Charlotte, N.C., Feb. 23 -- Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated (Nasdaq: COKE) today announced it earned $23.0 million or $2.53 per share in 2005 compared to $21.8 million or $2.41 per share in 2004. The Company earned $1.9 million or $.21 per share in the fourth quarter of 2005 compared to $2.3 million or $.26 per share in the fourth quarter of 2004.
The Company's 2004 fiscal year had 53 weeks versus 52 weeks in 2005. Excluding the estimated impact of the 53rd week in 2004, adjusted net income for the fourth quarter of 2004 would have been $0.6 million or $.07 per share and adjusted net income for full year 2004 would have been $20.1 million or $2.22 per share.
The Company's net income for 2005 reflected the favorable after-tax impact of $.46 per share related to proceeds received from the settlement of a class action lawsuit related to high fructose corn syrup, offset partially by financing transaction costs of $.11 per share on an after-tax basis associated with a debt exchange and the early retirement of certain debt. In 2004, the Company's reported results reflected a one-time unfavorable impact of $.11 per share on an after-tax basis due to a change in the manner in which The Coca- Cola Company delivers marketing funding support, offset by the favorable impact of $.13 per share on an after-tax basis related to certain customer- related marketing programs between the Company and The Coca-Cola Company.
The Company faced a number of significant challenges in 2005 including record-setting increases in packaging costs and historically high fuel prices. J. Frank Harrison, III, Chairman and CEO, said, "Over the past several years, packaging costs have increased at rates consistent with changes in overall inflation. In 2005, packaging costs were up more than 10% impacting the Company's gross margins. In addition, the Company experienced significant increases in fuel expense in the second half of 2005 which reduced the Company's income from operations. Despite these significant cost challenges, we are encouraged by the improvement in revenue in both the fourth quarter and full year 2005. Average revenue per case increased by approximately 4.5% and 3%, in the fourth quarter and full year 2005, respectively, versus the same periods a year ago. Solid product innovation including the introduction of Vault, Coca-Cola Zero and Dasani flavors, as well as strong growth in Dasani, Powerade and energy drinks, led to bottle/can volume growth of approximately 7% and 4% in the fourth quarter and full year 2005, respectively. Also, sales to other bottlers rose significantly, increasing by approximately $19 million and $61 million in the fourth quarter and full year 2005, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2004, primarily as a result of the production and sale of Full Throttle to other Coca-Cola bottlers in the eastern portion of the United States."
William B. Elmore, President and COO, said, "The Company implemented additional selling price increases in the third and fourth quarters of 2005 to improve revenue production and offset a significant portion of the impact of higher packaging and fuel costs and increases in interest expense. Packaging costs increased by approximately 11%, fuel costs increased by approximately 30% and interest expense increased by 12% in 2005 as compared to 2004. The increase in interest expense in 2005 was primarily due to an increase in interest rates and the impact of financing transaction costs. Debt and capital lease obligations, net of cash investments, decreased by approximately $42 million in 2005. In addition, the Company's launch of a number of new products enabled the Company to enjoy significant bottle/can growth in the second half of 2005. The successful rollout of a significant number of new products in 2005 resulted from the efforts of the entire organization. The Company experienced positive bottle/can volume growth in 2005 across all of its key product categories with carbonated soft drink volume up approximately 2%, bottled water increasing approximately 23% and isotonics up approximately 29%. In addition, the Company's energy products portfolio contributed approximately 22% of the gross margin growth in 2005." The Company is eagerly anticipating the impact of the introduction of additional new products in 2006, including Tab Energy, Coca-Cola Blak, Black Cherry Vanilla Coke and line extensions for Full Throttle.
Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
In Thousands (Except Per Share Data)
Fiscal Year
2005 2004 2003
Net sales $1,380,172 $1,267,227 $1,220,403
Cost of sales* 752,409 659,466 629,080
Gross margin 627,763 607,761 591,323
Selling, delivery and
administrative expenses* 466,533 449,497 428,462
Depreciation expense 68,222 70,798 76,485
Amortization of intangibles 880 3,117 3,105
Income from operations 92,128 84,349 83,271
Interest expense 49,279 43,983 41,914
Minority interest 4,097 3,816 3,297
Income before income taxes 38,752 36,550 38,060
Income taxes 15,801 14,702 7,357
Net income 22,951 21,848 30,703
Basic net income per share $2.53 $2.41 $3.40
Diluted net income per share $2.53 $2.41 $3.40
Weighted average number of
common shares outstanding 9,083 9,063 9,043
Weighted average number of
common shares outstanding
- assuming dilution 9,083 9,063 9,043
* Excludes depreciation expense
Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
In Thousands (Except Per Share Data)
Fourth Quarter
2005 2004 2003
Net sales $347,717 $321,485 $294,299
Cost of sales* 193,598 171,899 152,543
Gross margin 154,119 149,586 141,756
Selling, delivery and
administrative expenses* 120,288 115,782 106,449
Depreciation expense 17,046 17,690 19,232
Amortization of intangibles 157 761 794
Income from operations 16,628 15,353 15,281
Interest expense 12,883 12,161 10,213
Minority interest 935 372 607
Income before income taxes 2,810 2,820 4,461
Income taxes 889 498 911
Net income $1,921 $2,322 $3,550
Basic net income per share $.21 $.26 $.39
Diluted net income per share $.21 $.26 $.39
Weighted average number of
common shares outstanding 9,083 9,063 9,043
Weighted average number of
common shares outstanding
- assuming dilution 9,083 9,063 9,043
* Excludes depreciation expense
Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated
Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Information
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts, and Unaudited)
NET INCOME RECONCILIATION
Quarter Quarter
Ended Ended
01/01/06 01/02/05 Change
Reported net income $1,921 $2,322 $(401)
Estimated 53rd week impact 0 (1,711) 1,711
Adjusted net income $1,921 $611 $1,310
Year Ended Year Ended
01/01/06 01/02/05 Change
Reported net income $22,951 $21,848 $1,103
Estimated 53rd week impact 0 (1,711) 1,711
Adjusted net income $22,951 $20,137 $2,814
DILUTED NET INCOME PER SHARE RECONCILIATION
Quarter Quarter
Ended Ended Change
01/01/06 01/02/05
Reported net income per share $.21 $.26 $(.05)
Estimated 53rd week impact 0 (.19) .19
Adjusted net income per share $.21 $.07 $.14
Year Ended Year Ended
01/01/06 01/02/05 Change
Reported net income per share $2.53 $2.41 $.12
Estimated 53rd week impact 0 (.19) .19
Adjusted net income per share $2.53 $2.22 $.31
The following financial measures are not measures as defined by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP): (i) our 2004 adjusted net income and (ii) our 2004 adjusted diluted net income per share. These non-GAAP measures are provided to allow investors to more clearly evaluate our ongoing operating performance and business trends by excluding the estimated impact of the additional week included in our reported results for 2004 and the fourth quarter thereof. Management uses this information to review results excluding items that are not necessarily indicative of our ongoing results.