Subject: SEDAR News: Big Rock Brewery Inc.
PDF Document
File: Attachment 06202504-00000001-00030989-Big_Rock_Press_Release_Q3_2024-PDF.pdf
BIG ROCK BREWERY INC. ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER
2024 RESULTS
November 7, 2024 -- Calgary, Alberta -- Big Rock Brewery Inc. (TSX: BR) ("Big Rock" or the
"Corporation") today announces its financial results for the three and nine-month periods ended
September 30, 2024.
Financial Summary
For the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the three months ended September
30, 2023, the Corporation reported:
dot net revenue increased by 10.6% to $12.8 million primarily due to increased co-packing
activity;
dot wholesale sales volumes went down 6.2% to 41,705 hectolitres ("hl") compared to 44,451
hl;
dot operating loss increased to ($0.3 million) from operating income of less than $0.1 million;
dot net loss increased to ($0.9 million) from a net loss of ($0.2 million); and
dot Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $0.3 million from $1.0 million. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP
financial measure, see "Non-GAAP Measures".
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the nine months ended September
30, 2023, the Corporation reported:
dot net revenue decreased by 2.9% to $33.7 million from $34.7 million due to reduced co-
packing activity in the first half of the year, as well as slightly lower wholesale volumes. The
decrease was partially offset by the increased co-packing activity in Q3 2024;
dot wholesale sales volumes down 6.0% to 114,575 hl compared to 121,889 hl;
dot operating loss increased to ($3.3 million) from ($0.1 million);
dot net loss increased to ($3.8 million) from ($0.8 million); and
dot Adjusted EBITDA decreased to ($1.2 million) from $2.9 million. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-
GAAP financial measure, see "Non-GAAP Measures".
David Kinder, Big Rock's President and Chief Executive Officer noted, "While industry-wide
challenges persist, impacting our wholesale volume growth, we're excited to share some positive
momentum at Big Rock Brewery. In Q3 2024, we successfully introduced a new multi-year co-packing
arrangement and expanded our co-pack volumes with our partners, contributing to growth in our
gross margin over the same period last year. Big Rock continues to grow both capacity and capability
within the ready-to-drink ("RTD") category, prioritizing additional facility investment that
supports both ongoing and future demand, allowing us to scale up and to win in this critical space."
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Mr. Kinder commented further, "Despite the headwinds in the beer industry overall, we remain
firmly committed to investing in our brands, our people, and our innovation pipeline. By
strengthening our team and building on our reputation for quality and creativity, we are positioning
Big Rock to respond and to thrive in an evolving market and to meet the changing tastes of our
customers with renewed passion and purpose. While these strategic investments increased our
operating costs this quarter, negatively impacting our EBITDA and earnings, we believe they are
crucial steps toward creating sustainable, long-term growth and value for our stakeholders."
Summary of Results
$000, except hl and per share Three months ended Nine months ended
amounts
September 30 September 30
Wholesale sales volumes (hl) (1)
Gross product revenue 2024 2023 2024 2023
Net revenue
Cost of sales 41,705 44,451 114,575 121,889
Adjusted EBITDA (2)
Operating (loss) income $ 17,061 $ 15,999 $ 44,141 $ 46,656
Net loss
Net loss per share (basic) 12,774 11,553 33,700 34,706
Net loss per share (diluted)
8,864 8,098 23,927 24,490
281 999 (1,162) 2,889
(347) 55 (3,313) (46)
(938) (227) (3,791) (822)
$ (0.13) $ (0.03) $ (0.54) $ (0.11)
$ (0.13) $ (0.03) $ (0.51) $ (0.11)
(1) Excludes co-packing/contract volumes due to the nature of the agreements.
(2) Non-GAAP financial measure. See "Non-GAAP Measures".
In 2023 Big Rock embarked on a strategy of, where possible, balancing production and sales between
quarters to allow for a reduction of operating costs. Reduced co-packing contract volumes made
this difficult during the last half of 2023 and the first three quarters of 2024. In response to the
reduction of contract volumes, management signed a three-year contract with a co-packing partner
to produce 50,000 hl or more annually. These volumes are expected to allow for a more balanced
schedule and replace the volumes lost during 2023 due to the expiry of a key co-packing contract,
providing critical mass in terms of production and contract sales volumes.
Big Rock's wholesale sales volumes for the third quarter of 2024 were down 6.2% compared to the
same period in 2023. While wholesale sales volumes declined, revenues (including beer, cider, non-
alcoholic and ready to drink beverages), inclusive of co-packing/contract revenues, increased 10.6%
in the third quarter compared to the same period in 2023. This continues to demonstrate the
strength of the Corporation's efforts to align with consumer demand and focus on premium product
innovation and development as well as lean into the co-packing segment of our business.
Big Rock's adjusted EBITDA decreased by $0.7 million to $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2024.
Even though the Corporation saw gross margin for the third quarter of 2024 increase to 30.6%
compared to 29.9% in the same period in 2023 EBITDA went down as a result of management's
strategic and operational decision to increase selling & marketing costs in 2024 in order to build
awareness and engage target audiences which will drive future sales.
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Since January of this year, Big Rock has introduced a series of changes designed to strengthen its
operations and provide for financial stability:
- On January 8, 2024, David Kinder, a veteran of the beverage industry, was appointed
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, replacing Mr. Stephen Giblin who
had taken on the role on an interim basis;
- In January of 2024, the Corporation announced the addition of a $4.2 million tranche to its
existing $4.3 million second lien financing (the "Second Lien Financing") with VN Capital
Fund I, LP, Big Rock's largest shareholder;
- Effective May 1, 2024, the Corporation introduced Big Sky BBQ as its restaurant partner and
operator of its' on-site tap-room, restaurant and patio at Big Rock's Calgary location;
- Effective May 14, 2024, the Corporation added Ms. Linda A. Thomas and Mr. George Croft to
its board of directors (the "Board"), adding to the bench strength of the Board with
additional financial acumen and directly-relevant industry experience;
- During May 2024, the Corporation completed the installation and commissioning of two
machines that will bind its four, six and eight-pack products with "Earthrings," an
environmentally-friendly, 100% recyclable, compostable binding for cans, expected to allow
Big Rock to be compliant with Canada's ban on single-use plastics;
- On July 11, 2024, the Corporation announced operational realignments designed to improve
its operations, including:
o At the conclusion of its lease on July 31, 2024, Big Rock's location in Vancouver was
permanently closed. Prior to the pandemic, this location, which was opened in 2015,
featured a tap room, restaurant and micro-brewery. The tap room and restaurant
were ultimately not re-opened and the leased space was larger than what is
required to maintain production; and
o Effective June 17, 2024, Big Rock completed the sale of, and closed its warehouse
facility located in Edmonton, Alberta. Big Rock products continue to be distributed
to each of its customers via a partnership with Hy-Line Express Ltd, an Edmonton-
based trucking company who provide cross-docking functionality to Big Rock's
existing network of transportation partners.
- During late July 2024, the Corporation completed the installation and commissioning of a
QuikFlexTM 2100G3 ("QuikFlex") packaging machine manufactured by Graphic Packaging
International, one of the world's leading providers of integrated solutions for packaging,
materials, printing, and automation. QuikFlex represents the latest technology in a flexible,
high-speed, continuous-motion packer designed to package single tiers of cans in various
configurations and features automatic loading. QuikFlex has been integrated with the
Corporation's high-speed canning line that was upgraded during 2022; and
- In late third quarter 2024, the Corporation announced that it had entered into a three-year
contract with a strategic partner to produce 50,000 hl or more annually. These volumes are
expected to allow for a more balanced schedule and replace the volumes lost during 2023
due to the expiry of a key co-packing contract.
Additional Information
The unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements of the Corporation and the
Corporation's Management Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended September
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30, 2024 dated November 7th, 2024, can be viewed on Big Rock's website at www.bigrockbeer.com
and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under Big Rock Brewery Inc.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
The Corporation uses certain financial measures referred to in this press release to quantify its
results that are not prescribed by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). Such
financial measures do not have a standardized meaning under GAAP and therefore may not be
comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.
This press release contains the term "Adjusted EBITDA". Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial
measure that the Corporation uses to measure operating performance and borrowing capacity. The
calculation of Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure, whose nearest GAAP measure is
net income, or net loss, as applicable, with the reconciliation between the two as follows:
($000, except where Three months ended Nine months ended
indicated) September 30 September 30
2024 2023 Change 2024 2023 Change
Net loss $ (938) $ (227) $ (711) $ (3,791) $ (822) $ (2,969)
Addback:
Interest 716 551 165 2,077 1,561 516
-- (312) 312
Taxes -- (1) 1 2,975 (770)
2,205 (126)
Depreciation and 551 826 (275) (54) (387) 72
amortization 633 1,020
Share based payments 77 19 58 (2,232)
$ (1,162)
Loss (gain) on dispositions 2,107 (169) 2,276 -- (2,232)
net (2,232) -- (2,232)
Gain on extinguishment of
lease liability
Adjusted EBITDA (1) $ 281 $ 999 $ (718) $ 2,889 $ (4,051)
(1) Non-GAAP measure. See "Non-GAAP Measures".
Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements. These
statements relate to future events or Big Rock's future performance. All statements, other than
statements of historical fact, may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information
are not facts, but only predictions and generally can be identified by the use of statements that
include words or phrases such as, "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "could", "estimate",
"expect", "intend", "likely", "may", "project", "predict", "propose", "potential", "might",
"plan", "seek", "should", "targeting", "will", and similar expressions. These 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. Big Rock believes
that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable but no
assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking
statements included in this press release should not be unduly relied upon by readers, as actual
results may vary materially from such forward-looking statements. These statements speak only
as of the date of this press release and are expressly qualified, in their entirety, by this cautionary
statement.
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In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements pertaining to the following:
dot Big Rock's long-term growth strategy and the anticipated benefits to be derived therefrom;
dot Big Rock's expectation that, where possible, it will continue to employ the strategy of
balancing production and sales between quarters to allow for a reduction of operating costs
and the anticipated benefits to be derived therefrom;
dot Big Rock's expectations with respect to its new three-year contract with a strategic partner,
including with respect to estimated production volume and the benefits anticipated to be
derived therefrom, such as the expectation that such volumes will allow for a more balanced
schedule and replace the volumes lost during 2023 and will provide critical mass in terms of
production and contract sales volumes;
dot Big Rock's beliefs regarding its efforts to align with consumer demand and focus on premium
product innovation and development;
dot Big Rock's expectations with respect to product innovation releases in through the balance of
2024;
dot Big Rock's expectations in respect of its series of changes designed to strengthen its operations
and provide for financial stability and the anticipated benefits to be derived therefrom;
dot Big Rock's expectations with respect to compliance with Canada's ban on single-use plastics;
dot Big Rock's expectations with respect to its capital expenditure program featuring the
replacement of the equipment, including timing of completion, and the benefits anticipated
to be derived therefrom, including that it will allow more flexibility moving forward, help the
Corporation be more competitive and reduce reliance on third parties for packaging;
dot Big Rock's beliefs regarding certain improvements to the business and the anticipated benefits
to be derived therefrom;
dot Big Rock's beliefs regarding its ability to improve its financial results going forward;
dot Big Rock's expectations regarding the non-alcoholic market and its growth, including the
performance of its non-alcoholic beer;
dot interpretation of and anticipation of market trends; and
dot Big Rock's business plans, outlook, and strategy;
With respect to the forward-looking statements listed above and contained in this press release,
management has made assumptions regarding, among other things:
dot volumes in the current fiscal year will remain constant or will increase;
dot 2025 co-packing volumes will return to or exceed 2022 levels;
dot the non-alcoholic market will continue to rapidly grow;
dot there will be no material change to the regulatory environment in which Big Rock operates;
dot there will be no material supply issues with Big Rock's vendors;
dot seasonal fluctuations in demand;
dot that innovation and co-creation of new products with Big Rock's strategic partners will
capitalize on increased market demand in certain product categories and further enable the
Corporation to gain market share;
dot that a continued focus on streamlining processes around forecasting and production planning
will enable the Corporation to continue to realize operational efficiencies and drive margin
growth; and
dot that capital expenditures for new packaging equipment and operational realignments will
result in efficiencies and cost savings for the Corporation, as well as compliance with Canada's
ban on single-use plastic.
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Some of the risks which could affect future results and could cause results to differ materially
from those expressed in the forward-looking information and statements contained herein include
the risk factors set out in the Corporation's annual information form for the year ended December
30, 2023 which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and also include, but are not limited
to:
dot risks related to Big Rock's credit facility with ATB and the Second Lien Financing;
dot that the year-over-year growth in Big Rock's co-packing arrangements may be less than
anticipated;
dot the inability to grow demand for Big Rock's products;
dot the risk that Big Rock may not have an increase in market demand or market share;
dot the risk that Big Rock may not realize overhead and labour cost efficiencies;
dot the risk that Big Rock may not realize the benefits of increased co-packing production;
dot the risk that Big Rock may not realize operational efficiencies or margin growth;
dot the risk that Big Rock may not have sufficient cash flows to cover forecasted expenses or return
to profitability; and
dot the risk that Big Rock may not be in compliance with its financial covenants for the next 12
months.
Any financial outlook or future oriented financial information (in each case "FOFI") contained in
this press release regarding prospective financial position, including, but not limited to:
expectations regarding continued improvement in Big Rock's financial results and the anticipated
benefits to be derived therefrom and Big Rock's long-term growth strategy and the anticipated
benefits to be derived therefrom are based on reasonable assumptions about future events,
including those described above, based on an assessment by management of the relevant
information that is currently available. The actual results will likely vary from the amounts set
forth herein and such variations may be material. Readers are cautioned that any such FOFI
contained herein should not be used for purposes other than those for which it is disclosed herein.
Such information was made as of the date of this press release and the Corporation disclaims any
intention or obligation to update or revise any such information, whether as a result of new
information, future events, or otherwise, unless required pursuant to applicable law.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of assumptions and risk factors is not exhaustive. The
forward-looking information and statements and FOFI contained herein are expressly qualified in
their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information and statements and
FOFI included in this press release are made as of the date hereof and Big Rock does not undertake
any obligation to publicly update such forward-looking information and statements to reflect new
information, subsequent events or otherwise unless so required by applicable securities laws.
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About Big Rock Brewery Inc.
In 1985, Ed McNally founded Big Rock to contest the time's beer trends. Three bold, European-
inspired offerings Bitter, Porter and Traditional Ale forged an industry at a time heavy on easy
drinking lagers and light on flavour. Today, our extensive portfolio of signature beers, ongoing
seasonal offerings, six ciders (Rock Creek Cidertrademark series), custom-crafted private label products and
other notable, licensed alcoholic beverages keeps us at the forefront of the craft beer revolution
and still proudly contesting the beer and alcoholic beverage trends of today. Big Rock has brewing
operations in Calgary, Alberta and Toronto, Ontario. Big Rock trades on the TSX under the symbol
"BR". For more information on Big Rock visit www.bigrockbeer.com
For further information, please contact:
David Kinder, President & Chief Executive Officer, or James Chong, Chief Financial Officer:
Phone: (403) 720-3239
Fax: (403) 720-3641
Email: investors@bigrockbeer.com
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