10-K 1 d581984d10k.htm 10-K 10-K
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

(Mark One)

 

  [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

       For the Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2013

 

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

 

       For the transition period from             to             

Commission File Number 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 S. Revere Parkway   80112-3932
Centennial, Colorado   (Zip Code)
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)  

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, $1.00 par value   The NASDAQ Global Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

    Yes  [    ]  No  [X]

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

    Yes  [    ]  No  [X]

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for at least 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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  [    ]

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 definition of “accelerated filer” and “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one).

 

Large accelerated filer [    ]

          Accelerated filer [X]   Non-accelerated filer [    ]   Smaller reporting company [    ]
   

(Do not check if a smaller

reporting company)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

    Yes [    ]  No [X]

The aggregate market value of the Registrant’s Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of February 28, 2013, the last business day of the Registrant’s second quarter of fiscal 2013, was approximately $120.3 million based upon the last sale price reported for such date on The NASDAQ Global Market. For purposes of making this calculation, Registrant has assumed that all the outstanding shares were held by non-affiliates, except for shares held by Registrant’s directors and officers and by each person who owns 10% or more of the outstanding Common Stock. However, this does not necessarily mean that there are not other persons who may be deemed to be affiliates of the Registrant.

The number of shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding as of November 5, 2013 was 12,497,654.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

Portions of the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement relating to the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.


Table of Contents

PENFORD CORPORATION

FISCAL YEAR 2013 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  
   PART I   

Item 1.

   Business      2   

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors      8   

Item 1B.

   Unresolved Staff Comments      12   

Item 2.

   Properties      13   

Item 3.

   Legal Proceedings      14   

Item 4.

   Mine Safety Disclosures      14   
   PART II   

Item 5.

  

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchasers of Equity Securities

     15   

Item 6.

   Selected Financial Data      17   

Item 7.

  

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

     18   

Item 7A.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      30   

Item 8.

   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data      31   

Item 9.

  

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

     69   

Item 9A.

   Controls and Procedures      69   

Item 9B.

   Other Information      71   
   PART III   

Item 10.

   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance      72   

Item 11.

   Executive Compensation      72   

Item 12.

  

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

     72   

Item 13.

   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence      73   

Item 14.

   Principal Accountant Fees and Services      73   
   PART IV   

Item 15.

   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules      74   
   Signatures      75   
   Exhibit Index      76   


Table of Contents

PART I

Item 1:  Business

Description of 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. The Company’s strategically-located manufacturing facilities in the United States provide it with broad geographic coverage of its target markets. The Company has significant research and development capabilities, which are used in understanding the complex chemistry of carbohydrate-based materials and in developing applications to address customer needs.

Penford is a Washington corporation originally incorporated in September 1983. The Company commenced operations as a publicly-traded company on March 1, 1984.

In January 2012, the Company acquired, through purchase and capital lease, the net assets and operations of the business generally known as Carolina Starches, which manufactures and markets industrial potato starch based products and blends for the paper and packaging industries. The acquisition of this business provides an important source of raw material to support continued growth in the Company’s Food Ingredients business and broadens the Company’s portfolio of specialty modified industrial starches. See Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Carolina Starches net assets and results of operations since acquisition have been integrated into the Company’s existing business segments, which are described below. The acquired net assets, consisting primarily of property, plant and equipment and working capital, are being managed by and included in the reported balance sheet amounts of the Company’s Food Ingredients business which has experience, expertise and technologies related to the manufacture of potato starch products. Since the primary end markets for Carolina Starches’ products are the paper and packaging industries, the Carolina Starches sales and marketing functions are being managed by the Company’s Industrial Ingredients business. Therefore, the sales, cost of sales and a majority of the operating expenses are included in the Industrial Ingredients segment’s results of operations.

Penford operates in two business segments, Industrial Ingredients and Food Ingredients. Each of the Company’s businesses utilizes the Company’s carbohydrate chemistry expertise to develop starch-based ingredients for value-added applications that improve the quality and performance of customers’ products. Financial information about Penford’s segments and geographic areas is included in Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Additional information on Penford’s two business segments follows:

 

    Industrial Ingredients, which in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 generated approximately 76%, 76% and 78%, respectively, of Penford’s revenue, is a supplier of chemically modified specialty starches to the paper and packaging industries. Industrial Ingredients also produces food grade corn starch for sale by the Company’s Food Ingredients business. Through a commitment to research and development, Industrial Ingredients develops customized product applications that help its customers realize improved manufacturing efficiencies and advancements in product performance. Industrial Ingredients has specialty processing capabilities for a variety of modified starches. Specialty products for industrial applications are designed to improve the strength and performance of customers’ products and efficiencies in the manufacture of coated and uncoated paper and paper packaging products. These starches are principally ethylated (chemically modified with ethylene oxide), oxidized (treated with sodium hypochlorite) and cationic (carrying a positive electrical charge). Ethylated and oxidized starches are used in coatings and as binders, providing strength and printability to fine white, magazine and catalog paper. Cationic and other liquid starches are generally used in the paper-forming process in paper production, providing strong bonding of paper fibers and other ingredients.

The Company’s Industrial Ingredients segment also produces and sells fuel grade ethanol from its facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Ethanol production gives the Company the ability to select an additional

 

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output choice to capitalize on changing industry conditions and selling opportunities. Sales of ethanol in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 were 27%, 31% and 36%, respectively, of this segment’s reported revenue.

The Industrial Ingredients business produces certain by-products from its corn wet milling operations in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. These by-products include corn gluten feed and corn gluten meal, which are sold to various market participants for use in animal feed, and corn germ, which is sold to a producer of corn oil. Sales of by-products in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 were 23%, 22%, and 20%, respectively, of this segment’s reported revenue.

 

    Food Ingredients, which in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 generated approximately 24%, 24% and 22%, respectively, of Penford’s revenue, is a developer and manufacturer of specialty starches and dextrins to the food manufacturing and food service industries. This business’s expertise is in leveraging the inherent characteristics from potato, corn, tapioca and rice to help improve its customers’ product performance. Food Ingredients’ specialty starches produced for food applications are used in coatings to provide crispness, improved taste and texture, and increased product life for products such as french fries sold in restaurants. Food ingredients starch products are used to reduce fat levels, increase fiber content, modify texture, and improve color and consistency in a variety of foods such as canned products, sauces, whole and processed meats, dry powdered mixes and bakery products. These starch products are also used as moisture binders and in companion pet products, such as dog treats and chews.

Raw Materials

Corn:  Penford’s North American corn wet milling plant is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in the middle of the U.S. corn belt. Accordingly, the plant has truck-delivered corn available throughout the year from a number of suppliers at prices consistent with those available in the major U.S. grain markets.

Potato Starch:  The Company’s facilities in Idaho Falls, Idaho; Richland, Washington; Plover, Wisconsin; Berwick, Pennsylvania and North Charleston, South Carolina use starch recovered as by-products from potato processors as the primary raw material to manufacture modified potato starches. The Company enters into contracts typically having durations of one to three years with potato processors in the United States and Canada to acquire potato-based raw materials. The Company acquired additional sources of raw potato starch with the acquisition of Carolina Starches.

Chemicals:  The primary chemicals used in the manufacturing processes are readily available commodity chemicals. The prices for these chemicals are subject to price fluctuations due to market conditions.

Natural Gas:  The primary energy source for most of Penford’s plants is natural gas. Penford contracts its natural gas supply with regional suppliers, generally under short-term supply agreements, and, at times, uses futures contracts to hedge the price of natural gas.

Corn, chemicals and natural gas are not currently subject to availability constraints; however, demand for these items can significantly affect the prices. Penford’s current potato starch requirements constitute a material portion of the available North American supply. Penford estimates that it purchases over 60% of the recovered potato starch in North America. It is possible that, in the long term, continued growth in demand for potato starch-based ingredients and new product development could result in capacity constraints.

Approximately 70% of the Company’s manufacturing costs consist of the costs of corn, potato starch, chemicals and natural gas. The remaining portion consists of the costs of labor, distribution, depreciation and maintenance of manufacturing plant and equipment, and other utilities. The prices of raw materials may fluctuate, and increases in costs may affect Penford’s business adversely. To mitigate this risk, Penford hedges a portion of corn and, at times, natural gas purchases with futures and options contracts and enters into short-term supply agreements for other production requirements.

 

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Research and Development

Penford’s research and development efforts cover a range of projects including technical service work focused on specific customer support projects which require coordination with customers’ research efforts to develop innovative solutions to specific customer requirements. These projects are supplemented with longer-term, new product development and commercialization initiatives. Research and development expenses were $5.9 million, $5.8 million and $4.8 million for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Patents, Trademarks and Trade Names

Penford owns a number of patents, trademarks and trade names. The Company has approximately 30 current patents and pending patent applications, most of which are related to technologies in french fry coatings, coatings for the paper industry, and animal nutrition. Penford’s issued patents expire at various times between 2014 and 2027. The annual cost to maintain all of the Company’s patents is not significant. Most of Penford’s products are currently made with technology that is broadly available to companies that have the same level of scientific expertise and production capabilities as Penford.

Specialty starch ingredient brand names for industrial applications include, among others, Penford® gums, Pensize® binders, Penflex® sizing agent, Topcat® cationic additive and the Apollo® starch series. Product brand names and trademarks for food ingredient applications include PenFibe®, PenTechTM, PenPureTM, PenNovo®, PenBind®, PenCling® and PenPlus®.

Quarterly Fluctuations

Penford’s revenues and operating results vary from quarter to quarter for various reasons. For example, sales volumes of the Food Ingredients products used in food coatings are generally lower during Penford’s second fiscal quarter due to decreased consumption of some coated foods during the post-holiday season. In addition, the cost of natural gas in North America is generally higher in the winter months than the summer months.

Working Capital

The Company’s growth is funded through a combination of cash flows from operations and short- and long-term borrowings. For more information, see the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 and the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Penford generally carries a one- to 45-day supply of materials required for production, depending on the lead time for specific items. Penford manufactures finished goods to customer orders or anticipated demand. The Company is therefore able to carry less than a 30-day supply of most products. Terms for trade receivables and trade payables are standard for the industry and region and generally do not exceed 30-45 day terms except for trade receivables for export sales.

Environmental Matters

Penford’s operations are governed by various federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations. These laws and regulations include the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the EPA Oil Pollution Control Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s hazardous materials regulations, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, and the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act.

Permits are required by the various environmental agencies that regulate the Company’s operations. Penford believes that it has obtained all necessary material environmental permits required for its operations. Penford believes that its operations are in compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations in all material aspects of its business. Penford estimates that annual compliance costs, excluding operational costs for emission control devices, wastewater treatment or disposal fees, are approximately $1.2 million.

 

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Penford has adopted and implemented a comprehensive corporate-wide environmental management program. The program is managed and designed to structure the conduct of Penford’s business in a safe and fiscally responsible manner that protects and preserves the health and safety of employees, the communities surrounding the Company’s plants, and the environment. The Company continuously monitors environmental legislation and regulations that may affect Penford’s operations.

During fiscal 2013, compliance with environmental regulations did not have a material impact on the Company’s operations. No unusual expenditures for environmental facilities and programs are anticipated in fiscal 2014.

Customers

Penford sells to a variety of customers and has several relatively large customers in each business segment. The Company’s sales of ethanol to its sole ethanol customer, Eco-Energy, Inc., represented approximately 21%, 24% and 28% of the Company’s net sales for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Eco-Energy, Inc., a marketer and distributor of biofuels in the United States and Canada, is a customer of the Company’s Industrial Ingredients business.

Competition

In its primary markets, Penford competes directly with approximately five other companies that manufacture specialty starches for the papermaking industry, approximately six other companies that manufacture specialty food ingredients, and numerous producers of fuel grade ethanol. Penford competes indirectly with a larger number of companies that provide synthetic and natural-based ingredients to industrial and food customers. Some of these competitors are larger companies, and have greater financial and technical resources than Penford. Application expertise, quality and service are the major competitive advantages for Penford.

Employees

At August 31, 2013, Penford had 403 employees, of which approximately 38% were members of a trade union. The collective bargaining agreement covering the Cedar Rapids-based manufacturing workforce expires in August 2015.

Sales and Distribution

Sales are generated using a combination of direct sales and distributor agreements. In many cases, Penford supports its sales efforts with technical and advisory assistance to customers. Penford generally ships its products upon receipt of purchase orders from its customers and, consequently, backlog is not significant.

Since Penford’s customers are generally other manufacturers and processors, most of the Company’s products are distributed via rail or truck to customer facilities.

Export Sales

Export sales from Penford’s businesses in the U.S. accounted for approximately 8.0%, 7.6% and 7.2% of total sales in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. See Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for sales by country to which the product was shipped.

Available Information

Penford’s Internet address is www.penx.com. The Company makes available, free of charge through its Internet site, the Company’s annual reports on Form 10-K; quarterly reports on Form 10-Q; current reports on Form 8-K; Directors and Officers Forms 3, 4 and 5; and amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably

 

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practicable after electronically filing such materials with, or furnishing them to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The information found on Penford’s web site will not be considered to be part of this or any other report or other filing filed with or furnished to the SEC. The SEC also maintains an Internet site which contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file information electronically with the SEC. The SEC’s Internet address is www.sec.gov.

In addition, the Company makes available, through the Investor Center section of its Internet site, the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the written charters of its Board of Directors’ Audit, Governance and Executive Compensation and Development Committees.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

Name

  

Age

 

Title

Thomas D. Malkoski

   57   President and Chief Executive Officer

Steven O. Cordier

   57   Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary

Michael J. Friesema

   56   Vice President — Corporate Development

Timothy M. Kortemeyer

   47   Vice President; President, Industrial Ingredients

Wallace H. Kunerth

   65   Vice President and Chief Science Officer (deceased on October 24, 2013)

Christopher L. Lawlor

   63   Vice President — Human Resources, General Counsel and Secretary

John R. Randall

   69   Vice President; President, Food Ingredients

Mr. Malkoski joined Penford Corporation as Chief Executive Officer and was appointed to the Board of Directors in January 2002. He was named President of Penford Corporation in January 2003. From 1997 to 2001, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Griffith Laboratories, North America, a formulator, manufacturer and marketer of ingredient systems to the food industry. Previously, he served in various senior management positions, including as Vice President/Managing Director of the Asia Pacific and South Pacific regions for Chiquita Brands International, an international marketer and distributor of bananas and other fresh produce. Mr. Malkoski began his career at the Procter and Gamble Company, a marketer of consumer brands, progressing through major product category management responsibilities. Mr. Malkoski holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Michigan.

Mr. Cordier is Penford’s Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary. He joined Penford in July 2002 as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and was promoted to Senior Vice President in November 2004. From September 2005 to April 2006, Mr. Cordier served as the interim Managing Director of Penford’s Australian and New Zealand operations. He came to Penford from Sensient Technologies Corporation, a manufacturer of specialty products for the food, beverage, pharmaceutical and technology industries, where he held a variety of senior financial management positions.

Mr. Friesema joined Penford in September 2010 as Director — Business Development and was promoted to Vice President — Corporate Development in August 2012. He came to Penford from Corn Products International, Inc. (now Ingredion Incorporated), a manufacturer of starch and sweetener ingredients, where he most recently served as General Manager, Africa and Senior Director, Engineering, Asia-Africa Division. Prior to that, he was Chief Operating Officer and President — Food Ingredients for zuChem, Inc., a producer of unique sugars for use in the food, specialty and fine chemical markets.

Mr. Kortemeyer has served as Vice President of Penford Corporation since October 2005 and President, Industrial Ingredients since June 2006. He served as General Manager of the Industrial Ingredients business from August 2005 to June 2006. Mr. Kortemeyer joined Penford in 1999 and served as a Team Leader in the manufacturing operations of the Industrial Ingredients business until 2001. From 2001 until 2003, he was an Operations Manager and Quality Assurance Manager. From July 2003 to November 2004, Mr. Kortemeyer served as the business unit manager of the Company’s co-products business, and from November 2004 until August 2005, as the director of the Company’s specialty starches product lines, responsible for sales, marketing and business development.

 

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Dr. Kunerth served as Penford’s Vice President and Chief Science Officer from 2000 until his death on October 24, 2013. From 1997 to 2000, he served in food applications research management positions in the Consumer and Nutrition Sector at Monsanto Company, a provider of hydrocolloids, high intensity sweeteners, agricultural products and integrated solutions for industrial, food and agricultural customers. Before Monsanto, he was the Vice President of Technology at Penford’s Food Ingredients business from 1990 to 1997.

Mr. Lawlor joined Penford in April 2005 as Vice President-Human Resources, General Counsel and Secretary. From 2002 to April 2005, Mr. Lawlor served as Vice President-Human Resources for Sensient Technologies Corporation, a manufacturer of specialty chemicals and food products. From 2000 to 2002, he was Assistant General Counsel for Sensient. Mr. Lawlor was Vice President-Administration, General Counsel and Secretary for Kelley Company, Inc., a manufacturer of material handling and safety equipment from 1997 to 2000. Prior to joining Kelley Company, Mr. Lawlor was employed as an attorney at a manufacturer of paper and packaging products and in private practice with two national law firms.

Mr. Randall is Vice President of Penford Corporation and President, Food Ingredients. He joined Penford in February 2003 as Vice President and General Manager of Penford Food Ingredients and was promoted to President of the Food Ingredients division in June 2006. Prior to joining Penford, Mr. Randall was Vice President, Research & Development/Quality Assurance of Griffith Laboratories, USA, a specialty foods ingredients business, from 1998 to 2003. From 1993 to 1998, Mr. Randall served in various research and development positions with KFC Corporation, a quick-service restaurant business, most recently as Vice President, New Product Development. Prior to 1993, Mr. Randall served in research and development leadership positions at Romanoff International, Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of gourmet specialty food products, and at Kraft/General Foods.

 

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Item 1A:  Risk Factors

Risks Related to Penford’s Business

The availability and cost of agricultural products Penford purchases are vulnerable to weather and other factors beyond its control. The Company’s ability to pass through cost increases for these products is limited by worldwide competition and other factors.

In fiscal 2013, approximately 60% of Penford’s manufacturing costs were the costs of corn, potato starch and other agricultural raw materials. Weather conditions, plantings, government programs, policies and mandates and energy costs and global supply, among other things, have historically caused volatility in the supply and prices of these agricultural products. Due to local and/or international competition, the Company may not be able to pass through the increases in the cost of agricultural raw materials to its customers. To manage price volatility in the commodity markets, the Company may purchase inventory in advance or enter into exchange traded futures contracts. Despite these hedging activities, the Company may not be successful in limiting its exposure to market fluctuations in the cost of agricultural raw materials. Increases in the cost of corn, potato starch and other agricultural raw materials due to weather conditions or other factors beyond Penford’s control and that cannot be passed through to customers will reduce Penford’s future profitability.

Increases in energy and chemical costs may reduce Penford’s profitability.

Energy and chemicals comprised approximately 6% and 8%, respectively, of the cost of manufacturing the Company’s products in fiscal 2013. Penford uses natural gas extensively in its Industrial Ingredients business to dry starch products, and, to a lesser extent, in the Food Ingredients business. The Company uses chemicals in all of the businesses to modify starch for specific product applications and customer requirements. The prices of these inputs to the manufacturing process fluctuate based on anticipated changes in supply and demand, weather and the prices of alternative fuels, including petroleum. The Company may use short-term purchase contracts or exchange traded futures contracts to reduce the price volatility of natural gas; however, these strategies are not available for the chemicals the Company purchases. If the Company is unable to pass on increases in energy and chemical costs to its customers, margins and profitability would be adversely affected.

The loss of a major customer could have an adverse effect on Penford’s results of operations.

The Company’s sales of ethanol to its sole ethanol customer, Eco-Energy, Inc., represented approximately 21%, 24% and 28% of the Company’s net sales for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Eco-Energy, Inc. is a marketer and distributor of biofuels in the United States and Canada. Sales to the top ten customers represented 56%, 60% and 64% of net sales for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Generally, the Company does not have multi-year sales agreements with its customers. Many customers place orders on an as-needed basis and generally can change their suppliers without penalty. If Penford lost one or more major customers, or if one or more major customers significantly reduced its orders, sales and results of operations would be adversely affected.

The Company is substantially dependent on its manufacturing facilities; any operational disruption could result in a reduction of the Company’s sales volumes and could cause it to incur substantial losses.

Penford’s revenues are, and will continue to be, derived from the sale of starch-based ingredients and ethanol that the Company manufactures at its facilities. The Company’s operations may be subject to significant interruption if any of its facilities experiences a major accident or is damaged by severe weather or other natural disasters, as occurred as a result of the flood of the Cedar River at the Company’s Cedar Rapids, Iowa facility in fiscal 2008. In addition, the Company’s operations may be subject to labor disruptions and unscheduled downtime, or other operational hazards inherent in the industry, such as equipment failures, fires, explosions, abnormal pressures, blowouts, pipeline ruptures, transportation accidents and natural disasters. Some of these operational hazards may cause personal injury or loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of property and

 

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equipment or environmental damage, and may result in suspension of operations and the imposition of civil or criminal penalties. The Company’s insurance may not be adequate to fully cover the potential operational hazards described above or that it will be able to renew this insurance on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

The Company may experience an impairment charge related to its long-lived assets, which would decrease its earnings and net worth.

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Impairment is recognized when estimated expected undiscounted future cash flows (undiscounted and excluding interest charges) are less than the carrying amount of the asset. The estimation of expected future net cash flows is inherently uncertain and involves significant judgment. These estimates rely, to a considerable extent, on assumptions regarding current and future economics, market conditions, availability of capital, and forecasts of product sales and commodity and energy costs. If, in future periods, there are changes in the estimates or assumptions incorporated into the impairment review analysis, the changes could result in an adjustment to the carrying amount of the long-lived assets. There can be no assurance that management’s current projections of cash flows will be achieved or that an impairment charge will not be required in the future. An impairment charge could be material to the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

The agreements governing the Company’s debt contain various covenants that limit its ability to take certain actions and also require the Company to meet financial maintenance tests, and Penford’s failure to comply with any of the debt covenants could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

The agreements governing Penford’s outstanding debt contain a number of significant covenants that, among other things, limit its ability to:

 

    incur additional debt or liens;

 

    consolidate or merge with any person or transfer or sell all or substantially all of its assets;

 

    make investments or acquisitions;

 

    pay dividends or make certain other restricted payments;

 

    enter into transactions with affiliates; and

 

    create dividend or other payment restrictions with respect to subsidiaries.

In addition, the Company’s revolving credit facility requires it to comply with specific financial ratios and tests, under which it is required to achieve specific financial and operating results. Events beyond the Company’s control may affect its ability to comply with these provisions. A breach of any of these covenants would result in a default under the Company’s revolving credit facility. In the event of any default that is not cured or waived, the Company’s lenders could elect to declare all amounts borrowed under the revolving credit facility, together with accrued interest thereon, due and payable. If any of the Company’s debt is accelerated, there is no assurance that the Company would have sufficient assets to repay that debt or that it would be able to refinance that debt on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

Changes in interest rates may affect Penford’s profitability.

As of August 31, 2013, approximately $71.5 million of its outstanding debt was subject to variable interest rates which move in direct relation to the London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), or the prime rate in the United States, depending on the selection of borrowing options. Any significant changes in these interest rates would materially affect the Company’s profitability by increasing or decreasing its borrowing costs.

 

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Unanticipated changes in tax rates or exposure to additional income tax liabilities could affect Penford’s profitability.

The Company is subject to income taxes in the federal and various state jurisdictions in the United States. The Company’s effective tax rates could be adversely affected by changes in the mix of earnings in tax jurisdictions with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities or changes in tax laws. The carrying value of deferred tax assets is dependent on the Company’s ability to generate future taxable income in the United States. The amount of income taxes paid is subject to interpretation of applicable tax laws in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Although the Company believes it has complied with all applicable income tax laws, there is no assurance that a tax authority will not have a different interpretation of the law or that any additional taxes imposed as a result of tax audits will not have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.

Pension expense and the funding of pension obligations are affected by factors outside the Company’s control, including the performance of plan assets, interest rates, actuarial data and experience, and changes in laws and regulations.

The future funding obligations for the Company’s two U.S. defined benefit pension plans qualified with the Internal Revenue Service depend upon the level of benefits provided for by the plans, the future performance of assets set aside in trusts for these plans, the level of interest rates used to determine funding levels, actuarial data and experience and any changes in government laws and regulations. The pension plans hold a significant amount of equity and fixed income securities. When the values of these securities decline, pension expense can increase and materially affect the Company’s results. Decreases in interest rates that are not offset by contributions and asset returns could also increase the Company’s obligations under such plans. The Company is legally required to make contributions to the pension plans in the future, and those contributions could be material. The Company expects to contribute $2.5 million to its pension plans during fiscal 2014.

The current capital and credit market conditions may adversely affect the Company’s access to capital, cost of capital and business operations.

The general economic and capital market conditions in the United States and other parts of the world have deteriorated significantly and have adversely affected access to capital and increased the cost of capital. If these conditions continue or become worse, the Company’s future cost of debt and equity capital and its access to capital markets could be adversely affected. An inability to obtain adequate financing from debt and equity sources could force the Company to self-fund strategic initiatives or even forgo some opportunities, potentially harming its financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

Economic conditions may impair the businesses of the Company’s customers and end user markets, which could adversely affect the Company’s business operations.

As a result of the current economic downturn and macro-economic challenges currently affecting the economy of the United States and other parts of the world, the businesses of some of the Company’s customers may not be successful in generating sufficient revenues. Customers may choose to delay or postpone purchases from the Company until the economy and their businesses strengthen. The Company’s Industrial Ingredients business is dependent upon end markets for paper and ethanol in North America. Paper markets have been under competitive pressure from substitutable electronic alternatives and may be further stressed by the continuing economic downturn. Ethanol markets have been under pressure from declining demand and rising corn prices driven by the drought in the United States in the summer of 2012. Decisions by current or future customers to forego or defer purchases and/or customers’ inability to pay the Company for its products may adversely affect the Company’s earnings and cash flow.

 

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The use and demand for ethanol and its supply may be affected by changes in federal and state legislation and regulation. Changes in legislation or regulation could cause the demand for ethanol to decline or its supply to increase, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

Various federal and state laws, regulations and programs have affected the supply of ethanol and its use in fuel. Federal and state legislators and environmental regulators could adopt or modify laws, regulations or programs that could adversely affect the use and/or supply of ethanol. Of particular note, the Renewable Fuel Standard (“RFS”) currently requires an increasing amount of renewable fuels to be used in the United States. However, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) is currently considering various requests for waivers from compliance with the volume requirements of the RFS. If such waivers are granted, demand for the Company’s ethanol may decrease and this may have a material effect on the Company’s results.

Penford depends on its senior management team; the loss of any member could adversely affect its operations.

Penford’s success depends on the management and leadership skills of its senior management team. The loss of any of these individuals, particularly Thomas D. Malkoski, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, or Steven O. Cordier, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, or the Company’s inability to attract, retain and maintain additional personnel, could prevent it from fully implementing its business strategy. There is no assurance that it will be able to retain its existing senior management personnel or to attract additional qualified personnel when needed.

Penford is subject to stringent environmental and health and safety laws, which may require it to incur substantial compliance and remediation costs, thereby reducing profits.

Penford is subject to many federal, state and local environmental and health and safety laws and regulations, particularly with respect to the use, handling, treatment, storage, discharge and disposal of substances and hazardous wastes used or generated in its manufacturing processes. Compliance with these laws and regulations is a significant factor in the Company’s business. Penford has incurred and expects to continue to incur expenditures to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations. The Company’s failure to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations and permit requirements could result in civil or criminal fines or penalties or enforcement actions, including regulatory or judicial orders enjoining or curtailing operations or requiring corrective measures, installation of pollution control equipment or remedial actions.

The Company may be required to incur costs relating to the investigation or remediation of property, including property where it has disposed of its waste, and for addressing environmental conditions. Some environmental laws and regulations impose liability and responsibility on present and former owners, operators or users of facilities and sites for contamination at such facilities and sites without regard to causation or knowledge of contamination. Consequently, there is no assurance that existing or future circumstances, the development of new facts or the failure of third parties to address contamination at current or former facilities or properties will not require significant expenditures by the Company.

The Company expects to continue to be subject to increasingly stringent environmental and health and safety laws and regulations. It is difficult to predict the future interpretation and development of environmental and health and safety laws and regulations or their impact on the Company’s future earnings and operations. The Company anticipates that compliance will continue to require increased capital expenditures and operating costs. Any increase in these costs, or unanticipated liabilities arising, for example, out of discovery of previously unknown conditions or more aggressive enforcement actions, could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, and there is no assurance that they will not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

Penford’s unionized workforce could cause interruptions in the Company’s provision of services.

As of August 31, 2013, approximately 38% of the Company’s 403 employees were members of a trade union. Although the Company’s relations with the relevant union are stable and the Company’s labor contract does not

 

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expire until August 2015, there is no assurance that the Company will not experience work disruptions or stoppages in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on its business and results of operations and adversely affect its relationships with its customers.

Risk Factors Relating to Penford’s Common Stock

Penford’s stock price has fluctuated significantly; the trading price of its common stock may fluctuate significantly in the future.

The trading price of the Company’s common stock has fluctuated significantly. In fiscal 2013, the stock price ranged from a low of $6.50 on November 8, 2012 to a high of $15.98 on July 31, 2013. The trading price of Penford’s common stock may fluctuate significantly in the future as a result of a number of factors, including:

 

    actual and anticipated variations in the Company’s operating results;

 

    general economic and market conditions, including changes in demand for the Company’s products;

 

    interest rates;

 

    geopolitical conditions throughout the world;

 

    perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of the Company’s industries;

 

    the Company’s ability to pay principal and interest on its debt when due;

 

    developments in the Company’s relationships with its lenders, customers and/or suppliers;

 

    announcements of alliances, mergers or other relationships by or between the Company’s competitors and/or its suppliers and customers; and

 

    quarterly variations in the Company’s results of operations due to, among other things, seasonality in demand for products and fluctuations in the cost of raw materials

The stock markets in general have experienced broad fluctuations that have often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of the Company’s common stock. Accordingly, Penford’s common stock may trade at prices significantly below an investor’s cost and investors could lose all or part of their investment in the event that they choose to sell their shares.

Provisions of Washington law could discourage or prevent a potential takeover.

Washington law imposes restrictions on certain transactions between a corporation and certain significant shareholders. The Washington Business Corporation Act generally prohibits a “target corporation” from engaging in certain significant business transactions with an “acquiring person,” which is defined as a person or group of persons that beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting securities of the target corporation, for a period of five years after such acquisition, unless the transaction or acquisition of shares is approved by a majority of the members of the target corporation’s board of directors prior to the time of the acquisition. Such prohibited transactions include, among other things, (1) a merger or consolidation with, disposition of assets to, or issuance or redemption of stock to or from, the acquiring person; (2) a termination of 5% or more of the employees of the target corporation as a result of the acquiring person’s acquisition of 10% or more of the shares; and (3) allowing the acquiring person to receive any disproportionate benefit as a shareholder. After the five year period, a “significant business transaction” may occur if it complies with “fair price” provisions specified in the statute. A corporation may not “opt out” of this statute.

Item 1B:  Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

 

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Item 2:  Properties

Penford’s facilities as of August 31, 2013 are as follows:

 

     Bldg. Area
(Approx.
Sq. Ft.)
    Land Area
(Acres)
     Owned/
Leased
   

Function of Facility

Centennial, Colorado

     25,200                Leased      Corporate headquarters and research laboratories for the Food Ingredients segment

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

     759,000     29         Owned      Manufacture of corn starch products and research laboratories for the Industrial Ingredients and Food Ingredients segments

Idaho Falls, Idaho

     30,000        4         Owned      Manufacture of potato starch products for the Food Ingredients segment

Richland, Washington

(owned and leased)

            4.4              Manufacture of potato and tapioca starch Products for the Food Ingredients

Building 1

     45,000                Owned      segment

Building 2

     9,600                Leased     
Plover, Wisconsin (two facilities, one of which is located on leased land)          

Facility 1

     45,000        9.5         Owned      Manufacture of potato starch products

Facility 2

     15,000        3.3         Owned      Manufacture of potato starch products
         
 
(leased
land)
  
  
  for the Food Ingredients segment

Berwick, Pennsylvania

     31,200        2.1         Leased      Manufacture of potato starch products for the Industrial Ingredients segment
     20,000                Leased      Office and warehouse

North Charleston, South Carolina

     21,700        5.0         Owned      Office and manufacture of potato starch products for the Industrial Ingredients segment

* Approximately 119,150 square feet are subject to a long-term lease to the purchaser of the Company’s former dextrose business

Penford’s production facilities are strategically located near sources of raw materials. The Company believes that its facilities are maintained in good condition and that the capacities of its plants are sufficient to meet current production requirements. The Company invests in expansion, improvement and maintenance of property, plant and equipment as required.

 

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Item 3:  Legal Proceedings

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 alleging that certain pet products supplied by Penford Products to the customer by infringed upon a patent owned by T.F.H. Publications, Inc. (“Plaintiff”). The customer tendered the defense of this lawsuit to Penford Products pursuant to the terms of its supply agreement with Penford Products, and Penford Products commenced a defense at that time. 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 Plaintiff’s patents. The complaint seeks an injunction against infringement of the Plaintiff’s 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 claim terms. In November 2013, Plaintiff filed an amended complaint adding Penford Products as a defendant in the case. The Company believes that its products do not infringe upon any of Plaintiff’s patents and has continued its defense of the lawsuit. The Company cannot at this time determine the likelihood of any outcome or estimate any damages that might be awarded.

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 for the NP Creditor Litigation Trust, a successor in interest to the bankruptcy estate of NewPage Corporation, in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware seeking damages arising from alleged preferential transfers. The complaint filed against Penford Products seeks the recovery of alleged preferential transfers in the amount of approximately $778,000, together with other damages. The complaint filed against Carolina Starches seeks recovery of alleged preferential transfers of approximately $216,000, together with other damages. Answers to these complaints are not yet due and have not been filed, and no discovery in these matters has yet occurred. The Company believes that it has adequate, well-recognized defenses to these claims; however, the Company cannot at this time determine the likelihood of any outcome or estimate any damages that might be awarded.

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. For the matter identified in the first paragraph, management is unable to provide additional information regarding any possible loss because (i) the Company currently believes that the claims are not adequately supported, and (ii) there are significant factual 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, 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.

The Company is involved from time to time in various other claims and litigation arising in the normal course of business. The Company expenses legal costs as incurred. 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.

Item 4:  Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

 

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PART II

Item 5:  Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information and Holders of Common Stock

Penford’s common stock, $1.00 par value, trades on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “PENX.” On November 11, 2013, there were 346 shareholders of record. The high and low sales prices of Penford’s common stock during the last two fiscal years are set forth below.

 

     Fiscal 2013      Fiscal 2012  
     High      Low      High      Low  

Quarter Ended November 30

   $ 7.99       $ 6.50       $ 6.00       $ 4.78   

Quarter Ended February 28

   $ 11.27       $ 7.25       $ 6.00       $ 4.85   

Quarter Ended May 31

   $ 12.89       $ 9.35       $ 9.94       $ 5.30   

Quarter Ended August 31

   $ 15.98       $ 11.04       $ 9.14       $ 7.00   

Dividends

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. As of August 31, 2013, the Company was not permitted to pay dividends. See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

None

Performance Graph

The following graph compares the Company’s cumulative total shareholder return on its common stock for a five-year period (September 1, 2008 to August 31, 2013) with the cumulative total return of the Nasdaq Market Index and all companies traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) with a market capitalization of $100 – $200 million, excluding financial institutions. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on September 1, 2008 in the Company’s common stock and in the stated indices. The comparison assumes that all dividends are reinvested. The Company’s performance as reflected in the graph is not indicative of the Company’s future performance.

 

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LOGO

ASSUMES $100 INVESTED ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2008

ASSUMES DIVIDEND REINVESTED

FISCAL YEAR ENDING AUGUST 31, 2013

 

     2008      2009      2010      2011      2012      2013  

PENFORD CORPORATION

     100.00         39.29         29.89         33.55         44.59         82.66   

NASDAQ MARKET INDEX (U.S.)

     100.00         86.63         85.83         106.00         127.37         152.43   

NASDAQ MARKET CAP ($100-200M)

     100.00         76.85         65.36         64.85         55.77         56.47   

Management does not believe there is either a published index or a group of companies whose overall business is sufficiently similar to the business of Penford to allow a meaningful benchmark against which the Company can be compared. The Company sells products based on specialty carbohydrate chemistry to several distinct markets, making overall comparisons to one of these markets misleading with respect to the Company as a whole. For these reasons, the Company has elected to use non-financial companies traded on Nasdaq with a similar market capitalization as a peer group.

 

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Item 6:  Selected Financial Data

The following table sets forth certain selected financial information for the five fiscal years as of and for the period ended August 31, 2013. This table should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes to these statements included in Item 8.

 

    Year Ended August 31,  
    2013     2012 (4)     2011     2010 (2)     2009 (1)  
    (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)  

Operating Data:

         

Sales

  $ 467,250      $ 433,151      $ 373,763      $ 294,517      $ 293,378   

Cost of sales

  $ 422,203      $ 389,241      $ 339,928      $ 271,063      $ 281,087   

Gross margin percentage

    9.6     10.1     9.1     8.0     4.2

Income (loss) from continuing operations

  $ 4,007      $ (9,566   $ (5,117   $ (9,629   $ (6,645

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

  $ -      $ -      $ -      $ 16,312      $ (58,142
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

  $ 4,007      $ (9,566   $ (5,117   $ 6,683      $ (64,787

Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations

  $ 0.32      $ (0.78   $ (0.42   $ (0.84   $ (0.59

Diluted earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations

  $ -      $ -      $ -      $ 1.41      $ (5.21
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

  $ 0.32      $ (0.78   $ (0.42   $ 0.57      $ (5.80

Dividends declared per common share

  $ -      $ -      $ -      $ -      $ 0.12   

Average common shares and equivalents–assuming dilution

    12,618,158        12,293,749        12,250,914        11,600,885        11,170,493   

Balance Sheet Data (as of August 31):

         

Total assets

  $ 224,618      $ 236,179      $ 212,414      $ 208,408      $ 258,245   

Capital expenditures

    14,199        14,146        8,295        5,980        5,379   

Long-term debt (3)

    72,739        84,004        23,802        21,038        71,141   

Total debt

    72,970        84,462        24,223        21,467        92,382   

Redeemable preferred stock, Series A (3)

    -        -        38,982        34,104        -   

Shareholders’ equity

    82,893        68,850        85,465        83,572        79,359   

 

(1) Income (loss) from continuing operations included (i) a pre-tax gain of $1.6 million on the sale of assets related to the Company’s dextrose product line and (ii) net insurance recoveries of $9.1 million related to the flooding in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Income (loss) from discontinued operations included a non-cash asset impairment charge of $33.0 million related to the property, plant and equipment of the Australia/New Zealand Operations, (ii) a $13.8 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge, and (iii) a pre-tax gain of $0.7 million related to the sale of land in New Zealand.

(2) Income (loss) from continuing operations included (i) a pre-tax charge of approximately $1.0 million related to unamortized transaction fees associated with the Company’s prior credit facility when the Company refinanced its bank debt and (ii) a loss of approximately $1.6 million related to the termination of the Company’s interest rate swap agreements. Income (loss) from discontinued operations included the reclassification of $13.8 million of currency translation gains from other comprehensive income to earnings following the liquidation of most of the remaining net assets of the Australia/New Zealand Operations.

(3) In fiscal 2010, the Company issued $40 million of Series A 15% cumulative non-voting, non-convertible preferred stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) and 100,000 shares of Series B voting convertible preferred stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”) in a private placement to Zell Credit Opportunities Master Fund, L.P., an investment fund managed by Equity Group Investments, a private investment firm (the “Investor”). Proceeds from the preferred stock issuance of $40.0 million were used to repay bank debt. During fiscal

 

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2012, the Company redeemed all of the Series A Preferred Stock with funds borrowed on the Company’s revolving line of credit. The amount redeemed was $40.0 million plus accrued dividends of $8.9 million. See Notes 6 and 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(4) Income from continuing operations included (i) accelerated discount accretion of $5.5 million and (ii) amortization of issuance costs of $1.1 million, both related to the early redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock and recorded in other non-operating income (expense). See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The results of operations for Carolina Starches are included since the acquisition on January 11, 2012. See Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 7:  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. The notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements referred to in this MD&A are included in Part II Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

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 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Company’s business segment operations. In January 2012, the Company acquired, through purchase and lease, the net assets and operations of Carolina Starches, which manufactures and markets industrial potato starch products and blends for the paper and packaging industries. The net assets and results of operations since acquisition have been integrated into the Company’s existing business segments. The acquired net assets, consisting primarily of property, plant and equipment and working capital, are being managed by and included in the reported balance sheet amounts of the Company’s Food Ingredients business, which has experience, expertise and technologies related to the manufacture of potato starch products.

Since the primary end markets for Carolina Starches’ products are the paper and packaging industries, the Carolina Starches sales and marketing functions of the acquired operations are being managed by the Industrial Ingredients business; therefore, the sales, cost of sales and a majority of the operating expenses are included in the Industrial Ingredients segment’s results of operations in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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.

Results of Operations

Executive Overview — Consolidated Results of Operations

 

    Consolidated sales increased $34.1 million, or 7.9% to $467.2 million from $433.2 million a year ago.

 

    Sales growth was driven by volume increases in the Food Ingredients business and pricing improvements in both the Food Ingredients and Industrial Ingredients businesses.

 

    Consolidated gross margin was higher by $1.1 million primarily on favorable average pricing and product mix in both ingredients businesses.

 

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    Interest expense for fiscal 2013 decreased $4.6 million from the prior year to $4.0 million due to the redemption of the Company’s $40 million 15% Series A Preferred Stock in fiscal 2012. The redemption was funded by available balances on the Company’s bank credit facility. The interest rates on the Company’s bank debt are based on LIBOR or the bank’s prime rate plus a margin.

 

    The Company’s effective tax rate for fiscal 2013 was 27%. See below and Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Results of Operations

Fiscal 2013 Compared to Fiscal 2012

Industrial Ingredients

 

     Year Ended August 31,  
     2013     2012  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Sales — industrial starch

   $   177,382      $   156,945   

Sales — ethanol

     96,852        101,874   

Sales — by-products

     81,782        71,788   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total sales

   $ 356,016      $ 330,607   

Gross margin

   $ 10,647      $ 11,744   

Loss from operations

   $ (3,238   $ (928

Industrial Ingredients fiscal 2013 sales of $356.0 million grew $25.4 million, or 7.7%, over fiscal 2012. Industrial starch sales of $177.4 million increased 13% due to (1) additional sales of $12.2 million from the January 2012 acquisition of Carolina Starches, (2) increased average unit pricing of $3.2 million and (3) the pass-through of higher corn costs to customers. Sales of bioproducts, included in the industrial starch sales category, were comparable to last year. Fiscal 2013 sales of ethanol constituted 27% of industrial sales in fiscal 2013 compared to 31% in fiscal 2012. Sales of ethanol decreased $5.0 million due to a 7% decrease in volume partially offset by a 3% increase in average unit pricing. Sales of by-products increased $10.0 million, or 14%, primarily due to favorable pricing for meal and feed.

Gross margin decreased $1.1 million to $10.6 million in fiscal 2013 from $11.7 million a year ago. Margins declined due to lower volume of $0.7 million, higher corn costs of $6.7 million which could not be passed through to customers, and increased personnel costs of $2.0 million, partially offset by $8.0 million in favorable pricing and product mix, and $0.3 million of lower manufacturing costs.

The loss from operations for fiscal 2013 was $3.2 million compared with a loss of $0.9 million last year. The change in the operating loss was due to the decrease in gross margin described above, $0.9 million of additional operating expenses related the acquisition of Carolina Starches in the second quarter of fiscal 2012, and $0.6 million in higher employee costs for commercial and business development resources, partially offset by lower professional fees of $0.3 million.

Food Ingredients

 

     Year Ended August 31,  
     2013      2012  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Sales

   $   111,234       $   102,544   

Gross margin

   $ 34,399       $ 32,165   

Income from operations

   $ 23,265       $ 21,591   

 

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Sales of $111.2 million for the year ended August 31, 2013 increased 8.5%, or $8.7 million, on volume growth of 7% and favorable product mix and pricing of 2%. Sales of non-coating applications expanded 14%, with revenues from gluten-free, dairy and soups/sauces/gravy applications growing at double-digit rates. Sales of coating applications declined slightly on lower volume of 3% partially offset by higher unit pricing of 1%.

Gross margin improved $2.2 million in fiscal 2013 over the prior year. Increased volume and favorable pricing and mix contributed $2.1 million and $0.9 million, respectively, to the gross margin expansion. Partially offsetting these factors were higher raw material costs of $0.7 million and increased manufacturing costs of $0.1 million. Income from operations grew $1.7 million on the increase in gross margin, partially offset by higher operating and research and development expenses. Operating and research and development expenses increased $0.6 million on higher employee, marketing and software costs.

Corporate Operating Expenses

Corporate operating expenses increased less than $0.1 million on higher professional fees offset by lower employee related costs.

Fiscal 2012 Compared to Fiscal 2011

Industrial Ingredients

 

     Year Ended August 31,  
     2012     2011  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Sales — industrial starch

   $   156,945      $   127,471   

Sales — ethanol

     101,874        105,730   

Sales — by-products

     71,788        58,322   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total sales

   $ 330,607      $ 291,523   

Gross margin

   $ 11,744      $ 7,523   

Loss from operations

   $ (928   $ (4,718

Industrial Ingredients fiscal 2012 sales of $330.6 million grew $39.1 million, or 13.4%, over fiscal 2011. Sales of industrial starch products of $14.7 million related to the acquisition of the Carolina Starches business in mid-January 2012 were included in the Industrial Ingredients operating results for fiscal 2012. Industrial corn starch sales of $142.3 million increased 12% primarily on a higher pass through of corn costs to customers, with volume comparable to fiscal 2011. Sales of bioproducts, included in the industrial starch sales amount, improved 22% in fiscal 2012, driven by volume increases of 16% and favorable pricing and product mix of 6%. Fiscal 2012 sales of ethanol constituted 39% of industrial sales in fiscal 2012 compared to 45% in fiscal 2011. A decrease in pricing per gallon and lower volume contributed equally to the revenue decline of 4%. Sales of by-products increased $13.5 million, or 23%, on increases attributable to higher volume of $5.3 million and $8.2 million related to increased sales prices driven by rising by-product market values.

Gross margin improved $4.2 million to $11.7 million in fiscal 2012 from $7.5 million a year ago. Margins improved due to the addition of $0.5 million of margin from the acquired businesses of Carolina Starches since acquisition in January 2012, favorable starch pricing of $5.8 million and lower natural gas costs of $2.4 million offset by higher net corn costs of $2.4 million, lower volume of $0.4 million, higher chemical costs of $0.8 million, and higher manufacturing costs of $0.9 million.

The loss from operations for fiscal 2012 improved $3.8 million to $0.9 million from a loss of $4.7 million last year, primarily due to the increase in gross margin. Operating expenses of $9.6 million in fiscal 2012, which included $0.8 million from the acquired business of Carolina Starches, were comparable to the prior year. Higher research and development expenses of $0.4 million were due to increased activity in bioproducts development.

 

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Food Ingredients

 

     Year Ended August 31,  
     2012      2011  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Sales

   $   102,544       $   82,240   

Gross margin

   $ 32,165       $ 26,311   

Income from operations

   $ 21,591       $ 18,037   

Sales of $102.5 million for the year ended August 31, 2012, increased 24.7%, or $20.3 million, on volume growth of 16% and favorable product mix and pricing of 8%. Sales of non-coating applications expanded 29%, with revenues from gluten-free applications and pet chews and treats growing at double-digit rates. Sales of coating applications expanded 18% on higher volume of 10% and an 8% improvement in product mix and pricing.

Gross margin improved $5.9 million in fiscal 2012 over the prior year. Increased volume contributed $1.1 million with the remaining increase due to favorable pricing and product mix. Income from operations grew $3.6 million on the increase in gross margin, partially offset by higher operating and research and development expenses. Operating expenses increased $1.6 million to $7.8 million on higher employee costs and professional fees and $0.9 million of costs from the acquired operations of Carolina Starches. Higher research and development expenses of $0.7 million are due to additional personnel in fiscal 2012 and higher legal costs.

Corporate Operating Expenses

Corporate operating expenses increased to $10.6 million in fiscal 2012 from $8.9 million a year ago due to increases in employee costs and legal, accounting and auditing costs incurred in connection with the acquisition of Carolina Starches and a registration statement.

Non-Operating Income (Expense)

Other non-operating income (expense) consists of the following:

 

     Year Ended August 31,  
     2013      2012      2011  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Loss on redemption of Series A Preferred Stock

   $ —           $  (6,599)       $ —     

Other

     75         413         115   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $   75         $  (6,186)       $   115   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

In 2012, the Company redeemed 100,000 shares of its Series A 15% Cumulative Non-Voting Non-Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) at the original issue price of $40 million plus accrued dividends of $8.9 million. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. As a result of the early redemptions, the Company recorded accelerated discount accretion of $5.5 million and amortization of issuance costs of $1.1 million as a loss on redemption in other non-operating income (expense).

Interest expense

Interest expense was $4.0 million, $8.6 million and $9.4 million in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Interest expense decreased in fiscal 2013 due to the redemption of the Company’s 15% Series A Preferred Stock in fiscal 2012. The dividend rate of 15% on the Series A Preferred Stock was higher than the interest rates on the Company’s bank debt which are based on LIBOR or the bank’s prime rate plus a margin. Interest expense for fiscal 2012 decreased $0.7 million from the prior year primarily due to the redemptions of the Series A Preferred Stock in April 2012 ($16.5 million) and July 2012 ($23.5 million) which were funded by

 

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the Company’s revolving line of credit. The accretion of the discount on the Series A Preferred Stock and the amortization of issuance costs, which are included in interest expense, were $1.0 million and $1.2 million for the years ended August 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. See Notes 6 and 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Income taxes

The effective tax rate of 27% for fiscal 2013 differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to state income taxes and the tax effect of expiring and exercised stock options, offset by tax credits for research and development expenditures, net reductions in unrecognized tax benefits due to the lapsing of applicable statutes of limitation, and the partial reversal of the Company’s valuation allowance due to utilization of net operating loss and ethanol credit carryforwards. See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

At August 31, 2013, the Company had $6.5 million of net deferred tax assets. A valuation allowance has not been provided on the remaining net U.S. deferred tax assets as of August 31, 2013. 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. Over half of the net deferred tax assets relate to net operating loss carryforwards which expire in 2030. The Company believes that it is more likely than not that future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize its deferred tax assets. There can be no assurance that management’s current plans will be achieved or that an additional valuation allowance will not be required in the future.

In fiscal 2012, the Company recorded $4.8 million of tax expense on a pretax loss of $4.8 million. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2012 differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate due to $13.0 million of non-deductible expenses related to the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock ($5.4 million of dividends, $6.3 million of discount amortization and $1.3 million of amortization of issuance costs) and a $1.8 million valuation allowance. In fiscal 2012, the Company recorded a valuation allowance related to small ethanol producer tax credit carryforwards which expire in fiscal 2014. Tax laws require that any net operating loss carryforwards be utilized before the Company can utilize the small ethanol producer tax credit carryforwards. Due to the near-term expiration of the small ethanol producer tax credit carryforward period, the Company did not believe it had sufficient positive evidence to substantiate that the small ethanol tax credit carryforwards were realizable at a more-likely-than-not level of assurance and recorded a $1.8 million valuation allowance. The valuation allowance will be reversed in future periods if and when these tax credit carryforwards are utilized.

In fiscal 2011, the Company recorded $0.3 million of tax expense on a pretax loss of $4.8 million. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2011 varied from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to tax incentives for the production of ethanol of $1.0 million, offset by $7.7 million of dividends and discount accretion on the preferred stock which are recorded as interest expense for financial reporting purposes but are not deductible in the computation of taxable income.

Discontinued Operations

In fiscal 2010, the Company sold the operating assets of its Australia/New Zealand Operations. Australian administrative expenses of $0.1 million for each of the years ended August 31, 2013 and 2012 were included in income from continuing operations. The net assets of the discontinued Australia/New Zealand Operations were approximately $20,000 at August 31, 2013.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s primary sources of short- and long-term liquidity are cash flow from operations and its revolving line of credit, which expires on July 9, 2017. The Company expects to generate sufficient cash flow from operations and to have sufficient borrowing capacity and ability to fund its cash requirements during fiscal 2014.

 

     Year Ended August 31,  
     2013     2012     2011  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Net cash flow provided by operating activities

   $   24,649      $ 2,560      $ 3,528   

Net cash used in investing activities

     (12,062     (22,418     (8,253

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (12,520     19,731        4,691   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

   $ 67      $ (127   $ (34
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Activities

At August 31, 2013, Penford had working capital of $54.5 million, and $71.5 million outstanding under its $130 million revolving credit facility. Cash flow generated from operations of $24.6 million in fiscal year 2013 increased $22.1 million from the prior year. The increase was due to higher earnings, lower inventories, lower minimum pension contributions and decline in interest costs with the redemption of the Company’s preferred stock in fiscal 2012.

Cash flow generated from operations of $2.6 million in fiscal year 2012 decreased $1.0 million from fiscal year 2011, primarily due to the payment of interest upon the redemption of the Company’s preferred stock. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Investing Activities

Capital expenditures were $14.2 million, $14.1 million and $8.3 million in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Penford expects capital expenditures to be approximately $15-18 million in fiscal 2014. In fiscal 2013, the Company settled a claim against a contractor and its insurer that arose from engineering design work performed in connection with the construction of the Company’s ethanol plant. Approximately $2.1 million of the settlement was reflected as a reduction of the cost of the ethanol plant. See Note 21 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In fiscal 2012, the Company purchased the businesses of Carolina Starches for $8.5 million in cash. Cash acquired in the purchase transaction was $0.2 million. See Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Financing Activities

Preferred Stock

In fiscal 2010, the Company issued $40.0 million of mandatorily redeemable Series A 15% cumulative non-voting, non-convertible preferred stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) and 100,000 shares of Series B voting convertible preferred stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”) in a private placement to Zell Credit Opportunities Master Fund, L.P., an investment fund managed by Equity Group Investments, a private investment firm (the “Investor”). Proceeds from the preferred stock issuance of $40.0 million were used to repay bank debt in fiscal 2010.

During fiscal 2012, the Company redeemed all of its Series A Preferred Stock at the original issue price of $40.0 million plus accrued dividends of $8.9 million. As a result of the early redemption, the Company recorded accelerated discount accretion of $5.5 million and amortization of issuance costs of $1.1 million as a loss on the redemption in other non-operating income (expense). The redemptions were funded by available balances on the Company’s revolving line of credit.

 

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During fiscal 2012, the Investor converted its 100,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock into 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Bank Debt

In July 2012, in connection with the redemption of preferred stock discussed above, the Company refinanced its obligations then outstanding. The Company entered into a $130 million Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “2012 Agreement”) with Bank of Montreal; Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., “Rabobank Nederland” New York Branch; KeyBank National Association; JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.; First Midwest Bank; Private Bank and Trust Company; Greenstone Farm Credit Services, ACA/FLCA and Bank of America, N.A.

Under the 2012 Agreement, the Company may borrow $130 million in revolving lines of credit. The lenders’ revolving credit loan commitment may be increased under certain conditions. Under the 2012 Agreement, there are no scheduled principal payments prior to maturity on July 9, 2017.

At August 31, 2013, the Company had $71.5 million outstanding under the 2012 Agreement, which is subject to variable interest rates. 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 (as defined).

The 2012 Agreement provides that the Total Leverage Ratio, which is computed as funded debt divided by earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (as defined in the 2012 Agreement) shall not exceed 3.75 through November 30, 2012; 3.50 through November 30, 2013; 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. Fiscal 2014 annual capital expenditures will be restricted to $15 million if the Total Leverage Ratio is greater than 2.00 for the last two fiscal quarters. The Company’s obligations under the 2012 Agreement are secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets. The Company was in compliance with the covenants in the 2012 Agreement as of August 31, 2013.

Dividends

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. As of August 31, 2013, the Company was not permitted to pay dividends. See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Critical Accounting 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. 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.

Management has reviewed the accounting estimates and related disclosures with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. The estimates that management believes are the most important to the financial statements and that require the most difficult, subjective and complex judgments include the following:

 

    Evaluation of the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable

 

    Hedging activities

 

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    Benefit plans

 

    Long-lived assets

 

    Valuation of goodwill

 

    Self-insurance program

 

    Income taxes

 

    Stock-based compensation

A description of each of these follows:

Evaluation of the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable

Management makes judgments about the Company’s ability to collect outstanding receivables and provides allowances for the portion of receivables that the Company may not be able to collect. Penford estimates the allowance for uncollectible accounts based on historical experience, known troubled accounts, industry trends, economic conditions, how recently payments have been received, and ongoing credit evaluations of its customers. If the estimates do not reflect the Company’s future ability to collect outstanding invoices, Penford may experience losses in excess of the reserves established. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Hedging Activities

Penford uses derivative instruments, primarily exchange traded futures contracts, to reduce exposure to price fluctuations of commodities used in the manufacturing processes in the United States. The Company relies upon exchange settlement to address the default risk exposure. Penford has elected to designate these activities as hedges. For cash flow hedging activities, this election allows the Company to defer gains and losses on those derivative instruments until the underlying exposure affects earnings. For fair value hedging activities, the gain or loss on the derivative instruments offset gains or losses on the hedged item.

The requirements for the designation of hedges are very complex, and require judgments and analyses to qualify as hedges as defined by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. These judgments and analyses include an assessment that the derivative instruments used are effective hedges of the underlying risks. If the Company were to fail to meet the requirements to qualify for derivative accounting, or if these derivative instruments are not designated as hedges, the Company would be required to mark these contracts to fair value at each reporting date through current earnings. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Benefit Plans

Penford has defined benefit plans for some employees, providing retirement benefits and coverage for retiree health care. Qualified third-party actuaries assist management in determining the recorded liabilities, expense and funded status of these employee benefit plans. Management makes several estimates and assumptions in order to measure the expense and funded status, including interest rates used to discount certain liabilities, rates of return on plan assets, rates of compensation increases, employee turnover rates, anticipated mortality rates, and increases in the cost of medical care. The Company makes judgments about these assumptions based on historical investment results and experience as well as available historical market data and trends. However, if these assumptions are wrong, it could materially affect the amounts reported in the Company’s future results of operations. Disclosure about these estimates and assumptions are included in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. See “Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans” below.

Long-lived Assets

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying values may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized when estimated undiscounted future cash flows from the operation and disposition of the asset group are less than the carrying amount of the

 

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asset group. Asset groups have identifiable cash flows independent of other asset groups. Measurement of an impairment loss would be based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset group over its fair value. Fair value is measured using an income approach (discounted cash flows) or a market-based approach. Estimating future cash flows requires significant judgment by management in such areas as future economic and industry-specific conditions, product pricing and sales volume and capital expenditures. There can be no assurance that management’s current projections of cash flows will be achieved or that an impairment charge will not be required in the future. An impairment charge could be material to the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

Valuation of Goodwill

Penford is required to assess, on an annual basis, whether the value of goodwill reported on the balance sheet has been impaired, or more often if conditions exist that indicate that there might be impairment. These assessments require extensive and subjective judgments to assess the fair value of goodwill. While the Company engages qualified valuation experts to assist in this process, their work is based on the Company’s estimates of future operating results and allocation of goodwill to the business units. If future operating results differ materially from the estimates, the value of goodwill could be adversely impacted.

Self-Insurance Program

The Company maintains a self-insurance program covering portions of workers’ compensation and group health liability costs. The amounts in excess of the self-insured levels are fully insured by third-party insurers. Liabilities associated with these risks are estimated in part by considering historical claims experience, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. Projections of future losses are inherently uncertain because of the random nature of insurance claims occurrences and changes that could occur in actuarial assumptions. The financial results of the Company could be significantly affected if future claims and assumptions differ from those used in determining these liabilities.

Income Taxes

The determination of the Company’s provision for income taxes requires significant judgment, the use of estimates and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. The Company’s provision for income taxes reflects a combination of income earned and taxed in the various U.S. federal and state taxing jurisdictions. Jurisdictional tax law changes, increases or decreases in permanent differences between book and tax items, accruals or adjustments of accruals for tax contingencies or valuation allowances, and the Company’s change in the mix of earnings from these taxing jurisdictions all affect the overall effective tax rate.

The determination of the need for a valuation allowance on the Company’s net deferred tax assets requires significant judgment and estimates regarding future taxable income, the timing of the tax consequences of temporary differences between book and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and feasible tax planning strategies. The Company evaluates the requirement for a valuation allowance each quarter. At August 31, 2013, the Company maintained a $1.7 million valuation allowance against ethanol tax credit carryforwards. There can be no assurance that management’s current plans will be achieved or that an additional valuation allowance will not be required in the future.

A tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized when it is “more likely than not” that the tax return position will be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. The liability for unrecognized tax benefits contains uncertainties because the Company is required to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate the exposures associated with the various tax filing positions. Management believes that the judgments and estimates it uses in evaluating its tax filing positions are reasonable; however, actual results could differ, and the Company may be exposed to significant gains and losses and the Company’s effective tax rate in a given financial statement period could be materially affected. See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Stock-Based Compensation

The Company provides compensation in the form of stock options or restricted shares of common stock to employees and non-employee directors under its 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period of the award. Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the fair value of the share-based awards at the date of grant requires judgment, including estimating stock price volatility, forfeiture rates, the risk-free interest rate, dividends and expected option life. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

If circumstances change, and the Company uses different assumptions for volatility, interest, dividends and option life in estimating the fair value of stock-based awards granted in future periods, stock-based compensation expense may differ significantly from the expense recorded in the current period. Forfeitures are estimated at the date of grant and revised in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimated. Therefore, if actual forfeiture rates differ significantly from those estimated, the Company’s results of operations could be materially impacted.

Contractual Obligations

As more fully described in Notes 7 and 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company is a party to various debt and lease agreements at August 31, 2013 that contractually commit the Company to pay certain amounts in the future. The purchase obligations at August 31, 2013 represent an estimate of all open purchase orders and contractual obligations through the Company’s normal course of business for commitments to purchase goods and services for production and inventory needs, such as raw materials, supplies, manufacturing arrangements, capital expenditures and maintenance. The majority of terms allow the Company or suppliers the option to cancel or adjust the requirements based on business needs.

The following table summarizes such contractual commitments at August 31, 2013 (in thousands):

 

     2014      2015-2016      2017-2018      2019 & After      Total  

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations

   $ 231       $ 1,160       $ 71,579       $ —         $ 72,970   

Postretirement medical (1)

     900         2,010         2,374         7,719         13,003   

Defined benefit pensions (2)

     2,497         —           —           —           2,497   

Operating lease obligations

     2,836         2,643         489         —           5,968   

Purchase obligations

     50,991         22,060         128         —           73,179   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $   57,455       $   27,873       $   74,570       $   7,719       $   167,617   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(1) Estimated contributions to the unfunded postretirement medical plan made in amounts needed to fund benefit payments for participants through fiscal 2023 based on actuarial assumptions.

(2) Estimated contributions to the defined benefit pension plans for fiscal year 2014. The actual amounts funded in 2014 may differ from the amounts listed above. Contributions in fiscal years 2015 through 2019 and beyond are excluded as those amounts are unknown.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial conditions, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans

Penford maintains defined benefit pension plans and defined benefit postretirement health care plans in the United States.

 

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The most significant assumptions used to determine benefit expense and benefit obligations are the discount rate and the expected return on assets assumption. See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the assumptions used by Penford.

The discount rate used by the Company in determining benefit expense and benefit obligations reflects the yield of high quality (AA or better rating by a recognized rating agency) corporate bonds whose cash flows are expected to match the timing and amounts of projected future benefit payments. Benefit obligations and expense increase as the discount rate is reduced. The discount rates to determine net periodic expense used in 2011 (5.64%), 2012 (5.87%) and 2013 (4.28%) reflect the changes in bond yields over the past several years. Lowering the discount rate by 25 basis points would increase pension expense by approximately $0.2 million and other postretirement benefit expense would change by an insignificant amount. During fiscal 2013, bond yields rose and Penford increased the discount rate for calculating its benefit obligations at August 31, 2013 as well as net periodic expense for fiscal 2014, to 5.24%.

The expected long-term return on assets assumption for the pension plans represents the weighted average rate of return to be earned on plan assets over the period the benefits included in the benefit obligation are to be paid. Pension expense increases as the expected return on plan assets decreases. In developing the expected rate of return, the Company considers long-term historical market rates of return as well as actual returns on the Company’s plan assets, and adjusts this information to reflect expected capital market trends. Penford also considers forward looking return expectations by asset class, the contribution of active management and management fees paid by the plans. The plan assets are held in qualified trusts and anticipated rates of return are not reduced for income taxes. The expected long-term return on assets assumption used to calculate net periodic pension expense was 7.0% for fiscal 2013. A 50 basis point decrease (increase) in the expected return on assets assumptions would increase (decrease) pension expense by approximately $0.2 million based on plan assets at August 31, 2013. The expected return on plan assets used in calculating fiscal 2014 pension expense is 7.0%.

Unrecognized net loss amounts reflect the difference between expected and actual returns on pension plan assets as well as the effects of changes in actuarial assumptions. Unrecognized net losses in excess of certain thresholds are amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit expense over the average remaining service life of active employees. As of August 31, 2013, unrecognized losses (gains) from all sources were $10.1 million for the pension plans and $(0.3) million for the postretirement health care plan. Amortization of unrecognized net loss amounts is expected to increase net pension expense by approximately $0.5 million in fiscal 2014. Amortization of unrecognized net losses is expected to increase net postretirement health care expense by less than $0.1 million in fiscal 2014.

Penford recognized pension expense of $3.9 million, $2.3 million and $3.7 million in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Penford expects pension expense to be approximately $2.2 million in fiscal 2014. The Company contributed $1.1 million, $4.1 million and $6.4 million to the pension plans in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Penford estimates that it will be required to make minimum contributions to the pension plans of $2.5 million during fiscal 2014.

The Company recognized benefit expense for its postretirement health care plan of $1.2 million, $1.0 million and $1.2 million in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Penford expects to recognize approximately $0.9 million in postretirement health care benefit expense in fiscal 2014. The Company contributed $0.6 million, $0.5 million and $0.5 million in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 to the postretirement health care plans and estimates that it will contribute $0.8 million in fiscal 2014.

Future changes in plan asset returns, assumed discount rates and various assumptions related to the participants in the defined benefit plans will affect future benefit expense and liabilities. The Company cannot predict what these changes will be.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2013, the 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,

 

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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, which is effective prospectively for annual reporting periods’ beginning after December 15, 2012, does not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income. The Company is evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its disclosures.

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 disclosure requirements are effective for annual reporting periods, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning on or after January 1, 2013 (fiscal 2014 for Penford). The Company is evaluating the impact this update will have on its disclosures.

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. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013 (fiscal 2015 for Penford). The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Forward-looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Annual Report”), including, but not limited, to statements found in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and in Item 1 — Business and Item 7 — 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. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements:

 

    competition;

 

    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;

 

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    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;

 

    other factors described in Part I, Item  1A “Risk Factors.”

Item 7A:  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Market Risk Sensitive Instruments and Positions

Penford is exposed to market risks that are inherent in the financial instruments that are used in the normal course of business. Penford may use various hedge instruments to manage or reduce market risk, but the Company does not use derivative financial instrument transactions for speculative purposes. The primary market risks are discussed below.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates to its variable-rate borrowings. As of August 31, 2013, all of the Company’s outstanding bank debt is subject to variable interest rates, which are generally set for one or three months. The market risk associated with a 100 basis point adverse change in interest rates at August 31, 2013 is approximately $0.7 million.

Commodity Risk

The availability and price of corn, Penford’s most significant raw material, is subject to fluctuations due to unpredictable factors such as weather, plantings, domestic and foreign governmental farm programs and policies, changes in global demand and the worldwide production of corn. To reduce the price risk caused by market fluctuations, Penford generally follows a policy of using exchange-traded futures to hedge exposure to corn price fluctuations in North America. These futures contracts are designated as hedges. A majority of the Company’s sales contracts for corn-based industrial starch ingredients contain a pricing methodology which allows the Company to pass-through the majority of the changes in the commodity price of net corn.

Penford’s net corn position in the U.S. consists primarily of inventories, purchase contracts and exchange-traded futures contracts that hedge Penford’s exposure to commodity price fluctuations. The fair value of the position is based on quoted market prices. The Company has estimated its market risk as the potential loss in fair value resulting from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in prices. As of August 31, 2013 and 2012, the fair value of the Company’s net corn position was approximately $2.4 million and $3.3 million, respectively. The market risk associated with a 10% adverse change in corn prices at August 31, 2013 and 2012 was approximately $240,000 and $335,000, respectively.

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. These futures contracts have been designated as hedges.

Penford’s exchange traded futures contracts hedge the forecasted sales of ethanol. The fair value of these contracts is based on quoted market prices. The Company has estimated its market risk as the potential loss in fair value resulting from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in prices. As of August 31, 2013 and 2012, the fair value of the ethanol exchange traded futures contracts was a gain (loss) of $1.0 million and $(0.7) million, respectively. The market risk associated with a 10% change in ethanol prices was estimated at $100,000 and $70,000 at August 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

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Item 8:  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

Consolidated Balance Sheets

     32   

Consolidated Statements of Operations

     33   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

     33   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

     34   

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

     36   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     37   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     66   

 

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PENFORD CORPORATION

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

     August 31,  
     2013     2012  
(In thousands, except per share data)       

Assets

  

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 221      $ 154   

Trade accounts receivable, net

     43,432        36,464   

Inventories

     33,992        43,672   

Prepaid expenses

     3,100        2,826   

Material and supplies

     4,634        3,980   

Income tax receivable

     188        188   

Other

     4,547        4,681   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     90,114        91,965   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     112,141        113,191   

Restricted cash value of life insurance

     7,837        7,858   

Deferred tax assets

     4,987        13,108   

Other assets

     1,248        1,612   

Other intangible assets, net

     313        467   

Goodwill, net

     7,978        7,978   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $     224,618      $     236,179   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

  

Current liabilities:

    

Cash overdraft, net

   $ 5,072      $ 7,337   

Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations

     231        458   

Accounts payable

     20,656        19,201   

Short-term financing arrangements

     1,474        905   

Accrued liabilities

     8,207        8,237   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     35,640        36,138   

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations

     72,739        84,004   

Other postretirement benefits

     16,596        19,707   

Pension benefit liability

     10,552        20,917   

Other liabilities

     6,198        6,563   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     141,725        167,329   

Commitments and contingencies

    

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Common stock, par value $1.00 per share, authorized 29,000 shares, issued 14,479 shares in 2013 and 14,342 shares in 2012, including treasury shares

     14,454        14,281   

Additional paid-in capital

     105,166        103,205   

Retained earnings (deficit)

     3,649        (286

Treasury stock, at cost, 1,981 shares

     (32,757     (32,757

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (7,619     (15,593
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     82,893        68,850   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 224,618      $ 236,179   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

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PENFORD CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

     Year Ended August 31,  
     2013     2012     2011  
    

(Dollars in thousands, except

share and per share data)

 

Sales

   $ 467,250      $ 433,151      $ 373,763   

Cost of sales

     422,203        389,241        339,928   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross margin

     45,047        43,910        33,835   

Operating expenses

     29,773        28,013        24,618   

Research and development expenses

     5,870        5,838        4,772   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     9,404        10,059        4,445   

Interest expense

     (3,989     (8,633     (9,364

Other non-operating income (expense), net

     75        (6,186     115   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     5,490        (4,760     (4,804

Income tax expense (benefit)

     1,483        4,806        313   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 4,007      $ (9,566   $ (5,117
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares and equivalents outstanding:

      

Basic

     12,369,487        12,293,749        12,250,914   

Diluted

      12,618,158         12,293,749         12,250,914   

Earnings (loss) per common share:

      

Basic

   $ 0.32      $ (0.78   $ (0.42

Diluted

   $ 0.32      $ (0.78   $ (0.42

Dividends declared per common share

   $ -      $ -      $ -   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

PENFORD CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

     Year Ended August 31,  
     2013     2012     2011  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Net income (loss)

   $ 4,007      $ (9,566   $ (5,117
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

      

Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax benefit (expense) of $(457), $(1,419) and $3,690

     747        2,315        (6,018

Loss (gain) from derivative transactions reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income, net of tax benefit (expense) of $(1,987), $(863) and $4,494

     (3,241     (1,408     7,331   

Actuarial gain (loss) on postretirement liabilities, net of tax benefit (expense) of $(5,547), $5,722 and $(2,450)

     9,049        (9,336     3,997   

Loss from postretirement liabilities reclassified to earnings, net of tax benefit of $869, $242 and $601

     1,419        395        981   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     7,974        (8,034     6,291   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

   $     11,981      $     (17,600   $     1,174   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

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PENFORD CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

     Year Ended August 31,  
     2013     2012     2011  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Operating activities:

      

Net income (loss)

   $ 4,007      $ (9,566   $ (5,117

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operations:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     13,326          14,127          14,415   

Loss on redemption of Series A Preferred Stock

            6,599          

Non-cash interest on Series A Preferred Stock

                   3,859   

Stock-based compensation

     1,404        1,387        1,117   

Loss on sale and disposal of assets

     22        26        6   

Deferred income tax expense

     1,825        4,965        142   

Non-cash loss (gain) on hedging transactions

     3,543        (176     (1,620

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     (16              

Other

            20          

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Trade accounts receivable

     (7,063     (4,450     (2,769

Inventories

     6,137        (6,460     (11,264

Decrease (increase) in margin accounts

     (5,088     2,285        1,975   

Prepaid expenses

     (274     (536     (754

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     1,808        2,105        2,250   

Pension and other postretirement benefit contributions

     (1,687     (4,574     (6,913

Pension and other postretirement benefit plan costs

     5,107        3,386        4,905   

Other receivables

     2,554        (744     (490

Income tax receivable

            (96     3,557   

Payment of interest on Series A Preferred Stock, net

            (5,311       

Other

     (956     (427     229   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flow provided by operating activities

       24,649        2,560        3,528   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investing activities:

      

Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment, net

     (14,199     (14,146     (8,295

Acquisition of Carolina Starches, net of cash acquired

            (8,347       

Settlement of ethanol construction claim (Note 21)

     2,106                 

Other

     31        75        42   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (12,062     (22,418     (8,253
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financing activities:

      

Proceeds from revolving line of credit

     22,200        88,706        38,550   

Payments on revolving line of credit

     (33,300     (28,200     (35,350

Payments on long-term debt

     (200     (200     (200

Redemption of Series A preferred stock

            (40,000       

Payments on capital lease obligations

     (280     (249     (253

Payment of loan fees

            (973       

Proceeds from financing arrangements

     2,019        2,255        1,711   

Payments on financing arrangements

     (1,438     (2,050     (2,324

Exercise of stock options

     730                 

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     16                 

Increase (decrease) in cash overdraft

     (2,265     434        2,518   

Other

     (2     8        39   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (12,520     19,731        4,691   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     67        (127     (34

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

     154        281        315   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

   $ 221      $ 154      $ 281   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

        

Cash paid during the year for:

        

Interest

   $     3,623       $     12,481       $      3,815   

Income taxes paid (refunded), net

   $ 125       $ 260       $ (3,373

Noncash investing and financing activities:

        

Capital lease obligations incurred for certain equipment leases

   $ 88       $ 152       $ 10   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

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PENFORD CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

 

     Year Ended August 31,  
     2013     2012     2011  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Common stock

    

Balance, beginning of year

   $ 14,281      $ 13,243      $ 13,190   

Series B preferred stock converted to common shares

            1,000          

Exercise of stock options

     121                 

Issuance of restricted stock, net

     52        38        53   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

     14,454        14,281        13,243   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Preferred stock

    

Balance, beginning of year

            100        100   

Series B preferred stock converted to common shares

            (100       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

                   100   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

    

Balance, beginning of year

     103,205        103,070        102,303   

Tax deficiency on stock option and awards

            (314     (297

Stock based compensation

     1,404        1,387        1,117   

Exercise of stock options

     609                 

Issuance of restricted stock, net

     (52     (38     (53

Series B preferred stock converted to common shares

            (900       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

     105,166        103,205        103,070   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Retained earnings (deficit)

    

Balance, beginning of year

     (286     9,368        14,586   

Net income (loss)

     4,007        (9,566     (5,117

Other

     (72     (88     (101
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

     3,649        (286     9,368   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Treasury stock

     (32,757     (32,757     (32,757
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

    

Balance, beginning of year

     (15,593     (7,559     (13,850

Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax

     747        2,315        (6,018

Loss (gain) from derivative transactions reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income, net of tax

     (3,241     (1,408     7,331   

Net (increase) decrease in postretirement liabilities, net of tax

     10,468        (8,941     4,978   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

     (7,619     (15,593     (7,559
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

   $ 82,893      $ 68,850      $ 85,465   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 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 Food Ingredients segment produces specialty starches for food applications. 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.

In January 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of the businesses operated by Carolina Starches, LLC and related entities (“Carolina Starches”) for $8.5 million in cash. Carolina Starches manufactures and markets cationic starches produced from potato, corn and tapioca. The acquisition of these businesses provides an important source of raw material to support continued growth in the Food Ingredients business and broadens the Company’s portfolio of specialty modified industrial starches. See Note 18.

Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Penford and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years’ financial statements in order to conform to the current year presentation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities 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 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.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and temporary investments with maturities of less than three months when purchased. Amounts are reported in the balance sheets at cost, which approximates fair value.

 

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Cash Overdrafts

Cash overdrafts represent the amount by which outstanding checks issued, but not yet presented to banks for disbursement, exceed balances on deposit in the applicable bank accounts. The changes in cash overdrafts are included as a component of cash flows from financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company records accounts receivable at net realizable value, which includes an allowance for doubtful accounts to reflect any loss anticipated on the accounts receivable balances. The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects the Company’s best estimate of probable losses in the accounts receivable balances. Penford estimates the allowance for uncollectible accounts based on historical experience, known troubled accounts, industry trends, economic conditions, how recently payments have been received, and ongoing credit evaluations of its customers. Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

    

Balance
Beginning of
Year

    

Charged to
Costs and
Expenses

   

Deductions
and Other

    Balance
End of Year
 

Year ended August 31:

         

2013

   $ 78       $ 241      $ (39   $ 280   

2012

   $     1,305       $ (42   $     (1,185   $ 78   

2011

   $ 350       $     958      $ (3   $     1,305   

Approximately 38%, 36% and 34% of the Company’s sales in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, were made to customers who operate in the paper industry. This industry suffered an economic downturn, which has resulted in the closure of a number of mills. In fiscal 2011, the increase in the allowance for uncollectible accounts was related to two paper industry customers. These receivables were written off in fiscal 2012.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Costs are determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. Capitalized costs include materials, labor and manufacturing overhead related to the purchase and production of inventories.

Property, Plant and Equipment

The Company’s property consists primarily of plants and equipment used for manufacturing activities. Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. The Company uses the straight-line method to compute depreciation expense over the estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets. Equipment and vehicles generally have average useful lives ranging from three to twelve years and real estate between twelve to forty-six years. Depreciation, which includes depreciation of assets under capital leases, of $12.8 million, $12.7 million and $12.8 million was recorded in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. For income tax purposes, the Company generally uses accelerated depreciation methods.

Interest is capitalized on major construction projects while in progress. During fiscal years 2013 and 2012, the Company capitalized $107,000 and $48,000, respectively, in interest costs. No interest was capitalized in fiscal 2011.

The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Impairment is recognized when estimated expected undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the assets. To the extent that impairment has occurred, the excess of the carrying amount of long-lived assets over its estimated fair value would be recognized as an impairment loss charged to earnings.

 

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets acquired. The Company evaluates its goodwill for impairment annually as of June 1 and whenever events or circumstances make it more likely than not that impairment may have occurred. To determine whether goodwill is impaired, Penford compares the fair value of each reporting unit to that reporting unit’s carrying amount. If the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount goodwill is not considered impaired. If the fair value of the reporting unit is lower than its carrying amount, Penford then compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill, and, if the carrying value is higher than the fair value, an impairment charge would be recorded. The implied fair value of a reporting unit is determined using a discounted cash flow method considering the Company’s market capitalization.

Definite-lived intangible assets, primarily patents, are amortized using the straight-line method over their expected economic useful lives. At August 31, 2013, the weighted average remaining amortization period for patents is five years. Penford has no intangible assets with indefinite lives.

Accrued Liabilities

Components of accrued liabilities are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

    

August 31,

 
    

2013

    

2012

 

Employee-related costs

   $ 3,931       $ 4,837   

Other

     4,276         3,400   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accrued liabilities

   $     8,207       $     8,237   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from sales of products and shipping and handling revenue are recognized at the time goods are shipped and title transfers to the customer. This transfer is considered complete when a sales agreement is in place, delivery has occurred, pricing is fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured. Proceeds from the sale of by-products from the Company’s corn wet milling operations are classified as sales in the Statements of Operations. Costs associated with shipping and handling are included in cost of sales.

Significant Customer and Export Sales

The Company has several relatively large customers in each business segment. The Company’s sales of ethanol to its sole ethanol customer, Eco-Energy, Inc., represented approximately 21%, 24% and 28% of the Company’s net sales for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Eco-Energy, Inc. is a marketer and distributor of biofuels in the United States and Canada, is a customer of the Company’s Industrial Ingredients business. Export sales accounted for approximately 8.0%, 7.6% and 7.2% of consolidated sales in fiscal years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Derivatives

Penford uses derivative instruments to manage the exposures associated with commodity prices, interest rates and energy costs. The derivative instruments are reported at fair value in other current assets or current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company offsets the fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral arising from derivative instruments recognized at fair value executed with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement.

 

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For derivative instruments designated and qualifying 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 or inventory are recognized in current earnings as a component of cost of goods sold. For derivative instruments designated and qualifying 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 goods sold in the period when the finished goods produced from the hedged item are sold or, for interest rate swaps, as a component of interest expense in the period the forecasted transaction is reported in earnings. If it is determined that the derivative instruments used are no longer effective at offsetting changes in cash flows or fair value of the hedged item, then the changes in fair value would be recognized in current earnings as a component of cost of good sold or interest expense.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred, except for costs of patents, which are capitalized and amortized over the lives of the patents. The Company’s research and development expenditures primarily consists of internal salaries, wages, consulting and supplies attributable to time spent on research and development activities. Other costs include depreciation and maintenance of research and development facilities and equipment, including assets at manufacturing locations that are engaged in pilot plant activities. Research and development costs expensed were $5.9 million, $5.8 million and $4.8 million in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has a long-term incentive plan that provides for stock-based compensation, including the granting of stock options and shares of restricted stock to employees and directors. The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options on the date of grant. This model derives the fair value of stock options based on certain assumptions related to expected stock price volatility, expected option life, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. The grant date fair value of restricted stock awards is equal to the market price of the Company’s common stock at the grant date.

The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense utilizing the accelerated multiple options approach over the requisite service period, which equals the vesting period. See Note 11 for further detail.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes includes federal and state taxes currently payable and deferred income taxes arising from temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured pursuant to tax laws using the rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The impact on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the date of enactment.

A valuation allowance is provided to the extent that it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be realized. Tax benefits from uncertain tax positions are recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalty expense associated with uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense.

The Company has not provided deferred taxes related to its investment in foreign subsidiaries, which are classified as discontinued operations, as it does not expect future distributions from the subsidiaries or repayments of permanent advances.

 

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Foreign Currency

Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries whose functional currency is deemed to be other than the U.S. dollar are translated at year end rates of exchange. Resulting translation adjustments are accumulated in the currency translation adjustments component of other comprehensive income. Statement of operations amounts are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the year. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 were not significant.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions of businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and the financial statements include the results of the acquired operations from the date of acquisition. The purchase price of the acquired entity is allocated to the net assets acquired and net liabilities assumed based on the estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. The excess of cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired is recognized as goodwill.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance requiring entities to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The amendment did not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income under current accounting standards. The guidance was effective for the Company’s fiscal year and interim periods beginning September 1, 2012. The Company adopted this amended guidance in fiscal 2013 and presented the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) immediately following the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

In February 2013, the 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, which is effective prospectively for annual reporting periods’ beginning after December 15, 2012, does not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income. The Company is evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its disclosures.

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 disclosure requirements are effective for annual reporting periods, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning on or after January 1, 2013 (fiscal 2014 for Penford). The Company is evaluating the impact this update will have on its disclosures.

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. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013 (fiscal 2015 for Penford). The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

 

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Note 3 — Inventories

Components of inventory are as follows:

 

     August 31,  
     2013      2012  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Raw materials

   $ 10,381       $ 19,773   

Work in progress

     1,913         1,542   

Finished goods

     21,698         22,357   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total inventories

   $   33,992       $   43,672   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

To reduce the price volatility of corn used in fulfilling some of its starch sales contracts, Penford, from time to time, uses readily marketable exchange-traded futures as well as forward cash corn purchases. The exchange-traded futures are not purchased or sold for trading or speculative purposes and are designated as hedges. See Note 14. General and administrative expenses are not capitalized as a component of inventory.

Note 4 – Property and equipment

Components of property and equipment are as follows:

 

     August 31,  
     2013     2012  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Land and land improvements

   $ 11,881      $ 11,623   

Plant and equipment

       359,909          346,087   

Construction in progress

     5,255        7,679   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     377,045        365,389   

Accumulated depreciation

     (264,904     (252,198
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net property and equipment

   $ 112,141      $ 113,191   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The above table includes approximately $0.8 million and $1.0 million of net property and equipment under capital leases for fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively. At August 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had approximately $0.7 million and $1.1 million, respectively, of payables related to property, plant and equipment.

Note 5 – Goodwill and other intangible assets

The Company’s goodwill of $8.0 million at August 31, 2013 and 2012 relates to the Company’s Food Ingredients reporting unit. There were no additions to goodwill during fiscal 2013. See Note 18 for goodwill added in fiscal 2012 as a result of the acquisition of Carolina Starches. The Company completed its evaluation of the carrying value of goodwill as of June 1, 2013 and determined there was no impairment to the recorded value of goodwill. In order to identify potential impairments, Penford compared the fair value of its Food Ingredients reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. Penford then compared the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of the reporting unit was determined using the discounted cash flow method, the implied market capitalization method and the guideline company method. The implied fair value of the reporting unit was computed using unobservable inputs and the fair value measurements are categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Since there was no indication of impairment, Penford was not required to complete the second step of the process which would measure the amount of any impairment. At June 1, 2013, the fair value of the Food Ingredients reporting unit was substantially in excess of its carrying value, and there are no changes in that conclusion as of August 31, 2013.

 

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Penford’s intangible assets consist of patents, customer lists and non-compete agreements. Patents are being amortized over the weighted average remaining amortization period of four years as of August 31, 2013. There is no residual value associated with patents. The fair value of customer lists and non-compete agreements from the acquisition of Carolina Starches are being amortized over their estimated useful lives. Customer lists are amortized on a straight-line basis over two years and the non-compete agreements are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the five-year term of the agreements. The carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     August 31, 2013      August 31, 2012  
     Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
 

Intangible assets:

           

Patents

   $ 1,748       $ 1,538       $ 1,748       $ 1,500   

Customer lists

     190         154         190         59   

Non-compete agreements

     100         33         100         12   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other intangible assets

   $     2,038       $     1,725       $     2,038       $     1,571   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amortization expense related to intangible assets was $0.1 million in each of the fiscal years 2013 and 2012 and less than $0.1 million in fiscal 2011. The estimated aggregate annual amortization expense for patents is not significant for the next five fiscal years, 2014 through 2018.

Note 6 — Preferred Stock Subject to Mandatory Redemption

On April 7, 2010, the Company issued $40 million of Series A 15% cumulative non-voting, non-convertible preferred stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) and 100,000 shares of Series B voting convertible preferred stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”) in a private placement to Zell Credit Opportunities Master Fund, L.P., an investment fund managed by Equity Group Investments, a private investment firm (the “Investor”). The Company has 1,000,000 shares of authorized preferred stock, $1.00 par value, of which no shares are issued and outstanding as of August 31, 2013.

The Company recorded the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock at their relative fair values at the time of issuance. The Series A Preferred Stock of $32.3 million was recorded as a long-term liability due to its mandatory redemption feature and the Series B Preferred Stock of $7.7 million was recorded as equity. The discount on the Series A Preferred Stock was amortized into income using the effective interest method over the contractual life of seven years. The holders of the Series A Preferred Stock were entitled to cash dividends of 6% on the sum of the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock plus accrued and unpaid dividends. In addition, dividends equal to 9% of the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock were accrued. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock and the discount accretion were recorded as interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

In fiscal 2012, the Company redeemed $48.9 million of its Series A Preferred Stock. The Company redeemed 100,000 shares at the original issue price of $40.0 million plus accrued dividends of $8.9 million. As a result of the early redemption, the Company recorded accelerated discount accretion of $5.5 million and amortization of issuance costs of $1.1 million as a loss on redemption in other non-operating income (expense). In addition, in fiscal 2012, the Investor converted its 100,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock into 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

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Note 7 — Debt

 

     August 31,  
     2013      2012  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Secured credit agreements — revolving loans, 3.18% weighted average interest rate at August 31, 2013

   $ 71,506       $ 82,606   

Iowa Department of Economic Development loans

     1,233         1,433   

Capital lease obligations

     231         423   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     72,970         84,462   

Less: current portion and short-term borrowings

     231         458   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations

   $     72,739       $     84,004   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

In July 2012, in connection with the redemption of preferred stock discussed above, the Company refinanced its obligations then outstanding. The Company entered into a $130 million Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “2012 Agreement”) with Bank of Montreal; Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., “Rabobank Nederland” New York Branch; KeyBank National Association; JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.; First Midwest Bank; Private Bank and Trust Company; Greenstone Farm Credit Services, ACA/FLCA and Bank of America, N.A. Under the 2012 Agreement, the Company may borrow $130 million in revolving lines of credit. The lenders’ revolving credit loan commitment may be increased under certain conditions. Under the 2012 Agreement, there are no scheduled principal payments prior to maturity on July 9, 2017.

On August 31, 2013, the Company had $71.5 million outstanding under the 2012 Agreement, which is subject to variable interest rates. Interest rates under the 2012 Agreement are based on either the London Interbank Offered Rates (“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 (as defined).

The 2012 Agreement provides that the Total Leverage Ratio, which is computed as funded debt divided by earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (as defined in the 2012 Agreement) shall not exceed 3.50 through November 30, 2013; 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. Fiscal 2014 annual capital expenditures will be restricted to $15 million if the Total Leverage Ratio is greater than 2.00 for the last two fiscal quarters. The Company’s obligations under the 2012 Agreement are secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets. The Company was in compliance with the covenants in the 2012 Agreement as of August 31, 2013.

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. As of August 31, 2013, the Company was not permitted to pay dividends.

In fiscal 2010, the Iowa Department of Economic Development (“IDED”) awarded financial assistance to the Company as a result of the temporary shutdown of the Cedar Rapids, Iowa plant in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 due to record flooding of the Cedar River. 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 August 31, 2013, the Company had $1.2 million outstanding related to the IDED loans.

 

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The maturities of debt existing at August 31, 2013 for the fiscal years beginning with fiscal 2014 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

2014

   $ 231   

2015

     1,103   

2016

     57   

2017

     71,554   

2018

     25   
  

 

 

 
   $   72,970   
  

 

 

 

Included in the Company’s long-term debt at August 31, 2013 is $0.2 million of capital lease obligations, of which less than $0.1 million is considered current portion of long-term debt. See Note 10.

Note 8 — Stockholders’ Equity

Common Stock

 

    

Year Ended August 31,

 
     2013      2012      2011  

Common shares outstanding

        

Balance, beginning of year

     14,280,718         13,243,385         13,189,581   

Series B preferred stock converted to common shares

     -           1,000,000         -     

Exercise of stock options

     121,226         -           -     

Issuance of restricted stock, net

     52,237         37,333         53,804   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

     14,454,181         14,280,718         13,243,385   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Preferred Stock, Series B

In fiscal 2012, the Investor converted its 100,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock into 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.

Note 9 — Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss and other comprehensive income (loss) are summarized below. The components of other comprehensive income (loss) and the income tax expense (benefit) allocated to each component of other comprehensive income (loss), including reclassification adjustments, are presented in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

 

(In thousands)    Net Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Cash Flow
Hedging
  Instruments  
    Gains (Losses)
on
Postretirement
    Obligations    
      Accumulated  
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 

Balance at August 31, 2010

   $ (582   $ (13,268   $ (13,850

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes

     1,313        4,978        6,291   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at August 31, 2011

     731        (8,290     (7,559

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes

     907        (8,941     (8,034
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at August 31, 2012

         1,638        (17,231     (15,593

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes

     (2,494         10,468              7,974   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at August 31, 2013

   $ (856   $ (6,763   $ (7,619
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Note 10 — Leases

Certain of the Company’s property, plant and equipment is leased under operating leases. Equipment and vehicle leases generally have lease terms ranging from one to fifteen years with renewal options and real estate leases range between five and twenty years with renewal options. In fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, rental expense under operating leases was $6.3 million, $6.0 million and $5.4 million, respectively. Future minimum lease payments for fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 2014 for noncancelable operating leases and capital leases having initial lease terms of more than one year are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Capital
Leases
    Operating Leases
Minimum Lease
Payments
 
  

 

 

 

2014

   $ 70      $ 2,836   

2015

     69        1,701   

2016

     67        942   

2017

     52        448   

2018

     17        41   

Thereafter

     9        -   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total minimum lease payments

     284      $         5,968   
    

 

 

 

Less: amounts representing interest

     (53  
  

 

 

   

Net minimum lease payments

   $         231     
  

 

 

   

Note 11 — Stock-based Compensation Plans

Penford maintains the 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2006 Incentive Plan”) pursuant to which various stock-based awards may be granted to employees, directors and consultants. At the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company held on January 26, 2012, the Company’s shareholders approved the amended Penford Corporation 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan and the number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for issuance under the 2006 Incentive Plan was increased by 800,000 shares. As of August 31, 2013, the aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock that were available to be issued as awards under the 2006 Incentive Plan is 388,882. In addition, any shares previously granted under the 1994 Stock Option Plan which 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 stock options expire seven years from the date of grant. In addition, the Company may from time to time award compensatory stock-based awards outside of the 2006 Incentive Plan to newly hired employees.

General Option Information

A summary of the stock option activity for the year ended August 31, 2013 is as follows:

 

    

Number
of

Shares

   

Option Price
Range

    

Weighted
Average

Exercise
Price

    

Weighted
Average

Remaining
Term (in
years)

     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
  

 

 

 

Outstanding Balance, August 31, 2012

     1,824,916      $   4.66 — 21.73       $ 10.94         

Granted

     120,000        7.60 — 11.09         8.49         

Exercised

     (222,864     5.29 — 12.79         10.31         

Cancelled

     (204,464     9.87 — 17.07         14.99         
  

 

 

            

Outstanding Balance, August 31, 2013

     1,517,588        4.66 — 21.73         10.30         3.90       $ 6,737,300   
  

 

 

            

Options Exercisable at August 31, 2013

     895,339      $   4.66 — 21.73       $   13.17         2.74       $   2,144,000   

 

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The aggregate intrinsic value disclosed in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value, based on the Company’s closing stock price of $13.55 per share as of August 31, 2013 that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised on that date. The intrinsic value of options exercised during fiscal year 2013 was $835,300. No stock options were exercised in fiscal years 2012 and 2011.

Valuation and Expense Under ASC 718

The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options on the date of grant. This model derives the fair value of stock options based on certain assumptions related to expected stock price volatility, expected option life, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. The Company’s expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price over the most recent period commensurate with the expected term of the stock option award. The estimated expected option life is based primarily on historical employee exercise patterns and considers whether and the extent to which the options are in-the-money. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based upon the U.S. Treasury yield curve appropriate for the term of the Company’s stock options awards and the selected dividend yield assumption was determined in view of the Company’s historical and estimated dividend payout. The Company has no reason to believe that the expected volatility of its stock price or its option exercise patterns would differ significantly from historical volatility or option exercises.

At the time of the acquisition of the business of Carolina Starches in fiscal 2012, the Company entered into compensatory stock option agreements outside of the Company’s 2006 Incentive Plan with the former owners of Carolina Starches. Pursuant to these agreements, the Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 82,500 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price equal to the closing price as of the close of business on January 11, 2012. These options have a term of seven years and, subject to certain conditions, vest ratably over a two year period.

Under the 2006 Incentive Plan, the Company granted 120,000 stock options during fiscal 2013, 75,000 of which vest ratably over two years and 45,000 vest ratably over three years. The Company granted 678,000 stock options during fiscal 2012 which vest ratably over three years. In fiscal 2011, the Company granted 98,000 stock options, (i) 80,000 stock options which vest one year from the date of grant, and (ii) 18,000 stock options which vest ratably over four years. The Company estimated the fair value of stock options granted using the following weighted-average assumptions and resulting in the following weighted-average grant date fair value:

 

     2013    2012    2011
  

 

Expected volatility

   68%    68%    71%

Expected life (years)

   4.7    4.9    4.3

Interest rate

   0.5 -1.0%    0.5 -1.1%    1.1-2.8%

Dividend yield

   0%    0%    0%

Weighted-average fair values

   $4.60    $3.13    $3.62

As of August 31, 2013, the Company had $0.9 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested stock option awards that are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.2 years.

 

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Table of Contents

Restricted Stock Awards

The grant date fair value 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 twelve months ended August 31, 2013 as follows:

 

     Number of
Shares
    

Weighted

Average

Grant Date

Fair Value

 
  

 

 

 

Nonvested at August 31, 2012

     61,716       $ 5.94   

Granted

     24,489         7.35   

Vested

     (61,716      5.94   

Cancelled

     -          
  

 

 

    

Nonvested at August 31, 2013

     24,489       $   7.35   
  

 

 

    

The total grant date fair value of awards vested in 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $0.4 million, $1.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively. On January 1, 2013, each non-employee director received an award of 2,721 shares of restricted stock under the 2006 Incentive Plan at the last reported sale price of the stock on the preceding trading day, which vests one year from grant date of the award. On January 26, 2012, each non-employee director received an award of 3,539 shares of restricted stock under the 2006 Incentive Plan at the last reported sale price of the stock on the preceding trading day, which vested one year from grant date of the award. No restricted stock awards were granted in fiscal year 2011. The Company recognizes compensation cost for restricted stock ratably over the vesting period.

As of August 31, 2013, the Company had less than $0.1 million of unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested restricted stock awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.3 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 for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 and the effect on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations (dollars in thousands):

 

     2013     2012     2011  
  

 

 

 

Cost of sales

   $ -      $ 48      $ 130   

Operating expenses

     1,404        1,324        949   

Research and development expenses

     -        15        38   
  

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation expense

   $ 1,404      $ 1,387      $ 1,117   

Income tax benefit

     (534     (527     (424
  

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax

   $       870      $       860      $       693   
  

 

 

 

Note 12 — Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits

Penford maintains two noncontributory defined benefit pension plans that cover approximately 56% of its employees. The defined benefit pension plans for salaried and bargaining unit hourly employees were closed to new participants effective January 1, 2005 and August 1, 2004, respectively. The Company also maintains a postretirement health care benefit plan covering its bargaining unit hourly retirees. Effective August 1, 2004, the Company’s postretirement health care benefit plan covering bargaining unit hourly employees was closed to new entrants and to any current employee who did not meet minimum requirements as to age plus years of service.

 

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For the plans described above, the Company determines the vested benefit obligation on the actuarial present value based on the employee’s expected date of retirement.

Obligations and Funded Status

The following represents information summarizing the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans. A measurement date of August 31, 2013 was used for all plans.

 

     Year Ended August 31,  
     Pension Benefits     Other Benefits  
     2013     2012     2013     2012  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Change in benefit obligation:

        

Benefit obligation at September 1

   $ 62,989      $ 47,545      $ 20,457      $ 16,924   

Service cost

     1,945        1,521        235        229   

Interest cost

     2,648        2,729        860        972   

Plan participants’ contributions

                   106        119   

Amendments

            212                 

Actuarial (gain) loss

     (107     619        267        (170

Change in assumptions

     (8,135     12,359        (3,912     3,024   

Benefits paid

     (2,062     (1,996     (657     (641
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at August 31

   $     57,278      $     62,989      $     17,356      $     20,457   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in plan assets:

        

Fair value of plan assets at September 1

   $ 42,072      $ 36,328      $      $   

Actual return on plan assets

     5,580        3,688                 

Company contributions

     1,136        4,052        551        522   

Plan participants’ contributions

                   106        119   

Benefits paid

     (2,062     (1,996     (657     (641
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value of the plan assets at August 31

   $ 46,726      $ 42,072      $      $   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Funded status:

        
Net liability – Plan assets less than projected benefit obligation    $ (10,552   $ (20,917   $ (17,356   $ (20,457
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Recognized as:

        

Current accrued benefit liability

   $      $      $ (760   $ (750

Non-current accrued benefit liability

     (10,552     (20,917     (16,596     (19,707
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Amount Recognized

   $ (10,552   $ (20,917   $ (17,356   $ (20,457
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss consists of the following amounts that have not yet been recognized as components of net benefit cost (dollars in thousands):

 

    

August 31, 2013

   

August 31, 2012

 
    

Pension

    

Other

   

Pension

    

Other

 
    

Benefits

    

Benefits

   

Benefits

    

Benefits

 

Unrecognized prior service cost (credit)

   $ 1,288       $ (155   $ 1,529       $ (307

Unrecognized net actuarial loss

     10,091         (318     22,976         3,594   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $     11,379       $     (473   $     24,505       $     3,287   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Selected information related to the Company’s defined benefit pension plans that have benefit obligations in excess of fair value of plan assets is presented below (dollars in thousands):

 

    

August 31,

 
    

2013

    

2012

 

Projected benefit obligation

   $ 57,278       $ 62,989   

Accumulated benefit obligation

   $ 54,389       $ 59,853   

Fair value of plan assets

   $   46,726       $   42,072   

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

 

    Year Ended August 31,  
    Pension Benefits     Other Benefits  
    2013     2012     2011     2013     2012     2011  
    (Dollars in thousands)  

Components of net periodic benefit cost

           

Service cost

  $ 1,945      $ 1,521      $ 1,617      $ 235      $ 229      $ 272   

Interest cost

    2,648        2,729        2,696        860        972        972   

Expected return on plan assets

    (2,869     (2,914     (2,234                     

Amortization of prior service cost

    241        228        228        (152     (152     (152

Amortization of actuarial loss

    1,932        773        1,441        267               65   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Benefit cost

  $     3,897      $     2,337      $     3,748      $   1,210      $     1,049      $     1,157   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Assumptions

The Company assesses its benefit plan assumptions on a regular basis. Assumptions used in determining plan information are as follows:

 

     August 31,  
     Pension Benefits     Other Benefits  
         2013             2012             2011             2013             2012             2011      
Weighted-average assumptions used to calculate net periodic expense:             

Discount rate

     4.28     5.87     5.64     4.28     5.87     5.64

Expected return on plan assets

     7.00     8.00     8.00      

Rate of compensation increase

     3.00     3.00     4.00      
Weighted-average assumptions used to calculate benefit obligations at August 31:             

Discount rate

     5.24     4.28     5.87     5.24     4.28     5.87

Expected return on plan assets

     7.00     7.00     8.00      

Rate of compensation increase

     3.00     3.00     3.00      

The expected long-term return on assets assumption for the pension plans represents the average rate of return to be earned on plan assets over the period the benefits included in the benefit obligation are to be paid. In developing the expected rate of return, the Company considers long-term historical market rates of return as well as actual returns on the Company’s plan assets, and adjusts this information to reflect expected capital market trends. Penford also considers forward looking return expectations by asset class, the contribution of active management and management fees paid by the plans. The plan assets are held in qualified trusts and anticipated rates of return are not reduced for income taxes. The expected long-term return on assets assumption used to calculate net periodic pension expense was 7.0% for fiscal 2013. A decrease (increase) of 50 basis points in the expected return on assets assumptions would increase (decrease) pension expense by approximately $0.2 million based on the assets of the plans at August 31, 2013. The expected return on plan assets to be used in calculating fiscal 2014 pension expense is 7.0%.

 

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The discount rate used by the Company in determining pension expense and pension obligations reflects the yield of high quality (AA or better rating by a recognized rating agency) corporate bonds whose cash flows are expected to match the timing and amounts of projected future benefit payments. The discount rates to determine net periodic expense used in fiscal 2011 (5.64%), fiscal 2012 (5.87%) and fiscal 2013 (4.28%) reflect the change in bond yields over the last several years. During fiscal 2013, bond yields increased and Penford has increased the discount rate for calculating its benefit obligations at August 31, 2013, as well as net periodic expense for fiscal 2014, to 5.24%. Lowering the discount rate by 25 basis points would increase pension expense by approximately $0.24 million. The effect of lowering the discount rate by 25 basis points on other postretirement benefit expense would not be material.

Unrecognized net loss amounts reflect the difference between expected and actual returns on pension plan assets as well as the effects of changes in actuarial assumptions. Unrecognized net losses in excess of certain thresholds are amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit expense over the average remaining service life of active employees. Amortization of unrecognized net loss amounts is expected to increase net pension expense by approximately $0.5 million in fiscal 2014. Amortization of unrecognized net losses is not expected to increase net postretirement health care expense in fiscal 2014.

 

Assumed health care cost trend rates:

     2013        2012        2011   

Current health care trend assumption

     7.80     8.00     8.00

Ultimate health care trend rate

     4.50     4.50     4.50

Year ultimate health care trend is reached

     2032        2030        2029   

The assumed health care cost trend rate could have a significant effect on the amounts reported. A one-percentage-point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate would have the following effects:

 

     1-Percentage-
Point
Increase
     1-Percentage-
Point
Decrease
 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Effect on total of service and interest cost components in fiscal 2013

   $ 182       $ (146

Effect on postretirement accumulated benefit obligation as of August 31, 2013

   $     2,405       $     (1,999

Plan Assets

The weighted average asset allocations of the investment portfolio for the pension plans at August 31 are as follows:

 

     Target
Allocation
    

August 31,

 
        2013        2012  

U.S. equities

     55      55        56

International equities

     15      15        15

Fixed income investments

     25      25        24

Real estate

     5      5        5

During fiscal 2013, the assets of the pension plans are invested in units of common trust funds actively managed by Russell Trust Company, a professional fund investment manager. The investment strategy for the defined benefit pension assets is to maintain a diversified asset allocation in order to minimize the risk of large losses and maximize the long-term risk-adjusted rate of return. No plan assets are invested in Penford shares. There are no plan assets for the Company’s postretirement health care plans.

See Note 14, “Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments,” for a description of the fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The Company’s employee pension plan assets are principally comprised of the following types of investments:

 

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Common collective trust funds:  The fair value of these funds is based on the cumulative net asset value of their underlying investments. The investments in common collective trust funds are comprised of equity funds, fixed income funds and international equity funds. The funds are valued at net asset value based on the closing market value of the units bought or sold as of the valuation date and are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Real estate equity funds:  The real estate equity funds are composed of underlying investments in primarily nine established income-producing real estate funds and short-term investment funds. The underlying fund net asset values are based on the values of the real estate assets as determined by appraisal. The appraisals are conducted in accordance with Appraisal Institute guidelines including consideration of projected income and expenses of the property as well as recent sales of similar properties. The underlying funds value all real estate investments quarterly and all real estate investments are independently appraised at least once per year as required by the Global Investment Performance Standards. Redemption requests are considered quarterly and are subject to notice of 110 days. The real estate fund is included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

The following table presents the fair value of the pension plan’s assets by major asset category as of August 31, 2013.

 

   

Quoted Prices
In Active
Markets for
Identical
Instruments
(Level 1)

    

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

    

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

    

Total

 
    (in thousands)  

Common collective trust funds

  $             -       $     44,378       $ -       $ 44,378   

Real estate equity funds

    -         -           2,348         2,348   
 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets

  $ -       $ 44,378       $     2,348       $     46,726   
 

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the changes in fair value of the pension plan’s real estate equity fund (Level 3) for fiscal year ended August 31, 2013.

 

    

Real Estate
Equity Fund

 
     (in thousands)  

Balance, August 31, 2012

   $     2,102   

Actual return on plan assets:

  

Relating to assets still held at the reporting date

     246   

Relating to assets sold during the period

     -      

Purchases and sales

     -      

Transfers in (out) of Level 3

     -      
  

 

 

 

Balance, August 31, 2013

   $ 2,348   
  

 

 

 

Contributions and Benefit Payments

The Company’s funding policy for the defined benefit pension plans is to contribute amounts sufficient to meet the statutory funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Pension Protection Act of 2006. The Company contributed $1.1 million, $4.1 million and $6.4 million in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company estimates that the minimum pension plan funding contribution during fiscal 2014 will be approximately $2.5 million.

Penford funds the benefit payments of its postretirement health care plans on a cash basis; therefore, the Company’s contributions to these plans in fiscal 2014 will approximate the benefit payments below.

 

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Expected benefit payments are based on the same assumptions used to measure the benefit obligations and include benefits attributable to estimate future employee service.

 

         Pension          Other
Postretirement
 
     (Dollars in millions)  

2014

   $ 2.4       $ 0.9   

2015

     2.5         1.0   

2016

     2.6         1.0   

2017

     2.8         1.1   

2018

     3.0         1.2   

2019-2023

   $   18.7       $   7.7   

Note 13 — Other Employee Benefits

Savings and Stock Ownership Plan

The Company has a defined contribution savings plan by which eligible employees can elect a maximum salary deferral of 16%. The plan provides a 100% match on the first 3% of salary contributions and a 50% match on the next 3% per employee. The Company’s matching contributions were $1.2 million, $1.0 million and $0.9 million for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Deferred Compensation Plan

The Company provided its directors and certain employees the opportunity to defer a portion of their salary, bonus and fees. The plan was closed to new contributions effective January 31, 2011. The deferrals earn interest based on Moody’s current Corporate Bond Yield. Deferred compensation interest of $177,000, $179,000 and $197,000 was accrued in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

The Company sponsors a supplemental executive retirement plan, a non-qualified plan, which covers certain employees. No current executive officers participate in this plan. For fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, the net periodic pension expense accrued for this plan was $271,000, $258,000 and $370,000, respectively. The accrued obligation related to the plan was $2.7 million at August 31, 2013 and 2012. The plan was amended in fiscal 2011 such that no participant in the plan would accrue any additional benefits after January 31, 2011.

Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits

The Company offers health care and life insurance benefits to most active employees. Costs incurred to provide these benefits are charged to expense as incurred. Health care and life insurance expense, net of employee contributions, was $5.9 million, $5.1 million and $4.5 million in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Note 14 — Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in Penford’s principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy was established that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the

 

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asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources outside the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect Penford’s own assumptions based on market data and on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. 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 date by correlation or other means.

 

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

Presented below are the fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments as of August 31, 2013 and 2012:

 

  As of August 31, 2013

  

(Level 1)

    

(Level 2)

    

(Level 3)

    

Total

 
     (in thousands)  

Current assets (Other Current Assets):

           

Commodity derivatives (1)

   $             512       $             -       $             -       $             512   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(1) On the consolidated balance sheets, commodity derivative assets and liabilities have been offset by cash collateral due and paid under master netting arrangements which are recorded together in Other Current Assets. The cash collateral offset was $1.7 million at August 31, 2013.

 

  As of August 31, 2012

  

(Level 1)

    

(Level 2)

    

(Level 3)

    

Total

 
     (in thousands)  

Current assets (Other Current Assets):

           

Commodity derivatives (1)

   $     (1,422)       $             -       $             -       $         (1,422)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(1) On the consolidated balance sheets, commodity derivative assets and liabilities have been offset by cash collateral due and paid under master netting arrangements which are recorded together in Other Current Assets. The cash collateral offset was $2.6 million at August 31, 2012.

Other Financial Instruments

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

In fiscal 2010, the Company received two non-interest bearing loans from the State of Iowa. The carrying value of the debt at August 31, 2013 was $1.2 million and the fair value of the debt was estimated to be $1.2 million. See Note 7. The fair value was computed using a discounted cash flow methodology. The discount rate was selected by reference to corporate debenture yields for comparable companies. The fair value was computed using Level 2 inputs.

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

 

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in the period when 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 goods sold.

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. These futures contracts were designated as hedges.

Prices for natural gas fluctuate due to anticipated changes in supply and demand and movement of prices of related or alternative fuels. To reduce the price risk caused by market fluctuations, Penford generally enters into short-term purchase contracts or uses exchange-traded futures contracts to hedge exposure to natural gas price fluctuations. These futures contracts were designated as hedges prior to fiscal 2012. In September 2011, the Company discontinued hedge accounting treatment for natural gas futures contracts as the hedging relationship no longer met the requirements for hedge accounting. Through August 31, 2011, the gains and losses on natural gas futures contracts were deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income. At the time hedge accounting was discontinued, $0.5 million of pretax losses continued to be deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income for these natural gas futures contracts. These losses were reclassified to cost of sales during fiscal 2012 as the originally forecasted cash flows occurred. Gains and losses on natural gas futures contracts since August 31, 2011 were recognized in cost of sales in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

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. These futures contracts have been designated as hedges.

Hedged transactions are generally expected to occur within 12 months of the time the hedge is established. The deferred gain (loss), net of tax, recorded in other comprehensive income at August 31, 2013 that is expected to be reclassified into income within 12 months is $(0.9) million.

As of August 31, 2013, Penford had purchased corn positions of 3.1 million bushels, of which 2.2 million bushels represented equivalent firm priced starch and ethanol sales contract volume, resulting in an open position of 0.9 million bushels.

As of August 31, 2013, the Company had the following outstanding futures contracts:

 

Corn Futures

     4,190,000         Bushels   

Ethanol Swaps

     7,350,000         Gallons   

 

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The following tables provide information about the fair values of the Company’s derivatives, by contract type, as of August 31, 2013 and 2012.

 

   

Assets

    

Liabilities

 

In thousands

           Fair Value August 31                   Fair Value August 31      
   

Balance Sheet

Location

  

2013

    

2012

    

Balance Sheet

Location

  

2013

    

2012

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

  

           

Cash Flow Hedges:

                

Corn Futures

  Other Current Assets    $ -       $ 12       Other Current Assets    $ 485       $ 126   

Ethanol Futures

  Other Current Assets      997         -       Other Current Assets      -         706   

Fair Value Hedges:

                

Corn Futures

  Other Current Assets      -         -       Other Current Assets      -         602   
    

 

 

       

 

 

 
     $     997       $     12          $     485       $     1,434   
    

 

 

       

 

 

 

The following tables provide information about the effect of derivative instruments on the financial performance of the Company for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

 

In thousands

  

Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in AOCI

   

Amount of Gain (Loss)
Reclassified from

AOCI into Income

   

Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income

 
    

Year Ended August 31

   

Year Ended August 31

   

Year Ended August 31

 
    

2013

   

2012

    

2011

   

2013

   

2012

   

2011

   

2013

   

2012

   

2011

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

  

           

Cash Flow Hedges:

                   

Corn Futures (1)

   $ (407   $ 2,067       $ (4,949   $ 5,351      $ 1,500      $ (7,418   $ (870   $ 36      $ (162

Natural Gas Futures (1)

     -        -         (579     -        (492     (1,332     -        -        (85

Ethanol Futures (1)

     1,611        1,667         (4,180     (123     1,263        (3,075     (151     -        -   
  

 

 

 
   $   1,204      $   3,734       $   (9,708   $   5,228      $   2,271      $   (11,825   $   (1,021   $ 36      $   (247
  

 

 

 

Fair Value Hedges:

                   

Corn Futures (1) (2)

                $ 363      $ 98        28   
               

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

  

              

Natural Gas Futures (1)

                $ 94      $ (1,082   $ -   

FX Contracts (1)

                  -        6        -   

Soybean Oil Futures (1)

                  -        12        -   

Soybean Meal Futures (1)

                  -        (14     -   
               

 

 

 
                $ 94      $   (1,078   $ -   
               

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Gains and losses reported in cost of goods sold

(2) Hedged items are firm commitments and inventory

Note 15 — Other Non-operating Income (Expense)

Other non-operating income (expense) consists of the following:

 

     Year Ended August 31,  
         2013              2012             2011      
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Loss on redemption of Series A Preferred Stock

   $ —         $ (6,599   $ —     

Other

     75         413        115   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $     75       $   (6,186   $     115   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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In 2012 the Company redeemed its Series A Preferred Stock. See Note 6. In fiscal 2012, the Company redeemed 100,000 shares at the original issue price of $40.0 million plus accrued dividends of $8.9 million. As a result of the early redemptions, the Company recorded accelerated discount accretion of $5.5 million and amortization of issuance costs of $1.1 million as a loss on redemption in other non-operating income (expense).

Note 16 — Income Taxes

The Company’s U.S. income (loss) before income taxes for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $5.0 million, $(4.9) million, and $(4.2) million, respectively. Foreign income (loss) before income taxes for fiscal years 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $0.5 million, $0.1 million, and (0.6) million, respectively. Foreign tax expense for all three years was zero.

U.S. Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following:

 

    Year Ended August 31,  
    2013     2012     2011  
    (Dollars in thousands)  

Current:

 

Federal

  $     (422   $     (162   $       34   

State

    80        3        137   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (342     (159     171   

Deferred:

     

Federal

    1,829        4,582        9   

State

    (4     383        133   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    1,825        4,965        142   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    $1,483        $4,806        $313   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Year Ended August 31,  
     2013      2012     2011  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Comprehensive tax expense (benefit) allocable to:

       

Income before taxes

   $     1,483       $   4,806      $       313   

Comprehensive income (loss)

     4,887         (4,924     3,856   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 6,370       $ (118   $ 4,169   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

A reconciliation of the statutory federal tax to the actual provision (benefit) for taxes is as follows:

 

     Year Ended August 31,  
     2013     2012     2011  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Statutory tax rate

     35%        35%        35%   

Statutory tax on income

   $ 1,921      $ (1,666   $ (1,682

State taxes, net of federal benefit

     94        219        52   

Non-deductible expenses related to preferred stock

     -        4,547        2,687   

Research credit

     (189     (73     (195

Ethanol credit

     -        -        (975

Foreign taxes

     (183     (38     200   

Stock option exercises/expirations

     376        -        -   

Prior year true up

     (265     95        79   

Unrecognized tax benefits

     (359     (165     67   

Valuation allowance

     (104     1,787        -   

Other

     192        100        80   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total provision (benefit)

   $   1,483      $ 4,806      $ 313   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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The significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

    

August 31,

 
     2013     2012  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Alternative minimum tax credit

   $ 3,473      $ 3,354   

Postretirement benefits

     11,920        18,060   

Provisions for accrued expenses

     2,791        2,908   

Stock-based compensation

     2,453        2,420   

Net operating loss carryforward

     4,575        7,469   

Tax credit carryforwards

     4,373        4,152   

NOL carryforward-foreign

     10,853        11,010   

Hedging

     525        -         

Other

     2,092        2,025   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     43,055        51,398   

Less - valuation allowance

     (12,537     (12,797
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

     30,518        38,601   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Depreciation

     22,296        21,762   

Hedging

     -              1,004   

Other

     1,756        2,560   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

     24,052        25,326   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

   $ 6,466      $ 13,275   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Recognized as:

    

Other current assets

   $ 1,479      $ 167   

Deferred tax asset

     4,987        13,108   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net deferred tax assets

   $ 6,466      $   13,275   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Carryforwards

At August 31, 2013, the Company had a U.S. federal alternative minimum tax credit carryforward of $3.5 million with no expiration, research and development credit carryforwards of $1.7 million expiring 2025 through 2032, a small ethanol producer credit of $2.6 million expiring 2014, and a net operating loss carryforward of $10.8 million expiring in 2030. The Company also has U.S. state net operating loss carryforwards of $19.8 million with expiration dates between 2014 and 2030.

Valuation Allowance

In fiscal 2012, the Company recorded a $1.8 million valuation allowance related to small ethanol producer tax credit carryforwards which expire in fiscal 2014. Tax laws require that any net operating loss carryforwards be utilized before the Company can utilize the small ethanol producer tax credit carryforwards. As a result of challenging market trends related to the cost of corn and ethanol pricing and the redemptions of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock discussed in Note 6, estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward periods were revised. Due to the near-term expiration of the small ethanol producer tax credit carryforward period, the Company did not believe it had sufficient positive evidence to substantiate that the small ethanol tax credit carryforwards were realizable at a more-likely-than-not level of assurance and recorded a $1.8 million valuation allowance. During fiscal 2013, $0.1 million of the valuation allowance was reversed as the Company expects to utilize the credit. The remaining valuation allowance will be reversed in future periods if it is more likely than not that these tax credit carryforwards will be utilized.

 

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In fiscal 2012, the Company recorded a $44,000 valuation allowance related to charitable contributions which expire in fiscal years 2013 through 2015. In fiscal 2013, the valuation allowance was reduced by $22,000 as a portion of the charitable contributions carryforward expired unused. Tax laws limit the deduction of charitable contributions to 10% of otherwise taxable income with the excess carried forward for five years. Utilization of net operating loss carryforwards are considered to reduce taxable income. Due to the near-term expiration of these deductions, the Company did not believe that it had sufficient positive evidence to substantiate that the charitable contributions carryforwards were realizable at a more-likely-than-not level of assurance and recorded a valuation allowance. The valuation allowance will be reversed in future periods if it is more likely than not that these deductions will be utilized.

At August 31, 2013, the Company had $6.5 million of U.S. net deferred tax assets. Other than for the ethanol tax credit and charitable contributions discussed above, a valuation allowance has not been provided on the net U.S. deferred tax assets as of August 31, 2013. 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 as the Company incurred book losses in fiscal 2012 and the two previous fiscal years. The Company believes that it is more likely than not that future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize its deferred tax assets. However, there can be no assurance that management’s current plans will be achieved or that a valuation allowance will not be required in the future.

The Company sold the assets of its Australia/New Zealand operations in fiscal 2010. The Company believes that it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax asset of $10.9 million recorded for the Australian operations will not be realized. The Company’s discontinued Australian operations recorded a valuation allowance as of August 31, 2013 of $10.9 million against the entire Australian net deferred tax asset.

Uncertain Tax Positions

The total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits was $0.7 million at August 31, 2013, all of which, if recognized, would impact the Company’s effective tax rate. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

    

2013

   

2012

 

Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year

   $   1,058      $   1,220   

Additions for tax positions related to prior years

     134        112   

Additions for tax positions related to current year

     90        62   

Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations

     (576     (336
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrecognized tax benefits at end of year

   $ 706      $ 1,058   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalty expense associated with uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense (benefit) in the consolidated statements of operations. As of August 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of accrued interest and penalties included in the long-term tax liability. During fiscal 2013, the Company decreased the liability for unrecognized tax benefits by $44,000 for interest and $51,000 for penalties.

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

 

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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.

Deferred tax liabilities or assets are not recognized on temporary differences from undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries and from foreign exchange translation gains or losses on permanent advances to foreign subsidiaries as the Company does not expect that the divestiture of its foreign subsidiaries will result in any tax benefit or expense.

Note 17 — Earnings (loss) per Common Share

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 (loss) per share reflect only the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share reflect weighted average common shares outstanding and the effect of any dilutive common stock equivalent shares. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) 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 net income (loss) to net income (loss) applicable to common shares and the computation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011.

 

     Year Ended August 31,  
         2013              2012              2011      
     (in thousands)  

Numerator:

  

Net income (loss)

   $ 4,007       $ (9,566    $ (5,117

Less: Allocation to participating securities

     (11      -         -   
  

 

 

 

Net income (loss) applicable to common shares and equivalents

   $ 3,996       $ (9,566    $ (5,117
  

 

 

 

Denominator:

        

Weighted average common shares and equivalents outstanding, basic

     12,369         12,294         12,251   

Dilutive stock options and awards

     249         -         -   
  

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares and equivalents outstanding, diluted

       12,618           12,294           12,251   
  

 

 

 

The 100,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock are included in the fiscal 2011 weighted average common shares and equivalents computation of basic earnings per share. During the third quarter of fiscal 2012, the Investor converted its 100,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock into 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. See Note 6.

Weighted-average restricted stock awards of 57,443 and 98,158 for fiscal years 2012 and 2011, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because they were antidilutive. Weighted-average stock options omitted from the denominator of the earnings per share calculation because they were antidilutive were 896,354, 1,648,704 and 1,325,945 for fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

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Note 18 — Carolina Starches Acquisition

On January 11, 2012, Penford Carolina, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Purchaser”) and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an Amended and Restated Business Sale and Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Amended and Restated Purchase Agreement”) providing for the purchase of Carolina Starches for $8.5 million in cash. Penford Carolina, LLC manufactures, markets and sells industrial cationic starches produced from potato, corn and tapioca into the paper and packaging industry. The acquisition of these businesses provides an important source of raw material to support continued growth in the Food Ingredients business and broadens the Company’s portfolio of specialty modified industrial starches.

The acquisition of Carolina Starches was accounted for as a business combination under the acquisition method. The final allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, based on their fair values as of January 11, 2012, is presented below. Goodwill represents the amount by which the purchase price exceeded the fair value of the net assets acquired and has been allocated to the Food Ingredients segment. It is estimated that all of the goodwill associated with this acquisition is deductible for tax purposes. Pro forma results of operations have not been included as the results were not significant to the historical periods.

 

(in thousands)

           

Property, plant and equipment

      $         3,947   

Working capital

        4,225   

Other assets

        141   

Intangible assets

        290   

Goodwill

        81   

Non-current liabilities

        (184
  

 

  

 

 

 

Total purchase price

      $ 8,500   
  

 

  

 

 

 

Note 19 — Segment Reporting

Financial information for the Company’s two segments, Industrial Ingredients and Food Ingredients, is presented below. Industrial Ingredients and Food Ingredients are broad categories of end-market users served by the Company’s U.S. operations. Penford manages its business in two segments: Industrial Ingredients and Food Ingredients. These segments are based on broad categories of end-market users. The Food Ingredients segment produces specialty starches for food applications. 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.

A third item for “corporate and other” activity has been presented to provide reconciliation to amounts reported in the 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. The accounting policies of the reportable

 

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segments are the same as those described in Note 2. The Company’s assets and manufacturing operations are located in the United States.

 

     Year Ended August 31,  
     2013     2012     2011  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Sales

      

Industrial ingredients

      

Industrial Starch

   $   177,382      $   156,945      $   127,471   

Ethanol

     96,852        101,874        105,730   

By-products

     81,782        71,788        58,322   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 356,016      $ 330,607      $ 291,523   

Food ingredients

     111,234        102,544        82,240   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 467,250      $ 433,151      $ 373,763   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

      

Industrial ingredients

   $ 10,933      $ 10,879      $ 10,812   

Food ingredients

     2,061        1,989        2,110   

Corporate and other

     332        1,259        1,493   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 13,326      $ 14,127      $ 14,415   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

      

Industrial ingredients

   $ (3,238   $ (928   $ (4,718

Food ingredients

     23,265        21,591        18,037   

Corporate and other

     (10,623     (10,604     (8,874
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 9,404      $ 10,059      $ 4,445   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital expenditures, net

      

Industrial ingredients

   $ 8,997      $ 8,700      $ 6,625   

Food ingredients

     5,202        5,446        1,663   

Corporate and other

     -          -          7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 14,199      $ 14,146      $ 8,295   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     August 31,  
     2013      2012  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Total assets

     

Industrial ingredients

   $   133,120       $   143,039   

Food ingredients

     68,550         63,949   

Corporate and other

     22,948         29,191   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 224,618       $ 236,179   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

In January 2012, the Company acquired the net assets and operations of the business generally known as Carolina Starches, which manufactures and markets industrial potato starch based products and blends for the paper and packaging industries. See Note 18. The net assets and results of operations since acquisition have been integrated into the Company’s existing business segments. The acquired net assets, consisting primarily of property, plant and equipment and working capital, are being managed by and included in the reported balance sheet amounts of the Company’s Food Ingredients business, which has experience, expertise and technologies related to the manufacture of potato starch products.

Since the primary end markets for Carolina Starches’ products are the paper and packaging industries, the Carolina Starches sales and marketing functions of the acquired operations are being managed by the Industrial

 

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Ingredients business; therefore, the sales, cost of sales and a majority of the operating expenses are included in the Industrial Ingredients segment’s results of operations in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Sales of $26.9 million related to the acquired Carolina Starches businesses were included in the Industrial Ingredients results of operations. Due to the integration of Carolina Starches into the Company’s two business segments, it is not practicable to determine the net earnings of Carolina Starches included in the consolidated statements of operations since the acquisition.

Reconciliation of income (loss) from operations for the Company’s segments to income (loss) before income taxes as reported in the consolidated financial statements follows:

 

     Year Ended August 31,  
     2013     2012     2011  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Income from operations

   $   9,404      $   10,059      $   4,445   

Interest expense

     (3,989     (8,633     (9,364

Other non-operating income (expense)

     75        (6,186     115   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ 5,490      $ (4,760   $ (4,804
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Sales, attributed to the area to which the product was shipped, are as follows:

 

     Year Ended August 31,  
     2013      2012      2011  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

United States

   $ 429,957       $ 400,070       $ 346,893   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Canada

     8,662         5,653         4,027   

Mexico

     11,419         12,761         9,221   

Columbia

     7,379         6,678         6,802   

Japan

     5,112         4,380         3,434   

Other

     4,721         3,609         3,386   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-United States

     37,293         33,081         26,870   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $   467,250       $   433,151       $   373,763   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Note 20 — Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

The following tables set forth selected unaudited consolidated quarterly financial information for the Company’s two most recent fiscal years.

 

                Fiscal 2013                

   First
Quarter
     Second
Quarter
     Third
Quarter
     Fourth
Quarter
    Total  
     (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  

Sales

   $   118,022       $   110,082       $   121,719       $   117,427      $   467,250   

Cost of sales

     104,764         99,081         108,528         109,830        422,203   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross margin

     13,258         11,001         13,191         7,597        45,047   

Net income (loss)

     1,707         1,191         2,058         (949     4,007   

Earnings (loss) per common share:

             

Basic

   $ 0.14       $ 0.10       $ 0.17       $ (0.08   $ 0.32   

Diluted

   $ 0.14       $ 0.10       $ 0.16       $ (0.08   $ 0.32   

Dividends declared

     $      -         $      -         $      -         $      -        $      -   

 

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                Fiscal 2012                

   First
Quarter
     Second
Quarter
    Third
Quarter
    Fourth
Quarter
    Total  
     (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  

Sales

   $   108,168       $   103,477      $   111,283      $   110,223      $   433,151   

Cost of sales

     96,360         94,076        99,829        98,976        389,241   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross margin

     11,808         9,401        11,454        11,247        43,910   

Net income (loss)

     592         (340     (5,452     (4,366     (9,566

Earnings (loss) per common share:

           

Basic

   $ 0.05       $ (0.03   $ (0.44   $ (0.35   $ (0.78

Diluted

   $ 0.05       $ (0.03   $ (0.44   $ (0.35   $ (0.78

Dividends declared

     $      -         $      -        $      -        $      -        $      -   

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company redeemed $28.9 million of its outstanding Series A Preferred Stock at the original issue price of $23.5 million plus accrued dividends of $5.4 million. As a result of the early redemption, the Company recorded accelerated discount accretion of $3.2 million and amortization of issuance costs of $0.6 million as a loss on redemption in other non-operating income (expense). See Note 6.

Note 21 – Legal Proceedings and Contingencies

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 alleging that certain pet products supplied by Penford Products to the customer by infringed upon a patent owned by T.F.H. Publications, Inc. (“Plaintiff”). The customer tendered the defense of this lawsuit to Penford Products pursuant to the terms of its supply agreement with Penford Products, and Penford Products commenced a defense at that time. 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 Plaintiff’s patents. The complaint seeks an injunction against infringement of the Plaintiff’s 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 claim terms. In November 2013 Plaintiff filed an amended complaint adding Penford Products as a defendant in the case. The Company believes that its products do not infringe upon any of Plaintiff’s patents and has continued its defense of the lawsuit. The Company cannot at this time determine the likelihood of any outcome or estimate any damages that might be awarded.

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 for the NP Creditor Litigation Trust, a successor in interest to the bankruptcy estate of NewPage Corporation, in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware seeking damages arising from alleged preferential transfers. The complaint filed against Penford Products seeks the recovery of alleged preferential transfers in the amount of approximately $778,000, together with other damages. The complaint filed against Carolina Starches seeks recovery of alleged preferential transfers of approximately $216,000, together with other damages. Answers to these complaints are not yet due and have not been filed, and no discovery in these matters has yet occurred. The Company believes that it has adequate, well-recognized defenses to these claims; however, the Company cannot at this time determine the likelihood of any outcome or estimate any damages that might be awarded.

In the third quarter of fiscal year 2013, the Company received $3.4 million in full settlement of certain claims the Company had made against a contractor and its insurer that arose from engineering design work performed in connection with the construction of the Company’s ethanol plant completed in 2008. The Company had alleged breach of contract and negligence by the contractor, and sought recovery of its costs and damages from the contractor and its insurer due to errors and delays in the performance of the work. The settlement amount, net of contingent legal fees, expert fees and other litigation expenses incurred in the matter, of approximately $2.1 million, was reflected as a reduction of the cost of the ethanol plant. Approximately $0.3 million was recorded as a reduction of operating expenses related to the recovery of legal and other costs.

The Company sold its Australia/New Zealand Operations in fiscal year 2010. Proceeds from the sale of the Australia/New Zealand Operations included $2.0 million placed in escrow, approximately $1.225 million of

 

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which had been distributed to the Company’s subsidiary, Penford Australia Limited (“Penford Australia”) prior to fiscal year 2013. In August 2012, the purchaser of the Company’s Lane Cove, New South Wales, Australia operating assets submitted a statement to an agreed-upon arbitrator in which it indicated that the total value of its warranty claims amounted to approximately $901,000, including certain taxes. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2013, the arbitrator denied most of the purchaser’s warranty claims. As a result of this determination and the terms of the asset sale contract with the purchaser, Penford Australia received all of the remaining escrowed funds during the second quarter of fiscal year 2013.

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. For the matters identified in the first two paragraphs, management is unable to provide additional information regarding any possible loss because (i) the Company currently believes that the claims are not adequately supported, and (ii) there are significant factual 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, 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.

The Company is involved from time to time in various other claims and litigation arising in the normal course of business. The Company expenses legal costs as incurred. 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.

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Penford Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Penford Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of August 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), cash flows, and shareholders’ equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended August 31, 2013. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Penford Corporation and subsidiaries as of August 31, 2013 and 2012, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended August 31, 2013, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated November 14, 2013 expressed an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Denver, Colorado

November 14, 2013

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Penford Corporation:

We have audited Penford Corporation and subsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting (Item 9A(b)). Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. 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.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a 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 weaknesses have been identified and included in management’s assessment as follows: 1) material weakness related to resources necessary for effective internal controls, 2) material weakness related to the effective design of controls over the accuracy of prices used to value ending inventory, and 3) material weakness related to the design of management’s review of long-lived asset impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of August 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), cash flows, and shareholders’ equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended August 31, 2013. These material weaknesses were considered in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the 2013 consolidated financial statements, and this report does not affect our report dated November 14, 2013, which expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

 

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In our opinion, because of the effect of the aforementioned material weaknesses on the achievement of the objectives of the control criteria, the Company has not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (1992) issued by COSO.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Denver, Colorado

November 14, 2013

 

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Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

Not applicable.

Item 9A.  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 August 31, 2013, 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 Annual 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 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. 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 August 31, 2013. 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 Controls

The Company determined a material weakness related to the monitoring and implementation of internal controls over financial reporting existed. Specifically, the Company lacks sufficient resources to have an

 

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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 detected as a result of the ineffective design of these controls.

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 detected as a result of the ineffective design of this control.

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 August 31, 2013.

KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and, as part of its audit, has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting which is included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

(c) Remediation of Previously Disclosed Material Weakness

In connection with the restatement of its Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company identified a material weakness in its controls over the accounting for the proceeds from the sale of by-products. The Company did not have an effective control to monitor the change in significance of on-going accounting policies where direct authoritative accounting guidance was not available. As a result, proceeds from the sale of by-products were incorrectly classified as a reduction of cost of sales rather than as sales in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

To remediate the material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, the Company implemented additional review procedures over the monitoring and continued evaluation of the appropriateness of significant accounting policies in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. On a quarterly basis:

 

  1. The Company reviews accounting policies disclosed by industry peer companies and evaluates whether there are any differences between those policies and the Company’s accounting policies.

 

  2. The Company conducts a review of the accounts to determine if there are any new accounts or accounts which have grown in significance such that an accounting policy should be considered and disclosed.

 

  3. The Company reviews newly issued accounting pronouncements and guidance to determine the impact, if any, on the Company’s accounting policies.

 

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The Company has completed the documentation and testing of the corrective actions described above and, as of August 31, 2013, has concluded that the remediation activities discussed are sufficient to allow the Company to conclude that the previously disclosed material weakness related to accounting policies no longer exists as of August 31, 2013.

(d) Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

Other than the remediation of the previously reported material weakness related to accounting policies noted above, and the identification of the material weaknesses discussed above, there were no significant changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended August 31, 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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

Management plans to take the following actions to remediate the material weaknesses:

 

  1. Material Weakness Identified Related to Resources Necessary for Effective Internal Controls — 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 anticipates that it will be required to enhance necessary resources to sufficiently promote effective internal control over financial reporting throughout the organization.

 

  2. Material Weakness Identified Related 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 anticipates that additional resources will be required to enhance the design and operating effectiveness of these controls in the inventory process.

 

  3. Material Weakness Identified Related 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 anticipates that additional resources will be 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.

Item 9B.  Other Information.

On November 12, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors and its Executive Compensation and Development Committee approved the payment of bonuses to the Company’s salaried employees, including bonuses to the Company’s named executive officers. The following bonuses were awarded to named executives: Mr. Malkoski, $305,000; Mr. Cordier, $120,000; Mr. Kortemeyer, $85,000; Mr. Randall, $100,000; and Mr. Lawlor, $75,000.

 

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PART III

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

The applicable information set forth under the headings “Election of Directors,” “Governance of the Company,” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “2014 Proxy Statement”), to be filed not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report, is incorporated herein by reference. Information regarding the Executive Officers of the Registrant is set forth in Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report.

The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) that is applicable to all employees, consultants and members of the Board of Directors, including the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Controller. This Code embodies the commitment of the Company and its subsidiaries to conduct business in accordance with the highest ethical standards and applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Code is available on the Company’s Internet site at www.penx.com under the Investor Center section.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation.

The applicable information set forth under the headings “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Executive Compensation,” “Director Compensation,” and “Governance of the Company” and “Report of the Executive Compensation and Development Committee” in the 2014 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

The applicable information set forth under the heading “Ownership of Company Stock” in the 2014 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

The following table provides information regarding Penford’s equity compensation plans at August 31, 2013. Equity compensation not approved by security holders represents compensatory stock options granted to the former owners of Carolina Starches. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Equity Compensation Plan Information Table

 

Plan category

   (a)
Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options,
warrants and
rights
     (b)
Weighted-
average exercise
price of
outstanding
options,
warrants and
rights
     (c)
Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column
(a))
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:

        

1994 Stock Option Plan (1)

     221,125       $ 15.15         -   

2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (2)

     1,237,625       $ 9.65         388,882   

Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (3)

     3,838       $ 12.60         -   
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total

     1,462,588       $ 10.49         388,882   
  

 

 

       

 

 

 

Equity compensation not approved by security holders:

        

Stock options to owners of acquired businesses

     55,000       $ 5.29         -   

 

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(1) This plan has been terminated and no additional options are available for grant. The options which are subsequently forfeited or not exercised are available for issuance under the 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

(2) Shares available for issuance under the 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan can be granted pursuant to stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock or units or performance based cash awards. Does not include 24,489 issued but unvested shares of common stock at August 31, 2013.

(3) This plan has been terminated and no additional options will be granted under this plan.

Material Terms of Stock Options to Owners of Acquired Businesses.  On January 11, 2012, in connection with the Company’s acquisition of the Carolina Starches businesses, the Company entered into stock option agreements with R. Bentley Cheatham, Dwight L. Carlson and Steven P. Brower, the former owners of Carolina Starches. Pursuant to these agreements, Penford granted each such individual nonqualified stock options to purchase up to 27,500 shares of the Company’s common stock, $1.00 par value per share, at an exercise price equal to the closing price as of the close of business on January 11, 2012. Each stock option grant was approved by a majority of the Company’s independent directors, and was granted as an inducement material to each recipient’s entering into employment with a subsidiary of the Company in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). Pursuant to the terms of the stock option agreements, the options have a term of seven years and will vest over a two year period, with one-half of the options vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remainder becoming vested on the second anniversary of the grant date, provided that the recipient has not been terminated by the Company for cause or resigned by such date. The vesting of these options will accelerate and the award will become exercisable in full effectively immediately prior to a change of control of the Company.

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The applicable information relating to certain relationships and related transactions of the Company is set forth under the heading “Transactions with Related Persons” in the 2014 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference. Information related to director independence is set forth under the heading of “Governance of the Company” and “Election of Directors” in the 2014 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

The applicable information concerning principal accountant fees and services appears under the heading “Fees Paid to KPMG LLP” in the 2014 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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PART IV

Item 15.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

(a)(1) Financial Statements

Financial statements required to be filed for the registrant under Items 8 or 15 are included in Part II, Item 8.

(2) Financial Statement Schedules

All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are omitted because they are not applicable or the information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8.

(3) Exhibits

See index to Exhibits on page 76.

(b) Exhibits

See Item 15(a)(3), above.

(c) Financial Statement Schedules

None

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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, on this 14th day of November, 2013.

 

PENFORD CORPORATION

/s/ Thomas D. Malkoski

Thomas D. Malkoski

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, are incorporated by reference. Copies of exhibits can be obtained at no cost by writing to Penford Corporation, 7094 S. Revere Parkway, Centennial, Colorado 80112.

 

Exhibit No.

  

Item

  3.1    Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation, as amended (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2006)
  3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012)
  3.3    Articles of Amendment of Penford Corporation for Series A 15% Cumulative Non-Voting Non-Convertible Preferred Stock (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 8-K dated April 6, 2010, filed April 9, 2010)
  3.4    Articles of Amendment of Penford Corporation for Series B Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 8-K dated April 6, 2010, filed April 9, 2010)
10.1    Penford Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan, amended and restated as of January 1, 2005 (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2007, filed November 9, 2007) *
10.2    Form of Change of Control Agreement and Annexes between Penford Corporation and Messrs. Cordier, Kortemeyer, Lawlor, Malkoski and Randall and certain other key employees (a representative copy of these agreements is filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 28, 2006, filed April 10, 2006)*
10.3    Form of Amendment to Change in Control Agreement (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30, 2008, filed January 9, 2009)*
10.4    Form of Second Amendment to Change in Control Agreement (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2010, filed November 12, 2010)*
10.5    Penford Corporation 1993 Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30, 1993)*
10.6    Penford Corporation 1994 Stock Option Plan as amended and restated as of January 8, 2002 (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Proxy Statement filed with the Commission on January 18, 2002)*
10.7    Penford Corporation Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (filed as a exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31, 1996, filed July 15, 1996)*
10.8    Penford Corporation 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Proxy Statement filed December 20, 2005)*
10.9    Form of Penford Corporation’s 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan Stock Option Grant Notice, including the Stock Option Agreement and Notice of Exercise (incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 21, 2006)*
10.10    Form of Penford Corporation 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award Notice and Agreement (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2007, filed November 9, 2007) *

 

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Exhibit No.

  

Item

10.11    Penford Corporation 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Proxy Statement filed December 21, 2011)*
10.12    Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 5, 2006 (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 8-K dated October 5, 2006, filed October 10, 2006)
10.13    First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31, 2008, filed July 10, 2008)
10.14    Second Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, Resignation of Agent and Appointment of Successor Agent dated as of February 26, 2009 (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 8-K dated February 26, 2009, filed March 3, 2009)
10.15    Third Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31, 2009, filed July 10, 2009)
10.16    Director Special Assignments Policy dated August 26, 2005 (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 8-K dated August 26, 2005, filed September 1, 2005) *
10.17    Non-Employee Director Compensation Term Sheet (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2007, filed November 9, 2007) *
10.18    Form of Performance-Based Cash Award Agreement under the 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30, 2009, filed January 8, 2010) *
10.19    Securities Purchase Agreement by and between Penford Corporation and Zell Credit Opportunities Master Fund, L.P., dated April 7, 2010 (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 8-K dated April 6, 2010, filed April 9, 2010)
10.20    Investor Rights Agreement by and between Penford Corporation and Zell Credit Opportunities Master Fund, L.P., dated April 7, 2010 (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 8-K dated April 6, 2010, filed April 9, 2010)
10.21    Standstill Letter Agreement by and between Penford Corporation and Zell Credit Opportunities Master Fund, L.P., dated April 7, 2010 (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 8-K dated April 6, 2010, filed April 9, 2010)
10.22    Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among the Company, Penford Products Co., Bank of Montreal, Bank of America National Association and Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., “Rabobank Nederland” New York Branch, dated April 7, 2010 (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 8-K dated April 6, 2010, filed April 9, 2010)
10.23    Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated July 9, 2012 among the Company, certain of its subsidiary companies, and the following banks; Bank of Montreal, as Administrative Agent; Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., “Rabobank Nederland” New York Branch, as Syndication Agent; JPMorgan Chase, N.A. and KeyBank National Association, as Co-Documentation Agents; First Midwest Bank; Bank of America National Association; Greenstone Farm Credit Services, ACA; and Private Bank and Trust Company (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 8-K dated July 9, 2012, filed July 11, 2012)
10.24    Amended and Restated Business Sale and Membership Interest Purchase Agreement between the Company and each of R. Bentley Cheatham, Dwight Carlson, Steven P. Brower, Keystone Starches, LLC, 7675 South Rail Road, LLC, and 1 Freas Avenue, LLC (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s File No. 000-11488, Form 8-K dated November 8, 2011, filed January 10, 2012)

 

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Exhibit No.

  

Item

10.25    Form of Stock Option Agreement with each of R. Bentley Cheatham, Dwight Carlson and Steven P. Brower (filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-182753), filed on July 19, 2012)*
21    Subsidiaries of the Registrant
23    Consent of KPMG LLP
24    Power of Attorney
31.1    Certifications of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2    Certifications 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 Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley act of 2002
101    The following materials for the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013 formatted in XBRL: (1) the Consolidated Balance Sheets; (2) the Consolidated Statements of Operations; (3) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss); (4) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (5) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

* Denotes management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

 

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