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Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Turning Point Brands, Inc. Initiates Cash Dividend, Announces Third Quarter 2017 Results

Results at a Glance

Year-to-date September 30, 2017

(Comparisons vs. same period year-ago)

✓	Net sales increased 39.2% to a record $212.2 million

✓	Gross profit increased 24.9% to a record $92.6 million

✓	Net income attributable to TPB was $16.7 million, up $6.9 million from a year-ago

✓	Adjusted EBITDA increased 16.2% to a record $45.3 million (see Schedule A for a reconciliation to net income)

Third Quarter 2017

(Comparisons vs. same period year-ago)

✓	Net sales increased 43.9% to a record $73.3 million

✓	Gross profit increased 33.8% to a record $32.9 million

✓	Net income was $7.4 million, up $0.6 million from a year-ago

✓	Adjusted EBITDA increased 16.0% to a record $15.9 million (see Schedule A for a reconciliation to net income)

✓	Other highlights from the third quarter:

o

Increased retail market share in both Stoker’s Moist Snuff Tobacco (“MST”) and chewing tobacco according to MSAi1

o

Zig-Zag maintained strong, industry leading shares in Make-Your-Own (“MYO”) cigar wraps and premium cigarette papers

o

The quarter had one fewer shipping day to the trade versus 2016

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¹ Management Science Associates, Inc. (“MSAi”) administers a proprietary information system that captures sales from approximately 1,000 wholesalers to over 250,000 retailers. TPB measures “MST” excluding pouch and snus products.

 

“TPB’s robust sales growth reflects the continued effectiveness of our strategic plan,” said Larry Wexler, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “Our core focus brands, Stoker’s in smokeless, Zig-Zag in smoking and VaporBeast in NewGen remain vibrant and compelling long-term growth engines.  Additionally, integration of the VaporBeast and Vapor Shark businesses is proceeding as planned, and we continue to actively explore potential accretive acquisitions.” 

 

Management Observations on the Year-to-Date and Third Quarter

Smokeless Products Segment (29% of total net sales in the quarter)

On a year-to-date basis, Smokeless products net sales increased 7.8% to a record $63.6 million with gross profit up 9.4% to a record $32.3 million. 

For the third quarter, Smokeless products net sales increased 12.6% to $21.3 million on the continuing growth of Stoker’s MST.  In addition, the third quarter of 2016 net sales were impacted by a late second quarter 2016 trade show.  Despite a highly competitive MST environment, Stoker’s MST cases shipped in the quarter rose more than 10%.  For the quarter, total Smokeless segment volume increased 8.2% and price/mix increased 4.4%.

For the industry, year-over-year volumes for chewing tobacco declined by approximately 10% in the quarter with MST off by close to 2%, according to MSAi.²  TPB outpaced the industry in the quarter, growing its MSAi share in both chewing tobacco and MST on the strength of Stoker’s.

  

For the quarter, gross profit for the Smokeless segment increased 22.2%, to $11.5 million.  Segment gross margin expanded 420 basis points to 53.9% due to mix, lower product return rates, product price increases and a favorable LIFO charge.  Absent the LIFO charge in both years, gross margin would have been 51.3% versus 49.2% in the third quarter of 2016 (see Schedule B for reconciliation).

Smoking Products Segment (37% of total net sales in the quarter)

On a year-to-date basis, Smoking products net sales decreased by 2.9% to $81.1 million with gross profit decreasing 0.9% to $42.0 million. 

For the third quarter, net sales of Smoking products decreased 6.6% to $26.9 million. Last year’s third quarter was the strongest quarter in the last eight quarters.

The decrease in 2017 third quarter net sales in the Smoking segment was a result of the continued weakness in cigars, the strong year ago comparison and the previously communicated California tax on MYO cigar wraps (see excise tax discussion below), partially offset by year-over-year strength in Zig-Zag cigarette papers in both Canada and the U.S.  For the quarter, Smoking products volume decreased 9.3%, while price/mix increased 2.7%.

According to MSAi, industry volumes for cigarette papers increased by mid-single-digits, largely driven by competitive promotional efforts on discount cigarette papers. Industry MYO cigar wraps continued to produce category expansion.  Zig-Zag retains a leading industry share in both MYO cigar wraps and premium cigarette papers. 

 

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² TPB measures industry MST volumes excluding pouch and snus products.

 

Smoking products gross profit for the quarter decreased by 1.5% to $14.2 million.  Gross margin increased to 52.9% of net sales compared with 50.1% for the year-ago quarter due to product mix.

The TPB core tobacco portfolio (Smokeless and Smoking) continued to produce steady results with a low single-digits net sales increase in the quarter to $48.2 million and a 7.9% expansion in gross profit to a record $25.7 million.

NewGen (New Generation) Products Segment (34% of total net sales in the quarter)

On a year-to-date basis, net sales for NewGen products increased $57.6 million to a record $67.6 million with gross profit increasing $16.1 million to a record $18.3 million.  The addition of VaporBeast and Vapor Shark results beginning in December 2016 and April 2017, respectively, fueled exceptionally strong segment performance.

For the third quarter, NewGen products net sales grew $21.9 million to a record $25.2 million on continued VaporBeast momentum.  Volume increased 646% while price/mix accounted for an increase of 19.9%.

Gross profit for the NewGen segment increased by $6.4 million over the year-ago third quarter to a record $7.3 million.  Gross margin increased to 28.8% of net sales compared with 24.7% for the year-ago quarter. 

With regard to VaporBeast, the company's NewGen distribution engine, “Process improvements in both selling and operating activities continue to produce strong results, with the NewGen segment strengthening sequentially to new records,” noted Wexler.  “Our vapor strategy remains focused on expanding both retail penetration and share of customer requirements.”

Other Performance Measures

Total company net sales growth of 43.9% in the third quarter was driven by volume gains of 39.5% with price/mix contributing another 4.4%.

Consolidated selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for the third quarter 2017 were $18.6 million compared to $12.7 million in 2016 due primarily to the inclusion of the VaporBeast and Vapor Shark SG&A.

Certain components of third quarter 2017 SG&A were as follows:

·

Strategic expenses were $0.2 million, up $0.2 million from a year earlier

·

New product launch costs of $0.4 million were $0.4 million less than a year-ago

Third quarter 2017 cost of goods sold included:

·

New product launch costs of $0.1 million compared to $0.2 million in the third quarter a year-ago

 

·

Costs associated with discontinued products related to product line rationalization were $0.3 million

Interest expense for the quarter was $4.0 million, which is $1.5 million, or 27.6%, lower than the year-ago period.  This decrease is principally attributable to lower interest rates as a result of our February 2017 debt refinancing. 

Diluted earnings per share for the third quarter 2017 were $0.38.

Capital expenditures in the third quarter 2017 totaled $0.5 million.

Total debt at September 30, 2017 was $210.9 million.  Net debt at September 30, 2017 was $206.7 million, compared to $215.3 million as of December 31, 2016, a decrease of $8.6 million.  Net debt at September 30, 2017 to rolling twelve month Adjusted EBITDA was 3.5x (see Schedule C for a reconciliation).  Net debt at September 30, 2017 to pro forma acquisition EBITDA was 3.4x (See Schedule D).

Weighted average fully diluted shares for the three months ended September 30, 2017 were 19.6 million.

Impact of Excise Tax Changes

Pennsylvania implemented a $0.55 per ounce excise tax on smokeless products effective October 1, 2016.  The impact of the tax increase on trade volumes in the third quarter 2017 was material to both the industry and TPB.  Industry and TPB Pennsylvania volumes in the third quarter 2017 are below year-ago by approximately 30% in chew and 20% in MST.  TPB will continue to monitor the impact this excise tax has on consumer behavior.

California passed Proposition 56 in November 2016, which included new state excise taxes on cigar wraps for the first time.  Effective July 1, 2017, the tax on all OTP products increased to 65.08%.  California represents about 3% of industry MYO cigar wraps volumes, which generally parallels TPB sales percentages.  The new excise tax on MYO cigar wraps adversely impacted category sales, as California industry sales for the third quarter 2017 contracted by 25% with TPB off more sharply by 35% versus year-ago.  We are addressing the initial adverse TPB trends with promotional strategies and new products commencing mid-fourth quarter.  We anticipate that California Proposition 56 will adversely affect trade behavior over the next several months, and we will continue to closely evaluate its impact on consumer behavior.

Earnings Conference Call

As previously disclosed, a conference call with the investment community to review TPB’s financial results has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, November 9, 2017.  Investment community participants should dial in ten minutes ahead of time using the toll free number 844-889-4324 (International participants should call 412-317-9262).  A live listen-only webcast of the call is available from the Events and Presentations section of the investor relations portion of the company website (www.turningpointbrands.com).  A replay of the webcast will be available on the site one hour following the call.

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP), this press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures including Adjusted EBITDA, Net Debt and Gross Profit excluding LIFO.  A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures accompanies this release.

About Turning Point Brands, Inc.

Louisville, Kentucky based Turning Point Brands, Inc. (NYSE: TPB) is a leading U.S. provider of Other Tobacco Products.  TPB, through its three focus brands,  Zig-Zag^® in Smoking Products, Stoker’s^® in Smokeless Products and the VaporBeast^® distribution engine in NewGen Products, generates solid cash flow which it uses to finance acquisitions, increase brand support and strengthen its capital structure.  TPB does not sell cigarettes.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "intend," "plan" and "will" or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology.  These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts.  By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future.  As a result, actual events may differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements.  Any forward-looking statement made by TPB in this press release speaks only as of the date hereof.  New risks and uncertainties come up from time to time, and it is impossible for TPB to predict these events or how they may affect it. TPB has no obligation, and does not intend, to update any forward-looking statements after the date hereof, except as required by federal securities laws.  Factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to:

 

·	declining sales of tobacco products, and expected continuing decline of sales, in the tobacco industry overall;

·	our dependence on a small number of third-party suppliers and producers;

·	the possibility that we will be unable to identify or contract with new suppliers or producers in the event of a supply or product disruption;

·	the possibility that our licenses to use certain brands or trademarks will be terminated, challenged or restricted;

·	failure to maintain consumer brand recognition and loyalty of our customers;

·	substantial and increasing U.S. regulation, including compliance and related costs;

·	regulation of our products by the FDA, which has broad regulatory powers;

·	uncertainty related to the regulation and taxation of our NewGen products;

·	possible significant increases in federal, state and local municipal tobacco-related taxes;

·	possible increasing international control and regulation;

·	our reliance on relationships with several large retailers and national chains for distribution of our products;

·	intense competition and our ability to compete effectively;

·	significant potential product liability litigation;

·	our distribution of foreign-made vapor products from manufacturers from whom we may have no recourse in the event of significant liability exposure;

·	the scientific community’s lack of information regarding the long-term health effects of electronic cigarettes, vaporizer and e-liquid use;

·	our amount of indebtedness;

·	the terms of our credit facilities, which may restrict our current and future operations;

·	competition from illicit sources;

·	our reliance on information technology;

·	security and privacy breaches;

·	contamination of our tobacco supply or products;

·	infringement on our intellectual property;

·	third-party claims that we infringe on their intellectual property;

·	concentration of business with large customers;

·	failure to manage our growth;

·	failure to successfully integrate our acquisitions or otherwise being unable to benefit from pursuing acquisitions;

·	fluctuations in our results;

·	exchange rate fluctuations;

·	adverse U.S. and global economic conditions;

·	failure to comply with certain regulations;

·	departure of key management personnel or our inability to attract and retain talent;

·	decrease in value of our deferred tax assets;

·	imposition of significant tariffs on imports into the U.S.;

·	reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies may make our common stock less attractive to investors, potentially decreasing our stock price;

 

·	failure to maintain our status as an emerging growth company before the five-year maximum time period a company may retain such status;

·	our principal stockholders will be able to exert significant influence over matters submitted to our stockholders and may take certain actions to prevent takeovers;

·	our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as Delaware law and certain regulations, could discourage or prohibit acquisition bids or merger proposals, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock;

·

our certificate of incorporation limits the ownership of our common stock by individuals and entities that are Restricted Investors. These restrictions may affect the liquidity of our common stock and may result in Restricted Investors being required to sell or redeem their shares at a loss or relinquish their voting, dividend and distribution rights;

·	future sales of our common stock in the public market could reduce our stock price, and any additional capital raised by us through the sale of equity or convertible securities may dilute your ownership in us; and

·	we may issue preferred stock whose terms could adversely affect the voting power or value of our common stock.

Contacts:

Investment Community

Mark A. Stegeman, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Media

Terry McWilliams, President, Mozaic Investor Relations

 

Financial statements follow:

 

Turning Point Brands, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Income

(dollars in thousands except share data)

		Three Months Ended
		September 30, 2017				September 30, 2016
Net sales		$	73,340			$	50,959
Cost of sales			40,410				26,341
Gross profit			32,930				24,618
Selling, general and administrative expenses			18,554				12,727
Operating income			14,376				11,891
Interest expense			4,023				5,557
Investment income			(131	)			(279	)
Income before income taxes			10,484				6,613
Income tax expense (benefit)			3,110				(180	)
Consolidated net income		$	7,374			$	6,793
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income		$	0.39			$	0.38
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net income		$	0.38			$	0.34
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic			19,085,329				18,094,592
Diluted			19,589,424				19,729,219
Supplemental disclosures of statement of income information:
Excise tax expense		$	4,728			$	5,365
FDA fees		$	144			$	85

 

Turning Point Brands, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Income

(dollars in thousands except share data)

		Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2017				September 30, 2016
Net sales		$	212,214			$	152,406
Cost of sales			119,623				78,267
Gross profit			92,591				74,139
Selling, general and administrative expenses			53,823				40,563
Operating income			38,768				33,576
Interest expense			13,002				20,895
Investment income			(334	)			(611	)
Loss on extinguishment of debt			6,116				2,824
Income before income taxes			19,984				10,468
Income tax expense			3,850				642
Consolidated net income			16,134				9,826
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest			(556	)			-
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc.		$	16,690			$	9,826
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income		$	0.88			$	0.64
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net income		$	0.86			$	0.58
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic			18,915,606				15,396,155
Diluted			19,503,130				16,968,613
Supplemental disclosures of statement of income information:
Excise tax expense		$	14,835			$	15,911
FDA fees		$	443			$	254

 

Turning Point Brands, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheet

(dollars in thousands except share data)

ASSETS		September 30, 2017				December 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash		$	4,235			$	2,865
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $30 in 2017 and $35 in 2016			2,960				2,181
Inventories			64,761				62,185
Other current assets			9,457				11,625
Total current assets			81,413				78,856
Property, plant and equipment, net			8,457				7,590
Deferred income taxes			4,161				6,288
Deferred financing costs, net			668				139
Goodwill			134,620				134,390
Other intangible assets, net			26,611				27,138
Master Settlement Agreement - escrow deposits			30,905				30,410
Other assets			529				209
Total assets		$	287,364			$	285,020
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	7,096			$	9,153
Accrued liabilities			13,962				15,336
Accrued interest expense			434				394
Current portion of long-term debt			7,850				1,650
Revolving credit facility			15,550				15,034
Total current liabilities			44,892				41,567
Notes payable and long-term debt			187,453				201,541
Postretirement benefits			4,389				4,407
Pension benefits			217				423
Other long-term liabilities			712				3,024
Total liabilities			237,663				250,962
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock; $0.01 par value; authorized shares 40,000,000; issued and outstanding shares -0-			-				-
Common stock, voting, $0.01 par value; authorized shares, 190,000,000; issued and outstanding shares, 2017 19,195,153 and 2016 18,402,022			192				184
Common stock, nonvoting, $0.01 par value; authorized shares, 10,000,000; issued and outstanding shares -0-			-				-
Additional paid-in capital			103,381				104,895
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(3,590	)			(4,049	)
Accumulated deficit			(50,282	)			(66,972	)
Total stockholders' equity			49,701				34,058
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	287,364			$	285,020

 

Turning Point Brands, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(dollars in thousands)

		Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2017				September 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income		$	16,134			$	9,826
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Loss on extinguishment of debt			6,116				2,824
Loss on sale of fixed assets			17				-
Depreciation expense			1,192				896
Amortization of deferred financing costs			768				1,070
Amortization of original issue discount			66				591
Amortization of other intangible assets			527				-
Interest incurred but not paid on PIK Toggle Notes			-				3,422
Interest incurred but not paid on 7% Senior Notes			-				329
Interest paid on PIK Toggle Notes			-				(9,893	)
Deferred income taxes			1,847				47
Stock-based compensation expense			498				145
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			(779	)			546
Inventories			(970	)			(7,405	)
Other current assets			2,383				1,562
Other assets			(105	)			(45	)
Accounts payable			(2,292	)			(531	)
Accrued pension liabilities			144				196
Accrued postretirement liabilities			(18	)			(89	)
Accrued liabilities and other			(5,137	)			(3,967	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities			20,391				(476	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired			268				-
Capital expenditures			(1,052	)			(1,245	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(784	)			(1,245	)

 

Turning Point Brands, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Cont.)

(dollars in thousands)

		Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2017				September 30, 2016
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from 2017 revolving credit facility			15,550				-
Proceeds from 2017 first lien term loans			145,000				-
Proceeds from 2017 second lien term loan			55,000				-
Payments of 2017 first lien term loans			(2,925	)			-
Payments of financing costs			(4,783	)			(200	)
Payments of old revolving credit facility			(15,083	)			(18	)
Payments of first lien term loan			(147,362	)			(3,976	)
Payments of second lien term loan			(60,000	)			(20,000	)
Payments of Vapor Shark loans			(1,867	)			-
Prepaid equity issuance costs			(394	)			-
Payment of PIK Toggle Notes			-				(24,107	)
Redemption of Intrepid options			-				(661	)
Redemption of Intrepid warrants			-				(5,500	)
Exercise of warrants			-				4
Exercise of options			1,371				8
Redemption of options			(1,740	)			-
Surrender of options			(1,000	)			-
Proceeds from issuance of stock			-				55,746
Distribution to non-controlling interest			(4	)			-
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(18,237	)			1,296
Net increase (decrease) in cash			1,370				(425	)
Cash, beginning of period			2,865				4,835
Cash, end of period		$	4,235			$	4,410

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our financial information presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or U.S. GAAP, we use non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Net Debt and Gross Profit excluding LIFO.  We believe Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends relating to our financial condition and results of operations.  Adjusted EBITDA, Net Debt and Gross Profit excluding LIFO are used by management to compare our performance to that of prior periods for trend analyses and planning purposes and is presented to our board of directors.  We believe that EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Gross Profit excluding LIFO are appropriate measures of operating performance because they eliminate the impact of expenses that do not relate to business performance.

We define “EBITDA” as net income before interest expense, loss on extinguishment of debt, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization.  We define “Adjusted EBITDA” as net income before interest expense, loss on extinguishment of debt, provision for income taxes, depreciation, amortization, other non-cash items and other items that we do not consider ordinary course in our evaluation of ongoing operating performance.  We define “Net Debt” as total debt less cash.  We define “Gross Profit excluding LIFO” as gross profit less LIFO charges.

Non-U.S. GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA excludes significant expenses that are required by U.S. GAAP to be recorded in our financial statements and is subject to inherent limitations.  In addition, other companies in our industry may calculate this non-U.S. GAAP measure differently than we do or may not calculate it at all, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

In accordance with SEC rules, we have provided, in the supplemental information attached, a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures to the next directly comparable GAAP measures.

 

Schedule A

Turning Point Brands, Inc.

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA

(dollars in thousands)

		Three Months Ended
		September 30, 2017				September 30, 2016
Consolidated net income		$	7,374			$	6,793
Add:
Interest expense			4,023				5,557
Income tax expense			3,110				(180	)
Depreciation expense			421				310
Amortization expense			175				-
EBITDA		$	15,103			$	12,480
Components of Adjusted EBITDA
LIFO adjustment (a)			(641	)			(78	)
Pension/postretirement expense (b)			84				117
Stock options, restricted stock and incentives expense (c)			226				99
Strategic initiatives (d)			219				9
New product launch costs (e)			566				1,051
Product line rationalizations (f)			314				-
Adjusted EBITDA		$	15,871			$	13,678

(a)	Represents expense related to an inventory valuation allowance for last-in, first-out ("LIFO") reporting.

(b)	Represents our non-cash Pension/Postretirement expense.

(c)	Represents non-cash stock options, restricted stock and incentives expense.

(d)	Represents the fees incurred for the study of strategic initiatives and acquisition expenses.

(e)	Represents product launch costs of our new product lines.

(f)	Represents costs associated with discontinued products related to product line rationalization

 

Schedule A

 

		Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2017				September 30, 2016
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc.		$	16,690			$	9,826
Add:
Interest expense			13,002				20,895
Loss on extinguishment of debt			6,116				2,824
Income tax expense			3,850				642
Depreciation expense			1,192				896
Amortization expense			526				-
EBITDA		$	41,376			$	35,083
Components of Adjusted EBITDA
LIFO adjustment (a)			246				494
Pension/postretirement expense (b)			252				353
Stock options, restricted stock and incentives expense (c)			446				145
Foreign exchange hedging (d)			(90	)			35
Strategic initiatives (e)			990				471
New product launch costs (f)			1,727				1,769
Product line rationalizations (g)			314				-
IPO related compensation costs (h)			-				605
Adjusted EBITDA		$	45,261			$	38,955

(a)	Represents expense related to an inventory valuation allowance for last-in, first-out ("LIFO") reporting.

(b)	Represents our non-cash Pension/Postretirement expense.

(c)	Represents non-cash stock options, restricted stock and incentives expense.

(d)	Represents non-cash gain and loss stemming from our foreign exchange hedging activities.

(e)	Represents the fees incurred for the study of strategic initiatives and acquisition expenses.

(f)	Represents product launch costs of our new product lines.

(g)	Represents costs associated with discontinued products related to product line rationalization

(h)	Represents non-recurring compensation expenses incurred with the May 2016 IPO.

 

Schedule B

Turning Point Brands, Inc.

Reconciliation of GAAP Gross Profit to Gross Profit excluding LIFO

(dollars in thousands)

		Consolidated								Consolidated
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2017				September 30, 2016				September 30, 2017				September 30, 2016
Net sales		$	73,340			$	50,959			$	212,214			$	152,406
Cost of sales			40,410				26,341				119,623				78,267
Gross profit			32,930				24,618				92,591				74,139
Gross margin			44.9	%			48.3	%			43.6	%			48.6	%
LIFO adjustment (a)			(641	)			(78	)			246				494
Gross profit excluding LIFO		$	32,289			$	24,540			$	92,837			$	74,633
Gross margin excluding LIFO			44.0	%			48.2	%			43.7	%			49.0	%

		Smokeless Segment (b)								Smokeless Segment (b)
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2017				September 30, 2016				September 30, 2017				September 30, 2016
Net sales		$	21,294			$	18,909			$	63,563			$	58,939
Cost of sales			9,816				9,513				31,293				29,441
Gross profit			11,478				9,396				32,270				29,498
Gross margin			53.9	%			49.7	%			50.8	%			50.0	%
LIFO adjustment (a)			(559	)			(85	)			163				614
Gross profit excluding LIFO		$	10,919			$	9,311			$	32,433			$	30,112
Gross margin excluding LIFO			51.3	%			49.2	%			51.0	%			51.1	%

(a)	Represents expense related to an inventory valuation allowance for last-in, first-out ("LIFO") reporting.

(b)	Smokeless segment represents majority of the LIFO cost, no other segments are presented due to the insignificance of the LIFO cost to those segments.

 

Schedule C

Turning Point Brands, Inc.

Reconciliation of GAAP Total Debt to Net Debt

(dollars in millions)

		September 30, 2017				December 31, 2016
Cash		$	4.2			$	2.9
Total Debt			210.9				218.2
Net Debt		$	206.7			$	215.3

Turning Point Brands, Inc.

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA

October 1, 2016 - September 30, 2017

(dollars in thousands)

		4th Quarter 2016				1st Quarter 2017				2nd Quarter 2017				3rd Quarter 2017				Rolling 12 Months
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc.		$	17,087			$	1,877			$	7,439			$	7,374			$	33,777
Add:
Interest expense			5,726				4,933				4,046				4,023				18,728
Loss on extinguishment of debt			-				6,116				-				-				6,116
Income tax expense (benefit)			(12,647	)			(2,055	)			2,795				3,110				(8,797	)
Depreciation expense			331				354				417				421				1,523
Amortization expense			58				175				176				175				584
EBITDA		$	10,555			$	11,400			$	14,873			$	15,103			$	51,931
Components of Adjusted EBITDA
LIFO adjustment			397				1,189				(302	)			(641	)			643
Pension/Postretirement expense			58				118				50				84				310
Stock option and incentives expense			35				45				175				226				481
Foreign exchange hedging (gain) loss			91				(69	)			(21	)			-				1
Strategic initiatives			1,116				327				444				219				2,106
New product launch costs			909				628				533				566				2,636
Product line rationalization			-				-				-				314				314
IPO related compensation costs			310				-				-				-				310
Adjusted EBITDA		$	13,471			$	13,638			$	15,752			$	15,871			$	58,732
Net Debt / 12 months ended September 30, 2017, rolling Adjusted EBITDA																			3.5	x

 

Schedule D

Turning Point Brands, Inc.

Pro forma Leverage Ratio

(dollars in thousands)

12 months ended September 30, 2017 rolling Adjusted EBITDA		$	58,732
Acquisition adjustment (a)			1,310
Pro forma acquisition EBITDA		$	60,042
Net Debt		$	206,718
Pro forma Leverage Ratio (b)			3.4	x

(a)	Adjustment to adjusted EBITDA per the 2017 debt agreement to give effect to the fourth quarter 2016 acquisitions.

(b)	Pro forma leverage ratio is calculated by Net Debt / pro forma acquisition EBITDA.

 

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