registration statement, or the perception that those sales may occur, could cause the trading price of our common stock to decrease or become lower than it might be in the absence of those sales or perceptions.
Shares eligible for future sale may adversely affect the market for our common stock.
As of December 31, 2013, we had outstanding 90,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options at a weighted average exercise price of $0.95 per share, and 521,664 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of our outstanding warrants at a weighted average exercise price of $1.70 per share. If or when these securities are exercised into shares of our common stock, the number of our shares of common stock outstanding will increase. Increases in the number of our outstanding shares and any sales of shares could have an adverse effect on the trading activity and market price of our common stock.
In addition, from time to time, certain of our shareholders may be eligible to sell all, or a portion of, their shares of common stock by means of ordinary brokerage transactions in the open market pursuant to Rule 144, promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, or under effective resale prospectuses. Any substantial sale of our common stock pursuant to Rule 144 or any resale prospectus may have an adverse effect on the market price of our securities.
We may issue additional shares of our capital stock or debt securities to raise capital or complete acquisitions, which would reduce the equity interest of our stockholders.
Our articles of incorporation authorize the issuance of up to 75,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.001 per share. There are currently 47,396,664 authorized and unissued shares of our common stock that have not been reserved and are available for future issuance. Although we have no commitments as of the date of this offering to issue our securities, we may issue a substantial number of additional shares of our common stock to complete a business combination, to raise capital or to compensate our employees and/or directors. The issuance of additional shares of our common stock:
may significantly reduce the equity interest of investors in this offering; and
may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common stock.
Our directors and senior management own a significant amount of our common stock, giving them influence or control in corporate transactions and other matters, and their interests could differ from those of other stockholders.
The Chairman of our board of directors owns approximately 41.22% of our outstanding common stock and, together with our other directors and senior management, they own approximately 41.65% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, they are in a position to significantly influence the outcome of matters requiring a stockholder vote, including the election of directors, the adoption of any amendment to our articles of incorporation or bylaws, and the approval of significant corporate transactions. Their control may delay or prevent a change of control on terms favorable to our other stockholders and may adversely affect your voting and other stockholders rights.
The ability of our Chinese operating subsidiaries to pay dividends may be restricted due to foreign exchange control and other regulations of China.
Under applicable PRC regulations, foreign-invested enterprises in China may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, a foreign-invested enterprise in China is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profit based on PRC accounting standards each year to its general reserves until the accumulative amount of such reserves reach 50% of its registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. The board of directors of a foreign-invested enterprise has the discretion to allocate a portion of its after-tax profits to staff welfare and bonus funds, which may not be distributed to equity owners except in the event of liquidation.
Furthermore, the ability of our Chinese operating subsidiaries to pay dividends may be restricted due to the foreign exchange control policies and availability of cash balance of the Chinese operating subsidiaries. Because substantially all of our operations are conducted in China and a substantial majority of our revenues are generated in China, a majority of our revenue being earned and currency received are denominated in RMB. RMB is subject to the exchange control regulation in China, and, as a result, we may unable to distribute any dividends outside of China due to PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert RMB into USD.
Our inability to receive dividends or other payments from our Chinese operating subsidiaries could adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends, or otherwise fund and conduct our business. The funds of our Chinese operating subsidiaries may not be readily available to us to satisfy obligations which have been incurred outside the PRC, which could adversely affect our business and prospects or our ability to meet our cash obligations. Accordingly, if we do not receive dividends from our Chinese operating subsidiaries, our liquidity, financial condition and ability to make dividend distributions to our stockholders will be materially and adversely affected.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
None.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
All land in China is owned by the State. Individuals and companies are permitted to acquire rights to use land or land use rights for specific purposes. In the case of land used for industrial purposes, the land use rights are granted for a period of 50 years. This period may be renewed at the expiration of the initial and any subsequent terms. Granted land use rights are transferable and may be used as security for borrowings and other obligations.
We currently have land use rights of approximately 40.32 acres consisting of manufacturing facilities, warehouse and office buildings in China. The chart below lists all facilities owned by us.
Hainan Factories
We have been granted the right to use three plots of land in Haikou City by the Municipal Administration of China for state-owned land. With respect to two of these plots, our rights run through January 2059 and, with respect to the third plot, our rights run through October 2060. Our original Hainan Factory currently has one BOPP tobacco film production line with total capacity of 3,500 metric tons per year, three advanced film lines with an annual capacity of 1,000 metric tons, three coated film lines with an annual capacity of 6,000 metric tons and two 8-color printing lines. Our original Hainan Factory consists of four buildings dedicated to film production and administrative offices. We made one-time payment of RMB2,667,879 (approximately $322,013) for the right to use the land.
In 2009, we purchased a plot of land and entered into a 10-year lease for an adjacent, then-undeveloped, plot from Hainan Xiandai Keji Group, in the Hainan Shiziling Feidi Industrial Park and began construction of a new manufacturing facility there. We completed phase 1 of construction on our new manufacturing facility in Hainan in May 2010 and have successfully begun operations. The new facility in Hainan is a well-designed industrial park, with a total factory space of approximately 500,000 square feet. The new plant allows us to consolidate operations and processes from three separate locations into this central location; which will provide immediate operational efficiencies, improved quality control and cost savings. We believe this new facility provides us with the opportunity to better serve international customers and puts Shiner in a better competitive position to win new business. We have no rental obligations for this property through 2013.
We built a new BOPP tobacco film production line that was launched in the fourth quarter of 2011. The new line is in a fully automated plant equipped with state-of-the-art production machinery from Germany and England. This additional production line started runing at the beginning of 2013, increasing our annual BOPP tobacco film capacity by an additional 10,000 metric tons.
Zhuhai Factory
We completed the construction of our Zhuhai Factory in 2006 to meet the growing demand for BOPP films. The Zhuhai Factory is equipped with one BOPP film production line with an annual capacity of 7,000 metric tons, two coated film lines with an annual capacity of 9,000 metric tons, one advanced film line with an annual capacity of 1,500 metric tons and one 10-color printing line. We lease the Zhuhai Factory for approximately $387,000 per year and our lease runs through 2016.
Sales Office
On September 20, 2010, Shanghai Juneng opened a new sales office in Shanghai. Through this office we are pursuing sales opportunities among the domestic food safety packaging markets and targeting China’s leading food producers. Shanghai Juneng leases this office for approximately $10,000 per year under a lease that runs until 2015.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
From time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings, which arise in the ordinary course of business. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm business. We are currently not aware of any such legal proceedings or claims that will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. MINING SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
None.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER REPURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
Market Information
Through September 14, 2012, our common stock was traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “BEST.” Now, our common stock is quoted on QB tier of the over-the-counter electronic bulletin board maintained by the OTC Markets LLC under the same symbol. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the quarterly high and low selling prices for our common stock as reported by the OTC Markets.
On March 27, 2014, the closing price of our common stock as reported on the OTC Markets was $0.29 per share.
Holders
As of March 27, 2014, there were 27,941,491 shares of our common stock outstanding held by approximately 47 stockholders of record. The number of our stockholders of record excludes any estimate by us of the number of beneficial owners of shares held in street name, the accuracy of which cannot be guaranteed.
Dividend Policy
Except for dividends paid to those persons who held shares of our common stock prior to the consummation of the share exchange transaction discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock and we have no intention of paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Whether we will declare and pay dividends in the future will be determined by our board of directors at their discretion, subject to certain limitations imposed under Nevada corporate law. In addition, our ability to pay dividends may be affected by the foreign exchange controls in China. The timing, amount and form of dividends, if any, will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2013 about our common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options and rights granted to employees or members of our Board of Directors:
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities; Use of Proceeds from Registered Securities
None.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
Not required.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
In addition to historical information, this report 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. We use words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “target,” “plan,” “optimistic,” “intend,” “aim,” “will” or similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include, among others, those concerning market and industry segment growth and demand and acceptance of new and existing products; any projections of sales, earnings, revenue, margins or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; and any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, as well as all assumptions, expectations, predictions, intentions or beliefs about future events. You are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions, which, if they were to ever materialize or prove incorrect, could cause the results of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the factors discussed in “Risk Factors” included elsewhere is this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Because the factors discussed in this report could cause our actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by us or on our behalf, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statement. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict which will arise. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
Use of Terms
Except as otherwise indicated by the context, all references in this report to:
“Shiner,” “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” are to Shiner International, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and its direct and indirect subsidiaries: (i) Hainan Shiner Industrial Co., Ltd., or “Hainan Shiner,” (ii) Hainan Shiny-Day Color Printing Packaging Co., Ltd., or “Shiny-Day,” (iii) Hainan Modern Hi-Tech Industrial Co., Ltd., or “Hainan Modern,” (iv) Zhuhai Modern Huanuo Packaging Material Co., Ltd., or “Zhuhai Modern,” (v) Shimmer Sun Ltd., or “Shimmer Sun,” (vi) Hainan Jingyue New Material Co., Ltd., or “Jingyue,” (vii) Hainan Shunhao New Material Co., Ltd., or “Shunhao,” (viii) Hainan Yongxin Environmental Co., Ltd., or “Yongxin,” and (ix) Ningbo Neisuoer Latex Co., Ltd., or "Ningbo".
“SEC” are to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission;
“Securities Act” are to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; and “Exchange Act” are to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
“RMB” are to Renminbi, the legal currency of China; and “US dollar,” “USD,” and “$” are to the legal currency of the United States; and
“China,” “Chinese” and “PRC” are to the People’s Republic of China.
Overview
We were incorporated in Nevada in November 2003, but since July 2007, have been headquartered in Hainan, China. Through our operating subsidiaries, Hainan Shiner, Shiny-Day, Hainan Modern, Zhuhai Modern, Shimmer Sun, and Ningbo we manufacture and sell packaging and anti-counterfeit plastic film to manufacturers and producers in China. We sell anti-counterfeit film, coated film, and color printing, in international markets through a network of distributors and converters.
Our primary business consists of the manufacture and distribution of technology driven advanced packaging film products in five business segments: bi-axially oriented polypropylene, or BOPP, film for wrapping tobacco; water-based latex; coated film; color printed packaging; and advanced film. Our products are sold to customers in the food, tobacco, chemical, medical and pharmaceutical, personal care, electronics, automotive, construction, graphics, music and video publishing industries. Our current production capacity consists of: five coated film lines with a capacity of 15,000 tons a year; two BOPP tobacco film production lines with a capacity of 13,500 tons a year; one BOPP film production line with a capacity of 7,000 tons a year; three color printing lines; four anti-counterfeit film lines with a capacity of 2,500 tons a year; and two water-based latex reaction kettles with a capacity of 3,000 tons a year.
The table below shows the percentage of revenue by each of our business segments for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
We have 22 patents issued by the State Intellectual Property Office of China and have 75 patent applications relating to our products and manufacturing processes pending. Although our patents and processes provide us a competitive advantage, we do not believe the loss of any single patent would have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our principal executive offices are located at 19th Floor, Didu Building, Pearl River Plaza, No. 2 North Longkun Road, Haikou, Hainan Province, China 570125. Our telephone number is +86-898-68581104 and our website is www.shinerinc.com
Principal Factors Affecting Our Financial Performance
We believe that the following factors will continue to affect our financial performance:
Global Economic Fragility - The ongoing turmoil in the global economy may have an impact on our business and our financial condition, and we may face challenges if economic conditions do not improve. These economic conditions impact levels of consumer spending, which have deteriorated and may remain depressed for the foreseeable future. If demand for our products fluctuates as a result of these economic conditions or otherwise, our revenue and gross margin could be harmed.
Fuel Prices - Significant fluctuations in fuel prices could have both a positive and negative effect on our business and operations. Significant fluctuations in world fuel prices could significantly increase the price of shipping or transporting our products which we may not be able to pass on to our customers.
Results of Operations
The following summary of our results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the notes thereto for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 included herein. The following tables set forth key components of our results of operations for the periods indicated, both in dollars and as a percentage of sales revenue and key components of our revenue for the periods indicated in dollars and percentages.
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012
Revenues
Revenues in 2013 increased $13.6 million (or 18.9%), to $85.6 million, compared to $72.0 million in 2012. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in revenues generated from BOPP tobacco film, coated film, color printing and water based latex, partially offset by a decrease in advanced film. In 2013, there was a $5.4 million (or 12.2%) increase in sales from BOPP tobacco film, a $7.5 million (or 44.6%) increase in sales from coated film, a $0.44 million (or 122.0%) increase in water-based latex, a $0.74 million (or 22.4%) increase in color printing and a $0.55 million (or 8.2%) decrease in advanced film compared to 2012. In 2013, our domestic (China Mainland) sales increased slightly compared to 2012. In 2013 and 2012, sales generated domestically accounted for 86.3% and 85.0%, respectively, of our total revenues, and sales generated internationally from selling our advanced film, coated film, and color printing accounted for 14.1% and 15%, respectively.
Cost of Goods Sold
In 2013, cost of goods sold (“COGS”) increased $9.6 million (or 14.3%), from $67.4 million to $77.0 million, compared to 2012. COGS for 2013 and 2012 was 89.9% and 93.6% of our revenues, respectively. The decrease in COGS as a percentage of revenues from 2012 to 2013 was a result of high sales volume to absorb the fixed production costs.
Gross Profit
Our gross profit in 2013 was $8.6 million, a profit margin of 10.1%, an increase of 3.6% from 6.4% in 2012. The increase in profit margin from 2012 to 2013 was a result of high sales volume to absorb the fixed production costs.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (“SG&A”) Expenses
In 2013, our SG&A expenses increased by $0.7 million (or 7.8%) to $9.6 million, compared to $8.9 million in 2012. SG&A expenses include rent, management and staff salaries, insurance, marketing, accounting, legal, and research and development (“R&D”) expenses. The increase in SG&A expenses was mainly due to an increase in R&D expenses of $0.9 million in connection with our ongoing investment in technology updates for our packaging products.
Impairment of Intangible Assets
At December 31, 2012, we evaluated our goodwill and patents for impairment and concluded that the assets should be impaired in their entirety. Accordingly we recognized an impairment loss of $2.0 million and $1.8 million related to goodwill and patents, respectively. There were no such impairments in 2013.
Loss on Write off of Assets
During 2012, we sold certain subsidiary assets for a loss of $1.5 million and wrote off the value of other assets by $0.6 million. There were no such losses in 2013.
Interest Expense, net
In 2013, interest expense increased by $0.1 million (or 6.0%) to $1.5 million, compared to $1.4 million in 2012, primarily due to additional short-term and long-term loans, which increased by $11.2 million in 2013.
Other Income, net
In 2013, other income decreased by $0.8 million (49.2%) to $0.84 million, compared to $1.7 million in 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2013 we recognized a $0.8 million gain from the sale of certain fixed assets.
Income Tax Expense
In 2013, we recorded a tax provision of $0.4 million, compared to $0.5 million in 2012. Our effective tax rates for 2013 and 2012 were (23%) and (5)%, respectively. The change in the effective tax rate is due to losses incurred by certain subsidiaries where the loss was not able to offset income generated by other subsidiaries. This resulted in us providing a provision for income taxes in 2013 and 2012 even though we incurred an overall net loss.
Net Loss
In 2013, we incurred a net loss of $1.7 million, representing a decrease in net loss of $7.4 million (or 81.4%) from a net loss of $9.1 million in 2012. The change in net loss was principally due to other income recognized in 2013 and the absence of a loss on write off of assets and impairment of fixed assets in 2013, as explained above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At December 31, 2013, we had $9.1 million in cash and equivalents on hand, compared to $4.2 million at December 31, 2012, and had working capital of $6.3 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012. Our principal demands for liquidity are: increasing capacity, purchasing raw materials, sales distribution and the possible acquisition of new subsidiaries in our industry, as well as other general corporate purposes.
Below is a tabular summary of our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities in 2013 was $5.3 million, an increase of $2.7 million, compared to $2.6 million used in 2012. The increase in the use of cash in operating activities during 2013, compared to 2012, was comprised primarily of changes in working capital components. The changes in working capital components that primarily contributed to the increase in cash flow used in operating activities for 2013.
Investing Activities
Net cash generated in investing activities in 2013 was $.03 million, an increase of $3.1 million, compared to net cash used of $2.8 million in 2012. During 2012, we used $2.6 million for the acquisition of property and equipment. The property and equipment were purchased for the construction of a new BOPP film production line and a fully automated plant equipped with state-of-the-art production machinery, which commenced in 2010. In 2013 we generated $2.3 million from sale of assets and we used $1.0 million for the acquisition of property and equipment.
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities for 2013 was $9.7 million, an increase of $2.9 million, compared to 2012. During 2013, we received proceeds from short-term loans of $41.2 million, compared to $28.0 million in 2012, and we repaid $31.0 million of short-term loans, compared to $22.3 million in 2012.
Assets
Our total assets as of December 31, 2013 were $98.9 million, an increase of $21.4 million, compared to $77.5 million as of December 31, 2012. The increase was primarily due to increase of $11.3 million in advances to suppliers, $6.3 million in cash and equivalents, $2.6 million in accounts receivable, and $2.7 million in other receivables, offset by a decrease of $2.6 million in property and equipment,. We intend to continue our efforts to maintain accounts receivable at reasonable levels in relation to our sales.
Liabilities
Our current liabilities increased by $22.5 million as of December 31, 2013 compared to December 31, 2012, principally due to increase in short-term loans from $12.5 million as of December 31, 2012 to $28.9 million, and increase in accounts payable of $5.1 million and other payables of $3.1 million, respectively.
Loan Commitments
On August 2, 2010, Hainan Shiner, our wholly owned subsidiary, entered into a credit facility with the Hainan Branch of the Bank of China. The credit facility is comprised of a seven-year RMB70 million, or $11.1 million, secured revolving credit facility. On each of January 24, February 10, February 16, February 17, March 25, November 30, December 23, 2011 and March 19, 2012, Hainan Shiner made withdrawals on the credit facility of $2.5 million, $2.6 million, $2.2 million, $1.2 million, $0.4 million, $0.2 million, $0.5 million and $1.1 million, respectively. Hainan Shiner may only use the loan proceeds to improve the technology of its BOPP film and to purchase certain equipment necessary for these improvements. Proceeds under the facility not used for these purposes may be subject to a misappropriation penalty interest rate of 100% of the current interest rate (6.6% at December 31, 2013) on the loan. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we repaid $1.6 million of the January 24, 2011 loan.
The initial interest rate on each withdrawal from the facility is the 5-year benchmark lending rate announced by the People’s Bank of China on the date of such withdrawal, and is subject to adjustment every 12 months based upon this benchmark. Additional interest is paid on any overdue loan under this credit facility of 50% of the current interest rate on the loan. Hainan Shiner and certain of its affiliates, including the Company, provided guarantees and certain land use rights, buildings, and property as collateral under this facility.
The credit facility includes financial covenants that prohibit Hainan Shiner from making distributions to its sole shareholder if (a) its after-tax net income for the fiscal year is zero or negative, (b) its after-tax net income is insufficient to make up its accumulated loss for the last several fiscal years, (c) its income before tax is not utilized in paying off the capital, interest and expense of the lender, or (d) the income before tax is insufficient to pay the capital, interest and expense of the lender.
During 2013, we paid $31.1 million of our short-term loans and borrowed an additional $41.2 million. The current outstanding short-term loans are due through December 2014. We intend to meet our liquidity requirements, including capital expenditures related to the purchase of equipment, purchase of raw material, and the expansion of our business, through cash flow provided by operations, and our current credit facilities.
Obligations under Material Contracts
We have no material payment obligations other than the loan commitments disclosed above.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires our management to make assumptions, estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported, including the notes thereto, and related disclosures of commitments and contingencies, if any. We have identified certain accounting policies that are significant to the preparation of our financial statements. These accounting policies are important for an understanding of our financial condition and results of operation. Critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of our financial conditions and results of operations and require management’s difficult, subjective, or complex judgment, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods. Certain accounting estimates are particularly sensitive because of their significance to financial statements and because of the possibility that future events affecting the estimate may differ significantly from management’s current judgments.
Accounts Receivable, net
The Company maintains reserves for potential credit losses on accounts receivable. Management reviews the composition of accounts receivable and analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to evaluate the adequacy of these reserves. Reserves are recorded primarily on a specific identification basis.
Inventory, Net
Inventory is valued at the lower of cost (determined on a weighted average basis) or market. Management compares the cost of inventory with this market value and allowance is made to write down inventory to market value, if lower
Revenue Recognition
The Company’s revenue recognition policies comply with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition.” Sales revenue is recognized at the date of shipment to customers when a formal arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, the delivery is completed, no other significant obligations of the Company exist and collectability is reasonably assured. Payments received before all of the relevant criteria for revenue recognition are satisfied are recorded as unearned revenue.
Sales revenue consists of the invoiced value of goods, which is net of value-added tax (“VAT”). All of the Company’s products are sold in the PRC and are subject to Chinese VAT of 17% of the gross sales price. This VAT may be offset by VAT paid by the Company on raw materials and other materials included in the cost of producing their end product. The Company recorded VAT payable and VAT receivable net of payments in the financial statements. The VAT tax return is filed offsetting the payables against the receivables.
Sales and purchases are recorded net of VAT collected and paid. VAT taxes are not affected by the income tax holiday.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company records stock-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation - Stock Compensation.” FASB ASC 718 requires companies to measure compensation cost for stock-based employee compensation at fair value (“FV”) at the grant date and recognize the expense over the employee’s requisite service period. The Company recognizes in the statement of operations the grant-date FV of stock options and other equity-based compensation issued to employees and non-employees.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes.” FASB ASC 740 requires a company to use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes, whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences, and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion, or all of, the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.
Under FASB ASC 740, a tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. The adoption had no effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated in accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” Basic EPS is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS is based on the assumption that all dilutive convertible shares and stock warrants were converted or exercised. Dilution is computed by applying the treasury stock method. Under this method, warrants are assumed to be exercised at the beginning of the period (or at the time of issuance, if later), and as if funds obtained thereby were used to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The FASB has issued ASU No. 2013-04, Liabilities (Topic 405), “Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date.” ASU 2013-04 provides guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this ASU is fixed at the reporting date, except for obligations addressed within existing guidance in US GAAP. The guidance requires an entity to measure those obligations as the sum of the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): “Presentation of Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, A Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (A Consensus the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)”. ASU 2013-11 provides guidance on financial statement presentation of unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The FASB’s objective in issuing this ASU is to eliminate diversity in practice resulting from a lack of guidance on this topic in current US GAAP. This ASU applies to all entities with unrecognized tax benefits that also have tax loss or tax credit carryforwards in the same tax jurisdiction as of the reporting date. This amendment is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013 and interim periods within those years. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force), the AICPA, and the Securities Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) did not or are not believed by management to have a material impact on our present or future consolidated financial statements.
Contractual Obligations
Our significant contractual obligations as of December 31, 2013 are as follows:
Seasonality of our Sales
The first quarter of the calendar year is typically the slowest season of the year for us due to the Chinese New Year holiday. During this period, accounts receivable collection tends to be very slow and we also need to purchase raw material to prepare for the upcoming busier seasons.
Inflation
Inflation does not materially affect our business or the results of our operations.
Off-balance sheet arrangements
As of December 31, 2013, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
We are exposed to market risks related to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, however, we believe those risks to be not material in relation to our operations. We do not have any derivative financial instruments.
Interest Rate Risk
As of December 31, 2013, we held no money market securities or short term available for sale marketable securities. Due to the short term duration of our investment portfolio, an immediate 10% change in interest rates would not have a material effect on the fair market value of our portfolio. Therefore, we would not expect our operating results or cash flows to be affected to any significant degree by the effect of a sudden change in market interest rates on our securities portfolio.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
All of our revenues are denominated in RMB and, as a result, we have certain exposure to foreign currency exchange risk with respect to current revenues. A majority of our expenses are payable in foreign currency. We do not use forward exchange contracts to hedge exposures denominated in foreign currencies or any other derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The effect of an immediate 10% change in exchange rates would not have a material impact on our future operating results or cash flows.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
The full text of our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 begins on page of this report.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report, as required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act. Disclosure controls and procedures are those controls and procedures designed to provide that the information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act filings is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules, regulations and related forms, and (2) accumulated and communicated to management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that:
1)
Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
2)
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and/or our board of directors; and
3)
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the interim or annual consolidated financial statements.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of Shiner’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, using the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“Treadway”).
Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective and that there was no material weakness or significant deficiency discovered as of December 31, 2013.
Inherent Limitations of Internal Controls
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all errors or misstatements and all fraud. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the policies and procedures are met. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the SEC that permit the company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fourth quarter of 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
None.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
Information about our Board of Directors
The size of our Board of Directors has been set at five directors by action of the Board of Directors. Set forth below are the names, ages, principal occupations, and length of service of each of the members of our Board of Directors. In addition, we briefly describe the particular experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led our Board of Directors to conclude that the person should serve as a director of Shiner.
Yuet Ying
Mr. Ying has served as Chairman of our Board of Directors since July 2007. Prior to that, Mr. Ying served as chairman and a director of Sino Palace Holdings Limited, Shiner’s predecessor, from January 2004 to July 2007. He served as chairman of Hainan Modern Technology Group from 1996 to December 2003. Mr. Ying holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Management from the Institute of the CPC Party School and an Advanced certificate of M.B.A. studies from Renmin People’s University. Mr. Ying is the father-in-law of Qingtao Xing, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Shiner. Mr. Ying’s history of leadership experience in the technology industry and his business education were significant to the decision to nominate him and remain important in his role as Chairman.
Jian Fu
Mr. Fu joined our Board of Directors in July 2007. He currently serves as Shiner’s Executive Vice President of Manufacturing. From July 2007 until February 2010, he served as our Chief Executive Officer. Prior to that, Mr. Fu served as chief executive officer and a director of Sino Palace Holdings Limited, Shiner’s predecessor, from January 2004 to July 2007. He worked at Hainan Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd. as Vice Chairman of the Hainan Modern Technology Group from 1998 to December 2003 and as General Manager from 1985 to 1997. Mr. Fu holds a undergraduate degree in Plastic Engineering Technique from South China Institute of Technology and an Advanced Certificate of M.B.A. studies from Renmin University. Mr. Fu’s engineering experience and technological acumen, along with his knowledge of Shiner’s operations and previous executive experience, are attributes we value in our directors.
Zhenhuan Yuan
Mr. Yuan joined our Board of Directors in July 2010. He is the founding-partner of Sunstone International LLC, a California based investment advisory and management firm. He is also the Senior Vice President of Cunat Inc., a real estate investment and management company. Mr. Yuan served as the Vice President at Fortress Investment Group for the Shanghai Office from 2008 to 2009, where he was in charge of acquisitions and asset management. From 2006 to 2008, Mr. Yuan worked for Jones Lang LaSalle in China, where he was responsible for sourcing, negotiating and underwriting real estate investment deals in the region. Mr. Yuan received a bachelor of engineering degree from Harbin Institute of Technology and his M.B.A. degree from Cornell University. Mr. Yuan is fluent in English, Chinese and Japanese. Mr. Yuan’s extensive business background and understanding of Chinese culture and business were attributes that Shiner considered important in connection with his nomination to the Board and service on each of the Board’s standing committees and as the Company’s Audit Committee Chair.
Composition of the Board
Our Board of Directors oversees our business and affairs and monitors the performance of management. Management is responsible for the day-to-day operations of our company. As of the date of this proxy statement, our board has three directors. Our board has determined that Mr. Yuan is an “independent director” within the meaning of the rules promulgated by the SEC.
During 2013, the board met 6 times and acted by unanimous consent 4 times. We had three standing committees in 2013 - an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating committee. Each of our directors attended at least 80% of the meetings of the board and meetings of the committees on which they served that were held in 2013 during the term of their service on the board and each committee. We strongly encourage our Board of Directors to attend our annual meeting of stockholders.
Committees of the Board
The table below provides 2013 membership and meeting information for each of the committees.
* Committee Chair
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is responsible for: monitoring the quality, reliability and integrity of the accounting policies and financial statements of Shiner; overseeing our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; reviewing the independence, qualifications and performance of our internal and external auditors; overseeing the performance of Shiner’s internal audit function and independent auditors; reviewing and monitoring the provisions of non-audit services performed by our independent auditors; and preparing a committee report as required by the SEC to be included in our annual proxy statement. Our Board of Directors has made an affirmative determination that each member of the Audit Committee (a) is an “independent director” as that term is defined by Nasdaq Marketplace Rules and (b) satisfies Nasdaq Marketplace Rules relating to financial literacy and experience.
Our Board of Directors has adopted a written Audit Committee charter, a copy of which may be viewed on the “Annual Meeting” page of our website located at www.shinerinc.com/annualmeeting.html or a printed copy may be obtained by making a written request to Ms. Cindy Gong, Corporate Secretary of Shiner International, Inc., at 19/F, Didu Building, Pearl River Plaza, No. 2 North Longkun Road, Haikou, Hainan Province, China 570125.
Audit Committee Financial Expert
The Board of Directors has examined the composition of the Audit Committee in light of the regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) applicable to audit committees. Based upon this examination, the Board of Directors has determined that our Audit Committee is comprised of an “independent” director within the meaning of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Mr. Yuan qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined in applicable regulations of the SEC.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee is responsible for recommending compensation arrangements for our executive officers; evaluating the performance of our chief executive officer; and administering our compensation plans. All members of the Compensation Committee are independent under the standards for independence established by the applicable Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. Our Board of Directors has adopted a written compensation committee charter, a copy of which may be viewed on the “Annual Meeting” page of our website located at www.shinerinc.com/annualmeeting.html or a printed copy may be obtained by making a written request to Ms. Cindy Gong, Corporate Secretary of Shiner International, Inc., at 19/F, Didu Building, Pearl River Plaza, No. 2 North Longkun Road, Haikou, Hainan Province, China 570125.
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee is responsible for, among other thing, assisting the board in identifying individuals qualified to become members of the board and executive officers, selecting, or recommending that the board select, director nominees for election as directors by the stockholders, developing and recommending to the Board a set of effective governance policies and procedures applicable to Shiner, and recommending to the board director nominees for each committee. Our Nominating Committee is comprised of an “independent” director within the meaning of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. The Nominating Committee acts under a written charter adopted by our Board of Directors (a copy of which may be viewed on the “Annual Meeting” page of our website located at www.shinerinc.com/annualmeeting.html or a printed copy may be obtained by making a written request to Ms. Cindy Gong, Corporate Secretary of Shiner International, Inc., at 19/F, Didu Building, Pearl River Plaza, No. 2 North Longkun Road, Haikou, Hainan Province, China 570125).
Procedure for Stockholder Nominations of Directors
Nominations for the election of directors may only be made by the Board of Directors in consultation with its nominating committee. A stockholder of record may recommend to the committee a candidate for consideration as a nominee. The committee will consider a stockholder nominee only if a stockholder provides written notice to: Shiner International, Inc., 19/F, Didu Building, Pearl River Plaza, No. 2 North Longkun Road, Haikou, Hainan Province, China 570125), Attention: Corporate Secretary for the Nominating Committee, with a copy to our counsel, William W. Uchimoto, Esq., Stevens & Lee, P.C., 1818 Market Street, 29th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1702, not later than 120 days prior to the anniversary of the mailing of the proxy statement for the prior year’s annual meeting of stockholders. Each such notice must include the name, address and telephone number of the potential nominee; a detailed biography of the potential nominee; and evidence of stock ownership by the presenting stockholder, including the number of shares owned. Nominees properly proposed by eligible stockholders will be evaluated by the nominating committee in the same manner as nominees identified by the committee. To date, no stockholder or group of stockholders has put forth any director nominees.
Executive Officers
Our executive officers, in addition to Mr. Fu, are listed below:
Qingtao Xing
Mr. Xing has been our Chief Executive Officer since February 22, 2010. Mr. Xing became President of Shiner in May 2008, having joined Shiner in January 2008, serving as Shiner’s Vice President for strategic initiatives. Prior to joining Shiner, Mr. Xing worked as a project development associate for LaSalle Investment Management from July 2007 to January 2008, as managing partner of New Frontiers Investment Management from May 2007 to January 2008 and as a summer intern for Citigroup Property Investors in Hong Kong during 2006. Mr. Xing received his master of professional studies degree from Cornell University in 2007 and holds a bachelor’s degree from Tongji University. Prior to attending Cornell, Mr. Xing was associated with two real estate companies in China, which developed residential and commercial properties. Mr. Xing is the son-in-law of our Chairman, Mr. Ying.
Xue Zhu Xu
Ms. Xu is our interim Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Controller. Ms. Xu served as our Chief Financial Officer from July 2007 until February 2010. Prior to that, Ms. Xu served as chief financial officer of Sino Palace Holdings Limited, Shiner’s predecessor, from January 2004 to July 2007. She worked at Hisense Company Limited as chief financial officer from 1996 to December 2003. From 1990 to 1996 Ms. Xu worked as an accounting manager at Hainan Hisense Group. She worked as the accounting manager in Hainan WenChang Foreign Trade Co. from 1981 to 1990. Ms. Xu graduated from Hainan Supply and Marketing School in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She received an Advanced certificate of MBA studies from Renmin University in 2004.
Ming Biao Li
Mr. Li has served as our Chief Operating Officer since January 1, 2008, having served as our vice president of technology from July 2007 through December 2007. Prior to that, Mr. Li served as general manager of our subsidiary, Hainan Shiner Industrial Co., Ltd., from January 2003 to March 2005 and as its Chairman from July 2004 to July 2007. He served as general manager of our subsidiary, Hainan Shiny-day Color Printing Packaging Co., Ltd., from September 2003 to May 2004. From October 1997 to December 2002, he worked in Hainan Weilin Electron Co. as general manager. Mr. Li served as section chief of the Project Investment and Evaluation group of the Guangxi Auto & Tractor Research Institution from 1995 to 1997. From 1990 to 1995, he headed up the automated equipment group at the Guangxi Auto & Tractor Research Institution. Mr. Li graduated from Tsinghua University in 1987 with a Bachelor’s degree in Automotive Engineering. He later obtained his Master’s in Transport Engineering from Beijing University in 1991.
Code of Conduct
We have adopted a code of conduct that applies to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and all of our other officers, employees and directors, a copy of which may be viewed on the “Corporate Governance” page of our website located at www.shinerinc.com/inves_cg.html or a printed copy may be obtained by making a written request to Ms. Cindy Gong, Corporate Secretary of Shiner International, Inc., at 19/F, Didu Building, Pearl River Plaza, No. 2 North Longkun Road, Haikou, Hainan Province, China 570125.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires directors, executive officers and persons who are the beneficial owners of more than 10% of our common stock to file reports of their ownership and changes in ownership of our equity securities with the SEC. The reporting persons are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16 reports they file. Based on a review of the copies of such forms furnished to us and other written representations that no other reports were required during the year ended December 31, 2013, we believe our directors, executive officers and greater than ten percent beneficial owners timely filed all Section 16(a) reports required during the year ended December 31, 2013.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table shows the compensation of each of our named executives in 2011. Our named executives are: our chief executive officer and president, Mr. Qingtao Xing; our interim chief financial officer and corporate controller, Ms. XueZhu Xu; and our next two most highly compensated executive officers - our executive vice president of manufacturing, Mr. Jian Fu, and our chief operating officer, Mr. MingBao Li.
*
Each of the named executive officer were paid their salaries and bonuses in RMB and the amounts in the foregoing table represent the US dollar equivalent based on a conversion rate of $1=6.1920RMB and RMB6.4599 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table
Compensation paid to our named executives in 2013 consisted solely of cash salary and bonus. However, in the future, our named executive officers may be eligible to receive other forms of compensation.
Historically, we have not provided our named executives with perquisites or other personal benefits. Additionally, we do not provide any company-sponsored retirement benefits or deferred compensation programs to any employee, including the named executive officers (other than a mandatory state pension scheme in which all of our employees in the People’s Republic of China participate), because it is not customary to provide such benefits and programs in the People’s Republic of China.
We maintain employment agreements with each of our named executive officers. The terms of these employment agreements generally provide that the employment relationship must comply with the laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China. These agreements do not specifically provide any payments in the event of a change in control of Shiner or the executive’s termination, other than payments that may be required pursuant to Chinese labor laws.
Mr. Fu and Ms. Xu are subject to a two-year non-compete under their employment agreements. The non-compete prohibits them from working for any other organization which provides the same kind of products or services as Shiner and from competing with Shiner for its employees and customers.
Director Compensation
The following table provides information concerning the compensation of our non-executive directors for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Narrative to Director Compensation Table
Mr. Fu is executive officers of Shiner and did not receive any compensation for serving on our Board of Directors. Mr. Ying elected to forego any compensation for his board service for the 2013 fiscal year. The only non-executive director received a $3,750 quarterly cash retainer.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 22, 2013 (i) by each person who is known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock; (ii) by each of our officers and directors; and (iii) by all of our officers and directors as a group. Unless otherwise specified, the address of each of the persons set forth below is in care of Shiner International, Inc., 19th Floor, Didu Building, Pearl River Plaza, No. 2 North Longkun Road, Haikou, Hainan Province, 570125 People’s Republic of China.
_______________________
* Less than 1 percent
(1)
In computing the number and percentage of shares beneficially owned by a person, shares that may be acquired by such person within 60 days of March 21, 2013 are counted as outstanding, while these shares are not counted as outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
(2)
Beneficial ownership has been determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Unless otherwise noted, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned by them. At the close of business on March 21, 2013, we had 27,941,491 shares of common stock outstanding.
(3)
The shares reported include 51,000 shares held by Mr. Fu’s spouse; Mr. Fu disclaims beneficial ownership of all of these shares.
(4)
The shares reported include 40,000 shares held by Ms. Xu’s daughter; Ms. Xu disclaims beneficial ownership of all of these shares.
(5)
The shares reported include 30,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of vested options granted to Mr. Yuan on September 12, 2011. The options have an exercise price of $0.80 per share and expire on December 8, 2017.
(6)
This information is derived from a Schedule 13G/A filed by First Wilshire Securities Management, Inc. ("First Wilshire"), a registered broker-dealer, on February 15, 2011. Matthew Dunn, First Wiltshire's Chief Compliance Officer is deemed to have dispositive power with respect to these 988,880.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
Transactions with Related Persons
We are not a party to any transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K, including any transaction or series of transactions between us and any officer, director or affiliates of Shiner that has an aggregate value in excess of $120,000, or 1% of the average of our total assets for the last two completed fiscal years.
Related Party Transaction Approval Policy
It is our policy that the Audit Committee review and approve in advance all related party transactions that are required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC. If advance approval is not feasible, the Audit Committee must approve or ratify the transaction at the next scheduled meeting of the committee. Transactions required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 include any transaction or series of transactions between Shiner and any officer, director or certain affiliates of Shiner which has an aggregate value in excess of the lesser of $120,000, or 1% of the average of our total assets for the last two completed fiscal years. In reviewing related party transactions, the Audit Committee evaluates all material facts about the transaction, including the nature of the transaction, the benefit provided to Shiner, whether the transaction is on commercially reasonable terms that would have been available from an unrelated third-party and any other factors necessary to its determination that the transaction is fair to Shiner. To identify related party transactions, each year, we submit and require our directors and officers to complete director and officer questionnaires identifying any transaction with us or any of our subsidiaries in which the officer or director or their family members have an interest.
Director Independence
Our board has determined that each of Messrs. Antonoplos, Cunat, and Yuan are “independent directors” within the meaning of applicable Nasdaq Stock Market rules and the rules promulgated by the SEC.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.
Audit and Related Fees
The following table sets forth fees billed to us by Goldman Kurland and Mohidin, LLP for professional services rendered for 2013 and 2012:
Audit Fees. This category includes the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for the audits of our consolidated financial statements for fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively, for the reviews of the financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and for services that are normally provided by Goldman Kurland and Mohidin, LLP in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the relevant year.
Audit-Related Fees. This category includes the aggregate fees billed during the period for years 2013 and 2012, respectively, for assurance and related services by Goldman Kurland and Mohidin, LLP that are reasonably related to the performance of the audits or reviews of the financial statements and are not reported above under “Audit Fees.” These amounts generally consist of fees for due diligence accounting consultation with respect to our agreed-upon procedure reports.
Tax Fees. This category includes tax preparation, tax compliance and tax advice.
All Other Fees. This category includes all accounting services which are not included in the foregoing categories.
Policy for Pre-Approval of Audit and Non-audit Services
Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, all audit and non-audit services performed by our auditors must be approved in advance by our Board of Directors to assure that such services do not impair the auditors’ independence from us. The Audit Committee has adopted an approval policy regarding the approval of audit and non-audit services provided by the independent accountants, which approval policy describes the procedures and the conditions pursuant to which the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval for services proposed to be performed by our independent accountants. All services provided by our independent accountants, both audit and non-audit, must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee. Our Audit Committee has delegated to the chairman of the audit committee the authority to grant pre-approvals of non-audit services provided by Goldman Kurland and Mohidin, LLP. The decisions of the Chairman of the Audit Committee to pre-approve such a service are required to be reported to the audit committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
In determining whether to approve a particular audit or permitted non-audit service, the Audit Committee (or the Chairman thereof) will consider, among other things, whether such service is consistent with maintaining the independence of the independent accountant. The Audit Committee (or the Chairman thereof) will also consider whether the independent accountant is best positioned to provide the most effective and efficient service to our Company and whether the service might be expected to enhance our ability to manage or control risk or improve audit quality.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
Financial Statements and Schedules
The financial statements are set forth under Item 8 of this annual report on Form 10-K. Financial statement schedules have been omitted since they are either not required, not applicable, or the information is otherwise included.
Exhibits
101**
Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T
_________________________
* Filed herewith
** Pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T, the following financial information from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2013, is formatted in XBRL interactive data files: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Loss for the Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012; and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on the 3rd day of April, 2014.
Shiner International, Inc.
By: /s/ Qingtao Xing
Name: Qingtao Xing
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
By: /s/ Qingtao Xing
Name: Qingtao Xing
Title: Interim Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
In accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Qingtao Xing
President and Chief Executive Officer
April 3, 2013
Qingtao Xing
/s/XueZhu Xu
Interim Chief Financial Officer
April 3, 2013
XueZhu Xu
(Chief Accounting Officer)
/s/ Yuet Ying
Chairman of the Board of Directors
April 3, 2013
Yuet Ying
/s/ Jian Fu
Director
April 3, 2013
Jian Fu
/s/ Zhenhuan Yuan
Director
April 3, 2013
Zhenhuan Yuan
SHINER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2013 AND
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Shiner International, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Shiner International, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations and other comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2013. Shiner International, Inc.’s management is responsible for these financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Shiner International, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the consolidated results of its operations and its consolidated cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2013 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Goldman Kurland and Mohidin LLP
Encino, California
March 26, 2014
SHINER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 2013 AND 2012
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
SHINER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND OTHER
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
SHINER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
SHINER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
SHINER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2013 AND 2012
Note 1 - Organization and Basis of Presentation
Organization and Line of Business
Shiner International, Inc. (the “Company” or “Shiner”) was incorporated in the State of Nevada on November 12, 2003. The Company, through its subsidiaries manufactures Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (“BOPP”) tobacco film, coated films, color printing products, advanced film, and water based coatings selling to customers throughout the People’s Republic of China (“China” or “PRC”), Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and North America. Our products are sold to companies in the following industries: food, tobacco, chemical, agribusiness, medical, pharmaceutical, personal care, electronics, automotive, construction, graphics, music and video publishing and other consumer goods.
Except as otherwise indicated by the context, all references in this report to “Shiner,” “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” are to Shiner and its direct and indirect subsidiaries: (i) Hainan Shiner Industrial Co., Ltd., or “Hainan Shiner,” (ii) Hainan Shiny-Day Color Printing Packaging Co., Ltd., or “Shiny-Day,” (iii) Hainan Modern Hi-Tech Industrial Co., Ltd., or “Hainan Modern,” (iv) Zhuhai Modern Huanuo Packaging Material Co., Ltd., or “Zhuhai Modern,” (v) Shimmer Sun Ltd., or “Shimmer Sun,” (vi) Hainan Jingyue New Material Co., Ltd., or “Jingyue,” (vii) Hainan Shunhao New Material Co., Ltd., or “Shunhao,” (viii) Hainan Yongxin Environmental Co., Ltd., or “Yongxin,” and (ix) Ningbo Neisuoer Latex Co., Ltd., or “Ningbo”.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Shiner and its subsidiaries as follows:
The accompanying consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”). The Company’s functional currency is the Chinese Yuan Renminbi (“RMB”); however, the accompanying consolidated financial statements were translated and presented in United States Dollars (“$” or “USD”).
Noncontrolling Interest
On May 2, 2011, Shiner acquired 100% of the stock of Shimmer Sun Ltd. (“Shimmer Sun”) for $3.2 million. The Company paid $1.3 million in cash and the remaining $1.9 million was recorded as “other payables’ which was paid by September 30, 2011. The acquisition gave Shiner a 65% controlling interest in Shimmer Sun’s subsidiary, Ningbo. The transaction was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting, with the purchase price allocated based on the fair value (“FV”) of the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
The Company follows Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810, “Consolidation,” which governs the accounting for and reporting of non-controlling interests (“NCIs”) in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries and the loss of control of subsidiaries. Certain provisions of this standard indicate, among other things, that NCIs be treated as a separate component of equity, not as a liability, that increases and decreases in the parent’s ownership interest that leave control intact be treated as equity transactions rather than as step acquisitions or dilution gains or losses, and that losses of a partially owned consolidated subsidiary be allocated to the NCI even when such allocation might result in a deficit balance. This standard also required changes to certain presentation and disclosure requirements.
The net income (loss) attributed to the NCI is separately designated in the accompanying statements of operations and other comprehensive income (loss). Losses attributable to the NCI in a subsidiary may exceed the NCI’s interests in the subsidiary’s equity. The excess attributable to the NCI is attributed to those interests. The NCI shall continue to attribute its share of losses even if that attribution results in a deficit NCI balance.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Shiner International, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances were eliminated in consolidation.
Foreign Currency Translation
The accounts of the Company’s Chinese subsidiaries are maintained in RMB and the accounts of the US parent company are maintained in USD. The accounts of the Chinese subsidiaries are translated into USD in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 830 “Foreign Currency Matters,” with the RMB as the functional currency. According to Topic 830, all assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date, stockholders’ equity is translated at historical rates and statement of operations items are translated at the weighted average exchange rate for the period. The resulting translation adjustments are reported under other comprehensive income in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 220, “Comprehensive Income.” Gains and losses resulting from the translations of foreign currency transactions and balances are reflected in the statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss).
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Equivalents
Cash and equivalents include cash in hand and cash in time deposits, certificates of deposit and all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash consists of monies restricted by the Company’s lender related to its outstanding debt obligations.
Accounts Receivable, net
The Company maintains reserves for potential credit losses on accounts receivable. Management reviews the composition of accounts receivable and analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to evaluate the adequacy of these reserves. Reserves are recorded primarily on a specific identification basis.
Other Receivable
Other receivable consist of amounts due from customers and other unrelated third parties. The amounts are non-interest bearing and generally due upon demand.
Advances to Suppliers
To ensure a steady supply of raw materials, the Company is required from time to time to make cash advances when placing its purchase orders. Management determined no reserve was necessary for advances to suppliers. The advances to suppliers are interest free and unsecured.
Notes Receivable
Notes receivable consist of bank notes received from customers as payment of their accounts receivable. The notes are guaranteed by a bank and bear no interest. The notes are generally due within twelve months from the date of issuance.
Inventory, net
Inventory is valued at the lower of the inventory’s cost (weighted average basis) or the current market price of the inventory. Management compares the cost of inventory with its market value and an allowance is made to write down inventory to market value, if lower.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred; additions, renewals and improvements are capitalized. When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss is included in operations. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided using the straight-line method for substantially all assets with estimated lives as follows:
The following are the details regarding the Company’s property and equipment at December 31, 2013 and 2012:
Construction in Progress and Government Grants
Construction in progress mainly consists of amounts expended to build a manufacturing workshop in Hainan, including a product line for a BOPP tobacco line. The costs incurred and capitalized as construction in progress at December 31, 2013 and 2012 were $6.3 million and $5.8 million, respectively, which include the facility and equipment. Once the project is completed, it will be transferred from “Construction in progress” to “Property and equipment.” The total cost of the new Hainan manufacturing workshop and the BOPP tobacco line is expected to be $25.1 million. The first phase of the project was completed during 2010. In October 2009, the Company received a government grant for this project of RMB29.1 million (or $4.3 million based on the exchange rate at December 31, 2009) from the Hainan Province Finance Bureau (“HPFB”). The Company is required to provide detailed expenses of the construction project to the HPFB. At the end of the project, the government will determine if the funds were used in accordance with the grant. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, RMB23.8 million ($3.9 million based on the exchange rate at December 31, 2013) and RMB26.7 million ($4.2 million based on the exchange rate at December 31, 2012 was recorded in “Other payables” on the accompanying consolidated financial statements (Note 6). The amount of the government grant is being amortized into other income over the useful life of the asset on the same basis used to depreciate the asset. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company amortized $469,965 and $384,363, respectively, into “Other income.”
In December 2011, the Company received a government grant of RMB14.0 million (or $2.2 million based on the exchange rate as of December 31, 2011) from the Haikou Finance Bureau (“HFB”) for the adjustment and expansion of our operations and related capital expenditures for construction and equipment purchases. The Company is required to provide detailed expenses of the construction project to HFB. At the end of the project, the government will determine if the funds were used in accordance with the grant. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, RMB11.4 million ($1.9 million based on the exchange rate at December 31, 2012) and RMB12.8 million ($2.0 million based on the exchange rate at December 31, 2012) was recorded in “Other payables” on the accompanying consolidated financial statements (Note 6). The amount of the government grant is being amortized into other income over the useful life of the asset on the same basis used to depreciate the asset. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company amortized $226,100 and $184,917, respectively, into “Other income.”
In January 2012, the Company received a government grant of RMB1.8 million (or $0.3 million based on the exchange rate as of December 31, 2013) from the HFB for the adjustment and expansion of our operation and related capital expenditures for construction and equipment purchase. The Company is required to provide detailed expenses of the construction project to the HFB. At the end of the project, the government will determine if the funds were used in accordance with the grant. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the grant was recorded in “Other payables” on the accompanying consolidated financial statements (Note 6). If the government determines the funds were used for their intended purpose, the amount of the government grant is then amortized into “Other income” over the useful life of the asset on the same basis being used to depreciate the asset.
Long-Lived Assets
The Company applies FASB ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment,” which addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. ASC 360 requires impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets’ carrying amounts. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the FV of the long-lived assets. Loss on long-lived assets to be disposed of is determined in a similar manner, except that FVs are reduced to recognize the cost of disposal. Based on its review, the Company believes that as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, there was no significant impairment of its long-lived assets.
Intangible Assets, net
Intangible assets consist of rights to use three plots of land in Haikou City granted by the Municipal Administration of China for state-owned land. For two of these plots, the Company’s rights run through January 2059 and, for the third, through October 2060. The Company also acquired a patent with the acquisition of Shimmer Sun that is being amortized over 10 years. The Company evaluates intangible assets for impairment, at least on an annual basis and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable from its estimated future cash flows. Recoverability of intangible and other long-lived assets is measured by comparing their net book value to the related projected undiscounted cash flows from these assets, considering a number of factors including past operating results, budgets, economic projections, market trends and product development cycles. If the net book value of the asset exceeds the related undiscounted cash flows, the asset is considered impaired, and a second test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company performed the required impairment review which resulted in an impairment charge of $1,780,436 for 2012. No impairment adjustment was required at December 31, 2013.
Goodwill
Goodwill is the excess of purchase price over the underlying net assets of businesses acquired. Under accounting requirements, goodwill is not amortized but is subject to annual impairment tests, and more frequently if circumstances dictate. The impairment testing is based on the FV of the reporting units, which is estimated based on a discounted cash flow valuation model and the projected future cash flows of the underlying businesses. As of December 31, 2012, the Company performed the required impairment review which resulted in an impairment charge of $2,038,778 for 2012, which was the entire goodwill balance.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
For certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, advances to suppliers, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and short-term debt, the carrying amounts approximate their FVs due to their short maturities. In addition, the Company has long-term debt with financial institutions. The carrying amounts of the line of credit and other long-term liabilities approximate their FVs based on current rates of interest for instruments with similar characteristics.
FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” requires disclosure of the FV of financial instruments held by the Company. FASB ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” defines FV, and establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of FV measurement that enhances disclosure requirements for FV measures. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for receivables and current liabilities each qualify as financial instruments and are a reasonable estimate of their FVs because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and their current market rate of interest. The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows:
Level 1 inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in inactive markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
Level 3 inputs to the valuation methodology us one or more unobservable inputs which are significant to the FV measurement.
The Company analyzes all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity under FASB ASC Topic 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity,” and FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.”
As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, the Company did not identify any assets and liabilities required to be presented on the balance sheet at FV.
Revenue Recognition
The Company’s revenue recognition policies comply with FASB FASB ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition.” Sales revenue is recognized at the date of shipment to customers when a formal arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, the delivery is completed, no other significant obligations of the Company exist and collectability is reasonably assured. Payments received before all of the relevant criteria for revenue recognition are satisfied are recorded as unearned revenue.
Sales revenue consists of the invoiced value of goods, which is net of value-added tax (“VAT”). All of the Company’s products sold in the PRC are subject to Chinese VAT of 17% of the gross sales price. This VAT may be offset by VAT paid by the Company on raw materials and other materials included in the cost of producing their end product. The Company recorded VAT payable and VAT receivable net of payments in the financial statements. The VAT tax return is filed offsetting the payables against the receivables.
Sales and purchases are recorded net of VAT collected and paid. VAT taxes are not affected by the income tax holiday.
Sales returns and allowances was $0 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. The Company does not provide unconditional right of return, price protection or any other concessions to its dealers or other customers.
Other Income
The Company recognizes other income in the period it has earned the revenue and collectability is reasonably assured. Other income in 2013 and 2012 consists primarily of subsidy income received from Chinese Government Agencies for developing technology and research and development. The Company must manage the funds according to government requirements. The Company recognizes the revenue over the contract period.
Advertising Costs
The Company expenses the cost of advertising as incurred. Advertising costs for 2013 and 2012 were not significant.
Research and Development
The Company expenses its research and development (“R&D”) costs as incurred. R&D costs included in general and administrative expenses for 2013 and 2012 were $4,996,123 and $4,093,034, respectively.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company records stock-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation - Stock Compensation.” FASB ASC Topic 718 requires companies to measure compensation cost for stock-based employee compensation at FV at the grant date and recognize the expense over the employee’s requisite service period. The Company recognizes in the statement of operations the grant-date FV of stock options and other equity-based compensation issued to employees and non-employees. There were 90,000 options outstanding as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes.” FASB ASC 740 requires a company to use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes, whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences, and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion, or all of, the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.
Under FASB ASC 740, a tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded.
Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Earnings (loss) per share is calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS is based on the assumption that all dilutive convertible shares and stock warrants were converted or exercised. Dilution is computed by applying the treasury stock method. Under this method, warrants are assumed to be exercised at the beginning of the period (or at the time of issuance, if later), and as if funds obtained thereby were used to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period. There were 90,000 options outstanding as of December 31, 2013 with weighted-average exercise prices of $0.95. All options were excluded from the diluted loss per share for 2013 and 2012 due to the dilutive effect. The following is a reconciliation of the number of shares (denominator) used in the basic and diluted EPS computations for 2013 and 2012:
Foreign Currency Transactions and Comprehensive Income
US GAAP requires recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income. Certain statements, however, require entities to report specific changes in assets and liabilities, such as gain or loss on foreign currency translation, as a separate component of the equity section of the balance sheet. Such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income. The functional currency of the Company’s Chinese subsidiaries is the RMB. Translation gains of $6,810,734 and $5,745,728 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, are classified as an item of other comprehensive income in the stockholders’ equity section of the consolidated balance sheets.
Statement of Cash Flows
In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 230, “Statement of Cash Flows,” cash flows from the Company’s operations are calculated based on the local currencies using the average translation rates. As a result, amounts related to assets and liabilities reported on the consolidated statements of cash flows will not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the consolidated balance sheets.
Segment Reporting
FASB ASC Topic 280, “Segment Reporting,” requires use of the “management approach” model for segment reporting. The management approach model is based on the way a company’s management organizes segments within the company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. The Company determined it has five reportable segments. See Note 14.
Dividends
The Company's Chinese subsidiaries have restrictions on the payment of dividends to the Company. China has currency and capital transfer regulations that may require the Company's Chinese subsidiaries to comply with complex regulations for the movement of capital. These regulations include a public notice issued in October 2005 by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”) requiring PRC residents, including both legal and natural persons, to register with the competent local SAFE branch before establishing or controlling any company outside of China. Although the Company believes its Chinese subsidiaries are in compliance with these regulations, should these regulations or the interpretation of them by courts or regulatory agencies change, the Company may not be able to pay dividends outside of China.
Reclassifications
Certain prior period amounts were reclassified to conform to the manner of presentation in the current period. These reclassifications had no effect on the net loss or stockholders’ equity.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The FASB has issued ASU No. 2013-04, Liabilities (Topic 405), “Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date.” ASU 2013-04 provides guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this ASU is fixed at the reporting date, except for obligations addressed within existing guidance in US GAAP. The guidance requires an entity to measure those obligations as the sum of the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): “Presentation of Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, A Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (A Consensus the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)”. ASU 2013-11 provides guidance on financial statement presentation of unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The FASB’s objective in issuing this ASU is to eliminate diversity in practice resulting from a lack of guidance on this topic in current US GAAP. This ASU applies to all entities with unrecognized tax benefits that also have tax loss or tax credit carryforwards in the same tax jurisdiction as of the reporting date. This amendment is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013 and interim periods within those years. The company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force), the AICPA, and the Securities Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) did not or are not believed by management to have a material impact on the Company’s present or future consolidated financial statements.
Note 3 - Advances to Suppliers
Advances to suppliers represent prepayment to vendors for the purchases of inventory of $26,453,255and $15,141,398 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Note 4 - Inventory, net
Inventory at December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following:
Note 5 - Intangible Assets
Intangible assets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following:
Pursuant to the regulations, the PRC government owns all land. The Company has recognized the amounts paid for the acquisition of rights to use the land as an intangible asset and amortizing such rights over the period the Company has use of the land, which range from 54 to 57 years.
Amortization of intangible assets is as follows, by years from December 31, 2013:
Note 6 - Other Payables
Other payables at December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following:
The $3,890,331 and $1,903,008 payables at December 31, 2013 are liabilities recorded pursuant to the funds received as part of government grants. See “Construction in Progress and Government Grants” in Note 2.
Note 7 - Debt
Short-term loans at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following:
Long-term loans at December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following:
Aggregate future maturities of long-term loans at December 31, 2013 are as follows:
The weighted average interest rate on long-term loans is 6.60% .
On August 2, 2010, Hainan Shiner entered into a credit facility with the Hainan Branch of the Bank of China. It is a secured revolving credit facility of RMB70 million (or $11.1 million based on the exchange rate on December 31, 2010) for seven years. Under the credit facility, Hainan Shiner may only use the loan proceeds to improve the technology of its BOPP film and to purchase certain equipment necessary for the improvement. Proceeds under the facility not used for these purposes would be subject to a misappropriation penalty interest rate that is 100% of the current interest rate on the loan.
The initial interest rate on each withdrawal from the facility will be the 5-year benchmark lending rate announced by the People’s Bank of China on the date of such withdrawal, and is subject to adjustment every 12 months based upon the benchmark. Additional interest will be paid on an overdue loan under this credit facility of 50% of the current interest rate on the loan. Hainan Shiner and certain of its affiliates, including the Company, have provided guarantees and certain land, buildings, and property as collateral under this facility.
The credit facility includes covenants that prohibit Hainan Shiner from making distributions to the Company, its sole shareholder, if (a) its after-tax net income for the fiscal year is zero or negative, (b) its after-tax net income is insufficient to make up its accumulated loss, (c) its income before tax is not utilized in paying off the capital, interest and expense of the lender, or (d) its income before tax is insufficient to pay the capital, interest and expense of the lender.
As of December 31, 2013, the Company drew down the entire RMB70 million credit facility.
Note 8 - Stock Options and Warrants
Stock Options
The following is a summary of the Company’s stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
The number and weighted average exercise prices of all options outstanding as of December 31, 2013, are as follows:
The number and weighted average exercise prices of all options exercisable as of December 31, 2013, are as follows:
Warrants
The following is a summary of the Company’s warrant activity for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
Note 9 - Income Taxes
Local PRC Income Tax
Pursuant to the tax laws of the PRC, general enterprises are subject to income tax at 25%.
The Company operates in a privileged economic zone which entitles it to certain tax benefits (tax holiday) as follows:
Shiner Industrial - a tax rate of 15% from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2014 since it is recognized as a high-tech enterprise.
Zhuhai - exemption from federal tax from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009. In addition, it also enjoyed a 50% federal tax reduction from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2012.
Shiner Industrial acquired all of the assets of Shiny-Day and Modern in 2009, partially in response to the expiration of the tax holiday.
According to the new PRC income tax law, for enterprises to which the 15% tax rate was applicable previously, these rates shall apply from 2007 to 2012:
Income tax expense reflected in the consolidated statements of operations and other comprehensive loss consist of the following for 2013 and 2012:
The components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
A reconciliation of tax at United States (“US”) federal statutory rate to provision for income tax recorded in the financial statements for 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
The effect of the change of tax status was accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC Sub-Topic 740-10-25, which states that the effect of a change in tax status is computed as of the date of change and is included in the tax provision for continuing operations. Management believes the local tax authorities would not have waived past taxes had it not been for the change in the Company’s subsidiary’s tax status.
If the Company had not been exempt from income taxes due to operating in a privileged economic zone, for 2012 net loss would have been increased by $167,000. The net effect on EPS had income tax been applied at the regular rates would have been $0.01.
Foreign pretax loss approximated ($1,638,000) and $(6,042,000) for 2013 and 2012 respectively. Pretax earnings of a foreign subsidiary are subject to US taxation when effectively repatriated. The Company provides income taxes on the undistributed earnings of non-US subsidiaries except to the extent such earnings are indefinitely invested outside the US. At December 31, 2013, $12,272,000 of accumulated undistributed earnings of non-US subsidiaries was indefinitely invested. At the existing US federal income tax rate, additional taxes of $1,384,000 would have to be provided if such earnings were remitted currently.
Note 10 - Employee Welfare Plans
The expense for employee common welfare was $178,927 and $24,114 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Note 11 - Statutory Common Welfare Fund
As stipulated by the Company Law of the PRC, net income after taxation can only be distributed as dividends after appropriation has been made for the following:
i.
Making up cumulative prior years’ losses, if any;
ii.
Allocations to the “statutory surplus reserve” of at least 10% of income after tax, as determined under PRC accounting rules and regulations, until the reserve reaches 50% of the Company’s registered capital;
iii.
Allocations of 5% to 10% of income after tax, as determined under PRC accounting rules and regulations, to the Company’s “statutory common welfare fund,” which is established for the purpose of providing employee facilities and other collective benefits to the Company’s employees; and
iv.
Allocations to the discretionary surplus reserve, if approved in the stockholders’ general meeting.
The Company appropriated $230,391 and $(108,759) as reserve for the statutory surplus reserve and statutory common welfare fund for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Note 12 - Current Vulnerability Due to Certain Concentrations
There were no customers that exceeded 10% of the Company’s sales for either year ended December 31, 2013 or 2012.
One vendor provided 10% of the Company’s raw material purchases for the year ended December 31, 2013. The same vendor provided 13% of the Company’s raw material purchases for the year ended December 31, 2012. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company owed this vendor $1,430,738 and $928,399, respectively.
The Company’s operations are carried out in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environments in the PRC and by the general state of the PRC’s economy. The Company’s business may be influenced by changes in governmental policies with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion and remittance abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things.
Note 13 - Commitments and Contingencies
At December 31, 2013, the Company was contingently liable to banks for discounted notes receivable and to vendors for endorsed notes receivable of $1,005,122.
Note 14 - Segment Information
The Company has five segments: BOPP tobacco films, water-based latex, coated film, color printed packaging and advanced film. The water-based latex is one of the raw materials used in coated film to make the packaging more environmental friendly and the barrier property better. Approximately 60% of the water-base latex products manufactured by Ningbo are sold to Hainan Shiner, Shiny-Day and Zhuhai Modern.
The following tables summarize the Company’s segment information for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:
Note 15 - Geographical Sales
The geographical distribution of Shiner’s revenue for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
EXHIBIT INDEX
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* Filed herewith
** Pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T, the following financial information from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2013, is formatted in XBRL interactive data files: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Loss for the Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012; and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.