EAST HANOVER, N.J., May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FGI Industries Ltd. (NASDAQ:FGI) ("FGI" or the "Company"), a leading global supplier of kitchen and bath products, today announced results for the first quarter 2024. FIRST QUARTER 2024 HIGHLIGHTS(As compared to the first quarter of 2023) Total revenues of $30.8 million, +13.2% y/y Gross profit of $8.4 million, +16.8% y/y, Gross margin of 27.4%, +90 bps y/y Net loss of ($0.4) million Adjusted net loss attributable to FGI shareholders of ($0.4) million Adjusted operating loss of ($0.2) million MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY Dave Bruce, President and CEO of FGI, stated, "The industry outlook remains relatively flat overall with our customers not expecting much growth in 2024. Despite this macro view, FGI's first quarter revenues beat expectations, driven primarily by volume growth of new products. While most of our businesses showed growth, I would like to highlight two segments in particular. FGI saw a rebound in the professional sanitary business, as expected, with inventory levels continuing to moderate. Our shower business continues to show organic growth driven by both existing and new products." Bruce continued, "Geographically, we are seeing a rebound in Europe driven by a combination of new product introductions and an increase in market penetration. We remain optimistic on India. We continue to invest in our brands as well as our future growth initiatives." Perry Lin, Chief Financial Officer of FGI, commented, "FGI ended the first quarter with total available liquidity of $17.8 million.  Working capital was up seasonally as is typical for the first quarter. Our operating expenses increased due to investing for future growth combined with the effects of inflation. We continue to believe the highest and best use of our capital is for internal investment and this will remain our priority in the near term. We will continue to evaluate opportunities for strategic M&A." FIRST QUARTER 2024 RESULTS Revenue totaled $30.8 million during the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 13.2% compared to the prior-year period, driven by increased volume and a normalization of inventory levels.  Sanitaryware revenue was $20.5 million during the first quarter of 2024, up from $15.4 million in the prior-year period. The revenue increase was due to normalizing order patterns following prior-year inventory de-stocking headwinds and improvements in the pro channel. Bath Furniture revenue was $3.1 million during the first quarter of 2024, a decline from revenue of $5.0 million in the prior-year period.  The bath furniture market continues to be impacted by macro headwinds and a trade-down to lower ticket products. Shower Systems revenue was $5.8 million during the first quarter of 2024, up from $5.0 million last year. The revenue increase was driven by recently launched programs, including the online shower door program with a Canadian retailer and a new shower wall system roll-out in up to 300 locations of a U.S. retailer.        Other revenue was $1.4 million during the first quarter, down from $1.8 million in the prior year, driven by timing of kitchen orders in late 2023. Gross profit was $8.4 million during the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 16.8% compared to last year, driven by growth in our higher margin products and volume increase in Sanitaryware. Gross profit margin improved to 27.4% during the first quarter of 2024, up 90 basis points from the prior-year period.  Operating loss was ($0.3) million during the first quarter of 2024, down from breakeven in the prior-year period.  Operating loss during the first quarter of 2024 included non-recurring expenses of $0.1 million for business expansion expense and accruals for non-recurring IPO- related stock-based compensation.  Excluding these items, adjusted operating loss was ($0.2) million during the first quarter.  The decline in operating income was a result of an increase in operating expenses tied to growth initiatives, as the Company continues to invest in its BPC growth strategy. As a result, operating margin was (0.6%) during the first quarter, down from 0.6% in the same period last year. The Company reported a GAAP net loss attributable to FGI shareholders of ($0.4) million, or ($0.04) per diluted share during the first quarter of 2024, versus a net loss of ($0.3) million, or ($0.03) per diluted share, in the same period last year.  Net loss for the first quarter of 2024 included after-tax expenses of $0.1 million related to business expansion expense and accruals for non-recurring IPO- related stock-based compensation. Net loss for the first quarter of 2023 included after-tax expense of $0.2 million related to business expansion expense, non-recurring IPO- related compensation, and IPO- related legal expense. Excluding these items, adjusted net loss for the first quarter of 2024 was ($0.4) million, or ($0.05) per diluted share, versus adjusted net loss of ($0.2) million, or ($0.02) per diluted share, for the same period last year.    FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY As of March 31, 2024, the Company had $3.3 million of cash and cash equivalents, total debt of $11.4 million and $14.5 million of availability under its credit facilities net of letters of credit. Combined with cash and cash equivalents, total liquidity was $17.8 million at March 31, 2024. FINANCIAL GUIDANCE The Company reiterates its fiscal 2024 guidance as follows: Total Revenue of between $115 million and $128 million Total Adjusted Operating Income of between $2.8 million and $3.8 million Total Adjusted Net Income of between $1.2 million to $2.0 million Guidance for adjusted operating income and adjusted net income is presented on an adjusted basis and excludes non-recurring items.  All guidance is current as of the time provided and is subject to change. FIRST QUARTER CONFERENCE CALL FGI will conduct a conference call on Thursday, May 9 at 9:00 am Eastern Time to discuss the quarterly results. A webcast of the conference call and accompanying presentation materials will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company's corporate website at https://investor.fgi-industries.com.  To listen to a live broadcast, go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to register and download and install any necessary audio software. To participate in the live teleconference: Toll Free:   1-844-826-3035 International Live: 1-412-317-5195 To listen to a replay of the teleconference, which will be available through May 23, 2024: Domestic Replay:    1-844-512-2921 International Replay:   1-412-317-6671 13727517 Conference ID: 10187662 ABOUT FGI INDUSTRIES FGI Industries Ltd. (NASDAQ:FGI) is a leading global supplier of kitchen and bath products. For over 30 years, we have built an industry-wide reputation for product innovation, quality, and excellent customer service. We are currently focused on the following product categories: sanitaryware (primarily toilets, sinks, pedestals, and toilet seats), bath furniture (vanities, mirrors and cabinets), shower systems, customer kitchen cabinetry and other accessory items. These products are sold primarily for repair and remodel activity and, to a lesser extent, new home or commercial construction. We sell our products through numerous partners, including mass retail centers, wholesale and commercial distributors, online retailers and specialty stores. Non-GAAP Measures In addition to the measures presented in our consolidated financial statements, we use the following non-GAAP measures to evaluate our business, measure our performance, identify trends affecting our business and assist us in making strategic decisions. Our non-GAAP measures are: Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Operating Margins and Adjusted Net Income. These non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"). They are supplemental financial measures of our performance only, and should not be considered substitutes for net income, income from operations or any other measure derived in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other entities. We define Adjusted Operating Income as GAAP income from operations excluding the impact of certain non-recurring expenses, including expenses related to COVID‑19 protocols, non-recurring compensation expenses related to our IPO, and one-time anti-dumping penalty expenses. We define Adjusted Net Income as GAAP net income excluding the tax-effected impact of certain non-recurring expenses and income such as expenses related to COVID‑19 protocols, unusual litigation fees and non-recurring compensation expenses related to our IPO. We define Adjusted Operating Margins as adjusted income from operations divided by revenue. We use these non-GAAP measures, along with U.S. GAAP measures, to evaluate our business, measure our financial performance and profitability and our ability to manage expenses, after adjusting for certain one-time expenses, identify trends affecting our business and assist us in making strategic decisions. We believe these non-GAAP measures, when reviewed in conjunction with U.S. GAAP financial measures, and not in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results of operations under U.S. GAAP, are useful to investors as they are widely used measures of performance and the adjustments we make to these non-GAAP measures provide investors further insight into our profitability and additional perspectives in comparing our performance over time on a consistent basis. With respect to the Company's expectations of its future performance, the Company's reconciliations of full year 2024 Adjusted Operating Income and 2024 Adjusted Net Income are not available, as the Company is unable to quantify certain amounts to the degree of precision that would be required in the relevant GAAP measures without unreasonable effort. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The use of words such as "anticipate," "expect," "could," "may," "intend," "plan", "see" and "believe," among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding FGI's guidance, the Company's growth strategies, outlook and potential acquisition activity, the macroeconomic instability and its associated impact on the national and global economy and the residential repair and remodel market, the company's planned product launches and new customer partnerships, the effect of supply chain disruptions and freight costs and estimates of customer de-stock and timing of market recoveries.  These forward-looking statements are based on currently available operating, financial, economic and other information, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future events or results. A variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, could cause actual future results or events to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements in this release. For a full description of the risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements, please refer to FGI's periodic filings with the Securities & Exchange Commission including those described as "Risk Factors" in FGI's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed thereafter. FGI does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.   FGI INDUSTRIES LTD. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS As of As of March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 USD USD (Unaudited) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash $ 3,319,066 $ 7,777,241 Accounts receivable, net 15,745,167 16,195,543 Inventories, net 11,550,962 9,923,852 Prepayments and other current assets 4,975,620 4,617,751 Prepayments and other receivables – related parties 12,977,788 7,600,283 Total current assets 48,568,603 46,114,670 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET 2,431,337 1,910,491 OTHER ASSETS Intangible assets 102,227 102,227 Operating lease right-of-use assets, net 14,705,781 15,203,576 Deferred tax assets, net 1,217,376 1,168,833 Other noncurrent assets 1,609,790 1,245,133 Total other assets 17,635,174 17,719,769 Total assets $ 68,635,114 $ 65,744,930 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES Short-term loans $ 11,442,651 $ 6,959,175 Accounts payable 14,520,915