Reed’s Reports Year-End 2014 Results

reeds_originalLOS ANGELES, CA–(Marketwired – Mar 26, 2015) – Reed’s, Inc. (NYSE MKT: REED), maker of the top-selling sodas in natural food stores nationwide, today announced the financial results for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2014.

Financial Highlights for Full Year 2014 versus 2013:

  • Net sales increased 16% to a record $43.4 million driven by:
    • 20% gross sales growth of Reed’s Ginger Brews
    • 16.5% gross sales growth in Virgil’s Craft Soda
    • 38% gross sales growth in Kombucha
    • Partially offset by 25% decline in Private Label business
  • Topline promotional activity decreased to 9.6% of sales versus 12.0% in the prior full year
  • Gross profit dollars increased 20% to $13 million – an increase $2.2 million
  • Plant efficiency improved by $521,000 to 5% of net sales versus 7% of net sales in 2013
  • Gross margin improved from 29% in 2013 to 30% in 2014
  • Operating expenses decreased as a percent of sales from 31% in 2013 to 30% in 2014
  • Renegotiated credit facility and decreased effective interest rate from 13.5% to 9%
  • Operating income for 2014 was $41,000 versus a loss of ($869,000) in 2013
  • EBITDA improved to $1.2 million in 2014 versus $13,000 in 2013

Operational Highlights:

  • Reed’s #1 sku Reed’s Extra growing at almost 30% for the year
  • Syndicated data shows Reed’s growing +30% in latest 52 weeks and +31% in the latest 12 weeks
  • Reed’s exhibits at NACS (National Assoc. of Convenience Stores) for first time opening up new channels of business.
  • Hired PR/Social Media Agency generating millions of impressions and consumer awareness
  • Reed’s launches first-ever national TV campaign, sponsors Van’s International Surfing Championships, implements record number of print, retailer and distributor ads and conducts sampling events and demos to mark 25th Anniversary
  • Launched our innovative and “first ever” Coffee Kombucha
  • Continued plant upgrades to increase plant capacity
  • Kosher Certification on all beverages
  • Reed’s & Virgil’s have been and continue to be certified GMO free
  • Reed’s Culture Club Kombucha authorized at Safeway, Hy-Vee and Dierbergs
  • Reed’s & Virgil’s authorized at Lowes Foods, Books-A-Million, Spartan Nash, Food Lion
  • DSD Distribution expansion with RC of Asheville, Next Generation Beer Co., Senuca Beverages, Stagnaro Distributing, Superior Beverage and Haralambos Distribution
  • Partnered with OTG Management, an airport operator of dining and convenience stores,   for sale and distribution of Reed’s and Reed’s Culture Club Kombucha in key airports throughout North America.
  • Manhattan Beer initiated distribution of Reed’s Culture Club Kombucha
  • Partnering with some of the largest liquor companies in the world, utilizing our Reed’s Extra as a premium mixer for Moscow Mules and Dark & Stormy’s across the US.
  • Implemented new sales tracking/targeting software system in partnership with our DSD distributor partners to accelerate the focus of our field sales force.
  • Increased brand presence by more than 4000+ stores
  • Developed new partnerships with Club Stores accounts across the US
  • Reed’s Sponsors Van’s International Surfing Championships in Huntington Beach, CA
  • The making of  Virgil’s Root Beer featured on the “Food Factory” TV Show in US & Canada

Chris Reed, Founder and CEO of Reed’s Inc. stated, “Every year we improve the performance of the company.  We are building an infrastructure that will support the future growth of volume and distribution we are seeing on all of our brands.  I am particularly enthused with the strength our core Reed’s brands are showing.  Consumer demand is strong across all channels of business and we are capitalizing on all opportunities.  We are also excited about the response to our latest line extension called Reed’s Stronger Ginger Brew. With 50% more ginger than our flagship product Reed’s Extra Ginger Brew, Stronger Ginger Brew is creating a large buzz in the natural food industry and in the cocktail mixer world.  The Reed’s company is at a truly exciting inflection point, and our plan is to accelerate our growth at a faster pace. Reed’s is driving fundamental change in the carbonated soft drink category within conventional supermarkets, club stores and convenience stores across the US.  Prominent national retailers are having a gestalt moment and recognizing that Reed’s brands deliver higher margins and larger gross profits than the cola giants. More retail doors are opening and more space is being allocated for our brands across the country.  To help propel our operational capabilities as we accelerate, we hired Mark Beaton to serve as our new COO.  Mark was previously VP of Operations at Dr. Pepper Snapple Group and will be instrumental in whipping our operations and new plant improvements into shape.  We are truly excited to have Mark as part of our team.  We are a 25-year young company at the beginning of greatness.”

For the full year 2015, the company’s net sales target is $50 million with moderate profitability.

The Company will conduct a conference call at 4:30 PM EDT on March 26th to discuss its 2014 fiscal year end results and outlook for the future. To participate in the call, please dial the following number 5 to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled call time: International callers should dial +1 (212) 231-2936. Toll free: 800-758-5606.

A replay will be available within a few hours of the conclusion of the call in the investor relations section of the Company’s website at: http://www.reedsinc.com/investors/.

About Reed’s, Inc.
Reed’s, Inc. makes the top-selling natural sodas in the natural foods industry and is sold in over 15,000 natural and mainstream supermarkets nationwide. In addition, Reed’s products are sold through specialty gourmet, natural food stores, retail stores, convenience stores and restaurants nationwide and select international markets. Its seven award-winning non-alcoholic Ginger Brews are unique in the beverage industry, being brewed, not manufactured and using fresh ginger, spices and fruits in a brewing process that predates commercial soft drinks. The Company owns the top-selling root beer line in natural foods, the Virgil’s Root Beer product line, and a top-selling cola line in natural foods, the China Cola product line. In 2012, the Company launched its Reed’s Culture Club Kombucha line of organic live beverages. Other product lines include: Reed’s Ginger Candies and Reed’s Ginger Ice Creams. The company celebrated 25 years of hand crafting the best sodas in the world, naturally, in 2014.

For more information about Reed’s, please visit the Company’s website at:http://www.reedsinc.com or call 800-99-REEDS.

Follow Reed’s on Twitter at http://twitter.com/reedsgingerbrew Reed’s Facebook Fan Page at https://www.facebook.com/ReedsGingerBrew

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

Some portions of this press release, particularly those describing Reed’s goals and strategies, contain “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because the context of the statement will include words, such as “expects,” “should,” “believes,” “anticipates” or words of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe future plans, objectives or goals are also forward-looking statements. While Reed’s is working to achieve those goals and strategies, actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include difficulty in marketing its products and services, maintaining and protecting brand recognition, the need for significant capital, dependence on third party distributors, dependence on third party brewers, increasing costs of fuel and freight, protection of intellectual property, competition and other factors, any of which could have an adverse effect on the business plans of Reed’s, its reputation in the industry or its expected financial return from operations and results of operations. In light of significant risks and uncertainties inherent in forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such statements should not be regarded as a representation by Reed’s that they will achieve such forward-looking statements. For further details and a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, please see our most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as they may be amended from time to time. Reed’s undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

REED’S, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2014December 31, 2013
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash$959,000$1,104,000
Inventory6,306,0006,293,000
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and returns and discounts of $253,000 and $324,000, respectively2,500,0002,143,000
Prepaid inventory1,287,000256,000
Prepaid and other current assets447,000178,000
Total Current Assets11,499,0009,974,000
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $3,405,000 and $2,796,000, respectively4,572,0003,686,000
Brand names1,029,0001,029,000
Deferred financing fees, net of amortization of $107,000 and $40,000, respectively60,000
Total assets$17,100,000$14,749,000
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable$5,894,000$3,612,000
Accrued expenses130,000136,000
Line of credit3,009,0004,524,000
Current portion of long term financing obligation134,000111,000
Current portion of capital leases payable125,00079,000
Current portion of term loan165,000
Total current liabilities9,292,0008,627,000
Long term financing obligation, less current portion, net of discount of $1,031,000 and $526,000, respectively1,508,0002,147,000
Capital leases payable, less current portion476,000106,000
Capital Expansion Loan672,000
Term loan, less current portion1,500,000482,000
Total Liabilities13,448,00011,362,000
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Series A Convertible Preferred stock, $10 par value, 500,000 shares authorized, 9,411 and 9,411 shares issued and outstanding, respectively94,00094,000
Common stock, $.0001 par value, 19,500,000 shares authorized, 13,068,058 and 12,922,832 shares issued and outstanding, respectively1,0001,000
Additional paid in capital26,300,00025,276,000
Accumulated deficit(22,743,000)(21,984,000)
Total stockholders’ equity3,652,0003,387,000
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$17,100,000$14,749,000
REED’S, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
20142013
Sales, net$43,422,000$37,281,000
Cost of goods sold30,416,00026,487,000
Gross profit13,006,00010,794,000
Operating expenses:
Delivery and handling expenses4,478,0003,977,000
Selling and marketing expenses4,838,0004,180,000
General and administrative expenses3,649,0003,506,000
Total operating expenses12,965,00011,663,000
Income (Loss) from operations41,000(869,000)
Interest expense(793,000)(651,000)
Loss before provision for income taxes(752,000)(1,520,000)
Income taxes(2,000)0
Net loss(754,000)(1,520,000)
Preferred stock dividend(5,000)(5,000)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders$(759,000)$(1,525,000)
Loss per share attributable to common stockholders – basic and diluted$(0.06)$(0.12)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic and diluted13,043,92712,541,074
REED’S, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
20142013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss$(754,000)$(1,520,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization755,000550,000
Fair value vesting of stock options issued to employees396,000327,000
Fair value of common stock issued for services13,0005,000
(Decrease) increase in allowance for doubtful accounts71,000(75,000)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable(428,000)(107,000)
Inventory(13,000)(499,000)
Prepaid inventory(1,031,000)(55,000)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets(269,000)34,000
Accounts payable2,282,000244,000
Accrued expenses(6,000)(97,000)
Net cash provided by operating activities1,016,0001,193,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment(330,000)(602,000)
Net cash used in investing activities(330,000)(602,000)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from stock option and warrant exercises26,000403,000
Payments for deferred financing fees(7,000)(61,000)
Principal repayments on note term loan(150,000)(145,000)
Borrowing on term loan1,003,000217,000
Principal repayments on long term financing obligation(111,000)(90,000)
Principal repayments on capital lease obligation(77,000)(89,000)
Net borrowings (repayments) on existing line of credit(1,515,000)1,501,000
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities(831,000)1,736,000
Net (decrease) in cash(145,000)(59,000)
Cash at beginning of year1,104,0001,163,000
Cash at end of year$959,000$1,104,000
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest$693,000$712,000
Taxes$2,000$
Non Cash Investing and Financing Activities
Series A preferred stock converted to common stock$0$10,000
Series B preferred stock converted to common stock$0$456,000
Common Stock issued in settlement of Series A and Series B preferred stock dividend$0$5,000
Series B preferred stock dividend payable in common stock$5,000$74,000
Property and equipment acquired through capital lease obligation$493,000$107,000
Fair value of warrants granted as valuation discount$584,000$0
Property and Equipment acquired through Capital Expansion loan$672,000$0
MODIFIED EBITDA SCHEDULE
Year ended December 31,
20142013
(unaudited)(unaudited)
Net loss$(754,000)$(1,520,000)
Modified EBITDA adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization755,000550,000
Interest expense793,000651,000
Stock option and warrant compensation396,000327,000
Stock compensation for services13,0005,000
Taxes2,000
Total EBITDA adjustments1,959,0001,533,000
Modified EBITDA income from operations$1,205,000$13,000