Karat Packaging Q4 2023 Earnings Report
Key Takeaways
Karat Packaging Inc. reported a 3.1% increase in net sales to $95.6 million for Q4 2023, driven by volume growth, though offset by pricing comparisons. Gross profit increased by 14.9% to $34.1 million, with gross margin expanding to 35.7%. Net income was $4.2 million, slightly down from $4.5 million in the prior-year quarter, with adjusted EBITDA at $8.6 million.
Net sales increased by 3.1% to $95.6 million, driven by a 7.3% increase in sales volume.
Gross profit increased by 14.9% to $34.1 million, and gross margin expanded to 35.7%.
Sales of eco-friendly products grew 11% and comprised 33% of total net sales.
The company signed a new lease for a distribution center in Arizona to penetrate key U.S. markets.
Karat Packaging
Karat Packaging
Karat Packaging Revenue by Segment
Forward Guidance
Karat Packaging anticipates a low to mid-single digit increase in net sales for Q1 2024 and projects an 8 to 15 percent increase in net sales for the full year 2024. The gross margin goal for the first quarter of 2024 is 37 to 39 percent, and for the full year 2024, it is 35 to 38 percent, assuming no significant increases in ocean freight rates.
Positive Outlook
- Net sales for full year 2024 expected to increase 8 to 15 percent from the prior year.
- Gross margin goal for full year 2024: 35 to 38 percent assuming no significant increases in ocean freight rates.
- Net sales for the 2024 first quarter expected to increase low to mid-single digit from the prior-year quarter.
- New distribution center in Arizona expected to be fully operational early in the second quarter.
- Implementing automation and AI technologies to enhance operation and distribution productivity.
Challenges Ahead
- Gross margin goal for the 2024 first quarter: 37 to 39 percent versus 39.8 percent for 2023 first quarter.
- Revenue was impacted principally by year-over-year pricing comparisons
- Revenue was impacted principally by start-up delays into 2024 by several new national and regional chain accounts
- Operating expenses in the 2023 fourth quarter included a negative impact totaling $3.6 million from the vendor prepayment write-off and the adjustments noted above.
- Adjusted EBITDA of $8.6 million, including the negative impact totaling $2.3 million from the import duty reserve, versus $9.9 million in the prior-year quarter.
Revenue & Expenses
Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income