þ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Wisconsin | 39-0561070 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer Identification | |
incorporation or organization) | Number) |
Large accelerated filer þ | Accelerated filer o | Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Smaller reporting company o |
Class
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Outstanding at July 31, 2010 | |
Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share | 49,662,678 |
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EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT | ||||||||
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EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT | ||||||||
EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT | ||||||||
EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT |
ITEM 1. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Three Months | Six Months | |||||||||||||||
Ended June 30, | Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 333,969 | $ | 303,959 | $ | 648,045 | $ | 586,783 | ||||||||
Cost of products sold |
229,008 | 209,269 | 448,138 | 405,563 | ||||||||||||
Selling and administrative expenses |
57,815 | 51,433 | 114,106 | 99,579 | ||||||||||||
Operating income |
47,146 | 43,257 | 85,801 | 81,641 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
5,488 | 5,650 | 10,266 | 12,896 | ||||||||||||
Earnings before income taxes |
41,658 | 37,607 | 75,535 | 68,745 | ||||||||||||
Income taxes |
12,973 | 11,788 | 23,383 | 21,319 | ||||||||||||
Net earnings |
$ | 28,685 | $ | 25,819 | $ | 52,152 | $ | 47,426 | ||||||||
Average number of common shares outstanding: |
||||||||||||||||
Basic |
49,047 | 48,301 | 48,937 | 48,223 | ||||||||||||
Diluted |
49,365 | 48,554 | 49,244 | 48,453 | ||||||||||||
Earnings per common share: |
||||||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | .58 | $ | .53 | $ | 1.07 | $ | .98 | ||||||||
Diluted |
$ | .58 | $ | .53 | $ | 1.06 | $ | .98 | ||||||||
Dividends per common share |
$ | .20 | $ | .19 | $ | .39 | $ | .38 | ||||||||
1
June 30, | ||||||||
2010 | December 31, | |||||||
(Unaudited) | 2009 | |||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
CURRENT ASSETS: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 13,911 | $ | 12,219 | ||||
Trade accounts receivable, net |
216,486 | 200,186 | ||||||
Inventories |
367,573 | 390,011 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
47,873 | 55,693 | ||||||
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS |
645,843 | 658,109 | ||||||
OTHER ASSETS |
35,887 | 38,349 | ||||||
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET |
12,791 | 13,621 | ||||||
GOODWILL |
421,261 | 455,995 | ||||||
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT: |
||||||||
Land |
45,389 | 49,429 | ||||||
Buildings |
276,554 | 293,200 | ||||||
Machinery and equipment |
601,593 | 630,420 | ||||||
Construction in progress |
30,548 | 20,211 | ||||||
954,084 | 993,260 | |||||||
Less accumulated depreciation |
(558,189 | ) | (567,643 | ) | ||||
395,895 | 425,617 | |||||||
TOTAL ASSETS |
$ | 1,511,677 | $ | 1,591,691 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
||||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES: |
||||||||
Trade accounts payable |
$ | 90,018 | $ | 88,915 | ||||
Accrued salaries, wages and withholdings from employees |
20,089 | 22,568 | ||||||
Other accrued expenses |
51,387 | 64,789 | ||||||
Income taxes |
6,807 | 692 | ||||||
Short-term borrowings |
39,652 | 39,181 | ||||||
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES |
207,953 | 216,145 | ||||||
OTHER LIABILITIES |
24,072 | 27,203 | ||||||
ACCRUED EMPLOYEE AND RETIREE BENEFITS |
51,259 | 50,796 | ||||||
LONG-TERM DEBT |
349,485 | 388,852 | ||||||
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY: |
||||||||
Common stock |
5,396 | 5,396 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
88,404 | 85,504 | ||||||
Earnings reinvested in the business |
955,868 | 922,963 | ||||||
Treasury stock, at cost |
(96,808 | ) | (103,878 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(73,952 | ) | (1,290 | ) | ||||
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
878,908 | 908,695 | ||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
$ | 1,511,677 | $ | 1,591,691 | ||||
2
Six Months | ||||||||
Ended June 30, | ||||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 64,186 | $ | 55,445 | ||||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
||||||||
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment |
(19,853 | ) | (19,602 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from sale of assets |
76 | 4 | ||||||
Other investing activity |
(340 | ) | (366 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(20,117 | ) | (19,964 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||||
Proceeds from additional borrowings |
126,253 | 216,138 | ||||||
Debt payments |
(147,965 | ) | (228,695 | ) | ||||
Dividends paid |
(19,247 | ) | (18,476 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from options exercised and other equity transactions |
7,768 | 4,522 | ||||||
Net cash used in financing activities |
(33,191 | ) | (26,511 | ) | ||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
(9,186 | ) | (1,879 | ) | ||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
1,692 | 7,091 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
12,219 | 8,498 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
$ | 13,911 | $ | 15,589 | ||||
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1. | Accounting Policies |
In the opinion of Sensient Technologies Corporation (the Company), the accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) which are necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. |
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. |
Expenses are charged to operations in the year incurred. However, for interim reporting purposes, certain expenses are charged to operations based on a proportionate share of estimated annual amounts rather than as they are actually incurred. |
Refer to the notes in the Companys annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009, for additional details of the Companys financial condition and a description of the Companys accounting policies, which have been continued without change. |
2. | Fair Value |
Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, defines fair value for financial assets and liabilities, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. As of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Companys only assets and liabilities subject to this standard are forward exchange contracts and mutual fund investments. The fair value of the forward exchange contracts based on current pricing obtained for comparable derivative products (Level 2 inputs) at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, was a liability of $0.06 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The fair value of the investments based on June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, market quotes (Level 1 inputs) was an asset of $13.2 million and $13.5 million, respectively. |
The carrying values of the Companys cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and short term borrowings approximated fair values as of June 30, 2010. The fair value of the Companys long-term debt, including current maturities, is estimated using discounted cash flows based on the Companys current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. The carrying value of the long-term debt at June 30, 2010 was $349.5 million. The fair value of the long-term debt at June 30, 2010 was $358.1 million. |
3. | Debt |
In November 2009, the Company entered into an agreement to issue U.S. dollar denominated debt totaling $110 million through a private placement of notes with a group of four financial institutions. These notes were issued on May 3, 2010, and have a fixed coupon rate of 4.91% with a final maturity date of May 3, 2017. Proceeds from the sale of the notes have been used to repay existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes. |
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4. | Segment Information |
Operating results by segment for the periods and at the dates presented are as follows: |
Flavors & | Corporate | |||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | Fragrances | Color | & Other | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
Three months ended June 30,
2010: |
||||||||||||||||
Revenue from external customers |
$ | 199,024 | $ | 108,225 | $ | 26,720 | $ | 333,969 | ||||||||
Intersegment revenue |
6,023 | 4,754 | 381 | 11,158 | ||||||||||||
Total revenue |
$ | 205,047 | $ | 112,979 | $ | 27,101 | $ | 345,127 | ||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
$ | 33,223 | $ | 20,880 | $ | (6,957 | ) | $ | 47,146 | |||||||
Interest expense |
| | 5,488 | 5,488 | ||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) before income
taxes |
$ | 33,223 | $ | 20,880 | $ | (12,445 | ) | $ | 41,658 | |||||||
Three months ended June 30,
2009: |
||||||||||||||||
Revenue from external customers |
$ | 193,663 | $ | 89,305 | $ | 20,991 | $ | 303,959 | ||||||||
Intersegment revenue |
3,892 | 4,419 | 226 | 8,537 | ||||||||||||
Total revenue |
$ | 197,555 | $ | 93,724 | $ | 21,217 | $ | 312,496 | ||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
$ | 34,249 | $ | 15,001 | $ | (5,993 | ) | $ | 43,257 | |||||||
Interest expense |
| | 5,650 | 5,650 | ||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) before income
taxes |
$ | 34,249 | $ | 15,001 | $ | (11,643 | ) | $ | 37,607 | |||||||
Flavors & | Corporate | |||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | Fragrances | Color | & Other | Consolidated | ||||||||||||
Six months ended June 30, 2010: |
||||||||||||||||
Revenue from external customers |
$ | 384,958 | $ | 212,438 | $ | 50,649 | $ | 648,045 | ||||||||
Intersegment revenue |
10,791 | 8,497 | 723 | 20,011 | ||||||||||||
Total revenue |
$ | 395,749 | $ | 220,935 | $ | 51,372 | $ | 668,056 | ||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
$ | 60,407 | $ | 38,988 | $ | (13,594 | ) | $ | 85,801 | |||||||
Interest expense |
| | 10,266 | 10,266 | ||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) before income taxes |
$ | 60,407 | $ | 38,988 | $ | (23,860 | ) | $ | 75,535 | |||||||
Six months ended June 30, 2009: |
||||||||||||||||
Revenue from external customers |
$ | 374,387 | $ | 172,982 | $ | 39,414 | $ | 586,783 | ||||||||
Intersegment revenue |
7,716 | 7,832 | 474 | 16,022 | ||||||||||||
Total revenue |
$ | 382,103 | $ | 180,814 | $ | 39,888 | $ | 602,805 | ||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
$ | 64,206 | $ | 28,732 | $ | (11,297 | ) | $ | 81,641 | |||||||
Interest expense |
| | 12,896 | 12,896 | ||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) before income taxes |
$ | 64,206 | $ | 28,732 | $ | (24,193 | ) | $ | 68,745 | |||||||
5. | Inventories |
At June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, inventories included finished and in-process products totaling $259.4 million and $275.5 million, respectively, and raw materials and supplies of $108.2 million and $114.5 million, respectively. |
5
6. | Retirement Plans |
The Companys components of annual benefit cost for the defined benefit plans for the periods presented are as follows: |
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
June 30, | June 30, | |||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | 2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||||
Service cost |
$ | 469 | $ | 311 | $ | 944 | $ | 615 | ||||||||
Interest cost |
709 | 747 | 1,427 | 1,470 | ||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets |
(323 | ) | (271 | ) | (654 | ) | (522 | ) | ||||||||
Amortization of prior service cost |
753 | 456 | 1,506 | 911 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of actuarial loss |
118 | 52 | 236 | 102 | ||||||||||||
Defined benefit expense |
$ | 1,726 | $ | 1,295 | $ | 3,459 | $ | 2,576 | ||||||||
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, the Company made contributions to its defined benefit pension plans of $0.9 million and $1.9 million, respectively. Total contributions to Company defined benefit pension plans are expected to be $3.8 million in 2010. |
7. | Comprehensive Income |
Comprehensive income is comprised of the following: |
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
June 30, | June 30, | |||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | 2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||||
Net earnings |
$ | 28,685 | $ | 25,819 | $ | 52,152 | $ | 47,426 | ||||||||
Currency translation adjustments |
(46,428 | ) | 46,665 | (72,551 | ) | 19,685 | ||||||||||
Net unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges |
(440 | ) | (60 | ) | (111 | ) | 60 | |||||||||
Net comprehensive (loss) income |
$ | (18,183 | ) | $ | 72,424 | $ | (20,510 | ) | $ | 67,171 | ||||||
8. | Cash Flows from Operating Activities |
Cash flows from operating activities are detailed below: |
Six Months Ended | ||||||||
June 30, | ||||||||
(In thousands) | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||
Net earnings |
$ | 52,152 | $ | 47,426 | ||||
Adjustments to arrive at net cash provided
by operating activities: |
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
21,728 | 21,015 | ||||||
Share-based compensation |
1,515 | 1,047 | ||||||
Loss on assets |
735 | 616 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
1,800 | 1,374 | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities |
(13,744 | ) | (16,033 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 64,186 | $ | 55,445 | ||||
6
9. | Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity |
The Company may use derivative instruments for the purpose of hedging currency, commodity and interest rate exposures, which exist as part of ongoing business operations. As a policy, the Company does not engage in speculative or leveraged transactions, nor does the Company hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. Hedge effectiveness is determined by how closely the changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument offset the changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged transaction. Hedge accounting, which generally results in the deferral of derivative gains and losses until such time as the underlying transaction is recognized in net earnings, is permitted only if the hedging relationship is expected to be highly effective at the inception of the transaction and on an ongoing basis. Any ineffective portions are recognized in earnings immediately. |
The Company manages its exposure to foreign exchange risk by the use of forward exchange contracts and foreign currency denominated debt to reduce the effect of fluctuating foreign currencies on short-term foreign currency denominated intercompany transactions, non-functional currency raw material purchases, non-functional currency sales and other known foreign currency exposures. These derivatives may or may not be designated as hedges under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. These forward exchange contracts have maturities of less than twelve months. The Companys primary hedging activities and their accounting treatment are summarized below: |
Forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges The forward exchange contracts that have been designated as hedges are accounted for as cash flow hedges. The Company had $7.9 million and $6.3 million of forward exchange contracts, designated as hedges, outstanding as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. The fair values of these forward exchange contracts at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, were liabilities of $0.06 million and $0.1 million, respectively, classified in Other Liabilities in the Companys Consolidated Balance Sheets. The gains or losses on these instruments are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (OCI) until the underlying transaction is recognized in net earnings. As of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, a loss of $0.3 million and $0.2 million were deferred in OCI in the Companys Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively. For the quarter ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, a gain of $0.1 million and a loss of $5,000, respectively, were reclassified into earnings in the Companys Consolidated Statement of Earnings which offset the earnings impact of the related non-functional asset or liability that was hedged in each of the same periods. For the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, a gain of $0.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively, were reclassified into earnings in the Companys Consolidated Statement of Earnings which offset the earnings impact of the related non-functional asset or liability that was hedged in each of the same periods. Over the next twelve months, the Company expects to reclassify a loss of $0.3 million from OCI into net earnings. | |||
Forward contracts not designated as cash flow hedges The Company also utilizes forward exchange contracts that are not designated as cash flow hedges under ASC 815. These contracts are marked-to-market in net earnings immediately, at the same time as the non-functional asset or liability is marked-to-market in net earnings. The results of these transactions are not material to the financial statements. | |||
Net investment hedges The Company has certain debt denominated in Euros and Swiss Francs. These debt instruments have been designated as partial hedges of the Companys Euro and Swiss Franc net asset positions. Changes in the fair value of this debt attributable to changes in the spot foreign exchange rate are recorded in foreign currency translation in OCI. As of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the total value of the Companys Euro and Swiss Franc debt was $100.7 million and $141.7 million, respectively. For the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2010, these debt instruments were reduced by $10.4 million and $17.2 million, respectively, and these amounts have been recorded as foreign currency translation in OCI. |
7
10. | Income Taxes |
The effective income tax rates for the quarters ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 were 31.1% and 31.3%, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, the effective income tax rates were both 31.0%. The effective tax rates in both 2010 and 2009 were reduced by changes in estimates associated with the finalization of prior year foreign tax items. |
11. | Subsequent Events |
The Company performed an evaluation of subsequent events through the date these financial statements were issued. |
12. | Commitments and Contingencies |
Environmental Matters |
The Company is involved in various significant environmental matters, which are described below. The Company is also involved in other site closure and related environmental remediation and compliance activities at a manufacturing site related to a 2001 acquisition by the Company for which reserves for environmental matters were established as of the date of purchase. |
In 2004, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notified the Companys subsidiary Sensient Colors Inc. (Sensient Colors), formerly H. Kohnstamm & Co., that it may be a potentially responsible party (PRP) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) for activities at the General Color Company Superfund Site in Camden, New Jersey (the Site). The Company has also been involved in a dispute with the owner of Pleasant Gardens, an apartment complex adjacent to the General Color Superfund Site, and with certain agencies of the State of New Jersey relating to the Pleasant Gardens property. From the time it was notified of these claims until late 2009, Sensient vigorously defended its interests in this litigation. Sensient pursued additional PRPs and it asserted numerous challenges to the recovery of the costs claimed in each matter. In the fourth quarter of 2009, Sensient Colors and its insurers met with the United States and the parties involved in the Pleasant Gardens dispute and ultimately agreed to a settlement in principle to resolve the matters. As a result of the proposed settlements, Sensients results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2009 included pre-tax charges for estimated settlement liabilities and related legal costs, net of insurance reimbursements, of approximately $11.3 million. Additional information on these matters is included in Part II, Item I of this filing. |
Since December 31, 2009, the Company has made payments and received substantially all insurance reimbursements related to the Superfund and Pleasant Gardens claims discussed above. As of June 30, 2010, total liabilities related to these and other environmental matters are estimated to be between $7.6 million and $10.8 million. As of June 30, 2010, the Company has an accrual remaining of $8.9 million which primarily relates to the settlement of legal claims in the Superfund and Pleasant Gardens matters. The accrual and the receivable recorded for these matters represents managements best estimate of these items; however, the actual amounts may be different than the levels reserved or estimated, in which case the Company would need to recognize the difference in earnings in later periods. There can be no assurance that additional environmental matters will not arise in the future. |
Commercial Litigation |
In June 2009, Sensient sued one of its product vendors, Cherry Blossom LLC (Cherry Blossom), a supplier of processed cherry products in Michigan, when Cherry Blossom prepared to close its facility and refused to return to Sensient raw cherries to which Sensient held title. Sensient sued for conversion, breach of contract, possession of the cherries, and money damages of approximately $500,000. Cherry Blossom and its lender opposed the claim and the court deferred the matter for trial. |
Cherry Blossom counter-claimed against Sensient, primarily relating to ownership of the cherry processing formulas. Sensient sold Cherry Blossom certain written materials containing formulas used in the processing of cherries. Cherry Blossom claims it has an exclusive right to use Sensients formulas. On June 22, 2009, Cherry Blossom moved for an injunction to prohibit Sensient from using its cherry processing formulas. The court denied that motion. |
8
Crossroads Debt, LLC (Crossroads), a secured lender to Cherry Blossom, intervened in the case and asserted multiple claims against Cherry Blossom related to Cherry Blossoms $1.4 million debt to Crossroads. |
Crossroads also asserted cross-claims against Sensient related to offsets Sensient took against its payments to Cherry Blossom for the processed cherry product Sensient purchased from Cherry Blossom. |
Under Sensients contract with Cherry Blossom, Cherry Blossom would purchase Sensients raw cherries for use in making finished cherry product. Sensient then purchased the finished product from Cherry Blossom at a purchase price reduced by setoffs for the amount Cherry Blossom owed Sensient for raw cherries. Eventually, Cherry Blossom directed Sensient to make payments directly to Crossroads, which Sensient did for about seven months, until Cherry Blossom ceased operations. |
At a mediation on March 24, 2010, Crossroads claimed for the first time that because Sensient paid for the finished cherry product by offsetting antecedent debt, Sensient was not a buyer in the ordinary course of business as defined by the Uniform Commercial Code. As a result, Crossroads claimed that Sensient was not entitled to take such offsets because Crossroads claimed it had a perfected senior lien on the offset funds. Crossroads sought the imposition of a constructive trust over $1.4 million of such funds and a judgment requiring their return by Sensient. The total exposure could have exceeded this amount due to interest. |
In addition, Sensient asserted indemnification claims against Crossroads related to a US Department of Labor hot goods issue. The US Department of Labor prohibited Sensient from selling in interstate commerce cherries made by Cherry Blossoms employees and for which Sensient had paid Cherry Blossom, because Cherry Blossom failed to pay its employees their wages earned when they processed the cherries. |
Crossroads moved for summary disposition on April 12, 2010, based on the Uniform Commercial Code argument it raised at the March 24, 2010, mediation. Sensient opposed the motion and argued that Sensient was entitled to summary disposition, not Crossroads. At a hearing on the motion, the court ruled in Sensients favor, dismissing all of Crossroads claims against Sensient. |
Three claims remain. First, Sensient seeks reimbursement from Crossroads in connection with its DOL hot goods issue described above. Second, Sensient seeks reimbursement from Crossroads for certain returned goods. Third, ownership of the 2006 cherry inventory is undecided. The court accepted the parties stipulation that these three issues could be resolved on briefs and set a schedule accordingly. |
On May 27, 2010, Cherry Blossom filed a bankruptcy petition in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan. Such filing triggered an automatic stay of all litigation pending against Cherry Blossom, including the instant case. The state court determined that the automatic stay in Cherry Blossoms bankruptcy case did not prevent the court from signing the order granting Sensient summary judgment disposing of Crossroads claims. The court also decided that the bankruptcy filing stayed indefinitely the remaining claims regarding possession of the cherries, hot goods, and returned goods. |
The bankruptcy trustee has stipulated to lift the stay as to the issue of possession of the 2006 cherries. If the bankruptcy court approves the stipulation that claim may proceed. It is unclear whether the claims that concern hot goods and returned goods will also proceed if the stay is lifted. |
The Company is involved in various other claims and litigation arising in the normal course of business. In the judgment of management, which relies in part on information from Company counsel, the ultimate resolution of these actions will not materially affect the consolidated financial statements of the Company except as described above. |
9
ITEM 2. | MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
OVERVIEW |
Revenue for the second quarter of 2010 was $334.0 million, an increase of 9.9% from $304.0 million recorded in the prior years second quarter. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, revenue was $648.0 million, an increase of 10.4% from $586.8 million reported in the prior years period. The impact of foreign exchange rates increased consolidated revenue by 0.1% and 2.6% in the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively. Revenue for the Flavors & Fragrances segment increased 3.8% and 3.6% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively, from the comparable periods last year. Color segment revenue increased 20.5% and 22.2% for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively, from the comparable periods last year. Corporate and Other revenue increased 27.7% and 28.8% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively, from the comparable periods last year. Additional information on group results can be found in the Segment Information section. |
The gross profit margin increased 20 basis points to 31.4% for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, from 31.2% for the same period in 2009. Favorable product mix and lower energy costs were primarily responsible for the improved gross profit margin. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the gross profit margin decreased 10 basis points to 30.8% from 30.9% in the comparable period in 2009. Lower prices, primarily in the dehydrated flavors business, were partially offset by favorable energy costs for the six month period. |
Selling and administrative expenses as a percent of revenue were 17.3% and 16.9% in the quarters ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, selling and administrative expenses as a percent of revenue were 17.6% and 17.0%, respectively. Higher employee costs, including increases in sales and technical staff, combined with higher performance based compensation, were the primary drivers of the increase. |
Second quarter operating income increased 9.0% to $47.1 million from $43.3 million reported in the prior year quarter. Operating income was $85.8 million and $81.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The impact of foreign exchange rates increased operating income by 0.5% and 3.0% in the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively. The change in operating income was due to the revenue, gross profit margin and expense changes discussed above. Additional information can be found in the Segment Information section. |
Interest expense for the second quarter of 2010 decreased 2.9% to $5.5 million from $5.7 million in the prior years quarter. Interest expense was $10.3 million and $12.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Average debt balances outstanding were lower in both the quarter and six month period. In the second quarter of 2010, interest rates were slightly higher than the comparable period last year and for the six months ended June 30, 2010, were slightly lower than the prior year period. |
The effective income tax rates were 31.1% and 31.3% for the quarters ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The effective income tax rates for both the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, were 31.0%. The effective tax rates in both 2010 and 2009 were reduced by changes in estimates associated with the finalization of prior year foreign tax items. The Company expects the effective tax rate for the remainder of 2010 to be 33.0%, excluding the income tax expense or benefit related to discrete items, which will be reported separately in the quarter in which they occur. |
SEGMENT INFORMATION |
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Flavors & Fragrances Revenue for the Flavors & Fragrances segment in the second quarter of 2010 was $205.0 million, an increase of 3.8% from $197.6 million reported in last years second quarter. The increase was primarily due to higher revenue in Europe ($6.0 million) and North America ($1.5 million). These items were partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates ($0.6 million). The increased revenue in Europe was primarily related to higher volumes. The higher revenue in North America was primarily the impact of higher volumes partially offset by lower selling prices. Many product lines saw improved demand and a higher level of new product activity by customers. The lower selling prices were primarily due to downward selling price adjustments for dehydrated flavors in advance of anticipated lower raw material costs. Raw material costs did improve late in the second quarter and these lower costs are expected to continue for the remainder of 2010. |
For the quarters ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, operating income was $33.2 million and $34.2 million, respectively. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower profit in North America ($2.4 million) partially offset by higher profit in Europe ($0.7 million) and Latin America ($0.3 million). The lower profit in North America was primarily related to the lower selling prices mentioned above. The higher profit in Europe and Latin America was primarily due to increased volumes and lower costs. Operating income as a percent of revenue was 16.2% and 17.3% for the second quarters of 2010 and 2009, respectively. |
For the six months ended June 30, 2010, revenue for the Flavors & Fragrances segment was up 3.6% to $395.7 million from $382.1 million in the prior year period. The increase in revenue was primarily due to higher revenue in Europe ($7.9 million) and the favorable impact of exchange rates ($7.9 million). These items were partially offset by lower revenue in North America ($2.5 million). The higher revenue in Europe was primarily due to increased volumes. The lower revenue in North America was primarily due to lower selling prices partially offset by higher volumes. The lower selling prices were primarily due to downward selling price adjustments for dehydrated flavors in advance of anticipated lower raw material costs. |
Operating income was $60.4 million and $64.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The decrease in operating income was primarily related to lower profit in North America ($6.6 million) partially offset by higher profit in Europe ($1.1 million) and the favorable impact of exchange rates ($1.6 million). The decrease in North America was primarily due to the lower selling prices mentioned above. The higher profit in Europe was primarily due to increased volumes. |
Color Revenue for the Color segment in the second quarter of 2010 increased 20.5% to $113.0 million from $93.7 million reported in the prior years second quarter. The increase in revenue was primarily due to higher sales of food and beverage colors ($11.6 million) and non-food colors ($8.5 million). The higher sales of food and beverage colors were primarily due to higher volumes and an increase in selling prices. The higher sales of non-food colors were primarily due to increased volumes. In general the Group saw strong demand across most product lines and an improved level of new product introductions by customers. |
Operating income for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, was $20.9 million, an increase of 39.2% from the $15.0 million reported in the comparable period last year. The increase was primarily due to higher profit on sales of food and beverage colors ($4.2 million) and non-food colors ($2.0 million). The higher profits on sales of food and beverage colors and non-food colors were primarily driven by the increased revenue discussed above. Operating income as a percent of revenue was 18.5% compared to 16.0% in the prior years quarter. |
The Color Group revenue increased 22.2% to $220.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, from $180.8 million in the comparable period of 2009. The increase was due to higher sales of food and beverage colors ($18.7 million) and non-food colors ($17.5) combined with the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates ($3.9 million). The increase in sales of food and beverage colors was due to both higher volumes and selling prices. The higher sales of non-food colors were primarily due to increased volumes. |
Operating income was $39.0 million for the first six months of 2010, an increase of 35.7% from $28.7 million reported for the first six months of 2009. The increase was primarily due to the higher profit on sales of food and beverage colors ($7.1 million) and higher profit in non-food colors ($2.7 million). The higher profits on sales of food and beverage colors and non-food colors were primarily due to the higher |
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revenue discussed above. Operating income as a percent of revenue was 17.6% compared to 15.9% in the prior years first six months. |
LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL CONDITION |
The Companys ratio of debt to total capital improved to 30.7% as of June 30, 2010, from 32.0% as of December 31, 2009. The improvement was due to lower outstanding debt balances partially offset by lower equity. |
Net cash provided by operating activities was $64.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared to $55.4 million for the comparable period last year. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to higher earnings and less cash required to fund working capital increases in the first six months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. |
Net cash used in investing activities was $20.1 million and $20.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Capital expenditures were $19.9 million and $19.6 million for the year-to-date periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. |
Net cash used in financing activities was $33.2 million in the first six months of 2010 and $26.5 million in the comparable period of 2009 primarily related to higher net repayments on debt in the first six months of 2010 due to the higher cash provided by operating activities. In the first six months of 2010, net repayments on debt were $21.7 million compared to $12.6 million for the first six months of 2009. For purposes of the cash flow statement, net changes in debt exclude the impact of foreign exchange rates. Dividends of $19.2 million and $18.5 million were paid during the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, reflecting the Companys higher dividend of $0.39 per share in the first six months of 2010 compared to $0.38 per share in the same period in 2009. In the first six months of 2010 and 2009, the Companys cash provided from operations was able to fund capital expenditures, pay dividends and reduce outstanding debt. |
The Companys financial position remains strong. In November 2009, the Company entered into an agreement to issue $110 million of notes on May 3, 2010. The proceeds from the new debt agreement have been used to refinance existing debt and for general corporate purposes. The Company expects that its cash flows from operations and existing lines of credit can be used to meet future cash requirements for operations, capital expenditures and dividend payments to shareholders. |
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS |
There have been no material changes in the Companys contractual obligations during the quarter ended June 30, 2010. For additional information about contractual obligations, refer to pages 23 and 24 of the Companys 2009 Annual Report, portions of which were filed as Exhibit 13.1 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. |
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS |
The Company had no off-balance sheet arrangements as of June 30, 2010. |
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
There have been no material changes in the Companys critical accounting policies during the quarter ended June 30, 2010. For additional information about critical accounting policies, refer to pages 21 and 22 of the Companys 2009 Annual Report, portions of which were filed as Exhibit 13.1 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. |
ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
There have been no material changes in the Companys exposure to market risk during the quarter ended June 30, 2010. For additional information about market risk, refer to pages 22 and 23 of the Companys 2009 Annual Report, portions of which were filed as Exhibit 13.1 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. |
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ITEM 4. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures: The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Companys Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness, as of the end of the period covered by this report, of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon that evaluation, the Companys Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. |
Change in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting: During the quarter ended June 30, 2010, the Company implemented a new enterprise resource planning software application at one significant location at its Flavors & Fragrances segment. The implementation included the order taking, manufacturing, general ledger and financial reporting processes. The Company followed a system development process that required significant pre-implementation planning, design and testing. There has been no other change in the Companys internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) during the Companys most recent quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting. |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS |
This document contains forward-looking statements that reflect managements current assumptions and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, Company performance and financial results. Forward-looking statements include statements in the future tense, statements referring to any period after June 30, 2010, and statements including the terms expect, believe, anticipate and other similar terms that express expectations as to future events or conditions. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed in those statements. A variety of factors could cause the Companys actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results. These factors and assumptions include the pace and nature of new product introductions by the Companys customers; the Companys ability to successfully implement its growth strategies; the outcome of the Companys various productivity-improvement and cost-reduction efforts; changes in costs of raw materials and energy; industry and economic factors related to the Companys domestic and international business; competition from other suppliers of colors, flavors and fragrances; growth or contraction in markets for products in which the Company competes; terminations and other changes in customer relationships; industry and customer acceptance of price increases; currency exchange rate fluctuations; cost and availability of credit; results of litigation, environmental investigations or other proceedings; complications as a result of existing or future information technology system applications and hardware; the matters discussed under Item 1A of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009; and the matters discussed above under Item 2 including the critical accounting policies referenced therein. The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized. |
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ITEM 1. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
Superfund Claim |
In July 2004, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notified the Companys subsidiary Sensient Colors Inc. (Sensient Colors) that it may be a potentially responsible party (PRP) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) for activities at the General Color Company Superfund Site in Camden, New Jersey (the Site). The EPA requested reimbursement of $10.9 million in clean-up costs, plus interest. Sensient Colors advised the EPA that the Site had been expressly excluded from the Companys 1988 stock purchase of H. Kohnstamm & Company, Inc. (now Sensient Colors). The selling shareholders had retained ownership of and liability for the Site, and some became owners of General Color Company, which continued to operate there until the mid-1990s. In a letter to the EPA in January 2005, the Company outlined legal challenges to the recoverability of certain costs and urged the EPA to pursue General Color Company and related parties. The EPA informed Sensient Colors that it was unwilling to discuss these legal challenges without prior conditions. In 2005, a private developer, Westfield Acres Urban Renewal Association II, LP, pursuant to an agreement with the EPA, began redevelopment efforts at the Site (construction of affordable housing) by demolishing buildings thereon. Thereafter, the EPA removed allegedly contaminated soil from the locations where the buildings once stood. |
In March 2007, the United States filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court in New Jersey against Sensient Colors claiming over $16 million in response costs allegedly incurred and to be incurred by the EPA pursuant to CERCLA. Sensient Colors moved to dismiss the United States complaint, which motion was denied by the Court in October 2007. Sensient Colors timely filed its answer and affirmative defenses to the United States complaint, as well as a third-party complaint against current and former owners and/or operators of the Site. The United States moved to strike Sensient Colors affirmative defenses. In an August 12, 2008 Opinion and Order, following briefs and oral argument, the Court partly granted and partly denied the United States motion, effectively preserving most of Sensient Colors affirmative defenses, either as originally pled or with changes outlined by the Court. Sensient Colors promptly filed an amended pleading incorporating the revised affirmative defenses. On July 29, 2008, Sensient Colors filed a third-party complaint adding Kohnstamm Inc. (a Canadian affiliate of General Color Company) and its president Avtar Singh as defendants. |
In late August 2008, in the course of reviewing documents produced by the EPA, Sensient Colors discovered an e-mail exchange between EPA officials that Sensient Colors believes supports many of the legal theories and affirmative defenses advanced by Sensient Colors in the litigation and undermines key United States cost recovery claims. By letter dated August 26, 2008, based on the above document and other evidence adduced in the case, Sensient Colors demanded that the United States dismiss its case with prejudice and reimburse Sensient Colors for attorneys fees and costs incurred. In response to the August 26, 2008 letter, the United States withdrew, without prejudice, its then-pending motion to limit the scope of review to EPAs administrative record and told the Court that it would respond to Sensients letter by September 10, 2008. The United States then sought additional time for its review of Sensient Colors demand. In an October 3, 2008 Letter Order, the Court directed the United States to provide Sensient with notice of its decision with respect to the demand for dismissal by October 31, 2008. In a letter to Sensient Colors dated October 31, 2008, the United States declined to voluntarily dismiss the case but agreed, with certain conditions, not to oppose depositions of current and former EPA employees on the issues raised in Sensient Colors letter of August 26, 2008. The United States reserved its rights to seek limitations on discovery and to seek to limit review of EPAs choice of response action to the administrative record. |
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Using the evidence that supports its demand for dismissal, Sensient Colors moved for leave to amend its responsive pleading to include a new affirmative defense, a counterclaim against the United States and the EPA, and third-party claims against certain EPA employees or agents. After briefing, the motion for leave to amend was argued before the magistrate judge on November 18, 2008. On February 13, 2009, the magistrate issued an opinion and order denying Sensient Colors motion for leave to amend. Sensient Colors appealed the magistrates decision to the district court judge. On July 22, 2009, the district court judge issued a decision affirming the magistrates opinion and order, largely on sovereign immunity grounds. |
Sensient Colors also issued subpoenas or deposition notices to numerous current or former EPA officials. Motions were filed to block the depositions of former EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman, former EPA Regional Administrator Jane Kenny, and EPA On-Scene Coordinator David Rosoff. On January 28, 2009, the magistrate judge issued an opinion and order denying or delaying Sensient Colors ability to conduct the foregoing depositions. Sensient Colors exercised its right to appeal the magistrates decision to the district court judge. On July 22, 2009, the district court judge issued a decision reversing the magistrate and ordering the depositions of Kenny and Rosoff to proceed. |
On May 8, 2009, Sensient Colors filed a motion for summary judgment seeking dismissal with prejudice of the United States claims. |
Prior to arguing the summary judgment motion and to scheduling the depositions of the current and former EPA officials, the United States and Sensient Colors agreed to meet with each other, with the parties involved in the Pleasant Gardens dispute described below and with interested insurers to determine if a resolution short of trial was possible. The parties met and ultimately agreed to a settlement in principle to resolve the matter by specified payments among the parties and their insurers. As a result of the proposed settlements, Sensients results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2009 included pre-tax charges for estimated settlement liabilities and related legal costs, net of insurance reimbursements, of approximately $11.3 million. In July 2010, the U.S. District Court in New Jersey approved the consent decree with the United States. Sensient Colors and the third-party defendants are currently in the process of executing their respective settlement agreements. |
Pleasant Gardens Realty Corp. v. H. Kohnstamm & Co., et al. |
The owner of Pleasant Gardens (Property), an apartment complex adjacent to the General Color Superfund Site, filed a complaint in New Jersey state court in November 2003 against H. Kohnstamm & Co. (now Sensient Colors), the Company, General Color Company, and unknown defendants. Plaintiff seeks to hold defendants liable, in an unspecified amount, for damages related to the alleged contamination of the Property. Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the Company without prejudice. Sensient Colors filed an answer denying liability and asserting affirmative defenses. In November 2006, the Camden Redevelopment Agency (Agency) filed condemnation litigation against plaintiff (and other purported interested parties) to take the Property. Sensient Colors is not a party to the condemnation litigation. In advance of its filing, the Agency notified plaintiff that its appraiser had assessed the fair market value of the Property at $7.7 million and that its environmental consultant had estimated the costs for environmental cleanup, purportedly to meet requirements of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), at $7.5 million. That amount has been held in escrow pending the outcome of the lawsuit. Sensient Colors and plaintiff pursued a reduction in the scope and cost of the Agencys proposed environmental cleanup in meetings with the DEP, the Agency and another party involved in the condemnation, the New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation (NJSCC). In March 2007, plaintiff filed an amended complaint naming the Agency, the NJSCC and the DEP as additional defendants in furtherance of this effort. In April 2007, Sensient Colors filed its answer to the amended complaint, including cross claims against these newly added parties. The Agency, the DEP and the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (NJSDA) (which replaced the NJSCC as a state agency effective August 7, 2007) each filed answers, cross-claims and counter-claims; Sensient Colors has responded to all three cross-claims. Document discovery was completed in July 2008, and expert and rebuttal expert reports were exchanged. |
Sensient Colors advised the Court and the other parties in this litigation of the developments in the Superfund Claim as described above. Sensient Colors took supplemental depositions of several DEP officials and served subpoenas upon five current or former EPA officials. The United States, though not a party to the Pleasant Gardens case, initially sought to quash those subpoenas before the Pleasant Gardens court. On November 17, 2008, the United States removed the subpoenas and related proceedings to federal court. At an initial court conference on the removed proceedings on February 19, 2009, the federal magistrate judge asked for additional briefing on the issue of the governments standing to seek to quash the state court subpoenas. In |
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September 2009, the federal magistrate judge ordered that former EPA officials could be deposed but only as to individual and not official matters. Sensient Colors appealed this decision to the district court judge. |
On January 8, 2009, the state court judge recused himself from the Pleasant Gardens case (as well as the related insurance coverage case) because of a conflict of interest and the Pleasant Gardens case was reassigned to another judge. In light of the recusal and reassignment, the new judge re-scheduled the trial to commence no earlier than June 1, 2009, and indicated that depending on how certain outstanding discovery issues were resolved, the trial might be deferred further. On April 20, 2009, the court further extended the pretrial schedule and set a trial date for October 5, 2009. On July 24, 2009, Sensient Colors filed a motion for summary judgment on the grounds that the DEPs proposed remedy was arbitrary and capricious. At a conference held on September 18, 2009, the state court judge ordered that discovery be completed before November 15, 2009, that dispositive motions be heard on December 11, 2009, and that the trial commence on February 8, 2010. The judge also ordered that mediation occur before November 15, 2009. |
As described above, Sensient Colors met with the parties to the Pleasant Gardens litigation, to the Superfund claims described above and their respective insurers, and they ultimately agreed to a settlement to resolve the matter by specified payments among the parties and their insurers. As a result of the settlements, Sensients results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2009, included pre-tax charges for estimated settlement liabilities and related legal costs, net of insurance reimbursements, of approximately $11.3 million. The settlement of the Pleasant Gardens litigation was memorialized in a consent decree that was approved by the Superior Court of New Jersey after an opportunity for public comment. |
Commercial Litigation |
In June 2009, Sensient sued one of its product vendors, Cherry Blossom LLC (Cherry Blossom), a supplier of processed cherry products in Michigan, when Cherry Blossom prepared to close its facility and refused to return to Sensient raw cherries to which Sensient held title. Sensient sued for conversion, breach of contract, possession of the cherries, and money damages of approximately $500,000. Cherry Blossom and its lender opposed the claim and the court deferred the matter for trial. |
Cherry Blossom counter-claimed against Sensient, primarily relating to ownership of the cherry processing formulas. Sensient sold Cherry Blossom certain written materials containing formulas used in the processing of cherries. Cherry Blossom claims it has an exclusive right to use Sensients formulas. On June 22, 2009, Cherry Blossom moved for an injunction to prohibit Sensient from using its cherry processing formulas. The court denied that motion. |
Crossroads Debt, LLC (Crossroads), a secured lender to Cherry Blossom, intervened in the case and asserted multiple claims against Cherry Blossom related to Cherry Blossoms $1.4 million debt to Crossroads. |
Crossroads also asserted cross-claims against Sensient related to offsets Sensient took against its payments to Cherry Blossom for the processed cherry product Sensient purchased from Cherry Blossom. |
Under Sensients contract with Cherry Blossom, Cherry Blossom would purchase Sensients raw cherries for use in making finished cherry product. Sensient then purchased the finished product from Cherry Blossom at a purchase price reduced by setoffs for the amount Cherry Blossom owed Sensient for raw cherries. Eventually, Cherry Blossom directed Sensient to make payments directly to Crossroads, which Sensient did for about seven months, until Cherry Blossom ceased operations. |
At a mediation on March 24, 2010, Crossroads claimed for the first time that because Sensient paid for the finished cherry product by offsetting antecedent debt, Sensient was not a buyer in the ordinary course of business as defined by the Uniform Commercial Code. As a result, Crossroads claimed that Sensient was not entitled to take such offsets because Crossroads claimed it had a perfected senior lien on the offset funds. Crossroads sought the imposition of a constructive trust over $1.4 million of such funds and a judgment requiring their return by Sensient. The total exposure could have exceeded this amount due to interest. |
In addition, Sensient asserted indemnification claims against Crossroads related to a US Department of Labor hot goods issue. The US Department of Labor prohibited Sensient from selling in interstate commerce cherries made by Cherry Blossoms employees and for which Sensient had paid Cherry Blossom, because Cherry Blossom failed to pay its employees their wages earned when they processed the cherries. |
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Crossroads moved for summary disposition on April 12, 2010, based on the Uniform Commercial Code argument it raised at the March 24, 2010, mediation. Sensient opposed the motion and argued that Sensient was entitled to summary disposition, not Crossroads. At a hearing on the motion, the court ruled in Sensients favor, dismissing all of Crossroads claims against Sensient. |
Three claims remain. First, Sensient seeks reimbursement from Crossroads in connection with its DOL hot goods issue described above. Second, Sensient seeks reimbursement from Crossroads for certain returned goods. Third, ownership of the 2006 cherry inventory is undecided. The court accepted the parties stipulation that these three issues could be resolved on briefs and set a schedule accordingly. |
On May 27, 2010, Cherry Blossom filed a bankruptcy petition in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan. Such filing triggered an automatic stay of all litigation pending against Cherry Blossom, including the instant case. The state court determined that the automatic stay in Cherry Blossoms bankruptcy case did not prevent the court from signing the order granting Sensient summary judgment disposing of Crossroads claims. The court also decided that the bankruptcy filing stayed indefinitely the remaining claims regarding possession of the cherries, hot goods, and returned goods. |
The bankruptcy trustee has stipulated to lift the stay as to the issue of possession of the 2006 cherries. If the bankruptcy court approves the stipulation that claim may proceed. It is unclear whether the claims that concern hot goods and returned goods will also proceed if the stay is lifted. |
The Company is involved in various other claims and litigation arising in the normal course of business. In the judgment of management, which relies in part on information from Company counsel, the ultimate resolution of these actions will not materially affect the consolidated financial statements of the Company except as described above. |
ITEM 1A. | RISK FACTORS |
See Risk Factors in Item 1A of the Companys annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. |
ITEM 6. | EXHIBITS |
See Exhibit Index following this report. |
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SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION |
||||
Date: August 6, 2010 | By: | /s/ John L. Hammond | ||
John L. Hammond, Senior Vice President, | ||||
General Counsel & Secretary | ||||
Date: August 6, 2010 | By: | /s/ Richard F. Hobbs | ||
Richard F. Hobbs, Senior Vice | ||||
President & Chief Financial Officer | ||||
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Incorporated by Reference | ||||||
Exhibit | Description | From | Filed Herewith | |||
31
|
Certifications of the Companys Chairman & Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act | X | ||||
32
|
Certifications of the Companys Chairman & Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 United States Code § 1350 | X |
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