SunOpta Announces Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results
SunOpta Inc. (“SunOpta” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY), a U.S.-based global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based foods and beverages, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended July 2, 2022.
All amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars and results are reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP, except where specifically noted.
Second quarter 2022 highlights:
Revenues increased 20.4% to $243.5 million reflecting 31.0% growth in plant-based and 7.4% increase in fruit-based. Gross margin increased 130 basis points to 14.3% from 13.0% in the prior year, despite approximately 140 basis points of margin dilution from pricing to recover inflationary costs. Net earnings from continuing operations were $2.5 million compared to net loss of $0.9 million in the prior year. Adjusted earnings¹ were $3.5 million or $0.03 per diluted common share in the second quarter of 2022, compared to adjusted earnings of $0.1 million or $0.00 per diluted common share in the second quarter of 2021. Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $22.3 million, or 9.2% of revenues for the second quarter of 2022, was up 38.4% versus $16.1 million or 8.0% of revenues in the second quarter of 2021.“Second quarter results were excellent, driven by strong revenue growth and our highest Adjusted EBITDA in company history2. Revenues were up 20.4%, and Adjusted EBITDA increased 38.4% as we continued to leverage the power of our platform to accelerate growth and increase profitability,” said Joe Ennen, Chief Executive Officer. Plant-Based revenues surged 31.0% to $145.9 million, a new quarterly record reflecting the strength of our oat-based offering and double-digit increases in volume, mix and pricing. We saw growth in nearly every customer, every channel, every product type and in every go-to-market business, reflecting the strength of our SunOpta value proposition. In Fruit-Based, revenues increased 7.4% due to demand for fruit snacks and smoothie bowls along with higher price realization in frozen fruit. “While the macro environment remains challenging, we have been able to offset the majority of inflation with pricing and our productivity initiatives continue to gain traction. The actions we have taken over the past several years to optimize our product portfolio, streamline operations and aggressively expand capacity are driving significant and sustainable momentum across our business. With a leading share in the fastest growing categories and a strong pipeline of innovation, we are well positioned to realize our vision of Fueling the Future of Food. Our increased outlook for 2022 reflects the strength of recent results, and more importantly our confidence in our ability to continue delivering significant growth and increasing value for shareholders.”
Second Quarter 2022 Results
Revenues of $243.5 million for the second quarter of 2022 increased 20.4% compared to the second quarter of 2021 driven by 31.0% growth in Plant-Based Foods and Beverages and 7.4% growth in Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages. The increase in revenues reflected a 12.2% increase in pricing along with an 8.2% increase in volume/mix.
The Plant-Based Foods and Beverages segment generated revenues of $145.9 million, an increase of 31.0% compared to $111.4 million in the second quarter of 2021. Pricing increased 13.7% driven by actions to offset inflationary pressures, together with the pass-through effect of higher sunflower commodity pricing. Volume/mix was up 17.3%, reflecting growth in oat-based offerings, other plant-based beverages and teas.
The Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages segment generated revenues of $97.6 million, an increase of 7.4% compared to $90.9 million in the second quarter of 2021. Pricing increased 10.4% reflecting actions to offset inflationary pressures, while volume/mix declined 3.0% due to lower demand for frozen fruit and our portfolio rationalization efforts, offset by strong demand for fruit snacks and smoothie bowls.
Gross profit was $34.9 million for the second quarter, an increase of $8.6 million compared to $26.3 million in the prior year period. As a percentage of revenues, gross profit margin was 14.3% compared to 13.0% in the second quarter of 2021, an increase of 130 basis points. Gross profit in the Plant-Based Foods and Beverages segment increased $4.0 million to $23.9 million, while gross margin declined 150 basis points to 16.4% primarily due to the 215-basis point dilutive effect of pass-through pricing to recover cost inflation. Gross profit in the Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages segment increased by $4.5 million to $11.0 million and gross margin increased 410 basis points to 11.2% despite a 70-basis point impact from the dilutive effect of pass-through pricing to offset commodity cost inflation. Excluding the pricing effect, Fruit-Based gross margin benefited from portfolio rationalization and manufacturing consolidation.
Segment operating income¹ was $8.1 million, or 3.3% of revenues in the second quarter of 2022, compared to segment operating income of $1.7 million, or 0.9% of revenues in the second quarter of 2021. The increase in segment operating income was due to higher gross profit, partially offset by a $1.6 million increase in SG&A expenses due to higher incentive accruals partially offset by employee compensation costs related to headcount reductions in frozen fruit operations, lower business development expenses and unfavorable foreign exchange impact related to Mexican operations.
Adjusted EBITDA¹ was $22.3 million or 9.2% of revenues in the second quarter of 2022, compared to $16.1 million or 8.0% of revenues in the second quarter of 2021.
Earnings attributable to common shareholders for the second quarter of 2022 was $0.9 million, or $0.01 per diluted common share, compared to a loss of $1.7 million, or ($0.02) per diluted common share during the second quarter of 2021.
Adjusted earnings¹ in the second quarter of 2022 was $3.5 million or $0.03 per common share, compared to adjusted earnings of $0.1 million or $0.00 per common share in the second quarter of 2021.
Please refer to the discussion and table below under “Non-GAAP Measures”.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
As of July 2, 2022, SunOpta had total assets of $843.9 million and total debt of $296.5 million compared to total assets of $755.1 million and total debt of $224.6 million at year end fiscal 2021. During the second quarter of 2022, cash used in operating activities was $2.5 million compared to cash used in operating activities of $39.1 million during the second quarter of 2021. Investing activities of continuing operations consumed $34.1 million of cash during the second quarter of 2022 versus $32.4 million in the prior year, primarily driven by the new plant construction in Midlothian, Texas which is expected to come online in late 2022.
2022 Outlook3
We are raising our previously provided outlook for fiscal 2022, including:
($ millions)
Prior
Outlook
Revised
Outlook
Revenue
$
890 - 930
$
930 - 960
Adj. EBITDA
67 - 75
72 - 78
Revenue growth
10% - 14%
14% - 18%
Adj. EBITDA growth
10% - 24%
19% - 28%
Conference Call
SunOpta plans to host a conference call at 5:00 P.M. Eastern time on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, to discuss the second quarter financial results. After opening remarks, there will be a question and answer period. Investors interested in listening the live webcast can access a link on SunOpta's website at www.sunopta.com under the "Investor Relations" section or directly here. A replay of the webcast will be archived and can be accessed for approximately 90 days on the Company's website. This call may be accessed with the toll free dial-in number dial (888) 440-4182 or International dial-in number (646) 960-0653 using Conference ID: 8338433.
¹ See discussion of non-GAAP measures
2 Excludes the impact of the 2020 divestiture of our global ingredients business
3 The Company has included certain forward-looking statements about the future financial performance that include non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted EBITDA. These non–GAAP financial measures are derived by excluding certain amounts, expenses or income, from the corresponding financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. The determination of the amounts that are excluded from these non-GAAP financial measures is a matter of management judgment and depends upon, among other factors, the nature of the underlying expense or income amounts recognized in a given period. We are unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of the aforementioned forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measures because management cannot reliably predict all of the necessary components of such GAAP measures. Historically, management has excluded the following items from certain of these non-GAAP measures, and such items may also be excluded in future periods and could be significant amounts.
Expenses related to the acquisition or divestiture of a business, including business development costs, impairment of assets, integration costs, severance, retention costs and transaction costs; Start-up costs of new facilities and equipment; Charges associated with restructuring and cost saving initiatives, including but not limited to asset impairments, accelerated depreciation, severance costs and lease abandonment charges; Asset impairment charges and facility closure costs; Legal settlements or awards; and The tax effect of the above items.About SunOpta Inc.
SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY) is a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages. Founded nearly 50 years ago, SunOpta manufactures natural, organic and specialty products sold through retail and foodservice channels. SunOpta operates as a manufacturer for leading natural and private label brands, and also proudly produces its own brands, including SOWN®, Dream™, WestSoy™ and Sunrise Growers™. For more information, visit www.sunopta.com and LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements included in this press release may be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our belief that our productivity initiatives will continue to gain traction and that we will continue to deliver significant growth and increasing value for shareholders, when we expect our new plant in Midlothian, Texas to come online and our anticipated revenue, adjusted EBITDA, revenue growth and adjusted EBITDA growth for fiscal 2022. Generally, forward-looking statements do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and are typically accompanied by words such as “continue”, “expect”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimates”, “can”, “will”, “target”, "should", "would", "plans", "becoming", "intend", "confident", "may", "project", "potential", "intention", "might", "predict", “outlook”, “budget”, “forecast” or other similar terms and phrases intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on information available to the Company on the date of this release and are based on estimates and assumptions made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments including, but not limited to, the Company’s actual financial results; uninterrupted operations and service levels to our customers ; current and anticipated customer demand for the Company’s; general economic conditions; continued consumer interest in health and wellness; the Company’s ability to maintain product pricing levels; planned facility and operational expansions, closures and divestitures; cost rationalization and product development initiatives; alternative potential uses for the Company’s capital resources; portfolio optimization and productivity efforts; the sustainability of the Company’s sales pipeline; the Company’s expectations regarding commodity pricing, margins and hedging results; improved availability and field prices for fruit; procurement and logistics savings; freight lane cost reductions; yield and throughput enhancements; and labor cost reductions. Whether actual timing and results will agree with expectations and predictions of the Company is subject to many risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, potential loss of suppliers and customers as well as supply chain, logistics and other disruptions whether resulting from or related to COVID-19 or other factors; unexpected issues or delays with the Company’s structural improvements and automation investments; failure or inability to implement portfolio changes, process improvements, go-to-market improvements and process sustainability strategies in a timely manner; changes in the level of capital investment; local and global political and economic conditions; consumer spending patterns and changes in market trends; decreases in customer demand; delayed or unsuccessful product development efforts; potential product recalls; working capital management; availability and pricing of raw materials and supplies; ability to hire and/or retain qualified personnel at current compensation rates; potential covenant breaches under the Company’s credit facilities; and other risks described from time to time under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q (available at www.sec.gov). Consequently, all forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by the Company will be realized. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly correct or update the forward-looking statements in this document, in other documents, or on its website to reflect future events or circumstances, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
SunOpta Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the quarters and two quarters ended July 2, 2022 and July 3, 2021
(Unaudited)
(All dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
Quarter ended
Two quarters ended
July 2, 2022
July 3, 2021
July 2, 2022
July 3, 2021
$
$
$
$
Revenues
243,531
202,273
483,704
409,913
Cost of goods sold
208,633
175,937
420,815
353,588
Gross profit
34,898
26,336
62,889
56,325
Selling, general and administrative expenses
24,304
22,720
46,239
43,594
Intangible asset amortization
2,612
2,532
5,224
4,726
Other expense, net
1,540
4,661
1,827
6,276
Foreign exchange loss (gain)
(127
)
(639
)
(599
)
197
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before the following
6,569
(2,938
)
10,198
1,532
Interest expense, net
3,132
1,631
5,662
3,291
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
3,437
(4,569
)
4,536
(1,759
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
939
(3,651
)
1,384
(2,513
)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations
2,498
(918
)
3,152
754
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
(814
)
-
2,752
-
Net earnings (loss)
1,684
(918
)
5,904
754
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock
(760
)
(744
)
(1,515
)
(2,697
)
Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders
924
(1,662
)
4,389
(1,943
)
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share
From continuing operations
0.02
(0.02
)
0.02
(0.02
)
From discontinued operations
(0.01
)
-
0.03
-
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share
0.01
(0.02
)
0.04
(0.02
)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (000s)
Basic
107,622
105,676
107,510
100,898
Diluted
108,667
105,676
108,495
100,898
SunOpta Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As at July 2, 2022 and January 1, 2022
(Unaudited)
(All dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)
July 2, 2022
January 1, 2022
$
$
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
553
227
Accounts receivable
83,804
84,702
Inventories
261,899
220,143
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
17,493
16,638
Income taxes recoverable
9,861
8,259
Assets held for sale
11,591
-
Total current assets
385,201
329,969
Property, plant and equipment, net
264,690
219,537
Operating lease right-of-use assets
40,990
47,245
Intangible assets, net
143,216
148,440
Goodwill
3,998
3,998
Other assets
5,827
5,930
Total assets
843,922
755,119
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
143,102
121,430
Income taxes payable
711
-
Current portion of long-term debt
23,055
9,760
Current portion of operating lease liabilities
9,933
12,203
Total current liabilities
176,801
143,393
Long-term debt
273,493
214,843
Operating lease liabilities
37,084
39,028
Long-term liabilities
-
2,241
Deferred income taxes
13,510
22,485
Total liabilities
500,888
421,990
Series B-1 preferred stock
28,442
28,145
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common shares
438,668
436,463
Additional paid-in capital
26,254
23,240
Accumulated deficit
(151,693
)
(156,082
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
1,363
1,363
Total shareholders' equity
314,592
304,984
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
843,922
755,119
SunOpta Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the quarters and two quarters ended July 2, 2022 and July 3, 2021
(Unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)
Quarter ended
Two quarters ended
July 2, 2022
July 3, 2021
July 2, 2022
July 3, 2021
$
$
$
$
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN)
Operating activities
Net earnings (loss)
1,684
(918
)
5,904
754
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
(814
)
-
2,752
-
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations
2,498
(918
)
3,152
754
Items not affecting cash:
Depreciation and amortization
9,372
8,910
18,785
16,953
Amortization of debt issuance costs
396
349
771
634
Deferred income taxes
2,128
(4,331
)
2,208
(3,494
)
Stock-based compensation
3,970
4,370
5,599
8,343
Impairment of long-lived assets
-
2,962
-
2,962
Other
1,634
(167
)
1,745
(336
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
(22,452
)
(50,322
)
(19,171
)
(71,978
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations
(2,454
)
(39,147
)
13,089
(46,162
)
Investing activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment
(37,038
)
(7,306
)
(62,760
)
(16,603
)
Proceeds from sale of assets
2,978
-
4,182
1,350
Additions to intangible assets
-
(25,073
)
-
(25,073
)
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations
(34,060
)
(32,379
)
(58,578
)
(40,326
)
Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations
(6,324
)
-
(6,324
)
(13,380
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(40,384
)
(32,379
)
(64,902
)
(53,706
)
Financing activities
Increase in borrowings under revolving credit facilities
31,067
70,244
20,762
111,829
Borrowings of long-term debt
18,206
4,155
41,103
4,641
Repayment of long-term debt
(5,174
)
(5,855
)
(7,569
)
(9,940
)
Payment of debt issuance costs
(53
)
(543
)
(559
)
(2,371
)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and employee share purchases
341
4,550
591
7,190
Payment of withholding taxes on stock-based awards
(882
)
(666
)
(971
)
(6,737
)
Payment of cash dividends on preferred stock
(609
)
(609
)
(1,218
)
(4,029
)
Payment of share issuance costs
-
(25
)
-
(287
)
Net cash provided by financing activities of continuing operations
42,896
71,251
52,139
100,296
Net cash used in financing activities of discontinued operations
-
-
-
(200
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
42,896
71,251
52,139
100,096
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the period
58
(275
)
326
228
Cash and cash equivalent, beginning of the period
495
754
227
251
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period
553
479
553
479
SunOpta Inc.
Segmented Information
For the quarters and two quarters ended July 2, 2022 and July 3, 2021
Unaudited
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)
Quarter ended
Two quarters ended
July 2, 2022
July 3, 2021
July 2, 2022
July 3, 2021
$
$
$
$
Segment revenues from external customers:
Plant-Based Foods and Beverages
145,912
111,359
281,423
230,810
Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages
97,619
90,914
202,281
179,103
Total segment revenues from external customers
243,531
202,273
483,704
409,913
Segment gross profit:
Plant-Based Foods and Beverages
23,940
19,896
43,920
43,054
Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages
10,958
6,440
18,969
13,271
Total segment gross profit
34,898
26,336
62,889
56,325
Segment operating income (loss):
Plant-Based Foods and Beverages
12,196
8,641
20,292
21,958
Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages
3,211
(1,447
)
3,995
(3,341
)
Corporate Services
(7,298
)
(5,471
)
(12,262
)
(10,809
)
Total segment operating income
8,109
1,723
12,025
7,808
Segment gross profit percentage:
Plant-Based Foods and Beverages
16.4
%
17.9
%
15.6
%
18.7
%
Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages
11.2
%
7.1
%
9.4
%
7.4
%
Total segment gross profit percentage
14.3
%
13.0
%
13.0
%
13.7
%
Segment operating income (loss) percentage:
Plant-Based Foods and Beverages
8.4
%
7.8
%
7.2
%
9.5
%
Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages
3.3
%
-1.6
%
2.0
%
-1.9
%
Total segment operating income percentage
3.3
%
0.9
%
2.5
%
1.9
%
Non-GAAP Measures
In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company provides additional information about its operating results regarding segment operating income, adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”), which are not measures in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company believes that segment operating income, adjusted earnings and adjusted EBITDA assist investors in comparing performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that management believes are not indicative of its operating performance. The non-GAAP measures of segment operating income, adjusted earnings and adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
In order to evaluate its results of operations, the Company uses certain other non-GAAP measures that it believes enhance an investor’s ability to derive meaningful period-over-period comparisons and trends from the results of operations. In particular, the Company excludes specific items from its reported results that due to their nature or size, it does not expect to occur as part of its normal business on a regular basis. These items are identified in the tables below. These non-GAAP measures are presented solely to allow investors to more fully assess the Company’s results of operations and should not be considered in isolation of, or as substitutes for, an analysis of the Company’s results as reported under U.S. GAAP.
Adjusted Earnings
When assessing its financial performance, the Company uses an internal measure that excludes charges and gains that it believes are not reflective of normal operations. This information is provided to allow investors to make meaningful comparisons of the Company’s operating performance between periods and to view the Company’s business from the same perspective as the Company’s management. Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The following is a tabular presentation of adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per diluted share, including a reconciliation from earnings from continuing operations, which the Company believes to be the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.
July 2, 2022
July 3, 2021
Per Share
Per Share
For the quarter ended
$
$
$
$
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations
2,498
(918
)
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock
(760
)
(744
)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders
1,738
0.02
(1,662
)
(0.02
)
Adjusted for:
Facility closure costs(a)
1,287
-
Business development costs(b)
616
1,434
Start-up costs(c)
281
-
Costs related to exit from fruit ingredient processing facility(d)
-
4,123
Other(e)
253
247
Net income tax effect(f)
(640
)
(4,022
)
Adjusted earnings
3,535
0.03
120
0.00
(a)
Facility closure costs mainly related to the relocation of certain equipment from our held-for-sale Oxnard, California, frozen fruit processing facility to our Mexican facility, which were recorded in other expense.
(b)
Represents third-party costs associated with business development activities, including costs related to the evaluation, execution, and integration of external acquisitions and divestitures, internal expansion projects, and other strategic initiatives. For the second quarter of 2022, these costs related to our inaugural Investor Day held in June 2022 ($0.5 million), as well as specific business transactions under consideration, which were recorded in SG&A expenses. For the second quarter of 2021, these costs were mainly related to the transition of the Dream and WestSoy brands, acquired in April 2021, and professional fees incurred in connection with post-closing matters related to the 2020 divestiture of our global ingredients business, Tradin Organic, which were recorded in SG&A expenses ($1.1 million) and other expense ($0.3 million).
(c)
Represents incremental direct costs incurred in connection with plant expansion projects and new product introductions before the project or product reaches normal production levels, including costs for the hiring and training of additional personnel, fees for outside services, travel costs, and plant- and production-related expenses. For the second quarter of 2022, start-up costs mainly related to new employee hires for our plant-based beverage facility under construction in Midlothian, Texas, which were recorded in cost of goods sold ($0.2 million) and SG&A expenses ($0.1 million).
(d)
For the second quarter of 2021, represents asset impairment charges and employee termination costs related to the exit from our South Gate, California, fruit ingredient processing facility, which were recorded in other expense.
(e)
For the second quarters of 2022 and 2021, other mainly reflects the settlement of certain legal and contractual matters.
(f)
Reflects the tax effect of the preceding adjustments to earnings calculated based on the statutory tax rates applicable in the tax jurisdiction of the underlying adjustment.
July 2, 2022
July 3, 2021
Per Share
Per Share
For the two quarters ended
$
$
$
$
Earnings from continuing operations
3,152
754
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock
(1,515
)
(2,697
)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders
1,637
0.02
(1,943
)
(0.02
)
Adjusted for:
Facility closure costs(a)
1,287
-
Business development costs(b)
799
1,786
Start-up costs(c)
721
-
Costs related to exit from fruit ingredient processing facility(d)
-
4,123
Restructuring costs(e)
-
1,432
Other(f)
540
247
Net income tax effect(g)
(879
)
(4,262
)
Adjusted earnings
4,105
0.04
1,383
0.01
(a)
Facility closure costs mainly related to the relocation of certain equipment from our held-for-sale Oxnard, California frozen fruit processing facility to our Mexican facility, which were recorded in other expense.
(b)
Represents third-party costs associated with business development activities, including costs related to the evaluation, execution, and integration of external acquisitions and divestitures, internal expansion projects, and other strategic initiatives. For the first two quarters of 2022, these costs related to our inaugural Investor Day held in June 2022 ($0.5 million), as well as specific business transactions under consideration, which were recorded in SG&A expenses. For the first two quarters of 2021, these costs were mainly related to the transition of the Dream and WestSoy brands, acquired in April 2021, and professional fees incurred in connection with post-closing matters related to the 2020 divestiture of our global ingredients business, Tradin Organic, which were recorded in SG&A expenses ($1.3 million) and other expense ($0.5 million).
(c)
Represents incremental direct costs incurred in connection with plant expansion projects and new product introductions before the project or product reaches normal production levels, including costs for the hiring and training of additional personnel, fees for outside services, travel costs, and plant- and production-related expenses. For the first two quarters of 2022, start-up costs mainly related to new employee hires for our plant-based beverage facility under construction in Midlothian, Texas, and the integration of the Dream and WestSoy brands, which were recorded in cost of goods sold ($0.6 million) and SG&A expenses ($0.1 million).
(d)
For the first two quarters of 2021, represents asset impairment charges and employee termination costs related to the exit from our South Gate, California fruit ingredient processing facility, which were recorded in other expense.
(e)
For the first two quarters of 2021, represents costs to complete the exit from our Santa Maria, California frozen fruit processing facility, which were recorded in other expense.
(f)
For the first two quarters of 2022, other mainly reflects the settlement of certain legal and contractual matters, together with asset impairment charges. For the first two quarters of 2021, other mainly reflects the settlement of certain legal and contractual matters.
(g)
Reflects the tax effect of the preceding adjustments to earnings calculated based on the statutory tax rates applicable in the tax jurisdiction of the underlying adjustment.
Segment Operating Income and Adjusted EBITDA
The Company defines segment operating income as earnings from continuing operations before income taxes, interest expense and other income/expense items, and adjusted EBITDA as segment operating income plus depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, and other unusual items that affect the comparability of operating performance as identified above in the determination of adjusted earnings. The following is a tabular presentation of segment operating income and adjusted EBITDA, including a reconciliation to earnings from continuing operations, which the Company believes to be the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.
July 2, 2022
July 3, 2021
For the quarter ended
$
$
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations
2,498
(918
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
939
(3,651
)
Interest expense, net
3,132
1,631
Other expense, net
1,540
4,661
Total segment operating income
8,109
1,723
Depreciation and amortization
9,372
8,910
Stock-based compensation
3,970
4,370
Business development costs(a)
616
1,143
Start-up costs(b)
281
-
Adjusted EBITDA
22,348
16,146
(a)
Business development activities were related to our Investor Day and the exploration of potential strategic opportunities in the second quarter of 2022, and the integration of the Dream and WestSoy brands in the second quarter of 2021, which costs were recorded in SG&A expenses.
(b)
For the second quarter of 2022, start-up costs mainly related to new employee hires for our plant-based beverage facility under construction in Midlothian, Texas, which were recorded in cost of goods sold.
July 2, 2022
July 3, 2021
For the two quarters ended
$
$
Earnings from continuing operations
3,152
754
Income tax expense (benefit)
1,384
(2,513
)
Interest expense, net
5,662
3,291
Other expense, net
1,827
6,276
Total segment operating income
12,025
7,808
Depreciation and amortization
18,785
16,953
Stock-based compensation
5,599
8,343
Business development costs(a)
799
1,312
Start-up costs(b)
721
-
Adjusted EBITDA
37,929
34,416
(a)
Business development activities were related to our Investor Day and the exploration of potential strategic opportunities in the first two quarters of 2022, and the integration of the Dream and WestSoy brands in the first two quarters of 2021, which costs were recorded in SG&A expenses.
(b)
For the first two quarters of 2022, start-up costs mainly related to new employee hires for our plant-based beverage facility under construction in Midlothian, Texas, and the integration of the Dream and WestSoy brands acquired in April 2021, which were recorded in cost of goods sold.
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