Lifeway Foods Announces Results for the Second Quarter of 2013

Lifeway Foods, Inc., (Nasdaq: LWAY), a leading supplier of cultured dairy products known as kefir and organic kefir, today announced results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2013. 

 

“We are pleased with our second quarter results as we continued to execute on our plan to increase distribution in new and existing retailers and strengthen awareness of our nutritious probiotic kefir products among health conscious consumers,” said Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods, Inc. “In the quarter, we also focused on the integration of our new dairy manufacturing facility and we believe this will help expand our margins and support our future growth opportunities long-term. We look forward to this facility being fully operational at the end of the year.” 

 

Second Quarter Results 

Second quarter of 2013 gross sales increased 14% to $25.8 million compared to $22.7 million for the second quarter of 2012. This increase is primarily attributable to increased sales and awareness of the Company’s flagship line, Kefir, as well as ProBugs® Organic Kefir for kids and BioKefir™. 

 

Total consolidated net sales increased 12% or $2.5 million to $23.1 million during the three-month period ended June 30, 2013 from $20.6 million during the same three-month period in 2012. Net sales are recorded as gross sales less promotional activities such as slotting fees paid, couponing, spoilage and promotional allowances as well as early payment terms given to customers. 

 

Gross profit for the second quarter of 2013 was $7.6 million, unchanged compared to the second quarter of the prior year. The Company's gross profit margin decreased to 33% in the second quarter versus 37% in the second quarter of 2012. The decrease was primarily attributable to a 20% increase in the cost of milk, the Company’s largest raw material, compared to the same period last year. 

 

Total operating expenses increased 14% or $0.6 million to $5.1 million during the second quarter of 2013, from $4.5 million during the same period in 2012. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in general and administrative and selling expenses, partially offset by a decrease in amortization expense. The Company incurred $0.3 million in professional fees related to the acquisition of the Golden Guernsey Dairy Plant, the Company’s new manufacturing facility, and views this as a non-recurring expense.  

 

 

 

Total operating income decreased $0.6 million to $2.5 million during the second quarter of 2013, from $3.1 million during the same period in 2012. The decrease in operating income is related to the decrease in gross profit and increased operating expenses. 

 

The Company’s second quarter 2013 effective tax rate was 45% compared to 34% in the same period last year. 

 

Total net income was $1.4 million or $0.09 per diluted share for the three-month period ended June 30, 2013 compared to $2.1 million or $0.13 per diluted share in the same period in 2012. 

 

Six Month Results 

Total consolidated gross sales increased by $9.2 million, or approximately 21%, to $53.4 million during the six-month period ended June 30, 2013 from $44.3 million during the same six-month period in 2012. 

 

Total consolidated net sales increased by $7.5 million, or approximately 19%, to $47.5 million during the six-month period ended June 30, 2013 from $40.0 million during the same six-month period in 2012. 

 

Gross profit for the first six-months of 2013 increased 17% to $16.0 million, compared to $13.7 million in the same period in the prior year. The Company's gross profit margin was 34% in the first six-months of 2013, unchanged compared to the same period last year. 

 

Total net income was $3.8 million or $0.23 per share for the six-month period ended June 30, 2013 compared to $3.1 million or $0.19 per share in the same period in 2012. 

 

Balance Sheet/Cash Flow Highlights 

The Company had $4.9 million in cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2013 compared to $2.0 million at June 30, 2012. Total stockholder’s equity was $41.7 million as of June 30, 2013, which is an increase of $4.7 million when compared to June 30, 2012. 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities increased $0.9 million to $5.0 million for the first six months of 2013. This increase reflects the Company’s improvement in operating efficiencies. 

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $0.8 million during the six-months ended June 30, 2013 compared to net cash used in operating activities of $0.6 million during the same period in 2012. 

 

Conference Call 

The Company will host a conference call to discuss these results with additional comments and details. The conference call is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. ET today, Wednesday, August 14, 2013. 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 August 28, 2013. 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. (LWAY), recently named one of Fortune Small Business' Fastest Growing Companies for the fifth 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: 

[email protected] 

 

Investor Relations: 

ICR 

Katie Turner 

John Mills 

646.277.1228