Q2 2024 Lifeway Foods Inc Earnings Call

August 13, 2024

conference call. On the call with me today is Julie Smolyansky, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Operator: President and Chief Executive Officer. Bye now.

Operator: President and Chief Executive Officer. By now, everyone should have access to the press release that went out this morning. If you have not received the release, it is available on the investor relations portion of Lifeway's website at www.lifewayfoods.com. A recording of this call will be available on the company's website. Before we begin, we would like to remind everyone that the prepared remarks contain forward-looking statements. The words believe, expect, anticipate, and other similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements.

Operator: President and Chief Executive Officer. By now, everyone should have access to the press release that went out this morning. We have not received the release. It is available on the Investor Relations portion of Lifeway's website at www.lifewayfoods.com. Recording of this call will be available on the company's website.

Speaker Change: Bye now. Everyone should have access to the press release that went out this morning.

Speaker Change: If you have not received the release, it is available on the investor relations portion of Lifeway's website at www.lifewayfoods.com. A recording of this call will be available on the company's website.

Operator: These statements do not guarantee future performance, and therefore undue reliance should not be placed on them. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements, and Lifeway assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking projections that may be made in today's release or call. All of the forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this call.

Speaker Change: Before we begin, we would like to remind everyone that the prepared remarks contain forward-looking statements. The words believe, expect, anticipate, and other similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements.

Operator: Before we begin, we would like to remind everyone that the prepared remarks contained four looking statements. The words, believe, expect, anticipate, and other similar expressions generally identify it for looking statements. These statements do not guarantee future performance, and therefore underlines should not be placed on them. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in any four looking statements. In Lifeway, it assumes no obligation to update any four looking projections that may be made in today's release or call. All of the four looking statements contained here and speak only as of the date of this call.

Speaker Change: These statements do not guarantee future performance, and therefore undue reliance should not be placed on them.

Speaker Change: Actual results could differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements, and Lifeway assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking projections that may be made in today's release or call.

Julie Smolyansky: All of the forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this call. And with that, I would like to turn the call over to LifeWay's Chief Executive Officer, Julie Smolyansky.

Operator: Everyone should have access to the press release that went out this morning. If you have not received the release, it is available on the investor relations portion of Lifeway's website at www.lifewayfoods.com. A recording of this call will be available on the company's website. Before we begin, we would like to remind everyone that the prepared remarks contain forward-looking statements. The words believe, expect, anticipate, and other similar expressions generally identify a forward-looking statement. These statements do not guarantee future performance, and therefore, undue reliance should not be placed on them.

Julie Smolyansky: And with that, I would like to turn the call over to Lifeway's Chief Executive Officer, Julie Smolyansky. Thanks, John, and good morning to everyone joining us today. As always, we greatly appreciate your interest in Lifeway Foods. It's a pleasure to speak with you today, and I'm excited to share that our business momentum continued strongly in the second quarter as we once again delivered monumental results highlighted by robust top-line growth. Remarkably, for the fifth consecutive quarter, we surpassed the company record for quarterly net sales growing more than 25 percent year over year, driven by volume growth of our flagship Lifeway Drinkable Keeper.

Julie Smolyansky: And with that, I would like to turn the call over to Lifeway's Chief Executive Officer Julie Smolyansky. Thanks, John, and good morning to everyone joining us today. As always, we greatly appreciate your interest in Lifeway Foods.

Operator: Actual results could differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements, and Lifeway assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking projections that may be made in today's release or call. All of the forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this call. And with that, I would like to turn the call over to Lifeway's Chief Executive Officer, Julie Smolyansky.

Julie Smolyansky: Thanks John and good morning to everyone joining us today. As always, we greatly appreciate your interest in Lifeway Foods.

Julie Smolyansky: Thanks, John, and good morning to everyone joining us today. As always, we greatly appreciate your interest in Lifeway Foods. It's a pleasure to speak with you today, and I'm excited to share that our business momentum continued strongly in the second quarter as we once again delivered monumental results highlighted by robust top-line growth. Remarkably, for the fifth consecutive quarter, we surpassed the company record for quarterly net sales growing more than 25% year-over-year, driven by volume growth of our flagship Lifeway Drinkable Keeper.

Julie Smolyansky: It's a pleasure to speak with you today, and I'm excited to share that our business momentum Continued strongly in the second quarter as we once again delivered monumental results highlighted by robust top-line growth

Julie Smolyansky: It's a pleasure to speak with you today, and I'm excited to share that our business momentum continues strongly in the second quarter as we once again delivered monumental results highlighted by robust top line growth. Remarkably, for the fifth consecutive quarter, we surpassed the company record for quarterly net sales growing more than 25% year over year, driven by volume growth of our flagship Lifeway drinkable keeper. Before diving deeper into the results, I'd like to thank the whole team for their flawless execution, as it has allowed us to offer superior service to our value customers and clients.

Julie Smolyansky: Remarkably, for the fifth consecutive quarter, we surpassed the company record for quarterly net sales, growing more than 25% year-over-year, driven by volume growth of our flagship Lightweight Drinkable Keeper.

Julie Smolyansky: Before diving deeper into the results, I'd like to thank the whole team for their flawless execution, as it has allowed us to offer superior service to our valued customers and clients. Over the last few years, we have faced unprecedented times with a volatile macro environment and a global pandemic, yet through the hard work of our whole team, we haven't skipped a beat and consistently delivered stellar growth. With that said, I will now review our extraordinary results for the second quarter of 2024.

Julie Smolyansky: Over the last few years, we have faced unprecedented times with a volatile macro environment and a global pandemic. Yet through the hard work of our whole team, we haven't skipped a beat and consistently delivered stellar growth.

Julie Smolyansky: Over the last few years, we have faced unprecedented times with a volatile macro environment and a global pandemic yet through the hard work of our whole team, we haven't skipped a beat and consistently delivered seller growth.

Julie Smolyansky: Our record-high net sales were $49.2 million for the period ended June 30, 2024, an increase of $10 million, or 25.3%, compared to the second quarter of 2023. The strong growth was primarily driven by higher volumes of our branded drinkable kefir. Impressively, we outperformed our previous record-high sales, which occurred in the first quarter of this year, by more than 10%.

Julie Smolyansky: Our record high net sales were $49.2 million for the period ended June 30, 2024, an increase of $10 million or 25.3% compared to the second quarter of 2023. The strong growth was primarily driven by higher volumes of our branded drinkable kefir. Impressively, we outperformed our previous record high sales, which occurred in the first quarter of this year, by more than 10%.

Julie Smolyansky: With that said, I will now review our extraordinary results for the second quarter of 2024.

Julie Smolyansky: With that said, I will now review our extraordinary results for the second quarter of 2024. Our record high net sales were $49.2 million for the period ended June 30, 2024, an increase of $10 million or 25.3% compared to the second quarter of 2023. The strong growth was primarily driven by higher volumes of our branded drinkable keeper. Impressively, we outperformed our previous record high sales, which occurred in the first quarter of this year by more than 10%.

Julie Smolyansky: Our record high net sales were $49.2 million for the period ended June 30, 2024, an increase of $10 million or 25.3% compared to the second quarter of 2023.

Julie Smolyansky: The strong growth was primarily driven by higher volumes of our branded drinkable kefir. Impressively, we outperformed our previous record high sales, which occurred in the first quarter of this year, by more than 10%.

Julie Smolyansky: This result gets us extremely close to the company milestone that we've circled for some time now, which is that $50 million quarter. We're pleased to continue delivering immense volume-driven growth as it further demonstrates the effectiveness of our strategic sales and marketing investments at driving velocity and capturing new customers for our key product offerings. I'd like to remind everyone that 2023 was an unbelievable, record-breaking year for the company, which makes this monumental growth for the first half of 2024 even more incredible.

Julie Smolyansky: This result gets us extremely close to the company milestone that we've circled for some time now, which is that $50 million quarter.

Julie Smolyansky: We are pleased to continue delivering immense volume-led growth as it further demonstrates the effectiveness of our strategic sales and marketing investments at driving velocities and capturing new customers for our key product offerings.

Julie Smolyansky: I'd like to remind everyone that 2023 was an unbelievable, record-breaking year for the company.

Julie Smolyansky: I'd like to remind everyone that 2023 was an unbelievable record breaking year for the company, which makes this monumental growth for the first half of 2024 even more incredible. For the six months ended June 30, 2024, our net sales were $93.8 million, a 21.6% increase compared to the first six months of 2023. We have great business momentum and the loyal growing customer base, and we're well on pace to set another life way high for an annual sales in 2024.

Julie Smolyansky: which makes this monumental growth for the first half of 2024 even more incredible.

Julie Smolyansky: For the six months ended June 30, 2024, our net sales were $93.8 million, a 21.6% increase compared to the first six months of 2023. We have great business momentum and a loyal, growing customer base, and we're well on pace to set another Lifeway high for annual sales in 2024. We reported a growth profit margin of 27% for the period ended June 30, 2024. On a sequential basis, or compared to the first quarter of this year, our margins improved by 120 basis points.

Julie Smolyansky: For the six months ended June 30, 2024, our net sales were $93.8 million, a 21.6% increase compared to the first six months of 2023.

Julie Smolyansky: We have great business momentum and a loyal, growing customer base, and we're well on pace to set another lifeway high for annual sales in 2024.

Julie Smolyansky: We reported a growth profit margin of 27% for the period ended June 30, 2024. On a sequential basis, or compared to the first quarter of this year, our margins improved 120 basis points.

Julie Smolyansky: We reported a growth profit margin of 27% for the period ended June 30, 2024 on a sequential basis for compared to the first quarter of this year, our margins improved 120 basis points. Additionally, for the six months ended June 30, 2024, our growth profit margin has improved 110 basis points when compared to the first six months of 2023. We are pleased with the progress we've made on our margins, and we continuously look to proactively manage the supplies and transportation of our products to seamlessly meet our growing demand. As shipment volumes of our Lifeway branded products continue to grow nicely, we will continue to improve our productivity and position ourselves for even stronger margins.

Julie Smolyansky: Additionally, for the six months ended June 30, 2024, our growth profit margin was improved by 110 basis points when compared to the first six months of 2023. We are pleased with the progress we've made on our margins, and we continuously look to proactively manage the supplies and transportation of our products to seamlessly meet our growing demand. As shipment volumes of our Lifeway-branded products continue to grow nicely, we will continue to improve our productivity and position ourselves for even stronger margins. Now to expenses. Selling general and administrative expenses were $7.8 million for the period ended June 30, 2024.

Julie Smolyansky: Additionally, for the six months ended June 30, 2024, our growth profit margin was improved by 110 basis points when compared to the first six months of 2023. We are pleased with the progress we've made on our margins, and we continuously look to proactively manage the supplies and transportation of our products to seamlessly meet our growing demand. As shipment volumes of our Lifeway branded products continue to grow nicely, we will continue to improve our productivity and position ourselves for even stronger margins. Now to expenses. Selling general and administrative expenses were $7.8 million for the period ended June 30, 2024.

Julie Smolyansky: Additionally, for the six months ended June 30, 2024, our gross profit margin has improved 110 basis points when compared to the first six months of 2023.

Julie Smolyansky: We are pleased with the progress we've made on our margins.

Julie Smolyansky: And we continuously look to proactively manage the supplies and transportation of our products to seamlessly meet our growing demand.

Julie Smolyansky: As shipment volumes of our Lightweight-branded products continue to grow nicely, we will continue to improve our productivity and position ourselves for even stronger margins.

Julie Smolyansky: Now to expenses. Selling general and administrative expenses were $7.8 million for the period ended June 30, 2024.

Julie Smolyansky: Now to expenses, selling general and administrative expenses were $7.8 million for the period ended June 30, 2024. We continue to invest behind our core products through strategic marketing, which has been very effective in driving the laxities and customer retention as evidence by our consistently strong sales results. Our net income for the period ended June 30, 2024 was $3.8 million reflecting an EPS of 26 per basic share and 25 cents per diluted common share compared to the net income of $3.2 million or $22 cents per basic share and 21 cents per diluted common share during the second quarter of 2023.

Julie Smolyansky: We continue to invest behind our core products through strategic marketing, which has been very effective in driving velocities and customer retention, as evidenced by our consistently strong sales results.

Julie Smolyansky: We continue to invest in our core products through strategic marketing, which has been very effective in driving velocity and customer retention, as evidenced by our consistently strong sales results. Our net income for the period ended June 30, 2024, with $3.8 million reflecting an EPS of $0.26 per basic share and $0.25 per diluted common share compared to the net income of $3.2 million, or $0.22 per basic share and $0.21 per diluted common share, during the second quarter of 2023.

Julie Smolyansky: Our net income for the period ended June 30, 2024, with $3.8 million reflecting an EPS of $0.26 per basic share and $0.25

Julie Smolyansky: per diluted common share compared to the net income of $3.2 million, or $0.22 per basic share, and $0.21 per diluted common share during the second quarter of 2023.

Julie Smolyansky: Our strong top line performance continues to flow through smoothly to the bottom line, indicating our growing profitability profile. Capital spending increased approximately $2 million to $3.9 million during the six-month period ended June 30, 2024, compared to the first six months of 2023.

Julie Smolyansky: Our strong top line performance continues to flow through smoothly to the bottom line indicating our growing profitability profile.

Julie Smolyansky: Our strong top line performance continues to flow through Smoogly to the bottom line indicating our growing profitability profile. Capital spending increased approximately $2 million to $3.9 million during the six month period ended June 30, 2024 compared to the first six months of 2023. This increase in cash was used as expected and it reflects our planned increase during 2024 compared to 2023 to support our continued business growth. Our capital spending is focused on three core areas, supporting growth, cost reduction, and facility improvement.

Julie Smolyansky: Capital spending increased approximately $2 million.

Julie Smolyansky: to $3.9 million during the six-month period ended June 30, 2024, compared to the first six months of 2023.

Julie Smolyansky: This increase in cash was used as expected and reflects our planned increase in 2024 compared to 2023 to support our continued business growth. Our capital spending is focused on three core areas: supporting growth, cost reduction, and facility improvement. Our capital spend is very efficient, and we consistently generate strong returns when installing additional tanks as we leverage existing infrastructure to scale the business. With our efficient capital spend, we are very prepared and have the capacity and operations in place for continued sales, tailwind.

Julie Smolyansky: This increase in cash was used as expected and reflects our planned increase during 2024 compared to 2023 to support our continued business growth.

Julie Smolyansky: Our capital spending is focused on three core areas, supporting growth, cost reduction, and facility improvement. Our spend is very efficient, and we consistently generate strong returns when installing additional tanks as we leverage existing infrastructure to scale the business.

Julie Smolyansky: Our spend is very efficient and we consistently generate strong returns when installing additional tanks as we leverage existing infrastructure to scale the business. With our efficient capital spend, we are very prepared and have the capacity and operations in place for continued sales tailwind.

Julie Smolyansky: With our efficient capital spend, we are very prepared and have the capacity and operations in place for continued sales tailwind.

Julie Smolyansky: We have now published 19 consecutive quarters of year-over-year net revenue growth, and, as I mentioned before, five consecutive quarters setting a Lifeway record in quarterly net sales, both streaks we are incredibly proud of and excited to pursue further. While many businesses in the broader space have called out a more cautious consumer, Lifeway has continued to excel, and we are not seeing a slowdown within our business. It is no secret that consumers continue to face macro headwinds including inflation and high interest rates, yet our growing customer base is proving resilient and very loyal as we continue to grow rapidly, led by volume growth, and we believe that this is because our premium, better-for-you offerings come with exceptional value.

Julie Smolyansky: We have now published 19 consecutive quarters of year-over-year net revenue growth, and as I mentioned before, five consecutive quarters setting a lifeway record in quarterly net sales, both streaks we are incredibly proud of and excited to pursue further.

Julie Smolyansky: We have now published 19 consecutive quarters of year-over-year net revenue growth, and as I mentioned before, five consecutive quarters setting a life-way record in quarterly net sales, both streaks we are incredibly proud of and excited to pursue further. While many businesses in the broader space have called out a more cautious consumer, life-way has continued to excel and we are not seeing a slowdown within our business. It is no secret that consumers continue to face macro headwinds, including inflation and high interest rates.

Julie Smolyansky: And, as I mentioned before, five consecutive quarters setting a Lifeway record in quarterly net sales, both streaks we are incredibly proud of and excited to pursue further. While many businesses in the broader space have called out a more cautious consumer, Lifeway has continued to excel, and we are not seeing a slowdown within our business. It is no secret that consumers continue to face macro headwinds including inflation and high interest rates, yet our growing customer base is proving resilient and very loyal as we continue to grow rapidly, led by volume growth, and we believe that this is because our premium, better-for-you offerings come with exceptional value.

Julie Smolyansky: While many businesses in the broader space have called out a more cautious consumer, Lifeway has continued to excel and we are not seeing a slowdown within our business.

Julie Smolyansky: It is no secret that consumers continue to face macro headwinds, including inflation and high interest rates. Yet, our growing customer base is proving resilient and very loyal as we continue to grow rapidly, led by volume growth, and we believe that this is because our premium, better-for-you offerings come with exceptional value.

Julie Smolyansky: Yet our growing customer base is proving resilient and very loyal as we continue to grow rapidly, led by volume growth, and we believe that this is because our premium better for you offerings come with exceptional value. Life-way Keeper is accessible, nutrient dense, and research suggests that consuming it regularly improves overall health and well-being. Life-way products such as keeper and farmer's cheese offer, consumers a high-quality protein, probiotics, calcium, vitamin D, and are a great way to close the nutrition gap throughout life stages for everyone, from children to more aging populations.

Julie Smolyansky: Lifeway Keeper is accessible, nutrient-dense, and research suggests that consuming it regularly improves overall health and well-being. Lifeway products such as kefir and farmer's cheese offer consumers high-quality protein, probiotics, calcium, and vitamin D, and are a great way to close the nutrition gap throughout life stages for everyone from children to more aging populations. Studies also show that people who consume fermented dairy tend to make healthier lifestyle choices overall.

Julie Smolyansky: Lifeway Keeper is accessible, nutrient-dense, and research suggests that consuming it regularly improves overall health and well-being. Lifeway products such as Keefer and Farmer's Cheese offer consumers high-quality protein, probiotics, calcium, and vitamin D, and are a great way to close the nutrition gap throughout life stages for everyone from children to more aging populations. Studies also show that people who consume fermented dairy tend to make healthier lifestyle choices overall.

Julie Smolyansky: Lightweight Keeper is accessible, nutrient-dense, and research suggests that consuming it regularly improves overall health and well-being.

Julie Smolyansky: Lifeway products such as Keeper and Farmer's Cheese offer consumers a high quality protein, probiotics, calcium, vitamin D, and are a great way to close the nutrition gap throughout life stages for everyone from children to more aging populations.

Julie Smolyansky: Studies also show that people who consume fermented dairy tend to make healthier lifestyle choices overall. Gut health and its connection to brain health and skin health is interesting even to Gen Z consumers.

Julie Smolyansky: Studies also show that people who consume fermented dairy tend to make healthier lifestyle choices overall. Sun health and its connection to brain health and skin health is interesting even to gen Z consumers. Today's consumers are now willing to sacrifice their health and wellness and are focused on consuming high quality, better for you products at an affordable price. This trend has led to soaring demand for bio-available foods like Lifeway Keeper and should continue to be a great tailwind for us.

Julie Smolyansky: Gut health and its connection to brain health and skin health is interesting even to Gen Z consumers, and the high-quality protein in dairy, like in Lifeway Keefer, is bioavailable, easy for your body to use, and is naturally occurring. Today's consumers are not willing to sacrifice their health and wellness and are focused on consuming high quality, better for you products at an affordable price. This trend has led to soaring demand for bioavailable foods like Lifeway Keefer and should continue to be a great tailwind for us.

Julie Smolyansky: Gut health and its connection to brain health and skin health is interesting even to Gen Z consumers, and the high-quality protein in dairy in Lifeway Keefer is bioavailable, easy for your body to use, and is naturally occurring. Today's consumers are not willing to sacrifice their health and wellness and are focused on consuming high-quality, better-for-you products at an affordable price. This trend has led to soaring demand for bioavailable foods like Lifeway Keefer and should continue to be a great tailwind for us.

Julie Smolyansky: and the high-quality protein in dairy in lifeway kefir is bioavailable, easy for your body to use, and is naturally occurring.

Julie Smolyansky: Today's consumers are not willing to sacrifice their health and wellness and

Julie Smolyansky: are focused on consuming high-quality, better-for-you products at an affordable price.

Speaker Change: This trend has led to soaring demand for bioavailable foods like Lifeway Keeper and should continue to be a great tailwind for us. Our entire premium product portfolio, led by our flagship Keeper, is nutritious, delicious, and reasonably priced.

Julie Smolyansky: Our entire premium product portfolio, led by our flagship Keefer, is nutritious, delicious, and reasonably priced, which is why consumers keep coming back for more and eagerly await new flavors and line extensions. The probiotics in kefir support a healthy microbiome, and approximately 80% of the immune defenses come from the gut. Probiotic products such as kefir are the focus of intense research related to the microbiome's role in stress, depression, and anxiety. We now know that up to 90% of the body's serotonin comes from gut cells, and the gut-brain axis, which links the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with our intestinal functions, plays a major role in happiness and well-being.

Julie Smolyansky: The Indian products portfolio led by our flagship keeper is nutritious, delicious and reasonably priced, which is why consumers keep coming back for more and eagerly await for new flavors and line extensions. The probiotics and keepers support a healthy microbiome and approximately 80% of the immune defenses come from the gut. Probiotic products such as keeper are the focus of intense research related to the microbiome's role in stress, depression and anxiety. We now know that up to 90% of the body serotonin comes from gut cells and the gut brain access, which links the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with our intestinal function plays a major role in happiness and well-being.

Speaker Change: which is why consumers keep coming back for more and eagerly await for new flavors and line extensions.

Speaker Change: The probiotics in kefir support a healthy microbiome, and approximately 80% of the immune defenses come from the gut.

Speaker Change: Probiotic products such as kefir are the focus of intense research related to the microbiome's role in stress, depression, and anxiety.

Speaker Change: We now know that up to 90% of the body's serotonin comes from gut cells and the gut-brain axis, which links the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with our intestinal functions, plays a major role in happiness and well-being.

Julie Smolyansky: A study published in BMC Medicine also suggests that probiotics in dairy kefir show potential promise in improving gut health in ICU patients, and a small study protocol in the UK examined effects and potential benefits in children with ADHD who consume kefir. It's very exciting for microbiome research, and we applaud and support these recent efforts to uncover new and amazing ways that fermented and cultured foods can positively impact our health. Deserving of its own mention, in March, the FDA announced the first ever qualified health claims regarding the consumption of cultured dairy and the reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

Julie Smolyansky: A study published in BMC medicine also suggests that probiotics and dairy keeper so potential promise and improving gut health of ICU patients and a small study protocol in the UK examined effects and potential benefits in children with ADHD who consume keeper.

Speaker Change: A study published in BMC Medicine also suggests that probiotics and dairy kefir show potential promise in improving gut health of ICU patients, and a small study protocol in the UK examined effects and potential benefits in children.

Speaker Change: with ADHD Who Consumed Kefir.

Speaker Change: It's very exciting for the microbiome research, and we applaud and support these recent efforts to uncover new and amazing ways that fermented and cultured foods can positively impact our health.

Julie Smolyansky: It's very exciting for the microbiome research and we applaud and support these recent efforts to uncover new and amazing ways that fermented and culture foods can positively impact our health.

Speaker Change: Deserving of its own mention, in March, the FDA announced the first ever qualified health claims regarding the consumption of cultured dairy and the reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. We look forward to begin incorporating this qualified health claim on our labels and within our marketing in the coming weeks and months.

Julie Smolyansky: Deserving of its own mention in March, the FDA announced the first ever qualified health claims regarding the consumption of culture dairy and the reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. We look forward to begin incorporating this qualified health claim on our labels and within our marketing in the coming weeks and months. And this is an excellent development further illustrating the incredible health benefits of our products and we believe this will further compile health focus consumers to our brand.

Julie Smolyansky: We look forward to beginning incorporating this qualified health claim on our labels and within our marketing in the coming weeks and months. This is an excellent development, further illustrating the incredible health benefits of our product, and we believe this will further compel health-focused consumers to our brand. To build on the already great health benefits of Lifeway Foods, we will be optimizing our product offerings by reducing sugar and lactose counts in nearly all of our Lifeway products in the coming months.

Speaker Change: This is an excellent development, further illustrating the incredible health benefits of our product, and we believe this will further compel health-focused consumers to our branch.

Julie Smolyansky: To build on the already great health benefits of lightweight foods, we will be optimizing our products offering by reducing sugar and lactose count in nearly all of our lifeway products in the coming months. Market data shows consumers are looking to lower sugar consumption and keeper the natural option to get a delicious snack with less sugar. While lifeway products are already 99% lactose free in the coming weeks, we will be rolling out existing products with 100% lactose free labeling.

Speaker Change: To build on the already great health benefits of LifeWay foods, we will be optimizing our product offerings by reducing sugar and lactose counts in nearly all of our LifeWay products in the coming months. Market data shows consumers are looking to lower sugar consumption and keepers a natural option to get a delicious snack with less sugar.

Julie Smolyansky: Market data shows consumers are looking to lower sugar consumption and keep her the natural option to get a delicious snack with less sugar. While Lifeway products are already 99% lactose-free, in the coming weeks, we will be rolling out existing products with 100% lactose-free labeling.

Speaker Change: While LifeWay products are already 99% lactose-free, in the coming weeks we will be rolling out existing products with 100% lactose-free labeling.

Julie Smolyansky: High-quality protein, low sugar, and lactose-free are trends that are not going away anytime soon, and Lifeway is at the forefront of bringing these attributes to the marketplace. As we've made clear, selling our industry-leading drinkable Lifeway Keeper is what we do best, and our focus on it is consistently paying dividends. We believe the modern health-focused consumer will continue to be a tailwind to the expanding U.S. Keeper market, and we will continue to dedicate the bulk of our time and investments to our drinkable Keeper to increase brand and category exposure, thrive trial, and capture more and more share of today's health-focused consumer in the growing market.

Julie Smolyansky: High-quality protein, low sugar, and lactose-free are trends that are not going away anytime soon, and Lifeway is at the forefront of bringing these attributes to the marketplace. As we've made clear, selling our industry-leading drinkable Lifeway Keeper is what we do best, and our focus on it is consistently paying dividends. We believe the modern health-focused consumer will continue to be a tailwind to the expanding U.S. keeper market, and we will continue to dedicate the bulk of our time and investments to our drinkable Keeper to increase brand and category exposure, drive trial, and capture more and more share of today's health-focused consumer in the growing market.

Speaker Change: High-quality protein, low sugar, and lactose-free are trends that are not going away any time soon, and Lifeway is at the forefront of bringing these attributes to the marketplace.

Julie Smolyansky: High quality protein, low sugar and lactose free are trends that are not going away anytime soon and lifeway is at the forefront of bringing these attributes to the marketplace. As we've made clear, selling our industry leading drinkable lifeway keeper is what we do best and our focus on it is consistently paying dividends. We believe the modern health focus consumer will continue to be a tailwind to the expanding US keeper market and we will continue to dedicate the bulk of our time and investments into our drinkable keeper to increase brand and category exposure, dry trial and capture more and more share of today's health focus consumer in the growing market.

Speaker Change: As we've made clear.

Speaker Change: Selling our industry-leading drinkable lifeway keeper is what we do best, and our focus on it is consistently paying dividends.

Speaker Change: We believe the modern health-focused consumer will continue to be a tailwind to the expanding U.S. kefir market, and we will continue to dedicate the bulk of our time and investments into our drinkable kefir to increase brand and category exposure, drive trial, and capture more and more share of today's health-focused consumer in the growing market.

Julie Smolyansky: As the market leader, we are also consistently evaluating trends within the probiotic and healthy food space to improve and diversify the offerings of our growing consumer base and their preferences. Within Keefer, these insights have led to numerous successful product innovations, including our Guava Low-Fat Keefer, our Organic Whole Milk products, and our Organic Grass-Fed Keefer flavors.

Speaker Change: As the market leader, we are also consistently evaluating trends within the probiotic and healthy food space to improve and diversify the offerings of our growing consumer base and their preferences.

Julie Smolyansky: As the market leader, we are also consistently evaluating trends within the probiotic and healthy food space to improve and diversify the offerings of our growing consumer base and their preferences preferences. Within Keeper, these insights have led to numerous successful product innovations, including our Guava Low Fat Keeper, our organic home milk products, and our organic grass fed Keeper flavors. Each of these innovations have gained popularity and successfully attracted different types of consumers.

Speaker Change: Within kefir, these insights have led to numerous successful product innovations, including our guava low-fat kefir, our organic whole milk products, and our organic grass-fed kefir flavors.

Julie Smolyansky: Each of these innovations has gained popularity and successfully attracted different types of consumers. Our organic category has been a major hit to date and provided us with strong growth. In addition to our focus on the Keefer category, we are still strategically investing in the cult favorite, Lifeway Farmer's Cheese, in an effort to capitalize on the continued consumer demand for soft cheese products. Seasonally, Farmer's Cheese performs best in fall and winter, and we are quite excited to get into its peak season.

Speaker Change: Each of these innovations have gained popularity and successfully attracted different types of consumers.

Speaker Change: Our organic category has been a major hit to date and provided us strong growth. In addition to our focus in the keeper category, we are still strategically investing behind the cult favorite Lightweight Farmer's Cheese in an effort to capitalize on the continued consumer demand for soft cheese products.

Julie Smolyansky: Our organic category has been a major hit-to-date and provided us strong growth. In addition to our focus in the Keeper category, we are still strategically investing behind the cult favorite, Lifeway Farmers Feast, in an effort to capitalize on the continued consumer demand for soft cheese products.

Speaker Change: Seasonally, farmer's cheese performs the best in fall and winter and we are quite excited to get into its peak season.

Julie Smolyansky: Seasonally, Farmers Feast performs the best in fall and winter, and we are quite excited to get into its peak season.

Julie Smolyansky: I'll now touch on some marketing and advertising updates. Just a couple of weeks ago, we had an excellent brand experience at Lollapalooza in Chicago. Our ProBus products were featured in Lifeway's Kidsapalooza section of the festival, and we gave out thousands of samples while interacting with a massive crowd in Chicago. Additionally, New York Bucket Listers, with a following of more than 2 million people, just named our Yoga in the Sky series as one of the best activities to do in New York. We partnered with Up, Up, and Away Yoga to deliver this unique one-hour-long yoga experience at the top of One World Trade Center.

Julie Smolyansky: I'll now touch on some marketing and advertising updates. Just a couple of weeks ago, we had an excellent brand experience at Lollapalooza in Chicago. Our ProBus products were featured in Lifeway's Kidsapalooza section of the festival, and we gave out thousands of samples while interacting with a massive crowd in Chicago. Additionally, New York Bucket Listers, with a following of more than 2 million people, just named our Yoga in the Sky series as one of the best activities to do in New York. We partnered with Up, Up, and Away Yoga to deliver this unique one-hour long yoga experience at the top of One World Trade Center.

Speaker Change: I'll now touch on some marketing and advertising updates.

Julie Smolyansky: I'll now cut on some marketing and advertising updates. Just a couple of weeks ago, we had an excellent brand experience at Lala Paloza in Chicago. Our program's products were featured in Lifeway, the Paloza section of the festival, and we gave out thousands of samples while interacting with a massive crowd in Chicago. Additionally, New York bucket listers, with a following of more than two million people, designed our yoga in the sky series as one of the best activities to do in New York.

Speaker Change: Just a couple of weeks ago, we had an excellent brand experience at Lollapalooza in Chicago. Our ProBus products were featured in the Kids at Palooza section of the festival, and we gave out thousands of samples while interacting with a massive crowd in Chicago.

Speaker Change: Additionally, New York Bucket Listers, with a following of more than 2 million people,

Speaker Change: just named our Yoga in the Sky series as one of the best activities to do in New York.

Speaker Change: We partnered with UpUp and Away Yoga to deliver this unique one-hour long yoga experience at the top of the One World Trade Center. And each participant can enhance their workout with a protein boost from our delicious LifeWay kefir.

Julie Smolyansky: We partnered with Up Up and Away Yoga to deliver this unique one-hour long yoga experience at the top of the One World Trade Center, and each participant can enhance their workout with a protein booth from our delicious Lifeway Keeper.

Julie Smolyansky: And each participant can enhance their workout with a protein boost from our delicious Lifeway kefir. We always enjoy these in-person experiences as they fit into our efforts to connect with our consumers on a deeper level on their wellness journey. We remain very committed to investing in our core products. With that said, we have been very strategic with our marketing dollars, focusing on smart programs that effectively move units and drive velocity.

Speaker Change: We always enjoy these in-person experiences as they fit into our efforts to connect with our consumers on a deeper level on their wellness journey.

Julie Smolyansky: We always enjoy these in-person experiences as they fit into our efforts to connect with our consumers on a deeper level on their wellness journey. We remain very committed to investing behind our core products. With that said, we have been very strategic with our marketing dollars focusing on smart programs that effectively move units and drive velocities. Our goal was to ensure Lifeway products are present at interruptive moments within the store, such as high traffic and caps to increase trial and exposure to our brand to consumers who might not normally shop in our section.

Speaker Change: We remain very committed to investing behind our core products.

Speaker Change: With that said, we have been very strategic with our marketing dollars, focusing on smart programs that effectively move units and drive velocities.

Julie Smolyansky: Our goal is to ensure Lifeway products are present at interruptive moments within the store, such as high-traffic end caps, to increase trial and exposure to our brand to consumers who might not normally shop in our section. A great example of this was our successful in-store promotion during the first quarter where we partnered with many different retailers to create temporary refrigerated spaces showcasing Lifeway brand products at high-traffic end caps within their stores.

Speaker Change: Our goal is to ensure Lightway products are present at interruptive moments within the store, such as high traffic end caps, to increase trial and exposure to our brand to consumers who might not normally shop in our section.

Speaker Change: A great example of this was our successful in-store promotion during the first quarter where we partnered with many different retailers to create a temporary refrigerated

Julie Smolyansky: A great example of this was our successful indoor promotions during the first quarter where we partnered with many different retailers to create a temporary refrigerated spaces, showcasing Lifeway brand products that high traffic and caps within their stores. This was highly successful program, and we expect to initiate a similar program in the coming weeks to capitalize on fast and cool snacking season, which we are quite excited about. Outside of the store, we continue to invest behind our e-commerce sales strategy to drive velocities and exposure.

Speaker Change: spaces showcasing lightweight brand products at high traffic end caps within their stores. This was a highly successful program and we expect to initiate a similar program in the coming weeks to capitalize on back-to-school snacking season which we are quite excited about.

Julie Smolyansky: This was a highly successful program, and we expect to initiate a similar program in the coming weeks to capitalize on the back-to-school snacking season, which we are quite excited about. Outside of the store, we continue to invest in our e-commerce sales strategy to drive velocity and exposure. We are running targeted advertising on our retail partner sites, as well as general e-commerce platforms, including Instacart.

Julie Smolyansky: This was a highly successful program, and we expect to initiate a similar program in the coming weeks to capitalize on the back-to-cool snacking season, which we are quite excited about. Outside of the store, we continue to invest in our e-commerce sales strategy to drive velocity and exposure. We are running targeted advertising on our retail partner sites as well as general e-commerce platforms, including Instacart. And supporting these e-commerce efforts are our continued partnerships with our social media influencers, including celebrities, chefs, and nutrition experts with notable followings.

Speaker Change: Outside of the store, we continue to invest behind our e-commerce sales strategy to drive velocities and exposure. We are running targeted advertising on our retail partner sites as well as general e-commerce platforms including Instacart,

Julie Smolyansky: We are running targeted advertising on our retail partners' sites, as well as general e-commerce platforms, including Instacart and supporting easy commerce efforts, our continued partnerships with our social media influencers, including celebrities, deaths, and nutrition experts with notable following. Through our work with them, we advertise to a whole network of consumers and educate them on the keeper category, our healthy offerings, and the recipes they can be used in. Our marketing strategy is nimble and is also very effective, and the key reason we expect to continue delivering great sales growth.

Julie Smolyansky: And supporting these e-commerce efforts are our continued partnerships with our social media influencers, including celebrities, chefs, and nutrition experts with notable followings. Through our work with them, we advertise to a whole network of consumers and educate them on the Keeper category, our healthy offerings, and the recipes they can be used in. Our marketing strategy is nimble and is also very effective, and a key reason we expect to continue delivering great sales growth. Now, I'll touch on some distribution updates.

Speaker Change: And supporting these e-commerce efforts are our continued partnerships with our social media influencers, including celebrities, chefs, and nutrition experts with notable followings.

Julie Smolyansky: Through our work with them, we advertise to a whole network of consumers and educate them on the keeper category, our healthy offerings, and the recipes they can be used in. Our marketing strategy is nimble and is also very effective, and a key reason we expect to continue delivering great sales growth. Now, I'll touch on some distribution updates.

Speaker Change: Through our work with them, we advertise to a whole network of consumers and educate them on the Keeper category, our healthy offerings, and the recipes they can be used in. Our marketing strategy is nimble and is also very effective and a key reason we expect to continue delivering great sales growth.

Julie Smolyansky: During the quarter, we gained new placement for Organic Kefir and Farmer's Cheese at Stop & Shop, and we also increased our store count with Target. Additionally, we were very happy with the success of our club rotation featuring twin packs of 32-ounce kefir, a popular offering that encourages customers to increase consumption and greatly increases our visibility. The club channel is a great place for us to meet new consumers, and the lower-priced items at these club stores are also more attractive to entry-level consumers, offering a great opportunity to capture incremental revenues and customers.

Speaker Change: Now I'll touch on some distribution updates. During the quarter, we gained new placement of Organic Kefir and Farmer's Cheese at Staff and Shop, and we also increased our store count with Target.

Julie Smolyansky: Now on touch on some distribution updates. During the quarter, we gained new placement of organic keeper and farmers' chees at staff and shop, and we also increased our store count with target. Additionally, we were very happy with the success of our club rotation featuring twin packs of 32-ounce keeper, a popular offering that encourages customers to increase consumption, and greatly increases our visibility. The club's channel is a great place for us to meet new consumers, and the lower-priced items at these club stores are also more attracted to entry-level consumers, offering a great opportunity to capture incremental revenues and customers.

Speaker Change: Additionally, we were very happy with the success of our club rotation featuring twin packs of 32-ounce keeper, a popular offering that encourages customers to increase consumption and greatly increases our visibility.

Speaker Change: The Club Channel is a great place for us to meet new consumers, and the lower-priced items at these club stores are also more attractive to entry-level consumers, offering a great opportunity to capture incremental revenues and customers.

Julie Smolyansky: On a higher level, we continue to maintain our deep relationships and active dialogues with all our key retail partners and are always seeking out incremental distribution opportunities across a number of channels that make sense for our core offerings, with a key focus on our flagship Lifeway drinkable kefir. We will continue to strategically focus on and elevate our brand name products and will de-prioritize private label manufacturing to ensure Lifeway's long-term success and unparalleled category leadership.

Julie Smolyansky: On a higher level, we continue to maintain our deep relationships and active dialogue with all our key retail partners and are always seeking out incremental distribution opportunities across a number of channels that make sense for our core offerings, with a key focus on our flagship Lifeway drinkable kefir. We will continue to strategically focus on and elevate our brand name products and will de-prioritize private label manufacturing to ensure Lifeway's long-term success and unparalleled category leadership.

Speaker Change: On a higher level, we continue to maintain our deep relationships and active dialogue with all our key retail partners and are always seeking out incremental distribution opportunities across a number of channels that make sense for our core offerings with a key focus on our flagship lightly drinkable kefir.

Julie Smolyansky: On a higher level, we continue to maintain our deep relationships and active dialogues with all our key retail partners and are always speaking out incremental distribution opportunities across a number of channels that make sense for our core offerings with the key focus on our flagship Lifeway drinkable keeper.

Speaker Change: We will continue to strategically focus on and elevate our brand name products and will de-prioritize private label manufacturing to ensure Lifeway's long-term success and unparalleled category leadership.

Julie Smolyansky: We will continue to strategically focus on and elevate our brand name products and will deprioritize private label manufacturing to ensure Lifeway's long-term success and unparalleled category leadership.

Julie Smolyansky: To wrap up, this was another outstanding, record-breaking quarter for Lifeway. The results speak for themselves. Our core business continues to grow rapidly, as illustrated by our five consecutive quarters setting new record highs on the top line for the business. We've come a long way since our founding in 1986, and I couldn't be prouder. With a great team in place and our dedicated investments behind our core products, we believe we are in an excellent position to continue growing strongly throughout the back half of this year and beyond, all while furthering our mission to provide best-in-class, bioavailable, probiotic, and nutritious foods to improve the health and well-being of our customers.

Julie Smolyansky: To wrap up, this was another outstanding, record-breaking quarter for Lifeway. The results speak for themselves. Our core business continues to grow rapidly, as illustrated by our five consecutive quarters setting new record highs on the top line for the business. We've come a long way since our founding in 1986, and I couldn't be prouder. With a great team in place and our dedicated investments behind our core product, we believe we are in an excellent position to continue growing strongly throughout the back half of this year and beyond, all while furthering our mission to provide best in class, bioavailable, probiotic, and nutritious foods to improve the health and well-being of our customers.

Speaker Change: To wrap up, this was another outstanding, record-breaking quarter for LifeWay. The results speak for themselves. Our core business continues to grow rapidly, as illustrated by our five consecutive quarters setting new record highs on the top line for the business.

Julie Smolyansky: To wrap up, this was another outstanding record-breaking quarter for Lifeway, the results speak for themselves. Our core business continues to grow rapidly as illustrated by our five consecutive quarters setting new record highs on the top line for the business. We've come a long ways since our founding in 1986 and I couldn't be prouder, with a great team in place and our dedicated investments behind our core product, we believe we are in an excellent position to continue growing strongly throughout the back half of this year and beyond, all while furthering our mission to provide best-in-class, bio-available, probiotic, and nutritious foods to improve the health and well-being of our customers.

Speaker Change: We've come a long way since our founding in 1986, and I couldn't be prouder.

Speaker Change: With a great team in place and our dedicated investments behind our core products, we believe we are in an excellent position to continue growing strongly throughout the back half of this year and beyond, all while furthering our mission to provide best-in-class, bioavailable, probiotic, and nutritious foods to improve the health and well-being of our customers.

Julie Smolyansky: We look forward to updating you on our progress during the third quarter call in November. Thank you again for joining the call today, and I hope you all have a great rest of your summer and begin

Speaker Change: We look forward to updating you on our progress during the third quarter call in November. Thank you again for joining the call today, and I hope you all have a great rest of your summer and beginning of fall.

Julie Smolyansky: We look forward to updating you on our progress during the third quarter call in November. Thank you again for joining the call today and I hope you all have a great rest of your summer and beginning of fall.

Speaker Change: [inaudible]

Q2 2024 Lifeway Foods Inc Earnings Call

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