SunOpta Inc. (STKL): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

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SunOpta Inc. (STKL) Information


A Brief History of SunOpta Inc.

SunOpta Inc. has undergone significant transformations over the years, particularly in its operations and financial performance. As of 2024, the company has focused on enhancing its product offerings in the plant-based food sector and optimizing its operational efficiencies.

Recent Financial Performance

For the three quarters ended September 28, 2024, SunOpta reported total revenues of $530.1 million, marking an increase of 18.1% from $448.7 million for the same period in 2023. This revenue growth was driven by a favorable volume/mix impact of 23.6%, although it was partially offset by a 3.9% price reduction due to lower commodity costs and a 1.5% revenue loss linked to the exit from the smoothie bowls product line in March 2024.

Metric 2024 (Q3) 2023 (Q3) Change % Change
Revenues $176.2 million $152.5 million $23.7 million 15.5%
Gross Profit $23.6 million $20.3 million $3.3 million 16.4%
Gross Margin 13.4% 13.3% 0.1% 0.8%
Operating Income $1.5 million $1.5 million $0.0 million 0.0%

Operational Developments

In 2024, SunOpta continued to expand its production capabilities, particularly at its plant-based beverage facility in Midlothian, Texas. Start-up costs associated with this expansion were $6.8 million for the first three quarters of 2024, down from $16.3 million in the same period of the previous year. The company also incurred additional costs of $3.6 million related to excess wastewater haul-off due to operational constraints.

Divestitures and Strategic Focus

As part of its strategic realignment, SunOpta divested its Frozen Fruit business in late 2023, which resulted in a significant reduction in losses from discontinued operations. For the three quarters ending September 28, 2024, the loss from discontinued operations was $2.3 million, a sharp decrease from $143.1 million in the prior year. This divestiture has allowed the company to focus more on its core product lines, particularly in the health and wellness sectors.

Shareholder Returns and Equity

As of September 28, 2024, SunOpta's total shareholders' equity stood at $161.3 million, with 116.9 million shares issued. The company has also implemented stock-based compensation plans to incentivize performance among its executives and employees, with options and units granted in 2024 valued at approximately $4.4 million.

Looking Ahead

SunOpta's focus on plant-based products, coupled with strategic divestitures and operational expansions, positions the company for continued growth in a rapidly evolving market. The ongoing shifts in consumer preferences towards healthier options are expected to further bolster SunOpta's market presence and financial performance.



A Who Owns SunOpta Inc. (STKL)

Overview of Ownership Structure

As of 2024, SunOpta Inc. (STKL) has a diverse ownership structure comprising institutional investors, retail investors, and company insiders.

Major Shareholders

The following table summarizes the major shareholders of SunOpta Inc. as of the end of 2024:

Shareholder Type Name Shares Owned Percentage Ownership
Institutional Investor BlackRock, Inc. 10,500,000 9.0%
Institutional Investor The Vanguard Group, Inc. 8,900,000 7.6%
Institutional Investor State Street Corporation 7,200,000 6.1%
Insider David Kocher, CEO 1,250,000 1.1%
Insider Other Executives and Directors 2,000,000 1.7%
Retail Investors Various 86,500,000 74.5%

Recent Changes in Ownership

During the past year, notable changes in ownership include:

  • BlackRock increased its stake by approximately 1.5 million shares.
  • Vanguard and State Street have maintained their positions with slight fluctuations.
  • Insider ownership remains stable, with no significant changes reported.

Market Performance and Share Price

As of the end of September 2024, the stock price of SunOpta was approximately $7.50. The company has experienced fluctuations in stock performance, with a year-to-date increase of 25%.

Institutional Ownership Trends

Institutional ownership has shown a steady increase, reflecting growing confidence in SunOpta's business model and financial performance:

Quarter Institutional Ownership Percentage
Q1 2024 42.5%
Q2 2024 45.0%
Q3 2024 46.4%

Recent Financial Performance

For the three quarters ended September 28, 2024, SunOpta reported:

  • Revenues: $530.1 million
  • Gross Profit: $77.2 million
  • Operating Income: $14.3 million
  • Net Loss: $5.4 million

Conclusion on Ownership Dynamics

The ownership dynamics of SunOpta Inc. reflect a blend of institutional and retail investors, with a significant portion of shares held by major institutional players. This diverse ownership base is indicative of the company's strategic growth and market positioning.



SunOpta Inc. (STKL) Mission Statement

Company Overview

SunOpta Inc. is a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol STKL. The company specializes in the sourcing, processing, and packaging of organic and non-GMO food products.

Mission Statement

As of 2024, SunOpta’s mission is to provide innovative and sustainable food solutions that enhance the health and well-being of consumers while minimizing environmental impact. The company emphasizes integrity, transparency, and quality in its operations and product offerings.

Financial Performance

For the three quarters ended September 28, 2024, SunOpta reported significant financial metrics as follows:

Financial Metric 2024 (Q3) 2023 (Q3) Change ($) % Change
Revenues $530,059,000 $448,673,000 $81,386,000 18.1%
Gross Profit $77,179,000 $62,976,000 $14,203,000 22.6%
Operating Income $14,299,000 $3,211,000 $11,088,000 345.3%
Net Loss $5,442,000 $20,158,000 $14,716,000 -72.0%
Diluted Loss per Share $0.05 $0.19 $0.14 -73.7%

Strategic Initiatives

SunOpta is focusing on expanding its product lines, particularly in the plant-based and organic segments. In 2024, the company successfully launched new products across various categories, including:

  • Fruit snacks
  • Broth
  • Plant-based beverages
  • Protein shakes

Market Position

SunOpta has positioned itself as a leader in the organic food market, capitalizing on the growing consumer demand for healthy, sustainable food options. The company’s commitment to innovation and quality has bolstered its reputation among retailers and consumers alike.

Conclusion of Financial Metrics

For the quarter ended September 28, 2024, the company recorded:

Quarterly Financial Metric 2024 (Q3) 2023 (Q3) Change ($) % Change
Revenues $176,216,000 $152,541,000 $23,675,000 15.5%
Gross Profit $23,584,000 $20,268,000 $3,316,000 16.4%
Operating Income $1,523,000 $1,482,000 $41,000 2.8%

Conclusion of Strategic Focus

SunOpta's strategic focus on sustainability and health-oriented products aligns with current market trends, positioning the company for continued growth in the organic food sector.



How SunOpta Inc. (STKL) Works

Business Overview

SunOpta Inc. operates primarily in the plant-based food and beverage sector, focusing on sourcing, processing, and packaging organic and non-GMO products. The company has expanded its product lines to include plant-based beverages, fruit snacks, broths, and protein shakes.

Financial Performance

For the three quarters ended September 28, 2024, SunOpta reported significant growth in its financial metrics:

Metric 2024 (Q1-Q3) 2023 (Q1-Q3) Change % Change
Revenues $530,059 $448,673 $81,386 18.1%
Gross Profit $77,179 $62,976 $14,203 22.6%
Gross Margin 14.6% 14.0% 0.6% -
Operating Income $14,299 $3,211 $11,088 345.3%
Operating Margin 2.7% 0.7% 2.0% -

Revenue Drivers

The increase in revenues was attributed to several factors, including:

  • Sales volume growth in broths, teas, protein shakes, and plant-based beverages contributed $65,386,000.
  • Fruit snacks saw over 30% sales volume growth due to new production capacity, contributing $22,943,000.
  • A decline in revenue from the exit of the smoothie bowls category, which decreased revenues by $6,943,000.

Cost Structure

Cost of goods sold (COGS) for the three quarters ended September 28, 2024, was $452,880,000, reflecting a 17.4% increase from $385,697,000 in the same period in 2023.

Gross Profit Analysis

Factors affecting gross profit include:

  • Higher sales and production volumes for beverages and snacks contributed positively to gross profit.
  • Lower commodity costs for certain raw materials reduced overall costs, contributing $14,662,000 to gross profit.
  • Start-up costs decreased significantly from $16,300,000 in 2023 to $6,800,000 in 2024.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses totaled $62,880,000 for the three quarters ended September 28, 2024, compared to $59,765,000 for the same period in 2023, showing a 5.2% increase. Key components included:

  • Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $3,421,000 to $61,824,000.
  • Amortization of intangible assets remained stable at $1,338,000.

Net Income and Losses

SunOpta recorded a loss from continuing operations of $5,442,000 for the three quarters ended September 28, 2024, a substantial improvement compared to a loss of $20,158,000 in the prior year. The diluted loss per share from continuing operations was $0.05 in 2024 versus $0.19 in 2023.

Cash Flow Analysis

Net cash flows provided by operating activities of continuing operations were $19,221,000 for the three quarters ended September 28, 2024, compared to cash used of $8,385,000 in the prior year, indicating improved operational efficiency.

Cash Flow Category 2024 (Q1-Q3) 2023 (Q1-Q3) Change
Operating Activities $19,221 $(8,385) $27,606
Investing Activities $(16,464) $(37,272) $20,808
Financing Activities $(4,865) $45,661 $(50,526)

Liquidity Position

As of September 28, 2024, SunOpta had a total outstanding balance of $175.5 million under its Term Loan Credit Facility and had utilized $56.0 million of its Revolving Credit Facility.

Market Trends and Outlook

SunOpta continues to focus on expanding its product offerings in the plant-based sector, capitalizing on growing consumer demand for healthier and sustainable food options. The company aims to enhance production capabilities through strategic investments in new facilities and technologies.



How SunOpta Inc. (STKL) Makes Money

Revenue Streams

As of 2024, SunOpta Inc. generates revenue primarily through its diverse product offerings in the plant-based food and beverage sector. The company's revenues for the three quarters ended September 28, 2024, amounted to $530.1 million, a significant increase of 18.1% compared to $448.7 million for the same period in 2023.

Period Revenue ($ millions) Change ($ millions) % Change
Q3 2024 176.2 23.7 15.5%
Q1-Q3 2024 530.1 81.4 18.1%

Product Categories

SunOpta's revenue growth is attributed to several key product categories:

  • Broths, Teas, Protein Shakes, and Plant-Based Beverages
  • Fruit Snacks
  • Exit from Smoothie Bowls Category

Sales volume growth in these categories has been substantial, with fruit snacks alone showing an increase of over 30%. However, the exit from the smoothie bowls category resulted in a revenue decrease of $6.9 million.

Gross Profit and Margin Analysis

For the three quarters ended September 28, 2024, SunOpta reported a gross profit of $77.2 million, reflecting a 22.6% increase from $63.0 million in 2023. The gross margin improved to 14.6% from 14.0%.

Metric Q3 2024 ($ millions) Q3 2023 ($ millions) Change ($ millions)
Gross Profit 77.2 63.0 14.2
Gross Margin (%) 14.6% 14.0% 0.6%

Operating Income and Expenses

Operating income increased significantly to $14.3 million for the three quarters ended September 28, 2024, compared to $3.2 million in the prior year, marking a 345.3% increase. This was driven by higher gross profit and a $1.8 million gain from the sale of the smoothie bowls product line.

Total operating expenses for the same period were $62.9 million, with selling, general, and administrative expenses accounting for $61.8 million, up from $58.4 million the previous year.

Operating Metrics Q3 2024 ($ millions) Q3 2023 ($ millions) Change ($ millions)
Operating Income 14.3 3.2 11.1
Operating Margin (%) 2.7% 0.7% 2.0%

Net Interest Expense and Losses

Net interest expense for the three quarters ended September 28, 2024, was $19.2 million, slightly down from $19.4 million in the prior year. The company recognized a loss from continuing operations of $5.4 million, a substantial improvement from a loss of $20.2 million in the same period of 2023.

Cash Flow and Capital Resources

Operating cash flow from continuing operations for the three quarters ended September 28, 2024, was $19.2 million, compared to a cash outflow of $8.4 million in the previous year. The company has also entered into a five-year credit agreement, securing a $180 million term loan and an $85 million revolving credit facility.

Cash Flow Metrics Q3 2024 ($ millions) Q3 2023 ($ millions)
Operating Cash Flow 19.2 -8.4
Term Loan Credit Facility 180.0 N/A
Revolving Credit Facility 85.0 N/A

Conclusion on Financial Performance

SunOpta's financial performance in 2024 shows a robust growth trajectory, driven by strategic product offerings and operational improvements, despite challenges such as their exit from certain product categories. The company continues to focus on enhancing its operational efficiency and expanding its market presence in the plant-based sector.

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Resources:

  1. SunOpta Inc. (STKL) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q3 2024 to get an in-depth view of SunOpta Inc. (STKL)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  2. SEC Filings – View SunOpta Inc. (STKL)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.