SPAR Group Exceeds Revenue Guidance and Announces Revenue Growth to $73.5 Million for Fiscal Year 2011

Mar 19, 2012

TARRYTOWN, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 03/19/12 -- SPAR Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SGRP) (the "Company" or "SPAR Group"), a leading supplier of retail merchandising and other marketing services throughout the United States and internationally, today announced fourth quarter and 2011 year end revenue of $23.6 million and $73.5, million respectively.

2011 Company Highlights

  • Revenue for the fiscal year increased by 16% and by 26% for the fourth quarter of 2011 based on strong growth from the Company's international operations.
  • Added several new subsidiaries in 2011 to expand operations in Mexico, Turkey and China that are expected to add additional $18 million in revenue in 2012.
  • International division revenues grew by 55% for the fourth quarter and 34% for the fiscal year.
  • Working capital improved to $7.2 million from $4.4 million year over year and cash on hand increased approximately $800,000.

"Having exceeded our revenue guidance for FY2011, SPAR Group is extremely pleased with the Company's significant growth during both the fourth quarter and fiscal year for 2011," stated Gary Raymond, Chief Executive Officer of SPAR Group. "Due to our strategic business model for global expansion, our international division now accounts for nearly half of SPAR Group's total revenue. Through the use of our proprietary technology, our ability to enter new markets and quickly operate in a profitable manner provides us with a strong competitive advantage. We are currently evaluating several additional expansion opportunities which will be accretive to our earnings and provide increased market opportunities for future growth."

Mr. Raymond continued, "In addition to the strong growth in our international division, we are pleased with continued consistent success in our domestic business. In both divisions we expect additional contract awards that will lead to consistent growth throughout 2012 and beyond. With numerous profitable opportunities available to us, and expectations for additional domestic and international acquisitions in the coming year, 2012 looks to be one of our strongest growth years ever."

Three Month Financial Results for the period ended December 31, 2011

  • Total revenue increased 26%, led by strong growth of 55% in the International division,
  • Net Income of $1.2 million,
  • Gross Profit increased 11%.






                                       Three Months Ended December 31,

                                                (in thousands)

                                   ---------------------------------------

                                      2011      2010          Change

                                   --------- --------- -------------------

Net Revenue:                                               $          %

                                                       ---------  --------

  Domestic                         $  10,188 $  10,060 $     128         1%

  International                       13,411     8,678     4,733        55%

                                   --------- --------- ---------

  Total                            $  23,599 $  18,738 $   4,861        26%

Gross Profit:

  Domestic                         $   3,721 $   3,925 $    (204)       (5)%

  International                        3,535     2,638       897        34%

                                   --------- --------- ---------

  Total                            $   7,256 $   6,563 $     693        11%

Operating Income:

  Domestic                         $   1,213 $   1,404 $    (191)      (14)%

  International                          315       247        68        28%

                                   --------- --------- ---------

  Total                            $   1,528 $   1,651 $    (123)       (8)%

Net Income:

  Domestic                         $     991 $   1,143 $    (152)      (13)%

  International                          213        52       161       307%

                                   --------- --------- ---------

  Total                            $   1,204 $   1,195 $       9         1%



Revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2011 totaled $23.6 million, an increase of 26% compared to $18.7 million for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010. Domestic revenue for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $10.2 million compared to $10.1 million for the same period in 2010. The increase in domestic revenue was mainly attributable to continued growth from the Company's syndicated services as well as continued growth in the assembly business. International revenue for the fourth quarter increased 55% to $13.4 million compared to $8.7 million during the same period 2010. This increase is due to additional revenue from the new subsidiaries in Mexico and Turkey and improved operations in China, South Africa and Australia.

Gross profit increased 11% to $7.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2011, when compared to $6.6 million the same period of 2010. Domestically, our gross profit margin was 36.5% for the fourth quarter 2011 compared to 39% in 2010. The decrease in gross profit margin was directly attributable to an unfavorable mix within both syndicated and project work compared to last year. Internationally, our gross profit margin was 26.4% for the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to 30.4% for the same period in 2010. This change was due to the mix of business predominately in our China, Japan, South Africa and Mexico markets.

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $1.2 million, or $0.06 per share, compared to $1.2 million, or $0.06 per share, for the same period of 2010 based on diluted shares outstanding of 21.3 million and 21.0 million, respectively. Domestically, net income for the fourth quarter was $991,000 compared to net income of $1.1 million for the same period in 2010. Internationally, net income for the fourth quarter of 2011 totaled $213,000 compared to a net income of $52,000 for the same period in 2010.

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2011 Financial Results

  • Total revenue increased 16%,
  • Domestic revenue increased $1.2 million,
  • International revenue increased $9.1 million,
  • Gross profit increased $1.5 million,
  • Working capital continues to show improvement at $7.2 million.






                                        Twelve Months Ended December 31,

                                                 (in thousands)

                                   -----------------------------------------

                                      2011       2010           Change

                                   ---------  ---------  -------------------

Net Revenue:                                                 $          %

                                                         ---------  --------

  Domestic                         $  37,809  $  36,564  $   1,245        3%

  International                       35,715     26,590      9,125       34%

                                   ---------  ---------  ---------

  Total                            $  73,524  $  63,154  $  10,370       16%

Gross Profit:

  Domestic                         $  12,590  $  13,129  $    (539)     (4)%

  International                        9,906      7,860      2,046       26%

                                   ---------  ---------  ---------

  Total                            $  22,496  $  20,989  $   1,507        7%

Operating Income:

  Domestic                         $   2,774  $   3,044  $    (270)     (9)%

  International                          111       (213)       324      152%

                                   ---------  ---------  ---------

  Total                            $   2,885  $   2,831  $      54        2%

Net Income (loss):

  Domestic                         $   2,333  $   2,673  $    (340)    (13)%

  International                         (119)      (506)       387       77%

                                   ---------  ---------  ---------

  Total                            $   2,214  $   2,167  $      47        2%



Revenue for the fiscal year 2011 increased 16% to $73.5 million compared to $63.1 million in 2010. Domestic revenue for 2011 was $37.8 million compared to $36.6 million during the same period in 2010, an increase of $1.2 million primarily attributable to continued growth from the Company's syndicated and assembly services. Internationally, our revenue for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $35.7 million compared to $26.6 million during the same period 2010. The increase in international revenue was due primarily to additional revenue from the new subsidiary in Mexico of $4.6 million, an increase in China of $2.5 million resulting primarily from increased project work in the beverage category and an increase in South Africa of $2.2 million resulting from a new client in the general merchandising category.

Gross profit for the fiscal year 2011 increased 7% to $22.5 million compared to $21.0 million for the same period in 2010. Domestic margins for the fiscal year 2011 were 33.3% compared to 35.9% during the same period 2010. The changes in domestic gross profit margins are related to an unfavorable mix within both syndicated and project work compared to last year. Internationally, our gross profit margins for 2011 were 27.7% compared to 29.6% in the previous year, primarily due to the mix of business in Mexico, South Africa, China and Japan.

Net income for the fiscal year 2011 totaled $2.2 million, or $0.10 per share, compared to net income of $2.2 million, or $0.11 per share, for the fiscal year 2010 based on diluted shares outstanding of 21.3 million and 20.6 million, respectively. Domestically, our 2011 net income totaled $2.3 million compared to net income of $2.7 million for the same period in 2010. Internationally, a net loss for the fiscal year 2011 totaled $119,000 compared to a net loss of $506,000 for the same period in 2010.

Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2011

As of December 31, 2011 working capital improved to $7.2 million and our current ratio increased to 1.7 to 1. Total current assets and total assets were $18.0 million and $21.5 million, respectively and cash and cash equivalents totaled $1.7 million at December 31, 2011. Total current liabilities and total liabilities were $10.8 million and $11.1 million, respectively, and total equity was $9.3 million at December 31, 2011.

The Company intends to file the Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before March 20, 2012. The Company will host a shareholder conference call on March 22, 2012 at 4:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Anyone interested in participating should dial 1-877-941-2068, if calling from within the United States, or 1-480-629-9712, if calling internationally, approximately 5 to 10 minutes prior to the 4:15 p.m. start time. Participants should ask for the SPAR Group Shareholder Update conference call. A webcast will also be available on the SPAR Group website, www.sparinc.com.

About SPAR Group
SPAR Group, Inc. is a diversified international merchandising and marketing services company and provides a broad array of services worldwide to help companies improve their sales, operating efficiency and profits at retail locations. The Company provides merchandising and other marketing services to manufacturers, distributors and retailers worldwide, primarily in mass merchandisers, office supply, grocery and drug store chains, independent, convenience and electronics stores, as well as providing furniture and other product assembly services, in-store events, radio frequency identification ("RFID") and related technology services and marketing research. The Company has supplied these project and product services in the United States since certain of its predecessors were formed in 1979 and internationally since the Company acquired its first international subsidiary in Japan in May of 2001. Product services include product additions, placement, reordering, replenishment, labeling, evaluation and deletions, and project services include seasonal and special product promotions, product recalls and complete setups of departments and stores. The Company operates throughout the United States and internationally in 9 of the most populated countries, including China and India. For more information, visit the SPAR Group's Web site at http://www.sparinc.com/.

Certain statements in this news release and such conference call are forward-looking, including (without limitation) expectations or guidance respecting customer contract expansion, growing revenues and profits through organic growth and acquisitions, attracting new business that will increase SPAR Group's revenues, continuing to maintain costs and consummating any transactions. Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements because the matters they describe are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. The Company's actual results, performance and trends could differ materially from those indicated or implied by such statements as a result of various factors, including (without limitation) the continued strengthening of SPAR Group's selling and marketing functions, continued customer satisfaction and contract renewal, new product development, continued availability of capable dedicated personnel, continued cost management, the success of its international efforts, success and availability of acquisitions, availability of financing and other factors, as well as by factors applicable to most companies such as general economic, competitive and other business and civil conditions. Information regarding certain of those and other risk factors and cautionary statements that could affect future results, performance or trends are discussed in SPAR Group's most recent annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. All of the Company's forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by all such risk factors and other cautionary statements.

Tables Follow


                             SPAR Group, Inc.

                     Consolidated Statements of Income

                                (unaudited)

                   (in thousands, except per share data)



                                  Three Months Ended    Twelve Months Ended

                                      December 31,         December 31,

                                  -------------------  --------------------

                                     2011      2010       2011       2010

                                  --------- ---------  ---------  ---------



Net revenues                      $  23,599 $  18,738  $  73,524  $  63,154

Cost of revenues                     16,343    12,175     51,028     42,165

                                  --------- ---------  ---------  ---------

Gross profit                          7,256     6,563     22,496     20,989



Selling, general, and

 administrative expense               5,467     4,619     18,542     17,140

Depreciation and amortization           261       293      1,069      1,018

                                  --------- ---------  ---------  ---------

Operating income                      1,528     1,651      2,885      2,831



Interest expense                         36       171        197        310

Other expense (income)                   11       (36)       (11)       (21)

                                  --------- ---------  ---------  ---------

Income before provision for

 income taxes                         1,481     1,516      2,699      2,542



Provision for income taxes              291       188        362        263

                                  --------- ---------  ---------  ---------

Net income                            1,190     1,329      2,337      2,279

Net loss (income) attributable to

 the non-controlling interest            14      (133)      (123)      (112)

                                  --------- ---------  ---------  ---------

Net income attributable to SPAR

 Group, Inc.                      $   1,204 $   1,195  $   2,214  $   2,167

                                  ========= =========  =========  =========





Net income per basic/diluted

 common share:



Net income - basic                $    0.06 $    0.06  $    0.11  $    0.11

                                  ========= =========  =========  =========



Net income - diluted              $    0.06 $    0.06  $    0.10  $    0.11

                                  ========= =========  =========  =========



Weighted average common shares -

 basic                               20,101    19,290     19,958     19,209

                                  ========= =========  =========  =========



Weighted average common shares -

 diluted                             21,344    21,047     21,327     20,602

                                  ========= =========  =========  =========








                              SPAR Group, Inc.

                        Consolidated Balance Sheets

              (in thousands, except share and per share data)



                                                 December 31,  December 31,

                                                     2011          2010

                                                 ------------  ------------

Assets                                            (unaudited)     (note)

Current assets:

  Cash and cash equivalents                      $      1,705  $        923

  Accounts receivable, net                             15,461        13,999

  Prepaid expenses and other current assets               801         1,283

                                                 ------------  ------------

Total current assets                                   17,967        16,205



Property and equipment, net                             1,523         1,452

Goodwill                                                1,148           848

Intangibles                                               705           362

Other assets                                              178           226

                                                 ------------  ------------

Total assets                                     $     21,521  $     19,093

                                                 ============  ============



Liabilities and equity

Current liabilities:

  Accounts payable                               $      1,819  $      1,804

  Accrued expenses and other current liabilities        4,039         2,733

  Accrued expense due to affiliates                     1,092         1,575

  Customer deposits                                       183           471

  Lines of credit and other debt                        3,641         5,263

                                                 ------------  ------------

Total current liabilities                              10,774        11,846

Long-term debt and other liabilities                      334             -

                                                 ------------  ------------

Total liabilities                                      11,108        11,846



Equity:

SPAR Group, Inc. equity

  Preferred stock, $.01 par value:

    Authorized and available shares - 2,445,598

    Issued and outstanding shares - None -

     December 31, 2011

    554,402 - December 31, 2010                             -             6

  Common stock, $.01 par value:

    Authorized shares - 47,000,000

    Issued and outstanding shares - 20,103,043 -

     December 31, 2011

    19,314,306 - December 31, 2010                        201           193

Treasury stock                                              -            (1)

Additional paid-in capital                             13,940        13,549

Accumulated other comprehensive loss                     (172)         (142)

Accumulated deficit                                    (4,626)       (6,808)

                                                 ------------  ------------

Total SPAR Group, Inc. equity                           9,343         6,797

Non-controlling interest                                1,070           450

                                                 ------------  ------------

Total liabilities and equity                     $     21,521  $     19,093

                                                 ============  ============



Note: The Balance Sheet at December 31, 2010, is excerpted from the

consolidated audited financial statements as of that date but does not

include certain information and footnotes required by accounting principles

generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.

Contact:

James R. Segreto

Chief Financial Officer

SPAR Group, Inc.

(914) 332-4100



Investors:

Alan Sheinwald

Alliance Advisors, LLC

(212) 398-3486

Email Contact



Chris Camarra

Alliance Advisors, LLC

(212) 398-3487

Email Contact



Source: SPAR Group Inc.

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