Vintage Wine Estates Restructures Organization, Initiates Cost Cuts and Simplifies Business Model

Rhea-AI Summary

Vintage Wine Estates, Inc. (Nasdaq: VWE and VWEWW) announced a business restructuring plan to focus on core Super Premium+ priority brands, reduce non-core, lower margin offerings, and cut workforce by 15% for annualized savings of $7.1 million. The company aims to simplify operations, monetize certain assets, and narrow focus to a sustainable business model. Oppenheimer & Co. has been retained to help accelerate monetization efforts, with expected restructuring charges of $1.5 million.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The announcement by Vintage Wine Estates, Inc. represents a strategic shift towards a leaner, more focused business model. The reduction of the workforce by 15% and the annualized savings of $7.1 million indicate an aggressive approach to cost-cutting. However, investors should consider the upfront restructuring charges of $1.5 million, which could impact short-term financials. The long-term implications hinge on the success of the narrowed focus on Super Premium+ priority brands and the monetization of non-core assets. The company's engagement with Oppenheimer & Co. suggests a serious commitment to this strategy and could signal potential future transactions that may provide necessary capital for debt reduction and investments in consumer-centric initiatives.

Market Research Analyst

The move by VWE to streamline its portfolio and focus on Super Premium+ brands corresponds with consumer trends favoring high-quality, premium products. This focus may enhance brand desirability and wholesale throughput, potentially leading to higher margins. However, the impact on market share must be monitored, as a reduction in product offerings could lead to a loss of customers not interested in premium segments. The strategy to increase consumer-centricity and implement a disciplined commercial planning process could be advantageous in building brand loyalty and adapting to evolving consumer preferences. The success of this strategy will depend on the company's ability to effectively leverage data analytics and market trends to drive sales.

Economist

The restructuring initiative by VWE can be seen as a response to broader economic pressures such as rising costs and the need for operational efficiency. The decision to focus on a smaller core business model with less complexity may improve the company's agility and resilience in an uncertain economic climate. The anticipated top-quartile industry margins suggest that VWE is aiming for a competitive edge in profitability. However, the overall economic impact will depend on the execution of this strategy and the company's ability to adapt to potential shifts in the wine industry's supply and demand dynamics, particularly in the premium segment.

• Simplifies business with restructuring and reduction of non-core, lower margin product and service offerings
• To reduce workforce by approximately 15% for annualized savings of an estimated $7.1 million
• Retained Oppenheimer & Co. to accelerate monetization of non-core assets
• VWE to significantly narrow focus to a smaller, sustainable core business model with less complexity and stronger underlying economics
• Increasing focus on a core set of Super Premium+ priority brands while building a data-driven, consumer-centric culture and implementing a disciplined commercial planning process

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vintage Wine Estates, Inc. (Nasdaq: VWE and VWEWW) (“VWE” or the “Company”), one of the top wine producers in the U.S., today announced that it is restructuring the business by seeking to monetize certain assets and exit certain non-core, lower margin product and service offerings. As a result, the Company will be reducing its workforce by approximately 15% for expected annualized savings of $7.1 million. Restructuring charges for the actions are expected to be approximately $1.5 million, which will be reflected in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 which ends March 31, 2024.

Seth Kaufman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented “The complexity of our business has resulted in a disproportionately high-cost base. To drive margin improvement and generate cash we need to simplify beyond our product offerings and fundamentally reconstruct our business model. Getting from here to there starts by recognizing where our strengths lie and identifying the areas of the business in which we shouldn’t operate. The processes and requirements for estate wineries and wine making, production services and other custom crush offerings and several of our independent DTC operations are very dissimilar and require different capabilities. The actions we are taking now are the initial steps to streamlining our business model and operations as we develop a long-term strategy for building a select portfolio of nationally recognized brands.

“We need the resources to execute our plan and have engaged Oppenheimer & Co. to help accelerate our efforts to monetize certain assets that we do not see as part of the reimagined VWE. These include select luxury estates, some premium price-point and below wine brands as well as certain production services and some DTC platforms such as digitally-native brands and telemarketing. These efforts will help us pay down debt and we expect will enable investments to drive a step-change in consumer-centricity and commercial discipline.”

Restructuring to Simplify the Business

The Company plans to simplify its DTC operations to concentrate resources on certain Super Premium+ estate wineries. VWE also plans to monetize its Clos Pegase winery and tasting room in Napa and its Viansa property in Sonoma. It also will look to wind down certain custom crush and B2B services while evaluating its array of production services businesses and the contributions of each.

Its priority brands will include a number of Super Premium+ estate brands and the select lifestyle brands of Layer Cake, Bar Dog, Cherry Pie and ACE Cider. The Super Premium+ estate priority brands will include Girard, Kunde, B.R. Cohn, Laetitia and Firesteed, among others. Mr. Kaufman noted, “We expect this intense focus of our resources will enable us to create stronger brand desirability that can be leveraged to drive greater wholesale throughput across on-premise and retail, creating a marketing discipline which provides enhanced opportunities for our distribution partners.”

Mr. Kaufman concluded by saying, “As we reimagine VWE to become an omnichannel wine and cider company that offers the highest quality, Super Premium+ products in the U.S., we expect this transformation to result in a smaller company, but one that can grow sustainably while generating top-quartile industry margins. We are taking immediate actions now to move toward this vision and, as we advance our strategy, we will continue to communicate our efforts and progress.”

About Vintage Wine Estates, Inc.

Vintage Wine Estates (Nasdaq: VWE and VWEWW) is reimagining itself to become a leading wine and cider company that makes the highest quality, Super Premium+ wines and ciders that are accessible and approachable for consumers. Its vision is to be a growing, highly profitable omnichannel business with a consumer-centric culture. VWE has a family of estate wineries in Napa, Sonoma, California’s Central Coast, Oregon, and Washington State with valuable heritage and offerings. Through its Five-Point Plan and its strategy to reimagine the future of VWE, the Company is simplifying its offering to ACE Cider, three leading lifestyle brands (Bar Dog, Cherry Pie and Layer Cake) and key estate wines including B.R. Cohn, Firesteed, Girard, Kunde and Laetitia as well as several other heritage estate brands. Its primary focus is on the Super Premium+ segment of the U.S. wine industry defined as $15+ per bottle. The Company regularly posts updates and additional information at ir.vintagewineestates.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements are all statements other than those of historical fact, and generally may be identified by the use of words such as “seeking”, “expect”, “develop”, “will”, “should”, “plan”, or other similar expressions that indicate future events or trends. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding VWE’s business strategies; the ability of the restructuring efforts to drive margin improvement, generate cash, and generate top-quartile industry margins; the ability of Oppenheimer & Co. to accelerate the Company’s monetization efforts including select luxury estates, some premium price-point and below wine brands as well as certain production services and some DTC platforms such as digitally-native brands and telemarketing; the monetization of Clos Pegase winery and tasting room and Viansa property; winding down of certain custom crush and B2B services; the Company’s priority and lifestyle brands; the focus on resources to create stronger brand desirability; the ability to leverage stronger brand desirability to drive greater wholesale throughput across on premise and retail; the ability of simplifying the DTC operation to concentrate resources on Super Premium+ estate wineries; reductions in workforce and related annualized savings; the ability of monetization efforts to pay down debt and enable investments to drive a step-change in consumer-centricity and commercial discipline; the ability of the Company to create enhanced marketing discipline and opportunities for its distribution partners; and the size of the company and its ability to obtain sustainable growth. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this news release, and on the current expectations of VWE’s management. These forward-looking statements are not intended to serve as, and should not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee of actual performance or an assurance or definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and may differ materially from those contained in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of VWE. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, among others: the Company’s ability to recognize benefits from any organizational restructuring and other cost savings actions, including expected results from the implementation of the Company’s Five-Point Plan, positive cash generation and asset monetization; the Company’s ability to regain compliance with the Nasdaq Listing Standards and maintain the listing of its securities on Nasdaq; risks related to ongoing legal proceedings; the Company’s limited experience operating as a public company and its ability to remediate its material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting; the ability of the Company to retain key personnel; the effect of economic conditions on the industries and markets in which VWE operates, including financial market conditions, rising inflation, fluctuations in prices, interest rates and market demand; the effects of competition on VWE’s future business; the potential adverse effects of health pandemics, epidemics or contagious diseases on VWE’s business and the U.S. and world economy; declines or unanticipated changes in consumer demand for VWE’s products; disruption of supply or shortage of energy; VWE’s ability to adequately source grapes and other raw materials and any increase in the cost of such materials; the impact of environmental catastrophe, natural disasters, disease, pests, weather conditions and inadequate water supply on VWE’s business; VWE’s level of insurance against catastrophic events and losses; impacts from climate change and related government regulations; VWE’s significant reliance on its distribution channels, including independent distributors, particularly in its wholesale operations; a loss or significant decline of sales to important distributors, marketing companies, or retailers; risks associated with new lines of business or products; potential reputational harm to VWE’s brands from internal and external sources; decline in consumer sentiment to purchase wine through VWE’s direct-to-consumer channels; possible decreases in VWE’s wine quality ratings; integration risks associated with recent or future acquisitions; possible litigation relating to misuse or abuse of alcohol; changes in applicable laws and regulations and the significant expense to VWE of operating in a highly regulated industry; VWE’s ability to maintain necessary licenses; VWE’s ability to protect its trademarks and other intellectual property rights; risks associated with the Company’s information technology and ability to maintain and protect personal information; VWE’s ability to make payments on its indebtedness; risks that the Company is unable to meet the additional restrictions and obligations imposed by its amended credit agreement; and those factors discussed in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There may be additional risks including other adjustments that VWE does not presently know or that VWE currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those expressed in or implied by these forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect VWE’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date and time of this news release. VWE undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, except as may be required by law. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon these forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240117039301/en/

Deborah K. Pawlowski

Kei Advisors LLC

dpawlowski@keiadvisors.com

Phone: 716.843.3908

Source: Vintage Wine Estates, Inc.

FAQ

What is the ticker symbol for Vintage Wine Estates, Inc.?

The ticker symbol for Vintage Wine Estates, Inc. is VWE.

What is the purpose of the business restructuring plan announced by VWE?

The purpose of the business restructuring plan is to focus on core Super Premium+ priority brands, reduce non-core, lower margin offerings, and cut workforce by 15% for annualized savings of $7.1 million.

How much are the expected restructuring charges for VWE?

The expected restructuring charges for VWE are approximately $1.5 million.

Which company has VWE retained to help accelerate monetization efforts?

VWE has retained Oppenheimer & Co. to help accelerate monetization efforts.

What assets does VWE plan to monetize as part of the restructuring plan?

VWE plans to monetize certain luxury estates, premium price-point and below wine brands, certain production services, and some DTC platforms.

What are the priority brands that VWE will focus on?

VWE will focus on Super Premium+ estate brands and select lifestyle brands, including Girard, Kunde, B.R. Cohn, Laetitia, Firesteed, Layer Cake, Bar Dog, Cherry Pie, and ACE Cider.

What is the expected result of the transformation for VWE?

The expected result of the transformation is a smaller company that can grow sustainably while generating top-quartile industry margins.

When will the restructuring charges be reflected in VWE's financials?

The restructuring charges will be reflected in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, which ends March 31, 2024.