Lancaster Colony Reports Third Quarter Sales And Earnings

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Lancaster Colony Corporation (Nasdaq: LANC) today reported results for the company's third fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015.  All prior-year financial results of the Glassware and Candles segment have been reclassified as discontinued operations due to the sale of effectively all the net operating assets of that segment on January 30, 2014.  Highlights for the quarter:

• Net sales increased 8.9% to a third quarter record $263.4 million versus $241.8 million last year.  Excluding the $1.9 million in sales contributed by the recently acquired Flatout® flatbread business, net sales increased 8.1%.
• Both the retail and foodservice channels contributed to sales growth, with retail volumes particularly strong as this year's earlier Easter holiday shifted seasonal sales into the third quarter while our New York BRAND® frozen garlic bread, New York BRAND® croutons and salad toppings and Olive Garden® retail dressings led a solid year-over-year retail sales performance.  In the foodservice channel, sales volumes to both national chain restaurants and foodservice distributors improved.
• Operating income increased 8.2% to $31.2 million due to the higher sales volume, a more favorable sales mix and a lower trade spend profile.  Reported operating income also reflects nearly $1 million in transaction costs and transitional expenses attributed to the mid-March acquisition of the Flatout® flatbread business.  Ingredient costs were modestly favorable.
• Income from continuing operations was $20.4 million compared to $18.9 million last year.  Earnings per diluted share from continuing operations were $.75 versus $.69 a year ago.
• Third quarter net income also totaled $20.4 million or $.75 per diluted share as there was no impact from discontinued operations.  In the prior-year quarter, inclusive of a pre-tax loss of approximately $44 million on the sale of the company's candle manufacturing and marketing operations, a net loss of $10.4 million or $.38 per share was reported.
• The regular quarterly cash dividend was continued at the higher level of $.46 per share set last quarter.  The company's balance sheet remained debt free on March 31, 2015 with $161.4 million in cash and equivalents.  The reduction in cash from the quarter ended December 31, 2014 reflects the impact of approximately $92 million used to fund the purchase of Flatout Holdings, Inc.

For the nine months ended March 31, 2015, net sales were $826.8 million compared to $782.3 million a year ago.  Income from continuing operations and net income were $76.1 million or $2.78 per diluted share with no impact from discontinued operations in the current year.  Through the first three quarters of last year, income from continuing operations totaled $80.1 million or $2.93 per diluted share and net income was $53.7 million or $1.96 per diluted share.  Net of tax, the loss from discontinued operations, including the loss on sale, totaled $26.4 million or $.97 per share in the year-ago period.         

Chairman and CEO John B. Gerlach, Jr. commented, "We were pleased with the record sales performance this quarter along with the improvement in operating income.  Looking forward to our fiscal fourth quarter, while Easter holiday sales will be absent compared to the prior year, we will capture a full quarter of contribution from our new Flatout® flatbread business.  Commodity costs are expected to be modestly favorable in the upcoming quarter."

Conference Call on the Web

The company's third quarter conference call is scheduled for this morning, April 30, 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:

• the ability to successfully integrate the acquisition of Flatout, Inc.;
• the potential for loss of larger programs or key customer relationships;
• the effect of consolidation of customers within key market channels;
• the success and cost of new product development efforts;
• the lack of market acceptance of new products;
• price and product competition;
• the reaction of customers or consumers to the effect of price increases we may implement;
• 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;
• the extent to which future business acquisitions are completed and acceptably integrated;
• fluctuations in the cost and availability of raw materials and packaging;
• capacity constraints that may affect our ability to meet demand or may increase our costs;
• dependence on contract manufacturers;
• stability of labor relations;
• adverse changes in freight, energy or other costs of producing, distributing or transporting our products;
• dependence on key personnel;
• changes in estimates in critical accounting judgments;
• the outcome of any litigation or arbitration; 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.

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SOURCE Lancaster Colony Corporation