Oil-Dri Corp of America - Quarter Report: 2008 January (Form 10-Q)
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D. C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
(Mark
One)
x
|
Quarterly
Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
|
Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
|
|
For
the Quarterly Period Ended January 31,
2008
|
OR
o
|
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 0-8675
OIL-DRI
CORPORATION OF AMERICA
(Exact
name of the registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
|
36-2048898
|
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S.
Employer
Identification
No.)
|
410
North Michigan Avenue, Suite 400
Chicago,
Illinois
|
60611-4213
|
|
(Address
of principal executive offices)
|
(Zip
Code)
|
The
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (312) 321-1515
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
at
least the past 90 days.
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. (Check one):
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 check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o
No
x
The
aggregate market value of the Registrant’s Common Stock owned by non-affiliates
as of January 31, 2008 for accelerated filer purposes was
$100,149,000.
Indicate
the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common
stock, as of the close of the period covered by this report.
Common
Stock – 5,076,000 Shares
Class
B
Stock – 1,914,797 Shares
CONTENTS
Page
|
||
PART
I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
|
||
Item
1:
|
Financial
Statements
|
3 –
16
|
Item
2:
|
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results Of
Operations
|
17
- 23
|
Item
3:
|
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
|
24
|
Item
4:
|
Controls
and Procedures
|
25
|
PART
II – OTHER INFORMATION
|
||
Item
1A:
|
Risk
Factors
|
26
|
Item
4:
|
Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
|
26
|
Item
6:
|
Exhibits
|
27
|
Signatures
|
28
|
|
Exhibits
|
29
|
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
Certain
statements in this report, including, but not limited to, those under the
heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations” and those statements elsewhere in this report and other documents
we file with the Commission contain forward-looking statements that are based
on
current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our future
performance, our business, our beliefs, and our management’s assumptions. In
addition, we, or others on our behalf, may make forward-looking statements
in
press releases or written statements, or in our communications and discussions
with investors and analysts in the normal course of business through meetings,
webcasts, phone calls, and conference calls. Words such as “expect,” “outlook,”
“forecast,” “would”, “could,” “should,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “continue,”
“believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe”, “may,” “assume,”
variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such
forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Such
statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that
could cause actual results to differ materially, including those described
in
Item 1A, Risk Factors, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended July 31, 2007, which risk factors are incorporated herein by reference.
Should one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or
should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary
materially from those anticipated, intended, expected, believed, estimated,
projected or planned. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Except
to
the extent required by law, we do not have any intention or obligation to update
publicly any forward-looking statements after the distribution of this report,
whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions,
or otherwise.
TRADEMARK
NOTICE
Oil-Dri,
Agsorb, Oil-Dri All Purpose, Oil-Dri Lites, Cat’s Pride, Jonny Cat, KatKit,
ConditionAde, Pure-Flo, UltraClear, Poultry Guard, Flo-Fre, Saular, Terra Green
and Pro’s Choice are all registered trademarks of Oil-Dri Corporation of America
or of its subsidiaries. PelUnite Plus, Perform and Select are trademarks of
Oil-Dri Corporation of America. Fresh Step is the registered trademark of The
Clorox Company.
2
PART
I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM
1. Financial Statements
Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in
thousands of dollars)
(unaudited)
|
January
31,
2008
|
July
31,
2007
|
|||||
ASSETS
|
|||||||
Current
Assets
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$
|
4,325
|
$
|
12,133
|
|||
Investment
in securities
|
24,355
|
17,894
|
|||||
Accounts
receivable, less allowance of $643 and $569 at January 31, 2008 and
July
31, 2007, respectively
|
29,973
|
27,933
|
|||||
Inventories
|
16,396
|
15,237
|
|||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
788
|
788
|
|||||
Prepaid
expenses and other assets
|
5,511
|
4,315
|
|||||
Total
Current Assets
|
81,348
|
78,300
|
|||||
Property,
Plant and Equipment
|
|||||||
Cost
|
154,550
|
151,478
|
|||||
Less
accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
(102,818
|
)
|
(100,033
|
)
|
|||
Total
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
|
51,732
|
51,445
|
|||||
Other
Assets
|
|||||||
Goodwill
|
5,162
|
5,162
|
|||||
Trademarks
and patents, net of accumulated amortization of $339 and $327 at
January
31, 2008 and July 31, 2007, respectively
|
817
|
817
|
|||||
Debt
issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $487 and $450
at
January 31, 2008 and July 31, 2007, respectively
|
376
|
413
|
|||||
Licensing
agreements, net of accumulated amortization of $2,857 and $2,757
at
January 31, 2008 and July 31, 2007, respectively
|
582
|
682
|
|||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
1,652
|
1,618
|
|||||
Other
|
3,692
|
3,650
|
|||||
Total
Other Assets
|
12,281
|
12,342
|
|||||
Total
Assets
|
$
|
145,361
|
$
|
142,087
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial
statements.
3
OIL-DRI
CORPORATION OF AMERICA & SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in
thousands of dollars)
(unaudited)
January
31,
2008
|
July
31,
2007
|
||||||
LIABILITIES
& STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
|
|||||||
Current
Liabilities
|
|||||||
Current
maturities of notes payable
|
$
|
8,080
|
$
|
4,080
|
|||
Accounts
payable
|
6,130
|
6,181
|
|||||
Dividends
payable
|
846
|
833
|
|||||
Accrued
expenses:
|
|||||||
Salaries,
wages and commissions
|
4,018
|
7,052
|
|||||
Trade
promotions and advertising
|
3,028
|
2,395
|
|||||
Freight
|
1,524
|
1,305
|
|||||
Other
|
5,796
|
5,559
|
|||||
Total
Current Liabilities
|
29,422
|
27,405
|
|||||
Noncurrent
Liabilities
|
|||||||
Notes
payable
|
23,000
|
27,080
|
|||||
Deferred
compensation
|
4,958
|
4,756
|
|||||
Other
|
3,043
|
2,604
|
|||||
Total
Noncurrent Liabilities
|
31,001
|
34,440
|
|||||
Total
Liabilities
|
60,423
|
61,845
|
|||||
Stockholders’
Equity
|
|||||||
Common
Stock, par value $.10 per share, issued 7,362,226 shares at January
31,
2008 and 7,270,167 shares at July 31, 2007
|
736
|
727
|
|||||
Class
B Stock, par value $.10 per share, issued 2,239,538 shares at January
31,
2008 and 2,234,538 shares at July 31, 2007
|
224
|
223
|
|||||
Additional
paid-in capital
|
21,572
|
20,150
|
|||||
Restricted
unearned stock compensation
|
(824
|
)
|
(991
|
)
|
|||
Retained
earnings
|
103,386
|
100,503
|
|||||
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income
|
|||||||
Unrealized
gain on marketable securities
|
50
|
59
|
|||||
Pension
and postretirement benefits
|
869
|
857
|
|||||
Cumulative
translation adjustment
|
718
|
507
|
|||||
|
126,731
|
122,035
|
|||||
Less
Treasury Stock, at cost (2,286,226 Common and 324,741 Class B shares
at
January 31, 2008 and 2,286,226 Common and 324,741 Class B shares
at July
31, 2007)
|
(41,793
|
)
|
(41,793
|
)
|
|||
Total
Stockholders’ Equity
|
84,938
|
80,242
|
|||||
Total
Liabilities & Stockholders’ Equity
|
$
|
145,361
|
$
|
142,087
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial
statements.
4
OIL-DRI
CORPORATION OF AMERICA & SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings
(in
thousands, except for per share amounts)
(unaudited)
For
The Six Months Ended
January
31
|
|||||||
2008
|
2007
|
||||||
Net
Sales
|
$
|
113,311
|
$
|
105,002
|
|||
Cost
of Sales
|
(89,533
|
)
|
(82,842
|
)
|
|||
Gross
Profit
|
23,778
|
22,160
|
|||||
Selling,
General and Administrative Expenses
|
(17,111
|
)
|
(16,812
|
)
|
|||
Income
from Operations
|
6,667
|
5,348
|
|||||
Other
Income (Expense)
|
|||||||
Interest
expense
|
(1,144
|
)
|
(1,258
|
)
|
|||
Interest
income
|
652
|
691
|
|||||
Other,
net
|
133
|
147
|
|||||
Total
Other Income (Expense), Net
|
(359
|
)
|
(420
|
)
|
|||
Income
Before Income Taxes
|
6,308
|
4,928
|
|||||
Income
taxes
|
(1,735
|
)
|
(1,318
|
)
|
|||
Net
Income
|
4,573
|
3,610
|
|||||
Retained
Earnings
|
|||||||
Balance
at beginning of year
|
100,503
|
97,390
|
|||||
Cumulative
effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax*
|
—
|
(1,235
|
)
|
||||
Cash
dividends declared
|
(1,690
|
)
|
(1,513)
|
||||
Retained
Earnings – January 31
|
$
|
103,386
|
$
|
98,252
|
|||
Net
Income Per Share
|
|||||||
Basic
Common
|
$
|
0.70
|
$
|
0.58
|
|||
Basic
Class B
|
$
|
0.57
|
$
|
0.43
|
|||
Diluted
|
$
|
0.64
|
$
|
0.52
|
|||
Average
Shares Outstanding
|
|||||||
Basic
Common
|
5,033
|
4,861
|
|||||
Basic
Class B
|
1,846
|
1,810
|
|||||
Diluted
|
7,196
|
6,952
|
*See
Note
8 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements for a
description of the change in
accounting for stripping costs incurred during production.
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial
statements.
5
OIL-DRI
CORPORATION OF AMERICA & SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(in
thousands of dollars)
(unaudited)
For
The Six Months Ended
January
31
|
|||||||
2008
|
2007
|
||||||
Net
Income
|
$
|
4,573
|
$
|
3,610
|
|||
Other
Comprehensive Income:
|
|||||||
Unrealized
(loss) gain on marketable securities
|
(9
|
)
|
15
|
||||
Pension
and postretirement benefits
|
12
|
||||||
Cumulative
Translation Adjustments
|
211
|
(28
|
)
|
||||
Total
Comprehensive Income
|
$
|
4,787
|
$
|
3,597
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial
statements.
6
OIL-DRI
CORPORATION OF AMERICA & SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Income
(in
thousands, except for per share amounts)
(unaudited)
For The Three Months Ended
January 31
|
|||||||
2008
|
2007
|
||||||
Net
Sales
|
$
|
58,026
|
$
|
52,873
|
|||
Cost
of Sales
|
(46,678
|
)
|
(41,376
|
)
|
|||
Gross
Profit
|
11,348
|
11,497
|
|||||
Selling,
General and Administrative Expenses
|
(8,251
|
)
|
(8,651
|
)
|
|||
Income
from Operations
|
3,097
|
2,846
|
|||||
Other
Income (Expense)
|
|||||||
Interest
expense
|
(570
|
)
|
(641
|
)
|
|||
Interest
income
|
284
|
353
|
|||||
Other,
net
|
71
|
122
|
|||||
Total
Other Income (Expense), Net
|
(215
|
)
|
(166
|
)
|
|||
Income
Before Income Taxes
|
2,882
|
2,680
|
|||||
Income
taxes
|
(793
|
)
|
(717
|
)
|
|||
Net
Income
|
$
|
2,089
|
$
|
1,963
|
|||
Net
Income Per Share
|
|||||||
Basic
Common
|
$
|
0.32
|
$
|
0.32
|
|||
Basic
Class B
|
$
|
0.26
|
$
|
0.23
|
|||
Diluted
|
$
|
0.29
|
$
|
0.28
|
|||
Average
Shares Outstanding
|
|||||||
Basic
Common
|
5,062
|
4,871
|
|||||
Basic
Class B
|
1,853
|
1,815
|
|||||
Diluted
|
7,239
|
6,987
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial
statements.
7
OIL-DRI
CORPORATION OF AMERICA & SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(in
thousands of dollars)
(unaudited)
For The Three Months Ended
January 31
|
|||||||
2008
|
2007
|
||||||
Net
Income
|
$
|
2,089
|
$
|
1,963
|
|||
Other
Comprehensive Income:
|
|||||||
Unrealized
(loss) gain on marketable securities
|
(35
|
)
|
7
|
||||
Pension
and postretirement benefits
|
6
|
—
|
|||||
Cumulative
Translation Adjustments
|
(236
|
)
|
(102
|
)
|
|||
Total
Comprehensive Income
|
$
|
1,824
|
$
|
1,868
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial
statements.
8
OIL-DRI
CORPORATION OF AMERICA & SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in
thousands of dollars)
(unaudited)
For
The Six Months Ended
January
31
|
|||||||
|
2008
|
2007
|
|||||
CASH
FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
|||||||
Net
Income
|
$
|
4,573
|
$
|
3,610
|
|||
Adjustments
to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
|
|||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
3,735
|
3,672
|
|||||
Amortization
of investment discount
|
(455
|
)
|
(447
|
)
|
|||
Non-cash
stock compensation expense
|
468
|
567
|
|||||
Excess
tax benefits for share-based payments
|
(238
|
)
|
(86
|
)
|
|||
Deferred
income taxes
|
10
|
(6
|
)
|
||||
Provision
for bad debts
|
120
|
205
|
|||||
Loss
on the sale of fixed assets
|
18
|
446
|
|||||
(Increase)
Decrease in:
|
|
||||||
Accounts
receivable
|
(2,159
|
)
|
(1,010
|
)
|
|||
Inventories
|
(1,159
|
)
|
1,268
|
||||
Prepaid
expenses
|
(1,196
|
)
|
(454
|
)
|
|||
Other
assets
|
180
|
(201
|
)
|
||||
Increase
(Decrease) in:
|
|||||||
Accounts
payable
|
144
|
(968
|
)
|
||||
Accrued
expenses
|
(1,893
|
)
|
(95
|
)
|
|||
Deferred
compensation
|
202
|
89
|
|||||
Other
liabilities
|
372
|
523
|
|||||
Total
Adjustments
|
(1,851
|
)
|
3,503
|
||||
Net
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
|
2,722
|
7,113
|
|||||
CASH
FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
|||||||
Capital
expenditures
|
(3,828
|
)
|
(4,098
|
)
|
|||
Proceeds
from sale of property, plant and equipment
|
28
|
30
|
|||||
Purchases
of investment securities
|
(56,006
|
)
|
(22,852
|
)
|
|||
Dispositions
of investment securities
|
50,000
|
23,700
|
|||||
Net
Cash Used in Investing Activities
|
(9,806
|
)
|
(3,220
|
)
|
|||
CASH
FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
|||||||
Principal
payments on notes payable
|
(80
|
)
|
(80
|
)
|
|||
Dividends
paid
|
(1,678
|
)
|
(1,509
|
)
|
|||
Proceeds
from issuance of common stock
|
893
|
496
|
|||||
Excess
tax benefits for share-based payments
|
238
|
86
|
|||||
Other,
net
|
68
|
36
|
|||||
Net
Cash Used in Financing Activities
|
(559
|
)
|
(971
|
)
|
|||
Effect
of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
|
(165
|
)
|
43
|
||||
Net
(Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
(7,808
|
)
|
2,965
|
||||
Cash
and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year
|
12,133
|
6,607
|
|||||
Cash
and Cash Equivalents, January 31
|
$
|
4,325
|
$
|
9,572
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial
statements.
9
OIL-DRI
CORPORATION OF AMERICA & SUBSIDIARIES
Notes
To Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
1. BASIS
OF STATEMENT PRESENTATION
The
accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and
with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly,
they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP
for complete financial statements. The financial statements and the related
notes are condensed and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements and related notes for the year ended July 31, 2007,
included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
The
unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts
of
the parent company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany
transactions are eliminated.
The
unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments,
consisting of normal recurring accruals, which are, in the opinion of
management, necessary for a fair presentation of the statements contained
herein. Operating results for the three months and the six months ended January
31, 2008 are not necessarily an indication of the results that may be expected
for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2008.
The
preparation of the unaudited financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP
requires the use of estimates and assumptions related to the reporting of
assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures. Estimates
are
revised periodically. Actual results could differ from these
estimates.
Under
the
terms of our sales agreements with customers, we recognize revenue when title
is
transferred. Upon shipment an invoice is generated that sets the fixed and
determinable price. Promotional reserves are provided for sales incentives
made
directly to consumers and customers and are netted against sales. Sales returns
and allowances have historically not been material. Selling, general and
administrative expenses include salaries, wages and benefits associated with
staff outside the manufacturing and distribution functions, advertising costs,
research and development costs and all other non-manufacturing and
non-distribution expenses.
We
evaluate our allowance for doubtful accounts utilizing a combination of a
historical experience and a periodic review of our accounts receivable aging
and
specific customer account analysis. We maintain and monitor a list of customers
whose creditworthiness has diminished.
As
part
of our overall operations, we mine sorbent materials on property that we either
own or lease. A significant part of our overall mining cost is incurred during
the process of removing the overburden (non-usable material) from the mine
site,
thus exposing the sorbent material that is then used in a majority of our
production processes. In accordance with EITF Issue No. 04-06, “Accounting for
Stripping Costs Incurred during Production in the Mining Industry,” production
stripping costs are treated as a variable inventory production cost and are
included in cost of sales in the period they are incurred. We defer and amortize
the pre-production overburden removal costs associated with opening a new
mine.
During
the normal course of our overburden removal activities we perform on-going
reclamation activities. As overburden is removed from a pit, it is hauled to
previously mined pits and used to refill older sites. This process allows us
to
continuously reclaim older pits and dispose of overburden simultaneously,
therefore minimizing the liability for the reclamation function.
Additionally,
it is our policy to capitalize the purchase cost of land and mineral rights,
including associated legal fees, survey fees and real estate fees. The costs
of
obtaining mineral patents, including legal fees and drilling expenses, are
also
capitalized. Pre-production development costs on new mines and any prepaid
royalties that can be offset against future royalties due upon extraction of
the
mineral are also capitalized. All exploration related costs are expensed as
incurred.
10
2. INVENTORIES
The
composition of inventories is as follows (in thousands of dollars):
January
31,
|
July
31,
|
||||||
2008
|
2007
|
||||||
Finished
goods
|
$
|
9,734
|
$
|
9,012
|
|||
Packaging
|
3,615
|
3,118
|
|||||
Other
|
3,047
|
3,107
|
|||||
$
|
16,396
|
$
|
15,237
|
Inventories
are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. Inventory
costs
include the cost of raw materials, packaging supplies, labor and other overhead
costs. We perform a quarterly review of our inventory items to determine if
an
obsolescence reserve adjustment is necessary. The review surveys all of our
operating facilities and sales groups to ensure that both historical issues
and
new market trends are considered. The allowance not only considers specific
items, but also takes into consideration the overall value of the inventory
as
of the balance sheet date. The inventory obsolescence reserve values at January
31, 2008 and July 31, 2007 were $183,000 and $199,000, respectively.
3. PENSION
AND OTHER POST RETIREMENT BENEFITS
The
components of net periodic pension benefits cost of our sponsored defined
benefit plans were as follows:
PENSION
PLANS
|
|||||||||||||
Three
Months Ended
|
Six
Months Ended
|
||||||||||||
January
31,
2008
|
January
31,
2007
|
January
31,
2008
|
January
31,
2007
|
||||||||||
|
(dollars
in thousands)
|
(dollars
in thousands)
|
|||||||||||
Components
of net periodic pension benefit cost:
|
|||||||||||||
Service
cost
|
$
|
212
|
$
|
198
|
$
|
424
|
$
|
405
|
|||||
Interest
cost
|
292
|
270
|
584
|
545
|
|||||||||
Expected
return on plan assets
|
(347
|
)
|
(301
|
)
|
(694
|
)
|
(602
|
)
|
|||||
Net
amortization
|
37
|
6
|
86
|
12
|
|||||||||
$
|
194
|
$
|
173
|
$
|
400
|
$
|
360
|
We
have
funded the plan based upon actuarially determined contributions that take into
account the amount deductible for income tax purposes, the normal cost and
the
minimum contribution required and the maximum contribution allowed under the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. We did not make
a
contribution to our pension plan during the first six months of fiscal 2008.
We
intend to make a contribution to the pension plan during the current fiscal
year
equal to the annual actuarial determined cost. We currently estimate this amount
to be approximately $830,000.
The
components of the net periodic postretirement health benefit cost were as
follows:
POST
RETIREMENT HEALTH BENEFITS
|
|||||||||||||
Three
Months Ended
|
Six
Months Ended
|
||||||||||||
January
31,
2008
|
January
31,
2007
|
January
31,
2008
|
January
31,
2007
|
||||||||||
|
(dollars
in thousands)
|
(dollars
in thousands)
|
|||||||||||
Components
of net periodic postretirement benefit cost:
|
|||||||||||||
Service
cost
|
$
|
17
|
$
|
16
|
$
|
34
|
$
|
32
|
|||||
Interest
cost
|
18
|
16
|
36
|
32
|
|||||||||
Amortization
of net transition obligation
|
4
|
4
|
8
|
8
|
|||||||||
Net
actuarial loss
|
(1
|
)
|
1
|
6
|
2
|
||||||||
$
|
38
|
$
|
37
|
$
|
84
|
$
|
74
|
Our
plan
covering postretirement health benefits is an unfunded plan.
11
Assumptions
used in the previous calculations are as follows:
PENSION
PLAN
|
POST
RETIREMENT
HEALTH
BENEFITS
|
||||||||||||
For
three and six months ended:
|
|||||||||||||
January
31,
2008
|
January
31,
2007
|
January
31,
2008
|
January
31,
2007
|
||||||||||
Discount
rate for net periodic benefit cost
|
6.25
|
%
|
6.25
|
%
|
6.25
|
%
|
6.25
|
%
|
|||||
Rate
of increase in compensation levels
|
4.00
|
%
|
4.00
|
%
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||
Long-term
expected rate of return on assets
|
8.00
|
%
|
8.00
|
%
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||
Medical
trend
|
—
|
—
|
6.00
|
%
|
6.00
|
%
|
|||||||
Measurement
date
|
7/31/2007
|
7/31/2006
|
7/31/2007
|
7/31/2006
|
|||||||||
Census
date
|
8/1/2006
|
8/1/2005
|
8/1/2006
|
8/1/2005
|
4.
RECENTLY
ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In
December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 141 (Revised 2007),
Business
Combinations (SFAS
No.
141-R). SFAS No.141-R will significantly change the accounting for future
business combinations after adoption. SFAS No. 141-R establishes principles
and
requirements for how the acquirer of a business recognizes and measures in
its
financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed,
and any non controlling interest in the acquired business. SFAS No. 141-R also
provides guidance for recognizing and measuring the goodwill acquired in the
business combination and determines what information to disclose to enable
users
of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of
the
business combination. SFAS No. 141-R is effective for fiscal years, and interim
periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008.
Earlier adoption is prohibited. We will adopt this Statement as of August 1,
2009. When we adopt this Statement, we will apply it to future periods in the
event that we have an acquisition.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling
Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—An Amendment of ARB No.
51.
This
statement establishes new accounting and reporting standards for the
noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a
subsidiary. SFAS No. 160 requires the noncontrolling interest to be reported
as
a component of equity, changes in a parent’s ownership interest while the parent
retains its controlling interest be accounted for as equity transactions, and
any retained noncontrolling equity investment upon the deconsolidation of a
subsidiary be initially measured at fair value. SFAS No. 160 is effective for
fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or
after December 15, 2008. Earlier adoption is prohibited. We will adopt this
Statement as of August 1, 2009. We are currently evaluating the impact SFAS
No.
160 will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In
September 2006, the FASB
issued
SFAS No. 157, Fair
Value Measurements.
This
Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and expands
disclosures about fair value measurements. In February 2008, SFAS No. 157 was
amended by FASB Staff Positions (“FSP”) SFAS No. 157-1 Application
of FASB Statement No. 157 to FASB Statement No. 13 and Other Accounting
Pronouncements That Address Fair Value Measurements for Purposes of Lease
Classification or Measurement under Statement 13
and by
FSP SFAS No. 157-2 Effective
Date of FASB Statement No. 157.
FSP
SFAS No. 157-1 amends SFAS No. 157 to exclude FASB Statement No. 13,
Accounting
for Leases, and
other
accounting pronouncements that address fair value measurements for purposes
of
lease classification or measurement under Statement 13.
FSP SFAS
No. 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for
nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are
recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring
basis (at least annually). We will adopt the provisions of these Statements
as
of August 1, 2008. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting these
Statements on our consolidated financial statements.
12
5. SEGMENT
REPORTING
SFAS
No.
131, “Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information”
establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments. Under
this standard, we have two reportable operating segments: Retail and Wholesale
Products and Business to Business Products. These segments are managed
separately because each business has different customer characteristics. Net
sales and operating income for each segment are provided below. Revenues by
product line are not provided because it would be impracticable to do
so.
The
accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note
1 of
the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form
10-K
for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Management
does not rely on any segment asset allocations and does not consider them
meaningful because of the shared nature of our production facilities; however,
we have estimated the segment asset allocations as follows:
Assets
|
|||||||
January
31,
|
July
31,
|
||||||
2008
|
2007
|
||||||
(in
thousands)
|
|||||||
Business
to Business Products
|
$
|
36,575
|
$
|
35,298
|
|||
Retail
and Wholesale Products
|
64,493
|
61,992
|
|||||
Unallocated
Assets
|
44,293
|
44,797
|
|||||
Total
Assets
|
$
|
145,361
|
$
|
142,087
|
Six
Months Ended January 31,
|
|||||||||||||
Net
Sales
|
Operating
Income
|
||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||||||
(in
thousands)
|
|||||||||||||
Business
to Business Products
|
$
|
35,480
|
$
|
33,782
|
$
|
7,657
|
$
|
6,249
|
|||||
Retail
and Wholesale Products
|
77,831
|
71,220
|
8,233
|
8,089
|
|||||||||
Total
Sales/Operating Income
|
$
|
113,311
|
$
|
105,002
|
15,890
|
14,338
|
|||||||
Less:
|
|||||||||||||
Corporate
Expenses
|
9,090
|
8,843
|
|||||||||||
Interest
Expense, net of
|
|||||||||||||
Interest
Income
|
492
|
567
|
|||||||||||
Income
before Income Taxes
|
6,308
|
4,928
|
|||||||||||
Income
Taxes
|
(1,735
|
)
|
(1,318
|
)
|
|||||||||
Net
Income
|
$
|
4,573
|
$
|
3,610
|
Three
Months Ended January 31,
|
|||||||||||||
Net
Sales
|
Operating
Income
|
||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2008
|
2007
|
||||||||||
(in
thousands)
|
|||||||||||||
Business
to Business Products
|
$
|
18,563
|
$
|
16,897
|
$
|
3,656
|
$
|
2,851
|
|||||
Retail
and Wholesale Products
|
39,463
|
35,976
|
3,883
|
4,540
|
|||||||||
Total
Sales/Operating Income
|
$
|
58,026
|
$
|
52,873
|
7,539
|
7,391
|
|||||||
Less:
|
|||||||||||||
Corporate
Expenses
|
4,371
|
4,423
|
|||||||||||
Interest
Expense, net of
|
|||||||||||||
Interest
Income
|
286
|
288
|
|||||||||||
Income
before Income Taxes
|
2,882
|
2,680
|
|||||||||||
Income
Taxes
|
(793
|
)
|
(717
|
)
|
|||||||||
Net
Income
|
$
|
2,089
|
$
|
1,963
|
13
6. STOCK-BASED
COMPENSATION
We
adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004),
“Share-Based Payments” (“SFAS 123R”) in the first quarter of fiscal 2006. In
accordance with this pronouncement, we record compensation expense for all
awards granted after the date of adoption and for the unvested portion of
previously granted awards that remain outstanding at the date of adoption.
The
stock-based compensation expense in the first six months of fiscal years 2008
and 2007 is the cost related to the unvested portion of grants issued after
August 1, 2000 and grants issued after July 31, 2005. The stock options granted
before August 1, 2000 were fully vested as of the beginning of fiscal
2006.
Stock
Options
Our
1995
Long Term Incentive Plan (the “1995 Plan”) provided for grants of both incentive
and non-qualified stock options principally at an option price per share of
100%
of the fair market value of our Class A Common Stock or, if no Class A Common
Stock is outstanding, our Common Stock (“Stock”) on the date of grant. Stock
options were generally granted with a five-year vesting period and a 10-year
term. The stock options generally vest 25% two years after the grant date and
25% in each of the three following anniversaries of the grant date. This plan
expired for purposes of issuing new grants on August 5, 2005. All stock issued
from option exercises under this plan were from authorized but unissued stock.
All restricted stock issued was from treasury stock.
On
March
14, 2006, our Board of Directors unanimously approved adoption of the Oil-Dri
Corporation of America 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan; our Board amended and
restated the plan following the five-for-four stock split described below (as
so
amended and restated, the “2006 Plan”). The 2006 Plan was approved by our
stockholders at our annual meeting on December 5, 2006. The 2006 Plan permits
the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock,
restricted stock units, performance awards and other stock-based and cash-based
awards. Our employees and non-employee directors are eligible to receive
grants under the 2006 Plan. The total number of shares of Stock subject to
grants under the 2006 Plan may not exceed 919,500. Option grants covering 25,000
shares were issued to our outside directors with a vesting period of one year
and option grants covering 32,500 shares were issued to employees with vesting
similar to the vesting described above under the 1995 Plan. There were 90,000
shares of restricted stock issued under the 2006 Plan.
The
Oil-Dri Corporation of America Outside Director Stock Plan (the “Directors’
Plan”) provides for grants of stock options to our directors at an option price
per share of 100% of the fair market value of Common Stock on the date of grant.
Our directors are considered employees under the provisions of SFAS 123R. Stock
options have been granted to our directors for a 10-year term with a one year
vesting period. There are 106,250 stock options outstanding as of January 31,
2008, and no stock options available for future grants under this plan. All
stock issued under this plan were from treasury stock.
A
five-for-four stock split was announced by our Board on June 6, 2006. In keeping
with historical practices, we have adjusted the number of shares and the option
prices to equitably adjust all outstanding stock options. Under SFAS 123R,
the
equitable adjustment of outstanding options to reflect a change in
capitalization (such as a stock split) may require the recognition of
incremental compensation expense if the adjustment is not determined to have
been required by the actual terms of the equity incentive plan. The Directors’
Plan and the 1995 Plan may be deemed to have been discretionary, rather than
required by the actual terms of these plans. We therefore recognized additional
stock-based compensation expense as a result of the modification of
approximately $96,000 and $105,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 and
2007, respectively, and $207,000 and $247,000 in the first six months of fiscal
2008 and 2007, respectively.
The
fair
value of the fiscal 2007 stock options was estimated on the date of grant using
a Black-Scholes option valuation model. The
assumptions used during the full fiscal 2007 were: volatility, 22.4%; risk
free
interest rate, 4.6%; expected life, 5.0 years; dividend rate, 2.8%. There were
no stock options granted in the first six months of fiscal 2008. The
risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time
of grant. The expected life (estimated period of time outstanding) of the
options granted was estimated by reference to the vesting schedule, historical
and future expected exercise behavior of employees and comparison with other
reporting companies. Expected volatility was based on historical volatility
for
a period of five years, ending the day of grant, and calculated on a daily
basis. The dividend rate is based on the actual dividend and share price on
the
grant date.
14
Changes
in our stock options during the first six months of fiscal 2008 were as
follows:
Number
of
Shares
(in
thousands)
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
|
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(Years)
|
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in
thousands)
|
||||||||||
Options
outstanding, July 31, 2007
|
786
|
$
|
8.87
|
$
|
8,789
|
||||||||
Exercised
|
(97
|
)
|
$
|
9.20
|
$
|
983
|
|||||||
Cancelled
|
(10
|
)
|
$
|
9.33
|
$
|
101
|
|||||||
Options
outstanding, January 31, 2008
|
679
|
$
|
8.81
|
4.6
|
$
|
7,633
|
|||||||
Options
exercisable, January 31, 2008
|
460
|
$
|
8.84
|
4.3
|
$
|
5,157
|
The
amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options during the second
quarter of fiscal 2008 was $302,000 and the related tax benefit was $80,000.
The
amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options during the first
six
months of fiscal 2008 was $895,000 and the related tax benefit was
$238,000.
Restricted
Stock
Our
1995
Plan and 2006 Plan both provide for grants of restricted stock. The vesting
schedule under the 1995 Plan has varied, but has generally been three years
or
less. Under the 2006 Plan, the grants issued so far have vesting periods between
three and five years.
Included
in our stock-based compensation expense in the second quarter of fiscal years
2008 and 2007 is $84,000 and $82,000, respectively, related to the unvested
restricted stock granted in fiscal 2005 and the 90,000 shares of restricted
stock granted in fiscal 2006. In the first six months of fiscal years 2008
and
2007, the expense related to the unvested restricted stock was $164,000 and
$167,000, respectively. No shares of restricted stock were granted in the first
six months of fiscal 2008.
Changes
in our restricted stock outstanding during the first six months of fiscal 2008
were as follows:
(shares
in thousands)
|
|
||||||
|
|
Restricted
Shares
|
|
Weighted
Average
Grant
Date
Fair
Value
|
|
||
Unvested
restricted stock at July 31, 2007
|
76
|
$
|
15.38
|
||||
Vested
|
(18
|
)
|
|||||
Unvested
restricted stock at January 31, 2008
|
58
|
$
|
15.39
|
7. RECENTLY
ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PROUNOUNCEMENT
We
adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income
Taxes,” (“FIN 48”) on August 1, 2007. This interpretation clarifies the
accounting for uncertainty in income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109,
“Accounting for Income Taxes.” The pronouncement provides a recognition
threshold and measurement guidance for the financial statement recognition
of a
tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Under FIN 48, the
impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be
recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained
upon audit by the relevant taxing authority. An uncertain income tax position
will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained.
Additionally, FIN 48 provides guidance on derecognition, declassification,
interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and
transition.
As
of
August 1, 2007, we have recognized no material adjustments in the liability
for
unrecognized income tax benefits. As of the adoption date on August 1, 2007,
we
had approximately $200,000 of unrecognized tax benefits, all of which would
impact our effective tax rate if recognized. The amount of unrecognized tax
benefits was not materially changed as of January 31, 2008.
We
recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income
tax expense. We have no material accrued interest expense or penalties related
to unrecognized tax benefits.
15
We
are
subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax in multiple state
and
foreign jurisdictions. Our federal income tax returns for the fiscal years
ending July 31, 2004, through July 31, 2006, remain open for examination by
the
IRS. However, all U.S. federal income tax examinations for the fiscal years
through July 31, 2005, have been effectively concluded. Foreign and U.S. state
jurisdictions have statutes of limitations generally ranging from 3 to 5 years.
The state impact of any federal income tax changes remains subject to
examination by various states for a period of up to one year after formal
notification to the states. There are no material open or unsettled federal,
state, local or foreign income tax audits. We believe our accrual for tax
liabilities is adequate for all open audit years. This assessment is based
on
estimates and assumptions that may involve judgments about future events. On
the
basis of present information, we do not anticipate the total unrecognized tax
benefits will significantly change due to the settlement of audits or the
expiration of statue of limitations in the next twelve months.
8.
CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING FOR STRIPPING COSTS INCURRED DURING
PRODUCTION
In
March
2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ratified the consensus reached
in
EITF Issue No. 04-06 (“EITF Issue 04-06”), “Accounting for Stripping Costs
Incurred during Production in the Mining Industry.” The consensus was effective
for the first fiscal period in the fiscal year beginning after December 15,
2005; therefore, we adopted the pronouncement at the beginning of fiscal 2007.
The consensus on EITF Issue 04-06 calls for production stripping costs to be
treated as a variable inventory production cost and to be included in cost
of
sales in the period they are incurred. We will continue to defer and amortize
the pre-production overburden removal costs associated with opening a new mine.
Prior
to
this new pronouncement, we recorded these production stripping costs in a
prepaid expense account and, as the usable sorbent material was mined, the
prepaid overburden removal expense was amortized over the estimated available
material. In accordance with the transition guidance provided by this new
pronouncement, we wrote off the August 1, 2006 balance of our prepaid overburden
removal expense account to opening retained earnings, with no charge to current
earnings. The results for prior periods have not been restated. The cumulative
effect adjustment reduced opening retained earnings by $1,235,000, eliminated
the $1,686,000 balance of the prepaid overburden removal expense account and
adjusted our tax accounts by $451,000.
9. |
SALE
OF EMISSION REDUCTION
CREDITS
|
During
the first quarter of fiscal 2008, we entered into an agreement to sell emission
reduction credits we hold in the State of California to an unaffiliated third
party. On November 1, 2007, during our second quarter of fiscal 2008, the San
Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District completed the transfer of
ownership forms and releases, thereby allowing consummation of the sale. Cost
of
sales for the three and six months ending January 31, 2008, was reduced by
the
net proceeds of $507,000 as a result of this sale.
16
ITEM
2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The
following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of
operations should be read together with the financial statements and the related
notes included herein and our consolidated financial statements, accompanying
notes and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended July 31, 2007. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from
the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might
cause a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed under
“Forward-Looking Statements” and Item 1A (Risk Factors) of our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007.
OVERVIEW
We
develop, manufacture and market sorbent products principally produced from
clay
minerals and, to a lesser extent, other sorbent materials. Our principal
products include cat litter, industrial and automotive absorbents, bleaching
clay and clarification aids, agricultural chemical carriers, animal health
and
nutrition and sports field products. Our products are sold to two primary
customer groups, including customers who resell our products as originally
produced to the end customer and those who use our products as part of their
production process or use them as an ingredient in their final finished product.
We have two reportable segments, the Retail and Wholesale Products Group and
the
Business to Business Products Group, as described in Note 5 of the unaudited
condensed financial statements.
RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
SIX
MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2008 COMPARED TO
SIX
MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2007
Consolidated
net sales for the six months ended January 31, 2008 were $113,311,000, an
increase of 8% from net sales of $105,002,000 in the first six months of fiscal
2007. Net income for the first six months of fiscal 2008 was $4,573,000, an
increase of 27% from net income of $3,610,000 in the first six months of fiscal
2007. Diluted income per share for the first six months of fiscal 2008 was
$0.64
versus $0.52 diluted net income per share for the first six months of fiscal
2007.
Net
income for the first six months of fiscal 2008 was positively impacted by
overall higher net selling prices, increased volume, lower cost of fuel used
in
the manufacturing process and a $507,000 reduction in cost of sales resulting
from the sale of emission reduction credits, as described in Note 9 of the
unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Net income was negatively
impacted by higher freight and packaging costs. Freight costs increased
significantly due to record diesel fuel prices in both the trucking and rail
distribution channels and changes in our customer geographic distribution mix.
Packaging costs were up due to price increases in the resin and paper markets.
Net
sales
of the Business to Business Products Group for the first six months of fiscal
2008 were $35,480,000, an increase of $1,698,000 from net sales of $33,782,000
in the first six months of fiscal 2007. Total tons sold for the Group were
down
3% compared to the first six months of fiscal 2007; however, the mix of products
and increased selling prices provided for higher sales in the first six months
of fiscal 2008. Sales of bleaching earth and fluid purification products were
up
16% due to increased selling prices and higher tons sold. The higher tonnage
was
due to increased sales to existing customers and new business, which included
applications in the biodiesel production industry. Our co-packaged cat litter
sales increased 2% due to a higher selling price and a new co-packaging
customer. Sales of animal health and nutrition products also increased primarily
due to higher volume and selling price increases for our mycotoxin binder and
animal feed binder products. Conversely, sales of agricultural chemical carriers
were down due to 16% lower volume caused by the continued market erosion due
to
growth of genetically modified seed and seed treatments.
The
Business to Business Products Group’s segment income increased 23% from
$6,249,000 in the first six months of fiscal 2007 to $7,657,000 in the first
six
months of fiscal 2008. A higher net selling price for most products in the
Group
offset an increase of approximately 7% in combined freight and packaging costs.
Freight costs increased significantly due to higher diesel fuel prices.
Packaging costs were up due to price increases in the resin and paper markets.
Net
sales
of the Retail and Wholesale Products Group for the first six months of fiscal
2008 were $77,831,000, an increase of $6,611,000 from net sales of $71,220,000
reported in the first six months of fiscal 2007. Total tons sold for the Group
were up 8%. Cat litter tons sold increased 18%. Net sales of private label
cat
litter increased 47% due to higher volume and price increases. The higher volume
is the result of new distribution to existing customers as well as new
customers. In contrast, branded cat litter sales declined 7% due to loss of
a
customer. Sales of industrial absorbents were down 5% due to lower
volume.
17
The
Retail and Wholesale Products Group’s segment income increased 2% from
$8,089,000 in the first six months of fiscal 2007 to $8,233,000 in the first
six
months of fiscal 2008. The Group’s overall increase in sales was mostly offset
by higher costs. Freight costs were approximately 18% higher in the first six
months of fiscal 2008 compared to the first six months of fiscal 2007. The
cost
of freight has increased significantly due to higher fuel costs and the
geographic distribution mix of customers. The Group’s product margins were also
negatively impacted by increased packaging costs.
Our
consolidated gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the first six months
of fiscal 2008 was 21%, the same as in the first six months of
fiscal
2007. Increased freight costs were offset by net selling price increases and
a
4% decrease in the cost of fuel used in the manufacturing process. Cost of
sales
for the first six months of fiscal 2008 was also reduced by $507,000 as a result
of the sale of emission reduction credits as described in Note 9 of the
unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Non-fuel manufacturing
costs were flat with the prior year.
Selling,
general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales for the first
six months of fiscal 2008 were 15%, compared to 16% in the first six months
of
fiscal 2007. Expenses in the first six months of fiscal
2008 included a lower discretionary bonus accrual and lower stock compensation
expense, which were partially offset by increased spending for research and
development. Discretionary bonus targets are revised each year. Stock
compensation expense declined as existing grants were fully expensed and no
new
grants were issued. Research and development costs increased as we focused
on
new product development and improvements in existing products.
Interest
expense was down $114,000 for the first six months of fiscal 2008 compared
to
the same period in fiscal 2007 due to continued debt reduction. Interest income
was down $39,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. A
lower
average interest rate offset the benefit of higher average investment balances.
Our
effective tax rate was 28% of pre-tax income in the first six months of fiscal
2008 compared to 27% in the first six months of fiscal 2007. The effective
tax
rate is up slightly based on the projected composition of our taxable income
for
fiscal 2008.
Total
assets increased $3,274,000 or 2% during the first six months of fiscal 2008.
Current assets increased $3,048,000 or 4% from fiscal 2007 year-end balances,
primarily due to an increase in investments, accounts receivable, inventories
and prepaid expenses. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in
cash and cash equivalents. The changes in current assets are described in
Liquidity and Capital Resources. Property, plant and equipment, net of
accumulated depreciation, increased $287,000 during the first six months of
fiscal 2008.
Total
liabilities decreased $1,410,000 during the first six months of fiscal 2008.
Current liabilities increased $2,017,000 or 7% primarily due to an increase
in
current maturities of notes payable, accrued trade spending and other accrued
expenses. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease in accrued
salaries. The changes in current liabilities are described in Liquidity and
Capital Resources. Non-current liabilities decreased $3,427,000 or 10% due
to a
reclassification of notes payable from long-term to current.
THREE
MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2008 COMPARED TO
THREE
MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2007
Consolidated
net sales for the three months ended January 31, 2008 were $58,026,000, an
increase of 10% from net sales of $52,873,000 in the second quarter of fiscal
2007. Net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 was $2,089,000, an
increase of 6% from net income of $1,963,000 in the second quarter of fiscal
2007. Diluted income per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 was $0.29
versus $0.28 diluted net income per share for the second quarter of fiscal
2007.
Net
income for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 was positively impacted by overall
higher net selling prices, increased volume, lower cost of fuel used in the
manufacturing process and a $507,000 reduction in cost of sales as a result
of
the sale of emission reduction credits as described in Note 9 of the unaudited
condensed consolidated financial statements. Net income for the quarter was
negatively impacted by higher freight, packaging and material costs. Freight
costs increased significantly due to record diesel fuel prices and changes
in
our customer geographic distribution mix. Higher selling prices in the Business
to Business Products Group contributed to the increased net income; however,
higher volume in the Retail and Wholesale Products Group could not overcome
a
decreased net selling price and higher costs.
18
Net
sales
of the Business to Business Products Group for the second quarter of fiscal
2008
were $18,563,000, an increase of $1,666,000 from net sales of $16,897,000 in
the
second quarter of fiscal 2007. Total tons sold for the Group were even with
the
second quarter of fiscal 2007; however, increased selling prices provided for
higher sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. Sales of bleaching earth
and
fluid purification products were up 20% due to increased selling prices and
higher tons sold. The higher tonnage was due to increased sales to existing
customers and new business, which included applications in the biodiesel
production industry. Our co-packaged cat litter sales increased 8% due to a
higher selling price and a new co-packaging customer. Sales of animal health
and
nutrition products also increased due to price increases for our mycotoxin
binder products. Sales of agricultural chemical carriers and our Flo-Fre
product, a by-product of the chemical carrier manufacturing process, were up
due
to a higher selling price which offset lower volume.
The
Business to Business Products Group’s segment income increased 28% from
$2,851,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 to $3,656,000 in the second
quarter of fiscal 2008. The increase in sales due to the higher net selling
price for most products in the Group was partially offset by a combined freight,
packaging and material costs increase of approximately 10%. Freight costs
increased significantly due to higher diesel fuel prices. Packaging costs were
up due to price increases in the resin and paper markets.
Net
sales
of the Retail and Wholesale Products Group for the second quarter of fiscal
2008
were $39,463,000, an increase of $3,487,000 from net sales of $35,976,000
reported in the second quarter of fiscal 2007. Total tons sold for the Group
were up 11%. Cat litter tons sold increased 22%. Net sales of private label
cat
litter increased 49% due to higher volume and price increases. The higher volume
was the result of new distribution to existing customers and new customers.
In
contrast, branded cat litter sales declined 6% due to loss of a customer. Sales
of industrial absorbents were down for the quarter due to lower
volume.
The
Retail and Wholesale Products Group’s segment income decreased 15% from
$4,540,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 to $3,883,000 in the second
quarter of fiscal 2008. The Group’s increase in volume was not sufficient to
offset an overall decrease in net selling price and higher costs. The decrease
in net selling price was driven by higher trade spending and product mix.
Freight costs were approximately 21% higher in the second quarter of fiscal
2008
compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2007. The cost of freight has increased
significantly due to higher fuel costs and the geographic distribution mix
of
customers. Our product margins were also negatively impacted by increased
packaging costs.
Consolidated
gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the second
quarter
of
fiscal 2008 was 20%, compared to 22% for the second quarter
of
fiscal 2007. Increased freight and packaging costs and a reduced net selling
price in the Retail and Wholesale Products Group were partially offset by a
6%
decrease in the cost of fuel used in the manufacturing process. Cost of sales
for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 was reduced by $507,000 as a result of
the
sale of emission reduction credits as described in Note 9 of the unaudited
condensed consolidated financial statements. Non-fuel manufacturing costs were
flat with the prior year.
Selling,
general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales for the second
quarter of fiscal 2008 were 14%, compare to 16% in the second quarter of fiscal
2007. The second quarter of fiscal
2008
expenses included a lower discretionary bonus accrual and lower stock
compensation expense. Discretionary bonus targets are revised each year. Stock
compensation expense declined as existing grants were fully expensed and no
new
grants were issued. These decreases were partially offset by increased spending
for research and development as we focused on new product development and
improvements in existing products.
Interest
expense was down $71,000 for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 compared to
the
same period in fiscal 2007 due to continued debt reduction. Interest income
was
down $69,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. A lower average interest
rate
offset the benefit of higher average investment balances.
Our
effective tax rate was 28% of pre-tax income in the second quarter of fiscal
2008 compared to 27% in the second quarter of fiscal 2007. The effective tax
rate is up slightly based on the projected composition of our taxable income
for
fiscal 2008.
FOREIGN
OPERATIONS
Net
sales
by our foreign subsidiaries during the first six months of fiscal 2008 were
$8,698,000 or 8% of total Company sales. This represents an increase of 2%
from
the first six months of fiscal 2007, in which foreign subsidiary sales were
$8,510,000 or 8% of total Company sales. The increase in net sales was seen
in
our United Kingdom subsidiary, while our Canadian subsidiary’s net sales were
flat with the comparable period in fiscal 2007. The United Kingdom sales were
up
due to higher selling prices and higher volume. In our Canadian subsidiary,
higher selling prices were offset by lower volume for both cat litter and
industrial products. For the first six months of fiscal 2008, our foreign
subsidiaries reported net income of $488,000, an increase of $179,000 from
the
$309,000 net income reported in the first six months of fiscal 2007. Higher
selling prices and lower material costs contributed to the improved net
income.
19
Identifiable
assets of our foreign subsidiaries as of January 31, 2008 were $10,195,000
compared to $9,528,000 as of January 31, 2007. The increase was driven by higher
cash and investments and accounts receivable corresponding to the increased
sales.
Net
sales
by our foreign subsidiaries during the second quarter of fiscal 2008 were
$4,206,000 or 7% of total Company sales, which is flat with the second quarter
of fiscal 2007, in which foreign subsidiary sales were $4,212,000 or 8% of
total
Company sales. Net sales for our United Kingdom subsidiary were up $148,000,
while net sales of our Canadian subsidiary were down a corresponding amount.
Selling prices were up for both subsidiaries; however, volume was down for
our
Canadian subsidiary. For the second quarter of fiscal 2008, our foreign
subsidiaries reported net income of $165,000, a decrease of $173,000 from the
$338,000 net income reported in the second quarter of fiscal 2007. Our Canadian
operations were negatively impacted by increased labor and freight costs.
LIQUIDITY
AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our
principal capital requirements include funding working capital needs, the
purchasing and upgrading of real estate, equipment and facilities, funding
new
product development and investing in infrastructure and potential acquisitions.
We principally have used cash generated from operations and, to the extent
needed, issuance of debt securities and borrowings under our credit facilities
to fund these requirements. Cash and cash equivalents decreased $7,808,000
during the first six months of fiscal 2008 to $4,325,000 at January 31, 2008.
The
following table sets forth certain elements of our unaudited condensed
consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands):
Six
Months Ended
|
|||||||
January 31, 2008
|
January 31, 2007
|
||||||
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
$
|
2,722
|
$
|
7,113
|
|||
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
(9,806
|
)
|
(3,220
|
)
|
|||
Net
cash used in provided by financing activities
|
(559
|
)
|
(971
|
)
|
|||
Effect
of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
|
(165
|
)
|
43
|
||||
Net
(decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
$
|
(7,808
|
)
|
$
|
2,965
|
Net
cash provided by operating activities
Net
cash
provided by operations was $2,722,000 for the six months ended January 31,
2008,
compared to $7,113,000 for the six months ended January 31, 2007. The decrease
was due primarily to changes in working capital that offset the increase in
net
income. For the first six months of fiscal years 2008 and 2007, the primary
components of working capital that impacted operating cash flows were as
follows:
Accounts
receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts, increased by $2,040,000 in
the
first six months of fiscal 2008 versus an increase of $1,010,000 in the first
six months of fiscal 2007. The increase in accounts receivable for both fiscal
years was due to higher sales in the second quarter compared to sales in the
fourth quarter of the preceding fiscal year. The comparative sales increase
was
greater for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 (particularly in the month of
January) resulting in a larger increase in accounts receivable.
Inventories
increased $1,159,000 in the first six months of fiscal 2008, versus a decrease
of $1,268,000 in the same period in fiscal 2007. Finished goods and packaging
inventories increased in the first six months of fiscal 2008. The increase
in
finished goods inventory was a planned effort to meet future demand of specific
products. The increase in packaging inventory was due to higher costs and
increased safety stock for bag items. Inventories decreased in the first six
months of fiscal 2007 due to a concerted effort to reduce packaging inventory
levels, lower fuel inventory and procurement cost reduction
initiatives.
Other
prepaid expenses increased $1,196,000 in the first six months of fiscal 2008
versus an increase of $454,000 in the first six months of fiscal 2007. The
timing of insurance premium payments resulted in an increase in prepaid expenses
in both years. Prepaid income taxes also increased due to timing of tax payments
in the first six months of fiscal 2008.
20
Accounts
payable decreased $51,000 in the first six months of fiscal 2008 versus a
decrease of $968,000 in the same period in fiscal 2007. The decrease in both
periods was due to the normal fluctuations in the timing of payments and a
decline in manufacturing fuel costs.
Accrued
expenses decreased $1,945,000 in the first six months of fiscal 2008 versus
a
decrease of $95,000 in the first six months of fiscal 2007. In the first six
months of fiscal 2008, accrued salaries was down due to the payout of the prior
year’s discretionary bonus accrual. Partially offsetting this decrease was
higher accrued trade spending due to increased advertising and an increase
in
accrued freight due to higher freight costs. In the first six months of fiscal
2007, accrued trade spending decreased due to timing and reduction of
promotional activities. Other accrued expenses decreased due to lower packaging
and fuel inventories and timing of real estate tax payments. These decreases
were partially offset by a higher audit expense accrual and an increase in
accrued salaries. The audit expense accrual was higher due to additional expense
to comply with the internal control reporting requirements mandated by Section
404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Accrued salaries were up due to a higher
estimated fiscal 2007 discretionary bonus accrual.
Net
cash used in investing activities
Cash
used
in investing activities was $9,806,000 in the first six months of fiscal 2008
compared to $3,220,000 in the first six months of fiscal 2007. In the first
six
months of fiscal 2008, more cash was used for purchases of investment securities
as compared to the first six months of fiscal 2007. We have changed our
investment strategy to allocate a greater portion of our financial resources
to
investments versus cash. Purchases and dispositions of investment securities
in
both periods are also subject to variations in the timing of investment
maturities. Capital expenditures were $3,828,000 in the first six months of
fiscal 2008 compared to $4,098,000 in the same period of fiscal 2007.
Net
cash used in financing activities
Cash
used
in financing activities was $559,000 in the first six months of fiscal 2008
compared to $971,000 in the first six months of fiscal 2007. Dividend payments
were $1,678,000 in the first six months of fiscal 2008, compared to $1,509,000
in the first six months of fiscal 2007 due to a dividend increase. Conversely,
higher stock options exercise activity in the first six months of fiscal 2008
provided $893,000 from the issuance of common stock compared to $496,000 for
the
same period in fiscal 2007. The increase in stock option exercises also provided
an excess tax benefit of $238,000 in the first six months of fiscal 2008
compared to $86,000 in the same period of fiscal 2007.
Other
Total
cash and investment balances held by our foreign subsidiaries at January 31,
2008 and 2007 were $1,372,000 and $848,000, respectively.
Our
foreign subsidiaries’ investment balances increased due to higher net income.
As
part
of our normal course of business, we guarantee certain debts and trade payables
of our wholly owned subsidiaries. These arrangements are made at the request
of
the subsidiaries’ creditors because separate financial statements are not
distributed for the wholly owned subsidiaries. As of January 31, 2008, the
value
of these guarantees was $2,500,000 of long-term debt.
On
January 27, 2006, we entered into a $15,000,000 unsecured revolving credit
agreement with Harris N.A. (“Harris”) that is effective until January 27, 2009.
The credit agreement provides that we may select a variable rate based on either
Harris’ prime rate or a LIBOR-based rate, plus a margin which varies depending
on our debt to earnings ratio, or a fixed rate as agreed between us and Harris.
At January 31, 2008, the variable rates would have been 6.0% for the Harris’
prime-based rate or 3.5% for the LIBOR-based rate. The credit agreement contains
restrictive covenants that, among other things and under various conditions
(including a limitation on capital expenditures), limit our ability to incur
additional indebtedness or to dispose of assets. The agreement also requires
us
to maintain a minimum fixed coverage ratio and a minimum consolidated net worth.
As of January 31, 2008 and 2007, we had $15,000,000 available under this credit
facility and we were in compliance with its covenants.
We
believe that cash flow from operations, availability under our revolving credit
facility and current cash and investment balances will provide adequate cash
funds for foreseeable working capital needs, capital expenditures at existing
facilities and debt service obligations for at least the next 12 months. Our
ability to fund operations, to make planned capital expenditures, to make
scheduled debt payments and to remain in compliance with all of the financial
covenants under debt agreements, including, but not limited to, the credit
agreement, depends on our future operating performance, which, in turn, is
subject to prevailing economic conditions and to financial, business and other
factors. The timing and size of any new business ventures or acquisitions that
we complete may also impact the cash requirements.
21
Our
capital requirements are subject to change as business conditions warrant and
opportunities arise. The tables in the following subsection summarize our
contractual obligations and commercial commitments at January 31, 2008 for
the
time frames indicated.
CONTRACTUAL
OBLIGATIONS AND COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS
Payments
Due by Period
|
||||||||||||||||
Contractual
Obligations
|
Total
|
Less Than 1
Year
|
1 – 3 Years
|
4 – 5 Years
|
After 5 Years
|
|||||||||||
Long-Term
Debt
|
$
|
31,080,000
|
$
|
8,080,000
|
$
|
6,200,000
|
$
|
7,900,000
|
$
|
8,900,000
|
||||||
Interest
on Long-Term Debt
|
6,775,000
|
1,730,000
|
2,601,000
|
1,700,000
|
744,000
|
|||||||||||
Operating
Leases
|
12,881,000
|
2,412,000
|
3,476,000
|
2,537,000
|
4,456,000
|
|||||||||||
Unconditional
Purchase Obligations
|
4,088,000
|
4,088,000
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||||
Total
Contractual Cash Obligations
|
$
|
54,824,000
|
$
|
16,310,000
|
$
|
12,277,000
|
$
|
12,137,000
|
$
|
14,100,000
|
We
are
not required to make a contribution to our defined benefit pension plan in
fiscal 2008. We have not presented this obligation for future years in the
table
above because the funding requirement can vary from year to year based on
changes in the fair value of plan assets and actuarial assumptions.
As
of
January 31, 2008, our non-current liability for uncertain tax positions was
approximately $200,000, as described in Note 7 of the unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements. We have not presented this obligation in
the
table above because the timing of future cash flows is dependent on examinations
by taxing authorities and can not reasonably be estimated.
The
unconditional purchase obligations represent forward purchase contracts we
have
entered into for a portion of our natural gas fuel needs for fiscal 2008. As
of
January 31, 2008, the remaining purchase obligation for fiscal 2008 was
$4,088,000 for 470,000 MMBtu. These contracts were entered into in the normal
course of business and no contracts were entered into for speculative purposes.
Amount
of Commitment Expiration Per Period
|
||||||||||||||||
Other
Commercial
Commitments
|
Total
|
Less Than 1
Year |
1 – 3 Years
|
4 – 5 Years
|
After 5 Years
|
|||||||||||
Standby
Letters of Credit
|
$
|
253,000
|
$
|
253,000
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
||||||
Other
Commercial Commitments
|
28,465,000
|
28,465,000
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||||
Total
Commercial Commitments
|
$
|
28,718,000
|
$
|
28,718,000
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
CRITICAL
ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
This
discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is
based on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, which have
been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in
the
United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires the use
of
estimates and assumptions related to the reporting of assets, liabilities,
revenues, expenses and related disclosures. In preparing these financial
statements, we have made our best estimates and judgments of certain amounts
included in the financial statements. Estimates are revised periodically. Actual
results could differ from these estimates.
See
the
information concerning our critical accounting policies included under
Management’s Discussion of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007 filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is incorporated by reference
in
this Form 10-Q. For additional information on our adoption of FIN 48, see Note
7
of the notes to unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements in this
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
22
RECENTLY
ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In
December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 141 (Revised 2007),
Business
Combinations (SFAS
No.
141-R). SFAS No.141-R will significantly change the accounting for future
business combinations after adoption. SFAS No. 141-R establishes principles
and
requirements for how the acquirer of a business recognizes and measures in
its
financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed,
and any non controlling interest in the acquired business. SFAS No. 141-R also
provides guidance for recognizing and measuring the goodwill acquired in the
business combination and determines what information to disclose to enable
users
of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of
the
business combination. SFAS No. 141-R is effective for fiscal years, and interim
periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008.
Earlier adoption is prohibited. We will adopt this Statement as of August 1,
2009. When we adopt this Statement, we will apply it to future periods in the
event that we have an acquisition.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling
Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—An Amendment of ARB No. 51.
This
statement establishes new accounting and reporting standards for the
noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a
subsidiary. SFAS No. 160 requires the noncontrolling interest to be reported
as
a component of equity, changes in a parent’s ownership interest while the parent
retains its controlling interest be accounted for as equity transactions, and
any retained noncontrolling equity investment upon the deconsolidation of a
subsidiary be initially measured at fair value. SFAS No. 160 is effective for
fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or
after December 15, 2008. Earlier adoption is prohibited. We will adopt this
Statement as of August 1, 2009. We are currently evaluating the impact SFAS
No.
160 will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In
September 2006, the FASB
issued
SFAS No. 157, Fair
Value Measurements.
This
Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and expands
disclosures about fair value measurements. In February 2008, SFAS No. 157 was
amended by FASB Staff Positions (“FSP”) SFAS No. 157-1 Application
of FASB Statement No. 157 to FASB Statement No. 13 and Other Accounting
Pronouncements That Address Fair Value Measurements for Purposes of Lease
Classification or Measurement under Statement 13
and by
FSP SFAS No. 157-2 Effective
Date of FASB Statement No. 157.
FSP
SFAS No. 157-1 amends SFAS No. 157 to exclude FASB Statement No. 13,
Accounting
for Leases, and
other
accounting pronouncements that address fair value measurements for purposes
of
lease classification or measurement under Statement 13.
FSP SFAS
No. 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for
nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are
recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring
basis (at least annually). We will adopt the provisions of these Statements
as
of August 1, 2008. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting these
Statements on our consolidated financial statements.
23
ITEM
3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET
RISK
We
are
exposed to interest rate risk and employ policies and procedures to manage
our
exposure to changes in the market risk of our cash equivalents and short-term
investments. We had two interest rate swap agreements as of January 31, 2008.
We
believe that the market risk arising from holding our financial instruments
is
not material.
We
are
exposed to currency risk as it relates to certain accounts receivables and
from
our foreign operations. We believe that the currency risk is immaterial to
the
overall presentation of the financial statements.
We
are
exposed to regulatory risk in the fluid purification and agricultural markets,
principally as a result of the risk of increasing regulation of the food chain
in the United States and Europe. We actively monitor developments in this area,
both directly and through trade organizations of which we are a
member.
We
are
exposed to commodity price risk with respect to natural gas. We have contracted
for a portion of our fuel needs for the twelve months in fiscal 2008 using
forward purchase contracts to manage the volatility in fuel prices related
to
this exposure. The weighted average cost of the fiscal 2008 contracts has been
estimated to be approximately 5% higher than the contracts for fiscal 2007.
All
contracts were entered into during the normal course of business and no
contracts were entered into for speculative purposes.
The
tables below provide information about our natural gas purchase contracts,
which
are sensitive to changes in commodity prices, specifically natural gas prices.
For the purchase contracts outstanding at January 31, 2008, the table presents
the notional amounts in MMBtu’s, the weighted average contract prices, and the
total dollar contract amount, which will mature by July 31, 2008. The Fair
Value
was determined using the “Most Recent Settle” price for the “Henry Hub Natural
Gas” option contract prices as listed by the New York Mercantile Exchange on
February 29, 2008.
Commodity
Price Sensitivity
Natural
Gas Future Contracts
For
the Six Months Ending July 31, 2008
|
|||||||
Expected
2008 Maturity
|
Fair
Value
|
||||||
Natural
Gas Future Volumes (MMBtu)
|
470,000
|
—
|
|||||
Weighted
Average Price (Per MMBtu)
|
$
|
8.70
|
—
|
||||
Contract
Amount ($ U.S., in thousands)
|
$
|
4,088.3
|
$
|
4,304.0
|
Factors
that could influence the fair value of the natural gas contracts, include,
but
are not limited to, the creditworthiness of our
natural gas suppliers, the overall general economy, developments in world
events, and the general demand for natural gas by the manufacturing sector,
seasonality and the weather patterns throughout the United States and the world.
Some of these same events have allowed us to mitigate the impact of the natural
gas contracts by the continued, and in some cases expanded, use of recycled
oil
in our manufacturing processes. Accurate estimates of the impact that these
contracts may have on our fiscal 2008 financial results are difficult to make
due to the inherent uncertainty of future fluctuations in option contract prices
in the natural gas options market.
24
ITEM
4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation
of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Management
conducted 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
Form 10-Q. The controls evaluation was conducted under the supervision and
with
the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”)
and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”). Based upon the controls evaluation, our CEO
and CFO have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report,
our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable
assurance that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports
is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods
specified by the SEC, and that material information relating to us and our
consolidated subsidiaries is made known to management, including the CEO and
CFO, during the period when our periodic reports are being
prepared.
Changes
in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There
were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred
during the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2008 that have materially affected,
or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over
financial reporting.
Inherent
Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
Our
management, including the CEO and CFO, do not expect that our disclosure
controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will
prevent or detect all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how
well
designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance
that
the control system’s objectives will be met. The design of a control system must
reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of
controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the
inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can
provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not
occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the
Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities
that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur
because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the
individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by
management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is
based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events,
and
there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated
goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation
of
controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks. Over time,
controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration
in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.
25
PART
II – OTHER INFORMATION
Items
1,
2, 3, and 5 of this Part II are either inapplicable or are answered in the
negative and are omitted pursuant to the instructions to Part II.
ITEM
1A. RISK FACTORS
For
information regarding Risk Factors, please refer to Item 1A in our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2007. There have been no material
changes in risk factors since July 31, 2007.
ITEM
4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
On
December 4, 2007, we held our 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders for the
purpose of considering and voting on two matters, summarized below.
1. |
Election
of Directors
|
The
following schedule sets forth the results of the vote to elect eight directors.
As of the record date of the meeting a total of 6,929,392 shares of Common
Stock
and Class B Stock were eligible to cast a total of 24,117,565 votes. At the
meeting, shares representing a total of 20,287,716 votes were present in person
or by proxy.
Director
|
Votes
For
|
Votes Withheld
|
|||||
J.
Steven Cole
|
20,187,373
|
100,343
|
|||||
Arnold
W. Donald
|
20,232,165
|
55,551
|
|||||
Daniel
S. Jaffee
|
19,247,947
|
1,039,769
|
|||||
Richard
M. Jaffee
|
19,248,044
|
1,039,672
|
|||||
Joseph
C. Miller
|
19,244,328
|
1,043,388
|
|||||
Michael
A. Nemeroff
|
19,198,522
|
1,089,194
|
|||||
Allan
H. Selig
|
20,180,647
|
107,069
|
|||||
Paul
E. Suckow
|
20,238,415
|
49,301
|
2. |
Ratification
of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
|
Our
Audit
Committee’s selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2008
was
ratified by receiving 20,240,775 votes of a total 24,117,565 eligible votes,
with 33,716 votes against and 13,225 votes to abstain.
26
ITEM
6. EXHIBITS
(a) |
EXHIBITS:
|
Exhibit
No.
|
Description
|
SEC
Document Reference
|
||
10.1
|
First
Amendment, effective as of January 1, 2007, to Oil-Dri Corporation
of
America Deferred Compensation Plan (as amended and restated effective
April 1, 2003)*
|
Filed
herewith.
|
||
10.2
|
Second
Amendment, effective as of January 1, 2008, to Oil-Dri Corporation
of
America Deferred Compensation Plan (as amended and restated effective
April 1, 2003)*
|
Filed
herewith.
|
||
10.3
|
Oil-Dri
Corporation of America 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan (as amended
and
restated effective January 1, 2008)*
|
Filed
herewith.
|
||
10.4
|
Oil-Dri
Corporation of America Annual Incentive Plan (as amended and restated
effective January 1, 2008)*
|
Filed
herewith.
|
||
10.5
|
First
Amendment, effective as of January 1, 2008, to Oil-Dri Corporation
of
America 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective
July 28, 2006)*
|
Filed
herewith.
|
||
11
|
Statement
re: Computation of Earnings per Share.
|
Filed
herewith.
|
||
31
|
Certifications
pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a).
|
Filed
herewith.
|
||
32
|
Certifications
pursuant to Section 1350 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
Furnished
herewith.
|
||
*
|
Management
contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
|
27
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.
OIL-DRI
CORPORATION OF AMERICA
|
|
(Registrant)
|
|
BY
/s/ Andrew N. Peterson
|
|
Andrew
N. Peterson
|
|
Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer
|
|
BY
/s/ Daniel S. Jaffee
|
|
Daniel
S. Jaffee
|
|
Dated:
March 7, 2008
28
EXHIBITS
Exhibit
No.
|
Description
|
|
10.1
|
First
Amendment, effective as of January 1, 2007, to Oil-Dri Corporation
of
America Deferred Compensation Plan (as amended and restated effective
April 1, 2003)
|
|
10.2
|
Second
Amendment, effective as of January 1, 2008, to Oil-Dri Corporation
of
America Deferred Compensation Plan (as amended and restated effective
April 1, 2003)
|
|
10.3
|
Oil-Dri
Corporation of America 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan (as amended
and
restated effective January 1, 2008)
|
|
10.4
|
Oil-Dri
Corporation of America Annual Incentive Plan (as amended and restated
effective January 1, 2008)
|
|
10.5
|
First
Amendment, effective as of January 1, 2008, to Oil-Dri Corporation
of
America 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective
July 28, 2006)
|
|
11
|
Statement
re: Computation of Earnings per Share.
|
|
31
|
Certifications
pursuant to Rule 13a - 14(a).
|
|
32
|
Certifications
pursuant to Section 1350 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
|
Note: |
Stockholders
may receive copies of the above listed exhibits, without fee, by
written
request to Investor Relations, Oil-Dri Corporation of America, 410
North
Michigan Avenue, Suite 400, Chicago, Illinois 60611-4213.
|
29