SunOpta Announces Record Second Quarter and First Half 2012 Results


TORONTO, Aug. 9, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SunOpta Inc. ("SunOpta" or "the Company") (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY), a leading global company focused on natural, organic and specialty foods, today announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2012. All amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars and results are reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP, except where specifically noted.

For the second quarter of 2012, the Company reported earnings of $8.1 million or $0.12 per diluted common share, as compared to earnings of $4.4 million or $0.07 per diluted common share for the quarter ended July 2, 2011, an 85% increase in earnings over the second quarter of last year. Excluding discontinued operations, earnings for the second quarter of 2012 were $7.6 million or $0.11 per diluted common share versus $5.6 million or $0.08 per diluted common share in the prior year. These earnings are a second quarter record for the Company after excluding one-time items in certain prior years. Included in earnings for the second quarter were approximately $1.7 million in pre-tax severance, acquisition and start-up costs ($1.1 million after tax), offset by a $0.7 million after tax gain on the sale of Purity Life Natural Health Products and approximately $0.7 million in tax adjustments that lowered the Company's effective tax rate. Prior year earnings from continuing operations included pre-tax gains on the sale of assets of $3.0 million and a favorable adjustment of a legal claim of $0.5 million.

For the second quarter of 2012, the Company reported quarterly revenues of $282.3 million versus revenues of $275.2 million for the quarter ended July 2, 2011, a year over year increase of 2.6%. Excluding the impact of changes including foreign exchange rates, commodity-related pricing, acquisitions and rationalized product lines, revenues increased approximately 5% on a consolidated basis. The increase in consolidated revenues in the second quarter was driven by strong growth in integrated packaged food product categories within SunOpta Foods and the steel products segment within Opta Minerals Inc. These increases were somewhat offset by the effect of lower commodity grain sales, albeit at improved margins, and decreased volumes in the Company's European organic ingredients operation.

Operating income1 for the second quarter of 2012 increased to $14.3 million or 5.1% of revenues versus $9.8 million or 3.6% of revenues in the prior year, a year over year increase of 46.7%. This increase was primarily led by a significant improvement in operating income in the Grains and Foods Group versus the prior year.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2012, the Company realized EBITDA1 of $19.4 million as compared to $14.2 million for the quarter ended July 2, 2011, a year over year increase of 36.6%.

For the two quarters ended June 30, 2012, the Company reported earnings of $14.0 million or $0.21 per diluted common share, as compared to earnings of $9.5 million or $0.14 per diluted common share for the two quarters ended July 2, 2011, a 48% increase in earnings compared to last year. Excluding discontinued operations, earnings for the two quarters ended June 30, 2012 were $13.0 million or $0.19 per diluted common share versus $11.1 million or $0.17 per diluted common share in the prior year. These earnings are a first half record for the Company after excluding one-time items in certain prior years. Included in earnings for the two quarters ended June 30, 2012 were approximately $2.2 million in pre-tax severance, acquisition and start-up costs ($1.4 million after tax), offset by a $0.7 million after tax gain on the sale of Purity Life Natural Health Products and approximately $0.7 million in tax adjustments that lowered the Company's effective tax rate. Prior year earnings from continuing operations included pre-tax gains on the sale of assets of $3.0 million and favorable settlement of a legal claim of $0.5 million.

For the two quarters ended June 30, 2012, the Company reported revenues of $541.6 million versus revenues of $520.5 million for the two quarters ended July 2, 2011, a year over year increase of 4.1%. Excluding the impact of changes including foreign exchange rates, commodity-related pricing, acquisitions and rationalized product lines, revenues increased approximately 6% on a consolidated basis. The increase in consolidated revenues in the first two quarters of 2012 was driven by strong growth in integrated packaged food product categories within SunOpta Foods and the steel products segment within Opta Minerals Inc. These increases were somewhat offset by the effect of lower commodity grain sales, albeit at improved margins, and decreased volumes in the Company's European organic ingredients operation.

Operating income1 for the two quarters ended June 30, 2012 increased to $27.1 million or 5.0% of revenues versus $21.5 million or 4.1% of revenues in the prior year, a year over year increase of 26.1%. This increase was primarily led by improved operating income in the Grains and Foods Group versus the prior year.

For the two quarters ended June 30, 2012, the Company realized EBITDA1 of $36.9 million as compared to $30.4 million for the two quarters ended July 2, 2011.

At June 30, 2012, the Company's balance sheet reflects a current ratio of 1.47 to 1.00, and a total debt to equity ratio of 0.51 to 1.00. At June 30, 2012, the Company has total debt outstanding of $159.1 million, total assets of $643.5 million and a net book value of $4.75 per outstanding share. During the quarter, the Company generated cash from operating activities of $28.8 million versus $20.5 million in the prior year, indicative of improved earnings and improved cash provided by working capital.

Steve Bromley, Chief Executive Officer of SunOpta, commented, "We are very pleased with our second quarter and first half results as they reflect continued momentum in our core natural and organic foods business, plus the positive impact of operational improvements which we have continued to implement. During the quarter, we realized strong cash flows, and subsequent to quarter end announced the amendment and expansion of our syndicated credit facilities that support our core food platform in North America. These new facilities will provide additional flexibility in support of our internal growth initiatives as well as potential acquisitions. We remain confident in our focus on natural and organic foods and our strategy to improve operating margins and return on assets, and are encouraged by our progress."

The Company plans to host a conference call at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time on Friday August 10th, 2012 to discuss the results for the second quarter of 2012 and recent corporate developments. The conference call can be accessed via a link at the Company's website at www.sunopta.com. Additionally, the call may be accessed with the toll free dial-in number 1-877-312-9198 or 631-291-4622. A replay number can also be accessed between August 10th and 17th with the toll free dial-in number 1–855-859-2056 or 404-537-3406 followed by pass code: 90040467#.

1See discussion of non-GAAP measures

About SunOpta Inc.

SunOpta Inc. is a leading global company focused on natural, organic and specialty foods products. The company specializes in sourcing, processing and packaging of natural and organic food products, integrated from seed through packaged products; with a focus on strategically vertically integrated business models. The Company's core natural and organic food operations focus on value-added grains, fiber and fruit based product offerings, supported by a global infrastructure. The company has two non-core holdings, a 66.2% ownership position in Opta Minerals Inc., listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, a producer, distributor, and recycler of environmentally friendly industrial materials; and a minority ownership position in Mascoma Corporation, an innovative biofuels company.

The SunOpta Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3958

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this press release may be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our continued momentum in our core natural and organic foods business, the positive impact of operational improvements, additional flexibility provided by our new credit facilities and our strategy to improve operating margins and return on assets. The terms and phrases "continued", "improve", "will provide", "remain confident" and other similar terms and phrases are intended to identify these forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on information available to us on the date of this release and are based on estimates and assumptions made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors the Company believes are appropriate in the circumstances including, but not limited to, general economic conditions, consumer interest in health and wellness, product pricing levels, current customer demand, planned facility and operational expansions, competitive intensity, cost rationalization and product development initiatives. Whether actual timing and results will agree with expectations and predications of the Company is subject to many risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, global economic conditions, consumer spending patterns and changes in market trends, decreases in customer demand, potential failure of product development, working capital management and continuous improvement initiatives, availability and pricing of raw materials and supplies, potential covenant breaches under our credit facilities and other risks described from time to time under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q (available at www.sec.gov). Consequently, all forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by the Company will be realized.

SunOpta Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the quarter ended June 30, 2012 and July 2, 2011
Unaudited
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
       
 
  Quarter ended Quarter ended
  June 30, 2012 July 2, 2011 Change
  $ $ %
       
Revenues  282,308    275,188   2.6%
       
Cost of goods sold  245,220    243,209   0.8%
       
Gross profit   37,088    31,979 16.0%
       
Selling, general and administrative expenses  22,086   21,163 4.4%
Intangible asset amortization  1,235   1,017 21.4%
Other expense (income), net   1,378   (3,256) 142.3%
Foreign exchange loss (gain)  (581)  19   n/a
       
Earnings from continuing operations before the following   12,970    13,036   -0.5%
       
Interest expense, net  2,558    2,520   1.5%
       
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes  10,412    10,516   -1.0%
       
Provision for income taxes  2,769    4,170   -33.6%
       
Earnings from continuing operations  7,643    6,346   20.4%
       
Discontinued operations       
Gain (loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes  214    (1,233) n/a
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes  676    --   n/a
       
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes  890    (1,233) 172.2%
       
Earnings  8,533    5,113  66.9%
       
Earnings attributable to non-controlling interests  388    712   -45.5%
       
Earnings attributable to SunOpta Inc.  8,145    4,401   85.1%
       
Earnings (loss) per share - basic       
 -from continuing operations  0.11    0.09    
 -from discontinued operations  0.01    (0.02)  
   0.12    0.07    
       
Earnings (loss) per share – diluted      
 -from continuing operations  0.11    0.08    
 -from discontinued operations  0.01    (0.02)  
   0.12    0.07    
 
 
SunOpta Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations 
For the two quarters ended June 30, 2012 and July 2, 2011
Unaudited
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
 
  Two quarters ended Two quarters ended  
  June 30, 2012 July 2, 2011 Change
  $ $ %
       
Revenues  541,636    520,538   4.1%
       
Cost of goods sold   470,062    455,926   3.1%
       
Gross profit  71,574   64,612   10.8%
       
Selling, general and administrative expenses  42,516   40,906  3.9%
Intangible asset amortization  2,428   2,033  19.4%
Other expense (income), net   1,742   (2,894) 160.2%
Foreign exchange loss (gain)  (499)  154   -424.0%
       
Earnings from continuing operations before the following   25,387    24,413   4.0%
       
Interest expense, net  5,141    4,504   14.1%
       
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes  20,246    19,909   1.7%
       
Provision for income taxes  6,355    7,423   -14.4%
       
Earnings from continuing operations  13,891    12,486   11.3%
       
Discontinued operations       
Gain (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes  405    (1,625) n/a
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of taxes  676    --   n/a
       
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes  1,081    (1,625) 172.2%
       
Earnings  14,972    10,861   37.9%
       
Earnings attributable to non-controlling interests  935    1,379   -32.2%
       
Earnings attributable to SunOpta Inc.  14,037    9,482   48.0%
       
Earnings (loss) per share – basic       
-from continuing operations  0.20    0.17    
-from discontinued operations  0.02    (0.02)  
   0.21    0.14    
       
Earnings (loss) per share – diluted       
-from continuing operations  0.19    0.17    
-from discontinued operations  0.02    (0.02)  
   0.21    0.14    
 
 
SunOpta Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011
Unaudited
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
     
 
  June 30, 2012 December 31, 2011
  $ $
     
ASSETS    
     
Current assets    
Cash and cash equivalents   3,247  2,378 
Accounts receivable  107,080  88,898 
Inventories   222,712  228,455 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  18,654  21,378 
Current income taxes recoverable  1,083   1,503 
Deferred income taxes  4,779  4,773 
Current assets held for sale   --   17,923 
  357,555  365,308 
     
Investments   33,845   33,845 
Property, plant and equipment  128,256   120,584 
Goodwill   56,642   49,387 
Intangible assets  54,255   48,035 
Deferred income taxes  11,631   11,751 
Other assets  1,328   1,854 
Non-current assets held for sale   --   739 
     
   643,512  631,503 
     
LIABILITIES    
     
Current liabilities    
Bank indebtedness   97,826  109,718 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  107,555  114,308 
Customer and other deposits  4,581  843 
Income taxes payable  1,412  1,229 
Other current liabilities  3,504  1,419 
Current portion of long-term debt   27,406  35,198 
Current portion of long-term liabilities  621  995 
Current liabilities held for sale   --   5,920 
  242,905  269,630 
     
Long-term debt   33,905   17,066 
Long-term liabilities  6,712   5,586 
Deferred income taxes  30,676   24,273 
   314,198  316,555 
     
     
EQUITY    
SunOpta Inc. shareholders' equity    
Capital Stock   182,604  182,108 
65,832,112 common shares (December 31, 2011 - 65,796,398)    
Additional paid in capital   15,489  14,134 
Retained earnings  114,545  100,508 
Accumulated other comprehensive income  196  2,382 
   312,834   299,132 
Non-controlling interest  16,480  15,816 
Total equity  329,314   314,948 
     
   643,512   631,503 
 
 
SunOpta Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the quarter ended June 30, 2012 and July 2, 2011
Unaudited
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
 
  Quarter ended Quarter ended
  June 30, 2012 July 2, 2011
  $ $
     
Cash provided by (used in)    
     
Operating activities    
Earnings  8,533    5,113 
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations  890    (1,233)
Earnings from continuing operations  7,643    6,346
     
Items not affecting cash    
Depreciation and amortization  5,018   4,439 
Unrealized loss (gain) on foreign exchange  (195)  246 
Deferred income taxes  1,630   3,216 
Stock-based compensation  740   552 
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment  --   (3,824)
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments  1,215   (233)
Other  368   322
Changes in non-cash working capital   12,547   9,720
Net cash flows from operations - continuing operations  28,966  20,784
Net cash flows from operations - discontinued operations  (168)  (303)
   28,798   20,481 
Investing activities    
Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net  (6,995)  (5,297)
Proceeds on sale of property, plant and equipment  --    2,773
Payment of contingent consideration  (327)  --  
Purchases of intangible assets  --    (8)
Other  (129)  (441)
Net cash flows from investing activities - continuing operations  (7,451)  (2,973)
Net cash flows from investing activities - discontinued operations  12,147   (16)
   4,696   (2,989)
Financing activities    
Decrease in line of credit facilities  (29,534)  (14,124)
Borrowings under long-term debt  285   -- 
Proceeds from the issuance of common shares  266   534
Repayment of long-term debt  (3,793)  (4,722)
Financing costs  (1,084)  (161)
Other  (26)  793
Net cash flows from financing activities - continuing operations  (33,886)  (17,680)
     
Foreign exchange gain on cash held in a foreign currency  (90)  41
     
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents during the period  (482)  (147)
     
Discontinued operations cash activity included above:    
Add: Balance included at beginning of period  --    212 
Less: Balance included at end of period  --    (212)
     
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of the period  3,729   5,508
     
Cash and cash equivalents - end of the period  3,247   5,361
 
 
SunOpta Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the two quarters ended June 30, 2012 and July 2, 2011
Unaudited
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
 
  Two quarters ended Two quarters ended
  June 30, 2012 July 2, 2011
  $ $
     
Cash provided by (used in)    
     
Operating activities    
Earnings  14,972   10,861 
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations  1,081   (1,625)
Earnings from continuing operations  13,891   12,486
     
Items not affecting cash    
Depreciation and amortization  9,791   8,857
Unrealized loss (gain) on foreign exchange  (93)  969
Deferred income taxes  3,716   4,721
Stock-based compensation  1,328   981
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment  --   (3,824)
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments  1,897   (3,918)
Other  709   (66)
Changes in non-cash working capital, net of business acquired  (9,383)  (32,893)
Net cash flows from operations - continuing operations  21,856   (12,687)
Net cash flows from operations - discontinued operations  (316)  (735)
   21,540    (13,422)
Investing activities    
Acquisition of business  (17,530)  --  
Purchases of property, plant and equipment  (11,914)  (9,174)
Proceeds on sale of property, plant and equipment  --    2,773  
Payment of contingent consideration  (327)  --  
Purchases of intangible assets  (25)  (67)
Other  (206)  (441)
Net cash from investing activities - continuing operations  (30,002)  (6,909)
Net cash flows from investing activities - discontinued operations  12,134   (70)
   (17,868)  (6,979)
Financing activities    
Increase (decrease) in line of credit facilities  (10,526)  28,427 
Borrowings under long-term debt  19,373   37 
Proceeds from the issuance of common shares  423   747 
Repayment of long-term debt  (10,823)  (6,726)
Financing costs  (1,175)  (186)
Other  (29)  821 
Net cash from financing activities - continuing operations  (2,757)  23,120 
     
Foreign exchange gain on cash held in a foreign currency  (46)  211 
     
     
Increase in cash and cash equivalents during the period  869   2,930 
     
Discontinued operations cash activity included above:    
Add: Balance included at beginning of period  --    308 
Less: Balance included at end of period  --    (212)
     
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of the period  2,378   2,335 
     
Cash and cash equivalents - end of the period  3,247   5,361 
 
 
SunOpta Inc.
Segmented Information
For the quarter ended June 30, 2012 and July 2, 2011
Unaudited
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)
 
 
        Quarter ended 
June 30, 2012
  SunOpta Foods
$
Opta Minerals
$
Corporate Services
$
Consolidated
$
Total revenues from external customers  251,094    31,214    --    282,308  
         
Segment Operating Income (Loss)  14,035    1,817    (1,504)  14,348  
           
SunOpta Foods has the following segmented reporting:          
 
          Quarter ended 
June 30, 2012
  Grains and Foods
$
Ingredients
$
Consumer Products
$
International Foods
$
SunOpta Foods
$
Total revenues from external customers  136,004   20,486   49,091   45,513   251,094 
           
Segment Operating Income (Loss)  10,496   839   170   2,530   14,035 
           
 
        Quarter ended 
July 2, 2011
  SunOpta Foods
$
Opta Minerals
$
Corporate Services
$
Consolidated
$
Total revenues from external customers  250,401    24,787    --    275,188  
         
Segment Operating Income (Loss)  9,848    2,159    (2,227)  9,780  
           
SunOpta Foods has the following segmented reporting:          
 
          Quarter ended July 2, 2011
  Grains and Foods
$
Ingredients
$
Consumer Products
$
International Foods
$
SunOpta Foods
$
Total revenues from external customers  125,108   23,700   47,747   53,846   250,401 
           
Segment Operating Income (Loss)  5,280   1,661   122   2,785   9,848 
           
(Operating Income (Loss) is defined as "Earnings from continuing operations before the following" excluding the impact of "Other expense, net")
 
 
SunOpta Inc.
Segmented Information
For the two quarters ended June 30, 2012 and July 2, 2011
Unaudited
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Two quarters ended June 30, 2012
    SunOpta Foods Opta Minerals Corporate Services Consolidated
  $ $ $ $
           
Total revenues from external customers  482,090    59,546    --    541,636  
           
Segment Operating Income (Loss)  25,588    4,898    (3,357)  27,129  
           
SunOpta Foods has the following segmented reporting:          
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Two quarters ended June 30, 2012
  Grains and Foods Ingredients Consumer Products International Foods SunOpta Foods
  $ $ $ $ $
           
Total revenues from external customers  257,179    42,135    94,243    88,533    482,090  
           
Segment Operating Income (Loss)  18,882    2,068    (5)  4,643    25,588  
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Two quarters ended July 2, 2011
    SunOpta Foods Opta Minerals Corporate Services Consolidated
  $ $ $ $
Total revenues from external customers  474,145   46,393   --   520,538 
           
Segment Operating Income (Loss)  21,272   4,610  (4,363)  21,519 
           
SunOpta Foods has the following segmented reporting:
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Two quarters ended July 2, 2011
  Grains and Foods Ingredients Consumer Products International Foods SunOpta Foods
  $ $ $ $ $
Total revenues from external customers  240,375    49,636    83,691    100,443    474,145  
           
Segment Operating Income (Loss)  11,568    4,627    (356)  5,433    21,272  
           
(Operating Income (Loss) is defined as "Earnings from continuing operations before the following" excluding the impact of "Other expense, net")

1Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), the Company provides information regarding Operating Income and Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") as additional information about its operating results, which are not measures in accordance with GAAP. The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures assist investors in comparing performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that are not indicative of the Company's core operating performance. The non-GAAP measures of operating income and EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. 

The Company defines Operating Income as "Earnings from continuing operations before the following" excluding the impact of "Other expense, net"; and EBITDA as Operating Income plus depreciation and amortization. The following is a tabular presentation of Operating Income and EBITDA, including a reconciliation to GAAP earnings, which the Company believes to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure:

     
  Quarter ended
June 30, 2012
Quarter ended
July 2, 2011
  $ $
     
Earnings from continuing operations  7,643    6,346  
     
Provision for income taxes  2,769    4,170  
Interest expense, net  2,558    2,520  
Other expense (income), net  1,378    (3,256)
Operating income  14,348    9,780  
Depreciation and amortization  5,018    4,439  
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA)  19,366    14,219  
     
     
     
  Two quarters ended
June 30, 2012
Two quarters ended 
July 2, 2011
  $ $
     
Earnings from continuing operations  13,891    12,486  
     
Provision for income taxes  6,355    7,423  
Interest expense, net  5,141    4,504  
Other expense (income), net  1,742    (2,894)
Operating income  27,129    21,519  
Depreciation and amortization  9,791    8,857  
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA)  36,920    30,376  


            

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