Longwei Petroleum Expects Revenue Growth of 26.6% for Fiscal Year 2013

TAIYUAN CITY, China, Oct. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Longwei Petroleum Investment Holding Ltd. (NYSE MKT: LPH) ("Longwei" or the "Company"), an energy company engaged in the storage and distribution of finished petroleum products in the People's Republic of China ("PRC"), today updated its guidance for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013.

Longwei expects revenue growth of approximately 26.6% to $646.3 million, and net income growth of approximately 24.2% to $77.6 million, adjusted for the warrant derivative liability, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013.  The growth is driven primarily by the ramp-up of the Huajie facility and organic growth at the Company's two existing facilities.  The Company forecasts it can maintain profitability within the range-band of its historical margins, as proven by its track record during times of volatile fluctuations in the price of international crude oil.

"We were pleased to have closed on the Huajie asset purchase using our own cash resources without dilution to our shareholders, and we are now operational at the facility," said Michael Toups, Chief Financial Officer of Longwei. "We expect meaningful revenue contribution from Huajie beginning in the second half of fiscal 2013 as we ramp up our operations and sales efforts.  Based on our experience during the Gujiao ramp-up phase in 2010, we are confident we can develop this new market quickly."

The Company's operations are concentrated in the central PRC, primarily Shanxi Province. Shanxi is the leading coal-producing region in the PRC and a growing economic gateway to central and southwest China. The region is mountainous and has no oil reserves, pipelines or refineries within the province. Therefore, petroleum products have to be brought in from outside of the province via rail or truck, either from refineries in the neighboring provinces or from the relatively more numerous refineries in the coastal provinces of the northeast PRC. Consequently, the Company has committed significant resources to its locations for ease of transportation, logistics and storage. The growing industrial and consumer base within the province is dependent on the timely delivery of petroleum products as offered by the Company.

The GDP growth rate for Shanxi during 2011 was 13%, according to the China Daily (March 13, 2012), and it is expected to be approximately 10% for 2012, which outpaces the general economic growth estimates of 7.5% in the PRC. The provincial government has estimated the fixed-asset investment in Shanxi to be RMB 5 trillion (approximately $790 billion) over the next five years, according to the China Daily (September 13, 2011).  The provincial government also recently announced an additional RMB 1 trillion (approximately $158 billion) in local development projects as part of the region's industrial stimulus plan, according to China Securities News (August 23, 2012). The Company believes its locations within Shanxi Province are advantageous to the growth of its business model.

"The Huajie acquisition nearly doubles our total storage capacity to 220,000 metric tons and extends our reach into the fast-growing industrial area of northern Shanxi Province," said Cai Yongjun, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Longwei.  "With the addition of the Huajie facility, we have strengthened our lead as the largest private fuel storage and distribution business in the province and are better positioned to capitalize on the rising demand for petroleum products in our regional market." 

"As we continue to build upon the strong foundation we have established over our 17-year operating history, we remain committed to servicing our customers, increasing transparency in our reporting, and building value for our shareholders," added Mr. Toups.

Longwei recently reported revenues of US $510.6 million and net income of US $65.1 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012.  At the June 30, 2012 fiscal year-end, the Company reported total assets of US $342.3 million and a book value per share of $3.31.

The financial guidance for fiscal year 2013 reflects the Company's current estimates based on the conditions and trends known to the Company as of the date of this release.  Results are subject to change based upon further review by management and future changes in market and operating conditions.

About Longwei Petroleum Investment Holding Limited

Longwei Petroleum Investment Holding Limited is an energy company engaged in the storage and distribution of finished petroleum products in the People's Republic of China. The Company's oil and gas operations consist of transporting, storing and selling finished petroleum products, entirely in the PRC. The Company's headquarters are located in Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province. The Company has a storage capacity for its products of 220,000 metric tons located at three storage facilities within Shanxi: Taiyuan, Gujiao and Huajie, which have an individual storage capacity of approximately 50,000 metric tons ("mt"), 70,000mt, and 100,000mt, respectively.  The Company has the necessary licenses to operate and sell petroleum products not only in Shanxi, but throughout the entire PRC. The Company's storage tanks have the largest storage capacity of any non-government operated entity in Shanxi.

The Company seeks to earn profits by selling its products at competitive prices with timely delivery to transportation companies, coal mining operations, power supply customers, large-scale gas stations and small, independent gas stations. The Company also earns revenue from agency fees by acting as a purchasing agent for other intermediaries in Shanxi, and through limited sales of diesel and gasoline at two retail gas stations, each located at the Company's Taiyuan and Gujiao facilities. The Company seeks to continue to expand its customer base and distribution platform through the utilization of its large storage capacity, which allows the Company the flexibility to take advantage of pricing, supply and demand fluctuations in the marketplace.

Longwei was recently named to the Forbes list of "Asia's 200 Best Under a Billion" from a universe of 15,000 companies.  Forbes ranked the companies based on sales growth, earnings growth and return on equity in the past 12 months and over three years.  As was reported, Longwei's three-year track record is 45% sales growth, 28% earnings per share growth and 28% return on equity.  The Forbes article can be found at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2012/07/25/asias-200-best-under-a-billion.

For further information on Longwei Petroleum Investment Holding Limited, please visit http://www.longweipetroleum.com. You may register to receive Longwei Petroleum Investment Holding Limited's future press releases or request to be added to the Company's distribution list by contacting Dave Gentry at [email protected].

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about Longwei's industry, management's beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Because such statements involve risks and uncertainties, the actual results and performance of the Company may differ materially from the results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Longwei's operations are conducted in the PRC and, accordingly, are subject to special considerations and significant risks not typically associated with companies in North America and Western Europe. These include risks associated with, among others, the political, economic and legal environment and foreign currency exchange. The Company's results may be adversely affected by changes in the political and social conditions in the PRC and by changes in governmental policies with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion, remittances abroad, and rates and methods of taxation. Other potential risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the ability to procure, properly price, retain and successfully complete projects, and changes in products and competition. Unless otherwise required by law, the Company also disclaims any obligation to update its view of any such risks or uncertainties or to announce publicly the result of any revisions to the forward-looking statements made here. Readers should review carefully reports or documents the Company files periodically with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact:

At the Company:
Michael Toups, Chief Financial Officer
Tel: U.S. Office +1-727-641-1357
Email: [email protected] 
Web: http://www.longweipetroleum.com 

Investor Relations:
Mike Bowdoin
RedChip Companies, Inc.
Tel: +1-800-733-2447, Ext. 110
Email: [email protected] 
Web: http://www.redchip.com 

SOURCE Longwei Petroleum Investment Holding Ltd.