This news release contains forward-looking information that is based upon
assumptions and is subject to risks and uncertainties as indicated in the
cautionary note contained elsewhere in this news release.
Andrew Peller Limited (TSX:ADW.A)(TSX:ADW.B) (the "Company") announced today
continued strong operating and financial performance for the three months ended
June 30, 2012.
Q1 FISCAL 2013 HIGHLIGHTS:
-- Sales up 4.7% on solid growth through majority of trade channels
-- Acquisition of Cellar Craft and the partnership with Wayne Gretzky make
strong contribution to growth
-- EBITA up 2.1% to $9.7 million
-- Net earnings up 19.2% to $4.7 million or $0.34 per Class A Share
-- Balance sheet and financial position remain strong
"Our strong growth in sales and net income continued in the first quarter
following another year of record performance in fiscal 2012," commented John
Peller, President and CEO. "Looking ahead, we believe fiscal 2013 will be
another solid year as we capitalize on rising demand for our high quality wines
across all of our well established trade channels."
Sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 rose 4.7% to $72.7 million from $69.4
million in the prior year. The positive impact from the partnership with Wayne
Gretzky and the acquisition of Cellar Craft, new product introductions, ongoing
initiatives to grow sales of the Company's blended varietal table and premium
wines through provincial liquor boards, and strong export sales contributed to
the increase. The increase was partially offset by lower sales of the Company's
personal winemaking products.
Gross margin was 38.8% of sales for the three months ended June 30, 2012
compared to 39.4% last year. Gross margin percentage was negatively affected by
higher costs for wine purchased on international markets as well as increased
price competition in certain markets. The increase was partially offset by the
positive impact of sales of higher margin products and successful cost control
initiatives to reduce operating and packaging expenses. A special levy
implemented on July 1, 2010 by the Province of Ontario on international and
Canadian blended (ICB) wines sold through the Company's retail store network
reduced sales and gross margin by approximately $0.5 million in the first
quarters of fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012. Management believes gross margin will
be in the range of approximately 37% to 38% range for the 2013 fiscal year.
Selling and administrative expenses increased in the first quarter of fiscal
2013 due to an increase in sales and marketing investments to grow sales volumes
of its products through increased advertising and promotional initiatives across
all trade channels and investments made to increase tourism at its estate
wineries. As a percentage of sales, selling and administrative expenses for the
first quarter of fiscal 2013 decreased to 25.5% from 25.7% in the prior year
period.
Interest expense declined in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 compared to last
year due to a decrease in short and long-term interest rates partially offset by
higher levels of short-term borrowings.
The Company recorded a non-cash gain in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 related
to mark-to-market adjustments on an interest rate swap and foreign exchange
contracts aggregating $0.2 million compared to a loss of approximately $0.3
million in the prior year. The Company has elected not to apply hedge accounting
and accordingly these financial instruments are reflected in the Company's
financial statements at fair value each reporting period. These instruments are
considered to be effective economic hedges and have enabled management to
mitigate the volatility of changing costs and interest rates.
Other expenses incurred in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 relate to a fair
value adjustment to vines and maintenance costs for the Company's Port Moody
facility which was closed effective December 31, 2005. Other expenses in the
first quarter of fiscal 2012 relate to a fair value adjustment to vines and
maintenance costs for the Company's Port Moody facility.
Net earnings excluding gains (losses) on derivative financial instruments, other
expenses, and the related income tax effect of these items for the three months
ended June 30, 2012 were $4.6 million compared to $4.3 million in the same
period last year. Net earnings for the three months ended June 30, 2012 were
$4.7 million or $0.34 per Class A Share compared to $3.9 million or $0.28 per
Class A Share in the first quarter of fiscal 2012.
Strong Financial Position
Working capital at June 30, 2012 decreased to $34.7 million compared to $34.9
million at March 31, 2012. The change related to lower levels of accounts
payable and accrued liabilities which were offset by an increase to bank
indebtedness and a reduction in inventory levels. The Company's debt to equity
ratio was 0.94:1 at June 30, 2012 compared to 0.87:1 at March 31, 2012.
Shareholders' equity as at June 30, 2012 was $123.7 million or $8.65 per common
share compared to $120.6 million or $8.43 per common share as at March 31, 2012.
The increase in shareholders' equity is primarily due to higher net earnings for
the year partially offset by the payment of dividends.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2013 the Company used cash from operating
activities, after changes in non-cash working capital items, of $5.6 million
compared to $1.3 million in the prior year. Cash flow from operating activities
declined in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 primarily due to the reduced levels
of accounts payable and accrued liabilities and higher accounts receivable due
to increased sales for the period. The decrease was partially offset by reduced
levels of inventory and strong earnings performance.
Recent Events
The Company announced that its Thirty Bench Riesling 2011 had been awarded a
Lieutenant Governor's Award for Excellence in Ontario Wines. Out of 258 wines
submitted from 73 wineries, the Thirty Bench varietal was selected for the award
by a panel of fourteen of Ontario's leading wine experts and sommeliers.
The Company's portfolio of leading ice wines have also been recognized with a
significant number of awards in a number of prestigious international
competitions, including gold medals in Korea, the United Kingdom, China, Japan,
Brussels, Paris, and the United States for Peller Estates Vidal Icewine 2012,
Peller Estates Oak Aged Icewine 2010, and Peller Estates Riesling Icewine 2007.
The Company's recently-released Wayne Gretzky Cabernet Franc Icewine 2010 has
also received a Double Gold Medal at the 2012 San Francisco International Wine
Competition.
The Company recently launched its new brands, skinnygrape, Canada's first low
calorie wine and Verano, an exciting premium Spanish wine.
Financial Highlights (Unaudited)
(Complete condensed consolidated financial statements to follow)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(in $000 except per share amounts) Three Months
For the Period Ended June 30, 2012 2011
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales 72,662 69,407
Gross margin 28,227 27,313
Gross margin (% of sales) 38.8% 39.4%
Selling and administrative expenses 18,550 17,831
EBITA 9,677 9,482
Unrealized loss (gain) on financial
instruments (198) 300
Other expenses 86 164
Net earnings 4,662 3,911
Earnings per share - Class A $ 0.34 $ 0.28
Earnings per share - Class B $ 0.29 $ 0.24
Dividend per share - Class A (annual) $ 0.360 $ 0.360
Dividend per share - Class B (annual) $ 0.314 $ 0.314
Cash provided by operations (after changes
in non-cash working capital items) (5,607) (1,294)
Working capital 34,670 34,869
Shareholders' equity per share $ 8.65 $ 8.43
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings before other expenses is defined as net earnings before the net
unrealized (gain) loss on financial instruments, and other expenses, all
adjusted by income tax rates as calculated below:
Unaudited (in $,000) Three Months
Period ended June 30, 2012 2011
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings 4,662 3,911
Net unrealized (gains) losses on derivatives (198) 300
Other expenses 86 164
Income tax effect of the above 29 (125)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings excluding (gains) losses on
derivative financial instruments, other
expenses, and the related income tax effect 4,579 4,250
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andrew Peller Limited ('APL' or the 'Company') is a leading producer and
marketer of quality wines in Canada. With wineries in British Columbia, Ontario,
and Nova Scotia, the Company markets wines produced from grapes grown in
Ontario's Niagara Peninsula, British Columbia's Okanagan and Similkameen
Valleys, and from vineyards around the world. The Company's award-winning
premium and ultra-premium VQA brands include Peller Estates, Trius, Hillebrand,
Thirty Bench, Crush, Wayne Gretzky, Sandhill, Calona Vineyards Artist Series,
and Red Rooster. Complementing these premium brands are a number of popularly
priced varietal wine brands including Peller Estates French Cross in the East,
Peller Estates Proprietors Reserve in the West, Copper Moon, XOXO, skinnygrape
and Verano. Hochtaler, Domaine D'Or, Schloss Laderheim, Royal, and Sommet are
our key value priced wine blends. The Company imports wines from major wine
regions around the world to blend with domestic wine to craft these popularly
priced and value priced wine brands. With a focus on serving the needs of all
wine consumers, the Company produces and markets premium personal winemaking
products through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Global Vintners Inc., the
recognized leader in personal winemaking products. Global Vintners distributes
products through over 250 Winexpert and Wine Kitz authorized retailers and
franchisees and more than 600 independent retailers across Canada, the United
States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia. Global Vintners
award-winning premium and ultra-premium winemaking brands include Selection,
Vintners Reserve, Island Mist, Kenridge, Cheeky Monkey, Ultimate Estate Reserve,
Traditional Vintage, Cellar Craft, and Artful Winemaker. The Company owns and
operates more than 100 well- positioned independent retail locations in Ontario
under the Vineyards Estate Wines, Aisle 43, and WineCountry Vintners store
names. The Company also owns Grady Wine Marketing Inc. based in Vancouver and
The Small Winemaker's Collection Inc. based in Ontario; both of these wine
agencies are importers of premium wines from around the world and are marketing
agents for these fine wines. The Company has entered into a partnership to
market the Wayne Gretzky Estate Winery brands across Canada. The Company's
products are sold predominantly in Canada with a focus on export sales for its
icewine and personal winemaking products. Andrew Peller Limited common shares
trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbols ADW.A and ADW.B).
The Company utilizes EBITA (defined as earnings before interest, amortization,
unrealized derivative (gain) loss, other expenses, and income taxes). EBITA is
not a recognized measure under IFRS. Management believes that EBITA is a useful
supplemental measure to net earnings, as it provides readers with an indication
of cash available for investment prior to debt service, capital expenditures,
and income taxes. Readers are cautioned that EBITA should not be construed as an
alternative to net earnings determined in accordance with IFRS as an indicator
of the Company's performance or to cash flows from operating, investing and
financing activities as a measure of liquidity and cash flows. The Company also
utilizes gross margin (defined as sales less cost of goods sold, excluding
amortization) and net earnings excluding (gains) losses on derivative financial
instruments, other expenses, and the related income tax effect as defined above.
The Company's method of calculating EBITA and gross margin may differ from the
methods used by other companies and, accordingly, may not be comparable to
measures used by other companies.
Andrew Peller Limited common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbols
ADW.A and ADW.B).
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain statements in this news release may contain "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including the "safe harbour
provision" of the Securities Act (Ontario) with respect to Andrew Peller Limited
( the "Company") and its subsidiaries. Such statements include, but are not
limited to, statements about the growth of the business in light of the
Company's recent acquisitions; its launch of new premium wines; sales trends in
foreign markets; its supply of domestically grown grapes; and current economic
conditions. These statements are subject to certain risks, assumptions, and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
included in the forward-looking statements. The words "believe", "plan",
"intend", "estimate", "expect", or "anticipate" and similar expressions, as well
as future or conditional verbs such as "will", "should", "would", and "could"
often identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking
statements on our current views with respect to future events and financial
performance. With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this news
release, the Company has made assumptions and applied certain factors regarding,
among other things: future grape, glass bottle, and wine prices; its ability to
obtain grapes, imported wine, glass, and its ability to obtain other raw
materials; fluctuations in the U.S./Canadian dollar exchange rates; its ability
to market products successfully to its anticipated customers; the trade balance
within the domestic Canadian wine market; market trends; reliance on key
personnel; protection of its intellectual property rights; the economic
environment; the regulatory requirements regarding producing, marketing,
advertising, and labeling its products; the regulation of liquor distribution
and retailing in Ontario; and the impact of increasing competition.
These forward-looking statements are also subject to the risks and uncertainties
discussed in this news release, in the "Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in
the Company's MD&A and other risks detailed from time to time in the publicly
filed disclosure documents of Andrew Peller Limited which are available at
www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance and involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions which could cause
actual results to differ materially from those conclusions, forecasts, or
projections anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Because of these
risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should not place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements. The Company's forward-looking statements are
made only as of the date of this news release, and except as required by
applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these
forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or
circumstances or otherwise.
ANDREW PELLER LIMITED
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Unaudited
These financial statements have not been reviewed by
our auditors June 30 March 31
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012 2012
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) $ $
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
Current Assets
Accounts receivable 28,201 24,937
Inventory 105,510 110,256
Current portion of biological assets 2,116 881
Prepaid expenses and other assets 1,921 1,338
------------------------
137,748 137,412
Property, plant, and equipment 86,641 84,490
Biological assets 12,889 12,556
Intangibles 13,525 13,621
Goodwill 37,473 37,473
------------------------
288,276 285,552
------------------------
------------------------
Liabilities
Current Liabilities
Bank indebtedness 70,794 57,495
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 24,064 37,118
Dividends payable 1,252 1,252
Income taxes payable 407 40
Current portion of derivative financial instruments 1,195 1,272
Current portion of long-term debt 5,366 5,366
------------------------
103,078 102,543
Long-term debt 40,188 41,456
Long-term derivative financial instruments 1,909 1,943
Post-employment benefit obligations 7,302 7,151
Deferred income taxes 12,075 11,907
------------------------
164,552 165,000
------------------------
Shareholders' Equity
Capital stock 7,026 7,026
Retained earnings 116,698 113,526
------------------------
123,724 120,552
------------------------
288,276 285,552
------------------------
------------------------
ANDREW PELLER LIMITED
Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Earnings
Unaudited
These financial statements have not For the three months For the three
been reviewed by our auditors ended months ended
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 30, 2012 June 30, 2011
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) $ $
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------
Sales 72,662 69,407
Cost of goods sold 44,435 42,094
Amortization of plant and equipment
used in production 1,209 1,233
---------------------- ---------------
Gross profit 27,018 26,080
Selling and administration 18,550 17,831
Amortization of plant, equipment, and
intangibles used in selling and
administration 768 714
Interest 1,246 1,549
---------------------- ---------------
Operating earnings 6,454 5,986
Net unrealized (gains) losses on
derivative financial instruments (198) 300
Other expenses 86 164
---------------------- ---------------
Earnings before income taxes 6,566 5,522
---------------------- ---------------
Provision for income taxes
Current 1,653 1,516
Deferred 251 95
---------------------- ---------------
1,904 1,611
---------------------- ---------------
Net earnings for the period 4,662 3,911
Net earnings per share
Basic and diluted
Class A shares 0.34 0.28
---------------------- ---------------
Class B shares 0.29 0.24
---------------------- ---------------
ANDREW PELLER LIMITED
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive
Income
Unaudited
These financial statements have not For the three For the three
been reviewed by our auditors months ended months ended
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 30, 2012 June 30, 2011
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) $ $
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings for the period 4,662 3,911
Net actuarial losses on employee
future benefits (321) (326)
Deferred income taxes 83 85
------------------- -------------------
(238) (241)
------------------- -------------------
Net comprehensive income for the
period 4,424 3,670
------------------- -------------------
ANDREW PELLER LIMITED
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash
Flows
Unaudited
These financial statements have not been For the three For the three
reviewed by our auditors months ended months ended
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 30, 2012 June 30, 2011
(in thousands of Canadian dollars) $ $
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by (used in)
Operating activities
Net earnings for the period 4,662 3,911
Adjustments for:
Amortization of plant, equipment, and
intangibles 1,977 1,947
Interest expense 1,246 1,549
Provision for income taxes 1,904 1,611
Revaluation of vine biological assets 47 113
Post-employment benefits (170) (168)
Net unrealized (gain) loss on derivative
financial instruments (198) 300
Interest paid (1,187) (1,426)
Income taxes paid (1,286) (2,515)
--------------- ---------------
6,995 5,322
Changes in non-cash working capital items
related to operations (12,602) (6,616)
--------------- ---------------
(5,607) (1,294)
--------------- ---------------
Investing activities
Purchase of property, equipment and vine
biological assets (5,019) (1,582)
Purchases of intangibles (88) (6)
--------------- ---------------
(5,107) (1,588)
--------------- ---------------
Financing activities
Increase in bank indebtedness 13,299 5,363
Repayment of long-term debt (1,333) (1,333)
Dividends paid (1,252) (1,148)
--------------- ---------------
10,714 2,882
--------------- ---------------
Increase (decrease) in cash during the
period - -
Cash, beginning of period - -
Cash, end of period - -
--------------- ----------------
--------------- ----------------
The above statements should be read in conjunction with the entire interim
consolidated financial statements and notes. They will be available through the
Investor Relations section of www.andrewpeller.com or at www.sedar.com.
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