EX-99.1 2 g05281exv99w1.htm EX-99.1 PRESS RELEASE DATED 2-1-07 EX-99.1 PRESS RELEASE DATED 2-1-07
 

EXHIBIT 99.1
         
February 1, 2007   Company Press Release   Flowers Foods (NYSE: FLO)
FLOWERS FOODS ANNOUNCES RECORD RESULTS FOR FOURTH QUARTER
AND FISCAL 2006; UPDATES GUIDANCE FOR FISCAL 2007
THOMASVILLE, GA— Flowers Foods (NYSE: FLO) today reported sales of $438.2 million for its 12-week fourth quarter ended on December 30, 2006, a 10.5% increase over the $396.5 million reported for the fourth quarter last year. Net income and income from continuing operations of $15.8 million were reported, an increase of 35.0% compared to the $11.7 million reported for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005. Net income and income from continuing operations per diluted share of $.26 were reported, an increase of 36.8% compared to $.19 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005.
Sales for fiscal 2006 increased 10.1% to $1.889 billion. Net income for fiscal 2006 increased 32.4% to $81.0 million, or $1.31 per diluted share. Income from continuing operations before the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle was $74.9 million, a 19.1% increase over the $62.9 million reported for fiscal 2005. Income from continuing operations per diluted share before the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle was $1.21, which represents a 22.2% increase over the $.99 reported for fiscal 2005.
“Flowers Foods delivered record results for the fourth quarter and the full year, even as we faced higher input costs and continued to invest in our operations,” said George E. Deese, chairman, CEO, and president. “Our earnings performance is evidence that our business model is sound. Our brands are strong, our bakeries efficient, and our direct-store-delivery network is providing extraordinary service. We remain focused on creating value for our shareholders as we continue to execute our strategies. As 2007 unfolds, we expect another year of solid performance, as indicated by the updated earnings guidance we are providing this morning.”
Updated Guidance for Fiscal 2007
Fiscal 2007 sales excluding any future acquisitions are expected to be $1.983 billion to $2.040 billion, an increase of 5% to 8%. The company anticipates net income from continuing operations of 4.0% to 4.4% of sales, or $81.0 million to $87.0 million, as compared to $74.9 million in fiscal 2006. With

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approximately 61.0 million average shares outstanding, earnings per share from continuing operations are expected to be $1.33 to $1.43, an increase of 9.9% to 18.2% over the $1.21 reported for fiscal 2006.
Details of Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2006
The sales increase of 10.5% in the fourth quarter resulted from favorable pricing of 7.0%, positive mix shifts of 2.5%, and a 1.0% increase in unit volume. During the quarter, Bakeries Group sales grew at 11.4% due to favorable pricing of 6.7% and a unit volume increase of 4.8%, offset by a slightly unfavorable product mix shift. In the fourth quarter, Derst Baking Company, acquired in February 2006, contributed $12.4 million of sales, which is reflected in the Bakeries Group unit volume increase. Flowers Specialty sales increased 7.2%, driven by favorable pricing of 8.0% and positive mix shifts of 5.2%. These increases were negatively impacted by a decline in unit volume of 6.0%, primarily due to the planned loss of contract snack cake production.
The sales increase of 10.1% for fiscal 2006 reflects favorable pricing of 6.5%, favorable mix shifts of 3.4%, and increased unit volume of .2%. The Bakeries Group experienced fiscal 2006 sales growth of 11.8% due to unit volume growth of 5.9%, increased pricing of 5.6%, and improved product mix of .3%. For the full year, Derst contributed $44.8 million of sales, which is reflected in the Bakeries Group unit volume increase. The Specialty Group’s fiscal 2006 sales growth of 3.7% came through favorable pricing of 8.2% and a favorable mix shift of 5.2%, which were impacted by a 9.7% unit volume decrease.
Gross margin as a percentage of sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 decreased to 49.0% as compared to 49.5% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005. Increases in production costs, primarily flour and sweeteners, were partially offset by pricing gains. Gross margin for the full fiscal year of 49.7% remained stable as compared to the prior year.
Selling, marketing and administrative costs as a percentage of sales for the fourth quarter were 40.1% compared to 41.1% in the prior year’s fourth quarter. The improvement for the quarter was due primarily to increased sales, lower pension expense, and improved distributions costs. These positive items were partially offset by higher stock-based compensation costs. For the year, selling, marketing and administrative costs as a percentage of sales were 40.2% compared to 40.6% in fiscal 2005.
Depreciation and amortization expenses for the quarter and the fiscal year increased 5.9% and 8.3%, respectively. However, due to higher sales, the items remained relatively stable as a percentage of sales. Net interest income for the fourth quarter and for the fiscal year was down from the prior fiscal year due

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to higher interest expense on debt service. The effective tax rate for continuing operations for the fourth quarter was 37.5% and for the fiscal year was 36.7%.
During the fourth quarter, the company received insurance proceeds relating to Hurricane Katrina of $.8 million, or $.01 per share, which is reported as a gain on insurance recovery. During fiscal 2006, the company received insurance proceeds of $4.5 million, or $.05 per share. Costs incurred during fiscal 2006 related to the hurricane were $1.7 million, or $.02 per share. All claims related to the hurricane have been settled and the company does not expect to file any additional claims related to the 2005 hurricanes.
Cash flow from operations remained strong at $48.8 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. During the fourth quarter, the company acquired 393,440 shares of its common stock for $10.4 million, an average of $26.54 per share. During fiscal 2006, the company invested $63.6 million in share repurchases, or 2.3 million shares at an average price of $27.35. Since the inception of the stock repurchase plan through the end of fiscal 2006, the company has acquired 11.8 million shares of its common stock for $247.1 million, an average of $21.02 per share. The plan authorizes the company to repurchase up to 15.3 million shares of common stock.
The board of directors will consider the dividend at its regularly scheduled meeting. Any action taken will be announced following that meeting.
Conference Call
Flowers Foods will broadcast its quarterly conference call over the Internet at 10:30 a.m. (Eastern) February 1, 2006. The call will be broadcast live on Flowers’ Web site, www.flowersfoods.com, and can be accessed by clicking on the web cast link on the home page. The call also will be archived on the company’s website.
Company Information
Headquartered in Thomasville, Ga., Flowers Foods is one of the nation’s leading producers and marketers of packaged bakery foods for retail and foodservice customers. Flowers operates 36 bakeries that produce a wide range of bakery products marketed throughout the Southeastern, Southwestern, and mid-Atlantic states via an extensive direct-store-delivery network and nationwide through other delivery systems. Among the company’s top brands are Nature’s Own, Cobblestone Mill, Sunbeam, Blue Bird, and Mrs. Freshley’s. For more information, visit www.flowersfoods.com.

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Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those projected. Other factors that may cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements contained in this release and that may affect the company’s prospects in general include, but are not limited to, (a) competitive conditions in the baked foods industry, including promotional and price competition, (b) changes in consumer demand for our products, (c) the success of productivity improvements and new product introductions, (d) a significant reduction in business with any of our major customers including a reduction from adverse developments in any of our customer’s business, (e) fluctuations in commodity pricing and (f) our ability to achieve cash flow from capital expenditures and acquisitions and the availability of new acquisitions that build shareholder value. In addition, our results may also be affected by general factors such as economic and business conditions (including the baked foods markets), interest and inflation rates and such other factors as are described in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Investor Contact: Marta J. Turner, Senior VP/Corporate Relations, (229) 227-2348

Media Contact: Mary A. Krier, VP of Corporate Communications, (229) 227-2333

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Flowers Foods
Consolidated Statement of Income

(000’s omitted, except per share data)
                                 
    For the 12 - Week     For the 12 - Week     For the 52 - Week     For the 52 - Week  
    Period Ended     Period Ended     Period Ended     Period Ended  
    December 30, 2006     December 31, 2005     December 30, 2006     December 31, 2005  
Sales
  $ 438,178     $ 396,524     $ 1,888,654     $ 1,715,869  
Materials, supplies, labor and other production costs
    223,569       200,353       949,612       861,583  
Selling, marketing and administrative expenses
    175,600       163,083       759,387       697,247  
Depreciation and amortization
    15,515       14,647       64,250       59,344  
Gain on insurance recovery
    (836 )     0       (3,088 )     0  
Other income
    0       0       0       (1,591 )
 
                       
Income from continuing operations before interest, income taxes, minority interest and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle (EBIT)
    24,330       18,441       118,493       99,286  
Interest income, net
    1,088       1,361       4,946       6,337  
 
                       
Income from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interest and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle (EBT)
    25,418       19,802       123,439       105,623  
Income tax expense
    9,544       7,491       45,304       39,861  
 
                       
Income from continuing operations before minority interest and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
    15,874       12,311       78,135       65,762  
Minority interest in variable interest entity
    (38 )     (579 )     (3,255 )     (2,904 )
 
                       
Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
    15,836       11,732       74,880       62,858  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
    0       0       6,731       (1,627 )
 
                       
Income before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
    15,836       11,732       81,611       61,231  
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net of tax
    0       0       (568 )     0  
 
                       
Net income
  $ 15,836     $ 11,732     $ 81,043     $ 61,231  
 
                       
 
                               
Per share amounts:
                               
Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
  $ 0.26     $ 0.19     $ 1.21     $ 0.99  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
    0.00       0.00       0.11       (0.03 )
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
    0.00       0.00       (0.01 )     0.00  
 
                       
Net income
  $ 0.26     $ 0.19     $ 1.31     $ 0.96  
 
                       
 
                               
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
    61,292       62,360       61,733       63,579  
 
                       

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Flowers Foods
Segment Reporting

(000’s omitted)
                                 
    For the 12 - Week     For the 12 - Week     For the 52 - Week     For the 52 - Week  
    Period Ended     Period Ended     Period Ended     Period Ended  
    December 30, 2006     December 31, 2005     December 30, 2006     December 31, 2005  
Sales:
                               
Flowers Bakeries Group
  $ 350,820     $ 315,002     $ 1,512,889     $ 1,353,618  
Flowers Specialty Group
    87,358       81,522       375,765       362,251  
 
                       
 
  $ 438,178     $ 396,524     $ 1,888,654     $ 1,715,869  
 
                       
 
                               
EBITDA from Continuing Operations Before Cumulative
                               
Effect of a Change in Accounting Principle:
                               
Flowers Bakeries Group
  $ 38,224     $ 36,684     $ 177,492     $ 154,649  
Flowers Specialty Group
    8,701       5,043       31,662       33,300  
Flowers Foods
    (7,080 )     (8,639 )     (26,411 )     (29,319 )
 
                       
 
  $ 39,845     $ 33,088     $ 182,743     $ 158,630  
 
                       
 
                               
Depreciation and Amortization:
                               
Flowers Bakeries Group
  $ 12,512     $ 11,892     $ 51,309     $ 47,816  
Flowers Specialty Group
    3,025       2,776       13,118       11,558  
Flowers Foods
    (22 )     (21 )     (177 )     (30 )
 
                       
 
  $ 15,515     $ 14,647     $ 64,250     $ 59,344  
 
                       
 
                               
EBIT from Continuing Operations Before Cumulative
                               
Effect of a Change in Accounting Principle:
                               
Flowers Bakeries Group
  $ 25,712     $ 24,792     $ 126,183     $ 106,833  
Flowers Specialty Group
    5,676       2,267       18,544       21,742  
Flowers Foods
    (7,058 )     (8,618 )     (26,234 )     (29,289 )
 
                       
 
  $ 24,330     $ 18,441     $ 118,493     $ 99,286  
 
                       

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Flowers Foods
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

(000’s omitted)
         
    December 30, 2006  
Assets
       
Cash and Cash Equivalents
  $ 13,914  
 
       
Other Current Assets
    216,894  
 
       
Property, Plant & Equipment, net
    464,442  
 
       
Distributor Notes Receivable (includes $9,839 current portion)
    84,267  
 
       
Other Assets
    25,946  
 
       
Cost in Excess of Net Tangible Assets, net
    99,658  
 
     
 
       
Total Assets
  $ 905,121  
 
     
 
       
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
       
Current Liabilities
  $ 177,829  
 
       
Bank Debt
    51,800  
 
       
Other Debt and Capital Leases (includes $4,665 current portion)
    34,732  
 
       
Other Liabilities
    72,029  
 
       
Minority Interest in Variable Interest Entity
    5,870  
 
       
Common Stockholders’ Equity
    562,861  
 
     
 
       
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 905,121  
 
     

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Flowers Foods
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(000’s omitted)
                 
    For the 12 - Week     For the 52 - Week  
    Period Ended     Period Ended  
    December 30, 2006     December 30, 2006  
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
Net income
  $ 15,836     $ 81,043  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    15,515       64,250  
Minority interest in variable interest entity
    38       3,255  
Discontinued operations
    0       (5,509 )
Pension contributions
    0       (14,000 )
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle (SFAS 123R)
    0       930  
Stock compensation
    1,914       8,679  
Changes in assets and liabilities
    15,498       12,628  
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
    48,801       151,276  
 
           
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
    (16,106 )     (61,792 )
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
    0       (887 )
Other
    (3,680 )     (9,037 )
 
           
Net cash disbursed for investing activities
    (19,786 )     (71,716 )
 
           
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Dividends paid
    (7,574 )     (28,995 )
Stock options exercised
    382       6,363  
Income tax benefit related to stock awards
    483       8,615  
Stock repurchases
    (10,441 )     (63,617 )
Payment of financing fees
    0       (391 )
Decrease in book overdraft
    (2,065 )     (3,211 )
Proceeds from debt borrowings
    43,800       347,400  
Debt and capital lease obligation payments
    (68,914 )     (342,811 )
 
           
Net cash disbursed for financing activities
    (44,329 )     (76,647 )
 
           
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (15,314 )     2,913  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    29,228       11,001  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 13,914     $ 13,914  
 
           

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