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BALCHEM CORP - Quarter Report: 2016 June (Form 10-Q)


 FORM 10-Q

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)          
  Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For The Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2016

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 1-13648

BALCHEM CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland
 
13-2578432
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
     
52 Sunrise Park Road, New Hampton, New York
 
10958
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

845-326-5600
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

Indicate by a 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 filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
 
Yes  ☑ 
No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).
 
 
Yes  ☑
No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ☑
Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☐
Smaller reporting company☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes
No
 
As of July 29, 2016 the registrant had 31,626,497 shares of its Common Stock, $.06 2/3 par value, outstanding.
 


Part I.
Financial Information
Item 1.
Financial Statements

BALCHEM CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Assets
 
June 30, 2016
(unaudited)
   
December 31,
2015
 
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
33,421
   
$
84,795
 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $384 and $235 at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively
   
67,072
     
60,485
 
Inventories
   
57,839
     
46,085
 
Prepaid expenses
   
4,232
     
3,208
 
Prepaid income taxes
   
4,530
     
-
 
Deferred income taxes
   
811
     
810
 
Other current assets
   
1,100
     
2,909
 
Total current assets
   
169,005
     
198,292
 
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net
   
172,793
     
158,515
 
                 
Goodwill
   
445,390
     
383,906
 
Intangible assets with finite lives, net
   
162,752
     
134,911
 
Other assets
   
4,352
     
4,062
 
Total assets
 
$
954,292
   
$
879,686
 
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Trade accounts payable
 
$
18,163
   
$
14,708
 
Accrued expenses
   
16,082
     
12,829
 
Accrued compensation and other benefits
   
5,724
     
5,128
 
Dividends payable
   
-
     
10,727
 
Income taxes payable
   
-
     
2,728
 
Current portion of long-term debt
   
35,000
     
35,000
 
Total current liabilities
   
74,969
     
81,120
 
                 
Long-term debt
   
243,732
     
260,963
 
Revolving loan - long-term
   
45,000
     
-
 
Deferred income taxes
   
87,259
     
67,215
 
Other long-term obligations
   
7,178
     
6,683
 
Total liabilities
   
458,138
     
415,981
 
                 
Commitments and contingencies (note 14)
               
                 
Stockholders' equity:
               
Preferred stock, $25 par value. Authorized 2,000,000 shares; none issued and outstanding
   
-
     
-
 
Common stock, $.0667 par value. Authorized 120,000,000 shares; 31,609,197 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2016 and 31,528,449 shares issued and 31,527,360 shares outstanding at December 31, 2015
   
2,108
     
2,102
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
128,809
     
122,594
 
Retained earnings
   
370,233
     
344,197
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
(4,996
)
   
(5,114
)
Treasury stock, at cost: 0 and 1,089 shares at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively
   
-
     
(74
)
Total stockholders' equity
   
496,154
     
463,705
 
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
954,292
   
$
879,686
 
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
2

BALCHEM CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
                         
Net sales
 
$
138,794
   
$
134,773
   
$
273,935
   
$
279,635
 
                                 
Cost of sales
   
92,345
     
92,906
     
184,662
     
194,638
 
                                 
Gross margin
   
46,449
     
41,867
     
89,273
     
84,997
 
                                 
Operating expenses:
                               
Selling expenses
   
14,494
     
11,367
     
27,581
     
23,153
 
Research and development expenses
   
1,920
     
1,492
     
3,862
     
2,940
 
General and administrative expenses
   
6,702
     
5,234
     
14,529
     
10,092
 
     
23,116
     
18,093
     
45,972
     
36,185
 
                                 
Earnings from operations
   
23,333
     
23,774
     
43,301
     
48,812
 
                                 
Other expenses (income):
                               
Interest income
   
(2
)
   
(3
)
   
(5
)
   
(5
)
Interest expense
   
1,905
     
1,594
     
3,748
     
3,475
 
Other, net
   
47
     
16
     
194
     
90
 
                                 
Earnings before income tax expense
   
21,383
     
22,167
     
39,364
     
45,252
 
                                 
Income tax expense
   
7,233
     
7,251
     
13,328
     
15,164
 
                                 
Net earnings
 
$
14,150
   
$
14,916
   
$
26,036
   
$
30,088
 
                                 
Net earnings per common share - basic
 
$
0.45
   
$
0.48
   
$
0.83
   
$
0.97
 
                                 
Net earnings per common share - diluted
 
$
0.44
   
$
0.47
   
$
0.82
   
$
0.95
 
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
3

BALCHEM CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
                         
Net earnings
 
$
14,150
   
$
14,916
   
$
26,036
   
$
30,088
 
                                 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
                               
                                 
Net foreign currency translation adjustment
   
(707
)
   
550
     
548
     
(2,130
)
                                 
Net change in postretirement benefit plan, net of taxes of $(6) and $2 for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, and $(5) and $3 for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.
   
(426
)
   
(3
)
   
(430
)
   
(6
)
                                 
                                 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
   
(1,133
)
   
547
     
118
     
(2,136
)
                                 
Comprehensive income
 
$
13,017
   
$
15,463
   
$
26,154
   
$
27,952
 
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
4

BALCHEM CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
             
             
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net earnings
 
$
26,036
   
$
30,088
 
                 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
   
22,666
     
19,891
 
Stock compensation expense
   
3,949
     
2,684
 
Deferred income taxes
   
217
     
55
 
Provision for doubtful accounts
   
123
     
(106
)
Foreign currency transaction loss
   
15
     
60
 
Loss on disposal of assets
   
88
     
106
 
Changes in assets and liabilities
               
Accounts receivable
   
1,056
     
7,962
 
Inventories
   
3,992
     
1,378
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
1,295
     
1,396
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
   
3,627
     
(9,786
)
Income taxes
   
(6,573
)
   
(4,046
)
Other
   
(533
)
   
184
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
55,958
     
49,866
 
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Cash paid for acquisition, net of cash acquired
   
(110,601
)
   
-
 
Capital expenditures
   
(14,736
)
   
(15,299
)
Intangible assets acquired
   
(586
)
   
(617
)
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(125,923
)
   
(15,916
)
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from revolving loan
   
65,000
     
-
 
Principal payments on revolving loan
   
(20,000
)
   
-
 
Principal payments on long-term debt
   
(17,500
)
   
(17,500
)
Principal payment on acquired debt
   
(884
)
   
-
 
Proceeds from stock options exercised
   
3,032
     
9,920
 
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation
   
792
     
5,785
 
Dividends paid
   
(10,727
)
   
(9,251
)
Purchase of treasury stock
   
(1,478
)
   
(21
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
   
18,235
     
(11,067
)
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
   
356
     
(927
)
                 
(Decrease) Increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
(51,374
)
   
21,956
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period
   
84,795
     
50,287
 
Cash and cash equivalents end of period
 
$
33,421
   
$
72,243
 
 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information - see Note 12
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(All dollar amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

NOTE 1 – CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The condensed consolidated financial statements presented herein have been prepared by the Company in accordance with the accounting policies described in its December 31, 2015 consolidated financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes, which appear in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. References in this report to the “Company” mean either Balchem Corporation or Balchem Corporation and its subsidiaries, including SensoryEffects, Inc., SensoryEffects Cereal Systems, Inc., Albion International, Inc., BCP Ingredients, Inc., Aberco, Inc., Balchem BV, Balchem Italia Srl, and Balchem LTD, on a consolidated basis, as the context requires.

In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements furnished in this Form 10-Q include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP” or “GAAP”) governing interim financial statements and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and therefore do not include some information and notes necessary to conform to annual reporting requirements. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results expected for the full year or any interim period.

Beginning in fiscal year 2016, the Company has renamed its SensoryEffects segment as Human Nutrition & Health, as this segment now includes encapsulates, human choline, mineral amino acid chelates, specialized mineral salts, mineral complexes, and customized food and beverage solutions (the aforementioned three mineral product lines are contributions from the Albion International, Inc. acquisition; see Note 2). The Company believes that this segment name change provides more clarity as to the segment’s core businesses and strategies.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, “Leases” (“ASU 2016-02”), which addresses the recognition of assets and liabilities that arise from all leases. The guidance requires lessees to recognize right-to-use assets and lease liabilities for most leases in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The guidance is effective January 1, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance.
 
6

NOTE 2—ACQUISITION OF ALBION INTERNATIONAL, INC.

On February 1, 2016, the Company acquired 100 percent of the outstanding common shares of Albion International, Inc. (“Albion” or the “Acquisition”), a privately held manufacturer of mineral amino acid chelates, specialized mineral salts and mineral complexes, headquartered in Clearfield, Utah.  The Company made payments of approximately $116.4 million on the acquisition date, amounting to approximately $110.6 million to the former shareholders, adjustments for working capital acquired of $4.9 million, and approximately $0.9 million to Albion’s lenders to pay off all Albion bank debt.  Albion has been a world leader and innovator in the manufacture of superior organic mineral compounds for sixty years and leverages scientific expertise in the areas of human and micronutrient agricultural nutrition.  Albion’s products are renowned in the supplement industry for technologically advanced, unparalleled bioavailability.  The acquisition of Albion continues to expand the Company’s science based human health and wellness solutions and will immediately increase our product offerings in the nutritional ingredient market.  Additionally, the Company will also benefit from a broader geographic footprint and a stronger position as a technological leader in spray-drying and ingredient delivery solutions.  Albion’s human nutrition business will become a part of the Human Nutrition & Health reportable segment and the micronutrient agricultural business will become a part of the Specialty Products reportable segment.

The goodwill of $61,484 arising from the Acquisition consists largely of expected synergies, including the combined entities’ experience and technical problem solving capabilities, and acquired workforce. Goodwill of $43,980 and $17,504 is assigned to the Human Nutrition & Health and Specialty Products segments, respectively, and approximately $1,600 is tax deductible for income tax purposes.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
4,949
 
Accounts receivable
   
7,671
 
Inventories
   
15,672
 
Property, plant and equipment
   
7,217
 
Customer relationships
   
18,652
 
Developed technology
   
9,060
 
Trade name
   
7,576
 
Licensing agreements
   
6,658
 
Other assets
   
1,200
 
Trade accounts payable
   
(1,104
)
Accrued expenses
   
(2,789
)
Bank debt
   
(884
)
Deferred income taxes
   
(19,812
)
Goodwill
   
61,484
 
Amount paid to shareholders
   
115,550
 
Albion bank debt paid on purchase date
   
884
 
Total amount paid on acquisition date
 
$
116,434
 
 
7

The estimated valuation of the fair value of tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on management’s estimates and assumptions that are subject to change. In preparing our preliminary fair value estimates of the intangible assets and certain tangible assets acquired, management, among other things, consulted an independent advisor. The purchase price and related allocation to assets acquired and liabilities assumed is preliminary pending finalizing actual working capital acquired as of the Acquisition date. Additionally, certain intangible assets are not tax deductible and the related deferred tax liabilities are preliminary pending management’s final review.

Customer relationships are amortized over a 10-year period utilizing an accelerated method based on the estimated average customer attrition rate. Trade name, licensing agreements, and developed technology are amortized over 17 years, 8 years, and 5 years, respectively, utilizing the straight-line method as the consumption pattern of the related economic benefits cannot be reliably determined.

The Company is indemnified for tax liabilities prior to the Acquisition date. Indemnified tax liabilities will create an indemnification asset (receivable). At this time, an indemnification asset (receivable) balance has not been established.

Transaction and integration related costs included in selling, and general and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2016 are $1,430.

The following unaudited pro forma information has been prepared as if the Acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2015.

   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
                         
   
Net Sales
   
Net Earnings
   
Net Sales
   
Net Earnings
 
2016 Albion actual results included in the Company’s consolidated income statement from February 1, 2016 through June 30, 2016
 
$
15,488
   
$
682
   
$
26,099
   
$
162
 
                                 
2016 Supplemental pro forma combined financial information
 
$
138,794
   
$
16,103
   
$
278,515
   
$
30,635
 
                                 
Basic earnings per share
         
$
0.51
           
$
0.97
 
Diluted earnings per share
         
$
0.51
           
$
0.96
 
                                 
2015 Albion actual results included in the Company’s consolidated income statement
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
                                 
2015 Supplemental pro forma combined financial information
 
$
150,625
   
$
14,780
   
$
309,973
   
$
30,960
 
                                 
Basic earnings per share
         
$
0.48
           
$
1.00
 
Diluted earnings per share
         
$
0.47
           
$
0.98
 
                                 
 
8

2016 supplemental pro forma earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2016 exclude $26,141 of acquisition-related costs incurred and $5,046 of non-recurring expenses related to the fair value adjustment to acquisition-date inventory. The pro forma information presented does not purport to be indicative of the results that actually would have been attained if the Albion acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the periods presented and is not intended to be a projection of future results.

NOTE 3 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company records stock-based compensation in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation.” The Company’s results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 reflected the following stock-based compensation cost, and such compensation cost had the following effects on net earnings:

   
Increase/(Decrease) for the
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
Cost of sales
 
$
260
   
$
214
 
Operating expenses
   
1,494
     
1,298
 
Net earnings
   
(1,080
)
   
(982
)

   
Increase/(Decrease) for the
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
Cost of sales
 
$
520
   
$
426
 
Operating expenses
   
3,431
     
2,260
 
Net earnings
   
(2,473
)
   
(1,743
)

As required by ASC 718, the Company has made an estimate of expected forfeitures based on its historical experience and is recognizing compensation cost only for those stock-based compensation awards expected to vest.

The Company’s stock incentive plans allow for the granting of stock awards and options to purchase common stock. Both incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options can be awarded under the plans. No option will be exercisable for longer than ten years after the date of grant. The Company has approved and reserved a number of shares to be issued upon exercise of the outstanding options that is adequate to cover all exercises. As of June 30, 2016, the plans had 3,419,191 shares available for future awards. Compensation expense for stock options and stock awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, generally three years for stock options, four years for employee restricted stock awards, three years for employee performance share awards, and four years for non-employee director restricted stock awards. Certain awards provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control (as defined in the plans) or other qualifying events.
 
9

Option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 is summarized below:

 
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2016
 
Shares (000s)
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   
 
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
   
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2015
   
1,017
   
$
37.29
   
$
23,927
       
Granted
   
338
     
60.78
               
Exercised
   
(86
)
   
34.93
               
Forfeited
   
-
     
-
               
Outstanding as of June 30, 2016
   
1,269
   
$
43.71
   
$
20,626
     
6.6
 
Exercisable as of June 30, 2016
   
742
   
$
33.03
   
$
19,769
     
4.9
 

 
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2015
 
Shares (000s)
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   
 
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
   
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2014
   
1,470
   
$
27.35
   
$
57,742
       
Granted
   
207
     
58.34
               
Exercised
   
(519
)
   
19.12
               
Forfeited
   
(12
)
   
50.46
               
Outstanding as of June 30, 2015
   
1,146
   
$
36.45
   
$
22,660
     
6.6
 
Exercisable as of June 30, 2015
   
718
   
$
26.77
   
$
20,785
     
5.2
 

ASC 718 requires companies to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: dividend yields of 0.5% and 0.6%; expected volatilities of 34% and 33%; risk-free interest rates of 1.2% and 1.7%; and expected lives of 5.0 and 5.5 years, in each case for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The Company used a projected expected life for each award granted based on historical experience of employees’ exercise behavior. Expected volatility is based on the Company’s historical volatility levels. Dividend yields are based on the Company’s historical dividend yields. Risk-free interest rates are based on the implied yields currently available on U.S. Treasury zero coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected life.
 
10

Other information pertaining to option activity during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 was as follows:

 
Three Months
Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months
Ended
June 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
Weighted-average fair value of options granted
 
$
17.80
   
$
17.07
   
$
18.45
   
$
18.35
 
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised ($000s)
 
$
1,242
   
$
12,244
   
$
2,257
   
$
20,284
 

Non-vested restricted stock activity for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 is summarized below:

 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
Shares (000s)
   
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value
 
Non-vested balance as of December 31, 2015
   
150
   
$
47.46
 
Granted
   
18
     
60.85
 
Vested
   
(52
)
   
42.36
 
Forfeited
   
-
     
-
 
Non-vested balance as of June 30, 2016
   
116
   
$
51.83
 
 
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
Shares (000s)
   
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value
 
Non-vested balance as of December 31, 2014
   
134
   
$
38.13
 
Granted
   
76
     
55.77
 
Vested
   
(11
)
   
16.69
 
Forfeited
   
-
     
-
 
Non-vested balance as of June 30, 2015
   
199
   
$
46.11
 

Non-vested performance share activity for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 is summarized below:

 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
Shares (000s)
   
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value
 
Non-vested balance as of December 31, 2015
   
20
   
$
58.77
 
Granted
   
21
     
63.15
 
Vested
   
-
     
-
 
Forfeited
   
(4
)
   
60.87
 
Non-vested balance as of June 30, 2016
   
37
   
$
61.04
 
 
11

 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
Shares (000s)
   
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value
 
Non-vested balance as of December 31, 2014
   
-
   
$
-
 
Granted
   
29
     
58.77
 
Vested
   
-
     
-
 
Forfeited
   
(9
)
   
58.77
 
Non-vested balance as of June 30, 2015
   
20
   
$
58.77
 

The performance share (“PS”) awards provide the recipients the right to receive a certain number of shares of the Company’s common stock in the future, subject to an (1) EBITDA performance  hurdle, where vesting is dependent upon the Company achieving a certain EBITDA percentage growth over the performance period, and (2) relative total shareholder return (TSR) where vesting is dependent upon the Company’s TSR performance over the performance period relative to a comparator group consisting of the Russell 2000 index constituents. Expense is measured based on the fair value at the date of grant utilizing a Black-Scholes methodology to produce a Monte-Carlo simulation model which allows for the incorporation of the performance hurdles that must be met before the PS vests. The assumptions used in the fair value determination were risk free interest rates of 0.88% and 1.00%; dividend yields of 0.6% and 0.5%; volatilities of 32% and 34%; and initial TSR’s of -6.6% and -6.9%, in each case for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Expense is based on the estimated number of shares expected to vest, assuming the requisite service period is rendered and the probable outcome of the performance condition is achieved.  The estimate is revised if subsequent information indicates that the actual number of shares likely to vest differs from previous estimates. Expense is ultimately adjusted based on the actual achievement of service and performance targets. The PS will cliff vest 100% at the end of the third year following the grant in accordance with the performance metrics set forth.

As of June 30, 2016 and 2015, there was $12,167 and $12,146, respectively, of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the plans. As of June 30, 2016, the unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2 years. The Company estimates that share-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 will be approximately $7,300.

REPURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK

The Company has an approved stock repurchase program. The total authorization under this program is 3,763,038 shares. Since the inception of the program in June 1999, a total of 2,149,574 shares have been purchased, of which no shares remained in treasury at June 30, 2016. During the six months ended June 30, 2016, a total of 23,651 shares have been purchased at an average cost of $62.51 per share. The Company intends to acquire shares from time to time at prevailing market prices if and to the extent it deems it advisable to do so based on its assessment of corporate cash flow, market conditions and other factors.
 
12

NOTE 4 – INVENTORIES

Inventories at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 consisted of the following:

   
June 30,
2016
   
December 31,
2015
 
Raw materials
 
$
21,528
   
$
16,786
 
Work in progress
   
3,897
     
1,807
 
Finished goods
   
32,414
     
27,492
 
Total inventories
 
$
57,839
   
$
46,085
 

NOTE 5 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are summarized as follows:
 
   
June 30,
2016
   
December 31,
2015
 
Land
 
$
4,089
   
$
3,247
 
Building
   
46,768
     
33,051
 
Equipment
   
185,863
     
153,682
 
Construction in progress
   
14,497
     
39,525
 
     
251,217
     
229,505
 
Less: accumulated depreciation
   
78,424
     
70,990
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
 
$
172,793
   
$
158,515
 

NOTE 6 – INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The Company had goodwill in the amount of $445,390 and $383,906 as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, subject to the provisions of ASC 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other.”

Goodwill at January 1, 2016
 
$
383,906
 
Goodwill as a result of the Acquisition of Albion International, Inc. – see Note 2
   
61,484
 
Goodwill at June 30, 2016
 
$
445,390
 

There was a $3,722 changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the three months ended June 30, 2016, as a result of changes to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (See Note 2).

   
June 30,
2016
   
December 31,
2015
 
Human Nutrition & Health
 
$
407,764
   
$
363,784
 
Animal Nutrition & Health
   
11,734
     
11,734
 
Specialty Products
   
24,664
     
7,160
 
Industrial Products
   
1,228
     
1,228
 
Total
 
$
445,390
   
$
383,906
 
 
13

Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are summarized as follows:

   
 
Amortization
Period
(in years)
   
Gross
Carrying
Amount at
6/30/16
   
 
Accumulated
Amortization
at 6/30/16
   
Gross
Carrying
Amount at
12/31/15
   
 
Accumulated
Amortization
at 12/31/15
 
Customer relationships & lists
   
10
   
$
186,094
   
$
74,883
   
$
167,442
   
$
63,578
 
Trademarks & trade names
   
17
     
39,593
     
7,475
     
32,014
     
5,704
 
Developed technology
   
5
     
12,260
     
2,132
     
3,200
     
1,057
 
Other
   
5-17
     
12,348
     
3,053
     
5,102
     
2,508
 
           
$
250,295
   
$
87,543
   
$
207,758
   
$
72,847
 

Amortization of identifiable intangible assets was approximately $14,695 for the six months ended June 30, 2016. Assuming no change in the gross carrying value of identifiable intangible assets, the estimated amortization expense for the remainder of 2016 is $15,127, approximately $26,175 for 2017, $23,655 for 2018, $21,620 for 2019, $19,640 for 2020 and $16,475 for 2021. At June 30, 2016, there were no identifiable intangible assets with indefinite useful lives as defined by ASC 350. Identifiable intangible assets are reflected in “Intangible assets with finite lives, net” in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. There were no changes to the useful lives of intangible assets subject to amortization during the six months ended June 30, 2016.

NOTE 7 – EQUITY-METHOD INVESTMENT

In 2013, the Company and Eastman Chemical Company (formerly Taminco Corporation) formed a joint venture (50% / 50% ownership), St. Gabriel CC Company, LLC, to design, develop, and construct an expansion of the Company’s St. Gabriel aqueous choline chloride plant.  The Company will contribute the St. Gabriel plant and expansion will be funded by the owners. The joint venture became operational as of July 1, 2016. St. Gabriel CC Company, LLC is a Variable Interest Entity (VIE) because the total equity at risk is not sufficient to permit the joint venture to finance its own activities without additional subordinated financial support.  Additionally, voting rights are not proportionate to the owners’ obligation to absorb expected losses or receive the expected residual returns of the joint venture. The Company will receive up to 2/3 of the production offtake capacity and absorbs operating expenses approximately proportional to the actual percentage of offtake. The joint venture will be accounted for under the equity method of accounting as the Company is not the primary beneficiary as we do not have the power to direct the activities of the joint venture that most significantly impact its economic performance.  The carrying value of the joint venture at June 30, 2016 is $1,546 and is recorded in other assets.

NOTE 8 – LONG-TERM DEBT

On May 7, 2014, the Company and a bank syndicate entered into a loan agreement providing for a senior secured term loan of $350,000 and revolving loan of $100,000 (collectively referred to as the “loans”). On February 1, 2016, $65,000 of the revolving loan was used to fund the Albion International, Inc. acquisition (see Note 2). At June 30, 2016, the Company had a total of $325,000 of debt outstanding. The term loan is payable in quarterly installments of $8,750 commencing on September 30, 2014, with the outstanding principal due on the maturity date. The Company may draw on the revolving
 
14

loan at its discretion. The revolving loan does not have installments and all outstanding amounts are due on the maturity date. The loans may be voluntarily prepaid in whole or in part without premium or penalty and have a maturity date of May 7, 2019. The loans are subject to an interest rate equal to LIBOR or a fluctuating rate as defined by the loan agreement, at the Company’s discretion, plus an applicable rate. The applicable rate is based upon the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio, as defined in the loan agreement, and the interest rate was 1.96% at June 30, 2016. The Company has $55,000 of undrawn revolving loan at June 30, 2016 that is subject to a commitment fee, which is based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio as defined in the loan agreement. The loan agreement contains quarterly covenants requiring the consolidated leverage ratio to be less than a certain maximum ratio and the consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio to exceed a certain minimum ratio. At June 30, 2016, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.  Indebtedness under the Company’s loan agreements are secured by assets of the company.

The following table summarizes the future minimum debt payments:

Year
 
Term loan
   
Revolving
loan
   
Total
 
July 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016
 
$
17,500
   
$
-
   
$
17,500
 
2017
   
35,000
     
-
     
35,000
 
2018
   
35,000
     
-
     
35,000
 
2019
   
192,500
     
45,000
     
237,500
 
Future principle payments
   
280,000
     
45,000
     
325,000
 
Less unamortized debt financing costs
   
1,268
     
-
     
1,268
 
Less current portion of long-term debt
   
35,000
     
-
     
35,000
 
Total long-term debt
 
$
243,732
   
$
45,000
   
$
288,732
 

Costs associated with the issuance of debt instruments are capitalized and amortized over the terms of the respective financing arrangements using the effective interest method. If debt is retired early, the related unamortized costs are expensed in the period the debt is retired. Capitalized costs net of accumulated amortization total $1,268 at June 30, 2016 and are shown net against outstanding principle, as required by ASU 2015-03, on the accompanying balance sheet. Amortization expense pertaining to these costs totaled $268 and $310 for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, and is included in interest expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of earnings.

NOTE 9 – NET EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following presents a reconciliation of the net earnings and shares used in calculating basic and diluted net earnings per share:
 
15

 
 
Three months ended June 30, 2016
 
Net
Earnings
(Numerator)
   
Number of
Shares
(Denominator)
   
 
Per Share
Amount
 
Basic EPS – Net earnings and weighted average common shares outstanding
 
$
14,150
     
31,476,298
   
$
.45
 
                         
Effect of dilutive securities – stock options, restricted stock, and performance shares
           
398,886
         
                         
Diluted EPS – Net earnings and weighted average common shares outstanding and effect of stock options, restricted stock, and performance shares
 
$
14,150
     
31,875,184
   
$
.44
 

 
 
Three months ended June 30, 2015
 
Net
Earnings
(Numerator)
   
Number of
Shares
(Denominator)
   
 
Per Share
Amount
 
Basic EPS – Net earnings and weighted average common shares outstanding
 
$
14,916
     
31,111,155
   
$
.48
 
                         
Effect of dilutive securities – stock options, restricted stock, and performance shares
           
521,119
         
                         
Diluted EPS – Net earnings and weighted average common shares outstanding and effect of stock options, restricted stock, and performance shares
 
$
14,916
     
31,632,274
   
$
.47
 

 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2016
 
Net
Earnings
(Numerator)
   
Number of
Shares
(Denominator)
   
 
Per Share
Amount
 
Basic EPS – Net earnings and weighted average common shares outstanding
 
$
26,036
     
31,441,545
   
$
.83
 
                         
Effect of dilutive securities – stock options, restricted stock, and performance shares
           
401,052
         
                         
Diluted EPS – Net earnings and weighted average common shares outstanding and effect of stock options, restricted stock, and performance shares
 
$
26,036
     
31,842,597
   
$
.82
 
 
16

 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2015
 
Net
Earnings
(Numerator)
   
Number of
Shares
(Denominator)
   
 
Per Share
Amount
 
Basic EPS – Net earnings and weighted average common shares outstanding
 
$
30,088
     
30,976,681
   
$
.97
 
                         
Effect of dilutive securities – stock options, restricted stock, and performance shares
           
547,925
         
                         
Diluted EPS – Net earnings and weighted average common shares outstanding and effect of stock options, restricted stock, and performance shares
 
$
30,088
     
31,524,606
   
$
.95
 

The Company had stock options covering 531,132 and 259,872 shares at June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in future periods that were not included in diluted earnings per share because their effect on the period presented was anti-dilutive.

The Company has some share-based payment awards that have non-forfeitable dividend rights. These awards are restricted shares and they participate on a one-for-one basis with holders of common stock. These awards have an immaterial impact as participating securities with regard to the calculation using the two-class method for determining earnings per share.

NOTE 10 – INCOME TAXES

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes in accordance with ASC 740-10, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.”  ASC 740-10 clarifies whether or not to recognize assets or liabilities for tax positions taken that may be challenged by a tax authority. All of the unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized in future periods, would impact the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and in various states and foreign countries. As of June 30, 2016, in the major jurisdictions where the Company operates, it is generally no longer subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2011. During the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, the increase in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits was primarily related to the acquisition of Performance Chemicals & Ingredients Company (d/b/a SensoryEffects). The acquisition resulted in an assumed liability for unrecognized tax benefits based on an estimated fair value of $2,300. The Company is indemnified for this liability, and as such, has recognized a corresponding indemnification asset of $2,300. As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had approximately $6,690 and $6,570, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits, which are included in other long-term obligations on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company includes interest expense or income as well as potential penalties on unrecognized tax positions as a component of income tax expense in the consolidated statements of earnings. The total amount of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was approximately $2,490 and $2,405, respectively, and is included in other long-term obligations.
 
17

NOTE 11 SEGMENT INFORMATION

Human Nutrition & Health (formerly SensoryEffects)

Our Human Nutrition & Health segment supplies ingredients in the food and beverage industry, providing customized solutions in powder, solid and liquid flavor delivery systems, spray dried emulsified powder systems, and cereal systems.  Our products include creamer systems, dairy replacers, powdered fats, nutritional beverage bases, beverages, juice & dairy bases, chocolate systems, ice cream bases & variegates, ready-to-eat cereals, grain based snacks, and cereal based ingredients. Additionally, we provide microencapsulation solutions to a variety of applications in food, pharmaceutical and nutritional ingredients to enhance performance of nutritional fortification, processing, mixing, and packaging applications and shelf-life. Major product applications are baked goods, refrigerated and frozen dough systems, processed meats, seasoning blends, confections, and nutritional supplements. We also produce and market human grade choline nutrients and mineral amino acid chelated products through this segment for wellness applications. Choline is recognized to play a key role in the development and structural integrity of brain cell membranes in infants, processing dietary fat, reproductive development and neural functions, such as memory and muscle function. Our mineral amino acid chelates, specialized mineral salts, and mineral complexes are used as raw materials for inclusion in premier human nutrition products. Science and patented technology have been combined to create an organic molecule in a form the body can readily assimilate. 

Animal Nutrition & Health

Our Animal Nutrition & Health (“ANH”) segment provides nutritional products derived from our microencapsulation and chelation technologies in addition to basic choline chloride. For ruminant animals, our microencapsulated products boost health and milk production, delivering nutrient supplements that are biologically available, providing required nutritional levels. Our proprietary chelation technology provides enhanced nutrient absorption for various species of production and companion animals and is marketed for use in animal feed throughout the world. ANH also manufactures and supplies choline chloride, an essential nutrient for monogastric animal health, predominantly to the poultry, pet and swine industries. Choline, which is manufactured and sold in both dry and aqueous forms, plays a vital role in the metabolism of fat. Choline deficiency can result in reduced growth and perosis in poultry, and fatty liver, kidney necrosis and general poor health condition in swine.

Sales of specialty products for the animal nutrition and health industry are highly dependent on dairy industry economics as well as the ability of the Company to leverage the results of university and field research on the animal health benefits of the Company’s products. Management believes that success in the commodity-oriented basic choline chloride marketplace is highly dependent on the Company’s ability to maintain its strong reputation for excellent product quality and customer service. The Company continues to increase production efficiencies in order to maintain its competitive-cost position to effectively compete in a competitive global marketplace.
 
18

Specialty Products

Ethylene oxide, at the 100% level, is sold as a sterilant gas, primarily for use in the health care industry. It is used to sterilize a wide range of medical devices because of its versatility and effectiveness in treating hard or soft surfaces, composites, metals, tubing and different types of plastics without negatively impacting the performance of the device being sterilized. Our 100% ethylene oxide product is distributed in uniquely designed, recyclable, double-walled, stainless steel drums to assure compliance with safety, quality and environmental standards as outlined by the EPA and the DOT. Our inventory of these specially built drums, along with our two filling facilities, represents a significant capital investment. Contract sterilizers and medical device manufacturers are principal customers for this product. We also sell single use canisters with 100% ethylene oxide for use in sterilizing re-usable devices typically processed in autoclave units in hospitals. As a fumigant, ethylene oxide blends are highly effective in killing bacteria, fungi, and insects in spices and other seasoning materials.

Propylene oxide is marketed and sold as a fumigant to aid in the control of insects and microbiological spoilage; and to reduce bacterial and mold contamination in certain shell and processed nut meats, processed spices, cacao beans, cocoa powder, raisins, figs and prunes. We distribute our propylene oxide product primarily in recyclable, single-walled, carbon steel cylinders according to standards outlined by the EPA and the DOT. Our inventory of these cylinders also represents a significant capital investment. Propylene oxide is also sold to customers seeking smaller (as opposed to bulk) quantities and whose requirements include utilization in various chemical synthesis applications, such as increasing paint durability and manufacturing specialty starches and textile coatings.

Our micronutrient agricultural nutrition business sells chelated minerals primarily into high value crops.  We have a unique and patented two-step approach to solving mineral deficiency in plants to optimize health, yield and shelf-life.  First, we determine optimal mineral balance for plant health. We then have a foliar applied Metalosate product range, utilizing patented amino acid chelate technology. Our products quickly and efficiently deliver mineral nutrients. As a result, the farmer/grower gets healthier crops that are more resistant to disease and pests, larger yields and healthier food for the consumer with extended shelf life for produce being shipped long distances.

Industrial Products

Certain derivatives of choline chloride are manufactured and sold into industrial applications predominately as a component for hydraulic fracturing of shale natural gas wells. Our products offer an attractive, effective and more environmentally responsible alternative than other clay stabilizers. Industrial grade Choline Bicarbonate is completely chloride free and our Choline Chloride reduces the amount of chlorides released into the environment up to 75% when compared to potassium chloride. The Industrial Products segment also includes the manufacture and sale of methylamines. Methylamines are a primary building block for the manufacture of choline products and are produced at our Italian operation and sold for a wide range of industrial applications in Europe.
 
19

Business Segment Assets:
   
June 30,
2016
   
December 31,
2015
 
Human Nutrition & Health
 
$
713,611
   
$
642,929
 
Animal Nutrition & Health
   
113,682
     
107,459
 
Specialty Products
   
76,375
     
24,769
 
Industrial Products
   
8,326
     
16,191
 
Other Unallocated
   
42,298
     
88,338
 
Total
 
$
954,292
   
$
879,686
 

Depreciation/Amortization:
   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
Human Nutrition & Health
 
$
8,513
   
$
7,533
   
$
16,594
   
$
15,172
 
Animal Nutrition & Health
   
1,872
     
1,582
     
3,678
     
3,128
 
Specialty Products
   
973
     
300
     
1,795
     
641
 
Industrial Products
   
164
     
297
     
335
     
640
 
Total
 
$
11,522
   
$
9,712
   
$
22,402
   
$
19,581
 

Capital Expenditures:
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
Human Nutrition & Health
 
$
9,717
   
$
5,702
 
Animal Nutrition & Health
   
4,151
     
8,290
 
Specialty Products
   
565
     
489
 
Industrial Products
   
303
     
818
 
Total
 
$
14,736
   
$
15,299
 

Business Segment Net Sales:
   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
Human Nutrition & Health
 
$
74,800
   
$
67,230
   
$
146,355
   
$
134,987
 
Animal Nutrition & Health
   
38,412
     
41,642
     
77,644
     
84,348
 
Specialty Products
   
20,325
     
13,805
     
37,442
     
27,384
 
Industrial Products
   
5,257
     
12,096
     
12,494
     
32,916
 
Total
 
$
138,794
   
$
134,773
   
$
273,935
   
$
279,635
 
 
20

Business Segment Earnings Before Income Taxes:
   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
Human Nutrition & Health
 
$
9,024
   
$
9,087
   
$
17,396
   
$
16,793
 
Animal Nutrition & Health
   
7,304
     
7,468
     
13,839
     
15,978
 
Specialty Products
   
7,016
     
6,093
     
12,304
     
11,794
 
Industrial Products
   
258
     
1,126
     
492
     
4,247
 
Transaction, integration costs, and legal settlement
   
(269
)
   
-
     
(730
)
   
-
 
Interest and other income (expense)
   
(1,950
)
   
(1,607
)
   
(3,937
)
   
(3,560
)
Total
 
$
21,383
   
$
22,167
   
$
39,364
   
$
45,252
 

Transaction and integration costs were primarily related to the definitive agreement to acquire Albion International, Inc.; see Note 2.

The following table summarizes domestic (U.S.) and foreign sales for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015:

   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
Domestic
 
$
105,379
   
$
103,003
   
$
209,550
   
$
224,779
 
Foreign
   
33,415
     
31,770
     
64,385
     
54,856
 
Total
 
$
138,794
   
$
134,773
   
$
273,935
   
$
279,635
 

NOTE 12 – SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

Cash paid during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 for income taxes and interest is as follows:

 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
Income taxes
 
$
17,014
   
$
12,002
 
Interest
 
$
3,457
   
$
3,163
 

NOTE 13 – ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:
 
21

   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
Net foreign currency translation adjustment
 
$
(707
)
 
$
550
 
Net change in postretirement benefit plan (see Note 14 for further information)
               
Initial adoption of new plan*
   
(444
)
   
-
 
Amortization of prior service credit
   
26
     
(5
)
Amortization of gain
   
(2
)
   
-
 
Total before tax
   
(420
)
   
(5
)
Tax
   
(6
)
   
2
 
Net of tax
   
(426
)
   
(3
)
                 
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
(1,133
)
 
$
547
 

*See Note 14.
 
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
Net foreign currency translation adjustment
 
$
548
   
$
(2,130
)
Net change in postretirement benefit plan (see Note 14 for further information)
               
Initial adoption of new plan*
   
(444
)
   
-
 
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)
   
24
     
(9
)
Amortization of gain
   
(5
)
   
-
 
Total before tax
   
(425
)
   
(9
)
Tax
   
(5
)
   
3
 
Net of tax
   
(430
)
   
(6
)
                 
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
118
   
$
(2,136
)

*See Note 14.

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 consisted of the following:

   
Foreign currency
translation
adjustment
   
 
Postretirement
benefit plan
   
 
 
Total
 
Balance December 31, 2015
 
$
(5,317
)
 
$
203
   
$
(5,114
)
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
   
548
     
(430
)
   
118
 
Balance June 30, 2016
 
$
(4,769
)
 
$
(227
)
 
$
(4,996
)
 
22

NOTE 14 – EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN

The Company provides postretirement benefits in the form of an unfunded postretirement medical plan under a collective bargaining agreement covering eligible retired employees of the Verona facility. During 2016, the Company adopted an unfunded postretirement medical plan for Named Executive Officers.

The actuarial recorded liabilities for the unfunded postretirement benefits are as follows:

Change in benefit obligation:
   
June 30,
2016
   
December
31, 2015
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of period
 
$
958
   
$
1,111
 
Initial adoption of new plan
   
444
     
-
 
Service cost with interest to end of period
   
31
     
54
 
Interest cost
   
20
     
36
 
Participant contributions
   
-
     
5
 
Benefits paid
   
-
     
(6
)
Actuarial gain
   
-
     
(242
)
Benefit obligation at end of period
 
$
1,453
   
$
958
 

Amounts recognized in consolidated balance sheet:
   
June 30,
2016
   
December
31, 2015
 
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation
 
$
(1,453
)
 
$
(958
)
Fair value of plan assets
   
-
     
-
 
Funded status
   
(1,453
)
   
(958
)
Unrecognized prior service cost
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
Unrecognized net (gain)/loss
   
N/A
     
N/A
 
Net amount recognized in consolidated balance sheet (after ASC 715) (included in other long-term obligations)
 
$
1,453
   
$
958
 
Accrued postretirement benefit cost (included in other long-term obligations)
 
$
N/A
   
$
N/A
 
 
Net periodic benefit costs for such retirement medical plans were as follows:

   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
Service cost
 
$
31
   
$
27
 
Interest cost
   
20
     
18
 
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)
   
24
     
(9
)
Amortization of gain
   
(5
)
   
-
 
Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
70
   
$
36
 

Estimated future employer contributions and benefit payments are as follows:
 
23

Year
     
2016
 
$
46
 
2017
   
58
 
2018
   
92
 
2019
   
116
 
2020
   
118
 
Years 2021-2025
   
623
 
 
NOTE 15 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Rent expense charged to operations under lease agreements for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 aggregated approximately $1,525 and $1,271, respectively. Aggregate future minimum rental payments required under all non-cancelable operating leases at June 30, 2016 are as follows:

Year
     
July 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016
 
$
1,508
 
2017
   
2,434
 
2018
   
2,029
 
2019
   
1,719
 
2020
   
1,315
 
2021
   
1,211
 
Thereafter
   
9,014
 
Total minimum lease payments
 
$
19,230
 

In 1982, the Company discovered and thereafter removed a number of buried drums containing unidentified waste material from the Company’s site in Slate Hill, New York. The Company thereafter entered into a Consent Decree to evaluate the drum site with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (“NYDEC”) and performed a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study that was approved by NYDEC in February 1994. Based on NYDEC requirements, the Company cleaned the area and removed soil from the drum burial site, which was completed in 1996. The Company continues to be involved in discussions with NYDEC to evaluate test results and determine what, if any, additional actions will be required on the part of the Company to close out the remediation of this site. Additional actions, if any, would likely require the Company to continue monitoring the site. The cost of such monitoring has been less than $5 per year for the period 2004 to date.

The Company’s Verona, Missouri facility, while held by a prior owner, was designated by the EPA as a Superfund site and placed on the National Priorities List in 1983, because of dioxin contamination on portions of the site. Remediation conducted by the prior owner under the oversight of the EPA and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (“MDNR”) included removal of dioxin contaminated soil and equipment, capping of areas of residual contamination in four relatively small areas of the site separate from the manufacturing facilities, and the installation of wells to monitor groundwater and surface water contamination by organic chemicals. No ground water or surface water treatment was required. The Company believes that remediation of the site is complete. In 1998, the EPA certified the work on the contaminated soils to be complete. In February 2000, after
 
24

the conclusion of two years of monitoring groundwater and surface water, the former owner submitted a draft third party risk assessment report to the EPA and MDNR recommending no further action. The prior owner is awaiting the response of the EPA and MDNR to the draft risk assessment.

While the Company must maintain the integrity of the capped areas in the remediation areas on the site, the prior owner is responsible for completion of any further Superfund remedy. The Company is indemnified by the sellers under its May 2001 asset purchase agreement covering its acquisition of the Verona, Missouri facility for potential liabilities associated with the Superfund site and one of the sellers, in turn, has the benefit of certain contractual indemnification by the prior owner that is implementing the above-described Superfund remedy.

From time to time, the Company is a party to various litigation, claims and assessments.  Management believes that the ultimate outcome of such matters will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

NOTE 16 – FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company has a number of financial instruments, none of which are held for trading purposes. The Company estimates that the fair value of all financial instruments at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 does not differ materially from the aggregate carrying values of its financial instruments recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The estimated fair value amounts have been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment is necessarily required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value, and, accordingly, the estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The carrying value of debt approximates fair value as the interest rate is based on market and the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio.  The Company’s financial instruments also include cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities, which are carried at cost and approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. Cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 includes $774 and $773 in money market funds and $762 and $0 in certificates of deposit, respectively. The money market funds and certificates of deposit are valued using level one and level two inputs, respectively, as defined by ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement.”
 
25

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (All dollar amounts in thousands)

This Report contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which reflect our expectation or belief concerning future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actions and performance could differ materially from what is contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained in this Report. Factors that might cause differences from the forward-looking statements include those referred to or identified in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and other factors that may be identified elsewhere in this Report. Reference should be made to such factors and all forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the above cautionary statements.

Overview

We develop, manufacture, distribute and market specialty performance ingredients and products for the food, nutritional, pharmaceutical, animal health, plant, industrial and medical device sterilization industries.

Beginning in fiscal year 2016, the Company has renamed its SensoryEffects segment as Human Nutrition & Health, as this segment now includes encapsulates, human choline, mineral amino acid chelates, specialized mineral salts, mineral complexes, and customized food and beverage solutions (the aforementioned three mineral product lines are contributions from the Albion International, Inc. acquisition). The Company believes that this segment name change provides more clarity as to the segment’s core businesses and strategies.

Acquisition of Albion International, Inc.

On February 1, 2016, the Company acquired 100 percent of the outstanding common shares of Albion International, Inc. (Albion), a privately held manufacturer of mineral amino acid chelates, specialized mineral salts and mineral complexes, headquartered in Clearfield, Utah.  The Company made payments of approximately $116.4 million on the acquisition date, amounting to approximately $110.6 million to the former shareholders, adjustments for working capital acquired of $4.9 million, and approximately $0.9 million to Albion’s lenders to pay off all Albion bank debt. The Company funded $65 million from the revolving line of credit and the remaining was funded from the Company’s existing cash balances. Albion has been a world leader and innovator in the manufacture of superior organic mineral compounds for sixty years and leverages scientific expertise in the areas of human and micronutrient agricultural nutrition.  Albion’s products are renowned in the supplement industry for technologically advanced, unparalleled bioavailability.  The acquisition of Albion continues to expand the Company’s science based human health and wellness solutions and will immediately increase our product offerings in the nutritional ingredient market.  Additionally, the Company will also benefit from a broader geographic footprint and a stronger position as a technological leader in spray-drying and ingredient delivery solutions.  Albion’s human nutrition business will become a part of the Human Nutrition & Health reportable segment and the micronutrient agricultural nutrition business will become a part of the Specialty Products reportable segment.
 
26

Human Nutrition & Health (formerly SensoryEffects)

Our Human Nutrition & Health segment supplies ingredients in the food and beverage industry; providing customized solutions in powder, solid and liquid flavor delivery systems, spray dried emulsified powder systems, and cereal systems.  Our products include creamer systems, dairy replacers, powdered fats, nutritional beverage bases, beverages, juice & dairy bases, chocolate systems, ice cream bases & variegates, ready-to-eat cereals, grain based snacks, and cereal based ingredients. Additionally, we provide microencapsulation solutions to a variety of applications in food, pharmaceutical and nutritional ingredients to enhance performance of nutritional fortification, processing, mixing, and packaging applications and shelf-life. Major product applications are baked goods, refrigerated and frozen dough systems, processed meats, seasoning blends, confections, and nutritional supplements. We also produce and market human grade choline nutrients and mineral amino acid chelated products through this segment for wellness applications. Choline is recognized to play a key role in the development and structural integrity of brain cell membranes in infants, processing dietary fat, reproductive development and neural functions, such as memory and muscle function. Our mineral amino acid chelates, specialized mineral salts, and mineral complexes are used as raw materials for inclusion in premier human nutrition products. Science and patented technology have been combined to create an organic molecule in a form the body can readily assimilate. 

Animal Nutrition & Health

Our Animal Nutrition & Health (“ANH”) segment provides nutritional products derived from our microencapsulation and chelation technologies in addition to basic choline chloride. For ruminant animals, our microencapsulated products boost health and milk production, delivering nutrient supplements that are biologically available, providing required nutritional levels. Our proprietary chelation technology provides enhanced nutrient absorption for various species of production and companion animals and is marketed for use in animal feed throughout the world. ANH also manufactures and supplies choline chloride, an essential nutrient for monogastric animal health, predominantly to the poultry, pet and swine industries. Choline, which is manufactured and sold in both dry and aqueous forms, plays a vital role in the metabolism of fat. Choline deficiency can result in reduced growth and perosis in poultry; fatty liver, kidney necrosis and general poor health condition in swine.

Sales of specialty products for the animal nutrition and health industry are highly dependent on dairy industry economics as well as the ability of the Company to leverage the results of university and field research on the animal health benefits of the Company’s products. Management believes that success in the commodity-oriented basic choline chloride marketplace is highly dependent on the Company’s ability to maintain its strong reputation for excellent product quality and customer service. The Company continues to increase production efficiencies in order to maintain its competitive-cost position to effectively compete in a competitive global marketplace.

Specialty Products

Ethylene oxide, at the 100% level, is sold as a sterilant gas, primarily for use in the health care industry. It is used to sterilize a wide range of medical devices because of its versatility
 
27

and effectiveness in treating hard or soft surfaces, composites, metals, tubing and different types of plastics without negatively impacting the performance of the device being sterilized. Our 100% ethylene oxide product is distributed in uniquely designed, recyclable, double-walled, stainless steel drums to assure compliance with safety, quality and environmental standards as outlined by the EPA and the DOT. Our inventory of these specially built drums, along with our two filling facilities, represents a significant capital investment. Contract sterilizers and medical device manufacturers are principal customers for this product. We also sell single use canisters with 100% ethylene oxide for use in sterilizing re-usable devices typically processed in autoclave units in hospitals. As a fumigant, ethylene oxide blends are highly effective in killing bacteria, fungi, and insects in spices and other seasoning materials.

Propylene oxide is marketed and sold as a fumigant to aid in the control of insects and microbiological spoilage; and to reduce bacterial and mold contamination in certain shell and processed nut meats, processed spices, cacao beans, cocoa powder, raisins, figs and prunes. We distribute our propylene oxide product primarily in recyclable, single-walled, carbon steel cylinders according to standards outlined by the EPA and the DOT. Our inventory of these cylinders also represents a significant capital investment. Propylene oxide is also sold to customers seeking smaller (as opposed to bulk) quantities and whose requirements include utilization in various chemical synthesis applications, such as increasing paint durability and manufacturing specialty starches and textile coatings.

Our plant nutrition business sells chelated minerals primarily into high value crops.  We have a unique and patented two-step approach to solving mineral deficiency in plants to optimize health, yield and shelf-life.  First, we determine optimal mineral balance for plant health. We then have a foliar applied Metalosate product range, utilizing patented amino acid chelate technology. Our products quickly and efficiently deliver mineral nutrients. As a result, the farmer/grower gets healthier crops that are more resistant to disease and pests, larger yields and healthier food for the consumer with extended shelf life for produce being shipped long distances.

Industrial Products

Certain derivatives of choline chloride are manufactured and sold into industrial applications predominately as a component for hydraulic fracturing of shale natural gas wells. Our products offer an attractive, effective and more environmentally responsible alternative than other clay stabilizers. Industrial grade choline bicarbonate is completely chloride free and our choline chloride reduces the amount of chlorides released into the environment up to 75% when compared to potassium chloride. The Industrial Products segment also includes the manufacture and sale of methylamines. Methylamines are a primary building block for the manufacture of choline products and are produced at our Italian operation and sold for a wide range of industrial applications in Europe.

The Company sells products for all four segments through its own sales force, independent distributors, and sales agents.

The following tables summarize consolidated business segment net sales and earnings from operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015:
 
28

Business Segment Net Sales:

   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
Human Nutrition & Health
 
$
74,800
   
$
67,230
   
$
146,355
   
$
134,987
 
Animal Nutrition & Health
   
38,412
     
41,642
     
77,644
     
84,348
 
Specialty Products
   
20,325
     
13,805
     
37,442
     
27,384
 
Industrial Products
   
5,257
     
12,096
     
12,494
     
32,916
 
Total
 
$
138,794
   
$
134,773
   
$
273,935
   
$
279,635
 

Business Segment Earnings From Operations:

   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2016
   
2015
 
Human Nutrition & Health
 
$
9,024
   
$
9,087
   
$
17,396
   
$
16,793
 
Animal Nutrition & Health
   
7,304
     
7,468
     
13,839
     
15,978
 
Specialty Products
   
7,016
     
6,093
     
12,304
     
11,794
 
Industrial Products
   
258
     
1,126
     
492
     
4,247
 
Transaction and integration costs and legal settlement
   
(269
)
   
-
     
(730
)
   
-
 
Total
 
$
23,333
   
$
23,774
   
$
43,301
   
$
48,812
 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three months ended June 30, 2016 compared to three months ended June 30, 2015.

Net Sales

Net sales for the three months ended June 30, 2016 were $138,794, as compared with $134,773 for the three months ended June 30, 2015, an increase of $4,021 or 3.0%.  Net sales for the Human Nutrition & Health segment were $74,800 for the three months ended June 30, 2016, compared with $67,230 for the three months ended June 30, 2015, an increase of $7,570 or 11.3%.  The sales from the recently acquired Albion business contributed $9,648 to the overall increase. This increase was partially offset by Cereal sales decline of $1,768 or 23.0% due to customer mix, when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2015.  Net sales for the Animal Nutrition & Health segment were $38,412 for the three months ended June 30, 2016, as compared with $41,642 for the three months ended June 30, 2015, a decrease of $3,230 or 7.8%.  Sales of products targeted for ruminant animal feed markets decreased by $1,196 or 9.0% from the prior year comparable period.  The decline was primarily the result of lower sales volumes of Aminoshure® and NitroshureTM products due to weaker dairy economics, particularly in international markets as well as increased competition, partially offset by increased sales of Reashure®.  Global feed grade choline product sales declined by $2,412 or 9.1% primarily due to lower average selling prices, partially offset by higher volumes. Net sales for the Specialty Products
 
29

segment were $20,325 for the three months ended June 30, 2016, as compared with $13,805 for the three months ended June 30, 2015, an increase of $6,520 or 47.2%. The sales from the recently acquired Albion business contributed $5,835 to the overall increase. Net sales for the Industrial Products segment were $5,257 for the three months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to $12,096 for the three months ended June 30, 2015, a decrease of $6,839 or 56.5%.  The decrease is principally due to volume decreases experienced in various choline and choline derivatives used in shale fracking applications, consistent with the end market activity decline.

Gross Margin

For the three months ended June 30, 2016, gross margin increased to $46,449 compared to $41,867 for the three months ended June 30, 2015.  Gross margin as a percentage of sales for the three months ended June 30, 2016 increased to 33.5% from 31.1% in the prior year comparative period.  Gross margin percentage for the Human Nutrition & Health segment increased 0.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2015, primarily due to improved product mix and lower raw material costs. The acquired product lines within the Human Nutrition & Health segment carry a higher gross margin but were partially offset by the valuation of acquired inventory to fair value, which increased cost of goods sold by $1,703. Gross margin percentage increased for Animal Nutrition & Health by 3.0% primarily due to product mix and decreases in raw material costs.  Gross margin percentage for the Specialty Products segment decreased by 7.0% compared to the three month period ended June 30, 2015 primarily due to the valuation of acquired inventory to fair value, which increased cost of goods sold by $932. Industrial Products gross margin percentage declined by 1.3% from the prior year comparative period, primarily due to lower volume resulting in manufacturing inefficiencies and lower average selling prices.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2016 were $23,116 or 16.7% of net sales as compared to $18,093 or 13.4% of net sales for the three months ended June 30, 2015.  The increase was primarily due to Albion’s operating expenses and transaction and integration costs of $269.

Earnings from Operations

Principally as a result of the above-noted details, earnings from operations for the three months ended June 30, 2016 were $23,333 as compared to $23,774 for the three months ended June 30, 2015, a decrease of $441 or 1.9%.  Earnings from operations as a percentage of sales (“operating margin”) for the three months ended June 30, 2016 were 16.8%, decreasing from 17.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2015, primarily due to the aforementioned impact of the valuation of the acquired inventory, transaction and integration expenses and volume decrease experienced in the Industrial Products segment for various choline and choline derivatives used in shale fracking applications. These were partially offset by a favorable product mix and lower raw material costs.  Excluding the impact of amortization expenses, valuation of the acquired inventory, and transaction and integration costs, the earnings from operations were $33,693, or 24.3% of sales, for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and $30,393, or 22.6%, of sales for the three months ended June 30, 2015. Earnings from the Human Nutrition & Health segment were $9,024,
 
30

a decrease of $63 or 0.7%. Operating income from the recently acquired Albion business was substantially offset by the valuation of acquired inventory to fair value. Animal Nutrition & Health segment earnings from operations were $7,304, a decrease of $164 or 2.2%, primarily the result of lower sales, partially offset by raw material cost decreases. Earnings from operations from the Specialty Products segment were $7,016, an increase of $923, or 15.1%. The recently acquired Albion business contributed $579 to the overall increase. Earnings from operations from the Industrial Products segment of $258 for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 declined $868 compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2015, primarily due to volume decreases.

Other Expenses (Income)

Interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 was $1,905 and $1,594, respectively, and is primarily related to the loans entered into on May 7, 2014.  Other expense was $47 for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and $16 for the three months ended June 30, 2015, respectively.

Income Tax Expense

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 was 33.8% and 32.7%, respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate is primarily attributable to the impact of new jurisdictions, and a change in the income proportion towards jurisdictions with higher tax rates.

Net Earnings

Principally as a result of the above-noted details, net earnings for the three months ended June 30, 2016 were $14,150 as compared with $14,916 for the three months ended June 30, 2015, a decrease of $766 or 5.1%.

Six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to six months ended June 30, 2015.

Net Sales

Net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2016 were $273,935, as compared with $279,635 for the six months ended June 30, 2015, a decrease of $5,700 or 2.0%.  Net sales for the Human Nutrition & Health segment were $146,355 for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared with $134,987 for the six months ended June 30, 2015, an increase of $11,368 or 8.4%.  The sales from the recently acquired Albion business contributed $16,742 to the overall increase. This increase was partially offset by Powder & Flavor Systems’ sales decline of $3,905 or 4.3%, due to lower volume and average selling prices, when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2015.  Net sales for the Animal Nutrition & Health segment were $77,644 for the six months ended June 30, 2016, as compared with $84,348 for the six months ended June 30, 2015, a decrease of $6,704 or 7.9%.  Sales of products targeted for ruminant animal feed markets decreased by $2,802 or 10.3% from the prior year comparable period.  The decline was primarily the result of lower sales volumes of Aminoshure and Nitroshure products due to weaker dairy economics, particularly in international markets as well as increased competition, partially offset by increased sales of Reashure.  Global feed grade choline product sales declined by $4,424
 
31

or 8.3% primarily due to lower average selling prices, partially offset by higher volumes. Net sales for the Specialty Products segment were $37,442 for the six months ended June 30, 2016, as compared with $27,384 for the six months ended June 30, 2015, an increase of $10,058 or 36.7%. The sales from the recently acquired Albion business contributed $9,358 to the overall increase. Net sales for the Industrial Products segment were $12,494 for the six months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to $32,916 for the six months ended June 30, 2015, a decrease of $20,422 or 62.0%.  The decrease is principally due to volume decreases experienced in various choline and choline derivatives used in shale fracking applications, consistent with the end market activity decline.

Gross Margin

For the six months ended June 30, 2016, gross margin increased to $89,273 compared to $84,997 for the six months ended June 30, 2015.  Gross margin as a percentage of sales for the six months ended June 30, 2016 increased to 32.6% from 30.4% in the prior year comparative period.  Gross margin percentage for the Human Nutrition & Health segment increased 1.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2015, primarily due to improved product mix and lower raw material costs. The acquired product lines within the Human Nutrition & Health segment carry a higher gross margin but were partially offset by the valuation of acquired inventory to fair value, which increased cost of goods sold by $3,214. Gross margin percentage increased for Animal Nutrition & Health by 0.6% primarily due to product mix and decreased raw material cost.  Gross margin percentage for the Specialty Products segment decreased by 5.2% compared to the six month period ended June 30, 2015 due to the valuation of acquired inventory to fair value, which increased cost of goods sold by $1,832. Industrial Products gross margin percentage declined by 5.4% from the prior year comparative period, primarily due to lower volume resulting in manufacturing inefficiencies and lower average selling prices.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2016 were $45,972 or 16.8% of net sales as compared to $36,185 or 12.9% of net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2015.  The increase was primarily due to Albion’s operating expenses and transaction and integration costs of $1,430, partially offset by a favorable legal settlement.

Earnings from Operations

Principally as a result of the above-noted details, earnings from operations for the six months ended June 30, 2016 were $43,301 as compared to $48,812 for the six months ended June 30, 2015, a decrease of $5,511 or 11.3%.  Earnings from operations as a percentage of sales (“operating margin”) for the six months ended June 30, 2016 were 15.8%, decreasing from 17.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2015, primarily due to the aforementioned impact of the valuation of the acquired inventory, transaction and integration expenses and volume decrease experienced in the Industrial Products segment for various choline and choline derivatives used in shale fracking applications. These were partially offset by a favorable product mix, lower raw material costs, and a favorable legal settlement.  Excluding the impact of amortization expenses, valuation of the acquired inventory, transaction and integration costs and the favorable legal settlement, the earnings from operations were $63,774, or 23.3% of sales, for the six months ended June 30, 2016
 
32

and $62,045, or 22.2%, of sales for the six months ended June 30, 2015. Earnings from the Human Nutrition & Health segment were $17,396, an increase of $603 or 3.6%, primarily due to improved product mix and reduced raw material costs. Animal Nutrition & Health segment earnings from operations were $13,839, a decrease of $2,139 or 13.4 %, primarily the result of lower sales and unfavorable product mix, partially offset by raw material cost decreases. Earnings from operations from the Specialty Products segment were $12,304, an increase of $510, or 4.3%, primarily the result of higher sales and favorable raw material costs. Operating income from the recently acquired Albion businesses were offset by the valuation of acquired inventory to fair value. Earnings from operations from the Industrial Products segment of $492 for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 declined $3,755 compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2015, primarily due to volume decreases.

Other Expenses (Income)

Interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 was $3,748 and $3,475, respectively, and is primarily related to the loans entered into on May 7, 2014.  Other expense was $194 for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and $90 for the six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively.

Income Tax Expense

The Company’s effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 was 33.9% and 33.5%, respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate is primarily attributable to the impact of new jurisdictions, and a change in the income proportion towards jurisdictions with higher tax rates.

Net Earnings

Principally as a result of the above-noted details, net earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2016 were $26,036 as compared with $30,088 for the six months ended June 30, 2015, a decrease of $4,052 or 13.5%.

FINANCIAL CONDITION
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
(All amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

Contractual Obligations

The Company’s contractual obligations and commitments are principally associated with future minimum non-cancelable operating lease obligations, long-term debt obligations and purchase orders principally with vendors for inventory not yet received or recorded on the balance sheet.

The Company's contractual obligations as of June 30, 2016, are summarized in the table below:
 
33

   
Payments due by period
 
 
Contractual Obligations
 
 
Total
   
Less than
1 year
   
 
1-3 years
   
 
3-5 years
   
More than
5 years
 
Operating lease obligations (1)
 
$
19,230
   
$
2,725
   
$
4,106
   
$
2,780
   
$
9,619
 
Purchase obligations (2)
   
15,511
     
15,511
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Debt (3)
   
325,000
     
35,000
     
290,000
     
-
     
-
 
Total
 
$
359,741
   
$
53,236
   
$
294,106
   
$
2,780
   
$
9,619
 

(1) Principally includes obligations associated with future minimum non-cancelable operating lease obligations.

(2) Principally includes open purchase orders with vendors for inventory not yet received or recorded on our balance sheet.

(3) Consists of $280,000 senior secured term loan and $45,000 revolving loan.

The table above excludes a $6,688 liability for uncertain tax positions, including the related interest and penalties, recorded in accordance with ASC 740-10, as we are unable to reasonably estimate the timing of settlement, if any.

The Company knows of no current or pending demands on, or commitments for, its liquid assets that will materially affect its liquidity.

During the six months ended June 30, 2016, other than the long-term debt and other obligations related to the acquisition of Albion International, Inc., there were no other material changes outside the ordinary course of business in the specified contractual obligations set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.  The Company expects its operations to continue generating sufficient cash flow to fund working capital requirements, capital investments and service future debt payments.  The Company continues to pursue additional acquisition candidates.  The Company could seek additional bank loans or access to financial markets to fund such acquisitions, its operations, working capital, capital investments, or other cash requirements as deemed necessary.

Cash

Cash and cash equivalents decreased to $33,421 at June 30, 2016 from $84,795 at December 31, 2015 primarily resulting from the acquisition of Albion.  At June 30, 2016, the Company had $15,339 of cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries.  It is our intention to permanently reinvest these funds in our foreign operations by continuing to make additional plant related investments, and potentially invest in partnerships or acquisitions; therefore, we do not currently expect to repatriate these funds in order to fund our U.S. operations or obligations. However, if these funds are needed for our U.S. operations, we could be required to pay additional U.S. taxes to repatriate these funds.  Working capital was $94,036 at June 30, 2016 as compared to $117,172 at December 31, 2015, a decrease of $23,136.
 
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Operating Activities

Cash flows from operating activities provided $55,958 for the six months ended June 30, 2016 as compared to $49,866 for the six months ended June 30, 2015.  The increase in cash flows from operating activities was primarily due to increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses balances and higher amortization and depreciation expense adjustments.

Investing Activities

As previously noted, on February 1, 2016 the Company acquired Albion for a purchase price of approximately $111,500, amounting to approximately $110,600 to the former shareholders, including adjustments for working capital acquired, and approximately $900 to Albion’s lenders to pay off all of Albion’s bank debt. The Company continues to invest in projects across all production facilities and capital expenditures were $14,736 for the six months ended June 30, 2016. The Company spent approximately $6,365 towards its agglomeration production equipment initiative. In addition, capital expenditures of approximately $1,825 were related to expanding the Company’s Animal, Nutrition & Health capacity in our manufacturing facility located in Verona, Missouri.

Financing Activities

As previously noted, the Company borrowed $65,000 from the available revolving loan to finance the acquisition of Albion International, Inc. The Company made debt payments of $17,500 related to the senior secured term loan and $20,000 related to the revolving loan during 2016. The Company has $55,000 available under its revolving loan agreement.

The Company has an approved stock repurchase program. The total authorization under this program is 3,763,038 shares. Since the inception of the program in June 1999, a total of 2,149,574 shares have been purchased, none of which remained in treasury at June 30, 2016.   The Company intends to acquire shares from time to time at prevailing market prices if and to the extent it deems it advisable to do so based on its assessment of corporate cash flow, market conditions and other factors.

Proceeds from stock options exercised were $3,032 and $9,920 for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  Dividend payments were $10,727 and $9,251 for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Other Matters Impacting Liquidity

The Company currently provides postretirement benefits in the form of two retirement medical plans.  The liability recorded in other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2016 is $1,453 and the plans are not funded.  Historical cash payments made under these plans have typically been less than $100 per year. We do not anticipate any changes to the payments made in the current year for the newly adopted plan.
 
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Critical Accounting Policies

There were no changes to the Company’s Critical Accounting Policies, as described in its December 31, 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K, during the six months ended June 30, 2016.

Related Party Transactions

The Company was not engaged in related party transactions during the six months ended June 30, 2016.
 
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Cash and cash equivalents are held primarily in certificates of deposit and money market investment funds. The Company has no derivative financial instruments or derivative commodity instruments, nor does the Company have any financial instruments entered into for trading or hedging purposes. As of June 30, 2016, the Company’s borrowings were under a bank term loan and revolving loan bearing interest at LIBOR or a fluctuating rate as defined by the loan agreement, at the Company’s discretion, plus an applicable rate. The applicable rate is based upon the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio, as defined in the loan agreement. A 100 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates, applied to the Company’s borrowings at June 30, 2016, would result in an increase or decrease in annual interest expense and a corresponding reduction or increase in cash flow of approximately $3,250. The Company is exposed to market risks for changes in foreign currency rates and has exposure to commodity price risks, including prices of our primary raw materials. Our objective is to seek a reduction in the potential negative earnings impact of changes in foreign exchange rates and raw material pricing arising in our business activities. The Company manages these financial exposures, where possible, through pricing and operational means. Our practices may change as economic conditions change.
 
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a)
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report on Form 10-Q. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer. Based upon that evaluation, management concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management (including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer) to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to give reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(b)
Changes in Internal Controls

During the most recent fiscal quarter, except with respect to the Albion International, Inc. acquisition described below, there has been no significant change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

On February 1, 2016, we completed the acquisition of Albion International, Inc. See Note 2 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. We are integrating Albion into our internal control over financial reporting process and expect to include the business in our assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016.  Total assets of the Albion International, Inc. business represented approximately 14% of our consolidated total assets as of June 30, 2016, and net sales related to the Albion International, Inc. business represented approximately 10% of our consolidated net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2016.
 
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Part II. Other Information

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in the Risk Factors identified in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Item 4. Reserved.

Item 6. Exhibits
 
Exhibit 31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).

Exhibit 31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).

Exhibit 32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

Exhibit 32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

101.INS XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
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SIGNATURES

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.

 
BALCHEM CORPORATION
   
 
By: /s/ Theodore L. Harris
 
Theodore L. Harris, President and
 
Chief Executive Officer
   
 
By: /s/ William A. Backus
 
William A. Backus, Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer

Date: August 5, 2016
 
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Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.
Description
   
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
   
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
   
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
   
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.
   
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
   
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
   
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
   
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
   
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
   
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
41