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8-K - CURRENT REPORT - ECOSPHERE TECHNOLOGIES INCesph_8k.htm
EXHIBIT 99.1
 
 

ECOSPHERE TECHNOLOGIES REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2011 RESULTS

Q4 Cash Flow From Operations $2.5 Million
Q4 Revenue Up 227% Year/Year
2011 Revenue Up 135% Year/Year

STUART, Fla., Mar. 8, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ecosphere Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:ESPH), a diversified water engineering, technology licensing and environmental services company, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2011.  For the first time in its history, the Company reported positive annual operating cash flow of over $2.6 million. The Company recorded $8.3 million of revenue for the 2011 fourth quarter, representing a 227% year-over-year increase.  Revenue for the full year 2011 was $21.1 million, a 135% increase versus 2010.

Ecosphere Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Charles Vinick stated, “The pivotal event in 2011 was our licensing agreement with Hydrozonix.  The agreement commits them to purchase a minimum of sixteen EF80s over the initial two years to maintain their exclusivity, which should yield at least $44 million in revenue to Ecosphere.  We executed on this deal by delivering the first four units in 2011.  For the first time in our history, this license agreement gives us sales visibility through 2012 and into 2013. In addition to our licensing revenue, we have seen continued growth of our water treatment service business in onshore oil and gas fracturing and we see numerous other industrial wastewater treatment opportunities that we can exploit with our patented Ozonix technologies.”

Fourth Quarter 2011 Financial Details

Q4 2011 revenue increased 227% year-over-year to $8.3 million.  The mix of revenue was $5.8 million of equipment sales and licensing, representing 70% of total revenue, and $2.5 million of field services, or 30% of revenue.  In 2010, all revenue was derived from field services.

Gross profit in the fourth quarter 2011 was $4.2 million, representing a gross margin of 50.6%.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $4.5 million, which slightly exceeded gross profit and led to a small operating loss. SG&A included $2 million in non-cash compensation. SG&A expense was down from the same period a year ago despite total revenues growing over threefold.

Net loss attributable to common shareholders of $685,590 reflects the net loss plus the accrual of preferred stock dividends, as well as the net income applicable to the noncontrolling interest in its consolidated subsidiary, Ecosphere Energy Services, LLC.
 
 
 
 

 

 
Full Year 2011 Financial Details

Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $21.1 million, an increase of $12.1 million over the year ended December 31, 2010.  This increase was primarily due to the sale of four Ozonix® EF80 units representing 54% of total revenue, or $11.5 million.  The remaining portion of revenues was $9.6 million attributable to field services, or 46% of revenue.  In 2010, our revenue was derived solely from field services to oil and gas exploration companies.

Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $10.2 million verses $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $15.6 million, which includes $6.7 million in non-cash compensation.  Although the Company had an increase in SG&A expenses for the year ended December 31, 2011 over 2010, the Company experienced significant growth in revenue in the same period.  The Company intends to continue to invest in its corporate infrastructure to support rapid growth in the near term, but expects to experience operating leverage over longer time periods.

Net loss for 2011 was $5.9 million. Net loss attributable to common shareholders of $7.7 million, or $0.05 per share, reflects the net loss plus the payment of preferred stock dividends, as well as the net income applicable to the noncontrolling interest in its consolidated subsidiary, Ecosphere Energy Services, LLC.

The Company strengthened its balance sheet in 2011, concluding the year with over $2 million in cash, reduced debt and had positive working capital. The Company also generated over $2.6 million in operating cash flow for the year.

Adrian Goldfarb, Chief Financial Officer of Ecosphere Technologies, said, “Our fundamental business momentum continues.  We are generating increasingly more operating cash and the Company is now in the position to achieve profitability.  Also, Ecosphere’s strengthening balance sheet gives us the financial flexibility to fund new growth opportunities.”

2012 Financial Guidance

In 2012, Ecosphere expects total revenue to rise approximately 33% to around $28 million.  Gross profit is estimated to be over $14 million, representing at least a 50% gross margin.  Operating expenses are expected to equal gross profit, leading to operating income that will be approximately at breakeven.  Excluding non-cash expenses such as depreciation, operating cash flow is expected to increase to approximately $3 million.
 
 
 
 

 

 
Fourth Quarter 2011 Conference Call Details

The Company will discuss its financial results and guidance in a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. EST. The conference call can be accessed by dialing toll-free +1 (888) 221-3915 (U.S.) or +1 (913) 312-0836 (International).  A telephone replay will be available approximately two hours after the call concludes through Thursday, March 15, 2012 by dialing toll-free +1 (877) 870-5176 (U.S.) or +1 (858) 384-5517 (International), and by entering the passcode: 6433438. A live webcast of the conference call will be available through the Company’s website at http://ir.stockpr.com/ecospheretech/events and will be archived on the website for one year.

About Ecosphere Technologies

Ecosphere Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:ESPH) is a diversified water engineering, technology licensing and environmental services company that designs, develops, and manufactures wastewater treatment technologies for a variety of industrial markets. The company provides environmental services and technology solutions for large-scale, sustainable applications across industries, nations and ecosystems.

Ecosphere is currently driving clean water innovation with its patented Ozonix advanced oxidation technologies and mobile, low-maintenance water treatment systems. Ecosphere's patented Ozonix technology is a high-volume, advanced oxidation process designed to recycle water while reducing liquid chemicals used during water treatment applications. In Operation since 2008, the Ozonix technology has enabled Ecosphere's oil and gas customers to recycle and reuse over 1 billion gallons of water on more than 475 oil and natural gas wells in major shale plays across the country.

For more information, please visit www.EcosphereTech.com.
 
To receive timely information on Ecosphere Technologies, sign up for Ecosphere's email news alert system at http://www.ESPH-IR.com.
 
Contact:

Investor Relations:
Paul Meeks, CFA
Senior Vice President
Investor Relations Consultant
+1 (203) 682-8248
paul.meeks@icrinc.com

Press and Media Relations:
Brian Ruby
Vice President
+1 (203) 682-8268
brian.ruby@icrinc.com

Company:
Corey McGuire
Director of Marketing
Ecosphere Technologies, Inc.
+1 (772) 287-4006
cmcguire@ecospheretech.com
 
 
 
 

 
 
Ecosphere Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
   
For the Three Months Ended
   
For the Year Ended
 
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
                         
 Revenues
                       
 Equipment sales and licensing
  $ 5,815,026     $ -     $ 11,460,078     $ -  
 Field services
    2,470,618       2,536,697       9,628,081       8,964,484  
 Total revenues
    8,285,644       2,536,697       21,088,159       8,964,484  
                                 
 Cost of revenues
                               
 Cost of equipment
    3,533,058       -       8,261,524       -  
 Cost of field services
    590,606       853,122       2,583,911       3,394,688  
 Total cost of revenues
    4,123,664       853,122       10,845,435       3,394,688  
                                 
 Gross profit
    4,161,980       1,683,575       10,242,724       5,569,796  
                                 
 Operating expenses
                               
 Selling, general and administrative
    4,513,499       5,379,717       15,582,966       14,014,824  
 Asset impairment charge
    -       -       -       116,000  
 Restructuring charge
    -       -       -       50,000  
 Total operating expenses
    4,513,499       5,379,717       15,582,966       14,180,824  
                                 
 Loss from operations
    (351,519 )     (3,696,142 )     (5,340,242 )     (8,611,028 )
                                 
 Other income (expense)
                               
 Other income
    426       19       910       292  
 Gain (loss) on settlement, net
    -       (65,756 )     -       (65,756 )
 Gain (loss) on conversion, net
    1,064       101,476       (93,762 )     (19,604 )
 Interest expense
    (121,045 )     (237,009 )     (581,392 )     (1,176,222 )
 Change in fair value of derivative instruments
    147,355       43,690       152,888       (12,787,666 )
 Total other income (expense)
    27,800       (157,580 )     (521,356 )     (14,048,956 )
                                 
 Net loss
    (323,719 )     (3,853,722 )     (5,861,598 )     (22,659,984 )
                                 
 Preferred stock dividends
    (25,750 )     (25,750 )     (103,000 )     (105,500 )
                                 
 Net loss applicable to common stock
    (349,469 )     (3,879,472 )     (5,964,598 )     (22,765,484 )
                                 
 Less: net (income) loss applicable to noncontrolling
                               
 interest in consolidated subsidiary
    (336,121 )     585,322       (1,690,075 )     528,277  
                                 
 Net loss applicable to Ecosphere Technologies, Inc.
                    -       -  
  common stock
  $ (685,590 )   $ (3,294,150 )   $ (7,654,673 )   $ (22,237,207 )
                                 
                                 
 Net loss per common share applicable to
                               
 common stock
                               
 Basic and diluted
  $ -     $ (0.10 )   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.17 )
 
 
 
 

 
 
Ecosphere Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
             
 Current assets
           
Cash
  $ 2,043,593     $ 46,387  
 Accounts receivable
    873,117       703,475  
 Inventory
    408,747       -  
 Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    81,850       46,151  
 Total current assets
    3,407,307       796,013  
 Property and equipment, net
    6,141,519       7,729,721  
 Construction in progress
    -       389,558  
 Patents, net
    42,164       46,145  
 Deposits
    22,598       22,205  
    $ 9,613,588     $ 8,983,642  
                 
                 
 Equity (Deficit)
               
                 
 Current liabilities
               
 Accounts payable
  $ 1,180,723     $ 1,970,891  
 Accrued liabilities
    1,163,504       917,872  
 Notes payable, net of discounts
    370,561       50,000  
 Related party notes payable
    204,776       2,636,093  
 Warrant derivatives fair value
    347,235       610,642  
 Financing obligations
    49,299       69,566  
 Total current liabilities
    3,316,098       6,255,064  
 Notes payable, net of discounts
    1,366,177       313,722  
 Related party notes payable
    204,299       136,676  
 Financing obligations
    168,048       -  
 Restructuring reserve
    119,184       181,119  
 Total liabilities
    5,173,806       6,886,581  
                 
 Redeemable convertible cumulative preferred stock
               
 Series A - 11 shares authorized; 6 shares issued and outstanding
               
 at December 31, 2011 and 2010; $25,000 per share redemption amount
               
   plus dividends in arrears
    1,158,494       1,135,994  
 Series B - 484 shares authorized; 322 shares issued and outstanding
               
 at December 31, 2011 and 2010; $2,500 per share redemption amount
               
   plus dividends in arrears
    2,822,302       2,741,802  
 Total redeemable convertible cumulative preferred stock
    3,980,796       3,877,796  
                 
 Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
 Equity (deficit)
               
 Ecosphere Technologies, Inc. stockholders' equity (deficit)
               
 Common stock, $0.01 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized; 146,262,357 and
               
 137,430,756 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010,
               
 respectively
    1,462,622       1,374,307  
 Common stock issuable, $0.01 par value; 71,959 and 1,347,915 issuable at December 31,
               
 2011 and 2010, respectively
    720       13,480  
 Additional paid-in capital
    104,804,159       96,778,394  
 Accumulated deficit
    (117,576,896 )     (110,025,222 )
 Total Ecosphere Technologies, Inc. stockholders' deficit
    (11,309,395 )     (11,859,041 )
 Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiary
    11,768,381       10,078,306  
 Total equity (deficit)
    458,986       (1,780,735 )
 Total liabilities, redeemable convertible cumulative preferred stock                
   and equity (deficit)
  $ 9,613,588     $ 8,983,642  
 
 
 
 

 
 
Ecosphere Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
   
For the Three Months Ended
   
For the Year Ended
 
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                       
 Net loss applicable to Ecosphere Technologies, Inc. common stock
  $ (685,590 )   $ (3,294,150 )   $ (7,654,673 )   $ (22,237,207 )
 Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
                               
 Preferred stock dividends
    25,750       25,750       103,000       105,500  
 Depreciation and amortization
    559,032       521,926       2,174,983       1,957,881  
 Provision for asset impairment
    -       -       -       116,000  
 Accretion of discount on notes payable
    72,733       4,839       263,767       543,551  
 Restructuring charge
    -       -       -       50,000  
 Loss on conversion of debt and accrued interest to common stock
    -       -       93,762       19,604  
 Stock-based compensation expense
    2,033,059       2,999,459       6,668,229       5,517,992  
 (Gain) loss from change in fair value of warrant derivative liability
    (147,355 )     (43,690 )     (152,888 )     8,772,446  
 Loss from change in fair value of embedded conversion option derivative liability
    -       -       -       4,015,220  
 Non-cash expense to modify warrants
    -       -       -       93,735  
 Shares of common stock issued for settlement
    -       -       -       108,979  
 Noncontrolling interest in income (loss) of consolidated subsidiary
    336,121       (585,322 )     1,690,075       (528,277 )
 Net other non-cash items
    45,209       -       39,440       -  
 Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                               
 Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable
    525,898       (9,921 )     (169,642 )     (1,476 )
 Increase in inventory
    (218,796 )     -       (19,189 )     -  
 Decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets
    21,128       83,375       115,353       159,172  
 Increase  in deposits
    (393 )     -       (393 )     (12,006 )
 (Decrease) increase in accounts payable
    (402,057 )     4,664       (790,167 )     386,653  
 Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses
    360,634       123,304       310,959       374,564  
 Increase (decrease) in restructuring reserve
    (13,433 )     5,315       (61,935 )     (37,537 )
 Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue
    -       -       -       (672,000 )
 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
  $ 2,511,940     $ (164,451 )   $ 2,610,681     $ (1,267,206 )
 

 
 
 

 
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
 
This press release contains forward-looking statements including 2012 guidance, future sales results from the Hydrozonix licensing agreement, opportunities to exploit the Ozonix technology, continuing to invest in corporate infrastructure, expected operating leverage, business momentum, profitability, and financial flexibility to fund new growth opportunities.  Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects” and similar references to future periods.

Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. We caution you therefore against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include a decline in the price of natural gas, competition and predatory pricing from larger companies, the acceptance of the EF80 and its effectiveness in the field, reluctance of businesses to change to new technologies, federal or state regulations which affect hydraulic fracturing, problems that arise from the manufacturing of the units and delays in receipt of parts from component manufacturers.

Further information on our risk factors is contained in our filings with the SEC.  Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Source:  Ecosphere Technologies, Inc.


Released March 8, 2012