8-K
AMERICAN VANGUARD CORP false 0000005981 0000005981 2022-03-08 2022-03-08

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): March 8, 2022

 

 

AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-13795   95-2588080

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

Commission

File Number

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

4695 MacArthur Court

Newport Beach, California 92660

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number: (949) 260-1200

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol

 

Exchanges

on which registered

Common Stock, $.10 par value   AVD   New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b02 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b02 of this chapter).

Emerging Growth Company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 


Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On March 8, 2022, American Vanguard Corporation (“Registrant”) issued a press release announcing its preliminary, unaudited financial results for the three-months and full-year ended December 31, 2021 as well as a share repurchase program for up to one million shares of the Registrant’s common stock over a twelve month period. The full text of the press release is linked hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The information contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including the Exhibit linked hereto, is being furnished under Items 2.02 and 9.01 and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit 99.1    Press release dated March 8, 2022, of Registrant regarding financial results for the three-months and full-year ended December 31, 2021 as well as a share repurchase program.
Exhibit 104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within in the Inline XBRL document)


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, American Vanguard Corporation has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

    AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION
Date: March 11, 2022    
    By:  

/s/ Timothy J. Donnelly

      Timothy J. Donnelly
      Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel & Secretary

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AMERICAN VANGUARD REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER & FULL YEAR 2021 RESULTS

ANNOUNCES SHARE REPURCHASE PLAN

Newport Beach, CA – March 8, 2022 – American Vanguard Corporation (NYSE: AVD) today announced preliminary, unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021.

Fiscal 2021 Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights versus Fiscal 2020 Fourth Quarter:

 

 

Net sales were $159 million in 2021, compared to $141 million in 2020

 

 

Operating income was $9.4 million in 2021, compared to $10.1 million in 2020

 

 

EBITDA1 of $14.8 million in 2021, compared to $17.1 million in 2020

 

 

Both operating income and EBITDA from 2020 benefited from a one-time gain of $4.6 million due to bargain purchase accounting

Fiscal 2021 Full Year Financial Highlights – versus Fiscal 2020 Full Year:

 

 

Net sales were $557 million in 2021, compared to $459 million in 2020

 

 

Operating income was $30.9 million in 2021, compared to $22.9 million in 2020

 

 

Net income was $18.6 million* in 2021, compared to $15.2 million in 2020

 

 

Earnings per diluted share of $0.61* in 2021, compared to $0.51 in 2020

 

 

EBITDA1 of $56.8 million in 2021, compared to $47.5 million in 2020

 

*

Net income and earnings per share for the full year period include the impact of a $3.3 million, one-time, non-cash charge relating to tax reserves (for net operating loss carryforwards) from the Company’s operations in Brazil. These NOLs may be taken as credits in future reporting periods subject to sufficient profitability from those operations.

With respect to the Company’s financial performance, CEO and Chairman, Eric G. Wintemute stated: “2021 proved to be a very successful year for AVD despite continuing challenges posed by COVID-19, supply chain disruptions and inflation. On an annual basis, our net sales increased by 21%, operating income was up about 35%, EBITDA rose 20% and, but for the one-time, non-cash charge (which could potentially be reversed over time), our net income would have risen 44% and generated EPS of $0.72.

“The Company adapted to restrictive public health protocols, varying degrees of customer access limitations, and remote work processes in many operational and administrative functions. Throughout the year, we kept AMVAC manufacturing facilities fully functioning and sustained strong profit margins with price increases to offset inflationary costs. In addition, we strengthened our balance sheet, reduced inventory, increased net cash from operations, reduced debt and improved availability under our credit facility.”

 

1 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. EBITDA is not a financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss), operating income (loss) or any other financial measure so calculated and presented, nor as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. The items excluded from EBITDA are detailed in the reconciliation attached to this news release. Other companies (including the Company’s competitors) may define EBITDA differently.


Mr. Wintemute continued: “2021 results were driven by every part of our business. Our U.S. Crop business benefited from economic reopening and high crop commodity prices which resulted in strong demand for our products in corn, soybeans, cotton, potatoes, and many fruits and vegetables. The U.S. Non-Crop business experienced significant demand in mosquito control, commercial pest applications, horticulture/ornamental products and Envance Technologies’ licensing for consumer products. In addition, our International business saw expanded presence in Australia, increased penetration of our biological offerings and solid performance from our Central and South American groups.”

Mr. Wintemute concluded: “Looking forward, we believe that our Company is situated well in both domestic and international markets. We are currently optimistic about the prospects for 8-11% revenue growth in 2022 and are targeting gross profit margins to remain strong (38 to 40% of net sales), net income to increase by 60-70% and operating expenses to be between 31% and 33% of net sales. On a very solid core business foundation, we will continue to develop our key strategic growth initiatives in Green Solutions and SIMPAS/Ultimus technologies. We look forward to giving you a more detailed presentation during our upcoming earnings call.”

In addition, the Company announced that its board of directors has approved a program for the repurchase of up to one million shares of common stock within the requirements of Exchange Act Rule 10b-18 over the course of the next year. With respect to the repurchase program, Mr. Wintemute stated, “This authorization reflects the strong confidence that our board places in the company’s long-term success. This program also serves, in part, to offset the expansion of outstanding shares resulting from equity awards that we make to our workforce.”

Conference Call

Eric Wintemute, Chairman & CEO, Bob Trogele, EVP & COO and David T. Johnson, VP & CFO, will conduct a conference call focusing on the financial results and strategic themes…at 4:30 pm ET on March 8, 2022. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing 201-493-6744. Please call in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and ask for the American Vanguard call. The conference call will also be webcast live via the News and Media section of the Company’s web site at www.american-vanguard.com. To listen to the live webcast, go to the web site at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. If you are unable to listen live, the conference call will be archived on the Company’s web site.

About American Vanguard

American Vanguard Corporation is a diversified specialty and agricultural products company that develops and markets products for crop protection and management, turf and ornamentals management and public and animal health. American Vanguard is included on the Russell 2000® and Russell 3000® Indexes and the Standard & Poor’s Small Cap 600 Index. To learn more about American Vanguard, please reference the Company’s web site at www.american-vanguard.com.

The Company, from time to time, may discuss forward-looking information. Except for the historical information contained in this release, all forward-looking statements are estimates by the Company’s management and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ from management’s current expectations. Such factors include weather conditions, changes in regulatory policy and other risks as detailed from time-to-time in the Company’s SEC reports and filings. All forward-looking statements, if any, in this release represent the Company’s judgment as of the date of this release.

 

Company Contact:    Investor Representative
American Vanguard Corporation    the Equity Group Inc.
William A. Kuser, Director of Investor Relations    www.theequitygroup.com
(949) 260-1200    Lena Cati
[email protected]    [email protected]


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 31, 2021 and 2020

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     2021     2020  

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 16,285     $ 15,923  

Receivables:

    

Trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,938 and $3,297, respectively

     149,326       130,029  

Other

     9,595       6,969  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total receivables, net

     158,921       136,998  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Inventories, net

     154,306       163,784  

Prepaid expenses

     12,488       10,499  

Income taxes receivable

     —         3,046  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     342,000       330,250  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     66,111       65,382  

Operating lease right-of-use assets

     25,386       12,198  

Intangible assets, net of amortization

     197,841       197,514  

Goodwill

     46,260       52,108  

Other assets

     16,292       20,077  

Deferred income tax assets, net

     270       2,764  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 694,160     $ 680,293  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

    

Current liabilities:

    

Current installments of other liabilities

   $ 802     $ 2,647  

Accounts payable

     67,140       59,253  

Deferred revenue

     63,064       43,611  

Accrued program costs

     63,245       45,441  

Accrued expenses and other payables

     20,745       16,184  

Income taxes payable

     3,006       —    

Operating lease liabilities, current

     5,059       4,188  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     223,061       171,324  

Long-term debt, net of deferred loan fees

     52,240       107,442  

Other liabilities, excluding current installments

     5,335       9,054  

Operating lease liabilities, long-term

     20,780       8,177  

Deferred income tax liabilities, net

     20,006       23,560  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     321,422       319,557  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingent liabilities

    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock, $.10 par value per share; authorized 400,000 shares; none issued

     —         —    

Common stock, $.10 par value per share; authorized 40,000,000 shares; issued 34,248,218 shares in 2021 and 33,922,433 shares in 2020

     3,426       3,394  

Additional paid-in capital

     101,450       96,642  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (13,784     (9,322

Retained earnings

     304,385       288,182  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     395,477       378,896  

Less treasury stock at cost, 3,361,040 shares in 2021 and 3,061,040 in 2020

     (22,739     (18,160
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     372,738       360,736  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 694,160     $ 680,293  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     2021     2020     2019  

Net sales

   $ 556,872     $ 458,704     $ 468,186  

Cost of sales

     (343,629     (286,114     (290,832
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     213,243       172,590       177,354  

Operating expenses

     (182,468     (154,339     (151,133

Bargain purchase gain on business acquisition

     171       4,657       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     30,946       22,908       26,221  

Change in fair value of equity investments, net

     (790     717       —    

Other income

     672       —         —    

Interest expense, net

     (3,687     (5,178     (7,209
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes and loss on equity method investment

     27,141       18,447       19,012  

Provision for income taxes

     (8,166     (3,080     (5,202
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before loss on equity method investment

     18,975       15,367       13,810  

Less loss from equity method investment

     (388     (125     (209
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 18,587     $ 15,242     $ 13,601  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per common share—basic

   $ 0.62     $ 0.52     $ 0.47  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per common share—assuming dilution

   $ 0.61     $ 0.51     $ 0.46  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding—basic

     29,811       29,450       29,030  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding—assuming dilution

     30,410       29,993       29,656  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

ANALYSIS OF SALES

For the years and quarters ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

(Unaudited)

 

     For the quarters ended
December 31,
     For the years ended
December 31,
 
     2021      2020      2021      2020  

Net sales:

           

U.S. crop

   $ 78,034      $ 68,402      $ 263,632      $ 211,357  

U.S. non-crop

     19,588        16,811        78,605        60,367  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total U.S.

     97,622        85,213        342,237        271,724  

International

     61,187        55,535        214,635        186,980  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net sales

   $ 158,809      $ 140,748      $ 556,872      $ 458,704  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross profit:

           

U.S. crop

   $ 31,828      $ 27,175      $ 109,568      $ 92,723  

U.S. non-crop

     8,823        6,736        37,443        27,842  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total U.S.

     40,651        33,911        147,011        120,565  

International

     18,258        16,727        66,232        52,025  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total gross profit

   $ 58,909      $ 50,638      $ 213,243      $ 172,590  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     2021     2020     2019  

Increase cash

      

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net income

   $ 18,587     $ 15,242     $ 13,601  

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

      

Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

     22,229       19,902       18,643  

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

     194       119       —    

Amortization of other long-term assets

     3,943       3,947       3,983  

Accretion of discounted liabilities

     (8     9       72  

Amortization of deferred loan fees

     367       300       224  

Provision for bad debts

     649       1,002       1,035  

Loan principal and interest forgiveness

     (672     —         —    

Fair value adjustment of contingent consideration

     758       250       (4,120

Decrease in environmental liability

     (167     (1,155     —    

Stock-based compensation

     6,880       6,561       7,160  

Increase (decrease) in deferred income taxes

     (1,133     969       2,616  

Changes in liabilities for uncertain tax positions or unrecognized tax benefits

     (1,783     (2,092     263  

Change in equity investment fair value

     790       (717     —    

Loss from equity method investment

     388       125       209  

Bargain purchase gain

     (171     (4,657     —    

Net foreign currency adjustment

     (225     126       275  

Changes in assets and liabilities associated with operations, net of business combinations:

      

(Increase) decrease in net receivables

     (24,347     15,407       (11,513

Decrease in inventories

     8,130       7,421       3,817  

(Increase) decrease in income tax receivable, net

     6,051       (287     (6,855

(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets

     (3,354     140       (876

Increase in net operating lease liability

     286       18       149  

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable

     8,783       (8,199     (7,912

Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue

     19,280       36,803       (13,355

Increase (decrease) in accrued program costs

     17,877       (2,517     5,797  

Increase (decrease) in other payables and accrued expenses

     3,986       1,607       (3,600
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     87,318       90,324       9,613  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Capital expenditures

     (9,518     (11,249     (12,985

Acquisitions of businesses and product lines

     (10,000     (19,342     (37,972

Intangible assets

     (524     (4,014     (3,880

Investment

     —         (1,190     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (20,042     (35,795     (54,837
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Net (payments) borrowings under line of credit agreement

     (55,569     (41,624     51,900  

Payment of contingent consideration

     (1,301     (1,227     (850

Net receipt from the issuance of common stock under ESPP

     743       721       716  

Net receipt from the exercise of stock options

     172       1,603       680  

Net payment from common stock purchased for tax withholding

     (2,955     (2,745     (1,113

Repurchase of common stock

     (4,579     —         (2,604

Payment of cash dividends

     (2,382     (1,168     (2,323
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (65,871     (44,440     46,406  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     1,405       10,089       1,182  

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (1,043     (747     (769

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     15,923       6,581       6,168  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   $ 16,285     $ 15,923     $ 6,581  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO EBITDA

Quarters ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

(Unaudited)

 

     2021      2020  

Net income attributable to American Vanguard

   $ 4,874      $ 7,908  

Provision for income taxes

     2,842        1,396  

Interest expense, net

     766        1,374  

Depreciation and amortization

     6,340        6,418  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

EBITDA2

   $ 14,822      $ 17,096  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO EBITDA

Years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020

(Unaudited)

 

     2021      2020  

Net income attributable to American Vanguard

   $ 18,587      $ 15,242  

Provision for income taxes

     8,166        3,080  

Interest expense, net

     3,687        5,178  

Depreciation and amortization

     26,366        23,968  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

EBITDA 2

   $ 56,806      $ 47,468  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

2 

EBITDA is not a financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss), operating income (loss) or any other financial measures so calculated and presented, nor as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. The items excluded from EBITDA are detailed in the reconciliation attached to this news release. Other companies (including the Company’s competitors) may define EBITDA differently.