E-Malt.com News article: USA, OR: Craft Brewers Alliance reports second quarter 2011 results

Craft Brewers Alliance, Inc. (CBA), an independent craft brewing company, reported net sales of $41.5 million and net income of $8.2 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011 as compared with net sales of $37.2 million and net income of $1.7 million for the same quarter a year ago, Marketwatch.com reported on August, 15.

CBA reported $0.43 earnings per share on a fully diluted basis for the second quarter of 2011 as compared with $0.10 per share for the same quarter one year ago. On May 2, 2011, CBA completed the sale of its minority interest in Fulton Street Brewery, LLC ("FSB") to Anheuser-Busch, Incorporated ("A-B") for cash consideration and a reduction in distribution fees. The $10.4 mln gain on sale contributed $6.5 mln to net income and $0.34 earnings per share for the 2011 second quarter.

Significant financial highlights for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 include:

- Net revenues increased $4.3 mln, or 11 percent, to $41.5 mln compared with the second quarter of 2010

- Depletion growth for the second quarter of 2011 was 6 percent

- Gross profit percentage increased 450 basis points

- Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $3.1 mln to $10.7 mln, reflecting increased sales and marketing efforts

- Capital expenditures were $1.7 mln as the company continued to make strategic investments in systems and infrastructure

- Cash proceeds of $15.1 mln from the sale of FSB led to an increase in working capital of $8.5 mln

"We are pleased that our revenue and volume growth continues to reflect the success of our sales, marketing, operations and execution initiatives of our unique portfolio strategy," said Terry Michaelson, CBA's CEO. "We believe our focused investments in new beers, new packaging and our sales team will not only expand customers' opportunities to enjoy our portfolio of beers but will generate ongoing sales and profit growth over the long term. We remain resolutely committed to increasing both our revenue and profitability for the full year."

Operating Results

Net sales for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011 were $41.5 mln, an increase of $4.3 mln, or 11 percent, from net sales of $37.2 mln for the same quarter in 2010. The increase resulted from a combination of factors, primarily the increase in the 2011 second quarter shipments to wholesalers, price increases for the company's beers sold to wholesalers, and an increase in revenues earned from the company's restaurants and pubs following the merger with Kona Brewing Co., Inc. ("KBC Merger").

Total shipments for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011 were 191,100 barrels, an increase of 20,200 barrels, or 12 percent, from 170,900 barrels for the same quarter of 2010, primarily reflecting the increase in shipments to wholesalers and growth in the company's contract brewing business.

Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales improved 450 basis points in the second quarter of 2011, reflecting the elimination of costs related to the Kona Brewing alternating proprietorship, improved capacity utilization and an increased selling price for the company's beers. These favorable factors were partially offset by increased shipping costs due to higher fuel prices in the second quarter of 2011 as compared with the same quarter a year ago.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses of $10.7 mln for the three months ended June 30, 2011 increased $3.1 mln, or 41 percent, from $7.6 mln for the corresponding quarter a year ago. This increase reflects CBA's intent to bolster its selling and marketing costs to levels that are appropriate for a leader in the competitive craft brewing market. The increase was also driven by SG&A costs related to the operations acquired in the KBC Merger. The company expects SG&A spending to continue at an elevated level for the remainder of 2011 as it continues its campaign to penetrate select focus markets and deliver new and exciting beers and packages to consumers.

On May 2, 2011, CBA completed the sale of its minority interest in FSB to A-B in exchange for its share of the purchase consideration, which totalled $16.3 mln, including $15.1 mln paid to the company at closing. CBA also received reimbursement for certain legal and professional fees it incurred in the evaluation of the transaction of $266,000. The company recorded a gain of $10.4 mln during the second quarter of 2011 associated with its sale of FSB. In connection with the closing, the company and A-B amended their distribution agreement to reduce distribution fees for the remaining term of the arrangement, as well as the renewal term, if applicable, beginning January 1, 2019.

"The quarter's results reflect a 450 basis point expansion in our gross profit margin, accelerating the trend from the first quarter due to our volume gains and impact of the amended A-B distribution agreement in spite of higher fuel costs," said Mark Moreland, CBA's CFO. "We expect to continue to re-invest a significant portion of the gross margin gains into sales and marketing initiatives to drive growth while continuing to generate improved profitability."

Cash Flow and Liquidity

Cash provided by operating activities decreased $2.2 mln to $2.1 mln for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 compared with $4.3 mln for the same period in 2010, due in part to a decrease in the level of accounts payable, partially offset by improved accounts receivable collections. Capital expenditures for the quarters ended June 30, 2011 and 2010 were $1.7 mln and $357,000, respectively. The capital expenditures for 2011 include projects designed to enhance and target the core brand offerings and package variety produced at CBA's breweries, and improve its quality assurance and information technology systems, including continuing investments towards a company-wide demand planning and order management system. The company expects spending on these projects to continue through the remainder of 2011 and to total approximately $2.5 mln to $3.5 mln during this period.

As discussed above, the company received proceeds from the sale of FSB of $15.1 mln on May 2, 2011. A portion of those proceeds was used to pay off the outstanding borrowings on its line of credit during the second quarter of 2011. On July 20, 2011, the Company also prepaid the remaining balance on its capital leases of $3.8 mln.

About Craft Brewers Alliance

CBA is an independent, publicly traded craft brewing company that was formed with the merger of leading Pacific Northwest craft brewers - Widmer Brothers Brewing and Redhook Ale Brewery - in 2008. With an eye toward preserving one-of-a-kind beers and brands by giving them an opportunity to shine and grow, CBA was joined by Kona Brewing Company in 2010. When Kurt & Rob Widmer founded Widmer Brothers Brewing in 1984, they didn't confine their brewing exploration to strict style guidelines. To this day, Widmer Brothers continues to create craft beers with a unique and unconventional twist on traditional styles that are award winning and please a wide range of craft beer lovers. Redhook began in a Seattle transmission shop in 1981, and those colorful roots are reflected in the brand's personality to this day. The eminently drinkable beers consistently win awards and please crowds across the United States. Kona Brewing was founded in 1994 by the father and son team of Cameron Healy and Spoon Khalsa, who dreamed of crafting fresh, local island brews with spirit, passion and quality. As the largest craft brewery in Hawaii, Kona personifies the laid-back, passionate lifestyle and environmental respect of the Hawaiian people and culture.


17 August, 2011