EX-99.1 6 lifeway_ex9901.htm PRESS RELEASE

Exhibit 99.1

 

Lifeway Foods, Inc. Announces Results for the Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2021

 

Delivers net sales of $29.6 million, an impressive 13.5% increase and the eighth consecutive quarter of year-over-year net sales growth

 

Remains confident around ability to manage supply chain, issuing triple the lead time to vendors

 

Successfully completed the acquisition of certain assets of GlenOaks Farms

 

Morton Grove, IL — November 15, 2021— Lifeway Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: LWAY) (“Lifeway” or “the Company”), the leading U.S. supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products to support the microbiome, today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021.

 

“I am thrilled to report yet another consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth for Lifeway Foods, as the third quarter was highlighted by a strong 13.5% increase in net sales when compared to the same period in 2020, and a 15.2% increase for the first nine months of 2021,” commented Julie Smolyansky, Lifeway’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “This quarter we furthered our dedicated customer acquisition strategies with increased investments in our marketing and advertising programs, which continue to contribute to increased customer engagement and enhanced brand performance. Our elevated marketing alongside our improving execution of the Lifeway 2.0 strategy and the growing consumer trend towards gut health should help sustain Lifeway’s growth as we move forward. We continue to feel excited and validated by the ongoing research around probiotics and their influence on gut health, mental health and immunity, all of which are especially important with the impact of Covid-19. We are looking forward to finishing off strong in 2021, and entering 2022 with momentum through the continued efficient execution of our growth strategies.”

 

Smolyansky added, “Separate from our current brand performance, I would also like to highlight some recent business events that we are very excited about. On August 18, we completed the acquisition of certain assets of GlenOaks Farms, our first expansion outside of kefir and into drinkable yogurt. GlenOaks has strong distribution in Western U.S. retailers, which is strategically significant as we are looking to further our presence in the region, and also a great complement to our portfolio as Freshmade has a strong eastern presence, alongside the national presence of Lifeway. Initial results have been encouraging, and we are looking forward to further integrating GlenOaks into our strategy and expanding its reach. Lastly, we announced the introduction of Lifeway Oat, our probiotic cultured oat drinkables, a great-tasting dairy-free, plant-based beverage in a variety of flavors which connects several of the fastest growing industry trends today. We are bullish on the potential of this product and have already secured national distribution at four major retail partners with shipments beginning to our first customer in the fourth quarter of 2021.”

 

Smolyansky continued, “We also have strong distribution trends for our core kefir line, which is seeing new distribution on multiple SKUs at top retailers in the coming months and into 2022. A major strength for Lifeway right now is our supply chain control. We do not foresee any shortages, and we have already prepared extra inventory for the anticipated holiday surge. We are issuing three times the lead time when ordering raw materials and have taken the necessary steps to meet demand, similar to our advanced action plan protocols that helped us successfully navigate the Covid-19 pandemic health regulations and product stockpiles.”

 

Third Quarter 2021 Results

 

Net sales were $29.6 million for the third quarter, an increase of $3.5 million or 13.5% from the same period in 2020. The net sales increase was primarily driven by higher volumes of our branded drinkable kefir, and to a lesser extent the favorable impacts from the completed acquisition of GlenOaks Farms in the third quarter.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 23.7% for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021.

 

Selling expenses increased $0.6 million to $2.7 million for the third quarter from $2.1 million in the third quarter of 2020. The increase was due to increased investment in advertising and marketing programs.

 

General and administrative expenses increased $0.4 million to $3.2 million for the third quarter of 2021 from $2.8 million during the same period in 2020. The increase is primarily a result of incentive compensation expense.

 

Income tax expense was $0.5 million for the third quarter of 2021, compared to $0.8 million during the same period in 2020.

 

The Company reported net income of $0.5 million or $0.03 per basic and diluted common share for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021.

 

 

 

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Conference Call and Webcast

A pre-recorded conference call and webcast with Julie Smolyansky discussing these results with additional comments and details will be available today at approximately 9:00 a.m. ET. The webcast will be available over the Internet through the “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s website at https://lifewaykefir.com/webinars-reports/. An audio replay will be available through November 29, 2021. North American listeners may dial 844-512-2921 and international listeners may dial 412-317-6671. The passcode is 11147523.

 

About Lifeway Foods, Inc.

Lifeway Foods, Inc., which has been recognized as one of Forbes' Best Small Companies, is America's leading supplier of the probiotic, fermented beverage known as kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable kefir, the company also produces cheese and a ProBugs line for kids. Lifeway's tart and tangy fermented dairy products are now sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland, France and the United Kingdom. Learn how Lifeway is good for more than just you at lifewayfoods.com.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This release (and oral statements made regarding the subjects of this release) contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, future operating and financial performance, product development, market position, business strategy and objectives. These statements use words, and variations of words, such as “continue,” “build,” “future,” “increase,” “drive,” “believe,” “look,” “ahead,” “confident,” “deliver,” “outlook,” “expect,” and “predict.” Other examples of forward looking statements may include, but are not limited to, (i) statements of Company plans and objectives, including the introduction of new products, or estimates or predictions of actions by customers or suppliers, (ii) statements of future economic performance, and (III) statements of assumptions underlying other statements and statements about Lifeway or its business. You are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events and thus are inherently subject to uncertainty. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from Lifeway’s expectations and projections. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include: price competition; the decisions of customers or consumers; the actions of competitors; changes in the pricing of commodities; the effects of government regulation; possible delays in the introduction of new products; and customer acceptance of products and services. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties, and other factors can be found in Lifeway’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and the Company’s subsequent filings with the SEC. Copies of these filings are available online at https://www.sec.gov, http://lifewaykefir.com/investor-relations/, or on request from Lifeway. Information in this release is as of the dates and time periods indicated herein, and Lifeway does not undertake to update any of the information contained in these materials, except as required by law. Accordingly, YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THE ACCURACY OF ANY OF THE STATEMENTS OR OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED IN ANY ARCHIVED PRESS RELEASE.

Contact:

 

Lifeway Foods, Inc.

Phone: 847-967-1010

Email: info@lifeway.net

 

 

 

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LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020

(In thousands)

 

   September 30,     
   2021   December 31, 
   Unaudited   2020 
Current assets          
Cash and cash equivalents  $10,018   $7,926 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and discounts & allowances of $1,290 and $1,350 at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 respectively   9,828    8,002 
Inventories, net   7,572    6,930 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   1,315    1,163 
Refundable income taxes   415    31 
Total current assets   29,148    24,052 
           
Property, plant and equipment, net   20,546    21,048 
Operating lease right-of-use asset   255    345 
           
Intangible assets          
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles   14,224    12,824 
Other intangible assets, net   4,367     
Total intangible assets   18,591    12,824 
           
Other assets   1,800    1,800 
Total assets  $70,340   $60,069 
           
Current liabilities          
Current portion of note payable  $1,000   $ 
Accounts payable   7,867    5,592 
Accrued expenses   3,872    2,196 
Accrued income taxes   100    653 
Total current liabilities   12,839    8,441 
Line of credit   2,777    2,768 
Note payable   3,726     
Operating lease liabilities   113    165 
Deferred income taxes, net   1,764    1,764 
Other long-term liabilities   62    77 
Total liabilities   21,281    13,215 
           
Commitments and contingencies        
           
Stockholders' equity          
Preferred stock, no par value; 2,500 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020        
Common stock, no par value; 40,000 shares authorized; 17,274 shares issued; 15,435 and 15,604 outstanding at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively   6,509    6,509 
Paid-in capital   2,387    2,600 
Treasury stock, at cost   (13,436)   (12,450)
Retained earnings   53,599    50,195 
Total stockholders' equity   49,059    46,854 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $70,340   $60,069 

 

 

 

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LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

                 
  

Three Months Ended

September 30,

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
   2021   2020   2021   2020 
                 
Net sales  $29,553   $26,039   $88,091   $76,441 
                     
Cost of goods sold   21,915    17,710    63,273    53,613 
Depreciation expense   645    752    2,099    2,326 
Total cost of goods sold   22,560    18,462    65,372    55,939 
                     
Gross profit   6,993    7,577    22,719    20,502 
                     
Selling expenses   2,722    2,116    8,510    7,411 
General and administrative   3,194    2,805    8,702    8,681 
Amortization expense   33    39    33    117 
Total operating expenses   5,949    4,960    17,245    16,209 
                     
Income from operations   1,044    2,617    5,474    4,293 
                     
Other income (expense):                    
Interest expense   (30)   (27)   (72)   (96)
Gain on investments           2    4 
Loss on sale of property and equipment   (5)       (88)   (28)
Other (expense) income, net   (2)       (61)   2 
Total other income (expense)   (37)   (27)   (219)   (118)
                     
Income before provision for income taxes   1,007    2,590    5,255    4,175 
                     
Provision for income taxes   527    764    1,851    1,223 
                     
Net income  $480   $1,826   $3,404   $2,952 
                     
Earnings (loss) per common share:                    
Basic  $0.03   $0.12   $0.22   $0.19 
Diluted  $0.03   $0.12   $0.22   $0.19 
                     
Weighted average common shares:                    
Basic   15,473    15,602    15,572    15,595 
Diluted   15,651    15,642    15,712    15,621 

 

 

 

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LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

 

         
   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
   2021   2020 
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net income  $3,404   $2,952 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to operating cash flow:          
Depreciation and amortization   2,132    2,443 
Non-cash interest expense   9    17 
Non-cash rent expense   1    (38)
Bad debt expense   6    (3)
Deferred revenue   (23)   (73)
Stock-based compensation   608    274 
Deferred income taxes       369 
Loss (gain) on sale of property and equipment   88    28 
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:          
Accounts receivable   (1,832)   (1,464)
Inventories   (642)   (80)
Refundable income taxes   (384)   492 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   (152)   248 
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:          
Accounts payable   2,275    756 
Accrued expenses   1,498    (595)
Accrued income taxes   (553)   22 
Net cash provided by operating activities   6,435    5,348 
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Purchases of property and equipment   (1,685)   (1,168)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment       5 
Acquisition, net of cash acquired   (5,800)    
Net cash used in investing activities   (7,485)   (1,163)
           
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Purchase of treasury stock   (1,583)   (405)
Payment of deferred financing cost   (25)    
Proceeds from note payable   5,000     
Repayment of note payable   (250)    
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   3,142    (405)
           
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   2,092    3,780 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period   7,926    3,836 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period  $10,018   $7,616 
           
Supplemental cash flow information:          
Cash paid for income taxes, net of (refunds)  $2,788   $335 
Cash paid for interest  $60   $82 
           
Non-cash investing activities          
Increase (decrease) in right-of-use assets and operating lease obligations  $45   $(58)
           
Non-cash financing activities          
Issuance of common stock under equity incentive plans  $   $522 

 

 

 

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