EX-16.1 2 exh99-1_17724.htm PRESS RELEASE exh99-1_17724.htm
EXHIBIT 99.1
 
 

Lifeway Foods Announces Results for the Third Quarter of 2014

Third Quarter Net Sales Increase 27% to $30.1 Million
 
Morton Grove, IL — November 10, 2014 — Lifeway Foods, Inc., (Nasdaq: LWAY), a leading supplier of cultured dairy products known as kefir and organic kefir, today announced results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014.

“Our strong double digit net sales growth in the third quarter demonstrates the continued demand for our nutritious probiotic kefir products,” said Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods, Inc. “Greater brand awareness, increased distribution, and successful new product innovation helped us deliver another quarter of profitability despite continued pressure from increased milk prices. We are committed to executing on our long-term growth strategy and believe there are compelling opportunities ahead as we expand with new and existing customers.”

Third Quarter Results
Total consolidated net sales increased 27%, or $6.3 million, to $30.1 million during the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 from $24.0 million during the same three-month period in 2013.

Gross profit for the third quarter of 2014 was $7.4 million compared to $6.9 million in the third quarter of the prior year. The Company's gross profit margin decreased to 25% in the third quarter of 2014 versus 29% in the third quarter of 2013. The decrease was primarily attributable to an approximate 20% increase in the cost of milk, the Company’s largest raw material, compared to the same period last year. In addition, gross profit for the quarter was impacted by an increase in depreciation expense of $0.6 million related to a true-up on Starfruit leasehold improvements and expense associated with assets placed in service at the Lifeway Wisconsin location.

In the third quarter, general and administrative expenses increased to $2.6 million from $1.7 million the prior year. This increase is primarily due to start up costs associated with the purchase of the Golden Guernsey dairy plant.

Total operating expenses increased 20% or $1.0 million to $5.6 million during the third quarter of 2014, from $4.7 million during the same period in 2013. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in general and administrative expenses.

Total operating income was $1.8 million during the third quarter of 2014, from $2.2 million during the same period in 2013.  The slight decrease in operating income is related to the decrease in gross profit and increased operating expenses.

 
 

 
The Company’s third quarter 2014 effective tax rate was 43% compared to 29% in the same period last year. The company expects the full year tax rate for fiscal 2014 to be comparable to the full year tax rate for fiscal 2013.

Total net income was $1.0 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to $1.7 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, in the same period in 2013.

Nine Month Results
Total consolidated net sales increased by $17.6 million, or approximately 25%, to $88.8 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 from $71.3 million during the same nine-month period in 2013. 

Gross profit for the first nine-months of 2014 decreased to $22.0 million, compared to $22.8 million in the same period in the prior year. The Company's gross profit margin was 25% in the first nine-months of 2014 compared to 32% in the same period last year.

Total net income was $2.8 million, or $0.17 per share, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to $5.5 million, or $0.33 per share, in the same period in 2013.

Balance Sheet/Cash Flow Highlights
The Company had $2.8 million in cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2014 compared to $1.2 million at September 30, 2013. This increase is primarily due to the acquisition of the Golden Guernsey dairy plant in the second quarter of 2013. Total stockholder’s equity was $45.7 million as of September 30, 2014, which is an increase of $2.3 million when compared to September 30, 2013.

Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call to discuss these results with additional comments and details on Monday, November 10, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. ET. The call will be broadcast live over the Internet hosted at the Investor Relations section of Lifeway Foods’ website at www.lifeway.net, and will be archived online through November 24, 2014. In addition, listeners may dial 877-407-3982 in North America, and international listeners may dial 201-493-6780. Participants from the Company will be Julie Smolyansky, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Edward Smolyansky, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer.
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
About Lifeway Foods
Lifeway Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: LWAY), recently named one of Fortune Small Business' Fastest Growing Companies for the sixth consecutive year, is America's leading supplier of the cultured dairy products known as kefir and organic kefir. Lifeway Kefir is a dairy beverage that contains 10 exclusive live and active probiotic cultures plus ProBoost™. In addition to its line of Kefir products, the company produces a variety of Frozen Kefir and probiotic cheese products. Lifeway also sells frozen kefir, kefir smoothies and kefir parfaits through its Starfruit™ retail stores.

Find Lifeway Foods, Inc. on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifewaykefir
Follow Lifeway Foods on Twitter: http://twitter.com/lifeway_kefir
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/lifewaykefir

Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, competitive pressures and other important factors detailed in the Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact:
   
Lifeway Foods, Inc.
 
Phone: 877.281.3874
 
Email: info@Lifeway.net
 
 
Investor Relations:
 
   
ICR
 
   
Katie Turner
 
646.277.1228
 























 
 

 
LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
September 30, 2014 and 2013 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2013

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2013
 
ASSETS
                 
                   
Current assets
                 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 2,795,429     $ 1,240,730     $ 3,306,608  
Investments
    3,057,214       2,506,463       2,516,380  
Certificates of deposits in financial institutions
          115,373       15,373  
Inventories
    7,134,857       8,382,287       6,899,008  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and discounts ($1,300,000 and $1,350,000 and $1,050,000)
    11,803,145       11,313,652       10,444,839  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    54,944       88,629       128,323  
Other receivables
    26,720       89,100       103,272  
Deferred income taxes
    360,765       394,277       322,071  
Refundable income taxes
    842,425       423,242       1,014,947  
Total current assets
    26,075,499       24,553,753       24,750,821  
                         
Property and equipment, net
    21,874,520       21,637,492       20,824,448  
                         
Intangible assets
                       
Goodwill
    14,068,091       14,068,091       14,068,091  
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $5,005,117, $4,376,640 and $4,468,359 at September 30, 2014 and 2013 and at December 31, 2013, respectively
    3,238,683       3,929,360       3,750,441  
Total intangible assets
    17,306,774       17,997,451       17,818,532  
                         
Other Assets
                       
Long-term accounts receivable, net of current portion
    270,599       280,000       280,000  
Total assets
  $ 65,527,392     $ 64,468,696     $ 63,673,801  
                         
                         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                       
                         
Current liabilities
                       
Current maturities of notes payable
  $ 877,038     $ 878,088     $ 875,002  
Accounts payable
    7,318,512       5,429,988       6,723,179  
Accrued expenses
    1,243,876       1,323,213       1,284,060  
Accrued income taxes
          1,292,762       ---  
Total current liabilities
    9,439,426       8,924,051       8,882,241  
                         
Notes payable
    8,339,282       9,214,853       8,999,012  
                         
Deferred income taxes
    2,065,221       2,917,213       2,843,426  
Total liabilities
    19,843,929       21,056,117       20,724,679  
                         
Stockholders' equity
                       
Common stock, no par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 17,273,776 shares issued; 16,346,017 shares outstanding at September 30, 2014, September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2013
    6,509,267       6,509,267       6,509,267  
Paid-in-capital
    2,032,516       2,032,516       2,032,516  
Treasury stock, at cost
    ( 8,187,682 )     ( 8,187,682 )     ( 8,187,682 )
Retained earnings
    45,367,487       43,056,422       42,587,214  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes
    ( 38,125 )     2,056       7,807  
Total stockholders' equity
    45,683,463       43,412,579       42,949,122  
                         
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 65,527,392     $ 64,468,696     $ 63,673,801  


 
 

 
LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (unaudited)

   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
 
Sales
  $ 32,704,435           $ 26,601,341           $ 97,359,630           $ 80,030,021        
Less: discounts and allowances
    ( 2,594,213 )           ( 2,808,811 )           ( 8,552,286 )           ( 8,772,576 )      
Net sales
    30,110,222       30,110,222       23,792,530       23,792,530       88,807,344       88,807,344       71,257,445       71,257,445  
                                                                 
Cost of goods sold
            21,697,954               16,513,357               64,812,489               47,217,179  
Depreciation expense
            1,010,966               410,797               2,022,204               1,226,629  
                                                                 
Total cost of goods sold
            22,708,920               16,924,154               66,834,693               48,443,808  
                                                                 
Gross profit
            7,401,302               6,868,376               21,972,651               22,813,637  
                                                                 
Selling expenses
            2,804,127               2,815,126               9,977,636               8,291,960  
General and administrative
            2,627,566               1,671,080               7,115,393               5,567,649  
Amortization expense
            178,919               178,201               536,758               533,884  
                                                                 
Total operating expenses
            5,610,612               4,664,407               17,629,787               14,393,493  
                                                                 
Income from operations
            1,790,690               2,203,969               4,342,864               8,420,144  
                                                                 
Other income (expense):
                                                               
Interest and dividend income
            22,739               36,535               86,664               82,166  
Rental income
            1,201               2,231               2,900               8,889  
Interest expense
            ( 62,084 )             ( 59,887 )             ( 194,377 )             ( 133,610 )
Gain on sale of investments, net
                                                               
reclassified from OCI
            ( 22,940 )             161               39,190               121,441  
Gain on sale of equipment
            85,077                             8,592                
Other Income
                          209,175               1,674               219,404  
Total other income (expense)
            23,993               188,215               (55,357 )             298,290  
                                                                 
Income before provision for income taxes
            1,814,683               2,392,184               4,287,507               8,718,434  
                                                                 
Provision for income taxes
            789,005               702,257               1,507,234               3,258,928  
                                                                 
Net income
          $ 1,025,678             $ 1,689,927             $ 2,780,273             $ 5,459,506  
                                                                 
Basic and diluted earnings per common share
            0.06               0.10               0.17               0.33  
                                                                 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
            16,346,017               16,346,017               16,346,017               16,346,017  
                                                                 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
                                                               
                                                                 
Net income
          $ 1,025,678             $ 1,689,927             $ 2,780,273             $ 5,459,506  
                                                                 
Other comprehensive income
                                                               
    (loss), net of tax:
                                                               
    Unrealized gains (losses) on
                                                               
      investments (net of tax)
            ( 93,679 )             29,356               ( 22,524 )             17,079  
    Less reclassification adjustment
                                                               
      for (gains) losses included in
                                                               
      net income (net of taxes)
            13,702               ( 91 )             (23,408 )             ( 68,614 )
                                                                 
Comprehensive income
          $ 945,701             $ 1,719,192             $ 2,734,341             $ 5,407,971  

 
 

 
LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (Unaudited)
 

   
(Unaudited)
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2014
   
2013
 
             
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 2,780,273     $ 5,459,506  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
               
cash flows from operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    2,558,962       1,760,513  
Gain on sale of investments, net
    ( 39,190 )     ( 121,441 )
Deferred income taxes
    ( 783,607 )     ( 231,218 )
Bad debt expense
    76,049       26,819  
Gain on sale of equipment
    (8,592 )     (209,175 )
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:
               
Accounts receivable
    ( 1,548,110 )     ( 2,612,905 )
Other receivables
    76,552       ( 80,275 )
Inventories
    ( 235,849 )     ( 2,443,101 )
Refundable income taxes
    172,522       (338,414 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    73,379       33,509  
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
    595,333       1,173,263  
Accrued expenses
    ( 40,184 )     167,536  
Income taxes payable
          1,038,451  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    3,677,538       3,623,068  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchases of investments
    ( 2,319,742 )     ( 2,877,968 )
Proceeds from sale of investments
    1,736,946       2,281,792  
Redemption of certificates of deposits
    15,000       334,627  
Purchases of property and equipment
    ( 3,052,303 )     ( 8,205,669 )
Proceeds from sale of equipment
    89,076       537,500  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (3,531,023 )     (7,929,718 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Dividends paid
          (1,307,861 )
Net proceeds from debt issuance
          4,975,000  
Repayment of notes payable
    ( 657,694 )     ( 405,985 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    ( 657,694 )     3,261,154  
                 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (511,179 )     (1,045,496 )
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
    3,306,608       2,286,226  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
  $ 2,795,429     $ 1,240,730