Business Stabilized; Focus on Margin and Sales Growth
TORONTO, April 29 /CNW/ - Maple Leaf Foods Inc. (TSX: MFI) today reported
its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009.- Adjusted EPS of $0.05 compared to $0.04 last year
- Adjusted Operating Earnings decreased 5% to $32 million
- Lower margins in packaged meat business; volumes improved
- Significant benefits from protein restructuring contributed to
results
- Bakery earnings improved from last year, but short of historic levels
Note: Adjusted Operating Earnings measures are defined as earnings from
operations before restructuring and other related costs and other income
(expense). Adjusted Earnings per Share measures are defined as basic
earnings per share adjusted for the impact of restructuring and other
related costs."Results in the first quarter were overshadowed by depressed margins in
our packaged meat operations, as we continue to recover from the major product
recall last year," said Michael H. McCain, President and CEO. "While volumes
improved, which was our first priority, margins will take longer to restore.
Our bakery businesses have largely rebounded from the commodity impacts of
last year, and our protein restructuring is yielding ongoing benefits.
Although we are in the midst of a deep global recession, our product portfolio
delivers good value at reasonable prices. As our business has stabilized, we
are now focused on sustaining the volume recovery, improving margins and
realizing higher growth rates in our core categories."Financial Overview
------------------Sales for the first quarter increased 6.3% to $1.3 billion compared to
$1.2 billion last year, reflecting price increases and the benefit of
favourable foreign currency changes on fresh meat sales.
Earnings from operations before restructuring and other related costs and
other income (expense) ("Adjusted Operating Earnings") decreased by 4.5% to
$31.6 million compared to $33.1 million last year, as significant declines in
packaged meat earnings were mitigated by benefits from the restructuring of
pork processing and hog production operations and price increases across the
bakery business.Following is a summary of Adjusted EPS:
First Quarter
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2009 2008
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Basic EPS $0.02 $0.00
Restructuring and other related costs 0.03 0.04
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Adjusted EPS $0.05 $0.04
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Business Segment Review
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Following is a summary of Adjusted Operating Earnings by business segment:
First Quarter
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($ millions) 2009 2008
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Meat Products Group $11.4 $25.0
Agribusiness Group 2.1 (2.8)
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Protein Group 13.5 22.2
Bakery Products Group 19.5 17.2
Non-allocated Costs (i) (1.4) (6.3)
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Adjusted Operating Earnings $31.6 $33.1
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(i) Non-allocated costs comprise costs related to systems conversion and
consulting fees. Management believes that not allocating these costs
provides a more comparable assessment of segmented operating results.
Meat Products Group
-------------------
(value-added processed packaged meats; chilled meal entrees and lunch
kits; value-added fresh pork, poultry and turkey products)Adjusted Operating Earnings in the Meat Products Group declined to $11.4
million in the first quarter of 2009 compared to $25.0 million last year.
Margins in packaged meat products were significantly lower than last year due
to the impact of volume recovery efforts following last year's product recall.
Higher raw material costs and the effect of foreign exchange on raw material
costs could not be passed on in this environment of business recovery, and
significant promotional costs were incurred to support volume recovery
objectives. Over the next several months, Management will be implementing
actions to restore margins, including appropriate price action, reducing
internal costs and resuming more normalized investment in promotions. In
response to the economic recession, marketing and innovation activities are
focused on shifting the product mix to offer consumers a greater variety of
value propositions.
Earnings from fresh pork operations improved significantly in the first
quarter, as the benefits from double shifting the pork processing plant in
Brandon, Manitoba, the consolidation of ham boning operations and the closure
of less efficient plants were realized. A weaker Canadian dollar resulted in
higher sales prices for fresh pork and increased earnings from international
sales. In the first quarter, the Company announced that due to difficult
credit markets, it has suspended actively marketing its pork processing
business in Burlington, Ontario. The sale process for this business is
expected to resume when credit markets stabilize and an appropriate sale value
can be realized. The business is profitable and contributed to cash flow and
earnings for the quarter. Earnings from the Company's poultry operations were
consistent with last year.Agribusiness Group
------------------
(hog production and animal by-products recycling)Adjusted Operating Earnings for the Agribusiness Group in the first
quarter of 2009 increased to $2.1 million from a loss of $2.8 million last
year. Results for the first quarter last year included $8.4 million in
government support. While earnings from by-products recycling operations were
consistent with last year, results in hog production improved significantly
due to lower production following the sale or exit of non-core operations in
Ontario and Alberta. Restructuring and simplification of the core operations
in Manitoba resulted in operational improvements such as lower cycle times and
improved feed efficiency and hog quality.Bakery Products Group
---------------------
(fresh and frozen branded value-added bakery products, including frozen
par-baked bakery products, sandwiches and specialty pasta and sauces).Adjusted Operating Earnings for the Bakery Products Group in the first
quarter increased to $19.5 million from $17.2 million last year. Price
increases implemented in the first half of 2008 and better product mix were
the main contributors to improved margins in the quarter. However, the extent
of margin expansion was mitigated by the weaker Canadian dollar which
increases the Canadian price of wheat. Additionally, the cost of packaging and
other ingredients increased compared to last year.
Adjusted Operating Earnings in the U.K. bakery business declined in the
first quarter compared to last year due to unfavourable sales mix as the
effect of the economic recession has been more pronounced in the U.K. than in
the Company's other operations. Also, increased promotional activity to
increase bagel sales reduced earnings. An oven fire in the first quarter of
2008 at the Company's Rotherham bagel plant resulted in significant business
disruption through the balance of 2008. Production is now stabilized and
Management is focused on increasing volumes to full capacity.
During the quarter, the Company launched Healthy Way(R) with ProCardio
Recipe(TM) fresh breads and squares across Canada. Healthy Way(R) with
ProCardio Recipe(TM) is the first line of fresh bakery products targeted
specifically to support heart health, and broadens Dempster's brand leadership
in higher nutrition bakery products.Other Income
------------Other income for the quarter was $1.7 million (2008: nil), mostly
comprising insurance proceeds for business interruption losses in the U.K.
bakery business.Other Matters
-------------On April 28, 2009 Maple Leaf Foods Inc. declared a dividend of $0.04 per
share payable on June 30, 2009 to shareholders of record on June 5, 2009.
Unless indicated otherwise in writing at or before the time the dividend is
paid, each dividend paid by the Corporation in 2009 or a subsequent year is an
eligible dividend for the purposes of the "Enhanced Dividend Tax Credit
System".
An investor presentation related to the Company's first quarter results
is available at www.mapleleaf.com and can be found under Investor Relations on
the Quarterly Results page. A web cast of the presentations by the Chairman
and CEO to the Annual General Meeting today at 11:00 AM EDT will also be
available on the Company's website. A conference call will also be held at
2:30 p.m. EDT to review Maple Leaf Foods' first quarter financial results. To
participate in the call, please dial 416-641-6111 or 866-696-5911. For those
unable to participate, playback will be made available an hour after the event
at 416-695-5800/800-408-3053 (Passcode 3783726 followed by the number sign). A
webcast presentation of the first quarter results will also be available at
http://investor.mapleleaf.ca via a link:
http://events.startcast.com/events6/91/C0006/Default.aspx
The Company's full financial statements and related Management's
Discussion and Analysis are available for download on the Company's website
and will be available on SEDAR at sedar.com as of May 1, 2009.Forward-Looking Statements
--------------------------This document contains, and the Company's oral and written public
communications often contain, forward-looking statements that are based on
current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the
industries in which the Company operates and beliefs and assumptions made by
the Management of the Company. Such statements include, but are not limited
to, statements with respect to objectives and goals, as well as statements
with respect to beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, anticipations,
estimates and intentions. Specific statements include, but are not limited to,
statements with respect to expectations concerning improving business trends
in 2009, expectations regarding the impact of the recession on the business,
expectations regarding the timing and extent of margin recovery in the
packaged meats business, and expectations concerning the timing of the sale of
the pork processing business in Burlington, Ontario. Words such as "expect,"
"anticipate," "intend," "attempt," "may," "will," "plan," "believe," "seek,"
"estimate," and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended
to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not
guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions and risks and
uncertainties that are difficult to predict.
In addition, expectations concerning performance of the Company's
business in general are based on a number of factors and assumptions
including, but not limited to: the condition of the Canadian, United States
and United Kingdom economies; the rate of exchange of the Canadian dollar to
the U.S. dollar and Japanese yen; expected recovery of sales following the
product recall; the availability and prices of raw materials, energy and
supplies; product pricing; the availability of insurance; the competitive
environment and related market conditions; improvement of operating
efficiencies whether as a result of the protein business transformation or
otherwise; continued access to capital; the cost of compliance with
environmental and health standards; no adverse results from ongoing litigation
that would not be covered by insurance; no unexpected actions of domestic and
foreign governments and the general assumption that none of the risks
identified under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Management's
Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2008 will materialize.
All of these assumptions have been derived from information currently
available to the Company including information obtained by the Company from
third-party sources. These assumptions may prove to be incorrect in whole or
in part. In addition, actual results may differ materially from those
expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward looking statements, which
reflect the Company's expectations only as of the date hereof.
Factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially
from the results expressed, implied or forecasted by forward-looking
statements are discussed more fully in the Company's Annual Management's
Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2008 including the
section entitled "Risk Factors" that is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
The Company does not intend, and the Company disclaims any obligation to
update any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, or whether as
a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by
law.
Maple Leaf Foods Inc. is a leading food processing company, headquartered
in Toronto, Canada. The Company employs approximately 24,000 people at its
operations across Canada and in the United States, the United Kingdom, and
Asia. The Company had sales of $5.2 billion in 2008.Consolidated Interim Financial Statements
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)
MAPLE LEAF FOODS INC.
Three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
MAPLE LEAF FOODS INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands of Canadian dollars)
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As at As at As at
March 31, March 31, December 31,
2009 2008 2008
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(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 263,260 $ 55,516 $ 365,518
Accounts receivable 178,448 204,602 139,144
Inventories 401,380 381,902 377,414
Income and other taxes recoverable 26,700 - 20,971
Future tax asset - current 19,438 38,834 19,787
Prepaid expenses and other
current assets 22,390 15,127 32,289
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$ 911,616 $ 695,981 $ 955,123
Property and equipment 1,188,043 1,160,221 1,169,435
Other long-term assets 330,042 315,735 329,070
Future tax asset - non-current 29,183 31,933 24,854
Goodwill 877,044 857,655 876,261
Other intangible assets 99,951 93,521 97,358
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$ 3,435,879 $ 3,155,046 $ 3,452,101
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LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Bank indebtedness $ 8,875 $ 10,206 $ 8,894
Accounts payable and accrued
charges 586,655 565,328 600,924
Income and other taxes payable - 14,577 -
Current portion of long-term debt 183,142 12,523 179,244
Other current liabilities 12,358 9,998 28,456
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$ 791,030 $ 612,632 $ 817,518
Long-term debt 1,209,874 997,952 1,200,224
Future tax liability - non-current 42,941 83,388 37,903
Other long-term liabilities 167,590 232,794 179,039
Non-controlling interest 75,236 81,039 74,447
Shareholders' equity 1,149,208 1,147,241 1,142,970
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$ 3,435,879 $ 3,155,046 $ 3,452,101
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MAPLE LEAF FOODS INC.
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except share amounts)
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Three months ended March 31,
(Unaudited) 2009 2008
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Sales $ 1,279,299 $ 1,203,263
Cost of goods sold 1,112,087 1,047,337
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Gross margin $ 167,212 $ 155,926
Selling, general and administrative expenses 135,613 122,828
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Earnings from operations before the following: $ 31,599 $ 33,098
Restructuring and other related costs (5,334) (7,722)
Other income (expense) 1,679 (15)
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Earnings from operations before interest and
income taxes $ 27,944 $ 25,361
Interest expense 21,343 21,663
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Earnings from operations before income taxes $ 6,601 $ 3,698
Income taxes 2,157 2,120
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Earnings from operations before non-controlling
interest $ 4,444 $ 1,578
Non-controlling interest 1,573 1,588
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Net earnings (loss) $ 2,871 $ (10)
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Basic and diluted earnings per share $ 0.02 $ 0.00
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Weighted average number of shares (millions) 126.6 127.3
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MAPLE LEAF FOODS INC.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(In thousands of Canadian dollars)
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Three months ended March 31,
(Unaudited) 2009 2008
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Net earnings (loss) $ 2,871 $ (10)
Other comprehensive income
Change in accumulated foreign currency
translation adjustment (1,347) 6,727
Change in net unrealized derivative loss on
cash flow hedges 4,521 (3,046)
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$ 3,174 $ 3,681
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Comprehensive income $ 6,045 $ 3,671
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Consolidated Statements of Retained Earnings
(In thousands of Canadian dollars)
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Three months ended March 31,
(Unaudited) 2009 2008
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Retained earnings, beginning of period $ 314,649 $ 378,604
Net earnings (loss) 2,871 (10)
Adoption of new accounting standard (207) -
Dividends declared ($0.04 per share; 2008:
$0.04 per share) (5,066) (5,186)
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Retained earnings, end of period $ 312,247 $ 373,408
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MAPLE LEAF FOODS INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands of Canadian dollars)
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Three months ended March 31,
(Unaudited) 2009 2008
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CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN):
Operating activities
Net earnings (loss) $ 2,871 $ (10)
Add (deduct) items not affecting cash:
Depreciation and amortization 38,368 35,072
Stock-based compensation 4,566 4,263
Non-controlling interest 1,573 1,588
Future income taxes (1,938) (304)
Loss on sale of property and equipment 109 81
Amortization of terminated interest rate
swap 598 3,211
Change in fair value of derivative
financial instruments (12,807) (2,189)
Change in other long-term receivables - 344
Decrease (increase) in net pension asset 395 (6,031)
Asset impairments and change in provision
for restructuring and other related costs 2,653 3,963
Other 4,402 2,675
Change in non-cash operating working capital (79,621) (24,269)
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Cash provided by (used in) operating
activities $ (38,831) $ 18,394
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Financing activities
Dividends paid $ (5,066) $ (5,186)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interest (205) (232)
Net increase (decrease) in long-term debt (745) 117,524
Increase in share capital - 1,597
Purchase of treasury stock - (6,349)
Other 217 515
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Cash provided by (used in) financing
activities $ (5,799) $ 107,869
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Investing activities
Additions to property and equipment $ (57,672) $ (45,710)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 613 8,021
Acquisition of businesses - net of cash
acquired - (61,572)
Other (550) (69)
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Cash used in investing activities $ (57,609) $ (99,330)
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Increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents $ (102,239) $ 26,933
Net cash and cash equivalents, beginning of
period 356,624 18,377
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Net cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 254,385 $ 45,310
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