Distillery Products Fuel MGP Ingredients Growth

17/08/06 MGP Ingredients, Inc. has reported net income of $7,363,000, or $0.45 in basic earnings per share, for the fourth quarter, which ended June 30, 2006. This compares with net income of $732,000, or $0.05 in basic earnings per share, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005. Income from operations in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 was $11,992,000 (pre-tax) compared to income from operations of $1,543,000 (pre-tax) in the prior year's fourth quarter. Total sales in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 were $90,338,000, an increase of 22 percent above sales of $73,949,000 in the prior year period.

The improvement in fourth quarter operating results from a year ago resulted from increased sales in the distillery products segment. Distillery products sales rose by over $24.3 million, or 51 percent, above sales in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005. Ingredients sales in the fourth quarter declined to $18.7 million, nearly 30 percent less than the prior year's fourth quarter.

"Our earnings growth for the entire year was driven by our distillery products segment, where the fundamentals remain solid," said Ladd Seaberg, president and chief executive officer. "As we anticipated, the fourth quarter contribution from this segment was especially strong due to higher alcohol pricing and lower natural gas costs compared to the prior year's fourth quarter. Since we are essentially producing at our total maximum annual distillery capacity of approximately 110 million gallons, this latest quarter illustrates our operating leverage in a favorable price environment, assuming that we can continue to successfully manage our cost of goods sold and operating expenses."

Seaberg added, "While we have experienced significant increases in ethanol prices, we have also seen positive pricing for our food grade alcohol products. Along with our high purity beverage alcohol, we produce industrial alcohol for a wide range of applications, including vinegar, personal care products, household cleaning solutions and medicinal products."

The company's fourth quarter earnings performance in the ingredients segment was affected primarily by lower unit sales of specialty ingredients for non-food applications compared to a year ago. Profitability in this segment was further affected by higher raw material prices for wheat, a major cost component. Wheat prices for the quarter averaged nearly 25 percent higher than the prior-year period. The decline in sales of specialty ingredients for non-food applications was most pronounced in sales of Chewtex(R) resins used in pet industry products. MGPI has had no sales to its principal customer for this product since May, following a change in the customer's ownership. As previously reported, the company recently filed suit against the customer and its new owner alleging against one or both tortious interference with contract, breach of contract, misappropriation of trade secrets and infringement of a company patent.

Total sales of distillery products in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 rose by approximately $24.3 million, or 51 percent, compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005. This improvement was principally due to a $20.5 million, or 91 percent, increase in sales of fuel grade alcohol and a $2.9 million, or 16 percent, increase in sales of food grade alcohol. The increased sales of fuel grade alcohol resulted from significantly higher average selling prices and increased unit sales. In the food grade area, sales of alcohol for industrial applications rose by $2.1 million, or nearly 16 percent, due to improved prices compared to a year ago. Sales of alcohol for beverage applications rose by approximately $800,000, or 17 percent, as the result of both improved prices and increased unit sales. Sales of distillers feed, the principal by-product of the alcohol production process, increased approximately 14 percent over year-ago fourth quarter levels due to higher average selling prices, which were partially offset by reduced unit sales due to improved alcohol yields.

Total ingredient sales in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 decreased by approximately $7.9 million, or nearly 30 percent, compared to the prior year's fourth quarter. This was mainly due to a 68 percent decline in sales of specialty ingredients for non-food applications, principally the MGPI Chewtex(TM) line of pet-related ingredients. Fourth quarter sales revenue from specialty ingredients for food applications increased by approximately 5 percent compared to a year ago due mainly to higher sales of certain of the company's specialty proteins and Pregel(TM) specialty starches. While sales of the company's Fibersym(TM) resistant starches and Arise(R) wheat protein isolates declined from the prior year's fourth quarter, sales of these products were higher compared to fiscal 2006 third quarter levels. Commodity ingredient sales in the fourth quarter declined by approximately $800,000, or 18 percent, compared with the prior year.

For fiscal 2006, the company had net income of $13,995,000, or $0.87 in basic earnings per share, on sales of $322,477,000, compared with net income of $4,004,000, or $0.25 in basic earnings per share, on sales of $275,177,000 for fiscal 2005. This improvement was primarily due to a nearly 30 percent increase in distillery products sales, which resulted from higher unit sales and prices for food grade alcohol produced for industrial and beverage applications, and increased prices for fuel grade alcohol, which offset a small decline in fuel alcohol unit sales. Additionally, the company benefited from the recognition of approximately $850,000 in state income tax credits, which reduced the effective tax rate for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006.

Total ingredients sales in fiscal 2006 declined by approximately 8 percent compared with the prior fiscal year. A 5 percent increase in sales of specialty food ingredients was offset by lower sales of ingredients for non- food applications, mainly related to pet products, which declined by approximately 34 percent. The company reported a slight increase in sales of commodity wheat gluten. Sales of commodity wheat starch were essentially even with the prior year's level.

The company's total operating income of $22,370,000 for fiscal 2006 more than tripled operating income of $6,630,000 for fiscal 2005. Pre-tax income for the distillery segment increased by $28.4 million over the prior year. The pre-tax loss in the ingredients segment for fiscal 2006 increased to approximately $11.8 million from a loss of $778,000 in fiscal 2005.
Outlook

Seaberg commented, "Current high demand for both food grade and fuel grade alcohol products should support continued strength in our distillery segment. In our drive to be the low-cost producer, we are focusing on materials sourcing and operating process improvements. Our investments in distillery equipment upgrades will set the stage for incremental increases in unit volumes, but also make our plant network more efficient and environmentally compliant."

Regarding ingredients, Seaberg stated, "We are in the process of reviewing the entire operation, including raw material costs, new product development, and even how we go to market. It is likely that we will direct our resources over a narrower range of specialty ingredients, with a focus on profitability. Our best opportunity is to return to our strengths in applications and R&D, and work more closely with our core base of loyal customers. The food industry continues to seek new innovations that are nutritious, delicious and convenient. We know that we can add greater value by providing total solutions rather than just selling products."

Seaberg concluded, "While we are pleased to report significantly improved earnings for the past year, I am actually more encouraged by the prospect of what lies ahead. We expect to maintain our momentum in alcohol products. The changes in our ingredients segment are geared to optimize profitability from our key products. Meanwhile, we will continue to invest in order to strengthen our competitive abilities. Our new technical innovation center, currently under construction, will be an essential tool, as well as an industry showcase for our starch and protein technologies. All of this supports our confidence for improved performance going forward."