Tongxin International, Ltd. Reports First Quarter 2009 Financial Results

NEW YORK and CHANGSHA, China, May 18, 2009 -- Tongxin International Ltd. ("Tongxin") ("Company") a manufacturer of engineered commercial vehicle body structures ("EVBS" or "Cabs"), SUV passenger vehicle bodies and stamped body parts for the Chinese commercial vehicle market, today announced the Company's first quarter financial results for the three month period ended March 31, 2009.

Overall revenues decreased 2.6% to $29.5 million from $30.3 million while domestic revenues increased 6.3% quarter over quarter

Q1 2009 gross margins increased 370 basis-points to 28.6% from 24.9% in the first quarter 2008

Net income increased 6.6 % to $4.1 million in the first quarter from $3.8 million prior year

First quarter EPS increased to $0.36 for versus $0.34 in Q1 2008.

First Quarter Financial Results

Net revenues for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009 reached $29.5 million, an approximate $0.8 million, or 2.6% decrease, over the same period prior year. According the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), a total of 692,000 trucks were built in the first three months of 2009 with more than half, approximately 343, 800 units, built in March alone. The three month total is 4.4% below 2008 totals for the same period in 2008. As of April 30, 2009, CAAM also reported 339,300 commercial vehicles built in April, on par with March 2009 build totals.

Tongxin's decrease in revenues is consistent with the market and representative of the strong first quarter the industry witnessed in 2008 in an effort to build trucks prior to Euro III emissions standards enacted on July 1, 2008 and prior to factory restrictions imposed on manufacturers prior to the Beijing Olympics. Additionally, the Company also reported a drop in exports, from $4.4 million in export sales the first quarter of 2008 to approximately $1.8 million for the first quarter in 2009, due to timing of customer shipments to Vietnam. Since both the cabs and chassis are shipped to Vietnam, the drop could be attributable to timing of components availability and not a loss of customer volume; Tongxin has three export customers in Vietnam. Excluding exports from Tongxin's revenues, the Company reported an increase in domestic revenues of 6.3% from its more than 130-plus customers throughout China.

"We believe that the first quarter of 2009 is a better representation of our performance for the coming year", stated Vice-Chairman Duanxiang Zhang of Hunan Tongxin. "Baring the regulation of Euro III standards that produced a strong first quarter in 2009, we are very encouraged by the uptick in business and shipments for the last three months. As domestic demand and the effects of the stimulus package begin to work their way through the economy plus a noticeable return of export orders, we, anticipate a succession of strong quarters for Tongxin and continued demand for our commercial vehicle cabs in 2009," Zhang concluded.

Cost of goods sold were $21.0 million in the first quarter 2009, a decrease of $1.7million or 7.3% versus the same period in 2008. The decrease in costs is directly related to the drop in cold-rolled steel pricing. Based on a comparison between January 2008 and January 2009, per ton pricing on cold rolled steel has fallen approximately 15.0% from $766.00 per ton to $666.00 per ton (source - Management, Engineering and Production MEPS, Consultancy UK, ltd.). Corresponding gross profits for the first quarter were $8.4 million compared to $7.5 million in the first quarter of 2008. As a result, gross margins increased 370 basis points to 28.6% in 2008 from 24.9% for the prior quarter ended March 31, 2008.

Total operating expenses for the first quarter of 2009 were $2.7 million versus $1.8 million for the same period in 2008. Included in the first quarter operating expenses was approximately $607,000 in corporate costs reflecting added financial, legal and accounting expenses, listing costs on NASDAQ, and administrative expenses. The most significant portion of these costs is approximately $233,000 in SOX compliance costs as the Company works towards SOX compliance with its partner, Ernst and Young. As a percentage of revenues, operating expenses were 8.2% compared with 6.0% for the same period, 2008. Operating income and operating margin for the quarter were $6.0 million and 20.5%, respectively, versus $5.7million and 18.9%, respectively for the same period in 2008.

Earnings before interest and taxes were $6.0 million versus $5.75 million the period ended March 31st, 2008. Tongxin pays the standard Chinese corporate tax rate of 25% however the Company is in the processes of applying for a reduction in taxes for companies based in the Henan province and in a related automotive industry. Net income was $4.1 million, representing an increase of 6.6% from $3.8 million reported in the same period prior year. Excluding costs associated with SOX compliance of $233,000, adjusted net income would be $4.3 million. Net profit margins were 13.9% for the quarter which represented a 130-basis point increase in net margins from 12.6% reported the first quarter of 2008. Earnings per share for the quarter were $0.36 based on 11.3 million shares outstanding.

Ms. Jackie Chang, Chief Financial and Accounting Officer stated, "The Company will continue to experience the favorable Impact of lower steel prices and increasing vehicle production volumes throughout the year. Steel is approximately 80% of our cost of goods thus we allocate significant time managing these costs carefully and our pricing to our customer base."

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Discussion

As of March 31, 2009, Tongxin International had approximately $6 million in cash and cash equivalents versus $11.3 million on December 31, 2008. The company maintained a current ratio of 1.08 and $25.3 million in accounts receivable on March 31, 2009. Corresponding days sales outstanding were 95 days. Stockholders' equity was $84.1 million on March 31, 2009 from $18.7 million for the same period 2008, an increase of $65.4 million which is the purchase price of the acquisition. Cash flow from operations is a negative $2.4 million due to higher trade receivables as a result of higher revenue in the first quarter.

The Company has approximately five million warrants outstanding with strike price of $5.00 and callable at $10.00. At the Company's option, and in the event the selling price of the Company's common shares trades at an average price of $10.00 or more for twenty days out of a thirty day selling period, it may redeem warrants on "an all-or-none" basis. If the warrants are redeemed the Company would recognize gross proceeds of approximately $25 million.

2009 Guidance

For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009, we anticipate consolidated earnings per share of $1.10 (based upon shares outstanding of 11,294,633).