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8-K - 8-K - Green Plains Partners LPd486473d8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Green Plains Partners Reports Third Quarter 2017 Financial Results

 

    Net income of $14.5 million, or $0.45 per common unit

 

    Quarterly cash distribution increased 1.0 cent to $0.46 per unit

 

    Adjusted EBITDA of $16.4 million and distributable cash flow of $14.9 million, LTM distribution coverage ratio of 1.11x

OMAHA, Neb., Nov. 1, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Green Plains Partners LP (NASDAQ:GPP) today announced financial and operating results for the third quarter of 2017. Net income was $14.5 million, or $0.45 per common unit, for the third quarter of 2017 compared with $14.2 million, or $0.44 per common unit, for the same period in 2016. The partnership reported adjusted EBITDA of $16.4 million and distributable cash flow of $14.9 million for the third quarter of 2017, compared with adjusted EBITDA of $16.8 million and distributable cash flow of $16.2 million for the same period in 2016. Adjusted EBITDA was reduced by $0.8 million, representing the portion of the storage and throughput minimum volume commitment charged in the second quarter of 2017, but earned in the third quarter of 2017. Distribution coverage for the last twelve months (LTM) ended Sept. 30, 2017, was 1.11x.

“The partnership distributions have increased every quarter since inception, supported by long-term, fee-based commercial agreements,” said Todd Becker, president and chief executive officer of Green Plains Partners. “We are focused on further expanding our asset base and diversifying our cash flow streams for our unitholders.”

Recent Developments

 

    On Oct. 27, 2017, the partnership upsized its revolving credit facility by $40 million, from $155 million to $195 million, accessing a portion of the $100 million incremental commitment in place on the facility.

 

    On Oct. 19, 2017, the board of directors of the partnership’s general partner declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.46 per unit, or approximately $14.9 million, for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2017. The third quarter distribution is payable on Nov. 10, 2017, to unitholders of record at the close of business on Nov. 3, 2017.

 

    On Sept. 11, 2017, John Neppl joined the company as chief financial officer of Green Plains and Green Plains Partners, replacing Jerry Peters, who retired. Mr. Peters continues as a member of the board of directors of Green Plains Holdings LLC, the general partner of Green Plains Partners. Mr. Neppl most recently served as chief financial officer of The Gavilon Group, LLC and brings extensive experience in commodity processing and trading businesses.

 

    NLR Energy Logistics, the partnership’s joint venture with Delek Renewables to construct and operate an ethanol unit-train terminal in Little Rock, Ark., secured permitting and began grading at the Little Rock Port Authority site. The project is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2018.

Results of Operations

Consolidated revenues increased $0.2 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2017, compared with the same period for 2016. Revenues generated from the partnership’s storage and throughput agreement with Green Plains Trade increased $0.8 million primarily due to higher throughput volumes related to ethanol storage assets acquired in September 2016. Other revenue increased $0.3 million due to the expansion of the partnership’s truck fleet. These increases were partially offset by revenues generated from the partnership’s rail transportation services agreement with Green Plains Trade, which decreased $0.5 million due to lower average rates charged for railcar volumetric capacity provided, and revenues generated from the partnership’s terminal services agreements, which decreased $0.4 million due to lower third-party throughput volumes at the partnership’s Birmingham facility and other terminals.

Operations and maintenance expenses decreased $0.2 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2017, compared with the same period for 2016, primarily due to lower railcar lease expenses of $0.5 million, partially offset by higher repairs and maintenance expenses of $0.2 million. Selling, general and administrative expenses also decreased $0.5 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2017, compared with the same period for 2016, primarily due to transaction and administrative costs associated with the acquisition of ethanol storage assets incurred during the same quarter last year. Interest expense increased $0.9 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2017, compared with the same period last year due to borrowings associated with the September 2016 acquisition of ethanol storage assets and higher interest rates.

 

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Green Plains Inc. resumed normal ethanol production levels during the third quarter of 2017, which generated revenue of $0.8 million associated with throughput volumes in excess of the minimum volume commitment of 296.6 million gallons of ethanol per quarter that was applied against the unearned revenue and excluded from adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2017.

GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP

SELECTED OPERATING DATA

(unaudited, in million gallons)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2017      2016      % Var.     2017      2016      % Var.  

Product volumes

                

Storage and throughput services

     308.3        292.7        5.3     913.9        819.1        11.6

Terminal services:

                

Affiliate

     33.1        30.6        8.2       124.5        89.5        39.1  

Non-affiliate

     38.8        49.5        (21.6     99.3        141.1        (29.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    
     71.9        80.1        (10.2     223.8        230.6        (2.9

Railcar capacity billed (daily average)

     95.1        79.2        20.1       91.9        76.4        20.3  

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Total liquidity as of Sept. 30, 2017, was $26.3 million, including $0.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, and $26.0 million available under the partnership’s revolving credit facility. The balance outstanding on the partnership’s revolving credit facility was $129.0 million as of Sept. 30, 2017. On Oct. 27, 2017, the partnership upsized its revolving credit facility by $40 million, from $155 million to $195 million, accessing a portion of the $100 million incremental commitment in place on the facility.

Conference Call Information

On Nov. 2, 2017, Green Plains Partners LP and Green Plains Inc. will host a joint conference call at 11 a.m. Eastern time (10 a.m. Central time) to discuss third quarter 2017 financial and operating results for each company. Domestic and international participants can access the conference call by dialing 888.349.9582 and 719.785.1768, respectively. The company advises participants to call at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. Alternatively, the conference call, transcript and presentation will be accessible on Green Plains Partners’ website at http://ir.greenplainspartners.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are supplemental financial measures used to assess the partnership’s financial performance. Management believes adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow provide investors useful information in assessing the partnership’s financial condition and results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, and adjustments for transaction costs related to acquisitions or financings, minimum volume commitment deficiency payments, unit-based compensation expense and net gains or losses on asset sales. Distributable cash flow is defined as adjusted EBITDA less interest paid or payable, income taxes paid or payable and maintenance capital expenditures. Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are not presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and therefore should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to net income or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP to analyze the partnership’s results.

About Green Plains Partners LP

Green Plains Partners LP (NASDAQ:GPP) is a fee-based Delaware limited partnership formed by Green Plains Inc. to provide fuel storage and transportation services by owning, operating, developing and acquiring ethanol and fuel storage tanks, terminals, transportation assets and other related assets and businesses. For more information about Green Plains Partners, visit www.greenplainspartners.com.

 

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About Green Plains Inc.

Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRE) is a diversified commodity-processing business with operations related to ethanol production, grain handling and storage, cattle feedlots, food ingredients, and commodity marketing and logistics services. The company is the second largest consolidated owner of ethanol production facilities in the world with 17 dry mill plants, producing nearly 1.5 billion gallons of ethanol at full capacity. Green Plains owns a 62.5% limited partner interest and a 2.0% general partner interest in Green Plains Partners. For more information about Green Plains, visit www.gpreinc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current views, which are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, anticipated financial and operating results, plans and objectives that are not historical in nature. These statements may be identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar expressions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied are discussed in Green Plains Partners’ reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. Green Plains Partners assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Consolidated Financial Results

GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

 

     September 30,
2017
    December 31,
2016
 
     (unaudited)        

ASSETS

    

Current assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 253     $ 622  

Accounts receivable, including from affiliates

     20,645       20,290  

Other current assets

     895       1,363  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     21,793       22,275  

Property and equipment, net

     49,630       51,022  

Other assets

     21,374       20,479  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 92,797     $ 93,776  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

    

Current liabilities

    

Accounts payable, including to affiliates

   $ 9,997     $ 6,201  

Other current liabilities

     6,789       11,102  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     16,786       17,303  

Long-term debt

     136,963       136,927  

Other liabilities

     3,363       3,712  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     157,112       157,942  

Partners’ capital

     (64,315     (64,166
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and partners’ capital

   $ 92,797     $ 93,776  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited, in thousands except per unit amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2017     2016     % Var.     2017     2016     % Var.  

Revenues

            

Affiliate

   $ 24,748     $ 24,139       2.5   $ 74,019     $ 69,445       6.6

Non-affiliate

     1,701       2,066       (17.7     4,724       6,042       (21.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total revenues

     26,449       26,205       0.9       78,743       75,487       4.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating expenses

            

Operations and maintenance

     8,346       8,564       (2.5     25,161       25,713       (2.1

Selling, general and administrative

     922       1,395       (33.9     3,258       3,654       (10.8

Depreciation and amortization

     1,280       1,515       (15.5     3,781       4,220       (10.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total operating expenses

     10,548       11,474       (8.1     32,200       33,587       (4.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating income

     15,901       14,731       7.9       46,543       41,900       11.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Other income (expense)

            

Interest income

     20       21       (4.8     61       62       (1.6

Interest expense

     (1,412     (501     181.8       (3,941     (1,295     204.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total other expense

     (1,392     (480     190.0       (3,880     (1,233     214.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Income before income taxes

     14,509       14,251       1.8       42,663       40,667       4.9  

Income tax expense

     43       52       (17.3     135       304       (55.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net income

   $ 14,466     $ 14,199       1.9   $ 42,528     $ 40,363       5.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net income attributable to partners’ ownership interests:

 

         

General partner

   $ 290     $ 284       2.1   $ 851     $ 807       5.5

Limited partners – common unitholders

     7,097       6,962       1.9       20,856       19,786       5.4  

Limited partners – subordinated unitholders

     7,079       6,953       1.8       20,821       19,770       5.3  
Earnings per limited partner unit (basic and diluted):                                     

Common units

   $ 0.45     $ 0.44       2.3   $ 1.31     $ 1.24       5.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Subordinated units

   $ 0.45     $ 0.44       2.3   $ 1.31     $ 1.24       5.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Weighted average limited partner units outstanding
(basic and diluted):

            

Common units

     15,922       15,910         15,914       15,902    
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Subordinated units

     15,890       15,890         15,890       15,890    
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Supplemental Revenues Data:

            

Storage and throughput services

   $ 15,416     $ 14,633       5.4   $ 45,695     $ 40,954       11.6

Terminal services

     2,688       3,048       (11.8     8,716       8,893       (2.0

Railcar transportation services

     7,384       7,888       (6.4     22,169       23,562       (5.9

Other

     961       636       51.1       2,163       2,078       4.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total revenues

   $ 26,449     $ 26,205       0.9   $ 78,743     $ 75,487       4.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

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GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited, in thousands)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2017     2016  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 42,528     $ 40,363  

Noncash operating adjustments:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     3,781       4,220  

Deferred income taxes

     —         (4

Other

     744       802  

Net change in working capital

     (1,390     818  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     45,663       46,199  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchases of property and equipment

     (1,912     (467

Equity method investment

     (1,284     —    

Acquisition of assets from sponsor

     —         (62,312

Acquisition of assets

     —         (90,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used by investing activities

     (3,196     (152,779
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Payments of distributions

     (42,839     (39,496

Net proceeds – revolving credit facility

     —         132,000  

Other

     3       (984
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities

     (42,836     91,520  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     (369     (15,060

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     622       16,385  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 253     $ 1,325  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP

RECONCILIATIONS TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(unaudited, dollars in thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     LTM Ended
September 30,
 
     2017     2016      2017      2016      2017  

Net income

   $ 14,466     $ 14,199      $ 42,528      $ 40,363      $ 58,970  

Interest expense

     1,412       501        3,941        1,295        5,191  

Income tax expense

     43       52        135        304        55  

Depreciation and amortization

     1,280       1,515        3,781        4,220        5,208  

Minimum volume commitment adjustments(1)

     (828     —          182        —          182  

Transaction costs

     —         490        —          486        (135

Unit-based compensation expense

     40       60        159        82        220  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

     16,413       16,817        50,726        46,750        69,691  

Less:

             

Interest paid or payable

     1,412       501        3,941        1,295        5,191  

Income taxes paid or payable

     43       53        135        308        53  

Maintenance capital expenditures

     18       77        182        252        195  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributable cash flow

   $ 14,940     $ 16,186      $ 46,468      $ 44,895      $ 64,252  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions declared(2)

   $ 14,932     $ 13,629      $ 43,818      $ 40,069      $ 57,771  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Coverage ratio

     1.00x       1.19x        1.06x        1.12x        1.11x  

 

(1) Adjustments related to the storage and throughput quarterly minimum volume commitments.
(2) Represents distributions declared for the applicable period and paid in the subsequent quarter.

Contact: Jim Stark | Vice President, Investor & Media Relations | 402.884.8700 | jim.stark@gpreinc.com

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