Marzetti Co 10-K for FY2021
Marzetti Co (MZTI)
10-K
2021-08-26
For: 2021-06-30
View Original
Added on
April 11, 2026
About this 10-K
Marzetti Co filed this 10-K on August 26, 2021, covering the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 (FY2021).
Headline figures
Fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Revenue
- $1.47B
- up 9.9% from $1.33B a year earlier
- Net income
- $142.33M
- up 3.9% from net income of $136.98M a year earlier
- Diluted EPS
- $5.16
- up 3.8% from $4.97 a year earlier
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form | |||||
(Mark One)
| ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
For the fiscal year ended June 30 , 2021
or
| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 000-04065
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) | ||||||||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | ||||||||||
| (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) | |||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | ||||||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ||||||||||||
| 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. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The aggregate market value of Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant computed by reference to the price at which such Common Stock was last sold as of December 31, 2020 was $3,544.9 million.
As of August 2, 2021, there were approximately 27,531,000 shares of Common Stock, without par value, outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Item 1. | ||||||||
| Item 1A. | ||||||||
| Item 1B. | ||||||||
| Item 2. | ||||||||
| Item 3. | ||||||||
| Item 4. | ||||||||
| Item 5. | ||||||||
| Item 6. | ||||||||
| Item 7. | ||||||||
| Item 7A. | ||||||||
| Item 8. | ||||||||
| Item 9. | ||||||||
| Item 9A. | ||||||||
| Item 9B. | ||||||||
| Item 10. | ||||||||
| Item 11. | ||||||||
| Item 12. | ||||||||
| Item 13. | ||||||||
| Item 14. | ||||||||
| Item 15. | ||||||||
| Item 16. | ||||||||
2
PART I
Item 1. Business
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS
Company Overview
Lancaster Colony Corporation, an Ohio corporation, is a manufacturer and marketer of specialty food products for the retail and foodservice channels. Our principal executive offices are located at 380 Polaris Parkway, Suite 400, Westerville, Ohio 43082 and our telephone number is 614-224-7141.
Our vision is to be The Better Food Company – better people, driven by purpose, making better food, in a better more collaborative culture, working in unison to make the world around us a little bit better place, every day – while fulfilling our corporate purpose To Nourish Growth With All That We Do.
Our company goals are to bring delicious food to the table and to deliver top quartile financial performance and top quartile product quality, safety and customer satisfaction while attracting, retaining and rewarding top quartile people. To achieve these goals, we are focused on the three pillars of our strategic growth plan:
1.Accelerate our base business growth;
2.Simplify our supply chain to reduce our costs and grow our margins; and
3.Identify and execute complementary mergers and acquisitions to grow our core.
As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and except as the context otherwise may require, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “registrant,” or “the Company” mean Lancaster Colony Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, except where it is clear that the term only means the parent company. Unless otherwise noted, references to “year” pertain to our fiscal year which ends on June 30; for example, 2021 refers to fiscal 2021, which is the period from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.
Available Information
Our Internet website address is http://www.lancastercolony.com. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The information contained on our website or connected to it is not incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The SEC also maintains a website, http://www.sec.gov, that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.
DESCRIPTION OF AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT BUSINESS SEGMENTS
Our financial results are presented as two reportable segments: Retail and Foodservice. Costs that are directly attributable to either Retail or Foodservice are charged directly to the appropriate segment. Costs that are deemed to be indirect, excluding corporate expenses and other unusual significant transactions, are allocated to the two reportable segments using a reasonable methodology that is consistently applied. Our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), in order to drive enhanced accountability and transparency throughout our organization, initiated a review of functional costs that have historically been part of the indirect costs allocated to our two reportable segments. This review was completed as part of our preparation for our upcoming enterprise resource planning system implementation. As a result of this review, our CODM identified certain support functions that would be more appropriately presented within corporate expenses to facilitate the management of the business, including assessing segment performance and allocating resources. These changes were effective July 1, 2020. All historical information has been retroactively conformed to the current presentation. These changes had no effect on previously reported consolidated net sales, gross profit, operating income, net income or earnings per share. The financial information relating to our business segments for the three years ended June 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019 is included in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements, and located in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Further description of each business segment within which we operate is provided below.
3
Retail Segment
The following table presents the primary Retail products we manufacture and sell under our brand names:
| Products | Brand Names | |||||||
| Frozen Breads | ||||||||
| Frozen garlic breads | New York BRAND Bakery | |||||||
| Frozen Parkerhouse style yeast rolls and dinner rolls | Sister Schubert’s | |||||||
| Refrigerated Dressings, Dips and Other | ||||||||
| Salad dressings | Marzetti, Simply Dressed | |||||||
| Vegetable dips and fruit dips | Marzetti | |||||||
| Flatbread wraps and pizza crusts | Flatout | |||||||
| Shelf-Stable Dressings and Croutons | ||||||||
| Salad dressings | Marzetti, Cardini’s, Girard’s | |||||||
| Croutons and salad toppings | New York BRAND Bakery, Chatham Village, Marzetti | |||||||
We also manufacture and sell other shelf-stable products pursuant to brand license agreements including Olive Garden® dressings, Buffalo Wild Wings® sauces and Chick-fil-A® sauces. Additionally, a small portion of our Retail sales are products sold under private label to retailers.
The vast majority of the products we sell in the Retail segment are sold through sales personnel, food brokers and distributors in the United States. We have placement of products in grocery produce departments through our refrigerated salad dressings, vegetable dips and fruit dips. Our flatbread products and sprouted grain bakery products are generally placed in the specialty bakery/deli section of the grocery store. We also have products typically marketed in the shelf-stable section of the grocery store, which include salad dressings, slaw dressing, sauces and croutons. Within the frozen food section of the grocery store, we sell yeast rolls, garlic breads and mini stuffed bagels.
Our top five Retail customers accounted for 55%, 56% and 56% of this segment’s total net sales in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
We continue to rely upon our strong retail brands, innovation expertise, geographic and channel expansion and customer relationships for future growth. Our category-leading retail brands and commitment to new product development help drive increased consumer demand in our Retail segment. We have also expanded Retail segment growth by leveraging our strong Foodservice customer relationships to establish exclusive licensing agreements for the retail channel. Strategic acquisitions are also part of our future growth plans, with a focus on fit and value.
Our quarterly Retail sales are affected by seasonal fluctuations, primarily in the fiscal second quarter and the Easter holiday season when sales of certain frozen retail products tend to be most pronounced. Our quarterly Retail sales can also be affected by the timing of seasonal shipments of certain fruit dips between the first and second quarters. The resulting impacts on working capital are not significant. We do not utilize any franchises or concessions. In addition to the owned and licensed trademarked brands discussed above, we also own and operate under innumerable other intellectual property rights, including patents, copyrights, formulas, proprietary trade secrets, technologies, know-how processes and other unregistered rights. We consider our owned and licensed intellectual property rights to be essential to our Retail business.
Foodservice Segment
The majority of our Foodservice sales are products sold under private label to restaurants. We also manufacture and sell various branded Foodservice products to distributors.
The following table presents the primary Foodservice products we manufacture and sell under our brand names:
| Products | Brand Names | |||||||
| Dressings and Sauces | ||||||||
| Salad dressings | Marzetti, Simply Dressed | |||||||
| Frozen Breads and Other | ||||||||
| Frozen garlic breads | New York BRAND Bakery | |||||||
| Frozen Parkerhouse style yeast rolls and dinner rolls | Sister Schubert’s | |||||||
| Frozen pasta | Marzetti Frozen Pasta | |||||||
4
The vast majority of the products we sell in the Foodservice segment are sold through sales personnel, food brokers and distributors in the United States. Most of the products we sell in the Foodservice segment are custom-formulated and include salad dressings, sandwich and dipping sauces, frozen breads and yeast rolls. Finally, within this segment, we sold other roll products under a temporary supply agreement resulting from the November 2018 acquisition of Omni Baking Company LLC. The temporary supply agreement was terminated effective October 31, 2020.
Our top five Foodservice direct customers accounted for 61%, 59% and 59% of this segment’s total net sales in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Within our Foodservice segment, typically our largest direct customers are distributors that distribute our products primarily to foodservice national chain restaurant accounts.
In the Foodservice segment, sales growth results from general volume gains or geographic expansion of our established customer base, and we also grow our business with existing and new customers by leveraging our culinary skills and experience to support the development of new products and menu offerings. Strategic acquisitions are also part of our future growth plans, with a focus on fit and value.
The operations of this segment are not affected to any material extent by seasonal fluctuations. We do not utilize any franchises or concessions. We own and operate under innumerable intellectual property rights, including patents, copyrights, formulas, proprietary trade secrets, technologies, know-how processes and other unregistered rights. We consider our owned intellectual property rights to be essential to our Foodservice business.
NET SALES ATTRIBUTED TO SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS
Net sales attributed to Walmart Inc. (“Walmart”) totaled 18%, 18% and 17% of consolidated net sales for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Net sales attributed to McLane Company, Inc. (“McLane”), a wholesale distribution subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., totaled 13%, 13% and 15% of consolidated net sales for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. McLane is a large, national distributor that sells and distributes our products to several of our foodservice national chain restaurant accounts, principally in the quick service, fast casual and casual dining channels. In general, these national chain restaurants have direct relationships with us for culinary research and development, menu development and production needs, but choose to buy our products through McLane, who acts as their distributor. McLane orders our products on behalf of these national chain restaurants, and we invoice McLane for these sales.
Chick-fil-A, Inc. (“Chick-fil-A”), one of our national chain restaurant accounts, also represents a significant portion of our consolidated net sales. We supply Chick-fil-A indirectly through distributors, including McLane. In addition, Chick-fil-A is a growing contributor to our Retail sales since we began selling their sauces to grocery retailers under an exclusive license agreement beginning in March 2020 with a regional pilot test. Retail sales of Chick-fil-A sauces have grown through geographic expansion, ultimately reaching national distribution in April 2021. Net sales attributed to Chick-fil-A, including the Retail sales resulting from the exclusive license agreement and the indirect Foodservice sales, totaled 21%, 16% and 14% of consolidated net sales for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
NET SALES BY CLASS OF PRODUCTS
The following table sets forth business segment information with respect to the percentage of net sales contributed by our primary classes of similar products:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Retail Segment: | |||||||||||||||||
| Frozen breads | 21% | 22% | 20% | ||||||||||||||
| Shelf-stable dressings, sauces and croutons | 21% | 16% | 13% | ||||||||||||||
| Refrigerated dressings, dips and other | 15% | 16% | 17% | ||||||||||||||
| Foodservice Segment: | |||||||||||||||||
| Dressings and sauces | 32% | 33% | 36% | ||||||||||||||
| Frozen breads and other | 11% | 12% | 13% | ||||||||||||||
MANUFACTURING
As of June 30, 2021, the majority of our products were manufactured and packaged at our 16 food plants located throughout the United States. Most of these plants produce products for both the Retail and Foodservice segments. Efficient and cost-effective production remains a key focus as evidenced by our lean six sigma initiative. Certain items are also manufactured and packaged by third parties located in the United States, Canada and Europe.
5
COMPETITION
All of the markets in which we sell food products are highly competitive in the areas of price, quality and customer service. We face competition from a number of manufacturers of various sizes and capabilities. Our ability to compete depends upon a variety of factors, including the position of our branded goods within various categories, product quality, product innovation, promotional and marketing activity, pricing and our ability to service customers.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
Our business operations are subject to regulation by various federal, state and local government entities and agencies. As a producer of food products for human consumption, our operations are subject to stringent production, packaging, quality, labeling and distribution standards, including regulations promulgated under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the Food Safety Modernization Act. We are also subject to various federal, state and local environmental protection laws. Based upon available information, compliance with these laws and regulations did not have a material effect upon the level of capital expenditures, earnings or our competitive position in 2021 and is not expected to have a material impact in 2022.
HUMAN CAPITAL
Our people are essential to our vision to be The Better Food Company — better people, driven by purpose, making better food, in a better more collaborative culture, working in unison to make the world around us a little bit better place, every day. The honesty, integrity and sound judgment of our people in following our Code of Business Ethics are what enable us to be successful and live our company’s purpose To Nourish Growth With All That We Do.
Consistent with that purpose, we are committed to diversity, inclusion and belonging in the workplace. Our commitment was exemplified by five recent strategic actions:
1.We adopted a Diversity Hiring Statement, which reiterates our pledge to include highly qualified women and minority candidates, as well as highly qualified candidates with other diverse backgrounds, skills and experiences, in the pool of candidates for new leadership positions.
2.We appointed a Vice President of Environmental, Social, Governance and Corporate Affairs to support engagement of our stakeholders and enhanced disclosure practices.
3.We established a work-study program to provide both tuition support and work-study mentorship for high school students from low-income families.
4.We created an Employee Assistance Fund to offer short-term financial assistance to associates facing difficult life circumstances and times of crisis.
5.We encouraged and supported the development of several employee resource groups that promote diversity and equality by raising awareness and ensuring that group members have a voice in the company.
We believe our diversity, inclusion and belonging initiatives enhance our ability to attract and retain a high-performing, diverse team of people. We also endeavor to provide our employees with competitive fixed and/or variable pay along with a benefit package which typically includes medical, dental and life insurance benefits, disability coverage, a 401(k) plan, and an employee assistance program, among other benefits. In managing our business, we strive to reward performance, promote shared fiscal responsibility among the company and our employees, and strategically align talent within our organization, while also managing the costs of such actions. In addition, we are committed to nourishing the growth of our employees by providing training and development opportunities to pursue their career paths and to ensure compliance with our policies.
During the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic, one of our major priorities while navigating through this period of volatility and uncertainty has been to ensure the health, safety and welfare of our employees. Our health and safety program is well-developed and is reinforced through our policies, training, and auditing efforts. The discussion in our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) describes many of the actions we have taken with respect to these efforts. We continue to monitor the latest guidance from authorities, including federal, state and local public health departments, and adopt the appropriate measures to ensure we continue to operate safely and support our employees.
As of June 30, 2021, we had 3,200 employees. Of those employees, 24% are represented under various collective bargaining contracts and 12% are represented under collective bargaining contracts that will expire within one year. While we believe that labor relations with all our employees are satisfactory, a prolonged labor dispute or an organizing attempt could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
6
RAW MATERIALS
During 2021, we obtained adequate supplies of raw materials and packaging. We rely on a variety of raw materials and packaging for the day-to-day production of our products, including soybean oil, various sweeteners, eggs, dairy-related products, flour, various films and plastic and paper packaging materials.
We purchase the majority of these materials on the open market to meet current requirements, but we also have some fixed-price contracts with terms generally one year or less. See further discussion in the “Risk Factors” section below and the “Financial Condition” section of our MD&A. Although the availability and price of certain of these materials are influenced by weather, disease and the level of global demand, we anticipate that future sources of supply for 2022 will generally be available and adequate for our needs.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
An investment in our common stock is subject to certain risks inherent in our business. Before making an investment decision, investors should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, together with all of the other information included or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
If any of the following risks occur, our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. These described risks are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not known to us or that we deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. If any of these risks were to materialize, the value of our common stock could decline significantly.
RISKS RELATED TO HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
We may be subject to business disruptions, product recalls or other claims for real or perceived safety issues regarding our food products.
We can be impacted by both real and unfounded claims regarding the safety of our operations, or concerns regarding mislabeled, adulterated, contaminated or spoiled food products. Any of these circumstances could necessitate a voluntary or mandatory recall due to a substantial product hazard, a need to change a product’s labeling or other consumer safety concerns. A pervasive product recall may result in significant loss due to the costs of a recall, related legal claims, including claims arising from bodily injury or illness caused by our products, the destruction of product inventory, or lost sales due to product unavailability. A highly publicized product recall, whether involving us or any related products made by third parties, also could result in a loss of customers or an unfavorable change in consumer sentiment regarding our products or any category in which we operate. In addition, an allegation of noncompliance with federal or state food laws and regulations could force us to cease production, stop selling our products or create significant adverse publicity that could harm our credibility and decrease market acceptance of our products. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Any potential claim under our insurance policies may exceed our insurance coverage, may be subject to certain exceptions or may not be honored fully, in a timely manner, or at all.
We may be subject to a loss of sales or increased costs due to adverse publicity or consumer concern regarding the safety, quality or healthfulness of food products, whether with our products, competing products or other related food products.
We are highly dependent upon consumers’ perception of the safety, quality and possible dietary attributes of our products. As a result, substantial negative publicity concerning one or more of our products, or other foods similar to or in the same food group as our products, could lead to lower demand for our products and/or reduced prices and lost sales. Substantial negative publicity, even when false or unfounded, could also hurt the image of our brands or cause consumers to choose other products or avoid categories in which we operate. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Certain negative publicity regarding the food industry or our products could also increase our cost of operations. The food industry has been subject to negative publicity concerning the health implications of genetically modified organisms, added sugars, trans fat, salt, artificial growth hormones, ingredients sourced from foreign suppliers and other supply chain concerns. Consumers may increasingly require that our products and processes meet stricter standards than are required by applicable governmental agencies, thereby increasing the cost of manufacturing our products. If we fail to adequately respond to any such consumer concerns, we could suffer lost sales and damage our brand image or our reputation. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
7
RISKS RELATED TO OUR OPERATIONS
Epidemics, pandemics or similar widespread public health concerns and disease outbreaks, such as COVID-19, have disrupted and may cause future disruptions to consumption, supply chains, management, operations and production processes, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Epidemics, pandemics or similar widespread health concerns and disease outbreaks, such as COVID-19, as well as related government mandates, including the avoidance of gatherings, self-quarantine and the closure of a variety of businesses and restaurants have negatively affected and may in the future negatively affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. These effects may include, but are not limited to:
•significant reductions or volatility in consumer demand for our products as quarantines, stay-at-home orders, travel restrictions, restrictions on gatherings, actual disease outbreaks, customer fears, financial hardship of customers and economic downturns (local, regional, national and/or global) may inhibit consumption or shift demand from discretionary or higher-priced products to lower-priced products and restrict the business operations of our retail and foodservice customers, which could negatively impact our retail and/or foodservice business;
•a shutdown of one or more of our manufacturing, warehousing or distribution facilities as a result of illness, government restrictions or other workforce disruptions, including interference in our supply chain, or absenteeism, or reductions in utilization levels, could result in us incurring additional direct costs and experiencing lost revenue;
•forced or temporary curtailment of business operations, including the closure of restaurants and restaurant chains or limitations on restaurants to offer only take-out or delivery sales, resulting in a significant reduction in demand for our foodservice products;
•failure of third parties on which we rely, including our customers, distributors, suppliers, contract manufacturers, and other partners to meet their obligations to us, or significant disruptions in their ability to do so, which may be caused by their own financial or operational difficulties;
•inability to meet our customers’ needs and achieve cost targets due to disruption in our manufacturing and supply arrangements caused by the loss or disruption of essential manufacturing and supply elements such as raw materials or other finished product components, transportation, workforce, or other manufacturing and distribution capability;
•incurrence of additional labor and operating costs to address the COVID-19 pandemic and related impacts, including costs associated with increased compensation to certain employees in our factories and distribution network, along with the provision of additional cleaning, disinfectants and sanitation materials to help keep our employees safe and to protect the communities that we serve;
•disruption in operations if a significant percentage of our workforce is unable to work due to illness, travel or other government restrictions, or other reasons in connection with epidemics, pandemics or disease outbreaks; and
•other increased administrative costs, including insurance costs.
Despite our efforts to manage and remedy these impacts, their ultimate significance depends on factors beyond our knowledge or control, including the duration and severity of any such outbreak as well as third-party actions taken to contain the spread and mitigate public health effects. If we are perceived as having responded improperly to the pandemic, we could suffer damage to our reputation and our brands. The items above and other impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic could have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in this “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, such as those relating to our reputation, product sales, results of operations or financial condition. The severity, magnitude and duration of the current COVID-19 pandemic are uncertain, rapidly changing and depend on events beyond our knowledge or control. We might not be able to anticipate or respond to all impacts on a timely basis to prevent near- or long-term adverse impacts to our results. As a result, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Cyber attacks, data breaches or other breaches of our information security systems could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Cyber attacks, data breaches or other breaches of our information security systems may cause equipment failures or disruptions to our operations. Our inability to operate our networks and information security systems as a result of such events, even for a limited period of time, may result in significant expenses. Cyber attacks, which include the use of malware, ransomware, computer viruses and other means for disruption or unauthorized access, have increased in frequency, scope and potential harm in recent years. While we have been subject to cyber attacks, none of these events has been material to our operations or financial condition. Our efforts to protect the security of our information relative to our perceived risks may be insufficient to defend against a significant cyber attack in the future. The costs associated with a significant cyber attack could include increased expenditures on cyber security measures, lost revenues from business interruption, litigation, regulatory fines
8
and penalties and substantial damage to our reputation. The cost and effort involved with attempting to prevent cyber security attacks and data breaches could also be significant, and our efforts to prevent these attacks may not be successful. If we fail to prevent the theft of valuable information such as financial data, sensitive information about the Company and intellectual property, or if we fail to protect the privacy of customers’, consumers’ and employees’ confidential data against breaches of network or information technology security, it could result in substantial damage to our reputation and an impairment of business partner confidences and brand image, which could adversely impact our employee, customer and investor relations. Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Any potential claim under our insurance policies relating to cyber events may be subject to certain exceptions; may not be honored fully, in a timely manner, or at all; and we may not have purchased sufficient insurance to cover all material losses.
A disruption of production at certain manufacturing facilities could result in an inability to meet our customers’ demands for certain products, which could also negatively impact our ability to maintain adequate levels of product placement with our customers on a long-term basis.
Because we source certain products from single manufacturing sites and use third-party manufacturers for significant portions of our production needs for certain products, it is possible that we could experience a production disruption that results in a reduction or elimination of the availability of some of our products. If we are not able to obtain alternate production capability in a timely manner, or on favorable terms, it could have a negative impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, including the potential for long-term loss of product placement with various customers.
We are also subject to risks of other business disruptions associated with our dependence on production facilities and distribution systems. Pandemics, including COVID-19, natural disasters, terrorist activity, cyber attacks or other unforeseen events could interrupt production or distribution and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, including the potential for long-term loss of product placement with our customers.
Manufacturing capacity constraints may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Our current manufacturing resources may be inadequate to meet significantly increased demand for some of our food products. Our ability to increase our manufacturing capacity to satisfy demand depends on many factors, including the availability of capital, construction lead-times and delays, equipment availability and delivery lead-times, successful installation and start up, qualification, the availability of adequate skilled and unskilled labor, regulatory permitting and regulatory requirements. Increasing capacity through the use of third-party manufacturers depends on our ability to develop and maintain such relationships and the ability of such third parties to devote additional capacity to fill our orders.
A lack of sufficient manufacturing capacity to meet demand could cause our customer service levels to decrease, which may negatively affect customer demand for our products and customer relations generally, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. In addition, operating facilities at or near capacity may also increase production and distribution costs and negatively affect relations with our employees or contractors, which could result in disruptions in our operations.
Increases in the costs or limitations to the availability of raw materials we use to produce and package our products could adversely affect our business by increasing our costs to produce goods.
Our principal raw-material needs include soybean oil, various sweeteners, eggs, dairy-related products, flour, water and various films, plastic and paper packaging materials. Our ability to manufacture and/or sell our products may be impaired by damage or disruption to our manufacturing or distribution capabilities, or to the capabilities of our suppliers or contract manufacturers, due to factors that are hard to predict or beyond our control, such as adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, fire, terrorism, pandemics, including COVID-19, strikes or other events. Production of the agricultural commodities used in our business may also be adversely affected by drought, water scarcity, temperature extremes, scarcity of suitable agricultural land, worldwide demand, changes in international trade arrangements, livestock disease (for example, avian influenza), crop disease and/or crop pests.
We purchase a majority of our key raw materials on the open market. Our ability to avoid the adverse effects of a pronounced, sustained price increase in our raw materials is limited. We have observed increased volatility in the costs of many of these raw materials in recent years. Similarly, fluctuating petroleum prices and transportation capacity have, from time to time, impacted our costs of resin-based packaging and our costs of inbound freight on all purchased materials.
We try to limit our exposure to price fluctuations for raw materials by periodically entering into longer-term, fixed-price contracts for certain raw materials, but we cannot ensure success in limiting our exposure. We may experience further increases in the costs of raw materials, and we may try to offset such cost increases with higher prices or other measures. However, we may be unable to successfully implement offsetting measures or unable to do so in a timely manner. Such cost increases, as
9
well as an inability to effectively implement additional measures to offset higher costs, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
We may experience difficulties in designing and implementing our new enterprise resource planning system.
We are in the midst of a multi-year implementation of a new enterprise resource planning system (“ERP”), which will replace our existing financial and operating systems. The ERP will be designed to accurately maintain our financial records, enhance our operational functionality and provide timely information to our management team related to the operations of the business. The design and implementation of this new ERP requires an investment of significant personnel and financial resources, including substantial expenditures for outside consultants, system hardware and software in addition to other expenses in connection with the transformation of our organizational structure and financial and operating processes. We have experienced substantial delays and complications in our implementation as a result of the remote work environment necessitated by COVID-19 and ongoing shifts and surges in demand between our Retail and Foodservice business due to the impacts of COVID-19. We may not be able to implement the ERP successfully without experiencing additional delays, increased costs and other difficulties, including potential design defects, miscalculations, testing requirements, re-work due to changes in business plans or reporting standards, and the diversion of management’s attention from day-to-day business operations. Additional extended delays could also introduce operational risk, including cyber security risks, and other complications. In addition, a resurgence of COVID-19 may lead to renewed safety protocols, including remote work, that could introduce additional complexity and strain our ability to test the ERP fully. If we are unable to design and implement the new ERP as planned, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting could be adversely affected, our ability to assess those controls adequately could be delayed, and our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be negatively impacted.
The availability and cost of transportation for our products is vital to our success, and the loss of availability or increase in the cost of transportation could have an unfavorable impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Our ability to obtain adequate and reasonably priced methods of transportation to distribute our products, including refrigerated trailers for many of our products, is a key factor to our success. Delays in transportation, including weather-related delays, could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Further, higher fuel costs and increased line haul costs due to industry capacity constraints, customer delivery requirements and a more restrictive regulatory environment could also negatively impact our financial results. We are often required to pay fuel surcharges that fluctuate with the price of diesel fuel to third-party transporters of our products, and such surcharges can be substantial. Any sudden or dramatic increases in the price of diesel fuel would serve to increase our fuel surcharges and our cost of goods sold. If we were unable to pass higher freight costs to our customers in the form of price increases, those higher costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
We may require significant capital expenditures to maintain, improve or replace aging infrastructure and facilities, which could adversely affect our cash flows.
Much of our infrastructure and facilities have been in service for many years, which may result in a higher level of future maintenance costs and unscheduled repairs. Further, our infrastructure and facilities may need to be improved or replaced to maintain or increase operational efficiency, sustain production capacity, or meet changing regulatory requirements. A significant increase in maintenance costs and capital expenditures could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, a failure to operate our facilities optimally could result in declining customer service capabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Our inability to successfully renegotiate collective bargaining contracts and any prolonged work stoppages could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
We believe that our labor relations with employees under collective bargaining contracts are satisfactory, but our inability to negotiate the renewal of any collective bargaining agreements, including the agreement at our Milpitas, California facility, which is currently scheduled to expire in December 2021, and the agreement at one of our Columbus, Ohio facilities, which is currently scheduled to expire in March 2022, or any prolonged work stoppages could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Increases in energy-related costs could negatively affect our business by increasing our costs to produce goods.
We are subject to volatility in energy-related costs that affect the cost of producing and distributing our products, including our petroleum-derived packaging materials. Furthermore, any sudden and dramatic increases in electricity or natural gas costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
10
We limit our exposure to price fluctuations in energy-related costs by periodically entering into longer-term, fixed-price contracts for natural gas and electricity supply to some of our manufacturing facilities. However, due to the inherent variability of contractual terms and end dates, in addition to the extent to which the energy markets in which we operate have been deregulated to allow for contracted supply, we will retain some level of exposure to future price fluctuations for our energy-related costs.
The loss of the services of one or more members of our senior management team could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Our operations and prospects depend in large part on the performance of our senior management team, several of which are long-serving employees with significant knowledge of our business model and operations. Should we not be able to find qualified replacements or successors for any of these individuals if their services were no longer available due to retirement, resignation or otherwise, our ability to manage our operations or successfully execute our business strategy may be materially and adversely affected.
We may not be able to successfully consummate proposed acquisitions or divestitures, and integrating acquired businesses may present financial, managerial and operational challenges.
We continually evaluate the acquisition of other businesses that would strategically fit within our operations. If we are unable to consummate, successfully integrate and grow these acquisitions or realize contemplated revenue growth, synergies and cost savings, our financial results could be adversely affected. In addition, we may, from time to time, divest businesses, product lines or other operations that are less of a strategic fit within our portfolio or do not meet our growth or profitability targets. As a result, our profitability may be adversely affected by losses on the sales of divested assets or lost operating income or cash flows from those businesses.
We may incur asset impairment or restructuring charges related to acquired or divested assets, which may reduce our profitability and cash flows. These potential acquisitions or divestitures present financial, managerial and operational challenges, including diversion of management attention from ongoing businesses, difficulty with integrating or separating personnel and financial and other systems, increased expenses, assumption of unknown liabilities, indemnities and potential disputes with the buyers or sellers.
RISKS RELATED TO THE BRANDS WE SELL AND CUSTOMER DEMAND FOR OUR PRODUCTS
We rely on the value of the brands we sell, and the failure to maintain and enhance these brands could adversely affect our business.
We rely on the success of our well-recognized brand names. Maintaining and enhancing our brand image and recognition is essential to our long-term success, and maintaining license agreements under which we market and sell certain brands is important to our business. The failure to do either could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We seek to maintain and enhance our brands through a variety of efforts, including the delivery of quality products, extending our brands into new markets and new products and investing in marketing and advertising. The costs of maintaining and enhancing our brands, including maintaining our rights to brands under license agreements, may increase. These increased costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
We also manufacture and sell numerous products pursuant to brand license agreements including Olive Garden® dressings, Buffalo Wild Wings® sauces and Chick-fil-A® sauces. We cannot ensure that we will maintain good relationships with our brand licensors. Many of our brand license agreements can be terminated or not renewed at the option of the licensor upon short notice to us. The termination of our brand license agreements, the failure to renew our brand license agreements on terms favorable to us, adverse changes in the economic health or reputation of our brand licensors, or the impairment of our relationships with our brand licensors could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
In addition, we increasingly rely on electronic marketing, such as social media platforms and the use of online marketing strategies, to support and enhance our brands. This “e-commerce” marketplace is growing and evolving quickly and allows for the rapid dissemination of information regarding our brands by us and consumers. We may not be able to successfully adapt our marketing efforts to this rapidly changing marketplace, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, negative opinions or commentary posted online regarding our brands, regardless of their underlying merits or accuracy, could diminish the value of our brands and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
11
Competitive conditions within our Retail and Foodservice markets could impact our sales volumes and operating profits.
Competition within all of our markets is expected to remain intense. Numerous competitors exist, many of which are larger than us in size. These competitive conditions could lead to significant downward pressure on the prices of our products, which could have a material adverse effect on our sales and profitability.
Competitive considerations in the various product categories in which we sell are numerous and include price, product innovation, product quality, brand recognition and loyalty, effectiveness of marketing, promotional activity and the ability to remain relevant to consumer preferences and trends. In order to maintain our existing market share or capture increased market share among our retail and foodservice channels, we may decide to increase our spending on marketing and promotional costs, advertising and new product innovation. The success of marketing, advertising and new product innovation is subject to risks, including uncertainties about trade and consumer acceptance. As a result, any such increased expenditures may not maintain or enhance our market share and could result in lower profitability.
Walmart is our largest Retail customer. The loss of, or a significant reduction in, Walmart’s business, or an adverse change in the financial condition of Walmart, could result in a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Our net sales to Walmart represented 18% of consolidated net sales for each of the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020. Our accounts receivable balance from Walmart as of June 30, 2021 was $26.7 million. We may not be able to maintain our relationship with Walmart, and Walmart is not contractually obligated to purchase from us. In addition, changes in Walmart’s general business model, such as reducing the shelf space devoted to the branded products we market, or devoting more shelf space to competing products, could adversely affect the profitability of our business with Walmart, even if we maintain a good relationship. The loss of, or a significant reduction in, this business could have a material adverse effect on our sales and profitability. Unfavorable changes in Walmart’s financial condition or other disruptions to Walmart’s business, such as decreased consumer demand or stronger competition, could also have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Chick-fil-A represents a significant portion of our Foodservice segment sales. The loss of, or a significant reduction in, this national chain restaurant’s business, or an adverse change in Chick-fil-A’s financial condition, could result in a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Sales to Chick-fil-A in our Foodservice segment, which are made indirectly through several foodservice distributors including McLane, represented 17% and 15% of consolidated net sales for the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. We cannot ensure that we will be able to maintain good relationships with key national chain restaurant accounts in the future. We do not have any long-term purchase commitments, and we may be unable to continue to sell our products in the same quantities or on the same terms as in the past. The loss of, or a significant reduction in, this business could have a material adverse effect on our sales and profitability. Further, unfavorable changes in Chick-fil-A’s financial condition or other disruptions to its business, such as decreased consumer demand or stronger competition, could also have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
McLane is our largest Foodservice customer. An adverse change in the financial condition of McLane could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Our net sales to McLane represented 13% of consolidated net sales for each of the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020. Our accounts receivable balance from McLane as of June 30, 2021 was $9.1 million. McLane is a large, national distributor that sells and distributes our products to several of our foodservice national chain restaurant accounts, principally in the quick service, fast casual and casual dining channels. In general, these national chain restaurants have direct relationships with us for culinary research and development, menu development and production needs, but choose to buy our products through McLane, who acts as their distributor. McLane orders our products on behalf of these national chain restaurants, and we invoice McLane for these sales. Thus, unfavorable changes in the financial condition of McLane could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. In addition, the loss of, or a significant reduction in, our business with the underlying national chain restaurants, or other disruptions, such as decreased consumer demand or stronger competition, could also have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. We cannot ensure that we will be able to maintain good relationships with McLane and the underlying national chain restaurants. McLane and the underlying national chain restaurants are not typically committed to long-term contractual obligations with us, and they may switch to other suppliers that offer lower prices, differentiated products or customer service that McLane and/or the underlying national chain restaurants perceive to be more favorable. In addition, changes in the general business model of McLane, or the underlying national chain restaurants, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
12
We rely on the performance of major retailers, mass merchants, wholesalers, food brokers, distributors and foodservice customers for the success of our business and, should they perform poorly or give higher priority to other brands or products, our business could be adversely affected.
Within our Retail and Foodservice segments, we sell our products principally to retail and foodservice channels, including traditional supermarkets, mass merchants, warehouse clubs, specialty food distributors, foodservice distributors and national chain restaurants. Poor performance by our customers, or our inability to collect accounts receivable from our customers, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
In addition, our future growth and profitability may be unfavorably impacted by recent changes in the competitive landscape for our Retail segment customers. As consolidation in the retail grocery industry continues and our retail customers also grow larger and become more sophisticated, they may demand improved efficiency, lower pricing, increased promotional programs, or specifically tailored products. Further, these customers are reducing their inventories and increasing their emphasis on private label products and other products holding top market positions. Traditional retail grocers are also being pressured by the growing presence of deep discount retailers that emphasize private label product offerings and lower price points. If we fail to use our sales and marketing expertise to maintain our category leadership positions to respond to these trends, or if we lower our prices or increase promotional support of our products and are unable to increase the volume of our products sold, our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be adversely affected.
Furthermore, within our Retail segment, many of our customers offer competitor branded products and their own store branded products that compete directly with our products for shelf space and consumer purchases. Accordingly, there is a risk that these customers give higher priority or promotional support to their store branded products or to our competitors’ products or discontinue the use of our products in favor of their store branded products or other competing products. Likewise, our foodservice distributors often offer their own branded products that compete directly with our products. Failure to maintain our retail shelf space or priority with these customers and foodservice distributors could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Emerging channels such as online retailers and home meal kit delivery services also continue to evolve and impact both the retail and foodservice industries. Our presence in these emerging channels is currently underdeveloped, and our ultimate success and the resulting impacts to our financial results are uncertain.
RISKS RELATED TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Technology failures could disrupt our operations and negatively impact our business.
We increasingly rely on information technology systems to conduct and manage our business operations, including the processing, transmitting, and storing of electronic information. For example, our sales group and our production and distribution facilities utilize information technology to increase efficiencies and limit costs. Furthermore, a significant portion of the communications between our personnel, customers, and suppliers depends on information technology and an uninterrupted and functioning infrastructure, including telecommunications. Our information technology systems may be vulnerable to a variety of interruptions due to events beyond our control, including, but not limited to, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, telecommunications failures, cyber attacks and other security issues. Our information technology systems could also be adversely affected by changes that result from COVID-19, including for example, remote work arrangements for our employees. If we are unable to adequately protect against these vulnerabilities, our operations could be disrupted, or we may suffer financial damage or loss because of lost or misappropriated information.
For more information about risks related to cyber attacks and data privacy, see the “Risks Related To Our Operations” section above.
RISKS RELATED TO REGULATORY AND LEGAL MATTERS
We are subject to federal, state and local government regulations that could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Our business operations are subject to regulation by various federal, state and local government entities and agencies. As a producer of food products for human consumption, our operations are subject to stringent production, packaging, quality, labeling and distribution standards, including regulations promulgated under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the Food Safety Modernization Act. We cannot predict whether future regulation by various federal, state and local government entities and agencies would adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
In addition, our business operations and the past and present ownership and operation of our properties, including idle properties, are subject to extensive and changing federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations pertaining to the discharge of materials into the environment, the handling and disposition of wastes (including solid and hazardous wastes) or otherwise relating to protection of the environment. Although most of our properties have been subjected to periodic
13
environmental assessments, these assessments may be limited in scope and may not include or identify all potential environmental liabilities or risks associated with any particular property. We cannot be certain that our environmental assessments have identified all potential environmental liabilities or that we will not incur material environmental liabilities in the future.
We cannot be certain that environmental issues relating to presently known matters or identified sites, or to other unknown matters or sites, will not require additional, currently unanticipated investigation, assessment or expenditures. If we do incur or discover any material environmental liabilities or potential environmental liabilities in the future, we may face significant remediation costs and find it difficult to sell or lease any affected properties.
We may incur liabilities related to a multiemployer pension plan which could adversely affect our financial results.
We make periodic contributions to a multiemployer pension plan related to our facility in Milpitas, California under a collective bargaining contract. The multiemployer pension plan provides pension benefits to employees and retired employees participating in the plan. Our required contributions to this plan could increase; however, any increase would be dependent upon a number of factors, including our ability to renegotiate the collective bargaining contract successfully, current and future regulatory requirements, the performance of the pension plan’s investments, the number of participants who are entitled to receive benefits from the plan, the contribution base as a result of the insolvency or withdrawal of other companies that currently contribute to this plan, the inability or failure of withdrawing companies to pay their withdrawal liability, low interest rates and other funding deficiencies. We may also be required to pay a withdrawal liability if we exit from this plan. While we cannot determine whether and to what extent our contributions may increase or what our withdrawal liability may be, payments related to this plan could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
RISKS RELATED TO INVESTMENTS IN OUR COMMON STOCK
Mr. Gerlach, Executive Chairman of our Board of Directors, has a significant ownership interest in our Company.
As of June 30, 2021, Mr. Gerlach and the Gerlach family trusts owned or controlled approximately 28% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. Accordingly, Mr. Gerlach has significant influence on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of our common stock, including the election of directors. Mr. Gerlach’s voting power may also have the effect of discouraging transactions involving an actual or a potential change of control of our Company, regardless of whether a premium is offered over then-current market prices.
The interests of Mr. Gerlach may conflict with the interests of other holders of our common stock. This conflict of interest may have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock.
Anti-takeover provisions could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us.
Certain provisions of our charter documents, including provisions limiting the ability of shareholders to raise matters at a meeting of shareholders without giving advance notice and provisions classifying our Board of Directors, may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us or influence our Board of Directors. This may have the effect of delaying or preventing changes of control or management, which could have an adverse effect on the market price of our stock.
Additionally, Ohio corporate law contains certain provisions that could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control. The Ohio Control Share Acquisition Act found in Chapter 1701 of the Ohio Revised Code provides that certain notice and informational filings and a special shareholder meeting and voting procedures must be followed prior to consummation of a proposed “control share acquisition,” as defined in the Ohio Revised Code. Assuming compliance with the prescribed notice and information filings, a proposed control share acquisition may be accomplished only if, at a special meeting of shareholders, the acquisition is approved by both a majority of the voting power represented at the meeting and a majority of the voting power remaining after excluding the combined voting power of the “interested shares,” as defined in the Ohio Revised Code. The Interested Shareholder Transactions Act found in Chapter 1704 of the Ohio Revised Code generally prohibits certain transactions, including mergers, majority share acquisitions and certain other control transactions, with an “interested shareholder,” as defined in the Ohio Revised Code, for a three-year period after becoming an interested shareholder, unless our Board of Directors approved the initial acquisition. After the three-year waiting period, such a transaction may require additional approvals under this Act, including approval by two-thirds of our voting shares and a majority of our voting shares not owned by the interested shareholder. The application of these provisions of the Ohio Revised Code, or any similar anti-takeover law adopted in Ohio, could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control, which could have an adverse effect on the market price of our stock.
Also, our Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to 1,150,000 shares of Class B Voting Preferred Stock and 1,150,000 shares of Class C Nonvoting Preferred Stock and to determine the price, rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of those shares without any further vote or action by the shareholders. The rights of the holders of our common stock may be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any Class B Voting Preferred Stock and Class C Nonvoting Preferred Stock that may be issued in the future. The Company could use these rights to put in place a
14
shareholder rights plan, or “poison pill,” that could be used in connection with a bid or proposal of acquisition for an inadequate price.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
We use 2.3 million square feet of space for our operations. Of this space, 0.7 million square feet are leased. These amounts exclude facilities operated by third-party service providers.
The following table summarizes our principal manufacturing locations (including aggregation of multiple facilities):
| Location | Principal Products Produced | Business Segment(s) | Terms of Occupancy | |||||||||||||||||
| Altoona, IA | Frozen pasta | Retail and Foodservice | Owned | |||||||||||||||||
| Bedford Heights, OH | Frozen breads | Retail and Foodservice | Owned | |||||||||||||||||
| Columbus, OH | Sauces, dressings, dips | Retail and Foodservice | Owned | |||||||||||||||||
| Cudahy, WI | Sprouted grain bakery products | Retail | Owned | |||||||||||||||||
| Horse Cave, KY | Sauces, dressings, frozen rolls | Retail and Foodservice | Owned | |||||||||||||||||
| Luverne, AL | Frozen rolls | Retail and Foodservice | Owned | |||||||||||||||||
| Milpitas, CA | Sauces and dressings | Retail and Foodservice | Owned | |||||||||||||||||
| Saline, MI | Flatbread products | Retail and Foodservice | Owned | |||||||||||||||||
| Vineland, NJ | Frozen breads | Retail and Foodservice | Owned | |||||||||||||||||
Wareham, MA (1) | Croutons | Retail and Foodservice | Leased | |||||||||||||||||
(1)Fully leased for term expiring in fiscal 2024.
The following table summarizes our principal warehouses (including aggregation of multiple facilities), which are used to distribute products to our customers:
| Location | Business Segment(s) | Terms of Occupancy | ||||||||||||
| Attalla, AL | Retail and Foodservice | Third-party service | ||||||||||||
Columbus, OH (1) | Retail and Foodservice | Leased | ||||||||||||
| Grove City, OH | Retail and Foodservice | Owned | ||||||||||||
| Horse Cave, KY | Retail and Foodservice | Owned | ||||||||||||
| McDonough, GA | Retail and Foodservice | Third-party service | ||||||||||||
| Taylor, PA | Retail | Third-party service | ||||||||||||
| Tracy, CA | Retail and Foodservice | Third-party service | ||||||||||||
(1)Fully leased for term expiring in fiscal 2022.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
From time to time we are a party to various legal proceedings. While we believe that the ultimate outcome of these various proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements, litigation is always subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings could occur. An unfavorable ruling could include monetary damages or an injunction prohibiting us from manufacturing or selling one or more products or could lead to us altering the manner in which we manufacture or sell one or more products, which could have a material impact on net income for the period in which the ruling occurs and future periods.
We are required to disclose certain environmental matters when a governmental authority is a party to the proceedings and such proceedings involve potential monetary sanctions that we reasonably believe will be in excess of an applied threshold not to exceed $1 million. We are using a threshold of $1 million as we believe this amount is reasonably designed to result in disclosure of such proceedings that are material to our business or financial condition. Applying this threshold, there are no environmental matters to disclose in this Form 10-K.
15
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Our common stock trades on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol LANC.
The number of shareholders of record as of August 2, 2021 was approximately 690. This is not the actual number of beneficial owners of our common stock, as shares are held in “street name” by brokers and others on behalf of individual owners.
We have increased our regular cash dividends for 58 consecutive years. Future dividends will depend on our earnings, financial condition and other factors.
The information regarding compensation plans under which equity securities are authorized for issuance is incorporated by reference to the information contained in our definitive proxy statement for our November 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
In November 2010, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase authorization of 2,000,000 common shares, of which 1,269,701 common shares remained authorized for future repurchases at June 30, 2021. This share repurchase authorization does not have a stated expiration date. In the fourth quarter, we made the following repurchases of our common stock:
| Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased | Average Price Paid Per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans | Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans | |||||||||||||||||||
| April 1-30, 2021 | — | $ | — | — | 1,289,701 | ||||||||||||||||||
| May 1-31, 2021 | — | $ | — | — | 1,289,701 | ||||||||||||||||||
| June 1-30, 2021 | 20,000 | $ | 195.50 | 20,000 | 1,269,701 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 20,000 | $ | 195.50 | 20,000 | 1,269,701 | ||||||||||||||||||
16
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN
OF LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION, THE S&P MIDCAP 400 INDEX
AND THE DOW JONES U.S. FOOD PRODUCERS INDEX
The graph set forth below compares the five-year cumulative total return from investing $100 on June 30, 2016 in each of our Common Stock, the S&P Midcap 400 Index and the Dow Jones U.S. Food Producers Index. The total return calculation assumes that all dividends are reinvested, including any special dividends.
| Cumulative Total Return (Dollars) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/16 | 6/17 | 6/18 | 6/19 | 6/20 | 6/21 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lancaster Colony Corporation | 100.00 | 97.66 | 112.34 | 122.56 | 130.11 | 165.11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| S&P Midcap 400 | 100.00 | 118.57 | 134.58 | 136.41 | 127.28 | 195.03 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dow Jones U.S. Food Producers | 100.00 | 95.97 | 94.02 | 97.52 | 99.81 | 124.45 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
There can be no assurance that our stock performance will continue into the future with the same or similar trends depicted in the above graph.
Item 6. [Reserved]
17
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Our fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30. Unless otherwise noted, references to “year” pertain to our fiscal year; for example, 2021 refers to fiscal 2021, which is the period from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The forward-looking statements in this section and other parts of this report involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, including statements regarding our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, and financial performance. Our actual results could differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of factors set forth under the caption “Forward-Looking Statements” and those set forth in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Our discussion of results for 2021 compared to 2020 is included herein. For discussion of results for 2020 compared to 2019, see our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K except as included herein for operating results by segment.
OVERVIEW
Business Overview
Lancaster Colony Corporation is a manufacturer and marketer of specialty food products for the retail and foodservice channels.
Our financial results are presented as two reportable segments: Retail and Foodservice. Costs that are directly attributable to either Retail or Foodservice are charged directly to the appropriate segment. Costs that are deemed to be indirect, excluding corporate expenses and other unusual significant transactions, are allocated to the two reportable segments using a reasonable methodology that is consistently applied. Our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), in order to drive enhanced accountability and transparency throughout our organization, initiated a review of functional costs that have historically been part of the indirect costs allocated to our two reportable segments. This review was completed as part of our preparation for our upcoming enterprise resource planning system (“ERP”) implementation. As a result of this review, our CODM identified certain support functions that would be more appropriately presented within corporate expenses to facilitate the management of the business, including assessing segment performance and allocating resources. These changes were effective July 1, 2020. All historical information has been retroactively conformed to the current presentation. These changes had no effect on previously reported consolidated net sales, gross profit, operating income, net income or earnings per share. As a result of these changes to historical information by segment, a discussion of segment results for 2020 compared to 2019 is provided in the “Results of Operations - Segments” section below.
Over 95% of our products are sold in the United States. Foreign operations and export sales have not been significant in the past and are not expected to be significant in the future based upon existing operations. We do not have any fixed assets located outside of the United States.
Our business has the potential to achieve future growth in sales and profitability due to attributes such as:
•leading Retail market positions in several product categories with a high-quality perception;
•recognized innovation in Retail products;
•a broad customer base in both Retail and Foodservice accounts;
•well-regarded culinary expertise among Foodservice customers;
•recognized leadership in Foodservice product development;
•experience in integrating complementary business acquisitions; and
•historically strong cash flow generation that supports growth opportunities.
Our goal is to grow both Retail and Foodservice segment sales over time by:
•introducing new products and expanding distribution;
•leveraging the strength of our Retail brands to increase current product sales;
•expanding Retail growth through strategic licensing agreements;
•continuing to rely upon the strength of our reputation in Foodservice product development and quality; and
•acquiring complementary businesses.
With respect to long-term growth, we continually evaluate the future opportunities and needs for our business specific to our plant infrastructure, IT platforms and other initiatives to support and strengthen our operations. Recent examples of resulting investments include:
•a significant capacity expansion project for our Marzetti dressing and sauce facility in Horse Cave, Kentucky that we expect to complete in the first quarter of fiscal 2023;
•a capacity expansion project for one of our Marzetti dressing and sauce facilities in Columbus, Ohio that we expect to complete in the second quarter of fiscal 2022;
18
•a significant infrastructure improvement and capacity expansion project for our frozen pasta facility in Altoona, Iowa that we expect to complete during the first half of fiscal 2022;
•a significant capacity expansion project for our Sister Schubert’s frozen dinner roll facility in Horse Cave, Kentucky that was completed in January 2020;
•a new R&D center that was completed near the end of 2019; and
•the establishment of a Transformation Program Office in 2019 that serves to coordinate our various capital and integration efforts, including our ERP project and related initiatives, Project Ascent, that is currently underway.
Project Ascent commenced in late 2019 and entails the replacement of our primary customer and manufacturing transactional systems, warehousing systems, and financial systems with an integrated SAP S/4HANA system. Post implementation, Project Ascent will evolve into an on-going Center of Excellence (“COE”) that will provide oversight for all future upgrades of the S/4HANA environment, evaluation of future software needs to support the business, acquisition integration support and master data standards. Most of the on-going COE costs are expected to consist of annual software maintenance and support, consulting and professional fees and wages and benefits.
We also continue to review potential acquisitions that we believe will complement our existing product lines, enhance our profitability and/or offer good expansion opportunities in a manner that fits our overall strategic goals. Consistent with this acquisition strategy, on November 16, 2018, we acquired, using available cash on hand, substantially all of the assets of Omni Baking Company LLC (“Omni”), a long-time supplier of products to our frozen garlic bread operations. On October 19, 2018, we acquired, using available cash on hand, all the assets of Bantam Bagels, LLC (“Bantam”), a producer and marketer of frozen mini stuffed bagels and other frozen bread products sold to both the retail and foodservice channels. See further discussion of these acquisitions in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.
RECENT EVENTS
A novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization designated COVID-19 as a global pandemic. COVID-19 has surfaced in all regions around the world and resulted in business slowdowns or shutdowns. In the U.S., state and local governments recommended or mandated actions to slow the transmission of COVID-19. These measures included limitations on public gatherings, social distancing requirements, travel restrictions, closures of bars and dine-in restaurants, stay-at-home orders, quarantines and restrictions that prohibited many non-essential employees from going to work.
We have two major priorities while navigating through this period of volatility and uncertainty:
1.to ensure the health, safety and welfare of our employees; and
2.to continue to play our part in the vital food supply chain by adequately supplying our customers while maintaining the financial strength of our business.
With respect to our efforts to ensure the health, safety and welfare of our employees, we continue to monitor the latest guidance from authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal, state and local public health departments, regarding COVID-19 and adopt the appropriate measures to ensure we continue to operate safely and support our employees. We also engaged a pulmonology and critical care physician to advise us on our employee safety protocols. Based on the advice of these experts and our commitment to the health, safety and welfare of our employees, we implemented some policy changes and put in place a range of safety modifications and guidelines in our factories, distribution centers and offices, including but not limited to:
•conducted extensive cleaning and sanitation of workstations and common areas before, during, and after each shift;
•employed social distancing guidelines and modifications at workspaces and in break areas;
•staggered the timing of shift changes and breaks;
•relaxed attendance requirements and enhanced our paid leave policy; and
•provided every employee an extra vacation day in 2021 to allow flexibility with scheduling COVID-19 vaccination appointments.
After 16 months and once the vaccine became broadly available, we discontinued our temporary incentive pay compensation (“hero pay”) to our front-line employees at the end of fiscal 2021.
With respect to our second priority, as of the date of this filing, there has been no material adverse change in our ability to manufacture and distribute our products. We have not experienced any significant disruptions to our shipping or warehousing operations or sourcing of raw materials. We have also secured additional second-sourcing options to help limit the risk of supply disruptions.
The effects of COVID-19, including changes in consumer purchasing habits and actions undertaken in the U.S. to attempt to control the spread of COVID-19, most notably the restriction of restaurant dine-in purchases, negatively impacted the operating results of our Foodservice segment, particularly in the first half of fiscal 2021. Foodservice segment sales rebounded
19
in the second half of fiscal 2021 on increased consumer demand, as dine-in restrictions were lifted and COVID-19 cases declined.
With respect to our Retail segment, the impact of COVID-19 contributed to higher sales during the year ended June 30, 2021 as consumer demand in the retail channel was elevated due to increased at-home food consumption.
RESULTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) | Years Ended June 30, | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 vs. 2020 | 2020 vs. 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Sales | $ | 1,467,067 | $ | 1,334,388 | $ | 1,307,787 | $ | 132,679 | 10 | % | $ | 26,601 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of Sales | 1,080,344 | 976,352 | 981,589 | 103,992 | 11 | % | (5,237) | (1) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Profit | 386,723 | 358,036 | 326,198 | 28,687 | 8 | % | 31,838 | 10 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Margin | 26.4 | % | 26.8 | % | 24.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | 205,363 | 180,945 | 149,811 | 24,418 | 13 | % | 31,134 | 21 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in Contingent Consideration | (5,687) | 257 | (16,180) | (5,944) | N/M | 16,437 | (102) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring and Impairment Charges | 1,195 | 886 | 1,643 | 309 | 35 | % | (757) | (46) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Income | 185,852 | 175,948 | 190,924 | 9,904 | 6 | % | (14,976) | (8) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Margin | 12.7 | % | 13.2 | % | 14.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other, Net | (107) | 3,129 | 4,618 | (3,236) | (103) | % | (1,489) | (32) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income Before Income Taxes | 185,745 | 179,077 | 195,542 | 6,668 | 4 | % | (16,465) | (8) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxes Based on Income | 43,413 | 42,094 | 44,993 | 1,319 | 3 | % | (2,899) | (6) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effective Tax Rate | 23.4 | % | 23.5 | % | 23.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Income | $ | 142,332 | $ | 136,983 | $ | 150,549 | $ | 5,349 | 4 | % | $ | (13,566) | (9) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted Net Income Per Common Share | $ | 5.16 | $ | 4.97 | $ | 5.46 | $ | 0.19 | 4 | % | $ | (0.49) | (9) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Sales
Consolidated net sales for the year ended June 30, 2021 increased 10% to a new record of $1,467 million from the prior-year record total of $1,334 million. This growth was driven by higher net sales for both the Retail and Foodservice segments. Excluding all sales attributed to a temporary supply agreement resulting from the November 2018 acquisition of Omni, consolidated net sales for the year ended June 30, 2021 increased 12%.
The relative proportion of sales contributed by each of our business segments can impact a year-to-year comparison of the consolidated statements of income. The following table summarizes the sales mix over each of the last three years:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Segment Sales Mix: | |||||||||||||||||
| Retail | 57% | 54% | 50% | ||||||||||||||
| Foodservice | 43% | 46% | 50% | ||||||||||||||
See discussion of net sales by segment following the discussion of “Earnings Per Share” below.
Gross Profit
Consolidated gross profit increased 8% to $386.7 million in 2021 compared to $358.0 million in 2020 driven by the strong sales growth, a more favorable sales mix, inflationary Foodservice pricing, our ongoing cost savings programs, a lower level of Retail trade spending and lower employee benefit costs, partially offset by higher manufacturing costs, commodity cost inflation and higher freight costs. Manufacturing costs in the current year continued to reflect the impacts of COVID-19, including hero pay for our front-line employees, higher costs incurred to service the shifts and surges in demand for our products, increased expenditures for personal protective equipment and lower operating efficiencies. The hero pay program was discontinued at the end of fiscal 2021.
20
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased 13% to $205.4 million in 2021 as expenditures for Project Ascent increased $19.8 million to $37.9 million. Excluding Project Ascent, SG&A expenses were slightly higher than the prior year primarily due to increased investments in various initiatives to support future growth. Project Ascent expenses are included within Corporate Expenses. A portion of the costs that have been classified as Project Ascent expenses represent ongoing costs that will continue subsequent to the ERP implementation.
| Year Ended June 30, | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 vs. 2020 | 2020 vs. 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SG&A Expenses - Excluding Project Ascent | $ | 167,480 | $ | 162,910 | $ | 148,031 | $ | 4,570 | 3 | % | $ | 14,879 | 10 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Project Ascent Expenses | 37,883 | 18,035 | 1,780 | 19,848 | 110 | % | 16,255 | 913 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total SG&A Expenses | $ | 205,363 | $ | 180,945 | $ | 149,811 | $ | 24,418 | 13 | % | $ | 31,134 | 21 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in Contingent Consideration
The change in contingent consideration resulted in a benefit of $5.7 million in 2021 compared to expense of $0.3 million in 2020. The 2021 benefit included a reduction in the fair value of the contingent consideration liability for Bantam as a result of our 2021 fair value measurements. As the fair value adjustment resulted from the impact of a SKU rationalization by a Foodservice customer, the entire adjustment related to Bantam’s contingent consideration was reflected within the Foodservice segment. See further discussion in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.
Restructuring and Impairment Charges
We recorded impairment charges of $1.2 million in 2021 related to certain tradename and technology / know-how intangible assets for Bantam as a result of the impact of a SKU rationalization by a Foodservice customer. The impairment charges represent the excess of the carrying value over the fair value of estimated discounted cash flows for the remaining useful lives of the intangible assets and were reflected within our Foodservice segment.
We recorded restructuring and impairment charges of $0.9 million in 2020, which primarily consisted of plant clean-up expenses and contract termination costs related to the closure of our frozen bread manufacturing plant located in Saraland, Alabama. These charges were not allocated to our two reportable segments due to their unusual nature.
Operating Income
Operating income increased 6% to $185.9 million in 2021 driven by the impact of the increased sales, a more favorable sales mix, the favorable adjustment related to Bantam’s contingent consideration and our ongoing cost savings programs, as partially offset by increased expenditures for Project Ascent, higher manufacturing costs attributed to the impacts of COVID-19, increased commodity costs and investments in various initiatives to support future growth. See discussion of operating results by segment following the discussion of “Earnings Per Share” below.
Other, Net
Other, net resulted in expense of $0.1 million in 2021 compared to a benefit of $3.1 million in 2020. This change primarily reflects lower interest rates for our cash holdings.
Taxes Based on Income
Our effective tax rate was 23.4% and 23.5% in 2021 and 2020, respectively. See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for a reconciliation of the statutory rate to the effective rate.
We include the tax consequences related to stock-based compensation within the computation of income tax expense. We may experience increased volatility to our income tax expense and resulting net income dependent upon, among other variables, the price of our common stock and the timing and volume of share-based payment award activity such as employee exercises of stock-settled stock appreciation rights and vesting of restricted stock awards. For 2021 and 2020, the impact of net windfall tax benefits from stock-based compensation reduced our effective tax rate by 0.6% and 0.8%, respectively.
Earnings Per Share
As influenced by the factors discussed above, particularly the strong sales growth partially offset by the increased expenditures for Project Ascent and higher manufacturing costs, diluted net income per share totaled $5.16 in 2021, an increase from the 2020 total of $4.97 per diluted share. Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for each of the years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 have remained relatively stable.
21
In 2021, expenditures for Project Ascent reduced diluted earnings per share by $1.05 compared to $0.50 in the prior year. The favorable adjustment related to Bantam’s contingent consideration increased diluted earnings per share by $0.16 in 2021. Restructuring and impairment charges had an unfavorable impact of $0.03 and $0.02 per diluted share in 2021 and 2020, respectively. In 2020, the write-off of engineering costs for a canceled dressing plant expansion project and an increase in the Foodservice inventory reserve had an unfavorable impact of $0.09 and $0.08 per diluted share, respectively.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - SEGMENTS
Retail Segment
| Year Ended June 30, | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 vs. 2020 | 2020 vs. 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Sales | $ | 828,963 | $ | 714,127 | $ | 656,621 | $ | 114,836 | 16 | % | $ | 57,506 | 9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Income | $ | 188,403 | $ | 161,487 | $ | 149,019 | $ | 26,916 | 17 | % | $ | 12,468 | 8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Margin | 22.7 | % | 22.6 | % | 22.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In 2021, net sales for the Retail segment reached a record $829.0 million, a 16% increase from the prior-year total of $714.1 million, due in part to the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak, which drove higher demand for at-home food consumption. The strength of our licensing program was also a significant contributor to the sales growth, led by Chick-fil-A® sauces, Olive Garden® dressings and Buffalo Wild Wings® sauces. Other products contributing to the growth in Retail net sales included frozen garlic bread, croutons and frozen dinner rolls. The net sales increase also reflects a reduced level of Retail trade spending.
In 2021, Retail segment operating income increased $26.9 million, or 17%, to $188.4 million, reflecting the increase in sales, improved net price realization, reduced consumer spending and our ongoing cost savings programs, as partially offset by higher manufacturing costs, including expenses directly attributed to the impacts of COVID-19, and increased commodity and freight costs.
In 2020, net sales for the Retail segment reached a then record $714.1 million, a 9% increase from the 2019 total of $656.6 million as higher retail channel demand attributed to the impacts of COVID-19 and contributions from shelf-stable dressings and sauces sold under license agreements, including new product introductions, drove Retail sales gains. Higher sales volumes for frozen garlic bread and frozen dinner rolls, along with some beneficial net price realization, also added to the growth in Retail net sales.
In 2020, Retail segment operating income increased $12.5 million, or 8%, to $161.5 million. Retail segment operating income benefited from the increase in sales, our ongoing cost savings programs, improved net price realization and lower commodity costs as partially offset by higher trade and consumer promotional spending. Operating income for 2019 was favorably impacted by a $17.1 million reduction in the fair value of the contingent consideration liability for Angelic Bakehouse, Inc.
Foodservice Segment
| Year Ended June 30, | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 vs. 2020 | 2020 vs. 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Sales | $ | 638,104 | $ | 620,261 | $ | 651,166 | $ | 17,843 | 3 | % | $ | (30,905) | (5) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Income | $ | 89,048 | $ | 80,475 | $ | 86,177 | $ | 8,573 | 11 | % | $ | (5,702) | (7) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Margin | 14.0 | % | 13.0 | % | 13.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In 2021, Foodservice segment net sales increased 3% to $638.1 million from the 2020 total of $620.3 million driven by sales growth from quick-service restaurant and pizza chain customers in our mix of national chain restaurant accounts. Foodservice segment net sales grew significantly in the last four months of 2021 as we began to lap the large declines in consumer demand in the prior year due to the impacts of COVID-19. Inflationary pricing also contributed to the increase in Foodservice segment net sales. Excluding all sales attributed to a temporary supply agreement resulting from the November 2018 acquisition of Omni, Foodservice segment net sales increased 6%. These Omni sales totaled $3.7 million in the current fiscal year compared to $22.3 million last year. The temporary supply agreement was terminated effective October 31, 2020.
In 2021, the $8.6 million increase in Foodservice segment operating income reflects the higher sales volume, a more favorable sales mix, inflationary pricing and the current-year $5.7 million favorable adjustment related to Bantam’s contingent consideration, which were partially offset by higher manufacturing costs, including expenses directly attributed to the impacts of COVID-19, increased commodity costs and the current-year Bantam impairment charges for certain intangible assets.
22
In 2020, Foodservice net sales decreased 5% to $620.3 million from the 2019 total of $651.2 million. After growth of 7% in the first half of the fiscal year, Foodservice net sales declined 16% in the second half as consumer demand shifted away from the foodservice channel due to the impacts of COVID-19. Excluding all sales attributed to a temporary supply agreement resulting from the November 2018 acquisition of Omni, Foodservice net sales declined 5%. These Omni sales totaled $22.3 million in 2020 compared to $19.4 million in 2019.
In 2020, the $5.7 million decline in Foodservice segment operating income was primarily due to the sales decline, reduced absorption of fixed production costs resulting from the lower sales volumes and other costs attributed to the impacts of COVID-19, including the cancelation of the dressing plant expansion project, an inventory write-down and the temporary increase in hourly wages for our front-line employees.
Corporate Expenses
The 2021 corporate expenses totaled $91.6 million as compared to $65.1 million in 2020. The increase was driven by expenditures for Project Ascent, which totaled $37.9 million in 2021 as compared to $18.0 million in 2020. In 2021, we also capitalized an additional $3.5 million of ERP-related expenditures for application development stage activities.
The 2020 corporate expenses totaled $65.1 million as compared to $42.6 million in 2019. The increase was driven by expenditures for Project Ascent, which totaled $18.0 million in 2020 as compared to $1.8 million in 2019. In 2020, we also capitalized an additional $8.9 million of ERP-related expenditures for application development stage activities.
LOOKING FORWARD
For 2022, we anticipate our Retail sales will continue to benefit from the growth of our licensing program while sales for the remainder of our Retail segment will have tough comparisons to the strong growth in 2021 as influenced by the higher demand for at-home food consumption due to the impacts of COVID-19. In our Foodservice segment, we expect increased consumer demand for in-restaurant dining to drive Foodservice sales higher. From a cost standpoint, we foresee significant inflation in 2022. We expect notable increases in commodity costs, particularly soybean oil. Packaging costs are also forecasted considerably higher, as are labor and freight expenses. To help mitigate these rising costs, we have pricing initiatives in place for our Retail segment while our Foodservice segment will continue to realize offsets to increased commodity and freight costs through contractual-based inflationary pricing. Note that the benefit of higher pricing will lag the unfavorable impact of inflationary costs in the coming year. Our ongoing cost savings programs and other net price realization efforts will also help to partially offset the higher costs.
Our 2022 financial results will continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused shifts in consumer demand between the retail and foodservice channels and resulted in higher costs to produce our products and service our customers. The extent of this impact on our 2022 results is difficult to forecast due to ongoing regional ebbs and flows of COVID-19 cases and the associated changes to the COVID-19 guidelines provided or mandates imposed by health authorities and government agencies that create uncertainty for the restaurant industry and consumer behavior over an unpredictable timeline.
Implementation for Project Ascent, our ERP initiative, has been deferred to the start of fiscal 2023 as we have prioritized servicing the shifting demands and growth of our business over the implementation timeline.
We will continue to consider acquisition opportunities that represent good value and are consistent with our growth strategy or otherwise provide significant strategic benefits.
In addition to the above commentary specific to rising commodity costs, our exposure to volatile swings in food commodity costs will continue to be managed and mitigated through a strategic forward purchasing program for certain key materials such as soybean oil and flour. For a more-detailed discussion of the effect of commodity costs, see the “Impact of Inflation” section of this MD&A below. Changes in other notable recurring costs, such as marketing, transportation, production costs and introductory costs for new products, may also impact our overall results.
We will continue to periodically reassess our allocation of capital to ensure that we maintain adequate operating flexibility while providing appropriate levels of cash returns to our shareholders.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We maintain sufficient flexibility in our capital structure to ensure our capitalization is adequate to support our future internal growth prospects, acquire food businesses consistent with our strategic goals, and maintain cash returns to our shareholders through cash dividends and opportunistic share repurchases. Our balance sheet maintained fundamental financial strength during 2021 as we ended the year with $188 million in cash and equivalents, along with shareholders’ equity of $843 million and no debt.
23
Under our unsecured revolving credit facility (“Facility”), we may borrow up to a maximum of $150 million at any one time. We had no borrowings outstanding under the Facility at June 30, 2021. At June 30, 2021, we had $2.8 million of standby letters of credit outstanding, which reduced the amount available for borrowing under the Facility. The Facility expires in March 2025, and all outstanding amounts are then due and payable. Interest is variable based upon formulas tied to LIBOR or an alternate base rate defined in the Facility. We must also pay facility fees that are tied to our then-applicable consolidated leverage ratio. Loans may be used for general corporate purposes. Due to the nature of its terms, when we have outstanding borrowings under the Facility, they will be classified as long-term debt.
The Facility contains certain restrictive covenants, including limitations on indebtedness, asset sales and acquisitions, and financial covenants relating to interest coverage and leverage. At June 30, 2021, we were in compliance with all applicable provisions and covenants of this facility, and we exceeded the requirements of the financial covenants by substantial margins. At June 30, 2021, there were no events that would constitute a default under this facility.
We currently expect to remain in compliance with the Facility’s covenants for the foreseeable future. However, a default under the Facility could accelerate the repayment of any then outstanding indebtedness and limit our access to $75 million of additional credit available under the Facility. Such an event could require a reduction in or curtailment of cash dividends or share repurchases, reduce or delay beneficial expansion or investment plans, or otherwise impact our ability to meet our obligations when due.
We believe that cash provided by operating activities and our existing balances in cash and equivalents, in addition to that available under the Facility, should be adequate to meet our liquidity needs over the next 12 months, including the projected levels of capital expenditures and dividend payments. If we were to borrow outside of the Facility under current market terms, our average interest rate may increase and have an adverse effect on our results of operations. Based on our current plans and expectations, we believe our capital expenditures for 2022 could total between $170 and $190 million, which includes approximately $105 million in expenditures attributed to a substantial investment for a capacity expansion project at our dressing and sauce facility in Horse Cave, Kentucky that we expect to complete in the first quarter of fiscal 2023.
Beyond the next 12 months, we expect that cash provided by operating activities will continue to be the primary source of liquidity for the foreseeable future. This source, combined with our existing balances in cash and equivalents and amounts available under the Facility, is expected to be sufficient to meet our overall cash requirements.
We have various contractual and other obligations that are appropriately recorded as liabilities in our consolidated financial statements, including finance lease obligations, operating lease obligations, contingent consideration payable, the underfunded defined benefit pension liability, other post-employment benefit obligations, tax liabilities, noncurrent workers compensation obligations, deferred compensation and interest on deferred compensation. See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for further information about our contingent consideration payable, which is due in fiscal 2024. See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for further information about our lease obligations, including the maturities of minimum lease payments. It is not certain when the liabilities for the underfunded defined benefit pension liability, other post-employment benefit obligations, tax liabilities, noncurrent workers compensation obligations, deferred compensation and interest on deferred compensation will become due. See Notes 9, 12 and 13 to the consolidated financial statements for further information about these liabilities.
Certain other contractual obligations are not recognized as liabilities in our consolidated financial statements. Examples of such obligations are commitments to purchase raw materials or packaging inventory that has not yet been received as of June 30, 2021, as well as purchase orders and longer-term purchase arrangements related to the procurement of services, including IT service agreements, and property, plant and equipment. The majority of these obligations is expected to be due within one year. See further discussion below of our obligation related to the capacity expansion project at our dressing and sauce facility in Horse Cave, Kentucky.
In November 2020, T. Marzetti Company (“T. Marzetti”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ours, entered into a Design/Build Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Gray Construction, Inc. (“Gray”) under which Gray will design, coordinate and build additional dressing and sauce manufacturing and warehousing capacity for the T. Marzetti facility in Horse Cave, Kentucky (the “Project”). The Project will result in an expansion of the current facility footprint. Subject to certain conditions in the Agreement, T. Marzetti will pay Gray no more than the guaranteed maximum price of approximately $113 million for the Project. The Agreement contains other terms and conditions that are customary for this type of project. Expected to be completed in the first quarter of fiscal 2023, the Project is in its early stages, thus we are still obligated for the majority of the guaranteed maximum price.
24
Cash Flows
| Year Ended June 30, | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2021 vs. 2020 | 2020 vs. 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provided By Operating Activities | $ | 174,189 | $ | 170,769 | $ | 197,598 | $ | 3,420 | 2 | % | $ | (26,829) | (14) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Used In Investing Activities | $ | (88,977) | $ | (83,265) | $ | (126,861) | $ | (5,712) | (7) | % | $ | 43,596 | 34 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Used In Financing Activities | $ | (95,430) | $ | (85,519) | $ | (80,201) | $ | (9,911) | (12) | % | $ | (5,318) | (7) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash provided by operating activities remains the primary source for funding our investing and financing activities, as well as financing our organic growth initiatives.
Cash provided by operating activities in 2021 totaled $174.2 million, an increase of 2% as compared with the 2020 total of $170.8 million. The 2021 increase was due to higher levels of net income and depreciation and amortization as well as the year-over-year change in net working capital offset by the year-over-year changes in contingent consideration and deferred income taxes.
Cash used in investing activities totaled $89.0 million in 2021 as compared to $83.3 million in 2020. The 2021 increase primarily reflects a higher level of payments for property additions in the current year. Capital expenditures in 2021 included spending on a capacity expansion project at our dressing and sauce facility in Horse Cave, Kentucky that we expect to complete in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 along with infrastructure improvements and capacity expansion investments at our frozen pasta facility in Altoona, Iowa that we expect to complete in the first half of fiscal 2022. Capital expenditures in 2020 included spending on a capacity expansion project at our frozen dinner roll facility in Horse Cave, Kentucky that was completed in January 2020 as well as the purchase of the Omni manufacturing facility that was previously leased. Payments for property additions totaled $87.9 million in 2021 compared to $82.6 million in 2020.
Financing activities used net cash totaling $95.4 million and $85.5 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively. In general, cash used in financing activities reflects the payment of dividends and share repurchases. The 2021 increase was primarily due to higher dividend payments and increased share repurchases. The regular dividend payout rate for 2021 was $2.95 per share, as compared to $2.75 per share in 2020. This past fiscal year marked the 58th consecutive year in which our dividend rate was increased.
The future levels of share repurchases and declared dividends are subject to the periodic review of our Board of Directors and are generally determined after an assessment is made of various factors, such as anticipated earnings levels, cash flow requirements and general business conditions.
Our ongoing business activities continue to be subject to compliance with various laws, rules and regulations as may be issued and enforced by various federal, state and local agencies. With respect to environmental matters, costs are incurred pertaining to regulatory compliance and, upon occasion, remediation. Such costs have not been, and are not anticipated to become, material.
We are contingently liable with respect to lawsuits, taxes and various other matters that routinely arise in the normal course of business. We do not have any related party transactions that materially affect our results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
IMPACT OF INFLATION
Our business results can be influenced by significant changes in the costs of our raw materials, packaging and freight. We attempt to mitigate the impact of inflation on our raw-material costs via longer-term fixed-price contractual commitments for a portion of our most significant market-indexed commodities, most notably soybean oil and flour. We have also implemented a procurement strategy for a portion of our egg needs using grain-based pricing contracts to reduce our exposure to egg market spot prices. Specific to freight costs, our transportation network includes a mix of dedicated carriers, longer-term fixed-rate contracts and a small internal fleet that serve to reduce our exposure to spot freight rates. We also have a transportation management system in place to support our freight management processes and help us to secure more competitive freight rates. Nonetheless, we are subject to events and trends in the marketplace that will impact our costs for raw materials, packaging and freight. While we attempt to pass through sustained increases in these costs, any such price adjustments can lag the changes in the related input costs.
Although typically less notable, we are also exposed to the unfavorable effects of general inflation beyond material and freight costs, especially in the areas of annual wage adjustments and benefit costs. Over time, we attempt to minimize the exposure to such cost increases through ongoing improvements and greater efficiencies throughout our manufacturing operations, including benefits gained through our lean six sigma program and strategic investments in plant equipment.
With regard to the impact of commodity and freight costs on Foodservice segment operating income, most of our supply contracts with national chain restaurant accounts incorporate pricing adjustments to account for changes in ingredient and
25
freight costs. These supply contracts may vary by account with regard to the time lapse between the actual change in ingredient and freight costs we incur and the effective date of the associated price increase or decrease. As a result, the reported operating margins of the Foodservice segment are subject to increased volatility during periods of rapidly rising or falling ingredient and/or freight costs because at least some portion of the change in ingredient and/or freight costs is reflected in the segment’s results prior to the impact of any associated change in pricing. In addition, the Foodservice segment has an inherently higher degree of margin volatility from changes in ingredient costs when compared to the Retail segment due to its overall lower margin profile and higher ratio of ingredient pounds to net sales. In Retail, there is an opportunity to offset the impact of inflationary costs through net price realization actions including list price increases, decreased trade spending and packaging size changes. Note that all these Retail cost-recovery options entail some inherent risks and uncertainties, and the implementation timeframe can lag the input cost changes.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
This MD&A discusses our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including, but not limited to, those related to accounts receivable allowances, distribution costs, asset impairments and self-insurance reserves. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Historically, the aggregate differences, if any, between our estimates and actual amounts in any year have not had a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements. While a summary of our significant accounting policies can be found in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, we believe the following critical accounting policies reflect those areas in which more significant judgments and estimates are used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Trade-Related Allowances
Our receivables balance is net of trade-related allowances, which consist of sales discounts, trade promotions and certain other sales incentives. We evaluate the adequacy of these allowances considering several factors including historical experience, specific trade programs and existing customer relationships. These allowances can fluctuate based on the level of sales and promotional programs as well as the timing of deductions.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill is not amortized. It is evaluated annually at April 30 by applying impairment testing procedures. Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives to Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. We evaluate the future economic benefit of the recorded goodwill and other intangible assets when events or circumstances indicate potential recoverability concerns. Carrying amounts are adjusted appropriately when determined to have been impaired.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Recent accounting pronouncements and their impact on our consolidated financial statements are disclosed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We desire to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “PSLRA”). This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the PSLRA and other applicable securities laws. Such statements can be identified by the use of the forward-looking words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “expect,” “hope” or similar words. These statements discuss future expectations; contain projections regarding future developments, operations or financial conditions; or state other forward-looking information. Such statements are based upon assumptions and assessments made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe to be appropriate. These forward-looking statements involve various important risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ as a result of factors over which we have no, or limited, control including, without limitation, the specific influences outlined below, many of which could be amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Management believes these forward-looking statements to be reasonable; however, one should not place undue reliance on such statements that are based on current expectations.
26
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update such forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
Items which could impact these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those risk factors identified in Item 1A and:
•significant shifts in consumer demand and disruptions to our employees, communities, customers, supply chains, operations, and production processes resulting from COVID-19 and other epidemics, pandemics or similar widespread public health concerns and disease outbreaks;
•fluctuations in the cost and availability of ingredients and packaging;
•capacity constraints that may affect our ability to meet demand or may increase our costs;
•dependence on contract manufacturers, distributors and freight transporters, including their financial strength in continuing to support our business;
•the reaction of customers or consumers to price increases we may implement;
•cyber-security incidents, information technology disruptions, and data breaches;
•complexities related to the design and implementation of our new enterprise resource planning system;
•adverse changes in freight, energy or other costs of producing, distributing or transporting our products;
•adequate supply of labor for our manufacturing facilities;
•efficiencies in plant operations;
•the potential for loss of larger programs, including licensing agreements, or key customer relationships;
•changes in demand for our products, which may result from loss of brand reputation or customer goodwill;
•price and product competition;
•the possible occurrence of product recalls or other defective or mislabeled product costs;
•the success and cost of new product development efforts;
•the lack of market acceptance of new products;
•the impact of customer store brands on our branded retail volumes;
•the extent to which recent and future business acquisitions are completed and acceptably integrated;
•the ability to successfully grow recently acquired businesses;
•dependence on key personnel and changes in key personnel;
•the effect of consolidation of customers within key market channels;
•maintenance of competitive position with respect to other manufacturers;
•stability of labor relations;
•changes in estimates in critical accounting judgments;
•the impact of any regulatory matters affecting our food business, including any required labeling changes and their impact on consumer demand;
•the outcome of any litigation or arbitration;
•the impact of fluctuations in our pension plan asset values on funding levels, contributions required and benefit costs; and
•certain other risk factors, including those discussed in other filings we have submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We have exposure to market risks primarily from changes in raw material prices. In recent years, due to the absence of any borrowings, we have not had exposure to changes in interest rates. We also have not had exposure to market risk associated with derivative financial instruments or derivative commodity instruments as we do not utilize any such instruments.
RAW MATERIAL PRICE RISK
We purchase a variety of commodities and other raw materials, such as soybean oil, flour, eggs and dairy-based materials, which we use to manufacture our products. The market prices for these commodities are subject to fluctuation based upon a number of economic factors and may become volatile at times. While we do not use any derivative commodity instruments to hedge against commodity price risk, we do actively manage a portion of the risk through a structured forward purchasing program for certain key materials such as soybean oil and flour. In addition, we have implemented a procurement strategy for a portion of our egg needs through the use of grain-based pricing contracts to reduce our exposure to egg market spot prices. These programs, coupled with short-term fixed price arrangements on other significant raw materials, provide us more predictable input costs, which, in addition to the supply contracts with our foodservice customers that allow us to pass along price increases for commodities, help to stabilize our margins during periods of significant volatility in the commodity markets.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
27
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Lancaster Colony Corporation
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Lancaster Colony Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2021, and the related notes (collectively, referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated August 26, 2021, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 5 to the financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for leases effective July 1, 2019, due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842).
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Fair Value - Bantam Bagels, LLC (“Bantam”) Contingent Consideration (Level 3 Liability) - Refer to Note 3 in the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company has a contingent consideration liability whose fair value is based on a complex model and unobservable inputs. The contingent consideration liability resulted from the earn-out provision associated with the Company’s October 19, 2018 acquisition of Bantam. The terms of this acquisition specify that the sellers may receive an earn-out payment as part of the overall consideration in the transaction based upon a predetermined contractual formula at a specified future date. Under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, contingent consideration liabilities are generally classified as Level 3 liabilities and are marked to fair value on a recurring basis.
28
Unlike the fair value of other assets and liabilities that are readily observable, and therefore, more easily independently corroborated, the valuation of Level 3 liabilities is inherently subjective, and often involves the use of complex models and unobservable inputs. The fair value of the Bantam contingent consideration is measured on a recurring basis using a Monte Carlo simulation that randomly changes revenue growth, forecasted adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, as defined in the related acquisition agreement, and other uncertain variables to estimate an expected value, which is recorded at present value by applying a discount rate.
We identified this Level 3 liability as a critical audit matter because of the complex model and unobservable inputs management uses to estimate fair value. This required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve our fair value specialists who possess significant quantitative and modeling expertise, to audit and evaluate the appropriateness of the model and inputs.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the complex model and unobservable inputs used by management to estimate the fair value of the Level 3 liability included the following, among others:
•We tested the effectiveness of controls over management’s valuation of the contingent consideration, including those related to the complex proprietary model and the significant inputs that are not readily observable.
•We evaluated management’s ability to accurately estimate fair value by comparing management’s historical estimates to subsequent results, taking into account changes in market conditions.
•We compared management’s assumptions to external sources. These assumptions included discount rates, forecasted revenue growth rates, and operating margins used in the valuation models.
•With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the appropriateness of the valuation technique utilized, and assessed the reasonableness of the valuation inputs and discount rate assumptions used in the fair value analysis by developing a range of independent estimates and comparing those to inputs selected by management.
| /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP | ||
| Deloitte & Touche LLP | ||
Columbus, Ohio
August 26, 2021
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1961.
29
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| June 30, | |||||||||||
| (Amounts in thousands, except share data) | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||
| Current Assets: | |||||||||||
| Cash and equivalents | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Receivables | |||||||||||
| Inventories: | |||||||||||
| Raw materials | |||||||||||
| Finished goods | |||||||||||
| Total inventories | |||||||||||
| Other current assets | |||||||||||
| Total current assets | |||||||||||
| Property, Plant and Equipment: | |||||||||||
| Land, buildings and improvements | |||||||||||
| Machinery and equipment | |||||||||||
| Total cost | |||||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation | |||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment-net | |||||||||||
| Other Assets: | |||||||||||
| Goodwill | |||||||||||
| Other intangible assets-net | |||||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | |||||||||||
| Other noncurrent assets | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||||||
| Current Liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Accrued liabilities | |||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Noncurrent Operating Lease Liabilities | |||||||||||
| Other Noncurrent Liabilities | |||||||||||
| Deferred Income Taxes | |||||||||||
| Commitments and Contingencies | |||||||||||
| Shareholders’ Equity: | |||||||||||
Preferred stock-authorized | |||||||||||
Common stock-authorized | |||||||||||
| Retained earnings | |||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Common stock in treasury, at cost | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
30
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
| Years Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| (Amounts in thousands, except per share data) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||
| Net Sales | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Cost of Sales | |||||||||||||||||
| Gross Profit | |||||||||||||||||
| Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Change in Contingent Consideration | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Restructuring and Impairment Charges | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating Income | |||||||||||||||||
| Other, Net | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Income Before Income Taxes | |||||||||||||||||
| Taxes Based on Income | |||||||||||||||||
| Net Income | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Net Income Per Common Share: | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding: | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic | |||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | |||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
31
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
| Years Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||
| Net Income | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Other Comprehensive Income (Loss): | |||||||||||||||||
| Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net gain (loss) arising during the period, before tax | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Amortization of loss, before tax | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of prior service credit, before tax | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Tax Attributes of Items in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss): | |||||||||||||||||
| Net gain (loss) arising during the period, tax | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of loss, tax | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization of prior service credit, tax | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Tax (Expense) Benefit | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive Income | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
32
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| Years Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| (Amounts in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows From Operating Activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Impacts of noncash items: | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||
| Change in contingent consideration | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes and other changes | |||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | |||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring and impairment charges | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Loss (gain) on sale of property | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Pension plan activity | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Receivables | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Inventories | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Other current assets | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows From Investing Activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Payments for property additions | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of property | |||||||||||||||||
| Other-net | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows From Financing Activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Payment of dividends | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Purchase of treasury stock | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Tax withholdings for stock-based compensation | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Other-net | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Net change in cash and equivalents | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Cash and equivalents at beginning of year | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash and equivalents at end of year | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
33
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data) | Common Stock Outstanding | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Treasury Stock | Total Shareholders’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, June 30, 2018 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net pension and postretirement benefit losses, net of $( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends - common stock ($ | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of treasury stock | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based plans | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, June 30, 2019 | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net pension and postretirement benefit losses, net of $( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends - common stock ($ | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of treasury stock | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based plans | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, June 30, 2020 | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net pension and postretirement benefit gains, net of $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends - common stock ($ | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of treasury stock | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based plans | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, June 30, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
34
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lancaster Colony Corporation and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, collectively referred to as “we,” “us,” “our,” “registrant,” or the “Company.” Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. Our fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30. Unless otherwise noted, references to “year” pertain to our fiscal year; for example, 2021 refers to fiscal 2021, which is the period from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates included in these consolidated financial statements include allowances for customer deductions, net realizable value of inventories, useful lives for the calculation of depreciation and amortization, distribution accruals, pension and postretirement assumptions and self-insurance accruals. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Cash and Equivalents
We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying amounts of our cash and equivalents approximate fair value due to their short maturities and are considered level 1 investments, which have quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets. As a result of our cash management system, checks issued but not presented to the banks for payment may create negative book cash balances. When such negative balances exist, they are included in Accrued Liabilities.
Receivable Allowances
Our receivables balance is net of trade-related allowances, which consist of sales discounts, trade promotions and certain other sales incentives. We evaluate the adequacy of these allowances considering several factors including historical experience, specific trade programs and existing customer relationships. These allowances can fluctuate based on the level of sales and promotional programs as well as the timing of deductions.
Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and equivalents and trade accounts receivable. By policy, we limit the amount of credit exposure to any one institution or issuer. Our concentration of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable is mitigated by our credit evaluation process and our broad Retail and Foodservice customer base. However, see Note 10 with respect to our accounts receivable with Walmart Inc. and McLane Company, Inc., a wholesale distribution subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.
Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value and are costed by various methods that approximate actual cost on a first-in, first-out basis. Due to the nature of our business, work in process inventory is not a material component of inventory. When necessary, we provide allowances to adjust the carrying value of our inventory to the lower of cost or net realizable value, including any costs to sell or dispose. The determination of whether inventory items are slow moving, obsolete or in excess of needs requires estimates about the future demand for our products. The estimates as to future demand used in the valuation of inventory are subject to the ongoing success of our products and may differ from actual due to factors such as changes in customer and consumer demand.
35
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, except for those acquired as part of a business combination, which are recorded at fair value at the time of purchase. We use the straight-line method of computing depreciation for financial reporting purposes based on the estimated useful lives of the corresponding assets. Estimated useful lives for buildings and improvements range generally from 10 to 40 years, machinery and equipment, excluding technology-related equipment, range generally from 3 to 15 years and technology-related equipment range generally from 3 to 5 years. For tax purposes, we generally compute depreciation using accelerated methods.
Purchases of property, plant and equipment included in Accounts Payable and excluded from the property additions and the change in accounts payable in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows at June 30 were as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Construction in progress in Accounts Payable | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
The following table sets forth depreciation expense, including finance lease amortization, in each of the years ended June 30:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Depreciation expense | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Long-Lived Assets
We monitor the recoverability of the carrying value of our long-lived assets by periodically considering whether indicators of impairment are present. If such indicators are present, we determine if the assets are recoverable by comparing the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows to the assets’ carrying amounts. Our cash flows are based on historical results adjusted to reflect our best estimate of future market and operating conditions. If the carrying amounts are greater, then the assets are not recoverable. In that instance, we compare the carrying amounts to the fair value to determine the amount of the impairment to be recorded.
Accrued Distribution
We incur various freight and other related costs associated with shipping products to our customers and warehouses. We provide accruals for unbilled shipments from carriers utilizing historical or projected freight rates and other relevant information.
Accruals for Self-Insurance
Self-insurance accruals are made for certain claims associated with employee health care, workers’ compensation and general liability insurance up to stop-loss coverage. These accruals include estimates that are primarily based on historical loss development factors.
36
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Revenue Recognition
When Performance Obligations Are Satisfied
A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer and is the unit of account for revenue recognition. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. The singular performance obligation of our customer contracts is determined by each individual purchase order and the respective food products ordered, with revenue being recognized at a point-in-time when the obligation under the terms of the agreement is satisfied and product control is transferred to our customer. Specifically, control transfers to our customers when the product is delivered to or picked up by our customers based upon applicable shipping terms, as our customers can direct the use and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from the asset at this point in time. The performance obligations in our customer contracts are generally satisfied within 30 days. As such, we have not disclosed the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations as of June 30, 2021.
Significant Payment Terms
In general, within our customer contracts, the purchase order identifies the product, quantity, price, pick-up allowances, payment terms and final delivery terms. Payment terms usually include early pay discounts. We grant payment terms consistent with industry standards. Although some payment terms may be more extended, presently the majority of our payment terms are less than 60 days. As a result, we have used the available practical expedient and, consequently, do not adjust our revenues for the effects of a significant financing component.
Distribution
Distribution fees billed to customers are included in Net Sales. All distribution costs associated with outbound freight are accounted for as fulfillment costs and are included in Cost of Sales; this includes distribution costs incurred after control over a product has transferred to a customer, as we have chosen to use the available practical expedient to account for these costs within our cost of sales.
Variable Consideration
In addition to fixed contract consideration, our contracts include some form of variable consideration, including sales discounts, returns, trade promotions and certain other sales and consumer incentives, including rebates and coupon redemptions. In general, variable consideration is treated as a reduction in revenue when the related revenue is recognized. Depending on the specific type of variable consideration, we use either the expected value or most likely amount method to determine the variable consideration. We believe there will be no significant changes to our estimates of variable consideration when any related uncertainties are resolved with our customers. We review and update our estimates and related accruals of variable consideration each period based on historical experience and any recent changes in the market.
Warranties & Returns
We provide all customers with a standard or assurance type warranty. Either stated or implied, we provide assurance the related products will comply with all agreed-upon specifications and other warranties provided under the law. No services beyond an assurance warranty are provided to our customers.
We do not grant a general right of return. However, customers may return defective or non-conforming products. Customer remedies may include either a cash refund or an exchange of the product. As a result, the right of return and related refund liability is estimated and recorded as a reduction in revenue. This return estimate is reviewed and updated each period and is based on historical sales and return experience.
Contract Balances
We do not have deferred revenue or unbilled receivable balances and thus do not have any related contract asset and liability balances as of June 30, 2021.
Contract Costs
We have identified sales commissions as an incremental cost incurred to obtain a customer contract. These costs are required to be capitalized under the new revenue recognition standard. We have chosen to use the available practical expedient to continue to expense these costs as incurred as the amortization period for such costs is one year or less. We do not incur significant fulfillment costs related to customer contracts which would require capitalization.
Disaggregation of Revenue
See Note 10 for disaggregation of our net sales by class of similar product and type of customer.
37
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Advertising expense as a percentage of net sales | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
Income Taxes
Our income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities and reserves for unrecognized tax benefits reflect management’s best assessment of estimated future taxes to be paid. We are subject to income taxes in numerous domestic jurisdictions.
Our annual effective tax rate is determined based on our income, statutory tax rates and the permanent tax impacts of items treated differently for tax purposes than for financial reporting purposes. Tax law requires certain items be included in the tax return at different times than the items are reflected in the financial statements. Some of these differences are permanent, such as expenses that are not deductible in our tax return, and some differences are temporary, reversing over time, such as depreciation expense. These temporary differences create deferred tax assets and liabilities. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A change in tax rates may result in stranded tax effects when the effect of the change is required to be included in income even when the related income tax effects of items in accumulated other comprehensive income/loss were originally recognized in other comprehensive income rather than in income. Our accounting policy is to release stranded tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive loss.
Realization of certain deferred tax assets is dependent upon generating sufficient taxable income in the appropriate jurisdiction prior to the expiration of the carryforward periods. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will be realized and thus we have not recorded any valuation allowance for the years ended June 30, 2021 or 2020.
In accordance with accounting literature related to uncertainty in income taxes, tax benefits and liabilities from uncertain tax positions that are recognized in the financial statements are measured based on the largest attribute that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
Changes in tax laws and rates could also affect recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities in the future. Management is not aware of any such changes that would have a material effect on our results of operations, cash flows or financial position. See further discussion in Note 9.
Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents (restricted stock and stock-settled stock appreciation rights) outstanding during each period. Unvested shares of restricted stock granted to employees are considered participating securities since employees receive nonforfeitable dividends prior to vesting and, therefore, are included in the earnings allocation in computing EPS under the two-class method. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, which includes the dilutive potential common shares associated with nonparticipating restricted stock and stock-settled stock appreciation rights.
38
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Basic and diluted net income per common share were calculated as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Net income available to participating securities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Net income available to common shareholders | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic | |||||||||||||||||
| Incremental share effect from: | |||||||||||||||||
| Nonparticipating restricted stock | |||||||||||||||||
| Stock-settled stock appreciation rights | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income per common share - basic | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Net income per common share - diluted | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive income includes changes in equity that result from transactions and economic events from non-owner sources. Comprehensive income is composed of two subsets – net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Included in other comprehensive income (loss) are pension and postretirement benefits adjustments.
The following table presents the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component:
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss at beginning of year | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
| Defined Benefit Pension Plan Items: | |||||||||||
| Net gain (loss) arising during the period | ( | ||||||||||
Amortization of unrecognized net loss (1) | |||||||||||
Postretirement Benefit Plan Items: (2) | |||||||||||
| Net gain (loss) arising during the period | ( | ||||||||||
| Amortization of unrecognized net gain | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Amortization of prior service credit | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax | ( | ||||||||||
| Total tax (expense) benefit | ( | ||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | ( | ||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of year | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
(1)Included in the computation of net periodic benefit income/cost. See Note 12 for additional information.
(2)Additional disclosures for postretirement benefits are not included as they are not considered material.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
There were no recently issued accounting standards that will impact our consolidated financial statements.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued new accounting guidance related to the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The guidance removes, modifies and adds disclosures related to fair value. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. We adopted the new guidance on July 1, 2020. As the guidance only relates to disclosures, there was no impact on our financial position or results of operations. See fair value disclosures in Note 3.
39
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Note 2 – Acquisitions
Omni Baking Company LLC
On November 16, 2018, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Omni Baking Company LLC (“Omni”). Omni had been a long-time supplier of products to our frozen garlic bread operations and is based in Vineland, New Jersey. The purchase price of $22.3 million, which includes the post-closing working capital adjustment, was funded with cash on hand. These results have been included in our consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.
Bantam Bagels, LLC
On October 19, 2018, we acquired all the assets of Bantam Bagels, LLC (“Bantam”). Bantam, a producer and marketer of frozen mini stuffed bagels and other frozen bread products sold to both the retail and foodservice channels, is based in New York, New York. The base purchase price of $33.1 million, which includes the post-closing working capital adjustment, was funded with cash on hand. This purchase price excludes contingent consideration relating to an additional earn-out payment which is tied to performance-based conditions. In general, the terms of the acquisition specify that the sellers will receive an earn-out based upon a pre-determined multiple of the defined adjusted EBITDA of Bantam for the twelve months ending December 31, 2023. We are unable to provide a range for the amount of this earn-out because it is based on the future adjusted EBITDA of Bantam, and the earn-out does not contain a minimum or maximum value. See further discussion of the earn-out in Note 3. These results have been included in our consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.
Note 3 – Fair Value
Fair value is defined as the exit price, or the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. GAAP sets forth a three-level fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The three levels are as follows:
Level 1 – defined as observable inputs, such as quoted market prices in active markets.
Level 2 – defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable.
Level 3 – defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore, requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.
Our financial assets and liabilities subject to the three-level fair value hierarchy consist principally of cash and equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, contingent consideration payable and defined benefit pension plan assets. The estimated fair value of cash and equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximates their carrying value. See Note 12 for fair value disclosures related to our defined benefit pension plan assets.
Our contingent consideration, which resulted from the earn-out associated with our acquisition of Bantam, is measured at fair value on a recurring basis and is included in Other Noncurrent Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table summarizes our contingent consideration as of June 30:
| Fair Value Measurements at June 30, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Contingent consideration - Bantam | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value Measurements at June 30, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Contingent consideration - Bantam | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
Bantam Contingent Consideration
This contingent consideration resulted from the earn-out associated with our October 19, 2018 acquisition of Bantam. In general, the terms of the acquisition specify the sellers will receive an earn-out based upon a pre-determined multiple of the defined adjusted EBITDA of Bantam for the twelve months ending December 31, 2023. The initial fair value of the contingent consideration was determined to be $8.0 million. The fair value is measured on a recurring basis using a Monte Carlo simulation that randomly changes revenue growth, forecasted adjusted EBITDA and other uncertain variables to estimate an expected value. We record the present value of this amount by applying a discount rate. As this fair value measurement is based on significant inputs not observable in the market, it represents a Level 3 measurement within the fair value hierarchy. Our 2021 fair value measurements resulted in a $5.7 million reduction in the fair value of Bantam’s contingent consideration based
40
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)
on changes in Bantam’s forecasted adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ending December 31, 2023. The changes in forecasted adjusted EBITDA primarily reflected the impact of a SKU rationalization by a Foodservice customer resulting in the loss of sales to that customer after November 30, 2020. This adjustment was recorded in our Foodservice segment.
The following table represents our Level 3 fair value measurements using significant other unobservable inputs for Bantam’s contingent consideration:
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Contingent consideration at beginning of year | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Change in contingent consideration included in operating income | ( | ||||||||||
| Contingent consideration at end of year | $ | $ | |||||||||
Angelic Contingent Consideration
The terms of our November 17, 2016 acquisition of Angelic Bakehouse, Inc. (“Angelic”) specified the sellers would receive an earn-out based upon a pre-determined multiple of the defined adjusted EBITDA of Angelic for fiscal 2021. Based on Angelic’s actual adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2021, there will be no earn-out payment. No no
Note 4 – Long-Term Debt
At June 30, 2021 and 2020, we had an unsecured credit facility (“Facility”) under which we could borrow, on a revolving credit basis, up to a maximum of $150 225 March 19, 2025 , and all outstanding amounts are then due and payable. Interest is variable based upon formulas tied to LIBOR or an alternate base rate defined in the Facility. In the event that LIBOR becomes unavailable or is no longer deemed an appropriate reference rate, the Facility allows for the use of a benchmark replacement rate. We must also pay facility fees that are tied to our then-applicable consolidated leverage ratio. Loans may be used for general corporate purposes. Due to the nature of its terms, when we have outstanding borrowings under the Facility, they will be classified as long-term debt.
The Facility contains certain restrictive covenants, including limitations on indebtedness, asset sales and acquisitions. There are two principal financial covenants: an interest expense test that requires us to maintain an interest coverage ratio not less than 2.5 to 1 at the end of each fiscal quarter; and an indebtedness test that requires us to maintain a consolidated leverage ratio not greater than 3.5 to 1, subject to certain exceptions. The interest coverage ratio is calculated by dividing Consolidated EBIT by Consolidated Interest Expense, and the leverage ratio is calculated by dividing Consolidated Net Debt by Consolidated EBITDA. All financial terms used in the covenant calculations are defined more specifically in the Facility.
At June 30, 2021 and 2020, we had no 2.8 no
Note 5 – Leases
On July 1, 2019, we adopted new lease accounting guidance, which requires a lessee to record right-of-use assets and lease liabilities based upon the present value of the lease payments for operating leases and finance leases. We used the alternate transition method whereby companies could recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption rather than restating comparative periods, but we did not record a cumulative-effect adjustment from initially applying the standard.
General Lease Description
We have operating leases with initial noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year covering the rental of various facilities and equipment. Certain of these leases contain renewal options and some provide options to purchase during the lease term. Our operating leases include leases for real estate for some of our office and manufacturing facilities as well as manufacturing and non-manufacturing equipment used in our business. The remaining lease terms for these operating leases range from 1 year to 7 years.
We have finance leases with initial noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year covering the rental of various facilities and equipment. These leases are generally for non-manufacturing equipment used in our business and warehouse facilities. The remaining lease terms for these finance leases range from 2 years to 4 years.
41
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Significant Assumptions and Judgments
Contract Contains a Lease
In evaluating our contracts to determine whether a contract is or contains a lease, we considered the following:
•Whether explicitly or implicitly identified assets have been deployed in the contract; and
•Whether we obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of that underlying asset, and we can direct how and for what purpose the asset is used during the term of the contract.
Allocation of Consideration
In determining how to allocate consideration between lease and non-lease components in a contract that was deemed to contain a lease, we used judgment and consistent application of assumptions to reasonably allocate the consideration.
Options to Extend or Terminate Leases
We have leases which contain options to extend or terminate the leases. On a lease-by-lease basis, we have determined if the extension should be considered reasonably certain to be exercised and thus a right-of-use asset and a lease liability should be recorded.
Discount Rate
The discount rate for leases, if not explicitly stated in the lease, is the incremental borrowing rate, which is the rate of interest that a lessee would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment.
We use a discount rate to calculate the present value of lease liabilities. In the development of the discount rate, we consider our internal borrowing rate, treasury security rates, collateral and credit risk specific to us, and our lease portfolio characteristics.
As of June 30, 2021 and 2020, the weighted-average discount rate of our operating leases was 2.9 % and 3.0 %, respectively. As of June 30, 2021 and 2020, the weighted-average discount rate of our finance leases was 1.9 % and 3.6 %, respectively.
Practical Expedients and Accounting Policy Elections
We elected the package of practical expedients that permits us not to reassess our prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs and made an accounting policy election to exclude short-term leases with an initial term of 12 months or less from our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Amounts Recognized in the Financial Statements
The components of lease expense in each of the years ended June 30 have been provided as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Operating lease cost in Cost of Sales and Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Finance lease cost: | |||||||||||
| Amortization of assets in Cost of Sales | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Interest on lease liabilities in Other, Net | |||||||||||
| Total finance lease cost | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Short-term lease cost in Cost of Sales and Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | |||||||||||
| Total net lease cost | $ | $ | |||||||||
42
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases at June 30 is as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating Leases | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating Lease Right-Of-Use Assets | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Current operating lease liabilities in Accrued Liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Noncurrent Operating Lease Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Total operating lease liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Finance Leases | |||||||||||||||||
| Finance lease right-of-use assets in Property, Plant and Equipment-Net | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Current finance lease liabilities in Accrued Liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Noncurrent finance lease liabilities in Other Noncurrent Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Total finance lease liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases in each of the years ended June 30 is as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating cash flows from operating leases | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Operating cash flows from finance leases | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Financing cash flows from finance leases | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Supplemental noncash information on operating lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Supplemental noncash information on operating lease liabilities removed due to purchase of leased asset | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Supplemental noncash information on finance lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
As of June 30, 2021, the maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:
| Operating Leases | Finance Leases | ||||||||||
| 2022 | $ | $ | |||||||||
| 2023 | |||||||||||
| 2024 | |||||||||||
| 2025 | |||||||||||
| 2026 | |||||||||||
| Thereafter | |||||||||||
| Total minimum payments | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Less amount representing interest | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Present value of lease obligations | $ | $ | |||||||||
As of June 30, 2021 and 2020, the weighted-average remaining term of our operating leases was 4.4 years and 4.7 years, respectively. As of June 30, 2021 and 2020, the weighted-average remaining term of our finance leases was 4.0 years and 3.8 years, respectively.
43
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Note 6 – Commitments and Contingencies
In addition to the items discussed below, at June 30, 2021, we were a party to various claims and litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Such matters did not have a material effect on the current-year results of operations and, in our opinion, their ultimate disposition will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
We have a significant remaining commitment of approximately $92 million related to a capacity expansion project at our dressing and sauce facility in Horse Cave, Kentucky.
Our acquisition of Bantam included a provision for contingent consideration for the earn-out associated with this transaction. See further discussion in Note 3.
Note 7 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill attributable to the Retail and Foodservice segments was $157.4 51.0
The following table summarizes our identifiable other intangible assets at June 30:
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Tradenames ( | |||||||||||
| Gross carrying value | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Accumulated amortization | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net carrying value | $ | $ | |||||||||
Customer Relationships ( | |||||||||||
| Gross carrying value | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Accumulated amortization | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net carrying value | $ | $ | |||||||||
Technology / Know-how ( | |||||||||||
| Gross carrying value | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Accumulated amortization | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net carrying value | $ | $ | |||||||||
Non-compete Agreements ( | |||||||||||
| Gross carrying value | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Accumulated amortization | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net carrying value | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Total net carrying value | $ | $ | |||||||||
In 2021, we recorded impairment charges of $1.2 million related to certain tradename and technology / know-how intangible assets for Bantam, which reflect the impact of a SKU rationalization by a Foodservice customer resulting in the loss of sales to that customer after November 30, 2020. The impairment charges represent the excess of the carrying value over the fair value of estimated discounted cash flows for the remaining useful lives of the intangible assets. The impairment charges are reflected in Restructuring and Impairment Charges in the Consolidated Statements of Income and were recorded in our Foodservice segment. We also reduced the remaining useful life for Bantam’s Foodservice customer relationship and have recorded accelerated amortization expense.
Amortization expense for our other intangible assets, which is reflected in Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, was as follows in each of the years ended June 30:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Amortization expense | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
44
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Total annual amortization expense for each of the next five years is estimated to be as follows:
| 2022 | $ | ||||
| 2023 | $ | ||||
| 2024 | $ | ||||
| 2025 | $ | ||||
| 2026 | $ | ||||
Note 8 – Liabilities
Accrued liabilities at June 30 were composed of:
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Compensation and employee benefits | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Distribution | |||||||||||
| Operating leases | |||||||||||
| Royalties | |||||||||||
| Finance leases | |||||||||||
| Marketing | |||||||||||
| Other taxes | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Total accrued liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||
Other noncurrent liabilities at June 30 were composed of:
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Workers compensation | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Finance leases | |||||||||||
| Deferred compensation and accrued interest | |||||||||||
| Contingent consideration | |||||||||||
| Pension benefit liability | |||||||||||
| Gross tax contingency reserve | |||||||||||
| Postretirement benefit liability | |||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||
| Total other noncurrent liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||
Note 9 – Income Taxes
We file a consolidated federal income tax return. Taxes based on income for the years ended June 30 have been provided as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Currently payable: | |||||||||||||||||
| Federal | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| State and local | |||||||||||||||||
| Total current provision | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred federal, state and local provision | |||||||||||||||||
| Total taxes based on income | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
45
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)
For the years ended June 30, our effective tax rate varied from the statutory federal income tax rate as a result of the following factors:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Statutory rate | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| State and local income taxes | |||||||||||||||||
| Net windfall tax benefits - stock-based compensation | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Other | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Effective rate | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
Our net deferred tax liability for all periods presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets has been classified as noncurrent. The tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at June 30 were comprised of:
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Deferred tax assets: | |||||||||||
| Employee medical and other benefits | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | |||||||||||
| Inventories | |||||||||||
| Receivables | |||||||||||
| Other accrued liabilities | |||||||||||
| Total deferred tax assets | |||||||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Goodwill | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Intangible assets | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Other | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total deferred tax liabilities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net deferred tax liability | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
Prepaid federal income taxes of $5.1 million and $5.3 million were included in Other Current Assets at June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Prepaid state and local income taxes of $1.1 million were included in Other Current Assets at June 30, 2021.
Net cash payments for income taxes for each of the years ended June 30 were as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Net cash payments for income taxes | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
The gross tax contingency reserve at June 30, 2021 was $1.3 million and consisted of estimated tax liabilities of $0.8 million and interest and penalties of $0.5 million. The unrecognized tax benefits recorded as the gross tax contingency reserve noted in the following table for June 30, 2021 and 2020 would affect our effective tax rate, if recognized.
46
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)
The following table sets forth changes in our total gross tax contingency reserve (including interest and penalties):
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Tax positions related to the current year: | |||||||||||
| Additions | |||||||||||
| Reductions | |||||||||||
| Tax positions related to prior years: | |||||||||||
| Additions | |||||||||||
| Reductions | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Settlements | ( | ||||||||||
| Balance, end of year | $ | $ | |||||||||
We have not classified any of the gross tax contingency reserve at June 30, 2021 in Accrued Liabilities as none of these amounts are expected to be resolved within the next 12 months. Consequently, the entire liability of $1.3 million was included in Other Noncurrent Liabilities. We expect that the amount of these liabilities will change within the next 12 months; however, we do not expect the change to have a significant effect on our financial position or results of operations.
We recognize interest and penalties related to these tax liabilities in income tax expense. For each of the years ended June 30, we recognized the change in the accrual for net tax-related interest and penalties as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Expense (benefit) recognized for net tax-related interest and penalties | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||
We had accrued interest and penalties at June 30 as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Accrued interest and penalties included in the gross tax contingency reserve | $ | $ | |||||||||
We file federal and various state and local income tax returns in the United States. With limited exceptions, we are no longer subject to examination of U.S. federal or state and local income taxes for years prior to 2018.
Note 10 – Business Segment Information
Our financial results are presented as two reportable segments: Retail and Foodservice. Costs that are directly attributable to either Retail or Foodservice are charged directly to the appropriate segment. Costs that are deemed to be indirect, excluding corporate expenses and other unusual significant transactions, are allocated to the two reportable segments using a reasonable methodology that is consistently applied. We evaluate our segments based on net sales and operating income. Our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), in order to drive enhanced accountability and transparency throughout our organization, initiated a review of functional costs that have historically been part of the indirect costs allocated to our two reportable segments. This review was completed as part of our preparation for our upcoming enterprise resource planning system implementation. As a result of this review, our CODM identified certain support functions that would be more appropriately presented within corporate expenses to facilitate the management of the business, including assessing segment performance and allocating resources. These changes were effective July 1, 2020. All historical information has been retroactively conformed to the current presentation. These changes had no effect on previously reported consolidated net sales, gross profit, operating income, net income or earnings per share.
Retail - The vast majority of the products we sell in the Retail segment are sold through sales personnel, food brokers and distributors in the United States. We have placement of products in grocery produce departments through our refrigerated salad dressings, vegetable dips and fruit dips. Our flatbread products and sprouted grain bakery products are generally placed in the specialty bakery/deli section of the grocery store. We also have products typically marketed in the shelf-stable section of the grocery store, which include salad dressings, slaw dressing, sauces and croutons. Within the frozen food section of the grocery store, we sell yeast rolls, garlic breads and mini stuffed bagels.
47
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Foodservice - The vast majority of the products we sell in the Foodservice segment are sold through sales personnel, food brokers and distributors in the United States. Most of the products we sell in the Foodservice segment are custom-formulated and include salad dressings, sandwich and dipping sauces, frozen breads and yeast rolls. The majority of our Foodservice sales are products sold under private label to restaurants. We also manufacture and sell various branded Foodservice products to distributors. Finally, within this segment, we sold other roll products under a temporary supply agreement resulting from the Omni acquisition. The temporary supply agreement was terminated effective October 31, 2020.
As many of our products are similar between our two segments, our procurement, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution activities are substantially integrated across our operations in order to maximize efficiency and productivity. Consequently, we do not prepare, and our CODM does not review, separate balance sheets for the reportable segments. As such, our external reporting does not include the presentation of identifiable assets, payments for property additions or depreciation and amortization by reportable segment.
The following table sets forth net sales disaggregated by class of similar products for the Retail and Foodservice segments in each of the years ended June 30:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Retail | |||||||||||||||||
| Frozen breads | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Shelf-stable dressings, sauces and croutons | |||||||||||||||||
| Refrigerated dressings, dips and other | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Retail net sales | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Foodservice | |||||||||||||||||
| Dressings and sauces | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Frozen breads and other | |||||||||||||||||
| Other roll products | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Foodservice net sales | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Total net sales | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
The following table provides an additional disaggregation of Foodservice net sales by type of customer in each of the years ended June 30:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foodservice | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National accounts | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Branded and other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other roll products | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Foodservice net sales | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
48
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)
The following sets forth certain additional financial information attributable to our reportable segments, certain amounts not allocated among our reportable segments and amounts retained at the corporate level for the years ended June 30:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
Net Sales (1) (2) | |||||||||||||||||
| Retail | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Foodservice | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Operating Income (2) (3) | |||||||||||||||||
| Retail | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Foodservice | |||||||||||||||||
Nonallocated Restructuring and Impairment Charges (4) | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
Corporate Expenses (5) | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Identifiable Assets (1) (6) | |||||||||||||||||
Retail & Foodservice (7) | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Corporate | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Payments for Property Additions (3) | |||||||||||||||||
Retail & Foodservice (7) | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Corporate | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation and Amortization (3) | |||||||||||||||||
Retail & Foodservice (7) | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Corporate | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
(1)Net sales and long-lived assets are predominately domestic.
(2)All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
(3)As discussed above, all historical information for operating income, payments for property additions and depreciation and amortization has been retroactively conformed to the current presentation. These changes had no effect on previously reported consolidated totals.
(4)Reflects restructuring and impairment charges related to a plant closure that were not allocated to our two reportable segments due to their unusual nature.
(5)Our Corporate Expenses include various expenses of a general corporate nature, expenditures for Project Ascent and costs related to certain divested or closed nonfood operations. These costs have not been allocated to the Retail and Foodservice segments.
(6)Retail and Foodservice identifiable assets include those assets used in our operations and other intangible assets allocated to purchased businesses. Corporate assets consist principally of cash and equivalents. The increase in Retail and Foodservice identifiable assets from June 30, 2020 to June 30, 2021 reflected property additions, largely due to several capacity expansion projects that are currently underway, and higher inventory levels due to increased commodity costs. The increase in Retail and Foodservice identifiable assets from June 30, 2019 to June 30, 2020 reflected property additions, notably a capacity expansion project at our frozen dinner roll facility in Horse Cave, Kentucky, as well as operating lease right-of-use assets recorded in 2020 due to the adoption of new accounting guidance.
(7)As discussed above, we do not present identifiable assets, payments for property additions or depreciation and amortization by reportable segment.
49
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Retail segment net sales attributable to Walmart Inc. (“Walmart”) and Foodservice segment net sales attributable to McLane Company, Inc. (“McLane”), a wholesale distribution subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., for each of the years ended June 30 were as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Net sales to Walmart | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| As a percentage of consolidated net sales | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| Net sales to McLane | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| As a percentage of consolidated net sales | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
Accounts receivable attributable to Walmart and McLane at June 30 as a percentage of consolidated accounts receivable were as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Walmart | % | % | |||||||||
| McLane | % | % | |||||||||
Note 11 – Stock-Based Compensation
Our shareholders previously approved the Lancaster Colony Corporation 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”). The 2015 Plan reserved 1,500,000 common shares for issuance to our employees and directors. All awards granted under this plan will be exercisable at prices not less than fair market value as of the date of the grant. The vesting period for awards granted under this plan varies as to the type of award granted, and the maximum term of these awards is seven years .
We recognize compensation expense over the requisite service period of the grant. Compensation expense is reflected in Cost of Sales or Selling, General and Administrative Expenses based on the grantees’ salaries expense classification. We record tax benefits and excess tax benefits related to stock-settled stock appreciation rights (“SSSARs”) and restricted stock awards. These excess tax benefits are included in the operating section of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. We estimate a forfeiture rate for our SSSARs and restricted stock grants based on historical experience.
Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights
We use periodic grants of SSSARs as a vehicle for rewarding certain employees with long-term incentives for their efforts in helping to create long-term shareholder value. We calculate the fair value of SSSARs grants using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Our policy is to issue shares upon SSSARs exercise from new shares that had been previously authorized.
In 2021, 2020 and 2019, we granted SSSARs to various employees under the terms of the plan. The following table summarizes information relating to these grants:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| SSSARs granted | |||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average grant date fair value per right | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted average assumptions used in fair value calculations: | |||||||||||||||||
| Risk-free interest rate | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| Dividend yield | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| Volatility factor of the expected market price of our common stock | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| Expected life in years | |||||||||||||||||
For these grants, the volatility factor was estimated based on actual historical volatility of our stock for a time period equal to the term of the SSSARs. The expected average life was determined based on historical exercise experience for this type of grant. The SSSARs we grant generally vest over a 3 -year period whereby one-third vests on the first anniversary of the grant date, one-third vests on the second anniversary of the grant date and one-third vests on the third anniversary of the grant date.
The following table summarizes our SSSARs compensation expense and tax benefits recorded for each of the years ended June 30:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Compensation expense | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Tax benefits | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Intrinsic value of exercises | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
50
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)
The total fair values of SSSARs vested for each of the years ended June 30 were as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Fair value of vested rights | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
The following table summarizes the activity relating to SSSARs granted under the plan for the year ended June 30, 2021:
| Number of Rights | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at beginning of year | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeited | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding at end of year | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercisable and vested at end of year | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Vested and expected to vest at end of year | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
The following table summarizes information about the SSSARs outstanding by grant year at June 30, 2021:
| Outstanding | Exercisable | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted Average | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grant Years | Range of Exercise Prices | Number Outstanding | Remaining Contractual Life in Years | Exercise Price | Number Exercisable | Weighted Average Exercise Price | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
At June 30, 2021, there was $6.7 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to SSSARs that we will recognize over a weighted-average period of 2 years.
Restricted Stock
We use periodic grants of restricted stock as a vehicle for rewarding our nonemployee directors and certain employees with long-term incentives for their efforts in helping to create long-term shareholder value.
In 2021, 2020 and 2019, we granted shares of restricted stock to various employees under the terms of the plan. The following table summarizes information relating to these grants:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Employees | |||||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock granted | |||||||||||||||||
| Grant date fair value | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted average grant date fair value per award | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
The restricted stock under these employee grants vests 3 years after the grant date. Under the terms of our grants, employees receive dividends on unforfeited restricted stock regardless of their vesting status.
In 2021, 2020 and 2019, we also granted shares of restricted stock to our nonemployee directors under the terms of the plan. The following table summarizes information relating to each of these grants:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Nonemployee directors | |||||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock granted | |||||||||||||||||
| Grant date fair value | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted average grant date fair value per award | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
51
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)
The restricted stock under these nonemployee director grants generally vests 1 year after the grant date. All of the shares granted during 2021 are expected to vest. Dividends earned on the stock during the vesting period will be paid to the directors at the time the stock vests.
The following table summarizes our restricted stock compensation expense and tax benefits recorded for each of the years ended June 30:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Compensation expense | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Tax benefits | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
The total fair values of restricted stock vested for each of the years ended June 30 were as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Fair value of vested shares | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
The following table summarizes the activity relating to restricted stock granted under the plan for the year ended June 30, 2021:
| Number of Shares | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | ||||||||||
| Unvested restricted stock at beginning of year | $ | ||||||||||
| Granted | $ | ||||||||||
| Vested | ( | $ | |||||||||
| Forfeited | ( | $ | |||||||||
| Unvested restricted stock at end of year | $ | ||||||||||
At June 30, 2021, there was $5.2 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock that we will recognize over a weighted-average period of 2 years.
Note 12 – Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
We sponsor multiple defined benefit pension plans that covered certain workers under collective bargaining contracts. However, as a result of prior-years’ restructuring activities, for all periods presented, we no longer have any active employees continuing to accrue service cost or otherwise eligible to receive plan benefits. Benefits being paid under the plans are primarily based on negotiated rates and years of service. We contribute to these plans at least the minimum amount required by regulation.
At the end of the year, we discount our plan liabilities using an assumed discount rate. In estimating this rate, we, along with our third-party actuaries, review the timing of future benefit payments, bond indices, yield curve analysis results and the past history of discount rates.
The actuarial present value of benefit obligations summarized below was based on the following assumption:
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Weighted-average assumption as of June 30 | |||||||||||
| Discount rate | % | % | |||||||||
The net periodic benefit costs were determined utilizing the following beginning-of-the-year assumptions:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Discount rate | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| Expected long-term return on plan assets | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
In determining the long-term expected return on plan assets, we consider our related investment guidelines, our expectations of long-term rates of return by asset category, our target asset allocation weighting and historical rates of return and volatility for equity and fixed income investments. The investment strategy for plan assets is to control and manage investment risk through diversification among asset classes, investment managers/funds and investment styles. The plans’ investment guidelines have been designed to meet the intended objective that plan assets earn at least nominal returns equal to
52
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)
or more than the plans’ liability growth rate. In consideration of the current average age of the plans’ participants, the investment guidelines are based upon an investment horizon of at least 10 years. We completed an evaluation of the plans’ asset allocation and liabilities with assistance from an independent outside consultant. As a result, with the plans well-funded and no active employees continuing to accrue service cost or otherwise eligible to receive plan benefits, we reallocated the plan assets to better match the plan liabilities. Accordingly, we allocated a higher percentage of the plan assets to long-duration fixed income investments, thereby reducing equity exposure risk and mitigating the unfavorable impacts of interest rate volatility. This reallocation resulted in a reduction to the expected long-term return on plan assets.
The target and actual asset allocations for our plans at June 30 by asset category were as follows:
| Target Percentage of Plan Assets at June 30 | Actual Percentage of Plan Assets | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| Equity securities | |||||||||||||||||
| Fixed income, including cash | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | % | % | |||||||||||||||
Our target asset allocations are maintained through ongoing review and periodic rebalancing of equity and fixed income investments with assistance from an independent outside investment consultant. Also, the plan assets are diversified among asset classes, asset managers or funds and investment styles to avoid concentrations of risk. As noted above, the increase in the allocation of plan assets to fixed income investments over the past two years reflects the decision to better match the invested assets with the plans’ liabilities. We continue to allocate a modest amount of plan assets to cash to cover near-term expenses.
We categorize our plan assets within a three-level fair value hierarchy, as previously defined in Note 3. The following table summarizes the fair values and levels, within the fair value hierarchy, for our plan assets at June 30:
| June 30, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset Category | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and equivalents | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Money market funds | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipal obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mutual funds fixed income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mutual funds equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| June 30, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset Category | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and equivalents | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Money market funds | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. government obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Municipal obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mutual funds fixed income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mutual funds equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
The plan assets classified at Level 1 include money market funds and mutual funds. Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets are available for investments in this category.
53
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)
The plan assets classified at Level 2 include fixed income securities consisting of government securities, municipal obligations, corporate obligations and mortgage obligations. For these types of securities, market prices are observable for identical or similar investment securities but not readily accessible for each of those investments individually at the measurement date. For these assets, we obtain pricing information from an independent pricing service. The pricing service uses various pricing models for each asset class that are consistent with what other market participants would use. The inputs and assumptions to the model of the pricing service are derived from market observable sources including as applicable: benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data including market research publications.
Relevant information with respect to our pension benefits as of June 30 can be summarized as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Change in benefit obligation | |||||||||||
| Benefit obligation at beginning of year | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Interest cost | |||||||||||
| Actuarial (gain) loss | ( | ||||||||||
| Benefits paid | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Benefit obligation at end of year | $ | $ | |||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Change in plan assets | |||||||||||
| Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Actual return on plan assets | |||||||||||
| Employer contributions | |||||||||||
| Benefits paid | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Fair value of plan assets at end of year | $ | $ | |||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Funded status - net prepaid (accrued) benefit cost | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of | |||||||||||
| Prepaid benefit cost (Other Noncurrent Assets) | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Accrued benefit liability (Other Noncurrent Liabilities) | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net amount recognized | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Accumulated benefit obligation | $ | $ | |||||||||
The following table discloses, in the aggregate, those plans with benefit obligations in excess of the fair value of plan assets at the June 30 measurement date:
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Benefit obligations | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Fair value of plan assets at end of year | $ | $ | |||||||||
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss at June 30 were as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Net actuarial loss | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Income taxes | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | |||||||||
54
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)
The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit income for our pension plans at June 30:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Components of net periodic benefit income | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest cost | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Expected return on plan assets | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Amortization of unrecognized net loss | |||||||||||||||||
| Net periodic benefit income | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||
We have not yet finalized our anticipated funding level for 2022, but based on initial estimates, we do not expect our 2022 contributions to our pension plans to be material.
Benefit payments estimated for future years are as follows:
| 2022 | $ | ||||
| 2023 | $ | ||||
| 2024 | $ | ||||
| 2025 | $ | ||||
| 2026 | $ | ||||
| 2027 - 2031 | $ | ||||
Note 13 – Defined Contribution and Other Employee Plans
Company-Sponsored Defined Contribution Plans
We sponsor three defined contribution plans established pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions are determined under various formulas, and we contributed to each of these plans in 2021. The employer matching contribution percentage for one of these plans was increased effective January 1, 2019. Costs related to such plans for each of the years ended June 30 were as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Costs related to company-sponsored defined contribution plans | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Multiemployer Plans
In the three years ended June 30, 2021, one of our subsidiaries participated in a multiemployer plan that provides pension benefits to retiree workers under a collective bargaining contract. This plan generally provides for retirement, death and/or termination benefits for eligible employees within the collective bargaining contract, based on specific eligibility/participation requirements, vesting periods and benefit formulas. The risks of participating in a multiemployer plan are different from single-employer plans in the following aspects: (1) assets contributed to the multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers, (2) if a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers and (3) if a participating employer chooses to stop participating in the multiemployer plan, it may be required to pay the plan an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability.
55
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Our participation in this multiemployer pension plan for the three years ended June 30, 2021 is reflected in the following table. All information in the table is as of December 31 of the relevant year, except contributions which are based on our fiscal year, or except as otherwise noted. The EIN/PN column provides the Employer Identification Number (“EIN”) and the Plan Number (“PN”). The pension protection act zone status is based on information that we received from the plan. Among other factors, generally, plans in critical status (red zone) are less than 65 percent funded, plans in endangered or seriously endangered status (yellow zone or orange zone, respectively) are less than 80 percent funded, and plans at least 80 percent funded are said to be in the green zone. The FIP/RP status pending/implemented column indicates plans for which a funding improvement plan (“FIP”) or a rehabilitation plan (“RP”) is either pending or has been implemented by the trustees of each plan. There have been no significant changes that affect the comparability of 2021, 2020 or 2019 contributions.
| Pension Protection Act Zone Status | Fiscal Year Contributions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Plan Name | EIN/PN | 2020 | 2019 | FIP/RP Status Pending / Implemented | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | Surcharge Imposed | Expiration Date of Collective Bargaining Agreement | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Under this multiemployer plan and one additional multiemployer plan, we also contribute amounts for health and welfare benefits that are defined by each plan. These benefits are not vested. The contributions required by our participation in these plans for each of the years ended June 30 were as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Multiemployer health and welfare plan contributions | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
We also make non-elective contributions for the union employees at our Bedford Heights, Ohio plant into a union-sponsored multiemployer 401(k) plan. Our contributions totaled $0.7
Deferred Compensation Plan
We offer a deferred compensation plan for select employees who may elect to defer a certain percentage of annual compensation. We do not match any contributions. Each participant earns interest based upon the prime rate of interest, adjusted semi-annually, on their respective deferred compensation balance. Participants are paid out upon retirement or termination in accordance with their annual election.
The following table summarizes our liability for total deferred compensation and accrued interest at June 30:
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Liability for deferred compensation and accrued interest | $ | $ | |||||||||
Deferred compensation expense for each of the years ended June 30 was as follows:
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| Deferred compensation expense | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
56
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well-designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management must apply its judgment in evaluating the cost–benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
As required by SEC Rule 13a-15(b), we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of June 30, 2021.
REPORT OF MANAGEMENT
Internal control over financial reporting refers to the process designed by, or under the supervision of, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and includes those policies and procedures that:
1.Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
2.Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and our directors; and
3.Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of an unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations. Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is only possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Management has used the framework set forth in the report entitled Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) of the Treadway Commission to evaluate the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of the end of the most recent year.
Our internal control over financial reporting has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. Their opinion, as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, is stated in their report, which is set forth on the following page.
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
57
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Lancaster Colony Corporation
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Lancaster Colony Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended June 30, 2021, of the Company and our report dated August 26, 2021, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and included an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company’s adoption of a new accounting standard.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Report of Management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
| /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP | ||
| Deloitte & Touche LLP | ||
Columbus, Ohio
August 26, 2021
58
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information regarding our directors and executive officers, including the identification of the Audit Committee and the Audit Committee financial expert, is incorporated by reference to the information contained in our definitive proxy statement for our November 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“2021 Proxy Statement”) to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act.
The information regarding delinquent Section 16(a) reports, if any, is incorporated by reference to the material under the heading “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports” in our 2021 Proxy Statement.
The information regarding changes, if any, in procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to our Board of Directors is incorporated by reference to the information contained in our 2021 Proxy Statement.
The information regarding our Code of Business Ethics is incorporated by reference to the information contained in our 2021 Proxy Statement.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information regarding executive officer and director compensation is incorporated by reference to the information contained in our 2021 Proxy Statement.
The information regarding Compensation Committee interlocks and insider participation and the Compensation Committee Report is incorporated by reference to the information contained in our 2021 Proxy Statement.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management and securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans is incorporated by reference to the information contained in our 2021 Proxy Statement.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information regarding certain relationships and related transactions and director independence is incorporated by reference to the information contained in our 2021 Proxy Statement.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Information regarding fees paid to and services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 and the pre-approval policies and procedures of the Audit Committee is incorporated by reference to the information contained in our 2021 Proxy Statement.
59
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a) (1) Financial Statements. The following consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2021 and 2020 and for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2021, together with the report thereon of Deloitte & Touche LLP dated August 26, 2021, are included in Item 8 of this report:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended June 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended June 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended June 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended June 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(a) (2) Financial Statement Schedules. Supplemental schedules not included with the additional financial data have been omitted because they are not applicable or the related amounts are immaterial for all periods presented.
(a) (3) Exhibits Required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K and Item 15(b). See Index to Exhibits.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
Not applicable.
60
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION | |||||
| (Registrant) | |||||
| By: | /s/ DAVID A. CIESINSKI | ||||
| David A. Ciesinski | |||||
| President, Chief Executive Officer | |||||
| and Director | |||||
| Date: | August 26, 2021 | ||||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signatures | Title | Date | ||||||||||||
| /s/ DAVID A. CIESINSKI | President, Chief Executive Officer | August 26, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| David A. Ciesinski | and Director | |||||||||||||
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ JOHN B. GERLACH, JR. | Executive Chairman of the Board | August 26, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| John B. Gerlach, Jr. | and Director | |||||||||||||
| /s/ THOMAS K. PIGOTT | Vice President, Chief Financial Officer | August 26, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Thomas K. Pigott | and Assistant Secretary | |||||||||||||
| (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ NEELI BENDAPUDI | Director | August 23, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Neeli Bendapudi | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ BARBARA L. BRASIER | Director | August 23, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Barbara L. Brasier | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ WILLIAM H. CARTER | Director | August 23, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| William H. Carter | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ ROBERT L. FOX | Director | August 23, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Robert L. Fox | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ ELLIOT K. FULLEN | Director | August 23, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Elliot K. Fullen | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ ALAN F. HARRIS | Director | August 23, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Alan F. Harris | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ MICHAEL H. KEOWN | Director | August 23, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Michael H. Keown | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ ROBERT P. OSTRYNIEC | Director | August 23, 2021 | ||||||||||||
| Robert P. Ostryniec | ||||||||||||||
61
LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORM 10-K
JUNE 30, 2021
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
62
| Exhibit Number | Description | |||||||
10.14(a) | ||||||||
10.15(a) | ||||||||
21* | ||||||||
23* | ||||||||
31.1* | ||||||||
31.2* | ||||||||
32** | ||||||||
| 101.INS* | XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document | |||||||
| 101.SCH* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | |||||||
| 101.CAL* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | |||||||
| 101.DEF* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | |||||||
| 101.LAB* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | |||||||
| 101.PRE* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | |||||||
| 104* | The cover page of Lancaster Colony Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, formatted in Inline XBRL (included within Exhibit 101 attachments) | |||||||
| (a) | Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement in which any Director or any Executive Officer participates. | |||||||
| * | Filed herewith | |||||||
| ** | Furnished herewith | |||||||
63