For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015
|
Commission File Number 0‑01989
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New York
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
3736 South Main Street, Marion, New York
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
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16‑0733425
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
14505
(Zip Code)
(315) 926-8100
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Title of Each Class
|
Name of Each Exchange on
Which Registered
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Common Stock Class A, $.25 Par
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NASDAQ Global Market
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Common Stock Class B, $.25 Par
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NASDAQ Global Market
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(1)
|
Portions of the Annual Report to shareholders for fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 (the "2015 Annual Report") applicable to Part I, Item 1, Part II, Items 5‑9A and Part IV, Item 15 of Form 10‑K.
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(2)
|
Portion of the Proxy Statement to be issued in connection with the Registrant's annual meeting of stockholders (the "Proxy Statement") applicable to Part III, Items 10-14 of Form 10-K.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
||
FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2015
|
||
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION
|
||
PART I.
|
Pages
|
|
Item 1.
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Business
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1-4
|
Item 1A.
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Risk Factors
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4-9
|
Item 1B.
|
Unresolved Staff Comments
|
9
|
Item 2.
|
Properties
|
9-10
|
Item 3.
|
Legal Proceedings
|
10
|
Item 4.
|
Mine Safety Disclosures
|
10
|
PART II.
|
||
Item 5.
|
Market for Registrant's Common Stock, Related Security Holder Matters
|
11
|
and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
|
||
Item 6.
|
Selected Financial Data
|
11
|
Item 7.
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Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
|
11
|
Results of Operations
|
||
Item 7A.
|
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
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11
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Item 8.
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Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
|
11-12
|
Item 9.
|
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
|
12
|
Financial Disclosure
|
||
Item 9A.
|
Controls and Procedures
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12-14
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Item 9B.
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Other Information
|
14
|
PART III.
|
||
Item 10.
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Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
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15
|
Item 11.
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Executive Compensation
|
15
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Item 12.
|
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and
|
15
|
Related Stockholder Matters
|
||
Item 13.
|
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
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15
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Item 14.
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Principal Accountant Fees and Services
|
15
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PART IV.
|
||
Item 15.
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Exhibits and Financial Statements Schedules
|
16-19
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SIGNATURES
|
20
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Forward-Looking Statements
|
Certain of the statements contained in this annual report on Form 10-K are forward-looking statements made within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are not in the present or past tense and, in some cases, can be identified by the use of the words "will," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seeks," "should," "likely," "targets," "may", "can" and other expressions that indicate future trends and events. A forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and reflects management's analysis only as of the date thereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement. The following factors, among others discussed herein and in the Company's filings under the Exchange Act, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements: costs and availability of raw materials, competition, cost controls, sales levels, governmental regulation, consumer preferences, industry trends, weather conditions, crop yields, natural disasters, recalls, litigation, reliance on third-parties, wage rates, and other factors. See also the factors described in "Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this report, and those described in the Company's filings under the Exchange Act.
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PART I
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Item 1
|
Business
|
History and Development of Seneca Foods Corporation
|
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION (the "Company") is North America's leading provider of packaged fruits and vegetables with facilities located throughout the United States. The Company's product offerings include canned, frozen and bottled produce and snack chips and its products are sold under private label as well as national and regional brands that the Company owns or licenses, including Seneca®, Libby's®, Green Valley®, Aunt Nellie's®, READ®, and Seneca Farms®. The Company packs Green Giant, Le Sueur and other brands of canned vegetables as well as select Green Giant frozen vegetables for General Mills Operations, LLC ("GMOL") under our long-term Alliance Agreement that was amended and restated during the second quarter of fiscal year 2010.
|
As of March 31, 2015, the Company's facilities consisted of 22 packaging plants strategically located throughout the United States, three can manufacturing plants, two seed packaging operations, a farming operation and a logistical support network. The Company also maintains warehouses which are generally located adjacent to its packaging plants. The Company is a New York corporation and its headquarters is located at 3736 South Main Street, Marion, New York and its telephone number is (315) 926-8100.
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The Company was founded in 1949 and during its 66 years of operation, the Company has made over 50 strategic acquisitions including the purchase of the long-term license for the Libby's brand in 1983, the purchase of General Mills' Green Giant packaging assets and entry into the Alliance Agreement with GMOL in 1995 and the acquisition of Chiquita Processed Foods in 2003. The Company believes that these acquisitions have enhanced the Company's leadership position in the private label and foodservice canned vegetable markets in the United States and significantly increased its international sales. In August 2006, the Company acquired Signature Fruit Company, LLC, a leading producer of canned fruits located in Modesto, California. This acquisition allowed the Company to broaden its product offerings to become a leading producer and distributor of canned fruit and to achieve cost advantages through the realization of distribution and other synergies with the Company's canned vegetable business. In 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of 100% of the membership interest in Independent Foods, LLC. The business is based in Sunnyside, Washington, is a packer of canned pears, apples and cherries in the United States. The rationale for the acquisition was twofold: (1) the business is a complementary fit with the Company's existing business and (2) it provides an extension of the Company's product offerings. In April 2014, the Company purchased a 50% equity interest in Truitt Bros. Inc.
|
Available Information
|
The Company's Internet address is www.senecafoods.com. The Company's annual report on Form 10-K, the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act are available on the Company's web site, as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. All such filings on the Company's web site are available free of charge. Information on our website is not part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K.
|
In addition, the Company's website includes items related to corporate governance matters, including charters of various committees of the Board of Directors and the Company's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. The Company intends to disclose on its website any amendment to or waiver of any provision of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that would otherwise be required to be disclosed under the rules of the SEC and NASDAQ.
|
Financial Information about Industry Segments
|
The Company manages its business on the basis of two reportable segments – the primary segment is the packaging and sale of fruits and vegetables and the secondary segment is the packaging and sale of chip products. These two segments constitute the food operation. The food operation constitutes 98% of total sales, of which approximately 69% is canned vegetable packaging, 19% is canned fruit packaging, 11% is frozen fruit and vegetable packaging and 1% is fruit chip packaging. The non-food operation, which is primarily related to the sale of cans and ends and outside revenue generated from our trucking and aircraft operations, represents 2% of the Company's total sales.
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Narrative Description of Business
|
Principal Products and Markets
|
Food Packaging
|
The principal products include canned fruits and vegetables, frozen vegetables and other food products. The products are sold nationwide by major grocery outlets, including supermarkets, mass merchandisers, limited assortment stores, club stores and dollar stores. Additionally, products are sold to food service distributors, industrial markets, other food packagers, export customers in 90 countries and federal, state and local governments for school and other feeding programs. Food packaging operations are primarily supported by plant locations in New York, California, Wisconsin, Washington, Idaho, Illinois, and Minnesota. See Note 14 of Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information about the Company's segments.
|
The following table summarizes net sales by major product category for the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013:
|
Classes of similar products/services:
|
2015
|
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||||
(In thousands)
|
||||||||||||
Net Sales:
|
||||||||||||
GMOL *
|
$
|
161,993
|
$
|
177,881
|
$
|
165,684
|
||||||
Canned vegetables
|
754,556
|
753,318
|
746,892
|
|||||||||
Frozen *
|
94,648
|
107,109
|
84,935
|
|||||||||
Fruit
|
234,918
|
264,549
|
245,596
|
|||||||||
Snack
|
11,667
|
11,496
|
11,357
|
|||||||||
Other
|
28,568
|
25,855
|
21,833
|
|||||||||
Total
|
$
|
1,286,350
|
$
|
1,340,208
|
$
|
1,276,297
|
||||||
* GMOL includes frozen vegetable sales exclusively for GMOL.
|
Source and Availability of Raw Materials
|
The Company's food packaging plants are located in major vegetable producing states and in two fruit producing states. Fruits and vegetables are primarily obtained through supply contracts with independent growers.
|
Intellectual Property
|
The Company's most significant brand name, Libby's®, is held pursuant to a trademark license granted to the Company in March 1982 and renewable by the Company every 10 years for an aggregate period expiring in March 2081. The original licensor was Libby, McNeill & Libby, Inc., then an indirect subsidiary of Nestlé, S. A. ("Nestlé") and the license was granted in connection with the Company's purchase of certain of the licensor's canned vegetable operations in the United States. Corlib Brands Management, LTD acquired the license from Nestlé during 2006. The license is limited to vegetables which are shelf-stable, frozen, and thermally packaged, and includes the Company's major vegetable varieties – corn, peas and green beans – as well as certain other thermally packaged vegetable varieties and sauerkraut.
|
The Company is required to pay an annual royalty and Corlib Brands now known as Libby's Brand Holding, Ltd., which may terminate the license for non-payment of royalty, use of the trademark in sales outside the licensed territory, failure to achieve a minimum level of sales under the licensed trademark during any calendar year or a material breach or default by the Company under the agreement (which is not cured within the specified cure period). With the purchase of Signature Fruit Company, LLC, which also uses the Libby's® brand name, the Company re-negotiated the license agreement and created a new, combined agreement based on Libby's® revenue dollars for fruits, vegetables, and dry beans. A total of $379,000 was paid as a royalty fee for the year ended March 31, 2015.
|
The Company also sells canned fruits and vegetables, frozen vegetables and other food products under several other brands for which the Company has obtained registered trademarks, including, Aunt Nellie's®, Green Valley®, Stokely®, Read®, Seneca Farms®, and Seneca® and other regional brands.
|
Seasonal Business
|
While individual fruits and vegetables have seasonal cycles of peak production and sales, the different cycles are somewhat offsetting. Minimal food packaging occurs in the Company's last fiscal quarter ending March 31, which is the optimal time for maintenance, repairs and equipment changes in its packaging plants. The supply of commodities, current pricing, and expected new crop quantity and quality affect the timing and amount of the Company's sales and earnings. When the seasonal harvesting periods of the Company's major fruits and vegetables are newly completed, inventories for these packaged fruits and vegetables are at their highest levels. For peas, the peak inventory time is mid-summer and for corn, the Company's highest volume vegetable, the peak inventory is in mid-autumn. For peaches, the Company's highest volume fruit, the peak inventory time is early-autumn. For pears, the peak inventory is late-summer.
|
These seasonal fluctuations are illustrated in the following table, which presents certain unaudited quarterly financial information for the periods indicated:
|
First Quarter
|
Second Quarter
|
Third Quarter
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|||||||||||||
(In thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
Year ended March 31, 2015:
|
||||||||||||||||
Net sales
|
$
|
240,043
|
$
|
312,161
|
$
|
456,207
|
$
|
277,939
|
||||||||
Gross margin
|
16,996
|
16,804
|
26,084
|
23,273
|
||||||||||||
Net (loss) earnings
|
(107
|
)
|
(578
|
)
|
7,819
|
2,765
|
||||||||||
Inventories (at quarter end)
|
467,290
|
731,527
|
547,149
|
472,412
|
||||||||||||
Revolver outstanding (at quarter end)
|
180,050
|
302,220
|
255,000
|
233,000
|
||||||||||||
Year ended March 31, 2014:
|
||||||||||||||||
Net sales
|
$
|
232,127
|
$
|
336,628
|
$
|
477,694
|
$
|
293,759
|
||||||||
Gross margin
|
19,680
|
22,379
|
31,178
|
17,726
|
||||||||||||
Net earnings (loss)
|
1,347
|
6,603
|
6,846
|
(1,017
|
)
|
|||||||||||
Inventories (at quarter end)
|
484,694
|
758,654
|
550,723
|
451,250
|
||||||||||||
Revolver outstanding (at quarter end)
|
151,026
|
282,000
|
226,000
|
175,000
|
The following table sets forth domestic and export sales:
|
Fiscal Year
|
||||||||||||||
2015
|
2014
|
2013
|
||||||||||||
(In thousands, except percentages)
|
||||||||||||||
Net Sales:
|
||||||||||||||
United States
|
$
|
1,170,522
|
|
$
|
1,217,238
|
|
$
|
1,150,831
|
||||||
Export
|
115,828
|
122,970
|
125,466
|
|||||||||||
Total Net Sales
|
$
|
1,286,350
|
|
$
|
1,340,208
|
|
$
|
1,276,297
|
||||||
As a Percentage of Net Sales:
|
||||||||||||||
United States
|
91.0
|
% |
|
90.8
|
% |
|
90.2
|
%
|
||||||
Export
|
9.0
|
% |
|
9.2
|
% |
|
9.8
|
%
|
||||||
Total
|
100.0
|
% |
|
100.0
|
% |
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
·a classified board of directors;
|
|
|
|
·a requirement that special meetings of shareholders be called only by our directors or holders of 25% of the voting power of all shares outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting;
|
|
|
|
·our board of directors has the power to classify and reclassify any of our unissued shares of capital stock into shares of capital stock with such preferences, rights, powers and restrictions as the board of directors may determine;
|
|
|
|
·the affirmative vote of two thirds of the shares present and entitled to vote is required to amend our bylaws or remove a director; and
|
|
|
|
·under the New York Business Corporation Law, in addition to certain restrictions which may apply to "business combinations" involving us and an "interested shareholder", a plan for our merger or consolidation must be approved by two-thirds of the votes of all outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon. See "Our existing shareholders, if acting together, may be able to exert control over matters requiring shareholder approval."
|
Item 1B
|
Unresolved Staff Comments
|
The Company does not have any unresolved comments from the SEC staff regarding its periodic or current reports under the Exchange Act.
|
Item 2
|
Properties
|
The following table details the Company's manufacturing plants and warehouses:
|
Manufacturing Plants and Warehouses
|
||||
Square
|
||||
Footage
|
Acres
|
|||
('000)
|
||||
Food Group
|
||||
Modesto, California
|
2,213
|
114
|
||
Buhl, Idaho
|
616
|
144
|
||
Payette, Idaho
|
382
|
43
|
||
Princeville, Illinois
|
271
|
308
|
||
Arlington, Minnesota
|
264
|
536
|
||
Blue Earth, Minnesota
|
286
|
346
|
||
Bricelyn, Minnesota
|
57
|
7
|
||
Glencoe, Minnesota
|
646
|
786
|
||
LeSueur, Minnesota
|
23
|
2
|
||
Montgomery, Minnesota
|
559
|
1,010
|
||
Rochester, Minnesota
|
1,078
|
840
|
||
Geneva, New York
|
769
|
602
|
||
Leicester, New York
|
198
|
91
|
||
Marion, New York
|
348
|
181
|
||
Lebanon, Pennsylvania
|
138
|
16
|
||
Dayton, Washington
|
253
|
41
|
||
Sunnyside, Washington
|
570
|
50
|
||
Yakima, Washington
|
122
|
8
|
||
Baraboo, Wisconsin
|
584
|
11
|
||
Cambria, Wisconsin
|
412
|
406
|
||
Clyman, Wisconsin
|
435
|
724
|
||
Cumberland, Wisconsin
|
375
|
304
|
||
Gillett, Wisconsin
|
320
|
105
|
||
Janesville, Wisconsin
|
1,201
|
302
|
||
Mayville, Wisconsin
|
297
|
367
|
||
Oakfield, Wisconsin
|
227
|
2,228
|
||
Ripon, Wisconsin
|
589
|
75
|
||
Non-Food Group
|
||||
Penn Yan, New York
|
27
|
4
|
||
Total
|
13,260
|
9,651
|
These facilities primarily package various fruit and vegetable products. Most of the facilities are owned by the Company. The Company is a lessee under a number of operating leases for equipment and real property used for packaging and warehousing.
|
The Company believes that these facilities are suitable and adequate for the purposes for which they are currently intended. All locations, although highly utilized, have the ability to expand as sales requirements justify. Because of the seasonal production cycles, the exact extent of utilization is difficult to measure. In certain circumstances, the theoretical full efficiency levels are being reached; however, expansion of the number of production days or hours could increase the output by up to 20% for a season.
|
Certain of the Company's facilities are mortgaged to financial institutions to secure long-term debt. See Notes 3, 4 and 5 of Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for additional information about the Company's long-term debt and lease commitments.
|
Item 3
|
Legal Proceedings
|
See Note 14, "Legal Proceedings and Other Contingencies" to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplemental Data.
|
See also Item 1, Business -- Environmental Regulation, for information regarding environmental legal proceedings.
|
Item 4
|
Mine Safety Disclosures
|
Not Applicable.
|
PART II
|
Item 5
|
Market for Registrant's Common Stock, Related Security Holder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
|
Each class of preferred stock receives preference as to dividend payment and declaration over any common stock. In addition, refer to the information in the 2015 Annual Report, "Shareholder Information and Quarterly Results", which is incorporated by reference.
|
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
|
On August 10, 2007, the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2007 Equity Plan") was approved by shareholders at the Company's annual meeting. The 2007 Equity Plan has a 10-year term and authorized the issuance of up to 100,000 shares of either Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock or a combination of the two classes of stock. A total of 3,366 were awarded in fiscal year 2015 under the terms of the 2007 Equity Plan. As of March 31, 2015, there were 68,593 shares available for distribution as part of future awards under the 2007 Equity Plan. No additional shares have been awarded under the 2007 Equity Plan through the date of this Form 10-K.
|
Common Stock Performance Graph
|
Refer to the information in the 2015 Annual Report, "Shareholder Information and Quarterly Results", which is incorporated by reference.
|
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
|
Maximum Number (or
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Approximate Dollar
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Number of Shares
|
Average Price Paid per
|
Total Number of Shares
|
Value) of Shares that
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Purchased (1)
|
Share
|
Purchased as Part of
|
May Yet Be Purchased
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Class A
|
Class B
|
Class A
|
Class B
|
Publicly Announced
|
Under the Plans or
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Period
|
Common
|
Common
|
Common
|
Common
|
Plans or Programs
|
Programs
|
||||||||||||||||||
1/01/15 - 1/31/15
|
-
|
45,380
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
32.46
|
-
|
|||||||||||||||||
2/01/15 - 2/28/15
|
-
|
2,301
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
32.23
|
-
|
|||||||||||||||||
3/01/15 - 3/31/15
|
874,400
|
34
|
$
|
26.03
|
$
|
33.97
|
817,400
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total
|
874,400
|
47,715
|
$
|
26.03
|
$
|
32.45
|
817,400
|
1,267,414
|
||||||||||||||||
(1) All purchases were made in open market transactions by the Trustees of the Seneca Foods Corporation Employees' Savings Plan,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trustees of Dundee Insurance, Inc and the Seneca Foods, L.L.C. 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan to provide employee matching
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
contributions under the Plans.
|
Item 6
|
Selected Financial Data
|
Refer to the information in the 2015 Annual Report, "Five Year Selected Financial Data", which is incorporated by reference.
|
Item 7
|
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
|
Refer to the information in the 2015 Annual Report, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", which is incorporated by reference.
|
Item 7A
|
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
|
Refer to the information in the 2015 Annual Report, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk", which is incorporated by reference.
|
Item 8
|
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
|
Refer to the information in the 2015 Annual Report, "Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto including Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm," which is incorporated by reference.
|
Item 9
|
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
|
None.
|
Item 9A
|
Controls and Procedures
|
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
|
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act), as of March 31, 2015. Based upon this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2015, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures: (1) were designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company is made known to our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report was being prepared, so as to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and (2) were effective, in that they provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms.
|
Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
|
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over the Company's financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all misstatements. 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.
|
Our management assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2015. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). Based on our assessment, management believes that, as of March 31, 2015, our internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.
The Company's independent registered public accountant has issued its report on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. The report appears on the next page.
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
Board of Directors and Stockholders
|
Seneca Foods Corporation
|
Marion, New York
|
We have audited Seneca Foods Corporation's internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). 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 Item 9A, Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. 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.
|
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2015, based on the COSO criteria.
|
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Standards Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Seneca Foods Corporation as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of net earnings, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2015 and our report dated June 9, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
|
/s/ BDO USA, LLP
|
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
|
June 9, 2015
|
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
|
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended March 31, 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
|
Item 9B
|
Other Information
|
None.
|
PART III
|
Item 10
|
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
|
The information regarding directors is incorporated herein by reference from the section entitled "Proposal One: Election of Directors" in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement ("Proxy Statement") to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for the Company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on July 31, 2015. The Proxy Statement will be filed within 120 days after the end of the Company's fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.
|
The information regarding executive officers is incorporated herein by reference from the section entitled "Executive Officers" in the Proxy Statement.
|
The information regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is incorporated herein by reference from the section entitled "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance" in the Proxy Statement.
|
Information regarding the Company's code of business conduct and ethics found in the subsection captioned "Available Information" in Item 1 of Part I hereof is also incorporated herein by reference into this Item 10.
|
The information regarding the Company's audit committee, its members and the audit committee financial experts is incorporated herein by reference from the subsection entitled "Audit Committee" in the section entitled "Board Governance" in the Proxy Statement.
|
Item 11
|
Executive Compensation
|
The information included under the following captions in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference: "Compensation Discussion and Analysis," "Summary Compensation Table," "Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal Year 2015," "Outstanding Equity Awards at 2015 Fiscal Year-End," "Stock Vested in Fiscal Year 2015," "Pension Benefits," "Compensation of Directors" and "Compensation Committee Interlocks." The information included under the heading "Compensation Committee Report" in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference; however, this information shall not be deemed to be "soliciting material" or to be "filed" with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act.
|
Item 12
|
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
|
Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated herein by reference from the sections entitled "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners" and "Security Ownership of Management and Directors" in the Proxy Statement.
|
Item 13
|
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
|
The information regarding transactions with related parties and director independence is incorporated herein by reference from the sections entitled "Independent Directors" and "Certain Transactions and Relationships" in the Proxy Statement.
|
Item 14
|
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
|
The information regarding principal accountant fees and services is incorporated herein by reference from the section entitled "Principal Accountant Fees and Services" in the Proxy Statement.
|
PART IV
|
Item 15
|
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule
|
A.Exhibits, Financial Statements, and Supplemental Schedule
|
1.Financial Statements ‑ the following consolidated financial statements of the Registrant, included in the 2015 Annual Report, are incorporated by reference in Item 8:
|
Consolidated Statements of Net Earnings – Years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
|
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) – Years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets ‑ March 31, 2015 and 2014
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
|
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity – Years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
|
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
|
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
Pages
|
2.Supplemental Schedule:
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Schedule 18
|
Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 19
|
Other schedules have not been filed because the conditions requiring the filing do not exist or the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto.
|
3.Exhibits:
|
Exhibit Number Description
|
3.1 The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, (incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 11, 2010).
|
3.2 The Company's Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A filed August 18, 1995 for the quarter ended July 1, 1995)
|
3.3 Amendment to the Company's Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 6, 2007)
|
10.1**Second Amended and Restated Alliance Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 5, 2009)
|
10.2**First Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Alliance Agreement by and among Seneca Foods Corporation and General Mills Operations, LLC dated June 11, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 3, 2010)
|
10.3 Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of July 20, 2011 by and among Seneca Foods Corporation, Seneca Foods, LLC, Seneca Snack Company, certain other subsidiaries of Seneca Foods Corporation, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as agent and issuing bank, RBS Citizens, N.A., as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated with RBS Citizens, N.A., as joint lead arrangers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 26, 2011).
|
10.4 First Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of August 1, 2011 by and among Seneca Foods Corporation, Seneca Foods, LLC, Seneca Snack Company, certain other subsidiaries of Seneca Foods Corporation, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as agent and issuing bank, RBS Citizens, N.A., as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated with RBS Citizens, N.A., as joint lead arrangers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013).
|
10.5 Second Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of December 20, 2012 by and among Seneca Foods Corporation, Seneca Foods, LLC, Seneca Snack Company, certain other subsidiaries of Seneca Foods Corporation, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as agent and issuing bank, RBS Citizens, N.A., as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated with RBS Citizens, N.A., as joint lead arrangers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013).
|
10.6 Third Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of March 5, 2013 by and among Seneca Foods Corporation, Seneca Foods, LLC, Seneca Snack Company, certain other subsidiaries of Seneca Foods Corporation, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as agent and issuing bank, RBS Citizens, N.A., as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated with RBS Citizens, N.A., as joint lead arrangers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013).
|
10.7 Fourth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of December 16, 2013 by and among Seneca Foods Corporation, Seneca Foods, LLC, Seneca Snack Company, certain other subsidiaries of Seneca Foods Corporation, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as agent and issuing bank, RBS Citizens, N.A., as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated with RBS Citizens, N.A., as joint lead arrangers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014).
|
10.8 Fifth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of April 1, 2014 by and among Seneca Foods Corporation, Seneca Foods, LLC, Seneca Snack Company, certain other subsidiaries of Seneca Foods Corporation, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as agent and issuing bank, RBS Citizens, N.A., as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated with RBS Citizens, N.A., as joint lead arrangers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014).
|
10.9 Sixth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of June 17, 2014 by and among Seneca Foods Corporation, Seneca Foods, LLC, Seneca Snack Company, certain other subsidiaries of Seneca Foods Corporation, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as agent and issuing bank, RBS Citizens, N.A., as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated with RBS Citizens, N.A., as joint lead arrangers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC for the quarter ended June 28, 2014).
|
10.10 Seventh Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of November 6, 2014 by and among Seneca Foods Corporation, Seneca Foods, LLC, Seneca Snack Company, certain other subsidiaries of Seneca Foods Corporation, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as agent and issuing bank, RBS Citizens, N.A., as syndication agent, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated with RBS Citizens, N.A., as joint lead arrangers (filed herewith).
|
10.11 Indemnification Agreement between the Company and the directors of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Company's Annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002)
|
10.12* Seneca Foods Corporation Executive Profit Sharing Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-166846))
|
10.13* Seneca Foods Corporation Manager Profit Sharing Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-166846))
|
13 The material contained in the 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders under the following headings: "Five Year Selected Financial Data", "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto including Independent Auditors' Report, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk", and "Shareholder Information and Quarterly Results" (filed herewith)
|
21 List of Subsidiaries (filed herewith)
|
23 Consent of BDO USA, LLP (filed herewith)
|
24 Powers of Attorney (filed herewith)
|
31.1 Certification of Kraig H. Kayser pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
|
31.2 Certification of Timothy J. Benjamin as Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
|
32 Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
|
101 The following materials from Seneca Foods Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2015, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i)consolidated balance sheets, (ii) consolidated statements of net earnings, (iii) consolidated statements of comprehensive income, (iv) consolidated statements of cash flows, (v) consolidated statement of stockholders' equity and (vi) the notes to the consolidated financial statements
|
* Indicates management or compensatory agreement
**Certain provisions of this exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Confidential treatment has been requested with respect of such omitted portions
|
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
Board of Directors and Stockholders
|
Seneca Foods Corporation
|
Marion, New York
|
The audits referred to in our report dated June 9, 2015 relating to the consolidated financial statements of Seneca Foods Corporation, which is incorporated in Item 8 of Form 10-K by reference to the Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended March 31, 2015, also included the audit of the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index. This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement schedule based on our audits.
|
In our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
|
/s/ BDO USA, LLP
|
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
|
June 9, 2015
|
Schedule II
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at
|
Charged/
|
Charged to
|
Deductions
|
Balance
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
beginning
|
(credited)
|
other
|
from
|
at end
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
of period
|
to income
|
accounts
|
reserve
|
of period
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Year-ended March 31, 2015:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts
|
$
|
160
|
$
|
45
|
$
|
¾
|
$
|
(60
|
)
|
(a)
|
$
|
145
|
||||||||||||||
Income tax valuation allowance
|
$
|
390
|
$
|
1,397
|
$
|
¾
|
$
|
¾
|
$
|
1,787
|
||||||||||||||||
Year-ended March 31, 2014:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts
|
$
|
201
|
$
|
23
|
$ |
$
|
(64
|
)
|
(a)
|
$
|
160
|
|||||||||||||||
Income tax valuation allowance
|
$
|
758
|
$
|
(368
|
)
|
$
|
¾
|
$
|
¾
|
$
|
390
|
|||||||||||||||
Year-ended March 31, 2013:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts
|
$
|
206
|
$
|
(55
|
)
|
$
|
44
|
(b)
|
$
|
6
|
(a)
|
$
|
201
|
|||||||||||||
Income tax valuation allowance
|
$
|
906
|
$
|
(148
|
)
|
$
|
¾
|
$
|
¾
|
$
|
758
|
|||||||||||||||
(a) Accounts written off, net of recoveries.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) Acquired via the Sunnyside acquisition.
|
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION
/s/Timothy J. Benjamin
Timothy J. Benjamin
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
|
June 9, 2015
|
Signature
|
Title
|
Date
|
||
/s/Arthur S. Wolcott
Arthur S. Wolcott
|
Chairman and Director
|
June 9, 2015
|
||
/s/Kraig H. Kayser
Kraig H. Kayser
|
President, Chief Executive Officer, Director
|
June 9, 2015
|
||
/s/Timothy J. Benjamin
Timothy J. Benjamin
|
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
|
June 9, 2015
|
||
/s/Jeffrey L. Van Riper
Jeffrey L. Van Riper
|
Vice President, Controller, and Secretary (Principal Accounting Officer)
|
June 9, 2015
|
||
*
|
Director
|
June 9, 2015
|
||
Arthur H. Baer
|
||||
*
|
Director
|
June 9, 2015
|
||
Peter R. Call
|
||||
* |
Director
|
June 9, 2015
|
||
John P. Gaylord
|
|
|
||
Director
|
June 9, 2015
|
|||
Susan A. Henry
|
||||
*
|
Director
|
June 9, 2015
|
||
Samuel T. Hubbard, Jr.
|
||||
*
|
Director
|
June 9, 2015
|
||
Thomas Paulson
|
||||
*
|
Director
|
June 9, 2015
|
||
Susan W. Stuart
/s/Kraig H. Kayser
*By Kraig H. Kayser,
Attorney-in-fact
|
(a)
|
Representations and Warranties. All of the representations and warranties made by the Obligors herein, whether directly or incorporated by reference, shall be true and correct on the date hereof except as provided in §3 hereof.
|
(b)
|
Performance; No Event of Default. The Obligors shall have performed and complied in all respects with all terms and conditions herein required to be performed or complied with by them prior to or at the time hereof, and there shall exist no Default or Event of Default.
|
(c)
|
Fees and Expenses. The Borrowers shall have paid to the Agent the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to the Agent in connection with the preparation of this Agreement.
|
(d)
|
Delivery.
|
(i)
|
The Obligors, the Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Required Lenders shall have executed and delivered this Agreement.
|
(e)
|
Insurance Certificates. The Agent shall have received copies of policies or certificates of insurance for the insurance policies carried by Borrowers, all in compliance with the Loan Documents.
|
(f)
|
Perfection of Liens. The Agent shall have received acknowledgments of all filings or recordations necessary to perfect its Liens in the Collateral granted to it by the New Borrower, as well as other evidence satisfactory to the Agent that such Liens are the only Liens upon such Collateral, except Permitted Liens.
|
(g)
|
Other Documents. The Obligors shall have executed and delivered such further instruments and taken such further action as the Agent and the Required Lenders may have reasonably requested, in each case further to effect the purposes of this Agreement, the Loan and Security Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
|
(a)
|
The New Borrower hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms that, by its execution of this Agreement, the New Borrower will be deemed to be a Borrower under Loan and Security Agreement and an Obligor for all purposes of the Loan and Security Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, the grant pursuant to Section 7 of the Loan and Security Agreement of a security interest to the Agent in the property and property rights of the New Borrower constituting Collateral, and shall have all of the obligations of a Borrower and an Obligor thereunder as if it had executed the Loan and Security Agreement. The New Borrower hereby ratifies, as of the date hereof, and agrees to be bound by, all of the terms, provisions and conditions contained in the Loan and Security Agreement, including without limitation all of the covenants set forth in Sections 7, 8 and 10, as applicable to Obligors, of the Loan and Security Agreement. The New Borrower acknowledges and confirms that all of the representations and warranties of the Borrowers set forth in Section 9 of the Loan and Security Agreement, as updated with the supplemental schedules provided to the Agent by the Borrowers in accordance with the terms of the Loan and Security Agreement, are true and correct in all respects as of the date hereof with respect to the New Subsidiary.
|
(b)
|
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing terms of Section 5(a) above, the New Borrower, (i) adopts the Loan and Security Agreement, assumes in full (and the New Borrower hereby acknowledges that it shall be jointly and severally liable for the payment, discharge, satisfaction and performance of) all Obligations, including without limitation those arising under the Loan and Security Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, the Notes), as if it were an original signatory to and Borrower under the Loan and Security Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and (ii) in order to secure the prompt payment and performance of all Obligations, hereby grants to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a continuing security interest in and Lien upon the Collateral of the New Borrower, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and wherever located, and the Agent is authorized to file such UCC-1 financing statements, and to file such other documents and take such other action, as Agent may deem to be necessary or appropriate in order to perfect or protect the Liens granted to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and the priority of the Agent with respect thereto.
|
(a)
|
Amendment to Section 1.1 of the Loan and Security Agreement. The defined term "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" in Section 1.1 of the Loan and Security Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
|
(b)
|
Amendment to Section 1.1 of the Loan and Security Agreement. The defined term "Restricted Investment" in Section 1.1 of the Loan and Security Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
|
(c)
|
Exhibit A to the Loan and Security Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Exhibit in its entirety and replacing it with Exhibit A attached hereto.
|
(d)
|
Exhibit B to the Loan and Security Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Exhibit in its entirety and replacing it with Exhibit B attached hereto.
|
(e)
|
Exhibit C to the Loan and Security Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Exhibit in its entirety and replacing it with Exhibit C attached hereto.
|
(f)
|
Exhibit D to the Loan and Security Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Exhibit in its entirety and replacing it with Exhibit D attached hereto.
|
(g)
|
Exhibit E to the Loan and Security Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Exhibit in its entirety and replacing it with Exhibit E attached hereto.
|
(h)
|
Schedule 1.1 to the Loan and Security Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Schedule in its entirety and replacing it with Schedule 1.1 attached hereto.
|
(i)
|
Schedule 8.6.1 to the Loan and Security Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Schedule in its entirety and replacing it with Schedule 8.6.1 attached hereto.
|
(j)
|
Schedule 9.1.4 to the Loan and Security Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Schedule in its entirety and replacing it with Schedule 9.1.4 attached hereto.
|
(k)
|
Schedule 9.1.11 to the Loan and Security Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Schedule in its entirety and replacing it with Schedule 9.1.11 attached hereto.
|
(a)
|
Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Agreement, all of the respective terms, conditions and provisions of the Loan and Security Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents shall remain the same. The Loan and Security Agreement, as amended hereby, shall continue in full force and effect, and this Agreement and the Loan and Security Agreement shall be read and construed as one instrument.
|
(b)
|
THIS AGREEMENT, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES (BUT GIVING EFFECT TO FEDERAL LAWS RELATING TO NATIONAL BANKS).
|
(c)
|
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one instrument. In making proof of this Agreement it shall not be necessary to produce or account for more than one counterpart signed by each party hereto by and against which enforcement hereof is sought. A facsimile or other electronic transmission of an executed counterpart shall have the same effect as the original executed counterpart.
|
Lender
|
Commitment for the period from April 1 through and including July 31 of each year
|
Commitment for the period from August 1 through and including March 31 of each year
|
Percentage of Aggregate Commitments of all Lenders
|
|||||||||
Bank of America, N.A.
|
$
|
78,750,000
|
$
|
105,000,000
|
26.250000000
|
%
|
||||||
Citizens Business Capital, a division of Citizens Asset Finance, Inc. (f/k/a RBS Citizens Business Capital, a division of RBS Asset Finance, Inc., a subsidiary of RBS Citizens, N.A.)
|
$
|
45,000,000
|
$
|
60,000,000
|
15.000000000
|
%
|
||||||
Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., "Rabobank Nederland", New York Branch
|
$
|
46,500,000
|
$
|
62,000,000
|
15.500000000
|
%
|
||||||
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company
|
$
|
34,500,000
|
$
|
46,000,000
|
11.500000000
|
%
|
||||||
U.S. Bank National Association
|
$
|
36,000,000
|
$
|
48,000,000
|
12.000000000
|
%
|
||||||
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
|
$
|
26,250,000
|
$
|
35,000,000
|
8.750000000
|
%
|
||||||
BMO Harris Bank N.A.
|
$
|
19,500,000
|
$
|
26,000,000
|
6.500000000
|
%
|
||||||
General Electric Capital Corporation
|
$
|
6,750,000
|
$
|
9,000,000
|
2.250000000
|
%
|
||||||
GE Asset Based Master Note LLC
|
$
|
6,750,000
|
$
|
9,000,000
|
2.250000000
|
%
|
||||||
Total
|
$
|
300,000,000
|
$
|
400,000,000
|
100
|
%
|
[Date]
|
$[___________________]
|
New York, New York
|
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION
By_______________________________________
Title:
|
|
SENECA FOODS, LLC
By_______________________________________
Title:
|
|
SENECA SNACK COMPANY
By_____________________________________
Title:
|
|
GREEN VALLEY FOODS, LLC
By_____________________________________
Title:
|
Five Year Selected Financial Data
|
Summary of Operations and Financial Condition
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands of dollars, except per share data and ratios)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Years ended March 31,
|
2015
|
2014
|
2013(a)
|
2012
|
2011(b)
|
|||||||||||||||
Net sales
|
$
|
1,286,350
|
$
|
1,340,208
|
$
|
1,276,297
|
$
|
1,257,805
|
$
|
1,189,585
|
||||||||||
Operating income before interest (c)
|
$
|
19,148
|
$
|
23,604
|
$
|
70,934
|
$
|
25,623
|
$
|
32,294
|
||||||||||
Interest expense, net
|
5,656
|
6,262
|
7,486
|
8,102
|
8,827
|
|||||||||||||||
Net earnings (c)
|
9,899
|
13,779
|
41,413
|
11,256
|
17,671
|
|||||||||||||||
Basic earnings per common share (c)
|
$
|
0.91
|
$
|
1.24
|
$
|
3.59
|
$
|
0.93
|
$
|
1.45
|
||||||||||
Diluted earnings per common share (c)
|
0.90
|
1.23
|
3.57
|
0.92
|
1.45
|
|||||||||||||||
Working capital
|
$
|
463,545
|
$
|
452,771
|
$
|
446,899
|
$
|
425,082
|
$
|
294,712
|
||||||||||
Inventories
|
472,412
|
451,250
|
479,730
|
432,433
|
455,236
|
|||||||||||||||
Net property, plant, and equipment
|
185,557
|
183,917
|
188,407
|
192,825
|
188,012
|
|||||||||||||||
Total assets
|
805,694
|
768,853
|
798,456
|
738,036
|
744,708
|
|||||||||||||||
Long-term debt
|
||||||||||||||||||||
less current portion
|
271,634
|
216,239
|
230,016
|
226,873
|
90,060
|
|||||||||||||||
Stockholders' equity
|
351,730
|
393,632
|
367,166
|
354,673
|
353,832
|
|||||||||||||||
Additions to property, plant, and equipment
|
$
|
23,734
|
$
|
19,448
|
$
|
16,371
|
$
|
27,425
|
$
|
19,473
|
||||||||||
Net earnings/average equity
|
2.7
|
%
|
3.6
|
%
|
11.5
|
%
|
3.2
|
%
|
5.1
|
%
|
||||||||||
Earnings before taxes/sales
|
1.1
|
%
|
1.3
|
%
|
5.0
|
%
|
1.4
|
%
|
2.0
|
%
|
||||||||||
Net earnings/sales
|
0.8
|
%
|
1.0
|
%
|
3.2
|
%
|
0.9
|
%
|
1.5
|
%
|
||||||||||
Long-term debt/equity (d)
|
77.2
|
%
|
54.9
|
%
|
62.6
|
%
|
64.0
|
%
|
25.5
|
%
|
||||||||||
Total debt/equity ratio
|
1.3:1
|
1.0:1
|
1.2:1
|
1.1:1
|
1.1:1
|
|||||||||||||||
Current ratio
|
4.8:1
|
4.5:1
|
3.8:1
|
4.6:1
|
2.1:1
|
|||||||||||||||
Total stockholders' equity per equivalent common share (e)
|
$
|
34.81
|
$
|
35.25
|
$
|
32.83
|
$
|
29.15
|
$
|
28.96
|
||||||||||
Stockholders' equity per common share
|
35.33
|
36.12
|
33.62
|
29.81
|
29.61
|
|||||||||||||||
Class A Global Market System
|
||||||||||||||||||||
closing price range
|
32.65-25.06
|
36.07-27.80
|
33.63-21.42
|
29.73-18.34
|
32.68-22.02
|
|||||||||||||||
Class B Global Market System
|
||||||||||||||||||||
closing price range
|
41.00-27.91
|
36.29-27.42
|
33.40-21.41
|
29.70-19.20
|
32.99-22.30
|
|||||||||||||||
Price earnings ratio
|
31.5
|
25.6
|
9.2
|
28.7
|
20.5
|
|||||||||||||||
(a) The fiscal 2013 financial results include two and one-half months of operating activity related to the Sunnyside acquisition.
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(b) The fiscal 2011 financial results include eight months of operating activity related to the Lebanon acquisition.
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(c) The effect of using the LIFO inventory valuation method in fiscal 2015 was to reduce operating earnings by $10.7 million and net
|
||||||||||||||||||||
earnings by $6.9 million or $0.64 per share ($0.63 diluted). The effect of using the LIFO inventory valuation method in fiscal
|
||||||||||||||||||||
2014 was to reduce operating earnings by $20.4 million and net earnings by $13.2 million or $1.19 per share ($1.19 diluted).
|
||||||||||||||||||||
The effect of using the LIFO inventory valuation method in fiscal 2013 was to increase operating earnings by $4.2 million
|
||||||||||||||||||||
and net earnings by $2.7 million or $0.24 per share ($0.24 diluted). The effect of using the LIFO inventory valuation method in
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Fiscal 2012 was to reduce operating earnings by $47.4 million and net earnings by $30.8 million or $2.53 per share ($2.52 diluted).
|
||||||||||||||||||||
The effect of using the LIFO inventory valuation method in fiscal 2011 was to increase operating earnings by $7.9 million and net
|
||||||||||||||||||||
earnings by $5.1 million or $0.42 per share ($0.42 diluted).
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(d) The long-term debt to equity percentage for fiscal 2015-2012 include the Revolving Credit Facility as discussed
|
||||||||||||||||||||
in Note 4, Long-Term Debt. During fiscal 2011, the Revolving Credit Facility was included in current liabilities. If calculated on a
|
||||||||||||||||||||
comparable basis to other fiscal years, the fiscal 2011 percentage would be 63.8%.
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(e) Equivalent common shares are either common shares or, for convertible preferred shares, the number of common shares that the
|
||||||||||||||||||||
preferred shares are convertible into. See Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for conversion details.
|
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
|
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
|
OVERVIEW
|
Our Business
|
Seneca Foods is North America's leading provider of packaged fruits and vegetables, with facilities located throughout the United States. Its high quality products are primarily sourced from over 2,000 American farms.
|
Seneca holds the largest share of the retail private label, food service, and export canned vegetable markets, distributing to over 90 countries. Products are also sold under the highly regarded brands of Libby's®, Green Valley®, Aunt Nellie's®, READ®, Seneca Farms® and Seneca labels, including Seneca snack chips. In addition, Seneca provides vegetable products under an alliance with General Mills Operations, LLC, a subsidiary of General Mills, Inc., under the Green Giant label.
|
The Company's business strategies are designed to grow the Company's market share and enhance the Company's sales and margins and include: 1) expand the Company's leadership in the packaged fruit and vegetable industry; 2) provide low cost, high quality fruit and vegetable products to consumers through the elimination of costs from the Company's supply chain and investment in state-of-the-art production and logistical technology; 3) focus on growth opportunities to capitalize on higher expected returns; and 4) pursue strategic acquisitions that leverage the Company's core competencies.
|
All references to years are fiscal years ended March 31 unless otherwise indicated.
|
Restructuring
|
During 2015, the Company recorded a restructuring charge of $1.4 million related to the closing of a plant in the Midwest and the realignment of two other plants, one in the Midwest and the other in the Northwest, of which $0.8 million was related to severance cost, $0.3 million was related to equipment costs (contra fixed assets), and $0.3 million was related to equipment relocation costs.
|
During 2013, the Company implemented a product rationalization program and recorded a restructuring charge of $3.5 million for related equipment costs (contra fixed assets), lease impairment costs (net of realizable value), and certain inventory costs. During 2014, the Company adjusted the costs of the product rationalization program, started in 2013, by $0.5 million, mostly related to equipment costs.
|
These charges are included under Plant Restructuring in the Consolidated Statements of Net Earnings.
|
Divestitures, Other Charges and Credits
|
Other operating income in 2015 included a gain of $5.0 million related to a contractual payment received in connection with the closing of a Midwest plant and a charge of $0.3 million related to environmental costs related to a Company-owned plant in New York State. The Company also recorded a gain of $0.1 million from the sale of other fixed assets.
|
Other operating income in 2014 included a gain of $2.9 million from a break-up fee earned as a result of the Company being named the stalking horse bidder in an attempt to acquire substantially all the operating assets of Allens, Inc. in a bankruptcy court supervised auction, a gain of $0.7 million from the sale of two aircraft and a gain of $0.1 million as a result of adjustments related to the purchase of Sunnyside. The Company also recorded a loss of $0.5 million on the disposal of a warehouse located in Sunnyside, Washington and a net gain of $0.2 million from the sale of other fixed assets.
|
Other operating income in 2013 included a gain of $2.0 million as a result of the estimated fair market value of the net assets acquired exceeding the purchase price of Sunnyside. The Company also recorded a gain of $0.3 million from the sale of property located in Cambria, Wisconsin and a net loss of $0.3 million on the disposal of certain other fixed assets.
|
Liquidity and Capital Resources
|
The Company's primary cash requirements are to make payments on the Company's debt, finance seasonal working capital needs and to make capital expenditures. Internally generated funds and amounts available under the revolving credit facility are the Company's primary sources of liquidity, although the Company believes it has the ability to raise additional capital by issuing additional stock, if it desires.
|
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
|
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
|
Revolving Credit Facility
|
The Company completed the closing of a five year revolving credit facility ("Revolver") on July 20, 2011. The available borrowings under the Revolver are $300.0 million from April through July and $400.0 million from August through March of each year under the Revolver. The Revolver balance as of March 31, 2015 was $233.0 million and is included in Long-Term Debt in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. In order to maintain availability of funds under the facility, the Company pays a commitment fee on the unused portion of the Revolver. The Revolver is secured by the Company's accounts receivable and inventories and contains a financial covenant and borrowing base requirements. The Company utilizes its Revolver for general corporate purposes, including seasonal working capital needs, to pay debt principal and interest obligations, and to fund capital expenditures and acquisitions. Seasonal working capital needs are affected by the growing cycles of the vegetables and fruits the Company packages. The majority of vegetable and fruit inventories are produced during the months of June through November and are then sold over the following year. Payment terms for vegetable and fruit produce are generally three months but can vary from a few days to seven months. Accordingly, the Company's need to draw on the Revolver may fluctuate significantly throughout the year.
|
The Company believes that cash flows from operations and availability under its Revolver will provide adequate funds for the Company's working capital needs, planned capital expenditures and debt service obligations for at least the next 12 months.
|
Seasonality
|
The Company's revenues typically are higher in the second and third fiscal quarters. This is due, in part, because the Company sells, on a bill and hold basis, Green Giant canned and frozen vegetables to GMOL at the end of each pack cycle, which typically occurs during these quarters. GMOL buys the product from the Company at cost plus an equivalent case tolling fee. See the Critical Accounting Policies section for further details. The Company's non-Green Giant sales also exhibit seasonality with the third fiscal quarter generating the highest sales due to increased retail sales during the holiday season.
|
The seasonality of the Company's business is illustrated by the following table:
|
First Quarter
|
Second Quarter
|
Third Quarter
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|||||||||||||
(In thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
Year ended March 31, 2015:
|
||||||||||||||||
Net sales
|
$
|
240,043
|
$
|
312,161
|
$
|
456,207
|
$
|
277,939
|
||||||||
Gross margin
|
16,996
|
16,804
|
26,084
|
23,273
|
||||||||||||
Net (loss) earnings
|
(107
|
)
|
(578
|
)
|
7,819
|
2,765
|
||||||||||
Inventories (at quarter end)
|
467,290
|
731,527
|
547,149
|
472,412
|
||||||||||||
Revolver outstanding (at quarter end)
|
180,050
|
302,220
|
255,000
|
233,000
|
||||||||||||
Year ended March 31, 2014:
|
||||||||||||||||
Net sales
|
$
|
232,127
|
$
|
336,628
|
$
|
477,694
|
$
|
293,759
|
||||||||
Gross margin
|
19,680
|
22,379
|
31,178
|
17,726
|
||||||||||||
Net earnings (loss)
|
1,347
|
6,603
|
6,846
|
(1,017
|
)
|
|||||||||||
Inventories (at quarter end)
|
484,694
|
758,654
|
550,723
|
451,250
|
||||||||||||
Revolver outstanding (at quarter end)
|
151,026
|
282,000
|
226,000
|
175,000
|
Short-Term Borrowings
|
During 2015, the Company entered into some interim lease notes which financed down payments for various equipment orders at market rates. As of March 31, 2015, these interim notes had not been converted into operating leases since the equipment was not yet delivered. These notes, which total $9.9 million and $12.3 million as of March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, respectively, are included in notes payable in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. These notes are expected to be converted into operating leases within the next twelve months. Until then, they bear interest at an annual rate of 1.67% in 2015 and 1.65% in 2014.
|
The maximum level of short-term borrowings during 2015 was affected by the 50% investment in Truitt Bros. Inc. of $16.2 million, which took place in April 2014, and the purchase of treasury stock totaling $33.5 million. During 2014, the maximum level of short-term borrowings was affected by the payoff of a $36.7 million loan to a third party lender, which took place in August 2013. Details of the Truitt acquisition are outlined in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
|
General terms of the Revolver include payment of interest at LIBOR plus an agreed upon spread.
|
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
|
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
|
The following table documents the quantitative data for Short-Term Borrowings during 2015 and 2014:
|
Fourth Quarter
|
Year Ended
|
|||||||||||||||
2015
|
2014
|
2015
|
2014
|
|||||||||||||
(In thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||
Reported end of period:
|
||||||||||||||||
Revolver outstanding
|
$
|
233,000
|
$
|
175,000
|
$
|
233,000
|
$
|
175,000
|
||||||||
Weighted average interest rate
|
1.92
|
%
|
1.65
|
%
|
1.92
|
%
|
1.65
|
%
|
||||||||
Reported during period:
|
||||||||||||||||
Maximum Revolver
|
$
|
263,627
|
$
|
239,482
|
$
|
323,646
|
$
|
318,601
|
||||||||
Average Revolver outstanding
|
$
|
252,013
|
$
|
213,487
|
$
|
234,726
|
$
|
214,528
|
||||||||
Weighted average interest rate
|
1.93
|
%
|
1.49
|
%
|
1.63
|
%
|
1.60
|
%
|
2016
|
$
|
2,530
|
||
2017
|
235,667
|
|||
2018
|
7,904
|
|||
2019
|
3,034
|
|||
2020
|
2,531
|
|||
Thereafter
|
22,498
|
|||
Total
|
$
|
274,164
|
||
|
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
|
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
|
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
|
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
|
Contractual Obligations
|
||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2015
|
||||||||||||||||||||
2021
|
||||||||||||||||||||
2016
|
2017-18
|
2019-20
|
and beyond
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||
(In thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt
|
$
|
2,530
|
$
|
243,571
|
$
|
5,565
|
$
|
22,498
|
$
|
274,164
|
||||||||||
Interest
|
5,373
|
3,657
|
1,524
|
2,081
|
12,635
|
|||||||||||||||
Operating lease obligations
|
42,585
|
71,236
|
52,550
|
33,239
|
199,610
|
|||||||||||||||
Purchase commitments
|
204,722
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
204,722
|
|||||||||||||||
Total
|
$
|
255,210
|
$
|
318,464
|
$
|
59,639
|
$
|
57,818
|
$
|
691,131
|
In addition, the Company's defined benefit plan has an unfunded pension liability of $55.0 million which is subject to certain actuarial assumptions. The unfunded status increased by $39.1 million during 2015 reflecting the actual fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation as of March 31, 2015. This unfunded status increase was recognized via the actual gain on plan assets and the increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $20.6 million after the income tax benefit of $13.2 million. The increase in projected benefit obligation was a function of a decrease in the discount rate from 4.85% to 4.15% and the change to using an updated mortality table. During 2015, the Company converted to the RP-2014 Blue Collar and Generational Improvement mortality table for calculating the pension obligation and the related pension expense. This change increased the projected benefit obligation by $6.6 million and had no impact on 2015 pension expense. This conversion is expected to increase the 2016 defined benefit pension plan expense by $1.2 million. Plan assets increased from $154.7 million as of March 31, 2014 to $157.9 million as of March 31, 2015 due to a continued recovery in market conditions and the $0.4 million contribution by the Company. The Company made this contribution to maintain its funding status at an acceptable level.
|
During 2015, the Company entered into new operating leases of approximately $47.9 million, based on the if-purchased value, which was primarily for agricultural and packaging equipment.
|
Purchase commitments represent estimated payments to growers for crops that will be grown during the calendar 2015 season.
|
Due to uncertainties related to FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 740, Income Taxes, the Company is not able to reasonably estimate the cash settlements required in future periods.
|
The Company has no off-balance sheet debt or other unrecorded obligations other than operating lease obligations and purchase commitments noted above.
|
Standby Letters of Credit
|
The Company has standby letters of credit for certain insurance-related requirements. The majority of the Company's standby letters of credit are automatically renewed annually, unless the issuer gives cancellation notice in advance. On March 31, 2015, the Company had $11.0 million in outstanding standby letters of credit. These standby letters of credit are supported by the Company's Revolver and reduce borrowings available under the Revolver.
|
Cash Flows
|
In 2015, the Company's cash and cash equivalents decreased by $3.2 million, which is due to the net impact of $19.4 million provided by operating activities, $42.1 million used in investing activities, and $19.5 million provided by financing activities.
|
Operating Activities
|
Cash provided by operating activities decreased to $19.4 million in 2015 from $55.6 million in 2014. The decrease is primarily attributable to increased inventories, exclusive of LIFO, and a decrease in net earnings in 2015 versus 2014, partially offset by a decrease in accounts receivable and a decrease in other current assets (mostly lease deposits). The 2015 LIFO charge of $10.7 million resulted in an increase in the tax payment deferral of $3.7 million.
|
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
|
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
|
Cash provided by operating activities increased to $55.6 million in 2014 from $30.3 million in 2013. The increase is primarily attributable to a lower increase in other current assets (mostly lease deposits) and decreased inventories, exclusive of LIFO, partially offset by a decrease in net earnings in 2014 versus 2013. The 2014 LIFO charge of $20.4 million resulted in an increase in the tax payment deferral of $7.1 million.
|
The cash requirements of the business fluctuate significantly throughout the year to coincide with the seasonal growing cycles of vegetables and fruits. The majority of the inventories are produced during the packing months, from June through November, and are then sold over the following year. Cash flow from operating activities is one of the Company's main sources of liquidity.
|
Investing Activities
|
Cash used in investing activities was $42.1 million for 2015, principally reflecting capital expenditures and a purchase of an equity method investment of $16.2 million. Capital expenditures aggregated $26.2 million in 2015 versus $17.0 million in 2014. The increase was primarily attributable to more large projects in 2015. There were two major projects in 2015 as follows: 1) $7.5 million to complete a warehouse project in Sunnyside, Washington started in 2014, and 2) $2.1 million to buyout a Clyman, Wisconsin equipment lease.
|
Cash used in investing activities was $16.0 million for 2014, principally reflecting capital expenditures. Capital expenditures aggregated $17.0 million in 2014 and in 2013. There were two major projects in 2014 as follows: 1) $7.6 million towards the completion of pouch building project in Janesville, Wisconsin, and 2) $3.6 million for the start of a warehouse project in Sunnyside, Washington.
|
Financing Activities
|
Cash provided by financing activities was $19.5 million in 2015 representing a net increase in the Revolver of $55.6 million partially offset by a partial payoff of interim funding of $2.4 million and the purchase of $33.5 million of treasury stock during 2015 versus $0.7 million purchased in 2014.
|
Cash used by financing activities was $39.9 million in 2014 representing a net pay down on the Revolver of $51.7 million partially offset by interim funding of $12.3 million. The Company purchased $0.7 million of treasury stock during 2014 versus $28.4 million purchased in 2013.
|
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
|
Classes of similar products/services:
|
2015
|
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||||
(In thousands)
|
||||||||||||
Net Sales:
|
||||||||||||
GMOL *
|
$
|
161,993
|
$
|
177,881
|
$
|
165,684
|
||||||
Canned vegetables
|
754,556
|
753,318
|
746,892
|
|||||||||
Frozen *
|
94,648
|
107,109
|
84,935
|
|||||||||
Fruit
|
234,918
|
264,549
|
245,596
|
|||||||||
Snack
|
11,667
|
11,496
|
11,357
|
|||||||||
Other
|
28,568
|
25,855
|
21,833
|
|||||||||
Total
|
$
|
1,286,350
|
$
|
1,340,208
|
$
|
1,276,297
|
||||||
* GMOL includes frozen vegetable sales exclusively for GMOL.
|
Fiscal 2015 versus Fiscal 2014
|
Net sales for 2015 decreased $53.9 million, from $1,340.2 million to $1,286.3 million. The decrease primarily reflects a $15.9 million decrease in GMOL sales, a $29.6 million decrease in fruit sales, a $12.5 million decrease in frozen sales, a $1.2 million increase in canned vegetables sales and a $2.7 million increase in other sales. The decrease in sales is attributable to decreased sales volume of $95.5 million partially offset by higher selling prices/more favorable sales mix of $41.6 million. The increased selling prices/more favorable sales mix is primarily due to canned fruit.
|
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
|
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
|
Cost of product sold as a percentage of sales increased from 93.2% in 2014 to 93.5% in 2015 primarily as a result of higher commodity costs and the impact of lower production volume with fixed costs, partially offset by a $9.7 million LIFO charge decrease in 2015 versus 2014.
|
Selling, general and administrative expense was unchanged at 5.2% of sales in 2015 and 2014.
|
Other operating income in 2015 included a gain of $5.0 million related to a contractual payment received in connection with the closing of a Midwest plant, a charge of $0.3 million related to environmental costs related to a Company-owned plant in New York State. The Company also recorded a gain of $0.1 million from the sale of other fixed assets. Other operating income in 2014 included a gain of $2.9 million from a break-up fee earned as a result of the Company being named the stalking horse bidder in an attempt to acquire substantially all the operating assets of Allens, Inc. in a bankruptcy court supervised auction, a gain of $0.7 million from the sale of two aircraft and a gain of $0.1 million as a result of adjustments related to the purchase of Sunnyside. The Company also recorded a loss of $0.5 million on the disposal of a warehouse located in Sunnyside, Washington and a net gain of $0.2 million from the sale of other fixed assets.
|
Plant restructuring costs, which are described in detail in the Restructuring section of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, increased from $0.5 million in 2014 to $1.4 million in 2015. This $1.4 million charge was mostly due to the closing of a plant in the Midwest in 2015. Product rationalization costs incurred in 2013 were adjusted in 2014.
|
Interest expense, net, decreased from $6.3 million in 2014 to $5.7 million in 2015 due to the continuing pay down of higher cost debt in 2015 partially offset by higher average Revolver borrowings in 2015 versus 2014.
|
As a result of the aforementioned factors, pre-tax earnings decreased from $17.3 million in 2014 to $14.1 million in 2015. The effective tax rate was 29.9% in 2015 and 20.5% in 2014. Of the 9.4 percentage point increase in the effective tax rate for the year, the major contributors to this increase are the following items, 1) the establishment of a valuation allowance related to the New York State investment tax credit, 2) with lower pre-tax earnings, the permanent items have a larger impact on the effective rate, and 3) less federal credits generated in the current year compared to the prior year. The impact of these increases was partially offset by the manufacturer's deduction being a higher percentage of current year earnings than the prior year.
|
Fiscal 2014 versus Fiscal 2013
|
Net sales for 2014 increased $63.9 million, from $1,276.3 million to $1,340.2 million. The increase primarily reflects a $22.2 million increase in frozen sales, a $19.0 million increase in fruit sales in part due to the January 2013 Sunnyside acquisition, a $12.2 million increase in GMOL sales, a $6.4 million increase in canned vegetables sales and a $4.0 million increase in other sales. The increase in sales is attributable to increased sales volume of $79.1 million partially offset by lower selling prices/less favorable sales mix of $15.2 million. The decreased selling prices/less favorable sales mix is primarily due to canned and frozen vegetables.
|
Cost of product sold as a percentage of sales increased from 88.9% in 2013 to 93.2% in 2014 primarily as a result of a $24.6 million LIFO charge increase in 2014 versus 2013, due to higher commodity costs, and somewhat lower selling prices in 2014 versus 2013.
|
Selling, general and administrative expense was 5.2% of sales in 2014 and 5.4% of sales in 2013.
|
Other operating income in 2014 included a gain of $2.9 million from a break-up fee earned as a result of the Company being named the stalking horse bidder in an attempt to acquire substantially all the operating assets of Allens, Inc. in a bankruptcy court supervised auction, a gain of $0.7 million from the sale of two aircraft and a gain of $0.1 million as a result of adjustments related to the purchase of Sunnyside. The Company also recorded a loss of $0.5 million on the disposal of a warehouse located in Sunnyside, Washington and a net gain of $0.2 million from the sale of other fixed assets. Other operating income in 2013 consisted of a gain of $2.0 million as a result of the estimated fair market value of the assets acquired exceeding the purchase price of Sunnyside.
|
Plant restructuring costs, which are described in detail in the Restructuring section of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, decreased from $3.5 million in 2013 to $0.5 million in 2014. This was due to the product rationalization costs incurred in 2013 and adjusted in 2014.
|
Interest expense, net, decreased from $7.5 million in 2013 to $6.2 million in 2014 due to the continuing pay down of higher cost debt in 2014 partially offset by higher average Revolver borrowings in 2014 versus 2013.
|
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
|
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
|
As a result of the aforementioned factors, pre-tax earnings decreased from $63.4 million in 2013 to $17.3 million in 2014. The effective tax rate was 20.5% in 2014 and 34.7% in 2013. Of the 14.2 percentage point decrease in the effective tax rate for the year, the major contributors to this decrease are the following items, 1) with lower pre-tax earnings due to part to a large LIFO charge versus a credit in the prior year, the permanent items have a larger impact on the effective rate, 2) the manufacturers deduction is a higher percentage of current year earnings than the prior year, 3) the reversal of certain tax reserves related to New York State investment tax credit and 4) work opportunity credit, research and experimentation credit and fuel tax credit and miscellaneous permanent items.
|
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
|
In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity ("ASU 2014-08"). ASU 2014-08 changes the definition of discontinued operations and modifies related disclosure requirements. The new guidance is effective on a prospective basis for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015. This new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
|
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard effective date was recently proposed to be delayed a year and if approved will be effective for the Company on April 1, 2018 (beginning of fiscal 2019). Early adoption is permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting. The Company does not anticipate a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows as a result of this change.
|
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
|
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
|
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
Interest Rate Risk
|
The Company maintained $10.6 million in cash equivalents as of March 31, 2015. As a result of its regular borrowing activities, the Company's operating results are exposed to fluctuations in interest rates, which it manages primarily through its regular financing activities. The Company uses a revolving credit facility with variable interest rates to finance capital expenditures, acquisitions, seasonal working capital requirements and to pay debt principal and interest obligations. In addition, long-term debt includes secured notes payable. Long-term debt bears interest at fixed and variable rates. With $257.4 million in average variable-rate debt during fiscal 2015, a 1% change in interest rates would have had a $2.6 million effect on interest expense. The following table provides information about the Company's financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. The table presents principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates by expected maturity date. Weighted average interest rates on long-term variable-rate debt are based on rates as of March 31, 2015.
|
Interest Rate Sensitivity of Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Investments
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2015
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
P A Y M E N T S B Y Y E A R
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total/
|
Estimated
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted
|
Fair
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016
|
2017
|
2018
|
2019
|
2020
|
Thereafter
|
Average
|
Value
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed-rate L/T debt:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Principal cash flows
|
$
|
2,530
|
$
|
2,667
|
$
|
2,844
|
$
|
3,034
|
$
|
2,531
|
$
|
4,928
|
$
|
18,534
|
$
|
19,369
|
||||||||||||||||
Average interest rate
|
6.57
|
%
|
6.59
|
%
|
6.62
|
%
|
6.67
|
%
|
6.71
|
%
|
6.68
|
%
|
6.66
|
%
|
||||||||||||||||||
Variable-rate L/T debt:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Principal cash flows
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
233,000
|
$
|
5,060
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
17,570
|
$
|
255,630
|
$
|
255,630
|
||||||||||||||||
Average interest rate
|
-
|
%
|
1.92
|
%
|
2.97
|
%
|
-
|
%
|
-
|
%
|
2.97
|
%
|
2.02
|
%
|
||||||||||||||||||
Average Revolver debt:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Principal cash flows
|
$
|
234,726
|
$
|
234,726
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average interest rate
|
1.63
|
%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term investments:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average balance
|
$
|
8,006
|
$
|
8,006
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average interest rate
|
0.07
|
%
|
Commodity Risk
|
The materials that the Company uses, such as vegetables, fruits, steel, ingredients, and packaging materials, as well as the electricity and natural gas used in the Company's business, are commodities that may experience price volatility caused by external factors including market fluctuations, availability, weather, currency fluctuations, and changes in governmental regulations and agricultural programs. These events may result in reduced supplies of these materials, higher supply costs, or interruptions in the Company's production schedules. If prices of these raw materials increase and the Company is not able to effectively pass such price increases along to its customers, operating income will decrease. With $204.7 million in produce costs expected during 2016, a 1% change would have a $2.0 million effect on inventory costs. A 1% change in steel unit costs would equate to a $1.0 million cost impact.
|
The Company does not currently hedge or otherwise use derivative instruments to manage interest rate or commodity risks.
|
Consolidated Statements of Net Earnings
|
Seneca Foods Corporation and Subsidiaries
|
||||||||||||
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
|
||||||||||||
Years ended March 31,
|
2015
|
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||||
Net sales
|
$
|
1,286,350
|
$
|
1,340,208
|
$
|
1,276,297
|
||||||
Costs and expenses:
|
||||||||||||
Cost of products sold
|
1,203,193
|
1,249,245
|
1,134,985
|
|||||||||
Selling, general, and administrative expense
|
67,381
|
70,129
|
68,852
|
|||||||||
Other operating income, net
|
(4,748
|
)
|
(3,271
|
)
|
(1,971
|
)
|
||||||
Plant restructuring
|
1,376
|
501
|
3,497
|
|||||||||
Total costs and expenses
|
1,267,202
|
1,316,604
|
1,205,363
|
|||||||||
Operating income
|
19,148
|
23,604
|
70,934
|
|||||||||
Earnings from equity investment
|
(628
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||
Interest expense, net of interest income of
|
||||||||||||
$18, $4, and $179, respectively
|
5,656
|
6,262
|
7,486
|
|||||||||
Earnings before income taxes
|
14,120
|
17,342
|
63,448
|
|||||||||
Income tax expense
|
4,221
|
3,563
|
22,035
|
|||||||||
Net earnings
|
$
|
9,899
|
$
|
13,779
|
$
|
41,413
|
||||||
Basic earnings per common share
|
$
|
0.91
|
$
|
1.24
|
$
|
3.59
|
||||||
Diluted earnings per common share
|
$
|
0.90
|
$
|
1.23
|
$
|
3.57
|
||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
|
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
|
||||||||||||
Seneca Foods Corporation and Subsidiaries
|
||||||||||||
(In thousands)
|
||||||||||||
Years ended March 31,
|
2015
|
2014
|
2013
|
|||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss):
|
||||||||||||
Net earnings
|
$
|
9,899
|
$
|
13,779
|
$
|
41,413
|
||||||
Change in pension and postretirement benefits
|
||||||||||||
(net of income tax of $13,140, $7,222, and $493, respectively)
|
(20,552
|
)
|
11,296
|
771
|
||||||||
Total
|
$
|
(10,653
|
)
|
$
|
25,075
|
$
|
42,184
|
|||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets
|
Seneca Foods Corporation and Subsidiaries
|
||||||||
(In thousands)
|
||||||||
March 31,
|
2015
|
2014
|
||||||
Assets
|
||||||||
Current Assets:
|
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents
|
$
|
10,608
|
$
|
13,839
|
||||
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts
|
||||||||
of $145 and $160, respectively
|
69,837
|
76,964
|
||||||
Inventories:
|
||||||||
Finished products
|
301,705
|
304,955
|
||||||
In process
|
10,167
|
12,353
|
||||||
Raw materials and supplies
|
160,540
|
133,942
|
||||||
472,412
|
451,250
|
|||||||
Deferred income taxes, net
|
6,997
|
8,412
|
||||||
Other current assets
|
27,439
|
33,594
|
||||||
Total Current Assets
|
587,293
|
584,059
|
||||||
Deferred income tax asset, net
|
14,829
|
-
|
||||||
Other assets
|
18,015
|
877
|
||||||
Property, plant, and equipment:
|
||||||||
Land
|
20,971
|
19,639
|
||||||
Buildings and improvements
|
200,739
|
180,202
|
||||||
Equipment
|
347,169
|
347,935
|
||||||
568,879
|
547,776
|
|||||||
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
383,322
|
363,859
|
||||||
Net property, plant, and equipment
|
185,557
|
183,917
|
||||||
Total Assets
|
$
|
805,694
|
$
|
768,853
|
||||
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
|
||||||||
Current Liabilities:
|
||||||||
Notes payable
|
$
|
9,903
|
$
|
12,255
|
||||
Accounts payable
|
68,105
|
71,219
|
||||||
Accrued vacation
|
11,347
|
10,997
|
||||||
Accrued payroll
|
6,344
|
7,516
|
||||||
Other accrued expenses
|
23,732
|
26,111
|
||||||
Current portion of long-term debt
|
2,530
|
2,277
|
||||||
Income taxes payable
|
1,787
|
913
|
||||||
Total Current Liabilities
|
123,748
|
131,288
|
||||||
Long-term debt, less current portion
|
271,634
|
216,239
|
||||||
Pension liabilities
|
54,960
|
15,828
|
||||||
Other liabilities
|
3,622
|
11,527
|
||||||
Deferred income taxes, net
|
-
|
339
|
||||||
T |