Strong Premium Beverage Alcohol Net Sales Growth of 16%
ATCHISON, Kan., November 2, 2017 - MGP Ingredients, Inc. (Nasdaq/MGPI), a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches, today reported results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017.
2017 results compared to 2016
- Third quarter consolidated net sales increased 8.1% to $86.3 million, as a result of growth in premium beverage alcohol and specialty ingredients.
- Third quarter consolidated gross profit increased 23.2% to $18.6 million, reflecting stronger gross profit results in the Distillery Products segment.
- Consolidated gross margin increased 270 basis points to 21.6% for the third quarter, reflecting a 430 basis point improvement in the Distillery Products segment.
- Third quarter operating income declined 9.1% to $10.5 million, as a result of a decrease in other operating income recorded in the prior year quarter.
- Equity method investment gain of $11.4 million reflects the pre-tax impact of the sale of the Company’s interest in Illinois Corn Processing, LLC ("ICP") during the third quarter.
- Net income increased 48.3% to $14.1 million for the third quarter.
- Third quarter earnings per share, calculated on the two-tier method, increased to $0.82 per share from $0.55 per share in the prior year period, primarily due to the net gain on the sale of ICP and improved operating performance.
"We are very pleased with the quarter, as we continue to make progress against our long-term strategic goals," said Gus Griffin, president and CEO of MGP Ingredients. "Year to date, our operating income growth rate, excluding items in other operating income recorded in the third quarter of 2016, is at the high end of our guidance."
Distillery Products Segment - Premium Beverage Alcohol Growth of 16% Drives Strong Segment Results
For the third quarter of 2017, net sales for the Distillery Products segment increased 8.5% to $72.3 million, driven by a 16.1% increase in net sales of premium beverage alcohol. Gross profit improved to $16.5 million, or 22.8% of net segment sales, compared with $12.4 million, or 18.5% of net segment sales in the third quarter 2016.
Griffin said, "We continued to see strong demand for our premium beverage alcohol products this quarter, supported by our ability to build strong partnerships with existing customers as well as attract new customers. The continued strong growth of our premium beverage alcohol business, and the resulting favorable mix shift, more than offset the continued soft pricing for our DDG ("Dried Distillers Grain") co-product, and delivered both revenue and margin growth."
Food Grade Alcohol
Net Sales Quarter Ended September 30,
Quarter vs. Quarter Net Sales Change Increase/(Decrease)
2017
2016
$ Change
% Change
Premium Beverage Alcohol
$
43,941
$
37,843
$
6,098
16.1%
Industrial Alcohol
19,310
19,114
196
1.0%
Food Grade Alcohol
$
63,251
$
56,957
$
6,294
11.1%
Ingredient Solutions - Specialty Wheat Proteins Grow 18%
For the 2017 third quarter, net sales in the Ingredient Solutions segment increased 5.8% to $14.0 million. Gross profit decreased to $2.1 million, or 15.2% of net segment sales, compared with $2.8 million, or 20.8% of net segment sales in the third quarter 2016.
Griffin said, "We are particularly pleased with the progress and growth of our TruTex textured wheat protein business. The gains in our specialty wheat protein business were offset primarily by lower plant efficiencies, which we believe are temporary in nature."
Other
Corporate selling, general and administrative expenses were $8.2 million for the third quarter 2017 compared to $7.0 million in the third quarter 2016, primarily due to an increase in personnel costs, professional fees, and advertising and promotion, primarily to support the brands initiative.
MGP’s gain on the sale of the equity method investment of $11.4 million reflects the pre-tax impact of the previously announced sale of the equity investment in ICP.
The corporate effective tax rate for the quarter was 34.6% compared with 19.5% a year ago. In the 2016 third quarter, the Company realized a gain from the adoption of an accounting standard (ASU 2016-09) that provided a tax benefit related to accounting for share-based compensation.
Earnings per share grew to $0.82 for the third quarter 2017, compared with $0.55 for the third quarter 2016, reflecting the sale of ICP of $0.44, as well as continued improved performance from operations, offset by the impact of a higher tax rate.
2017 and Long Term Guidance
MGP is offering the following guidance for fiscal 2017 and beyond.
- Reconfirming previous guidance, operating income is expected to grow between 10% and 15% annually from 2016 through 2018. This guidance excludes the gain from the sale of equity interest in ICP and the gain from a favorable litigation settlement and asset sale gain recorded in the third quarter of 2016.
- Recognizing the difficulty of projecting three years in the future, our conservative estimate of growth in operating income in 2019 is 15% to 20% as sales of aged whiskey inventory becomes a more significant factor.
- Moderate growth is expected in net sales in 2017, subject to some volatility as the Company continues to shift sales from industrial to premium beverage alcohol.
- 2017 gross margins are expected to continue to grow versus 2016.
- 2017 effective tax rate is forecast to be 29%, and shares outstanding are expected to be approximately 16.8 million at year end.
Conclusion
"Year to date, our results underscore the significant opportunities afforded by our long term strategy,” Griffin added. “The divestiture of ICP, as reflected in our results this quarter, allows us to further sharpen our focus on our key growth platforms. We continue to make progress against that strategy by expanding our premium beverage alcohol product offerings, capabilities and sales coverage. At the same time, we continue to invest in building our inventory of aged whiskey, and remain well positioned to meet our partners' needs and support the growth of the category. The value of that inventory, at cost, now totals $58.6 million.”
“Finally, while still very early, we continue to be pleased with the progress of our brands initiative, as we focus on developing both our organization and brand portfolio. As recently announced, we will ship our limited edition Remus Repeal Reserve later this month,” Griffin concluded.
About MGP Ingredients, Inc.
MGP is a leading producer and supplier of premium distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches. Distilled spirits include premium 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. For more information, visit mgpingredients.com.
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, included in this news release regarding the prospects of our industry and our prospects, plans, financial position, business strategy, guidance on growth in operating income, net sales, gross margin, and future effective tax rate 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 or our Indiana 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 ability to effectively pass raw material price increases on to customers, (viii) our ability to maintain compliance with all applicable loan agreement covenants, (ix) our ability to realize operating efficiencies, (x) actions of governments, and (xi) 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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.