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CHASE CORP - Quarter Report: 2012 February (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended February 29, 2012

Commission File Number: 1-9852

 

CHASE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Massachusetts

 

11-1797126

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
of organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

26 Summer Street, Bridgewater, Massachusetts 02324

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)

 

(508) 819-4200

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
YES
x NO o

 

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 suchfiles). YES x  NO o

 

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 o

 

Accelerated filer x

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES  o NO x

 

The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 31, 2012 was 9,052,241.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

For the Quarter Ended February 29, 2012

 

Part I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1 — Unaudited Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 29, 2012 and August 31, 2011

3

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended February 29, 2012 and February 28, 2011

4

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the six months ended February 29, 2012

5

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended February 29, 2012 and February 28, 2011

6

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

7

 

 

Item 2 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

16

 

 

Item 3 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

24

 

 

Item 4 — Controls and Procedures

24

 

 

Part II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1 — Legal Proceedings

25

 

 

Item 1A — Risk Factors

25

 

 

Item 5 — Other Information

25

 

 

Item 6 — Exhibits

26

 

 

SIGNATURES

27

 

2



Table of Contents

 

Part 1 — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1 — Unaudited Financial Statements

 

CHASE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

 

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

 

 

February 29,

 

August 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash & cash equivalents

 

$

12,383

 

$

14,982

 

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $422 and $473

 

16,481

 

19,103

 

Inventories

 

21,985

 

20,841

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

1,880

 

1,502

 

Assets held for sale (Note 12)

 

 

1,004

 

Deferred income taxes

 

559

 

559

 

Total current assets

 

53,288

 

57,991

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

30,246

 

28,594

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

17,992

 

18,060

 

Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $11,315 and $10,374

 

14,742

 

16,185

 

Cash surrender value of life insurance

 

7,047

 

6,915

 

Restricted investments

 

836

 

740

 

Deferred income taxes

 

330

 

332

 

Other assets

 

85

 

92

 

 

 

$

124,566

 

$

128,909

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

7,842

 

$

7,276

 

Accrued payroll and other compensation

 

1,598

 

2,624

 

Accrued expenses

 

3,769

 

4,237

 

Accrued income taxes

 

273

 

1,387

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

4,400

 

4,400

 

Total current liabilities

 

17,882

 

19,924

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, less current portion

 

6,243

 

8,267

 

Deferred compensation

 

1,668

 

1,597

 

Accumulated pension obligation

 

6,199

 

6,713

 

Other liabilities

 

103

 

528

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

First Serial Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value: Authorized 100,000 shares; none issued

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.10 par value: Authorized 20,000,000 shares; 9,050,873 shares at February 29, 2012 and 8,952,910 shares at August 31, 2011 issued and outstanding

 

905

 

895

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

11,633

 

10,678

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(4,399

)

(3,666

)

Retained earnings

 

84,332

 

83,973

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

92,471

 

91,880

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

124,566

 

$

128,909

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

3



Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)

 

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

February 29, 2012

 

February 28, 2011

 

February 29, 2012

 

February 28, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

$

28,836

 

$

25,652

 

$

60,490

 

$

56,490

 

Royalties and commissions

 

585

 

609

 

1,061

 

1,038

 

 

 

29,421

 

26,261

 

61,551

 

57,528

 

Costs and Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of products and services sold

 

21,022

 

17,441

 

43,021

 

37,501

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

6,513

 

6,594

 

13,505

 

13,182

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

1,886

 

2,226

 

5,025

 

6,845

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(36

)

(87

)

(72

)

(180

)

Other income (expense)

 

(8

)

8

 

469

 

124

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

1,842

 

2,147

 

5,422

 

6,789

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 

645

 

727

 

1,898

 

2,444

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

1,197

 

$

1,420

 

$

3,524

 

$

4,345

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders, per common and common equivalent share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.39

 

$

0.49

 

Diluted

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.39

 

$

0.48

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

8,758,063

 

8,718,893

 

8,756,030

 

8,705,145

 

Diluted

 

8,791,052

 

8,757,070

 

8,774,051

 

8,753,049

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared per share

 

 

 

 

 

$

0.35

 

$

0.35

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

4



Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 29, 2012

(UNAUDITED)

 

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

Other

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Paid-In

 

Comprehensive

 

Retained

 

Stockholders’

 

Comprehensive

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Income (loss)

 

Earnings

 

Equity

 

Income

 

Balance at August 31, 2011

 

8,952,910

 

$

895

 

$

10,678

 

$

(3,666

)

$

83,973

 

$

91,880

 

 

 

Restricted stock grants, net of forfeitures

 

96,767

 

10

 

(10

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of restricted stock grants

 

 

 

 

 

672

 

 

 

 

 

672

 

 

 

Amortization of stock option grants

 

 

 

 

 

278

 

 

 

 

 

278

 

 

 

Common stock issuance

 

1,196

 

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

Cash dividend paid, $0.35 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,165

)

(3,165

)

 

 

Pension amortization, net of tax of $61

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

114

 

 

 

114

 

$

114

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(883

)

 

 

(883

)

(883

)

Net unrealized gain on restricted investments, net of tax of $19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36

 

 

 

36

 

36

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,524

 

3,524

 

3,524

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,791

 

Balance at February 29, 2012

 

9,050,873

 

$

905

 

$

11,633

 

$

(4,399

)

$

84,332

 

$

92,471

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

5



Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

In thousands

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

February 29, 2012

 

February 28, 2011

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

3,524

 

$

4,345

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on disposal/sale of fixed assets

 

30

 

 

Depreciation

 

1,393

 

1,225

 

Amortization

 

1,137

 

1,147

 

Provision for losses on accounts receivable

 

(44

)

(78

)

Stock based compensation

 

965

 

772

 

Realized loss (gain) on restricted investments

 

(8

)

(13

)

Decrease (increase) in cash surrender value life insurance

 

(30

)

 

Excess tax benefit from stock based compensation

 

 

(17

)

Increase (decrease) from changes in assets and liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

2,508

 

1,681

 

Inventories

 

(1,228

)

(4,352

)

Prepaid expenses & other assets

 

(397

)

(60

)

Accounts payable

 

651

 

3

 

Accrued expenses

 

(2,744

)

(1,726

)

Accrued income taxes

 

(1,122

)

(2,317

)

Deferred compensation

 

71

 

142

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

4,706

 

752

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

(2,707

)

(1,348

)

Contingent purchase price for acquisition

 

(155

)

 

Net proceeds from sale of fixed assets

 

1,032

 

 

Additional proceeds from sale of discontinued operations

 

 

1,478

 

Net withdrawals (contributions) from restricted investments

 

(33

)

(30

)

Payments for cash surrender value life insurance

 

(92

)

(91

)

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

 

(1,955

)

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings on long-term debt

 

9,115

 

910

 

Payments of principal on debt

 

(11,138

)

(3,610

)

Dividend paid

 

(3,165

)

(3,131

)

Payments of statutory minimum taxes on stock options and restricted stock

 

 

(13

)

Excess tax benefit from stock based compensation

 

 

17

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(5,188

)

(5,827

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

DECREASE IN CASH

 

(2,437

)

(5,066

)

Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash

 

(162

)

272

 

CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

14,982

 

17,340

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH, END OF PERIOD

 

$

12,383

 

$

12,546

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock received for payment of stock option exercises

 

$

 

$

373

 

Property, plant & equipment additions included in accounts payable

 

$

470

 

$

114

 

Gain on termination of Evanston sale leaseback transaction (Note 11)

 

$

425

 

$

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

6



Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial reporting and instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Therefore, they do not include all information and footnote disclosures necessary for a complete presentation of Chase Corporation’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.  Chase Corporation (the “Company,” “Chase,” “we,” or “us”) filed audited financial statements which included all information and notes necessary for such presentation for the three years ended August 31, 2011 in conjunction with its 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring items) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position as of February 29, 2012, the results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods ended February 29, 2012 and February 28, 2011, and changes in stockholders’ equity for the interim period ended February 29, 2012.

 

The financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.  All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.  The Company uses the U.S. dollar as the reporting currency for financial reporting.  The financial position and results of operations of the Company’s HumiSeal Europe Ltd and Chase Protective Coatings Ltd divisions are measured using the UK pound sterling as the functional currency and the financial position and results of operations of the Company’s HumiSeal Europe SARL division in France are measured using the euro as the functional currency.  Foreign currency translation gains and losses are determined using current exchange rates for monetary items and historical exchange rates for other balance sheet items and are recorded as a change in other comprehensive income.  Translation gains and losses generated from the remeasurement of assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of our foreign operations are included in other (expense) / income on the consolidated statements of operations.

 

The Company has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to the balance sheet date.  Based on this evaluation, the Company is not aware of any events or transactions that occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date but prior to filing that would require recognition or disclosure in its consolidated financial statements.

 

The results of operations for the interim period ended February 29, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period or the entire fiscal year.  These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2011, which are contained in the Company’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

7



Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

Note 2 — Recent Accounting Policies

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (ASC Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income,” (“ASU 2011-05”) which amends current comprehensive income guidance.  This accounting update eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of shareholders’ equity.  Instead, the Company must report comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income which contains two sections, net income and other comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements.  ASU 2011-05 will be effective for public companies during the interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and will be adopted by the Company in the quarter ended May 31, 2012.  The adoption of ASU 2011-05 will not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows as it only requires a change in the format of the current presentation.

 

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (ASC Topic 350) - Testing Goodwill for Impairment,” (“ASU 2011-08”) which gives companies the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount before performing the two-step test mandated prior to this update.  ASU 2011-08 also provides companies with a revised list of examples of events and circumstances to consider, in their totality, to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.  If a company concludes that this is the case, it must perform the two-step test. Otherwise, a company may skip the two-step test.  Companies are not required to perform the qualitative assessment and may instead proceed directly to the first step of the two-part test.  ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted.  The adoption of ASU 2011-08 will not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12, “Comprehensive Income (ASC Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05”, (“ASU 2011-12”) which defers the specific requirement to present items that are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income separately with their respective components of net income and other comprehensive income.  The amendments in ASU 2011-12 are effective for public entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 and will be adopted by the Company in the quarter ended May 31, 2012.  The adoption of ASU 2011-12 will not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows as it only requires a change in the format of the current presentation.

 

8



Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

Note 3 — Inventories

 

Inventories consist of the following as of February 29, 2012 and August 31, 2011:

 

 

 

February 29, 2012

 

August 31, 2011

 

Raw materials

 

$

10,424

 

$

10,206

 

Finished and in process

 

11,561

 

10,635

 

Total inventories

 

$

21,985

 

$

20,841

 

 

Note 4 — Net Income Per Share

 

The determination of earnings per share under the two-class method is as follows: 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

February 29, 2012

 

February 28, 2011

 

February 29, 2012

 

February 28, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Earnings per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

1,197

 

$

1,420

 

$

3,524

 

$

4,345

 

Less: Allocated to participating securities

 

38

 

37

 

111

 

112

 

Net income available to common shareholders

 

$

1,159

 

$

1,383

 

$

3,413

 

$

4,233

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

8,758,063

 

8,718,893

 

8,756,030

 

8,705,145

 

Net income per share - Basic

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.39

 

$

0.49

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Earnings per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

1,197

 

$

1,420

 

$

3,524

 

$

4,345

 

Less: Allocated to participating securities

 

38

 

36

 

111

 

112

 

Net income available to common shareholders

 

$

1,159

 

$

1,384

 

$

3,413

 

$

4,233

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

8,758,063

 

8,718,893

 

8,756,030

 

8,705,145

 

Additional dilutive common stock equivalents

 

32,989

 

38,177

 

18,021

 

47,904

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

8,791,052

 

8,757,070

 

8,774,051

 

8,753,049

 

Net income per share - Diluted

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.39

 

$

0.48

 

 

For the three and six months ended February 29, 2012 and February 28, 2011, stock options to purchase 258,451 and 250,000 shares of common stock were outstanding, respectively, but were not included in the calculation of diluted income per share in either period because the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common stock and thus their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

 

Note 5 — Stock Based Compensation

 

In August 2010, the Board of Directors of Chase Corporation approved the fiscal year 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan (“2011 LTIP”) for the executive officers.  The 2011 LTIP is an equity based plan with a grant date of September 1, 2010 and contains a performance and service based restricted stock grant of 32,835 shares in the aggregate, subject to adjustment, with a vesting date of August 31, 2013.  Based on the fiscal year 2011 financial results, 32,835 additional shares of restricted stock (total of 65,670 shares) were earned and granted subsequent to the end of fiscal year 2011 in accordance with the performance measurement criteria.  No further performance-based measurements apply to this award.  Compensation expense is being recognized on a ratable basis over the vesting period.

 

9



Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

In August 2011, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the fiscal year 2012 Long Term Incentive Plan (“2012 LTIP”) for the executive officers.  The 2012 LTIP is an equity based plan with a grant date of September 1, 2011 and containing the following components:

 

Restricted Shares — (a) performance and service based restricted stock grant of 33,798 shares in the aggregate, subject to adjustment, with a vesting date of August 31, 2014.  Compensation expense is being recognized on a ratable basis over the vesting period based on quarterly probability assessments; (b) time-based restricted stock grant of 16,899 shares in the aggregate, and a vesting date of August 31, 2014.  Compensation expense is being recognized on a ratable basis over the vesting period.

 

Stock options — options to purchase 59,493 shares of common stock in the aggregate with an exercise price of $12.77 per share.  The options will vest in three equal annual allotments beginning on August 31, 2012 and ending on August 31, 2014. The options will expire on August 31, 2021.  Compensation expense is being recognized over the period of the award on an annual basis consistent with the vesting terms.

 

In August 2011, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a plan for issuing a time-based restricted stock grant of 5,037 shares in the aggregate to certain non-executive officer employees, with an issue date of August 31, 2011 and a vesting date of August 31, 2014.  Compensation expense is being recognized on a ratable basis over the vesting period.

 

In August 2011, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a grant of stock options to certain non-executive officer employees to purchase 20,883 shares of common stock in the aggregate with an exercise price of $12.77 per share.  The options will vest in three equal annual allotments beginning on August 31, 2012 and ending on August 31, 2014. The options will expire on August 31, 2021.  Compensation expense is being recognized over the period of the award on an annual basis consistent with the vesting terms.

 

In December 2011, restricted stock in the amount of 1,887 shares related to the April 2011 grant was forfeited in conjunction with the termination of employment of a non-executive officer of the Company.

 

As part of their annual retainer, non-employee members of the Board of Directors receive a combined total of $169 of Chase Corporation common stock, in the form of restricted stock valued in conjunction with the start of the new year of Board service which generally coincides with the Company’s annual shareholder meeting.  The stock award vests one year from the date of grant.  In February 2012, non-employee members of the Board received a total grant of 10,085 shares of restricted stock for service for the period from January 31, 2012 through January 31, 2013.  The shares of restricted stock will vest at the conclusion of this service period.  Compensation is being recognized on a ratable basis over the twelve month vesting period.

 

Note 6 — Segment Data & Foreign Operations

 

The Company is organized into two operating segments, an Industrial Materials segment and a Construction Materials segment.  The basis for this segmentation is distinguished by the nature of the products and how they are delivered to their respective markets.  The Industrial Materials segment reflects specified products that are used in or integrated into another company’s product with demand dependent upon general economic conditions.  Industrial Materials products include insulating and conducting materials for wire and cable manufacturers, moisture protective coatings for electronics and printing services, laminated durable papers, and flexible composites and laminates for the aerospace, packaging and industrial laminate markets.  The Construction Materials segment reflects construction project

 

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Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

oriented product offerings which are primarily sold and used as “Chase” branded products in final form.  Construction Materials products include protective coatings for pipeline applications, coating and lining systems for use in liquid storage and containment applications, high performance polymeric asphalt additives, and expansion and control joint systems for use in the transportation and architectural markets.

 

The following tables summarize information about the Company’s reportable segments:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

February 29, 2012

 

February 28, 2011

 

February 29, 2012

 

February 28, 2011

 

Revenues from external customers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Materials

 

$

18,487

 

$

17,532

 

$

37,973

 

$

35,702

 

Construction Materials

 

10,934

 

8,729

 

23,578

 

21,826

 

Total

 

$

29,421

 

$

26,261

 

$

61,551

 

$

57,528

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Materials

 

$

3,320

 

$

3,709

 

$

6,964

 

$

7,535

 

Construction Materials

 

(273

)

(441

)

123

 

1,381

 

Total for reportable segments

 

3,047

 

3,268

 

7,087

 

8,916

 

Corporate and Common Costs

 

(1,205

)

(1,121

)

(1,665

)(a)

(2,127

)

Total

 

$

1,842

 

$

2,147

 

$

5,422

 

$

6,789

 

 


(a)          Includes gain of $425 on termination of Evanston sale leaseback transaction (see Note 11 for further information).

 

The Company’s products are sold world-wide.  For the quarters ended February 29, 2012 and February 28, 2011, sales from its operations located in the United Kingdom accounted for 16% and 14% of total Company revenues, respectively.  In the fiscal year to date period, sales from its operations located in the United Kingdom accounted for 16% of total Company revenues compared to 13% in the same period in fiscal 2011.  No other foreign geographic area accounted for more than 10% of consolidated revenues for the three and six month periods ended February 29, 2012 and February 28, 2011.

 

 

 

February 29, 2012

 

August 31, 2011

 

Total assets

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Materials

 

$

49,934

 

$

49,306

(a)

Construction Materials

 

51,863

 

54,329

 

Total for reportable segments

 

101,797

 

103,635

 

Corporate and Common Assets

 

22,769

 

25,274

 

Total

 

$

124,566

 

$

128,909

 

 


(a)          Includes assets held for sale of $1,004 from our Webster, MA property

 

As of February 29, 2012 and August 31, 2011, the Company had long-lived assets (defined as tangible assets providing the Company with a future economic benefit beyond the current year or operating period, including buildings, equipment and leasehold improvements) of $4,315 and $2,796, respectively, located in the United Kingdom.  These balances exclude goodwill and intangibles of $12,266 and $13,267, as of February 29, 2012 and August 31, 2011, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

Note 7 — Goodwill and Other Intangibles

 

The changes in the carrying value of goodwill, by reportable segment, are as follows:

 

 

 

Construction
Materials

 

Industrial
Materials

 

Consolidated

 

Balance at August 31, 2011

 

$

10,661

 

$

7,399

 

$

18,060

 

Acquisition of Capital Services - additional earnout

 

87

 

 

87

 

Acquisition of Paper Tyger - additional earnout

 

 

68

 

68

 

FX translation adjustment

 

(8

)

(215

)

(223

)

Balance at February 29, 2012

 

$

10,740

 

$

7,252

 

$

17,992

 

 

The Company evaluates the possible impairment of goodwill annually each fourth quarter and whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable.

 

Intangible assets subject to amortization consist of the following as of February 29, 2012 and August 31, 2011:

 

 

 

Weighted-Average

 

Gross Carrying

 

Accumulated

 

Net Carrying

 

 

 

Amortization Period

 

Value

 

Amortization

 

Value

 

February 29, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patents and agreements

 

12.7 years

 

$

2,244

 

$

2,200

 

$

44

 

Formulas

 

9.8 years

 

3,566

 

1,502

 

2,064

 

Trade names

 

4.7 years

 

1,388

 

795

 

593

 

Customer lists and relationships

 

10.4 years

 

18,859

 

6,818

 

12,041

 

 

 

 

 

$

26,057

 

$

11,315

 

$

14,742

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 31, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patents and agreements

 

12.7 years

 

$

2,243

 

$

2,175

 

$

68

 

Formulas

 

9.7 years

 

3,589

 

1,318

 

2,271

 

Trade names

 

4.7 years

 

1,413

 

693

 

720

 

Customer lists and relationships

 

10.4 years

 

19,314

 

6,188

 

13,126

 

 

 

 

 

$

26,559

 

$

10,374

 

$

16,185

 

 

Aggregate amortization expense related to intangible assets for the six months ended February 29, 2012 and February 28, 2011 was $1,137 and $1,147, respectively.  Estimated amortization expense for the remainder of fiscal year 2012 and for future periods is as follows:

 

Years ending August 31,

 

 

 

2012 (remaining six months)

 

$

1,180

 

2013

 

2,256

 

2014

 

2,199

 

2015

 

2,001

 

2016

 

1,939

 

2017 and beyond

 

5,167

 

 

 

$

14,742

 

 

12



Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

Note 8 — Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company is one of over 100 defendants in a lawsuit pending in Ohio which alleges personal injury from exposure to asbestos contained in certain Chase products.  The case is captioned Marie Lou Scott, Executrix of the Estate of James T. Scott v. A-Best Products, et al., No. 312901 in the Court of Common Pleas for Cuyahoga County, Ohio.  The plaintiff in the case issued discovery requests to Chase in August 2005, to which Chase timely responded in September 2005.  The trial had initially been scheduled to begin on April 30, 2007.  However, that date had been postponed and no new trial date has been set.  As of February 2012, there have been no new developments as this Ohio lawsuit has been inactive with respect to Chase.

 

The Company was named as one of the defendants in a complaint filed on June 25, 2009, in a lawsuit captioned Lois Jansen, Individually and as Special Administrator of the Estate of Thomas Jansen v. Beazer East, Inc., et al., No: 09-CV-6248 in the Milwaukee County (Wisconsin) Circuit Court.  The plaintiff alleges that her husband suffered and died from malignant mesothelioma resulting from exposure to asbestos in his workplace.  The plaintiff has sued seven alleged manufacturers or distributors of asbestos-containing products, including Royston Laboratories (formerly an independent company and now owned by Chase Corporation).  Chase has filed an answer to the claim denying the material allegations in the complaint.  The parties are currently engaged in discovery.

 

In addition to the matters described above, the Company is involved from time to time in litigation incidental to the conduct of its business.  Although the Company does not expect that the outcome in any of these matters, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations, litigation is inherently unpredictable.  Therefore, judgments could be rendered or settlements entered, that could adversely affect the Company’s operating results or cash flows in a particular period.  The Company routinely assesses all of its litigation and threatened litigation as to the probability of ultimately incurring a liability, and records its best estimate of the ultimate loss in situations where the Company assesses the likelihood of loss as probable.

 

Note 9 - Pensions and Other Post Retirement Benefits

 

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the three and six months ended February 29, 2012 and February 28, 2011 are as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

February 29, 2012

 

February 28, 2011

 

February 29, 2012

 

February 28, 2011

 

Service cost

 

$

120

 

$

132

 

$

241

 

$

263

 

Interest cost

 

130

 

107

 

260

 

215

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(131

)

(110

)

(262

)

(220

)

Amortization of prior service cost

 

19

 

18

 

37

 

37

 

Amortization of unrecognized loss

 

69

 

60

 

138

 

120

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

207

 

$

207

 

$

414

 

$

415

 

 

When funding is required, the Company’s policy is to contribute amounts that are deductible for federal income tax purposes.  As of February 29, 2012, the Company has made contributions of $750 in the current fiscal year to fund its obligations under its pension plan, and plans to make the necessary contributions over the remainder of fiscal 2012 to ensure the qualified plan continues to be adequately funded given the current market conditions.

 

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Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

Note 10 — Fair Value Measurements

 

The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price).  The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which classifies the inputs used in measuring fair values. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets; Level 2, defined as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

 

The Company endeavors to utilize the best available information in measuring fair value.  Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The Company has determined that it does not have any financial liabilities measured at fair value and that its financial assets are currently all classified within Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.  The financial assets classified as Level 1 as of February 29, 2012 and August 31, 2011 represent investments which are restricted for use in a nonqualified retirement savings plan for certain key employees and directors.

 

The following tables set forth the Company’s financial assets that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of February 29, 2012 and August 31, 2011:

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value measurement category

 

 

 

Fair value
measurement date

 

Total

 

Quoted prices
in active
markets
(Level 1)

 

Significant other
observable inputs
(Level 2)

 

Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted investments

 

February 29, 2012

 

$

836

 

$

836

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted investments

 

August 31, 2011

 

$

740

 

$

740

 

$

 

$

 

 

Note 11 — Sale Leaseback Transaction

 

In June 2009, the Company entered into a sale leaseback transaction pursuant to the sale of its real property (land and building) located in Evanston, IL.  As part of this transaction, the Company agreed to provide financing to the purchaser, whereby the interest due on the financing is equal to the rental payments over the life of the lease.  The Company had been accounting for this sale leaseback transaction under the deposit method due to its continued involvement in the form of providing this permanent financing to the buyer.  The Company has provided this recourse financing to the buyer whereby the only recourse it has is to take back control and ownership of the leased asset.  Under the deposit method, the Company reported the property on its balance sheet and recorded depreciation expense as a period cost in its statement of operations.  As of August 31, 2011, the property remained on its consolidated balance sheet in its original caption of property, plant, and equipment.

 

Deposits received in the form of cash from the buyer, totaling $425, were being reported as a deposit on the contract and were previously included on the balance sheet in other non-current liabilities.  The remainder of the $4,250 sales price ($3,825) was due at various dates over the term of the 49 month lease, of which $3,400 was due at the end of the lease term in July 2013.  In the quarter ending November 30, 2011, the purchaser notified the Company that it would be unable to make any additional payments under the terms of the purchase agreement and seller financing arrangement.  As a result, the Company

 

14



Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

took back control and ownership of the leased asset and recognized the $425 in deposit payments as income in the quarter ended November 30, 2011.

 

Note 12 —Assets Held for Sale

 

The Company periodically reviews long-lived assets against its plans to retain or ultimately dispose of these assets.  If the Company decides to dispose of an asset and commits to a plan to actively market and sell the asset, it will be moved to assets held for sale.  The Company analyzes market conditions each reporting period and records additional impairments due to declines in market values of like assets.  The fair value of the asset is determined by observable inputs such as appraisals and prices of comparable assets in active markets for assets like the Company’s.  Gains are not recognized until the assets are sold.

 

In December 2011, the Company finalized the sale of its Webster property for net proceeds of $1,006. This transaction resulted in a gain of $15 which was recorded in the Company’s fiscal quarter ending February 29, 2012.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Item 2 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion provides an analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and should be read in conjunction with the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011.

 

Overview

 

We continue to face challenges with unfavorable product mix coupled with rising material costs as increased sales in the first six months of fiscal 2012 generated lower operating income than the prior year period.  Revenue for the Industrial Materials segment increased over the prior year primarily due to the wire and cable product line as a result of greater demand in the power cable and communication cable markets.  The increased revenues in fiscal 2012 were partially offset by (a) decreased sales of our electronic coatings products, primarily due to decreased export sales into Asia, and (b) decreased sales in our aerospace and transportation product markets.  During the remainder of the fiscal year, we will continue our product and global business development efforts for all of our product lines in order to seize new business opportunities.  Additional pressure on profit margins can be expected with increasing raw material and energy costs.

 

Revenues for the Construction Materials segment increased over the prior year primarily due to sales of our pipeline products resulting from strong demand for pipeline tape products produced at our UK facility.  Additionally, increased demand from our key private label customers also contributed to the overall revenue increase in this segment.  Despite the increased revenues, the Construction Materials segment was impacted by the typical seasonality of this business that limits construction sales in the winter months and favors products with traditionally lower margins.  In general, overall profit margins are lower than in our Industrial Materials segment.  For the remainder of fiscal 2012, we will continue to focus on maximizing production efficiencies, while closely monitoring our raw material costs and key customers’ requirements.

 

During the past quarter, we completed the relocation of our HumiSeal Europe Ltd. manufacturing operations and European headquarters from Camberley, UK to a more modern facility in Winnersh, UK. Over the remainder of fiscal 2012, we will continue with our strategic plans to improve and enhance our facilities and equipment.  We believe these plans are critical to the long-term growth of the Company.  This will include the on-going renovations of our facility in Oxford, MA as we prepare for the move of our Randolph, MA operations to this facility by December 2012.  Additionally, investments in efficiency improvements, long-term consolidation, R&D, technology and marketing will allow us to improve the business in future years.

 

We have two reportable segments as summarized below:

 

Segment

 

Product Lines

 

Manufacturing Focus and Products

Industrial Materials

 

· Wire & Cable
· Electronic Coatings
· Custom Products

 

Protective coatings and tape products including insulating and conducting materials for wire and cable manufacturers, moisture protective coatings for electronics and printing services, laminated durable papers, and flexible composites and laminates for the aerospace, packaging and industrial laminate markets.

 

 

 

 

 

Construction Materials

 

· Pipeline
· Construction Products
· Private Label

 

Protective coatings and tape products including coating and lining systems for use in liquid storage and containment applications, protective coatings for pipeline and general construction applications, high performance polymeric asphalt additives, and expansion and control joint systems for use in the transportation and architectural markets.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Results of Operations

 

Revenues and Operating Profit by Segment are as follows (Dollars in Thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
February 29, 2012

 

% of
Total
Revenues

 

Three Months Ended
February 28, 2011

 

% of
Total
Revenues

 

Six Months Ended
February 29, 2012

 

% of
Total
Revenues

 

Six Months Ended
February 28, 2011

 

% of
Total
Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues from external customers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Materials

 

$

18,487

 

63

%

$

17,532

 

67

%

$

37,973

 

62

%

$

35,702

 

62

%

Construction Materials

 

10,934

 

37

%

8,729

 

33

%

23,578

 

38

%

21,826

 

38

%

Total

 

$

29,421

 

 

 

$

26,261

 

 

 

$

61,551

 

 

 

$

57,528

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
February 29, 2012

 

% of
Segment
Revenues

 

Three Months Ended
February 28, 2011

 

% of
Segment
Revenues

 

Six Months Ended
February 29, 2012

 

% of
Segment
Revenues

 

Six Months Ended
February 28, 2011

 

% of
Segment
Revenues

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Materials

 

$

3,320

 

18

%

$

3,709

 

21

$

6,964

 

18

%

$

7,535

 

21

%

Construction Materials

 

(273

)

-2

%

(441

)

-5

123

 

1

%

1,381

 

6

%

Total for reportable segments

 

3,047

 

10

%

3,268

 

12

7,087

 

12

%

8,916

 

15

%

Corporate and Common Costs

 

(1,205

)

 

 

(1,121

)

 

 

(1,665

)(a)

 

 

(2,127

)

 

 

Total

 

$

1,842

 

6

%

$

2,147

 

8

$

5,422

 

9

%

$

6,789

 

12

%

 


(a)       Includes gain of $425 on termination of Evanston sale leaseback transaction.  See note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

 

Total Revenues

 

Total revenues increased $3,160,000 or 12% to $29,421,000 for the quarter ended February 29, 2012 compared to $26,261,000 in the same quarter of the prior year.  Total revenues increased $4,023,000 or 7% to $61,551,000 in the fiscal year to date period compared to $57,528,000 in the same period in fiscal 2011.

 

Revenues in our Industrial Materials segment increased $955,000 and $2,271,000, in the current quarter and year to date periods, respectively.  The increase in revenues from our Industrial Materials segment in the current quarter and year to date periods was primarily due to increased sales of $1,792,000 and $3,489,000, respectively, from our wire & cable product line as we continue to benefit from strong demand in the power cable and communication cable markets.  This was partially offset by decreased sales of our electronic coatings products in the current quarter and year to date periods of $644,000 and $799,000, respectively.  Sales in the aerospace and transportation market declined $430,000 and $475,000 in the current quarter and year to date period, respectively.

 

Revenues from our Construction Materials segment increased $2,205,000 and $1,752,000 in the current quarter and year to date periods, respectively, compared to the prior year periods.  The increase in sales from our Construction Materials segment compared to the prior year periods is primarily due to the following for the current quarter and year to date periods, respectively: (a) increased sales of $1,414,000 and $2,578,000 from our pipeline products as we had continued strong demand for pipeline products produced at our UK facility; and (b) increased sales of $298,000 and $1,006,000 from our private label products due to increased demand from some of our key customers.  We also experienced increased sales of $422,000 and $70,000 in the current quarter from our coating and lining systems (CIM Industries) and highway construction products, respectively.  Despite positive results for the current quarter, both our coating and lining systems and highway construction products reflect decreased sales of $918,000 and $915,000, respectively, through the first six months of fiscal 2012 compared to the prior year.

 

17



Table of Contents

 

Cost of Products and Services Sold

 

Cost of products and services sold increased $3,581,000 or 21% to $21,022,000 for the quarter ended February 29, 2012 compared to $17,441,000 in the prior year quarter.  Cost of products and services sold increased $5,520,000 or 15% to $43,021,000 in the fiscal year to date period compared to $37,501,000 in the same period in fiscal 2011.

 

The following table summarizes our costs of products and services sold as a percentage of revenues for each of our reporting segments:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

Cost of products and services sold

 

2/29/2012

 

2/28/2011

 

2/29/2012

 

2/28/2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Materials

 

69%

 

63%

 

67%

 

64%

 

Construction Materials

 

76%

 

73%

 

75%

 

68%

 

Total

 

71%

 

66%

 

70%

 

65%

 

 

Cost of products and services sold in our Industrial Materials segment was $12,687,000 and $25,394,000 in the current quarter and year to date periods compared to $11,095,000 and $22,689,000 in the comparable periods in the prior year.  As a percentage of revenues, cost of products and services sold in the Industrial Materials segment has increased primarily due to increased sales of lower margin products and lower sales of higher margin products.  We also had incremental costs related to the following items in the current quarter and year to date periods, respectively:  (1) moving expenses of $28,000 and $315,000 related to our plant transition from Webster to Oxford and Camberley to Winnersh; and (2) accrued severance costs of $150,000 and $250,000 related to the planned move from our Randolph plant.  Additionally, certain supplier inconsistencies that resulted in excess waste and incremental expenses related to the utilization of specialized testing facilities for analyzing incoming raw materials for proper specifications also had a negative impact on this segment in the year to date period.

 

Cost of products and services sold in our Construction Materials segment was $8,335,000 and $17,627,000 in the current quarter and year to date periods compared to $6,346,000 and $14,812,000 in the comparable periods in the prior year.  As a percentage of revenues, cost of products and services sold in the Construction Materials segment increased primarily due to higher raw material costs, increased sales of lower margin products, and decreased sales of higher margin products.  We have initiated price increases for certain products in this segment and continue to closely monitor raw material pricing across all product lines in an effort to preserve margins.  While we saw improvements from our Rye, UK plant through the first six months of fiscal 2012, as compared to the production issues noted in the latter half of fiscal 2011, we had incremental costs related to some residual issues of $168,000 in the current quarter and $459,000 in the current fiscal year.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $81,000 or 1% to $6,513,000 for the quarter ended February 29, 2012 compared to $6,594,000 in the prior year quarter.  As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 22% in the current fiscal quarter compared to 25% in the same period in fiscal 2011.  The decrease in the current quarter is primarily due to reduced external consulting costs and professional services.  Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $323,000 or 2% to $13,505,000 in the fiscal year to date period compared to $13,182,000 in the same period in fiscal 2011.  In fiscal 2012 to date, selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased to 22% compared to 23% in the same period in fiscal 2011.  The dollar increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in the current fiscal year to date period is primarily attributable to increased investment in marketing, R&D, quality control and technology enhancements.

 

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Interest Expense

 

Interest expense decreased $51,000 or 59% to $36,000 for the quarter ended February 29, 2012 compared to $87,000 in the prior year quarter.  Interest expense decreased $108,000 or 60% to $72,000 for the fiscal year to date period compared to $180,000 in the same period in fiscal 2011.  The decrease in interest expense for both the current quarter and year to date period is primarily due to the capitalization of imputed interest on construction in process projects related to our Oxford, MA and Pittsburgh, PA facilities, as well as continued favorable interest rates on lower overall term debt balances.

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

Other expense of $8,000 in the quarter ended February 29, 2012 compared unfavorably to other income of $8,000 in the same period in fiscal 2011.  Other income primarily includes interest income and foreign exchange gains and losses caused by changes in exchange rates on transactions or balances denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of our subsidiaries.  The decrease in other income (expense) in the current quarter is primarily due to foreign exchange losses caused by the weakening of both the sterling and euro, and the subsequent revaluation of some of our European sales transactions completed in other functional currencies (and subsequently translated to the sterling and the euro).

 

Other income increased $345,000 to $469,000 for the fiscal year to date period compared to $124,000 in the same period in the prior year.  In fiscal 2012, other income includes a gain of $425,000 recognized on deposit payments previously received on the sale of our Evanston, IL property.  The Company took back control and ownership of this leased asset which was previously sold by us under a seller financing arrangement (see note 11 to the consolidated financial statements). The increase in other income in the year to date period is partially offset by the foreign exchange losses previously mentioned.

 

Income Taxes

 

The effective tax rate was 35.0% in the quarter ended February 29, 2012 compared to 33.9% in the prior year quarter.  The effective tax rate was 35.0% for the fiscal year to date period compared to 36.0% in the same period in fiscal 2011.  The lower effective tax rate in fiscal 2012 is primarily due to an increase in the applicable domestic production deduction and a more favorable state income tax rate that was phased in during the prior year and resulted in a more favorable tax rate in the prior year quarter compared to the quarter ended February 29, 2012.

 

Net Income

 

Consolidated net income decreased $223,000 or 16% to $1,197,000 in the quarter ended February 29, 2012 compared to $1,420,000 in the prior year quarter.  Consolidated net income decreased $821,000 or 19% to $3,524,000 for the fiscal year to date period compared to $4,345,000 in the same period in fiscal 2011.  The decrease in consolidated net income compared to the prior year is primarily a result of product sales mix and increased cost of products and services sold as discussed above.

 

Liquidity and Sources of Capital

 

Our overall cash balance decreased $2,599,000 to $12,383,000 at February 29, 2012, from $14,982,000 at August 31, 2011.  The reduced cash balance is primarily attributable to principal payments on outstanding debt, equipment purchases, and payment of our annual dividend.  We will continue to review our current cash balances denominated in foreign currency in light of current tax guidelines, working capital requirements, infrastructure improvements and potential acquisitions.

 

Cash flow provided by operations was $4,706,000 in the first six months of fiscal year 2012 compared to $752,000 in the prior year period.  Cash provided by operations during the first half of fiscal 2012 was

 

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primarily due to operating income, increased collections of accounts receivable and increased accounts payable balances offset by increased inventory balances and a decrease in accrued expenses due to the timing of tax payments and payment of our annual incentive compensation.  The lower balance of cash provided by operations during the prior year period was primarily due to increased inventory balances as a result of bulk purchases of key raw materials in order to take advantage of favorable pricing terms.

 

The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 3.0 as of February 29, 2012, compared to 2.9 as of August 31, 2011.  The increase in our current ratio at February 29, 2012 was primarily attributable to an increase in inventory resulting from increased demand and overall sales volume, as well as decreases in accrued income taxes due to the timing of tax payments and accrued payroll and other compensation due to the payment of our annual incentive program.  This was partially offset by decreases in cash and accounts receivable.

 

Cash flow used in investing activities of $1,955,000 was primarily due to cash paid for purchases of machinery and equipment at our manufacturing locations during fiscal 2012 which was partially offset by the net proceeds of $1,006,000 from the sale of our Webster, MA property.

 

Cash flow used in financing activities of $5,188,000 was primarily due to our annual dividend payment and payments made on the bank loans used to finance our past acquisitions of CIM and ServiWrap.  Additionally, we paid the second of three scheduled promissory note payments of $1,000,000 to the CIM shareholders in accordance with the CIM stock purchase agreement, described in more detail below.

 

On October 13, 2011, we announced a cash dividend of $0.35 per share (totaling $3,165,000).  The dividend was paid on December 5, 2011 to shareholders of record on October 31, 2011.

 

We continue to have long-term unsecured credit available up to $10,000,000 with Bank of America at the bank’s base lending rate or, at our option, at the effective London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 150 basis points.  The outstanding balance and weighted average interest rate of outstanding balances on this credit facility was $0.7 million and 1.74%, respectively, at February 29, 2012.  We had $9.3 million in available credit at February 29, 2012 under this credit facility and plan to use this availability to help finance our cash needs, including potential acquisitions, in fiscal 2012 and future periods.

 

As of March 31, 2012, the entire amount of $10,000,000 was available for use.

 

Under the terms of our credit facility, we must comply with certain debt covenants related to (a) the ratio of total liabilities to tangible net worth and (b) the ratio of operating cash flow to debt service on a rolling twelve month basis.  We were in compliance with our debt covenants as of February 29, 2012.  The line of credit has a maturity date of March 31, 2013.

 

We borrowed $10,000,000 from Bank of America in September 2009 in order to fund our acquisition of CIM.  This borrowing involved an unsecured, three year term note (the “Term Note”) with interest and principal payments due monthly.  Interest is calculated at the applicable LIBOR rate plus a margin of 175 basis points, with interest payments due on the last day of each month.  In addition to monthly interest payments, we are repaying the principal in equal installments of $167,000 per month, beginning on September 30, 2009, and on the last day of each month thereafter until maturity.  At February 29, 2012, the applicable interest rate was 1.99% per annum and the outstanding principal amount was $5,000,000.  The Term Note is subject to the same debt covenants as our line of credit discussed above.  Prepayment of the Term Note is allowed at any time during the term of the loan.  In November 2011, we executed an amendment to this Term Note, extending the maturity from August 31, 2012 to August 31, 2014.  The monthly payments of $167,000 will continue through August 2014, at which time we will repay the remaining principal balance plus any interest then due.  All other terms of the Term Note remain the same.

 

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As part of the CIM acquisition in September 2009, we also delivered $3,000,000 in non-negotiable promissory notes (the “Notes”) payable to five CIM shareholders, who were the holders of all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of CIM as of the acquisition date.  The principal of the Notes will be paid in three consecutive annual installments of $1,000,000 each, with the initial payment due on September 4, 2010.  Interest on the unpaid principal balance of the Notes is accruing at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Federal rate, and will be paid annually with each principal payment.  At February 29, 2012, the applicable interest rate was 0.84% per annum.  We paid the first installment on the Notes in September 2010 and the second installment in September 2011.  The third installment on the Notes will be paid in September 2012.

 

In December 2009, we borrowed $7,000,000 from RBS Citizens in order to fund our acquisition of the ServiWrap product lines.  This borrowing involved an unsecured, three year term note (the “Term Loan”) with interest and principal payments due monthly.  Interest is calculated at the applicable LIBOR rate plus a margin of 190 basis points, with interest payments due on the last day of each month.  In addition to monthly interest payments, we are repaying the principal in equal installments of $117,000 each, beginning on January 15, 2010, and on the 15th day of each month thereafter until maturity.  At February 29, 2012, the applicable interest rate was 2.15% per annum, and the outstanding principal amount was approximately $3,967,000.  The Term Loan is subject to the same debt covenants as our line of credit discussed above.  Prepayment of the Term Loan is allowed at any time.  In February 2012, we executed an amendment to this Term Loan, extending the maturity from December 15, 2012 to December 15, 2014.  The monthly payments of $117,000 will continue through December 2014, at which time we will repay the remaining principal balance plus any interest then due.  All other terms of the Term Loan remain the same.

 

To the extent that interest rates increase in future periods, we will assess the impact of these higher interest rates on the financial and cash flow projections of our potential acquisitions.

 

We have no significant off balance sheet arrangements.

 

We currently have several on-going capital projects that are important to our long term strategic goals.  We continue to renovate our Oxford, MA, and Pittsburgh, PA facilities in anticipation of the relocation of our operations from Randolph, MA.  This transition will be completed by December 2012 and we will then pursue a sale of our Randolph property.  Machinery and equipment will also be added as needed to increase capacity or enhance operating efficiencies in our other manufacturing plants.

 

We may consider the acquisition of companies or other assets this year or in future periods which are complementary to our business.  We believe that our existing resources, including cash on hand and our line of credit, together with cash generated from operations and additional bank borrowings, will be sufficient to fund our cash flow requirements through at least the next twelve months.  However, there can be no assurances that additional financing will be available on favorable terms, if at all.

 

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Recent Accounting Standards

 

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (ASC Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income,” (“ASU 2011-05”) which amends current comprehensive income guidance.  This accounting update eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of shareholders’ equity.  Instead, we must report comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income which contains two sections, net income and other comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements.  ASU 2011-05 will be effective for public companies during the interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and we will adopt in the quarter ended May 31, 2012.  The adoption of ASU 2011-05 will not have an impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows as it only requires a change in the format of our current presentation.

 

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (ASC Topic 350) - Testing Goodwill for Impairment,” (“ASU 2011-08”) which gives companies the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount before performing the two-step test mandated prior to this update.  ASU 2011-08 also provides companies with a revised list of examples of events and circumstances to consider, in their totality, to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.  If a company concludes that this is the case, it must perform the two-step test.  Otherwise, a company may skip the two-step test.  Companies are not required to perform the qualitative assessment and may instead proceed directly to the first step of the two-part test.  ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted.  The adoption of ASU 2011-08 will not have an impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12, “Comprehensive Income (ASC Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05”, (“ASU 2011-12”) which defers the specific requirement to present items that are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income separately with their respective components of net income and other comprehensive income.  The amendments in ASU 2011-12 are effective for public entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 and we will adopt in the quarter ended May 31, 2012.  The adoption of ASU 2011-12 will not have an impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows as it only requires a change in the format of the current presentation.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies

 

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  To apply these principles, we must make estimates and judgments that affect our reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  In many instances, we reasonably could have used different accounting estimates and, in other instances, changes in the accounting estimates are reasonably likely to occur from period to period. Accordingly, actual results could differ significantly from our estimates.  To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and actual results, our financial condition or results of operations will be affected.  We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable at the time and under the circumstances, and we evaluate these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis.  We refer to accounting estimates and judgments of this type as critical accounting policies, judgments, and estimates.  Management believes there have been no material changes during the six months ended February 29, 2012 to the critical accounting policies reported in Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011.

 

Forward Looking Information

 

The part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q captioned “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contains certain forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties.  Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements as to our future operating results, plans for manufacturing facilities, future economic conditions and expectations or plans relating to the implementation or realization of our strategic goals, acquisition opportunities and future growth.  These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industries in which we operate, and the beliefs and assumptions made by management.  Readers should refer to the discussions under “Forward Looking Information” and “Risk Factors” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011 concerning certain factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated in such forward-looking statements. These discussions and Risk Factors are hereby incorporated by reference into this Quarterly Report.

 

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Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

We limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer.  As of February 29, 2012, other than our restricted investments (which are restricted for use in a nonqualified retirement savings plan for certain key employees and Directors), all of our funds were either in demand deposit accounts or investment instruments that meet high credit quality standards such as money market funds, government securities, or commercial paper.

 

Our domestic operations have limited currency exposure since substantially all transactions are denominated in US dollars. However, our European operations are subject to currency exchange fluctuations.  We continue to review our policies and procedures to reduce this exposure while maintaining the benefit from these operations and sales to other European customers.  As of February 29, 2012, we had cash balances in the United Kingdom for our HumiSeal Europe Ltd and Chase Protective Coatings Ltd operations denominated primarily in pounds sterling and equal to $4,868,000 and cash balances in France for our HumiSeal Europe SARL operations denominated primarily in euros and equal to $665,000.  We will continue to review our current cash balances denominated in foreign currency in light of current tax guidelines, working capital requirements, infrastructure improvements and potential acquisitions.

 

We incurred a foreign currency translation loss for the six months ended February 29, 2012 in the amount of $883,000 related to our European operations which was recorded in other comprehensive income within our Statement of Stockholders’ Equity.  We do not have or utilize any derivative financial instruments.

 

Item 4 - Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

 

We carry out a variety of ongoing procedures, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to evaluate the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level as of the end of the period covered by this report.

 

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

 

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Part II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1 — Legal Proceedings

 

We are one of over 100 defendants in a lawsuit pending in Ohio which alleges personal injury from exposure to asbestos contained in certain Chase products.  The case is captioned Marie Lou Scott, Executrix of the Estate of James T. Scott v. A-Best Products, et al., No. 312901 in the Court of Common Pleas for Cuyahoga County, Ohio.  The plaintiff in the case issued discovery requests to us in August 2005, to which we timely responded in September 2005.  The trial had initially been scheduled to begin on April 30, 2007.  However, that date had been postponed and no new trial date has been set.  As of February 2012, there have been no new developments as this Ohio lawsuit has been inactive with respect to us.

 

We were named as one of the defendants in a complaint filed on June 25, 2009, in a lawsuit captioned Lois Jansen, Individually and as Special Administrator of the Estate of Thomas Jansen v. Beazer East, Inc., et al., No: 09-CV-6248 in the Milwaukee County (Wisconsin) Circuit Court.  The plaintiff alleges that her husband suffered and died from malignant mesothelioma resulting from exposure to asbestos in his workplace.  The plaintiff has sued seven alleged manufacturers or distributors of asbestos-containing products, including Royston Laboratories (formerly an independent company and now owned by Chase Corporation).  We have filed an answer to the claim denying the material allegations in the complaint.  The parties are currently engaged in discovery.

 

In addition to the matters described above, we are involved from time to time in litigation incidental to the conduct of our business.  Although we do not expect that the outcome in any of these matters, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations, litigation is inherently unpredictable.  Therefore, judgments could be rendered or settlements entered, that could adversely affect our operating results or cash flows in a particular period.  We routinely assess all of our litigation and threatened litigation as to the probability of ultimately incurring a liability, and record our best estimate of the ultimate loss in situations where we assess the likelihood of loss as probable.

 

Item 1A — Risk Factors

 

Please refer to Item 1A in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011 for a complete discussion of the risk factors which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results.

 

Item 5 — Other Information

 

On February 28, 2012, we entered into an amendment to our Term Loan Agreement, dated December 15, 2009, with RBS Citizens, National Association, under which we had borrowed $7 million in order to fund our acquisition of the ServiWrap product lines.  The amendment extended the maturity date of the loan from December 15, 2012 to December 15, 2014.  Our existing monthly principal payments of $117,000 will therefore continue through December 2014 at which time we will repay the remaining principal balance plus any interest then due.  All other terms of the loan remain the same.

 

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Item 6 - Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

10.1

 

Amendment No. 1 to Term Loan Agreement, dated February 28, 2012, between Chase Corporation and RBS Citizens, National Association

10.2

 

Term Note dated December 15, 2009, between Chase Corporation and RBS Citizens, National Association

10.3

 

Amendment No. 1 and Allonge to Term Note dated December 15, 2009, between Chase Corporation and RBS Citizens, National Association

31.1

 

Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2

 

Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1

 

Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

32.2

 

Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document**

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document**

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document**

101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document**

101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document**

101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document**

 


*                  Furnished, not filed

 

**                Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

 

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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.

 

 

Chase Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated: April 9, 2012

By:

/s/ Peter R. Chase

 

 

Peter R. Chase,

 

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated: April 9, 2012

By:

/s/ Kenneth L. Dumas

 

 

Kenneth L. Dumas

 

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

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