• Karat Packaging Reports 2024 First Quarter Financial Results

    ソース: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 09 5 2024 15:10:00   America/Chicago

    CHINO, Calif., May 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Karat Packaging Inc. (Nasdaq: KRT) (“Karat” or the “Company”), a specialty distributor and manufacturer of environmentally friendly, disposable foodservice products and related items, today announced financial results for its 2024 first quarter ended March 31, 2024.

    First Quarter 2024 Highlights

    • Net sales of $95.6 million, versus $95.8 million in the prior-year quarter.
    • Gross profit of $37.6 million, versus $38.1 million in the prior-year quarter.
    • Gross margin of 39.3 percent versus 39.8 percent in the prior-year quarter.
    • Net income of $6.5 million, including a negative tax-effected impact of $1.5 million from a non-cash impairment of an operating right-of-use asset, versus $9.2 million in the prior-year quarter.
    • Net income margin of 6.8 percent, including a negative impact of the non-cash impairment of 1.6 percent, versus 9.6 percent in the prior-year quarter.
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $13.5 million, versus $15.3 million in the prior-year quarter.
    • Adjusted EBITDA margin of 14.2 percent, versus 15.9 percent in the prior-year quarter.

    Guidance

    • Net sales for the 2024 second quarter expected to increase by mid-single digits from the prior-year quarter.
    • Gross margin for the 2024 second quarter expected to be 38 to 40 percent versus 38.5 percent for the prior-year quarter.
    • Net sales for the 2024 full year expected to increase 8 to 15 percent from the prior year.
    • Gross margin goal for the 2024 full year to be 37 to 40 percent versus 37.7 percent from the previous year.

    “The strategic growth initiatives we implemented last year are coming to fruition,” said Alan Yu, Chief Executive Officer. “Our new business pipeline continues to grow, as we are adding new customers and gaining wallet share with existing accounts. We are encouraged by our performance in the first quarter, with sales volume growth, and sustained near record high gross margin.

    “Demand for Karat’s eco-friendly products continues to show strong momentum. Sales in this category grew 5.6 percent in the first quarter and comprised approximately 34.5 percent of total sales, up from 32.6 percent a year ago. Eco-friendly products remain a priority for Karat, as we continue to develop new and innovative products and build inventory to meet growing demand from customers.

    “Our newly established distribution center in Arizona is now fully operational, providing meaningful operating efficiencies and allowing us to optimize our warehouse footprint in the Southwest region. The move to Arizona from California will reduce our rent expense and enable us to further penetrate new markets,” Yu added.

    First Quarter 2024 Financial Results
    Net sales for the 2024 first quarter were $95.6 million compared with $95.8 million for the same quarter last year. Current quarter net sales were understated by $0.7 million from products shipped and recognized as revenue in 2023 and not delivered until 2024. The amount of revenue deferred for products shipped in March 2024 but not delivered until April 2024 was $1.9 million. The decrease in 2024 first quarter net sales also reflected unfavorable year-over-year pricing comparison, partially offset by an increase from volume and product mix and the inclusion of online sales platform fees.

    Gross profit for the 2024 first quarter decreased to $37.6 million from $38.1 million for the same quarter last year. Gross margin for the 2024 first quarter was 39.3 percent versus 39.8 percent for the same quarter last year. Gross profit for the current quarter was understated by $0.3 million related to the timing of revenue recognition, as discussed above. The amount of gross margin deferred for products shipped in March 2024 but not delivered until April 2024 was $0.8 million. Gross margin for the current quarter included a net favorable impact of 80 basis points from the inclusion of online platform fees in net sales and production expenses in cost of goods sold. Gross margin for the current quarter also benefited from the strengthening of the United States Dollar against Taiwan New Dollar. These favorable impacts were offset by an increase in freight and duty costs as a result of increased import volume following the strategy to scale back domestic manufacturing coupled with higher freight and container rates.

    Operating expenses in the 2024 first quarter were $29.5 million, compared with $25.4 million in the same quarter last year. The increase was primarily due to a non-cash impairment charge of the operating right-of-use asset related to the sublease of a distribution center in California, the inclusion of online sales platform fees in operating expenses, and higher rent and warehouse expense from workforce expansion and additional leased warehouses, partially offset by a decrease in shipping and transportation costs and the inclusion of production costs in cost of goods sold.

    Net income for the 2024 first quarter decreased to $6.5 million, from $9.2 million for the same quarter last year. Net income margin was 6.8 percent in the 2024 first quarter, compared with 9.6 percent a year ago.

    Net income attributable to Karat for the 2024 first quarter was $6.2 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, compared with $9.0 million, or $0.45 per diluted share in the prior-year quarter.

    Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure defined below, totaled $13.5 million for the 2024 first quarter, compared with $15.3 million for the same quarter last year. Adjusted EBITDA margin, a non-GAAP measure defined below, was 14.2 percent of net sales, compared with 15.9 percent for the same quarter last year.

    Adjusted diluted earnings per common share, a non-GAAP measure defined below, was $0.40 per share, compared with $0.46 per share in the prior-year quarter.

    Dividend
    On May 7, 2024, Karat’s board of directors approved an increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.35 per share, from the previous quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share, payable on May 24, 2024, to stockholders of record as of May 17, 2024.

    Investor Conference Call
    The Company will host an investor conference call today, May 9, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time).

    Phone: 646-307-1963 (domestic); 800-715-9871 (international)
    Conference ID: 4383878
    Webcast: Accessible at http://irkarat.com/; archive available for approximately one year

    About Karat Packaging Inc.
    Karat Packaging Inc. is a specialty distributor and manufacturer of a wide range of disposable foodservice products and related items, primarily used by national and regional restaurants and in foodservice settings throughout the United States. Its products include food and take-out containers, bags, tableware, cups, lids, cutlery, straws, specialty beverage ingredients, equipment, gloves and other products. The company’s eco-friendly Karat Earth® line offers quality, sustainably focused products that are made from renewable resources. Karat Packaging also offers customized solutions, including new product development and design, printing, and logistics services. To learn more about Karat Packaging, please visit the company’s website at www.karatpackaging.com.

    Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
    Statements made in this release that are not statements of historical or current facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution readers that forward-looking statements are predictions based on our current expectations about future events. These forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, achieving our financial guidance, are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Our actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including the risks discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” discussed under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part I of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or any updates discussed under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part II of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise that occur after that date, except as required by law.

    Investor Relations and Media Contacts:
    PondelWilkinson Inc.
    Judy Lin /Roger Pondel
    310-279-5980; ir@karatpackaging.com 


    KARAT PACKAGING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
    (In thousands, except share and per share data)
     
     Three Months Ended March 31,
      2024   2023 
    Net sales$95,613  $95,801 
    Cost of goods sold 58,011   57,657 
    Gross profit 37,602   38,144 
    Operating expenses:   
    Selling expenses 10,763   8,701 
    General and administrative expenses (including $556 and $671 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively) 16,769   16,629 
    Impairment expense and loss, net, on disposal of machinery 1,994   82 
    Total operating expenses 29,526   25,412 
    Operating income 8,076   12,732 
    Other income (expenses)   
    Rental income (including $255 and $247 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively) 291   247 
    Other income (expense), net 55   (208)
    Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions 122   (427)
    Interest income (including $213 and $16 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively) 431   67 
    Interest expense (including $517 and $406 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively) (524)  (407)
    Total other income (expenses), net 375   (728)
    Income before provision for income taxes 8,451   12,004 
    Provision for income taxes 1,975   2,818 
    Net income 6,476   9,186 
    Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 310   181 
    Net income attributable to Karat Packaging Inc.$6,166  $9,005 
    Basic and diluted earnings per share:   
    Basic$0.31  $0.45 
    Diluted$0.31  $0.45 
    Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic 19,969,606   19,886,585 
    Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted 20,075,485   19,939,923 


    KARAT PACKAGING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
    (In thousands, except share and per share data)
     
     March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023
    Assets   
    Current assets   
    Cash and cash equivalents (including $4,327 and $13,566 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)$13,144  $23,076 
    Short-term investments (including $7,038 and $0 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) 33,515   26,343 
    Accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debt of $342 and $392 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively 30,111   27,763 
    Inventories 79,272   71,528 
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets (including $78 and $82 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) 4,492   6,219 
    Total current assets 160,534   154,929 
    Property and equipment, net (including $43,882 and $44,185 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) 93,853   95,226 
    Deposits 229   1,047 
    Goodwill 3,510   3,510 
    Intangible assets, net 320   327 
    Operating right-of-use assets 19,360   20,739 
    Other non-current assets (including $67 and $53 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) 1,232   619 
    Total assets$279,038  $276,397 
        
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity   
    Current liabilities   
    Accounts payable (including $68 and $63 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)$21,394  $18,446 
    Accrued expenses (including $171 and $591 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) 11,318   10,576 
    Related party payable 5,300   5,306 
    Customer deposits (including $0 and $116 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023) 725   951 
    Long-term debt, current portion (including $1,139 and $1,122 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) 1,139   1,122 
    Operating lease liabilities, current portion 4,439   4,800 
    Other current liabilities (including $2,186 and $1,302 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) 3,875   3,200 
    Total current liabilities 48,190   44,401 
        
    Deferred tax liability 4,197   4,197 
    Long-term debt, net of current portion and debt discount of $187 and $203 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively (including $48,116 and $48,396 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and debt discount of $187 and $203 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) 48,116   48,396 
    Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion 17,754   16,687 
    Other non-current liabilities 389   26 
    Total liabilities 118,646   113,707 
        
    Karat Packaging Inc. stockholders’ equity   
    Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 —   — 
    Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 19,995,032 and 19,972,032 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, as of March 31, 2024 and 19,988,482 and 19,965,482 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, as of December 31, 2023 20   20 
    Additional paid in capital 87,094   86,667 
    Treasury stock, $0.001 par value, 23,000 shares as of both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (248)  (248)
    Retained earnings 67,537   67,679 
    Total Karat Packaging Inc. stockholders’ equity 154,403   154,118 
    Noncontrolling interest 5,989   8,572 
    Total stockholders’ equity 160,392   162,690 
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$279,038  $276,397 


    KARAT PACKAGING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
    (In thousands)
     
     Three Months Ended March 31,
      2024   2023 
    Cash flows from operating activities   
    Net income$6,476  $9,186 
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:   
    Depreciation and amortization (including $303 and $304 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively) 2,629   2,633 
    Adjustments to allowance for bad debt (12)  (652)
    Adjustments to inventory reserve 40   288 
    Write-off of inventory 293   216 
    Impairment of operating right-of-use asset 1,993   — 
    Loss, net, on disposal of machinery and equipment 1   82 
    Amortization of loan fees (including $15 and $16 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively) 23   17 
    Accrued interest on certificates of deposit (including $38 and $0 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively) (126)  — 
    Stock-based compensation 375   277 
    Amortization of operating right-of-use assets 1,466   997 
    (Increase) decrease in operating assets   
    Accounts receivable (including $0 and $7 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively) (2,336)  (2,409)
    Inventories (8,077)  (207)
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets (including $4 and $52 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively) 1,727   1,023 
    Other non-current assets (including $14 and $88 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively) (190)  9 
    Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities   
    Accounts payable (including $5 and $1 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively) 3,367   (1,978)
    Accrued expenses (including $420 and $415 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively) 742   (1,127)
    Related party payable (6)  4,967 
    Income taxes payable —   1,782 
    Customer deposits (including $0 and $17 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively) (507)  (326)
    Operating lease liabilities (1,474)  (1,067)
    Other non-current liabilities 155   474 
    Net cash provided by operating activities$6,559  $14,185 
      
    Cash flows from investing activities   
    Purchases of property and equipment (163)  (1,042)
    Proceeds on disposal of property and equipment 23   25 
    Deposits paid for joint venture investment —   (2,900)
    Deposits refunded from joint venture investment —   950 
    Deposits paid for property and equipment (761)  (1,718)
    Purchases of short-term investments (including $7,000 and $0 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively) (12,190)  (10,000)
    Redemption of short-term investments 5,144   — 
    Net cash used in investing activities$(7,947) $(14,685)
        
    Cash flows from financing activities   
    Proceeds from long-term debt (including $0 and $8,000 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively) —   8,000 
    Payments for lender fees —   (61)
    Payments on long-term debt (including 278 and $241 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively) (278)  (241)
    Tax withholding on vesting of restricted stock units —   (14)
    Proceeds from exercise of common stock options 52   — 
    Dividends paid to shareholders (5,992)  — 
    Payment for Global Wells noncontrolling membership interest redemption (including $2,010 and $0 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively) (2,326)  — 
    Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities$(8,544) $7,684 
    Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents$(9,932) $7,184 
    Cash and cash equivalents   
    Beginning of year$23,076  $16,041 
    End of year$13,144  $23,225 
    Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:   
    Transfers from deposit to property and equipment$1,148  $4,381 
    Non-cash purchases of property and equipment$159  $1,159 
    Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:   
    Income tax refund$13  $— 
    Cash paid for interest$502  $421 


    KARAT PACKAGING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED)
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)


    Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin:Three Months Ended March 31,
      2024  2023 
     Amounts% of Net SalesAmounts% of Net Sales
    Net income:$6,476 6.8%$9,186 9.6%
    Add (deduct):    
    Interest income (431)(0.5) (67)(0.1)
    Interest expense 524 0.6  407 0.4 
    Provision for income taxes 1,975 2.1  2,818 2.9 
    Depreciation and amortization 2,629 2.7  2,633 2.8 
    Stock-based compensation expense 375 0.4  277 0.3 
    Operating right-of-use asset impairment 1,993 2.1  — — 
    Adjusted EBITDA$13,541 14.2%$15,254 15.9%


    Reconciliation of Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Common ShareThree Months Ended March 31,
      2024   2023
    Diluted earnings per common share:$0.31  $0.45
    Add (deduct):   
    Stock-based compensation expense 0.02   0.01
    Operating right-of-use asset impairment 0.10   —
    Tax impact (0.03)  —
    Adjusted diluted earnings per common shares$0.40  $0.46


    Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA by Entity:Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
     Karat PackagingGlobal WellsEliminationsConsolidated
    Net income:$5,850 $360 $266$6,476 
    Add    
    Interest income (218) (213) — (431)
    Interest expense 7  517  — 524 
    Provision for income taxes 1,975  —  — 1,975 
    Depreciation and amortization 2,326  303  — 2,629 
    Stock-based compensation expense 375  —  — 375 
    Operating right-of-use asset impairment 1,993  —  — 1,993 
    Adjusted EBITDA$12,308 $967 $266$13,541 


    Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA by Entity:Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
     Karat PackagingGlobal WellsEliminationsConsolidated
    Net income (loss):$9,040 $209 $(63)$9,186 
    Add    
    Interest income (51) (33) 17  (67)
    Interest expense 18  406  (17) 407 
    Provision for income taxes 2,818  —  —  2,818 
    Depreciation and amortization 2,330  303  —  2,633 
    Stock-based compensation expense 277  —  —  277 
    Adjusted EBITDA$14,432 $885 $(63)$15,254 
                 

    Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    Karat utilizes certain financial measures and key performance indicators that are not defined by, or calculated in accordance with, GAAP to assess our financial and operating performance. A non-GAAP financial measure is defined as a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance that (i) excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding amounts, that are included in the comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statement of operations; or (ii) includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of including amounts, that are excluded from the comparable GAAP measure so calculated and presented. The following non-GAAP measures are presented in this press release:

    • Adjusted EBITDA is a financial measure calculated as net income excluding (i) interest income, (ii) interest expense, (iii) provision for income taxes, (iv) depreciation and amortization, (v) stock-based compensation expense, and (vi) operating right-of-use asset impairment.
    • Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by net sales.
    • Adjusted diluted earnings per common share is calculated as diluted earnings per common share, plus the per share impact of stock-based compensation, operating right-of-use asset impairment, and adjusted for the related tax effects of these adjustments.

    We believe the above-mentioned non-GAAP measures, which are used by management to assess the core performance of Karat, provide useful information and additional clarity of our operating results to our investors in their own evaluation of the core performance of Karat and facilitate a comparison of such performance from period to period. These are not measurements of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or construed as substitutes for net income or other cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP for purposes of analyzing our profitability or liquidity. These measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, revenue, net income, earnings per share, cash flows or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may not provide information that is directly comparable to that provided by other companies, as other companies may calculate such financial results differently.


    KARAT PACKAGING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    NET SALES BY CATEGORY (UNAUDITED)
    (In thousands)
     
     Three Months Ended March 31,
      2024  2023
     (in thousands)
    National and regional chains$21,470 $21,368
    Distributors 52,827  54,647
    Online 14,879  13,655
    Retail 6,437  6,131
     $95,613 $95,801

     


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