Form 8-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 25, 2018

 

 

The Boston Beer Company, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Massachusetts   001-14092   04-3284048

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

One Design Center Place, Suite 850, Boston, MA   02210
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (617) 368-5000

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4c under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On April 25, 2018, The Boston Beer Company, Inc. disclosed financial information for the first quarter of 2018 in an earnings release, a copy of which is set forth in the attached Exhibit 99.

The information in this Form 8-K and the Exhibit 99 attached hereto is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing, unless expressly incorporated by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

Exhibit 99 –    Earnings Release of The Boston Beer Company, Inc. dated April 25, 2018.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

      The Boston Beer Company, Inc.
      (Registrant)

Date: April 25, 2018

     

/s/ Frank H. Smalla

     

Frank H. Smalla

Chief Financial Officer

EX-99

Exhibit 99

 

Investor Relations Contact:     Media Contact:
Jennifer Larson     Jessica Paar
(617) 368-5152     (617) 368-5060

BOSTON BEER REPORTS

FIRST QUARTER 2018 RESULTS

BOSTON, MA (4/25/18) — The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) reported first quarter 2018 net revenue of $190.5 million, an increase of $28.8 million or 17.8% from the same period last year, mainly due to an increase in shipments of 15.0%. Net income for the first quarter was $9.3 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, an increase of $3.6 million or $0.33 per diluted share from the first quarter of 2017. This increase was primarily due to increases in net revenue and gross margin that were only partially offset by increases in advertising, promotion and selling expenses.

In the first quarter of 2018 and the first quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $0.23 per diluted share and $0.28 per diluted share, respectively, resulting from the Accounting Standard “Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”), which was effective for the Company on January 1, 2017.

Highlights of this release include:

 

    Depletions increased 8% from the comparable 13-week period in 2017.

 

    Full-year depletion and shipment change continues to be estimated at between zero and plus 6%.

 

    First quarter gross margin of 50.5% was 3.3 percentage points above the 2017 first quarter margin; the Company’s full year gross margin target remains unchanged at between 52% and 54%.

 

    Advertising, promotional and selling expenses in the first quarter increased $13.8 million or 25.6%, compared to the first quarter of 2017, primarily due to increased investments in local marketing, point-of-sale and media and increased freight to distributors due to higher rates and higher volumes.

 

    Based on current spending and investment plans, full year 2018 Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share1, which excludes the impact of ASU 2016-09, continues to be estimated at between $6.30 and $7.30.

 

1 

See “Outlook” below for additional information regarding non-GAAP forward-looking measures used in this press release.


Jim Koch, Chairman and Founder of the Company, commented, “Our total company depletions increased in the first quarter. We saw significant improvement in Samuel Adams and Angry Orchard trends, led by our key innovations that include Sam ’76, Samuel Adams New England IPA and Angry Orchard Rosé, all of which are generating excitement during the early stages of their introductions. To date, the response from our wholesalers, retailers and drinkers has been quite positive, but it’s too early to fully understand repeat rates on these new products and therefore to draw conclusions on the long-term impact. New craft brewers continue to enter the market and existing craft brewers are expanding their distribution and tap rooms, with the result that drinkers are seeing more choices. We believe that we are well positioned to meet our longer-term challenges because of the quality of our employees, our beers, our innovation capability and our sales execution strength, coupled with our strong financial position that enables us to invest in growing our brands and creating new growth opportunities.”

Mr. Koch continued, “We are delighted that Dave Burwick formally joined as our CEO earlier this month. Dave knows our Company, having served on our Board of Directors since 2005, and has an established track record of innovation and business success in the beverage and consumer goods industries. Martin Roper, the Company’s former President and CEO, has now stepped down as President and CEO and from the Board. We sincerely thank Martin, both for his 17 years of leadership and for the assistance he will provide to Dave during the transition and onboarding process.”

Dave Burwick, the Company’s new President and CEO stated, “It is an honor and privilege to become the Company’s President and CEO. As I onboard to the Company, I’m focused on reviewing all areas of the business, with a focus on brand strategies that will enable the Company to return to long-term profitable growth. Our depletions increase in the first quarter was primarily due to increases in our Twisted Tea, Truly Spiked & Sparkling and Angry Orchard brands that were only partially offset by decreases in our Samuel Adams brand. We’re excited that Twisted Tea continues to grow distribution and generate consumer pull, and that Truly Spiked & Sparkling is well positioned as a leader in the emerging segment of hard sparkling water. Samuel Adams performance improved in the first quarter due to the national launch of Sam ’76 and increases in Seasonal volumes, but these positives were more than offset by declines in other Samuel Adams styles. We had a smooth seasonal transition to Samuel Adams Summer Ale late in the first quarter, which was a few weeks earlier than last year’s second quarter transition.”


Mr. Burwick continued, “As we go forward, we remain committed to our three priorities. Our number one priority is returning Samuel Adams to growth through continued packaging, innovation, promotion and brand communication initiatives, while maintaining Angry Orchard and Twisted Tea’s momentum and ensuring Truly Spiked & Sparkling’s position as a leader in the hard sparkling water category. Our plans to improve our Samuel Adams trends include our current ‘Fill Your Glass’ integrated marketing campaign along with focused sales execution on our primary Samuel Adams initiative, Sam ’76. The second quarter will also see continued investments in Angry Orchard media. We are pleased by the early reaction to our new campaign and are excited by the national launch of Angry Orchard Rosé cider, which we believe can attract new drinkers to the category from wine and beer. Our second priority is a continuing focus on cost savings and efficiency projects to fund the investments needed to grow our brands and to build our organization’s ability to deliver against our goals. Based on our visibility to opportunities in 2018, we are maintaining our previously stated goal of increasing our gross margins by an average of about one percentage point per-year over the 3-year period ending in 2019, before any mix or volume impacts, while preserving our quality and improving our service levels. Our third priority is long-term product innovation, where we continue to explore beverage areas compatible with our business model for delivering long term shareholder value with an aim to generating a consistent cadence of interesting brand innovations.”

1st Quarter 2018 Summary of Results

Depletions increased 8% from the comparable 13-week period in the prior year, primarily driven by our innovations. Shipment volume was approximately 813,000 barrels, a 15.0% increase from the comparable 13-week period in the prior year.

Shipments for the quarter increased at a higher rate than depletions and resulted in higher distributor inventory as of March 31, 2018 when compared to April 1, 2017. The Company believes distributor inventory as of March 31, 2018 was at an appropriate level based on inventory requirements to support forecasted growth of brands and new innovations. Inventory as of March 31, 2018 at distributors participating in the Freshest Beer Program increased slightly in terms of days of inventory on hand when compared to April 1, 2017. The Company has approximately 79% of its volume on the Freshest Beer Program.

Gross margin at 50.5% increased from the 47.2% margin realized in the first quarter of 2017, primarily due to cost saving initiatives in Company-owned breweries, product and package mix, favorable fixed cost absorption and price increases, partially offset by higher ingredients and packaging costs.

Advertising, promotional and selling expenses increased $13.8 million compared to the first quarter of 2017, primarily due to increased investments in local marketing, point-of-sale and media, and increased freight to distributors due to higher rates and volumes.

General and administrative expenses increased by $0.8 million from the first quarter of 2017, primarily due to increases in salaries and benefits costs.

During the first quarter, the Company recorded a net income tax benefit of $0.1 million, which consists of a $2.7 million tax benefit related to stock option exercises in accordance with ASU 2016-09, partially offset by other income tax expenses of $2.6 million. The Company’s effective tax rate for the first quarter, excluding the impact of ASU 2016-09, decreased to 28.0% from 46.8% in the first quarter of 2017, primarily due to the favorable impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

The Company expects that its March 31, 2018 cash balance of $46.6 million, together with its future operating cash flows and its available $150.0 million line of credit, will be sufficient to fund future cash requirements.


During the first quarter and the period from April 1, 2018 through April 20, 2018, the Company repurchased approximately 119,000 shares of its Class A Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $22.6 million. As of April 20, 2018, the Company had approximately $156.1 million remaining on the $931.0 million share buyback expenditure limit set by the Board of Directors.

Depletion estimates

Year-to-date depletions through the fifteen weeks ended April 14, 2018 are estimated by the Company to have increased approximately 8% from the comparable period in 2017.

Fiscal 2018 Outlook

The Company currently projects full year 2018 earnings per diluted share to be between $6.30 and $7.30, reflecting the uncertain volume outlook. This projection excludes the impact of ASU 2016-09. The Company’s actual 2018 earnings per share could vary significantly from the current projection. Underlying the Company’s current 2018 projection are the following full-year estimates and targets:

 

    Depletions and shipments percentage change of between zero and plus 6 percent.

 

    National price increases of between zero and 2%.

 

    Gross margin of between 52% and 54%, increasing during the year due to progress on cost saving initiatives.

 

    Increased investment in advertising, promotional and selling expenses of between $15 million and $25 million. This does not include any changes in freight costs for the shipment of products to the Company’s distributors.

 

    Increased general and administrative expenses of between $10 million and $20 million due to organizational investments and stock compensation costs.

 

    Non-GAAP effective tax rate of approximately 28%, excluding the impact of ASU 2016-09.

 

    Estimated capital spending of between $55 million and $65 million, which mostly consist of investments in the Company’s breweries and tap rooms and could be significantly higher, if deemed necessary to meet future growth.

Non-GAAP effective tax rate and Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share are not defined terms under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These Non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for diluted earnings per share and effective tax rate data prepared in accordance with GAAP, and may not be comparable to calculations of similarly titled measures by other companies. The Company’s projection for its Non-GAAP effective tax rate and Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share exclude the impact of ASU 2016-09, which could be significant and will depend largely upon unpredictable future events outside the Company’s control, including the timing and value realized upon exercise of stock options versus the fair value of those options when granted. Therefore, because of the uncertainty and variability of the impact of ASU 2016-09, the Company is unable to provide, without unreasonable effort, a reconciliation of these Non-GAAP measures on a forward-looking basis.


About the Company

The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) began in 1984 and today brews more than 60 styles of Samuel Adams beer. Our portfolio of brands also includes Angry Orchard Hard Cider, Twisted Tea, Truly Spiked & Sparkling, as well as several other craft beer brands brewed by A&S Brewing, our craft beer incubator. For more information, please visit our investor relations website at www.bostonbeer.com, which includes links to all of our respective brand websites.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements made in this press release that state the Company’s or management’s intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements. It is important to note that the Company’s actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings, including, but not limited to, the Company’s report on Form 10-K for the years ended December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. Copies of these documents may be found on the Company’s website, www.bostonbeer.com, or obtained by contacting the Company or the SEC.

Wednesday, April 25, 2018


THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

     Thirteen weeks ended  
     March 31,
2018
    April 1,
2017
 

Barrels sold

     813       707  

Revenue

   $ 201,831     $ 172,437  

Less excise taxes

     11,374       10,742  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net revenue

     190,457       161,695  

Cost of goods sold

     94,360       85,351  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     96,097       76,344  

Operating expenses:

    

Advertising, promotional and selling expenses

     67,521       53,754  

General and administrative expenses

     19,338       18,562  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     86,859       72,316  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     9,238       4,028  

Other (expense) income, net:

    

Interest income, net

     205       84  

Other expense, net

     (285     (72
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other (expense) income, net

     (80     12  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income tax benefit

     9,158       4,040  

Income tax benefit

     (152     (1,671
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 9,310     $ 5,711  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income per common share – basic

   $ 0.79     $ 0.46  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income per common share – diluted

   $ 0.78     $ 0.45  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of common shares – Class A basic

     8,714       9,230  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of common shares – Class B basic

     3,018       3,170  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of common shares – diluted

     11,831       12,516  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 9,310     $ 5,711  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income:

    

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     11       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

   $ 9,321     $ 5,711  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 


THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

 

     March 31,
2018
    December 30,
2017
 

Assets

    

Current Assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 46,645     $ 65,637  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $47 and $0 as of March 31, 2018 and December 30, 2017, respectively

     49,007       33,749  

Inventories

     56,225       50,651  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     14,074       10,695  

Income tax receivable

     8,952       7,616  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     174,903       168,348  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     385,569       384,280  

Other assets

     15,732       13,313  

Goodwill

     3,683       3,683  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 579,887     $ 569,624  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

    

Current Liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 43,181     $ 38,141  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     56,742       63,617  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     99,923       101,758  

Deferred income taxes, net

     34,997       34,819  

Other liabilities

     8,041       9,524  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     142,961       146,101  

Commitments and Contingencies

    

Stockholders’ Equity:

    

Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value; 22,700,000 shares authorized; 8,700,167 and 8,603,152 issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and December 30, 2017, respectively

     87       86  

Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value; 4,200,000 shares authorized; 3,017,983 and 3,017,983 issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and December 30, 2017, respectively

     30       30  

Additional paid-in capital

     394,313       372,590  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

     (1,509     (1,288

Retained earnings

     44,005       52,105  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     436,926       423,523  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 579,887     $ 569,624  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 


THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASHFLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Thirteen weeks ended  
     March 31,     April 1,  
     2018     2017  

Cash flows used in operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 9,310     $ 5,711  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     12,820       12,724  

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

     143       27  

Bad debt expense

     47       4  

Stock-based compensation expense

     1,491       1,581  

Deferred income taxes

     178       117  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     (16,615     1,376  

Inventories

     (8,166     (4,799

Prepaid expenses, income tax receivable and other assets

     (4,689     (2,784

Accounts payable

     2,299       (6,254

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     (6,575     (12,595

Other liabilities

     (658     (148
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (10,415     (5,040
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows used in investing activities:

    

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (11,477     (6,981

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment

     2       7  

Change in restricted cash

     111       16  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (11,364     (6,958
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:

    

Repurchase of Class A Common Stock

     (16,640     (33,268

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     19,304       13,869  

Cash paid on note payable

     (63     (60

Net proceeds from sale of investment shares

     186       315  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     2,787       (19,144
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in cash and cash equivalents

     (18,992     (31,142

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     65,637       91,035  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 46,645     $ 59,893  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Income taxes paid

   $ 459     $ 225  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in accounts receivable for ASU 2014-09 adoption

   $ (1,310   $ —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income taxes refunded

   $ —       $ 2  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase in accounts payable for purchase of property, plant and equipment

   $ 2,741     $ 1,741  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Copies of The Boston Beer Company’s press releases, including quarterly financial results,

are available on the Internet at www.bostonbeer.com