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AdvanSix Inc. - Quarter Report: 2021 March (Form 10-Q)


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021
or
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from _____ to _____
Commission File Number: 1-37774
 AdvanSix Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
81-2525089
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

300 Kimball Drive, Suite 101, Parsippany, New Jersey
07054
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(973) 526-1800
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per shareASIXNew York Stock Exchange


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý  No o 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ý  No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  o
Accelerated filer  ý
Non-accelerated filer  o
Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes    No ý

The Registrant had 28,051,056 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding at April 23, 2021.


ADVANSIX INC.
FORM 10-Q
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS


 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (unaudited)




PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
ADVANSIX INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
20212020
Sales$376,383 $302,713 
Costs, expenses and other:
Costs of goods sold317,899 272,008 
Selling, general and administrative expenses19,308 16,740 
Interest expense, net1,544 1,959 
Other non-operating expense (income), net230 (234)
Total costs, expenses and other338,981 290,473 
Income before taxes37,402 12,240 
Income tax expense9,271 3,664 
Net income$28,131 $8,576 
Earnings per common share
Basic$1.00 $0.31 
Diluted$0.98 $0.31 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic28,093,764 27,942,486 
Diluted28,741,066 28,050,955 
 

See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
3

ADVANSIX INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
20212020
Net income$28,131 $8,576 
Foreign exchange translation adjustment(70)(57)
Cash-flow hedges483 (1,836)
Pension obligation adjustments— — 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax413 (1,893)
Comprehensive income$28,544 $6,683 

See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
4

ADVANSIX INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$14,124 $10,606 
Accounts and other receivables – net149,461 123,554 
Inventories – net141,810 180,085 
Taxes receivable340 12,289 
Other current assets4,342 6,969 
Total current assets310,077 333,503 
Property, plant and equipment – net763,605 765,469 
Operating lease right-of-use assets113,458 114,484 
Goodwill17,592 15,005 
Other assets38,051 34,946 
Total assets$1,242,783 $1,263,407 
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable$173,593 $190,227 
Accrued liabilities39,724 41,152 
Operating lease liabilities – short-term26,589 29,279 
Deferred income and customer advances19,576 26,379 
Total current liabilities259,482 287,037 
Deferred income taxes127,973 125,575 
Operating lease liabilities – long-term87,231 85,605 
Line of credit – long-term246,000 275,000 
Postretirement benefit obligations39,795 39,168 
Other liabilities7,714 6,899 
Total liabilities768,195 819,284 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, par value $0.01; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 31,660,339 shares issued and 28,051,056 outstanding at March 31, 2021; 31,627,139 shares issued and 28,033,227 outstanding at December 31, 2020
317 316 
Preferred stock, par value $0.01; 50,000,000 shares authorized and 0 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020
— — 
Treasury stock at par (3,609,283 shares at March 31, 2021; 3,593,912 shares at December 31, 2020)
(36)(36)
Additional paid-in capital186,652 184,732 
Retained earnings303,374 275,243 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(15,719)(16,132)
Total stockholders' equity474,588 444,123 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$1,242,783 $1,263,407 
See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
5

ADVANSIX INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 


Three Months Ended
March 31,
20212020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $28,131 $8,576 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used for) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 16,104 14,432 
Loss on disposal of assets 84 35 
Deferred income taxes 2,237 11,204 
Stock based compensation2,363 1,198 
Accretion of deferred financing fees141 130 
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions:
Accounts and other receivables (25,119)(8,746)
Inventories 38,986 13,644 
Taxes receivable11,949 (7,654)
Accounts payable (13,781)(9,752)
Accrued liabilities 912 2,912 
Deferred income and customer advances (6,803)(6,626)
Other assets and liabilities 1,886 366 
Net cash provided by operating activities 57,090 19,719 
Cash flows from investing activities:
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment (14,177)(34,100)
Acquisition of business(9,523)— 
Other investing activities(231)(385)
Net cash used for investing activities (23,931)(34,485)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings from line of credit54,000 133,500 
Payments of line of credit(83,000)(93,500)
Payment of line of credit facility fees— (425)
Principal payments of finance leases(199)(182)
Purchase of treasury stock(443)(925)
Issuance of common stock
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities (29,641)38,470 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 3,518 23,704 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period10,606 7,050 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period$14,124 $30,754 
Supplemental non-cash investing activities:
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable $2,965 $11,553 
Supplemental cash activities:
Cash paid for interest$1,518 $730 
Cash paid for income taxes$35 $109 
See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
6

ADVANSIX INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

Common StockAdditional Paid-In CapitalRetained EarningsTreasury StockAccumulated  Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)Total Equity
SharesAmount
Balance at December 31, 202031,627,139 $316 $184,732 $275,243 $(36)$(16,132)$444,123 
Net Income— — — 28,131 — — 28,131 
Comprehensive income
Foreign exchange translation adjustments— — — — — (70)(70)
Cash-flow hedges— — — — — 483 483 
Pension obligation adjustments— — — — — — — 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax— — — — — 413 413 
Issuance of common stock33,200 — — — — 
Purchase of treasury stock (15,371 shares)
— — (443)— — — (443)
Stock-based compensation— — 2,363 — — — 2,363 
Balance at March 31, 202131,660,339 $317 $186,652 $303,374 $(36)$(15,719)$474,588 


Common StockAdditional Paid-In CapitalRetained EarningsTreasury StockAccumulated  Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)Total Equity
SharesAmount
Balance at December 31, 201931,423,898 $314 $180,884 $229,166 $(35)$(9,451)$400,878 
Net Income— — — 8,576 — — 8,576 
Comprehensive income
Foreign exchange translation adjustments— — — — — (57)(57)
Cash-flow hedges— — — — — (1,836)(1,836)
Pension obligation adjustments— — — — — — — 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax— — — — — (1,893)(1,893)
Issuance of common stock154,495 — — — — 
Purchase of treasury stock (73,157 shares)
— — (924)— (1)— (925)
Stock-based compensation— — 1,198 — — — 1,198 
Balance at March 31, 202031,578,393 $316 $181,158 $237,742 $(36)$(11,344)$407,836 








See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
7

ADVANSIX INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts and as otherwise noted)




1. Organization, Operations and Basis of Presentation
 
Description of Business
 
AdvanSix Inc. ("AdvanSix," the "Company," "we" or "our") plays a critical role in global supply chains, innovating and delivering essential products for our customers in a wide variety of end markets and applications that touch people’s lives, such as building and construction, fertilizers, plastics, solvents, packaging, paints, coatings, adhesives and electronics. Our reliable and sustainable supply of quality products emerges from the vertically integrated value chain of our three U.S.-based manufacturing facilities. AdvanSix strives to deliver best-in-class customer experiences and differentiated products in the industries of nylon solutions, chemical intermediates, and plant nutrients, guided by our core values of Safety, Integrity, Accountability and Respect.

COVID-19

In March 2020, the World Health Organization categorized the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a global pandemic with numerous countries around the world declaring national emergencies, including the United States. Since early 2020, COVID-19 has continued to spread rapidly, with most countries and territories worldwide having confirmed cases, and with certain jurisdictions experiencing resurgences. The spread resulted in authorities implementing numerous measures to contain the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, shelter-in-place orders and business shutdowns. The pandemic and these containment measures have had a substantial impact on businesses around the world and on global, regional and national economies, including disruptions to supply chains, reduced demand, production and sales across most industries, declines and volatility within global financial markets, and decreased workforces causing increased unemployment. The continuously evolving nature of this pandemic and the pace of recovery may continue to have an impact on the United States and global economies.

The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements reflect estimates and assumptions made by management that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods presented. The Company continues to consider the impact of COVID-19 on the estimates and assumptions used for the financial statements. As previously disclosed, the Company experienced a material impact on its second quarter 2020 results of operations associated with lower demand, particularly in nylon, caprolactam and phenol, and a decrease in overall sales volume related to global markets and the economic impact of COVID-19. During the second half of 2020, and through the first quarter of 2021, demand improved to pre-COVID-19 levels with states, regions and countries in various phases of re-opening and continued administration of vaccines for COVID-19, although there is no assurance demand recovery will continue given the potential for surges in infection rates and newly identified strains of COVID-19. The Company will continue to monitor developments and execute our operational and safety mitigation plans as previously disclosed.

As the situation surrounding COVID-19 remains fluid and unpredictable, the Company cannot reasonably estimate with any degree of certainty the future impact COVID-19 may have on the Company’s results of operations, financial position, and liquidity.

Basis of Presentation

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contain all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the Company's financial position as of March 31, 2021, and its results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. The year-end Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet data were derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. The results of operations of any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full fiscal year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the "2020 Form 10-K"). All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
 
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current period presentation.
8

ADVANSIX INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts and as otherwise noted)




It is our practice to establish actual quarterly closing dates using a predetermined fiscal calendar, which requires our businesses to close their books on a Saturday in order to minimize the potentially disruptive effects of quarterly closing on our business processes. Historically, the effects of this practice were generally not significant to reported results for any quarter and only existed within a reporting year. In the event that differences in actual closing dates are material to year-over-year comparisons of quarterly or year-to-date results, we will provide the appropriate disclosures. Our actual closing dates for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020, respectively.

Liabilities to creditors to whom we have issued checks that remained outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 aggregated $1.0 million and $7.2 million, respectively, and were included in Cash and cash equivalents and Accounts payable in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

On May 4, 2018, the Company announced that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) authorized a share repurchase program of up to $75 million of the Company’s common stock. On February 22, 2019, the Company announced that the Board authorized a share repurchase program of up to an additional $75 million of the Company's common stock, which was in addition to the remaining capacity available under the May 2018 share repurchase program. Repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market, including through the use of trading plans intended to qualify under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The size and timing of these repurchases will depend on pricing, market and economic conditions, legal and contractual requirements and other factors. The share repurchase program has no expiration date and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time. The par value of the shares repurchased is applied to Treasury stock and the excess of the purchase price over par value is applied to Additional paid-in capital.

As of March 31, 2021, the Company had repurchased 3,609,283 shares of common stock, including 519,521 shares withheld to cover tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of awards, for an aggregate of $102.2 million at a weighted average market price of $28.30 per share. As of March 31, 2021, $59.6 million remained available for share repurchases under the current authorization. During the period April 1, 2021 through April 23, 2021, no additional shares were repurchased under the currently authorized repurchase program.

2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
The Company considers the applicability and impact of all Accounting Standards Updates (“ASUs”) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). ASUs not discussed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have minimal impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The amendments of ASU No. 2020-04 are effective for companies as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. An entity may elect to apply the amendments for contract modifications by Topic or Industry Subtopic as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, or prospectively from a date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, up to the date that the financial statements are available to be issued. The amendments in this update apply only to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform and provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The Company is evaluating the impact that the amendments of this standard would have on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations upon adoption.

On December 18, 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The ASU removes the exception to the general principles in ASC 740, Income Taxes, associated with the incremental approach for intra-period tax allocation, accounting for basis differences when there are ownership changes in foreign investments and interim-period income tax accounting for year-to-date losses that exceed anticipated losses. In addition, the ASU improves the application of income tax related guidance and simplifies U.S. GAAP when accounting for franchise taxes that are partially based on income, transactions with government resulting in a step-up in tax basis goodwill, separate financial statements of legal entities not subject to tax, and enacted changes in tax laws in interim periods. Different transition approaches, retrospective, modified retrospective, or prospective, will apply to each income tax simplification provision. The guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption of the amendments in this update is permitted, including adoption in any interim period.
9

ADVANSIX INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts and as otherwise noted)



The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 effective January 1, 2021, which did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations upon adoption.

3. Revenues

Revenue Recognition

We serve approximately 400 customers annually in approximately 50 countries and across a wide variety of industries. For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 the Company's ten largest customers accounted for approximately 38% and 43% of total sales, respectively.
We typically sell to customers under master service agreements, with primarily one-year terms, or by purchase orders. We have historically experienced low customer turnover and have long-standing customer relationships, which span decades. Our largest customer is Shaw Industries Group Inc. (“Shaw”), a significant consumer of caprolactam and Nylon 6 resin, to whom we sell under a long-term agreement. For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, our sales to Shaw were 12% and 17%, respectively, of our total sales.

Each of the Company’s product lines represented the following approximate percentage of total sales for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
20212020
Nylon22%26%
Caprolactam21%22%
Chemical Intermediates38%29%
Ammonium Sulfate19%23%
100%100%

The Company's revenues by geographic area for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
20212020
United States$300,672 $230,443 
International75,711 72,270 
Total$376,383 $302,713 

Deferred Income and Customer Advances
The Company defers revenues when cash payments are received in advance of our performance. Customer advances relate primarily to sales from the ammonium sulfate business. Below is a roll-forward of Deferred income and customer advances for the three months ended March 31, 2021:
Opening balance January 1, 2021$26,379 
Additional cash advances1,016 
Less amounts recognized in revenues(7,819)
Ending balance March 31, 2021$19,576 
The Company expects to recognize as revenue the March 31, 2021 ending balance of Deferred income and customer advances within one year or less.

4. Earnings (Loss) Per Share
 
10

ADVANSIX INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts and as otherwise noted)



The computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share ("EPS") is based on Net income divided by the basic weighted average number of common shares and diluted weighted average number of common shares, respectively. The details of the basic and diluted EPS calculations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
20212020
Basic
Net Income (loss)$28,131 $8,576 
Weighted average common shares outstanding28,093,764 27,942,486 
EPS – Basic$1.00 $0.31 
Diluted
Dilutive effect of equity awards and other stock-based holdings647,302 108,469 
Weighted average common shares outstanding28,741,066 28,050,955 
EPS – Diluted$0.98 $0.31 

Diluted EPS is computed based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period plus the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents using the treasury stock method and the average market price of our common stock for the year.

The diluted EPS calculations exclude the effect of stock options when the options’ assumed proceeds exceed the average market price of the common shares during the period. The anti-dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding at the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20212020
Options and stock equivalents 861,376 935.402 

5. Accounts and Other Receivables Net
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
Accounts receivables$147,717 $122,357 
Other3,221 2,668 
Total accounts and other receivables150,938 125,025 
Less – allowance for doubtful accounts(1,477)(1,471)
Total accounts and other receivables – net$149,461 $123,554 

6. Inventories
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
Raw materials$51,259 $88,612 
Work in progress31,340 54,291 
Finished goods39,187 45,345 
Spares and other27,562 27,198 
149,348 215,446 
Reduction to LIFO cost basis(7,538)(35,361)
Total inventories$141,810 $180,085 

7. Postretirement Benefit Cost
11

ADVANSIX INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts and as otherwise noted)



 
The components of Net periodic benefit cost of the Company’s pension plan are as follows:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
20212020
Service cost$1,954 $2,005 
Interest cost518 544 
Expected return on plan assets(731)(524)
Amortization of actuarial net losses86 — 
Net periodic benefit cost$1,827 $2,025 

The Company made cash contributions to the defined benefit pension plan of $1.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021. The Company currently plans to make pension plan contributions during 2021 sufficient to satisfy funding requirements under the AdvanSix Retirement Earnings Plan in an aggregate amount of approximately $9.0 million to $11.0 million. We anticipate making additional contributions in future years sufficient to satisfy pension funding requirements in those periods.

The pension plan assets are invested through a master trust fund. The strategic asset allocation for the trust fund is selected by the Company's Investment Committee reflecting the results of comprehensive asset and liability modeling. The Investment Committee establishes strategic asset allocation percentage targets and appropriate benchmarks for significant asset classes with the aim of achieving a prudent balance between return and risk.

8. Leases

We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in Operating lease right-of-use assets ("ROU"), Operating lease liabilities – short-term, and Operating lease liabilities – long-term in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Finance leases are included in Property, plant and equipment – net, Accounts payable, and Other liabilities in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The components of lease expense were as follows:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
20212020
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use asset$183 $181 
Interest on lease liabilities15 
Total finance lease cost191 196 
Operating lease cost11,571 11,044 
Short-term lease cost1,913 1,873 
Total lease cost$13,675 $13,113 

As of March 31, 2021, we have additional operating leases that have not yet commenced for approximately $24.4 million. These leases commence during 2021 with lease terms of up to 6 years.

9. Commitments and Contingencies
 
The Company is subject to a number of lawsuits, investigations and disputes, some of which involve substantial amounts claimed, arising out of the conduct of the Company or other third-parties in the normal and ordinary course of business. A liability is recognized for any contingency that is probable of occurrence and reasonably estimable. The Company continually assesses the likelihood of adverse judgments or outcomes in these matters, as well as potential ranges of possible losses (taking into consideration any insurance recoveries), based on an analysis of each matter with the assistance of legal counsel and, if applicable, other experts.
 
12

ADVANSIX INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts and as otherwise noted)




Given the uncertainty inherent in such lawsuits, investigations and disputes, the Company does not believe it is possible to develop estimates of reasonably possible loss in excess of current accruals for these matters. Considering the Company’s past experience and existing accruals, the Company does not expect the outcome of these matters, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. Potential liabilities are subject to change due to new developments, changes in settlement strategy or the impact of evidentiary requirements, which could cause the Company to pay damage awards or settlements (or become subject to equitable remedies) that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, balance sheet and/or operating cash flows in the periods recognized or paid.

We assumed from Honeywell all health, safety and environmental (“HSE”) liabilities and compliance obligations related to the past and future operations of our current business, as well as all HSE liabilities associated with our manufacturing locations used in our current operations, including any cleanup or other liabilities related to any contamination that may have occurred at such locations in the past. Honeywell retained all HSE liabilities related to former business locations or the operation of our former businesses. Although we have ongoing environmental remedial obligations at certain of our facilities, in the past three years, the associated remediation costs have not been material, and we do not expect our known remediation costs to have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.

10. Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes was $9.3 million and $3.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, resulting in an effective tax rate of 24.8% and 29.9%, respectively.

Under a provision included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ("CARES") Act, the Company filed a Federal net operating loss (NOL) carryback claim in July 2020 which generated a refund of previously paid taxes in the amount of $12.3 million. The refund was received in the first quarter of 2021.

The Company’s provision for income taxes in interim periods is computed by applying an estimated annual effective tax rate against Income before taxes for the period in addition to recording any tax effects of discrete items for the quarter. The Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate applied against the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was higher compared to the U.S. federal statutory rate, due primarily to state taxes and executive compensation deduction limitations, partially offset by tax credits. Additionally, for interim reporting purposes, the Company recorded Income tax expense of $0.1 million and $0.6 million as discrete items for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, resulting in an increase in the effective tax rate of 0.3% and 4.5%, respectively. The discrete tax adjustments in the prior year period relate to tax deficiencies on the vesting of equity compensation and the loss of 2018 foreign-derived intangible income tax benefits related to the Federal NOL carryback claim.

On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act ("ARPA") was signed into law. The ARPA is aimed at addressing the continuing economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This legislative relief, along with the previous governmental relief packages, provide for numerous changes to current tax law. The ARPA did not have a material impact on our financial statements in the first quarter of 2021, and we do not anticipate that it will have a material impact on our financial statements throughout the remainder of 2021.

11. Fair Value Measurements

Financial and non-financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. In November 2018 and July 2019, the Company entered into two interest rate swap transactions related to its credit agreement. The fair value of the interest rate swaps at March 31, 2021 was a loss of approximately $2.4 million and is considered a Level 2 liability.

The pension plan assets are invested in collective investment trust funds. These investments are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share as a practical expedient. Investments valued using the net asset value method (NAV) (or its equivalent) practical expedient are excluded from the fair value hierarchy disclosure.

The Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets also include Cash and cash equivalents, Accounts receivable and Accounts payable all of which are recorded at amounts which approximate fair value.

13

ADVANSIX INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts and as otherwise noted)



The Company also has assets that are required to be recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis. These assets are evaluated when certain triggering events occur (including a decrease in estimated future cash flows) that indicate the asset should be evaluated for impairment which could result in such assets being measured at fair value. Goodwill must be evaluated at least annually. Our annual evaluation occurred on March 31, 2021 and we have concluded that an impairment for goodwill did not occur.

12. Derivative and Hedging Instruments

The specific credit and market, commodity price and interest rate risks to which the Company is exposed in connection with its ongoing business operations are described below. This discussion includes an explanation of the hedging instrument, interest rate swap agreements, used to manage the Company’s interest rate risk associated with a fixed and floating-rate borrowing.

For cash flow hedges, the entire change in the fair value of the hedging instrument included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness is recorded in Other comprehensive income. Those amounts are reclassified to earnings in the same income statement line item that is used to present the earnings effect of the hedged item when the hedged item affects earnings.

Credit and Market Risk – Financial instruments, including derivatives, expose the Company to counterparty credit risk for non-performance and to market risk related to changes in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company manages its exposure to counterparty credit risk through specific minimum credit standards, diversification of counterparties, and procedures to monitor concentrations of credit risk. The Company’s counterparties in derivative transactions are substantial investment and commercial banks with significant experience using such derivative instruments. The Company monitors the impact of market risk on the fair value and cash flows of its derivative and other financial instruments considering reasonably possible changes in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates and restricts the use of derivative financial instruments to hedging activities.

The Company continually monitors the creditworthiness of its customers to which it grants credit terms in the normal course of business. The terms and conditions of credit sales are designed to mitigate or eliminate concentrations of credit risk with any single customer. The Company did not have any customers with significant concentrations of trade accounts receivable – net at March 31, 2021 or December 31, 2020. Allowance for doubtful accounts is calculated based upon the Company's estimate of expected credit losses over the life of exposure based upon both historical information as well as future expected losses.

Commodity Price Risk Management – The Company's exposure to market risk for commodity prices can result in changes in the cost of production. We primarily mitigate our exposure to commodity price risk by using long-term, formula-based price contracts with our suppliers and formula-based price agreements with customers. Our customer agreements provide for price adjustments based on relevant market indices and raw material prices and generally do not include take-or-pay terms. We may also enter into forward commodity contracts with third-parties designated as hedges of anticipated purchases of several commodities. Forward commodity contracts are marked-to-market, with the resulting gains and losses recognized in earnings, in the same category as the items being hedged, when the hedged transaction is recognized. At March 31, 2021 and 2020, we had no financial contracts related to forward commodity agreements.

Interest Rate Risk Management – The Company has entered into two interest rate swap agreements for a total notional amount of $100 million to exchange floating for fixed rate interest payments for our LIBOR-based borrowings. These interest rate swaps had a fair value of zero at inception and were effective November 30, 2018 and July 31, 2019 with respective maturity dates of November 30, 2021 and February 21, 2023. In accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 815, the Company designated the interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges of floating-rate borrowings. The interest rate swaps convert the Company’s interest rate payments on the first $100 million of variable-rate, 1-month LIBOR-based debt to a fixed interest rate. These interest rate swaps involve the receipt of floating rate amounts in exchange for fixed rate interest payments over the life of the interest rate swap without an exchange of the underlying principal amount.

14

ADVANSIX INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts and as otherwise noted)



Liability Derivatives
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Balance Sheet ClassificationFair ValueBalance Sheet ClassificationFair Value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815:
Interest Rate ContractsAccrued liabilities and Other liabilities$(2,419)Accrued liabilities and Other liabilities$(3,063)
Total Derivatives$(2,419)$(3,063)

The following table summarizes adjustments related to cash flow hedge included in Cash-flow hedges, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income:

March 31,
2021
Loss on derivative instruments included in Accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2020$(3,063)
Fair value adjustment644 
Loss on derivative instruments included in Accumulated other comprehensive income at March 31, 2021$(2,419)

At March 31, 2021, the Company expects to reclassify approximately $1.7 million of net losses on derivative instruments from Accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") to earnings during the next 12 months due to the payment of variable interest associated with the floating rate debt with the remainder recognized in future periods through the expiration date. The following table summarizes the reclassification of net losses on derivative instruments from AOCI into earnings:

Amount of Loss Recognized in Earnings
Three Months Ended
March 31,
20212020
Derivatives:
Interest Rate Contracts$557 $501 
Total Derivatives$557 501

13. Acquisitions

We actively target potential acquisitions that build on our competitive advantage and core capabilities, create opportunities for broader expansion and value chain integration, portfolio diversification, increased exposure to attractive end markets and the potential for long-term value creation.

In January 2021, the Company acquired certain assets associated with ammonium sulfate packaging, warehousing and logistics services in Virginia from Commonwealth Industrial Services, Inc. for approximately $9.5 million. This acquisition will enable the Company to expand its product offerings by directly supplying packaged ammonium sulfate to customers, primarily in North and South America. It diversifies and optimizes our product offerings to include spray-grade adjuvant to support crop protection, as well as other specialty fertilizer and products for industrial use. The Company also expects the addition of packaging and warehousing capabilities to bolster logistics and operational efficiency in the Richmond, Virginia area plants. The Company did not make any acquisitions during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

In accordance with ASC 805, this transaction has been accounted for as a business combination. The Company used its best estimates and assumptions to assign fair value to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed
15

ADVANSIX INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts and as otherwise noted)



at the acquisition date based on the information that was available as of the acquisition date. The transaction resulted in the Company acquiring tangible assets and a finite-lived intangible asset, comprised of customer relationships which reflects the value of the benefit derived from incremental revenue and related cash flows as a direct result of the customer relationships. This intangible asset is being amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life of 15 years. The residual amount of the purchase price in excess of the value of the tangible and definite-lived intangible assets was allocated to goodwill. Pro forma financial information related to the acquisition has not been included as the impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations was not considered material.

The preliminary measurements of fair value set forth herein are subject to change and such changes could be material. The Company expects to finalize the valuation as soon as practicable, but no later than one year from the acquisition date. The following table summarizes the current allocation of the purchase price consideration as of the acquisition date:

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2021
Accounts receivable$858 
Inventories712 
Property, plant and equipment1,875 
Intangible assets3,920 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(429)
Net tangible and intangible assets6,936 
Goodwill2,587 
Total purchase price$9,523 
Cash paid to date, net of cash acquired$9,523 
Due to seller— 
Total purchase price$9,523 
Goodwill deductible for tax purposes$2,587 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, which we refer to as our “MD&A,” should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, as well as the MD&A section included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 19, 2021 (the “2020 Form 10-K”). Certain information contained in the discussion and analysis set forth below includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors that can affect our performance in both the near- and long-term, including those set forth in, and incorporated by reference in Item 1A of Part II of this Form 10-Q as such factors may be revised or supplemented in subsequent filings with the SEC, as well as those discussed in the section entitled “Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” below.
 
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Form 10-Q including, without limitation, statements in this MD&A regarding our financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). When used in this Form 10-Q, words such as "expect," “anticipate,” "estimate," "outlook," "project," "strategy," "intend," "plan," "target," "goal," "may," "will," "should," and “believe,” and other variations or similar terminology and expressions identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict, which may cause the actual results or performance of the Company to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: general economic and financial conditions in the U.S. and globally, including the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and any resurgences; the scope and duration of the pandemic and pace of recovery; the timing of the distribution and the efficacy of vaccines or treatments for COVID-19 that are currently available or may be available in the future; the severity of newly identified strains of COVID-19; governmental, business and individuals’ actions in response to the pandemic, including our business continuity and cash optimization plans that have been, and may in the future be, implemented; the impact of social and economic restrictions and other containment measures taken to combat virus transmission; the effect on our customers’ demand for our products and our suppliers’ ability to manufacture and deliver our raw materials, including implications of reduced refinery utilization in the U.S.; our ability to sell and provide our goods and services, including as a result of travel and other COVID-19-related restrictions; the ability of our customers to pay for our products; and any closures of our and our customers’ offices and facilities; risks associated with increased phishing, compromised business emails and other cybersecurity attacks and disruptions to our technology infrastructure; risks associated with employees working remotely or operating with a reduced workforce; risks associated with our indebtedness including compliance with financial and restrictive covenants, and our ability to access capital on reasonable terms, at a reasonable cost, or at all, due to economic conditions resulting from COVID-19 or otherwise; the impact of scheduled turnarounds and significant unplanned downtime and interruptions of production or logistics operations as a result of mechanical issues or other unanticipated events such as fires, severe weather conditions, natural disasters and pandemics including the COVID-19 pandemic; price fluctuations, cost increases and supply of raw materials; our operations and growth projects requiring substantial capital; growth rates and cyclicality of the industries we serve including global changes in supply and demand; failure to develop and commercialize new products or technologies; loss of significant customer relationships; adverse trade and tax policies; extensive environmental, health and safety laws that apply to our operations; hazards associated with chemical manufacturing, storage and transportation; litigation associated with chemical manufacturing and our business operations generally; inability to acquire and integrate businesses, assets, products or technologies; protection of our intellectual property and proprietary information; prolonged work stoppages as a result of labor difficulties or otherwise; cybersecurity, data privacy incidents and disruptions to our technology infrastructure; failure to maintain effective internal controls; disruptions in transportation and logistics; our inability to achieve some or all of the anticipated benefits of our spin-off including uncertainty regarding qualification for expected tax treatment; fluctuations in our stock price; and changes in laws or regulations applicable to our business. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors including those noted above and those detailed in Item 1A of Part I and elsewhere in our 2020 Form 10-K, and subsequent reports filed with the SEC. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. We do not undertake to update or revise any of our forward-looking statements.

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Business Overview
AdvanSix plays a critical role in global supply chains, innovating and delivering essential products for our customers in a wide variety of end markets and applications that touch people’s lives, such as building and construction, fertilizers, plastics, solvents, packaging, paints, coatings, adhesives and electronics. Our reliable and sustainable supply of quality products emerges from the vertically integrated value chain of our three U.S.-based manufacturing facilities. AdvanSix strives to deliver best-in-class customer experiences and differentiated products in the industries of nylon solutions, chemical intermediates, and plant nutrients, guided by our core values of Safety, Integrity, Accountability and Respect. Our four key product lines are as follows: 

Nylon – We sell our Nylon 6 resin globally, primarily under the Aegis® brand name. Nylon 6, is a polymer resin which is a synthetic material used by our customers to produce fibers, filaments, engineered plastics and films that, in turn, are used in such end-products as carpets, automotive and electric components, sports apparel, food packaging and other industrial applications. In addition, our Nylon 6 resin is used to produce nylon films which we sell to our customers primarily under the Capran® brand name.

Caprolactam – Caprolactam is the key monomer used in the production of Nylon 6 resin. We internally polymerize caprolactam into Aegis® Nylon 6 Resins, and we also market and sell the caprolactam that is not consumed internally to customers who use it to manufacture polymer resins to produce nylon fibers, films and other nylon products. Our Hopewell manufacturing facility is one of the world’s largest single-site producers of caprolactam as of March 31, 2021.

Chemical Intermediates – We manufacture, market and sell a number of other chemical products that are derived from the chemical processes within our integrated supply chain. Most significant is acetone which is used by our customers in the production of adhesives, paints, coatings, solvents, herbicides and engineered plastic resins. Other intermediate chemicals that we manufacture, market and sell include phenol, alpha-methylstyrene (“AMS”), cyclohexanone, oximes (methyl ethyl ketoxime, acetaldehyde oxime and 2-pentanone oxime), cyclohexanol, sulfuric acid, ammonia and carbon dioxide.

Ammonium Sulfate – Our ammonium sulfate is used by customers as a fertilizer containing nitrogen and sulfur, two key plant nutrients. Ammonium sulfate fertilizer is derived from the integrated operations at the Hopewell manufacturing facility. Because of our Hopewell facility’s size, scale and technology design, we are the world’s largest single-site producer of ammonium sulfate fertilizer as of March 31, 2021. We market and sell ammonium sulfate primarily to North American and South American distributors, farm cooperatives and retailers to fertilize crops.

Global demand for Nylon 6 resin spans a variety of end-uses such as textiles, engineered plastics, industrial filament, food and industrial films, and carpet. The market growth typically tracks global GDP growth over the long-term but varies by end-use. Generally, prices for Nylon 6 resin and caprolactam reflect supply and demand in the marketplace as well as the value of the basic raw materials used in the production of caprolactam, consisting primarily of benzene and, depending on the manufacturing process utilized, natural gas and sulfur. The global prices for nylon resin typically track a spread over the price of caprolactam, which in turn tracks as a spread over benzene because the key feedstock materials for caprolactam, phenol or cyclohexane, are derived from benzene. This price spread has historically experienced cyclicality as a result of global changes in supply and demand. Nylon 6 resin prices track the cyclicality of caprolactam prices, although prices set above the spread are achievable when nylon resin manufacturers, like AdvanSix, formulate and produce differentiated nylon resin products. Our differentiated Nylon 6 products are typically valued at a higher level than commodity resin products.

We believe that Nylon 6 end-market growth will continue to generally track global GDP over the long-term. Applications such as engineered plastics and packaging have potential to grow at faster rates given certain macrotrends. Additionally, one of our strategies is to continue developing higher-value, differentiated Nylon 6 products, such as our wire and cable and co-polymer offerings, in current and new customer applications.

Global prices for ammonium sulfate fertilizer are influenced by several factors including the price of urea, which is the most widely used source of nitrogen-based fertilizer in the world. Other global factors driving ammonium sulfate fertilizer demand are general agriculture trends, including planted acres and the price of crops. Our ammonium sulfate product is positioned with the added value proposition of sulfur nutrition to increase yields of key crops. In addition, due to its nutrient density, the typical ammonium sulfate product delivers pound for pound the most readily available sulfur and nitrogen to crops than other fertilizers. We recently expanded our offering to directly supply packaged ammonium sulfate to customers, primarily in North and South America, and diversified and optimized our offerings to include spray-grade adjuvant to support crop protection, as well as other specialty fertilizers and products for industrial use.

18


We produce ammonium sulfate fertilizer continuously throughout the year as part of our manufacturing process, but quarterly sales experience seasonality based on the timing and length of the growing seasons in North and South America. North America ammonium sulfate prices are typically strongest during second quarter fertilizer application and then typically decline seasonally with new season fill in the third quarter. Due to the ammonium sulfate fertilizer sales cycle, we occasionally build up higher inventory balances because our production is continuous and not tied to seasonal demand for fertilizers. Sales of most of our other products have generally been subject to minimal, or no, seasonality.

We seek to run our production facilities on a nearly continuous basis for maximum efficiency as several of our intermediate products are key feedstock materials for other products in our integrated manufacturing chain. While our integration, scale and range of product offerings make us one of the most efficient manufacturers in our industry, these attributes also expose us to increased risk associated with material disruptions at any one of our production facilities or logistics operations which could impact the overall manufacturing supply chain. Further, although we believe that our sources of supply for our raw materials, including cumene, natural gas and sulfur, are generally robust, it is difficult to predict the impact that shortages, increased costs and related supply chain logistics considerations may have in the future. In order to mitigate the risk of unplanned interruptions, we schedule several planned plant turnarounds each year to conduct routine and major maintenance across our facilities. We also utilize maintenance excellence and mechanical integrity programs, targeted buffer inventory of intermediate chemicals necessary for our manufacturing process, and co-producer swap arrangements, which are intended to mitigate the extent of any production losses as a result of planned and unplanned downtime; however, the mitigation of all or part of any such production impact cannot be assured.

Recent Developments

COVID-19

In March 2020, the World Health Organization categorized the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a global pandemic with numerous countries around the world declaring national emergencies, including the United States. Since early 2020, COVID-19 has continued to spread rapidly, with most countries and territories worldwide having confirmed cases, and with certain jurisdictions experiencing resurgences. The spread resulted in authorities implementing numerous measures to contain the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, shelter-in-place orders and business shutdowns. The pandemic and these containment measures have had a substantial impact on businesses around the world and on global, regional and national economies, including disruptions to supply chains, reduced demand, production and sales across most industries, declines and volatility within global financial markets, and decreased workforces causing increased unemployment. The continuously evolving nature of this pandemic and the pace of recovery may continue to have an impact on the United States and global economies.

As previously disclosed, the Company experienced a material impact on its second quarter 2020 results of operations associated with lower demand, particularly in nylon, caprolactam and phenol, and a decrease in overall sales volume related to global markets and the economic impact of COVID-19. During the second half of 2020, and through the first quarter of 2021, demand improved to pre-COVID-19 levels with states, regions and countries in various phases of re-opening and continued administration of vaccines for COVID-19, although there is no assurance demand recovery will continue given the potential for surges in infection rates and newly identified strains of COVID-19. The Company will continue to monitor developments and execute our operational and safety mitigation plans as previously disclosed.

As the situation surrounding COVID-19 remains fluid and unpredictable, the Company cannot reasonably estimate with any degree of certainty the future impact COVID-19 may have on the Company’s results of operations, financial position, and liquidity.

Results of Operations
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
 
Sales

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20212020
Sales$376,383 $302,713 
% change compared with prior year period24.3%

19


The change in sales compared to the prior year period is attributable to the following:

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2021
Volume8.4%
Price15.9%
24.3%

Sales increased in the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the prior year period by $73.7 million (approximately 24%) due primarily to (i) higher formula-based pass through pricing (approximately 11%) as a result of net cost increases in benzene and propylene (inputs to Cumene which is a key feedstock to our products), (ii) net favorable market-based pricing (approximately 5%) reflecting strength in chemical intermediates, particularly acetone and (iii) higher sales volume across all product lines led by caprolactam (approximately 8%).

Costs of Goods Sold

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20212020
Costs of goods sold$317,899 $272,008 
% change compared with prior year period16.9%
Gross Margin percentage15.5%10.1%

Costs of goods sold increased in the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the prior year period by $45.9 million (approximately 17%) due primarily to (i) increased prices of raw materials (approximately 11%), (ii) higher sales volumes as discussed above (approximately 3%) and (iii) an unfavorable non-cash LIFO inventory reserve adjustment (approximately 2%).

Gross margin percentage increased by approximately 5% in the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the prior year period due primarily to higher market pricing (approximately 4%) driven by chemical intermediates, particularly acetone, and increased sales volume across all product lines (approximately 4%), partially offset by an unfavorable non-cash LIFO inventory reserve adjustment (approximately 2%).

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20212020
Selling, general and administrative expenses$19,308 $16,740 
Percentage of Sales5.1%5.5%

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $2.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the prior year period due primarily to increased incentive and stock-based compensation costs.

Income Tax Expense

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20212020
Income tax expense$9,271 $3,664 
Effective tax rate24.8%29.9%

As noted in Note 10. "Income Taxes", the Company filed a Federal net operating loss (NOL) carryback claim under the CARES Act in July 2020 which generated a refund of previously paid taxes in the amount of $12.3 million. The refund was received in the first quarter of 2021.
20



The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was higher compared to the U.S. federal statutory rate, due primarily to state taxes and executive compensation deduction limitations, partially offset by tax credits. The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was higher compared to the U.S. federal statutory rate, due primarily to state taxes, executive compensation deduction limitations, tax deficiencies on the vesting of equity compensation and the loss of 2018 foreign-derived intangible income tax benefits related to the Federal NOL carryback claim, partially offset by tax credits.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was lower than the prior year period due primarily to higher tax deficiencies on the vesting of equity compensation in the prior year period and the loss of 2018 foreign derived intangible income tax benefits resulting from the Federal NOL carryback under the CARES Act.

Net Income

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20212020
Net income$28,131 $8,576 

As a result of the factors described above, Net income was $28.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to $8.6 million in the corresponding prior year period.

Non-GAAP Measures
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)

The following tables set forth the non-GAAP financial measures of EBITDA and EBITDA Margin. EBITDA is defined as Net income before Interest, Income taxes and Depreciation and amortization. EBITDA Margin is equal to EBITDA divided by Sales. The following tables also present each of these measures as further adjusted. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information as they are used by the Company’s management to evaluate the Company’s operating performance, enhance a reader’s understanding of the financial performance of the Company, and facilitate a better comparison among fiscal periods and performance relative to its competitors, as the non-GAAP measures exclude items that are not considered core to the Company’s operations.

These non-GAAP results are presented for supplemental informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for the financial information presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures should be read only in conjunction with the comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures. The Company's non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to other companies' non-GAAP measures.

The following is a reconciliation between the non-GAAP financial measures of EBITDA and EBITDA Margin to their most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure:

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20212020
Net income $28,131 $8,576 
Interest expense, net1,544 1,959 
Income tax expense 9,271 3,664 
Depreciation and amortization16,104 14,432 
EBITDA (non-GAAP)55,050 28,631 
Sales$376,383 $302,713 
EBITDA Margin (non-GAAP)14.6%9.5%


21


Liquidity and Capital Resources
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)

Liquidity

We believe that cash balances and operating cash flows, together with available capacity under our credit agreement, will provide adequate funds to support our current short-term operating objectives as well as our longer-term strategic plans, subject to the risks and uncertainties outlined below, in our "Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" above, and in the risk factors previously disclosed in our 2020 Form 10-K. Our principal source of liquidity is our cash flow generated from operating activities, which is expected to provide us with the ability to meet the majority of our short-term funding requirements. Our cash flows are affected by capital requirements and production volume, which may be materially impacted by unanticipated events such as unplanned downtime, material disruptions at our production facilities as well as the prices of our raw materials and general economic and industry trends, as well as customer demand, which in the second quarter of 2020, was materially impacted by the circumstances surrounding COVID-19. The Company applies a proactive and disciplined approach to working capital management to optimize cash flow and to enable capital allocation options in support of the Company’s strategy. We utilize supply chain financing and trade receivables discount arrangements with third-party financial institutions which optimize terms and conditions related to accounts receivable and accounts payable in order to enhance liquidity and enable us to efficiently manage our working capital needs. Although we continue to optimize supply chain financing and trade receivable programs in the ordinary course, our utilization of these arrangements, both prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, has not had a material impact on our liquidity. In addition, we monitor the third-party depository institutions that hold our cash and cash equivalents. Our emphasis is primarily on the safety of principal and secondarily on maximizing yield on those funds. We diversify our cash and cash equivalents among counterparties to minimize exposure to any one of these entities.

On a recurring basis, our primary future cash needs will be centered on operating activities, working capital, and capital expenditures reflecting disciplined capital deployment and following the completion of several high-return growth and cost savings investments. Capital expenditures are deployed for various ongoing investments and initiatives to improve reliability, yield and quality, expand production capacity and comply with HSE regulations. While the COVID-19 pandemic has created and continues to create significant volatility in funding markets, we believe that our future cash from operations, together with cash on hand and our access to credit and capital markets, will provide adequate resources to fund our expected operating and financing needs and obligations. Our ability to fund our capital needs, however, will depend on our ongoing ability to generate cash from operations and access to credit and capital markets, both of which are subject to the risk factors previously disclosed in our 2020 Form 10-K, as well as general economic, financial, competitive, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.

As of the end of the first quarter of 2021, the Company had approximately $14 million of cash on hand with approximately $178 million of additional capacity available under the revolving credit facility. The Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio financial covenant of its credit facility allows it to net up to $75 million of cash with debt. The Second Amendment to the credit facility also provided leverage ratio covenant flexibility through 2021. Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $70 million to $80 million in 2021 compared to $83 million in 2020, reflecting disciplined capital deployment and following the completion of several high-return growth and cost savings investments.

As noted in Note 10. "Income Taxes," the Company filed a Federal net operating loss (NOL) carryback claim under the CARES Act in July 2020 which generated a refund of previously paid taxes in the amount of $12.3 million received in the first quarter of 2021. Additionally, the Company deferred approximately $6.5 million of social security taxes in 2020 under the CARES Act in which 50% is due by December 31, 2021 and the remainder is due by December 31, 2022.

We assumed from Honeywell all health, safety and environmental (“HSE”) liabilities and compliance obligations related to the past and future operations of our current business, as well as all HSE liabilities associated with our three current manufacturing locations and the other locations used in our current operations including any cleanup or other liabilities related to any contamination that may have occurred at such locations in the past. Honeywell retained all HSE liabilities related to former business locations or the operation of our former businesses. Although we have ongoing environmental remedial obligations at certain of our facilities, in the past three years, the associated remediation costs have not been material, and we do not expect our known remediation costs to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

We expect that our primary cash requirements for the remainder of 2021 will be to fund costs associated with ongoing operations, capital expenditures, and amounts related to other contractual obligations.

22


The Company made cash contributions to the defined benefit pension plan of $1.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021. The Company currently plans to make pension plan contributions during 2021 sufficient to satisfy funding requirements under the AdvanSix Retirement Earnings Plan in an aggregate amount of approximately $9.0 million to $11.0 million. We anticipate making additional contributions in future years sufficient to satisfy pension funding requirements in those periods.

On May 4, 2018, the Company announced that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) authorized a share repurchase program of up to $75 million of the Company’s common stock. On February 22, 2019, the Company announced that the Board authorized a share repurchase program of up to an additional $75 million of the Company’s common stock, which was in addition to the remaining capacity available under the May 2018 share repurchase program. Repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market, including through the use of trading plans intended to qualify under Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act. The size and timing of these repurchases will depend on pricing, market and economic conditions, legal and contractual requirements and other factors. The repurchase program has no expiration date and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time.

As of March 31, 2021, the Company had repurchased 3,609,283 shares of common stock, including 519,521 shares withheld to cover tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of awards, for an aggregate of $102.2 million at a weighted average market price of $28.30 per share. As of March 31, 2021, $59.6 million remained available for share repurchases under the current authorization. During the first quarter of 2021 and the period from April 1, 2021 through April 23, 2021, no additional shares were repurchased under the currently authorized repurchase program.

Credit Agreement
 
On September 30, 2016, the Company as the borrower, entered into a Credit Agreement with Bank of America, as administrative agent (the "Original Credit Agreement"), which was amended on February 21, 2018 pursuant to Amendment No. 1 to the Original Credit Agreement (the "First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement), and further amended on February 19, 2020 pursuant to, Amendment No. 2 to the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (after giving effect to the Second Amendment, the “Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”).

The Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement requires the Company to maintain a Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) of (i) 3.50 to 1.00 or less for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2020, (ii) 4.50 to 1.00 or less for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2020, (iii) 4.25 to 1.00 or less for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2020, (iv) 3.50 to 1.00 or less for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2020, (v) 3.25 to 1.00 or less for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2021 through and including the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2021, and (vi) 3.00 to 1.00 or less for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2022 and each fiscal quarter thereafter (subject to the Company’s option to elect a Consolidated Leverage Ratio increase in connection with certain acquisitions). The Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio financial covenant requires the Company to maintain a Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) of not less than 3.00 to 1.00. If the Company does not comply with the covenants in the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the lenders may, subject to customary cure rights, require the immediate payment of all amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Company was in compliance with all related covenants at March 31, 2021.

Borrowings under the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to either the sum of a base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.50% to 2.00% or the sum of a Eurodollar rate plus a margin ranging from 1.50% to 3.00%, with either such margin varying according to the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement). The Company is also required to pay a commitment fee in respect of unused commitments under the credit facility, if any, at a rate ranging from 0.20% to 0.50% per annum depending on the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio. The initial margin under the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement was 1.25% for base rate loans and 2.25% for Eurodollar rate loans and the applicable commitment fee rate was 0.35% per annum.

In addition, the Second Amendment also amended certain administrative provisions associated with the LIBOR Successor Rate (as defined in the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement).

The obligations under the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are secured by a pledge of assets and liens on substantially all of the assets of AdvanSix.

The Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains customary covenants limiting the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to, among other things, pay cash dividends, incur debt or liens, redeem or repurchase stock of the Company, enter
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into transactions with affiliates, make investments, make capital expenditures, merge or consolidate with others or dispose of assets, as well as financial covenants that require the Company to maintain interest coverage and leverage ratios at levels specified in the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. These covenants may limit how we conduct our business, and in the event of certain defaults, our repayment obligations may be accelerated. We were in compliance with all of our covenants at March 31, 2021 and through the date of the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

The situation surrounding COVID-19 remains fluid and unpredictable, and the potential for a material impact on the Company increases the longer the social and economic restrictions remain in place or are reinstituted, which impacts the overall level of consumer and business activity in the United States and globally. For this reason, the Company cannot reasonably estimate with any degree of certainty the future impact COVID-19 may have on the Company’s results of operations, financial position, and liquidity. For further information regarding risk and the impact COVID-19 could have on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity, including our ability to comply with financial covenants in our credit facility and our access to, and cost of, capital, see "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of Part I of the 2020 Form 10-K.

As of March 31, 2021, $178 million was available for use out of the total of $425 million under the Revolving Credit Facility.

As of December 31, 2020, we had a balance of $275 million under the Revolving Credit Facility. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we repaid an incremental net amount of $29 million to bring the balance under the Revolving Credit Facility to $246 million as of March 31, 2021. We expect that Cash provided by operating activities will fund future interest payments on the Company's outstanding indebtedness.

Cash Flow Summary

Three Months Ended
March 31,
20212020
Cash provided by (used for):
Operating activities$57,090 $19,719 
Investing activities(23,931)(34,485)
Financing activities(29,641)38,470 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents $3,518 $23,704 

Cash provided by operating activities increased by $37.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 versus the prior year period due primarily to a $19.6 million increase in net income, a $19.6 million cash improvement from Taxes receivable (including a $12.3 million cash tax refund received in the first quarter of 2021), a $4.8 million favorable cash impact from working capital (comprised of Accounts receivables, Inventories, Accounts payable and Deferred income) year-over-year with a $6.7 million unfavorable cash impact from working capital for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to a $11.5 million unfavorable cash impact in the prior year period and a $1.7 million favorable impact from non-cash Depreciation and amortization expense. These favorable impacts were partially offset by a $9.0 million unfavorable cash impact from Deferred taxes and $2.0 million unfavorable cash impact from Accrued liabilities.

Cash used for investing activities decreased by $10.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 versus the prior year period due to a decrease in cash paid for capital expenditures of approximately $19.9 million offset by cash paid for the acquisition of Commonwealth Industrial Services for approximately $9.5 million.

Cash used for financing activities increased by $68.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 versus the prior year period due primarily to net repayments of $29.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to net borrowings of $40.0 million during the prior year period as described above.

Capital Expenditures
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise noted)
 
Our operations are capital intensive, requiring ongoing investments that have consisted, and are expected to continue to consist, primarily of capital expenditures required to maintain and improve equipment reliability, expand production output, further improve mix, yield and cost position, and comply with environmental and safety regulations.

The following table summarizes ongoing and expansion capital expenditures:
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Three Months Ended
March 31, 2021
Capital expenditures in Accounts payable at December 31, 2020
$6,178 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment10,964 
Less: Capital expenditures in Accounts payable at March 31, 2021
(2,965)
Cash paid for capital expenditures$14,177 

For 2021, we expect our total capital expenditures to be approximately $70 million to $80 million compared to $83 million in 2020 reflecting disciplined capital deployment and following the completion of several high-return growth and cost savings investments. Capital expenditures are deployed for various ongoing investments and initiatives to improve reliability, yield and quality, expand production capacity and comply with HSE regulations.

Critical Accounting Policies
 
The preparation of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP is based on the selection and application of accounting policies that require us to make significant estimates and assumptions about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain. We consider these accounting policies to be critical to the understanding of our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. For a full description of our critical accounting policies, refer to Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in our 2020 Form 10-K. While there have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies, or the methodologies or assumptions we apply under them, we continue to monitor such methodologies and assumptions.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations
 
As of March 31, 2021, the Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as described in Instruction 8 to Item 303(b) of Regulation S-K and did not have any material changes in the commitments or contractual obligations detailed in the Company's 2020 Form 10-K. The Company has not guaranteed any debt or commitments of other entities or entered into any options on non-financial assets.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
See “Note 2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements” to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I. Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
Our exposure to risk based on changes in interest rates relates primarily to our Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement bears interest at floating rates. For variable rate debt, interest rate changes generally do not affect the fair market value of such debt assuming all other factors remain constant but do impact future earnings and cash flows. Accordingly, we may be exposed to interest rate risk on borrowings under the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

The Company has entered into two interest rate swap agreements for a total notional amount of $100 million to exchange floating for fixed rate interest payments for our LIBOR-based borrowings.

These interest rate swaps had a fair value of zero at inception and were effective November 30, 2018 and July 31, 2019 with respective maturity dates of November 30, 2021 and February 21, 2023. These interest rate swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges and convert the Company’s interest rate payments on the first $100 million of variable-rate, 1-month LIBOR-based debt to a fixed interest rate. As a result of these interest rate swaps, interest payments on approximately 41% of our total borrowings, as of March 31, 2021, have been swapped from floating rate to fixed rate for the life of the swaps, without an exchange of the underlying principal amount.

A hedge effectiveness assessment was completed by comparing the critical terms of the hedged items with the hedging instruments, and also by reviewing the credit standing of the counterparties. As of March 31, 2021, it was determined that the
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critical terms continued to exactly match, and that the counterparties still had the ability to honor their obligations. As a result, the hedges continue to be deemed effective.

Based on current borrowing levels at March 31, 2021, net of the interest rate swap, a 25-basis point fluctuation in interest rates for the three months ended March 31, 2021 would have resulted in an increase or decrease to our interest expense of approximately $0.4 million.

See “Note 12. Derivative and Hedging Instruments” to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Part I. Item 1 of this Form 10-Q, for a discussion relating to credit and market, commodity price and interest rate risk.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
 
Management recognizes that any disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives. Because there are inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud have been, or will be, detected.
 
Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, with the assistance of other members of our management, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based upon such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective at a reasonable assurance level as of March 31, 2021, the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management has not identified any change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2021 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting. The Company has not experienced any material impact to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting due to the fact that certain of the Company’s employees responsible for financial reporting are working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company continually monitors and assesses the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting to mitigate any impact to design and operating effectiveness.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we are involved in litigation relating to claims arising outside of the ordinary course of our business operations. We are not a party to, and, to our knowledge, there are no pending claims or actions against us, the ultimate disposition of which could be expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or operating cash flows.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to our risk factors as previously disclosed in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s 2020 Form 10-K, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

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On May 4, 2018, the Company announced that the Board authorized a share repurchase program of up to $75 million of the Company’s common stock. On February 22, 2019, the Company announced that the Board authorized a share repurchase program of up to an additional $75 million of the Company's common stock, which authorization was in addition to the remaining capacity authorized under the May 2018 share repurchase program. Repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market, including through the use of trading plans intended to qualify under Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act. The size and timing of these repurchases will depend on pricing, market and economic conditions, legal and contractual requirements and other factors. The share repurchase program has no expiration date and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time.

The below table sets forth the repurchases of Company common stock, by month, for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. During the quarter ended March 31, 2021, no shares were purchased under our share repurchase program and 15,371 shares were repurchased as a result of tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of equity awards.

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
PeriodTotal Number of Shares PurchasedAverage Price Paid per ShareTotal Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced PlanApproximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan
January 2021— $— — $59,581,679 
February 2021— — — 59,581,679 
March 2021 (1)
15,371 28.81 — 59,581,679 
Total15,371 $28.81 — 
(1) All shares purchased were as a result of tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of equity awards.

During the period April 1, 2021 through April 23, 2021, no shares were repurchased under the currently authorized repurchase program.
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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS 
Exhibit
Description
3.1
3.2
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document - The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document.
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and included in Exhibit 101)
†    Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.
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SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
ADVANSIX INC.
Date: April 30, 2021
By:
/s/ Michael Preston
Michael Preston
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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