Lancaster Colony Reports Fourth Quarter And Fiscal Year Results

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Lancaster Colony Corporation (Nasdaq: LANC) today reported results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2015.  All financial results of the company's Glassware and Candles segment have been reclassified as discontinued operations due to the sale of effectively all of the net operating assets of that segment on January 30, 2014. 

Fourth Quarter Highlights

• Net sales increased 7.3% to $277.7 million versus $258.8 million last year.  Excluding $11.5 million in net sales from the Flatout^® flatbread business acquired in mid-March 2015, net sales increased 2.9%.
• Sales growth was driven by another strong quarter for foodservice, with both national chain restaurants and foodservice distributors contributing.  Excluding Flatout, retail volumes were off modestly as last year's fourth quarter included Easter holiday sales.
• Operating income increased $6.5 million to $38.8 million on the higher sales volume and reduced spending on both retail trade promotion and new product introductory costs.  Consumer promotion expense also declined as this year's earlier Easter holiday shifted these associated costs to our fiscal third quarter.  Fourth quarter operating income was dampened by a less favorable sales mix and higher egg costs resulting from the avian influenza outbreak in the U.S.
• Income from continuing operations was $25.6 million compared to $20.9 million last year.  Earnings per diluted share from continuing operations were $.93 versus $.76 a year ago.
• Fourth quarter net income also totaled $25.6 million or $.93 per diluted share as there was no impact from discontinued operations.  In the prior-year quarter, inclusive of a positive $0.4 million or $.02 per share from discontinued operations due to favorable tax adjustments, net income totaled $21.3 million or $.78 per share.

Fiscal Year Highlights

• Net sales increased 6.1% to $1,105 million versus $1,041 million last year.  Excluding $13.4 million in net sales contributed by Flatout, net sales increased 4.8%.
• Operating income increased $1.1 million to $154.9 million on the higher sales volume and lower material costs.  Operating margins were down 75 basis points compared to the prior year due to the impact of dressing production capacity constraints and higher freight costs, particularly in the first half of the fiscal year, along with lower pricing in the foodservice channel and over $1 million in transaction costs and transitional expenses related to the Flatout acquisition.
• Income from continuing operations totaled $101.7 million compared to $101.0 million a year ago while earnings per diluted share from continuing operations were $3.72 versus $3.69 last year.
• Net income for the year was $101.7 million or $3.72 per diluted share as there was no impact from discontinued operations in the current year.  After accounting for the loss from discontinued operations of $26.0 million or $.95 per share, prior year net income totaled $75.0 million or $2.74 per diluted share including a pre-tax loss of approximately $44 million on the sale of the company's candle operations.
• The quarterly cash dividend was increased for the 52nd consecutive year.
• The balance sheet remained strong, with no debt outstanding and over $182 million in cash and equivalents as of June 30.

Fiscal 2015 Commentary

Chairman and CEO John B. Gerlach, Jr. said, "We were pleased to finish the fiscal year with higher fourth quarter net sales and improved operating margins.  The completion of our dressing capacity expansion project midway through our fiscal year and the acquisition of the Flatout flatbread business in our third quarter were notable investments as we look towards future growth opportunities.  Our focus on product innovation, consumer trends and customer service led to gains in both our retail and foodservice channels this past year, lifting our Specialty Foods segment to another year of record sales."

Fiscal 2016 Commentary

Mr. Gerlach added, "We enter the coming year with retail sales expected to benefit from the recently acquired Flatout business, including contributions from the new ProteinUP^TM line of high protein flatbread wraps, and continued strong and expanding relationships with our foodservice customers.  We believe our fiscal 2016 earnings will be influenced by the impact of the avian influenza outbreak on egg prices, the success of our continued investment in product innovation, the integration and growth of our Flatout business, and the level of efficiency gains ultimately realized from our dressing capacity expansion project and other cost-saving initiatives."

Conference Call on the Web

The company's fourth quarter and fiscal year-end conference call is scheduled for this morning, August 20, at 10:00 a.m. ET.  You may access the call through a live webcast by using the link provided on the company's Internet home page at www.lancastercolony.com.  Replays of the webcast will be made available on the company website.

About the Company

Lancaster Colony Corporation is a manufacturer and marketer of specialty food products for the retail and foodservice markets.

Forward-Looking Statements

We desire to take advantage of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "PSLRA"). This news release contains various "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the PSLRA and other applicable securities laws. Such statements can be identified by the use of the forward-looking words "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "believe," "intend," "plan," "expect," "hope" or similar words. These statements discuss future expectations; contain projections regarding future developments, operations or financial conditions; or state other forward-looking information. Such statements are based upon assumptions and assessments made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments; and other factors we believe to be appropriate. These forward-looking statements involve various important risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Some of the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include:

• fluctuations in the cost and availability of egg-based ingredients;
• fluctuations in the cost and availability of other raw materials and packaging;
• the reaction of customers or consumers to the effect of price increases we may implement;
• the potential for loss of larger programs or key customer relationships;
• the effect of consolidation of customers within key market channels;
• price and product competition;
• the success and cost of new product development efforts;
• the lack of market acceptance of new products;
• the possible occurrence of product recalls or other defective or mislabeled product costs;
• changes in demand for our products, which may result from loss of brand reputation or customer goodwill;
• maintenance of competitive position with respect to other manufacturers;
• adverse changes in freight, energy or other costs of producing, distributing or transporting our products;
• capacity constraints that may affect our ability to meet demand or may increase our costs;
• dependence on contract manufacturers;
• efficiencies in plant operations;
• stability of labor relations;
• the outcome of any litigation or arbitration;
• the impact of fluctuations in our pension plan asset values on funding levels, contributions required and benefit costs;
• the ability to successfully integrate and grow the Flatout business;
• the extent to which future business acquisitions are completed and acceptably integrated;
• dependence on key personnel;
• changes in financial markets;
• access to any required financing;
• changes in estimates in critical accounting judgments; and
• risks related to other factors described under "Risk Factors" in other reports and statements filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including without limitation our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q (available at www.sec.gov).         

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update such forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Management believes these forward-looking statements to be reasonable; however, you should not place undue reliance on statements that are based on current expectations.

SOURCE Lancaster Colony Corporation