FAIRPORT HARBOR, OH--(Marketwire - October 27, 2008) - OurPet's Company (
OTCBB:
OPCO), a
growing designer, developer, producer and marketer of accessory and
consumable pet products, today reported financial results for the 2008
third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008.
Net revenues for the 2008 third quarter increased 37.0 percent to
$3,328,024 from $2,429,749 in the same period a year ago. Gross margin, as
a percent of sales for the 2008 third quarter, increased 4.6 percentage
points to 29.6 percent, from 25.0 percent in the 2007 third quarter. This
improvement in gross margin was a result of the Company's continuous cost
improvement efforts, emphasis on selling higher margin products and
selective price increases. The Company expects to maintain or enhance the
improved gross margin during the 2008 fourth quarter.
Income before litigation expense for the 2008 third quarter increased
1,459.9 percent to $191,539, compared to $12,279 for the 2007 third
quarter. After litigation expense the net loss for the 2008 third quarter
was $617,589, or a loss of $0.04 per share, compared to net income of
$3,244, or $0.00 per diluted share for the same period in 2007. Earnings,
before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), before
litigation expense for the 2008 third quarter, increased 115.6 percent to
$359,322, compared to $166,661 for the 2007 third quarter.
Net revenues for the 2008 nine months increased 18.1 percent to $9,248,892
from $7,829,931 in the same period a year ago. Gross margin, as a percent
of sales for the 2008 nine months, increased 1.8 percentage points to 28.7
percent from 26.9 percent in the 2007 nine months. Income before
litigation expense for the 2008 nine months increased to $479,445 compared
to $315,842 for the 2007 nine months, or an improvement of $163,603, or
51.8 percent. After litigation expense the net loss for the 2008 nine
months was $1,778,896, or a loss of $0.12 per share, compared to net income
of $290,769, or $0.01 per diluted share for the same period in 2007.
Earnings, before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA),
before litigation expense for the 2008 nine months, increased 24.7 percent
to $976,491, compared to $783,308 for the 2007 nine months.
Dr. Steven Tsengas, President and CEO, stated, "We are pleased about our
growth for the 2008 third quarter and nine months. We achieved increases
in sales and income before litigation expense for both periods despite a
difficult business environment for many of our major customers. The
increase in sales for both periods was the result of improved sales to our
non-major accounts, new customers, new product introductions and exports to
Canada and overseas.
"As we expected, our net income for the third quarter and nine months were
adversely affected by the litigation expenses that we have incurred in
defending the OurPet's SmartScoop® (
www.smartscoop.com) against the
patent infringement lawsuits filed against us by a competitor. We feel
that such charges are without merit and believe that we should prevail in
the International Trade Commission trial that occurred on August 29, 2008.
A decision by the ITC judge is anticipated on or before December 2, 2008.
With reduced ITC litigation expense and seasonally increased sales, we are
optimistic that the Company will return to profitability in the 2008 fourth
quarter and that results will compare favorably to the 2007 fourth quarter.
It is difficult to predict additional litigation expenses beyond the ITC
case decision date since the actions of our competitor are unknown.
"The litigation expenses have been primarily funded with external sources
of subordinated debt with warrants, thereby reducing shareholder dilution
compared to the issuance of additional common shares. The cost and manpower
resources required for the litigation have not significantly impacted
OurPet's management's focus and commitment to grow OurPet's. Approximately
sixty new products will be introduced at the annual Global Pet Exposition
that will be held in Orlando, FL in February 2009. OurPet's is the
recognized innovative pet product company with a rich pipeline of new
products," concluded Dr. Tsengas.
About OurPet's Company
OurPet's designs, produces and markets a broad line of innovative,
high-quality accessory and consumable pet products in the U.S. and
overseas. For more information about the Company and its products visit our
Websites
www.ourpets.com,
www.smartscoop.com,
www.ecoPureNaturals.com and
www.playnsqueak.com.
Certain of the matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking
and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: business
conditions and growth in the industry; general economic conditions;
addition or loss of significant customers; the loss of key personnel;
product development; competition; risks of doing business abroad; foreign
government regulations; fluctuations in foreign rates; rising costs for raw
materials and the unavailability of sources of supply; the timing of orders
booked; and the other risks that are described from time to time in
OurPet's SEC reports.
--Financial Results Follow--
OURPET'S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED OPERATING RESULTS
For the Nine Months Ended For the Quarter Ended
September 30, September 30,
-------------------------- --------------------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net revenue $ 9,248,892 $ 7,829,931 $ 3,328,024 $ 2,429,749
Cost of goods sold 6,598,718 5,722,949 2,341,876 1,823,093
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Gross profit
on sales 2,650,174 2,106,982 986,148 606,656
Selling, general
and administrative
expenses 2,026,829 1,669,457 740,891 549,771
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Income from
operations 623,345 437,525 245,257 56,885
Other income and
expense, net (812) (2,070) (1) (1)
Interest expense 144,712 123,753 53,719 44,607
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Income before
litigation
expense 479,445 315,842 191,539 12,279
Litigation expense 2,258,341 25,073 809,128 9,035
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net income
(loss) $ (1,778,896) $ 290,769 $ (617,589) $ 3,244
============ ============ ============ ============
Basic and Diluted
Net Income (Loss)
Per Common Share
After Dividend
Requirements
For Preferred
Stock $ (0.12) $ 0.01 $ (0.04) $ -
============ ============ ============ ============
Weighted average
number of common
and equivalent shares
outstanding used
to calculate
basic and diluted
earnings per
share 15,245,736 17,782,896 15,246,984 18,166,595
============ ============ ============ ============
OURPET'S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
September 30, December 31,
2008 2007
------------- -------------
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents $ 207,865 $ 28,843
Receivables, net 1,606,897 1,239,410
Inventories 3,506,707 3,395,512
Prepaid expenses 120,327 91,069
------------- -------------
Total current assets 5,441,796 4,754,834
Property and equipment, net 2,166,717 2,309,529
Other 343,483 337,967
------------- -------------
Total assets $ 7,951,996 $ 7,402,330
============= =============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Notes payable $ 2,000,000 $ 1,800,000
Current maturities of long-term debt 147,844 232,857
Accounts payable 2,293,281 1,170,225
Accrued expenses 279,004 122,813
------------- -------------
Total current liabilities 4,720,129 3,325,895
Long-term debt 1,161,108 250,655
Stockholders' Equity 2,070,759 3,825,780
------------- -------------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity $ 7,951,996 $ 7,402,330
============= =============
Contact Information: CONTACT:
OurPet's, Company
Dr. Steven Tsengas
(440) 354-6500 (Ext. 111)
-or-
INVESTOR RELATIONS:
SM Berger & Company, Inc.
Andrew Berger
(216) 464-6400