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 February 28, 2010
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 000-06936
WD-40 COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 95-1797918 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
1061 Cudahy Place, San Diego, California | 92110 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (619) 275-1400
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ¨ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | ¨ | Accelerated filer | x | |||
Non-accelerated filer | ¨ | Smaller reporting company | ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
The number of outstanding shares of the registrants common stock, par value $0.001 per share, as of April 5, 2010 was 16,584,995.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended February 28, 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION | ||||
Page | ||||
Item 1. |
Financial Statements | 3 | ||
Item 2. |
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 18 | ||
Item 3. |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 32 | ||
Item 4. |
Controls and Procedures | 32 | ||
PART II OTHER INFORMATION | ||||
Item 1. |
Legal Proceedings | 33 | ||
Item 1A. |
Risk Factors | 33 | ||
Item 5. |
Other Information | 34 | ||
Item 6. |
Exhibits | 35 |
2
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. | Financial Statements |
WD-40 COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited and in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
February 28, 2010 |
August 31, 2009 |
|||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Current assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 48,949 | $ | 45,956 | ||||
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $619 and $694 at February 28, 2010 and August 31, 2009, respectively |
55,062 | 48,061 | ||||||
Product held at contract packagers |
1,764 | 1,797 | ||||||
Inventories |
14,934 | 15,858 | ||||||
Current deferred tax assets, net |
4,370 | 4,369 | ||||||
Other current assets |
4,255 | 4,736 | ||||||
Total current assets |
129,334 | 120,777 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
9,900 | 10,930 | ||||||
Goodwill |
95,177 | 95,424 | ||||||
Other intangible assets, net |
31,571 | 32,205 | ||||||
Other assets |
2,988 | 3,281 | ||||||
Total assets |
$ | 268,970 | $ | 262,617 | ||||
Liabilities and Shareholders Equity |
||||||||
Current liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 20,037 | $ | 12,529 | ||||
Accrued liabilities |
15,427 | 15,233 | ||||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
10,714 | 10,714 | ||||||
Accrued payroll and related expenses |
4,674 | 7,168 | ||||||
Income taxes payable |
2,335 | 2,570 | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
53,187 | 48,214 | ||||||
Long-term debt |
10,714 | 21,429 | ||||||
Long-term deferred tax liabilities, net |
17,968 | 16,868 | ||||||
Deferred employee benefits and other long-term liabilities |
3,193 | 3,159 | ||||||
Total liabilities |
85,062 | 89,670 | ||||||
Shareholders equity: |
||||||||
Common stock authorized 36,000,000 shares, $0.001 par value; 18,148,493 and 18,093,879 shares issued at February 28, 2010 and August 31, 2009, respectively; and 16,584,995 and 16,530,381 shares outstanding at February 28, 2010 and August 31, 2009, respectively |
18 | 18 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
89,062 | 86,729 | ||||||
Retained earnings |
150,147 | 138,367 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(5,253 | ) | (2,101 | ) | ||||
Common stock held in treasury, at cost 1,563,498 shares at February 28, 2010 and August 31, 2009 |
(50,066 | ) | (50,066 | ) | ||||
Total shareholders equity |
183,908 | 172,947 | ||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders equity |
$ | 268,970 | $ | 262,617 | ||||
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
WD-40 COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited and in thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended February 28, |
Six Months Ended February 28, |
|||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||||
Net sales |
$ | 80,553 | $ | 61,837 | $ | 158,274 | $ | 145,434 | ||||||||
Cost of products sold (including cost of products acquired from related party of $3,460 and $7,720 for the three and six months ended February 28, 2009, respectively) |
38,320 | 31,192 | 76,128 | 76,052 | ||||||||||||
Gross profit |
42,233 | 30,645 | 82,146 | 69,382 | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
20,082 | 17,836 | 39,883 | 38,953 | ||||||||||||
Advertising and sales promotion |
5,354 | 4,604 | 10,552 | 10,017 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets |
185 | 110 | 370 | 239 | ||||||||||||
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets |
| 2,760 | | 2,760 | ||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
25,621 | 25,310 | 50,805 | 51,969 | ||||||||||||
Income from operations |
16,612 | 5,335 | 31,341 | 17,413 | ||||||||||||
Other (expense) income: |
||||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net of interest income of $40 and $91 for the three months ended February 28, 2010 and 2009, respectively; and $75 and $348 for the six months ended February 28, 2010 and 2009, respectively |
(361 | ) | (510 | ) | (850 | ) | (950 | ) | ||||||||
Other (expense) income, net |
(36 | ) | 480 | 78 | 701 | |||||||||||
Income before income taxes |
16,215 | 5,305 | 30,569 | 17,164 | ||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes |
5,538 | 1,222 | 10,479 | 5,396 | ||||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 10,677 | $ | 4,083 | $ | 20,090 | $ | 11,768 | ||||||||
Earnings per common share: |
||||||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | 0.64 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 1.21 | $ | 0.71 | ||||||||
Diluted |
$ | 0.64 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 1.20 | $ | 0.71 | ||||||||
Shares used in per share calculations: |
||||||||||||||||
Basic |
16,585 | 16,501 | 16,570 | 16,498 | ||||||||||||
Diluted |
16,688 | 16,650 | 16,670 | 16,662 | ||||||||||||
Dividends declared per common share |
$ | 0.25 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.50 | $ | 0.50 | ||||||||
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
WD-40 COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited and in thousands)
Six Months Ended February 28, | ||||||||
2010 | 2009 | |||||||
Operating activities: |
||||||||
Net income |
$ | 20,090 | $ | 11,768 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
2,186 | 1,780 | ||||||
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets |
| 2,760 | ||||||
Net gains on sales and disposals of property and equipment |
(21 | ) | (21 | ) | ||||
Deferred income tax expense |
871 | 1,113 | ||||||
Excess tax benefits from exercises of stock options and conversions of restricted stock units to common shares |
(110 | ) | (14 | ) | ||||
Stock-based compensation |
1,641 | 1,577 | ||||||
Unrealized foreign currency exchange gains, net |
(137 | ) | (569 | ) | ||||
Provision for bad debts |
| 351 | ||||||
Equity losses from related party |
| 435 | ||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
Trade accounts receivable |
(8,169 | ) | 1,870 | |||||
Product held at contract packagers |
40 | (1,557 | ) | |||||
Inventories |
757 | (1,324 | ) | |||||
Other assets |
433 | (1,223 | ) | |||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses and liabilities |
5,551 | (6,382 | ) | |||||
Accounts payable to related party |
| (258 | ) | |||||
Income taxes payable |
258 | 1,330 | ||||||
Deferred employee benefits and other long-term liabilities |
33 | (57 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
23,423 | 11,579 | ||||||
Investing activities: |
||||||||
Capital expenditures |
(760 | ) | (2,019 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment |
62 | 126 | ||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(698 | ) | (1,893 | ) | ||||
Financing activities: |
||||||||
Repayments of long-term debt |
(10,714 | ) | (10,714 | ) | ||||
Dividends paid |
(8,310 | ) | (8,271 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from issuance of common stock |
896 | 640 | ||||||
Excess tax benefits from exercises of stock options and conversions of restricted stock units to common shares |
110 | 14 | ||||||
Net cash used in financing activities |
(18,018 | ) | (18,331 | ) | ||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
(1,714 | ) | (4,844 | ) | ||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
2,993 | (13,489 | ) | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
45,956 | 41,983 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
$ | 48,949 | $ | 28,494 | ||||
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
WD-40 COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited and in thousands)
Three Months Ended February 28, |
Six Months Ended February 28, |
|||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 10,677 | $ | 4,083 | $ | 20,090 | $ | 11,768 | ||||||||
Other comprehensive loss: |
||||||||||||||||
Equity adjustment from foreign currency translation, net of tax benefit (provision) of $2 and $10 for the three months ended February 28, 2010 and 2009, respectively; and ($27) and $140 for the six months ended February 28, 2010 and 2009, respectively |
(4,129 | ) | (2,991 | ) | (3,152 | ) | (11,241 | ) | ||||||||
Total comprehensive income |
$ | 6,548 | $ | 1,092 | $ | 16,938 | $ | 527 | ||||||||
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
WD-40 COMPANY
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1. The Company
WD-40 Company (the Company), based in San Diego, California, is a global consumer products company dedicated to delivering unique, high value and easy-to-use solutions for a wide variety of maintenance needs of doer and on-the-job users by leveraging and building the brand fortress of the Company. Historically, the Company has marketed two multi-purpose maintenance product brands, WD-40® and 3-IN-ONE® Oil. In December 2009, the Company launched and began shipping a third multi-purpose maintenance product brand, Blue Works, which is targeted at the industrial channel. The Company also markets eight homecare and cleaning product brands, X-14® mildew stain remover and automatic toilet bowl cleaners, 2000 Flushes® automatic toilet bowl cleaners, Carpet Fresh® and No Vac® rug and room deodorizers, Spot Shot® aerosol and liquid carpet stain removers, 1001® carpet and household cleaners and rug and room deodorizers and Lava® and Solvol® heavy-duty hand cleaners.
The Companys brands are sold in various locations around the world. Multi-purpose maintenance products are sold worldwide in markets throughout North, Central and South America, Asia, Australia and the Pacific Rim, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Homecare and cleaning products are sold primarily in North America, the U.K., Australia and the Pacific Rim. The Companys products are sold primarily through mass retail and home center stores, warehouse club stores, grocery stores, hardware stores, automotive parts outlets and industrial distributors and suppliers.
Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company, without audit, according to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The August 31, 2009 year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of operating results for an entire fiscal year.
In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial information for the interim periods shown reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation thereof. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009, which was filed with the SEC on October 16, 2009.
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.
Sales Concentration
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is a significant U.S. mass retail customer and offers a variety of the Companys products. Sales to U.S. Wal-Mart stores accounted for 7 percent of the Companys consolidated net sales for each of the three month periods ended February 28, 2010 and 2009, and 7 percent and 6 percent of the Companys consolidated net sales for the six months ended February 28, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Excluding sales to U.S. Wal-Mart stores,
7
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
sales to affiliates of Wal-Mart worldwide accounted for 3 percent of the Companys consolidated net sales for each of the three month periods ended February 28, 2010 and 2009, and 3 percent and 4 percent of the Companys consolidated net sales for the six months ended February 28, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Accounts receivable from Wal-Mart stores and its affiliates accounted for 11 percent and 9 percent of the Companys consolidated accounts receivable balances at February 28, 2010 and August 31, 2009, respectively.
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts
In the normal course of business, the Company employs established policies and procedures to manage its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency values. The Companys U.K. subsidiary, whose functional currency is Pound Sterling, utilizes foreign currency forward contracts to limit its exposure in converting cash and accounts receivable balances denominated in non-functional currencies. The principal currency affected is the Euro. The Company regularly monitors its foreign currency exchange exposures to ensure the overall effectiveness of its foreign currency hedge positions. While the Company engages in foreign currency hedging activity to reduce its risk, for accounting purposes, none of its foreign currency forward contracts are designated as hedges.
Foreign currency forward contracts are accounted for on a mark-to-market basis, with net realized and unrealized gains and losses recognized currently in other income (expense) in the Companys condensed consolidated statements of operations. Cash flows from settlements of foreign currency forward contracts are included in operating activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. Foreign currency forward contracts in an asset position are included in other current assets, while foreign currency forward contracts in a liability position are included in accrued liabilities in the Companys condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The Company continually monitors its positions with, and the credit quality of, the major international financial institutions which are counterparties to its foreign currency forward contracts, and has not experienced nonperformance by any of these counterparties. As a matter of policy, the Company does not purchase contracts that exceed the amount of its cash and accounts receivable balances denominated in non-functional currencies. At February 28, 2010, the Company had approximately $10.2 million of foreign currency forward contracts outstanding which mature from March 2010 through June 2010. Realized and unrealized net gains and losses related to foreign currency forward contracts were not material for each of the three and six month periods ended February 28, 2010 and 2009.
Income Taxes
Current income tax expense is the amount of income taxes expected to be payable for the current year. A deferred income tax liability or asset is established for the expected future tax consequences resulting from the differences in financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is provided if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In addition to valuation allowances, the Company provides for uncertain tax positions when such tax positions do not meet the recognition thresholds or measurement standards prescribed by the authoritative guidance on income taxes. Amounts for uncertain tax positions are adjusted in periods when new information becomes available or when positions are effectively settled. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense.
U.S. federal income tax expense is provided on remittances of foreign earnings and on unremitted foreign earnings that are not indefinitely reinvested. U.S. federal income taxes and foreign withholding taxes are not provided when foreign earnings are indefinitely reinvested. The Company determines whether its foreign subsidiaries will invest their undistributed earnings indefinitely based on the capital needs of the foreign subsidiaries and reassesses this determination each reporting period. Changes to the Companys determination may be warranted based on the Companys experience as well as plans regarding future international operations and expected remittances.
Earnings per Common Share
Effective September 1, 2009, the Company adopted a new accounting standard which provides that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, are participating securities that must be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. Accordingly, the Companys outstanding unvested and outstanding vested restricted stock units that provide such nonforfeitable rights to dividend equivalents are included as participating securities in the calculation of earnings per common share (EPS) pursuant to the two-class method.
8
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
The Company calculates EPS using the two-class method, which provides for an allocation of net income between common stock and other participating securities based on their respective participation rights to share in dividends. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders for the period by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Net income available to common shareholders for the period includes dividends paid to common shareholders during the period plus a proportionate share of undistributed net income allocable to common shareholders for the period; the proportionate share of undistributed net income allocable to common shareholders for the period is based on the proportionate share of total weighted-average common shares and participating securities outstanding during the period.
Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders for the period by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period increased by the weighted-average number of potentially dilutive common shares (dilutive securities) that were outstanding during the period if the effect is dilutive. Dilutive securities are comprised of stock options, restricted stock units and performance share units granted under the Companys prior stock option plan and current equity incentive plan.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) established the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the Codification) as the single source of authoritative U.S. GAAP, other than guidance issued by the SEC. The Codification became effective for the Company as of the beginning of the first quarter of its fiscal year 2010, or September 1, 2009. The Codification did not change U.S. GAAP and, therefore, its adoption has only affected how specific references to U.S. GAAP literature are disclosed within the Companys Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its Annual Report on Form 10-K such that they are consistent with the Codification.
Effective September 1, 2009, the Company adopted the authoritative guidance for fair value measurements issued by the FASB for nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Companys condensed consolidated financial statements.
Effective September 1, 2009, the Company adopted the authoritative guidance applicable for determining whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities prior to vesting and, therefore, need to be included in the earnings allocation in computing earnings per share under the two-class method. The adoption and retrospective application of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Companys condensed consolidated financial statements.
In February 2010, the FASB issued updated guidance related to subsequent events. As a result of this updated guidance, SEC filers must still evaluate subsequent events through the issuance date of their financial statements, however, they are not required to disclose that date in their financial statement disclosures. This amended guidance became effective upon its issuance on February 24, 2010. The Company adopted this updated guidance effective as of this date and all subsequent event references in its SEC filings will reflect these amended disclosure requirements starting with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Recently Issued Accounting Standard
In January 2010, the FASB issued updated authoritative guidance related to fair value measurements which requires certain new disclosures including the following: 1) amounts transferred in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and the reasons for those transfers, which is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009; and 2) activities in Level 3 fair value measurements including purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, which is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010. The Company does not expect the adoption of this updated guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statement disclosures.
Note 3. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of tangible and intangible assets acquired.
9
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Other intangible assets, including both indefinite-lived intangible assets and definite-lived intangible assets, consist of trade names and non-contractual customer relationships. The carrying values of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for possible impairment annually during the Companys second fiscal quarter.
In addition to the annual impairment tests, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated each reporting period. Goodwill is evaluated each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life and to determine whether any indicators of impairment exist. Indicators such as underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results, changes in the Companys strategy for its overall business or use of acquired assets, unexpected negative industry or economic trends, decline in the Companys stock price for a sustained period, decreased market capitalization relative to net book values, unanticipated technological change or competitive activities, loss of key distribution, change in consumer demand, loss of key personnel and acts by governments and courts may signal that an asset has become impaired.
Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives and are evaluated each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable and/or their remaining useful lives may no longer be appropriate.
During the quarter ended February 28, 2010, the Company performed its annual impairment tests of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. The annual goodwill impairment test was performed at the reporting unit level as required by the authoritative guidance on intangibles, goodwill and other. This annual test follows a two-step process and is conducted by applying fair value concepts. Only the first step of the annual goodwill impairment test was required as the fair values of all reporting units significantly exceeded their carrying values. In performing the annual impairment test of its goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company considered the new fair value concepts of a market participant and the highest and best use for its intangible assets. Based on the results of these annual impairment tests, the Company determined that no impairment existed related to either its goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets as of February 28, 2010.
Acquisition-related Goodwill
Changes in the carrying amounts of acquisition-related goodwill by segment for the six months ended February 28, 2010 are summarized below (in thousands):
Americas | Europe | Asia-Pacific | Total | |||||||||||||
Balance as of August 31, 2009 |
$ | 85,570 | $ | 8,641 | $ | 1,213 | $ | 95,424 | ||||||||
Translation adjustments |
(33 | ) | (211 | ) | (3 | ) | (247 | ) | ||||||||
Balance as of February 28, 2010 |
$ | 85,537 | $ | 8,430 | $ | 1,210 | $ | 95,177 | ||||||||
To date, there have been no impairment losses identified and recorded related to the Companys goodwill.
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, which are not being amortized, consist of the 2000 Flushes, Spot Shot and 1001 trade names and are included in other intangible assets, net in the Companys condensed consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the carrying amounts of indefinite-lived intangible assets by segment for the six months ended February 28, 2010 are summarized below (in thousands):
Americas | Europe | Asia-Pacific | Total | |||||||||||
Balance as of August 31, 2009 |
$ | 24,500 | $ | 3,304 | $ | | $ | 27,804 | ||||||
Translation adjustments |
| (201 | ) | | (201 | ) | ||||||||
Balance as of February 28, 2010 |
$ | 24,500 | $ | 3,103 | $ | | $ | 27,603 | ||||||
10
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets
The Companys definite-lived intangible assets consist of the Carpet Fresh and X-14 trade names and certain non-contractual customer relationships from the acquisition of the 1001 line of products in fiscal year 2004 and are included in other intangible assets, net in the Companys condensed consolidated balance sheets. Effective August 31, 2009, the Company changed the classification of the Carpet Fresh and X-14 trade names from indefinite-lived to definite-lived. Thus, beginning September 1, 2009, the Carpet Fresh and X-14 trade names are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of thirteen and eight years, respectively. The non- contractual customer relationships intangible asset is being amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life of eight years. The following table summarizes the definite-lived intangible assets and the related accumulated amortization (in thousands):
February 28, 2010 |
August 31, 2009 |
|||||||
Gross carrying amount |
$ | 6,788 | $ | 3,873 | ||||
Accumulated amortization |
(2,820 | ) | (2,622 | ) | ||||
Trade names changed from indefinite-lived to definite-lived at August 31, 2009 |
| 3,150 | ||||||
Net carrying amount |
$ | 3,968 | $ | 4,401 | ||||
Changes in the carrying amounts of definite-lived intangible assets by segment for the six months ended February 28, 2010 are summarized below (in thousands):
Americas | Europe | Asia-Pacific | Total | ||||||||||||
Balance as of August 31, 2009 |
$ | 3,150 | $ | 1,251 | $ | | $ | 4,401 | |||||||
Amortization expense |
(129 | ) | (241 | ) | | (370 | ) | ||||||||
Translation adjustments |
| (63 | ) | | (63 | ) | |||||||||
Balance as of February 28, 2010 |
$ | 3,021 | $ | 947 | $ | | $ | 3,968 | |||||||
The estimated future amortization expense for the non-contractual customer relationships intangible asset is based on current foreign currency exchange rates, and amounts in future periods may differ from those presented due to fluctuations in those rates. The estimated amortization expense for the Carpet Fresh and X-14 trade names and the non-contractual customer relationships intangible asset in future fiscal years is as follows (in thousands):
Trade Names | Non-contractual Customer Relationships | |||||
Remainder of fiscal year 2010 |
$ | 129 | $ | 227 | ||
Fiscal year 2011 |
258 | 455 | ||||
Fiscal year 2012 |
258 | 265 | ||||
Fiscal year 2013 |
258 | | ||||
Fiscal year 2014 |
258 | | ||||
Thereafter |
1,860 | | ||||
Total |
$ | 3,021 | $ | 947 | ||
Note 4. Fair Value Measurements
Financial Assets and Liabilities
In accordance with the authoritative guidance for fair value measurements, the Company has categorized its financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a hierarchy that categorizes fair value measurements into the following three levels based on the types of inputs used in measuring their fair value:
Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or observable inputs that are corroborated by market data; and
Level 3: Unobservable inputs reflecting the Companys own assumptions.
11
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below (in thousands):
Significant
Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | ||||||
February 28, 2010 |
August 31, 2009 | |||||
Assets: |
||||||
Money market funds |
$ | 8,402 | $ | 7,687 | ||
Money market funds are highly liquid investments classified as cash equivalents in the Companys condensed consolidated balance sheets at February 28, 2010 and August 31, 2009. These securities are valued based on third party quotations of similar assets in active markets, and are thus classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
The carrying values of trade accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair values due to their short-term maturities. The estimated fair value of long-term debt, including current maturities, was $23.0 million and $33.8 million at February 28, 2010 and August 31, 2009, respectively, based on discounted future cash flows using current market interest rates.
Nonfinancial Assets and Liabilities
Effective September 1, 2009, the Company adopted enhanced measurement and disclosure requirements for nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. The nonfinancial assets and liabilities are recognized at fair value subsequent to initial recognition when they are deemed to be impaired. There were no nonfinancial assets and liabilities deemed to be impaired and measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of February 28, 2010.
Note 5. Balance Sheet Details
The condensed consolidated balance sheet details are summarized below (in thousands):
February 28, 2010 |
August 31, 2009 |
|||||||
Inventories: |
||||||||
Raw materials and components |
$ | 2,373 | $ | 3,222 | ||||
Work-in-process |
1,454 | 1,156 | ||||||
Finished goods |
11,107 | 11,480 | ||||||
Total |
$ | 14,934 | $ | 15,858 | ||||
Property, plant and equipment, net: |
||||||||
Machinery, equipment and vehicles |
$ | 12,627 | $ | 12,458 | ||||
Buildings and improvements |
4,371 | 4,450 | ||||||
Computer and office equipment |
2,983 | 2,835 | ||||||
Software |
3,892 | 3,862 | ||||||
Furniture and fixtures |
1,081 | 1,084 | ||||||
Land |
539 | 551 | ||||||
Subtotal |
25,493 | 25,240 | ||||||
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization |
(15,593 | ) | (14,310 | ) | ||||
Total |
$ | 9,900 | $ | 10,930 | ||||
Accrued liabilities: |
||||||||
Accrued advertising and sales promotion expenses |
$ | 8,760 | $ | 8,958 | ||||
Accrued professional services fees |
1,330 | 1,266 | ||||||
Accrued other taxes |
1,383 | 899 | ||||||
Accrued sales taxes |
1,099 | 724 | ||||||
Other |
2,855 | 3,386 | ||||||
Total |
$ | 15,427 | $ | 15,233 | ||||
12
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
February 28, 2010 |
August
31, 2009 | |||||
Accrued payroll and related expenses: |
||||||
Accrued payroll |
$ | 1,745 | $ | 1,666 | ||
Accrued bonuses |
1,464 | 2,703 | ||||
Accrued payroll taxes |
677 | 941 | ||||
Accrued profit sharing |
457 | 1,533 | ||||
Other |
331 | 325 | ||||
Total |
$ | 4,674 | $ | 7,168 | ||
Deferred employee benefits and other long-term liabilities: |
||||||
Supplemental employee retirement plan benefits liability |
$ | 737 | $ | 770 | ||
Other income taxes payable |
2,356 | 2,356 | ||||
Other |
100 | 33 | ||||
Total |
$ | 3,193 | $ | 3,159 | ||
Note 6. Share Repurchase Plan
On December 8, 2009, the Companys Board of Directors approved a share buy-back plan. Under the plan, which is in effect for up to twelve months from the date of approval, the Company is authorized to acquire up to $15.0 million of its outstanding shares. During the period from December 8, 2009 through February 28, 2010, the Company did not purchase any shares under this share buy-back plan.
Note 7. Earnings per Common Share
The table below reconciles net income to net income available to common shareholders (in thousands):
Three Months Ended February 28, | Six Months Ended February 28, | |||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 10,677 | $ | 4,083 | $ | 20,090 | $ | 11,768 | ||||||
Less: Net income allocated to participating securities |
(36 | ) | | (63 | ) | | ||||||||
Net income available to common shareholders |
$ | 10,641 | $ | 4,083 | $ | 20,027 | $ | 11,768 | ||||||
The table below summarizes the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding included in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS (in thousands):
Three Months Ended February 28, | Six Months Ended February 28, | |||||||
2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic |
16,585 | 16,501 | 16,570 | 16,498 | ||||
Weighted-average dilutive securities |
103 | 149 | 100 | 164 | ||||
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, diluted |
16,688 | 16,650 | 16,670 | 16,662 | ||||
For the three months ended February 28, 2010 and 2009, weighted-average stock options outstanding to purchase 615,635 and 1,243,656 shares, respectively, of the Companys common stock were excluded from the weighted-average number of common shares and potential common shares outstanding used in the calculation of diluted EPS as the effect of including them would be anti-dilutive because the stock options had an exercise price greater than or equal to the average market value of the Companys common stock during the period. For the six months ended February 28, 2010 and 2009, weighted-average stock options outstanding to purchase 619,919 and 937,723 shares, respectively, of the Companys common stock were excluded from the weighted-average number of common shares and potential common shares outstanding used in the calculation of diluted EPS as the effect of including them would be anti-dilutive because the stock options had an exercise price greater than or equal to the average market value of the Companys common stock during the period.
13
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Note 8. Related Parties
Prior to July 1, 2009, the Company had a 30% membership interest in VML Company L.L.C. (VML). VML made profit distributions to the Company and the 70% owner on a discretionary basis in proportion to each partys respective interest. VML served as one of the Companys contract manufacturers for certain homecare and cleaning products. The Company entered into a Settlement Agreement and Mutual General Release with VML, effective July 1, 2009. As a result, VML is no longer a related party.
The Company recorded equity losses related to its investment in VML of $0.2 million and $0.4 million for the three and six months ended February 28, 2009, respectively, which were recorded as a component of cost of products sold, as VML acted primarily as a contract manufacturer to the Company. Cost of products sold which were purchased from VML, net of rebates and equity earnings or losses, was approximately $3.5 million and $7.7 million for the three and six months ended February 28, 2009, respectively. Additionally, the Company received rental income from VML which was recorded as a component of other income, net in the Companys condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Companys investment in VML was written off in full as of February 28, 2009.
Note 9. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company has relationships with various suppliers (contract manufacturers) who manufacture the Companys products. Although the Company does not have any definitive minimum purchase obligations included in the contract terms with the contract manufacturers, supply needs are communicated and the Company is committed to purchase the products produced based on orders and short-term projections provided to the contract manufacturers, ranging from two to five months. The Company is also obligated to purchase obsolete or slow-moving inventory from its contract manufacturers and has done so in the past under these commitments, the amounts of which have been immaterial.
In addition to the commitments to purchase products from contract manufacturers described above, the Company may also enter into commitments with other manufacturers to purchase finished goods and components to support innovation initiatives and/or supply chain initiatives. As of February 28, 2010, such commitments totaled approximately $1.0 million.
The Company is party to various claims, legal actions and complaints, including product liability litigation, arising in the ordinary course of business. With the possible exception of the legal proceedings discussed below, management is of the opinion that none of these matters is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Companys consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
On April 19, 2006, a legal action was filed against the Company in the United States District Court, Southern District of California (Drimmer v. WD-40 Company). After several of the plaintiffs factual claims were dismissed by way of motion, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint on September 20, 2006, seeking class action status and alleging that the Company misrepresented that its 2000 Flushes Bleach and 2000 Flushes Blue Plus Bleach automatic toilet bowl cleaners (ATBCs) are safe for plumbing systems and unlawfully omitted to advise consumers regarding the allegedly damaging effect the use of the ATBCs has on toilet parts made of plastic and rubber. The amended complaint sought to remedy such allegedly wrongful conduct: (i) by requiring the Company to identify all consumers who have purchased the ATBCs and to return money as may be ordered by the court; and (ii) by the granting of other equitable relief, interest, attorneys fees and costs. On August 24, 2007, the Company successfully defeated the plaintiffs attempt to have the case certified as a class action. The plaintiff appealed the District Courts decision, and the case was argued at the appellate level in April 2009. On August 19, 2009, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the District Courts certification decision and, on September 10, 2009, the case was remanded to the District Court. On October 26, 2009, the plaintiff filed a motion to voluntarily dismiss the case without prejudice. The Company opposed the plaintiffs motion and sought dismissal with prejudice on November 19, 2009. The District Court agreed with the Companys arguments and dismissed the case with prejudice on March 29, 2010. The plaintiffs legal counsel has indicated that it intends to file another lawsuit against the Company on the same grounds seeking class action status. If such an action is filed and if class action certification is granted therein, it is reasonably possible that the outcome could have a material adverse effect on the Companys consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Since 2004, the Company has been named as a defendant in lawsuits brought by a growing group of attorneys on behalf of individual plaintiffs who assert that exposure to products that allegedly contain benzene is a cause of certain cancers (the Benzene Lawsuits). The Company is one of many defendants in these legal proceedings
14
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
whose products are alleged to contain benzene. However, the Company specifies that its suppliers provide constituent ingredients free of benzene. The Company believes its products have always been formulated without containing benzene and that the facts developed in litigation to date support this position. The plaintiffs in the Benzene Lawsuits typically seek damages in unspecified amounts for injuries or death attributable to a form of cancer linked to exposure to benzene. The Company is unable to quantify the total amount of damages asserted by the plaintiffs in the Benzene Lawsuits. Except for self-insured retention amounts applicable to each separately filed lawsuit, the Company expects that the Benzene Lawsuits will be adequately covered by insurance and will not have a material impact on the Companys consolidated financial position or results of operations. The Company is vigorously defending these lawsuits. The Company is unable to assess the expected cost of defense of these lawsuits in future periods. If the number of Benzene Lawsuits filed against the Company increases, it is reasonably possible that such costs of defense may materially affect the Companys consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in future periods.
As permitted under Delaware law, the Company has agreements whereby it indemnifies senior officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was, serving at the Companys request in such capacity. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, the Company maintains Director and Officer insurance coverage that mitigates the Companys exposure with respect to such obligations. As a result of the Companys insurance coverage, management believes that the estimated fair value of these indemnification agreements is minimal. No liabilities have been recorded for these agreements as of February 28, 2010.
From time to time, the Company enters into indemnification agreements with certain contractual parties in the ordinary course of business, including agreements with lenders, lessors, contract manufacturers, marketing distributors, customers and certain vendors. All such indemnification agreements are entered into in the context of the particular agreements and are provided in an attempt to properly allocate risk of loss in connection with the consummation of the underlying contractual arrangements. Although the maximum amount of future payments that the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited, management believes that the Company maintains adequate levels of insurance coverage to protect the Company with respect to most potential claims arising from such agreements and that such agreements do not otherwise have value separate and apart from the liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of the Companys business. Thus, no liabilities have been recorded with respect to such indemnification agreements as of February 28, 2010.
Note 10. Income Taxes
The Company uses an estimated annual effective tax rate, which is based on expected annual income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates, to determine its quarterly provision for income taxes. Certain significant or unusual items are separately recognized in the quarter in which they occur and can be a source of variability in the effective tax rates from quarter to quarter.
The provision for income taxes was 34.2% and 23.0% of income before income taxes for the three months ended February 28, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and 34.3% and 31.4% of income before income taxes for the six months ended February 28, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The lower effective income tax rates for the three and six months ended February 28, 2009 were primarily due to a one time California tax law change that occurred in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009. The tax law change caused a revaluation of the Companys deferred tax assets and liabilities that resulted in a tax benefit of approximately $0.5 million in fiscal year 2009.
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $2.1 million and $2.0 million as of February 28, 2010 and August 31, 2009, respectively, of which $1.1 million would impact the effective tax rate if recognized. The gross liability for income taxes related to unrecognized tax benefits is included in other long-term liabilities in the Companys condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of February 28, 2010 and August 31, 2009, the total balance of accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits was $0.4 million. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. There were no material interest or penalties included in income tax expense for each of the three and six month periods ended February 28, 2010 and 2009.
15
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
During the six months ended February 28, 2010, the Company recorded liabilities related to unrecognized tax benefits of $0.2 million and recognized no tax benefits.
The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. and in various state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is currently under audit by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service for fiscal year 2008. Due to expired statutes, years prior to fiscal year 2006 are not subject to examination. Generally, for the majority of state and foreign jurisdictions where the Company does business, periods prior to fiscal year 2005 are no longer subject to examination. The Company is currently under audit in various state and local jurisdictions for fiscal years 2004 through 2008. The Company has estimated that up to $0.2 million of unrecognized tax benefits related to income tax positions may be affected by the resolution of tax examinations or expiring statutes of limitation within the next twelve months. Audit outcomes and the timing of settlements are subject to significant uncertainty.
Note 11. Business Segments and Foreign Operations
The Company evaluates the performance of its segments and allocates resources to them based on sales, operating income and expected return. The Company is organized based on geographic location. Segment data does not include inter-segment revenues and incorporates costs from corporate headquarters into the Americas segment, without allocation to other segments. The Companys segments are run independently and, as a result, there are few costs that could be considered only costs from headquarters that would qualify for allocation to other segments. The most significant portion of costs from headquarters relates to the Americas segment both as a percentage of time and sales. Therefore, any allocation to other segments would be arbitrary.
The tables below present information about reportable segments and net sales by product line (in thousands):
As of and for the Three Months Ended February 28:
Americas | Europe | Asia-Pacific | Total | |||||||||
2010 |
||||||||||||
Net sales |
$ | 44,217 | $ | 28,634 | $ | 7,702 | $ | 80,553 | ||||
Income from operations (1) |
$ | 8,016 | $ | 7,009 | $ | 1,587 | $ | 16,612 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
$ | 750 | $ | 312 | $ | 42 | $ | 1,104 | ||||
Interest income |
$ | | $ | 26 | $ | 14 | $ | 40 | ||||
Interest expense |
$ | 399 | $ | | $ | 2 | $ | 401 | ||||
Total assets |
$ | 182,102 | $ | 77,498 | $ | 9,370 | $ | 268,970 | ||||
2009 |
||||||||||||
Net sales |
$ | 37,241 | $ | 19,546 | $ | 5,050 | $ | 61,837 | ||||
Income from operations (1) |
$ | 1,021 | $ | 3,829 | $ | 485 | $ | 5,335 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
$ | 563 | $ | 273 | $ | 35 | $ | 871 | ||||
Interest income |
$ | 23 | $ | 59 | $ | 8 | $ | 90 | ||||
Interest expense |
$ | 599 | $ | | $ | 1 | $ | 600 | ||||
Total assets |
$ | 179,350 | $ | 59,682 | $ | 7,448 | $ | 246,480 |
(1) | For the three months ended February 28, 2010 and 2009, income from operations for the Americas segment included costs from headquarters of $4.7 million and $4.3 million, respectively. |
16
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
As of and for the Six Months Ended February 28:
Americas | Europe | Asia-Pacific | Total | |||||||||
2010 |
||||||||||||
Net sales |
$ | 87,896 | $ | 55,881 | $ | 14,497 | $ | 158,274 | ||||
Income from operations (2) |
$ | 14,886 | $ | 13,735 | $ | 2,720 | $ | 31,341 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
$ | 1,477 | $ | 631 | $ | 78 | $ | 2,186 | ||||
Interest income |
$ | | $ | 49 | $ | 26 | $ | 75 | ||||
Interest expense |
$ | 921 | $ | | $ | 4 | $ | 925 | ||||
Total assets |
$ | 182,102 | $ | 77,498 | $ | 9,370 | $ | 268,970 | ||||
2009 |
||||||||||||
Net sales |
$ | 82,762 | $ | 49,680 | $ | 12,992 | $ | 145,434 | ||||
Income from operations (2) |
$ | 5,525 | $ | 10,197 | $ | 1,691 | $ | 17,413 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
$ | 1,130 | $ | 581 | $ | 69 | $ | 1,780 | ||||
Interest income |
$ | 63 | $ | 263 | $ | 22 | $ | 348 | ||||
Interest expense |
$ | 1,294 | $ | | $ | 4 | $ | 1,298 | ||||
Total assets |
$ | 179,350 | $ | 59,682 | $ | 7,448 | $ | 246,480 |
(2) | For the six months ended February 28, 2010 and 2009, income from operations for the Americas segment included costs from headquarters of $9.1 million and $8.9 million, respectively. |
Net Sales by Product Line:
Three Months Ended February 28, |
Six Months Ended February 28, | |||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||
Multi-purpose maintenance products |
$ | 65,635 | $ | 47,084 | $ | 126,315 | $ | 112,959 | ||||
Homecare and cleaning products |
14,918 | 14,753 | 31,959 | 32,475 | ||||||||
Total |
$ | 80,553 | $ | 61,837 | $ | 158,274 | $ | 145,434 | ||||
Note 12. Subsequent Event
On March 23, 2010, the Companys Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.25 per share payable on April 30, 2010 to shareholders of record on April 16, 2010.
17
Item 2. | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
As used in this report, the terms we, our, us and the Company refer to WD-40 Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, unless the context suggests otherwise. Amounts and percents in tables and discussions may not total due to rounding.
In order to show the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on our consolidated results of operations, we have included constant currency disclosures in the Overview and Results of Operations sections which follow. Constant currency disclosures represent the translation of our current fiscal year revenues and expenses from the functional currencies of our subsidiaries to U.S. Dollars using the exchange rates in effect for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.
The following information is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009 which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on October 16, 2009.
Overview
The Company
WD-40 Company, based in San Diego, California, is a global consumer products company dedicated to delivering unique, high value and easy-to-use solutions for a wide variety of maintenance needs of doer and on-the-job users by leveraging and building the brand fortress of the Company. Historically, we have marketed two multi-purpose maintenance product brands, WD-40® and 3-IN-ONE® Oil. In December 2009, we launched and began shipping a third multi-purpose maintenance product brand, Blue Works, which is targeted at the industrial channel. We also market eight homecare and cleaning product brands, X-14® mildew stain remover and automatic toilet bowl cleaners, 2000 Flushes® automatic toilet bowl cleaners, Carpet Fresh® and No Vac® rug and room deodorizers, Spot Shot® aerosol and liquid carpet stain removers, 1001® carpet and household cleaners and rug and room deodorizers and Lava® and Solvol® heavy-duty hand cleaners.
Our brands are sold in various locations around the world. Multi-purpose maintenance products are sold worldwide in markets throughout North, Central and South America, Asia, Australia and the Pacific Rim, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Homecare and cleaning products are sold primarily in North America, the U.K., Australia and the Pacific Rim. We sell our products primarily through mass retail and home center stores, warehouse club stores, grocery stores, hardware stores, automotive parts outlets and industrial distributors and suppliers.
Highlights
Thus far in our fiscal year 2010, general economic conditions and our business activities have shown signs of improvement, but we are still uncertain about the overall state of the global economy and what the remainder of fiscal year 2010 holds for us. Highlights for our business, which reflect these improved economic conditions, for the six months ended February 28, 2010 include the following:
| Consolidated net sales increased 9% and consolidated net income increased 71% for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had a favorable impact on net sales and net income for the six months ended February 28, 2010. On a constant currency basis, net sales would have increased 7% and net income would have increased 68% for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. |
| Sales of multi-purpose maintenance products increased 12% for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year due to sales growth across all segments. Sales in the Americas segment increased 10% primarily due to a 12% increase in the U.S. as a result of increased volume through existing distribution channels, new distribution and increased promotional activities. Sales in the Europe segment increased by 15% primarily due to the continued growth of the WD-40 Smart Straw product, increased volume through existing distribution channels, new distribution and increased promotional activities. Sales in the Asia-Pacific segment increased 10% primarily due to the favorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. |
18
| Sales of homecare and cleaning products decreased 2% for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year primarily due to an 11% sales decrease in the Europe segment which resulted from our strategic decision to focus our efforts and promotional activities on our multi-purpose maintenance products rather than on our homecare and cleaning products. |
| Our gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 52% for the six months ended February 28, 2010 from 48% for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year primarily due to the positive impacts of lower costs of petroleum-based materials, lower advertising and promotional discounts, sourcing changes, price increases and sales mix changes, which were all partially offset by increased costs for aerosol cans resulting from increased tin plate costs. |
Our core strategic initiatives and the areas where we will continue to focus our time and resources for the remainder of fiscal year 2010 include: (i) expanding geographically in countries where end users continue to benefit from using the WD-40 brand; (ii) maximizing our position in the multi-purpose maintenance products segment by focusing our research and development resources to leverage our multi-purpose maintenance products and adjacent categories; (iii) developing our business through acquisitions, joint ventures and/or other strategic partnerships; and (iv) leveraging the trust the WD-40 brand has established with its wide user base to grow our revenues and profits.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended February 28, 2010 Compared to Three Months Ended February 28, 2009
Operating Items
The following table summarizes operating data for our consolidated operations (in thousands, except percentages and per share amounts):
Three Months Ended February 28, | ||||||||||||
Change from Prior Year |
||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | Dollars | Percent | |||||||||
Net sales: |
||||||||||||
Multi-purpose maintenance products |
$ | 65,635 | $ | 47,084 | $ | 18,551 | 39 | % | ||||
Homecare and cleaning products |
14,918 | 14,753 | 165 | 1 | % | |||||||
Total net sales |
80,553 | 61,837 | 18,716 | 30 | % | |||||||
Cost of products sold |
38,320 | 31,192 | 7,128 | 23 | % | |||||||
Gross profit |
42,233 | 30,645 | 11,588 | 38 | % | |||||||
Operating expenses |
25,621 | 25,310 | 311 | 1 | % | |||||||
Income from operations |
$ | 16,612 | $ | 5,335 | $ | 11,277 | 211 | % | ||||
Net income |
$ | 10,677 | $ | 4,083 | $ | 6,594 | 161 | % | ||||
Earnings per common share diluted |
$ | 0.64 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.39 | 156 | % | ||||
Net Sales by Segment
The following table summarizes net sales by segment (in thousands, except percentages):
Three Months Ended February 28, | ||||||||||||
Change from Prior Year |
||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | Dollars | Percent | |||||||||
Americas |
$ | 44,217 | $ | 37,241 | $ | 6,976 | 19 | % | ||||
Europe |
28,634 | 19,546 | 9,088 | 46 | % | |||||||
Asia-Pacific |
7,702 | 5,050 | 2,652 | 53 | % | |||||||
Total |
$ | 80,553 | $ | 61,837 | $ | 18,716 | 30 | % | ||||
19
Americas
The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the Americas segment (in thousands, except percentages):
Three Months Ended February 28, | |||||||||||||||
Change from Prior Year |
|||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | Dollars | Percent | ||||||||||||
Multi-purpose maintenance products |
$ | 32,650 | $ | 25,368 | $ | 7,282 | 29 | % | |||||||
Homecare and cleaning products |
11,567 | 11,873 | (306 | ) | (3 | )% | |||||||||
Total |
$ | 44,217 | $ | 37,241 | $ | 6,976 | 19 | % | |||||||
% of consolidated net sales |
55 | % | 60 | % | |||||||||||
Sales in the Americas segment, which includes the U.S., Canada and Latin America, increased to $44.2 million, up $7.0 million, or 19%, for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates did not have a material impact on net sales for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.
Sales of multi-purpose maintenance products in the Americas segment increased $7.3 million, or 29%, for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Sales of WD-40 products in the U.S. increased $6.2 million, or 33%, for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year due to improved economic conditions, increased volume through existing distribution channels, new distribution and the timing of promotional activities.
Sales of homecare and cleaning products in the Americas segment decreased $0.3 million, or 3%, for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Sales of Spot Shot increased $0.5 million, or 9%, in the Americas segment due to increased promotional activities and new distribution. However, this increase was more than offset by decreases in all other homecare and cleaning product brands. The most significant of these sales decreases were from the Carpet Fresh brand and X-14 hard surface cleaners which decreased $0.3 million, or 19%, and $0.2 million, or 28%, respectively, for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. These declines were the result of several factors, including lost distribution, the discontinuation of certain product offerings, the effect of competitive factors and our strategic decision to focus our research and development resources on our multi-purpose maintenance products and not our homecare and cleaning products.
For the Americas segment, 82% of sales came from the U.S., and 18% of sales came from Canada and Latin America combined for each of the three month periods ended February 28, 2010 and 2009.
Europe
The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the Europe segment (in thousands, except percentages):
Three Months Ended February 28, | ||||||||||||||
Change from Prior Year |
||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | Dollars | Percent | |||||||||||
Multi-purpose maintenance products |
$ | 26,590 | $ | 17,601 | $ | 8,989 | 51 | % | ||||||
Homecare and cleaning products |
2,044 | 1,945 | 99 | 5 | % | |||||||||
Total |
$ | 28,634 | $ | 19,546 | $ | 9,088 | 46 | % | ||||||
% of consolidated net sales |
35 | % | 32 | % | ||||||||||
Sales in the Europe segment increased to $28.6 million, up $9.1 million, or 46%, for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year had a favorable impact on sales. Sales for the three months ended February 28, 2010 translated at the exchange rates in effect for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year would have been $26.1 million in the Europe segment. Thus, on a constant currency basis, sales would have increased by $6.6 million, or 34%, for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.
20
The countries in Europe where we sell through a direct sales force include the U.K., Italy, France, Iberia (which includes Spain and Portugal) and the Germanics sales region (which includes Germany, Austria, Denmark, Holland and Switzerland). Overall, sales from these direct markets increased $5.6 million, or 37%, for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year and accounted for 72% of the Europe segments sales for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to 77% of the Europe segments sales for the three months ended February 28, 2009. We experienced sales growth throughout the Europe segment for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, with percentage increases in sales as follows: Iberia, 53%; Germanics sales region, 51%; France, 34%; U.K., 28%; and Italy, 11%.
The sales growth throughout the Europe segment where we sell direct was primarily due to improved economic conditions, the continued growth of the WD-40 Smart Straw product, increased volume through existing distribution channels, new distribution and increased promotional activities. In addition, France and Iberia also benefited from the continued growth of the 3-IN-ONE line of products.
In the countries in which we sell through local distributors, sales increased $3.5 million, or 78%, for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, driven by increased sales of multi-purpose maintenance products in Northern Europe and the Middle East. The distributor markets accounted for approximately 28% of the total Europe segment sales for the three months ended February 28, 2010, compared to 23% for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.
Asia-Pacific
The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the Asia-Pacific segment (in thousands, except percentages):
Three Months Ended February 28, | ||||||||||||||
Change from Prior Year |
||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | Dollars | Percent | |||||||||||
Multi-purpose maintenance products |
$ | 6,395 | $ | 4,115 | $ | 2,280 | 55 | % | ||||||
Homecare and cleaning products |
1,307 | 935 | 372 | 40 | % | |||||||||
Total |
$ | 7,702 | $ | 5,050 | $ | 2,652 | 53 | % | ||||||
% of consolidated net sales |
10 | % | 8 | % | ||||||||||
In the Asia-Pacific segment, which includes Australia and Asia, sales increased to $7.7 million, up $2.7 million, or 53%, for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year had a favorable impact on sales. Sales for the three months ended February 28, 2010 translated at the exchange rates in effect for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year would have been $6.9 million in the Asia-Pacific segment. Thus, on a constant currency basis, sales would have increased by $1.8 million, or 35%, for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.
Sales in Asia, which represented 61% of the total sales in the Asia-Pacific segment, increased $1.6 million, or 53%, for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year primarily due to higher sales of WD-40 products across the Asia region. Sales in China increased 7%, while sales across the rest of the Asia region increased 75% from period to period. China and many of the markets throughout the Asia region were negatively impacted by adverse economic conditions during the second quarter of the prior fiscal year. Sales growth for the three months ended February 28, 2010 was the result of improved economic conditions, increased distribution, particularly of multi-purpose maintenance products, and significant promotional activities in the Asia region compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.
Sales in Australia increased $1.0 million, or 52%, for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year due primarily to the favorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. On a constant currency basis, sales would have increased $0.2 million, or 12%, for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year due to promotional activities and new distribution.
21
Gross Profit
Gross profit was $42.2 million, or 52.4% of net sales, for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to $30.6 million, or 49.6% of net sales, for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Cost savings from product conversions and sourcing changes, primarily in the U.S., positively impacted gross profit by 1.2 percentage points on a combined basis for the three months ended February 28, 2010. In addition, the decline in the cost of petroleum-based materials positively affected gross profit percentage by 0.7 percentage points for the three months ended February 28, 2010.
In general, the timing of advertising, promotional and other discounts, which are recorded as a reduction to sales, as well as shifts in product and customer mix, may cause fluctuations in gross profit percentage from period to period. Examples of advertising, promotional and other discounts include coupon redemptions, consideration and allowances given to retailers for space and/or favorable display positions in their stores, co-operative advertising and promotional activity, volume discounts and other one-time or ongoing incentives. During the three months ended February 28, 2010, advertising, promotional and other discounts decreased compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, positively impacting gross profit percentage by 1.4 percentage points. The decrease in such discounts was due to the fact that a lower percentage of sales during the second quarter of fiscal year 2010 was subject to promotional allowances compared to the second quarter of fiscal year 2009. Shifts in product and customer mix positively impacted our gross profit percentage by 0.5 percentage points for the three months ended February 28, 2010 while all other miscellaneous items combined positively impacted our gross margin by 0.3 percentage points.
Our gross profit percentage for the three months ended February 28, 2010 was also positively impacted by 0.2 percentage points due to losses associated with VML Company L.L.C. (VML), a former related party, which were incurred in fiscal year 2009 but not in the current fiscal year period.
Partially offsetting the aforementioned favorable impacts to gross profit percentage were higher costs for aerosol cans, which negatively affected our gross profit percentage by 1.5 percentage points for the three months ended February 28, 2010. We began to experience a significant increase in the cost of aerosol cans during the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, due to the cost of tinplate used to manufacture such cans. Although the cost of aerosol cans has decreased in fiscal year 2010, the decrease has been minimal. Tinplate pricing is set annually and is independent of the movements in the cost of steel on the spot market.
Note that our gross profits may not be comparable to those of other reporting entities, since some entities include all costs related to distribution of their products in cost of products sold, whereas we exclude the portion associated with amounts paid to third parties for distribution to our customers from our contract packagers and include these costs in selling, general and administrative expenses. These costs totaled $3.2 million and $2.8 million for the three months ended February 28, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the three months ended February 28, 2010 increased $2.3 million, or 13%, to $20.1 million from $17.8 million for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. However, as a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses decreased to 24.9% for the three months ended February 28, 2010 from 28.8% for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. The increase in SG&A expenses was largely attributable to higher employee-related costs and the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates period over period. Employee-related costs, which include salaries, bonuses, profit sharing and other fringe benefits, increased $1.2 million for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year due primarily to higher bonus expense. Many regions are expected to achieve higher sales and profit performance metrics for fiscal year 2010 as compared to the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year increased SG&A expenses by $0.9 million for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Thus, on a constant currency basis, SG&A expenses for the second quarter of fiscal year 2010 would have been $19.2 million for an increase of $1.4 million, or 8%, from the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Freight costs increased $0.2 million primarily due to higher sales volumes for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Other miscellaneous expenses, including professional services costs, broker sales commissions, stock-based compensation and bad debt expense, increased by $0.1 million period over period.
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We continued our research and development investment in support of our focus on innovation and renovation of our products. Research and development costs for each of the three month periods ended February 28, 2010 and 2009 were $1.1 million. Our new-product development team, Team Tomorrow, engages in consumer research, product development, current product improvement and testing activities. This team leverages its development capabilities by partnering with a network of outside resources including our current and prospective outsource suppliers.
Advertising and Sales Promotion Expenses
Advertising and sales promotion expenses for the three months ended February 28, 2010 increased to $5.4 million from $4.6 million for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. However, as a percentage of net sales, these expenses decreased to 6.6% for the three months ended February 28, 2010 from 7.4% for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. The increase in advertising and sales promotion expenses was due primarily to the timing of investment in advertising activities and the unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates period over period. Investment in global advertising and sales promotion expenses for fiscal year 2010 is expected to be in the range of 6.5% to 8.0% of net sales.
As a percentage of sales, advertising and sales promotion expenses may fluctuate period to period based upon the type of marketing activities we employ and the period in which the costs are incurred. The costs of certain promotional activities are required to be recorded as reductions to sales, while others remain in advertising and sales promotion expenses. Total promotional costs recorded as a reduction to sales for the three months ended February 28, 2010 were $3.3 million compared to $3.5 million for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Therefore, our total investment in advertising and sales promotion activities totaled $8.7 million and $8.1 million for the three months ended February 28, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Amortization of Definite-lived Intangible Assets Expense
Amortization of our definite-lived intangible assets was $185,000 and $110,000 for the three months ended February 28, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in amortization for the three months ended February 28, 2010 relates to the Carpet Fresh and X-14 trade names which were changed to definite-lived intangible assets from indefinite-lived intangible assets at August 31, 2009, in addition to amortization of the non-contractual customer relationships acquired in the 1001 acquisition completed by the Europe segment in fiscal year 2004. The amortization for the three months ended February 28, 2009 related to the non-contractual customer relationships only. Beginning September 1, 2009, the Carpet Fresh and X-14 trade names are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of thirteen and eight years, respectively. The non-contractual customer relationships intangible asset is recorded and amortized in Pounds Sterling on a straight-line basis over its estimated eight-year life and is converted to U.S. dollars for reporting purposes. Therefore, a portion of the fluctuation in amortization from period to period is the result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Impairment of Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets Expense
During the quarter ended February 28, 2010, we performed our annual impairment tests of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. As a result of our annual impairment tests, no impairment charge was recorded for either our goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets. However, as a result of the annual impairment tests that we performed during the quarter ended February 28, 2009, we recorded an impairment charge of $2.8 million to reduce the carrying value of our Carpet Fresh indefinite-lived intangible asset to its estimated fair value. We subsequently determined that the Carpet Fresh trade name was no longer an indefinite-lived intangible asset. As a result, we reclassified it to a definite-lived intangible asset effective August 31, 2009 and started to amortize it over its expected useful life of thirteen years beginning September 1, 2009.
Non-Operating Items
The following table summarizes non-operating income and expenses for our consolidated operations (in thousands):
Three Months Ended February 28, | |||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | Change | |||||||||
Interest expense, net |
$ | 361 | $ | 510 | $ | (149 | ) | ||||
Other (expense) income, net |
$ | (36 | ) | $ | 480 | $ | (516 | ) | |||
Provision for income taxes |
$ | 5,538 | $ | 1,222 | $ | 4,316 |
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Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense decreased for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year due to the lower principal balance on long-term borrowings resulting from the annual $10.7 million principal payments made in October 2009 and October 2008. This decrease was partially offset by a decrease in interest income as a result of lower interest rates during the second quarter of fiscal year 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.
Other (Expense) Income, Net
Other (expense) income, net decreased $0.5 million for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year primarily due to foreign currency exchange losses for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to foreign currency exchange gains in the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.
Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes was 34.2% of income before income taxes for the three months ended February 28, 2010 compared to 23.0% for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. The lower effective tax rate for the three months ended February 28, 2009 was primarily due to a one time California tax law change that occurred in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009. The tax law change caused a revaluation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities that resulted in a tax benefit of approximately $0.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009.
Net Income
Net income was $10.7 million, or $0.64 per common share on a fully diluted basis for the three months ended February 28, 2010, compared to $4.1 million, or $0.25 per common share on a fully diluted basis for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. The change in foreign currency exchange rates period over period had a favorable impact of $0.7 million on net income for the three months ended February 28, 2010. Thus, on a constant currency basis, net income for the three months ended February 28, 2010 would have been $10.0 million.
Six Months Ended February 28, 2010 Compared to Six Months Ended February 28, 2009
Operating Items
The following table summarizes operating data for our consolidated operations (in thousands, except percentages and per share amounts):
Six Months Ended February 28, | |||||||||||||
Change from Prior Year |
|||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | Dollars | Percent | ||||||||||
Net sales: |
|||||||||||||
Multi-purpose maintenance products |
$ | 126,315 | $ | 112,959 | $ | 13,356 | 12 | % | |||||
Homecare and cleaning products |
31,959 | 32,475 | (516 | ) | (2 | )% | |||||||
Total net sales |
158,274 | 145,434 | 12,840 | 9 | % | ||||||||
Cost of products sold |
76,128 | 76,052 | 76 | | |||||||||
Gross profit |
82,146 | 69,382 | 12,764 | 18 | % | ||||||||
Operating expenses |
50,805 | 51,969 | (1.164 | ) | (2 | )% | |||||||
Income from operations |
$ | 31,341 | $ | 17,413 | $ | 13,928 | 80 | % | |||||
Net income |
$ | 20,090 | $ | 11,768 | $ | 8,322 | 71 | % | |||||
Earnings per common share diluted |
$ | 1.20 | $ | 0.71 | $ | 0.49 | 69 | % | |||||
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Net Sales by Segment
The following table summarizes net sales by segment (in thousands, except percentages):
Six Months Ended February 28, | ||||||||||||
Change from Prior Year |
||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | Dollars | Percent | |||||||||
Americas |
$ | 87,896 | $ | 82,762 | $ | 5,134 | 6 | % | ||||
Europe |
55,881 | 49,680 | 6,201 | 12 | % | |||||||
Asia-Pacific |
14,497 | 12,992 | 1,505 | 12 | % | |||||||
Total |
$ | 158,274 | $ | 145,434 | $ | 12,840 | 9 | % | ||||
Americas
The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the Americas segment (in thousands, except percentages):
Six Months Ended February 28, | |||||||||||||||
Change from Prior Year |
|||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | Dollars | Percent | ||||||||||||
Multi-purpose maintenance products |
$ | 62,570 | $ | 57,059 | $ | 5,511 | 10 | % | |||||||
Homecare and cleaning products |
25,326 | 25,703 | (377 | ) | (1 | )% | |||||||||
Total |
$ | 87,896 | $ | 82,762 | $ | 5,134 | 6 | % | |||||||
% of consolidated net sales |
56 | % | 57 | % | |||||||||||
Sales in the Americas segment, which includes the U.S., Canada and Latin America, increased to $87.9 million, up $5.1 million, or 6%, for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates did not have a material impact on net sales for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.
Sales of multi-purpose maintenance products in the Americas segment increased $5.5 million, or 10%, for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Sales of WD-40 products in the U.S. increased $5.1 million, or 12%, for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year due to improved economic conditions, increased volume through existing distribution channels, new distribution and the timing of promotional activities.
Sales of homecare and cleaning products in the Americas segment decreased $0.4 million, or 1%, for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Sales of Spot Shot increased $1.9 million, or 19%, in the Americas segment due to increased promotional activities and new distribution. However, this increase was more than offset by decreases in all other homecare and cleaning product brands. The most significant of these sales decreases were from automatic toilet bowl cleaners and the Carpet Fresh brand which decreased $1.1 million, or 12%, and $0.5 million, or 14%, respectively, for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. These declines were the result of several factors, including lost distribution, the discontinuation of certain product offerings, the effect of competitive factors and our strategic decision to focus our research and development resources on our multi-purpose maintenance products and not on our homecare and cleaning products.
For the Americas segment, 82% of sales came from the U.S., and 18% of sales came from Canada and Latin America combined for the six months ended February 28, 2010, compared to the distribution for the six months ended February 28, 2009, when 81% of sales came from the U.S. and 19% of sales came from Canada and Latin America combined.
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Europe
The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the Europe segment (in thousands, except percentages):
Six Months Ended February 28, | |||||||||||||||
Change from Prior Year |
|||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | Dollars | Percent | ||||||||||||
Multi-purpose maintenance products |
$ | 51,751 | $ | 45,027 | $ | 6,724 | 15 | % | |||||||
Homecare and cleaning products |
4,130 | 4,653 | (523 | ) | (11 | )% | |||||||||
Total |
$ | 55,881 | $ | 49,680 | $ | 6,201 | 12 | % | |||||||
% of consolidated net sales |
35 | % | 34 | % | |||||||||||
Sales in the Europe segment increased to $55.9 million, up $6.2 million, or 12%, for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates did not have a material impact on net sales for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.
The countries in Europe where we sell through a direct sales force include the U.K., Italy, France, Iberia (which includes Spain and Portugal) and the Germanics sales region (which includes Germany, Austria, Denmark, Holland and Switzerland). Overall, sales from these direct markets increased $4.8 million, or 14%, for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year and accounted for 67% of the Europe segments sales for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to 66% for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. We experienced sales growth throughout most of the Europe segment for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, with percentage increases in sales as follows: Iberia, 41%; Italy, 28%; France, 25%; and Germanics sales region, 16%. Partially offsetting these sales increases was a decrease in the U.K. of 3%.
The sales growth throughout the Europe segment where we sell direct was primarily due to improved economic conditions, the continued growth of the WD-40 Smart Straw product, increased volume through existing distribution channels, new distribution and increased promotional activities. In addition, France and Iberia benefited from the continued growth of the 3-IN-ONE line of products. The sales decline in the U.K. relates to homecare and cleaning products and is due to our strategic decision to redirect our advertising and promotional activities from our homecare and cleaning products to our multi-purpose maintenance products, as well as lost distribution and the effect of competitive factors.
In the countries in which we sell through local distributors, sales increased $1.4 million, or 9%, for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year driven by sales increases of our WD-40 products in Northern Europe and the Middle East. The distributor markets accounted for approximately 33% of the total Europe segment sales for the six months ended February 28, 2010, compared to 34% for the six months ended February 28, 2009.
Asia-Pacific
The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the Asia-Pacific segment (in thousands, except percentages):
Six Months Ended February 28, | ||||||||||||||
Change from Prior Year |
||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | Dollars | Percent | |||||||||||
Multi-purpose maintenance products |
$ | 11,994 | $ | 10,873 | $ | 1,121 | 10 | % | ||||||
Homecare and cleaning products |
2,503 | 2,119 | 384 | 18 | % | |||||||||
Total |
$ | 14,497 | $ | 12,992 | $ | 1,505 | 12 | % | ||||||
% of consolidated net sales |
9 | % | 9 | % | ||||||||||
In the Asia-Pacific segment, which includes Australia and Asia, sales increased to $14.5 million, up $1.5 million, or 12%, for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year had a favorable impact on sales. Sales for the six months ended February 28, 2010 translated at the exchange rates in
26
effect for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year would have been $13.4 million in the Asia-Pacific segment. Thus, on a constant currency basis, sales would have increased by approximately $0.4 million, or 3%, for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.
Sales in Asia, which represented 60% of the total sales in the Asia-Pacific segment, increased 2% for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year due to increased sales of WD-40 products throughout the distributor markets, including Malaysia, Hong Kong, the Philippines and India. Partially offsetting these increases were sales decreases in China, which continues to recover from the economic challenges it experienced during the prior fiscal year.
Sales in Australia increased $1.3 million, or 29%, for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year due primarily to the favorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. On a constant currency basis, sales would have increased $0.2 million, or 4%, for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year due to promotional activities and new distribution.
Gross Profit
Gross profit was $82.1 million, or 51.9% of net sales, for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to $69.4 million, or 47.7% of net sales, for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. The lower costs for petroleum-based materials positively impacted our gross profit by 2.2 percentage points for the six months ended February 28, 2010. Cost savings from product conversions and sourcing changes positively impacted gross profit by 1.4 percentage points on a combined basis during the six months ended February 28, 2010. In addition, worldwide price increases implemented during the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 added 0.8 percentage points to our gross profit percentage for the six months ended February 28, 2010.
In general, the timing of advertising, promotional and other discounts, which are recorded as a reduction to sales, as well as shifts in product and customer mix, may cause fluctuations in gross profit percentage from period to period. Examples of advertising, promotional and other discounts include coupon redemptions, consideration and allowances given to retailers for space and/or favorable display positions in their stores, co-operative advertising and promotional activity, volume discounts and other one-time or ongoing incentives. During the six months ended February 28, 2010, advertising, promotional and other discounts decreased compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, positively impacting gross profit by 1.2 percentage points. The decrease in such discounts was due to the fact that a lower percentage of sales during the six months ended February 28, 2010 was subject to promotional allowances compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. In addition, sales mix and other miscellaneous items when combined favorably impacted gross margin by 0.7 percentage points.
Our gross profit percentage for the six months ended February 28, 2010 was also positively impacted by 0.3 percentage points due to losses associated with VML, a former related party, which were incurred in fiscal year 2009 but not in the current fiscal year period.
Partially offsetting the aforementioned favorable impacts to gross profit percentage were higher costs for aerosol cans, which negatively affected our gross profit percentage by 2.4 percentage points for the six months ended February 28, 2010. We began to experience a significant increase in the cost of aerosol cans during the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, due to the cost of tinplate used to manufacture such cans. Although the cost of aerosol cans has decreased in fiscal year 2010, the decrease has been minimal. Tinplate pricing is set annually and is independent of the movements in the cost of steel on the spot market.
Note that our gross profits may not be comparable to those of other reporting entities, since some entities include all costs related to distribution of their products in cost of products sold, whereas we exclude the portion associated with amounts paid to third parties for distribution to our customers from our contract packagers and include these costs in selling, general and administrative expenses. These costs totaled $6.5 million and $6.8 million for the six months ended February 28, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
SG&A expenses for the six months ended February 28, 2010 increased to $39.9 million from $39.0 million for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. However, as a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses decreased to 25.2% from 26.8% for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. The increase in SG&A expenses was largely attributable to higher employee-related costs and the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates period over period. Employee-related costs, which include salaries, bonuses, profit sharing and other fringe benefits, increased $1.9 million for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year due primarily to annual compensation increases during the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 and higher bonus expense. Many regions are expected to achieve higher sales and profit performance metrics for fiscal year 2010 as compared to the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year increased SG&A expenses by $0.5 million for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Thus, on a constant currency basis, SG&A expenses for the six months ended February 28, 2010 would have been $39.4 million for an increase of $0.4 million, or 1%, from the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Partially offsetting these increases were decreases in freight costs, professional services costs and other miscellaneous expenses. Freight costs decreased $0.5 million primarily due to improved shipping efficiencies. Professional services costs decreased $0.7 million due to lower legal costs. Other miscellaneous expenses, including broker sales commissions, stock-based compensation and bad debt expense, decreased by $0.3 million period over period.
We continued our research and development investment in support of our focus on innovation and renovation of our products. Research and development costs for each of the six month periods ended February 28, 2010 and 2009 were $2.3 million. Our new-product development team, Team Tomorrow, engages in consumer research, product development, current product improvement and testing activities. This team leverages its development capabilities by partnering with a network of outside resources including our current and prospective outsource suppliers.
Advertising and Sales Promotion Expenses
Advertising and sales promotion expenses for the six months ended February 28, 2010 increased to $10.6 million from $10.0 million for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. However, as a percentage of net sales, these expenses decreased to 6.7% for the six months ended February 28, 2010 from 6.9% for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. The increase in advertising and sales promotion expenses was primarily due to the timing of investment in advertising activities. Investment in global advertising and sales promotion expenses for fiscal year 2010 is expected to be in the range of 6.5% to 8.0% of sales.
As a percentage of sales, advertising and sales promotion expenses may fluctuate period to period based upon the type of marketing activities we employ and the period in which the costs are incurred. The costs of certain promotional activities are required to be recorded as reductions to sales, while others remain in advertising and sales promotion expenses. Total promotional costs recorded as a reduction to sales for the six months ended February 28, 2010 were $8.2 million compared to $9.2 million for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Therefore, our total investment in advertising and sales promotion activities totaled $18.8 million and $19.2 million for the six months ended February 28, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Amortization of Definite-lived Intangible Assets Expense
Amortization of our definite-lived intangible assets was $370,000 and $239,000 for the six months ended February 28, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increase in amortization for the six months ended February 28, 2010 relates to the Carpet Fresh and X-14 trade names which were changed to definite-lived intangible assets from indefinite-lived intangible assets at August 31, 2009, in addition to amortization of the non-contractual customer relationships acquired in the 1001 acquisition completed by the Europe segment in fiscal year 2004. The amortization for the six months ended February 28, 2009 related to the non-contractual customer relationships only. Beginning September 1, 2009, the Carpet Fresh and X-14 trade names are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of thirteen and eight years, respectively. The non-contractual customer relationships intangible asset is recorded and amortized in Pounds Sterling on a straight-line basis over its estimated eight-year life and is converted to U.S. dollars for reporting purposes. Therefore, a portion of the fluctuation in amortization from period to period is the result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Impairment of Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets Expense
During the quarter ended February 28, 2010, we performed our annual impairment tests of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. As a result of our annual impairment tests, no impairment charge was recorded for either our goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets. However, as a result of the annual impairment tests that we performed
28
during the quarter ended February 28, 2009, we recorded an impairment charge of $2.8 million to reduce the carrying value of our Carpet Fresh indefinite-lived intangible asset to its estimated fair value. We subsequently determined that the Carpet Fresh trade name was no longer an indefinite-lived intangible asset. As a result, we reclassified it to a definite-lived intangible asset effective August 31, 2009 and started to amortize it over its expected useful life of thirteen years beginning September 1, 2009.
Non-Operating Items
The following table summarizes non-operating income and expenses for our consolidated operations (in thousands):
Six Months Ended February 28 , |
||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | Change | ||||||||
Interest expense, net |
$ | 850 | $ | 950 | $ | (100 | ) | |||
Other income, net |
$ | 78 | $ | 701 | $ | (623 | ) | |||
Provision for income taxes |
$ | 10,479 | $ | 5,396 | $ | 5,083 |
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense decreased for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year due to the lower principal balance on long-term borrowings resulting from the annual $10.7 million principal payments made in October 2009 and October 2008. This decrease was partially offset by a decrease in interest income as a result of lower interest rates during the first half of fiscal year 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.
Other Income, Net
Other income, net decreased $0.6 million for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year primarily due to lower foreign currency exchange gains.
Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes was 34.3% of income before income taxes for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to 31.4% for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. The lower effective tax rate for the six months ended February 28, 2009 was primarily due to a one time California tax law change that occurred in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009. The tax law change caused a revaluation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities that resulted in a tax benefit of approximately $0.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2009.
Net Income
Net income was $20.1 million, or $1.20 per common share on a fully diluted basis for the six months ended February 28, 2010, compared to $11.8 million, or $0.71 per common share on a fully diluted basis for the six months ended February 28, 2009. The change in foreign currency exchange rates period over period had a favorable impact of $0.4 million on net income for the six months ended February 28, 2010. Thus, on a constant currency basis, net income for the six months ended February 28, 2010 would have been $19.7 million.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
The Companys financial condition and liquidity remain strong. Net cash provided by operations was $23.4 million for the six months ended February 28, 2010 compared to $11.6 million for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Despite the recent liquidity issues experienced in the global credit and capital markets, we believe we are well positioned to weather the uncertainty due to our strong balance sheet and efficient business model, along with our growing and diversified global revenues. We continue to manage all aspects of our business including, but not limited to, monitoring the financial health of our customers, suppliers and other third-party relationships, implementing margin enhancement strategies and developing new opportunities for growth.
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Our principal sources of liquidity are our existing cash and cash equivalents, cash generated from operations and cash available from our $10 million revolving credit facility, obtained in September 2008, which is currently undrawn. At February 28, 2010, we had a total of $48.9 million in cash and cash equivalents. We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents at February 28, 2010, the liquidity under our revolving credit facility and our anticipated cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet the projected operating and capital requirements for our current business plans. We consider various factors when reviewing liquidity needs and plans for available cash on hand including: future debt, principal and interest payments, early debt repayment penalties, future capital expenditure requirements, future dividend payments (which are determined on a quarterly basis by the Companys Board of Directors), alternative investment opportunities, loan covenants and any other relevant considerations currently facing our business.
Our outstanding indebtedness under our original $75 million, 7.28% fixed-rate term loan was $21.4 million as of February 28, 2010. Outstanding borrowings under our term loan must be repaid in annual principal payments of $10.7 million, with the final payment due in October 2011.
Cash Flows
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities increased to $23.4 million for the six months ended February 28, 2010 from $11.6 million for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. This increase was due to the increase in net income as adjusted for noncash items such as depreciation and amortization, deferred income tax expense, stock-based compensation and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains, net, and the cash impact of changes in working capital. See discussion of changes in working capital in the section that follows, particularly those changes related to accounts receivable and accounts payable as both balances changed significantly from period to period.
Investing Activities
During the six months ended February 28, 2010, our cash outflows from investing activities were for capital expenditures, while our cash inflows were proceeds received from the sales of property and equipment. Net cash used for investing activities during the six months ended February 28, 2010 decreased $1.2 million compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year due primarily to lower capital expenditures.
Capital expenditures during the six months ended February 28, 2010 were primarily for machinery and equipment to enhance manufacturing efficiencies, computer equipment and software. For fiscal year 2010, we expect to invest approximately $3.0 million for new capital assets largely driven by purchases of machinery and equipment to enhance manufacturing efficiencies, as well as purchases of computer equipment, software and vehicles.
Financing Activities
Net cash used for financing activities during the six months ended February 28, 2010 decreased $0.3 million compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year due to higher proceeds from the issuance of common stock which were offset by slightly higher dividend payments.
Working Capital
At February 28, 2010, working capital increased to $76.1 million, up $3.5 million from $72.6 million at August 31, 2009. The current ratio was 2.4 and 2.5 at February 28, 2010 and August 31, 2009, respectively.
Current assets increased $8.6 million to $129.3 million at February 28, 2010 due primarily to a $3.0 million increase in cash and cash equivalents and a $7.0 million increase in accounts receivable which were offset by a $0.9 million decrease in inventories. The changes in accounts receivable and inventories were primarily due to the volume and timing of sales.
Current liabilities increased $5.0 million to $53.2 million at February 28, 2010 primarily due to a $7.7 million increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities due to the timing of payments and increased business activities. Accrued payroll and related expenses decreased $2.5 million due primarily to the payment of the fiscal year 2009 bonuses during the first quarter of the current fiscal year and lower profit sharing accruals. At February 28, 2010, the accrued profit sharing balance included two months of accrual compared to eight months of accrual at August 31, 2009, as the Companys profit sharing plan is based on a calendar year.
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Commercial Commitments
We have relationships with various suppliers (contract manufacturers) who manufacture our products. Although we do not have any definitive minimum purchase obligations included in the contract terms with the contract manufacturers, supply needs are communicated and we are committed to purchase the products produced based on orders and short-term projections provided to the contract manufacturers, ranging from two to five months. We are also obligated to purchase obsolete or slow-moving inventory from our contract manufacturers and have done so in the past under these commitments, the amounts of which have been immaterial.
In addition to the commitments to purchase products from contract manufacturers described above, we may also enter into commitments with other manufacturers to purchase finished goods and components to support innovation initiatives and/or supply chain initiatives. As of February 28, 2010, such commitments totaled approximately $1.0 million.
Share Repurchase Plan
On December 8, 2009, the Companys Board of Directors approved a share buy-back plan. Under the plan, which is in effect for up to twelve months from the date of approval, we are authorized to acquire up to $15.0 million of our outstanding shares. During the period from December 8, 2009 through February 28, 2010, we did not purchase any shares under this share buy-back plan.
Dividends
On March 23, 2010, the Companys Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.25 per share payable on April 30, 2010 to shareholders of record on April 16, 2010. Our ability to pay dividends could be affected by future business performance, liquidity, capital needs, alternative investment opportunities and loan covenants.
Income Taxes
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $2.1 million and $2.0 million as of February 28, 2010 and August 31, 2009, respectively, of which $1.1 million would impact the effective tax rate if recognized. The gross liability for income taxes related to unrecognized tax benefits is included in other long-term liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of February 28, 2010 and August 31, 2009, the total balance of accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits was $0.4 million. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. There were no material interest or penalties included in income tax expense for each of the six month periods ended February 28, 2010 and 2009.
During the six months ended February 28, 2010, we recorded liabilities related to unrecognized tax benefits of $0.2 million and recognized no tax benefits.
We are subject to taxation in the U.S. and in various state and foreign jurisdictions. We are currently under audit by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service for fiscal year 2008. Due to expired statutes, years prior to fiscal year 2006 are not subject to examination. Generally, for the majority of state and foreign jurisdictions where we do business, periods prior to fiscal year 2005 are no longer subject to examination. We are currently under audit in various state and local jurisdictions for fiscal years 2004 through 2008. We have estimated that up to $0.2 million of unrecognized tax benefits related to income tax positions may be affected by the resolution of tax examinations or expiring statutes of limitation within the next twelve months. Audit outcomes and the timing of settlements are subject to significant uncertainty.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our discussion and analysis of our operating results and financial condition is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
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Critical accounting policies are those that involve subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates. The following areas all require the use of judgments and estimates: allowance for doubtful accounts, revenue recognition, accounting for sales incentives, accounting for income taxes, valuation of long-lived intangible assets and goodwill and inventory valuation. Estimates in each of these areas are based on historical experience and various judgments and assumptions that we believe are appropriate. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Our critical accounting policies are discussed in more detail in Part II Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009.
Recently Issued Accounting Standard
In January 2010, the FASB issued updated authoritative guidance related to fair value measurements which requires certain new disclosures including the following: 1) amounts transferred in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and the reasons for those transfers, which is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009; and 2) activities in Level 3 fair value measurements including purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, which is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010. We do not expect the adoption of this updated guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statement disclosures.
Related Parties
Prior to July 1, 2009, we had a 30% membership interest in VML. VML made profit distributions to us and the 70% owner on a discretionary basis in proportion to each partys respective interest. VML served as one of our contract manufacturers for certain homecare and cleaning products. We entered into a Settlement Agreement and Mutual General Release with VML effective July 1, 2009. As a result, VML is no longer a related party.
We recorded equity losses related to our investment in VML of $0.2 million and $0.4 million for the three and six months ended February 28, 2009, respectively, which were recorded as a component of cost of products sold, as VML acted primarily as a contract manufacturer to the Company. Cost of products sold which were purchased from VML, net of rebates and equity earnings or losses, was approximately $3.5 million and $7.7 million for the three and six months ended February 28, 2009. Additionally, we received rental income from VML which was recorded as a component of other income, net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Our investment in VML was written off in full as of February 28, 2009.
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
Refer to Part II Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009.
Item 4. | Controls and Procedures |
The term disclosure controls and procedures is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). The term disclosure controls and procedures means controls and other procedures of a Company that are designed to ensure the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commissions rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Act is accumulated and communicated to the Companys management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. The Companys chief executive officer and chief financial officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures as of February 28, 2010, the end of the period covered by this report (the Evaluation Date), and they have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, such controls and procedures were effective at ensuring that required information will be disclosed on a timely basis in the Companys reports filed under the Exchange Act. Although management believes the Companys existing disclosure controls and procedures are adequate to enable the Company to comply with its disclosure obligations, management continues to review and update such controls and procedures. The Company has a disclosure committee, which consists of certain members of the Companys senior management.
There were no changes to the Companys internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Companys most recent fiscal quarter that materially affected, or would be reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
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Item 1. | Legal Proceedings |
The Company is party to various claims, legal actions and complaints, including product liability litigation, arising in the ordinary course of business.
On April 19, 2006, a legal action was filed against the Company in the United States District Court, Southern District of California (Drimmer v. WD-40 Company). After several of the plaintiffs factual claims were dismissed by way of motion, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint on September 20, 2006, seeking class action status and alleging that the Company misrepresented that its 2000 Flushes Bleach and 2000 Flushes Blue Plus Bleach ATBCs are safe for plumbing systems and unlawfully omitted to advise consumers regarding the allegedly damaging effect the use of the ATBCs has on toilet parts made of plastic and rubber. The amended complaint sought to remedy such allegedly wrongful conduct: (i) by requiring the Company to identify all consumers who have purchased the ATBCs and to return money as may be ordered by the court; and (ii) by the granting of other equitable relief, interest, attorneys fees and costs. On August 24, 2007, the Company successfully defeated the plaintiffs attempt to have the case certified as a class action. The plaintiff appealed the District Courts decision, and the case was argued at the appellate level in April 2009. On August 19, 2009, the Ninth District Court of Appeals affirmed the District Courts certification decision, and on September 10, 2009, the case was remanded to the District Court. On October 26, 2009, the plaintiff filed a motion to voluntarily dismiss the case without prejudice. The Company opposed the plaintiffs motion and sought dismissal with prejudice on November 19, 2009. The District Court agreed with the Companys arguments and dismissed the case with prejudice on March 29, 2010. The plaintiffs legal counsel has indicated that it intends to file another lawsuit against the Company on the same grounds seeking class action status. If such an action is filed and if class action certification is granted therein, it is reasonably possible that the outcome could have a material adverse effect on the Companys consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Since 2004, the Company has been named as a defendant in lawsuits brought by a growing group of attorneys on behalf of individual plaintiffs who assert that exposure to products that allegedly contain benzene is a cause of certain cancers (the Benzene Lawsuits). The Company is one of many defendants in these legal proceedings whose products are alleged to contain benzene. However, the Company specifies that its suppliers provide constituent ingredients free of benzene. The Company believes its products have always been formulated without containing benzene and the facts developed in litigation to date support this position. The plaintiffs in the Benzene Lawsuits typically seek damages in unspecified amounts for injuries or death attributable to a form of cancer linked to exposure to benzene. The Company is unable to quantify the total amount of damages asserted by the plaintiffs in the Benzene Lawsuits. Except for self-insured retention amounts applicable to each separately filed lawsuit, the Company expects that the Benzene Lawsuits will be adequately covered by insurance and will not have a material impact on the Companys consolidated financial position or results of operations. The Company is vigorously defending these lawsuits. The Company is unable to assess the expected cost of defense of these lawsuits in future periods. If the number of Benzene Lawsuits filed against the Company increases, it is reasonably possible that such costs of defense may materially affect the Companys consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in future periods.
During the quarter ended February 28, 2010, there were no material developments with respect to legal proceedings that were pending as of the prior fiscal year end and disclosed in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009, which was filed with the SEC on October 16, 2009.
Item 1A. | Risk Factors |
There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009, which was filed with the SEC on October 16, 2009.
Forward-Looking Statements
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for certain forward-looking statements. This report contains forward-looking statements, which reflect the Companys current views with respect to future events and financial performance.
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These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. The words aim, believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate and other expressions that indicate future events and trends identify forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties are described in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2009, as updated from time to time in the Companys SEC filings.
Actual future results and trends may differ materially from historical results or those anticipated depending upon factors including, but not limited to, the near-term growth expectations for multi-purpose maintenance products and homecare and cleaning products, the impact of changes in product distribution, competition for shelf space, the impact of competition on product pricing, the level of promotional and advertising spending, plans for and success of product innovation, the impact of new product introductions on the growth of sales, the impact of customer mix and raw material, component and finished goods costs on gross margins, the impact of promotional programs on sales, the rate of sales growth in the Asia-Pacific segment, direct European countries and Eastern and Northern Europe, foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations in those rates, the impact of changes in inventory management, the effect of future income tax provisions and audit outcomes on tax rates, the amount of future capital expenditures, the effects of, and changes in, worldwide economic conditions, legal proceedings and the other risk factors as identified in Part I Item 1A, Risk Factors, in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2009, and in the Companys Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which may be updated from time to time.
Readers also should be aware that while the Company does, from time to time, communicate with securities analysts, it is against the Companys policy to disclose to them any material non-public information or other confidential commercial information. Accordingly, shareholders or readers should not assume that the Company agrees with any statement or report issued by any analyst irrespective of the content of the statement or report. Further, the Company has a policy against confirming financial forecasts or projections issued by others. Accordingly, to the extent that reports issued by securities analysts contain any projections, forecasts or opinions, such reports are not the responsibility of the Company.
Item 5. | Other Information |
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
At the Companys Annual Meeting of Shareholders on December 8, 2009, the following matters were voted upon and approved by the margins indicated.
Number of Shares | ||||
Voted For | Withheld | |||
1. Election of Directors: |
||||
John C. Adams, Jr. |
15,378,125 | 170,086 | ||
Giles H. Bateman |
14,799,596 | 748,615 | ||
Peter D. Bewley |
15,376,380 | 171,831 | ||
Richard A. Collato |
15,367,784 | 180,427 | ||
Mario L. Crivello |
15,243,718 | 304,493 | ||
Linda A. Lang |
15,373,398 | 174,813 | ||
Garry O. Ridge |
15,359,025 | 189,186 | ||
Neal E. Schmale |
15,283,508 | 264,703 |
Number of Shares | ||||||
Voted For | Voted Against | Abstained | ||||
2. Ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Companys public accounting firm for fiscal year 2010 |
14,763,884 | 765,235 | 19,092 |
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Item 6. | Exhibits |
Exhibit No. |
Description | |
3(a) | Certificate of Incorporation, incorporated by reference from the Registrants Form 10-K filed October 25, 2007, Exhibit 3(a) thereto. | |
3(b) | Bylaws, incorporated by reference from the Registrants Form 10-Q filed January 9, 2009, Exhibit 3(b) thereto. | |
10(a) | Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement dated October 18, 2001 between WD-40 Company and Prudential Insurance Company of America. | |
10(b) | First Amendment/Consent to October 18, 2001 Private Shelf Agreement dated May 30, 2002 between WD-40 Company and Prudential Insurance Company of America. | |
10(c) | Loan Agreement dated September 22, 2008 between WD-40 Company and Union Bank of California, N.A. | |
10(d) | Form of Executive Officer Performance Share Unit Award Agreement, as amended March 23, 2010, incorporated by reference from the Registrants Form 8-K filed March 26, 2010, Exhibit 99.1 thereto. | |
31(a) | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
31(b) | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
32(a) | 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. | |
32(b) | 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
WD-40 COMPANY Registrant | ||||
Date: April 8, 2010 | By: | /s/ GARRY O. RIDGE | ||
Garry O. Ridge | ||||
President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | ||||
By: | /s/ JAY W. REMBOLT | |||
Jay W. Rembolt | ||||
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
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