Q3 2023 Premium Brands Holdings Corp Earnings Call - Pre Recorded

Speaker 1: answer session.

If at any time during this call you require immediate assistance. Please press star zero for the operator.

Speaker 2: If at any time during this call you require immediate assistance, please press star 0 for the operator.

This call is being recorded on Tuesday November 14th 2023.

Speaker 2: This call is being recorded on Tuesday, November 14th, 2020.

I would now like to turn over the conference to Georgia power logo.

Speaker 2: I would now like to turn over the conference to George Paliologo, CEO and President. Please go ahead.

And President Please go ahead.

Welcome everyone to our 2023 third quarter conference call.

Speaker 3: Welcome everyone to our 2023 third quarter conference call. Thank you for joining us today. Join me here Rahm, at the end, with me here.

Thank you for joining us today.

With me here is our CFO Wil <unk>.

Our presentation will follow the deck that was posted on our website. This morning.

Speaker 3: Our presentation will follow the deck that was posted on our website this morning.

Later this morning, we will hold a separate live Q&A session at 10, 30, a M Vancouver time.

Speaker 3: Later this morning, we will hold a separate live Q&A session at 1030 a.m. Vancouver time. Details to the call can be found on our press release posted on our website.

Details of the call can be found on our press release posted on our website.

We're now on slide four which outlines certain highlights for the quarter.

Speaker 3: We're now on slide 4, which outlines certain highlights for the quarter.

We're making great progress towards our five year goals and are confident that we're well on our way to meet or exceed our long term targets. What is controllable within our business is on plan and in certain cases, even ahead of plan.

Speaker 3: We're making great progress towards our five-year goals and are confident that we're well on our way to meet or exceed our long-term targets.

Speaker 3: What is controllable within our business is unplanned, and in certain cases, even ahead of plan.

The 300 basis point improvement in our year over year EBITDA margins in our specialty Foods group demonstrates this and is indicative of better things to come as we scale. The significant investments we have made an incremental state of the art capacity.

Speaker 3: The 300 basis point improvement in our year-over-year EBITDA margins in our specialty food group demonstrates this and is indicative of better things to come as we scale the significant investments we have made in incremental state-of-the-art capacity.

Several challenges in the quarter masked the strong progress we're making however, these are transitory and we expect them to dissipate quickly.

Speaker 3: Several challenges in the quarter mask the strong progress we're making. However, these are transitory and we expect them to dissipate quickly.

Furthermore, as our new capacity projects come online you will see the rate of improvement in our sales growth rate and margins will accelerate.

Speaker 3: Furthermore, as our new capacity projects come online, you will see the rate of improvement in our sales, growth rate and margins will accelerate.

We are delighted to be bringing new capacity on stream in key areas of our business where demand has traditionally exceeded supply.

Speaker 3: We're delighted to be bringing new capacity on stream in key areas of our business where demand has traditionally exceeded supply.

During the second quarter, we commissioned our new sandwich facility in Edmonton, Alberta, while subsequent to the third quarter, we commissioned our new laminated bakery plant in San Leandro, California, and our new stick and Bacon facility in <unk>, Washington, We will also be bringing on more capacity our kings.

Speaker 3: During the second quarter, we commissioned our new sandwich facility in Edmonton, Alberta, while subsequent to the third quarter, we commissioned our new laminated bakery plant in San Leandro, California, and our new stick and bacon facility in Ferndale, Washington. We will also be bringing on more capacity at our King's Command facility in Ohio.

<unk> facility.

In Ohio.

You can see here on slide five.

Speaker 3: You can see here on slide five that our acquisition pipeline continues to remain very robust.

Our acquisition pipeline continues to remain very robust.

With the various pandemic related risks and disruptions behind us we're beginning to once again made significant progress on our various acquisition related discussions with.

Speaker 3: With the various pandemic-related risks and disruptions behind us, we're beginning to once again make significant progress on our various acquisition-related discussions.

We promise you that any acquisitions, we make will not stretch the balance sheet and we will not deviate from the financial discipline that we have demonstrated in the past.

Speaker 3: We promise you that any acquisitions we make will not stretch the balance sheet and we will not deviate from the financial discipline that we have demonstrated in the past.

Slide six to eight we feature some recently launched products from our specialty bakery business sharp acres, we first invested in sharp acres as a startup back in 2017, the company leased an idle bakery facility in San Francisco, California, and began operations as a regional artisan.

Speaker 3: In slides six to eight, we feature some recently launched products from our specialty bakery business, Shop Acres.

Speaker 3: We first invested in Shaw Bakers as a startup back in 2017. The company leased an idle bakery facility in San Francisco, California and began operations as a regional artisan bakery.

<unk>.

It's best in class artisan loaves by guests in bonds began gaining traction and within five years of the business grew to $50 million.

Speaker 3: Its best-in-class artisan loaves, baguettes and buns began gaining traction and within five years the business grew to 50 million. Its authentic 25% butter laminated USDA products got listings with several retailers in the US and the company quickly found itself outselling its capacity.

Its authentic 25% butter laminated USDA products card listings with several retailers in the U S and the company quickly found itself outselling its capacity.

In response to this we're pleased to report the commissioning of a brand new laminated USD bakery facility in San Leandro, California, having visited recently I am happy to report the facility's best in class combining both process automation and production efficiency with the artisan shaping and craftsmanship needed to produce top quality products.

Speaker 3: In response to this, we're pleased to report the commissioning of a brand new laminated USD bakery facility in San Leandro, California. Having visited recently, I'm happy to report the facility is best in class, combining both process automation and production efficiency with the artisanship and craftsmanship needed to produce top quality products.

<unk>.

These best in class products will be sold locally and globally under the <unk> brand.

Sure Baker's is now expected to more than double its sales in 2024 to more than $100 million U S.

Speaker 3: Shaw Bakers is now expecting to more than double its sales in 2024 to more than $100 million US and has good visibility to again double its sales over the next two to three years.

Has good visibility to again double its sales over the next two to three years.

Sharp acres was a challenged startup when PB investor DNA five years ago, but it is now well on its way to becoming one of the leading laminated USDA bakery companies in North America and globally.

Please look for some of these amazing products at a store near you I will now pass it onto will.

Yes.

Thanks George.

Before I begin I would like to remind you that some of the statements made on today's call may constitute forward looking information future results may differ materially from what we discuss.

Speaker 4: Before I begin, I would like to remind you that some of the statements made on today's call may constitute forward-looking information. Future results may differ materially from what we discussed.

Please refer to our MD&A for the 14 and 52 weeks ended December 31, 2022, as well as other information on our website for a broader description of the risk factors that could affect our performance.

Speaker 4: Please refer to our MD&A for the 14 and 52 weeks ended December 31, 2022, as well as other information on our website for a broader description of the risk factors that could affect our performance.

Turning to slide 10, our sales for the quarter were 164 billion, representing an increase of $21 million or one 3% from 2022.

Speaker 4: Turning to slide 10, our sales for the quarter were $1.64 billion, representing an increase of $21 million or 1.3% from 2022.

The major drivers of this increase where organic volume growth in our specialty foods segment of $34 $5 million and a favorable translation of our U S based businesses sales up $17 $6 million due to a weaker Canadian dollar.

Speaker 4: The major drivers of this increase were organic volume growth in our specialty food segment of $34.5 million and a favourable translation of our U.S.-based businesses sales of $17.6 million due to a weaker Canadian dollar.

These factors were partially offset by a $28 million sales contraction in our premium food distribution segment, and net selling price deflation of $3 1 million.

Speaker 4: These factors were partially offset by a $28 million sales contraction in our premium food distribution segment and net selling price deflation of $3.1 million.

On slide 11, we show our organic volume growth rate for the last 19 quarters for the quarter. It was one 3% with our specialty foods segment generating organic volume growth of three 4% and our premium food distribution segment experiencing volume contraction of four 6%.

Speaker 4: On slide 11, we show our organic volume growth rate for the last 19 quarters. For the quarter, it was 1.3% with our specialty food segment generating organic volume growth of 3.4% and our premium food distribution segment experiencing volume contraction of 4.6%.

Specialty foods growth was driven by its cooked protein artisan sandwich, <unk> meat snack and Italian <unk> initiatives in the U S.

Speaker 4: Specialty Foods growth was driven by its cooked protein, artisan sandwich, fresh skewer, meat snack, and Italian charcuterie initiatives in the U.S.

Its rate of three 4% was however below our expectations for the quarter due to two factors.

Speaker 4: Its rate of 3.4% was, however, below our expectations for the corridor due to two factors.

The first and most significant was temporarily lower growth in our artisan sandwich sales, while one of our major customers implements a variety of initiatives to optimize freight costs reduce food waste and lower internal inventory levels. While some of this impact will continue into the next couple of quarters.

Speaker 4: The first and most significant was temporarily lower growth in our artisan sandwich sales, while one of our major customers implements a variety of initiatives to optimize break costs, reduce food waste, and lower internal inventory levels.

Speaker 4: While some of this impact will continue into the next couple of quarters, the significant majority of that was specific to the third quarter.

Difficult majority of it was specific to the third quarter.

The second second temporary factor impacting specialty foods growth was a delay in the startup of its new cooked protein production capacity at its Kings command plant in Ohio.

Speaker 4: The second temporary factor impacting specialty foods growth was a delay in the start-up of its new cooked protein production capacity at its King's Command Plant in Ohio. Our U.S. cooked protein facilities have been operating at capacity for several quarters and we were expecting the Ohio plant expansion to come online in the third quarter to help fulfill our customers.

Our U S cooked protein facilities have been operating at capacity for several quarters, and we were expecting the Ohio plant expansion to come online in the third quarter to help fulfill our customers' needs.

However, several last minute equipment issues combined with the associated manufacturers being short technical support staff resulted in the startup being pushed to the fourth quarter.

Speaker 4: However, several last-minute equipment issues combined with the associated manufacturers being short technical support staff resulted in the start-up being pushed to the fourth quarter.

The good news as George mentioned earlier is that this capacity is now set to start up in December.

Speaker 4: The good news, as George mentioned earlier, is that this capacity is now set to start up in December .

In terms of the premium food distribution sales contraction. This was primarily the result of a very poor, Maine lobster catch caused by unusually poor weather conditions that prevented vessels from harvesting.

Speaker 4: In terms of the premium food distribution sales contraction, this is primarily the result of a very poor main lobster catch caused by unusually poor weather conditions that prevented vessels from harvesting.

Softening consumer demand for premium beef and seafood products as consumers increasingly look for lower cost alternatives and shift to shopping at discount grocery banners also contributed to the segments lower sales, but to a much lesser extent.

Speaker 4: Softening consumer demand for premium beef and seafood products as consumers increasingly look for lower cost meal alternatives and shift to shopping at discount grocery banners also contributed to the segment's lower sales but to a much lesser extent.

Overall, we view both factors as transitory and remain confident in premium food distributions ability to generate organic volume growth of 4% to 6% over the long term.

Speaker 4: Overall, we view both factors as transitory and remain confident in Premium Food Distribution's ability to generate organic volume growth of 4-6% over the long term.

Slide 12 shows an estimate of the Maine lobster cash for the quarter.

Speaker 4: Slide 12 shows an estimate of the main lobster cash for the quarter.

You can see the consistent year over year decline in the cash throughout the quarter as.

Speaker 4: you can see the consistent year-over-year decline in the catch throughout the corridor. As I mentioned earlier, this was due entirely to unusually poor weather conditions that prevented vessels from harvesting and not to the condition of the local biomass, which remains very healthy.

As I mentioned earlier this was due entirely to unusually poor weather conditions that prevented vessels from harvesting and not to the condition of the local biomass, which remains very healthy.

Turning to slide 13.

This shows our historic annual sales for the last 13 years, which have grown at a compounded annual growth rate of 22, 4%.

As well as our projected 2023 sales using the midpoint of our revised annual guidance of $6 3 billion to $6 4 billion.

Based on the challenges of the third quarter and some continuation of premium foods distributions challenges into the fourth quarter, we reduced our guidance from the previous range of $6 4 billion to $6 6 billion.

Using the midpoint of our revised guidance, we are now expecting year over year sales growth of approximately $320 million, representing an increase of five 3% or six 7% after normalizing for an extra week of sales in 2022.

Speaker 4: Using the midpoint of our revised guidance, we are now expecting year-over-year sales growth of approximately $320 million, representing an increase of 5.3% or 6.7% after normalizing for an extra week of sales in 2022.

Turning to slide 14, our adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $158 $8 million.

Speaker 4: Turning to slide 14, our adjusted EBDOT for the corridor was $158.8 million, representing an increase of $17.6 million or 12.5% from 2022.

Representing an increase of $17 6 million or 12, 5% from 2022.

The major drivers of this increase were the recovery of our margins as past selling price increases catch up with cost inflation.

Speaker 4: The major drivers of this increase were the recovery of our margins as past selling price increases catch up with cost inflation, and the recovery of our leaguenIVOh arcs were a Tanversary increase as oil oil3% increased by more than $380.00 As all crude oil Ginger is raising the price creators, fat settlers,bachl computer,energy,meteor,pilotm

Improved plant efficiencies.

Reduced outside storage costs associated with lower inventory levels and sales mix changes as our organic volume growth continues to be driven by our higher margin specialty food businesses.

These factors were partially offset by a variety of cost increases, including higher promotion costs plant overheads and bonus accruals.

Speaker 4: These factors were partially offset by a variety of cost increases including higher promotion costs, plant overheads and bonus accruals.

Slide 15 shows our adjusted EBITDA margin for the last 19 quarters for the third quarter. We reached a recent history record of nine 7% driven by the continued recovery in our specialty foods margins as its costs stabilize and it continues to leverage recent.

Speaker 4: Slide 15 shows our adjusted EBDOT margin for the last 19 quarters. For the third quarter, we reached a recent history record of 9.7%, driven by the continued recovery in our specialty foods margins as its costs stabilize and it continues to leverage recent capital investments through its organic growth.

Capital investments through its organic growth.

As we have mentioned before the contribution margins on specialty foods incremental sales range from 20% up to a high up to as high as 45% on certain highly differentiated items.

Speaker 4: As we have mentioned before, the contribution margins on specialty foods incremental sales range from 20% up to as high as 45% on certain highly differentiated items.

Normalizing for the estimated impact of the challenges faced by our lobster businesses, our adjusted EBITDA margin for the quarter is approximately nine 9%, which is closing in on our midterm targeted annual margin of 10%.

Speaker 4: Normalizing for the estimated impact of the challenges faced by our lobster businesses, our adjusted EVDA margin for the quarter is approximately 9.9%, which is closing in on our mid-term targeted annual margin of 10%.

Slide 16 shows our specialty food group's adjusted EBITDA margin for the last 19 months.

Speaker 4: Slide 16 shows our specialty food groups adjusted EBDOT margin for the last 19 months.

You can see the significant progress we have made over the last four quarters, reaching 11% in the quarter.

Speaker 4: You can see the significant progress we have made over the last four quarters, reaching 11% in the quarter. As we look forward, we still see significant room for improvement in specialty foods margins as it leverages both recent capital expenditures as well as the new capacities coming online over the next couple of quarters.

As we look forward, we still see significant room for improvement in specialty foods margins as it leverages, both recent capital expenditures as well as the new capacities coming online over the next couple of quarters.

Slide 17 shows our historic annual adjusted EBITDA for the last 13 years, which has grown at a compounded annual growth rate of 22, 2% on a pre <unk> 16 basis.

Speaker 4: Slide 17 shows our historic annual adjusted EBDOT for the last 13 years, which has grown at a compounded annual growth rate of 22.2% on a pre-IFRS 16 basis.

As well as our projected 2023, adjusted EBITDA using the midpoint of our revised annual guidance of $575 million to $590 million.

Speaker 4: as well as our projected 2023 adjusted EBDOT using the midpoint of our revised annual guidance of $575 million to $590 million.

We reduced our adjusted EBITDA guidance range from the previous $590 million to $610 million based on the same factors used for revising our sales guidance.

Speaker 4: We reduced our adjusted EBDOT guidance range from the previous $590 million to $610 million based on the same factors used for revising our sales guidance.

Using the midpoint of our revised guidance, we are now expecting year over year, adjusted EBITDA growth of approximately $78 million representing.

Speaker 4: Using the midpoint of our revised guidance, we are now expecting year-over-year adjusted EBDOT growth of approximately $78 million, representing an increase of 15.5%.

An increase of 15, 5%.

Turning to slide 18, our earnings for the quarter were $56 $4 million.

Speaker 4: Turning to slide 18, our earnings for the quarter were $56.4 million, representing a decrease of $4.9 million or 8% from 2020.

Representing a decrease of $4 9 million or 8% from 2022.

The main reasons for the decrease were higher interest rates, which impacted our interest cost by approximately $11 million.

Speaker 4: The main reasons for the decrease were higher interest rates, which impacted our interest costs by approximately $11 million, and increased interest depreciation and amortization associated with recent investments made to drive both the current as well as future quarters growth.

And increased interest depreciation and amortization associated with recent investments made to drive both the current as well as future quarters growth.

Turning to slide 19 for the quarter, we had $92 9 million and capital expenditures consisting of $84 $1 million in project Capex and $8 8 million in maintenance Capex on a year to date basis, we have spent 230.

Speaker 4: Turning to slide 19, for the quarter we had $92.9 million in capital expenditures, consisting of $84.1 million in project capex and $8.8 million in maintenance capex.

Speaker 4: On a year-to-date basis, we have spent $233.7 million on Project CapEx.

$33 $7 million on project, Capex $220 million or 94% of which relates to supporting the growth of our high margin specialty foods businesses.

Speaker 4: $220 million or 94% of which relates to supporting the growth of our high-margin specialty foods business.

Looking forward based on our approved capital budget pipeline, we expect to spend another $276 million on project Capex over the next seven to eight quarters.

Speaker 4: Looking forward, based on our approved capital budget pipeline, we expect to spend another $276 million on project capex over the next seven to eight quarters. I should note that we expect to generate an unlevered after-tax return of 15% or greater on all of our project capex initiatives.

I should note that we expect to generate an unlevered after tax return of 15% or greater on all of our project capital Capex initiatives.

Slide 20 shows some of the key metrics, we use to measure our financial position.

Speaker 4: Slide 20 shows some of the key metrics we use to measure our financial position.

We made solid progress in the quarter and improving our debt leverage levels with our senior debt to EBITDA ratio decreasing to three 1% to one from three three to one last quarter.

And our total debt to EBITDA ratio, which includes our subordinate debentures decreasing 24121 from $4 three to one last quarter.

We also finished the quarter with very strong liquidity with our unused credit capacity, increasing to $730 million from $650 million last quarter looked.

Speaker 4: We also finished the quarter with very strong liquidity with our unused credit capacity increasing to $730 million from $650 million last quarter.

Looking forward, we expect to see continued improvement in our leverage levels in the fourth quarter.

Speaker 4: Looking forward, we expect to see continued improvement in our leverage levels in the fourth quarter.

That concludes our presentation as George mentioned earlier, please join US on our Q&A Conference call. Later today at 10 30, a M. Vancouver time 130 PM Toronto time. Thank you.

Speaker 4: That concludes our presentation. As George mentioned earlier, please join us on our Q&A conference call later today at 1030 a.m. Vancouver time, 1.30 p.m. Toronto time. Thank you.