Local Bounti Announces Full Year 2023 Financial Results
- Strong sales growth of 42% to $27.6 million in 2023, driven by acquisitions and facility growth
- Gross profit of $2.2 million with an adjusted gross margin of 27%
- Net loss of $124.0 million, aiming for positive adjusted EBITDA in early 2025
- Expansion of facilities in Georgia, Texas, and Washington, with plans for a new facility in the Midwest
- Received a patent for Stack & Flow Technology and closed on $228 million financing commitments
- Net loss of $124.0 million in 2023
- Adjusted EBITDA loss of $34.1 million
- Decrease in selling, general, and administrative expenses by $18.1 million
- Non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $38.5 million in 2023
Insights
The expansion of Local Bounti Corporation's production facilities and the implementation of their proprietary Stack & Flow Technology indicate a strategic move to scale operations and meet increasing demand for leafy greens. The significant increase in packed pounds and the expected shipment from new facilities in Washington and Texas could lead to increased market penetration and revenue growth. The focus on capital efficiency and the reduction of operating costs by $5 million annually reflect a strategic approach to improve the financial health of the company. These developments are likely to be viewed positively by investors and could impact the company's stock positively in the short to medium term, given the market's favorable response to growth and efficiency improvements.
Local Bounti Corporation's preliminary revenue growth of 22% sequentially to approximately $8.4 million in the first quarter of 2024, along with a 42% increase in sales year-over-year, suggests a strong upward trajectory in financial performance. The expected closure on $228 million of financing commitments could provide the necessary capital to support their expansion projects, potentially enhancing future earnings. However, investors should be mindful of the net loss of $124.0 million in 2023, which includes a substantial non-cash goodwill impairment charge. The adjusted EBITDA loss widening from the prior year also warrants attention. While the company is projecting a positive adjusted EBITDA in early 2025, this is contingent on the successful scaling and cost optimization initiatives. Stakeholders should consider the risks associated with the capital-intensive nature of expansion and the time required to achieve profitability.
The adoption of Local Bounti's Stack & Flow Technology, which has led to a substantial increase in production, represents a notable advancement in indoor agriculture technology. This proprietary system could offer Local Bounti a competitive edge by enhancing yield and production efficiency. The transition of the Montana facility from R&D to commercial production is indicative of the company's confidence in its technology and its ability to support increased customer demand. The receipt of a patent for this technology not only solidifies Local Bounti's intellectual property portfolio but also underscores the potential for long-term strategic advantages in the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector. Investors interested in sustainable and innovative agricultural practices should monitor Local Bounti's progress as it could set new industry benchmarks for productivity and cost-effectiveness.
Commenced operations at
Expected to close on
Announces national expansion of Grab-and-Go Salad Kits
Received patent for proprietary Stack & Flow Technology®
Preliminary first quarter 2024 revenue grew
"2023 was a defining year for Local Bounti, culminating in significantly expanded production capacity following the implementation of our now patented Stack & Flow Technology and optimization of our
Mr. Hurlbert added, "We continue to see an incredible opportunity to meet demand for high-quality and delicious leafy greens. Through close coordination with our retail partners to better understand their customers' needs, we are gearing up for an expansion of our product assortment and new capacity at existing and greenfield facilities. We have been working diligently with our financial partners to ensure that we have ample flexibility to meet the capital needs of these projects and expect to close on these facilities in the second quarter. Capital efficiency remains our ethos at Local Bounti and our team continues to work tirelessly to drive down our operating costs — in fact, we've reduced annualized overhead by approximately
Full Year 2023 Financial Summary
- Sales increased
42% to in 2023, as compared to$27.6 million in the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to inclusion of the April 2022 Pete's acquisition in our results for the full twelve months, and growth in sales from the Company's facilities in$19.5 million Georgia andMontana . - Gross profit was
in 2023. Adjusted gross margin percentage1 was approximately$2.2 million 27% , excluding depreciation, stock-based compensation, business combination related integration costs, and other nonrecurring items. Adjusted gross margin performance was driven by weather related variables at the Company'sCalifornia facilities that temporarily impacted yields, lower utilization at the Company'sGeorgia facility due to the implementation of its vertical Stack towers, and general cost inflation. The Company expects that, over time, its adjusted gross margin will increase as a percentage of sales, as a result of the continued scaling of the business and efforts to optimize production costs. - Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased by
to$18.1 million in 2023, as compared to$64.6 million in the prior year period, driven by lower stock-based compensation expense and lower transaction related costs. The Company expects to save approximately$82.7 million on an annualized basis as a result of its recent actions to streamline its organizational structure.$5 million - Net loss was
in 2023 as compared to net loss of$124.0 million for the prior year period, which includes a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of$111.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.$38.5 million - Adjusted EBITDA1 loss was
, which excludes$34.1 million in stock-based compensation,$16.3 million in interest expense,$25.7 million of depreciation and amortization, a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of$13.1 million ,$38.5 million gain on change in fair value of warrant liability,$18.5 million of business combination and integration costs,$6.9 million of loss on disposal of fixed assets,$4.7 million of restructuring costs, and$2.6 million of utilities price spike and inclement weather related costs. Adjusted EBITDA loss in the prior year period was$0.7 million .$29.8 million
1See reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures at the end of this press release. |
Commercial Facility Expansion Update
In December 2023, the Company successfully doubled its run-rate production out of the
The Company commenced operations and seeding at both its
Announces Intent to Expand Capacity at Existing Facilities in 2024
Plans are underway to build additional capacity across the Company's network of facilities enabled with its Stack & Flow Technology. The locations and degree of expansion will be announced at a future date, but construction is currently anticipated to begin late in the second quarter of 2024. The planned expansions are designed to provide additional capacity and allow for the Company's growing product assortment to meet existing demand from Local Bounti's direct relationships with blue-chip retailers and distributors.
Next Facility to be Opened in the Midwest
Local Bounti is planning its next high-tech Stack & Flow CEA facility to be built in the Midwestern
The Company expects to transition mid-year the majority of its
Product Development & Distribution
Starting in the second quarter of 2024, Local Bounti expects to expand distribution of its Grab-and-Go Salad Kits to several existing and new retail partners throughout the Pacific Northwest, Southern, and
The Company is set to expand its baby leaf assortment in the third quarter of 2024 by introducing several high-velocity offerings including Spinach, Arugula, 50/50 Blend and Power Greens. While the Company is still scaling up these products, it is pleased to have delivered its first shipment of Spinach to customers in March out of the
Stack & Flow Technology Patent
In February 2024, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a patent to Local Bounti for its proprietary Stack and Flow Technology. Stack & Flow Technology, which combines the best of vertical and greenhouse growing technologies, enables superior unit economics and efficiencies across the production cycle. Plants spend early development in a stacked nursery design, reducing facility square footage. When the plants reach targeted maturity, they are transported to hydroponic greenhouses, which are arranged on horizontal planes with natural sunlight and other controlled environment variables, resulting in optimal growth conditions specified for each type of plant as well as space and energy efficiency. With less land requirement and fewer days in the greenhouse, Stack & Flow Technology enables lower capital expenditure, lower operating expenses, higher labor efficiency and higher yield compared to results published by greenhouse farms and other CEA operations.
Capital Structure
The Company ended the year with cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash of
As of December 31, 2023, Local Bounti had approximately 8.3 million shares outstanding, 6.2 million common shares under warrants outstanding, and approximately 0.7 million restricted stock units outstanding. As of December 31, 2023, including these warrants and restricted stock units, the Company had a fully diluted share count of approximately 15.2 million shares outstanding.
The Company believes that it has access to capital to fund its operations, complete the construction of its ongoing projects, and reach breakeven adjusted EBITDA in early 2025. This includes cash on the balance sheet and construction financing arrangements.
The Company continues to pursue opportunities to lower its cost of capital and replace its construction financing, including sale leaseback transactions and its work with a licensed United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) lender.
Preliminary First Quarter Sales Results
The Company provided preliminary first quarter 2024 sales results of approximately
Management expects to provide full year 2024 sales guidance during its first quarter earnings release when it has improved visibility on the timing of commercial sales from its new
Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call with members of the Local Bounti executive management team. The conference call is scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, March 27, 2024. To participate on the live call, listeners in
In addition, the call will be broadcast live via webcast, hosted at the "Investors" section of the Company's website at localbounti.com and will be archived online.
About Local Bounti
Local Bounti is redefining indoor farming with an innovative method – its patented Stack & Flow Technology® – that significantly improves crop turns, increases output and improves unit economics. Local Bounti operates advanced indoor growing facilities across
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of terms such as "expect," "will," "continue," "believe," expect," "estimate," "project," "intend," "should," "is to be," or similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to statements regarding funding pursuant to the CCLs; commencement of shipments at the
Non-GAAP Financial Information
This press release contains references to adjusted EBITDA, adjusted gross profit, adjusted gross margin percentage and adjusted selling, general and administrative expense, which are adjusted from results based on generally accepted accounting principles in
These non-GAAP financial measures are provided to enhance the user's understanding of the Company's prospects for the future and the historical performance for the context of the investor. The Company's management team uses these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing performance, as well as in planning and forecasting future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures are not computed according to GAAP and the methods the Company uses to compute them may differ from the methods used by other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures are supplemental, should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial information presented in accordance with GAAP and should be read only in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Refer to the attached financial supplement for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
LOCAL BOUNTI CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except share and per share data) | |||
December 31, | |||
2023 | 2022 | ||
Assets | |||
Current assets | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 10,326 | $ 13,666 | |
Restricted cash | 6,569 | 11,272 | |
Accounts receivable, net | 3,078 | 2,691 | |
Inventory, net | 4,210 | 3,594 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 2,805 | 2,881 | |
Total current assets | 26,988 | 34,104 | |
Property and equipment, net | 313,166 | 157,844 | |
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 172 | 137 | |
Goodwill | — | 38,481 | |
Intangible assets, net | 41,353 | 47,273 | |
Other assets | 73 | 901 | |
Total assets | $ 381,752 | $ 278,740 | |
Liabilities and stockholders' equity | |||
Current liabilities | |||
Accounts payable | $ 14,640 | $ 13,757 | |
Accrued liabilities | 17,204 | 9,426 | |
Operating lease liabilities | 97 | 84 | |
Total current liabilities | 31,941 | 23,267 | |
Long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs | 277,985 | 119,814 | |
Financing obligation | 49,225 | 14,139 | |
Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent | 114 | 187 | |
Warrant liability | 7,214 | — | |
Total liabilities | 366,479 | 157,407 | |
Commitments and contingencies | |||
Stockholders' equity | |||
Common stock, | 1 | 1 | |
Additional paid-in capital | 318,600 | 300,645 | |
Accumulated deficit | (303,328) | (179,313) | |
Total stockholders' equity | 15,273 | 121,333 | |
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ 381,752 | $ 278,740 |
(1) Prior comparative period share amounts issued and outstanding have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the 1-for-13 Reverse Stock Split effective June 15, 2023. |
LOCAL BOUNTI CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per share data) | |||||||
Three Months Ended | Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
Sales | $ 6,866 | $ 6,638 | $ 27,557 | $ 19,474 | |||
Cost of goods sold(2)(3)(4) | 6,186 | 5,724 | 25,341 | 17,259 | |||
Gross profit | 680 | 914 | 2,216 | 2,215 | |||
Operating expenses: | |||||||
Research and development(3)(4) | 3,983 | 5,126 | 16,086 | 14,059 | |||
Selling, general and administrative(3)(4) | 17,468 | 17,941 | 64,559 | 82,682 | |||
Goodwill impairment | 38,481 | — | 38,481 | — | |||
Total operating expenses | 59,932 | 23,067 | 119,126 | 96,741 | |||
Loss from operations | (59,252) | (22,153) | (116,910) | (94,526) | |||
Other income (expense): | |||||||
Change in fair value of warrant liability | 1,566 | — | 18,483 | — | |||
Interest expense, net | (7,869) | (4,472) | (25,745) | (16,734) | |||
Other income | 1 | 93 | 157 | 189 | |||
Net loss | $ (65,554) | $ (26,532) | $ (124,015) | — | $ (111,071) | ||
Net loss applicable to common stockholders per basic common share: | |||||||
Basic and diluted(1) | $ (8.10) | $ (3.85) | $ (15.61) | $ (16.57) | |||
Weighted average common shares outstanding: | |||||||
Basic and diluted(1) | 8,092,866 | 6,882,868 | 7,943,874 | 6,701,126 |
(1) Prior comparative period share and per share amounts have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the 1-for-13 Reverse Stock Split effective June 15, 2023.
|
Three Months Ended | Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
Cost of goods sold | $ — | $ — | $ — | $ 1,042 | |||
Total business combination fair value basis adjustment to inventory | $ — | $ — | $ — | $ 1,042 |
(3) Amounts include stock-based compensation as follows: | |||||||
Three Months Ended | Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
Cost of goods sold | $ 23 | $ 23 | $ 123 | $ 104 | |||
Research and development | (212) | 668 | 1,464 | 2,057 | |||
Selling, general and administrative | 2,805 | 4,859 | 14,687 | 37,005 | |||
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of amounts capitalized | $ 2,616 | $ 5,550 | $ 16,274 | $ 39,166 |
(4) Amounts include depreciation and amortization as follows: | |||||||
Three Months Ended | Year Ended | ||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
Cost of goods sold | $ 851 | $ 1,083 | $ 3,513 | $ 2,957 | |||
Research and development | 751 | 544 | 2,505 | 1,304 | |||
Selling, general and administrative | 1,351 | 1,971 | 7,114 | 6,166 | |||
Total depreciation and amortization | $ 2,953 | $ 3,598 | $ 13,132 | $ 10,427 |
LOCAL BOUNTI CORPORATION UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION (in thousands)
| |||||||
RECONCILIATION OF GROSS PROFIT TO ADJUSTED GROSS PROFIT AND ADJUSTED GROSS MARGIN PERCENTAGE | |||||||
Three Months Ended | Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
Sales | $ 6,866 | $ 6,638 | $ 27,557 | $ 19,474 | |||
Cost of goods sold | 6,186 | 5,724 | 25,341 | 17,259 | |||
Gross profit | 680 | 914 | 2,216 | 2,215 | |||
Depreciation | 851 | 1,083 | 3,513 | 2,957 | |||
Stock-based compensation | 23 | 23 | 123 | 104 | |||
Utilities price spike and inclement weather related costs | — | 369 | 727 | 369 | |||
Acquisition related integration costs | — | 168 | 838 | 736 | |||
Business combination fair value basis adjustment to inventory | — | — | — | 1,042 | |||
Adjusted gross profit | $ 1,554 | $ 2,557 | $ 7,417 | $ 7,423 | |||
Adjusted gross margin % | 23 % | 39 % | 27 % | 38 % |
RECONCILIATION OF SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE TO ADJUSTED SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE | |||||||
Three Months Ended | Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
Selling, general and administrative | $ 17,468 | $ 17,941 | $ 64,559 | $ 82,682 | |||
Stock-based compensation | (2,805) | (4,859) | (14,687) | (37,005) | |||
Depreciation and amortization | (1,351) | (1,966) | (7,114) | (6,166) | |||
Loss on disposal of fixed assets | (3,486) | (2,316) | (4,709) | (2,568) | |||
Business acquisition and strategic transaction due diligence and integration related costs | (588) | (1,013) | (5,246) | (7,656) | |||
Restructuring and business realignment costs | (1,728) | (431) | (2,603) | (1,052) | |||
Adjusted selling, general and administrative | $ 7,510 | $ 7,356 | $ 30,200 | $ 28,235 |
LOCAL BOUNTI CORPORATION UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION (in thousands)
| |||||||
RECONCILIATION OF NET LOSS TO ADJUSTED EBITDA | |||||||
Three Months Ended | Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
Net loss | $ (65,554) | $ (26,532) | $ (124,015) | $ (111,071) | |||
Stock-based compensation expense | 2,616 | 5,550 | 16,274 | 39,166 | |||
Goodwill impairment | 38,481 | — | 38,481 | — | |||
Interest expense, net | 7,869 | 4,472 | 25,745 | 16,734 | |||
Depreciation and amortization | 2,953 | 3,598 | 13,132 | 10,427 | |||
Business combination fair value basis adjustment to inventory | — | — | — | 1,042 | |||
Utilities price spike and inclement weather related costs | — | 369 | 727 | 369 | |||
Business acquisition and strategic transaction due diligence and integration related costs | 588 | 2,924 | 6,902 | 10,135 | |||
Restructuring and business realignment costs | 1,727 | 431 | 2,603 | 1,052 | |||
Loss on disposal of fixed assets | 3,486 | 2,316 | 4,709 | 2,568 | |||
Change in fair value of warrant liability | (1,566) | — | (18,483) | — | |||
Other income | (1) | (93) | (157) | (189) | |||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ (9,401) | $ (6,965) | $ (34,082) | $ (29,767) |
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SOURCE Local Bounti
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