Dean Foods has affirmed its intention to effect a tax-free spin-off of shares of the Company in May, following the April 23, 2013 expiration of its IPO lock-up period. Dean Foods announced it has received a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service providing that, subject to certain conditions, the anticipated spin-off will be tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Dean Foods also announced plans to retain up to 19.9% of the total outstanding WhiteWave shares, or up to 34.4 million shares, with the intention to monetize or distribute the position in a tax-free manner at a later date. 

North America segment
The Company’s North America segment is comprised of Plant-based Foods and Beverages, Premium Dairy, and Coffee Creamers and Beverages categories. In the fourth quarter of 2012, pro forma adjusted net sales for the North America segment were $514 million, an increase of 13 percent over the fourth quarter 2011. For the full year 2012, pro forma adjusted net sales for the North America segment were $1.9 billion, an increase of 16 percent over full year 2011. Pro forma adjusted operating income for the North America segment increased 13 percent to $54 million for the fourth quarter, and 20 percent to $204 million for the full year 2012, compared to the same periods in 2011.

In the North America Plant-based Foods and Beverages platform, which includes Silk® Soymilk, Silk PureAlmond® and Silk PureCoconut®, pro forma adjusted net sales increased in the high-teens on a percentage basis in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to the fourth quarter of 2011, driven primarily by continued strong growth of Silk PureAlmond®. For the full year 2012, pro forma adjusted net sales in this platform increased more than 20 percent, compared to 2011.
The overall Plant-based Foods and Beverages category remained strong with over 20 percent category growth for all of 2012, and WhiteWave’s Silk® brand continued to hold the #1 position. Building on the Silk® brand strength, the Company is also introducing Silk Iced Latte®, a non-dairy iced coffee option and Silk Fruity & Creamy® non-dairy yogurts, in addition to focusing on continued growth of core products.

In Premium Dairy, which includes Horizon Organic® branded dairy products, pro forma adjusted net sales increased in the mid-teens on a percentage basis in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to the fourth quarter of 2011. While this platform benefited from a favorable comparison to the prior year period due to the lapping of supply constraints, the performance also reflects the strength of the underlying Horizon Organic® brand, as well as positive results from value-added offerings, such as Horizon Organic® single-serve and DHA Omega-3 products. For the full year 2012, pro forma adjusted net sales in Premium Dairy increased in the high-single digits on a percentage basis, compared to 2011.

The Company is expanding its Premium Dairy platform with the launch of new TruMoo® branded flavored milks in shelf-stable single-serve packaging that provides a convenient, healthy and affordable offering for families on the go. TruMoo®, a brand which the Company has licensed from Dean Foods, is a flavored milk line that is lower in sugar than traditional flavored milks and contains no high fructose corn syrup.

In Coffee Creamers and Beverages, which includes coffee creamers under the International Delight® and LAND O LAKES® brands as well as International Delight Iced Coffee®, pro forma adjusted net sales increased in the mid-teens on a percentage basis in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to the fourth quarter of 2011. For full year 2012, pro forma adjusted net sales in this platform increased in the high-teens on a percentage basis compared to 2011.
The overall flavored creamer category, which continues to benefit from increased coffee consumption and related whitening trends, showed continued strength with approximately 12 percent growth in 2012. The Company plans to continue to build on its Coffee Creamers and Beverages platform with the planned expansion of its International Delight Iced Coffee® product line with a new “lights-line” with only 100 calories, as well as a single-serve four pack that will offer on-the-go convenience to this category.

Europe segment
The Company’s Europe segment is comprised of its European Plant-based Foods and Beverages platform which operates primarily under the Alpro® name. On a constant currency basis, net sales in the segment increased in the high-single digits on a percentage basis in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to the fourth quarter of 2011. Net sales for this segment for full year 2012 increased on a constant currency basis in the mid-single digits on a percentage basis compared to 2011. Operating income for the segment increased 16 percent to $7 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to the fourth quarter of 2011, as a result of volume growth and aided by foreign currency translation. For the full year 2012 operating income for the segment decreased 12 percent to $24 million compared to 2011, primarily driven by foreign currency translation. This platform delivered mid-single digit volume growth in the fourth quarter, driven by the strength of its core drinks, including Almond and Hazelnut beverages launched earlier in 2012, and its soy yogurt offerings. The Company plans to introduce several line extensions, including unsweetened and chocolate almond beverages, as well as an improved rice milk line in 2013.

Source: WhiteWave Food Co.