MGPI - MGP Ingredients Reports Record Third Quarter 2021 Results

Increases full-year 2021 guidance
Strong execution in each business segment led to record results

ATCHISON, Kan., Nov. 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MGP Ingredients, Inc. (Nasdaq:MGPI), a leading provider of distilled spirits, branded spirits, and food ingredient solutions, today reported results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2021.

2021 third quarter results compared to 2020 third quarter results

• Consolidated sales increased 71.5% to $176.6 million as a result of strong growth in each of the reporting segments.
• Consolidated gross profit increased 146.5% to $57.1 million, due to strong growth in each of the reporting segments.
• Consolidated operating income increased 140.9% to $32.9 million; adjusted operating income increased 142.6% to $33.2 million.
• Earnings per share ("EPS") increased to $1.08 per share from $0.61 per share; adjusted EPS increased to $1.09 per share from $0.61 per share.
• Adjusted EBITDA increased to $38.4 million from $17.1 million, representing a 124.2% increase.
  

“The record consolidated quarterly results reflect the progress our team has made toward executing our long-term strategic plan,” said David Colo, president and CEO of MGP Ingredients. “Sales of premium beverage alcohol increased 32.5%, primarily driven by brown goods sales growth of 33.4% from last year, which was due to both higher aged whiskey and new distillate sales. Our Ingredient Solutions business also maintained its positive trajectory, growing sales by 12.5% from the prior year period, as it continues to align with favorable consumer trends.

“Integration of our recently completed acquisition of Luxco remains on track, including achievement of the synergy expectations we shared earlier in the year,” continued Colo.   “As evidenced in our recent results, this additional platform is improving our gross profit and cash flow generation profile, and provides long term growth opportunities for the company.”

Distillery Products Segment
In the third quarter of 2021, sales for the Distillery Products segment increased 15.0% to $91.0 million. Gross profit increased to $27.0 million or 29.6% of segment sales, compared to $15.9 million, or 20.1% of segment sales in the third quarter 2020.

“We posted another solid quarter in the Distillery Products segment, primarily driven by strong aged whiskey sales, as a result of the continued robust consumer demand for our premium beverage alcohol offerings,” said Colo. “The macro consumer trend supporting the ongoing growth of the American Whiskey category remains robust, which is confirmed by the demand we’re experiencing from new and existing brown goods customers. White goods sales also experienced significant growth of 30.7% from the prior year period, primarily due to improved prices and volume.”

Branded Spirits Segment
In the third quarter of 2021, sales for the Branded Spirits segment totaled $61.6 million, primarily due to the Luxco acquisition. Gross profit increased to $23.2 million or 37.7% of segment sales.

“Our Branded Spirits segment results continued to exceed expectations this quarter,” commented Colo. “Ongoing consumer demand for our brands has been a major catalyst for growth, which was reflected in the strong performance by our American Whiskey and Tequila brands, as well as the continued return of on-premise demand. We remain focused on improving our portfolio profitability by optimizing gross profits and margins, as well as the marketing mix across all of our brands.”

Ingredient Solutions Segment
For the third quarter of 2021, sales in the Ingredient Solutions segment increased 12.5% to $24.0 million.   Gross profit increased to $6.9 million, or 28.7% of segment sales, compared to $5.9 million, or 27.4% of segment sales in the third quarter 2020.

“This quarter’s record results reflected the solid demand we continue to experience for our plant-based proteins and starches in the Ingredient Solutions segment,” said Colo. “We believe our diverse customer base and product offering continue to be aligned with strong consumer trends.”

Other
MGP experienced a fire at the Atchison facility during the fourth quarter 2020, which damaged feed drying equipment and caused a temporary loss of production time. During the third quarter, the Company recorded a $6.4 million partial settlement from its insurance carrier and is working to construct a replacement drying system that is anticipated to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Corporate selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $24.2 million for the third quarter 2021 as compared to $9.5 million in the third quarter 2020, primarily driven by the assumption of Luxco SG&A expenses.

The corporate effective tax rate for the quarter was 24.5% compared with 21.6% in the year ago period.   The increases, as compared to the prior year period, was primarily due to higher pre-tax income, which
lessened the effects of tax credits received.

GAAP earnings per share increased to $1.08 per share from $0.61 per share. Adjusted EPS increased to $1.09 per share from $0.61 per share.

2021 Outlook
MGP is offering the following increased consolidated guidance for fiscal 2021, including Luxco's financial results:

• Sales are projected to be in the range of $570 million to $615 million.
• Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $125 million to $135 million.
• Adjusted earnings per share are forecasted to be in the $3.75 to $4.05 range, with weighted average shares outstanding expected to be approximately 20.7 million at year end.
  

Conclusion
“We are very pleased with the continued solid results this quarter by each of our reporting segments,” said Colo. “We remain committed to the execution of our long-term growth strategy, further building on the momentum from last quarter and the year. The Distillery Products business is well positioned as a total solutions provider with enhanced capabilities while our Ingredient Solutions segment continues to optimize customer, market, and channel to drive additional profitability. And lastly, Branded Spirits continues its focus on brands that are positioned amongst growing spirits categories and price tiers. Our three business segments are uniquely aligned with strong consumer trends, which we believe will create long-term and sustainable shareholder value.”

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:

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 ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of Luxco; (ii) the ability to successfully integrate the businesses; (iii) disruption from the acquisition of Luxco making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; and (iv) significant transaction costs and unknown liabilities. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially include, among others, (i) disruptions in operations at our Atchison facility, our Lawrenceburg facility, or any Luxco facility, (ii) the availability and cost of grain, flour, and agave, 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, Branded Spirits and Ingredient Solutions segments, see Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 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

MGP INGREDIENTS, INC.
EARNINGS PER SHARE (“EPS”) ROLLFORWARD

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
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RECONCILIATION OF SELECTED GAAP MEASURES TO ADJUSTED NON-GAAP MEASURES (UNAUDITED)
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RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO Adjusted EBITDA
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The non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA measure is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, equity method investment, inventory step-up, business acquisition costs and CEO transition costs. See section "reconciliation of selected GAAP measure to non-GAAP measures" for further details on each of these non-GAAP Items.

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Purchase Accounting - Summary of Preliminary Fair Value Step Up
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The Merger was accounted for as a business combination in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification 805 “ASC 805”), Business Combinations, and as such, assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and consideration transferred were recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition date. The fair value of the assets and liabilities are based upon a preliminary assessment of fair value and may change as valuations for certain tangible assets, intangible assets and contingent liabilities are finalized and the associated income tax impacts are determined. The Company expects to finalize the purchase price allocation as soon as practicable, but no longer than one year from the acquisition date. The table below reflects the summary for Finished Goods inventory, Whiskey inventory, Property, plant and equipment, and Distributor relationships preliminary purchase price accounting step up to fair value, the related amortization period and the Income Statement caption within which the adjustment is included.