Jerash Holdings (US) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

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Provided by Quartr
August 12, 2025

Key Takeaways

  • Positive Sentiment: Operating income turned positive at $959,000 and net income recovered to $324,000 in Q1 versus losses a year ago.
  • Positive Sentiment: Completed the first phase of a major initial order from a large U.S. omnichannel retailer via collaboration with Hanseo Textile, with shipments beginning September 2025.
  • Positive Sentiment: Optimized logistics and resumed routing raw materials through Aqaba Port, driving a 31.2% increase in gross profit and lowering transportation costs.
  • Positive Sentiment: Expanded the Amman facility to add ~15% production capacity and progressing an Ahasa extension for an extra 5% boost by early 2026 to meet strong bookings.
  • Negative Sentiment: New U.S. apparel tariffs on Jordan rose to 15%, reducing some of the company’s historical duty-free edge despite remaining lower than most Asian peers.
AI Generated. May Contain Errors.
Earnings Conference Call
Jerash Holdings (US) Q1 2026
00:00 / 00:00

There are 9 speakers on the call.

Operator

Greetings. Welcome to the Girash Holdings Fiscal twenty twenty six First Quarter Financial Results Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen only mode. A question and answer session will follow the formal presentation. Please note this conference is being recorded.

Operator

I will now turn the conference over to your host, Roger Pondell, Investor Relations. Roger, you may begin.

Speaker 1

Thank you, operator, and good morning, everyone, or afternoon, depending on where you are, and welcome to Jerash Holdings fiscal twenty twenty six first quarter conference call. I'm Roger Pondell with Pondell Wilkinson, Jerash Holdings' Investor Relations firm. On the call today from the company are Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sam Choi Chief Financial Officer, Gilbert Lee and Eric Tang, who leads the company's operations in Jordan. Before I turn the call over to Sam, I want to remind everyone that today's call may include forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the company's control, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the company's most recent Form 10 ks as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and copies of which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov along with other company filings made with the SEC from time to time.

Speaker 1

Actual results could differ materially from these forward looking statements and Girash Holdings undertakes no obligation to update any forward looking statements except as required by law. And with that, it is my pleasure to turn the call over to Sam Choi. Sam?

Speaker 2

Thank you, Roger. Our fiscal first quarter performance reflects growing customer demand as companies continue to seek alternative manufacturing partners and diversify their supply chain away from China and Southeast Asia. Even with the most recently announced 15% U. S. Tariff on products from Jordan, exporting from Jordan remains significantly more advantageous compared with most other countries, especially those in Asia with total effective tariff rates on apparel currently ranging from 20% to more than 60%.

Speaker 2

We also made meaningful improvements in operating efficiency during the quarter. By optimizing our logistics and better production planning, we were able to reduce costs and significantly limit the need for overtime. Another key contributor to our positive performance was the return to routing raw materials imports through Agbaaba Port in Jordan. This shift allows shorter lead times and lower transportation costs, especially when compared to the alternative routes we have to use during the Red Sea shipping disruptions. With strong FOB orders and improved cost efficiencies, we experienced a significant turnaround in our financial performance.

Speaker 2

Operating income declined to nearly $1,000,000 compared with a loss of more than $800,000 in the same quarter last year. Net income also turned positive, making a solid recovery from the net loss sustained in the prior year quarter. I'm pleased to report that we have successfully completed production of the first phase of a major initial order from one of the largest U. S.-based multinational and omnichannel retailers through our strategic collaboration with Han Seoul Textile, a leading global apparel group based in South Korea. With the success of this initial order, we remain focused on identifying and pursuing additional collaborations that create mutual value and help strengthen long term partnership.

Speaker 2

This is certainly an exciting time for Juresh. As we continue to see growing interest and increasing inquiries from global brands, at the same time, we are staying vigilant about the potential impacts of recently announced tariff changes and the ongoing geopolitical instability in the region as we continue to plan for additional expansion opportunities to support future growth. I will now turn the call over to Eric Tang, who is in charge of our operations in Jordan. Eric?

Speaker 3

Thank you, Sam. The first quarter was a particularly active and productive period for Jiraj. As we continue to operate in what we believe is a positive and expanding business environment. We are seeing a steady increase in new business inquiries from global brands as well as other strategic collaboration opportunities, showing strong interest in our manufacturing capabilities and capacity. Additionally, the recent announcements regarding increased U.

Speaker 3

S. Tariffs have accelerated the pace at which businesses are seeking to diversify their manufacturing base. I am also pleased to share that the shipping logistic difficulty in the region for over one year is essentially behind us, and things have been largely back to normal since mid July twenty twenty five. With HyferPort in Israel now fully operational again, along with returning to receive raw materials through Agabar Port, we are able to resume and maintain much more reliable shipping routes to support our global customers. As Sam mentioned earlier, in August, we will complete production of the first phase of a major initial order placed through our collaboration with Hansel.

Speaker 3

Shipments are scheduled to begin in September, continuing through February 2026. Additionally, we continue to work on sample orders and pricing exercise with several new products for other well known brands in other regions outside of The U. S, where Jordan's free trade agreement still stands and offer strategic advantages. These new business opportunities strengthen our growth outlook and strategy, which is focused on diversifying our customers and product mix to optimize production capacity and deliver better margins year round. The expansion of our existing manufacturing facilities in Anman was completed in June, and we are now onboarding additional skilled workers from other countries to support an estimated 15% increase in production capacity.

Speaker 3

This added capacity is expected to begin contributing to Girard's performance starting in the second fiscal quarter, a much needed and timely expansion since our facilities are already fully booked through February 2026. Separately, the other expansion project, through collaboration with the Jordanian Ministry of Labor to develop an extension adjacent to our existing facility in Ahasa is ongoing. We are still targeted from completion of that project in early calendar year twenty twenty six, and it should add another 5% capacity. With that, I now turn the call over to Gilbert to discuss our financial results. Gilbert, please.

Speaker 4

Thank you, Eric. Revenue for the fiscal twenty twenty six first quarter was $39,600,000 compared with $40,900,000 in the same quarter of last year. The slight decline was primarily caused by some customer shipments being redirected to Aqaba Port in Jordan in order to avoid disruptions at Heiba Port in Israel, which began in late June twenty twenty five and delayed shipments on several orders. Gross profit for the fiscal twenty twenty six first quarter advanced 31.2% to $6,100,000 from $4,600,000 in the same quarter last year. Gross margin increased to 15.4% in the fiscal twenty twenty six first quarter from 11.3% in the same quarter last year.

Speaker 4

The increase was primarily driven by improved logistics and production planning along with the resumption of import sea routes through Aqaba Port, which provides shorter lead times and lower transportation costs. Operating expenses totaled $5,100,000 in the fiscal twenty twenty six first quarter compared with $5,500,000 in the same quarter last year. The decrease was primarily due to lower stock based compensation expenses and lower costs on repair and maintenance. Operating income increased meaningfully to $959,000 in the fiscal twenty twenty six first quarter from an operating loss of 829,000 in the same period of last year. The improvement was mainly attributable to reduced import logistics costs for raw materials, lower overtime expense from improved logistics and production planning, lower stock based compensation expenses and reduced spending on repair and maintenance.

Speaker 4

Total other expenses were $307,000 in the fiscal twenty twenty six first quarter compared with $426,000 in the same quarter last year, primarily reflecting lower interest rates and a decline in supply chain financing program usage. Income tax expenses were $329,000 in the fiscal twenty twenty six first quarter compared with $112,000 in the prior year quarter. We are in the process of consulting with international tax experts on developing global tax planning for achieving a more optimized tax structure. Net income for the fiscal twenty twenty six first quarter increased to $324,000 or $03 per diluted share from a net loss of $1,400,000 or $0.11 per diluted share in the same quarter of last year. Comprehensive profit attributable to the company's common stockholders totaled $328,000 in the fiscal twenty twenty six first quarter versus a comprehensive loss of $1,300,000 in the same period of last year.

Speaker 4

As of 06/30/2025, Jiraj had cash and restricted cash totaled $7,500,000 and net working capital was 34,600,000.0 Inventory was $27,300,000 and accounts receivable amounted to $10,000,000 Cash at the end of the quarter was lower because of substantially higher receivable balance as a result of delays and inventory shutdown at the Hyder Port throughout the month of June, forcing cumulated orders to be rerouted to the Port Of Aqaba and shipped out in the final week of June. These receivables were all collected in July. Net cash used by operating activities was approximately $6,500,000 for the quarter ended 06/30/2025, compared with $2,200,000 for the same quarter last year. As Sam and Eric mentioned, our business remains solid with visible opportunities ahead. We are evaluating longer term larger scale expansion plans for the coming year, while remaining focused on driving growth and enhancing operational efficiency.

Speaker 4

On 08/08/2025, Jirajuk's Board of Directors approved a quarterly regular dividend of $05 per share on its common stock payable on August 29 to stockholders of record as of August 22. Looking ahead, we expect revenue for the fiscal twenty twenty six second quarter to be approximately 40,000,000 to $42,000,000 And our gross margin for the fiscal twenty twenty six second quarter is expected to be approximately 15% to 16%. We will now open up the call for questions, and I will return the call back to the operator.

Operator

Thank you. At this time, we'll be conducting a question and answer session. And the first question today is coming from Michael Baker from D. A. Davidson.

Operator

Michael, your line is live.

Speaker 5

Great, thanks. A couple real quick here. First, on tariffs, forgive me for losing track, it's been all over the place, but are there now tariffs being paid for products from Jordan? Historically, it was a tariff free zone, but has it now been the 15% tariff put in place for Jordan?

Speaker 4

Yes, currently it's 15%.

Speaker 5

Okay, so the idea is more than it was when there was no tariff, but less than 20% to 60% from other Asian countries. That's the right way to think about it, correct?

Speaker 4

Yes, that's correct.

Speaker 5

Okay, understood. Two more quick ones. You talked about some delays at the end of the quarter. So was there some can you quantify, was there a sales shift from the first quarter into the second quarter?

Speaker 4

Yes. There were maybe a few orders that didn't get out at the June that was shifted to July, but it was not significant.

Speaker 5

Okay. Last one for me. You just spoke, Gilbert, at the end there about evaluating longer term expansion plans. So that's above and beyond the 5% to 10% increase for next year from expanding the building that you already have. Is that correct?

Speaker 5

And if so, could you go into a little bit more details of what those longer term expansion plans could look like?

Speaker 4

Well, we have been talking about and we have been planning about a longer term expansion which involves building on the piece of land that we have owned for the past six to seven years. However, we're still being cautious, especially during this time where the conflict in The Middle East just ended, and who knows when it is going to start again. Plus, the tariff situation is still creating a lot of uncertainties. Even though we believe the demand of our capacity and Jordan's production, people shifting, The trend is is going to continue, and it's going to intensify. But just because of the uncertainty, we're we're kind of tabling the the major expansion maybe to fiscal year 2027.

Speaker 4

For 2026, I think we're going to try to focus on, number one, to bring in and train sufficient new workers to our existing facilities so that we can capitalize on the 10 to 15% increase in the capacity by adding machinery and adding people. And then on the second project of expanding our facility in Al Hasa, which is in the desert, and we're in cooperation with the the Jordanian government, the the Ministry of Labor, and the the Royal Court, and they're supporting us. And this is the the the investment on this expansion is not going to be a lot of money and we could definitely finance it ourselves, but it will give us more capacity and also creating more employment opportunity for the local people in El Hasa. So this one and our internal expansion should keep us busy for this current fiscal year. And then we'll look at the situation and then decide on when and how to expand on our piece of land, which is to build additional factory, dormitory, warehouses.

Speaker 4

So right now, we're we're actually studying the the design, studying the the architect architecture, and because that that will take some time to to really decide on how to move forward.

Speaker 5

Got it. Thank you. Thank you for that detailed answer.

Speaker 4

Thank

Operator

you. The next question will be from Mark Argento from Lake Street. Mark, your line is live.

Speaker 6

Excuse me. Good morning, guys. Just drill down a little bit on some of the incremental order activity. I know you talked about the Hansel relationship last quarter. Could you just maybe drill down a little bit further there?

Speaker 6

And how quickly could that scale up to be something meaningful?

Speaker 4

Eric, do you want to answer this one?

Speaker 3

Yes. Okay. For the past six months, we have numerous contact with Hansel, which is one of the leading apparels in Korea. So after several rounds of negotiation, we have successfully obtained two orders from Hanseo. One is from the Sam's Clubs order, okay, which we are now producing as a trial order, okay.

Speaker 3

And the quantity is around 150,000 pieces. And the other big order, which we already secure, okay, is another order of 3,200,000 pieces, which we are going to start this week. So currently, okay, we are very optimistic, okay, about our cooperation with Hansel. And Hansel also, okay, send the team here in Jordan since two weeks ago to watching our production, daily production every day. And another team of leaders from Hansel is coming this weekend, okay, to have a further discussion with us, okay, for how we are going to cooperate together in 2026.

Speaker 3

Okay. So we are very optimistic in the expansion of business with Hansel.

Speaker 6

Yes, that's helpful. I mean, it seems like those are pretty chunky orders. I mean, if things go well, could you and the relationship progresses, the opportunity to expand and add some capacity, would think that would make a ton of sense. Are you guys being just conservative in the expansion plans right now? Or do you see you can change gears pretty quickly and add the capacity and really jumpstart growth?

Speaker 2

Well, I'm Sam Choi. Maybe I'll answer this question. In fact, one of our biggest customer, they told us they will have a five year expansion plan for the top line, and they will play a strong emphasis in sourcing from Jordan. So I mean, to cope with this larger customer expansion plan, we will, in line with them, to expand our capacity. But the solid plan, I mean, we will wait until the plan of our major customer, how to cope with them on a yearly basis to meet their five year expansion plan.

Speaker 2

So that will be one of our three to five year expansion plan. I do believe maybe within two to three months, we will formulate three to five year expansion plan. Yes, then we'll tell all of you or the public about our expansion plan, yes.

Speaker 6

Great. It seems with all the tariffs and everything else going on and some of the relationships you guys have, the opportunity to expand that capacity has probably been a long time. I know you guys are conservative obviously, but I just wanted to get your thoughts on that. So we'll look for more information going forward. In terms of, I know you talked about the tax rate, you're working through that.

Speaker 6

You know, forward, what are some options for you guys in terms of trying to make that a little bit more consistent?

Speaker 4

Well, think the effective tax rate in last year and also the first quarter of this year has been high, mainly because we make money. We have profits in our operating entities in Jordan and also in our Hong Kong entity. So we have to pay local taxes, but we don't have any income in our US corporations. And we cannot take advantage of the expenses that we have being a US company. So we and you know about the all the duty tax and subpar f tax.

Speaker 4

So that's making us kind of difficult because of our structure. So we're we're talking with tax experts, especially international tax experts, to see if there are ways that we can kind of find the best way to organize our company structure and our tax structure so that we don't unnecessarily pay more tax that we that we are supposed to. But as the earnings of the consolidated company, as the earnings improve, I think the effective tax rate will go down.

Speaker 6

Got it. Okay. Just one last one. I know, I think in the prepared remarks you guys said you're booked up through February, and then you're going to be adding additional capacity or that additional capacity, 15% is coming online starting next quarter. I'm assuming that additional 15% is all booked up as well when you made that comment?

Speaker 4

Yes. We have we have included the the increasing capacity because it is gradually improving every month, gradually increasing every month starting from from the June as we bring in additional workers. We don't we don't expect the the Elhasa expansion will come online before the end of this fiscal year, But the increasing capacity in our Amman facilities, we are projecting the gradual increase while we bring in workers and train them. So those are within the consideration of how we ramp up and as we make the comment of all the facility, all the all the factories are fully booked.

Speaker 6

So so so at a fifth additional 15%, that kinda feathers in over a couple quarters. It's it's not just one big stair step up 15%?

Speaker 4

That's correct.

Operator

The next question is coming from Igor Novgorodsev from Lares Capital. Igor, your line is live.

Speaker 7

Hello and thank you for saying my last name

Operator

correctly. So I have

Speaker 7

a few questions. Let's get started with the currency. So my understanding is that Jordanian currency is back to U. S. Dollar and dollar has weakened significantly this year.

Speaker 7

Could you just tell me, did it have any impact on your expenses, your salaries, your SG and A and how that plays out? And I'm talking about both the European delivery to your European clients and American clients. How does currency come into play?

Speaker 4

We I believe all our all our invoicing or billings are in US dollars. And US dollar and and the Jordanian dollars, yeah, they are they're closely related. They're paid. So in Jordan, we will pay in JOD, Jordanian dollars. So even if even if j the US dollar, whether it appreciates or depreciates, the impact to us is relatively minor.

Speaker 7

Well, would it not help to sell more to Europe since they're you're obviously appreciated and you're relatively but your salary would stay in dollars and expenses?

Speaker 4

Will it help us to sell more to Europe?

Speaker 7

Right.

Speaker 4

I think I think we are already increasing our sales to Europe quite significantly as we have our Timberland sales to to EU and also acquiring new and luxurious brands, like, in Italy and Hugo Boss in Germany. So I think we are gradually increasing our presence in Europe. And but that has nothing to do with whether the currency fluctuation or not.

Speaker 7

Okay. My other question is a little bit more clarification on tariffs, and I know that everybody is confused. And while the situation seems to have stabilized in August, we don't know if it's the final, could you just give a little bit of a more detailed breakdown of your overall tariff rate on apparel vis a vis other big apparel manufacturing countries such as Bangladesh, Indonesia and so on? Because I understand that you have Jordan has 15% tariff. They have like 19%, 20%.

Speaker 7

I think Vietnam 25%. But they also pay other tariff on textiles. So what's the overall rate of your tariff, which is at 15% versus their tariff?

Speaker 4

Well, we know that our is 15% currently, but the Jordanian government is still in negotiation with the US government to try to lower that. I think our target is to get it back down to 10% or maybe even more. Comparing to other countries, countries in Southeast Asia or China, we are significantly lower or in an advantage with them. And I think because of US and Jordan, we have a long time free trade agreement and the relationship between US and Jordan are very steady and stable. So brands, global brands and retailers, their strategy is to try to stay away from the forever changing situation in Asia and get to somewhere like Jordan, that it is more stable, that it is more favorable.

Speaker 4

We also to compare our situation with Egypt, which currently, they have a 10% tariff. However, our goal is to get back down to 10% so that we are we are competitive with Egypt. However, Egypt, as everybody knows, is a much more difficult country to work with. Right. Their quality, their efficiency, work ethics.

Speaker 4

So customers with much more prefer to work with Jordan than to work with Egypt if our tariff rates are comparable.

Speaker 7

Thank you so much.

Speaker 3

Allow me say a few words. Currently, okay, even though the tariff for Jordan is 15%, but compared to our main competitors, we are still very, very competitive. I would like to quote some examples. Our main competitors like Bangladesh, the tariff is 20%, India is 50%, Cambodia is 19%, and then Pakistan is 19%, and Taiwan is 20%, Thailand 90%, and Vietnam is 20%. Okay, these are the rate of the tariff from all our so called competitors.

Speaker 3

So compared with that, Jordan is still very, very competitive.

Speaker 2

So maybe I say a few words again. In fact, I mean, this now what we call this additional reciprocal tariff and for our product because I mean, for the cotton product from those exporting countries in Asia, they have to pay 16% to 18% when they export to U. S. A. And for polyester garment, they have to pay over 30% duty.

Speaker 2

But whereas because Jordan enjoys the duty free, we don't need to pay any duty. What the reciprocal tariff mean is in addition to the polyester garment 30%, for example, I mean, wetland, they have to pay 30% plus 20%. That means 50% import duty to The U. S. Whereas for Jordan, we only need to pay 15% because we enjoy the duty free privilege since two thousand years.

Speaker 2

So it will be a big difference in terms of real tariffs in addition to the reciprocal tariff. I don't know whether it's clear to

Speaker 7

you Oh, or yes. Perfect. Yes. This is exactly information I was looking for because I want to see the overall effective tariff. So if anything, it seems to be the situation as it stands right now since April actually got a little bit more favorable for you because now you also have a differentiation on the reciprocal tariff vis a vis your competing countries, which is like 4%, 5% higher in addition to what it was even before.

Speaker 2

You are correct.

Speaker 7

Yes. Excellent. My final question is about Busana. So I know that you have a joint venture. It's just been a little bit quiet lately.

Speaker 7

If you can just tell me if this is ongoing, if it's ramping up or it's steady. How's it doing?

Speaker 2

In our last announcement, we terminate joint venture.

Speaker 7

Okay. I'm sorry, if I missed it.

Speaker 2

Yes. Because most of the customer, we can directly deal with. Yes.

Speaker 7

Okay. But you still have those customers, you just don't need to do it through the joint venture?

Speaker 2

You're right, yes.

Speaker 7

Okay. Okay. I don't have any more questions. Thank you very much for your detailed answers.

Speaker 2

Thank you. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. The next question is coming from Mike Distler from ANNEX. Mike, your line is live.

Speaker 8

Thank you. Good afternoon, good morning gentlemen. Sam, Gilbert, Eric, thank you once again. I'll be very fast. Congratulations on navigating a very difficult period.

Speaker 8

We always appreciate the level of transparency you have with your investors and shareholders and your continued return of capital, all of that. The essence of my thing basically Mike, Mark and Igor got to the essence of my questions. The one thing I just was pointing out for you, Gilbert, particular, regarding the global taxes and having been a four decade veteran in textiles and global textiles, the strategic allocation of the sourcing of your raw materials And then the intercompany transfers is where you should direct the folks, the accounting folks that you are dealing with. Because that is where I believe you will find, you will uncover things that are completely legitimate, that will allow you to allow the company, all of us, to save, some funds in those, allocations for taxes. And that's it.

Speaker 8

I just I want to say thank you guys for killing it. And that's all. I just wanted to point that out to you. Okay, Gilbert. Thanks, Sam.

Speaker 8

Thank you, Eric. Yes. We appreciate everything you do. All right.

Speaker 5

Okay. Be well.

Speaker 4

Can talk offline and maybe I could ask you from your experience in terms of more strategically allocating our raw material? Because we we besides looking at our international tax structure, we are also doing a intercompany transfer pricing study with some experts. So if you could

Speaker 8

I have your number, Gilbert. Yeah, I have your number. Okay. Will do. That's all.

Speaker 8

I just wanted to tell you guys that you're really delivering on everything you've ever promised. And it's really exceptional to listen to the quality of your calls. Thank you.

Speaker 2

Okay. I'll Thank you, speak to you, Gilbert. Take care.

Operator

Thank you. This does conclude today's Q and A session. I will now hand the call back to Sam Choi for closing remarks.

Speaker 2

Okay. Thank you very much, operator. Thanks to all of you for joining us today. We are certainly in interesting times, definitely going in the right direction. We appreciate your continued support and interest in Juresh, and we look forward to speaking with you next quarter.

Speaker 2

Thank you very much. Thank you. Thanks.

Speaker 4

Thank you, everyone. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. This does conclude You today's may disconnect your lines at Thank this you for your participation.

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