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 April 30, 2008

 

 

 

or

 

 

 

o

 

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

 

For the transition period from            to           .

 

Commission file number:  000-29278

 

KMG CHEMICALS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Texas

 

75-2640529

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

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

 

 

 

9555 West Sam Houston Parkway South, Suite 600

 

 

Houston, Texas

 

77099

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(713) 600-3800

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

10611 Harwin, Suite 402

Houston, Texas 77036

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

 

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer  o

 

Accelerated filer  o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer  x

 

Smaller reporting company  o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

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

 

APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY

PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.  Yes  o   No  o

 

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

 

As of June 13, 2008, there were 11,014,795 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

 

 



 

Part I. — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

KMG CHEMICALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands except for share and per share data)

 

 

 

April 30,
2008

 

July 31,
2007

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

2,286

 

$

16,004

 

Accounts receivable:

 

 

 

 

 

Trade, net of allowances of $342 at April 30, 2008 and $48 at July 31, 2007

 

41,587

 

11,709

 

Other

 

1,112

 

1,136

 

Inventories, net

 

27,078

 

13,067

 

Current deferred tax asset

 

159

 

159

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

1,781

 

537

 

Total current assets

 

74,003

 

42,612

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

64,836

 

13,808

 

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(7,346

)

(5,345

)

Net property, plant and equipment

 

57,490

 

8,463

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEFERRED TAX ASSET

 

1,441

 

872

 

GOODWILL

 

3,778

 

3,778

 

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net of accumulated amortization

 

22,675

 

23,666

 

OTHER ASSETS, net of accumulated amortization

 

2,439

 

1,842

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

161,826

 

$

81,233

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

26,207

 

$

8,144

 

Accrued liabilities

 

8,180

 

2,014

 

Current deferred tax liability

 

43

 

43

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

7,500

 

3,656

 

Current portion of deferred rent

 

70

 

86

 

Total current liabilities

 

42,000

 

13,943

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current portion

 

55,667

 

10,468

 

DEFERRED RENT, net of current portion

 

 

48

 

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

 

1,356

 

364

 

Total liabilities

 

99,023

 

24,823

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized, 10,990,141 shares issued and outstanding at April 30, 2008 and 10,774,224 shares issued and outstanding at July 31, 2007

 

109

 

108

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

22,006

 

20,882

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

1,121

 

 

Retained earnings

 

39,567

 

35,420

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

62,803

 

56,410

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

$

161,826

 

$

81,233

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

1



 

KMG CHEMICALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

(in thousands except for per share data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
April 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
April 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET SALES

 

$

50,259

 

$

26,699

 

$

103,034

 

$

62,576

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COST OF SALES

 

35,180

 

16,540

 

71,010

 

39,602

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Profit

 

15,079

 

10,159

 

32,024

 

22,974

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

 

11,205

 

3,885

 

22,572

 

11,230

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

3,874

 

6,274

 

9,452

 

11,744

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

16

 

106

 

435

 

399

 

Interest expense

 

(1,010

)

(235

)

(1,791

)

(715

)

Other

 

(15

)

(7

)

(44

)

(22

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total other expense, net

 

(1,009

)

(136

)

(1,400

)

(338

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

2,865

 

6,138

 

8,052

 

11,406

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

(1,051

)

(2,281

)

(2,997

)

(4,185

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

 

$

1,814

 

$

3,857

 

$

5,055

 

$

7,221

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from discontinued operations, before income taxes

 

(219

)

(136

)

(402

)

(654

)

Income tax benefit

 

84

 

53

 

151

 

240

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from discontinued operations

 

(135

)

(83

)

(251

)

(414

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME

 

$

1,679

 

$

3,774

 

$

4,804

 

$

6,807

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EARNINGS PER SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.37

 

$

0.46

 

$

0.69

 

Loss from discontinued operations

 

(0.01

)

(0.01

)

(0.02

)

(0.04

)

Net income

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.36

 

$

0.44

 

$

0.65

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.35

 

$

0.45

 

$

0.66

 

Loss from discontinued operations

 

(0.01

)

(0.01

)

(0.02

)

(0.04

)

Net income

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.34

 

$

0.43

 

$

0.62

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

10,990

 

10,555

 

10,968

 

10,541

 

Diluted

 

11,227

 

11,079

 

11,220

 

11,022

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

2



 

KMG CHEMICALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

April 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

4,804

 

$

6,807

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

4,043

 

2,863

 

Amortization of loan costs included in interest expense

 

60

 

17

 

Stock based compensation

 

563

 

392

 

Charge for impairment on assets of discontinued operations

 

102

 

 

Bad debt expense (recovery)

 

(59

20

 

Loss on disposal of property

 

 

1

 

Deferred rental income

 

(66

)

(64

)

Deferred income taxes

 

(569

)

(807

)

Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options

 

(151

)

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisition:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable - trade

 

(17,707

)

(7,491

)

Accounts receivable - other

 

33

 

(23

)

Inventories

 

(2,296

)

(5,742

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(1,396

)

262

 

Accounts payable

 

17,903

 

702

 

Accrued liabilities and other

 

4,037

 

2,128

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

9,301

 

(935

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

(1,686

)

(469

)

Cash used in connection with acquisition

 

(69,816

)

 

Proceeds from sale of property

 

 

2

 

Additions to other assets

 

 

(6

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(71,502

)

(473

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred financing cost

 

(466

)

 

Proceeds from borrowings

 

64,000

 

 

Principal payments on borrowings

 

(14,957

)

(1,242

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

412

 

 

Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options

 

151

 

 

Payment of dividends

 

(657

)

(791

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

48,483

 

(2,033

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

(13,718

)

(3,441

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

16,004

 

11,168

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

 

$

2,286

 

$

7,727

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for interest

 

$

1,435

 

$

483

 

Cash paid during the period for income taxes

 

$

2,784

 

$

3,028

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

3



 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

(1)           Basis of Presentation.  The (a) consolidated balance sheet as of July 31, 2007, which has been derived from audited consolidated financial statements, and (b) the unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim reporting.  As permitted under those requirements, certain footnotes or other financial information that are normally required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted, although the Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading.  In the opinion of management the disclosures reflect all adjustments, including those of a normal recurring nature, that are necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented.  The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results of operations to be expected for the full year.  The unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein 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 year ended July 31, 2007.

 

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of KMG Chemicals, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior consolidated financial statements to conform to the current period presentation.

 

(2)           Earnings Per Share.  Basic earnings per share have been computed by dividing net income by the weighted average shares outstanding.  Diluted earnings per share have been computed by dividing net income by the weighted average shares outstanding plus dilutive potential common shares.  The following table presents information necessary to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share for periods indicated:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

April 30,

 

April 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

1,814

 

$

3,857

 

$

5,055

 

$

7,221

 

Loss from discontinued operations

 

(135

)

(83

)

(251

)

(414

)

Net income

 

$

1,679

 

$

3,774

 

$

4,804

 

$

6,807

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

10,990

 

10,555

 

10,968

 

10,541

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.37

 

$

0.46

 

$

0.69

 

Basic earnings per share on loss from discontinued operations

 

(0.01

)

(0.01

)

(0.02

)

(0.04

)

Basic earnings per share

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.36

 

$

0.44

 

$

0.65

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

1,814

 

$

3,857

 

$

5,055

 

$

7,221

 

Loss from discontinued operations

 

(135

)

(83

)

(251

)

(414

)

Net income

 

$

1,679

 

$

3,774

 

$

4,804

 

$

6,807

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

10,990

 

10,555

 

10,968

 

10,541

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dilutive effect of options and stock awards

 

237

 

524

 

252

 

481

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding, as adjusted

 

11,227

 

11,079

 

11,220

 

11,022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.35

 

$

0.45

 

$

0.66

 

Diluted earnings per share on loss from discontinued operations

 

(0.01

)

(0.01

)

(0.02

)

(0.04

)

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.34

 

$

0.43

 

$

0.62

 

 

There were no potentially dilutive securities that were not included in the computation of pro forma diluted EPS for the three and nine month periods ended April 30, 2008 and 2007.

 

4



 

(3)           Acquisition.  On December 31, 2007, the Company acquired the high-purity process chemicals (“HPPC”) business of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (“Air Products”).  The HPPC business sells high purity wet process chemicals to the semiconductor industry.  HPPC products are used primarily to clean and etch silicon wafers in the production of semiconductors.  In the purchase of the HPPC business, the Company acquired accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets.  The Company also assumed certain accrued liabilities of the HPPC business. The cost of the acquisition was approximately $70.8 million, which included $21.3 million for net working capital.  The Company also agreed to pay retention bonuses of approximately $1.0 million in the aggregate to certain HPPC employees within one year of the acquisition date.

 

The Company financed the acquisition with available cash, an amended and restated credit facility and a note purchase agreement. The Company will operate the HPPC business in the United States and in Europe through two newly formed subsidiaries, KMG Electronic Chemicals, Inc. and KMG Italia S.r.l.

 

The following table summarizes the total consideration paid in the acquisition (in thousands).

 

Cash paid to seller

 

$

67,393

 

Employee retention bonus accrual

 

1,015

 

Other costs of acquisition

 

2,423

 

Total

 

$

70,831

 

 

The acquisition included working capital, a 215,000 square foot manufacturing and warehouse facility in Pueblo, Colorado, as well as a manufacturing facility and additional warehouse near Milan, Italy.  The Company entered into a manufacturing agreement with Air Products under which they will continue to manufacture certain HPPC products at their Dallas, Texas facility as was done before the acquisition.  The Company assumed certain accrued liabilities associated with the HPPC business, including $514,000 for property taxes and $1.6 million for accrued payroll related liabilities in Italy.

 

The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocation for the acquisition (in thousands).

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance

 

$

11,832

 

Inventory, net of allowance

 

11,578

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

48,382

 

Intangible assets:

 

 

 

Non-compete agreement

 

94

 

Patent

 

73

 

Trademarks

 

47

 

Manufacturing agreement

 

943

 

Total intangible assets

 

1,157

 

Assumed liabilities

 

(2,118

)

Total acquired assets, net of assumed liabilities

 

$

70,831

 

 

The pro forma effect of the acquisition and the associated financing on the Company’s historical results for the three and nine month periods ending April 30, 2008 and 2007 are presented in the following table as if the transaction had occurred on August 1, 2006 (in thousands, except earnings per share).

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

April 30,

 

April 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

50,259

 

$

49,342

 

$

142,481

 

$

135,303

 

Operating income

 

3,874

 

8,265

 

13,389

 

17,964

 

Income from continuing operations

 

1,814

 

4,347

 

6,698

 

8,708

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.41

 

$

0.61

 

$

0.83

 

 

(4)            Discontinued Operations.  In the first quarter of fiscal year 2008, the Company discontinued operation of the MSMA product line, which had comprised the agricultural chemical segment.  MSMA market conditions deteriorated at the end of fiscal year 2006, and regulatory actions by the U.S. EPA adversely affected the product line.  As a result, at the end of fiscal year 2006, an impairment charge was recognized in connection with the MSMA operations.  In the first quarter of fiscal year 2008, an impairment of $102,000 was recognized on the remaining net book value of these assets.  Sales of MSMA products for the third quarter of fiscal years 2008 and 2007, reported in discontinued operations, were $295,000 and $1.3 million, respectively, and $1.2

 

5



 

million and $2.2 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The Company had a net loss of $135,000 in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008, and a net loss of $251,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 from discontinued operations.

 

(5)           Inventories, net.  Inventories are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

 

 

 

April 30,

 

July 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raw materials and supplies

 

$

4,612

 

$

3,933

 

Finished products

 

23,049

 

9,134

 

 

 

27,661

 

13,067

 

Less reserve for inventory obsolescence

 

(583

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total inventories, net

 

$

27,078

 

$

13,067

 

 

Inventories as of April 30, 2008 included raw materials and supplies and finished products of $1.4 million and $9.6 million, respectively, related to the high-purity process chemicals business acquired in December 2007.

 

(6)           Property, Plant and Equipment.

 

Property, plant, and equipment and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are summarized as follows at April 30, 2008 and July 31, 2007 (in thousands):

 

 

 

April 30, 2008

 

July 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

$

8,699

 

$

666

 

Buildings

 

18,161

 

5,453

 

Plant

 

6,150

 

692

 

Equipment

 

30,376

 

6,789

 

Leasehold improvements

 

133

 

132

 

 

 

63,519

 

13,732

 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(7,346

)

(5,345

)

 

 

56,173

 

8,387

 

Construction-in-progress

 

1,317

 

76

 

Net property, plant and equipment

 

$

57,490

 

$

8,463

 

 

Property, plant and equipment as of April 30, 2008 included assets related to the high-purity process chemicals business acquired in December 2007.

 

(7)           Stock-Based Compensation.  The Company has stock-based compensation plans which are described in more detail in note 14 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The Company recognized stock-based compensation costs of $104,000 and $80,000, respectively, for the three months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007, and $563,000 and $392,000, respectively, for the nine months ended April 30, 2008 and 2007.  Stock-based compensation costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income.

 

Stock-based compensation costs and proceeds from the exercise of stock options accounted for the changes in additional paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

A summary of option and stock activity associated with compensation for the nine-months ended April 30, 2008 is presented below.

 

Stock Option Awards

 

As of April 30, 2008 there were 399,500 options outstanding of which 299,500 options were exercisable.  During the nine months ended April 30, 2008, there were 30,000 options exercised and no options were granted.

 

The unrecognized compensation costs in connection with outstanding unvested option awards was $101,455 as of April 30, 2008 and is expected to be recognized over an average of 2.5 years.

 

6



 

Stock Awards

 

Performance Shares.

 

During the nine months ended April 30, 2008, performance based stock awards were granted to certain executives as follows:

 

Date of Grant

 

Number of
Shares Granted

 

Series
Award

 

Vesting Period

 

Grant Date
Fair Value

 

March 3, 2008

 

23,220

 

Series 1

 

29 months, subject to certain performance measures

 

$

16.76

 

March 3, 2008

 

16,370

 

Series 2

 

29 months, subject to certain performance measures

 

$

16.76

 

 

 

39,590

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1:  Vesting subject to performance requirements composed of certain revenue growth objectives and average annual return on total assets objectives measured across a three year period beginning August 1, 2007.  These objectives are estimated quarterly using the Company’s budget, actual results and long-term projections.  Based on performance through April 30, 2008, 85%, or 19,737 shares, was projected to be the probable vesting for these awards at the end of the vesting period.  Therefore, the award was projected to have a value of approximately $330,790 based on price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant, which will be recognized over the vesting period on a straight-line basis.  The award will be reviewed each reporting period to determine the probable number of shares expected to vest.

 

Series 2:  Vesting subject to performance requirements pertaining to the growth rate in the Company’s earnings per share over a three year period beginning August 1, 2007.  The earnings per share growth rate is estimated quarterly using the Company’s budget, actual results and long-term projections.  Based on performance through April 30, 2008, 20%, or 3,274 shares, was projected to be the probable vesting for these awards at the end of the vesting period.  Therefore, the award was projected to have a value of approximately $54,872 based on price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant, which will be recognized over the vesting period on a straight-line basis.  The award will be reviewed each reporting period to determine the probable number of shares expected to vest.

 

During the nine months ended April 30, 2008 none of the outstanding 2007 Series 1 and 2 performance stock awards vested and the Company determined that it is probable that 100% of the awards will vest.  There were 23,850 and 15,900, respectively, of Series 1 and 2 shares outstanding.

 

Time Based Shares.

 

During the nine months ended April 30, 2008, time based stock awards were granted to certain executives as follows:

 

Date of Grant

 

Number of
Shares Granted

 

Vesting Period

 

Grant Date
Fair Value

 

March 3, 2008

 

7,800

 

29 months graded vesting, ending August 1, 2010

 

$

16.76

(1)

March 3, 2008

 

1,450

 

9 month cliff vesting ending December 31, 2008

 

$

16.76

(2)

March 3, 2008

 

2,849

 

29 months cliff vesting ending August 1, 2010

 

$

16.76

(3)

 

 

12,099

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) One-third of the shares will vest incrementally on August 1, 2008, 2009 and 2010

(2) 100% of these shares will vest on December 31, 2008.

(3) 100% of these shares will vest on August 1, 2010.

 

Stock-based compensation for each of the time based stock awards will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award based on the grant date fair value.  For each of these awards the grant date fair value price was based on the Company’s stock price on the date of grant.

 

During the second quarter of fiscal year 2008, the Company granted 3,293 shares of common stock to each of the six non-employee directors which were immediately vested.  The price of the Company’s stock at the date of the grant was $13.24 per share.  Accordingly, an expense of $262,000 was recognized in the second quarter of 2008.

 

The unrecognized compensation costs in connection with outstanding unvested stock awards, both performance and time based shares, was approximately $742,000 as of April 30, 2008, and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.1 years.

 

7



 

(8)                                  Intangible and Other Assets.  Intangible and other assets are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

April 30,

 

July 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets not subject to amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creosote product registrations

 

$

6,518

 

$

6,518

 

Other creosote related assets

 

78

 

78

 

Penta product registrations

 

8,765

 

8,765

 

 

 

15,361

 

15,361

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets subject to amortization (range of useful life):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creosote supply contract (10 years)

 

4,000

 

4,000

 

Other creosote related assets (5 years)

 

131

 

131

 

Other penta related assets (3-5 years)

 

7,288

 

7,288

 

MSMA product registrations and related assets (discontinued operations)

 

 

48

 

Animal health trademarks (4-5 years)

 

364

 

364

 

Other animal health related assets (5-20 years)

 

6,165

 

6,165

 

HPPC related assets (3-15 years)

 

1,157

 

 

 

 

19,105

 

17,996

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total intangible assets

 

34,466

 

33,357

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less accumulated amortization

 

(11,791

)

(9,691

)

Total intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization

 

$

22,675

 

$

23,666

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets consisted of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash surrender value on key man life insurance policies

 

$

1,935

 

$

1,740

 

Loan costs, net of accumulated amortization of $30 at April 30, 2008 and $0 at July 31, 2007

 

437

 

30

 

Other

 

67

 

72

 

Total other assets, net of accumulated amortization

 

$

2,439

 

$

1,842

 

 

Intangible assets subject to amortization are amortized over their estimated useful lives which are between 5 and 20 years.  Amortization expense was approximately $767,000 and $2.1 million for the three month and nine month periods ended April 30, 2008, respectively, and $687,000 and $2.1 million for the three and nine month periods ended April 30, 2007, respectively.

 

(9)                                  Dividends.  Dividends of approximately $220,000 ($0.02 per share) were declared and paid in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008, and dividends of approximately $657,000 ($0.06 per share) have been paid in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008.  Starting in the first quarter of fiscal year 2008, the Company changed to a quarterly dividend payment from a semi annual dividend.  Dividends of $396,000 ($0.0375 per share) and $791,000 ($0.075 per share) were declared and paid in the first three months and the first nine months of fiscal year 2007.

 

(10)                            Accounting for Income Taxes.  The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), effective August 1, 2007. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. Based on an evaluation of tax years that remain open and subject to potential examination, the Company determined that it had no significant unrecognized tax benefits and no interest or penalties accrued at the date of adoption of FIN 48 or as of the quarter ended April 30, 2008.  The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. Fiscal years subsequent to 2004 remain open and subject to examination by U.S. federal and subsequent to fiscal year 2003 for state tax jurisdictions.  In Mexico tax years subsequent to 2001 remain open and subject to examination.

 

8



 

(11)                            New Accounting Standards.  In April 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets.”  FSP SFAS No. 142-3 amends the factors an entity should consider when developing renewal or extension assumptions for determining the useful life of recognized intangible assets under SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” FSP SFAS No. 142-3 is intended to improve the consistency between the useful life of recognized intangible assets under SFAS No. 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of assets under SFAS No. 141R and other U.S. GAAP.  The guidance also requires expanded disclosure related to an entity’s intangible assets.  The guidance for determining the useful life of a recognized intangible asset shall be applied prospectively to intangible assets acquired after the effective date and the disclosure requirements shall be applied prospectively to all intangible assets recognized as of, and subsequent to, the effective date.  FSP SFAS No. 142-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years and early adoption is prohibited. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, that FSP SFAS No. 142-3 will have on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFA Standards No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141R”).  SFAS 141R requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the party acquired at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date.  SFAS 141R is effective for the Company for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the annual reporting period beginning August 1, 2009.  The statement may not be applied before that date.  Management is currently evaluating the requirements of SFAS 141R, and the impact, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, Non controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51 (“SFAS 160”).  SFAS 160 clarifies that a non controlling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements.  SFAS 160 is effective for the Company for the fiscal year beginning August 1, 2009, with early adoption being prohibited.  We do not expect the new standard to have a material impact on our financial position and results of operations.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We are currently evaluating the requirements of SFAS No. 159 and the impact, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Accounting for Fair Value Measurements.”  SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, and establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and expands disclosure about fair value measurements.  In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP SFAS No. 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” to defer the effective date for nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a non-recurring basis until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008.  In February 2008, the FASB also issued FSP SFAS No. 157-1, “Application of FASB Statement No. 157 to FASB Statement No. 13 and Other Accounting Pronouncements that Address Fair Value Measurements for Purposes of Lease Classification or Measurement under Statement 13,” which excludes SFAS No. 13, “Accounting for Leases” (“SFAS No. 13”), as well as other accounting pronouncements that address fair value measurements on lease classification or measurement under SFAS No. 13.  SFAS No. 157 is effective for the Company for financial statements issued subsequent to November 15, 2008. Management is currently evaluating the requirements of SFAS No. 157, and the impact, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.

 

(12)                            Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.  Accumulated other comprehensive income includes the impact of foreign currency translation in connection with our HPPC operations in EuropeThe functional currency for these operations has been determined as the local currency, or Euro.  As a result, for these operations the currency translation to the reporting currency, or US dollar, is included as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.  The assets and liabilities have been translated into United States dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date.  Results of operations have been translated using the average exchange rates during the year.  There was a nominal impact on cash flows from the effects of currency translation for the nine months ended April 30, 2008.  Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in the statement of operations as they occur.

 

9



 

(13)                            Segment Information.  The Company operates five reportable segments organized around its three product lines: wood preserving chemicals, animal health pesticides and electronic chemicals.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
April 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
April 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Penta

 

$

5,890

 

$

7,882

 

$

19,819

 

$

21,399

 

Creosote

 

14,288

 

11,261

 

40,084

 

30,702

 

Animal Health

 

3,968

 

7,556

 

8,409

 

10,475

 

Electronic Chemicals — North America

 

20,451

 

 

27,339

 

 

Electronic Chemicals — International

 

5,662

 

 

7,383

 

 

Total revenue for reportable segments

 

$

50,259

 

$

26,699

 

$

103,034

 

$

62,576

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Penta

 

$

631

 

$

623

 

$

1,890

 

$

1,855

 

Creosote

 

75

 

74

 

224

 

222

 

Animal Health

 

210

 

227

 

654

 

672

 

Electronic Chemicals — North America

 

756

 

 

976

 

 

Electronic Chemicals — International

 

178

 

 

232

 

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

25

 

14

 

78

 

Other — general corporate

 

26

 

12

 

53

 

36

 

Total consolidated depreciation and amortization

 

$

1,876

 

$

961

 

$

4,043

 

$

2,863

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment income (loss) from operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Penta

 

$

1,381

 

$

2,842

 

$

5,485

 

$

6,866

 

Creosote

 

2,283

 

2,217

 

7,330

 

7,028

 

Animal Health

 

675

 

2,773

 

723

 

2,604

 

Electronic Chemicals — North America

 

2,043

 

 

2,501

 

 

Electronic Chemicals — International

 

(630

)

 

(580

)

 

Total segment income from operations

 

$

5,752

 

$

7,832

 

$

15,459

 

$

16,498

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Penta

 

$

62

 

$

55

 

$

245

 

$

259

 

Creosote

 

 

 

 

23

 

Animal Health

 

7

 

14

 

58

 

144

 

Electronic Chemicals — North America

 

420

 

 

33,093

 

 

Electronic Chemicals — International

 

293

 

 

17,323

 

 

Included in HPPC business acquisition

 

 

 

(49,539

)

 

Other — general corporate

 

376

 

26

 

506

 

43

 

Total consolidated capital expenditures

 

$

1,158

 

$

95

 

$

1,686

 

$

469

 

 

 

 

April 30,
2008

 

July 31,
2007

 

Total assets

 

 

 

 

 

Penta

 

$

21,570

 

$

22,920

 

Creosote

 

18,818

 

16,223

 

Animal Health

 

20,662

 

18,401

 

Electronic Chemicals — North America

 

60,407

 

 

Electronic Chemicals — International

 

30,102

 

 

Total assets for reportable segments

 

$

151,559

 

$

57,544

 

 

The prior year information has been revised to reflect the discontinuation of the agricultural chemicals segment as discussed in note 4 to these consolidated financial statements.

 

10



 

A reconciliation of total segment information to consolidated amounts is as follows:

 

 

 

April 30,

 

July 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets for reportable segments

 

$

151,559

 

$

57,544

 

Total assets for discontinued operations

 

440

 

2,982

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

2,286

 

16,004

 

Prepaid and other current assets

 

2,894

 

1,673

 

Deferred tax assets

 

1,600

 

1,031

 

Other

 

3,047

 

1,999

 

Total consolidated assets

 

$

161,826

 

$

81,233

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
April 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
April 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues for reportable segments

 

$

50,259

 

$

26,699

 

$

103,034

 

$

62,576

 

Total consolidated revenues from continuing operations

 

$

50,259

 

$

26,699

 

$

103,034

 

$

62,576

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment income (loss) from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total segment income from operations

 

$

5,752

 

$

7,832

 

$

15,459

 

$

16,498

 

Other corporate expense

 

(1,878

)

(1,558

)

(6,007

)

(4,754

)

Operating income

 

3,874

 

6,274

 

9,452

 

11,744

 

Interest income

 

16

 

106

 

435

 

399

 

Interest expense

 

(1,010

)

(235

)

(1,791

)

(715

)

Other expense, net

 

(15

)

(7

)

(44

)

(22

)

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

$

2,865

 

$

6,138

 

$

8,052

 

$

11,406

 

 

Other corporate expenses as disclosed in the table above represent those expenses that could not be directly identified with a particular business segment.  Those expenses include almost all expenses associated with the Company’s Houston headquarters, such as executives and other employees, outside legal and accounting services, board compensation, expenses associated with being a publically traded entity, audit expense and fees related to the listing of our stock.  Other corporate expenses that could not be directly identified with a particular business segment increased $320,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 over the same period of last year, an increase of 20.5%.  For the nine-months, the increase in fiscal year 2008 was $1.3 million over the same period in the fiscal year 2007, a 26.4% increase.  The increase for the nine month period was due primarily to a $704,000 increase in other professional services, including legal and accounting fees, and a $491,000 increase in Houston personnel expense.

 

(14)                            Long Term Obligations.

 

The Company’s debt as of April 30, 2008 and July 31, 2007 consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

April 30,

 

July 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Senior Notes:

 

 

 

 

 

Note Purchase Agreement, maturing on December 31, 2014, effective interest rate of 7.43%

 

$

20,000

 

$

 

Senior Bank Debt:

 

 

 

 

 

Revolving Term Loan Facility, maturing on December 31, 2012, variable interest rates based on LIBOR plus 2.25%

 

33,167

 

 

Revolving Loan Facility, maturing on December 31, 2012, variable interest rates based on LIBOR plus 2.25%

 

4,000

 

 

Revolving Term Loan Facility, variable interest rates based on LIBOR plus 2.25%

 

 

8,124

 

Other Debt:

 

 

 

 

 

Unsecured Loan, payable in five equal annual installments of $2.0 million maturing on June 8, 2010, plus interest of 4.0% per annum, original face value of $10.0 million

 

6,000

 

6,000

 

Total debt

 

63,167

 

14,124

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

(7,500

)

(3,656

)

Long-term debt, net of current portion

 

$

55,667

 

$

10,468

 

 

11



 

To finance the acquisition of the HPPC business, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement and a note purchase agreement. The new credit agreement replaced and refinanced the Company’s existing credit agreement with Wachovia Bank, National Association. The new credit facility included a revolving loan facility of $35.0 million and a term loan facility of $35.0 million. The amended and restated facility was entered into with Wachovia Bank, National Association, Bank of America, N.A., The Prudential Insurance Company of America, and Pruco Life Insurance Company.  Advances under the revolving loan and the term loan mature December 31, 2012. They each bear interest at varying rate of LIBOR plus a margin based on our funded debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”).

 

Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA

 

Margin

 

Equal to or greater than 3.0 to 1.0

 

2.75%

 

Equal to or greater than 2.5 to 1.0, but less than 3.0 to 1.0

 

2.50%

 

Equal to or greater than 2.0 to 1.0, but less than 2.5 to 1.0

 

2.25%

 

Equal to or greater than 1.5 to 1.0, but less than 2.0 to 1.0

 

2.00%

 

Less than 1.5 to 1.0

 

1.75%

 

 

Currently advances bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.25%.  The new facility refinanced $7.4 million of indebtedness then outstanding under the Company’s existing term loan facility with Wachovia Bank. For the first 24 months of the term facility, principal payments will be $458,333 per month and will then become $666,667 per month for the balance of the term prior to maturity.  At April 30, 2008, the amount outstanding on the revolving facility was $4.0 million, and the amount outstanding on the term loan was $33.2 million.

 

The Company also entered into a $20.0 million note purchase agreement with the Prudential Insurance Company of America. Advances under the note purchase agreement mature December 31, 2014, and bear interest at 7.43% per annum. Principal is payable at maturity. At April 30, 2008, $20.0 million was outstanding under the note purchase agreement.

 

Loans under the amended and restated credit facility and the note purchase agreement are secured by the Company’s assets, including inventory, accounts receivable, equipment, intangible assets, and real property. The amended and restated facility and the note purchase agreement have restrictive covenants, including that the Company must maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.25 to 1 through July 31, 2008 and 1.5 to 1.0 thereafter, and a ratio of funded debt to EBITDA of 3.5 to 1.0 through October 31, 2008 and 3.0 to 1.0 thereafter. The Company is also obligated to maintain a debt to capitalization ratio of not more than 60% through April 30, 2009, 50% from then until April 30, 2010, and 45% thereafter.  For purposes of calculating these financial covenant ratios, a pro forma EBITDA is used.  On April 30, 2008, the Company was in compliance with all its debt covenants.

 

The Company’s purchase of certain pentachlorophenol assets from Basic Chemical Company in fiscal 2006 was financed in part by a $10.0 million loan from the seller.  The indebtedness is payable in five equal annual installments of $2.0 million plus interest at 4% per annum.  The third installment was paid in June 2008.  At April 30, 2008, the principal balance of that indebtedness was $6.0 million, and at June 9, 2008 the principal balance was $4.0 million.

 

12



 

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

We manufacture, formulate and distribute specialty chemicals globally. We operate businesses engaged in industrial wood preservation, animal health pesticides and electronic chemicals. Our wood preserving chemicals, penta and creosote, are used by our industrial customers primarily to extend the useful life of utility poles and railroad crossties. Our animal health pesticides are used on cattle, swine and poultry to protect these animals from flies and other pests. Our electronic chemicals are used in the manufacturing of semiconductors.

 

Results of Operations

 

Three and Nine Month Periods Ended April 30, 2008 compared with Three and Nine Month Periods Ended April 30, 2007

 

Segment Data

 

Segment data is presented for our five reportable segments for the three and nine month periods ended April 30, 2008 and 2007.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
April 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
April 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Penta

 

$

5,890

 

$

7,882

 

$

19,819

 

$

21,399

 

Creosote

 

14,288

 

11,261

 

40,084

 

30,702

 

Animal Health

 

3,968

 

7,556

 

8,409

 

10,475

 

Electronic Chemicals — North America

 

20,451

 

 

27,339

 

 

Electronic Chemicals — International

 

5,662

 

 

7,383

 

 

Total revenues for reportable segments

 

$

50,259

 

$

26,699

 

$

103,034

 

$

62,576

 

 

The segment data should be read with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this report. The prior year information has been revised to reflect the discontinuation of the agricultural chemicals segment as discussed in note 13 to the consolidated financial statements.

 

13



 

Net Sales

 

Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 increased by 88.2% to $50.3 million as compared with $26.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2007.  For the nine month period, the increase was 64.7% on net sales of $103 million in fiscal year 2008 as compared to $62.6 million in fiscal year 2007.  The largest contributor to that increase over the prior year, approximately $26.1 million for the quarter and $34.7 million for the nine months, was from the high purity process chemicals (“HPPC”) business that was acquired on December 31, 2007.  Although net sales in our creosote business also increased substantially over the prior year, 26.9% for the third quarter and 30.6% for the full nine months, we suffered significant declines in net sales in our penta and animal health businesses.  Net sales from the penta segment was down in the third quarter approximately 25.3% and down 7.4% for the nine months.  In the animal health segment, net sales decreased 47.5% in the third quarter and 19.7% for the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 as compared to the same periods in fiscal year 2007.

 

We completed the acquisition of the HPPC business of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (“Air Products”) on December 31, 2007.  See note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.  Our electronic chemicals business sells high purity wet process chemicals to the semiconductor industry. High purity process chemicals are used to clean and etch silicon wafers in the production of semiconductors.  Although we have had the electronic chemicals business for only four months, sales from the North America segment of that business were approximately $20.5 million for the third quarter and $27.3 million for the four months ended April 30, 2008, while sales for the international segment for that business were $5.7 million in the third quarter and $7.4 million for the four-month period. In connection with the electronic chemicals acquisition, we entered into an agreement with Air Products by which they provide services to assist in the transition of the acquired business.  Among other services, Air Products provides distribution on an interim basis in certain countries served by the interational segment of electronic chemicals.  The customers in most of those countries have now become our direct customers, but we estimate that sales and gross profits for that segment were reduced by approximately $300,000 for the first four months that we owned the business due to the need to operate through the Air Products distribution system.

 

Penta net sales declined $2.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 as compared to the prior year on a lesser volume of penta solutions.  For the first nine months of fiscal year 2008, penta sales decreased $1.6 million over the same period in fiscal year 2007.  The high price of distillate oil that our customers use to blend with penta to treat utility poles has raised the cost to utilities of using penta-treated poles which, along with general economic uncertainty, caused demand by utilities for poles treated with penta to decline significantly.  The cost differential for a utility between a pole treated with a competing water-based product and one treated with penta is approximately $75 per pole.  However, penta-treated poles have several desirable characteristics as compared with poles treated with competing products.  We expect penta sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008 to be generally in line with last year’s fourth quarter, and expect that penta net sales in fiscal year 2008 will be approximately 95% of fiscal year 2007.  Creosote revenues, however, increased on higher prices and somewhat greater volume in both the third quarter and for the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 as compared with the prior year period.  The increase was $3.0 million in the third quarter and $9.4 million in the first nine months.  Demand by railroads for crossties treated with creosote has held steady in fiscal year 2008 near the top of the historical range.  We believe that strong demand from major railroads for crossties treated with creosote will continue in the near term, though at a level somewhat below demand in calendar year 2007.  We believe that fiscal year 2008 net sales of creosote will be approximately 125% of fiscal year 2007.

 

Net sales of animal health pesticides decreased by $3.6 million in the third quarter, and decreased $2.1 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 as compared with the prior year periods.  Our revenue from the animal health pesticides segment is seasonal and weighted to the third and fourth quarters.  Seasonal usage of animal health pesticides chemicals is dependent on varying seasonal patterns, weather conditions and weather-related pressure from pests, as well as customer marketing programs and requirements. Cooler than normal weather conditions in much of the United States this year has delayed the onset of fly season, and delayed the need for our ear tag products.  We believe the weighting of our ear tag sales has shifted to the fourth quarter from the third quarter.  Additionally, some sales in fiscal year 2007 of our Avenger ear tag, which we introduced that year, went to establishing base inventory levels with our customers.  Although the Avenger tag is the top-selling tag, we have seen a comparative decline in sales of those tags in fiscal year 2008, in part for that reason.  It also should be noted that high prices for feed, fuel and fertilizer adversely affect the economics of our customers’ livestock operations.  When our customers are forced to economize because of escalating prices, sales of our animal health product suffer as they did in the third quarter.  Revenues from products subject to significant seasonal variations represented less than 20% of our fiscal year 2007 revenues.

 

Gross Profit

 

Gross profit increased by $4.9 million, or by 48.4%, to $15.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 from $10.2 million in the same quarter of the prior year.  In the nine months’ comparison, gross profit increased by $9.1 million, or by 39.4%, to $32.0 million from $23.0 million.  Gross profit as a percentage of sales declined to 30.0% in the third quarter and decreased to 31.1% in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 as compared with 38.1% and 36.7% in the same periods, respectively, of fiscal year 2007.  Gross profit increased in the quarter and the nine months because of the added sales from our newly-acquired electronic chemicals business, and because of higher creosote revenues.  The electronic chemicals we sell, however, currently have lower gross profits as percentage of sales than do some of our traditional products.

 

14



 

Although we have realized higher prices and greater gross profit for the creosote we sell, those price increases have not been sufficient to cover our increased costs for creosote.  Thus, our gross profit margins for the creosote segment declined in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008.  In general, a shift in our sales mix toward electronic chemicals and greater creosote sales, lower margin product lines than penta or animal health products, have adversely affected gross profits as a percentage of sales.  In penta, the decline in third quarter sales relative to the prior year period has resulted in lower throughput at our Matamoros facility and higher unit costs.  We continue to experience high penta raw material costs, and we believe penta margins will not see any significant relief in remainder of fiscal year 2008.  Other companies may include certain of the costs that we record in cost of sales as selling, general and administrative expenses, and may include certain of the costs that we record in selling, general and administrative expenses as a component of cost of sales, resulting in a lack of comparability between our gross profit and that reported by other companies.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $7.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 to $11.2 million, or 22.3% of net revenue, from $3.9 million, or 14.6% of net revenue for the same quarter of the prior fiscal year.  For the nine month period, those expenses increased $11.3 million to $22.6 million, or 21.9% of net revenue.  Selling, general and administrative expenses associated with our electronic chemicals business were approximately $7.0 million in the third quarter and $9.5 million since December 31, 2007.  Those expenses included charges for transitional services provided by Air Products and approximately $225,000 in the last four months for fees to consultants assisting in the integration of the business.  Although approximately 60% of transitional services are costs from third parties allocated to us by Air Products, about $1.6 million was allocated to us in the third quarter for Air Products’ internal costs, including corporate overhead. We estimate that the transition services provided by Air Products costs us approximately $175,000 per month more than it will cost us to provide those functions internally after the conclusion of transition. We believe that the transitional services will be largely completed by the end of August 2008.  After the transition has been completed, we expect to see savings in selling, general and administrative expenses of approximately $1.0 in fiscal year 2009 over this year on a comparable period basis.  Components of those savings are expected to include reduced costs for accounting and information technology systems, as well as a reduction in supply chain costs.

 

Outside of electronic chemicals, selling, general and administrative expenses increased in the third quarter over the prior year period by about $337,000, and increased $1.5 million for the nine months.  We had increases for the nine months in supply chain costs of approximately $394,000, increased employee, marketing and advertising expenses for animal health of approximately $498,000, and other professional services, including increased accounting and legal services, of approximately $704,000. Supply chain increases consisted of property tax on inventory, rail car maintenance and creosote storage facility costs.  Supply chain expenses included in selling, general and administrative expense were $989,000 in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008, as compared to $882,000 in fiscal year 2007, and $2.7 million in the first nine months of this fiscal year, as compared to $2.3 million in the prior fiscal year.  The increase in both the quarter and the nine months was primarily due to increased sales.  Accounting and legal expenses increased because of higher auditing costs, Sarbanes Oxley compliance costs and higher litigation expense.

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense was $1.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 as compared with $235,000 in the same quarter of fiscal year 2007.  Interest expense increased to $1.8 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 from $715,000 in the prior year period.  In each case, the increase was due to interest associated with the substantially larger indebtedness we incurred to fund the acquisition of the HPPC business on December 31, 2007.

 

Income Taxes

 

Our effective tax rate from continuing operations was 36.7% in the third quarter and 37.2% in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008, as compared with 37.2% for the quarter and 36.7% for the nine months in the prior year.

 

Discontinued Operations

 

We have discontinued operation of the MSMA product line, which comprised our entire agricultural chemical segment.  MSMA market conditions deteriorated at the end fiscal year 2006, and regulatory actions by the U.S. EPA adversely affected the product line. We recognized an impairment charge pertaining to MSMA of $2.4 million in fiscal year 2006, and recorded an additional impairment charge of $102,000 in fiscal year 2008.  Our sales of MSMA products, reported in discontinued operations, for the first nine months of fiscal years 2008 and 2007 were $1.2 million and $2.2 million, respectively.  We had a net loss of $135,000 in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008, and a net loss of $251,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2008 from discontinued operations.  There has been a reduction of $1.0 million in inventory from discontinued operations and a reduction of $1.2 million in accounts receivable from discontinued operations in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008, both of which contributed to net cash from operating activities.  See note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash Flows

 

Our net cash from operating activities was $9.3 million for the first nine months of fiscal year 2008.  In the first nine months of fiscal 2007, net cash used in operating activities was $935,000.  Significant contributors to net cash from operating activities thus far in fiscal year 2008 have been net income of $4.8 million, increased trade payables of $17.9 million, depreciation and amortization

 

15



 

of $4.0 million and an increase of $4.0 million in accrued liabilities.  We did not purchase trade payables as part of the acquisition of the electronic chemicals business, and approximately $14.6 million of the increase in trade payables was in electronic chemicals. The increase in accrued liabilities is also primarily associated with our electronic chemicals business.  Trade receivables increased in the nine-month period by $17.7 million on increased creosote sales and on sales of electronic chemicals, exclusive of trade receivables purchased in the acquisition of the new business.

 

Net cash used in investing activities in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 was $71.5 million as compared with $473,000 in the prior year period.  Of the fiscal year 2008 amount, $69.8 million was used for the purchase of the HPPC business.  See note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.  We have made additions to property, plant and equipment of $1.7 million over the nine month period.  Of that amount, $1.2 million has been for our electronic chemicals business, primarily for purchases of software and systems to support that business and for certain improvements at the Milan, Italy facility.  Otherwise, we added to property, plant and equipment consistent with our normal practices.

 

We borrowed $64.0 million to finance the acquisition of the electronic chemicals business and refinance existing bank debt at the end of December 2007.  In the first nine months of fiscal year 2008, we made principal payments of $15.0 million on our borrowings, $7.4 million of which went to pay off our then outstanding bank facility when we obtained new financing for the purchase of the electronic chemicals business.  In connection with the new financing, we paid $466,000 of deferred financing costs.  We paid dividends of $220,000 in the third quarter and $657,000 in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008.  Starting in the first quarter of fiscal year 2008, we increased the annual dividend rate from $0.075 to $0.08 per share, and changed to a quarterly dividend payment from a semi-annual dividend payment.  Our dividend payments were $396,000 in the third quarter and $791,000 in the first nine months of fiscal year 2007.  It is our policy to pay dividends from available cash after taking into consideration our profitability, capital requirements, financial condition, growth, business opportunities and other factors which our board of directors may deem relevant.

 

Working Capital

 

We have a revolving line of credit under an amended and restated credit agreement.  At April 30, 2008, we had borrowed $4.0 million under that revolving facility, and our net borrowing base availability was $31.0 million.  Management anticipates that we will pay off the entire amount borrowed under the revolving facility by the end of fiscal year 2008.  Management also believes that our current credit facility, combined with cash flows from operations, will adequately provide for our working capital needs for current operations for the next twelve months.

 

Long Term Obligations

 

To finance the acquisition of the electronic chemicals business, we entered into an amended and restated credit agreement and a note purchase agreement. The new credit agreement replaced and refinanced our existing credit agreement with Wachovia Bank, National Association. The new credit facility included a revolving loan facility of $35.0 million and a term loan facility of $35.0 million. The amended and restated facility was entered into with Wachovia Bank, National Association, Bank of America, N.A., The Prudential Insurance Company of America, and Pruco Life Insurance Company.  Advances under the revolving loan and the term loan mature December 31, 2012. They each bear interest at varying rate of LIBOR plus a margin based on our funded debt to EBITDA.

 

Ratio of Funded Debt to EBITDA

 

Margin

 

Equal to or greater than 3.0 to 1.0

 

2.75

%

Equal to or greater than 2.5 to 1.0, but less than 3.0 to 1.0

 

2.50

%

Equal to or greater than 2.0 to 1.0, but less than 2.5 to 1.0

 

2.25

%

Equal to or greater than 1.5 to 1.0, but less than 2.0 to 1.0

 

2.00

%

Less than 1.5 to 1.0

 

1.75

%

 

Currently advances bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.25%.  After the consummation of the HPPC business acquisition at December 31, 2007, $9.0 million was outstanding on the revolving loan facility and $35.0 million was outstanding on the term loan facility. The new facility refinanced $7.4 million of indebtedness then outstanding under our existing term loan facility with Wachovia Bank. For the first 24 months of the term facility, principal payments will be $458,333 per month and will then become $666,667 per month for the balance of the term prior to maturity.  At April 30, 2008, the amount outstanding on the revolving facility was $4.0 million, and the amount outstanding on the term loan was $33.2 million.  At June 9, 2008 the amount outstanding on the revolving facility was $1.8 million, and the amount outstanding on the term loan was $32.7 million.

 

We also entered into a $20.0 million note purchase agreement with the Prudential Insurance Company of America. Advances under the note purchase agreement mature December 31, 2014, and bear interest at 7.43% per annum. Principal is payable at maturity. At April 30, 2008 and at June 9, 2008, $20.0 million was outstanding under the note purchase agreement.

 

16



 

Loans under the amended and restated credit facility and the note purchase agreement are secured by our assets, including inventory, accounts receivable, equipment, intangible assets, and real property. The amended and restated facility and the note purchase agreement have restrictive covenants, including maintaining a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.25 to 1 through July 31, 2008 and 1.5 to 1.0 thereafter, and a ratio of funded debt to EBITDA of 3.5 to 1.0 through October 31, 2008 and 3.0 to 1.0 thereafter. We must also maintain a debt to capitalization ratio of not more than 60% through April 30, 2009, 50% from then until April 30, 2010, and 45% thereafter. For purposes of calculating these financial covenant ratios, a pro forma EBITDA is used.  On April 30, 2008, we were in compliance with all our debt covenants.

 

Our purchase of certain penta assets from Basic Chemical Company in fiscal 2006 was financed in part by a $10.0 million loan from the seller.  The indebtedness is payable in five equal annual installments of $2.0 million plus interest at 4% per annum.  The third installment was paid in June 2007.  At April 30, 2008, the principal balance of that indebtedness was $6.0 million, and at June 9, 2008 the principal balance was $4.0 million.  The next installment of principal will be payable in June 2009.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements, such as financing or unconsolidated variable interest entities.

 

New Accounting Standards

 

In April 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets.”  FSP SFAS No. 142-3 amends the factors an entity should consider when developing renewal or extension assumptions for determining the useful life of recognized intangible assets under SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” FSP SFAS No. 142-3 is intended to improve the consistency between the useful life of recognized intangible assets under SFAS No. 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of assets under SFAS No. 141R and other U.S. GAAP.  The guidance also requires expanded disclosure related to an entity’s intangible assets.  The guidance for determining the useful life of a recognized intangible asset shall be applied prospectively to intangible assets acquired after the effective date and the disclosure requirements shall be applied prospectively to all intangible assets recognized as of, and subsequent to, the effective date.  FSP SFAS No. 142-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years and early adoption is prohibited. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, that FSP SFAS No. 142-3 will have on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141R”). SFAS 141R requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non controlling interest in the acquired entity  at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date. SFAS 141R is effective for the Company for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the annual reporting period beginning August 1, 2009. The statement may not be applied before that date. Management is currently evaluating the requirements of SFAS 141R, and the impact, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, Non Controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51 (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 clarifies that a non controlling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements. SFAS 160 is effective for the Company for fiscal year beginning August 1, 2009, with early adoption being prohibited. We do not expect the new standard to have a material impact on our financial position and results of operations.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We are currently reviewing SFAS No. 159 to determine the impact, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Accounting for Fair Value Measurements.”  SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, and establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and expands disclosure about fair value measurements.  In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP SFAS No. 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” to defer the effective date for nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a non-recurring basis until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008.  In February 2008, the FASB also issued FSP SFAS No. 157-1, “Application of FASB Statement No. 157 to FASB Statement No. 13 and Other Accounting Pronouncements that Address Fair Value Measurements for Purposes of Lease Classification or Measurement under Statement 13,” which excludes SFAS No. 13, “Accounting for Leases” (“SFAS No. 13”), as well as other accounting pronouncements that address fair value measurements on lease classification or measurement under SFAS No. 13.  SFAS No. 157 is effective for the Company for financial statements issued subsequent to November 15, 2008. Management is currently evaluating the requirements of SFAS No. 157,

 

17



 

and the impact, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires the use of estimates, judgments, and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. The critical accounting policies described in the report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2007.

 

Disclosure Regarding Forward Looking Statements

 

We are including the following discussion to inform our existing and potential security holders generally of some of the risks and uncertainties that can affect us and to take advantage of the “safe harbor” protection for forward-looking statements that applicable federal securities law affords. From time to time, our management or persons acting on our behalf make forward-looking statements to inform existing and potential security holders about our company. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our operations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or incorporated by reference in this report that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate may occur in the future, including such things as future capital expenditures, business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, growth of our business and operations, plans and references to future successes may be considered forward-looking statements. Also, when we use words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “may,” “should,” “budget,” “goal,” “expect,” “probably” or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements. Many risks and uncertainties may impact the matters addressed in these forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and we will not update forward-looking statements unless the securities laws require us to do so.

 

Some of the key factors which could cause our future financial results and performance to vary from those expected include:

 

·                                          the loss of primary customers;

 

·                                          our ability to implement productivity improvements, cost reduction initiatives or facilities expansions;

 

·                                          market developments affecting, and other changes in, the demand for our products and the introduction of new competing products;

 

·                                          availability or increases in the price of our primary raw materials or active ingredients;

 

·                                          the timing of planned capital expenditures;

 

·                                          our ability to identify, develop or acquire, and market additional product lines and businesses necessary to implement our business strategy and our ability to finance such acquisitions and development;

 

·                                          the condition of the capital markets generally, which will be affected by interest rates, foreign currency fluctuations and general economic conditions;

 

·                                          cost and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims, including environmental liabilities which may not be covered by indemnity or insurance;

 

·                                          the ability to obtain registration and re-registration of our products under applicable law;

 

·                                          the political and economic climate in the foreign or domestic jurisdictions in which we conduct business; and

 

·                                          other United States or foreign regulatory or legislative developments which affect the demand for our products generally or increase the environmental compliance cost for our products or impose liabilities on the manufacturers and distributors of such products.

 

The information contained in this report, including the information set forth under the heading “Risk Factors”, identifies additional factors that could cause our results or performance to differ materially from those we express in our forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying our forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of these

 

18



 

assumptions and, therefore, the forward-looking statements based on these assumptions, could themselves prove to be inaccurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements which are included in this report and the exhibits and other documents incorporated herein by reference, our inclusion of this information is not a representation by us or any other person that our objectives and plans will be achieved.

 

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

We are exposed to certain market risks in the ordinary course of our business, arising primarily from changes in interest rates and to a lesser extent foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Generally we do not utilize derivative financial instruments or hedging transactions to manage that risk.

 

Interest Rate Sensitivity

 

As of April 30, 2008 our fixed rate debt consisted of a $6.0 million promissory note with an annual interest rate of 4.0%, payable in five equal annual installments of $2.0 million maturing June 8, 2010, of which $2.0 million of principal was repaid in June 2008, and $20 million of term notes with an interest rate of 7.43%, maturing on December 31, 2014.

 

Our variable rate debt consisted of a credit facility with an interest rate of 2.25% plus LIBOR, maturing on December 31, 2012.  On April 30, 2008, we had $4.0 million borrowed on a $35.0 million revolving credit line under that facility, and $33.2 million borrowed on a term loan under that same facility.  Principal payments on the term loan are $458,333 per month for the first two years of the term facility and $666,667 per month for the remaining term of the facility.

 

Based on the outstanding balance of the revolving term loan and LIBOR rate as of April 30, 2008, a 1.0% change in the LIBOR interest rate would result in a change of approximately $297,000 in annual interest expense.  We anticipate that the revolving credit line, which had an outstanding balance of $4.0 million at April 30, 2008, will be repaid by the end of fiscal year 2008.

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Sensitivity

 

We are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates from our international segment of our recently acquired electronic chemicals business.  This segment uses a different functional currency than the U.S. Dollar which is our consolidated reporting currency.  As a result, we recognize currency translation gains and losses as a separate component of stockholders’ equity in our consolidated balance sheets.

 

Additionally we have limited exposure to certain transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency in our Italy operations.  Accordingly, we recognize exchange gains or losses in our consolidated statement of operations from these transactions.  These sales account for approximately 1% of our consolidated sales.  As a result, the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates does not have a material effect on our results of operations or cash flows.

 

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

The term “disclosure controls and procedures” is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This term refers to the controls and procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC. Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.

 

There were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or is reasonable likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

In 1996 the then members of the MSMA Task Force settled claims against Albaugh, Inc. for data compensation pertaining to MSMA products.  We became a member of that task force when we purchased the MSMA product line in October, 2000.  In the 1996 settlement agreement, Albaugh agreed to reimburse an entity related to the task force, Arsonate Herbicide Products, Limited) (“AHP”)

 

19



 

for a portion of the costs of MSMA studies and registration support costs.  Since the settlement, AHP has periodically invoiced Albaugh under the agreement and was paid.  In December 2006, after the U.S. EPA decided that MSMA registrations were not entitled to be re-registered, Albaugh sued AHP and claimed that it had been overbilled by AHP for many years by at least $900,000.  The case is in the U.S. District Court for the So. District of Iowa, and styled as Albaugh, Inc. vs. Arsonate Herbicide Products, Limited.  AHP responded that the billings were proper under the settlement agreement.  In April 2008, Albaugh sought permission from the court to add us and the other two MSMA Task Force members as defendants in the suit, alleging that we were responsible for the alleged overbilling and benefited from it.  The court has not yet ruled on that motion but is expected to do so soon.  Given the inherent uncertainties of litigation, the ultimate outcome cannot be predicted at this time, nor can the amount of any potential loss be reasonably estimated.

 

We have previously reported that our subsidiary, KMG de Mexico (“KMEX”), has been sued over its purchase from Oscar Villarreal in 2004 of additional property adjacent to our facility in Matamoros. The suit was filed in Matamoros, Mexico under Guillermo Villarreal, et al vs KMG de Mexico, et al. The plaintiff Guillermo Villarreal is a relative and has filed on behalf of Oscar Villarreal who was allegedly declared an incompetent under the law in 2006. The suit claims that Oscar Villarreal was also incompetent in 2004, when KMEX purchased the property. The property was sold to KMEX under a power of attorney granted by Oscar Villarreal to another of his relatives, Luis Villarreal. As the litigation is in the early stages of the legal process, and given the inherent uncertainties of litigation, the ultimate outcome cannot be predicted at this time, nor can the amount of any potential loss be reasonably estimated.

 

We have previously reported that a lawsuit was filed against us in Superior Court, Fulton County, Georgia (Atlanta) styled John Bailey, et al vs Cleveland G. Meredith et al. The plaintiffs are persons living near the wood treating facility of one of our customers. The plaintiffs complain that emissions from the wood treating facility have caused harm to their property and person, and claim that we are also responsible because we sold wood treating chemicals to the facility. There have been no significant developments in this litigation since our last report. As the litigation is in the early stages of the legal process, and given the inherent uncertainties of litigation, the ultimate outcome cannot be predicted at this time, nor can the amount of any potential loss be reasonably estimated.

 

We have previously reported that a lawsuit was filed against KMEX respecting the title to the land on which our facility in Matamoros is located.  The plaintiffs claim that their title to the land was superior to the person from whom our subsidiary bought the land. The lawsuit was filed in Matamoros, Mexico under Adolfo Cazares Rosas, et al vs. KMG de Mexico and Guillermo Villarreal.  The plaintiffs are seeking to have our purchase overturned and to recover the land or its value.  In January 2008, the case was sent by the appeals court back to the lower court to obtain additional factual information.  The ultimate outcome of this litigation cannot be determined at this time, nor can the amount of any potential loss be reasonably estimated.

 

We are periodically a party to other legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that the outcome of any of those matters will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

 

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

 

There have been no material changes to the risk factors contained in our report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007, except that the following additional risk factors should also be carefully considered.  The occurrence of any of these risks could materially harm our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

The industries in which we operate, including the electronic chemicals industry, are competitive. This competition may prevent us from raising prices at the same pace as our costs increase, making it difficult for us to maintain existing business and win new business.

 

We face significant competition in our businesses, including the electronic chemicals business. Certain of our competitors have large market shares and substantially greater financial and technical resources than we do. We may be required to reduce prices if our competitors reduce prices, or as a result of any other downward pressure on prices for our products and services, which could have an adverse effect on us.

 

We operate in competitive markets. Our electronic chemicals segments compete with several international and North American companies, including Honeywell and BASF.  Due to the level of competition, customers have regularly requested price decreases and maintaining or raising prices has been difficult over the past several years and will likely continue to be so in the near future.  Competition in the electronic chemical segment’s markets is based on a number of factors, including price, freight economics, product quality and technical support. If we are unable to compete successfully, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 

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The industries that we compete in are subject to economic downturns.

 

An economic downturn in the electronic industry as a whole or other events (e.g., labor disruptions) resulting in significantly reduced production at Intel Corporation, or at certain of their manufacturing plants, could have a material adverse impact on the results of our electronic chemicals segments.

 

A significant portion of our revenue and operating income from our electronic chemicals segments are concentrated in a small number of customers.

 

We derive a significant portion of our revenues and operating income in our electronic chemicals segments from sales of products to Intel.  As a result, the loss of, or reduced demand from, Intel could adversely affect our revenues and operating income.

 

We may experience increased costs and production delays if suppliers fail to deliver materials or if prices increase for raw materials and other goods and services that we purchase from third parties.

 

We purchase raw materials for our electronic chemicals business from a number of domestic and foreign suppliers. Although we believe that the raw materials we require will be available in sufficient supply on a competitive basis for the foreseeable future, continued increases in the cost of raw materials, including energy and other inputs used to make our products, could affect future sales volumes, prices and margins for our products. If a supplier should cease to deliver goods or services to us, we would probably find other sources.  However, such a disruption could result in added cost and manufacturing delays. In addition, political instability, war, terrorism and other disruptions to international transit routes could adversely impact our ability to obtain key raw materials in a timely fashion, or at all.

 

Our profitability could be adversely affected by high petroleum prices.

 

The profitability of our business depends to a degree upon the price of petroleum products, both as a component of transportation costs for delivery of products to our customers and as a raw material used to make our products, including penta solutions. High petroleum prices also affect the businesses of our customers.  In particular, the purchasers of our agrochemicals chemicals have experienced increased feed costs for their livestock and increased fuel costs, each of which is impacted by high petroleum prices.  Unfavorable changes in petroleum prices or in other business and economic conditions affecting our customers could reduce purchases of our products in agrochemical and other segments, and impose practical limits on our pricing. Any of these factors could lower our profit margins, and have a material adverse affect on our results of operations.  Petroleum prices have recently risen to historic or near historic highs. We are unable to predict what the price of crude oil and petroleum-based products will be in the future. We may be unable to pass along to our customers the increased costs that result from higher petroleum prices. Therefore, high petroleum prices could have a material adverse impact on our business and profitability.

 

Our ability to make payments on our debt will be contingent on our future operating performance, which will depend on a number of factors that are outside of our control.

 

Our ability to make principal and interest payments on our debt is contingent on our future operating performance, which will depend on a number of factors, many of which are outside of our control. The degree to which we are leveraged could have other important negative consequences, including the following:

 

 

·

we must dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations to the payment of our indebtedness, reducing the funds available for future working capital requirements, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other general corporate requirements;

 

 

 

 

·

a significant portion of our borrowings are, and will continue to be, at variable rates of interest, which may result in higher interest expense in the event of increases in interest rates;

 

 

 

 

·

we may be more vulnerable to a downturn in the segments in which we operate or a downturn in the economy in general;

 

 

 

 

·

we may be limited in our flexibility to plan for, or react to, changes in our businesses and the segments in which we operate;

 

 

 

 

·

we may be placed at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt;

 

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·

we may be limited in our ability to react to unforeseen increases in certain costs and obligations arising in our businesses, including environmental liabilities;

 

 

 

 

·

we may determine it to be necessary to dispose of certain assets or one or more of our businesses to reduce our debt; and

 

 

 

 

·

our ability to borrow additional funds may be limited.

 

If we are unable to make scheduled debt payments or comply with the other provisions of our debt instruments, our lenders may be permitted under certain circumstances to accelerate the maturity of the indebtedness owed to them and exercise other remedies provided for in those instruments and under applicable law.

 

Restrictions in our debt agreements could limit our growth and our ability to respond to changing conditions.

 

Our debt agreements contain a number of significant covenants which affect our ability to take certain actions and restrict our ability to incur additional debt. These include covenants that prohibit acquisitions that are not approved by our lenders. In addition, our debt agreements require us to maintain certain financial ratios and satisfy certain financial condition tests, which may require us to take action to reduce our debt or take some other action to comply with them.

 

These restrictions could limit our ability to obtain future financings, make needed capital expenditures, withstand a future downturn in our business or the economy in general or otherwise conduct necessary corporate activities. We may also be prevented from taking advantage of business opportunities that arise because of the limitations that these restrictive covenants impose on us.

 

A breach of any of these covenants would result in a default under the applicable debt agreement. A default, if not waived, could result in acceleration of the debt outstanding under the agreement and in a default with respect to, and acceleration of, the debt outstanding under our other debt agreements. The accelerated debt would become immediately due and payable. If that should occur, we may not be able to pay all such debt or to borrow sufficient funds to refinance it. Even if new financing were then available, it may not be on terms that are acceptable to us.

 

We have recently completed a major acquisition, and may continue to pursue new acquisitions or joint ventures, and any such transaction could adversely affect operating results or result in increased costs or other operating or management problems. We remain subject to the ongoing risks of successfully integrating and managing the acquisitions and joint ventures that have been completed.

 

We recently completed our acquisition of the HPPC business. That transaction exposes us to the risk of successfully integrating a major acquisition. The integration will impact various areas of our business, including, but not limited to, our workforce, management, production facilities, information systems, accounting and financial reporting, and customer service. Disruption to any of these areas could materially harm our financial condition or results of operations.

 

We may continue to pursue new acquisitions or joint ventures in the future, a pursuit which could consume substantial time and resources. The successful implementation of our operating strategy in current and future acquisitions and joint ventures may require substantial attention from our management team, which could divert management attention from existing businesses. The businesses acquired, or the joint ventures entered into, may not generate the cash flow and earnings, or yield the other benefits anticipated at the time of their acquisition or formation. The risks inherent in any such strategy could have an adverse impact on our results of operation or financial condition.

 

We may be unable to identify liabilities associated with the properties that may be acquired or obtain protection from sellers against them.

 

The acquisition of properties requires assessment of a number of factors, including physical condition and potential environmental and other liabilities. Such assessments are inexact and inherently uncertain. The assessments made result from a due diligence review of the subject properties, but such a review will not reveal all existing or potential problems. We may not be able to obtain contractual indemnities from the seller for liabilities that it created or that were created by any predecessor of the seller. We may be required to assume the risk of the physical or environmental condition of the properties in addition to the risk that the properties may not perform in accordance with expectations.

 

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We are dependent upon many critical systems and processes, many of which are dependent upon hardware that is concentrated in a limited number of locations. If a catastrophe were to occur at one or more of those locations, it could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

The business is dependent on certain critical systems, which support various aspects of our operations, from our computer network to our billing and customer service systems. The hardware supporting a large number of such systems is housed in a small number of locations. If one or more of these locations were to be subject to fire, natural disaster, terrorism, power loss, or other catastrophe, it could have a material adverse effect on our business. While we believe that we maintain reasonable disaster recovery programs, there can be no assurance that, despite these efforts, any disaster recovery, security and service continuity protection measures it may have or may take in the future will be sufficient.

 

In addition, computer viruses, electronic break-ins or other similar disruptive technological problems could also adversely affect our operations. Our insurance policies may not adequately compensate us for any losses that may occur due to any failures or interruptions in our computer systems.

 

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider recommendations for directors made by shareholders for fiscal year 2009, if such recommendations are received in writing, addressed to the chair of the committee, Mr. Urbanowski, in care of the Company, at 9555 W. Sam Houston Parkway S., Suite 600, Houston, Texas 77099 by July 31, 2008.

 

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

 

(a)

 

The following documents are filed as exhibits. Documents marked with an asterisk (*) are management contracts or compensatory plans, and confidential treatment has been sought or granted with respect to portions of documents marked with a dagger (†).

 

 

 

(b)

 

The financial statements filed as part of this report in Item 8 are listed in the Index to Financial Statements contained in that item. The following documents are filed as exhibits. Documents marked with an asterisk (*) are management contracts or compensatory plans, and portions of documents marked with a dagger (†) have been granted confidential treatment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certificates under Section 302 the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of the Chief Executive Officer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certificates under Section 302 the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of the Chief Financial Officer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certificates under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of the Chief Executive Officer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certificates under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of the Chief Financial Officer.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

KMG Chemicals, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ J. Neal Butler

 

Date:

June 16, 2008

 

  J. Neal Butler,

 

 

 

 

  Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ John V. Sobchak

 

Date:

June 16, 2008

 

  John V. Sobchak,

 

 

 

 

  Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

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