Quarterly results led by record performance in each of the three business segments   

ATCHISON, Kan., August 4, 2021 - MGP Ingredients, Inc. (Nasdaq:MGPI), a leading provider of distilled spirits, branded spirits, and food ingredient solutions, today reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021.

2021 second quarter results compared to 2020 second quarter results

• Consolidated sales increased 89.0% to $174.9 million, as a result of strong growth in each of the reporting segments.

• Consolidated gross profit increased 174.5% to $56.8 million, representing 32.5% of consolidated sales, due to record gross profit in each of the reporting segments.

• Non-GAAP gross profit increased 186.7% to $59.4 million, representing 33.9% of consolidated sales.
• Consolidated operating income increased 144.0% to $27.7 million; non-GAAP operating income increased 204.7% to $36.9 million.
• Earnings per share ("EPS") increased to $0.91 per share from $0.50 per share; non-GAAP EPS increased to $1.27 per share from $0.54 per share.
• Adjusted EBITDA increased to $42.3 million from $15.7 million, representing a 169.8% increase.

“The record consolidated quarterly results reflect the progress our team has made toward executing our long-term strategic plan,” said David Colo, president and CEO of MGP Ingredients. “Sales of premium beverage alcohol increased 54.2%, primarily driven by brown goods sales growth of 72.8% from last year, which was due to both higher aged whiskey and new distillate sales. The American Whiskey category remains robust, and we continue to optimize our significant share and scale advantage to grow the business.

“Integration of our recently completed acquisition of Luxco remains on track, including achievement of the synergy expectations we shared earlier in the year”, continued Colo.  “This additional platform is already improving our gross profit and cash flow generation profile and provides long term growth opportunities for the company.  We also recently announced three key leadership changes, David Bratcher was elevated to Chief Operating Officer, Amel Pasagic was appointed Chief Information Officer and Erika Lapish joined as Vice President Human Resources. David, Amel and Erika are proven leaders and further strengthen our capability of executing our long-term strategies.”

Distillery Products Segment

In the second quarter of 2021, sales for the Distillery Products segment increased 20.8% to $90.3 million, reflecting a 54.2% increase in sales of premium beverage alcohol, as a result of higher aged whiskey, white goods and new distillate sales.  Gross profit increased to $32.0 million or 35.4% of segment sales, compared to $15.9 million, or 21.2% of segment sales in the second quarter 2020.

“We posted another record quarter in the Distillery Products segment, primarily driven by strong aged whiskey sales, as a result of the continued robust consumer demand for our premium beverage alcohol offerings,” said Colo. “The macro consumer trend supporting the ongoing growth of the American Whiskey category remains solid, which is confirmed by the demand we’re experiencing from new and existing brown goods customers.

“White goods sales also posted solid growth of 22.4% from the prior year period, primarily due to improved prices. As for industrial alcohol products, we have seen additional supply enter the market this quarter and we anticipate spot market margins will normalize and return to historical levels as demand moderates over the next several quarters.” 

Branded Spirits Segment

In the second quarter of 2021, sales for the Branded Spirits segment totaled $60.4 million, primarily due to the Luxco acquisition. Gross profit increased to $18.4 million or 30.5% of segment sales, compared to $0.1 million, or 38.5% of segment sales in the second quarter 2020. Excluding the impact of purchase accounting related to the Luxco acquisition, gross margin totaled 35.7% for the quarter.

“The results for this newly created segment exceeded our expectations this quarter,” commented Colo. “We are very pleased with the ongoing consumer demand for our brands, as we continue to focus on improving our portfolio profitability by optimizing gross profits and margins, as well as the marketing mix across all of our brands.”

Ingredient Solutions Segment

For the second quarter of 2021, sales in the Ingredient Solutions segment increased 39.1% to $24.2 million.  Gross profit increased to $6.4 million, or 26.5% of segment sales, compared to $4.7 million, or 27.1% of segment sales in the second quarter 2020.

“As expected, this quarter’s results reflect the solid demand we continue to experience for our specialty wheat proteins and starches in the Ingredient Solutions segment,” said Colo. “We believe our diverse customer base and product offering continue to be aligned with strong consumer trends.”

Other

MGP experienced a fire at the Atchison facility during the fourth quarter 2020, which damaged feed drying equipment and caused a temporary loss of production time. During the second quarter, the Company recorded a $6.2 million partial settlement from its insurance carrier and is working to construct a replacement drying system that is anticipated to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Corporate selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses for the second quarter 2021 increased to $29.2 million as compared to $9.4 million in the second quarter 2020, primarily driven by the assumption of Luxco SG&A expenses, as well as one-time acquisition related costs.

The corporate effective tax rate for the quarter was 24.2% compared with 23.1% in the year ago period due to higher pre-tax income, which lessened the proportionate effects of tax credits received.

EPS increased to $0.91 for the second quarter 2021 based on 21.9 million shares outstanding, compared to $0.50 for the second quarter 2020 based on 16.9 million shares outstanding. Second quarter 2021 non-GAAP EPS increased to $1.27 per share from $0.54 per share, as compared to the prior year period.

2021 Outlook

MGP is offering the following consolidated guidance for fiscal 2021, including Luxco's financial results:

• Sales are projected to be in the range of $570 million to $580 million.
• Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $105 million to $110 million.
• Adjusted earnings per share are forecasted to be in the $2.90 to $3.00 range, with weighted average shares outstanding expected to be approximately 20.7 million at year end.

Conclusion

“While we are off to a strong start to the year, we remain conscientious of the pandemic’s continued uncertainty and its potential impact on our results,” said Colo. “We remain committed to the execution of our long-term growth strategy, further building on the momentum from last quarter and year. Our three business segments are uniquely aligned with strong consumer trends, which we believe will create long-term and sustainable shareholder value.  While we are very pleased with the unprecedented aged whiskey sales year to date, our full year guidance reflects aged whiskey demand to moderate in the back half of the year and over the long-term, to grow in line with the overall American Whiskey category.”

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.

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, 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 the recent acquisition of Luxco, Inc. and its affiliates ("Luxco"), anticipated earnings enhancements, synergies and other strategic options. 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, among others: (i) the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of Luxco; (ii) the ability to successfully integrate the businesses; (iii) disruption from the acquisition of Luxco making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; and (iv) significant transaction costs and unknown liabilities. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially include, among others, (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 ability to effectively pass raw material price increases on to customers, (ix) our ability to maintain compliance with all applicable loan agreement covenants, (x) our ability to realize operating efficiencies, (xi) actions of governments, and (xii) 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, 2020 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 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 operating income, adjusted income before taxes, adjusted net income, adjusted MGP earnings, basic and diluted adjusted earnings per share, and adjusted EBITDA. The presentation of non-GAAP financial measures should be reviewed in conjunction with 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