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2007 Conclusion

Forum activities relating to Farmer Bros. Co. were suspended in 2007, following the second year of new management.

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Forum Report: Quarterly Report of Continuing Deterioration

(February 12. 2008)

 

 

Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2008 7:54 PM
Subject: Farmer Bros. reports continuing dissipation of resources

 

Farmer Bros. Co. reported its results for the second quarter of its 2008 fiscal year last night in a press release, copied below, and Form 10-Q filed with the SEC.  The Form 10-Q section summarizing the past two years of quarterly results is also copied below.

 

The following examples of reported conditions suggest a continuing deterioration of the company’s business and financial resources:

      Another net loss for the quarter

      Another $5,525,000 loss on derivative investments, which management explains only as “primarily the result of market volatility” (Form 10-Q, page 9)

      Continued decrease of gross margin, in spite of the company’s acquisition of a premium coffee roaster

      Another extension of the expected time for implementing the “enterprise resource management system” that was started in 2002 as a 2-year project[*]

      Another $8.3 million reduction of the corporate reserve fund, as shown below

Considering this report and observations of the previous quarter, it must be assumed that the company’s “new” management is either unable to determine or unwilling to report the conditions on which successful competition depends.

 

Please let me know if you think Forum participants may benefit from continuing monitoring of this dissipation process.

 

 
           GL
 
Gary Lutin
Lutin & Company
575 Madison Avenue, 10th Floor
New York, New York 10022
Tel: 212-605-0335
Email: gl@shareholderforum.com

 

[*] Management actually states in the press release below that they are ““on schedule to implement its new enterprise resource management system throughout the sales and distribution organization by the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008,” even though they had stated in last quarter’s report that it would be implemented in the “second and third quarters of fiscal 2008.”

 
 

 
 
Quarterly Financial Data

 

 

 

March 31,

 

June 30,

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2006

 

2006

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands except share data)

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

53,561

 

$

50,518

 

$

48,264

 

$

55,476

 

Gross profit

 

$

32,039

 

$

28,465

 

$

28,083

 

$

32,481

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

$

67

 

$

(5,057

)

$

(2,737

)

$

1,140

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

2,463

 

$

(792

)

$

1,013

 

$

2,953

 

Net income (loss) per common share

 

$

0.18

 

$

(0.06

)

$

0.07

 

$

0.21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

June 30,

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2007

 

2007

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands except share data)

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

54,382

 

$

58,137

 

$

60,943

 

$

71,359

 

Gross profit

 

$

31,664

 

$

34,539

 

$

33,847

 

$

39,297

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

$

(2,247

)

$

(232

)

$

(2,528

)

$

789

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

1,512

 

$

1,337

 

$

(953

)

$

(227

)

Net income (loss) per common share

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.09

 

$

(0.07

)

$

(0.02

)

 
  

 
Press Release Source: Farmer Bros. Co.

Farmer Bros. Reports Loss of $0.02 Per Share for Second Quarter of Fiscal 2008
Monday February 11, 4:10 pm ET

TORRANCE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Farmer Bros. Co. (NASDAQ:FARM) today reported a net loss for its second fiscal quarter ended Dec. 31, 2007 of $0.2 million or $0.02 per share, compared with net income in last years second quarter of $2.9 million or $0.21 per share.

The Company reported revenues in the second quarter of $71.4 million, up 28.6% from $55.5 million in last years second quarter. Most of the gain $11.0 million of the increase of $15.9 million, representing a 19.9% increase over last years total sales was contributed by Coffee Bean Intl. (CBI), which the Company acquired in April 2007. Sales of the balance of Farmer Bros. operations grew by $4.8 million or 8% over the same period last year.

"We were pleased to have achieved a sales increase for both the second quarter and the year to date, said Rocky Laverty, President and CEO. We are encouraged by the progress we have made to tap the combined strengths of Farmer Brothers and CBI as we pursue a larger share of the institutional and wholesale segments of the coffee market. As a combined Company, we are now offering an array of products and services that is unique and compelling; our sales and marketing teams are showing real progress; and the operations at both divisions are becoming more efficient and effective at meeting the needs of our many customers. We recognize that there is much yet to be done but we remain confident that our growth strategy will create real value for our shareholders.

The Companys gross profit margin decreased to 55% compared with 59% in the prior years second quarter, primarily reflecting the lower margins of CBI, as well as a 13% year-over-year increase in the average cost of green coffee. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the second quarter increased 23% to $38.5 million. Approximately 70% of the increase was associated with CBIs operating expenses, with the balance primarily reflecting higher legal fees, freight costs and expenses for the Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

The Company also reported Other Net Losses in the second quarter of $5.2 million, compared with Other Net Income of $0.4 million in last years second quarter. This net unrealized loss primarily reflects the accounting effects on the Companys interest-bearing investments of the volatility in the sub-prime mortgage securities market. Although the Company has no direct exposure to sub-prime mortgages and made no substantial sales of its investments in the quarter, the mark-to-market accounting treatment of its investments reflects the current trends in credit and stock market volatility. The Company continues to invest in a diversified portfolio of investment grade preferred stock, typically issued by banks and utilities.

The Company ended the second fiscal quarter with cash and short-term investments of $149.0 million compared with $157.4 million at the end of the first quarter and $170.6 million on June 30, 2007. This primarily reflects additions to inventory, increased receivables and additions of fixed assets.

The Company also reported the following operational highlights during the quarter:

  • Coffee Bean International, a wholly owned subsidiary based in Portland, Ore. and one of the nation's leading specialty coffee roasters and wholesalers, selected a site in Portland for a new facility that will increase its production capacity and efficiency so it can meet growing demand. As previously announced, the construction will be funded from internal sources.
  • The continued investment in marketing and sales efforts at both CBI and Farmer Brothers has resulted in the signing of new national chain account business.
  • During the quarter CBI continued to consolidate its accounting systems with those of Farmer Bros., and began the planned year-long process of converting to the Companys financial, manufacturing and sales systems.
  • Farmer Bros. remains on schedule to implement its new enterprise resource management system throughout the sales and distribution organization by the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. This is part of the multi-year computer system upgrade that was designed to help employees be more efficient and effective in serving customers.

About Farmer Bros.

Farmer Bros. Co. is an institutional coffee roaster that sells a variety of coffee and allied products to the food service industry and private-label customers such as retailers. The Company's signature Farmer Bros. trucks and vans bearing the "Consistently Good" logo are seen throughout Farmer Brothers' 28-state service area. The Company's wholly owned Coffee Bean Intl. is one of the nation's leading specialty coffee roasters and wholesalers. Farmer Brothers has paid a dividend in every year since 1953, increased its dividend in every year since 1997, and its stock price has risen on a split-adjusted basis from $1.80 a share in 1980. For more information, go to: www.farmerbroscousa.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release regarding the risks, circumstances and financial trends that may affect our future operating results, financial position and cash flows are not based on historical fact and are forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws and regulations. These statements are based on management's current expectations, assumptions, estimates and observations of future events and include any statements that do not directly relate to any historical or current fact. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words like "anticipates," "feels," "estimates," "projects," "expects," "plans," "believes," "intends," "will," "assumes" and other words of similar meaning. Owing to the uncertainties inherent in forward-looking statements, actual results could differ materially from those set forth in forward-looking statements. We intend these forward-looking statements to speak only at the time of this report and do not undertake to update or revise these statements as more information becomes available except as required under federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in availability and cost of green coffee, competition, organizational changes, our ability to successfully integrate the CBI Acquisition, the impact of a weaker economy, business conditions in the coffee industry and food industry in general, the Company's continued success in attracting new customers, variances from budgeted sales mix and growth rates, and weather and special or unusual events, as well as other risks described in this press release and the quarterly reports filed by the Company on Form 10-Q and the annual report filed by the Company on Form 10-K and other factors described from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC.

FARMER BROS. CO.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Three months ended
December 31,

 

Six months ended
December 31,

 
 
 
 
 
 
2007
 
 
 
2006
 
 
2007
 
 
 
2006
 
Net sales
 
$
71,359
 
 
$
55,476
 
$
132,302
 
 
$
103,740
 
Cost of goods sold
 
 
32,062
 
 
 
22,995
 
 
59,158
 
 
 
43,176
 
Gross profit
 
$
39,297
 
 
$
32,481
 
$
73,144
 
 
$
60,564
 
Selling expense
 
 
30,606
 
 
 
26,131
 
 
59,081
 
 
 
50,795
 
General and administrative expenses
 
 
7,902
 
 
 
5,210
 
 
15,802
 
 
 
11,366
 
Operating expenses
 
$
38,508
 
 
$
31,341
 
$
74,883
 
 
$
62,161
 
Income (loss) from operations
 
$
789
 
 
$
1,140
 
 
($1,739
)
 
 
($1,597
)
Other (expense) income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividend income
 
 
1,050
 
 
 
986
 
 
2,077
 
 
 
1,942
 
Interest income
 
 
965
 
 
 
1,457
 
 
2,224
 
 
 
2,917
 
Other, net (expense) income
 
 
(5,168
)
 
 
387
 
 
(8,062
)
 
 
1,691
 
Total other (expense) income
 
 
($3,153
)
 
$
2,830
 
 
($3,761
)
 
$
6,550
 
(Loss) income before taxes
 
 
(2,364
)
 
 
3,970
 
 
(5,500
)
 
 
4,953
 
Income tax (benefit) expense
 
 
(2,137
)
 
 
1,017
 
 
(4,320
)
 
 
987
 
Net (loss) income
 
 
($227
)
 
$
2,953
 
 
($1,180
)
 
$
3,966
 
Net (loss) income per common share
 
 
($0.02
)
 
$
0.21
 
 
($0.08
)
 
$
0.28
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
 
 
14,255,374
 
 
 
14,075,523
 
 
14,226,424
 
 
 
14,048,023
 

 

 

Contact:

Abernathy MacGregor Group
Jim Lucas, 213-630-6550

Source: Farmer Bros. Co.

 

 

The Forum is open to all Farmer Bros. shareholders, whether institutional or individual, and to professionals concerned with their investment decisions.  Its purpose is to provide shareholders with access to information and a free exchange of views on issues relating to their evaluations of alternatives.  As stated in the Forum's Conditions of Participation, participants are expected to make independent use of information obtained through the Forum, subject to the privacy rights of other participants.  It is a Forum rule that participants will not be identified or quoted without their explicit permission.

There is no charge for participation.  Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC, the manager of funds owning approximately 12.6% of Farmer Bros. shares, provided initial sponsorship for the Forum and arranged for it to be chaired by Gary Lutin.  Continuing support and guidance of the Forum is provided by an Advisory Panel of actively interested shareholders.

For additional information or to be included in an email distribution list, send an inquiry to farm@shareholderforum.com.