Cleantech Solutions International Reports Second Quarter 2017 Results

WUXI, China, Aug. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cleantech Solutions International, Inc. ("Cleantech Solutions" or "the Company") (NASDAQ: CLNT) today announced its financial results for three months and six months ended June 30, 2017.

"In the second quarter of 2017, our legacy dyeing machine business experienced a slight downtick in revenue along with higher raw materials costs, which contributed to lower margins a loss for the quarter. Despite this, we closed the quarter with positive operating cash flow and a stronger cash position," said Mr. Jianhua Wu, Chairman and CEO of Cleantech Solutions. "In the near-term, we expect our dyeing machine business to remain relatively stable. At the same time, we are excited about the opportunities for long-term growth we are pursuing in the global technology and sharing economy markets."

Mr. Parkson Yip, Cleantech Solutions' COO commented, "Having joined Cleantech Solutions just a few months ago, I am pleased with our progress in executing our long-term growth initiatives, especially those geared toward collaborative consumption and have a positive impact on the environment. We recently announced our global sharing bike business, which addresses one of the fastest growing markets in the world today. Our solution will provide the most convenient way for users to enjoy the benefits of bike sharing wherever they go. We continue to add regional bicycle operators to our platform and look forward to releasing the app in the fourth quarter of 2017.

"We also see strong potential in the portable mobile phone charger rental business, particularly in China and other countries in South Asia, where billions of mobile phone users who embrace the sharing economy are seeking affordable and reliable charging methods. Our solution hopes to reduce the unnecessary increase of portable mobile phone chargers and at the same time provide immediate convenience to users when they are in need. We target to expand the portable mobile phone charger rental business across major markets in China and Asia within the coming quarter, and will begin penetrating across the globe before year end. I believe these new business initiatives will establish a foundation for the Company to return to growth via new economy models."

Second Quarter 2017 Results

Revenue for the second quarter of 2017 declined by 5.3% to $3,712,000, compared to $3,918,000 for the same period in 2016. The Company's only source of revenue is from the dyeing and finishing business since the forged rolled rings and related products and petroleum and chemical equipment businesses are discontinued.

Gross profit for the second quarter of 2017 was $443,000, compared to gross profit of $591,000 for the same period in 2016. Gross margin was 11.9% during the second quarter of 2017 compared to 15.1% for the same period in 2016. The decline in gross margin was primarily attributable to higher raw material costs.

Operating expenses increased by 109.2% to $941,000, compared to $450,000 for the same period in 2016. The increase was primarily due to an increase in professional fees, including stock-based consulting fees, payroll and related benefits, depreciation, and research and development expenses for the development of new dyeing and finishing products.

Loss from operations was $498,000, compared to income from operations of $141,000 for the same period in 2016.

Loss from continuing operations was $521,000, or $(0.30) per basic and diluted share, compared to income from continuing operations of $69,000, or $(0.06) per basic and diluted share for the same period in 2016.

Loss from discontinued operations (Refer to "Discontinued Operations" discussion below) was nil for the second quarter of 2017. This compares to a loss from discontinued operations of $749,000, or $(0.67) per basic and diluted share for the second quarter of 2016.

Net loss for the second quarter of 2017 was $521,000, or $(0.30) per basic and diluted share, compared to net loss of $680,000, or $(0.61) per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2016.

Basic and diluted earnings per share were based on 1,730,952 and 1,121,251 weighted average shares outstanding, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2017, and 2016. All share and per share information has been adjusted to reflect a 1-for-4 reverse stock split effective March 20, 2017.

Six Month Results

For the six months ended June 30, 2017, revenue was $8,369,000 compared to $8,445,000 in the first half of 2016. Gross profit was $1,029,000, down from $1,412,000 in the first half of 2016. Gross margin was 12.3%, compared to 16.7% in the first half of 2016. Loss from operations was $594,000 compared to income from operations of $185,000 in the first half of 2016. Loss from continuing operations was $668,000, or $(0.46) per basic and diluted share, compared to a loss from continuing operations of $34,000, or $(0.03) per basic and diluted share for the same period in 2016. Loss from discontinued operations was nil for the second half of 2017, compared to a loss from discontinued operations of $1,490,000, or $(1.39) per basic and diluted share for the first half of 2016. Net loss for the first half of 2017 was $668,000, or $(0.46) per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1,524,000, or ($1.42) per basic and diluted share, in the first half of 2016. Basic and diluted earnings per share were based on 1,455,506 and 1,073,212 weighted average shares outstanding, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2017, and 2016. All share and per share information has been adjusted to reflect a 1-for-4 reverse stock split effective March 20, 2017.

Financial Condition

As of June 30, 2017, Cleantech Solutions held cash and cash equivalents of $5,523,000 compared to $1,481,000 at December 31, 2016. Accounts receivable were $15,024,000 compared to $13,922,000 at December 31, 2016. Inventories were $3,492,000 compared to $2,394,000 at December 31, 2016. The Company had $1,475,000 and $280,000 in short-term bank loans and bank acceptance notes payable, respectively, at June 30, 2017, down from $2,160,000 and $547,000, respectively, at December 31, 2016. Working capital was $24,844,000 at June 30, 2017 compared to $21,539,000 at December 31, 2016. Stockholders' equity was $67,517,000 at June 30, 2017 compared to $65,312,000 at December 31, 2016.

In the first half of 2017, the Company generated $1,610,000 in operating cash flow, primarily due to an increase in accounts payable and a decrease in prepaid and other current assets, which were offset by increases in accounts receivables and inventory and the net loss for the period. The Company generated $2,081,000 in cash flow from investing activities, primarily related to receipt of the second installment payment from the sale of Wuxi Fulland Wind Energy Equipment Co., Ltd. ("Fulland Wind") in the second quarter of 2017. The Company generated $265,000 in cash flow from financing activities, primarily due to $860,000 in net proceeds from a private placement transaction in June 2017, which was partially offset by a reduction in short term debt.

Recent Events

In August 2017, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, EC Power (Global), signed an agreement with ECoin Global Limited ("ECoin") for the purchase of ECoin redemption codes with an aggregate value of $50 million for total consideration of $20 million. The Company plans to resell the redemption codes in the form of ECrent gift cards at global locals through reseller channels, such as convenience stores. The Company's subsidiary has entered into an agreement with InComm, a global pre-payment network and solution provider and will start selling the redemption codes with face values of HK$100, HK$300 and HK$500 at major convenience store networks in Hong Kong and Macau beginning in August 2017. Other international locations will follow. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company will pay ECoin total consideration of $20 million in four annual installments in an amount equal to 50% of the net sale proceeds of the redemption codes sold during each calendar year. The value of any unsold redemption codes at the expiration of the agreement will be paid to ECoin using shares of the Company's stock and not more than 19% of issued and outstanding ordinary shares of the Company.

In July 2017, the Company announced that it launched a global bike sharing app service and joined together with local sharing bike operators in Hong Kong. The Company has partnered with Hong Kong-based sharing bike operators and plans to add more regional bicycle operators to the platform. The Company has established a Hong Kong based subsidiary, Global Bike Share (Mobile App) Limited, and expects the mobile app business to commence operations in the fourth quarter of 2017.

In July 2017, the Company's board of directors formed a special committee comprised of three independent directors of the Company to evaluate and engage in discussions with ECrent Capital Holdings Limited ("ECrent") regarding potential business cooperation between the two companies and a potential acquisition by the Company of ECrent (collectively, the "Potential Transactions"). All three members of the Special Committee are unaffiliated with ECrent and not management members of the Company. The Special Committee retained Duff & Phelps, LLC as its financial advisor to assist it in its review and evaluation of the Potential Transactions. The Company cautions its shareholders and others considering trading its securities that neither the Special Committee nor the Board has set a definitive timetable for the completion of its evaluation of and discussion regarding the Potential Transactions or any other alternative transaction and the Company does not currently intend to announce development unless and until an agreement has been reached. There can be no assurances that any definitive agreement will be executed relating to the Proposed Transactions, or that the Proposed Transactions or any other transaction will be approved or consummated.

Conference Call

Cleantech Solutions will conduct a conference call at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 15, to discuss financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017. To participate in the live conference call, please dial the following number five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled conference call time: (888) 346-8982. International callers should dial (412) 902-4272. If you are unable to participate in the conference call at this time, a replay will be available starting an hour after the conference call through 10:00 a.m. ET August 22, 2017. To access the replay, dial (877) 344-7529. International callers dial (412) 317-0088, and enter conference number: 10111489.

Discontinued Operations

On December 30, 2016, the Company sold 100% of the stock of Fulland Wind to an unrelated party and discontinued the Company's forged rolled rings and related components business. Additionally, the Company's management decided to discontinue its petroleum and chemical equipment segment due to significant declines in revenues and the loss of its major customer. As such, the assets and liabilities of these two segments were classified on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as assets and liabilities of discontinued operations and the operating results were classified as discontinued operations in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented.

About Cleantech Solutions International

Cleantech Solutions, through its affiliated companies, designs, manufactures and distributes a line of proprietary high and low temperature dyeing and finishing machinery to the textile industry. The Company's latest business initiatives are focused on targeting the technology and global sharing economy markets, by developing online platforms and rental business partnerships that will drive the global development of sharing through economical rental business models.

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains certain "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of the Company and its subsidiary and affiliated companies. These forward looking statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects" or similar expressions. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those described herein and in the conference call referred to in this press release as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in the Company's periodic reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its website, including factors described in "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and in our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or to persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors other than as required under the securities laws. The Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.

Company Contacts:

Cleantech Solutions International, Inc.
Parkson Yip, Chief Operating Officer
E-mail: parkson.yip@cleantechsolutionsinternational.com
+852-31060372
Web: www.cleantechsolutionsinternational.com

Compass Investor Relations
Elaine Ketchmere, CFA
Email: eketchmere@compass-ir.com
+1-310-528-3031
Web: www.compassinvestorrelations.com

                                                        CLEANTECH SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE GAIN (LOSS)

                                                                               (Unaudited)


                                                                                               For the Three Months Ended   For the Six Months Ended

                                                                                                        June 30,                                          June 30,
                                                                                                      --------                                       --------

                                                                                                          2017                        2016                        2017             2016
                                                                                                          ----                        ----                        ----             ----


    REVENUES                                                          $3,711,767                     $3,917,800                  $8,369,221                  $8,444,500


    COST OF REVENUES                                                   3,268,923                      3,326,835                   7,340,523                   7,032,314
                                                                       ---------                      ---------                   ---------                   ---------


    GROSS PROFIT                                                         442,844                        590,965                   1,028,698                   1,412,186
                                                                         -------                        -------                   ---------                   ---------


    OPERATING EXPENSES:

                                                   Depreciation                                        269,349                     137,945                     537,714          275,854

                                                    Selling, general and
                                                    administrative                                     560,201                     245,512                     867,860          867,034

                                                   Research and development                            111,053                      66,237                     217,130           84,638



                                                   Total operating expenses                            940,603                     449,694                   1,622,704        1,227,526
                                                                                                       -------                     -------                   ---------        ---------


    (LOSS) INCOME FROM OPERATIONS                                      (497,759)                       141,271                   (594,006)                    184,660
                                                                        --------                        -------                    --------                     -------


    OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

                                                   Interest income                                       5,842                       6,396                       7,720           14,812

                                                   Interest expense                                   (35,176)                   (32,344)                   (74,866)        (64,954)

                                                    Loss on equity method
                                                    investment                                        (24,456)                          -                   (42,811)               -

                                                    Foreign currency transaction
                                                    gain                                                     -                         61                           -             169

                                                   Other income                                         30,148                         393                      47,140              393



                                                   Total other expense, net                           (23,642)                   (25,494)                   (62,817)        (49,580)
                                                                                                       -------                     -------                     -------          -------


    (LOSS) INCOME FROM CONTINUING                                      (521,401)                       115,777                   (656,823)                    135,080
    OPERATIONS BEFORE PROVISION F
    OR INCOME TAXES


                                                   Income taxes provision                                   21                      46,597                      11,083          169,415



    (LOSS) INCOME FROM CONTINUING                                      (521,422)                        69,180                   (667,906)                   (34,335)
    OPERATIONS


    LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED                                                     -                     (749,362)                          -                (1,489,940)
    OPERATIONS, NET OF INCOME
    TAXES



    NET LOSS                                                          $(521,422)                    $(680,182)                 $(667,906)               $(1,524,275)
                                                                       =========                      =========                   =========                 ===========


    COMPREHENSIVE LOSS:

                                                   Net loss                                         $(521,422)                 $(680,182)                 $(667,906)    $(1,524,275)


                                                   Other comprehensive gain:

                                                   Unrealized foreign currency                       1,087,468                 (2,368,419)                  1,583,592      (1,842,471)
                                                   translation gain



                                                   Comprehensive gain (loss)                          $566,046                $(3,048,601)                   $915,686     $(3,366,746)



    NET (LOSS) INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:

                                                   Continuing operations                               $(0.30)                      $0.06                     $(0.46)         $(0.03)
                                                   - Basic and diluted

                                                   Discontinued operations                                   -                     (0.67)                          -          (1.39)
                                                   - basic and diluted



                                                   Net loss per common share                           $(0.30)                    $(0.61)                    $(0.46)         $(1.42)
                                                   - basic and diluted



    WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:

                                                   Basic and diluted                                 1,730,952                   1,121,251                   1,455,506        1,073,212

                                                                                        CLEANTECH SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                                                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


                                                                                                                                                 June 30, 2017             December 31, 2016
                                                                                                                                                 -------------             -----------------

                                                                                                                                                  (Unaudited)


                                                                           ASSETS


    CURRENT ASSETS:

                         Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                              $5,523,416                     $1,481,498

                         Restricted cash                                                                                                                           284,140                        551,047

                         Notes receivable                                                                                                                          144,521                        133,913

                          Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
                          accounts                                                                                          15,023,701                                             13,922,371

                         Inventories, net of reserve for obsolete inventories                                                3,491,624                                              2,394,179

                         Advances to suppliers                                                                                                                   1,313,883                      1,116,525

                         Deferred tax assets                                                                                                                       395,715                        386,381

                         Receivable from sale of subsidiary                                                                                                      2,831,441                      4,838,152

                         Prepaid expenses and other                                                                                                                578,015                          9,074

                         Assets of discontinued operations                                                                                                         757,146                      1,758,986



                         Total current assets                                                                                                                   30,343,602                     26,592,126
                                                                                                                                                                ----------                     ----------


    OTHER ASSETS:

                         Equity method investment                                                                                                                8,775,355                      8,610,759

                         Property and equipment, net                                                                                                            28,648,360                     29,878,675

                         Intangible assets, net                                                                                                                  5,249,763                      5,283,695



                         Total other assets                                                                                                                     42,673,478                     43,773,129
                                                                                                                                                                ----------                     ----------


                         Total assets                                                                                                                          $73,017,080                    $70,365,255
                                                                                                                                                               ===========                    ===========


                     LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY


    CURRENT LIABILITIES:

                         Short-term bank loans                                                                                                                  $1,474,709                     $2,159,889

                         Bank acceptance notes payable                                                                                                             280,195                        547,172

                         Accounts payable                                                                                                                        2,338,100                        864,870

                         Accrued expenses                                                                                                                          253,649                        368,395

                         Advances from customers                                                                                                                   464,832                        427,446

                         Due to related party                                                                                                                      132,175                              -

                         VAT and service taxes payable                                                                                                              84,250                         47,319

                         Income taxes payable                                                                                                                       60,922                         79,467

                         Liabilities of discontinued operations                                                                                                    411,281                        558,661



                         Total current liabilities                                                                                                               5,500,113                      5,053,219
                                                                                                                                                                 ---------                      ---------


                         Total liabilities                                                                                                                       5,500,113                      5,053,219
                                                                                                                                                                 ---------                      ---------


    Commitments and contingencies (see Note 15)


    STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

                          Preferred stock ($0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares
                          authorized;                                                                                                -                                                     -

                                  No shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2017 and
                                  December 31, 2016)


                          Common stock ($0.001 par value; 12,500,000 shares
                          authorized;                                                                                            1,811                                                  1,415
                                  1,810,641 and 1,415,441 shares issued and outstanding
                                   at
                                  June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)

                         Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                             36,838,391                     35,549,542

                         Retained earnings                                                                                                                      25,863,592                     26,531,498

                         Statutory reserve                                                                                                                       2,352,592                      2,352,592

                          Accumulated other comprehensive income -foreign
                          currency                                                                                           2,460,581                                                876,989
                         translation adjustment
                         --------------------


                         Total stockholders' equity                                                                                                             67,516,967                     65,312,036
                                                                                                                                                                ----------                     ----------


                         Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                                                                            $73,017,080                    $70,365,255
                                                                                                                                                               ===========                    ===========

                                                                                                    CLEANTECH SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                                                        CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                                                                                          (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                                                                       For the Six Months Ended

                                                                                                                                                                               June 30,
                                                                                                                                                                               --------

                                                                                                                                                                                             2017                    2016
                                                                                                                                                                                             ----                    ----

    CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                                Net loss                                                                                                                                               $(667,906)           $(1,524,275)

                                Adjustments to reconcile net loss from operations to net cash

                                provided by operating activities:

                                Depreciation                                                                                                                                            1,939,302               1,824,315

                                Depreciation - discontinued operations                                                                                                                          -              1,527,446

                                Amortization of intangible assets                                                                                                                         159,360                  45,226

                                Loss on equity method investment                                                                                                                           42,811                       -

                                Stock-based compensation and fees                                                                                                                         102,278                 488,500

                                Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                                Notes receivable                                                                                                                                          (7,273)                 61,205

                                Accounts receivable                                                                                                                                     (754,586)                 72,898

                                Inventories                                                                                                                                           (1,025,428)            (1,169,339)

                                Prepaid and other current assets                                                                                                                        1,038,752                (12,704)

                                Advances to suppliers                                                                                                                                   (168,063)                100,454

                                Assets of discontinued operations                                                                                                                       (276,596)                544,699

                                Accounts payable                                                                                                                                        1,460,922                 243,910

                                Accrued expenses                                                                                                                                        (117,025)              (383,895)

                                VAT and service taxes payable                                                                                                                              35,300               (148,996)

                                Income taxes payable                                                                                                                                     (20,185)              (140,742)

                                Advances from customers                                                                                                                                    26,691                (44,882)

                                Liabilities of discontinued operations                                                                                                                  (158,681)              (679,657)
                                                                                                                                                                                         --------                --------


    Net cash provided by operating activities                                                                                                                                        1,609,673                 804,163
                                                                                                                                                                                     ---------                 -------


    CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                                Purchase of property and equipment                                                                                                                       (13,880)                (9,338)

                                Proceed received from sale of subsidiary in cash                                                                             2,094,606                                    -
                                -----------


    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities                                                                                                                              2,080,726                 (9,338)
                                                                                                                                                                                     ---------                  ------


    CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                                Proceeds from bank loans                                                                                                                                        -              2,218,686

                                Repayments of bank loans                                                                                                                                (727,294)            (2,295,192)

                                Decrease in restricted cash                                                                                                                               276,372                 459,038

                                Increase in restricted cash - discontinued operations                                                                                -                            (68,856)

                                Decrease in bank acceptance notes payable                                                                                                               (276,372)              (459,038)

                                Increase in bank acceptance notes payable - discontinued operations                                                                  -                              58,145

                                Advance from related party                                                                                                                                132,175                       -

                                Proceeds from sale of common stock, net                                                                                                                   860,000                 483,000



    Net cash provided by financing activities                                                                                                                                          264,881                 395,783
                                                                                                                                                                                       -------                 -------


    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                        86,638               (458,073)
                                                                                                                                                                                        ------                --------


    Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                                        4,041,918                 732,535


    Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period                                                                                                                                  1,481,498              18,790,370
                                                                                                                                                                                     ---------              ----------


    Cash and cash equivalents - end of period                                                                                                                                        $5,523,416             $19,522,905



    SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

                                Cash paid in continuing operations for:

                                Interest                                                                                                                                                  $74,866                 $64,954
                                                                                                                                                                                          =======                 =======

                                Income taxes                                                                                                                                              $12,808                $117,451
                                                                                                                                                                                          =======                ========


                                Cash paid in discontinued operations for:

                                Interest                                                                                                                             $                          -                $46,222
                                                                                                                                                                                              ===                =======

                                Income taxes                                                                                                                         $                          -                 $1,313
                                                                                                                                                                                              ===                 ======


    NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                                Stock issued for future services                                                                                                                         $298,567                 $72,600


                                Stock issued for accrued liabilities                                                                                                                      $28,400                 $54,000


                                Increase in prepaid expenses and other from sale of equipment                                                                                          $1,306,677         $             -
                                                                                                                                                                                                       ===

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SOURCE Cleantech Solutions International, Inc.