Colabor Group Inc. (TSX: GCL) (“Colabor” or the “Company”) reports
its results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2022.
Fourth Quarter
2022 Financial Highlights:
-
Sales increased by 28.0% to $193.2 million, compared to $151.0
million for the corresponding period of 2021;
-
Net earnings from continuing operations were $1.7 million
compared to $5.3 million for the corresponding period of 2021
resulting mainly from the non-recurring gain of $4.0 million not
related to current operations in the prior year;
-
Adjusted EBITDA(1) increased by 39.2% to $9.9 million from $7.1
million for the corresponding period of 2021 and increase in
adjusted EBITDA(1) margin to 5.1% of sales compared to 4.7% of
sales during the corresponding period of 2021. Those increases are
mainly explained by an improvement of gross margin, mitigated by
increase in labor costs and other supply chain costs and
investments to expand our territory;
-
Cash flow from operating activities decreased to $(0.7) million
compared to $9.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2021,
resulting from a higher utilization of working capital(4) given the
resumption of restaurant activities since February 2022; and
-
On September 29th, 2022, conclusion of a new lease to move our head
office and warehouse located in Boucherville by the end of 2023.
Located in the Saint-Bruno Industrial Ecopark, this new building's
goal is to obtain LEED and Net Zero Carbon certifications, will be
better adapted to our needs and will allow us to deploy our
strategic plan.
Fiscal 2022 Financial Highlights:
-
Consolidated sales amounted to $574.1 million, up 20.3% compared to
fiscal year 2021;
-
Net earnings from continuing operations decreased to $4.6 million
compared to $8.3 million for fiscal year 2021, resulting primarily
from a non-recurring gain of $3.8 million not related to current
operations in the prior year, higher depreciation and amortization
expenses, mitigated by the increase of the adjusted EBITDA(1) and
lower financial expenses;
-
Adjusted EBITDA(1) increased to $29.1 million or 5.1% of sales
compared to $25.4 million or 5.3% of sales for the fiscal year
2021. Excluding the impact of subsidies obtained of $2.6 million in
2021, the adjusted EBITDA(1) margin would have been 5.1% in 2022
and 4.8% in 2021;
-
Cash flow generated by operating activities up to
$19.3 million compared to $18.8 million in 2021 due to lower
utilization of working capital(4);
-
Net debt(2) decreased to $47.8 million, compared to
$48.4 million as at December 25, 2021. The leverage
ratio(3) is 1.6x as at December 31, 2022, compared to 1.9x in
2021; and
-
Completion of the acquisition of Le Groupe Resto-Achats Inc. and
acquisition of certain assets in the Laurentides and Outaouais
territories, marking the first milestones of the non-organic growth
strategy of distribution activities in the province.
Table of fourth
quarter and fiscal 2022
Financial Highlights:
Financial
highlights |
17 weeks |
16 weeks |
53 weeks |
52 weeks |
(in thousands of dollars, except percentages, per share data and
financial leverage ratio) |
2022 |
|
2021 |
|
2022 |
|
2021 |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
Sales from continuing operations |
193,246 |
|
151,014 |
|
574,071 |
|
477,004 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA(1) |
9,855 |
|
7,080 |
|
29,068 |
|
25,420 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA(1) margin
(%) |
5.1 |
|
4.7 |
|
5.1 |
|
5.3 |
|
Net earnings from continuing
operations |
1,682 |
|
5,336 |
|
4,551 |
|
8,253 |
|
Net earnings |
1,263 |
|
5,139 |
|
4,065 |
|
7,842 |
|
Per share - basic and diluted
($) |
0.01 |
|
0.05 |
|
0.04 |
|
0.08 |
|
Cash
flow from operating activities |
(663 |
) |
9,035 |
|
19,299 |
|
18,752 |
|
Financial position |
|
|
|
As at |
|
As at |
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
December 25, |
|
|
|
|
|
2022 |
|
2021 |
|
Net debt(2) |
|
|
|
47,764 |
|
48,366 |
|
Financial leverage ratio(3) |
|
|
|
1.6 |
x |
1.9 |
x |
(1) |
Non-IFRS
measure. Refer to the table Reconciliation of Net Earnings to
adjusted EBITDA in MD&A section 6 "Non-IFRS Performance
Measures". Adjusted EBITDA corresponds to net operating earnings
before costs (income) not related to current operations,
depreciation and amortization and expenses for stock-based
compensation plan. |
(2) |
Non-IFRS measure. Refer to MD&A section 6 "Non-IFRS
Performance Measures". Net debt corresponds to bank indebtedness,
current portion of long-term debt and long-term debt, net of
cash. |
(3) |
Financial leverage ratio is an indicator of the Company's
ability to service its long-term debt. It is defined as net debt /
adjusted EBITDA for the last four quarters. Refer to MD&A
section 6 "Non-IFRS Performance Measures". |
(4) |
Working capital is a non-IFRS performance measure. Working
capital is an indicator of the Company's ability to hedge its
current liabilities with its current assets. Refer to MD&A
section 3.2 "Financial Position" for detailed calculation. |
“Fourth quarter results show that the new
management team is on the way to complete the transformation of
Colabor's business. Revenues were up for a 7th consecutive quarter,
showing a growth of 28.0%, while our adjusted EBITDA(1) increased
by 39.2%. The strategic management of our product and customer mix
has allowed us to offset the increase in labor costs, inputs and
investments in our growth. So we close the year of 2022 on strong
basis,” said Mr. Frenette, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Colabor.
“Strong cash flows from our operating activities
in 2022 allowed us to invest in growth while reducing our debt
level. We thus start 2023 with the financial resources and a solid
balance sheet allowing us to achieve our ambitions.,” added Pierre
Blanchette, Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer.
Results for the
Fourth Quarter of
2022
Consolidated sales for the fourth quarter
amounted to $193.2 million compared to $151.0 million during the
corresponding quarter of 2021, an increase of 28.0%. Sales for the
Distribution segment increased by 28.9%, explained by a volume
increase of our customer base, the additional week of the fourth
quarter of 2022, the impact of inflation and the acquisition of
assets in the Laurentians and Outaouais regions. Wholesale segment
sales increased by 16.8% explained by the impact of inflation and
the additional week in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Adjusted EBITDA(1) from continuing activities
was $9.9 million or 5.1% of sales from continuing activities
compared to $7.1 million or 4.7% during 2021. These variations are
mainly explained by the increase in sales and an improvement of
gross margin, mitigated by increase in labor costs and other supply
chain costs and investments to expand our territory and our
investments for the repositioning of our private brand.
Net earnings from continuing operations were
$1.7 million, down from $5.3 million for the corresponding
quarter of the previous year, resulting essentially from the
non-recurring gain of $4.0 million not related to current
operations in the previous fiscal year, higher depreciation and
amortization expenses, financial and income tax expenses, mitigated
by an increase of the adjusted EBITDA(1) as explained
previously.
Net earnings for the fourth quarter were
$1.3 million, compared to $5.1 million for the
corresponding period of 2021 and are primarily explained by the
facts described above.
Results for Fiscal Year
2022
Cumulative consolidated sales amounted to $574.1
million compared to $477.0 million in fiscal year 2021, an increase
of 20.3%, of which 21.5% from the Distribution segment and 14.3%
from the Wholesale segment.
Adjusted EBITDA(1) from continuing operations
reached $29.1 million or 5.1% of sales from continuing operations
compared to $25.4 million or 5.3% in 2021. These variations are
mainly due to an increase in sales and gross margin from a better
mix of products and customers, mitigated by a decrease in subsidies
obtained of $2.6 million. Excluding the impact of subsidies
obtained, the adjusted EBITDA margin(1) would have been 5.1% in
2022 and 4.8% in 2021.
Net earnings from continuing operations was $4.6
million, down from $8.3 million in last fiscal year. The variation
is explained by the non-recurring gain of $3.8 million not related
to current operations in the previous fiscal year, higher
depreciation and amortization and income tax expenses, mitigated by
lower financial expenses and an increase of the adjusted EBITDA(1)
as explained previously.
Cash Flow and Financial
Position
Cash flows from operating activities reached
$19.3 million for fiscal year 2022, compared to $18.8 million for
fiscal year 2021. This increase is mainly due to lower utilization
of working capital(4) and higher adjusted EBITDA(1), mitigated by a
decrease of income not related to current operations. The lower
utilization of working capital(4) is explained by the receipt of
the non-recurring gain which was receivable as at December 25, 2021
and a higher collection of receivables in 2022, mitigated by the
timing of supplier payments.
As at December 31, 2022, the Company's
working capital(4) was $48.8 million, up from $40.8 million at the
end of the fiscal year 2021. This variation is explained by the
increase in sales during the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the
corresponding quarter of 2021.
As at December 31, 2022, the Company's net
debt(2) was down to $47.8 million, compared to $48.4 million at the
end of the fiscal year 2021. This decrease is resulting from credit
facility repayments. Despite closing two acquisitions in 2022, the
Company was able to reduce its level of debt.
Outlook
“I am very proud of the profitable growth
achieved in 2022 and we look forward to building on this momentum
in 2023. Our priorities remain the acceleration of growth and the
continuous improvement of our activities and processes. The move of
our head office and warehouse located in Boucherville to a new site
at the end of 2023 will allow our distribution segment to extend
its footprint to nearly 90.0% of Quebec's foodservice customers, a
considerable increase from our current reach of 30.0%. This project
is highly strategic for Colabor. It will also allow us to offer a
stimulating work environment for our employees, eco-responsible and
to serve more effectively our growing clientele in the west of the
province,” commented Louis Frenette.
“We believe that an increased reach in Quebec
will allow us to gradually penetrate the independent channel market
in a more competitive manner. To this end, we are starting the year
with the recent conclusion of two supply contracts with this niche.
Starting in the first quarter, we will supply a full-service
restaurants chain operating 38 establishments across the province
as well as a group operating approximately 200 food counters
located in retail locations. We start the year with pride and
enthusiasm,” concluded Louis Frenette.
Non-IFRS Performance Measures
The information provided in this release
includes non-IFRS performance measures, notably adjusted earnings
before financial expenses, depreciation and amortization and income
taxes ("Adjusted EBITDA")(1). As these concepts are not defined by
IFRS, they may not be comparable to those of other companies. Refer
to Section 6 "Non-IFRS Performance Measures" in the Management's
Discussion and Analysis.
Reconciliation of Net Earnings to Adjusted
EBITDA(1) |
17 weeks |
16 weeks |
53 weeks |
52 weeks |
(in thousands of dollars) |
2022 |
|
2021 |
|
2022 |
|
2021 |
|
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
Net earnings from continuing operations |
1,682 |
|
5,336 |
|
4,551 |
|
8,253 |
|
Income taxes |
686 |
|
(19 |
) |
1,826 |
|
1,435 |
|
Financial expenses |
1,750 |
|
1,286 |
|
4,780 |
|
5,109 |
|
Operating earnings |
4,118 |
|
6,603 |
|
11,157 |
|
14,797 |
|
Expenses for stock-based compensation plan |
162 |
|
155 |
|
475 |
|
303 |
|
Costs (income) not related to
current operations |
107 |
|
(3,998 |
) |
1,354 |
|
(3,768 |
) |
Depreciation and
amortization |
5,468 |
|
4,320 |
|
16,082 |
|
14,088 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA(1) |
9,855 |
|
7,080 |
|
29,068 |
|
25,420 |
|
Additional Information
The Management Discussion and Analysis and the
consolidated financial statements of the Company are available on
SEDAR (www.sedar.com). Additional information, including the annual
information form, about Colabor Group Inc. can also be found on
SEDAR and on the Company’s website at www.colabor.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain
forward-looking statements as defined under applicable securities
law. Forward-looking information may relate to Colabor's future
outlook and anticipated events,
business, operations, financial
performance, financial condition or results and, in some
cases, can be identified by terminology such as "may"; "will";
"should"; "expect"; "plan"; "anticipate"; "believe"; "intend";
"estimate"; "predict"; "potential"; "continue"; "foresee"; "ensure"
or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not
historical facts. Particularly, statements regarding the
Company’s financial guidelines, future operating results and
economic performance, objectives and strategies are forward-looking
statements. These statements are based on certain factors and
assumptions including expected growth, results of operations,
performance and business prospects and opportunities, which
Colabor believes are reasonable as of the current
date. Refer in particular to section 2.3 "Development
Strategies and Outlook" of the Company's MD&A. While Management
considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information
currently available to the Company, they may prove to be
incorrect. Forward-looking information is also subject to
certain factors, including risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from what Colabor currently
expects. For more exhaustive information on these risks and
uncertainties, the reader should refer to section 9 "Risks and
Uncertainties" of the Company's MD&A. These factors, which
include the risks related to the pandemic of Covid-19 and the
different underlying variants ("pandemic") as well as the possible
impacts on consumers and the economy, are not intended to represent
a complete list of the factors that could affect Colabor and future
events and results may vary significantly from what Management
currently foresees. The reader should not place undue importance on
forward-looking information contained in this press release,
information representing Colabor's expectations as of the date of
this press release (or as of the date they are otherwise stated to
be made) and are subject to change after such date. While
Management may elect to do so, the Company is under no obligation
(and expressly disclaims any such obligation) and does not
undertake to update or alter this information at any particular
time, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise, except as required by law.
Conference Call
Colabor will hold a conference call to discuss
these results on Thursday, March 2nd, 2023, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Eastern time. Interested parties can join the call by dialing
1-888-390-0549 (from anywhere in North America) or 1-416-764-8682.
If you are unable to participate, you can listen to a recording by
dialing 1-888-390-0541 or 1-416-764-8677 and entering the code
293401# on your telephone keypad. The recording will be available
from 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 2nd, 2023, until 11:59 p.m.
on March 9th, 2023.
You can also use the QuickConnect link:
https://bit.ly/3kZrN77. This new link allows any participant to
access the conference call by clicking on the URL link and enter
their name and phone number.
Those wishing to join the webcast can do so by clicking on the
following link:
http://www.colabor.com/en/investisseurs/evenements-et-presentations/
About Colabor
Colabor is a distributor and wholesaler of food
and related products serving the hotel, restaurant and
institutional markets or "HRI" in Quebec and in the Atlantic
provinces, as well as the retail market. Within its two operating
segments, Colabor offers specialty food products such as meat,
fresh fish and seafood, as well as food and related products
through its Broadline activities.
Further information:
Pierre BlanchetteSenior Vice President and Chief
Financial OfficerColabor Group IncTel.: 450-449-4911 extension
1308investors@colabor.com |
Danielle Ste-MarieSte-Marie Strategy and
Communications Inc.Investor RelationsTel.: 450-449-0026 extension
1180 |
Colabor (TSX:GCL)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
Colabor (TSX:GCL)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024