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Craft Brew Alliance revises 2014 outlook after Memphis brewing debut

October 31, 2014Chris Crowell

craft brew alliance
Due to the efficient and successful launch of Memphis in July, CBA was able to balance production in the third quarter and meet shipping demands from buffer stock brewed during the second quarter to ensure adequate supply in the event Memphis experienced any initial challenges.

The Craft Brew Alliance (CBA) announced a revised and tightened forecast for its previously reported 2014 full year guidance based on its nine months’ performance and completing the launch of its brewing operations in Memphis, Tenn. in the third quarter. Following a rigorous ramp-up phase, which included establishing a full-time brewmaster on the ground in Memphis, CBA successfully initiated full-scale shipments in July and has continued with no interruptions since launch. This announcement comes a week in advance of its third quarter earnings call.

“In our efforts to continue providing transparency to our shareholders and analysts, we are releasing information in advance of our earnings announcement next week to ensure prior context for our third quarter results,” said Mark Moreland, chief financial officer, CBA. “While startup costs associated with the launch of Memphis operations had a negative impact on the stand-alone third quarter results, these costs were largely in line with our expectations, enabling us to reaffirm and tighten our full year 2014 guidance.”

With Memphis up and running smoothly, the CBA believes it now has the basis and clarity to confirm and narrow its 2014 guidance ranges as follows:

  • Depletion growth estimate of 7% to 9%.
  • Average price increases of approximately 1.5%.
  • Growth in contract brewing revenue of approximately 40%.
  • Gross margin rate of 29% to 30%.
  • SG&A expense of $52 million to $53 million.
  • Capital expenditures of approximately $16 million to $18 million.

“Beyond 2014, the addition of Memphis also allows us to further optimize our brewing and supply chain operations for the long term,” added CEO Andy Thomas. “As a result, we are reconfirming the high end of our long-term gross margin range and accelerating the timeframe by a full year, to 35% in 2017.”

Memphis brewing impact on Q3 earnings

Due to the efficient and successful launch of Memphis in July, CBA was able to balance production in the third quarter and meet shipping demands from buffer stock brewed during the second quarter to ensure adequate supply in the event Memphis experienced any initial challenges. This resulted in Q3 utilization rates that are slightly lower than typically seen in the third quarter and significantly lower than the third quarter of 2013 when CBA was responding to out-of-stock issues that surfaced during the summer of 2013. The company also realized incremental startup costs for initial shipments out of the Memphis brewery as a result of launching during peak selling season. The decreased production impact and shipment costs represent additional incremental earnings pressure of approximately $1.4 million, or $840,000 after tax, in the third quarter.

CBA will report full financial results for the third quarter on Nov. 5, with an earnings call for investors and shareholders on Nov. 6 at 11:30 a.m. EST.

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