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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018
OR
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from_______________ to ________________
Commission file number: 001-37763
TURNING POINT BRANDS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
5201 Interchange Way, Louisville, KY
(Address of principal executive offices)
20-0709285
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
40229
(Zip Code)
(502) 778-4421
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) or the Act:
Title of each class
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Name of each exchange on which registered
New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. o
Yes ☑
No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. o
Yes
☑ No
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 o
No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted
pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to submit such files). ☑ Yes o
No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not
contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller
reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller
reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Emerging growth company
Accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
o
o
☑
☑
o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for
complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act ☑
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). o
Yes ☑ No
As of June 30, 2018, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was
approximately $257 million based on the closing sale price of the common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.
At February 25, 2019, there were 19,556,869 shares outstanding of the registrant’s voting common stock, par value $0.01 per
share.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for use in connection with its annual meeting of stockholders to be held on
May 1, 2019, expected to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about March 20, 2019, are incorporated by
reference into Part III hereof.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TURNING POINT BRANDS, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No.
PART I
ITEM 1.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 4.
PART II
Business
Risk Factors
Unresolved Staff Comments
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures
ITEM 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities
Selected Financial Data
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
Other Information
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Executive Compensation
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Form 10-K Summary
ITEM 6.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9B.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 14.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 16.
Signatures
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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This annual report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-
looking statements may generally be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan” and
“will” or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all
matters that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to
events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. As a result, actual events may differ materially from those
expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by TPB in this annual report on
Form 10-K speaks only as of the date hereof. New risks and uncertainties come up from time to time, and it is impossible for TPB to
predict these events or how they may affect it. TPB has no obligation, and does not intend, to update any forward-looking statements
after the date hereof, except as required by federal securities laws. Factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited
to:
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declining sales of tobacco products, and expected continuing decline of sales, in the tobacco industry overall;
our dependence on a small number of third-party suppliers and producers;
the possibility that we will be unable to identify or contract with new suppliers or producers in the event of a supply or
product disruption;
the possibility that our licenses to use certain brands or trademarks will be terminated, challenged or restricted;
failure to maintain consumer brand recognition and loyalty of our customers;
substantial and increasing U.S. regulation;
regulation of our products by the FDA, which has broad regulatory powers;
our products are subject to developing and unpredictable regulation;
our products contain nicotine which is considered to be a highly addictive substance;
uncertainty related to the regulation and taxation of our NewGen products;
possible significant increases in federal, state and local municipal tobacco- and vapor-related taxes;
possible increasing international control and regulation;
our reliance on relationships with several large retailers and national chains for distribution of our products;
our amount of indebtedness;
the terms of our credit facilities, which may restrict our current and future operations;
intense competition and our ability to compete effectively;
uncertainty and continued evolution of markets containing our NewGen products;
significant product liability litigation;
the scientific community’s lack of information regarding the long-term health effects of electronic cigarettes, vaporizer and e-
liquid use;
requirement to maintain compliance with master settlement agreement escrow account;
competition from illicit sources;
our reliance on information technology;
security and privacy breaches;
contamination of our tobacco supply or products;
infringement on our intellectual property;
third-party claims that we infringe on their intellectual property;
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failure to manage our growth;
failure to successfully integrate our acquisitions or otherwise be unable to benefit from pursuing acquisitions;
fluctuations in our results;
exchange rate fluctuations;
adverse U.S. and global economic conditions;
sensitivity of end-customers to increased sales taxes and economic conditions;
failure to comply with certain regulations;
departure of key management personnel or our inability to attract and retain talent;
imposition of significant tariffs on imports into the U.S.;
reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies may make our common stock less attractive to
investors, potentially decreasing our stock price;
failure to maintain our status as an emerging growth company before the five-year maximum time period a company may
retain such status;
our principal stockholders will be able to exert significant influence over matters submitted to our stockholders and may take
certain actions to prevent takeovers;
our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as Delaware law and certain regulations, could discourage or prohibit
acquisition bids or merger proposals, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock;
our certificate of incorporation limits the ownership of our common stock by individuals and entities that are Restricted
Investors. These restrictions may affect the liquidity of our common stock and may result in Restricted Investors being
required to sell or redeem their shares at a loss or relinquish their voting, dividend and distribution rights;
future sales of our common stock in the public market could reduce our stock price, and any additional capital raised by us
through the sale of equity or convertible securities may dilute your ownership in us;
we may issue preferred stock whose terms could adversely affect the voting power or value of our common stock; and
our status as a “controlled company” could make our common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our
stock price.
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PART I
Item 1.
Business
Turning Point Brands, Inc., Overview
Turning Point Brands, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is a leading, independent provider of Other Tobacco Products
(“OTP”) in the U.S. We estimate the OTP industry generated approximately $11 billion of manufacturer revenue in 2017. In contrast to
manufactured cigarettes, which have been experiencing declining volumes for decades based on data published by the Alcohol and
Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB”), the OTP industry is demonstrating increased consumer appeal with low to mid-single digit
consumer unit growth as reported by Management Science Associates, Inc. (“MSAi”), a third-party analytics and information
company. We were the 6 th largest competitor in terms of total OTP consumer units sold during 2018. We sell a wide range of products
across the OTP spectrum; however, we do not sell cigarettes. Our portfolio of brands includes some of the most widely recognized
names in the OTP industry, such as Zig-Zag
® , Beech-Nut
® , Stoker’s
® , Trophy
® , VaporBeast
®
, Vapor
Shark
®
, and VaporFi
®
.
We currently ship to approximately 800 distributors with an additional 100 secondary, indirect wholesalers in the U.S. that carry and
sell our products. We operate in three segments: (i) Smokeless products, (ii) Smoking products, and (iii) NewGen products.
We have a portfolio of widely recognized brands with significant customer loyalty. We have an experienced management team
that possesses long-standing industry relationships and a deep understanding of the OTP industry. We have identified additional
opportunities to grow sales, including the launch of new products and expanding our distribution and salesforce. We also believe there
are meaningful opportunities to grow through acquisitions and joint ventures across all product categories. As of December 31, 2018,
our products are available in approximately 185,000 U.S. retail locations which, with the addition of retail stores in Canada, brings our
total North American retail presence to an estimated 210,000 points of distribution. Our sales team targets widespread distribution to all
traditional retail channels, including convenience stores, where over 60% of all OTP volume is currently sold, according to MSAi.
Smokeless Segment
Our Smokeless segment includes both loose leaf chewing tobacco and moist snuff tobacco (“MST”). Our Smokeless focus brand
is Stoker’s in both chewing tobacco and MST. Stoker’s
®
chewing tobacco has grown considerable share over the last several years and
is presently the #1 discount brand and the second largest brand in the industry, with approximately a 19% market share. Our status in
the chew market is further strengthened by Beech-Nut
®
, the #3 premium brand and #7 overall, as well as Trophy
®
, Durango
®
, and
the five Wind River Brands we acquired in November 2016. Collectively, the company is the #2 marketer of chewing tobacco with
approximately 28% market share. Our chewing tobacco operations are facilitated through our long-standing relationship with Swedish
Match, the manufacturer of our loose leaf chewing tobaccos. 1
In MST, Stoker’s remains among the fastest growing brands and holds a 7.4% share in the stores with distribution and a 3.5%
share of the total U.S. MST market. Stoker’s pioneered the large 12 oz. tub packaging format and is manufactured using a proprietary
process that we think results in a superior product. In late 2015, we extended the Stoker’s
®
MST franchise to include traditional 1.2 oz.
cans to broaden retail availability. Our proprietary manufacturing process is conducted at our Dresden, Tennessee, plant and packaged
in both our Dresden, Tennessee, and Louisville, Kentucky facilities. 1
Smoking Segment
Our Smoking segment principally includes cigarette papers and Make-Your-Own (“MYO”) cigar wraps. The iconic strength of the
Zig-Zag
®
brand drives our leadership position in both the cigarette papers and MYO cigar wrap markets. In cigarette papers, Zig-Zag
®
is the #1 premium cigarette paper in the U.S. with approximately 30% total market share. Management estimates also indicate that
Zig-Zag
®
is the #1 brand in the promising Canadian market. Cigarette paper operations are aided by our sourcing relationships with
Bolloré. 1
In MYO cigar wraps, the Zig-Zag
®
brand commands about three-quarters of the market and continues to innovate in novel ways,
including our recent introduction of Zig-Zag
®
‘Rillo sized wraps which are similar in size to cigarillos, the most popular and fastest
growing type of machine-made cigars. MYO cigar wraps operations are facilitated by our long-standing commercial relationship with
the patent holder, Durfort. 1
NewGen Segment
Our NewGen segment includes our acquisitions of Smoke Free Technologies, d/b/a VaporBeast (“VaporBeast”), The Hand Media
and its subsidiaries, d/b/a Vapor Shark (collectively, “Vapor Shark”), Vapor Supply, and
1 Brand rankings and market share percentages obtained from MSAi as of December 31, 2018.
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International Vapor Group and its subsidiaries (collectively, “IVG”) which have solidified our status as a major player within the
NewGen segment. VaporBeast is a leading distributor of liquid and device vapor products servicing the non-traditional retail channel.
Vapor Shark is a leading distributor and manufacturer of premium vaping e-liquids with distribution through non-traditional retail as
well as Vapor Shark branded retail locations. Vapor Supply operates high-volume vapor outlets in the Oklahoma market in addition to
a B2B wholesale vapor business. IVG operates a strong B2C eCommerce business with direct sales to consumers nationwide and
abroad through the Direct-Vapor and VaporFi brands and runs a wholesale vaping business under the Direct-Vapor mark. Our
acquisition of VaporBeast, Vapor Shark, Vapor Supply, and IVG accelerated our entry into the non-traditional retail outlets for
vaporizers, e-liquids, and accessories. We believe our NewGen business will expand further as consumers continue to move from
combustible cigarettes to vaping. We believe we are well-positioned to act as a consolidator in the NewGen space in anticipation of
increased regulation and will continue to explore potential acquisitions. Refer to Note 3 of our Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements for further details regarding these acquisitions.
In November 2018, we announced a minority position (19.99%) in Canadian American Standard Hemp (“CASH”). CASH is
headquartered in Warwick, Rhode Island, and manufactures cannabidiol isolate (“CBD”) developed through highly efficient and
proprietary processes. On January 15, 2019, we announced the formation of Nu-X Ventures dedicated to the development, production
and sale of alternative products including CBD and proprietary vapor products. Nu-X management is working collaboratively with
CASH to bring proprietary CBD products to market. Both Nu-X CBD and proprietary vapor products will leverage the TPB national
salesforce and the wholesale distribution prowess of VaporBeast and the B2C selling power at IVG to distribute novel new products
across our full platform of opportunity.
IPO
In our May 2016 initial public offering (the “IPO”), we sold 6,210,000 shares of our voting common stock at a public offering
price per share of $10.00. We raised a total of approximately $62.1 million in gross proceeds from the IPO which amounted to $58.2
million in net proceeds after deducting underwriting commissions and other associated costs.
Competitive Strengths
We believe our competitive strengths include the following:
Large, Leading Brands with Significant Scale
We have built a portfolio of leading brands with significant scale that are well recognized by consumers, retailers, and
wholesalers. Our Stoker’s
® and Zig-Zag
® brands are each well established and date back 79 and 119 years, respectively. The NewGen
segment has been built primarily through the 2016 acquisition of VaporBeast and the 2018 acquisition of IVG, leading sellers of e-
liquids, devices, and accessories.
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Stoker’s
® is the #2 loose leaf chewing tobacco brand and among the fastest growing MST brands in the industry. We
manufacture Stoker’s
® MST using only 100% American Leaf, utilizing a proprietary process to produce what we believe is a
superior product.
Zig-Zag
® is the #1 cigarette paper brand in terms of retail dollar sales in the U.S., as measured by Nielsen Convenience, with
significant distribution in Canada. Zig-Zag
® is also the #1 MYO cigar wrap brand in the U.S., as measured by MSAi.
VaporBeast is a leading distributor of liquid vapor products to the non-traditional retail channel. Revenue growth at
VaporBeast has been delivered through a more effective selling process, which generated increased order sizes and the
frequency of customer orders.
IVG is a leading B2C marketer of proprietary and third party liquid vapor products.
We believe the Stoker’s
® brand is seen as an innovator in both the loose leaf chewing tobacco and moist snuff markets. Zig-Zag
®
is an iconic brand and has strong, enduring brand recognition among a wide audience of consumers. VaporBeast is a powerful
distribution engine that allows us to further penetrate the vaporizer and e-liquids markets via non-traditional retail outlets. Most
recently, the 2018 acquisition of IVG moves TPB directly into the highly attractive, high margin B2C segment via the flagship VaporFi
®
brand.
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Successful Track Record of New Product Launches and Category Expansions
We have successfully launched new products and entered new product categories by leveraging the strength of our brands. We
methodically target markets which we believe have significant growth potential. We have been successful in entering new product
categories by extending existing products and brands in addition to introducing new products:
• We leveraged the proud legacy and value of the Stoker’s
® brand to introduce a 12 oz. MST tub, a product whose size was
not offered by any other market participant at the time of introduction. Stoker’s
® MST has been among the fastest growing
moist snuff brands in the industry in terms of pounds sold. While competitors have introduced larger format tub packaging,
the early entry and differentiation of the Stoker’s
®
product have firmly established us as the market leader with over 50% of
the Tub market. In third quarter 2015, we introduced Stoker’s
®
MST in 1.2 oz. cans to further expand retail penetration,
particularly in convenience stores.
•
•
•
In 2009, we extended the Zig-Zag
® tobacco brand into the MYO cigar wraps market and captured a 50% market share
within the first two years. We are now the market share leader for MYO cigar wraps with approximately a 75% share. We
believe our success was driven by the Zig-Zag
® tobacco branding, which we feel is widely understood by consumers to
represent a favorable, customizable experience ideally suited to MYO products.
VaporBeast quickly established itself as a leading marketer and distributor of liquid vapor products to the non-traditional
retail universe. With its national footprint, VaporBeast is leveraging its regional consumer preference insights to further
accelerate sales advances.
The IVG acquisition, and specifically the VaporFi B2C marketing engine, offers us the opportunity to leverage the marketing
competencies and processes to sell novel new proprietary products across multiple channels and platforms.
We strategically target product categories that we believe demonstrate significant growth potential and for which the value of our
brands is likely to have a meaningful impact. We believe that our track record and existing portfolio of brands provide growth
advantages as we continue to evaluate opportunities to extend our product lines and expand into new categories.
Extensive Distribution Network and Data Driven Sales Organization
We have taken important steps to enhance our selling and distribution network and consumer marketing capabilities while keeping
our capital expense requirements relatively low. We service our traditional tobacco and vapor customer bases with an experienced sales
and marketing organization of approximately 174 professionals who possess in-depth knowledge of the tobacco and vapor industries.
We extensively use data supported by leading technology to enable our salesforce to analyze changing trends and effectively identify
evolving consumer preferences at the store level. We subscribe to a sales tracking system provided by MSAi that measures all OTP
product shipments by all market participants, on a weekly basis, from approximately 900 wholesalers to over 250,000 traditional retail
stores in the U.S. This system enables us to understand share and volume trends across multiple categories at the individual store level,
allowing us to allocate field salesforce coverage to the highest opportunity stores, thereby enhancing the value of new store placements
and sales activity. Within our Stoker’s product categories, we have seen a positive correlation between the frequency of store calls by
our salesforce and our retail market share. As the initial sales effort is critical to the success of a product launch, we believe our
experienced salesforce, expansive distribution network, and leading market analytics put us in a strong position to swiftly execute new
product launches in response to evolving consumer and market preferences.
Long-standing, Strong Relationships with an Established Set of Producers
As part of our asset-light operating model we built long-standing and extensive relationships with leading, high-quality producers.
In 2018, our three most important suppliers were:
•
•
•
Swedish Match, which manufactures our loose leaf chewing tobacco;
Bolloré, which provides us with exclusive access to the Zig-Zag
® cigarette paper and accessories brand for the U.S. and
Canada; and
Durfort, from which we source our MYO cigar wraps.
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By outsourcing the production of products that represent more than 80% of our net sales to a select group of suppliers with whom
we have strong relationships, we are able to maintain low overhead costs and minimal capital expenditures, which together drive our
margins.
Experienced Management Team
With an average of approximately 25 years of consumer products experience, including an average of 23 years in the tobacco
industry, our senior management team has enabled us to grow and diversify our business while improving operational efficiency.
Members of management have previous experience at other leading tobacco companies, including Altria Group, Inc. (formerly Philip
Morris); Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company (now Liggett Group, a subsidiary of Vector Group ltd); Swedish Match; and American
Brands, Inc. Given the professional experience of the senior management team we are able to analyze risks and opportunities from a
variety of perspectives. Our senior leadership has embraced a collaborative culture in which the combined experience, analytical rigor,
and creativity are leveraged to assess opportunities and deliver products that satisfy consumers’ demands.
Growth Strategies
We are focused on building sustainable margin streams, expanding the availability of our products, developing new products
through innovation, and enhancing overall operating efficiencies with the goal of improving margins and cash flow. We adopted the
following strategies to drive growth in our business and build stockholder value:
Grow Share of Existing Product Lines, Domestically and Internationally
We intend to remain a consumer centric organization with an innovative view and understanding of the OTP market. We believe
there are meaningful opportunities for growth within the OTP market and in the emerging alternatives market which includes
cannabidiol isolate (“CBD”). We expect to continue to identify unmet consumer needs and provide quality products that we believe
will result in genuine consumer satisfaction and foster the growth of revenue. We maintain a robust product pipeline and plan to
strategically introduce new products in attractive, growing OTP segments, both domestically and internationally. For example, in
addition to our successful launch of Stoker’s
® smaller 1.2 oz. MST cans, we believe there are opportunities for new products in the
MST pouch and MYO cigar wrap markets. Products currently in our pipeline include Zig-Zag
®
Natural Leaf Wraps and Zig-Zag
®
Unbleached Paper and Zig-Zag
®
Cones in the Smoking products segment and Primal
® Hemp Wraps/Cones, small form factor vaping
devices and pods as well as CBD products in the NewGen products segment. We believe we have successfully built strong, powerful
brands possessing significant potential.
In 2018, less than 5% of our revenues were generated outside of the U.S. Having established a strong infrastructure and negotiated
relationships across multiple segments and products, we are pursuing an international growth strategy to broaden sales and strengthen
margins. We believe international sales represent a meaningful growth opportunity. Our goals include expanding our presence in the
worldwide OTP industry on a targeted basis. For example, we are selling our Stoker’s
®
MST products in South America, and Primal
®
herbal wraps and cones internationally. We intend to pursue a dual path of introducing our own products and brands as well as
partnering with other industry leaders to improve market access and profitability in efforts to support our international expansion.
Expand into Adjacent Categories through Innovation and New Partnerships
We continually evaluate opportunities to expand into adjacent product categories by leveraging our current portfolio or through
new partnerships. In 2009, we leveraged the Zig-Zag
® tobacco brand and introduced Zig-Zag
® MYO cigar wraps with favorable
results. We now command the #1 market share position for that segment. We are currently expanding our Zig-Zag
® MYO cigar wraps
through the expansion of the Zig-Zag
® ‘Rillo
™
size cigar wraps which are similar in size to machine-made cigarillos, the most
popular and rapidly growing cigar type. Additionally, we leveraged the big value equity in Stoker’s to launch a highly-differentiated
and proprietary MST product that remains among the fastest growing brands in the category We have identified a number of new
adjacencies and we intend to leverage our existing brands and partnerships to continue the process of commercializing winning
products that satisfy consumer needs.
Continue to Grow a Strong NewGen Platform
The OTP category is continually evolving as consumers actively seek out new products and product forms. Given this market
demand, we have developed a NewGen product platform which we believe will serve new and
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evolving consumer demands across multiple product categories. Core products within our existing NewGen segment include electronic
cigarette (“e-cigarette”) and vapor products, including e-liquids, and herbal smoking products which contain no tobacco or nicotine.
Moving forward, we have identified additional opportunities in both CBD and vapor which we intend to take to market under our
newly established subsidiary, Nu-X Ventures. Through our partnership with CASH and the keen insights we have attained in the vapor
space over the last several years, we intend to fully leverage the total TPB infrastructure to place novel Nu-X products at retail and
online via our B2C expertise.
Based upon our continuing success in the vapor channel, we remain optimistic that the liquid vapor segment will continue to
present opportunities for additional growth as it allows each customer to customize his or her experience by being able to choose both
flavor and nicotine level. Although the liquid vapor segment is still developing, we believe that it is already becoming highly disruptive
to the combustible cigarette industry, particularly in traditional retail where sales have rapidly expanded over each of the last two years.
While traditional retail has experienced significant liquid vapor sales increases, we believe a significant portion of current liquid vapor
revenues are earned outside of the traditional retail environment through online sales or in non-traditional retail outlets.
We believe the categories within our NewGen segment are poised to be the key industry growth drivers in the future, and we are
well-positioned to capitalize on this growth. We intend to continue to pursue growth of our NewGen product platform by offering
unique and innovative products to address evolving consumer demands.
Strategically Pursue Acquisitions
We believe there are meaningful acquisition opportunities in the fragmented OTP space. We regularly evaluate acquisition
opportunities across the OTP landscape. In evaluating acquisition opportunities, our focus is on identifying acquisitions that strengthen
our current distribution platform and product offerings or enable category expansion in areas with high potential growth.
Substantially all of our 2018 U.S. gross profit was derived from sales of products currently regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (“FDA”) Center for Tobacco Products. We have significant experience in complying with the FDA regulatory regime
with a compliance infrastructure composed of legal and scientific professionals. We believe many smaller OTP manufacturers currently
lack this infrastructure, which we believe is necessary to comply with the broad scope of FDA regulations. We believe our regulatory
compliance infrastructure, combined with our skilled management and strong distribution platform, position us to act as a consolidator
within the OTP industry.
We have a strong track record of enhancing our OTP business with strategic and accretive acquisitions. For example, our
acquisition of the North American Zig-Zag
® cigarette papers distribution rights in 1997 has made us the #1 premium cigarette paper
brand in the U.S. in terms of retail dollar sales, as measured by Nielsen. Perhaps more importantly, we own the Zig-Zag
® tobacco
trademark in the U.S. and have leveraged this asset effectively with approximately 50% of our total 2018 Zig-Zag branded net sales
under our own Zig-Zag
® marks rather than those we license from Bolloré. In 2003, we acquired the Stoker’s
® brand. We have since
built the brand to a strong #2 position in the chewing tobacco industry while successfully leveraging the brand’s value through our
MST expansion where it remains among the fastest growing MST brands in the industry. More recently, we have completed five
acquisitions since our IPO to acquire (i) smokeless tobacco brands from Wind River, (ii) VaporBeast, (iii) Vapor Shark, (iv) Vapor
Supply, and (v) IVG. Additionally, our strategic minority interest in CASH gives us access to a pipeline of novel new CBD products
that we believe will be a dynamic force in the industry.
Maintain Lean, Low-Cost Operating Model
We have a lean, asset-light manufacturing and sourcing model which requires low capital expenditures and utilizes outsourced
supplier relationships. We believe our asset-light model provides marketplace flexibility and allows us to achieve favorable margins.
Our market analytics allow us to efficiently and effectively address evolving consumer and market demands. Our supplier relationships
allow us to increase the breadth of our product offerings and quickly enter new OTP markets as management is able to focus on brand
building and innovation. We intend to continue to optimize our asset-light operating model as we grow in order to maintain a low cost
of operations and healthy margins. In 2018, approximately 85% of our net sales were derived from outsourced production operations.
Our capital expenditures have ranged between $1.3 million and $3.2 million per year over the previous 5 years. We do not intend to
outsource our MST production as a result of our proprietary manufacturing processes which are substantively different than those of
our competitors.
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Raw Materials, Product Supply, and Inventory Management
We source our products through a series of longstanding, highly-valued relationships which allow us to conduct our business on
an asset-light, distribution-focused basis.
The components of inventories at December 31, 2018 and 2017, were as follows (in thousands):
Raw materials and work in process
Leaf tobacco
Finished goods - Smokeless products
Finished goods - Smoking products
Finished goods - NewGen products
Other
LIFO reserve
Smokeless Products
December 31,
2018
December 31,
2017
$
$
2,722 $
34,977
6,321
14,666
37,194
738
96,618
(5,381)
91,237 $
2,545
30,308
5,834
14,110
14,532
1,290
68,619
(5,323)
63,296
Our loose leaf chewing and moist snuff tobaccos are produced from air-cured and fire-cured leaf tobacco, respectively. We utilize
recognized suppliers that generally maintain 12- to 24-month supplies of our various types of tobacco at their facilities. We do not
believe we are dependent on any single country or supplier source for tobacco. We generally maintain up to a two-month supply of
finished, loose leaf chewing tobacco and moist snuff. This supply is maintained at our Louisville, Kentucky, facility and in two
regional public warehouses to facilitate distribution.
We also utilize a variety of suppliers for the sourcing of additives used in our smokeless products and for the supply of our
packaging materials. Thus, we believe we are not dependent on a single supplier for these products. There are no current U.S. federal
regulations that restrict tobacco flavor additives in smokeless products. The additives that we use are food-grade, generally accepted
ingredients.
All of our loose leaf chewing tobacco production is fulfilled through our agreement with Swedish Match. See the “Distribution
and Supply Agreements” section for our discussion of the Swedish Match Manufacturing Agreement. All of our moist snuff products
are manufactured at our facility in Dresden, Tennessee. Packaging occurs at the Dresden, Tennessee, location in addition to the facility
in Louisville, Kentucky.
Smoking Products
Pursuant to our distribution agreements with Bolloré (discussed in more detail, below, under the heading “Distribution and Supply
Agreements”), we are required to purchase from Bolloré all cigarette papers, cigarette tubes, and cigarette injecting machines that we
sell, subject to Bolloré fulfilling its obligations under these distribution agreements. If Bolloré is unable or unwilling to perform its
obligations or ceases its cigarette paper manufacturing operations, in each case, as set forth in the Distribution Agreements, we may
seek third-party suppliers and continue the use of the Zig-Zag
® trademark to market these products. To ensure we have a steady supply
of premium cigarette paper products, as well as cigarette tubes and injectors, Bolloré is required to maintain, at its expense, a two-
month supply of inventory in a bonded, public warehouse in the U.S.
We obtain our MYO cigar wraps from the patent holder under our agreement with Durfort in the Dominican Republic. We also
obtain our Zig-Zag branded cigar products from the Dominican Republic. We obtain our pipe tobaccos from domestic sources. We
generally purchase these tobaccos through multiple sources; thus, we believe we are not dependent on a single supplier. We package
these products at our Louisville, Kentucky, facility.
NewGen Products
We have sourcing relationships that are capable of providing liquid vapor products for other companies’ brands and for producing
our own branded product lines in the category. Our acquisitions of VaporBeast, Vapor Shark, Vapor Supply, and IVG have (i)
accelerated our entry into the non-traditional retail channel, where we believe a significant portion of liquid vapor products are sold; (ii)
provided enhanced distribution of products; and (iii) established
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best-in-class distribution and B2C platforms combining eCommerce selling skills with a national, retail salesforce. We believe the
VaporBeast B2B competency coupled with the IVG B2C selling strengths and our national retail salesforce is a genuine competitive
advantage and one that we intend to leverage on behalf of Nu-X CBD and vapor products. Furthermore, we have established a sourcing
group in Asia to ensure timely and cost-effective access to marketplace winners and new product launches, while also maximizing
margin through thoughtful logistics strategies.
Distribution and Supply Agreements
Bolloré Distribution and License Agreements
We are party to two long-term distribution and license agreements with Bolloré with respect to sales of cigarette papers, cigarette
tubes, and cigarette injector machines—one with respect to distribution in the U.S. and one with respect to distribution in Canada
(collectively, the “Distribution Agreements”). Under the Distribution Agreements, Bolloré granted us the exclusive right to purchase
products bearing the Zig-Zag
® brand name from Bolloré for resale in the U.S. and Canada. We have the sole right to determine pricing
and other terms upon which we may resell any products purchased from Bolloré, including the right to determine the ultimate
distributors of such products within these countries. Furthermore, on March 19, 2013, we entered into an additional License and
Distribution Agreement with Bolloré (the “Bolloré License Agreement”), which permits us the exclusive use of the Zig-Zag
® brand
name in the U.S. for e-cigarettes and any related accessories, including vaporizers and e-liquids. The Bolloré License Agreement
terminates upon termination of the Distribution Agreements.
Each of the Distribution Agreements were entered into on November 30, 1992, by a predecessor in interest for an initial twenty-
year term. The Distribution Agreements automatically renewed in November 2012 for a second twenty-year term and will
automatically renew for successive twenty-year terms unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of such agreement. The
Distribution Agreements provide that, in order to assure each of the parties receives commercially reasonable profits in light of
inflationary trends and currency fluctuation factors, 120 days prior to December 31, 2004, and each fifth-year anniversary from such
date thereafter, the parties are required to enter into good faith negotiations to agree on an index and currency adjustment formula to
replace the index and formula currently in effect. If the parties are unable to agree, the dispute is to be submitted to binding arbitration.
Pursuant to the Distribution Agreements, if at any time the price received by Bolloré fails to cover its costs, Bolloré may give us notice
of this deficiency, and the parties must promptly negotiate in good faith to adjust prices. If the parties cannot agree on new prices, we
may purchase products from an alternative supplier reasonably acceptable to Bolloré until the next price adjustment period (subject to
certain price-matching rights available to Bolloré and other terms and conditions). Further, Bolloré sources its needs for our orders
from an affiliate of one of our competitors. See “Risk Factors—We depend on a small number of key third-party suppliers and
producers for our products” for further details.
Pursuant to the Distribution Agreements, export duties, insurance, and shipping costs are the responsibility of Bolloré. Import
duties and taxes in the U.S. and Canada are our responsibility. Under the Distribution Agreements, we must purchase cigarette papers,
cigarette tubes, and cigarette injector machines from Bolloré, subject to Bolloré fulfilling its obligations under these agreements.
Bolloré is required to provide us with the quantities of the products that we order consistent with specific order-to-delivery timelines
detailed in the agreement. The Distribution Agreements provide us with certain safeguards to ensure that we will be able to secure a
steady supply of product, including (i) granting us the right to seek third-party suppliers with continued use of the Zig-Zag
® trademark
if Bolloré is unable to perform its obligations or ceases its cigarette paper manufacturing operation, in each case as set forth in the
Distribution Agreements, and (ii) maintaining a two-month supply of safety stock inventory of the premium papers, tubes, and injector
machines in the U.S. at Bolloré’s expense.
Under the Distribution Agreements, we have agreed that for a period of five years after the termination of the agreements we will
not engage, directly or indirectly, in the manufacturing, selling, distributing, marketing, or otherwise promoting, in the U.S. and
Canada, of cigarette paper or cigarette paper booklets of a competitor without Bolloré’s consent, except for certain de minimis
acquisitions of debt or equity securities of such a competitor and certain activities with respect to an alternative supplier used by us as
permitted under the Distribution Agreements.
Each of the Distribution Agreements permits Bolloré to terminate such agreement (i) if certain minimum purchases (which, in the
case of both Distribution Agreements, have been significantly exceeded in recent years) of cigarette paper booklets have not been made
by us for resale in the jurisdiction covered by such agreement within a calendar year, (ii) if we assign such agreement without the
consent of Bolloré, (iii) upon a change of control without
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the consent of Bolloré, (iv) upon certain acquisitions of our equity securities by one of our competitors or certain investments by our
significant stockholders in one of our competitors, (v) upon certain material breaches, including our agreement not to promote, directly
or indirectly, cigarette paper or cigarette paper booklets of a competitor, or (vi) upon our bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, or other
similar event. Additionally, the Canada Distribution Agreement is terminable by either us or Bolloré upon the termination of the U.S.
Distribution Agreement.
Swedish Match Manufacturing Agreement
On September 4, 2008, we entered into a manufacturing and distribution agreement with Swedish Match whereby Swedish Match
became the exclusive manufacturer of our loose leaf chewing tobacco. Under the agreement, production of our loose leaf chewing
tobacco products was completely transitioned to Swedish Match’s plant located in Owensboro, Kentucky, on September 18, 2009. We
source all of the tobacco Swedish Match uses to manufacture our products along with certain proprietary flavorings and retain all
marketing, design, formula, and trademark rights over our loose leaf products. We also have the right to approve all product
modifications and are solely responsible for decisions related to package design and branding of the loose leaf tobacco produced for us.
Responsibilities related to process control, manufacturing activities, and inventory management with respect to our loose leaf products
are allocated between us and Swedish Match as specified in the agreement. We also have rights to monitor production and quality
control processes on an ongoing basis.
The agreement had an initial ten-year term and will automatically be renewed for five successive ten-year terms unless either party
provides at least 180 days’ notice prior to a renewal term of its intent to terminate the agreement, or unless otherwise terminated by
mutual agreement of the parties in accordance with the provisions of the agreement. If a notice of non-renewal is delivered, the contract
will expire two years after the date on which the agreement would have otherwise been renewed. The terms allow the agreement to be
assumed by a buyer, terminated for uncured material breach, or terminated by us subject to a buyout. We also hold a right of first
refusal to acquire the manufacturing plant as well as Swedish Match’s chewing tobacco unit. The agreement was automatically
renewed for the first of five 10-year renewal periods on September 4, 2018.
Production and Quality Control
We primarily outsource our manufacturing and production processes and focus on packaging, marketing, and distribution. We
currently manufacture approximately 15% of our products as measured by net sales. Our in-house manufacturing operations are limited
to (i) the manufacturing of our moist snuff products, which occurs at our facility in Dresden, Tennessee; (ii) the packaging of our moist
snuff products at our facilities in Dresden, Tennessee, and Louisville, Kentucky; (iii) the manufacturing of e-liquids at our Louisville,
Kentucky, facility; and (iv) the processing and packaging of our pipe tobacco products, which is completed at our manufacturing
facility in Louisville, Kentucky. Our MST products are processed in-house, rather than outsourced, as a result of our proprietary
manufacturing processes which are substantively different than those of our competitors.
We use proprietary production processes and techniques, including strict quality controls. Our quality control group routinely tests
the quality of the tobacco, flavorings, application of flavorings, premium cigarette papers, tubes and injectors, cigars, MYO cigar
wraps, liquid vapor products, and packaging materials. We utilize sophisticated quality controls to test and closely monitor the quality
of our products. The high quality of our tobacco products is largely the result of using high-grade tobacco leaf and food-grade
flavorings and, on an ongoing basis, analyzing the tobacco cut, flavorings, and moisture content together with strict specifications for
sourced products.
Given the importance of contract manufacturing to our business, our quality control group ensures that established, written
procedures and standards are adhered to by each of our contract manufacturers. Responsibilities related to process control,
manufacturing activities, quality control, and inventory management with respect to our loose leaf are allocated between us and
Swedish Match under the manufacturing agreement.
Sales and Marketing
We have grown the size and capacity of our salesforce and intend to continue strengthening the organization to advance our ability
to deepen and broaden the retail availability of our products and brands.
As of December 31, 2018, we had a nationwide tobacco and vapor sales and marketing organization of approximately 174
professionals. Our tobacco-related sales and marketing group focuses on priority markets and sales channels and seeks to operate with a
high level of efficiency. In 2018, our tobacco-related sales and marketing efforts enabled our products to reach an estimated 210,000
retail doors in North America and over 800 direct wholesale customers with an additional 100 secondary, indirect wholesalers in the
U.S.
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Our tobacco sales efforts are focused on wholesale distributors and retail merchants in the independent and chain convenience
store, tobacco outlet, food store, mass merchandising, drug store, and non-traditional retail channels. Our NewGen sales efforts are
focused on alternative channels and winning new stores, increasing store share of requirements and growing the B2C engine to capture
a greater share of online sales direct to the consumer. We have expanded, and intend to continue to expand, the sales of our products
into previously underdeveloped geographic markets and retail channels. In 2018, we derived more than 95% of our net sales from sales
in the U.S., with the remainder primarily from sales in Canada.
We subscribe to a sales tracking system from MSAi that records all traditional OTP product shipments (ours as well as those of
our competitors) from approximately 900 wholesalers to over 250,000 traditional retail stores in the U.S. This system enables us to
understand individual product share and volume trends across multiple categories down to the individual retail store level, allowing us
to allocate field salesforce coverage to the highest opportunity stores. Additionally, the ability to select from a range of parameters and
to achieve this level of granularity means we can analyze marketplace trends in a timely manner and swiftly evolve our business
planning to meet market opportunities.
We employ marketing activities to grow awareness, trial, and sales including selective trade advertising to expand wholesale
availability, point-of-sale advertising and merchandising and permanent and temporary displays to improve consumer visibility, and
social media. We comply with all regulations relating to the marketing of tobacco products, such as directing marketing efforts to adult
consumers, and are committed to full legal compliance in the sales and marketing of our products. To date, we have neither relied upon,
nor conducted, any substantial advertising in the consumer media for our products.
In the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, we did not have any customer that accounted for 10% or more of our net
sales. Our customers use an open purchase order system to buy our products and are not obligated to do so pursuant to ongoing
contractual obligations. We perform periodic credit evaluations of our customers and generally do not require collateral on trade
receivables. Historically, we have not experienced material credit losses. Sales to customers within our NewGen segment are generally
prepaid.
Competition
Many of our competitors are better capitalized than we are and have greater resources, financial and otherwise. We believe our
ability to effectively compete and strong market positions in our principal product lines are due to the high recognition of our brand
names, the perceived quality of each of our products, and the efforts of our sales, marketing, and distribution teams. We compete
against “big tobacco,” including Altria Group, Inc. (formerly Philip Morris); British American Tobacco p.l.c. (formerly Reynolds);
Swedish Match; Swisher International; and manufacturers including U.K. based Imperial Brands, PLC, across our segments. “Big
tobacco” has substantial resources and a customer base that has historically demonstrated loyalty to their brands.
Competition in the OTP market is based upon not only brand quality and positioning but also on price, packaging, promotion, and
retail availability and visibility. Given the decreasing prevalence of cigarette consumption, the “big tobacco” companies continue to
demonstrate an increased interest and participation in a number of OTP markets.
Smokeless Products
Our three principal competitors in the loose leaf chewing tobacco market are Swedish Match, the American Snuff Company, LLC
(a unit of British American Tobacco p.l.c.), and Swisher International Group, Inc. We believe moist snuff products are used
interchangeably with loose leaf products by many consumers. In the moist snuff category, we face the same competitors with the
addition of U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (a division of Altria Group, Inc.).
Smoking Products
Our principle competitors for premium cigarette paper sales are Republic Tobacco, L.P. and HBI International. Our two major
competitors for MYO cigar wraps are New Image Global, Inc., and Blunt Wrap USA.
NewGen Products
In the NewGen products segment, aside from the established operations of Juul Labs, our competitors are varied as the market is
relatively new and highly fragmented. Our direct competitors sell products that are substantially similar to our products through the
same channels in which we sell our liquid vapor products. We compete with these
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direct competitors for sales through wholesalers and retailers including, but not limited to, vapor stores, national chain stores, tobacco
shops, and convenience stores and in the online direct to consumer environment. Through our acquisitions we now also compete
directly with other non-traditional distributors and retailers.
Patents, Trademarks, and Trade Secrets
We have numerous registered trademarks relating to our products, including: Beech-Nut
® , Trophy
® , Havana
Blossom
® ,
Durango
® , Stoker’s
® , Tequila
Sunrise
® , Fred’s
Choice
® , Old
Hillside
® , Our
Pride
® , Red
Cap
® , Tennessee
Chew
® , Big
Mountain
® , Springfield
Standard
® , Snake
River
® , VaporBeast
®
, Vapor
Shark
®
, DirectVapor
®
, VaporFi
®
, and
SouthBeachSmoke
®
. The registered trademarks, which are significant to our business, expire periodically and are renewable for
additional 10-year terms upon expiration. Flavor and blend formula trade secrets relating to our tobacco products, which are key assets
of our businesses, are maintained under strict secrecy. The Zig-Zag
® trade name and trademark for premium cigarette papers and
related products are owned by Bolloré and have been exclusively licensed to us in the U.S. and Canada. The Zig-Zag
® trade name and
trademark for e-cigarette and vaporizers are also owned by Bolloré and have been exclusively licensed to us in the U.S. We own the
Zig-Zag
® trademark with respect to its use in connection with products made with tobacco including, without limitation, cigarettes,
cigars, and MYO cigar wraps in the U.S.
Research and Development and Quality Assurance
We have a research and development and quality assurance function that tests raw materials and finished products in order to
maintain a high level of product quality and consistency. Research and development largely bases its new product development efforts
on our high-tech data systems. We spent approximately $2.5 million, $2.3 million, and $2.0 million dollars on research and
development and quality control efforts for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.
Employees
As of February 25, 2019, we employed 520 full-time employees. None of our employees are represented by unions. We believe
we have a positive relationship with our employees.
Internet Address and Company SEC Filings
Our primary Internet
address is www.turningpointbrands.com.
On the investor relations portion of our website,
www.turningpointbrands.com/investor-relations, we provide a link to our electronic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “SEC”), including our annual report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form
8-K, and any amendments to these reports. We make all such filings available free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after
filing. The information found on our website is not part of this or any other report we file with or furnish to the SEC.
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Item 1A. Risk Factors
Risks related to our business and industry include the following:
Sales of tobacco products are generally expected to continue to decline.
As a result of restrictions on advertising and promotions, increases in regulation and excise taxes, health concerns, a decline in the
social acceptability of tobacco and tobacco-related products, increased pressure from anti-tobacco groups, and other factors, the overall
U.S. market for tobacco products has generally been declining in terms of volume of sales and is expected to continue to decline. The
general climate of declining sales of tobacco products is principally driven by the long-standing declines in cigarettes. OTP, on the
other hand, as measured by MSAi, have been generating modest volume gains. For instance, while loose leaf chewing tobacco products
have declined for over a decade, MST, a much larger Smokeless segment, has been growing in the low single digits over the same
period. Additionally, cigarillo cigars and MYO cigar wraps have each demonstrated MSAi volume gains in recent years. Our tobacco
products comprised approximately 61% of our total 2018 net sales and, while some of our sales volume declines have been offset by
higher prices or by increased sales in other product categories, there can be no assurance that these price increases or increased sales
can be sustained, especially in an environment of increased regulation and taxation and changes in consumer spending habits.
We depend on a small number of key third-party suppliers and producers for our products.
Our operations are largely dependent on a small number of key suppliers and producers to supply or manufacture our products
pursuant to long-term contracts. In 2018, our three most important suppliers and producers were: (i) Swedish Match, which produces
all of our loose leaf chewing tobacco in the U.S., (ii) Bolloré, which provides us with exclusive access to the Zig-Zag
®
cigarette paper
and related accessories in the U.S. and Canada, and (iii) Durfort, from which we source our MYO cigar wraps.
All of our loose leaf tobacco products are manufactured for us by Swedish Match pursuant to a ten-year renewable agreement,
which we entered into in 2008. The agreement will automatically be renewed for five successive ten-year terms unless either party
provides at least 180 days’ notice prior to a renewal term of its intent to terminate the agreement or unless otherwise terminated in
accordance with the provisions of the agreement. If a notice of non-renewal is delivered, the contract will expire two years after the
date on which the agreement would have otherwise been renewed. Under this agreement, we retain the rights to all marketing,
distribution and trademarks over the loose leaf brands that we own or license. The agreement renewed for an additional ten-year term in
2018. We share responsibilities with Swedish Match related to process control, manufacturing activities, quality control, and inventory
management with respect to our loose leaf products. We rely on the performance by Swedish Match of its obligations under the
agreement for the production of our loose leaf tobacco products. Any significant disruption in Swedish Match’s manufacturing
capabilities or our relationship with Swedish Match, a deterioration in Swedish Match’s financial condition, or an industry-wide change
in business practices with respect to loose leaf tobacco products could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations, and financial condition.
All of our Zig-Zag
® premium cigarette papers, cigarette tubes, and injectors are sourced from Bolloré, pursuant to a renewable
20-year exclusive agreement. This agreement was most recently renewed in 2012. In addition, under the terms of the agreement with
Bolloré, we renegotiate pricing terms every five years. Further, Bolloré sources its needs for certain of our orders from an affiliate of
one of our competitors.
We source our MYO cigar wraps through the patent holder, Durfort, pursuant to an agreement entered into in October 2008. The
agreement extends until expiration of the patents or cancellation of the agreement by either party. We rely on Durfort to produce and
package our MYO cigar wraps to our specifications. Any significant disruption in our relationship with Durfort, a deterioration in
Durfort’s financial condition, an industry-wide change in business practices relating to MYO cigar wraps, or our ability to source the
MYO cigar wraps from them could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Pursuant to agreements with certain suppliers, we have agreed to store tobacco inventory purchased on our behalf and generally
maintain a 12- to 24-month supply of our various tobacco products at their facilities. We cannot guarantee our supply of these products
will be adequate to meet the demands of our customers. Further, a major fire, violent weather conditions, or other disasters that affect
us or any of our key suppliers or producers, including Bolloré, Swedish Match, or Durfort, as well as those of our other suppliers and
vendors, could have a material adverse effect on our operations. Although we have insurance coverage for some of these events, a
prolonged interruption in our operations, as well as those of our producers, suppliers, or vendors, could have a material adverse effect
on our
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business, results of operations, and financial condition. In addition, we do not know whether we will be able to renew any or all of our
agreements on a timely basis, on terms satisfactory to us, or at all.
Any disruptions in our relationships with Bolloré, Swedish Match, or Durfort, a failure to renew any of our agreements, an
inability or unwillingness by any supplier to produce sufficient quantities of our products in a timely manner or finding a new supplier
would have a significant impact on our ability to continue distributing the same volume and quality of products and maintain our
market share, even during a temporary disruption, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and
financial condition.
We may be unable to identify or contract with new suppliers or producers in the event of a disruption to our supply.
In order to continue selling our products in the event of a disruption to our supply, we would have to identify new suppliers or
producers that would be required to satisfy significant regulatory requirements. Only a limited number of suppliers or producers may
have the ability to produce our products at the volumes we need, and it could be costly or time-consuming to locate and approve such
alternative sources. Moreover, it may be difficult or costly to find suppliers to produce small volumes of our new products in the event
we are looking only to supplement current supply as suppliers may impose minimum order requirements. In addition, we may be
unable to negotiate pricing or other terms with our existing or new suppliers as favorable as those we currently enjoy. Even if we were
able to successfully identify new suppliers and contract with them on favorable terms, these new suppliers would also be subject to
stringent regulatory approval procedures that could result in prolonged disruptions to our sourcing and distribution processes.
Furthermore, there is no guarantee that a new third-party supplier could accurately replicate the production process and taste
profile of our existing products. We cannot guarantee that a failure to adequately replace our existing suppliers would not have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Our licenses to use certain brands and trademarks may be terminated or not renewed.
We are reliant upon brand recognition in the OTP markets in which we compete as the OTP industry is characterized by a high
degree of brand loyalty and a reluctance to switch to new or unrecognizable brands on the part of consumers. Some of the brands and
trademarks under which our products are sold are licensed to us for a fixed period of time in respect of specified markets, such as our
distribution and license agreement with Bolloré for use of the Zig-Zag
® name and associated trademarks in connection with certain of
our cigarette papers and related products.
We have two licensing agreements with Bolloré, the first of which governs licensing and the use of the Zig-Zag
® name with
respect to cigarette papers, cigarette tubes, and cigarette injector machines, and the second of which governs licensing and the use of
the Zig-Zag
® name with respect to e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and e-liquids. In 2018, we generated $112 million in net sales of Zig-Zag
®
products, of which approximately $56 million was generated from products sold through our license agreement with Bolloré. In the
event the licensing agreements with Bolloré are not renewed, the terms of the agreements bind us under a five-year non-compete
clause, under which we cannot engage in direct or indirect manufacturing, selling, distributing, marketing, or otherwise promoting of
cigarette papers of a competitor without Bolloré’s consent, except in limited instances. We do not know whether we will renew these
agreements on a timely basis, on terms satisfactory to us, or at all. As a result of these restrictions, if our agreements with Bolloré are
terminated, we may not be able to access the markets with recognizable brands that would be positioned to compete in these segments.
In the event that the licenses to use the brands and trademarks in our portfolio are terminated or are not renewed after the end of
the term, there is no guarantee we will be able to find a suitable replacement, or if a replacement is found, that it will be on favorable
terms. Any loss in our brand-name appeal to our existing customers as a result of the lapse or termination of our licenses could have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
We may not be successful in maintaining the consumer brand recognition and loyalty of our products.
We compete in a market that relies on innovation and the ability to react to evolving consumer preferences. The tobacco industry
in general, and the OTP industry in particular, are subject to changing consumer trends, demands, and preferences. Therefore, products
once favored may over time become disfavored by consumers or no longer
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perceived as the best option. Consumers in the OTP market have demonstrated a high degree of brand loyalty, but producers must
continue to adapt their products in order to maintain their status among these customers as the market evolves. The Zig-Zag
® brand has
strong brand recognition among smokers, and our continued success depends in part on our ability to continue to differentiate the brand
names that we own or license and maintain similarly high levels of recognition with target consumers. Trends within the OTP industry
change often. Our failure to anticipate, identify, or react to changes in these trends could, among other things, lead to reduced demand
for our products. Factors that may affect consumer perception of our products include health trends and attention to health concerns
associated with tobacco, price-sensitivity in the presence of competitors’ products or substitute products, and trends in favor of new
NewGen products that are currently being researched and produced by participants in our industry. For example, in recent years, we
have witnessed a shift in consumer purchases from chewing tobacco to moist snuff due to its increased affordability. Along with our
biggest competitors in the chewing tobacco market, which also produce moist snuff, we have been able to shift priorities and adapt to
this change. A failure to react to similar trends in the future could enable our competitors to grow or establish their brands’ market
shares in these categories before we have a chance to respond.
Consumer perceptions of the overall health of tobacco-based products is likely to continue to shift, and our success depends, in
part, on our ability to anticipate these shifting tastes and the rapidity with which the markets in which we compete will evolve in
response to these changes on a timely and affordable basis. If we are unable to respond effectively and efficiently to changing
consumer preferences, the demand for our products may decline, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations, and financial condition.
Regulations may be enacted in the future, particularly in light of increasing restrictions on the form and content of marketing of
tobacco products, that would make it more difficult to appeal to our consumers or to leverage existing recognition of the brands that we
own or license. Furthermore, even if we are able to continue to distinguish our products, there can be no assurance that the sales,
marketing, and distribution efforts of our competitors will not be successful in persuading consumers of our products to switch to their
products. Many of our competitors have greater access to resources than we do, which better positions them to conduct market research
in relation to branding strategies or costly marketing campaigns. Any loss of consumer brand loyalty to our products or reduction of our
ability to effectively brand our products in a recognizable way will have a material effect on our ability to continue to sell our products
and maintain our market share, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial
condition.
We are subject to substantial and increasing regulation.
The tobacco industry has been under public scrutiny for over 50 years. Industry critics include special interest groups, the U.S.
Surgeon General, and many legislators and regulators at the state and federal levels. A wide variety of federal, state, and local laws
limit the advertising, sale, and use of tobacco, and these laws have proliferated in recent years. Together with changing public attitudes
towards tobacco consumption, the constant expansion of regulations has been a major cause of the overall decline in the consumption
of tobacco products since the early 1970s. These regulations relate to, among other things, the importation of tobacco products and
shipping throughout the U.S. market, increases in the minimum age to purchase tobacco products, imposition of taxes, sampling and
advertising bans or restrictions, flavor bans or restrictions, ingredient and constituent disclosure requirements, and media campaigns
and restrictions on where smokers can smoke. Additional restrictions may be legislatively imposed or agreed to in the future. These
limitations may make it difficult for us to maintain the value of any brand.
Moreover, the current trend is toward increasing regulation of the tobacco industry, which is likely to differ between the various
U.S. states and Canadian provinces in which we currently conduct the majority of our business. Extensive and inconsistent regulation
by multiple states and at different governmental levels could prove to be particularly disruptive to our business as we may be unable to
accommodate such regulations in a cost-effective manner that allows us to continue to compete in an economically viable way.
Regulations are often introduced without the tobacco industry’s input and have been a significant reason behind reduced industry sales
volumes and increased illicit trade.
In 1986, federal legislation was enacted regulating smokeless tobacco products (including dry and moist snuff and chewing
tobacco) by, among other things, requiring health warnings on smokeless tobacco packages and prohibiting the advertising of
smokeless tobacco products on media subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”). Since 1986,
other proposals have been made at the federal, state, and local levels for additional regulation of tobacco products. It is likely that
additional proposals will be made in the coming
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years. For example, the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act prohibits the use of the U.S. Postal Service to mail most tobacco products
and amends the Jenkins Act, which established cigarette sales reporting requirements for state excise tax collection, to require
individuals and businesses that make interstate sales of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco comply with state tax laws. See “—There is
uncertainty related to the federal regulation of NewGen products, cigars and pipe tobacco products” for further details. Additional
federal or state regulation relating to the manufacture, sale, distribution, advertising, labeling, mandatory ingredients disclosure and
nicotine yield information disclosure of tobacco products could reduce sales, increase costs, and have a material adverse effect on our
business, results of operations, and financial condition.
On June 22, 2009, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (the “Tobacco Control Act”) authorized the FDA for
regulatory authority over tobacco products. The Act also amended the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act, which governs
how cigarettes can be advertised and marketed, as well as the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act (“CSTHEA”),
which governs how smokeless tobacco can be advertised and marketed. In addition to the FDA and FCC, we are subject to regulation
by numerous other federal agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), the Department of Justice (“DOJ”), the Alcohol
and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB”), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(“USDA”), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”), the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) and the U.S.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (“CDC”) Office on Smoking and Health. There have also been adverse legislative and
political decisions and other unfavorable developments concerning cigarette smoking and the tobacco industry, which have received
widespread public attention. FDA has, and other governmental entities have, expressed concerns about the use of flavors in tobacco
products and an interest in significant regulation of such use, up to and including de facto bans in certain products. There can be no
assurance as to the ultimate content, timing or effect of any regulation of tobacco products by governmental bodies, nor can there be
any assurance that potential corresponding declines in demand resulting from negative media attention would not have a material
adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Some of our products are subject to developing and unpredictable regulation.
Some of our NewGen products marketed through our Nu-X subsidiary and similar third-party products sold through our NewGen
distribution vehicles may be subject to uncertain federal, state and local regulations concerning hemp, CBD and other non-tobacco
consumable products. Enforcement initiatives by those authorities are therefore unpredictable and impossible to anticipate. We
anticipate that all levels of government are likely to seek in some way to regulate these products, but the type, timing, and impact of
such regulations remains uncertain. Accordingly, we cannot give any assurance that such actions would not have a material adverse
effect on this emerging business.
Our products are regulated by the FDA, which has broad regulatory powers.
Substantially all of our 2018 U.S. net sales are derived from the sale of products that are currently regulated by the FDA. The
Tobacco Control Act grants the FDA broad regulatory authority over the design, manufacture, sale, marketing and packaging of
tobacco products. Among the regulatory powers conferred to the FDA under the Tobacco Control Act is the authority to impose
tobacco product standards that are appropriate for the protection of the public health, require manufacturers to obtain FDA review and
authorization for the marketing of certain new or modified tobacco products and impose various additional restrictions. Such
restrictions may include requiring reduction or elimination of the use of particular constituents or components, requiring product
testing, or addressing other aspects of tobacco product construction, constituents, properties or labeling.
Specifically, the Tobacco Control Act (i) increases the number of health warnings required on cigarette and smokeless tobacco
products, increases the size of warnings on packaging and in advertising, requires the FDA to develop graphic warnings for cigarette
packages, and grants the FDA authority to require new warnings, (ii) imposes restrictions on the sale and distribution of tobacco
products, including significant restrictions on tobacco product advertising and promotion as well as the use of brand and trade names,
(iii) bans the use of “light,” “mild,” “low” or similar descriptors on tobacco products, (iv) bans the use of “characterizing flavors” in
cigarettes other than tobacco or menthol, (v) requires manufacturers to report ingredients and harmful constituents and requires the
FDA to disclose certain constituent information to the public, (vi) authorizes the FDA to require the reduction of nicotine and the
potential reduction or elimination of other constituents or additives, including menthol, (vii) establishes potentially expensive and time-
consuming pre-market and “substantial equivalence” review pathways for tobacco
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products that are considered new, (viii) gives FDA broad authority to deny product applications thereby preventing the sale or
distribution of the product subject to the application (and requiring such product to be removed from the market, if applicable), and (ix)
requires tobacco product manufacturers (and certain other entities) to register with the FDA.
The FDA charges user fees based on the USDA unit calculations pro-rated to the annualized FDA congressionally allocated
budget. These fees only apply to certain products currently regulated by the FDA, which include our smokeless and smoking products
(other than cigarette paper products), but we may in the future be required to pay such fees on more of our products, and we cannot
accurately predict which additional products may be subject to such fees or the magnitude of such fees, which could become
significant.
Although the FDA is prohibited from issuing regulations banning all cigarettes, all smokeless tobacco products, all little cigars, all
cigars other than little cigars, all pipe tobacco, or all roll-your-own tobacco, or requiring the reduction of nicotine yields of a tobacco
product to zero, it is likely that its regulations in accordance with the Tobacco Control Act could result in a decrease in cigarette and
smokeless tobacco sales in the U.S. We believe that such regulation could adversely affect our ability to compete against our larger
competitors, who may be able to more quickly and cost-effectively comply with these new rules and regulations. Our ability to gain
efficient market clearance for new tobacco products, or even to keep existing products on the market, could also be affected by FDA
rules and regulations. Some of our currently marketed products that are subject to FDA regulation will require marketing authorizations
from the FDA for us to continue marketing them (e.g., pre-market or substantial equivalence marketing authorizations, as applicable to
the product), which we cannot guarantee we will be able to obtain. In addition, failure to comply with new or existing tobacco laws
under which the FDA imposes regulatory requirements could result in significant financial penalties and government investigations of
us. To the extent we are unable to respond to, or comply with, new FDA regulations it could have a material adverse effect on our
business, results of operations and financial condition.
Many of our products contain nicotine, which is considered to be a highly addictive substance.
Many of our products contain nicotine, a chemical that is considered to be highly addictive. The Tobacco Control Act empowers
the FDA to regulate the amount of nicotine found in tobacco products, but not to require the reduction of nicotine yields of a tobacco
product to zero. Any FDA regulation, whether of nicotine levels or other product attributes, may require us to reformulate, recall and/or
discontinue certain of the products we may sell from time to time, which may have a material adverse effect on our ability to market
our products and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
There is uncertainty related to the federal regulation of NewGen products, cigars and pipe tobacco products. Increased
regulatory compliance burdens could have a material adverse impact on our NewGen business development efforts.
Since their introduction, there has been significant uncertainty regarding whether, how and when tobacco regulations would apply
to NewGen products, such as electronic cigarettes or other vaporizer products. Based on a decision in December 2010 by the U.S.
Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (the “Sottera decision”), the FDA is permitted to regulate electronic cigarettes containing
tobacco-derived nicotine as “tobacco products” under the Tobacco Control Act.
Effective August 8, 2016, FDA’s regulatory authority under the Tobacco Control Act was extended to all remaining tobacco
products, including: (i) certain NewGen products (such as electronic cigarettes, vaporizers and e-liquids) and their components or parts
(such as tanks, coils and batteries); (ii) cigars and their components or parts (such as cigar tobacco); (iii) pipe tobacco; (iv) hookah
products; or (v) any other tobacco product “newly deemed” by FDA. These deeming regulations apply to all products made or derived
from tobacco intended for human consumption, but excluding accessories of tobacco products (such as lighters).
The deeming regulations require us to (i) register with the FDA and report product and ingredient listings; (ii) market newly
deemed products only after FDA review and approval; (iii) only make direct and implied claims of reduced risk if the FDA approves
after finding that scientific evidence supports the claim and that marketing the product will benefit public health as a whole; (iv) refrain
from distributing free samples; (v) implement minimum age and identification restrictions to prevent sales to individuals under age 18;
(vi) develop an approved warning plan and include prescribed health warnings on packaging and advertisements; and (vii) refrain from
selling the products in vending machines, unless the machine is located in a facility that never admits youth. Newly-deemed tobacco
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products are also subject to the other requirements of the Tobacco Control Act, such as that they not be adulterated or misbranded. The
FDA could in the future promulgate good manufacturing practice regulations for these and our other products, which could have a
material adverse impact on our ability and the cost to manufacture our products.
Marketing authorizations will be necessary in order for us to continue our distribution of NewGen and cigar and pipe tobacco
products. Compliance dates vary depending upon type of application submitted, but all newly-deemed products will require an
application no later than August 8, 2021, for “combustible” products (e.g. cigar and pipe) and August 8, 2022, for “non-combustible”
products (e.g. vapor products) with the exception of our “grandfathered” products (products in commerce as of February 15, 2007)
which are already authorized, unless FDA grants extensions to these compliance periods. We intend to timely file for the appropriate
authorizations to allow us to sell our products in the U.S. We have no assurances that the outcome of such processes will result in our
products receiving marketing authorizations from the FDA. We also have certain previously-regulated tobacco products which FDA
removed from review but remain subject to “provisional” substantial equivalence filings made on March 22, 2011; however, FDA has
the discretion to reinitiate review of these products. If the FDA establishes regulatory processes that we are unable or unwilling to
comply with, our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects could be adversely affected.
The anticipated costs of complying with future FDA regulations will be dependent on the rules issued by the FDA, the timing and
clarity of any new rules or guidance documents accompanying these rules, the reliability and simplicity (or complexity) of the
electronic systems utilized by FDA for information and reports to be submitted, and the details required by FDA for such information
and reports with respect to each regulated product (which have yet to be issued by FDA). Failure to comply with existing or new FDA
regulatory requirements could result in significant financial penalties and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results
of operations, financial condition and ability to market and sell our products. Compliance and related costs could be substantial and
could significantly increase the costs of operating in our NewGen and cigar and pipe tobacco product markets.
In addition, failure to comply with the Tobacco Control Act and with FDA regulatory requirements could result in litigation,
criminal convictions or significant financial penalties and could impair our ability to market and sell our electronic and vaporizer
products. At present, we are not able to predict whether the Tobacco Control Act will impact our products to a greater degree than
competitors in the industry, thus affecting our competitive position.
Furthermore, neither the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act nor the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act currently
apply to NewGen products. There may, in the future, also be increased regulation of additives in tobacco products and internet sales of
NewGen products. The application of either or both of these federal laws, and of any new laws or regulations which may be adopted in
the future, to NewGen products or such additives could result in additional expenses and require us to change our advertising and
labeling, and methods of marketing and distribution of our products, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations and financial condition.
Significant increases in state and local regulation of our NewGen products have been proposed or enacted and are likely to
continue to be proposed or enacted in numerous jurisdictions.
There has been increasing activity on the state and local levels with respect to scrutiny of NewGen products. State and local
governmental bodies across the U.S. have indicated NewGen products may become subject to new laws and regulations at the state and
local levels. Further, some states and cities, have enacted regulations that require obtaining a tobacco retail license in order to sell
electronic cigarettes and vaporizer products. If one or more states from which we generate or anticipate generating significant sales of
NewGen products bring actions to prevent us from selling our NewGen products unless we obtain certain licenses, approvals or
permits, and if we are not able to obtain the necessary licenses, approvals or permits for financial reasons or otherwise and/or any such
license, approval or permit is determined to be overly burdensome to us, then we may be required to cease sales and distribution of our
products to those states, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Certain states and cities have already restricted the use of electronic cigarettes and vaporizer products in smoke-free venues,
imposed excise taxes, or limited sales of flavored NewGen products. Additional city, state or federal regulators, municipalities, local
governments and private industry may enact additional rules and regulations restricting electronic cigarettes and vaporizer products.
Because of these restrictions, our customers may reduce or otherwise cease using our NewGen products, which could have a material
adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
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Increases in tobacco-related taxes have been proposed or enacted and are likely to continue to be proposed or enacted in
numerous jurisdictions.
Tobacco products, premium cigarette papers and tubes have long been subject to substantial federal, state and local excise taxes.
Such taxes have frequently been increased or proposed to be increased, in some cases significantly, to fund various legislative
initiatives or further disincentivize tobacco usage. Since 1986, smokeless products have been subject to federal excise tax. Smokeless
products are taxed by weight (in pounds or fractional parts thereof) manufactured or imported.
Since the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (“S-CHIP”) reauthorization in early 2009, which utilizes, among other
things, taxes on tobacco products to fund health insurance coverage for children, the federal excise tax increases adopted have been
substantial and have materially reduced sales in the “roll your own” (“RYO”) /MYO cigarette smoking products market, and also
caused volume declines in other markets. Although the RYO/MYO cigarette smoking tobacco and related products market had been
one of the fastest growing markets in the tobacco industry in the five years prior to 2009, the reauthorization of S-CHIP increased the
federal excise tax on RYO tobacco from $1.10 to $24.78 per pound, and materially reduced the MYO cigarette smoking tobacco
market in the U.S. There have not been any increases announced since 2009, but we cannot guarantee that we will not be subject to
further increases, nor whether any such increases will affect prices in a way that further deters consumers from purchasing our products
and/or affects our net revenues in a way that renders us unable to compete effectively.
In addition to federal excise taxes, every state and certain city and county governments have imposed substantial excise taxes on
sales of tobacco products, and many have raised or proposed to raise excise taxes in recent years. Approximately one-half of the states
tax MST on a weight-based versus ad valorem system of taxation. Additional states may consider adopting such revised tax structures
as well. Tax increases, depending on their parameters, may result in consumers switching between tobacco products or depress overall
tobacco consumption, which is likely to result in declines in overall sales volumes.
Any future enactment of increases in federal or state excise taxes on our tobacco products or rulings that certain of our products
should be categorized differently for excise tax purposes could adversely affect demand for our products and may result in consumers
switching between tobacco products or a depression in overall tobacco consumption, which would have a material adverse effect on our
business, results of operations and financial condition.
If our NewGen products become subject to increased taxes it could adversely affect our business.
Presently the federal government and most states do not tax the sale of NewGen products like the sale of conventional cigarettes or
other tobacco products, all of which generally have high tax rates and have faced significant increases in the amount of taxes collected
on their sales. In recent years, however, state and local governments have taken actions to move towards imposing excise taxes on
NewGen products. As of December 31, 2018, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, New
Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and certain localities impose excise taxes on electronic cigarettes and/or liquid
vapor. Other jurisdictions are contemplating similar legislation and other restrictions on electronic cigarettes. Should federal, state and
local governments and or other taxing authorities begin or continue to impose excise taxes similar to those levied against conventional
cigarettes and tobacco products on NewGen products, it may have a material adverse effect on the demand for these products, as
consumers may be unwilling to pay the increased costs, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations and financial condition.
We may be subject to increasing international control and regulation.
The World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (“FCTC”) is the first international public health
treaty that establishes a global agenda to reduce initiation of tobacco use and regulate tobacco in an effort to encourage tobacco
cessation. Over 170 governments worldwide have ratified the FCTC. The FCTC has led to increased efforts to reduce the supply and
demand of tobacco products and to encourage governments to further regulate the tobacco industry. The tobacco industry expects
significant regulatory developments to take place over the next few years, driven principally by the FCTC. Regulatory initiatives that
have been proposed, introduced or enacted include:
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the levying of substantial and increasing tax and duty charges;
restrictions or bans on advertising, marketing and sponsorship;
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the display of larger health warnings, graphic health warnings and other labeling requirements;
restrictions on packaging design, including the use of colors and generic packaging;
restrictions or bans on the display of tobacco product packaging at the point of sale, and restrictions or bans on cigarette
vending machines;
requirements regarding testing, disclosure and performance standards for tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide and other smoke
constituents levels;
requirements regarding testing, disclosure and use of tobacco product ingredients;
increased restrictions on smoking in public and work places and, in some instances, in private places and outdoors;
elimination of duty free allowances for travelers; and
encouraging litigation against tobacco companies.
If the U.S. becomes a signatory to the FCTC and/or national laws are enacted in the U.S. that reflect the major elements of the
FCTC, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. If NewGen products
become subject to one or more of the significant regulatory initiatives proposed under the FCTC, our NewGen products segment may
also be materially adversely affected.
As part of our strategy, we have begun strategic international expansions, such as introducing our moist snuff tobacco products in
South America and cigar products in Canada. This and other future expansions may subject us to additional or increasing international
regulation, either by the countries that are the object of the strategic expansion or through international regulatory regimes, such as the
FCTC, to which those countries may be signatories.
Canada and some Canadian provinces have restricted or are contemplating restrictions on the sales and marketing of electronic
cigarettes. Furthermore, some Canadian provinces have limited the use of electronic cigarettes and vaporizer products in public places.
These measures, and any future measures taken to limit the marketing, sale and use of NewGen products may have a material adverse
effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
To the extent our existing or future products become subject to international regulatory regimes that we are unable to comply with
or fail to comply with, they may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our distribution efforts rely in part on our ability to leverage relationships with large retailers and national chains.
Our distribution efforts rely in part on our ability to leverage relationships with large retailers and national chains to sell and
promote our products, which is dependent upon the strength of the brand names that we own or license and our salesforce effectiveness.
In order to maintain these relationships, we must continue to supply products that will bring steady business to these retailers and
national chains. We may not be able to sustain these relationships or establish other relationships with such entities, which could have a
material adverse effect on our ability to execute our branding strategies, our ability to access the end-user markets with our products or
our ability to maintain our relationships with the producers of our products. For example, if we are unable to meet benchmarking
provisions in contracts or if we are unable to maintain and leverage our retail relationships on a scale sufficient to make us an attractive
distributor, it would have a material adverse effect on our ability to source products, and on our business, results of operations and
financial condition. In addition, there are factors beyond our control that may prevent us from leveraging existing relationships, such as
industry consolidation. If we are unable to develop and sustain relationships with large retailers and national chains, or are unable to
leverage those relationships due to factors such as a decline in the role of brick-and-mortar retailers in the North American economy,
our capacity to maintain and grow brand and product recognition and increase sales volume will be significantly undermined. In such
an event, we may ultimately be forced to pursue and rely on local and more fragmented sales channels, which will have a material
adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
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We have a substantial amount of indebtedness that could affect our financial condition.
As of February 25, 2019, we had $212.0 million outstanding under our credit facility with the ability to borrow an additional $30.7
million under our revolving credit facility. If we cannot generate sufficient cash flow from operations to service our debt, we may need
to further refinance our debt, dispose of assets or issue equity to obtain necessary funds. We do not know whether we will be able to do
any of this on a timely basis or on terms satisfactory to us or at all.
Our substantial amount of indebtedness could limit our ability to:
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obtain necessary additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures or other purposes in the future;
plan for, or react to, changes in our business and the industries in which we operate;
make future acquisitions or pursue other business opportunities;
react in an extended economic downturn; and
pay dividends.
The terms of the agreement governing our indebtedness may restrict our current and future operations, which would adversely
affect our ability to respond to changes in our business and to manage our operations.
Our 2018 Credit Facility contains, and any future indebtedness of ours would likely contain, a number of restrictive covenants that
impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us, including restrictions on our ability to, among other things:
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incur additional debt;
pay dividends and make other restricted payments;
create liens;
make investments and acquisitions;
engage in sales of assets and subsidiary stock;
enter into sale-leaseback transactions;
enter into transactions with affiliates;
transfer all or substantially all of our assets or enter into merger or consolidation transactions; and
enter into certain hedging agreements.
Our 2018 Credit Facility requires, us to maintain certain financial ratios. As of December 31, 2018, we were in compliance with
the financial and restrictive covenants of the 2018 Credit Facility. However, a failure by us to comply with the covenants or financial
ratios in our debt instruments could result in an event of default under the applicable facility, which could adversely affect our ability to
respond to changes in our business and manage our operations. In the event of any default under our 2018 Credit Facility, the lenders
under our debt instruments could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under such instruments to be due and payable and require us
to apply all of our available cash to repay these amounts. If the indebtedness under our 2018 Credit Facility were to be accelerated,
which would cause an event of default and a cross-acceleration of our obligations under our other debt instruments, there can be no
assurance that our assets would be sufficient to repay this indebtedness in full, which could have a material adverse effect on our
business, results of operations, and financial condition.
We face intense competition and may fail to compete effectively.
We are subject to significant competition across our segments, and compete against companies in all segments that have access to
significant resources in terms of technology, relationships with suppliers and distributors and access to cash flow and financial markets.
The OTP industry is characterized by brand recognition and loyalty, with product quality, price, marketing and packaging constituting
the primary methods of competition. Substantial marketing support, merchandising display, competitive pricing and other financial
incentives generally are required to introduce a new brand or to improve or maintain a brand’s market position. Our principal
competitors are “big
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tobacco,” Altria Group, Inc. (formerly Phillip Morris) and British American Tobacco p.l.c. (formerly Reynolds) as well as Swedish
Match, Swisher International and manufacturers of electronic cigarettes, including U.K.-based Imperial Brands PLC. These competitors
are significantly larger than us and aggressively seek to limit the distribution or sale of other companies’ products, both at the
wholesale and retail levels. For example, certain competitors have entered into agreements limiting retail-merchandising displays of
other companies’ products or imposing minimum prices for OTP products, thereby limiting their competitors’ ability to offer
discounted products. In addition, the tobacco industry is experiencing a trend toward industry consolidation, most recently evidenced
by the December 2018 investment in Juul Labs by Altria, the July 2017 acquisition of Reynolds American, Inc., by British American
Tobacco p.l.c., and the June 2015 acquisition of Lorillard, Inc., by Reynolds American, Inc. Industry consolidation could result in a
more competitive environment if our competitors are able to increase their combined resources, enhance their access to national
distribution networks, or become acquired by established companies with greater resources than ours. Any inability to compete due to
our smaller scale as the industry continues to consolidate and be dominated by “big tobacco” could have a material adverse effect on
our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The competitive environment and our competitive position is also significantly influenced by economic conditions, the state of
consumer confidence, competitors’ introduction of low-priced products or innovative products, higher taxes, higher absolute prices and
larger gaps between price categories and product regulation that diminishes the consumer’s ability to differentiate tobacco products.
Due to the impact of these factors, as well as higher state and local excise taxes and the market share of deep discount brands, the
tobacco industry has become increasingly price competitive. As we seek to adapt to the price competitive environment, our competitors
that are better capitalized may be able to sustain price discounts for long periods of time by spreading the loss across their expansive
portfolios, with which we are not positioned to compete.
“Big tobacco” has also established its presence in the NewGen products market. There can be no assurance that our products will
be able to compete successfully against these companies or any of our other competitors, some of which have far greater resources,
capital, experience, market penetration, sales and distribution channels than us. In addition, there are currently no U.S. restrictions on
advertising electronic cigarettes and vaporizer products and competitors, including “big tobacco,” may have more resources than us for
advertising expenses, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to build and maintain market share, and thus have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The market for NewGen products is subject to a great deal of uncertainty and is still evolving.
Vaporizer products and electronic cigarettes, having recently been introduced to market, are at an early stage of development, and
represent core components of a market that is evolving rapidly and is characterized by a number of market participants. Rapid growth
in the use of, and interest in, vaporizer products and electronic cigarettes is recent, and may not continue on a lasting basis. The demand
and market acceptance for these products is subject to a high level of uncertainty. Therefore, we are subject to all of the business risks
associated with a new enterprise in an evolving market. Continued evolution, uncertainty and the resulting increased risk of failure of
our new and existing product offerings in this market could have a material adverse effect on our ability to build and maintain market
share and on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Further, there can be no assurance that we will be able to
continue to effectively compete in the NewGen products marketplace.
We are subject to significant product liability litigation.
The tobacco industry has experienced, and continues to experience, significant product liability litigation. Most tobacco liability
lawsuits have been brought against manufacturers and sellers of cigarettes by individual plaintiffs, often participating on a class-action
basis, for injuries allegedly caused by cigarette smoking or by exposure to cigarette smoke. However, several lawsuits have also been
brought against us and other manufacturers and sellers of smokeless products for injuries to health allegedly caused by use of
smokeless products. There are several such suits pending against us with limited activity. In addition to the risks to our business, results
of operations and financial condition resulting from adverse results in any such action, ongoing litigation may divert management’s
attention and resources, which could have an impact on our business and operations. We cannot predict with certainty the outcome of
these claims and there can be no assurance that we will not sustain losses in connection with such lawsuits and that such losses will not
have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
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In addition to current and potential future claims related to our smoking and smokeless products, we are subject to several lawsuits
alleging personal injuries resulting from malfunctioning vaporizer devices and may be subject to claims in the future relating to our
other NewGen products. We are still evaluating these claims and the potential defenses to them. As a result of their relative novelty,
electronic cigarette and vaporizer product manufacturers and sellers have only recently become subject to litigation. We may see
increasing litigation over NewGen products or the regulation of our products, as the regulatory regimes surrounding these products
develop. For a description of current material litigation to which we or our subsidiaries are a party, see “Item 3. Legal Proceedings.”
As a result, we may face substantial costs due to increased product liability litigation relating to new regulations or other potential
defects associated with NewGen products we ship, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations
and financial condition.
The scientific community has not yet studied extensively the long-term health effects of electronic cigarette, vaporizer or e-
liquids products use.
Electronic cigarettes, vaporizers and related products were recently developed and therefore the scientific community has not had
a sufficient period of time to study the long-term health effects of their use. Currently, there is no way of knowing whether these
products are safe for their intended use. If the scientific community were to determine conclusively that use of any or all of these
products poses long-term health risks, market demand for these products and their use could materially decline. Such a determination
could also lead to litigation and significant regulation. Loss of demand for our product, product liability claims and increased regulation
stemming from unfavorable scientific studies on these products could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations and financial condition.
We are required to maintain cash amounts within an escrow account in order to be compliant with a settlement agreement
between us and certain U.S. states and territories.
In November 1998, the major U.S. cigarette manufacturers entered into the Master Settlement Agreement (“MSA”) and the
Smokeless Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (“STMSA”) with 46 U.S. states and certain U.S. territories and possessions.
Pursuant to the MSA and subsequent states’ statutes, a “cigarette manufacturer” (which is defined to also include a manufacturer of
RYO/MYO cigarette tobacco) has the option of either becoming a signatory to the MSA, or, as we have elected, operating as a non-
participating manufacturer (“NPM”) by funding and maintaining an escrow account, with sub-accounts on behalf of each settling state.
These NPM escrow accounts are governed by states’ escrow and complementary statutes that are generally monitored by the Office of
the State Attorney General. The statutes require NPM companies to deposit, on an annual basis, into qualified banks’ escrow funds
based on the number of cigarettes or cigarette equivalents, which is measured by pounds of RYO/MYO tobacco sold. NPM companies
are, within specified limits, entitled to direct the investment of the escrowed funds and withdraw any interest or appreciation, but
cannot withdraw the principal for twenty-five years from the year of each annual deposit, except to withdraw funds deposited pursuant
to an individual state’s escrow statute to pay a final judgment to that state’s plaintiffs in the event of such a final judgment. The
investment vehicles available to us are specified in the state escrow agreements and are limited to low-risk government securities.
Various states have enacted or proposed complementary legislation intended to curb the activity of certain manufacturers and
importers of cigarettes or MYO tobacco that are selling into MSA states without signing the MSA or who have failed to properly
establish and fund a qualifying escrow account. We believe we have been fully compliant with all applicable laws, regulations, and
statutes, although compliance-related issues may, from time to time, be disruptive to our business, any of which could have a material
adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Pursuant to the NPM escrow account statutes, in order to be compliant with the NPM escrow requirements, we are required to
deposit such funds for each calendar year into a qualifying escrow account by April 15 of the following year with each year’s deposit
being released from escrow after 25 years. During 2018 we deposited less than $0.1 million relating to 2017 sales. We discontinued our
MYO tobacco line in the third quarter of 2017. As of December 31, 2018, we had made deposits of approximately $32.1 million. Thus,
pending a change in MSA legislation, we have no remaining product lines covered by the MSA and will not be required to make future
escrow deposits.
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Although no such legislation has been proposed or enacted, future changes to the MSA, such as legislation that extends the MSA
to products to which it does not currently apply or legislation that limits the ability of companies to receive unused escrow funds after
25 years, may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Despite the amounts
maintained and funded to the escrow account, compliance with the funding requirements for the escrow account does not necessarily
prevent future federal and/or state regulations with respect to the OTP industry from having a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations and financial condition.
Competition from illicit sources may have an adverse effect on our overall sales volume, restricting the ability to increase
selling prices and damaging brand equity.
Illicit trade and tobacco trafficking in the form of counterfeit products, smuggled genuine products and locally manufactured
products on which applicable taxes are evaded, represent a significant and growing threat to the legitimate tobacco industry. Factors
such as increasing tax regimes, regulatory restrictions, and compliance requirements are encouraging more consumers to switch to
illegal, cheaper tobacco products and providing greater rewards for smugglers. Illicit trade can have an adverse effect on our overall
sales volume, restrict the ability to increase selling prices, damage brand equity and may lead to commoditization of our products.
Although we combat counterfeiting of our products by engaging in certain tactics, such as requiring all sales force personnel to
randomly collect our products from retailers in order to be tested by our quality control team, maintaining a quality control group that is
responsible for identifying counterfeit products and using a private investigation firm to help perform surveillance of retailers we
suspect are selling counterfeit products, no assurance can be given that we will be able to detect or stop sales of all counterfeit products.
In addition, we have in the past and will continue to bring suits against retailers and distributors that sell certain counterfeit products.
While we have been successful in securing financial recoveries from and helping to obtain criminal convictions of counterfeiters in the
past, no assurance can be given that we will be successful in any such suits or that such suits will be successful in stopping other
retailers or distributors from selling counterfeit products. Even if we are successful, such suits could consume a significant amount of
management’s time and could also result in significant expenses to the company. Any failure to track and prevent counterfeiting of our
products could have a material adverse on our ability to maintain or effectively compete for the products we distribute under our brand
names, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Reliance on information technology means a significant disruption could affect our communications and operations.
We increasingly rely on information technology systems for our internal communications, controls, reporting and relations with
customers and suppliers and information technology is becoming a significantly important tool for our sales staff. Our marketing and
distribution strategy is dependent upon our ability to closely monitor consumer and market trends on a highly specified level, for which
we are reliant on our highly sophisticated data tracking systems, which are susceptible to disruption or failure. In addition, our reliance
on information technology exposes us to cyber-security risks, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete.
Security and privacy breaches may expose us to liability and cause us to lose customers, or may disrupt our relationships and ongoing
transactions with other entities with whom we contract throughout our supply chain. The failure of our information systems to function
as intended, or the penetration by outside parties intent on disrupting business processes, could result in significant costs, loss of
revenue, assets or personal or other sensitive data and reputational harm.
Security and privacy breaches may expose us to liability and cause us to lose customers.
Federal and state laws require us to safeguard our wholesalers’ and retailers’ financial information, including credit information.
Although we have established security procedures to protect against identity theft and the theft of our customers’ and distributors’
financial information, our security and testing measures may not prevent security breaches and breaches of privacy may occur and
could harm our business. Typically, we rely on encryption and authentication technology licensed from third parties to enhance
transmission security of confidential information in relation to financial and other sensitive information that we have on file. Advances
in computer capabilities, new discoveries in the field of cryptography, inadequate facility security or other developments may result in
a compromise or breach of the technology used by us to protect customer data. Any compromise of our security could harm our
reputation or financial condition and, therefore, our business. In addition, a party who is able to circumvent our security measures or
exploit inadequacies in our security measures, could, among other effects, misappropriate
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proprietary information, cause interruptions in our operations or expose customers and other entities with which we interact to
computer viruses or other disruptions. Actual or perceived vulnerabilities may lead to claims against us. To the extent the measures we
have taken prove to be insufficient or inadequate, we may become subject to litigation or administrative sanctions, which could result
in significant fines, penalties or damages and harm to our reputation.
Contamination of, or damage to, our products could adversely impact sales volume, market share and profitability.
Our market position may be affected through the contamination of our tobacco supply or products during the manufacturing
process or at different points in the entire supply chain. We keep significant amounts of inventory of our products in warehouses and it
is possible that this inventory could become contaminated prior to arrival at our premises or during the storage period. If contamination
of our inventory or packaged products occurs, whether as a result of a failure in quality control by us or by one of our suppliers, we
may incur significant costs in replacing the inventory and recalling products. We may be unable to meet customer demand and may
lose customers who purchase alternative brands or products. In addition, consumers may lose confidence in the affected product.
Under the terms of our contracts, we impose requirements on our suppliers to maintain quality and comply with product
specifications and requirements, and on our third-party co-manufacturer to comply with all federal, state and local laws. These third-
party suppliers, however, may not continue to produce products that are consistent with our standards or that are in compliance with
applicable laws, and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to identify instances in which our third-party suppliers fail to comply
with our standards or applicable laws. A loss of sales volume from a contamination event may occur, and such a loss may affect our
ability to supply our current customers and to recapture their business in the event they are forced to switch products or brands, even if
on a temporary basis. We may also be subject to legal action as a result of a contamination, which could result in negative publicity and
affect our sales. During this time, our competitors may benefit from an increased market share that could be difficult and costly to
regain. Such a contamination event could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our intellectual property may be infringed.
We currently rely on trademark and other intellectual property rights to establish and protect the brand names and logos we own or
license. Third parties have in the past infringed, and may in the future infringe, on these trademarks and our other intellectual property
rights. Our ability to maintain and further build brand recognition is dependent on the continued and exclusive use of these trademarks,
service marks and other proprietary intellectual property, including the names and logos we own or license. Despite our attempts to
ensure these intellectual property rights are protected, third parties may take actions that could materially and adversely affect our
rights or the value of this intellectual property. Any litigation concerning our intellectual property rights, whether successful or
unsuccessful, could result in substantial costs to us and diversions of our resources. Expenses related to protecting our intellectual
property rights, the loss or compromise of any of these rights or the loss of revenues as a result of infringement could have a material
adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition, and may prevent the brands we own or license from
growing or maintaining market share.
Third parties may claim that we infringe their intellectual property and trademark rights.
Competitors in the tobacco products and NewGen markets may claim that we infringe their proprietary rights. Such claims,
whether or not meritorious, may result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources, injunctions against us or the
payment of damages. Further, our vapor distribution businesses distribute third party product brands with those suppliers’ branding and
imagery. If that branding or imagery is alleged by other parties to infringe or otherwise violate intellectual property rights, we could be
drawn into such litigation.
We may fail to manage our growth.
We have expanded over our history and intend to grow in the future. We acquired the Stoker’s
® brand in 2003, and have
continued to develop it through the introduction of new products, such as moist snuff. Our acquisition of the VaporBeast ® brand in
2016 accelerated our entry into non-traditional retail channels. More recently, our September 2018 acquisition of IVG adds a top vapor
B2C platform which enhances our marketing and selling of proprietary and third party vapor products to adult consumers. We have
also focused on growing our relationships with our key suppliers through expansion into new product lines such as MYO cigar wraps,
which are sourced from
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Durfort. However, any future growth will place additional demands on our resources, and we cannot be sure we will be able to manage
our growth effectively. If we are unable to manage our growth while maintaining the quality of our products and profit margins, or if
new systems that we implement to assist in managing our growth do not produce the expected benefits, our business, financial position,
results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected. We may not be able to support, financially or otherwise, future
growth, or hire, train, motivate and manage the required personnel. Our failure to manage growth effectively could also limit our ability
to achieve our goals as they relate to streamlined sales, marketing and distribution operations and the ability to achieve certain financial
metrics.
We may fail to successfully integrate our acquisitions or otherwise be unable to benefit from pursuing acquisitions.
We believe there are meaningful opportunities to grow through acquisitions and joint ventures across all OTP product categories
and we expect to continue a strategy of selectively identifying and acquiring businesses with complementary products. We may be
unable to identify, negotiate, and complete suitable acquisition opportunities on reasonable terms. There can be no assurance that any
business acquired by us will be successfully integrated with our operations or prove to be profitable to us. We may incur future
liabilities related to acquisitions. Should any of the following problems, or others, occur as a result of our acquisition strategy, the
impact could be material:
•
•
•
•
•
difficulties integrating personnel from acquired entities and other corporate cultures into our business;
difficulties integrating information systems;
the potential loss of key employees of acquired companies;
the assumption of liabilities and exposure to undisclosed or unknown liabilities of acquired companies; or
the diversion of management attention from existing operations.
We are subject to fluctuations in our results that make it difficult to track trends and develop strategies in the short-term.
In response to competitor actions and pricing pressures, we have engaged in significant use of promotional and sales incentives.
We regularly review the results of our promotional spending activities and adjust our promotional spending programs in an effort to
maintain our competitive position. Accordingly, unit sales volume and sales promotion costs in any period are not necessarily
indicative of sales and costs that may be realized in subsequent periods. Additionally, promotional activity significantly increases net
sales in the month in which it is initiated and net sales are adversely impacted in the month after a promotion. Accordingly, based upon
the timing of our marketing and promotional initiatives, we have and may continue to experience significant variability in our results,
which could affect our ability to formulate strategies that allow us to maintain our market presence across volatile periods. If our
fluctuations obscure our ability to track important trends in our key markets, it may have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations and financial condition.
We are subject to the risks of exchange rate fluctuations.
Currency movements and suppliers’ price increases relating to premium cigarette papers and cigarette tubes are the primary
factors affecting our cost of sales. These products are purchased from Bolloré and we make payments in euros. Thus, we bear certain
foreign exchange rate risk for certain of our inventory purchases. In addition, as part of our strategy, we have begun strategic
international expansions. As a result, we may be more sensitive to the risks of exchange rate fluctuations. To manage this risk, we
sometimes utilize short-term forward currency contracts to purchase euros for our inventory purchases. We have a foreign exchange
currency policy which governs our hedging of risk. While we engage in hedging transactions from time to time, no assurance can be
made that we will be successful in eliminating currency exchange risks or that changes in currency rates will not have a material
adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Adverse U.S. and global economic conditions could negatively impact our business, prospects, results of operations, financial
condition or cash flows.
Our business and operations are sensitive to global economic conditions. These conditions include interest rates, energy costs,
inflation, recession, fluctuations in debt and equity capital markets and the general condition of the U.S. and world economy. A
material decline in the economic conditions affecting consumers, which cause a reduction in
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disposable income for the average consumer, may change consumption patterns, and may result in a reduction in spending on OTP or a
switch to cheaper products or products obtained through illicit channels. Electronic cigarettes, vaporizer and e-liquid products are
relatively new to market and may be regarded by users as a novelty item and expendable. As such, demand for our NewGen products
may be particularly sensitive to economic conditions such as inflation, recession, high energy costs, unemployment, changes in interest
rates and money supply, changes in the political environment and other factors beyond our control, any combination of which could
result in a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our supply to our wholesalers and retailers is dependent on the demands of their customers who are sensitive to increased
sales taxes and economic conditions affecting their disposable income.
Consumer purchases of tobacco products are historically affected by economic conditions, such as changes in employment, salary
and wage levels, the availability of consumer credit, inflation, interest rates, fuel prices, sales taxes, and the level of consumer
confidence in prevailing and future economic conditions. Discretionary consumer purchases, such as of OTP, may decline during
recessionary periods or at other times when disposable income is lower and taxes may be higher.
In addition, states such as New York, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Georgia and North Carolina have begun collecting taxes on internet
sales where companies have used independent contractors in those states to solicit sales from residents of those states. These taxes
apply to our online sales of NewGen products into those states, and may result in reduced demand from the independent wholesalers
who may not be able to absorb the increased taxes or successfully pass them onto the end-user without experiencing reduced demand.
Further, as a result of South
Dakota
v.
Wayfair
, states are now able to impose sales tax on internet purchases made from out-of-state
sellers, even if the seller does not have a physical presence in the taxing state. Consequently, additional states are likely to seek to
impose sales tax on our online sales. The requirement to collect, track and remit taxes may require us to increase our prices, which may
affect demand for our products or conversely reduce our net profit margin, which could have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations and financial condition.
Our failure to comply with certain environmental, health and safety regulations could adversely affect our business.
The storage, distribution and transportation of some of the products that we sell are subject to a variety of federal and state
environmental regulations. In addition, our manufacturing facilities are similarly subject to federal, state and local environmental laws.
We are also subject to operational, health and safety laws and regulations. Our failure to comply with these laws and regulations could
cause a disruption in our business, an inability to maintain our manufacturing resources, and additional and potentially significant
remedial costs and damages, fines, sanctions or other legal consequences that could have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations and financial condition.
The departure of key management personnel and the failure to attract and retain talent could adversely affect our operations.
Our success depends upon the continued contributions of our senior management. Our ability to implement our strategy of
attracting and retaining the best talent may be impaired by the decreasing social acceptance of OTP usage. The OTP industry competes
for talent with the consumer products industry and other companies that enjoy greater societal acceptance. As a result, we may be
unable to attract and retain the best talent, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and
financial condition.
Imposition of significant tariffs on imports into the U.S., could have a material and adverse effect on our business.
We are required to purchase all our cigarette papers, cigarette tubes and cigarette injector machines from Bolloré in France.
Additionally, a substantial portion of our NewGen products are sourced from China. In 2018, President Trump and his administration
imposed significant additional tariffs on certain goods imported from outside the U.S. and could impose additional tariffs in the future.
These additional tariffs apply to a significant portion of our NewGen products and may result in increased prices for our customers.
These increased prices may reduce demand where customers are unable to absorb the increased prices or successfully pass them onto
the end-user. If the U.S. were to impose additional tariffs on goods we import, it is likely to make it more costly for us to import goods
from other countries. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
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The reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies may make our common stock less attractive to
investors, potentially decreasing our stock price.
We are an “emerging growth company” as defined under the federal securities laws. For as long as we continue to be an emerging
growth company, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public
companies that are not Emerging Growth Companies. Investors may find our common stock less attractive because we may rely on
these exemptions, which include but are not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (“Section 404”), reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our
periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive
compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. In addition, Section 107 of the
JOBS Act (“Section 107”) provides that an Emerging Growth Company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided
in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. We have elected to opt out of the
extended transition period for complying with the revised accounting standards.
If investors find our common stock less attractive as a result of exemptions and reduced disclosure requirements, there may be a
less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile or decrease.
We may lose our status as an emerging growth company before the five-year maximum time period a company may retain such
status.
We have elected to rely on certain exemptions and reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies and
expect to continue to do so. However, we may choose to “opt out” of such reduced disclosure requirements and provide disclosure
required for companies that do not qualify as emerging growth companies. In addition, we chose to opt out of the provision of the
JOBS Act that permits us to take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards
applicable to public companies. Section 107 provides that our decision to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with
new or revised accounting standards would be irrevocable.
Furthermore, although we are able to remain an emerging growth company for up to five years, we may lose such status at an
earlier time if (i) our annual gross revenues exceed $1 billion, (ii) we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under
the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of
the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, or (iii) we issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible
debt during the preceding three-year period.
When we lose our emerging growth company status, whether due to an election, the end of the five-year period, or one of the
circumstances listed in the preceding paragraph, the emerging growth company exemptions will cease to apply and we expect we will
incur additional expenses and devote increased management effort toward ensuring compliance with the non-emerging growth
company requirements. We cannot predict or estimate the amount of additional costs we may incur as a result of the change in our
status or the timing of such costs, though such costs may be substantial.
Our principal stockholders are able to exert significant influence over matters submitted to our stockholders and may take
certain actions to prevent takeovers.
Standard Diversified Inc. (“SDI”), which is controlled by funds managed by Standard General L.P. (together with the funds it
manages, “Standard General”), is a significant stockholder. SDI owns approximately 50.3% of our stock and Standard General directly
owns approximately 3.4% of our common stock. The existence of these and other significant stockholders may have the effect of
deterring hostile takeovers, delaying or preventing changes in control or changes in management, or limiting the ability of our other
stockholders to approve transactions that they may deem to be in the best interests of our company. In addition, our significant
stockholders will be able to exert significant influence over the decision, if any, to authorize additional capital stock, which, if issued,
could have a significant dilutive effect on holders of common stock.
Our certificate of incorporation provides that the doctrine of “corporate opportunity” will not apply against SDI and Standard
General in a manner that would prohibit them from investing in competing businesses or doing business with our customers. To the
extent they invest in such other businesses, SDI and Standard General may have differing interests than our other stockholders. In
addition, SDI and Standard General are permitted to engage in business activities or invest in or acquire businesses which may compete
with or do business with any competitors of ours.
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Furthermore, Standard General is in the business of managing investment funds and therefore may pursue acquisition
opportunities that may be complementary to our business and, as a result, such acquisition opportunities may not be available to us.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as Delaware law and certain regulations, could discourage or prohibit
acquisition bids or merger proposals, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Our certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval. If our
board of directors elects to issue preferred stock, it could be more difficult for a third party to acquire us. In addition, some provisions
of our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and applicable law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us,
even if the change of control would be beneficial to our stockholders, including:
•
•
•
•
•
limitations on the removal of directors;
limitations on the ability of our stockholders to call special meetings;
limitations on stockholder action by written consent;
establishing advance notice provisions for stockholder proposals and nominations for elections to the board of directors to be
acted upon at meetings of stockholders; and
limitations on the ability of our stockholders to fill vacant directorships or amend the number of directors constituting our
board of directors.
Our certificate of incorporation limits the ownership of our common stock by individuals and entities that are Restricted
Investors. These restrictions may affect the liquidity of our common stock and may result in Restricted Investors being required to
sell or redeem their shares at a loss or relinquish their voting, dividend and distribution rights.
For so long as we or one of our subsidiaries is party to any of the Bolloré distribution agreements, our certificate of incorporation
will limit the ownership of our common stock by any “Restricted Investor” to 14.9% of our outstanding common stock and shares
convertible or exchangeable therefor (including our non-voting common stock) (the “Permitted Percentage”). A “Restricted Investor” is
defined as: (i) any entity that directly or indirectly manufactures, sells, markets, distributes or otherwise promotes cigarette paper
booklets, filter tubes, injector machines or filter tips in the United States, the District of Columbia, the territories, possessions and
military bases of the United States and the Dominion of Canada (a “Bolloré Competitor”), (ii) any entity that owns more than a 20%
equity interest in any Bolloré Competitor, or (iii) any person who serves as a director or officer of, or any entity that has the right to
appoint an officer or director of, any Bolloré Competitor or of any Entity that owns more than a 20% equity interest in any Bolloré
Competitor (each, a “Restricted Investor”). Our certificate of incorporation further provides that any issuance or transfer of shares to a
Restricted Investor in excess of the Permitted Percentage will be ineffective as against us and that neither we nor our transfer agent will
register the issuance or transfer of shares or be required to recognize the transferee or owner as a holder of our common stock for any
purpose except to exercise our remedies described below. Any shares in excess of the Permitted Percentage in the hands of a Restricted
Investor will not have any voting or dividend rights and are subject to redemption by us in our discretion. The liquidity or market value
of the shares of our common stock may be adversely impacted by such transfer restrictions.
As a result of the above provisions, a proposed transferee of our common stock that is a Restricted Investor may not receive any
return on its investment in shares it purchases or owns, as the case may be, and it may sustain a loss. We are entitled to redeem all or
any portion of such shares acquired by a Restricted Investor in excess of the Permitted Percentage (“Excess Shares”) at a redemption
price based on a fair market value formula that is set forth in our certificate of incorporation, which may be paid in any form, including
cash or promissory notes, at our discretion. Excess Shares not yet redeemed will not be accorded any voting, dividend or distribution
rights while they constitute Excess Shares. As a result of these provisions, a stockholder who is a Restricted Investor may be required
to sell its shares of our common stock at an undesirable time or price and may not receive any return on its investment in such shares.
However, we may not be able to redeem Excess Shares for cash because our operations may not have generated sufficient excess cash
flow to fund the redemption and we may incur additional indebtedness to fund all or a portion of such redemption, in which case our
financial condition may be materially weakened.
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Our certificate of incorporation permits us to require that owners of any shares of our common stock provide certification of their
status as a Restricted Investor. In the event that a person does not submit such documentation, our certificate of incorporation provides
us with certain remedies, including the suspension of the payment of dividends and distributions with respect to shares held by such
person and deposit of any such dividends and distributions into an escrow account. As a result of non-compliance with these
provisions, an owner of the shares of our common stock may lose significant rights associated with those shares.
Although our certificate of incorporation contains the above provisions intended to assure compliance with the restrictions on
ownership of our common stock by Restricted Investors, we may not be successful in monitoring or enforcing the provisions. A failure
to enforce or otherwise maintain compliance could lead Bolloré to exercise its termination rights under the agreements, which would
have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s financial position and its results of operations.
In addition to the risks described above, the foregoing restrictions could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or change in control
that might involve a premium price for our common stock or that might otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.
Future sales of our common stock in the public market could reduce our stock price, and any additional capital raised by us
through the sale of equity or convertible securities may dilute our stockholders.
We may sell additional shares of common stock in subsequent public offerings. We may also issue additional shares of common
stock or convertible securities.
We cannot predict the size of future issuances of our common stock or securities convertible into common stock or the effect, if
any, that future issuances and sales of shares of our common stock will have on the market price of our common stock. Sales of
substantial amounts of our common stock (including shares issued in connection with an acquisition), or the perception that such sales
could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices of our common stock.
We may issue preferred stock whose terms could adversely affect the voting power or value of our common stock.
Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue, without the approval of our stockholders, one or more classes or series of
preferred stock having such designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights, including preferences over our common stock
respecting dividends and distributions, as our board of directors may determine. The terms of one or more classes or series of preferred
stock could adversely impact the voting power or value of our common stock. For example, we might grant holders of preferred stock
the right to elect some number of our directors in all events or on the happening of specified events or the right to veto specified
transactions. Similarly, the repurchase or redemption rights or liquidation preferences we might assign to holders of preferred stock
could affect the residual value of the common stock.
Our status as a “controlled company” could make our common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our
stock price.
Because we qualify as a “controlled company” under the corporate governance rules for NYSE-listed companies we are not
required to have, and could elect in the future not to have, a majority of our board of directors be independent, a compensation
committee, or an independent nominating function. Accordingly, should the interests of our controlling stockholder differ from those of
other stockholders, the other stockholders may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies subject to all of the
corporate governance rules for NYSE-listed companies. Our status as a controlled company could make our common stock less
attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None
Item 2.
Properties
As of December 31, 2018, we operated manufacturing, distribution, retail, office, and warehouse space in the U.S. with a total
floor area of approximately 410,000 square feet, all of which is leased with the exception of our Dresden, Tennessee, manufacturing
facility which we purchased in 2016. To provide a cost-efficient supply of
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Louisville, KY
Carlsbad, CA
Dresden, TN
Miami, FL
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products to our customers, we maintain centralized management of internal manufacturing and nationwide distribution facilities. Our
three manufacturing and distribution facilities are located in Louisville, Kentucky, Dresden, Tennessee, and Miami, Florida. We
believe our facilities are generally adequate for our current and anticipated future use.
The following table describes our principal properties as of December 31, 2018:
Location
Darien, CT
Principal Use
Administrative office
Corporate offices, manufacturing,
R&D, warehousing, and
distribution
Segments that use
the Property(ies)
All segments
Square
Feet
1,950
Owned or
Leased
Leased
All segments
248,800
Leased
Administrative office
NewGen
10,491
Leased
Manufacturing and administration
Smokeless
76,600
Owned
Administrative offices,
manufacturing, and warehousing
NewGen
40,662
Leased
Various cities in Florida
Sixteen retail stores
Various cities in Oklahoma
Seven retail stores
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
NewGen
NewGen
16,974
Leased
14,660
Leased
We are a party from time to time to various proceedings in the ordinary course of business. For a description of the Master
Settlement Agreement, to which we are a party, see “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note 2 Summary of Significant
Accounting Policies: Risk and Uncertainties.” Other than the proceedings mentioned below, there is no material litigation, arbitration
or governmental proceeding currently pending against us or any of our officers or directors in their capacity as such, and we and our
officers and directors have not been subject to any such proceeding.
Other major tobacco companies are defendants in product liability claims. The Company has been a defendant in a number of
smokeless tobacco product liability cases in the past. All of those cases have been dismissed with prejudice and the Company has no
tobacco product liability cases against it. The Company is subject to several lawsuits alleging personal injuries resulting from allegedly
malfunctioning vaporizer devices and batteries and may be subject to claims in the future relating to other NewGen products. The
Company is still evaluating these claims and the potential defenses to them. For example, the Company did not design or manufacture
the products at issue; rather, the Company was merely the distributor. Nonetheless, there can be no assurance that the Company will
prevail in these cases, and they could have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the
Company. See “Risk Factors—We are subject to significant product liability litigation.”
The Company is engaged in discussions and mediation with VMR and Juul, which acquired VMR in 2018. Pursuant to a
Distribution and Supply Agreement (“VMR Agreement”), VMR was providing the Company with V2 e-cigarettes for exclusive
distribution in bricks-and-mortar stores in the United States. Under the terms of the VMR Agreement, in the event of termination
following a change in control, the acquirer is required to make a payment to the Company under a formula designed to provide the
Company with a fair share of the value created by the Company’s performance under the VMR Agreement. Thus, the impact on our
financial position, results of operations, or cash flows are uncertain as of December 31, 2018.
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Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
Listed below are the executive officers of the Company. Our executive officers are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of,
our board of directors. There are no family relationships between any of the executive officers, and there is no arrangement or
understanding between any executive officer and any other person pursuant to which the executive officer was selected.
Lawrence
S.
Wexler
, age 65, has served as our President and CEO since June 2009 and as President and Chief Operating Officer
of NATC, our primary operating subsidiary since June 2006. Prior to June 2006, Mr. Wexler had been the Chief Operating Officer of
NATC since June 2005, and prior to that, the President and Chief Operating Officer of one of our other subsidiaries since December
2003. Mr. Wexler was a consultant to a number of emerging marketing, communication, and financial companies, advising them on
financial, marketing and strategic matters, at times in an operating role, from 1998 to 2003. From 1977 to 1998, he was employed by
Philip Morris, USA in various positions in the Sales, Marketing, and Finance Departments. As Group Director, Discount Brands, his
group introduced the Basic and Alpine brands. He served as Senior Vice President of Marketing from 1992 to 1993 and Senior Vice
President Finance, Planning, and Information Services from 1993 until his departure in 1998. Mr. Wexler holds a bachelor of science in
administrative science from Yale and a master of business administration from Stanford.
Robert
Lavan
, age 36, joined us as Chief Financial Officer in March 2018 and served as a consultant for us since January 2018.
Prior to joining the company, Mr. Lavan was the Chief Financial Officer of General Wireless Operations from January 2017 to January
2018, where he was responsible for revamping the company’s financial reporting systems and building a robust distribution platform
that linked multiple eCommerce sites and Amazon. From 2014 until Mr. Lavan’s appointment as Chief Financial Officer of General
Wireless Operations, Mr. Lavan served as an analyst for Standard General LP, a New York-based investment firm that is the majority
shareholder of Standard Diversified Inc. (SDI), TPB’s majority shareholder. Before that, Mr. Lavan worked at SAC Capital and J.
Goldman & Co. LP in various analyst and portfolio manager roles covering a wide range of industries. He began his career at The
Blackstone Group. Mr. Lavan holds a bachelor of science in engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.
James
W.
Dobbins
, age 59, has been our Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary since June 1999 and has served in
various roles in our legal department since joining us in June 1999. Prior to joining us, Mr. Dobbins was in private practice in North
Carolina and held various positions in the legal department of Liggett Group, Inc., a major cigarette manufacturer, including, at the
time he left that company, Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary. Mr. Dobbins has also practiced as an outside litigation
attorney with Webster & Sheffield, a New York law firm, representing a variety of clients including Liggett Group, Inc. Prior to joining
Webster & Sheffield, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable J. Daniel Mahoney, U.S. Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit Court of
Appeals. Mr. Dobbins holds a bachelor of arts in mathematics and political science from Drew University and a J.D. from Fordham
University School of Law.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
The principal stock exchange on which Turning Point Brands, Inc.’s common stock (par value $0.01 per share) is listed is the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TPB.” At February 25, 2019, there were 219 holders of record of Turning Point Brands, Inc.’s
common stock.
Dividends. On November 9, 2017, our Board of Directors approved the initiation of a cash dividend to shareholders. The initial
quarterly dividend of $0.04 per common share was paid on December 15, 2017 to shareholders of record at the close of business on
November 27, 2017. The most recent dividend of $0.045 per common share was paid on January 11, 2019, to shareholders of record at
the close of business on December 21, 2018.
Performance graph. The graph below compares the cumulative total shareholder return of Turning Point Brands, Inc.’s common
stock since our initial public offering on May 11, 2016, with the Russell 3000 Index and the S&P Small Cap 600 Consumer Staples
Index. The information presented assumes an initial investment of $100 on May 11, 2016, and that all dividends were reinvested. The
cumulative returns shown represent the value that these investments would have had on December 31, 2018.
Issuer purchases of equity securities. No shares of common stock were purchased during 2018.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in “Item 8. Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data” of this report. A reconciliation of non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP
financial measure is presented following the Selected Financial Data.
(dollars
in
thousands)
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:
Net sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Operating income
Interest expense
Interest income
Investment income
Loss on extinguishment of debt
Net periodic benefit expense, excluding service cost
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income tax expense (benefit)
Consolidated net income (loss)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
Net income (loss) attributable to Turning Point
Brands, Inc.
2018
2017
Year Ended December 31,
2015
2016
2014
2013
$
$
332,683
190,124
142,559
94,075
$
285,777
160,807
124,970
75,290
48,484
15,086
(267)
(424)
2,384
131
31,574
6,285
25,289
—
49,680
16,904
(15)
(438)
6,116
180
26,933
7,280
19,653
(556)
206,228
105,683
100,545
56,626
43,919
26,739
(118)
(768)
2,824
334
14,908
(12,005)
26,913
—
$
25,289
$
20,209
$
26,913
$ 197,256
100,775
$ 200,329
106,986
$ 193,304
103,043
96,481
51,758
44,723
34,457
(173)
—
—
212
10,227
1,078
9,149
—
9,149
$
$
93,343
45,241
48,102
34,330
(19)
—
42,780
46
(29,035)
370
(29,405) $
$
—
90,261
46,849
43,412
44,094
—
—
441
—
(1,123)
486
(1,609)
—
(29,405) $
(1,609)
$
$
Basic income (loss) per common share:
Net income (loss) attributable to Turning Point
Brands, Inc.
Diluted income (loss) per common share:
Net income (loss) attributable to Turning Point
Brands, Inc.
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
$
$
1.31
$
1.06
$
1.63
$
1.27
$
(4.07) $
(0.22)
1.28
$
1.04
$
1.49
$
1.10
$
(4.07) $
(0.22)
Basic
Diluted
19,355,607
19,827,562
18,989,177
19,513,008
16,470,352
18,015,545
7,198,081
8,354,387
7,223,378
7,223,378
7,288,993
7,288,993
Other Financial Information:
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities
Capital expenditures
Depreciation and amortization
EBITDA (1)
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
Leverage Ratio (2)
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash
Working capital
Total assets
Notes payable and long-term debt
Total liabilities
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)
$
13,090
(24,669)
$
$
29,690
(1,116)
9,128
(55,888)
$
$
24,430
(2,030)
$
6,025
(1,314)
3,026
(723)
9,930
(2,267)
3,111
51,888
64,610
3.4x
(28,016)
(2,021)
2,328
52,822
60,024
3.3x
15,734
(3,207)
1,285
45,638
52,449
4.1x
(26,032)
(1,602)
1,059
45,570
50,604
5.7x
(31,623)
(1,314)
933
48,989
48,792
6.1x
10,641
(729)
932
43,903
49,609
5.2x
$
$
$
3,306
48,088
339,377
220,715
256,754
82,623
2,607
41,263
282,277
202,040
228,953
53,324
2,865
37,289
285,020
218,225
250,962
34,058
$
4,835
42,815
242,463
292,440
324,075
(81,612)
$
8,467
42,738
242,568
304,916
334,140
(91,572)
$
35,379
68,499
287,049
294,007
350,484
(63,434)
(1) To supplement our financial information presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or U.S. GAAP, we
use non-U.S. GAAP financial measures including EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. We define “EBITDA” as net income before interest expense, loss on
extinguishment of debt, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization. We define “Adjusted EBITDA” as net income before interest expense, loss on
extinguishment of debt, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, other non-cash items, and other
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
items that we do not consider ordinary course in our evaluation of ongoing, operating performance. We present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA in this
Form 10-K because they are key metrics used by management and our board of directors to assess our financial performance and are also used by
management to assess performance for the purposes of our executive compensation programs. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are also frequently used
by analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industry. We believe that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are appropriate
measures of operating performance because they eliminate the impact of expenses that do not relate to business performance. EBITDA and Adjusted
EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under
GAAP. Some of these limitations are:
(i)
They do not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
(ii) They do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;
(iii) They do not reflect our significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt; and
(iv) Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized often will have to be replaced in the
future, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements.
(2) Leverage Ratio - We calculate our Leverage Ratio by dividing Notes payable and long-term debt, less Cash, by Adjusted EBITDA.
Years ended December 31,
2016
2015
(in
thousands)
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc.
2018
25,289 $
$
2017
20,209 $
Add:
Interest expense
Interest income
Loss on extinguishment of debt
Income tax expense
Depreciation expense
Amortization expense
EBITDA
Components of Adjusted EBITDA
LIFO adjustment (a)
Pension/postretirement expense (b)
Stock options, restricted stock, and incentives expense (c)
Foreign exchange hedging (d)
Product line rationalizations (e)
Strategic initiatives (f)
New product launch costs (g)
Organizational development (h)
Warehouse reorganization (i)
Bonus (j)
IPO related compensation costs (k)
Adjusted EBITDA
15,086
(267)
2,384
6,285
2,105
1,006
51,888 $
58
237
1,410
71
3,224
4,482
1,835
778
627
—
—
64,610 $
16,904
(15)
6,116
7,280
1,626
702
52,822 $
1,123
284
668
(90)
563
2,133
2,414
—
—
107
—
60,024 $
$
$
26,913 $
9,149 $
26,739
(118)
2,824
(12,005)
1,227
58
45,638 $
889
437
180
125
—
1,587
2,678
—
—
—
915
52,449 $
34,457
(173)
—
1,078
1,059
—
45,570 $
(56)
341
234
(35)
—
2,259
1,915
—
376
—
—
50,604 $
2014
(29,405)
34,330
(19)
42,780
370
933
—
48,989
(798)
16
585
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
48,792
(a) Represents expense related to an inventory valuation allowance for last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) reporting.
(b) Represents our non-cash pension/postretirement expense.
(c) Represents non-cash stock options, restricted stock and incentives expense.
(d) Represents non-cash gain and loss stemming from our foreign exchange hedging activities.
(e) Represents costs associated with discontinued products related to product line rationalization.
(f)
Represents the fees incurred for strategic initiatives and acquisitions, as well as $1.5 million of earnout for IVG management in 2018.
(g) Represents product launch costs of our new product lines.
(h) Represents costs associated with executive departures.
(i)
(j)
Represents costs associated with inventory rationalization from warehouse consolidation.
Represents bonuses associated with the December 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
(k) Represents non-recurring compensation expenses incurred coincident with the May 2016 IPO.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
You
should
read
the
following
discussion
of
the
historical
financial
condition
and
results
of
operations
in
conjunction
with
our
historical
condensed
consolidated
financial
statements
and
accompanying
notes,
which
are
included
elsewhere
in
this
Annual
Report
on
Form
10-K.
In
addition,
this
discussion
includes
forward-looking
statements
subject
to
risks
and
uncertainties
that
may
result
in
actual
results
differing
from
statements
we
make.
See
“Cautionary
Note
Regarding
Forward-Looking
Statements.”
Factors
that
could
cause
actual
results
to
differ
include
those
risks
and
uncertainties
discussed
in
“Risk
Factors.”
The
following
discussion
relates
to
the
audited
financial
statements
of
Turning
Point
Brands,
Inc.,
included
elsewhere
in
this
Annual
Report
on
Form
10-K.
In
this
discussion,
unless
the
context
requires
otherwise,
references
to
“our
Company”
“we,”
“our,”
or
“us”
refer
to
Turning
Point
Brands,
Inc.,
and
its
consolidated
subsidiaries.
References
to
“TPB”
refer
to
Turning
Point
Brands,
Inc.,
without
any
of
its
subsidiaries.
We
were
incorporated
in
2004
under
the
name
North
Atlantic
Holding
Company,
Inc.
On
November
4,
2015,
we
changed
our
name
to
Turning
Point
Brands,
Inc.
Many
of
the
amounts
and
percentages
in
this
discussion
have
been
rounded
for
convenience
of
presentation.
Organizational Structure
We, Turning Point Brands, Inc., are a holding company which owns North Atlantic Trading Company, Inc. (“NATC”), and its
subsidiaries National Tobacco Company, L.P. (“NTC”), National Tobacco Finance, LLC (“NTFLLC”), North Atlantic Operating
Company, Inc. (“NAOC”), North Atlantic Cigarette Company, Inc. (“NACC”), and RBJ Sales, Inc. (“RBJ”); and Turning Point
Brands, LLC (“TPLLC”) and its subsidiaries Intrepid Brands, LLC (“Intrepid”), Vapor Beast, LLC (“VaporBeast,” f/k/a Smoke Free
Technologies, Inc.), Vapor Shark, LLC, and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Vapor Shark,” f/k/a The Hand Media), Vapor Acquisitions
Company, LLC (“Vapor Supply”), Vapor Finance, LLC (“VFIN”), and International Vapor Group, LLC and its subsidiaries
(collectively, “IVG”). On January 15, 2019, we announced the formation of Nu-X Ventures, LLC (“Nu-X”), a subsidiary of TPLLC.
Overview
We are a leading independent provider of Other Tobacco Products (“OTP”) in the U.S. We sell a wide range of products across
the OTP spectrum including moist snuff tobacco (“MST”), loose leaf chewing tobacco, premium cigarette papers, make-your-own
(“MYO”) cigar wraps, cigars, and liquid vapor products; but, we do not sell cigarettes. We estimate the OTP industry generated
approximately $11 billion in manufacturer revenue in 2017. In contrast to manufactured cigarettes, which have been experiencing
declining volumes for decades based on data published by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB”), the OTP industry
is demonstrating increased consumer appeal with low to mid-single digit consumer unit growth as reported by Management Science
Associates, Inc. (“MSAi”), a third-party analytics and informatics company. Under the leadership of a senior management team with an
average of 23 years of experience in the tobacco industry, we have grown and diversified our business through new product launches,
category expansions, and acquisitions while concurrently improving operational efficiency.
Products
We operate in three segments: Smokeless products, Smoking products and NewGen products. In our Smokeless products segment
we (i) manufacture and market moist snuff and (ii) contract for and market loose leaf chewing tobacco products. In our Smoking
products segment, we (i) market and distribute cigarette papers, tubes, and related products; (ii) market and distribute finished cigars
and MYO cigar wraps; and (iii) process, package, market, and distribute traditional pipe tobaccos. In our NewGen products segment,
we (i) market and distribute e-cigarettes, e-liquids, vaporizers, and certain other products without tobacco and/or nicotine; (ii) distribute
a wide assortment of vaping related products to non-traditional retail via VaporBeast, Vapor Shark, Vapor Supply, and IVG; and (iii)
distribute a wide assortment of vaping related products to individual consumers via Vapor Shark, Vapor World, and VaporFi branded
retail outlets in addition to online platforms. Refer to the ‘Recent Developments’ section below for details regarding the Vapor Supply
and IVG acquisitions.
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Our portfolio of brands includes some of the most widely recognized names in the OTP industry, such as Stoker’s
® in the
Smokeless segment, Zig-Zag
® in the Smoking segment, and VaporBeast
®
and VaporFi
®
in the NewGen segment. The following
table sets forth the market share and category rank of our core products and demonstrates their industry positions:
Brand
Stoker’s
®
Stoker’s
®
Zig-Zag
®
Zig-Zag
®
Product
Chewing Tobacco
Moist Snuff
Cigarette Papers
MYO Cigar Wraps
TPB Segment
Smokeless Products
Smokeless Products
Smoking Products
Smoking Products
Market
Share (1)
19.2%
3.5%
32.1%
78.5%
Category Rank (1)
#1 discount, #2 overall
#4 discount, #6 overall
#1 premium
#1 overall
(1) Market share and category rank data for all products are derived from MSAi data as of 12/31/18.
Operations
As of December 31, 2018, our products are available in approximately 185,000 U.S. retail locations which, with the addition of
retail stores in Canada, brings our total North American retail presence to an estimated 210,000 points of distribution. We subscribe to
a sales tracking system from MSAi that records all OTP product shipments (ours as well as those of our competitors) from
approximately 900 wholesalers to over 250,000 traditional retail stores in the U.S. This system enables us to understand individual
product share and volume trends across multiple categories down to the individual retail store level, allowing us to allocate field
salesforce coverage to the highest opportunity stores. Our sales and marketing group of approximately 174 professionals utilizes the
MSAi system to efficiently target markets and sales channels with the highest sales potential.
Our core tobacco business (Smokeless and Smoking segments) primarily generates revenues from the sale of our products to
wholesale distributors who, in turn, resell the products to retail operations. Our acquisition of VaporBeast in the fourth quarter of 2016
expanded our revenue streams as we began selling directly to non-traditional retail outlets. Our acquisitions of Vapor Shark in the
second quarter of 2017 and Vapor Supply in the second quarter of 2018 further expanded our selling network by allowing us to directly
reach ultimate consumers through Vapor Shark and Vapor World branded retail outlets, respectively. Our acquisition of IVG in the
third quarter of 2018 enhanced our business-to-consumer revenue stream with the addition of Vapor-Fi branded retail outlets
accompanying a robust online platform headlined by VaporFi.com and DirectVapor.com. Our net sales, which include federal excise
taxes, consist of gross sales net of cash discounts, returns, and selling and marketing allowances.
We rely on long-standing relationships with high-quality, established manufacturers to provide the majority of our produced
products. Approximately 85% of our production, as measured by net sales, is outsourced to suppliers. The remaining production
consists of our moist snuff tobacco operations located in Dresden, Tennessee, and Louisville, Kentucky; the packaging of our pipe
tobacco in Louisville, Kentucky; and the proprietary e-liquids operations located in Louisville, Kentucky, and Miami, Florida. Our
principal operating expenses include the cost of raw materials used to manufacture the limited number of our products which we
produce in-house; the cost of finished products, which are generally purchased goods; federal excise taxes; legal expenses; and
compensation expenses, including benefits and costs of salaried personnel. Our other principal expenses include interest expense and
other expenses.
Key Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
We consider the following to be the key factors affecting our results of operations:
•
•
•
•
Our ability to further penetrate markets with our existing products;
Our ability to introduce new products and product lines that complement our core business;
Decreasing interest in tobacco products among consumers;
Price sensitivity in our end-markets;
• Marketing and promotional initiatives, which cause variability in our results;
•
General economic conditions, including consumer access to disposable income;
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•
•
•
•
•
•
Cost and increasing regulation of promotional and advertising activities;
Cost of complying with regulation, including newly passed “deeming regulations”;
Counterfeit and other illegal products in our end-markets;
Currency fluctuations;
Our ability to identify attractive acquisition opportunities in OTP; and
Our ability to integrate acquisitions.
Recent Developments
VMR
On October 2, 2018, VMR Products LLC (“VMR”), the supplier of V2 e-cigarettes to TPB under a long-term exclusive agreement
for retail brick and mortar distribution and sales, was purchased by Juul Labs for a reported $75 million. Our contract anticipated such
an event and affords an acquirer of VMR the right to terminate the contract, subject to certain terms and conditions including product
buyback requirements and a termination payment based on the purchase price. On November 6, 2018, we received a letter from VMR,
now owned by Juul Labs, stating that it would no longer accept orders and that we are permitted to continue to sell-through any V2
inventory. Our net sales of V2 products were approximately $7.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. We have sufficient
inventory on hand to satisfy sales through the first quarter of 2019. Refer to Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for
potential mediation involving VMR.
On May 18, 2018, we entered into an arrangement with VMR which manufactures and distributes vapor products whereby VMR
received a $6.5 million loan with a maturity date of May 18, 2019. The note was secured by the VMR’s assets and accrued interest at
an annual rate of 15% with quarterly interest payments due beginning in August 2018. In September 2018, VMR repaid the full
outstanding balance of the loan in addition to a $1.0 million early termination fee which was recorded as a reduction to selling, general,
and administrative expenses. As a condition to the loan, VMR agreed to issue us warrants to purchase 7.5% of the ownership interest of
VMR. In connection with the loan repayments we received $1.0 million, net of expenses, for compensation of the warrants which was
recorded as a reduction to selling, general, and administrative expenses.
IVG
In September 2018, we acquired IVG for total consideration of $23.8 million satisfied through $14.5 million paid in cash, 153,079
shares of common stock with a fair value of $5.3 million, and a $4.0 million note payable to IVG’s former owners (“IVG Note”) which
matures 18 months from the acquisition date. All principal and accrued and unpaid interest under the IVG Note is subject to
indemnification obligations of the sellers pursuant to the International Vapor Group Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of September
5, 2018. The arrangement includes an additional $4.5 million of earnouts with both performance-based and service-based conditions
payable to former IVG owners who became employees of the Company as a result of the acquisition. The portion of earnout payments
a recipient will receive will be calculated by reference to certain performance metrics not to exceed a two-year period as specified
within the acquisition agreement. The Company recorded earnout expense of $1.5 million within the consolidated statement of income
for the year ended December 31, 2018, based on the probability of achieving the performance conditions.
IVG markets and sells a broad array of proprietary and third-party vapor products directly to adult consumers through an online
platform under brand names such as VaporFi, South Beach Smoke, and Direct-Vapor. IVG operates company-owned stores under the
VaporFi brand and also operates as a franchisor to franchisee-owned stores. The acquisition of IVG adds a significant business-to-
consumer distribution platform to the Company’s NewGen portfolio. Refer to Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for
more details regarding the IVG acquisition.
Vapor
Supply
On April 30, 2018, we purchased the assets of Vapor Supply LLC, vaporsupply.com, and some of its affiliates including the
Ecig.com domain through our subsidiary Vapor Acquisitions Company, LLC, for total consideration of $4.8 million paid in cash.
Vapor Supply is a business-to-business e-commerce distribution platform servicing
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
independent retail vape shops. Additionally, Vapor Supply manufactures and markets proprietary e-liquids under the DripCo brand and
operates company-owned stores. Refer to Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more details regarding the Vapor
Supply acquisition.
Investments
In November 2018, we paid $2.0 million to acquire a minority ownership position (19.99%) in Canadian American Standard
Hemp (“CASH”). CASH is headquartered in Warwick, Rhode Island, and manufactures cannabidiol isolate (“CBD”) developed
through highly efficient and proprietary processes. The investment in CASH positions us to participate in the market for hemp-derived
products.
In December 2018, we acquired a minority interest in General Wireless Operations, Inc. (d/b/a RadioShack; “RadioShack”) from
an affiliate of Standard General LP for $0.4 million. Standard General LP has a controlling interest in us and qualifies as a related
party. We will work together with RadioShack on product development and sourcing teams in China. Furthermore, we purchased $1.1
million of finished goods inventory from Radio Shack during 2018, none of which was outstanding at December 31, 2018.
Both investments are presented as assets within the other assets line of the December 31, 2018, Consolidated Balance Sheet. We
do not exercise significant influence over either investment and have elected to measure the investments at cost less impairment. The
investments will be adjusted for any changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar
investments of the issuer.
Critical Accounting Policies and Uses of Estimates
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States. When more than one accounting principle, or the method of its application, is generally accepted, we
select the principle or method that is appropriate in the specific circumstances. Application of these accounting principles requires us to
make estimates about the future resolution of existing uncertainties. Actual results could differ from these estimates. We evaluate our
estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, collectability of accounts receivable, inventory valuation and obsolescence,
goodwill, intangibles, pension and post-retirement obligations, income taxes, litigation, and contingencies on an ongoing basis. We
base these estimates on our historical experience and other assumptions we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. In
preparing these consolidated financial statements, we have made our best estimates and judgments of the amounts and disclosures
included in the consolidated financial statements.
Revenue
Recognition
We adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which
supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP, on January 1, 2018. We recognize revenues, net of sales
incentives and sales returns, including shipping and handling charges billed to customers, upon delivery of goods to the customer—at
which time our performance obligation is satisfied—at an amount that we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods in
accordance with the five-step analysis outlined in Topic 606: (i) identify the contract with the customer, (ii) identify the performance
obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations, and
(v) recognize revenue when (or as) performance obligations are satisfied.
A further requirement of ASU 2014-09 is for entities to disaggregate revenue recognized from contracts with customers into
categories that depict how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. Our
management views business performance through segments that closely resemble the performance of major product lines. Thus, the
primary, and most useful, disaggregation of our contract revenue for decision making purposes is the disaggregation by segment which
can be found in Note 19 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. An additional disaggregation of contract revenue by sales
channel can be found within Note 19 as well.
Interest
Rate
Swaps
We enter into interest rate swap contracts to manage interest rate risk and reduce the volatility of future cash flows. We account
for interest rate swap contracts under the provisions of ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Swap contracts that qualify as hedges are
adjusted to their fair value through other comprehensive income as determined
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by market prices on the measurement date, except any hedge ineffectiveness which is recognized currently in income. Gains and losses
on these swap contracts are transferred from other comprehensive income into net income upon settlement of the derivative position or
at maturity of the interest rate swap contract. Changes in fair value of any contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting or are not
designated as hedges are recognized currently in income.
Derivative
Instruments
We use foreign currency forward contracts to hedge a portion of our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates from
time to time. We account for our forward contracts under the provisions of ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Under our policy, as
amended, we may hedge up to 100% of our anticipated purchases of inventory in the denominated invoice currency over a forward
period not to exceed twelve months. We may also, from time to time, hedge up to ninety percent of our non-inventory purchases in the
denominated invoice currency. Forward contracts that qualify as hedges are adjusted to their fair value through other comprehensive
income as determined by market prices on the measurement date except any hedge ineffectiveness which is recognized currently in
income. Gains and losses on these contracts are transferred from other comprehensive income into net income as the related inventories
are received. Changes in fair value of any contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting or are not designated as hedges are
recognized in income currently.
Goodwill
and
Other
Intangible
Assets
We follow the provisions of ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other in accounting for our goodwill and other intangible
assets. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment annually on December 31, or more frequently if
certain indicators are present, in accordance with ASC 350-20-35 and ASC 350-30-35, respectively. If the carrying value of the
goodwill or indefinite-life intangible asset exceeds its fair value, determined using the discounted cash flows method and the relief-
from-royalty method, respectively, the goodwill or intangible asset is considered impaired. The carrying value of the goodwill or
indefinite-life intangible asset would then be reduced to fair value. For goodwill, the determination of a reporting unit’s fair value
involves, among other things, our market capitalization and application of the income approach, which includes developing forecasts of
future cash flows and determining an appropriate discount rate.
Based on our annual goodwill impairment testing, the estimated fair values of each of our reporting units were substantially in
excess of the respective carrying values at December 31, 2018. We had no such impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets
during the year ended December 31, 2018. Refer to Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details regarding
our goodwill and other intangible assets as of December 31, 2018.
Fair
Value
GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs
to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active
markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3). The three levels of the fair
value hierarchy under GAAP are described below:
•
•
•
Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets
at the measurement date.
Level 2 – Inputs to the valuation methodology include: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted
prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for
the asset or liability; and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or
other means.
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the
asset or liability at the measurement date.
Retirement
Plans.
We follow the provisions of ASC 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits in accounting for our retirement plans, which requires
an employer to (i) recognize in its statement of financial position the funded status of a benefit plan, measured as the difference
between the fair value of plan assets and benefit obligations; (ii) recognize, net of tax, the gains or losses and prior service costs or
credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost; and (iii) measure defined benefit
plan assets and obligations as of the date of the employer’s statement of financial position.
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Income
Taxes.
We account for income taxes under ASC 740. We record the effects of income taxes under the liability method in which deferred
income tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the difference between the financial and tax basis of assets and liabilities using
the enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. We assess our ability to realize future
benefits of deferred tax assets by determining if they meet the “more likely than not” criteria in ASC 740, Income Taxes. If we
determine that future benefits do not meet the “more likely than not” criteria, a valuation allowance is recorded.
Stock-Based
Compensation.
We measure stock compensation costs related to our stock options on the fair value based method under the provisions of ASC
718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, which requires compensation cost for stock options to be recognized based on the fair value
of stock options granted. We determined the fair value of these awards using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
Accounts
Receivable.
Accounts receivable are recognized at their net realizable value. All accounts receivable are trade-related and are recorded at the
invoiced amount and do not bear interest. We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts receivable for estimated uncollectible invoices
resulting from the customer’s inability to pay, which may result in write-offs. We recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of less
than $0.1 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Inventories.
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost was determined using the LIFO method for approximately 49.1% of the
inventories as of December 31, 2018. Leaf tobacco is presented in current assets in accordance with standard industry practice,
notwithstanding the fact that such tobaccos are carried longer than one year for the purpose of curing. We recorded an inventory
valuation allowance of $2.5 million and $0.5 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012
We chose to “opt out” of the provision of the JOBS Act that permits us, as an “emerging growth company,” to take advantage of
an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies. As a result, we will
comply with new or revised accounting standards as required for public companies. Our decision to opt out of the extended transition
period provided in the JOBS Act is irrevocable.
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Results of Operations
Summary
The table and discussion set forth below relates to our consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31 (in
thousands):
2018
For the year ended December 31,
2016
% Change
2017
% Change
Consolidated Results of Operations Data:
Net sales
Smokeless products
Smoking products
NewGen products
Total net sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Smokeless products
Smoking products
NewGen products
Total gross profit
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
Operating income
Interest expense
Interest income
Investment income
Loss on extinguishment of debt
Net periodic benefit expense, excluding service cost
Income before income taxes
Income tax expense (benefit)
Consolidated net income
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc.
90,031 $
$
111,507
131,145
332,683
190,124
84,560
109,956
91,261
285,777
160,807
46,490
57,043
39,026
142,559
94,075
48,484
15,086
(267)
(424)
2,384
131
31,574
6,285
25,289
—
25,289 $
42,703
57,146
25,121
124,970
75,290
49,680
16,904
(15)
(438)
6,116
180
26,933
7,280
19,653
(556)
20,209
$
77,913
6.5% $
1.4% 111,005
43.7%
17,310
16.4% 206,228
18.2% 105,683
8.5%
(0.9)%
427.2%
38.6%
52.2%
38,823
8.9%
57,595
(0.2)%
4,127
55.4%
14.1% 100,545
56,626
25.0%
43,919
(2.4)%
26,739
(10.8)%
(118)
NM
(768)
(3.2)%
2,824
(61.0)%
334
(27.2)%
14,908
17.2%
(12,005)
(13.7)%
26,913
28.7%
—
NM
26,913
25.1% $
10.0%
(0.8)%
508.7%
24.3%
33.0%
13.1%
(36.8)%
(87.3)%
(43.0)%
116.6%
(46.1)%
80.7%
(160.6)%
(27.0)%
NM
(24.9)%
Comparison
of
Year
Ended
December
31,
2018,
to
Year
Ended
December
31,
2017
Net Sales . For the year ended December 31, 2018, overall net sales increased to $332.7 million from $285.8 million for the year
ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $46.9 million or 16.4%. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by continued
VaporBeast momentum and the acquisitions of Vapor Supply and IVG.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, net sales in the Smokeless products segment increased to $90.0 million from $84.6 million
for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $5.5 million or 6.5%. For the year ended December 31, 2018, Smokeless
products volume increased 2.6% and price/mix increased 3.9%. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by the continuing growth
of Stoker’s
®
MST partially offset by declines in chewing tobacco attributable to increased competition, our promotional timing, and a
continuing segment shift to lower price products.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, net sales in the Smoking products segment increased to $111.5 million from $110.0
million for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $1.6 million or 1.4%. For the year ended December 31, 2018, Smoking
products volumes decreased 0.7%, while price/mix decreased 0.7%. The increase in net sales is primarily due to volume growth for our
Zig-Zag
®
branded papers and cigar wraps offset by our strategic decision to de-emphasize the low margin cigar products business and
line rationalization of our MYO tobacco products. Cigar product sales declined by $3.0 million to $5.5 million in the year ended
December 31, 2018.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, net sales in the NewGen products segment increased to $131.1million from $91.3 million
for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $39.9 million or 43.7%. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by
continued VaporBeast momentum along with the acquisitions of Vapor Supply and IVG.
Gross Profit. For the year ended December 31, 2018, overall gross profit increased to $142.6 million from $125.0 million for the
year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $17.6 million or 14.1%, primarily due to growth
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in the NewGen segment. Consolidated gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2018, included $0.1 million of unfavorable LIFO
adjustments, $1.0 million of introductory launch costs, $2.4 million of product line rationalizations, and $0.5 million of warehouse
reorganization costs compared to $1.1 million, $0.7 million, $0.4 million, and less than $0.1 million, respectively, in the year ended
December 31, 2017. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales weakened to 42.9% for the year ended December 31, 2018, from 43.7%
for the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily due to the majority of the sales growth coming from the NewGen segment, which has
lower margins.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, gross profit in the Smokeless products segment increased to $46.5 million from $42.7
million for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $3.8 million or 8.9%. Smokeless gross profit for the year ended
December 31, 2018, included $0.1 million of unfavorable LIFO adjustments, $0.2 million of introductory launch costs and $0.1 million
of line rationalization expenses compared to $0.7 million, $0.7 million, and less than $0.1 million, respectively, for the year ended
December 31, 2017. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 51.6% of net sales for the year ended December 31, 2018,
from 50.5% of net sales for the year ended December 31, 2017.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, gross profit in the Smoking products segment decreased to $57.0 million from $57.1
million for the year ended December 31, 2017, a decrease of $0.1 million or 0.2%. Smoking gross profit for the year ended December
31, 2018, included less than $0.1 million of unfavorable LIFO adjustments, $0.6 million of introductory launch costs and $1.3 million
of line rationalization expenses compared to $0.4 million, $0, and $0.2 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 51.2% of net sales for the year ended December 31, 2018, from 52.0% of net sales
for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease in gross profit as a percentage of net sales is primarily due to introductory launch
costs and line rationalization expenses on discontinued products.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, gross profit in the NewGen products segment increased to $39.0 million from $25.1
million for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $13.9 million or 55.4%. NewGen gross profit for the year ended
December 31, 2018, included $0.3 million of introductory launch costs, $1.0 million of line rationalization expenses, and $0.5 million
of warehouse reorganization expenses compared to less than $0.1 million, $0.2 million, and $0, respectively, for the year ended
December 31, 2017. Additionally, the Company paid $2.8 million for newly imposed tariffs on goods from outside the United States in
2018, $1.1 million of which was included in cost of goods sold for the year ended December 31, 2018. Gross profit as a percentage of
net sales increased to 29.8% of net sales for the year ended December 31, 2018, from 27.5% of net sales for the year ended December
31, 2017, primarily due to acquisition activity which has resulted in business-to-consumer sales, which generally have higher margins,
becoming a larger share of the NewGen segment.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2018, selling, general and administrative
expenses increased to $94.1 million from $75.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $18.8 million or 25.0%.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018, include $10.5 million of expenses relating to the
inclusion of our 2018 acquisitions IVG and Vapor Supply, $4.0 million of transaction costs (primarily relating to IVG and Vapor
Supply), $0.5 million of expenses associated with strategic initiatives, $0.9 million of introductory launch costs, $0.8 million of
organizational development expenses, $0.9 million of line rationalization expenses, $0.1 million of warehouse reconfiguration
expenses, and a $2.0 million net reduction to selling, general, and administrative expenses related to the VMR Loan. Selling, general,
and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017, include $0.9 million of expenses associated with strategic
initiatives, $1.7 million of launch costs, $1.2 million of transaction costs, and $0.1 million of line rationalization expenses. Other items
leading to the increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses in the year ended December 31, 2018, when compared to the
year ended December 31, 2017, include higher legal and litigation expenses associated with our anti-counterfeiting initiative and
variable logistics costs associated with increased sales at VaporBeast partially offset by a receivable reserve reversal and prepayment
penalty, both of which are associated with the loan issued to a supplier in the second quarter of 2018 that was repaid during the third
quarter of 2018.
Interest Expense. For the year ended December 31, 2018, interest expense decreased to $15.1 million from $16.9 million for the
year ended December 31, 2017, primarily as a result of lower interest rates from our March 2018 refinancing of our credit facility.
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Income Tax Expense (Benefit). The Company’s income tax expense of $6.3 million, or 19.9% of income before income taxes,
for the year ended December 31, 2018, is lower than the expected annual effective tax rate as a result of discrete tax benefits of $5.4
million from the exercise of stock options during the year. The Company’s income tax expense of $7.3 million, or 27% of income
before income taxes, for the year ended December 31, 2017, is lower than the expected annual effective tax rate as a result of discrete
tax benefits of $4.2 million from the exercise of stock options during the year.
Investment Income. For the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, investment income relating to investments of the MSA
escrow deposits was $0.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt. For the year ended December 31, 2018, loss on extinguishment of debt was $2.4 million as the
result of refinancing our credit facility in the first quarter of 2018. For the year ended December 31, 2017, loss on extinguishment of
debt was $6.1 million as the result of refinancing our credit facility in the first quarter of 2017.
Consolidated Net Income. Due to the factors described above, net income for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, was
$25.3 million and $19.7 million, respectively.
Net Loss Attributable to Non-Controlling Interest. Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest of $0.6 million for the year
ended December 31, 2017, is related to Vapor Shark, which was accounted for as a VIE during the second quarter of 2017.
Net Income Attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc. Due to the factors described above, net income for the year ended
December 31, 2018 and 2017, was $25.3 million and $20.2 million, respectively.
Comparison
of
Year
Ended
December
31,
2017,
to
Year
Ended
December
31,
2016
Net Sales. For the year ended December 31, 2017, overall net sales increased to $285.8 million from $206.2 million for the year
ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $79.5 million or 38.6%. For the year ended December 31, 2017, volumes increased 34.2%
and price/mix increased 4.4%. This increase was substantially due to an increase in NewGen products sales as a result of the
acquisitions of VaporBeast and Vapor Shark.
For the year ended December 31, 2017, net sales in the Smokeless products segment increased to $84.6 million from $77.9 million
for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $6.6 million or 8.5%. For the year, volume increased 3.4% and price/mix
increased 5.1%. Net sales growth was primarily driven by Stoker’s
®
MST.
For the year ended December 31, 2017, net sales in the Smoking products segment decreased to $110.0 million from $111.0
million for the year ended December 31, 2016, a decrease of $1.0 million or 0.9%. For the year ended December 31, 2017, Smoking
products volumes decreased 3.7%, while price/mix increased 2.8%. The decline in net sales is primarily due to reduced investment in
the cigar product line to allow for those resources to be used for other product lines with higher margins.
For the year ended December 31, 2017, net sales in the NewGen products segment increased to $91.3 million from $17.3 million
for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $74.0 million or 427.2%. For the year ended December 31, 2017, NewGen
products volumes increased 415.8%, while price/mix increased 11.4%. Net sales growth was primarily driven by the acquisitions of
VaporBeast and Vapor Shark.
Gross Profit. For the year ended December 31, 2017, overall gross profit increased to $125.0 million from $100.5 million for the
year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $24.4 million or 24.3%, primarily due to acquisition of VaporBeast. Consolidated gross
profit for the year ended December 31, 2017, included $1.1 million of unfavorable LIFO adjustments, $0.7 million of introductory
launch costs, and $0.4 million of line rationalization expenses compared to $0.9 million, $1.3 million, and $0, respectively, for the year
ended December 31, 2016. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales weakened to 43.7% for the year ended December 31, 2017, from
48.8% for the year ended December 31, 2016, as a result of the mix impact of VaporBeast’s inherently lower distribution margins.
For the year ended December 31, 2017, gross profit in the Smokeless products segment increased to $42.7 million from $38.8
million for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $3.9 million or 10.0%. Smokeless gross profit for the year ended
December 31, 2017, included $0.7 million of unfavorable LIFO adjustments and $0.7 million of introductory launch costs compared to
$1.0 million and $1.1 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2016. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to
50.5% of net sales for the year ended December 31, 2017, from 49.8% of net sales for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase
in
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gross profit as a percentage of net sales is due to us being able to take price increases and the further expansion of Stoker’s
®
MST
sales, leveraging our Smokeless fixed costs across a higher sales volume.
For the year ended December 31, 2017, gross profit in the Smoking products segment decreased to $57.1 million from $57.6
million for the year ended December 31, 2016, a decrease of $0.4 million or 0.8%. Smoking gross profit for the year ended December
31, 2017, included $0.4 million of unfavorable LIFO adjustments and $0.2 million of line rationalization expenses compared to $0.1
million of favorable LIFO adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2016. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to
52.0% of net sales for the year ended December 31, 2017, from 51.9% of net sales for the year ended December 31, 2016.
For the year ended December 31, 2017, gross profit in the NewGen products segment increased to $25.1 million from $4.1 million
for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $21.0 million or 508.7%. NewGen gross profit for the year ended December 31,
2017, included less than $0.1 of introductory launch costs and $0.2 million of line rationalization expenses compared to $0.2 million
and $0, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2016. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 27.5% of net sales for
the year ended December 31, 2017, from 23.8% of net sales for the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily as a result of the change
in product mix in the segment and our continued focus on margin expansion in the NewGen segment.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2017, selling, general and administrative
expenses increased to $75.3 million from $56.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $18.7 million or 33.0%,
due primarily to the inclusion of a full year of VaporBeast expenses in 2017 compared to one month of expenses in 2016 and the
inclusion of Vapor Shark expenses in 2017. Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017,
included $0.9 million of expenses associated with strategic initiatives, $1.7 million of introductory launch costs, $1.2 million of
transaction costs, and $0.1 million of line rationalization expenses compared to $0.5 million, $1.4 million, $1.1 million, and $0,
respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2016. Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31,
2016, also included $0.9 million of IPO-related compensation costs.
Interest Expense. For the year ended December 31, 2017, interest expense decreased to $16.9 million from $26.6 million for the
year ended December 31, 2016, primarily as a result of lower interest rates from our 2017 debt refinancing.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit). The Company’s income tax expense of $7.3 million, or 27% of income before income taxes, for
the year ended December 31, 2017, is lower than the expected annual effective tax rate as a result of discrete tax benefits of $4.2
million from the exercise of stock options during the year. The Company’s income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2016,
does not bear the normal relationship to income before income taxes primarily due to releasing the valuation allowance on our deferred
taxes as we determined that it is more-likely than not that we will realize our deferred tax assets which consist primarily of a federal net
operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward.
Investment Income . For the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, investment income relating to investments of the MSA
escrow deposits was $0.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively.
Loss
on
Extinguishment
of
Debt.
For the year ended December 31, 2017, loss on extinguishment of debt was $6.1 million as the
result of refinancing our credit facility in the first quarter of 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2016, loss on extinguishment of
debt was $2.8 million as the result of retiring certain debt with proceeds from our IPO.
Consolidated Net Income. Due to the factors described above, net income for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, was
$19.7 million and $26.9 million, respectively.
Net Loss Attributable to Non-Controlling Interest. Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest of $0.6 million for the year
ended December 31, 2017, is related to Vapor Shark, which was accounted for as a VIE during the second quarter of 2017.
Net Income Attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc. Due to the factors described above, net income for the year ended
December 31, 2017 and 2016, was $20.2 million and $26.9 million, respectively.
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Liquidity and Capital Reserves
Our principal uses for cash are working capital, debt service, and capital expenditures. We believe our cash flows from operations
and borrowing availability under our 2018 Revolving Credit Facility (as defined herein) are adequate to satisfy our operating cash
requirements for the foreseeable future.
Our working capital, which we define as current assets less current liabilities, increased $6.8 million to $48.1 million at December
31, 2018, compared with $41.3 million at December 31, 2017. The increase in working capital is primarily due to inventory increases
resulting from the Vapor Supply asset purchase and the IVG acquisition, in addition to pre-tariff inventory buys within our existing
operations.
As of
(in
thousands)
Current assets
Current liabilities
Working capital
$
December 31,
2018
111,854 $
63,766
48,088 $
$
December 31,
2017
79,493
38,230
41,263
During the year ended December 31, 2018, we invested $2.3 million in capital expenditures. We had unrestricted cash on hand of
$3.3 million and $2.6 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We had restricted assets of $30.6 million and $30.8
million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Restricted assets consist of escrow deposits under the MSA. On the 25 th
anniversary of each annual deposit, we are entitled to receive reimbursement of the principal amount of escrow remaining for that year.
See “Master Settlement Agreement” below for details.
Cash
Flows
from
Operating
Activities
For the year ended December 31, 2018, net cash provided by operating activities decreased to $13.1 million from $29.7 million for
the year ended December 31, 2017, a decrease of $16.6 million or 56%, primarily due to inventory increases from pre-tariff inventory
buys within our existing operations.
For the year ended December 31, 2017, net cash provided by operating activities increased to $29.7 million from $9.1 million for
the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $20.6 million or 225.3%, principally due to an increase in pre-tax income of $12.0
million as we did not pay federal income taxes in 2017 and 2016 in addition to interest paid on the PIK Toggle Notes in 2016, which
did not recur.
Cash
Flows
from
Investing
Activities
For the year ended December 31, 2018, net cash used in investing activities increased to $24.7 million from $1.9 million for the
year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $23.6 million or 2110%, primarily due to the Vapor Supply and IVG acquisitions.
For the year ended December 31, 2017, net cash used in investing activities decreased to $1.9 million from $26.8 million for the
year ended December 31, 2016, a decrease of $24.9 million or 92.8%, principally due to the 2016 acquisitions of VaporBeast, certain
brands from Wind River, and the land and building in Dresden, Tennessee.
Cash
Flows
from
Financing
Activities
For the year ended December 31, 2018, net cash provided by financing activities was $9.9 million compared to net cash used in
financing activities of $28.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $37.9 million, primarily due to borrowings
against our 2018 Revolving Credit Facility to fund our investing activities.
For the year ended December 31, 2017, net cash used by financing activities was $28.0 million compared with net cash provided
by financing activities of $15.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, a decrease of $43.8 million or 278.1%, principally due
to proceeds from the issuance of stock from our IPO in May 2016 and refinancing costs associated with the 2017 Credit Facility in
2017.
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Long-Term Debt
Notes payable and long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31, 2018 and 2017, in order of preference:
2018 Revolving Credit Facility
2018 First Lien Term Loan
2018 Second Lien Term Loan
Note payable - IVG
2017 Revolving Credit Facility
2017 First Lien First Out Term Loan
2017 First Lien Second Out Term Loan
2017 Second Lien Term Loan
Note payable - VaporBeast
Total notes payable and long-term debt
Less deferred finance charges
Less revolving credit facility
Less current maturities
2018
Credit
Facility
December 31,
2018
December 31,
2017
$
$
26,000 $
154,000
40,000
4,000
—
—
—
—
—
224,000
(3,285)
(26,000)
(8,000)
186,715 $
—
—
—
—
8,000
105,875
34,738
55,000
2,000
205,613
(3,573)
(8,000)
(7,850)
186,190
On March 7, 2018, the Company entered into a $250 million credit facility consisting of a $160 million 2018 First Lien Term
Loan with Fifth Third Bank, as administrative agent, and other lenders, and a $50 million 2018 Revolving Credit Facility (collectively,
the “2018 First Lien Credit Facility”) in addition to a $40 million 2018 Second Lien Term Loan (together with the 2018 First Lien
Credit Facility, the “2018 Credit Facility”) with Prospect Capital Corporation, as administrative agent, and other lenders. The 2018
Credit Facility retained the $40 million accordion feature of the 2017 Credit Facility. Proceeds from the 2018 Credit Facility were used
to repay, in full, the 2017 Credit Facility. The Company incurred a loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.4 million in the first quarter of
2018 as a result of the refinancing.
The 2018 Credit Facility contains customary events of default including payment defaults, breaches of representations and
warranties, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to certain other material indebtedness in excess of specified amounts, certain events of
bankruptcy and insolvency, certain ERISA events, judgments in excess of specified amounts, and change in control defaults. The 2018
Credit Facility also contains certain negative covenants customary for facilities of these types including covenants that, subject to
exceptions described in the 2018 Credit Facility, restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiary guarantors: (i) to pledge assets,
(ii) to incur additional indebtedness, (iii) to pay dividends, (iv) to make distributions, (v) to sell assets, and (vi) to make investments.
Refer to Note 21 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding dividend restrictions.
2018 First Lien Credit Facility: The 2018 First Lien Term Loan and the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at LIBOR
plus a spread of 2.75% to 3.50% based on the Company’s senior leverage ratio. The 2018 First Lien Term Loan has quarterly required
payments of $2.0 million beginning June 30, 2018, increasing to $3.0 million on June 30, 2020, and increasing to $4.0 million on June
30, 2022. The 2018 First Lien Credit Facility has a maturity date of March 7, 2023. The 2018 First Lien Term Loan is secured by a first
priority lien on substantially all of the assets of the borrowers and the guarantors thereunder, including a pledge of the Company’s
capital stock, other than certain excluded assets (the “Collateral”). The 2018 First Lien Credit Facility contains certain financial
covenants including maximum senior leverage ratio of 3.50x with step-downs to 3.00x, a maximum total leverage ratio of 4.50x with
step-downs to 4.00x, and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.20x. The weighted average interest rate of the 2018 First Lien
Term Loan was 5.77% at December 31, 2018. The weighted average interest rate of the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility was 5.79% at
December 31, 2018. At December 31, 2018, the Company had $26.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the 2018 Revolving
Credit Facility. The $24.0 million unused portion of the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility is reduced by $1.3 million letters of credit with
Fifth Third Bank, resulting in $22.7 million of availability under the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility at December 31, 2018.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
2018 Second Lien Credit Facility: The 2018 Second Lien Credit Facility bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 7.00% and has a
maturity date of March 7, 2024. The 2018 Second Lien Term Loan is secured by a second priority interest in the Collateral and is
guaranteed by the same entities as the 2018 First Lien Term Loan. The 2018 Second Lien Credit Facility contains certain financial
covenants including a maximum senior leverage ratio of 3.75x with step-downs to 3.50x, a maximum total leverage ratio of 4.75x with
step-downs to 4.50x, and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10x. The weighted average interest rate of the 2018 Second Lien
Term Loan was 9.46% at December 31, 2018.
Note
Payable
–
IVG
In September 2018, the Company issued a note payable to IVG’s former shareholders (“IVG Note”). The IVG Note is $4.0 million
principal with 6.0% interest compounding annually and matures on March 5, 2020. The IVG Note is subject to customary defaults
including defaults for nonpayment, nonperformance, any material breach under the purchase agreement, and bankruptcy or insolvency.
2017
Credit
Facility
On February 17, 2017, the Company and NATC, entered into a $250 million secured credit facility comprised of (i) a First Lien
Credit Facility with Fifth Third Bank, as administrative agent, and other lenders (the “2017 First Lien Credit Facility”) and (ii) a
Second Lien Credit Facility with Prospect Capital Corporation, as administrative agent, and other lenders (the “2017 Second Lien
Credit Facility,” and together with the 2017 First Lien Credit Facility, the “2017 Credit Facility”). The Company used the proceeds of
the 2017 Credit Facility to repay, in full, the Company’s prior credit facilities and to pay related fees and expenses. As a result of this
transaction, the Company incurred a loss on extinguishment of debt of $6.1 million during the first quarter of 2017. Refer to Note 12 of
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a more complete description of our debt instruments including the 2017 Credit Facility.
Note
Payable
–
VaporBeast
On November 30, 2016, the Company issued a note payable to VaporBeast’s former shareholders (“VaporBeast Note”). The
VaporBeast Note was $2.0 million principal with 6% interest compounded monthly and matured on May 30, 2018, at which time it was
paid in full.
Distribution Agreements
For a description of our material distribution agreements, see “Business—Distribution and Supply Agreements.”
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Master Settlement Agreement
On November 23, 1998, the major U.S. cigarette manufacturers, Philip Morris USA, Inc., Brown & Williamson Tobacco
Corporation, Lorillard Tobacco Company and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, entered into the MSA with attorneys general
representing states that agreed to settle certain recovery actions (the “Settling States”). In order to be in compliance with the MSA and
subsequent states’ statutes, we were required to fund an escrow account with each of the Settling States based on the number of
cigarettes or cigarette equivalents (which is measured by pounds of MYO cigarette smoking tobacco) sold in such state. Funding of the
escrow deposit by us in 2018 was less than $0.1 million in respect of sales of smoking products in 2017. We estimate the total deposits
relating to 2018 sales will be less than $0.1 million. Under current MSA legislation, we will not be required to make escrow deposits
after making deposits for 2017 sales as our last remaining product line subject to MSA legislation, MYO cigarette smoking tobacco,
was discontinued in the third quarter of 2017. Each year’s deposit will be released from escrow after 25 years. We are scheduled to
begin receiving payments as our escrow deposits are released from escrow beginning in 2024.
The following table summarizes our escrow deposit balances (in thousands) by sales year as of:
Sales
Year
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
Total
$
$
Deposits as of December 31,
2018
2017
211 $
1,017
1,673
2,271
4,249
3,714
4,552
3,847
4,167
3,364
1,619
406
193
199
173
143
101
91
83
32,073 $
211
1,017
1,673
2,271
4,249
3,714
4,552
3,847
4,167
3,364
1,626
406
193
199
173
143
101
81
70
32,057
Off-balance Sheet Arrangements
During 2018 we executed various forward contracts, none of which met hedge accounting requirements, for the purchase of €14.5
million with maturity dates ranging from March 2018 to January 2019. During 2017, we executed no forward contracts. During 2016,
we executed various forward contracts, none of which met hedge accounting, for the purchase of €5.6 million with maturity dates from
January 26, 2017, to July 17, 2017. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had forward contracts for the purchase of €1.5 million and €0
million, respectively. The Company had swap contracts for a total notional amount of $70 million at December 31, 2018. The fair
values of the swap contracts are based upon quoted market prices and resulted in a liability of $0.9 million as of December 31, 2018.
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Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at December 31, 2018 (in thousands):
Payments due by period
Long-term debt obligations, including interest
Operating lease obligations
Purchase obligations
$
$
Total
273,509 $
4,689
36,983
315,181 $
Less than
1 year
1-3 years
4-5 years
More than
5 years
20,494 $
1,938
36,983
59,415 $
71,906 $
2,616
—
74,522 $
140,415 $
135
—
140,550 $
40,694
—
—
40,694
The total lease expense included in the consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and
2016, was $3.6 million, $2.6 million, and $1.8 million, respectively.
Inflation
We believe that any effect of inflation at current levels will be minimal. Historically, we have been able to increase prices at a rate
equal to or greater than that of inflation and believe that we will continue to be able to do so for the foreseeable future. In addition, we
have been able to maintain a relatively stable variable cost structure for our products due, in part, to our successful procurement with
regard to our tobacco products and, in part, to our existing contractual agreement for the purchase of our premium cigarette papers.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Foreign Currency Sensitivity
Our inventory purchases from Bolloré are denominated in euros. Accordingly, we have exposure to potentially adverse
movements in the euro exchange rate. In addition, Bolloré provides a contractual hedge against catastrophic currency fluctuation in our
agreement. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes, nor do we hedge our foreign currency
exposure in a manner that offsets the effects of changes in foreign exchange rates.
We regularly review our foreign currency risk and hedging programs and may as part of that review determine at any time to
change our hedging policy. During 2018 we executed various forward contracts, none of which met hedge accounting requirements, for
the purchase of €14.5 million with maturity dates ranging from March 2018 to January 2019. At December 31, 2018, we had forward
contracts for the purchase of €1.5 million. A 10% change in the euro to U.S. dollars exchange rate would change pre-tax income by
approximately $1.8 million per year.
Credit Risk
At December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had bank deposits, including MSA escrows, in excess of federally insured limits of
approximately $4.4 million and $5.0 million, respectively. The Company has chosen to invest a portion of the MSA escrows in U.S.
Government securities including Treasury Notes and Treasury Bonds.
We sell our products to distributors, retail establishments, and individual consumers (via online sales from 2016 acquisition
VaporBeast, 2017 acquisition Vapor Shark, and 2018 acquisitions Vapor Supply and IVG) throughout the U.S. and also have sales of
Zig-Zag
® premium cigarette papers in Canada. In 2018, 2017, and 2016, we had no customers that accounted for more than 10% of
our net sales. We perform periodic credit evaluations of our customers and generally do not require collateral on trade receivables.
Historically, we have not experienced significant losses due to customer credit issues.
Interest Rate Sensitivity
We have exposure to interest rate volatility principally relating to interest rate changes applicable to loans under our 2018 Credit
Facility. As of December 31, 2018, all of our debt with the exception of the IVG Note Payable bears interest at variable rates. However,
the Company had swap contracts for a total notional amount of $70 million at December 31, 2018. The fair values of the swap contracts
are based upon quoted market prices and resulted in a liability of $0.9 million as of December 31, 2018. We believe that the effect, if
any, of reasonably possible near-term changes in interest rates on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash
flows would not be significant. A 1% change in the interest rate would change pre-tax income by approximately $1.5 million per year.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
TURNING POINT BRANDS, INC.
CONTENTS
Report of RSM US LLP
Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017,
and 2016
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
52
Page
53
54
55
56
57
59
60
TABLE OF CONTENTS
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Turning Point Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company)
as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’
equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes to the
consolidated financial statements (collectively, the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the
Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S.
federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or
fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting.
As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of
expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such
opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to
error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence
regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used
and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe
that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ RSM US LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2006.
Greensboro, North Carolina
March 6, 2019
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Turning Point Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December
31,
2018
and
2017
(dollars
in
thousands
except
share
data)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $42 in 2018 and $17 in 2017
Inventories
Other current assets
Total current assets
Property, plant, and equipment, net
Deferred income taxes
Deferred financing costs, net
Goodwill
Other intangible assets, net
Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) escrow deposits
Other assets
Total assets
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
Accrued liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt
Revolving credit facility
Total current liabilities
Notes payable and long-term debt
Deferred income taxes
Postretirement benefits
Other long-term liabilities
Total liabilities
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock; $0.01 par value; authorized shares 40,000,000; issued and outstanding shares
-0-
Common stock, voting, $0.01 par value; authorized shares, 190,000,000; issued and
outstanding shares - 19,553,857 at December 31, 2018, and 19,210,633 at December 31,
2017
Common stock, nonvoting, $0.01 par value; authorized shares, 10,000,000; issued and
outstanding shares -0-
Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Accumulated deficit
Total stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
December 31,
2018
December 31,
2017
$
$
$
$
3,306 $
2,617
91,237
14,694
111,854
10,589
—
870
145,939
35,339
30,550
4,236
339,377 $
6,841 $
22,925
8,000
26,000
63,766
186,715
2,291
3,096
886
256,754
—
196
—
110,466
(2,536)
(25,503)
82,623
339,377 $
2,607
3,248
63,296
10,342
79,493
8,859
450
630
134,620
26,436
30,826
963
282,277
3,686
18,694
7,850
8,000
38,230
186,190
—
3,962
571
228,953
—
192
—
103,640
(2,973)
(47,535)
53,324
282,277
The
accompanying
notes
are
an
integral
part
of
the
consolidated
financial
statements.
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Turning Point Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
for
the
years
ended
December
31,
2018,
2017,
and
2016
(dollars
in
thousands
except
share
data)
Net sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
Operating income
Interest expense
Interest income
Investment income
Loss on extinguishment of debt
Net periodic benefit expense, excluding service cost
Income before income taxes
Income tax expense (benefit)
Consolidated net income
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Basic income per common share:
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Diluted income per common share:
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic
Diluted
For the year ended December 31,
2017
2016
2018
332,683 $
190,124
142,559
94,075
48,484
15,086
(267)
(424)
2,384
131
31,574
6,285
25,289
—
25,289 $
285,777 $
160,807
124,970
75,290
49,680
16,904
(15)
(438)
6,116
180
26,933
7,280
19,653
(556)
20,209 $
206,228
105,683
100,545
56,626
43,919
26,739
(118)
(768)
2,824
334
14,908
(12,005)
26,913
—
26,913
1.31 $
1.06 $
1.63
1.28 $
1.04 $
1.49
$
$
$
$
19,355,607
19,827,562
18,989,177
19,513,008
16,470,352
18,015,545
The
accompanying
notes
are
an
integral
part
of
the
consolidated
financial
statements.
55
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Turning Point Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
for
the
years
ended
December
31,
2018,
2017,
and
2016
(dollars
in
thousands)
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc.
$
25,289 $
20,209 $
26,913
For the year ended December 31,
2017
2016
2018
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Amortization of unrealized pension and postretirement losses, net of tax of
$435 in 2018, $543 in 2017, and $0 in 2016
1,361
889
413
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax of $31 in 2018, $114 in 2017,
and and $582 in 2016
Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps, net of tax of $204 in 2018
Comprehensive income
(266)
(682)
413
25,702 $
187
—
1,076
21,285 $
(950)
—
(537)
26,376
$
The
accompanying
notes
are
an
integral
part
of
the
consolidated
financial
statements.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Turning Point Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
for
the
years
ended
December
31,
2018,
2017,
and
2016
(dollars
in
thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
activities:
Loss on extinguishment of debt
Loss on sale of property, plant, and equipment
Depreciation expense
Amortization of other intangible assets
Amortization of deferred financing costs
Amortization of original issue discount
Interest incurred but not paid on PIK Toggle Notes
Interest incurred but not paid on 7% Senior Notes
Interest paid on PIK Toggle Notes
Reserve of Note Receivable
Deferred income taxes
Stock compensation expense
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
Inventories
Other current assets
Other assets
Accounts payable
Accrued postretirement liabilities
Accrued liabilities and other
Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Issuance of note receivable
Repayment of note receivable
Payments for investments
Restricted cash, MSA escrow deposits
Net cash used in investing activities
For the year ended December 31,
2017
2016
2018
$
25,289 $
19,653 $
26,913
2,384
—
2,105
1,005
951
—
—
—
—
—
2,565
1,411
824
(20,650)
(5,097)
75
2,523
(97)
(198)
13,090 $
(2,267) $
(19,161)
(6,500)
6,500
(2,000)
(1,241)
(24,669) $
6,116
150
1,626
702
1,005
66
—
—
—
—
5,181
720
(1,067)
495
1,495
(334)
(5,702)
(24)
(392)
29,690 $
(2,021) $
268
—
—
(179)
816
(1,116) $
2,824
—
1,227
58
1,419
724
3,422
329
(9,893)
430
(12,719)
180
2,072
(12,513)
1,361
(100)
3,631
(172)
(65)
9,128
(3,207)
(23,625)
—
—
—
(29,056)
(55,888)
$
$
$
The
accompanying
notes
are
an
integral
part
of
the
consolidated
financial
statements.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Turning Point Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (cont.)
for
the
years
ended
December
31,
2018,
2017,
and
2016
(dollars
in
thousands)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from 2018 first lien term loan
Payments of 2018 first lien term loan
Proceeds from 2018 second lien term loan
Proceeds from 2018 revolving credit facility
Payment of dividends
Proceeds from 2017 first lien term loan
Payments of 2017 first lien term loan
Proceeds from 2017 second lien term loan
Payments of 2017 second lien term loan
Proceeds from (payments of) 2017 revolving credit facility, net
Payments of VaporBeast Note Payable
Proceeds from release of restricted funds
Payments of financing costs
Exercise of options
Redemption of options
Payment to terminate acquired capital lease
Payments of first lien term loan
Payments of second lien term loan
Proceeds from (payments of) revolving credit facility
Payments of Vapor Shark loans
Prepaid equity issuance costs
Surrender of options
Distribution to non-controlling interest
Exercise of warrants
Payment of PIK Toggle Notes
Redemption of Intrepid options
Redemption of Intrepid warrants
Proceeds from issuance of stock
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Net increase (decrease) in cash
Cash, beginning of period:
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total cash at beginning of period
Cash, end of period:
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total cash at end of period
Supplemental dislosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for interest
Cash paid during the period for income taxes, net
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing activities:
Conversion of PIK Toggle Notes to equity
Conversion of 7% Senior Notes to equity
Issuance of restricted stock
Investment in General Wireless
Supplemental schedule of noncash financing activities:
Issuance of shares for acquisition
Issuance of note payable for acquisition
Dividends declared not paid
For the year ended December 31,
2017
2018
2016
160,000
(6,000)
40,000
26,000
(2,318)
—
(140,613)
—
(55,000)
(8,000)
(2,000)
1,107
(3,286)
833
(623)
(170)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
9,930
(1,649)
2,607
4,704
7,311
3,306
2,356
5,662
14,238
3,215
—
—
—
421
5,292
4,000
915
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
—
—
—
—
(768)
145,000
(4,387)
55,000
—
8,000
—
—
(4,783)
1,431
(1,740)
—
(147,362)
(60,000)
(15,083)
(1,867)
(453)
(1,000)
(4)
—
—
—
—
—
(28,016)
558
2,865
3,888
6,753
2,607
4,704
7,311
15,828
1,811
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(450)
169
(85)
—
(4,388)
(20,000)
15,016
—
—
—
—
4
(24,107)
(661)
(5,500)
55,736
15,734
(31,026)
4,835
32,944
37,779
2,865
3,888
6,753
34,553
623
29,014
10,074
279
—
—
—
—
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
The
accompanying
notes
are
an
integral
part
of
the
consolidated
financial
statements.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Turning Point Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
for
the
years
ended
December
31,
2018,
2017,
and
2016
(dollars
in
thousands)
Beginning balance January 1, 2016
Voting
Shares
6,259,480
Common
Stock,
Voting
$
63
Common
Stock,
Non- Voting
9
$
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
$ 12,628
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Accumulated
Deficit
Non-
Controlling
Interest
Total
$
(3,512)
$
(90,800)
$
— $(81,612)
Common stock non-voting converted to voting
Unrecognized pension and postretirement cost
adjustment, net of tax of $0
938,857
9
—
—
Unrealized loss on MSA investments, net of tax of $582
Stock compensation expense
Warrants exercised
Stock issued in IPO
Stock issued in exchange for debt
Restricted stock grant, netted with (forfeitures)
Exercise of options
Redemption of options
Redemption of Intrepid options
—
—
442,558
6,210,000
4,458,257
25,944
66,926
—
—
—
—
4
62
45
—
1
—
—
Redemption of Intrepid warrants
Net income
—
—
—
—
(9)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
180
—
53,573
41,248
259
168
(85)
(326)
(2,750)
—
—
413
(950)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(335)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
413
(950)
180
4
53,635
41,293
259
169
(85)
(661)
(2,750)
—
(5,500)
26,913
—
26,913
Ending balance December 31, 2016
18,402,022
$
184
$
—
$ 104,895
$
(4,049)
$
(66,972)
$
— $ 34,058
Unrecognized pension and postretirement cost
adjustment, net of tax of $543
Unrealized gain on MSA investments, net of
tax of $113
Unrealized gain on other investments, net of
tax of $1
Stock compensation expense
Restricted stock forfeitures
Acquisition of non-controlling interest
Distribution to non-controlling interest
Exercise of options
Surrender of options
Redemption of options
Dividends
Net income
—
—
—
—
—
—
(4,831)
—
—
813,442
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
9
—
(1)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
648
(63)
(560)
—
1,422
(1,000)
(1,702)
—
—
889
185
2
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(772)
—
—
—
—
—
560
(4)
—
—
—
—
889
185
2
648
(63)
—
(4)
1,431
(1,000)
(1,703)
(772)
20,209
(556)
19,653
Ending balance December 31, 2017
19,210,633
$
192
Unrecognized pension and postretirement cost
adjustment, net of tax of $435
Unrealized loss on MSA investments, net of
tax of $31
Unrealized loss on other investments, net of
tax of $1
Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps, net of
tax of $204
Stock compensation expense
Restricted stock forfeitures
Exercise of options
Redemption of options
Dividends
Reclassfication of tax effects from accumulated other
comprehensive income
IVG issuance of stock
Net income
—
$ —
—
—
—
—
—
—
(3,128)
193,273
—
—
—
—
2
—
—
—
—
153,079
—
2
—
—
$
$
—
$ 103,640
—
$
—
$
$
(2,973)
$
(47,535)
$
— $ 53,324
1,361
$
—
$
—
1,361
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1,336
(8)
831
(623)
—
—
5,290
—
(263)
(3)
(682)
—
—
—
—
—
24
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(263)
(3)
(682)
1,336
(8)
833
(623)
(3,233)
—
(3,233)
(24)
—
—
—
—
5,292
25,289
—
25,289
Ending balance December 31, 2018
19,553,857
$
196
$
—
$ 110,466
$
(2,536)
$
(25,503)
$
— $ 82,623
The
accompanying
notes
are
an
integral
part
of
the
consolidated
financial
statements.
59
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Turning Point Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars
in
thousands,
except
where
designated
and
per
share
data)
Note 1. Organizations and Basis of Presentation
Organizations: Turning Point Brands, Inc. (the “Company”), is a holding company which owns North Atlantic Trading
Company, Inc. (“NATC”), and its subsidiaries and Turning Point Brands, LLC (“TPLLC”), and its subsidiaries. Except where the
context indicates otherwise, references to the Company include the Company; NATC and its subsidiaries National Tobacco Company,
L.P. (“NTC”), National Tobacco Finance, LLC (“NTFLLC”), North Atlantic Operating Company, Inc. (“NAOC”), North Atlantic
Cigarette Company, Inc. (“NACC”), and RBJ Sales, Inc. (“RBJ”); and TPLLC and its subsidiaries Intrepid Brands, LLC (“Intrepid”),
Vapor Beast, LLC (“VaporBeast,” f/k/a Smoke Free Technologies, Inc.), Vapor Shark, LLC, and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Vapor
Shark,” f/k/a The Hand Media), Vapor Acquisitions Company, LLC (“Vapor Supply”), Vapor Finance, LLC (“VFIN”), and
International Vapor Group, LLC and its subsidiaries (collectively, “IVG”). On January 15, 2019, the Company announced the
formation of Nu-X Ventures, LLC (“Nu-X”), a subsidiary of TPLLC.
Basis of Presentation: The consolidated financial statements include the Company, as well as its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All
intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in
conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets and liabilities,
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the dates of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company’s significant estimates include
those affecting the valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets, assumptions used in determining pension and postretirement
benefit obligations, and deferred income tax valuation allowances.
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. The changes did not have an
impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows in any of the periods presented.
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its subsidiaries, all of which are
wholly-owned, and the results of Vapor Shark from April 1, 2017, through June 30, 2017. All significant intercompany transactions
have been eliminated. From April 1 through June 30, 2017, Vapor Shark was a variable interest entity (“VIE”) for which the Company
was considered the primary beneficiary due to an April 2017 management agreement in which the Company was granted the right to
purchase 100% of the equity interest of Vapor Shark. The Company did not own Vapor Shark during the second quarter of 2017;
however, Vapor Shark’s financial results are included in the Company’s consolidated results as a VIE. On June 30, 2017, the Company
exercised a warrant to purchase all of the issued and outstanding equity of Vapor Shark. Beginning June 30, 2017, Vapor Shark became
a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. See ‘Note 4 – Acquisitions’ for details regarding the warrant exercise.
Revenue Recognition: The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with
Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP, on January 1, 2018. The
Company recognizes revenues, net of sales incentives and sales returns, including shipping and handling charges billed to customers,
upon delivery of goods to the customer—at which time the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied—at an amount that the
Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods in accordance with the five-step analysis outlined in Topic 606: (i)
identify the contract with the customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price,
(iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) performance obligations are
satisfied.
A further requirement of ASU 2014-09 is for entities to disaggregate revenue recognized from contracts with customers into
categories that depict how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors.
Company management views business performance through segments that closely
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resemble the performance of major product lines. Thus, the primary and most useful disaggregation of the Company’s contract revenue
for decision making purposes is the disaggregation by segment which can be found in Note 19 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements. An additional disaggregation of contract revenue by sales channel can be found within Note 19 as well.
Derivative Instruments
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts: The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge a portion of its
exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on inventory purchase commitments. The Company accounts for its forward
contracts under the provisions of ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Under the Company’s policy, the Company may hedge up to
100% of its anticipated purchases of inventory in the denominated invoice currency over a forward period not to exceed twelve months.
The Company may also, from time to time, hedge up to ninety percent of its non-inventory purchases in the denominated invoice
currency. Forward contracts that qualify as hedges are adjusted to their fair value through other comprehensive income as determined
by market prices on the measurement date, except any hedge ineffectiveness which is recognized currently in income. Gains and losses
on these forward contracts are transferred from other comprehensive income into net income as the related inventories are received.
Changes in fair value of any contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting or are not designated as hedges are recognized currently
in income.
Interest Rate Swap Agreements: The Company enters into interest rate swap contracts to manage interest rate risk and reduce
the volatility of future cash flows. The Company accounts for its interest rate swap contracts under the provisions of ASC 815,
Derivatives and Hedging. Swap contracts that qualify as hedges are adjusted to their fair value through other comprehensive income as
determined by market prices on the measurement date, except any hedge ineffectiveness which is recognized currently in income.
Gains and losses on these swap contracts are transferred from other comprehensive income into net income upon settlement of the
derivative position or at maturity of the interest rate swap contract. Changes in fair value of any contracts that do not qualify for hedge
accounting or are not designated as hedges are recognized currently in income.
Shipping Costs: The Company records shipping costs incurred as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses.
Shipping costs incurred were approximately $15.1 million, $10.4 million, and $6.5 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.
Research and Development and Quality Assurance Costs: Research and development and quality assurance costs are expensed
as incurred. These expenses, classified as selling, general and administrative expenses, were approximately $2.5 million, $2.3 million,
and $2.0 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.
Cash and Cash Equivalents: The Company considers any highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less from
the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method
for approximately 49.1% of the inventories and first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) for the remaining inventories. Leaf tobacco is presented in
current assets in accordance with standard industry practice, notwithstanding the fact that such tobaccos are carried longer than one
year for the purpose of curing.
Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, Plant and Equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment.
Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the lesser of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the life of the leases
for leasehold improvements (4 to 7 years for machinery, equipment and furniture, 10 to 15 years for leasehold improvements, and up to
15 years for buildings and building improvements). Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. The
costs of major renewals and improvements are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Upon disposition of fixed
assets, the costs and related accumulated depreciation amounts are relieved. Any resulting gain or loss is reflected in operations during
the period of disposition. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment when changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying
amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: The Company follows the provisions of ASC 350, Intangibles
–
Goodwill
and
Other
in
accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment
annually on December 31, or more frequently if certain indicators are present, in accordance with ASC 350-20-35 and ASC 350-30-35,
respectively. If the carrying value of the goodwill or indefinite-life intangible asset exceeds its fair value, determined using the
discounted cash flows method and the relief-from-royalty method, respectively, the goodwill or intangible asset is considered impaired.
The carrying value
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of the goodwill or indefinite-life intangible asset would then be reduced to fair value. For goodwill, the determination of a reporting
unit’s fair value involves, among other things, the Company’s market capitalization and application of the income approach, which
includes developing forecasts of future cash flows and determining an appropriate discount rate.
Based on the Company’s annual goodwill impairment testing, the estimated fair values of each of the Company’s reporting units
were substantially in excess of the respective carrying values at December 31, 2018. The Company had no such impairment of
goodwill or other intangible assets during the year ended December 31, 2018. Refer to Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements for further details regarding the Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets as of December 31, 2018.
Fair Value: GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that
prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted
prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3).
The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under GAAP are described below:
•
•
•
Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets
at the measurement date.
Level 2 – Inputs to the valuation methodology include: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted
prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for
the asset or liability; and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or
other means.
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the
asset or liability at the measurement date.
Retirement Plans: The Company follows the provisions of ASC 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits. ASC 715-30, Defined
Benefit Plans – Pensions, which requires an employer to (a) recognize in its statement of financial position the funded status of a
benefit plan, measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and benefit obligations, (b) recognize net of tax, the gains
or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost,
and (c) measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the date of the employer’s statement of financial position.
Deferred Financing Costs: Deferred financing costs are amortized over the terms of the related debt obligations using the
effective interest method. Unamortized amounts are expensed upon extinguishment of the related borrowings. Deferred financing costs
are presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability except for deferred financing costs relating to our
revolving credit facility, which are presented as an asset.
Income Taxes: The Company records the effects of income taxes under the liability method in which deferred income tax assets
and liabilities are recognized based on the difference between the financial and tax basis of assets and liabilities using the enacted tax
rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company assesses its ability to realize future benefits
of deferred tax assets by determining if they meet the “more likely than not” criteria in ASC 740, Income Taxes. If the Company
determines that future benefits do not meet the “more likely than not” criteria, a valuation allowance is recorded.
Advertising and Promotion: Advertising and promotion costs, including point of sale materials, are expensed as incurred and
amounted to $5.6 million, $3.4 million, and $3.9 million for the years ending December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.
Stock-Based Compensation: The Company measures stock-based compensation costs related to its stock options on the fair
value based method under the provisions of ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. The fair value based method requires
compensation cost for stock options to be recognized over the requisite service period based on the fair value of stock options granted.
The Company determined the fair value of these awards using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
The Company grants performance-based restricted stock units (“PRSU”) subject to both performance-based and service-based vesting
conditions. The fair value of each PRSU is the Company’s stock price on the date of grant. For
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purposes of recognizing compensation expense as services are rendered in accordance with ASC 718, the Company assumes all
employees involved in the PRSU grant will provide service through the end of the performance period. Stock compensation expense is
recorded based on the probability of achievement of the performance conditions specified in the PRSU grant.
Risks and Uncertainties: Manufacturers and sellers of tobacco products are subject to regulation at the federal, state, and local
levels. Such regulations include, among others, labeling requirements, limitations on advertising, and prohibition of sales to minors.
The trend in recent years has been toward increased regulation of the tobacco industry. There can be no assurance as to the ultimate
content, timing, or effect of any regulation of tobacco products by any federal, state, or local legislative or regulatory body, nor can
there be any assurance that any such legislation or regulation would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial
position, results of operations, or cash flows.
The tobacco industry has experienced and is experiencing significant product liability litigation. Most tobacco liability lawsuits
have been brought against manufacturers and sellers of cigarettes for injuries allegedly caused by smoking or exposure to smoke.
However, several lawsuits have been brought against manufacturers and sellers of smokeless products for injuries to health allegedly
caused by use of smokeless products. Typically, such claims assert that use of smokeless products is addictive and causes oral cancer.
Additionally, several lawsuits have been brought against manufacturers and distributors of NewGen products due to malfunctioning
devices. There can be no assurance the Company will not sustain losses in connection with such lawsuits and that such losses will not
have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Master Settlement Agreement (MSA): Forty-six states, certain U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia are parties to the
Master Settlement Agreement (“MSA”) and the Smokeless Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (“STMSA”). To the Company’s
knowledge, signatories to the MSA include 49 cigarette manufacturers and/or distributors. The only signatory to the STMSA is US
Smokeless Tobacco Company. In the Company’s opinion, the fundamental basis for each agreement is the states’ consents to withdraw
all claims for monetary, equitable, and injunctive relief against certain tobacco products manufacturers and others and, in return, the
signatories have agreed to certain marketing restrictions and regulations as well as certain payment obligations.
Pursuant to the MSA and subsequent states’ statutes, a “cigarette manufacturer” (which is defined to also include MYO cigarette
tobacco) has the option of either becoming a signatory to the MSA or opening, funding, and maintaining an escrow account, with sub-
accounts on behalf of each settling state. The STMSA has no similar provisions. The MSA escrow accounts are governed by states’
statutes that expressly give the manufacturers the option of opening, funding, and maintaining an escrow account in lieu of becoming a
signatory to the MSA. The statutes require companies who are not signatories to the MSA to deposit, on an annual basis, into qualified
banks, escrow funds based on the number of cigarettes or cigarette equivalents, i.e., the pounds of MYO tobacco, sold. The purpose of
these statutes is expressly stated to be to eliminate the cost disadvantage the settling manufacturers have as a result of entering into the
MSA. Such companies are entitled to direct the investment of the escrowed funds and withdraw any appreciation, but cannot withdraw
the principal for twenty-five years from the year of each annual deposit, except to withdraw funds deposited pursuant to an individual
state’s escrow statute to pay a final judgment to that state’s plaintiffs in the event of such a final judgment against the company. Either
option – becoming a MSA signatory or establishing an escrow account – is permissible.
The Company chose to open and fund an MSA escrow account as its means of compliance. It is management’s opinion, due to the
possibility of future federal or state regulations, though none have to date been enacted, that entering into one or both of the settlement
agreements or establishing and maintaining an escrow account would not necessarily prevent future regulations from having a material
adverse effect on the results of operations, financial position, and cash flows of the Company.
Various states have enacted or proposed complementary legislation intended to curb the activity of certain manufacturers and
importers of cigarettes that are selling into MSA states without signing the MSA or who have failed to properly establish and fund a
qualifying escrow account. To the best of the Company’s knowledge, no such statute has been enacted which could inadvertently and
negatively impact the Company, which has been, and is currently, fully compliant with all applicable laws, regulations, and statutes.
However, there can be no assurance that the enactment of any such complementary legislation in the future will not have a material
adverse effect on the results of operations, financial position, or cash flows of the Company.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pursuant to the MSA escrow account statutes, in order to be compliant with the MSA escrow requirements, companies selling
products covered by the MSA are required to deposit such funds for each calendar year into a qualifying escrow account by April 15 of
the following year. At December 31, 2018, the Company had on deposit approximately $32.1 million, the fair value of which was
approximately $30.6 million. Inputs to the valuation methodology of the MSA escrow deposits are unadjusted quoted prices for
identical assets or liabilities in active markets at the measurement date. During 2018, less than $0.1 million relating to 2017 sales was
deposited into this qualifying escrow account. The investment vehicles available to the Company are specified in the state escrow
agreements and are limited to low-risk government securities.
Effective April 1, 2009, the federal excise tax on MYO products was increased from $1.0969 per pound to $24.78 per pound of
tobacco. With this significant increase in the federal excise tax, the Company discontinued its generic category of MYO. The
Company’s Zig-Zag branded MYO cigarette smoking tobacco line was discontinued in the third quarter of 2017. Thus, pending a
change in MSA legislation, the Company has no remaining product lines covered by the MSA and will not be required to make future
escrow deposits.
The Company has chosen to invest a portion of the MSA escrow in U.S. Government securities including TIPS, Treasury Notes,
and Treasury Bonds. These investments are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value. Realized losses are prohibited
under the MSA; thus, any investment in an unrealized loss position will be held until the value is recovered, or until maturity. The
following shows the fair value of the MSA escrow account as of December 31, 2018:
Cash and cash equivalents
U.S. Governmental agency
obligations (unrealized gain
position < 12 months)
U.S. Governmental agency
obligations (unrealized loss
position < 12 months)
U.S. Governmental agency
obligations (unrealized loss
position > 12 months)
As of December 31, 2018
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
As of December 31, 2017
Estimated
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Estimated
Fair
Value
Cost
$
—
$
— $
2,361 $ 3,602 $
— $
3,602
9
—
—
1,202
—
—
—
(3)
997
722
(17)
705
Cost
$ 2,361
1,193
1,000
27,519
$ 32,073
$
—
9
$
25,990
(1,529)
(1,532) $ 30,550 $ 32,057 $
27,733
(1,214)
(1,231) $
26,519
30,826
The following shows the maturities of the U.S. Governmental agency obligations:
Less than one year
One to five years
Five to ten years
Greater than ten years
Total U.S. Governmental agency obligations
64
As of December 31,
2018
2017
$
$
1,499 $
13,591
11,152
3,470
29,712 $
—
7,114
17,662
3,679
28,455
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The following shows the amount of deposits by sales year for the MSA escrow account:
Sales
Year
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
Total
$
$
Deposits as of December 31,
2018
2017
211 $
1,017
1,673
2,271
4,249
3,714
4,552
3,847
4,167
3,364
1,619
406
193
199
173
143
101
91
83
32,073 $
211
1,017
1,673
2,271
4,249
3,714
4,552
3,847
4,167
3,364
1,626
406
193
199
173
143
101
81
70
32,057
Federal Excise Taxes: Tobacco products, cigarette papers, and cigarette tubes are subject to federal excise taxes. The following
table outlines the federal excise tax rate by product category effective as of April 1, 2009:
Product
Category
Cigarettes
Large Cigars
Little Cigars
Pip Tobacco (including Shisha)
Chewing Tobacco
Snuff
RYO/MYO and Cigar Wrappers
Cigarette Papers
Cigarette Tubes
Cigarette and Tobacco Rates
effective April 1, 2009
$1.0066 per pack
52.75% of manufacturer’s price; cap of $0.4026 per cigar
$1.0066 per pack
$2.8311 per pound
$0.5033 per pound
$1.51 per pound
$24.78 per pound
$0.0315 per 50 papers
$0.063 per 50 tubes
Any future enactment of increases in federal excise taxes on the Company’s products could have a material adverse effect on the
results of operations or financial condition of the Company. The Company is unable to predict the likelihood of passage of future
increases in federal excise taxes. As of December 31, 2018, federal excise taxes are not assessed on e-cigarettes and related products.
As of December 31, 2018, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, North
Carolina, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia have an excise tax on e-cigarettes. In addition, there are several local taxing jurisdictions
with an excise tax on e-cigarettes. Several states have also implemented additional measures on e-cigarettes, such as licensing
requirements.
Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”): On June 22, 2009, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act
(“FSPTCA”) authorized the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) to immediately regulate the manufacture, sale, and marketing of
four categories of tobacco products – cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, roll-your-own
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tobacco, and smokeless tobacco. On August 8, 2016, the FDA deeming regulation became effective. The deeming regulation gave the
FDA the authority to additionally regulate cigars, pipe tobacco, e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and e-liquids as “deemed” tobacco products
under the FSPTCA.
The FDA assesses tobacco product user fees on six classes of regulated tobacco products and computes user fees using a
methodology similar to the methodology used by the U.S Department of Agriculture to compute the Tobacco Transition Payment
Program (“TTPP,” also known as the “Tobacco Buyout”) assessment. First, the total, annual, congressionally established user fee
assessment is allocated among the various classes of tobacco products using the federal excise tax weighted market share of tobacco
products subject to regulation. Then, the assessment for each class of tobacco products is divided among individual manufacturers and
importers.
Prior to October 1, 2016, these FDA user fees applied only to those products then regulated by the FDA. Effective October 1,
2016, the FDA began additionally applying FDA user fees to newly deemed tobacco products subject to FDA user fees as described
above, i.e., cigars and pipe tobacco.
On July 28, 2017, the FDA announced a new direction in regulating tobacco products, including the newly “deemed” markets
such as cigars and vapor products. The FDA stated it intends to begin several new rulemaking processes, some of which will outline
foundational rules governing the premarket application process for the deemed products, including Substantial Equivalence
Applications and Premarket Tobacco Applications. Compliance and related costs could be significant and could increase the costs of
operating in our NewGen segment. The original filing deadlines for newly “deemed” products on the market as of August 8, 2016, have
been postponed until August 8, 2021, for “combustible” products (e.g., cigar and pipe) and August 8, 2022, for “non-combustible”
products (e.g., vapor products). No other filing deadlines were altered. The FDA also acknowledged a “continuum of risk” among
tobacco products (i.e., certain tobacco products pose a greater risk to individual and public health than others), that it intends to seek
public comment on the role flavors play in attracting youth and the role flavors may play in helping some smokers switch to potentially
less harmful forms of nicotine delivery, and that it would be increasing its focus on the regulation of cigarette products. FDA has since
initiated rule-making processes in a number of areas, including whether and how to regulate flavored tobacco products, such as cigars
and e-cigarettes. Additionally, FDA has taken several enforcement actions against companies it alleges are utilizing inappropriate
marketing or selling misbranded products.
Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”): On July 26, 2016, the CPSC began requiring that e-liquid containers be
packaged in child-resistant packaging, as outlined in the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. We are not able to predict whether
additional packaging requirements will be necessary for our e-liquid products in the future.
Concentration of Credit Risk: At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had bank deposits, including MSA escrow
accounts, in excess of federally insured limits of approximately $4.4 million and $5.0 million, respectively. During 2016, the Company
chose to begin investing a portion of the MSA escrow accounts into U.S. Government securities including TIPS, Treasury Notes, and
Treasury Bonds.
The Company sells its products to distributors, retail establishments, and consumers throughout the United States and also sells
Zig-Zag
® premium cigarette papers in Canada. The Company had no customers that accounted for more than 10% of net sales for
2018, 2017, or 2016. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers and generally does not require collateral on
trade receivables. Historically, the Company has not experienced significant credit losses.
Accounts Receivable: Accounts receivable are recognized at their net realizable value. All accounts receivable are trade related,
recorded at the invoiced amount, and do not bear interest. The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts receivable for
estimated uncollectible invoices resulting from a customer’s inability to pay (bankruptcy, out of business, etc., i.e. “bad debt” which
results in write-offs). The activity of allowance for doubtful accounts during 2018 and 2017 is as follows:
2018
2017
Balance at beginning of period
Additions to allowance account during period
Deductions of allowance account during period
Balance at end of period
66
$
17 $
25
—
$
42 $
35
46
(64)
17
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted:
The Company adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue
from
Contracts
with
Customers
(Topic
606)
, which supersedes nearly all existing
revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP, in the first quarter of 2018 using the modified retrospective method. This ASU
requires the recognition of revenue to depict the transfer of goods to customers at an amount that the Company expects to be entitled to
in exchange for those goods in accordance with the following five-step analysis: (i) identify the contract with the customer, (ii) identify
the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance
obligations, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) performance obligations are satisfied. Other major provisions include capitalization
of certain contract costs, consideration of time value of money in the transaction price, and allowing estimates of variable consideration
to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in certain circumstances. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures regarding
the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. The adoption
of this ASU had no effect on the timing or amount of revenue recognition, or on net income.
The Company adopted ASU 2018-02, Income
Statement—Reporting
Comprehensive
Income
(Topic
220):
Reclassification
of
Certain
Tax
Effects
from
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
, in the first quarter of 2018 on a prospective basis. This ASU
allows entities to make a one-time reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) to retained earnings for
the effects of remeasuring deferred tax liabilities and assets originally recorded in other comprehensive income as a result of the change
in the federal tax rate by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”). The adoption of this ASU resulted in a reclassification of stranded tax
effects related to the TCJA from accumulated other comprehensive income to accumulated deficit of less than $0.1 million during the
first quarter of 2018.
The Company adopted ASU 2017-07, Compensation—Retirement
Benefits
(Topic
715):
Improving
the
Presentation
of
Net
Periodic
Pension
Cost
and
Net
Periodic
Postretirement
Benefit
Cost
, in the first quarter of 2018 using the full retrospective method.
This ASU requires an entity to report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising
from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net periodic benefit cost are required to
be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations. The
adoption of this ASU resulted in a reclassification of $0.2 million and $0.3 million from cost of sales and selling, general, and
administrative expenses to net periodic benefit (income) expense, excluding service cost, for the years ended December 31, 2017 and
2016, respectively.
The Company adopted ASU 2016-18, Statement
of
Cash
Flows
(Topic
230):
Restricted
Cash
, in the first quarter of 2018 using
the full retrospective method. The amendments in this ASU require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period
in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. As a result of
this ASU the Company’s statements of cash flows include changes in restricted cash, such as changes in the portion of the MSA escrow
deposits held in cash.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements:
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases
(Topic
842),
which supersedes Topic 840, Leases
. ASU 2016-02
requires a lessee to recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-
use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset (the lease asset) for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or
less for which there is not an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise, a lessee is
permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities and
should recognize lease expense for such leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Certain qualitative disclosures
along with specific quantitative disclosures will be required so that users are able to understand more about the nature of an entity’s
leasing activities. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those
fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. At transition, lessees are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the
earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach, which includes a number of optional practical expedients related to
the identification and classification of leases that commenced before the effective date of ASU 2016-02. An entity that elects to use the
practical expedients will, in effect, continue to account for leases that commenced before the effective date in accordance with previous
GAAP unless the lease is modified, except that lessees are required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all
operating leases at each reporting date based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments that were tracked and
disclosed under previous GAAP.
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In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases
(Topic
842):
Targeted
Improvements
, providing entities with an additional,
optional transition method by which to adopt the new leases standard. ASU 2018-11 allows for application of the new leases standard
at adoption date and recognition of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of
adoption. The Company will apply the revised lease rules for its interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2019, using
a modified retrospective approach, including adopting several optional practical expedients. Generally the Company is the lessee under
various agreements for real estate and vehicles that are currently accounted for as operating leases. As a result, existing and newly
qualifying operating leases under these new rules will increase reported assets and liabilities. The expected amount of right of use
assets and lease liabilities to be recorded upon adoption is less than 5% of total assets.
Note 3. Acquisitions and Investments
IVG
In September 2018, the Company acquired 100% of the equity interest of IVG for total consideration of $23.8 million satisfied
through $14.5 million paid in cash, 153,079 shares of common stock with a fair value of $5.3 million, and a $4.0 million note payable
to IVG’s shareholders (“IVG Note”) which matures 18 months from the acquisition date. All principal and accrued and unpaid interest
under the IVG Note is subject to indemnification obligations of the sellers pursuant to the International Vapor Group Stock Purchase
Agreement dated as of September 5, 2018. The arrangement includes an additional $4.5 million of earnouts with both performance-
based and service-based conditions payable to former IVG owners who became employees of the Company as a result of the
acquisition. Such amounts will be considered compensation and are not a component of the IVG purchase price. The portion of earnout
payments a recipient will receive will be calculated by reference to certain performance metrics not to exceed a two-year period as
specified within the acquisition agreement. The Company recorded earnout expense of approximately $1.5 million within selling,
general, and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2018, based on the
probability of achieving the performance conditions.
IVG markets and sells a broad array of proprietary and third-party vapor products directly to adult consumers through an online
platform under brand names such as VaporFi, South Beach Smoke, and Direct-Vapor. IVG operates company-owned stores under the
VaporFi brand and also operates as a franchisor to franchisee-owned stores. The acquisition of IVG adds a significant business-to-
consumer distribution platform to the Company’s NewGen portfolio. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had not completed the
accounting for the acquisition. The estimated goodwill recorded is based on the excess consideration transferred over the estimated fair
value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed and is based on management’s preliminary estimates.
Total consideration transferred
Adjustments to consideration transferred:
Cash acquired, net of debt assumed
Working capital
Adjusted consideration transferred
Assets acquired:
Working capital (primarily inventory)
Fixed assets
Intangible assets
Net assets acquired
Goodwill
$
24,292
(221)
(245)
23,826
3,331
1,296
7,880
12,507
11,319
$
The goodwill of $11.3 million consists of the synergies and scale expected from combining the operations and is currently
deductible for tax purposes.
Vapor Supply
On April 30, 2018, the Company purchased the assets of Vapor Supply LLC, vaporsupply.com, and some of its affiliates including
the Ecig.com domain through its subsidiary Vapor Acquisitions Company, LLC, for total consideration of $4.8 million paid in cash.
Vapor Supply is a business-to-business e-commerce distribution platform
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servicing independent retail vape shops. Additionally, Vapor Supply manufactures and markets proprietary e-liquids under the DripCo
brand and operates company-owned stores. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had not completed the accounting for the
acquisition of these assets. The following fair values for working capital (primarily inventory), fixed assets, and trade name are based
on management’s preliminary estimates:
Working capital
Fixed assets
Trade name
Total consideration transferred
Vapor Shark
Fair Value
$
$
2,500
272
2,028
4,800
In March 2017, the Company entered into a strategic partnership with Vapor Shark in which the Company committed to make a
deposit up to $2.5 million to Vapor Shark in exchange for a warrant to purchase 100% of the equity interest in Vapor Shark on or
before April 15, 2018. In the event the Company exercised the warrant, the Company granted Vapor Shark’s sole shareholder the
option to purchase from Vapor Shark the retail stores it owns effective as of January 1, 2018. In April 2017, the Company entered into
a management agreement with Vapor Shark whereby the Company obtained control of the operations.
As a result of the management agreement, Vapor Shark became a VIE. The Company determined that it was the primary
beneficiary and consolidated Vapor Shark as of April 1, 2017. Since Vapor Shark is a business, the Company accounted for the
consolidation of the VIE as if it were an acquisition and recorded the assets and liabilities at fair value. The Company exercised its
warrant on June 30, 2017, and obtained 100% ownership of Vapor Shark as of that date for a nominal purchase price. There was no
goodwill assigned as a result of the transaction. The Company acquired $3.9 million in assets and assumed $3.9 million in liabilities,
which included a liability of $0.6 million relating to the option provided to Vapor Shark’s former sole shareholder to purchase the
Vapor Shark branded retail stores it owns.
In December 2017, the Company offered to pay Vapor Shark’s former sole shareholder $1.5 million in exchange for his option to
purchase the company-owned stores. The agreement was finalized in January 2018, and the Company paid $1.0 million in February
2018 with the remaining $0.5 million to be paid in 24 monthly installments. As a result of the transaction a $0.9 million charge was
recorded, and is included, in selling, general, and administrative expenses in 2017.
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Pro Forma Information
The following table presents financial information regarding IVG and Vapor Supply operations included in our Consolidated
Statement of Operations from the date of acquisition through December 31, 2018, under the “Vapor Supply and IVG Actuals from
Acquisition Dates through December 31, 2018” column. The following table also presents unaudited pro forma information as if the
acquisitions of IVG and Vapor Supply had occurred on January 1, 2017, under the “Pro Forma Consolidated” columns. The table
below has been prepared for comparative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the actual results that would have been
attained had the acquisition occurred as of the beginning of the periods presented, nor is it indicative of future results. Furthermore, the
unaudited pro forma information does not reflect management’s estimate of any revenue-enhancing opportunities or anticipated cost
savings as a result of the integration and consolidation of the acquisition. Amortization of fair value, interest on debt, and income tax
adjustments are included in the numbers below.
Net sales
Income (loss) before income taxes
Net income (loss)
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net income
Weight average common shares outstanding:
Basic - inclusive of voting and non-voting shares
Diluted - inclusive of voting and non-voting shares
Investments
Vapor Supply
and IVG Actuals
from Acquisition
Dates Through
December 31, 2018
(unaudited)
Pro Forma Consolidated
For the year ended
December 31,
2018
2017
$
$
23,911 $
(858)
(687) $
375,970 $
33,672
26,969 $
$
$
1.39 $
1.36 $
360,425
26,926
20,204
1.06
1.04
19,355,607
19,827,562
18,989,177
19,513,008
In November 2018, the Company paid $2.0 million to acquire a minority ownership position (19.99%) in Canadian American
Standard Hemp (“CASH”). CASH is headquartered in Warwick, Rhode Island, and manufactures cannabidiol isolate (“CBD”)
developed through highly efficient and proprietary processes. The investment in CASH positions the Company to participate in the
market for hemp-derived products.
In December 2018, the Company acquired a minority ownership position in General Wireless Operations, Inc. (d/b/a RadioShack;
“RadioShack”) from an affiliate of Standard General LP for $0.4 million. Standard General LP has a controlling interest in the
Company and qualifies as a related party. The Company will work together with RadioShack on product development and sourcing
teams in China. Furthermore, the Company purchased $1.1 million of finished goods inventory from Radio Shack during 2018, none of
which was outstanding at December 31, 2018.
Both investments are presented as assets within the other assets line of the December 31, 2018, Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Note 4. Foreign Exchange Contracts
The Company’s policy is to manage the risks associated with foreign exchange rate movements. The policy allows hedging up to
100% of its anticipated purchases of inventory over a forward period that will not exceed 12 rolling and consecutive months. The
Company may, from time to time, hedge currency for non-inventory purchases, e.g., production equipment, not to exceed 90% of the
purchase price. During 2018 the Company executed various forward contracts, none of which met hedge accounting requirements, for
the purchase of €14.5 million with maturity dates ranging from March 2018 to January 2019. During 2017, the Company executed no
forward contracts. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had forward contracts for the purchase of €1.5 million and €0
million, respectively.
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Note 5. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The estimated fair value amounts have been determined by the Company using the methods and assumptions described below.
However, considerable judgment is required to interpret market data to develop estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates
presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The use of
different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.
Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents are, by definition, short-term. Thus, the carrying amount is a reasonable
estimate of fair value.
Accounts Receivable: The fair value of accounts receivable approximates their carrying value due to their short-term nature.
Revolving Credit Facility: The fair value of the revolving credit facility approximates its carrying value as the interest rate
fluctuates with changes in market rates.
Long-Term Debt: With the exception of the IVG Note, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is estimated based on the
quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining
maturities. At December 31, 2018, the $4.0 million carrying value of the IVG Note approximates its fair value due to the
proximity of the note’s issuance to December 31, 2018.
As of December 31, 2018, the fair values of the 2018 First Lien Term Loan and the 2018 Second Lien Term Loan approximated
$154.0 million and $40.0 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, the fair values of the 2017 First Lien Term Loans and
the 2017 Second Lien Term Loan approximated $140.6 million and $56.1 million, respectively. See ‘Note 12: Notes Payable and
Long-Term Debt’ for details regarding our credit facilities.
Foreign Exchange: At December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had forward contracts for the purchase of €1.5 million and €0 million,
respectively. The fair value of the foreign exchange contracts was based upon the quoted market price that resulted in a loss of
approximately $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The fair value of the foreign exchange contracts resulted in a
liability of approximately $0.1 million as of December 31, 2018.
Interest Rate Swaps: The Company had swap contracts for a total notional amount of $70 million at December 31, 2018. The
Company had no swap agreements outstanding at December 31, 2017. The fair values of the swap contracts are based upon quoted
market prices for similar instruments, thus leading to a level 2 distinction within the fair value hierarchy, and resulted in a liability
of $0.9 million as of December 31, 2018.
Note 6. Inventories
The components of inventories at December 31 are as follows:
Raw materials and work in process
Leaf tobacco
Finished goods - Smokeless products
Finished goods - Smoking products
Finished goods - NewGen products
Other
LIFO reserve
71
December 31,
2018
December 31,
2017
$
$
2,722 $
34,977
6,321
14,666
37,194
738
96,618
(5,381)
91,237 $
2,545
30,308
5,834
14,110
14,532
1,290
68,619
(5,323)
63,296
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The following represents the inventory valuation allowance roll-forward, for the years ended December 31:
Balance at beginning of period
Charged to cost and expense
Deductions for inventory disposed
Other
Balance at end of period
Note 7. Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment at December 31 consists of:
Land
Buildings and improvements
Leasehold improvements
Machinery and equipment
Furniture and fixtures
Accumulated depreciation
Note 8. Other Current Assets
Inventory deposits
Other
2018
$
(459) $
(2,132)
263
(176)
(2,504) $
$
2017
(600)
(197)
533
(195)
(459)
December 31,
2018
December 31,
2017
$
$
22 $
2,320
2,101
13,292
5,045
22,780
(12,191)
10,589 $
22
2,072
1,873
12,635
3,821
20,423
(11,564)
8,859
December 31,
2018
December 31,
2017
$
$
9,739 $
4,955
14,694 $
3,797
6,545
10,342
On May 18, 2018, the Company entered into an arrangement with a supplier which manufactures and distributes vapor products
whereby the supplier received a $6.5 million loan with a maturity date of May 18, 2019. The note was secured by the supplier’s assets
and accrued interest at an annual rate of 15% with quarterly interest payments due to the Company which began in August 2018. In
September 2018, the supplier repaid the full outstanding balance of the loan in addition to a $1.0 million early termination fee which
was recorded as a reduction to selling, general, and administrative expenses. As a condition to the loan, the Supplier agreed to issue the
Company warrants to purchase 7.5% of the ownership interest of the supplier. In connection with the loan repayments the Company
received $1.0 million net of expenses for compensation of the warrants which was recorded as a reduction to selling, general, and
administrative expenses.
Note 9. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
The following table summarizes goodwill by segment:
Balance as of December 31, 2016
Adjustments
Balance as of December 31, 2017
Acquisitions
Balance as of December 31, 2018
Smokeless
Smoking
NewGen
32,590
—
32,590 $
—
32,590 $
96,107
—
96,107 $
—
96,107 $
5,693
230
5,923 $
11,319
17,242 $
$
$
Total
134,390
230
134,620
11,319
145,939
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The following tables summarize information about the Company’s allocation of other intangible assets. Gross carrying amounts of
unamortized, indefinite life intangible assets are shown below:
December 31, 2018
NewGen
Smokeless
Total
December 31, 2017
NewGen
Smokeless
Total
Unamortized, indefinite life intangible assets:
Trade names
Formulas
Total
$ 10,871 $ 10,786 $21,657 $ 10,871 $ 10,786 $ 21,657
53
$ 10,924 $ 10,786 $21,710 $ 10,924 $ 10,786 $ 21,710
—
—
53
53
53
Amortized intangible assets included within the NewGen segment consist of:
Amortized intangible assets:
Customer relationships (useful life of 8-10 years)
Trade names (useful life of 15 years)
Franchise agreements (useful life of 8 years)
Non-compete agreements (useful life of 3.5 years)
Total
Note 10. Deferred Financing Costs
December 31, 2018
December 31, 2017
Gross
Carrying
Accumulated
Amortization
Gross
Carrying
Accumulated
Amortization
$
6,936
7,578
780
100
$ 15,394
$
$
1,454
208
44
60
1,765
$
$
5,386
—
—
100
5,486
$
$
729
—
—
31
760
Deferred financing costs relating to the revolving credit facility at December 31 consist of:
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $174 and $134, respectively
2018
2017
$
870
$
630
Note 11. Accrued Liabilities
Accrued liabilities at December 31 consist of:
Accrued payroll and related items
Customer returns and allowances
Other
December 31,
2018
December 31,
2017
$
$
6,063 $
2,895
13,967
22,925 $
5,683
2,707
10,304
18,694
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Note 12. Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt
Notes payable and long-term debt at December 31 consisted of the following in order of preference:
2018 First Lien Term Loan
2018 Second Lien Term Loan
Note payable - IVG
2017 First Lien First Out Term Loan
2017 First Lien Second Out Term Loan
2017 Second Lien Term Loan
Note payable - VaporBeast
Total notes payable and long-term debt
Less deferred finance charges
Less current maturities
2018 Credit Facility
December 31,
2018
December 31,
2017
$
$
154,000 $
40,000
4,000
—
—
—
—
198,000
(3,285)
(8,000)
186,715 $
—
—
—
105,875
34,738
55,000
2,000
197,613
(3,573)
(7,850)
186,190
On March 7, 2018, the Company entered into a $250 million credit facility consisting of a $160 million 2018 First Lien Term
Loan with Fifth Third Bank, as administrative agent, and other lenders, and a $50 million 2018 Revolving Credit Facility (collectively,
the “2018 First Lien Credit Facility”) in addition to a $40 million 2018 Second Lien Term Loan (together with the 2018 First Lien
Credit Facility, the “2018 Credit Facility”) with Prospect Capital Corporation, as administrative agent, and other lenders. The 2018
Credit Facility retained the $40 million accordion feature of the 2017 Credit Facility. Proceeds from the 2018 Credit Facility were used
to repay, in full, the 2017 Credit Facility. The Company incurred a loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.4 million in the first quarter of
2018 as a result of the refinancing.
The 2018 Credit Facility contains customary events of default including payment defaults, breaches of representations and
warranties, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to certain other material indebtedness in excess of specified amounts, certain events of
bankruptcy and insolvency, certain ERISA events, judgments in excess of specified amounts, and change in control defaults. The 2018
Credit Facility also contains certain negative covenants customary for facilities of these types including covenants that, subject to
exceptions described in the 2018 Credit Facility, restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiary guarantors: (i) to pledge assets,
(ii) to incur additional indebtedness, (iii) to pay dividends, (iv) to make distributions, (v) to sell assets, and (vi) to make investments.
Refer to Note 21 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding dividend restrictions.
2018 First Lien Credit Facility: The 2018 First Lien Term Loan and the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at LIBOR
plus a spread of 2.75% to 3.50% based on the Company’s senior leverage ratio. The 2018 First Lien Term Loan has quarterly required
payments of $2.0 million beginning June 30, 2018, increasing to $3.0 million on June 30, 2020, and increasing to $4.0 million on June
30, 2022. The 2018 First Lien Credit Facility has a maturity date of March 7, 2023. The 2018 First Lien Term Loan is secured by a first
priority lien on substantially all of the assets of the borrowers and the guarantors thereunder, including a pledge of the Company’s
capital stock, other than certain excluded assets (the “Collateral”). The 2018 First Lien Credit Facility contains certain financial
covenants including maximum senior leverage ratio of 3.50x with step-downs to 3.00x, a maximum total leverage ratio of 4.50x with
step-downs to 4.00x, and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.20x. The weighted average interest rate of the 2018 First Lien
Term Loan was 5.77% at December 31, 2018. The weighted average interest rate of the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility was 5.79% at
December 31, 2018. At December 31, 2018, the Company had $26.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the 2018 Revolving
Credit Facility. The $24.0 million unused portion of the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility is reduced by $1.3 million letters of credit with
Fifth Third Bank, resulting in $22.7 million of availability under the 2018 Revolving Credit Facility at December 31, 2018.
2018 Second Lien Credit Facility: The 2018 Second Lien Credit Facility bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 7.00% and has a
maturity date of March 7, 2024. The 2018 Second Lien Term Loan is secured by a second priority interest in the Collateral and is
guaranteed by the same entities as the 2018 First Lien Term Loan. The 2018 Second Lien Credit Facility contains certain financial
covenants including a maximum senior leverage ratio of 3.75x with
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step-downs to 3.50x, a maximum total leverage ratio of 4.75x with step-downs to 4.50x, and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of
1.10x. The weighted average interest rate of the 2018 Second Lien Term Loan was 9.46% at December 31, 2018.
Note Payable – IVG
In September 2018, the Company issued a note payable to IVG’s former shareholders (“IVG Note”). The IVG Note is $4.0 million
principal with 6.0% interest compounding annually and matures on March 5, 2020. The IVG Note is subject to customary defaults
including defaults for nonpayment, nonperformance, any material breach under the purchase agreement, and bankruptcy or insolvency.
2017 Credit Facility
On February 17, 2017, the Company and NATC, entered into a new $250 million secured credit facility comprised of (i) a First
Lien Credit Facility with Fifth Third Bank, as administrative agent, and other lenders (the “2017 First Lien Credit Facility”) and (ii) a
Second Lien Credit Facility with Prospect Capital Corporation, as administrative agent, and other lenders (the “2017 Second Lien
Credit Facility,” and together with the 2017 First Lien Credit Facility, the “2017 Credit Facility”). The Company used the proceeds of
the 2017 Credit Facility to repay, in full, the Company’s First Lien Term Loan, Second Lien Term Loan, and Revolving Credit Facility
and to pay related fees and expenses. As a result of this transaction, the Company incurred a loss on extinguishment of debt of $6.1
million during the first quarter of 2017.
The 2017 Credit Facility contained customary events of default including payment defaults, breaches of representations and
warranties, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to certain other material indebtedness in excess of specified amounts, certain events of
bankruptcy and insolvency, certain ERISA events, judgments in excess of specified amounts, and change in control defaults. The 2017
Credit Facility also contained certain negative covenants customary for facilities of these types including covenants that, subject to
exceptions described in the 2017 Credit Facility, restricted the ability of the Company and its subsidiary guarantors: (i) to pledge assets,
(ii) to incur additional indebtedness, (iii) to pay dividends, (iv) to make distributions, (v) to sell assets, and (vi) to make investments.
2017 First Lien Credit Facility
The 2017 First Lien Credit Facility consisted of: (i) a $50 million revolving credit facility (the “2017 Revolving Credit Facility”),
(ii) a $110 million first out term loan facility (the “2017 First Out Term Loan”), and (iii) a $35 million second out term loan facility
(the “2017 Second Out Term Loan”), which would have been repaid in full only after repayment in full of the 2017 First Out Term
Loan. The 2017 First Lien Credit Facility also included an accordion feature allowing the Company to borrow up to an additional $40
million upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, including obtaining commitments from one or more lenders. Borrowings under the
2017 Revolving Credit Facility could have been used for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions.
The 2017 First Out Term Loan and the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility had a maturity date of February 17, 2022, and the 2017
Second Out Term Loan had a maturity date of May 17, 2022. The 2017 First Out Term Loan and the 2017 Revolving Credit Facility
bore interest at LIBOR plus a spread of 2.5% to 3.5% based on the Company’s senior leverage ratio.
2017 Second Lien Credit Facility
The 2017 Second Lien Credit Facility consisted of a $55 million second lien term loan (the “2017 Second Lien Term Loan”)
having a maturity date of August 17, 2022. The 2017 Second Lien Term Loan bore interest at a fixed rate of 11%.
Note Payable – VaporBeast
On November 30, 2016, the Company issued a note payable to VaporBeast’s former shareholders (“VaporBeast Note”). The
VaporBeast Note was $2.0 million principal with 6% interest compounded monthly and matured on May 30, 2018, at which time it was
paid in full.
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Note 13. Income Taxes
Income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31 consists of the following components:
Federal
State and Local
Current
$ 2,326
1,394
$ 3,720
Total
2018
Deferred
$ 3,165 $ 5,491 $
329
1,770
$ 2,565 $ 6,285 $ 2,099
(600)
Current
794
Total
2017
Deferred
$ 4,772 $ 5,101
2,179
$ 5,181 $ 7,280
409
2016
Deferred
Total
Current
$
(46) $ (12,655) $ (12,701)
760
696
(64)
714 $ (12,719) $ (12,005)
$
Deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31 consist of:
2018
2017
2016
Assets
Liabilities
Assets
Liabilities
Assets
Liabilities
Inventory
Property, plant, and equipment
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Accrued pension and post-retirement costs
Federal NOL carryforward
State NOL carryforward
AMT credit carryforward
Unrealized loss on investments
Deferred income for tax purposes
Other
Valuation allowance
Deferred income taxes
$
3,004 $
—
—
202
—
2,842
—
351
—
3,424
9,823
(2,842)
— $
2,485 $
—
14
621
3,736
3,071
1,327
320
—
1,441
13,015
(3,071)
1,445
7,386
—
—
—
—
—
—
440
9,271
—
187 $
1,134
7,397
—
—
—
—
—
486
290
9,494
—
2,268 $
—
43
1,964
11,911
3,083
997
582
—
2,867
23,715
(3,083)
423
1,642
10,431
—
—
—
—
—
1,419
429
14,344
$ 6,981 $ 9,271 $ 9,944 $ 9,494 $ 20,632 $ 14,344
At December 31, 2018, the Company had state NOL carryforwards for income tax purposes of approximately $54.2 million,
which expire between 2019 and 2037, $1.8 million of which has an indefinite carryforward period. The Company has determined that,
at December 31, 2018 and 2017, its ability to realize future benefits of its state NOL carryforwards does not meet the “more likely than
not” criteria in ASC 740, Income Taxes. Therefore, a valuation allowance of $2.8 million and $3.1 million has been recorded at
December 2018 and 2017, respectively.
ASC 740-10-25 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and
measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be
more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount
of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company has determined that they did
not have any uncertain tax positions requiring recognition as a result of the provisions of ASC 740-10-25. The Company’s policy is to
recognize interest and penalties accrued on uncertain tax positions as part of interest expense. For the years ended December 31, 2018,
2017, and 2016, no estimated interest or penalties were recognized for the uncertainty of tax positions taken. The Company files
income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. In general, the Company is no longer subject to U.S.
federal and state tax examinations for years prior to 2015.
Reconciliation of the federal statutory rate and the effective income tax rate for the years ended December 31 is as follows:
Federal statutory rate
State taxes
Permanent differences
Other
Valuation allowance
Effective income tax rate
2018
2017
21.0%
3.3%
(2.9)%
(0.8)%
(0.7)%
19.9%
35.0%
8.1%
(16.1)%
0.0%
0.0%
27.0%
2016
35.0%
4.7%
13.2%
0.0%
(133.4)%
(80.5)%
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In December 2017, the U.S. Congress passed the TCJA which reduced the corporate income tax rate to 21%, effective January 1,
2018. Other significant changes accompanying the corporate income tax rate reduction include eliminating the corporate alternative
minimum tax, limiting the interest expense deduction to 30% of adjusted taxable income, and limiting net operating losses to 80% of
taxable income for losses arising in tax years beginning after 2017. As a result of the TCJA, the Company was required to remeasure its
deferred tax assets and liabilities at the newly enacted rate, resulting in $0.2 million of income tax expense for the year ended
December 31, 2017. The permanent differences for the year ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 are primarily related to income
tax benefits of $5.4 million ($1.1 million tax effected), $4.2 million ($1.1 million tax effected), and $0.8 million ($0.6 million tax
effected), respectively, as a result of stock option exercises.
Note 14. Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans
The Company has a defined benefit pension plan. Benefits for hourly employees were based on a stated benefit per year of service,
reduced by amounts earned in a previous plan. Benefits for salaried employees were based on years of service and the employees’ final
compensation. The defined benefit pension plan is frozen. The Company’s policy is to make the minimum amount of contributions that
can be deducted for federal income taxes. The Company expects to make no contributions to the pension plan in 2019.
The Company sponsored a defined benefit postretirement plan that covered hourly employees. This plan provides medical and
dental benefits. This plan is contributory with retiree contributions adjusted annually. The Company’s policy is to make contributions
equal to benefits paid during the year. The Company expects to contribute approximately $0.2 million to its postretirement plan in 2019
for the payment of benefits.
The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the plans’ benefit obligations and fair value of assets for the years
ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, and a statement of the funded status:
Reconciliation of benefit obligations:
Benefit obligation at January 1
Service cost
Interest cost
Actuarial loss (gain)
Assumptions
Settlement/curtailment
Benefits paid
Benefit obligation at December 31
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at January 1
Actual return on plan assets
Employer contributions
Settlement/curtailment
Benefits paid
Fair value of plan assets at December 31
Funded status:
Funded status at December 31
Unrecognized net actuarial loss (gain)
Net amount recognized
Pension
Benefits
Postretirement
Benefits
2018
2017
2018
2017
$ 17,121 $ 16,780 $
104
553
(1,157)
—
(1,866)
(1,055)
104
649
668
—
—
(1,080)
$ 13,700 $ 17,121 $
$ 17,517 $ 16,357 $
327
—
(1,866)
(1,055)
2,240
—
—
(1,080)
$ 14,923 $ 17,517 $
4,217 $
—
117
(527)
(323)
—
(179)
3,305 $
— $
—
179
—
(179)
— $
4,745
—
144
(472)
—
—
(200)
4,217
—
—
200
—
(200)
—
$
1,223 $
2,416
396 $
3,443
$ 3,639 $ 3,839 $
(3,305) $
(1,929)
(5,234) $
(4,217)
(1,161)
(5,378)
Accumulated benefit obligations did not exceed plan assets at December 31, 2018 or 2017, for the Company’s pension plan.
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The asset allocation for the Company’s defined benefit plan, by asset category, follows:
Asset category:
Equity securities (1)
Debt securities
Cash
Total
Target
Allocation
2019
Percentage of
Plan Assets at
December 31,
2018
2017
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
100.0%
0.0%
84.8%
15.2%
100.0%
51.4%
21.6%
27.0%
100.0%
(1) No shares of the Company’s common stock were included in equity securities at December 31, 2017.
The asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that
is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the
use of unobservable inputs.
Following is the description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value subsequent to initial
recognition. These methods may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of
future fair values. Furthermore, while the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with those of other
market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could
result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date. There have been no changes in the methodologies used at December
31, 2018 and 2017.
•
•
•
Pooled Separate Accounts. Valued at the net asset value (NAV) of shares held by the plan at year end.
Guaranteed Deposit Account. Valued at contract value, which approximates fair value.
Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The table below presents the balances of the plan’s assets measured at
fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy:
Pooled separate accounts
Guaranteed deposit account
Total assets at fair value as of December 31, 2018
Pooled separate accounts
Guaranteed deposit account
Total assets at fair value as of December 31, 2017
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
12,658 $
2,265
14,923 $
— $
—
— $
12,658 $
—
12,658 $
—
2,265
2,265
12,796 $
4,721
17,517 $
— $
—
— $
12,796 $
—
12,796 $
—
4,721
4,721
$
$
$
$
The table below sets forth a summary of the changes in the fair value of the Guaranteed Deposit Account:
Balance at January 1, 2017
Total gains (losses), realized/unrealized
Return on plan assets
Purchases, sales, and settlements, net
Balance at December 31, 2017
Total gains (losses), realized/unrealized
Return on plan assets
Purchases, sales, and settlements, net
Balance at December 31, 2018
78
Guaranteed
Deposit
Account
1,966
64
2,691
4,721
81
(2,537)
2,265
$
$
$
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The Company’s investment philosophy is to earn a reasonable return without subjecting plan assets to undue risk. The Company
uses one management firm to manage plan assets, which are invested in equity and debt securities. The Company’s investment
objective is to match the duration of the debt securities with the expected payments.
The following table provides the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31:
Pension
Benefits
Postretirement
Benefits
2018
2017
2018
2017
Prepaid asset
Accrued benefit cost
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, unrecognized net gain (loss)
—
$ 1,223 $
(4,217)
—
(1,161)
2,416
$ 3,639 $ 3,839 $ (5,234) $ (5,378)
396 $
—
3,443
(3,305)
(1,929)
— $
The amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income that are expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit costs in 2019
are losses of $0.2 million for pension and gains of approximately $0.1 million for postretirement, respectively.
The following table provides the components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs and total costs for the plans
for the years ended December 31:
Service cost
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Amortization of (gains) losses
Curtailment loss
Net periodic benefit cost
Pension
Benefits
2017
104 $
649
(1,024)
463
—
192 $
2018
$
$
104 $
553
(949)
186
306
200 $
2016
2018
Postretirement
Benefits
2017
2016
104 $ — $ — $ —
173
699
—
(1,034)
(24)
493
—
—
92 $ 149
262 $
144
—
(52)
—
117
—
(81)
—
36 $
The Company is required to make assumptions regarding such variables as the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and
the discount rate applied to determine service cost and interest cost. The rate of return on assets used is determined based upon analysis
of the plans’ historical performance relative to the overall markets and mix of assets. The assumptions listed below represent
management’s review of relevant market conditions and have been adjusted as appropriate. The weighted average assumptions used in
the measurement of the Company’s benefit obligation are as follows:
Discount rate
Pension
Benefits
Postretirement
Benefits
2017
2017
2018
2017
4.00%
3.50%
4.25%
3.25%
The weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic pension and postretirement costs are as follows:
Discount rate
Expected return on plan assets
Pension
Benefits
Postretirement
Benefits
2018
2017
2018
2017
3.8%
6.0%
4.0%
6.5%
3.3%
—
3.5%
—
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For postretirement benefits measurement purposes, the assumed health care cost trend rate for participants as of December 31,
2018, and going forward, was 5.5%. Assumed health care cost trend rates could have a significant effect on the amounts reported for
the postretirement benefit plans. A 1% increase in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
Effect on total of service and interest cost components of net periodic
postretirement cost
Effect on the health care component of the accumulated postretirement benefit
obligation
2018
2017
2016
$
$
3
(97)
$
$
4
$
3
(109) $
(78)
The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:
Period
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024 - 2028
Pension
Benefits
Postretirement
Benefits
$
$
1,071
1,051
1,041
1,016
1,005
4,672
$
$
222
227
231
236
241
1,233
The Company also sponsors a voluntary 401(k) retirement savings plan. Eligible employees may elect to contribute up to 15% of
their annual earnings subject to certain limitations. For the 2018 and 2017 Plan Years, the Company contributed 4% to those employees
contributing 4% or greater. For those employees contributing less than 4%, the Company matched the contribution by 100%.
Additionally, for all years presented, the Company made discretionary contributions of 1% to all employees, regardless of an
employee’s contribution level. Company contributions to this plan were approximately $1.2 million for 2018, $0.9 million for 2017,
and $0.8 million for 2016.
Note 15. Lease Commitments
The Company leases certain office space and vehicles for varying periods. The acquisitions of Vapor Shark in the second quarter
of 2017, Vapor Supply in the second quarter of 2018, and IVG in the third quarter of 2018 added operating leases for retail store space
to the Company’s lease portfolio. The following schedule details future minimum lease payments for operating leases that had initial or
remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2018:
Year
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Total
Payments
1,938
1,613
727
276
114
21
4,689
$
The total lease expense included in the consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and
2016, was $3.6 million, $2.6 million, and $1.8 million, respectively.
Note 16. Share Incentive Plans
On April 28, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the Turning Point Brands, Inc., 2015 Equity Incentive Plan
(the “2015 Plan”), pursuant to which awards may be granted to employees, non-employee directors, and consultants. In addition, the
2015 Plan provides for the granting of nonqualified stock options to employees of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company.
Pursuant to the 2015 Plan, 1,400,000 shares of the Company’s voting common stock are reserved for issuance as awards to employees,
non-employee directors, and consultants as compensation for past or future services or the attainment of certain performance goals. The
2015 Plan is scheduled
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to terminate on April 27, 2026. The 2015 Plan is administrated by a committee (the “Committee”) of the Company’s Board of
Directors. The Committee determines the vesting criteria for the awards, with such criteria to be specified in the award agreement. As
of December 31, 2018, 18,153 shares of restricted stock, 184,000 performance-based restricted stock units, and 292,860 options have
been granted to employees of the Company under the 2015 Plan, net of forfeitures. There are 904,987 shares available for grant under
the 2015 Plan.
On February 7, 2017, the Board of Directors of the Company approved stock option cash-out agreements with three Company
officers and a director for the surrender of 83,400 expiring stock options in exchange for payment to the option holders of $11.99 per
share. This payment equaled the difference between the exercise price of $1.06 and closing stock price of $13.05 on the approval date,
or an aggregate of $1.0 million.
On February 8, 2006, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”) of North
Atlantic Holding Company, Inc., pursuant to which awards may be granted to employees. The 2006 Plan provides for the granting of
nonqualified stock options and restricted stock awards to employees. Upon the adoption of the Company’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan
in connection with its IPO, the Company determined no additional grants would be made under the 2006 Plan. However, all awards
issued under the 2006 Plan that have not been previously terminated or forfeited remain outstanding and continue unaffected.
There are no shares available for grant under the 2006 Plan. Stock option activity for the 2006 and 2015 Plans is summarized
below:
Outstanding, December 31, 2016
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited
Surrendered
Outstanding, December 31, 2017
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited
Outstanding, December 31, 2018
Stock
Option
Shares
1,637,762
133,819
(923,708)
(801)
(83,400)
763,672
124,100
(209,943)
(18,255)
659,574
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
$
$
2.41
14.69
1.55
15.37
1.06
5.73
21.27
3.97
13.46
9.00
$
$
1.23
4.41
0.83
4.59
0.54
2.36
6.33
1.47
3.90
3.34
Under the 2006 Plan, the total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016,
was $5.7 million, $11.9 million, and $0.5 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options surrendered during the year ended
December 31, 2017, was $1.0 million.
At December 31, 2018, under the 2006 Plan, the outstanding stock options’ exercise price for 419,227 options is $3.83 per share,
all of which are exercisable. The weighted average of the remaining lives of the outstanding stock options is approximately 4.43 years
for the options with the $3.83 exercise price. The Company estimates the expected life of these stock options is ten years from the date
of grant. For the $3.83 per share options, the weighted average fair value of options was determined using the Black-Scholes model
assuming a ten-year life from grant date, a current share price and exercise price of $3.83, a risk-free interest rate of 3.57%, a volatility
of 40%, and no assumed dividend yield. Based on these assumptions, the fair value of these options is approximately $2.17 per share
option granted.
At December 31, 2018, under the 2015 Plan, the risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rate for the expected life at the
time of grant. The expected volatility is based on the average long-term historical volatilities of peer companies. We intend to continue
to consistently use the same group of publicly traded peer companies to determine expected volatility until sufficient information
regarding volatility of our share price becomes available or the selected companies are no longer suitable for this purpose. Due to our
limited trading history, we are using the “simplified method” to calculate expected holding periods, which represent the periods of time
for which options granted are expected to be outstanding. We will continue to use this method until we have sufficient historical
exercise experience to give us confidence in the reliability of our calculations. The fair values of these options were determined using
the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
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The following table outlines the assumptions based on the number of options granted under the 2015 Plan.
Number of options granted
Options outstanding at December 31, 2018
Number exercisable at December 31, 2018
Exercise price
Remaining lives
Risk free interest rate
Expected volatility
Expected life
Dividend yield
Fair value at grant date
February 10,
2017
40,000
35,000
11,900
13.00
8.12
1.89%
27.44%
6.000
—
3.98
May 17,
2017
93,819
83,647
28,214
15.41
$
8.38
1.76%
26.92%
6.000
—
4.60
March 7,
2018
98,100
95,700
—
21.21
9.19
2.65%
28.76%
6.000
0.83%
$
6.37
March 13,
2018
26,000
26,000
8,840
21.49
9.21
2.62%
28.76%
5.495
0.82%
6.18
$
$
$
$
$
$
The Company has recorded compensation expense related to the options based on the provisions of ASC 718 under which the
fixed portion of such expense is determined as the fair value of the options on the date of grant and amortized over the vesting period.
The Company recorded compensation expense related to the options of approximately $0.7 million and $0.4 million for the years ended
December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Total unrecognized compensation expense related to options at December 31, 2018, is $0.3
million, which will be expensed over 1.74 years.
Performance-based restricted stock units (“PRSUs”) are restricted stock units subject to both performance-based and service-based
vesting conditions. The number of shares of common stock a recipient will receive upon vesting of a PRSU will be calculated by
reference to certain performance metrics related to the Company’s performance over a five-year period. PRSUs will vest on the
measurement date, which is no more than 65 days after the performance period, provided the applicable service and performance
conditions are satisfied. On March 31, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors granted 94,000 PRSUs to employees of the Company.
On March 7, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors granted an additional 96,000 PRSUs to employees of the Company. The fair
values of the PRSUs granted on March 31, 2017, and March 7, 2018, are $15.60 and $21.21, respectively, the Company’s stock price
on the date of grant. At December 31, 2018, there are 184,000 PRSUs outstanding, all of which are unvested. The Company recorded
compensation expense related to the PRSUs of approximately $0.6 million and $0.3 million in the consolidated statements of income
for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, based on the probability of achieving the performance condition. Total
unrecognized compensation expense related to these awards at December 31, 2018, is $2.6 million, which will be expensed over the
service period based on the probability of achieving the performance condition.
Note 17. Contingencies
We are a party from time to time to various proceedings in the ordinary course of business. For a description of the Master
Settlement Agreement, to which we are a party, see “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data − Note 2 Summary of Significant
Accounting Policies: Risk and Uncertainties.” Other than the proceedings mentioned below, there is no material litigation, arbitration
or governmental proceeding currently pending against us or any of our officers or directors in their capacity as such, and we and our
officers and directors have not been subject to any such proceeding.
Other major tobacco companies are defendants in product liability claims. The Company has been a defendant in a number of
smokeless tobacco product liability cases in the past. All of those cases have been dismissed with prejudice and the Company has no
tobacco product liability cases against it. The Company is subject to several lawsuits alleging personal injuries resulting from
malfunctioning vaporizer devices and batteries and may be subject to claims in the future relating to other NewGen products. The
Company is still evaluating these claims and the potential defenses to them. For example, the Company did not design or manufacture
the products at issue; rather, the Company was merely the distributor. Nonetheless, there can be no assurance that the Company will
prevail in these cases, and they could have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the
Company.
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The Company is engaged in discussions and mediation with VMR and Juul, which acquired VMR in 2018. Pursuant to a
Distribution and Supply Agreement (“VMR Agreement”), VMR was providing the Company with V2 e-cigarettes for exclusive
distribution in bricks-and-mortar stores in the United States. Under the terms of the VMR Agreement, in the event of termination
following a change in control, the acquirer is required to make a payment to the Company under a formula designed to provide the
Company with a fair share of the value created by the Company’s performance under the VMR Agreement. As of December 31, 2018,
there is no assurance as to the outcome of this situation. Thus, the impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or
cash flows are uncertain as of December 31, 2018.
Note 18. Income Per Share
The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS computations of net income:
December 31, 2018
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Income
Shares
Per
Share
Income
Shares
Per
Share
Income
Shares
Per
Share
Net income attributable to
Turning Point Brands, Inc.
$ 25,289
$ 20,209
$ 26,913
Basic EPS:
Weighted average
Diluted EPS:
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options
Note 19. Segment Information
19,355,607
$ 1.31
18,989,177
$ 1.06
16,470,352
$ 1.63
471,955
523,831
1,545,193
19,827,562
$ 1.28
19,513,008
$ 1.04
18,015,545
$ 1.49
In accordance with ASC 280, Segment Reporting, the Company has three reportable segments, (1) Smokeless products; (2)
Smoking products; and (3) NewGen products. The Smokeless products segment (a) manufactures and markets moist snuff and (b)
contracts for and markets chewing tobacco products. The Smoking products segment (a) imports and markets cigarette papers, tubes,
and related products; (b) imports and markets finished cigars, MYO cigar tobaccos, and cigar wraps; and (c) processes, packages, and
markets pipe tobaccos. The NewGen products segment (a) markets e-cigarettes, e-liquids, vaporizers, and other related products and (b)
distributes a wide assortment of vaping products to non-traditional retail outlets via VaporBeast and Vapor Shark. Smokeless and
Smoking products are distributed primarily through wholesale distributors in the United States while NewGen products are distributed
primarily through e-commerce to non-traditional retail outlets in the United States. The Other segment includes the assets of the
Company not assigned to one of the three reportable segments such as deferred taxes and deferred financing fees for the Revolving
Credit Facility. The Company had no customer that accounted for more than 10% of net sales in 2018, 2017, or 2016.
The accounting policies of these segments are the same as those of the Company. Corporate costs are not directly charged to the
three reportable segments in the ordinary course of operations. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments and allocates
resources to them based on operating income. In 2017, corporate costs were allocated to the segments based on net sales. Management
believes that this allocation does not reflect the operations of the business. Prior periods have been adjusted to conform to current year
presentation.
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The table below presents financial information about reported segments:
Net sales
Smokeless products
Smoking products
NewGen products
Gross profit
Smokeless products
Smoking products
NewGen products
Operating income (loss)
Smokeless products
Smoking products
NewGen products
Corporate unallocated (1)
Interest expense
Interest income
Investment income
Loss on extinguishment of debt
Net periodic benefit expense, excluding service cost
Income before income taxes
Capital expenditures
Smokeless products
Smoking products
NewGen products
Depreciation and amortization
Smokeless products
Smoking products
NewGen products
(1)
Includes corporate costs that are not allocated to any of the three reportable segments.
Assets
Smokeless products
Smoking products
NewGen products
Corporate unallocated (1)
For the year ended December 31,
2017
2016
2018
$ 90,031 $ 84,560 $ 77,913
111,005
17,310
206,228
111,507
131,145
332,683 $
109,956
91,261
285,777 $
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
46,490 $
57,043
39,026
142,559 $
42,703 $
57,146
25,121
124,970 $
38,823
57,595
4,127
100,545
28,920 $
42,650
6,752
(29,838)
48,484 $
15,086
(267)
(424)
2,384
131
31,574 $
1,559 $
—
708
2,267 $
1,360 $
—
1,750
3,110 $
28,005 $
43,816
3,178
(25,320)
49,680 $
16,904
(15)
(438)
6,116
180
26,933 $
1,928 $
—
93
2,021 $
1,400 $
—
928
2,328 $
24,571
44,213
(924)
(23,941)
43,919
26,739
(118)
(768)
2,824
334
14,908
2,975
—
232
3,207
1,227
—
58
1,285
December 31,
2018
December 31,
2017
$
$
99,441 $
142,520
95,397
2,019
339,377 $
94,559
141,869
44,914
935
282,277
(1)
Includes assets not assigned to the three reportable segments. All goodwill has been allocated to the reportable segments.
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Revenue Disaggregation—Sales Channel
Revenues of the Smokeless and Smoking segments are comprised of sales made to wholesalers while NewGen sales are made to
wholesalers, retailers, and ultimate end-customers. NewGen net sales are broken out by sales channel below.
NewGen Segment
For the year ended December 31,
2017
2018
Wholesalers
Retail outlets
End-customers
Other
$
$
8,798 $
95,334
26,897
116
131,145 $
10,573 $
72,005
8,645
38
91,261 $
Net Sales: Domestic and Foreign
The following table shows a breakdown of consolidated net sales between domestic and foreign.
2016
13,009
4,155
146
—
17,310
Domestic
Foreign
Total
$
$
For the year ended December 31,
2017
272,927 $
12,850
285,777 $
2018
317,046 $
15,637
332,683 $
2016
196,348
9,880
206,228
Note 20. Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
The following table presents the quarterly operating results:
2018
Net sales
Gross profit
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Basic net income per share
Diluted net income per share
2017
Net sales
Gross profit
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Basic net income per share
Diluted net income per share
(1)
(2)
Includes $1,883 of loss on extinguishment of debt, net of tax of $501
Includes $3,792 of loss on extinguishment of debt, net of tax of $2,324
1 st
2 nd
3 rd
4 th
$ 73,942
31,809
(1)
3,032
0.16
0.15
$
$ 66,788
27,672
(2)
1,877
0.10
0.10
$
$
$
$
$
81,101 $
35,795
83,349 $
36,211
94,291
38,744
9,319
0.48
0.47 $
7,954
0.41
0.40 $
4,984
0.25
0.25
72,086 $
32,010
73,340 $
32,968
73,563
32,320
7,439
0.39
0.38 $
7,374
0.39
0.38 $
3,519
0.18
0.18
The amounts presented in the table above are computed independently for each quarter. As a result, their sum may not equal the
total year amounts.
Note 21. Dividends
On November 9, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the initiation of a cash dividend to shareholders. The initial
quarterly dividend of $0.04 per common share was paid on December 15, 2017 to shareholders of record at the close of business on
November 27, 2017. The most recent dividend of $0.045 per common share was paid on January 11, 2019, to shareholders of record at
the close of business on December 21, 2018.
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Dividends, among other disbursements assets, are classified as restricted payments within the 2018 Credit Facility. The Company
is generally permitted to make restricted payments provided that, at the time of payment, or as a result of payment, the Company is not
in default. Additional restrictions limit the aggregate amount of restricted, quarterly dividends during a fiscal year to the aggregate
amount of mandatory and voluntary principal payments made on the priority term loans during the fiscal year.
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Item 9.
Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of December 31, 2018, the Company’s management, with participation of the Company’s President and Chief Executive
Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and
procedures as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e). Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the
Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2018.
Internal Control
Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we have included a report that provides management’s assessment of
our internal control over financial reporting as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Management’s report is included below under the caption entitled “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial
Reporting,” and is incorporated herein by reference. Our independent registered public accounting firm is not yet required to formally
attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and will not be required to do so for as long as we are an
“emerging growth company” pursuant to the provisions of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012.
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2018 that have
materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Turning Point Brand, Inc.’s internal controls over financial reporting.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The consolidated financial statements appearing in this Annual Report have been prepared by the management that is responsible
for their preparation, integrity, and fair presentation. The statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the
consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in
Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Our internal control system was designed to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to
be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Further, because of
changes in conditions, the effectiveness of an internal control system may vary over time.
Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (“COSO ICIF”), our management concluded that our
internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2018. In conducting management's evaluation as described
above, IVG was excluded. The operations of IVG excluded from management's assessment of internal control over financial reporting,
represent approximately 4.6% of the Company's consolidated revenues and approximately 2.9% of total assets as of December 31,
2018.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO, we conducted an evaluation of the
effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on the framework in COSO ICIF. Based
on that evaluation, our management concluded our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on the criteria described
above as of December 31, 2018.
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Our independent registered public accounting firm is not yet required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls
over financial reporting and will not be required to do so for as long as we are an “emerging growth company” pursuant to the
provisions of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012.
/s/ Lawrence S. Wexler
Lawrence S. Wexler
President and Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Robert Lavan
Robert Lavan
Chief Financial Officer
/s/ Brian Wigginton
Brian Wigginton
Chief Accounting Officer
Date: March 6, 2019
Date: March 6, 2019
Date: March 6, 2019
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
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PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required for this Item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our
2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required for this Item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our
2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required for this Item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our
2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required for this Item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our
2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required for this Item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with our
2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.
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PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
a)
Financial Information
(1) Financial Statements: See “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
(2) Financial Statement Schedule: Information required by this item is included within the consolidated financial statements
or notes in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(3) Exhibits – See (b) below
b) Exhibits Index to Exhibits
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Index to Exhibits
Exhibit
No
2
Description
Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of November 17, 2016, by and among National Tobacco Company, L.P., the Sellers
named therein and Smoke Free Technologies, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on November 17, 2016).
2.1
3.1
3.2
4.1
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
International Vapor Group Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of September 5, 2018, between Turning Point
Brands,Inc. and International Vapor Group, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 7, 2018).
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Turning Point Brands, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 16, 2016).
Amended and Restated By-laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on
Form S-1/A (File No. 333-207816) filed on November 24, 2015).
Registration Rights Agreement of Turning Point Brands, Inc. dated May 10, 2016, between Turning Point Brands, Inc.
and the Stockholders named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed on May 16, 2016).
Turning Point Brands, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to
the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A
(File No. 333-207816) filed on November 5, 2015).†
Form of Stock Option Award Agreement under the 2015 Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the
Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 13, 2017).†
Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Turning Point Brands, Inc. 2015 Equity
Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on
May 11, 2017).
2006 Equity Incentive Plan of Turning Point Brands, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s
Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-207816) filed on November 5, 2015).†
Amendment No. 1 to the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan of North Atlantic Holding Company, Inc. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 13, 2017).†
Amendment No. 2 to the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan of North Atlantic Holding Company, Inc. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 13, 2017).†
Amendment No. 3 to the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan of North Atlantic Holding Company, Inc. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 7, 2017).†
Amendment No. 4 to the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan of North Atlantic Holding Company, Inc. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.54 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 13, 2017).†
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Exhibit
No
10.9
10.10
10.11
10.12
10.13
10.14
10.15
10.16
10.17
10.18
10.19
Description
Form of Award Agreement under the 2006 Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s
Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-207816) filed on November 5, 2015).†
Form of Cash-Out Agreement under the 2006 Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on February 7, 2017).†
Form of Indemnification Agreement between Turning Point Brands, Inc. and certain directors and officers (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333- 207816) filed on
November 24, 2015).
Form of Indemnification Agreement between Turning Point Brands, Inc. and certain directors and officers (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-207816) filed on
November 24, 2015).
Form of Indemnification Agreement between Turning Point Brands, Inc. and Standard General Master Fund, L.P.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-
207816) filed on November 24, 2015).†
Employment Agreement between Turning Point Brands, Inc. and Lawrence Wexler dated November 23, 2015
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 16, 2016).†
Employment Agreement between Turning Point Brands, Inc. and Mark Stegeman, dated November 23, 2015
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 16, 2016).†
Employment Agreement between Turning Point Brands, Inc. and Mr. Robert M. Lavan dated March 13, 2018
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2018).
Contract Manufacturing, Packaging and Distribution Agreement dated as of September 4, 2008, between National
Tobacco Company, L.P. and Swedish Match North America, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the
Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-207816) filed on November 24, 2015).
Amended and Restated Distribution and License Agreement dated as of November 30, 1992, between Bolloré
Technologies, S.A. and North Atlantic Trading Company, Inc., as predecessor to North Atlantic Operating Company,
Inc. (U.S.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement
(Reg. No. 333-31931) on Form S-4/A filed with the Commission on September 17, 1997).
Amended and Restated Distribution and License Agreement dated as of November 30, 1992, between Bolloré
Technologies, S.A. and North Atlantic Trading Company, Inc., as predecessor to North Atlantic Operating Company,
Inc. (Canada) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement
(Reg. No. 333-31931) on Form S-4/A filed with the Commission on September 17, 1997).
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Exhibit
No
10.20
10.21
10.22
10.23
10.24
10.25
10.26
10.27
10.28
10.29
Description
Amendment to the Amended and Restated Distribution and License Agreement dated March 31, 1993 between Bolloré
Technologies, S.A. and North Atlantic Trading Company, Inc. (U.S. & Canada) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.22 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-207816) filed on November 5, 2015).
Amendment to the Amended and Restated Distribution and License Agreements dated June 10, 1996, between Bolloré
Technologies, S.A. and North Atlantic Trading Company, Inc. (U.S. & Canada) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.23 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-207816) filed on November 5, 2015).
Amendment to the Amended and Restated Distribution and License Agreement dated September 1996, between Bolloré
Technologies, S.A. and North Atlantic Trading Company, Inc. (U.S. & Canada) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.24 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-207816) filed on November 5, 2015).
Restated Amendment to the Amended and Restated Distribution and License Agreement between Bolloré Technologies,
S.A. and North Atlantic Operating Company, Inc. dated June 25, 1997 (U.S. & Canada) (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.5 to Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (Reg. No. 333-31931) on Form S-4/A filed
with the Commission on September 17, 1997).
Amendment to the Amended and Restated Distribution and License Agreement dated October 22, 1997, between
Bolloré Technologies, S.A. and North Atlantic Operating Company, Inc. (U.S. & Canada) (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.31 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997).
Amendment to the Amended and Restated Distribution and License Agreement dated June 19, 2002, between Bolloré
S.A. and North Atlantic Operating Company, Inc. (U.S. & Canada) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the
Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-207816) filed on November 5, 2015).
Trademark Consent Agreement, dated March 26, 1997, between Bolloré Technologies, S.A. and North Atlantic Trading
Company, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File
No. 333-207816) filed on November 5, 2015).
Amendment to the Amended and Restated Distribution and License Agreement dated February 28, 2005, between
Bolloré S.A. and North Atlantic Operating Company, Inc. (U.S. & Canada) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33
to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-207816) filed on November 5, 2015).
Amendment to the Amended and Restated Di stribution and License Agreement dated April 20, 2006, between Bolloré
S.A. and North Atlantic Operating Company, Inc. (U.S. & Canada) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2006).
Amendment to the Amended and Restated Distribution and License Agreement dated March 10, 2010, between Bolloré
S.A. and North Atlantic Operating Company, Inc. (U.S. & Canada) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the
Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-207816) filed on November 5, 2015).
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Exhibit
No
10.30
10.31
10.32
10.33
10.34
10.35
10.36
10.37
10.38
10.39
10.40
Description
Consent Agreement dated as of April 4, 1997, between Bolloré Technologies, S.A. and North Atlantic Trading
Company, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File
No. 333-207816) filed on November 5, 2015).
Amendment No. 1 to Consent Agreement dated as of April 9, 1997, between Bolloré Technologies, S.A. and North
Atlantic Operating Company, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement
on Form S-1 (File No. 333-207816) filed on November 5, 2015).
Amendment No. 2 to Consent Agreement dated as of June 25, 1997, between Bolloré Technologies, S.A. and North
Atlantic Operating Company, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement
on Form S-1 (File No. 333-207816) filed on November 5, 2015).
Trademark Consent Agreement dated July 31, 2003, among Bolloré Technologies, S.A., North Atlantic Trading
Company, Inc. and North Atlantic Operating Company, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the
Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1
(File No. 333-207816) filed on November 5, 2015).
Amendment No. 2 to Trademark Consent Agreement dated December 17, 2012, between Bolloré S.A. and North
Atlantic Operating Company, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement
on Form S-1 (File No. 333-207816) filed on November 5, 2015).
License and Distribution Agreement dated March 19, 2013 between Bolloré S.A. and North Atlantic Operating
Company, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File
No. 333-207816) filed on November 5, 2015).
Distributors Supply Agreement dated as of April 1, 2013, between National Tobacco Company, L.P. and JJA
Distributors, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A
(File No. 333-207816) filed on November 24, 2015).
Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Exchange and Stockholders’ Agreement dated April 28, 2016
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-
207816) filed on April 28, 2016).
First Lien Credit Agreement dated as of February 17, 2017, by and among Turning Point Brands, Inc., Fifth Third Bank,
and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed on February 17, 2017).
Second Lien Credit Agreement dated as of February 17, 2017, by and among Turning Point Brands, Inc., as the
Borrower, Prospect Capital Corporation, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 17, 2017).
First Lien Guaranty and Security Agreement dated as of February 17, 2017, by and among Turning Point Brands, Inc.,
Fifth Third Bank, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on February 17, 2017).
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Exhibit
No
10.41
10.42
10.43
10.44
10.45
10.46
10.47
10.48
10.49
10.50
10.51
Second Lien Guaranty and Security Agreement dated as of February 17, 2017, by and among Turning Point Brands,
Inc., Prospect Capital Corporation, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the
Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 17, 2017).
Description
Intercreditor Agreement dated as of February 17, 2017, by and among Turning Point Brands, Inc., the other grantors
party thereto, Fifth Third Bank, as first lien collateral agent, and Prospect Capital Corporation, as second lien collateral
agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 17,
2017).
Amended and Restated First Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2018, by and among Turning Point Brands,
Inc. and its subsidiaries, as the obligors, Fifth Third Bank, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 8, 2018).
Amended and Restated Second Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2018, by and among Turning Point Brands,
Inc. and its subsidiaries, as obligors, Prospect Capital Corporation, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 8, 2018).
Omnibus Amendment, Reaffirmation Agreement and Joinder, dated as of March 7, 2018, by and among Turning Point
Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries, as the Grantors, Fifth Third Bank, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 8, 2018).
Second Lien Omnibus Amendment, Reaffirmation Agreement and Joinder, dated as of March 7, 2018, by and among
Turning Point Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries, as the Grantors, Fifth Third Bank, as administrative agent, and the
lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on
March 8, 2018).
First Amendment to Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2018, by and among Turning Point
Brands, Inc., and the other grantors party thereto, Fifth Third Bank, as first lien collateral agent, and Prospect Capital
Corporation, as second lien collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Current Report
on Form 8-K filed on March 8, 2018).
Form of Installment Note issued to VaporBeast Stockholders on November 30, 2016 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 2, 2016).
Form of 18-Month Note issued to VaporBeast Stockholders on November 30, 2016 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 2, 2016).
Form of Guaranty to VaporBeast Shareholders dated November 17, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to
the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 2, 2016).
Release and Severance Agreement dated as of May 2, 2018, between Turning Point Brands, Inc. and Mark A. Stegeman
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 9, 2018).†
95
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Exhibit
No
10.52
21
23
Amendment to the Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Agreement dated as of May 3, 2018, between Turning Point
Brands, Inc. and Mark A. Stegeman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q filed on May 9, 2018).†
Description
Subsidiaries of Turning Point Brands, Inc.*
Consent of RSM US, LLP.*
31.1
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
31.2
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
31.3
Certification of Principal Accounting Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.1
101
Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language). The following materials from Turning Point Brands, Inc.’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, formatted in XBRL: (i) consolidated
balance sheets, (ii) consolidated statements of income, (iii) consolidated statements of comprehensive income, (iv)
consolidated statements of changes in stockholder’s equity (deficit), (v) consolidated statements of cash flows, and (vi)
notes to the consolidated financial statements.*
*
†
Filed herewith
Compensatory plan or arrangement
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
Not applicable.
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Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, on March 6, 2019.
TURNING POINT BRANDS, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
By:
Name:
Title:
By:
Name:
Title:
/s/ Lawrence S. Wexler
Lawrence S. Wexler
Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Robert Lavan
Robert Lavan
Chief Financial Officer
/s/ Brian Wigginton
Brian Wigginton
Chief Accounting Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
By:
By:
By:
By:
By:
By:
By:
By:
By:
By:
/s/ Lawrence S. Wexler
Lawrence S. Wexler
/s/ Robert Lavan
Robert Lavan
/s/ Brian Wigginton
Brian Wigginton
/s/ Thomas F. Helms, Jr.
Thomas F. Helms, Jr.
/s/ Gregory H. A. Baxter
Gregory H. A. Baxter
/s/ H. C. Charles Diao
H. C. Charles Diao
/s/ David Glazek
David Glazek
/s/ Peggy Hebard
Peggy Hebard
/s/ Arnold Zimmerman
Arnold Zimmerman
/s/ Ashley Davis Frushone
Ashley Davis Frushone
Director, Chief Executive Officer
March 6, 2019
Chief Financial Officer
March 6, 2019
Chief Accounting Officer
March 6, 2019
Chairman of the Board of Directors
March 6, 2019
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
97
March 6, 2019
March 6, 2019
March 6, 2019
March 6, 2019
March 6, 2019
March 6, 2019
Subsidiaries of Turning Point Brands, Inc.
The following list outlines the subsidiaries of Turning Point Brands, Inc., December 31, 2018.
Exhibit 21
Entity
Turning Point Brands, Inc.
North Atlantic Trading Company, Inc.
National Tobacco Finance, LLC
National Tobacco Company, L.P.
North Atlantic Operating Company, Inc.
North Atlantic Cigarette Company, Inc.
RBJ Sales, Inc.
Turning Point Brands, LLC
Intrepid Brands, LLC
Vapor Beast LLC
Vapor Shark, LLC
Vapor Shark Franchising, LLC
Vapor Acquisitions Company LLC
Vapor Finance LLC
International Vapor Group LLC
South Beach Smoke LLC
Vaporfi LLC
Beechwellness LLC
Vaporfi Franchising LLC
Montley Brew E-Liquids LLC
Direct Vapor LLC
IVG PA, Inc.
Vaporfi Limited
Jurisdiction of Organization
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Tennessee
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Florida
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
England
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the incorporation by reference in (i) Registration Statement No. 333-211321 on Form S-8 of Turning Point Brands, Inc.
and (ii) Registration Statement No. 333-219114 on Form S-3 of Turning Point Brands, Inc. of our report dated March 6, 2019 relating
to our audit of the consolidated financial statements of Turning Point Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries which appears in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K of Turning Point Brands, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Exhibit 23
/s/ RSM US LLP
Greensboro, North Carolina
March 6, 2019
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF SARBANES-OXLEY ACT
I, Lawrence S. Wexler, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Turning Point Brands, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with
respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all
material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in
this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures
(as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act
Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to
us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed
under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions
about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such
evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the
registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially
affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial
reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the
equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting
which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial
information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the
registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: March 6, 2019
By:
/s/ LAWRENCE S. WEXLER
Lawrence S. Wexler
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF SARBANES-OXLEY ACT
I, Robert Lavan, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Turning Point Brands, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with
respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all
material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in
this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures
(as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act
Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to
us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed
under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions
about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such
evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the
registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially
affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial
reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the
equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting
which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial
information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the
registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: March 6, 2019
By:
/s/ ROBERT LAVAN
Robert Lavan
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Exhibit 31.3
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF SARBANES-OXLEY ACT
I, Brian Wigginton, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Turning Point Brands, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with
respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all
material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in
this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures
(as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act
Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to
us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed
under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions
about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such
evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the
registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially
affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial
reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the
equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting
which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial
information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the
registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: March 6, 2019
By:
/s/ BRIAN WIGGINTON
Brian Wigginton
Chief Accounting Officer
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT
In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Turning Point Brands, Inc. (the “Company”) for the year ended December 31,
2018, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), we, Lawrence S. Wexler, President and
Chief Executive Officer, Robert Lavan, Chief Financial Officer, and Brian Wigginton, Chief Accounting Officer, of the Company,
certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of
the Company for the periods presented therein.
Date: March 6, 2019
Date: March 6, 2019
Date: March 6, 2019
By:
By:
By:
/s/ LAWRENCE S. WEXLER
Lawrence S. Wexler
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ ROBERT LAVAN
Robert Lavan
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ BRIAN WIGGINTON
Brian Wigginton
Chief Accounting Officer