Karat Packaging Reports 2021 Third Quarter Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Karat Packaging reported a 35% net sales increase in Q3 2021, totaling $102.7 million, driven by strong demand, particularly excluding PPE sales, which rose 43.2%. Gross profit reached $29.8 million, despite higher freight costs, with a gross margin of 29.0%. Operating income declined to $5.4 million as operating expenses increased by 52.8% to $24.4 million. The company anticipates $93-$96 million in Q4 2021 sales, forecasting a full-year revenue of $366-$369 million, compared to $295.5 million in 2020.

Positive

• Net sales increased by 35% to $102.7 million in Q3 2021.
• Sales excluding PPE grew 43.2% year-over-year.
• Gross profit rose to $29.8 million from $23.0 million in Q3 2020.
• Fourth quarter sales expected between $93 million and $96 million, up from $70.4 million last year.
• Full year 2021 net sales anticipated to be $366 million to $369 million.

Negative

• Operating income decreased to $5.4 million, or 5.2% of net sales, down from 9.2% year-over-year.
• Operating expenses surged to $24.4 million, a 52.8% increase from last year.
• Net income fell to $4.1 million, down from $4.6 million year-over-year.

Net Sales Increase 35 Percent Over Prior Year and 43 Percent, Excluding Sales of PPE-Related Products

CHINO, Calif., Nov. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Karat Packaging Inc. (Nasdaq: KRT), a specialty distributor and manufacturer of environmentally friendly, disposable foodservice products and related items, today announced financial results for its 2021 third quarter ended September 30, 2021.

Third Quarter 2021 Highlights

• Net sales of $102.7 million, up 34.6 percent from same period last year.
• Net sales, excluding personal protective equipment (PPE) sales, rose 43.2 percent over prior year period.
• Gross profit of $29.8 million, compared with $23.0 million a year ago and $28.1 million in the 2021 second quarter.
  

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Outlook

• Net sales in the 2021 fourth quarter expected to be $93 million to $96 million, compared with $70.4 million a year ago.
• Net sales in the 2021 full year expected to be $366 million to $369 million, compared with $295.5 million in 2020.

Alan Yu, chief executive officer, said, “Results for the 2021 third quarter reflect robust demand and our ability to provide new products to a diverse and expanding customer base. Sales increased at a strong rate, led by our distributor, online and national channels. Excluding PPE products that we sold in last year’s third quarter during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, top-line growth was 43 percent. Sales also were somewhat constrained by inventory shortages resulting from tight labor conditions and port delays in the third quarter.

“The sales increase was partially offset by freight and shipping costs that continued to rise internationally during the third quarter. Freight costs have begun to ease in the fourth quarter but remain at elevated levels compared with last year. We continue to successfully and proactively increase prices to pass on these higher costs and protect our margins.

“As a result of ongoing favorable market trends, we’re currently targeting net sales to be in the range of $93 million to $96 million for the 2021 fourth quarter, which we expect will lead to full year sales in the range of $366 million to $369 million. In addition, the expected growth in our high-margin online channel and our efforts to pass on higher freight and shipping costs give us confidence in our ability to continue to protect our gross margin.” Mr. Yu added.

Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Net sales for the 2021 third quarter increased 34.6 percent to $102.7 million, from $76.3 million in the same period last year. The increase primarily was driven by greater product penetration with existing customers, as well as new customers added in the quarter.

Net sales excluding PPE products, which carry higher margins, increased 43.2 percent to $101.9 million, from $71.2 million in the same period last year. Sales rose in each of Karat’s primary channels, distribution, online and national.

Gross profit for the 2021 third quarter increased to $29.8 million, from $23.0 million for the same period last year, primarily due to the increase in product sales, partially offset by higher freight costs.

Gross margin was 29.0 percent in the 2021 third quarter, compared with 30.2 percent in the same period last year. Gross margin in the 2021 second quarter was 29.7 percent.

Operating expenses in the 2021 third quarter totaled $24.4 million, a 52.8 percent increase from $16.0 million in last year’s third quarter, when Karat was still a privately owned company. The increase was primarily due to higher shipping costs, payroll expenses associated with workforce expansion, an increase in facility costs, and stock-based compensation of $0.8 million. Operating expenses in the 2021 second quarter were $21.2 million.

Operating income for the 2021 third quarter was $5.4 million, or 5.2 percent of net sales, compared with $7.0 million, or 9.2 percent of net sales, for the same period last year. Operating income for the second quarter of 2021 was $6.9 million, or 7.3 percent of net sales.

Net income amounted to $4.1 million for the 2021 third quarter, compared with $4.6 million for the same period last year. Net income margin was 4.0 percent for the third quarter, compared with 6.0 percent a year ago. Net income was $9.3 million, and net income margin was 9.9 percent for the 2021 second quarter. Net income for the 2021 second quarter included a gain of $5.0 million on the forgiveness of the company’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.

Net income attributable to Karat Packaging for the 2021 third quarter was $3.8 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, compared with $4.1 million, or $0.26 per diluted share a year ago, and $9.6 million, or $0.50 per diluted share for the 2021 second quarter. Net income attributable to Karat Packaging for the 2021 second quarter also included the $5.0 million gain on forgiveness of the PPP loan.

Adjusted EBITDA totaled $8.2 million for the 2021 third quarter, compared with $9.1 million for the same period last year, and $10.1 million for the 2021 second quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 8.0 percent of net sales, compared with 11.9 percent for the 2020 third quarter, and 10.7 percent in the 2021 second quarter. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures. Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP results are provided in the tables following this press release.

Net cash used in operating activities totaled $3.6 million for the 2021 third quarter, compared with net cash provided by operating activities of $3.6 million for the same period last year. The decrease primarily reflects working capital activity, in particular decreases in accounts receivable and in the line of credit balance.

Nine-Month 2021 Financial Results

Net sales for the first nine months of 2021 increased 21.2 percent to $272.9 million, from $225.1 million for the same period last year.

Gross profit rose 13.9 percent to $79.5 million for the first nine months of 2021, from $69.8 million for the same period last year. Gross margin was 29.1 percent for the first nine months of 2021, compared with 31.0 percent for the same period last year.

Operating expenses were $63.5 million for the 2021 year-to-date period, an increase of 43.7 percent, compared with $44.2 million for the same period last year.

Operating income was $16.1 million for the first nine months of 2021, or 5.9 percent of net sales, compared with $25.6 million, or 11.4 percent of net sales, for the same period last year.

Other income totaled $4.5 million for the first nine months of 2021, compared with other expense of $5.1 million for the same period last year. Other income for the 2021 year-to-date period primarily reflects a $5 million gain on PPP loan forgiveness recorded for the second quarter. Other expense for the first nine months of 2021 primarily reflected a loss of $2 million on interest rate swap positions.

Net income increased to $16.5 million for the first nine months of 2021, from $15.1 million for the same period last year. Net income margin was 6.0 percent for the first nine months of 2021, compared with 6.7 percent for the same period last year. Net income attributable to Karat Packaging was $15.1 million, or $0.84 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2021, compared with $16.6 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, for the same period last year.

Adjusted EBITDA totaled $25.1 million for the first nine months of 2021, compared with $31.5 million for the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 9.2 percent for the 2021 year-to-date period, compared with 14.0 percent for the same period last year.

Net cash used in operating activities totaled $1.2 million for the first nine months of 2021, compared with net cash provided by operating activities of $12.3 million in the same period last year. The net change primarily reflects working capital activity.

Investor Conference Call

The Company will host an investor conference call today, November 11, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) to discuss its 2021 third quarter results.

Phone:		877-270-2148 (domestic); 412-902-6510 (international)
Replay:		Accessible through November 18, 2021; 877-344-7529 (domestic); 412-317-0088 (international); replay access code 10161613
Webcast:		Accessible at http://investor.karatpackaging.com/; archive available for approximately one year

 

Phone: 877-270-2148 (domestic); 412-902-6510 (international)
Replay: Accessible through November 18, 2021; 877-344-7529 (domestic); 412-317-0088 (international); replay access code 10161613
Webcast: Accessible at http://investor.karatpackaging.com/; archive available for approximately one year

About Karat Packaging Inc.

Karat Packaging Inc. is a specialty distributor and manufacturer of a wide range of environmentally friendly, disposable foodservice products and related items, primarily used by national and regional restaurants and in foodservice settings throughout the United States. Its products include food and take-out containers, bags, tableware, cups, lids, cutlery, straws, specialty beverage ingredients, equipment, gloves and other products. The company’s eco-friendly Karat Earth® line offers quality, sustainably focused products that are made from renewable resources. Karat Packaging also offers customized solutions, including new product development and design, printing, and logistics services. To learn more about Karat Packaging, please visit the company’s website at www.karatpackaging.com.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to the net sales forecast for the 2021 fourth quarter and 2021 full year, are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the company’s registration statement for the initial public offering filed with the SEC on April 14, 2021. Copies are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Karat Packaging undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

Investor Relations and Media Contacts:
        
PondelWilkinson Inc.        
Judy Lin Sfetcu/Roger Pondel
310-279-5980        
karat@pondel.com

(tables follow)

KARAT PACKAGING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)

	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
Net sales	$	102,711			$	76,317			$	272,910			$	225,137
Cost of goods sold		72,918				53,286				193,393				155,308
Gross profit		29,793				23,031				79,517				69,829
Operating expenses:
Selling expense		9,855				6,112				24,026				16,241
General and administrative expense (including $0.7 million and $0.8 million associated with variable interest entity for the three-months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively; and $2.0 million and $1.4 million for the nine-months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, associated with variable interest entity)		14,573				9,877				39,485				27,948
Total operating expenses		24,428				15,989				63,511				44,189
Operating income		5,365				7,042				16,006				25,640
Other income (expense)
Rental income (including $0.2 million and $0 associated with variable interest entity for the three-months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively; and $0.7 million and $0 for the nine-months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, associated with variable interest entity)		246				66				738				66
Other income		101				24				223				86
Loss on foreign currency transactions		(63	)			(268	)			(347	)			(377	)
Interest expense (including $0.3 million and $0.3 million interest expense associated with variable interest entity for the three-months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively; and $0.3 million and $2.9 million for the nine-months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, associated with variable interest entity)		(308	)			(847	)			(1,158	)			(4,858	)
Gain on forgiveness of debt		-				-				5,000				-
Total other income (expense)		(24	)			(1,025	)			4,456				(5,083	)
Income before provision for income tax		5,341				6,017				20,462				20,557
Provision for income tax		1,268				1,451				4,001				5,483
Net income		4,073				4,566				16,461				15,074
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest		287				494				1,312				(1,521	)
Net income attributable to Karat Packaging Inc.	$	3,786			$	4,072			$	15,149			$	16,595
Basic and diluted earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.19			$	0.27			$	0.84			$	1.09
Diluted	$	0.19			$	0.26			$	0.84			$	1.07
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic		19,710,043				15,180,879				17,945,205				15,185,440
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted		19,881,295				15,451,879				18,110,127				15,456,440

KARAT PACKAGING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)

		September 30,				December 31,
		2021				2020
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents (including $0.7 million and $0.1 million associated with variable interest entity at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020)		$	1,679				$	448
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.3 million and $0.3 million at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively (including $0.00 and $0.00 million associated with variable interest entity at September 30, 2021 and December 31,2020)			33,276					23,838
Inventories			60,207					48,961
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (including $0.1 million and $0.1 million associated with variable interest entity at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020)			5,690					6,530
Total current assets			100,852					79,777
Property and equipment, net (including $46.9 million and $47.8 million associated with variable interest entity at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively)			94,041					95,533
Deposits			4,237					2,456
Goodwill			3,510					3,113
Intangible assets, net			387					-
Deferred tax asset			64					64
Other assets (including $0 million and $0.1 million associated with variable interest entity at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020)			399					161
Total assets		$	203,490				$	181,104
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable (including $0 and $0.6 million associated with variable interest entity at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively)		$	19,028				$	20,069
Accrued expenses (including $0.4 million and $0.1 million associated with variable interest entity at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively)			8,161					4,959
Related party payable			2,611					5,038
Credit cards payable			131					794
Income taxes payable			106					41
Customer deposits (including $0.1 and $0 million associated with variable interest entity at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020)			1,125					551
Capital leases, current portion			186					321
Debt, current portion (including $1.2 million and $0.7 million associated with variable interest entity at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively)			1,166					11,364
Total current liabilities			32,514					43,137
Deferred tax liability			6,181					6,181
Line of credit			-					33,169
Long-term debt, net of current portion and debt discount of $0.2 million and $0.1 million at September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively (including $35.6 million and $36.7 million associated with variable interest entity at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, and debt discount of $0.2 million and $0.1 million associated with variable interest entity at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020)			35,629					53,410
Capital leases, net of current portion			106					290
Other liabilities (including $2.9 million and $3.9 million associated with variable interest entity at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively)			4,051					5,049
Total liabilities			78,481					141,236
Karat Packaging Inc. stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 19,737,500 shares and 19,714,500 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, at September 30, 2021; 15,190,000 and 15,167,000 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, at December 31, 2020			20					15
Additional paid in capital			82,656					13,981
Treasury stock, $0.001 par value, 23,000 and 23,000 shares on September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020			(248	)				(248	)
Retained earnings			33,805					18,656
Total Karat Packaging Inc. stockholders’ equity			116,233					32,404
Noncontrolling interest			8,776					7,464
Total stockholders’ equity			125,009					39,868
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	203,490				$	181,104

KARAT PACKAGING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)

			Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2021				2020
	Cash flows from operating activities
	Net income		$	16,461			$	15,074
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
	Depreciation and amortization			7,477				6,103
	Provision for bad debt			-				98
	Reserve for inventory obsolescence			133				-
	Gain on sales of asset			-				(19	)
	Change in fair value of interest rate swap			(1,298	)			2,028
	Amortization of loan fees			9				9
	Stock-based compensation			1,088				-
	Gain on forgiveness of PPP loan			(5,000	)			-
	(Increase) decrease in operating assets
	Accounts receivable			(9,438	)			(2,458	)
	Inventories			(11,226	)			(13,187	)
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets			840				(2,332	)
	Due from affiliated companies			-				(840	)
	Deposits			(64	)			1,739
	Other assets			(238	)			-
	Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities
	Accounts payable			(1,041	)			801
	Accrued expenses			3,202				1,069
	Related party payable			(2,427	)			1,170
	Credit cards payable			(663	)			(317	)
	Income taxes payable			65				3,088
	Customer deposits			574				(11	)
	Other liabilities			300				285
	Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		$	(1,246	)		$	12,300
	Cash flows from investing activities
	Purchases of property and equipment			(1,604	)			(27,621	)
	Proceeds on disposal of property and equipment			-				24
	Deposits paid for property and equipment			(3,792	)			(5,640	)
	Effect on initial consolidation of Lollicup Franchising Inc, net of cash acquired			-				(893	)
	Acquisition of Pacific Cup, Inc., net of cash acquired			(900	)			-
	Purchase of warehouse building			(2,343	)			-
	Net cash used in investing activities		$	(8,639	)		$	(34,130	)
	Cash flows from financing activities
	Proceeds from line of credit			1,470				5,190
	Net payments online of credit			(34,639	)			-
	Proceeds from long-term debt, net of issuance cost			15,997				24,542
	Payments on long-term debt			(38,985	)			(5,497	)
Issuance of common stock in connection with our initial public offering, net of issuance costs				67,592				-
Dividends paid to shareholders				-				(607	)
	Payments on capital lease obligations			(319	)			(285	)
Treasury stock acquired				-				(248	)
	Net cash provided by financing activities		$	11,116			$	23,095
	Net increase in cash and cash equivalents			1,231				1,265
	Cash and cash equivalents
	Beginning of year		$	448			$	802
	End of year		$	1,679			$	2,067

KARAT PACKAGING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP TO GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(Unaudited)

		Three Months Ended September 30,								Three Months Ended June 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2021				2020				2021				2021				2020
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA:		(in thousands)												(in thousands)
Net sales		$	102,711			$	76,317			$	94,526			$	272,910			$	225,137
Net income:		$	4,073			$	4,566			$	9,338			$	16,461			$	15,074
Add (deduct):
Interest expense			308				847				1,128				1,158				4,858
Income tax expense			1,268				1,451				1,547				4,001				5,483
Depreciation and amortization			2,534				2,234				2,479				7,477				6,103
IPO related expenses			—				—				601				997				—
Gain on forgiveness of debt			—				—				(5,000	)			(5,000	)			—
Adjusted EBITDA		$	8,183			$	9,098			$	10,093			$	25,094			$	31,518
Net income margin1			4.0	%			6.0	%			9.9	%			6.0	%			6.7	%
Adjusted EBITDA margin1			8.0	%			11.9	%			10.7	%			9.2	%			14.0	%

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA by Entity:		Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 (in thousands)
		Karat Packaging				Global Wells				Eliminations					Consolidated
Net income (loss):		$	3,786			$	332			$	(45	)			4,073
Add (deduct):
Interest expense			35				273				—				308
Income tax expense			1,268				—				—				1,268
Depreciation and amortization			2,231				303				—				2,534
IPO related expenses			—				—				—				—
Gain on forgiveness of debt			—				—				—				—
Adjusted EBITDA		$	7,320			$	908				(45	)			8,183

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA by Entity:		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 (in thousands)
		Karat Packaging					Global Wells				Eliminations					Consolidated
Net income (loss):		$	15,149				$	1,517			$	(205	)			$	16,461
Add (deduct):
Interest expense			875					283				—					1,158
Income tax expense			4,001					—				—					4,001
Depreciation and amortization			6,568					910				—					7,477
IPO related expenses			997					—				—					997
Gain on forgiveness of debt			(5,000	)				—				—					(5,000	)
Adjusted EBITDA		$	22,589				$	2,710			$	(205	)			$	25,094

¹ We define net income margin as net income divided by net sales and adjusted EBITDA margin as adjusted EBITDA divided by net sales.

Note about Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Karat Packaging uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin to measure its financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are supplemental non-GAAP financial measures of operating performance and are not based on any standardized methodology prescribed by GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to net income, cash flows from operating activities or other measures determined in accordance with GAAP. Also, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.

KARAT PACKAGING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NET SALES BY CATEGORY
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2021			2020			2021			2020
National	$	22,894,000		$	18,426,000		$	63,493,000		$	50,092,000
Distributors	57,317,000			39,862,000			148,294,000			118,322,000
Online	14,644,000			8,928,000			39,790,000			26,472,000
Retail	7,856,000			9,101,000			21,333,000			30,251,000
Net Sales	$	102,711,000		$	76,317,000		$	272,910,000		$	225,137,000

KARAT PACKAGING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NET SALES EXCLUDING PPE BY CATEGORY
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2021					2020
National	$	22,871,000					$	18,317,000
Distributors	56,671,000						35,639,000
Online	14,571,000						8,480,000
Retail	7,802,000						8,747,000
Net sales, excluding PPE	$	101,915,000					$	71,183,000

 

FAQ

What were Karat Packaging's Q3 2021 net sales figures?

Karat Packaging reported net sales of $102.7 million for Q3 2021.

How much did Karat Packaging's net sales grow in Q3 2021?

Net sales increased by 35% compared to the same quarter last year.

What is the expected full-year sales forecast for Karat Packaging in 2021?

The expected full-year net sales for 2021 are between $366 million and $369 million.

What was the gross margin for Karat Packaging in Q3 2021?

The gross margin for Q3 2021 was 29.0%.

What is the outlook for Karat Packaging's Q4 2021 sales?

Karat Packaging expects Q4 2021 sales to range from $93 million to $96 million.