UPDATE: MGP Ingredients Reports Record First Quarter 2022 Results

Consolidated sales increased 80.2% from prior year period 
Operating income increased 144.3%

ATCHISON, Kan., May 05, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MGP Ingredients, Inc. (Nasdaq:MGPI), a leading provider of distilled spirits, branded spirits, and food ingredient solutions, today reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022.

• Sales increased 80.2% to $195.2 million, as a result of sales growth in each of the reporting segments.
• Gross profit increased 122.4% to $71.8 million, representing 36.8% of sales.
• Operating income increased 144.3% to $50.1 million; adjusted operating income increased 123.7% to $50.1 million.
• Net income increased 142.2% to $37.4 million; adjusted net income increased 117.3% to $37.4 million.
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 115.2% to $55.4 million.
• Basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS") increased to $1.69 per share from $0.90 per share; adjusted basic and diluted EPS increased to $1.69 per share from $1.01 per share.

“We are very pleased with our continued momentum this quarter, which has again yielded record consolidated results,” said David Colo, president and CEO of MGP Ingredients. “Sales of premium beverage alcohol increased 37.7%, while brown goods sales grew 44.4% from last year, due to higher aged whiskey and new distillate sales in our Distilling Solutions segment. Continued strong consumer demand for the premium, super premium, and ultra-premium offerings within our Branded Spirits segment further improved our results as we believe our expansive family of brands and spirits will continue to position us well for incremental growth. Additionally, our diverse product offering within the Ingredient Solutions segment continues to be aligned with strong consumer trends, as evidenced by our record results this quarter.”

Distilling Solutions Segment
In the first quarter of 2022, sales for the Distilling Solutions segment increased 25.8% to $111.5 million, reflecting a 37.7% increase in sales of premium beverage alcohol, primarily due to higher aged whiskey and new distillate sales. Gross profit increased to $38.9 million or 34.9% of segment sales, compared to $28.2 million, or 31.9% of segment sales in the first quarter 2021.

Branded Spirits Segment 
For the first quarter of 2022, sales for the Branded Spirits segment totaled $55.8 million, primarily due to the April 1, 2021 Luxco acquisition. Gross profit increased to $24.8 million, or 44.5% of segment sales.

Ingredient Solutions Segment 
In the first quarter of 2022, sales in the Ingredient Solutions segment increased 46.2% to $28.0 million.   Gross profit increased to $8.1 million, or 29.0% of segment sales, compared to $4.0 million, or 20.7% of segment sales in the first quarter 2021.

Other 
Corporate selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses for the first quarter 2022, inclusive of advertising and promotion expenses, increased $10.0 million to $21.8 million as compared to the first quarter 2021, primarily driven by the assumption of Luxco’s SG&A expenses.

The corporate effective tax rate for the quarter was 23.0% and remained unchanged from the year ago period.

“We are off to another strong start to the year, and remain committed to the execution of our long-term growth strategy,” said Colo. “We believe the underlying macro consumer trends that are supporting each of our business segments remain strong. The three recently announced expansionary projects remain on track, which we believe will enable us to meet the continued strong demand we’re experiencing. Our capital allocation strategy remains focused on organic and acquisitive growth, which aligns well with our long-term strategy.”

2022 Outlook
MGP is confirming the following consolidated guidance for fiscal 2022:

• Sales are projected to be in the range of $690 million to $715 million.
• Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $150 million to $157 million.
• Basic adjusted earnings per share are forecasted to be in the $4.15 to $4.35 range, with basic weighted average shares outstanding expected to be approximately 22.0 million at year end.
  

Full year 2022 guidance measures of adjusted EBITDA and basic adjusted earnings per share are provided on a non-GAAP basis without a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measures because MGP is unable to predict with a reasonable degree of certainty certain items contained in the GAAP measures without unreasonable efforts. Such items include, but are not limited to, acquisition related expenses, restructuring and related expenses, and other items not reflective of MGP’s ongoing operations.

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, and 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 continuing consumer trends and our announced expansionary projects. 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, (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 effects of inflation and the ability to effectively pass raw material and other price increases on to customers, (ix) our ability to maintain compliance with all applicable loan agreement covenants, (x) increases in interest rate, (xi) our ability to realize operating efficiencies, (xii) actions of governments, and (xiii) consumer tastes and preferences. For further information on these and other risks and uncertainties that may affect our business, including risks specific to our Distilling Solutions, 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, 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 gross profit, adjusted operating income, adjusted income before taxes, adjusted net income, adjusted MGP earnings, adjusted EBITDA and basic and diluted adjusted earnings per share. The presentation of non-GAAP financial measures should be reviewed in conjunction with gross profit, 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 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

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The non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA measure is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, equity method investment and business acquisition costs. See section "reconciliation of selected GAAP measure to non-GAAP measures" for further details on each of these non-GAAP Items.

Released May 5, 2022