FAIRPORT HARBOR, OH--(Marketwire - February 11, 2009) - OurPet's Company (
OTCBB:
OPCO)
-- Record Fourth-Quarter and Year-End Sales
-- 2008 Net Income Before Litigation Expense Up 61.1 Percent
-- Company Announces 45 New Products at Global Pet Show
OurPet's Company (
OTCBB:
OPCO), a growing designer, developer, producer and
marketer of accessory and consumable pet products, today reported financial
results for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2008.
Revenues for the 2008 fourth quarter increased 15.7 percent to $3,161,243
from $2,731,273 for the same period a year ago. Gross margin, as a percent
of sales for the 2008 fourth quarter, increased 0.8 percentage points to
26.8 percent from 26.0 percent in the 2007 fourth quarter. Income before
litigation expense for the 2008 fourth quarter increased to $115,340,
compared to $53,425 for the 2007 fourth quarter. Net income for the 2008
fourth quarter was $50,698, compared to a net loss of ($103,883) for the
same period in 2007. Litigation expenses for the 2008 and 2007 fourth
quarters were $64,642 and $157,308, respectively. Earnings, before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), for the 2008
fourth quarter, increased to $223,751, compared to $69,699 for the 2007
fourth quarter.
Revenues for 2008 increased 17.5 percent to $12,410,135 from $10,561,204
last year. For 2008, gross margin, as a percentage of sales increased 1.5
percentage points to 28.2 percent, compared to 26.7 percent for 2007.
Income before litigation expenses for 2008 increased 61.1 percent to
$594,785, compared to $369,267 for 2007. Net loss for 2008 was
($1,728,198), compared to net income of $186,886 for the same period in
2007. Litigation expenses for 2008 and 2007 were $2,322,983 and $182,381,
respectively. EBITDA for 2008 decreased to ($1,054,486), compared to
$827,935 for 2007.
Dr. Steven Tsengas, President and CEO, stated, "I am encouraged by our 2008
financial and operating results given the difficulties we faced throughout
the year, as a result of the SmartScoop®
www.smartscoop.com litigation,
higher raw material costs, inventory reductions by our customers and the
downturn in the economy. The growth we experienced in sales and gross
margins is a result of our dedicated employees, successful operating
strategies, the innovation of our products, and growing consumer acceptance
of our brands. For 2008, we added 125 new accounts, the most in the
Company's history -- further enhancing our distribution.
"The positive decision by the International Trade Commission ("ITC") in
December 2008 vindicated the authenticity and innovation of OurPet's
SmartScoop Self-Cleaning Litter Box. We have submitted an appeal on the
ITC's decision that one of the eight patent claims in question did infringe
on the Applica Incorporated patent and expect a decision by April 2009.
Along with the appeal, we have proactively made a simple engineering change
that eliminates the alleged patent claim infringement. As a result of the
positive decision by the ITC, we have filed a counterclaim against Applica
and we are seeking (among other items) damages for the legal fees
associated with defending against Applica's lawsuits. For 2009, we are
hopeful that our legal expenses will be significantly reduced, compared to
2008 levels.
"We are cautiously optimistic as we enter 2009 despite changing consumer
preferences, poor retail conditions, and economic uncertainty. We will be
attending the Global Pet Expo ("Global"), which will take place February
12-14 in Orlando, Florida. At Global, we will be introducing 45 new SKUs
bringing OurPet's total number of SKUs to over 400, compared to about 360 a
year ago.
"Most importantly, we will be introducing our new Flappy®
www.flappydogtoys.com brand of dog toys, which will be on store shelves on
May 1, 2009. We currently have a significant volume of firm orders for our
Flappy products and are optimistic this brand will contribute meaningfully
to 2009's sales and earnings. In addition, we are relaunching our elevated
dog feeders with new designs, brands, packaging and colors. This is the
first time our elevated dog feeders have been updated since they were
launched. We were very successful in 2008 with the relaunch and rebranding
of our Play-N-Squeak®
www.playnsqueak.com brand and we will be launching
15 new Play-N-Squeak toys at Global."
Dr. Tsengas concluded, "I am very pleased with the hard work, dedication,
and innovation of OurPet's employees, who have continually risen to the
challenges we have faced and will continue to face in these difficult and
uncertain economic times. We have developed a leading pet product company
that is well positioned to grow and I am very optimistic about the future
of the Company."
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. Investors and customers may visit
www.ourpets.com for more
information about the Company and its products.
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.
OURPET'S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Year Ended For the Quarter Ended
December 31, December 31,
---------------------- ----------------------
2008 2007 2008 2007
---------------------- ----------------------
Net revenue 12,410,135 10,561,204 3,161,243 2,731,273
Cost of goods sold 8,911,274 7,743,553 2,312,556 2,020,604
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Gross profit on sales 3,498,861 2,817,651 848,687 710,669
Selling, general and
administrative expenses (2,712,303) (2,283,585) (685,474) (614,128)
Litigation expense (2,322,983) (182,381) (64,642) (157,308)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income (loss) from
operations (1,536,425) 351,685 98,571 (60,767)
Other income and expense -
net 1,577 4,941 765 2,871
Interest expense (193,350) (169,740) (48,638) (45,987)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income (loss) (1,728,196) 186,886 50,698 (103,883)
========== ========== ========== ==========
Basic and diluted earnings
per common share after
dividend requirements
for Preferred Stock:
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income (0.12) 0.01 - -
========== ========== ========== ==========
Weighted average number of
common and equivalent shares
outstanding used to
calculate basic and diluted
earnings per share 15,257,050 17,680,760 15,371,621 17,234,190
========== ========== ========== ==========
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31,
2008 2007
----------- -----------
ASSETS
Cash and equivalents 363,573 28,843
Receivables, net 1,420,884 1,239,410
Inventories 3,303,617 3,395,512
Prepaid expenses 73,995 91,069
----------- -----------
Total current assets 5,162,069 4,754,834
Property and equipment, net 2,076,550 2,309,529
Other 339,367 337,967
----------- -----------
Total assets 7,577,986 7,402,330
=========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Short-term borrowings and current maturities
of long-term debt 2,044,581 2,032,857
Accounts payable 1,629,646 1,170,225
Accrued expenses 290,732 122,813
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities 3,964,959 3,325,895
Long-term debt 1,474,036 250,655
Stockholders' Equity 2,138,991 3,825,780
----------- -----------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 7,577,986 7,402,330
=========== ===========
Contact Information: CONTACT:
OurPet's, Company
Dr. Steven Tsengas
(440) 354-6500 (Ext. 111)
INVESTOR RELATIONS:
SM Berger & Company, Inc.
Andrew Berger
(216) 464-6400