Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended November 30, 2013

 

Commission File Number: 1-9852

 

CHASE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Massachusetts

 

11-1797126

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
of organization)

 

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

 

26 Summer Street, Bridgewater, Massachusetts 02324

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)

 

(508) 819-4200

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer o

Accelerated filer x

Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company o

 

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  YES o  NO x

 

The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of December 31, 2013 was 9,097,078.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

For the Quarter Ended November 30, 2013

 

Part I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1 — Unaudited Financial Statements

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013

3

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended November 30, 2013 and 2012

4

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended November 30, 2013 and 2012

5

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Equity for the three months ended November 30, 2013

6

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended November 30, 2013 and 2012

7

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

8

 

 

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

18

 

 

Item 3 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

25

 

 

Item 4 — Controls and Procedures

25

 

 

Part II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1 — Legal Proceedings

27

 

 

Item 1A — Risk Factors

27

 

 

Item 6 — Exhibits

27

 

 

SIGNATURES

28

 

2



Table of Contents

 

Part 1 — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1 — Unaudited Financial Statements

 

CHASE CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

 

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

 

 

November 30,

 

August 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2013

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash & cash equivalents

 

$

36,928

 

$

29,997

 

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $672 and $696

 

30,691

 

32,084

 

Inventories

 

33,983

 

32,048

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

3,987

 

1,826

 

Due from sale of product line

 

3,255

 

 

Assets held for sale, net

 

 

1,905

 

Deferred income taxes

 

2,115

 

2,115

 

Total current assets

 

110,959

 

99,975

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

44,835

 

45,192

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

38,092

 

37,815

 

Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $19,179 and $17,554

 

30,932

 

31,781

 

Cash surrender value of life insurance

 

7,300

 

7,278

 

Restricted investments

 

1,229

 

1,094

 

Funded pension plan

 

1,226

 

1,014

 

Other assets

 

202

 

211

 

 

 

$

234,775

 

$

224,360

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

15,588

 

$

12,416

 

Accrued payroll and other compensation

 

2,885

 

7,046

 

Accrued expenses

 

5,125

 

5,171

 

Accrued income taxes

 

4,009

 

2,161

 

Dividends payable

 

4,093

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

5,950

 

5,600

 

Total current liabilities

 

37,650

 

32,394

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, less current portion

 

57,050

 

58,800

 

Deferred compensation

 

2,020

 

1,897

 

Accumulated pension obligation

 

7,895

 

7,834

 

Other liabilities

 

104

 

108

 

Deferred income taxes

 

9,446

 

9,467

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

First Serial Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value: Authorized 100,000 shares; none issued

 

 

 

Common stock, $.10 par value: Authorized 20,000,000 shares; 9,094,868 shares at November 30, 2013 and 9,066,115 shares at August 31, 2013 issued and outstanding

 

910

 

907

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

13,662

 

13,336

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(3,466

)

(5,163

)

Retained earnings

 

108,416

 

103,734

 

Chase Corporation stockholders’ equity

 

119,522

 

112,814

 

Non-controlling interest related to NEPTCO joint venture

 

1,088

 

1,046

 

Total equity

 

120,610

 

113,860

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

234,775

 

$

224,360

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

3



Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

 

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

 

 

Three Months Ended November 30,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

$

53,655

 

$

52,976

 

Royalties and commissions

 

528

 

424

 

 

 

54,183

 

53,400

 

Costs and Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of products and services sold

 

35,478

 

37,271

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

10,439

 

10,539

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

8,266

 

5,590

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(303

)

(362

)

Gain on sale of product line (Note 8)

 

5,706

 

 

Other (expense) income

 

(105

)

69

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

13,564

 

5,297

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 

4,747

 

1,820

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

8,817

 

$

3,477

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (gain) loss attributable to non-controlling interest

 

(42

)

63

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Chase Corporation

 

$

8,775

 

$

3,540

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders, per common and common equivalent share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.96

 

$

0.39

 

Diluted

 

$

0.94

 

$

0.39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

8,938,149

 

8,851,314

 

Diluted

 

9,149,677

 

8,927,970

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual cash dividends declared per share

 

$

0.45

 

$

0.40

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

4



Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

Dollars in thousands

 

 

 

Three Months Ended November 30,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Net income

 

$

8,817

 

$

3,477

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

Net unrealized loss on restricted investments, net of tax

 

71

 

 

Change in funded status of pension plans, net of tax

 

48

 

272

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

1,578

 

404

 

Total other comprehensive income

 

1,697

 

676

 

Comprehensive income

 

10,514

 

4,153

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest

 

(42

)

63

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income attributable to Chase Corporation

 

$

10,472

 

$

4,216

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

5



Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY

(UNAUDITED)

 

Dollars in thousands

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

Accumulated Other

 

 

 

Chase

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Paid-In

 

Comprehensive

 

Retained

 

Stockholders’

 

Non-conrolling

 

Total

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Income (loss)

 

Earnings

 

Equity

 

Interest

 

Equity

 

Balance at August 31, 2013

 

9,066,115

 

$

907

 

$

13,336

 

$

(5,163

)

$

103,734

 

$

112,814

 

$

1,046

 

$

113,860

 

Restricted stock grants, net of forfeitures

 

28,753

 

3

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of restricted stock grants

 

 

 

 

 

265

 

 

 

 

 

265

 

 

 

265

 

Amortization of stock option grants

 

 

 

 

 

64

 

 

 

 

 

64

 

 

 

64

 

Cash dividend accrued, $0.45 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,093

)

(4,093

)

 

 

(4,093

)

Change in funded status of pension plan, net of tax of $26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

48

 

 

 

48

 

 

 

48

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,578

 

 

 

1,578

 

 

 

1,578

 

Net unrealized gain on restricted investments, net of tax of $38

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

71

 

 

 

71

 

 

 

71

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,775

 

8,775

 

42

 

8,817

 

Balance at November 30, 2013

 

9,094,868

 

$

910

 

$

13,662

 

$

(3,466

)

$

108,416

 

$

119,522

 

$

1,088

 

$

120,610

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

6



Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Dollars in thousands

 

 

 

Three Months Ended November 30,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

8,817

 

$

3,477

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on sale of assets

 

(6

)

(4

)

Gain on sale of product line

 

(5,706

)

 

Depreciation

 

1,426

 

1,508

 

Amortization

 

1,194

 

1,217

 

Cost of sale of inventory step-up

 

 

564

 

Recovery on allowance for doubtful accounts

 

(38

)

(130

)

Stock based compensation

 

329

 

419

 

Realized gain on restricted investments

 

(5

)

(25

)

Decrease in cash surrender value life insurance

 

30

 

82

 

Pension curtailment and settlement loss

 

 

352

 

Increase (decrease) from changes in assets and liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

1,619

 

839

 

Inventories

 

(4,032

)

(4,818

)

Prepaid expenses & other assets

 

(2,112

)

(623

)

Accounts payable

 

3,074

 

3,753

 

Accrued compensation and other expenses

 

(4,522

)

(4,131

)

Accrued income taxes

 

1,792

 

(399

)

Deferred compensation

 

123

 

35

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

1,983

 

2,116

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

(781

)

(544

)

Cost to acquire intangible assets

 

(22

)

(101

)

Contingent purchase price paid for acquisition

 

 

84

 

Proceeds from sale of fixed assets

 

11

 

11

 

Net proceeds from sale of product line

 

6,655

 

 

Contributions from restricted investments

 

(21

)

(22

)

Payments for cash surrender value life insurance

 

(46

)

(24

)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

5,796

 

(596

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Payments of principal on debt

 

(1,400

)

(1,400

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(1,400

)

(1,400

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCREASE IN CASH & CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

6,379

 

120

 

Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash

 

552

 

73

 

CASH & CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

29,997

 

15,180

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASH & CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

 

$

36,928

 

$

15,373

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant & equipment additions included in accounts payable

 

$

90

 

$

157

 

Annual cash dividend declared

 

$

4,093

 

$

3,626

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

7



Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial reporting and instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Therefore, they do not include all information and footnote disclosure necessary for a complete presentation of Chase Corporation’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.  Chase Corporation (the “Company,” “Chase,” “we,” or “us”) filed audited consolidated financial statements, which included all information and notes necessary for such complete presentation for the three years ended August 31, 2013 in conjunction with its 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

The results of operations for the interim period ended November 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period or the entire fiscal year.  These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2013, which are contained in the Company’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring items) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position as of November 30, 2013, the results of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the interim periods ended November 30, 2013 and 2012, and changes in equity for the interim period ended November 30, 2013.

 

The financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.  All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.  The Company uses the U.S. dollar as the reporting currency for financial reporting.  The financial position and results of operations of the Company’s UK-based operations are measured using the British Pound as the functional currency and the financial position and results of operations of the Company’s operations based in France are measured using the euro as the functional currency.  Foreign currency translation gains and losses are determined using current exchange rates for monetary items and historical exchange rates for other balance sheet items and are recorded as a change in other comprehensive income.  Translation gains and losses generated from the remeasurement of assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of our foreign operations are included in other (expense) / income on the consolidated statements of operations.

 

During the third quarter of fiscal 2013, an immaterial error was identified in the presentation of two line items within the operating activities section of the Company’s previously reported statement of cash flows for the comparing period ended November 30, 2012.  The Company revised the statement of cash flows to correct the presentation of two line items within the operating activities section.  This revision to the statement of cash flows results in pension curtailment and settlement loss changing from ($352) to $352 and accrued compensation and other expenses changing from ($3,427) to ($4,131) for the three months ended November 30, 2012. There was no impact on the comparing balance sheet or the related statement of operations, statement of comprehensive income, total cash provided by operating activities or overall cash flows.

 

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company identified an immaterial error in the statement of comprehensive income within the Company’s previously reported unaudited financial statements for the first three quarters of fiscal 2013.  In those fiscal quarters, the Company properly recorded pension

 

8



Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

settlement losses that resulted from lump sum distributions to pension plan participants in earnings, but did not properly reclassify the amount out of Equity—Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss).  As a result, the Company revised the reclassification adjustment for the change in funded status of pension plans line item from $58 to $272 for the three months ended November 30, 2012.  There was no impact on the comparing balance sheet or the related statement of operations, and statement of cash flows.

 

The Company has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to the balance sheet date.  Based on this evaluation, the Company is not aware of any events or transactions that occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date but prior to filing that would require recognition or disclosure in its consolidated financial statements.

 

Note 2 — Recent Accounting Policies

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

 

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220):  Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”.  This ASU expands the presentation of changes in accumulated other comprehensive income.  The new guidance requires an entity to disaggregate the total change of each component of other comprehensive income either on the face of the net income statement or as a separate disclosure in the notes. ASU 2013-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012.  The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 (See Note 13 for additional details).  The provisions of ASU 2013-02 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Note 3 — Inventories

 

Inventories consist of the following as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013:

 

 

 

November 30, 2013

 

August 31, 2013

 

Raw materials

 

$

15,032

 

$

14,545

 

Work in process

 

6,665

 

5,967

 

Finished goods

 

12,286

 

11,536

 

Total Inventories

 

$

33,983

 

$

32,048

 

 

9



Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

Note 4 — Net Income Per Share

 

The Company has unvested share-based payment awards with a right to receive nonforfeitable dividends which are considered participating securities under ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share”.  The Company allocates earnings to participating securities and computes earnings per share using the two class method.  The determination of earnings per share under the two-class method is as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended November 30,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Earnings per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Chase Corporation

 

$

8,775

 

$

3,540

 

Less: Allocated to participating securities

 

151

 

77

 

Net income available to common shareholders

 

$

8,624

 

$

3,463

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

8,938,149

 

8,851,314

 

Net income per share - Basic

 

$

0.96

 

$

0.39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted Earnings per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Chase Corporation

 

$

8,775

 

$

3,540

 

Less: Allocated to participating securities

 

148

 

76

 

Net income available to common shareholders

 

$

8,627

 

$

3,464

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

8,938,149

 

8,851,314

 

Additional dilutive common stock equivalents

 

211,528

 

76,656

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

9,149,677

 

8,927,970

 

Net income per share - Diluted

 

$

0.94

 

$

0.39

 

 

Included in the calculation of dilutive common stock equivalents are the unvested portion of restricted stock and stock options.

 

Note 5 — Stock Based Compensation

 

In October 2012, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the fiscal year 2013 Long Term Incentive Plan (“2013 LTIP”) for the executive officers.  The 2013 LTIP is an equity based plan with a grant date of October 22, 2012 and contains a performance and service based restricted stock grant of 11,861 shares in the aggregate, subject to adjustment, with a vesting date of August 31, 2015.  Based on the fiscal year 2013 financial results, 11,861 additional shares of restricted stock (total of 23,722 shares) were earned and granted subsequent to the end of fiscal year 2013 in accordance with the performance measurement criteria.  No further performance-based measurements apply to this award.  Compensation expense is being recognized on a ratable basis over the vesting period.

 

In September 2013, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the fiscal year 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan (“2014 LTIP”) for the executive officers and other members of management.  The 2014 LTIP is an equity based plan with a grant date of September 1, 2013 and contains the following equity components:

 

Restricted Shares — (a) performance and service based restricted stock grant of 7,529 shares in the aggregate, subject to adjustment, with a vesting date of August 31, 2016.  Compensation expense is recognized on a ratable basis over the vesting period based on quarterly probability assessments; (b) time-based restricted stock grant of 8,323 and 1,040 shares in the aggregate, with vesting dates of August 31, 2016 and August 31,

 

10



Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

2014, respectively.  Compensation expense is recognized on a ratable basis over the vesting period.

 

Stock options — options to purchase 25,969 shares of common stock in the aggregate with an exercise price of $29.72 per share.  The options will vest in three equal annual allotments beginning on August 31, 2014 and ending on August 31, 2016. The options will expire on August 31, 2023.  Compensation expense is recognized over the period of the award on an annual basis consistent with the vesting terms.

 

Note 6 — Segment Data and Foreign Operations

 

The Company is organized into two operating segments, an Industrial Materials segment and a Construction Materials segment.  The basis for this segmentation is distinguished by the nature of the products and how they are delivered to their respective markets.  The Industrial Materials segment reflects specified products that are used in or integrated into another company’s product with demand dependent upon general economic conditions.  Industrial Materials products include insulating and conducting materials for wire and cable manufacturers, moisture protective coatings for electronics and printing services, laminated durable papers, and flexible composites, laminates for the packaging and industrial laminate markets, pulling and detection tapes used in the installation, measurement and location of fiber optic cables, water and natural gas lines, cover tapes essential to delivering semiconductor components via tape and reel packaging, and wind energy composite materials and elements.  Additionally, the Industrial Materials segment includes a joint venture which produces glass based strength elements designed to allow fiber optic cables to withstand mechanical and environmental strain and stress. The Construction Materials segment reflects construction project oriented product offerings that are primarily sold and used as “Chase” branded products.   Construction Materials products include protective coatings for pipeline applications, coating and lining systems for use in liquid storage and containment applications, high performance polymeric asphalt additives, and expansion and control joint systems for use in the transportation and architectural markets.

 

The following tables summarize financial information about the Company’s reportable segments:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended November 30,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Revenues from external customers

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Materials

 

$

41,670

 

$

39,850

 

Construction Materials

 

12,513

 

13,550

 

Total

 

$

54,183

 

$

53,400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Materials

 

$

13,607

 

$

5,530

 

Construction Materials

 

1,591

 

1,430

 

Total for reportable segments

 

15,198

 

6,960

 

Corporate and Common Costs

 

(1,634

)

(1,663

)

Total

 

$

13,564

 

$

5,297

 

 

The Company’s products are sold world-wide.  For the three months ended November 30, 2013 and 2012, sales from its operations located in the United Kingdom accounted for 8% of consolidated revenues in each period.  No foreign geographic area accounted for more than 10% of consolidated revenues for the three months ended November 30, 2013 and 2012.

 

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Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

 

 

November 30, 2013

 

August 31, 2013

 

Total assets

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Materials

 

$

136,686

 

$

133,110

 

Construction Materials

 

48,041

 

48,573

 

Total for reportable segments

 

184,727

 

181,683

 

Corporate and Common Assets

 

50,048

 

42,677

 

Total

 

$

234,775

 

$

224,360

 

 

As of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013, the Company had long-lived assets (defined as tangible assets providing the Company with a future economic benefit beyond the current year or operating period, including buildings, equipment and leasehold improvements) of $4,212 and $4,063, respectively, located in the United Kingdom.   These balances exclude goodwill and intangibles of $10,618 and $10,333, as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013, respectively.

 

Note 7 — Goodwill and Other Intangibles

 

The changes in the carrying value of goodwill, by reportable segment, are as follows:

 

 

 

Construction

 

Industrial

 

 

 

 

 

Materials

 

Materials

 

Consolidated

 

Balance at August 31, 2013

 

$

10,735

 

$

27,080

 

$

37,815

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

13

 

264

 

277

 

Balance at November 30, 2013

 

$

10,748

 

$

27,344

 

$

38,092

 

 

The Company’s goodwill is allocated to each reporting unit based on the nature of the products manufactured by the respective business combinations that originally created the goodwill.   The Company identified several reporting units within each of its two operating segments that are used to evaluate the possible impairment of goodwill.  Goodwill impairment exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its fair value.  Assessments of possible impairment of goodwill are made when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable through future operations.  Additionally, testing for possible impairment of recorded goodwill and certain intangible asset balances is required annually.  The amount and timing of any impairment charges based on these assessments require the estimation of future cash flows and the fair market value of the related assets based on management’s best estimates of certain key factors, including future selling prices and volumes, operating, raw material and energy costs, and various other projected operating and economic factors.  When testing, fair values of the reporting units and the related implied fair values of their respective goodwill are established using public company analysis and discounted cash flows. The Company evaluates the possible impairment of goodwill annually each fourth quarter and whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable.

 

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Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

Intangible assets subject to amortization consist of the following as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013:

 

 

 

Weighted-Average

 

Gross Carrying

 

Accumulated

 

Net Carrying

 

 

 

Amortization Period

 

Value

 

Amortization

 

Value

 

November 30, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patents and agreements

 

11.9 years

 

$

3,237

 

$

2,217

 

$

1,020

 

Formulas

 

9.1 years

 

5,834

 

2,423

 

3,411

 

Trade names

 

5.7 years

 

6,394

 

2,354

 

4,040

 

Customer lists and relationships

 

10.2 years

 

34,646

 

12,185

 

22,461

 

 

 

 

 

$

50,111

 

$

19,179

 

$

30,932

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patents and agreements

 

11.9 years

 

$

3,198

 

$

2,200

 

$

998

 

Formulas

 

9.1 years

 

5,772

 

2,238

 

3,534

 

Trade names

 

5.7 years

 

6,345

 

2,055

 

4,290

 

Customer lists and relationships

 

10.2 years

 

34,020

 

11,061

 

22,959

 

 

 

 

 

$

49,335

 

$

17,554

 

$

31,781

 

 

Aggregate amortization expense related to intangible assets for the three months ended November 30, 2013 and 2012 was $1,194 and $1,217, respectively.  Estimated amortization expense for the remainder of fiscal year 2014 and for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows:

 

Years ending August 31,

 

 

 

2014 (remaining 9 months)

 

$

3,700

 

2015

 

4,750

 

2016

 

4,687

 

2017

 

4,250

 

2018

 

4,019

 

2019

 

3,322

 

 

 

$

24,728

 

 

Note 8 — Sale of Insulfab Product Line

 

On October 7, 2013, the Company sold substantially all of its property and assets, including intellectual property, comprising the Insulfab® product line, to an unrelated third party (“buyer”).  The Insulfab product line is primarily focused on manufacturing high quality, engineered barrier laminates used in aerospace applications.  The sale proceeds of $7,394 are subject to certain post-closing adjustments based on the change in the final net book value compared to the bid date net book value.  As of November 30, 2013, management determined these post-closing adjustments resulted in an increase in the sale proceeds of $2,516 based on the increase of inventory sold to the buyer at closing.  This adjustment is subject to final review by the buyer.  The net proceeds from the sale are available for debt reduction and investment in the Company’s core businesses.

 

This transaction resulted in a pre-tax book gain of $5,706 ($3,709 after-tax gain) which was recorded in the quarter ending November 30, 2013.  The additional proceeds of $2,516 and the portion of the sale price held in escrow of $739 are recorded as current assets (Due from sale of product line) as of November 30, 2013.

 

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Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

The following table summarizes information about the Insulfab product line as of October 7, 2013 and August 31, 2013:

 

 

 

October 7, 2013

 

August 31, 2013

 

Inventory

 

$

3,153

 

$

885

 

Property & equipment

 

1,062

 

1,060

 

Accrued expenses

 

(3

(40

)

 

 

$

4,212

 

$

1,905

 

 

As a result of the efforts to market and sell this product line in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company had classified the Insulfab assets (including inventory and equipment) as assets held for sale as of August 31, 2013.  This product line and related assets were part of the Company’s Industrial Materials segment.

 

Note 9 — Joint Venture

 

The NEPTCO JV LLC (“JV”) was originally formed in 2003 by NEPTCO and a joint venture partner, an otherwise unrelated party (collectively, the “members”), whereby each member’s fiber optic strength elements businesses were combined. This venture, which is 50% owned by each member, is managed and operated on a day-to-day basis by NEPTCO. The JV operates out of the Company’s Granite Falls, NC facility.

 

The Company accounts for the joint venture partner’s non-controlling interest in the JV under ASC Topic 810 “Consolidations” (“ASC 810”).  Based on the criteria in ASC 810, the Company determined that the JV qualifies as a variable interest entity (“VIE”).  Because of the Company’s controlling financial interest, the JV’s assets and liabilities and results of operations have been consolidated within the Company’s consolidated financial statements since June 27, 2012, the date the Company acquired NEPTCO.  An offsetting amount equal to 50% of net assets and net income (loss) of the JV has been recorded within the Company’s consolidated financial statements to the non-controlling interest, representing the joint venture partner’s 50% ownership interest and pro rata share in the JV.

 

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Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

At November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013, the following amounts were consolidated in the Company’s balance sheets related to the JV:

 

 

 

November 30,

 

August 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2013

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

523

 

$

394

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

1,041

 

1,106

 

Inventories

 

1,747

 

1,510

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

285

 

283

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

418

 

448

 

Intangible assets, net

 

699

 

706

 

Total assets

 

$

4,713

 

$

4,447

 

Liabilities and net assets

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

$

721

 

$

679

 

Due to Members

 

1,816

 

1,677

 

Total liabilities

 

$

2,537

 

$

2,356

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets

 

$

2,176

 

$

2,091

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-controlling interest

 

$

1,088

 

$

1,046

 

 

Effective on the date of the JV’s inception, and for four years following the date on which the members no longer own any membership interest in the JV, non-compete agreements exist between the members. Each member retains the right to tender an offer to buy the other member’s share. Once an offer is tendered, the tendered member has the option to either sell, or match the initial offer to purchase the tendering member’s share.

 

Under the JV agreement, the JV is barred from issuing third party debt, other than customary accounts payable, resulting from its normal trade operations. The liabilities of the JV are not guaranteed by any portion of NEPTCO or the Company.

 

The JV agrees to purchase a minimum of 80% of its total glass fiber requirements from the other joint venture partner. Additionally, the JV agrees to purchase private-label products exclusively from an affiliate of the other joint venture partner; however, the JV is not subject to a minimum purchase requirement on private-label products. Purchases from the joint venture partner totaled $467 and $463 for the three months ended November 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The JV had amounts due to the other joint venture partner of $356 and $378 at November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013, respectively.

 

Note 10 — Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company is involved from time to time in litigation incidental to the conduct of its business.  Although the Company does not expect that the outcome in any of these matters, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cashflows, litigation is inherently unpredictable.  Therefore, judgments could be rendered or settlements entered that could adversely affect the Company’s operating results or cash flows in a particular period.  The Company routinely assesses all of its litigation and threatened litigation as to the probability of ultimately incurring a liability, and records its best estimate of the ultimate loss in situations where the Company assesses the likelihood of loss as probable.

 

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Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

Note 11 - Pensions and Other Post Retirement Benefits

 

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the three months ended November 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended November 30,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Service cost

 

$

81

 

$

103

 

Interest cost

 

161

 

114

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(178

)

(149

)

Amortization of prior service cost

 

1

 

6

 

Amortization of unrecognized loss

 

73

 

84

 

Curtailment loss

 

 

25

 

Settlement loss

 

 

327

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

138

 

$

510

 

 

When funding is required, the Company’s policy is to contribute amounts that are deductible for federal income tax purposes.  As of November 30, 2013, the Company has made contributions of $200 in the current fiscal year to fund its obligations under its pension plan and will make the necessary contributions over the remainder of fiscal 2014 to ensure the qualified plan continues to be adequately funded given the current market conditions.

 

Note 12 — Fair Value Measurements

 

The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price).  The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which classifies the inputs used in measuring fair values. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

 

The Company utilizes the best available information in measuring fair value.  Financial assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The financial assets classified as Level 1 as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013 represent investments that are restricted for use in a nonqualified retirement savings plan for certain key employees and directors.

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value measurement category

 

 

 

Fair value
measurement date

 

Total

 

Quoted prices
in active 
markets
(Level 1)

 

Significant other
observable inputs
(Level 2)

 

Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted investments

 

November 30, 2013

 

$

1,229

 

$

1,229

 

$

 

$

 

Restricted investments

 

August 31, 2013

 

$

1,094

 

$

1,094

 

$

 

$

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

CHASE CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt as of November 30, 2013 and August 31, 2013, which is recorded at its carrying value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value measurement category

 

 

 

Fair value
measurement date

 

Total

 

Quoted prices
in active
markets
(Level 1)

 

Significant other
observable inputs
(Level 2)

 

Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

November 30, 2013

 

$

63,000

 

$

 

$

63,000

 

$

 

Long-term debt

 

August 31, 2013

 

$

64,400

 

$

 

$

64,400

 

$

 

 

The carrying value of the long-term debt approximates its fair value, as the monthly interest rate is set based on the movement of the underlying market rates.

 

Note 13 — Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

 

The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, were as follows:

 

 

 

Restricted
Investments

 

Change in Funded
Status of Pension
Plan

 

Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustment

 

Total

 

Balance at August 31, 2013

 

$

144

 

$

(3,578

)

$

(1,729

)

$

(5,163

)

Other comprehensive gains (losses) before reclassifications (1)

 

74

 

 

1,578

 

1,652

 

Reclassifications to net income of previously deferred (gains) losses (2)

 

(3

)

48

 

 

45

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

71

 

48

 

1,578

 

1,697

 

Balance at November 30, 2013

 

$

215

 

$

(3,530

)

$

(151

)

$

(3,466

)

 


(1)              Net of tax benefit of $40, $0, $0, respectively.

(2)              Net of tax expense of $2, tax benefit of $26, $0, respectively.

 

The following table summarizes the reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income:

 

 

 

Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
(Loss) into Income

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended November 30, 2013

 

Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income

 

Gains on Restricted Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

Realized gain on sale of restricted investments

 

$

5

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

Tax expense (benefit)

 

2

 

 

 

Gain net of tax

 

$

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on Funded Pension Plan adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

Realized loss on amortization of prior pension service costs and unrecognized losses

 

$

(20

)

Cost of products and services sold

 

Realized loss on amortization of prior pension service costs and unrecognized losses

 

$

(54

)

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

Tax expense (benefit)

 

26

 

 

 

(Loss) net of tax

 

$

(48

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net (loss) reclassified for the period

 

$

(45

)

 

 

 

17



Table of Contents

 

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

 

The following discussion provides an analysis of our financial condition and results of operations and should be read in conjunction with the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and with our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013.

 

Overview

 

Revenue and profit increases in the first three months of fiscal 2014 over the prior year period reflect the on-going benefits from production facility consolidation, efficiency improvements, favorable sales mix and strong demand. Additionally, the sale of the Company’s Insulfab product line in October 2013 significantly contributed to earnings and cash flows in the first quarter of fiscal 2014.  Revenues from the Industrial Materials segment increased over the same period in the prior year primarily due to increased sales from our electronic coatings, electronic material cover tape, and wire and cable product sales.  These increases were partially offset by a reduction in our laminated durable paper product sales in the current quarter as compared to those realized in the first quarter of the prior year.

 

Our Construction Materials segment observed decreased demand for our coating and lining system products and bridge and highway related construction products in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 that resulted in lower sales and profits in the current quarter compared to the prior year period.  This segment was positively impacted in the prior year period by certain large, non-recurring projects that were not repeated in the first three months of fiscal 2014.  These decreases were partially offset by increased demand for our pipeline products and private label products produced at our North America facilities.

 

The upcoming second fiscal quarter has historically generated lower quarterly revenues for many of our product lines, especially within the Construction Materials segment.  Our key objectives include our on-going global ERP system implementation which will continue through December 2014, as well as key strategies that focus on our marketing and product development efforts and continued emphasis on identifying potential acquisition targets.  Our balance sheet remains strong, with cash on hand of $36.9 million and a current ratio of 2.9.  Our $15.0 million line of credit is fully available, while the balance of our term debt is $63.0 million.

 

We have two reportable segments as summarized below:

 

Segment

 

Product Lines

 

Manufacturing Focus and Products

Industrial Materials

 

·             Wire and Cable
·             Electronic Coatings
·             Specialty Products
·             Pulling and Detection
·             Electronic Materials
·             Structural Composites
·             Fiber Optic Cable Components (JV)

 

Protective coatings and tape products including insulating and conducting materials for wire and cable manufacturers, moisture protective coatings for electronics and printing services, laminated durable papers, packaging and industrial laminate markets, pulling and detection tapes used in the installation, measurement and location of fiber optic cables, water and natural gas lines, cover tapes essential to delivering semiconductor components via tape and reel packaging, and wind energy composite materials and elements; a joint venture also produces glass-based strength elements designed to allow fiber optic cables to withstand mechanical and environmental strain and stress.

Construction Materials

 

·             Pipeline
·             Bridge & Highway
·             Coating & Lining Systems
·             Private Label

 

Protective coatings and tape products including coating and lining systems for use in liquid storage and containment applications, protective coatings for pipeline and general construction applications, high-performance polymeric asphalt additives, and expansion and control joint systems for use in the transportation and architectural markets.

 

18



Table of Contents

 

Results of Operations

 

Revenues and Operating Profit by Segment are as follows (Dollars in Thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

% of Total

 

Three Months Ended

 

% of Total

 

 

 

November 30, 2013

 

Revenues

 

November 30, 2012

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues from external customers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Materials

 

$

41,670

 

77%

 

$

39,850

 

75%

 

Construction Materials

 

12,513

 

23%

 

13,550

 

25%

 

Total

 

$

54,183

 

 

 

$

53,400

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

% of Segment

 

Three Months Ended

 

% of Segment

 

 

 

November 30, 2013

 

Revenues

 

November 30, 2012

 

Revenues

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Materials

 

$

13,607

(a)

33%

 

$

5,530

(b)

14%

 

Construction Materials

 

1,591

 

13%

 

1,430

(c)

11%

 

Total for reportable segments

 

15,198

 

28%

 

6,960

 

13%

 

Corporate and Common Costs

 

(1,634

)

 

 

(1,663

)

 

 

Total

 

$

13,564

 

25%

 

$

5,297

 

10%

 

 


(a)              Includes $5,706 gain on sale of Insulfab product line

(b)              Includes $564 of costs of products sold related to inventory step up in fair value as part of the NEPTCO acquisition, $267 of pension related settlement costs due to the timing of lump sum distributions, and $150 of Randolph, MA plant closing expenses

(c)               Includes $85 of pension related settlement costs due to the timing of lump sum distributions

 

Total Revenues

 

Total revenues increased $783,000 or 1% to $54,183,000 for the quarter ended November 30, 2013 compared to $53,400,000 in the same quarter of the prior year.  Revenues in our Industrial Materials segment increased $1,820,000 or 5% to $41,670,000 for the quarter ended November 30, 2013 compared to $39,850,000 in the same quarter of the prior year.  The increase in revenues from our Industrial Materials segment in the current quarter was primarily due to the following: (a) increased sales of $816,000 from our wire & cable products that service the power cable tapes and industrial power markets; (b) increased sales of $796,000 from our electronic coatings products resulting from higher sales in the European and Asian markets; and (c) increased sales of $1,031,000 from the electronic cover tapes market.  These increases were partially offset by decreased sales of $491,000 from our laminated durable paper products, as well as reduced sales of $208,000 from our Insulfab product line that was sold in the first week of October 2013.

 

Revenues from our Construction Materials segment decreased $1,037,000 or 8% to $12,513,000 in the current quarter compared to $13,550,000 in the same period last year.  The reduced sales from this segment was primarily due to decreased sales of $857,000 of our coating and lining systems (CIM Industries), as well as lower sales of $356,000 from our bridge and highway products.

 

19



Table of Contents

 

Cost of Products and Services Sold

 

Cost of products and services sold decreased $1,793,000 or 5% to $35,478,000 in the quarter ended November 30, 2013 compared to $37,271,000 in the same period in fiscal 2013.

 

The following table summarizes our costs of products and services sold as a percentage of revenues for each of our reporting segments:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended November 30,

 

Cost of products and services sold

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial Materials

 

64.9%

 

69.5%

 

Construction Materials

 

67.5%

 

70.8%

 

Total

 

65.5%

 

69.8%

 

 

Cost of products and services sold in our Industrial Materials segment was $27,033,000 for the first three months of fiscal 2014 compared to $27,677,000 for the same period in the prior year.  As a percentage of revenues, cost of products and services sold in the Industrial Materials segment decreased primarily due to the prior year period being impacted by the inclusion of $564,000 from the sale of inventory which had a stepped up valuation as part of the NEPTCO acquisition, $176,000 of pension related settlement costs due to the timing of lump sum distributions, and $150,000 of Randolph, MA plant transition expenses.

 

Cost of products and services sold in our Construction Materials segment was $8,445,000 in the current quarter compared to $9,594,000 for the same period last year.  As a percentage of revenues, cost of products and services sold in the Construction Materials segment decreased in the current quarter primarily due to product mix as we had decreased sales from our lower margin products within this segment.  We continue to closely monitor raw material pricing across all product lines in this segment to preserve margins.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $100,000 or 1% to $10,439,000 in the quarter ended November 30, 2013 compared to $10,539,000 in the same period in fiscal 2013. As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 19% in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to 20% in the prior year period.  The percentage decrease is primarily attributable to our continued emphasis on controlling costs and leveraging fixed overhead wherever possible.  Additionally, the prior year period included $176,000 of pension related settlement costs due to the timing of lump sum distributions.

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense decreased $59,000 or 16% to $303,000 in the quarter ended November 30, 2013, compared to $362,000 in the same period in fiscal 2013.  The decrease in interest expense from the prior year period is a direct result of a reduction in the Company’s overall debt balance through principal payments made from operating cash flow over the past year.

 

Gain on sale of product line

 

On October 7, 2013, the Company sold substantially all of its property and assets, including intellectual property, comprising the Insulfab product line, to an unrelated third party buyer.  This transaction resulted in a pre-tax book gain of $5,706,000, which was recorded in the current fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2013.

 

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Other Income (Expense)

 

Other expense decreased $174,000 to $105,000 in the quarter ended November 30, 2013 compared to other income of $69,000 in the same period in the prior year.  Other income (expense) primarily includes interest income and foreign exchange gains (losses) caused by changes in exchange rates on transactions or balances denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of our subsidiaries.

 

Non-controlling Interest

 

The income (loss) from non-controlling interest relates to a joint venture in which we have, through our NEPTCO subsidiary, a 50% ownership interest.  The joint venture between NEPTCO and its joint venture partner (an otherwise unrelated party) is managed and operated on a day-to-day basis by NEPTCO.  The purpose of this joint venture was to combine the elements of each member’s fiber optic strength elements businesses.

 

Net Income

 

Net income attributable to Chase Corporation increased $5,235,000 or 148% to $8,775,000 in the quarter ended November 30, 2013 compared to $3,540,000 in the same quarter of the prior year.  The increase in net income in the current quarter is primarily due to the previously mentioned $5,706,000 gain that resulted from the sale of the Insulfab product line in October 2013.  Additionally, the prior year results included incremental expenses of $564,000 in inventory fair value step up related to the NEPTCO acquisition during the first quarter, and the acceleration of defined benefit plan settlement costs of $352,000 resulting from the timing of lump sum distributions to participants.

 

Other Important Performance Measures

 

We believe that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful performance measures.  They are used by our executive management team and board of directors to measure operating performance, to allocate resources, to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies and to communicate with our board of directors and investors concerning our financial performance.  EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures.

 

We define EBITDA as follows:  net income attributable to Chase Corporation before interest expense from borrowings, income tax expense, depreciation expense from fixed assets, and amortization from intangible assets.  We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA excluding costs and gains/losses related to our acquisitions and disposals, costs of products sold related to inventory step-up to fair value, and settlement (gains) or losses resulting from lump sum distributions to participants from our defined benefit plan.

 

The use of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA has limitations and these performance measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as an alternative to, U.S. GAAP measures such as net income.  Our measurement of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

 

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The following unaudited table provides a reconciliation of net income attributable to Chase Corporation, the most directly comparable financial measure presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended November 30,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Chase Corporation

 

$

8,775,000

 

$

3,540,000

 

Interest expense

 

303,000

 

362,000

 

Income taxes

 

4,747,000

 

1,820,000

 

Depreciation expense

 

1,426,000

 

1,508,000

 

Amortization expense

 

1,194,000

 

1,217,000

 

EBITDA

 

$

16,445,000

 

$

8,447,000

 

Gain on sale of Insulfab (a)

 

(5,706,000

)

 

Cost of sale of inventory step-up (b)

 

 

564,000

 

Pension curtailment and settlement costs (c)

 

 

352,000

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

10,739,000

 

$

9,363,000

 

 


(a)         Represents gain on sale of Insulfab product line that was completed in October 2013

(b)         Represents costs of product related to the step-up in fair value of inventory through purchase accounting from the June 2012 acquisition of NEPTCO

(c)          Represents pension related settlement costs due to the timing of lump sum distributions

 

Liquidity and Sources of Capital

 

Our overall cash and cash equivalents balance increased $6,931,000 to $36,928,000 at November 30, 2013, from $29,997,000 at August 31, 2013.  The increased cash balance is primarily attributable to the proceeds from the sale of the Insulfab product line in October 2013 as well as from cash from operations, partially offset by payments on:  outstanding debt, income taxes, annual incentive compensation and equipment purchases.  A portion of cash held as of November 30, 2013 was subsequently used in December 2013 to pay our annual dividend of $4,093,000.  We will continue to review our current cash balances denominated in foreign currency in light of current tax guidelines, working capital requirements, infrastructure improvements and potential acquisitions.

 

Cash flow provided by operations was $1,983,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to $2,116,000 in the prior year’s first quarter.  Cash provided by operations during the first three months of fiscal 2014 was primarily due to operating income, decreased accounts receivable and increased accounts payable balances offset by increased inventory and other current assets balances, as well as decreased accrued expenses due to the payment of our annual incentive compensation.

 

The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 2.9 as of November 30, 2013, compared to 3.1 as of August 31, 2013.  The decrease in our current ratio at November 30, 2013 was primarily attributable to increased accounts payable as well as an accrual for our fiscal 2013 annual dividend which was declared in the first fiscal quarter ending November 30, 2013 and paid in December 2013.  This was partially offset by an increase in current assets due to the remaining open receivable amount for the sale of the Insulfab product line and increased inventory resulting from higher sales volume and strategic raw material purchases, as well as decreased accrued payroll and other compensation due to the payment of our annual incentive program.

 

Cash flow provided by investing activities of $5,796,000 was primarily due to the proceeds from the sale of the Insulfab product line in October 2013, which was partially offset by cash paid for purchases of machinery and equipment at our manufacturing locations during the first quarter of fiscal 2014.

 

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Cash flow used in financing activities of $1,400,000 was due to payments made on the bank loans used to finance our acquisition of NEPTCO, described in more detail below.

 

On October 23, 2013, we announced an annual cash dividend of $0.45 per share (totaling $4,093,000), to shareholders of record on November 5, 2013 and payable on December 4, 2013.

 

In June 2012, as part of our acquisition of NEPTCO, we borrowed $70,000,000 under a five year term debt financing arrangement led and arranged by Bank of America, with participation from RBS Citizens (the “Credit Facility”). The applicable interest rate is based on the effective LIBOR plus a range of 1.75% to 2.25%, depending on our consolidated leverage ratio.  At November 30, 2013, the applicable interest rate was 1.91% per annum and the outstanding principal amount was $63,000,000.  We are required to repay the principal amount of the term loan in quarterly installments of $1,400,000 beginning in September 2012 through June 2014, increasing to $1,750,000 per quarter thereafter through June 2015, and to $2,100,000 per quarter thereafter through March 2017.  The Credit Facility matures in June 2017 and prepayment of the Credit Facility is allowed at any time.

 

We have a revolving line of credit with Bank of America (the “Revolver”) totaling $15,000,000, which bears interest at LIBOR plus a range of 1.75% to 2.25%, depending on our consolidated leverage ratio, or, at our option, at the bank’s base lending rate.  As of November 30, 2013 and December 31, 2013, the entire amount of $15,000,000 was available for use.  The Revolver is scheduled to mature in June 2017.  This Revolver allows for increased flexibility for working capital requirements going forward, and we plan to use this availability to help finance our cash needs, including potential acquisitions, in fiscal 2014 and future periods.

 

The Credit Facility with Bank of America contains customary affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness.  It also requires us to maintain a ratio of consolidated indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA (each as defined in the facility) of no more than 3.00 to 1.00, and to maintain a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio (as calculated in the facility) of at least 1.25 to 1.00.  We were in compliance with our debt covenants as of November 30, 2013.

 

We currently have several on-going capital projects that are important to our long term strategic goals.  Machinery and equipment will also be added as needed to increase capacity or enhance operating efficiencies in our other manufacturing plants.

 

We may also consider the acquisition of companies or other assets in fiscal 2014 or in future periods which are complementary to our business.  We believe that our existing resources, including cash on hand and our Revolver, together with cash generated from operations and additional bank borrowings, will be sufficient to fund our cash flow requirements through at least the next twelve months.  However, there can be no assurances that additional financing will be available on favorable terms, if at all.

 

To the extent that interest rates increase in future periods, we will assess the impact of these higher interest rates on the financial and cash flow projections of our potential acquisitions.

 

We have no significant off balance sheet arrangements.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Please refer to Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013 for a complete discussion of our contractual obligations.

 

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Recent Accounting Standards

 

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220):  Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”.  This ASU expands the presentation of changes in accumulated other comprehensive income.  The new guidance requires an entity to disaggregate the total change of each component of other comprehensive income either on the face of the net income statement or as a separate disclosure in the notes. ASU 2013-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012.  We adopted this ASU in the first quarter of fiscal 2014.  The provisions of ASU 2013-02 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  To apply these principles, we must make estimates and judgments that affect our reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  In many instances, we reasonably could have used different accounting estimates and, in other instances, changes in the accounting estimates are reasonably likely to occur from period to period. Accordingly, actual results could differ significantly from our estimates.  To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and actual results, our financial condition or results of operations will be affected.  We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable at the time and under the circumstances, and we evaluate these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis.  We refer to accounting estimates and judgments of this type as critical accounting policies, judgments, and estimates.  Management believes there have been no material changes during the three months ended November 30, 2013 to the critical accounting policies reported in Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013.

 

Forward Looking Information

 

The part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q captioned “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contains certain forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties.  Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements as to our future operating results, plans for manufacturing facilities, future economic conditions and expectations or plans relating to the implementation or realization of our strategic goals and future growth.  These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industries in which we operate, and the beliefs and assumptions made by management.  Readers should refer to the discussions under “Forward Looking Information” and “Risk Factors” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013 concerning certain factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated in such forward-looking statements. These discussions and Risk Factors are hereby incorporated by reference into this Quarterly Report.

 

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Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

We limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer.  At November 30, 2013, other than our restricted investments (which are restricted for use in a non-qualified retirement savings plan for certain key employees and members of the Board of Directors), all of our funds were either in demand deposit accounts or investment instruments that meet high credit quality standards such as money market funds, government securities, or commercial paper.

 

Our domestic operations have limited currency exposure since substantially all transactions are denominated in U.S. dollars (USD).  However, our European operations are subject to currency exchange fluctuations.  We continue to review our policies and procedures to reduce this exposure while maintaining the benefit from these operations and sales to other European customers.  As of November 30, 2013, the Company had cash balances in the following foreign currencies (with USD equivalents):

 

Currency Code

 

Currency Name

 

USD Equivalent at November 30, 2013

 

GBP

 

British Pound

 

$

8,448,000

 

EUR

 

Euro

 

$

2,245,000

 

CNY

 

Chinese Yuan

 

$

264,000

 

CAD

 

Canadian Dollar

 

$

248,000

 

 

We will continue to review our current cash balances denominated in foreign currency in light of current tax guidelines, working capital requirements, infrastructure improvements and potential acquisitions.

 

We recognized a foreign currency translation gain for the three months ended November 30, 2013 in the amount of $1,578,000 related to our European operations, which is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) within our Statement of Equity and Statement of Comprehensive Income.  We do not have or utilize any derivative financial instruments.

 

Item 4 - Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

 

We carry out a variety of ongoing procedures under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to evaluate the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level as of the end of the period covered by this report.

 

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Changes in internal control over financial reporting

 

Effective April 1, 2013, the Company began the process of implementing a single enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) computer system world-wide.  During fiscal 2013 and the first quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company expanded its existing ERP modules to five of its domestic locations which resulted in changes to the Company’s processes and procedures affecting its internal control over financial reporting.  The Company expects this process to continue over the next twelve months as it continues with its plan to deploy more effective and efficient processes to support the Company’s financial reporting as it continues to grow in size and scale.  Otherwise, there have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during its most recent fiscal year that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Part II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1 — Legal Proceedings

 

We are involved from time to time in litigation incidental to the conduct of our business.  Although we do not expect that the outcome in any of these matters, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cashflows, litigation is inherently unpredictable.  Therefore, judgments could be rendered or settlements entered, that could adversely affect our operating results or cash flows in a particular period.  We routinely assess all of our litigation and threatened litigation as to the probability of ultimately incurring a liability, and record our best estimate of the ultimate loss in situations where we assess the likelihood of loss as probable.

 

Item 1A — Risk Factors

 

Please refer to Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013 for a complete discussion of the risk factors which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results.

 

Item 6 - Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

10.1

 

Chase Corporation Annual Incentive Plan for Fiscal Year 2014 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed October 11, 2013).

10.2

 

Chase Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan for Fiscal Year 2014 (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed October 11, 2013).

31.1

 

Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2

 

Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1

 

Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2

 

Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document**

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document**

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document**

101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document**

101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document**

101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document**

 


*                                         Identifies management plan or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

**                                  Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

 

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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.

 

 

 

Chase Corporation

 

 

 

 

Dated: January 9, 2014

By:

/s/ Peter R. Chase

 

 

Peter R. Chase,

 

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated: January 9, 2014

By:

/s/ Kenneth L. Dumas

 

 

Kenneth L. Dumas,

 

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

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