10-Q 1 d680795d10q.htm 10-Q 10-Q
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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, 2014

OR

 

  [    ]

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

 

    

For the transition period from                                      to                                     

Commission File No. 0-11488

PENFORD CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Washington

    

91-1221360

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

    

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

7094 South Revere Parkway,     

Centennial, Colorado

    

80112-3932

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)      (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (303) 649-1900

Indicate by a 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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes     X                 No             

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

 

Large Accelerated Filer

 

          

  

    Accelerated Filer       X

 

Non-Accelerated Filer

 

            (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

  

    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 net number of shares of the Registrant’s common stock outstanding as of April 7, 2014 was 12,548,038.


Table of Contents

PENFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

 

         Page    

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Financial Statements

  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – February 28, 2014 and August 31, 2013

   3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations – Three and Six Months ended February  28, 2014 and

2013

   4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) – Three and Six Months ended

February 28, 2014 and 2013

   5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Six Months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013

   6

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

   7

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

   22

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   27

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

   27

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1.     Legal Proceedings

   30

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

   30

Item 6.     Exhibits

   30

Signatures

   31

 

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1:              Financial Statements.

PENFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

(In thousands, except per share data)    February 28,
2014
   

August 31,

2013

      
Assets     

Current assets:

      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ -      $ 221     

Trade accounts receivable, net

     41,420        43,432     

Inventories

     35,812        33,992     

Prepaid expenses

     2,304        3,100     

Material and supplies

     4,857        4,634     

Other current assets

     5,400        4,735     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

  Total current assets

     89,793        90,114     

Property, plant and equipment, net

     111,519        112,141     

Restricted cash value of life insurance

     7,822        7,837     

Deferred tax assets

     3,737        4,987     

Other assets

     1,085        1,248     

Other intangible assets, net

     499        313     

Goodwill, net

     7,978        7,978     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

  Total assets

   $ 222,433      $ 224,618     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity     

Current liabilities:

      

Cash overdraft, net

   $ 7,621      $ 5,072     

Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations

     1,302        231     

Accounts payable

     19,610        20,656     

Short-term financing arrangements

     371        1,474     

Accrued liabilities

     7,981        8,207     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

  Total current liabilities

     36,885        35,640     

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations

     67,597        72,739     

Other postretirement benefits

     16,720        16,596     

Pension benefit liability

     10,196        10,552     

Other liabilities

     6,085        6,198     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

  Total liabilities

     137,483        141,725     

Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)

      

Shareholders’ equity:

      

Common stock, par value $1.00 per share, authorized 29,000 shares, issued 14,529 and 14,479

  shares, respectively, including treasury shares

     14,513        14,454     

Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, authorized 1,000 shares, none issued

     -        -     

Additional paid-in capital

     105,728        105,166     

Retained earnings

     5,376        3,649     

Treasury stock, at cost, 1,981 shares

     (32,757     (32,757  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (7,910     (7,619  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

  Total shareholders' equity

     84,950        82,893     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

  Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

   $ 222,433      $ 224,618     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

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PENFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended February 28,      Six Months Ended February 28,  
(In thousands, except per share data)    2014      2013      2014      2013  

Sales

     $     106,107            $     110,082            $     215,357            $     228,104      

Cost of sales

     93,938            99,081            192,480            203,845      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross margin

     12,169            11,001            22,877            24,259      

Operating expenses

     7,850            7,171            15,650            14,944      

Research and development expenses

     1,408            1,300            2,675            2,765      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from operations

     2,911            2,530            4,552            6,550      

Interest expense

     (816)           (983)           (1,630)           (2,064)     

Other non-operating income (expense), net

     6            84            14            (79)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     2,101            1,631            2,936            4,407      

Income tax expense

     861            440            1,209            1,510      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

       $ 1,240              $ 1,191              $ 1,727              $ 2,897      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Weighted-average common shares and equivalents outstanding:            

Basic

     12,501            12,343            12,487            12,325      

Diluted

     12,835            12,503            12,831            12,439      

Earnings per common share:

           

Basic earnings per share

         $ 0.10                $ 0.10                $ 0.14                $ 0.23      

Diluted earnings per share

         $ 0.10                $ 0.10                $ 0.13                $ 0.23      

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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PENFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

 

         Three Months Ended February 28,              Six Months Ended February 28,      

(In thousands)

   2014      2013      2014      2013  

Net income

           $ 1,240                  $ 1,191                      $ 1,727                  $ 2,897        

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

           
    Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax benefit (expense) of $1,625, $32, $2,371, and $(157), respectively      (2,651)             (53)                 (3,868)             256        
    (Gain) loss from derivative transactions reclassified into earnings, net of tax (expense) benefit of $1,326, $(95), $2,078, and $(1,434), respectively      2,163              (155)                 3,390              (2,341)       
    Amortization of prior service cost, net of taxes of $8, $8, $15, and $17, respectively      12              14                  25              28        
    Amortization of actuarial loss, net of taxes of $50, $209, $100, and $418, respectively      81              341                  162              682        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     (395)             147                  (291)             (1,375)       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

           $ 845                  $ 1,338                      $ 1,436                  $ 1,522        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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PENFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

     Six Months Ended February 28,  

(In thousands)

           2014                      2013          

Cash flows from operating activities:

     

Net income

     $ 1,727            $ 2,897      

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:

     

Depreciation and amortization

     6,599            6,803      

Stock-based compensation

     515            812      

Loss on sale of fixed assets

     -            12      

Deferred income tax expense

     1,049            1,394      

Non-cash (gain) loss on hedging transactions

     (14)           760      

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     (152)           -      

Change in assets and liabilities:

     

Trade accounts receivable

     2,012            (3,413)     

Inventories

     (1,806)           (4,601)     

Prepaid expenses

     796            234      

Other current assets

     (665)           2,080      

Increase in margin accounts

     (384)           (2,853)     

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (1,026)           (3,183)     

Pension and other postretirement benefit contributions

     (1,453)           (262)     

Pension and other postretirement benefit costs

     1,522            2,554      

Other

     (329)           118      
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash flow provided by operating activities

     8,391            3,352      
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

     

Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment, net

     (5,212)           (4,990)     

Other

     (265)           -          
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (5,477)           (4,990)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

     

Proceeds from revolving line of credit

     4,500            10,500      

Payments on revolving line of credit

     (9,156)           (9,100)     

Payments of long-term debt

     (100)           (100)     

Payments under capital lease obligations

     (78)           (139)     

Payments on financing arrangements

     (1,108)           (893)     

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     152            -      

Exercise of stock options

     106            201      

Increase in cash overdraft

     2,549            1,173      

Other

     -            (8)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (3,135)           1,634      
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (221)           (4)     

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     221            154      
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

     $ -                $ 150      
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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PENFORD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1—BUSINESS

Penford Corporation (which, together with its subsidiary companies, is referred to herein as “Penford” or the “Company”) is a developer, manufacturer and marketer of specialty natural-based ingredient systems for food and industrial applications, including fuel grade ethanol. Penford’s products provide convenient and cost-effective solutions derived from renewable sources. Sales of the Company’s products are generated using a combination of direct sales and distributor agreements.

The Company has significant research and development capabilities, which are used in applying the complex chemistry of carbohydrate-based materials and in developing applications to address customer needs. In addition, the Company has specialty processing capabilities for a variety of modified starches.

Penford manages its business in two segments: Industrial Ingredients and Food Ingredients. These segments are based on broad categories of end-market users. The Industrial Ingredients segment is a supplier of specialty starches to the paper, packaging and other industries, and is a producer of fuel grade ethanol. The Industrial Ingredients segment also sells the by-products from its corn wet milling manufacturing operations, primarily germ, fiber and gluten to customers who use these by-products as animal feed or to produce corn oil. The Food Ingredients segment is a developer and manufacturer of specialty starches and dextrins for the food manufacturing and food service industries. See Note 10 for financial information regarding the Company’s business segments.

2—BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Consolidation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Penford and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at February 28, 2014 and the condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss) and cash flows for the interim periods ended February 28, 2014 and 2013 have been prepared by the Company without audit. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary to present fairly the financial information, have been made. 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 the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the operating results of a full year or of future operations. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year’s financial statements in order to conform to the current year presentation. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2013.

Use of Estimates

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 at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, the allowance for doubtful accounts: accruals: legal contingencies: the determination of fair value of net assets acquired in a business combination: the determination of assumptions for pension and postretirement employee benefit costs, useful lives of property, plant and equipment: the assessment of a potential impairment of goodwill or long-lived assets and income taxes, including the determination of a need for a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. Actual results may differ from previously estimated amounts.

 

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Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance requiring entities to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. Entities are required to present, either on the face of the financial statements or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income. This guidance did not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income. The Company adopted this guidance effective September 1, 2013 and the required disclosure is presented in Note 6.

In December 2011, the FASB issued guidance creating new disclosure requirements about the nature of an entity’s rights of setoff and related arrangements associated with its financial instruments and derivative instruments. The Company adopted this guidance effective September 1, 2013 and the required disclosure is presented in Note 9.

In July 2013, the FASB issued guidance designed to reduce diversity in practice of financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists. The Company adopted this accounting presentation effective September 1, 2013. The Company complied with the prescribed accounting presentation in prior periods; therefore, the adoption of this guidance had no impact on the presentation of the Company’s financial statements.

3—BALANCE SHEET DETAILS

The components of inventory were as follows:

 

         February 28,    
2014
         August 31,    
2013
 
     (In thousands)  

Raw materials

             $    10,324                     $    10,381       

Work in progress

     1,264             1,913       

Finished goods

     24,224             21,698       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total inventories

             $  35,812                     $  33,992       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The components of property, plant and equipment, net were as follows:

 

         February 28,    
2014
         August 31,    
2013
 
     (In thousands)  

Land and land improvements

             $      12,131                     $      11,881       

Plant and equipment

     363,144             359,909       

Construction in progress

     6,402             5,255       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     381,677             377,045       

Accumulated depreciation

     (270,158)            (264,904)      
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net property, plant and equipment

             $  111,519                     $  112,141       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

At February 28, 2014 and August 31, 2013, the Company had approximately $0.5 million and $0.7 million, respectively, of payables related to property, plant and equipment that have been excluded from acquisitions of property, plant and equipment in the statement of cash flows.

 

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Components of accrued liabilities were as follows:

 

         February 28,    
2014
         August 31,    
2013
 
     (In thousands)  

Employee-related costs

           $ 3,950                   $ 3,931       

Other accrued liabilities

     4,031             4,276       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total accrued liabilities

           $   7,981                   $   8,207       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Employee-related costs included accrued payroll, compensated absences, payroll taxes, benefits and incentives.

4—DEBT

As of February 28, 2014, the Company had $66.9 million outstanding on its $130 million secured revolving credit facility (the “2012 Agreement”) with a syndicate of banks. The lenders’ loan commitment may be increased under certain circumstances.

The maturity date for the revolving loans under the 2012 Agreement is July 9, 2017. Interest rates under the 2012 Agreement are based on either the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or the prime rate, depending on the selection of available borrowing options under the 2012 Agreement. Pursuant to the 2012 Agreement, the interest rate margin over LIBOR can range between 2% and 4%, depending upon the ratio of the Company’s funded debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (defined in the 2012 Agreement as the “Total Leverage Ratio”).

The 2012 Agreement provides that the Total Leverage Ratio shall not exceed 3.25 through May 31, 2014 and 3.0 thereafter. In addition, the Company must maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as defined in the 2012 Agreement, of not less than 1.35. Annual capital expenditures will be restricted to $15 million if the Total Leverage Ratio is greater than 2.50 for the last two consecutive fiscal quarters. The Company’s obligations under the 2012 Agreement are secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets. At February 28, 2014, the Company was in compliance with the covenants of the 2012 Agreement. On March 21, 2014, the 2012 Agreement was amended to adjust certain covenants. See Note 13.

At February 28, 2014, the Company also had two non-interest bearing loans from the Iowa Department of Economic Development (“IDED”). The IDED provided two five-year non-interest bearing loans as follows: (1) a $1.0 million loan to be repaid in 60 equal monthly payments of $16,667 beginning December 1, 2009; and (2) a $1.0 million loan, which is forgivable if the Company maintains certain levels of employment at the Cedar Rapids plant. At February 28, 2014, the Company had $1.1 million outstanding related to the IDED loans.

Pursuant to the 2012 Agreement, the Company may declare and pay dividends on its common stock in an amount not to exceed, in any consecutive four quarters, the lesser of $10 million or 50% of Free Cash Flow, as defined in the 2012 Agreement. As of February 28, 2014, the Company was not permitted to pay dividends.

5—INCOME TAXES

Effective Tax Rates

The Company’s effective tax rates for the three- and six-month periods ended February 28, 2014 were 41.0% and 41.2%, respectively. The difference between the effective tax rates and the U.S. federal statutory rate was due to state income taxes and the effect of additions to the liability for uncertain tax positions described below.

The Company’s effective tax rates for the three- and six-month periods ended February 28, 2013 were 27.0% and 34.2%, respectively. The difference between the effective tax rates and the U.S. federal statutory tax rate was primarily due to state income taxes, offset by the tax benefit associated with the research and development tax credit. On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was enacted, which retroactively reinstated, to January 1, 2012, several corporate tax provisions that had expired, including the research and development tax credit. The Company recorded $0.15 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2013 related to this tax credit for research and development activities in fiscal 2012, which reduced the effective tax rates by 9% and 3%, respectively, for the three- and six-month periods ended February 28, 2013.

 

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Valuation Allowance

The tax valuation allowance at February 28, 2014 of $1.7 million was related primarily to the small ethanol producer tax credit carryforwards in the United States. Tax laws in the U.S. require that any net operating loss carryforwards be utilized before the Company can utilize the small ethanol producer tax credit carryforwards. Due to the expiration of the small ethanol producer tax credit carryforward period in 2014, the Company does not believe it has sufficient positive evidence to substantiate that the small ethanol producer tax credit carryforwards are realizable at a more-likely-than-not level of assurance.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company liquidated its Australian subsidiaries and received approval from the Australian tax authorities for the liquidation. As of August 31, 2013, the Company had provided a tax valuation allowance of $10.9 million against the entire Australian net deferred tax asset. During the quarter ended February 28, 2014, as a result of the liquidation, the previously recorded deferred tax asset and corresponding valuation allowance were reversed resulting in no net effect on current or deferred income taxes.

At February 28, 2014, the Company had $5.6 million of net U. S. deferred tax assets. Other than for the ethanol tax credit carryforwards discussed above, a valuation allowance has not been provided on the net U.S. deferred tax assets as of February 28, 2014. The determination of the need for a valuation allowance requires significant judgment and estimates. The Company evaluates the requirement for a valuation allowance each quarter. The Company believes that it is more likely than not that future operations and the reversal of existing taxable temporary differences will generate sufficient taxable income to realize its deferred tax assets, except for the small ethanol producer tax credit carryforwards, for which a valuation allowance has been provided.

Uncertain Tax Positions

In the three- and six month periods ended February 28, 2014, the amount of unrecognized tax benefits increased by approximately $42,000 and $80,000, respectively. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits at February 28, 2014 was $0.8 million, all of which, if recognized, would favorably impact the effective tax rate. At February 28, 2014, the Company had $0.1 million of accrued interest and penalties included in the long-term tax liability.

Other

The Company files tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various U.S. state jurisdictions, and is subject to examination by taxing authorities in all of those jurisdictions. From time to time, the Company’s tax returns are reviewed or audited by U.S. federal and various U.S. state taxing authorities. The Company believes that adjustments, if any, resulting from these reviews or audits would not be material, individually or in the aggregate, to the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity. It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits related to certain of the Company’s tax positions will increase or decrease in the next twelve months as audits or reviews are initiated and settled. At this time, an estimate of the range of a reasonably possible change cannot be made. The Company is not subject to income tax examinations by U.S. federal or state jurisdictions for fiscal years prior to 2009.

 

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6—ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (“AOCI”)

The following tables provide a summary of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the six months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013:

 

(In thousands)      Net Unrealized  
Gains (Losses)
on Cash Flow
Hedging
Instruments,

Net of Tax
       Gains (Losses)  
on
Postretirement
Obligations,

Net of Tax
     Accumulated
Other
  Comprehensive  
Loss
 

Balances at August 31, 2013

     $ (856)          $ (6,763)            $ (7,619)      

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments, net of tax

     (3,868)            -                   (3,868)      

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

     3,390             187             3,577       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balances at February 28, 2014

     $ (1,334)            $ (6,576)            $ (7,910)      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
(In thousands)    Net Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Cash Flow
Hedging
Instruments,

Net of Tax
     Gains (Losses)
on
Postretirement
Obligations,

Net of Tax
     Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 

Balances at August 31, 2012

     $ 1,638           $ (17,231)          $ (15,593)      

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments, net of tax

     256             -                   256       

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

     (2,341)            710             (1,631)      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balances at February 28, 2013

     $ (447)          $ (16,521)          $ (16,968)      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:

 

          Three Months Ended February 28, 2014  
(In thousands)   

Location of Expense
  (Income) Recognized in  
Net Earnings

     Before Tax  
Amount
     Tax        Net of Tax  
Amount
 

Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:

           

Amortization of actuarial loss (gain)

   Cost of sales      $ 89           $ (35)            $ 54     

Amortization of actuarial loss (gain)

   Operating/R&D expenses      42           (15)            27     

Amortization of prior service cost

   Cost of sales      2           (1)            1     

Amortization of prior service cost

   Operating/R&D expenses      18           (7)            11     
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total reclassification adjustments

        151           (58)            93     
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivatives accounted for as hedges

   Cost of sales      3,489           (1,326)            2,163     
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total reclassifications into income

        $   3,640           $   (1,384)            $   2,256     
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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          Six Months Ended February 28, 2014  
(In thousands)   

Location of Expense
    (Income) Recognized in    
Net Earnings

   Before Tax
Amount
     Tax      Net of Tax
Amount
 

Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:

           

Amortization of actuarial loss (gain)

   Cost of sales      $ 178             $ (70)           $ 108         

Amortization of actuarial loss (gain)

   Operating/R&D expenses      84             (30)           54         

Amortization of prior service cost

   Cost of sales      4             (2)           2         

Amortization of prior service cost

   Operating/R&D expenses      36             (13)           23         
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total reclassification adjustments

        302             (115)           187         
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivatives accounted for as hedges

   Cost of sales      5,468             (2,078)           3,390         
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total reclassifications into income

        $     5,770             $     (2,193)           $     3,577         
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

7—STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock Compensation Plans

Penford maintains the 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended, (the “2006 Incentive Plan”) pursuant to which various stock-based awards may be granted to employees, directors and consultants. As of February 28, 2014, the aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock that were available to be issued as awards under the 2006 Incentive Plan was 426,792. In addition, any shares previously granted under the 1994 Stock Option Plan that are subsequently forfeited or not exercised will be available for future grants under the 2006 Incentive Plan. Non-qualified stock options and restricted stock awards granted under the 2006 Incentive Plan generally vest ratably over one to four years and expire seven years from the date of grant.

General Option Information

A summary of the stock option activity for the six months ended February 28, 2014, was as follows:

 

    

Number of

Shares

    

Weighted-
Average

Exercise Price

    

Weighted-
Average

Remaining
Term (in years)

   Aggregate
    Intrinsic Value    
 

Outstanding Balance, August 31, 2013

     1,517,588          $    10.30             

Granted

     18,000          11.67             

Exercised

     (52,500)         12.85             

Cancelled

     (79,250)         13.55             
  

 

 

          

Outstanding balance, February 28, 2014

       1,403,838          10.27           3.51              $    6,066,900           
  

 

 

          

Options exercisable at February 28, 2014

     1,090,423          $    11.29           3.01              $    3,993,200           

The aggregate intrinsic value disclosed in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value, based on the Company’s closing stock price of $13.35 as of February 28, 2014 that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised on that date. The intrinsic value of options exercised during the first six months of fiscal 2014 was $327,200.

 

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Under the 2006 Incentive Plan, the Company granted 18,000 stock options during the first six months of fiscal 2014. The Company estimated the fair value of stock options granted during the first six months of fiscal 2014 using the following weighted-average assumptions and resulting in the following weighted-average grant-date fair values:

 

Expected volatility

     60

Expected life (years)

     4.8   

Interest rate

     1.1-1.8

Weighted-average fair values

     $5.88   

As of February 28, 2014, the Company had $0.5 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.2 years.

Restricted Stock Awards

The grant-date fair value of each share of the Company’s restricted stock awards is equal to the fair value of Penford’s common stock at the grant date. The following table summarizes the restricted stock award activity for the six months ended February 28, 2014 as follows:

 

           Number of      
Shares
     Weighted-
Average
    Grant Date    
Fair Value
 

Nonvested at August 31, 2013

     24,489                  $7.35         

Granted

     15,560                  12.85         

Vested

     (24,489)                 7.35         

Cancelled

     -                 -   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Nonvested at February 28, 2014

     15,560                  $12.85         
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

On January 1, 2014, each non-employee director received an award of 1,556 shares of restricted stock under the 2006 Incentive Plan at the closing stock price on December 31, 2013. The shares vest one year from the grant date of the award. The Company recognizes compensation cost for restricted stock ratably over the vesting period.

As of February 28, 2014, the Company had $0.2 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.8 years.

Compensation Expense

The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense utilizing the accelerated multiple option approach over the requisite service period, which equals the vesting period. The following table summarizes the total stock-based compensation cost and the effect on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended      Six Months Ended  
     February 28,      February 28,  
     2014      2013      2014      2013  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cost of sales

     $ -                 $ -                 $ -               $ -           

Operating expenses

     266             395               515             812         

Research and development expenses

     -               -               -             -           
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation expense

     $ 266               $ 395               $ 515               $ 812         

Income tax benefit

     101             150               196             309         
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax

     $       165               $       245               $       319               $       503         
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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8—PENSION AND POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

The components of the net periodic pension and post-retirement benefit costs were as follows:

 

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

   Three Months Ended      Six Months Ended  
     February 28,      February 28,  
     2014      2013      2014      2013  
     (In thousands)  

Service cost

         $ 438                  $ 486                  $ 876                  $ 972        

Interest cost

     735              662              1,470              1,324        

Expected return on plan assets

     (813)             (717)             (1,626)             (1,434)       

Amortization of prior service cost

     58              60              116              120        

Amortization of actuarial losses

     131              483              262              966        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

             $ 549                      $ 974                      $ 1,098                      $ 1,948        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Post-retirement Health Care Plans

   Three Months Ended      Six Months Ended  
     February 28,      February 28,  
     2014      2013      2014      2013  
     (In thousands)  

Service cost

         $ 28                  $ 59                  $ 56                  $ 118        

Interest cost

     222              215              444              430        

Amortization of prior service cost

     (38)             (38)             (76)             (76)       

Amortization of actuarial losses

     -              67                 134        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

             $ 212                      $ 303                      $ 424                      $ 606        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

In January 2014, the Company amended the defined benefit pension plan for salaried employees (the “Plan”) to cease the accrual of benefits under the Plan effective March 1, 2014.

9—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

Fair Value Measurements

Presented below are the fair values of the Company’s derivatives as of February 28, 2014 and August 31, 2013:

 

                                                                           
As of February 28, 2014    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
     (in thousands)  

Current assets (Other):

           

Commodity derivatives

   $       (2,517)       $         -       $           -       $       (2,517)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
As of August 31, 2013    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
     (in thousands)  

Current assets (Other):

           

Commodity derivatives

   $ 512       $ -       $ -       $ 512   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The following table reconciles the gross fair value of assets and liabilities subject to offsetting arrangements to the net amounts recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as Other Current Assets.

 

In thousands    Gross Amounts
of Recognized
Assets
     Gross
Liabilities
Offset in the
Balance Sheets
     Net Amount of
Assets
(Liabilities)
     Cash Collateral
on Deposit with
Counterparty
  

Net Fair Value as
Recorded in

Balance Sheets

As of February 28, 2014

                    

Commodity derivatives

   $ 987       $ (3,504)       $ (2,517)       $ 4,343          $ 1,826      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

As of August 31, 2013

                    

Commodity derivatives

   $ 997       $ (485)       $ 512        $ 1,700          $ 2,212      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value are:

   

Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

   

Level 2 inputs are other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for assets and liabilities such as (1) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, (2) quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or (3) inputs that are derived principally or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

   

Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology for the assets or liabilities.

Other Financial Instruments

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and payables approximated fair value because of their short maturities. The Company’s bank debt reprices with changes in market interest rates and, accordingly, the carrying amount of such debt approximated fair value.

The Company has two non-interest bearing loans from the State of Iowa. The carrying value of the debt at February 28, 2014 was $1.1 million and the fair value of the debt was estimated to be $1.1 million. See Note 4. The fair values of these loans were calculated utilizing Level 2 inputs to a discounted cash flow model. The most significant input was the discount rate, which was determined by comparing yields on corporate debentures for debt issuers with financial characteristics similar to Penford’s non-interest bearing loans.

Commodity Contracts

For derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative instruments, as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged firm commitments and/or inventory, are recognized in current earnings as a component of cost of sales. For derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instruments is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of applicable income taxes, and recognized in earnings when the hedged exposure affects earnings. The Company recognizes the gain or loss on the derivative instrument as a component of cost of sales in the period during which the finished goods produced from the hedged item are sold. If it is determined that the derivative instruments used are no longer effective at offsetting changes in the price of the hedged item, then the changes in fair value would be recognized in current earnings as a component of cost of sales.

To reduce the price volatility of corn used in fulfilling some of its starch sales contracts, Penford uses readily marketable exchange-traded futures, as well as forward cash corn purchases. Penford also uses exchange-traded futures to hedge corn inventories, firm commitments to purchase corn and forecasted purchases of corn. The exchange-traded futures are not purchased or sold for trading or speculative purposes and are designated as hedges.

Selling prices for ethanol fluctuate based on the availability and price of manufacturing inputs and the status of various government regulations and tax incentives. To reduce the risk of the price variability of ethanol, Penford enters into exchange-traded futures contracts to hedge exposure to ethanol price fluctuations. In the first quarter of fiscal 2014,

 

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the Company discontinued hedge accounting for certain ethanol futures contracts as they were not effective at offsetting changes in the selling prices of ethanol. The changes in the fair value of these futures contracts were recorded directly to cost of sales until the expiration of the contracts. In the second quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company identified and entered into different exchange-traded ethanol swap contracts, which were designated as cash flow hedges.

Hedged transactions are generally expected to occur within 12 months of the time the hedge is established. The deferred loss, net of tax, recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income at February 28, 2014 that is expected to be reclassified into income within 12 months is $1.3 million.

As of February 28, 2014, the Company had the following outstanding futures contracts:

 

Corn futures

  

  7,245,000  Bushels

Ethanol futures

  

11,508,000  Gallons

Natural gas futures

  

     300,000  mmbtu (millions of British thermal units)

The following tables provide information about the fair values of the Company’s derivatives, by contract type, as of February 28, 2014 and August 31, 2013:

 

     Assets      Liabilities  
In thousands         Fair Value           Fair Value  
    

Balance Sheet

Location

  

Feb 28,

2014

    

Aug 31,

2013

    

Balance Sheet

Location

  

Feb 28,

2014

    

Aug 31,

2013

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

              

Cash flow hedges:                    

                 

  Corn futures

   Other current assets      $ 753         $ -           Other current assets      $    -       $   485       

  Ethanol futures

   Other current assets      -         997           Other current assets      3,494         -       

Fair value hedges:

                 

  Corn futures

        -         -           Other current assets      10         -       

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

              

  Natural gas futures

   Other current assets      234         -           Other current assets      -         -       
     

 

 

       

 

 

 
        $ 987         $ 997                $   3,504       $   485       
     

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

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The following tables provide information about the effect of derivative instruments on the financial performance of the Company for the three- and six-month periods ended February 28, 2014 and 2013:

 

In thousands    Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in OCI
    

Amount of Gain (Loss)
Reclassified from

AOCI into Income

     Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income
 
    

3 Months Ended Feb 28,

    

3 Months Ended Feb 28,

    

3 Months Ended Feb 28,

 
    

2014

    

2013

    

2014

    

2013

    

2014

    

2013

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

  

        

Cash flow hedges:

                 

Corn futures (1)

       $ 1,369       $ (318)       $ (1,349)       $ 59           $ (386)       $ (312)       

Ethanol futures (1)

     (5,645)         233         (2,140)         191         18         -       
  

 

 

 
       $ (4,276)       $ (85)       $ (3,489)       $   250           $ (368)       $ (312)       
  

 

 

 

Fair value hedges:

                 

Corn futures (1) (2)

                   $ 91       $ (31)       
              

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

                 

Natural gas futures (1)

                   $ 187       $ 89       

Soybean meal futures (1)

                 6         -       

Ethanol futures (1)

                 44         -       
              

 

 

 
                   $ 237       $ 89       
              

 

 

 

 

    (1)  

Gains and losses reported in cost of sales

    (2)  

Hedged items are firm commitments and inventory

 

In thousands    Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in OCI
    

Amount of Gain (Loss)
Reclassified from

AOCI into Income

     Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income
 
    

6 Months Ended Feb 28,

    

6 Months Ended Feb 28,

    

6 Months Ended Feb 28,

 
    

2014

    

2013

    

2014

    

2013

    

2014

    

2013

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

  

        

Cash flow hedges:

                 

Corn futures (1)

         $  (679)         $    (573)         $    (3,860)         $    3,491             $    (1,397)         $    (115)       

Ethanol futures (1)

     (5,560)         986         (1,608)         284         (1,566)         (11)       
  

 

 

 
         $    (6,239)         $      413         $    (5,468)         $    3,775             $    (2,963)         $    (126)       
  

 

 

 

Fair value hedges:

                 

Corn futures (1) (2)

                 $            96         $      (16)       
              

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

                 

Natural gas futures (1)

                 $          220         $      (82)       

Soybean meal futures (1)

                 6         -       

Ethanol futures (1)

                 64         -       
              

 

 

 
                 $          290         $      (82)       
              

 

 

 
                 
                 

 

    (1)  

Gains and losses reported in cost of sales

    (2)  

Hedged items are firm commitments and inventory

 

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10—SEGMENT REPORTING

Financial information for the Company's two segments, Industrial Ingredients and Food Ingredients, is presented below. These segments serve broad categories of end-market users. The Industrial Ingredients segment provides carbohydrate-based starches for industrial applications, primarily paper and packaging products and fuel grade ethanol. The Food Ingredients segment produces specialty starches for food applications. A third item for "corporate and other" activity has been presented to provide reconciliation to amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Corporate and other represents the activities related to the corporate headquarters such as public company reporting, personnel costs of the executive management team, corporate-wide professional services and consolidation entries.

 

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     Three Months Ended
February 28,
     Six Months Ended
February 28,
 
             2014                      2013                      2014                      2013          
     (In thousands)  

Sales:

           

Industrial Ingredients:

           

Industrial Starch

     $ 36,917              $ 44,237              $ 80,537              $ 88,039        

Ethanol

     22,994              18,196              45,014              41,599        

By-Products

     15,917              21,045              30,876              44,208        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     75,828              83,478              156,427              173,846        

Food Ingredients

     30,279              26,604              58,930              54,258        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 106,107              $ 110,082              $ 215,357              $ 228,104        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations:

           

Industrial Ingredients

     $ 14              $ (452)             $ (2,029)             $ 935        

Food Ingredients

     5,794              5,535              12,324              10,891        

Corporate and other

     (2,897)             (2,553)             (5,743)             (5,276)       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 2,911              $ 2,530              $ 4,552              $ 6,550        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

         February 28,    
2014
         August 31,    
2013
 
     (In thousands)  

Total assets:

     

Industrial Ingredients

     $    127,994             $    133,120       

Food Ingredients

     72,699             68,550       

Corporate and other

     21,740             22,948       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $  222,433             $  224,618       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

11—EARNINGS PER SHARE

All outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends participate in undistributed earnings with common shareholders and, therefore, are included in computing earnings per share under the two-class method. Under the two-class method, net earnings are reduced by the amount of dividends declared in the period for each class of common stock and participating security. The remaining undistributed earnings are then allocated to common stock and participating securities, based on their respective rights to receive dividends. Restricted stock awards granted to certain employees and directors under the Company’s 2006 Incentive Plan, which contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends at the same rate as common stock, are considered participating securities.

Basic earnings per share reflect only the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect weighted-average common shares outstanding and the effect of any dilutive common stock equivalent shares. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the average common shares outstanding plus additional common shares that would have been outstanding assuming the exercise of in-the-money stock options, using the treasury stock method. The following table presents the reconciliation of income from operations to income from operations applicable to common shares and the computation of diluted weighted-average shares outstanding:

 

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     Three Months Ended
February 28,
     Six Months Ended
February 28,
 
         2014              2013              2014              2013      
     (In thousands)      (In thousands)  

Numerator:

           

Net income

     $ 1,240              $ 1,191              $ 1,727              $ 2,897        

Less: Allocation to participating securities

     (2)             (4)             (3)             (10)       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income applicable to common shares

     $ 1,238              $ 1,187              $ 1,724              $ 2,887        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Denominator:

           

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic

       12,501              12,343                12,487              12,325        

Dilutive stock options and awards

     334              160              344              114        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted

     12,835              12,503              12,831              12,439        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted-average stock options to purchase 589,340 and 604,296 shares of common stock for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because they were antidilutive. Weighted-average stock options to purchase 987,885 and 972,581 shares of common stock for the three and six months ended February 28, 2013, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because they were antidilutive.

12—LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company regularly evaluates the status of claims and legal proceedings in which it is involved in order to assess whether a loss is probable or there is a reasonable possibility that a loss may have been incurred, and to determine if accruals are appropriate. The Company expenses legal costs as such costs are incurred.

Pet Product Patent Litigation

As reported in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, in June 2011, the Company was notified that a complaint had been filed against a customer of a Company subsidiary, Penford Products Co. (“Penford Products”), in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. The complaint alleged that certain pet products supplied by Penford Products to the customer infringed upon a patent owned by T.F.H. Publications, Inc. (the “Plaintiff”). The customer tendered the defense of this lawsuit to Penford Products pursuant to the terms of its supply agreement with Penford Products. Penford Products thereafter commenced a defense of the litigation on behalf of the customer. In April 2012, the Plaintiff filed an amended complaint alleging that certain additional products made by Penford Products for the same customer infringed upon two of the Plaintiff’s patents. The Plaintiff is seeking an injunction against infringement of its patents, as well as the recovery of certain damages.

The court held a claim construction hearing on August 7, 2013, and the Company is awaiting the court’s decision regarding certain disputed patent claims. Following that hearing, in November 2013, the Plaintiff filed another amended complaint adding Penford Products as a defendant in the case.

The Company believes that its products do not infringe upon any of the Plaintiff’s patents; however, the Company cannot at this time determine the likelihood of any outcome or estimate any damages that might be awarded.

NewPage Bankruptcy Preference Litigation

As reported in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, in late August and early September, 2013, two of the Company’s subsidiaries, Penford Products and Carolina Starches, LLC (“Carolina Starches”), were served with separate complaints filed by Pirinate Consulting Group, LLC, as Litigation Trustee (the “Trustee”) for the NP Creditor Litigation Trust, as successor in interest to the bankruptcy estate of NewPage Corporation, an industrial starch customer of each subsidiary, in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

 

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The complaint filed against Penford Products seeks the recovery of alleged preferential transfers in the amount of approximately $778,000, together with other damages. An answer denying all liability in this matter has been filed. The Company believes that it has adequate defenses to this claim; however, the Company cannot at this time determine the likelihood of any outcome or estimate any damages that might be awarded.

The Trustee also sought recovery of alleged preferential transfers of approximately $216,000, together with other damages, from Carolina Starches. In March 2014, Carolina Starches entered into a settlement agreement with the Trustee which provides, among other things, for the full and final settlement of this matter in exchange for a payment by Carolina Starches to the Trustee of $10,000.

Management is unable to provide additional information regarding any possible loss in connection with the foregoing claims and proceedings because (i) the Company currently believes that the claims are not adequately supported, and (ii) there are significant factual and/or legal issues to be resolved. With regard to these matters, management does not believe, based on currently available information, that the eventual outcomes will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, although the outcomes could be material to the Company’s operating results for any particular period, depending, in part, upon the operating results for such period.

Other Claims and Litigation

The Company is involved from time to time in various other claims and litigation arising in the normal course of business. In the judgment of management, which relies in part on information obtained from the Company’s outside legal counsel, the ultimate resolution of these other matters will not materially affect the consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

13—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Acquisition

On March 4, 2014, Penford Products Co. (“Purchaser”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Gum Technology, an Arizona close corporation, (“Gum Technology” or “Seller”), and Allen J Freed and Sheryl I. Freed, the owners of Seller. On March 25, 2014, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of Seller and assumed certain liabilities in exchange for $10.2 million in cash, subject to working capital and certain other adjustments. The funding of the purchase price was provided by borrowings under the Company’s credit facility. In connection with the acquisition, $750,000 of the purchase price (“Holdback”) has been retained by the Company as a fund to satisfy certain of the Seller’s post-closing obligations. The Holdback is payable to the Seller, net of amounts applied to satisfy the obligations of the Seller, within twelve months of the date of the acquisition.

The Company entered into compensatory stock option agreements outside of the Company’s 2006 Incentive Plan with three key former employees of the Seller. Pursuant to these agreements, the Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 45,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price equal to the closing price as of the close of business on March 25, 2014. These options have a term of seven years and vest ratably over a three-year period.

Gum Technology, based in Tucson, Arizona, distributes and blends gums and hydrocolloids, serving primarily the food and beverage industries in North America and Asia. Gum Technology specializes in developing and producing customized stabilizers to meet customers’ product formulation needs. This acquisition will broaden the Company’s food ingredients portfolio of functional and specialty ingredient systems within the Food Ingredients segment.

Credit Facility Amendment

On March 21, 2014, in connection with the acquisition discussed above, the Company amended its Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “2012 Agreement”) to adjust certain financial covenants. The Total Leverage Ratio, as defined in the 2012 Agreement, shall not exceed 4.25 on May 31, 2014: 3.50 on August 31, 2014 and 3.00 at the end of each quarter thereafter. In addition, the Company’s maximum annual capital expenditures were increased to $17.5 million from $15.0 million for fiscal 2014.

 

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

Overview

Penford generates revenues, income and cash flows by developing, manufacturing and marketing specialty natural-based ingredient systems for food and industrial applications, including fuel grade ethanol. The Company develops and manufactures ingredients with starch as a base, providing value-added applications to its customers. Penford’s starch products are manufactured primarily from corn and potatoes and are used principally as binders and coatings in paper, packaging and food production and as an ingredient in fuel.

Penford manages its business in two segments: Industrial Ingredients and Food Ingredients. These segments are based on broad categories of end-market users. See Note 10 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Company’s business segment operations.

In analyzing business trends, management considers a variety of performance and financial measures, including sales revenue growth, sales volume growth and gross margins and operating income of the Company’s business segments.

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. The notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements referred to in this MD&A are included in Part I Item 1, “Financial Statements.”

Results of Operations

Executive Overview

 

   

Consolidated sales decreased 3.6% to $106.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2014 from $110.1 million for the quarter ended February 28, 2013. Consolidated sales for the six months ended February 28, 2014 decreased 5.6% to $215.4 million compared to consolidated sales of $228.1 million for the same period a year ago.

   

The decline in sales for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014 was primarily due to lower average unit selling pricing in the Industrial Ingredients segment, partially offset by volume growth in both business segments. The decline in Industrial Ingredients pricing was due to the decrease in corn costs as discussed below.

   

Consolidated gross margin as a percent of sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 was 11.5% compared to 10.0% a year ago. Consolidated gross margin as a percent of sales for the first half of fiscal 2014 of 10.6% was comparable to the same period a year ago.

   

Bank debt outstanding at February 28, 2014 was down $4.7 million from August 31, 2013.

   

The Company amended its pension plan for salaried employees to eliminate benefit accruals effective March 1, 2014.

   

On March 25, 2014, the Company acquired the net assets of Gum Technology for $10.2 million in cash, subject to working capital and certain other adjustments.

Industrial Ingredients

Second quarter fiscal 2014 sales at the Company’s Industrial Ingredients business unit decreased $7.7 million, or 9.2%, to $75.8 million from $83.5 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2013. This decrease was primarily due to:

   

Industrial starch sales in the three months ended February 28, 2014 of $36.9 million were down 16.5% compared to last year’s second quarter sales of $44.2 million. The decline in sales was primarily driven by lower unit pricing as the market price of corn continued to decrease and a decline in the corn costs passed through to customers. Volume declined approximately 3%.

   

Ethanol sales increased $4.8 million, or 26.4%, to $23.0 million from $18.2 million on a 34% increase in volume partially offset by a 6% decline in average unit selling price per gallon.

   

Sales of by-products declined 24.4% to $15.9 million from $21.0 million a year ago on a decrease in average unit selling prices. Selling prices of corn by-products declined 30% as the cost of corn decreased with the new crop harvest. The sales volume was 8% higher than the previous year’s second quarter.

 

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First half fiscal 2014 sales at the Company’s Industrial Ingredients business unit decreased $17.4 million, or 10.0%, to $156.4 million from $173.8 million last year. This decrease was primarily due to:

   

Industrial starch sales in the six months ended February 28, 2014 of $80.5 million decreased $7.5 million from $88.0 million in the first half of fiscal 2013. The decline in sales was driven by lower average unit pricing caused by a decrease in the corn costs passed through to customers.

   

Ethanol sales increased $3.4 million, or 8.2%, to $45.0 million from $41.6 million on an 18% increase in volume, partially offset by an 8% decline in average unit selling price per gallon.

   

Sales of by-products declined 30.2% to $30.9 million from $44.2 million a year ago on a decrease in average unit selling prices. Selling prices of corn by-products declined 33% as the cost of corn decreased. Sales volume was 4% higher than last year.

Industrial Ingredients’ operating income in the second quarter of fiscal 2014 was approximately breakeven compared with an operating loss of $0.5 million in the second quarter last year due to an improvement in gross margin. Gross margin increased $0.5 million to $3.4 million from $2.9 million the previous year. Margin improvement was due to (1) increased sales volume of $1.9 million and (2) lower corn costs of $2.6 million, partially offset by (3) lower average unit selling prices of $1.2 million due to the decline in corn costs, (4) higher energy costs of $1.4 million, (5) higher maintenance and distribution costs of $1.3 million due to the harsh winter conditions, and (6) an increase in other manufacturing costs of $0.1 million.

Industrial Ingredients’ loss from operations for the six months ended February 28, 2014 was $2.0 million, a decline of $2.9 million from operating income of $0.9 million in the first six months of fiscal 2013. Gross margin in the first half of fiscal 2014 decreased $3.2 million to $4.8 million. The effect of higher sales volume of $2.2 million was offset by lower average unit pricing of $3.2 million. Also contributing to the margin contraction were higher energy costs of $1.6 million, higher maintenance and distribution costs of $1.7 million and other manufacturing cost increases of $0.4 million, partially offset by lower corn costs of $1.5 million. Energy, maintenance and distribution cost increases were primarily due to harsh winter conditions in the second quarter. Operating expenses decreased $0.3 million due to lower employee costs.

Food Ingredients

Fiscal 2014 second quarter sales for the Food Ingredients segment of $30.3 million increased 13.8%, or $3.7 million, over the second quarter of fiscal 2013. Higher sales volume contributed $4.9 million to the sales increase, partially offset by product mix and pricing changes of $1.2 million. Sales of coating applications, which contributed 30% of total revenue in the quarter, improved 6% on an increase in volume of 11%, partially offset by a decrease in average unit pricing of 4%. Sales of other applications, including sales to the pet treats and soups/sauces/gravies end markets, expanded 17%, and accounted for 85% of the sales growth in the second quarter.

Year-to-date fiscal 2014 sales increased $4.7 million, or 8.6%, to $58.9 million from $54.3 million in the first six months of fiscal 2013. Sales volume improved 11%, contributing $5.9 million to sales growth, while average unit pricing declined 2%, or $1.2 million. Sales of coating applications in the six months ended February 28, 2014 were comparable to sales of coating applications for the same period last year. Sales of other applications, including sales to the pet treats, gluten free and soups/sauces/gravies end markets, expanded 13% and accounted for all of the sales growth in the first half of fiscal 2014.

Operating income for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 at the Company’s Food Ingredients segment increased 4.7% to $5.8 million from $5.5 million in the same period last year primarily due to an increase in gross margin of $0.7 million. Gross margin of $8.8 million improved $0.7 million due to an increase in volume of $1.5 million, partially offset by an increase in raw material costs of $0.8 million. Operating and research and development expenses increased $0.4 million on higher employee costs.

Operating income for the first six months of fiscal 2014 increased 13.2%, or $1.4 million, to $12.3 million from $10.9 million in the same period last year primarily due to an increase in gross margin of $1.9 million. Gross margin improved due to improved sales volume of $1.7 million and higher manufacturing yields and lower manufacturing costs of $1.1 million, partially offset by higher raw material costs of $0.9 million. Operating expenses increased $0.5 million on additional employee costs.

 

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Corporate Operating Expenses

Corporate operating expenses for the three and six month periods ended February 28, 2014 increased $0.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively, due to increases in professional and audit fees.

Pension Expense

In January 2014, the Company amended the defined benefit pension plan for salaried employees (the “Plan”) to cease the accrual of benefits under the Plan effective March 1, 2014. The Company anticipates that there will be no gain or loss recorded in the Statement of Operations as a result of the Plan curtailment.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased $0.2 million compared to the second quarter last year due to a decrease in the average debt outstanding. Average outstanding bank debt was about $16 million lower in the second quarter of fiscal 2014 than in the same period a year ago.

Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rates for the three- and six-month periods ended February 28, 2014 were 41.0% and 41.2%, respectively. The difference between the effective tax rates and the U.S. federal statutory rate was due to state income taxes and the effect of additions to the liability for uncertain tax positions described in Note 5 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company’s effective tax rates for the three- and six-month periods ended February 28, 2013 were 27.0% and 34.2%, respectively. The difference between the effective tax rates and the U.S. federal statutory tax rate was primarily due to state income taxes, offset by the tax benefit associated with the research and development tax credit. On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was enacted, which retroactively reinstated, to January 1, 2012, several corporate tax provisions that had expired, including the research and development tax credit. The Company recorded $0.15 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2013 related to this tax credit for research and development activities in fiscal 2012, which reduced the effective tax rates by 9% and 3%, respectively, for the three- and six-month periods ended February 28, 2013.

The tax valuation allowance at February 28, 2014 of $1.7 million was related primarily to the small ethanol producer tax credit carryforwards in the United States. Tax laws in the U.S. require that any net operating loss carryforwards be utilized before the Company can utilize the small ethanol producer tax credit carryforwards. Due to the expiration of the small ethanol producer tax credit carryforward period in 2014, the Company does not believe it has sufficient positive evidence to substantiate that the small ethanol producer tax credit carryforwards are realizable at a more-likely-than-not level of assurance.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company liquidated its Australian subsidiaries and received approval from the Australian tax authorities for the liquidation. As of August 31, 2013, the Company had provided a tax valuation allowance of $10.9 million against the entire Australian net deferred tax asset. During the quarter ended February 28, 2014, as a result of the liquidation, the previously recorded deferred tax asset and corresponding valuation allowance were reversed resulting in no net effect on current or deferred income taxes.

At February 28, 2014, the Company had $5.6 million of net U. S. deferred tax assets. Other than for the ethanol tax credit carryforwards discussed above, a valuation allowance has not been provided on the net U.S. deferred tax assets as of February 28, 2014. The determination of the need for a valuation allowance requires significant judgment and estimates. The Company evaluates the requirement for a valuation allowance each quarter. The Company believes that it is more likely than not that future operations and the reversal of existing taxable temporary differences will generate sufficient taxable income to realize its deferred tax assets, except for the small ethanol producer tax credit carryforwards, for which a valuation allowance has been provided.

 

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Acquisition

As discussed in Note 13 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, on March 25, 2014, the Company acquired the net assets of Gum Technology (“Seller”) for $10.2 million in cash, subject to working capital and certain other adjustments. The funding of the purchase price was provided by borrowings under the Company’s credit facility. In connection with the acquisition, $750,000 of the purchase price (“Holdback”) has been retained by the Company as a fund to satisfy certain of the Seller’s post-closing obligations. The Holdback is payable to the Seller, net of amounts applied to satisfy the obligations of the Seller, within twelve months of the date of the acquisition.

The Company entered into compensatory stock option agreements outside of the Company’s 2006 Incentive Plan with three key former employees of the Seller. Pursuant to these agreements, the Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 45,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price equal to the closing price as of the close of business on March 25, 2014. These options have a term of seven years and vest ratably over a three-year period.

Gum Technology, based in Tucson, Arizona, distributes and blends gums and hydrocolloids, serving primarily the food and beverage industries in North America and Asia. Gum Technology specializes in developing and producing customized stabilizers to meet customers’ product formulation needs. This acquisition will broaden the Company’s food ingredients portfolio of functional and specialty ingredient systems within the Food Ingredients segment.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s primary sources of short- and long-term liquidity are cash flow from operations and its bank credit facility.

Operating Activities

Cash provided by operations was $8.4 million for the six months ended February 28, 2014 compared with $3.4 million for the same period last year. The increase in operating cash flow was due to a decrease in working capital requirements.

Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities of $5.5 million was primarily for investments in capital projects. See Note 3 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company expects total capital expenditures for fiscal 2014 to be approximately $17 million.

Financing Activities

As of February 28, 2014, the Company had $66.9 million outstanding on its $130 million secured revolving credit facility (the “2012 Agreement”) with a syndicate of banks. The lenders’ loan commitment may be increased under certain circumstances.

There are no scheduled principal payments prior to maturity of the credit facility on July 9, 2017. Interest rates under the 2012 Agreement are based on either LIBOR or the prime rate, depending on the selection of available borrowing options under the 2012 Agreement. Pursuant to the 2012 Agreement, the interest rate margin over LIBOR ranges between 2% and 4%, depending upon the Total Leverage Ratio, which is computed as funded debt divided by earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (as set forth in the 2012 Agreement).

As of February 28, 2014, the 2012 Agreement provided that the Total Leverage Ratio shall not exceed 3.25 through May 31, 2014 and 3.0 thereafter. The Company must also maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as defined in the 2012 Agreement, of not less than 1.35. Annual capital expenditures would be restricted to $15 million if the Total Leverage Ratio is greater than 2.50 for two consecutive fiscal quarters. The Company’s obligations under the 2012 Agreement are secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets.

 

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Effective March 21, 2014, in connection with the acquisition of substantially all of the net assets of Gum Technology, the Company amended the 2012 Agreement to adjust certain financial covenants. The Total Leverage Ratio, as defined in the 2012 Agreement, shall not exceed 4.25 on May 31, 2014, 3.50 on August 31, 2014 and 3.00 at the end of each quarter thereafter. In addition, the Company’s maximum annual capital expenditures was increased to $17.5 million from $15.0 million for fiscal 2014.

Pursuant to the 2012 Agreement, the Company may declare and pay dividends on its common stock in an amount not to exceed, in any consecutive four quarters, the lesser of $10 million or 50% of Free Cash Flow, as defined in the 2012 Agreement. As of February 28, 2014, the Company was not permitted to pay dividends.

Contractual Obligations

The Company is a party to various debt and lease agreements at February 28, 2014 that contractually commit the Company to pay certain amounts in the future. The Company also has open purchase orders entered into in the ordinary course of business for raw materials, capital projects and other items, for which significant terms have been confirmed. There have been no material changes in the Company’s contractual obligations since August 31, 2013.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company had no off-balance sheet arrangements at February 28, 2014.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The process of preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the Company’s financial position and results of operations. These estimates, judgments and assumptions are based on the Company’s historical experience and management’s knowledge and understanding of the current facts and circumstances. See the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013 for a description of critical accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. Management believes that its estimates, judgments and assumptions are reasonable based upon information available at the time this report was prepared. To the extent there are material differences between estimates, judgments and assumptions and the actual results, the financial statements will be affected.

Forward-looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Quarterly Report”), including, but not limited to, statements found in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and in Item 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contains statements that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. In particular, statements pertaining to anticipated operations and business strategies contain forward-looking statements. Likewise, statements regarding anticipated changes in the Company’s business and anticipated market conditions are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and should not be relied upon as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements depend on assumptions, dates or methods that may be incorrect or imprecise, and the Company may not be able to realize them. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” ”seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” or “anticipates,” or the negative use of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements can be identified by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are based on information available as of the date of this report. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of the filing of this Quarterly Report. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the risks and uncertainties discussed in this Quarterly Report, including those referenced in Part II Item 1A of this Quarterly Report, and those described from time to time in other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2013, which include but are not limited to:

 

  ¡  

competition;

 

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  ¡  

the possibility of interruption of business activities due to equipment problems, accidents, strikes, weather or other factors;

 

  ¡  

product development risk;

 

  ¡  

changes in corn and other raw material prices and availability;

 

  ¡  

changes in general economic conditions or developments with respect to specific industries or customers affecting demand for the Company’s products including unfavorable shifts in product mix or changes in government rules or incentives affecting ethanol consumption;

 

  ¡  

unanticipated costs, expenses or third-party claims;

 

  ¡  

the risk that results may be affected by construction delays, cost overruns, technical difficulties, nonperformance by contractors or changes in capital improvement project requirements or specifications;

 

  ¡  

interest rate, chemical and energy cost volatility;

 

  ¡  

changes in returns on pension plan assets and/or assumptions used for determining employee benefit expense and obligations;

 

  ¡  

other unforeseen developments in the industries in which Penford operates,

 

  ¡  

the Company’s ability to successfully operate under and comply with the terms of its bank credit agreement, as amended; and

 

  ¡  

other factors described in the Company’s Form 10-K Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors.”

Item 3:         Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

The Company is exposed to market risks from adverse changes in interest rates and commodity prices. There have been no material changes in the Company’s exposure to market risks from the disclosure in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2013.

Item 4:         Controls and Procedures.

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company has established disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management of the Company, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (“Certifying Officers”), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management of the Company, with the participation and supervision of its Certifying Officers, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b). Based on the evaluation as of February 28, 2014, management has concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective because of the material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting described below.

(b) Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. Internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, or

 

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persons performing similar functions, and effected by the board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Company’s financial reporting for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Internal control over financial reporting includes (i) maintaining records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the Company’s transactions; (ii) providing reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of the Company’s financial statements; (iii) providing reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures of the Company’s assets are made in accordance with management’s authorization; and (iv) providing reasonable assurance that unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements would be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting is not intended to provide absolute assurance that a misstatement of the Company’s financial statements would be prevented or detected. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Accordingly, even effective internal control over financial reporting can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.

Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the certifying officers, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of February 28, 2014. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (1992). Based on the evaluation performed, management identified the following material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting as of February 28, 2014. A material weakness, as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

Material Weakness Indentified Relating to Resources Necessary for Effective Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The Company determined a material weakness related to the monitoring and implementation of internal control over financial reporting existed. Specifically, the Company lacks sufficient resources to have an effective control function that involves assessments of risk at an appropriate level of detail, controls designed with the right level of precision and responsive to those risks and control implementation, including evidence of operating effectiveness. As a result, there is at least a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement could occur in the interim and annual financial statements and not be prevented or detected.

Material Weakness Identified Relating to Inventory

The Company determined that a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting existed relating to the effective design of controls over the accuracy of prices used to value ending inventory. Specifically the controls over the accuracy of prices used to value ending inventory were not designed effectively to detect errors in inventory unit costs. Furthermore, the Company’s control over reconciling inventory maintained at third party locations was not designed at the right level of precision to consider reconciling errors that could be material. As a result, there is at least a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement could occur in the interim and annual financial statements and not be prevented or detected.

Material Weakness Indentified Relating to Valuation of Long-Lived Assets

The Company determined that a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting existed because management’s review of long-lived asset impairment was not designed to operate at an appropriate level of precision to evaluate assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Furthermore, the documentation of the Company’s analysis did not contain sufficient supporting evidence to enable a reviewer to perform an effective timely review of the subjective assumptions inherent in this type of assessment. As a result, there is at least a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement could occur in the interim and annual financial statements and not be prevented or detected.

Because of the above described material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting, management concluded that its internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of February 28, 2014.

 

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(c) Management’s Plans for Remediation of the Material Weaknesses

 

  Management

has begun or plans to take the following actions to remediate the material weaknesses:

 

  1.

Material Weakness Identified Relating to Resources Necessary for Effective Internal Control Over Financial Reporting – The Company plans to improve its monitoring and implementation of internal controls over financial reporting to improve the overall effectiveness of its risk assessment process, design of controls, and evidence obtained to support the effectiveness of controls. The Company has retained, what it believes to be, the necessary resources to sufficiently promote effective internal control over financial reporting throughout the organization.

 

  2.

Material Weakness Identified Relating to Inventory - The Company plans to improve the design of the controls over the accuracy of prices used to value ending inventory and over the accuracy of inventory reconciliations for third party locations. The Company has retained, what it believes to be, the additional resources will be required to enhance the design and operating effectiveness of these controls in the inventory process.

 

  3.

Material Weakness Identified Relating to Valuation of Long-Lived Assets – The Company plans to improve the design of the controls to perform effective reviews over management’s long-lived asset impairment considerations. The Company has retained, what it believes to be, the additional resources required to enhance the design of the controls over long-lived asset impairment considerations.

As management implements these plans, management may determine that additional steps may be necessary to remediate the material weaknesses.

(d) Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended February 28, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1:         Legal Proceedings.

See Note 12 to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Item 1A:         Risk Factors.

The information set forth in this report should be read in conjunction with the risk factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2013. These risks could materially impact the Company’s business, financial condition and/or future results. The risks described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K and in this Item 1A are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known by the Company or that the Company currently deems to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and/or operating results.

Item 6:         Exhibits.

 

  31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32    Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  101    Financial statements from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the three months ended February 28, 2014 , filed on April 9, 2014, formatted in XBRL: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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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.

 

      Penford Corporation
      (Registrant)
April 9, 2014    

/s/ Steven O. Cordier

    Steven O. Cordier
    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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