Attached files

file filename
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - Highpower International, Inc.v439897_ex31-2.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - Highpower International, Inc.v439897_ex32-1.htm
EX-10.1 - EXHIBIT 10.1 - Highpower International, Inc.v439897_ex10-1.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - Highpower International, Inc.v439897_ex31-1.htm

 

UNITED STATES

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For The Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2016
 
OR
     
¨   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For The Transition Period From            To            

 

COMMISSION FILE NO. 001-34098

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   20-4062622

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

Building A1, 68 Xinxia Street, Pinghu, Longgang,

Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518111, People’s Republic of China

(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)(ZIP CODE)

 

(86) 755-89686238

(COMPANY’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days Yes x     No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes x     No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨
   
Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨    No x

 

The registrant had 15,101,679 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding as of May 16, 2016.

 

 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

FORM 10-Q

 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED March 31, 2016

INDEX

 

        Page
Part I   Financial Information  
           
    Item 1.   Consolidated Financial Statements  
             
        (a) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2016 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2015 (Audited) 2
             
        (b) Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (Unaudited) 4
             
        (c) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (Unaudited) 5
             
        (d) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 6
             
    Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 35
           
    Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 43
           
    Item 4.   Controls and Procedures 43
           
Part II   Other Information  
           
    Item 1.   Legal Proceedings 44
           
    Item 1A.   Risk Factors 44
           
    Item 2.   Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 44
           
    Item 3.   Default Upon Senior Securities 44
           
    Item 4.   Mine Safety Disclosures 44
           
    Item 5.   Other Information 44
           
    Item 6.   Exhibits 45
           
Signatures 46

  

 1 

 

 

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Stated in US Dollars except Number of Shares)

 

  

March 31,

  

December 31,

 
   2016   2015 
   (Unaudited)     
   $   $ 
ASSETS          
Current Assets:          
Cash   6,749,909    5,849,967 
Restricted cash   9,250,815    11,656,204 
Accounts receivable, net   30,004,722    36,139,866 
Notes receivable   1,795,942    1,757,709 
Prepayments   5,979,026    5,354,552 
Other receivables   791,895    706,352 
Inventories   19,922,932    19,218,331 
           
Total Current Assets   74,495,241    80,682,981 
           
Property, plant and equipment, net   47,655,212    47,464,186 
Land use right, net   3,967,322    3,963,003 
Other assets   537,500    550,000 
Deferred tax assets   1,683,069    1,544,314 
           
TOTAL ASSETS   128,338,344    134,204,484 
           
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY          
           
LIABILITIES          
Current Liabilities:          
Accounts payable   33,970,319    36,077,396 
Deferred income   861,369    879,944 
Short-term loan   15,406,054    13,839,341 
Notes payable   25,177,482    30,490,166 
Other payables and accrued liabilities   6,882,074    6,292,492 
Income taxes payable   1,885,389    1,783,013 
Current portion of long-term loan   1,393,512    1,845,245 
           
Total Current Liabilities   85,576,199    91,207,597 
           
Warrant Liability   21,080    140,549 
           
TOTAL LIABILITIES   85,597,279    91,348,146 
           
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES   -    - 

  

 2 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)

(Stated in US Dollars except Number of Shares)

  

  

March 31,

   December 31, 
   2016   2015 
   (Unaudited)     
   $   $ 
EQUITY          
Stockholders’ equity          
Preferred stock          
(Par value: $0.0001, Authorized: 10,000,000 shares, Issued and outstanding: none)   -    - 
           
Common stock          
(Par value: $0.0001, Authorized: 100,000,000 shares, 15,101,679 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015)   1,510    1,510 
Additional paid-in capital   11,338,689    11,227,979 
Statutory and other reserves   4,042,429    4,042,429 
Retained earnings   23,755,567    24,098,175 
Accumulated other comprehensive income   2,878,209    2,632,762 
           
Total equity for the stockholders of Highpower International Inc.   42,016,404    42,002,855 
           
Non-controlling interest   724,661    853,483 
           
TOTAL EQUITY   42,741,065    42,856,338 
           
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY   128,338,344    134,204,484 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements

 

 3 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(Stated in US Dollars except Number of Shares)

 

   Three months ended March 31, 
   2016   2015 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
   $   $ 
         
Net sales   29,097,055    32,137,648 
Cost of sales   (23,220,016)   (26,581,934)
Gross profit   5,877,039    5,555,714 
           
Research and development expenses   (1,622,883)   (1,674,124)
Selling and distribution expenses   (1,535,036)   (1,798,722)
General and administrative expenses   (3,069,714)   (3,024,751)
Foreign currency transaction (loss) gain    (90,436)   370,311 
           
Total operating expenses   (6,318,069)   (6,127,286)
           
Loss from operations   (441,030)   (571,572)
           
Change in fair value of warrant liability   119,469    346,299 
Other income   155,928    230,092 
Interest expenses   (274,992)   (268,642)
Net loss before taxes   (440,625)   (263,823)
           
Income taxes (expenses) benefit   (35,504)   95,256 
Net loss   (476,129)   (168,567)
           
Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interest   (133,521)   (45,209)
Net loss attributable to Highpower International Inc.   (342,608)   (123,358)
           
Comprehensive loss          
Net loss   (476,129)   (168,567)
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)   250,146    (204,761)
Comprehensive loss   (225,983)   (373,328)
           
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest   (128,822)   (49,173)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Highpower International Inc.   (97,161)   (324,155)
           
Loss per share of common stock attributable to Highpower International Inc.          
- Basic and Diluted   (0.02)   (0.01)
           
Weighted average number of common stock outstanding          
- Basic and Diluted   15,101,679    15,086,169 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements

  

 4 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

   Three months ended March 31, 
   2016   2015 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
   $   $ 
Cash flows from operating activities          
Net loss   (476,129)   (168,567)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   1,256,379    1,246,043 
Allowance for doubtful accounts   -    21 
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment   52,218    11,709 
Deferred income tax   127,117    (187,373)
Share based payment   110,710    121,361 
Change in fair value of warrant liability   (119,469)   (346,299)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   6,287,966    1,576,803 
Notes receivable   (25,833)   (2,309,732)
Prepayments   (582,543)   (1,434,905)
Other receivable   (79,930)   33,367 
Inventories   (566,489)   434,169 
Accounts payable   (2,600,952)   (5,404,188)
Other payables and accrued liabilities   544,018    (127,282)
Income taxes payable   89,225    39,612 
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities   4,016,288    (6,515,261)
           
Cash flows from investing activities          
Acquisitions of plant and equipment   (1,059,030)   (1,664,663)
Net cash flows used in investing activities   (1,059,030)   (1,664,663)
           
Cash flows from financing activities          
Proceeds from short-term bank loans   1,457,726    - 
Repayment of long-term bank loans   (460,335)   (488,250)
Proceeds from notes payable   9,482,054    16,882,947 
Repayment of notes payable   (14,956,180)   (12,237,353)
Proceeds from exercise of employee options   -    9,339 
Change in restricted cash   2,463,747    (609,041)
Net cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities   (2,012,988)   3,557,642 
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash and cash equivalents   (44,328)   (66,650)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   899,942    (4,688,932)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period   5,849,967    14,611,892 
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period   6,749,909    9,922,960 
           
Supplemental disclosures for cash flow information:          
Cash paid for:          
Income taxes   73,396    52,505 
Interest expenses   274,992    268,642 
Non-cash transactions          
Reduction of property, plant and equipment cost by realizing deferred income   20,892    - 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements

 

 5 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

1.Organization and basis of presentation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Highpower International, Inc. ("Highpower") and its subsidiaries, Hong Kong Highpower Technology Company Limited ("HKHTC"), Shenzhen Highpower Technology Company Limited ("SZ Highpower"), Springpower Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited ("SZ Springpower"), Ganzhou Highpower Technology Company Limited ("GZ Highpower"), Icon Energy System Company Limited ("ICON") and Huizhou Highpower Technology Co., Ltd (HZ HTC). Highpower and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the "Company".

 

Highpower was incorporated in the State of Delaware on January 3, 2006. HKHTC was incorporated in Hong Kong on July 4, 2003. All other subsidiaries are incorporated in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”).

 

On May 15, 2013, GZ Highpower increased its paid-in capital from RMB15,000,000 ($2,381,293) to RMB30,000,000 ($4,807,847). On November 13, 2014, GZ Highpower increased its paid-in capital from RMB30,000,000 ($4,898,119) to RMB40,000,000 ($6,530,825) and the additional capital of RMB10,000,000 was contributed by SZ Highpower. As of March 31, 2016, SZ Highpower holds 70% of the equity interest of GZ Highpower, and four founding management members of GZ Highpower hold the remaining 30%.

 

In April 2014, the Company and certain institutional investors entered into a securities purchase agreement, pursuant to which the Company sold 1,000,000 shares of common stock and warrants exercisable for 500,000 shares of common stock in a registered direct offering at a price of $5.05 per fixed combination for aggregate proceeds of $5.05 million. The shares and warrants were sold in multiples of a fixed combination consisting of (i) one share of common stock and (ii) one immediately exercisable warrant to purchase 0.50 shares of common stock. The net proceeds from the offering were $4,633,164, after deducting fees due the placement agent and offering expenses.

 

Highpower Energy Technology (Huizhou) Company Limited (“HZ Highpower”) which was formed by HKHTC in 2008, was dissolved in September 2015. The subsidiary did not commence operation since establishment. Therefore, the Company did not consider it as a strategic shift.

 

The subsidiaries of the Company and their principal activities are described as follows:

 

Name of company  Place and date
incorporation
  Attributable equity
interest held
   Principal activities
HKHTC
  Hong Kong
July 4, 2003
   100%  Investment holding and marketing of batteries
            
SZ Highpower
  PRC
October 8, 2002
   100%  Manufacturing & marketing of NiMH batteries
            
SZ Springpower
  PRC
June 4, 2008
   100%  Research & manufacturing of lithium batteries
            
GZ Highpower
  PRC
September 21, 2010
   70%  Processing, marketing and research of battery materials
            
ICON
  PRC
February 23, 2011
   100%  Design and production of advanced battery packs and systems
            
HZ HTC
  PRC
March 8, 2012
   100%  Manufacturing & marketing of lithium batteries

 

 6 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

2.Summary of significant accounting policies

 

Basis of presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015, which has been derived from audited financial statements, and the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2016 and for the three ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and disclosures, which are normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP), have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, previously filed with the SEC on March 29, 2016.

 

In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present a fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial position as of March 31, 2016, its consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, as applicable, have been made. The interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full fiscal year or any future periods.

 

Principles of consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Highpower and its subsidiaries. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Non-controlling interests represent the equity interest in the GZ Highpower that is not attributable to the Company.

 

Use of estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include revenues; the allowance for doubtful receivables; recoverability of the carrying amount of inventory; fair values of financial instruments; and the assessment of deferred tax assets or liabilities. These estimates are often based on complex judgments and assumptions that management believes to be reasonable but are inherently uncertain and unpredictable. Actual results could differ significantly from these estimates.

 

 7 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

2.Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

 

Concentrations of credit risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable. The Company extends credit based on an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition, generally without requiring collateral or other security. In order to minimize the credit risk, the management of the Company has delegated a team responsible for determining credit limits, credit approvals and other monitoring procedures to ensure that follow-up action is taken to recover overdue debts. Further, the Company reviews the recoverable amount of each individual trade debt at each balance sheet date to ensure that adequate impairment losses are made for irrecoverable amounts. In this regard, the management of the Company considers that the Company’s credit risk is significantly reduced.

 

No customer accounted for 10% or more of total sales during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

 

There was one major supplier that accounted for 14.4% of the total purchase amount during the three months ended March 31, 2016. And no supplier accounted for 10% or more of the total purchase amount during the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

There was one major customer that accounted for 11.5% and 11.3% of the accounts receivable as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

 

Cash

 

Cash include all cash and deposits in banks with initial maturities of three months or less.

 

Restricted cash

 

Restricted cash include time deposits and cash security for bank acceptance bills included in notes payable.

 

Accounts receivable

 

Accounts receivable are stated at the original amount less an allowance for doubtful receivables, if any, based on a review of all outstanding amounts at period end. An allowance is also made when there is objective evidence that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables. Bad debts are written off against the allowance after all collection efforts have ceased. The Company extends unsecured credit to customers in the normal course of business and believes all accounts receivable in excess of the allowances for doubtful receivables to be fully collectible. The Company does not accrue interest on trade accounts receivable.

 

Notes receivable

 

Notes receivable represent banks’ and commercial acceptances that have been arranged with third-party financial institutions by certain customers to settle their purchases from us. These banks’ acceptances are non-interest bearing and are collectible within one year.

 

 8 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

2.Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the weighted average method. Inventory includes raw materials, packing materials, consumables, work in progress and finished goods. The variable production overhead is allocated to each unit of production on the basis of the actual use of the production facilities. The allocation of fixed production overhead to the costs of conversion is based on the normal capacity of the production facilities.

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment, net are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Cost represents the purchase price of the asset and other costs incurred to bring the asset into its existing use. Maintenance, repairs and betterments, including replacement of minor items, are charged to expense; major additions to physical properties are capitalized.

 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is provided using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives at the following annual rates:

 

Buildings   2.5% -5%
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment   20%
Leasehold improvement   Shorter of the remaining lease terms or estimated useful lives 
Machinery and equipment   10%
Motor vehicles   20%

 

Upon sale or disposal, the applicable amounts of asset cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and the net amount less proceeds from disposal is charged or credited to income.

 

Construction in progress represents capital expenditures for direct costs of construction or acquisition and design fees incurred, and the interest expenses directly related to the construction. Capitalization of these costs ceases and the construction in progress is transferred to the appropriate category of property, plant and equipment when substantially all the activities necessary to prepare the assets for their intended use are completed. Construction in progress is not depreciated.

 

Land use rights

 

Land use rights represent payments for the rights to use certain parcels of land for a certain period of time in the PRC. Land use rights are carried at cost and charged to expense on a straight-line basis over the period the rights are granted.

 

 9 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

2.Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

 

Other assets

 

Other assets represent a royalty-bearing, non-exclusive license to use certain patents owned by an unrelated party ("License Provider"), to manufacture rechargeable nickel metal hydride batteries for portable consumer applications (“Consumer Batteries”) in the PRC, and a royalty-bearing, non-exclusive worldwide license to use certain patents owned by License Provider to manufacture, sell and distribute Consumer Batteries. The value of the licenses was established based on historic acquisition costs.

 

An exclusive proprietary technology contributed by the four founding management members of GZ Highpower in exchange for the paid-in capital of GZ Highpower is recorded at the four management members’ historical cost basis of $nil.

 

Government grants

 

Government grants are recognized when received and all the conditions for their receipt have been met.

 

Specifically, government grants whose primary condition is that the Company should purchase, construct or otherwise acquire non-current assets is recognized on the consolidated balance sheet as deferred income and subsequently deducted in calculating the carrying amount of the related asset after the purchase, construction or acquisition completed. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company recorded deferred income of $861,369 and $879,944, respectively, for the government grants to purchase non-current assets.

 

Government grants for the purpose of giving immediate financial support to the Company by local government are recognized as other income when received. In the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, $6,669 and $109,295 of government grants were recognized as other income, respectively.

 

Revenue recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, delivery of the product has occurred, title and risk of loss have transferred to the customers and collectability of the receivable is reasonably assured. The majority of domestic sales contracts transfer title and risk of loss to customers upon receipt. The majority of oversea sales contracts transfer title and risk of loss to customers when goods were delivered to the carriers. Revenue is presented net of any sales tax and value added tax.

 

The Company does not have arrangements for returns from customers and does not have any future obligations directly or indirectly related to product resale by customers. The Company has no sales incentive programs.

 

Cost of sales

 

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 or market is also recorded in cost of revenues.

  

 10 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

2.Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

 

Research and development

 

Research and development expenses include expenses directly attributable to the conduct of research and development programs, including the expenses of salaries, employee benefits, materials, supplies, and maintenance of research equipment. All expenses associated with research and development are expensed as incurred.

 

Advertising

 

Advertising, which generally represents the cost of promotions to create or stimulate a positive image of the Company or a desire to buy the Company’s products and services, is expensed as incurred. No significant advertising expense was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

 

Share-based compensation

 

The Company recognizes compensation expense associated with the issuance of equity instruments to employees for their services. The fair value of the equity instruments is estimated on the date of grant and is expensed in the financial statements over the vesting period. The input assumptions used in determining fair value are the expected life, expected volatility, risk-free rate and the dividend yield.

 

Share-based compensation associated with the issuance of equity instruments to non-employees is measured at the fair value of the equity instrument issued or committed to be issued, as this is more reliable than the fair value of the services received. The fair value is measured at the earlier of date that the commitment for performance by the counterparty has been reached or the counterparty's performance is complete.

 

Income taxes

 

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates, applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

 

Uncertain tax positions

 

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes using a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. The Company classifies the liability for unrecognized tax benefits as current to the extent that the Company anticipates payment (or receipt) of cash within one year. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recognized and recorded as necessary in the provision for income taxes. There were no uncertain tax positions as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

 11 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

2.Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

 

Comprehensive loss

 

Recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses are included in net income or loss. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities are reported as separate components of the equity section of the consolidated balance sheet, such items, along with net income or loss, are components of comprehensive income or loss. The components of other comprehensive income or loss are consisted solely of foreign currency translation adjustments, net of the income tax effect.

 

Foreign currency translation and transactions

 

Highpower’s functional currency is the United States dollar ("US$"). HKHTC's functional currency is the Hong Kong dollar ("HK$"). The functional currency of the Company’s subsidiaries in the PRC is the Renminbi ("RMB").

 

Most of the Company’s oversea sales are priced and settled with US$. At the date a foreign currency transaction is recognized, each asset, liability, revenue, expense, gain, or loss arising from the transaction is measured initially in the functional currency of the recording entity by use of the exchange rate in effect at that date. The increase or decrease in expected functional currency cash flows upon settlement of a transaction resulting from a change in exchange rates between the functional currency and the currency in which the transaction is denominated is recognized as foreign currency transaction gain or loss that is included in determining net income for the period in which the exchange rate changes. At each balance sheet date, recorded balances that are denominated in a foreign currency are adjusted to reflect the current exchange rate.

 

The Company’s reporting currency is US$. Assets and liabilities of HKHTC and the PRC subsidiaries are translated at the current exchange rate at the balance sheet dates, revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates during the reporting periods, and equity accounts are translated at historical rates. Translation adjustments are reported in other comprehensive income.

 

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. The Company’s reportable segments are based on products, geography, legal structure, management structure, or any other manner in which management disaggregates a company. Therefore the Company categorizes its business into three reportable segments, namely (i) Lithium Batteries; (ii) Ni-MH Batteries; and (iii) New Material.

 

 12 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

2.Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

 

Fair value of financial instruments

 

The carrying values of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash, restricted cash, trade and other receivables, deposits, trade and other payables and bank borrowings, approximate their fair values due to the short-term maturity of such instruments.

 

The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and it considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.

 

The Company establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires maximizing the use of observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

The Company measures fair value using three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

 

-Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

-Level 2 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.

 

-Level 3 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

 

Warrant Liabilities

 

For warrants that are not indexed to the Company’s stock, the Company records the fair value of the issued warrants as a liability at each balance sheet date and records changes in the estimated fair value as a non-cash gain or loss in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income. The fair values of these warrants have been determined using the Black-Scholes pricing model. The Black-Scholes pricing model provides for assumptions regarding volatility, call and put features and risk-free interest rates within the total period to maturity. These values are subject to a significant degree of judgment on the part of the Company.

 

 13 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

2.Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

 

Loss per share

 

Basic loss per share is computed by dividing loss attributable to holders of common shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common shares were exercised or converted into common shares. Potential dilutive securities are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS in loss periods as their effect would be anti-dilutive.

 

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, or ASU 2014-09. This new standard will replace all current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic and eliminate all industry-specific guidance. The new revenue recognition standard provides a unified model to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to correlate with the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration for which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In July 2015, the FASB voted to defer the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year, while allowing a company to adopt the new revenue standard early but not before the original effective date. This guidance will be effective as to us on January 1, 2018 and can be applied either retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. In April 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, or ASU 2016-10. These new standards will identify performance obligations. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2014-09 on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740). To simplify the presentation of deferred income taxes, the amendments in this Update require that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. The amendments in this Update apply to all entities that present a classified statement of financial position. The current requirement that deferred tax liabilities and assets of a tax-paying component of an entity be offset and presented as a single amount is not affected by the amendments in this Update. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier application is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. Under this ASU, inventory will be measured at the “lower of cost and net realizable value” and options that currently exist for “market value” will be eliminated. The ASU defines net realizable value as the “estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.” No other changes were made to the current guidance on inventory measurement. ASU 2015-11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is permitted and should be applied prospectively. The Company plans to early adopt this standard beginning with the 2016 fiscal year, but does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations, or related disclosures.

 

 14 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

2.Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

 

On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). It requires that a lessee recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from operating leases. A lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. Public business entities should apply the amendments in ASU 2016-02 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years (i.e., January 1, 2019, for a calendar year entity). Early application is permitted for all public business entities and all nonpublic business entities upon issuance. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2016-02 on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718). Under this update, share-based payment transactions simplified several aspects of the accounting, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. Some of the areas for simplification apply only to nonpublic entities. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for any entity in any interim or annual period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2016-09 on our consolidated financial statements.

 

We do not believe other recently issued but not yet effective accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the consolidated financial position, statements of operations and cash flows.

 

 15 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

3.Restricted cash

 

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, restricted cash consisted of the following:

 

   March 31,   December 31, 
   2016   2015 
   (Unaudited)     
   $   $ 
Securities for bank acceptance bill   9,250,815    11,392,231 
Time deposits   -    263,973 
    9,250,815    11,656,204 

 

4.Accounts receivable, net

 

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, accounts receivable consisted of the following:

 

   March 31,   December 31, 
   2016   2015 
   (Unaudited)     
   $   $ 
Accounts receivable   32,077,851    38,211,951 
Less: allowance for doubtful debts   2,073,129    2,072,085 
    30,004,722    36,139,866 

 

5.Prepayments

 

   March 31,   December 31, 
   2016   2015 
   (Unaudited)     
   $   $ 
Purchase deposits paid   4,424,535    3,752,125 
Value-added tax (“VAT”) prepayment   118,580    546,358 
Rental deposit   417,625    414,843 
Prepaid insurance fee   287,969    206,424 
Advances to employee for daily operations   349,562    39,886 
Other deposits and prepayments   380,755    394,916 
    5,979,026    5,354,552 

 

Other deposits and prepayments represent prepaid expenses and prepayments to services providers.

 

 16 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

6.Other receivables

 

   March 31,   December 31, 
   2016   2015 
   (Unaudited)     
   $   $ 
Compensation receivable for land occupation   489,736    486,370 
Others   302,159    219,982 
    791,895    706,352 

 

7.Inventories

 

   March 31,   December 31, 
   2016   2015 
   (Unaudited)     
   $   $ 
Raw materials   6,295,049    4,320,455 
Work in progress   3,809,284    4,568,530 
Finished goods   9,481,031    9,994,401 
Packing materials   18,608    17,167 
Consumables   318,960    317,778 
    19,922,932    19,218,331 

 

Where there is evidence that the utility of inventories, in their disposal in the ordinary course of business, will be less than cost, whether due to physical deterioration, obsolescence, changes in price levels, or other causes, the inventories are written down to net realizable value. $991,784 was written down for inventories in the three months ended March 31, 2016 and $1,451,553 was written down for inventories in the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

8.Property, plant and equipment, net

 

   March 31,   December 31, 
   2016   2015 
   (Unaudited)     
   $   $ 
Cost          
Construction in progress   1,253,755    1,678,961 
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment   4,007,455    3,882,594 
Leasehold improvement   5,120,342    4,092,668 
Machinery and equipment   29,518,487    29,295,041 
Motor vehicles   1,691,856    1,643,173 
Buildings   23,451,888    23,046,056 
    65,043,783    63,638,493 
Less: accumulated depreciation   17,388,571    16,174,307 
    47,655,212    47,464,186 

 

The Company recorded depreciation expenses of $1,220,977 and $1,209,252 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

 17 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

8.Property, plant and equipment, net (continued)

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company deducted deferred income related to government grants of $20,892 in calculating the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company deducted deferred income related to government grants of $2,547,545 in calculating the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment.

 

The buildings comprising the Huizhou facilities have been pledged as collateral for bank loans as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The buildings comprising the Ganzhou facilities have been pledged as collateral for short-term loans and bank acceptance bills drawn under certain lines of credit (see Note 15) as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

 18 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

9.Land use rights, net

 

   March 31,   December 31, 
   2016   2015 
   (Unaudited)     
   $   $ 
Cost          
Land located in Huizhou   3,324,776    3,301,923 
Land located in Ganzhou   1,297,061    1,288,146 
    4,621,837    4,590,069 
Accumulated amortization   (654,515)   (627,066)
Net   3,967,322    3,963,003 

 

As of March 31, 2016, land use rights of the Company included certain parcels of land located in Huizhou City, Guangdong Province, PRC and Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, PRC. Land use rights for land in Huizhou City with an area of 126,605 square meters and in Ganzhou City with an area of approximately 58,669 square meters will expire on May 23, 2057 and January 4, 2062, respectively.

 

Land use rights are being amortized annually using the straight-line method over a contract term of 50 years. Estimated amortization for the coming years is as follows:

 

   $ 
Remaining 2016   68,705 
2017   91,607 
2018   91,607 
2019   91,607 
2020   91,607 
thereafter   3,532,189 
    3,967,322 

 

The Company recorded amortization expenses of $22,902 and $24,291 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

The land use right for land located in Huizhou City was pledged as collateral for bank loans as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the land use right for land located in Ganzhou City was pledged as collateral for line of credit, which was used for short-term loans and bank acceptance bills.

 

 19 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

10.Other assets

 

   March 31,   December 31, 
   2016   2015 
   (Unaudited)     
   $   $ 
Cost          
Consumer battery license fee   1,000,000    1,000,000 
           
Accumulated amortization   (462,500)   (450,000)
Net   537,500    550,000 

 

The Company is amortizing the $1,000,000 cost of the Consumer Battery License Agreement with a License Provider over a period of 20 years on the straight line basis over the terms of license.

 

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company has an exclusive proprietary technology with historical cost of zero but still in use. The exclusive proprietary technology was contributed by four founding management members of GZ Highpower in exchange for the paid-in capital of GZ Highpower. The historical cost basis was recorded at $nil at the four management members’ historical cost basis.

 

Amortization expenses included in research and development expenses were $12,500 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

 

11.Other payables and accrued liabilities

 

   March 31,   December 31, 
   2016   2015 
   (Unaudited)     
   $   $ 
Accrued expenses   3,526,616    3,816,940 
Royalty payable   464,246    461,055 
VAT payable   759,350    959,422 
Sales deposits received   801,859    562,696 
Other payables   1,330,003    492,379 
    6,882,074    6,292,492 

 

Other payables mainly represent department expenses payable and scholarship funds payable.

 

 20 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

12.Taxation

 

The Company and its subsidiaries file tax returns separately.

 

1) VAT

 

Pursuant to the Provisional Regulation of the PRC on VAT and the related implementing rules, all entities and individuals ("taxpayers") that are engaged in the sale of products in the PRC are generally required to pay VAT at a rate of 17% of the gross sales proceeds received, less any deductible VAT already paid or borne by the taxpayers. Further, when exporting goods, the exporter is entitled to a portion of or all the refund of VAT that it has already paid or incurred. The Company’s PRC subsidiaries are subject to VAT at 17% of their revenues.

 

2) Income tax

 

United States

 

Highpower was incorporated in Delaware and is subject to U.S. federal income tax with a system of graduated tax rates ranging from 15% to 35%. As Highpower does not conduct any business in the U.S., it is not subject to U.S. federal income tax or Delaware state corporate income tax. No deferred U.S. taxes are recorded since all accumulated profits in the PRC will be permanently reinvested in the PRC.

 

Hong Kong

 

HKHTC, which is incorporated in Hong Kong, is subject to a corporate income tax rate of 16.5%.

 

PRC

 

In accordance with the relevant tax laws and regulations of the PRC, a company registered in the PRC is subject to income taxes within the PRC at the applicable tax rate on taxable income.

 

In China, the companies granted with National High-tech Enterprise (“NHTE”) status enjoy 15% income tax rate. This status needs to be renewed every three years. As of March 31, 2016, SZ Higpower, SZ Springpower, GZ Highpower, ICON and HZ HTC received NHTE status. If these subsidiaries fail to renew NHTE status, they will be subject to income tax at a rate of 25% after the expiration of NHTE status.

 

All the PRC subsidiaries received NHTE status and enjoy 15% income tax rate for calendar year 2016 and 2015.

 

 21 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

12.Taxation (continued)

 

1) The components of the provision for income taxes expenses (benefit) are:

 

   Three months ended March 31, 
   2016   2015 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
   $   $ 
Current   162,621    92,117 
Deferred   (127,117)   (187,373)
Total income taxes expenses (benefit)   35,504    (95,256)

 

2) The reconciliation of income tax expense computed at the statutory tax rate applicable to the Company to income taxes expenses (benefit) is as follows:

 

   Three months ended March 31, 
   2016   2015 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
   $   $ 
Loss before tax   (440,625)   (263,823)
           
Provision for income taxes at applicable income tax rate   (103,599)   (86,173)
Effect of preferential tax rate   (23,670)   (6,295)
Non-deductible expenses   17,620    14,954 
Change in valuation allowance   145,153    (17,742)
Effective enterprise income taxes expenses (benefit)   35,504    (95,256)

 

3) Deferred tax assets

 

Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities reflect the tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purpose and the tax bases used for income tax purpose. The following represents the tax effect of each major type of temporary difference.

 

   March 31   December 31, 
   2016   2015 
   (Unaudited)     
   $   $ 
Tax loss carry-forward   3,736,800    3,382,543 
Allowance for doubtful receivables   47,523    47,197 
Allowance for inventory obsolescence   148,768    217,733 
Difference for sales cut-off   30,023    33,071 
Deferred income   129,205    131,992 
Property, plant and equipment subsidized by government grant   494,883    490,883 
Total gross deferred tax assets   4,587,202    4,303,419 
Valuation allowance   (2,904,133)   (2,759,105)
Total net deferred tax assets   1,683,069    1,544,314 

 

The deferred tax assets arising from net operating losses will expire from 2018 if not utilized.

 

 22 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

12.Taxation (continued)

 

As of March 31, 2016, valuation allowance was provided against deferred tax assets in entities where it was determined it was more likely than not that the benefits of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company had deferred tax assets which consisted of tax loss carry-forwards and others, which can be carried forward to offset future taxable income. The management determines it is more likely than not that part of deferred tax assets could not be utilized, so allowance was provided as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

13.Notes payable

 

Notes payable are presented to certain suppliers as a payment against the outstanding trade payables.

 

Notes payable are mainly bank acceptance bills which are non-interest bearing and generally mature within six months. The outstanding bank acceptance bills are secured by restricted cash deposited in banks. Outstanding bank acceptance bills were $25,065,717 and $30,379,170 as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

 

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the outstanding trade acceptances to suppliers were $111,765 and $110,996. These trade acceptances were non-interest bearing and mature within one year. No security deposit is needed.

 

14.Short-term loans

 

   March 31,   December 31, 
   2016   2015 
   (Unaudited)     
   $   $ 
Short- term bank loans guaranteed and repayable within one year   15,406,054    13,839,341 

 

As of March 31, 2016, the above bank borrowings were for working capital and capital expenditure purposes and were secured by personal guarantees executed by certain directors of the Company, land use right with a carrying amount of $3,967,322, and the building with a carrying amount of $12,566,740. These short-term loans are drawn from the lines of credit (Note 15).

 

The loans as of March 31, 2016 were primarily obtained from three banks with interest rates ranging from 4.35% to 6.06% per annum. The interest expenses were $207,108 and $201,014 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

 23 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

15.Lines of credit

 

The Company entered into various credit contracts and revolving lines of credit, which were used for short-term loans and bank acceptance bills. The following tables summarize the unused lines of credit as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

   March 31, 2016 (Unaudited)
Lender  Starting
date
  Maturity
date
  Line of credit   Unused line of
credit
 
         $   $ 
Bank of China  7/13/2015  9/13/2016   13,857,707    5,204,681 
Bank of China  7/1/2015  6/30/2016   11,280,815    2,651,596 
Ping An Bank Co., Ltd  12/10/2015  12/9/2016   10,838,430    3,264,890 
China Minsheng Banking Corp., LTD  7/16/2015  7/16/2016   4,423,849    3,601,771 
Industrial Bank CO., LTD.  7/15/2015  7/15/2016   9,290,083    7,159,752 
China Everbright Bank  6/13/2015  6/22/2016   7,741,736    2,402,503 
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China  10/1/2015  10/1/2016   7,741,736    4,645,041 
Jiang Su Bank Co., Ltd (i)  11/4/2015  11/3/2016   2,862,379    10,642 
Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation  9/1/2015  7/15/2016   8,000,000    8,000,000 
Total         76,036,735    36,940,876 

 

(i) The lines of credit from the bank are terminated at the maturity date. Jiang Su Bank Co., Ltd provided a $2.3M line of credit which was without secure deposit on November 4, 2015. As of December 31, 2015, Jiangsu Bank did not request for secure deposit and the disclosed line of credit was $2.3M. As of March 31, 2016, Jiangsu bank required 35% of deposit. The disclosed line of credit was changed accordingly to $2.86M.

 

 24 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

15.Lines of credit (continued)

 

   December 31, 2015
Lender  Starting
date
  Maturity
date
  Line of
credit
   Unused line of
credit
 
         $   $ 
Bank of China  7/13/2015  9/13/2016   13,762,455    4,707,595 
Bank of China  7/1/2015  6/30/2016   11,203,276    155,498 
Ping An Bank Co., Ltd  12/10/2015  12/9/2016   10,763,931    3,878,818 
China Minsheng Banking Corp., LTD.  7/16/2015  7/16/2016   4,393,441    1,916,253 
Industrial Bank CO., LTD.  7/15/2015  7/15/2016   9,226,227    7,079,785 
China Everbright Bank  6/23/2015  6/22/2016   7,688,523    3,647,289 
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China  10/1/2015  10/1/2016   7,688,523    4,613,113 
Jiang Su Bank Co., Ltd  11/4/2015  11/3/2016   2,306,557    995,703 
Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited  9/1/2015  7/15/2016   8,000,000    8,000,000 
Total         75,032,933    34,994,054 

 

The lines of credits from Bank of China, Ping An Bank Co., Ltd, China Minsheng Banking Corp., LTD., Industrial Bank CO., LTD., China Everbright Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited are guaranteed by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Dang Yu Pan. The lines of credits from Jiang Su Bank Co., Ltd are guaranteed by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Dang Yu Pan, and his wife. Certain of the agreements governing the Company’s loans include standard affirmative and negative covenants.

 

 25 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

16.Long-term loans

 

  

March 31,

2016

  

December 31,

2015

 
   (Unaudited)      
   $   $ 
Long-term loans from Bank of China   1,393,512    1,845,245 
Less: current portion of long-term borrowings   1,393,512    1,845,245 
Long- term bank loans, net of current portion   -    - 

 

On January 13, 2012, the Company borrowed $8,198,065 (RMB50 million) from Bank of China, which is guaranteed by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Dang Yu Pan. It is five-year long-term loan, with an annual interest equals to 110% of the benchmark-lending rate of the People’s Bank of China (“PBOC”), which was 5.23% as of March 31, 2016. Interest expenses are to be paid quarterly.

 

The interest expenses were $25,636 and $67,628 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

The principal is to be repaid quarterly from September 30, 2012. 2% of the principal was repaid on each of September 30, 2012 and December 30, 2012, respectively. Thereafter 6% of the principal is to be repaid every quarter after December 31, 2012 until the maturity date.

 

17.Share-based Compensation

 

The 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan

 

The 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "2008 Plan") was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors on October 29, 2008 to be effective at such date, subject to approval of the Company’s stockholders, which occurred on December 11, 2008. The 2008 Plan has a ten year term. The 2008 Plan reserves two million shares of common stock for issuance, subject to adjustment in the event of a recapitalization in accordance with the terms of the 2008 Plan.

 

The 2008 Plan authorizes the issuance of awards including stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), restricted stock, unrestricted stock, stock appreciation rights (SARs) and other equity and/or cash performance incentive awards to employees, directors, and consultants of the Company. Subject to certain restrictions, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has broad discretion to establish the terms and conditions for awards under the 2008 Plan, including the number of shares, vesting conditions and the required service or performance criteria. Options and SARs may have a contractual term of up to ten years and generally vest over three to five years with an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the date of grant. Incentive stock options (ISOs) granted must have an exercise price equal to or greater than the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Repricing of stock options and SARs is permitted without stockholder approval. If a particular award agreement so provides, certain change in control transactions may cause such awards granted under the 2008 Plan to vest at an accelerated rate, unless the awards are continued or substituted for in connection with the transaction. As of March 31, 2016, 393,141 shares of common stock remained available for issuance pursuant to awards granted under the 2008 Plan.

 

 26 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

17.Share-based Compensation (continued)

 

Options Granted to Employees

 

   Number of
Shares
   Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Remaining
Contractual
Term in Years
 
       $     
Outstanding, January 1, 2015   760,286    2.92    7.78 
                
Granted   75,000    4.43    - 
Exercised   (16,933)   2.63    - 
Forfeited   (26,336)   2.63    - 
Canceled   (5,091)   2.63    - 
Outstanding, December 31, 2015   786,926    3.08    6.90 
Exercisable, December 31, 2015   587,407    3.16    6.56 

 

   Number of
Shares
   Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Remaining
Contractual
Term in Years
 
       $     
Outstanding, January 1, 2016   786,926    3.08    6.90 
Granted   190,000    2.66    - 
Outstanding, March 31, 2016   976,926    3.00    7.26 
Exercisable, March 31, 2016   617,407    3.21    6.49 

 

The aggregate intrinsic value of options vested and expected to vest as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was approximately $1,000 and $178,000, respectively. Intrinsic value is calculated as the amount by which the current market value of a share of common stock exceeds the exercise price multiplied by the number of option shares.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company granted options to purchase 190,000 shares to two employees at a weighted average exercise price of $2.66 per share. No employees exercised their options and no options were forfeited or canceled.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company did not grant any new options to employees. Three employees exercised their options to purchase 3,551 shares of the Company’s common stock. No Options were forfeited or canceled.

 

The estimated fair value of share-based compensation to employees is recognized on a ratable basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the award.

 

 27 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

17.Share-based Compensation (continued)

 

Restricted Stock Awards Granted to Employees

 

There were no RSAs granted to employees during the three months ended March 31, 2016.

 

Total Share-based Compensation Expenses

 

As of March 31, 2016 the gross amount of unrecognized share-based compensation expense relating to unvested share-based awards held by employees was approximately $484,000, which the Company anticipates recognizing over a weighted average period of 1.81 years.

 

In connection with the grant of stock options, restricted stock awards and warrants to employees, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expenses of $110,710 and $121,361 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

 28 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

18.Loss per share

 

Basic loss per common share is computed by dividing loss available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period increased to include the number of additional shares of common stock outstanding that would have been outstanding if the potentially dilutive securities had been issued. Potentially dilutive securities include outstanding stock options and restricted shares. The dilutive effect of potential dilutive securities is reflected in diluted earnings per common share by application of the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, an increase in the fair market value of the Company’s common stock can result in a greater dilutive effect from potentially dilutive securities. The Company excludes potential common stock in the diluted EPS computation in periods of losses from continuing operations, as their effect would be anti-dilutive.

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

 

   Three months ended March 31, 
   2016   2015 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
   $   $ 
Numerator:          
Net loss attributable to Highpower   (342,608)   (123,358)
           
Denominator:          
Weighted-average shares outstanding          
- Basic and Diluted   15,101,679    15,086,169 
           
Loss per common share          
- Basic and Diluted   (0.02)   (0.01)

 

Diluted earnings per share takes into account the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised and converted into common stock.

 

There were 1,716,927 and 1,406,736 options and warrants outstanding as of March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which were not included in the computation of diluted EPS for the periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 because of the net loss sustained for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

 

 29 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

19.Securities Offering Transaction

 

In April 2014, the Company and certain institutional investors entered into a securities purchase agreement, pursuant to which the Company sold 1,000,000 shares of common stock and warrants exercisable for 500,000 shares of common stock in a registered direct offering at a price of $5.05 per fixed combination for aggregate proceeds of $5.05 million. The shares and warrants were sold in multiples of a fixed combination consisting of (i) one share of common stock and (ii) one immediately exercisable warrant to purchase 0.50 shares of common stock. The net proceeds from the offering were $4,633,164, after deducting fees due the placement agent and offering expenses.

 

The warrants have an initial exercise price of $6.33 per share and are exercisable until April 17, 2017. The exercise price of the warrants, and in some cases the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, will be subject to appropriate adjustment in relation to certain events. In addition, if the Company issues shares in the future at a price below $6.33 per share, the exercise price of the warrants will be reduced to such lower price. No adjustment will be made to the number of shares purchasable in such event.

 

The warrants were classified as a liability. The aggregate fair value of the warrant liability at issuance dates was $1,173,952. The residual balance of $3,459,212 was allocated to common shares issued.

 

The fair values of the warrants as of April 17, 2014 were calculated using the Black-Scholes pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

   April 17,2014 
Expected volatility   85.76%
Risk-free interest rate   0.9%
Expected term (in years)   3.0 
Dividend rate   - 
Fair value  $2.3 

 

The fair value of the warrant liability is re-measured at each reporting period and recorded as a gain or loss on fair value of warrant liability. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 the fair value of warrant liability was $21,080 and $140,549, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized a gain of $119,469 and $346,299, respectively, on the change in the fair value of the warrant liability.

 

The fair values of the warrants as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were calculated using the Black-Scholes pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

   March 31, 2016   December 31,2015 
Expected volatility   69.45%   79.85%
Risk-free interest rate   0.6%   0.56%
Expected term (in years)   1.05    1.30 
Dividend rate   -    - 
Fair value  $0.04   $0.81 

 

In conjunction with the securities offering transaction, the Company issued three year warrants to investment bankers to purchase 40,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at $6.33 per share. The aggregate fair value of the warrants was $94,982, which was recognized as a share-based compensation and resulted in an increase of additional paid-in capital. As such compensation was offering cost, it resulted in a reduction in additional paid-in capital.

 30 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

20.Defined contribution plan

 

Full-time employees of the Company in the PRC participate in a government mandated defined contribution plan, pursuant to which certain pension benefits, medical care, employee housing fund and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. Chinese labor regulations require that the PRC operating subsidiaries of the Company make contributions to the government for these benefits based on certain percentages of the employees’ salaries. Except for pension benefits, medical care, employee housing fund and other welfare benefits mentioned above, the Company has no legal obligation for the benefits beyond the contributions made.

 

The total amounts for such employee benefits, which were expensed as incurred, were $335,558 and $412,688 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

21.Non-controlling interest

 

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, non-controlling interest related to the 30% minority interest in GZ Highpower in the consolidated balance sheet was $724,661 and $853,483, respectively.

 

Non-controlling interest related to GZ Highpower in the consolidated statements of operations was loss of $133,521 and $45,209 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

 31 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

22.Commitments and contingencies

 

Operating leases commitments

 

The Company leases factory and office premises under various non-cancelable operating lease agreements that expire at various dates through years 2016 to 2026, with options to renew the leases. All leases are on a fixed repayment basis. None of the leases includes contingent rentals. Minimum future commitments under these agreements as of March 31, 2016 are as follows:

 

   $ 
Remaining 2016   1,230,144 
2017   658,892 
2018   340,892 
2019   340,892 
2020   340,892 
2021 and after   1,874,908 
    4,786,620 

 

Rent expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were $405,573 and $404,194, respectively.

 

Contingencies

 

On January 14, 2016, FirsTrust China, Ltd filed an amended complaint in the Delaware Chancery Court (amending its initial complaint filed February 25, 2015) naming Highpower as the defendant asserting a cause of action for breach of contract and conversion of stock, and seeking damages in the form of issuance of 150,000 shares or the value of such shares, plus interest thereon, attorneys’ fees and costs and expenses. On February 4, 2016, Highpower filed an answer, affirmative defenses and counterclaim against FirsTrust asserting claims for equitable rescission, declaratory relief and breach of contract, and seeking rescission of the contract, return of the 200,000 warrants and 150,000 shares of Highpower stock previously issued to FirsTrust, plus interest, attorneys’ fees and costs and expenses. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to this claim and intends to defend the claim vigorously. Highpower has also added as counter-defendants four individuals to whom it issued shares pursuant to FirsTrust’s request. In April 2016, FirsTrust filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings with respect to its complaint and a hearing date is scheduled for July 2016.

 

 32 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

23.Segment information

 

The reportable segments are components of the Company that offer different products and are separately managed, with separate financial information available that is separately evaluated regularly by the Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), the Chief Executive Officer, in determining the performance of the business. The Company categorizes its business into three reportable segments, namely (i) Lithium Batteries; (ii) Ni-MH Batteries; and (iii) New Materials.

 

The CODM evaluates performance based on each reporting segment’s net sales, cost of sales, gross profit and total assets. Net sales, cost of sales, gross profit and total assets by segments is set out as follows:

 

   Three months ended March 31, 
   2016   2015 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
   $   $ 
Net sales          
Lithium Batteries   15,314,945    16,820,628 
Ni-MH Batteries   12,856,325    14,759,470 
New Materials   925,785    557,550 
Total   29,097,055    32,137,648 
           
Cost of Sales          
Lithium Batteries   12,507,331    14,333,392 
Ni-MH Batteries   9,605,806    11,715,453 
New Materials   1,106,879    533,089 
Total   23,220,016    26,581,934 
           
           
Gross Profit          
Lithium Batteries   2,807,614    2,487,236 
Ni-MH Batteries   3,250,519    3,044,017 
New Materials   (181,094)   24,461 
Total   5,877,039    5,555,714 
           
   March 31, 2016   December 31,2015 
   (Unaudited)     
   $   $ 
Total Assets          
Lithium Batteries   81,831,102    82,006,317 
Ni-MH Batteries   36,166,431    41,590,201 
New Materials   10,340,811    10,607,966 
Total   128,338,344    134,204,484 

 

 33 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Stated in US Dollars)

 

23.Segment information (continued)

 

All long-lived assets of the Company are located in the PRC. Geographic information about the sales and accounts receivable based on the location of the Company’s customers is set out as follows:

 

   Three months ended March 31, 
   2016   2015 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
   $   $ 
Net sales          
China Mainland   8,529,079    14,025,332 
Asia, others   11,980,367    10,441,887 
Europe   6,315,779    5,816,186 
North America   1,634,146    1,556,611 
South America   464,897    153,929 
Africa   24,033    103,807 
Others   148,754    39,896 
    29,097,055    32,137,648 
           
   March 31, 2016   December 31, 2015 
   (Unaudited)     
   $   $ 
Accounts receivable          
China Mainland   25,311,894    23,832,388 
Asia, others   4,032,416    6,443,781 
Europe   505,618    5,324,389 
North America   122,191    433,458 
South America   20,635    - 
Africa   -    55,240 
Others   11,968    50,610 
    30,004,722    36,139,866 

 

24.Subsequent event

 

On April 1, 2016, the Company entered into an investment agreement to invest RMB 5 million (equal to $0.8 million) to Huizhou Yipeng Energy Technology Co. Ltd. (“Yipeng”) in exchange of 5.26% of the equity of Yipeng and become the noncontrolling shareholder. On May 2, 2016, Yipeng completed the business registration and was a related party of the Company from then on.

 

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the issuance of the consolidated financial statements and no other subsequent event is identified.

  

 34 

 

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion relates to the financial condition and results of operations of Highpower International, Inc. (the “Company”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Hong Kong Highpower Technology Company Limited (“HKHTC”), HKHTC’s wholly-owned subsidiaries Shenzhen Highpower Technology Company Limited (“SZ Highpower”) and Icon Energy System Company Limited (“ICON”); SZ Highpower’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Huizhou Highpower Technology Company Limited (“HZ HTC”) and its 70%-owned subsidiary GanzhouHighpower Technology Company Limited (“GZ Highpower”); and SZ Highpower’s and HKHTC’s jointly owned subsidiary, Springpower Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited (“SZ Springpower”).

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes that are included in this Quarterly Report and the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with SEC on March 29, 2016 (the “Annual Report”).

 

This report contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements other than historical facts contained in this report, including statements regarding our future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “will,” “may,” “might,” and similar expressions, or the negative of such expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect management’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance and involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, economic downturn and uncertainty in Asia and Europe adversely affecting demand for our products; fluctuations in the cost of raw materials; our dependence on, or inability to attract additional, major customers for a significant portion of our net sales; our ability to increase manufacturing capabilities to satisfy orders from new customers; our ability to maintain increased margins; changes in the laws of the PRC that affect our operations; the devaluation of the U.S. Dollar relative to the Renminbi; our dependence on the growth in demand for portable electronic devices and the success of manufacturers of the end applications that use our battery products; our responsiveness to competitive market conditions; our ability to successfully manufacture our products in the time frame and amounts expected; the market acceptance of our battery products, including our lithium products; our ability to successfully develop products for and penetrate the electric transportation market; our ability to continue R&D development to keep up with technological changes; our exposure to product liability, safety, and defect claims; rising labor costs, volatile metal prices, and inflation; changes in foreign, political, social, business and economic conditions that affect our production capabilities or demand for our products; and various other matters, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may vary materially and adversely from those anticipated, believed, estimated or otherwise indicated should one or more of these risks or uncertainties occur or if any of the risks or uncertainties described elsewhere in this report or in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report occur. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this filing are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance of the actual results or developments.

 

Overview

 

Highpower was incorporated in the state of Delaware on January 3, 2006 and was originally organized as a “blank check” shell company to investigate and acquire a target company or business seeking the perceived advantages of being a publicly held corporation. On November 2, 2007, we closed a share exchange transaction, pursuant to which we (i) became the 100% parent of HKHTC and its wholly-owned subsidiary, SZ Highpower, (ii) assumed the operations of HKHTC and its subsidiary and (iii) changed our name to Hong Kong Highpower Technology, Inc. We subsequently changed our name to Highpower International, Inc. in October 2010.

 

HKHTC was incorporated in Hong Kong in 2003 under the Companies Ordinance of Hong Kong. HKHTC formed HZ Highpower and SZ Springpower in 2008. HZ Highpower was dissolved in 2015. On October 8, 2013, SZ Springpower further increased its registered capital to $15,000,000. SZ Highpower holds 69.97% of the equity interest of SZ Springpower, and HKHTC holds the remaining 30.03%. In February 2011, HKHTC formed another wholly-owned subsidiary, Icon Energy System Company Limited, a company organized under the laws of the PRC, which commenced operations in July 2011.

 

 35 

 

 

On May 15, 2013, GZ Highpower increased its paid-in capital from RMB15,000,000 ($2,381,293) to RMB30,000,000 ($4,807,847). On November 13, 2014, GZ Highpower increased its paid-in capital from RMB30,000,000 ($4,898,119) to RMB40,000,000 ($6,530,825) and the additional capital of RMB10,000,000 was contributed by SZ Highpower. As of March 31, 2016, SZ Highpower holds 70% of the equity interest of GZ Highpower, and four founding management members of GZ Highpower hold the remaining 30%.

 

On November 27, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors received a non-binding investment proposal letter from Anshan Co-Operation (Group) Co., Ltd. ("Anshan Co-Operation"), joined with Mr. DANG YU Pan, the Company’s Chairman and CEO, and certain management of Highpower International, and China Innovative Capital Management Ltd. Anshan Co-Operation (Group) Co., Ltd. ("Anshan Co-Operation"), proposing to purchase newly issued shares of Shenzhen Highpower Technology Co., Ltd., Springpower Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. and Icon Energy System (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., the three subsidiaries in the PRC wholly-owned by the Company with not less than RMB650 million, or approximately US$101.7 million (based on an exchange rate of $6.39 as of November 26, 2015) based on the valuation of RMB280 million, or approximately US$43.8 million (based on an exchange rate of $6.39 as of November 26, 2015) for the three subsidiaries, in exchange for more than 50% of the equity of each of the three subsidiaries and become the controlling shareholder of each of the subsidiaries after the subscription. The Company's Board of Directors has formed a special committee consisting of the following independent directors to consider the proposal: Ping Li, who will serve as chairman, Xinhai Li and T. Joseph Fisher, III. The special committee has retained independent legal and financial advisors to assist it in the process.

 

Through SZ Highpower, we manufacture Nickel Metal Hydride (“Ni-MH”) batteries for both consumer and industrial applications. We have developed significant expertise in Ni-MH battery technology and large-scale manufacturing that enables us to improve the quality of our battery products, reduce costs, and keep pace with evolving industry standards. In 2008, we commenced manufacturing two lines of Lithium-Ion (“Li-ion”) and Lithium polymer rechargeable batteries through SZ Springpower for higher-end, high-performance applications, such as laptops, digital cameras and wireless communication products. Our automated machinery allows us to process key aspects of the manufacturing process to ensure high uniformity and precision, while leaving the non-key aspects of the manufacturing process to manual labor.

 

We employ a broad network of sales staff in China and Hong Kong, which target key customers by arranging in-person sales presentations and providing post-sale services. The sales staff works with our customers to better address customers’ needs.

 

Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and Assumptions

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) defines critical accounting policies as those that are, in management's view, most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and those that require significant judgments and estimates.

 

The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. We base our estimates on historical experience, actuarial valuations and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Some of those judgments can be subjective and complex and, consequently, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. While for any given estimate or assumption made by our management there may be other estimates or assumptions that are reasonable, we believe that, given the current facts and circumstances, it is unlikely that applying any such other reasonable estimate or assumption would materially impact the financial statements. The accounting principles we utilized in preparing our consolidated financial statements conform in all material respects to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP).

 

 36 

 

 

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, revenues; the allowance for doubtful receivables; recoverability of the carrying amount of inventory; fair values of financial instruments; and the assessment of deferred tax assets or liabilities. These estimates are often based on complex judgments and assumptions that management believes to be reasonable but are inherently uncertain and unpredictable. Actual results could differ significantly from these estimates.

 

Accounts Receivable. Accounts receivable are stated at original amount less allowance made for doubtful receivables, if any, based on a review of all outstanding amounts at the period end. An allowance is also made when there is objective evidence that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of receivables. Bad debts are written off against the allowance after all collection efforts have ceased. The Company extends unsecured credit to customers in the normal course of business and believes all accounts receivable in excess of the allowances for doubtful receivables to be fully collectible. The Company does not accrue interest on trade accounts receivable.

 

Revenue Recognition. The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, delivery of the product has occurred, title and risk of loss have transferred to the customers and collectability of the receivable is reasonably assured. The majority of domestic sales contracts transfer title and risk of loss to customers upon receipt. The majority of oversea sales contracts transfer title and risk of loss to customers when goods were delivered to the carriers. Revenue is presented net of any sales tax and value added tax.

 

The Company does not have arrangements for returns from customers and does not have any future obligations directly or indirectly related to product resale by the customer. We have no incentive programs.

 

Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Costs are determined on a weighted-average method. Inventory includes raw materials, packing materials, work-in-process, consumables and finished goods. The variable production overhead is allocated to each unit of production on the basis of the actual use of the production facilities. The allocation of fixed production overhead to the costs of conversion is based on the normal capacity of the production facilities.

 

Income Taxes. The Company recognizes deferred assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the consequences in future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

 

Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions. Highpower International’s functional currency is the United States dollar (“US$”). HKHTC’s functional currency is the Hong Kong dollar (“HK$”). The functional currency of the Company’s subsidiaries in the PRC is the Renminbi (“RMB”).

 

At the date a foreign currency transaction is recognized, each asset, liability, revenue, expense, gain, or loss arising from the transaction is measured initially in the functional currency of the recording entity by use of the exchange rate in effect at that date. The increase or decrease in expected functional currency cash flows upon settlement of a transaction resulting from a change in exchange rates between the functional currency and the currency in which the transaction is denominated is recognized as foreign currency transaction gain or loss that is included in determining net income for the period in which the exchange rate changes. At each balance sheet date, recorded balances that are denominated in a foreign currency are adjusted to reflect the current exchange rate.

 

The Company’s reporting currency is the US$. Assets and liabilities of HKHTC and the PRC subsidiaries are translated at the current exchange rate at the balance sheet dates, revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates during the reporting periods, and equity accounts are translated at historical rates. Translation adjustments are reported in other comprehensive income.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth the unaudited consolidated statements of operations of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2016, both in dollars and as a percentage of net sales.

 

 37 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations  Three months ended March 31, 
   2016       2015     
   (in thousands except share and per share information) 
Net Sales   29,097    100.0%   32,138    100.0%
Cost of Sales   (23,220)   (79.8)%   (26,582)   (82.7)%
Gross profit   5,877    20.2%   5,556    17.3%
                     
Research and development expenses   (1,623)   (5.6)%   (1,674)   (5.2)%
Selling and distribution expenses   (1,535)   (5.3)%   (1,799)   (5.6)%
General and administrative expenses, including share-based compensation   (3,070)   (10.5)%   (3,025)   (9.4)%
Foreign currency transaction (loss) gain   (90)   (0.3)%   370    1.2%
                     
Loss from operations   (441)   (1.5)%   (572)   (1.8)%
                     
Gain on change of fair value of warrant liability   119    0.4%   346    1.1%
Other income   156    0.5%   230    0.7%
Interest expenses   (275)   (0.9)%   (268)   (0.8)%
Loss before taxes   (441)   (1.5)%   (264)   (0.8)%
                     
Income tax (expenses) benefit   (36)   (0.1)%   95    0.3%
Net loss   (477)   (1.6)%   (169)   (0.5)%
                     
Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interest   (134)   (0.5)%   (46)   (0.1)%
Net loss attributable to Highpower   (343)   (1.2)%   (123)   (0.4)%
                     
Loss per share of common stock attributable to Highpower                    
- Basic and diluted   (0.02)        (0.01)     
                     
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding                    
-Basic and diluted   15,101,679         15,086,169      

 

Three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015

 

Net sales

 

We generate revenues from the sale of our Ni-MH batteries, Lithium batteries and new materials for three months ended March 31, 2016. Revenues by segment were as follows:

 

   Three months ended March 31 , 
   2016   2015 
   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited) 
   $   $ 
Net sales          
Lithium Batteries   15,314,945    16,820,628 
Ni-MH Batteries   12,856,325    14,759,470 
New Materials   925,785    557,550 
Total   29,097,055    32,137,648 

 

 38 

 

 

Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2016 were $29.1 million compared to $32.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, a decrease of $3.0 million, or 9.5%.The decrease was due to a $1.5 million decrease in net sales of our lithium batteries (resulting from a 6.1% decrease in the volume, measured in ampere hour, of batteries sold and a 3.1% decrease in the average selling price of such batteries), a $1.9 million decrease in net sales of our Ni-MH batteries (resulting from a 12.9% decrease in the average selling price of such batteries) and a $0.4 million increase in revenue from our new material business. The decrease of lithium batteries sales was mainly due to the decline of sales of iPhone backup power products.

 

Cost of sales

 

Cost of sales mainly consists of nickel, cobalt, lithium derived materials, labor, and overhead. Costs of sales were $23.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to $26.6 million for the comparable period in 2015. As a percentage of net sales, cost of sales decreased to 79.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to 82.7% for the comparable period in 2015, which was mainly due to the decrease of price of raw material as well as labor cost.

 

Gross profit

 

Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $5.9 million, or 20.2% of net sales, compared to $5.6 million, or 17.3% of net sales for the comparable period in 2015. Management considers gross profit margin a key performance indicator in managing our business. Gross profit margins are usually a factor of cost of sales, product mix and demand for product. This increase was attributable to improved production efficiency.

 

To cope with pressure on our gross margins we control production costs by preparing budgets for each department and comparing actual costs with our budgeted figures monthly and quarterly. Additionally, we have reorganized the Company’s production structure and have focused more attention on employee training to enhance efficiency. We also intend to expand our market share by investing in greater promotion of our products in regions such as the U.S., Russia, Europe and India, and by expanding our sales team with more experienced sales personnel. We have also begun production capacity expansion for our lithium batteries business to take advantage of the strong demand for such products globally.

 

Research and development

 

Research and development expenses were $1.6 million, or 5.6% of net sales, for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to $1.7 million, or 5.2% of net sales for the comparable period in 2015.

 

Selling and distribution expenses

 

Selling and distribution expenses were $1.5 million, or 5.3% of net sales, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to $1.8 million, or 5.6% of net sales, for the comparable period in 2015, a decrease of 14.7%. Selling and distribution expenses decreased due to a decrease in net sales.

 

General and administrative expenses

 

General and administrative expenses were $3.1 million, or 10.5% of net sales, for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to $3.0 million, or 9.4% of net sales, for the comparable period in 2015.

 

Foreign currency transaction (loss) gain

 

We experienced a loss of $90,436 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and a gain of $370,311 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 on the exchange rate difference between the U.S. Dollar and the RMB. The gain (loss) in exchange rate difference was due to the influence of the RMB relative to the U.S. Dollar over the respective periods.

 

Interest expenses

 

Interest expenses were $274,992 for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to $268,642 for the comparable period in 2015.

 

 39 

 

 

Other income

 

Other income, which consists of bank interest income, government grants and sundry income, was approximately $155,928 for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to approximately $230,092 for the comparable period in 2015, a decrease of $74,164.

 

Change in fair value change of warrant liabilities

 

Change in fair value change of warrant liabilities was $119,469 for the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to a gain of $346,299, for the comparable period in 2015. It represented the fair value change of 500,000 shares of warrants issued on April 17, 2014.

 

Income tax (expenses) benefit

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, we recorded provision for income tax expense of $35,504 as compared to income tax benefit of $95,256 for the comparable period in 2015.

 

Net loss

 

Net loss attributable to the Company (excluding net loss attributable to non-controlling interest) for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $342,608, compared to net loss attributable to the Company (excluding net loss attributable to non-controlling interest) of $123,358 for the comparable period in 2015.

 

 40 

 

 

Foreign Currency and Exchange Risk

 

Though the reporting currency is the US$, the Company maintains its financial records in the functional currency of Renminbi (“RMB”). Substantially all of our operations are conducted in the PRC and we pay the majority of our expenses in RMB. Approximately 60% of our sales are made in U.S. Dollars. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the exchange rate of the RMB to the U.S. Dollar devaluated 0.7% from the level at the end of December 31, 2015. Future appreciation of the RMB against the U.S. Dollar would increase our costs when translated into U.S. Dollars and could adversely affect our margins unless we make sufficient offsetting sales. Conversion of RMB into foreign currencies is regulated by the People’s Bank of China through a unified floating exchange rate system. Although the PRC government has stated its intention to support the value of the RMB, there can be no assurance that such exchange rate will not continue to appreciate significantly against the U.S. Dollar. Exchange rate fluctuations may also affect the value, in U.S. Dollar terms, of our net assets. In addition, the RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currency and all foreign exchange transactions must take place through authorized institutions. Due to the volatility of the US Dollar to our functional currency the Company put into place a hedging program to attempt to protect it from significant changes to the US Dollar which affects the value of its US dollar receivables and sales.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $6.7 million as of March 31, 2016, as compared to $5.8 million as of December 31, 2015. Our funds are kept in financial institutions located in the PRC, which do not provide insurance for amounts on deposit. Moreover, we are subject to the regulations of the PRC which restrict the transfer of cash from the PRC, except under certain specific circumstances. Accordingly, such funds may not be readily available to us to satisfy obligations incurred outside the PRC.

 

To provide liquidity and flexibility in funding our operations, we borrowed funds under bank facilities and other external sources of financing. As of March 31, 2016, we had lines of credit with 8 financial institutions aggregating $76 million. The maturity of these facilities is generally within one year. The facilities are subject to regular review and approval. Certain of these banking facilities are guaranteed by our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Dang Yu Pan, pledged by land use right and buildings, and contain customary affirmative and negative covenants for secured credit facilities of this type. Interest rates are generally based on the banks’ reference lending rates. No significant commitment fees are required to be paid for the banking facilities. As of March 31, 2016, we had utilized approximately $39 million under such general credit facilities and had available unused credit facilities of $37 million.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $4.0 million, as compared to $6.5 million used in operating activities for the comparable period in 2015. The net cash increase of $10.5 million used in operating activities is primarily attributable to, among other items, an increase of $4.7 million in cash inflow from accounts receivable, a decrease of $2.8 million in outflow from accounts payable.

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to $1.7 million for the comparable period in 2015. The net decrease of $0.6 million of cash used in investing activities was primarily attributable to a decrease in cash outflow from acquisition of plant and equipment for increase Auto-equipment.

 

Net cash used in financing activities was $2.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to $3.6 million provided by financing activities for the comparable period in 2015. The net decrease of $5.6 million in net cash used in financing activities was primarily attributable to a decrease of $7.4 million in proceeds from notes payable and an increase of $1.5 million in proceeds from short-term bank loan.

 

For each of the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, our inventory turnover was 4.8 times. The average days outstanding of our accounts receivable at March 31, 2016 was 105 days, as compared to 88 days at March 31, 2015. Inventory turnover and average days outstanding are key operating measures that management relies on to monitor our business.

 

In the next 12 months, we expect to expand our research, development and manufacturing of lithium-based batteries and anticipate additional capital expenditures.

 

 41 

 

 

We are required to contribute a portion of our employees’ total salaries to the Chinese government’s social insurance funds, including medical insurance, unemployment insurance and job injuries insurance, and a housing assistance fund, in accordance with relevant regulations. Total contributions to the funds were approximately $335,558 and $412,688 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. We expect the amount of our contribution to the government’s social insurance funds to increase in the future as we expand our workforce and operations.

 

Based upon our present plans, we believe that cash on hand, cash flow from operations and funds available under our bank facilities will be sufficient to meet our capital needs for the next 12 months. However, our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity depends partially on our ability to achieve anticipated levels of revenue, while continuing to control costs. If we did not have sufficient available cash, we would have to seek additional debt or equity financing through other external sources, which may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. Failure to maintain financing arrangements on acceptable terms would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

The use of working capital is primarily for the maintenance of our accounts receivable and inventory. We provide our major customers with payment terms ranging from 30 to 90 days. Additionally, our production lead time is approximately 30 to 40 days, from the inspection of incoming materials, to production, testing and packaging. We need to keep a large supply of raw materials, work-in-process and finished goods inventory on hand to ensure timely delivery of our products to customers. We use two methods to support our working capital needs: (i) paying our suppliers under payment terms ranging from 60 to 120 days; and (ii) using short-term bank loans. Upon receiving payment for our accounts receivable, we pay our short-term loans. Our working capital management practices are designed to ensure that we maintain sufficient working capital.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

As of May 16, 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has issued ASU No. 2016-1 Financial Instruments through ASU No. 2016-11 Revenue Recognition and Derivatives and Hedging.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, or ASU 2014-09. This new standard will replace all current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic and eliminate all industry-specific guidance. The new revenue recognition standard provides a unified model to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to correlate with the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration for which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In July 2015, the FASB voted to defer the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year, while allowing a company to adopt the new revenue standard early but not before the original effective date. This guidance will be effective as to us on January 1, 2018 and can be applied either retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. In March and April 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-08 and 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, or ASU 2016-08 and ASU 2016-10. These new standards will amend the reporting revenue gross versus net and identify performance obligations and licensing. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2014-09 on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740). To simplify the presentation of deferred income taxes, the amendments in this Update require that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. The amendments in this Update apply to all entities that present a classified statement of financial position. The current requirement that deferred tax liabilities and assets of a tax-paying component of an entity be offset and presented as a single amount is not affected by the amendments in this Update. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier application is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

 42 

 

 

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. Under this ASU, inventory will be measured at the “lower of cost and net realizable value” and options that currently exist for “market value” will be eliminated. The ASU defines net realizable value as the “estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.” No other changes were made to the current guidance on inventory measurement. ASU 2015-11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is permitted and should be applied prospectively. The Company plans to early adopt this standard beginning with the 2016 fiscal year, but does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations, or related disclosures.

 

On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). It requires that a lessee recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from operating leases. A lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. Public business entities should apply the amendments in ASU 2016-02 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years (i.e., January 1, 2019, for a calendar year entity). Early application is permitted for all public business entities and all nonpublic business entities upon issuance. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2016-02 on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718). Under this update, share-based payment transactions simplified several aspects of the accounting, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. Some of the areas for simplification apply only to nonpublic entities. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for any entity in any interim or annual period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2016-09 on our consolidated financial statements.

 

We do not believe other recently issued but not yet effective accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the consolidated financial position, statements of operations and cash flows.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Not required for a smaller reporting company.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures”, which are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended(the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, and Chief Financial Officer, or CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Based on an evaluation carried out as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, who have concluded that, our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) were effective as of March 31, 2016.

 

 43 

 

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Based on the evaluation of our management as required by paragraph (d) of Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our quarter ended March 31, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Part II. Other Information

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

As previously reported in our Annual report on Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 2015, on January 14, 2016, FirsTrust China, Ltd filed an amended complaint in the Delaware Chancery Court (amending its initial complaint filed February 25, 2015) naming Highpower as the defendant asserting a cause of action for breach of contract and conversion of stock, and seeking damages in the form of issuance of 150,000 shares or the value of such shares, plus interest thereon, attorneys’ fees and costs and expenses. On February 4, 2016, Highpower filed an answer, affirmative defenses and counterclaim against FirsTrust asserting claims for equitable rescission, declaratory relief and breach of contract, and seeking rescission of the contract, return of the 200,000 warrants and 150,000 shares of Highpower stock previously issued to FirsTrust, plus interest, attorneys’ fees and costs and expenses. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to this claim and intends to defend the claim vigorously. Highpower has also added as counter-defendants four individuals to whom it issued shares pursuant to FirsTrust’s request. In April 2016, FirsTrust filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings with respect to its complaint and a hearing date is scheduled for July 2016.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

Any investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Investors should carefully consider the risks described herein and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on March 31, 2016 and all of the information contained in our public filings before deciding whether to purchase our common stock. Other than as set forth below, there have been no material revisions to the “Risk Factors” as set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

None.

 

Item 3. Default Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

Comprehensive Credit Line Contract between Shenzhen Highpower Technology Co., Ltd. and Ping An Bank Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Xinzhou Branch

 

On January 12, 2016, SZ Highpower entered into a working capital loan contract with Ping An Bank Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Xinzhou Branch, which provides for an aggregate loan of RMB9,500,000 (US$1,470,930) to be used by SZ Highpower to purchase raw materials. The term of the loan is 12 months from the first draw down date. The interest rate will be fixed during the loan term. Upon the first draw down, the interest rate will be 35% higher than the one year benchmark interest rate for same grade loans issued by the People’s Bank of China.

 

 44 

 

 

The following constitute events of default under the loan contracts: SZ Highpower changes the method of payment under the contract; SZ Highpower’s failure to timely repay the principal, interest and other payable under the contract; SZ Highpower’s failure to use the loan proceeds for the prescribed purposes; SZ Highpower’s violation of any statement, warranty and commitment with the bank; SZ Highpower’s violation of any other obligations in the contract; SZ Highpower’s concealment of true important information; SZ Highpower or a guarantor’s avoidance of bank debts on purpose through related party transactions or otherwise; SZ Highpower or a guarantor’s transfer of property or use of assets to avoid debts by way of gratis, unreasonably-low priced transactions or for other improper means; SZ Highpower’s use of false contracts and arrangements sighed with any other third party to get funds or credit from the bank, including but not limited to pledge or discount of the notes receivable and other claims without actual trading background; SZ Highpower or a guarantor’s violation of any other contract (including but not limited to credit contract, loan contract and guarantee contract) with signed with the bank or other banks or issuance of any bonds; The guarantor’s violation of the guarantee contract (including but not limited to guarantee contract, mortgage contract and pledge contract) or occurrence of any breach of the guarantee contract, or the guarantee contract is in vain or cancelled; The guaranty value is obvious reduction, loss, or dispute about the ownership of the guaranty, or the guaranty is sealed up, detained, frozen, deducted, detained or sold by auction; the occurrence of a merger, split, acquisition, reorganization, equity transfer, increase in debt financing or any other major event involving SZ Highpower that the bank believes might affect the safety of the loans; SZ Highpower or a guarantor’s business term has been expired within the credit line period, and SZ Highpower or a guarantor fails to handle the procedures for renewal.

 

Upon the occurrence of an event of default, the bank may: temporarily suspend or permanently terminate SZ Highpower’s credit limit in whole or in part; announce the immediate expiration of all or part of the debts under the contract and request the payment of part or all the principal, interest and expenses immediately; request overdue interest from SZ Highpower caused by the default; request SZ Highpower to keep cash deposit for paying undue acceptance, L/G, L/C or other credit business; request SZ Highpower to provide new guarantee measures accepted by the bank; deduct the sum in SZ Highpower or a guarantor’s account at the bank to discharge all or part of the debt to the bank without prior consent; require the guarantors to undertake the guarantee responsibility; take a legal action to collect the debts, fees and other losses from SZ Highpower by judicial procedure.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Number

  Description of Document
     
10.1   Comprehensive Credit Line Contract dated January 12, 2016 by and between Ping An Bank Co., Ltd. Shenzhen Xinzhou Branch and Shenzhen Highpower Technology Co. Ltd. (translated to English).
     
31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.1*   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

101.INS   XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

* This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any filings.

 

 45 

 

 

HIGHPOWER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  Highpower International, Inc.
     
Dated: May 16, 2016    /s/ Dang Yu Pan
  By: Dang Yu Pan
  Its: Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer and duly authorized officer)
     
    /s/ Henry Sun
  By: Henry Sun
  Its: Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer)

 

 46