LIFECORE BIOMEDICAL, INC. \DE\ - Quarter Report: 2021 February (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||||
For the Fiscal Quarter Ended February 28, 2021, or
| ☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||||
For the Transition period for _________ to _________.
Commission file number: 0-27446
LANDEC CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 94-3025618 | ||||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (IRS Employer Identification Number) | ||||
2811 Airpark Drive | ||||||||
| Santa Maria, | California | 93455 | ||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||||||
(650) 306-1650
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
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, par value $0.001 per share | LNDC | The 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 ☒ 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 ☒ 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 | ☒ | Emerging Growth Company | ☐ | ||||||||||||
| Non Accelerated Filer | ☐ | Smaller Reporting 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 in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As of April 6, 2021, there were 29,332,832 shares of common stock outstanding.
LANDEC CORPORATION
FORM 10-Q
For the Fiscal Quarter Ended February 28, 2021
INDEX
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LANDEC CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except par value)
| February 28, 2021 | May 31, 2020 | ||||||||||
(unaudited) | |||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||
| Current Assets: | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 2,248 | $ | 360 | |||||||
| Accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses | 69,577 | 76,206 | |||||||||
| Inventories | 76,779 | 66,311 | |||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 14,323 | 14,230 | |||||||||
| Total Current Assets | 162,927 | 157,107 | |||||||||
| Investment in non-public company, fair value | 45,100 | 56,900 | |||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 168,693 | 192,338 | |||||||||
| Operating leases | 23,528 | 25,321 | |||||||||
| Goodwill | 69,386 | 69,386 | |||||||||
| Trademarks/tradenames, net | 25,328 | 25,328 | |||||||||
| Customer relationships, net | 11,288 | 12,777 | |||||||||
| Other assets | 3,573 | 2,156 | |||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 509,823 | $ | 541,313 | |||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||||||
| Current Liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 56,323 | $ | 51,647 | |||||||
| Accrued compensation | 11,218 | 9,034 | |||||||||
| Other accrued liabilities | 11,186 | 9,978 | |||||||||
| Current portion of lease liabilities | 4,027 | 4,423 | |||||||||
| Deferred revenue | 1,595 | 352 | |||||||||
| Line of credit | 41,000 | 77,400 | |||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt, net | — | 11,554 | |||||||||
| Total Current Liabilities | 125,349 | 164,388 | |||||||||
| Long-term debt, net | 145,051 | 101,363 | |||||||||
| Long-term lease liabilities | 24,430 | 26,378 | |||||||||
| Deferred taxes, net | 6,608 | 13,588 | |||||||||
| Other non-current liabilities | 3,761 | 4,552 | |||||||||
| Total Liabilities | 305,199 | 310,269 | |||||||||
| Stockholders’ Equity: | |||||||||||
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000 shares authorized; 29,323 and 29,224 shares issued and outstanding at February 28, 2021 and May 31, 2020, respectively | 29 | 29 | |||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 164,865 | 162,578 | |||||||||
| Retained earnings | 41,446 | 71,245 | |||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (1,716) | (2,808) | |||||||||
| Total Stockholders’ Equity | 204,624 | 231,044 | |||||||||
| Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | $ | 509,823 | $ | 541,313 | |||||||
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
-1-
LANDEC CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| February 28, 2021 | February 23, 2020 | February 28, 2021 | February 23, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 137,782 | $ | 152,928 | $ | 404,328 | $ | 434,235 | ||||||||||||||||
| 118,093 | 132,881 | 347,657 | 383,338 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Gross profit | 19,689 | 20,047 | 56,671 | 50,897 | |||||||||||||||||||
Operating costs and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Research and development | 2,562 | 2,747 | 7,643 | 8,390 | |||||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 15,220 | 18,783 | 49,227 | 54,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Legal settlement charge | — | — | 1,763 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring costs | 2,700 | 13,528 | 12,766 | 13,934 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total operating costs and expenses | 20,482 | 35,058 | 71,399 | 76,324 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating loss | (793) | (15,011) | (14,728) | (25,427) | |||||||||||||||||||
Dividend income | 281 | 281 | 844 | 843 | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest income | 13 | 46 | 31 | 96 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (4,178) | (2,211) | (10,326) | (6,455) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on debt refinancing | (1,110) | — | (1,110) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | 72 | 67 | (11,736) | 61 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss before tax | (5,715) | (16,828) | (37,025) | (30,882) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit | 217 | 5,310 | 7,226 | 7,840 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (5,498) | $ | (11,518) | $ | (29,799) | $ | (23,042) | |||||||||||||||
| Net loss per common share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | (0.19) | $ | (0.39) | $ | (1.02) | $ | (0.79) | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | (0.19) | $ | (0.39) | $ | (1.02) | $ | (0.79) | |||||||||||||||
| Shares used in per share computation: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 29,323 | 29,170 | 29,282 | 29,155 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | 29,323 | 29,170 | 29,282 | 29,155 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps (net of tax effect of $(99), $124, $(327), and $305) | $ | 387 | $ | (411) | $ | 1,092 | $ | (896) | |||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | 387 | (411) | 1,092 | (896) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total comprehensive loss | $ | (5,111) | $ | (11,929) | $ | (28,707) | $ | (23,938) | |||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
-2-
LANDEC CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
| Three and Nine Months Ended February 28, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional Paid-in Capital | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | Total Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at May 31, 2020 | 29,224 | $ | 29 | $ | 162,578 | $ | 71,245 | $ | (2,808) | $ | 231,044 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of stock under stock plans | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxes paid by Company for employee stock plans | — | — | (82) | — | — | (82) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | 892 | — | — | 892 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | (11,000) | — | (11,000) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income, net of tax | — | — | — | — | 304 | 304 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at August 30, 2020 | 29,242 | 29 | 163,388 | 60,245 | (2,504) | 221,158 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of stock under stock plans | 81 | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxes paid by Company for employee stock plans | — | — | (215) | — | — | (215) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | 895 | — | — | 895 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | (13,301) | — | (13,301) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income, net of tax | — | — | — | — | 401 | 401 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at November 29, 2020 | 29,323 | 29 | 164,068 | 46,944 | (2,103) | 208,938 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | 797 | — | — | 797 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | (5,498) | — | (5,498) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income, net of tax | — | — | — | — | 387 | 387 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at February 28, 2021 | 29,323 | $ | 29 | $ | 164,865 | $ | 41,446 | $ | (1,716) | $ | 204,624 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
-3-
| Three and Nine Months Ended February 23, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Additional Paid-in Capital | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Total Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at May 26, 2019 | 29,102 | $ | 29 | $ | 160,341 | $ | 109,710 | $ | 64 | $ | 270,144 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — | — | — | (274) | — | (274) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of stock under stock plans | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxes paid by Company for employee stock plans | — | — | (55) | — | — | (55) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | 528 | — | — | 528 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | (4,784) | — | (4,784) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss, net of tax | — | — | — | — | (612) | (612) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at August 25, 2019 | 29,146 | 29 | 160,814 | 104,652 | (548) | 264,947 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of stock under stock plans | 17 | — | 30 | — | — | 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxes paid by Company for employee stock plans | — | — | (75) | — | — | (75) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | 787 | — | — | 787 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | (6,740) | — | (6,740) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income, net of tax | — | — | — | — | 127 | 127 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at November 24, 2019 | 29,163 | 29 | 161,556 | 97,912 | (421) | 259,076 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of stock under stock plans | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taxes paid by Company for employee stock plans | — | — | (45) | — | — | (45) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | 566 | — | — | 566 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | (11,518) | — | (11,518) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss, net of tax | — | — | — | — | (411) | (411) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at February 23, 2020 | 29,182 | $ | 29 | $ | 162,077 | $ | 86,394 | $ | (832) | $ | 247,668 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
-4-
LANDEC CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
| Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||
| February 28, 2021 | February 23, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Consolidated net loss | (29,799) | (23,042) | |||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Depreciation, amortization of intangibles, debt costs, and right-of-use assets | 14,808 | 13,800 | |||||||||
| Loss on debt refinancing | 1,110 | — | |||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 2,584 | 1,881 | |||||||||
| Provision (benefit) for expected credit losses | 451 | (225) | |||||||||
| Deferred taxes | (7,307) | (7,881) | |||||||||
| Change in investment in non-public company, fair value | 11,800 | (200) | |||||||||
| Net loss on disposal of property and equipment held and used | 39 | 135 | |||||||||
| Loss on disposal of property and equipment related to restructuring, net | 7,881 | 11,518 | |||||||||
| Other, net | (12) | 139 | |||||||||
| Pacific Harvest note receivable reserve | — | 1,202 | |||||||||
| Change in contingent consideration liability | — | (500) | |||||||||
| Changes in current assets and current liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 6,178 | 27 | |||||||||
| Inventories | (10,468) | (12,927) | |||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 350 | 551 | |||||||||
| Accounts payable | 6,372 | 11,791 | |||||||||
| Accrued compensation | 2,184 | (2,230) | |||||||||
| Other accrued liabilities | 3,186 | 1,504 | |||||||||
| Deferred revenue | 1,243 | 119 | |||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 10,600 | (4,338) | |||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales of property and equipment | 12,885 | 2,432 | |||||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment | (11,383) | (22,118) | |||||||||
| Proceeds from collections of notes receivable | — | 364 | |||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 1,502 | (19,322) | |||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||||||
| Proceeds from long term debt | 150,000 | 27,500 | |||||||||
| Payments on lines of credit | (119,400) | (77,900) | |||||||||
| Payments on long-term debt | (114,095) | (8,094) | |||||||||
| Proceeds from lines of credit | 83,000 | 84,400 | |||||||||
| Payments for debt issuance costs | (9,615) | (766) | |||||||||
| Taxes paid by Company for employee stock plans | (297) | (175) | |||||||||
| Proceeds from sale of common stock | — | 30 | |||||||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (10,407) | 24,995 | |||||||||
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 1,695 | 1,335 | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 553 | 1,465 | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 2,248 | $ | 2,800 | |||||||
| Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities: | |||||||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment on trade vendor credit | $ | 1,124 | $ | 1,793 | |||||||
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
-5-
LANDEC CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. Organization, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization
Landec Corporation and its subsidiaries (“Landec” or the “Company”) design, develop, manufacture, and sell differentiated products for food and biomaterials markets, and license technology applications to partners.
Landec’s biomedical company, Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. (“Lifecore”), is a fully integrated contract development and manufacturing organization (“CDMO”) that offers highly differentiated capabilities in the development, fill and finish of sterile, injectable pharmaceutical products in syringes and vials. As a leading manufacturer of premium, injectable-grade hyaluronic acid, Lifecore brings 35 years of expertise as a partner for global and emerging biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies across multiple therapeutic categories to bring their innovations to market. Lifecore recognizes revenue in two different product categories: CDMO and Fermentation.
Landec’s natural food company, Curation Foods, Inc. (“Curation Foods”) is focused on innovating and distributing plant-based foods with 100% clean ingredients to retail, club and foodservice channels throughout North America. Curation Foods is able to maximize product freshness through its geographically dispersed family of growers, refrigerated supply chain and patented BreatheWay packaging technology. Its products are sold in natural food, conventional grocery and mass retail stores, primarily in the United States and Canada. The company categorizes revenue in three categories, Fresh packaged salads and vegetables, Avocado Products, and Technology which reports revenues for BreatheWay patented supply chain solutions. Included in the Curation Foods segment and fresh packaged salads and vegetables revenue disaggregation is O Olive Oil & Vinegar (“O”), which is a premier producer of California specialty olive oils and wine vinegars. Also included in the Curation Foods segment are the dividends from, and Landec’s share of the change in the fair market value of the Company’s 26.9% investment ownership, of Windset, a leading edge grower of hydroponically grown produce.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Landec have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) have been made which are necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company at February 28, 2021, and the results of operations and cash flows for all periods presented. Although Landec believes that the disclosures in these financial statements are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, certain information normally included in financial statements and related footnotes prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The accompanying financial data should be reviewed in conjunction with the audited financial statements and accompanying notes included in Landec's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 (the “Annual Report”).
The Company’s fiscal year is the 52- or 53-week period that ends on the last Sunday of May with quarters within each year ending on the last Sunday of August, November, and February; however, in instances where the last Sunday would result in a quarter being 12-weeks in length, the Company’s policy is to extend that quarter to the following Sunday. A 14th week is included in the fiscal year every five or six years to realign the Company’s fiscal quarters with calendar quarters.
The results of operations for the nine months ended February 28, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for an entire fiscal year because there is some seasonality in Curation Foods’ business and the order patterns of Lifecore’s customers which may lead to significant fluctuations in Landec’s quarterly results of operations.
Basis of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements are presented on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with GAAP and include the accounts of Landec Corporation and its subsidiaries, Curation Foods and Lifecore. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Arrangements that are not controlled through voting or similar rights are reviewed under the guidance for variable interest entities (“VIEs”). A company is required to consolidate the assets, liabilities, and operations of a VIE if it is determined to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE.
-6-
An entity is a VIE and subject to consolidation, if by design: a) the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support provided by any parties, including equity holders, or b) as a group the holders of the equity investment at risk lack any one of the following three characteristics: (i) the power, through voting rights or similar rights to direct the activities of an entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, (ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (iii) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity. The Company reviewed the consolidation guidance and concluded that the equity investment in the non-public company is not a VIE.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. The accounting estimates that require management’s most significant and subjective judgments include revenue recognition; loss contingencies; allowance for sales returns and credit losses; recognition and measurement of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities; the assessment of recoverability of long-lived asset (including intangible assets), and inventory; the valuation of investments; and the valuation and recognition of stock-based compensation.
These estimates involve the consideration of complex factors and require management to make judgments. The analysis of historical and future trends can require extended periods of time to resolve and are subject to change from period to period. The actual results may differ from management’s estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company records all highly liquid securities with three months or less from date of purchase to maturity as cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist mainly of money market funds. The market value of cash equivalents approximates their historical cost given their short-term nature.
Reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalents as presented on the Statements of Cash Flows
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
| (In thousands) | February 28, 2021 | May 31, 2020 | February 23, 2020 | May 26, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 2,248 | $ | 360 | $ | 2,607 | $ | 1,080 | |||||||||||||||
| Restricted cash | — | 193 | 193 | 385 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 2,248 | $ | 553 | $2,800 | $ | 1,465 | ||||||||||||||||
The Company was required to maintain $0.0 million and $0.2 million of restricted cash at February 28, 2021 and May 31, 2020, respectively, related to certain collateral requirements for obligations under its workers' compensation programs. The restricted cash is included in Other assets in the Company’s accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value and consist of the following:
| (In thousands) | February 28, 2021 | May 31, 2020 | |||||||||
| Finished goods | $ | 41,533 | $ | 35,177 | |||||||
| Raw materials | 26,855 | 25,856 | |||||||||
| Work in progress | 8,391 | 5,278 | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 76,779 | $ | 66,311 | |||||||
If the cost of the inventories exceeds their net realizable value, provisions are recorded currently to reduce them to net realizable value. The Company also records a provision for slow moving and obsolete inventories based on the estimate of demand for its products.
-7-
Accounts Receivable, Sales Returns, and Allowance for Credit Losses
The Company carries its accounts receivable at their face amounts less an allowance for estimated sales returns and credit losses. Sales return allowances are estimated based on historical sales return amounts.
The Company uses the loss rate method to estimate its expected credit losses on trade accounts receivable and contract assets. In order to estimate expected credit losses, the Company assessed recent historical experience, current economic conditions and any reasonable and supportable forecasts to identify risk characteristics that are shared within the financial asset. These risk characteristics are then used to bifurcate the loss rate method into risk pools. The risk pools were determined based on the industries in which the Company operates. Historical credit loss for each risk pool is then applied to the current period aging as presented in the identified risk pools to determine the needed reserve allowance. At times when there are not current economic conditions or forecasts that may affect future credit losses, the Company has determined that recent historical experience provide the best basis for estimating credit losses.
The information obtained from assessing historical experience, current economic conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts were used to identify risk characteristics that can affect future credit loss experience. There were no significant risk characteristics identified in the review of historical experiences or in the review of estimates of current economic conditions and forecasts.
Estimating credit losses based on risk characteristics requires significant judgment by management. Significant judgments include, but are not limited to: assessing current economic conditions and the extent to which they are relevant to the existing characteristics of the Company’s financial assets, the estimated life of financial assets, and the level of reliance on historical experience in light of economic conditions. The Company will continually review and update, when necessary, its historical risk characteristics that are meaningful to estimating credit losses, any new risk characteristics that arise in the natural course of business, and the estimated life of its financial assets.
The changes in the Company’s allowance for sales returns and credit losses are summarized in the following table (in thousands):
| Balance at beginning of period | Provisions for expected credit losses | Write offs, net of recoveries | Balance at end of period | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Nine months ended February 28, 2021 | $ | 438 | $ | 451 | $ | (607) | $ | 282 | |||||||||||||||
Related Party Transactions
The Company sells and licenses its BreatheWay® food packaging technology to Windset Holdings 2010 Ltd. (“Windset”), in which, as further described in Note 2, the Company has a 26.9% ownership interest. During the three months ended February 28, 2021 and February 23, 2020, the Company recognized revenues of $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively. During the nine months ended February 28, 2021 and February 23, 2020, the Company recognized revenues of $0.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively. These amounts have been included in Product sales in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income. The related receivable balances of $0.2 million and $0.5 million are included in Accounts receivable in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 28, 2021 and May 31, 2020, respectively.
All related party transactions are monitored quarterly by the Company and approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Debt Issuance Costs
The Company records its line of credit debt issuance costs as an asset, and as such, $0.6 million and $2.3 million were recorded as Prepaid expenses and other current assets, and Other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively, as of February 28, 2021, and $0.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively, as of May 31, 2020. The Company records its term debt issuance costs as a contra-liability, and as such, $1.3 million and $5.0 million were recorded as Current portion of long-term debt, and Long-term debt, net in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively, as of February 28, 2021 and $0.4 million and $0.6 million, respectively, as of May 31, 2020. See Note 6 - Debt for additional disclosure related to our debt refinancing that closed on December 31, 2020 and the related impact on debt issuance costs.
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Financial Instruments
The Company’s financial instruments are primarily composed of commercial-term trade payables, grower advances, notes receivable, debt instruments and derivative instruments. For short-term instruments, the historical carrying amount approximates the fair value of the instrument. The fair value of long-term debt and lines of credit approximates their carrying value.
Cash Flow Hedges
The Company has entered into interest rate swap agreements to manage interest rate risk. These derivative instruments may offset a portion of the changes in interest expense. The Company designates these derivative instruments as cash flow hedges. The Company accounts for its derivative instruments as either an asset or a liability and carries them at fair value in Other assets or Other non-current liabilities. The accounting for changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument depends on the intended use of the derivative instrument and the resulting designation.
For derivative instruments that hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows and are designated as cash flow hedges, the entire change in the fair value of the hedging instrument is recorded as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) in Stockholders’ Equity. Those amounts are subsequently reclassified to earnings in the same line item in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income as impacted by the hedged item when the hedged item affects earnings. To receive hedge accounting treatment, cash flow hedges must be highly effective in offsetting changes to expected future cash flows on hedged transactions.
During the third quarter of fiscal year 2021, the Company discontinued their hedge accounting prospectively since it was determined that the derivatives are no longer highly effective in offsetting changes in the net investment. The derivatives continue to be carried at fair value in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets with changes in their fair values from the date of discontinued hedge accounting recognized in current period earnings in Other Income (Expense) in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income. Amounts previously accumulated in AOCL during the period of effectiveness will continue to be realized over the remaining term of the underlying forecasted debt payments as a component of AOCL in Stockholders’ Equity.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive income (loss) consists of two components, net loss and Other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”). OCI refers to revenue, expenses, and gains and losses that under GAAP are recorded as a component of stockholders’ equity but are excluded from net loss. The Company’s OCI consists of net deferred gains and losses on its interest rate swap derivative instrument. The components of AOCL, net of tax, are as follows:
| (In thousands) | AOCL | ||||
| Balance as of May 31, 2020 | $ | (2,808) | |||
| Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax effect | (344) | ||||
| Amounts reclassified from OCI | 1,436 | ||||
| Other comprehensive income, net | $ | 1,092 | |||
| Balance as of February 28, 2021 | $ | (1,716) | |||
The Company expects to reclassify approximately $1.4 million into earnings in the next 12 months.
Investment in Non-Public Company
On February 15, 2011, the Company made its initial investment in Windset which is reported as an Investment in non-public company, fair value, in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 28, 2021 and May 31, 2020. The Company has elected to account for its investment in Windset under the fair value option. See Note 2 – Investment in Non-public Company, for further information.
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Assets Held for Sale
In January 2020, the Company decided to divest Curation Foods’ salad dressing plant in Ontario, California (“Ontario”). In the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, the Company (1) designated the fixed assets of its office and manufacturing space located in Ontario, California, as assets held for sale, and (2) recognized a $10.9 million impairment loss. The remaining fair value of $2.6 million is included in Property and equipment, net within the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of May 31, 2020. Liabilities of $0.3 million and $2.9 million related to these assets are included in Current portion of lease liabilities and Long-term lease liabilities, respectively, within the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of May 31, 2020. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, the Company sold its interest in Ontario. The Company received net cash proceeds of $4.9 million in connection with the sale and recorded a gain of $2.8 million during the nine months ended February 28, 2021, which is included in Restructuring costs within the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income.
On June 25, 2020 the Board of Directors approved a plan to close Curation Foods’ underutilized manufacturing operations in Hanover, Pennsylvania (“Hanover”), sell the building and assets related thereto, and consolidate its operations into its manufacturing facilities in Guadalupe, California and Bowling Green, Ohio. The $17.2 million carrying value of these assets is included in Property and equipment, net on the consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 31, 2020, and was not classified as assets held for sale as the plan to sell was not finalized until subsequent to fiscal year end 2020. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, the Company recognized an $8.8 million impairment loss, which is included in Restructuring costs within the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2021, the Company sold the Hanover building and assets related thereto for net proceeds of $8.0 million.
Leases
Under Topic 842, the Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of remaining lease payments over the lease term. For this purpose, the Company considers only payments that are fixed and determinable at the time of commencement. As most of the leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is a quoted rate based on the understanding of what the Company's credit rating would be. Certain agreements may contain the option to extend the lease term, terminate the lease before the contractual expiration date, or purchase the leased asset. The Company, when reasonably certain to exercise the option, considers these options in determining the measurement of the lease. The Company's lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees.
The Company's lease agreements generally contain lease and non-lease components. Non-lease components primarily include payments for maintenance and utilities. The Company combines fixed payments for non-lease components with lease payments and accounts for them together as a single lease component which increases the amount of lease assets and liabilities.
Payments under lease arrangements are primarily fixed; however, certain lease agreements contain variable payments, which are expensed as incurred and are not included in the operating lease assets and liabilities. These amounts primarily include payments affected by changes in price indices.
Intangible Assets
The Company’s intangible assets are comprised of customer relationships with a finite estimated useful life ranging from 11 years to 13 years, and trademarks/tradenames and goodwill with indefinite useful lives.
Finite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances occur that indicate that the carrying amount of an asset (or asset group) may not be recoverable. Indefinite lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment at least annually. For goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company performs a qualitative impairment analysis in accordance with ASC 350-30-35.
Fair Value Measurements
The Company uses fair value measurement accounting for financial assets and liabilities and for financial instruments and certain other items measured at fair value. The Company has elected the fair value option for its investment in a non-public company. The Company has not elected the fair value option for any of its other eligible financial assets or liabilities.
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The accounting guidance established a three-tier hierarchy for fair value measurements, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
Level 1 – observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly through corroboration with observable market data.
Level 3 – unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which would require the Company to develop its own assumptions.
As of February 28, 2021 and May 31, 2020, the Company held certain assets and liabilities that are required or it elected to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis, including its interest rate swap contracts and its minority interest investment in Windset.
The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap contracts is determined based on model inputs that can be observed in a liquid market, including yield curves, and is categorized as a Level 2 fair value measurement and is included in Other assets or Other non-current liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
As of February 28, 2021 and May 31, 2020, the Company held certain assets that were required to be measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. The fair market value of the assets held for sale, less the costs to sell, was $0.0 million and $2.6 million as of February 28, 2021 and May 31, 2020, respectively. The fair market value of Ontario (classified as an asset held for sale) as of May 31, 2020, was based on third-party valuations, which primarily used the market approach, and the inputs utilized were comparable sales of similar assets, which are generally unobservable and are supported by little or no market data, and therefore were classified within Level 3.
The Company has elected the fair value option of accounting for its investment in Windset. The calculation of fair value utilizes significant unobservable inputs, including projected cash flows, growth rates, and discount rates. As a result, the Company’s investment in Windset is considered to be a Level 3 measurement investment. The change in the fair value of the Company’s investment in Windset for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2021, was due to the Company's 26.9% minority interest in the change in the fair market value of Windset during the period.
In determining the fair value of the investment in Windset, the Company utilizes the following significant unobservable inputs in the discounted cash flow models:
| February 28, 2021 Range (Weighted Average) | May 31, 2020 Range (Weighted Average) | ||||||||||
| Revenue growth rates | 7% (6.9)% | 6% to 7% (6.4)% | |||||||||
| Expense growth rates | 0% to 8% (5.5)% | 6% to 8% (6.6)% | |||||||||
| Discount rates | 10% | 12% | |||||||||
The revenue and expense growth rate assumptions are considered to be the Company's best estimate of the trends in those items over the discount period. The discount rate assumption takes into account the risk-free rate of return, the market equity risk premium, and the company’s specific risk premium and then applies an additional discount for lack of liquidity of the underlying securities. The discounted cash flow valuation model used by the Company has the following sensitivity to changes in inputs and assumptions:
| (In thousands) | Impact on value of investment in Windset as of February 28, 2021 | ||||
| 10% increase in revenue growth rates | $ | 6,000 | |||
| 10% increase in expense growth rates | $ | (3,200) | |||
| 10% increase in discount rates | $ | (1,300) | |||
Imprecision in estimating unobservable market inputs can affect the amount of gain or loss recorded for a particular position. The use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.
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The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis:
| (In thousands) | Fair Value at February 28, 2021 | Fair Value at May 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets held for sale - nonrecurring | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 2,607 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment in non-public company | — | — | 45,100 | — | — | 56,900 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 45,100 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 59,507 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate swap contracts | $ | — | $ | 2,174 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 3,578 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | $ | — | $ | 2,174 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 3,578 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table reflects the fair value roll forward reconciliation of Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value for the nine months ended February 28, 2021:
| (In thousands) | Windset Investment | ||||
| Balance as of May 31, 2020 | $ | 56,900 | |||
| Fair value change | (11,800) | ||||
| Balance as of February 28, 2021 | $ | 45,100 | |||
Revenue Recognition
The Company follows the five step, principles-based model to recognize revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers and in an amount that reflects the consideration for which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Revenue, net of estimated allowances and returns, is recognized when or as the Company satisfies its performance obligations under a contract and control of the product is transferred to the customer.
Curation Foods
Curation Foods’ standard terms of sale are generally included in its contracts and purchase orders. Revenue is recognized at the time shipment is made or upon delivery as control of the product is transferred to the customer. Shipping and other transportation costs charged to customers are recorded in both revenue and cost of goods sold. Curation Foods’ has elected to account for shipping and handling as fulfillment activities, and not as a separate performance obligation. Curation Foods’ standard payment terms with its customers generally range from 30 days to 90 days. Certain customers may receive cash-based incentives (including: volume rebates, discounts, and promotions), which are accounted for as variable consideration to Curation Foods’ performance obligations. Curation Foods’ estimates these sales incentives based on the expected amount to be provided to its customers and reduces revenues recognized towards its performance obligations. The Company has not historically had and does not anticipate significant changes in its estimates for variable consideration.
Lifecore
Lifecore generates revenue from two integrated activities: Contract development and manufacturing organization ("CDMO") and Fermentation. CDMO is comprised of aseptic and development services. Lifecore’s standard terms of sale are generally included in its contracts and purchase orders. Shipping and other transportation costs charged to customers are recorded in both revenue and cost of goods sold. Lifecore has elected to account for shipping and handling as fulfillment activities, and not as a separate performance obligation. Lifecore’s standard payment terms with its customers generally range from 30 days to 60 days.
Aseptic
Lifecore provides aseptic formulation and filling of syringes and vials with precisely formulated medical grade HA and non-HA materials for injectable products used for medical purposes. In instances where our customers contract with us to aseptically fill syringes or vials with our HA, the goods are not distinct in the context of the contract. Lifecore recognizes revenue for these products at the point in time when legal title to the product is transferred to the customer, which is at the time that shipment is made or upon delivery of the product.
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Development Services
Lifecore provides product development services to assist its customers in obtaining regulatory approval for the commercial sale of their drug product. These services include activities such as technology development, material component changes, analytical method development, formulation development, pilot studies, stability studies, process validation and production of materials for use within clinical studies. The Company’s customers benefit from the expertise of its scientists who have extensive experience performing such tasks.
Each of the promised goods and services are not distinct in the context of the contract as the goods and services are highly interdependent and interrelated. The services described above are significantly affected by each other because Lifecore would not be able to fulfill its promise by transferring each of the goods or services independently.
Revenues generated from development services arrangements are recognized over time as Lifecore is creating an asset without an alternate use as it is unique to the customer. Furthermore, the Company has an enforceable right to payment for the performance completed to date for its costs incurred in satisfying the performance obligation plus a reasonable profit margin. For each of the development activities performed by Lifecore as described above, labor is the primary input (i.e., labor costs represent the majority of the costs incurred in the completion of the services). The Company determined that labor hours are the best measure of progress as it most accurately depicts the effort extended to satisfy the performance obligation over time.
Fermentation
Lifecore manufactures and sells pharmaceutical-grade sodium hyaluronate (“HA”) in bulk form to its customers. The HA produced is distinct as customers are able to utilize the product provided under HA supply contracts when they obtain control. Lifecore recognizes revenue for these products at the point in time when legal title to the product is transferred to the customer, which is at the time that shipment is made or upon delivery of the product to our customer.
The Company disaggregates its revenue by segment based on how it markets its products and services and reviews results of operations. The following tables disaggregate segment revenue by major product lines and services (in thousands):
| (In thousands) | Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Curation Foods: | February 28, 2021 | February 23, 2020 | February 28, 2021 | February 23, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fresh packaged salads and vegetables | $ | 94,739 | $ | 110,884 | $ | 283,341 | $ | 325,628 | |||||||||||||||
| Avocado products | 15,378 | 14,517 | 47,107 | 44,738 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Technology | 440 | 2,081 | 1,632 | 3,540 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 110,557 | $ | 127,482 | $ | 332,080 | $ | 373,906 | |||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Lifecore: | February 28, 2021 | February 23, 2020 | February 28, 2021 | February 23, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Contact development and manufacturing organization | $ | 18,628 | $ | 14,004 | $ | 53,374 | $ | 43,118 | |||||||||||||||
| Fermentation | 8,597 | 11,442 | 18,874 | 17,211 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 27,225 | $ | 25,446 | $ | 72,248 | $ | 60,329 | |||||||||||||||
Contract Assets and Liabilities
Contract assets primarily relate to the Company’s conditional right to consideration for work completed but not billed at the reporting date. The Company’s contract assets as of February 28, 2021 and May 31, 2020, were $10.6 million and $9.0 million, respectively.
Contract liabilities primarily relate to payments received from customers in advance of performance under the contract. The Company’s contract liabilities as of February 28, 2021 and May 31, 2020, were $1.1 million and $0.0 million, respectively. Revenue recognized during the three and nine months ended February 28, 2021, that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of fiscal year 2021, was $0.0 million.
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Shipping and Handling Costs
Amounts billed to third-party customers for shipping and handling are included as a component of revenues. Shipping and handling costs incurred are included as a component of cost of products sold and represent costs incurred to ship product from the processing facility or distribution center to the end consumer markets.
Legal Contingencies
In the ordinary course of business, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings and claims.
The Company makes a provision for a liability relating to legal matters when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. These provisions are reviewed at least each fiscal quarter and adjusted to reflect the impacts of negotiations, estimated settlements, legal rulings, advice of legal counsel and other information and events pertaining to a particular matter. Legal fees are expensed in the period in which they are incurred.
Claims Alleging Unfair Labor Practices
Curation Foods has been the target of a union organizing campaign which has included three unsuccessful attempts to unionize Curation Foods’ Guadalupe, California processing plant. The campaign has involved a union and over 100 former and current employees of Pacific Harvest, Inc. and Rancho Harvest, Inc. (collectively "Pacific Harvest"), Curation Foods’ former labor contractors at its Guadalupe, California processing facility, bringing legal actions before various state and federal agencies, the California Superior Court, and initiating over 100 individual arbitrations against Curation Foods and Pacific Harvest.
The legal actions consisted of various claims, all of which were settled in fiscal year 2017. As part of the settlement agreement, Pacific Harvest agreed to pay the Company one half of the required settlement payments. As of May 31, 2020, the outstanding balance of the receivable was $1.2 million. The Company makes ongoing estimates relating to the collectability of receivables. A reserve is established for any note when there is reasonable doubt that the principal or interest will be collected in full. The Company may write-off uncollectable receivables after collection efforts are exhausted. During the fiscal year 2020, the Company’s review for collectability concluded that a receivable reserve of $1.2 million would be recorded. The Company's conclusion regarding collectability changed as a result of Pacific Harvest communicating their refusal to pay combined with their bringing claims against the Company. As of February 28, 2021, the reserve balance remained at $1.2 million.
Compliance Matters and Related Litigation
On December 1, 2018, the Company acquired all of the voting interests and substantially all of the assets of Yucatan Foods (the “Yucatan Acquisition”), which owns a guacamole manufacturing plant in Mexico called Procesadora Tanok, S de RL de C.V. (“Tanok”).
On October 21, 2019, the Company retained Latham & Watkins, LLP to conduct an internal investigation relating to potential environmental and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) compliance matters associated with regulatory permitting at the Tanok facility in Mexico. The Company subsequently disclosed to the SEC and the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) the conduct under investigation, and these agencies have commenced an investigation. The Company has also disclosed the conduct under investigation to the Mexican Attorney General’s Office, which has commenced an investigation, and to Mexican regulatory agencies. The Company is cooperating in the government investigations and requests for information. The conduct at issue began prior to the Yucatan Acquisition, and the agreement for the Yucatan Acquisition provides the Company with certain indemnification rights that may allow the Company to recover the cost of a portion of the liabilities that have been and may be incurred by the Company in connection with these compliance matters. On September 2, 2020, one of the former owners of Yucatan filed a lawsuit against the Company in Los Angeles County Superior Court for breach of employment agreement, breach of contract, breach of holdback agreement, declaratory relief and accounting, and related claims. The Plaintiff seeks over $10 million in damages, including delivery of shares of his stock held in escrow for the indemnification claims described above. On November 3, 2020, the Company filed an answer and cross-complaint against the Plaintiff and other parties for fraud, indemnification, and other claims, and seeking no less than $80 million in damages.
At this stage, the ultimate outcome of these or any other investigations, legal actions, or potential claims that may arise from the matters under investigation is uncertain and the Company cannot reasonably predict the timing or outcomes, or estimate the amount of net loss after indemnification, or its effect, if any, on its financial statements. Separately, there are indemnification provisions in the purchase agreement that may allow the Company to recover costs for fraud or breach of the purchase agreement from the seller.
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During the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 the Company reached a resolution with its insurance carrier that resulted in a recovery of approximately $1.6 million which is recorded as a reduction of selling, general and administrative in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2021. Absent further material developments in the investigation, the Company does not expect additional material recovery from the insurance carrier.
Other Litigation Matters
On February 10, 2020, a complaint was filed against Curation Foods in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Printpack, Inc. v. Curation Foods, Inc., alleging breach of contract pertaining to Curation Foods’ purchase of certain poly film packaging from the plaintiff. The plaintiff sought an unspecified amount of monetary damages, litigation expenses, and interest. The lawsuit was dismissed during the first quarter of fiscal year 2021.
On February 14, 2020, a complaint was filed against the Company, Curation Foods, the Company's current CEO Albert Bolles, and the Company’s former CFO Gregory Skinner (collectively, the “Landec Parties”), and other defendants in Santa Barbara County Superior Court, entitled Pacific Harvest, Inc., et al. v. Curation Foods, Inc., et al. (No. 20CV00920). The case was brought by Pacific Harvest, Inc. (“Pacific”) and Rancho Harvest, Inc. (“Rancho”), two related companies that have provided labor and employee staffing services to Curation Foods. Among other things, Pacific and Rancho allege that Curation Foods wrongfully decreased its use of Pacific’s staffing services and misappropriated Pacific’s trade secrets when Curation Foods increased its use of another staffing company and transitioned Pacific’s employees to the other staffing company. Pacific and Rancho also allege that Curation Foods breached agreements between the parties related to a loan from Curation Foods, on which Pacific and Rancho have ceased making payments. Pacific Harvest and Rancho assert claims for breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, intentional interference with contracts and potential economic advantage, misappropriation of trade secrets under California’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act, business practices in violation of California Unfair Competition Law, fraud, defamation, violation of California Usury Law, breach of fiduciary duty, and declaratory relief regarding the parties’ rights and obligations under certain of the parties’ contracts. The Landec Parties have not yet responded to the complaint, and the parties have filed stipulations to continue the time for allowing Pacific and Rancho to file an amended complaint. Subsequent to the third quarter of fiscal year 2021, on March 15, 2021, the Company executed a settlement agreement related to this matter. The loss contingency of approximately $1.8 million that was realized is after considering the total settlement amount and insurance recoveries, and this amount is included in Legal settlement charge in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the nine months ended February 28, 2021, and is consistent with the estimated amounts recorded during the second quarter of fiscal 2021. The Company expects that the final settlement amount will be paid to the plaintiffs by Curation Foods (and separately by its co-defendants and insurers) by April 14, 2021. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, the plaintiffs are expected to request that the case be dismissed within five days of receiving the payment.
Recent Accounting Guidance
Recently Adopted Pronouncements
Cloud Computing Arrangements
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract (“ASU 2018-15”), which requires a customer in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract to follow the internal-use software guidance in Accounting Standards Codification 350-40 to determine which implementation costs to defer and recognize as an asset. The Accounting Standards Update generally aligns the guidance on recognizing implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract with that for implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software, including hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license. ASU 2018-15 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early application is permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2018-15 on June 1, 2020, and the adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Fair Value Measurement
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”). The guidance eliminates, adds, and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. Entities will no longer have to disclose the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, but will be required to disclose the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU 2018-13 on June 1, 2020, and the adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. As required by ASU 2018-13, the Company included
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additional disclosures in the Fair Value Measurement section related to the range and weighted average rates used to develop significant inputs for the Level 3 investment.
Financial Instruments – Credit Losses
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments —Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), which requires measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held. Effective June 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASC 326 using the transition method introduced by ASU 2016-13. The adoption of ASC 326 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Under ASC 326, the Company changed its policy for assessing credit losses to include consideration of a broader range of information to estimate credit losses over the life of its financial assets. As of February 28, 2021 the financial assets of the Company within the scope of the assessment comprised of trade accounts receivable, contract assets, and deposits. See the Accounts Receivable and Sales Returns and Allowance for Credit Losses section within Note 1 for further discussion of the Company's accounting for credit losses.
2. Investment in Non-public Company
On February 15, 2011, Curation Foods entered into a share purchase agreement (the “Windset Purchase Agreement”) with Windset. Pursuant to the Windset Purchase Agreement, Curation Foods purchased from Windset 150,000 Senior A preferred shares for $15.0 million and 201 common shares for $201. On July 15, 2014, Curation Foods increased its investment in Windset by purchasing from the Newell Capital Corporation an additional 68 common shares and 51,211 junior preferred shares of Windset for $11.0 million. After this purchase, the Company’s common shares represent a 26.9% ownership interest in Windset. The Senior A preferred shares yield a cash dividend of 7.5% annually. The dividend is payable within 90 days of each anniversary of the execution of the Windset Purchase Agreement. The non-voting junior preferred stock does not yield a dividend unless declared by the Board of Directors of Windset and no such dividend has been declared.
The Shareholders’ Agreement between Curation Foods and Windset, as amended on March 15, 2017, includes a put and call option (the “Put and Call Option”), which can be exercised on or after March 31, 2022, whereby Curation Foods can exercise the put to sell its common, Senior A preferred shares, and junior preferred shares to Windset, or Windset can exercise the call to purchase those shares from Curation Foods, in either case, at a price equal to 26.9% of the fair market value of Windset’s common shares, plus the liquidation value of the preferred shares of $20.1 million ($15.0 million for the Senior A preferred shares and $5.1 million for the junior preferred shares). Under the terms of the arrangement with Windset, the Company is entitled to designate one of five members on the Board of Directors of Windset.
The investment in Windset does not qualify for equity method accounting as the investment does not meet the criteria of in-substance common stock due to returns through the annual dividend on the non-voting senior preferred shares that are not available to the common stockholders. As the put and call options require all of the various shares to be put or called in equal proportions, the Company has deemed that the investment, in substance, should be treated as a single security for purposes of accounting.
The fair value of the Company’s investment in Windset was determined utilizing the Windset Purchase Agreement’s put and call calculation for value and a discounted cash flow model based on projections developed by Windset that were reviewed by Landec, and considers the put and call conversion options. These features impact the duration of the cash flows utilized to derive the estimated fair values of the investment. These two discounted cash flow models’ estimate for fair value are then weighted. Assumptions included in these discounted cash flow models will be evaluated quarterly based on Windset’s actual and projected operating results to determine the change in fair value.
During the three months ended February 28, 2021 and February 23, 2020, the Company recorded $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively, in dividend income. During the nine months ended February 28, 2021 and February 23, 2020, the Company recorded $0.8 million and $0.8 million, respectively, in dividend income. The change in the fair market value of the Company’s investment in Windset for the three months ended February 28, 2021 and February 23, 2020, was $0.0 million and $0.0 million, respectively. The change in the fair market value of the Company’s investment in Windset for the nine months ended February 28, 2021 and February 23, 2020, was a decrease of $11.8 million and an increase of $0.2 million, respectively, and is included in Other income (expense) in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income. The change in the fair market value of the Company's investment in Windset for the nine months ended February 28, 2021 was primarily due to changes in the financial assumptions relating to EBITDA, non-productive assets, and debt levels.
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3. Stock-based Compensation and Stockholders' Equity
Stock-Based Compensation Activity
The estimated fair value for stock options, which determines the Company’s calculation of stock-based compensation expense, is based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Restricted stock units (“RSUs”) are valued at the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. The Company uses the straight-line method to recognize the fair value of stock-based compensation arrangements.
During the three months ended February 28, 2021, the Company granted 100,000 options to purchase shares of common stock and awarded 17,500 RSUs. During the nine months ended February 28, 2021, the Company granted 672,600 options to purchase shares of common stock and awarded 188,225 RSUs.
As of February 28, 2021, the Company has reserved 4.1 million shares of common stock for future issuance under its current and former equity plans.
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
The Company’s stock-based awards include stock option grants and RSUs. The Company records compensation expense for stock-based awards issued to employees and directors in exchange for services provided based on the estimated fair value of the awards on their grant date and is recognized over the required service period, generally the vesting period.
The following table summarizes stock-based compensation by income statement line item:
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands) | February 28, 2021 | February 23, 2020 | February 28, 2021 | February 23, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | $ | 107 | $ | (14) | $ | 289 | $ | 42 | |||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 49 | 10 | 175 | 88 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 641 | 570 | 2,120 | 1,751 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total stock-based compensation | $ | 797 | $ | 566 | $ | 2,584 | $ | 1,881 | |||||||||||||||
As of February 28, 2021, there was $4.1 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested equity compensation awards granted under the Landec incentive stock plans. Total expense is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average period of 2.24 years for stock options and 1.56 years for RSUs.
Stock Repurchase Plan
On July 14, 2010, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the establishment of a stock repurchase plan, which allows for the repurchase of up to $10.0 million of the Company’s common stock. The Company may still repurchase up to $3.8 million of the Company’s common stock under the Company’s stock repurchase plan. The Company may repurchase its common stock from time to time in open market purchases or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased is at the discretion of management of the Company and will depend on a variety of factors, including stock price, corporate and regulatory requirements, market conditions, the relative attractiveness of other capital deployment opportunities and other corporate priorities. The stock repurchase program does not obligate Landec to acquire any amount of its common stock and the program may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time at the Company's discretion without prior notice. During the nine months ended February 28, 2021, the Company did not purchase any shares on the open market.
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4. Diluted Earnings Per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of diluted earnings per share:
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands, except per share amounts) | February 28, 2021 | February 23, 2020 | February 28, 2021 | February 23, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Numerator: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss applicable to Common Stockholders | $ | (5,498) | $ | (11,518) | $ | (29,799) | $ | (23,042) | |||||||||||||||
| Denominator: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares for basic net loss per share | 29,323 | 29,170 | 29,282 | 29,155 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of dilutive securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock options and restricted stock units | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares for diluted net loss per share | 29,323 | 29,170 | 29,282 | 29,155 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted net loss per share | $ | (0.19) | $ | (0.39) | $ | (1.02) | $ | (0.79) | |||||||||||||||
Due to the Company’s net loss for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2021 and February 23, 2020, the net loss per share includes only weighted average shares outstanding. For the three and nine months ended February 28, 2021, the computation of the diluted net loss per share excludes the impact of options to purchase 2.4 million and 2.2 million shares of common stock, respectively, as such impacts would be antidilutive for these periods. For the three and nine months ended February 23, 2020, the computation of the diluted net loss per share excludes the impact of options to purchase 1.8 million and 2.2 million shares of common stock, respectively, as such impacts would be antidilutive for these periods.
5. Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes for the nine months ended February 28, 2021 and February 23, 2020, was a benefit of $7.2 million and $7.8 million, respectively. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended February 28, 2021 and February 23, 2020 was 19.5% and 25%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended February 28, 2021, was lower than the statutory federal income tax rate of 21% due to the income tax benefit on the increased forecasted losses, the generation of federal & state R&D credits and impact of states taxes, partially offset by the movement of the valuation allowance recorded against certain deferred tax assets.
As of February 28, 2021 and May 31, 2020, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $0.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively. Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits as of February 28, 2021 and May 31, 2020, is $0.9 million and $0.7 million, respectively, of tax benefits that, if recognized, would result in an adjustment to the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company does not expect its unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly within the next twelve months.
The Company has elected to classify interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of its provision for income taxes. The Company has accrued an insignificant amount of interest and penalties related to the income tax on the unrecognized tax benefits as of February 28, 2021 and May 31, 2020.
Due to tax attribute carryforwards, the Company is subject to examination for tax years 2017 forward for U.S. tax purposes. The Company is also subject to examination in various state jurisdictions for tax years 2015 forward, none of which were individually significant.
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6. Debt
Long-term debt, net consists of the following:
| (In thousands) | February 28, 2021 | May 31, 2020 | |||||||||
Term loan | $ | 150,000 | $ | 114,000 | |||||||
| Total principal amount of long-term debt | 150,000 | 114,000 | |||||||||
| Less: unamortized debt issuance costs | (4,949) | (1,083) | |||||||||
| Total long-term debt, net of unamortized debt issuance costs | 145,051 | 112,917 | |||||||||
| Less: current portion of long-term debt, net | — | (11,554) | |||||||||
| Long-term debt, net | $ | 145,051 | $ | 101,363 | |||||||
On September 23, 2016, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with JPMorgan, BMO Harris Bank N.A. ("BMO"), and City National Bank, as lenders (collectively, the “Lenders”), and JPMorgan as administrative agent, pursuant to which the Lenders provided the Company with a $100.0 million revolving line of credit (the “Revolver”) and a $50.0 million term loan facility (the “Term Loan”), guaranteed by each of the Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries and secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets, with the exception of the Company’s investment in Windset. On October 25, 2019, the Company entered into the Sixth Amendment to the Credit Agreement, which among other things, increased the Term Loan to $120.0 million.
On July 15, 2020, the Company entered into the Eighth Amendment to the Credit Agreement (the “Eighth Amendment”), which among other things, (i) modified the definition of EBITDA to increase the limit on permitted exclusions for certain unusual, extraordinary or one-time cash items for each fiscal quarter ending on or after February 28, 2021, to a maximum of 20% of EBITDA, and (ii) restricted the Company from making Capital Expenditures over certain thresholds. Interest continues to be based on the Company’s Total Leverage Ratio, at a revised per annum Applicable Rate of either (i) the prime rate plus a spread of between 0.75% and 3.50% or (ii) the Eurodollar rate plus a spread of between 1.75% and 4.50%, plus, in each case, a commitment fee, as applicable, of between 0.15% and 0.55%, as further described in the Eighth Amendment.
Both the Revolver and the Term Loan were scheduled to mature on September 23, 2021, with the Term Loan requiring quarterly principal payments of $3.0 million and the remainder continuing to be due at maturity. The Credit Agreement contained customary financial covenants and events of default under which the obligation could be accelerated and/or the interest rate increased.
On December 31, 2020, the Company refinanced its existing Term Loan and Revolver by entering into two separate Credit Agreements (the "New Credit Agreements") with BMO and Goldman Sachs Specialty Lending Group, L.P. (“Goldman”) and Guggenheim Credit Services, LLC ("Guggenheim"), as lenders (collectively, the “Refinance Lenders”). Pursuant to the credit agreement related to the revolving credit facility, BMO has provided the Company, Curation Foods and Lifecore, as co-borrowers, with an up to $75.0 million revolving line of credit (the “Refinance Revolver”) and serves as administrative agent of the Refinance Revolver. Pursuant to the credit agreement related to the term loan, Goldman and Guggenheim have provided the Company, Curation Foods and Lifecore, as co-borrowers, with an up to $170.0 million term loan facility (split equally between Goldman and Guggenheim) (the “Refinance Term Loan”) and Goldman will serve as administrative agent of the Refinance Term Loan. The Refinance Revolver and Refinance Term Loan are guaranteed, and secured by, substantially all of the Company’s and the Company's direct and indirect subsidiaries' assets.
The Refinance Term Loan matures on December 31, 2025. The Refinance Revolver matures on December 31, 2025 or, if the Refinance Term Loan remains outstanding on such date, ninety (90) days prior to the maturity date of the Refinance Term Loan (on October 2, 2025).
The Refinance Term Loan provides for principal payments by the Company of 5% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears in equal installments, commencing on March 30, 2023, with the remainder due at maturity.
Interest on the Refinance Revolver is based upon the Company’s average availability, at a per annum rate of either (i) LIBOR rate plus a spread of between 2.00% and 2.50% or (ii) base rate plus a spread of between 1.00% and 1.50%, plus a commitment fee, as applicable, of 0.375%. Interest on the Refinance Term Loan is at a per annum rate based on either (i) the base rate plus a spread of 7.50% or (ii) the LIBOR rate plus a spread of 8.50%.
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The New Credit Agreements provide the Company the right to increase the revolver commitments under the Refinance Revolver, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions (including consent from BMO), by obtaining additional commitments from either BMO or another lending institution at an amount of up to $15.0 million.
The New Credit Agreements contains customary financial covenants and events of default under which the obligations thereunder could be accelerated and/or the interest rate increased in specified circumstances.
In connection with the New Credit Agreements, the Company incurred debt issuance costs from the lender and third-parties of $9.3 million.
Concurrent with the close of the New Credit Agreements, the Company repaid all outstanding borrowings under the current Credit Agreement, and terminated the Credit Agreement. In connection with the repayment of borrowings under the Credit Agreement, the Company recognized a loss in its third quarter of fiscal year 2021 of $1.1 million, as a result of the non-cash write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs related to the refinancing under the New Credit Agreements.
As of February 28, 2021, $41.0 million was outstanding on the Refinance Revolver, at an interest rate of 2.75%. As of February 28, 2021, the Refinance Term Loan had an interest rate of 9.5%. As of February 28, 2021, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants and had no events of default under the New Credit Agreements.
Derivative Instruments
On November 1, 2016, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract (the “2016 Swap”) with BMO at a notional amount of $50.0 million. The 2016 Swap had the effect of changing the Company’s previous Term Loan obligation from a variable interest rate to a fixed 30-day LIBOR rate of 1.22%.
On June 25, 2018, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract (the “2018 Swap”) with BMO at a notional amount of $30.0 million. The 2018 Swap had the effect on our previous debt of converting the first $30.0 million of the total outstanding amount of the Company’s 30-day LIBOR borrowings from a variable interest rate to a fixed 30-day LIBOR rate of 2.74%.
On December 2, 2019, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract (the "2019 Swap") with BMO at a notional amount of $110.0 million which decreases quarterly. The 2019 Swap had the effect on our previous debt of converting primarily all of the $110.0 million of the total outstanding amount of the Company's 30-day LIBOR borrowings from a variable interest rate to a fixed 30-day LIBOR rate of 1.526%.
7. Business Segment Reporting
The Company operates using three strategic reportable business segments, aligned with how the Chief Executive Officer, who is the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), manages the business: the Curation Foods segment, the Lifecore segment, and the Other segment.
The Curation Foods segment includes (i) four natural food brands, including activities to market and pack specialty packaged whole and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables under the Eat Smart or various private labels, sale of premium olive oil and vinegars under the O Olive Oil & Vinegar label, and the sale of avocado products under the Yucatan Foods and Cabo Fresh labels, (ii) BreatheWay® activities, and (iii) activity related to our 26.9% investment in Windset.
The Lifecore segment sells products utilizing hyaluronan, a naturally occurring polysaccharide that is widely distributed in the extracellular matrix of connective tissues in both animals and humans, and non-HA products for medical use primarily in the Ophthalmic, Orthopedic and other markets.
The Other segment includes corporate general and administrative expenses (which includes costs associated with legal claims, including the Tanok compliance matters and related litigation, and Pacific and Rancho litigation matter), non-Curation Foods and non-Lifecore interest expense, interest income, and income tax expenses. Corporate overhead is allocated between segments based on actual utilization and relative size.
All of the Company's assets are located within the United States of America except for its Yucatan production facility located in Mexico.
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The Company’s international sales by geography are based on the billing address of the customer and were as follows:
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | February 28, 2021 | February 23, 2020 | February 28, 2021 | February 23, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Canada | $ | 14.8 | $ | 19.6 | $ | 45.6 | $ | 58.8 | |||||||||||||||
| Belgium | 6.0 | 9.3 | 12.6 | 12.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Czech Republic | 0.8 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 2.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Switzerland | 1.6 | 0.3 | 2.4 | 1.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| United Kingdom | 1.2 | 0.2 | 2.4 | 0.7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ireland | 0.3 | — | 1.5 | 1.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| All Other Countries | 1.8 | 0.1 | 2.7 | 1.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Operations by business segment consisted of the following:
| (In thousands) | Curation Foods | Lifecore | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended February 28, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 110,557 | $ | 27,225 | $ | — | $ | 137,782 | |||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 8,128 | 11,561 | — | 19,689 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | (5,615) | 5,104 | (4,987) | (5,498) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 2,994 | 1,385 | 22 | 4,401 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Dividend income | 281 | — | — | 281 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | — | — | 13 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 1,375 | — | 2,803 | 4,178 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | (1,773) | 1,612 | (56) | (217) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate overhead allocation | 1,275 | 1,102 | (2,377) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Nine Months Ended February 28, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 332,080 | $ | 72,248 | $ | — | $ | 404,328 | |||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 29,635 | 27,036 | — | 56,671 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | (26,268) | 9,708 | (13,239) | (29,799) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 9,310 | 4,055 | 76 | 13,441 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Dividend income | 844 | — | — | 844 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | — | — | 31 | 31 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 4,127 | — | 6,199 | 10,326 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | (8,296) | 3,066 | (1,996) | (7,226) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate overhead allocation | 4,533 | 3,668 | (8,201) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended February 23, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 127,482 | $ | 25,446 | $ | — | $ | 152,928 | |||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 9,162 | 10,885 | — | 20,047 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | (12,636) | 4,910 | (3,792) | (11,518) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 3,356 | 1,272 | 22 | 4,650 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Dividend income | 281 | — | — | 281 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | — | — | 46 | 46 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 1,376 | — | 835 | 2,211 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | (4,901) | 1,467 | (1,876) | (5,310) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate overhead allocation | 1,401 | 1,043 | (2,444) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Nine Months Ended February 23, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 373,906 | $ | 60,329 | $ | — | $ | 434,235 | |||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 28,874 | 22,023 | — | 50,897 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | (23,154) | 6,974 | (6,862) | (23,042) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 9,704 | 3,705 | 69 | 13,478 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Dividend income | 843 | — | — | 843 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | 31 | — | 65 | 96 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 4,128 | — | 2,327 | 6,455 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | (7,210) | 1,920 | (2,550) | (7,840) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate overhead allocation | 4,510 | 2,979 | (7,489) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
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During the nine months ended February 28, 2021 and February 23, 2020, sales to the Company’s top five customers accounted for 50% and 44% of sales, respectively. The Company’s top two customers, Walmart Stores, Inc. and Costco Wholesale Corporation, from the Curation Foods segment, accounted for 16% and 15%, respectively, of revenues for the nine months ended February 28, 2021, and 18% and 15%, respectively, for the nine months ended February 23, 2020.
8. Restructuring Costs
During fiscal year 2020, the Company announced a restructuring plan to drive enhanced profitability, focus the business on its strategic assets and redesign the organization to be the appropriate size to compete and thrive. This includes a reduction-in-force, a reduction in leased office spaces, and the sale of non-strategic assets.
Asset write-off costs
Asset write-off costs are costs related to impairment or disposal of property and equipment as part of the Company's restructuring plan to drive enhanced profitability, focus the business on its strategic assets and redesign the organization to be the appropriate size to compete and thrive. These costs are included in Restructuring costs within the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income. See the Assets Held for Sale section within Note 1 for additional information.
In the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, the Company sold its interest in Ontario. The Company received net cash proceeds of $4.9 million in connection with the sale, and recorded a gain of $2.8 million.
In the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, the Company recognized an $8.8 million impairment loss related to its Hanover building and related assets which were sold in the second quarter of fiscal year 2021.
In the third quarter of fiscal year 2021, the Company recognized a $1.9 million impairment loss related to BreatheWay equipment as a result of a strategic shift in our BreatheWay business model driven by our restructuring plan.
Employee severance and benefit costs
Employee severance and benefit costs are costs incurred as a result of reduction-in-force driven by our restructuring plan and closure of offices and facilities. These costs were driven primarily by the closure of our San Rafael, California office, Santa Clara, California office, Los Angeles, California office, and the sale of our Hanover manufacturing facility.
Lease Costs
In August 2020, the Company closed its leased Santa Clara, California office and entered into a sublease agreement. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020 the Company closed its leased Los Angeles, California office and plans to sublease the office.
Other restructuring costs
For the three and nine months ended February 28, 2021, other restructuring costs primarily related to consulting costs to execute the Company’s restructuring plan to drive enhanced profitability, focus the business on its strategic assets, and redesign the organization to be the appropriate size to compete and thrive.
The following table summarizes the restructuring costs recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income, by Business Segment:
| (in thousands) | Curation Foods | Lifecore | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended February 28, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset write-off costs | $ | 1,877 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,877 | |||||||||||||||
| Employee severance and benefit costs | 315 | — | — | 315 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Lease costs | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other restructuring costs | 393 | — | 115 | 508 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total restructuring costs | $ | 2,585 | $ | — | $ | 115 | $ | 2,700 | |||||||||||||||
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| Curation Foods | Lifecore | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Nine Months Ended February 28, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset write-off costs | $ | 7,882 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 7,882 | |||||||||||||||
| Employee severance and benefit costs | 1,430 | — | — | 1,430 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Lease costs | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other restructuring costs | 2,536 | — | 918 | 3,454 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total restructuring costs | $ | 11,848 | $ | — | $ | 918 | $ | 12,766 | |||||||||||||||
The following table summarizes the restructuring costs recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income, by Business Segment, since inception of the restructuring plan in fiscal year 2020 through the nine months ended February 28, 2021:
| Curation Foods | Lifecore | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset write-off costs, net | $ | 20,544 | $ | — | $ | 418 | $ | 20,962 | |||||||||||||||
| Employee severance and benefit costs | 2,899 | — | 784 | 3,683 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Lease costs | 392 | — | 26 | 418 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other restructuring costs | 3,559 | — | 1,429 | 4,988 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total restructuring costs | $ | 27,394 | $ | — | $ | 2,657 | $ | 30,051 | |||||||||||||||
The total expected cost related to the restructuring plan is approximately $32.0 million.
9. Subsequent Events
COVID-19 Pandemic
There are many uncertainties regarding the current novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic, including the scope of scientific and health issues, the anticipated duration of the pandemic, and the extent of local and worldwide social, political, and economic disruption it may cause. The COVID-19 pandemic as well as the actions taken in response to the pandemic, have had, and we believe will continue to have, significant adverse impacts on many aspects of the Company’s operations, directly and indirectly, including with respect to sales, customer behaviors, transportation costs, business and manufacturing operations, inventory, the Company’s employees, and the market generally, and the scope and nature of these impacts continue to evolve each day. The Company expects to continue to assess the evolving impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and intends to continue to make adjustments to its responses accordingly.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in Part I, Item 1, of this Form 10-Q and the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in Landec’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020.
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and our future results that are subject to the safe harbor created under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other safe harbors under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Words such as “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “project”, “plan”, “intend”, “believe”, “may”, “might”, “will”, “should”, “can have”, “likely” and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that we expected. Potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the timing and expenses associated with operations, the ability to achieve acceptance of our new products in the market place, weather conditions that can affect the supply and price of produce, government regulations affecting our business, uncertainties related to COVID-19 and the impact of our responses to it, the timing of regulatory approvals, the ability to successfully integrate Yucatan Foods into the Curation Foods business, the mix between domestic and international sales, and those other risks mentioned in this report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020.
We derive many of our forward-looking statements from our operating budgets and forecasts, which are based upon detailed assumptions. While we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, we caution that it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and it is impossible for us to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results. Accordingly, our actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the risk factors listed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020.
All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements as well as others made in this report, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, and hereafter in our other SEC filings and public communications.
You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made by us in the context of all risks and uncertainties described with respect to our business. We caution you that the risks and uncertainties identified by us may not be all of the factors that are important to you. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements included in this report are made only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.
Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
There have been no material changes to the Company's critical accounting policies and use of estimates from those disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020. For a discussion of our critical accounting policies and use of estimates, refer to Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
The Company is subject to several recently issued accounting pronouncements. Note 1 – Organization, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements which is contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, describes these new accounting pronouncements and is incorporated herein by reference.
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The Company
Corporate Overview
Landec Corporation and its subsidiaries (“Landec,” the “Company”, "we" or "us") design, develop, manufacture, and sell differentiated products for food and biomaterials markets, and license technology applications to partners.
Landec’s natural food company, Curation Foods, Inc. (“Curation Foods”) is focused on innovating and distributing plant-based foods with 100% clean ingredients to retail, club and foodservice channels throughout North America. Curation Foods is able to maximize product freshness through its geographically dispersed family of growers, refrigerated supply chain and patented BreatheWay® packaging technology.
Landec’s biomedical company, Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. (“Lifecore”), is a fully integrated CDMO that offers highly differentiated capabilities in the development, fill and finish of sterile, injectable pharmaceutical products in syringes and vials. As a leading manufacturer of premium, injectable grade Hyaluronic Acid, Lifecore brings 35 years of expertise as a partner for global and emerging biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies across multiple therapeutic categories to bring their innovations to market.
Landec was incorporated in California on October 31, 1986 and reincorporated as a Delaware corporation on November 6, 2008. Landec’s common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “LNDC”. The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 2811 Airpark Drive Santa Maria, California 93455, and the telephone number is (650) 306-1650.
Reportable Segments
Landec has three reportable business segments – Curation Foods, Lifecore and Other, which are described below.
Curation Foods
Curation Foods Overview
Based in Santa Maria, California, Curation Foods’ primary business is the processing, marketing and selling of fresh packaged plant based salads and vegetables. Curation Foods serves as the corporate umbrella for its patented BreatheWay® packaging technology and for its portfolio of four natural food brands, including the Company’s legacy and flagship brand Eat Smart® as well as its three more recently acquired natural food brands, O Olive Oil & Vinegar® (“O”) products, and Yucatan® and Cabo Fresh authentic guacamole and avocado products. The major distinguishing characteristics of Curation Foods that provide a competitive advantage are its insight-driven product innovation, diversified fresh food supply chain, refrigerated supply chain and customer reach. We believe that Curation Foods is well positioned as a single source supplier of a broad range of products. Curation Foods also has three East Coast processing facilities and five East Coast distribution centers for nationwide delivery of its packaged salads and vegetable products. As of May 31, 2020, our products were available in over 86% of retail and club stores across North America.
During fiscal 2019, the Company redefined the strategy for its Curation Foods segment in order to improve the Company’s overall profitability by launching Project SWIFT, a value creation program designed to transform the Curation Foods business by simplifying the business, realigning its resources and seeking to improve the Company’s balance sheet through three strategic priorities - optimizing its operations networks, maximizing strategic assets and redesigning the organization to be more competitive.
Curation Foods Brands
Eat Smart: The Company sells specialty fresh packaged Eat Smart branded and private label salads, fresh-cut vegetables and whole produce to retailers, club stores, and food service operators, primarily in the United States and Canada. Within the Eat Smart brand, produce is processed by trimming, washing, sorting, blending, and packaging into bags and trays.
O Olive Oil & Vinegar: The Company acquired O on March 1, 2017. O, founded in 1995, is based in Petaluma, California, and is the premier producer of California specialty olive oils and wine vinegars. Its products are sold in natural food, conventional grocery and mass retail stores, primarily in the United States and Canada.
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Yucatan & Cabo Fresh Avocado Products: The Company acquired Yucatan Foods on December 1, 2018. Yucatan Foods was founded in 1991. As part of the acquisition of Yucatan Foods, Curation Foods acquired the newly built production facility in Guanajuato, Mexico. The Yucatan Foods business added a double-digit growth platform, a lower-cost infrastructure in Mexico, and higher margin product offerings that generally exhibit less sourcing volatility. The Company manufactures and sells Yucatan and Cabo Fresh guacamole and avocado food products primarily to the U.S. grocery channel, but also to the U.S. mass retail, Canadian grocery retail and foodservice channels.
BreatheWay Packaging Technology: The Company’s BreatheWay membrane technology establishes a beneficial packaging atmosphere adapting to changing fresh product respiration and temperature in order to extend freshness naturally. The BreatheWay supply chain packaging technology extends shelf-life and reduces shrink (waste) for retailers and helps to ensure that consumers receive fresh produce by the time the product makes its way through the distribution chain to the consumer. The Company generates revenue from the sale to and/or use of its BreatheWay patented packaging technology by partners such as Windset, for packaging of its greenhouse grown cucumbers and peppers. In addition, the Company sells its complete supply chain solution for fresh pallets of product ensuring more marketable fruit and vegetables at retail. Most vegetable products packaged in the Company’s BreatheWay packaging technology achieve a shelf-life of approximately 17 days. These packaging license relationships generate revenues either from product sales or royalties once commercialized. The Company is engaged in the testing and development of other BreatheWay products. The Company manufactures its BreatheWay packaging through selected qualified contract manufacturers.
Windset: The Company holds a 26.9% noncontrolling investment ownership in Windset, a leading-edge grower of hydroponically grown produce. The Company believes that Windset’s know-how and growing practices of hydroponically grown produce will result in higher yields with competitive growing costs that will provide dependable year-round supply to Windset’s customers. In addition, the produce grown in Windset’s greenhouses uses significantly less water than field grown crops and has a very high safety profile as no soil is used in the growing process. Windset owns and operates greenhouses in British Columbia, Canada and California. In addition to growing produce in its own greenhouses, Windset has numerous marketing arrangements with other greenhouse growers and utilizes buy/sell arrangements to meet fluctuation in demand from their customers. The Curation Foods segment operating results include the dividends and Landec’s share of the change in fair market value of its investment in Windset.
Lifecore Biomedical
Lifecore, located in Chaska, Minnesota, is a fully integrated CDMO that offers highly differentiated capabilities in the development, fill and finish of sterile, injectable pharmaceutical products in syringes and vials. It is involved in the manufacture of pharmaceutical-grade sodium hyaluronate (“HA”) in bulk form as well as formulated and filled syringes and vials for injectable products used in treating a broad spectrum of medical conditions and procedures. Lifecore uses its fermentation process and aseptic formulation and filling expertise to be a leader in the development of HA-based products for multiple applications and to take advantage of non-HA device and drug opportunities which leverage its expertise in manufacturing and aseptic syringe filling capabilities.
Lifecore provides product development services as a CDMO to assist its customers in obtaining regulatory approval for the commercial sale of their drug product. These services include activities such as technology development, material component changes, analytical method development, formulation development, pilot studies, stability studies, process validation and production of materials for use within clinical studies.
Built over many years of experience, Lifecore separates itself from its competition based on its five areas of expertise, including but not limited to Lifecore’s ability to:
Establish strategic relationships with market leaders:
Lifecore continues to develop applications for products with partners who have strong marketing, sales, and distribution capabilities to end-user markets. Through its strong reputation and history of providing pharmaceutical grade HA and products, Lifecore has established long-term relationships with global and emerging biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies across multiple therapeutic categories, and leverages those partnerships to attract new relationships in other medical markets.
Expand medical applications for HA:
Due to the growing knowledge of the unique characteristics of HA and Lifecore’s unique strength and history as a trusted manufacturer of pharmaceutical injectable grade HA products, Lifecore continues to identify and pursue opportunities for the use of HA in other medical applications, such as wound care, aesthetic surgery, drug delivery, next generation orthopedics and device coatings, and through sales to academic and corporate research customers. Further applications may involve expanding process development activity and/or additional licensing of technology.
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Utilize manufacturing infrastructure to meet customer demand:
Lifecore has made strategic capital investments in its CDMO business focusing on extending its aseptic filling capacity and capabilities to meet increasing partner demand and to attract new contract filling opportunities outside of HA markets. Lifecore is using its manufacturing capabilities to provide contract manufacturing and development services to its partners in the area of sterile pre-filled syringes and vials, as well as fermentation and purification requirements.
Maintain flexibility in product development and supply relationships:
Lifecore’s vertically integrated development and manufacturing capabilities allow it to establish a variety of contractual relationships with global corporate partners. Lifecore’s role in these relationships extends from supplying HA raw materials to providing technology transfer and development services to manufacturing aseptically filled, finished sterile products, and assuming full supply chain responsibilities.
Deliver consistent quality:
Lifecore has built a world class quality and regulatory system that is demonstrated in their results, processes and customer relationships. With over 35 years of a superior track record with global regulatory bodies (FDA, EMA, ANVISA, etc.), Lifecore is the partner of choice for companies looking for proven experience in delivering QbD, cGMP compliance, and manufacturing excellence with pharmaceutical elegance and quality. Lifecore’s world class quality and regulatory system and excellent track record with the global regulatory bodies ensure partners that they will safely bring innovative therapies to market.
Other
Included in the Other segment is Corporate, which includes corporate general and administrative expenses, non-Curation Foods and non-Lifecore interest income and income tax expenses.
COVID-19 Pandemic
There are many uncertainties regarding the current novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic, including the scope of scientific and health issues, the anticipated duration of the pandemic, and the extent of local and worldwide social, political, and economic disruption it may cause. The COVID-19 pandemic as well as the actions taken in response to the pandemic, have had, and we believe will continue to have, significant adverse impacts on many aspects of the Company’s operations, directly and indirectly, including with respect to sales, customer behaviors, transportation costs, business and manufacturing operations, inventory, the Company’s employees, and the market generally, and the scope and nature of these impacts continue to evolve each day. The Company expects to continue to assess the evolving impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and intends to continue to make adjustments to its responses accordingly.
Results of Operations
Revenues:
Curation Foods revenues consist of revenues generated from (1) the sale of specialty packaged fresh-cut and whole processed vegetable products and salads that are washed and packaged in most cases in the Company’s proprietary BreatheWay packaging and sold primarily under the Eat Smart brand and various private labels, (2) O Olive oils and wine vinegars, and (3) Yucatan and Cabo Fresh branded guacamole and avocado products. In addition, the Curation Foods reportable business segment includes the revenues generated from the sale of BreatheWay packaging to license partners.
Lifecore generates revenues from the development and manufacture of HA products and providing contract development and aseptic manufacturing services to customers. Lifecore generates revenues from two integrated activities: (1) CDMO and (2) fermentation.
| (In thousands) | Three Months Ended | Change | Nine Months Ended | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| February 28, 2021 | February 23, 2020 | Amount | % | February 28, 2021 | February 23, 2020 | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Curation Foods | $ | 110,557 | $ | 127,482 | $ | (16,925) | (13) | % | $ | 332,080 | $ | 373,906 | $ | (41,826) | (11) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lifecore | 27,225 | 25,446 | 1,779 | 7 | % | 72,248 | 60,329 | 11,919 | 20 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Revenues | $ | 137,782 | $ | 152,928 | $ | (15,146) | (10) | % | $ | 404,328 | $ | 434,235 | $ | (29,907) | (7) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Curation Foods
The decrease in Curation Foods’ revenues for the three months ended February 28, 2021, compared to the same period last year, was primarily due to a $16.2 million decrease in the fresh packaged salads and vegetables segment, which is primarily due to a (1) $10.5 million planned shift away from non-strategic revenue streams, including packaged vegetables in bags and trays, and (2) a $4.1 million decrease in green bean revenues driven by a decrease in demand from food service customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decrease in Curation Foods’ revenues for the nine months ended February 28, 2021, compared to the same period last year, was primarily due to a $42.3 million decrease in the fresh packaged salads and vegetables segment, which is primarily due to a (1) $24.1 million planned shift away from non-strategic revenue streams, including packaged vegetables in bags and trays, (2) a $11.6 million decrease in green bean revenues driven by a decrease in demand from food service customers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and (3) a $3.2 million decrease in salad revenues driven by a decrease in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lifecore
The increase in Lifecore’s revenues for the three months ended February 28, 2021, compared to the same period last year, was due to a $4.6 million increase in CDMO revenues from an increase in aseptic filling commercial shipments, resulting from increased demand from existing customers, partially offset by a $2.8 million decrease in fermentation sales primarily due to timing of customer orders and the related shipments.
The increase in Lifecore’s revenues for the nine months ended February 28, 2021, compared to the same period last year, was due to a $10.2 million increase in CDMO revenues from an increase in aseptic filling commercial shipments, resulting from increased demand from existing customers, and a $1.7 million increase in fermentation sales primarily due to timing of customer orders and the related shipments.
Gross Profit:
There are numerous factors that can influence gross profit including product mix, customer mix, manufacturing costs, volume, sales discounts and charges for excess or obsolete inventory, to name a few. Many of these factors influence or are interrelated with other factors. The Company includes in cost of sales all of the following costs: raw materials (including produce, seeds, packaging, syringes and fermentation and purification supplies), direct labor, overhead (including indirect labor, depreciation, and facility-related costs) and shipping and shipping-related costs.
| (In thousands) | Three Months Ended | Change | Nine Months Ended | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| February 28, 2021 | February 23, 2020 | Amount | % | February 28, 2021 | February 23, 2020 | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Curation Foods | $ | 8,128 | $ | 9,162 | $ | (1,034) | (11) | % | $ | 29,635 | $ | 28,874 | $ | 761 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lifecore | 11,561 | 10,885 | 676 | 6 | % | 27,036 | 22,023 | 5,013 | 23 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Gross Profit | $ | 19,689 | $ | 20,047 | $ | (358) | (2) | % | $ | 56,671 | $ | 50,897 | $ | 5,774 | 11 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Curation Foods
The decrease in gross profit for the Curation Foods business for the three months ended February 28, 2021, compared to the same period last year, was primarily due to a decrease in royalty revenue of $1.6 million due to nonrecurring royalty transactions, which was partially offset by an increase in gross profits from avocado products due to lower avocado costs in fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020.
The increase in gross profit for the Curation Foods business for the nine months ended February 28, 2021, compared to the same period last year, was primarily due to an increase in gross profits from avocado products due to selling products in fiscal 2021 produced with lower cost avocados compared to fiscal 2020, which was partially offset by (1) the decrease in gross profits primarily driven by the decrease in revenues from our planned shift away from non-strategic fresh packaged salads and vegetables segment revenue streams, primarily packaged vegetables in bags and trays, (2) the decrease in gross profits driven by a decrease in royalty revenue of $1.6 million due to nonrecurring royalty transactions, and (3) business interruption insurance recoveries received in fiscal year 2020.
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Lifecore
The increase in gross profit for the Lifecore business for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2021, compared to the same period last year, was due primarily to the increased revenue, as well as a favorable sales mix.
Operating Expenses:
Research and Development
R&D expenses consist primarily of product development and commercialization initiatives. R&D expenses in our Curation Foods business are primarily focused on innovating our current product lines and on the Company’s proprietary BreatheWay membranes used for packaging produce, with a focus on extending the shelf-life of sensitive vegetables and fruit. In the Lifecore business, the R&D expenses are focused on new products and applications for HA-based and non-HA biomaterials. For Other, the R&D expenses are primarily focused on creating and developing new innovative lines of products.
| (In thousands) | Three Months Ended | Change | Nine Months Ended | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| February 28, 2021 | February 23, 2020 | Amount | % | February 28, 2021 | February 23, 2020 | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Curation Foods | $ | 1,052 | $ | 1,240 | $ | (188) | (15) | % | $ | 3,123 | $ | 4,047 | $ | (924) | (23) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lifecore | 1,510 | 1,507 | 3 | — | % | 4,520 | 4,295 | 225 | 5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | — | — | — | — | % | $ | — | $ | 48 | (48) | (100) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total R&D | $ | 2,562 | $ | 2,747 | $ | (185) | (7) | % | $ | 7,643 | $ | 8,390 | $ | (747) | (9) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The decrease in R&D expenses for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2021, compared to the same periods last year, was primarily due to lower professional service expenses related to brand restage initiatives and new product development in the salad kit and avocado products product lines at Curation Foods which took place during fiscal year 2020, and decreases in our Other segment primarily due to discontinuation of R&D activities at Corporate. These decreases were partially offset by higher salary and benefits expenses at Lifecore driven by an increased headcount.
Selling, General, and Administrative (“SG&A”)
SG&A expenses consist primarily of sales and marketing expenses associated with Landec’s product sales and services, business development expenses, and staff and administrative expenses.
| (In thousands) | Three Months Ended | Change | Nine Months Ended | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| February 28, 2021 | February 23, 2020 | Amount | % | February 28, 2021 | February 23, 2020 | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Curation Foods | $ | 9,509 | $ | 10,260 | $ | (751) | (7) | % | $ | 29,612 | $ | 34,923 | $ | (5,311) | (15) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lifecore | 2,233 | 1,958 | 275 | 14 | % | 6,075 | 5,855 | 220 | 4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 3,478 | 6,565 | (3,087) | (47) | % | 13,540 | 13,222 | 318 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total SG&A | $ | 15,220 | $ | 18,783 | $ | (3,563) | (19) | % | $ | 49,227 | $ | 54,000 | $ | (4,773) | (9) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The decrease in total SG&A expenses for the three months ended February 28, 2021, compared to the same period last year, was due to a $3.1 million decrease at our Other segment due to a decrease in legal fees from compliance and other litigation matters, including a related insurance recovery, combined with a $0.8 million decrease in our Curation Foods business primarily due to cost savings driven by our restructuring efforts associated with Project SWIFT and lower salary expenses compared to the same period last year.
The decrease in total SG&A expenses for the nine months ended February 28, 2021, compared to the same period last year, was due to a $5.3 million decrease in our Curation Foods business primarily due to cost savings driven by our restructuring efforts associated with Project SWIFT and lower salary expenses compared to the same period last year. The decrease was also partly due to a reserve reported in fiscal year 2020 for the note receivable from Pacific Harvest.
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Other:
| (In thousands) | Three Months Ended | Change | Nine Months Ended | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| February 28, 2021 | February 23, 2020 | Amount | % | February 28, 2021 | February 23, 2020 | Amount | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividend Income | $ | 281 | $ | 281 | $ | — | — | % | $ | 844 | $ | 843 | $ | 1 | —% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest Income | $ | 13 | $ | 46 | $ | (33) | (72) | % | $ | 31 | $ | 96 | $ | (65) | (68) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest Expense | $ | (4,178) | $ | (2,211) | $ | (1,967) | 89 | % | $ | (10,326) | $ | (6,455) | $ | (3,871) | 60 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on Debt Refinancing | $ | (1,110) | $ | — | $ | (1,110) | (100) | % | $ | (1,110) | $ | — | $ | (1,110) | (100) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Income (Expense) | $ | 72 | $ | 67 | $ | 5 | N/M | $ | (11,736) | $ | 61 | $ | (11,797) | N/M | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income Tax Benefit | $ | 217 | $ | 5,310 | $ | (5,093) | (96) | % | $ | 7,226 | $ | 7,840 | $ | (614) | (8) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividend Income
Dividend income is derived from the dividends accrued on the Company’s $15.0 million Senior A preferred stock investment in Windset, which yields a cash dividend of 7.5% annually.
Interest Income
The decrease in interest income for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2021, compared to the same periods last year, was not significant.
Interest Expense
The increase in interest expense for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2021, compared to the same period last year, was primarily the result of (i) an increased interest rate, due to the Company's increased Total Leverage Ratio (as defined Credit Agreement), combined with our debt refinancing in December 2020 at higher interest rates, (ii) an increase in deferred financing costs from those incurred in connection with the Company's amendments to the Credit Agreement since November 24, 2019 combined with our debt refinancing in December 2020, and (iii) an increase in total outstanding debt at February 28, 2021 compared to February 23, 2020.
Loss on Debt Refinancing
The loss on debt refinancing was due to a write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs in connection with the Company refinancing its debt in December 2020.
Other Income (Expense)
The increase in other income (expense) for the three months ended February 28, 2021, compared to the same periods last year, was not significant. The decrease in other income (expense) for the nine months ended February 28, 2021, compared to the same periods last year, was primarily a result of the decrease in fair value of our investment in Windset of $11.8 million.
Income Taxes
The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2021 was higher than the statutory federal income tax rate of 21% primarily due to the income tax benefit on the increased forecasted losses, the generation of federal & state R&D credits and impact of states taxes, partially offset by the movement of the valuation allowance recorded against certain deferred tax assets.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of February 28, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $2.2 million, a net increase of $1.9 million from $0.6 million as of May 31, 2020. Based on all available current information, the Company believes the combination of its cash and cash equivalents and availability under the New Credit Agreements (defined below) will be sufficient to support its operations for at least the next twelve months.
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Cash Flow from Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities during the nine months ended February 28, 2021 was $10.6 million, compared to $4.3 million of net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended February 23, 2020. The primary sources of net cash provided by operating activities during the nine months ended February 28, 2021 were (1) $18.5 million of depreciation and amortization, stock based compensation expense, and loss on debt refinancing, (2) an $11.8 million decrease in the Company's estimated fair value of Windset due to changes in the financial assumptions relating to EBITDA, non-productive assets, and debt levels, (3) a $9.5 million net decrease in working capital, and (4) $7.9 million from the non-cash restructuring and impairment of assets charges. These sources of cash were offset by (1) a $29.8 million net loss, and (2) a $7.3 million reduction in deferred taxes.
The primary factors for the decrease in working capital during the nine months ended February 28, 2021, were (1) a $6.4 million increase in accounts payable due primarily to the timing of payments, (2) a $6.2 million decrease in accounts receivable due to the timing of customer payment receipts, and (3) a $3.2 million increase in other accrued liabilities due primarily to timing of payment, partially offset by a $10.5 million increase in inventory driven by our strategy to build inventory during the peak avocado season.
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
Net cash provided by investing activities during the nine months ended February 28, 2021 was $1.5 million compared to $19.3 million used in investing activities for the same period last year. Net cash provided by investing activities during the nine months ended February 28, 2021, was primarily due to the net proceeds of $12.9 million related to the sale of the Company's Ontario, California and Hanover, Pennsylvania facilities, offset by the purchase of $11.4 million of equipment to support the growth of the Company’s Curation Foods and Lifecore businesses.
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities during the nine months ended February 28, 2021 was $10.4 million compared to $25.0 million provided by financing activities for the same period last year. The net cash used in financing activities during the nine months ended February 28, 2021, was primarily due to the $9.6 million payment of debt issuance costs.
Capital Expenditures
During the nine months ended February 28, 2021, Landec incurred $11.4 million of capital expenditures, which was primarily represented by facility expansions and purchased equipment to support the growth of the Lifecore and Curation Foods businesses, compared to capital expenditures of $22.1 million for the nine months ended February 23, 2020. During the nine months ended February 28, 2021, capital expenditures for Lifecore and Curation Foods were $6.9 million and $4.5 million, respectively.
Debt
On September 23, 2016, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with JPMorgan, BMO Harris Bank N.A. ("BMO"), and City National Bank, as lenders (collectively, the “Lenders”), and JPMorgan as administrative agent, pursuant to which the Lenders provided the Company with a $100.0 million revolving line of credit (the “Revolver”) and a $50.0 million term loan facility (the “Term Loan”), guaranteed by each of the Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries and secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets, with the exception of the Company’s investment in Windset. On October 25, 2019, the Company entered into the Sixth Amendment to the Credit Agreement, which among other things, increased the Term Loan to $120.0 million.
On July 15, 2020, the Company entered into the Eighth Amendment to the Credit Agreement (the “Eighth Amendment”), which among other things, (i) modified the definition of EBITDA to increase the limit on permitted exclusions for certain unusual, extraordinary or one-time cash items for each fiscal quarter ending on or after February 28, 2021, to a maximum of 20% of EBITDA, and (ii) restricted the Company from making Capital Expenditures over certain thresholds. Interest continues to be based on the Company’s Total Leverage Ratio, at a revised per annum Applicable Rate of either (i) the prime rate plus a spread of between 0.75% and 3.50% or (ii) the Eurodollar rate plus a spread of between 1.75% and 4.50%, plus, in each case, a commitment fee, as applicable, of between 0.15% and 0.55%, as further described in the Eighth Amendment.
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Both the Revolver and the Term Loan were scheduled to mature on September 23, 2021, with the Term Loan requiring quarterly principal payments of $3.0 million and the remainder continuing to be due at maturity. The Credit Agreement contained customary financial covenants and events of default under which the obligation could be accelerated and/or the interest rate increased.
On December 31, 2020, the Company refinanced its existing Term Loan and Revolver by entering into two separate Credit Agreements (the "New Credit Agreements") with BMO and Goldman Sachs Specialty Lending Group, L.P. (“Goldman”) and Guggenheim Credit Services, LLC ("Guggenheim"), as lenders (collectively, the “Refinance Lenders”). Pursuant to the credit agreement related to the revolving credit facility, BMO has provided the Company, Curation Foods and Lifecore, as co-borrowers, with an up to $75.0 million revolving line of credit (the “Refinance Revolver”) and serves as administrative agent of the Refinance Revolver. Pursuant to the credit agreement related to the term loan, Goldman and Guggenheim have provided the Company, Curation Foods and Lifecore, as co-borrowers, with an up to $170.0 million term loan facility (split equally between Goldman and Guggenheim) (the “Refinance Term Loan”) and Goldman will serve as administrative agent of the Refinance Term Loan. The Refinance Revolver and Refinance Term Loan are guaranteed, and secured by, substantially all of the Company’s and the Company's direct and indirect subsidiaries' assets.
The Refinance Term Loan matures on December 31, 2025. The Refinance Revolver matures on December 31, 2025 or, if the Refinance Term Loan remains outstanding on such date, ninety (90) days prior to the maturity date of the Refinance Term Loan (on October 2, 2025).
The Refinance Term Loan provides for principal payments by the Company of 5% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears in equal installments, commencing on March 30, 2023, with the remainder due at maturity.
Interest on the Refinance Revolver is based upon the Company’s average availability, at a per annum rate of either (i) LIBOR rate plus a spread of between 2.00% and 2.50% or (ii) base rate plus a spread of between 1.00% and 1.50%, plus a commitment fee, as applicable, of 0.375%. Interest on the Refinance Term Loan is at a per annum rate based on either (i) the base rate plus a spread of 7.50% or (ii) the LIBOR rate plus a spread of 8.50%.
The New Credit Agreements provide the Company the right to increase the revolver commitments under the Refinance Revolver, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions (including consent from BMO), by obtaining additional commitments from either BMO or another lending institution at an amount of up to $15.0 million.
The New Credit Agreements contains customary financial covenants and events of default under which the obligations thereunder could be accelerated and/or the interest rate increased in specified circumstances.
In connection with the New Credit Agreements, the Company incurred debt issuance costs from the lender and third-parties of $9.3 million.
Concurrent with the close of the New Credit Agreements, the Company repaid all outstanding borrowings under the current Credit Agreement, and terminated the Credit Agreement. In connection with the repayment of borrowings under the Credit Agreement, the Company recognized a loss in its third quarter of fiscal year 2021 of $1.1 million, as a result of the non-cash write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs related to the refinancing under the New Credit Agreements.
As of February 28, 2021, $41.0 million was outstanding on the Refinance Revolver and $145.1 million, net of debt issuance costs, was outstanding on the Refinance Term Loan, at interest rates of 2.75% and 9.5%, respectively. As of February 28, 2021, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants and had no events of default under the New Credit Agreements.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
There have been no material changes to the information provided under Item 7A. "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" which is included and described in the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on August 14, 2020.
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of February 28, 2021, our management evaluated, with participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in reports filed under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC, and are effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in such reports is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act that occurred during the quarter ended February 28, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
In the ordinary course of business, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings and claims. For further discussion, see the disclosures contained in Note 1 - Organization, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Legal Contingencies, which are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
You should carefully consider the risks described in Item 1A, Risk Factors, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, as supplemented by our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal period ended February 28, 2021, as our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected by any of the risks and uncertainties described therein and herein. There have been no material changes to our risk factors as previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2020, as supplemented by our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal period ended February 28, 2021.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
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Item 6. Exhibits
| Exhibit Number | Exhibit Title | ||||
| 101.INS+ | XBRL Instance | ||||
| 101.SCH+ | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema | ||||
| 101.CAL+ | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation | ||||
| 101.DEF+ | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition | ||||
| 101.LAB+ | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels | ||||
| 101.PRE+ | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation | ||||
| + | Filed herewith. | ||||
| * | Furnished herewith. | ||||
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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.
| LANDEC CORPORATION | |||||||||||
| By: | /s/ John Morberg | ||||||||||
| John Morberg | |||||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer | |||||||||||
| (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | |||||||||||
Date: April 8, 2021
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