Lifeway Foods, Inc. Launches Strategic Plan, “Lifeway 2.0” to Reinvigorate Growth


Focus on Expansion of Core Kefir Product Distribution 
Introduces Convenient, On-the-Go Health and Wellness Product Innovation
Builds Lifeway Brand Awareness & Consumer Loyalty
Announces Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

MORTON GROVE, Ill., Nov. 14, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lifeway Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: LWAY), the leading U.S. supplier of kefir fermented dairy and probiotic products to support the microbiome, today announced a new strategic plan, “Lifeway 2.0” to reinvigorate growth.  The Company also reported financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Julie Smolyansky, Lifeway’s CEO commented, “We are excited to launch Lifeway 2.0, our strategic long-term plan to meaningfully reinvigorate growth. We expect to deliver sustainable top-line growth based on three core strategies. These include a focus on rebuilding our core kefir product distribution in new and existing sales channels, introducing product innovation for today’s on-the-go consumers focused on health and wellness, and enhancing Lifeway’s brand awareness and consumer loyalty. Over the last few months we have aligned our organizational structure to significantly reduce costs and create efficiencies, while also continuing to make investments in people, processes, manufacturing and sales and marketing. We believe we have the right team, strategic plan, and compelling industry fundamentals to generate the growth we are confident Lifeway is capable of achieving long-term.”

Smolyansky continued, “We believe the disciplined actions we have taken in light of the recent inflationary cost pressures and dairy industry challenges have further strengthened our foundation for growth.  Importantly, recent research from Harvard University has reinforced the benefits of fermented dairy on gut health and microbiome support, information we look forward to educating more consumers about going forward. At Lifeway, we have strong health and wellness heritage which began in the 1980s, and our team remains intently focused on providing products that are positive for digestive health, high in protein and low in sugar to help consumers maintain a healthier lifestyle.”

Lifeway 2.0 Strategic Growth Priorities
To reinvigorate growth in 2019 and over the next several years, Lifeway is focused on the following strategic growth initiatives:

  • Expand Core Kefir Product Distribution
    • Lifeway will focus on rebuilding core kefir product distribution in new and existing sales channels. This includes in existing mass, grocery and natural retail partners as well as the complementary convenience, club, foodservice, drug store, e-commerce, hospital and university sales channels. 
       
  • Introduce Convenient, Probiotic and Protein Rich-Product Innovation
    • Lifeway will introduce product innovation for today’s on-the-go consumers focused on health and wellness. This includes single-serve, 8 ounce Lifeway Kefir and newly released organic varieties. Year-to-date through September 30, 2018 Lifeway branded 8 ounce Kefir retail sales for measured channels grew approximately 39% over the prior year period off of a low-base.
    • The Company is also focused on completing the development of its dairy-free, plant-based probiotic drinks with distribution beginning in 2019.
       
  • Enhance Consumer Experience
    • Lifeway will utilize existing customer insights and technologies to increase trial and repurchase rates as it looks to expand kefir household penetration. The Company believes there is a tremendous opportunity to re-engage with existing consumers and bring new consumers to the Lifeway brand.
    • Lifeway believes these single-serve purchase opportunities, along with increased demos at traditional retail, will help support its objective to increase exposure, shopper occasions and introduce new consumers to the brand.

About Lifeway Foods, Inc.

Lifeway Foods, Inc., which has been recognized as one of Forbes’ Best Small Companies, is America’s leading supplier of the probiotic, fermented beverage known as kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable kefir, the company also produces cupped kefir and cheese, frozen kefir, specialty cheeses, probiotic supplements and a ProBugs line for kids. Lifeway’s tart and tangy fermented dairy and non-dairy products are now sold across North America, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Learn how Lifeway is good for more than just you at www.lifewaykefir.com.
  
Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this release (and oral statements made regarding the subjects of this release) contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, future operating and financial performance, product development, market position, business strategy and objectives. These statements use words, and variations of words, such as “gain,” “position,” “vision,” “ongoing,” “intend,” “innovate,” “continue.” Other examples of forward looking statements may include, but are not limited to, (i) statements of Company plans and objectives, including the introduction of new products, or estimates or predictions of actions by customers or suppliers, (ii) statements of future economic performance, and (III) statements of assumptions underlying other statements and statements about Lifeway or its business. You are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events and thus are inherently subject to uncertainty. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from Lifeway’s expectations and projections. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include: price competition; the decisions of customers or consumers; the actions of competitors; changes in the pricing of commodities; the effects of government regulation; possible delays in the introduction of new products; and customer acceptance of products and services. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties, and other factors can be found in Lifeway’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, and the Company’s subsequent filings with the SEC. Copies of these filings are available online at https://www.sec.gov, http://lifewaykefir.com/investor-relations/, or on request from Lifeway. Information in this release is as of the dates and time periods indicated herein, and Lifeway does not undertake to update any of the information contained in these materials, except as required by law. Accordingly, YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THE ACCURACY OF ANY OF THE STATEMENTS OR OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED IN ANY ARCHIVED PRESS RELEASE.

Contact:

Lifeway Foods, Inc.
Phone: 847-967-1010
Email: info@lifeway.net

  
LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
Consolidated Balance Sheets  
September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017  
(In thousands)  
  
  September 30,
2018
(Unaudited)
  December 31,
2017
 
Current assets        
Cash and cash equivalents $2,726  $4,978 
Investments, at fair value  500    
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and discounts & allowances of $1,550 and $2,010 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 respectively  8,073   8,676 
Inventories, net  6,837   7,697 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  1,298   983 
Refundable income taxes  2,959   2,347 
Total current assets  22,393   24,681 
         
Property, plant and equipment, net  25,035   24,645 
         
Intangible assets        
Goodwill & indefinite-lived intangibles  14,068   14,068 
Other intangible assets, net  485   975 
Total intangible assets  14,553   15,043 
         
Other assets  150   150 
Total assets $62,131  $64,519 
         
Current liabilities        
Current maturities of notes payable $  $3,166 
Accounts payable  6,263   6,848 
Accrued expenses  3,118   2,984 
Accrued income taxes  82   203 
Total current liabilities  9,463   13,201 
         
Line of credit  5,990    
Notes payable     3,113 
Deferred income taxes, net  840   840 
Other long-term liabilities  661   775 
Total liabilities  16,954   17,929 
         
Stockholders' equity        
Preferred stock, no par value; 2,500 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively      
Common stock, no par value; 40,000 shares authorized; 17,274 shares issued; 15,838 and 16,008 outstanding at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively  6,509   6,509 
Paid-in capital  2,211   2,244 
Treasury stock, at cost  (12,918)  (11,812)
Retained earnings  49,375   49,649 
Total stockholders' equity  45,177   46,590 
         
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $62,131  $64,519 


  
LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
Consolidated Statements of Operations  
For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017  
(Unaudited)  
(In thousands, except per share data)  
  
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine months Ended
September 30,
 
  2018  2017  2018  2017 
             
Net sales $24,480  $28,786  $80,318  $92,636 
                 
Cost of goods sold  17,892   20,331   57,412   65,262 
Depreciation expense  738   618   2,143   1,801 
Total cost of goods sold  18,630   20,949   59,555   67,063 
                 
Gross profit  5,850   7,837   20,763   25,573 
                 
Selling expenses  3,136   4,010   10,537   11,648 
General and administrative  3,150   3,145   9,851   10,743 
Amortization expense  163   168   490   504 
Total operating expenses  6,449   7,323   20,878   22,895 
                 
(Loss) income from operations  (599)  514   (115)  2,678 
                 
Other income (expense):                
Interest expense  (82)  (62)  (220)  (180)
Gain (loss) on sale of property and equipment  28   (34)  42   (39)
Other income, net  3      11    
Total other income (expense)  (51)  (96)  (167)  (219)
                 
(Loss) income before provision for income taxes  (650)  418   (282)  2,459 
                 
(Benefit) provision for income taxes  (136)  175   (8)  1,056 
                 
Net (loss) income* $(514) $243  $(274) $1,403 
                 
(Loss) earnings per common share:                
Basic $(0.03) $0.02  $(0.02) $0.09 
Diluted $(0.03) $0.02  $(0.02) $0.09 
                 
Weighted average common shares:                
Basic  15,872   16,093   15,886   16,123 
Diluted  16,256   16,168   16,354   16,218 
                 

*2018 third quarter net income includes a $0.3 million non-cash inventory write-off expense due to the Company’s discontinued products and the flow through from the Probugs packaging change.

  
LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  
For the Nine months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017  
(Unaudited)  
(In thousands)  
  
  2018  2017 
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net (loss) income $(274) $1,403 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to operating cash flow:        
Depreciation and amortization  2,633   2,305 
Non-cash interest expense  9    
Bad debt expense  50    
Reserve for inventory obsolescence  580   320 
Stock-based compensation  827   901 
Deferred revenue  (72)   
(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment  (42)  39 
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:        
Accounts receivable  553   (814)
Inventories  280   (328)
Refundable income taxes  (612)  (462)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  (291)  (231)
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:        
Accounts payable  (586)  1,384 
Accrued expenses  (588)  252 
Accrued income taxes  (121)  (580)
Net cash provided by operating activities  2,346   4,189 
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Purchases of investments  (500)  (25)
Purchases of property and equipment  (2,581)  (3,932)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment  90   37 
Net cash used in investing activities  (2,991)  (3,920)
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Borrowings under revolving credit facility  6,050    
Payment of deferred financing costs  (69)   
Purchase of treasury stock  (1,309)  (1,187)
Repayment of notes payable  (6,279)  (630)
Net cash used in financing activities  (1,607)  (1,817)
         
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  (2,252)  (1,548)
         
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period  4,978   8,812 
         
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period $2,726  $7,264 
         
Supplemental cash flow information:        
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds $724  $2,098 
Cash paid for interest $189  $180