Maple Leaf Foods Reports Second Quarter 2019 Financial Results

TSX: MFI
www.mapleleaffoods.com

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 1, 2019 /CNW/ – Maple Leaf Foods Inc. (“Maple Leaf Foods” or “the Company”) (TSX: MFI) today reported its financial results for the second quarter ending June 30, 2019.

Quarterly Highlights

• Sales increased by 12.5%, driven by acquisitions, our value-added product portfolio and continued double-digit growth in plant-based protein
• Recorded a net loss of $6.3 million or $0.05 per share due to $60.7 million of non-cash fair value changes on balance sheet items, not reflective of the commercial performance of the Company and excluded from Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾
• Adjusted EBITDA Margin⁽¹⁾ of 11.3% in meat protein and 10.6% for the Company, driven by strong commercial performance
• Net Debt⁽¹⁰⁾ of $403.4 million, of which $63.6 million is Construction Capital⁽¹¹⁾
• Pursuing aggressive new growth goals in plant-based protein, leveraging our market leadership

 

“We finished the quarter with strong top line growth and expanded our adjusted EBITDA margin,” said Michael H. McCain, President and CEO. “Our meat protein business delivered excellent profit growth even with difficult market conditions, and we have materially stepped up our game as a leader in the plant-based protein market, positioning us to win in this high-growth business. Combined with our growth capital investments, we are pursuing compelling strategies to deliver outstanding shareholder return. Our vision to be the most sustainable protein company on earth will redefine Maple Leaf in the next decade.”

Financial Highlights

Second quarter sales increased 12.5% to $1,022.7 million and Adjusted Earnings per Share⁽³⁾ decreased 2.9% to $0.33 compared to the same quarter last year. Adjusted EBITDA Margin for the quarter was 11.3% for meat protein, and 10.6% for the Company.

For the six months ended June 30, 2019, sales increased 11.8% and Adjusted Earnings per Share decreased 17.2%. Adjusted EBITDA Margin was 10.0% for the Company.

 

 

Operating Review

 

Sales for the second quarter increased 12.5% to $1,022.7 million. Excluding acquisitions, sales grew 3.5% driven by favourable mix due to food renovation supporting major brand strategies, fresh market values, and pricing actions taken in 2018 to mitigate inflationary pressures. Continued expansion of sustainable meats and plant-based protein also contributed to growth in sales.

Sales for the first six months increased 11.8% to $1,929.8 million. Excluding acquisitions, sales grew 2.5% consistent with the factors noted above.

Adjusted Operating Earnings were $65.2 million compared to $57.8 million in the second quarter of 2018. The gains in Adjusted Operating Earnings reflect positive commercial performance across the business driven by higher fresh market values, favorable mix attributed to food renovation, sustainable meats and growing footprint into the U.S., partially offset by higher input costs and continued investments in plant-based protein and branded products.

Adjusted Operating Earnings in the first six months was $107.3 million compared to $110.6 million last year. The change in Adjusted Operating Earnings is consistent with factors noted above, which were more than offset by investments in growth initiatives in plant-based protein, protein kits and meat pies.

Net loss for the second quarter was $6.3 million (loss of $0.05 per basic share) compared to net earnings of $34.9 million ($0.28 per basic share) in the second quarter of 2018. Second quarter net earnings were negatively impacted by $60.7 million due to non-cash fair value changes in biological assets and unrealized losses on derivative contracts, and higher interest costs as the Company continues to invest in the business. This was partially offset by margin expansion in prepared meats and growth in sustainable meats and plant-based protein, net of higher input costs and continued investments in plant-based protein and branded products.

For the first six months, net earnings were $43.8 million ($0.35 per basic share) compared to $62.8 million ($0.50 per basic share) last year. The decrease in net earnings for year to date is consistent with the factors noted above.

Adjusted EBITDA Margin for the second quarter was 11.3% for meat protein and 10.6%  for the Company, compared to 10.1% for the Company in the second quarter of 2018. For the first six months, Adjusted EBITDA Margin decreased to 10.0% from 10.1% consistent with the factors noted above. Adjusted EBITDA Margin was also impacted by the adoption of IFRS 16 – Leases (“IFRS 16”). Upon the adoption of IFRS 16, leases previously classified as operating leases were capitalized on the Company’s consolidated interim balance sheet. For the second quarter an incremental $7.9 million in depreciation and $1.8 million in interest was recorded on the Company’s consolidated interim statement of earnings, not included in Adjusted EBITDA. Incremental increases in depreciation and interest for the first six months were $16.0 million and $3.6 million, respectively.

The Company’s consolidated interim balance sheet included $403.4 million (2018: $21.1 million) of Net Debt, of which $63.6 million (2018: $18.5 million) was Construction Capital.

Subsequent Events

On July 19, 2019, the Company amended the accounts receivable securitization facility by extending the maturity to July 19, 2022 under similar terms and using the same financial institution with a long-term debt rating of AA-. The maximum cash advance available to the Company under the amended facility has increased from $110.0 million to $120.0 million.

Other Matters

On July 31, 2019, the Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.145 per share payable September 30, 2019 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 6, 2019. Unless indicated otherwise by the Company at or before the time the dividend is paid, this dividend will be considered an eligible dividend for the purposes of the “Enhanced Dividend Tax Credit System”.

Conference Call

An investor presentation related to the Company’s second quarter financial results is available at www.mapleleaffoods.com and can be found under Presentations and Webcasts on the Investors page. A conference call will be held at 2:30 p.m. EDT on August 1, 2019, to review Maple Leaf Foods’ second quarter financial results. To participate in the call, please dial 416-764-8609 or 1-888-390-0605. For those unable to participate, playback will be made available an hour after the event at 416-764-8677 or 1-888-390-0541 (Passcode:718822#).

A webcast presentation of the second quarter financial results will also be available at:

https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/2045496/AA233556501E3B619AD3CE8FDB4FAD10

The Company’s full unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and related Management’s Discussion and Analysis are available on the Company’s website.

Outlook

Maple Leaf Foods is committed to creating shared value with a focus on driving commercial and financial results and enhancing competitive advantage through addressing some of society’s most pressing issues. The Company is a leading consumer protein company, with the competitive advantages of a portfolio of leading brands, a robust pipeline of opportunities in attractive expanding markets and a proven-track record of execution. Combined with its solid balance sheet and capital structure that provide the financial flexibility to invest in future growth, Maple Leaf Foods is well-positioned to drive sustainable growth and create shareholder value.

Ongoing uncertainty in fresh pork markets is expected with continued global trade negotiations, the confirmation of African Swine Fever (“ASF”) in China and China’s temporary suspension of Canadian pork imports. ASF is leading to a shortage of pork protein in China, which is expected to increase worldwide market pricing of lean hogs as well as processed pork. Maple Leaf Foods intends to mitigate the impact of the Chinese import suspension of pork with exports to other countries and inventory management strategies. Within this environment, management remains focused on existing opportunities to grow the core business by improving commercial performance, operational efficiencies and progressing against strategic initiatives for longer-term value creation.

In 2017, Maple Leaf Foods set a profitability target to achieve an Adjusted EBITDA margin between 14% – 16% within five years. The Company remains focused on meeting this target through its profitable meat protein operations with ongoing progress in key structural margin expansion initiatives, including its sustainable meat strategy, poultry network strategy, its food renovation strategy supporting Maple Leaf’s flagship brands and its cost culture to deliver operational savings and efficiencies to fuel growth. Distinct from the more mature meat protein market, plant-based protein is rapidly expanding and presents a dynamic marketplace with vast growth opportunities. Leveraging its market leadership, Maple Leaf is changing its plant-based strategy and pursuing aggressive new growth goals focused on expanding sales. Continued investments in its plant-based protein brands’ strength, product innovation, people and supply chain excellence serve to secure Maple Leaf Foods’ leading position in this burgeoning market.

For 2019 the Company expects to:

• Invest approximately $460.0 million in capital expenditures, including approximately $200.0 million related to the construction of the new value-added poultry facility in London, Ontario and the new plant-based protein facility in Shelbyville, Indiana. This includes continuing construction of its London Poultry facility and advancing its Shelbyville plant-based protein facility;
• Continue to build its leadership in sustainable meat with further advancement in animal care including progress towards transitioning all sows under management to open housing systems by 2021, and ongoing retail and food service growth of the RWA category in Canada and the U.S.;
• Gain further momentum in prepared meats sales volume as the Company benefits from the food renovation and brand repositioning of its Maple Leaf®, Schneiders® and Swift® brands; and 
• Pursue aggressive new growth goals focused on expanding sales and accelerating its leadership in the refrigerated plant-based protein market under its flagship Lightlife^TM and Field Roast Grain Meat Co.^TM brands, targeting 2020 sales to exceed $280.0 million with an opportunity of greater than $3.0 billion in sales on a 10 year horizon, based on the plant-based protein market’s growth potential and the Company’s anticipated share of the market. 

 

Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures

The Company uses the following non-IFRS measures: Adjusted Operating Earnings, Adjusted Earnings per Share, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Construction Capital and Net Debt. Management believes that these non-IFRS measures provide useful information to investors in measuring the financial performance of the Company for the reasons outlined below. These measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other publicly traded companies and should not be construed as an alternative to other financial measures determined in accordance with IFRS. 

Adjusted Operating Earnings

Adjusted Operating Earnings, a non-IFRS measure, is used by Management to evaluate financial operating results. It is defined as earnings before income taxes adjusted for items that are not considered representative of ongoing operational activities of the business and items where the economic impact of the transactions will be reflected in earnings in future periods when the underlying asset is sold or transferred. The table below provides a reconciliation of net earnings as reported under IFRS in the consolidated financial statements to Adjusted Operating Earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, as indicated below. Management believes that this basis is the most appropriate on which to evaluate operating results, as they are representative of the ongoing operations of the Company.

 

Adjusted Earnings per Share

Adjusted Earnings per Share, a non-IFRS measure, is used by Management to evaluate financial operating results. It is defined as basic earnings per share and is adjusted on the same basis as Adjusted Operating Earnings. The table below provides a reconciliation of basic earnings per share as reported under IFRS in the Company’s consolidated financial statements to Adjusted Earnings per Share for the three and six months ended June 30, as indicated below. Management believes this basis is the most appropriate on which to evaluate financial results as they are representative of the ongoing operations of the Company.

 

Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Income Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization

Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as earnings before interest and income taxes plus depreciation and intangible asset amortization, adjusted for items that are not considered representative of ongoing operational activities of the business, and items where the economic impact of the transactions will be reflected in earnings in future periods when the underlying asset is sold or transferred. The following table provides a reconciliation of net earnings as reported under IFRS in the consolidated financial statements to Adjusted EBITDA for the three and six months ended June 30, as indicated below. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is useful in assessing the performance of the Company’s ongoing operations and its ability to generate cash flows to fund its cash requirements, including the Company’s capital investment program.

 

Construction Capital

Construction Capital, a non-IFRS measure, is used by Management to evaluate the amount of capital resources invested in specific strategic development projects that have not yet entered commercial production. It is defined as investments in projects over $50.0 million that are related to longer-term strategic initiatives, with no returns expected for at least 12 months in the future and the asset will be re-categorized from Construction Capital once operational. Current strategic initiatives primarily include the investments in the London, Ontario poultry production facility, and the plant-based protein production facility in Shelbyville, Indiana. The following table is a summary of Construction Capital activity and debt financing for the periods indicated below.

 

Net Debt 

The following table reconciles Net Debt to amounts reported under IFRS in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as at June 30, as indicated below. The Company calculates Net Debt as cash and cash equivalents, less long-term debt and bank indebtedness. Management believes this measure is useful in assessing the amount of financial leverage employed.

 

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This document contains, and the Company’s oral and written public communications often contain, “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities law. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about the industries in which the Company operates, as well as beliefs and assumptions made by Management of the Company. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to objectives and goals, in addition to statements with respect to beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates, and intentions. Specific forward-looking information in this document includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to: future performance; expectations regarding the use of derivatives, futures and options; the expected use of cash balances; source of funds for ongoing business requirements; expectations regarding capital projects, investments and expenditures; expectations regarding the implementation of environmental sustainability initiatives; expectations regarding the adoption of new accounting standards and the impact of such adoption on financial position; expectations regarding pension plan performance and future pension plan liabilities and contributions; expectations regarding levels of credit risk; and expectations regarding outcomes of legal actions. Words such as “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “may”, “will”, “plan”, “believe”, “seek”, “estimate”, and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking information. All statements in this document, other than statements of historical fact, are forward looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions, risks, and uncertainties that are difficult to predict.  

In addition, these statements and expectations concerning the performance of the Company’s business in general are based on a number of factors and assumptions including, but not limited to: the condition of the Canadian, U.S., Japanese, and Chinese economies; the rate of exchange of the Canadian dollar to the U.S. dollar, the Japanese yen, and the Euro; the availability and prices of raw materials, energy and supplies; product pricing; the availability of insurance; the competitive environment and related market conditions; improvement of operating efficiencies; continued access to capital; the cost of compliance with environmental and health standards; no adverse results from ongoing litigation; no unexpected actions of domestic and foreign governments; and the general assumption that none of the risks identified below or elsewhere in this document will materialize. All of these assumptions have been derived from information currently available to the Company, including information obtained by the Company from third-party sources. These assumptions may prove to be incorrect in whole or in part. In addition, actual results may differ materially from those expressed, implied, or forecasted in such forward-looking information, which reflect the Company’s expectations only as of the date hereof.

Factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from the results expressed, implied, or forecasted by forward looking information include, among other things:

• risks associated with the Company focusing solely on the protein business;
• risks related to the Company’s decisions regarding any potential return of capital to shareholders;
• risks associated with the execution of capital projects, including cost, schedule and regulatory variables;
• risks associated with international trade and access to markets;
• risks associated with concentration of production in fewer facilities;
• risks associated with the availability of capital;
• risks associated with changes in the Company’s information systems and processes; 
• risks associated with cyber threats;
• risks posed by food contamination, consumer liability, and product recalls;
• risks associated with acquisitions, divestitures, and capital expansion projects; 
• impact on pension expense and funding requirements of fluctuations in the market prices of fixed income and equity securities and changes in interest rates; 
• cyclical nature of the cost and supply of hogs and the competitive nature of the pork market generally;
• risks related to the health status of livestock; 
• impact of a pandemic on the Company’s operations;
• the Company’s exposure to currency exchange risks;
• ability of the Company to hedge against the effect of commodity price changes through the use of commodity futures and options;
• impact of changes in the market value of the biological assets and hedging instruments; 
• risks associated with the supply management system for poultry in Canada;
• risks associated with the use of contract manufacturers;
• impact of international events on commodity prices and the free flow of goods; 
• risks posed by compliance with extensive government regulation; 
• risks posed by litigation;  
• impact of changes in consumer tastes and buying patterns;
• impact of extensive environmental regulation and potential environmental liabilities; 
• risks associated with a consolidating retail environment;  
• risks posed by competition;  
• risks associated with complying with differing employment laws and practices, the potential for work stoppages due to non-renewal of collective agreements, and recruiting and retaining qualified personnel;  
• risks associated with pricing the Company’s products; 
• risks associated with managing the Company’s supply chain;
• risks associated with failing to identify and manage the strategic risks facing the Company; and 
• impact of changes in International Financial Reporting Standards and other accounting standards that the Company is required to adhere to for regulatory purposes.

 

In addition to the factors referenced above, the Company’s expectations with respect to future sales associated with the anticipated growth of its plant-based protein business as of the date hereof are based on a number of assumptions, estimates and projections that have been developed based on experience and anticipated trends, including but not limited to: market growth assumptions, market share assumptions, new product innovation, foreign exchange rates and competition.

The Company cautions the reader that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. These factors are discussed in more detail under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2018, that is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The reader should review such section in detail. Some of the forward-looking information may be considered to be financial outlooks for purposes of applicable securities legislation including, but not limited to, statements concerning future capital expenditures. These financial outlooks are presented to evaluate anticipated future uses of cash flows, and may not be appropriate for other purposes and readers should not assume they will be achieved. The Company does not intend to, and the Company disclaims any obligation to, update any forward-looking information, whether written or oral, or whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Additional information concerning the Company, including the Company’s Annual Information Form is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About Maple Leaf Foods Inc.

Maple Leaf Foods is a producer of food products under leading brands including Maple Leaf®, Maple Leaf Prime®, Maple Leaf Natural Selections®, Schneiders®, Schneiders® Country Naturals®, Mina®, Greenfield Natural Meat Co.®, Lightlife^TM, Field Roast Grain Meat Co.^TM and Swift®. Maple Leaf employs approximately 12,500 people and does business in Canada, the U.S. and Asia. The Company is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario and its shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MFI).

 Footnote Legend

1. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as earnings before interest and income taxes plus depreciation and intangible asset amortization, adjusted for items that are not considered representative of ongoing operational activities of the business, and items where the economic impact of the transactions will be reflected in earnings in future periods when the underlying asset is sold or transferred. Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA divided by sales. Please refer to the section entitled Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this news release.
2. Adjusted Operating Earnings, a non-IFRS measure, is used by Management to evaluate financial operating results. It is defined as earnings before income taxes adjusted for items that are not considered representative of ongoing operational activities of the business, and items where the economic impact of the transactions will be reflected in earnings in future periods when the underlying asset is sold or transferred. Please refer to the section entitled Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this news release.
3. Adjusted Earnings per Share, a non-IFRS measure, is used by Management to evaluate financial operating results. It is defined as basic earnings per share and is adjusted on the same basis as Adjusted Operating Earnings. Please refer to the section entitled Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this news release.
4. Unrealized gains/losses on derivative contracts is reported within cost of goods sold in the Company’s 2019 second quarter unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements. For biological assets information, please refer to Note 5 of the Company’s 2019 second quarter unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
5. Includes per share impact of restructuring and other related costs, net of tax.
6. Primarily includes vacancy costs, acquisition related costs, interest income, and litigation costs, net of tax.   
7. Includes per share impact of the change in unrealized losses on derivative contracts and the change in fair value of biological assets, net of tax. 
8. May not add due to rounding.
9. Assumed to be fully funded by debt to the extent that the Company has Net Debt outstanding.
10. The Company calculates Net Debt as cash and cash equivalents, less long-term debt and bank indebtedness. Please refer to the section entitled Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this news release.
11. Construction Capital, a non-IFRS measure, is used by Management to evaluate the amount of capital resources invested in specific strategic development projects that have not yet entered commercial production. It is defined as investments in projects over $50.0 million that are related to longer-term strategic initiatives, with no returns expected for at least 12 months in the future and the asset will be re-categorized from Construction Capital once operational. Please refer to the section entitled Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this news release.

 

Consolidated Interim Balance Sheets

 

 

Consolidated Interim Statements of Net Earnings (Loss)

 

Consolidated Interim Statements of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Consolidated Interim Statements of Changes in Total Equity

 

Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

SOURCE Maple Leaf Foods Inc.

Investor Contact: Kim Lee, 905-285-5898; Media Contact: Janet Riley, 905-285-1515