Full year consolidated sales increased 58.5% from prior year period

Full year operating income increased 133.0%

ATCHISON, Kan., Feb. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MGP Ingredients, Inc. (Nasdaq:MGPI), a leading provider of distilled spirits, branded spirits and specialty food ingredients, today reported results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021.

2021 fourth quarter consolidated results compared to 2020 fourth quarter

• Sales increased 65.3% to $166.8 million, as a result of sales growth in each of the reporting segments.
• Gross profit increased 66.3% to $52.8 million, representing 31.6% of consolidated sales.
• Operating income increased 191.6% to $45.3 million; adjusted operating income increased 70.5% to $29.0 million.
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 67.5% to $34.5 million.
• Fully diluted earnings per share ("EPS") increased to $1.40 per share from $0.69 per share; fully diluted adjusted EPS increased to $0.87 per share from $0.75 per share.

2021 full year consolidated results compared to 2020 full year

• Sales increased 58.5% to $626.7 million, due to strong growth in each of the reporting segments.
• Gross profit increased 101.4% to a record $199.0 million, representing 31.7% of consolidated sales, due to strong growth in each of the reporting segments.
• Adjusted gross profit increased 103.9% to a record $201.5 million, representing 32.2% of consolidated sales.
• Operating income increased 133.0% to $126.4 million; adjusted operating income increased 112.8% to $121.5 million.
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 99.4% to $141.0 million.
• Fully diluted EPS increased to $4.34 per share compared to $2.37 per share in 2020; fully diluted adjusted EPS increased to $4.24 per share from $2.51 per share.

“Our record performance this year demonstrated the strength of our business model and the value each of our segments bring to our global customer base and was bolstered by the synergistic effects of the Luxco acquisition,” said David Colo, president and CEO of MGP Ingredients. “New distillate and aged whiskey sales experienced another solid year which drove a 28.4% increase in premium beverage alcohol sales for the year. Specialty ingredients sales posted strong double-digit growth this year, resulting in a 16.1% increase in segment sales, and represents another record year for our Ingredient Solutions segment. Looking ahead to 2022, we will continue to build on our established track record of providing differentiated products and services to our customers. We remain confident in MGP’s ability to deliver sustainable, long-term growth.”

Distillery Products Segment
For the fourth quarter of 2021, Distillery Products segment sales increased 3.3% to $82.5 million, reflecting a 1.8% increase in sales of premium beverage alcohol, primarily due to higher new distillate American Whiskey and white goods sales. Gross profit increased to $26.9 million, or 32.6% of segment sales, compared to $26.0 million, or 32.5% of segment sales in the fourth quarter 2020.

For the full year 2021, Distillery Products segment sales increased 12.5% to $352.5 million, primarily due to higher aged whiskey and new distillate sales. Gross profit increased to $114.1 million, or 32.4% of segment sales, compared to $75.8 million, or 24.2% of segment sales in 2020.

“Strong consumer demand for our American Whiskey products continues to drive meaningful sales for premium beverage alcohol,” said Colo. “Our impressive gross profit results highlight the long-term value of our aging whiskey inventory and is augmented by our ability to create new relationships and develop partnerships with existing customers. We remain focused on being proactive to attract additional aged whiskey and new distillate customers across each customer type.”

Branded Spirits Segment
In the fourth quarter of 2021, sales for the Branded Spirits segment totaled $61.0 million, primarily due to the Luxco acquisition. Gross profit increased to $20.9 million, or 34.3% of segment sales.

For the full year 2021, Branded Spirits segment sales totaled $183.6 million. Gross profit increased to $62.6 million, or 34.1% of segment sales. Excluding the non-recurring impact of a purchase accounting adjustment related to the Luxco acquisition, gross margin totaled 35.5% for the year.

“Our strong Branded Spirits segment results for the quarter and year continued to benefit from the accelerated Luxco integration efforts by the organization,” commented Colo. “Growth in our American Whiskey and Tequila offerings contributed to the solid results for the quarter and year. We believe consumer demand for our expansive family of brands and spirits will continue to position us well for incremental growth.”

Ingredient Solutions Segment
For the fourth quarter of 2021, Ingredient Solutions segment sales increased 15.2% to $23.4 million. Gross profit totaled to $5.0 million, representing 21.2% of segment sales, compared to $5.3 million, or 26.3% of segment sales in the fourth quarter 2020.

For the full year 2021, Ingredient Solutions segment sales increased 16.1% to $90.7 million, driven by higher sales of specialty wheat starches and specialty wheat proteins. Gross profit increased to $22.2 million, or 24.5% of segment sales, compared to $20.8 million, or 26.7% of segment sales in the prior year period.

"Ingredient Solutions again finished the year with great momentum, as our specialty wheat starches and proteins business lines contributed to another strong quarter," Colo continued. "We remain pleased with our diverse customer base and ability to further optimize the product mix and channels to drive additional profitability."

Other
MGP experienced a fire at the Atchison facility during the fourth quarter 2020. During the quarter, the Company received a final settlement from its insurance carrier, $16.3 million of which was for the damaged dryer. The Company has completed construction of a replacement drying system, which became operational during the fourth quarter of 2021.

Corporate selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses for the fourth quarter 2021, inclusive of advertising and promotion expenses, increased to $23.8 million, primarily driven by the assumption of Luxco SG&A expenses, which were partially offset by lower incentive compensation expenses. For the full year 2021, corporate SG&A expenses, inclusive of advertising and promotion expenses, increased to $88.9 million due to the assumption of Luxco expenses and one-time acquisition related costs.

The corporate effective tax rate for the fourth quarter 2021 was 26.8% compared with 23.7% a year ago. The corporate effective tax rate for the full year 2021 was 25.0% compared with 23.3% in 2020.

Fully diluted EPS increased to $1.40 for the fourth quarter 2021, compared to $0.69 for the fourth quarter 2020. Fourth quarter 2021 fully diluted adjusted EPS increased to $0.87 per share from $0.75 per share, as compared to the prior year period. For the full year 2021, fully diluted EPS increased to $4.34, compared to $2.37 for the prior year period. Fully diluted adjusted EPS for the full year 2021 increased to $4.24 per share from $2.51 per share, as compared to the prior year period.

2022 Outlook
MGP is offering the following increased consolidated guidance for fiscal 2022:

• Sales are projected to be in the range of $690 million to $715 million.
• Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $150 million to $157 million.
• Basic adjusted earnings per share are forecasted to be in the $4.15 to $4.35 range, with basic weighted average shares outstanding expected to be approximately 22.0 million at year end.
• Fully diluted adjusted earnings per share are forecasted to be in the $3.95 to $4.10 range, with fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding expected to be approximately 24.1 million at year end.

Conclusion
"We are very pleased with the momentum we ended the fiscal year on and believe we are well positioned to execute and deliver against our long-term growth strategy in fiscal 2022," Colo continued. “As a result of the continued demand we have been experiencing in each of our three business segments, we recently announced expansionary projects totaling approximately $33 million over the next two years. We are committed to leveraging the strong foundation we’ve established over the years to position MGP for sustainable long-term growth,” concluded Colo.

Conference Call and Webcast Information
MGP Ingredients will host a conference call for analysts and institutional investors at 10 a.m. ET today to discuss these results and current business trends. The conference call and webcast will be available via:

Webcast: ir.mgpingredients.com on the Events & Presentations page
Conference Call: 844-308-6398 (domestic) or 412-717-9605 (international)

About MGP Ingredients, Inc.
MGP Ingredients, Inc. (Nasdaq: MGPI) is a leading producer of premium distilled spirits, branded spirits, and food ingredient solutions. Since 1941, we have combined our expertise and energy aimed at formulating excellence, bringing product ideas to life collaboratively with our customers.

As one of the largest distillers in the U.S., MGP’s offerings include bourbon and rye whiskeys, gins, and vodkas, which are created at the intersection of science and imagination, for customers of all sizes, from crafts to multinational brands. With U.S. distilleries in Kentucky, Indiana, Kansas, and Washington D.C., and bottling operations in Missouri, Ohio, and Northern Ireland, MGP has the infrastructure and expertise to create on any scale.

MGP’s branded spirits portfolio covers a wide spectrum of brands in every segment, including iconic brands from Luxco, which was founded in 1958 by the Lux Family. Luxco is a leading producer, supplier, importer and bottler of beverage alcohol products. Our branded spirits mission is to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of consumers, associates and business partners. Luxco’s award-winning spirits portfolio includes well-known brands from five distilleries: Bardstown, Kentucky-based Lux Row Distillers, home of Ezra Brooks, Rebel, Blood Oath, David Nicholson and Daviess County; Lebanon, Kentucky-based Limestone Branch Distillery, maker of Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey and Bowling & Burch Gin; Jalisco, Mexico-based Destiladora González Lux, producer of 100% agave tequilas, El Mayor, Exotico and Dos Primos; MGP’s historic distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where the George Remus Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Rossville Union Straight Rye Whiskey are produced; and the Washington, D.C.-based Green Hat Distillery, producer of the Green Hat family of gins. The innovative and high-quality brand portfolio also includes Everclear Grain Alcohol, Pearl Vodka, Saint Brendan’s Irish Cream, The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey and other well-recognized brands.

In addition, our Ingredient Solutions segment offers specialty proteins and starches that help customers harness the power of plants and provide a host of functional, nutritional and sensory benefits for a wide range of food products.

The transformation of American grain into something more is in the soul of our people, products, and history. We’re devoted to unlocking the creative potential of this extraordinary resource. For more information, visit mgpingredients.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements about the expected effects on MGP Ingredients, Inc. ("the Company") of the recent acquisition of Luxco, Inc. and its affiliates ("Luxco"), anticipated earnings enhancements, synergies and other strategic options. 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.

These forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, Company performance, and Company financial results and financial condition 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 statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, among others: (i) the satisfaction of the conditions to closing the transaction to acquire Luxco in the anticipated timeframe or at all; (ii) the failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals related to the acquisition of Luxco; (iii) the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of Luxco; (iv) the ability to successfully integrate the businesses; (v) disruption from the acquisition of Luxco making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; (vi) significant transaction costs and unknown liabilities;(vii) litigation or regulatory actions related to the proposed acquisition of Luxco, and (viii) the financing of the acquisition of Luxco. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially include, among others, (i) disruptions in operations at our Atchison facility, our Indiana facility, or any Luxco facility, (ii) the availability and cost of grain and flour, and fluctuations in energy costs, (iii) the effectiveness of our grain purchasing program to mitigate our exposure to commodity price fluctuations, (iv) the effectiveness or execution of our strategic plan, (v) potential adverse effects to operations and our system of internal controls related to the loss of key management personnel, (vi) the competitive environment and related market conditions, (vii) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, (viii) the ability to effectively pass raw material price increases on to customers, (ix) our ability to maintain compliance with all applicable loan agreement covenants, (x) our ability to realize operating efficiencies, (xi) actions of governments, and (xii) consumer tastes and preferences. For further information on these and other risks and uncertainties that may affect our business, including risks specific to our Distillery Products and Ingredient Solutions segments, see Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to reporting financial information in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the company provides certain non-GAAP financial measures that are not in accordance with, or alternatives for, GAAP. In addition to the comparable GAAP measures, MGP has disclosed adjusted operating income, adjusted income before taxes, adjusted net income, adjusted MGP earnings, basic and diluted adjusted earnings per share, and adjusted EBITDA. The presentation of non-GAAP financial measures should be reviewed in conjunction with operating income, income before taxes, net income, net income attributable to common shareholders and basic and diluted earnings per share computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for these GAAP measures. The non-GAAP adjustments referenced in the section entitled "Reconciliation of Selected GAAP Measures to Adjusted Non-GAAP Measures," take into account the impacts of items that are not necessarily ongoing in nature and/or predictive of the Company's operating trends. We believe that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors regarding the company's performance and overall results of operations. In addition, management uses these non-GAAP measures in conjunction with GAAP measures when evaluating the Company’s operating results compared to prior periods on a consistent basis, assessing financial trends and for forecasting purposes. Non-GAAP financial measures may not provide information that is directly comparable to other companies, even if similar terms are used to identify such measures. The attached schedules provide a full reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.

For More Information
Investors & Analysts:
Mike Houston
646-475-2998 or investor.relations@mgpingredients.com 

Media:
Greg Manis
913-360-5440 or greg.manis@mgpingredients.com