Published:
Drinks Americas Reports $2.7 Million Revenue, an 875% Increase in Fiscal 2007 Third Quarter
Sales Reflect Growing Demand and Success of Trump Super Premium Vodka; Strengthened Balance Sheet With $6.6 Million in Cash and No Long-Term Debt; Net Worth Increased $9.1 Million Fiscal Year to Date

Drinks Americas Holdings, Ltd. (OTCBB: DKAM), a
developer and marketer of premium beverages associated with renowned icons,
reported results for the third quarter ended January 31, 2007. It is the
Company's first full quarter that includes sales from Trump Super Premium
Vodka, which was launched in the last two weeks of October 2006. The
product will be available to consumers nationwide within the next several
weeks.
Revenue for the fiscal 2007 third quarter was $2.7 million, an increase of
$2.4 million, or 875%, compared with $0.3 million for the third quarter of
last year. The primary contributor to the increase was sales of Trump
Super Premium Vodka. The product is now available to consumers in 28
states as well as duty free shops in Canada. On a sequential basis,
revenue increased 20% or $0.5 million from $2.2 million in the second
fiscal quarter 2007.
J. Patrick Kenny, President & Chief Executive Officer of Drinks Americas,
stated, "We have accomplished a great deal over the past few months. Trump
Super Premium Vodka has been available for roughly three and-a-half months,
and during that time period we have already shipped 40,000 cases, totaling
$4.3 million in sales. We continue to build momentum with thousands of
cases of additional orders in the pipeline."
Mr. Kenny continued, "In addition to expanding our market coverage of Trump
Super Premium Vodka, we are also seeing exciting levels of reorders from
our existing customers across all our markets. Additionally, as a result
of our $8 million raise and conversion of $3.4 million debt to equity, we
significantly strengthened our balance sheet to provide us with a solid
platform for future growth."
Gross margin in the third quarter 2007 was 45.8% compared with 20.4% in the
third quarter of 2006. The improvement is attributed to a change in the
sales mix, as Trump Super Premium Vodka is sold at significantly higher
margins compared with the Company's other brands. SG&A in the third
quarter 2007 was $4.8 million compared with $0.9 million in the third
quarter of 2006. The increase is mainly due to one-time expenses of $1.4
million related to promotional events and other expenses related to the
launch of Trump Super Premium Vodka in major markets, as well as $1.25
million in one-time non-cash charges as the result of satisfying certain
fees and expenses by issuing shares of common stock which better utilized
the Company's cash resources.
Net loss for the third fiscal quarter was $5.6 million, or $0.08 per basic
and diluted share, compared with a net loss of $1.5 million, or $0.06 per
basic and diluted share for the third quarter of 2006. A significant
amount, 30% of this year's third quarter recorded loss, was due to the
extinguishment of debt, a non-cash charge of $1.65 million, or $0.02 per
share. The charge is a one-time, non-cash charge related to the conversion
of past due liabilities, including non-convertible debt into equity.
Excluding all non-cash charges, which include $1.65 million charge for the
extinguishment of debt and $1.45 million in selling and administrative
expenses, net loss for the third quarter was $2.5 million, or $0.04 per
share.
As of January 31, 2007, cash and cash equivalents were $6.5 million. The
Company had
$3.0 million of working capital and no long-term debt. Shareholders'
equity increased
$9.1 million from the start of the fiscal year to $4.3 million.
Third quarter business highlights include:
-- Completed $8 million private placement to accelerate marketing of
product lines, corporate working capital needs, and the anticipated re-
launch of Rheingold Beer.
-- Trump Super Premium Vodka rolled out in 16 states, including Colorado,
Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New
Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont
and Wisconsin.
-- Kendall Jackson, a billion dollar winery known for its world class
wines, commenced distribution of Trump Super Premium Vodka in California,
Illinois, Colorado and Nevada.
-- Expanded Trump Super Premium Vodka internationally in duty free shops
in Ontario and Quebec, Canada, through its distributor Haleybrooke
International, marketer of Drinks Americas' duty free sales channels
worldwide.
-- Expanded fine wine collection and launched Casa BoMargo line of fine
Italian wines with nationally known radio and television personality, Bo
Dietl.
-- Launched operation of joint distribution venture with Beyer
Farms/Tuscan Dairy, New York's largest dairy distributor, for Drinks
Americas' non-alcoholic beverage products in the New York metropolitan
region.
Early fourth quarter highlights include:
-- Reached agreement with prominent Hollywood producers for cross-
marketing and product placement of Drinks Americas' beverages in movie and
television productions.
-- Announced the start of the company media and promotional plan for
Trump Super Premium Vodka to drive sales with consumer pull-through
programs.
-- Added Trump 24K Super Premium Vodka bottle with 24 karat gold label
and pre-sold 1,000 cases to distributors for premium clubs and key luxury
accounts.
-- Elected new board member, Hubert Millet, who brings extensive global
branding expertise from Seagram's to maximize the Drinks Americas'
international growth opportunities.
-- Added and commenced shipping of 50 ml 'mini' bottle of Trump Super
Premium Vodka.
Mr. Kenny concluded, "Trump Super Premium Vodka will be available in an
additional 14 control states over the next several weeks. The success of
Trump Super Premium Vodka is driving sales in our other spirit products,
including Willie Nelson's Old River Bourbon and Damiana Liqueur. We are
also rapidly expanding Newman's Own Lightly Sparkling Fruit Juice Drinks in
major retailer chains across the country. With Newman's we are adding a
cherry flavor and three sparkling waters and changing the formulation to
pure cane sugar which opens up additional accounts that we can sell in."
Mr. Kenny added, "Looking ahead, we are in the process of rebuilding some
of our inventories and increasing our marketing across all our brands to
further drive revenue growth. We partner with some of the most valuable
and recognized icons in the world. With our seasoned management team and
powerful distribution network, we are also exploring opportunities to
expand internationally."
More information on the Company's quarterly results can be found in its
10-Q filing with the SEC.
About Drinks Americas
Drinks Americas develops, owns, markets, and nationally distributes
alcoholic and non-alcoholic premium beverages that are often associated
with renowned icon celebrities. Drinks' portfolio of premium alcoholic
beverages includes Donald Trump's Trump Super Premium Vodka, Willie
Nelson's Old Whiskey River Bourbon and Bourbon Cream. Drinks' non-alcoholic
brands include the distribution of Paul Newman's Own Lightly Sparkling
Fruit Juice and Flavored Water Drinks.
Other products owned and distributed by Drinks include Damiana, the Mexican
liqueur, Aguila Tequila; Drinks'
award-winning Cohete Rum Guarana from Panama, Swiss T and Rheingold Beer.
Damiana, Old Whiskey River, Aguila Tequila and Cohete Rum are Gold and
Silver Medal award-winners respectively from the International Beverage
Tasting Institute and the San Francisco International Wine and Spirits
Competition.
For further information, please visit our website at
www.drinksamericas.com.
Safe Harbor
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set
forth in this press release, including the description of the company and
its product offerings, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the "safe harbor" provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including
the historical volatility and low trading volume of our stock, the risk and
uncertainties inherent in the early stages of growth companies, the
company's need to raise substantial additional capital to proceed with its
business, risks associated with competitors, and other risks detailed from
time to time in the company's most recent filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the
date hereof. The company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these
forward-looking statements.
DRINKS AMERICAS HOLDINGS, LTD., AND AFFILIATES
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
January, 31 January, 31
2007 2006 2007 2006
(Restated) (Restated)
-----------------------------------------------------
Net sales $ 2,681,273 $ 274,880 $ 5,258,723 $ 1,105,700
Costs of sales 1,451,303 218,677 2,912,527 823,469
----------- ------------ ----------- -----------
Gross margin 1,229,969 56,203 2,346,196 282,231
Operating Expenses:
Selling, general
and administrative
expenses 4,777,322 907,911 7,521,649 3,110,174
=========== ============ =========== ===========
- -
Loss before other
income (expense) (3,547,353) (851,708) (5,175,453) (2,827,943)
Other income
(expense):
Interest (333,046) (634,297) (708,978) (773,144)
Loss on
extinguishment
of debt (1,651,757) - (1,651,757) -
Other (20,377) - (19,515) 190,000
=========== ============ =========== ===========
(2,005,180) (634,297) (2,380,250) (583,144)
=========== ============ =========== ===========
Net loss $(5,552,533) $ (1,486,005) $(7,555,703) $(3,411,087)
=========== ============ =========== ===========
Net loss per share,
basic and diluted $ (0.08) $ (0.03) $ (0.12) $ (0.06)
=========== ============ =========== ===========
DRINKS AMERICAS HOLDINGS, LTD., AND AFFILIATES
Consolidated Balance Sheet
January 31,
2007
--------------
ASSETS (unaudited)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,567,458
Accounts receivable, net 1,802,982
Inventory 1,912,349
Other current assets 528,193
--------------
Total current assets 10,810,982
Property and Equipment 137,591
Investment in Equity Investees 66,442
Intangible Assets 943,075
Deferred loan costs 30,123
Other 130,688
==============
$ 12,118,901
==============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 2,236,690
Notes and loans payable 2,772,944
Accrued Expenses 2,762,711
Advances on shares to be issued 25,000
--------------
Total current liabilities 7,797,345
==============
Stockholders' equity $ 4,321,555
==============
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