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8-K - 8-K - CALAVO GROWERS INCd480913d8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

For:   

Calavo Growers, Inc.

 

Contact:   

Lee E. Cole

Chairman, President and CEO

(805) 525-1245

CALAVO GROWERS, INC. ANNOUNCES

FISCAL 2017 FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL-YEAR RESULTS

– – – – – – – – – – – –  – – – –

Fourth Quarter Highlights Include:

 

    Revenues Climb to $277.2 Million, up 12 Percent from $247.7 Million a Year Earlier, on Higher Sales in All Segments
    Gross Margin Up 16 Percent–$31.5 Million Versus $27.1 Million One Year Ago
    Net Income Rises 11 Percent to $10.3 Million from $9.2 Million Last Year
    Diluted EPS Advances to 59 Cents from 53 Cents in Fiscal 2016 Final Period

Full-Year Highlights Include:

 

    Record Revenues of $1.1 Billion Versus $935.7 Million in Fiscal 2016—Up 15 Percent
    Gross Margin Dollars Increase by 7 Percent to New All-Time High of $114.5 Million from $107.5 Million Last Year
    Net Income Totals $37.3 Million–$38.0 Million After Adjusting for Certain Expenses–Versus $38.0 Million Last Year

Looking Forward:

 

    Avocado Industry Outlook Calls for Consumption Increase Exceeding 20 Percent in 2018
    Company Forecasts Fiscal 2018 Consolidated Revenue Growth of 20 Percent Leading to Double-Digit Increase in EPS

 

 

SANTA PAULA, Calif. (Dec. 19, 2017)—Calavo Growers, Inc. (Nasdaq-GS: CVGW) today reported fiscal 2017 fourth-quarter and full-year results. Revenues, gross margin and net income all registered double-digit gains in the final quarter, according to the company, a global avocado-industry leader and expanding provider of value-added fresh food.

For the three months ended Oct. 31, 2017, net income rose 11 percent to $10.3 million, equal to $0.59 per diluted share, from $9.2 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, in last year’s final quarter. Revenues in the most recent quarter advanced to $277.2 million, an increase of 12 percent from $247.7 million in the fiscal 2016 fourth period.

 

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Calavo Growers Announces Fiscal 2017 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results/2-2-2

Gross margin climbed 16 percent in the fourth quarter to $31.5 million, equal to 11.4 percent of revenues, from $27.1 million, or 10.9 percent of revenues, in the final period last year. Operating income of $16.8 million in this year’s fourth quarter reflects an 8 percent increase from $15.5 million one year ago.

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Lee E. Cole stated: “Calavo posted an excellent operating performance in its fiscal 2017 final quarter to cap another successful year.

“Double-digit revenue growth was powered by higher sales in each of the company’s three business segments, but most notable was our Renaissance Food Group unit where the top line rose 26 percent from last year’s fourth quarter as expansion initiatives continued to take root. This also represents the 25th consecutive quarter of double-digit, year-over-year growth at RFG – further demonstrating the long-term strength of that business.

“Sharply higher gross margin dollars are indicative of strong performance in the company’s Fresh business segment and Calavo’s outstanding avocado production and sales management capabilities. We continued to successfully navigate through market conditions where consumer demand has routinely exceeded available fruit supply.”

Cole continued: “Calavo Foods posted fourth-quarter sales growth exceeding 25 percent compared to last year’s corresponding period. While high fruit input prices continued to affect Calavo Foods profitability in the quarter, the business unit’s gross margin improved across the months within the quarter, an indicator of continued recovery.    Furthermore, Calavo Foods remains a highly complementary and now faster-growing component of the company’s overall strategy.

“In sum, these fourth quarter results helped enable Calavo to register a record-setting fiscal 2017, as full-year revenues surpassed $1 billion for the first time in company history, gross margin dollars reached a new record level, and adjusted net income matched the all-time high set last year. These achievements in our financial results were delivered while we also continued to invest in a series of exciting operating initiatives that are anticipated to drive our growth moving forward,” said Cole.

 

 

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Calavo Growers Announces Fiscal 2017 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results/3-3-3

Net income for the year ended Oct. 31, 2017 equaled $37.3 million, or $2.13 per diluted share. Full year results include nearly $1.2 million in operating expenses related to senior management team transitions during the first fiscal quarter of 2017, which net of income tax total approximately $0.8 million, or $0.04 per diluted share. Excluding these expenses, adjusted net income in the fiscal year totaled $38.0 million, or $2.17 per diluted share, versus $38.0 million, or $2.18 per diluted share in fiscal 2016. Fiscal 2017 full-year revenues grew by 15 percent to $1.1 billion from $935.7 million in the preceding year.

Full-year gross margin climbed to $114.5 million, equal to 10.7 percent of revenues, from $107.5 million, or 11.5 percent of revenues, in fiscal 2016.    Operating income was $57.9 million in the most recent year versus $61.1 million in fiscal 2016.

Fresh business segment fourth-quarter revenues edged upward to $146.1 million in fiscal 2017, which compares with $143.4 million in the final period last year. Gross margin in the Fresh segment jumped by approximately $8.6 million, or 57 percent, to $23.8 million, or 16.3 percent of segment sales, from $15.2 million, equal to 10.6 percent of segment sales, in the fourth quarter last year. Total Fresh unit volume in the most recent quarter was 2.9 million compared to 3.2 million last year.

Revenues in the RFG segment rose to $110.6 million in the most recent quarter, a 26 percent increase from $87.9 million in fiscal 2016’s final period. RFG gross margin was $6.1 million, or 5.6 percent of segment sales, versus $7.4 million, or 8.4 percent of segment sales in last year’s fourth quarter. The company’s presentation of RFG broker commission expenses, which totaled $0.8 million in the fiscal fourth quarter, are now presented as selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses rather than as a reduction in net sales as was done in prior years. Adjusted for this change, segment gross margin in the most recent quarter would have been $5.3 million, or 4.8 percent of segment sales. According to the company, RFG continues to make exceptional strides implementing its growth agenda. RFG’s growth within the quarter and across the fiscal year can be attributed to its broadened geographic reach, expanded relationships with new and existing customers, as well as its extended range of product solutions.

 

 

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Calavo Growers Announces Fiscal 2017 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results/4-4-4

Popularity of the company’s new meal kit products continues to grow and early indications suggest it offers considerable promise to the segment. Investments related to these growth initiatives temporarily impacted segment gross margin during the quarter. Margin was also impacted in the quarter by Hurricane Harvey, whose effects briefly interrupted production at RFG’s Houston manufacturing facility.

Calavo Foods segment revenues advanced by 25 percent to $20.5 million from $16.4 million in last year’s fourth quarter. Gross margin totaled $1.6 million, or 7.7 percent of segment sales, as compared with $4.6 million or 27.8 percent of segment sales, in the like period of fiscal 2016. Top line growth is attributable to higher sales volumes as well as the price increases referenced in our Q3 earnings announcement. Gross margins improved compared to our fiscal third quarter, however, on a year-over-year basis continued to experience the impact of higher raw material costs, with fruit-input costs approximately doubling from the final quarter last year.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense in the fiscal 2017 final period reached $14.7 million, equal to 5.3 percent of total revenues, versus $11.6 million, or 4.7 percent of total revenues, in last year’s fourth quarter. The year-over-year increase in SG&A expense is primarily due to a change in presentation of RFG broker commissions noted above, as well as an increase in headcount associated with the Company’s growth initiatives.

Outlook

Commenting on fiscal 2018, CEO Cole stated: “Building upon the accomplishments of the most recent year, Calavo moves forward in a very strong position and I’m very confident and optimistic about the company’s course ahead.

“The current year’s avocado forecast calls for a larger all-source domestic fruit supply which bodes well for our Fresh segment. The current industry outlook suggests that supply should increase this year over 20 percent, even after accounting for any fruit loss from the recent California fires. To that point, the industry remains on an extended avocado-consumption growth trajectory–both domestically and internationally.

 

 

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Calavo Growers Announces Fiscal 2017 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results/5-5-5

Calavo–with its breadth of resources across sourcing, production and distribution–is well positioned to satisfy this sustained uptick in demand. Calavo’s fresh avocado production capacity is being further augmented by our newest packinghouse in Jalisco, Mexico, which came online in fiscal 2017, and is enabling us to better serve customers in Asia, Canada and Europe. For the reasons noted above, we expect double digit revenue growth for our Fresh segment in fiscal 2018.

“RFG’s top-line growth has been and is expected to remain strong in fiscal 2018. Fresh, convenient food continues to be one of the fastest-growing segments in the retail grocery business. We expect the 20-plus percent revenue-expansion trend line will continue in 2018. This growth rate is attributable to increased customer penetration in new markets resulting from the business segment’s expanded geographic footprint and an expanding portfolio of products including meal kit components. We anticipate that RFG will realize greater production efficiencies and economies of scale and move segment gross margins toward historic levels across fiscal 2018.

“Turning to Calavo Foods, we expect another year of strong double-digit revenue growth for the segment. As raw material costs moderate, we expect segment margins to return to historic norms. Our expectation is for Calavo Foods to provide solid incremental contribution to revenues and gross margin in the current year,” Cole said.

With respect to FreshRealm, which Calavo seeded and continues to hold a substantial ownership interest, Cole stated: “Fiscal 2018 is expected to be a watershed year for FreshRealm. After several years of planning and development, its leading-edge platform merging technology, supply and fulfillment of prepared, perishable food for home delivery and in-store meal kits, gained considerable traction in fiscal 2017 with customer expansion that has been exciting to watch. We believe it to be a harbinger of additional new customer penetration to come and revenue expected to reach nine figures in 2018.

“Strategic initiatives implemented in the past three years are all solidly in place and are expected to serve as the drivers of Calavo’s continued revenue and profit growth. It leaves me enormously optimistic about fiscal 2018 and beyond. To that end, I am

 

 

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Calavo Growers Announces Fiscal 2017 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results/6-6-6

confident in forecasting top-line growth of 20 percent leading to a double-digit increase in earnings per share in the current year. We look forward to reporting on our progress toward this end as fiscal 2018 progresses,” Cole concluded.

About Calavo Growers, Inc.

Calavo Growers, Inc. is a global avocado-industry leader and an expanding provider of value-added fresh food serving retail grocery, foodservice, club stores, mass merchandisers, food distributors and wholesalers worldwide. The Company’s Fresh segment procures and markets fresh avocados and select other fresh produce (tomatoes). The Renaissance Food Group segment (“RFG”) creates, markets and distributes a portfolio of healthy, fresh foods, including fresh-cut fruit, fresh-cut vegetables and prepared foods. The Foods segment manufactures and distributes guacamole and salsa. Founded in 1924, Calavo’s fresh food products are sold under the respected Calavo brand name as well as Garden Highway, Chef Essentials and a variety of private label and store brands.

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 and 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 international 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 latest filed Annual Report on Form 10-K. 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

(in thousands)

 

     October 31,  
     2017      2016  

Assets

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 6,625      $ 13,842  

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $2,490 (2017) and $2,063 (2016)

     69,750        70,101  

Inventories, net

     30,858        31,849  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     6,872        14,402  

Advances to suppliers

     4,346        4,425  

Income taxes receivable

     1,377        334  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     119,828        134,953  

Property, plant, and equipment, net

     120,072        87,837  

Investment in Limoneira Company

     40,362        34,036  

Investment in unconsolidated entities

     33,019        24,652  

Deferred income taxes

     9,783        14,944  

Goodwill

     18,262        18,262  

Other assets

     22,791        13,249  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $  364,117      $  327,933  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

     

Current liabilities:

     

Payable to growers

   $ 16,524      $ 20,965  

Trade accounts payable

     22,911        22,447  

Accrued expenses

     39,946        31,095  

Short-term borrowings

     20,000        19,000  

Dividend payable

     16,657        15,696  

Current portion of long-term obligations

     129        138  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     116,167        109,341  

Long-term liabilities:

     

Long-term obligations, less current portion

     439        445  

Deferred rent

     2,732        2,307  

Other long-term liabilities

     657        -  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-term liabilities

     3,828        2,752  

Commitments and contingencies

     

Noncontrolling interest, Calavo Salsa Lisa

     -        771  

Total shareholders’ equity

     244,122        215,069  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $364,117      $327,933  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 


CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Three months ended
October 31,
    Year ended
October 31,
 
     2017     2016     2017     2016  

Net sales

   $   277,204     $   247,655     $   1,075,565     $   935,679  

Cost of sales

     245,689       220,570       961,021       828,145  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross margin

     31,515       27,085       114,544       107,534  

Selling, general and administrative

     14,701       11,574       56,651       46,440  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     16,814       15,511       57,893       61,094  

Interest expense

     (226     (144     (1,023     (756

Other income (expense), net

     352       (409     904       (10
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

     16,940       14,958       57,774       60,328  

Provision for income taxes

     6,567       5,260       20,450       21,869  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     10,373       9,698       37,324       38,459  

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (107     (459     (54     (437
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Calavo Growers, Inc.

   $ 10,266     $ 9,239     $ 37,270     $ 38,022  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

        

Basic

   $ 0.59     $ 0.53     $ 2.14     $ 2.19  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.59     $ 0.53     $ 2.13     $ 2.18  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

        

Basic

     17,429       17,355       17,416       17,347  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     17,544       17,447       17,514       17,431  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

NET SALES AND GROSS MARGIN BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

(in thousands)

 

     Fresh
  products  
       Calavo
  Foods
     RFG      Total  

Three months ended October 31, 2017

           

Net sales

   $ 146,061      $ 20,519      $ 110,624      $ 277,204  

Cost of sales

     122,281        18,933        104,475        245,689  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross margin

   $ 23,780      $ 1,586      $ 6,149      $ 31,515  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Three months ended October 31, 2016

           

Net sales

   $ 143,423      $ 16,368      $ 87,864      $ 247,655  

Cost of sales

     128,266        11,818        80,486        220,570  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross margin

   $ 15,157      $ 4,550      $ 7,378      $ 27,085  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the three months ended October 31, 2017, and 2016, inter-segment sales and cost of sales of $0.4 million and $1.5 million between Fresh products and RFG were eliminated. For the three months ended October 31, 2017 and 2016, inter-segment sales and cost of sales of $0.9 million and $0.7 million between Calavo Foods and RFG were eliminated.

 

     Fresh
  products  
       Calavo
  Foods
     RFG      Total  

Year ended October 31, 2017

           

Net sales

   $ 582,662      $ 74,395      $ 418,508      $ 1,075,565  

Cost of sales

     510,286        61,042        389,693        961,021  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross margin

   $ 72,376      $ 13,353      $ 28,815      $ 114,544  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Year ended October 31, 2016

           

Net sales

   $ 538,687      $ 63,494      $ 333,498      $ 935,679  

Cost of sales

     480,690        41,046        306,409        828,145  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross margin

   $ 57,997      $ 22,448      $ 27,089      $ 107,534  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For fiscal year 2017, and 2016, inter-segment sales and cost of sales of $1.3 million and $4.3 million between Fresh products and RFG were eliminated. For fiscal year 2017 and 2016, inter-segment sales and cost of sales of $3.2 million and $2.7 million between Calavo Foods and RFG were eliminated.

Source: Calavo Growers, Inc.