QUAKER CHEMICAL CORP - Quarter Report: 2016 March (Form 10-Q)

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

 

 

 

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

 

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016

 

OR

 

 

For the transition period from              to             

 

Commission file number 001-12019

 

 

 

 

 

QUAKER CHEMICAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 610-832-4000

 

Not Applicable

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.

 

 

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).            Yes    [X]     No  [  ]     

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

  

 

QUAKER CHEMICAL CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

 

  

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.                        Financial Statements (Unaudited).

 

Quaker Chemical Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Quaker Chemical Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Dollars in thousands)

  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Quaker Chemical Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Dollars in thousands, except par value and share amounts)

  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Quaker Chemical Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Note 1 – Condensed Financial Information

The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.  In the opinion of management, the financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, except certain material adjustments, as discussed below) which are necessary for a fair statement of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods.  The results for the three months ended March 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.  These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.  During the first quarter of 2016, the Company revised its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet for December 31, 2015, reducing non-current deferred tax assets and non-current deferred tax liabilities by $3.6 million each, to correct for offsetting deferred tax balances within related taxing jurisdictions.  The Company considers such revision to be immaterial and the revision had no impact on reported equity, net income or net cash provided by operating activities. 

Venezuela’s economy has been considered hyper inflationary under U.S. GAAP since 2010, at which time the Company’s Venezuela equity affiliate, Kelko Quaker Chemical, S.A. (“Kelko Venezuela”), changed its functional currency from the bolivar fuerte (“BsF”) to the U.S. dollar.  Accordingly, all gains and losses resulting from the remeasurement of Kelko Venezuela’s monetary assets and liabilities to published exchange rates are required to be recorded directly to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income.  As of December 31, 2014, there were three legally available exchange rates in Venezuela, the CADIVI (or the official rate, 6.3 BsF per U.S. dollar), the SICAD I and the SICAD II.  Kelko Venezuela had access to the CADIVI for imported goods, had not been invited to participate in any SICAD I auctions and had limited access to the SICAD II mechanism.  Accordingly, the Company measured its equity investment and other related assets with Kelko Venezuela at the CADIVI exchange rate at December 31, 2014.  During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Venezuela government announced changes to its foreign exchange controls.  There continued to be three exchange mechanisms, however, they consisted of the CADIVI, a combined SICAD I and SICAD II auction mechanism (the “SICAD”) and a newly created, marginal currency system (the “SIMADI”).  In light of the first quarter of 2015 changes to Venezuela’s foreign exchange controls and the on-going economic challenges in Venezuela, the Company re-assessed Kelko Venezuela’s access to U.S. dollars, the impact on the operations of Kelko Venezuela, and the impact on the Company’s equity investment and other related assets, which resulted in revaluing its equity investment in Kelko Venezuela and other related assets to the SIMADI exchange rate of approximately 193 BsF per U.S. dollar as of March 31, 2015.  This resulted in a charge of $2.8 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2015.  As of December 31, 2015, the Company’s equity investment in Kelko Venezuela was $0.2 million, and continued to be valued at the SIMADI exchange rate, which was approximately 198 BsF per U.S. dollar.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Venezuela government announced further changes to its foreign exchange controls, including eliminating the CADIVI, SICAD and SIMADI exchange rate mechanisms and replacing them with a new dual foreign exchange rate system.  The Company understands that the new dual foreign exchange rate system now consists of a protected “DIPRO” exchange rate, with a rate fixed at 10 Bsf per U.S. dollar and, also, a floating supplementary market exchange rate known as the “DICOM.”  The DIPRO rate will only be available for payment of certain imports of essential goods in the food and health sectors while the DICOM will govern all other transactions not covered by DIPRO.  As of March 31, 2016, the published rate for the DICOM was approximately 273 BsF per U.S. dollar.  In light of these changes to the foreign exchange controls during the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company again re-assessed Kelko Venezuela’s access to U.S. dollars, the impact on the operations of Kelko Venezuela, and the impact on the Company’s equity investment and other related assets.  The Company does not believe it currently has access to the DIPRO and, therefore, believes the DICOM is currently the exchange rate system available to Kelko Venezuela, which resulted in a currency conversion charge of $0.1 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, during the three months ended March 31, 2016.  As of March 31, 2016, the Company’s equity investment in Kelko Venezuela was $0.2 million, valued at the DICOM exchange rate. 

As part of the Company’s chemical management services, certain third-party product sales to customers are managed by the Company.  Where the Company acts as the principal, revenue is recognized on a gross reporting basis at the selling price negotiated with customers.  Where the Company acts as an agent, such revenue is recorded using net reporting of service revenue, at the amount of the administrative fee earned by the Company for ordering the goods.  Third-party products transferred under arrangements resulting in net reporting totaled $11.1 million and $11.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

Note 2 – Recently Issued Accounting Standards

The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an accounting standard update in March 2016 involving several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, use of a forfeiture rate, and classification on the statement of cash flows.  The guidance within this accounting standard update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016.  Early adoption is permitted, however, if early adoption is elected, all amendments in the update must be adopted in the same period.  When adopted, application of the guidance will vary based on each aspect of the update; including on a retrospective, modified retrospective or prospective basis.  The Company has not early adopted and is currently evaluating the potential impact of this guidance and considering the appropriate implementation strategy. 

The FASB issued an accounting standard update in February 2016 regarding the accounting and disclosure for leases.  Specifically, the update will require entities that lease assets to recognize the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases on the balance sheet, in most instances.  The guidance within this accounting standard update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and should be applied on a modified retrospective basis for the reporting periods presented.  Early adoption is permitted.  The Company has not early adopted and is currently evaluating the potential impact of this guidance and considering the appropriate implementation strategy.

The FASB issued an accounting standard update in November 2015 regarding the classification of deferred taxes on the balance sheet.  The update requires that all deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet.  The update does not change the existing requirement that only permits offsetting within a jurisdiction.  The guidance within this accounting standard update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and may be applied either prospectively, for all deferred tax assets and liabilities, or retrospectively.  Early adoption is permitted.  The Company has not early adopted.  Adoption of the guidance will not have an impact on the Company’s earnings or cash flow but will result in a balance sheet reclassification between current and long-term assets and liabilities.

The FASB issued an accounting standard update in July 2015 regarding simplifying the measurement of inventory.  The guidance is applicable for entities that measure inventory using the FIFO or average cost methods.  Specifically, the update requires that inventory be measured at lower of cost or net realizable value.  Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation.  The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  This guidance should be applied prospectively with early adoption permitted.  As of March 31, 2016, the Company has elected to early adopt this guidance without a material impact.

The FASB issued an accounting standard update in May 2015 regarding the required disclosures for entities that elect to measure the fair value of certain investments using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient in accordance with the fair value measurement authoritative guidance.  The update removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy, and also limits the requirement to make certain other disclosures, for all such investments.  The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years, and should be applied on a retrospective basis for the periods presented.  Early adoption was permitted.  As of March 31, 2016, the Company has adopted this guidance without a material impact.

The FASB issued an accounting standard update in April 2015 regarding the presentation of debt issuance costs on the balance sheet.  The update requires capitalized debt issuance costs be presented on the balance sheet as a reduction to debt, rather than recorded as a separate asset.  The amendments in this update are effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and should be applied on a retrospective basis for the periods presented.  Early adoption was permitted.  Also, in June 2015, the SEC staff announced that the guidance within this accounting standard update was not applicable to revolving debt arrangements or credit facilities.  As of March 31, 2016, the Company has adopted this guidance without a material impact.

The FASB issued an accounting standard update in May 2014 regarding the accounting for and disclosure of revenue recognition.  Specifically, the update outlined a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers, which will be common to both U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).  The guidance was effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and allowed for full retrospective adoption of prior period data or a modified retrospective adoption.  Early adoption was not permitted.  In August 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard update to delay the effective date of the new revenue standard by one year, or, in other words, to be effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017.  Entities will be permitted to adopt the new revenue standard early but not before the original effective date.  In March 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard update to clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations.  In April 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard update to clarify the identification of performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance, while retaining the related principles for those

areas.  The amendments in these 2016 updates do not change the core principle of the previously issued guidance in May 2014.  The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of the new revenue recognition guidance and considering the appropriate implementation strategy.

Note 3 – Restructuring and Related Activities

In response to continued weak economic conditions and market declines in many regions, Quaker’s management approved a global restructuring plan (the “2015 Program”) in the fourth quarter of 2015 to reduce its operating costs.  The 2015 Program includes the re-organization of certain commercial functions, the closure of certain distribution, lab and administrative offices, and other related severance charges.  In addition to these actions, the Company made a decision to make available for sale certain technology of one of its existing businesses, which also resulted in employee severance and $0.3 million of intangible assets being reclassified to other current assets as of December 31, 2015.  During the three months ended March 31, 2016, there has been no further update and the intangible assets continue to be available for sale and included in other current assets.

The 2015 Program includes provisions for the reduction of total headcount by approximately 65 employees globally.  Employee separation benefits varied depending on local regulations within certain foreign countries and included severance and other benefits.  The Company continues to expect to substantially complete all of the initiatives under the 2015 Program during 2016 and expects settlement of these charges to occur primarily in 2016 as well.  The Company did not incur additional restructuring expenses in connection with the 2015 Program during the first quarter of 2016, and, at this time, the Company does not expect material, additional restructuring expenses beyond customary and routine adjustments to initial estimates for employee separation benefits.   

Restructuring activity recognized in connection with the 2015 Program is as follows:

Note 4 – Business Segments

The Company’s reportable operating segments are organized by geography as follows: (i) North America, (ii) Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”), (iii) Asia/Pacific and (iv) South America.  Operating earnings, excluding indirect operating expenses, for the Company’s reportable operating segments are comprised of revenues less costs of goods sold and selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) directly related to the respective region’s product sales.  The indirect operating expenses consist of SG&A related expenses that are not directly attributable to the product sales of each respective reportable operating segment.  Other items not specifically identified with the Company’s reportable operating segments include interest expense, interest income, license fees from non-consolidated affiliates and other income (expense).

The following table presents information about the performance of the Company’s reportable operating segments for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:

Inter-segment revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were $1.8 million and $2.0 million for North America, $3.9 million and $4.8 million for EMEA, $0.3 million and $0.1 million for Asia/Pacific, respectively, and less than $0.1 million for South America in both periods.  However, all inter-segment transactions have been eliminated from each reportable operating segment’s net sales and earnings for all periods presented above.

Note 5 – Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognized the following stock-based compensation expense in SG&A in its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:

The Company’s estimated taxes payable as of March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, were sufficient to fully recognize $0.1 million and $0.3 million of excess tax benefits related to stock option exercises as cash inflows from financing activities in its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Stock option activity under all plans is as follows:

There were no options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2016.  The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $0.2 million.  Intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the current market price of the underlying security and the strike price of a related option.

A summary of the Company’s outstanding stock options at March 31, 2016 is as follows: 

As of March 31, 2016, unrecognized compensation expense related to options granted during 2014, 2015, and 2016 was $0.2 million, $0.5 million, and $1.0 million, respectively.

During the first quarter of 2016, the Company granted stock options under its LTIP plan that are subject only to time vesting over a three-year period.  For the purposes of determining the fair value of stock option awards, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the assumptions set forth in the table below:

Less than $0.1 million of expense was recorded on these options during the three months ended March 31, 2016.  The fair value of these awards is amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the awards.

Activity of nonvested shares granted under the Company’s LTIP plan is shown below:

The fair value of the nonvested stock is based on the trading price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.  The Company adjusts the grant date fair value for expected forfeitures based on historical experience for similar awards.  As of March 31, 2016, unrecognized compensation expense related to these awards was $4.5 million to be recognized over a weighted average remaining period of 2.0 years.

Activity of nonvested restricted stock units granted under the Company’s LTIP plan is shown below:

The fair value of the nonvested restricted stock units is based on the trading price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.  The Company adjusts the grant date fair value for expected forfeitures based on historical experience for similar awards.  As of March 31, 2016, unrecognized compensation expense related to these awards was $0.2 million to be recognized over a weighted average remaining period of 2.1 years.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

In 2000, the Board adopted an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) whereby employees may purchase Company stock through a payroll deduction plan.  Purchases are made from the plan and credited to each participant’s account at the end of each month (the “Investment Date”).  The purchase price of the stock is 85% of the fair market value on the Investment Date.  The plan is compensatory and the 15% discount is expensed on the Investment Date.  All employees, including officers, are eligible to participate in this plan.  A participant may withdraw all uninvested payment balances credited to a participant’s account at any time.  An employee whose stock ownership of the Company exceeds five percent of the outstanding common stock is not eligible to participate in this plan.

2013 Director Stock Ownership Plan

In 2013, the Company adopted the 2013 Director Stock Ownership Plan (the “Plan”), to encourage the Directors to increase their investment in the Company, which was approved at the Company’s May 2013 shareholders’ meeting.  The Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 75,000 shares of Quaker common stock in accordance with the terms of the Plan in payment of all or a portion of the annual cash retainer payable to each of the Company’s non-employee directors in 2013 and subsequent years during the term of the Plan.  Under the Plan, each director who, on May 1 of the applicable calendar year, owns less than 400% of the annual cash retainer for the applicable calendar year, divided by the average of the closing price of a share of Quaker Common Stock as reported by the composite tape of the New York Stock Exchange for the previous calendar year (the “Threshold Amount”), is required to receive 75% of the annual cash retainer in Quaker common stock and 25% of the retainer in cash, unless the director elects to receive a greater percentage of Quaker common stock (up to 100%) of the annual cash retainer for the applicable year.  Each director who owns more than the Threshold Amount may elect to receive common stock in payment of a percentage (up to 100%) of the annual cash retainer.  The annual retainer is $0.1 million and the retainer payment date is June 1.

Note 6 – Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:

As of December 31, 2015, the Company elected to use a split discount rate (spot-rate approach) for the U.S. plans and certain foreign plans, which includes the method used to estimate the service and interest components of net periodic benefit cost for pension and other postretirement benefits beginning in the three months ended March 31, 2016.  This change resulted in a decrease in the service and interest components for pension cost in the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2015.  Historically, the Company estimated service and interest cost components utilizing a single weighted-average discount rate derived from a specific yield curve used to measure the benefit obligation at the beginning of the period.  Under the spot-rate approach, service and interest cost components have been estimated based on the application of the spot rates on a given yield curve at each future year to each plan's projected cash flows to measure the benefit obligation at the beginning of the period.  We have made this change to provide a more precise measurement of service and interest costs by improving the correlation between projected benefit cash flows and the corresponding spot yield curve rates.  We have accounted for this as a change in accounting estimate and, accordingly, have accounted for it prospectively.

Employer Contributions

The Company previously disclosed in its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015, that it expected to make minimum cash contributions of $7.5 million to its pension plans and $0.5 million to its other postretirement benefit plan in 2016.  As of March 31, 2016, $3.6 million and $0.2 million of contributions have been made to the Company’s pension plans and its postretirement benefit plans, respectively.

Note 7 – Other Income (Expense), Net

The components of other income (expense), net for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:

Note 8 – Income Taxes and Uncertain Income Tax Positions

The Company’s three months ended March 31, 2016 effective tax rate was 32.3% compared to three months ended March 31, 2015 effective tax rate of 30.8%.  The increase in the first quarter of 2016 effective tax rate was primarily due to the Company recording earnings in one of its subsidiaries at a statutory tax rate of 25% during the first quarter of 2016, while it awaits recertification of a concessionary 15% tax rate, which was available to the Company during the first quarter of 2015.  

As of March 31, 2016, the Company’s cumulative liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits was $11.4 million.  At December 31, 2015, the Company’s cumulative liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits was $11.0 million.

The Company continues to recognize interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as a component of taxes on income before equity in net income of associated companies in its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.  The Company recognized ($0.1) million for interest and less than ($0.1) million for penalties in its Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2016, and recognized ($0.2) million for interest and $0.1 million for penalties in its Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income during the three months ended March 31, 2015.  As of March 31, 2016, the Company had accrued $1.5 million for cumulative interest and $1.9 million for cumulative penalties in its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, compared to $1.5 million for cumulative interest and $1.9 million for cumulative penalties accrued at December 31, 2015.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized a decrease of $0.8 million and $0.7 million, respectively, in its cumulative liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits due to the expiration of the applicable statutes of limitations for certain tax years.

The Company estimates that during the year ending December 31, 2016 it will reduce its cumulative liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits by approximately $1.9 million to $2.0 million due to the expiration of the statute of limitations with regard to certain tax positions.  This estimated reduction in the cumulative liability for unrecognized tax benefits does not consider any increase in liability for unrecognized tax benefits with regard to existing tax positions or any increase in cumulative liability for unrecognized tax benefits with regard to new tax positions for the year ending December 31, 2016.

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. Federal income tax, as well as the income tax of various state and foreign tax jurisdictions.  Tax years that remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions include Brazil from 2000, Italy from 2007, France from 2008, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom from 2010, Spain from 2011, China and the United States from 2012, and various domestic state tax jurisdictions from 1993.

The Italian tax authorities have assessed additional tax due from the Company’s subsidiary, Quaker Italia S.r.l., relating to the tax years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.  In the first quarter of 2016, the Italian tax authorities delivered an audit report to Quaker Italia S.r.l. for the tax years 2011, 2012 and 2013 alleging additional tax due.   In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Dutch tax authorities assessed the Company’s subsidiary, Quaker Chemical B.V., for additional income taxes related to the 2011 tax year and Quaker Chemical B.V. filed a protest of such assessment.  In the first quarter of 2016, the French tax authorities gave notice that they were auditing the Company’s subsidiary, Quaker Chemical S.A.  As of March 31, 2016, the Company believes it has adequate reserves, where merited, for uncertain tax positions with respect to all of these audits.     

Note 9 – Earnings Per Share

The following table summarizes earnings per share calculations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:

The following aggregate numbers of stock options and restricted stock units are not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation since the effect would have been anti-dilutive: 11,742 and 4,497 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.