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WD 40 CO - Quarter Report: 2008 November (Form 10-Q)

Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

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 November 30, 2008

OR

 

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

 

     For the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number 000-06936

 

 

WD-40 COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   95-1797918

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1061 Cudahy Place

San Diego, CA

  92110
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(619) 275-1400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (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 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    x    Non-accelerated filer    ¨    Smaller reporting company    ¨
   (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  ¨    No  x

The number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, as of December 31, 2008 was 16,500,304.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

WD-40 COMPANY

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended November 30, 2008

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page
   PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

Item 1.

   Financial Statements    3

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    16

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    27

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    27
   PART II—OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings    28

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors    28

Item 6.

   Exhibits    30

 

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Table of Contents

Part I—Financial Information

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

WD-40 COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited and in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

     November 30, 2008     August 31, 2008  

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 26,340     $ 41,983  

Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $423 and $486 at November 30, 2008 and August 31, 2008, respectively

     46,377       49,271  

Product held at contract packagers

     3,675       2,453  

Inventories

     20,332       18,280  

Current deferred tax assets, net

     4,012       4,045  

Other current assets

     4,014       3,453  
                

Total current assets

     104,750       119,485  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     11,216       11,309  

Goodwill

     95,182       95,909  

Other intangible assets, net

     38,998       39,992  

Investment in related party

     192       435  

Other assets

     3,472       3,543  
                

Total assets

   $ 253,810     $ 270,673  
                

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 18,201     $ 22,985  

Accounts payable to related party

     164       547  

Accrued liabilities

     13,977       13,143  

Current portion of long-term debt

     10,714       10,714  

Accrued payroll and related expenses

     4,919       6,084  

Income taxes payable

     3,650       1,090  
                

Total current liabilities

     51,625       54,563  

Long-term debt

     21,429       32,143  

Long-term deferred tax liabilities, net

     17,144       16,876  

Deferred employee benefits and other long-term liabilities

     3,032       3,099  
                

Total liabilities

     93,230       106,681  
                

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Common stock—authorized 36,000,000 shares, $0.001 par value; 18,063,802 and 18,041,715 shares issued at November 30, 2008 and August 31, 2008, respectively; and 16,500,304 and 16,478,217 shares outstanding at November 30, 2008 and August 31, 2008, respectively

     18       18  

Additional paid-in capital

     83,934       82,647  

Retained earnings

     132,178       128,627  

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

     (5,484 )     2,766  

Common stock held in treasury, at cost—1,563,498 shares

     (50,066 )     (50,066 )
                

Total shareholders’ equity

     160,580       163,992  
                

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 253,810     $ 270,673  
                

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

WD-40 COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited and in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended November 30,  
             2008                     2007          

Net sales

   $ 83,597     $ 79,150  

Cost of products sold (including cost of products acquired from related party of $4,260 and $6,681 for the three months ended November 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively)

     44,860       41,680  
                

Gross profit

     38,737       37,470  
                

Operating expenses:

    

Selling, general and administrative

     21,117       21,224  

Advertising and sales promotion

     5,413       6,640  

Amortization of intangible asset

     129       152  
                

Total operating expenses

     26,659       28,016  
                

Income from operations

     12,078       9,454  

Other (expense) income:

    

Interest expense, net of interest income of $258 and $530 for the three months ended November 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively

     (440 )     (406 )

Other income, net

     221       312  
                

Income before income taxes

     11,859       9,360  

Provision for income taxes

     4,174       3,130  
                

Net income

   $ 7,685     $ 6,230  
                

Earnings per common share:

    

Basic

   $ 0.47     $ 0.37  
                

Diluted

   $ 0.46     $ 0.36  
                

Shares used in per share calculations:

    

Basic

     16,495,678       16,889,137  
                

Diluted

     16,673,569       17,092,792  
                

Dividends declared per common share

   $ 0.25     $ 0.25  
                

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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WD-40 COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited and in thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended November 30,  
             2008                     2007          

Operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 7,685     $ 6,230  

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

    

Depreciation and amortization

     909       931  

Net gains on sales and disposals of property and equipment

     (3 )     (4 )

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

     519       (535 )

Excess tax benefits from exercises of stock options

     (14 )     (147 )

Equity losses (earnings) from related party

     243       (41 )

Stock-based compensation

     625       493  

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Trade accounts receivable

     (1,569 )     508  

Product held at contract packagers

     (1,222 )     (170 )

Inventories

     (2,903 )     (2,317 )

Other assets

     (976 )     (1,799 )

Accounts payable and accrued expenses and liabilities

     (2,806 )     (5,509 )

Accounts payable to related party

     (383 )     1,265  

Income taxes payable

     2,874       995  

Deferred employee benefits and other long-term liabilities

     (33 )     2,006  
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     2,946       1,906  
                

Investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (1,172 )     (1,032 )

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

     60       41  

Purchases of marketable securities

     —         (51,325 )

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities

     —         51,325  
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (1,112 )     (991 )
                

Financing activities:

    

Repayments of long-term debt

     (10,714 )     (10,714 )

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     640       2,784  

Excess tax benefits from exercises of stock options

     14       147  

Dividends paid

     (4,134 )     (4,215 )
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (14,194 )     (11,998 )
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (3,283 )     369  
                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (15,643 )     (10,714 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     41,983       61,078  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 26,340     $ 50,364  
                

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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WD-40 COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited and in thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended November 30,
             2008                     2007        

Net income

   $ 7,685     $ 6,230

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

    

Equity adjustment from foreign currency translation, net of tax benefit (provision) of $130 and ($45) for the three months ended November 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively

     (8,250 )     1,088
              

Total comprehensive (loss) income

   $ (565 )   $ 7,318
              

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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WD-40 COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. The Company

WD-40 Company (“the Company”), based in San Diego, California, is a global consumer products company dedicated to delivering unique, high value and easy-to-use solutions for a wide variety of maintenance needs of “doer” and “on-the-job” users by leveraging and building the brand fortress of the Company. The Company markets two multi-purpose maintenance product brands, WD-40® and 3-IN-ONE® Oil, and eight homecare and cleaning product brands, X-14® hard surface cleaners and automatic toilet bowl cleaners, 2000 Flushes® automatic toilet bowl cleaners, Carpet Fresh® and No Vac® rug and room deodorizers, Spot Shot® aerosol and liquid carpet stain removers, 1001® carpet and household cleaners and rug and room deodorizers and Lava® and Solvol® heavy-duty hand cleaners.

The Company’s brands are sold in various locations around the world. Multi-purpose maintenance products are sold worldwide in markets such as North, Central and South America, Asia, Australia and the Pacific Rim, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Homecare and cleaning products are sold primarily in North America, the U.K., Australia and the Pacific Rim.

Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company, without audit, according to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The August 31, 2008 year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of operating results for an entire fiscal year.

In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial information for the interim periods shown reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation thereof. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008 filed with the SEC on October 23, 2008.

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Sales Concentration

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is a significant U.S. mass retail customer and offers a variety of the Company’s products. Sales to U.S. Wal-Mart stores accounted for approximately 6 percent and 7 percent of the Company’s consolidated net sales during the three months ended November 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Excluding sales to U.S. Wal-Mart stores, sales to affiliates of Wal-Mart worldwide accounted for approximately 4 percent and 3 percent, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated net sales during the three months ended November 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Income Taxes

Current income tax expense is the amount of income taxes expected to be payable for the current year. A deferred income tax liability or asset is established for the expected future tax consequences resulting from the differences in financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is provided if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In addition to valuation allowances, the Company provides for uncertain tax positions when such tax positions do not meet the recognition thresholds or measurement standards prescribed by Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”). Amounts for uncertain tax positions are adjusted in periods when new information becomes available or when positions are effectively settled. In accordance with FIN 48, the Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense.

U.S. federal income tax expense is provided on remittances of foreign earnings and on unremitted foreign earnings that are not indefinitely reinvested. U.S. federal income taxes and foreign withholding taxes are not provided when foreign earnings are indefinitely reinvested in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 23, Accounting for Income Taxes, Special Areas. The Company determines whether its foreign subsidiaries will invest their undistributed earnings indefinitely based on the capital needs of the foreign subsidiaries. The Company periodically reassesses this determination. Changes to the Company’s determination may be warranted based on the Company’s experience as well as plans regarding future international operations and expected remittances.

Earnings per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income for the period by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income for the period by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period increased by the weighted-average number of potentially dilutive common shares (dilutive securities) that were outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive securities are comprised of stock options and restricted stock units granted under the Company’s prior stock option plan and current stock incentive plan.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Effective September 1, 2008, the Company adopted the required portions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS No. 157”), which had no impact on the consolidated financial statements. SFAS No. 157 currently applies to all financial assets and liabilities and those nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis. The effective date of the provisions of SFAS No. 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except for items recognized at fair value on a recurring basis, was deferred by FASB Staff Position No. 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157, and is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning on September 1, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of SFAS No. 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except for items recognized at fair value on a recurring basis, on its consolidated financial position and results of operations.

Also effective September 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (“SFAS No. 159”), which permits entities to choose to measure eligible financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The Company has not elected the fair value option for any items; therefore, the adoption of SFAS No. 159 did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position (“FSP”) FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8, Disclosures by Public Entities (Enterprises) about Transfers of Financial Assets and Interests in Variable Interest Entities, which promptly improves disclosures by public companies until the pending amendments to FASB Statement No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities (“SFAS No. 140”), and FIN No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (revised December

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

2003)—an interpretation of ARB No. 51 (“FIN 46(R)”), are finalized and approved by the Board. The FSP amends SFAS No. 140 to require public companies to provide additional disclosures about transfers of financial assets and variable interests in qualifying special-purpose entities. It also amends FIN 46(R) to require public companies to provide additional disclosures about their involvement with variable interest entities. This FSP is effective for reporting periods ending after December 15, 2008. The Company is currently assessing the effect of FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8 on its consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an Amendment of FAS 133 (“SFAS No. 161”), which is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. Therefore, the Company will be required to adopt SFAS No. 161 for the interim period beginning December 1, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of SFAS No. 161 on its consolidated financial position and results of operations.

Note 3. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and other intangible assets principally relate to the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of tangible assets acquired. Goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are tested at least annually for impairment during the Company’s second fiscal quarter and otherwise when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that an impairment condition may exist. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2008, the Company tested its goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. Based on this test, the Company determined that there were no instances of impairment.

In addition to the annual impairment tests, goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are evaluated each reporting period. Goodwill is evaluated each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are evaluated each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life and to determine whether any indicators of impairment exist. Indicators such as underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results, changes in the Company’s strategy for its overall business or use of acquired assets, decline in the Company’s stock price for a sustained period, unexpected adverse industry or economic trends, unanticipated technological change or competitive activities, loss of key distribution, change in consumer demand, loss of key personnel and acts by governments and courts may signal that an asset has become impaired.

Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives and are evaluated each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support their remaining useful lives.

As of August 31, 2008, the Company performed additional tests of impairment of its indefinite-lived intangible assets due to the decline in the future forecasted sales levels of the X-14 brand resulting from management’s strategic decision during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008 to withdraw a number of products from the grocery trade channel. Based on the results of this test, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $1.3 million in the consolidated statement of operations for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008.

Currently, the fair values of the Carpet Fresh and X-14 brands approximate their carrying values, and the fair values of the Company’s other homecare and cleaning brands exceed their carrying values. Management has concluded that the Carpet Fresh and X-14 brands may have a higher risk of impairment in future periods. If the performance of these brands does not meet management’s expectations in future periods, a future impairment could result for a portion or all of the Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets. The Company will continue to closely monitor events and circumstances that could further impair its indefinite-lived intangible assets.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Acquisition-related Goodwill

Changes in the carrying amounts of acquisition-related goodwill by segment for the three months ended November 30, 2008 are summarized below (in thousands):

 

     Americas     Europe     Asia-Pacific     Total  

Balance as of August 31, 2008

   $ 85,637     $ 9,059     $ 1,213     $ 95,909  

Translation adjustments

     (104 )     (620 )     (3 )     (727 )
                                

Balance as of November 30, 2008

   $ 85,533     $ 8,439     $ 1,210     $ 95,182  
                                

Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets

Intangible assets, excluding acquisition-related goodwill, which are not amortized as they have been determined to have indefinite lives, consist of the trade names Carpet Fresh, X-14, 2000 Flushes, Spot Shot and 1001. Changes in the carrying amounts of indefinite-lived intangible assets by segment for the three months ended November 30, 2008 are summarized below (in thousands):

 

     Americas    Europe     Asia-Pacific    Total  

Balance as of August 31, 2008

   $ 34,360    $ 3,693     $ —      $ 38,053  

Translation adjustments

     —        (577 )     —        (577 )
                              

Balance as of November 30, 2008

   $ 34,360    $ 3,116     $ —      $ 37,476  
                              

Definite-lived Intangible Asset

The Company’s definite-lived intangible asset consists of certain non-contractual customer relationships from the acquisition of the 1001 line of products during fiscal year 2004. This definite-lived intangible asset is included in the Europe segment and is being amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated eight-year life. The following table summarizes the non-contractual customer relationships intangible asset and the related accumulated amortization as of November 30, 2008 and August 31, 2008 (in thousands):

 

     November 30,
2008
    August 31,
2008
 

Gross carrying amount

   $ 3,653     $ 4,329  

Accumulated amortization

     (2,131 )     (2,390 )
                

Net carrying amount

   $ 1,522     $ 1,939  
                

Changes in the carrying amount of the definite-lived intangible asset for the three months ended November 30, 2008 are summarized below (in thousands):

 

     Americas    Europe     Asia-Pacific    Total  

Balance as of August 31, 2008

   $ —      $ 1,939     $ —      $ 1,939  

Amortization expense

     —        (129 )     —        (129 )

Translation adjustments

     —        (288 )     —        (288 )
                              

Balance as of November 30, 2008

   $ —      $ 1,522     $ —      $ 1,522  
                              

The estimated amortization expense for the non-contractual customer relationships intangible asset is based on current foreign currency exchange rates, and amounts in future periods may differ from those presented due to fluctuations in those rates. The estimated amortization expense for the non-contractual customer relationships intangible asset in future fiscal years is as follows (in thousands):

 

Remainder of fiscal year 2009

   $ 342

Fiscal year 2010

     457

Fiscal year 2011

     457

Fiscal year 2012

     266
      
   $ 1,522
      

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Note 4. Fair Value Measurements

Effective September 1, 2008, the Company adopted the required portions of SFAS No. 157 for financial assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 157 establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes fair value measurements based on the types of inputs used in measuring fair value into one of the following three categories:

Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or observable inputs that are corroborated by market data; and

Level 3: Unobservable inputs reflecting the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

The following table presents information about the Company’s financial assets that are measured at fair value as of November 30, 2008, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value (in thousands):

 

     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets

(Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

Assets:

        

Money market funds

   $ —      $ 6,898    $ —  

Money market funds are classified as cash and cash equivalents in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of November 30, 2008.

Note 5. Supplementary Balance Sheet Information (in thousands):

 

     November 30,
2008
    August 31,
2008
 

Inventories:

    

Raw materials and components

   $ 3,521     $ 3,766  

Work-in-process

     963       1,174  

Finished goods

     15,848       13,340  
                
   $ 20,332     $ 18,280  
                

Property, plant and equipment, net:

    

Machinery, equipment and vehicles

   $ 11,829     $ 11,507  

Buildings and improvements

     4,316       4,540  

Computer and office equipment

     2,943       3,132  

Software

     3,780       3,769  

Furniture and fixtures

     875       899  

Land

     540       574  
                
     24,283       24,421  

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (13,067 )     (13,112 )
                
   $ 11,216     $ 11,309  
                

Accrued liabilities:

    

Accrued advertising and sales promotion expenses

   $ 8,697     $ 8,232  

Other

     5,280       4,911  
                
   $ 13,977     $ 13,143  
                

Accrued payroll and related expenses:

    

Accrued bonuses

   $ 805     $ 1,988  

Accrued payroll

     1,359       1,519  

Accrued profit sharing

     1,828       1,408  

Accrued payroll taxes

     700       930  

Other

     227       239  
                
   $ 4,919     $ 6,084  
                

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

     November 30,
2008
   August 31,
2008

Deferred employee benefits and other long-term liabilities:

     

Supplemental employee retirement plan benefits liability

   $ 843    $ 878

Other income taxes payable

     2,077      2,077

Other

     112      144
             
   $ 3,032    $ 3,099
             

Note 6. Earnings per Common Share

The table below summarizes the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding included in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (“EPS”) for the three months ended November 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

     Three Months Ended November 30,
             2008                    2007        

Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic

   16,495,678    16,889,137

Weighted-average dilutive securities

   177,891    203,655
         

Weighted-average common shares outstanding, diluted

   16,673,569    17,092,792
         

For the three months ended November 30, 2008, there were 631,790 weighted-average stock options outstanding that were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the stock options having an exercise price greater than or equal to the average market value of the Company’s common stock during the period. For the three months ended November 30, 2007, there were no weighted-average stock options outstanding that were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the stock options having an exercise price greater than or equal to the average market value of the Company’s common stock during the period.

For the three months ended November 30, 2007, 428,338 weighted-average stock options outstanding were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS under the treasury stock method as they were anti-dilutive. These stock options were anti-dilutive as a result of the assumed proceeds from (i) amounts option holders must pay for exercising stock options, (ii) the amount of compensation costs for future services that the Company has not yet recognized as expense, and (iii) the amount of tax benefits that would be recorded in additional paid-in capital upon exercise of the stock options. For the three months ended November 30, 2008, there were no additional anti-dilutive weighted-average stock options outstanding excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS under the treasury stock method.

Note 7. Related Parties

VML Company L.L.C. (“VML”), a Delaware company, was formed in April 2001, at which time the Company acquired a 30% membership interest. VML makes profit distributions to the Company and the 70% owner on a discretionary basis in proportion to each party’s respective interest. VML serves as one of the Company’s contract manufacturers for certain homecare and cleaning products and acts as a warehouse distributor for other products of the Company. During fiscal year 2008, VML acquired a significant new customer, which resulted in manufacturing disruptions. As a result, the Company transitioned its sourcing to alternative suppliers to significantly reduce its reliance on VML as a manufacturer.

The Company has a put option to sell its interest in VML to the 70% owner, and the 70% owner has a call option to purchase the Company’s interest. The sale price in each case is established pursuant to formulas based on VML’s operating results.

Under FIN 46(R), VML qualifies as a variable interest entity, and it has been determined that the Company is not the primary beneficiary. The Company’s investment in VML is accounted for using the equity method of accounting, and its equity in earnings or losses of VML is recorded as a component of cost of products sold, as VML acts primarily as a contract manufacturer to the Company. The Company recorded equity losses related to its investment in VML of $243,000 for the three months ended November 30, 2008, and equity earnings of $41,000 for three months ended November 30, 2007.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with VML was $0.2 million as of November 30, 2008. This amount represents the balance of the Company’s equity investment in VML, which is presented as investment in related party in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company’s investment in VML as of August 31, 2008 was $0.4 million.

Cost of products sold which were purchased from VML, net of rebates and equity earnings or losses, was approximately $4.3 million and $6.7 million during the three months ended November 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company had product payables to VML of $0.2 million and $0.5 million at November 30, 2008 and August 31, 2008, respectively. Additionally, the Company receives rental income from VML, which is recorded as a component of other income, net in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations. Rental income from VML was $32,000 and $48,000 during the three months ended November 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Note 8. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company has relationships with various suppliers (or contract manufacturers) who manufacture the Company’s products. Although the Company does not have any definitive minimum purchase obligations included in the contract terms with the contract manufacturers, supply needs are communicated and the Company is committed to purchase the products produced based on orders and short-term projections provided to the contract manufacturers, ranging from two to five months. The Company is also obligated to purchase obsolete or slow-moving inventory.

In addition to the commitments to purchase products from contract manufacturers described above, the Company may also enter into commitments with other manufacturers to purchase finished goods and components to support innovation initiatives and/or supply chain initiatives.

The Company is party to various claims, legal actions and complaints, including product liability litigation, arising in the ordinary course of business. With the possible exception of the legal proceedings discussed below, management is of the opinion that none of these matters is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

On April 19, 2006, a legal action was filed against the Company in the United States District Court, Southern District of California (Drimmer v. WD-40 Company). After several of the plaintiff’s factual claims were dismissed by way of motion, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint on September 20, 2006, seeking class action status and alleging that the Company misrepresented that its 2000 Flushes Bleach and 2000 Flushes Blue Plus Bleach automatic toilet bowl cleaners (“ATBCs”) are safe for plumbing systems and unlawfully omitted to advise consumers regarding the allegedly damaging effect the use of the ATBCs has on toilet parts made of plastic and rubber. The amended complaint seeks to remedy such allegedly wrongful conduct: (i) by requiring the Company to identify all consumers who have purchased the ATBCs and to return money as may be ordered by the court; and (ii) by the granting of other equitable relief, interest, attorneys’ fees and costs. On August 24, 2007, the Company successfully defeated the plaintiff’s attempt to have the case certified as a class action. The plaintiff has been granted permission to appeal the District Court’s decision. If the plaintiff is successful in an appeal and class action certification is granted in this aforementioned legal action, it is reasonably possible that the outcome could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. There is not sufficient information to estimate the Company’s exposure at this time.

Since 2004, the Company has been named as a defendant in lawsuits brought by a growing group of attorneys on behalf of individual plaintiffs who assert that exposure to products that allegedly contain benzene is a cause of certain cancers (the “Benzene Lawsuits”). The Company is one of many defendants in these legal proceedings whose products are alleged to contain benzene. However, the Company specifies that its suppliers provide constituent ingredients free of benzene. The Company believes its products have always been formulated without containing benzene and the facts developed in litigation to date support this position. The plaintiffs in the Benzene Lawsuits typically seek damages in unspecified amounts for injuries or death attributable to a form of cancer linked to exposure to benzene. The Company is unable to quantify the total amount of damages asserted by the plaintiffs in the Benzene

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Lawsuits. Except for self-insured retention amounts applicable to each separately filed lawsuit, the Company expects that the Benzene Lawsuits will be adequately covered by insurance and will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations. The Company is vigorously defending these lawsuits. The Company is unable to assess the expected cost of defense of these lawsuits in future periods. If the number of Benzene Lawsuits filed against the Company increases, it is reasonably possible that such costs of defense may materially affect the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in future periods.

As permitted under Delaware law, the Company has agreements whereby it indemnifies senior officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was, serving at the Company’s request in such capacity. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, the Company maintains Director and Officer insurance coverage that mitigates the Company’s exposure with respect to such obligations. As a result of the Company’s insurance coverage, management believes that the estimated fair value of these indemnification agreements is minimal. No liabilities have been recorded for these agreements as of November 30, 2008.

From time to time, the Company enters into indemnification agreements with certain contractual parties in the ordinary course of business, including agreements with lenders, lessors, contract manufacturers, marketing distributors, customers and certain vendors. All such indemnification agreements are entered into in the context of the particular agreements and are provided in an attempt to properly allocate risk of loss in connection with the consummation of the underlying contractual arrangements. Although the maximum amount of future payments that the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited, management believes that the Company maintains adequate levels of insurance coverage to protect the Company with respect to most potential claims arising from such agreements and that such agreements do not otherwise have value separate and apart from the liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of the Company’s business. Thus, no liabilities have been recorded with respect to such indemnification agreements as of November 30, 2008.

Note 9. Income Taxes

To determine its quarterly provision for income taxes, the Company uses an estimated annual effective tax rate, which is based on expected annual income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Certain significant or unusual items are separately recognized in the quarter in which they occur and can be a source of variability in the effective tax rates from quarter to quarter.

As of November 30, 2008 and August 31, 2008, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $1.7 million, of which $1.0 million and $1.1 million, respectively, would affect the effective tax rate if recognized. As of November 30, 2008 and August 31, 2008, the total balance of accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits was $0.4 million. The gross liability for income taxes related to unrecognized tax benefits is included in other long-term liabilities in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. There was no material interest or penalties included in income tax expense for the three months ended November 30, 2008.

The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. and in various state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company currently has no years under examination by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and is not subject to examination for years prior to fiscal year 2005. Generally, for the majority of state and foreign jurisdictions where the Company does business, periods prior to fiscal year 2004 are no longer subject to examination. The Company is currently under audit in various state and local jurisdictions for fiscal years 2004 through 2007. The Company has estimated that up to $0.3 million of unrecognized tax benefits related to income tax positions may be affected by the resolution of tax examinations or expiring statutes of limitation within the remainder of the current fiscal year. Audit outcomes and the timing of settlements are subject to significant uncertainty.

During the three months ended November 30, 2008, the Company recorded liabilities related to unrecognized tax benefits of $0.1 million in the current fiscal year, offset by recognized tax benefits of $0.1 million due to expiring statutes.

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Note 10. Business Segments and Foreign Operations

The Company evaluates the performance of its segments and allocates resources to them based on sales, operating income and expected return. The Company is organized based on geographic location. Segment data does not include inter-segment revenues and incorporates costs from corporate headquarters into the Americas segment, without allocation to other segments. The Company’s segments are run independently and, as a result, there are few costs that could be considered only costs from headquarters that would qualify for allocation to other segments. The most significant portion of costs from headquarters relates to the Americas segment both as a percentage of time and sales. Therefore, any allocation to other segments would be arbitrary.

The tables below present information about reportable segments and net sales by product line as of and for the three months ended November 30, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands):

As of and for the Three Months Ended November 30:

 

     Americas    Europe    Asia-Pacific    Total

2008

           

Net sales

   $ 45,521    $ 30,134    $ 7,942    $ 83,597

Income from operations (1)

   $ 4,504    $ 6,368    $ 1,206    $ 12,078

Depreciation and amortization expense

   $ 567    $ 308    $ 34    $ 909

Interest income

   $ 40    $ 204    $ 14    $ 258

Interest expense

   $ 695    $ —      $ 3    $ 698

Total assets

   $ 184,176    $ 60,975    $ 8,659    $ 253,810

2007

           

Net sales

   $ 43,555    $ 28,396    $ 7,199    $ 79,150

Income from operations (1)

   $ 3,738    $ 4,535    $ 1,181    $ 9,454

Depreciation and amortization expense

   $ 526    $ 362    $ 43    $ 931

Interest income

   $ 325    $ 196    $ 9    $ 530

Interest expense

   $ 932    $ —      $ 4    $ 936

Total assets

   $ 200,548    $ 67,448    $ 9,585    $ 277,581

 

(1) For the three months ended November 30, 2008 and 2007, income from operations for the Americas segment included costs from headquarters of $4.6 million and $3.8 million, respectively.

 

     Three Months Ended November 30,
Net Sales by Product Line:            2008                    2007        

Multi-purpose maintenance products

   $ 65,875    $ 57,317

Homecare and cleaning products

     17,722      21,833
             
   $ 83,597    $ 79,150
             

Note 11. Subsequent Event

On December 9, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.25 per share payable on January 30, 2009 to shareholders of record on January 8, 2009.

 

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

As used in this report, the terms “we,” “our,” “us” and “the Company” refer to WD-40 Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, unless the context suggests otherwise. Amounts and percents in tables and discussions may not total due to rounding.

The following information is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on October 23, 2008.

Overview

The Company

WD-40 Company, based in San Diego, California, is a global consumer products company dedicated to delivering unique, high value and easy-to-use solutions for a wide variety of maintenance needs of “doer” and “on-the-job” users by leveraging and building the brand fortress of the Company. We market two multi-purpose maintenance products, WD-40® and 3-IN-ONE® Oil, and eight homecare and cleaning products, X-14® hard surface cleaners and automatic toilet bowl cleaners, 2000 Flushes® automatic toilet bowl cleaners, Carpet Fresh® and No Vac® rug and room deodorizers, Spot Shot® aerosol and liquid carpet stain removers, 1001® carpet and household cleaners and rug and room deodorizers and Lava® and Solvol® heavy-duty hand cleaners.

Multi-purpose maintenance products are sold worldwide in markets such as North, Central and South America, Asia, Australia and the Pacific Rim, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Homecare and cleaning products are sold primarily in North America, the U.K., Australia and the Pacific Rim. We sell our products primarily through mass retail and home center stores, warehouse club stores, grocery stores, hardware stores, automotive parts outlets and industrial distributors and suppliers.

We plan to continue to leverage and build the brand fortress of our Company by developing and acquiring brands that deliver a unique, high value to end users and that can be distributed across multiple trade channels in one or more areas of the world.

Highlights

 

   

Consolidated net sales increased 6% for the first quarter of the current fiscal year compared to the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year, due to increases in the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific of 5%, 6% and 10%, respectively.

 

   

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates for the first quarter of the current fiscal year compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year had an unfavorable impact on our net sales and net income. The current fiscal year first quarter results translated at last fiscal year’s first quarter exchange rates would have produced net sales of $89.1 million and net income of $8.6 million. Thus, excluding the impact of the change in foreign currency exchange rates quarter over quarter, net sales and net income would have increased by 13% and 39%, respectively.

 

   

Sales of multi-purpose maintenance products increased 15% for the current fiscal year first quarter compared to the prior fiscal year first quarter. The increase in multi-purpose maintenance products for the current fiscal year first quarter was driven by growth and penetration in the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

 

   

The categories in which our homecare and cleaning products are sold are very competitive by nature. Sales of our homecare and cleaning products in the Americas were down 24% for the current fiscal year first quarter compared to the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year as a result of overall category declines. The decrease in the Americas was partially offset by a 15% increase in sales of homecare and cleaning products in Europe for the current fiscal year first quarter compared to the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year.

 

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Sales in China increased 30% for the current fiscal year first quarter compared to the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year as the region continued to benefit from the development of direct sales activity, which began during fiscal year 2007. Historically, the Company’s sales in China were through third-party marketing distributors. We plan to continue to increase our direct sales presence in China.

 

   

A significant challenge for the Company continues to be the rising costs of components and raw materials. In recent years, we have incurred continuous cost increases. To combat the rise in costs, we have implemented price increases on certain products during each of the last three fiscal years, and we have implemented further price increases throughout the world during the first quarter of fiscal year 2009. In addition to price increases, we continue to address the rising costs through innovation and other margin enhancement strategies.

Results of Operations

First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2009 Compared to First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2008

Operating Items

The following table summarizes operating data for our consolidated operations for the three months ended November 30, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands, except percentages and per share amounts):

 

     Three Months Ended November 30,
               Change from
Prior Year
     2008    2007    Dollars     Percent

Net sales:

          

Multi-purpose maintenance products

   $ 65,875    $ 57,317    $ 8,558     15% 

Homecare and cleaning products

     17,722      21,833      (4,111 )   (19)%
                        

Total net sales

     83,597      79,150      4,447     6% 

Cost of products sold

     44,860      41,680      3,180     8% 
                        

Gross profit

     38,737      37,470      1,267     3% 

Operating expenses

     26,659      28,016      (1,357 )   (5)%
                        

Income from operations

   $ 12,078    $ 9,454    $ 2,624     28% 
                        

Net income

   $ 7,685    $ 6,230    $ 1,455     23% 
                        

Earnings per common share—diluted

   $ 0.46    $ 0.36    $ 0.10     26% 
                        

Net Sales by Segment

The following table summarizes net sales by segment for the three months ended November 30, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     Three Months Ended November 30,
               Change from
Prior Year
     2008    2007    Dollars    Percent

Americas

   $ 45,521    $ 43,555    $ 1,966    5%

Europe

     30,134      28,396      1,738    6%

Asia-Pacific

     7,942      7,199      743    10%
                       
   $ 83,597    $ 79,150    $ 4,447    6%
                       

 

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Americas

The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the Americas segment for the three months ended November 30, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     Three Months Ended November 30,
               Change from
Prior Year
     2008    2007    Dollars     Percent

Multi-purpose maintenance products

   $ 31,691    $ 25,264    $ 6,427     25% 

Homecare and cleaning products

     13,830      18,291      (4,461 )   (24)%
                        
   $ 45,521    $ 43,555    $ 1,966     5% 
                        

% of consolidated net sales

     54%      55%     
                  

Sales in the Americas increased to $45.5 million, up $2.0 million, or 5%, for the three months ended November 30, 2008 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year had an unfavorable impact on sales. Sales for the three months ended November 30, 2008 translated at the exchange rates in effect for the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year would have produced sales of $45.8 million in the Americas segment. Thus, the impact of the change in foreign currency exchange rates period over period negatively affected sales for the three months ended November 30, 2008 by approximately $0.3 million.

Sales of multi-purpose maintenance products in the Americas during the three months ended November 30, 2008 increased $6.4 million, or 25%, compared to the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year primarily due to the sales increases in the U.S. of the WD-40 and 3-IN-ONE Oil products of 30% and 29%, respectively. The increase in sales of WD-40 in the U.S. was attributable to price increases and to increased promotional activities during the three months ended November 30, 2008. In addition, sales of WD-40 in the U.S. also increased during the first quarter of the current fiscal year due to the conversion of several can sizes to the Smart Straw format during the third quarter of fiscal year 2008. The WD-40 Smart Straw format has a higher selling price than the traditional WD-40 cans. U.S. sales of the 3-IN-ONE Oil products increased due to price increases on many of the 3-IN-ONE Oil products and increased distribution. Sales of multi-purpose maintenance products in Canada increased 19% due primarily to price increases and to additional promotional activities. Sales growth in Latin America of 9% was due to price increases, increased distribution with new customers and increased promotional activity with a key customer.

Sales of homecare and cleaning products in the Americas decreased $4.5 million, or 24%, during the three months ended November 30, 2008 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year due primarily to the sales declines across all homecare and cleaning brands in the U.S. These declines were the result of several factors, including lost distribution, declining categories and the effect of competitive factors.

Sales of 2000 Flushes and X-14 automatic toilet bowl cleaners in the U.S. decreased 31% for the three months ended November 30, 2008 compared to the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year due to decreased distribution with key customers as a result of an overall decline in the entire toilet bowl cleaning category. As part of the category trend, our customers are allocating less shelf space and consolidating this category. In an effort to mitigate this trend, we are increasing the use of marketing tactics that target consumers, including coupons and in-store promotional activity. To generate growth for the brand, we are focusing on enhancing our distribution in channels outside of the grocery trade, as well as developing new distribution channels for our automatic toilet bowl cleaning products.

Spot Shot sales decreased 17% in the U.S. during the three months ended November 30, 2008 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year due to lost distribution and overall declines in the aerosol spot and stain category. The declines in the aerosol category are due to retailers reducing shelf space for aerosol spot and stain removers. In an effort to offset these declines, we developed and recently launched environmentally friendly products, which are non-toxic and biodegradable. We are currently using the newer non-toxic and biodegradable product offerings to both replace existing Spot Shot trigger product distribution and obtain additional new distribution where possible.

 

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Sales of Carpet Fresh in the U.S. decreased 20% during the three months ended November 30, 2008 compared to the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in sales of Carpet Fresh was due primarily to reduced distribution and category declines in the mass retail and grocery trade channels. In recent years, retailers have reduced shelf space for traditional rug and room deodorizers for reallocation to other air care products. As a result, the rug and room deodorizer category as a whole has declined in the mass retail and grocery trade channels. We continue to refine our marketing, promotions and pricing strategies to create new distribution opportunities for the Carpet Fresh brand.

U.S. sales of X-14 hard surface cleaners decreased 43% during the three months ended November 30, 2008 compared to the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year due to lost distribution as a result of competitors’ activities, as well as to our recent strategic decision to withdraw certain product offerings from the grocery trade channel. In an effort to offset these reduced sales and generate additional sales for the brand, we are focused on exploring new distribution channels that are less reliant on the grocery trade channel.

Sales of heavy-duty hand cleaners for the Americas decreased 17% for the three months ended November 30, 2008 compared to the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year due to reduced sales with a key customer as a result of competitive factors.

Our U.S. homecare and cleaning products compete in a highly competitive market and continue to face diminishing product categories or shifts within these categories, as well as challenges due to the current economic slowdown. We are addressing these challenges through our focus on increased consumer-targeted marketing tactics and new distribution channels, as well as innovation and the continued renovation of certain of our homecare and cleaning product lines. Our innovation and renovation efforts are focused in the areas of packaging enhancements, promotional strategies and new product offerings.

For the Americas segment, 80% of sales came from the U.S., while 20% came from Canada and Latin America for each of the three-month periods ended November 30, 2008 and 2007.

Europe

The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the Europe segment for the three months ended November 30, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     Three Months Ended November 30,
               Change from
Prior Year
     2008    2007    Dollars    Percent

Multi-purpose maintenance products

   $ 27,426    $ 26,045    $ 1,381    5%

Homecare and cleaning products

     2,708      2,351      357    15%
                       
   $ 30,134    $ 28,396    $ 1,738    6%
                       

% of consolidated net sales

     36%      36%      
                   

Sales in Europe increased to $30.1 million, up $1.7 million, or 6%, for the three months ended November 30, 2008 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year negatively impacted the growth of sales. Sales for the three months ended November 30, 2008 translated at the exchange rates in effect for the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year would have produced sales of $35.0 million in the Europe segment. Thus, excluding the impact of the change in foreign currency exchange rates period over period, sales would have increased by approximately $6.6 million, or 23%, for the three months ended November 30, 2008 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.

The countries in Europe where we sell through a direct sales force include the U.K., Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Austria. Overall, sales from these direct markets were flat for the three months ended November 30, 2008 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year and accounted for 59% of the region’s sales, down from 63% in the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year. We experienced increased sales in U.S. dollars in the U.K. and France of 17% and 11%, respectively, for the three months ended November 30, 2008 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. However, such increases were offset by the following decreases in sales in U.S. dollars for the same period: German sales region, 18%; Italy, 20%; and Spain/Portugal, 5%.

 

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The U.K. market benefited from sales growth of the WD-40 Smart Straw, 3-IN-ONE Oil products and 1001 products, including No Vac, due to increased promotional activity for all products and regained distribution of No Vac with a key customer. The sales growth in France was the result of increased promotional activity, the continued growth in sales of the WD-40 brand, including the WD-40 Smart Straw, and increased distribution of the 3-IN-ONE Professional line of products. The decline in sales in the German sales region, which includes Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Austria, was due to reduced promotional activity during the period. Sales in Italy and Spain/Portugal decreased as customers reduced their inventory levels in response to the slowing economy during the period. In addition, Italy’s sales have been negatively impacted by a higher level of competitor activity during the period.

In the countries in which we sell through local distributors, sales increased 16% for the three months ended November 30, 2008 compared to the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year due primarily to the continued growth in sales of the WD-40 brand in Eastern Europe and the Middle East as a result of increased promotional activities. The distributor market accounted for approximately 41% of the total Europe segment sales for the three months ended November 30, 2008 compared to 37% for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. We expect these markets to continue to experience growth in distribution and usage resulting from increased market penetration and brand awareness.

Asia-Pacific

The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the Asia-Pacific segment for the three months ended November 30, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands, except percentages):

 

     Three Months Ended November 30,
               Change from
Prior Year
     2008    2007    Dollars     Percent

Multi-purpose maintenance products

   $ 6,758    $ 6,008    $ 750     12% 

Homecare and cleaning products

     1,184      1,191      (7 )   (1)%
                        
   $ 7,942    $ 7,199    $ 743     10% 
                        

% of consolidated net sales

     10%      9%     
                  

In the Asia-Pacific segment, which includes Australia and Asia, sales increased to $7.9 million, up $0.7 million, or 10%, for the three months ended November 30, 2008 compared to the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year negatively impacted the growth of sales. Sales for the three months ended November 30, 2008 translated at the exchange rates in effect for the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year would have produced sales of $8.2 million in the Asia-Pacific segment. Thus, excluding the impact of the change in foreign currency exchange rates period over period, sales would have increased by approximately $1.0 million, or 14%, for the three months ended November 30, 2008 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.

Sales in Australia decreased 5% for the three months ended November 30, 2008 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year due to the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates. The impact of the change in foreign currency exchange rates period over period negatively affected sales for the three months ended November 30, 2008 by approximately $0.4 million, or 13% of total sales. In local currency, sales increased 10% due to price increases across all product lines, promotional activities and new distribution across all trade channels.

Sales in Asia increased 19% for the three months ended November 30, 2008 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, primarily due to increased sales of WD-40 products to customers across the entire region, including China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Sales in China increased 30% due to price increases, increased promotional activities, new distribution channels and the continued development of direct sales activity. Sales across the rest of the Asian region increased 16% due to price increases and to promotional activity. However, we have begun to see a slowdown in certain markets in this region as a result of overall economic uncertainty across the region, which may impact sales for the remainder of fiscal year 2009.

 

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Gross Profit

Gross profit was $38.7 million, or 46.3% of net sales, in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 compared to $37.5 million, or 47.3% of net sales, in the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit decreased by 1.0 percentage point as we continued to experience the impact of higher costs of products, which have negatively affected gross margins in all of our business segments.

The rise in costs of products has been primarily due to the increase in costs for components and raw materials, including aerosol cans and petroleum-based products, during the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Although costs were up in the current fiscal year first quarter compared to last fiscal year’s first quarter, we are beginning to experience a decline in costs for our petroleum-based products, which peaked during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008. However, we expect to experience a significant increase in costs of aerosol cans during the second quarter of the current fiscal year primarily due to the cost of tin plate used in aerosol cans. While the cost of steel has been declining recently, such reductions have not been reflected in the cost of tin plate. This increase in costs of aerosol cans is expected to offset any benefit from the decline in costs of petroleum-based products.

Losses associated with VML Company L.L.C. (“VML”), a related-party contract manufacturer, also negatively impacted gross profit by 0.3% during the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 compared to the same period last year. These losses were the result of manufacturing inefficiencies at VML related to their acquisition of a significant new customer during fiscal year 2008. We have a 30% equity investment in VML. This investment is accounted for using the equity method of accounting and our equity in earnings or losses of VML is recorded as a component of cost of products sold. In response to these inefficiencies, we obtained alternative manufacturers, who are expected to help improve the cost structure for some of our products.

In addition to rising costs and losses associated with VML, the remaining costs associated with product conversions and sourcing changes in the U.S. during last fiscal year’s fourth quarter also negatively impacted gross profit by 0.2% during the current fiscal year first quarter compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Product conversions related to WD-40 aerosol products and automatic toilet bowl cleaners resulted in obsolete packaging and other components as well as finished goods that were expensed in cost of products sold. We expect the additional sales and margin opportunities arising from the conversions and sourcing changes to far outweigh the short-term costs of the conversions.

To combat the rise in costs discussed above, we have implemented price increases on certain products worldwide. These price increases added approximately 3.3% to our gross margin percentage for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. In addition to price increases, we see gross margin enhancement opportunities through our innovation efforts.

In general, shifts in product and customer mix, as well as the timing of advertising, promotional and other discounts, which are recorded as a reduction to sales, may cause fluctuations in gross margin percentage from period to period. Examples of advertising, promotional and other discounts include coupon redemptions, consideration and allowances given to retailers for space and/or favorable display positions in their stores, co-operative advertising and promotional activity, volume discounts and other one-time or ongoing incentives. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, advertising, promotional and other discounts increased compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, negatively impacting gross margin by 0.7%. The increase in such discounts was due to the fact that a greater percentage of sales during the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 was subject to promotional allowances due to the overall increase in promotional activity.

Note that our gross margins may not be comparable to those of other reporting entities, since some entities include all costs related to distribution of their products in cost of products sold, whereas we exclude the portion associated with amounts paid to third parties for distribution to our customers from our contract packagers and include these costs in selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 decreased to $21.1 million, or 25.3% of net sales, from $21.2 million, or 26.8% of net sales, for the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in SG&A was largely attributable to the impact of foreign currency translation and to lower freight costs. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year decreased SG&A expenses by $1.3 million for the three months ended November 30, 2008. SG&A expenses for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 translated at the exchange rates in effect for the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year would have produced total SG&A expenses of $22.4 million. Freight costs decreased $0.8 million primarily due to improved shipping efficiencies and reduced fuel costs. Partially offsetting these decreases were increases in employee-related costs, professional services costs, research and development costs and other miscellaneous expenses. Employee-related costs, which include salaries, profit sharing and other fringe benefits, increased $0.8 million due to annual compensation increases and higher staffing levels primarily to support the growth of international operations. Professional services costs increased $0.5 million primarily as a result of increased legal costs. Research and development costs increased $0.3 million due to the timing of new product development activity. Other miscellaneous expenses, including stock-based compensation and bad debt expense, increased by $0.4 million.

We continued our research and development investment in support of our focus on innovation and renovation. Research and development costs for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 were $1.2 million compared to $0.8 million for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Our new-product development team, Team Tomorrow, engages in consumer research, product development, current product improvement and testing activities. This team leverages its development capabilities by partnering with a network of outside resources including the Company’s current and prospective outsource suppliers.

Advertising and Sales Promotion Expenses

Advertising and sales promotion expenses decreased to $5.4 million, or 6.5% of net sales, for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, down from $6.6 million, or 8.4% of net sales, for the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year. The decrease was related to the timing of investment in advertising activities in the prior fiscal year first quarter compared to the current fiscal year first quarter. In the prior fiscal year first quarter, we invested in consumer broadcast and print media advertising in Europe to support the 1001 brand. In the current fiscal year first quarter, we had lower levels of marketing investment in Europe, as we did not repeat our 1001 consumer broadcast and print media advertising. Investment in global advertising and sales promotion expenses for fiscal year 2009 is expected to be in the range of 6.5% to 8.5% of sales.

As a percentage of sales, advertising and sales promotion expenses may fluctuate period to period based upon the type of marketing activities employed by the Company and the period in which the costs are incurred. The costs of certain promotional activities are required to be recorded as reductions to sales, while others remain in advertising and sales promotion expenses. For the three months ended November 30, 2008, total promotional costs recorded as a reduction to sales were $5.7 million compared to $5.2 million for the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year. Therefore, our total investment in advertising and sales promotion activities totaled $11.1 million for the three months ended November 30, 2008 compared to $11.8 million for the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year.

Amortization of Intangible Asset Expense

Amortization of our intangible asset was $129,000 and $152,000 for the three months ended November 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The amortization relates to the non-contractual customer relationships acquired in the 1001 acquisition completed by the Europe segment in fiscal year 2004. This intangible asset is recorded and amortized in pounds sterling on a straight-line basis over its estimated eight-year life and is converted to U.S. dollars for reporting purposes. Therefore, any fluctuations in amortization from period to period are the result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

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Non-Operating Items

The following table summarizes non-operating income and expenses for our consolidated operations for the three months ended November 30, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended November 30,  
             2008            2007    Change  

Interest expense, net

   $ 440    $ 406    $ 34  

Other income, net

   $ 221    $ 312    $ (91 )

Provision for income taxes

   $ 4,174    $ 3,130    $ 1,044  

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net increased slightly for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 compared to the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year. Although interest expense decreased due to the lower principal balance on long-term borrowings resulting from the annual $10.7 million principal payments made in October 2008 and October 2007, this decrease was more than offset by a larger decrease in interest income as a result of lower cash balances and interest rates during the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.

Other Income, Net

Other income, net decreased by $0.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 compared to the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year primarily due to foreign currency exchange losses recorded in the U.S.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes was 35.2% of income before income taxes for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, an increase from 33.4% for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. The increase in tax rate was primarily due to a reduction in tax rate benefits associated with municipal bond interest and to increases in state tax rates.

Net Income

Net income was $7.7 million, or $0.46 per common share on a fully diluted basis for the three months ended November 30, 2008, compared to $6.2 million, or $0.36 per common share on a fully diluted basis for the three months ended November 30, 2007. The change in foreign currency exchange rates period over period had a negative impact of $0.9 million on net income for the three months ended November 30, 2008. Net income for the three months ended November 30, 2008 translated at the exchange rates in effect for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year would have produced net income of $8.6 million.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

In light of the recent liquidity issues experienced in the global credit and capital markets, we have further evaluated our financial position and identified steps we will take to maintain our strong financial health. We believe we are well positioned to weather the uncertainty in the global credit and capital markets due to our strong balance sheet and efficient business model, along with our growing and diversified global revenues. We are managing all aspects of our business including, but not limited to, monitoring the financial health of our customers, suppliers and other third-party relationships, implementing margin enhancement strategies and seeking new opportunities for growth.

Our principal sources of liquidity are our existing cash and cash equivalents, cash generated from operations and cash available from our $10 million revolving credit facility, obtained in September 2008, which is currently undrawn. At November 30, 2008, we had a total of $26.3 million in cash and cash equivalents. We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents at November 30, 2008, the liquidity under our revolving credit facility and our anticipated cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet the projected

 

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operating and capital requirements for our current business plans. We consider various factors when reviewing liquidity needs and plans for available cash on hand including: future debt, principal and interest payments, early debt repayment penalties, future capital expenditure requirements, future dividend payments (which are determined on a quarterly basis by the Company’s Board of Directors), alternative investment opportunities, loan covenants and any other relevant considerations currently facing our business.

Our outstanding indebtedness under our original $75 million, 7.28% fixed-rate term loan was $32.1 million as of November 30, 2008. Outstanding borrowings under our term loan must be repaid in annual principal payments of $10.7 million, with the final payment due in October 2011.

Cash Flows

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended November 30, 2008 was $2.9 million. This amount consisted of $7.7 million from net income with an additional $2.3 million of adjustments for non-cash items, including depreciation and amortization, net gains on sales and disposals of property and equipment, deferred income tax expense, excess tax benefits from exercises of stock options, equity losses from VML and stock-based compensation, partially offset by $7.0 million related to changes in operating assets and liabilities.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended November 30, 2008 was $1.1 million primarily due to capital expenditures during the period. For fiscal year 2009, we expect to spend approximately $4.4 million for new capital assets, largely driven by purchases of machinery and equipment to enhance manufacturing efficiencies, as well as purchases of computer equipment, software and vehicles.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $14.2 million for the three months ended November 30, 2008, which included the effects of the following transactions:

 

   

In October 2008, we paid our annual principal payment of $10.7 million on our term loan;

 

   

In October 2008, we paid dividends of $4.1 million; and

 

   

During the three months ended November 30, 2008, we received cash proceeds of $0.6 million from the issuance of common stock upon the exercises of stock options.

Working Capital

At November 30, 2008, working capital decreased to $53.1 million, down $11.8 million from $64.9 million at August 31, 2008. The current ratio was 2.0 at November 30, 2008, down from 2.2 at August 31, 2008.

Current assets decreased by $14.7 million to $104.8 million at November 30, 2008, down from $119.5 million at August 31, 2008. Accounts receivable decreased to $46.4 million, down $2.9 million from $49.3 million at August 31, 2008, as a result of the timing of sales. Inventory increased to $20.3 million, up $2.1 million from $18.3 million at August 31, 2008 primarily due to an increase in raw materials and components to support new sourcing initiatives and the build up of inventory in Europe ahead of anticipated future cost increases.

Current liabilities were $51.6 million at November 30, 2008, down from $54.6 million at August 31, 2008. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities decreased by $4.3 million due to the timing of payments. Accrued payroll and related expenses were down $1.2 million primarily due to payment of the fiscal year 2008 bonuses in October 2008. Income taxes payable increased $2.6 million due to the timing of payments for income taxes.

 

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Commercial Commitments

We have relationships with various suppliers (contract manufacturers) who manufacture our products. Although we do not have any definitive minimum purchase obligations included in the contract terms with the contract manufacturers, supply needs are communicated and we are committed to purchase the products produced based on orders and short-term projections provided to the contract manufacturers, ranging from two to five months. We are also obligated to purchase obsolete or slow-moving inventory.

In addition to the commitments to purchase products from contract manufacturers described above, we may also enter into commitments with other manufacturers to purchase finished goods and components to support innovation initiatives and/or supply chain initiatives.

Dividends

On December 9, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.25 per share payable on January 30, 2009 to shareholders of record on January 8, 2009. Our ability to pay dividends could be affected by future business performance, liquidity, capital needs, alternative investment opportunities and loan covenants.

Income Taxes

We adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—An interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, effective September 1, 2007. The cumulative effect of adopting FIN 48 resulted in a decrease of $0.6 million to the September 1, 2007 balance of retained earnings. As of November 30, 2008 and August 31, 2008, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits totaled $1.7 million, of which $1.0 million and $1.1 million, respectively, would affect the effective tax rate if recognized. As of November 30, 2008 and August 31, 2008, the total balance of accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits was $0.4 million. The gross liability for income taxes related to unrecognized tax benefits is included in other long-term liabilities in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. There was no material interest or penalties included in income tax expense for the three months ended November 30, 2008.

We are subject to taxation in the U.S. and in various state and foreign jurisdictions. We currently do not have any years under examination by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and are not subject to examination for years prior to fiscal year 2005. Generally, for the majority of state and foreign jurisdictions where the Company does business, periods prior to fiscal year 2004 are no longer subject to examination. We are currently under audit in various state and local jurisdictions for fiscal years 2004 through 2007. We have estimated that up to $0.3 million of unrecognized tax benefits related to income tax positions may be affected by the resolution of tax examinations or expiring statutes of limitation within the remainder of the current fiscal year. Audit outcomes and the timing of settlements are subject to significant uncertainty.

During the three months ended November 30, 2008, we recorded liabilities related to unrecognized tax benefits of $0.1 million in the current fiscal year, offset by recognized tax benefits of $0.1 million due to expiring statutes.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our discussion and analysis of our operating results and financial condition is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Critical accounting policies are those that involve subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates. The following areas all require the use of judgments and estimates: allowance for doubtful accounts, revenue recognition, accounting for sales incentives, accounting for income taxes, valuation of long-lived intangible assets and goodwill and inventory valuation. Estimates in each of these areas are based on historical experience and various judgments and assumptions that we believe are appropriate. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

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Our critical accounting policies are discussed in more detail in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2008.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Effective September 1, 2008, we adopted the required portions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS No. 157”), which had no impact on our consolidated financial statements. SFAS No. 157 currently applies to all financial assets and liabilities and those nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis. The effective date of the provisions of SFAS No. 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except for items recognized at fair value on a recurring basis, was deferred by FASB Staff Position No. 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157, and is effective for our fiscal year beginning on September 1, 2009. We are currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of SFAS No. 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except for items recognized at fair value on a recurring basis, on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

Also effective September 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (“SFAS No. 159”), which permits entities to choose to measure eligible financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. We have not elected the fair value option for any items; therefore, the adoption of SFAS No. 159 did not have an impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position (“FSP”) FAS 140-4 and FIN46(R)-8, Disclosures by Public Entities (Enterprises) about Transfers of Financial Assets and Interests in Variable Interest Entities, which promptly improves disclosures by public companies until the pending amendments to FASB Statement No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities (“SFAS No. 140”), and FIN No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (revised December 2003)—an interpretation of ARB No. 51 (“FIN 46(R)”), are finalized and approved by the Board. The FSP amends SFAS No. 140 to require public companies to provide additional disclosures about transfers of financial assets and variable interests in qualifying special-purpose entities. It also amends FIN 46(R) to require public companies to provide additional disclosures about their involvement with variable interest entities. This FSP is effective for reporting periods ending after December 15, 2008. We are currently assessing the effect of FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8 on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an Amendment of FAS 133 (“SFAS No. 161”), which is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. Therefore, we will be required to adopt SFAS No. 161 for the interim period beginning December 1, 2008. We are currently evaluating the impact of SFAS No. 161 on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

Related Parties

VML Company L.L.C. (“VML”), a Delaware company, was formed in April 2001, at which time the Company acquired a 30% membership interest. VML makes profit distributions to the Company and the 70% owner on a discretionary basis in proportion to each party’s respective interest. VML serves as one of the Company’s contract manufacturers for certain homecare and cleaning products and acts as a warehouse distributor for other products of the Company. During fiscal year 2008, VML acquired a significant new customer, which resulted in manufacturing disruptions. As a result, we transitioned our sourcing to alternative suppliers to significantly reduce our reliance on VML as a manufacturer.

The Company has a put option to sell its interest in VML to the 70% owner, and the 70% owner has a call option to purchase the Company’s interest. The sale price in each case is established pursuant to formulas based on VML’s operating results.

 

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Under FIN 46(R), VML qualifies as a variable interest entity, and it has been determined that the Company is not the primary beneficiary. The Company’s investment in VML is accounted for using the equity method of accounting, and its equity in earnings or losses of VML is recorded as a component of cost of products sold, as VML acts primarily as a contract manufacturer to the Company. The Company recorded equity losses related to its investment in VML of $243,000 for the three months ended November 30, 2008 and equity earnings of $41,000 for the three months ended November 30, 2007.

The Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with VML was $0.2 million as of November 30, 2008. This amount represents the balance of the Company’s equity investment in VML, which is presented as investment in related party in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company’s investment in VML as of August 31, 2008 was $0.4 million.

Cost of products sold which were purchased from VML, net of rebates and equity earnings or losses, was approximately $4.3 million and $6.7 million during the three months ended November 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company had product payables to VML of $0.2 million and $0.5 million at November 30, 2008 and August 31, 2008, respectively. Additionally, the Company receives rental income from VML, which is recorded as a component of other income, net in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations. Rental income from VML was $32,000 and $48,000 for the three months ended November 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Refer to Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2008 for further discussion of our exposure to market risks.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The term “disclosure controls and procedures” is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). The term disclosure controls and procedures means controls and other procedures of a Company that are designed to ensure the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. The Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of November 30, 2008, the end of the period covered by this report (the Evaluation Date), and they have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, such controls and procedures were effective at ensuring that required information will be disclosed on a timely basis in the Company’s reports filed under the Exchange Act. Although management believes the Company’s existing disclosure controls and procedures are adequate to enable the Company to comply with its disclosure obligations, management continues to review and update such controls and procedures. The Company has a disclosure committee, which consists of certain members of the Company’s senior management.

There were no changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that materially affected, or would be reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The Company is party to various claims, legal actions and complaints, including product liability litigation, arising in the ordinary course of business.

On April 19, 2006, a legal action was filed against the Company in the United States District Court, Southern District of California (Drimmer v. WD-40 Company). After several of the plaintiff’s factual claims were dismissed by way of motion, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint on September 20, 2006, seeking class action status and alleging that the Company misrepresented that its 2000 Flushes Bleach and 2000 Flushes Blue Plus Bleach automatic toilet bowl cleaners, or ATBCs, are safe for plumbing systems and unlawfully omitted to advise consumers regarding the allegedly damaging effect the use of the ATBCs has on toilet parts made of plastic and rubber. The amended complaint seeks to remedy such allegedly wrongful conduct: (i) by requiring the Company to identify all consumers who have purchased the ATBCs and to return money as may be ordered by the court; and (ii) by the granting of other equitable relief, interest, attorneys’ fees and costs. On August 24, 2007 the Company successfully defeated the plaintiff’s attempt to have the case certified as a class action. The plaintiff has been granted permission to appeal the District Court’s decision. If the plaintiff is successful in an appeal and class action certification is granted in this aforementioned legal action, it is reasonably possible that the outcome could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. There is not sufficient information to estimate the Company’s exposure at this time.

Since 2004, the Company has been named as a defendant in lawsuits brought by a growing group of attorneys on behalf of individual plaintiffs who assert that exposure to products that allegedly contain benzene is a cause of certain cancers (the “Benzene Lawsuits”). The Company is one of many defendants in these legal proceedings whose products are alleged to contain benzene. However, the Company specifies that its suppliers provide constituent ingredients free of benzene. The Company believes its products have always been formulated without containing benzene and the facts developed in litigation to date support this position. The plaintiffs in the Benzene Lawsuits typically seek damages in unspecified amounts for injuries or death attributable to a form of cancer linked to exposure to benzene. The Company is unable to quantify the total amount of damages asserted by the plaintiffs in the Benzene Lawsuits. Except for self-insured retention amounts applicable to each separately filed lawsuit, the Company expects that the Benzene Lawsuits will be adequately covered by insurance and will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations. The Company is vigorously defending these lawsuits. The Company is unable to assess the expected cost of defense of these lawsuits in future periods. If the number of Benzene Lawsuits filed against the Company increases, it is reasonably possible that such costs of defense may materially affect the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in future periods.

During the three months ended November 30, 2008, there were no material developments with respect to legal proceedings that were pending as of the prior fiscal year end and disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the Risk Factors described under Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2008 filed with the SEC on October 23, 2008.

Forward-Looking Statements

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for certain forward-looking statements. This report contains forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance.

These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. The words “aim,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate” and other expressions that indicate future events and trends identify forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties are described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2008, as updated from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings.

 

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Actual future results and trends may differ materially from historical results or those anticipated depending upon factors including, but not limited to, the near-term growth expectations for multi-purpose maintenance products and homecare and cleaning products in the Americas, the impact of changes in product distribution, competition for shelf space, plans for product and promotional innovation, the impact of new product introductions on the growth of sales, the impact of customer mix and raw material, component and finished goods costs on gross margins, the impact of promotions on sales, the rate of sales growth in the Asia-Pacific segment, direct European countries and Eastern and Northern Europe, the impact of changes in inventory management, the effect of future income tax provisions and audit outcomes on tax rates, the amount of future capital expenditures, foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations in those rates, the effects of, and changes in, worldwide economic conditions, legal proceedings and the other risk factors identified in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008, and in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which may be updated from time to time.

Readers also should be aware that while the Company does, from time to time, communicate with securities analysts, it is against the Company’s policy to disclose to them any material non-public information or other confidential commercial information. Accordingly, shareholders or readers should not assume that the Company agrees with any statement or report issued by any analyst irrespective of the content of the statement or report. Further, the Company has a policy against confirming financial forecasts or projections issued by others. Accordingly, to the extent that reports issued by securities analysts contain any projections, forecasts or opinions, such reports are not the responsibility of the Company.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

3(a)   The Certificate of Incorporation is incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed October 25, 2007, Exhibit 3(a) thereto.
3(b)   The Bylaws of WD-40 Company
31(a)   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31(b)   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32(a)   18 U.S.C. Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32(b)   18 U.S.C. Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

 

WD-40 COMPANY

Registrant

Date: January 9, 2009

  By:  

/s/ GARRY O. RIDGE

   

Garry O. Ridge

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

  By:  

/s/ JAY W. REMBOLT

   

Jay W. Rembolt

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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