Gross Profit Improves by $7.2 Million

ATCHISON, Kan., March 12, 2015 – MGP Ingredients, Inc. (Nasdaq:MGPI), a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches, today reported results for the full year ended December 31, 2014.

"We are very pleased with our 2014 results, both from a financial standpoint and in setting a solid foundation for our long term growth," said Gus Griffin, president and CEO of MGP. "We have turned the corner and are seeing steady improvement in all areas of our business."

2014 Highlights

• Gross profit increased by $7.2 million to $28.4 million
• Gross margin improved 2.5 points, to 9.0%
• Operating income, as adjusted for certain discretionary items, increased to $8.3 million in 2014 from $266,000 in 2013 (see "Financial Summary and Non-GAAP Measures" at end)
• ICP joint venture contributed $10.1 million to income
• Net income rose to $23.7 million from a loss of $4.9 million in 2013. Net income as adjusted for certain discretionary items increased $15.7 million (see "Financial Summary and Non-GAAP Measures" at end)
• Earnings per share (EPS) rose to $1.32 per share from a loss of 29 cents per share in 2013. EPS as adjusted for certain discretionary items increased by 91 cents per share (see "Financial Summary and Non-GAAP Measures" at end)

Distillery Products Segment -- Gross Profit Rises 56%

For the full year, gross profit for the Distillery Products segment rose to $22.3 million, or 8.7% of net sales, compared with $14.3 million, or 5.4% of net sales in 2013. The primary driver of the improvement in gross profit was a 15.3% increase in volume of food grade alcohol. The gross margin for the overall segment improved 3.3 points, as a result of improved product mix and product pricing declining less than the drop in commodity prices.

Griffin noted, "We are focused on maximizing the value of our production, and this is evidenced by the positive mix shift in food grade alcohol sales towards higher margin vodkas, gins, and whiskeys. This shift lessens the historical correlation between product pricing and input costs, and we expect will offer additional insulation from outside factors such as swings in commodity pricing."

Ingredients Solutions - Softness, but Solid Shift Towards Specialty Products

For the full year, gross profit and gross margin for the Ingredients Solutions segment declined to $6.1 million and 10.7% of net sales, compared with $7.0 million and 11.8% of net sales in 2013.

The segment's strategic focus remains on the production and commercialization of specialty ingredients, which is reflected in the year-over-year increase in specialty products to 82.4% of total segment net sales from 81.2% in 2013. For 2014, volumes of specialty starches rose 7.6% and their share of total segment volume increased 3.4 points to 56.7%. Specialty protein volumes declined 8.9%, however average pricing increased 1.7%.

Griffin added, "The favorable mix shift towards specialty products is further evidence of our focus on maximizing the value of our production. While we are disappointed with the decline in specialty protein sales, we are confident in our plans to realize the long-term potential of this market."

Other Factors

The company's 2014 results include $8.3 million in insurance recoveries for settlement of a claim related to a fire at the company's Indiana facility early in the year that damaged a feed dryer house and caused a temporary loss of production. Replacement is scheduled for completion by the end of 2015. Net out-of-pocket cash for the project after insurance recoveries is expected to be approximately $1.5 million.

Corporate selling, general and administrative expenses were $20.1 million for 2014 compared to $26.2 million in 2013. The decrease was primarily due to a $5.5 million year-over-year decline in costs associated with the 2013 proxy contest.

The company's ICP joint venture, which produces high quality food grade alcohol, chemical intermediates and fuel, generated a significantly improved contribution to MGP's net income in 2014. ICP was able to realize improved margins by taking advantage of the low supply and strong demand for those products, whose pricing is generally tied to fuel alcohol. As a result of ICP's 2014 profit performance, ICP's advisory board made a $4.8 million cash distribution to MGP in late 2014. The company expects that ICP's recent levels of profitability may not be sustained and, as a consequence, that ICP's contributions to future net income may be reduced.

New Strategic Plan

The company's new 5 year strategic plan was announced publicly on February 5 and features 5 key strategies. "First, we intend to maximize the value of our current production volumes," explained Griffin. "In particular, we want to take full advantage of favorable macro trends, such as the growth of the American whiskey category and the high fiber, high protein and non-GMO trends."

"Second, as we focus our production on higher value products, we will work to develop partnerships that support brand creation and long-term growth. In that way, we believe we will be able to realize the full long-term value of our operational capacity, quality and commitment," he added.

The third strategy encompasses investing to support growth. "We expect capital expenditures in 2015 of approximately $13 million, net of 2014 insurance recoveries. These will largely focus on supporting our commitment to the rapidly growing whiskey category, including the working capital needed to increase our stock of aged whiskey inventory, as well as some investments behind improved operational reliability. In addition, as needed to support our plans, we will add staff and capabilities in sales and marketing, as well as research and development," said Griffin.

Griffin noted that the company is well positioned financially. "In late February, we entered into a new five-year, $80 million revolving loan with Wells Fargo Bank and U.S. Bank. We believe this will provide us all the financial resources we should need to support the five-year plan."

Other strategies include continuing disciplined risk management practices, and growing the MGP "brand" with all stakeholders.

Financial Summary and Non-GAAP Measures

We measure our performance using key financial metrics that include values calculated under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), including operating income (loss) and net income (loss). We believe it is important to adjust our key financial measures from time-to-time for certain discretionary items as determined by management. When we make those adjustments, we label the resulting value as "adjusted," and refer readers to the appropriate reconciliations below.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of operating income (loss) to adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations, operating income (loss) having been "adjusted" for certain discretionary items determined by management, including insurance recoveries in 2014 and proxy-related expenses in 2013.

 Year Ended December 31,  Per share - 2014 

(dollars in thousands except for dollars per share)20142013Difference(dollars per share)

Operating income (loss) $ 16,619  $ (5,199) $ 21,818  $ 0.96 

Insurance recoveries(8,290) -- (8,290) (0.48)

Proxy-related expenses -- 5,465 (5,465) -- 

Adjusted operating income $ 8,329  $ 266  $ 8,063  $ 0.48 

Add: Equity method investment earnings (loss)10,137 (204)10,341  0.59 

Less: Interest expense816 1,118 (302) 0.05 

Less: Income tax expense (benefit)2,265 (714)2,979  0.13 

Adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations $ 15,385  $ (342) $ 15,727  $ 0.89 

Adjusted earnings per share $ 0.89  $ (0.02)  

 

About MGP Ingredients, Inc.

MGP is a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches. Distilled spirits include bourbon and rye whiskeys, gins and vodkas, which are carefully crafted through a combination of art and science and backed by over 150 years of experience. The company's proteins and starches are created in the same manner and provide a host of functional, nutritional and sensory benefits for a wide range of food products. MGP additionally is a top producer of high quality industrial alcohol for use in both food and non-food applications. The company is headquartered in Atchison, Kansas, where distilled alcohol products and food ingredients are produced. Premium spirits are also distilled and matured at the company facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements as well as historical information. All statements, other than statements of historical facts regarding the prospects of our industry and our prospects, plans, financial position and business strategy may constitute forward-looking statements.  In addition, forward-looking statements are usually identified by or are associated with such words as "intend," "plan," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "anticipate," "hopeful," "should," "may," "will," "could," "encouraged," "opportunities," "potential" and/or the negatives or variations of these terms or similar terminology. They reflect management's current beliefs and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, Company performance, and Company financial results and are not guarantees of future performance. All such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statement. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, among others: (i) disruptions in operations at our Atchison facility, Indiana facility, or at the Illinois Corn Processing, LLC ("ICP") facility, (ii) the availability and cost of grain, flour and barrels, and fluctuations in energy costs, (iii) the effectiveness of our corn purchasing program to mitigate our exposure to commodity price fluctuations, (iv) the effectiveness or execution of our new five-year strategic plan, (v) the competitive environment and related market conditions, (vi) the ability to effectively pass raw material price increases on to customers, (vii) the positive or adverse impact to our earnings as a result of the high volatility in our equity method investment's, ICP's, operating results, (viii) ICP's access to capital, (ix) our limited influence over the ICP joint venture operating decisions, strategies or financial decisions (including investments, capital spending and distributions), (x) our ability to source product from the ICP joint venture or unaffiliated third parties, (xi) our ability to maintain compliance with all applicable loan agreement covenants, (xii) our ability to realize operating efficiencies, (xiii) actions of governments, (xiv) consumer tastes and preferences, and (xv) the volatility in our earnings resulting from the timing differences between a business interruption and a potential insurance recovery. For further information on these and other risks and uncertainties that may affect our business, see Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K.