TSX: MFI
www.mapleleaffoods.com
Meat Protein delivers another strong quarter,
with solid top-line growth and robust Adjusted EBITDA Margin
expansion to 12.2%
MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 5,
2021 /PRNewswire/ - Maple Leaf Foods Inc. ("Maple Leaf Foods"
or the "Company") (TSX: MFI) today reported its financial results
for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021.

"Maple Leaf remains committed to delivering shared value, and to
building an enduring company, with a vision to be the most
sustainable protein company on earth," said Michael H. McCain, President and CEO. "We
continue to deliver on our commitments. As we cross the one-year
mark of the COVID-19 pandemic, I continue to be inspired by our
dedicated front-line team members who come into work each day to
produce the food we all need to stay healthy. Our number one
priority is to keep our people healthy during this global crisis,
and beyond. At the same time, we are delivering on our financial
commitments, including both significant revenue growth and margin
expansion in our meat protein business, while re-investing for
extremely high long-term revenue growth in the strategically
important plant protein business.
Our long-term focus means we measure our success over years,
while ensuring we understand and calibrate the mid-term performance
of our business against our business strategy. Our strategy's
success is evident in our strength in high growth food categories,
which now represent over 20% of our overall business. As a carbon
neutral company, we are ready for an exciting future in the next
challenge of climate crisis we must collectively overcome."
First Quarter 2021 Highlights
- Total Company sales up 3.0% to $1,053.1
million, with an Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes,
Depreciation and Amortization
("EBITDA")(i) Margin of 9.3%, up 40 basis
points ("bps") from last year.
- Meat Protein Group sales up 3.3% to $1,013.7 million, while Adjusted EBITDA Margin
expanded 90 bps to 12.2%.
- Plant Protein Group sales declined 8.1%, or 2.5% excluding
foreign exchange impacts. Selling, general and administrative
("SG&A") expenses were $28.8
million, similar to last year as a percentage of sales.
- Net earnings were $47.7 million,
compared to a loss of $3.7 million
last year, assisted by a net gain of $26.7
million (2020: net loss of $36.7
million) from non-cash fair value changes in biological
assets and derivative contracts.
- Capital expenditures were $184.7
million and consisted predominantly of Construction
Capital(i) of $152.3
million, the majority of which was related to ongoing
construction of the London,
Ontario poultry facility.
- Balance sheet remained strong with Net Debt of $865.4 million and undrawn committed credit of
over $1 billion.
- 2021 Outlook unchanged: Meat Protein Group sales
growth coupled with Adjusted EBITDA Margin expansion; Plant Protein
Group sales growth broadly in-line with strategic target of 30%,
supported by SG&A expenses similar to 2020.
(i)
|
Refer to the
section titled Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this news
release.
|
Financial Highlights
Measure(i)
(Unaudited)
|
Three months ended
March 31,
|
2021
|
2020
|
Change
|
Sales
|
$
|
1,053.1
|
$
|
1,022.8
|
3.0 %
|
Net Earnings
(Loss)
|
$
|
47.7
|
$
|
(3.7)
|
nm(iii)
|
Basic Earnings (Loss)
per Share
|
$
|
0.39
|
$
|
(0.03)
|
nm(iii)
|
Adjusted Operating
Earnings(ii)
|
$
|
50.4
|
$
|
45.1
|
11.6 %
|
Adjusted Earnings per
Share(ii)
|
$
|
0.26
|
$
|
0.21
|
23.8 %
|
Adjusted EBITDA - Meat
Protein Group(ii)
|
$
|
123.3
|
$
|
111.1
|
11.0 %
|
Sales - Plant Protein
Group
|
$
|
42.6
|
$
|
46.3
|
(8.0) %
|
Free Cash
Flow(ii)
|
$
|
(195.2)
|
$
|
(133.3)
|
46.4 %
|
Construction
Capital(ii)
|
$
|
592.9
|
$
|
164.6
|
260.2 %
|
Net
Debt(ii)
|
$
|
(865.4)
|
$
|
(640.6)
|
35.1 %
|
(i)
|
All financial
measures in millions of dollars except Basic and Adjusted Earnings
per Share.
|
(ii)
|
Refer to the
section titled Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this news
release.
|
(iii)
|
Not
meaningful.
|
Sales for the first quarter of 2021 were $1,053.1 million compared to $1,022.8 million last year, an increase of 3.0%,
driven by higher sales in the Meat Protein Group, partially offset
by lower sales in the Plant Protein Group. For more details on
sales performance by operating segment, please refer to the section
titled Operating Review.
Net earnings for the first quarter of 2021 were $47.7 million ($0.39 per basic share) compared to a loss of
$3.7 million (a loss of $0.03 per basic share) last year. Strong
operating and commercial performance in the Meat Protein Group more
than offset lower sales volume and capacity utilization in the
Plant Protein Group. Results were also impacted by a net gain of
$26.7 million (2020: net loss of
$36.7 million) from non-cash fair
value changes in biological assets and derivative contracts, which
are both excluded in the calculation of Adjusted Operating Earnings
below.
Adjusted Operating Earnings for the first quarter of 2021 were
$50.4 million compared to
$45.1 million last year, and Adjusted
Earnings per Share for the first quarter of 2021 were $0.26 compared to $0.21 last year due to similar factors as noted
above.
For further discussion on key metrics and a discussion of
results by operating segment, refer to the section titled Operating
Review.
Note: Several items are excluded from the discussions of
underlying earnings performance as they are not representative of
ongoing operational activities. Refer to the section entitled
Non-IFRS Financial Measures at the end of this news release for a
description and reconciliation of all non-IFRS financial
measures.
Response to COVID-19
As an essential service, Maple Leaf Foods is focused on
protecting the health and well-being of its people, maintaining
business continuity, and broadening its social outreach. To manage
through this unprecedented environment, the Company has taken a
number of measures in its business and operating practices that
include heightened safety policies and procedures, and close
communication and collaboration with public health authorities.
Most recently, Maple Leaf Foods has commenced on-site vaccine
clinics at several of its manufacturing plants in coordination with
Public Health Authorities, and hopes to continue these efforts
across all of its sites as soon as possible. The measures enacted
to protect the health and safety of employees have increased the
Company's cost structure due to higher labour, personal protective
equipment, sanitation and other expenses associated with the
pandemic. Continuing COVID-19 structural costs have been
incorporated in the Company's 2021 operating plan.
Overall, the Company believes its proactive and comprehensive
efforts have, and should continue to mitigate adverse operational
impacts. As the COVID-19 situation evolves, Maple Leaf Foods will
continue to adapt and adopt best practices that prioritize the
health and safety of its employees and the stability of the food
supply. As part of Maple Leaf Foods' broader social responsibility,
the Company has provided extensive support to front-line staff,
emergency food relief efforts and health care providers.
Operating Review
The Company has two reportable segments. These segments offer
different products, with separate organizational structures,
brands, financial and marketing strategies. The Company's chief
operating decision makers regularly review internal reports for
these businesses: performance of the Meat Protein Group is based on
revenue growth, Adjusted Operating Earnings and Adjusted EBITDA,
while the performance of the Plant Protein Group is based
predominantly on revenue growth rates, gross margin optimization
and controlling SG&A investment levels, which generate high
revenue growth rates.
The following table summarizes the Company's sales, gross
profit, SG&A expenses, Adjusted Operating Earnings, Adjusted
EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin by operating segment for the
three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020.
|
Three months ended
March 31, 2021
|
Three months ended
March 31, 2020
|
($
millions)(i)
(Unaudited)
|
Meat
Protein
Group
|
Plant
Protein
Group
|
Non-
Allocated (ii)
|
Total
|
Meat
Protein
Group
|
Plant
Protein
Group
|
Non-
Allocated(ii)
|
Total
|
Sales
|
$
|
1,013.7
|
42.6
|
(3.2)
|
$
|
1,053.1
|
$
|
981.4
|
46.3
|
(5.0)
|
$
|
1,022.8
|
Gross
profit
|
$
|
166.1
|
0.1
|
26.7
|
$
|
193.0
|
$
|
157.3
|
6.8
|
(36.7)
|
$
|
127.4
|
Selling, general
and administrative expenses
|
$
|
87.1
|
28.8
|
—
|
$
|
115.9
|
$
|
88.0
|
30.9
|
—
|
$
|
118.9
|
Adjusted Operating
Earnings (iii)
|
$
|
79.0
|
(28.7)
|
—
|
$
|
50.4
|
$
|
69.2
|
(24.1)
|
—
|
$
|
45.1
|
Adjusted
EBITDA(iii)
|
$
|
123.3
|
(25.0)
|
—
|
$
|
98.3
|
$
|
111.1
|
(20.5)
|
—
|
$
|
90.5
|
Adjusted EBITDA
Margin(iii)
|
12.2
%
|
(58.6)
%
|
n/a
|
9.3
%
|
11.3 %
|
(44.3) %
|
n/a
|
8.9 %
|
(i)
|
Totals may not add
due to rounding.
|
(ii)
|
Non-allocated
includes eliminations of inter-segment sales and associated cost of
goods sold, changes in the fair value of biological assets and
derivatives, and non-allocated costs which are comprised of
expenses not separately identifiable to reportable segments and are
not part of the measures used by the Company when assessing a
segment's operating results.
|
(iii)
|
Refer to the
section titled Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this news
release.
|
Meat Protein Group
The Meat Protein Group is comprised of prepared meats,
ready-to-cook and ready-to-serve meals, value-added fresh pork and
poultry products that are sold to retail, foodservice and
industrial channels, and agricultural operations in pork and
poultry. The Meat Protein Group includes leading brands such as
Maple Leaf®, Maple Leaf Prime®, Schneiders®, Mina®, Greenfield
Natural Meat Co.® and many leading regional brands.
Sales for the first quarter of 2021 increased 3.3% to
$1,013.7 million compared to
$981.4 million last year. Sales
growth was driven by pricing action implemented in the fourth
quarter of 2020 to mitigate inflation and structural cost
increases, favourable mix-shift towards sustainable meats and
branded product, including growth in the
United States, and higher fresh pork sales related to an
increase in hogs processed. These factors more than offset an
unfavourable impact from foreign exchange, lower prepared meats
volumes as the business lapped the surge in retail demand in late
March 2020 tied to COVID-19, and
lower sales to China.
Gross profit for the first quarter of 2021 was $166.1 million (gross margin of 16.4%)
compared to $157.3 million (gross
margin of 16.0%) last year. Gross profit performance benefited from
strong operating performance across the business, and mix-shift
benefits towards branded product and sustainable meats, which more
than offset lower profits in China. Anticipated inflation and structural
increases in operating costs were offset by pricing action
implemented in the fourth quarter of 2020.
SG&A expenses for the first quarter of 2021 were
$87.1 million compared to
$88.0 million last year. Reductions
in discretionary spend and the lapping of donations made in
March 2020 to support front-line
health care workers at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic more
than offset higher personnel costs. As a percentage of sales,
SG&A expenses improved to 8.6% from 9.0% last
year.
Adjusted Operating Earnings for the first quarter of 2021 were
$79.0 million compared to
$69.2 million last year, consistent
with factors noted above.
Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2021 were $123.3 million compared to $111.1 million last year, driven by factors
consistent with those noted above. Adjusted EBITDA Margin for the
first quarter was 12.2% compared to 11.3% last year, also driven by
factors consistent with those noted above.
Plant Protein Group
The Plant Protein Group is comprised of refrigerated plant
protein products, premium grain-based protein, and vegan cheese
products sold to retail, foodservice and industrial channels. The
Plant Protein Group includes the leading brands Lightlife® and
Field Roast™.
Sales for the the first quarter of 2021 were $42.6 million compared to $46.3 million last year. Excluding the impact of
foreign exchange, sales declined 2.5%, driven by lower volumes in
fresh retail products. This more than offset continued growth in
core retail volumes and pricing action implemented in the fourth
quarter of 2020 to mitigate inflation and structural cost
increases.
Gross profit for the first quarter of 2021 was $0.1 million (gross margin of 0.3%) compared to
$6.8 million (gross margin of 14.6%)
last year. The decrease in gross profit was attributed to lower
sales volumes and capacity utilization, which more than offset
improvements in distribution costs. Anticipated inflation and
structural increases in operating costs were offset by pricing
action implemented in the fourth quarter of 2020.
SG&A expenses for the first quarter of 2021 were
$28.8 million (67.6% of sales)
compared to $30.9 million (66.6% of
sales) last year. The decrease in SG&A expenses was driven by
the timing of certain advertising & promotional expenses, which
more than offset increased expenses related to organizational
capacity. As a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses were similar
to last year.
Adjusted Operating Earnings for the first quarter of 2021 were a
loss of $28.7 million compared to a
loss of $24.1 million last year. The
decline in Adjusted Operating Earnings is consistent with the
factors noted above.
Other Matters
On May 4, 2021, the Board of
Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.18 per share, $0.72 per share on an annual basis, payable
June 30, 2021 to shareholders of
record at the close of business June 8,
2021. Unless indicated otherwise by the Company at or before
the time the dividend is paid, the dividend will be considered an
eligible dividend for the purposes of the "Enhanced Dividend Tax
Credit System".
Conference Call
A conference call will be held at 8:00 a.m. ET on
May 5, 2021, to review Maple Leaf Foods' first quarter
financial results. To participate in the call, please dial
416-764-8650 or 1-888-664-6383. For those unable to participate,
playback will be made available an hour after the event at
416-764-8677 or 1-888-390-0541 (Passcode: 456102#).
A webcast of the first quarter conference call will also be
available at:
https://www.mapleleaffoods.com
The Company's full unaudited condensed consolidated interim
financial statements ("Consolidated Interim Financial Statements")
and related Management's Discussion and Analysis are available on
the Company's website.
An investor presentation related to the Company's first quarter
financial results is available at www.mapleleaffoods.com and
can be found under Presentations and Webcasts on the
Investors page.
2021 Outlook
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Maple Leaf Foods has remained
focused on protecting its employees and ensuring continuity of its
supply chain. As a result, the current environment does increase
certain operating costs and potential for short-term processing
disruptions to protect the health and safety of plant personnel.
Continuing COVID-19 structural costs have been incorporated in the
Company's 2021 operating plan.
Maple Leaf Foods expects to achieve the following in 2021:
Meat Protein Group - Driving Profitable Growth
- Mid-to-high single digit sales growth on a 52-week comparable
basis, driven by continued momentum in sustainable meats,
leveraging brand renovation, and growth into the U.S. market.
- Adjusted EBITDA margin expansion, progressing towards the 2022
target of 14% - 16%, driven by mix-shift benefits in prepared meats
resulting from growth in sustainable meats and brand renovation, as
well as operational efficiencies, while assuming pork complex
conditions in-line with the 5-year average. This outlook
incorporates the impact of an unexpected surge in grain and hog
price inflation, which should moderately compress margins in the
second quarter before fully recovering in the back half of the year
as related pricing action takes effect.
Plant Protein Group - Investing for Growth
- Sales growth for the year to be broadly in-line with the
strategic target of 30%, excluding any impact from fluctuations in
foreign exchange. Growth is expected to be driven by continued
momentum in the core product line, product innovation, improved
velocities and distribution in the fresh line and resurgence in
foodservice activity which is largely tied to the abatement of
COVID-19 restrictions. Growth is expected to accelerate as the year
progresses.
- Gross margin is expected to be volatile in the near-term, as
benefits from structural improvements in the supply chain may be
impacted by investment opportunities to drive sales growth in a
rapidly evolving market, as well as ongoing effects of
COVID-19.
- SG&A expenses broadly in-line with 2020 levels, excluding
any impact from fluctuations in foreign exchange, while declining
as a percentage of sales as the Company leverages investments in
advertising, promotion and marketing to elevate the Lightlife® and
Field Roast™ brand renovations, drive innovation and build scale in
the business.
Capital
- The Company's capital expenditure estimate for the full year of
2021 remains unchanged and in the range of $550 million to $650
million, with approximately 75% to be comprised of
Construction Capital. A significant portion of the Construction
Capital is related to the London,
Ontario poultry facility, the acquisition and build-out of
the plant protein facility in Indianapolis, Indiana and other projects to
add capacity and improve efficiency in our prepared meats
business.
Factors that could have an impact on our business, which we
cannot estimate or control due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
include:
- Volatility in the pork and poultry commodity and foreign
exchange markets.
- The balance between retail and foodservice demand.
- Potential future production disruptions or shutdowns.
- The duration of government measures, including social
distancing.
In addition to financial and operational priorities, Maple Leaf
Foods believes that shared value and operating its business for the
benefit of all stakeholders is crucial. The Company's guiding
pillars to be the "Most Sustainable Protein Company on Earth"
include Better Food, Better Care, Better Communities, Better Planet
and are core to how Maple Leaf Foods conducts itself. To that end,
the Company's priorities include:
- Better Food - leading the real food movement and
transitioning key brands to 100% "raised without antibiotics".
- Better Care - further advancement of animal care,
including progress towards transitioning all sows under management
to open housing systems by 2022.
- Better Communities - investing approximately 1% of
pre-tax profit to advance sustainable food security.
- Better Planet - continuing to amplify its
commitment to carbon neutrality, while focusing on eliminating
waste in any resources it consumes, including food, energy, water,
packaging, and time.
Non-IFRS Financial Measures
The Company uses the following non-IFRS measures: Adjusted
Operating Earnings, Adjusted Earnings per Share, Adjusted EBITDA,
Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Construction Capital, Net Debt, Free Cash
Flow and Return on Net Assets. Management believes that these
non-IFRS measures provide useful information to investors in
measuring the financial performance of the Company for the reasons
outlined below. These measures do not have a standardized meaning
prescribed by IFRS and therefore they may not be comparable to
similarly titled measures presented by other publicly traded
companies and should not be construed as an alternative to other
financial measures determined in accordance with IFRS.
Adjusted Operating Earnings, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted
EBITDA Margin
Adjusted Operating Earnings, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
Margin are non-IFRS measures used by Management to evaluate
financial operating results. Adjusted Operating Earnings is defined
as earnings before income taxes and interest expense adjusted for
items that are not considered representative of ongoing operational
activities of the business and items where the economic impact of
the transactions will be reflected in earnings in future periods
when the underlying asset is sold or transferred. Adjusted EBITDA
is defined as Adjusted Operating Earnings plus depreciation and
intangible asset amortization, adjusted for items included in other
expense that are considered representative of ongoing operational
activities of the business. Adjusted EBITDA Margin is calculated as
Adjusted EBITDA divided by sales.
The tables below provide a reconciliation of earnings (loss)
before income taxes as reported under IFRS in the Consolidated
Interim Financial Statements to Adjusted Operating Earnings and
Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, as indicated below. Management believes
that these non-IFRS measures are useful in assessing the
performance of the Company's ongoing operations and its ability to
generate cash flows to fund its cash requirements, including the
Company's capital investment program.
|
Three months ended
March 31, 2021
|
Three months ended
March 31, 2020
|
($
millions)(i)
(Unaudited)
|
Meat
Protein
Group
|
Plant
Protein
Group
|
Non-
Allocated (ii)
|
Total
|
Meat
Protein
Group
|
Plant
Protein
Group
|
Non-
Allocated(ii)
|
Total
|
Earnings (loss)
before income taxes
|
$
|
76.2
|
(28.7)
|
18.4
|
$
|
65.9
|
$
|
68.2
|
(24.1)
|
(47.2)
|
$
|
(3.0)
|
Interest expense and
other financing costs
|
—
|
—
|
5.0
|
5.0
|
—
|
—
|
7.9
|
7.9
|
Other
expense
|
1.1
|
0.1
|
3.3
|
4.5
|
1.2
|
—
|
2.6
|
3.8
|
Restructuring and
other related costs (reversals)
|
1.7
|
—
|
—
|
1.7
|
(0.2)
|
—
|
—
|
(0.2)
|
Earnings (loss)
from operations
|
$
|
79.0
|
(28.7)
|
26.7
|
$
|
77.1
|
$
|
69.2
|
(24.1)
|
(36.7)
|
$
|
8.5
|
(Increase) decrease
in fair value of biological assets
|
—
|
—
|
(38.5)
|
(38.5)
|
—
|
—
|
14.7
|
14.7
|
Unrealized loss on
derivative contracts
|
—
|
—
|
11.8
|
11.8
|
—
|
—
|
22.0
|
22.0
|
Adjusted Operating
Earnings
|
$
|
79.0
|
(28.7)
|
—
|
$
|
50.4
|
$
|
69.2
|
(24.1)
|
—
|
$
|
45.1
|
Depreciation and
amortization
|
45.5
|
3.8
|
—
|
49.2
|
43.0
|
3.5
|
—
|
46.6
|
Items included in
other expense representative
|
(1.2)
|
(0.1)
|
—
|
(1.3)
|
(1.2)
|
—
|
—
|
(1.2)
|
of ongoing
operations(iii)
|
Adjusted
EBITDA
|
$
|
123.3
|
(25.0)
|
—
|
$
|
98.3
|
$
|
111.1
|
(20.5)
|
—
|
$
|
90.5
|
Adjusted EBITDA
Margin
|
12.2
%
|
(58.6)
%
|
n/a
|
9.3
%
|
11.3 %
|
(44.3) %
|
n/a
|
8.9 %
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(i)
|
Totals may not add
due to rounding.
|
(ii)
|
Non-Allocated
includes eliminations of inter-segment sales and associated cost of
goods sold, and non-allocated costs which are comprised of expenses
not separately identifiable to reportable segments and are not part
of the measures used by the Company when assessing a segment's
operating results.
|
(iii)
|
Primarily includes
gain/loss on sale of long-term assets and other miscellaneous
expenses.
|
Adjusted Earnings per Share
Adjusted Earnings per Share, a non-IFRS measure, is used by
Management to evaluate financial operating results. It is defined
as basic earnings per share and is adjusted on the same basis as
Adjusted Operating Earnings. The table below provides a
reconciliation of basic earnings per share as reported under IFRS
in the Consolidated Interim Financial Statements to Adjusted
Earnings per Share for the three months ended March 31, as indicated below. Management believes
this basis is the most appropriate on which to evaluate financial
results as they are representative of the ongoing operations of the
Company.
($ per
share)
|
Three months ended
March 31,
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
Basic earnings (loss)
per share
|
$
|
0.39
|
|
$
|
(0.03)
|
Restructuring and other
related costs(i)
|
0.01
|
|
—
|
Items included in other
expense not considered representative of ongoing
operations(ii)
|
0.02
|
|
0.02
|
Change in fair value of
biological assets
|
(0.23)
|
|
0.09
|
Unrealized loss on
derivatives
|
0.07
|
|
0.13
|
Adjusted Earnings
per Share(iii)
|
$
|
0.26
|
|
$
|
0.21
|
|
|
(i)
|
Includes per share
impact of restructuring and other related costs, net of
tax.
|
(ii)
|
Primarily includes
legal fees and provisions and transaction related costs, net of
tax.
|
(iii)
|
Totals may not add
due to rounding.
|
Construction Capital
Construction Capital, a non-IFRS measure, is used by Management
to evaluate the amount of capital resources invested in specific
strategic development projects that have not yet entered commercial
production. It is defined as investments and related financing
charges in projects over $50.0
million that are related to longer-term strategic
initiatives, with no returns expected for at least 12 months in the
future and the asset will be re-categorized from Construction
Capital once operational. Current strategic initiatives primarily
include the investments in the London,
Ontario poultry production facility, further capacity and
efficiency improvements in the prepared meats business, investments
in plant protein capacity at the Walker Drive facility in
Brampton, Ontario, and the plant
protein production facilities in Indiana. The following table is a summary of
Construction Capital activity and debt financing for the periods
indicated below.
($
thousands)
(Unaudited)
|
|
As at March
31,
|
|
2021
|
|
|
2020
|
Opening balance at
January 1
|
|
$
|
440,590
|
|
|
$
|
106,831
|
Additions
|
|
148,520
|
|
|
56,926
|
Interest paid and
capitalized(i)
|
|
3,821
|
|
|
871
|
Balance at March
31
|
|
$
|
592,931
|
|
|
$
|
164,628
|
Construction
Capital debt financing(ii)
|
|
$
|
580,227
|
|
|
$
|
162,137
|
|
|
(i)
|
Certain
comparatives figures have been restated to conform with current
year presentations.
|
(ii)
|
Assumed to be
fully funded by debt to the extent that the Company has Net Debt
outstanding.
|
Net Debt
The following table reconciles Net Debt to amounts reported
under IFRS in the Company's Consolidated Interim Financial
Statements as at March 31, as
indicated below. The Company calculates Net Debt as cash and cash
equivalents, less long-term debt and bank indebtedness. Management
believes this measure is useful in assessing the amount of
financial leverage employed.
($
thousands)
|
As at March
31,
|
(Unaudited)
|
2021
|
2020
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
|
$
|
100,977
|
|
$
|
86,298
|
Current portion of
long-term debt
|
|
$
|
(913)
|
|
$
|
(912)
|
Long-term
debt
|
|
(965,459)
|
|
(726,002)
|
Total
debt
|
|
$
|
(966,372)
|
|
$
|
(726,914)
|
Net
Debt
|
|
$
|
(865,395)
|
|
$
|
(640,616)
|
Free Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow, a non-IFRS measure, is used by Management to
evaluate cash flow after investing in the maintenance or expansion
of the Company's asset base. It is defined as cash provided by
operations, less cash additions to long-term assets and capitalized
interest. The following table calculates Free Cash Flow for
the periods indicated below:
($
thousands)
(Unaudited)
|
Three months ended
March 31,
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
Cash used in
operating activities
|
$
|
(30,234)
|
|
$
|
(45,797)
|
Additions to
long-term assets
|
(160,967)
|
|
(86,292)
|
Interest paid and
capitalized(i)
|
(3,971)
|
|
(1,195)
|
Free Cash
Flow
|
$
|
(195,172)
|
|
$
|
(133,284)
|
(i) Certain
comparatives figures have been restated to conform with current
year presentations.
|
Return on Net Assets
Return on Net Assets ("RONA") is calculated by dividing tax
effected earnings from operations (adjusted for items which are not
considered representative of the underlying operations of the
business) by average monthly net assets. Net assets are defined as
total assets (excluding cash and deferred tax assets) less
non-interest bearing liabilities (excluding deferred tax
liabilities). Management believes that RONA is an appropriate basis
upon which to evaluate long-term financial performance.
Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains, and the Company's oral and written
public communications often contain, "forward-looking information"
within the meaning of applicable securities law. These statements
are based on current expectations, estimates, projections, beliefs,
judgments and assumptions based on information available at the
time the applicable forward-looking statement was made and in light
of the Company's experience combined with its perception of
historical trends. Such statements include, but are not limited to,
statements with respect to objectives and goals, in addition to
statements with respect to beliefs, plans, targets, goals,
objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates, and intentions.
Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such
as "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will",
"project", "should", "could", "would", "believe", "plan", "intend",
"design", "target", "undertake", "view", "indicate", "maintain",
"explore", "entail", "schedule", "objective", "strategy", "likely",
"potential", "outlook", "aim", "propose", "goal", and similar
expressions suggesting future events or future performance. These
statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve
assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to
predict.
By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause
actual results or events to differ materially from those
anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The Company
believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking
statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these
expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking
statements should not be unduly relied upon.
Specific forward-looking information in this document may
include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to:
- implications of COVID-19;
- future performance, including future financial objectives,
goals and targets, expected capital spend and expected SG&A
expenditures for the Company and each of its operating
segments;
- the execution of the Company's business strategy, including the
development and expected timing of business initiatives, brand
expansion and repositioning, and other growth opportunities, as
well as the impact thereof;
- the impact of international trade conditions on the Company's
business, including access to markets, implications associated with
the spread of foreign animal disease (such as African Swine Fever
("ASF")), and other social, economic and political factors that
affect trade;
- competitive conditions and the Company's ability to position
itself competitively in the markets in which it competes;
- capital projects, including planning, construction, estimated
expenditures, schedules, approvals, expected capacity, in-service
dates and anticipated benefits of construction of new facilities
and expansions of existing facilities;
- the Company's dividend policy, including future levels and
sustainability of cash dividends, the tax treatment thereof and
future dividend payment dates;
- the impact of commodity prices on the Company's operations and
financial performance, including the use and effectiveness of
hedging instruments;
- expected future cash flows and the sufficiency thereof, sources
of capital at attractive rates, future contractual obligations,
future financing options, renewal of credit facilities, and
availability of capital to fund growth plans, operating obligations
and dividends;
- operating risks, including the execution, monitoring and
continuous improvement of the Company's food safety programs,
animal health initiatives and cost reduction initiatives;
- the implementation, cost and impact of environmental
sustainability initiatives, as well as the anticipated future cost
of remediating environmental liabilities;
- the adoption of new accounting standards and the impact of such
adoption on the financial position of the Company;
- expectations regarding pension plan performance, including
future pension plan assets, liabilities and contributions; and
- developments and implications of actual or potential legal
actions.
Various factors or assumptions are typically applied by the
Company in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts,
projections, predictions or estimations set out in the
forward-looking statements. These factors and assumptions are based
on information currently available to the Company, including
information obtained by the Company from third-party sources and
include but are not limited to the following:
- expectations regarding the impact and future implications of
COVID-19 and adaptations in operations, customer and consumer
behaviour, economic patterns and international trade;
- the competitive environment, associated market conditions and
market share metrics, the expected behaviour of competitors and
customers and trends in consumer preferences;
- the success of the Company's business strategy, including
execution of the strategy in each of the Meat Protein and Plant
Protein Groups;
- prevailing commodity prices, interest rates, tax rates and
exchange rates;
- the economic condition of and the socio-political dynamics
between Canada, the U.S.,
Japan and China, and the ability of the Company to
access markets in these countries;
- the spread of foreign animal disease (including ASF),
preparedness strategies to manage such spread, and implications for
all protein markets;
- the availability of capital to fund future capital requirements
associated with existing operations, assets and projects;
- expectations regarding participation in and funding of the
Company's pension plans;
- the availability of insurance coverage to manage certain
liability exposures;
- the extent of future liabilities and recoveries related to
legal claims;
- prevailing regulatory, tax and environmental laws; and
- future operating costs and performance, including the Company's
ability to achieve operating efficiencies and maintain high sales
volumes, high turnover of inventories and high turnover of accounts
receivable.
Readers are cautioned that these assumptions may prove to be
incorrect in whole or in part. The Company's actual results may
differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking
statements.
Factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ
materially from the results expressed, implied, or projected in the
forward-looking statements contained in this document include,
among other things, risks associated with the following:
- implications of COVID-19 on the operations and financial
performance of the Company, as well the implications for macro
socio-economic trends;
- competition, market conditions and the activities of
competitors and customers;
- food safety, consumer liability and product recalls;
- the health status of livestock, including the impact of
potential pandemics;
- international trade and access to markets, as well as social,
political and economic dynamics affecting same;
- availability of and access to capital;
- decision respecting the return of capital to shareholders;
- the execution of capital projects, including cost, schedule and
regulatory variables;
- food safety, consumer liability and product recalls;
- cyber security and the maintenance and operation of the
Company's information systems and processes;
- acquisitions and divestitures;
- climate change;
- fluctuations in the debt and equity markets;
- fluctuations in interest rates and currency exchange
rates;
- pension assets and liabilities;
- cyclical nature of the cost and supply of hogs and the
competitive nature of the pork market generally;
- the effectiveness of commodity and interest rate hedging
strategies;
- impact of changes in the market value of the biological assets
and hedging instruments;
- the supply management system for poultry in Canada;
- availability of plant protein ingredients;
- intellectual property, including product innovation, product
development, brand strategy and trademark protection;
- consolidation of operations and focus on protein;
- the use of contract manufacturers;
- reputation;
- weather;
- compliance with government regulation and adapting to changes
in laws;
- actual and threatened legal claims;
- consumer trends and changes in consumer tastes and buying
patterns;
- environmental regulation and potential environmental
liabilities;
- consolidation in the retail environment;
- employment matters, including complying with employment laws
across multiple jurisdictions, the potential for work stoppages due
to non-renewal of collective agreements, recruiting and retaining
qualified personnel, reliance on key personnel and succession
planning;
- pricing of products;
- managing the Company's supply chain;
- changes in International Financial Reporting Standards and
other accounting standards that the Company is required to adhere
to for regulatory purposes; and
- other factors as set out under the heading "Risk Factors" in
the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the year ended
December 31, 2020.
The Company cautions readers that the foregoing list of factors
is not exhaustive.
Readers are further cautioned that some of the forward-looking
information, such as statements concerning future capital
expenditures, Adjusted EBITDA Margin growth in the Meat Protein
Group, expected sales and growth margin targets in the Plant
Protein Group and SG&A spend, may be considered to be financial
outlooks for purposes of applicable securities legislation. These
financial outlooks are presented to evaluate potential future
earnings and anticipated future uses of cash flows and may not be
appropriate for other purposes. Readers should not assume these
financial outlooks will be achieved.
More information about risk factors can be found under the
heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Management's
Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2020, that is available on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com. The reader should review such section in detail.
Additional information concerning the Company, including the
Company's Annual Information Form, is available on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com.
All forward-looking statements included herein speak only as of
the date hereof. Unless required by law, the Company does not
undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements
contained herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary
statement.
About Maple Leaf Foods Inc.
Maple Leaf Foods is a carbon neutral company with a vision to be
the most sustainable protein company on earth, responsibly
producing food products under leading brands including Maple Leaf®,
Maple Leaf Prime®, Schneiders®, Mina®, Greenfield Natural Meat
Co.®, Lightlife® and Field Roast™. The Company employs
approximately 13,500 people and does business primarily in
Canada, the U.S. and Asia. The Company is headquartered in
Mississauga, Ontario and its
shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MFI).
Consolidated Interim Balance Sheets
(In thousands of
Canadian dollars)
(Unaudited)
|
As at March
31,
2021
|
As at March 31,
2020
|
As at December 31,
2020
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
(Audited)
|
Current
assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
|
$
|
100,977
|
|
$
|
86,298
|
|
$
|
100,828
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
185,144
|
|
173,064
|
|
159,750
|
Notes
receivable
|
|
47,414
|
|
52,463
|
|
31,550
|
Inventories
|
|
453,364
|
|
414,095
|
|
398,070
|
Biological
assets
|
|
166,031
|
|
104,866
|
|
125,648
|
Income taxes
recoverable
|
|
1,830
|
|
—
|
|
1,830
|
Prepaid expenses and
other assets
|
|
89,064
|
|
58,068
|
|
64,517
|
Assets held for
sale
|
|
—
|
|
31,036
|
|
575
|
|
|
$
|
1,043,824
|
|
$
|
919,890
|
|
$
|
882,768
|
Property and
equipment
|
|
1,869,070
|
|
1,451,025
|
|
1,721,487
|
Right-of-use
assets
|
|
221,467
|
|
245,509
|
|
222,705
|
Investments
|
|
15,566
|
|
17,300
|
|
15,910
|
Other long-term
assets
|
|
9,136
|
|
10,564
|
|
9,568
|
Deferred tax
asset
|
|
19,117
|
|
—
|
|
14,070
|
Goodwill
|
|
650,054
|
|
669,442
|
|
652,501
|
Intangible
assets
|
|
334,192
|
|
361,334
|
|
341,196
|
Total
assets
|
|
$
|
4,162,426
|
|
$
|
3,675,064
|
|
$
|
3,860,205
|
LIABILITIES AND
EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and
accruals
|
|
$
|
552,126
|
|
$
|
419,314
|
|
$
|
501,529
|
Current portion of
provisions
|
|
1,114
|
|
4,413
|
|
1,529
|
Current portion of
long-term debt
|
|
913
|
|
912
|
|
900
|
Current portion of
lease obligations
|
|
81,159
|
|
42,717
|
|
79,601
|
Income taxes
payable
|
|
8,437
|
|
—
|
|
27,639
|
Other current
liabilities
|
|
47,207
|
|
52,980
|
|
55,849
|
|
|
$
|
690,956
|
|
$
|
520,336
|
|
$
|
667,047
|
Long-term
debt
|
|
965,459
|
|
726,002
|
|
745,048
|
Lease
obligations
|
|
158,078
|
|
219,880
|
|
160,636
|
Employee
benefits
|
|
94,601
|
|
128,676
|
|
188,946
|
Provisions
|
|
44,537
|
|
42,674
|
|
44,230
|
Other long-term
liabilities
|
|
7,676
|
|
18,153
|
|
11,918
|
Deferred tax
liability
|
|
149,031
|
|
102,987
|
|
109,916
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
$
|
2,110,338
|
|
$
|
1,758,708
|
|
$
|
1,927,741
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders'
equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share
capital
|
|
$
|
845,287
|
|
$
|
844,161
|
|
$
|
838,969
|
Retained
earnings
|
|
1,223,485
|
|
1,106,952
|
|
1,124,973
|
Contributed
surplus
|
|
16,716
|
|
8,778
|
|
5,866
|
Accumulated other
comprehensive loss
|
|
(9,470)
|
|
(13,157)
|
|
(13,414)
|
Treasury
stock
|
|
(23,930)
|
|
(30,378)
|
|
(23,930)
|
Total shareholders'
equity
|
|
$
|
2,052,088
|
|
$
|
1,916,356
|
|
$
|
1,932,464
|
Total liabilities and
equity
|
|
$
|
4,162,426
|
|
$
|
3,675,064
|
|
$
|
3,860,205
|
Consolidated Interim Statements of Net Earnings
(Loss)
(In thousands of
Canadian dollars, except share amounts)
|
Three months ended
March 31,
|
(Unaudited)
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
|
|
|
|
Sales
|
$
|
1,053,083
|
|
$
|
1,022,767
|
Cost of goods
sold
|
860,129
|
|
895,408
|
Gross
profit
|
$
|
192,954
|
|
$
|
127,359
|
Selling, general and
administrative expenses
|
115,880
|
|
118,901
|
Earnings before the
following:
|
$
|
77,074
|
|
$
|
8,458
|
Restructuring and
other related costs (reversals)
|
1,668
|
|
(169)
|
Other
expense
|
4,542
|
|
3,769
|
Earnings before
interest and income taxes
|
$
|
70,864
|
|
$
|
4,858
|
Interest expense and
other financing costs
|
4,968
|
|
7,892
|
Earnings (loss)
before income taxes
|
$
|
65,896
|
|
$
|
(3,034)
|
Income tax
expense
|
18,204
|
|
678
|
Net earnings
(loss)
|
$
|
47,692
|
|
$
|
(3,712)
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings (loss) per
share attributable to common shareholders:
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings (loss)
per share
|
$
|
0.39
|
|
$
|
(0.03)
|
Diluted earnings
(loss) per share
|
$
|
0.38
|
|
$
|
(0.03)
|
Weighted average
number of shares (millions):
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
123.2
|
|
123.0
|
Diluted
|
125.2
|
|
123.0
|
Consolidated Interim Statements of Other Comprehensive Income
(Loss)
(In thousands of
Canadian dollars)
|
Three months ended
March 31,
|
(Unaudited)
|
2021
|
|
2020
|
|
|
|
Net earnings
(loss)
|
$
|
47,692
|
|
$
|
(3,712)
|
Other comprehensive
income (loss)
|
|
|
Actuarial gains
(losses) that will not be reclassified to profit or loss (Net of
tax of $24.8
|
$
|
72,928
|
|
$
|
(7,220)
|
million; 2020: $2.5
million)
|
Items that are or may
be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
|
|
|
Change in accumulated
foreign currency translation adjustment (Net of tax of $0.0
million;
|
$
|
(5,465)
|
|
$
|
21,600
|
2020: $0.0
million)
|
Change in foreign
exchange on long-term debt designated as a net investment
hedge
|
3,818
|
|
(19,119)
|
(Net of tax of $0.7
million; 2020: $3.5 million)
|
Change in cash flow
hedges (Net of tax of $2.0 million; 2020: $6.5 million)
|
5,591
|
|
(18,431)
|
Total items that are
or may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
|
$
|
3,944
|
|
$
|
(15,950)
|
Total other
comprehensive income (loss)
|
$
|
76,872
|
|
$
|
(23,170)
|
Comprehensive income
(loss)
|
$
|
124,564
|
|
$
|
(26,882)
|
Consolidated Interim Statements of Changes in Total
Equity
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
other
comprehensive income
(loss)(i)
|
|
|
(In thousands of Canadian dollars)
(Unaudited)
|
Share
capital
|
Retained
earnings
|
Contributed
surplus
|
Foreign
currency
translation
adjustment
|
Unrealized
gains and
losses on
cash flow
hedges
|
Treasury
stock
|
Total
equity
|
Balance at
December 31, 2020
|
$
|
838,969
|
1,124,973
|
5,866
|
3,002
|
(16,416)
|
(23,930)
|
$
|
1,932,464
|
Net
earnings
|
—
|
47,692
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
47,692
|
Other
comprehensive income (loss)(ii)
|
—
|
72,928
|
—
|
(1,647)
|
5,591
|
—
|
76,872
|
Dividends declared
($0.18 per share)
|
—
|
(22,108)
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(22,108)
|
Share-based
compensation expense
|
—
|
—
|
4,702
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
4,702
|
Deferred taxes on
share-based compensation
|
—
|
—
|
350
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
350
|
Exercise of stock
options
|
1,406
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
1,406
|
Change in obligation
for repurchase of shares
|
4,912
|
—
|
5,798
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
10,710
|
Balance at March
31, 2021
|
$
|
845,287
|
1,223,485
|
16,716
|
1,355
|
(10,825)
|
(23,930)
|
$
|
2,052,088
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated other
comprehensive income
(loss)(i)
|
|
|
(In thousands of Canadian dollars)
(Unaudited)
|
Share
capital
|
Retained
earnings
|
Contributed
surplus
|
Foreign
currency
translation
adjustment
|
Unrealized
gains and
losses on
cash flow
hedges
|
Treasury
stock
|
Total
equity
|
Balance at December
31, 2019
|
$
|
840,005
|
1,137,450
|
—
|
4,274
|
(1,481)
|
(30,378)
|
$
|
1,949,870
|
Net loss
|
—
|
(3,712)
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(3,712)
|
Other
comprehensive income (loss)(ii)
|
—
|
(7,220)
|
—
|
2,481
|
(18,431)
|
—
|
(23,170)
|
Dividends declared
($0.16 per share)
|
—
|
(19,566)
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
(19,566)
|
Share-based
compensation expense
|
—
|
—
|
3,866
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
3,866
|
Change in obligation
for repurchase of shares
|
4,156
|
—
|
4,912
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
9,068
|
Balance at March 31,
2020
|
$
|
844,161
|
1,106,952
|
8,778
|
6,755
|
(19,912)
|
(30,378)
|
$
|
1,916,356
|
(i)
|
Items that are or may
be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss.
|
(ii)
|
Included in other
comprehensive income (loss) is the change in actuarial gains and
losses that will not be reclassified to profit or loss and has been
reclassified to retained earnings.
|
Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands of
Canadian dollars)
|
Three months ended
March 31,
|
(Unaudited)
|
2021
|
|
2020(i)
|
CASH PROVIDED BY
(USED IN):
|
|
|
|
Operating
activities
|
|
Net earnings
(loss)
|
$
|
47,692
|
|
$
|
(3,712)
|
Add (deduct) items not
affecting cash:
|
|
|
|
Change in fair value
of biological assets
|
(38,475)
|
|
14,659
|
Depreciation and
amortization
|
50,202
|
|
48,024
|
Share-based
compensation
|
4,702
|
|
3,866
|
Deferred income
taxes
|
6,184
|
|
(7,517)
|
Income tax
current
|
12,020
|
|
8,195
|
Interest expense and
other financing costs
|
4,968
|
|
7,892
|
Loss on sale of
long-term assets
|
287
|
|
336
|
Change in fair value
of non-designated derivatives
|
9,627
|
|
22,740
|
Change in net pension
obligation
|
3,383
|
|
2,244
|
Net income taxes
paid
|
(31,277)
|
|
(8,344)
|
Interest
paid
|
(5,428)
|
|
(7,556)
|
Change in provision
for restructuring and other related costs
|
41
|
|
(2,597)
|
Change in derivatives
margin
|
(35,662)
|
|
(23,957)
|
Other
|
3,606
|
|
1,150
|
Change in non-cash
operating working capital
|
(62,104)
|
|
(101,220)
|
Cash used in
operating activities
|
$
|
(30,234)
|
|
$
|
(45,797)
|
Investing
activities
|
|
|
|
Additions to long-term
assets
|
$
|
(160,967)
|
|
$
|
(86,292)
|
Interest paid and
capitalized
|
(3,971)
|
|
(1,195)
|
Proceeds from sale of
long-term assets
|
553
|
|
—
|
Purchase of
investments
|
—
|
|
(13,852)
|
Cash used in
investing activities
|
$
|
(164,385)
|
|
$
|
(101,339)
|
Financing
activities
|
|
|
|
Dividends
paid
|
$
|
(22,108)
|
|
$
|
(19,566)
|
Net increase in
long-term debt
|
224,861
|
|
164,861
|
Payment of lease
obligation
|
(9,391)
|
|
(9,109)
|
Exercise of stock
options
|
1,406
|
|
—
|
Payment of financing
fees
|
—
|
|
(37)
|
Cash provided by
financing activities
|
$
|
194,768
|
|
$
|
136,149
|
Increase
(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
$
|
149
|
|
$
|
(10,987)
|
Cash and cash
equivalents, beginning of period
|
100,828
|
|
97,285
|
Cash and cash
equivalents, end of period
|
$
|
100,977
|
|
$
|
86,298
|
(i)
|
Certain
comparative figures have been restated to conform with current year
presentation.
|
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SOURCE Maple Leaf Foods Inc.