þ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Wisconsin | 39-0561070 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
Large accelerated filer þ | Accelerated filer o | Non-accelerated filer o | Smaller reporting company o | |||
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Class | Outstanding at October 31, 2009 | |
Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share | 48,935,599 |
Page No. | ||||||||
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION: | ||||||||
1 | ||||||||
2 | ||||||||
3 | ||||||||
4 | ||||||||
12 | ||||||||
15 | ||||||||
15 | ||||||||
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION: | ||||||||
16 | ||||||||
18 | ||||||||
18 | ||||||||
19 | ||||||||
20 | ||||||||
EX-31 | ||||||||
EX-32 |
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Three Months | Nine Months | |||||||||||||||
Ended September 30, | Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | |||||||||||||
Revenue |
$ | 303,179 | $ | 318,601 | $ | 889,962 | $ | 958,815 | ||||||||
Cost of products sold |
210,103 | 222,705 | 615,666 | 665,555 | ||||||||||||
Selling and administrative expenses |
54,104 | 55,041 | 153,683 | 167,919 | ||||||||||||
Operating income |
38,972 | 40,855 | 120,613 | 125,341 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
5,483 | 7,977 | 18,379 | 25,035 | ||||||||||||
Earnings before income taxes |
33,489 | 32,878 | 102,234 | 100,306 | ||||||||||||
Income taxes |
10,660 | 8,776 | 31,979 | 30,067 | ||||||||||||
Net earnings |
$ | 22,829 | $ | 24,102 | $ | 70,255 | $ | 70,239 | ||||||||
Average number of common shares outstanding: |
||||||||||||||||
Basic |
48,447 | 47,792 | 48,299 | 47,554 | ||||||||||||
Diluted |
48,750 | 48,320 | 48,553 | 48,098 | ||||||||||||
Earnings per common share: |
||||||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | .47 | $ | .50 | $ | 1.45 | $ | 1.48 | ||||||||
Diluted |
$ | .47 | $ | .50 | $ | 1.45 | $ | 1.46 | ||||||||
Dividends per common share |
$ | .19 | $ | .19 | $ | .57 | $ | .55 | ||||||||
1
September 30, | ||||||||
2009 | December 31, | |||||||
(Unaudited) | 2008 * | |||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
CURRENT ASSETS: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 11,078 | $ | 8,498 | ||||
Trade accounts receivable, net |
203,491 | 198,903 | ||||||
Inventories |
396,273 | 381,246 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
44,283 | 38,876 | ||||||
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS |
655,125 | 627,523 | ||||||
OTHER ASSETS |
38,462 | 40,878 | ||||||
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET |
13,820 | 13,754 | ||||||
GOODWILL |
459,047 | 440,416 | ||||||
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT: |
||||||||
Land |
49,886 | 47,315 | ||||||
Buildings |
274,532 | 248,366 | ||||||
Machinery and equipment |
621,484 | 594,858 | ||||||
Construction in progress |
45,703 | 40,200 | ||||||
991,605 | 930,739 | |||||||
Less accumulated depreciation |
(571,063 | ) | (527,873 | ) | ||||
420,542 | 402,866 | |||||||
TOTAL ASSETS |
$ | 1,586,996 | $ | 1,525,437 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
||||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES: |
||||||||
Trade accounts payable |
$ | 89,318 | $ | 82,976 | ||||
Accrued salaries, wages and withholdings from employees |
21,313 | 24,269 | ||||||
Other accrued expenses |
50,150 | 52,825 | ||||||
Income taxes |
3,008 | 1,988 | ||||||
Short-term borrowings |
33,245 | 34,213 | ||||||
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES |
197,034 | 196,271 | ||||||
OTHER LIABILITIES |
29,659 | 27,272 | ||||||
ACCRUED EMPLOYEE AND RETIREE BENEFITS |
40,685 | 37,616 | ||||||
LONG-TERM DEBT |
411,259 | 445,682 | ||||||
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY: |
||||||||
Common stock |
5,396 | 5,396 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
83,861 | 82,261 | ||||||
Earnings reinvested in the business |
915,956 | 873,444 | ||||||
Treasury stock, at cost |
(107,722 | ) | (116,217 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
10,868 | (26,288 | ) | |||||
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
908,359 | 818,596 | ||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
$ | 1,586,996 | $ | 1,525,437 | ||||
* | Condensed from audited financial statements. |
2
Nine Months | ||||||||
Ended September 30, | ||||||||
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 98,583 | $ | 66,288 | ||||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
||||||||
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment |
(30,933 | ) | (34,384 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from sale of assets |
4 | 1,946 | ||||||
Other investing activity |
(615 | ) | 1,293 | |||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(31,544 | ) | (31,145 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||||
Proceeds from additional borrowings |
216,608 | 40,330 | ||||||
Debt payments |
(256,991 | ) | (65,420 | ) | ||||
Dividends paid |
(27,743 | ) | (26,412 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from options exercised and other equity transactions |
8,452 | 15,959 | ||||||
Net cash used in financing activities |
(59,674 | ) | (35,543 | ) | ||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
(4,785 | ) | (23 | ) | ||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
2,580 | (423 | ) | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
8,498 | 10,522 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
$ | 11,078 | $ | 10,099 | ||||
3
1. | Accounting Policies | |
In the opinion of Sensient Technologies Corporation (the Company), the accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) which are necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. | ||
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. | ||
Expenses are charged to operations in the year incurred. However, for interim reporting purposes, certain expenses are charged to operations based on a proportionate share of estimated annual amounts rather than as they are actually incurred. | ||
Refer to the notes in the Companys annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008, for additional details of the Companys financial condition and a description of the Companys accounting policies, which have been continued without change. |
2. | Share-Based Compensation | |
The Company recognized $0.04 million and $0.6 million of share-based compensation expense for the quarters ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company recognized $1.1 million and $1.4 million of share-based compensation expense, respectively. | ||
The Company estimated the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company did not issue any stock options. The weighted-average fair value of stock options awarded during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $6.77 per share. Significant assumptions used in estimating the fair value of the awards granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 are as follows: |
2008 | ||||
Dividend yield |
2.3 | % | ||
Volatility |
26.3 | % | ||
Risk-free interest rate |
3.1 | % | ||
Expected term (years) |
5.3 |
3. | Fair Value | |
Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, defines fair value for financial assets and liabilities, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. As of September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Companys only assets and liabilities subject to this standard are forward contracts (all currently accounted for as cash flow hedges) and mutual fund investments. Both of these financial instruments were previously being recorded by the Company at fair value that meets the requirements as defined by ASC 820. The fair value of the forward contracts based on current pricing obtained for comparable derivative products (Level 2 inputs) at September 30, 2009 and 2008 was a liability of $0.2 million and an asset of $0.3 million, respectively. The fair value of the investments based on September 30, 2009 and 2008 market quotes (Level 1 inputs) was an asset of $13.7 million and $16.3 million, respectively. | ||
On June 30, 2009, the Company adopted the interim disclosure requirements under ASC 825, Financial Instruments. The carrying values of the Companys cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and short term borrowings approximated fair values as of September 30, 2009. The fair value of the Companys long-term debt, including current |
4
maturities, is estimated using discounted cash flows based on the Companys current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. The carrying value of the long-term debt at September 30, 2009 was $411.3 million. The fair value of the long-term debt at September 30, 2009 was $416.9 million. There is no impact on the Companys net earnings or financial position as a result of adopting this standard. |
4. | Segment Information | |
Operating results by segment for the periods and at the dates presented are as follows: |
Flavors & | Corporate | |||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | Fragrances | Color | & Other | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
Three months ended September 30,
2009: |
||||||||||||||||||
Revenue from external customers |
$ | 189,996 | $ | 90,261 | $ | 22,922 | $ | 303,179 | ||||||||||
Intersegment revenue |
4,809 | 3,899 | 369 | 9,077 | ||||||||||||||
Total revenue |
$ | 194,805 | $ | 94,160 | $ | 23,291 | $ | 312,256 | ||||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
$ | 30,678 | $ | 14,573 | $ | (6,279 | ) | $ | 38,972 | |||||||||
Interest expense |
| | 5,483 | 5,483 | ||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) before income taxes |
$ | 30,678 | $ | 14,573 | $ | (11,762 | ) | $ | 33,489 | |||||||||
Three months ended September 30,
2008: |
||||||||||||||||||
Revenue from external customers |
$ | 198,056 | $ | 99,424 | $ | 21,121 | $ | 318,601 | ||||||||||
Intersegment revenue |
6,495 | 3,235 | 445 | 10,175 | ||||||||||||||
Total revenue |
$ | 204,551 | $ | 102,659 | $ | 21,566 | $ | 328,776 | ||||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
$ | 31,774 | $ | 17,738 | $ | (8,657 | ) | $ | 40,855 | |||||||||
Interest expense |
| | 7,977 | 7,977 | ||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) before income taxes |
$ | 31,774 | $ | 17,738 | $ | (16,634 | ) | $ | 32,878 | |||||||||
Flavors & | Corporate | |||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | Fragrances | Color | & Other | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||
Nine months ended September 30, 2009: |
||||||||||||||||||
Revenue from external customers |
$ | 564,383 | $ | 263,243 | $ | 62,336 | $ | 889,962 | ||||||||||
Intersegment revenue |
12,525 | 11,731 | 843 | 25,099 | ||||||||||||||
Total revenue |
$ | 576,908 | $ | 274,974 | $ | 63,179 | $ | 915,061 | ||||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
$ | 94,884 | $ | 43,305 | $ | (17,576 | ) | $ | 120,613 | |||||||||
Interest expense |
| | 18,379 | 18,379 | ||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) before income taxes |
$ | 94,884 | $ | 43,305 | $ | (35,955 | ) | $ | 102,234 | |||||||||
Nine months ended September 30, 2008: |
||||||||||||||||||
Revenue from external customers |
$ | 592,387 | $ | 301,720 | $ | 64,708 | $ | 958,815 | ||||||||||
Intersegment revenue |
16,882 | 11,051 | 1,442 | 29,375 | ||||||||||||||
Total revenue |
$ | 609,269 | $ | 312,771 | $ | 66,150 | $ | 988,190 | ||||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
$ | 94,290 | $ | 55,531 | $ | (24,480 | ) | $ | 125,341 | |||||||||
Interest expense |
| | 25,035 | 25,035 | ||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) before income taxes |
$ | 94,290 | $ | 55,531 | $ | (49,515 | ) | $ | 100,306 | |||||||||
5
Beginning in the first quarter of 2009, the Companys operations in Japan, previously reported in the Flavors & Fragrances Group, are reported in the Corporate and Other segment. Results for 2008 have been restated to reflect this change. |
5. | Inventories | |
At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, inventories included finished and in-process products totaling $292.3 million and $269.8 million, respectively, and raw materials and supplies of $104.0 million and $111.4 million, respectively. |
6. | Retirement Plans | |
The Companys components of annual benefit cost for the defined benefit plans for the periods presented are as follows: |
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||
Service cost |
$ | 321 | $ | 335 | $ | 936 | $ | 1,004 | ||||||||
Interest cost |
860 | 738 | 2,330 | 2,236 | ||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets |
(353 | ) | (283 | ) | (875 | ) | (861 | ) | ||||||||
Amortization of prior service cost |
457 | 488 | 1,368 | 1,463 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of actuarial loss |
66 | 55 | 168 | 171 | ||||||||||||
Defined benefit expense |
$ | 1,351 | $ | 1,333 | $ | 3,927 | $ | 4,013 | ||||||||
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company made contributions to its defined benefit pension plans of $1.0 million and $2.8 million, respectively. Total contributions to Company defined benefit pension plans are expected to be $3.9 million in 2009. |
7. | Comprehensive Income | |
Comprehensive income is comprised of the following: |
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||
Net earnings |
$ | 22,829 | $ | 24,102 | $ | 70,255 | $ | 70,239 | ||||||||
Currency translation adjustments |
17,590 | (41,967 | ) | 37,274 | (11,822 | ) | ||||||||||
Net unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges |
(178 | ) | (588 | ) | (118 | ) | 595 | |||||||||
Net comprehensive income (loss) |
$ | 40,241 | $ | (18,453 | ) | $ | 107,411 | $ | 59,012 | |||||||
6
8. | Cash Flows from Operating Activities | |
Cash flows from operating activities are detailed below: |
Nine Months Ended | ||||||||
September 30, | ||||||||
(In thousands) | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||
Net earnings |
$ | 70,255 | $ | 70,239 | ||||
Adjustments to arrive at net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
31,458 | 33,828 | ||||||
Share-based compensation |
1,087 | 1,353 | ||||||
Loss on assets |
1,596 | 969 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
1,847 | 1,557 | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities |
(7,660 | ) | (41,658 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 98,583 | $ | 66,288 | ||||
9. | Debt | |
In October 2008, the Company entered into a $105 million senior unsecured term loan agreement (Term Loan) with a group of five banks. In March 2009, the Company borrowed the entire $105 million available and used the proceeds to repay amounts outstanding under the Companys committed revolving credit facility. On April 1, 2009, the Company retired the entire portion of the Companys public debt with proceeds from the Companys revolving credit facility. The Term Loan matures on June 15, 2012 and the interest rate on the Term Loan is based on floating rates at the Companys election of either (1) the higher of (a) the prime rate or (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.5% or (2) a Eurodollar base rate derived from LIBOR plus a margin (initially 225 basis points but subject to adjustment as the Companys leverage ratio changes). The Company may prepay the Term Loan in whole or in part prior to the maturity date without any penalty. |
10. | Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity | |
On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the disclosure requirements of ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. This standard provides disclosure requirements pertaining to a Companys use of derivative instruments and its hedging activities. There is no impact on the Companys net earnings or financial position as a result of adopting this standard. | ||
The Company may use derivative instruments for the purpose of hedging currency, commodity and interest rate exposures, which exist as part of ongoing business operations. As a policy, the Company does not engage in speculative or leveraged transactions, nor does the Company hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. Hedge effectiveness is determined by how closely the changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument offset the changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged transaction. Hedge accounting, which generally results in the deferral of derivative gains and losses until such time as the underlying transaction is recognized in net earnings, is permitted only if the hedging relationship is expected to be highly effective at the inception of the transaction and on an ongoing basis. Any ineffective portions are recognized in earnings immediately. | ||
The Company manages its exposure to foreign exchange risk by the use of forward exchange contracts and foreign currency denominated debt to reduce the effect of fluctuating foreign currencies on short-term foreign currency denominated intercompany transactions, non-functional currency raw material purchases, non-functional currency sales and other known foreign currency exposures. These derivatives may or may not be designated as hedges under ASC 815. These forward exchange contracts have maturities of less than twelve months. The Companys primary hedging activities and their accounting treatment are summarized below: |
Forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges The forward exchange contracts that have been designated as hedges are accounted for as cash flow hedges. The Company had $9.7 million of forward exchange contracts, designated as hedges, outstanding as of September 30, 2009. The fair value of these forward exchange contracts as of September 30, 2009 was a liability of $0.1 million classified in Other Liabilities in the Companys consolidated balance sheet. The gains or losses on these instruments are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (OCI) until the underlying transaction is recognized in net earnings. As of September 30, 2009, a loss of $0.1 million was deferred in OCI in the Companys consolidated balance sheet. For the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2009, a loss of $0.02 million and a gain of $1.2 million, respectively, were reclassified into earnings in the Companys consolidated statement of earnings which offset the earnings impact of the related non-functional asset or liability that was hedged in each of the same periods. Over the next twelve months, the Company expects to reclassify a loss of $0.1 million from OCI into net earnings. | |||
Forward contracts not designated as cash flow hedges The Company also utilizes forward exchange contracts that are not designated as cash flow hedges under ASC 815. These contracts are marked-to- |
7
market in net earnings immediately, at the same time as the non-functional asset or liability is marked-to-market in net earnings. The Company had $22.2 million of forward exchange contracts, not designated as hedges, outstanding as of September 30, 2009 and recognized gains of $0.1 million and $0.6 million in net earnings for the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2009, respectively, which offset the earnings impact of the related non-functional asset or liability in each of the same periods. As of September 30, 2009, the fair values of these forward contracts were an asset of $0.03 million and a liability of $0.06 million which were classified in Other Assets and Other Liabilities, respectively, in the Companys consolidated balance sheet. |
Net investment hedges The Company has certain debt denominated in Euros and Swiss Francs. These debt instruments have been designated as partial hedges of the Companys Euro and Swiss Franc net asset positions. Changes in the fair value of this debt attributable to changes in the spot foreign exchange rate are recorded in foreign currency translation in OCI. As of September 30, 2009, the total value of the Companys Euro and Swiss Franc debt was $144.1 million. A loss of $6.1 million has been recorded as foreign currency translation in OCI for the three and the nine month periods ended September 30, 2009. |
11. | Income Taxes | |
The effective income tax rates for the quarters ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were 31.8% and 26.7%, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the effective income tax rates were 31.3% and 30.0%, respectively. The effective tax rates in both 2009 and 2008 were reduced by changes in estimates associated with the finalization of prior year foreign tax items. |
12. | Subsequent Events | |
As of November 4, 2009, the issue date of these interim financial statements, there have been no events or transactions that have occurred since September 30, 2009 or are pending that have a material effect on the Companys interim financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2009. |
13. | Commitments and Contingencies | |
Environmental Matters | ||
The Company is involved in various significant environmental matters, which are described below. The Company is also involved in other site closure and related environmental remediation and compliance activities at a manufacturing site related to a 2001 acquisition by the Company for which reserves for environmental matters were established as of the date of purchase. Actions that are legally required are substantially complete. | ||
Superfund Claim | ||
In July 2004, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notified the Companys subsidiary Sensient Colors Inc. (Sensient Colors) that it may be a potentially responsible party (PRP) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) for activities at the General Color Company Superfund Site in Camden, New Jersey (the Site). The EPA requested reimbursement of $10.9 million in clean-up costs, plus interest. Sensient Colors advised the EPA that the Site had been expressly excluded from the Companys 1988 stock purchase of H. Kohnstamm & Company, Inc. (now Sensient Colors). The selling shareholders had retained ownership of and liability for the Site, and some became owners of General Color Company, which continued to operate there until the mid-1990s. In a letter to the EPA in January 2005, the Company outlined legal challenges to the recoverability of certain costs and urged the EPA to pursue General Color Company and related parties. The EPA informed Sensient Colors that it was unwilling to discuss these legal challenges without prior conditions. In 2005, a private developer, Westfield Acres Urban Renewal Association II, LP, pursuant to an agreement with the EPA, began redevelopment efforts at the Site (construction of affordable housing) by demolishing buildings thereon. Thereafter, the EPA removed allegedly contaminated soil from the locations where the buildings once stood. | ||
In March 2007, the United States filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court in New Jersey against Sensient Colors claiming over $16 million in response costs allegedly incurred and to be incurred by the EPA pursuant to CERCLA. Sensient Colors moved to dismiss the United States complaint, which motion was denied by the Court in October 2007. Sensient Colors timely filed its answer and affirmative defenses to the United States complaint, as well as a third-party complaint against current and former owners and/or operators of the Site. |
8
The United States moved to strike Sensient Colors affirmative defenses. In an August 12, 2008 Opinion and Order, following briefs and oral argument, the Court partly granted and partly denied the United States motion, effectively preserving most of Sensient Colors affirmative defenses, either as originally pled or with changes outlined by the Court. Sensient Colors promptly filed an amended pleading incorporating the revised affirmative defenses. On July 29, 2008, Sensient Colors filed a third-party complaint adding Kohnstamm Inc. (a Canadian affiliate of General Color Company) and its president Avtar Singh as defendants. | ||
In late August 2008, in the course of reviewing documents produced by the EPA, Sensient Colors discovered an e-mail exchange between EPA officials that Sensient Colors believes supports many of the legal theories and affirmative defenses advanced by Sensient Colors in the litigation and undermines key United States cost recovery claims. By letter dated August 26, 2008, based on the above document and other evidence adduced in the case, Sensient Colors demanded that the United States dismiss its case with prejudice and reimburse Sensient Colors for attorneys fees and costs incurred. In response to the August 26, 2008 letter, the United States withdrew, without prejudice, its then-pending motion to limit the scope of review to EPAs administrative record and told the Court that it would respond to Sensients letter by September 10, 2008. The United States then sought additional time for its review of Sensient Colors demand. In an October 3, 2008 Letter Order, the Court directed the United States to provide Sensient with notice of its decision with respect to the demand for dismissal by October 31, 2008. In a letter to Sensient Colors dated October 31, 2008, the United States declined to voluntarily dismiss the case but agreed, with certain conditions, not to oppose depositions of current and former EPA employees on the issues raised in Sensient Colors letter of August 26, 2008. The United States reserved its rights to seek limitations on discovery and to seek to limit review of EPAs choice of response action to the administrative record. | ||
Using the evidence that supports its demand for dismissal, Sensient Colors moved for leave to amend its responsive pleading to include a new affirmative defense, a counterclaim against the United States and the EPA, and third-party claims against certain EPA employees or agents. After briefing, the motion for leave to amend was argued before the magistrate judge on November 18, 2008. On February 13, 2009, the magistrate issued an opinion and order denying Sensient Colors motion for leave to amend. Sensient Colors appealed the magistrates decision to the district court judge. On July 22, 2009, the district court judge issued a decision affirming the magistrates opinion and order, largely on sovereign immunity grounds. | ||
Sensient Colors also issued subpoenas or deposition notices to numerous current or former EPA officials. Motions were filed to block the depositions of former EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman, former EPA Regional Administrator Jane Kenny, and EPA On-Scene Coordinator David Rosoff. On January 28, 2009, the magistrate judge issued an opinion and order denying or delaying Sensient Colors ability to conduct the foregoing depositions. Sensient Colors exercised its right to appeal the magistrates decision to the district court judge. On July 22, 2009, the district court judge issued a decision reversing the magistrate and ordering the depositions of Kenny and Rosoff to proceed. Those depositions have not yet occurred. | ||
On May 8, 2009, Sensient Colors filed a motion for summary judgment seeking dismissal with prejudice of the United States claims. That motion is fully briefed. A hearing date has not been set. | ||
Sensient Colors intends to vigorously defend its interests in the litigation. It is evaluating, among other things, settlement opportunities in an effort to minimize the expenses of litigating the matter, the pursuit of additional PRPs and additional challenges to the EPAs right to recover its claimed response costs. A portion of Sensient Colors legal defense costs is being paid by insurers with a reservation of coverage rights. Litigation to resolve coverage issues is pending. | ||
Pleasant Gardens Realty Corp. v. H. Kohnstamm & Co.,
et al. The owner of Pleasant Gardens (Property), an apartment complex adjacent to the General Color Superfund Site, filed a complaint in New Jersey state court in November 2003 against H. Kohnstamm & Co. (now Sensient Colors), the Company, General Color Company, and unknown defendants. Plaintiff seeks to hold defendants liable, in an unspecified amount, for damages related to the alleged contamination of the Property. Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the Company without prejudice. Sensient Colors filed an answer denying liability and asserting affirmative defenses. In November 2006, the Camden Redevelopment Agency (Agency) filed condemnation litigation against plaintiff (and other purported interested parties) to take the Property. Sensient Colors is not a party to the condemnation litigation. In advance of its filing, the Agency notified plaintiff that its appraiser had assessed the fair market value of the Property at $7.7 million and that its environmental consultant had estimated the costs for environmental cleanup, purportedly to meet requirements of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), at $7.5 million. Sensient Colors and plaintiff have pursued a reduction in the scope and cost of the Agencys proposed environmental cleanup in meetings with |
9
the DEP, the Agency and another party involved in the condemnation, the New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation (NJSCC). To the extent that there is a reduction in the condemnation value of the Property due to the Agencys remediation of contamination for which Sensient Colors is allegedly responsible, such reduction may become a part of the damages claimed by plaintiff. In March 2007, plaintiff filed an amended complaint naming the Agency, the NJSCC and the DEP as additional defendants in furtherance of this effort. In April 2007, Sensient Colors filed its answer to the amended complaint, including cross claims against these newly added parties. The Agency, the DEP and the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (NJSDA) (which replaced the NJSCC as a state agency effective August 7, 2007) each filed answers, cross-claims and counter-claims; Sensient Colors has responded to all three cross-claims. Document discovery was completed in July 2008, and expert and rebuttal expert reports have been exchanged. Depositions are on-going. | ||
Sensient Colors advised the Court and the other parties in this litigation of the developments in the Superfund Claim as described above. Sensient Colors took supplemental depositions of several DEP officials and served subpoenas upon five current or former EPA officials. The United States, though not a party to the Pleasant Gardens case, initially sought to quash those subpoenas before the Pleasant Gardens court. On November 17, 2008, the United States removed the subpoenas and related proceedings to federal court. At an initial court conference on the removed proceedings on February 19, 2009, the federal magistrate judge asked for additional briefing on the issue of the governments standing to seek to quash the state court subpoenas. In September 2009, the federal magistrate judge ordered that former EPA officials could be deposed but only as to individual and not official matters. Sensient Colors is appealing this decision to the district court judge. | ||
On January 8, 2009, the state court judge recused himself from the Pleasant Gardens case (as well as the related insurance coverage case) because of a conflict of interest and the Pleasant Gardens case was reassigned to another judge. In light of the recusal and reassignment, the new judge re-scheduled the trial to commence no earlier than June 1, 2009, and indicated that depending on how certain outstanding discovery issues are resolved, the trial may be deferred further. On April 20, 2009 the court further extended the pretrial schedule and set a trial date for October 5, 2009. On July 24, 2009, Sensient Colors filed a motion for summary judgment on the grounds that the DEPs proposed remedy was arbitrary and capricious. | ||
At a conference held on September 18, 2009 the state court judge ordered that discovery be completed before November 15, 2009, that dispositive motions be heard on December 11, 2009, and that the trial commence January 11, 2010. One of the plaintiffs has requested that trial be commenced on February 8, 2010. Sensient Colors did not object to this request. The judge also ordered that mediation occur before November 15, 2009. | ||
As of September 30, 2009, the liabilities related to environmental matters are estimated to be between $0.7 million and $29.0 million, excluding accrued interest and enforcement costs. As of September 30, 2009, the Company has accrued $1.0 million, which is all related to the environmental reserves established in connection with a 2001 acquisition. This accrual represents managements best estimate of these liabilities; however, the actual liabilities may be above the levels reserved or estimated, in which case the Company would need to take charges or establish reserves in later periods. Also, the Company has not been able to make a reasonable estimate of the liabilities, if any, related to some of the environmental matters discussed above. The Company has not recorded any potential insurance recoveries related to these liabilities, as receipts are not yet assured. There can be no assurance that additional environmental matters will not arise in the future. | ||
Commercial Litigation | ||
On October 13, 2009, J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines (Lohr) filed suit against the Company and its subsidiary, Sensient Dehydrated Flavors LLC (Sensient Flavors) in the state court in Monterey, California. The complaint seeks to permanently enjoin the Company and Sensient Flavors from processing onions at its Greenfield, California dehydration facility based on a limitation in Sensient Flavors 1972 use permit to the processing of peppers, celery and parsley, and based on Lohrs claim that Sensient Flavors onion processing has been damaging Lohrs grapes and wine. Lohrs complaint, in addition to seeking injunctive relief, sets out claims for nuisance, trespass, interference with prospective business advantage, and negligence per se. Lohr seeks damages of over $1.6 million for alleged losses due to an onion taint to its grapes, wine and vineyards, as well as punitive and other damages. On October 14, the court denied a temporary restraining order requested by Lohr against the Company and Sensient Flavors. On October 27, the court issued a preliminary injunction |
10
enjoining the Company and Sensient Flavors from processing any vegetables not expressly authorized in the 1972 use permit issued by the County to Sensient Flavors or any amendments thereto. Sensient Flavors has filed an application with the Planning Department seeking an amendment to its use permit confirming its right to process onions at its Greenfield facility. If Sensient Flavors ultimately does not obtain the necessary approvals to resume onion processing at its Greenfield facility, then it will likely make a capital investment in order to allow processing of these onions at other facilities. Sensients production of dehydrated onion at the Greenfield facility in 2009 represents less than 10% of its total onion production in California. The Company and Sensient Flavors believe that Lohrs complaint of alleged onion taint is without merit and they intend to vigorously defend their interests in the litigation. |
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION |
||||
Date: November 4, 2009 | By: | /s/ John L. Hammond | ||
John L. Hammond, Senior Vice President, | ||||
General Counsel & Secretary | ||||
Date: November 4, 2009 | By: | /s/ Richard F. Hobbs | ||
Richard F. Hobbs, Senior Vice | ||||
President & Chief Financial Officer |
19
Exhibit | Description | Incorporated by Reference From | Filed Herewith | |||
31
|
Certifications of the Companys Chairman & Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act | X | ||||
32
|
Certifications of the Companys Chairman & Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 United States Code § 1350 | X |
20