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Seneca Foods Corp - Quarter Report: 2011 July (Form 10-Q)

a10q070211.htm
 
 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C.  20549

Form 10-Q

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

For the Quarter Ended July 2, 2011
Commission File Number  0-01989
Seneca Foods Corporation
(Exact name of Company as specified in its charter)
New York
16-0733425
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I. R. S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)

3736 South Main Street, Marion, New York
14505
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

Company's telephone number, including area code          315/926-8100

Not Applicable
Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
if changed since last report

Indicate by check mark whether the Company (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 Company was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  þ 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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes  þ No  

Indicate by check mark whether the Company 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  ¨  Accelerated filer  þ Non-accelerated filer  ¨ Smaller reporting company  ¨

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

The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock at the latest practical date are:

Class
Shares Outstanding at July 29, 2011
Common Stock Class A, $.25 Par
9,609,809
Common Stock Class B, $.25 Par
2,125,822

 
 

 

 
Seneca Foods Corporation
 
 
 
 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART 1
 FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Item 1
Financial Statements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    1  
 
 
       
 
       
 
  July 2, 2011 and July 3, 2010
    2  
 
 
       
 
       
 
  July 2, 2011 and July 3, 2010
    3  
 
 
       
 
    4  
 
 
       
 
    5  
 
 
       
  Item 2
       
 
  and Results of Operations
    12  
 
 
       
  Item 3
    18  
 
 
       
  Item 4
    19  
 
 
       
PART II
       
 
 
       
  Item 2
    20  
 
 
       
  Item 6
    20  
 
 
       
 
    22  

 
 

 

SENECA FOODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
Unaudited
   
Unaudited
   
 
 
 
 
July 2,
   
July 3,
   
March 31,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
 
ASSETS
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
  $ 8,738     $ 6,544     $ 4,762  
Accounts Receivable, Net
    60,739       46,928       78,536  
Inventories (Note 3):
                       
  Finished Goods
    178,620       264,606       331,771  
  Work in Process
    10,749       10,112       13,745  
  Raw Materials and Supplies
    158,700       123,700       109,720  
  Off-Season (Note 4)
    83,793       69,151       -  
    Total Inventories
    431,862       467,569       455,236  
Refundable Income Taxes
    7,715       -       -  
Deferred Income Tax Asset, Net
    7,492       10,033       7,623  
Other Current Assets
    17,217       2,555       10,110  
  Total Current Assets
    533,763       533,629       556,267  
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
    188,150       179,350       188,012  
Other Assets
    297       861       429  
    Total Assets
  $ 722,210     $ 713,840     $ 744,708  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                       
 
                       
Current Liabilities:
                       
  Accounts Payable
  $ 81,610     $ 87,084     $ 64,369  
  Other Accrued Expenses
    24,605       33,622       37,238  
  Accrued Vacation
    10,408       10,046       10,215  
  Accrued Payroll
    6,233       6,810       6,685  
  Income Taxes Payable
    -       1,696       489  
  Current Portion of Long-Term Debt (Note 5)
    11,988       6,477       142,559  
Total Current Liabilities
    134,844       145,735       261,555  
Long-Term Debt, Less Current Portion (Note 5)
    198,528       187,199       90,060  
Deferred Income Taxes, Net
    5,619       2,452       3,177  
Other Long-Term Liabilities
    37,401       38,297       36,084  
  Total Liabilities
    376,392       373,683       390,876  
Commitments
                       
Preferred Stock
    6,325       6,325       6,325  
Common Stock, $.25 Par Value Per Share
    2,937       4,118       4,118  
Additional Paid-in Capital
    91,984       90,705       90,778  
Treasury Stock, at cost
    (257 )     (257 )     (257 )
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
    (14,033 )     (15,198 )     (13,981 )
Retained Earnings
    258,862       254,464       266,849  
Stockholders' Equity
    345,818       340,157       353,832  
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 722,210     $ 713,840     $ 744,708  
 
                       
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
         

1

 
 

 

SENECA FOODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET EARNINGS
 
(Unaudited)
 
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
July 2,
   
July 3,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Net Sales
  $ 259,083     $ 219,942  
 
               
Costs and Expenses:
               
  Cost of Product Sold
    253,227       194,658  
  Selling and Administrative
    16,104       15,239  
  Plant Restructuring
    54       -  
  Other Operating Income
    (151 )     (76 )
  Total Costs and Expenses
    269,234       209,821  
    Operating (Loss) Income
    (10,151 )     10,121  
Interest Expense, Net
    1,786       1,936  
(Loss) Earnings Before Income Taxes
    (11,937 )     8,185  
 
               
Income Taxes (Benefit) Expense
    (3,962 )     2,910  
Net (Loss) Earnings
  $ (7,975 )   $ 5,275  
 
               
(Loss) Earnings Attributable to Common Stock
  $ (7,708 )   $ 4,792  
 
               
    Basic (Loss) Earnings per Common Share (Note 12)
  $ (0.66 )   $ 0.43  
 
               
    Diluted (Loss) Earnings per Common Share (Note 12)
  $ (0.66 )   $ 0.43  
 
               
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 

2

 
 

 

SENECA FOODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
(Unaudited)
 
(In Thousands)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
July 2, 2011
   
July 3, 2010
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
   
 
 
Net (Loss) Earnings
  $ (7,975 )   $ 5,275  
  Adjustments to Reconcile Net (Loss) Earnings to
               
    Net Cash Provided by Operations:
               
      Depreciation & Amortization
    5,574       5,547  
      Gain on the Sale of Assets
    (151 )     (76 )
      Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
    2,606       (634 )
      Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
        Accounts Receivable
    17,797       26,532  
        Inventories
    107,167       48,046  
        Off-Season
    (83,793 )     (69,151 )
        Other Current Assets
    (7,107 )     295  
        Income Taxes
    (8,204 )     (4,319 )
        Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses
               
            and Other Liabilities
    5,489       14,678  
  Net Cash Provided by Operations
    31,403       26,193  
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
               
  Additions to Property, Plant and Equipment
    (5,571 )     (6,638 )
  Proceeds from the Sale of Assets
    151       76  
  Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
    (5,420 )     (6,562 )
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
               
  Long-Term Borrowing
    61,477       45,043  
  Payments on Long-Term Debt
    (83,580 )     (65,647 )
  Other
    108       108  
  Dividends
    (12 )     (12 )
  Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
    (22,007 )     (20,508 )
 
               
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
    3,976       (877 )
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of the Period
    4,762       7,421  
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of the Period
  $ 8,738     $ 6,544  
 
               
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 

3

 
 

 

SENECA FOODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
(Unaudited)
 
(In Thousands)
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
Additional
   
 
   
Accumulated Other
   
 
 
 
 
Preferred
   
Common
   
Paid-In
   
Treasury
   
Comprehensive
   
Retained
 
 
 
Stock
   
Stock
   
Capital
   
Stock
   
Loss
   
Earnings
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Balance March 31, 2011
  $ 6,325     $ 4,118     $ 90,778     $ (257 )   $ (13,981 )   $ 266,849  
Net loss
    -       -       -       -       -       (7,975 )
Cash dividends paid
                                               
  on preferred stock
    -       -       -       -       -       (12 )
Equity incentive program
    -       -       25       -       -       -  
Common stock stated value adjustment (Note 6)
    -       (1,181 )     1,181       -       -       -  
Change in pension and post retirement
                                               
  benefits adjustment (net of tax $33)
    -       -       -       -       (52 )     -  
Balance July 2, 2011
  $ 6,325     $ 2,937     $ 91,984     $ (257 )   $ (14,033 )   $ 258,862  
 
                                               
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
         

4

 
 

 
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
July 2, 2011




 
1.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, which are normal and recurring in nature, necessary to present fairly the financial position of Seneca Foods Corporation (the “Company”) as of July 2, 2011 and results of its operations and its cash flows for the interim periods presented.  All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.  The March 31, 2011 balance sheet was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements.  Certain previously reported amounts for the period ended July 3, 2010 have been reclassified to conform to the current period classification.
 
 
The results of operations for the period ended July 2, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
 
 
During the three months ended July 2, 2011, the Company sold $4,310,000 of Green Giant finished goods inventory to General Mills Operations, LLC (“GMOL”) for cash, on a bill and hold basis, as compared to $5,574,000 for the three months ended July 3, 2010.  Under the terms of the bill and hold agreement, title to the specified inventory transferred to GMOL.  The Company believes it has met the criteria required for bill and hold treatment.

 
The accounting policies followed by the Company are set forth in Note 1 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 
Other footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted.  These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company's 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 
All references to years are fiscal years ended or ending March 31 unless otherwise indicated.

2.
On August 6, 2010, the Company completed its acquisition of 100% of the partnership interest in Lebanon Valley Cold Storage, LP and the assets of Unilink, LLC (collectively “Lebanon”) from Pennsylvania Food Group, LLC and related entities. The rationale for the acquisition was twofold: (1) to broaden the Company’s product offerings in the frozen food business; and (2) to take advantage of distribution efficiencies by combining shipments since the customer bases of the Company and Lebanon are similar. The purchase price totaled $20.3 million plus the assumption of certain liabilities. This acquisition was financed with proceeds from our revolving credit facility.  The purchase price to acquire Lebanon was allocated based on the internally developed fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired and an independent valuation of property, plant, and equipment.

5

 
 

 
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
July 2, 2011



The total purchase price of the transaction has been allocated as follows (in thousands):
 
Current assets
  $ 13.8  
Property, plant and equipment
    13.9  
Bargain purchase gain
    (0.7 )
Current liabilities
    (6.7 )
Total
  $ 20.3  

3.
The Company implemented the Last-In, First-Out (“LIFO”) inventory valuation method during fiscal 2008.  First-In, First-Out (“FIFO”) based inventory costs exceeded LIFO based inventory costs by $96.4 million as of the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2012 as compared to $93.6 million as of the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2011.  The LIFO Reserve increased by $6,527,000 in the first three months of fiscal 2012 compared to a decrease of $4,132,000 in the first three months of fiscal 2011.  This reflects the projected impact of increased inflationary cost increases expected in fiscal 2012 versus fiscal 2011.

4.
The seasonal nature of the Company's food processing business results in a timing difference between expenses (primarily overhead expenses) incurred and absorbed into product cost.  These “off-season” variances are accounted for in an inventory account and are included in inventories on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Depending upon the time of year, the off-season account reflects either the excess of absorbed expenses over incurred expenses to date, resulting in a credit balance, or the excess of incurred expenses over absorbed expenses to date resulting, in a debit balance.  Other than at the end of the first and fourth fiscal quarters of each year, absorbed expenses exceed incurred expenses due to timing of production.  All off-season balances are zero at fiscal year end.

5.
The Company completed the closing of a new five year revolving credit facility (“Revolver”) on July 20, 2011.  Available borrowings under the Revolver total $250,000,000 from April through July and $350,000,000 from August through March.  The Revolver balance as of July 2, 2011 was $115,460,000 and is included in Long-Term Debt in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet due to its five year term.  At March 31, 2011 the Revolver was classified as Current Portion of Long-Term Debt due to the prior revolving credit agreement’s August 18, 2011 expiration date. The Company utilizes its Revolver for general corporate purposes, including seasonal working capital needs, to pay debt principal and interest obligations, and to fund capital expenditures and acquisitions.  Seasonal working capital needs are affected by the growing cycles of the vegetables and fruits the Company processes.  The majority of vegetable and fruit inventories are produced during the months of June through November and are then sold over the following year.  Payment terms for vegetable and fruit produce are generally three months but can vary from a few days to seven months.  Accordingly, the Company’s need to draw on the Revolver may fluctuate significantly throughout the year.
 
The increases in maximum and average amounts of Revolver borrowings during the first quarter of fiscal 2012 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2011 were attributable to the acquisition of Lebanon Valley Cold Storage, LP and the assets of Unilink, LLC discussed in Note 2.
 
General terms of the Revolver include payment of interest at LIBOR plus a defined spread.
 
The following table documents the quantitative data for Revolver borrowings during the first quarters of fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011:
 

6
 

 
 
 
First Quarter
 
 
 
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Reported end of period:
 
 
   
 
 
  Outstanding borrowings
  $ 115,460     $ 92,126  
  Weighted average interest rate
    1.19 %     1.60 %
Reported during the period:
               
  Maximum amount of borrowings
  $ 136,021     $ 108,610  
  Average outstanding borrowings
  $ 116,980     $ 94,798  
  Weighted average interest rate
    1.23 %     1.31 %

6.
During the three-month period ended July 2, 2011, there were 2,000 shares, or $1,000, of Class B Common Stock (at par), converted to Class A Common Stock.  As permitted under New York Business Corporation Law and pursuant to a Board of Directors resolution, the stated capital adjustment related to common stock of $1,181,000, which originated from a reverse stock-split in 1978, was reclassified to paid-in capital.


7.
The following schedule presents comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended July 2, 2011 and July 3, 2010:

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
July 2,
   
July 3,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
   
 
 
  Net (loss) earnings
  $ (7,975 )   $ 5,275  
  Change in pension and post retirement benefits
               
    adjustment (net of tax)
    (52 )     (168 )
      Total
  $ (8,027 )   $ 5,107  

8.
The net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s pension plan consisted of:

7

 
 

 
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
July 2, 2011



 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
July 2,
   
July 3,
 
(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Service  Cost
  $ 1,502     $ 1,300  
Interest Cost
    1,705       1,637  
Expected Return on Plan Assets
    (1,957 )     (1,844 )
Amortization of Actuarial Loss
    374       364  
Amortization of Transition Asset
    (69 )     (69 )
  Net Periodic Benefit Cost
  $ 1,555     $ 1,388  

9.
The following table summarizes the restructuring charges recorded and the accruals established:

 
 
 
Severance
 
 
 
Other Costs
 
 
 
Total
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Balance March 31, 2011
    $ 456       $ 520       $ 976  
First Quarter Charge
 
    54  
 
    -  
 
    54  
Cash payments/write offs
 
    (107 )
 
    (407 )
 
    (514 )
Balance July 2, 2011
 
  $ 403  
 
  $ 113  
 
  $ 516  

10.
During the three months ended July 2, 2011, the Company sold unused fixed assets which resulted in a gain of $151,000 as compared to a gain of $76,000 during the three months ended July 3, 2010.  This gain is included in other operating income in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Earnings.

 
 
11.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards – In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ('FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2010-06, “Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements,” which requires additional disclosures about the amounts of and reasons for significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements. This standard also clarifies existing disclosure requirements related to the level of disaggregation of fair value measurements for each class of assets and liabilities and disclosures about inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value for both recurring and non-recurring Level 2 and Level 3 measurements. Since this new accounting standard only required additional disclosure, the adoption of the standard did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 

 
 
In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs,” (“ASU 2011-04”) which results in a consistent definition of fair value and common requirements for measurement of and disclosure about fair value between accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and IFRS. ASU 2011-04 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact that the adoption of ASU 2011-04 may have on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
 

8
 

 
 
 
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income,” which eliminates the current option of reporting other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in equity. While the new guidance changes the presentation of comprehensive income, there are no changes to the components that are recognized in net income or other comprehensive income under current accounting guidance. Upon adoption of ASU 2011-05, comprehensive income will either be reported in a single continuous financial statement or in two separate but consecutive financial statements. ASU 2011-05 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Since ASU 2011-05 just relates to presentation of comprehensive income, we do not believe the adoption of ASU 2011-05 in the first fiscal quarter of 2013 will have any impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

9

 
 

 
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
July 2, 2011


12.
Earnings per share for the Quarters Ended July 2, 2011 and July 3, 2010 are as follows:


 
 
F I R S T  Q U A R T E R
 
 
 
Fiscal
   
Fiscal
 
(Thousands except per share amounts)
 
2012
   
2011
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
Net  (Loss) Earnings
  $ (7,975 )   $ 5,275  
Deduct preferred stock dividends paid
    6       6  
 
               
Undistributed (loss) earnings
    (7,981 )     5,269  
(Loss) earnings attributable to participating preferred
    (273 )     477  
 
               
(Loss) earnings attributable to common shareholders
  $ (7,708 )   $ 4,792  
 
               
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    11,736       11,049  
 
               
Basic (loss) earnings per common share
  $ (0.66 )   $ 0.43  
 
               
Diluted
               
 
               
(Loss) earnings attributable to common shareholders
  $ (7,708 )   $ 4,792  
Add dividends on convertible preferred stock
    5       5  
 
               
(Loss) earnings attributable to common stock on a diluted basis
  $ (7,703 )   $ 4,797  
 
               
Weighted average common shares outstanding-basic
    11,736       11,049  
 
               
Additional shares issued related to the equity compensation plan
    5       3  
 
               
Additional shares to be issued under full conversion of preferred stock
    67       67  
 
               
Total shares for diluted
    11,808       11,119  
 
               
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share
  $ (0.66 )   $ 0.43  

13.
As required by ASC 825, “Financial Instruments,” the Company estimates the fair values of financial instruments on a quarterly basis.  Long-term debt, including current portion had a carrying amount of $210,516,000 and an estimated fair value of $208,149,000 as of July 2, 2011.  As of March 31, 2011, the carrying amount was $232,619,000 and the estimated fair value was $230,237,000.  The fair values of all the other financial instruments approximate their carrying value due to their short-term nature.

10
 

 

14.
In June, 2010, the Company received a Notice of Violation of the California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, commonly known as Proposition 65, from the Environmental Law Foundation (ELF).  This notice was made to the California Attorney General and various other government officials, and to 49 companies including Seneca Foods Corporation whom ELF alleges manufactured, distributed or sold packaged peaches, pears, fruit cocktail and fruit juice that contain lead without providing a clear and reasonable warning to consumers.  Under California law, proper notice must be made to the State and involved firms at least 60 days before any suit under Proposition 65 may be filed by private litigants like ELF.  That 60-day period has expired and, to date, neither the California Attorney General nor any appropriate district attorney or city attorney, nor any private litigants like ELF, has initiated an action against the Company.  If an action is commenced under Proposition 65, the Company will defend itself vigorously.  As this matter is still at a very early stage, we are not able to predict the probability of the outcome or estimate of loss, if any, related to this matter.  Additionally, in the ordinary course of its business, the Company is made party to certain legal proceedings seeking monetary damages, including proceedings invoking product liability claims, either directly or through indemnification obligations, and we are not able to predict the probability of the outcome or estimate of loss, if any, related to any such matter.

11

 
 

 

 
ITEM 2 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
July 2, 2011



 
Seneca Foods Corporation (the “Company”) is a leading low cost producer and distributor of high quality processed fruits and vegetables.  The Company’s product offerings include canned, frozen and bottled produce and snack chips and its products are sold under private label as well as national and regional brands that the Company owns or licenses, including Seneca®, Libby’s®, Aunt Nellie’s Farm Kitchen®, Stokely’s®, Read® Seneca Farms® and Diamond A®.  The Company’s canned fruits and vegetables are sold nationwide by major grocery outlets, including supermarkets, mass merchandisers, limited assortment stores, club stores and dollar stores.  The Company also sells its products to foodservice distributors, industrial markets, other food processors, export customers in over 70 countries and federal, state and local governments for school and other food programs.  In addition, the Company packs Green Giant®, Le Sueur® and other brands of canned vegetables as well as select Green Giant® frozen vegetables for General Mills Operations, LLC (“GMOL”) under a long-term Alliance Agreement.

The Company’s raw product is harvested mainly between June through November. The Company experienced unfavorable growing conditions this summer reflecting a combination of high temperatures and uneven moisture.  These difficult growing conditions unfavorably impacted crop yields and plant recovery rates which resulted in unfavorable manufacturing variances.

Results of Operations:

Sales:

First fiscal quarter 2012 results include net sales of $259.1 million, which represents a 17.8% increase, or $39.1 million, from the first quarter of fiscal 2011.  The increase in sales is attributable to a sales volume increase of $42.8 million, partially offset by lower selling prices/sales mix of $3.7 million. The increase in sales is primarily from a $19.2 million increase in Frozen sales, a $9.3 million increase in Canned Vegetable sales, a $9.6 million increase in Canned Fruit sales and a $0.6 million increase in Snack sales, partially offset by a $1.6 million decrease in GMOL sales.

The following table presents sales by product category:


 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
July 2,
   
July 3,
 
(In millions)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Canned Vegetables
  $ 165.1     $ 155.8  
GMOL*
    5.0       6.6  
Frozen
    28.9       9.7  
Fruit Products
    51.9       42.3  
Snack
    3.4       2.8  
Other
    4.8       2.8  
 
  $ 259.1     $ 220.0  
 
               
*GMOL includes frozen vegetable sales exclusively for GMOL.
         

12
 

 
Operating Income:

The following table presents components of operating (loss) income as a percentage of net sales:

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
July 2,
   
July 3,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
  Gross Margin
    2.3 %     11.5 %
 
               
  Selling
    3.5 %     3.6 %
  Administrative
    2.7 %     3.3 %
 
               
  Operating (Loss) Income
    -3.9 %     4.6 %
 
               
  Interest Expense, Net
    0.7 %     0.9 %
 
               

For the three month period ended July 2, 2011, gross margin decreased from the prior year quarter from 11.5% to 2.3% due primarily to lower net selling prices (after considering promotions) compared to the prior year, higher unit costs in the current year than the prior year and a LIFO charge in the current year as compared to a credit in prior year.  The LIFO charge for the first quarter ended July 2, 2011 was $6,527,000 as compared to a credit of $4,132,000 for the first quarter ended July 3, 2010 and reflects the impact on the quarter of increased inflationary cost increases expected in fiscal 2012, compared to fiscal 2011.  On an after-tax basis, LIFO increased the net loss by $4,243,000 for the quarter ended July 2, 2011 and increased net earnings by $2,686,000 for the quarter ended July 3, 2010, based on the statutory federal income tax rate.

For the three month period ended July 2, 2011, selling costs as a percentage of sales decreased from 3.6% to 3.5% as a result of lower rate of brokerage commissions on the higher sales in the current period.

For the three month period ended July 2, 2011, administrative expense as a percentage of sales decreased from 3.3% to 2.7% due primarily to the fixed nature of those expenses and the higher sales in the current period.
 
 
During the three months ended July 2, 2011, the Company sold unused fixed assets which resulted in a gain of $151,000 as compared to a gain of $76,000 during the three months ended July 3, 2010.  These gains are included in other operating income in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Earnings.

Interest expense, as a percentage of sales, decreased from 0.9% for the quarter ended July 3, 2010 to 0.7% for the quarter ended July 2, 2011. This decrease was due to a lower interest rate on the Company's LIBOR-based Revolver in the  current year period compared to the prior year and decreased long-term debt attributable to scheduled debt payments.

Income Taxes:

The effective tax rate was 33.2% and 35.6% for the three month periods ended July 2, 2011 and July 3, 2010, respectively.   Of the 2.4 percentage point decrease in the effective tax rate for this period, the major portion of this reduction was due to higher state credits in the current year than the prior year and the research and experimentation credits in the current year which, although similar in amount to the prior year, resulted in higher percentage of pre-tax earnings in the current year due to the lower expected pre-tax earnings in the current year than the prior year.

13
 

 

Earnings per Share:

Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share were $(0.66) and $0.43 for the three months ended July 2, 2011 and July 3, 2010, respectively.  For details of the calculation of these amounts, refer to footnote 12 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


Liquidity and Capital Resources:

The financial condition of the Company is summarized in the following table and explanatory review:

 
 
July 2,
   
July 3,
   
March 31,
   
March 31,
 
(In thousands except ratios)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Working capital:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
  Balance
  $ 398,919     $ 387,894     $ 294,712     $ 404,610  
  Change during quarter
    104,207       (16,716 )                
Long-term debt, less current portion
    198,528       187,199       90,060       207,924  
Total stockholders' equity per equivalent
                               
      common share (see Note)
    28.30       27.84       28.96       27.43  
Stockholders' equity per common share
    28.93       28.45       29.61       28.37  
Current ratio
    3.96       3.66       2.13       3.98  

Note: Equivalent common shares are either common shares or, for convertible preferred shares, the number of common shares that the preferred shares are convertible into.  See Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K for conversion details.

As shown in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, net cash provided by operating activities was $31.4 million in the first three months of fiscal 2012, compared to $26.2 million in the first three months of fiscal 2011.  The $5.2 million increase in cash provided is primarily attributable to a $23.4 million decrease in inventory of in the first three months of fiscal 2012 as compared to $21.1 million increase in inventory in the first three months of fiscal 2011, partially offset by a $3.9 million increase in cash used for income taxes as, a $9.2 million decrease in cash provided by accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, decreased net earnings of $13.3 million as previously discussed, a $8.7 million decrease in cash provided by accounts receivable and a $7.4 million decrease in cash provided by other current assets all as compared to the first three months of fiscal 2011.

As compared to July 3, 2010, inventory decreased $35.7 million to $431.9 million at July 2, 2011.  The components of the inventory decrease reflect a $71.3 million decrease in finished goods (including off-season), a $0.6 million decrease in work in process and a $35.0 million increase in raw materials and supplies.  The finished goods decrease reflects lower inventory quantities attributable to increased sales volume as compared to the prior year due in part to the timing of the fiscal year 2012 versus fiscal year 2011 pack.  The raw materials and supplies increase is primarily due to an increase in cans and raw steel quantities compared to the prior year.  FIFO based inventory costs exceeded LIFO based inventory costs by $96.4 million as of the end of the first quarter of 2012 as compared to $93.6 million as of the end of the first quarter of 2011.  Off-season increased by $14.6 million, as compared to July 3, 2010, which was attributable to the delayed timing of the production of certain commodities due to the weather.  Refer to the Critical Accounting Policies section of this Form 10-Q for further details on the off-season.

14
 

 

Cash used in investing activities was $5.4 million in the first three months of fiscal 2012 compared to $6.6 million in the first three months of fiscal 2011.  Additions to property, plant and equipment were $5.6 million in the first three months of fiscal 2012 as compared to $6.6 million in first three months of fiscal 2011.

Cash used in financing activities was $22.0 million in the first three months of fiscal 2012, which included borrowings of $61.5 million and the repayment of $83.6 million of long-term debt, principally consisting of borrowing and repayment on the revolving credit facility (“Revolver”).  Excluding the Revolver, borrowings and repayments during the first three months of fiscal 2012  were zero and $1.8 million, respectively.

The Company completed the closing of a new five year revolving credit facility on July 20, 2011.  Available borrowings on the Revolver totals $250,000,000 from April through July and $350,000,000 from August through March with a maturity date of July 20, 2016.    The interest rate on the Revolver is based on LIBOR plus an applicable margin based on excess availability and the Company's fixed charge coverage ratio.  As of July 2, 2011, the interest rate was approximately 1.19% on a balance of $115.5 million.  At August 1, 2011, the interest rate on the Revolver was 1.69% on a balance of $134.0 million.  We believe that cash flows from operations, availability under our Revolver and other financing sources will provide adequate funds for our working capital needs, planned capital expenditures, and debt obligations for at least the next 12 months.

The Company’s credit facilities contain standard representations and warranties, events of default, and certain affirmative and negative covenants, including various financial covenants.  At July 2, 2011, the Company was in compliance with all such financial covenants.

New Accounting Standards

Refer to footnote 11 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Seasonality

The Company's revenues are typically higher in the second and third fiscal quarters. This is due in part because the Company sells, on a bill and hold basis, Green Giant canned and frozen vegetables to GMOL at the end of each pack cycle, which typically occurs during these quarters.  GMOL buys the product from the Company at cost plus a specified fee for each equivalent case.  See the Critical Accounting Policies section below for further details.  The Company’s non-Green Giant sales also exhibit seasonality with the third fiscal quarter generating the highest retail sales due to holidays that occur during that quarter.

Forward-Looking Information

The information contained in this report contains, or may contain, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements appear in a number of places in this report and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company or its officers (including statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates” or similar expressions) with respect to various matters, including (i) the Company’s anticipated needs for, and the availability of, cash, (ii) the Company’s liquidity and financing plans, (iii) the Company’s ability to successfully integrate acquisitions into its operations, (iv) trends affecting the Company’s financial condition or results of operations, including anticipated sales price levels and anticipated expense levels, in particular higher production, fuel and transportation costs, (v) the Company’s plans for expansion of its business (including through acquisitions) and cost savings, and (vi) the impact of competition.

15
 

 

Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made.  Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are:

·  
general economic and business conditions;
·  
cost and availability of commodities and other raw materials such as vegetables, steel and packaging materials;
·  
transportation costs;
·  
climate and weather affecting growing conditions and crop yields;
·  
the availability of financing;
·  
leverage and the Company’s ability to service and reduce its debt;
·  
foreign currency exchange and interest rate fluctuations;
·  
effectiveness of the Company’s marketing and trade promotion programs;
·  
changing consumer preferences;
·  
competition;
·  
product liability claims;
·  
the loss of significant customers or a substantial reduction in orders from these customers;
·  
changes in, or the failure or inability to comply with, U.S., foreign and local governmental regulations, including environmental and health and safety regulations; and
·  
other risks detailed from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the SEC.

Except for ongoing obligations to disclose material information as required by the federal securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the filing of this report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Critical Accounting Policies

In the three months ended July 2, 2011, the Company sold $4,310,000 of Green Giant finished goods inventory to General Mills Operations, LLC (“GMOL”) for cash, on a bill and hold basis, as compared to $5,574,000  for the three months ended July 3, 2010.  Under the terms of the bill and hold agreement, title to the specified inventory transferred to GMOL.  The Company believes it has met the criteria required for bill and hold treatment.

The seasonal nature of the Company's food processing business results in a timing difference between expenses (primarily overhead expenses) incurred and absorbed into product cost.  These “off-season” variances are accounted for in an inventory account and are included in inventories on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Depending upon the time of year, the off-season account reflects the excess of absorbed expenses over incurred expenses to date, resulting in a credit balance, or the excess of incurred expenses over absorbed expenses to date, resulting in a debit balance.  Other than at the end of the first and fourth fiscal quarter of each year, absorbed expenses exceed incurred expenses due to timing of production.  All off-season balances are zero at fiscal year end.

16
 

 

Trade promotions are an important component of the sales and marketing of the Company’s branded products, and are critical to the support of the business. Trade promotion costs, which are recorded as a reduction of net sales, include amounts paid to encourage retailers to offer temporary price reductions for the sale of our products to consumers, amounts paid to obtain favorable display positions in retailers’ stores, and amounts paid to retailers for shelf space in retail stores. Accruals for trade promotions are recorded primarily at the time of sale of product to the retailer based on expected levels of performance. Settlement of these liabilities typically occurs in subsequent periods primarily through an authorized process for deductions taken by a retailer from amounts otherwise due to us. As a result, the ultimate cost of a trade promotion program is dependent on the relative success of the events and the actions and level of deductions taken by retailers for amounts they consider due to them. Final determination of the permissible deductions may take extended periods of time.

17

 
 

 

ITEM 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is exposed to various market risk factors, including changes in general economic conditions, competition and raw material pricing and availability.  In addition, the Company is exposed to fluctuations in interest rates, primarily related to its revolving credit facility.  To manage interest rate risk, the Company uses both fixed and variable interest rate debt.  There have been no material changes to the Company’s exposure to market risk since March 31, 2011.

18

 
 

 

ITEM 4 Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains a system of internal and disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis. The Company’s Board of Directors, operating through its Audit Committee, which is composed entirely of independent outside directors, provides oversight to the financial reporting process.

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of July 2, 2011, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.  The Company continues to examine, refine and formalize its disclosure controls and procedures and to monitor ongoing developments in this area.

There have been no changes during the period covered by this report to the Company's internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

19

 
 

 
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.                       Legal Proceedings

None.

Item 1A.                       Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended March 31, 2011.

  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 
 
Total Number of
   
Average Price Paid
   
Total Number
 
Maximum Number
 
 
Shares Purchased (1)
   
per Share
   
of Shares
 
(or Approximate
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Purchased as
 
Dollar Value) or
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Part of Publicly
 
Shares that May
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Announced
 
Yet Be Purchased
 
 
Class A
   
Class B
 
Class A
   
Class B
   
Plans or
 
Under the Plans or
Period
 
Common
   
Common
 
Common
   
Common
   
Programs
 
Programs
4/01/11 –
    15,055       -     $ 28.34     $ -       N/A  
 
4/30/11
                                       
 
5/01/11 –
    -       -     $ -     $ -       N/A  
 
5/31/11
                                       
 
6/01/11 –
    7,600       2,400     $ 25.30     $ 24.05       N/A  
 
6/30/11
                                       
 
Total
    22,655       2,400     $ 27.32     $ 24.05       N/A  
486,500 

(1) These purchases were made in open market transactions by the trustees under the Seneca Foods Corporation Employees' Savings Plan 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to provide employee matching contributions under the plan.

Item 3.                          Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.                          Reserved

Item 5.                          Other Information

None.

Item 6.                          Exhibits

10.1
Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of July 20, 2011 by and among Seneca Foods Corporation, Seneca Foods, LLC, Seneca Snack Company, certain other subsidiaries of Seneca Foods Corporation, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as agent and issuing bank, RBS Citizens, N.A., as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated with RBS Citizens, N.A., as joint lead arrangers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 26, 2011).

20
 

 

31.1
Certification of Kraig H. Kayser pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
31.2
Certification of Roland E. Breunig pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
32
Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
101
The following materials from Seneca Foods Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 2, 2011, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language):  (i) consolidated balance sheets, (ii) consolidated statements of net earnings, (iii) consolidated statements of cash flows, (iv) consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity and (v) the notes to the consolidated financial statements, tagged as block of text.**

**  Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

21

 
 

 

SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.





Seneca Foods Corporation
      (Company)



/s/Kraig H. Kayser                              
August 3, 2011
Kraig H. Kayser
President and
Chief Executive Officer


/s/Roland E. Breunig                                           
August 3, 2011
Roland E. Breunig
Chief Financial Officer



22