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MGP INGREDIENTS REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2019 RESULTS

ATCHISON, Kan., July 31, 2019 - MGP Ingredients, Inc. (Nasdaq:MGPI), a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches, today reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2019.

2019 second quarter results compared to 2018 second quarter results

Consolidated sales increased 2.5% to $90.5 million, reflecting growth in both the Distillery Products and Ingredient Solutions segments.
Consolidated gross profit increased 0.4% to $19.5 million, as a decline in Distillery Products gross profit was more than offset by gains in Ingredient Solutions.
Consolidated operating income decreased 2.3% to $10.9 million.
Earnings per share increased to $0.46 per share from $0.44 per share, reflecting a lower tax rate and other tax related items for the quarter.

“While we are pleased with the improved results for most parts of our business, sales of aged whiskey have lagged our expectations. We remain confident in both the long-term demand for, and the value of this inventory, and expect to see a significant increase in sales of aged whiskey over the remainder of the year. However, we believe there is some possibility we might have difficulty completing transactions for all of our projected sales of aged whiskey by the close of the year,” said Gus Griffin, president and CEO of MGP Ingredients. “As a result, we are revising our guidance for the full year to include that possibility.”

Distillery Products Segment
In the second quarter of 2019, sales for the Distillery Products segment increased 1.9% to $74.0 million. The year over year increase during the quarter was primarily attributed to growth of new distillate sales, which was partially offset by a decline in sales of aged whiskey. Gross profit declined slightly to $16.5 million, or 22.3% of segment sales, compared to $16.7 million, or 23.0% of segment sales in the second quarter 2018.

“As expected, we saw strong double digit growth in sales of new distillate this quarter and, as a result, year to date sales of new distillate are up low single digits. This quarter was our third largest quarter ever for new distillate sales and reflects both the continued robust health of the category and our strong position supporting that growth. Sales of aged whiskey were down for the quarter and continue to trail last year. Several orders failed to transact at the end of the quarter, highlighting both the longer term demand and the inherent challenges in implementing this strategy on a timely basis. Despite the decline in aged sales, our trailing twelve-month revenue for total brown goods is up 8.2% over the prior year period, reflecting sustained growth rates above those of the American Whiskey category,” said Griffin. “White beverage goods and industrial alcohol both had increased sales for the quarter, and fortunately without the margin compression we saw in the first quarter.”



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Premium Beverage Alcohol (in thousands)
 
Sales Quarter Ended June 30,
 
Quarter vs. Quarter Sales Change Increase/(Decrease)
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Brown Goods
 
$
27,621

 
$
27,736

 
$
(115
)
 
(0.4
)%
White Goods
 
14,691

 
14,464

 
227

 
1.6

Premium Beverage Alcohol
 
$
42,312

 
$
42,200

 
$
112

 
0.3
 %

Ingredient Solutions Segment
For the 2019 second quarter, sales in the Ingredient Solutions segment increased 5.6% to $16.5 million. Gross profit increased to $3.0 million, or 18.3% of segment sales, compared to $2.8 million, or 17.7% of segment sales in the second quarter 2018.

“We are pleased with the improved results of our Ingredient Solutions business this quarter, reporting gains in both revenue and gross profit,” continued Griffin. “While 2018 will continue to be a tough comparison due to the loss of a major customer at the end of the year, we remain very confident in the long-term growth capabilities of this segment as we leverage the sustained consumer interest in plant-based proteins, high fiber, high protein, non-GMO and clean label products.”

Other
Corporate selling, general and administrative expenses of $8.6 million for the second quarter 2019 increased 4.1% compared to the second quarter 2018 primarily due to higher professional fees.

The corporate effective tax rate for the quarter was 25.0%, compared with 30.6% in the year ago period.

Earnings per share increased to $0.46 for the second quarter 2019, compared to $0.44 for the second quarter 2018.

2019 Guidance
MGP is revising its guidance for fiscal 2019:

2019 sales growth is projected in the mid-single-digit percentage range versus 2018.
2019 gross margins are expected to increase modestly as compared to 2018.
The Company’s estimate of growth in operating income in 2019 is 10% to 20%.
2019 effective tax rate is forecasted to be approximately 19%, and shares outstanding are expected to be approximately 17 million at year end.
Earnings per share are forecasted to be in the $2.55 to $2.75 range inclusive of our new, lower projected effective tax rate.

Conclusion
“While we are still not where we would like to be in terms of year to date operating income growth, we have seen a significant recovery in most areas of our business. We remain confident in our long-term strategy and remain well-positioned against strong macro consumer trends,” stated Griffin. “We expect to report an improved performance over the back half of the year and are off to a strong start in the third quarter. Our warehouse expansion plan remained on track during the quarter, allowing us to increase our storage capacity and complete the project by the end of 2020. Additionally, our investment in aged whiskey inventory has now reached $85.5 million, at cost, an increase of $6.0 million from the first quarter 2019 as we continue to see long-term value in building this inventory.

“We continued to progress our brands initiative, focusing on increasing distribution and sales velocity in our existing markets,” Griffin continued. “In November 2019, we will release Remus Volstead Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a one-time, extremely limited, 14 year old bottled-in-bond offering. The new release, which has a suggested retail price of $199.99 per 750-ml bottle, coincides with the 100th anniversary of the

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start of National Prohibition. This one-of-a-kind whiskey highlights all of our exceptional whiskey making capabilities.”

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:

Webcast:        ir.mgpingredients.com on the Events & Presentations page
Conference Call:    844-308-6398 (domestic) or 412-717-9605 (international)


About MGP Ingredients, Inc.
Founded in 1941, MGP is a leading supplier of premium distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches. Distilled spirits include bourbon and rye whiskeys, gins and vodkas, which are expertly crafted through a combination of art and science and backed by a long history of experience. The company's proteins and starches are created in the same manner and provide a host of functional, nutritional and sensory benefits for a wide range of food products. MGP additionally is a top producer of high quality industrial alcohol for use in both food and non-food applications. The company is headquartered in Atchison, Kansas, where distilled alcohol products and food ingredients are produced. Premium spirits are also distilled and matured at the company's facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. For more information, visit mgpingredients.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements as well as historical information. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this news release regarding the prospects of our industry and our prospects, plans, financial position, business strategy, guidance on growth in operating income, sales, gross margin, and future effective tax rate may constitute forward-looking statements. In addition, 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. They reflect management's current beliefs and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, Company performance, and Company financial results 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 statement. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include, among others: (i) disruptions in operations at our Atchison facility or our Indiana facility, (ii) the availability and cost of grain and flour, 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 ability to effectively pass raw material price increases on to customers, (viii) our ability to maintain compliance with all applicable loan agreement covenants, (ix) our ability to realize operating efficiencies, (x) actions of governments, and (xi) 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 and Ingredient Solutions segments, see Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.


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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MGP INGREDIENTS, INC.
OPERATING INCOME ROLLFORWARD
(Dollars in thousands)

Operating income, quarter versus quarter
 
Operating Income
 
 Change
 
Operating income for quarter ended June 30, 2018
 
$
11,132

 
 
 
Increase in gross profit - ingredient solutions segment
 
258

 
2.3

pp(a)
Decrease in gross profit - distillery products segment
 
(177
)
 
(1.6
)
pp
Increase in SG&A expenses
 
(339
)
 
(3.0
)
pp
Operating income for quarter ended June 30, 2019
 
$
10,874

 
(2.3
)%
 

Operating income, year to date versus year to date
 
Operating Income
 
 Change
 
Operating income for year to date ended June 30, 2018
 
$
21,521

 
 
 
Decrease in gross profit - ingredient solutions segment
 
(1,402
)
 
(6.5
)
pp(a)
Decrease in gross profit - distillery products segment
 
(808
)
 
(3.8
)
pp
Decrease in SG&A expenses
 
76

 
0.4

pp
Operating income for year to date ended June 30, 2019
 
$
19,387

 
(9.9
)%
 

(a) Percentage points (“pp”).


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

Change in basic and diluted EPS, quarter versus quarter
 
Basic and Diluted EPS
 
Change
 
Basic and diluted EPS for quarter ended June 30, 2018
 
$
0.44

 
 
 
Decrease in operations(a)
 
(0.01
)
 
(2.3
)
pp(b)
Change in income tax
 
0.04

 
9.2

pp
Increase in weighted average shares outstanding
 
(0.01
)
 
(2.3
)
pp
Basic and diluted EPS for quarter ended June 30, 2019
 
$
0.46

 
4.6
 %
 

Change in basic and diluted EPS, year to date versus year to date
 
Basic and Diluted EPS
 
Change
 
Basic and diluted EPS for year to date ended June 30, 2018
 
$
0.96

 
 
 
Decrease in operations(a)
 
(0.11
)
 
(11.5
)
pp(b)
Tax: Change in share-based compensation
 
0.11

 
11.5

pp
Tax: Change in effective tax rate (excluding above tax item)
 
0.04

 
4.2

pp
Tax: Change in other
 
0.04

 
4.1

pp
Increase in weighted average shares outstanding
 
(0.01
)
 
(1.0
)
pp
Basic and diluted EPS for year to date ended June 30, 2019
 
$
1.03

 
7.3
 %
 


(a)
Items are net of tax based on the effective tax rate for the base year (2018).
(b)
Percentage points (“pp”).

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MGP INGREDIENTS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
 
Year to date Ended June 30,
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
Sales
 
$
90,501

 
$
88,252

 
$
179,597

 
$
176,208

 
Cost of sales
 
70,979

 
68,811

 
143,415

 
137,816

 
Gross profit
 
19,522

 
19,441

 
36,182

 
38,392

 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
8,648

 
8,309

 
16,795

 
16,871

 
Operating income
 
10,874

 
11,132

 
19,387

 
21,521

 
Interest expense, net
 
(321
)
 
(289
)
 
(573
)
 
(496
)
 
Income before income taxes
 
10,553

 
10,843

 
18,814

 
21,025

 
Income tax expense
 
2,642

 
3,316

 
1,183

 
4,571

 
Net income
 
$
7,911

 
$
7,527

 
$
17,631

 
$
16,454

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income attributable to participating securities
 
51

 
148

 
117

 
323

 
Net income attributable to common shareholders and used in EPS calculation
 
$
7,860

 
$
7,379

 
$
17,514

 
$
16,131

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Share information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and Diluted weighted average common shares
 
17,021,599

 
16,869,481

 
16,994,864

 
16,856,423

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted earnings per common share
 
$
0.46

 
$
0.44

 
$
1.03

 
$
0.96

 


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MGP INGREDIENTS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands)
June 30,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
 
(Dollars in thousands)
June 30,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
2,162

 
$
5,025

 
Current maturities of long-term debt
$
393

 
$
386

Receivables, net
41,604

 
38,797

 
Accounts payable
20,711

 
25,363

Inventory
118,007

 
108,769

 
Accrued expenses
11,014

 
11,714

Prepaid expenses
1,834

 
1,320

 
Total Current Liabilities
32,118

 
37,463

Refundable income taxes
5,404

 
712

 
Other Liabilities:
 

 
 

Total Current Assets
169,011

 
154,623

 
Long-term debt, less current maturities
40,851

 
21,040

 
 

 
 

 
Credit agreement - revolver
1,245

 
10,588

 
 
 
 
 
Operating lease liability
4,112

 

 
 
 
 
 
Deferred credits
1,399

 
1,565

Property and equipment
299,666

 
295,893

 
Accrued retirement, health, and life insurance benefits
2,482

 
2,595

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
(179,772
)
 
(175,105
)
 
Other noncurrent liabilities
1,851

 
1,523

Property, Plant, and Equipment, net
119,894

 
120,788

 
Deferred income taxes
2,224

 
1,677

Operating lease right-of-use asset, net
6,163

 

 
Total Liabilities
86,282

 
76,451

Other assets
3,656

 
2,481

 
Stockholders’ equity
212,442

 
201,441

TOTAL ASSETS
$
298,724

 
$
277,892

 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
$
298,724

 
$
277,892

 

6





MGP INGREDIENTS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
Year to Date Ended June 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
17,631

 
$
16,454

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
 
5,602

 
5,826

Gain on sale of assets
 
(138
)
 

Share-based compensation
 
2,267

 
1,968

Deferred income taxes, including change in valuation allowance
 
547

 
729

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 

 
 

Receivables, net
 
(2,807
)
 
(1,411
)
Inventory
 
(9,238
)
 
(13,338
)
Prepaid expenses
 
(514
)
 
(620
)
Refundable income taxes
 
(4,692
)
 
446

Accounts payable
 
(2,883
)
 
(5,106
)
Accrued expenses
 
(2,750
)
 
(3,232
)
Deferred credits
 
(166
)
 
(362
)
Accrued retirement health, and life insurance benefits
 
211

 
(111
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
3,070

 
1,243

Cash Flows from Investing Activities
 
 

 
 

Additions to property, plant, and equipment
 
(6,192
)
 
(13,065
)
Deferred compensation plan investments
 
(1,177
)
 

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(7,369
)
 
(13,065
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
 
 

 
 

Payment of dividends and dividend equivalents
 
(3,427
)
 
(2,750
)
Purchase of treasury stock for tax withholding on equity-based compensation
 
(5,467
)
 
(2,073
)
Proceeds on long-term debt
 
20,000

 

Principal payments on long-term debt
 
(192
)
 
(185
)
Proceeds from credit agreement - revolver
 
12,625

 
16,946

Payments on credit agreement - revolver
 
(22,025
)
 
(920
)
Other
 
(78
)
 

Net cash provided by financing activities
 
1,436

 
11,018

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
 
(2,863
)
 
(804
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
5,025

 
3,084

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
2,162

 
$
2,280




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