SunOpta Announces First Quarter 2013 Results

May 7, 2013

TORONTO, May 7, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SunOpta Inc. ("SunOpta" or the "Company") (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY), a leading global company focused on natural, organic and specialty foods, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 30, 2013. All amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars and results are reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP, except where specifically noted.

First Quarter 2013 Highlights:

  • Record first quarter revenues of $282.8 million, an increase of approximately 9% versus the 2012 first quarter
  • Operating income¹of $10.7 million, or 3.8% of revenues
  • EBITDA¹ of $16.1 million, or 5.7% of revenues
  • Earnings of $5.1 million, or $0.08 per diluted common share

"We continue to experience strong momentum across our business segments and are pleased with our record revenues in the first quarter. As we anticipated, our margins were impacted by crop quality associated with the drought-like conditions experienced in 2012, along with continued investment in a number of our consumer product and ingredient operations, and cyclical weakness in the steel and infrastructure segments within Opta Minerals," commented Steve Bromley, Chief Executive Officer. "Looking ahead, we believe that 2013 will be another successful year for our Company as we continue to execute on our core strategies of growing our value-added packaged foods and ingredients portfolio, and leveraging our integrated platform in support of our long-term operating targets. We believe SunOpta is well positioned to capitalize on future growth opportunities as consumers around the world are increasingly focused on healthy eating and healthy living."

First Quarter 2013 Results

Revenues increased approximately 9% to a record $282.8 million as compared to $259.3 million in the first quarter of 2012. The increase in consolidated revenues was driven by strong demand and increased prices for organic grains and feed products, continued growth in consumer packaged categories including aseptic non-dairy beverages and re-sealable pouch products, as well as higher sales within Opta Minerals Inc. as a result of recent acquisitions. Excluding the impact of changes including foreign exchange rates, commodity-related pricing, acquisitions, rationalized product lines and the impact on current revenues related to reduced commodity sales volumes due to the impact of the 2012 drought and delayed 2013 planting season, Food Group revenues increased approximately 7.5% versus the prior year and consolidated revenues increased approximately 6.0%.

Operating income¹for the quarter was $10.7 million, or 3.8% of revenues, for the first quarter of 2013 as compared to $12.8 million, or 4.9% of revenues in 2012. Operating earnings reflected the impact of lower soy and sunflower processing yields due to the effects of the 2012 North American drought, which negatively impacted seed quality and by-product values. In addition, margin pressure was experienced across a number of product lines in the European operations of the International Foods Group as a result of weak economic conditions in Europe and Opta Minerals was impacted by cyclical weakness in the steel and infrastructure sectors, partially offset by the positive impact of recent acquisitions, continued growth in certain consumer packaged goods categories, favorable margins on organic grains and feed products as well as the positive impact of product rationalization efforts in the Company's frozen foods operation.

Earnings for the first quarter of 2013 were $5.1 million, or $0.08 per diluted common share, as compared to $5.9 million, or $0.09 per diluted common share, during the record first quarter of 2012. Excluding discontinued operations, earnings for the first quarter of 2013 were $5.2 million, or $0.08 per diluted common share, versus $5.7 million, or $0.09 per diluted common share, during the first quarter of 2012. Earnings for the first quarter include the impact of approximately $1.2 million in pre-tax severance, acquisition and start-up costs, or approximately $0.7 million after-tax and minority interest.

For the first quarter of 2013 EBITDA¹was $16.1 million as compared to $17.6 million during the first quarter of 2012.

Balance Sheet

The Company's balance sheet remains strong and at March 30, 2013 reflected a current ratio of 1.45 to 1.00 and a net debt to equity ratio of 0.58 to 1.00. At March 30, 2013, the Company had total debt outstanding of $206.2 million, net debt of $193.1 million, total assets of $715.1 million, shareholders' equity of $331.0 million and a net book value of $5.00 per outstanding share.

Conference Call Information

The Company plans to host a conference call at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 to discuss the results for the first quarter of 2013 and recent corporate developments. After opening remarks, there will be a question and answer period. This conference call can be accessed via a link at the Company's website at www.sunopta.com. To listen to the live call over the Internet, please go to the Company's website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. Additionally, the call may be accessed with the toll free dial-in number (877) 312-9198 or international dial-in number (631) 291-4622. If you are unable to listen live, the conference call will be archived and can be accessed for approximately 90 days at the Company's website.

¹See discussion of non-GAAP measures

About SunOpta Inc.

SunOpta Inc. is a leading global company focused on natural, organic and specialty foods products. The Company specializes in sourcing, processing and packaging of natural and organic food products, integrated from seed through packaged products; with a focus on strategically vertically integrated business models. The Company's core natural and organic food operations focus on value-added grains, fiber and fruit based product offerings, supported by a global infrastructure. The Company has two non-core holdings, a 66.1% ownership position in Opta Minerals Inc., listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, a producer, distributor, and recycler of environmentally friendly industrial materials; and a minority ownership position in Mascoma Corporation, an innovative biofuels company.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this press release may be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our belief that 2013 will be another successful year for the Company, our core strategies of growing our value-added packaged foods and ingredients portfolio and leveraging our integrated platform and that we are well positioned to capitalize on future growth opportunities. The terms and phrases "continued", "believe", "growing", "leveraging", "increasingly", and other similar terms and phrases are intended to identify these forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on information available to us on the date of this release and are based on estimates and assumptions made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors the Company believes are appropriate in the circumstances including, but not limited to, general economic conditions, consumer interest in health and wellness, product pricing levels, current customer demand, planned facility and operational expansions, competitive intensity, cost rationalization and product development initiatives. Whether actual timing and results will agree with expectations and predications of the Company is subject to many risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, global economic conditions, consumer spending patterns and changes in market trends, decreases in customer demand and focus on healthy eating and living, potential failure of product development, working capital management and continuous improvement initiatives, availability and pricing of raw materials and supplies, potential covenant breaches under our credit facilities and other risks described from time to time under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q (available at www.sec.gov). Consequently all forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by the Company will be realized.

SunOpta Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the quarters ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012
Unaudited
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
 
 Quarter ended Quarter ended  
 March 30, 2013 March 31, 2012 Change
 $ $ %
       
Revenues 282,825   259,328  9.1%
       
Cost of goods sold  248,575   224,842  10.6%
       
Gross profit 34,250   34,486  -0.7%
       
Selling, general and administrative expenses 22,911   20,430  12.1%
Intangible asset amortization 1,248   1,193  4.6%
Other expense, net  365   364  0.3%
Foreign exchange loss (gain)(585)  82  -813.4%
       
Earnings from continuing operations before the following  10,311   12,417  -17.0%
       
Interest expense, net 1,690   2,583  -34.6%
       
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes 8,621  9,834  -12.3%
       
Provision for income taxes 3,275  3,586  -8.7%
       
Earnings from continuing operations 5,346  6,248  -14.4%
       
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes(58) 191  -130.4%
       
Earnings5,288  6,439  -17.9%
       
Earnings attributable to non-controlling interests163  547  -70.2%
       
Earnings attributable to SunOpta Inc.5,125  5,892  -13.0%
       
Earnings per share — basic       
-from continuing operations 0.08  0.09   
-from discontinued operations --  --   
  0.08  0.09   
       
Earnings per share — diluted       
-from continuing operations 0.08  0.09   
-from discontinued operations --  --   
  0.08  0.09   
 
SunOpta Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As at March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012
Unaudited
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)
 
 March 30, 2013 December 29, 2012
 $ $
     
ASSETS    
     
Current assets    
Cash and cash equivalents  6,709  6,840 
Restricted cash 6,397   6,595 
Accounts receivable 117,763  113,314 
Inventories  258,798  255,738 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 17,309  20,538 
Current income taxes recoverable 1,814   1,814 
Deferred income taxes 2,664  2,653 
 411,454  407,492 
     
Investments  33,845   33,845 
Property, plant and equipment 147,600   140,579 
Goodwill  56,998   57,414 
Intangible assets 51,076   52,885 
Deferred income taxes 12,085   12,879 
Other assets 2,073   2,216 
     
  715,131  707,310 
     
LIABILITIES    
     
Current liabilities    
Bank indebtedness  150,849  131,061 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 111,133  128,544 
Customer and other deposits 8,702  4,734 
Income taxes payable 3,632  4,125 
Other current liabilities 2,177  2,660 
Current portion of long-term debt  6,582  6,925 
Current portion of long-term liabilities 1,477  1,471 
 284,552  279,520 
     
Long-term debt  48,799   51,273 
Long-term liabilities 5,830   5,544 
Deferred income taxes 27,596   27,438 
  366,777  363,775 
     
     
EQUITY    
SunOpta Inc. shareholders' equity    
Capital Stock  183,954  183,027 
66,151,249 common shares (December 29, 2012 - 66,007,236)    
Additional paid in capital  17,277  16,855 
Retained earnings 129,857  124,732 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(93) 1,537 
  330,995   326,151 
Non-controlling interest 17,359  17,384 
Total equity 348,354   343,535 
     
  715,131   707,310 
 
SunOpta Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the quarters ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012
Unaudited
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)
 
 Quarter ended Quarter ended
 March 30, 2013 March 31, 2012
 $ $
     
Cash provided by (used in)    
     
Operating activities    
Earnings 5,288   6,439 
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations(58)  191 
Earnings from continuing operations 5,346   6,248 
     
Items not affecting cash    
Depreciation and amortization 5,420   4,773 
Deferred income taxes 941   2,086 
Stock-based compensation 685   588 
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments 743   682 
Other 322   443 
Changes in non-cash working capital, net of business acquired(20,176) (21,930)
Net cash flows from operations - continuing operations(6,719) (7,110)
Net cash flows from operations - discontinued operations(38) (148)
 (6,757) (7,258)
Investing activities    
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired(3,828) (17,530)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment(7,893) (4,919)
Purchases of intangible assets(99) (25)
Other(398) (77)
Net cash flows from investing activities - continuing operations(12,218) (22,551)
Net cash flows from investing activities — discontinued operations-- (13)
 (12,218) (22,564)
Financing activities    
Increase in line of credit facilities 20,639   19,008 
Borrowings under long-term debt 232   19,088 
Repayment of long-term debt(2,419) (7,030)
Financing costs(14) (91)
Proceeds from the issuance of common shares 664   157 
Other(45) (3)
Net cash flows from financing activities - continuing operations 19,057   31,129 
     
Foreign exchange (loss) gain on cash held in a foreign currency(213)  44 
     
     
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the period(131)  1,351 
     
     
     
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of the period 6,840   2,378 
     
Cash and cash equivalents - end of the period 6,709   3,729 
 
SunOpta Inc.
Segmented Information
For the quarters ended March 30, 2013 and March 31, 2012
Unaudited
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)
 
 
Quarter ended
March 30, 2013
    SunOpta   Corporate  
    Foods Opta Minerals Services Consolidated
    $ $ $ $
Total revenues from external customers  246,600  36,225  --  282,825 
Segment Operating Income (Loss)  9,624  2,463 (1,411) 10,676 
           
SunOpta Foods has the following segmented reporting:
 
Quarter ended
March 30, 2013
  Grains and   Consumer International SunOpta
  Foods Ingredients Products Foods Foods
  $ $ $ $ $
Total revenues from external customers 130,453  21,521  46,551  48,075  246,600 
Segment Operating Income (Loss) 7,493  1,002 (175) 1,304  9,624 
           
 
Quarter ended
March 31, 2012
    SunOpta   Corporate  
    Foods Opta Minerals Services Consolidated
    $ $ $ $
Total revenues from external customers   230,996   28,332   --   259,328 
Segment Operating Income (Loss)   11,553   3,081  (1,853)  12,781 
           
SunOpta Foods has the following segmented reporting:
 
Quarter ended
March 31, 2012
  Grains and   Consumer International SunOpta
  Foods Ingredients Products Foods Foods
  $ $ $ $ $
Total revenues from external customers  121,175   21,649   45,152   43,020   230,996 
Segment Operating Income (Loss)  8,386   1,229  (175)  2,113   11,553 
           
(Segment operating income (loss) is defined as "Earnings from continuing operations before the following" excluding the impact of "Other expense (income), net")

1Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), the Company provides information regarding Operating Income and Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") as additional information about its operating results, which are not measures in accordance with GAAP. The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures assist investors in comparing performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that are not indicative of the Company's core operating performance. The non-GAAP measures of operating income and EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. 

The Company defines Operating Income as "Earnings from continuing operations before the following" excluding the impact of "Other (income) expense, net" and "Goodwill impairment"; and EBITDA as Operating Income plus depreciation and amortization. The following is a tabular presentation of Operating income and EBITDA, including a reconciliation to GAAP earnings, which the Company believes to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure:

 Quarter ended Quarter ended
 March 30, 2013 March 31, 2012
 $ $
     
Earnings from continuing operations 5,346   6,248 
     
Provision for income taxes 3,275   3,586 
Interest expense, net 1,690   2,583 
Other expense, net 365   364 
Operating income 10,676   12,781 
Depreciation and amortization 5,420   4,773 
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) 16,096   17,554 
CONTACT: For further information, please contact:

         SunOpta Inc.

         Steve Bromley, CEO

         Robert McKeracher, Vice President & CFO

         Susan Wiekenkamp, Information Officer

         Tel: 905-455-2528, ext 103

         susan.wiekenkamp@sunopta.com

         Website: www.sunopta.com