SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly period Ended: September 30, 1998
Commission File Number 1-12506
LUCILLE FARMS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware 13-2963923
(State or other Jurisdiction I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
of Incorporation)
150 River Road, P.O. Box 517 07045
Montville, New Jersey (Zip Code)
(Address of Principal Offices)
Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
(973)334-6030
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed
since last report. N/A
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 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
The number of shares of Registrant's common stock, par value
$0.001
per share, outstanding as of November 3, 1998 was: 3,002,500.
Item 1. Financial Statements
LUCILLE FARMS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
ASSETS
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 MARCH 31, 1998
(unaudited)
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 320,000 $ 737,000
Accounts receivable, net of 4,423,000 2,833,000
allowances of $118,000 at
September 30, 1998 and
$78,000 at March 31, 1998
Inventories 1,369,000 1,895,000
Deferred income taxes 45,000 45,000
Prepaid expenses and other 83,000 69,000
current assets ___________ _________
Total Current Assets 6,240,000 5,579,000
PROPERTY, PLANT AND 5,696,000 5,314,000
EQUIPMENT, NET
OTHER ASSETS:
Due from officers 169,000 169,000
Deferred income taxes 443,000 471,000
Other 157,000 123,000
Total Other Assets 769,000 763,000
TOTAL ASSETS $12,705,000 $11,656,000
see notes to consolidated financial statements
LUCILLE FARMS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 MARCH 31, 1998
(unaudited)
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable $4,490,000 $3,791,000
Revolving credit loan 3,306,000
Current portion of long-term debt 298,000 282,000
Accrued expenses 254,000 224,000
Total Current Liabilities 8,348,000 4,297,000
LONG TERM LIABILITIES
Long-Term debt 1,777,000 1,885,000
Revolving credit line - 2,947,000
Deferred income taxes 488,000 516,000
Total Long-term Liabilities 2,265,000 5,348,000
TOTAL LIABILITIES 10,613,000 9,645,000
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock- $.001 par value,10,000,000 3,000
3,000 shares authorized, 3,052,500 shares issued
Additional paid-in capital 4,512,000 4,512,000
Retained (Deficit) earnings (2,298,000) (2,379,000)
2,217,000 2,136,000
Less: 50,000 shares treasury stock at cost (125,000)
(125,000)
Total Stockholders' Equity 2,092,000 2,011,000
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND $12,705,000 $11,656,000
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
see notes to consolidated financial statements
LUCILLE FARMS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1997
(UNAUDITED)
Six Months Ended September 30,
1998 1997
SALES $21,536,000 $16,627,000
COST OF SALES 20,043,000 16,359,000
GROSS PROFIT 1,493,000 268,000
OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):
Selling 844,000 745,000
General and administrative 326,000 317,000
Gain on sale of equipment - (24,000)
Interest income (18,000) (23,000)
Interest expense 259,000 235,000
TOTAL OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME) 1,411,000 1,250,000
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES 82,000 (982,000)
(Provision) for income taxes (1,000) (2,000)
NET INCOME (LOSS) $81,000 $(984,000)
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE $.03
$(.33)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES 3,002,500 3,002,500
OUTSTANDING USED TO COMPUTE
NET INCOME PER SHARE
see notes to consolidated financial statements
LUCILLE FARMS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1997
(UNAUDITED)
1998 1997
Three Months Ended September 30,
SALES $11,988,000 $8,252,000
COST OF SALES 11,246,000 8,018,000
GROSS PROFIT 742,000 234,000
OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME)
Selling 406,000 366,000
General and administrative 181,000 198,000
Gain on sale of equipment - (5,000)
Interest income (6,000) (13,000)
Interest expense 133,000 131,000
TOTAL OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME) 714,000 677,000
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES 28,000 (443,000)
(Provision) for income taxes _____-_____ ____-_____
NET INCOME (LOSS) $28,000 $(443,000)
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE $.01 $(.15)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES 3,002,500 3,002,500
OUTSTANDING USED TO COMPUTE
NET INCOME PER SHARE
see notes to consolidated financial statements
LUCILLE FARMS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
Six Months Ended September 30,
1998 1997
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
NET INCOME (LOSS) $81,000 $(984,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net income
(loss) to net cash provided by
(used by) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 180,000 150,000
Provision for doubtful accounts 40,000 -
Deferred Income taxes
(Increase) decrease in assets:
Accounts receivable (1,630,000) (221,000)
Inventories 526,000 561,000
Prepaid expenses & other current assets (14,000)
6,000
Other assets (34,000) 3,000
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable 699,000 402,000
Accrued expenses 30,000 (74,000)
Net Cash (Used by) Operating Activities (122,000)
(157,000)
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property, plant equipment (562,000)
(217,000)
Net Cash (used by) Investing Activities (562,000)
(217,000)
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
(Payments of) proceeds from revolving 359,000
(340,000)
credit loan-net
(Payments of) proceeds from long-term (92,000) (121,000)
debt and notes _________ __________
Net Cash (Used by) Provided by
Financing Activities 267,000 (461,000)
NET (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS(417,000) (835,000)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS-BEGINNING 737,000 1,422,000
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS-ENDING $320,000 $587,000
see notes to consolidated financial statements
LUCILLE FARMS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. The Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 1998
the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three and
six month periods ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 and
the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six month
periods ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 have been prepared
by
the Company without audit. In the opinion of management, the
accompanying consolidated financial statements contain all
adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments)
necessary to present fairly the financial position of Lucille
Farms, Inc. as of September 30, 1998, the results of its
operations for the three months and six months ended September
30, 1998 and 1997 and the changes in its cash flows for the
six months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997.
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included
in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principals have been condensed or omitted
pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC"), although the Company believes
that the disclosures are adequate to make the information
presented not misleading. It is suggested that these financial
statements be read in conjunction with the year-end financial
statements and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended March
31,
1998 included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K as
filed with the SEC.
The accounting policies followed by the Company are set
forth in the notes to the Company's consolidated financial
statements as set forth in its Annual Report on Form
10-K as filed with the SEC.
2. The results of operations for the three and six months ended
September 30, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of the
results to be expected for the entire fiscal year.
3. Inventories are summarized as follows:
September 30, 1998 March 31, 1998
Finished goods $727,000 $1,236,000
Raw materials 263,000 312,000
Supplies and Packaging 379,000 347,000
$1,369,000 $1,895,000
4. Income (loss) per share of common stock was computed
by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average
number of common shares outstanding during the period.
Basic and diluted per share amounts are the same for all
periods, since the effect of stock options would be
antidulutive or immaterial and therefore not taken into
consideration.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
General
The Company's conventional cheese product's, which account
for substantially all of the Company's sales, are commodity
items.
The Company prices its conventional cheese products
competitively
with others in the industry, which pricing, since May 1998, is
referenced to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (and was formerly
referenced to the Wisconsin Block Cheddar Market.) The price the
company pays for fluid milk is not determined until the month
after
its cheese has been sold. While the company generally can
anticipate
a change in the price of milk, it cannot anticipate the extent
thereof. By virtue of the pricing structure for its cheese and
the
competitive nature of the marketplace, the Company cannot
always
pass along to the customer the changes in the cost of milk in
the
price of its conventional cheese. As a consequence thereof,
the
Company's gross profit margin for such cheese is subject to
fluctuation, which fluctuation, however slight, can have a
significant effect on the company's profitability. The Company
is
unable to predict any future increase or decrease in the prices
on
the Chicago Mercantile Exchange as such markets are subject to
fluctuation based on factors and commodity markets outside of
the
control of the Company. Although the cost of fluid milk does
tend
to move correspondingly with the prices on the Chicago
Mercantile
Exchange, the extent of such movement and the timing thereof is
also not predictable as it is subject to government control and
support. As a result of these factors, the Company is unable
to
predict pricing trends.
Three months ended September 30, 1998 compared to three months
ended September 30, 1997
Sales for the three months ended September 30, 1998
increased to $11,988,000 from $8,252,000 for the comparable
period in 1997, an increase of $3,736,000 (or 45.3%).
Approximately $2,006,000 (or 53.7%) of such increase was due
to a increase in the number of pounds of cheese sold and
approximately $1,730,000 (or 46.3%) of such decrease was due
to an increase in the average selling price for cheese.
The volume increase was due to increased demand in
the
commodity markets. The increase in average selling price was
the
result of an increase in cheddar market prices resulting in a
higher selling price per pound of cheese.
Cost of sales and gross profit margin for the three months
ended September 30, 1998 was $11,246,000 (or 93.8% of sales) and
and $742,000 (or 6.2% of sales), respectively, compared to a
cost
of sales and gross profit margin of $8,018,000 (or 97.2% of
sales)
and $234,000 (or 2.8% of sales), respectively, for the
comparable period in 1997. The decrease in cost of sales and
corresponding decrease in gross profit margin for 1997 (as a
percent of sales and corresponding increases in gross profit
margin in 1998) was primarily due to a decrease in the Company's
cost of raw materials as a percentage of selling price.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three
months ended September 30, 1998 amounted to $587,000 (or 4.9%
of sales)
compared to $564,000 (or 6.8% of sales) for the comparable
period
in 1997. The decrease in selling, general, and administrative
expenses as a percentage of sales was primarily due to the
expanded sales in the period without a corresponding increase
in general
and administrative expenses.
Interest expense for the three months ended September 30,
1998 amounted to $133,000 compared to $131,000 for the three
months
ended September 30, 1997.
Changes for federal income taxes in 1998 were offset by
decreases in the valuation allowance for the three months ended
September 30, 1998. Credits for income taxes were offset by
increases in the valuation allowances for the three months ended
September 30, 1997. Because of these offsets no provision for
income taxes was required in these periods. Such amounts are
re-evaluated each quarter based on the results of operations.
The Company's net income of $28,000 for the three months
ended September 30, 1998 represents an improvement of $471,000
from the net loss of $443,000 for the comparable period in
1997. The primary factors contributing to these changes are
discussed above.
Six months ended September 30, 1998 compared to six months
September 30, 1997
Sales for the six months ended September 30, 1998
increased to $21,536,000 from $16,627,000 for the comparable
period in 1997, an increase of $4,909,000 (or 29.5%).
Approximately $2,369,000 (48.3%) of such increase was due to
an increase in the number of pounds of cheese sold and
approximately $2,540,000 (or 51.7%) of such an increase was due
to an increase in the average selling price for cheese. The
volume increase was due to increased demand in the commodity
markets. The increase in average selling price was the result
of an increase block cheddar market prices resulting in a
higher
selling price per pound of cheese.
Cost of sales and gross profit margin for the six months
ended September 30, 1998 was $20,043,000 (or 93.1% of sales)
and $1,493,000 (or 6.9% of sales), respectively, compared to a
cost
of sales and gross profit margin of $16,359,000 (or 98.4% of
sales)
and $268,000 (or 1.6% of sales), respectively, for the
comparable period in 1997. The decrease in the gross profit
margin for 1998 (as a percentage of sales) was primarily due
to a decrease in the Company's
cost of raw materials as a percentage of selling price and the
application of fixed overhead to higher unit sales volume.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the six
months ended September 30, 1998 amounted to $ 1,170,000 (or
5.4%
of sales) compared to $1,062,000 (or 6.4% of sales) for
the comparable period in 1997. The decrease of selling,
general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales
was
primarily due to the expanding sales in the period without a
corresponding increase in general and administrative expenses.
Interest expense for the six months ended September 30,
1998 amounted to $259,000 compared to $235,000 for the six
months ended September 30, 1997. This increase is the result
of increased borrowings due to the addition of new plant
production equipment and higher revolving credit line usage.
The 1998 and 1997 provisions for income taxes of $1,000
and $2,000 respectively, results primarily from provision for
state tax at statutory rates. Charges for federal income taxes
in 1998 were offset by decreases in the valuation allowance for
the nine months ended September 30, 1998. Credits for income
taxes were offset by increases in the valuation allowances for
the nine months ended September 30, 1997. Such amounts are
re-evaluated each quater based on the results of operations.
The Company's net income of $81,000 for the six months ended
September 30, 1998 represents an improvement of $1,065,000
from the net loss of $984,000 for the comparable period in
1997. The primary factors contributing to these changes are
discussed above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At September 30, 1998 the Company had working capital
of ($2,108,000) as compared to working capital of $1,282,000
at March 31, 1998. This decrease is due to the scheduled
maturity of the Company's revolving credit line which is
currently May 1999 and its consequence reclassification as a
current liability. The Company's revolving bank line of credit
is available for the Company's working capital requirements.
At September 30, 1998, $3,306,000 was outstanding under
such revolving line of credit and $874,000 was available for
additional borrowing at that time (based on the inventory and
receivable formula). Advances under this facility are limited
to 50% of inventory and 80% of receivables. The rate of
interest
on amounts borrowed against the revolving credit facility is
prime plus 1%. A .25% annual unused line fee is also charged on
this facility. The agreement contains various restrictive
convenants the most significant of which relates to limitations
on capital expenditures ($1,000,000 annually outside of those
financed with the lender under its term loan facility). This
loan is cross collateralized with other loans from the lender
and
secured by substantially all of the Company's assets, including
accounts receivable, inventory and equipment. The Company
intends
to continue to utilize this line of credit as needed for
operations.
On June 17, 1994 the Company entered into an agreement with
Chittenden Bank for a $2,000,000 five year term loan which
requires monthly principal and interest payments based upon
a ten year amortization, except that interest payments only
were required to be made through December 1994. Interest was
at the prime lending rate plus 1.25%. A major portion of the
proceeds of the loan was used to complete the renovation of
the Company's waste treatment facility in Vermont. The balance
was used to refinance ertain of its existing loans. The
interest rate on this facility was reduced to prime plus
1% in June, 1996.
In June, 1996 Chittenden Bank entered into an agreement
with the Company to provide an additional term loan of up to
$1,000,000 for the financing of equipment and capital
improvements. Interest is at the prime lending rate plus 1%.
At September 30, 1998, $174,000 was outstanding.
As of July 8, 1998, the revolving credit loan and the other
loans with the bank were modified due to the Company's 1998
losses.
The modifications among other things includes the reduction of
the capital expenditure line to $924,000, the reduction of
the revolving credit line to $4,250,000, interest rates on
all loans with the bank has increased to prime plus 1.5%
effective September 1, 1998. An
increase .25% the first of every month thereafter until the
interest rate reaches prime plus 2.50%. The Company does not
believe that this will have a material effect on the
operations of the company. The company believes that it will
be able to negotiate a better
rate and extend the maturity of its revolving credit line with
its current lender, however there can be no assurances as to
whether such negotiations will be successful.
During the year ended March 31, 1996 the Company entered
into an agreement pursuant to which a supplier agreed to provide
an equipment loan to be converted to a term note in the amount
of $500,000 upon completion of additional borrowings. The
$500,000 loan, secured by equipment, was fully funded and
beginning November 1, 1996, 84 monthly payments including
interest at 6% commenced.
The Company's major source of external working capital
financing has been and is currently the revolving line of
credit. For the foreseeable future the Company believes that
its current assets and its existing lines of credit
will continue to represent the Company's major source of
working capital financing besides income generated from
operations.
For the six months ended September 30, 1998 cash used
by operating activities was $122,000. In addition to income
from operations a decrease in inventories of $526,000, an
increase in accounts payable of $699,000 and an increase in
accrued expenses of $30,000 provided cash. An increase in
accounts receivable of $1,630,000 and an increase in prepaid
expenses and other assets of $48,000 used cash in the period.
Net cash provided by financing activities was
$267,000 for the six months ended September 30, 1998. Net
proceeds from the
revolving credit loan in the amount of $359,000 provided cash.
Repayment of long-term debt obligations in the amount of $92,000
utilized cash in the period.
Net cash used by financing activities was $442,000 for the
six months ended September 30, 1998.
The Company estimates that based upon its current plans,
its resources, including revenues from operations and
utilization
of its existing credit lines, will be sufficient to meet its
anticipated needs for at least 12 months.
PART II- OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(b) There were no reports on Form 8-K filed during the
three months ended September 30, 1998.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly
authorized.
November 9, 1998
Lucille Farms, Inc.
(Registrant)
By:/S/__Alfonso Falivene____
Alfonso Falivene,
President (Duly Authorized Officer)
By:_/S/ Stephen Katz____
Stephen M. Katz,
Vice President-Finance
and Administration
(Principal Financial Officer)
[ARTICLE] 5
[LEGEND]
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY FOR THE SIX
MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO THE FORM 10Q FOR QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998.
[/LEGEND]
[CIK] 0000908179
[NAME] LUCILLE FARMS INC.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
[PERIOD-TYPE] 6-MOS
[FISCAL-YEAR-END] MAR-31-1999
[PERIOD-START] APR-01-1998
[PERIOD-END] SEP-30-1998
[CASH] 320,000
[SECURITIES] 0
[RECEIVABLES] 4,541,000
[ALLOWANCES] (118,000)
[INVENTORY] 1,369,000
[CURRENT-ASSETS] 6,240,000
[PP&E] 10,330,000
[DEPRECIATION] 4,634,000
[TOTAL-ASSETS] 12,705,000
[CURRENT-LIABILITIES] 8,348,000
[BONDS] 2,265,000
[PREFERRED-MANDATORY] 0
[PREFERRED] 0
[COMMON] 3,000
[OTHER-SE] 2,089,000
[TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY] 12,705,000
[SALES] 21,536,000
[TOTAL-REVENUES] 21,536,000
[CGS] 20,043,000
[TOTAL-COSTS] 20,043,000
[OTHER-EXPENSES] 0
[LOSS-PROVISION] 0
[INTEREST-EXPENSE] 259,000
[INCOME-PRETAX] 82,000
[INCOME-TAX] 1,000
[INCOME-CONTINUING] 81,000
[DISCONTINUED] 0
[EXTRAORDINARY] 0
[CHANGES] 0
[NET-INCOME] 81,000
[EPS-PRIMARY] .03
[EPS-DILUTED] .03
</TABLE>
