Appliance Recycling Centers of America Reports First Quarter Operating Results

MINNEAPOLIS, May 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARCI), a leading provider of appliance retailing and recycling services, today reported operating results for the first quarter ended March 30, 2013.

Total revenues increased 3.3% to $30.4 million versus $29.4 million for the first quarter of 2012. Overall, the Company reported consolidated net income of $0.2 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, compared with near-breakeven results in the first quarter of 2012.

"These results – including our return to profitability – demonstrate solid progress executing the strategic initiatives we outlined earlier this year," said Edward R. (Jack) Cameron, president and chief executive officer of ARCA, Inc. "In particular, strong replacement program activity helped our recycling revenues increase 21 percent sequentially and 58 percent over the same period last year."

Cameron added that the Company was pleased to modify its credit agreement with PNC Bank, National Association (PNC) during the quarter. The agreement signed on March 14, 2013, extended the Company's existing credit agreement with PNC two additional years until January 24, 2016. It also waived the previously reported default caused by being out of compliance with two financial covenants and reset the financial covenants. The modified terms did not change the maximum borrowing amount of $15 million under the revolving line of credit and require the Company to meet monthly minimum EBITDA targets through 2013.

ApplianceSmart^® same store sales for the first quarter of 2013 declined 7% compared with the same period of 2012. Factors included delayed 2012 tax refunds, negative impact of the Easter holiday shifting to the first quarter this year and a tight housing market that dampened relocation activity and related appliance purchasing. The National Association of Realtors reported a 17% decline in housing inventories in March 2013 from prior-year levels. The National Retail Federation blamed a sequential March decrease in electronics and appliance store sales on colder-than-normal weather and the payroll tax hike.

In the first quarter, ApplianceSmart total retail revenues decreased 9% to $18.1 million compared with the same period of 2012, resulting primarily from the same store sales decrease and closure of two stores late in 2012. During the first quarter of 2013, ApplianceSmart stores generated an operating income before corporate overhead of $0.4 million, a $0.2 million decline compared with the same period in 2012.

"Our retail operations showed quarterly sequential improvements, including per-store sales and gross margins," explained Brad Bremer, president of ApplianceSmart. "We're starting to see more out-of-carton product available, aided by favorable home-construction trends." The housing shortage and improving economy is spurring construction; new housing starts rose in March 2013 at the fastest seasonally adjusted annual rate in nearly five years.   

Recycling revenues, which are comprised of appliance recycling fees and appliance replacement program revenues, increased 58% to $8.3 million in the first quarter of 2013, from $5.3 million in the same period of 2012. The number of replacement programs remained unchanged, but related revenues increased $3.8 million while appliance recycling fees declined $0.8 million. The Company reported a 119% increase in replacement units and a 4% decline in overall recycling volumes. The increase in replacement program revenues was partially offset by lower appliance recycling revenues, resulting in a $0.7 million improvement in operating profit compared with the same period in 2012.

Research by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) claims the next opportunities for increases in appliance efficiency will come from smart appliances and early retirement of existing appliances, such as the 42% of working refrigerators estimated to remain on the electrical grid after disposal through secondary use, sale or donation. A 2012 ENERGY STAR^® summary of energy-efficiency programs includes more than 650 incentive and promotion programs submitted by over 200 program sponsors across the United States. New ENERGY STAR requirements take effect in 2014.

The Company's byproduct revenues, excluding AAP, declined to $1.5 million compared with $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2012. The decrease was a direct result of the 4% reduction in overall recycling volumes cited earlier coupled with a 14% decrease in steel scrap prices compared with the first quarter of 2012. Scrap prices are expected to remain volatile for the balance of the year and into 2014.

Revenues from the ARCA Advanced Processing (AAP) joint venture, reported in byproduct revenues, declined 5% to $2.6 million compared with $2.7 million in the first quarter of 2012. AAP's gross margin declined to 12.2% compared with 19.2% in the same period of 2012. AAP's operating loss for the first quarter was $53,000 compared with operating income of $65,000 during the same period of 2012. The decline in gross margin and operating income was primarily the result of lower prices for steel scrap and higher depreciation expense.

Positive momentum continues in California's cap and trade program for carbon emissions. In mid-April, California's Air Resources Board approved linking with a similar program in Quebec, starting in 2014. The Company considers this an important step toward a more efficient, liquid and stable carbon emissions market, including possible future linkages to other domestic or global markets. As previously announced, both ARCA and AAP expect to create carbon offsets through the destruction of CFCs throughout 2013 and derive revenues through California's market in the second half of 2013.

Overall gross profit as a percentage of total revenues decreased to 26% for the first quarter of 2013 compared with 27% during the same period of 2012. The decline in overall gross profit percentage resulted primarily from lower byproduct revenues and the decline in AAP's gross margin. These factors were partially offset by an 80 basis point improvement in ApplianceSmart's gross margin.

"We're encouraged by a positive start to the year," Cameron noted. "Our banking agreement is solidified and we've moved ahead with a number of corporate actions that are bearing fruit." He concluded, "We're carefully managing all our operations and we're optimistic about our prospects as the economy gradually improves throughout 2013."

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents as of March 30, 2013, were $3.9 million compared with $3.2 million as of December 29, 2012. As of March 30, 2013, the Company had $3.8 million of available borrowings under its revolving line of credit compared with $2.5 million as of December 29, 2012. Net working capital of $7.1 million decreased $0.5 million as of March 30, 2013, compared with $7.6 million as of December 29, 2012. The decline can be attributed to an increase in accrued liabilities and the net impact of lower appliance inventory and a reduced line of credit balance.

Conference Call Information

In conjunction with this release, Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. will host a conference call tomorrow, May 7, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. CDT. To participate in the conference call, please dial the following number ten minutes prior to the scheduled time: 888-221-1887. A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company's website, www.ARCAInc.com, approximately 24-48 hours after the completion of the call.

About ARCA

ARCA's three business components are uniquely positioned in the industry to work together to provide a full array of appliance-related services. ARCA Advanced Processing, LLC employs advanced technology to refine traditional appliance recycling techniques to achieve optimal revenue-generating and environmental benefits. ARCA is also the exclusive North American distributor for UNTHA Recycling Technology (URT), one of the world's leading manufacturers of technologically advanced refrigerator recycling systems and recycling facilities for electrical household appliances and electronic scrap. ARCA's regional centers process appliances at end of life to remove environmentally damaging substances and produce material byproducts for recycling for over 150 utilities in the U.S. and Canada. Eighteen company-owned stores under the name ApplianceSmart, Inc.^® sell new appliances directly to consumers and provide affordable ENERGY STAR^® options for energy efficiency appliance replacement programs.

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements as defined within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding ARCA's future success. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including the risks associated with general economic conditions, competition in the retail and recycling industries and regulatory risks. Other factors that could cause operating and financial results to differ are described in ARCA's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other risks may be detailed from time to time in reports to be filed with the SEC.

SOURCE Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc.