AMERICAN VANGUARD CORP - Quarter Report: 2021 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2021

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                      TO                      

Commission file number 001-13795

AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION

(949) 260-1200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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  ☒    No  ☐

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  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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.

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. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. Common Stock, $.10 Par Value—30,828,461 shares as of April 30, 2021.

AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION

INDEX

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

ASSETS

See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of American Vanguard Corporation and Subsidiaries (“AVD” or “the Company”) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of consolidating adjustments, eliminations and normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2021. The financial statements and related notes do not include all information and footnotes required by US GAAP for annual reports. This quarterly report should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Company is closely monitoring the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on all aspects of its business, including how the pandemic will impact its customers, business partners, and employees. The Company is considered an essential business by most governments in the jurisdictions and territories in which the Company operates and, as a result, did not incur significant disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic during the three-months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2021, the Company has experienced strong demand for its products, more stability in foreign exchange rates and, in some jurisdictions in which it operates, return to more normal business activities including more face-to-face meetings with customers and suppliers etc., albeit at a much-reduced level as compared to pre-pandemic times. The Company established a pandemic working group at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. That group meets bi-weekly and is presently monitoring the safety of its employees, especially in Brazil and India, as those countries are experiencing a surge in new virus variants. During the same period of the prior year our business operated comparatively normally, however, was impacted by adverse movements in some key currency exchange rates as the pandemic news spread across the globe.

Looking forward, the Company is unable to predict the impact that the pandemic may have on its future financial condition, results of operations and cash flows due to numerous uncertainties. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the Company’s operations and those of its customers in the near term will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and, beyond extrapolating our experience since the start of the pandemic, cannot be predicted with confidence. The Company continues to monitor its business for adverse impacts of the pandemic, including volatility in the foreign exchange markets, demand, supply-chain disruptions in certain markets, and increased costs of employee safety, among others. 

2. Leases — The Company has operating leases for warehouses, manufacturing facilities, offices, cars, railcars and certain equipment. The lease term includes the non-cancellable period of the lease plus any additional periods covered by either an option to extend (or not terminate) that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. The Company has leases with a lease term ranging from one year to 20 years.

Finance leases are immaterial to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. There were no lease transactions with related parties as of and for the three-month periods presented in the table below.

The operating lease expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $1,454 and $1,395, respectively. Lease expenses related to variable lease payments and short-term leases were immaterial. Other information related to operating leases follows:

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Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as of March 31, 2021 were as follows:

3. Revenue Recognition —The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of its products, which include crop and non-crop products. The Company sells its products to customers, which include distributors, retailers, and growers. In addition, the Company recognizes royalty income from licensing agreements. Based on similar economic and operational characteristics, the Company’s business is aggregated into one reportable segment. Selective enterprise information of sales disaggregated by category and geographic region is as follows:

Performance Obligations — A performance obligation is a promise in a contract or sales order to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer. A transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. Certain of the Company’s sales orders have multiple performance obligations, as the promise to transfer individual goods or services is separately identifiable from other promises in the sales orders. For sales orders with multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates the sales order’s transaction price to each performance obligation based on its relative stand-alone selling price. The stand-alone selling prices are determined based on the prices at which the Company separately sells these products. The Company’s performance obligations are satisfied either at a point in time or over time as work progresses.

Contract Assets and Deferred Revenue —The contract assets are included in other receivables on the condensed consolidated balance sheets and relate to royalties earned on certain functional licenses granted for the use of the Company’s intellectual property. The timing of revenue recognition, billings and cash collections may result in deferred revenue. The Company sometimes receives payments from its customers in advance of goods and services being provided in return for early cash incentive programs, resulting in deferred revenues.  

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Revenue recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2021, that was included in the deferred revenue balance at the beginning of 2021 was $11,295. The Company expects to recognize all its remaining deferred revenue in fiscal 2021.

4. Property, Plant and Equipment — Property, plant and equipment at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 consists of the following:

The Company recognized depreciation expense related to property and equipment of $2,171 and $1,517 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company eliminated from assets and accumulated depreciation $62 and $113, of fully depreciated assets, respectively.

Substantially all of the Company’s assets are pledged as collateral with its lender banks.

5. Inventories — Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost method. The components of inventories consist of the following:

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6. Segment Reporting — Based on similar economic and operational characteristics, the Company’s business is aggregated into one reportable segment. Selective enterprise information is as follows:

7. Accrued Program Costs — The Company offers various discounts to customers based on the volume purchased within a defined time period, other pricing adjustments, some grower volume incentives or other key performance indicator driven payments, which are usually made at the end of a growing season, to distributors, retailers or growers. The Company describes these payments as “Programs.” Programs are a critical part of doing business in both the U.S. crop and non-crop chemicals marketplaces. These discount Programs represent variable consideration.  Revenues from sales are recorded at the net sales price, which is the transaction price net of the impact of Programs and includes estimates of variable consideration. Variable consideration includes amounts expected to be paid to its customers estimated using the expected value method. Each quarter management compares individual sale transactions with Programs to determine what, if any, estimated program liabilities have been incurred. Once this initial calculation is made for the specific quarter, sales and marketing management, along with executive and financial management, review the accumulated Program balance and, for volume driven payments, make assessments of whether or not customers are tracking in a manner that indicates that they will meet the requirements set out in agreed upon terms and conditions attached to each Program. Following this assessment, management makes adjustments to the accumulated accrual to properly reflect the Company’s best estimate of the liability at the balance sheet date. Programs are paid out predominantly on an annual basis, usually in the final quarter of the financial year or the first quarter of the following year. No significant changes in estimates were made during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.  

8. Cash Dividends on Common Stock —The Company has declared and paid the following cash dividends in the periods covered by this Form 10-Q:

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9. Earnings Per Share — The components of basic and diluted earnings per share were as follows:

For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, no stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.

10. Debt — The Company has a revolving line of credit that is shown as long-term debt in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The Company has no short-term debt as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.  The debt is summarized in the following table:

The Company’s main bank is Bank of the West, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the French bank, BNP Paribas. Bank of the West has been the Company’s bank for more than 30 years and is the syndication manager for the Company’s loans.  

The revolving line of credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) is a senior secured lending facility among AMVAC, the Company’s principal operating subsidiary, as borrower, and affiliates (including the Company, AMVAC CV and AMVAC BV), as guarantors and/or borrowers, on the one hand, and a group of commercial lenders led by Bank of the West as agent, swing line lender and Letter of Credit issuer on the other hand, consisting of a line of credit of up to $250,000, an accordion feature of up to $100,000 and a maturity date of June 30, 2022. The Credit Agreement contains two key financial covenants; namely, borrowers are required to maintain a Consolidated Funded Debt Ratio of no more than 3.25-to-1 and a Consolidated Fixed Charge Covenant Ratio of at least 1.25-to-1. The Company’s borrowing capacity varies with its financial performance, measured in terms of EBITDA as defined in the Credit Agreement, for the trailing twelve-month period. Under the Credit Agreement, revolving loans bear interest at a variable rate based, at borrower’s election with proper notice, on either (i) LIBOR plus the “Applicable Rate” which is based upon the Consolidated Funded Debt Ratio (“Eurocurrency Rate Loan”) or (ii) the greater of (x) the Prime Rate, (y) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, and (z) the Daily One-Month LIBOR Rate plus 1.00%, plus, in the case of (x), (y) or (z) the Applicable Rate (“Alternate Base Rate Loan”). Interest payments for Eurocurrency Rate Loans are payable on the last day of each interest period (either one, two, three or six months, as selected by the borrower) and the maturity date, while interest payments for Alternate Base Rate Loans are payable on the last business day of each month and the maturity date. The interest rate on March 31, 2021 was 2.75%.  

As of April 22, 2020, AMVAC, as borrower, and certain affiliates amended the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement, as amended, has the same term and loan commitments, however the maximum permitted consolidated funded debt ratio (the “CFD Ratio”) has been increased from 3.25-to-1 to the following schedule: 4.00-to-1 through September 30, 2020, stepping down to 3.75-to-1 through December 31, 2020, 3.5-to-1 through March 31, 2021 and 3.25-to-1 thereafter. In addition, to the extent that it completes acquisitions totaling $15 million or more in any 90-day period, AMVAC may step-up the CFD Ratio by 0.5-to-1, not to exceed 4.25-to-1, for the next three full consecutive quarters. Finally, to the extent that a proposed acquisition is at least $30 million but less than $50 million, the consent of the Lead Agent is required. Larger acquisitions continue to require the consent of a majority of the Lenders.

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At March 31, 2021, the Company is compliant with all covenants to its Senior Credit Facility. Based on its performance against the most restrictive covenants in the Credit Agreement, the Company had the capacity to increase its borrowings by up to $50,993, according to the terms thereof. This compares to an available borrowing capacity of $86,736 as of December 31, 2020 and $39,552 as of March 31, 2020. The level of borrowing capacity is driven by three factors: (1) our financial performance, as measured in EBITDA for both the trailing twelve month period and proforma basis arising from acquisitions, (2) net borrowings, and (3) the leverage covenant (the Consolidated Funded Debt Ratio).

Agrinos had an existing Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan in the amount of $705 as of the date it was acquired by the Company. This PPP loan was granted on April 27, 2020, $667 in principal and $5 in interest of this PPP loan was forgiven by the Small Business Administration on January 7, 2021 and Agrinos repaid the remaining outstanding balance. As a result, the PPP loan was extinguished on January 7, 2021 and the total amount forgiven of $672 was recorded as other income in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations and represents a non-cash financing activity on the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

11. Reclassifications — Certain items have been reclassified in the prior period condensed consolidated financial statements to conform with the March 31, 2021 presentation.

12. Comprehensive Income (Loss) — Total comprehensive income (loss) includes, in addition to net income, changes in equity that are excluded from the condensed consolidated statements of operations and are recorded directly into a separate section of stockholders’ equity on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, total comprehensive income (loss) consisted of net income attributable to American Vanguard and foreign currency translation adjustments.

13. Stock-Based Compensation — The following tables illustrate the Company’s stock-based compensation, unamortized stock-based compensation, and remaining weighted average amortization period.

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The Company also granted stock options in past periods. All outstanding stock options are fully vested and exercisable and no expense was recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

Restricted and Unrestricted Stock — A summary of nonvested time based restricted and unrestricted stock is presented below:

Performance-Based Restricted Stock — A summary of nonvested performance-based stock is presented below:

Stock Options — The Company has stock options outstanding under its incentive stock option plans and performance incentive stock option plan. All outstanding stock options are vested and exercisable. The following tables present details for each type of plan:

Incentive Stock Option Plans

Activity of the incentive stock option plans:

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Outstanding at March 31, 2021, summarized by exercise price:

Performance Incentive Stock Option Plan

Activity of the performance incentive stock option plan:

 All the performance incentive stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2021 have an exercise price per share of $11.49 and a remaining life of 45 months.

14. Legal Proceedings — During the reporting period, there have been no material developments in legal proceedings that were reported in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, except as described below.

EPA FIFRA/RCRA Matter.  On November 10, 2016, the Company was served with a grand jury subpoena from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama, seeking documents regarding the importation, transportation, and management of a specific pesticide. The Company retained defense counsel to assist in responding to the subpoena and otherwise defending the Company’s interests. AMVAC is cooperating in the investigation.

Since April 2018, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) has conducted several interviews of AMVAC employees and issued supplemental document requests in connection with the investigation. In November 2020, DOJ issued a second grand jury subpoena seeking records and related communications with regard to a submission made by the Company to the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) in connection with a request to amend a pesticide’s registration. Soon thereafter, DOJ also identified the Company and one of its non-executive employees as targets of the government’s investigation. In January 2021, DOJ and EPA informed the Company that it is investigating violations of two environmental statutes, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (“FIFRA”) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), as well as obstruction of an agency proceeding and false statement statutes. DOJ also identified for the Company as well as for the individual target evidence that it contends supports alleged violations with respect to both the Company and the individual target. The Company is evaluating the legal and factual issues raised by the government and is engaged in discussions with DOJ regarding possible resolution.

The governmental agencies involved in this investigation have a range of civil and criminal penalties they may seek to impose against corporations and individuals for violations of FIFRA, RCRA and other federal statutes including, but not limited to, injunctive relief, fines, penalties and modifications to business practices and compliance programs, including the appointment of a monitor. If violations are established, the amount of any fines or monetary penalties which could be assessed and the scope of possible non-monetary relief would depend on, among other factors, findings regarding the amount, timing, nature and scope of the violations, and the level of cooperation provided to the governmental authorities during the investigation. As a result, the Company cannot yet anticipate the timing or predict the ultimate resolution of this investigation, financial or otherwise, which could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, operations, financial condition and cash flow. Accordingly, we have not recorded a loss contingency for this matter.

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15. Recent Accounting Standards Adopted — In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU no. 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes,” (“ASU No. 2019-12”). The amendment removes certain exceptions to the general income tax accounting methodology including an exception for the recognition of a deferred tax liability when a foreign subsidiary becomes an equity method investment and an exception for interim periods showing operating losses in excess of anticipated operating losses for the year. The amendment also reduces the complexity surrounding franchise tax recognition; the step up in the tax basis of goodwill in conjunction with business combinations; and the accounting for the effect of changes in tax laws enacted during interim periods. The amendments in this update are effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those years with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU No. 2019-12 effective January 1, 2021.The adoption of this standard did not result in any material adjustments to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

16. Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The accounting standard for fair value measurements provides a framework for measuring fair value and requires expanded disclosures regarding fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or the exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. This accounting standard established a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available. The following summarizes the three levels of inputs required:

The carrying amount of the Company’s financial instruments, which principally include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, long-term investments, accounts payable and accrued expenses, approximates fair value because of the relatively short maturity of such instruments. The carrying amount of the Company’s short-term and long-term borrowings, which are considered Level 2 liabilities, approximates fair value based upon current rates and terms available to the Company for similar debt.

The Company measures its contingent earn-out liabilities in connection with business acquisitions at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company may use various valuation techniques depending on the terms and conditions of the contingent consideration including a Monte-Carlo simulation. This simulation uses probability distribution for each significant input to produce hundreds or thousands of possible outcomes and the results are analyzed to determine probabilities of different outcomes occurring. The following table illustrates the Company’s contingent consideration movements related to its business acquisitions:

The current portion of the contingent consideration in the amount of $750 is included in current installments of other liabilities and the long-term portion in the amount of $1,455 is included in other liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

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17. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss — The following table lists the beginning balance, quarterly activity and ending balance of accumulated other comprehensive loss, which consists of foreign currency translation adjustments:

18. Equity Method Investment — On August 2, 2016, AMVAC BV entered into a joint venture with Huifeng (Hong Kong) Ltd, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Huifeng Group. The resulting entity, Hong Kong JV, is intended to focus on activities such as market access and technology transfer between the two members. AMVAC BV is a 50% owner of the entity. No material contributions were made subsequent to the initial investment. On June 27, 2017, both AMVAC BV and Huifeng (Hong Kong) Ltd. made individual capital contributions of $950 to the Hong Kong JV. The Company utilizes the equity method of accounting with respect to this investment. On July 7, 2017, the Hong Kong JV purchased the shares of Profeng Australia, Pty Ltd. (“Profeng”), for a total consideration of $1,900. The purchase consists of Profeng Australia, Pty Ltd Trustee and Profeng Australia Unit Trust. Both Trust and Trustee were previously owned by Huifeng (via its wholly owned subsidiary Huifeng (Hong Kong) Ltd).

For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized losses of $13 in each period, as a result of the Company’s ownership position in the Hong Kong Joint Venture. The Company’s investment in this joint venture amounted to $375 and $500, respectively at March 31, 2021 and 2020 and are included in other assets.

19. Equity Investments — In February 2016, AMVAC Netherlands BV made an investment in Biological Products for Agriculture (“Bi-PA”). Bi-PA develops biological plant protection products that can be used for the control of pests and disease of agricultural crops. As of March 31, 2021, the Company’s ownership position in Bi-PA was 15%. Since this investment does not have readily determinable fair value, the Company has elected to measure the investment at cost less impairment, if any, and also records an increase or decrease for changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of Bi-PA. The Company periodically reviews the investment for possible impairment. There was no impairment or observable price changes on the investment during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

On April 1, 2020, AMVAC purchased 6.25 million shares, an ownership of approximately 8%, of common stock of Clean Seed Capital Group Ltd. (TSX Venture Exchange: “CSX”) for $1,190. The shares are publicly traded, have a readily determinable fair value, and are considered a Level 1 investment. The fair value of the stock amounted to $2,973 as of March 31, 2021, and the Company recorded a gain in the amount of $1,066 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021.   

20. Income Taxes — Income tax expense was $1,362 for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to income tax benefit of $205 for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was 30.6%, and is based on the rates in the territories in which the Company operates. The rate has decreased compared to prior years reflecting mix of income in different jurisdictions. The effective tax rate is based on the projected income for the full year and is subject to ongoing review and adjustment by management.

For the three months ended March 31, 2020 the effective rate was 31.0%. In addition, during that period, the Company benefited from two discrete income tax benefits. First, the Company assessed its income tax positions to account for the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) which was signed into law on March 27, 2020. A provision of the act modified the amount of interest deduction allowed and therefore reduced the Company’s 2019 Global Intangible Low Tax Income (“GILTI”) inclusion. Second, the Company benefited from the tax impact of the vesting of certain stock grants. These benefits did not recur in the same period of the current year.

The Florida Department of Revenue has completed its audit of the Company’s state income tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2015 through December 31, 2018. No adjustments have been proposed for these periods. The Company has also been notified by the Mississippi Department of Revenue of its intent to examine the Company’s state income tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2016 through December 31, 2018. The result of Mississippi’s audit is not determinable since the audit is at its preliminary stage.

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21. Product and Business Acquisitions —The Company did not complete any acquisitions during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company completed two acquisitions in exchange for a total cash consideration at closing of $19,342, which was net of cash acquired of $1,970, and contingent consideration of $2,007, and the settlement of a net asset adjustment of $623. In addition, the Company assumed liabilities of $10,288 and recognized a bargain purchase gain in the amount of $4,624. The total asset value of $36,884 was preliminarily allocated as follows: product rights $6,645, trade names $1,195, customer relationships $632, goodwill $8,672, working capital and fixed assets $19,740. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company recorded an adjustment to reduce the bargain purchase gain by the amount of $33, with a corresponding adjustment to working capital.

The purchase price allocation for both acquisitions is preliminary with respect to the valuation of contingent consideration, intangibles, property, plant and equipment, income taxes and certain other working capital items as the Company is still in the process of gathering additional information and the determination of the respective fair values.

On October 2, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of all outstanding stock of the Agrinos Group Companies (Agrinos), except for Agrinos AS. Agrinos has operating entities in the U.S., Mexico, India, Brazil, China, Ukraine, and Spain. Agrinos is a fully integrated biological input supplier with proprietary technology, internal manufacturing, and global distribution capabilities. At closing, the Company paid cash consideration of $3,125, which was net of cash acquired of $1,813, and liabilities assumed of $4,963, including liabilities of $595 related to income tax matters. The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination and resulted in a preliminary bargain purchase gain of $4,624 (including a reduction of $33 recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2021). The total asset value of $12,712 has been preliminarily allocated as follows: working capital $7,458 (including trade receivables of $2,358), property, plant and equipment of $5,004, and intangible assets of $250. Agrinos was acquired out of bankruptcy. This provided the Company with an opportunity to acquire Agrinos at an advantageous purchase price which was below the preliminary fair value of Agrinos’ net assets acquired resulting in the above-mentioned bargain purchase gain.

On October 8, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of all outstanding stock of AgNova Technologies Pty Ltd (“AgNova”). AgNova is an Australian entity that sources, develops, and distributes specialty crop protection and production solutions for agricultural and horticultural producers, and for selected non-crop users. At closing, the Company paid cash consideration of $16,217, which was net of cash acquired of $157, contingent consideration dependent on certain financial results of $2,007, the settlement of a net asset adjustment of $623, and liabilities assumed of $5,325, including liabilities of $2,529 related to income tax matters. The fair value of the contingent consideration of $2,007 was estimated using an income approach and the maximum potential undiscounted payout is $2,811. The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination and the total asset value of $24,172 has been preliminarily allocated as follows: product registrations and product rights $6,395, trade names and trademarks $1,195, customer relationships and customer lists $632, goodwill $8,672, which is non-deductible for tax purposes, working capital $7,206, including trade receivables of $1,508, and equipment $73. The allocation of the excess purchase price over the preliminary estimated fair value of the net assets acquired was provisional, pending completion of a valuation analysis.  The provisional allocation to intangibles and goodwill was based on the proportional allocation of excess purchase price to intangible assets and goodwill for a comparable acquisition transaction completed by the Company in a prior year for which the purchase accounting had been finalized.  The final determination during the measurement period of the allocation of excess purchase price to the intangible assets and goodwill could differ significantly from the provisional estimates. There were no adjustments to the preliminary allocations of the total asset value during the three months ended March 31, 2021. The goodwill represents the synergies expected to be achieved from the combined operations of the acquired company.

22. Foreign Currency — The Company incurred net foreign currency transaction losses in the amount of $1,203 and $837 during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, included in operating expenses on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS/RISK FACTORS:

The Company, from time-to-time, may discuss forward-looking statements including assumptions concerning the Company’s operations, future results and prospects. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors. In connection with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company provides the following cautionary statements identifying important factors which, among other things, could cause the actual results and events to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by the forward-looking statements and related assumptions contained in the entire Report. Such factors include, but are not limited to: product demand and market acceptance risks; the effect of economic conditions; weather conditions; changes in regulatory policy; the impact of competitive products and pricing; changes in foreign exchange rates; product development and commercialization difficulties; capacity and supply constraints or difficulties; availability of capital resources; general business regulations, including taxes and other risks as detailed from time-to-time in the Company’s reports and filings filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). It is not possible to foresee or identify all such factors. For more detailed information, refer to Item 1A., Risk factors and Item 7A., Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW

The Company’s Operations in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

In March 2020, the World Health Organization categorized the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic, and it continues to spread across the world. To limit the spread of the contagion, governments have taken various actions to slow and otherwise control the spread of the pandemic, including the issuance of stay-at-home orders, social distancing guidelines and border restrictions. At its outset, the Company took swift action to understand, contain and mitigate the risks posed by this pandemic. Specifically, we formed the Pandemic Work Group with a mission to ensure the health and safety of the workforce while ensuring continuity of the business. In the workplace, we have designed and implemented protocols for social distancing, made provisions for the workforce to work remotely where possible, and established quarantine policies for those who present COVID-like symptom or may have been in touch with those who have. Further, the group keeps current with local, state, federal and international laws and restrictions that could affect the business; provides real-time information to the workforce; and draws from political commentary and news statements concrete directions on how best to continue operations. We have also prepared contingency plans to permit the continued operation of our factories, in the event that there are critical staffing issues due to attrition. In addition, in April 2020, we amended our credit facility to support future working capital needs (see note 10). Further, we continuously monitor supply chain, transport, logistics and border closures and have reached out to third parties to make clear that we are continuing to operate, that we have our own policies relating to health and are committed to compliance with COVID-19 policies of our business partners. Our CEO and the leader of the Pandemic Work Group is holding bi-weekly “state of the company” calls with the functional heads of our businesses across the globe to ensure that our information is shared in a timely manner and that our direction is clear.

It is important to understand that under applicable federal guidelines (at https://www.cisa.gov), the Company is part of the nation’s “critical infrastructure” and falls within three of the 16 sectors that are specially permitted to operate:  “Food and Agriculture” sector (engaged in “the production of chemicals and other substances used by the food and agriculture industry, including pesticides, herbicides etc.”), the “Chemical” sector (“supporting the operation . . . of facilities (particularly those with high risk chemicals . . . whose work cannot be done remotely and requires the presence of highly trained personnel to ensure safe operations”) and the “Public Works and Infrastructure Support Services” sector (in support of exterminators, landscapers and others who provide services to residences and businesses). In issuing guidance on Coronavirus, former President Trump said, “If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule [emphasis added].” We have found that state COVID-19 orders and, indeed, even those of countries in which the outbreak has been most pronounced (e.g., Italy), have consistently excepted food supply as an area essential to the survival of its populations and, as such, had given special permission to companies, such as ours, to continue to operate during the pandemic.

In keeping with our charge to operate as an essential business and by virtue of our efforts to contain and mitigate the risks posed by the pandemic, we have been able to manage our business with minimal impact during the reporting period.

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Overview of the Company’s Performance

While the first quarter of 2020 marked the start of a global pandemic that continued throughout the year, the first quarter of 2021 marked a favorable inflection point domestically with lower pandemic curves, ample supply of vaccines and easing of social restrictions. Within this context, the Company’s overall operating results for the first three months of 2021 improved considerably (both domestically and abroad), as compared with those of the same period of 2020. Net sales increased by 21 % ($116,155 as compared to $95,962) and net income increased by a factor of six (to $3,071 from $520).

On a consolidated basis, domestic sales rose 18% and international sales increased 27%, resulting in an overall net sales improvement of about 21%. The domestic net sales include an increase in royalty and license fees from our Envance proprietary solutions business of approximately $3,000. Cost of sales increased by 23% or $13,443 due not only to increased sales but also to changes in mix related to both products and territories and factory performance (including the addition of two new factory operations acquired as part of the Agrinos group). Cost of sales were 61% of sales in 2021, as compared to 60% for the same period of 2020. These factors, taken together, yielded a 18% increase in gross profit (to $45,131 from $38,381 in the comparable quarter of 2020), while average gross margin percent declined to 39% from 40% quarter-over-quarter. Operating expenses on an absolute basis increased by about 13%, as compared to the comparable quarter (to $41,444 from $36,545), largely due to the expanded scope of the Company’s global footprint following the acquisition of Agrinos biological products and the AgNova business in Australia. However, operating expenses as a percent of net sales dropped to 35% from 38% for the quarter indicating greater economies of scale for the period. Operating income for the period doubled (to $3,654 from $1,836), driven by the strong sales increase. The Company recorded significantly lower interest expense during the quarter as a result of working capital management in part driven by strong support from some of our biggest customers participating in early pay programs. These factors, coupled with a beneficial fair-value adjustment of an equity investment, yielded net income for the period of $3,071, a six-fold increase compared to $520 in the first quarter of 2020. Details on our financial performance are set forth below.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Quarter Ended March 31: