OurPet’s Company Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results

FAIRPORT HARBOR, Ohio, Oct. 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OurPet’s Company (OTCQX:OPCO) (www.ourpets.com), a leading proprietary pet supply company, today reported fully diluted EPS of $0.02, matching the third quarter of 2016.

Third Quarter 2017 Summary

• Realized revenue of $6.9 million, a decrease of 4.9% from the third quarter of 2016;
• Reported net income of 432,907, down 12.6% from the third quarter of 2016;
• Grew E-Commerce sales to $894,000, up 61% from the third quarter of 2016;
• Increased Value channel sales to $327,000, up 65% from the third quarter of 2016;
• Designer Diner® raised feeder sales were up 600+%, primarily through E-Commerce;
• Electronic and Interactive toy sales were up 25% when compared to prior year;
• Increased net sales for the first nine months year to date by 4%, and;
• Expanded overseas footprint with initial product shipments to a major Chinese Distributor

Dr. Steven Tsengas, Chairman and CEO commented, “The modest declines in revenue and net income in the third quarter fell below our expectations due to some revenues that shifted into the fourth quarter and a faster customer migration to E-Commerce than originally anticipated. However, we continue to drive for 10-12% top line revenue growth which is approximately three times the industry average of 3-4%, and we are cautiously optimistic about the fourth quarter which historically has comprised about 28-30% of our annual sales due to the holiday lift. The strength of our E-Commerce, technology and international opportunities continue to increase in importance to our business. We continue to adapt our business to the evolving retail environment and position our Company for long-term growth.” Tsengas continued, “The year-over-year decline in the third quarter was primarily driven by traditional Pet Specialty brick and mortar stores as they continue to contend with an eroding customer base that is migrating to E-Commerce and Value channels. In addition, in the third quarter of 2016 we had a $600,000 initial stocking order for toys and accessories from a major Pet Specialty retailer, that did not repeat this quarter. Our sales to the Pet Specialty channel were down $779,000 or 23% for the third quarter compared to the same period a year ago. The Food, Drug and Mass retail channel also experienced similar consumer shifts as sales declined about $265,000 or 9% from the same quarter a year ago.”

“In the third quarter we encountered several one-time timing events such as the set-up of our new European Distributor that delayed $300,000 of expected August shipments into the fourth quarter. We also received a large $900,000 bulk order from a major E-Commerce customer for shipment in the fourth quarter.  This bulk order resulted in their third quarter shipments being reduced.   Another $200,000 of orders shifted from the third quarter and will be recognized in the fourth quarter due to transportation issues from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma’s demand on the trucking industry for emergency assistance.”

Dr. Tsengas continued, “The Pet Specialty and the Food, Drug, and Mass channels are seeing an increasing preference for a user friendly, self-help internet experience that offers a tremendous array of products, on demand and at competitive costs. We are quickly adapting to the dynamics of the marketplace and are making rapid changes to handle the controllable factors such as competition and technology. We continue to invest in the E-Commerce channel and Value markets which cater to the consumer’s demand for convenience and price. By quickly adapting and changing our model, we managed to offset a good portion of the above revenue decreases and delays in the declining market segments. We grew our E-Commerce and Value channels by over 60% each. We continue to see positive momentum in the International category, with sales growth of 8% compared to the year-ago period, and will continue to invest in this growth opportunity.

“While this third quarter’s sales were down from the prior year’s quarter, it should be noted that for the first nine months of 2017, the Company has achieved an approximately 4% increase in net sales, driven by increases in E-Commerce and Value channels to offset declines in Pet Specialty and Food, Drug and Mass.

“With respect to products, the Bowls and Feeders category showed a 19% increase in sales in the third quarter compared to the same period a year ago. This was led by a 38% increase in Raised Feeders, fueled by the Designer Diner®’s E-Commerce sales, which was up 600+%. We also saw a 13% increase in Stainless Steel bowl sales, driven by augmented sales to our largest Food, Drug and Mass retail customer. Offsetting these growth areas was a 17% decrease in Toys and Accessories sales when compared to the same period last year, primarily driven by reduced orders from the Pet Specialty channel. A bright spot in the Toys and Accessories category was the 25% increase in Electronic and Interactive toy sales. We also Introduced, innovative products such as Chompy Chewers™, Wobble Doggle™, Scratch-n-Sniff Cat Scratchers with catnip microencapsulation, and proprietary Stain & Odor Eliminator products at the SuperZoo trade show in July.

“SG&A expenses for the nine months ended September 30 have risen to about 24.8% of sales from 23.4% for the same period a year ago. Most of this year to date increase is due to augmented selling expenses in the customer incentive and promotions categories.

Dr. Tsengas concluded, “As we noted in our second quarter 2017 earnings release, the retail landscape is rapidly changing and to stay successful, we must adapt and change with it. We believe we have the right strategy, products, and team for the fourth quarter and beyond.”

2017 Third Quarter Results
Net revenue decreased 4.9% to $6,905,160 for the third quarter of 2017 compared to revenues of $7,259,904 for the prior-year period. The approximate $355,000 decrease was due to weaker sales in the Pet Specialty and Food, Drug and Mass retail channels (-23% and -9% declines respectively), which were partially offset by strong growth in E-Commerce and the Value channels (+61% and +65% respectively). In terms of product categories, Toys and Accessory sales were down about 17% while Bowls/Feeder sales were up about 19%.

Gross profit decreased 10.4% to $2,189,279 for the third quarter 2017 compared to $2,443,470 for the prior-year period. Gross profit margin decreased to 31.7% from 33.7% in the prior-year period due to product mix and freight costs.

Net income decreased 12.66% to $432,907 in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $495,669 for the prior-year period. Net income per diluted share was $0.02 compared to $0.02 in the prior-year period, based on weighted average shares of 20,001,903 for the current quarter, and a weighted average of 20,090,366 shares for the prior-year period.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased 24.5% to $727,657 for the third quarter of 2017 compared to $964,263 for the prior-year period. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to GAAP Net Income is provided in an attachment to the summary financial statements.

2017 First Nine Months Results
Net revenue increased 4.0% to $19,625,770 for the first nine months of 2017 compared to revenues of $18,872,791 for the prior-year period. The approximate $753,000 increase was due to strong sales in the E-Commerce channel, which had 68% growth compared to the prior-year period and from raised feeders and toys and accessories as well as 39% growth in the Value channel. These increases offset decreases in Pet Specialty and the Food, Drug and Mass retail channels of 8% and 6% respectively.

Gross profit increased 6.2% to $6,207,865 for the first nine months of 2017 compared to $5,847,171 for the prior-year period. Gross profit margin increased to 31.6% from 31.0% in the prior-year period.

Net income increased 15.9% to $1,062,902 in the first nine months of 2017 compared to $916,882 for the prior-year period. Net income per diluted share was $0.05 for both the current and prior-year period, based on weighted average shares of 19,009,304 for the first nine months of 2017, and a weighted average of 19,489,855 shares for the prior-year period.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased 10.4% to $1,794,991 the first nine months of 2017 compared to $2,004,678 for the prior-year period. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to GAAP Net Income is provided in an attachment to the summary financial statements.

About OurPet’s Company
OurPet’s Company designs, produces and markets a broad line of innovative, high-quality accessory and consumable pet products in the U.S. and overseas. Investors and customers may visit www.ourpets.com for more information about our company and its products. OurPet’s websites include www.petzonebrand.com and www.ourpets.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain of the matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: business conditions; growth in the industry; general economic conditions; addition or loss of significant customers; the loss of key personnel; product development; competition; risks of doing business abroad; foreign government regulations; fluctuations in foreign currency rates; rising costs for raw materials and sources of supply that may be limited or unavailable from time to time; the timing of orders booked; and the other risks that are described from time to time in OurPet’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For further information, contact:

The above table reconciles the Company’s disclosure of Net Income per GAAP with the non GAAP financial measure EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization.) As the investment community has often requested the EBITDA calculation to help them evaluate performance, Management has chosen to provide this disclosure. Although EBITDA is widely used in the investment community as a benchmark to reflect operating performance, financing capability and liquidity, it is not regarded as a measure of operating performance and liquidity under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). It also does not represent cash flows from operating activities. In addition, the Company’s EBITDA may not be comparable to similar indicators provided by other companies. The Presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income (loss), or any component thereof, in accordance with GAAP.

Contacts
                                                           
OurPet’s Company
Dr. Steven Tsengas, CEO
(440) 354-6500, x111

Alpha IR Group
Chris Donovan or Steve Calk
(312) 445-2870
OPCO@alpha-ir.com