Operator
Operator
Good day, and welcome to the Scotts Miracle-Gro 2019 Second Quarter Earnings Conference Call. Today’s conference is being recorded. At this time, I would like to turn the conference over to Mr. Jim King. Please go ahead, sir.
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (SMG)
Q2 2019 Earnings Call· Wed, May 1, 2019
$65.71
-3.06%
Same-Day
+0.46%
1 Week
+1.65%
1 Month
+0.83%
vs S&P
+6.74%
Operator
Operator
Good day, and welcome to the Scotts Miracle-Gro 2019 Second Quarter Earnings Conference Call. Today’s conference is being recorded. At this time, I would like to turn the conference over to Mr. Jim King. Please go ahead, sir.
Jim King
Management
Thank you, John. Good morning everyone. And welcome to the Scotts Miracle-Gro second quarter conference call. With me here in Marysville, Ohio this morning are Jim Hagedorn, our Chairman and CEO; Randy Coleman, our Chief Financial Officer; Mike Lukemire, our President and Chief Operating Officer, as well as several other members of our operating team. We’ll get started in a moment with prepared remarks by Jim and Randy respectively. And at that point, we’ll open the call to your questions. I know that many of you have other calls this morning, so we’ll try to move through the queue as quickly as possible. If you could help us manage our time, please ask just one primary question and one follow-up. If there are questions left unanswered, I’m glad to follow-up with as many of you as I can later in the day. For clarity during our call this morning, we will be referring to both sales to retailers, which are reflected in the P&L through March 30th, as well as consumer purchases at retail as measured by POL, or point of sale data. The POS data is current through last Saturday, April 27th. One bit of housekeeping related to our IR activities. On Thursday, June 06th, Randy and I will be presenting at the William Blair Growth Stock Conference in Chicago. This will be a webcast presentation, and be available on our Web site. More detail will be provided leading up to that event. We have historically used this conference to update our guidance for the full year, and have issued a press release in conjunction with the update. While those plans could change between now and June 06th, our current intent follow these past practices. With that, let's move on to today's call. As always, we expect to make forward-looking statements this morning. But I want to caution you that our actual results could differ materially from what we say here. Investors should familiarize themselves of full range of risk factors that could impact our results, and those are filed in our form 10-K, which we filed with Securities and Exchange Commission. I'd also remind everyone that today's call is being recorded and an archived version of that call will be available on our website later today. With that, let's get things started. And I'll turn things over to Jim Hagedorn.
Jim Hagedorn
Management
Thanks Jim. Good morning everyone. Yesterday, I have laryngitis pretty bad and couldn't speak. So I'll try to get through the script. If I need help, Randy may pick up. So just heads up. So here we go. There was a morning a couple weeks ago when I was walking into the office, and I realized the spring was finally here. The grass was green again and leaves were opening on the trees and the flowers were in full bloom. And it dawned on me right then and what I wanted to talk about today. I doubt that many of my peer company CEOs walk outside in the morning and get inspired about their business, but that experience means something here. Spring is our season, the time of year when the spotlight shine the brightest on our business. And at the risk of sounding a bit corny, I consider Scotts Miracle-Gro the undisputed leader of spring. It's hard to argue that point this year the POS up 13% in our U.S. consumer business and strong performance in nearly every category in which we compete. And I don't want to focus on today's press release from the strong start to the season. What I'd rather focus on are the real efforts that enable those results. And I want to target my comments to those shareholders who are not just interested in the latest quarterly scorecard, but those who like me are focused on what we're doing to create long-term shareholder value. That effort goes well beyond how we're executing on a day-to-day basis. It's about how we are pushing ourselves to develop new and more creative ways to strengthen our multi-generational relationship with our consumers. It's about bringing energy and new approaches to the table to keep our retail partners engaged.…
Randy Coleman
Management
Nice job, Jim.
Jim Hagedorn
Management
Thank you.
Randy Coleman
Management
I know that was a struggle. Hopefully, everybody listening appreciate that. So, good morning, everyone. We clearly have a great deal of good news to cover today, and I want to start by reinforcing the confidence Jim just expressed about where we stand right now. I'll discuss our guidance in more detail in my prepared comments, but I'll just say out the gates that I feel optimistic about our ability to deliver on the commitments we made at start of the year. I'm not going to go line-by-line through the P&L. We will cover things in Q&A. There is an area where you need more explanation. But I will hit the highlights and anticipate some of the questions you have that may not be answered by simply looking at the numbers. On the sales line, let me touch on a couple of items. We said the U.S. consumer business would be up 1% to 2% for the year, and we're up 8% in the quarter and year-to-date and we're now at the midway point of the year. Two things you should know. First, a lot of the mulch sales were seen this year were not contemplated in our original guidance, at least $35 million worth. The other point is remind you what I said on our last call. We've seen some of our retailers take a more aggressive approach to filling their stores earlier this year, that's exactly what happened. So more so than in most years, the balance of 2019 is really about replenishment and that means it's really about consumer engagement and POS from this point forward. Both we and our retail partners remain extremely active in trying to drive consumer engagement. Remember though we have a plus 28 comp in May, so we're elected to give back…
Operator
Operator
Thank you [Operator Instructions]. We'll now take our first question from Bill Chappell from SunTrust. Please go ahead, your line is open.
Bill Chappell
Analyst
Just first on the Hawthorne side. Can you give us a little more color on what the liquidation did to your sales and your margins intra-quarter of the number, I guess the number three player. Just trying to understand and did that cause a cut in prices, did it cause a slowdown in sales, I mean where they could have actually been better? I didn't understand what the near-term impact was.
Randy Coleman
Management
So we have been promotional. We have been taking market share. The number three player is out of business, number two players definitely challenged given how aggressive we have been, and market share we've been taking. That's exactly quantify the impact of that it's difficult to say, I can tell you that promotions that we run have been profitable. So they have been margin dilutive but we're not losing money, we're not a loss leader. We're still making money at what we're doing. And we're being very successful driving the top line. And we always engage in a lot of debates here about margin versus sales and so on. But what we're doing for this year, I'm completely aligned with driving the top line, taking share and putting us in a really good long-term position. So hopefully, that helps. But I don’t know Jim, or Luke or Chris want to add anything else.
Jim Hagedorn
Management
I'm going to try to save my voice if that works.
Chris Hagedorn
Analyst
Bill, this is Chris. One thing I would add is that without looking at it from a financial perspective, just looking at from a market share perspective. Following the closure of the number three player, we've seen a significant increase in the retail accounts that we've signed up, either as a partial supplier or exclusive supplier to those retailers, which to us is probably the clearest indicator of market share. And as I said, that number went up significantly following the closure of the three players. So, that's a good indicator for us.
Bill Chappell
Analyst
And then on the Bayer payment is this is expected to be an ongoing payment, or ongoing subsidy to help offset the negative news?
Jim Hagedorn
Management
My voice is crashing here…
Randy Coleman
Management
I'll answer that one, Bill.
Jim Hagedorn
Management
You guys are saved, I can't talk…
Randy Coleman
Management
So $20 million for 2019, given what's going on with marketplace and the challenges that have been going on, we've been working collaboratively with the team, both in St. Louis and in Germany over the last several months. So we probably came to an agreement and the payment was made on April 1st, but it's a one-time payment in 2019 for reimbursement of certain costs related to Roundup. And some of that is incremental to those costs, and we've been able to take those dollars invested in Roundup media, other medial in our U.S. business, as well as have fund from the promotions in Hawthorne that we already talked about. So happy the way that turned out, but that’s the 2019 one year payment…
Jim Hagedorn
Management
And maybe just talk about where you're going.
Randy Coleman
Management
We're still in conversations, like Jim said, we think it's important to have flexibility, optionality, security and the agency agreement that we already have. Conversations have been very productive. The team really understands where we're coming from. Too early to be more clear or definite, but we're encouraged by…
Jim Hagedorn
Management
One of the conversations is about the economics. And those -- like Randy said, those conversations are ongoing. And I want to be -- and just talked about, I want to be thankful to our partners at Bayer for -- at a time of, I think pretty high stress for them to deal with our issues as we see them. And I think these conversations are being led by Randy and are going I think really well. And we'll have more to say when we can.
Bill Chappell
Analyst
And then just last one from me, I mean the 13% POS this time of the year, it's the highest I remember at least in the past five plus years. And you'd started going back to January saying the retailers were geared up better than they've been before and we're really ready. Is there an explanation for beyond weather, and weather was better, I get that. But like why it's just so strong this early in the year?
Jim Hagedorn
Management
The weather has been good that always helps. I think it's a little bit go back and look, take out last year. And so there's good growth, but last year sucked so bad that it sort of says we're in a pretty good like trajectory if you just take last year out. But I think you're right in that there's more than that going on. I think all the retailers are highly interested in the category. I mentioned in my script that we had a lot of senior level discussions, primarily about what's happening with Roundup. And this has been really Mike and myself at the most senior levels of really all of our retailers. And number one, I think it's allowed Mike and I to renew our relationship without talking about the day-to-day of the transaction of doing business with a big retailer, which tends to be everything, which is selling stuff. This is one where it's adults in the room talking about what we want to do, how we're going to do it together. And I think it's resulted in some retailers that we have had more stressful relationship with over the years recently where we renewed our relationships at the senior levels. And I think we discovered we like each other working with the team and I think that's helped. I also think that new management at most to be fair is extremely keen on stepping out on really the first quarter of their first year, their first full year. And so they’re taking it very seriously, which is great. And last, I think this is one of those internal things that we’re all going to have figure out, I mean you guys too, Randy, is mulch is a very -- I mean I think we’re rediscovering…
Randy Coleman
Management
Bill, to answer your question on this year, April 2019 that we’re in just about rival the best April that we’ve had in the history that can come backwards versus a three year average over the last few years we’re up about 3%, so that's the 13% contact but really pleased with where we’re at. And a little bit more color on just what the numbers look like. When we look at retail performance, we’re up across all channels so we’re doing well across the board for a lot of reasons that Jim talked about. When you look at it regionally, we’re doing right now better in Midwest and Northeast just because last year was such a challenge on the weather end. So we expect that the west and the south to do a lot better in May and June and complement that. And when you think about share, we have typically higher market share in Midwest and Northeast, especially on the fertilizer business, so that’s helped quite a bit as well. And then on our last call, we’ve talked about going out of line review. And market share expectations for this year. And like I said, there were certain skews that retailers took out that I understand completely they weren’t really working well for us, they weren’t working well for the retailers either. But since then we’ve been really competitive. I believe we’re taking market share at this point in a post line review outcomes. We've been a lot more competitive in marketplace, taking advantage of opportunities in store. And the new products we've introduced aren't just about market share, but are so about growing the categories. So when you think about GroundClear, it's growing the category of non-selective weed, the performance organics it's going to category and potting mix and garden soil and plant food as well. So not just market share plays that are truly growing the category, more reason why we are excited about what's happening this year.
Jim Hagedorn
Management
Mike, I think you want to add on this…
Mike Lukemire
Analyst
I think you got to look at it as retailers in the renewal are counting on us to grow the category, and that's the complete solution across all categories versus taking and choosing layers of works. And I think that's what multiples and helps bring more people in and then we can convert with our brands. We win another category so I think that's what's in fact you're seeing.
Operator
Operator
We will now move on to our next question from Jon Andersen of William Blair. Please go ahead. Your line is open.
Jon Andersen
Analyst
I wanted to ask on Roundup. I'm trying to square the idea that Roundup pulling the sale up 20% with some of the noise around the brand and then the payment that you've referred to from Bayer. If you could talk a little bit about the strength of Roundup in light of some of the headlines, and what you expect going forward for that brand? And is GroundClear meant to replace Roundup over time, or that is an option for those consumers who may not be comfortable on the margin buying Roundup in the future?
Jim Hagedorn
Management
I'll start if I can continue. We're surprised too. So one of the things we did is increase the ad spend and both of us, Bayer and Scotts, agreed too to pay for it. When you're seeing, whatever it is Prop 65 language in California being talked about, I think we told you guys last year that California, in spite of the Prop 65 and IR stuff, actually had really good POS results last year, in spite of what you would say. And by the way, our research would show that consumers were concerned. So one of the things that's happened I think is the southwest that had pretty wet winter and lot of weed pressure. And so we started out early with really good sales in Arizona, Phoenix. And when you look at it and -- a year -- before that and a year before that, it was last, Roundup last year was such a bad year that it's a little bit like talking about our consumer business. So part of the growth is the fact that it's less impressive when you look at it compared to the previous year, not excluding last year. So we increased the advertising. We were concerned. The retailers were concerned. We didn't know what's going to happen. Honestly, I'm not sure I can tell you exactly what's happened nut we're happy about the results. I think all of us, Bayer, Scotts, the retailers, have been concerned. And we're relieved that the result that we're getting. So that's on that side. The GroundClear line-up is designed as a fallback, just because we didn't know. And we wanted a product line that was allowed under the agency agreement, which GroundClear is, to just in case it was a backlash, be ready for that. And we funded that at a pretty high level. And so the result is when you see our sales, which are really the category, being up almost a third year-to-date. It is impressive as heck. So GroundClear was designed as a backup. I think it actually has a real place -- I mean we're not focused on the product line next year as a result of this year. I think it gives us a better shelf set. I think it offers an OMRI-certified product for retailers who, or for consumers, who might be concerned or want a different less chemical product. So I think it is a little bit serendipity in the -- you had a bad season last year, that season was a lot better, meaning a lot more weed pressure. And I think it's probably pretty clear that consumers have a lot more resiliency than maybe our research would have shown in regard to the brand reputation.
Randy Coleman
Management
Jon, the only other thing I'd add is that if you haven't seen that EPA came out yesterday, U.S. EPA, they've done anther review we're glad to see and very comfortable that science is sound they produce. So I think even more affirmation that things are fine.
Jim Hagedorn
Management
Well, I want to say to if our friends at Bayer are listening that they've actually been really good to work with, so far throughout what I think is extremely disruptive period of their history as they're dealing with integration of Monsanto and the Montesano reputation issues, and certain legal liability issues that they're dealing with. So if I look back at where we were last fall after that original Johnson verdict to where we are today. Randy has really primarily led the exercise in trying to figure out how our relationship needs to be modified in order to do the right thing for this company. And they've actually been receptive in dealing with that, and it's been not pleasant to deal with. But it's been pretty professional.
Jon Andersen
Analyst
You talked on the prepared portion of your comments how important it's going to be to be viewed or become a trusted partner for large commercial operators in the hydroponic space and having the right products, differentiated products. And I’m just wondering if you could talk a little bit about, you have two sides to the business and so you have the consumable side and the durable side. And where you think you have the most differentiation or importance today to those larger scale commercial operators and where you have the most work, or more work to do to demonstrate that technical expertise and differentiation again, comparing your durables portion of your business versus the consumables?
Chris Hagedorn
Analyst
So it’s a good question and it’s a little bit difficult for us to break it down. On the one hand we are the market leader by a pretty significant margin on the lightening side as we are in the consumable side. Now I think you can look at it and say as with our roots from Scotts Miracle-Gro, the biggest and most experienced consumer lawn and garden company and thus nutrient growing media company in the world. I think our prowess there is pretty unparalleled when we compete on the lighting side with some very significant very established players. So, I think the competition I would probably say is stiffer on the durable side as it relates to lighting. But we’ve got some very strong partnerships with some extremely significant players. So I don’t think we’re in a disadvantaged position there. But I think again just understanding who we are from an enterprise level Scotts Miracle-Gro, I think our primacy there is pretty unraveled, not to sound arrogant.
Jim Hagedorn
Management
Well, I would say slightly differently. I think we have on the consumable side, I agree with what Chris said. I think we just have to do it. I think we’ve got to look at our nutrients business, our soils business, our R&D pipeline. I mean the things that we can add when you talk about, Chris talks about prowess, I think we have to execute against it. And I think we’re headed down the road. On the light business, first of all, we have a board meeting tomorrow and Friday where Chris and his team are going to talk about all the stuff. But I think that we aim to lead lighting, both in the traditional lights and LEDs. And I think we’ve got a plan to do that, which is key. And I think in the other durable areas, which would be hydroponic systems, rolling stock, there is a lot of innovation happening. So I think that somebody said how far down the track you think you are in being what I’ve been saying lately the perfect vendor, perfect partner to professional growers. I think we’re more than halfway there. And that’s a long way since what we were a year ago. So I think we’ve got a lot of work to do but when we talk durables, we're really talking plastics and lights. And I think there is a lot of really good work happening, both here in Europe and in Vancouver. And on the consumable side, we've got a lot of value we can add that we're just -- I mean, it's been -- I think Randy was actually being, or maybe it was Mike last week, being defensive of Hawthorne and said, for Christ's sake guys, we have had like eight months to integrate. And when you consider that we're trying to strategically make ourselves into an essential partner, I think we have made progress in both areas. But Scott has a lot to help Chris with and his group on the consumable side, on the durable side, there is a lot of progress happening.
Randy Coleman
Management
And just one thing that I want to add is that as important as it is to look at those two halves of our business, and we do look at them that way between durables and consumables. I think it's also important to note that we have competitors in each of our individual categories. But for me, I don't really see the differentiator as much an individual category for Hawthorne, the fact that we are basic or partnered with people who are basic in every category. And when you look at these operations from a growers' perspective, everything has to work in concert, every product, every tool you use has to work together with the others. And being the only people out there who offer all of it along to tech services package that we have, and that to me is the big differentiator less than any individual product line.
Jon Andersen
Analyst
Last one from me is just the number three player that liquidated relative to Sunlight. What are your expectations for the number two player? Are they teetering? Do you expect them to remain as a competitor? And what are the implications there going forward? Thanks.
Jim Hagedorn
Management
I'll answer question for my team. We respect everybody who's competing in the space, and we aim to beat them hard until Randy says, you better start focusing on margin. So I would say, highly respectful of our other competitor. And we're not taking our foot off the gas either. But I am not going to say anything about teetering, because every time I do that comes back to bite us on the ass. But I will say -- so they are good honest people and we are going to continue doing what we do.
Operator
Operator
We will now move on to our next question from Joe Altobello of Raymond James. Your line is open.
Joe Altobello
Analyst
So I guess question on the Bayer reimbursement. First and if I understand what you said earlier Randy. It's in the guide but you're spending it back so it don't flow it through the model, number one. And number two, what was the rationale for the reimbursement, because it seems like the Roundup business is doing pretty well as you guys pointed out this morning.
Jim Hagedorn
Management
So let's see if we get at question one and Randy is capable of answering the whole thing. I would just say is, because we talked about this before. We didn't know how this was going to go. So we've done a lot of work to make sure that the good results you're seeing today at least as close, we want to overcome headwinds. I would say three or four months ago, if I had an answer for you I would tell you. Is it safe, it was like marathon man or something I have no idea if it's safe. The results of certainly
Randy Coleman
Management
The product or the outlook, I think you need to be…
Jim Hagedorn
Management
I'm talking about the outlook. Just to be clear the Roundup is through two cases and leaving 12,998 left to go. But given the environment we thought we were in, I think we spent the money extremely well and I think you're seeing the results of it. So we didn't know how it's going to go. And I can’t predict that it's going to be as good next year. We're two cases into this and it's the court of public opinion and consumers that matters here, not what we hope. But I think the money is being spent really well and I think you're seeing the results. But I don't know what it means, maybe Randy…
Randy Coleman
Management
I'll just say, Joe, again, this was the payment on April 1st and the sale of the JV on April 1st were both result of conversations that date way back to the fall, it took many months to consummate. So I'd say that was how we got here. Like Jim said, looking forward, we're encouraged by what's happening this year, difficult to predict the future. Really happy with the way this year is turning out and we'll go from there, but so far so good.
Joe Altobello
Analyst
And if I could ask a question for Chris, I want to hear Jim's voice a little bit. But on California hydroponics, it seems like the markets bottomed there. Where does supply demand stands for cannabis in California? And are you still seeing movement toward the black market, which I think would be good for you guys?
Chris Hagedorn
Analyst
So we are definitely seeing -- the market there on the legal side, I think is beginning to resolve itself. That being said, I don't think it's happening quickly enough to satisfy just the pent up consumer demand there. So we do believe that there is a shift taking place back towards the black market, I would chalk that up largely to, again, just a slow rate of legal changeover, as well as just the fact that even in the state like California where things I think are relatively permissive and becoming more so, it’s hard to be a legal grower due to the way that businesses are taxed, the way that businesses can bank at a legal level. I think a lot of folks who dip their toes into legal market found that unfortunately due to the way that the laws are written, it is more beneficial from them as individuals to remain in the black market. So there's been a shift back towards that at least that’s what we've seen, that's the feedback we get from our retailers. Now the product set that we have that has traditionally serviced that market, it is a relatively high margin product set. So it's not something we're lamenting. But I do hope that the state federal government can work towards issues and continue to see towards both the white market, because I think that's just better for everybody long term.
Operator
Operator
We will now move on to our next question from William Russo of Bank of America. Please go ahead, your line is open.
Unidentified Analyst
Analyst
This is Mike on for Bill. Just one question here, you guys mentioned [Technical Difficulty]…
Jim King
Management
John, if we can put that caller back in the queue, if he can help us understand the question we'll glad to take it later. We've got so much static on the line that we can’t hear him. So we could move on to next question in the queue, let's do that.
Operator
Operator
We will move to our next question from Chris Carey of Bank of America. Please go ahead. Your line is open.
Chris Carey
Analyst
Testing, is this a Bank of America issue or can you hear me as well?
Jim King
Management
Loud and clear…
Chris Carey
Analyst
It's just a credit to you then. So I guess I was hearing in the prepared remarks or maybe during the Q&A, I can't remember that maybe Marvin and the team going over the Lowe's has caused a change in strategy there, maybe more engagement, maybe a more aggressive approach to driving these product categories. I wonder if you can elaborate on that a little bit more.
Jim King
Management
I can make it easy, yes. I was having a haircut this weekend and I was down the road from [Kenny Langone] who jumped me while I was in the chair at the barber shop on Saturday. And said, why is Lowe's looking so good. And I said well there's a new management team and this is what I would chalk it up to. It’s a very merchant oriented leadership team there who aims to compete, and I view that as a good for this business. And we’re doing our best to be very fair to all retailers. But I would say Marvin and the team are doing really good work and they want to make an impact. And if I said what is, it all about, I would say it’s a very aggressive merchant culture that I think is healthy for this business. Mike, anything you'd add…
Mike Lukemire
Analyst
No, I think that you said it right. So they're just been aggressive and first to market they’re competing.
Chris Carey
Analyst
So obviously, the inventory sell was strong as you guys have expected and the POS is coming through in a pretty strong way, and that you have the May overhang with being such a strong month. So I’m just trying to merry the risk of working through some of this inventory and the consumption with the comments that you made about the potential to raise guidance when you updated the market in June. So, do you need POS to continue to be really strong in May in order to get reorders here? Or is there something else that you’re seeing that would suggest that you can get that activity over the next month?
Jim King
Management
So just a couple of points I'd throw out. One, I think pretty much at this point Mike’s got May already ordered up, meaning you’ve got orders in house already to cover May. So it is a matter of selling product off the shelf. So at the end of the day, it's going to be consumer takeaway that means either during May or beyond May where you’re at. Effectively where we’re at is our feeling is if we can count May, Randy will have good news in June. So that’s the internal give and take of how do we manage this call, how do we manage expectations. I think we, meaning Randy, Mike and myself, are seeing how May goes, which is what a consumer POS looks like. I was listening to news this morning on the way in and the May forecast for the East Coast, long-term forecast whatever that is 30 days, looks very attractive for the East Coast. So I think we're in a good place, and Randy would be willing. And the challenge is can we comp May. If we do, that's going to be a good result for the year. I don't think we're feeling like there is a lot of risks to the expectations we set, to put it that way. So I think we're confident in where we are. I don't think unless it snows every weekend for the rest of the year. I'd doubt we miss. But the challenge is are we going to call up and I think right now we're just saying, just give us a month and we'll tell you.
Chris Carey
Analyst
And I'm conscious of where the call is in time, so just I'll get a quick question from you on. Just on promotions and Hawthorne. I'm trying to understand maybe why you've been so promotional and more importantly, why you think that going forward you expect it to become less promotional? Thank you.
Jim King
Management
Why, I accused them of being gone shy and they're also red hot now. So the opposite of gone shy right now. And we have something to say in the industry and we're saying it. I think -- because I'll put myself in the operator at least bias, which is somewhat a conflict with my operating finance boss. I think we have reached a commerce level probably the end of this year for aggression when it comes to use of margin, really on both sides, which is on Hawthorne and on the consumer side, because generally when Mike and I come back from some place, we have made a multi-deal to drive the business, which Randy also has a smile on his face. But I view it as something that will evaporate overtime. I think we have something to prove that this business will recover, and that we can show that. I think we have that and we can take share on Hawthorne. I think we have. And then we can develop the skillsets in the professional vertical to market, and called shops that partners will recognize us as essential to their business, I think we have done that. And I think we're doing that on the consumer size as well. So I think we're pushing, Randy, about as hard as we can. But all of us, including Chris, recognize that we're going to have to fill some more profit discipline next year and beyond and we accept.
Randy Coleman
Management
Chris, the only thing I would add is Jim's taught me that once you made the sales, there's nothing else to add. So I want to thank him for representing me so well to answer your question. So thank you.
Operator
Operator
We will now move on to our last question from Jason Rodgers of Great Lakes Review. Please go ahead, your line is open.
Jason Rodgers
Analyst
Just wanted to have a follow-up question on Hawthorne, you mentioned offering service packages with the durable and consumable sales. I was wondering what percent of Hawthorne sales are currently derived from service? Is there a recurring revenue opportunity here? Just if you could provide some more information on how services are bundled with that equipment sale at the larger growers? Thanks.
Chris Hagedorn
Analyst
So I probably should have phrased it differently. We have a tech services team that we deploy across pretty much the breadth of our business, really prioritizing our larger, what we'd consider, key accounts, particularly up in Canada right now. It’s not something that we've been charging for. I don't foresee us at least in the near-term making that a revenue driver, it's more of a sales tool and it comes bundled with using us as a supplier.
Jim King
Management
I want to just add how critical I think that is. This is a relatively new industry, particularly at the scale that you're talking about where customers like this in a single site could have tens of thousands of lights. And they've got to combine that and grow the product of quality and predictable, all the stuff you'd expect and everybody is learning as they go. Our ability to step in as a major supplier with a highly professional tech support group that says, what's going on here, how can we help, what's not working. If you're one of the big LPs in Canada and something is not working, you need help. And being a partner that can step in with experienced technical support, including R&D, sales, lighting et cetera, nutrients and say, let's get them back up and running or solve a problem as quickly as possible. And saying it doesn't cost you anything for that. All you got to do is buy our products. You buy our products. You will get something that I don't think anybody else can offer for nothing. That's the model when this works right.
Randy Coleman
Management
I would just add, if you could meet the people that we have on this team, they're seasoned, they're knowledgeable and they're experienced, here to help, you'll be really impressed.
Operator
Operator
It appears there are no further questions at this time. I'd like to turn the conference to Mr. King for any additional or closing remarks.
Jim King
Management
Thanks John, that's all we've got today. If we've not gotten people's questions, please call me directly at 937-578-5622. And because we have not gotten enough plugs in yet this morning for John Anderson's conference, Randy, and I will be there on June 6th to give you an update on where we stand here today. Thanks for calling everybody and have a great day.
Operator
Operator
Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes today's conference call. Thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect.