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8-K - FORM 8-K - CALAVO GROWERS INCd230729d8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

For:             Calavo Growers, Inc. (Nasdaq-GS: CVGW)

 

Contact:        Lee E. Cole
                 Chairman, President and CEO
                 (805) 525-1245

CALAVO GROWERS, INC. ANNOUNCES FISCAL 2011

THIRD QUARTER OPERATING RESULTS

 

 

Highlights Include:

 

   

Successfully Completed Acquisition of Renaissance Food Group, LLC (RFG)

 

   

Third-Quarter Revenues Rise 44 Percent to $165.1 Million (Including $22.8 Million from RFG Sales) from $114.6 Million

 

   

Net Income Totals $2.7 Million, Equal to $0.18 Per Diluted Share

 

   

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expense as a Percentage of Revenues Decreases Approximately 700 Basis Points (Including $1.2 Million Related to RFG)

 

   

CEO Anticipates Long-Term Expansion of Avocado Supply Beginning in Fourth Quarter, Significant Operating Performance Improvement in Fiscal 2012

 

SANTA PAULA, Calif. (Sept. 7, 2011)—Calavo Growers, Inc. (Nasdaq-GS: CVGW), a global avocado-industry leader and an expanding provider of value-added fresh food, today reported a solidly profitable fiscal 2011 third quarter on the strength of revenues that rose 44 percent owing to sharply higher avocado sales. However, the company said net income in the most recent quarter was constrained principally by high fruit costs in its Calavo Foods business segment, as well as the effects of a smaller supply of fresh avocados in the marketplace.

Operating results for the most-recent quarter include those of Renaissance Food Group, LLC (RFG), which became part of the company on June 1, 2011. RFG’s results are included in the company’s Calavo Foods business segment. For the three months ended July 31, 2011, net income of $2.7 million, equal to $0.18 per diluted share, compares with $5.9 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, in the year-earlier third quarter. Revenues advanced to $165.1 million, which represents an increase of more than $50 million from $114.6 million in the fiscal 2010 third quarter. (RFG accounted for $22.8

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Calavo Growers, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2011 Third Quarter Results/ 2 -2-2

 

million of the revenue increase.) Third-quarter gross margin narrowed to $11.3 million, or 6.9 percent of total revenue, from $15.3 million, or 13.3 percent of revenue, in the comparable period last year.

Net income for the nine months ended July 31, 2011 equaled $7.4 million, or $0.50 per diluted share. This compares with nine-month net income last year of $13.0 million, equal to $0.89 per diluted share. Revenues for the initial nine months of fiscal 2011 climbed 29 percent to $375.2 million from $291.1 million in the year-earlier corresponding period. Gross margin totaled $29.4 million, or 7.8 percent of total revenues, versus $37.2 million, or 12.8 percent, for the first three quarters of fiscal 2010.

Chairman, President and CEO Lee E. Cole stated: “While the fiscal 2011 third quarter presented challenges due principally to the limited avocado supply and strong avocado demand, Calavo’s ability to navigate them and remain solidly profitable underscores the strength of our business model. Simultaneously, the company made measurable strides in building a stronger, larger and more broad-based enterprise. On June 1, we completed our acquisition of Renaissance Food Group and its portfolio of brands, which contributed to quarterly revenues that reached record levels. Calavo’s operating results, though, principally reflect the two-fold impact on gross margins due to the significantly smaller year-over-year avocado supply.

“Most significantly, the limited supply of avocados drove up fruit costs overall, and specifically, in our prepared avocado business, where fruit prices have risen by more than 70 percent from last year’s third quarter. This factor accounts for the majority of the decrease in our third-quarter operating results year over year. Secondarily, the cyclically lower volume of fresh avocados from California resulted in moving fewer overall units, which reduced production efficiencies and increased our per-unit packing costs. We expect this to change with next year’s anticipated larger crop.”

Third-quarter revenues in Calavo’s Fresh business segment advanced 29 percent to $130.0 million, primarily due to higher avocado prices, versus $100.7 million in the

 

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Calavo Growers, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2011 Third Quarter Results/ 3 -3-3

 

corresponding period last year. The company shipped 1.3 million, equal to 27 percent, fewer Fresh units in the most recent quarter when compared to the same period in fiscal 2010. The year-over-year unit decrease is principally due to the aforementioned smaller avocado supply, as well as lower tomato volumes in the most recent period. Gross margin as a percentage of Fresh segment revenues was $10.2 million, equal to 7.9 percent sales. This compares with gross margin of $12.7 million, or 12.7 percent of Fresh sales, in last year’s third quarter.

Calavo Foods business segment revenues rose to $35.1 million, an increase of 153 percent from $13.9 million in the corresponding fiscal 2010 quarter. Results in the most recent quarter include $22.8 million in revenues attributable to RFG. Excluding the acquired company’s contribution to sales, Calavo Foods’ third-quarter revenues equaled $12.3 million. The year-over-year decline (excluding RFG revenues) is in part the result of the discontinuance of sales to certain high-volume, low-margin customers of Calavo’s frozen-avocado product as the company continues to focus growth initiatives on its ultra-high pressure guacamole. Lower prepared avocado sales in concert with higher fruit costs narrowed Calavo Foods gross margin to $1.1 million, or 3.2 percent of business-segment revenues, in the most recent quarter. This compares with gross margin of $2.5 million, or 18.2 percent of Calavo Foods revenues, in last year’s third quarter.

Third-quarter selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense totaled $6.8 million, which includes approximately $1.2 million attributable directly to RFG operations. Excluding that figure, Calavo SG&A remained substantially unchanged from $5.5 million recorded in the fiscal 2010 third quarter. SG&A as a percentage of total revenues equaled 4.1 percent, a decrease of about 700 basis points from 4.8 percent in last year’s third quarter, reflecting the initial top-line contributions by RFG in the most recent period. SG&A as a percentage of gross margin was 60.4 percent in the most recent quarter. This compares with 36.1 percent in the third quarter of fiscal 2010.

 

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Calavo Growers, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2011 Third Quarter Results/ 4 -4-4

 

The Outlook Ahead

Commenting on the fourth quarter, CEO Cole said, “As anticipated, we are seeing certain promising early indicators of an easing in the avocado supply. This has been a stiff headwind to our operating performance the past two quarters. The seasonal supply of avocados sourced from Chile has begun in earnest and the crop is significantly larger than last year’s. Along with Mexico-sourced fruit, we expect increased availability of fresh avocados in the marketplace, easing the hamstrung supply—and high costs at Calavo Foods—we have encountered the past few quarters. We believe the expected improvement in fourth quarter fresh-avocado supply is the beginning of strong volume growth in fiscal 2012. Furthermore, the anticipated larger avocado volume in 2012 will place Calavo on the strong growth trend that has characterized our company’s performance over the past five years.”

Cole continued: “We continue to focus on building the Calavo Foods segment into a complete consumer packaged goods company. This will be the first full quarter incorporating RFG results. With our growing lineup of products and brands, including Garden Highway and Chef Essentials acquired with RFG, we are establishing a portfolio with the goal of being a leader in the important fresh-food category. Combining RFG’s offerings with Calavo’s current branded lineup of guacamole, Salsa Lisa and tortilla chips, provides us with significant presence when working with grocery retailers. In bringing together RFG’s just-in-time delivery platform with Calavo’s established strength in logistics, we gain meaningful competitive advantage in the refrigerated-distribution fresh products category.

“We are diligently staying the course with our proven strategy: diversifying sourcing, diversifying products and leveraging infrastructure. I am confident and optimistic about the improving picture for the balance of this year. Longer term, we are well positioned and have put in motion the programs to drive significant growth—and value creation—in fiscal 2012 and beyond,” Cole concluded.

 

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Calavo Growers, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2011 Third Quarter Results/ 5 -5-5

 

About Calavo

Calavo Growers, Inc. is a global avocado-industry leader. The company also procures and markets diversified fresh produce items, ranging from tomatoes to tropical produce. An expanding provider of value-added fresh food, the company’s Calavo Foods business segment manufactures and distributes guacamole, guacamole hummus, salsa and tortilla chips under the respected Calavo brand name. Calavo Foods’ wholly owned subsidiary, Renaissance Food Group, LLC, creates, markets and distributes a portfolio of healthy, high-quality lifestyle products for consumers through fast-growing brands that include Garden Highway and Chef Essentials. Founded in 1924, Calavo serves food distributors, produce wholesalers, supermarket retailers and restaurant chains worldwide.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains statements relating to future events and results of Calavo (including certain projections and business trends) that are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results and events may differ from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: increased competition, conducting substantial amounts of business internationally, pricing pressures on agricultural products, adverse weather and growing conditions confronting avocado growers, new governmental regulations, as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, without limitation, the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2010. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands)

 

     July 31,
2011
     October 31,
2010
 

Assets

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,454       $ 1,064   

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $1,996 (2011) and $1,372 (2010)

     63,455         31,743   

Inventories, net

     21,852         14,831   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     6,043         8,424   

Advances to suppliers

     1,227         1,598   

Income taxes receivable

     1,529         1,816   

Deferred income taxes

     2,336         2,336   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     98,896         61,812   

Property, plant, and equipment, net

     46,267         41,059   

Investment in Limoneira Company

     35,833         34,986   

Investment in unconsolidated entities

     2,286         2,016   

Goodwill

     18,696         4,085   

Other assets

     14,174         6,240   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 216,152       $ 150,198   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

     

Current liabilities:

     

Payable to growers

   $ 28,820       $ 11,208   

Trade accounts payable

     7,813         2,839   

Accrued expenses

     17,773         15,353   

Short-term borrowings

     24,220         8,150   

Dividend payable

     —           8,092   

Current portion of long-term obligations

     5,368         1,369   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     83,994         47,011   

Long-term liabilities:

     

Long-term obligations, less current portion

     19,282         6,089   

Deferred income taxes

     8,518         8,266   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-term liabilities

     27,800         14,355   

Commitments and contingencies

     

Noncontrolling interest

     513         575   

Total Calavo Grower’s shareholder’s equity

     103,845         88,257   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 216,152       $ 150,198   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 


CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

    

Three months ended

July 31,

   

Nine months ended

July 31,

 
     2011     2010     2011     2010  

Net sales

   $ 165,141      $ 114,578      $ 375,180      $ 291,117   

Cost of sales

     153,801        99,303        345,751        253,881   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross margin

     11,340        15,275        29,429        37,236   

Selling, general and administrative

     6,844        5,514        17,494        16,133   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     4,496        9,761        11,935        21,103   

Interest expense

     (280     (181     (719     (644

Other income, net

     175        362        859        1,094   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

     4,391        9,942        12,075        21,553   

Provision for income taxes

     1,689        4,045        4,709        8,608   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     2,702        5,897        7,366        12,945   

Add: Net loss – noncontrolling interest

     11        50        62        69   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Calavo Growers, Inc.

   $ 2,713      $ 5,947      $ 7,428      $ 13,014   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Calavo Growers, Inc.’s net income per share:

        

Basic

   $ 0.18      $ 0.41      $ 0.50      $ 0.89   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.18      $ 0.41      $ 0.50      $ 0.89   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Calavo Growers, Inc.’s shares used in per share computation:

        

Basic

     14,755        14,651        14,735        14,576   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     14,767        14,676        14,744        14,601   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

NET SALES AND GROSS MARGIN BY BUSINESS SEGMENT (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands)

 

     Fresh
products
     Calavo
Foods(1)
     Total  
     (All amounts are presented in thousands)  

Nine months ended July 31, 2011

        

Net sales

   $ 318,341       $ 56,839       $ 375,180   

Cost of sales

     294,384         51,367         345,751   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross margin

   $ 23,957       $ 5,472       $ 29,429   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Nine months ended July 31, 2010

        

Net sales

   $ 254,265       $ 36,852       $ 291,117   

Cost of sales

     226,960         26,921         253,881   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross margin

   $ 27,305       $ 9,931       $ 37,236   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Included are two months of net sales and gross margin of $22.8 million and $1.4 million related to the recently acquired business RFG.

For the nine months ended July 31 2011, and 2010, inter-segment sales and cost of sales for Fresh products totaling $11.7 million and $9.6 million were eliminated. For the nine months ended July 31, 2011 and 2010, inter-segment sales and cost of sales for Calavo Foods totaling $18.0 million and $6.9 million were eliminated.

 

     Fresh
products
     Calavo
Foods(1)
     Total  
     (All amounts are presented in thousands)  

Three months ended July 31, 2011

        

Net sales

   $ 130,035       $ 35,106       $ 165,141   

Cost of sales

     119,825         33,976         153,801   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross margin

   $ 10,210       $ 1,130       $ 11,340   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Three months ended July 31, 2010

        

Net sales

   $ 100,681       $ 13,897       $ 114,578   

Cost of sales

     87,936         11,367         99,303   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross margin

   $ 12,745       $ 2,530       $ 15,275   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Included are two months of net sales and gross margin of $22.8 million and $1.4 million related to the recently acquired business RFG.

For the three months ended July 31, 2011 and 2010, inter-segment sales and cost of sales for Fresh products totaling $3.2 million and $2.1 million were eliminated. For the three months ended July 31, 2011 and 2010, inter-segment sales and cost of sales for Calavo Foods totaling $12.2 million and $2.5 million were eliminated.