LWAY Lifeway Foods Inc

Focus on Expansion of Core Kefir Product Distribution Introduces Convenient, On-the-Go Health and Wellness Product InnovationBuilds Lifeway Brand Awareness & Consumer LoyaltyAnnounces Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

Lifeway Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: LWAY), the leading U.S. supplier of kefir fermented dairy and probiotic products to support the microbiome, today announced a new strategic plan, “Lifeway 2.0” to reinvigorate growth.  The Company also reported financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Julie Smolyansky, Lifeway’s CEO commented, “We are excited to launch Lifeway 2.0, our strategic long-term plan to meaningfully reinvigorate growth. We expect to deliver sustainable top-line growth based on three core strategies. These include a focus on rebuilding our core kefir product distribution in new and existing sales channels, introducing product innovation for today’s on-the-go consumers focused on health and wellness, and enhancing Lifeway’s brand awareness and consumer loyalty. Over the last few months we have aligned our organizational structure to significantly reduce costs and create efficiencies, while also continuing to make investments in people, processes, manufacturing and sales and marketing. We believe we have the right team, strategic plan, and compelling industry fundamentals to generate the growth we are confident Lifeway is capable of achieving long-term.”

Smolyansky continued, “We believe the disciplined actions we have taken in light of the recent inflationary cost pressures and dairy industry challenges have further strengthened our foundation for growth.  Importantly, recent research from Harvard University has reinforced the benefits of fermented dairy on gut health and microbiome support, information we look forward to educating more consumers about going forward. At Lifeway, we have strong health and wellness heritage which began in the 1980s, and our team remains intently focused on providing products that are positive for digestive health, high in protein and low in sugar to help consumers maintain a healthier lifestyle.”

Lifeway 2.0 Strategic Growth PrioritiesTo reinvigorate growth in 2019 and over the next several years, Lifeway is focused on the following strategic growth initiatives:

• Expand Core Kefir Product Distribution
  • Lifeway will focus on rebuilding core kefir product distribution in new and existing sales channels. This includes in existing mass, grocery and natural retail partners as well as the complementary convenience, club, foodservice, drug store, e-commerce, hospital and university sales channels.   
• Introduce Convenient, Probiotic and Protein Rich-Product Innovation
  • Lifeway will introduce product innovation for today’s on-the-go consumers focused on health and wellness. This includes single-serve, 8 ounce Lifeway Kefir and newly released organic varieties. Year-to-date through September 30, 2018 Lifeway branded 8 ounce Kefir retail sales for measured channels grew approximately 39% over the prior year period off of a low-base.
  • The Company is also focused on completing the development of its dairy-free, plant-based probiotic drinks with distribution beginning in 2019.  
• Enhance Consumer Experience
  • Lifeway will utilize existing customer insights and technologies to increase trial and repurchase rates as it looks to expand kefir household penetration. The Company believes there is a tremendous opportunity to re-engage with existing consumers and bring new consumers to the Lifeway brand.
  • Lifeway believes these single-serve purchase opportunities, along with increased demos at traditional retail, will help support its objective to increase exposure, shopper occasions and introduce new consumers to the brand.

About Lifeway Foods, Inc.

Lifeway Foods, Inc., which has been recognized as one of Forbes’ Best Small Companies, is America’s leading supplier of the probiotic, fermented beverage known as kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable kefir, the company also produces cupped kefir and cheese, frozen kefir, specialty cheeses, probiotic supplements and a ProBugs line for kids. Lifeway’s tart and tangy fermented dairy and non-dairy products are now sold across North America, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Learn how Lifeway is good for more than just you at www.lifewaykefir.com.  Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this release (and oral statements made regarding the subjects of this release) contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, future operating and financial performance, product development, market position, business strategy and objectives. These statements use words, and variations of words, such as “gain,” “position,” “vision,” “ongoing,” “intend,” “innovate,” “continue.” Other examples of forward looking statements may include, but are not limited to, (i) statements of Company plans and objectives, including the introduction of new products, or estimates or predictions of actions by customers or suppliers, (ii) statements of future economic performance, and (III) statements of assumptions underlying other statements and statements about Lifeway or its business. You are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events and thus are inherently subject to uncertainty. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from Lifeway’s expectations and projections. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include: price competition; the decisions of customers or consumers; the actions of competitors; changes in the pricing of commodities; the effects of government regulation; possible delays in the introduction of new products; and customer acceptance of products and services. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties, and other factors can be found in Lifeway’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, and the Company’s subsequent filings with the SEC. Copies of these filings are available online at https://www.sec.gov, http://lifewaykefir.com/investor-relations/, or on request from Lifeway. Information in this release is as of the dates and time periods indicated herein, and Lifeway does not undertake to update any of the information contained in these materials, except as required by law. Accordingly, YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THE ACCURACY OF ANY OF THE STATEMENTS OR OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED IN ANY ARCHIVED PRESS RELEASE.

Contact:

Lifeway Foods, Inc.Phone: 847-967-1010Email: info@lifeway.net

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017
(In thousands)
		September 30, 2018(Unaudited)				December 31, 2017
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	2,726			$	4,978
Investments, at fair value			500				–
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and discounts & allowances of $1,550 and $2,010 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 respectively			8,073				8,676
Inventories, net			6,837				7,697
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			1,298				983
Refundable income taxes			2,959				2,347
Total current assets			22,393				24,681
Property, plant and equipment, net			25,035				24,645
Intangible assets
Goodwill & indefinite-lived intangibles			14,068				14,068
Other intangible assets, net			485				975
Total intangible assets			14,553				15,043
Other assets			150				150
Total assets		$	62,131			$	64,519
Current liabilities
Current maturities of notes payable		$	–			$	3,166
Accounts payable			6,263				6,848
Accrued expenses			3,118				2,984
Accrued income taxes			82				203
Total current liabilities			9,463				13,201
Line of credit			5,990				–
Notes payable			–				3,113
Deferred income taxes, net			840				840
Other long-term liabilities			661				775
Total liabilities			16,954				17,929
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, no par value; 2,500 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively			–				–
Common stock, no par value; 40,000 shares authorized; 17,274 shares issued; 15,838 and 16,008 outstanding at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively			6,509				6,509
Paid-in capital			2,211				2,244
Treasury stock, at cost			(12,918	)			(11,812	)
Retained earnings			49,375				49,649
Total stockholders' equity			45,177				46,590
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	62,131			$	64,519

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine months Ended September 30,
		2018				2017				2018				2017
Net sales		$	24,480			$	28,786			$	80,318			$	92,636
Cost of goods sold			17,892				20,331				57,412				65,262
Depreciation expense			738				618				2,143				1,801
Total cost of goods sold			18,630				20,949				59,555				67,063
Gross profit			5,850				7,837				20,763				25,573
Selling expenses			3,136				4,010				10,537				11,648
General and administrative			3,150				3,145				9,851				10,743
Amortization expense			163				168				490				504
Total operating expenses			6,449				7,323				20,878				22,895
(Loss) income from operations			(599	)			514				(115	)			2,678
Other income (expense):
Interest expense			(82	)			(62	)			(220	)			(180	)
Gain (loss) on sale of property and equipment			28				(34	)			42				(39	)
Other income, net			3				–				11				–
Total other income (expense)			(51	)			(96	)			(167	)			(219	)
(Loss) income before provision for income taxes			(650	)			418				(282	)			2,459
(Benefit) provision for income taxes			(136	)			175				(8	)			1,056
Net (loss) income*		$	(514	)		$	243			$	(274	)		$	1,403
(Loss) earnings per common share:
Basic		$	(0.03	)		$	0.02			$	(0.02	)		$	0.09
Diluted		$	(0.03	)		$	0.02			$	(0.02	)		$	0.09
Weighted average common shares:
Basic			15,872				16,093				15,886				16,123
Diluted			16,256				16,168				16,354				16,218

*2018 third quarter net income includes a $0.3 million non-cash inventory write-off expense due to the Company’s discontinued products and the flow through from the Probugs packaging change.

LIFEWAY FOODS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Nine months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
		2018				2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income		$	(274	)		$	1,403
Adjustments to reconcile net income to operating cash flow:
Depreciation and amortization			2,633				2,305
Non-cash interest expense			9				–
Bad debt expense			50				–
Reserve for inventory obsolescence			580				320
Stock-based compensation			827				901
Deferred revenue			(72	)			–
(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment			(42	)			39
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:
Accounts receivable			553				(814	)
Inventories			280				(328	)
Refundable income taxes			(612	)			(462	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			(291	)			(231	)
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
Accounts payable			(586	)			1,384
Accrued expenses			(588	)			252
Accrued income taxes			(121	)			(580	)
Net cash provided by operating activities			2,346				4,189
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments			(500	)			(25	)
Purchases of property and equipment			(2,581	)			(3,932	)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment			90				37
Net cash used in investing activities			(2,991	)			(3,920	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under revolving credit facility			6,050				–
Payment of deferred financing costs			(69	)			–
Purchase of treasury stock			(1,309	)			(1,187	)
Repayment of notes payable			(6,279	)			(630	)
Net cash used in financing activities			(1,607	)			(1,817	)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents			(2,252	)			(1,548	)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period			4,978				8,812
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period		$	2,726			$	7,264
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds		$	724			$	2,098
Cash paid for interest		$	189			$	180