Primo Water Reports Full-Year And Fourth Quarter 2023 Results

• Reports strong year-over-year growth in Revenue, Net Income, Adjusted EBITDA, Margins and Adjusted Free Cash Flow
• Completes previously announced transaction to sell significant portion of its International businesses for $575 million
• Successfully executes leadership transition and welcomes new CEO Robbert Rietbroek
• Issues first quarter and full year 2024 Revenue, Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow guidance^*
• Declares quarterly dividend of $0.09 per common share, a 13% increase over last year

TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Primo Water Corporation (NYSE:PRMW) (TSX:PRMW) (the "Company" or "Primo Water"), a leading provider of sustainable drinking water solutions in North America, today announced its results for the full year and fourth quarter ended December 30, 2023. 

"I am pleased with our performance, as our associates provided excellent service to our customers and strong financial results for our shareholders.  Our full-year 2023 results exceeded the midpoint of our guidance for revenue, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted free cash flow for the combined continuing and discontinued operations," said Robbert Rietbroek, Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Rietbroek continued, "Given the strength of our businesses, we expect our first quarter 2024 outlook from continuing operations for revenue to be between $435 million and $445 million and adjusted EBITDA to be between $85 million and $91 million. Full year 2024 outlook from continuing operations for revenue is forecasted to be between $1.84 billion and $1.88 billion and Adjusted EBITDA to be between $402 million and $422 million. Full-year 2024 Adjusted Free Cash Flow from continuing operations is forecasted to be between $170 million and $180 million. These forecasts reflect the successful execution of the previously announced transaction to sell a significant portion of our international businesses.  We intend to use the gross proceeds of $575 million from the sale to pursue growth, both organically and through tuck-in M&A, reduce leverage, and return capital to shareholders via share repurchases and dividends.  As we move through 2024, we will sell the remainder of the international businesses, further improving our balance sheet and North American focus as we execute our vision and effectively deploy capital."

"As the new CEO of Primo Water, I am excited to lead this premier, North American-focused, pure-play water company.  Since joining in January, I have been engaging with our stakeholders and learning more about our company's assets, resources and practices.  We have a strong platform for growth with a unique value proposition with our bulk offerings in the large and growing water market, which gives me confidence in our future," said Mr. Rietbroek.

 FISCAL 2023 HIGHLIGHTS - CONTINUING OPERATIONS

• Revenue from continuing operations increased 5% to $1.8 billion compared to $1.7 billion driven by revenue growth of 8% in Water Direct / Water Exchange and 18% in Water Refill / Water Filtration, offset primarily by the exit from the single-use retail bottled water business in North America and the exit from our Russia business.
  
  
  
  
• Gross margin from continuing operations increased 400 bps to 64.2% compared to 60.2%.
  
  
  
  
• Reported net income from continuing operations and reported net income per diluted share were $64 million and $0.40, respectively, compared to reported net income from continuing operations and net income per diluted share of $59 million and $0.36, respectively. Adjusted net income from continuing operations and adjusted net income per diluted share were $100 million and $0.62, respectively, compared to $87 million and $0.54, respectively.
  
  
  
  
• Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations increased 11% to $381 million and Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 120 bps to a record 21.5%.

_{(Unless stated otherwise, all fourth quarter 2023 comparisons are relative to the fourth quarter of 2022 and all fiscal year 2023 comparisons are relative to fiscal year 2022; all information is in U.S. dollars and, unless stated otherwise, is on a continuing operations basis. Non-GAAP reconciliations presented on the exhibits to this press release.}

OUTLOOK

Primo Water is targeting the following results from continuing operations for the first quarter and full-year 2024:

FOURTH QUARTER 2023 RESULTS CONFERENCE CALL

Primo Water will host a conference call, to be simultaneously webcast, on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. A question-and-answer session will follow management's presentation. To participate, please call the following numbers: 

North America: (888) 664-6392

International: (416) 764-8659

Conference ID: 60390249

This is a live, listen-only dial-in telephone line.

A slide presentation (including certain additional non-GAAP comparative measures for 2023, 2022 and 2021 on a continuing operations basis) and live audio webcast will be available through Primo Water's website at https://www.primowatercorp.com. The earnings conference call will be recorded and archived for playback on the investor relations section of the website for a period of two weeks following the event.

FISCAL YEAR PERFORMANCE - CONTINUING OPERATIONS 

• Revenue increased 5% to $1,772 million compared to $1,693 million driven by revenue growth of 8% in Water Direct / Water Exchange and 18% in Water Refill / Water Filtration, due primarily to pricing initiatives and increased demand for products and services from residential and business customers. Revenue growth by channel is tabulated below:

 

• Gross profit increased 12% to $1,137 million compared to $1,019 million. Gross margin increased 400 bps to 64.2% compared to 60.2%, driven by pricing initiatives, increased demand and operating efficiencies.
  
  
  
  
• SG&A expenses increased 10% to $976 million compared to $884 million. The increase was driven by higher selling and operating costs including delivery commissions that supported volume and revenue growth.
  
  
  
  
• Reported net income from continuing operations and net income per diluted share were $64 million and $0.40, respectively, compared to reported net income from continuing operations and net income per diluted share of $59 million and $0.36, respectively. Adjusted net income from continuing operations and adjusted net income per diluted share were $100 million and $0.62, respectively, compared to $87 million and $0.54, respectively.
  
  
  
  
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 11% to $381 million compared to $344 million, driven primarily by pricing initiatives, customer demand and operating efficiencies. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 21.5% for the year, compared to 20.3%.
  
  
  
  
• Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations of $289 million, less $147 million of capital expenditures and additions to intangible assets, resulted in $142 million of free cash flow, or $158 million of adjusted free cash flow (adjusting for the items set forth on Exhibit 7), compared to adjusted free cash flow of $85 million in the prior year.

FOURTH QUARTER PERFORMANCE - CONTINUING OPERATIONS

 

• Revenue increased 8% to $439 million compared to $405 million in the prior quarter. The increase was driven by revenue growth of 8% in Water Direct / Water Exchange and 15% in Water Refill / Water Filtration, due primarily to pricing initiatives and increased demand for products and services from residential and business customers. Revenue growth by channel is tabulated below:

 

• Gross profit increased 14% to $284 million compared to $249 million. Gross margin increased 330 bps to 64.7% compared to 61.4%, driven by pricing initiatives, increased demand and operating efficiencies.
  
  
  
  
• SG&A expenses increased 13% to $250 million compared to $221 million. The increase was driven by higher selling and operating costs including delivery commissions that supported volume and revenue growth.
  
  
  
  
• Reported net income from continuing operations and net income per diluted share were $13 million and $0.08, respectively, compared to reported net income from continuing operations and net income per diluted share of $35 million and $0.22, respectively. Adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share were $19 million and $0.12, respectively, compared to $21 million and $0.13 in the prior year.
  
  
  
  
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 7% to $95 million compared to $89 million, driven primarily by pricing initiatives, customer demand and effective expense management. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 21.6% for the quarter, compared to 21.9%.
  
  
  
  
• Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations of $67 million, less $38 million of capital expenditures and additions to intangible assets, resulted in $29 million of free cash flow, or $37 million of adjusted free cash flow (adjusting for the items set forth on Exhibit 7), compared to adjusted free cash flow of $31 million in the prior year.

QUARTERLY DIVIDEND

Primo Water announced that its Board of Directors declared a dividend of US$0.09 per share on common shares, payable in cash on March 25, 2024 to shareowners of record at the close of business on March 8, 2024.

SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM

During 2023, Primo Water repurchased approximately 1.4 million common shares for approximately $21 million.  Effective upon the closing of the sale of a significant portion of Primo Water's International business, the share repurchase authorization was increased from $50 million to $75 million.  Under the program, the Company's common shares may be repurchased periodically in open market or privately negotiated transactions.

The actual timing, manner, number, and value of shares repurchased under the program will be determined by management at its discretion and will depend on a number of factors, including the market price of Primo Water's common shares, general market and economic conditions, applicable law and other requirements, and other business considerations, provided however that the price per common share will not exceed the market price as at the date of acquisition (plus reasonable brokerage fees and commissions) in accordance with applicable securities laws and exchange rules.

ABOUT PRIMO WATER CORPORATION

Primo Water is a leading North America-focused pure-play water solutions provider that operates largely under a recurring revenue model in the large format water category (defined as 3 gallons or greater). This business strategy is commonly referred to as "razor-razorblade" because the initial sale of a product creates a base of users who frequently purchase complementary consumable products. The razor in Primo Water's revenue model is its industry leading line-up of innovative water dispensers, which are sold through approximately 10,900 retail locations and online at various price points. The dispensers help increase household and business penetration which drives recurring purchases of Primo Water's razorblade offering or water solutions. Primo Water's razorblade offering is comprised of Water Direct, Water Exchange, and Water Refill. Through its Water Direct business, Primo Water delivers sustainable hydration solutions direct to customers, whether at home or to businesses. Through its Water Exchange business, customers visit retail locations and purchase a pre-filled bottle of water. Once consumed, empty bottles are exchanged at our recycling center displays, which provide a ticket that offers a discount toward the purchase of a new bottle. Water Exchange is available in approximately 17,500 retail locations. Through its Water Refill business, customers refill empty bottles at approximately 23,500 self-service refill drinking water stations. Primo Water also offers water filtration units across North America.

Primo Water's water solutions expand consumer access to purified, spring, and mineral water to promote a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle while simultaneously reducing plastic waste and pollution. Primo Water is committed to its water stewardship standards and is proud to partner with the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) in North America which ensures strict adherence to safety, quality, sanitation and regulatory standards for the benefit of consumer protection.

Primo Water is headquartered in Tampa, Florida (USA). For more information, visit www.primowatercorp.com.

Non-GAAP Measures

To supplement its reporting of financial measures determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles), Primo Water utilizes certain non-GAAP financial measures.  Primo Water utilizes Adjusted net income (loss), Adjusted net income (loss) per diluted share, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin to separate the impact of certain items from the underlying business.  Because Primo Water uses these adjusted financial results in the management of its business, management believes this supplemental information is useful to investors for their independent evaluation and understanding of Primo Water's underlying business performance and the performance of its management.  Additionally, Primo Water supplements its reporting of net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations determined in accordance with GAAP by excluding additions to property, plant and equipment and additions to intangible assets to present free cash flow, and by excluding the items identified on the exhibits hereto to present adjusted free cash flow, which management believes provides useful information to investors in assessing our performance, comparing Primo Water's performance to the performance of the Company's peer group and assessing the Company's ability to service debt and finance strategic opportunities, which include investing in Primo Water's business, making strategic acquisitions, paying dividends, and strengthening the balance sheet. With respect to the Company's expectations of its future performance, the Company's reconciliations of Q1 2024 and full-year 2024 Adjusted EBITDA and 2024 adjusted free cash flow guidance are not available, as the Company is unable to quantify certain amounts to the degree of precision that would be required in the relevant GAAP measures without unreasonable effort. These items include restructuring costs and restructuring-related impairment charges, acquisition/divestiture related costs, gains or losses on the sale of businesses or other assets, and the income tax effects of these items and/or other income tax-related events.. These items depend on highly variable factors and any such reconciliations would imply a degree of precision that would be confusing or misleading to investors. Primo Water expects the variability of these factors to have a significant, and potentially unpredictable, impact on the Company's future GAAP financial results. The non-GAAP financial measures described above are in addition to, and not meant to be considered superior to, or a substitute for, Primo Water's financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the non-GAAP financial measures included in this earnings announcement reflect management's judgment of particular items, and may be different from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Safe Harbor Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 conveying management's expectations as to the future based on plans, estimates and projections at the time Primo Water makes the statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and Primo Water cautions you that several important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any such forward-looking statement. You can identify forward-looking statements by words such as "may," "will," "would," "should," "could," "expect," "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "predict," "project," "seek," "potential," "opportunities," and other similar expressions and the negatives of such expressions.  However, not all forward-looking statements contain these words.  The forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future financial and operating trends and results (including Primo Water's outlook on Q1 and full-year 2024 revenue, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow), and related matters. The forward-looking statements are based on assumptions regarding management's current plans and estimates. Management believes these assumptions to be reasonable, but there is no assurance that they will prove to be accurate.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in this press release include, among others: financial condition and results of operations; Primo Water's ability to compete successfully in the markets in which it operates; fluctuations in commodity prices and Primo Water's ability to pass on increased costs to its customers or hedge against such rising costs, and the impact of those increased prices on its volumes; Primo Water's ability to maintain favorable arrangements and relationships with its suppliers; Primo Water's ability to manage supply chain disruptions and cost increases related to inflation; Primo Water's ability to manage its operations successfully; currency fluctuations that adversely affect the exchange between currencies including the U.S. dollar, the British pound sterling, the Euro and the Canadian dollar; the impact on Primo Water's financial results from uncertainty in the financial markets and other adverse changes in general economic conditions, including inflation and interest rates; any disruption to production at Primo Water's manufacturing facilities; Primo Water's ability to maintain access to its water sources; the impact of climate change on Primo Water's business; Primo Water's ability to protect its intellectual property; the seasonal nature of Primo Water's business and the effect of adverse weather conditions; the impact of national, regional and global events, including those of a political, economic, business and competitive nature, such as the Russia/Ukraine war or the Israel/Hamas war; the impact of a pandemic, such as COVID-19, related government actions and Primo Water's strategy in response thereto on our business; Primo Water's ability to fully realize the potential benefit of the transaction or other strategic opportunities that it pursues; Primo Water's ability to realize cost synergies of its acquisitions due to integration difficulties and other challenges; Primo Water's exposure to intangible asset risk; Primo Water's ability to meet its obligations under its debt agreements, and risks of further increases to its indebtedness; Primo Water's ability to maintain compliance with the covenants and conditions under its debt agreements; fluctuations in interest rates, which could increase Primo Water's borrowing costs; Primo Water's ability to recruit, retain and integrate new management; Primo Water's ability to renew its collective bargaining agreements from time to time on satisfactory terms; compliance with product health and safety standards; liability for injury or illness caused by the consumption of contaminated products; liability and damage to Primo Water's reputation as a result of litigation or legal proceedings; changes in the legal and regulatory environment in which Primo Water operates; Primo Water's ability to adequately address the challenges and risks associated with its international operations and address difficulties in complying with laws and regulations including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery Act of 2010; the impact on Primo Water's tax obligations and effective tax rate arising from changes in local tax laws or countries adopting more aggressive interpretations of tax laws; disruptions in Primo Water's information systems; Primo Water's ability to securely maintain its customers' confidential or credit card information, or other private data relating to Primo Water's employees or the Company; Primo Water's ability to maintain its quarterly dividend; or credit rating changes.

The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures, including but not limited to risk factors contained in Primo Water's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other filings with the securities commissions. Primo Water does not undertake to update or revise any of these statements considering new information or future events, except as expressly required by applicable law.

Website: www.primowatercorp.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SOURCE Primo Water Corporation