Karat Packaging Inc. (Nasdaq: KRT) (“Karat” or the “Company”), a specialty distributor and manufacturer of environmentally friendly, disposable foodservice products and related items, today announced financial results for its 2024 first quarter ended March 31, 2024.

First Quarter 2024 Highlights

  • Net sales of $95.6 million, versus $95.8 million in the prior-year quarter.
  • Gross profit of $37.6 million, versus $38.1 million in the prior-year quarter.
  • Gross margin of 39.3 percent versus 39.8 percent in the prior-year quarter.
  • Net income of $6.5 million, including a negative tax-effected impact of $1.5 million from a non-cash impairment of an operating right-of-use asset, versus $9.2 million in the prior-year quarter.
  • Net income margin of 6.8 percent, including a negative impact of the non-cash impairment of 1.6 percent, versus 9.6 percent in the prior-year quarter.
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $13.5 million, versus $15.3 million in the prior-year quarter.
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin of 14.2 percent, versus 15.9 percent in the prior-year quarter.

Guidance

  • Net sales for the 2024 second quarter expected to increase by mid-single digits from the prior-year quarter.
  • Gross margin for the 2024 second quarter expected to be 38 to 40 percent versus 38.5 percent for the prior-year quarter.
  • Net sales for the 2024 full year expected to increase 8 to 15 percent from the prior year.
  • Gross margin goal for the 2024 full year to be 37 to 40 percent versus 37.7 percent from the previous year.

“The strategic growth initiatives we implemented last year are coming to fruition,” said Alan Yu, Chief Executive Officer. “Our new business pipeline continues to grow, as we are adding new customers and gaining wallet share with existing accounts. We are encouraged by our performance in the first quarter, with sales volume growth, and sustained near record high gross margin.

“Demand for Karat’s eco-friendly products continues to show strong momentum. Sales in this category grew 5.6 percent in the first quarter and comprised approximately 34.5 percent of total sales, up from 32.6 percent a year ago. Eco-friendly products remain a priority for Karat, as we continue to develop new and innovative products and build inventory to meet growing demand from customers.

“Our newly established distribution center in Arizona is now fully operational, providing meaningful operating efficiencies and allowing us to optimize our warehouse footprint in the Southwest region. The move to Arizona from California will reduce our rent expense and enable us to further penetrate new markets,” Yu added.

First Quarter 2024 Financial ResultsNet sales for the 2024 first quarter were $95.6 million compared with $95.8 million for the same quarter last year. Current quarter net sales were understated by $0.7 million from products shipped and recognized as revenue in 2023 and not delivered until 2024. The amount of revenue deferred for products shipped in March 2024 but not delivered until April 2024 was $1.9 million. The decrease in 2024 first quarter net sales also reflected unfavorable year-over-year pricing comparison, partially offset by an increase from volume and product mix and the inclusion of online sales platform fees.

Gross profit for the 2024 first quarter decreased to $37.6 million from $38.1 million for the same quarter last year. Gross margin for the 2024 first quarter was 39.3 percent versus 39.8 percent for the same quarter last year. Gross profit for the current quarter was understated by $0.3 million related to the timing of revenue recognition, as discussed above. The amount of gross margin deferred for products shipped in March 2024 but not delivered until April 2024 was $0.8 million. Gross margin for the current quarter included a net favorable impact of 80 basis points from the inclusion of online platform fees in net sales and production expenses in cost of goods sold. Gross margin for the current quarter also benefited from the strengthening of the United States Dollar against Taiwan New Dollar. These favorable impacts were offset by an increase in freight and duty costs as a result of increased import volume following the strategy to scale back domestic manufacturing coupled with higher freight and container rates.

Operating expenses in the 2024 first quarter were $29.5 million, compared with $25.4 million in the same quarter last year. The increase was primarily due to a non-cash impairment charge of the operating right-of-use asset related to the sublease of a distribution center in California, the inclusion of online sales platform fees in operating expenses, and higher rent and warehouse expense from workforce expansion and additional leased warehouses, partially offset by a decrease in shipping and transportation costs and the inclusion of production costs in cost of goods sold.

Net income for the 2024 first quarter decreased to $6.5 million, from $9.2 million for the same quarter last year. Net income margin was 6.8 percent in the 2024 first quarter, compared with 9.6 percent a year ago.

Net income attributable to Karat for the 2024 first quarter was $6.2 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, compared with $9.0 million, or $0.45 per diluted share in the prior-year quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure defined below, totaled $13.5 million for the 2024 first quarter, compared with $15.3 million for the same quarter last year. Adjusted EBITDA margin, a non-GAAP measure defined below, was 14.2 percent of net sales, compared with 15.9 percent for the same quarter last year.

Adjusted diluted earnings per common share, a non-GAAP measure defined below, was $0.40 per share, compared with $0.46 per share in the prior-year quarter.

DividendOn May 7, 2024, Karat’s board of directors approved an increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.35 per share, from the previous quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share, payable on May 24, 2024, to stockholders of record as of May 17, 2024.

Investor Conference CallThe Company will host an investor conference call today, May 9, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time).

Phone: 646-307-1963 (domestic); 800-715-9871 (international)Conference ID: 4383878Webcast: Accessible at http://irkarat.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 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 StatementsStatements made in this release that are not statements of historical or current facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution readers that forward-looking statements are predictions based on our current expectations about future events. These forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, achieving our financial guidance, are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Our actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including the risks discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” discussed under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part I of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or any updates discussed under the caption “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part II of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise that occur after that date, except as required by law.

Investor Relations and Media Contacts:PondelWilkinson Inc.Judy Lin /Roger Pondel310-279-5980; ir@karatpackaging.com 

KARAT PACKAGING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)(In thousands, except share and per share data)
 
  Three Months Ended March 31,
    2024       2023  
Net sales $ 95,613     $ 95,801  
Cost of goods sold   58,011       57,657  
Gross profit   37,602       38,144  
Operating expenses:      
Selling expenses   10,763       8,701  
General and administrative expenses (including $556 and $671 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)   16,769       16,629  
Impairment expense and loss, net, on disposal of machinery   1,994       82  
Total operating expenses   29,526       25,412  
Operating income   8,076       12,732  
Other income (expenses)      
Rental income (including $255 and $247 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)   291       247  
Other income (expense), net   55       (208 )
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions   122       (427 )
Interest income (including $213 and $16 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)   431       67  
Interest expense (including $517 and $406 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)   (524 )     (407 )
Total other income (expenses), net   375       (728 )
Income before provision for income taxes   8,451       12,004  
Provision for income taxes   1,975       2,818  
Net income   6,476       9,186  
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest   310       181  
Net income attributable to Karat Packaging Inc. $ 6,166     $ 9,005  
Basic and diluted earnings per share:      
Basic $ 0.31     $ 0.45  
Diluted $ 0.31     $ 0.45  
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic   19,969,606       19,886,585  
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted   20,075,485       19,939,923  

KARAT PACKAGING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)(In thousands, except share and per share data)
 
  March 31, 2024   December 31, 2023
Assets      
Current assets      
Cash and cash equivalents (including $4,327 and $13,566 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) $ 13,144     $ 23,076  
Short-term investments (including $7,038 and $0 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)   33,515       26,343  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debt of $342 and $392 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively   30,111       27,763  
Inventories   79,272       71,528  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (including $78 and $82 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)   4,492       6,219  
Total current assets   160,534       154,929  
Property and equipment, net (including $43,882 and $44,185 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)   93,853       95,226  
Deposits   229       1,047  
Goodwill   3,510       3,510  
Intangible assets, net   320       327  
Operating right-of-use assets   19,360       20,739  
Other non-current assets (including $67 and $53 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)   1,232       619  
Total assets $ 279,038     $ 276,397  
       
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity      
Current liabilities      
Accounts payable (including $68 and $63 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively) $ 21,394     $ 18,446  
Accrued expenses (including $171 and $591 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)   11,318       10,576  
Related party payable   5,300       5,306  
Customer deposits (including $0 and $116 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023)   725       951  
Long-term debt, current portion (including $1,139 and $1,122 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)   1,139       1,122  
Operating lease liabilities, current portion   4,439       4,800  
Other current liabilities (including $2,186 and $1,302 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)   3,875       3,200  
Total current liabilities   48,190       44,401  
       
Deferred tax liability   4,197       4,197  
Long-term debt, net of current portion and debt discount of $187 and $203 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively (including $48,116 and $48,396 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and debt discount of $187 and $203 associated with variable interest entity at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)   48,116       48,396  
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion   17,754       16,687  
Other non-current liabilities   389       26  
Total liabilities   118,646       113,707  
       
Karat Packaging Inc. stockholders’ equity      
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023          
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 19,995,032 and 19,972,032 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, as of March 31, 2024 and 19,988,482 and 19,965,482 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, as of December 31, 2023   20       20  
Additional paid in capital   87,094       86,667  
Treasury stock, $0.001 par value, 23,000 shares as of both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023   (248 )     (248 )
Retained earnings   67,537       67,679  
Total Karat Packaging Inc. stockholders’ equity   154,403       154,118  
Noncontrolling interest   5,989       8,572  
Total stockholders’ equity   160,392       162,690  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 279,038     $ 276,397  

KARAT PACKAGING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)(In thousands)
 
  Three Months Ended March 31,
    2024       2023  
Cash flows from operating activities      
Net income $ 6,476     $ 9,186  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization (including $303 and $304 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)   2,629       2,633  
Adjustments to allowance for bad debt   (12 )     (652 )
Adjustments to inventory reserve   40       288  
Write-off of inventory   293       216  
Impairment of operating right-of-use asset   1,993        
Loss, net, on disposal of machinery and equipment   1       82  
Amortization of loan fees (including $15 and $16 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)   23       17  
Accrued interest on certificates of deposit (including $38 and $0 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)   (126 )      
Stock-based compensation   375       277  
Amortization of operating right-of-use assets   1,466       997  
(Increase) decrease in operating assets      
Accounts receivable (including $0 and $7 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)   (2,336 )     (2,409 )
Inventories   (8,077 )     (207 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (including $4 and $52 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)   1,727       1,023  
Other non-current assets (including $14 and $88 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)   (190 )     9  
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities      
Accounts payable (including $5 and $1 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)   3,367       (1,978 )
Accrued expenses (including $420 and $415 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)   742       (1,127 )
Related party payable   (6 )     4,967  
Income taxes payable         1,782  
Customer deposits (including $0 and $17 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)   (507 )     (326 )
Operating lease liabilities   (1,474 )     (1,067 )
Other non-current liabilities   155       474  
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 6,559     $ 14,185  
   
Cash flows from investing activities      
Purchases of property and equipment   (163 )     (1,042 )
Proceeds on disposal of property and equipment   23       25  
Deposits paid for joint venture investment         (2,900 )
Deposits refunded from joint venture investment         950  
Deposits paid for property and equipment   (761 )     (1,718 )
Purchases of short-term investments (including $7,000 and $0 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)   (12,190 )     (10,000 )
Redemption of short-term investments   5,144        
Net cash used in investing activities $ (7,947 )   $ (14,685 )
       
Cash flows from financing activities      
Proceeds from long-term debt (including $0 and $8,000 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)         8,000  
Payments for lender fees         (61 )
Payments on long-term debt (including 278 and $241 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)   (278 )     (241 )
Tax withholding on vesting of restricted stock units         (14 )
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options   52        
Dividends paid to shareholders   (5,992 )      
Payment for Global Wells noncontrolling membership interest redemption (including $2,010 and $0 associated with variable interest entity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively)   (2,326 )      
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities $ (8,544 )   $ 7,684  
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents $ (9,932 )   $ 7,184  
Cash and cash equivalents      
Beginning of year $ 23,076     $ 16,041  
End of year $ 13,144     $ 23,225  
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:      
Transfers from deposit to property and equipment $ 1,148     $ 4,381  
Non-cash purchases of property and equipment $ 159     $ 1,159  
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:      
Income tax refund $ 13     $  
Cash paid for interest $ 502     $ 421  

KARAT PACKAGING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESRECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin: Three Months Ended March 31,
    2024     2023  
  Amounts % of Net Sales Amounts % of Net Sales
Net income: $ 6,476   6.8 % $ 9,186   9.6 %
Add (deduct):        
Interest income   (431 ) (0.5 )   (67 ) (0.1 )
Interest expense   524   0.6     407   0.4  
Provision for income taxes   1,975   2.1     2,818   2.9  
Depreciation and amortization   2,629   2.7     2,633   2.8  
Stock-based compensation expense   375   0.4     277   0.3  
Operating right-of-use asset impairment   1,993   2.1        
Adjusted EBITDA $ 13,541   14.2 % $ 15,254   15.9 %
Reconciliation of Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Common Share Three Months Ended March 31,
    2024       2023
Diluted earnings per common share: $ 0.31     $ 0.45
Add (deduct):      
Stock-based compensation expense   0.02       0.01
Operating right-of-use asset impairment   0.10      
Tax impact   (0.03 )    
Adjusted diluted earnings per common shares $ 0.40     $ 0.46
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA by Entity: Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
  Karat Packaging Global Wells Eliminations Consolidated
Net income: $ 5,850   $ 360   $ 266 $ 6,476  
Add        
Interest income   (218 )   (213 )     (431 )
Interest expense   7     517       524  
Provision for income taxes   1,975           1,975  
Depreciation and amortization   2,326     303       2,629  
Stock-based compensation expense   375           375  
Operating right-of-use asset impairment   1,993           1,993  
Adjusted EBITDA $ 12,308   $ 967   $ 266 $ 13,541  
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA by Entity: Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
  Karat Packaging Global Wells Eliminations Consolidated
Net income (loss): $ 9,040   $ 209   $ (63 ) $ 9,186  
Add        
Interest income   (51 )   (33 )   17     (67 )
Interest expense   18     406     (17 )   407  
Provision for income taxes   2,818             2,818  
Depreciation and amortization   2,330     303         2,633  
Stock-based compensation expense   277             277  
Adjusted EBITDA $ 14,432   $ 885   $ (63 ) $ 15,254  
                         

Use of Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresKarat utilizes certain financial measures and key performance indicators that are not defined by, or calculated in accordance with, GAAP to assess our financial and operating performance. A non-GAAP financial measure is defined as a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance that (i) excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding amounts, that are included in the comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statement of operations; or (ii) includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of including amounts, that are excluded from the comparable GAAP measure so calculated and presented. The following non-GAAP measures are presented in this press release:

  • Adjusted EBITDA is a financial measure calculated as net income excluding (i) interest income, (ii) interest expense, (iii) provision for income taxes, (iv) depreciation and amortization, (v) stock-based compensation expense, and (vi) operating right-of-use asset impairment.
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by net sales.
  • Adjusted diluted earnings per common share is calculated as diluted earnings per common share, plus the per share impact of stock-based compensation, operating right-of-use asset impairment, and adjusted for the related tax effects of these adjustments.

We believe the above-mentioned non-GAAP measures, which are used by management to assess the core performance of Karat, provide useful information and additional clarity of our operating results to our investors in their own evaluation of the core performance of Karat and facilitate a comparison of such performance from period to period. These are not measurements of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or construed as substitutes for net income or other cash flow data prepared in accordance with GAAP for purposes of analyzing our profitability or liquidity. These measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, revenue, net income, earnings per share, cash flows or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures may not provide information that is directly comparable to that provided by other companies, as other companies may calculate such financial results differently.

KARAT PACKAGING INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNET SALES BY CATEGORY (UNAUDITED) (In thousands)
 
  Three Months Ended March 31,
    2024     2023
  (in thousands)
National and regional chains $ 21,470   $ 21,368
Distributors   52,827     54,647
Online   14,879     13,655
Retail   6,437     6,131
  $ 95,613   $ 95,801

 

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