LION BREWERY INC
10QSB, 1997-08-14
MALT BEVERAGES
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                       U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                 Washington, DC 20549
                                     FORM 10-QSB

          (Mark One)

          [X] Quarterly report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
          Exchange Act of 1934

          For the quarterly period ended          June 30, 1997           
                                         ---------------------------------

          [ ] Transition report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange
          Act

          For the transition period from                 to              
                                         ---------------    --------------

          Commission file number    0-28282
                                 -----------------------------------------

                                THE LION BREWERY, INC.
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
          (Exact Name of Small Business Issuer as Specified in Its Charter)

               PENNSYLVANIA                                 24-0645190
          --------------------------                   --------------------
          State or Other Jurisdiction of                (I.R.S. Employer
          Incorporation or Organization)               Identification No.)



                700 NORTH PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, WILKES BARRE, PA 18703
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
                       (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

                                    (717) 823-8801
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
                   (Issuer's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

                                         N/A
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed
                                Since Last Report)

                  Check whether the issuer:  (1) filed all reports required
          to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the
          past  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    X     No        
             ---------    ---------

                  APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY 
                     PROCEEDING DURING THE  PRECEDING FIVE YEARS

                 Check whether the registrant filed all documents and
          reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the
          Exchange Act after the distribution of securities under a plan
          confirmed by a court.

          Yes          No        
             ---------   --------

                         APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS

               State  the number  of shares outstanding of each of the
          issuer's classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable
          date:    July 31, 1997 - 3,885,051 shares outstanding
               -----------------------------------------------------------

               Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (check one):

          Yes          No    X   
              --------   --------

     <PAGE>

                                THE LION BREWERY, INC.

                            NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS




          1.   BASIS OF PRESENTATION:

               The financial statements and accompanying information as of
               June 30, 1997 and for the nine month periods ended June 30,
               1997 and 1996 are unaudited but, in the opinion of
               management, include all adjustments (consisting only of
               normal recurring adjustments and accruals) which the Company
               considers necessary for a fair presentation of the financial
               position of the Company at such dates and the operating
               results and cash flows for those periods.  Results for the
               interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results
               for the entire year.  The interim financial statements and
               the related notes should be read in conjunction with the
               notes to the financial statements of  the Company included
               in the Form 10-KSB for the year ended September 30, 1996.

          2.   NET INCOME PER SHARE:

               On March 31, 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
               issued SFAS No. 128, "Earnings Per Share" ("Statement 128"). 
               Statement 128 is effective for fiscal years ending after
               December 15, 1997, and, when adopted, it will require the
               restatement of prior years  earnings per share.  If the
               Company had adopted Statement 128 for the period ending June
               30, 1997, there would have been no effect on net income per
               share, on either the basic or diluted basis.

          3.   LINES OF CREDIT:

               In February 1997, the Company obtained a $5,000,000
               revolving line of credit and a $2,500,000 revolving
               equipment line of credit from a financial institution.  Both
               facilities are unsecured and interest is payable monthly
               based upon either the Bank's prime rate minus 1/2%, LIBOR plus
               75 basis points or the Bank's offered rate.  These lines of
               credit mature in 3 years, and the Company, at its option,
               may convert the principal outstanding on the revolving
               equipment line to a term loan of either 3 or 5 years at the
               same rates or at a fixed rate to be determined by the
               lending institution.

                                      -2-
     <PAGE>

                  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                         CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 


          OVERVIEW

          The Lion Brewery, Inc. is a brewer and bottler of brewed
          beverages, including malta, specialty beers and specialty soft
          drinks.  Malta is a non-alcoholic brewed beverage popular with
          the Caribbean and certain other segments of the Hispanic
          population, which the Company produces for distribution primarily
          in the eastern United States.  The Company produces malta for the
          major Hispanic food distribution companies including Goya Foods,
          Vitarroz, Ceverceria India and 7-Up/RC of Puerto Rico and is the
          dominant producer of malta in the continental United States.
          Specialty beers, generally known as craft beers, are brewed by
          the Company for both sale under its own brands (label) and on a
          contract basis for other breweries and marketers of craft beer
          brands.  Craft beers are distinguishable from other domestically
          produced beers by their fuller flavor and adherence to
          traditional European brewing styles.  Furthermore, the Company
          produces flavored, alcoholic, malt based brews under contract.
          The Company also produces specialty soft drinks, including all-
          natural brewed ginger beverages, on a contract basis for third
          parties.  In addition, the Company brews beer for sale under
          traditional Company-owned labels for the local market at popular
          prices.

          The Company's flagship line of distinctive full-flavored beers
          are marketed under the Brewery Hill name.  The Brewery Hill line
          includes Centennial Lager, Caramel Porter, Black and Tan, Honey
          Amber, Pocono Raspberry, Pale Ale and Cherry Wheat.  The
          Company's original specialty beers, 1857 Premium Lager, Stegmaier
          Porter and Liebotschaner Cream Ale, are reminiscent of the
          Company's rich brewing heritage.  Since the brewhouse was built
          at the turn of the century in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, The
          Lion Brewery benefits from a long brewing tradition. Company
          label beers, brewed in its own brewery, have won numerous
          prestigious awards. 


          RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

          NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1996

          GROSS SALES AND EXCISE TAXES

          The Company's  gross sales increased  1.4% to $19,552,000  in the
          nine  months ended  June 30,  1997 from  $19,274,000 in  the nine
          months ended June 30,1996.   The Company's sales volumes  for the
          first nine months of fiscal 1997, were less than expected  due to
          delays  in  the  introduction  of  new  contract brands  and  the
          competitiveness of the craft beer market. 

          The Company is required to pay federal  and state excise taxes on
          sales  of its beer.  The federal  excise tax increases from $7 to
          $18 per barrel on  production over 60,000 barrels.   Total excise
          taxes decreased 10.2%  to $353,000  in the first  nine months  of
          fiscal  1997 from  $393,000 in  the same  period of  fiscal 1996.
          This decrease resulted from a reduction  in the a barrels of beer
          sold.   Excise taxes are  accrued at  a rate higher  than $7  per
          barrel  in expectation  that beer  production will  exceed 60,000
          barrels.   

                                      -3-
     <PAGE>

          NET SALES

          The Company's net sales increased 1.7% to $19,199,000 in the nine
          months  ended June 30, 1997  from $18,881,000 in  the nine months
          ended  June 30,  1996.   Net sales  of  malta and  specialty soft
          drinks  increased  3.2%  and  47.1% respectively.  Net  sales  of
          alcoholic specialty  beverages, produced under  the Company's own
          labels and contract, decreased 17.6% during the first nine months
          of fiscal 1997  as compared to  the same period  in fiscal  1996.
          Net sales of  the Company's  flagship line  of distinctive  full-
          flavored beers,  marketed under the Brewery  Hill name, decreased
          2.8% to  $723,000 in the  nine months  ended June 30,  1997, from
          $744,000 in the same period of the prior fiscal year.   Net sales
          of popular priced beers decreased 27.1%. 

          GROSS MARGINS

          The  Company's gross margins (gross profit as a percentage of net
          sales)  was 24.8% for  the first nine  months of  fiscal 1997, in
          comparison to 24.2% for the first nine months of fiscal 1996. 

          The  Company anticipates a change  in the availability of certain
          styles  of  recycled  glass  from  its  current  sources.    This
          reduction  in availability would  result in an  increased cost of
          glass;  reducing future gross margins.  The Company will make all
          efforts  to   mitigate  the  effect  on  gross  margins,  but  no
          assurances can be  made that  the Company will  be successful  in
          this regard.

          DELIVERY EXPENSE

          Delivery expense as a percentage of net sales remained at 3.1% of
          net sales, increasing to $601,000 during the first nine months of
          fiscal  1997 from $592,000 during the first nine months of fiscal
          1996. 

          SELLING, ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL EXPENSE

          Selling, advertising and promotional  expenses increased 47.5% to
          $1,139,000  in the first nine months of fiscal 1997 from $772,000
          in  the  comparable  period of  fiscal  1996.    The increase  in
          selling, advertising  and promotional  expenses  occurred as  the
          Company began to increase its Company label craft beer  packaging
          and  sales and  marketing efforts.  A significant portion  of the
          Company's  sales  and  marketing  efforts  is  dedicated  to  the
          introduction  of  its  new   labels  and  the  implementation  of
          promotional  programs,  including   advertising,  point  of  sale
          materials and package design.  

          In March  1997, due to the  softening of the craft  beer category
          and  the intense competition  from both large  and small brewers,
          the Company began to reduce its sales and marketing  expenditures
          for  Company  label craft  beers.   The  Company is  focusing its
          efforts more heavily on its local and contiguous markets.

          GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

          General and  administrative expenses  were $1,073,000 or  5.6% of
          net sales in the first  nine months of fiscal 1997  in comparison
          to 5.7% or $1,071,000 in the first nine months of fiscal 1996.  

                                      -4-
     <PAGE>

          OPERATING INCOME

          Operating income was  $1,952,000, or  10.2% of net  sales in  the
          first nine months  of fiscal 1997.  Primarily as  a result of the
          increase in  selling,  advertising and  promotional  expenses  of
          $367,000, operating income decreased from $2,134,000, or 11.3% of
          net sales in the first nine months of fiscal 1996. 

          INTEREST EXPENSE (INCOME)

          Interest  income was $86,000 in  the first nine  months of fiscal
          1997 compared to interest  expense of $548,000 in the  first nine
          months  of  fiscal 1996.   The  interest  income and  decrease in
          interest  expense  resulted  from  income  earned  on  short-term
          investments and the  repayment of the  debt outstanding with  the
          proceeds from the Company's initial  public offering in May 1996.

          PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

          The effective  tax rate was 43% and 44% for the first nine months
          of  fiscal 1997 and 1996,  respectively.  State  income taxes and
          nondeductible  goodwill  amortization  impact the  effective  tax
          rates.  

          LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

          The Company has historically  funded operations primarily through
          cash generated from operations and bank and other debt. On May 2,
          1996, the Company completed an  initial public offering of equity
          securities.  A portion of the proceeds from the offering was used
          to repay indebtedness  of the  Company.    In February 1997,  the
          Company  obtained a  $5,000,000 revolving  line  of credit  and a
          $2,500,000 revolving  equipment line  of credit from  a financial
          institution.    Both facilities  are  unsecured  and interest  is
          payable monthly based upon either the Bank's prime rate minus 1/2%,
          LIBOR plus  75 basis  points or the  Bank's offered rate.   These
          lines of credit mature in 3 years and the Company, at its option,
          may convert the principal  outstanding on the revolving equipment
          line to a term loan  of either 3 or 5 years at the  same rates or
          at  a fixed  rate to  be determined  by the  lending institution.
          There are no borrowings under these lines of credit to date.

          Cash flows provided from  operations were $1,083,000 and $892,000
          in the first nine  months of fiscal 1997 and  1996, respectively.
          The cash flows from operations were primarily generated from  net
          income and  an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses.
          The  increase  in  accounts   payable  and  accrued  expenses  is
          primarily attributable  to increases  in professional  fees, rent
          and insurance payable. 

          In the first  nine months of fiscal 1997,  the cash provided from
          operations was used to purchase  equipment. During the first nine
          months of fiscal 1997, the Company expended $1,303,000 on capital
          improvements.  The Company  has completed its capital expenditure
          program to  increase its annual production  capacity from 340,000
          to 400,000 barrels.  During the first nine months of fiscal 1997,
          the  Company  adapted  its  seven  ounce bottling  line  to  also
          accommodate 12 oz. bottles  and installed a malt silo  system and
          completed  the refurbishing  of  existing storage  tanks and  its
          lauter tub.        

                                      -5- 
     <PAGE>                                       

          The  Company believes that its  cash on hand,  together with cash
          flows  from  operations  and  borrowing  availability  under  its
          revolving credit  facilities, will  be sufficient to  support the
          Company's  capital expenditure  and working  capital requirements
          for the foreseeable future.

          FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE PERFORMANCE

          This  report  contains  forward  looking  statements  based  upon
          current  expectations   that  involve  a  number   of  risks  and
          uncertainties.  The  factors that could  cause actual results  to
          differ  materially   include  the  following:   general  economic
          conditions  and growth rates in the malt beverage, soft drink and
          related  industries, competitive  factors and  pricing pressures,
          changes in the Company's product mix, the timely  development and
          acceptance  of new  products, inventory  risks  due to  shifts in
          market demands,  supply of  recycled glass and  other constraints
          and  shortages, and  the ramp-up  and expansion  of manufacturing
          capacity.

          PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

               ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8K

               EXHIBIT 27.  FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE


                                      -6-
     <PAGE>

                                      SIGNATURES

               In accordance with  the requirements   of the Exchange  Act,
          the registrant caused  this report  to be signed on its behalf by
          the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                             THE LION BREWERY, INC.
                                             -------------------------
                                                  (Registrant)

          Date:  August 14, 1997 
               -------------------            /s/ Charles E. Lawson
                                             --------------------------
                                             CHARLES E. LAWSON
                                             President and Chief Executive
                                             Officer


          Date:  August 14, 1997
               -------------------            /s/ Patrick E. Belardi
                                             ---------------------------
                                             PATRICK E. BELARDI
                                             Vice President and Chief
                                             Financial Officer




                                      -7-
     <PAGE>

                                THE LION BREWERY, INC.

                                    BALANCE SHEETS


                                                  June 30,       September 30,
                                                    1997              1996
                                                  --------       -------------
                                                 (Unaudited)

                                        ASSETS
      Current assets:
        Cash and cash equivalents                  $1,772,000       $1,992,000
      Accounts receivable, less allowance
      for doubtful accounts of $166,000 at
      June 30, 1997 and $157,000 at
      September 30, 1996                            2,703,000        2,001,000
      Inventories                                   2,449,000        2,128,000
      Prepaid expenses and other assets               123,000          190,000
                                                    ---------        ---------
      Total current assets                          7,047,000        6,311,000

      Property, plant & equipment, net of
      accumulated depreciation of $2,173,000
      at June 30, 1997 and $1,684,000 at
      September 30, 1996                            4,414,000        3,600,000
      Goodwill, net of accumulated
      amortization of $599,000 at June 30,
      1997 and $475,000 at September 30, 1996       5,915,000        6,039,000
      Other assets                                      4,000            4,000
                                                  -----------      -----------
                                                  $17,380,000      $15,954,000
                                                  ===========      ===========


                         LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

      Current liabilities:                         $1,530,000       $1,663,000
        Accounts payable                            1,111,000          839,000
        Accrued expenses                              229,000          205,000
        Refundable deposits                           304,000          178,000
        Income taxes payable                       ----------        ---------
                                                    3,174,000        2,885,000

      Net pension liability                           243,000          243,000
      Deferred income taxes                           189,000          206,000
                                                   ----------        ---------
           Total liabilities                        3,606,000        3,334,000
                                                   ----------        ---------
                                                    

      Stockholders' equity:
        Common stock, $.01 par value;
        10,000,000 shares authorized;
        3,885,051 issued and outstanding
        at June 30, 1997 and September 30, 1996        39,000           39,000
        Additional paid-in capital                 10,612,000       10,612,000
        Adjustment to reflect minimum     
        pension liability, net of deferred
        income taxes                                  (42,000)         (42,000)
        Retained earnings                           3,165,000        2,011,000
                                                   ----------       ----------
           Total stockholders' equity              13,774,000       12,620,000
                                                   ----------       ----------
           Total liabilities and                  $17,380,000      $15,954,000
           stockholders' equity                    ==========       ==========

        The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part 
                         of these financial statements.

     <PAGE>

                                THE LION BREWERY, INC.

                                 STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                     (Unaudited)

                                Three Months Ended        Nine Months Ended
                                     June 30,                 June 30,
                             -----------------------   ------------------------
                                  1997        1996          1997        1996
                                  ----        ----          ----        ----
      Gross sales            $7,747,000   $7,288,000   $19,552,000  $19,274,000
      Less excise taxes         140,000      192,000       353,000      393,000
                              ---------    ---------    ----------   ----------
      Net sales               7,607,000    7,096,000    19,199,000   18,881,000
      Cost of sales           5,636,000    5,382,000    14,434,000   14,312,000
                              ---------    ---------    ----------   ----------
      Gross profit            1,971,000    1,714,000     4,765,000    4,569,000
                              ---------    ---------    ----------    ---------
      Operating expenses:
        Delivery                239,000      183,000       601,000      592,000 
        Selling,
         advertising and
         promotional expenses   319,000      298,000     1,139,000      772,000
        General and             369,000      367,000     1,073,000    1,071,000
         administrative       ---------    ---------     ---------    ---------
                                927,000      848,000     2,813,000    2,435,000
                              ---------    ---------     ---------    ---------

        Operating income      1,044,000      866,000     1,952,000    2,134,000

      Interest expense
       (income) and
       amortization of debt     (27,000)      83,000       (86,000)    548,000
       discount                --------     --------      --------   ---------
      Income before
       provision for income
       taxes and
       extraordinary item     1,071,000      783,000     2,038,000    1,586,000
      Provision for income      449,000      345,000       884,000      705,000
       taxes                   --------     --------      --------    ---------
        Income before           622,000      438,000     1,154,000      881,000
         extraordinary item
      Extraordinary item,
       net of income tax              0      322,000             0      322,000
       benefit of $228,000     --------     --------      --------    ---------
        Net income              622,000      116,000     1,154,000      559,000
      Warrant accretion               0            0             0       89,000
                               --------     --------    ----------    ---------
      Net income available 
      to common           
      shareholders             $622,000     $116,000    $1,154,000     $470,000
                               ========     ========    ==========    ========= 

      Income per share            $0.16        $0.13         $0.29        $0.32
       before extraordinary       =====        =====         =====        =====
       item per share

      Net income per share        $0.16        $0.03         $0.29        $0.19
                                  =====        =====         =====        =====
                                                                               
      Shares used in the      3,920,000    3,323,000     3,920,000    2,469,000
      per share calculation   =========    =========     =========    =========

      The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of
                          these financial statements.

     <PAGE>

                                THE LION BREWERY, INC.

                               STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                   FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1996
                                     (Unaudited)


                                                    1997            1996
                                                    ----            ----

      Cash flows from operating activities:
      Net income                                 $1,154,000        $559,000
      Adjustments to reconcile net income                                  
        to net cash provided by operating 
        activities:                          
            Extraordinary item                            0         550,000
            Depreciation and amortization           613,000         633,000
            Bad debt expense                          9,000           9,000
            Provision for inventory reserve          18,000          60,000
            Benefit for deferred income taxes       (17,000)        (98,000)
        Changes in assets and liabilities:
           (Increase) decrease in:
           Accounts receivable                     (711,000)       (356,000)
           Inventories                             (339,000)       (321,000)
           Prepaid expenses and other
            assets                                   67,000          89,000
       Increase (decrease) in:
           Accounts payable, accrued
            expenses and refundable 
            deposits                                163,000          97,000
           Income taxes payable                     126,000        (330,000

               Net cash provided by 
                operating activities              1,083,000         892,000
                                                  ---------         -------

      Cash flows from investing activities:  
        Purchase of equipment                    (1,303,000)       (596,000)   
      Cash flows from financing activities:
        Net proceeds from sale of common stock            0       9,466,000
        Repurchase of common stock                        0        (950,000)
        Net reductions in line of credit                  0        (721,000)
        Repayment of long term debtredit                  0      (7,584,000)
                                                 ----------      ----------
           Net cash provided by financing                 0         211,000
            activities                           ----------         -------
                Net increase (decrease) in         (220,000)        507,000
                 cash and cash equivalents
      Cash and cash equivalents, beginning        1,992,000              0 
       of year                                   ----------       -------- 
                                                 
      Cash and cash equivalents, end of year     $1,772,000       $507,000 
                                                 ==========       ========
      Supplementary disclosure of cash flow
      information:        
        Cash paid for:    
        Interest                                  $       0      $ 517,000
                                                  =========      =========

        Income taxes                              $ 797,000      $ 940,000
                                                  =========      =========


      The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part
                      of these financial statements.

     <PAGE>
                               EXHIBIT INDEX

           Exhibit           Description
           -------           -----------

             27              Financial Data Schedule


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE LION
BREWERY, INC.'S BALANCE SHEETS, STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND STATEMENTS OF CASH
FLOWS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                           1,772
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    2,703
<ALLOWANCES>                                       163
<INVENTORY>                                      2,449
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 7,047
<PP&E>                                           6,586
<DEPRECIATION>                                   2,172
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  17,380
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            3,174
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                            39
<OTHER-SE>                                      13,735
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    17,380
<SALES>                                         19,199
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                19,199
<CGS>                                           14,434
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   14,434
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 2,813
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,038
<INCOME-TAX>                                       884
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,154
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0 
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,154
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.29
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.29
        

</TABLE>


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