SunOpta Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2021 Financial Results

November 10, 2021

Plant-Based revenue growth of 16.0%, driving 3.6% total Revenue growth

Loss from continuing operations was $3.0 million vs. loss of $3.9 million in Q3 2020

Adjusted EBITDA increased 8.4% to $15.6 million

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SunOpta Inc. (“SunOpta” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY), a leading healthy food and beverage company focused on plant-based foods and beverages and fruit-based foods and beverages, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended October 2, 2021.

All amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars and results are reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP, except where specifically noted.

Third quarter 2021 highlights:

  • Revenues of $198.5 million for the third quarter of 2021 increased 3.6% reflecting 16.0% growth in plant-based foods and beverages partially offset by a 9.7% decline in fruit-based foods and beverages.
  • Gross margin decreased 220 basis points to 11.8% from 14.0% in the third quarter of 2020, reflecting temporary supply chain challenges and incremental depreciation expense.
  • Loss from continuing operations was $3.0 million compared to a loss from continuing operations of $3.9 million in the third quarter of 2020. The loss included $2.8 million of business development, facility consolidation and project costs for capacity expansion.
  • Adjusted earnings¹ attributable to common shareholders was $1.1 million or $0.01 per diluted common share in the third quarter of 2021, compared to an adjusted loss of ($5.8) million or ($0.06) per diluted common share in the third quarter of 2020.
  • Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $15.6 million, or 7.9% of revenues for the third quarter of 2021, was up 8.4% versus $14.4 million or 7.5% of revenues in the third quarter of 2020.

“Despite recent global supply chain issues, our plant-based business produced another solid quarter of growth, delivering a record setting third quarter, more than offsetting declines in our fruit-based business. Plant-based revenues were up 16%, reflecting our sustained competitive advantages and incredibly strong consumer demand. On a two-year stack basis, plant-based revenue was up 23.9%. Moreover, our oat platform was a significant contributor to growth in the quarter. We delivered Adjusted EBITDA growth of 8.4%, as revenue growth and SG&A savings more than offset gross margin compression,” said Joe Ennen, Chief Executive Officer. “Gross margins were impacted by incremental depreciation, along with challenges surrounding raw material and labor availability, which is temporarily impacting the efficiency of our manufacturing plants. We continue to execute well against our strategic priorities. Demand from existing and new customers remains at unprecedented levels across our plant-based portfolio. Gross margins in fruit-based were largely impacted by raw material price inflation, which we expect to be fully passed on by the end of the fourth quarter. Capacity expansions in our plant-based segment are firmly on track; however, as is the case across the broader economy, supply chain issues are creating transitory headwinds over the near term that the team is working hard to mitigate. Nevertheless, our long-term outlook for double-digit plant-based revenue growth and continuing to improve returns on invested capital remains unchanged.”

Third Quarter 2021 Results

Revenues of $198.5 million for the third quarter of 2021 were up 3.6% compared to the third quarter of 2020 as 16.0% growth in Plant-Based Foods and Beverages was partially offset by a 9.7% decrease in Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages.

The Plant-Based Foods and Beverages segment generated revenues of $114.9 million during the third quarter of 2021, an increase of 16.0% compared to $99.0 million in the third quarter of 2020. Growth continued to be driven by strong demand for our oat-based product offerings as well as incremental revenue from our Dream and WestSoy acquisitions, which contributed $5.9 million to the third quarter, together with higher sunflower volumes and pricing. Partially offsetting these factors was softer volumes for certain other non-dairy beverages and everyday broths along with lower volumes of ready-to-eat snacks and roasted ingredients.

The Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages segment generated revenues of $83.6 million during the third quarter of 2021, a decrease of 9.7% compared to $92.6 million in the third quarter of 2020. Lower retail volumes in frozen fruit remained the primary factor accounting for the revenue decline, with planned rationalization of SKUs and customers, and supply constraints for certain fruit varieties. Partially offsetting these factors were the effects of pass-through pricing actions for frozen fruit, together with volume growth in fruit snacks, and rising foodservice demand.

Gross profit was $23.4 million for the third quarter, a decrease of $3.5 million compared to $26.8 million in the prior year period. As a percentage of revenues, gross profit margin was 11.8% in the third quarter of 2021 compared to 14.0% in the third quarter of 2020, a decrease of 220 basis points. The Plant-Based Foods and Beverages segment accounted for $1.0 million of the decrease in gross profit, reflecting lower plant utilization, largely driven by labor and certain raw material shortages in our plant-based beverage and ingredient operations along with higher depreciation and transportation expenses, partially offset by improved utilization, cost reductions and higher pricing in our sunflower operations. Gross profit in the Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages segment decreased by $2.5 million due to higher strawberry commodity prices, foreign exchange, higher transportation costs and higher production costs in our fruit snack operations stemming from raw materials constraints, partially offset by pricing actions, rationalization of marginally profitable business, and productivity improvements in our frozen fruit operations including footprint optimization.

Segment operating income¹ was $3.9 million, or 2.0% of revenues in the third quarter of 2021, compared to segment operating income of $3.1 million, or 1.6% of revenues in the third quarter of 2020. The increase in segment operating income year-over-year was primarily attributable to a reduction in incentive compensation, which more than offset lower gross profit, as well as incremental amortization related to the acquisition of Dream and WestSoy.

Adjusted EBITDA¹ was $15.6 million or 7.9% of revenues in the third quarter of 2021, compared to $14.4 million or 7.5% of revenues in the third quarter of 2020.

Loss from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders for the third quarter of 2021 was $3.8 million, or $0.04 per diluted common share, compared to a loss of $6.7 million, or $0.07 per diluted common share during the third quarter of 2020.

Adjusted earnings¹ in the third quarter of 2021 was $1.1 million or $0.01 per common share, compared to an adjusted loss of $5.8 million or ($0.06) per common share in the third quarter of 2020.

Please refer to the discussion and table below under “Non-GAAP Measures”.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of October 2, 2021, SunOpta had total assets of $749.1 million and total debt of $220.3 million compared to total assets of $921.4 million and total debt of $443.8 million a year earlier, primarily reflecting the sale of the Global Ingredients business and improved operating performance, partially offset by investments to support continued strong growth in Plant-Based Foods and Beverages. During the third quarter of 2021, cash provided by operating activities was $5.1 million from continuing operations compared to cash provided by operating activities of $8.7 million during the third quarter of 2020. The decline in cash generation was primarily due to increased working capital in 2021. Investing activities from continuing operations consumed $17.4 million of cash during the third quarter of 2021 versus $11.3 million in the prior year, primarily due to capacity expansion initiatives.

Conference Call

SunOpta plans to host a conference call at 9:00 A.M. Eastern time on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, to discuss the third quarter financial results. After opening remarks, there will be a question and answer period. Investors interested in listening to the live webcast can access a link on SunOpta's website at www.sunopta.com under the "Investor Relations" section or directly here. A replay of the webcast will be archived and can be accessed for approximately 90 days on the Company's website. Investors interested in listening to the live call over the telephone can join by calling US: 833-513-0545, or International: 1-778-560-2569 conference ID: 2496984.

¹ See discussion of non-GAAP measures

About SunOpta Inc.

SunOpta Inc. is a leading company specializing in the sourcing, processing and production of organic, natural and non-GMO plant- and fruit-based food and beverage products.

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 investment in plant-based foods and beverages will continue to be a significant driver of revenue and margin growth, and our ability to drive further year-over-year adjusted EBITDA improvement. Generally, forward-looking statements do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and are typically accompanied by words such as “continue”, “expect”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimates”, “can”, “will”, “target”, "should", "would", "plans", "becoming", "intend", "confident", "may", "project", "potential", "intention", "might", "predict", “budget”, “forecast” or other similar terms and phrases intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on information available to the Company 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 including, but not limited to, the Company’s actual financial results; uninterrupted operations and service levels to our customers during the COVID-19 pandemic; current customer demand for the Company’s products and the additional anticipated demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic; general economic conditions; continued consumer interest in health and wellness; the Company’s ability to maintain product pricing levels; planned facility and operational expansions, closures and divestitures; cost rationalization and product development initiatives; alternative potential uses for the Company’s capital resources; portfolio optimization and productivity efforts; the sustainability of the Company’s sales pipeline; the Company’s expectations regarding commodity pricing, margins and hedging results; improved availability and field prices for fruit; procurement and logistics savings; freight lane cost reductions; yield and throughput enhancements; and labor cost reductions. Whether actual timing and results will agree with expectations and predictions of the Company is subject to many risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, potential loss of suppliers and customers as well as supply chain, logistics and other disruptions resulting from or related to the COVID-19 pandemic; unexpected issues or delays with the Company’s structural improvements and automation investments; failure or inability to implement portfolio changes, process improvements, go-to-market improvements and process sustainability strategies in a timely manner; changes in the level of capital investment; local and global political and economic conditions; consumer spending patterns and changes in market trends; decreases in customer demand; delayed or unsuccessful product development efforts; potential product recalls; working capital management; availability and pricing of raw materials and supplies; potential covenant breaches under the Company’s 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. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly correct or update the forward-looking statements in this document, in other documents, or on its website to reflect future events or circumstances, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

 

SunOpta Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the quarters and three quarters ended October 2, 2021 and September 26, 2020

(Unaudited)

(All dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

 

 

Quarter ended

 

Three quarters ended

 

 

October 2,
2021

 

September 26,
2020

 

October 2,
2021

 

September 26,
2020

 

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

198,479

 

191,659

 

608,392

 

583,657

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of goods sold

175,123

 

164,821

 

528,711

 

506,387

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

23,356

 

26,838

 

79,681

 

77,270

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

16,487

 

22,060

 

60,081

 

63,873

 

Intangible asset amortization

2,612

 

2,209

 

7,338

 

6,752

 

Other expense, net

1,172

 

1,069

 

7,448

 

789

 

Foreign exchange loss (gain)

336

 

(543

)

533

 

1,150

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings from continuing operations before the following

2,749

 

2,043

 

4,281

 

4,706

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

2,854

 

7,359

 

6,145

 

22,437

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes

(105

)

(5,316

)

(1,864

)

(17,731

)

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

2,929

 

(1,441

)

416

 

(4,759

)

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from continuing operations

(3,034

)

(3,875

)

(2,280

)

(12,972

)

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings from discontinued operations

-

 

3,964

 

-

 

17,429

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss)

(3,034

)

89

 

(2,280

)

4,457

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends and accretion on preferred stock

(748

)

(2,844

)

(3,445

)

(7,473

)

 

 

 

 

 

Loss attributable to common shareholders

(3,782

)

(2,755

)

(5,725

)

(3,016

)

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

 

 

 

From continuing operations

(0.04

)

(0.07

)

(0.06

)

(0.23

)

From discontinued operations

-

 

0.04

 

-

 

0.20

 

Basic and diluted loss per share

(0.04

)

(0.03

)

(0.06

)

(0.03

)

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding (000s)

 

 

 

 

Basic

107,255

 

89,635

 

103,017

 

88,962

 

Diluted

107,255

 

89,635

 

103,017

 

88,962

 

SunOpta Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

As at October 2, 2021 and January 2, 2021

(Unaudited)

(All dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

 

October 2,
2021

 

January 2,
2021

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

Current assets

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

284

 

251

 

Accounts receivable

86,774

 

72,724

 

Inventories

230,891

 

147,748

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

16,538

 

21,665

 

Income taxes recoverable

7,327

 

6,935

 

Total current assets

341,814

 

249,323

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

197,037

 

158,048

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

48,998

 

35,172

 

Goodwill

3,998

 

3,998

 

Intangible assets, net

151,052

 

133,317

 

Deferred income taxes

597

 

-

 

Other assets

5,638

 

5,757

 

 

 

 

Total assets

749,134

 

585,615

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

114,544

 

118,592

 

Income taxes payable

5

 

1,431

 

Current portion of long-term debt

7,734

 

3,478

 

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

12,959

 

12,750

 

Current portion of long-term liabilities

-

 

200

 

Total current liabilities

135,242

 

136,451

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

212,588

 

66,245

 

Operating lease liabilities

38,090

 

24,582

 

Long-term liabilities

1,121

 

-

 

Deferred income taxes

25,826

 

25,408

 

Total liabilities

412,867

 

252,686

 

 

 

 

Series A Preferred Stock

-

 

87,305

 

Series B-1 Preferred Stock

28,001

 

27,595

 

 

 

 

EQUITY

 

 

SunOpta Inc. shareholders’ equity

 

 

Common shares

436,219

 

326,545

 

Additional paid-in capital

24,150

 

37,862

 

Accumulated deficit

(153,466

)

(147,741

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

1,363

 

1,363

 

Total equity

308,266

 

218,029

 

 

 

 

Total equity and liabilities

749,134

 

585,615

 

SunOpta Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the quarters and three quarters ended October 2, 2021 and September 26, 2020

(Unaudited)

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

 

Quarter ended

Three quarters ended

 

October 2,
2021

September 26,
2020

October 2,
2021

September 26,
2020

 

$

$

$

$

 

 

 

 

 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss)

(3,034

)

89

 

(2,280

)

4,457

 

Earnings from discontinued operations

-

 

3,964

 

-

 

17,429

 

Loss from continuing operations

(3,034

)

(3,875

)

(2,280

)

(12,972

)

Items not affecting cash:

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

8,837

 

7,513

 

25,790

 

22,893

 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

359

 

1,019

 

993

 

3,023

 

Deferred income taxes

3,315

 

2,311

 

(179

)

5,510

 

Stock-based compensation

1,250

 

3,435

 

9,593

 

7,425

 

Impairment of long-lived assets

-

 

-

 

2,962

 

-

 

Other

(168

)

238

 

(504

)

211

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

(5,494

)

(1,976

)

(77,472

)

6,734

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations

5,065

 

8,665

 

(41,097

)

32,824

 

Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations

-

 

11,496

 

-

 

24,751

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

5,065

 

20,161

 

(41,097

)

57,575

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

(18,386

)

(11,300

)

(34,989

)

(26,227

)

Additions to intangible assets

-

 

-

 

(25,073

)

-

 

Proceeds from sale of assets

950

 

-

 

2,300

 

-

 

Other

-

 

-

 

-

 

41

 

Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations

(17,436

)

(11,300

)

(57,762

)

(26,186

)

Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations

-

 

(475

)

(13,380

)

(1,607

)

Net cash used in investing activities

(17,436

)

(11,775

)

(71,142

)

(27,793

)

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) under revolving credit facilities

11,348

 

3,410

 

123,177

 

(26,472

)

Borrowings of long-term debt

4,739

 

-

 

9,380

 

-

 

Repayment of long-term debt

(1,849

)

(624

)

(11,789

)

(1,702

)

Payment of debt issuance costs

(181

)

(3

)

(2,552

)

(2,491

)

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and employee share purchases

304

 

864

 

7,494

 

1,435

 

Payment of withholding taxes on stock-based awards

(1,576

)

(1,225

)

(8,313

)

(2,376

)

Payment of cash dividends on preferred stock

(609

)

-

 

(4,638

)

(1,700

)

Payment of share issuance costs

-

 

-

 

(287

)

-

 

Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock, net of issuance costs

-

 

-

 

-

 

26,804

 

Other

-

 

-

 

-

 

(4

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities of continuing operations

12,176

 

2,422

 

112,472

 

(6,506

)

Net cash used in financing activities of discontinued operations

-

 

(11,510

)

(200

)

(23,847

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

12,176

 

(9,088

)

112,272

 

(30,353

)

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the period

(195

)

(702

)

33

 

(571

)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of period

-

 

1,152

 

-

 

1,370

 

Foreign exchange gain on cash and cash equivalents

-

 

15

 

-

 

11

 

Less: balance at end of period

-

 

(678

)

-

 

(678

)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalent, beginning of the period

479

 

473

 

251

 

128

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period

284

 

260

 

284

 

260

 

SunOpta Inc.

Segmented Information

For the quarters and three quarters ended October 2, 2021 and September 26, 2020

Unaudited

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

 

Quarter ended

 

Three quarters ended

 

October 2,
2021

 

September 26,
2020

 

October 2,
2021

 

September 26,
2020

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

Segment revenues from external customers:

 

 

 

 

Plant-Based Foods and Beverages

114,870

 

99,038

 

345,680

 

296,985

 

Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages

83,609

 

92,621

 

262,712

 

286,672

 

Total segment revenues from external customers

198,479

 

191,659

 

608,392

 

583,657

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment gross profit:

 

 

 

 

Plant-Based Foods and Beverages

18,697

 

19,715

 

61,751

 

57,517

 

Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages

4,659

 

7,123

 

17,930

 

19,753

 

Total segment gross profit

23,356

 

26,838

 

79,681

 

77,270

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment operating income (loss):

 

 

 

 

Plant-Based Foods and Beverages

8,056

 

13,119

 

30,014

 

37,456

 

Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages

(3,517

)

(1,788

)

(6,858

)

(8,506

)

Corporate Services

(618

)

(8,219

)

(11,427

)

(23,455

)

Total segment operating income

3,921

 

3,112

 

11,729

 

5,495

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment gross profit percentage:

 

 

 

 

Plant-Based Foods and Beverages

16.3

%

19.9

%

17.9

%

19.4

%

Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages

5.6

%

7.7

%

6.8

%

6.9

%

Total segment gross profit percentage

11.8

%

14.0

%

13.1

%

13.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

Segment operating income (loss) percentage:

 

 

 

 

Plant-Based Foods and Beverages

7.0

%

13.2

%

8.7

%

12.6

%

Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages

-4.2

%

-1.9

%

-2.6

%

-3.0

%

Total segment operating income percentage

2.0

%

1.6

%

1.9

%

0.9

%

Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company provides additional information about its operating results regarding segment operating income, adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”), which are not measures in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company believes that segment operating income, adjusted earnings and adjusted EBITDA assist investors in comparing performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that are not indicative of its operating performance. The non-GAAP measures of segment operating income, adjusted earnings and adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

In order to evaluate its results of operations, the Company uses certain other non-GAAP measures that it believes enhance an investor’s ability to derive meaningful period-over-period comparisons and trends from the results of operations. In particular, the Company evaluates its revenues on a basis that excludes the effects of fluctuations in commodity pricing and the impacts of acquisitions and divestitures. In addition, the Company excludes specific items from its reported results that due to their nature or size, it does not expect to occur as part of its normal business on a regular basis. These items are identified in the tables below. These non-GAAP measures are presented solely to allow investors to more fully assess the Company’s results of operations and should not be considered in isolation of, or as substitutes for an analysis of the Company’s results as reported under U.S. GAAP.

Adjusted Earnings/Loss

When assessing its financial performance, the Company uses an internal measure that excludes charges and gains that it believes are not reflective of normal operations. This information is provided to allow investors to make meaningful comparisons of the Company’s operating performance between periods and to view the Company’s business from the same perspective as the Company’s management. Adjusted earnings/loss and adjusted earnings/loss per diluted share should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The following is a tabular presentation of adjusted earnings/loss and adjusted earnings/loss per diluted share, including a reconciliation from earnings/loss from continuing operations, which the Company believes to be the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.

 

 

October 2, 2021

September 26, 2020

 

 

 

Per Share

 

 

 

 

Per Share

For the quarter ended

$

 

$

 

 

$

 

$

Loss from continuing operations

(3,034

)

 

(3,875

)

 

Dividends and accretion on preferred stock

(748

)

 

(2,844

)

 

Loss from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

(3,782

)

(0.04

)

(6,719

)

(0.07

)

Adjusted for:

 

 

 

 

Business development costs(a)

1,782

 

 

-

 

 

Workforce reduction charges(b)

499

 

 

-

 

 

Costs related to exit from fruit ingredient processing facility(c)

479

 

 

-

 

 

Legal settlements(d)

-

 

 

721

 

 

Plant expansion costs(e)

-

 

 

245

 

 

Costs related to Value Creation Plan(f)

-

 

 

174

 

 

Other(g)

40

 

 

294

 

 

Net income tax effect(h)

2,121

 

 

(495

)

 

Adjusted earnings (loss)

1,139

 

0.01

 

(5,780

)

(0.06

)

(a)

Represents third-party costs associated with business development activities, including costs related to the evaluation, execution, and integration of external acquisitions and internal expansion projects, or completion of divestitures. For the third quarter of 2021, these costs reflected the transition and integration of the acquired Dream and WestSoy brands and project development activities related to our new plant-based beverage facility under construction in Texas, which were recorded in SG&A expenses ($1.6 million), as well as the assessment of post-closing adjustments related to the divestiture of Tradin Organic, which were recorded in other expense ($0.2 million).

(b)

For the third quarter of 2021, represents severance and related benefit charges recorded in other expense, which were related to workforce reduction actions in our frozen fruit operations to reduce overhead costs.

(c)

For the third quarter of 2021, reflects inventory and equipment relocation costs related to the exit from our fruit ingredient processing facility, which were recorded in other expense.

(d)

For the third quarter of 2020, reflects a loss of $2.4 million from the settlement of a customer claim related to the recall of certain sunflower products in 2016, net of a $1.7 million gain from the settlement of an unrelated legal matter, which were recorded in other expense/income.

(e)

For the third quarter of 2020, reflects start-up costs related to the expansion of our plant-based extraction capabilities, which were recorded in cost of goods sold.

(f)

For the third quarter of 2020, reflects employee retention costs of $0.1 million recorded in SG&A expenses, and employee termination costs of $0.1 million recorded in other expense.

(g)

Other includes losses on the disposal of assets, which were recorded in other expense.

(h)

Reflects the tax effect of the preceding adjustments to earnings calculated based on our estimated annual effective tax rate.

 

 

October 2, 2021

 

 

September 26, 2020

 

 

 

Per Share

 

 

 

 

Per Share

For the three quarters ended

$

 

$

 

 

$

 

$

Loss from continuing operations

(2,280

)

 

 

(12,972

)

 

Dividends and accretion on preferred stock

(3,445

)

 

 

(7,473

)

 

Loss from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

(5,725

)

(0.06

)

 

(20,445

)

(0.23

)

Adjusted for:

 

 

 

 

 

Costs related to exit from fruit ingredient processing facility(a)

4,602

 

 

 

-

 

 

Business development costs(b)

3,568

 

 

 

-

 

 

Costs related to Value Creation Plan(c)

1,432

 

 

 

1,349

 

 

Workforce reduction charges(d)

499

 

 

 

-

 

 

Legal settlements(e)

163

 

 

 

721

 

 

Plant expansion costs(f)

-

 

 

 

337

 

 

Other(g)

124

 

 

 

(178

)

 

Net income tax effect(h)

(2,141

)

 

 

(863

)

 

Adjusted earnings (loss)

2,522

 

0.02

 

 

(19,079

)

(0.21

)

(a)

For the first three quarters of 2021, reflects closure costs related to the exit from our fruit ingredient processing facility, including asset impairment charges of $3.0 million, employee termination costs of $1.2 million, and inventory and equipment relocation costs of $0.5 million, which were recorded in the other expense.

(b)

Represents third-party costs associated with business development activities, including costs related to the evaluation, execution, and integration of external acquisitions and internal expansion projects, or completion of divestitures. For the first three quarters of 2021, these costs reflected the transition and integration of the acquired Dream and WestSoy brands and project development activities related to our new plant-based beverage facility under construction in Texas, which were recorded in SG&A expenses ($2.9 million), as well as the assessment of post-closing adjustments related to the divestiture of Tradin Organic, which were recorded in other expense ($0.7 million).

(c)

For the first three quarters of 2021, represents costs to complete the exit from our Santa Maria, California, frozen fruit processing facility, which were recorded in other expense. For the first three quarters of 2020, reflects professional fees of $0.5 million and employee retention costs of $0.6 million recorded in SG&A expenses; and employee termination costs of $1.1 million mainly related to the consolidation of our corporate office functions, partially offset by a $0.9 million reversal of previously recognized stock-based compensation related to forfeited awards previously granted to terminated employees recorded in other income.

(d)

For the first three quarters of 2021, represents severance and related benefit charges recorded in other expense, which were related to workforce reduction actions in our frozen fruit operations to reduce overhead costs.

(e)

For the first three quarters of 2021, reflects a $0.5 million loss from the settlement of employment-related legal matter, partially offset by a gain related to a project cancellation, which were recorded in other expense/income. For the first three quarters of 2020, reflects a loss of $2.4 million from the settlement of a customer claim related to the recall of certain sunflower products in 2016, net of a $1.7 million gain from the settlement of an unrelated legal matter, which were recorded in other expense/income.

(f)

Reflects costs related to the expansion of our plant-based extraction capabilities, which were recorded in cost of goods sold.

(g)

For the first three quarters of 2021, other includes losses on the disposal of assets, which were recorded in other expense. For the first three quarters of 2020, other includes the reversal of previously accrued costs related to the withdrawal of certain consumer-packaged products in 2016, partially offset by losses on disposal of assets, which were recorded in other income/expense.

(h)

Reflects the tax effect of the preceding adjustments to earnings calculated based on our estimated annual effective tax rate.

Segment Operating Income/Loss and Adjusted EBITDA

The Company defines segment operating income/loss as net earnings/loss before income taxes, interest expense and other income/expense items, and adjusted EBITDA as segment operating income/loss plus depreciation, amortization, non-cash stock-based compensation, and other unusual items that affect the comparability of operating performance as identified above in the determination of adjusted earnings/loss. The following is a tabular presentation of segment operating income/loss and adjusted EBITDA, including a reconciliation to earnings/loss from continuing operations, which the Company believes to be the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.

 

October 2, 2021

 

 

September 26, 2020

For the quarter ended

$

 

 

$

Loss from continuing operations

(3,034

)

 

(3,875

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

2,929

 

 

(1,441

)

Interest expense, net

2,854

 

 

7,359

 

Other expense, net

1,172

 

 

1,069

 

Total segment operating income

3,921

 

 

3,112

 

Depreciation and amortization

8,837

 

 

7,513

 

Stock-based compensation

1,250

 

 

3,435

 

Business development costs(a)

1,628

 

 

-

 

Plant expansion costs(b)

-

 

 

245

 

Costs related to Value Creation Plan(c)

-

 

 

120

 

Adjusted EBITDA

15,636

 

 

14,425

 

(a)

For the third quarter of 2021, third-party business development costs reflected the transition and integration of the acquired Dream and WestSoy brands and project development activities related to our new plant-based beverage facility under construction in Texas, which were recorded in SG&A expenses.

(b)

For the third quarter of 2020, reflects costs related to the expansion of our plant-based extraction capabilities, which were recorded in cost of goods sold.

(c)

For the third quarter of 2020, reflects employee retention costs recorded in SG&A expenses.

 

October 2, 2021

 

 

September 26, 2020

For the three quarters ended

$

 

 

$

Loss from continuing operations

(2,280

)

 

(12,972

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

416

 

 

(4,759

)

Interest expense, net

6,145

 

 

22,437

 

Other expense, net

7,448

 

 

789

 

Total segment operating income

11,729

 

 

5,495

 

Depreciation and amortization

25,790

 

 

22,893

 

Stock-based compensation(a)

9,593

 

 

8,320

 

Business development costs(b)

2,940

 

 

-

 

Costs related to Value Creation Plan(c)

-

 

 

1,103

 

Plant expansion costs(d)

-

 

 

337

 

Adjusted EBITDA

50,052

 

 

38,148

 

(a)

For the first three quarters of 2020, stock-based compensation of $8.3 million was recorded in SG&A expenses and the reversal of $0.9 million of previously recognized stock-based compensation related to forfeited awards previously granted to terminated employees was recognized in other income.

(b)

For the first three quarters of 2021, third-party business development costs reflected the transition and integration of the acquired Dream and WestSoy brands and project development activities related to our new plant-based beverage facility under construction in Texas, which were recorded in SG&A expenses.

(c)

Reflects professional fees of $0.5 million and employee retention costs of $0.6 million recorded in SG&A expenses.

(d)

Reflects costs related to the expansion of our plant-based extraction capabilities, which were recorded in cost of goods sold.

 

Reed Anderson
ICR
646-277-1260
reed.anderson@icrinc.com

Source: SunOpta Inc.