December 1999 Insight:
Galaxy Nutritional Foods ANNOUNCES SALES INCREASE OF 39% AND EARNINGS
PER SHARE IMPROVEMENT OF 60% IN SECOND FISCAL QUARTER...
Galaxy Nutritional Foods (AMEX: GXY) is pleased to report
that sales for its second fiscal quarter ended September
30, 1999 rose 39% to $10,521,630 compared to $7,583,838
in the like period for the previous year. Driven by
strength in gross margins, net income rose to $784,720.
Gross margins for the quarter increased to 36% as
compared to 31% for the same quarter last year. This
resulted in a spurt in earnings per share to $0.08,
a 60% improvement over last year's EPS of $0.05.
Were
it not for the effects of Hurricane Floyd, which adversely
impacted this year's second quarter results, the Company's
sales and earnings would have been greater than reported.
Nevertheless, per share earnings of $0.15 for the
half exceeded the $0.14 EPS recorded for the entire
1999 fiscal year.
The Company continues to increase sales, as mass-market
acceptance of soy-based dairy alternatives has become
a mega-trend in the retail industry. Consumers now
understand the importance of a diet low in fat and
high in nutritious foods from the plant kingdom. In
addition to increasing sales, the Company has improved
efficiencies through longer production runs, automated
systems and savings on bulk rate material purchases.
The Company expects to file its form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 1999 on or about November
12, 1999.
Galaxy's President and CEO, Angelo Morini, commented,
"We are excited about the continued growth in
the Company's sales and bottom line profits. Our growth
is the result of many years of hard work and a gradual
process of educating the public about the benefits
of dairy and meat alternatives". Stated Morini,
"This month, the FDA released a health claim
stating a diet rich in soy products can reduce the
risk of heart disease. Our Veggie line of products
is made from soy and helps consumers fill their daily
requirement of soy protein. We are expanding our Veggie
line to include such items as Veggie shreds and yogurts,
not to mention the introduction of new flavors of
our popular slices."
GALAXY SHINES AT PMA...
This year's Produce Manufacturers Association exhibition,
in Atlanta, was a huge success for Galaxy. With its
newly redesigned island booth and a wide variety of
recently introduced Veggie products, Galaxy made quite
a statement at the exhibit. Galaxy's Corporate Executive
Chef, Susan Harman, prepared a variety of delicious
gourmet menu items made with Veggie products and visitors
were positively surprised at the wonderful tastes.
The exhibit provided excellent opportunities for sales
representatives from Galaxy to meet with brokers and
generate new business leads. Everyone at the show
was excited about the possibilities that the Veggie
product line can offer and the endless marketing opportunities
that exist for produce departments nationwide. PMA
was a great place for Galaxy to showcase its leadership
position in producing innovative, plant based dairy
alternatives.
GALAXY'S PRESIDENT PRESENTS AWARD AT THE AMERICAN
DIETETIC ASSOCIATION EXPO...
Galaxy made a great impression at the American Dietetic
Association expo this year in Atlanta, Georgia. Galaxy
was excited to sponsor a breakfast for Nutrition Entrepreneurs,
a practice group of the ADA consisting of an elite
group of nutritionists and dieticians who have utilized
their specialties in dietetics in non-traditional
ways. Alongside Galaxy, Eggland's Best, Inc., known
for its healthy egg product line, also contributed
products to the breakfast. Galaxy's flagship Veggie
products and Eggland's Best healthy eggs were served
for breakfast.
Angelo S. Morini, Galaxy's President & CEO and
a true entrepreneur himself, addressed attendees at
the breakfast with his own personal biography. In
addition, he presented the award for Entrepreneur
of the Year.
Galaxy's staff nutritionist, Dr. Susan Mitchell, is
a member of NE and has been instrumental in maintaining
Galaxy's alliance with the group. We look forward
to a successful partnership with the American Dietetic
Association and Nutrition Entrepreneurs.
FDA'S SOY HEALTH CLAIM GIVES Galaxy Nutritional Foods
VEGGIE PRODUCTS BIG BOOST...
Galaxy is excited about The Food and Drug Administration's
health claim approved October 26, correlating the
consumption of soy protein with reducing the risks
of heart disease. The Company anticipates that the
FDA announcement will further advance Galaxy's already
popular line of soy-based dairy alternatives by increasing
consumer awareness of soy foods.
According to the FDA, for a food to qualify for the
health claim each serving must provide 6.25 grams
of soy protein, or one-fourth of the recommended 25
grams of soy protein per day, in order to reduce the
risks of heart disease. An example of the FDA's announcement
states "25 grams of soy protein per day, as part
of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may
reduce the risk of heart disease. A serving of Veggie
Milk provides 9 grams of soy protein."
The introduction of several new products including
Veggie Milk, Veggie Yogurt, The Ultimate
Smoothie and Veggie Soy Protein Powder,
strategically positions Galaxy with the FDA's new
health claim. Galaxy's Veggie Milk, recently
introduced as the world's most nutritious milk, exceeds
the proposed health claim by providing 9 grams of
soy protein per 8 oz. serving. In addition, Veggie
Milk is saturated fat free, cholesterol free,
lactose free and contains a significant amount of
calcium. Galaxy's entire line of Veggie products,
including Veggie Slices, Veggie Butter,
Veggie Yogurt and Veggie Shreds, offer
consumers an incredibly nutritious and great tasting
way to incorporate soy protein in any diet.
Angelo S. Morini, Galaxy's President & CEO states,
"It is important that consumers are aware of
the foods that may help prevent cardiovascular disease
as well as reduce the risks of certain forms of cancer
and prevent the symptoms of menopause. Our Veggie
products provide many of these health benefits, which
are associated with soy consumption, while being saturated
fat free, lactose free and cholesterol free. Galaxy
is proud to be a leader in producing soy based products
and a major contributor to the fight against heart
disease."
VEGGIE STARS ON FOX...
The FDA's recent health claim linking the consumption
of soy protein to reduced risks of heart disease has
put Galaxy on center stage. On November 1, Orlando's
Fox News affiliate, channel 35, visited Galaxy's new
Veggie Culinary School reporting on the significant
benefits of soy-based products. Galaxy's staff nutritionist,
Dr. Susan Mitchell, PhD, RD, CNS, who was interviewed
by Fox's news reporter about the benefits of soy,
was delighted to acquaint viewers with the wonderful
advantages of going " Veggie". Dr. Mitchell
stated, "In your body, it (soy) gives your body
a punch". In addition, Dr. Mitchell mentioned
the effects soy has on strenghtening the body's immune
system and creating an overall balance in the body.
You too can experience the goodness of Veggie by looking
in your grocer's produce section. See you there!!
NORTH AMERICA'S FAVORITE...
October found Soyco Foods in a whirlwind of activity
as the product line headed to Toronto for the Canadian
Health Food Association's annual Expo East and then
on to Baltimore for the U.S. Natural Products Expo
East. Natural products retailers, from across North
America, attended the expositions searching for new
and innovative products. Galaxy's all-natural product
line, Soyco, was just what they were looking for.
Several thousand attendees were on hand at the CHFA
Expo where they sampled Soyco Foods products and shared
their customers' enthusiasm for the product line.
The retailers were quick to report their exceptional
sales success resulting from the sale of the Soyco
product line. The Canadian market has seen substantial
growth over the past year with the introduction of
bilingual Canadian packaging for several of Galaxy's
top selling American products. As the Canadian marketplace
continues to ripen for expansion for Soyco Foods,
Galaxy continues to structure its sales representation
to provide specialized brokers in each Canadian providence.
In Baltimore, a much larger show than CHFA, over 20,000
individuals were in attendance. A majority of the
key natural product store chains, including top distributors,
stopped by to sample Galaxy's newest flavors of Wholesome
Valley Organic slices. The new flavors include Mozzarella,
Pepper Jack and Swiss. Galaxy was also proud to present
the full product line of The Ultimate Smoothie, Ultimate
Smoothie Bars and the brand new Veggie Blast product
line formulated for children. Response was extremely
favorable to these new items, which should be in national
distribution by the beginning of next year. The nutraceutical
line of products, specifically, will enable the Soyco
Foods distribution channel to post significant gains
for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Looking ahead, Galaxy's Soyco staff is already deep
into the planning stages for the largest health food
show of the year, Natural Products Expo West, scheduled
for March 2000 in Anaheim,California.
CONGRATULATIONS...
Galaxy is pleased to announce the appointment of P.
Dan Kreitzer to
Vice President of Engineering. For 18 years, Dan has
given outstanding service to the Company and upheld
the highest level of integrity and loyalty in his
job. Dan's outstanding performance has been instrumental
in continuously improving the Company's manufacturing
operations throughout his tenure.
Galaxy would like to extend its appreciation to Dan
and his wife, Carol, for the support they have given
the Company over the years.
Thank you for the years of hard work and dedication!!
QUOTE OF THE MONTH...
Behold, I do not give lectures or a little charity.
When I give, I give myself.
Walt
Whitman