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Turning Point Brands Announces Third Quarter 2019 Results and Explores Strategic Alternatives for Third-Party Vaping Distribution Business

November 1, 2019 7:00 AM

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Turning Point Brands (NYSE: TPB), a leading provider of Other Tobacco Products (“OTP”) and adult consumer alternatives, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019.

Results at a Glance

Third Quarter 2019

(Comparisons vs. same period year-ago)

“Vaping headlines dramatically disrupted our third-party vaping distribution business starting in mid-August. While third-party vaping saw a step function down in the quarter, we produced strong quarterly performance in the Smokeless and Smoking segments. We have proactively taken steps to address weakness in the third-party vaping distribution business,” said Larry Wexler, President and CEO.

Turning Point Brands Explores Strategic Alternatives for Third-Party Vaping Distribution Business

TPB remains heavily committed to capitalizing on our core competencies in branding, distribution, product development, and regulatory affairs to create market-leading adult actives products. This includes investing in the FDA PMTA process for TPB’s proprietary brands, as well as growing the CBD and other actives businesses.

However, management believes the expected future returns from third-party vaping distribution may no longer justify the required investment of human and financial resources going forward. Accordingly, the Board of Directors is reviewing strategic alternatives for the third-party vaping distribution business. There can be no assurance that this process will result in the approval or completion of any particular strategic alternative or transaction in the future.

“We will continue to repurpose infrastructure from the third-party distribution business to support proprietary CBD sales, which continue to grow month-over-month. In addition, once we complete the FDA’s PMTA process, we expect to be one of the only open system liquids players on the market,” said Larry Wexler, President and CEO.

To mitigate the impact of declines in third-party vaping distribution, the Company will accelerate SG&A cost reduction plans which are expected to deliver $8-10 million of annualized savings. These savings will come from warehouse and business consolidation and other related corporate activities.

Recent Events

On October 31, the TPB board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.045 per common share. The dividend will be paid on January 10, 2020 to shareholders of record on the close of business December 20, 2019.

Smokeless Products Segment (27% of total net sales in the quarter)

For the third quarter, Smokeless products net sales increased 20.4% to $26.2 million on continuing double-digit volume growth of Stoker’s MST, partially offset by declining sales in chewing tobacco. MST represented 58% of Smokeless revenues in the quarter, up from 48% a year earlier. In the quarter, total Smokeless segment volume increased 15.1% and price/mix advanced 5.3%.

“Stoker’s MST gains continue to be fueled by consumer enthusiasm in existing stores and the addition of large, higher velocity chains,” said Wexler. “The acceleration in MST cans in the second quarter led to a similar acceleration in MST tubs in the third quarter, suggesting that consumers who try cans for convenience subsequently seek out tubs for value.”

For the quarter, Smokeless segment gross profit increased 23.3% to $13.6 million. Segment gross margin expanded 120 basis points to 51.9%, driven primarily by operational efficiencies from robust MST volume gains.

Smoking Products Segment (31% of total net sales in the quarter)

Third quarter net sales of Smoking products increased 7.6% from year-ago to $30.2 million. Third quarter Smoking products volume increase 3.6% while price/mix increased 4.0%.

In the quarter, Zig-Zag retained its U.S. share leadership position in premium rolling papers on the continuing expansion of organic hemp, unbleached papers and the roll-out of paper cones. Zig-Zag cones continue to grow from expanded distribution and increased market share in stores selling. At the end of the quarter Zig-Zag cones were available in approximately 16,000 retail outlets and according to MSAi had captured a double-digit market share of total cones.

For the quarter, Smoking products gross profit increased 12.2% to $16.6 million as compared to year-ago with gross margin expanding 220 basis points to 55.0%.

NewGen (New Generation) Products Segment (42% of total net sales in the quarter)

For the third quarter, NewGen segment net sales grew 20.5% to $40.4 million on accelerating Nu-X alternative products momentum.

Nu-X net sales in the quarter were $6.3 million, up from $4.3 million in the second quarter. RipTide started the quarter in 9,000 stores and ended the quarter in approximately 16,000 stores. The company spent $2.9 million in the quarter launching RipTide, with the bulk of the expense tied to a national launch in September. “Early RipTide results have been encouraging with over 200,000 batteries sold in the quarter. We continue to be disciplined in our launch strategy in order to grow sustainable market share over time, without taking on imprudent financial risk. Given the highly promotional nature of the category in the US today, we are focusing on RipTide launches in Canada and the UK, while adding stores in the US where it makes economic sense,” said Wexler.

CBD sales continued to grow in the quarter with the September launch of proprietary Nu-X CBD disposables through the national salesforce after successfully validating performance in our own stores. Additional Nu-X product formats are scheduled for fourth quarter introduction, including some novel lines that will be launched in traditional retail to gain a first mover advantage. CBD gross margins continue to outperform, particularly as input pricing has declined significantly starting in the summer as incremental distillate and isolate capacity has come online.

In the quarter, gross profit for the NewGen segment increased 21.5% to $12.6 million. Gross margin for the quarter expanded by 20 basis points to 31.2%. Third quarter 2019 NewGen results include $2.6 million of tariff expense.

Other Events and Performance Measures in the Third Quarter

Third quarter consolidated selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $29.8 million compared to $23.3 million in 2018.

Third quarter SG&A included the following:

Interest expense, net for the quarter was $3.6 million as compared to $3.7 million in the year-ago period.

Income tax expense for the quarter was $2.2 million versus $1.4 million a year earlier.

For the quarter, fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding were 20.1 million.

Capital expenditures in the third quarter 2019 totaled $2.1 million, which is gross of certain landlord tenant allowances expected to be received in the fourth quarter.

Total debt at September 30, 2019 was $313.7 million. Net debt at September 30, 2019 was $232.6 million. Net debt at September 30, 2019 to rolling twelve months Adjusted EBITDA was 3.3x (see Schedule B for a reconciliation).

2019 Outlook Update

Given the recent weakness in the third-party vaping distribution business, offset by strong performance in our Core OTP business, TPB has revised its full-year outlook:

The company now expects total 2019 net sales of $361 to $367 million, comprised of base business net sales of $343 to $347 million and Nu-X sales of $18 to $20 million. The company intends to fully reinvest Nu-X gross profit to expand the Nu-X business.

The company anticipates certain SG&A expenses in 2019, including:

We project 2019 Adjusted EBITDA of $69 to $72 million. This excludes the previously communicated $5.5 million net gain related to a settlement from the V2 wind-down.

The company expects the 2019 effective income tax rate to be 21%.

Capital expenditures for 2019 are anticipated to be approximately $4.0 million, net of landlord tenant allowances expected to be received in the fourth quarter.

Net Sales for the fourth quarter 2019 is expected to be $79 million to $85 million.

Earnings Conference Call

As previously disclosed, a conference call with the investment community to review TPB’s financial results has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, November 1, 2019. Investment community participants should dial in ten minutes ahead of time using the toll-free number 800-353-6461 (International participants should call 334-323-0501). A live listen-only webcast of the call is available from the Events and Presentations section of the investor relations portion of the company website (www.turningpointbrands.com). A replay of the webcast will be available on the site three hours following the call.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP), this press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures including Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted diluted EPS, Net Debt and Adjusted Operating Income. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures accompanies this release.

About Turning Point Brands, Inc.

Louisville, Kentucky-based Turning Point Brands, Inc. (NYSE: TPB) is a leading U.S. provider of Other Tobacco Products and adult consumer alternatives. TPB, through its focus brands generates solid cash flow which it uses to finance acquisitions, increase brand support and strengthen its capital structure. TPB does not sell cigarettes. More information about the company is available at its corporate website, www.turningpointbrands.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "intend," "plan" and "will" or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. As a result, actual events may differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by TPB in this press release speaks only as of the date hereof. New risks and uncertainties come up from time to time, and it is impossible for TPB to predict these events or how they may affect it. TPB has no obligation, and does not intend, to update any forward-looking statements after the date hereof, except as required by federal securities laws. Factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to:

Financial Statements Follow:

Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Income
(dollars in thousands except share data)

Three Months Ended

September 30,

2019

2018

Net sales

$

96,800

$

83,349

Cost of sales

53,984

47,138

Gross profit

42,816

36,211

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

29,784

23,253

Operating income

13,032

12,958

Interest expense, net

3,641

3,702

Investment income

(265

)

(89

)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

1,158

-

Net periodic income, excluding service cost

(12

)

(45

)

Income before income taxes

8,510

9,390

Income tax expense

2,236

1,436

Consolidated net income

$

6,274

$

7,954

Basic income per common share:
Consolidated net income

$

0.32

$

0.41

Diluted income per common share:
Consolidated net income

$

0.31

$

0.40

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic

19,659,217

19,378,054

Diluted

20,067,413

19,882,994

Supplemental disclosures of statement of income information:
Excise tax expense

$

5,503

$

4,694

FDA fees

$

158

$

135

Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
(dollars in thousands except share data)

September 30,

December 31,

ASSETS

2019

2018

Current assets:
Cash

$

81,124

$

3,306

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $63 in 2019 and $44 in 2018

6,998

2,617

Inventories

98,719

91,237

Other current assets

15,720

14,694

Total current assets

202,561

111,854

Property, plant, and equipment, net

12,905

10,589

Right of use assets

11,322

-

Deferred financing costs, net

960

870

Goodwill

154,479

145,939

Other intangible assets, net

32,488

35,339

Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) escrow deposits

32,074

30,550

Other assets

5,224

4,236

Total assets

$

454,255

$

339,377

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable

$

8,531

$

6,841

Accrued liabilities

20,486

22,925

Current portion of long-term debt

14,240

8,000

Revolving credit facility

-

26,000

Total current liabilities

43,257

63,766

Notes payable and long-term debt

299,479

186,715

Deferred income taxes

-

2,291

Postretirement benefits

3,096

3,096

Lease liabilities

10,019

-

Other long-term liabilities

3,065

886

Total liabilities

358,916

256,754

Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized shares 40,000,000; issued and outstanding shares -0-

-

-

Common stock, voting, $0.01 par value; authorized shares, 190,000,000; issued and
outstanding shares - 19,661,988 at September 30, 2019, and 19,553,857 at December 31, 2018

197

196

Common stock, nonvoting, $0.01 par value; authorized shares, 10,000,000;
issued and outstanding shares -0-

-

-

Additional paid-in capital

100,276

110,466

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(2,989

)

(2,536

)

Accumulated deficit

(2,145

)

(25,503

)

Total stockholders' equity

95,339

82,623

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

454,255

$

339,377

Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(dollars in thousands)

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2019

2018

Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income

$

26,039

$

20,305

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss on extinguishment of debt

1,308

2,384

Gain on disposal of property, plant, and equipment

(12

)

-

Depreciation expense

1,855

1,596

Amortization of other intangible assets

1,079

557

Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs

1,018

712

Deferred income taxes

(4

)

2,806

Stock compensation expense

2,480

1,056

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable

(3,556

)

(3,192

)

Inventories

(6,704

)

(18,840

)

Other current assets

(801

)

(5,971

)

Other assets

106

144

Accounts payable

1,069

4,442

Accrued postretirement liabilities

(125

)

(107

)

Accrued liabilities and other

(3,739

)

(4,918

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

20,013

974

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures

$

(4,060

)

$

(1,528

)

Restricted cash, MSA escrow deposits

29,713

(2,234

)

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

(7,703

)

(19,161

)

Proceeds on the sale of property, plant and equipment

117

-

Payments for investments

(1,421

)

-

Issuance of note receivable

-

(6,500

)

Receipt of note receivable repayment including prepayment penalty

-

7,475

Net cash (used in) provided for by investing activities

16,646

(21,948

)

Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Cont.)
(dollars in thousands)

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2019

2018

Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from 2018 first lien term loan

$

-

$

156,000

Payments of 2018 first lien term loan

(6,000

)

-

Proceeds from 2018 second lien term loan

-

40,000

Payments of 2018 second lien term loan

(40,000

)

-

Proceeds from 2018 revolving credit facility

-

30,000

Payments of 2018 revolving credit facility

(26,000

)

-

Proceeds from Convertible Senior Notes

172,500

-

Payments for call options

(20,528

)

-

Payment of dividends

(2,646

)

(1,537

)

Payments of 2017 first lien term loan

-

(140,613

)

Payments of 2017 second lien term loan

-

(55,000

)

Proceeds from (payments of) 2017 revolving credit facility, net

-

(8,000

)

Payments of VaporBeast Note Payable

-

(2,000

)

Proceeds from release of restricted funds

-

1,107

Payments of financing costs

(6,997

)

(3,286

)

Exercise of options

639

779

Payment to terminate acquired capital lease

-

(170

)

Surrender of restricted stock

(84

)

-

Redemption of options

(12

)

(623

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

$

70,872

$

16,657

Net increase (decrease) in cash

$

107,531

$

(4,317

)

Cash, beginning of period:
Unrestricted

$

3,306

$

2,607

Restricted

2,361

4,709

Total cash at beginning of period

$

5,667

$

7,316

Unrestricted

$

81,124

$

1,631

Restricted

32,074

1,368

Total cash at end of period

$

113,198

$

2,999

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our financial information presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or U.S. GAAP, we use non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted diluted EPS, Net Debt and Adjusted Operating Income. We believe Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends relating to our financial condition and results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted diluted EPS, Net Debt and Adjusted Operating Income are used by management to compare our performance to that of prior periods for trend analyses and planning purposes and are presented to our board of directors. We believe that EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted diluted EPS and Adjusted Operating Income are appropriate measures of operating performance because they eliminate the impact of expenses that do not relate to business performance.

We define “EBITDA” as net income before interest expense, loss on extinguishment of debt, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization. We define “Adjusted EBITDA” as net income before interest expense, loss on extinguishment of debt, provision for income taxes, depreciation, amortization, other non-cash items and other items that we do not consider ordinary course in our evaluation of ongoing operating performance. We define “Adjusted diluted EPS” as diluted earnings per share excluding items that we do not consider ordinary course in our evaluation of ongoing operating performance. We define “Net Debt” as total debt less cash. We define “Adjusted Operating Income” as operating income excluding depreciation, amortization, LIFO, other non-cash items and other items that we do not consider ordinary course in our evaluation of ongoing operating performance.

Non-U.S. GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted diluted EPS and Adjusted Operating Income exclude significant expenses that are required by U.S. GAAP to be recorded in our financial statements and is subject to inherent limitations. In addition, other companies in our industry may calculate this non-U.S. GAAP measure differently than we do or may not calculate it at all, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

In accordance with SEC rules, we have provided, in the supplemental information attached, a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures to the next directly comparable GAAP measures.

Schedule A
Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA
(dollars in thousands)

Three Months Ended

September 30,

2019

2018

Consolidated net income

$

6,274

$

7,954

Add:
Interest expense, net

3,641

3,702

Loss on extinguishment of debt

1,158

-

Income tax expense

2,236

1,436

Depreciation expense

692

479

Amortization expense

356

206

EBITDA

$

14,357

$

13,777

Components of Adjusted EBITDA
Other (a)

151

253

Stock options, restricted stock, and incentives expense (b)

1,314

367

Transactional expenses and strategic initiatives (c)

470

1,056

New product launch costs (d)

1,979

545

Product line rationalizations (e)

-

301

Warehouse reorganization (f)

184

-

Severance charges and organizational development (g)

81

98

FDA PMTA (h)

241

70

Adjusted EBITDA

$

18,777

$

16,467

(a) Represents LIFO adjustment, non-cash pension/ postretirement expense (income) and foreign exchange hedging.
(b) Represents non-cash stock options, restricted stock, incentives expense and Solace PRSUs.
(c) Represents the fees incurred for transaction expenses and strategic initiatives.
(d) Represents product launch costs of our new product lines.
(e) Represents costs associated with discontinued products related to product line rationalization.
(f) Represents costs associated with consolidating warehouses.
(g) Represents costs associated with departmental restructuring, primarily severance.
(h) Represents costs associated with applications related to the FDA PMTA.
Schedule B
Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Reconciliation of GAAP Total Debt to Net Debt
(dollars in thousands)

September 30,

December 31,

2019

2018

Cash

$

81,124

$

3,306

Total Debt

$

313,719

$

220,715

Net Debt

$

232,595

$

217,409

Leverage Ratio (a) 3.3x 3.3x
(a) Leverage ratio is calculated by net debt / adjusted EBITDA.
Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA
October 1, 2018, to September 30, 2019
(dollars in thousands)

Rolling

3rd Quarter

2nd Quarter

1st Quarter

4th Quarter

12 Months

2019

2019

2019

2018

Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc.

$

31,023

$

6,274

$

13,205

$

6,560

$

4,984

Add:
Interest expense

15,241

3,641

3,736

3,856

4,008

Loss on extinguishment of debt

1,308

1,158

150

-

-

Income tax expense

9,121

2,236

2,979

1,774

2,132

Depreciation expense

2,364

692

632

531

509

Amortization expense

1,528

356

364

359

449

EBITDA

$

60,585

$

14,357

$

21,066

$

13,080

$

12,082

Components of Adjusted EBITDA
Other

(128

)

151

(97

)

(79

)

(103

)

Stock options, restricted stock, and incentives expense

3,581

1,314

1,198

715

354

Transactional expenses and strategic initiatives

3,194

470

187

910

1,727

New product launch costs

4,299

1,979

1,270

442

608

Product line rationalizations

1,915

-

-

-

1,915

Warehouse reorganization

692

184

-

508

-

Severance charges and organizational development

1,354

81

150

496

627

Vendor settlement

(5,522

)

-

(5,522

)

-

-

FDA PMTA

341

241

-

-

-

Adjusted EBITDA

$

70,311

$

18,777

$

18,252

$

16,072

$

17,210

Net Debt / 12 months ended March 31, 2019, rolling Adjusted EBITDA

3.3x

Schedule C
Turning Point Brands
Reconciliation of GAAP diluted EPS to Adjusted diluted EPS
(dollars in thousands except share data) Three Months Ended
September 30,

2019

2018

GAAP EPS

$

0.31

$

0.40

Loss on extinguishment of debt

0.04

-

LIFO Adjustment (a)

0.01

0.01

Stock options, restricted stock, and incentives expense (b)

0.05

0.02

Transactional expenses and strategic initiatives (c)

0.02

0.04

New product launch costs (d)

0.07

0.02

Product line rationalizations (e)

-

0.01

Warehouse reorganization (f)

0.01

-

Severance charges and organizational development (g)

0.00

0.00

FDA PMTA (h)

0.01

0.00

Impact of quarterly tax items to effective tax rate

0.04

(0.02

)

Adjusted diluted EPS

$

0.56

$

0.48

(a) Represents expense related to an inventory valuation allowance for last-in, first-out ("LIFO") reporting tax effected at the quarterly effective tax rate.
(b) Represents non-cash stock options, restricted stock, incentives expense and Solace PRSUs tax effected at the quarterly effective tax rate.
(c) Represents the fees incurred for transaction expenses and strategic initiatives tax effected at the quarterly effective tax rate.
(d) Represents product launch costs of our new product lines tax effected at the quarterly effective tax rate.
(e) Represents costs associated with departmental restructuring, primarily severance tax effected at the quarterly effective tax rate.
(f) Represents net gain associated with the settlement of a vendor contract tax effected at the quarterly effective tax rate.
(h) Represents costs associated with applications related to the FDA PMTA tax effected at the quarterly effective tax rate.
Schedule D
Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Reconciliation of GAAP Gross Profit to Adjusted Gross Profit and GAAP Operating Income to Adjusted Operating Income
(dollars in thousands)
Consolidated Smokeless Smoking NewGen

3rd Quarter

3rd Quarter

3rd Quarter

3rd Quarter

3rd Quarter

3rd Quarter

3rd Quarter

3rd Quarter

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

Net sales

$

96,800

$

83,349

$

26,187

$

21,743

$

30,222

$

28,079

$

40,391

$

33,527

Gross profit

$

42,816

$

36,211

$

13,587

$

11,020

$

16,619

$

14,814

$

12,610

$

10,377

Adjustments:
LIFO adjustment

136

201

136

201

-

-

-

-

New product launch costs

-

282

-

99

-

137

-

46

Product line rationalizations

-

301

-

-

-

154

-

147

Adjusted gross profit

$

42,952

$

36,995

$

13,723

$

11,320

$

16,619

$

15,105

$

12,610

$

10,570

Operating income

$

13,032

$

12,958

$

9,392

$

5,861

$

12,931

$

10,861

$

(1,233

)

$

2,539

Adjustments:
LIFO adjustment

136

201

136

201

-

-

-

-

Foreign exchange hedging

-

70

-

-

-

70

-

-

Transaction expenses and strategic initiatives

470

1,056

-

-

-

-

-

-

New product launch costs

1,979

545

-

322

-

177

1,979

46

Product line rationalizations

-

301

-

-

-

154

-

147

Warehouse reorganization

184

-

-

-

-

-

184

-

Severance charges and organizational development

81

98

-

55

-

-

81

43

FDA PMTA

241

70

-

-

-

4

-

-

Adjusted operating income

$

16,123

$

15,299

$

9,528

$

6,439

$

12,931

$

11,266

$

1,011

$

2,775

Robert Lavan, Senior Vice President, CFO

[email protected] (502) 774-9238

Source: Turning Point Brands

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