Cott reports Q3 earnings of US$21M, a 40% year-over-year increase as revenue up 26% to US$611M

Nevin Barich

TORONTO and TAMPA, Florida , November 2, 2011 (press release) – Revenue increased 26% to $611 million. Excluding the impact of the Cliffstar acquisition and foreign exchange, revenue increased 9%. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue was 11.1% compared to 13.8% in the prior year. Operating income increased 49% to $29 million. Excluding Cliffstar purchase accounting adjustments and integration expenses, adjusted operating income was $35 million compared to $33 million in the prior year. EBITDA increased 39% to $52 million. Excluding Cliffstar purchase accounting adjustments and integration expenses, adjusted EBITDA was $55 million compared to $50 million in the prior year. Net income and earnings per diluted share were $16 million and $0.17, respectively, compared to $6 million and $0.07 in the prior year, respectively. Excluding Cliffstar purchase accounting adjustments and integration expenses, third quarter 2011 adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share were $21 million and $0.22, respectively.

(All information in U.S. dollars; all third quarter 2011 comparisons are relative to the third quarter of 2010. See accompanying reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest comparable GAAP measures.)

Cott Corporation (NYSE: COT - News; TSX: BCB - News) today announced its results for the third quarter ended October 1, 2011. Third quarter 2011 revenue was $611 million compared to $487 million. The Cliffstar business, which was acquired during the third quarter of 2010, contributed $73 million of the increase in revenue. Operating income increased 49% to $29 million, compared to $20 million. The third quarter of 2010 included $6.4 million of transaction costs. Excluding Cliffstar purchase accounting adjustments and integration expenses, adjusted operating income was $35 million. EBITDA was $52 million, compared to $37 million in the prior year. Excluding Cliffstar purchase accounting adjustments and integration expenses, adjusted EBITDA was $55 million. Net income and earnings per diluted share were $16 million and $0.17, respectively, compared to $6 million and $0.07, respectively. Excluding Cliffstar purchase accounting adjustments and integration expenses, adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share were $21 million and $0.22, respectively, compared to $15 million and $0.17, respectively.

"During the third quarter, we experienced a solid increase in volume and revenue, both of which exceeded our expectations. However, margins were lower than we would have wished due to higher than anticipated commodity costs and our product mix during the quarter," commented Jerry Fowden, Cott's Chief Executive Officer. "As we look to 2012, we are focusing on improving our margins as we endeavor to adjust the balance across volume, revenue growth and per case margins," continued Mr. Fowden.

THIRD QUARTER 2011 PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

Filled beverage case volume increased 13% (6% excluding Cliffstar) driven by higher volumes in North America, the United Kingdom / Europe ("U.K.") and Mexico. Revenue increased 26% (9% excluding Cliffstar and the impact of foreign exchange). Increased revenues were driven by a combination of higher volumes and higher pricing in North America and the U.K. The U.K. benefited from continued favorable product mix. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue was 11.1% compared to 13.8%. The decline in gross profit as a percentage of revenue was attributable primarily to the continued adverse impact of higher commodity costs. Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses were $38 million compared to $47 million. The decrease in SG&A was driven by reduced integration and acquisition costs, lower information technology expenses and reduced accruals for bonus and long-term incentive compensation costs. Operating income increased 49% to $29 million compared to $20 million. The third quarter of 2010 included $6.4 million of transaction costs. Excluding Cliffstar purchase accounting adjustments and integration expenses, adjusted operating income was $35 million compared to $33 million. EBITDA was $52 million compared to $37 million. Excluding Cliffstar purchase accounting adjustments and integration expenses, adjusted EBITDA was $55 million compared to $50 million. Cash provided by operating activities was $64 million and capital expenditures were $8 million.

THIRD QUARTER 2011 OPERATING SEGMENT HIGHLIGHTS

North America filled beverage case volume increased 12% (4% excluding Cliffstar) to 188 million cases. Revenue increased 26% to $468 million. Excluding the impact of the Cliffstar acquisition and foreign exchange, revenue increased 5%. Operating income was $20 million compared to $13 million. U.K. filled beverage case volume increased 16% to 53 million cases. Revenue increased 29% (25% excluding the impact of foreign exchange) to $125 million, driven by ongoing growth in the energy and sports isotonic categories. Operating income was $8 million compared to $7 million. Mexico filled beverage case volume increased 5% to 9 million cases. Revenue increased 2% (decline of 2% excluding the impact of foreign exchange) to $13 million. RCI concentrate volume declined 1% to 60 million cases due primarily to the timing of shipments. Revenue declined 2% to $6 million. Operating income was $2 million compared to $1 million.

Third Quarter Conference Call Cott Corporation will host a conference call today, November 2, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. EDT, to discuss third quarter results, which can be accessed as follows:

North America: (877) 407-8031 International: (201) 689-8031

A live audio webcast will be available through Cott's website at http://www.cott.com. The earnings conference call will be recorded and archived for playback on the investor relations section of the website for a period of two weeks following the event.

About Cott Corporation Cott is the world's largest retailer brand beverage company. With approximately 4,000 employees, Cott operates soft drink, juice, water and other beverage bottling facilities in the United States, Canada, the U.K. and Mexico. Cott markets beverage concentrates in over 50 countries around the world.

Non-GAAP Measures Cott supplements its reporting of revenue determined in accordance with GAAP by excluding the impact of foreign exchange to separate the impact of currency exchange rate changes from Cott's results of operations and, in some cases, by excluding the impact of the Cliffstar acquisition. Cott supplements its reporting of net income, operating income and earnings per diluted share in accordance with GAAP and its reporting of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization by excluding Cliffstar purchase accounting adjustments and integration expenses to separate the impact of these items from the underlying business. Because Cott uses these adjusted financial results in the management of its business and to understand business performance independent of the Cliffstar acquisition, management believes this supplemental information is useful to investors for their independent evaluation and understanding of Cott's underlying business performance and the performance of its management. The non-GAAP financial measures described above are in addition to, and not meant to be considered superior to, or a substitute for, Cott's financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the non-GAAP financial measures included in this earnings announcement reflect management's judgment of particular items, and may be different from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Safe Harbor Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 conveying management's expectations as to the future based on plans, estimates and projections at the time Cott makes the statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and Cott cautions you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any such forward-looking statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements related to future financial operating results and related matters. The forward-looking statements are based on assumptions regarding management's current plans and estimates. Management believes these assumptions to be reasonable but there is no assurance that they will prove to be accurate.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in this press release include, among others: Cott's ability to realize the expected benefits of the Cliffstar acquisition because of integration difficulties and other challenges; risks associated with the asset purchase agreement in connection with the Cliffstar acquisition; the effectiveness of Cliffstar's system of internal control over financial reporting; Cott's ability to compete successfully; changes in consumer tastes and preferences for existing products and Cott's ability to develop and timely launch new products that appeal to such changing consumer tastes and preferences; a loss of or reduction in business with key customers, particularly Wal-Mart; fluctuations in commodity prices and Cott's ability to pass on increased costs to its customers, and the impact of those increased prices on Cott's volumes; Cott's ability to manage its operations successfully; currency fluctuations that adversely affect the exchange between the U.S. dollar and the pound sterling, the Euro, the Canadian dollar, the Mexican peso and other currencies; Cott's ability to maintain favorable arrangements and relationships with its suppliers; the ability of Cott to remediate identified material weaknesses; the significant amount of Cott's outstanding debt and Cott's ability to meet its obligations under its debt agreements; Cott's ability to maintain compliance with the covenants and conditions under its debt agreements; fluctuations in interest rates; credit rating changes; the impact of global financial events on Cott's financial results; Cott's ability to fully realize the expected cost savings and/or operating efficiencies from its restructuring activities; any disruption to production at Cott's beverage concentrates or other manufacturing facilities; Cott's ability to protect its intellectual property; compliance with product health and safety standards; liability for injury or illness caused by the consumption of contaminated products; liability and damage to Cott's reputation as a result of litigation or legal proceedings; changes in the legal and regulatory environment in which Cott operates; the impact of proposed taxes on soda and other sugary drinks; enforcement of compliance with the Ontario Environmental Protection Act; unseasonably cold or wet weather, which could reduce the demand for Cott's beverages; the impact of national, regional and global events, including those of a political, economic, business and competitive nature; Cott's ability to recruit, retain, and integrate new management and a new management structure; Cott's exposure to intangible asset risk; the volatility of Cott's stock price; Cott's ability to maintain compliance with the listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange; Cott's ability to renew its collective bargaining agreements on satisfactory terms; disruptions in Cott's information systems; compliance with product health and safety standards; and liability for injury or illness caused by the consumption of contaminated products.

The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures, including but not limited to risk factors contained in Cott's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2011 and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other periodic reports filed with the securities commissions. Cott does not undertake to update or revise any of these statements in light of new information or future events, except as expressly required by applicable law.

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