LANCASTER COLONY CORP - Quarter Report: 2022 December (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


Form			10-Q

(Mark One)


☒			QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2022


☐			TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number 000-04065



Lancaster Colony Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Ohio		13-1955943
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

380 Polaris Parkway	Suite 400
Westerville	Ohio	43082
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)


(614)			224-7141
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class	Trading Symbol	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, without par value	LANC	NASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ý No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

☐

Non-accelerated filer

☐

Smaller reporting company

☐

Emerging growth company

☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ý

As of January 13, 2023, there were approximately 27,571,000 shares of Common Stock, without par value, outstanding.

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS




PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION		3

Item 1.	Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited):

	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022	3

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income – Three and Six Months Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021	4

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income – Three and Six Months Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021	5

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Six Months Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021	6

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity – Six Months Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021	7

	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	9

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	15

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	22

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	22

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION		24

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	24

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	24

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	24



Item 6.	Exhibits	24

SIGNATURES		26

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)


(Amounts in thousands, except share data)	December 31, 2022		June 30, 2022
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and equivalents	$	95,487	$	60,283
Receivables	126,919		135,496
Inventories:
Raw materials	57,795		56,460
Finished goods	81,618		88,242
Total inventories	139,413		144,702
Other current assets	11,817		11,300
Total current assets	373,636		351,781
Property, Plant and Equipment:


Property, plant and equipment-gross	833,871		785,629
Less accumulated depreciation	352,797		334,261
Property, plant and equipment-net	481,074		451,368
Other Assets:
Goodwill	208,371		208,371
Other intangible assets-net	31,066		32,323
Operating lease right-of-use assets	25,283		28,177
Other noncurrent assets	17,741		18,354
Total	$	1,137,171	$	1,090,374
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	131,688	$	114,972
Accrued liabilities	48,483		50,613
Total current liabilities	180,171		165,585
Noncurrent Operating Lease Liabilities	17,628		20,494
Other Noncurrent Liabilities	19,471		20,719
Deferred Income Taxes	40,351		38,889
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders’ Equity:
Preferred stock-authorized 3,050,000 shares; outstanding-none
Common stock-authorized 75,000,000 shares; outstanding-December-27,571,087 shares; June-27,520,237 shares	140,660		137,814
Retained earnings	1,517,081		1,485,045
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(10,982)		(11,172)
Common stock in treasury, at cost	(767,209)		(767,000)
Total shareholders’ equity	879,550		844,687
Total	$	1,137,171	$	1,090,374

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)


	Three Months Ended December 31,				Six Months Ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)	2022		2021		2022		2021
Net Sales	$	477,394	$	428,427	$	902,931	$	820,483
Cost of Sales	375,292		331,825		701,774		631,514
Gross Profit	102,102		96,602		201,157		188,969
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	50,775		51,538		100,532		103,394
Change in Contingent Consideration	—		(2,170)		—		(2,170)
Restructuring and Impairment Charges	—		1,928		—		1,928
Operating Income	51,327		45,306		100,625		85,817
Other, Net	478		111		208		131
Income Before Income Taxes	51,805		45,417		100,833		85,948
Taxes Based on Income	11,832		11,047		23,268		20,923





Net Income	$	39,973	$	34,370	$	77,565	$	65,025






Net Income Per Common Share:
Basic	$	1.45	$	1.25	$	2.82	$	2.36
Diluted	$	1.45	$	1.25	$	2.81	$	2.36



Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic	27,471		27,443		27,460		27,451
Diluted	27,493		27,464		27,476		27,490

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)


	Three Months Ended December 31,				Six Months Ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)	2022		2021		2022		2021
Net Income	$	39,973	$	34,370	$	77,565	$	65,025
Other Comprehensive Income:
Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans:
Amortization of loss, before tax	171		100		340		200
Amortization of prior service credit, before tax	(46)		(46)		(91)		(91)
Total Other Comprehensive Income, Before Tax	125		54		249		109
Tax Attributes of Items in Other Comprehensive Income:
Amortization of loss, tax	(40)		(24)		(80)		(47)
Amortization of prior service credit, tax	10		11		21		21
Total Tax Expense	(30)		(13)		(59)		(26)
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax	95		41		190		83
Comprehensive Income	$	40,068	$	34,411	$	77,755	$	65,108

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)


	Six Months Ended December 31,
(Amounts in thousands)	2022		2021
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income	$	77,565	$	65,025
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Impacts of noncash items:
Depreciation and amortization	23,012		22,844
Change in contingent consideration	—		(2,170)
Deferred income taxes and other changes	1,854		2,854
Stock-based compensation expense	5,264		4,863
Restructuring and impairment charges	—		1,928


Pension plan activity	(330)		(274)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables	8,577		(6,872)
Inventories	5,289		(33,290)
Other current assets	(517)		(892)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	19,726		(12,036)
Net cash provided by operating activities	140,440		41,980
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Payments for property additions	(56,486)		(66,695)

Proceeds from sale of property	1,159		221

Other-net	(449)		(134)
Net cash used in investing activities	(55,776)		(66,608)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Payment of dividends	(45,529)		(42,710)
Purchase of treasury stock	(209)		(5,338)
Tax withholdings for stock-based compensation	(2,418)		(61)

Principal payments for finance leases	(1,304)		(1,307)
Net cash used in financing activities	(49,460)		(49,416)




Net change in cash and equivalents	35,204		(74,044)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year	60,283		188,055
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$	95,487	$	114,011
Supplemental Disclosure of Operating Cash Flows:
Net cash payments for income taxes	$	22,977	$	16,593

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)


	Six Months Ended December 31, 2022
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)	Common Stock Outstanding			Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		Treasury Stock		Total Shareholders’ Equity
	Shares	Amount
Balance, June 30, 2022	27,520	$	137,814	$	1,485,045	$	(11,172)	$	(767,000)	$	844,687
Net income				37,592						37,592
Net pension and postretirement benefit gains, net of $29 tax effect						95				95
Cash dividends - common stock ($0.80 per share)				(22,067)						(22,067)
Purchase of treasury stock	—							(84)		(84)
Stock-based plans	34	(617)								(617)
Stock-based compensation expense		2,465								2,465
Balance, September 30, 2022	27,554	$	139,662	$	1,500,570	$	(11,077)	$	(767,084)	$	862,071
Net income				39,973						39,973
Net pension and postretirement benefit gains, net of $30 tax effect						95				95
Cash dividends - common stock ($0.85 per share)				(23,462)						(23,462)
Purchase of treasury stock	(1)							(125)		(125)
Stock-based plans	18	(1,801)								(1,801)
Stock-based compensation expense		2,799								2,799
Balance, December 31, 2022	27,571	$	140,660	$	1,517,081	$	(10,982)	$	(767,209)	$	879,550

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)

(UNAUDITED)


	Six Months Ended December 31, 2021
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)	Common Stock Outstanding			Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		Treasury Stock		Total Shareholders’ Equity
	Shares	Amount
Balance, June 30, 2021	27,531	$	128,617	$	1,482,220	$	(8,253)	$	(759,437)	$	843,147
Net income				30,655						30,655
Net pension and postretirement benefit gains, net of $13 tax effect						42				42
Cash dividends - common stock ($0.75 per share)				(20,675)						(20,675)
Purchase of treasury stock	(30)							(5,329)		(5,329)
Stock-based plans	29	(59)								(59)
Stock-based compensation expense		2,274								2,274
Balance, September 30, 2021	27,530	$	130,832	$	1,492,200	$	(8,211)	$	(764,766)	$	850,055
Net income				34,370						34,370
Net pension and postretirement benefit gains, net of $13 tax effect						41				41
Cash dividends - common stock ($0.80 per share)				(22,035)						(22,035)
Purchase of treasury stock	—							(9)		(9)
Stock-based plans	4	(2)								(2)
Stock-based compensation expense		2,589								2,589
Balance, December 31, 2021	27,534	$	133,419	$	1,504,535	$	(8,170)	$	(764,775)	$	865,009

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lancaster Colony Corporation and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, collectively referred to as “we,” “us,” “our,” “registrant” or the “Company” and have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and SEC Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In our opinion, the interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations and financial position for such periods. All such adjustments reflected in the interim condensed consolidated financial statements are considered to be of a normal recurring nature. Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. Accordingly, these condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Unless otherwise noted, the term “year” and references to a particular year pertain to our fiscal year, which begins on July 1 and ends on June 30; for example, 2023 refers to fiscal 2023, which is the period from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, except for those acquired as part of a business combination, which are recorded at fair value at the time of purchase. We use the straight-line method of computing depreciation for financial reporting purposes based on the estimated useful lives of the corresponding assets. Purchases of property, plant and equipment included in Accounts Payable and excluded from the property additions and the change in accounts payable in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows were as follows:


	December 31,
	2022		2021
Construction in progress in Accounts Payable	$	15,062	$	26,080

Accrued Distribution

Accrued distribution included in Accrued Liabilities was $10.3 million and $11.9 million at December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, respectively.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents (restricted stock, stock-settled stock appreciation rights and performance units) outstanding during each period. Unvested shares of restricted stock granted to employees are considered participating securities since employees receive nonforfeitable dividends prior to vesting and, therefore, are included in the earnings allocation in computing EPS under the two-class method. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, which includes the dilutive potential common shares associated with nonparticipating restricted stock, stock-settled stock appreciation rights and performance units.

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Basic and diluted net income per common share were calculated as follows:


	Three Months Ended December 31,				Six Months Ended December 31,
	2022		2021		2022		2021
Net income	$	39,973	$	34,370	$	77,565	$	65,025
Net income available to participating securities	(118)		(98)		(232)		(185)
Net income available to common shareholders	$	39,855	$	34,272	$	77,333	$	64,840

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic	27,471		27,443		27,460		27,451
Incremental share effect from:
Nonparticipating restricted stock	2		2		3		3
Stock-settled stock appreciation rights (1)	18		19		9		34
Performance units	2		—		4		2
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted	27,493		27,464		27,476		27,490

Net income per common share – basic	$	1.45	$	1.25	$	2.82	$	2.36
Net income per common share – diluted	$	1.45	$	1.25	$	2.81	$	2.36

(1)Excludes the impact of the following weighted average stock-settled stock appreciation rights outstanding with an antidilutive effect: 0.1 million and 0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively; and 0.2 million for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table presents the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component:


	Three Months Ended December 31,				Six Months Ended December 31,
	2022		2021		2022		2021
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at beginning of period	$	(11,077)	$	(8,211)	$	(11,172)	$	(8,253)
Defined Benefit Pension Plan Items:
Amortization of unrecognized net loss	182		107		363		214
Postretirement Benefit Plan Items:
Amortization of unrecognized net gain	(11)		(7)		(23)		(14)
Amortization of prior service credit	(46)		(46)		(91)		(91)
Total other comprehensive income, before tax	125		54		249		109
Total tax expense	(30)		(13)		(59)		(26)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	95		41		190		83

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of period	$	(10,982)	$	(8,170)	$	(10,982)	$	(8,170)

Significant Accounting Policies

There were no changes to our Significant Accounting Policies from those disclosed in our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Recent Accounting Standards

There are no recently issued or adopted accounting standards that will impact our consolidated financial statements.

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Note 2 – Fair Value

Fair value is defined as the exit price, or the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. GAAP sets forth a three-level fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The three levels are as follows:

Level 1 – defined as observable inputs, such as quoted market prices in active markets.

Level 2 – defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable.

Level 3 – defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore, requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

Our financial assets and liabilities subject to the three-level fair value hierarchy consist principally of cash and equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and defined benefit pension plan assets. The estimated fair value of cash and equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximates their carrying value.

Bantam Contingent Consideration

Contingent consideration resulted from the earn-out associated with our October 19, 2018 acquisition of Bantam Bagels, LLC (“Bantam”). In general, the terms of the acquisition specified the sellers could receive an earn-out based upon a pre-determined multiple of the defined adjusted EBITDA of Bantam for the twelve months ending December 31, 2023. The initial fair value of the contingent consideration was determined to be $8.0 million. Prior to exiting the Bantam business near the end of fiscal 2022, the fair value was measured on a recurring basis using a Monte Carlo simulation that randomly changed revenue growth, forecasted adjusted EBITDA and other uncertain variables to estimate an expected value. We recorded the present value of these amounts by applying a discount rate. As these fair value measurements were based on significant inputs not observable in the market, they represented Level 3 measurements within the fair value hierarchy. Our fair value measurement at December 31, 2021 resulted in a $2.2 million reduction in the fair value of Bantam’s contingent consideration. The fair value of the contingent consideration was written down to zero at March 31, 2022.

The following table represents our Level 3 fair value measurements using significant other unobservable inputs for Bantam’s contingent consideration:


	Three Months Ended December 31,				Six Months Ended December 31,
	2022		2021		2022		2021
Contingent consideration at beginning of period	$	—	$	3,470	$	—	$	3,470

Change in contingent consideration included in operating income	—		(2,170)		—		(2,170)
Contingent consideration at end of period	$	—	$	1,300	$	—	$	1,300

Note 3 – Long-Term Debt

At December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, we had an unsecured credit facility (“Facility”) under which we could borrow, on a revolving credit basis, up to a maximum of $150 million at any one time, with potential to expand the total credit availability to $225 million based on consent of the issuing banks and certain other conditions. The Facility expires on March 19, 2025, and all outstanding amounts are then due and payable. The Facility was amended on December 13, 2022 to reflect a change in the calculation of the variable interest rate from formulas tied to LIBOR to formulas tied to SOFR or an alternate base rate as defined in the Facility. In the event SOFR becomes unavailable or is no longer deemed an appropriate reference rate, the Facility allows for the use of a benchmark replacement rate. We must also pay facility fees that are tied to our then-applicable consolidated leverage ratio. Loans may be used for general corporate purposes. Due to the nature of its terms, when we have outstanding borrowings under the Facility, they will be classified as long-term debt.

The Facility contains certain restrictive covenants, including limitations on indebtedness, asset sales and acquisitions. There are two principal financial covenants: an interest expense test that requires us to maintain an interest coverage ratio not less than 2.5 to 1 at the end of each fiscal quarter; and an indebtedness test that requires us to maintain a consolidated leverage ratio not greater than 3.5 to 1, subject to certain exceptions. The interest coverage ratio is calculated by dividing Consolidated EBIT by Consolidated Interest Expense, and the leverage ratio is calculated by dividing Consolidated Net Debt by Consolidated EBITDA. All financial terms used in the covenant calculations are defined more specifically in the Facility.

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)

At December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, we had no borrowings outstanding under the Facility. At December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, we had $2.8 million of standby letters of credit outstanding, which reduced the amount available for borrowing under the Facility. We paid no interest for the three and six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.

Note 4 – Commitments and Contingencies

At December 31, 2022, we were a party to various claims and litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Such matters did not have a material effect on the current-year results of operations and, in our opinion, their ultimate disposition is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Note 5 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill attributable to the Retail and Foodservice segments was $157.4 million and $51.0 million, respectively, at December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022.

The following table summarizes our identifiable other intangible assets:


	December 31, 2022		June 30, 2022


Tradenames (20 to 30-year life)
Gross carrying value	$	37,100	$	37,100
Accumulated amortization	(9,052)		(8,385)
Net carrying value	$	28,048	$	28,715




Customer Relationships (10 to 15-year life)
Gross carrying value	$	5,287	$	14,207
Accumulated amortization	(4,076)		(12,727)
Net carrying value	$	1,211	$	1,480
Technology / Know-how (10-year life)
Gross carrying value	$	6,350	$	6,350
Accumulated amortization	(4,543)		(4,222)
Net carrying value	$	1,807	$	2,128




Total net carrying value	$	31,066	$	32,323

In the three months ended December 31, 2021, we recorded an impairment charge of $0.9 million related to Bantam’s Retail customer relationships intangible asset, which reflected lower projected cash flows for Bantam’s Retail business. The impairment charge represented the excess of the carrying value over the fair value of estimated discounted cash flows for the remaining useful life of the intangible asset. As this fair value measurement was based on significant inputs not observable in the market, it represented a Level 3 measurement within the fair value hierarchy. The impairment charge was reflected in Restructuring and Impairment Charges and was recorded in our Retail segment.

Amortization expense for our other intangible assets, which is reflected in Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, was as follows:


	Three Months Ended December 31,				Six Months Ended December 31,
	2022		2021		2022		2021
Amortization expense	$	628	$	1,260	$	1,257	$	2,401

Total annual amortization expense for each of the next five years is estimated to be as follows:



2024	$	2,514
2025	$	2,212
2026	$	1,610
2027	$	1,426
2028	$	1,334

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Note 6 – Income Taxes

Prepaid federal income taxes of $2.3 million were included in Other Current Assets at December 31, 2022. Prepaid state and local income taxes of $0.8 million and $1.9 million were included in Other Current Assets at December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, respectively.

Note 7 – Business Segment Information

Our financial results are presented as two reportable segments: Retail and Foodservice. Costs that are directly attributable to either Retail or Foodservice are charged directly to the appropriate segment. Costs that are deemed to be indirect, excluding corporate expenses and other unusual significant transactions, are allocated to the two reportable segments using a reasonable methodology that is consistently applied.

Retail - The vast majority of the products we sell in the Retail segment are sold through sales personnel, food brokers and distributors in the United States. We have placement of products in grocery produce departments through our refrigerated salad dressings, vegetable dips and fruit dips. Our flatbread products and sprouted grain bakery products are generally placed in the specialty bakery/deli section of the grocery store. We also have products typically marketed in the shelf-stable section of the grocery store, which include salad dressings, slaw dressing, sauces and croutons. Within the frozen food section of the grocery store, we sell yeast rolls and garlic breads.

Foodservice - The vast majority of the products we sell in the Foodservice segment are sold through sales personnel, food brokers and distributors in the United States. Most of the products we sell in the Foodservice segment are custom-formulated and include salad dressings, sandwich and dipping sauces, frozen breads and yeast rolls. The majority of our Foodservice sales are products sold under private label to restaurants. We also manufacture and sell various branded Foodservice products to distributors.

As many of our products are similar between our two segments, our procurement, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution activities are substantially integrated across our operations in order to maximize efficiency and productivity. Consequently, we do not prepare, and our Chief Operating Decision Maker does not review, separate balance sheets for the reportable segments. As such, our external reporting does not include the presentation of identifiable assets by reportable segment. The composition of our identifiable assets at December 31, 2022 is generally consistent with that of June 30, 2022.

We evaluate our Retail and Foodservice segments based on net sales and operating income which follow:


	Three Months Ended December 31,				Six Months Ended December 31,
	2022		2021		2022		2021
Net Sales
Retail	$	258,763	$	245,085	$	481,979	$	468,974
Foodservice	218,631		183,342		420,952		351,509
Total	$	477,394	$	428,427	$	902,931	$	820,483
Operating Income
Retail	$	49,352	$	49,606	$	92,252	$	97,784
Foodservice	26,696		18,309		58,625		34,134
Nonallocated Restructuring and Impairment Charges (1)	—		(1,026)		—		(1,026)
Corporate Expenses	(24,721)		(21,583)		(50,252)		(45,075)
Total	$	51,327	$	45,306	$	100,625	$	85,817

(1)Reflects restructuring and impairment charges related to a facility closure, which were not allocated to our two reportable segments due to their unusual nature.

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)

The following table sets forth net sales disaggregated by class of similar products for the Retail and Foodservice segments:


	Three Months Ended December 31,				Six Months Ended December 31,
	2022		2021		2022		2021
Retail
Shelf-stable dressings, sauces and croutons	$	94,711	$	87,334	$	185,749	$	177,861
Frozen breads	117,424		110,379		190,282		185,098
Refrigerated dressings, dips and other	46,628		47,372		105,948		106,015
Total Retail net sales	$	258,763	$	245,085	$	481,979	$	468,974
Foodservice
Dressings and sauces	$	160,855	$	136,038	$	311,915	$	260,797
Frozen breads and other	57,776		47,304		109,037		90,712

Total Foodservice net sales	$	218,631	$	183,342	$	420,952	$	351,509
Total net sales	$	477,394	$	428,427	$	902,931	$	820,483

The following table provides an additional disaggregation of Foodservice net sales by type of customer:


	Three Months Ended December 31,				Six Months Ended December 31,
	2022		2021		2022		2021
Foodservice
National accounts	$	171,814	$	141,753	$	332,006	$	267,881
Branded and other	46,817		41,589		88,946		83,628

Total Foodservice net sales	$	218,631	$	183,342	$	420,952	$	351,509

Note 8 – Stock-Based Compensation

There have been no changes to our stock-based compensation plan as disclosed in our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Our stock-settled stock appreciation rights (“SSSARs”) compensation expense was $0.7 million and $1.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Year-to-date SSSARs compensation expense was $1.4 million for the current-year period compared to $2.0 million for the prior-year period. At December 31, 2022, there was $1.8 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to SSSARs that we will recognize over a weighted-average period of 1 year.

Our restricted stock compensation expense was $1.5 million and $1.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Year-to-date restricted stock compensation expense was $2.8 million for the current-year period compared to $2.4 million for the prior-year period. At December 31, 2022, there was $7.9 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock that we will recognize over a weighted-average period of 2 years.

Our performance units compensation expense was $0.6 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Year-to-date performance units compensation expense was $1.1 million for the current-year period compared to $0.5 million for the prior-year period. At December 31, 2022, there was $5.6 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to performance units that we will recognize over a weighted-average period of 2 years.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Our fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30. Unless otherwise noted, references to “year” pertain to our fiscal year; for example, 2023 refers to fiscal 2023, which is the period from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, all included elsewhere in this report, and our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The forward-looking statements in this section and other parts of this report involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, including statements regarding our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, and financial performance. Our actual results could differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements due to these factors. For more information, see the section below entitled “Forward-Looking Statements.”

OVERVIEW

Business Overview

Lancaster Colony Corporation is a manufacturer and marketer of specialty food products for the retail and foodservice channels.

Over 95% of our products are sold in the United States. Foreign operations and export sales have not been significant in the past and are not expected to be significant in the future based upon existing operations. We do not have any fixed assets located outside of the United States.

Our business has the potential to achieve future growth in sales and profitability due to attributes such as:

•leading Retail market positions in several product categories with a high-quality perception;

•recognized innovation in Retail products;

•a broad customer base in both Retail and Foodservice accounts;

•well-regarded culinary expertise among Foodservice customers;

•recognized leadership in Foodservice product development;

•experience in integrating complementary business acquisitions; and

•historically strong cash flow generation that supports growth opportunities.

Our goal is to grow both Retail and Foodservice segment sales over time by:

•introducing new products and expanding distribution;

•leveraging the strength of our Retail brands to increase current product sales;

•expanding Retail growth through strategic licensing agreements;

•continuing to rely upon the strength of our reputation in Foodservice product development and quality; and

•acquiring complementary businesses.

With respect to long-term growth, we continually evaluate the future opportunities and needs for our business specific to our plant infrastructure, IT platforms and other initiatives to support and strengthen our operations. Recent examples of resulting investments include:

•a significant capacity expansion project for our Marzetti dressing and sauce facility in Horse Cave, Kentucky that commenced commercial production in December 2022;

•a capacity expansion project for one of our Marzetti dressing and sauce facilities in Columbus, Ohio that was completed in January 2022;

•a significant infrastructure improvement and capacity expansion project for our frozen pasta facility in Altoona, Iowa that was completed in March 2022; and

•the establishment of a Transformation Program Office in 2019 that serves to coordinate our various capital and integration efforts, including our enterprise resource planning system (“ERP”) project and related initiatives, Project Ascent, that is currently in the implementation phase.

Project Ascent commenced in late 2019 and entails the replacement of our primary customer and manufacturing transactional systems, warehousing systems, and financial systems with an integrated SAP S/4HANA system. Implementation of this system began in July 2022 and will continue throughout fiscal 2023. Customer fulfillment levels remained strong before and after the system cutover with no unplanned disruptions in receiving orders, producing products or shipping orders. We remain on schedule to complete the planned implementation of Project Ascent in fiscal 2024.

Post implementation, Project Ascent will evolve into an on-going Center of Excellence (“COE”) that will provide oversight for all future upgrades of the S/4HANA environment, evaluation of future software needs to support the business, acquisition integration support and master data standards. Most of the on-going COE costs are expected to consist of consulting and professional fees, as well as wages and benefits.

BUSINESS TRENDS

Dating back to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the effects of COVID-19 on consumer behavior have impacted the relative demand for our Retail and Foodservice products. More specifically, beginning in March 2020, consumer demand shifted towards increased at-home food consumption and away from in-restaurant dining. Over the course of the following two years, while this shift in demand was inconsistent and volatile, on balance it positively impacted our Retail segment sales volumes and negatively impacted our Foodservice segment sales volumes. From an operations standpoint, the shift in demand over the two-year period, combined with other COVID-19-related issues, unfavorably impacted the operating results of both our segments. These issues included higher hourly wage rates paid to our front-line employees, increased costs for personal protective equipment, higher expenditures attributed to incremental co-manufacturing volumes, increased complexity and uncertainty in production planning and forecasting, and overall lower levels of efficiency in our production and distribution network. Beginning near the end of 2022, the volatility and shifts in demand between our Retail and Foodservice products subsided and our operating environment became more predictable and stable.

The inflationary cost environment we experienced during 2022 resulted in significantly higher input costs for our business. During 2022, we endured unprecedented inflationary costs for commodities, particularly soybean oil and flour, in addition to notably higher costs for packaging, freight and warehousing, and labor. This cost inflation was attributed to numerous factors such as the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, climate and weather conditions, supply chain disruptions, including some raw material and packaging shortages, a tight labor market, and government policy decisions. We continued to experience significant cost inflation through the first half of 2023, particularly for soybean oil, eggs and flour.

RESULTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS


(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)	Three Months Ended December 31,										Six Months Ended December 31,
	2022			2021			Change				2022			2021			Change
Net Sales	$	477,394		$	428,427		$	48,967	11	%	$	902,931		$	820,483		$	82,448	10	%
Cost of Sales	375,292			331,825			43,467		13	%	701,774			631,514			70,260		11	%
Gross Profit	102,102			96,602			5,500		6	%	201,157			188,969			12,188		6	%
Gross Margin	21.4		%	22.5		%					22.3		%	23.0		%
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	50,775			51,538			(763)		(1)	%	100,532			103,394			(2,862)		(3)	%
Change in Contingent Consideration	—			(2,170)			2,170		(100)	%	—			(2,170)			2,170		(100)	%
Restructuring and Impairment Charges	—			1,928			(1,928)		(100)	%	—			1,928			(1,928)		(100)	%
Operating Income	51,327			45,306			6,021		13	%	100,625			85,817			14,808		17	%
Operating Margin	10.8		%	10.6		%					11.1		%	10.5		%
Other, Net	478			111			367		331	%	208			131			77		59	%
Income Before Income Taxes	51,805			45,417			6,388		14	%	100,833			85,948			14,885		17	%
Taxes Based on Income	11,832			11,047			785		7	%	23,268			20,923			2,345		11	%
Effective Tax Rate	22.8		%	24.3		%					23.1		%	24.3		%
Net Income	$	39,973		$	34,370		$	5,603	16	%	$	77,565		$	65,025		$	12,540	19	%
Diluted Net Income Per Common Share	$	1.45		$	1.25		$	0.20	16	%	$	2.81		$	2.36		$	0.45	19	%

Net Sales

Consolidated net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2022 increased 11% to a second quarter record $477.4 million versus $428.4 million last year, reflecting higher net sales for both the Retail and Foodservice segments driven by pricing to offset inflationary costs. Consolidated sales volumes, measured in pounds shipped, decreased 4% for the three months ended December 31, 2022. In the prior-year quarter ended December 31, 2021, consolidated sales volumes increased 6%.

Consolidated net sales for the six months ended December 31, 2022 increased 10% to $902.9 million versus $820.5 million last year, reflecting higher net sales for both the Retail and Foodservice segments driven by pricing to offset inflationary costs. Sales in the current year were unfavorably impacted by the advance ordering that occurred near the end of fiscal 2022 ahead of our ERP go-live that commenced on July 1. Consolidated sales volumes, measured in pounds shipped, decreased 7% for the six months ended December 31, 2022. In the prior year, consolidated sales volumes increased 5% for the six months ended December 31, 2021.

See discussion of net sales by segment following the discussion of “Earnings Per Share” below.

Gross Profit

Consolidated gross profit for the three months ended December 31, 2022 increased $5.5 million to $102.1 million as our pricing actions effectively offset the significant inflationary costs we have experienced for commodities, packaging, labor, freight and warehousing. The higher gross profit also reflects improved manufacturing efficiencies and a more stable operating environment.

Consolidated gross profit for the six months ended December 31, 2022 increased $12.2 million to $201.2 million as influenced by the pricing actions we have taken to offset significant inflationary costs. Gross profit also benefited from a more stable operating environment and our actions taken to exit less profitable product lines and reduce headcount.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses


	Three Months Ended December 31,								Six Months Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2022		2021		Change				2022		2021		Change
SG&A Expenses - Excluding Project Ascent	$	43,324	$	42,945	$	379	1	%	$	83,862	$	85,372	$	(1,510)	(2)	%
Project Ascent Expenses	7,451		8,593		(1,142)		(13)	%	16,670		18,022		(1,352)		(8)	%
Total SG&A Expenses	$	50,775	$	51,538	$	(763)	(1)	%	$	100,532	$	103,394	$	(2,862)	(3)	%

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2022 decreased 1% to $50.8 million compared to $51.5 million in the prior-year period. This decline was driven by lower professional fees, reduced levels of consumer promotions and decreased expenditures for Project Ascent, our ERP initiative. These reduced costs were partially offset by increased investments in personnel and IT. Project Ascent costs totaled $7.5 million in the current-year quarter versus $8.6 million last year.

SG&A expenses for the six months ended December 31, 2022 decreased 3% to $100.5 million compared to $103.4 million in the prior year. This decline reflects lower levels of consumer promotions, a decrease in professional fees and a reduction in expenditures for Project Ascent, as partially offset by increased investments in personnel and IT. Project Ascent expenses decreased $1.4 million to $16.7 million.

Project Ascent expenses are included within Corporate Expenses. A portion of the costs that have been classified as Project Ascent expenses represent ongoing costs that will continue subsequent to the completion of our ERP implementation.

Change in Contingent Consideration

In the prior year, the change in contingent consideration resulted in a benefit of $2.2 million for the three and six months ended December 31, 2021. This benefit was attributed to a reduction in the fair value of the contingent consideration liability for Bantam Bagels, LLC (“Bantam”) based on our December 31, 2021 fair value measurement. We recorded $1.3 million of this adjustment in our Foodservice segment and $0.9 million in our Retail segment. The fair value of this contingent consideration was written down to zero at March 31, 2022. We ultimately exited the Bantam business near the end of fiscal 2022. See further discussion in Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Restructuring and Impairment Charges

In the prior-year quarter ended December 31, 2021, we committed to a plan to close our frozen garlic bread facility in Baldwin Park, California in support of our ongoing efforts to better optimize our manufacturing network. The operations of this facility were not classified as discontinued operations as the closure did not represent a strategic shift that would have a major effect on our operations or financial results. For the three and six months ended December 31, 2021, we recorded restructuring and impairment charges of $1.0 million, which consisted of one-time termination benefits and impairment charges for fixed assets and the operating lease right-of-use asset. These charges were not allocated to our two reportable segments due to their unusual nature.

In the prior year, we also recorded an impairment charge of $0.9 million for the three and six months ended December 31, 2021 related to Bantam’s Retail customer relationships intangible asset, which reflected lower projected cash flows for Bantam’s Retail business. This impairment charge was reflected in our Retail segment.

Operating Income

Operating income increased $6.0 million to $51.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022 driven by the increase in gross profit as our pricing actions served to offset the significant inflationary costs we have experienced for commodities, packaging, labor, freight and warehousing. Operating income also benefited from improved manufacturing efficiencies, a more stable operating environment and a decline in SG&A expenditures.

Operating income increased $14.8 million to $100.6 million for the six months ended December 31, 2022 driven by the same factors noted for the three months ended December 31, 2022.

See discussion of operating results by segment following the discussion of “Earnings Per Share” below.

Taxes Based on Income

Our effective tax rate was 23.1% and 24.3% for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. For the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, our effective tax rate varied from the statutory federal income tax rate as a result of the following factors:


	Six Months Ended December 31,
	2022		2021
Statutory rate	21.0	%	21.0	%
State and local income taxes	2.4		3.3
Net windfall tax benefits - stock-based compensation	(0.4)		—
Other	0.1		—
Effective rate	23.1	%	24.3	%

We include the tax consequences related to stock-based compensation within the computation of income tax expense. We may experience increased volatility to our income tax expense and resulting net income dependent upon, among other variables, the price of our common stock and the timing and volume of share-based payment award activity such as employee exercises of stock-settled stock appreciation rights and vesting of restricted stock awards. For the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the impact of net windfall tax benefits from stock-based compensation reduced our effective tax rate by 0.4% and less than 0.1%, respectively.

Earnings Per Share

As influenced by the factors discussed above, diluted net income per share for the second quarter of 2023 totaled $1.45, as compared to $1.25 per diluted share in the prior year. Expenditures for Project Ascent reduced diluted earnings per share by $0.21 and $0.24 for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. For the three months ended December 31, 2021, the adjustment to Bantam’s contingent consideration increased diluted earnings per share by $0.06 while restructuring and impairment charges had an unfavorable impact of $0.05 per diluted share.

For the six months ended December 31, 2022, diluted net income per share totaled $2.81, as compared to $2.36 per diluted share in the prior year. For the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, expenditures for Project Ascent reduced diluted earnings per share by $0.47 and $0.50, respectively. For the six months ended December 31, 2021, the adjustment to Bantam’s contingent consideration increased diluted earnings per share by $0.06 while restructuring and impairment charges had an unfavorable impact of $0.05 per diluted share.

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding have remained relatively stable for the current and prior-year periods ended December 31.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - SEGMENTS

Retail Segment


	Three Months Ended December 31,										Six Months Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2022			2021			Change				2022			2021			Change
Net Sales	$	258,763		$	245,085		$	13,678	6	%	$	481,979		$	468,974		$	13,005	3	%
Operating Income	$	49,352		$	49,606		$	(254)	(1)	%	$	92,252		$	97,784		$	(5,532)	(6)	%
Operating Margin	19.1		%	20.2		%					19.1		%	20.9		%

For the three months ended December 31, 2022, Retail segment net sales increased 6% to $258.8 million from the prior-year total of $245.1 million, including the favorable impact of inflationary pricing. Key contributors to the increase in Retail segment net sales included New York BRAND Bakery® frozen garlic bread and our licensing program, driven by sales gains for Buffalo Wild Wings® sauces and the recently launched Arby’s® Horsey Sauce® and Arby’s Sauce® products. Retail segment sales volumes, measured in pounds shipped, decreased 4% primarily due to price elasticity. Retail segment sales volumes in the current year were also unfavorably impacted by our decision to exit less profitable product lines during 2022 including some private label dressings and Mamma Bella® frozen garlic bread. In the prior-year quarter ended December 31, 2021, Retail sales volumes increased 4%.

For the six months ended December 31, 2022, Retail segment net sales increased 3% to $482.0 million compared to the prior-year total of $469.0 million, including the favorable impact of inflationary pricing. Sales in the current year were unfavorably impacted by advance orders accounting for an estimated $11 million in Retail net sales that were made near the end of fiscal 2022 ahead of our ERP go-live, which commenced on July 1. Retail segment sales volumes, measured in pounds shipped, declined 9%. Sales volumes were unfavorably impacted by the advance ordering ahead of our ERP go-live, price elasticity and the product line rationalizations. In the six months ended December 31, 2021, Retail sales volumes increased 7%.

For the three months ended December 31, 2022, Retail segment operating income decreased 1% to $49.4 million. Although our pricing actions served to offset significant cost inflation and spending on consumer promotions was lower, segment operating income was unfavorably impacted by the lower sales volumes and reduced production volumes resulting in reduced overhead recovery.

For the six months ended December 31, 2022, Retail segment operating income decreased 6% to $92.3 million driven by the same factors noted for the three months ended December 31, 2022.

Foodservice Segment


	Three Months Ended December 31,										Six Months Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2022			2021			Change				2022			2021			Change
Net Sales	$	218,631		$	183,342		$	35,289	19	%	$	420,952		$	351,509		$	69,443	20	%
Operating Income	$	26,696		$	18,309		$	8,387	46	%	$	58,625		$	34,134		$	24,491	72	%
Operating Margin	12.2		%	10.0		%					13.9		%	9.7		%

For the three months ended December 31, 2022, Foodservice segment net sales grew 19% to $218.6 million compared to $183.3 million in the prior-year period driven by inflationary pricing and volume gains from certain quick-service restaurant customers in our mix of national chain restaurant accounts. Foodservice segment sales volume, measured in pounds shipped, decreased 5% as impacted by our decision to exit some less profitable SKUs during fiscal 2022. In the prior-year quarter ended December 31, 2021, Foodservice sales volumes increased 7%.

For the six months ended December 31, 2022, Foodservice segment net sales increased 20% to $421.0 million from the prior-year total of $351.5 million driven by inflationary pricing and volume gains from certain quick-service restaurant customers in our mix of national chain restaurant accounts. Sales in the current year were unfavorably impacted by the advance ordering that occurred near the end of fiscal 2022 ahead of our ERP go-live, which reduced Foodservice net sales in the current-year period by an estimated $14 million. Foodservice segment sales volumes, measured in pounds shipped, decreased 6%. Sales volumes were unfavorably impacted by the advance ordering ahead of our ERP go-live and our decision to exit some less profitable SKUs during fiscal 2022. In the six months ended December 31, 2021, Foodservice sales volumes increased 5%.

For the three months ended December 31, 2022, Foodservice segment operating income increased 46% to $26.7 million as our pricing actions effectively offset inflationary costs, including last year’s shortfall. Foodservice operating income also benefited from a more favorable sales mix, our decision to discontinue some less profitable SKUs in fiscal 2022 and a more stable operating environment. The lower Foodservice segment operating income in the prior-year quarter reflected a lag in

pricing relative to inflationary costs, as partially offset by the $1.3 million benefit recorded to Foodservice from the adjustment to Bantam’s contingent consideration.

For the six months ended December 31, 2022, Foodservice segment operating income increased 72% to $58.6 million as our pricing actions effectively offset inflationary costs, including last year’s shortfall. Operating income in the current year also benefited from a more favorable sales mix, our decision to discontinue some less profitable SKUs and a more stable operating environment. Prior-year operating income was favorably impacted by the adjustment to Bantam’s contingent consideration.

Corporate Expenses

For the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, corporate expenses totaled $24.7 million and $21.6 million, respectively. This increase primarily reflects increased investments in personnel and IT, as partially offset by a decline in Project Ascent expenses. Expenditures for Project Ascent totaled $7.5 million and $8.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

For the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, corporate expenses totaled $50.3 million and $45.1 million, respectively. This increase reflects increased investments in personnel and IT, as partially offset by a decline in Project Ascent expenses. Expenditures for Project Ascent totaled $16.7 million and $18.0 million for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

LOOKING FORWARD

Looking forward to our fiscal third quarter, we anticipate our Retail sales volumes will benefit from the continued growth of our licensing program, but offsets from consumer demand elasticity will remain a headwind to sales volume growth. In Foodservice, we project sales volumes will continue to be impacted by our decision to exit some less profitable SKUs during fiscal 2022, but we do expect some continued benefit from the growth of select quick-service restaurant customers in our mix of national chain restaurant accounts. Both our Retail and Foodservice sales will also continue to benefit from our pricing actions.

Cost inflation will remain a headwind to our financial results in our fiscal third quarter, but the pricing actions we have implemented along with our cost savings initiatives are expected to offset the inflationary costs. The ramp up of the newly expanded section of our dressing and sauce facility in Horse Cave, Kentucky will continue through the third quarter, and we are now in the process of adding that facility to our new ERP system as part of the Wave 3 implementation phase of Project Ascent. We remain on schedule to complete the planned implementation of Project Ascent in fiscal 2024.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Cash Flows

For the six months ended December 31, 2022, net cash provided by operating activities totaled $140.4 million, as compared to $42.0 million in the prior-year period. This increase was primarily due to the year-over-year changes in net working capital, particularly inventories, receivables, accrued liabilities and accounts payable. Inventories primarily reflect the favorable comparison against a large prior-year increase in inventories, which resulted from higher commodity costs and overall elevated quantities on-hand to help service a less predictable demand environment. Receivables reflect the favorable impacts of a current-year decrease in receivables as well as a prior-year increase in receivables. The current-year decrease in receivables was due in part to an elevated level of receivables at the end of fiscal 2022 resulting from the advance ordering by our customers ahead of our ERP go-live. The prior-year increase in receivables resulted from higher sales levels. Accrued liabilities reflect the favorable comparison against a prior-year decline in the accruals for compensation and employee benefits. The favorable cash flow impact of higher accounts payable, as adjusted to exclude construction in progress amounts, was more pronounced in the current year, reflecting continued increases in commodity costs as well as the timing of payments. Higher net income also contributed to the increase in cash provided by operating activities.

Cash used in investing activities for the six months ended December 31, 2022 was $55.8 million, as compared to $66.6 million in the prior year. This decrease primarily reflects a lower level of payments for property additions in the current year. Current-year capital expenditures include spending on a capacity expansion project at our dressing and sauce facility in Horse Cave, Kentucky that commenced commercial production in December 2022. Notable prior-year capital expenditures included spending on: the Horse Cave capacity expansion project; a capacity expansion project for one of our Marzetti dressing and sauce facilities in Columbus, Ohio that was completed in January 2022; and infrastructure improvements and capacity expansion investments at our frozen pasta facility in Altoona, Iowa that were completed in March 2022.

Cash used in financing activities for the six months ended December 31, 2022 of $49.5 million was essentially flat as compared to the prior-year total of $49.4 million. Higher levels of dividend payments and tax withholdings for stock-based compensation were offset by a lower level of share repurchases.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Under our unsecured revolving credit facility (“Facility”), we may borrow up to a maximum of $150 million at any one time. We had no borrowings outstanding under the Facility at December 31, 2022. At December 31, 2022, we had $2.8 million of standby letters of credit outstanding, which reduced the amount available for borrowing under the Facility. The Facility expires in March 2025, and all outstanding amounts are then due and payable. Interest is variable based upon formulas tied to SOFR or an alternate base rate defined in the Facility. We must also pay facility fees that are tied to our then-applicable consolidated leverage ratio. Loans may be used for general corporate purposes. Due to the nature of its terms, when we have outstanding borrowings under the Facility, they will be classified as long-term debt.

The Facility contains certain restrictive covenants, including limitations on indebtedness, asset sales and acquisitions, and financial covenants relating to interest coverage and leverage. At December 31, 2022, we were in compliance with all applicable provisions and covenants of this facility, and we exceeded the requirements of the financial covenants by substantial margins. At December 31, 2022, there were no events that would constitute a default under this facility.

We currently expect to remain in compliance with the Facility’s covenants for the foreseeable future. However, a default under the Facility could accelerate the repayment of any then outstanding indebtedness and limit our access to $75 million of additional credit available under the Facility. Such an event could require a reduction in or curtailment of cash dividends or share repurchases, reduce or delay beneficial expansion or investment plans, or otherwise impact our ability to meet our obligations when due.

We believe that cash provided by operating activities and our existing balances in cash and equivalents, in addition to that available under the Facility, should be adequate to meet our liquidity needs over the next 12 months, including the projected levels of capital expenditures and dividend payments. If we were to borrow outside of the Facility under current market terms, our average interest rate may increase and have an adverse effect on our results of operations. Based on our current plans and expectations, we believe our capital expenditures for 2023 could total between $90 and $110 million, which includes approximately $50 million in expenditures attributed to the capacity expansion project at our dressing and sauce facility in Horse Cave, Kentucky that commenced commercial production in December 2022.

Beyond the next 12 months, we expect that cash provided by operating activities will be the primary source of liquidity. This source, combined with our existing balances in cash and equivalents and amounts available under the Facility, is expected to be sufficient to meet our overall cash requirements.

We have various contractual and other obligations that are appropriately recorded as liabilities in our condensed consolidated financial statements. Certain other contractual obligations are not recognized as liabilities in our condensed consolidated financial statements. Examples of such obligations are commitments to purchase raw materials or packaging inventory that has not yet been received as of December 31, 2022, as well as purchase orders and longer-term purchase arrangements related to the procurement of services, including IT service agreements, and property, plant and equipment. The majority of these obligations is expected to be due within one year.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

There have been no changes in critical accounting policies from those policies disclosed in our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Recent accounting pronouncements and their impact on our consolidated financial statements are disclosed in Note 1 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

We desire to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “PSLRA”). This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the PSLRA and other applicable securities laws. Such statements can be identified by the use of the forward-looking words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “expect,” “hope” or similar words. These statements discuss future expectations; contain projections regarding future developments, operations or financial conditions; or state other forward-looking information. Such statements are based upon assumptions and assessments made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe to be appropriate. These forward-looking statements involve various important risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ as a result of factors over which we have no, or limited, control including, without limitation, the specific influences outlined below. Management believes these forward-looking statements to be reasonable; however, one should not place undue reliance

on such statements that are based on current expectations. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update such forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Items which could impact these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

•inflationary pressures resulting in higher input costs;

•the reaction of customers or consumers to pricing actions we take to offset inflationary costs;

•the impact of customer store brands on our branded retail volumes;

•efficiencies in plant operations and our overall supply chain network;

•complexities related to the implementation of our new enterprise resource planning system;

•adverse changes in freight, energy or other costs of producing, distributing or transporting our products;

•fluctuations in the cost and availability of ingredients and packaging;

•dependence on contract manufacturers, distributors and freight transporters, including their operational capacity and financial strength in continuing to support our business;

•adequate supply of labor for our manufacturing facilities;

•stability of labor relations;

•dependence on key personnel and changes in key personnel;

•significant shifts in consumer demand and disruptions to our employees, communities, customers, supply chains, production planning, operations, and production processes resulting from the impacts of COVID-19 and other epidemics, pandemics or similar widespread public health concerns and disease outbreaks;

•cyber-security incidents, information technology disruptions, and data breaches;

•capacity constraints that may affect our ability to meet demand or may increase our costs;

•geopolitical events, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, that could create unforeseen business disruptions and impact the cost or availability of raw materials and energy;

•the potential for loss of larger programs, including licensing agreements, or key customer relationships;

•changes in demand for our products, which may result from loss of brand reputation or customer goodwill;

•price and product competition;

•the possible occurrence of product recalls or other defective or mislabeled product costs;

•the success and cost of new product development efforts;

•the lack of market acceptance of new products;

•the extent to which business acquisitions are completed and acceptably integrated;

•the ability to successfully grow acquired businesses;

•the effect of consolidation of customers within key market channels;

•maintenance of competitive position with respect to other manufacturers;

•the outcome of any litigation or arbitration;

•changes in estimates in critical accounting judgments;

•the impact of any regulatory matters affecting our food business, including any required labeling changes and their impact on consumer demand;

•the impact of fluctuations in our pension plan asset values on funding levels, contributions required and benefit costs; and

•certain other factors, including the information disclosed in our discussion of risk factors under Item 1A of our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our market risks have not changed materially from those disclosed in our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). Based upon this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2022 to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is 1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and 2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, in a manner that allows timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. During the first quarter of fiscal 2023, we began the implementation phase of Project Ascent, which entails the replacement of our primary customer and manufacturing transactional systems, warehousing systems, and financial systems with an integrated SAP S/4HANA ERP system.

Implementation will continue throughout fiscal 2023 as we integrate additional plants and warehouses into our new ERP network. We remain on schedule to complete the planned implementation of Project Ascent in fiscal 2024. We updated our internal controls, as necessary, to reflect the related changes in business processes. We do not expect this implementation will have an adverse effect on our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act). There were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are required to disclose certain environmental matters when a governmental authority is a party to the proceedings and such proceedings involve potential monetary sanctions that we reasonably believe will be in excess of an applied threshold not to exceed $1 million. We are using a threshold of $1 million as we believe this amount is reasonably designed to result in disclosure of such proceedings that are material to our business or financial condition. Applying this threshold, there are no environmental matters to disclose in this Form 10-Q.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed under Item 1A in our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(c) In November 2010, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase authorization of 2,000,000 common shares, of which 1,224,364 common shares remained authorized for future repurchases at December 31, 2022. This share repurchase authorization does not have a stated expiration date. In the second quarter, we made the following repurchases of our common stock:


Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans	Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans
October 1-31, 2022 (1)	167	$	177.65	167	1,224,845
November 1-30, 2022 (1)	51	$	204.46	51	1,224,794
December 1-31, 2022 (1)	430	$	197.30	430	1,224,364
Total	648	$	192.80	648	1,224,364

(1)Represents shares that were repurchased in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations arising from the vesting of restricted stock granted to employees under the Lancaster Colony Corporation 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

Item 6. Exhibits

See Index to Exhibits below.

INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit Number						Description

10.1(a)						Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated December 13, 2022, among Lancaster Colony Corporation, the Lenders and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent

31.1(a)						Certification of CEO under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2(a)						Certification of CFO under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32(b)						Certification of CEO and CFO under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.INS(a)						XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document

101.SCH(a)						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL(a)						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF(a)						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB(a)						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE(a)						Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document


Exhibit Number						Description

104(a)						The cover page of Lancaster Colony Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, formatted in Inline XBRL (included within Exhibit 101 attachments)

(a)						Filed herewith

(b)						Furnished herewith

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION

(Registrant)

Date:

February 2, 2023

By:

/s/ DAVID A. CIESINSKI

David A. Ciesinski

President, Chief Executive Officer

and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date:

February 2, 2023

By:

/s/ THOMAS K. PIGOTT

Thomas K. Pigott

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

and Assistant Secretary

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)