ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
Overview of Our Business
We are a leading global manufacturer of lithium-based battery cells. We produce battery cells for OEM customers and replacement battery manufacturers that are the principal component of rechargeable batteries commonly used to power the following applications:
cellular phones and smartphones;
notebook computers, tablet computers and e-book readers;
portable consumer electronics, such as digital cameras, portable media players, portable gaming devices, personal digital assistants, or PDAs, camcorders, digital cameras, and Bluetooth headsets; and
electric bicycles and other light electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and other electric vehicles; cordless power tools; and uninterruptible power supplies, or UPS.
We conduct all of our operations in China, in close proximity to China’s electronics manufacturing base and its rapidly growing market. Historically, we have primarily manufactured prismatic lithium-ion cells for the cellular phone replacement battery market and the OEM market. Our products are packed into batteries by third-party battery pack manufacturers in accordance with the specifications of manufacturers of portable electronic applications. At the request of our customers that order prismatic battery packs, we assemble our prismatic cells into battery packs at our Shenzhen facility or engage battery pack manufacturers to assemble our cells into batteries for a fee, and then sell battery packs to these customers both for the replacement and OEM markets.
Since the beginning of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, we continued the implementation of our business plan to expand our production capacity and add other lithium-ion battery cell products in response to evolving market demands, including cylindrical cells, high-power lithium battery cells, and lithium polymer cells. In particular, we developed and supplied cylindrical cells for use in high-capacity public-use electric vehicles as part of a strategic cooperation program for electric vehicle development with a major Taiwan-based automobile manufacturer. We also expanded our prismatic cells line for the smartphone market. As a result, we have derived and expect to continue to derive an increasing portion of our revenues from these other products.
In November 2011, we were recognized by the PRC’s National Development and Reform Commission as a National-certified Enterprise Technology Center. The Company was previously recognized as a provincial-level Shenzhen Enterprise Technology Center in 2005. The criteria for recognition as a National-certified Enterprise Technology Center include technological innovation and industry leadership. As so certified, we will receive certain tax preferences, and will be reevaluated biennially to maintain this status. The award affirmed our view that we have been successfully demonstrating our capabilities on a national scale.
We have experienced net losses during the past three fiscal years. We generated revenues of $211.1 million, $214.8 million and $218.9 million in the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively, and net loss of $14.0 million, $32.8 million and $24.5 million during the same periods, respectively. However, we believe that our accomplishments to date, as well as our business plan, will yield long-term growth of revenues and positive net income.
Our Corporate History and Structure
We were incorporated in Nevada on October 4, 1999. On January 20, 2005, we completed a share exchange with the stockholders of BAK International, pursuant to which we acquired 100% of BAK International and in exchange, issued our common stock to these stockholders representing 97.2% of our then post-issuance share capital. BAK International was a holding company that owned a 100% PRC operating subsidiary, Shenzhen BAK. On February 14, 2005, we merged with our wholly-owned subsidiary, China BAK Battery, Inc. We are the surviving entity of this merger. On that date we also changed our name from “Medina Coffee, Inc.” to our current name, “China BAK Battery, Inc.” We accounted for this share exchange as a reverse acquisition and succeeded to and are considered to be a continuation of Shenzhen BAK’s operations and financial statements. We conduct our current business through the following three wholly-owned operating subsidiaries in China that we own through BAK International:
Shenzhen BAK, located in Shenzhen, China, incorporated in August 2001, which focuses on the development and manufacture of prismatic cells and cylindrical cells;
BAK Electronics located in Shenzhen, China, incorporated in August 2005, which focuses on the development and manufacture of lithium polymer cells; and
BAK Tianjin, located in Tianjin, China, incorporated in December 2006, which focuses on the development and manufacture of high-power lithium cells.
In addition, BAK Canada, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BAK International, was incorporated in Canada in December 2006 to advance our R&D of lithium-ion batteries. In November 2007, BAK Europe, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shenzhen BAK, was established in Germany, which focuses on the sales and after-sales services of lithium-ion battery cells. In August 2008, BAK India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BAK International, was incorporated in India to advance the sales and after-sales services of lithium-ion battery cells. BAK International beneficially owns 100% of BAK India partly through a nominee agreement with one of its employees. In February 2011, Tianjin Meicai, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BAK Tianjin, was established in Tianjin for the purpose of technical development of cathode materials for lithium-ion battery cells.
All of our business operations are conducted through our Chinese subsidiaries. The chart below presents our corporate structure as of September 30, 2011:
We develop and manufacture various types of lithium-based rechargeable battery cells, which are the key component of lithium-based batteries used in a wide range of portable electronic applications. Since lithium-based batteries were first commercialized in the early 1990s, they have become the battery of choice for portable electronic devices because of their unique and favorable characteristics. The following table provides a summary of our battery cell offerings and their corresponding end applications:
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* Bracketed numbers denote number of cells per particular battery.
Prismatic Cells
Prismatic cells contribute to a major portion of our revenue. Our prismatic cells are contained in metal casing made of aluminum. Aluminum-case cells generally are suited for use in batteries included in OEM cellular phones as well as many other small applications. At the request of customers that order prismatic battery packs, we assemble our prismatic cells into battery packs in our Shenzhen facility or engage battery pack manufacturers to assemble our cells into batteries for a fee, and then sell battery packs to these customers for the replacement market. OEMs with whom we have no contractual relationship may also purchase our battery cells from battery pack manufacturers. Our prismatic cells deliver above average gross margins.
Cylindrical Cells
Cylindrical cells are generally used for notebook computers, portable DVD players, digital cameras, and camcorders. One notebook computer battery typically contains at least a group of six cylindrical cells working together in a coordinated manner, so the failure of only one cell will affect the performance of the entire battery. Accordingly, cylindrical cells for notebook computers require a higher uniformity than prismatic cells. As of September 30, 2011, four major OEM notebook computer manufacturers had determined that our cylindrical lithium-ion cells met their stringent performance and reliability requirements, and accepted us into their approved vendor list. We have also been actively pursuing domestic tier-one OEM notebook computer manufacturers as our customers.
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, we entered into a strategic cooperation program for electric vehicle development with Hua-chuang Automobile Information Technical Center Co., Ltd., or HAITEC, a subsidiary of Yulon Group, Taiwan’s largest automaker. In October 2011, we initiated shipments of cylindrical cells to HAITEC to power its pure electric vehicles. In June 2011, we shipped our cylindrical cells to power a set of pure electric vehicles built by Dongfeng Yulon Motor Co. Ltd., or Dongfeng-Yulon, a joint venture between Yulon Group and major Chinese automaker Dongfeng Group, and delivered to the public transportation authority of the city of Hangzhou, China.
In late September 2011, we launched our first single battery and first battery module. Both products have a capacity of 100Ah. The single battery consists of one large cell, and the battery module consists of 18650-type cells. These products are for use in electric vehicles.
Our cylindrical cells deliver above average gross margins. We expect our cylindrical batteries for electric vehicles to continue to grow as a result of growing market recognition of our high quality products and technical capability.
Lithium Polymer Cells
In September 2005, we began producing and shipping lithium polymer battery cells. Our lithium polymer cells do not have a hard metal casing but rather a flexible, pouch-like container, thereby enabling flexible designs and customizations. Lithium polymer cells have expanded our reach to high-end cellular phones, Bluetooth headsets and PDAs, and will also allow us to capture the growth opportunities presented by new electronic applications. During the past fiscal year, we have been actively expanding applications of lithium polymer cells to smartphone, tablet computer and e-book reader batteries. During fiscal year 2011, we supplied lithium polymer cells to major Chinese smartphone brands such as Coolpad and major Chinese notebook computer manufacturers for use in tablet computers including aigo Digital Technology Co. Ltd, or aigo, and Hanvon Technology Co., Ltd., or Hanvon. We believe that through these and similar developments we will generate additional revenue and increase market share as the demand for smartphones, e-book readers and tablet computers has been increasing. Lithium polymer cells currently deliver below average gross margins. However, this product is in its growth stage and presents attractive growth potential for the reasons noted above.
High-power Lithium Battery Cells
The use of new materials have enabled the configuration of high-power lithium battery cells to contain much higher energy density and higher voltage and have a longer life cycle and shorter charge time than other types of lithium-based batteries. These special attributes, coupled with intrinsic safety features, are suitable for batteries used for high-power applications. Our Tianjin facility is capable of producing high-power lithium battery cells for electric bicycles, electric cars, electric buses, hybrid electric vehicles, light electric vehicles, UPS, cordless power tools, and other applications. This facility has received positive market feedback to samples of its high-power lithium battery cells. In that connection, during the past fiscal year, we received orders to provide high-power lithium battery cells made at our Tianjin facility from major electric bicycle manufacturers including Geoby Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd., or Geoby, XDS Shenzhen Xidesheng Bicycle Co., Ltd., or XDS Shenzhen, and Suzhou Noah Electric Bicycle Co., Ltd, or Suzhou Noah, and automobile manufacturers such as Chery Automobile Co. Ltd., or Chery, and First Automobile Group Co., Ltd., or Faw. We believe that we will increase our revenue and market share as we gradually increase our high-power cells production as the demand for these cells has been increasing.
The nexus for our research, development, and production of our high-power lithium battery cells is our facility in Tianjin, China. The primary reasons for our continuing investments in the facilities in Tianjin are to realize the benefits of our prior investment in these facilities, to position the Company to capitalize on our knowledge of and experience with established markets for lithium technology, such as electric bicycles and cordless power tools, and to penetrate emerging consuming markets for this technology, such as electric cars, electric buses, light electric vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles. Further, we expect interest in electric cars, electric buses, light electric vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles to substantially increase demand for our rechargeable lithium-based batteries. We have therefore been engaged in the research and development of lithium cells specifically for use in light electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. High-power lithium battery cells currently deliver below average gross margins. However, this product is in its growth stage and present attractive growth potential for the reasons noted above.
Revenue by Product
Historically, we have derived most of our revenues from prismatic cells. As we expand our production capacity and add new product lines in response to evolving market demands, we have derived and will continue to derive an increasing portion of our revenues from our other product lines. The following table sets forth the breakdown of our net revenues by each battery cell type that contributed to at least 10% of our revenues during any of the last three fiscal years.
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(1) Production of steel-case cells was discontinued in January 2009.
Key Rechargeable Battery Applications
End-product applications that are driving the demand for rechargeable lithium-based batteries include cellular phones, notebook computers, portable consumer electronics, cordless power tools, UPS, and electric bicycles. We also expect interest in electric cars, electric buses, light electric vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles to substantially increase demand for rechargeable lithium-based batteries.
Cellular Phones
Cellular phone battery cells currently use lithium-based batteries as they allow for a smaller and more flexible form and longer battery life.
Demand for batteries for cellular phones is driven by two factors. The first is the sale of new cellular phones. An OEM of cellular phones includes a battery with a new cellular phone. There is also a replacement market for cellular phone batteries. Demand in the replacement market is in turn driven by a number of factors. Often a consumer will purchase a second battery to carry as a spare. In addition, lithium-ion batteries have a finite life, so over time consumers will need to purchase a battery to replace the failed battery in their phone. As the number of active cellular phone subscribers increases, the number of replacement batteries sold increases. A market characteristic unique to the Chinese cellular phone market is that cell phones are often sold and resold during their useful life. Over time these cell phones require a replacement battery. Our customers for cellular phone battery cells fall into two categories:
OEM: The OEMs manufacture mobile phone handsets. They purchase batteries to support their production of new cellular phones. They also purchase batteries to serve the replacement market which they sell under their own brand name. OEMs either purchase these battery cells directly from us or they purchase them from battery pack manufacturers that have packaged them according to the OEMs’ specifications.
Independent Battery Manufacturers: These third-party manufacturers compete against the OEMs for a share of the replacement market. They typically sell their products under their own brand name or a private label.
Notebook Computers
Notebook computer sales are forecast to grow further in coming years due to increasingly mobile workforces and the improved power and functionality of notebook computers. Due to their substantial power requirements and larger size relative to other portable electronic devices, notebook computers have in the past typically utilized nickel metal hydride batteries. However, over the last ten years, lithium-based batteries have almost completely replaced nickel metal hydride batteries due to the increasing power of lithium-based batteries and demand for smaller lighter notebook computers. We believe that we are the largest notebook computer battery cell manufacturer in China and that there currently are no other significant Chinese manufacturers in the notebook computer battery market.
Power Tools
Power tools such as drills, saws and grinders are used for both commercial and personal use. Due to high power requirements, many power tools have historically used small combustion engines, used heavier nickel metal hydride batteries or relied on external power sources. Manufacturers of power tools, such as Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., the Bosch Group, Metabowerke GmbH and Rigid Tool Company have begun to use lithium-ion technology. The market for portable high-powered power tools is rapidly growing and has prompted many users, both commercial and personal, to replace or upgrade their current power tools.
Portable Consumer Electronics
This category includes digital audio players (such as MP3/MP4 players), digital still cameras, digital video cameras, portable DVD players, PDAs, smartphones such as the Coolpad (a major Chinese brand), portable gaming systems, and Bluetooth devices. There is a trend to use lithium-based batteries in portable consumer electronics (both rechargeable and non-rechargeable) due to a desire for smaller, longer-lasting devices.
Electric Vehicles
An electric vehicle, sometimes referred to as an electric drive vehicle, uses one or more electric motors for propulsion. Electric vehicles include electric cars, electric buses, electric trains, electric lorries, electric airplanes, electric boats, electric motorcycles, scooters and other light electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and electric spacecraft. Electric cars and electric buses are propelled by one or more electric motors powered by rechargeable battery packs. Electric cars and buses have the potential to significantly reduce city pollution by having zero tail pipe emissions. Electric cars and buses are also expected to have less dependence on oil. World governments are pledging significant funds to fund the development of electric vehicles and their components due in part to these advantages. Due to these factors and a lithium battery’s relatively environmentally-friendly, light-weight and high-capacity features, the demand for lithium batteries in the field of electric cars and buses is increasing.
Due to such recent trends as renewed concerns relating to the availability and price of oil, increased legal fuel-efficiency requirements and incentives, and heightened interest in environmentally-friendly or “green” technologies, light electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles are likely to continue to attract substantial interest from vehicle manufacturers and consumers. Light electric vehicles include bicycles, scooters, and motorcycles, with rechargeable electric motors. Due to their relatively small size and light design, approximately 10-150 high-power lithium cells can be used to power light electric vehicles. Hybrid electric vehicles include automobiles, trucks, buses, and other vehicles that combine a conventional propulsion system with a rechargeable energy storage system to achieve better fuel economy than conventional vehicles. As these vehicles tend to be large and heavy, their rechargeable energy storage system generally consists of a large quantity of rechargeable high-power lithium cells.
Uninterruptible Power Supplies
A UPS provides emergency power from a separate source when utility power is not available. The most common type of battery used in UPS is Sealed Lead-Acid, however, due to the lithium battery’s relatively small size, light design and environmentally-friendly features, the demand for lithium batteries in this industry is increasing.
Sales and Marketing
We have built an extensive sales and service network in China, highlighted by our strong presence in China’s economically prosperous coastal regions where we generate a significant portion of our sales. We have representative offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Fuzhou, and Taiwan, targeting our key customers. Our marketing department at headquarters is responsible for our marketing efforts in the PRC, and our sales staff in these representative offices conducts sales and provides post-sales services to brand owners and pack manufacturers in each designated area. We offer different price incentives to encourage large-volume and long-term customers. We have established subsidiaries in Germany and India, where our sales representatives market and sell our products and also provide after-sale services. In August 2008, we hired North America sales representatives based in Austin, Texas and Vancouver, British Columbia to better serve the North America market by bringing us into closer communications with our customers and prospects in the United States and Canada. As we expand our business, our sales and marketing staff has increased to more than one hundred, most of whom are professional salespersons and technicians.
Our sales staff works closely with our customers to understand their needs and provide feedback to us so that we can better address their needs and improve the quality and features of our products.
We engage in marketing activities such as attending industry-specific conferences and exhibitions to promote our products and brand name. We believe these activities are conducive in promoting our products and brand name among key industry participants.
Suppliers
We have built a comprehensive supply chain of materials and equipment. The primary raw materials used in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries include electrode materials, cases and caps, foils, electrolyte and separator. Cost of these raw materials is a key factor in pricing our products. We believe that there is an ample supply of most of the raw materials we need in China. We are seeking to identify alternative raw material suppliers to the extent there are viable alternatives and to expand our use of alternative raw materials. We have also restructured our operations in an effort to streamline corporate resources and improve internal efficiency, with a particular focus on manufacturing and sales. To ensure the quality of our suppliers, we use only those suppliers who have demonstrated quality control and reliability.
We aim to maintain multiple supply sources for each of our key raw materials to ensure that supply problems with any one supplier will not materially disrupt our operations. In addition, we strive to develop strategic relationships with new suppliers to secure a stable supply of materials and introduce competition in our supply chain, thereby increasing our ability to negotiate better pricing and reducing our exposure to possible price fluctuations.
Our economies of scale enable us to purchase materials in large volumes, offering us leverage to secure better pricing, and to a lesser degree, increasing the extent to which our suppliers rely on our purchase orders. We believe this relationship of mutual reliance will enable us to reduce our exposure to possible price fluctuations. For example, we have entered into a volume purchase agreement with some of our major suppliers, such as CITIC Guoan Information Industry Company Limited, from whom we purchase cathode material and lithium cobalt dioxide, one of the key materials for battery cells.
As of September 30, 2011, our key raw material suppliers were as follows:
We source our manufacturing equipment both locally and from overseas, based on consideration of their cost and function. As of September 30, 2011, we purchased our key equipment from the following suppliers:
Intellectual Property
We rely on a combination of patents, trade secrets, and employee non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements to protect our intellectual property rights. As of September 30, 2011, we have registered 73 trademarks in the PRC, including BAK in both English and in Chinese characters as well as our logo, and have registered 36 trademarks in the United States, European Union, Korea, Russia, Taiwan, India, Canada and Hong Kong. We have registered the following Internet and WAP domain name: www.bak.com.cn. As of September 30, 2011, we have registered 417 patents in the PRC and other countries relating to battery cell materials, design and manufacturing processes, and we had 706 pending patent applications filed in the PRC and 168 in other countries.
We also have unpatented proprietary technologies for our product offerings and key stages of the manufacturing process. Our management and key technical personnel have entered into agreements requiring them to keep confidential all information relating to our customers, methods, business and trade secrets during their terms of employment with us and thereafter and to assign to us their inventions, technologies and designs they develop during their term of employment with us.
We have institutionalized our efforts to safeguard our intellectual property rights by establishing an internal department that includes professionals such as attorneys, engineers, information managers and archives managers responsible for handling matters relating to our intellectual property rights. We have published internally a series of rules to protect our intellectual property rights.
Seasonality
Historically, our revenues were not materially impacted by seasonal variations. During the first several years of our operation, manufacturing capacities fell short of customer demands. As such, seasonality was minimal. Since we increased our manufacturing capacities, our revenues are now affected by seasonal variations in customer demand. We expect to experience seasonal lows in the demand for our products during the months of April to July, reflecting our customers’ decreased purchases. On the other hand, we will generally experience seasonal peaks during the months of September to March, primarily as a result of increased purchases from our customers. Also, at various times during the year, our inventories may be increased in anticipation of increased demand for consumer electronics. The months of October and February tend to be seasonally low sales months due to plant closures for national holidays and the Chinese New Year in the PRC.
Customers
A small number of prismatic cell customers have historically accounted for a substantial portion of our revenue. In the year ended September 30, 2011, our top five and top ten customers in aggregate contributed to approximately 26.0% and 35.5% of our revenue, respectively. As we expand our product portfolio and target new market segments, our customer composition as well as the identity and concentration of our top customers are expected to change from period to period. Currently, we are actively investigating demand for, and pursuing opportunities in, other product lines, including UPS, electric vehicles (including electric bicycles), e-readers, smartphones, and tablet computers.
Prismatic Cells. Since the beginning of the last fiscal year, we have continued to primarily sell our prismatic cells to the OEM market and replacement market for cellular phones. We often sell our prismatic cells to battery pack manufacturers certified by cellular phone brand owners, which will pack our cells into branded batteries and sell them to the brand owner. Cellular phone brand owners and replacement market customers also sometimes directly place orders with us. For these orders, we assemble our prismatic cells into batteries by using our own packing lines or engage battery pack manufacturers to assemble our cells into batteries for a fee, and then arrange to deliver the batteries to the OEM brand owners and replacement market.
Our customers for prismatic cells used for cellular phones in the OEM market and replacement market include the following leading China-based battery pack manufacturers:
Jiangsu Huatiantong Technology Co., Ltd.
SCUD (Fujian) Electronics Co., Ltd.
Beijing Benywave Technology Ltd.
Cylindrical Cells. Since the beginning of the last fiscal year, we have continued to be a mass producer of cylindrical cells used for notebook computers and custom-ordered products used for electric vehicles. During the past fiscal year, we continued to supply our cylindrical cells to Taiwanese packing companies for use by major OEM notebook computer manufacturers after we were accepted into their approved vendor list. Due to pricing pressure from notebook battery competitors, we focused the expansion of applications of our cylindrical cells to electric vehicles. In June 2011, our Shenzhen facility supplied cylindrical battery cells to HAITEC to power pure electric vehicles built by Dongfeng-Yulon, a joint venture between Taiwan’s largest automaker, Yulon Group, and major Chinese automaker Dongfeng Group, which were delivered to the public transportation authority of the city of Hangzhou, China. In September 2011, we entered into a strategic cooperation program for electric vehicle development with HAITEC, and have initiated shipment to HAITEC since October 2011 under this program.
High-power Lithium Battery Cells. We began commercial production of lithium battery cells in October 2005 for use in cordless power tools. In December 2006, our subsidiary BAK Tianjin was incorporated to focus on the R&D, manufacturing and distribution of high-power lithium battery cells. In October 2008, construction of its first high-power, lithium battery cells production line was completed and it commenced trial production. Our Tianjin facility is now capable of producing high-power lithium battery cells for electric bicycles, UPS, and other applications in addition to those mentioned above. This facility has received positive market feedback to samples of its high-power lithium battery cells. In that connection, during the past fiscal year, we received orders from major Chinese electric bicycle manufacturers such as Geoby, XDS Shenzhen and Suzhou Noah, and automobile manufacturers such as Chery and Faw to provide high-power lithium battery cells made at our Tianjin facility. We believe that we will increase our revenue and market share as we gradually increase our high-power cells production as the demand for these cells has been increasing.
Lithium Polymer. Since the beginning of the last fiscal year, we continued to sell our lithium polymer cells primarily to certain pack manufacturers, which pack our cells and sell the final products. Most of our polymer cells have been sold to pack manufacturers for the OEM market. During the last fiscal year, we continued to actively expand applications of lithium polymer cells to the smartphone battery and tablet computer battery market. During fiscal year 2011, we received orders from smartphone OEM manufacturer Yulong Computer Telecommunication Scientific (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., owner of the Coolpad brand, and from tablet computer manufacturers including aigo and Hanvon. We believe that we will generate additional revenue and increase market share as the demand for these cells has been increasing.
Geography of Sales
We sell our products domestically and internationally. The following table sets forth certain information relating to our total revenues by location of our customers for the periods indicated.
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* Includes the Middle East, Italy, Germany, and Turkey.
For our international sales, we sell our products directly to distributors, as well as pack manufacturers in these countries and territories. If we receive orders from distributors for batteries rather than cells, we engage pack manufacturers in China to assemble our cells into batteries for a fee or, for prismatic battery orders, assemble them into battery packs at our Shenzhen facility, and then arrange to deliver the batteries to fulfill the orders.
Competition
We face intense competition from battery cell makers in China, as well as in Korea and Japan for each of our product types. The following table sets forth our major competitors based on product type as of September 30, 2011:
We believe that we are able to leverage our low-cost advantage to compete favorably with our competitors. Compared to Korean and Japanese cell makers, we are able to source our needs for skilled labor and raw materials locally and economically. Our substantially expanded production capacity has translated into greater purchasing power, thereby helping us negotiate lower purchase prices for materials. Furthermore, our strong proprietary technologies and use of a combination of manual labor and automation at the key stages of the manufacturing process enable us to enhance our production efficiency, resulting in further reduction in cost, while ensuring high uniformity and high-quality standards.
Research and Development
We have established an advanced R&D center. To enhance our product quality, reduce costs, and keep up with technological advances and evolving market trends, our R&D center focuses on advancement in technologies relating to new materials and new cells with prospects for use in new end application markets, such as electric cars, electric buses, hybrid electric vehicles, light electric vehicles, electric bicycles, and UPS.
Our in-house R&D team consists of 170 researchers and scientists, led by Dr. Huanyu Mao, our chief technology officer, who pioneered core technologies in lithium-ion batteries since their introduction in 1992 and was the inventor under seven U.S. patents related to lithium-ion technology. In December 2006, we also established a wholly-owned subsidiary, BAK Canada, to focus on the research and development of lithium-ion batteries. It comprises a group of experts led by Mr. Kenneth G. Broom, our chief operating officer, who brings over 25 years of li-ion battery industry working experience. Our strong R&D capabilities have enabled us to obtain various government-sponsored R&D grants. We are accredited as a “new and high-technology company” in Shenzhen, entitling us to enjoy preferential tax treatment and other government incentive grants and subsidies. Furthermore, we collaborate with a number of reputable research institutes and science and technology universities in China, allowing us to capitalize on their R&D results economically.
In December 2006, BAK Tianjin was incorporated to focus on research and development, manufacturing and distribution of high-power lithium battery cells. In October 2008, our Tianjin facility completed construction of its first high-power lithium cells production line, and initiated trial production of high-power lithium cells. Our Tianjin facility is now capable of producing high-power lithium cells for electric bicycles, UPS, and other applications in addition to those mentioned above. This facility has received positive market feedback to samples of its high-power lithium cells. Moreover, this facility’s “Electric Vehicles Lithium-phosphate Power Battery Industrialization Project” was accepted into the PRC’s National High Technology Research and Development Program, or “National 863 Program,” by the PRC’s Ministry of Science and Technology. In that connection, we sent battery cell samples made at our Tianjin facility for light electric vehicles to customers and to manufacturing partners in the National 863 program. We received positive market feedback to these samples. We believe that we will generate additional revenue and increase market share as we gradually increase our high-power cells production as the demand for these cells has been increasing.
From December 2009 to June 2011, our BAK Canada facility researched and developed cylindrical battery cells for electric vehicles for use by HAITEC under our strategic cooperation program for electric vehicles to power Dongfeng-Yulon’s pure electric vehicles that were delivered to the public transportation authority of the city of Hangzhou, China. The batteries were produced and supplied by our Shenzhen facility. In addition, in late September 2011, we launched our first single battery and first battery module; both products were developed internally. Both products have a capacity of 100Ah. The single battery consists of one large cell and the battery module consists of a number of 18650-type cells. These products are for use in electric vehicles.
During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009, our expenditures for research and development activities consisted of $7.3 million, $7.4 million and $5.6 million, respectively, or 3.3%, 3.4% and 2.7% of net revenues.
Environmental Compliance
As we conduct our manufacturing activities in China, we are subject to the requirements of PRC environmental laws and regulations on air emission, waste water discharge, solid waste and noise. The major environmental regulations applicable to us include the PRC Environmental Protection Law, the PRC Law on the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution and its Implementation Rules, the PRC Law on the Prevention and Control of Air Pollution and its Implementation Rules, the PRC Law on the Prevention and Control of Solid Waste Pollution, and the PRC Law on the Prevention and Control of Noise Pollution. We aim to comply with environmental laws and regulations and have passed ISO14001 certification for environmental practices. We have built environmental treatment facilities concurrently with construction of our manufacturing facilities, where waste air, waste water and waste solids we generate can be treated in accordance with the relevant requirements. We also outsource disposal of solid waste we generate to a third party contractor. Certain key materials used in manufacturing, such as cobalt dioxide, electrolyte and separators, have proven innocuous to worker’s health and safety as well as the environment. We are not subject to any admonitions, penalties, investigations or inquiries imposed by the environmental regulators, nor are we subject to any claims or legal proceedings to which we are named as defendant for violation of any environmental law or regulation. We do not have any reasonable basis to believe that there is any threatened claim, action or legal proceedings against us that would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Employees
We had a total of approximately 5,000 employees as of September 30, 2011.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
Our current executive officers are as follows:
Xiangqian Li has served as the Chairman of our Board, our President and Chief Executive Officer since January 20, 2005. He has been a director of BAK International Limited, our Hong Kong incorporated subsidiary, since November 2004. Mr. Li is the founder and has served as the Chairman of the Board of Shenzhen BAK, our wholly owned subsidiary, since its inception in August 2001, and served as Shenzhen BAK’s General Manager since December 2003. From June 2001 to June 2003, Mr. Li was the chairman of Huaran Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC-incorporated company engaged in the car audio business. Mr. Li received a bachelor’s degree in thermal energy and power engineering from the Lanzhou Railway Institute, China and a doctorate degree in quantitative economics from Jilin University in China.
Huanyu Mao has served as a director of the Company since May 12, 2006. He has also served as our Chief Technology Officer since January 20, 2005 and as our Chief Operating Officer from June 30, 2005 to February 24, 2009. Dr. Mao has served as the General Manager of BAK Tianjin since January 4, 2009. Dr. Mao has been the chief scientist of Shenzhen BAK since September 2004. Prior to joining us, between 1997 and September 2004, Dr. Mao was the chief technology officer of Tianjin Lishen, a leading battery manufacturer in China. Dr. Mao pioneered core technologies on lithium-ion battery before its commercialization in 1992 and was the inventor under seven U.S. patents relating to lithium-ion technology. Dr. Mao received a doctorate degree in electrochemistry from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada where he focused on conductive polymers.
Ke Marcus Cui was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer as of May 26, 2011 and has served as our Interim Chief Financial Officer since December 10, 2010. Previously, he had been employed as our Director of Investor Relations since September 2010. He has also served as the Finance Director of BAK Tianjin from December 2009 to the present. Prior to that, from August 2008 to November 2009, he served as marketing and sales director of BAK Tianjin. From May 2007 to July 2008, Mr. Cui served as assistant to the general manager of BAK Tianjin. In addition, from March 2006 to April 2007, he acted as Investor Relations Director of Shenzhen BAK. Previous to that, he worked in Japan for Nomura Institute of Capital Market Research as assistant researcher from May 2005 to February 2006. Mr. Cui holds Bachelor of Science degrees of project management and economic information management from Chiba University of Japan and Jilin University, respectively, and a Master’s degree on international financial analysis from University of Newcastle England. Mr. Cui is trilingual in Mandarin, English and Japanese.
Kenneth G. Broom has served as our Chief Operating Officer since February 24, 2009. Prior to that, he served as vice president of international OEM Business from October 1, 2007 to February 24, 2009. From January 2007 to September 2007, he worked as Executive Vice President for BAK Canada. Prior to joining us, Mr. Broom served as executive vice president of E-One Moli Energy (Canada) Limited (“E-One”), the only high volume manufacturer of cylindrical lithium-ion rechargeable cells in North America, from 2003 to 2007. He was also General Manager of Operations of E-One from 1992 to 2003; while in this role, he managed equipment and product design. He is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of B.C. Mr. Broom received a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Waterloo.
Available Information
Our internet website is at http://www.bak.com.cn/. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, including exhibits, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, and other public filings with the SEC, are available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such filings are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Copies of these filings may also be obtained free of charge by sending written requests to our Secretary, BAK Industrial Park, No. 1 BAK Street, Kuichong Town, Longgang District, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China, attention Corporate Secretary. The information posted on our website is not part of this or any other report we file with or furnish with the SEC. Investors can also read and copy any materials filed by us with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room which is located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Information about the operation of the Public Reference Room can be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our filings can also be accessed at the SEC’s internet website: www.sec.gov.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
If the trading price of our common shares fails to comply with the continued listing requirements of The NASDAQ Global Market, we would face possible delisting, which would result in a limited public market for our common stock and make obtaining future debt or equity financing more difficult for us.
Companies listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market, or NASDAQ, are subject to delisting for, among other things, failure to maintain a minimum closing bid price per share of $1.00 for 30 consecutive business days. On October 24, 2011, we received a letter from NASDAQ indicating that for the last 30 consecutive business days, the bid price of our common stock closed below the minimum $1.00 per share requirement pursuant to NASDAQ Listing Rule 5450(a)(1) for continued inclusion on The NASDAQ Global Market. In accordance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), we have an initial grace period of 180 calendar days, or until April 23, 2012, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement. We cannot be sure that our share price will comply with the requirements for continued listing of our common stock on The NASDAQ Global Market in the future. If our common stock loses its status on The NASDAQ Global Market and we are not successful in obtaining a listing on The NASDAQ Capital Market, our common stock would likely trade in the over-the-counter market. If our shares were to trade on the over-the-counter market, selling our common stock could be more difficult because smaller quantities of shares would likely be bought and sold, transactions could be delayed, and security analysts’ coverage of us may be reduced. In addition, in the event our common stock is delisted, broker-dealers have certain regulatory burdens imposed upon them, which may discourage broker-dealers from effecting transactions in our common stock, further limiting the liquidity of our common stock. These factors could result in lower prices and larger spreads in the bid and ask prices for our common stock. Such delisting from The NASDAQ Global Market and continued or further declines in our share price could also greatly impair our ability to raise additional necessary capital through equity or debt financing, and could significantly increase the ownership dilution to shareholders caused by our issuing equity in financing or other transactions.
Our independent registered auditors have expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
Our audited consolidated financial statements included in this report include an explanatory paragraph that indicates that they were prepared assuming that we would continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included with this report, we had a working capital deficiency, accumulated deficit from recurring net losses incurred for the current and prior years as at September 30, 2011 and significant short-term debt obligations maturing in less than one year. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans regarding these matters also are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included with this report and under Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Overview”. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
We face risks related to general domestic and global economic conditions and to the recent credit crisis.
We currently generate sufficient operating cash flows, which combined with access to the credit markets, provides us with significant discretionary funding capacity. However, the current uncertainty arising out of domestic and global economic conditions, including the recent disruption in credit markets, poses a risk to the economies in which we operate that has impacted demand for our products and services, and may impact our ability to manage normal relationships with our customers, suppliers and creditors. If the current situation deteriorates significantly, our business could be materially negatively impacted, including such areas as reduced demand for our products and services from a slow-down in the general economy, or supplier or customer disruptions resulting from tighter credit markets. In addition, terrorist activities may cause unpredictable or unfavorable economic conditions and could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s operating results and financial condition.
We are primarily dependent on sales of lithium-ion battery cells for the cellular phone battery replacement market. A reduction in the demand for lithium-ion battery cells that we sell for this market would cause our overall revenue to decline.
We have derived a major portion of revenues to date from sales of our lithium-ion battery cells for the cellular phone battery replacement market. While we have diversified our revenue sources by expanding to the global cellular phone OEM market, portable electronic device markets, notebook computers and high-power electrical appliance markets, we expect that sales of battery cells used for the cellular phone battery replacement market will continue to comprise a significant portion of our revenues in the near future. Accordingly, any decrease in the demand for our battery cells in the replacement market resulting from success of competing products, slower than expected growth of sales in the replacement market or other adverse developments relating to the replacement market may materially and adversely affect our business and cause our overall revenue to decline. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, net revenues from our prismatic cells sold for the cellular phone battery replacement market were $94.4 million, or $18.2 million lower than net revenues from prismatic cells sold for the cellular phone battery replacement market for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 of $112.6 million. The decline of demand for replacement batteries was one of the primary reasons for the decline in revenue. In addition, our expansion to the global cellular phone battery OEM market and other markets may not increase our revenue to a level that would enable us to materially reduce our dependence on sales of battery cells for the cellular phone replacement market.
Our business depends on the growth in demand for portable electronic devices.
As the market demand for portable electronic devices is directly related to the demand for our products, a fast growing portable electronic device market will be critical to the success of our business. In anticipation of an expected increase in demand for portable electronic devices such as cellular phones, notebook computers and electric vehicles in the next few years, we have expanded our manufacturing capacity. However, the markets we have targeted, including those of the PRC, may not achieve the level of growth we expect. If this market fails to achieve our expected level of growth, we will have excess production capacity and may not be able to generate enough revenue to maintain our profitability.
If we cannot continue to develop new products in a timely manner, and at favorable margins, we may not be able to compete effectively.
The battery industry has been notable for the pace of innovations in product life, product design and applied technology. We and our competitors have made, and continue to make, investments in research and development with the goal of further innovation. The successful development and introduction of new products and line extensions face the uncertainty of customer acceptance and reaction from competitors, as well as the possibility of cannibalization of sales of our existing products. In addition, our ability to create new products and line extensions and to sustain existing products is affected by whether we can:
develop and fund research and technological innovations,
receive and maintain necessary intellectual property protections,
obtain governmental approvals and registrations,
comply with governmental regulations, and
anticipate customer needs and preferences successfully.
The failure to develop and launch successful new products could hinder the growth of our business and any delay in the development or launch of a new product could also compromise our competitive position. If competitors introduce new or enhanced products that significantly outperform our, or if they develop or apply manufacturing technology which permits them to manufacture at a significantly lower cost relative to ours, we may be unable to compete successfully in the market segments affected by these changes.
Our efforts to develop products for new commercial applications could fail.
Although we are involved with developing certain products for new commercial applications, we cannot provide assurance that acceptance of our products will occur due to the highly competitive nature of the business. There are many new product and technology entrants into the marketplace, and we must continually reassess the market segments in which our products can be successful and seek to engage customers in these segments that will adopt our products for use in their products. In addition, these companies must be successful with their products in their markets for us to gain increased business. Increased competition, failure to gain customer acceptance of products, the introduction of competitive technologies or failure of our customers in their markets could have a further adverse effect on our business. In particular, we have made significant investments to develop high-power lithium battery cells suitable for emerging technologies such as hybrid electric vehicles and light electric vehicles that have not yet resulted, and may never result, in significantly increasing our earnings.
Our future success depends on the success of manufacturers of the end applications that use our products.
As we expand to the battery markets for global OEM cellular phones, notebook computers, electric vehicles and other portable electronic devices, our future success depends on whether end-application manufacturers are willing to use batteries that incorporate our products. To secure acceptance of our products, we must constantly develop and introduce more reliable and cost-effective battery cells with enhanced functionality to meet evolving industry standards. Our failure to gain acceptance of our products from these manufacturers could materially and adversely affect our future success.
Even if a manufacturer decides to use batteries that incorporate our products, the manufacturer may not be able to market and sell its products successfully. The manufacturer’s inability to market and sell its products successfully, whether from lack of market acceptance or otherwise, could materially and adversely affect our business and prospects because this manufacturer may not order new products from us. If we cannot achieve the expected level of sales, we will not be able to make sufficient profits to offset the expenditures we have incurred to expand our production capacity, nor will we be able to grow our business. Accordingly, our business, financial condition, results of operations and future success would be materially and adversely affected.
We experience fluctuations in quarterly and annual operating results.
Our quarterly and annual operating results have fluctuated in the past and likely will fluctuate in the future. The demand for our products is driven largely by demand for the end-product applications that are powered by our products. Accordingly, the rechargeable battery industry is affected by market conditions that are often outside our control. Our results of operations may fluctuate significantly from period to period due to a number of factors, including seasonal variations in consumer demand for batteries and their end applications, capacity ramp up by competitors, industry-wide technological changes, the loss of a key customer and the postponement, rescheduling or cancellation of large orders by a key customer. As a result of these factors and other risks discussed in this section, period-to-period comparisons should not be relied upon to predict our future performance.
Our failure to keep up with rapid technological changes and evolving industry standards may cause our products to become obsolete and less marketable, resulting in loss of market share to our competitors.
The lithium-based battery market is characterized by changing technologies and evolving industry standards, which are difficult to predict. This, coupled with frequent introduction of new products and models, has shortened product life cycles and may render our products obsolete or unmarketable. Our ability to adapt to evolving industry standards and anticipate future standards will be a significant factor in maintaining and improving our competitive position and our prospects for growth. To achieve this goal, we have invested and plan to continue investing significant financial resources in our R&D infrastructure. R&D activities, however, are inherently uncertain, and we might encounter practical difficulties in commercializing our research results. Accordingly, our significant investment in our R&D infrastructure may not bear fruit. On the other hand, our competitors may improve their technologies or even achieve technological breakthroughs that would render our products obsolete or less marketable. Therefore, our failure to effectively keep up with rapid technological changes and evolving industry standards by introducing new and enhanced products may cause us to lose our market share and to suffer a decrease in our revenue.
A change in our product mix may cause our results of operations to differ substantially from the anticipated results in any particular period.
Our overall profitability may not meet expectations if our products, customers or geographic mix are substantially different than anticipated. Our profit margins vary among products, customers and geographic markets. Consequently, if our mix of any of these is substantially different from what is anticipated in any particular period, our profitability could be lower than anticipated.
We may not be able to manage our expansion of operations effectively.
We were established in August 2001 and have grown rapidly since. We are in the process of significantly expanding our business in order to meet the increasing demand for our products, as well as capture new market opportunities. As we continue to grow, we must continue to improve our operational and financial systems, procedures and controls, increase manufacturing capacity and output, and expand, train and manage our growing employee base. In order to fund our on-going operations and our future growth, we need to have sufficient internal sources of liquidity or access to additional financing from external sources. Furthermore, our management will be required to maintain and strengthen our relationships with our customers, suppliers and other third parties. As a result, our continued expansion has placed, and will continue to place, significant strains on our management personnel, systems and resources. We also will need to further strengthen our internal control and compliance functions to ensure that we will be able to comply with our legal and contractual obligations and minimize our operational and compliance risks. Our current and planned operations, personnel, systems, internal procedures and controls may not be adequate to support our future growth. If we are unable to manage our growth effectively, we may not be able to take advantage of market opportunities, execute our business strategies or respond to competitive pressures.
Any restructuring activities that we may undertake may not achieve the benefits anticipated and could result in additional unanticipated costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations.
We regularly evaluate our existing operations, production capacity and business efficiencies and, as a result of such evaluations, we may undertake restructuring activities within our businesses. These restructuring plans may involve higher costs or longer timetables than we anticipate and could result in substantial costs related to severance and other employee-related matters, litigation risks and expenses, and other costs. These restructuring activities may not result in improvements in future financial performance. If we are unable to realize the benefits of any restructuring activities or appropriately structure our businesses to meet market conditions, the restructuring activities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations.
We may not be able to substantially increase our manufacturing output in order to maintain our cost competitiveness.
We believe that our ability to provide cost-effective products is one of the most significant factors that contributed to our past success and will be essential for our future growth. We believe this is one of our competitive advantages over our Japanese and Korean competitors. In order to continue doing so, we will need to increase our manufacturing output to a level that will enable us to substantially reduce the cost of our products on a per unit basis through economies of scale. However, our ability to substantially increase our manufacturing output is subject to significant constraints and uncertainties, including:
the need to raise significant additional funds to purchase and prepay raw materials or to build additional manufacturing facilities, which we may be unable to obtain on reasonable terms or at all;
delays and cost overruns as a result of a number of factors, many of which may be beyond our control, such as increases in raw material prices and problems with equipment vendors;
delays or denial of required approvals by relevant government authorities;
diversion of significant management attention and other resources; and
failure to execute our expansion plan effectively.
If we are unable to increase our manufacturing output because of any of the risks described above, we may be unable to maintain our competitive position or achieve the growth we expect. Moreover, even if we expand our manufacturing output, we may not be able to generate sufficient customer demand for our products to support our increased production output.
Maintaining our manufacturing operations requires significant capital expenditures, and our inability or failure to maintain our operations would have a material adverse impact on our market share and ability to generate revenue.
We had capital expenditures of approximately $31.5 million and $23.2 million in fiscal years 2011 and 2010, respectively. We may incur significant additional capital expenditures as a result of unanticipated expenses, regulatory changes and other events that impact our business. If we are unable or fail to adequately maintain our manufacturing capacity or quality control processes, we could lose customers and there could be a material adverse impact on our market share and our ability to generate revenue.
We have been and most likely will continue to be subject to rapidly declining average selling prices, which may harm our revenue and gross profits.
Portable consumer electronics such as cellular phones and notebook computers are subject to rapid declines in average selling prices due to rapidly evolving technologies, industry standards and consumer preferences. As a result, manufacturers of these electronic devices expect us as suppliers to cut our costs and lower the price of our products in order to mitigate the negative impact on their own margins. We have reduced the price of our products in the past in order to meet market demand and expect to continue to face market-driven downward pricing pressures in the future. Our revenue and profitability will suffer if we are unable to offset any declines in our average selling prices by developing new or enhanced products with higher selling prices or gross profit margins, increasing our sales volumes or reducing our costs on a timely basis.
Our business depends substantially on the continuing efforts of our senior executives and other key personnel, and our business may be severely disrupted if we lost their services.
Our future success heavily depends on the continued service of our senior executives and other key employees. In particular, we rely on the expertise and experience of our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Mr. Xiangqian Li, our Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Huanyu Mao, our Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Ke Marcus Cui, and our Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Kenneth Broom. If one or more of our other senior executives are unable or unwilling to continue to work for us in their present positions, we may encounter similar problems, but on a compounded basis. Moreover, if any of our current or former senior executives joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we may lose customers, suppliers, know-how and key personnel. Each of our executive officers has entered into an employment agreement with us, which contains non-competition and confidentiality clauses. However, if any dispute arises between our current or former executive officers and the Company, it is hard to predict the extent to which any of these agreements could be enforced in China, where these executive officers reside (other than Mr. Broom, who resides in Canada), in light of the uncertainties with China’s legal system.
We have experienced significant management changes which could increase our control risks and have a material adverse effect on our ability to do business and our results of operations.
Since February 2009, we have had a number of changes in our senior management, including two changes in our Chief Financial Officer and the transfer of the position of Chief Operating Officer to a different executive officer. The magnitude of these past and expected changes and the short time interval in which they have occurred or are expected to occur, particularly during the ongoing economic and financial crisis, add to the risks of control failures, including a failure in the effective operation of our internal control over financial reporting or our disclosure controls and procedures. Control failures could result in material adverse effects on our financial condition and results of operations. It may take time for the new management team to become sufficiently familiar with our business and each other to effectively develop and implement our business strategies. This turnover of key management positions could further harm our financial performance and results of operations. Management attention may be diverted from regular business concerns by reorganizations.
We did not have effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2006 due to material weaknesses, which related primarily to the disclosure and presentation of financial information under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP. We have restated our consolidated financial statements for our fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2005 and our fiscal years ended September 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003, due to such weaknesses. We can make no assurances that additional material weaknesses will not be identified in the future. Any failure to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could result in material misstatements in our financial statements which could require us to restate financial statements, cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information and have a negative effect on our stock price.
In the course of the SEC’s review of registration statements on Form SB-2 (File Nos. 333-122209 and 333-130247), we restated our consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2004, our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, our consolidated statements of cash flows and our consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004, and also extended or modified certain notes to these consolidated financial statements. This restatement arose out of accounting errors relating to (1) misclassification of cash transactions, (2) incorrect charging to our statements of income and comprehensive income for fiscal 2003 and 2004 for the deficit attributable to 1,152,456 shares outstanding prior to our reverse acquisition on January 20, 2005, and (3) incorrect presentation of depreciation expenses in the statement of income and comprehensive income. The restatement resulted in an increase in net cash from financing activities, a decrease in the number of shares of common stock outstanding and a corresponding increase in paid-in capital, and a decrease in gross profit for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004 by $1,635,971, or approximately 11%.
In the course of the SEC review of the registration statements referred to above, we determined that beginning with fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2005, we would no longer be considered a “small business issuer.” We restated our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2005, our consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income and our consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended December 31, 2005 to reflect the prospective adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 123 (Revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” or SFAS 123(R), as superseded by SFAS No. 168 “The FASB Accounting Standards CodificationTM and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162”, or SFAS No. 168, now included in Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 718, relating to the accounting for stock-based compensation commencing in the first quarter of our fiscal year ending September 30, 2006. Pursuant to the restatement, we incurred an incremental share-based compensation expense of $711,512 in the quarter ended December 31, 2005. This restatement resulted in, among other things, a decrease in gross profit and net income per share for the first quarter of our fiscal year 2006.
As reported in the current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 4, 2006, we changed our independent registered public accounting firm from Schwartz Levitsky Feldman LLP to KPMG. We engaged KPMG on May 15, 2006 to audit our financial statements for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2003, 2004 and 2005. During the course of the audit, KPMG notified our accounting staff of misstatements in our previously reported financial statements for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2003, 2004 and 2005 that required correction relating to: (1) the overstatement of interest expense because of an error in the application of accounting principles relating to interest capitalization, and the related understatement of property, plant and equipment, construction in progress and depreciation expenses; (2) the incorrect charging to shareholders’ equity for fiscal year 2005 of the provision for staff and workers’ bonus and welfare fund instead of charging it to the statements of income and comprehensive income; (3) the overstatement of the provision for contributions to a social insurance plan because of a misinterpretation of the applicable PRC laws; (4) the understatement of our accumulated foreign-currency translation adjustment for fiscal year 2005 included in comprehensive income and overstatement of our additional paid-in capital due to a calculation error during consolidation; (5) other misstatements identified, which were individually not material, including amounts related to amortization of lease prepayments, prepayments and other receivables, accrued expenses and other payables, cost of revenues, general and administrative expenses, finance costs, other expenses, and certain cash flow items, and (6) the consequential understatements or overstatements of income tax expenses. The net restatement adjustments resulted in an increase in our net income and earnings per share in the relevant periods. For more detailed descriptions, see Item 9A. “Controls and Procedures” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006, or the 2006 Form 10-K.
Our management concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal control over financial reporting were not effective as of September 30, 2006, because of the material weaknesses that had been identified and described in Item 9A. “Controls and Procedures” of the 2006 Form 10-K. Our management also concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal control over financial reporting were not effective as of September 30, 2007, because of the material weaknesses that had been identified and described in Item 9A. “Controls and Procedures” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, or the 2007 Form 10-K. Management believed that some appropriate measures had been implemented to remediate these weaknesses during the fiscal year 2007, as described in Item 9A. “Controls and Procedures” of the 2007 Form 10-K. However, management concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal control over financial reporting were still not effective as of September 30, 2008, because of the material weaknesses that had been identified and described in Item 9A. “Controls and Procedures” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, or the 2008 Form 10-K. Management again concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal control over financial reporting were still not effective as of September 30, 2009, because of the material weaknesses that had been identified and described in Item 9A. “Controls and Procedures” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, or the 2009 Form 10-K. Investors are directed to Item 9A of the 2006 Form 10-K, the 2007 Form 10-K, the 2008 Form 10-K, and the 2009 Form 10-K for the description of the weaknesses identified for the corresponding fiscal year, and to Item 9A of the 2007 Form 10-K, Item 9A of the 2008 Form 10-K and Item 9A of the 2009 10-K for the description of the remediation measures that had been implemented during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2007, September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2009, respectively.
As disclosed in our current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 3, 2007, as amended on April 11, 2007 and April 17, 2007, on March 28, 2007 we dismissed KPMG as our independent registered public accounting firm and appointed PKF Hong Kong (“PKF”), a member firm of the PKF International Limited network of legally independent firms as our independent registered public accounting firm, in each case effective April 1, 2007.
We can make no assurances that material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting will not be identified in the future. Any failure to maintain or implement required new or improved controls, or any difficulties we encounter in their implementation, could result in additional significant deficiencies or material weaknesses, cause us to fail to meet our periodic reporting obligations or result in material misstatements in our financial statements. Any such failure could adversely affect the results of periodic management evaluations and annual auditor attestation reports regarding the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting that are required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The existence of a material weakness could result in errors in our financial statements that could result in another restatement of financial statements, cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations and cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, leading to a decline in our stock price.
We are dependent on a limited number of customers for a significant portion of our revenues and this dependence is likely to continue.
We have been dependent on a limited number of customers for a significant portion of our revenue. Our top five customers accounted for approximately 26.0%, 20.7% and 27.9% of our revenues in the years ended September 30, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. Dependence on a few customers could make it difficult to negotiate attractive prices for our products and could expose us to the risk of substantial losses if a single dominant customer stops purchasing our products. We expect that a limited number of customers will continue to contribute a significant portion of our sales in the near future. Our ability to maintain close relationships with these top customers is essential to the growth and profitability of our business. If we fail to sell our products to one or more of these top customers in any particular period, or if a large customer purchases fewer of our products, defers orders or fails to place additional orders with us, or if we fail to develop additional major customers, our revenue could decline, and our results of operations could be adversely affected. A small number of prismatic cell customers have historically accounted for a substantial portion of our revenues. As we expand our product portfolio and target new market segments, our customer composition as well as the identity and concentration of our top customers are expected to change from period to period. However, if we fail to find alternative sources of demand for our lithium-ion cells, our revenue may be substantially impacted.
We do not have long-term purchase commitments from our customers, which may result in significant uncertainties and volatility with respect to our revenue from period to period.
We do not have long-term purchase commitments from our customers and the term of our sales contracts with our customers is typically one year. Furthermore, these contracts leave certain major terms such as price and quantity of products open to be determined in each purchase order. These contracts also allow parties to re-adjust the contract price for substantial changes in market conditions. As a result, if our customers hold stronger bargaining power than us or the market conditions are in their favor, we may not be able to enjoy the price downside protection or upside gain. Furthermore, our customers may decide not to continue placing purchase orders with us in the future at the same level as in prior periods. As a result, our results of operations may vary from period to period and may fluctuate significantly in the future.
We may incur significant costs because of the warranties we supply with our products and services.
With respect to our battery products, we typically offer warranties against any defects due to product malfunction or workmanship for a period up to six-to-twelve months from the date of purchase. We provide a reserve for these potential warranty expenses, which is based on an analysis of historical warranty issues. There is no assurance that future warranty claims will be consistent with past history, and in the event we experience a significant increase in warranty claims, there is no assurance that our reserves will be sufficient. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may not be able to accurately plan our production based on our sales contracts, which may result in excess product inventory or product shortages.
Our sales contracts typically provide for a non-binding, three-month forecast on the quantity of products that our customers may purchase from us. We typically have only a 15-day lead time to manufacture products to meet our customers’ requirements once our customers place orders with us. To meet the short delivery deadline, we generally make significant decisions on our production level and timing, procurement, facility requirements, personnel needs and other resources requirements based on our estimate in light of this forecast, our past dealings with such customers, market conditions and other relevant factors. Our customers’ final purchase orders may not be consistent with our estimates. If the final purchase orders substantially differ from our estimates, we may have excess product inventory or product shortages. Excess product inventory could result in unprofitable sales or write-offs as our products are susceptible to obsolescence and price declines. Producing additional products to make up for any product shortages within a short time frame may be difficult, making us unable to fill out the purchase orders. In either case, our results of operation would fluctuate from period to period.
We may face impairment charges if economic environments in which our businesses operate and key economic and business assumptions substantially change.
A property, plant and equipment impairment charge of $6.5 million and $7.0 million was recognized for each of the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. During the course of our strategic review of our operations during the fiscal year 2011, we assessed the recoverability of the carrying value of certain property, plant and equipment as inflated by $6.5 million, which we wrote down in accordance with US GAAP. Assessment of the potential impairment of property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets is an integral part of our normal ongoing review of operations. Testing for potential impairment of long-lived assets is dependent on numerous assumptions and reflects our best estimates at a particular point in time, which may vary from testing date to testing date. The economic environments in which our businesses operate and key economic and business assumptions with respect to projected product selling prices and materials costs, market growth and inflation rates, can significantly affect the outcome of impairment tests. Estimates based on these assumptions may differ significantly from actual results. Changes in factors and assumptions used in assessing potential impairments can have a significant impact on both the existence and magnitude of impairments, as well as the time at which such impairments are recognized. Future changes in the economic environment and the economic outlook for the assets being evaluated could also result in impairment charges. Any significant asset impairments would adversely impact our financial results.
We depend on third parties to supply key raw materials and components to us. Failure to obtain a sufficient supply of these raw materials and components in a timely fashion and at reasonable costs could significantly delay our production and shipments, which would cause us to breach our sales contracts with our customers.
We purchase from Chinese domestic suppliers certain key raw materials and components such as electrolytes, electrode materials and import separators, a key component of battery cells from foreign countries. We purchase raw materials and components on the basis of purchase orders. In the absence of firm and long-term contracts, we may not be able to obtain sufficient supply of these raw materials and components from our existing suppliers or alternates in a timely fashion or at a reasonable cost. Our failure to secure a sufficient supply of key raw materials and components in a timely fashion would result in a significant delay in our production and shipments, which may cause us to breach our sales contracts with our customers. Furthermore, failure to obtain sufficient supply of these raw materials and components at a reasonable cost could also harm our revenue and gross profit margins.
Fluctuations in prices and availability of raw materials, particularly lithium cobalt dioxide, could increase our costs or cause delays in shipments, which would adversely impact our business and results of operations.
Our operating results could be adversely affected by increases in the cost of raw materials, particularly lithium cobalt dioxide, the primary cost component of our battery products, or other product parts or components. Lithium cobalt dioxide mainly consists of cobalt. Cobalt market prices averaged $34.90 per kilogram in fiscal year 2009, $31.20 per kilogram in fiscal year 2010 and $33.00 per kilogram in fiscal year 2011. The price of cobalt is not stable as most output of cobalt is conducted in unstable or developing countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and we cannot predict the price trend. If the price increases, it will negatively impact our financial results in years ahead. We historically have not been able to fully offset the effects of higher costs of raw materials through price increases to customers or by way of productivity improvements.
Fuel costs have increased significantly in recent months. Our results of operations could be adversely affected if we are unable to pass along price increases to address higher fuel costs related to the distribution of products from our warehouses and distribution centers to our customers.
A significant increase in the price of one or more raw materials, parts or components or the inability to successfully implement price increases / surcharges to mitigate such cost increases could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
We face intense competition from other battery cell manufacturers, many of which have significantly greater resources.
The market for battery cells used for portable electronic devices such as cellular phones is intensely competitive and is characterized by frequent technological changes and evolving industry standards. We expect competition to become more intense. Increased competition may result in decline in average selling prices, causing a decrease in gross profit margins. We have faced and will continue to face competition from manufacturers of traditional rechargeable battery cells, such as nickel-cadmium batteries, from manufacturers of rechargeable battery cells of more recent technologies, such as nickel-metal hydride and liquid electrolyte, other manufacturers of lithium-ion battery cells, as well as from companies engaged in the development of batteries incorporating new technologies. Other manufacturers of lithium-ion battery cells currently include Sony Corporation, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Panasonic), GS Group, NEC Corporation, Hitachi Ltd., LG Chemical Ltd., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., BYD Co. Ltd., Tianjin Lishen Battery Joint Stock Co., Ltd., Harbin Coslight Technology International Group Co., Ltd., Amperex Technology Limited and E-one Moli Energy (Canada) Limited.
Many of these existing competitors have greater financial, personnel, technical, manufacturing, marketing, sales and other resources than we do. As a result, these competitors may be in a stronger position to respond quickly to market opportunities, new or emerging technologies and evolving industry standards. Many of our competitors are developing a variety of battery technologies, such as lithium polymer and fuel cell batteries, which are expected to compete with our existing product lines. Other companies undertaking R&D activities of solid-polymer lithium-ion batteries have developed prototypes and are constructing commercial scale production facilities. It is possible that our competitors will be able to introduce new products with more desirable features than ours and their new products will gain market acceptance. If our competitors successfully do so, we may not be able to maintain our competitive position and our future success would be materially and adversely affected.
We depend on third-party battery pack manufacturers to incorporate our products into battery packs to make batteries ready for use in various portable consumer electronics. If these factories fail to properly assemble our products and battery packs, resulting in defective battery cells, our reputation could be severely damaged and our sales could be materially and adversely affected. Moreover, our battery technology may only be commercially viable as a component of other companies’ products, and these companies may choose not to include our systems in their products.
We manufacture only battery cells, the key component of a battery. Battery cells need to be incorporated into battery packs to constitute batteries ready for use in various portable consumer electronics. Some of our end application customers may ask us to designate certain third-party battery pack manufacturers to assemble our products into batteries. While assembly is a fairly straightforward process as it does not involve complex technologies, the batteries could malfunction unless assembled properly. If the battery pack manufacturers with whom we cooperate fail to assemble batteries properly and cause a large number of batteries to be defective due to reasons unrelated to the quality of our products, our reputation could be severely damaged. In addition, if these battery pack manufacturers are unable to assemble a sufficient number of batteries to meet the requirements of our end application customers and we cannot timely find qualified alternative battery pack manufacturers, our sales could be materially and adversely affected.
To be commercially viable, our batteries must be integrated in most cases into products manufactured by other companies. These other companies may not be able to manufacture appropriate products or, if they do manufacture such products, may choose not to use our technology. Any integration, design, manufacturing or marketing problems encountered by companies using our products could adversely affect the market for our products and our financial results. Any perceived problem while conducting demonstrations of our batteries could hurt our reputation and the reputation of our products, which could impede the development of our business.
We have demonstrated our battery technology in the past and we plan to conduct additional demonstrations in public and in private in the future. We also expect our customers to conduct field testing and pilot programs to evaluate products which utilize our technology. Although to date we have not experienced significant problems in demonstration or testing, future demonstrations and testing could encounter problems for a number of reasons, including the failure of our technology, the failure of the technology of others, the failure to combine these technologies properly and the failure to maintain and service the test systems properly. Many of these potential problems and delays are beyond our control. In addition, field test programs, by their nature, involve delays and modifications. Any problem or perceived problem with our field tests could hurt our reputation and the reputation of our products, which could impede the development of our business.
The success of our business depends on our ability to attract, train and retain highly skilled employees and key personnel.
Because of the highly specialized, technical nature of our business, we must attract, train and retain a sizable workforce comprising highly skilled employees and other key personnel. Since our industry is characterized by high demand and intense competition for talent, we may have to pay higher salaries and wages and provide greater benefits in order to attract and retain highly skilled employees or other key personnel that we will need to achieve our strategic objectives. As we are still a relatively young company and our business has grown rapidly, our ability to train and integrate new employees into our operations may not meet the requirements of our growing business. Our failure to attract, train or retain highly skilled employees and other key personnel in numbers that are sufficient to satisfy our needs would materially and adversely affect our business.
Manufacturing or use of our products may cause accidents, which could result in significant production interruption, delay or claims for substantial damages.
Due to the high energy density inherent in lithium-based batteries, our batteries can pose certain safety risks, including the risk of fire. Although we incorporate safety procedures in the research, development, manufacture and transportation of batteries that are designed to minimize safety risks, the manufacture or use of our products may still cause accidents. Any accident, whether occurring at the manufacturing facilities or from the use of our products, may result in significant production interruption, delays or claims for substantial damages caused by personal injuries or property damages.
We extend relatively long payment terms to some large customers.
As is customary in the industry in the PRC, we extend relatively long payment terms and provide generous return policies to some large customers. As a result of the size of many of our orders, these extended terms may adversely affect our cash flow and our ability to fund our operations out of our operating cash flow. In addition, although we attempt to establish appropriate reserves for our receivables, those reserves may not prove to be adequate in view of actual levels of bad debts. The failure of our customers to pay us timely would negatively affect our working capital, which could in turn adversely affect our cash flow.
Our customers often place large orders for products, requiring fast delivery, which impacts our working capital. If our customers do not incorporate our products into their products and sell them in a timely fashion, for example, due to excess inventories, sales slowdowns or other issues, they may not pay us in a timely fashion, even on our extended terms. Our customers’ failure to pay may force us to defer or delay further product orders, which may adversely affect our cash flows, sales or income in subsequent periods.
We manufacture and market lithium-based battery cells only. If a viable substitute product or chemistry emerges and gains market acceptance, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be materially and adversely affected.
We manufacture and market lithium-based battery cells only. As we believe that the market for lithium-based batteries has good growth potential, we have focused our R&D activities on exploring new chemistries and formulas to enhance our product quality and features while reducing cost. Some of our competitors are conducting R&D on alternative battery technologies, such as fuel cells. If any viable substitute product emerges and gains market acceptance because it has more enhanced features, more power, more attractive pricing, or better reliability, the market demand for our products may be reduced, and accordingly our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
We face risks associated with the marketing, distribution and sale of our products internationally, and if we are unable to effectively manage these risks, they could impair our ability to expand our business abroad.
In the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we derived 30.2% and 29.9% respectively of our sales from outside the PRC mainland. The marketing, international distribution and sale of our products expose us to a number of risks, including:
fluctuations in currency exchange rates;
difficulty in engaging and retaining distributors that are knowledgeable about, and can function effectively in, overseas markets;
increased costs associated with maintaining marketing efforts in various countries;
difficulty and cost relating to compliance with the different commercial and legal requirements of the overseas markets in which we offer our products;
inability to obtain, maintain or enforce intellectual property rights; and
trade barriers such as export requirements, tariffs, taxes and other restrictions and expenses, which could increase the prices of our products and make us less competitive in some countries.
Our cost reduction steps taken may have weakened our competitive position.
We have taken what we believe to be prudent measures during fiscal 2011 to reduce costs during the recent economic downturn to preserve our profitability. These steps have included reductions in advertising and promotional spending and overhead expenses. As a result, the visibility of our products has decreased during this period. Although we believe that such reductions have not harmed our business, no assurance can be given that our competitive position has not weakened. Further, if the economic downturn were to continue and result in further revenue pressures, we cannot assure you that we would be able to effect further cost reductions without resulting in such harm.
We rely on third parties whose operations are outside our control.
We rely on arrangements with third-party shippers and carriers such as independent shipping companies for timely delivery of our products to our customers. As a result, we may be subject to carrier disruptions and increased costs due to factors that are beyond our control, including labor strikes, inclement weather, natural disasters and rapidly increasing fuel costs. If the services of any of these third parties become unsatisfactory, we may experience delays in meeting our customers’ product demands and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement on a timely basis or on commercially reasonable terms. Any failure to deliver products to our customers in a timely and accurate manner may damage our reputation and could cause us to lose customers.
We also utilize third-party distributors and manufacturer’s representatives to sell, install and service certain of our products. While we are selective in whom we choose to represent us, it is difficult for us to ensure that our distributors and manufacturer’s representatives consistently act in accordance with the standards we set for them. To the extent any of our end-customers have negative experiences with any of our distributors or manufacturer’s representatives; it could reflect poorly on us and damage our reputation, thereby negatively impacting our financial results.
Defects in our products could result in a loss of customers and decrease in revenue, unexpected expenses and a loss of market share.
We have purchased certain product liability insurance from some PRC-based insurance companies to provide against any claims against us based on our product quality. If any of our products are found to have reliability, quality or compatibility problems, we will be required to accept returns, provide replacements, provide refunds, or pay damages. As our insurance policy imposes a ceiling for maximum coverage and high deductibles, we may not be able to obtain from our insurance policy a sufficient amount to compensate our customers for damages they suffered attributable to the quality of our products. Moreover, our insurance policy also excludes certain types of claims from its coverage, and if any of our customers’ claims against us falls into those exclusions, we would not receive any amount from our insurance policy at all. In either case, we may still be required to incur substantial amounts to indemnify our customers in respect of their product quality claims against us, which would materially and adversely affect the results of our operations and severely damage our reputation.
We may be exposed to infringement or misappropriation claims by third parties, which, if determined adversely to us, could cause our loss of significant rights and inability to continue providing our existing product offerings.
Our success also depends largely on our ability to use and develop our technology and know-how without infringing the intellectual property rights of third parties. The validity and scope of claims relating to lithium-ion battery technology patents involve complex scientific, legal and factual questions and analysis and, therefore, may be highly expensive and time-consuming. If there is a successful claim of infringement against us, we may be required to pay substantial damages to the party claiming infringement, develop non-infringing technologies or enter into royalty or license agreements that may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. Our failure to develop non-infringing technologies or license the proprietary rights on a timely basis would harm our business. Protracted litigation could result in our customers, or potential customers, deferring or limiting their purchase or use of our products until resolution of such litigation. Parties making the infringement claim may also obtain an injunction that can prevent us from selling our products or using technology that contains the allegedly infringing contents. Any intellectual property litigation could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation and financial condition.
Other future litigation could impact our financial results and condition.
Our business, results of operations and financial condition could be affected by other significant future litigation or claims adverse to us. Types of potential litigation cases include: product liability, contract, employment-related, labor relations, personal injury or property damage, intellectual property, stockholder claims and claims arising from any injury or damage to persons, property or the environment from hazardous substances used, generated or disposed of in the conduct of our business (or that of a predecessor to the extent we are not indemnified for those liabilities).
We may not be able to prevent others from unauthorized use of our intellectual property, or others may challenge our intellectual property rights, which could harm our business and competitive position.
We rely on a combination of patent, trademark and trade secret laws, as well as confidentiality agreements to protect our intellectual property rights. As of September 30, 2011, we owned 390 registered patents in PRC and 27 registered patents in other countries, and had 706 pending patent applications in PRC and 168 pending patent applications outside of PRC. We had 73 registered trademarks in PRC and 36 registered trademarks in the United States, European Union, Korea, Russia, Taiwan, Canada, India and Hong Kong that cover various categories of goods and services. We can make no assurances that all the pending patent applications will result in issue of patents or, if issued, that it will sufficiently protect our intellectual property rights. Nor can we make any assurances that any patent, trademark or other intellectual property rights that we have obtained may not be challenged by third parties. Implementation of PRC intellectual property-related laws has historically been lax, primarily because of ambiguities in the PRC laws and difficulties in enforcement. Accordingly, intellectual property rights and confidentiality protections in PRC may not be as effective as in the United States or other countries. Policing unauthorized use of proprietary technology is difficult and expensive. The steps we have taken may not be adequate to prevent unauthorized use of our intellectual property rights. Reverse engineering, unauthorized copying or other misappropriation of our proprietary technologies could enable third parties to benefit from our technologies without paying us any royalties. Though we are not currently involved in any litigation with respect to intellectual property, we may need to enforce our intellectual property rights through litigation.
We do not hold the property ownership rights for all facilities located in the PRC. We may lose some or all of the land use rights that we have obtained. We are currently required to pledge land use rights and property rights.
We currently do not hold the property ownership rights to at least one of the tracts of property on which we have constructed our manufacturing facilities and other related facilities in the PRC. If we are unsuccessful in acquiring the property ownership rights, we could be forced to halt our production, vacate our current premises, and lose all of our facilities situated on the land without any compensation, which would adversely and materially affect our business, results of operations and our financial condition.
Pursuant to our land use rights certificate relating to our Tianjin facility, the Tianjin government had requested that we complete construction of the Tianjin facility before September 30, 2008. As of September 30, 2008, we had not done so. Notwithstanding this requirement, we have obtained an extension from the Tianjin Administration for Industry and Commerce Beichen District Branch, to make the remaining contribution of the registered capital of BAK Tianjin, which owns and manages our Tianjin facility, by December 11, 2009, which we interpreted as an extension of the completion date of construction to this date. On November 16, 2009, BAK International contributed approximately US$9,000,000 capital to BAK Tianjin and as of November 16, 2009, the total contribution from BAK International was US$29,000,000. The remaining US$70,990,000 was originally required to be fully contributed no later than December 11, 2009 and an extension from the Tianjin Administration for Industry and Commerce Beichen District Branch, was obtained to complete this contribution no later than December 2012. In August 2011, BAK International contributed approximately US$21,000,000 capital to BAK Tianjin and as of September 30, 2011, the total contribution from BAK International was US$50,000,000. As of September 30, 2011, we were in the process of negotiating with the relevant government bureau for the extension of the completion date of the construction of the Tianjin facility. If we fail to successfully negotiate the extension of the completion date or fail to make the remaining contribution and complete the construction by the extension date or to obtain approval for a further extension of the completion date from the relevant government bureau, there is a risk that the land use rights certificate relating to our Tianjin facility will become invalid. Should this occur, we could be forced to halt our production, vacate our current premises, and lose all of our facilities situated on the land without any compensation, which would adversely and materially affect our business, results of operations and our financial condition.
Pursuant to the property ownership and land use rights certificate that we obtained relating to the Research and Development Test Centre to be constructed in Shenzhen, we are required to complete at least 25% of the construction of the new Research and Development Test Centre facility by September 30, 2008. As of September 30, 2008, we had not done so. Notwithstanding this requirement, the Shenzhen government has agreed to increase the dimensions of the Research and Development Test Centre and signed two supplement agreements with us. According to the supplement agreements, we were required to complete the construction by May 6, 2011. As of September 30, 2011, we had not completed the construction of this facility and were in the process of applying for an extension from the Shenzhen government. In addition, according to the property ownership and land use rights certificate, such land may not be pledged without the approval of the relevant government office. We are required to pledge our property ownership and land use rights certificate in relation to the new Research and Development Test Centre to China Development Bank pursuant to the loan agreement entered into with it. On April 7, 2010, the pledge of the land use rights certificate to China Development Bank was approved by the relevant government bureau. On April 20, 2010, the relevant land use rights certificate was pledged to China Development Bank. In addition, the so-named “property ownership and land use rights certificate” relating to this facility that we were issued lacks certain terms relating to property ownership rights, which appears to indicate that the granting government has so far only granted us the relevant land use rights. As a result, this certificate may not be adequate evidence of our property ownership rights to this property. We anticipate that the government will re-grant this certificate with adequate property ownership indicia after we have satisfied the above construction requirement and followed certain procedures. If our application for a reissued certificate with property ownership rights proves unsuccessful, we could be forced to halt our production, vacate our current premises, lose all of our facilities situated on the land without any compensation, and/or be considered in breach of our loan agreement with China Development Bank, any of which would adversely and materially affect our business, results of operations and our financial condition.
As of September 30, 2011, we have insurance for all of the buildings located at our BAK Industrial Park facility and owned by Shenzhen BAK, which constitute all of our PRC-based facilities in Shenzhen. We also had insurance for our facilities at Tianjin, PRC. We did not have insurance for our R&D Test Centre to be constructed in Shenzhen.
Compliance with environmental regulations can be expensive, and our failure to comply with these regulations may result in adverse publicity and a material adverse effect on our business.
As a manufacturer, we are subject to various PRC environmental laws and regulations on air emission, waste water discharge, solid waste and noise. Although we believe that our operations are in substantial compliance with current environmental laws and regulations, we may not be able to comply with these regulations at all times as the PRC environmental legal regime is evolving and becoming more stringent. Therefore, if the PRC government imposes more stringent regulations in the future, we will have to incur additional substantial costs and expenses in order to comply with new regulations, which may negatively affect our results of operations. If we fail to comply with any of the present or future environmental regulations in material aspects, we may suffer from negative publicity and may be required to pay substantial fines, suspend or even cease operations. Failure to comply with PRC environmental laws and regulations may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
To the extent we ship our products outside of the PRC, or to the extent our products are used in products sold outside of the PRC, they may be affected by the following: The transportation of non-rechargeable and rechargeable lithium batteries is regulated by the International Civil Aviation Organization, or ICAO, and corresponding International Air Transport Association, or IATA, Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, or PHMSA, Dangerous Goods Regulations and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, or IMDG, and in the PRC by General Administration of Civil Aviation of China and Maritime Safety Administration of People’s Republic of China. These regulations are based on the United Nations, or UN, Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods Model Regulations and the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria. We currently ship our products pursuant to ICAO, IATA and PHMSA hazardous goods regulations. New regulations that pertain to all lithium battery manufacturers went into effect in 2003, 2004, and 2009, and 2010. The regulations require companies to meet certain testing, packaging, labeling and shipping specifications for safety reasons. We comply with all current PRC and international regulations for the shipment of our products, and will comply with any new regulations that are imposed. We have established our own testing facilities to ensure that we comply with these regulations. If we were unable to comply with the new regulations, however, or if regulations are introduced that limit our ability to transport our products to customers in a cost-effective manner, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have significant short-term debt obligations, which mature in less than one year. Failure to extend those maturities of, or to refinance, that debt could result in defaults, and in certain instances, foreclosures on our assets. Moreover, we may be unable to obtain financing to fund ongoing operations and future growth.
At September 30, 2011, we had short-term bank loans of $139.7 million, long-term bank loans of $23.5 million maturing within one year, long-term bank loans of $15.0 million maturing over one year, and bills payable of $50.2 million, a substantial portion of which is secured by certain of our assets that amounted to $79.8 million. Our inventory, machinery and equipment worth $48.8 million secured the short-term bank loans and of $31.0 million secured the long-term bank loans, and our deposits worth $1.6 million secured certain bills payable, construction payable and short-term bank loans. Failure to obtain extensions of the maturity dates of, or to refinance, these obligations or to obtain additional equity financing to meet these debt obligations would result in an event of default with respect to such obligations and could result in the foreclosure on the collateral. The sale of such collateral at foreclosure would significantly disrupt our ability to produce products for our customers in the quantities required by customer orders or deliver products in a timely fashion, which could significantly lower our revenues and profitability. We may be able to refinance or obtain extensions of the maturities of all or some of such debt only on terms that significantly restrict our ability to operate, including terms that place additional limitations on our ability to incur other indebtedness, to pay dividends, to use our assets as collateral for other financing, to sell assets or to make acquisitions or enter into other transactions. Such restrictions may adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations or to engage in other business activities. If we finance the repayment of our outstanding indebtedness by issuing additional equity or convertible debt securities, such issuances could result in substantial dilution to our stockholders.
While we believe that our revenue growth projections and our ongoing cost controls will allow us to generate cash and achieve profitability in the foreseeable future, there is no assurance as to when or if we will be able to achieve our projections. Our future cash flows from operations, combined with our accessibility to cash and credit, may not be sufficient to allow us to finance ongoing operations or to make required investments for future growth. We may need to seek additional credit or access capital markets for additional funds. There is no assurance that we would be successful in this regard.
We have limited insurance coverage against damages or losses we might suffer.
The insurance industry in China is still in an early stage of development and business interruption insurance available in China offers limited coverage compared to that offered in many developed countries. We do not carry business interruption insurance and therefore any business disruption or natural disaster could result in substantial damages or losses to us. In addition, there are certain types of losses (such as losses from forces of nature) that are generally not insured because either they are uninsurable or insurance cannot be obtained on commercially reasonable terms. Should an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits occur, our business could be materially adversely affected. As of September 30, 2011, we have insurance for all of the buildings located at our BAK Industrial Park facility and owned by Shenzhen BAK, which constitute all of our PRC-based facilities in Shenzhen. We also had insurance for our facilities at Tianjin, PRC. We did not have insurance for our R&D Test Centre to be constructed in Shenzhen. If we were to suffer any losses or damages to any uninsured facilities, or if our insurance does not cover any losses or damages that occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
RISKS RELATED TO DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA
Adverse changes in political and economic policies of the PRC government could impede the overall economic growth of China, which could reduce the demand for our products and damage our business.
We conduct substantially all of our operations and generate most of our revenue in China. Accordingly, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects are affected significantly by economic, political and legal developments in China. The PRC economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including:
a higher level of government involvement;
an early stage of development of the market-oriented sector of the economy;
a rapid growth rate;
a higher level of control over foreign exchange; and
the allocation of resources.
As the PRC economy has been transitioning from a planned economy to a more market-oriented economy, the PRC government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. While these measures may benefit the overall PRC economy, they may also have a negative effect on us.
Although the PRC government has in recent years implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the PRC government continues to exercise significant control over economic growth in China through the allocation of resources, controlling the payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and imposing policies that impact particular industries or companies in different ways.
Any adverse change in economic conditions or government policies in China could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth in China, which in turn could lead to a reduction in demand for our products and consequently have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects.
Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could limit the legal protections available to you and us.
We conduct substantially all of our business through our operating subsidiaries in China. Our operating subsidiaries are generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investments in China and, in particular, laws applicable to foreign-invested enterprises, or FIEs. The PRC legal system is based on written statutes, and prior court decisions may be cited for reference, but have limited precedential value. Since 1979, a series of new PRC laws and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, since the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involve uncertainties for you and us. In addition, any litigation in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.
If we are found to have failed to comply with applicable laws, we may incur additional expenditures or be subject to significant fines and penalties.
Our operations are subject to PRC laws and regulations applicable to us. However, many PRC laws and regulations are uncertain in their scope, and the implementation of such laws and regulations in different localities could have significant differences. In certain instances, local implementation rules and/or the actual implementation are not necessarily consistent with the regulations at the national level. Although we strive to comply with all the applicable PRC laws and regulations, we cannot assure you that the relevant PRC government authorities will not later determine that we have not been in compliance with certain laws or regulations.
In addition, our facilities and products are subject to many laws and regulations. Our failure to comply with these and other applicable laws and regulations in China could subject us to administrative penalties and injunctive relief, as well as civil remedies, including fines, injunctions and recalls of our products. It is possible that changes to such laws or more rigorous enforcement of such laws or with respect to our current or past practices could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. Further, additional environmental, health or safety issues relating to matters that are not currently known to management may result in unanticipated liabilities and expenditures.
We rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our subsidiaries for our cash needs.
We are a holding company, and we conduct all of our operations through our PRC subsidiaries. We rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiaries for our cash needs, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to our stockholders, to service any debt we may incur and to pay our operating expenses. Current regulations in the PRC permit payment of dividends only out of accumulated profits as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. According to the articles of association of our PRC subsidiaries, each of our PRC subsidiaries is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profit based on the PRC accounting standards and regulations each year to its enterprise development reserve, until the balance in the reserve reaches 50% of the registered capital of the company. Funds in the reserve are not distributable to us in forms of cash dividends, loans or advances. In addition, if our PRC subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us, which in turn will adversely affect our available cash. Any limitations on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to transfer funds to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends and otherwise fund and conduct our business.
Restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to receive and use our sales revenue effectively.
Most of our sales revenue and expenses are denominated in RMB. Under PRC law, the RMB is currently convertible under the “current account,” which includes dividends and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but not under the “capital account,” which includes foreign direct investment and loans. Currently, our PRC operating subsidiaries may purchase foreign currencies for settlement of current account transactions, including payments of dividends to us, without the approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, the relevant PRC government authorities may limit or eliminate our ability to purchase foreign currencies in the future. Since a significant amount of our future revenue will be denominated in RMB, any existing and future restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to utilize revenue generated in RMB to fund our business activities outside China that are denominated in foreign currencies.
Foreign exchange transactions by PRC operating subsidiaries under the capital account continue to be subject to significant foreign exchange controls and require the approval of or need to register with PRC government authorities, including SAFE. In particular, if our PRC operating subsidiaries borrow foreign currency through loans from us or other foreign lenders, these loans must be registered with SAFE, and if we finance the subsidiaries by means of additional capital contributions, these capital contributions must be approved by certain government authorities, including the Ministry of Commerce, or MOFCOM, or their respective local counterparts. These limitations could affect their ability to obtain foreign exchange through debt or equity financing.
Fluctuation in the value of the RMB may result in foreign currency translation losses or in increased costs to us.
Although our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, the financial records of our operating subsidiaries are maintained in their local currency, the RMB, which is our functional currency. Approximately 97.3% of our revenues and 99.9% of our costs and expenses for the year ended September 30, 2011 are denominated in RMB, with the balance denominated in U.S. dollars. Approximately 99.8% of our assets excluding cash were denominated in RMB as of September 30, 2011. As a result, we are exposed to foreign exchange risk as our revenues and results of operations may be affected by fluctuations in the exchange rate between U.S. dollars and RMB. If the RMB depreciates against the U.S. dollar, the value of our RMB revenues, earnings and assets as expressed in our U.S. dollar financial statements will decline. Assets and liabilities of our operating subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at the balance sheet date, their equity accounts are translated at historical exchange rate and their income and expenses items are translated using the average rate for the period. Any resulting exchange differences are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. An average appreciation (depreciation) of the RMB against the U.S. dollar of 5% would increase (decrease) our comprehensive income by $9.7 million based on our outstanding revenues, costs and expenses, assets and liabilities denominated in RMB as of September 30, 2011. As of September 30, 2011, our accumulated other comprehensive income was $35.8 million. We have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign exchange risk.
Failure to comply with PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident stockholders to personal liability, limit our ability to acquire PRC companies or to inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute profits to us or otherwise materially adversely affect us.
In October 2005, SAFE issued the Notice on Relevant Issues in the Foreign Exchange Control over Financing and Return Investment Through Special Purpose Companies by Residents Inside China, generally referred to as Circular 75, which required PRC residents to register with the competent local SAFE branch before establishing or acquiring control over an offshore special purpose company, or SPV, for the purpose of engaging in an equity financing outside of China on the strength of domestic PRC assets originally held by those residents. Internal implementing guidelines issued by SAFE, which became public in June 2007 (known as Notice 106), expanded the reach of Circular 75 by (i) purporting to cover the establishment or acquisition of control by PRC residents of offshore entities which merely acquire “control” over domestic companies or assets, even in the absence of legal ownership; (ii) adding requirements relating to the source of the PRC resident’s funds used to establish or acquire the offshore entity; (iii) covering the use of existing offshore entities for offshore financings; (iv) purporting to cover situations in which an offshore SPV establishes a new subsidiary in China or acquires an unrelated company or unrelated assets in China; and (v) making the domestic affiliate of the SPV responsible for the accuracy of certain documents which must be filed in connection with any such registration, notably, the business plan which describes the overseas financing and the use of proceeds. Amendments to registrations made under Circular 75 are required in connection with any increase or decrease of capital, transfer of shares, mergers and acquisitions, equity investment or creation of any security interest in any assets located in China to guarantee offshore obligations, and Notice 106 makes the offshore SPV jointly responsible for these filings. In the case of an SPV which was established, and which acquired a related domestic company or assets, before the implementation date of Circular 75, a retroactive SAFE registration was required to have been completed before March 31, 2006; this date was subsequently extended indefinitely by Notice 106, which also required that the registrant establish that all foreign exchange transactions undertaken by the SPV and its affiliates were in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Failure to comply with the requirements of Circular 75, as applied by SAFE in accordance with Notice 106, may result in fines and other penalties under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions. Any such failure could also result in the SPV’s affiliates being impeded or prevented from distributing their profits and the proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to the SPV, or from engaging in other transfers of funds into or out of China. In June, 2009, Notice 106 was superseded by the Notice on Foreign Exchange Implementing Guidelines regarding Capital Account Management (known as Notice 77) which allows establishing or controlling a SPV before the SAFE registration is complete. In May 2011, a SAFE Notice on Issuance of the Operating Procedures for PRC Residents Engaging in Financing and Roundtrip investments via Overseas Special Purpose Vehicles (known as Notice 19) was promulgated to simply the SAFE registration process which further superseded Notice 77 and came into force on July 1, 2011.
We have asked our stockholders who are PRC residents as defined in Circular 75 to register with the relevant branch of SAFE, as currently required, in connection with their equity interests in us and our acquisitions of equity interests in our PRC subsidiaries. However, we cannot provide any assurances that they can obtain the above SAFE registrations required by Circular 75, Notice 106, Notice 77 and Notice 19. Moreover, because of uncertainty over how Circular 75 will be interpreted and implemented, and how or whether SAFE will apply it to us, we cannot predict how it will affect our business operations or future strategies. For example, our present and prospective 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 Circular 75, Notice 106, Notice 77 and Notice 19 by our PRC resident beneficial holders.
In addition, such PRC residents may not always be able to complete the necessary registration procedures required by Circular 75, Notice 106, Notice 77 and Notice 19. We also have little control over either our present or prospective direct or indirect stockholders or the outcome of such registration procedures. A failure by our PRC resident beneficial holders or future PRC resident stockholders to comply with Circular 75, Notice 106, Notice 77 and Notice 19, if SAFE requires it, could subject these PRC resident beneficial holders to fines or legal sanctions, restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit our subsidiaries’ ability to make distributions or pay dividends or affect our ownership structure, which could adversely affect our business and prospects.
The M&A Rule establishes more complex procedures for some acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China.
On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including the China Securities Regulatory Commission, promulgated the Provisions Regarding Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rule, which became effective on September 8, 2006. The M&A Rule establishes additional procedures and requirements that could make some acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex, including requirements in some instances that the PRC Ministry of Commerce be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction and in some situations, require approval of the PRC Ministry of Commerce when a foreign investor takes control of a Chinese domestic enterprise. The regulations prohibit a transaction at an acquisition price obviously lower than the appraised value of the PRC business or assets and in certain transaction structures, require that consideration must be paid within defined periods, generally not in excess of a year. The regulation also limits our ability to negotiate various terms of the acquisition, including aspects of the initial consideration, contingent consideration, holdback provisions, indemnification provisions and provisions relating to the assumption and allocation of assets and liabilities. Transaction structures involving trusts, nominees and similar entities are prohibited. Government approvals will have expiration dates by which a transaction must be completed and reported to the government agencies. In the future, we may grow our business in part by acquiring complementary businesses, although we do not have any plans to do so at this time. The M&A Rule also requires PRC Ministry of Commerce anti-trust review of any change-of-control transactions involving certain types of foreign acquirers. On February 3, 2011, the Circular on Establishing the Security Review System for Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors was promulgated by the General Office of the State Council, which became into effect on March 4, 2011. On August 25, 2011, the Ministry of Commerce issued the corresponding implementation rules. According to these rules, a foreign investor’s acquisitions of Chinese companies in the fields of military, important agricultural products, energy and resources, infrastructure, transport service, key technology and major equipment manufacturing, and other restricted fields requires security review by a ministerial panel established and governed under the direction of the State Council and led by the National Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Commerce. Complying with the requirements of the M&A Rule to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining approval from the PRC Ministry of Commerce, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share.
Investors may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing original actions in China based upon U.S. laws, including the federal securities laws or other foreign laws against us or our management.
All of our current operations are conducted in China. Moreover, most of our current directors and officers are nationals or residents of China. All or a substantial portion of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States and in the PRC. As a result, it may not be possible to effect service of process within the United States or elsewhere outside China upon these persons. In addition, uncertainty exists as to whether the courts of China would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained against us or such officers and/or directors predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof, or be competent to hear original actions brought in China against us or such persons predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof.
Our production facilities are subject to risks of power shortages.
Many cities and provinces in the PRC have suffered serious power shortages since the second quarter of 2004. Many of the regional grids do not have sufficient power generating capacity to fully satisfy the increased demand for electricity driven by continual economic growth and persistent hot weather. To date, our operations have not been affected by those power shortages. However, there is a risk that our operations may be affected by those power shortages in the future, thereby causing material production disruption and delay in delivery schedule. In such event, our business, results of operation and financial conditions could be materially adversely affected. We do not have any back-up power generation system. Although we have not experienced any power outages in the past, we may be adversely affected by any power outages in the future.
Under the New Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be classified as a “resident enterprise” of China. Such classification will likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC stockholders.
On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress of China passed the Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, and on November 28, 2007, the State Council of China passed its implementing rules, both of which took effect on January 1, 2008. Under the EIT Law, an enterprise established outside of China with “de facto management bodies” within China is considered a “resident enterprise,” meaning that it can be treated in a manner similar to a Chinese enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes. The implementing rules of the EIT Law define de facto management as “substantial and overall management and control over the production and operations, personnel, accounting, and properties” of the enterprise. Because the EIT Law and its implementing rules are new, no official interpretation or application of this new “resident enterprise” classification is available. Therefore, it is unclear how tax authorities will determine tax residency based on the facts of each case.
If the PRC tax authorities determine that China BAK Battery, Inc. is a “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, a number of unfavorable PRC tax consequences could follow. First, 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. In our case, this would mean that income such as interest on offering proceeds and non-China source income would be subject to PRC enterprise income tax at a rate of 25%. Second, although under the EIT Law and its implementing rules dividends paid to us from our PRC subsidiaries would qualify as “tax-exempt income,” we cannot guarantee that such dividends will not be subject to a 10% withholding tax, as the PRC foreign exchange control authorities, which enforce the withholding tax, have not yet issued guidance with respect to the processing of outbound remittances to entities that are treated as resident enterprises for PRC enterprise income tax purposes. Finally, it is possible that future guidance issued with respect to the new “resident enterprise” classification could result in a situation in which a 10% withholding tax is imposed on dividends we pay to our non-PRC stockholders and with respect to gains derived by our non-PRC stockholders from transferring our shares. We are actively monitoring the possibility of “resident enterprise” treatment for the 2011 tax year and are evaluating appropriate organizational changes to avoid this treatment, to the extent possible.
In addition, under the EIT Law, dividends payable by a FIE to any of its foreign non-resident enterprise investors shall be subject to a 10% withholding tax, unless such foreign non-resident enterprise investor’s jurisdiction of incorporation has signed a tax treaty or arrangement for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income with China that provides for a reduced rate of withholding tax on dividends. Since the PRC and Hong Kong have signed the above-mentioned tax arrangement for the avoidance of double taxation, and Shenzhen BAK, BAK Electronics and BAK Tianjin are wholly owned by BAK International, the dividends payable by each of Shenzhen BAK, BAK Electronics and BAK Tianjin to its foreign non-resident enterprise investors are expected to be subject to a 5% withholding tax pursuant to the China-Hong Kong double tax arrangement.
We currently enjoy a reduced tax rate and other government incentives, and the loss of or reduction in these benefits may materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Shenzhen BAK and BAK Electronics are both registered and operate in Shenzhen, the PRC, and are each recognized as “Manufacturing Enterprise Located in Special Economic Zone.” As a result, they have been entitled to a preferential enterprise income tax rate of 15%. In accordance with the relevant income tax laws, the profits of Shenzhen BAK and BAK Electronics were fully exempted from income tax for two years from the first profitable calendar year of operations after offset of accumulated taxable losses, followed by a 50% exemption for the immediate next three calendar years.
The tax holiday of Shenzhen BAK commenced in 2002, the first calendar year in which Shenzhen BAK had assessable profit, and ended on December 31, 2006. In addition, due to additional capital contributed by BAK International to Shenzhen BAK in both 2005 and 2006 and Shenzhen BAK’s qualification as an advanced technology enterprise in 2007 and 2008, Shenzhen BAK was granted a preferential income tax rate of 7.5%, 11.8% and 12.6% for calendar years 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. In accordance with the transition period of the EIT Law and before considering the above-mentioned tax concessions, Shenzhen BAK’s income tax rate for calendar years 2011 and 2012 are expected to be 24% and 25%, respectively. Therefore, Shenzhen BAK’s income tax rate after consideration of its tax concessions is expected to be 15% for calendar year 2011, and starting in calendar year 2012, it is expected to be subject to an income tax rate of 25%.
For BAK Electronics, established in August 2005, the same tax holiday was in effect for calendar years 2006 and 2007, making BAK Electronics fully exempt from any enterprise income tax. Following the tax holiday, a three-year 50% reduction in BAK Electronics’ enterprise income tax rate commenced. Pursuant to the transition period of the EIT Law, BAK Electronics’ income tax rates for calendar years 2011 and 2012 were expected to be 24% and 25%, respectively. Taking the 50% reduction into account, BAK Electronics’ income tax rate is now expected to be 24% for calendar year 2011, and starting in calendar year 2012, it is expected to be subject to an income tax rate of 25%. BAK Electronics did not incur any enterprise income tax for the current year due to cumulative tax losses.
BAK Tianjin is currently paying no enterprise income tax due to cumulative tax losses.
We face uncertainty from the Circular on Strengthening the Administration of Enterprise Income Tax on Non-resident Enterprises’ Share Transfer released in December 2009 by China’s State Administration of Taxation (SAT), effective as of January 1, 2008.
Pursuant to the Circular on Strengthening the Administration of Enterprise Income Tax on Non-resident Enterprises’ Share Transfer, or Circular 698, released in December 2009 by China’s State Administration of Taxation, or SAT, effective as of January 1, 2008, 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 (jurisdiction) where the effective tax burden is less than 12.5% or where the offshore income of its residents is not taxable, the foreign investor shall provide the tax authority in charge of that Chinese resident enterprise with the relevant information within 30 days of the transfers.
Where a foreign investor indirectly transfers equity interests in a Chinese resident enterprise through the abuse of form of organization and there are no reasonable commercial purposes such that the corporate income tax liability is avoided, the tax authority shall have the power to re-assess the nature of the equity transfer in accordance with the “substance-over-form” principle and deny the existence of the offshore holding company that is used for tax planning purposes.
“Income derived from equity transfers” as mentioned in Circular 698 refers to income derived by non-resident enterprises from direct or indirect transfers of equity interests in China resident enterprises, excluding shares in Chinese resident enterprises that are bought and sold openly on a stock exchange.
While the term “indirectly transfer” is not defined, we understand 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. The relevant authority has not yet promulgated any formal provisions or formally declared or stated how to calculate the effective tax in every country (jurisdiction) and to what extent and the process of the disclosure to the tax authority in charge of that Chinese resident enterprise. Meanwhile, 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 to help comply with Circular 698.
The Chinese government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities.
The PRC government has exercised and continues to exercise substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through regulation and state ownership. Our ability to operate in China may be harmed by changes in its laws and regulations, including those relating to taxation, import and export tariffs, environmental regulations, land use and property ownership rights, and other matters. We believe that our operations in China are in material compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. However, the central or local governments of the jurisdictions in which we operate may impose new, stricter regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that would require additional expenditures and efforts on our part to ensure our compliance with such regulations or interpretations.
Accordingly, government actions in the future, including any decision not to continue to support recent economic reforms and to return to a more centrally planned economy or regional or local variations in the implementation of economic policies, could have a significant effect on economic conditions in China or particular regions thereof, and could require us to divest ourselves of any interest we then hold in Chinese properties or joint ventures.
Future inflation in China may inhibit our ability to conduct business profitably in China.
In recent years, the Chinese economy has experienced periods of rapid expansion and highly fluctuating rates of inflation. During the past ten years, the rate of inflation in China has been as high as 5.9% and as low as -0.8% . These factors have led to the adoption by the Chinese government, from time to time, of various corrective measures designed to restrict the availability of credit or regulate growth and contain inflation. High inflation may in the future cause the Chinese government to impose controls on credit and/or prices, or to take other action, which could inhibit economic activity in China, and thereby harm the market for our products.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMMON STOCK
If we were delisted from NASDAQ, we may become subject to the trading complications experienced by “Penny Stocks” in the over-the-counter market.
Delisting from NASDAQ may depress the price of our common stock such that we may become a penny stock. The SEC generally defines a penny stock as an equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to specific exemptions. The market price of our common stock is currently less than $5.00 per share. “Penny Stock” rules require, among other things, that any broker engaging in a purchase or sale of our securities provide its customers with: (i) a risk disclosure document, (ii) disclosure of market quotations, if any, (iii) disclosure of the compensation of the broker and its salespersons in the transaction and (iv) monthly account statements showing the market values of our securities held in the customer’s accounts. A broker would be required to provide the bid and offer quotations and compensation information before effecting the transaction. This information must be contained on the customer’s confirmation. Generally, brokers are less willing to effect transactions in penny stocks due to these additional delivery requirements. These requirements may make it more difficult for stockholders to purchase or sell our common stock. Because the broker, not us, prepares this information, we would not be able to assure that such information is accurate, complete or current.
The market price for our common stock may be volatile.
The market price for our common stock may be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a variety of factors, some of which may be beyond our control. Factors affecting the trading price of our common stock include:
the lack of depth and liquidity of the market for our common stock;
actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results;
announcements of new products or services by us or our competitors;
changes in financial estimates by securities analysts;
market conditions in our industry;
changes in operations or market valuations of other companies in our industry;
our sales of common stock;
investor perceptions of us and our business;
changes in the estimates of the future size and growth rate of our markets;
market conditions in industries of our customers;
announcements by our competitors of significant acquisitions;
strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;
recruitment or departures of key personnel;
potential litigation;
any material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting; and
the overall economy, geopolitical events, terrorist activities, or threats of terrorism.
In addition, the stock market in general has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the performance of listed companies. These broad market and industry factors may seriously harm the market price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance. For example, the trading price of our common stock could decline in reaction to events that negatively affect other companies in our industry even if these events do not directly affect us at all.
In the past, many companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock have been subject to securities class action litigation. We may be a target of this type of litigation in the future. Securities litigation against us could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention from other business concerns, which could seriously harm our business.
Our directors and executive officers, collectively, own approximately 31.70% of our outstanding common stock and may be able to control our management and affairs.
As of September 30, 2011, Mr. Xiangqian Li, our president and chief executive officer and chairman of our board, and our other executive officers and directors beneficially owned an aggregate of 31.70% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, our directors and executive officers, acting together, may be able to control our management and affairs, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions, such as mergers, consolidation, and sale of all or substantially all of our assets. Consequently, this concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control, including a merger, consolidation or other business combination involving us, even if such a change of control would benefit our stockholders.
Provisions in our articles of incorporation and bylaws could entrench our board of directors and prevent a change in control.
Our articles of incorporation provide that special meetings of the stockholders can only be called by our president or any other executive officer, or the board of directors, or any member thereof, the record holder or holders of at least 10% of all shares entitled to vote at the meeting, or the president or secretary at the written request of our stockholders holding not less than 30% of all shares issued, outstanding and entitled to vote. In addition, our bylaws and/or our articles of incorporation
(i) allow vacancies in the board of directors to be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum, (ii) provide that no contract or transaction between us and one or more of our directors or officers is void if certain criteria
are met, (iii) provide that our bylaws may be amended or appealed at any meeting of the board of directors at which a quorum is present, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at such meeting, and (iv) provide that at an annual meeting, our stockholders elect a board of directors and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting; by contrast, at a special meeting, our stockholders may transact only the business for the purposes specified in the notice of the meeting unless all of our stockholders entitled to vote are present at the special meeting and consent.
In addition, our board of directors may cause us to issue our authorized but unissued shares of common stock in the future without stockholders’ approval. These additional shares may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of common stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of a majority of our common stock by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Collectively, these provisions may have the effect of entrenching our existing board members, discouraging or preventing a transaction including a change in control transaction where such transaction would be beneficial to our stockholders.
We are obligated to indemnify our officers and directors for certain losses they suffer.
To the fullest extent permitted by Chapter 78 of the Nevada Revised Statues, we may, if and to the extent authorized by our board of directors, indemnify our officers and any other persons who we have power to indemnify against liability, reasonable expense or other matter whatsoever. If we are required to indemnify any persons under this policy, we may have to pay indemnity in a substantial amount which we may be unable to recover at all.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
None.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES.
We have completed the construction and put into use facilities measuring 218,178 square meters comprised of manufacturing facilities, warehousing and packaging facilities, dormitory space, dining halls and administrative offices at the BAK Industrial Park in Shenzhen. Of that space, approximately 81,411 square meters are manufacturing facilities. We have completed the construction and put into use facilities measuring 65,982 square meters comprised of manufacturing facilities, dormitory space, dining halls and other facilities in Tianjin. Of that space, approximately 44,129 square meters are manufacturing facilities. The primary reasons for our continuing investments in the facilities in Tianjin are to realize the benefits of our prior investment in these facilities, to position the Company to capitalize on our knowledge of and experience with established markets for lithium-ion technology, such as electric bicycles and cordless power tools, and to penetrate emerging consuming markets for this technology, such as electric cars, electric buses, light electric vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles. We have received several contracts to supply high-power lithium cells for use in electric cars, electric bicycles, UPS, and other applications.
At present, we have no significant payment obligations related to these facilities.
We believe that our existing facilities have met our current business needs and will meet the needs of our expanded operations.
The following table sets forth the breakdown of our facilities as of September 30, 2011 based on use and product type:
According to the relevant PRC laws and regulations, a land use right certificate, along with government approvals for land planning, project planning, and construction must be obtained before the construction of any building is commenced. An ownership certificate will be granted by the government upon application under the condition that the aforementioned certificate and government approvals are obtained. We obtained the land use right to the tract of property on which we have constructed and on which we plan further construction of our manufacturing facilities and other related facilities in Shenzhen. While we have been constructing and have completed a substantial part of the construction of our facilities with the approval of the local government of Kuichong Township of Longgang District of Shenzhen, we understand it did not have the authority to grant us the land use rights certificate. However, the Company obtained approval for project planning and construction from the government of Shenzhen on June 20, 2007. Under an agreement with the government of Shenzhen for the acquisition of the land use rights to BAK Industrial Park dated June 29, 2007, effective June 2008, the government agreed to provide us with the land use rights certificate relating to BAK Industrial Park on the condition that the Company would pay it an additional $11,819,841. According to a notice received from the government of Shenzhen on June 6, 2008, the Company obtained government grants of $7,889,991 to subsidize this additional payment. As of September 30, 2008, the Company had fully paid the remaining cost of $3,929,850 and had obtained the land use rights certificate for BAK Industrial Park. On July 3, 2009, we had obtained the approval for project-planning and construction from the local government of Shenzhen. On June 2, 2011, we obtained the property ownership certificate relating to BAK Industrial Park.
We have insurance for our manufacturing facilities for Shenzhen BAK located in BAK Industrial Park and our manufacturing facilities at our Tianjin facility. However, we are not able to insure our new Research and Development Test Centre to be constructed in Shenzhen, China, until we receive the required certificate of property ownership. Upon receipt of the certificate of property ownership, we intend to procure such insurance. The applications for the related certificates of property ownership rights are in process with respect to our facilities at Tianjin (see discussion of our Research and Development Test Centre below).
As of September 30, 2007, we had fully paid the lease prepayment amount of $14.1 million for the acquisition of land use rights regarding our Tianjin facility. As of September 30, 2008, we had obtained the relevant land use rights certificate to this facility. As of September 30, 2011, we were in the process of obtaining the relevant property ownership rights certificate to this facility.
Pursuant to our land use rights certificate relating to our Tianjin facility, the Tianjin government had originally requested that we complete construction of the Tianjin facility before September 30, 2008. As of September 30, 2008, we had not done so. Notwithstanding this requirement, we have obtained an extension from the Business Administration Bureau of Beichen District, Tianjin, to make the remaining contribution of the registered capital by December 11, 2009, which we interpreted as an extension of the completion date of construction to this date. On November 16, 2009, BAK International contributed approximately US$9,000,000 capital to BAK Tianjin and as of November 16, 2009, the total contribution from BAK International was US$29,000,000. The remaining US$70,990,000 was originally required to be fully contributed no later than December 11, 2009 and an extension from the Business Administration Bureau of Beichen District, Tianjin, was obtained to complete this contribution no later than December 2012. In August 2011, BAK International contributed approximately US$21,000,000 capital to BAK Tianjin and as of September 30, 2011, the total contribution from BAK International was US$50,000,000. As of September 30, 2011, we were in the process of negotiating with the relevant government bureau for the extension of the completion date of the construction of the Tianjin facility.
As of September 30, 2007, we had paid the lease prepayment amount of $717,000 for the acquisition of land use rights for a new Research and Development Test Centre to be constructed in Shenzhen, China. As of September 30, 2008, we had obtained the relevant property ownership and land use rights certificate. Pursuant to the property ownership and land use rights certificate, we are required to complete at least 25% of the construction of the new Research and Development Test Centre facility by September 30, 2008. As of September 30, 2008, we had not done so. Notwithstanding this requirement, the Shenzhen government has agreed to increase the dimensions of the Research and Development Test Centre and signed two supplemental agreements with us. According to the supplemental agreements, we were required to complete the construction of this facility by May 6, 2011. As of September 30, 2011, we had not completed the construction of this facility and were in the process of applying for an extension from the Shenzhen government. In addition, according to the property ownership and land use rights certificate, such land may not be pledged without the approval of the relevant government office. We are required to pledge our property ownership and land use rights certificate in relation to the new Research and Development Test Centre to China Development Bank pursuant to the loan agreement entered into with it. On April 7, 2010, the pledge of the land use rights certificate to China Development Bank was approved by the relevant government bureau. On April 20, 2010, the relevant land use rights certificate was pledged to China Development Bank. In addition, the so-named “property ownership and land use rights certificate” relating to this facility that we were issued lacks certain terms relating to property ownership rights, which appears to indicate that the granting government has so far only granted us the relevant land use rights. As a result, this certificate may not be adequate evidence of our property ownership rights to this property. We anticipate that the government will re-grant this certificate with adequate property ownership indicia after we have satisfied the above construction requirement and followed certain procedures.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
Except as disclosed below, we are not a party to any legal proceedings, nor are we aware of any threatened or contemplated proceedings which are expected to result in a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operation.
Liquidated Damages Pursuant to November 2007 Registration Rights Agreement. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, we were initially liable for liquidated damages to a shareholder whose shares were required to be included in a resale registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed pursuant to a registration rights agreement that we entered into with this shareholder and certain other investors in November 2007. Under the registration rights agreement, among other things, if a registration statement filed pursuant thereto has not been declared effective by the SEC by the 100th calendar day after the closing of our private placement on November 9, 2007, or the Effectiveness Deadline, then we would be liable to pay partial liquidated damages to each investor of (a) 1.5% of the aggregate purchase price paid by such investor for the shares it purchased in our November 2007 private placement on the one-month anniversary of the Effectiveness Deadline; (b) an additional 1.5% of the aggregate purchase price paid by such investor every thirtieth day thereafter (prorated for periods totaling less than thirty days) until the earliest of the effectiveness of the registration statement, the ten-month anniversary of the Effectiveness Deadline, and the time that we are no longer required to keep such resale registration statement effective because either the investors have sold all of their shares or the investors may sell their shares pursuant to Rule 144 without volume limitations; and (c) 0.5% of the aggregate purchase price paid by each investor for the shares it purchased in our November 2007 private placement on the ten-month anniversary of the Effectiveness Deadline and every thirtieth day thereafter (pro-rated for periods totaling less than thirty days), until the earlier of the effectiveness of the registration statement and the time that we are no longer required to keep such resale registration statement effective because either the investors have sold all of their shares or the investors may sell their shares pursuant to Rule 144 without volume limitations. Such liquidated damages would bear interest at the rate of 1% per month (prorated for partial months) until paid in full.
On December 21, 2007, pursuant to the registration rights agreement, we filed a registration statement on Form S-3, which was declared effective by the SEC on May 7, 2008. The lateness of this filing triggered liquidated damages consistent with the formula described above. On August 26, 2008, we conducted a registered direct offering of 4,102,564 shares of common stock, at an offering price of $3.90 per share, in which the investors also received warrants to purchase up to 4,102,564 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.90 per share. With one exception, all of the investors that participated in our November 2007 private placement, or affiliates of them, participated in our August 2008 registered direct offering. We reduced each of these investors’ (or each such investor’s participating affiliate’s) purchase price by an amount that was at least equal to the amount that we determined that we were liable for as liquidated damages to such investor (or its participating affiliate). As of June 30, 2009, the remaining investor had waived any and all rights relating to liquidated damages pursuant to the November 2007 registration rights agreement. As of September 30, 2011, approximately $159,000 of liquidated damages remained outstanding for accounting purposes. Pursuant to the settlements described above, however, we do not believe that we are actually liable for this amount.
Make-Good Settlements. Beginning on March 13, 2008, we have entered into settlement agreements with certain investors in the January 20, 2005, private placement completed by the Company. Pursuant to the settlement agreements, we and such investors have agreed, without any admission of liability, to a settlement and mutual releases from all claims relating to the January 20, 2005 private placement, including all claims relating to 1,089,775 “make good shares” of our common stock that had been placed into escrow by Xiangqian Li, our chairman and chief executive officer, in connection with the January 20, 2005, private placement, as well as all claims, including claims for liquidated damages, relating to registration rights granted in connection with the January 20, 2005, private placement. Pursuant to the settlement agreements, we have made settlement payments to each of the settling investors of a number of shares of common stock equal to 50% of the number of “make good shares” such investor had claimed. Aggregate settlement payments amounted to 368,745 shares as of June 30, 2009, all of which were issued in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. Share payments to date have been made in reliance upon the exemptions from registration provided by Section 4(2) and/or other applicable provisions of the Securities Act. In accordance with the settlement agreements, we filed a registration statement covering the resale of such shares, which was declared effective by the SEC on June 26, 2008.
In accordance with the Delivery of Make Good Shares, Settlement and Release Agreement entered into with Mr. Li on October 22, 2007, we may continue to negotiate with the investors who participated in the January 20, 2005, private placement in order to achieve a complete settlement of our obligations under the applicable agreements with such investors.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4.
(REMOVED AND RESERVED).
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
Market Information
Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “CBAK.”
The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low sales prices of a share of our common stock as reported by NASDAQ for the periods indicated. These prices do not include retail markup, markdown or commission and may not represent actual transactions.
(1) The above table sets forth the range of high and low closing prices per share of our common stock as reported by Yahoo! Finance for the periods indicated.
Approximate Number of Holders of Our Common Stock
As of December 13, 2011, there were approximately 45 holders of record of our common stock. This number excludes the shares of our common stock owned by stockholders holding stock under nominee security position listings.
Dividend Policy
We have never declared or paid any dividends, nor do we have any present plan to pay any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business.
As we are a holding company, we rely on dividends paid to us by our subsidiaries in the PRC through our Hong Kong subsidiary, BAK International. In accordance with its articles of association, each of our subsidiaries in the PRC is required to allocate to its enterprise development reserve at least 10% of its respective after-tax profits determined in accordance with the PRC accounting standards and regulations. Each of our subsidiaries in the PRC may stop allocations to its general reserve if such reserve has reached 50% of its registered capital. Allocations to the reserve can only be used for making up losses and other specified purposes and may not be paid to us in the form of loans, advances, or cash dividends. Dividends paid by our PRC subsidiaries to BAK International, our Hong Kong subsidiary, will not be subject to Hong Kong capital gains or other income tax under current Hong Kong laws and regulations because they will not be deemed to be assessable income derived from or arising in Hong Kong.
Our board of directors has discretion on whether to pay dividends unless the distribution would render us unable to repay our debts as they become due, as provided in Chapter 78.288 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. Even if our board of directors decides to pay dividends, the form, frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
No securities were sold by the Registrant during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 that were not registered under the Securities Act.
Purchases of Our Equity Securities
No repurchases of our common stock were made during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year ended September 30, 2011.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
The selected consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) data for the years ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of September 30, 2011 and 2010 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. The selected consolidated balance sheet data as of September 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and the selected consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) data for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this report.
The following selected historical financial information should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and the information contained in “Item 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following management’s discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the notes thereto and the other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report. In addition to historical information, the following discussion contains certain forward-looking information. See “Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” above for certain information concerning those forward looking statements. Our financial statements are prepared in U.S. dollars and in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Overview
Although the business climate in China is recovering, the global economic environment remains weak. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, we generated $218.9 million in net revenues, which is 1.9% higher than the $214.8 million in net revenues generated in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010. The year-over-year increase in net revenues was generally due to an increase in our average selling price.
During fiscal year 2011, we continued to explore and capitalize on opportunities to generate additional sources of revenue through new product offerings. We have been primarily seeking to increase the market share of our cylindrical cells and high-power lithium battery cells for electric bicycles and other electric vehicles in China, while battery cell production for cell phones is expected to decrease proportionally while remaining the Company’s core business. During the past fiscal year, we developed specially-designed cylindrical cells that we subsequently shipped to power a set of pure electric vehicles built by Dongfeng-Yulon, a joint venture between Yulon Group, Taiwan’s largest automaker, and major Chinese automaker Dongfeng Group, and delivered to the public transportation authority of the city of Hangzhou, China. We also entered into a strategic cooperation program for electric vehicle development with HAITEC, a subsidiary of Yulon Group. In October 2011, we initiated shipments of cylindrical cells to HAITEC to power its pure electric vehicles under this program. We also launched our first single battery and first battery module in late September 2011. Both products have a capacity of 100Ah and are for use in electric vehicles. The single battery consists of one large battery cell and the battery module consists of a number of 18650-type cells. We signed high-power lithium battery supply contracts with XDS Shenzhen,Geoby, and Suzhou Noah for use in electric bicycles, whose market demand has been increasing. We also supplied high-power lithium battery cells and battery modules to domestic automakers such as Chery and Faw for use in their electric vehicles. We focused more on our polymer cells as well, as the market demand for this product has been increasing because of the increasing popularity of ultra-thin smartphones and tablet computers.
In addition, we continued to pursue opportunities to generate new sources of revenues and reduce costs of revenue. We continued to develop new products for use in high-end markets to increase our sales prices, and reduced manufacturing costs and purchase costs of raw materials.
In the near-term, we anticipate continuing operating challenges due to a number of trends facing our business, including in particular declining demand for replacement battery cells and increasing competition from foreign and domestic battery cell manufacturers in China. These challenges may impede our primary strategy to increase our revenues and gross margin through product diversification and manufacturing efficiencies. In response, we will continue to take cost-cutting actions, including employee reductions. To that end, in September 2011, we hired a new General Manager and a new Sales Vice President for our Shenzhen facility to report to our Chief Executive Officer so as to strengthen management capability and to improve sales productivity.
To help us finance and expand our operations, we had access to $242.4 million in short-term credit facilities and $31.3 million in long-term credit facilities as of September 30, 2011. As of September 30, 2011, the principal outstanding amounts included short-term bank loans of $139.7 million under credit facilities, long-term bank loans of $23.5 million maturing within one year and long-term bank loans of $15.0 million maturing in over one year, and bills payable of $50.2 million under credit facilities, leaving $59.5 million of short-term funds available under our credit facilities for additional cash needs. In July 2008, a $60.0 million shelf registration statement was declared effective by the SEC, pursuant to which we raised $36.6 million in gross proceeds from sales of common stock and issued common stock warrants exercisable for up to $21.6 million in additional gross proceeds. None of these warrants were exercised before their expiration. This shelf registration statement has expired.
We had a working capital deficiency, accumulated deficit from recurring net losses incurred for the current and prior years as at September 30, 2011 and significant short-term debt obligations maturing in less than one year. These factors raise substantial doubts about our ability to continue as a going concern. Accordingly, we have continued to develop a strategic plan to continue to generate a positive cash flow from operating activities for the fiscal years ending September 30, 2012 and 2013. Under this plan, we will continue to increase our presence in the OEM market both domestically and internationally with more aggressive marketing strategies expand and secure our market base. We will also continue to implement reductions of both manufacturing costs and operating expenses to improve profit margins as well as reduce receivable turnover days through stronger credit controls.
Financial Statement Presentation
Net Revenues. Our net revenues represent the invoiced value of our products sold, net of value added taxes, or VAT, sales returns, trade discounts and allowances. We are subject to VAT, which is levied on most of our products at the rate of 17% on the invoiced value of our products. Provision for sales returns are recorded as a reduction of revenue in the same period that revenue is recognized. The provision for sales returns represents our best estimate of the amount of goods that will be returned from our customers based on historical sales returns data.
Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues consists primarily of material costs, employee remuneration for staff engaged in production activity, share-based compensation, depreciation and related expenses that are directly attributable to the production of products. Cost of revenues also includes write-downs of inventory to lower of cost or market. Cost of revenues from the sales of battery packs includes the fees we pay to pack manufacturers for assembling our prismatic cells into battery packs.
Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses primarily comprise of remuneration for R&D staff, share-based compensation, depreciation and maintenance expenses relating to R&D equipment, and R&D material costs.
Sales and Marketing Expenses. Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of remuneration for staff involved in selling and marketing efforts, including staff engaged in the packaging of goods for shipment, advertising cost, depreciation, share-based compensation and travel and entertainment expenses. We do not pay slotting fees to retail companies for displaying our products, engage in cooperative advertising programs, participate in buy-down programs or similar arrangements. No material estimates are required by management to determine our actual marketing or advertising costs for any period.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of employee remuneration, share-based compensation, professional fees, insurance, benefits, general office expenses, depreciation, liquidated damage charge and bad debt expenses.
Property, Plant and Equipment Impairment Charges. Impairment charges consist primarily of impairment losses for long-lived assets. These losses reflect the amounts by which the carrying values of these assets exceed their estimated fair value as determined by their estimated future discounted cash flows.
Government Grant Income. Government grant income for the year ended September 30, 2011 mainly consisted of receipt of grants to fund certain lithium battery research projects and to subsidize the payment for land use rights of BAK Industrial Park. No present or future obligation arises from the receipt of such amount.
Finance Costs, Net. Finance costs consist primarily of interest income, interest on bank loans, net of capitalized interest, and bank charges.
Income Taxes. Under PRC income tax laws and regulations, before January 1, 2008, a FIE, such as each of our wholly-owned PRC subsidiaries, was generally subject to an enterprise income tax rate of 33.0%, which included a 30.0% state income tax and a 3.0% local income tax. However, from at least calendar year 2002 through calendar year 2007, an enterprise recognized as a “Manufacturing Enterprise Located in Special Economic Zone” under PRC tax laws was entitled to a preferential income tax rate of 15%. Moreover, a foreign-invested manufacturing enterprise, starting from its first profitable calendar year after offset of accumulated tax losses, was entitled to a two-year exemption from enterprise income tax followed by a three-year 50% reduction in its enterprise income tax rate, also referred to herein as the “tax holiday.” An enterprise qualified for such treatment may receive a further tax rate reduction related to the size of qualified capital contributions received. In addition, from at least calendar year 2002 through calendar year 2007, an enterprise qualified as an “advanced technology enterprise” under PRC tax law also was entitled to a 50% reduction of income taxes.
On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress of China passed the EIT Law, and on November 28, 2007, the State Council of China passed its implementing rules, both of which took effect on January 1, 2008. The EIT Law unifies the application scope, tax rate, tax deduction and preferential policy for both domestic enterprises and FIEs. According to the EIT Law, the applicable income tax rate for Shenzhen BAK, BAK Electronics and BAK Tianjin will be 25% after their preferential tax holidays and the transition period have ended. During the transition period, tax rates for subject entities was 18% and 20% for the calendar years 2008 and 2009, respectively, and is expected to be 22% and 24% for the calendar years 2010 and 2011, respectively, before the application of applicable tax holidays or other tax preferences.
Shenzhen BAK and BAK Electronics are both registered and operate in Shenzhen, the PRC, and are each recognized as “Manufacturing Enterprise Located in Special Economic Zone.” As a result, they have been entitled to a preferential enterprise income tax rate of 15%. In accordance with the relevant income tax laws, the profits of Shenzhen BAK and BAK Electronics were fully exempted from income tax for two years from the first profitable calendar year of operations after offset of accumulated taxable losses, followed by a 50% exemption for the immediate next three calendar years.
The tax holiday of Shenzhen BAK commenced in 2002, the first calendar year in which Shenzhen BAK had assessable profit, and ended on December 31, 2006. In addition, due to additional capital contributed by BAK International to Shenzhen BAK in both 2005 and 2006 and Shenzhen BAK’s qualification as an advanced technology enterprise in 2007 and 2008, Shenzhen BAK was granted a preferential income tax rate of 7.5%, 11.8% and 12.6% for calendar years 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. In accordance with the transition period of the EIT Law and before considering the above-mentioned tax concessions, Shenzhen BAK’s income tax rate for calendar years 2010 and 2011 are 22% and 24%, respectively, and starting in calendar year 2012, it is expected to be subject to an income tax rate of 25%. Therefore, Shenzhen BAK’s income tax rates after consideration of its tax concessions are 15% for both calendar years 2010 and 2011and starting in calendar year 2012, it is expected to be subject to an income tax rate of 25%.
For BAK Electronics, established in August 2005, the same tax holiday was in effect for calendar years 2006 and 2007, making BAK Electronics fully exempt from any enterprise income tax. Following the tax holiday, a three-year 50% reduction in BAK Electronics’ enterprise income tax rate commenced. Pursuant to the transition period of the EIT Law, BAK Electronics’ income tax rates for calendar years 2010 and 2011 were 22% and 24%, respectively, and starting in calendar year 2012 it was expected to be subject to an income tax rate of 25%. Taking the 50% reduction into account, BAK Electronics’ income tax rates are now 11% and 24% for calendar years 2010 and 2011, respectively, with no change in its expected 2012 tax rate of 25%. BAK Electronics did not incur any enterprise income tax for the calendar year 2011 due to the current tax losses carried forward from calendar year 2009 and 2010.
Shenzhen BAK and BAK Electronics did not receive any tax benefit to their tax holiday and preferential tax rate for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011.
BAK Tianjin is currently paying no enterprise income tax due to cumulative tax losses.
Our Canadian, German, Indian, and Hong Kong subsidiaries-BAK Canada, BAK Europe, BAK India, and BAK International-are subject to profits taxes in their respective countries at rates of 38%, 25%, 30%, and 16.5% respectively. However, because they do not have any assessable income derived from or arising in those countries, they have not paid any such tax.
Our effective tax expense rate was 5.6% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 and the effective tax benefit rate was 9.1% and 8.2% for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Pursuant to the Provisional Regulation of China on Value Added Tax and its implementing rules, all entities and individuals that are engaged in the sale of goods, the provision of repairs and replacement services and the importation of goods in China are generally required to pay VAT at a rate of 17.0% of the gross sales proceeds received, less any deductible VAT already paid or borne by the taxpayer. Further, when exporting goods, the exporter is entitled to some or all of the refund of VAT that it has already paid or borne. Our imported raw materials that are used for manufacturing export products and are deposited in bonded warehouses are exempt from import VAT.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth key components of our results of operations for the years indicated, both in dollars and as a percentage of our revenue. All amounts, other than percentages, are in thousands of U.S. dollars.
Comparison of Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010
Net Revenues. Net revenues were $218.9 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 as compared to $214.8 million for the prior year, an increase of $4.1 million, or 1.9% .
The following table sets forth the breakdown of our net revenues by battery cell type.
Net revenues from sales of aluminum-case cells decreased to $94.4 million in the year ended September 30, 2011, from $112.6 million in fiscal year 2010, a decrease of $18.2 million, or 16.2%, resulting from a significant decrease of sales volume of 25.0% as a result of the introduction of built-in high capacity polymer batteries being adopted by domestic OEM customers, offset by an increase in our average price of 11.8% .
Net revenues from sales of battery packs increased to $55.1 million in the year ended September 30, 2011, from $46.4 million in fiscal year 2010, an increase of $8.7 million, or 18.8% . This resulted from an increase in sales volume of 7.6% from increased export and domestic market (PRC) sales to new customers as some of our smaller competitors left the market and a 10.5% increase in average selling price.
Net revenues from sales of cylindrical cells increased to $53.2 million in the year ended September 30, 2011, from $43.2 million in fiscal year 2010, an increase of $10.0 million, or 23.1% .This resulted from an increase in sales volume of 27.8% due to increased domestic sales to new customers as some of our smaller competitors left the market.
We sold $10.2 million in lithium polymer cells for the year ended September 30, 2011, compared to $10.1 million in lithium polymer cells in fiscal year 2010, a slight increase of $51,000, or 0.5%, resulting from an increase of 8.0% in our average selling price, offset by a decrease of 7.0% in sales volume.
We also sold approximately $6.1 million in high-power lithium battery cells for the year ended September 30, 2011, as compared to $1.8 million in high-power lithium battery cells in fiscal year 2010, due to our increased sales of high-power battery cells used in electric bicycles, power tools, UPS, and other applications from our Tianjin facility.
Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues increased to $192.6 million for the year ended September 30, 2011, as compared to $192.1 million for fiscal year 2010, an increase of $509,000, or 0.3% . The slight increase in cost of revenues was due to a decrease in prismatic sales volume over the year ended September 30, 2011 and a significant write down of obsolete inventory over the year ended September 30, 2010.
Gross Profit. Gross profit for the year ended September 30, 2011 was $26.3 million, or 12.0% of net revenues, as compared to gross profit of $22.7 million, or 10.6% of net revenues, for fiscal year 2010. Our increase in gross profit as a percentage of net revenues was primarily due to a significant write down of obsolete inventory over the year ended September 30, 2010.
Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses decreased to $7.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2011, as compared to $7.4 million for fiscal year 2010, a decrease of $111,000, or 1.5% . This decrease was mainly due to a decrease in research funds by approximately $637,000 as a result of a decrease in R&D projects. Salaries and welfare related to R&D staffs increased $216,000 primarily due to increased basic salaries and benefits in response to guidance issued to Shenzhen-based companies by relevant local government authorities during the three months ended June 30, 2010 and effective July 1, 2010. The cost of certification fees also increased by $131,000, due to increased applications of certificate as requested from new customers.
Sales and Marketing Expenses. Sales and marketing expenses decreased to $8.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2011 as compared to $8.9 million for fiscal year 2010, a decrease of $315,000, or 3.6%, primarily due to decreased prismatic cells packing expenses of $262,000 and repair and maintenance expenses of $192,000, resulting from the decrease in sales of prismatic cells. Salaries and welfare increased $174,000, primarily due to increased basic salaries and benefits in response to guidance issued to Shenzhen-based companies by relevant local government authorities during the three months ended June 30, 2010 and effective July 1, 2010. As a percentage of revenues, sales and marketing expenses have decreased to 3.9% for the year ended September 30, 2011, from 4.1% for fiscal year 2010, primarily due to the increase in revenues from the sales over the year ended September 30, 2011.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased to $18.1 million, or 8.3% of revenues, for the year ended September 30, 2011 as compared to $27.1 million, or 12.6% of revenues, for fiscal year 2010, a decrease of $9.0 million, or 33.2% . The primary reason for the decrease was that provision for bad debt expenses decreased by $8.4 million over the year ended September 30, 2011 compared to the year ended September 30, 2010.
As described under “Item 3. Legal Proceedings - Make Good Settlements” we have entered into settlement agreements pursuant to which we have issued shares to certain shareholders that purchased shares in a January 20, 2005 private placement transaction in settlement of claims related to the private placement, including claims for liquidated damages. Pursuant to the settlement agreements, the claims of each shareholder are released as of the applicable “release date” which occurred on June 26, 2008, the date the resale registration statement we filed relating to resales by the settling shareholders of the shares issued pursuant to the settlement agreement was declared effective by the SEC. We expect such settlements may result in gains in one or more future periods in accordance with their waivers of claims to liquidated damages.
Property, Plant and Equipment Impairment Charge. Property, plant and equipment impairment charge decreased to $6.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2011 as compared to $7.0 million for fiscal year 2010, a decrease of $521,000, or 7.4% . During the course of our strategic review of our operations for the year ended September 30, 2011, we assessed the recoverability of the carrying value of certain property, plant and equipment which resulted in impairment losses of $6.5 million from an assessment that total net book value of assets group together was higher than its undiscounted cash flows from the identified cash-generating unit.
Operating Loss. As a result of the above, operating loss totaled $14.2 million for the year ended September 30, 2011, as compared to operating loss of $27.7 million for the prior fiscal year, a decrease of $13.5 million, or 49.0% . As a percentage of net revenues, operating loss was 6.5% for the year ended September 30, 2011, as compared to operating loss of 12.9% for the prior fiscal year.
Finance Costs, Net. Finance costs, net, increased to $10.8 million for the year ended September 30, 2011 as compared to $9.0 million for the prior year, an increase of $1.8 million, or 20.2% . We had $139.7 million in short-term bank loans maturing in less than one year, $23.5 million in long-term bank loans maturing within one year, and $15.0 million in other long-term bank loans maturing in more than one year, outstanding as of September 30, 2011, as compared to $137.4 million in short-term bank loans maturing in less than one year, $11.9 million in long-term bank loans maturing within one year, and $29.9 million in other long-term bank loans maturing in more than one year, outstanding as of September 30, 2010. The increase in net finance costs is mainly attributable to an increase in the average bank loan interest rates on both our short-term and long-term bank loans and in discounts charged for bills receivable recognized over the year ended September 30, 2011.
Government Grant Income. Government grant income was $1.4 million for the year ended September 30, 2011 as compared to $714,000 for fiscal year 2010. Government grant income for the year ended September 30, 2011 mainly consisted of government grant funds as follows: $1.2 million to fund certain lithium battery research projects and $234,000 represented amortization of government subsidies received in relation to the additional cost of the land use rights of BAK Industrial Park. No present or future obligation arises from the receipt of such government subsidies. Government grant income for the year ended September 30, 2010 mainly consisted of government grant funds as follows: $479,000 to fund certain lithium battery research projects and $235,000 represented amortization of government subsidies received in relation to the additional cost of the land use rights of BAK Industrial Park. No present or future obligation arises from the receipt of such government subsidies.
Income Tax Expense / (Benefit). Income tax expense was $1.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2011, as compared to income tax benefit of $3.4 million for fiscal year 2010. The change was the result of allowance of deferred tax assets during the year ended September 30, 2011.
Net Loss. As a result of the foregoing, we had a net loss of $24.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2011, compared to $32.8 million for the year ended September 30, 2010.
Comparison of Fiscal Years Ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009
Net Revenues. Net revenues were $214.8 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $211.1 million for the prior year, an increase of $3.6 million, or 1.7% .
The following table sets forth the breakdown of our net revenues by battery cell type.
Net revenues from sales of aluminum-case cells slightly increased to $112.6 million in the year ended September 30, 2010, from $111.7 million in fiscal year 2009, an increase of $882,000, or 0.8% . This resulted from an increase in sales volume of 16.7% driven by increased sales to the OEM market in the PRC, offset by a 13.7% decrease in average selling price as we sold slow-moving inventories at discount to improve our operating cash flow.
Net revenues from sales of battery packs increased to $46.4 million in the year ended September 30, 2010, from $24.7 million in fiscal year 2009, an increase of $21.7 million, or 87.8% . This resulted from an increase in sales volume of 114.9% from increased export and domestic market (PRC) sales to new customers as some of our smaller competitors left the market, offset by a 12.6% decrease in average selling price.
Net revenues from sales of cylindrical cells decreased to $43.2 million in the year ended September 30, 2010, from $55.3 million in fiscal year 2009, a decrease of $12.2 million, or 22.0%, due to a decrease in our average selling prices of 18.6% due to implementing a temporary pricing competition strategy to maintain and increase our market share in the OEM market, and a decrease in sales volume of 4.2% as result of fierce competition.
We sold $689,000 in steel-case cells in the year ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $5.0 million in the year ended September 30, 2009. This change was attributable primarily to our long-term strategic reduction and suspension of steel-case cell production in January 2009 which was designed to increase our production capacity of aluminum-case cells for sale to the OEM market and to take advantage of the greater sales prospects and lower costs of aluminum-case cells.
We sold $10.1 million in lithium polymer cells for the year ended September 30, 2010, compared to $14.3 million in lithium polymer cells in fiscal year 2009, a decrease of $4.1 million, or 28.9%, resulting from a 27.0% decrease in sales volume and a 2.6% decrease in average selling price as result of fierce competition.
We also sold approximately $1.8 million in high-power lithium battery cells for the year ended September 30, 2010, as compared to $180,000 in high-power lithium battery cells in fiscal year 2009, due to our sale of sample products used in electric buses, electric vehicles, electric bicycles, power tools, UPS, and other applications from our Tianjin facility.
Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues increased to $192.1 million for the year ended September 30, 2010, as compared to $184.4 million for fiscal year 2009, an increase of $7.8 million, or 4.2% . The increase in cost of revenues correlates to an increase in sales volume over the year ended September 30, 2010, and a significant write down of obsolete inventory.
Gross Profit. Gross profit for the year ended September 30, 2010 was $22.7 million, or 10.6% of net revenues, as compared to gross profit of $26.8 million, or 12.7% of net revenues, for fiscal year 2009. Our decrease in gross profit as a percentage of net revenues primarily was due to the decrease in average selling price of prismatic battery cells and cylindrical battery cells resulting in lower gross margin during the year ended September 30, 2010, because we adopted a temporary competitive pricing strategy for cylindrical battery cells to increase their market share in the OEM market and sold slow-moving inventories at discount to improve our operating cash flow.
Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses increased to $7.4 million for the year ended September 30, 2010, as compared to $5.6 million for fiscal year 2009, an increase of $1.7 million, or 31.1% . Salaries and welfare related to R&D staffs increased $1.4 million primarily due to increased basic salaries and benefits in response to guidance issued to Shenzhen-based companies by relevant local government authorities during the three months ended June 30, 2010 and effective July 1, 2010. The cost of research materials also increased by $398,000, due to increased research projects required to support the development of high-power lithium battery cells.
Sales and Marketing Expenses. Sales and marketing expenses increased to $8.9 million for the year ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $6.2 million for fiscal year 2009, an increase of $2.7 million, or 43.4%, primarily due to increased packing expenses of $148,000 and advertising expenses of $95,000, resulting from more intensive sales effort during the year ended September 30, 2010. Salaries and welfare increased $1.3 million primarily due to increased basic salaries and benefits in response to guidance issued to Shenzhen-based companies by relevant local government authorities during the three months ended June 30, 2010 and effective July 1, 2010. Equity-based compensation included in sales and marketing expenses increased by $275,000 due to compensation charges applied to the grant of stock options to employees in our sales department. As a percentage of revenues, sales and marketing expenses have increased to 4.1% for the year ended September 30, 2010, from 2.9% for fiscal year 2009, primarily due to the significant increase in revenues supported by marketing and sales.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased to $27.1 million, or 12.6% of revenues, for the year ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $22.0 million, or 10.4% of revenues, for fiscal year 2009, an increase of $5.1 million, or 23.4% . Bad debt expenses increased by $2.7 million due to the provision charged following an assessment of account collectability in the fourth quarter of 2010. Salaries and welfare increased $554,000 primarily due to increased basic salaries and benefits under guidance from the relevant local governments during the year ended September 30, 2010. We also recognized an exchange loss of $1.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2010, compared with exchange loss of $49,000 for the year ended September 30, 2009.
As described under “Item 3. Legal Proceedings - Make Good Settlements” we have entered into settlement agreements pursuant to which we have issued shares to certain shareholders that purchased shares in a January 20, 2005 private placement transaction in settlement of claims related to the private placement, including claims for liquidated damages. Pursuant to the settlement agreements, the claims of each shareholder are released as of the applicable “release date” which occurred on June 26, 2008, the date the resale registration statement we filed relating to resales by the settling shareholders of the shares issued pursuant to the settlement agreement was declared effective by the SEC. We expect such settlements may result in gains in one or more future periods in accordance with their waivers of claims to liquidated damages.
Property, Plant and Equipment Impairment Charge. Property, plant and equipment impairment charge totaled $7.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2010. During the course of our strategic review of our operations for the year ended September 30, 2010, we assessed the recoverability of the carrying value of certain property, plant and equipment which resulted in impairment losses of $7.0 million from an assessment that total net book value of assets group together was higher than its undiscounted cash flows from the identified cash-generating unit. There was no similar charge during the year ended September 30, 2009.
Operating Loss. As a result of the above, operating loss totaled $27.7 million for the year ended September 30, 2010, as compared to operating loss of $7.1 million for the prior fiscal year, an increase of $20.7 million, or 292.9% . As a percentage of net revenues, operating loss was 12.9% for the year ended September 30, 2010, as compared to operating loss of 3.3% for the prior fiscal year.
Finance Costs, Net. Finance costs, net, decreased to $9.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $9.4 million for the prior year, a decrease of $350,000, or 3.7% . We had $137.4 million in short-term bank loans maturing in less than one year, $11.9 million in long-term bank loans maturing within one year, and $29.8 million in other long-term bank loans maturing in more than one year, outstanding as of September 30, 2010, as compared to $139.2 million in short-term bank loans maturing in less than one year, $16.1 million in long-term bank loans maturing within one year, and $39.5 million in other long-term bank loans maturing in more than one year, outstanding as of September 30, 2009. The decrease in net finance costs is mainly attributable to a decrease in debt outstanding and a decrease in the average bank loan interest rates on both our short-term and long-term bank loans.
Government Grant Income. Government grant income was $714,000 for the year ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $636,000 for fiscal year 2009. Government grant income for the year ended September 30, 2010 mainly consisted of government grant funds: $479,000 to fund certain lithium battery research projects and $235,000 represented amortization of government subsidies received in relation to the additional cost of the land use rights of BAK Industrial Park. No present or future obligation arises from the receipt of such government subsidies. Government grant income for the year ended September 30, 2009 mainly consisted of government grant funds of $402,000 to reward Shenzhen BAK for its contributions to the Shenzhen area’s economy and the amortization of deferred revenue of $234,000 in respect of the government subsidies received for the additional cost of land use rights for BAK Industrial Park. No present or future obligation arises from the receipt of such government subsidies.
Income Tax Benefit. Income tax benefit was $3.4 million for the year ended September 30, 2010, as compared to $1.3 million for fiscal year 2009. The change was the result of a deferred tax provision during the year ended September 30, 2010.
Net Loss. As a result of the foregoing, we had a net loss of $32.8 million for the year ended September 30, 2010, compared to $14.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2009.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have historically financed our liquidity requirements from a variety of sources, including short-term bank loans, long-term bank loans and bills payable under bank credit agreements, sale of bills receivable and issuance of capital stock. As of September 30, 2011, we had cash and cash equivalents of $24.9 million. In addition, we had pledged deposits amounting to $5.7 million. Typically, banks will require borrowers to maintain deposits of approximately 10% to 100% of the outstanding loan balances and bills payable. The individual bank loans have maturities ranging from three to twelve months which coincides with the periods the cash remains pledged to the banks. As of September 30, 2011, we had access to $242.4 million in short-term credit facilities and $31.3 million in long-term credit facilities.
As of September 30, 2011, the principal outstanding amounts included short-term bank loans of $139.7 million under credit facilities, long-term bank loans of $23.5 million maturing within one year and long-term bank loans of $15.0 million maturing in over one year, and bills payable of $50.2 million under credit facilities, leaving $59.5 million of short-term funds available under our credit facilities for additional cash needs. In July 2008, a $60.0 million shelf registration statement was declared effective by the SEC, pursuant to which we raised $36.6 million in gross proceeds from sales of common stock and issued common stock warrants exercisable for up to $21.6 million in additional gross proceeds. None of these warrants were exercised before their expiration. This shelf registration statement has expired.
The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated:
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $35.3 million in the year ended September 30, 2011 compared with net cash used in operating activities of $6.2 million in fiscal year 2010. The increase of $41.5 million in operating activities was mainly attributable to the settlement of overdue accounts receivables and longer credit terms we obtained from our suppliers.
Net cash used in operating activities was $6.2 million in the year ended September 30, 2010 compared with net cash provided by operating activities of $38.4 million in fiscal year 2009. The decrease of $44.6 million in operating activities was mainly attributable to an increase in prepayments to our lithium cobalt dioxide suppliers. We purchased more lithium cobalt dioxide, the main raw material in our products, in anticipation of the higher future cost of lithium cobalt dioxide as of September 30, 2010, and in the expectation of increased sales in the coming months.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities increased to $31.0 million in the year ended September 30, 2011 from $23.3 million in fiscal year 2010. The net cash used in investing activities for the year ended September 30, 2011, was mainly used for procurement of machinery and equipment for our high-power lithium battery cell line and construction of our Research and Development Test Centre in Shenzhen.
Net cash used in investing activities decreased to $23.3 million in the year ended September 30, 2010 from $41.6 million in the fiscal year 2009. The net cash used in investing activities for the year ended September 30, 2010, was mainly used for procurement of machinery and equipment for our cylindrical cell production line and our prismatic cell production line and construction of the Research and Development Test Centre in Shenzhen.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $2.8 million in the year ended September 30, 2011 compared to net cash provided by $22.5 million in fiscal year 2010. This was mainly attributable to (i) net proceeds of $19.6 million from a registered direct offering of common stock and warrants to purchase common stock completed in October 2009, (ii) a $17.7 million decrease in cash deposits at banks as collateral in the year ended September 30, 2011, and (iii) an increased in borrowings, net of repayments, of $12.1 million in the year ended September 30, 2011.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $22.5 million in the year ended September 30, 2010 compared to $1.6 million used in financing activities in fiscal year 2009. This change was attributable to (i) net proceeds of $19.6 million from a registered direct offering of our common stock completed in October 2009, (ii) a $48.5 million increase in cash deposits at banks as collateral in the year ended September 30, 2010, and (iii) decreased borrowings, net of repayments, of $43.9 million in the year ended September 30, 2010.
As of September 30, 2011, the principal amounts outstanding under our credit facilities and lines of credit were as follows:
The above principal outstanding amounts under credit facilities and lines of credit included short-term bank loans of $139.7 million, long-term bank loans of $23.5 million maturing within one year and long-term bank loans of $15.0 million maturing in over one year, and bills payable of $50.2 million.
For the purpose of presentation, the effect of increases in bills payable balances is included in operating activities in the statements of cash flows.
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, we repaid borrowings under loans totaling approximately $172.6 million, renewed six comprehensive credit facility agreements with aggregate maximum loan amounts of approximately $123.4 million, and entered into new short-term bank loan agreements totaling approximately $60.8 million. The material financing terms of these loans are described below.
On May 6, 2011, we renewed our comprehensive credit facility agreement with Shenzhen Branch, China Citic Bank, or China Citic Bank, to provide a maximum loan amount of RMB 105 million (approximately $16.4 million). Loans may be drawn at any time from May 6, 2011 to May 6, 2012 and will be due based on each loan agreement. This credit facility was guaranteed by BAK International and Mr. Xiangqian Li. As of September 30, 2011, we had borrowed $6.3 million under a loan, currently carrying annual interest at 110% of the benchmark rate announced by the People’s Bank of China, or the PBOC, with a rate in line with the benchmark interest rate adjustment of the PBOC under this credit facility, and is due on June 3, 2012.
On May 3, 2011, we renewed our comprehensive credit facility agreement with Shenzhen Longgang Branch, Bank of China, or Bank of China, to provide a maximum loan amount of RMB 450 million (approximately $70.5 million). Loans may be drawn at any time from May 3, 2011 to May 3, 2012 and will be due based on each loan agreement. This credit facility was guaranteed by BAK International and Mr. Xiangqian Li. As of September 30, 2011, we had four outstanding short-term loans under the comprehensive credit facility totaling $31.3 million. The first loan, of approximately $7.8 million, carries annual interest at 110% of the benchmark rate of the PBOC on the date of the loan agreement and adjusted every three months, and is repayable on July 26, 2012. The second loan, of approximately $7.8 million, carries annual interest at 110% of the benchmark rate of the PBOC on the date of the loan agreement and adjusted every three months, and is repayable on July 28, 2012. The third loan, of approximately $7.9 million, carries annual interest at 110% of the benchmark rate of the PBOC on the date of the loan agreement and adjusted every three months, and is repayable on August 2, 2012, and $34.6 million of notes payable under this credit facility agreement. The fourth loan, of approximately $7.8 million, carried annual interest at 95% of the benchmark rate of the PBOC and was due on November 9, 2011.
On January 20, 2011, we renewed our comprehensive credit facility agreement with Shenzhen Development Bank, Longgang Branch, or Shenzhen Development Bank, to provide a maximum loan amount of RMB 200 million (approximately $31.3 million). Loans may be drawn at any time from January 26, 2011 to January 18, 2012 and will be due based on each loan agreement. This credit facility agreement was guaranteed by BAK International, BAK Tianjin and Mr. Xiangqian Li, and also was secured by $23.5 million of inventory. As of September 30, 2011, we had three outstanding short-term loans under the comprehensive credit facility with Shenzhen Development Bank totaling approximately $23.5million. The first loan, dated January 25, 2011, was approximately $11.0 million, carried a floating interest rate equal to the benchmark rate of the PBOC on the date of the loan agreement and adjusted quarterly, and was repayable on January 24, 2012. The second loan, dated January 30, 2011, was approximately $9.4 million, carried a floating interest rate equal to the benchmark rate of the PBOC on the date of the loan agreement and adjusted quarterly, and was repayable on January 29, 2012. The second loan was repaid on September 27, 2011 and replaced with another loan for approximately $9.4 million under a loan agreement dated September 27, 2011, bearing annual interest at 107% of the benchmark rate of the PBOC on the date of the loan agreement and adjusted every three months, repayable on July 18, 2012. The third loan, dated June 13, 2011, is approximately $3.1 million, carries annual interest at the benchmark rate of the PBOC on the date of the loan agreement and adjusted quarterly, and is repayable on June 16, 2012. The third loan was borrowed after a predecessor loan was repaid on August 2, 2010, not December 31, 2010 as had been reported in our Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2010.
On December 26, 2010, we renewed our comprehensive credit facility agreement with Industrial Bank, Shenzhen Hi-tech District Branch, or Shenzhen Industrial Bank, to provide a maximum loan amount of RMB 62.6 million (approximately $9.8 million). Loans may be drawn at any time over the one-year period beginning December 26, 2010 and will be due based on each loan agreement. This credit facility agreement was guaranteed by BAK International, BAK Tianjin and Mr. Xiangqian Li. As of September 30, 2011, we had borrowed approximately $7.8 million under the loan agreement, carrying annual interest rate at 6.391% and the due date is December 10, 2011.
On November 15, 2010, we renewed our comprehensive credit facility agreement with Agricultural Bank of China, Shenzhen Eastern Branch, or Agricultural Bank - Shenzhen Branch, to provide a maximum loan amount of RMB 450 million (approximately $70.5 million), including RMB 400 million (approximately $62.6 million) of one-year term credit facilities and RMB 50 million (approximately $7.7 million) of five-year term credit facilities. This comprehensive credit facility agreement renewed a predecessor credit facility agreement between Shenzhen BAK and Agricultural Bank -Shenzhen Branch dated November 26, 2009 and governs all loans that were subject to the predecessor agreement at the time of the renewal. New loans may be drawn under this credit facility from November 15, 2010 through November 10, 2011, with the term of the loan established at the time each new loan is drawn, except as to funds borrowed under a loan agreement between Shenzhen BAK and Agricultural Bank - Shenzhen Branch dated November 23, 2006 and effective December 18, 2006, or the 2006 Loan Agreement, which may be drawn at any time within five years of December 18, 2006, and which will mature five years after such funds are drawn. Pursuant to the comprehensive credit facility, Shenzhen BAK must obtain prior approval from Agricultural Bank - Shenzhen Branch to renew long-term loans that are subject to this credit facility. In addition, Shenzhen BAK undertook to ensure that the percentage of certain business conducted with Agricultural Bank - Shenzhen Branch relative to such business it conducts with all financial institutions combined be at least equal to the percentage of its indebtedness to Agricultural Bank - Shenzhen Branch relative to its indebtedness to all financial institutions combined (referred to as the “Percentages Undertaking”). The “business” referred to in the preceding sentence refers to the volume of transactional payments that are drawn from Shenzhen BAK’s accounts with Agricultural Bank -Shenzhen Branch or applicable financial institutions and the amount of foreign currencies deposited with Agricultural Bank - Shenzhen Branch or applicable financial institutions. Shenzhen BAK also undertook not to issue any dividends without the written consent of Agricultural Bank - Shenzhen Branch prior to the expiration of all loans under this credit facility (this undertaking and the Percentages Undertaking are collectively referred to as the “Undertakings”). The obligations of Shenzhen BAK under this comprehensive credit facility are guaranteed by Mr. Xiangqian Li, BAK Tianjin, and BAK International. Shenzhen BAK’s obligations under this credit facility agreement are also guaranteed by Shenzhen BAK’s pledge of the property ownership and land use rights certificates relating to its manufacturing and other facilities in Shenzhen, PRC, known as BAK Industrial Park. In the event that Shenzhen BAK breaches any of the Undertakings or any guaranteed party breaches any of its guaranty obligations, Agricultural Bank - Shenzhen Branch may, in addition to exercising any other applicable remedies under the applicable agreements, accelerate repayment of all loan amounts governed by this credit facility.
As of September 30, 2011, we had six outstanding short-term loans under the comprehensive credit facility with Agricultural Bank - Shenzhen Branch, totaling approximately $62.6 million, carrying annual interest range from 5.0445% to 6.31%, adjusted quarterly. The first loan, of approximately $9.4 million, currently carries annual interest at the benchmark rate of the PBOC and is due on April 13, 2012. The second loan, of approximately $11.7 million, currently carries annual interest at the benchmark rate of the PBOC and is due on April 14, 2012. The third loan, of approximately $14.0 million, currently carries annual interest at the benchmark rate of the PBOC and is due on April 18, 2012. The fourth loan, of approximately $11.7 million, currently carries annual interest at 95% of the benchmark rate of the PBOC and is due on December 21, 2011. The fifth loan, of approximately $7.9 million, currently carries annual interest at the benchmark rate of the PBOC and is due on January 11, 2012. The sixth loan, of approximately $7.9 million, currently carries annual interest at the benchmark rate of the PBOC and is due on January 18, 2012. Each of the loan agreements specifically provides for acceleration of repayment of the loan under certain conditions, as well as other penalties and remedies.
On October 27, 2010, we renewed our comprehensive credit facility agreement with Tianjin Branch, Bank of Dalian, to provide a maximum loan amount of RMB 80 million (approximately $12.5 million), effective January 2011. Loans may be drawn at any time over the period from October 27, 2010 to January 26, 2012 and will be due based on each loan agreement. This credit facility agreement was guaranteed up to RMB 50 million by Shenzhen BAK Battery Co., Ltd. and Mr. Xiangqian Li. As of September 30, 2011, we had borrowed approximately $6.3 million under a loan agreement dated October 27, 2010, bearing annual interest of 6.116%, adjusted monthly, repayable on October 26, 2011, and $0.2 million notes payable under this credit facility agreement. In addition, we had also borrowed $1.9 million of short term loans separate from the credit facility.
During the first quarter of our fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, we renewed our guaranty contract with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank to provide guaranty for the loans drawn from November 30, 2010 to October 25, 2011. The maximum guaranty amount for all loans will be RMB 30 million (approximately $4.7 million). As of September 30, 2011, we had no borrowings under this guaranty.
As of September 30, 2011, we also had two five-year term loans totaling approximately $7.8 million under the Agricultural Bank - Shenzhen Branch comprehensive credit facility carrying interest at 90% of the benchmark rate of the PBOC for three-year to five-year long-term loans. The first loan, of approximately $6.2 million, currently carries annual interest of 5.184% and is due on January 25, 2012. The second loan, of approximately $9.2 million, currently carries annual interest of 5.184% and is due in two installments of approximately $7.6 million on January 25, 2011, which we repaid on January 25, 2011, and approximately $1.6 million on January 25, 2012, respectively. These five-year term loans are specifically: (i) guaranteed by Mr. Xiangqian Li; (ii) secured by Shenzhen BAK’s machinery and equipment with carrying values of approximately $29.0 million as of September 30, 2011; and (iii) secured by the property ownership and land use rights certificates with an aggregate net book value of $125.6 million as of September 30, 2011 in relation to the land on which Shenzhen BAK’s corporate campus had been constructed and any machinery and equipment purchased and used at the campus subsequent to such construction.
As of September 30, 2011, we had a comprehensive credit facility agreement with China Everbright Bank to provide a maximum amount of RMB 120 million (approximately $18.8 million) including RMB 40 million to support bank acceptance bills (instruments commonly used in China that are similar to letters of credit) and RMB 80 million to cover discounts on our notes receivable due to their assignment to certain banks, suppliers, vendors, and other creditors from November 8, 2010 to November 8, 2011. This credit facility agreement is guaranteed by BAK International and Mr. Xiangqian Li. As of September 30, 2011, we had borrowed $13.8 million of notes payable under this credit facility.
As of September 30, 2011, we had also borrowed $0.8 million of notes payable outside any credit facility from Bank of China, Tianjin Branch.
As of September 30, 2011, we had a comprehensive credit facility agreement, dated as of June 28, 2010, with Bank of Communications to provide a maximum loan amount of RMB 50 million (approximately $7.8 million). This credit facility agreement is guaranteed by BAK Tianjin and Mr. Xiangqian Li. Loans may be drawn at any time from June 28, 2010 to June 28, 2011. We had borrowed $0.3 million of notes payable under this credit facility from Bank of Communications.
As of September 30, 2011, we had a six-year long-term loan agreement expiring on February 9, 2016 of RMB 150 million (approximately $23.5 million) with Shenzhen Branch, China Development Bank, or China Development Bank. Under the loan agreement, the loan amount was to be drawn in four installments as follows: (1) RMB 50 million (approximately $7.8 million) in February 2010; (2) RMB 30 million (approximately $4.8 million) in July 2010; (3) RMB 30 million (approximately $4.7 million) in January 2011; and (4) RMB 40 million (approximately $6.2 million) in June 2011. The loan principal is to be repaid in seven installments according to the following schedule: (1) RMB 10 million (approximately $1.6 million) on November 21, 2012; (2) RMB 20 million (approximately $3.1 million) on May 21, 2013; (3) RMB 20 million (approximately $3.1 million) on November 21, 2013; (4) RMB 20 million (approximately $3.1 million) on May 21, 2014; (5) RMB 25 million (approximately $3.9 million) on November 21, 2014; (6) RMB 25 million (approximately $3.9 million) on May 21, 2015; and (7) RMB 30 million (approximately $4.7 million) on February 9, 2016. The interest rate was originally agreed to be 5.90% for the first installment and the then-published base rate for 6-year loans published by the PBOC for subsequent installments. Interest is to be calculated and settled every March 20, June 20, September 20, and December 20 each year, and payable the following business day. Pursuant to a Supplemental Agreement dated June 13, 2011, all loans under the agreement carry interest at 105% of the PBOC benchmark rate. The loan proceeds must be used for the construction of our Research & Development Test Centre in Shenzhen. The long-term loan is secured by Shenzhen BAK’s pledge of its land use rights certificates, property ownership and equipment built-up by use of this long-term loan pursuant to the loan agreement. According to the property ownership and land use rights certificate that we obtained in relation to this facility, the certificate may not be pledged without the approval of the relevant government office. On April 7, 2010, the pledge of the land use rights certificate to China Development Bank was approved by the relevant government bureau. For further discussion regarding the status of property ownership rights relating to this facility, please see “-Capital Expenditures.” The obligations of Shenzhen BAK under this loan agreement are guaranteed by Mr. Xiangqian Li. In consultation with China Development Bank, as of September 30, 2011, we have borrowed approximately $14.9 million in two loans under this agreement based on our updated evaluation of the expected construction costs of our Research & Development Test Centre. As of September 30, 2011, we had borrowed approximately RMB 95.6 million (or approximately $14.9 million) under this loan. China Development Bank has not charged any interest or penalties relating to the portion of the loan that we have not drawn. The loans currently carry annual interest at 7.4025% . The loan proceeds are repayable in accordance with the repayment schedule described above.
As of September 30, 2011, we had a four-year, long-term loan agreement expiring May 26, 2012 of RMB 100 million (approximately $15.6 million) with Agricultural Bank of China, Tianjin Branch, or Agricultural Bank - Tianjin Branch. This loan agreement is secured by the machinery and equipment purchased for the automated high-power lithium battery cells production line at our Tianjin facility with carrying values of approximately $1.9 million as of September 30, 2011. As of September 30, 2011, we had borrowed $15.6 million under this loan agreement, payable in two installments: (i) RMB 50 million (approximately $7.8 million) on December 26, 2011; and (ii) RMB 50 million (approximately $7.8 million) on May 26, 2012.
We had negative working capital of $105.4 million as of September 30, 2011, as compared to negative working capital of $70.8 million as of September 30, 2010, an increase in negative working capital of $34.6 million. Current assets as of September 30, 2011 were $197.3 million compared with $194.6 million as of September 30, 2010, an increase of $2.7 million. Current liabilities as of September 30, 2011 were $302.6 million compared with $265.5 million as of September 30, 2010, an increase of $37.1 million. We had short-term bank loans maturing in less than one year of $139.7 million and long-term bank loans maturing within one year of $23.5 million as of September 30, 2011, or a total of $163.2 million of loans maturing within one year, as compared to a total of $149.3 million of such loans as of September 30, 2010, an increase of $13.9 million. We had long-term bank loans maturing in over one year of $15.0 million as of September 30, 2011, as compared to $29.9 million of such loans as of September 30, 2010, a decrease of $14.9 million.
We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents and anticipated cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs, including our cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months. We may, however, require additional cash due to changing business conditions or other future developments, including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. If our existing cash and amount available under existing credit facilities is insufficient to meet our requirements, we may seek to sell additional equity securities, debt securities or borrow from lending institutions. We can make no assurances that financing will be available in the amounts we need or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. The sale of additional equity securities, including convertible debt securities, would dilute the interests of our current shareholders. The incurrence of debt would divert cash for working capital and capital expenditures to service debt obligations and could result in operating and financial covenants that restrict our operations and our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders. If we are unable to obtain additional equity or debt financing as required, our business operations and prospects may suffer.
Capital Expenditures
We made capital expenditures of $31.5 million, $23.2 million and $41.5 million in fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Our capital expenditures were used primarily to purchase plant and equipment to expand our production capacity and construct our Research and Development Test Centre in Shenzhen, China. The table below sets forth the breakdown of our capital expenditures by use for the periods indicated.
We estimate that our total capital expenditures in fiscal year 2012 will reach approximately $20.0 million, to purchase manufacturing equipment for the expansion of our production lines and for the construction of our Research and Development Test Centre at our Shenzhen facility.
As of September 30, 2011, the Company has substantially completed manufacturing facilities, warehousing and packaging facilities, dormitory space, dining halls, and administrative offices comprising 284,160 square meters at the following locations:
Land use rights certificates have been obtained on the above properties and application for ownership certificates are in process with the relevant governmental authorities in China.
For details on significant construction completed, see “Item 2. Properties,” in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
The following table sets forth our contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of September 30, 2011:
Other than the contractual obligations and commercial commitments set forth above, we did not have any other long-term debt obligations, operating lease obligations, capital commitments, purchase obligations or other long-term liabilities as of September 30, 2011.
Off-Balance Sheet Transactions
In the ordinary course of business practices in China, we enter into transactions with banks or other lenders where we guarantee the debt of other parties. These parties may be related to or unrelated to us. Conversely, our debt with lenders may also be guaranteed by other parties which may be related or unrelated to us.
Under U.S. GAAP, these transactions may not be recorded on our balance sheet or may be recorded in amounts different than the full contract or notional amount of the transaction. Our primary off-balance sheet arrangements would result from our loan guaranties in which Shenzhen BAK, BAK International, BAK Tianjin, and/or Mr. Xiangqian Li, our director, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, would provide contractual assurance of the debt, or guarantee the timely re-payment of principal and interest of the guaranteed party. Neither Shenzhen BAK, BAK International, BAK Tianjin, nor Mr. Xiangqian Li received, nor is entitled to receive, any consideration for the above-referenced guarantees, and we are not independently obligated to indemnify any of those guarantors for any amounts paid by them pursuant to any guarantee.
Typically, no fees are received for this service. Thus, in those transactions, Shenzhen BAK would have a contingent obligation related to the guarantee of payment in the event the underlying loan is in default.
Transactions described above require accounting treatment under Topic 460 “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others”..Under that standard, we would be required to recognize the fair value of guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002, for non-contingent guarantee obligations, and also a liability for contingent guarantee obligations based on the probability that the guaranteed party will not perform under the contractual terms of the guaranty agreement.
We have assessed the contingent liabilities arising from the above-described guarantees and have considered them immaterial to the consolidated financial statements. Therefore, no liabilities in respect of the guarantees were recognized as of September 30, 2011. As of September 30, 2011, we provided guarantees for the non-related parties, Shenzhen Tongli Hi-tech Co. Ltd., Shanghai Global Children Products Co. Ltd., Shenzhen Yasu Technology Co. Ltd. and Tianjin Bike New Energy Research Institute. The maximum amount of our exposure for these guarantees was $21.1 million and $40.2 million at September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively.
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to interest rate risk primarily with respect to our short-term bank loans and long-term bank loans. Although the interest rates, which are based on the banks’ prime rates with respect to our short-term loans are fixed for the terms of the loans, the terms are typically three to twelve months for short-term bank loans and interest rates are subject to change upon renewal. There were no material changes in interest rates for short-term bank loans renewed during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011.
Please refer to “- Liquidity and Capital Resources - Financing Activities” for a discussion of our credit facilities and loan agreements.
A hypothetical 1.0% increase in the annual interest rates for all of our credit facilities under which we had outstanding borrowings at September 30, 2011, would decrease net income before provision for income taxes by approximately $1.8 million or 7.7% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011. Management monitors the banks’ prime rates in conjunction with our cash requirements to determine the appropriate level of debt balances relative to other sources of funds. We have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to interest rate risk.
Foreign Exchange Risk
Although our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, the financial records of our operating subsidiaries are maintained in their local currency, the RMB, which is our functional currency. Approximately 97.3% of our revenues and 99.9% of our costs and expenses for the year ended September 30, 2011 are denominated in RMB, with the balance denominated in U.S. dollars. Approximately 99.8% of our assets excluding cash were denominated in RMB as of September 30, 2011. As a result, we are exposed to foreign exchange risk as our revenues and results of operations may be affected by fluctuations in the exchange rate between U.S. dollars and RMB. If the RMB depreciates against the U.S. dollar, the value of our RMB revenues, earnings and assets as expressed in our U.S. dollar financial statements will decline. Assets and liabilities of our operating subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at the balance sheet date, their equity accounts are translated at historical exchange rate and their income and expenses items are translated using the average rate for the period. Any resulting exchange differences are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. An average appreciation (depreciation) of the RMB against the U.S. dollar of 5% would increase (decrease) our comprehensive income by $9.7 million based on our outstanding revenues, costs and expenses, assets and liabilities denominated in RMB as of September 30, 2011. As of September 30, 2011, our accumulated other comprehensive income was $35.8 million. We have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure to foreign exchange risk.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our consolidated financial information has been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect (1) the reported amounts of our assets and liabilities, (2) the disclosure of our contingent assets and liabilities at the end of each fiscal period and (3) the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during each fiscal period. We continually evaluate these estimates based on our own historical experience, knowledge and assessment of current business and other conditions, our expectations regarding the future based on available information and reasonable assumptions, which together form our basis for making judgments about matters that are not readily apparent from other sources. Since the use of estimates is an integral component of the financial reporting process, our actual results could differ from those estimates. Some of our accounting policies require a higher degree of judgment than others in their application.
When reviewing our financial statements, the following should also be considered: (1) our selection of critical accounting policies, (2) the judgment and other uncertainties affecting the application of those policies, and (3) the sensitivity of reported results to changes in conditions and assumptions. We believe the following accounting policies involve the most significant judgment and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.
Recoverability of Long-Lived Assets
Our business is capital intensive and has required, and will continue to require, significant investments in property, plant and equipment. As of September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010, the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment, net was $243.2 million and $228.9 million, respectively. We assess the recoverability of property, plant and equipment to be held and used by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets to the future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or group of assets. If such assets are considered impaired, the impairment recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.
A prolonged general economic downturn and, specifically, a continued downturn in the battery cell industry as well as other market factors could intensify competitive pricing pressure, create an imbalance of industry supply and demand, or otherwise diminish volumes or profits. Such events, combined with changes in interest rates, could adversely affect our estimates of future net cash flows to be generated by our long-lived assets. Consequently, it is possible that our future operating results could be materially and adversely affected by additional impairment charges related to the recoverability of our long-lived assets.
We have recognized impairment charges of $6.5 million and $7.0 million for the long-lived assets for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Inventory Obsolescence
We review our inventory for potential impairment on a quarterly or more frequent basis as deemed necessary. Such review includes, but is not limited to, reviewing the levels of inventory versus customer requirements and obsolescence. The review and evaluation also considers the potential sale of impaired inventory at lower than market prices. At each balance sheet date, we identify inventories that are worth less than cost and write them down to their net realizable value and the difference is charged to our cost of revenues of that period. Though management considers such write-down of inventories adequate and proper, changes in sales volumes due to unexpected economic or competitive conditions are among the factors that could materially affect the adequacy of such write-down.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The allowance for doubtful accounts is our best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in our accounts receivable. We determine the allowance based on historical write-off experience, customer specific facts and economic conditions. Bad debt expense is included in the general and administrative expenses. We review outstanding account balances individually for collectability. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. As of September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010, we had not charged off any balances as we had yet to exhaust all means of collection.
Equity-Based Compensation
We adopted the provisions of ASC Topic 718 “Compensation - Stock Compensation,” which requires the use of the fair value method of accounting for share-based compensation. Under the fair value based method, compensation cost related to employee stock options or similar equity instruments is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period. ASC Topic 718 also requires measurement of cost of a liability-classified award based on its current fair value. The fair value of the liability-classified award will be subsequently re-measured at each reporting date through the settlement date. Change in fair value during the requisite service period will be recognized as compensation cost over that period.
We determine fair value using the Black-Scholes model. Under this model, certain assumptions, including the risk-free interest rate, the expected life of the options and the estimated fair value of our ordinary shares and the expected volatility, are required to determine the fair value of the options. If different assumptions had been used, the fair value of the options would have been different from the amount we computed and recorded, which would have resulted in either an increase or decrease in the compensation expense.
Pursuant to ASC Topic 718, we have recognized compensation costs of $1.6 million in relation to stock-based awards to our employees and non-employee directors for the year ended September 30, 2011, as an increase in both the operating costs and shareholder’s equity.
Changes in Accounting Standards
Please refer to note 1 to our consolidated financial statements, “Principal Activities, Basis of Presentation and Organization - Recently Issued Accounting Standards,” for a discussion of relevant pronouncements.
Exchange Rates
The financial records of Shenzhen BAK, BAK Electronics and BAK Tianjin are maintained in RMB. In order to prepare our financial statements, we have translated amounts in RMB into amounts in U.S. dollars. The amounts of our assets and liabilities on our balance sheets are translated using the closing exchange rate as of the date of the balance sheet. Revenues, expenses, gains and losses are translated using the average exchange rate prevailing during the period covered by such financial statements. Adjustments resulting from the translation, if any, are included in our cumulative other comprehensive income / (loss) in our stockholders’ equity section of our balance sheet. All other amounts that were originally booked in RMB and translated into U.S. dollars were translated using the closing exchange rate on the date of recognition. Consequently, the exchange rates at which the amounts in those comparisons were computed varied from year to year.
The exchange rates used to translate amounts in RMB into U.S. dollars in connection with the preparation of our financial statements were as follows:
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
The information required by this item is discussed in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations - Interest Rate Risk” and “-Foreign Exchange Risk.”
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
Consolidated Financial Statements
The full text of our audited consolidated financial statements begins on page of this report.
Quarterly Financial Results
The following table reflects our unaudited quarterly consolidated statement of operations data for the quarters presented. We believe that the historical quarterly information has been prepared substantially on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements, and all necessary adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, have been included in the amounts below to state fairly the unaudited quarterly results of operations data.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, our management has carried out an evaluation, with the participation and under the supervision of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2011. Disclosure controls and procedures refer to controls and other procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating and implementing possible controls and procedures.
Management conducted its evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures under the supervision of our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer. Based upon, and as of the date of this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2011.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. Internal control over financial reporting refers to the process designed by, or under the supervision of, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and includes those policies and procedures that:
pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with the authorization of our management and directors; and
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 financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. 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.
Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2011. In making this assessment, management used the framework set forth in the report entitled Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, or COSO. The COSO framework summarizes each of the components of a company’s internal control system, including (i) the control environment, (ii) risk assessment, (iii) control activities, (iv) information and communication, and (v) monitoring. Based on our assessment, we determined that, as of September 30, 2011, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.
Our independent registered public accounting firm, PKF, has issued an audit report on our internal control over financial reporting. Their audit report is set forth under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION.
We have no information to disclose that was required to be disclosed in a report on Form 8-K during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011, but was not reported.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
The information required by this item will be contained in our Proxy Statement relating to our 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
The information required by this item will be contained in our Proxy Statement relating to our 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
The information required by this item will be contained in our Proxy Statement relating to our 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
The information required by this item will be contained in our Proxy Statement relating to our 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.
The information required by this item will be contained in our Proxy Statement relating to our 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
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.
Exhibit List
The list of exhibits in the Exhibit Index to this Report is incorporated herein by reference.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of
China BAK Battery, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2011. We have also audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2011, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting 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 financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included 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, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company’s 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. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatement due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. 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.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2011 and 2010, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2011 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has a working capital deficiency, accumulated deficit from recurring net losses incurred for the current and prior years and significant short-term debt obligations maturing in less than one year as of September 30, 2011 . These factors raise substantial doubts about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plan in regards to these matters is also discussed in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ PKF
PKF
Certified Public Accountants
Hong Kong, China
December 14, 2011
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(In US$)
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(In US$)
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Consolidated statements of cash flows
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(In US$)
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Consolidated statements of cash flows
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
(In US$)
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011
1.
Principal Activities, Basis of Presentation and Organization
Principal Activities
China BAK Battery, Inc. (“China BAK”) is a corporation formed in the State of Nevada on October 4, 1999 as Medina Copy, Inc. The Company changed its name to Medina Coffee, Inc. on October 6, 1999 and subsequently changed its name to China BAK Battery, Inc. on February 14, 2005. China BAK and its subsidiaries (hereinafter, collectively referred to as the “Company”) are principally engaged in the manufacture, commercialization and distribution of a wide variety of standard and customized lithium ion (known as "Li-ion" or "Li-ion cell") rechargeable batteries for use in cellular telephones, as well as various other portable electronic applications, including high-power handset telephones, laptop computers, power tools, digital cameras, video camcorders, MP3 players, electric bicycles, hybrid/electric motors, and general industrial applications.
The shares of the Company were traded in the over-the-counter market through the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board from 2005 until May 31, 2006, when the Company obtained approval to list its common stocks on The NASDAQ Global Market, and trading commenced that same date under the symbol "CBAK".
Basis of Presentation and Organization
As of September 30, 2011, the Company’s subsidiaries consisted of: i) BAK International Limited (“BAK International”), a wholly owned limited liability company incorporated in Hong Kong on December 29, 2003 as BATCO International Limited, which changed its name to BAK International Limited on November 3, 2004; ii) Shenzhen BAK Battery Co., Ltd. (“Shenzhen BAK”), a wholly owned limited liability company established on August 3, 2001 in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”); iii) BAK Electronics (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (“BAK Electronics”), a wholly owned limited liability company established on August 15, 2005 in the PRC; iv) BAK International (Tianjin) Ltd. (“BAK Tianjin”), a wholly owned limited liability company established on December 12, 2006 in the PRC; v) BAK Battery Canada Ltd. (“BAK Canada”), a wholly owned limited liability company established on December 20, 2006 in Canada as BAK Canada Battery Ltd., which changed its name to BAK Battery Canada Ltd. on December 22, 2006; vi) BAK Europe GmbH (“BAK Europe”), a wholly owned limited liability company established in Germany on November 28, 2007; vii) BAK Telecom India Private Limited (“BAK India”), a wholly owned limited liability company established in India on August 14, 2008, and viii) Tianjin Meicai New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. (“Tianjin Meicai”), a wholly owned limited liability company established on February 22, 2011 in the PRC. As of September 30, 2011, BAK International beneficially owned 100% of BAK India partly through a nominee agreement with one of its employees.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Basis of Presentation and Organization (continued)
BAK Tianjin was established in Tianjin Technology Industrial District on December 12, 2006 as a wholly owned subsidiary of BAK International with registered capital of US$99,990,000. Pursuant to BAK Tianjin’s articles of association and relevant PRC regulations, BAK International was required to contribute US$20,000,000 to BAK Tianjin as capital (representing 20% of BAK Tianjin’s registered capital) before March 11, 2007. An extension from the Business Administration Bureau of Beichen District, Tianjin, was obtained to make this contribution no later than December 11, 2007. On November 16, 2007, BAK International contributed approximately US$20,000,000 capital to BAK Tianjin. The remaining US$79,990,000 was originally required to be fully contributed no later than December 11, 2008 and an extension from the Business Administration Bureau of Beichen District, Tianjin, was obtained to make this contribution no later than December 11, 2009. On November 16, 2009, BAK International contributed approximately US$9,000,000 capital to BAK Tianjin and as of November 16, 2009, the total contribution from BAK International was US$29,000,000. The remaining US$70,990,000 was originally required to be fully contributed no later than December 11, 2009 and an extension from the Business Administration Bureau of Beichen District, Tianjin, was obtained to make this contribution no later than December 2012. In August 2011, BAK International contributed approximately US$21,000,000 capital to BAK Tianjin and as of September 30, 2011, the total contribution from BAK International was US$50,000,000. BAK Tianjin is principally engaged in the manufacture of larger lithium ion batteries for use in cordless power tools and various types of vehicles.
Pursuant to Shenzhen BAK’s articles of association and relevant PRC regulations, BAK International was required to contribute about US$5.72 million to Shenzhen BAK as capital (representing 7% of Shenzhen BAK’s registered capital) no later than October 2008. On May 5, 2009, an approval from Shenzhen Bureau of Trade and Industry was obtained to reduce the required registered capital to US$76,877,480, which had been fully paid up, and on June 22, 2009, an updated business license of Shenzhen BAK from the Business Administration Bureau of Shenzhen was obtained. On December 25, 2009, BAK International contributed approximately US$10,122,520 capital to Shenzhen BAK and as of September 30, 2010, the total contribution from BAK International and Shenzhen BAK’s registered capital was US$87,000,000.
On November 6, 2004, BAK International, a non-operating holding company that had substantially the same shareholders as Shenzhen BAK, entered into a share swap transaction with the shareholders of Shenzhen BAK for the purpose of the subsequent reverse acquisition of the Company as described below. Pursuant to the terms of the share swap transaction, BAK International acquired all of the outstanding shares of Shenzhen BAK for US$11.5 million in cash, while the shareholders of Shenzhen BAK acquired substantially all of the outstanding shares of BAK International for US$11.5 million in cash. As a result, Shenzhen BAK became a wholly-owned subsidiary of BAK International. After the share swap transaction was completed, there were 31,225,642 shares of BAK International stock outstanding, exactly the same as the number of shares of capital stock of Shenzhen BAK that had been outstanding immediately prior to the share swap, and the shareholders of BAK International were substantially the same as the shareholders of Shenzhen BAK prior to the share swap. Consequently, the share swap transaction between BAK International and the shareholders of Shenzhen BAK was accounted for as a reverse acquisition of Shenzhen BAK with no adjustment to the historical basis of the assets and liabilities of Shenzhen BAK.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Basis of Presentation and Organization (continued)
On January 20, 2005, the Company completed a share swap transaction with the shareholders of BAK International. The share swap transaction, also referred to as the “reverse acquisition” of the Company, was consummated under Nevada law pursuant to the terms of a Securities Exchange Agreement entered by and among China BAK, BAK International and the shareholders of BAK International on January 20, 2005. Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Agreement, the Company issued 39,826,075 shares of common stock, par value US$0.001 per share, to the shareholders of BAK International (including 31,225,642 shares to the original shareholders and 8,600,433 shares to new investors who had purchased shares in the private placement described below), representing approximately 97.2% of the Company’s post-exchange issued and outstanding common stock, in exchange for 100% of the outstanding capital stock of BAK International.
The share swap transaction has been accounted for as a capital-raising transaction of the Company whereby the historical financial statements and operations of Shenzhen BAK are consolidated using historical carrying amounts. The 1,152,458 shares of China BAK outstanding prior to the stock exchange transaction were accounted for at the net book value at the time of the transaction, which was a deficit of US$1,672.
Also on January 20, 2005, immediately prior to consummating the share swap transaction, BAK International executed a private placement of its common stocks with unrelated investors whereby it issued an aggregate of 8,600,433 shares of common stock for gross proceeds of US$17,000,000. In conjunction with this financing, Mr. Xiangqian Li, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, agreed to place 2,179,550 shares of the Company’s common stock owned by him into an escrow account pursuant to an Escrow Agreement dated January 20, 2005 (the “Escrow Agreement”). Pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, 50% of the escrowed shares were to be released to the investors in the private placement if audited net income of the Company for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 was not at least US$12,000,000, and the remaining 50% were to be released to investors in the private placement if audited net income of the Company for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 was not at least US$27,000,000. If the audited net income of the Company for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2005 and 2006 reached the above-mentioned targets, the 2,179,550 shares would be released to Mr. Xiangqian Li in the amount of 50% upon reaching the 2005 target and the remaining 50% upon reaching the 2006 target.
Under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”), escrow agreements such as the one established by Mr. Xiangqian Li generally constitute compensation if, following attainment of a performance threshold, shares are returned to a company officer. The Company determined that without consideration of the compensation charge, the performance thresholds for the year ended September 30, 2005 would be achieved. However, after consideration of a related compensation charge, the Company determined that such thresholds would not have been achieved. The Company also determined that, even without consideration of a compensation charge, the performance thresholds for the year ended September 30, 2006 would not be achieved. No compensation charge was recorded by the Company for the years ended September 30, 2005 and 2006.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Basis of Presentation and Organization (continued)
While the 1,089,775 escrow shares relating to the 2005 performance threshold were previously released to Mr. Xiangqian Li, Mr. Xiangqian Li executed a further undertaking on August 21, 2006 to return those shares to the escrow agent for the distribution to the relevant investors. However, such shares were not returned to the escrow agent, but, pursuant to a Delivery of Make Good Shares, Settlement and Release Agreement between the Company, BAK International and Mr. Xiangqian Li entered into on October 22, 2007 (the “Li Settlement Agreement”), such shares were ultimately delivered to the Company as described below. Because the Company failed to satisfy the performance threshold for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006, the remaining 1,089,775 escrow shares relating to the fiscal year 2006 performance threshold were released to the relevant investors. As Mr. Xiangqian Li has not retained any of the shares placed into escrow, and as the investors party to the Escrow Agreement are only shareholders of the Company and do not have and are not expected to have any other relationship to the Company, the Company has not recorded a compensation charge for the years ended September 30, 2005 and 2006.
At the time the escrow shares relating to the 2006 performance threshold were transferred to the investors in fiscal year 2007, the Company should have recognized a credit to donated shares and a debit to additional paid-in capital, both of which are elements of shareholders’ equity. This entry is not material because total ordinary shares issued and outstanding, total shareholders’ equity and total assets do not change; nor is there any impact on income or earnings per share. Therefore, previously filed consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 will not be restated. This share transfer has been reflected by reclassifying the balances of certain items as of October 1, 2007. The balances of donated shares and additional paid-in capital as of October 1, 2007 were credited and debited by US$7,955,358 respectively.
In November 2007, Mr. Xiangqian Li delivered the 1,089,775 shares related to the 2005 performance threshold to BAK International pursuant to the Li Settlement Agreement; BAK International in turn delivered the shares to the Company. Such shares (other than those issued to investors pursuant to the 2008 Settlement Agreements, as described below) are now held by the Company. Upon receipt of these shares, the Company and BAK International released all claims and causes of action against Mr. Xiangqian Li regarding the shares, and Mr. Xiangqian Li released all claims and causes of action against the Company and BAK International regarding the shares. Under the terms of the Li Settlement Agreement, the Company commenced negotiations with the investors who participated in the Company’s January 2005 private placement in order to achieve a complete settlement of BAK International’s obligations (and the Company’s obligations to the extent it has any) under the applicable agreements with such investors.
Beginning on March 13, 2008, the Company has entered into settlement agreements (the “2008 Settlement Agreements”) with certain investors in the January 2005 private placement.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Basis of Presentation and Organization (continued)
Pursuant to the 2008 Settlement Agreements, the Company and the settling investors have agreed, without any admission of liability, to a settlement and mutual release from all claims relating to the January 2005 private placement, including all claims relating to the escrow shares related to the 2005 performance threshold that had been placed into escrow by Mr. Xiangqian Li, as well as all claims, including claims for liquidated damages relating to registration rights granted in connection with the January 2005 private placement. Under the 2008 Settlement Agreement, the Company has made settlement payments to each of the settling investors of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock equivalent to 50% of the number of the escrow shares related to the 2005 performance threshold these investors had claimed; aggregate settlement payments as of September 30, 2011 amounted to 368,745 shares. Share payments to date have been made in reliance upon the exemptions from registration provided by Section 4(2) and/or other applicable provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In accordance with the 2008 Settlement Agreements, the Company filed a registration statement covering the resale of such shares which was declared effective by the SEC on June 26, 2008.
The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).
This basis of accounting differs in certain material respects from that used for the preparation of the books of account of the Company’s principal subsidiaries, which are prepared in accordance with the accounting principles and the relevant financial regulations applicable to enterprises with limited liabilities established in the PRC (“PRC GAAP”), Hong Kong, Germany, India or Canada, the accounting standards used in the places of their domicile. The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect necessary adjustments not recorded in the books of account of the Company’s subsidiaries to present them in conformity with US GAAP.
The Company has a working capital deficiency, accumulated deficit from recurring net losses incurred for the current and prior years and significant short-term debt obligations maturing in less than one year as of September 30, 2011. These factors raise substantial doubts about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Company has continued to develop a strategic plan to generate a positive cash flow from operating activities for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012 and 2013 (the “FY2012&2013 Turnaround Plan”). Under the FY2012&2013 Turnaround Plan, the Company will continue to increase the presence in OEM market both domestically and internationally with more aggressive marketing strategies to expand market share while securing the existing customer base. The Company will also continue implementing cost reductions on both manufacturing costs and operating expenses to improve profit margins as well as reduce receivable turnover days through stronger credit controls.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue to operate as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities in the normal course of business. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty related to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Practices
(a)
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.
(b)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash consists of cash on hand and in banks. The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments, with initial terms of less than three months to be cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2010 and 2011, there were no cash equivalents.
(c)
Trade Accounts Receivable
Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount, net of allowances for doubtful accounts and sales returns. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the Company’s existing trade accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance based on historical write-off experience, customer specific facts and economic conditions. Bad debt expense is included in the general and administrative expenses.
Outstanding accounts balances are reviewed individually for collectability. Accounts balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. To date, the Company has not charged off any balances as it has yet to exhaust all means of collection. The Company does not have any off-balance-sheet credit exposure to its customers, except for outstanding bills receivable discounted with banks (see note 23) that are subject to recourse for non-payment.
(d)
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost of inventories is determined using weighted average cost method, and includes expenditure incurred in acquiring the inventories and bringing them to their existing location and condition. In case of finished goods and work in progress, cost includes an appropriate share of production overhead based on normal operating capacity.
The Company regularly reviews the cost of inventories against their estimated fair market value and records a lower of cost or market write-down for inventories that have cost in excess of estimated market value.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
(e)
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment (except construction in progress) are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment charge. Depreciation is calculated based on the straight-line method (after taking into account their respective estimated residual values) over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
The cost and accumulated depreciation of property, plant and equipment sold are removed from the consolidated balance sheets and resulting gains or losses are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
Construction in progress mainly represents expenditures in respect of the Company’s corporate campus, including offices, factories and staff dormitories, under construction. All direct costs relating to the acquisition or construction of the Company’s corporate campus and equipment, including interest charges on borrowings, are capitalized as construction in progress. No depreciation is provided in respect of construction in progress.
A long-lived asset to be disposed of by abandonment continues to be classified as held for use until it is disposed of.
(f)
Lease Prepayments
Lease prepayments represent the cost of land use rights in the PRC. Land use rights are carried at cost and amortized on a straight-line basis over the period of rights of 50 years.
(g)
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translation
The reporting currency of the Company is the United States dollar (“US dollar”). Transactions denominated in currencies other than US dollar are translated into US dollar at the average rates for the period. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than US dollar are translated into US dollar at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. The resulting exchange differences are recorded in other (expenses) / income in the statement of operations and comprehensive loss.
The financial records of the Company’s operating subsidiaries are maintained in their local currency, the Renminbi (“RMB”), which is the functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates at the balance sheet date, equity accounts are translated at historical exchange rates, and income and expenses items are translated using the average rate for the period. The translation adjustments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income under shareholders’ equity.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
(g)
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translation (continued)
RMB is not a fully convertible currency. All foreign exchange transactions involving RMB must take place either through the People’s Bank of China (the “PBOC”) or other institutions authorized to buy and sell foreign exchange. The exchange rates adopted for the foreign exchange transactions are the rates of exchange quoted by the PBOC, which are determined largely by supply and demand. Translation of amounts from RMB into US dollar has been made at the following exchange rates for the respective years:
(h)
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are stated in the balance sheet at cost less accumulated amortization. The costs of the intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The respective amortization periods for the intangible assets are as follows:
(i)
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
Long-lived assets, which include property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
Recoverability of long-lived assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
(j)
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue on product sales when products are delivered and the customer takes ownership and assumes risk of loss, collection of the relevant receivable is probable, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists and the sales price is fixed or determinable.
Net sales of products represent the invoiced value of goods, net of value added taxes (“VAT”), sales returns, trade discounts and allowances. The Company is subject to VAT which is levied on the majority of the products of Shenzhen BAK, BAK Electronics and BAK Tianjin at the rate of 17% on the invoiced value of sales. Output VAT is borne by customers in addition to the invoiced value of sales and input VAT is borne by the Company in addition to the invoiced value of purchases to the extent not refunded for export sales. Provision for sales returns are recorded as a reduction of revenue in the same period that revenue is recognized. The provision for sales returns, which is based on historical sales returns data, is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of goods that will be returned from its customers.
(k)
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues consists primarily of material costs, employee compensation, depreciation and related expenses, which are directly attributable to the production of products. Write-down of inventories to lower of cost and market is also recorded in cost of revenues.
(l)
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent management concludes it is more likely than not that the assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the statement of operations and comprehensive loss in the period that includes the enactment date.
(m)
Research and Development and Advertising Expenses
Research and development and advertising expenses are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses consist primarily of remuneration for research and development staff, depreciation and maintenance expenses of research and development equipment and material costs for research and development. Advertising expenses, included in sales and marketing expenses, amounted to US$32,205, US$127,672 and US$33,482 for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively.
(n)
Bills Payable
Bills payable represent bills issued by financial institutions to the Company’s vendors. The Company’s vendors receive payments from the financial institutions directly upon maturity of the bills and the Company is obliged to repay the face value of the bills to the financial institutions.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
(o)
Government Grants
Receipts of government grants to encourage research and development activities which are non-refundable are credited to deferred income upon receipt. The grants are used for purchases of assets, to subsidize the research and development expenses incurred, for compensation expenses already incurred or for good performance of the Company.
Grants applicable to land are amortized over the life of the depreciable facilities constructed on it. For research and development expenses, the Company matches and offsets the government grants with the expenses of the research and development activities as specified in the grant approval document in the corresponding period when such expenses are incurred. For government grants received as compensation for expenses already incurred are recognized as income in the period they become recognizable.
Government grants of US$614,107 were offset against the finance costs for the year ended September 30, 2009. No government grants were offset against the finance costs for the years ended September 30, 2010 and 2011. Government grants recorded as deferred revenue (Note 13 (b)) amounted to US$687,470 and US$720,518 as of September 30, 2010 and 2011, respectively.
During the year ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded government grant income of US$636,468. US$402,344 of the grant was received to reward the Company’s contributions to the Shenzhen area’s economy and US$234,124 represented amortization of government subsidies received in relation to the additional cost of land use rights of BAK Industrial Park (Note 15).
During the year ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded government grant income of US$713,858. US$478,978 of the grant was received to reward the Company’s research on the special lithium battery projects of China and US$234,880 represented amortization of government subsidies received in relation to the additional cost of land use rights of BAK Industrial Park (Note 15).
During the year ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded government grant income of US$1,453,727. US$1,209,546 of the grant was received to reward the Company’s research on the special lithium battery projects of China and US$244,181 represented amortization of government subsidies received in relation to the additional cost of land use rights of BAK Industrial Park (Note 15).
(p)
Share-based Compensation
The Company adopted the provisions of ASC Topic 718 which requires the Company to measure and recognize compensation expenses for an award of equity instrument based on the grant-date fair value. The cost is recognized over the vesting period (or the requisite service period). ASC Topic 718 also requires the Company to measure the cost of a liability-classified award based on its current fair value. The fair value of the award will be remeasured subsequently at each reporting date through the settlement date. Changes in fair value during the requisite service period are recognized as compensation cost over that period. Further, ASC Topic 718 requires the Company to estimate forfeitures in calculating the expense related to stock-based compensation.
The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes Option Valuation Model. The expected volatility was based on the historical volatilities of the Company’s listed common stocks in the United States and other relevant market information. The Company uses historical data to estimate share option exercises and employee departure behavior used in the valuation model. The expected terms of share options granted is derived from the output of the option pricing model and represents the period of time that share options granted are expected to be outstanding. Since the share options once exercised will primarily trade in the U.S. capital market, the risk-free rate for periods within the contractual term of the share option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
(q)
Retirement and Other Post-retirement Benefits
Contributions to retirement schemes (which are defined contribution plans) are charged to cost of revenues, research and development expenses, sales and marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses in the statement of operations and comprehensive loss as and when the related employee service is provided.
(r)
Loss Per Share
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year. Diluted loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the sum of the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding and dilutive potential ordinary shares during the year.
(s)
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with US GAAP requires management of the Company to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the recoverability of the carrying amount of long-lived assets; valuation allowance for obsolete inventories, receivables and deferred tax assets; provision for sales returns; valuation of share-based compensation expense; and fair value assessment of financial guarantees. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
(t)
Segment Reporting
The Company uses the “management approach” in determining reportable operating segments. The management approach considers the internal organization and reporting used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker for making operating decisions and assessing performance as the source for determining the Company’s reportable segments. Management, including the chief operating decision maker, reviews operating results solely by monthly revenue of Li-ion rechargeable batteries (but not by sub-product type or geographic area) and operating results of the Company and, as such, the Company has determined that the Company has one operating segment as defined by ASC Topic 280 “Segment Reporting”.
(u)
Commitments and Contingencies
Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines and penalties and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the assessment can be reasonably estimated.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
(v)
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In July 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) ASU 2010-20 “Receivables (Topic 310): Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses”. The objective of ASU 2010-20 is to provide financial statement users with greater transparency about an entity’s allowance for credit losses and the credit quality of its financing receivables. Under ASU 2010-20, an entity is required to provide disclosures so that financial statement users can evaluate the nature of the credit risk inherent in the entity’s portfolio of financing receivables, how that risk is analyzed and assessed to arrive at the allowance for credit losses, and the changes and reasons for those changes in the allowance for credit losses. ASU 2010-20 is applicable to all entities, both public and non-public and is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. Comparative disclosure for earlier reporting periods that ended before initial adoption is encouraged but not required. However, comparative disclosures are required to be disclosed for those reporting periods ending after initial adoption.
The FASB issued ASU No. 2011-01, “Receivables (Topic 310): Deferral of the Effective Date of Disclosures about Troubled Debt Restructurings in Update No. 2010-20”. The amendments in this ASU temporarily delay the effective date of the disclosure about troubled debt restructurings in ASU 2010-20 for public entities. The delay is intended to allow the Board time to complete its deliberations on what constitutes a troubled debt restructuring. The new disclosures about troubled debt restructuring for public entities and the guidance for determining what constitutes a troubled debt restructuring is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2011. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The FASB issued ASU 2011-02, “Receivables (Topic 310): A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring is a Troubled Debt Restructuring”. The amendments to Topic 310 clarify the guidance on a creditor’s evaluation of whether a debtor is experiencing financial difficulties. This ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after June 15, 2011. A creditor should evaluate whether it is probable that the debtor would be in payment default on any of its debts in foreseeable future without the modification. In addition, the amendments to Topic 310 clarify that a creditor is precluded from using the effective interest rate test in the debtor’s guidance on restructuring of payables (paragraph 470-60-55-10) when evaluating whether a restructuring constitutes a troubled debt restructuring. An entity should disclose the total amount of receivables and the allowance for credit losses as of the end of the period of adoption related to those receivables that are newly considered impaired under Section 310-10-35 for which impairment was previously measured under Subtopic 450-20, Contingencies - Loss Contingencies. The management is assessing the impact of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-03, “Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements”. The amendments in this ASU remove from the assessment of effective control (1) the criterion requiring the transferor to have the ability to repurchase or redeem the financial assets on substantially the agreed terms, even in the event of default by the transferee, and (2) the collateral maintenance implementation guidance related to that criterion. The guidance in this ASU is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The guidance should be applied prospectively to transactions or modifications of existing transactions that occur on or after the effective date. Early adoption is not permitted. The management is assessing the impact of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs”. The FASB and the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB) works together to ensure that fair value has the same meaning in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) and that their respective fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are the same (except for minor differences in wording and style). The Boards concluded that the amendments in this ASU will improve the comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. The amendments in this ASU explain how to measure fair value. They do not require additional fair value measurements and are not intended to establish valuation standards or affect valuation practices outside of financial reporting. The amendments in this ASU are to be applied prospectively. For public entities, the amendments are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early application by public entities is not permitted. The management is assessing the impact of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income”. In this ASU, the entity has the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. This Update eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. The amendments in this ASU do not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. The amendments in this ASU update are to be applied retrospectively. For public entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. Early application by public entities is permitted. The management is assessing the impact of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Pledged Deposits
Pledged deposits as of September 30, 2010 and 2011 consist of the following:
Deposits pledged for construction payable are generally released when the relevant constructions are completed.
Trade Accounts Receivable, net
Trade accounts receivable as of September 30, 2010 and 2011 consist of the following:
An analysis of the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 is as follows:
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Inventories
Inventories as of September 30, 2010 and 2011 consist of the following:
Part of the Company’s inventories with carrying value of US$22,417,504 and US$23,495,137 as of September 30, 2010 and 2011, respectively, was pledged as collateral under certain loan agreements (Note 11).
Prepayments and Other Receivables
Prepayments and other receivables as of September 30, 2010 and 2011 consist of the following:
An analysis of allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 is as follows:
(a)
Other receivables as of September 30, 2011 included advances to senior management amounting to approximately US$58,000 for travel and entertainment expenses in the ordinary course of business.
Income Taxes
United States Tax
China BAK is subject to United States of America tax law. No provision for income taxes in the United States or elsewhere has been made as China BAK had no taxable income for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011. The statutory tax rate for each of the three years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 is 35%.
Canada States Tax
BAK Canada is subject to Canada tax law. No provision for income taxes in Canada has been made as BAK Canada had no taxable income for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011. The statutory tax rate for each of the three years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 is 38%.
Germany States Tax
BAK Europe is subject to Germany tax law. No provision for income taxes in Germany has been made as BAK Europe had no taxable income for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011. The statutory tax rate for each of the three years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 is 25%.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
India Tax
BAK India is subject to India tax law. No provision for income taxes in India has been made as BAK India had no taxable income for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011. The statutory tax rate for each of the three years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 is 30%.
Hong Kong Tax
BAK International is subject to Hong Kong profits tax rate of 16.5% . Management of BAK International has determined that all income and expenses are offshore and not subject to Hong Kong profits tax. As a result, BAK International did not incur any Hong Kong profits tax during the years presented.
PRC Tax
Shenzhen BAK and BAK Electronics are both registered and operate in Shenzhen, the PRC, and are each recognized as “Manufacturing Enterprise Located in Special Economic Zone”. As a result, they have been entitled to a preferential enterprise income tax rate of 15%. In accordance with the relevant income tax laws, the profits of Shenzhen BAK and BAK Electronics were fully exempted from income tax for two years from the first profitable calendar year of operations after offset of accumulated taxable losses, followed by a 50% exemption for the immediate next three calendar years (“tax holiday”).
The tax holiday of Shenzhen BAK commenced in 2002, the first calendar year in which Shenzhen BAK had assessable profit, and ended on December 31, 2006. In addition, due to additional capital contributed by BAK International to Shenzhen BAK in both 2005 and 2006 and Shenzhen BAK’s qualification as an advanced technology enterprise in 2007 and 2008, Shenzhen BAK was granted a preferential income tax rate of 7.5%, 11.8% and 12.6% for calendar years 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. In accordance with the transition period of the new corporate income tax law (the “New CIT Law”) and before considering the above-mentioned tax concessions, Shenzhen BAK’s income tax rate for calendar years 2010 and 2011 are 22% and 24%, respectively, and starting in calendar year 2012, it is expected to be subject to an income tax rate of 25%. Therefore, Shenzhen BAK’s income tax rates after consideration of its tax concessions are 15% for both calendar years 2010 and 2011 and starting in calendar year 2012, it is expected to be subject to an income tax rate of 25%.
BAK Electronics, established in August 2005, has been eligible for the same preferential tax treatment previously applicable to Shenzhen BAK and was in the tax holiday and fully exempt from any enterprise income tax for calendar years 2006 and 2007 followed by a three-year 50% reduction in its enterprise income tax rate. In addition, pursuant to the transition period of the New CIT Law and before considering the above-mentioned 50% reduction, BAK Electronics’ income tax rates for calendar years 2009, 2010 and 2011 are 20%, 22% and 24%, respectively, and starting in calendar year 2012, it is expected to be subject to an income tax rate of 25%. Therefore, BAK Electronics’ income tax rate after consideration of its tax holiday are 10%, 11% and 24% for calendar years 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively, and starting in calendar year 2012, it is expected to be subject to an income tax rate of 25%. BAK Electronics did not incur any enterprise income tax for the current year due to cumulative tax losses.
BAK Tianjin is currently paying no enterprise income tax due to cumulative tax losses.
On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress of the PRC determined to adopt the New CIT Law. The New CIT Law unifies the application scope, tax rate, tax deduction and preferential policy for both domestic enterprises and FIEs. The New CIT Law became effective on January 1, 2008. According to the New CIT Law, the applicable income tax rate for Shenzhen BAK, BAK Electronics and BAK Tianjin will be 25% after their preferential tax holidays and the transition period have ended. During the transition period, tax rates for subject entities was 18%, 20%, 22% and 24% for the calendar years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively, before the application of applicable tax holidays or other tax preferences.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
(a)
Income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss
Income taxes consist of:
Substantially all of the Company’s loss before income taxes and related tax benefit are from PRC sources. Actual income tax (benefit) / expense reported in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss differ from the amounts computed by applying the US statutory income tax rate of 35% to loss before income taxes for the three years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 for the following reasons:
Shenzhen BAK and BAK Electronics received in aggregate tax benefit of US$103,029, US$158,203 and nil, or US$0.002, US$0.004 and nil per basic share pursuant to their tax holiday and preferential tax rate for the three years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively.
The significant components of deferred income tax (benefits) / expense for the three years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 are as follows:
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
(b)
Deferred taxation
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2010 and 2011 are presented below:
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible or are utilized. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon an assessment of the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are tested whether they are deductible or can be utilized, management believes that the deferred tax assets as of September 30, 2010 and 2011 are more likely than not to be realized, except for the deferred tax assets relating to the net operating loss carried forward incurred by the Company and its subsidiaries, provision for impairment charge of fixed assets and allowance for trade accounts receivable and obsolete inventories of a subsidiary.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
In order to fully realize the deferred tax asset of US$35,803 arising from the net operating loss carried forward of US$102,293 incurred by the Company itself, the Company will need to generate sufficient future taxable income to cover the above net operating loss carried forward before its expiration in fiscal year 2026 through 2027. As the Company is a non-operating holding company and currently does not expect those unremitted earnings of its foreign subsidiaries to reverse and become taxable to the Company, it is more likely than not that the Company will not realize the benefits of its net operating loss carried forward. Therefore, full valuation allowance of US$35,803 was provided for the deferred tax assets in this respect.
In order to fully realize the deferred tax asset of US$2,248,475 arising from the net operating loss carried forward of US$8,993,898 incurred by BAK Electronics and of US$2,248,475 arising from the provision of impairment charge for assets and allowance for trade accounts receivable and obsolete inventories, BAK Electronics will need to generate sufficient future taxable income to cover the above net operating loss carried forward before its expiration in fiscal year 2013 through 2016.
In order to fully realize the deferred tax asset of US$4,761,189 arising from the net operating loss carried forward of US$19,045,650 incurred by BAK Tianjin, BAK Tianjin will need to generate sufficient future taxable income to cover the above net operating loss carried forward before its expiration in fiscal year 2013 through 2016.
The amount of the deferred tax assets considered realizable, however, could be reduced in the near term if future taxable income decreases.
The Company has not recognized a deferred tax liability for the undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries of US$11,123,774 and US$12,871,441 as of September 30, 2010 and 2011 because the Company currently does not expect those unremitted earnings to reverse and become taxable to the Company in the foreseeable future. A deferred tax liability will be recognized when the Company no longer plans to permanently reinvest undistributed earnings. Calculation of related unrecognized deferred tax liability is not practicable.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Property, Plant and Equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment as of September 30, 2010 and 2011 consist of the following:
Property, plant and equipment with net book value of US$185,039 were sold during the year ended September 30,
2011 for US$656,483, resulting in a profit of $471,444. There was no disposal during the year of 2010.
(i)
Depreciation expense is included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income /(loss) as follows:
(ii)
Construction in Progress
Construction in progress mainly comprises capital expenditures for construction of the Company’s new corporate campus, including offices, factories and staff dormitories.
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011, the Company capitalized interest of US$723,527, US$465,869 and US$368,227, respectively, to the cost of construction in progress.
(iii)
Pledged Property, Plant and Equipment
As of September 30, 2010 and 2011, machinery and equipment with net book value of US$59,735,854 and US$56,376,435 of the Company were pledged as collateral under certain loan arrangements (see Notes 11 and 12).
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Property, Plant and Equipment, net (continued)
(iv) Assets held for abandonment
Assets held for abandonment as of September 30, 2010 and 2011 consist of the following:
The carried amount as of September 30, 2010 and 2011 composed of the machinery and equipment relating to steel-case cell production line and certain used assets which have been written down to their salvage value of US$223,961 and nil.
(v)
Impairment charge
During the course of the Company’s strategic review of its operations in the years ended September 30, 2010 and 2011, the Company assessed the recoverability of the carrying value of certain property, plant and equipment which resulted in impairment losses of approximately US$7.0 million and US$6.5 million, respectively.
Lease Prepayments, net
Lease prepayments as of September 30, 2010 and 2011 consist of the following:
During the year ended September 30, 2007, the Company fully paid the lease prepayment of US$717,344 in relation to the right to use the land in Shenzhen relating to its new Research and Development Test Centre. The Company obtained the related property ownership and land use rights certificate during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. The Company also fully paid the lease prepayment of US$14,119,888 for the right to use the land relating to its Tianjin facility. As of September 30, 2008, the Company had obtained related land use rights certificate of the land relating to the Tianjin facility, but the Tianjin government had requested that the Company complete the construction of the facility on the land before September 30, 2008, which the Company had not done. As of September 30, 2011, the Company was in the course of negotiating with the relevant government bureau for an extension of the completion date.
The lease prepayment with a cost of US$3,498,035 represents the right to use the land on which the Company’s corporate campus had been constructed and is owned by the PRC government. According to the agreement with the local government of Kuichong Township of Longgang District of Shenzhen, the Company is obligated to pay approximately US$13.60 per square meter to the local government to obtain the right to use the land for a period of 50 years. According to a preliminary measurement conducted in 2004, total consideration payable by the Company in respect of the land use rights amounted to US$4,029,038, which was reduced to US$3,246,791 in accordance with the results of the final measurement by the local government in 2005. The local government granted permission to the Company to commence the construction of a new production plant. On June 20, 2007, the Company obtained the approvals for project planning and construction from the government of Shenzhen. Under the agreement with the local government of Shenzhen for the acquisition of land use rights for BAK Industrial Park entered into on June 29, 2007, the Company was required to pay an additional US$11,819,841 to acquire the land for BAK Industrial Park. Additionally, according to a notice received from the local government of Shenzhen on June 6, 2008, the Company obtained government grants totaling US$7,889,991 to subsidize such additional cost of the land use rights. The Company had fully paid the remaining cost of US$3,929,850 and had obtained the land use rights certificate. On July 3, 2009, the Company had obtained the approval for project-planning and construction from the local government of Shenzhen. On June 2, 2011, the Company obtained the property ownership certificate relating to BAK Industrial Park.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Lease Prepayments, net (continued)
Amortization expenses for the above lease prepayments were approximately US$657,000, US$875,000 and US$712,000 for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively. Estimated amortization expense for the next five years is approximately US$737,000 each year, respectively.
The Company pledged its property ownership and land use rights certificate relating to the Company’s Research and Development Test Centre (Note 12) to China Development Bank with net book value of US$1,277,995 as of September 30, 2011. On April 7, 2010, the pledge of the land use rights certificate to China Development Bank was approved by the relevant government bureau. On April 20, 2010, the relevant land use rights certificate was pledged to China Development Bank.
Intangible Assets, net
Intangible assets as of September 30, 2010 and 2011 consist of the following:
Intangible assets represent the trademarks, computer software and technology used for battery production and research.
Amortization expenses for these intangible assets were approximately US$63,000, US$72,000 and US$88,000 for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively. Estimated amortization expense for the next five years is approximately US$89,000 each year.
Short-term Bank Loans
The Company obtained several short-term loan facilities from financial institutions in the PRC. These facilities were secured by the Company’s assets with the following carrying values:
As of September 30, 2010 and 2011, the Company had several short-term bank loans with aggregate outstanding balances of US$137,418,187 and US$139,706,153, respectively. The loans were primarily obtained for general working capital, carried interest rates ranging from 5.10% to 7.22% per annum, and had maturity dates ranging from 3 to 12 months. Each loan is guaranteed by Mr. Xiangqian Li, who did not receive any compensation for acting as guarantor.
As of September 30, 2011, the Company had pledged the land use rights certificate in relation to the land on which Shenzhen BAK’s corporate campus had been constructed for short-term bank loans amounting to US$62,653,697 borrowed from Shenzhen Eastern Branch, Agricultural Bank of China. As of September 30, 2011, the aggregate net book value of the buildings and land use rights in relation to the land use rights certificate was US$125,596,090.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Long-term Bank Loans
As of September 30, 2010 and 2011, the Company had long-term bank loans of US$41,846,006 and US$38,470,278, respectively. As of September 30, 2011, US$14,975,142 was borrowed under a four-year long-term loan credit facility from China Development Bank, bearing interest at the benchmark rate of the People’s Bank of China (“PBOC”) for three-year to five-year long-term loans, which is currently 5.94% per annum. This long-term bank loan is repayable on February 28, 2016.
Two other long-term loans totaled an aggregate borrowed amount of US$7,831,712 as of September 30, 2011. These loans were borrowed under a five-year long-term loan credit facility from Shenzhen Eastern Branch, Agricultural Bank of China, and carry interest at 90% of the benchmark rate of the PBOC for three-year to five-year long-term loans. The first loan of US$6,265,370 currently carries interest at 5.184% per annum and is repayable on January 25, 2012. The second loan of US$1,566,342 currently carries annual interest of 5.184% and is repayable on January 25, 2012.
Another loan of US$15,663,424 as of September 30, 2011 was borrowed under a four-year long-term loan credit facility from Tianjin Branch, Agricultural Bank of China and carries interest at the benchmark rate of the PBOC for three-year to five-year long-term loans, which is currently 5.76% per annum.
The long-term bank loan with China Development Bank is: (i) guaranteed by Mr. Xiangqian Li; (ii) secured by certain shares of the Company owned by Mr. Xiangqian Li; and (iii) secured by the property ownership and land use rights certificate relating to the land on which the Company’s Research and Development Test Centre is constructed and the facilities to be constructed thereon (Note 9).
The long-term bank loan with Shenzhen Eastern Branch, Agricultural Bank of China is: (i) guaranteed by Mr. Xiangqian Li; (ii) secured by the Company’s machinery and equipment with carrying values of US$29,047,596 as of September 30, 2011 (Note 8); and (iii) secured by the property ownership certificate and land use rights certificate in relation to the land on which Shenzhen BAK’s corporate campus had been constructed and any machinery and equipment purchased and used in the campus subsequent to such construction.
The long-term bank loan with Tianjin Branch, Agricultural Bank of China is secured by the machinery and equipment purchased for the automated high-power lithium battery cells production line in Tianjin with carrying values of US$1,995,265 as of September 30, 2011.
Mr. Xiangqian Li did not receive any compensation for pledging his shares in the Company or acting as guarantor for the above long-term bank loans.
The aggregate maturities of long-term bank loans as of September 30, 2011 are as follows:
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Accrued Expenses and Other Payables
Accrued expenses and other payables as of September 30, 2010 and 2011 consist of the following:
(a)
Customer deposits were received from customers in connection with orders of products to be delivered in future periods.
(b)
Other payables and accruals included deferred income from receipts of government grants amounting to US$687,470 and US$720,518 as of September 30, 2010 and 2011 respectively.
Other payables and accruals as of September 30, 2010 and 2011 also included payable for liquidated damage of approximately US$1,200,000 respectively (Note 17).
Other Long-term Loan
As of September 30, 2011, the Company obtained interest-free advances of US$2,457,309 from Tianjin Aifuyi Auto Parts. Co. Ltd..
Deferred Revenue
Deferred revenue represents a government grant of subsidy for additional cost of land use rights relating to BAK Industrial Park, which is amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the depreciable facilities constructed thereon of 35 years.
Other Long-term Payables
Other long-term payables as of September, 2011 include a government subsidy of approximately US$7,791,000 received for the Company’s automated high-power lithium battery project from the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology as well as government subsidy of approximately US$3,940,000 received for the Company’s various research and development projects.
Shareholders’ Equity
On September 16, 2005, the Company sold 7,899,863 shares of its common stock to new investors for US$43,449,247. The Company granted certain registration rights to such purchasers, including a covenant to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement covering their shares. Pursuant to the terms of the registration rights agreement, among other things, (a) if a registration statement filed pursuant thereto ceases to be effective after its effective date to cover the resale of the shares for more than 30 trading days or (b) if for any reason the Company is required to file an additional registration statement covering such shares, and it does not file such additional registration statement within 45 days after the time it first knew, or reasonably should have known, that such registration statement would be required to be filed, then, while the relevant shares could not be put back to the Company, it would be liable to pay partial liquidated damages to those selling shareholders equal to 1.0% of the aggregate investment amount paid by those selling shareholders for the shares, and on each monthly anniversary thereafter, unless the event is cured by such date, an additional 1.5% on (except with respect to the first such event) a daily pro-rata basis. The Company also issued warrants to purchase 631,989 shares of its common stock at an exercise price of US$7.92 per share, being 110% of the share price as of the grant date, exercisable for three years after the date of issuance, as a fee to its financial advisors and other external parties in connection with this transaction. The grant date fair value of the warrants amounted to US$1,630,532 and has been recorded within additional paid-in-capital as a cost of the offering, and therefore, the issuance of the share warrants does not have any impact on the net income.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Shareholders’ Equity (continued)
On August 15, 2006, the SEC declared effective a post-effective amendment that the Company had filed on August 4, 2006, terminating the effectiveness of a resale registration statement on Form SB-2 that had been filed pursuant to a registration rights agreement with certain shareholders to register the resale of shares held by those shareholders. The Company subsequently filed Form S-1 for these shareholders. On December 8, 2006, the Company filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2006 (the “2006 Form 10-K”). After the filing of the 2006 Form 10-K, the Company’s previously filed registration statement on Form S-1 was no longer available for resales by the selling shareholders whose shares were included in such Form S-1. Under the registration rights agreement, those selling shareholders became eligible for liquidated damages relating to the above two events totaling approximately US$1,051,000 from the Company. The Company therefore recognized in general and administrative expenses an amount of approximately US$760,000 as liquidated damages for the year ended September 30, 2007. As of September 30, 2011, no liquidated damages relating to both events have been paid and a provision of approximately $1.2 million was included in other payables and accruals (note 13(b)).
On November 9, 2007, the Company completed a private placement for the gross proceeds to the Company of US$13,650,000 by selling 3,500,000 shares of common stock at the price of $3.90 per share. Roth Capital Partners, LLC acted as the Company’s exclusive financial advisor and placement agent in connection with the private placement and received a cash fee of US$819,000. The Company may have become liable for liquidated damages to certain shareholders whose shares were included in a resale registration statement on Form S-3 that the Company filed pursuant to a registration rights agreement that the Company entered into with such shareholders in November 2007. Under the registration rights agreement, among other things, if a registration statement filed pursuant thereto was not declared effective by the SEC by the 100th calendar day after the closing of the Company’s private placement on November 9, 2007, or the “Effectiveness Deadline”, then the Company would be liable to pay partial liquidated damages to each such investor of (a) 1.5% of the aggregate purchase price paid by such investor for the shares it purchased on the one month anniversary of the Effectiveness Deadline; (b) an additional 1.5% of the aggregate purchase price paid by such investor every thirtieth day thereafter (pro rated for periods totaling less than thirty days) until the earliest of the effectiveness of the registration statement, the ten-month anniversary of the Effectiveness Deadline and the time that the Company is no longer required to keep such resale registration statement effective because either such shareholders have sold all of their shares or such shareholders may sell their shares pursuant to Rule 144 without volume limitations; and (c) 0.5% of the aggregate purchase price paid by such investor for the shares it purchased in our November 2007 private placement on each of the following dates: the ten-month anniversary of the Effectiveness Deadline and every thirtieth day thereafter (pro rated for periods totaling less than thirty days), until the earlier of the effectiveness of the registration statement and the time that the Company no longer is required to keep such resale registration statement effective because either such shareholders have sold all of their shares or such shareholders may sell their shares pursuant to Rule 144 without volume limitations. Such liquidated damages would bear interest at the rate of 1% per month (prorated for partial months) until paid in full.
On December 21, 2007, pursuant to the registration rights agreement, the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-3, which was declared effective by the SEC on May 7, 2008. As a result, the Company estimated liquidated damages amounting to US$561,174 for the November 2007 registration rights agreement. As of September 30, 2011, the Company had settled the liquidated damages with all the investors and the remaining provision of approximately $159,000 was included in other payables and accruals (note 13(b)).
On August 26, 2008, the Company completed a registered direct offering in the amount of 4,102,564 units at a price of $3.90 for gross proceeds to the Company of $16,000,000. Each unit is comprised of one common share and one share purchase warrant of the Company. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase an additional common share of the Company for a period of 60 days beginning on the date of the initial issuance of warrants on August 26, 2008 at an exercise price of $3.90 per share. Brean Murray, Carret & Co., LLC, acted as the Company’s exclusive investment banker and agent in connection with the registered direct offering and received a cash fee of US$800,000, representing 5% of the gross proceeds received from the sale of the Shares and warrants. Pursuant to an amendment to the placement agency agreement, the Company also agreed to pay Brean Murray, Carret & Co., LLC an aggregate commission equal to 5% of the gross exercise price of received from investors for the exercise of the warrants in the offering. The placement agent had no obligation to buy any of the shares from the Company. As of September 30, 2011, the warrants had been expired.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Shareholders’ Equity (continued)
On October 28, 2009, the Company completed a registered direct offering of 5,790,000 units, each unit consisting of a share of common stock and a warrant to purchase 0.25 of a share of common stock. The price of the securities sold was $3.55 per unit, for an aggregate purchase price of US$20,554,500. Pursuant to subscription agreements between the Company and the investors in this offering, the warrants may be exercised to purchase an aggregate of 1,447,500 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $3.90 per share. The warrants are exercisable for 24 months beginning on the date of the initial issuance of the warrants. Cowen and Company, LLC, a subsidiary of Cowen Group, Inc., acted as the Company’s exclusive investment agent in connection with the registered direct offering and received a cash fee of US$1,027,725, representing 5% of the gross proceeds received from the sale of the Shares and warrants. Pursuant to an amendment to the placement agency agreement, the Company also agreed to pay Cowen and Company, LLC, an aggregate commission equal to 5% of the gross exercise price received from investors for the exercise of the warrants in the offering. The placement agent had no obligation to buy any of the shares from the Company. As of September 30, 2011, 5,790,000 shares had been issued and no warrants had been exercised.
Net Loss per Share
The calculation of basic net loss per share is based on the net loss for the year ended September 30, 2011 attributable to equity shareholders of US$24,537,364 (2009: US$13,991,493 and 2010: US$32,782,883) and the weighted average number of ordinary shares of 62,945,047 outstanding during the year ended September 30, 2011 (2009: 56,964,129 shares and 2010: 62,438,155 shares).
The effects of 4,194,155 shares of stock options, 300,000 shares of restricted stock and 1,447,500 warrants outstanding during the year ended or as of September 30, 2011 are all anti-dilutive. As such, basic and diluted net loss per share for the year ended September 30, 2011 are the same.
The effects of 4,732,855 shares of stock options, 511,250 shares of restricted stock and 1,447,500 warrants outstanding during the year ended or as of September 30, 2010 are all anti-dilutive. As such, basic and diluted net loss per share for the year ended September 30, 2010 are the same.
The effects of 4,883,700 shares of stock options, 511,250 shares of restricted stock and 4,102,564 warrants outstanding during the year ended or as of September 30, 2009 were all anti-dilutive. As such, basic and diluted net loss per share for the years ended September 30, 2009 are the same.
Finance Costs, net
Details of finance costs are summarized as follows:
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefits
Pursuant to the relevant PRC regulations, the Company is required to make contributions at a rate of 8% to 11% of employees’ salaries and wages to a defined contribution retirement scheme organized by a state-sponsored social insurance plan in respect of the retirement benefits for the Company’s employees in the PRC. The total amount of contributions charged to expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss are presented as follows:
The Company has no other obligation to make payments in respect of retirement benefits of the employees. The state-sponsored retirement plan is responsible for the entire pension obligations payable to all employees.
Share-based Compensation
(i) Options
The Company grants share options to officers and employees and restricted ordinary shares to its non-employee directors as rewards for their services.
Stock Option Plan
In May 2005, the Board of Directors adopted the China BAK Battery, Inc. 2005 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 4,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The exercise price of the options granted, pursuant to the Plan, must at least equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of the grant. The Plan will terminate on May 16, 2055. On July 28, 2008, the Company’s stockholders approved certain amendments to the Plan, including increasing the total number of shares available for issuance under the Plan to 8,000,000.
Pursuant to the Plan, the Company issued 2,000,000 options with an exercise price of US$6.25 per share on May 16, 2005. In accordance with the vesting provisions of the grants, the options became vested and exercisable under the following schedule:
Subsequent to the grant date, options to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock were forfeited because the optionees terminated their employment with the Company. In addition, on September 28, 2006, options to purchase a total of 1,400,000 shares of common stock were cancelled pursuant to the Termination and Release Agreements signed on that day.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Share-based Compensation (continued)
A summary of share option plan activity for these options during the year ended September 30, 2011 is presented below:
As of September 30, 2011, there were no unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested share options.
Pursuant to the Plan, the Company also issued 1,501,500 options with a weighted average exercise price of US$3.28 per share on June 25, 2007. In accordance with the vesting provisions of the grants, the options will become vested and exercisable during the period from June 30, 2007 to February 9, 2012 according to each employee’s respective agreement.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Share-based Compensation (continued)
A summary of share option plan activity for these options during the year ended September 30, 2011 is presented below:
As of September 30, 2011, there were no unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested share options.
Pursuant to the Plan, the Company also issued 360,000 options with an exercise price of US$4.30 per share on January 28, 2008. In accordance with the vesting provisions of the grants, the options will become vested and exercisable during the period from April 28, 2008 to January 28, 2011 according to each employee’s respective agreement.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Share-based Compensation (continued)
A summary of share option plan activity for these options during the year ended September 30, 2011 is presented below:
As of September 30, 2011, there were no unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested share options.
On May 29, 2008, the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors recommended and approved the grant of options to purchase 1,080,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to Mr. Xiangqian Li and options to purchase 170,000 shares to five other employees, with an exercise price of US$4.18 per share. In accordance with the vesting provisions of the grants, the options will become vested and exercisable during the period from September 30, 2008 to May 29, 2012 according to each employee’s respective agreement.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Share-based Compensation (continued)
A summary of share option plan activity for these options during the year ended September 30, 2011 is presented below:
As of September 30, 2011, there were unrecognized compensation costs of US$101,234 related to the above non-vested share options. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.6 years.
On June 22, 2009, the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors recommended and approved the grant of options to purchase 1,928,200 shares of the Company’s common stock to certain key employees, officers and consultants with an exercise price of US$2.81 per share. In accordance with the vesting provisions of the grants, the options will become vested and exercisable over five years in twenty equal quarterly installments on the first day of each fiscal quarter beginning on October 1, 2009.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Share-based Compensation (continued)
A summary of share option plan activity for these options during the year ended September 30, 2011 is presented below:
As of September 30, 2011, there were unrecognized compensation costs of US$841,212 related to the above non-vested share options. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.5 years.
On June 26, 2009, the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors recommended and approved the grant of options to purchase 75,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to certain key management with an exercise price of US$3.24 per share. In accordance with the vesting provisions of the grants, the options will become vested and exercisable over five years in twenty equal quarterly installments on the first day of each fiscal quarter beginning on October 1, 2009.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Share-based Compensation (continued)
A summary of share option plan activity for these options during the year ended September 30, 2011 is presented below:
As of September 30, 2011, there were unrecognized compensation costs of US$47,556 related to the above non-vested share options. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.3 years.
On March 11, 2010, the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors recommended and approved the grant of options to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to certain key management with an exercise price of US$2.58 per share. In accordance with the vesting provisions of the grants, the options will become vested and exercisable over two years in two equal installments beginning on each anniversary of the grant day on March 11, 2010.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Share-based Compensation (continued)
A summary of share option plan activity for these options during the year ended September 30, 2011 is presented below:
As of September 30, 2011, there were no unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested share options.
On April 8, 2010, the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors recommended and approved the grant of options to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to certain key management with an exercise price of US$2.43 per share. In accordance with the vesting provisions of the grants, the options will become vested and exercisable in eight equal installments beginning on each quarter after September 30, 2010.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Share-based Compensation (continued)
A summary of share option plan activity for these options during the year ended September 30, 2011 is presented below:
As of September 30, 2011, there were unrecognized compensation costs of US$44,148 related to the above non-vested share options. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years.
On July 23, 2010, the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors recommended and approved the grant of options to purchase 80,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to certain key management with an exercise price of US$1.58 per share. In accordance with the vesting provisions of the grants, the options will become vested and exercisable in eight equal installments beginning on each quarter after September 30, 2010.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Share-based Compensation (continued)
A summary of share option plan activity for these options during the year ended September 30, 2011 is presented below:
As of September 30, 2011, there were no unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested share options.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Share-based Compensation (continued)
On May 26, 2011, the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors recommended and approved the grant of options to purchase 160,800 shares of the Company’s common stock to certain key management with an exercise price of US$1.28 per share. In accordance with the vesting provisions of the grants, the options will become vested and exercisable in twelve equal installments beginning on each quarter after September 30, 2011.
A summary of share option plan activity for these options during the year ended September 30, 2011 is presented below:
As of September 30, 2011, there were unrecognized compensation costs of US$73,268 related to the above non-vested share options. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.7 years.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Share-based Compensation (continued)
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties. The carrying amounts of financial assets and liabilities, such as cash and cash equivalents, pledged deposits, trade accounts receivable, other receivables, short-term bank loans, long-term bank loans,other loan-term loan, other long-term payable, accounts and bills payable and other payables, approximate their fair values because of the short maturity of these instruments and market rates of interest.
Commitments and Contingencies
(i)
Capital Commitments
As of September 30, 2010 and 2011, the Company had the following contracted capital commitments:
(ii)
Land Use Rights and Property Ownership Certificate
According to the relevant PRC laws and regulations, a land use rights certificate, along with government approvals for land planning, project planning and construction, needs to be obtained before construction of a building is commenced. A property ownership certificate shall be granted by the government upon application under the condition that the aforementioned certificate and government approvals have been obtained.
The Company did not obtain the land use right certificate and approvals for project-planning and construction relating to the premises occupied by the Company, BAK Industrial Park, before construction of the buildings was commenced. On July 3, 2009, the Company had obtained the approval for project-planning and construction from the local government of Shenzhen. On June 2, 2011, the Company obtained the property ownership certificate relating to BAK Industrial Park.
Pursuant to the land use rights certificate relating to the Company’s Tianjin facility, the Tianjin government had requested that the Company complete the construction of the Tianjin facility before September 30, 2008. As of September 30, 2011, the Company was in the process of negotiating with the relevant government bureau for the extension of the completion date. If the Company fails to obtain the approval for the extension of the completion date from the relevant government bureau, there is a risk that the land use rights certificate relating to the Company’s Tianjin facility will become invalid. However, management believes that this possibility, while present, is remote.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
(ii) Land Use Rights and Property Ownership Certificate (continued)
Pursuant to the land use rights certificate that the Company obtained relating to the Research and Development Test Centre to be constructed in Shenzhen, the Company must complete at least 25% of the construction of the Research and Development Test Centre by September 30, 2008. On November 11, 2008 and May 27, 2009, the Company has signed two supplement agreements with Shenzhen government to increase the dimensions of the Research and Development Test Centre. According to the supplement agreements, the Company is required to complete the construction by May 6, 2011. As of September 30, 2011, the Company was in the process of negotiating with the relevant government bureau for the extension of the completion date. According to the property ownership and land use rights certificate, such rights may not be pledged without the approval of the relevant government office. The Company is required to pledge its property ownership and land use rights certificate in relation to the Research and Development Test Centre to China Development Bank according to the loan agreement entered into with it. On April 7, 2010, the pledge of the land use rights certificate to China Development Bank was approved by the relevant government bureau. On April 20, 2010, the relevant land use rights certificate was pledged to China Development Bank.
On December 15, 2008, the Company purchased insurance for its manufacturing facilities at BAK Industrial Park in Shenzhen, China. Under the insurance policy entered into with Ping An Property & Casualty Insurance Company of China, Ltd, the insured amount for our manufacturing facilities at BAK Industrial Park is RMB585,373,070 (approximately US$85.8 million) for the period from November 26, 2008 to August 25, 2010. On August 20, 2010, the Company purchased the new insurance for its manufacturing facilities at BAK Industrial Park in Shenzhen, China. Under the new insurance policy entered into with Ping An Property & Casualty Insurance Company of China, Ltd, the insured amount for our manufacturing facilities at BAK Industrial Park is RMB550,000,000 (approximately US$82.2 million) for the period from August 26, 2010 to March 26, 2012.
On July 2, 2010, the Company purchased insurance for its manufacturing facilities in Tianjin, China. Under the insurance policy entered into with Ping An Property & Casualty Insurance Company of China, Ltd, the insured amount for our manufacturing facilities in Tianjin is RMB220,991,420 (approximately US$33.0 million) for the period from July 2, 2010 to July 2, 2011. As of September 30, 2011, under the insurance policy entered into with Ping An Property & Casualty Insurance Company of China, Ltd, the insured amount for our manufacturing facilities in Tianjin is RMB329,666,477 (approximately US$51.6 million) for the period from July 2, 2011 to July 2, 2012.
The Company is not able to insure its new Research and Development Test Centre to be constructed in Shenzhen, China, until it receives the required property ownership and land use rights certificates. Upon receipt of such certificates, the Company intends to procure such insurance. As discussed above, the Company has obtained the land use rights certificate to the land relating to these facilities. The application for a property ownership certificate is in process with respect to the Company’s facilities in Shenzhen.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
(iii) Guarantees
In order to secure the supplies of certain raw materials and equipment and upon the request of suppliers, the Company has given guarantees to certain suppliers which are summarized as follows:
Management has assessed the fair value of the obligation arising from the above financial guarantees and considered it is immaterial to the consolidated financial statements. Therefore, no obligations in respect of the above guarantees were recognized as of September 30, 2011.
(iv)
Outstanding Discounted Bills and Transferred Bills
From time to time, the Company factors bills receivable to banks and endorses the bank acceptance bills received to its suppliers, vendors or other parties for settlement of its liabilities to these creditors. At the time of the factoring and transfer, all rights and privileges of holding the receivables are transferred to the banks and the creditors. The Company removes the assets from its books and records a corresponding expense for the amount of the discount. The Company remains contingently liable on the amount outstanding in the event the bill issuer defaults.
The Company’s outstanding discounted and transferred bills as of September 30, 2010 and 2011 are summarized as follows:
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
(v)
Litigation and claims
On September 12, 2006, Hydro-Quebec, a Canadian company, and the Board of Regents of the University of Texas System brought a federal patent infringement suit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas against the Company. The plaintiffs alleged that by manufacturing rechargeable lithium cells for A123Systems for use in DeWalt 36-volt cordless power tools manufactured by Black & Decker, the Company has infringed two U.S. patents owned by and exclusively licensed to the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs seek injunctive relief and damages in an unspecified amount. A123Systems, Black & Decker Corporation and Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc. have also been named as co-defendants in this lawsuit. The court has not ruled on this lawsuit. The Company understands that this lawsuit is a countersuit against A123Systems, which filed a claim against Hydro-Quebec in the United States District Court of Massachusetts in April 2006. In that suit, A123Systems sought declaratory relief that the two said U.S. patents are invalid and that A123Systems is not infringing either of these two patents.
Following the filing of the lawsuit, the United States Patent and Trademark Office reexamined the patents. The patents were re-issued with substantial modification of the patent claims. The plaintiffs have advised that, in their view, the lawsuit continues to be viable against the defendants, including China BAK. The plaintiffs’ position has not been tested. Currently pending is the plaintiffs’ motion to amend their complaint to take the USPTO action into account.
On May 14, 2010, the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas issued an order dismissing the Company without prejudice from a federal patent infringement suit against A123Systems that had been filed in 2006.
Significant Concentrations
(a)
Customers and Credit Concentrations
No customer individually comprised 10% or more of net revenue for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
(b)
Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a significant concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and pledged deposits. As of September 30, 2010 and 2011, substantially all of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and pledged deposits were held by major financial institutions located in the PRC, which management believes are of high credit quality.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
Segment Information
The Company currently engages in the manufacture, commercialization and distribution of a wide variety of standard and customized lithium ion rechargeable batteries for use in a wide array of applications. The Company manufactured five types of Li-ion rechargeable batteries: aluminum-case cell, battery pack, cylindrical cell, lithium polymer cell and high-power lithium battery cell. The Company’s products are sold to packing plants operated by third parties primarily for use in mobile phones and other electronic devices. Net revenues for the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 were as follows:
Net revenues by product:
Net revenues by geographic area:
* Includes the Middle East, Italy, Germany and Turkey.
Substantially all of the Company’s long-lived assets are located in the PRC.
China BAK Battery, Inc. and subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
For the years ended September 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (continued)
China BAK Battery, Inc. (Parent Company)
Under PRC regulations, Shenzhen BAK, BAK Electronics and BAK Tianjin may pay dividends only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC GAAP. In addition, Shenzhen BAK, BAK Electronics and BAK Tianjin are required to set aside at least 10% of their after-tax net profits each year, if any, to fund the statutory general reserve until the balance of the reserves reaches 50% of their registered capital. The statutory general reserves are not distributable in the form of cash dividends to the Company and can be used to make up cumulative prior year losses, if any, and may be converted into share capital by the issue of new shares to shareholders in proportion to their existing shareholdings, or by increasing the par value of the shares currently held by them, provided that the reserve balance after such issue is not less than 25% of the registered capital. As of September 30, 2011, additional transfers of US$81,866,049 were required before the statutory general reserve reached 50% of the registered capital of Shenzhen BAK, BAK Electronics and BAK Tianjin. As of September 30, 2011, US$7,645,303 has been appropriated from retained earnings and set aside for statutory general reserves by Shenzhen BAK and BAK Electronics. BAK Tianjin did not have after-tax net profits since its incorporation and therefore no appropriation was made to fund its statutory general reserve as of September 30, 2011.
As of September 30, 2011, the amount of restricted net assets of Shenzhen BAK, BAK Electronics and BAK Tianjin, which may not be transferred to the Company in the forms of loans, advances or cash dividends by the subsidiaries without the consent of a third party, was approximately 5% of the Company’s consolidated net assets as discussed above. In addition, the current foreign exchange control policies applicable in the PRC also restrict the transfer of assets on dividends outside the PRC.
Subsequent Events
The Company has evaluated all subsequent events through the date these consolidated financial statements were issued, and determined that there were no subsequent events or transactions that require recognition or disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.
SIGNATURES
In accordance with section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant caused this Report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized individual.
Date: December 14, 2011
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.
EXHIBIT INDEX
* Filed herewith