ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Our business is subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from forward looking statements. The following discussion identifies those which we consider to be most important. The following discussion of risks is not all inclusive. Additional risks not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
RISKS THAT AFFECT OUR BUSINESS AS A WHOLE
An interruption of operations or a catastrophic event at our facilities could negatively affect our business.
Although we maintain insurance coverage for various property damage and loss events, an interruption in or loss of operations at any of our production facilities could reduce or postpone production of our products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition. To the extent that our value added products rely on unique or proprietary processes or techniques, replacing lost production by purchasing from outside suppliers would be difficult.
Our customers store a substantial amount of barreled inventory of aged premium bourbon and rye whiskeys at our Lawrenceburg facility and our nearby warehouses in Williamstown, Kentucky and Sunman, Indiana. If a catastrophic event were to occur at our Lawrenceburg facility or our warehouses, our customers’ business could be adversely affected. The loss of a significant amount of aged inventory at these facilities through fire, natural disaster, or otherwise could result in customer claims against us, liability for customer losses, and a reduction of warehouse services revenue.
We also store a substantial amount of our own inventory of aged premium bourbon and rye whiskeys at our Lawrenceburg facility and our nearby warehouses, at our Lux Row facility in Bardstown, KY, and at the facilities of certain third party producers. If a catastrophic event were to occur at any of these locations, our business, financial condition, or results of operations could be adversely affected. The loss of a significant amount of our aged inventory at these facilities through fire, natural disaster, or otherwise, could result in a reduction in supply of the affected product or products and could affect our long- term performance of any affected brands.
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A disruption in transportation services could negatively affect our business.
A disruption in transportation services could result in difficulties supplying materials to our facilities and impact our ability to deliver products to our customers in a timely manner, and our business, financial condition, or results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our profitability is affected by the costs of grain, wheat flour, agave, and natural gas, or input costs, that we use in our business, the availability and costs of which are subject to weather and other factors beyond our control. We may not be able to recover the costs of commodities and energy by increasing our selling prices.
Grain and wheat flour costs are a significant portion of our costs of goods sold. Historically, the cost of such raw materials has, at times, been subject to substantial fluctuation, depending upon a number of factors which affect commodity prices in general and over which we have no control. These include crop conditions, weather, disease, plantings, government programs and policies, competition for acquisition of inputs such as agricultural commodities, purchases by foreign governments, and changes in demand resulting from population growth and customer preferences. Agave is a key ingredient in the production of tequila and is not a traded commodity. Prices for agave are set by independent farmers in specified regions of Mexico, and therefore are subject to fluctuation depending on factors outside of our control. The price of natural gas also fluctuates based on anticipated changes in supply and demand, weather, and the prices of alternative fuels. Fluctuations in the price of commodities and natural gas can be sudden and volatile at times and have had, from time to time, significant adverse effects on the results of our operations. Higher energy costs could result in higher transportation costs and other operating costs.
We do not enter into futures and options contracts ourselves because we can purchase grain and wheat flour for delivery into the future under our grain and wheat flour supply agreements. We intend to contract for the future delivery of grain and wheat flour only to protect margins on expected sales. On the portion of volume not contracted, we attempt to recover higher commodity costs through higher selling prices, but market considerations may not always permit this result. Even where prices can be adjusted, there is likely a lag between when we experience higher commodity or natural gas costs and when we might be able to increase prices. To the extent we are unable to timely pass increases in the cost of raw materials to our customers under sales contracts, market fluctuations in the cost of grain, agave, natural gas, and ethanol may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
We have a high concentration of certain raw material and finished goods purchases from a limited number of suppliers which exposes us to risk.
We have signed supply agreements for our grain supply (primarily corn) and wheat flour. The Company also procures some textured wheat proteins through a third-party toll manufacturer in the United States. Additionally, the Company procures barrels, glass, and bottle closures from third-party vendors. If any of these companies encounters an operational or financial issue, or otherwise cannot meet our supply demands, it could lead to an interruption in supply to us and/or higher prices than those we have negotiated or than are available in the market at the time, and in turn, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
The markets for our products are very competitive, and our business could be negatively affected if we do not compete effectively.
The markets for products in which we participate are very competitive. Our principal competitors in these markets have substantial financial, marketing, and other resources, and several are much larger enterprises than us. Many of our current and potential competitors have larger customer bases, greater name recognition and broader product offerings. In recent years, the global beverage alcohol industry has continued to experience consolidation. Industry consolidation can have varying degrees of impact, including the creation of new and larger competitors. We are dependent on being able to generate sales and other operating income in excess of the costs of products sold in order to obtain margins, profits, and cash flows to meet or exceed our targeted financial performance measures. Competition is based on such factors as product innovation, product characteristics, product taste and quality, pricing, color, and name and brand image.
Pricing of our products is partly dependent upon industry capacity, which is impacted by competitor actions to bring online idled capacity or to build new production capacity. If market conditions make our products too expensive for use in consumer goods, our revenues could be affected. If our principal competitors were to decrease their pricing, we could choose to do the same, which could adversely affect our margins and profitability. If we did not do the same, our revenues could be adversely affected due to the potential loss of sales or market share. Our revenue growth could also be adversely affected if we are not successful in developing new products for our customers or as a result of new product introductions by our competitors. In
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addition, more stringent new customer demands may require us to make internal investments to achieve or sustain competitive advantage and meet customer expectations.
Work disruptions or stoppages by our unionized workforce could cause interruptions in our operations.
As of December 31, 2021, approximately 243 of our 672 employees were members of a union. Although our relations with our three unions are stable, there is no assurance that we will not experience work disruptions or stoppages in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations and could adversely affect our relationships with our customers.
If we were to lose any of our key management personnel, we may not be able to fully implement our strategic plan, and our system of internal controls could be impacted.
We rely on the continued services of key personnel involved in management, finance, product development, sales, manufacturing and distribution, and, in particular, upon the efforts and abilities of our executive management team. The loss of service of any of our key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and on our system of internal controls.
If we cannot attract and retain key management personnel, or if our search for qualified personnel is prolonged, our system of internal controls may be affected, which could lead to an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. In addition, it could be difficult, time consuming, and expensive to replace any key management member or other critical personnel, and no guarantee exists that we will be able to recruit suitable replacements or assimilate new key management personnel into our organization.
Covenants and other provisions in our credit arrangements could hinder our ability to operate. Our failure to comply with covenants in our credit arrangements could result in the acceleration of the debt extended under such agreements, limit our liquidity, and trigger other rights of our lenders.
Our credit arrangements (Note 6, Corporate Borrowings ) contain a number of financial and other covenants that include provisions which require us, in certain circumstances, to meet certain financial tests. These covenants could hinder our ability to operate and could reduce our profitability. The lender may also terminate or accelerate our obligations under our credit arrangements upon the occurrence of various events in addition to payment defaults and other breaches. Any acceleration of our debt or termination of our credit arrangements would negatively impact our overall liquidity and might require us to take other actions to preserve any remaining liquidity. Although we anticipate that we will be able to meet the covenants in our credit arrangements, there can be no assurance that we will do so, as there are a number of external factors that affect our operations over which we have little or no control, that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Product recalls or other product liability claims could materially and negatively affect our business.
Selling products for human consumption involves inherent legal and other risks, including product contamination, spoilage, product tampering, allergens, or other adulteration. We could decide to, or be required to, recall products due to suspected or confirmed product contamination, adulteration, misbranding, tampering, or other deficiencies. Although we maintain product recall insurance, product recalls or market withdrawals could result in significant losses due to their costs, the destruction of product inventory, and lost sales due to the unavailability of the product for a period of time. We could be adversely affected if our customers lose confidence in the safety and quality of certain of our products, or if consumers lose confidence in the food and beverage safety system generally. Negative attention about these types of concerns, whether or not valid, may damage our reputation, discourage consumers from buying our products, or cause production and delivery disruptions.
We may also suffer losses if our products or operations cause injury, illness, or death. In addition, we could face claims of false or deceptive advertising or other criticism. A significant product liability or other legal judgment or a related regulatory enforcement action against us, or a significant product recall, may materially and adversely affect our reputation and profitability. Moreover, even if a product liability or other legal or regulatory claim is unsuccessful, has no merit, or is not pursued, the negative publicity surrounding assertions against our products or processes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
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We are subject to extensive regulation and taxation, as well as compliance with existing or future laws and regulations, which may require us to incur substantial expenditures.
We are subject to a broad range of federal, state, local, and foreign laws and regulations intended to protect public health and the environment. Our operations are also subject to regulation by various federal agencies, including the TTB, OSHA, the FDA, the EPA, and by various state and local authorities. We are also required to conduct business only with holders of licenses to import, warehouse, transport, distribute and sell beverage alcohol products. We cannot assure you that these and other governmental regulations applicable to our industry will not change or become more stringent. Such laws and regulations cover virtually every aspect of our operations, including production and storage facilities, distillation and maturation requirements, importing ingredients, importing and exporting products, distribution of beverage alcohol products, marketing, pricing, labeling, packaging, advertising, trade practices, water usage, waste water discharge, disposal of hazardous wastes and emissions, and other matters.
Violations of any of these laws and regulations may result in administrative, civil, or criminal fines or penalties being levied against us, including temporary or prolonged cessation of production, revocation or modification of permits, performance of environmental investigatory or remedial activities, voluntary or involuntary product recalls, or a cease and desist order against operations that are not in compliance with applicable laws. Changes in laws, regulatory measures, or governmental policies, or the manner in which current ones are interpreted, could cause us to incur material additional costs or liabilities, and jeopardize the growth of our business in the affected market. Specifically, governments may prohibit, impose, or increase limitations on advertising and promotional activities, or times or locations where beverage alcohol may be sold or consumed, or adopt other measures that could limit our opportunities to reach consumers or sell our products. Certain countries historically have banned all television, newspaper, magazine, and digital commerce/advertising for beverage alcohol products. Increases in regulation of this nature could substantially reduce consumer awareness of our products in the affected markets and make the introduction of new products more challenging. These matters may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Tariffs imposed by the U.S. and those imposed in response by other countries, as well as rapidly changing trade relations, could negatively impact our customers and have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Changes in U.S. and foreign governments’ trade policies have resulted in, and may continue to result in, tariffs on imports into and exports from the U.S. The U.S. has imposed tariffs on imports from several countries, including those in the European Union. In response, the European Union has proposed or implemented their own tariffs on certain products including ours and our customers’. Such retaliatory tariffs continue to remain in place and other countries may implement similar tariffs in the future. Any further deterioration of economic relations between the U.S. and other countries or any increase in existing tariffs or the imposition of additional tariffs could result in an increase in the price of our and our customer’s products in those countries and could prompt consumers in those countries to seek alternative products and could potentially impact our financial performance and results of operations.
A failure of one or more of our key information technology (“IT”) systems, networks, processes, associated sites, or service providers could have a negative impact on our business.
We rely on IT systems, networks, and services, including internet sites, data hosting and processing facilities and tools, hardware (including laptops and mobile devices), software and technical applications and platforms, some of which are managed and hosted by third party vendors to assist us in the management of our business. The various uses of these IT systems, networks, and services include, but are not limited to: hosting our internal network and communication systems; enterprise resource planning; processing transactions; summarizing and reporting results of operations; business plans, and financial information; complying with regulatory, legal, or tax requirements; providing data security; and handling other processes necessary to manage our business. Any failure of our IT systems or those of our third party vendors could adversely impact our ability to operate. Routine maintenance or development of new IT systems may result in systems failures, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Increased IT security threats and more sophisticated cyber crime pose a potential risk to the security of our IT systems, networks, and services, as well as the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of our data. This could lead to outside parties having access to our privileged data or strategic information or information regarding our employees, suppliers or customers. Any breach of our data security systems or failure of our IT systems may have a material adverse impact on our business operations and financial results. If the IT systems, networks or service providers we rely upon fail to function properly, or if we or our third party vendors suffer a loss or disclosure of business or other sensitive information due to any number of causes, including power outages, computer and telecommunications failures, viruses, phishing attempts, cyber attacks, malware and
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ransomware attacks, security breaches, natural disasters, and errors by employees, and the disaster recovery plans do not effectively address these failures on a timely basis, we may suffer interruptions in our ability to manage operations and reputational, competitive, or business harm, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. If our critical IT systems or back-up systems or those of our third party vendors were damaged or ceased to function properly, we might have to make a significant investment to repair or replace them. If a ransomware attack or other cybersecurity breach occurs, either internally or at our third-party technology service providers, it is possible we could be prevented from accessing our data which may cause interruptions or delays in our business, cause us to incur remediation costs or require us to pay ransom to a hacker which takes over our systems, or damage our reputation. In addition, such events could result in unauthorized disclosure of material confidential information, and we may suffer financial and reputational damage because of lost or misappropriated confidential information belonging to us or to our partners, our employees, customers, and suppliers. Additionally, we could be exposed to potential liability, litigation, governmental inquiries, investigations or regulatory enforcement actions and we could be subject to the payment of fines or other penalties, legal claims by our suppliers, customers or employees and significant remediation costs. Although we maintain insurance coverage for various cybersecurity risks, we may incur costs or financial losses that are either not insured against or not fully covered through our insurance.
Despite the protections we had in place, in May 2020, we were affected by a ransomware attack that temporarily disrupted production at our Atchison facilities. Our financial information was not affected and there is no evidence that any sensitive or confidential company, supplier, customer or employee data was improperly accessed or extracted from our network. Following the attack, we implemented a variety of measures to further enhance our cybersecurity protections and minimize the impact of any future attack. Cyber threats are constantly evolving however, and although we continually assess and improve our protections, there can be no guarantee that a future cyber event will not occur.
Damage to our reputation, or that of any of our key customers or their brands, could affect our business performance.
The success of our products depends in part upon the positive image that consumers have of our brands and the third party brands that use our products. Contamination, whether arising accidentally or through deliberate third party action, or other events that harm the integrity or consumer support for our and/or our customers’ products could affect the demand for our and/or our customers’ products. Unfavorable media, whether accurate or not, related to our industry, to us, our products, our brands, or to the brands that use our products, marketing, personnel, operations, business performance, or prospects could negatively affect our corporate reputation, stock price, ability to attract high quality talent, or the performance of our business. Negative publicity or commentary on social media outlets could cause consumers to react rapidly by avoiding our brands or by choosing brands offered by our competitors, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property rights or may be accused of infringing intellectual property rights of third parties.
We regard our trademarks, service marks, copyrights, patents, trade dress, trade secrets, proprietary technology, and similar intellectual property as critical to our success, and we rely on trademark, copyright, and patent law, trade secret protection, and confidentiality and/or license agreements with our employees, customers, and others to protect our proprietary rights. We may not be able to discover or determine the extent of any unauthorized use of our proprietary rights. Third parties that license our proprietary rights also may take actions that diminish the value of our proprietary rights or reputation. The protection of our intellectual property may require the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources. Moreover, the steps we take to protect our intellectual property may not adequately protect our rights or prevent third parties from infringing or misappropriating our proprietary rights. Our intellectual property rights may not be upheld if challenged. Such claims, if they are proved, could materially and adversely affect our business. If we are unable to maintain the proprietary nature of our technologies, we may lose any competitive advantage provided by our intellectual property. We and our customers and other users of our products may be subject to allegations that we or they or certain uses of our products infringe the intellectual property rights of third parties. The outcome of any litigation is inherently uncertain. Any intellectual property claims, with or without merit, could be time-consuming and expensive to resolve, could divert management attention from executing our business plan, and could require us or our customers or other users of our products to change business practices, pay monetary damages, or enter into licensing or similar arrangements. Any adverse determination related to intellectual property claims or litigation could be material to our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
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Climate change, or legal, regulatory or market measures to address climate change, may negatively affect our business or operations, and water scarcity or quality could negatively impact our production costs and capacity.
Increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere may have an adverse effect on global temperatures, weather patterns, and the frequency and severity of extreme weather events and natural disasters. In the event that climate change, or legal, regulatory, or market measures enacted to address climate change, has a negative effect on agricultural productivity in the regions from which we procure agricultural products such as corn and wheat, we could be subject to decreased availability or increased prices for such agricultural products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. Increasing regulation of emissions could increase the cost of energy, including fuel, required to operate our facilities or transport and distribute our products, thereby substantially increasing the production, distribution, and supply chain costs associated with our products.
Water is the main ingredient in substantially all of our distillery products and is necessary for the production of our food ingredients. It is also a limited resource, facing unprecedented changes from climate change, increasing pollution, and poor management. As demand for water continues to increase, water becomes more scarce and the quality of available water deteriorates, we may be affected by increasing production costs or capacity constraints, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Our business may suffer from risks related to acquisitions and potential future acquisitions.
Part of our strategic business plan is to grow our business through acquisitions, and we continue to evaluate and engage in discussions concerning potential acquisition opportunities, some of which could be material. For example, in April 2021 we acquired Luxco, Inc. and its affiliated companies (together referred to as “Luxco” and the merger as the “Luxco Merger”). Failure to successfully integrate or otherwise realize the anticipated benefits of the Luxco Merger or other acquisitions could adversely impact our long-term competitiveness and profitability. The integration of any acquisition will involve a number of risks that could harm our financial condition, results of operations and competitive position. In particular:
•the integration plans for our acquisitions are based on benefits that involve assumptions as to future events, including our ability to successfully achieve anticipated synergies, leveraging our existing relationships, as well as general business and industry conditions, many of which are beyond our control and may not materialize. Unforeseen factors may offset components of our integration plans in whole or in part. As a result, our actual results may vary considerably, or be considerably delayed, compared to our estimates;
•the integration process could disrupt the activities of the businesses that are being combined. The combination of companies requires, among other things, coordination of administrative and other functions. In addition, the loss of key employees, customers or vendors of acquired businesses could materially and adversely impact the integration of the acquired businesses;
•the execution of our integration plans may divert the attention of our management from other key responsibilities;
•our financial results may be negatively impacted by cash expenses and non-cash charges incurred in connection with an acquisition if goodwill or other intangible assets we acquire become impaired;
•we may enter new markets or markets in which we have limited prior experience;
•we may incur substantial indebtedness to finance an acquisition, enhancing our vulnerability to increased debt service requirements should interest rates rise, reducing the amount of expected cash flow available for other purposes, including capital expenditures and acquisitions, and limiting our flexibility in planning for or reacting to changes in our businesses and industries;
•we may assume unanticipated liabilities and contingencies or other exposures (including regulatory risks) for which we do not have adequate insurance coverage, indemnification or other protection; or
•our acquisition targets could fail to perform in accordance with our expectations at the time of purchase.
Our ability to grow through the acquisition of additional brands is also dependent upon identifying acceptable acquisition targets and opportunities, our ability to consummate prospective transactions on favorable terms, or at all, and the availability of capital to complete the necessary acquisition arrangements. We intend to finance our brand acquisitions through a combination of our available cash resources, third-party financing and, in appropriate circumstances, the further issuance of equity and/or debt securities. The issuance of our Common Stock or securities convertible into our Common Stock to fund an acquisition could substantially dilute the ownership percentage of our current stockholders. For example, in connection with the Luxco Merger we issued approximately 5.0 million shares of Common Stock. In addition, shares issued in connection with future acquisitions could be publicly tradable, which could result in a material decrease in the market price of our Common Stock.
Acquiring additional brands could have a significant effect on our financial position and could cause substantial fluctuations in our quarterly and yearly operating results. Also, acquisitions could result in the recording of significant goodwill and intangible
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assets on our financial statements, the amortization or impairment of which would reduce reported earnings in subsequent years.
The uncertain and rapidly changing COVID-19 pandemic could disrupt or otherwise negatively impact our operations, including the demand for our products and our ability to produce and deliver our products.
The ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic has resulted in a widespread health crisis, which has negatively impacted and could continue to negatively impact the global economy. The near and long-term impacts of COVID-19 are unknown and impossible to predict with any level of certainty. The global and regional impact of the pandemic, including official or unofficial quarantines and governmental restrictions on activities taken in response to the outbreak, could have a negative impact on our operations, including voluntary or mandatory temporary closures of our facilities or offices; interruptions in our supply chain, which could impact the cost or availability of raw materials; disruptions or restrictions on our ability to travel or to market and distribute our products; reduced consumer demand for our products or those of our customers due to bar and restaurant closures or reduced consumer traffic in bars, restaurants and other locations where our products or those of our customers are sold; and labor shortages.
Furthermore, our facilities and those of our customers and suppliers have been required to comply with additional regulations and may be required to comply with new regulations imposed by state and local governments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including COVID-19 safety guidance for production and manufacturing facilities. Compliance with these measures, or new measures, may cause increases in the cost, or delays or reduction in the volume, of products produced at our facilities or those of our suppliers. The COVID-19 outbreak has disrupted credit markets, and may continue to disrupt or negatively impact credit markets, which could adversely affect the availability and cost of capital. Such impacts could limit our ability to fund our operations and satisfy our obligations.
The response to COVID-19 has resulted in social distancing, travel bans, temporary closures of businesses, shelter-in-place orders, and quarantines, among other measures. Although certain of the restrictions have begun, and may continue, to ease in some places, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has limited and may continue to limit access to our facilities, customers, management, support staff, professional advisors and our independent auditors. These factors, in turn, may not only impact our operations, financial condition and demand for our products but our overall ability to react timely to mitigate the impact of this ongoing event. Also, these measures may continue to hamper our efforts to comply with our filing obligations with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The extent of the impact on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations is dependent on the length and severity of the pandemic. Vaccines to prevent COVID-19 were approved by health agencies in the U.S. and other countries in which the Company operates, which began to be administered near the end of calendar year 2020. Distribution of the vaccines has been slower than anticipated. In addition, new strains of the virus appear to have increased transmissibility, which could complicate treatment and vaccination programs. The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented situation and the Company’s understanding of and response to its impacts is changing and evolving. The additional risk factors identified here are based upon information known at this time. The COVID-19 pandemic may adversely impact the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations in one or more ways not identified to date.
RISKS SPECIFIC TO OUR DISTILLERY PRODUCTS AND BRANDED SPIRITS SEGMENTS
The relationship between the price we pay for grain and the sales prices of our distillery co-products can fluctuate significantly and negatively impact our business.
Distillers feed, fuel grade alcohol, and corn oil are the principal co-products of our alcohol production process and can contribute in varying degrees to the profitability of our Distillery Products segment. Distillers feed and corn oil are sold for prices which historically have tracked the price of corn, but are also susceptible to other factors. In the case of distillers feed, other factors could include weather, other available feedstock, and global trade relations. In the case of corn oil, other factors could include soy oil and the overall level of ethanol production. We sell fuel grade alcohol, the prices for which typically, but not always, have tracked price fluctuations in gasoline prices. As a result, the profitability of these products could be adversely affected, which could be material to our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Our strategic plan involves significant investment in the aging of barreled distillate. Decisions concerning the quantity of maturing stock of our aged distillate could materially affect our future profitability.
There is an inherent risk in determining the quantity of maturing stock of aged distillate to lay down in a given year for future sales as a result of changes in consumer demand, pricing, new brand launches, changes in product cycles, increase in
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competitive supply, and other factors. Demand for products could change significantly between the time of production and the date of sale. It may be more difficult to make accurate predictions regarding new products and brands. Inaccurate decisions and/ or estimations could lead to an inability to supply future demand or lead to a future surplus of inventory and consequent writedown in the value of maturing stocks of aged distillate. As a result, our business, financial condition, or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
Warehouse expansion issues could negatively impact our operations and our business.
Our future business operations may require additional warehouse capacity. In the event additional warehouse capacity is required, there is the potential risk of completion delays, including risk of delay associated with required permits and cost overruns, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Class action or other litigation relating to alcohol abuse or the misuse of alcohol could adversely affect our business.
Our industry faces the possibility of class action or similar litigation alleging that the continued excessive use or abuse of beverage alcohol has caused death or serious health problems. It is also possible that governments could assert that the use of alcohol has significantly increased government funded health care costs. Litigation or assertions of this type have adversely affected companies in the tobacco industry, and it is possible that we, as well as our customers and suppliers, could be named in litigation of this type.
Also, lawsuits have been brought in a number of states alleging that beverage alcohol manufacturers and marketers have improperly targeted underage consumers in their advertising. Plaintiffs in these cases allege that the defendants’ advertisements, marketing and promotions violate the consumer protection or deceptive trade practices statutes in each of these states and seek repayment of the family funds expended by the underage consumers. While we have not been named in these lawsuits, we could be named in similar lawsuits in the future. Any class action or other litigation asserted against us could be expensive and time-consuming to defend against, depleting our cash and diverting our personnel resources and, if the plaintiffs in such actions were to prevail, our business could be harmed significantly.
A change in public opinion about alcohol could reduce demand for our products.
For many years, there has been a high level of social and political attention directed at the beverage alcohol industry. The attention has focused largely on public health concerns related to alcohol abuse, including drunk driving, underage drinking, and the negative health impacts of the abuse and misuse of beverage alcohol. Anti-alcohol groups have, in the past, advocated successfully for more stringent labeling requirements, higher taxes, and other regulations designed to discourage alcohol consumption. More restrictive regulations, higher taxes, negative publicity regarding alcohol consumption and/or changes in consumer perceptions of the relative healthfulness or safety of beverage alcohol could decrease sales and consumption of alcohol, and thus, the demand for our products. This could, in turn, significantly decrease both our revenues and our revenue growth and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Changes in consumer preferences and purchases, and our ability to anticipate or react to them, could negatively affect our business results.
We operate in highly competitive markets, and our success depends on our continued ability to offer our customers and consumers appealing, high-quality products. In recent years there has been increased demand for the products we produce, including, in particular, increased demand for bourbons and rye whiskeys. Customer and consumer preferences and purchases may shift due to a host of factors, many of which are difficult to predict, including:
•demographic and social trends;
•economic conditions;
•product innovations;
•public health policies and initiatives;
•changes in government regulation and taxation of beverage alcohol products;
•the expansion of, legalization of, and increased acceptance or use of, marijuana; and
•changes in travel, leisure, dining, entertaining, and beverage consumption trends.
Our success depends in part on fulfilling available opportunities to meet consumer needs and anticipating changes in consumer preferences with successful new products and product innovations. If our customers and consumers shift away from spirits (particularly brown spirits, such as our premium bourbon and rye whiskeys), our business, financial condition, or results of operations could be adversely affected.
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In addition, our continued success depends, in part, on our ability to develop new products. The launch and ongoing success of new products are inherently uncertain especially with regard to their appeal to consumers. The launch of a new product can give rise to a variety of costs and an unsuccessful launch, among other things, can affect consumer perception of existing brands and our reputation. Unsuccessful implementation or short-lived popularity of our product innovations may result in inventory write-offs and other costs.
Changes in excise taxes, incentives and customs duties related to products containing alcohol could adversely affect our business.
Products containing alcohol are subject to excise taxation in many markets at the federal, state and/or local level. Any increase in federal, state or local excise taxes could have an adverse effect on our business by increasing prices and reducing demand, particularly if excise tax levels increase substantially relative to those for beer and wine. In addition, products containing alcohol are the subject of customs duties in many countries around the world. An unanticipated increase in customs duties in the markets where we may sell our products could also adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows.
Failure of our distributors to distribute our products adequately within their territories could adversely affect our business.
We are required by law to use state-licensed distributors or, in 17 states known as “control states,” state-owned agencies performing this function, to sell our products to retail outlets, including liquor stores, bars, restaurants and national chains in the United States. We have established relationships for our brands with a limited number of wholesale distributors; however, failure to maintain those relationships could significantly and adversely affect our business, sales and growth. We currently distribute our products in all 50 states.
Over the past decade there has been increasing consolidation, both intrastate and interstate, among distributors. As a result, many states now have only two or three significant distributors. Also, there are several distributors that now control distribution for several states. If we fail to maintain good relations with a distributor, our products could, in some instances be frozen out of one or more markets entirely. The ultimate success of our products also depends in large part on our distributors’ ability and desire to distribute our products to our desired U.S. target markets, as we rely significantly on them for product placement and retail store penetration. In addition, all of our distributors also distribute competitive brands and product lines. We cannot assure you that our U.S. distributors will continue to purchase our products, commit sufficient time and resources to promote and market our brands and product lines, or that they can or will sell them to our desired or targeted markets. If they do not, our sales will be harmed, resulting in a decline in our results of operations.
Moreover, the retail industry, particularly in Europe, North America and other countries in which we operate, continues to consolidate, resulting in larger retailers with increased purchasing power, which may affect our competitiveness in these markets. Larger retailers may seek to improve their profitability and sales by asking for lower prices or increased trade spending. The efforts of retailers could result in reduced profitability for the distilled spirits industry as a whole and indirectly adversely affect our financial results.
Failure of our products to secure and maintain listings in the control states could adversely affect our business.
In the control states, the state liquor commissions act in place of distributors and decide which products are to be purchased and offered for sale in their respective states. Products selected for listing in control states must generally reach certain volumes and/or profit levels to maintain their listings. Products in control states are selected for purchase and sale through listing procedures, which are generally made available to new products only at periodically scheduled listing interviews. Products not selected for listings can only be purchased by consumers in the applicable control state through special orders, if at all. If, in the future, we are unable to maintain our current listings in the control states, or secure and maintain listings in those states for any additional products we may develop or acquire, sales of our products could decrease significantly, which would have a material adverse financial effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
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Significant additional labeling or warning requirements or limitations on the availability of our products could inhibit sales of affected products.
Various jurisdictions have adopted or may seek to adopt significant additional product labeling or warning requirements or limitations on the availability of our products relating to the content or perceived adverse health consequences of some of our products. Several such labeling regulations or laws require warnings on any product with substances that the jurisdiction lists as potentially associated with cancer or birth defects. Our products already raise health and safety concerns for some regulators, and heightened requirements could be imposed. If additional or more severe requirements of this type are imposed on one or more of our major products under current or future health, environmental, or other laws or regulations, they could inhibit sales of such products. Further, we cannot predict whether our products will become subject to increased rules and regulations, which, if enacted, could increase our costs or adversely impact sales. For example, advocacy groups in Australia and the United Kingdom have called for the consideration of requiring the sale of alcohol in plain packaging with more comprehensive health warnings in an effort to change drinking habits in those countries. These studies could result in additional governmental regulations concerning the production, marketing, labeling, or availability of our products, any of which could damage our reputation, make our premium brands unrecognizable, or reduce demand of our products, which could adversely affect our profitability.
International operations, worldwide and domestic economic trends and financial market conditions, geopolitical uncertainty, or changes to international trade agreements and tariffs, import and excise duties, other taxes, or other governmental rules and regulations could adversely affect our business.
Our products are in numerous countries and we have production facilities currently in the U.S., Mexico and Northern Ireland. Risks associated with international operations, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition, and/or results of operations, include:
•changes in local political, economic, social, and labor conditions;
•potential disruption from socio-economic violence, including terrorism and drug-related violence;
•restrictions on foreign ownership and investments or on repatriation of cash earned in countries outside the U.S.;
•import and export requirements and border accessibility;
•currency exchange rate fluctuations;
•a less developed and less certain legal and regulatory environment in some countries, which, among other things, can create uncertainty regarding contract enforcement, intellectual property rights, privacy obligations, real property rights, and liability issues; and
•inadequate levels of compliance with applicable anti-bribery laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Unfavorable global or regional economic conditions, including economic slowdown and the disruption, volatility and tightening of credit and capital markets, as well as unemployment, tax increases, governmental spending cuts, or a return of high levels of inflation, could affect consumer spending patterns and purchases of our products. These could also create or exacerbate credit issues, cash flow issues, and other financial hardships for us and our suppliers, distributors, retailers, and consumers. The inability of suppliers, distributors, and retailers to access liquidity could impact our ability to produce and distribute our products.
These international, economic, and political uncertainties could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition, and/or results of operations, especially to the extent these matters, or the decisions, policies or economic strength of our suppliers and distributors, affect our business, liquidity, financial condition, and/or results of operations.
Our global business is subject to commercial, political, and financial risks.
Our products are sold in more than 48 countries; accordingly, we are subject to risks associated with doing business internationally, including commercial, political, and financial risks. In addition, we are subject to potential business disruption caused by military conflicts; potentially unstable governments or legal systems; civil or political upheaval or unrest; local labor policies and conditions; possible expropriation, nationalization, or confiscation of assets; problems with repatriation of foreign earnings; economic or trade sanctions; closure of markets to imports; anti-American sentiment; terrorism or other types of violence in or outside the United States; and health pandemics (such as COVID-19). If shipments of our products to our international markets were to experience significant disruption due to these risks or for other reasons, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
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Failure to comply with anti-corruption laws, trade sanctions and restrictions, or similar laws or regulations may have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.
We market and sell our products in over 48 countries. Some of the countries where we do business have a higher risk of corruption than others. While we are committed to doing business in accordance with applicable anti-corruption laws, trade sanctions and restrictions, and other similar laws and regulations, along with our Code of Conduct and our other policies, we remain subject to the risk that an employee, or one of our business partners, may take action determined to be in violation of international trade, money laundering, anti-corruption, or other laws, sanctions, or regulations, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the U.K. Bribery Act 2010, or equivalent local laws. Because the COVID-19 pandemic has so negatively impacted local economies, government intervention in local economies and businesses has increased, which in turn can create elevated risk and opportunity for corruption. Any determination that our operations or activities are not in compliance with applicable laws or regulations, particularly those related to anti-corruption and international trade, could result in investigations, interruption of business, loss of business partner relationships, suspension or termination of licenses and permits (our own or those of our partners), imposition of fines, legal or equitable sanctions, negative publicity, and management distraction. Any press coverage associated with misconduct under these laws and regulations, even if unwarranted or baseless, could damage our reputation and sales. Further, our continued compliance with applicable anti-corruption or other laws or regulations, our Code of Conduct and our other policies could result in higher operating costs.
We also operate our business and market our products in countries that may be subject to export control regulations, embargoes, economic sanctions and other forms of trade restrictions imposed by the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and other participants in the international community. For example, we have a distributor that sells our products in Russia and Ukraine. We do not sell directly into the Crimea region, but indirect shipments could potentially occur. New or expanded export control regulations, economic sanctions, embargoes or other forms of trade restrictions imposed on countries in which we or our associates do business may curtail our existing business and may result in serious economic challenges in these geographies, which could have a material adverse effect on our and our associates’ operations, and may result in impairment charges on goodwill or other intangible assets.
Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
The more we expand our business internationally, the more foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations relative to the U.S. dollar influence our financial results. In some markets outside the United States, we sell our products and pay for some goods, services, and talent primarily in local currencies. Because our foreign currency revenues exceed our foreign currency expense, we have a net exposure to changes in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to those currencies. Over time, our reported financial results will be hurt by a stronger U.S. dollar and improved by a weaker one. We do not attempt to hedge our foreign currency exposure.
RISKS SPECIFIC TO OUR INGREDIENT SOLUTIONS SEGMENT
Our focus on higher margin specialty ingredients may make us more reliant on fewer, more profitable customer relationships.
Our strategic plan for our Ingredient Solutions segment includes focusing our efforts on the sale of specialty proteins and starches to targeted domestic consumer packaged goods customers. Our major focus is directed at food ingredients, which are primarily used in foods that are developed to address consumers’ desire for healthier and more convenient products; these consist of dietary fiber, wheat protein isolates and concentrates, and textured wheat proteins. The bulk of our applications, technology, and research and development efforts are dedicated to providing customers with specialty ingredient solutions that deliver nutritional benefits, as well as desired functional and sensory qualities to their products. Our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially adversely affected if our customers were to reduce their new product development (“NPD”) activities or cease using our unique dietary fibers, starches, and proteins in their NPD efforts.
Adverse public opinion about any of our specialty ingredients could reduce demand for our products.
Consumer preferences with respect to our specialty ingredients might change. In fact, in recent years, we have noticed shifting consumer preferences and media attention directed to gluten, gluten intolerance, and “clean label” products. Shifting consumer preferences could decrease demand for our specialty ingredients. This could, in turn, significantly decrease our revenues and revenue growth, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
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RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMMON STOCK
Common Stockholders have limited rights under our Articles of Incorporation.
Under our Articles of Incorporation, holders of our Preferred Stock are entitled to elect five of our nine directors and only holders of our Preferred Stock are entitled to vote with respect to a merger, dissolution, lease, exchange or sale of substantially all of our assets, or on an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, unless such action would increase or decrease the authorized shares or par value of the Common or Preferred Stock, or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the Common or Preferred Stock so as to affect the holders of Common Stock adversely. Generally, the Common Stock and Preferred Stock vote as separate classes on all other matters requiring stockholder approval. The majority of the outstanding shares of our Preferred Stock is beneficially owned by one individual, who is effectively in control of the election of five of our nine directors under our Articles of Incorporation. We have various mechanisms in place to discourage takeover attempts, which may reduce or eliminate our stockholders’ ability to sell their shares for a premium in a change of control transaction.
Various provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and bylaws and of Kansas corporate law may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control or takeover attempt of our Company by a third party which our management and Board of Directors opposes. Public stockholders who might desire to participate in such a transaction may not have the opportunity to do so. These antitakeover provisions could substantially impede the ability of public stockholders to benefit from a change of control or change in our management and Board of Directors. These provisions include:
•Preferred Stock that could be issued by our Board of Directors to make it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or to discourage a third party from acquiring, a majority of our outstanding voting stock;
•non-cumulative voting directors;
•limitations on the ability of stockholders to call special meetings of stockholders; and
•advance notice requirements for nominations of candidates for election to our Board of Directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by our stockholders at stockholder meetings.
We are authorized to issue up to a total of 40,000,000 shares of Common Stock, potentially diluting equity ownership of current holders and the share price of our Common Stock
We believe that it is necessary to maintain a sufficient number of available authorized shares of our Common Stock in order to provide us with the flexibility to issue Common Stock for business purposes that may arise as deemed advisable by our Board. These purposes could include, among other things, (i) to declare future stock dividends or stock splits, which may increase the liquidity of our shares; (ii) the sale of stock to obtain additional capital or to acquire other companies or businesses, which could enhance our growth strategy or allow us to reduce debt if needed; (iii) use in additional stock incentive programs and (iv) other bona fide purposes. Our Board of Directors may issue the available authorized shares of Common Stock without notice to, or further action by, our stockholders, unless stockholder approval is required by law or the rules of the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The issuance of additional shares of Common Stock may significantly dilute the equity ownership of the current holders of our Common Stock. Further, over the course of time, all of the issued shares have the potential to be publicly traded, perhaps in large blocks. This may result in dilution of the market price of the Common Stock.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
As of February 24, 2022, our material properties include:
Location Principal Activities Segment
United States:
Lenexa, Kansas (a) Office space Corporate
Sunman, Indiana Warehousing facility Distillery Products
Williamstown, Kentucky Warehousing facility Distillery Products
Lebanon, Kentucky Distillery, office space, and retail location Branded Spirits
Cleveland, Ohio Bottling facility and office space Branded Spirits
Washington, D.C. Distillery, office space, and retail location Branded Spirits
International:
Arandas, Mexico (b) Distillery, office space, retail location Branded Spirits
(a) Facility is leased
(b) This property is owned and operated by our joint venture, LMX
These facilities are generally in good operating condition and are generally suitable for the business activity conducted therein. All of our owned properties are subject to mortgages in favor of one or more of our lenders. We also own or lease transportation equipment and facilities and a gas pipeline.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is, from time to time, a party to legal or regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of its business. The discussion regarding litigation in Note 10, Commitments and Contingencies, included elsewhere in this report is incorporated herein by reference.
In accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), we record a liability when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. These liabilities are reviewed at least quarterly and adjusted to reflect the impacts of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and other information and events pertaining to a particular case or proceeding.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDERS MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Equity compensation plan information is incorporated by reference from Part III, Item 12, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters,” of this document, should be considered an integral part of Item 5. Our Common Stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol MGPI. As of February 18, 2022, there were approximately 334 holders of record of our Common Stock. According to reports received from NASDAQ, the average daily trading volume of our Common Stock (excluding block trades) ranged from 20,400 to 473,800 shares during the year ended December 31, 2021.
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STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the cumulative total return of our Common Stock for the five year period ended December 31, 2021, against the cumulative total return of the S&P 500 Stock Index (broad market comparison), Russell 3000 (broad market comparison), and Russell 2000 - Consumer Staples (line of business comparison). The graph assumes $100 (one hundred dollars) was invested on December 31, 2016, and that all dividends were reinvested.
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY ISSUER
We did not sell equity securities during the quarter ended December 31, 2021.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Total 2 —
(a)Vested RSU awards under the 2014 Plan that were purchased to cover employee withholding taxes.
(b)On February 25, 2019, our Board of Directors approved a $25,000 share repurchase plan commencing February 27, 2019 through February 27, 2022. Under the share repurchase program, we can repurchase stock from time to time for cash in open market purchases, block transactions, and privately negotiated transactions in accordance with applicable federal securities laws. This share repurchase program may be modified, suspended, or terminated by us at any time without prior notice.
ITEM 6. [Reserved]
The selected financial data is no longer required under the amendment to Item 301 and 302 of Regulation S-K contained in SEC
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No. 33 - 10890, which became effective on February 10, 2021. There were no material retrospective changes to the Consolidated Statement of Income for any quarters in the two most recent fiscal years that would require this disclosure.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
CAUTIONARY NOTE CONCERNING FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS
This Report on Form 10-K contains forward looking statements as well as historical information. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, regarding the prospects of our industry and our prospects, plans, financial position, and strategic plan may constitute forward looking statements. In addition, forward looking statements are usually identified by or are associated with such words as “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “hopeful,” “should,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “encouraged,” “opportunities,” “potential,” and/or the negatives or variations of these terms or similar terminology. Forward looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward looking statements. A detailed discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward looking statements is included in the section titled “Risk Factors” (Item 1A of this Form 10-K). Forward looking statements are made as of the date of this report, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is designed to provide a reader of MGP’s consolidated financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of management. MGP’s MD&A is presented in nine sections:
•Overview
•Recent Developments
•Results of Operations
•Distillery Products Segment
•Branded Spirits Segment
•Ingredient Solutions Segment
•Cash Flow, Financial Condition and Liquidity
•Critical Accounting Estimates
•New Accounting Pronouncements
OVERVIEW
MGP is a leading producer and supplier of premium distilled spirits, branded spirits and food ingredients. Distilled spirits include premium bourbon and rye whiskeys and GNS, including vodka and gin. Our distilled spirits are either packaged and sold under our own brands to distributors, sold directly or indirectly to manufacturers of other branded spirits, or direct to consumers. We are also a top producer of high quality industrial alcohol for use in both food and non-food applications. Our protein and starch food ingredients provide a host of functional, nutritional and sensory benefits for a wide range of food products to serve the consumer packaged goods industry. Our industrial alcohol and ingredients products are sold directly, or through distributors, to manufacturers and processors of finished packaged goods or to bakeries. The Company reports three operating segments; Distillery Products, Branded Spirits and Ingredient Solutions.
Our strategic plan is designed to leverage our history and strengths as well as to leverage the positive macro trends we see in the industries where we compete while providing better insulation from outside factors, including swings in commodity pricing.
Distillery Products Segment
Our Distillery Products segment mission is to cultivate lasting partnerships with customers across all product categories by leveraging our strong sales and operating platform, aging whiskey inventory, and unique project development skills. The favorable macro trends benefiting our business include the expansion of the distilled spirits’ share within beverage alcohol, particularly growth of the American whiskey category that has continued to expand over the past several years. This includes shifting sales mix to higher margin products, such as premium bourbon and rye whiskeys, as well as extending the product range of distilled gins and grain neutral spirits (“GNS”), the base component for vodka. Our Distillery Products segment is also subject to unfavorable macro trends which include increased competition as industry participants seek to capitalize on consumer
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trends. Our strategy within the Distillery Products segment is to continue migrating away from industrial alcohol to white beverage alcohol, cultivate additional multi-national and craft customers for brown goods sales, enhance offerings to become a beverage alcohol “solution provider”, develop an export market for our aged brown goods, and attract control label customers to boost overall brown goods growth.
We continued to focus on attracting and developing customers for our premium beverage alcohol products during 2021 as well as shifting our focus from industrial alcohol to white beverage alcohol. Distillery Products segment sales for 2021 increased 12.5 percent over the prior year.
Branded Spirits Segment
Our Branded Spirits segment mission is to align our product offering and enhance focus on growing spirits categories and price tiers. The favorable macro industry trends benefiting our business include growth in high-end whiskey and tequila brands as well as growth across all spirit categories in the high-end price tiers. Our Branded Spirits segment is also subject to unfavorable macro trends, which include increased competition as industry participants seek to capitalize on consumer trends. Our strategy for the Branded Spirits segment is to focus on the categories, brands, price points, bottle size and market support that will maximize profit for the Company.
On January 22, 2021, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Luxco, Inc. and its affiliates (“Luxco”), and subsequently completed the merger on April 1, 2021 (the “Merger”). As a result of the Merger, we have increased our scale and market position in the branded-spirits sector and believe it has strengthened our platform for future growth of higher valued-added products. The Branded Spirits segment sales for 2021 increased 4,324.3 percent over the prior year.
Ingredient Solutions Segment
Our Ingredient Solutions segment mission is to remain a strategic business partner of choice earning meaningful relationships through collaboration, innovation, and dedication to the best-in-class customer service. The favorable macro industry trends benefiting our business include growth and focus on high fiber, high protein, meat alternative, plant-based protein, and non-GMO Products. We continue to provide outstanding customer solutions, taking advantage of our position within growing consumer trends. Our strategy within the Ingredient Solutions segment is to expand our market share of specialty wheat starch and protein product lines, expand textured plant protein capabilities within specialty wheat proteins, maximize the value of clean label starches, and optimize our customer set, route to market, and channels to drive profitability. Ingredient Solutions segment sales for 2021 increased 16.1 percent over the prior year, primarily due to increased sales of specialty wheat starches and proteins, and commodity wheat starches.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Merger with Luxco. On January 22, 2021, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Luxco, and subsequently completed the Merger on April 1, 2021. Luxco is a leading branded beverage alcohol company across various categories, with a more than 60-year business heritage. Following the Merger, Luxco became a wholly-owned subsidiary of MGP and is included in the Branded Spirits segment. (See Note 4, Business Combinations, for additional information).
Dryer Fire Incident. During November 2020, we experienced a fire at the Atchison facility. The fire damaged certain equipment in the facility’s feed drying operations and caused temporary loss of production time. At December 31, 2021, we received a legally binding commitment from our insurance carrier for final settlement of $43,688, $27,363 was related to business interruption and $16,325 was for the damaged dryer. The business interruption portion of the settlement was recorded as a reduction of Cost of sales on the Consolidated Statement of Income and the insurance recoveries for the replacement of the damaged dryer was recorded as Insurance recoveries on the Consolidated Statement of Income. We recorded a settlement related to the business interruption from our insurance carrier of $23,583 and $3,780 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Our insurance provided coverage for business interruption and other losses from damage to property, plant and equipment, less deductibles. We completed the construction of the replacement dryer and placed the dryer into service during 2021.
COVID-19. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and new variants are discovered, we are monitoring the guidance from federal, state and local public health authorities and will take the necessary actions to comply with the updated guidelines. The Company’s business is part of the United States’ critical infrastructure and thus is deemed to be an “essential business.” As such, we continue to take the necessary and appropriate actions designed to protect our workforce as it continues its critical operations. We have continued to operate without any significant negative impacts; however continued operations could be affected by voluntary or mandatory temporary closures of our facilities, interruptions to our supply chain or additional efforts to protect the health and safety of our employees. As of the date of this report, there have been no significant adverse affects to
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the Company’s operations, supply chain and customer demand due to COVID-19; however, we are monitoring the situation closely. See Risk Factors for additional discussion of the potential adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Consolidated results
The table below details the consolidated results for 2021, 2020 and 2019:
Year Ended December 31, % Increase (Decrease)
Insurance recoveries (16,325) — — N/A N/A
(a)Percentage points (“pp”).
Sales
2021 to 2020 - Sales for 2021 were $626,720, an increase of 58.5 percent compared to 2020, which was the result of increased sales in the Branded Spirits, Distillery Products and Ingredient Solutions segments. Total Branded Spirits segment sales increased 4,324.3 percent, due to the additional brands acquired as part of the Merger. Within the Distillery Products segment, sales were up 12.5 percent primarily due to an increase in sales of brown goods within premium beverage alcohol. Total Ingredient Solutions segment sales increased 16.1 percent primarily due to increased sales of specialty wheat starches and proteins.
2020 to 2019 - Sales for 2020 were $395,521, an increase of 9.0 percent compared to 2019, which was the result of increased sales in the Distillery Products, Ingredient Solutions and Branded Spirits segments. Within the Distillery Solutions segment, sales were up 6.5 percent primarily due to an increase in sales of brown goods and white goods within premium beverage alcohol, warehouse services, and industrial alcohol. Total Ingredient Solutions segment sales increased 19.2 percent due to increased sales of specialty wheat starches and proteins. Within the Branded Spirits segment, sales were up 38.5 percent due to an increase in sales within the ultra premium category.
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Gross profit
2021 to 2020 - Gross profit for 2021 was $198,965, an increase of 101.4 percent compared to 2020. The increase was driven by an increase in gross profit in Branded Spirits, Distillery Products and Ingredient Solutions segments. The Branded Spirits segment gross profit increased by $60,457 or 2,764.4 percent. The Distillery Products segment gross profit increased by $38,333, or 50.6 percent and the Ingredient Solutions segment gross profit increased by $1,369, or 6.6 percent.
2020 to 2019 - Gross profit for 2020 was $98,806, an increase of 29.1 percent compared to 2019. The increase was driven by an increase in gross profit in the Distillery Products, Ingredient Solutions and Branded Spirits segments. The Distillery Products segment gross profit increased by $11,357, or 17.6 percent, the Ingredient Solutions segment gross profit increased by $10,266, or 97.0 percent, and the Branded Spirits Segment increased by $651, or 42.4 percent.
Advertising and promotion expenses
2021 to 2020 - Advertising and promotion expenses for 2021 were $16,098, an increase of 493.6 percent compared to 2020. The increase in Advertising and promotion expenses were primarily driven by the assumption of Luxco’s advertising and promotion expenses during 2021.
2020 to 2019 - Advertising and promotion expenses for 2020 were $2,712, a decrease of 4.1 percent compared to 2019. The decrease in Advertising and promotion expenses were driven by a decrease in corporate communications expenses.
SG&A expenses
2021 to 2020 - SG&A expenses for 2021 were $72,829, an increase of 74.0 percent compared to 2020. The increase in SG&A was driven by the assumption of Luxco’s SG&A, and one-time acquisition related costs.
2020 to 2019 - SG&A expenses for 2020 were $41,853, an increase of 58.2 percent compared to 2019. The increase in SG&A was due primarily to higher personnel and incentive compensation expense, inclusive of certain incremental costs incurred relating to the transition at the CEO position. Additionally, the increase was due to an increase related to advisory and other transaction costs.
Insurance recoveries
2021 to 2020 - Gain on Insurance recoveries for 2021 was $16,325. During November 2020, we experienced a fire at the Atchison facility. The fire damaged certain equipment in the facility’s feed drying operations and caused a temporary loss of production time. At December 31, 2021, we received a legally binding commitment from our insurance carrier for final settlement for the replacement of the damaged dryer which resulted in a gain of $16,325.
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Operating income
Operating income % Increase (Decrease)
Increase in gross profit - Distillery Products segment(a) 11,357 24.0 pp(b)
Increase in gross profit - Ingredient Solutions segment(a) 10,266 21.7 pp
Increase in gross profit - Branded Spirits segment(a) 651 1.4 pp
Decrease in Advertising and promotion expenses 115 0.2 pp
Increase in SG&A expenses (15,390) (32.5) pp
Increase in gross profit - Branded Spirits segment(a) 60,457 111.5 pp(b)
Increase in gross profit - Distillery Products segment(a) 38,333 70.7 pp
Increase in gross profit - Ingredient Solutions segment(a) 1,369 2.5 pp
Increase in Insurance recoveries 16,325 30.1 pp
Increase in Advertising and promotion expenses (13,386) (24.7) pp
Increase in SG&A expenses (30,976) (57.1) pp
(a) See segment discussion.
(b) Percentage points (“pp”).
2021 to 2020 - Operating income for 2021 increased to $126,363 from $54,241 for 2020, due to increases in gross profit in the Branded Spirits, Distillery Products and Ingredient Solutions segments as well as the increase from the insurance recovery. These increases were partially offset by increases in SG&A expenses and Advertising and promotion expenses.
2020 to 2019 - Operating income for 2020 increased to $54,241 from $47,242 for 2019, due to increases in gross profit in our Distillery Products, Ingredient Solutions and Branded Spirits segments. These increases were partially offset by an increase in SG&A expenses.
Income tax expense
2021 to 2020 - Income tax expense for 2021 was $30,279, for an effective tax rate for the year of 25.0 percent. Income tax expense for 2020 was $12,256, for an effective tax rate for the year of 23.3 percent. The 1.7 percentage point increase was primarily due to higher Income before income taxes, and its dilutive effect on favorable tax credits and deductions as it concerns our effective tax rate.
2020 to 2019 - Income tax expense for 2020 was $12,256, for an effective tax rate for the year of 23.3 percent. Income tax expense for 2019 was $7,144, for an effective tax rate for the year of 15.6 percent. The 7.7 percentage point increase was primarily due to the favorable tax impact of vested share-based awards that occurred during 2019.
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Basic and diluted EPS
EPS % Increase (Decrease)
Basic and Diluted EPS for 2019 $ 2.27
Change in operating income(a) 0.41 18.1 pp(b)
Change in weighted average shares outstanding: withholding taxes(d) 0.01 0.4 pp
Tax: Change in share-based compensation (0.21) (9.3) pp
Tax: Change in effective tax rate (0.13) (5.7) pp
Change in operating income(a) 3.24 136.7 pp(b)
Change in income attributable to participating securities(c) 0.03 1.3 pp
Change in interest expense (a) (0.08) (3.4) pp
Increase in other income (expense), net(a) (0.08) (3.4) pp
Change in weighted average shares outstanding(d) (0.98) (41.4) pp
Tax: Change in effective tax rate (0.10) (4.2) pp
Change in noncontrolling interest (0.03) (1.3) pp
Conversion feature of Convertible Senior Notes (0.03) (1.3) pp
(a)Items are net of tax based on the effective tax rate for each base year.
(b)Percentage points (“pp”).
(c)Income attributable to participating securities changes primarily due to the awarding and vesting of the employee RSUs that receive dividend equivalent payments.
(d)Weighted average shares outstanding change primarily due to our repurchases of Common Stock, the vesting of employee RSUs, our purchase of vested RSUs from employees to pay withholding taxes, and the granting of Common Stock to directors. Additionally, during 2021, the weighted average shares outstanding were impacted by the issuance of shares as part of the Merger consideration.
2021 to 2020 - Basic EPS increased to $4.37 in 2021 from $2.37 in 2020, primarily due to the increase in Operating income, partially offset by an increase in shares outstanding as a result of shares issued as part of the consideration paid for the Merger.
Diluted EPS increased to $4.34 in 2021 from $2.37 in 2020, primarily due the above described changes in Basic EPS, partially offset by the conversion feature of the Convertible Senior Notes.
2020 to 2019 - Basic and DilutedEPS increased to $2.37 in 2020 from $2.27 in 2019, primarily due to the increase in Operating income, partially offset by the favorable tax impact of vested share-based awards that occurred during 2019.
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DISTILLERY PRODUCTS SEGMENT
DISTILLERY PRODUCTS SALES
Year Ended December 31, Year-versus-Year Sales Change Increase/ (Decrease)
Change in Year-versus-Year Sales Attributed to:
Total(a) Volume(b) Net Price/Mix(c)
Premium beverage alcohol 28.4% 20.9% 7.5%
Other Financial Information
Year Ended December 31, Year-versus-Year Increase/(Decrease)
(a) Total sales change is calculated by taking the difference between current period sales dollars and prior period sales dollars, divided by prior period sales dollars.
(b) Volume change is calculated by taking the difference between current period sales volume and prior period sales volume, multiplied by prior period sales per unit.
(c) Price/Mix change is calculated by taking the difference between current period sales-per-unit and prior period sales-per unit, multiplied by current period sales volume.
(d) Percentage points (“pp”).
2021 compared to 2020
Total Distillery Products sales for 2021 increased by $39,195, or 12.5 percent compared to 2020. Sales of brown goods and white goods within premium beverage alcohol, fuel grade alcohol, and warehouse services increased, while sales of industrial alcohol and distillers feed and related co-products decreased compared to 2020. The increase in brown goods, white goods and fuel grade alcohol was driven by higher sales volume and higher average selling price. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in sales of industrial alcohol, which was driven by lower sales volume due to the discontinuing of the ICP third party sales and marketing services, partially offset by higher average selling price. The decrease in sales of distillers feed and related co-products was due to lower average selling price, partially offset by higher sales volume, both of which resulted from the Dryer Fire Incident and the subsequent sale of wet rather than dry distillers grains (see Note 10, Commitments and Contingencies for further details).
Gross profit increased year versus year by $38,333, or 50.6 percent. Gross margin for 2021 increased to 32.4 percent from 24.2 percent for 2020. The increase in gross profit was primarily due to higher sales volume on brown goods as well as higher average selling price on industrial, white goods and fuel grade alcohol. The increase in gross profit was partially offset by lower average selling price on distillers feed and related co-products and higher input costs of industrial alcohol, white goods and brown goods.
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DISTILLERY PRODUCTS SALES
Year Ended December 31, Year-versus-Year Sales Change Increase/ (Decrease)
Change in Year-versus-Year Sales Attributed to:
Total(a) Volume(b) Net Price/Mix(c)
Premium beverage alcohol 10.9% 13.5% (2.6)%
Other Financial Information
Year Ended December 31, Year-versus-Year Increase/(Decrease)
(a) Total sales change is calculated by taking the difference between current period sales dollars and prior period sales dollars, divided by prior period sales dollars.
(b) Volume change is calculated by taking the difference between current period sales volume and prior period sales volume, multiplied by prior period sales per unit.
(c) Price/Mix change is calculated by taking the difference between current period sales-per-unit and prior period sales-per unit, multiplied by current period sales volume.
(d) Percentage points (“pp”).
2020 compared to 2019
Total Distillery Products sales for 2020 increased by $19,071, or 6.5 percent compared to 2019. Sales of brown goods and white goods within premium beverage alcohol, warehouse services, and industrial alcohol increased, while sales of distillers feed and related co-products and fuel grade alcohol decreased compared to 2019. The increase in brown goods was due to increased sales volume, partially offset by lower average selling price. The increase in white goods and industrial alcohol was due to higher average selling prices, partially offset by decreased sales volume. These increases were slightly offset by decreases in distillers feed and related co-products and fuel grade alcohol due to lower average selling prices.
Gross profit increased year versus year by $11,357, or 17.6 percent. Gross margin for 2020 increased to 24.2 percent compared to 21.9 percent for 2019. The increase in gross profit was primarily due to higher sales volume on brown goods and higher average selling price on white goods and industrial alcohol. The increase in gross profit was partially offset by higher costs relating to a reduction in brown goods put-away for aging, lower average selling price on brown goods and increased production costs due to the temporary shutdown of the Atchison facilities as a result of the ransomware cyber-attack.
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BRANDED SPIRITS SEGMENT
BRANDED SPIRITS SALES
Year Ended December 31, Year-versus-Year Sales Change Increase/ (Decrease)
Change in Year-versus-Year Sales Attributed to:
Total(a) Volume(b) Net Price/Mix(c)
Other Financial Information
Year Ended December 31, Year-versus-Year Increase/(Decrease)
(a) Total sales change is calculated by taking the difference between current period sales dollars and prior period sales dollars, divided by prior period sales dollars.
(b) Volume change is calculated by taking the difference between current period sales volume and prior period sales volume, multiplied by prior period sales per unit.
(c) Price/Mix change is calculated by taking the difference between current period sales-per-unit and prior period sales-per unit, multiplied by current period sales volume.
(d) Percentage points (“pp”).
2021 compared to 2020
Total Branded Spirits sales for 2021 increased by $179,417, or 4,324.3 percent compared to 2020. Sales of value, mid, ultra premium, other and premium increased compared to 2020, primarily due to the additional brands acquired as part of the Merger.
Gross profit increased year versus year by $60,457, or 2764.4 percent. Gross margin for 2021 decreased to 34.1 percent compared to 52.7 percent for 2020. The increase in gross profit was primarily due to the additional brands acquired as part of the Merger. The decrease in gross margin was due to sales price, as the vast majority of the Company’s branded spirits sales pre-merger were in the ultra premium category. Gross profit was reduced during 2021, due to a required step up in value due to purchase accounting related to the Merger. Of the purchase accounting step up, $2,529 was associated with marking the finished goods inventory to fair value, which fully flowed through in the year and is not expected to recur in the future periods.
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BRANDED SPIRITS SALES
Year Ended December 31, Year-versus-Year Sales Change Increase/ (Decrease)
Mid — — — N/A
Value — — — N/A
Change in Year-versus-Year Sales Attributed to:
Total(a) Volume(b) Net Price/Mix(c)
Other Financial Information
Year Ended December 31, Year-versus-Year Increase/(Decrease)
(a) Total sales change is calculated by taking the difference between current period sales dollars and prior period sales dollars, divided by prior period sales dollars.
(b) Volume change is calculated by taking the difference between current period sales volume and prior period sales volume, multiplied by prior period sales per unit.
(c) Price/Mix change is calculated by taking the difference between current period sales-per-unit and prior period sales-per unit, multiplied by current period sales volume.
(d) Percentage points (“pp”).
2020 compared to 2019
Total Branded Spirits sales for 2020 increased by $1,154, or 38.5 percent compared to 2019, primarily driven by an increase in ultra premium. The increase in ultra premium sales was due to expanding into more markets and increasing points of distribution, as well as additional brands acquired during 2020.
Gross profit increased year versus year by $651, or 42.4 percent. Gross margin for 2020 increased to 52.7 percent compared to 51.3 percent for 2019. The increase in gross profit was primarily due to increased sales of branded spirits and additional brands acquired during 2020.
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INGREDIENT SOLUTIONS SEGMENT
INGREDIENT SOLUTIONS SALES
Year Ended December 31, Year-versus-Year Sales Change Increase/ (Decrease)
Change in Year-versus-Year Sales Attributed to:
Total(a) Volume(b) Net Price/Mix(c)
Total Ingredient Solutions 16.1% 10.8% 5.3%
Other Financial Information
Year Ended December 31, Year-versus-year Increase/(Decrease)
(a) Total sales change is calculated by taking the difference between current period sales dollars and prior period sales dollars, divided by prior period sales dollars.
(b) Volume change is calculated by taking the difference between current period sales volume and prior period sales volume, multiplied by prior period sales per unit.
(c) Price/Mix change is calculated by taking the difference between current period sales-per-unit and prior period sales-per unit, multiplied by current period sales volume.
(d) Percentage points (“pp”).
2021 compared to 2020
Total Ingredient Solutions sales for 2021 increased by $12,587, or 16.1 percent compared to 2020. Sales of specialty wheat starches and proteins and commodity wheat starches increased, while sales of commodity wheat proteins decreased. The increase in specialty wheat starches was primarily due to higher sales volume. The increase in specialty wheat proteins was primarily due to higher sales volume and higher average selling prices. The increase in commodity wheat starches was due to higher sales volume.
Gross profit increased year versus year by $1,369, or 6.6 percent. Gross margin for 2021 decreased to 24.5 percent from 26.7 percent for 2020. The increase in gross profit was primarily driven by higher sales volume of specialty wheat starches and commodity wheat starches, as well as higher sales volume and higher average selling prices of specialty wheat proteins. These increases were partially offset by higher input costs.
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INGREDIENT SOLUTIONS SALES
Year Ended December 31, Year-versus-Year Sales Change Increase/ (Decrease)
Change in Year-versus-Year Sales Attributed to:
Total(a) Volume(b) Net Price/Mix(c)
Total Ingredient Solutions 19.2% 8.5% 10.7%
Other Financial Information
Year Ended December 31, Year-versus-year Increase/(Decrease)
(a) Total sales change is calculated by taking the difference between current period sales dollars and prior period sales dollars, divided by prior period sales dollars.
(b) Volume change is calculated by taking the difference between current period sales volume and prior period sales volume, multiplied by prior period sales per unit.
(c) Price/Mix change is calculated by taking the difference between current period sales-per-unit and prior period sales-per unit, multiplied by current period sales volume.
(d) Percentage points (“pp”).
2020 compared to 2019
Total Ingredient Solutions sales for 2020 increased by $12,551, or 19.2 percent compared to 2019. This increase was driven by higher sales of specialty wheat starches and proteins, partially offset by a decrease in sales of commodity wheat starches and proteins. The increase in sales of specialty wheat starches was driven by increased sales volume and higher average selling prices. The increase in sales of specialty wheat proteins was driven by increased sales volume, partially offset by lower average selling prices. These increases were partially offset by decreased sales volume of commodity wheat starches and proteins.
Gross profit increased year versus year by $10,266, or 97.0 percent. Gross margin for 2020 increased to 26.7 percent from 16.2 percent for 2019. The increase in gross profit was primarily driven by the increased sales volume and higher average selling prices of specialty wheat starches and proteins and decreased sales volume of commodity wheat starches and proteins (mix). Additionally, gross profit was positively impacted by the optimization of higher margin specialty products to meet the increased demand of customers’ high fiber and high protein products. These increases in gross profit were partially offset by increased production costs due to the temporary shutdown of the Atchison facilities as a result of the ransomware cyber-attack.
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CASH FLOW, FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY
We believe our financial condition continues to be of high quality, as evidenced by our ability to generate adequate cash from operations while having ready access to capital at competitive rates.
Operating cash flow and borrowings through our Credit Agreement, Convertible Senior Notes and Note Purchase Agreement (Note 6, Corporate Borrowings) provide the primary sources of cash to fund operating needs and capital expenditures. These same sources of cash are used to fund shareholder dividends and other discretionary uses. Our overall liquidity reflects our strong business results and an effective cash management strategy that takes into account liquidity management, economic factors, and tax considerations. We expect our sources of cash to be adequate to provide for budgeted capital expenditures, potential merger or acquisitions, and anticipated operating requirements for the foreseeable future.
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (25) — — (25) —
Operating Activities. Cash provided by operating activities were $88,263 during the year ended December 31, 2021. The cash provided by operating activities during 2021 resulted primarily from net income of $90,817, adjustments for non-cash or non-operating charges of $16,850 including depreciation and amortization, deferred income taxes, share-based compensation, and partially offset by a gain on insurance recoveries, and by uses of cash due to changes in operating assets and liabilities of $19,404. The primary drivers of the changes in operating assets and liabilities were $14,214 use of cash related to an increase in inventories, primarily barrel distillate, $6,242 use of cash related to income taxes refundable, and $6,031 use of cash related to an increase in receivables, inclusive of insurance receivables, partially offset by $5,301 of cash provided by an increase in accounts payable related to the timing of cash disbursements.
Cash provided by operating activities were $53,255 during the year ended December 31, 2020. The cash provided by operating activities during 2020 resulted primarily from net income of $40,345, adjustments for non-cash or non-operating charges of $17,050 including depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation, and deferred income taxes, partially offset by uses of cash due to changes in operating assets and liabilities of $4,140. The primary drivers of the changes in operating assets and liabilities were $16,173 use of cash related to an increase in receivables, inclusive of insurance receivables, $3,886 use of cash related to an increase in inventories, partially offset by $11,503 provided by cash related to an increase in accrued expenses primarily due to higher incentive compensation expense and $1,817 provided by cash related to an increase in accounts payable related to the timing of cash disbursements. Additionally, there was $1,750 provided by cash related to income taxes payable, due to higher than expected income before taxes.
Investing Activities. Cash used in investing activities for year ended December 31, 2021 was $182,619, which primarily resulted from $149,005 related to the Merger with Luxco and additions to property, plant and equipment of $47,389 (see capital spending), partially offset by cash proceeds of $16,325 from property insurance recoveries.
Cash used in investing activities for year ended December 31, 2020 was $19,647, which primarily resulted from additions to property, plant and equipment of $19,701 (see capital spending) and an increase in proceeds from sale of property of $2,906, partially offset by cash of $2,750 used in the acquisition of a business.
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Capital Spending. We manage capital spending to support our business growth plans. We have incurred $51,691, $18,646, and $18,771 of capital expenditures and have paid $47,389, $19,701, and $16,730 for capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The difference between the amount of capital expenditures incurred and amount paid is due to the change in capital expenditures in accounts payable. The increase in capital expenditures for 2021 as compared to 2020 was primarily due to the replacement of the feed dryer system. We expect approximately $37,200, in capital expenditures for 2022 which will be used for facility improvement and expansion, facility sustenance projects and environmental health and safety projects.
FinancingActivities. Cash provided by financing activities for year ended December 31, 2021 was $94,287, primarily due to net debt proceeds of $192,580 (see Long-Term and Short-Term Debt), primarily resulting from the issuance of the Convertible Senior Notes, partially offset by $87,509 payment on assumed debt as part of the Merger, and payments of dividends and dividend equivalents of $10,017 (see Note 8, Equity and EPS for additional information),
Cash used in financing activities for year ended December 31, 2020 was $15,255, primarily due to payments of dividends and dividend equivalents of $8,188 (see Note 8, Equity and EPS for additional information), purchases of treasury stock of $4,411 (see Treasury Purchases), offset by net proceeds from debt of $2,656 (see Long-Term and Short-Term Debt).
Treasury Purchases. 38,079 RSUs vested and converted to common shares during year ended December 31, 2021, of which we withheld and purchased for treasury 11,887 shares valued at $767 to cover payment of associated withholding taxes.
31,741 RSUs vested and converted to common shares during year ended December 31, 2020, of which we withheld and purchased for treasury 10,437 shares valued at $358 to cover payment of associated withholding taxes.
Share Repurchase. On February 25, 2019, the Board of Directors approved a $25,000 share repurchase authorization commencing February 27, 2019 through February 27, 2022. Under the share repurchase program, the company can repurchase stock from time to time for cash in open market purchases, block transactions, and privately negotiated transactions in accordance with applicable federal securities laws. This share repurchase program may be modified, suspended, or terminated by the Company at any time without prior notice. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we did not repurchase any shares of MGP Common Stock and have $20,947 remaining under the share repurchase plan. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we repurchased approximately 159,104 shares of MGP Common Stock for $4,053.
Long-Term and Short-Term Debt. We maintain debt levels we consider appropriate after evaluating a number of factors, including cash flow expectations, cash requirements for ongoing operations, investment and financing plans (including brand development, share repurchases, and Board-approved dividends) and the overall cost of capital. Total debt was $233,399 (net of unamortized loan fees of $6,454) at December 31, 2021 and $39,871 (net of unamortized loan fees of $129) at December 31, 2020. During 2021, we had net borrowings on our Convertible Senior Notes of $201,250, and during 2020, we had net payments on our Credit Agreement of $300. Additionally, during 2021 and 2020, we had net payments on our long-term debt of $1,620, and $1,208, respectively. During 2021 and 2020, we incurred $7,050 and $1,148, respectively, of loan fees associated with the issuance of the Convertible Senior Notes and refinancing our credit agreement. Net borrowings / (payments) on all debt for 2021 and 2020 were $192,580, and $(2,656), respectively (see Note 6, Corporate borrowings for additional information).
Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. See Note 8, Equity and EPS for further discussion.
On February 22, 2022, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend payable to stockholders of record as of March 11, 2022, of our Common Stock and a dividend equivalent payable to holders of certain RSUs as of March 11, 2022, of $0.12 per share and per unit. The dividend payment and dividend equivalent payment will occur on March 25, 2022.
Financial Condition and Liquidity
Our principal uses of cash in the ordinary course of business are for input costs used in our production processes, salaries, capital expenditures, and investments supporting our strategic plan, such as the aging of barreled distillate and potential merger and acquisitions. Generally, during periods when commodity prices are rising, our operations require increased use of cash to support inventory levels.
Our principal sources of cash are product sales and borrowing on our Credit Agreement, Convertible Senior Notes and Note Purchase Agreement. Under these agreements, we must meet certain financial covenants and restrictions, and at December 31, 2021, we met those covenants and restrictions.
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At December 31, 2021, our current assets exceeded our current liabilities by $278,298, largely due to our inventories, at cost, of $245,944. At December 31, 2021, our cash balance was $21,568 and we have used our Credit Agreement, Convertible Senior Notes and Note Purchase Agreement for liquidity purposes, with $400,000 remaining for additional borrowings. We anticipate being able to support our short-term liquidity and operating needs largely through cash generated from operations. We regularly assess our cash needs and the available sources to fund these needs. We utilize short-term and long-term debt to fund discretionary items, such as capital investments and dividend payments. In addition, we have strong operating results such that financial institutions should provide sufficient credit funding to meet short-term financing requirements, if needed.
Contractual Obligations
The following table provides information on the amounts and payments of our contractual obligations at December 31, 2021:
Payments due by period
Total Short-Term (a) Long-Term
(a) Short-term obligation payments are due within 12 months from the current year end.
(b) Includes open purchase order commitments related to raw materials and packaging used in the ordinary course of business of $148,349.
Industrial Revenue Bonds
We are in various stages of financing projects with industrial revenue bond transactions for our facilities located in Kentucky. The bonds allow a 30 year real property tax abatement on our renovated and newly-constructed warehouse buildings and distilleries in Kentucky. We have been approved for $25,000 of industrial revenue bonds with the City of Williamstown Kentucky, and have used approximately $11,000. Additionally, we have been approved for $50,000 of industrial revenue bonds with Nelson County Kentucky and have used approximately $33,000. The City of Williamstown and Nelson County issued the industrial revenue bonds to us and then used the proceeds to purchase the land and warehouse from us. The city then leased the facilities back to us under a capital lease, the terms of which provide for the payment of basic rent in an amount sufficient to pay principal and interest on the bonds. Our obligation to pay rent under the lease is in the same amount and due on the same date as the city’s obligation to pay debt service on the bonds which we hold. The lease permits us to present the bonds at any time for cancellation, upon which our obligation to pay basic rent would be canceled. At the bonds’ maturity the facilities will revert to us without costs. If we were to present the bonds for cancellation prior to maturity, a nominal fee would be incurred.
We recorded the land and buildings as assets in property, plant, and equipment, net, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Because we own all outstanding bonds, have a legal right to set-off, and intend to set-off the corresponding lease and interest payment, we have netted the capital lease obligation with the bond asset. No amount for our obligation under the capital lease is reflected on our Consolidated Balance Sheet, nor do we reflect an amount for the corresponding industrial revenue bond asset (see Note 10, Commitments and Contingencies for additional information).
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The application of certain of these policies places demands on management’s judgment, with financial reporting results relying on estimation about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain, inclusive of effects related to the COVID-19 pandemic. For all of these policies, management cautions that future events rarely develop as forecast, and estimates routinely require adjustment and may require material adjustment. We have identified the most critical accounting policies which involve the most complex and subjective judgments. These should be read in conjunction with the significant accounting policies discussed in Note 1, Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
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Business Combinations. The merger with Luxco was accounted for as a business combination in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standard Codification 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”), and as such, we allocated the consideration paid for a business to the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, with the excess recorded to goodwill. The fair value measurements of tangible and intangible assets and liabilities were based on significant inputs not observable in the market. Critical estimates used in determining the fair value include, but are not limited to discount rates that would be used by a market participant in valuing these assets and liabilities, forecasted revenue growth rates, including the terminal growth rates, projected cash flows, distributor attrition rates, royalty rates and market comparable, among others. The fair value of personal property assets was determined using the market approach and the indirect and direct method of the cost approach, and the fair value of real property was determined using the cost approach and the sales comparison approach. The fair value of work-in-process and finished goods inventory was determined using the comparative sales method and raw materials was determined using the replacement cost method. The trade names and distributor relationships acquired were adjusted to fair value using the relief from royalty method and multi-period excess earnings method, respectively. Management engaged a third party valuation specialist to assist in the valuation analysis of certain acquired assets including trade name and distributor relationship.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. The Company tests goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually, in the fourth quarter, or on an interim basis if events and circumstances occur that would indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying value. We have the option to evaluate qualitative factors to assess if goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are impaired before quantifying the fair value of the reporting unit. Management judgment is required in the evaluation of qualitative factors, determination of reporting units, the assignment of assets and liabilities to reporting units, including goodwill, and the determination of fair value of the reporting units. To the extent that the carrying amount exceeds fair value, an impairment of goodwill is recognized and allocated to the reporting units. Based on the impairment tests performed by the Company during the fourth quarter 2021, we believe none of our goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets are impaired and are not currently at risk of impairment.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
For information with respect to recent accounting pronouncements and the impact of these pronouncements on our consolidated financial statements, see Note 1, Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to commodity price and interest rate market risks. We monitor and manage these exposures as part of our overall risk management program. Our risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to reduce the potentially adverse effects that the volatility of these markets may have on our operating results.
Commodity Costs. Certain commodities we use in our production process, or input costs, expose us to market price risk due to volatility in the prices for those commodities. Through our grain supply contracts for our Atchison and Lawrenceburg facilities, our wheat flour supply contract for our Atchison facility, and our natural gas contracts for both facilities, we purchase grain, wheat flour, and natural gas, respectively, for delivery from one to 24 months into the future at negotiated prices. We have determined that the firm commitments to purchase grain, wheat flour, and natural gas under the terms of our supply contracts meet the normal purchases and sales exception as defined under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 815, Derivatives and Hedging, because the quantities involved are for amounts to be consumed within the normal expected production process.
Interest Rate Exposures. Our Credit Agreement, Convertible Senior Notes and Note Purchase Agreement (Note 6, Corporate Borrowings) expose us to market risks arising from adverse changes in interest rates. Established procedures and internal processes govern the management of this market risk.
Increases in market interest rates would cause interest expense to increase and earnings before income taxes to decrease. The change in interest expense and earnings before income taxes would be dependent upon the weighted average outstanding borrowings during the reporting period following an increase in market interest rates. Based on weighted average outstanding variable-rate borrowings at December 31, 2021, a 100 basis point increase over the non-default rates actually in effect at such date would have a minimal impact on interest expense. Based on weighted average outstanding fixed-rate borrowings at December 31, 2021, a 100 basis point increase in market rates would result in a decrease in the fair value of our outstanding fixed-rate debt of $30,996, and a 100 basis point decrease in market rates would result in an increase in the fair value of our outstanding fixed-rate debt of $39,324.
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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The management of MGP Ingredients, Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, our internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate.
With the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (“COSO”) of the Treadway Commission. As a result of this assessment, management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 was effective.
On April 1, 2021, we completed the merger with Luxco, Inc. and its affiliated companies (“Luxco”). We are currently integrating Luxco into our operations and internal control process and, pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission Staff interpretative guidance that assessment of a recently acquired business may be omitted from the scope of an assessment for a period not to exceed one year from the date of acquisition, the scope of the Company’s assessment of the internal controls over financial reporting at December 31, 2021 does not include Luxco. At December 31, 2021, the total assets of Luxco, excluding goodwill and intangible assets, represent approximately 21 percent of consolidated assets. The total revenues of Luxco represents approximately 28 percent of consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021.
KPMG, LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the Company’s financial statements contained herein, has issued an audit report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021. The combined report on the consolidated financial statements of MGP Ingredients, Inc. and subsidiaries and audit report is included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors
MGP Ingredients, Inc.:
Opinions on the Consolidated Financial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of MGP Ingredients, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
The Company acquired Luxco, Inc. during 2021, and management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, Luxco, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting associated with total assets, excluding goodwill and intangible assets, of approximately 21 percent of consolidated assets and total revenues of approximately 28 percent of consolidated revenues included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of the Company also excluded an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Luxco, Inc.
Basis for Opinions
The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures
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that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Revenue recognition under bill and hold arrangements
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s Distillery Products segment routinely enters into bill and hold arrangements, whereby the Company produces and sells aged and unaged distillate to customers. As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, brown goods premium beverage alcohol revenue was $162,074 thousands for the year ended December 31, 2021, a portion of which was for bill and hold arrangements.
We identified the evaluation of revenue recognized under bill and hold arrangements as a critical audit matter because of the extent of additional audit effort required to test the incremental bill and hold revenue recognition criteria. The incremental bill and hold revenue recognition criteria include the evaluation of: 1) the reason for the bill and hold arrangement; 2) the identification of the product as separately belonging to the customer; 3) the product being currently ready for physical transfer to the customer; and 4) the Company’s inability to use the product or direct it to another customer.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls over the Company’s revenue recognition process, including controls related to bill and hold revenue recognition criteria being met. We examined a sample of bill and hold revenue transactions to assess the incremental bill and hold revenue recognition criteria. Specifically, we inspected documentation received from the customer directing the Company to warehouse distillate after production. Additionally, we observed a sample of customer-owned barrels to determine they were marked with unique identifiers separating them from Company-owned inventory and were ready for physical transfer to the customer upon request. Also, to evaluate that the Company does not have the ability to use the product or direct to another customer, we inspected underlying documentation for the same sample of bill and hold transactions to determine legal title to the product had transferred to the customer.
Initial measurement of Luxco distributor relationships and certain trade name indefinite-lived intangible assets
As discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, on April 1, 2021, the Company acquired Luxco, Inc. and its affiliated companies (Luxco) in a business combination. As a result of the transaction, the Company acquired certain intangible assets, including distributor relationships and trade names with acquisition-date fair values of $41,400 thousands and $178,100 thousands, respectively.
We identified the evaluation of the acquisition-date fair values of distributor relationships and certain trade names as a critical audit matter. A high degree of subjective auditor judgment was required to evaluate certain significant assumptions used in the valuation models that were applied to determine the fair value of these intangible assets, specifically the forecasted revenue growth rates, including the terminal growth rates, and the royalty rates. Changes in these assumptions could have had a significant impact on the fair values of these intangible assets.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the Company’s acquisition-date valuation process,
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including controls related to the development of the above significant assumptions. We evaluated the reasonableness of the revenue growth rates by comparing the Company’s estimates of forecasted revenue growth to Luxco’s historical actual results and industry reports. We performed sensitivity analyses over the revenue growth rates to assess the effect of changes in those assumptions on the Company’s determination of fair value. We involved valuation professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted in:
• evaluating the revenue terminal growth rates by comparing the forecasted rates to publicly available market and industry data
• evaluating the trade name royalty rates by comparing the rates determined by the Company to publicly available market data for comparable transactions.
/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2008.
Kansas City, Missouri
February 24, 2022
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MGP INGREDIENTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Year Ended December 31,
Insurance recoveries (16,325) — —
Other income (loss), net (1,230) 627 —
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest 490 — —
Income attributable to participating securities (712) (261) (253)
Net income used in Earnings Per Share calculation $ 90,595 $ 40,084 $ 38,540
Weighted average common shares
Earnings Per Share
See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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MGP INGREDIENTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation adjustment (151) — —
Changes in Company-sponsored post-employment benefit plan 19 732 (151)
Other comprehensive income (loss) (132) 732 (151)
Comprehensive income attributable to MGP Ingredients, Inc. 91,175 41,077 38,642
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (490) — —
See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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MGP INGREDIENTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts and par value)
December 31,
Current Assets
Refundable income taxes 5,539 —
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net 9,671 5,151
Investment in joint venture 4,944 —
Current Liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt $ 3,227 $ 1,600
Federal and state excise taxes payable 6,992 107
Income taxes payable — 704
Long-term debt, less current maturities 35,266 38,271
Convertible senior notes 194,906 —
Long-term operating lease liabilities 6,997 3,057
Commitments and Contingencies – Note 10
Stockholders’ Equity
Capital stock
Common stock
Accumulated other comprehensive income 354 486
Total MGP Ingredients, Inc. stockholders equity 644,755 262,526
Noncontrolling interest (490) —
See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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MGPINGREDIENTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Gain on insurance recoveries (16,325) — —
Equity method investment loss 1,611 — —
Deferred income taxes, including change in valuation allowance 6,772 593 252
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Federal and state excise taxes payable (1,467) (34) 140
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired (149,005) (2,750) —
Contributions to equity method investments (1,470) — —
Proceeds from property insurance recoveries 16,325 — —
Proceeds from sale of property and other — 2,906 —
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Payment of dividends and dividend equivalents (10,017) (8,188) (6,856)
Loan fees incurred with borrowings (7,050) (1,148) —
Proceeds from long-term debt — — 20,000
Principal payments on long-term debt (1,620) (1,208) (386)
Proceeds from convertible senior notes 201,250 — —
Payment on assumed debt as part of the Merger (87,509) — —
Other, net — — (76)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 94,287 (15,255) (3,507)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (25) — —
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (94) 18,353 (1,716)
See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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MGP INGREDIENTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Dollars in thousands)
Comprehensive income (loss):
Other comprehensive loss — — — — (151) — — (151)
Share-based compensation — — 2,453 — — — — 2,453
Stock shares awarded, forfeited or vested — — (3,799) — — 4,650 — 851
Stock shares repurchased — — — — — (5,489) — (5,489)
Comprehensive income:
Other comprehensive income — — — — 732 — — 732
Share-based compensation — — 2,067 — — — — 2,067
Stock shares awarded, forfeited or vested — — (593) — — 1,528 — 935
Stock shares repurchased — — — — — (4,411) — (4,411)
Comprehensive income (loss):
Other comprehensive loss — — — — (132) — — (132)
Share-based compensation — — 5,555 — — — — 5,555
Stock shares awarded, forfeited or vested — — (1,535) — — 1,535 — —
Stock shares repurchased — — — — — (767) — (767)
See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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MGP INGREDIENTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
NOTE 1: NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company. MGP Ingredients, Inc. (“Company”) is a Kansas corporation headquartered in Atchison, Kansas and is a leading producer and supplier of premium distilled spirits, branded spirits and food ingredients. Distilled spirits include premium bourbon and rye whiskeys and grain neutral spirits, including vodka and gin. The Company’s distilled spirits are either packaged and sold under our own brands to distributors, sold, directly or indirectly to manufactures of other branded spirits, or direct to consumers. MGP is also a top producer of high quality industrial alcohol for use in both food and non-food applications. The Company’s protein and starch food ingredients provide a host of functional, nutritional, and sensory benefits for a wide range of food products to serve the consumer packaged goods industry. The Company’s industrial alcohol and ingredients products are sold directly, or through distributors, to manufacturers and processors of finished packaged goods or to bakeries. The Company’s distillery products are derived from corn and other grains (including rye, barley, wheat, barley malt, and milo), and its ingredient products are derived primarily from wheat flour.
On April 1, 2021, the Company acquired Luxco, Inc. and its affiliated companies (“Luxco”) which is a leading branded beverage alcohol company across various categories, with a more than 60-year business heritage.Luxco’s operations predominately involve the producing, importing, bottling and rectifying of distilled spirits. See Note 4, Business Combination, for further details.
As a result of the merger with Luxco, during 2021, the Company established a new reportable segment structure that separates Branded Spirits from the Distillery Products segment. The Ingredient Solutions segment remains unchanged. The new segment presentation reflects how management is now operating the business and making resource allocations. The Company now reports three operating segments: Distillery Products, Branded Spirits and Ingredient Solutions. Prior periods have been revised to reflect the new operating segment structure.
Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned and majority owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain amounts in the 2019 and 2020 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2021 presentation.
Use of Estimates. The financial reporting policies of the Company conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The application of certain of these policies places demands on management’s judgment, with financial reporting results relying on estimation about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain, inclusive of effects related to the COVID-19 pandemic. For all of these policies, management cautions that future events rarely develop as forecast, and estimates routinely require adjustment and may require material adjustment.
Inventory. Inventory includes finished goods, raw materials in the form of agricultural commodities used in the production process, as well as bottles, caps and labels used in the bottling process, and certain maintenance and repair items. Bourbons and whiskeys, included in inventory, are normally aged in barrels for several years, following industry practice; all barreled bourbon and whiskey is classified as a current asset. The Company includes warehousing, insurance, and other carrying charges applicable to barreled whiskey in inventory costs.
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value on the first-in, first-out, or FIFO, method. Inventory valuations are impacted by constantly changing prices paid for key materials, primarily corn.
Properties, Depreciation, and Amortization. Property, plant, and equipment are typically stated at cost. Additions, including those that increase the life or utility of an asset, are capitalized and all properties are depreciated over their estimated remaining useful lives. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight line method over the following estimated useful lives:
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Buildings and improvements(a) 10 – 35 years
Machinery and equipment 3 – 10 years
Office furniture and equipment 5 – 10 years
Computer equipment and software 3 – 5 years
Motor vehicles 5 years
(a)Leasehold improvements are the shorter of economic useful life or life of lease
Maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. The cost of property, plant, and equipment sold, retired, or otherwise disposed of, as well as related accumulated depreciation and amortization, are eliminated from the property accounts with related gains and losses reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company capitalizes interest costs associated with significant construction projects. Total interest incurred for 2021, 2020, and 2019 is noted below:
Year Ended December 31,
Revenue Recognition. Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services, through performance obligations by the Company, is transferred to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for the performance obligations. The term between invoicing and when payment is due is not significant and the period between when the entity transfers the promised good or service to the customer and when the customer pays for that good or service is one year or less.
Revenue is recognized for the sale of products at the point in time finished products are delivered to the customer in accordance with shipping terms. This is a faithful depiction of the satisfaction of the performance obligation because, at that point control passes to the customer, the customer has legal title and the risk and rewards of ownership have transferred, and the customer has present obligation to pay.
The Company’s Distillery Products segment routinely enters into bill and hold arrangements, whereby the Company produces and sells aged and unaged distillate to customers, and the product is barreled at the customer’s request and warehoused at a Company location for an extended period of time in accordance with directions received from the Company’s customers. Even though the aged and unaged distillate remains in the Company’s possession, a sale is recognized at the point in time when the customer obtains control of the product. Control is transferred to the customer in bill and hold transactions when: customer acceptance specifications have been met, legal title has transferred, the customer has a present obligation to pay for the product and the risk and rewards of ownership have transferred to the customer. Additionally, all the following bill and hold criteria have been met in order for control to be transferred to the customer: the reason for the bill and hold arrangement is substantive -the customer has requested the product be warehoused, the product has been identified as separately belonging to the customer, the product is currently ready for physical transfer to the customer, and the Company does not have the ability to use the product or direct it to another customer.
Warehouse service revenue is recognized over the time that warehouse services are rendered and as they are rendered. This is a faithful depiction of the satisfaction of the performance obligation because control of the aging products has already passed to the customer and there are no additional performance activities required by the Company, except as requested by the customer. The performance of the service activities, as requested, is invoiced as satisfied and revenue is concurrently recognized. Contract bottling is recognized over the time contract bottling services are rendered and as they are rendered.
Sales in the Branded Spirits segment reflect reductions attributable to consideration given to customers in incentive programs, including discounts and allowances for certain volume targets. These allowances and discounts are not estimated, are not for distinct goods, and paid only when the depletion volume targets are achieved. The amounts reimbursed to customers is determined based on agreed-upon amounts and are recorded as a reduction of revenue.
Excise Tax. The Company is responsible for compliance with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
of the U.S. Treasury Department (the “TTB”) regulations which includes making timely and accurate excise tax payments. The Company is subject to periodic compliance audits by the TTB. Individual states also impose excise taxes on alcohol beverages
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in varying amounts. The Company calculates its Federal and state excise tax expense based upon units shipped and on its understanding of the applicable excise tax laws. Excise taxes that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction, that are collected by the Company from a customer are excluded from revenue and expense.
Recognition of Insurance Recoveries. Estimated loss contingencies are recognized as charges to income when they are probable and reasonably estimable. Insurance recoveries are not recognized until all contingencies related to the insurance claim have been resolved and settlement has been reached with the insurer. Insurance recoveries, to the extent of costs and losses, are reported as a reduction to costs on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Insurance recoveries, in excess of costs and losses, if any, would be reported as a separate caption in Operating income on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Income Taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability method which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. A valuation allowance is recognized if it is “more likely than not” that at least some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
Earnings Per Share (“EPS”). Basic and diluted EPS is computed using the two class method, which is an earnings allocation formula that determines net income per share for each class of Common Stock and participating security according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Basic EPS amounts are computed by dividing net income attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average shares outstanding during each year or period. Diluted EPS is computed using the if-converted method by dividing the net income attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average shares outstanding, inclusive of the impacts of the conversion feature of the Convertible Senior Notes.
Translation of Foreign Currencies. Assets and liabilities of Niche Drinks, Co., ltd. (“Niche”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company whose functional currency is the British pound sterling, are translated to U.S. dollars using the exchange rate in effect at the consolidated balance sheet date. Results of operations are translated using average rates during the period. Adjustments resulting from the translation process are included as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income.
Business Combinations. Assets and liabilities assumed during a business combination are generally recorded at fair market value as of the acquisition date. Goodwill is recognized to the extent that the purchase consideration exceeds the value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company uses its best estimate and third party valuation specialists to determine the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. During the measurement period, which can be up to one year after the acquisition date, the Company can make adjustments to the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the offset being an adjustment to goodwill.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. The Company records goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets in connection with various acquisitions of businesses and allocates the goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets to its respective reporting units. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment at least annually, in the fourth quarter, or on an interim basis if events and circumstances occur that would indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying value. To the extent that the carrying amount exceeds fair value, an impairment of goodwill is recognized and allocated to the reporting units. Judgment is required in the determination of reporting units, the assignment of assets and liabilities to reporting units, including goodwill, and the determination of fair value of the reporting units. The Company separately evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. As of December 31, 2021, the Company determined that goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets were not impaired.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The Company determines the fair values of its financial instruments based on a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based upon the observability of inputs. Fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
The Company’s short-term financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable. The carrying value of the short-term financial instruments approximates the fair value due to their short-term nature.
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These financial instruments have no stated maturities or the financial instruments have short-term maturities that approximate market.
The fair value of the Company’s debt is estimated based on current market interest rates for debt with similar maturities and credit quality. The fair value of the Company’s debt was $272,971 and $44,548 at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The financial statement carrying value (including unamortized loan fees) was $233,399 and $39,871 at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. These fair values are considered Level 2 under the fair value hierarchy.
See Note 4, Business Combination, for discussion related the the fair value of tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed as part of the merger with Luxco.
Derivative Instruments. Certain commodities the Company uses in its production process, or input costs, exposes it to market price risk due to volatility in the prices for those commodities. Through the Company’s grain supply contracts for its Atchison and Lawrenceburg facilities, its wheat flour supply contract for the Atchison facility, and its natural gas contracts for both facilities, it purchases grain, wheat flour, and natural gas, respectively, for delivery from one to 24 months into the future at negotiated fixed prices. The Company has determined that the firm commitments to purchase grain, wheat flour, and natural gas under the terms of its supply contracts meets the normal purchases and sales exception as defined under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, because the quantities involved are for amounts to be consumed within the normal expected production process.