UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

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

For The Year Ended December 31, 20192021

OR

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

For The Transition Period From                      To                      

Commission file number 001-13795

 

AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION

 

 

Delaware

 

95-2588080

(State or other jurisdiction of

Incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

 

4695 MacArthur Court, Newport Beach, California

 

92660

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

(949) 260-1200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $.10 par value

 

AVD

 

New York Stock Exchange

 

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

NONE

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes      No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15 (d) of the Act.    Yes      No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes      No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes      No  

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

Large accelerated filer

 

  

Accelerated filer

 

Non-accelerated filer

 

  

Smaller reporting company

 

 

 

 

 

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.  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes      No  

The aggregate market value of the voting stock of the registrant held by non-affiliates is $446.4$523.8 million. This figure is estimated as of June 30, 20192021 at which date the closing price of the registrant’s Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $15.41$17.51 per share. For purposes of this calculation, shares owned by executive officers, directors, and 5% stockholders known to the registrant have been deemed to be owned by affiliates. The number of shares of $.10 par value Common Stock outstanding as of June 30, 2019,2021, was 30,148,629.31,200,611. The number of shares of $.10 par value Common Stock outstanding as of February 24, 2020March 1, 2022 was 30,159,277.30,944,838.

 

 

 


AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

December 31, 20192021

 

 

 

 

 

Page No.

 

 

PART I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Business

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

89

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

 

1314

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

Properties

 

1314

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

1415

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

Mine Safety Disclosures

 

1415

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

 

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

 

1516

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

 

Selected Financial DataReserved

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

Item 7.

 

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

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

Item 7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

2827

 

 

 

 

 

Item 8.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

2827

 

 

 

 

 

Item 9.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

2927

 

 

 

 

 

Item 9A.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

2927

 

 

 

 

 

Item 9B.

 

Other Information

 

3130

Item 9C.

Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions That Prevent Inspections

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART III

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 10.

 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

Item 11.

 

Executive Compensation

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

Item 12.

 

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

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

Item 13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

Item 14.

 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART IV

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 15.

 

Exhibits and Financial Statement SchedulesSchedule

 

32

 

 

 

 

 

Item 16.

 

Form 10-K Summary

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES AND CERTIFICATIONS

 

36

 

 

 


i


AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

PART I

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, the terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to American Vanguard Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries (“AVD”).

Forward-looking statements in this report, including without limitation, statements relating to the Company’s plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions, and adequacy of resources, are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. (Refer to Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors and Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation, included in this Annual Report.)

All dollar amounts reflected in the consolidated financial statements are expressed in thousands, except per share data.

ITEM 1

BUSINESS

American Vanguard Corporation (“AVD”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in January 1969 and operates as a holding company. Unless the context otherwise requires, references to the “Company” or the “Registrant,” in this Annual Report refer to AVD. The Company conducts its business through its principle operating subsidiaries, including AMVAC Chemical Corporation (“AMVAC”), for its domestic business and AMVAC Netherlands BV (“AMVAC BV”) for its international business.

The subsidiaries in the U.S. include: AMVAC, GemChem, Inc. (“GemChem”), Envance Technologies, LLC (“Envance”), TyraTech Inc. (“TyraTech”) and OHP Inc. (“OHP”).

Internationally, the Company operates its business through the following subsidiaries: AMVAC BV, AMVAC Hong Kong Limited (“AMVAC Hong Kong”), AMVAC Mexico Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (“AMVAC M”), AMVAC de Costa Rica Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada (“AMVAC CR Srl”), AMVAC C.V. (“AMVAC CV”), AMVAC Hong Kong Limited (“AMVAC Hong Kong”), AMVAC Netherlands BV (“AMVAC BV”), Envance Technologies, LLC (“Envance”), TyraTech Inc. (“TyraTech”), AMVAC Singapore Pte, Ltd (“AMVAC Sgpr”), Huifeng AMVAC Innovation Co. Limited (“Hong Kong JV”), OHP Inc. (“OHP”), Grupo AgriCenter (including the parent AgriCenter S.A. and its subsidiaries) (“AgriCenter”), AMVAC do Brasil Representácoes Ltda (“AMVAC do Brasil”), Agrovant Comércio de Produtos Agrícolas Ltda.AMVAC do Brazil 3p LTDA (“Agrovant”AMVAC 3p”), American Vanguard Australia PTY Ltd (“AVD Australia”), AgNova Technologies PTY Ltd (“AgNova”), and Defensive – Indústria, Comérico & Representação Comerial Ltda.the Agrinos group (“Defensive”Agrinos”).

Based on similar economic and operational characteristics, the Company’s business is aggregated into one reportable segment. Refer to Part II, Item 7 for selective enterprise information.

AVD operates its business through its principle operating subsidiaries including AMVAC for its domestic business and AMVAC BV for its international business.

AMVAC is a California corporation that traces its history from 1945 and is a specialtymanufacturer of chemical, manufacturerbiological and biorational products that develops and markets productssolutions for agricultural, commercial and consumer uses. It manufacturessynthesizes and formulates chemicals and ferments and extracts microbial products for crops, turf and ornamental plants, and human and animal health protection. These chemicals,products, which include insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, soil health, plant nutrition, molluscicides, growth regulators, and soil fumigants, are marketed in liquid, powder, and granular forms. In prior years, AMVAC considered itself a distributor-formulator, but now AMVAC primarily synthesizes, formulates, and distributes its own proprietary products or custom manufactures, formulates or distributes for others. In addition, the Company has carved out a leadership position in closed delivery systems, currently offers certain of its products in SmartBox, Lock ‘n Load and EZ Load systems, and is commercializing a precision application technology known as SIMPAS (see “Intellectual Property” below) which permits the delivery of multiple products (from AMVAC and/or other companies) at variable rates in a single pass. AMVAC has historically expanded its business through both the acquisition of established chemistries, the development and commercialization of new formulations or compounds through licensing arrangements, self-funded research and by expandingdevelopment of precision application technology and the expansion of its global distribution network to gain broader market access.

AMVAC BV is a Netherlands Corporation that was established in 2012 and is based in HoutenUtrecht, near Amsterdam in the Netherlands. AMVAC BV sells product both directly and through its network of subsidiaries in various international territories.

Below is a description of the Company’s acquisition/licensing activity over the past fourthree years.

On July 1, 2021, the Company completed the purchase of certain assets from Syngenta Crop Protection related to the herbicide trifloxysulfuron (Envoke), including end-use registrations, data compensation claims, trademarks, formulation know-how, and books and records.

2


On October 8, 2020, the Company’s Australian subsidiary, AVD Australia, completed the purchase of all the outstanding shares of AgNova, an Australian company that sources, develops, and distributes specialty crop protection and production solutions for agricultural and horticultural producers and for selected non-crop users. AgNova has an established reputation for cost-effective product development from original concept through evaluation, registration, marketing, and sales, with new technologies flowing from its development pipeline. AgNova is committed to the provision of innovative, value-adding solutions for agriculture and related industries. The acquired assets included product registration, trade names and trademarks, customer lists, workforce, fixed assets, and existing working capital.

On October 2, 2020, the Company’s principal operating subsidiary, AMVAC, completed the purchase of all the outstanding shares of the Agrinos Group Companies (Agrinos) from  Agrinos AS, a Norwegian holding company, from a liquidation proceeding of that entity before a Norwegian bankruptcy court in Oslo, Norway. In addition to the shares of Agrinos, AMVAC acquired a bank of microbial and micronutrients, as well as about 150 pending or issued patents. Agrinos is a fully integrated biological input supplier with proprietary technology, manufacturing facilities, and global distribution capabilities. Its High Yield Technology® product platform works in conjunction with other nutritional crop inputs to increase crop yield, improve soil health and reduce the environmental footprint of traditional agricultural practices. The acquired assets included product registration, trade names and trademarks, customer lists, workforce, fixed assets, two factories and existing working capital.

On April 1, 2020, the Company’s principal operating subsidiary, AMVAC, acquired 6,250,000 common shares of Clean Seed Capital Group Ltd. (Clean Seed), representing an ownership of approximately 8%. In addition, AMVAC licensed from Clean Seed certain intellectual property rights related to Clean Seed’s SMART planting technologies.

On December 20, 2019, the Company’s principal operating subsidiary, AMVAC, Chemical Corporation, completed the purchase of certain assets related to four herbicide products from E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company doing-business-as Corteva Agriscience and Dow Agrosciences, LLC., for use in the U.S.. The purchased assets includeincluded end-use registrations, registration data, trademarks (specifically, Classic®, First Rate®, Python® and Hornet®), on-hand inventory, commercial sales information, know-how and certain product supply arrangements.

2


On July 1, 2019, the Company completed the acquisition of three crop protection products for the U.S. market from Raymat Crop Science, Inc. and its affiliate, Esstar Crop Science, Inc. The acquired products are the miticide etoxazole (Stifle), the insect growth regulator Diflubenzuron,diflubenzuron (Cavalier), and a rice herbicide bispyribac sodium.sodium (Arroz). The acquired assets included product registrations, trademarks and trade names, customer lists and associated on-hand inventory.   

On January 10, 2019, the Company’s international subsidiary AMVAC BVdo Brazil completed the purchase of Defensivethe shares of Agrovant and Agrovant,Defensive, two distribution companies based in Brazil. DefensiveAgrovant and AgrovantDefensive market and distribute crop protection products and micronutrients with focus on the fruit and vegetable market segments throughout Brazil. The acquired assets included all of the outstanding stock of those companies, which holdentities held assets that consist in part, of product registration,registrations, trade names and trademarks, customer lists, workforce, fixed assets, and existing working capital.

On December 28, 2018, the Company’s international subsidiary Agrovant and Defensive were merged in 2020 and renamed to AMVAC BV completed the purchase of certain assets related to the Quizalofop product family from E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. Quizalofop is an herbicide marketed under the name Assure II for use on canola, soybeans and pulse (among other things) in Canada and the U.S.. The acquired assets include product rights, registration data, trademarks, and inventory.  Subsequently, AMVAC BV transferred the acquired assets related to the U.S. market to AMVAC.

On December 14, 2018, AMVAC completed the purchase of certain assets related to the trichlorfon product family from Bayer AG and Bayer CropScience AG (“Bayer”). Trichlorfon is an insecticide marketed under the name Dylox in turf, ornamental and other markets. This transaction includes product registrations, trademarks and manufacturing know-how. AMVAC will manufacture and supply formulated end use products to Bayer for the latter’s distribution.

On November 9, 2018, AMVAC completed the purchase of all of the outstanding shares of TyraTech, Inc. and, in the process, delisted TyraTech from the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. TyraTech develops non-toxic insecticides and green solutions for pest control. Their patented technology platform leverages synergistic essential oil combinations to target invertebrate pest receptors that are not active in humans and other mammals.

On June 20, 2018, AMVAC completed the purchase of certain intangible assets related to the bromacil product family including end use registrations in the U.S.. The assets were purchased from Bayer AG. Bromacil is a broad-spectrum residual herbicide used for non-agricultural industrial vegetation control and on many crops such as pineapples, citrus, agave and asparagus. Marketed under the Hyvar® and Krovar® brands, bromacil herbicides are valued and long-established weed control tools. AMVAC previously purchased these brands from DuPont Crop Protection in 2015 for markets outside of US and Canada including Japan, Thailand, Mexico, Costa Rica and Brazil.

On October 27, 2017, the Company’s international subsidiary, AMVAC BV, completed the purchase of several affiliated companies operating under AgriCenter S.A., a distribution company based in Costa Rica. AgriCenter markets and distributes end-use chemical and biological products throughout Central America, primarily for crop applications. The acquired assets included product registration, trade names and trademarks, customer lists, personnel, fixed assets, goodwill and working capital.

On October 2, 2017, AMVAC acquired substantially all of the assets of OHP, a US-based distribution company specializing in the greenhouse and nursery production markets. The acquired assets included product rights, trade names, customer relationships, personnel, goodwill, fixed assets and working capital.

On August 22, 2017, AMVAC BV, completed the acquisition of certain selective herbicides and contact fungicides including chlorothanonil, ametryn, and isopyrazam, sold in the Mexican agricultural market. The assets were purchased from Syngenta AG and are used on various crops such as sugarcane, tomatoes, potatoes and hot peppers. The acquired assets included product registrations, trademarks and trade names, customer lists, and associated inventory.  

On June 6, 2017, AMVAC, completed an acquisition of certain herbicides, fungicides and insecticides assets relating to the abamectin, chlorothalonil and paraquat product lines from a group of companies, including Adama Agricultural Solutions, Ltd. These products are used on a wide range of crops such as citrus, cotton, nuts, fruits and vegetables. The acquired assets included product registrations, trademarks and trade names, customer lists, and associated inventory.

On January 13, 2017, AMVAC acquired from The Andersons, Inc. certain assets relating to proprietary formulations containing PCNB, chlorothalonil and propiconazole which are marketed under the name FFII and FFIII. The acquired assets included end use registrations.  

On June 27, 2017, both AMVAC BV and Huifeng made individual capital contributions of $950 to the Hong Kong JV. On July 7, 2017, the Hong Kong JV purchased 100% of the shares of Profeng Australia Pty Ltd. (“Profeng”), for a total consideration of $1,900.

3


On February 29, 2016, AMVAC BV purchased shares constituting a 15% interest in BiPA NV/SA, a Belgian company specializing in the development and early commercialization of biological products for use in agriculture. Through this investment, AMVAC BV obtained possible future access to a pipeline of new biological products for potential commercialization either individually in certain territories or in combination with the Company’s existing product portfolio.3p.

Seasonality

The agricultural chemical industry, in general, is cyclical in nature. The demand for AVD’s products tends to be seasonal. Seasonal usage, however, does not necessarily follow calendar dates, but more closely follows growing patterns, weather conditions, geography, weather related pressure from pests and customer marketing programs. WithFurther, growing seasons vary by geographical region; thus, there is no single seasonal cycle affecting our sales. Rather, multiple seasons transpire over the expansioncourse of the Company’s global footprint, seasonal effects have become more attenuated on a full-year basis.calendar year.

Backlog

AVD primarily sells its products based on the basis of purchase orders. The purchase orders are typically fulfilled within a short time frame. As a result, backlog is not considered a significant factor of, or a valid metric for, AVD’s business. The 2021 year, however, did end with a significantly larger than normal backlog of orders that is expected to result in a strong start to the 2022 financial year as demand for the Company’s products remains high.

Customers

The Company’s largest three customers accounted for 18%17%, 14% and 7%8% of the Company’s sales in 2019;2021; 17%, 12%, 9% and 8% in 2018; and 13%, 10% and 10% in 2017.2020; and 18%, 14% and 7% in 2019.

3


Distribution

AVD manages itsIn the U.S. business through its principal operating subsidiary, AMVAC. AMVAC predominantly distributes its products domestically through national distribution companies and buying groups or co-operatives, which purchase AMVAC’s goods on a purchase order basis and, in turn, sell them to retailers/growers/end-users. AVD manages its international sales through

Internationally, AMVAC BV which has sales offices or wholly owned distributors in Mexico, Costa Rica, several other countries in Central America, Brazil, Australia, and India, and sales force executives or sales agents in several other territories. The Company’s domestic and international distributors, agents and customers typically have long-established relationships with retailers/end-users, far-reaching logistics, transportation capabilities and/or customer service expertise. The markets for AVDAVD’s products vary by region, target crop, use and type of distribution channel. AVD’s customers are experts at addressing these various markets.

Competition

In its many marketplaces, AVD faces competition from both domestic and foreign manufacturers. Many of our competitors are larger and have substantially greater financial and technical resources than AVD. AVD’s capacity to compete depends on its ability to develop additional applications (including delivery systems and precision application technologies) for its current products and/or expand its product lines and customer base. AVD competes principally based on the basis of quality, product efficacy, price, technical service and customer support. In some cases, AVD has positioned itself in smaller niche markets, which are no longer addressed by larger companies. In other cases, for example in the Midwest corn market,and soybean markets, the Company competes directly withagainst larger competitors.

Manufacturing

Through its foursix manufacturing facilities (see Item 2, Properties), AVD synthesizes many of the technical grade active ingredients that are in its end-use products. Further, the Company formulates and packages its end useend-use products at four of its own facilities or at the facilities of third-party formulators in the U.S. and at various international locations. In addition, the Company owns two biological fermentation sites, one site in the U.S., and one in Mexico, and, in addition, has a product manufacturing arrangement at a third-party facility in India.

Raw Materials

AVD utilizes numerous companies to supply the various raw materials and components used in manufacturing its products. Many of these materials are readily available from domestic sources. In those instances where there is a single source of supply or where the source is not domestic, AVD seeks to secure its supply by either long-term (multi-year) arrangements or purchasing on long lead times from its suppliers. Further, where the availability or cost of certain raw materials may be subject to the effect of tariffs and/or supply chain disruption, the Company may order goods at times or in volumes out of the ordinary course in order to optimize pricing and to ensure supply.

4


Intellectual Property

AVD’s proprietary product formulations are protected, to the extent possible, as trade secrets and, to a lesser extent, by patents. Certain of the Company’s closed delivery systems are patented, and the Company has made applications for related inventionsboth pending and issued patents relating to expand its equipment portfolio, particularly with respect to its SIMPAS and ULTIMUS technology. In addition, the Company owns multiple issued patents relating to both its low-impact Envance solutions as well as its Agrinos biological and microbial solutions. Further, AVD’s trademarks bring value to its products in both domestic and foreign markets. AVD considers that, in the aggregate, its product registrations, trademarks, licenses, customer lists and patents constitute valuable assets. While it does not regard its current business as being materially dependent upon any single product registration, trademark, license, or patent, it believes that patents will play an increasingly important role in its developmental equipment technology in future years.and green solution technologies.

EPA Registrations

In the U.S., AVD’s products also receive protection afforded by the terms of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (“FIFRA”), pursuant to which it is unlawful to sell any pesticide in the U.S., unless such pesticide has first been registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“USEPA”). Substantially allMost of the Company’s products that are sold in the U.S. are subject to USEPA registration and periodic re-registration requirements and are registered in accordance with FIFRA. This registration by USEPA is based, among other things, on data demonstrating that the product will not cause unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment, when used according to approved label directions. In addition, each state requires a specific registration before any of AVD’s products can be marketed or used in that state. State registrations are predominantly renewed annually with a smaller number of registrations that are renewed on a multiple year basis. Foreign jurisdictions typically have similar registration requirements by statute.

4


In addition, certain of the Company’s biological products are labeled organic under the Organic Materials Review Institute (“OMRI”), Washington State Department of Agriculture (“WSDA”) and/or California Department of Food and Agriculture (“CDFA”) and, as such, are subject to the requirements of those certification standards, including with respect to raw materials and processes. As is the case with synthetic products, these biological products are also subject to specific labeling requirements that may vary from state to state.

The USEPA, state, and foreign agencies have required, and may require in the future, that certain scientific data requirements be performed on registered products sold by AVD. AVD, on its own behalf and in joint efforts with other registrants, has furnished, and is currently furnishing, required data relative to specific products. Under FIFRA, the federal government requires registrants to submit a wide range of scientific data to support U.S. registrations.registrations, including in the case of adding labeled uses. This requirement results in operating expenses in such areas as regulatory compliance, with USEPA and other such bodies in the markets in which the Company sells its products. In addition, at times, the Company is required to generate new formulations of existing products and/or to produce new products in order to remain compliant. The Company expensed $16,568, $15,613 and $13,989, $16,047during 2021, 2020 and $14,232, during 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, on these activities.

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Registration

 

$

9,046

 

 

$

10,749

 

 

$

9,450

 

 

$

10,612

 

 

$

10,914

 

 

$

9,046

 

Product development

 

 

4,943

 

 

 

5,298

 

 

 

4,782

 

 

 

5,956

 

 

 

4,699

 

 

 

4,943

 

 

$

13,989

 

 

$

16,047

 

 

$

14,232

 

Total

 

$

16,568

 

 

$

15,613

 

 

$

13,989

 

 Environmental

Environmental

Commerce Site

During 2019, AMVAC continued activities to address environmental issues associated with its facility in Commerce, CA. (the “Facility”). An outline of the history of those activities follows.

In 1995, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (“DTSC”) conducted a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) Facility Assessment (“RFA”) of those facilities having hazardous waste storage permits. In March 1997, the RFA culminated in DTSC accepting the Facility into its Expedited Remedial Action Program. Under this program, the Facility was required to conduct an environmental investigation and health risk assessment. This activity then took two paths: first, the RCRA permit closure and second, the larger site characterization.

With respect to the RCRA permit closure, in 1998, AMVAC began the formal process to close its hazardous waste permit at the Facility (which had allowed AMVAC to store hazardous waste longer than 90 days) as required by federal regulations. Formal regulatory closure actions began in 2005 and were completed in 2008, as evidenced by DTSC’s October 1, 2008 acknowledgement of AMVAC’s Closure Certification Report.

5


With respect to the larger site characterization, soil and groundwater characterization activities began in December 2002 in accordance with the Site Investigation Plan that was approved by DTSC. Additional activities were conducted from 2003 to 2014, with oversight provided by DTSC. In 2014, the Company submitted a remedial action plan (“RAP”) to DTSC, under the provisions of which, the Company proposed not to disturb sub-surface contaminants, but to continue monitoring, maintain the cover above affected soil, enter into restrictive covenants regarding the potential use of the property in the future, and to continue to provide financial assurances relating to the requirements of the RAP.  In January 2017, the RAP was circulated for public comment.  DTSC responded to those comments and, on September 29, 2017, approved the RAP as submitted by the Company. The Company continues to conduct groundwater monitoring and maintain the cover above affected soil and is working with DTSC to prepare an operation and maintenance plan, to record covenants on certain affected parcels and to obtain further clarification on financial assurance obligations relating to the RAP.  At this stage, the Company does not believe that costs likely to be incurred in connection with the RAP will be material and has not recorded a loss contingency for these activities.

Brazil

AMVAC do Brasil leases a facility, located in the municipality Jaboticabal, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, that was used for storage of packaged pesticide and fertilizer products in warehouses and storage of mineral oil in above ground storage tanks. As lessee of the facility, AMVAC do Brasil is required to assess the environmental condition of the site and conduct remediation, if necessary and therefore contracted an environmental consultant to perform a preliminary environmental site assessment in December 2019. The assessment indicated possible subsurface contamination in limited areas and recommends a Phase II confirmatory investigation, which may or may not indicate the need for additional investigation and/or remediation.  

Other Environmental

AMVACAVD is subject to numerous federal and state laws and governmental regulations concerning environmental matters and employee health and safety at its foursix manufacturing facilities both in the U.S..U.S. and abroad. The Company continually adapts its manufacturing, processstorage, transportation, handling and disposal processes to the environmental control standards of the various regulatory agencies.and other agencies to which it is subject. The USEPA and other foreign, federal and state agencies have the authority to promulgate regulations that could have an impact on the Company’s operations.

AMVACAVD expends substantial funds to minimize the risk of discharge of materials in the environment and to comply with the governmental regulations relating to protection of the environment. Wherever feasible, AMVACthe Company recovers and recycles raw materials and increases product yield in order to partially offset increasing pollution abatement costs.

The Company is committed to a long-term environmental protection program that reduces emissions of hazardous materials into the environment, as well as to the remediation of identified existing environmental concerns.

EmployeesHuman Capital Resources

We believe that, beyond being essential to our operations, our people have inestimable worth independent of our business. As outlined in our Human Rights Policy (see, www.american-vanguard.com under ESG tab), we believe that it is fundamental to our corporate responsibility and, indeed, to our humanity, that we recognize, respect and nurture the freedom and dignity of December 31, 2019,all persons. Accordingly, we have insinuated that belief throughout the Company employed 671fabric of our operations in our approach toward our employees. Indeed, the first two core values underlying our commitment to sustainability (see, Update to Corporate Sustainability Report, www.american-vanguard.com under ESG tab) are “Safety First” – which is a culture that begins with highly-regulated manufacturing plants, continues into the design of science-backed products and extends into market-leading delivery systems – and “Making a Difference” – under which, by rewarding achievement and giving our employees a voice, we attract diverse employees who want to make a difference in their careers, in the company and in the communities that we serve.

Our Human Capital program consists of the following elements:

Board Oversight – through our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (“N&CG”), our board of directors oversees human capital-related risks and opportunities. At least annually, the N&CG Committee requires that management update succession planning for key executives, including with respect to planning for the future with a commitment toward diversity, equity and inclusion.

Strategy – the Company’s human capital strategy has two primary elements: giving our employees a voice and providing them with generous benefits (including an unrivalled health benefits plan and awards of common stock to the entire workforce). As we have covered in our Update to Corporate Sustainability Report, our company is a destination for highly qualified employees who are drawn to a workplace where they can make a difference. Our managerial approach is that our functions work in a collaborative manner – cutting across departmental lines to arrive at better solutions with a high level of efficiency. This strategy has enabled the Company to maximize retention, even in an increasingly competitive employment market.

5


Compensation – as mentioned in our Strategy above, compensation is an essential element of our human capital approach. During the pandemic in the midst of the so-called “Great Resignation” that affected many industries, we took measures to incentivize our workforce to remain with us, including across-the-board wage increases in certain of our manufacturing facilities. To the extent that our highly skilled personnel are being recruited by other companies, we endeavor to keep an open conversation on their needs and, where appropriate, have increased their total compensation (through a combination of wage, stock and/or vacation) to retain them.

Voice – our management style is to solicit good ideas from employees, involve them in implementation and give them recognition for ideas that succeed. For example, personnel from virtually any department (be it sales, technology, product development or otherwise) can submit ideas to our Innovation Review Committee (“IRC”) for consideration and potential funding. The IRC continues to be a source of new product ideas that has enabled us to launch several new formulations and other solutions on an annual basis. Similarly, our Beekeeper platform is a company-only social media channel on which employees anywhere in the world can report on their accomplishments, commendations of others and local developments.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (“DEI”) – the Company continues to expand its DEI program. In 2021, with the retirement of Lawrence Clark from our board of directors, the Company called upon the Latino Corporate Directors Association to help recruit Marisol Angelini as a new director. With Ms. Angelini’s addition to the board, three of nine members (33%) of our board are female and three of nine (again, 33%) are from underrepresented groups (LGBTQ, Middle Eastern and Latinx). Based upon the Company’s most current EEO-1 (“Equal Employment Opportunity”) Report, representation of African Americans in our domestic workforce exceeds the prevalence of that group in the national population, while representation of Hispanic personnel is slightly below the national average. Nevertheless, during 2022, the Company is working on a plan to advance its commitment to DEI throughout the workforce.

The Company employed 624804 employees as of December 31, 20182021, and 605771 employees as of December 31, 2017.2020. From time to time, due to the seasonality of its business, AVD uses temporary contract personnel to perform certain duties primarily related to packaging of its products. None of the Company’s employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement. The Company believes it maintains positive relations with its employees.

Domestic operations

AMVAC is a California corporation that was incorporated under the name of Durham Chemical in August 1945. The name of the corporation was subsequently changed to AMVAC in January 1971. As the Company’s main operating subsidiary, AMVAC owns and/or operates the Company’s domestic manufacturing facilities. AMVAC manufactures, formulates, packages and sells its products in the U.S. and is a wholly owned subsidiary of AVD.

GemChem is a California corporation that was incorporated in 1991 and was subsequently purchased by the Company in 1994. GemChem sells into the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and nutritional markets and, in addition, purchases of key raw materials for the Company. GemChem is a wholly owned subsidiary of AVD.

DAVIE owns real estate for corporate use only. See also Part I, Item 2 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.The site is the home to the Company’s research center and provides accommodation for the Company’s production control team. DAVIE is a wholly owned subsidiary of AVD.

6


Envance is a Delaware Limited Liability Company and is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. It was formed in 2012 with joint venture partner, TyraTech. AMVAC’s initial shareholding was 60% which increased to 87% in 2015. Prior to November 8, 2018 the Company also owned 34.38% of TyraTech. On November 8, the Company acquired the remaining 65.62% of the shares of TyraTech Inc. and, as a result, TyraTech became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company on November 9, 2018. Also, as a result of acquiring 100% of TyraTech, Envance became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Envance has the rights to develop and commercialize pesticide products and technologies made from natural oils in global consumer, commercial, professional, crop protection and seed treatment markets and has begun bringing products to market and license its intellectual property to third parties.

On October 2, 2017, AMVAC purchased substantially all of the assets of OHP, a domestic distribution company specializing in products for the turf and ornamental market. OHP markets and sells end use products for third parties, either under third-party brands or else as its own label products.

Envance is a Delaware Limited Liability Company that was formed in 2012 by AMVAC and joint venture partner TyraTech. Envance and TyraTech became wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company on November 9, 2018. Envance has the rights to develop and commercialize pesticide products and technologies based on TyraTech’s intellectual property. Products are made from natural oils in global consumer, commercial, professional, crop protection and seed treatment markets. Envance is taking products to market primarily by licensing its intellectual property to third parties.

International operations

In July 2012, the Company formed AMVAC CV, which is incorporated in the Netherlands, for the purpose of managing foreign sales on behalf of the Company. AMVAC CV is owned jointly by AMVAC as the general partner, and AVD International, LLC (also formed in July 2012 as a wholly owned subsidiary of AMVAC), as the limited partner, and is therefore a wholly owned subsidiary of AVD. In November 2019, AMVAC Hong Kong was formed and is wholly owned subsidiary of AMVAC. AMVAC Hong Kong took over the role of AMVAC CV as of January 1, 2020.

6


AMVAC BV is a registered Dutch private limited liability company that was formed in July 2012. AMVAC BV is located in the Netherlands and is wholly owned by AMVAC CV. During 2019,2021, the international business sold the Company’s products in 5554 countries, as compared to 5455 countries in 2018.

AMVAC Hong Kong was formed in November 2019 and is wholly owned by AMVAC. AMVAC Hong Kong took over the role of AMVAC CV as of January 1, 2020.

AMVAC M is a wholly owned subsidiary of AMVAC BV and was originally formed in 1998 (as Quimica Amvac de Mexico S.A. de C.V and subsequently changed to AMVAC Mexico Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada “AMVAC M”) to conduct the Company’s business in Mexico.  

AMVAC Sgpr is a wholly owned subsidiary of AMVAC BV and was formed on April 12, 2016. This new entity was formed to conduct the Company’s business in the Asia Pacific and China region.

Hong Kong JV is a 50% owned joint venture with Huifeng (Hong Kong) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Huifeng Agrochemical Company, Ltd, (“Huifeng”) a China based, basic chemical manufacturer. The Hong Kong JV was formed on August 2, 2016. The purpose of the joint venture is to be a technology transfer platform between the co-owners, including the development of proprietary agrochemical formulations and precision application systems for crop protection. Furthermore, it is intended to be used to develop both partners’ business in the region. This included, in 2017, the acquisition of 100% of the shares of Profeng.

On October 27, 2017, AMVAC BV purchased 100% of the stock of AgriCenter, which owned shares in subsidiaries located in Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. These affiliated entities, collectively known as AgriCenter, market, sell and distribute end-use chemicalchemicals, including the Company’s own products, and biological products throughout Central America primarily for crop applications.

On January 10, 2019, AMVAC BV acquired 100% of the stock of DefensiveAgrovant and Agrovant,Defensive, two distribution companies based in Brazil. DefensiveAgrovant and AgrovantDefensive market and distribute crop protection products and micronutrients with focus on the fruit and vegetable market segments throughout Brazil. On December 31, 2020, Agrovant and Defensive merged and renamed the resulting entity, AMVAC 3p.

On October 8, 2020, American Vanguard Australia Pty Ltd acquired 100% of the stock of AgNova, an Australian company that sources, develops, and distributes specialty crop protection and production solutions for agricultural and horticultural producers, and for selected non-crop users.

On October 2, 2020, the Company’s principal operating subsidiary, AMVAC, completed the purchase of all outstanding shares of Agrinos and certain intellectual property rights. Agrinos is a fully integrated biological input supplier with proprietary technology, internal manufacturing, and global distribution capabilities and has operating entities in the U.S., Mexico, India, Brazil, China, Ukraine, and Spain.

The Company classifies as international sales all products bearing foreign labeling shipped to a foreign destination.

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

International sales

 

$

185,961

 

 

$

153,958

 

 

$

98,905

 

 

$

214,635

 

 

$

186,980

 

 

$

185,961

 

Percentage of net sales

 

 

39.7

%

 

 

33.9

%

 

 

27.9

%

 

 

38.5

%

 

 

40.8

%

 

 

39.7

%

 

7


Risk ManagementThe Company’s Operations in a Pandemic

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic early in 2020, the Company has made sustained efforts to ensure the health and safety of the workforce while ensuring continuity of the business, which, under applicable federal guidelines (https://ww.cisa.gov) is part of the nation’s critical infrastructure (as part of the “Food and Agriculture,” “Chemical” and “Public Works and Infrastructure Support Services” sectors). Our network of international subsidiaries is accorded similar status by governments in the territories in which they operate. In the workplace, the Company has designed and implemented protocols for social distancing, made provisions for the workforce to work remotely where possible, and established quarantine policies for those who present COVID-like symptoms or may have been in contact with those who have. Further, the Company keeps current with local, state, federal and international laws and restrictions that could affect the business and provide real-time information to the workforce. The Company regularly monitors matters, whether insurable or not, that could pose material riskhas also prepared contingency plans to its operations,permit the safetycontinued operation of its employeesfactories, in the event that there are critical staffing issues due to attrition. Further, the Company continuously monitors supply chain, transport, logistics and neighbors,border closures and its financial performance. The Risk Committee of the Board of Directors (“Board”) was formed in 2010, consists of four members of the Board and meets regularly. However, all members of the Board are invitedhas reached out to and regularly attend Risk Committee meetings. Working with senior management, the committee continuously evaluates the Company’s risk profile, identifies mitigation measures and ensuresthird parties to make clear that the Company is prudently managing these risks.continuing to operate, and that it has its own policies relating to health and is committed to compliance with COVID-19 policies of its business partners.

Further, in supportAs has been the case with many other employers, since the start of 2021, the Company has encouraged its workforce to receive vaccinations against COVID-19 through various means, including incentive programs. The surge of the Risk Committee, senior management has appointedDelta variant in early 2021 had a risk manager and designated several senior executivescomparatively low impact on the Company’s workforce. However, the Omicron variant, which began to lead teams focused on addressing eachspread throughout the world in late 2021, proved to be transmissible to people who were vaccinated or unvaccinated. As a result, like many employers, the Company experienced a surge in COVID-19 infections at the end of the fourth quarter in 2021 carrying over into the first quarter of 2022. Based upon tracking and tracing, we believe that most material risks facingof these cases came from community (as opposed to workplace) transmission. Further, compared to the Company;Delta surge and earlier variants, these groups perform analysiscases typically presented with mild symptoms. All told, the benefitCompany has been able to manage its business with minimal impact during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.

7


As of operational knowledge. The top risks identified by managementthis writing, the Omicron surge is dropping dramatically in many regions, including the U.S. Barring the advent of another variant, between natural immunity from infection and being addressed by risk teams (in no particular order) include: adverse politicalvaccine immunity, populations in many countries will be increasingly less vulnerable to coronavirus. However, the efficacy of boosters, variability in social restrictions and regulatory climate; managing inventoryevolution of the virus are not yet known. Consequently, the Company is unable to predict the ultimate impact that the pandemic may have on its future financial condition, results of operations and optimizing manufacturing efficiency; succession planning and bench strength; maintaining a competitive edgecash flows in the marketplace; the possibility of an environmental event; undervaluationnear- to mid-term. The Company continues to monitor its business for adverse impacts of the Company; availabilitypandemic, including volatility in the foreign exchange markets, demand, supply-chain disruptions in certain markets, and increased costs of acquisition and licensing targets and cyber-terrorism. In addition, the Company continually evaluates insurance levels for product liability, property damage and other potential areas of risk.employee safety, among others.

Risk Management believes its facilities and equipment are adequately insured against loss from usual business risks including cyber-terrorism.

The Company’s Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (“ESG”)

As outlined in its strategy is fully described on our website (www.american-vanguard.com); just click on the “ESG” tab. The reader will also find the Company’s updated Corporate Sustainability Reports (“CSR”) (from 2012 and 2017/2018),Report (dated February 2022) under the Company believes that sustainability is an essential corporate value. We have a responsibility to multiple stakeholders, including investors, employees, neighbors, governments and even future generations, to use resources wisely, to contribute to the improvement of the environment, to foster human rights and to operate our business in a manner that is responsible. We also believe that it is important to investors and other stakeholders that we make this commitment clear and transparent and that we inculturate these values into our workforce.  

Accordingly, director Émer Gunter, has been appointed as ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) liaison between the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and management. In that capacity, Ms. Gunter will lend a more focused oversight of ESG-related matters to the Board, including with respect to identification, measurement and mitigation of risks as well as disclosure of sustainability and related initiatives. Under her direction, senior management will continue to build out and refine its ESG program. Our progress in this endeavor will be documented for the public through CSRs and public financial disclosures during coming reporting periods.same tab.

Available Information

The Company makes available free of charge (through its website, www.american-vanguard.com), its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). All reports filed with the SEC are available free of charge on the SEC website, www.sec.gov. Also available free of charge on the Company’s website are the Company’s Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Finance Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charters, the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Company’s Code of Conduct and Ethics, and the Company’s Employee Complaint Procedures for Accounting and Auditing Matters andMatters. Beneath the ESG tab at that site, you will also find links to the Company’s Corporate Sustainability Reports.Reports, Climate Change Commitment and Human Rights Policy. The Company’s Internet website and the information contained therein or incorporated therein are not intended to be incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

8


ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

Regulatory/Legislative/Litigation Risks

The regulatory climate remains challenging to the Company’s interests both domestically and internationally—Various agencies within the U.S. (both federal and state) and foreign governments continue to exercise increased scrutiny in permitting continued uses (or the expansion of such uses) of many chemistries, including several of the Company’s products and, in some cases, have initiated or entertained challenges to these uses. The challenge of the regulatory climate is more pronounced in certain geographical regions (outside the U.S.) where the Company faces resistance to the continued use of certain of its products. For example, the European Union (“EU”) employs a hazard-based analysis when considering whether product registrations can be maintained; under this approach, EU regulatory authorities typically do not weigh benefit against risk in their assessments and routinely cancel products for which a safer alternative is available, notwithstanding the benefit of the cancelled product. There is no guarantee that this regulatory climate will change in the near term or that the Company will be able to maintain or expand the uses of many of its products in the face of such regulatory challenges.

8The Russian invasion of the Ukraine may expand into a broader international conflict that could adversely affect multiple channels of commerce and markets. While business operations relating to the Ukraine constitute an immaterial part of the Company’s overall business, there is no guarantee that the current conflict will not draw military intervention from other countries or retaliation from Russia, which, in turn, could lead to a much larger conflict. If such escalation should occur, supply chain, trade routes and markets currently served by the Company could be adversely affected, which, in turn, could materially, adversely affect the Company’s business operations and financial performance.


Product liability judgments on glyphosate and cases involving other pesticides by domestic courts present a litigation risk to companies in this industryOver the past several months, multipleMultiple judgments have been rendered by domestic courts in product liability cases against Bayer/Monsanto in connection with injuries allegedly arising from exposure to the herbicide product, glyphosate. The basis was purported carcinogenicity based largely upon the findings of a certain international organization, in spite ofdespite significant scientific evidence to the contrary. While the Company hasdoes not soldsell glyphosate, domestically, the theory of these results could put one or more of the Company’s products at risk. ThereFurther, a number of product liability cases involving paraquat have been filed in domestic courts. While the Company is not a party to these cases and discontinued its limited sales of this herbicide shortly after acquiring an end-use registration as part of a larger acquisition, there is no guarantee that one or more product liability actions would not be brought against the Company on a similar basis. Further,basis, and it is possible that adverse rulings in any such actions could have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s financial performance in future reporting periods.

The trend of passing pesticide “ban-bills” in various states could put one or more of the Company’s products at risk—In certain states, including Maryland and New York, state and/or local legislatures have passed legislation banning the use of specific pesticides, such as chlorpyrifos, or pesticide in general, in spite of valid registrations at USEPA and/or the equivalent state agency. While the Company does not sell chlorpyrifos products, there is no guarantee that one or more of its registered products would not be targeted in state or local legislation of this nature. Further, such legislation could have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s financial performance in future reporting periods.

Climate Change may adversely affect the Company’s business—Over the course of the past several years, global climate conditions have become increasingly inconsistent, volatile and unpredictable. Many of the regions in which the Company does business have experienced excessive moisture, cold, drought and/or heat of an unprecedented nature at various times of the year. In some cases, these conditions have either reduced, or obviated the need for, the Company’s products whether pre-plant, at-plant, post-emergent or at harvest. Due to the unpredictable nature of these conditions, growers and distributors have become increasingly conservative in procurement practices and the accumulation of inventory. Further, the random nature of climactic change has made it increasingly difficult to forecast market demand and, consequently, financial performance, from year-to-year. There is no guarantee that climate change will abate in the near future, and it is possible that such change will continue to hinder the Company’s ability to forecast its sales performance with accuracy and otherwise adversely affect the Company’s financial performance.

Tariff Activity—Over the course of the past two years, the U.S. and China have imposed a series of retaliatory tariffs against one another in respect of various products, ranging from metals to grains to chemicals. During that period, the Company was not materially adversely affected by these tariffs. While the two countries have apparently reached a détente on the issue, it is possible that either the U.S. or China could recommence the imposition of tariffs on one or more products that would cause either a disruption in the markets of the Company’s customers or an increase in the Company’s cost of goods which, either individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s financial performance.    

The COVID-19 outbreak may interfere with the Company’s business—As reported over the past several weeks, an outbreak of coronavirus cases originating from Wuhan Province in China has spread into many regions of that country as well as into other parts of the world, including the U.S.. While governments, including that of China, are taking measures to contain further spread of the virus, the epidemic has led to quarantines within that country and has begun to affect scheduling of certain manufacturing facilities in China as well as the travel schedules of persons traveling to or from China. It is not clear at this point whether and to what extent this virus, which can be deadly, will spread further. Also, while the supply of goods and services from China to the Company has not been materially affected by the spread of this virus to date, it is possible that further spread of the COVID-19 could delay or interrupt such supply, in which case, the Company’s financial performance could be adversely affected.

The Company’s business may be adversely affected by weather effects—Demand for the Company’s products tends to vary with weather conditions and weather-related pressure from pests. This was true, for example, in the domestic market during planting season in 2019, when excessive rains and cold delayed and/or prevented planting and the use of many at-plant products. Adverse weather conditions, then, may reduce the Company’s revenues and profitability. In light of the possibility of adverse seasonal effects, there can be no assurance that the Company will maintain sales performance at historical levels in any particular region.

USEPA has proposed further limitations on the continued registration of organophosphates— In September 2015, the USEPA published in the Federal Register a memorandum entitled, “Literature Review on Neurodevelopmental Effects & FQPA Safety Factor Determination for the Organophosphate Pesticides,” in which it adopted a position recommending the application of a 10X safety factor under the FQPA (Food Quality Protection Act) in light of the alleged possibility of neurodevelopmental harm to women and children based on epidemiological data. Since that time, in the face of objection from industry, the agency has applied this safety factor to all registered Organophosphate Pesticides (“Ops” or “OP”), including those owned by the Company, as they have come up for review or renewal. The Company, like many in our industry, believes that applying this safety factor is not based upon sound science and that the limited studies upon which the agency is relying (for which raw data is not available even to the agency) do not establish a causal link between the perceived harm and the use of its products. Accordingly, the Company intends to take all action necessary to defend its registrations. We have been joined in this effort by other companies that are similarly concerned about the potential impact of USEPA’s action. Nevertheless, there is no guarantee that the Company’s actions will alter the course that USEPA has proposed; if the agency’s position becomes final, some uses of the Company’s OP products could be limited or cancelled. Such action could have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s financial performance in future reporting periods.

9


Use of the Company’s products is subject to continuing challenges from activist groups—Use of agrochemical products, including the Company’s products, is regularly challenged by activist groups in many jurisdictions under a multitude of federal, state and foreign statutes, including FIFRA, the Food Quality Protection Act, Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) and the Clean Water Act, to name a few. These challenges typically take the form of lawsuits or administrative proceedings against the USEPA and/or other federal, state or foreign agencies, the filing of amicus briefs in pending actions, the introduction of legislation that is inimical to the Company’s interests, and/or adverse comments made in response to public comment invited by regulatory agencies in the course of registration, re-registration or label expansion. The most prominent of these actions include a line of cases under which environmental groups have sought to suspend, cancel or otherwise restrict the use of pesticides that have been approved by USEPA on the ground that that agency failed to confer with the National Marine Fishery Service and/or the Fish and Wildlife Service under the ESA with respect to biological opinions relating to the use of such products. While industry has been active in defending registrations and proposing administrative and legislative approaches to address serious resource issues at the affected agencies, these cases continue to be brought. It is possible that one or more of these challenges could succeed, resulting in a material adverse effect upon one or more of the Company’s products and consolidated financial statements.

9


USEPA has proposed further limitations and taken action on the continued registration of organophosphates— In September 2015, the USEPA published in the Federal Register a memorandum entitled, “Literature Review on Neurodevelopmental Effects & FQPA Safety Factor Determination for the Organophosphate Pesticides,” in which it adopted a position recommending the application of a 10X safety factor under the FQPA (Food Quality Protection Act) in light of the alleged possibility of neurodevelopmental harm to women and children based on epidemiological data. Since that time, in the face of objection from industry, the agency has applied this safety factor to all registered Organophosphate Pesticides (“Ops” or “OP”), including those owned by the Company, as they have come up for review or renewal. The Company, like many in our industry, believes that applying this safety factor is not based upon sound science and that the limited studies upon which the agency is relying (for which raw data is not available even to the agency) do not establish a causal link between the perceived harm and the use of its products. In addition, finding that the tolerances for chlorpyrifos (an organophosphate not sold by the Company) that had been established under FFDCA could not be deemed with reasonable certainty to cause no harm, USEPA revoked those tolerance factors and consequently cancelled the registrations for chlorpyrifos. There is no guarantee that USEPA will not employ a similar standard of review against one or more of the Company’s organophosphates. Accordingly, the Company intends to take all action necessary to defend its registrations. We have been joined in this effort by other companies that are similarly concerned about the potential impact of USEPA’s action. Nevertheless, there is no guarantee that the Company’s actions will alter the course that USEPA has proposed; if the agency’s position becomes final, some uses of the Company’s OP products could be limited or cancelled. Such action could have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s financial performance in future reporting periods.

The distribution and sale of the Company’s products are subject to prior governmental approvals and thereafter ongoing governmental regulation—The Company’s products are subject to laws administered by federal, state and foreign governments, including regulations requiring registration, approval and labeling of its products. The labeling requirements restrict the use of, and type of, application for our products. More stringent restrictions could make our products less available, which would adversely affect our revenues and profitability.profitability and cash flows. Substantially all of the Company’s products are subject to the USEPA (and/or similar agencies in the various territories or jurisdictions in which we do business) registration and re-registration requirements and are registered in accordance with FIFRA or similar laws. Such registration requirements are based, among other things, on data demonstrating that the product will not cause unreasonable adverse effects on human health or the environment when used according to approved label directions. All states, where any of the Company’s products are used, also require registration before products, such as the Company sells, can be marketed or used in that state. Governmental regulatory authorities have required, and may require in the future, that certain scientific data requirements be fulfilled on the Company’s products. The Company, on its behalf and also in joint efforts with other registrants, has furnished, and is currently furnishing certain required data relative to its products. There can be no assurance, however, that the USEPA or similar agencies will not request that certain tests or studies be repeated, or that more stringent legislation or requirements will not be imposed in the future. The Company can provide no assurance that any testing approvals or registrations will be granted on a timely basis, if at all, or that its resources will be adequate to meet the costs of regulatory compliance.

The manufacturing of the Company’s products is subject to governmental regulations—The Company currently owns and operates threefive manufacturing facilities which are located in Los Angeles, California; Axis, Alabama; Hannibal, Missouri; Marsing, Idaho; Clackamas, Oregon; and Marsing, Idaho and owns and has manufacturing services provided in a fourth facility in Hannibal, MissouriEtchojoa, Mexico (the “Facilities”). The Facilities operate under the laws and regulations imposed by relevant country, state and local authorities. The manufacturing of key ingredients for certain of the Company’s products occurs at the Facilities. An inability to renew or maintain a license or permit, or a significant increase in the fees for such licenses or permits, could impede the Company’s manufacture of one or more of its products and/or increase the cost of production; this, in turn, would materially and adversely affect the Company’s ability to provide customers with its products in a timely and affordable manner.

Pandemic/Climate Risks

The COVID-19 pandemic is creating risk, uncertainties and adverse conditions in many industries both here and abroad.  The Company is closely monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of its business, including how the pandemic will impact its customers, business partners, and employees. While the Company did not incur significant disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company is unable to predict the impact that the pandemic will have on its future financial condition, results of operations and cash flows due to numerous uncertainties. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the Company’s operations and those of its customers will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the scope, severity and duration of the pandemic, the actions taken to contain the pandemic or mitigate its impact, and the direct and indirect economic effects of the pandemic and containment measures, among others. There is no guarantee that the Company will be able to operate without material disruption for the duration of the pandemic or that its financial conditions and results of operations and cash flows will not be materially adversely affected by the pandemic in future periods.

10


Disruption in the global supply chain is creating delays, unavailability and adverse conditions for our industry, including significant price increases especially with regard to ocean bound shipments. With the prolongation of the coronavirus pandemic, the global supply chain has been under increased stress stemming from container shortages, a lack of domestic truck drivers and a shift in consumer buying habits. Consequently, ocean cargo both inbound to, and, in some cases, outbound from, the U.S. has experienced significant delays, while domestic ports and regional warehouses have been filled beyond capacity. To date, while experiencing disruptions in the supply of raw materials, intermediates, finished goods and packaging, the Company has been able to carry on business without a material adverse effect upon its overall operations or financial performance. Further, there is no guarantee that the supply chain condition will materially improve any time soon or that the company will continue to avoid material disruption. Such disruption could have a material adverse effect on the company’s operations, financial condition or cash flows.

Climate Change may adversely affect the Company’s business—Over the course of the past several years, global climate conditions have become increasingly inconsistent, volatile and unpredictable. Many of the regions in which the Company does business have experienced excessive moisture, cold, drought and/or heat of an unprecedented nature at various times of the year. In some cases, these conditions have either reduced or obviated the need for the Company’s products, whether pre-plant, at-plant, post-emergent or at harvest. Further, the random nature of climactic change has made it increasingly difficult to forecast market demand and, consequently, financial performance, from year-to-year. There is no guarantee that climate change will abate in the near future, and it is possible that such change will continue to hinder the Company’s ability to forecast its sales performance with accuracy and otherwise adversely affect the Company’s financial performance.

The Company’s business may be adversely affected by weather effects and commodity prices—Demand for many of the Company’s products tends to vary with weather conditions and weather-related pressure from pests. Adverse weather conditions, then, may reduce the Company’s revenues and profitability. In light of the possibility of adverse seasonal effects, there can be no assurance that the Company will maintain sales performance at historical levels in any particular region. Similarly, demand for the Company’s products used in row crops tends to vary with the commodity prices of those crops in the U.S., particularly corn, soybeans and cotton. These prices may be driven in part by weather, pest pressure, the domestic farm economy and international markets (e.g., yield and pricing from similar crops grown in Brazil). There is no guarantee that the U.S. farm economy and row crop commodity prices will maintain sufficient strength and stability to support the Company’s products at or above historical levels.  

The Company may be subject to environmental liabilities—The Company is fully committed toward minimizing the risk of discharge of materials into the environment and to complying with governmental regulations relating to protection of the environment, its neighbors and its workforce. Nevertheless, federal and state authorities may seek fines and penalties for any violation of the various laws and governmental regulations. In addition, while the Company continually adapts its manufacturing processes to the environmental control standards of regulatory authorities, it cannot entirely eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury from hazardous or regulated materials. Further, these various governmental agencies could, among other things, impose potential civil and criminal liability arising under RCRA for the Company’s importation (transportation, handling, and storage) of depleted Thimet containers (see, “Legal Proceedings” below). In short, the Company may be held liable for significant damages or fines relating to any environmental contamination, injury, or compliance violation which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, statements of operations and cash flows.

Acquisition/Investment Risks

Newly acquired businesses or product lines may not generate forecasted results—While the Company conducts due diligence using a combination of internal and third party resources and applies what it believes to be appropriate criteria for each transaction before making acquisitions, there is no guarantee that a business or product line acquired by the Company will generate results that meet or exceed results that were forecasted by the Company when evaluating the acquisition. There are many factors that could affect the performance of a newly acquired business or product line. While the Company uses assumptions that are based upon due diligence and other market information in valuing a business or product line prior to concluding an acquisition, actual results generated post-closing could vary widely from the Company’s forecast and, as such, could have a material effect upon the Company’s overall financial performance.

The Company’s investment in foreign businesses may pose additional risks—With the expansion of its footprint internationally, the Company now carries on business at a material level in some jurisdictions that have a history of political, economic or currency-related instability and customers with a potentially higher risk profile regarding accounts receivable collectivity compared to the Company’s legacy business. While such instability may not be present at the current time, there is no guarantee that conditions will not change in one or more jurisdictions quickly and without notice, nor is there any guarantee that the Company would be able to recoup its investment in such territories in light of such changes and potential losses due to political factors, economic factors, devaluation of local currencies, or the collectability risk from customers. Adverse changes of this nature could have a material effect upon the Company’s overall financial performance.

11


The Company’s investment in technology may not generate forecasted returns—The Company has had a history of investing in technological innovation, including with respect to product delivery systems, natural oil technology and biologicals, as one of its core strategies. These investments are based upon the premise that new technology will allow for safer handling or lower overall toxicity profile of the Company’s product portfolio, appeal to regulatory agencies and the market we serve, gain commercial acceptance, and command a return that is sufficiently in excess of the investment. However, there is no guarantee that a new technology will be successfully commercialized, generate a material return or maintain market appeal. Further, many types of development costs must be expensed in the period in which they are incurred. This, in turn, tends to put downward pressure on period profitability. There can be no assurance that these expenses will be recovered through successful long-term commercialization of a new technology.

The Company’s growth has been fueled in part by acquisitions—Over the past few decades, the Company’s growth has been driven by acquisitions and licensing of both established and developmental products from third parties. There is no guarantee that acquisition targets or licensing opportunities meeting the Company’s investment criteria will remain available or will be affordable. If such opportunities do not present themselves, then the Company may be unable to duplicate historical growth rates in future years.

The Company is dependent upon sole source suppliers for certain of its raw materials and active ingredients—There are a limited number of suppliers of certain important raw materials used by the Company in a number of its products. Certain of these raw materials are available solely from single sources either domestically or overseas. ThereIn connection with supply chain disruptions in 2021, phosphorus and related compounds were increasingly difficult to source for our entire industry; ensuring a continuous supply required extraordinary efforts both with respect to sourcing and production planning. That said, there is no guarantee that any of our suppliers will be willing or able to supply these products to the Company reliably, continuously and at the levels anticipated by the Company or required by the market. If these sources prove to be unreliable and the Company is not able to supplant or otherwise second source these products, it is possible that the Company will not achieve its projected sales which, in turn, could adversely affect the Company's consolidated financial statements.

10


Newly acquired businesses or product lines may not generate forecasted results—While the Company conducts due diligence on acquisitions and employs rigorous investment criteria before making acquisitions, there is no guarantee that a business or product line acquired by the Company will generate results that meet or exceed results that were forecasted by the Company in evaluating the acquisition. There are many factors that could affect the performance of a newly acquired business or product line. While the Company uses conservative assumptions in valuing a business or product line prior to concluding an acquisition, actual results generated post-closing could vary widely from the Company’s forecast and, as such, could have a material effect upon the Company’s overall financial performance.

The Company’s investment in foreign businesses may pose additional risks—With the expansion of its footprint internationally and, in particular, with the businesses acquired in Central America in 2017 and Brazil in 2019, the Company now carries on business at a material level in some jurisdictions that have a history of political or economic instability and customers with a potentially higher risk profile regarding collectivity compared to the Company’s legacy business. While such instability may not be present at the current time, there is no guarantee that conditions will not change in one or more jurisdictions quickly and without notice, nor is there any guarantee that the Company would be able to recoup its investment in such territories in light of such changes and potential losses due to the collectability risk from customers. Adverse changes of this nature could have a material effect upon the Company’s overall financial performance.

The Company’s investment in technology may not generate forecasted returns—The Company has had a history of investing in technological innovation, including with respect to product delivery systems, essential oil technology and biologicals, as one of its core strategies. These investments are based upon the premise that new technology will allow for safer handling or lower overall toxicity profile of the Company’s product portfolio, appeal to regulatory agencies and the market we serve, gain commercial acceptance and command a return that is sufficiently in excess of the investment. However, there is no guarantee that a new technology will be successfully commercialized, generate a material return or maintain market appeal for a substantial period of time. Further, many types of development costs must be expensed in the period in which they are incurred. This, in turn, tends to put downward pressure on period profitability. There can be no assurance that these expenses will be recovered through successful commercialization of a new technology.

To the extent that capacity utilization is not fully realized at its manufacturing facilities, the Company may experience lower profitability—While the Company endeavors continuously to maximize utilization of it manufacturing facilities, our success in these endeavors is dependent upon many factors, including fluctuating market conditions, product life cycles, weather conditions, availability of raw materials, equipment failures, and regulatory constraints, among other things. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to maximize the utilization of capacity at its manufacturing facilities. Underutilization of such manufacturing resources could have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s financial performance.  

The Company’s continued success depends, in part, upon a limited number of key employees—Within certain functions, the Company relies heavily on a small number of key employees to manage ongoing operations and to perform strategic planning. In some cases, there are no internal candidates who are qualified to succeed these key personnel in the short term. In the event that the Company were to lose one or more key employees, there is no guarantee that Company could replace them with people having comparable skills. Further, the loss of key personnel could adversely affect the operation of our business.

The Company faces competition in certain markets from new technologies and demand for organically produced food— The Company faces competition from larger companies that market new chemistries genetically modified (“GMO”) seeds and other similar technologies (e.g., RNA interference) in certain of the crop protection sectors in which the Company competes. There is no guarantee that the Company will maintain its market share or pricing levels in sectors that are subject to competition from companies that market new technologies. Further, it is possible that increased demand for organic crops may, over time, reduce the demand for the Company’s products.

The Company faces competition from generic competitors that source product from countries having lower cost structures—The Company continues to face competition from competitors around the globe that may enter the market through either offers to pay data compensation, or similar means in foreign jurisdictions, and then subsequently source material from countries having lower cost structures (typically India and China). These competitors typically tend to operate at thinner gross margins and, with low costs of goods, tend to drive pricing and profitability of subject product lines downward. There is no guarantee that the Company will maintain market share and pricing when facing such generic competitors, or that such competitors will not offer generic versions of the Company’s products in the future.

11


The Company’s key customers typically carry competing product lines and may be influenced by the Company’s larger competitors—A significant portion of the Company’s products are sold to national distributors in the U.S., which also carry product lines of competitors that are much larger than the Company. Typically, revenues from the sales of these competing product lines and related program incentives constitute a greater part of our distributors’ income than do revenues from sales and program incentives arising from the Company’s product lines. With the recent consolidation among domestic distribution companies, these considerations have become more pronounced. In light of these facts, there is no assurance that such customers will continue to market our products aggressively or successfully, or that the Company will be able to influence such customers to continue to purchase our products instead of those of our competitors.

Industry consolidation may threaten the Company’s position in various markets—The global agricultural chemical industry continues to undergo significant consolidation. Many of the Company’s competitors have grown or are expected to grow through mergers and acquisitions. As a result, these competitors will tend to be in position to realize greater economies of scale, offer more diverse portfolios and thereby exert greater influence throughout the distribution channels. Consequently, the Company may find it more difficult to compete in various markets. While such merger activity may generate acquisition opportunities for the Company, there is no guarantee that the Company will benefit from such opportunities. Further, there is a risk that the Company’s future performance may be hindered by the growth of its competitors through consolidation.

12


The Company is dependent on a limited number of customers, which makes it vulnerable to the continued relationship with and financial health of those customersIn 2019, 2018 and 2017,Our top three customers accounted for 39%, 29% and 33%, respectively, of the Company’s sales.sales in 2021, 2020 and 2019. The Company’s future prospects may depend on the continued business of such customers and on our continued status as a qualified supplier to such customers. The Company cannot guarantee that these key customers will continue to buy products from us at current levels. The loss of a key customer could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

General Risks

The carrying value of certain assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets may be subject to impairment depending upon market trends and other factors—The Company regularly reviews the carrying value of certain assets, including long-lived assets, inventory, fixed assets and intangibles. Depending upon the class of assets in question, the Company takes into account various factors including, among others, sales, trends, market conditions, cash flows, profit margins and the like. Based upon this analysis, where circumstances warrant, the Company may leave such carrying values unchanged or adjust them as appropriate. There is no guarantee that these carrying values can be maintained indefinitely, and it is possible that one or more such assets could be subject to impairment which, in turn, could have an adverse impact upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

The Company’s computing systems are subject to cyber security risks—In the course of its operations the Company relies on its computing systems, including access to the internet, the use of third-party applications and the storage and transmission of data through such systems. While the Company has implemented security measures to protect these systems, there is no guarantee that a third partythird-party will not penetrate these defenses through hacking, phishing or otherwise and either compromise, corrupt or shut down these systems. Further, in the event of such incursion it is possible that confidential business information and private personal data could be taken. Such an event could adversely affect both the Company’s ability to operate, its reputation with key stakeholders and its overall financial performanceperformance.

Reduced financial performance may limit the Company’s ability to borrow under its credit facility—The Company has historically grown net sales and net income through boththe expansion of current product lines, the acquisition of product lines from third parties and the acquisition of both domestic and international distributors with strong niche market positions. In order to finance such acquisitions, the Company has drawn upon its senior credit facility. However, the Company’s borrowing capacity under the senior credit facility depends, in part, upon its satisfaction of a negative covenant that sets a maximum ratio of borrowed debt to earnings (as measured over the trailing 12-month period). There is no guarantee that the Company will continue to generate earnings necessary to ensure that it has sufficient borrowing capacity to support future acquisitions or that, when necessary, the lender group will amend the senior credit facility to provide for such borrowing capacity. Further, despite the Company’s long-standing relationship with its lenders, in light of the uncertainties in global financial markets, there is no guarantee that the Company’s lenders will be either willing or able to continue lending to the Company at such rates and in such amounts as may be necessary to meet the Company’s working capital needs.

The Company’s growth has been fueled in part by acquisitions—Over the past few decades, the Company’s growth has been driven by acquisitions and licensing of both established and developmental products from third parties. There is no guarantee that acquisition targets or licensing opportunities meeting the Company’s investment criteria will remain available or will be affordable. If such opportunities do not present themselves, then the Company may be unable to record consistent growth in future years.

12


The Company is subject to taxation related risks in multiple jurisdictions—The Company is a U.S. based multinational company subject to tax in multiple U.S. and foreign tax jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our global provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets or liabilities and in evaluating our tax positions on a worldwide basis. While we believe our tax positions are consistent with the tax laws in the jurisdictions in which we conduct our business, it is possible that these positions may be contested or overturned by jurisdictional tax authorities, which may have a significant impact on our global provision for income taxes. Tax laws are dynamic and subject to change as new laws are passed and new interpretations of the law are issued or applied. In 2017, the U.S. enacted significant tax reform, and in the long-term certain provisions of the new law may adversely affect us. In addition, governmental tax authorities are increasingly scrutinizing the tax positions of companies. Many countries in the EU, as well as a number of other countries and organizations such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, (“OECD”), are actively considering changes to existing tax laws that, if enacted, could increase our tax obligations in countries where we do business. If U.S. or other foreign tax authorities change applicable tax laws, our overall taxes could increase, and our business, financial condition, or results of operations, or cash flows may be adversely impacted.

To the extent that capacity utilization is not fully realized at its manufacturing facilities, the Company may experience lower profitability—While the Company endeavors continuously to maximize utilization of it manufacturing facilities, our success in these endeavors is dependent upon many factors, including fluctuating market conditions, product life cycles, weather conditions in our key markets, availability of raw materials, manufacturing equipment performance, retention of the workforce and regulatory constraints, among other things. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to maximize the utilization of capacity at its manufacturing facilities. Underutilization of such manufacturing resources could have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s financial performance.  

The Company’s continued success depends, in part, upon a limited number of key employees—Within certain functions, the Company is subjectrelies heavily on a small number of key employees to possible adverse impacts from the United Kingdom’s decisionmanage ongoing operations and to end its membershipperform strategic planning. In some cases, there are no internal candidates who are qualified to succeed these key personnel in the EUshort term. In June 2016, a majoritythe event that the Company were to lose one or more key employees, there is no guarantee that Company could replace them with people having comparable skills. Further, the loss of voters inkey personnel could adversely affect the United Kingdom (“UK”) elected to withdraw from the European Union (“EU”) in a national referendum (“BREXIT”). Following a great dealoperation of political activity, the government’s BREXIT bill passed both the House of Commons and the House of Lords and has obtained royal assent. The results of the UK’s BREXIT may cause volatility in global stock markets, currency exchange rate fluctuations and global economic uncertainty. Although it is unknown what the terms of the UK’s future relationship with the EU will be, it is possible that there will be higher tariffs or greater restrictions on imports and exports between the UK and the EU and increased regulatory complexities. The effects of BREXIT could potentially impact the Company’s operations primarily in mainland Europe, including financial, legal, tax, and trade.  our business.

13


ITEM 1B.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None

ITEM  2

PROPERTIES

AMVAC owns in fee the Facility constituting approximately 152,000 square feet of improved land in Commerce, California (“Commerce”) on which its West Coast manufacturing, some of its warehouse facilities and some of its manufacturing administrative offices are located.

DAVIE owns in fee approximately 72,000 square feet of warehouse, office and laboratory space on approximately 118,000 square feet of land in Commerce, California, which is leased to AMVAC. In 2013, the Company made a significant investment in the Glenn A. Wintemute Research Center, which houses the Company’s primary research laboratory supporting synthesis, formulation and other new product endeavors.

In 2001, AMVAC completed the acquisition of a manufacturing facility (the “Axis Facility”) from E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company (“DuPont”). The Axis Facility was one of three such units located on DuPont’s 510-acre complex in Axis, Alabama. The acquisition consisted of a long-term ground lease of 25 acres and the purchase of all improvements thereon. The facility is a multi-purpose plant designed for synthesis of active ingredients and formulation and packaging of finished products. In 2018, FMC Corporation acquired from DuPont a business unit, which held, among other things, the Axis Facility. Prior to expiration of the lease, AMVAC and FMC negotiated the terms of a new lease, which has a term of 15 years and the option to renew for two, 5-year periods.

On December 28, 2007, AMVAC purchased certain manufacturing assets relating to the production of Thimet and Counter and located at BASF’s multi-plant facility situated in Hannibal, Missouri (the “Hannibal Site”). Subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, AMVAC purchased certain buildings, manufacturing equipment, office equipment, fixtures, supplies, records, raw materials, intermediates and packaging constituting the “T/C Unit” of the Hannibal Site. The parties entered into a ground lease and a manufacturing and shared services agreement, under which BASF continues to supply various shared services to AMVAC for the Hannibal Site.

On March 7, 2008, AMVAC acquired from Bayer CropScience Limited Partnership, (“BCS LP”), a U.S. business of Bayer CropScience GmbH, a facility (the “Marsing Facility”) located in Marsing, ID,Idaho, which consists of approximately 17 acres of improved real property. The Marsing Facility is engaged in the blending of liquid and powder raw materials and the packaging of some of the Company’s finished goods inventory in liquid, powder and pelletized formulations which are sold both in the U.S. and internationally. In addition, during 2019, the Company purchased approximately three acres of unimproved real estate immediately adjacent to the Marsing Facility for potential storage and operational use in the future.  

In 2001,On October 2, 2020, AMVAC completed the acquisition of a manufacturing facility (the “Axis Facility”) from E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company (“DuPont”). The Axis Facility is one of three such units located on DuPont’s 510 acre complex in Axis, Alabama. The acquisition consisted of a long-term ground lease of 25 acres and the purchase of all improvements thereon. The facilityoutstanding shares of Agrinos which is a multi-purpose plant designedfully integrated biological input supplier with proprietary technology, internal manufacturing, and global distribution capabilities. Its High Yield Technology® product platform works in conjunction with other nutritional crop inputs to increase crop yield, improve soil health and reduce the environmental footprint of traditional agricultural practices. Agrinos has two primary biological production facilities, a state-of-the-art microbial fermentation facility based in Clackamas, Oregon, and a facility in Sonora, Mexico. The Clackamas and Sonora facilities are used as both manufacturing sites, and operational centers for synthesis of active ingredientsglobal supply chain and formulation and packaging of finished products. In 2018, FMC Corporation acquired from DuPont a business unit which held, among other things, the Axis Facility. Prior to expiration of the lease, AMVAC and FMC negotiated the terms of a new lease, which has a term of 15 years and the option to renew for two, 5-year periods.logistics. 

13


AVD regularly adds chemical processing equipment to enhance or expand its production capabilities. The Company believes its facilities are in good operating condition, are suitable and adequate for current needs and have flexibility to change products, and can produce at greater rates as required.products. Facilities and equipment are insured against losses from fire as well as other usual business risks. The Company knows of no material defects in title to, or encumbrances on, any of its properties except that substantially all of the Company’s assets are pledged as collateral under the Company’s credit facility agreements with its primary lender group. For further information, refer to note 2Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part IV,II, Item 158 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

AVD owns approximately 42 acres of unimproved land in Texas for possible future expansion.

The Company leases approximately 19,953 square feet of office space located at 4695 MacArthur Court in Newport Beach, California. In September 20152020, the lease was amended and was extended to expire on June 30, 2021.2026. The premises have served as the Company’s corporate headquarters since 1994.1995.

The facilities occupied by GemChem, OHP, Envance and TyraTech (Envance and TyraTech are co-located), AMVAC BV’s, GemChem’s,BV, AMVAC M’s,M, AMVAC CR Srl’s,Srl, AMVAC Sgpr’s, OHP’sSgpr, AgNova, Agrinos, AMVAC 3p and AgriCenter’s facilitiesAgriCenter, consist of administration, development centers (in the case of Envance and TyraTech) and/or sales offices which are leased. In addition, Defensive and Agrovant (the Company’s indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries in Brazil) own and/or lease administration and sales offices andAMVAC 3p leases warehouse space in Jaboticabal, Brazil.

14


ITEM  3

Please refer to NotesNote 5 of Consolidated Financial Statements – Description of Business, Basis of Consolidation, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies in the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for legal proceedings.in Part II, item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  

ITEM 4

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not Applicable

1415


PART II

ITEM  5

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

Effective March 7, 2006, the Company listed its $0.10 par value common stock (“Common Stock”) on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol AVD. From January 1998 through March 6, 2006, the Common Stock was listed on the American Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol AVD. The Company’s Common Stock traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol AMGD from March 1987 through January 1998. 

 

Holders

As of February 14, 2020,March 3, 2022, the number of stockholders of the Company’s Common Stock was approximately 4,496,6,296, which includes beneficial owners with shares held in brokerage accounts under street name and nominees.

Dividends

The Company has issued a cash dividend in each of the last twenty-four years dating back to 1996. Cash dividends declared during the past three years are summarized in the table below.

 

Declaration Date

 

Distribution Date

 

Record Date

 

Dividend

Per Share

 

 

Total

Paid

 

December 9, 2019

 

January 9, 2020

 

December 26, 2019

 

$

0.020

 

 

$

582

 

September 16, 2019

 

October 17, 2019

 

October 3, 2019

 

 

0.020

 

 

 

582

 

June 10, 2019

 

July 12, 2019

 

June 28, 2019

 

 

0.020

 

 

 

580

 

March 6, 2019

 

April 10, 2019

 

March 27, 2019

 

 

0.020

 

 

 

580

 

Total 2019

 

 

 

 

 

$

0.080

 

 

$

2,324

 

December 10, 2018

 

January 10, 2019

 

December 27, 2018

 

$

0.020

 

 

$

581

 

September 18, 2018

 

October 17, 2018

 

October 3, 2018

 

 

0.020

 

 

 

588

 

June 11, 2018

 

July 12, 2018

 

June 28, 2018

 

 

0.020

 

 

 

587

 

March 8, 2018

 

April 13, 2018

 

March 30, 2018

 

 

0.020

 

 

 

586

 

Total 2018

 

 

 

 

 

$

0.080

 

 

$

2,342

 

December 12, 2017

 

January 10, 2018

 

December 27, 2017

 

$

0.015

 

 

$

438

 

September 18, 2017

 

October 19, 2017

 

October 5, 2017

 

 

0.015

 

 

 

439

 

June 15, 2017

 

July 14, 2017

 

June 30, 2017

 

 

0.015

 

 

 

437

 

March 16, 2017

 

April 15, 2017

 

March 31,2017

 

 

0.015

 

 

 

435

 

Total 2017

 

 

 

 

 

$

0.060

 

 

$

1,749

 

Declaration Date

 

Distribution Date

 

Record Date

 

Dividend

Per Share

 

 

Total

Paid

 

December 13, 2021

 

January 10, 2022

 

December 27, 2021

 

$

0.020

 

 

$

594

 

September 13, 2021

 

October 15, 2021

 

October 1, 2021

 

 

0.020

 

 

 

594

 

June 8, 2021

 

July 8, 2021

 

June 24, 2021

 

 

0.020

 

 

 

600

 

March 10, 2021

 

April 15, 2021

 

March 15, 2021

 

 

0.020

 

 

 

596

 

Total 2021

 

 

 

 

 

$

0.080

 

 

$

2,384

 

December 7, 2020

 

January 6, 2021

 

December 23, 2020

 

$

0.020

 

 

$

592

 

March 9, 2020

 

April 16, 2020

 

March 26, 2020

 

 

0.020

 

 

 

586

 

Total 2020

 

 

 

 

 

$

0.040

 

 

$

1,178

 

December 9, 2019

 

January 9, 2020

 

December 26, 2019

 

$

0.020

 

 

$

582

 

September 16, 2019

 

October 17, 2019

 

October 3, 2019

 

 

0.020

 

 

 

581

 

June 10, 2019

 

July 12, 2019

 

June 28, 2019

 

 

0.020

 

 

 

580

 

March 6, 2019

 

April 10, 2019

 

March 27, 2019

 

 

0.020

 

 

 

580

 

Total 2019

 

 

 

 

 

$

0.080

 

 

$

2,323

 

 

Share Repurchase ProgramPrograms

 

On March 8, 2022, pursuant to a Board of Directors resolution, the Company announced its intention to repurchase an aggregate number of up to 1,000,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.10 per share, in the open market, over the succeeding one year at a price not to exceed $20 per share, subject to limitations and restrictions under applicable securities laws.

On August 30, 2021, pursuant to a Board of Directors resolution, the Company announced its intention to repurchase an aggregate number of 300,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.10 per share, in the open market over the succeeding six months. During 2021, the Company purchased 300,000 shares of its common stock for a total of $4,579 at an average price of $15.26 per share.

On November 5, 2018, pursuant to a Board of Directors resolution, the Company announced its intention to repurchase an aggregate amountnumber of shares with a total purchase price not to exceed $20,000 of its common stock, par value $0.10 per share, in the open market, depending upon market conditions over the shortat a price not to mid-term.exceed $17 per share, subject to limitations and restrictions under applicable securities laws. The Shares Repurchase Program expired on March 8, 2019. During 2019, and 2018, the Company purchased a total of 610,406158,048 shares for a total of $9,891 at an average price of $16.20$16.48 per share.  share, for a total of $2,604. During 2018, the Company purchased 452,358 shares at an average price of $16.11 per share, for a total of $7,287.

 


Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

 

Plan Category

 

Number of securities to

be issued upon exercise

of outstanding options,

warrants, and rights

 

 

Weighted-average

exercise price of

outstanding options,

warrants, rights

 

 

Number of securities

remaining available for

future issuance under

equity compensation plans

 

 

Number of securities to

be issued upon exercise

of outstanding options,

warrants, and rights

 

 

Weighted average

exercise price of

outstanding options,

warrants, rights

 

 

Number of securities

remaining available for

future issuance under

equity compensation plans

 

Equity compensation plans approved

by security holders

 

 

453,605

 

 

$

9.76

 

 

 

1,171,059

 

 

 

222,694

 

 

$

11.49

 

 

 

870,345

 

Total

 

 

453,605

 

 

$

9.76

 

 

 

1,171,059

 

 

 

222,694

 

 

$

11.49

 

 

 

870,345

 

 

15


Stock Performance Graph

The following graph presents a comparison of the cumulative, five-year total return for the Company, the S&P 500 Stock Index, and a peer group (Specialty Chemical Industry). The graph assumes that the beginning values of the investments in the Company, the S&P 500 Stock Index, and the peer group of companies each was $100 on December 31, 2014.2016. All calculations assume reinvestment of dividends. Returns over the indicated period should not be considered indicative of future returns.

 

 

16


ITEM 6

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table set forth the Company’s selected consolidated financial data as of and for each of the five years ended December 31, 2019 and should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included under Part II, Item 8 of this annual report.

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Net sales

 

$

468,186

 

 

$

454,272

 

 

$

355,047

 

 

$

312,113

 

 

$

289,382

 

Gross profit

 

$

177,354

 

 

$

182,631

 

 

$

147,392

 

 

$

128,288

 

 

$

111,902

 

Operating income

 

$

26,221

 

 

$

39,021

 

 

$

26,794

 

 

$

20,540

 

 

$

11,524

 

Income before provision for income taxes and loss on

   equity investments

 

$

19,012

 

 

$

33,596

 

 

$

24,853

 

 

$

18,917

 

 

$

8,962

 

Net income attributable to American Vanguard

 

$

13,601

 

 

$

24,195

 

 

$

20,274

 

 

$

12,788

 

 

$

6,591

 

Earnings per common share

 

$

0.47

 

 

$

0.83

 

 

$

0.70

 

 

$

0.44

 

 

$

0.23

 

Earnings per common share—assuming dilution

 

$

0.46

 

 

$

0.81

 

 

$

0.68

 

 

$

0.44

 

 

$

0.23

 

Total assets

 

$

670,098

 

 

$

593,587

 

 

$

535,592

 

 

$

429,956

 

 

$

435,270

 

Working capital

 

$

197,561

 

 

$

164,660

 

 

$

128,681

 

 

$

130,001

 

 

$

139,850

 

Long-term debt, excluding current installments

 

$

148,766

 

 

$

96,671

 

 

$

77,486

 

 

$

40,951

 

 

$

68,321

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

$

344,156

 

 

$

329,230

 

 

$

305,314

 

 

$

282,357

 

 

$

268,326

 

Weighted average shares outstanding—basic

 

 

29,030

 

 

 

29,326

 

 

 

29,100

 

 

 

28,859

 

 

 

28,673

 

Weighted average shares outstanding—assuming dilution

 

 

29,656

 

 

 

30,048

 

 

 

29,703

 

 

 

29,394

 

 

 

29,237

 

Dividends per share of common stock

 

$

0.08

 

 

$

0.08

 

 

$

0.06

 

 

$

0.03

 

 

$

0.02

 

 

(1)ITEM 6

The results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606. Prior period results are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with historic revenue recognition, ASC 605.RESERVED

 

(2)

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASC 842, Leases. See Description of Business, Basis of Consolidation, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies in notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Prior period results are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with ASC 840.


17


ITEM  7

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS/RISK FACTORS:

The Company, from time-to-time, may discuss forward-looking statements including assumptions concerning the Company’s operations, future results and prospects. Generally, “may,” “could,” “will,” “would,” “expect,” “believe,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “continue” and similar words identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements appearing in this Report are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results and events to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by the forward-looking statements and related assumptions contained in the entire Report. Such factors include, but are not limited to: product demand and market acceptance risks; the effect of economic conditions; weather conditions; changes in regulatory policy; the impact of competitive products and pricing; changes in foreign exchange rates; product development and commercialization difficulties; capacity and supply constraints or difficulties; availability of capital resources; general business regulations, including taxes and other risks as detailed from time-to-time in the Company’s reports and filings filed with the U.S. SEC.Security and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). It is not possible to foresee or identify all such factors. We urge you to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained in this Report.

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for 20192021, as compared to 20182020 appears below. As permitted by SEC rules, we have omitted the discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for 20182020 compared to 2017.2019. See Item 7, “Management’s Discussions and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018,2020, for this discussion.

MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW

The Company’s operating resultsperformance in 2019 were mixed. With respect2021 was stronger in most all respects as compared to the top line, netprior year. The domestic agricultural economy continued an upcycle that started at the end of 2020 following several years in a downcycle. With that trend, commodity prices for many crops, including corn, soybeans and cotton, rose and remained strong. Both growers and the distribution channel, which had previously worked down inventory to very low levels, began to replenish their stocks of crop inputs. At the same time, pandemic restrictions were relieved in many regions and were only partially reinstated with the emergence at the end of 2021 of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Despite supply chain disruptions and some associated cost escalation, particularly on in-bound freight, and the year-end pandemic surge, the markets for the Company’s products were more robust. Net sales were up 3%for 2021 rose 21%, as compared to 20182020 ($468,186556,872, as compared to $454,272); however, gross profit declined by 3% year over year ($177,354 as compared to $182,631)$458,704), and net income was down 44%up about 22% ($13,60118,587, as compared to $24,195)$15,242). It is also interesting to note that operating income rose 35% (to $30,946 in 2021 from $22,908 in 2020) and that, but for the one-time benefit in 2020 of $4,657 arising from a bargain purchase gain relating to the Agrinos acquisition, the improvement in operating income would have been 65% year-over-year.

Top lineIn summary, our results for 2021 were as follows. Net sales performance was drivenimproved across all our businesses. The top line of our U.S. Crop segment was up by 25%, led by strong demand for soil insecticides and cotton products. Sales of our U.S. Non-Crop business was up 30% due largely byto strong demand for our mosquito adulticide product, as customers replenished channel inventory. International sales rose with the addition of businesses that had been acquired late in 2020 (Agrinos and AgNova), continued strong performance in Mexico and overall strong performance in other regions.  

As a result of the sales from newly acquired businesses, including Defensive and Agrovant in Brazil, and newly acquired product lines, such as the Assure II herbicide in Canada and several domestic products. Grossdynamics just described, gross profit during 2021 was approximately 24% above that of 2020 ($213,243 vs. $172,590). Further, gross profit when expressed as a percentage of sales declined from 40%was 38%, which was in 2018 to 38% in 2019. There were two factors driving that change. First, our factory performance in 2019 returned toline with the historical norm with lower utilization compared to 2018 (which was a record-setting year for factory output). Second, our mix of sales included higher volume of lower-margin products from our newly acquired Brazilian distribution businesses, and from our expanding sales in Central America through the AgriCenter group of distribution businesses.

prior year. Operating expenses rose on an absolute basis ($151,133 in 2019,increased by 18% ending at $182,468, as compared to $143,610$154,339 in 2018) due primarily to higher amortization costs and the addition of2020; however, operating expenses (including salaries and other marketing expenses) relating to newly acquired businesses and product lines, partially offset by reduced expenses in both legal activities and global regulatory activities as a result of mix of specific studies conducted in the year. Notwithstanding this net increase, operating expenses(which include outbound freight) as a percent of net sales remained flat at 32% year-over-year.decreased to 33% from 34% compared to 2020.

In lightWith a lower average debt level and a decrease in the effective interest rate, our interest expense dropped by about 29% (to $3,687 in 2021 from $5,178 in 2020) due to timing of lower gross profitour borrowings, continued strong cash generated from increased sales, customer prepayment programs and higher operating expenses described above, operatinga reduction in effective interest rates. For 2021, we reported income before provision for the 2019 year declined by 33%,income taxes and loss on equity method investment of $27,141, as compared to 2018 (to $26,221 from $39,021). Due to$18,447 in 2020. Despite a higher effective tax rate and income taxes, our acquisition activities principallynet income was $18,587 in the second half of 2018 and early in 2019, our average borrowings increased in 2019,2021 as compared to 2018. As a result, net interest expense was $7,209 in 2019, as compared to $4,024 in 2018. During 2019, our effective tax rate remained flat at 27.4%, as compared to 27.2% in 2018. Net income decreased to $0.46 per diluted share ($0.47 per basic share), as compared to $0.81 per diluted share ($0.83 per basic share) in 2018.  $15,242, which represents an increase of about 22%.

When considering the consolidated balance sheet, long-term debt increased by $52,095decreased to $148,766 at$52,240 as of December 31, 2019,2021, from $107,442 as compared to $96,671 atof December 31, 2018.2020. The increaseddecreased level of debt was driven by the acquisitions completedCompany’s strong cash management during 2019.2021, including a continued strong response from the Company’s biggest customers to our early-pay programs. The Company’s liquidity position improved with a closing borrowing capacity was $26,977availability of $178,705 as of December 31, 2019,2021, as compared to $112,150 at$86,736 as of December 31, 2018.2020. Furthermore, inventory increased by $3,418 ($163,313,inventories decreased to $154,306, as of December 31, 2021, as compared to $159,895) at year-end. This was driven primarily by inventory associated with acquisitions, partially offset by underlying reductions in inventory related to products and businesses owned prior to the startinventories of 2019.$163,784, as of December 31, 2020.

18


Results of Operations

20192021 Compared with 2018:2020:

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

Net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insecticides

 

$

153,448

 

 

$

150,595

 

 

$

2,853

 

 

 

2

%

Herbicides/soil fumigants/fungicides

 

 

181,686

 

 

 

183,350

 

 

 

(1,664

)

 

 

-1

%

Other, including plant growth regulators

 

 

67,266

 

 

 

58,360

 

 

 

8,906

 

 

 

15

%

Total crop

 

 

402,400

 

 

 

392,305

 

 

 

10,095

 

 

 

3

%

Non-crop

 

 

65,786

 

 

 

61,967

 

 

 

3,819

 

 

 

6

%

Total net sales

 

$

468,186

 

 

$

454,272

 

 

$

13,914

 

 

 

3

%

Cost of sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insecticides

 

$

99,258

 

 

$

94,340

 

 

$

4,918

 

 

 

5

%

Herbicides/soil fumigants/fungicides

 

 

113,944

 

 

 

111,298

 

 

 

2,646

 

 

 

2

%

Other, including plant growth regulators

 

 

48,392

 

 

 

35,681

 

 

 

12,711

 

 

 

36

%

Total crop

 

 

261,594

 

 

 

241,319

 

 

 

20,275

 

 

 

8

%

Non-crop

 

 

29,238

 

 

 

30,322

 

 

 

(1,084

)

 

 

-4

%

Total cost of sales

 

$

290,832

 

 

$

271,641

 

 

$

19,191

 

 

 

7

%

Gross profit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insecticides

 

$

54,190

 

 

$

56,255

 

 

$

(2,065

)

 

 

-4

%

Herbicides/soil fumigants/fungicides

 

 

67,742

 

 

 

72,052

 

 

 

(4,310

)

 

 

-6

%

Other, including plant growth regulators

 

 

18,874

 

 

 

22,679

 

 

 

(3,805

)

 

 

-17

%

Gross profit crop

 

 

140,806

 

 

 

150,986

 

 

 

(10,180

)

 

 

-7

%

Gross profit non-crop

 

 

36,548

 

 

 

31,645

 

 

 

4,903

 

 

 

15

%

Total gross profit

 

$

177,354

 

 

$

182,631

 

 

$

(5,277

)

 

 

-3

%

Gross margin crop

 

 

35

%

 

 

38

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross margin non-crop

 

 

56

%

 

 

51

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gross margin

 

 

38

%

 

 

40

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S.

 

$

282,225

 

 

$

300,314

 

 

$

(18,089

)

 

 

-6

%

International

 

 

185,961

 

 

 

153,958

 

 

 

32,003

 

 

 

21

%

Total net sales

 

$

468,186

 

 

$

454,272

 

 

$

13,914

 

 

 

3

%

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

Net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. crop

 

$

263,632

 

 

$

211,357

 

 

$

52,275

 

 

25%

 

U.S. non-crop

 

 

78,605

 

 

 

60,367

 

 

 

18,238

 

 

30%

 

Total U.S.

 

 

342,237

 

 

 

271,724

 

 

 

70,513

 

 

26%

 

International

 

 

214,635

 

 

 

186,980

 

 

 

27,655

 

 

15%

 

Total net sales

 

$

556,872

 

 

$

458,704

 

 

$

98,168

 

 

21%

 

Cost of sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. crop

 

$

154,064

 

 

$

118,634

 

 

$

35,430

 

 

30%

 

U.S. non-crop

 

 

41,162

 

 

 

32,525

 

 

 

8,637

 

 

27%

 

Total U.S.

 

 

195,226

 

 

 

151,159

 

 

 

44,067

 

 

29%

 

International

 

 

148,403

 

 

 

134,955

 

 

 

13,448

 

 

10%

 

Total cost of sales

 

$

343,629

 

 

$

286,114

 

 

$

57,515

 

 

20%

 

Gross profit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. crop

 

$

109,568

 

 

$

92,723

 

 

$

16,845

 

 

18%

 

U.S. non-crop

 

 

37,443

 

 

 

27,842

 

 

 

9,601

 

 

34%

 

Total U.S.

 

 

147,011

 

 

 

120,565

 

 

 

26,446

 

 

22%

 

International

 

 

66,232

 

 

 

52,025

 

 

 

14,207

 

 

27%

 

Total gross profit

 

$

213,243

 

 

$

172,590

 

 

$

40,653

 

 

24%

 

Gross margin:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. crop

 

42%

 

 

44%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. non-crop

 

48%

 

 

46%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total U.S.

 

43%

 

 

44%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International

 

31%

 

 

28%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gross margin

 

38%

 

 

38%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DomesticNet sales of our U.S. crop business were about 25% higher than those of the prior year ($263,632 vs. $211,357). Reopening of the economy, transportation needs fueling ethanol, and improving grower profitability due to higher crop commodity prices, all contributed to strong demand for AVD’s crop protection products. Despite the second year of challenging COVID-19 pandemic conditions characterized by the Delta variant and, at the end of the year, ended December 31, 2019the Omicron variant and supply chain disruptions, overall demand in the U.S. crop segment continued the steady improvement that had started with the 2019-2020 crop season, and our customers in the distribution channel gradually returned to more normal procurement practices. We had very strong performance in corn, with sales of soil insecticides and post-emergent herbicides posting a 45% year-over-year increase.  Similarly in cotton, a strong commodity price stimulated demand for our foliar insecticides and harvest defoliant which generated sales that were $282,225,up 84%, as compared to $300,314those of 2020. We also recorded stronger sales in 2018,our soybean products, Thimet for peanuts, and Dacthal for a decreasewide range of 6%. Sales were adversely affected by several factors. Unusually hotfruits and dry autumn weather in the Southeastern U.S. followed by an early frost in Texas resulted in much lower demand for our U.S. cotton defoliant Folex®. In addition,vegetables. Partially offsetting these increases, sales of our soil fumigant productsbusiness declined slightly due to year-end logistics difficulties in light of record-setting rainfall across multiple regions,transporting this large volume liquid product, particularly in California and the Pacific Northwest duringregion.

Cost of sales within the first half of the year, followed by snow and rain in the upper Midwest during the second half of the year. Additionally, full-year sales of several products (paraquat, abamectin and chlorothalonil) acquired in 2017 declined as a result of unfavorable weather, supply chain disruptions and competitive market pressures. In addition, we experienced a slight decline in sales of our mosquito adulticide Dibrom® to more normal annual levels, following the exceptional hurricane-driven demand of 2017 and 2018. These declines were partially offset by strong demand for our cotton foliar insecticide Bidrin® and certain of our premium Midwest corn products.

International sales increased 21% ($185,961 in 2019 as compared to $153,958 in 2018). The improved sales performance was driven by our new Brazilian distribution businesses that were acquired in January 2019. In addition, the AgriCenter businesses in Central America recorded a 14% growth in sales led by increased mineral oil sales (into high-value fruit crops), fungicides (to control black sigatoka), Mocap® (for use on pineapples), nematicide sales in Panama, and herbicides (primarily for use on rice crops in Panama and Nicaragua). Further, sales of the Assure II herbicide largely into canola, pulse and soybeans in Canada also contributed to the international top-line growth. These gains were partially offset by decreased sales of granular nematicides into banana crops as part of the multi-year rotation typically employed by large plantations and by challenging market conditions and slightly declining year-over-year sales of our products Mocap (due to non-renewal of its registration in the EU), Nemacur®, Counter® and Thimet®.

19


The relative sales performance of our crop and non-crop businesses is as follows: Net sales of ourdomestic crop business was higher in 2019 were $402,400, which constitutes an increase of 3%2021 (up 30% to $154,064 from $118,634 in 2020), as compared to neton sales of $392,305that increased 25%, gross profit improved by 18% ($109,568 in 2018. Net sales of our non-crop products2021 vs. $92,723 in 2019 were $65,786, which is an increase of approximately 6%2020), as compared to $61,967 in 2018. A more detailed discussion of our sales performance in 2019, as compared to 2018, for each of the crop and non-crop businesses appears below.

In our crop business, net sales of insecticides in 2019 ended up $2,853 at $153,448, as compared to sales of $150,595 in 2018. This sales performancegross margin was driven primarily by the addition of sales of our Brazilian distribution businesses (Defensive and Agrovant) that were acquired on January 2019, the increased sales of our Central American distribution business and the strong 2019 performance of our Bidrin foliar insecticide for cotton in the U.S. due to increased cotton acres. These gains were offset by a reduction in net sales of several granular soil insecticides, most particularly Mocap and Nemacur sold primarily in our international markets, particularly in the countries of the EU. Despite lower planted corn acres in the U.S., we recorded improved year-over-year sales of Aztec® and SmartChoice®, arising largely from corn rootworm pressure in the Midwest coupled with low channel inventories at the start of the year. Sales of our nematicide Counter were down slightly year-over-year due to decreased corn acreage in the U.S.. Similarly, Thimet experienced a slight decline in sales due to lower peanut plantings in the Southeast U.S.

Within the product group of herbicides/soil fumigants/fungicides, our crop net sales ended at $181,686 in 2019, as compared to $183,350 in 2018 (a reduction of 1%). Our fumigant product line decreased slightly as unfavorable wet weather conditions inhibited seasonal applications in both the Pacific Northwest and North Central regions. In the herbicide portion of this group, we had stronger performance from our traditional post-emergent corn herbicide Impact® and the addition of sales from our newly acquired Assure II herbicide, which were partially offset by slightly reduced sales of Dacthal® in a variety of crops. Further, in the category of fungicides, chlorothalonil sales declined year-over-year as dry weather during late spring reduced demand in peanuts and potatoes, while supply in the channel was unusually high, following industry-wide imports in advance of tariffs on Chinese products in 2018. These changes were effectively offset by the addition of sales of our newly acquired Brazilian distribution businesses.

Within our other product group (which includes plant growth regulators, molluscicides, third party manufacturing activity, we experienced an increase of 15% with net sales ending at $67,266 in 2019, as compared to $58,360 in 2018. The main drivers of this performance were the inclusion of the Brazilian businesses, and increased toll manufacturing in 2019. These increases were partially offset by a 2019 decline in our Folex® cotton defoliant, as covered above.

Within our non-crop business, net sales in 2019 increased by 6% to $65,786, as compared to $61,967 in 2018. This improved performance benefited from growth in sales of OHP, our niche horticultural business, and from our traditional commercial and consumer pest strip product lines. Finally, sales of our Dibrom brand mosquito adulticide were reduced in comparison to sales recorded in 2018 and 2017, which experienced exceptionally heavy demand following the significant hurricanes of 2017. Notwithstanding those market pressures, sales were solid in comparison to the usual level of annual sales of this premium product range.

Our cost of sales for 2019 was $290,832 or 62% of sales. This compared to $271,641 or 60% of sales for 2018. The Company aggregates a number of key variable, semi-variable and fixed cost components within reported cost of sales. The raw materials element of our cost of sales increased slightly (up 0.4%), as compared to last year. The overall increased cost of sales was expected and relates to the change in sales mix driven by the products and distribution businesses acquired in December 2018 and in January 2019 (that recorded essentially a full year of sales in 2019), as compared to 2018. In general terms the cost of sales related to the products and businesses acquired in the last 2-3 years tends to be higher than those of our pre-existing portfolio, because those businesses are selling fully marked up, third-party products, while the Company’s core portfolio benefits from the upstream manufacturing activity. Our manufacturing performance for the year was in-line with our targets; however, output was down (as expected), as compared to 2018. In 2019, factory cost amounted to 2.6% of sales, which is in line with our long-term target. This compared to the 0.4% of sales achieved in 2018.   

Gross profit decreased by $5,277 or 3% to end at $177,354 for the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to $182,631 for the prior year. Gross margin as a percent of net sales was 38% for 2019, as compared to 40% in 2018. In 2019, the Company experienced lower factory output (noted above) and the strong growth of lower margin sales in Central and South America. These negative trends were partially offset by a strong performance managing raw material purchases.

20


Operating expenses in 2019 increased by $7,523 to $151,133 or 32%42% of sales as compared to $143,61044% last year.

Net sales of our U.S. non-crop business were up about 30% ($78,605 in 2021 vs. $60,367 in 2020) largely due to our Dibrom® mosquito adulticide sales, which nearly doubled in 2021, as demand from mosquito control distributors was driven by significant tropical storm and hurricane activity and the normal need to refill channel inventory in readiness for the next season. Net sales of pest strips and other commercial pest control products increased strongly in 2021, as restaurants, schools, malls, and many other commercial enterprises reopened with the lifting of pandemic restrictions. Net sales from our OHP nursery and ornamental business were 19% higher than 2020, as demand for homeowner garden and landscape products accelerated during the year at retail locations around the country. Finally, our TyraTech/Envance revenues grew over 71% driven by both direct product sales and royalty income which exceeded prior year performance.

Cost of sales in our U.S. non-crop business rose by 27% in comparison to the prior year ($41,162 in 2021 vs. $32,525 in 2020), gross profit increased by 34% (from $27,842 in 2020 to $37,443 in 2021), and gross margin percentage increased to 48% in 2021, as compared to 46% in 2020.

19


Net sales of our international businesses increased by 15% in 2021 ($214,635 vs. $186,980 in 2020). During 2021, our international group successfully integrated two important new businesses. Our AgNova acquisition more than doubled our existing business in Australia, while our Agrinos biological products expanded our footprint in more than a half dozen countries worldwide. We enjoyed strong demand for our soil fumigants and our bromacil herbicides, particularly in Mexico, and experienced steady sales of our Counter nematicide in Central America and Brazil. Further, we experienced slightly higher sales in our AgriCenter Central American distribution business, despite supply chain challenges, limited customer access (in light of coronavirus protocols), and competitive market conditions.

Cost of sales in our international business increased by 10% (to $148,403 in 2021 from $134,955 in 2020), on sales that increased 15%, gross profit rose 27% from the prior year (to $66,232 in 2021 vs. $52,025 in 2020), and gross margin improved to 31%, as compared to 28% reported in 2020.

On a consolidated basis, gross profit for the year increased by 24% (ending at $213,243 in 2021, as compared to $172,590 in 2020) on sales up 21%. Total gross margin percentage remained the same as prior year at 38%.        

Operating expenses (which include outbound freight costs) increased by $28,129 in 2021, to $182,468 or 32%33% of sales, as compared to $154,339 or 34% in 2018.2020. The differences in operating expenses by department are as follows:

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

Selling

 

$

45,121

 

 

$

39,585

 

 

$

5,536

 

 

 

14

%

 

$

48,604

 

 

$

42,389

 

 

$

6,215

 

 

 

15

%

General and administrative

 

 

46,593

 

 

 

42,981

 

 

 

3,612

 

 

 

8

%

 

 

61,685

 

 

 

48,828

 

 

 

12,857

 

 

 

26

%

Research, product development and regulatory

 

 

24,070

 

 

 

26,428

 

 

 

(2,358

)

 

 

-9

%

 

 

28,855

 

 

 

26,310

 

 

 

2,545

 

 

 

10

%

Freight, delivery and warehousing

 

 

35,349

 

 

 

34,616

 

 

 

733

 

 

 

2

%

 

 

43,324

 

 

 

36,812

 

 

 

6,512

 

 

 

18

%

 

$

151,133

 

 

$

143,610

 

 

$

7,523

 

 

 

5

%

Total Operating Expenses

 

$

182,468

 

 

$

154,339

 

 

$

28,129

 

 

 

18

%

 

Selling expenses increased by 15% to $48,604 for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $42,389 in 2020. The main drivers were the costs associated with the activities from the businesses acquired in the last quarter of 2020, increased labor costs related to inflation plus some key staff additions and, increases in travel and entertainment expenses as pandemic restrictions eased in most territories in which we operate.

General and administrative expenses increased by 26% to $61,685 for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $48,828 in 2020. The main drivers were the costs in the amount of $1,833 associated with the addition of the entities acquired in the final quarter of 2020, the increase in short-term and long-term incentive compensation of $3,110, as a result of improved financial performance, additional legal expenses of $2,151 largely arising from the Department of Justice investigation, increased bad debt expenses of $649 related to our businesses in Central America, and adverse foreign exchange costs associated with our businesses in Central and South America. Finally, the Australian business we acquired in the final quarter of 2020 has performed above expectations and as a result we recorded an expense of $758 related to the increase to the fair value of the associated contingent consideration.

Research, product development and regulatory expenses increased by 10% to $28,855 in 2021, as compared to $26,310 in 2020. The main drivers were increases in our product development costs, primarily resulting from increased activities in our newly acquired businesses and work in support of our SIMPAS/ULTIMUS technology platform.

Freight, delivery and warehousing costs for the year ended December 31, 2021, increased by 18% (on sales up 21%) to $43,324, as compared to $36,812 in 2020. This is mainly due to volume increases, product mix and locations of customers. When expressed as a percentage of sales, freight costs decreased slightly year over year to 7.8% in 2021, as compared to 8.0% in 2020. This was achieved despite the global inflation being seen in freight costs.

Selling expenses increased by 14%In July 2020, the Company made a strategic investment in Clean Seed Inc., in the amount of $1,190. Subsequent to $45,121the initial investment, the Company recorded a loss to its fair value in the amount of $391 in 2021 and gain in the amount of $717 in 2020, respectively.

In February 2016, AMVAC BV made an equity investment of $3,283 in Biological Products for Agriculture (“Bi-PA”). The Company has elected to measure the investment at cost less impairment, if any, and to record an increase or decrease for changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of Bi-PA. The Company recorded an impairment in the amount of $399 during the year ended December 31, 2021. No impairment was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to $39,585 in 2018. The main drivers were an increase in activities from the products and businesses acquired in late 2018 and during 2019 including the distribution businesses in Brazil, and the Assure II business in Canada and the U.S.. Included in this increase are the costs related to the transitional service agreement on one of the acquired businesses. We are continuing to invest in the growth of our international businesses and increased advertising and marketing activities in both our domestic and international regions.2020.

General and administrative expenses increased by 8% to $46,593 for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to $42,981 in 2018. The increase was driven by the administrative expenses including amortization expenses associated with the activities of the newly acquired businesses and products, and the reassessment (reduction in expense) of the fair value related to deferred consideration for the acquired businesses in the amount of $4,120, as compared to $6,050 in prior year. These increases were partially offset by decreases in legal costs of approximately $2,418.  20


Research, product development and regulatory expenses decreased by 9% to $24,070 for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to $26,428 in 2018. The main drivers for the decrease were timings related to third party product defense studies and lower business development expenses as we have reached the commercialization phase of a key part of our SIMPAS project.

Freight, delivery and warehousing costs for the year ended December 31, 2019 increased by 2% to $35,349, as compared to $34,616 in 2018. This is mainly due to product mix and locations of customers. When expressed as a percentage of sales, freight costs decreased slightly year over year to 7.5% in 2019, as compared to 7.6% in 2018.

Net interest expense was $7,209$3,687 in 2019,2021, as compared to $4,024$5,178 in 2018.2020. Interest costs are summarized in the following table:

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Average Indebtedness and Interest expense

 

Average

Debt

 

 

Interest

Expense

 

 

Interest

Rate

 

 

Average

Debt

 

 

Interest

Expense

 

 

Interest

Rate

 

 

Average

Debt

 

 

Interest

Expense

 

 

Interest

Rate

 

 

Average

Debt

 

 

Interest

Expense

 

 

Interest

Rate

 

Working capital revolver

 

$

166,828

 

 

$

6,857

 

 

 

4.1

%

 

$

93,346

 

 

$

3,327

 

 

 

3.6

%

 

$

142,238

 

 

$

3,414

 

 

 

2.4

%

 

$

170,801

 

 

$

5,158

 

 

 

3.0

%

Interest income

 

 

 

 

 

(182

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(174

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(65

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(89

)

 

 

 

Amortization of deferred loan fees

 

 

 

 

 

534

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

235

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

367

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

300

 

 

 

 

Amortization of other deferred liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

149

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

395

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23

 

 

 

 

Other interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

166

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

326

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

218

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

110

 

 

 

 

Subtotal

 

 

166,828

 

 

 

7,524

 

 

 

4.5

%

 

 

93,346

 

 

 

4,109

 

 

 

4.4

%

 

 

142,238

 

 

 

3,930

 

 

 

2.8

%

 

 

170,801

 

 

 

5,502

 

 

 

3.2

%

Capitalized interest

 

 

 

 

 

(315

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(85

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(243

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(324

)

 

 

 

Total

 

$

166,828

 

 

$

7,209

 

 

 

4.3

%

 

$

93,346

 

 

$

4,024

 

 

 

4.3

%

 

$

142,238

 

 

$

3,687

 

 

 

2.6

%

 

$

170,801

 

 

$

5,178

 

 

 

3.0

%

 

The Company’s average overall debt for the year ended December 31, 20192021, was $166,828,$142,238, as compared to $93,346$170,801 for the year ended December 31, 2018.2020. On a gross basis, our effective interest rate increased on our working capital revolver to 4.1%, as compared to 3.6% in 2018. This increase was driven by increases in the LIBOR rate. Afterafter adjustments related to capitalized interest and expenses related to the amortization of deferred liabilities, our effective interest rate on our working capital revolver decreased to 2.6%, as compared to 3.0% in 2020. This improvement was driven by U.S. fiscal policy and decreases in the overall effectiveLIBOR rate, was 4.3% for 2019 and 2018.improved cash management.

 

Our provision for income taxes for 20192021 was $5,202,$8,166, as compared to $9,145$3,080 for 2018.2020. The effective tax rate for 20192021 was 27.4%30.0%, as compared to 27.2%16.7% in 2018.2020. The increase of the effective tax rate in 2021 was due to a non-cash charge related to a valuation allowance associated with a deferred tax asset in Brazil.

The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as to income tax in multiple state jurisdictions. Federal income tax returns of the Company are subject to Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) examination for the 20162018 through 20182020 tax years. State income tax returns are subject to examination for the 20152017 through 20182020 tax years. The Company has other foreign income tax returns subject to examination.

21


For the yearyears ended December 31, 2019,2021 and 2020, the Company recorded net losses on its equity investments of $209. For 2018, the Company recorded losses on its equity investments of $389.

Non-controlling interest represents the share of net income or loss that is attributable to the non-controlling stockholder of our majority owned subsidiary, Envance. During the period from January 1, 2018 to November 8, 2018, a loss of $133 was attributed to non-controlling interest. Envance became a wholly owned subsidiary on November 9, 2018.$388 and $125, respectively.

Net income attributable to American Vanguard ended was $13,601$18,587 or $0.46$0.62 per basic share and $0.61 per diluted share in 20192021 as compared to $24,195$15,242 or $0.81$0.52 per basic share and $0.51 per diluted share in 2018.2020.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company generated $9,403$86,361 of cash from operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2019,2021, as compared to $11,346$90,324 in the prior year. Included in the $9,403$86,361 are net income of $13,601,$18,587, plus non-cash depreciation, amortization of intangibles and other assets and discounted future liabilities, in the amount of $22,922,$26,164, loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment of $194, amortization of deferred loan fees of $367, revision of contingent consideration of $758, and provision for bad debts in the amount of $1,035, less reassessment of deferred compensation of $4,120.$649. In addition, stock-based compensation of $7,160,$6,880, loss from equity method investments of $209 and$388, change in fair value of investments of $790, change in value of deferred income taxes of $2,616, present further$2,090, change in reserves for uncertain tax positions of $1,783, adjustment to bargain purchase gain on business acquisition in the amount of $171, decrease in environmental liability of $167, and net adjustments to reconcile net income toforeign currency adjustment of $225, resulted in net cash provided by operating activities of $43,567,$49,669, as compared to $48,995$39,931 for the same period of 2018.2020.

During 2019,2021, the Company increaseddecreased working capital by $32,901,$39,987, as compared 2018. This increase excluded working capital related to the products and businesses acquired during 2019.position at December 31, 2020. Included in this change: accounts receivables net increased by $11,383,$24,347, inventories decreased by $3,817, income taxes$8,130, tax receivable, net increased by $6,855,$6,051, and prepaid expenses increased by $876.$3,354. Deferred revenue increased by $13,355,$19,280, as compared to December 31, 2018,2020, driven by individual customer decisions to make early payments in return for early cash incentive programs. Our accounts payable balances decreasedincreased by $7,977,$8,783, program accruals were increased by $5,797$17,877 and other payables and accrued expenses decreasedincreased by $3,337.$3,986.  

With regard to our program accrual, the year-over-year change is primarily reflects acquired liabilities as part of acquisitions agreements anddriven by ourthe mix of sales and customers in 2019,2021, as compared to the prior year. The Company accrues programs in line with the growing season upon which specific products are targeted. Most of our programs relate to domestic sales. Typically, domestic crops have a growing season that ends on September 30th of each year. During 2019, the Company made accruals for programs in the amount of $63,579, acquired liabilities as part of domestic acquisitions in the amount of $7,247 and made payments in the amount of $60,476. During 2018,2021, the Company made accruals in the amount of $61,114$99,482 and made payments in the amount of $62,819.$81,678. During 2020, the Company made accruals in the amount of $66,622 and made payments in the amount of $68,880.

21


Because the estimate for the program accrual is a material component of the presentation of the Company’s overall financial performance, the Company believes that the process it uses is critical in setting the accrual at the appropriate level. The Company’s process for developing the estimate involves a detailed review of each related transaction and includes the input of a significant number of senior employees to enable the Company to set the accrual using consistently applied judgements, subject to the particular circumstances of any individual transaction.  

Cash used for investing activities amounted to $54,837$20,042 for the year ended December 31, 2019,2021, as compared to $27,697$35,795 in 2018. The2020. In 2021, the Company spent $41,852$10,524 in business and product acquisitions and on patents applications associated with its TyraTech and Envance technology solutions. In addition, in 2021, $9,518 was spent on capital expenditures primarily focused on continuing to invest in manufacturing infrastructure to expand production efficiency and capabilities. In 2020, the Company spent $23,356 in business and product acquisitions including intangible assets, goodwill, working capital and fixed assets as well as patent application costs.  In addition, $12,985 was spentcosts, and $11,249 on capital expenditures primarily focused on continuing to investour manufacturing facilities. Furthermore in manufacturing infrastructure.2020, the Company spent $1,190 on an equity investment.

During the year ended December 31, 2019,2021, financing activities provided $46,406, principally fromused $65,871, as compared to $44,440 during the borrowingsprior year. This included making repayments on the Company’s senior credit facility as compared to providing $11,133 forin the amount of $55,569 during the year ended December 31, 2018. This included net borrowings2021. During 2020, the Company made similar repayments in the amount of $51,900 from our credit facility in 2019, as compared to net borrowings of $18,975 in 2018.$41,624.  During 2021, the year, weCompany paid dividends to stockholders amounting to $2,323,$2,382, as compared to $2,199$1,168 in 2018. The2020. Furthermore, the Company paid $850 deferredfor contingent consideration relating toin the acquisition made duringamount of $1,301 and $1,227 for the year.years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Finally, the Company repurchasedused $4,579 to repurchase common stock at market for $2,604, as compared to $7,287 in prior year.  2021. The Company did not repurchase stock in 2020.

The Company has various loans in place that together constitute the long-term loan balances shown in the consolidated balance sheets as atof December 31, 20192021 and 2018.2020. These are summarized in the following table:

 

Indebtedness

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Revolving line of credit

 

$

149,300

 

 

$

97,400

 

 

$

53,300

 

 

$

107,900

 

Debt issuance costs

 

 

(534

)

 

 

(729

)

 

 

(1,060

)

 

 

(458

)

Total indebtedness

 

$

148,766

 

 

$

96,671

 

 

$

52,240

 

 

$

107,442

 

 

The Company’s main bank is Bank of the West, a wholly-ownedwholly owned subsidiary of the French bank, BNP Paribas. Bank of the West has been the Company’s bank for more than 30 years and is the syndication manager for the Company’s loans.

22


AsThe Company and certain of June 30, 2017,its affiliates are parties to a revolving line of credit agreement entitled the “Third Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement” dated as of August 5, 2021 (the “Credit Agreement”), which is a senior secured lending facility among AMVAC, Chemical Corporation (“AMVAC”), the Company’s principal operating subsidiary, as borrower, and affiliatesBorrower Agent (including the Company AMVAC CV and AMVAC BV), as  guarantors and/or borrowers, entered into a Third Amendment to Second AmendedBorrowers, on the one hand, and Restated Credit Agreement with a group of commercial lenders led by Bank of the West as administrative agent, swing line lenderdocumentation agent, syndication agent, collateral agent, sole lead arranger and Letter of Credit issuer. As of November 27, 2019, AMVAC, as borrower and certain affiliates,book runner, on the one hand, entered into a Fourth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with a group of commercial lenders led by Bank of the West as agent, swing line lender and Letter of Credit under the terms of which the maximum limits for both Permitted Acquisitions and Investments in Foreign Subsidiaries were increased and new language was added with respect to Eurocurrency Rates, LIBOR Rates and ERISA. The Third and Fourth Amendments, taken together, constitute the Credit Agreement.

other hand. The Credit Agreement is a senior secured lending facility, consistingconsists of a line of credit of up to $250,000,$275,000, an accordion feature of up to $100,000$150,000, a letter of credit and swingline sub-facility (each having limits of $25,000) and has a maturity date of August 5, 2026. The Credit Agreement amends and restates the previous credit facility, which had a maturity date of June 30, 2022. TheWith respect to key financial covenants, the Credit Agreement contains two key financial covenants;two: namely, borrowers are required to maintain a Consolidated Funded DebtTotal Leverage (“TL”) Ratio of no more than 3.5-to-1, during the first three years, stepping down to 3.25-to-1 as of September 30, 2024, and a Consolidated Fixed Charge CovenantCoverage Ratio of at least 1.25-to-1. In addition, to the extent that it completes acquisitions totaling $15 million or more in any 90-day period, AMVAC may step-up the TL Ratio by 0.5-to-1, not to exceed 4.00-to-1, for the next three full consecutive quarters. Acquisitions below $50 million do not require Agent consent.

The Company’s borrowing capacity varies with its financial performance, measured in terms of Consolidated EBITDA as defined in the Credit Agreement, for the trailing twelve-month period. Under the Credit Agreement, revolving loans bear interest at a variable rate based, at borrower’s election with proper notice, on either (i) LIBOR plus the “Applicable Rate”Margin” which is based upon the Consolidated Funded DebtTotal Leverage (“TL”) Ratio (“Eurocurrency RateLIBOR Revolver Loan”) or (ii) the greater of (x) the Prime Rate, (y) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, and (z) the Daily One-Month LIBOR Rate plus 1.00%, plus, in the case of (x), (y) or (z) the Applicable RateMargin (“AlternateAdjusted Base Rate Revolver Loan”). Interest payments for Eurocurrency RateLIBOR Revolver Loans are payable on the last day of each interest period (either one, two, threeone-, three- or sixsix- months, as selected by the borrower) and the maturity date, while interest payments for AlternateAdjusted Base Rate Revolver Loans are payable on the last business day of each month and the maturity date. The interest rate on December 31, 20192021, was 3.74%1.98%.

22


At December 31, 2019,2021, according to the terms of the Credit Agreement, as amended, and based on our performance against the most restrictive covenant listed above, the Company had the capacity to increase its borrowings by up to $26,977.$178,705. This compares to an available borrowing capacity of $112,150$86,736 as of December 31, 2018.2020. The level of borrowing capacity is driven by three factors: (1) our financial performance, as measured in EBITDA for trailing twelve-month period, (2) the inclusion of proforma EBITDA related to acquisitions completed during the preceding twelve months and (3) the leverage covenant (being the number of times EBITDA the Company may borrow under its credit facility agreement). The Company was in compliance with all theits debt covenants as of December 31, 2019.2021.

We believe that the combination of our cash flows from future operations, current cash on hand and the availability under the Company’s credit facility will be sufficient to meet our working capital and capital expenditure requirements and will provide us with adequate liquidity to meet our anticipated operating needs for at least the next 12 months from the issuance of the Annual Report. Although operating activities are expected to provide cash, to the extent of growth in the future, our operating and investing activities will use cash and, consequently, this growth may require us to access some or all of the availability under the credit facility. It is also possible that additional sources of finance may be necessary to support additional growth.

Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The following summarizes our contractual obligations at December 31, 2019, andSubstantially all the effects such obligationsCompany’s assets are expected to have on cash flows in future periods:pledged as collateral under the Credit Agreement, as amended.  

 

 

 

Payments Due by Period

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Less than

1 Year

 

 

1—3

Years

 

 

4—5

Years

 

 

After

5 Years

 

Long-term debt

 

$

149,300

 

 

$

 

 

$

149,300

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Estimated interest liability (1)

 

 

18,364

 

 

 

6,121

 

 

 

12,243

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred earn outs on business acquisitions

 

 

1,790

 

 

 

277

 

 

 

1,513

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employment agreements

 

 

2,106

 

 

 

685

 

 

 

1,421

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating leases—rental properties and equipment

 

 

9,610

 

 

 

3,811

 

 

 

4,004

 

 

 

1,001

 

 

 

794

 

Operating leases—vehicles

 

 

2,550

 

 

 

1,389

 

 

 

1,117

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

 

Transition taxes (2)

 

 

783

 

 

 

 

 

 

198

 

 

 

585

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

184,503

 

 

$

12,283

 

 

$

169,796

 

 

$

1,630

 

 

$

794

 

(1)

Estimated interest liability has been calculated using the current effective rate for each category of debt over the remaining term of the debt and taking into account scheduled repayments. The revolving line has been assumed to be constant (i.e. $149,300) throughout the remaining term. All of our debt is linked to LIBOR rates.

There were no significant other off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2019.

Under the terms of the credit facility, all debt outstanding is due when the agreement expires on June 30, 2022.

23


In addition to the above contractual obligations, $4,597 of unrecognized tax benefits and $6,855 of accrued penalties and interest have been recorded as long term liabilities as of December 31, 2019. We are uncertain as to if or when such amounts may be settled or any tax benefits realized.

(2)

The Company elected to pay the transition tax related to the Tax Reform Act over an eight-year period.  Total amount has been adjusted to reflect 2017 income tax overpayment applied to transition tax.

Recently Issued Accounting Guidance

Please refer to NotesNote 3 of Consolidated Financial Statements – Description of Business, Basis of Consolidation, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies in the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report for recently issued and adopted accounting standards.  

Foreign Exchange

The Company faces market risk to the extent that changes in foreign currency exchange rates affect our non-U.S. dollar functional currency for some of our foreign subsidiaries’ revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities. We currently do not engage in hedging activities with respect to such exchange rate risks.

Assets and liabilities outside the U.S. are located in regions where we have subsidiaries or joint ventures: Central America, South America, North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Our investments in foreign subsidiaries and joint ventures with a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar are generally considered long-term. Accordingly, we do not hedge these net investments.

Inflation

Management believes inflation has had minimal impact on the Company's operations during the past two years. The Company is working diligently with its critical raw material suppliers to control inflationary pressures, conducting contract negotiations with focus on the following: reducing or delaying price increases due to higher environmental costs from suppliers mainly in China and India, managing the tariff impacts by sourcing and leveraging alternate geographies where possible, and lastly, monitoring strengths of the U.S. dollar vs other currencies in order to secure benefits and balance tariff effects. The Company recognizes there is long-term pressure on demand for raw materials in the developing world and is utilizing its expertise to minimize inflationary pressure. The Company has been able to push back on many of the proposed price increases for actives and intermediates that are shipped to our U.S. factories, to either avoid, minimize or forestall them. In response to inflation and other factors that have increased the cost of goods and services, the Company has successfully implemented price increases on its products.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Certain of the Company’s policies require the application of judgment by management in selecting the appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates. These judgments are based on historical experience, terms of existing contracts, commonly accepted industry practices and other assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period that revisions are determined to be necessary. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different outcomes or conditions.

23


The Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates include:

Principles of Consolidation—The Company’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Less than wholly owned subsidiaries, including joint ventures, are consolidated when it is determined that the Company has a controlling financial interest, which is generally determined when the Company holds a majority voting interest. When protective rights, substantive rights or other factors exist, further analysis is performed in order to determine whether or not there is a controlling financial interest. The consolidated financial statements reflect the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of consolidated subsidiaries and the non-controlling parties’ ownership share is presented as a non-controlling interest. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated.

24


Revenue Recognition and Allowance for Doubtful AccountsPrior to January 1, 2018, revenues from sales were recognized at the time title and the risks of ownership passed. This was when the customer had made the fixed commitment to purchase the goods, the products were shipped per the customer’s instructions, the sales price was fixed and determinable, and collection was reasonably assured. Starting January 1, 2018, revenuesRevenues from sales are recognized at the time control is transferred to the customer. This is typically the case when the customer has made the fixed commitment to purchase the goods, the products are shipped per the customer’s instructions, the sales price can be identified, and collection is probable. The Company has adopted procedures to ensure that revenues are recognized when earned. The procedures are subject to management’s review and from time to timetime-to-time certain revenues are excluded until it is clear that the title has passed and there is no further recourse to the Company. We also have some arrangements whereby revenues are recognized over time for certain products that are deemed to have no alternative use accompanied by an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date. From time to time,time-to-time, the Company may offer a program to eligible customers, in good standing, that provides extended payment terms on a portion of the sales on selected products. The Company analyzes these extended payment programs in connection with its revenue recognition policy to ensure all revenue recognition criteria are satisfied at the time of sale. The Company also earns royalty income from its licensing arrangements which qualify as functional licenses rather than symbolic licenses. Upon signing a new licensing agreement, we typically receive up-front fees, which are generally characterized as non-refundable royalties. These fees are recognized as revenue upon the execution of the license agreements. Minimum royalty fees are recognized once the Company has an enforceable right for payment. Sales-based royalty fees are typically recognized when the sales occur. We calculate and accrue estimated royalties based on the agreement terms and correspondence with the licensees regarding actual sales. Allowance for doubtful accounts is established based on estimates of losses related to customer receivable balances. Estimates are developed using either standard quantitative measures based on historical losses, adjusted for current economic conditions, or by evaluating specific customer accounts for risk of loss.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts or Current Expected Credit LossesThe Company maintains an allowance to cover its Current Expected Credit Losses ("CECL") on its trade receivables, other receivables and contract assets arising from the failure of customers to make contractual payments. The Company estimates credit losses expected over the life of its trade receivables, other receivables and contract assets based on historical information combined with current conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay and reasonable and supportable forecasts. In most instances, the Company’s policy is to write-off trade receivables when they are deemed uncollectible. The vast majority of the Company's trade receivables, other receivables and contract assets are less than 365 days. Under the CECL impairment model, the Company develops and documents its allowance for credit losses on its trade receivables based on multiple portfolios. The determination of portfolios is based primarily on geographical location, type of customer and aging.

Deferred Revenue - From time to time, the Company receives pre-payments from customers which are recorded as deferred revenue on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not recognize revenue on any such payments unless and until the customer places binding purchase orders, the goods are shipped, and control is transferred to the customer.  

Accrued Program Costs The Company offers various discounts to customers based on the volume purchased within a defined time period, other pricing adjustments, some grower volume incentives or other key performance indicator driven payments made to distributors, retailers or growers, usually at the end of a growing season. The Company describes these payments as “Programs.” Programs are a critical part of doing business in both the U.S. crop and non-crop chemicals marketplaces. These discount Programs represent variable consideration. In accordance with ASC 606, revenuesRevenues from sales are recorded at the net sales price, which is the transaction price, and includes estimates of variable consideration. Variable consideration includes amounts expected to be paid to its customers using the expected value method. Each quarter management compares individual sale transactions with Programs to determine what, if any, estimated program liabilities have been incurred. Once this initial calculation is made for the specific quarter, sales and marketing management, along with executive and financial management, review the accumulated Program balance and, for volume driven payments, make assessments of whether or not customers are tracking in a manner that indicates that they will meet the requirements set out in agreed upon terms and conditions attached to each Program. Following this assessment, management will make adjustments to the accumulated accrual to properly reflect the Company’s best estimate of the liability at the balance sheet date. The majority of adjustments are made at, or close to, the end of the crop season, at which time customer performance can be more fully assessed. Programs are paid out predominantly on an annual basis, usually in the final quarter of the financial year or the first quarter of the following year. The Company recorded accrued programs of $47,699 at December 31, 2019, as compared to $37,349 at December 31, 2018.

Inventories — The Company values its inventories at lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost method, including, as appropriate, material,raw materials, labor, factory overhead and subcontracting services. The Company writes down and makes adjustmentsits inventory to its inventorythe net realizable value following assessments of slow moving and obsolete inventory and other annual adjustments to ensure that our standard costs continue to closely reflect actual manufacturing cost.

24


Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation— Property, plant and equipment includes the cost of land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office furniture and fixtures, automobiles, construction projects and significant improvements to existing plant and equipment. Interest costs related to significant construction projects are capitalized at the Company’s current weighted average effective interest rate. Expenditures for minor repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. When property or equipment is sold or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and the gain or loss realized on disposition is reflected in earnings. All plant and equipment assets are depreciated using the straight-line method, utilizing the estimated useful property lives. Once placed into service, building lives range from 10 to 30 years; machinery and equipment lives range from 3 to 15 years. During the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 the Company eliminated from assets and accumulated depreciation $868, $4,057, and $6,317, respectively, of fully depreciated assets.  

25


Leases —The Company has operating leases for warehouses, manufacturing facilities, offices, cars, railcars and certain equipment. On January 1, 2019, theThe Company adopted the accounting and adoption guidance in ASC 842, Leases, for its operating leases resulting in the recognition ofrecognizes operating lease right-of-use (ROU) assets and lease liabilities on the effective date.for all leases. The Company measures ROU assets throughout the lease term at the carrying amount of the lease liability, plus initial direct costs, plus (minus) any prepaid (accrued) lease payments, less the unamortized balance of lease incentives received. The lease liabilities are measured at the present value of the unpaid lease payments at the lease commencement date. Leases that include both lease and non-lease components are accounted for as a single lease component for each asset class, except for warehouses. The minimum payments under operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term in the consolidated statements of operations. Operating lease expenses related to variable lease payments are recognized in cost of sales or as operating expenses in a manner consistent with the nature of the underlying lease and as the events, activities, or circumstances in the lease agreement occur. Leases with a term of less than 12 months are not recognized on the consolidated balance sheets, and the related lease expenses are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The accounting for leases requires management to exercise judgment and make estimates in determining the applicable discount rate, lease term and payments due under a lease. Most of our leases do not provide an implicit interest rate, nor is it available to us from our lessors. As an alternative, we use our estimated incremental borrowing rate, which is derived from information available at the lease commencement date, including publicly available data, in determining the present value of lease payments. We also estimated the fair value of the lease and non-lease components for some of our warehouse leases based on market data and cost data. The lease term includes the non-cancellable period of the lease plus any additional periods covered by either an option to extend (or not terminate) that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. The Company has leases with a lease term ranging from 1 year to 20 years. The operating leases of the Company do not contain major restrictions or covenants such as those relating to dividends or additional financial obligations. Finance leases are immaterial to the condensed consolidated financial statementsstatements.

Intangible AssetsThe primary identifiable intangible assets of the Company relate to assets associated with its product and business acquisitions. All of the Company’s intangible assets have finite lives and are amortized. The estimated useful life of an identifiable intangible asset to the Company is based upon a number of factors including the effects of demand, competition, and expected changes in the marketability of the Company’s products.

Business CombinationsThe Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to assign fair value to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. The Company’s estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the fair value of these tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill.goodwill or an adjustment to the gain from a bargain purchase. In addition, uncertain tax positions and tax-related valuation allowances are initially recorded in connection with a business combination as of the acquisition date. The Company continues to collect information and reevaluates these estimates and assumptions quarterly and records any adjustments to the Company’s preliminary estimates to goodwill provided that the Company is within the measurement period. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the fair value of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.

In the event that the Company acquires an entity in which the Company previously held a non-controlling investment, the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the investment as of the date of the acquisition is recorded as a gain or loss and recorded within net income (loss) on equity method investments in the consolidated statement of operations.

Certain of our acquisition agreements include contingent earn-out arrangements, which are generally based on the achievement of future income thresholds. The fair values of these earn-out arrangements are included as part of the purchase price of the acquired companies on their respective acquisition dates. For each transaction, we estimate the fair value of contingent earn-out payments as part of the initial purchase price and record the estimated fair value of contingent consideration as a liability on the consolidated balance sheets.

We review and re-assess the estimated fair value of contingent consideration on a quarterly basis until the contingent period ends, and the updated fair value could be materially different from the initial estimates or prior quarterly amounts. Changes in the estimated fair value of our contingent earn-out liabilities are reported in operating results.

25


Asset AcquisitionsIf an acquisition of an asset or group of assets does not meet the definition of a business, the transaction is accounted for as an asset acquisition rather than a business combination. An asset acquisition does not result in the recognition of goodwill and transaction costs are capitalized as part of the cost of the asset or group of assets acquired. The Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to assign fair value to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. The acquisitions costs are allocated to the assets acquired on a relative fair value basis. Certain of our acquisition agreements include contingent earn-out arrangements, which are recognized only when the contingency is resolved, and the consideration is paid or becomes payable.

26


Impairment—The carrying values of long-lived assets other than goodwill are reviewed for impairment annually and/or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. The Company evaluates recoverability of an asset group by comparing the carrying value to the future undiscounted cash flows that it expects to generate from the asset group. If the comparison indicates that the carrying value of an asset group is not recoverable, measurement of the impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset. There were no circumstances that would indicate any impairment of the carrying value of these long-lived assets and no material impairment losses were recorded in 2019 or 2018.

The Company reviews goodwill for impairment utilizing either a qualitative or quantitative assessment. If the Company decides that it is appropriate to perform a qualitative assessment and concludes that the fair value of a reporting unit more likely than not exceeds its carrying value, no further evaluation is necessary. If the Company performs a quantitative assessment, the Company compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amountsvalues and recognizes an impairment charge for the amount that the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The Company annually tests goodwill for impairment at the beginning of the fourth quarter, or earlier if triggering events occur. The Company did not record any impairment losses in 2019 or 2018.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments—The accounting standard for fair value measurements provides a framework for measuring fair value and requires expanded disclosures regarding fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or the exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. This accounting standard established a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available. The following summarizes the three levels of inputs required:

 

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 – Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

Level 3 – Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The carrying amount of the Company’s financial instruments, which principally include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, long-term investments, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximatesapproximate fair value because of the relatively short maturity of such instruments. The carrying amount of the Company’s short-term and long-term borrowings, which are considered Level 2 liabilities, approximates fair value based upon current rates and terms available to the Company for similar debt.

 

We measure our contingent earn-out liabilities in connection with acquisitions at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. We may use various valuation techniques depending on the terms and conditions of the contingent consideration including a Monte-Carlo simulation. This simulation uses probability distribution for each significant input to produce hundreds or thousands of possible outcomes and the results are analyzed to determine probabilities of different outcomes occurring.

Foreign Currency Translation—Certain international operations use the respective local currencies as their functional currency, while other international operations use the U.S. Dollar as their functional currency. The Company considers the U.S. dollarDollar as its reporting currency. Translation adjustments for subsidiaries where the functional currency is its local currency are included in other comprehensive income (loss). Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) resulting from exchange rate fluctuation on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are reported in earnings. Assets and liabilities of the foreign operations denominated in local currencies are translated at the rate of exchange at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the weighted average rate of exchange during the period. Translations of intercompany loans of a long-term investment nature are included as a component of translation adjustment in other comprehensive income (loss).

26


Income taxesIncome tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits reflect management’s best estimate of current and future taxes to be paid. The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. and a number ofseveral foreign jurisdictions. The Company assessed the ability to realize deferred tax assets and determined that based on the available evidence, including a history of taxable income and estimates of future taxable income, it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets relating to the Company’s operations in Brazil will not be realized.realized and a full valuation allowance was recorded in that jurisdiction. Significant management judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes and deferred tax assets and liabilities. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates, we will adjust these estimates in future periods, which may result in a change in the effective tax rate in a future period. Accounting for income taxes involves uncertainty and judgment on how to interpret and apply tax laws and regulations within the Company’s annual tax filings. Such uncertainties from time to time may result in a tax position that may be challenged and overturned by a tax authority in the future, which could result in additional tax liability, interest charges and possibly penalties. The Company classifies interest and penalties as a component of income tax expense.

27


ITEM 7A

QUANTITATIVEQUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVEQUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company is exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates, primarily from its borrowing activities. The Company’s indebtedness to its primary lendergroup of lenders is evidenced by a line of credit with a variable rate of interest, which fluctuates with changes in the lender’s reference rate (LIBOR). The Company may use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes to protect trading performance from exchange rate fluctuations on material contracts, though there are no such instruments in place during any periods presented in this Annual Report.

The Company conducts business in various foreign currencies, primarily when doing business in Europe, Mexico, Central and South America. Therefore, changes in the value of the currencies of such countries or regions affect the Company’s financial position and cash flows when translated into U.S. Dollars. The Company has mitigated, and will continue to mitigate, a portion of its currency exchange exposure through natural hedges based on the operation of decentralized foreign operating companies in which the majority of all costs are local-currency-based. A 10% change in the value of all foreign currencies would have an immaterial effect on the Company’s financial position and cash flows. As part of an on-going process of assessing business risk, management has identified risk factors which are disclosed in Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 8

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The Financial Statements and Supplementary Data required by this item are listed at Part IV, Item 15, Exhibits, and Financial Statement Schedules.

28


ITEM 9

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTSACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Management, under the supervision of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, periodically evaluate the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)). Based upon this evaluation, as of December 31, 2019,2021, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that the information required to be disclosed in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the Company. The Company’s internal control system over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance to management and the Board of Directors as to the fair, reliable and timely preparation and presentation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America filed with the SEC.

27


Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even processes determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to the financial statement preparation and presentation.

Management conducted an evaluation of the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting based on a framework set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013). This evaluation included review of the documentation of controls, evaluation of the design effectiveness of controls, testing of the effectiveness of controls and a conclusion on the evaluation. Based on this evaluation, management believes that as of December 31, 2019,2021, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective.

BDO USA, LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K, was engaged to attest to and report on the effectiveness of AVD’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019.2021. Its report is included herein.

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in internal controls over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 20192021, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 


29


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Shareholders

Stockholders and Board of Directors

American Vanguard Corporation

Newport Beach, California

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited American Vanguard Corporation’s (the “Company’s”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019,2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “COSO criteria”). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019,2021, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 20192021 and 2018,2020, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019,2021, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index and our report dated March 10, 202011, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

Basis for Opinion

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 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 are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. 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.

 

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

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.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

Costa Mesa, California

March 10, 202011, 2022

 

 


30


AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 9B

OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 9C

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS

Not applicable.

30


AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART III

ITEM 10

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information set forth under the captions “Executive Officers of the Company,” “Election of Directors,” “Information about the Board of Directors and Committees of the Board” and “Transactions with Management and Others—Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in our definitive proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”) for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 5, 2020 (the “Proxy Statement”),1, 2022, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2019,2021, is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 11

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Except as specifically provided, the information set forth under the captions “Compensation of Executive Officers” and “Information about the Board of Directors and Committees of the Board—Compensation of Directors” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The disclosure contained in Part II, Item 5 under “Equity Compensation Plan Information” is incorporated herein by reference. Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated by reference to the information set forth under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the Proxy Statement.

ITEM 13

The information set forth under the captions “Transactions with Management and Others” and “Information about the Board of Directors and Committees of the Board” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Information regarding principal accountant fees and services is incorporated herein by reference to the information set forth under the caption “Ratification of the Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm—Relationship of the Company with Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Proxy Statement.

31


AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

PART IV

ITEM 15

EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

 

(a)

The following documents are filed as part of this report:

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:

 

Description

 

Page No

 

 

 

Financial Statement Schedule:

 

 

Schedule II_A Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

35

 

 

 

Financial Statements:

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm BDO USA, LLP; Costa Mesa, California, PCAOB ID#243

 

37

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 20192021 and 20182020

 

3839

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018,2021, 2020 and 20172019

 

3940

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018,2021, 2020 and 20172019

 

4041

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 20182021, 2020 and 20172019

 

4142

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018,2021, 2020 and 20172019

42

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

43

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

44

 

(b)

Exhibits Index

32


AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

ITEM 15

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description of Exhibit

 

 

 

  3.1

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of American Vanguard Corporation (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, which was filed on March 30, 2004, with the Securities Exchange Commission and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

  3.2

 

Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of American Vanguard Corporation (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q/A for the period ended June 30, 2004, which was filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on February 23, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

  3.3

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of American Vanguard Corporation dated as of June 5, 2014 (filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K, which was filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on June 7, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference.)

 

 

 

  4

 

Form of Indenture (filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-122981) and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.1

 

American Vanguard Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan (filed as Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.2

 

American Vanguard Corporation Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan as of June 8, 2016 (filed as Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 25, 2016, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.3

 

Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the American Vanguard Corporation Fourth Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan , (filed as Exhibit 10.3 with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2004, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.4

 

Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the American Vanguard Corporation Fourth Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan , (filed as Exhibit 10.4 with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2004, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.5

 

Employment Agreement between American Vanguard Corporation and Eric G. Wintemute dated January 15, 2008 (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, which was filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on March 17, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.8

 

Form of Change of Control Severance Agreement, dated effective as of January 1, 2004, between American Vanguard Corporation and its executive and senior officers (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2004, which was filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on May 17, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.)

 

 

 

10.9

 

Form of Amendment of Change of Control Severance Agreement, dated effective as of July 11, 2008, between American Vanguard Corporation and named executive officers and senior officers (filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K, which was filed on July 11, 2008, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.10

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement between American Vanguard Corporation and its Directors (as filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2004, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.11

 

Description of Compensatory Arrangements Applicable to Non-Employee Directors (as set forth on page 34 of the Company’s Proxy Statement which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 22, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference).

10.12

Form of Restricted Stock Agreement between American Vanguard Corporation and named executive officers dated as of November 13, 2020. Filed as exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2020.

 

 

 

33


AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description of Exhibit

 

 

 

10.1310.14

 

Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units Award Agreement between American Vanguard Corporation and named executive officers (filedofficer dated as Exhibit 99.1of November 13, 2020. Filed as exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Form 8-K, which was filed with10-K for the Securities Exchange Commission on July 24, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference)period ended December 31, 2020.

10.14

Form of Amended and Restated Change of Control Severance Agreement effective as of January 1, 2014 (filed as Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s 10-K, which was filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on February 28, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.15

 

Form of American Vanguard Corporation Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan TSR-Based Restricted Stock Units Award Agreement dated June 6, 2013 (filed as Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s 10-K, which was filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on February 28, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.16

 

Form of American Vanguard Corporation Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units Award Agreement dated June 6, 2013 (filed as Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s 10-K, which was filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on February 28, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.17

 

Third Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of June 30, 2017 among AMVAC and certain affiliates on the other hand, and a group of commercial lenders led by Bank of the West as agent, swing line lender, and letter of credit issuer, on the other hand (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K, which was filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on July 6, 2017 and is incorporated herein by reference).

 

 

 

10.18

 

Fourth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 27, 2019, among AMVAC and certain affiliates, on the one hand, and a group of commercial lenders led by Bank of the West as agent, swing line lender, and letter of credit issuer, on the other hand (filed herewithwith the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2019). Third Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated August 5, 2021 by and among American Vanguard Corporation et al. and Bank of the West et al. a form of which was filed with the SEC as Exhibit).an exhibit to the Company’s Form 8-K on or about August 10, 2021.

 

 

 

21

 

List of Subsidiaries of the Company.*

 

 

 

23

 

Consent of BDO USA, LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.*

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

 

 

 

101

 

The following materials from American Vanguard Corp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019,2020, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.*

 

 

 

101.INS

Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

101.SCH

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

*

Filed herewith.

(c)

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts:

34


AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

(c)

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts:

Schedule II-A—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable (in thousands)

 

 

Balance at

 

 

Additions

Charged to

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign

 

 

Balance at

 

 

Balance at

 

 

Additions

Charged to

 

 

Foreign

 

 

Balance at

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

Beginning of

Period

 

 

Costs and

Expenses

 

 

Deductions

 

 

exchange

impact

 

 

End of

Period

 

 

Beginning of

Period

 

 

Costs and

Expenses

 

 

exchange

impact

 

 

End of

Period

 

December 31, 2021

 

$

3,297

 

 

 

649

 

 

 

(8

)

 

$

3,938

 

December 31, 2020

 

$

2,300

 

 

 

1,002

 

 

 

(5

)

 

$

3,297

 

December 31, 2019

 

$

1,263

 

 

 

1,035

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

$

2,300

 

 

$

1,263

 

 

 

1,035

 

 

 

2

 

 

$

2,300

 

December 31, 2018

 

$

46

 

 

 

1,217

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,263

 

December 31, 2017

 

$

42

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

(27

)

 

 

 

 

$

46

 

 

 

Inventory Reserve (in thousands)

 

 

Balance at

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at

 

 

Balance at

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

Beginning of

Period

 

 

Additions

 

 

Deductions

 

 

End of

Period

 

 

Beginning of

Period

 

 

Additions

 

 

Deductions

 

 

End of

Period

 

December 31, 2021

 

$

2,868

 

 

 

948

 

 

 

(1,141

)

 

$

2,675

 

December 31, 2020

 

$

2,130

 

 

 

1,120

 

 

 

(382

)

 

$

2,868

 

December 31, 2019

 

$

1,989

 

 

 

573

 

 

 

(432

)

 

$

2,130

 

 

$

1,989

 

 

 

573

 

 

 

(432

)

 

$

2,130

 

December 31, 2018

 

$

3,137

 

 

 

476

 

 

 

(1,624

)

 

$

1,989

 

December 31, 2017

 

$

3,594

 

 

 

 

 

 

(457

)

 

$

3,137

 

Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance (in thousands)

 

 

Balance at

 

 

Additions

Charged to

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

Beginning of

Period

 

 

Costs and

Expenses

 

 

Other Comprehensive Loss

 

 

Deductions

 

 

End of

Period

 

December 31, 2021

 

$

 

 

$

3,304

 

 

$

958

 

 

$

 

 

$

4,262

 

 

See accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm on page 38 of this annual report.

ITEM 16

FORM 10-K SUMMARY

NoneNone.

35


AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

SIGNATURESSIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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

(Registrant)

 

By:

/s/ ERIC G. WINTEMUTE

 

By:

/s/ DAVID T. JOHNSON

 

Eric G. Wintemute

Chief Executive Officer

and Chairman of the Board

 

 

David T. Johnson

Chief Financial Officer

and Principal Accounting Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 10, 202011, 2022

 

 

March 10, 202011, 2022

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated.

 

By:

/s/ ERIC G. WINTEMUTE

 

By:

/s/ DAVID T. JOHNSON

 

Eric G. Wintemute

Principal Executive Officer

and Chairman of the Board

 

 

David T. Johnson

Principal Financial Officer

and Principal Accounting Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 10, 202011, 2022

 

 

March 10, 202011, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ DEBRA EDWARDS

 

By:

/s/ JOHN L. KILLMER

 

Debra Edwards

Director

 

 

John L. Killmer

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 10, 202011, 2022

 

 

March 10, 202011, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ LAWRENCE S. CLARKMarisol Angelini

 

By:

/s/ SCOTT D. BASKIN

 

Lawrence S. ClarkMarisol Angelini

Director

 

 

Scott D. Baskin

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 10, 202011, 2022

 

 

March 10, 202011, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ MORTON D. ERLICH

 

By:

/s/ ALFRED INGULLI

 

Morton D. Erlich

Director

 

 

Alfred Ingulli

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 10, 202011, 2022

 

 

March 10, 202011, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ESMAIL ZIRAKPARVAR

 

By:

/s/ÉMER GUNTER

 

Esmail Zirakparvar

Director

 

 

Émer Gunter

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 10, 202011, 2022

 

 

March 10, 202011, 2022

 

36


AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Report of Independent RegisteredRegistered Public Accounting Firm

Shareholders

Stockholders and Board of Directors

American Vanguard Corporation

Newport Beach, California

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of American Vanguard Corporation (the “Company”) as of December 31, 20192021 and 2018,2020, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019,2021, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 20192021 and 2018,2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 20192021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019,2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) and our report dated March 10, 202011, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Change in Accounting Method Related to Leases and Revenue

As discussed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for leases effective January 1, 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 842, Leases.

As discussed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for revenue effective January 1, 2018 due to the adoption of ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.thereon.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

WeCritical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Accrued Program Costs

As discussed in notes to the 2021 consolidated financial statements, the Company offers discounts to its customers based on various programs. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had accrued program costs of $63.2 million and program costs recorded as a reduction of gross sales totaled $99.5 million in 2021. These discounts represent variable consideration and revenues from sales are recorded at the net sales price, which is the transaction price, and includes estimates of variable consideration. Variable consideration includes amounts expected to be paid to customers using the expected value method. Each quarter management compares individual sale transactions with programs to determine what, if any, estimated program liabilities have served as the Company's auditor since 1991.

Costa Mesa, California

March 10, 2020been incurred.

 

37


AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 31, 2019We identified management’s determination of variable consideration related to program costs as a critical audit matter. The principal considerations for our determination included significant inputs and 2018assumptions utilized by management in determining the variable consideration for certain programs. Auditing these elements involved especially challenging auditor judgment due to the nature and extent of audit effort required to address this matter.

(In thousands, except share data)

The primary procedures we performed to address the critical audit matter included:

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

6,581

 

 

$

6,168

 

Receivables:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,300 and $1,263,

   respectively

 

 

136,075

 

 

 

123,320

 

Other

 

 

16,949

 

 

 

10,709

 

 

 

 

153,024

 

 

 

134,029

 

Inventories, net

 

 

163,313

 

 

 

159,895

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

10,457

 

 

 

10,096

 

Income taxes receivable

 

 

2,824

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

 

336,199

 

 

 

310,188

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

56,521

 

 

 

49,252

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

11,258

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

198,377

 

 

 

186,583

 

Goodwill

 

 

46,557

 

 

 

25,790

 

Other assets

 

 

21,186

 

 

 

21,774

 

Total assets

 

$

670,098

 

 

$

593,587

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current installments of other liabilities

 

$

1,513

 

 

$

1,609

 

Accounts payable

 

 

64,881

 

 

 

66,535

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

6,826

 

 

 

20,043

 

Accrued program costs

 

 

47,699

 

 

 

37,349

 

Accrued expenses and other payables

 

 

12,815

 

 

 

15,962

 

Operating lease liabilities, current

 

 

4,904

 

 

 

 

Income taxes payable

 

 

 

 

 

4,030

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

138,638

 

 

 

145,528

 

Long-term debt, net of deferred loan fees

 

 

148,766

 

 

 

96,671

 

Other liabilities, excluding current installments

 

 

12,890

 

 

 

6,795

 

Operating lease liabilities, long-term

 

 

6,503

 

 

 

 

Deferred income tax liabilities, net

 

 

19,145

 

 

 

15,363

 

Total liabilities

 

 

325,942

 

 

 

264,357

 

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

   33,233,614 shares in 2019 and 32,752,827 shares in 2018

 

 

3,324

 

 

 

3,276

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

90,572

 

 

 

83,177

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(5,698

)

 

 

(4,507

)

Retained earnings

 

 

274,118

 

 

 

262,840

 

 

 

 

362,316

 

 

 

344,786

 

Less treasury stock at cost, 3,061,040 shares in 2019 and 2,902,992 shares in 2018

 

 

(18,160

)

 

 

(15,556

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

344,156

 

 

 

329,230

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

670,098

 

 

$

593,587

 

Testing the design and operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to management’s accounting for program costs, specifically including controls over: (i) the calculation of significant components of the program costs, and (ii) the completeness and accuracy of program costs.

Assessing the completeness and reasonableness of variable and incremental programs inclusive of significant inputs and assumptions used to determine the variable consideration through (i) evaluating current year accrued program costs by material product line against historical program cost payments, (ii) assessing management’s assumptions against trends and historical metrics and (iii) performing retrospective reviews utilizing available historical payment of program costs compared to estimates made in prior periods.

Testing the computation of the accrued program costs by re-performing or independently calculating portions of the accrued program costs and testing of the accrued program costs payments made to customers on a sample basis. Testing material portions of the underlying data used to relevant source documents, accounting records and approved program rates or amounts.

 

See summary of significant accounting policies and notes to consolidated financial statements.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

We have served as the Company's auditor since 1991.

Costa Mesa, California

March 11, 2022

38


AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONSBALANCE SHEETS

Years ended December 31, 2019, 20182021 and 20172020

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Net sales

 

$

468,186

 

 

$

454,272

 

 

$

355,047

 

Cost of sales

 

 

290,832

 

 

 

271,641

 

 

 

207,655

 

Gross profit

 

 

177,354

 

 

 

182,631

 

 

 

147,392

 

Operating expenses

 

 

151,133

 

 

 

143,610

 

 

 

120,598

 

Operating income

 

 

26,221

 

 

 

39,021

 

 

 

26,794

 

Change in fair value of derivative instrument

 

 

 

 

 

1,401

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

7,209

 

 

 

4,024

 

 

 

1,941

 

Income before provision for income taxes and loss on equity method

   investments

 

 

19,012

 

 

 

33,596

 

 

 

24,853

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

5,202

 

 

 

9,145

 

 

 

4,443

 

Income before loss on equity method investments

 

 

13,810

 

 

 

24,451

 

 

 

20,410

 

Less net loss from equity method investments

 

 

209

 

 

 

389

 

 

 

49

 

Net income

 

 

13,601

 

 

 

24,062

 

 

 

20,361

 

Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interest

 

 

 

 

 

133

 

 

 

(87

)

Net income attributable to American Vanguard

 

$

13,601

 

 

$

24,195

 

 

$

20,274

 

Earnings per common share—basic

 

$

0.47

 

 

$

0.83

 

 

$

0.70

 

Earnings per common share—assuming dilution

 

$

0.46

 

 

$

0.81

 

 

$

0.68

 

Weighted average shares outstanding—basic

 

 

29,030

 

 

 

29,326

 

 

 

29,100

 

Weighted average shares outstanding—assuming dilution

 

 

29,656

 

 

 

30,048

 

 

 

29,703

 

 

 

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; NaN 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

 

 

See summary of significant accounting policies and notes to consolidated financial statements.

39


AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OPERATIONS

Years ended December 31, 2019, 20182021, 2020 and 20172019

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

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

 

See summary of significant accounting policies and notes to consolidated financial statements.

40


AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019

(In thousands)

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Net income

 

$

13,601

 

 

$

24,062

 

 

$

20,361

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

(1,191

)

 

 

 

 

 

344

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

12,410

 

 

 

24,062

 

 

 

20,705

 

Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to

   non-controlling interest

 

 

 

 

 

(133

)

 

 

87

 

Comprehensive income attributable to American Vanguard

 

$

12,410

 

 

$

24,195

 

 

$

20,618

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Net income

 

$

18,587

 

 

$

15,242

 

 

$

13,601

 

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax effects

 

 

(4,462

)

 

 

(3,624

)

 

 

(1,191

)

Comprehensive income

 

$

14,125

 

 

$

11,618

 

 

$

12,410

 

 

See summary of significant accounting policies and notes to consolidated financial statements

 

4041


AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Years ended December 31, 2019, 20182021, 2020 and 20172019

(In thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Paid-in

 

 

Comprehensive

 

 

Retained

 

 

Treasury Stock

 

 

AVD

 

 

Controlling

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Paid-in

 

 

Comprehensive

 

 

Retained

 

 

Treasury Stock

 

 

AVD

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Capital

 

 

Income/(loss)

 

 

Earnings

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Total

 

 

Interest

 

 

Total

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Capital

 

 

loss

 

 

Earnings

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Total

 

Balance, December 31, 2016

 

 

31,819,695

 

 

$

3,183

 

 

$

71,699

 

 

$

(4,851

)

 

$

220,428

 

 

 

2,450,634

 

 

$

(8,269

)

 

$

282,190

 

 

$

167

 

 

$

282,357

 

Stocks issued under ESPP

 

 

34,016

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

551

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

555

 

 

 

 

 

 

555

 

Cash dividends on common stock ($0.06

per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,749

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,749

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,749

)

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

344

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

344

 

 

 

 

 

 

344

 

Stock based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,714

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,714

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,714

 

Stock options exercised; grants, termination,

and vesting of restricted stock units (net of

shares in lieu of taxes)

 

 

388,155

 

 

 

38

 

 

 

(1,306

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,268

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,268

)

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,274

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,274

 

 

 

87

 

 

 

20,361

 

Balance, December 31, 2017

 

 

32,241,866

 

 

 

3,225

 

 

 

75,658

 

 

 

(4,507

)

 

 

238,953

 

 

 

2,450,634

 

 

 

(8,269

)

 

 

305,060

 

 

 

254

 

 

 

305,314

 

Adjustment to recognize new revenue

recognition standard, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,214

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,214

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,214

 

Adjustment to recognize new standard on

taxes on foreign asset transfers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(180

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(180

)

 

 

 

 

 

(180

)

Stocks issued under ESPP

 

 

35,950

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

668

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

670

 

 

 

 

 

 

670

 

Cash dividends on common stock ($0.08

per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,342

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,342

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,342

)

Stock based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,805

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,805

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,805

 

Stock options exercised; grants, termination,

and vesting of restricted stock units (net of

shares in lieu of taxes)

 

 

475,011

 

 

 

49

 

 

 

998

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,047

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,047

 

Non-controlling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

48

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

48

 

 

 

(121

)

 

 

(73

)

Shares repurchased

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

452,358

 

 

 

(7,287

)

 

 

(7,287

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7,287

)

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24,195

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24,195

 

 

 

(133

)

 

 

24,062

 

Balance, December 31, 2018

 

 

32,752,827

 

 

 

3,276

 

 

 

83,177

 

 

 

(4,507

)

 

 

262,840

 

 

 

2,902,992

 

 

 

(15,556

)

 

 

329,230

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

329,230

 

 

 

32,752,827

 

 

$

3,276

 

 

$

83,177

 

 

$

(4,507

)

 

$

262,840

 

 

 

2,902,992

 

 

$

(15,556

)

 

$

329,230

 

Stocks issued under ESPP

 

 

47,229

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

711

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

716

 

 

 

 

 

 

716

 

 

 

47,229

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

711

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

716

 

Cash dividends on common stock ($0.08

per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,323

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,323

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,323

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,323

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,323

)

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,191

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,191

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,191

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,191

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,191

)

Stock based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,160

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,160

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,160

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,160

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,160

 

Stock options exercised; grants, termination,

and vesting of restricted stock units (net of

shares in lieu of taxes)

 

 

433,558

 

 

 

43

 

 

 

(476

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(433

)

 

 

 

 

 

(433

)

Stock options exercised, grants, termination,

and vesting of restricted stock units (net of

shares in lieu of taxes)

 

 

433,558

 

 

 

43

 

 

 

(476

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(433

)

Shares repurchased

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

158,048

 

 

 

(2,604

)

 

 

(2,604

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,604

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

158,048

 

 

 

(2,604

)

 

 

(2,604

)

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,601

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,601

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,601

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,601

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,601

 

Balance, December 31, 2019

 

 

33,233,614

 

 

$

3,324

 

 

$

90,572

 

 

$

(5,698

)

 

$

274,118

 

 

 

3,061,040

 

 

$

(18,160

)

 

$

344,156

 

 

$

 

 

$

344,156

 

 

 

33,233,614

 

 

 

3,324

 

 

 

90,572

 

 

 

(5,698

)

 

 

274,118

 

 

 

3,061,040

 

 

 

(18,160

)

 

 

344,156

 

Stocks issued under ESPP

 

 

49,668

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

716

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

721

 

Cash dividends on common stock ($0.04

per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,178

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,178

)

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,624

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,624

)

Stock based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,561

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,561

 

Stock options exercised, grants, termination,

and vesting of restricted stock units (net of

shares in lieu of taxes)

 

 

639,151

 

 

 

65

 

 

 

(1,207

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,142

)

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,242

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,242

 

Balance, December 31, 2020

 

 

33,922,433

 

 

 

3,394

 

 

 

96,642

 

 

 

(9,322

)

 

 

288,182

 

 

 

3,061,040

 

 

 

(18,160

)

 

 

360,736

 

Stocks issued under ESPP

 

 

50,782

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

739

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

743

 

Cash dividends on common stock ($0.08

per share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,384

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,384

)

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,462

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,462

)

Stock based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,880

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,880

 

Stock options exercised, grants, termination,

and vesting of restricted stock units (net of

shares in lieu of taxes)

 

 

275,003

 

 

 

28

 

 

 

(2,811

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,783

)

Shares repurchased

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

300,000

 

 

 

(4,579

)

 

 

(4,579

)

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,587

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,587

 

Balance, December 31, 2021

 

 

34,248,218

 

 

$

3,426

 

 

$

101,450

 

 

$

(13,784

)

 

$

304,385

 

 

 

3,361,040

 

 

$

(22,739

)

 

$

372,738

 

 

See summary of significant accounting policies and notes to consolidated financial statements

 

 

4142


AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTSSTATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Years ended December 31, 2019, 20182021, 2020 and 20172019

(In thousands)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Increase cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

13,601

 

 

$

24,062

 

 

$

20,361

 

 

$

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

 

 

18,643

 

 

 

18,891

 

 

 

16,959

 

 

 

22,229

 

 

 

19,902

 

 

 

18,643

 

Amortization of other long term assets

 

 

4,207

 

 

 

4,884

 

 

 

5,221

 

Amortization of discounted liabilities

 

 

72

 

 

 

359

 

 

 

110

 

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

 

 

1,035

 

 

 

1,216

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

649

 

 

 

1,002

 

 

 

1,035

 

Reassessment of deferred consideration

 

 

(4,120

)

 

 

(6,050

)

 

 

 

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

 

 

7,160

 

 

 

5,805

 

 

 

4,714

 

 

 

6,880

 

 

 

6,561

 

 

 

7,160

 

Increase (decrease) in deferred income taxes

 

 

2,616

 

 

 

(561

)

 

 

398

 

 

 

(2,090

)

 

 

969

 

 

 

2,616

 

Loss from equity method investments

 

 

209

 

 

 

389

 

 

 

49

 

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

 

 

(11,383

)

 

 

(22,536

)

 

 

749

 

 

 

(24,347

)

 

 

15,407

 

 

 

(11,513

)

(Increase) decrease in inventories

 

 

3,817

 

 

 

(31,440

)

 

 

16,183

 

Decrease in inventories

 

 

8,130

 

 

 

7,421

 

 

 

3,817

 

(Increase) decrease in income tax receivable, net

 

 

(6,855

)

 

 

2,655

 

 

 

(12,073

)

 

 

6,051

 

 

 

(287

)

 

 

(6,855

)

(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets

 

 

(876

)

 

 

186

 

 

 

647

 

 

 

(3,354

)

 

 

140

 

 

 

(876

)

Increase in net operating lease liability

 

 

149

 

 

 

 

 

��

 

 

 

286

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

149

 

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable

 

 

(7,977

)

 

 

9,097

 

 

 

3,322

 

 

 

8,783

 

 

 

(8,199

)

 

 

(7,912

)

Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue

 

 

(13,355

)

 

 

5,468

 

 

 

10,726

 

 

 

19,280

 

 

 

36,803

 

 

 

(13,355

)

Increase (decrease) in accrued program costs

 

 

5,797

 

 

 

(1,705

)

 

 

(4,529

)

 

 

17,877

 

 

 

(2,517

)

 

 

5,797

 

Increase (decrease) in other payables and accrued expenses

 

 

(3,337

)

 

 

626

 

 

 

(3,841

)

 

 

3,986

 

 

 

1,607

 

 

 

(3,600

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

9,403

 

 

 

11,346

 

 

 

59,001

 

 

 

86,361

 

 

 

90,324

 

 

 

9,613

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(12,985

)

 

 

(8,050

)

 

 

(6,666

)

 

 

(9,518

)

 

 

(11,249

)

 

 

(12,985

)

Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(950

)

Acquisitions of businesses and product lines, and intangible assets additions

 

 

(41,852

)

 

 

(19,647

)

 

 

(81,896

)

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

 

 

(54,837

)

 

 

(27,697

)

 

 

(89,512

)

 

 

(20,042

)

 

 

(35,795

)

 

 

(54,837

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net borrowings under line of credit agreement

 

 

51,900

 

 

 

18,975

 

 

 

37,025

 

Debt issuance cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(751

)

Cash paid to acquire non-controlling interest

 

 

 

 

 

(73

)

 

 

 

Payment on deferred consideration

 

 

(850

)

 

 

 

 

 

(26

)

Net receipt (payment) from the issuance of common stock (sale of stock under

ESPP, exercise of stock options and shares purchased for tax withholding)

 

 

283

 

 

 

1,717

 

 

 

(713

)

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

 

 

(2,604

)

 

 

(7,287

)

 

 

 

 

 

(4,579

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,604

)

Payment of cash dividends

 

 

(2,323

)

 

 

(2,199

)

 

 

(1,600

)

 

 

(2,382

)

 

 

(1,168

)

 

 

(2,323

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

46,406

 

 

 

11,133

 

 

 

33,935

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

972

 

 

 

(5,218

)

 

 

3,424

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

 

(65,871

)

 

 

(44,440

)

 

 

46,406

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

448

 

 

 

10,089

 

 

 

1,182

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(559

)

 

 

49

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

(86

)

 

 

(747

)

 

 

(769

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

 

6,168

 

 

 

11,337

 

 

 

7,869

 

 

 

15,923

 

 

 

6,581

 

 

 

6,168

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

 

$

6,581

 

 

$

6,168

 

 

$

11,337

 

 

$

16,285

 

 

$

15,923

 

 

$

6,581

 

Supplemental cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the year for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

$

7,121

 

 

$

3,319

 

 

$

1,500

 

Income taxes, net

 

$

9,276

 

 

$

8,449

 

 

$

17,841

 

Non-cash investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consideration paid in January 2019 in connection with an asset acquisition

completed in 2018

 

$

 

 

$

3,530

 

 

$

 

See summary of significant accounting policies and notes to the consolidated financial statements

 


42


AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2019, 20182021, 2020 and 20172019

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

Description of Business, Basis of Consolidation, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

(1)

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

American Vanguard Corporation (the “Company” or “AVD”) is primarily a specialty chemical manufacturer that develops and markets safe and effective products for agricultural, commercial and consumer uses. The Company manufactures and formulates chemicals for crops, human and animal protection. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company operates within a single operating category.segment.

All dollarU.S. Dollar amounts reflected in the notes to the consolidated financial statements are presented in thousands, except per share data.

The Company is closely monitoring the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on all aspects of its business, including how the pandemic has impacted, and may possibly impact, its customers, business partners, and employees. The Company is considered an essential business by most governments in the jurisdictions and territories in which the Company operates and, as a result, did not incur significant disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Looking forward, the Company is unable to predict the impact that the pandemic may have on its future financial condition, results of operations and cash flows due to numerous uncertainties. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the Company’s operations and those of its customers in the near term will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and, beyond extrapolating our experience over the past year, cannot be predicted with confidence. The Company continues to monitor its business for adverse impacts of the pandemic, including volatility in the foreign exchange markets, demand, supply-chain disruptions in certain markets, and increased costs of employee safety, among others.

The Company believes that the combination of its cash flows from future operations, current cash on hand and the availability under the Company’s credit facility will be sufficient to meet its working capital and capital expenditure requirements and will provide the Company with adequate liquidity to meet its anticipated operating needs for at least the next 12 months from the issuance of these consolidated financial statements. Although operating activities are expected to provide cash, to the extent of growth in the future, its operating and investing activities will use cash and, consequently, this growth may require the Company to access some or all of the availability under the credit facility. It is also possible that additional sources of finance may be necessary to support additional growth.

Based on similar economic and operational characteristics, the Company’s business is aggregated into one1 reportable category. Selective enterprise information is as follows:

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insecticides

 

$

153,448

 

 

$

150,595

 

 

$

134,377

 

Herbicides/soil fumigants/fungicides

 

 

181,686

 

 

 

183,350

 

 

 

124,529

 

Other, including plant growth regulators

 

 

67,266

 

 

 

58,360

 

 

 

42,503

 

Total crop

 

 

402,400

 

 

 

392,305

 

 

 

301,409

 

Non-crop

 

 

65,786

 

 

 

61,967

 

 

 

53,638

 

 

 

$

468,186

 

 

$

454,272

 

 

$

355,047

 

Gross profit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crop

 

$

140,806

 

 

$

150,986

 

 

$

117,892

 

Non-crop

 

 

36,548

 

 

 

31,645

 

 

 

29,500

 

 

 

$

177,354

 

 

$

182,631

 

 

$

147,392

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. crop

 

$

263,632

 

 

$

211,357

 

 

$

220,635

 

U.S. non-crop

 

 

78,605

 

 

 

60,367

 

 

 

61,590

 

Total U.S.

 

 

342,237

 

 

 

271,724

 

 

 

282,225

 

International

 

 

214,635

 

 

 

186,980

 

 

 

185,961

 

Total net sales

 

$

556,872

 

 

$

458,704

 

 

$

468,186

 

Gross profit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. crop

 

$

109,568

 

 

$

92,723

 

 

$

95,429

 

U.S. non-crop

 

 

37,443

 

 

 

27,842

 

 

 

29,713

 

Total U.S.

 

 

147,011

 

 

 

120,565

 

 

 

125,142

 

International

 

 

66,232

 

 

 

52,025

 

 

 

52,212

 

Total gross profit

 

$

213,243

 

 

$

172,590

 

 

$

177,354

 

 

Due to elements inherent to the Company’s business, such as differing and unpredictable weather patterns, crop growing cycles, changes in product mix of sales and ordering patterns that may vary in timing, measuring the Company’s performance on a quarterly basis (for example, gross profit margins on a quarterly basis may vary significantly) even when such comparisons are favorable, is not as good an indicator as full-year comparisons.


 

Reclassifications—Certain prior years’ amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.   

Cost of Sales—In addition to normal Cost of sales is the Company’s capitalized cost centers (i.e.,of inventory procurement and production that is sold in the respective periods. These costs include direct labor, raw materials, formulated products),and manufacturing overhead, Additionally the Company also includes such cost centers as Health and Safety, Environmental, Maintenance and Quality Control in cost of sales.

Operating Expenses—Operating expenses include cost centers for Selling, General and Administrative, Research, Product Development, and Regulatory, and outbound Freight, Delivery and Warehousing.

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Selling

 

$

45,121

 

 

$

39,585

 

 

$

29,112

 

 

$

48,604

 

 

$

42,389

 

 

$

45,121

 

General and administrative

 

 

46,593

 

 

 

42,981

 

 

 

37,660

 

 

 

61,685

 

 

 

48,828

 

 

 

46,593

 

Research, product development and regulatory

 

 

24,070

 

 

 

26,428

 

 

 

26,076

 

 

 

28,855

 

 

 

26,310

 

 

 

24,070

 

Freight, delivery and warehousing

 

 

35,349

 

 

 

34,616

 

 

 

27,750

 

 

 

43,324

 

 

 

36,812

 

 

 

35,349

 

 

$

151,133

 

 

$

143,610

 

 

$

120,598

 

Total operating expenses

 

$

182,468

 

 

$

154,339

 

 

$

151,133

 

 

Advertising Expense—The Company expenses advertising costs in the period incurred. Advertising expenses, which include promotional costs, are recognized in operatingas selling expenses (specifically in selling expenses) in the consolidated statements of operations and were $5,201, $4,833 and $5,520 $4,865in 2021, 2020 and $3,020 in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.respectively.

 


Cash and cash equivalents—The Company’s cash equivalents consist primarily of certificates of deposit with an initial term of less than three months. For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.The Company maintains cash and cash equivalent balances that exceed federally insured limits with a number of financial institutions.

 

Inventories—The Company values its inventories at lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost method, including material, labor, factory overhead and subcontracting services. The Company writes down and makes adjustments to its inventory carrying values as a result of net realizable value assessments of slow moving and obsolete inventory and other annual adjustments to ensure that ourits standard costs continue to closely reflect actual cost. The Company recorded an inventory reserve allowance of $2,130$2,675 and $2,868 at December 31, 2019, as compared to $1,989 at December 31, 2018.  2021 and 2020, respectively.

The components of inventories, net of reserve allowance, consist of the following:

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Finished products

 

$

151,917

 

 

$

147,297

 

 

$

138,159

 

 

$

149,415

 

Raw materials

 

 

11,396

 

 

 

12,598

 

 

 

16,147

 

 

 

14,369

 

 

$

163,313

 

 

$

159,895

 

Total inventories, net

 

$

154,306

 

 

$

163,784

 

 

Leases— The Company has operating leases for warehouses, manufacturing facilities, offices, cars, railcars and certain equipment. On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the accounting and adoption guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 842, Leases,equipment for its operating leases resulting in the recognition ofwhich operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and corresponding lease liabilities on the effective date.are recorded. The Company measures ROU assets throughout the lease term at the carrying amount of the lease liability, plus initial direct costs, plus (minus) any prepaid (accrued) lease payments, less the unamortized balance of lease incentives received. The lease liabilities are measured at the present value of the unpaid lease payments at the lease commencement date. Leases that include both lease and non-lease components are accounted for as a single lease component for each asset class, except for warehouse leases.

 

The minimum payments under operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term in the consolidated statements of operations. Operating lease expenses related to variable lease payments are recognized in cost of sales or as operating expenses in a manner consistent with the nature of the underlying lease and as the events, activities, or circumstances in the lease agreement occur. Leases with a term of less than 12 months are not recognized on the consolidated balance sheets, and the related lease expenses are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term.


The accounting for leases requires management to exercise judgment and make estimates in determining the applicable discount rate, lease term and payments due under a lease. Most of our leases do not provide an implicit interest rate, nor is it available to us from our lessors. As an alternative, the Company uses our estimated incremental borrowing rate, which is derived from information available at the lease commencement date, including publicly available data, in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company also estimated the fair value of the lease and non-lease components for some of our warehouse leases based on market data and cost data.

 

The lease term includes the non-cancellable period of the lease plus any additional periods covered by either an option to extend (or not terminate) that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. The Company has leases with a lease term ranging from 1 year to 20 years.

 

The operating leases of the Company do not contain major restrictions or covenants such as those relating to dividends or additional financial obligations. Finance leases are immaterial to the consolidated financial statements. There were no lease transactions with related parties during 20192021, 2020 and 2018.2019.

 

The operating lease expense for the yearyears ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $5,547.$5,750, $5,662 and $5,398, respectively. Lease expenses related to variable lease payments and short-term leases were immaterial. Additional information related to operating leases are as follows:

 

 

Year Ended

December 31, 2019

 

 

Year Ended

December 31, 2021

 

 

Year Ended

December 31, 2020

 

 

Year Ended

December 31, 2019

 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of

lease liabilities

 

$

5,398

 

 

$

5,750

 

 

$

5,657

 

 

$

5,398

 

ROU assets obtained in exchange for new liabilities

 

$

3,580

 

 

$

18,521

 

 

$

6,309

 

 

$

3,580

 

 


The weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate related to the operating leases as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

 

Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years)

3.18

Weighted-average discount rate

3.68

%

 

 

December 31, 2021

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years)

 

 

6.72

 

 

 

4.62

 

Weighted-average discount rate

 

 

4.02

%

 

 

3.81

%

 

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as of December 31, 20192021 were as follows:

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

2020

 

$

5,200

 

2021

 

 

3,367

 

2022

 

 

1,754

 

 

$

5,899

 

2023

 

 

723

 

 

 

4,884

 

2024

 

 

322

 

 

 

4,130

 

2025

 

 

3,705

 

2026

 

 

2,852

 

Thereafter

 

 

794

 

 

 

8,254

 

Total lease payments

 

$

12,160

 

 

$

29,724

 

Less: imputed interest

 

 

753

 

 

 

(3,885

)

Total

 

$

11,407

 

 

$

25,839

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet:

 

 

 

 

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets:

 

 

 

 

Operating lease liabilities, current

 

$

4,904

 

 

$

5,059

 

Operating lease liabilities, long term

 

$

6,503

 

 

$

20,780

 

 

The adoption of ASC 842 did not have a material impact on 2019 operating results.


 

Revenue RecognitionIn accordance with Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,”, and the related amendments. (“ASC 606”), theThe Company recognizes revenue when control of the promisedordered goods or services isare transferred to its customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the Company’s previous revenue recognition methodology under ASC 605, Revenue Recognition.


The Company recognizes revenues from the sale ofsells its products whichmainly to distributors and retailers. The products include insecticides, herbicides, soil fumigants, fungicides and fungicides. The Company sells its products to customers, which include distributors and retailers.biologicals. In addition, the Company recognizes royalty income related to licensing arrangements which qualify as functional licenses rather than symbolic licenses. Upon signing a new licensing agreement, the Company typically receives up-front fees, which are generally characterized as non-refundable royalties. These fees are recognized as revenue upon the execution of the license agreements. Minimum royalty fees are recognized once the Company has an enforceable right for payment. Sales-based royalty fees are typically recognized when the sales occur. The Company calculates and accrues estimated royalties based on the agreement terms and correspondence with the licensees regarding actual sales. Based on similar economic and operational characteristics, the Company’s business is aggregated into one reportable segment. Selective enterprise information of sales disaggregated by category and geographic region is as follows:

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crop:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insecticides

 

$

153,448

 

 

$

150,595

 

Herbicides/soil fumigants/fungicides

 

 

181,686

 

 

 

183,350

 

Other, including plant growth regulators

 

 

67,266

 

 

 

58,360

 

Total crop

 

 

402,400

 

 

 

392,305

 

Non-crop

 

 

65,786

 

 

 

61,967

 

Total net sales

 

$

468,186

 

 

$

454,272

 

Net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S.

 

$

282,225

 

 

$

300,314

 

U.S. crop

 

$

263,632

 

 

$

211,357

 

 

$

220,635

 

U.S. non-crop

 

 

78,605

 

 

 

60,367

 

 

 

61,590

 

Total U.S.

 

 

342,237

 

 

 

271,724

 

 

 

282,225

 

International

 

 

185,961

 

 

 

153,958

 

 

 

214,635

 

 

 

186,980

 

 

 

185,961

 

Total net sales

 

$

468,186

 

 

$

454,272

 

 

$

556,872

 

 

$

458,704

 

 

$

468,186

 

Timing of revenue recognition:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goods and services transferred at a point in time

 

$

464,967

 

 

$

453,449

 

 

$

556,372

 

 

$

455,726

 

 

$

464,967

 

Goods and services transferred over time

 

 

3,219

 

 

 

823

 

 

 

500

 

 

 

2,978

 

 

 

3,219

 

Total net sales

 

$

468,186

 

 

$

454,272

 

 

$

556,872

 

 

$

458,704

 

 

$

468,186

 

 

Net sales of U.S. crop and U.S. non-crop for 2020 in the table above were each revised. Net sales of U.S. crop sales are $11,810 lower than previously reported and net sales of U.S. non-crop are $11,810 higher than previously reported. There was no overall effect on U.S. net sales.

Performance Obligations

A performance obligation is a promise in a contract or sales order to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer and is the unit of account in ASC 606.customer. A transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. Certain of the Company’s sales orders have multiple performance obligations, as the promise to transfer individual goods or services is separately identifiable from other promises in the sales orders. For sales orders with multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates the sales order’s transaction price to each performance obligation based on its relative stand-alone selling price. The stand-alone selling prices are determined based on the prices at which the Company separately sells these products. The Company’s performance obligations are satisfied either at a point in time or over time as work progresses.

AtOn December 31, 2019,2021, the Company had $6,826$63,064 of remaining performance obligations, which are comprised of deferred revenue and services not yet delivered. The Company expects to recognize all these remaining performance obligations as revenue in fiscal year 2022.

Practical Expedients — The Company has elected to use the following practical expedients (i) not to adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component when the Company expects, at contract inception, that the period between the Company's transfer of a promised product or service to a customer and when the customer pays for that product or service will be one year or less and (ii) treat shipping and handling activities that occur after control of the good transfers to the customer as fulfillment activities.

Contract Assets The contract assets relate to royalties earned on certain functional licenses granted for the use of the Company’s intellectual property, and a contract manufacturing agreement for the production of products without alternative use.

 

December 31,

2021

 

 

December 31,

2020

 

Contract assets

 

$

3,900

 

 

$

3,200

 

The short-term and long-term assets of $1,825 and $2,075 are included in other receivables and other assets, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2021. The short-term and long-term assets of $1,725 and $1,475 are included in other receivables and other assets, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2020.


Contract Balances

Deferred RevenueThe timing of revenue recognition, billings and cash collections may result in deferred revenue in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company sometimes receives payments from its customers in advance of goods and services being provided, in return for earlyparticipation in its pre-payments related cash incentive programs, resulting in deferred revenues.program. These liabilitiespre-payments are reportedheld on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets atas deferred revenue until control of the endrelated performance obligations has passed to the customers, which is generally upon shipment of each reporting period. The contract assets in the table below areproducts. There is no significant financing component related to royalties earned on certain licenses granted for the usepre-payments since the Company expects to transfer the products within one year from the date payment is received. A similar number of the Company’s intellectual property, which are reflected in other receivablescustomers participated in the consolidatedCompany’s cash incentive program in 2021, and at an increased average level, which resulted in an increase in the Company’s deferred revenue balance sheets and recognized at a point in time and remain outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.2021, compared to the prior year.

 

 

 

December 31,

2019

 

 

December 31,

2018

 

Contract assets

 

$

6,091

 

 

$

3,750

 

Deferred revenue

 

$

6,826

 

 

$

20,043

 


 

 

December 31,

2021

 

 

December 31,

2020

 

Deferred revenue

 

$

63,064

 

 

$

43,611

 

 

Revenue recognized for the yearyears ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019 that was included in the deferred revenue balance at the beginning of 2021, 2020, and 2019 was $20,043.$37,779, $5,652, and $20,043 respectively.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts—Allowance for doubtful accounts is established basedCurrent Expected Credit Losses—The Company maintains an allowance to cover its Current Expected Credit Losses ("CECL") on its trade receivables, other receivables and contract assets arising from the possible failure of customers to make contractual payments. The Company estimates credit losses expected over the life of losses related to customer receivable balances. Estimates are developed using either standard quantitative measuresits trade receivables, other receivables and contract assets based on historical information combined with current conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay and reasonable and supportable forecasts. In most instances, the Company’s policy is to write-off trade receivables when they are deemed uncollectible. The vast majority of the Company's trade receivables, other receivables and contract assets are less than 365 days. Under the CECL impairment model, the Company develops and documents its allowance for credit losses adjusted for current economic conditions, or by evaluating specificon its trade receivables based on multiple portfolios. The determination of portfolios is based primarily on geographical location, type of customer accounts for risk of loss.and aging.

Accrued Program Costs The Company offers various discounts to customers based on the volume purchased within a defined time period, other pricing adjustments, some grower volume incentives or other key performance indicator driven payments, which are usually made to distributors, retailers or growers, usually at the end of a growing season.season, to distributors, retailers or growers. The Company describes these payments as “Programs.” Programs are a critical part of doing business in both the USU.S. crop and non-crop chemicals marketplaces. These discount Programs represent variable consideration.  In accordance with ASC 606, revenuesRevenues from sales are recorded at the net sales price, which is the transaction price net of the impact of Programs and includes estimates of variable consideration. Variable consideration includes amounts expected to be paid to its customers estimated using the expected value method. Each quarter management compares individual sale transactions with Programs to determine what, if any, estimated program liabilities have been incurred. Once this initial calculation is made for the specific quarter, sales and marketing management, along with executive and financial management, review the accumulated Program balance and, for volume driven payments, make assessments of whether or not customers are tracking in a manner that indicates that they will meet the requirements set out in agreed upon terms and conditions attached to each Program. Following this assessment, management will make adjustments to the accumulated accrual to properly reflect the Company’s best estimate of the liability at the balance sheet date. The majority of adjustments are made at, or close to, the end of the crop season, at which time customer performance can be more fully assessed. Programs are paid out predominantly on an annual basis, usually in the final quarter of the financial year or the first quarter of the following year. 

Debt Issuance Costs and Debt DiscountThe Company accrued programcapitalizes costs incurred with borrowing and records debt issuance costs as a reduction to the debt amount. These costs in connection with the Company’s revolving line of $47,699 at December 31, 2019, as compared to $37,349 at December 31, 2018. credit are amortized ratably over the life of the borrowing and included in interest expense.

Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation— Property, plant and equipment includes the cost of land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office furniture and fixtures, automobiles, construction projects and significant improvements to existing plant and equipment. Interest costs related to significant construction projects are capitalized at the Company’s current weighted average effective interest rate. Expenditures for minor repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. When property or equipment is sold or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and the gain or loss realized on disposition is reflected in operations. All plant and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method, utilizing the estimated useful property lives. See note 1Note 2 for useful lives.

Intangible AssetsThe primary identifiable intangible assets of the Company relate to assets associated with its product and business acquisitions. All of the Company’s intangible assets haveare amortizing assets with finite lives and are amortized.lives. The estimated useful life of an identifiable intangible asset to the Company is based upon a number ofseveral factors including the effects of demand, competition, and expected changes in the marketability of the Company’s products.


Business CombinationsThe Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to assign fair value to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. The Company’s estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the fair value of these tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill.goodwill or an adjustment to the gain from a bargain purchase. In addition, when appropriate uncertain tax positions and tax-related valuation allowances are initially recorded in connection with a business combination as of the acquisition date. The Company continues to collect information and reevaluates these estimates and assumptions quarterly and records any adjustments to the Company’s preliminary estimates to goodwill or an adjustment to the gain from a bargain purchase, provided that the Company is within the measurement period. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the fair value of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.

In the event that the Company acquires an entity in which the Company previously held a non-controlling investment, the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the investment as of the date of the acquisition is recorded as a gain or loss and recorded within net income (loss) on equity method investments in the consolidated statement of operations.

Certain of our acquisition agreements include contingent earn-out arrangements, which are generally based on the achievement of future income thresholds. The fair values of these earn-out arrangements are included as part of the purchase price of the acquired companies on their respective acquisition dates. For each transaction, the Company estimateengages third-party valuation specialists to assist it in making estimates of the fair value of contingent earn-out payments, both as part of the initial purchase price and recordat each subsequent financial statement date until the end of the related performance period. The Company records the estimated fair value of contingent consideration as a liability on the consolidated balance sheets.


We review and re-assess the estimated fair value of contingent consideration on a quarterly basis, and the updated fair value could be materially different from the initial estimates or prior quarterly amounts. Changes in the estimated fair value of our contingent earn-out liabilities are reported in operating results.

Asset AcquisitionsIf an acquisition of an asset or group of assets does not meet the definition of a business, the transaction is accounted for as an asset acquisition rather than a business combination. An asset acquisition does not result in the recognition of goodwill and transaction costs are capitalized as part of the cost of the asset or group of assets acquired. The Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to assign fair value to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. The acquisitions costs are allocated to the assets acquired on a relative fair value basis.

Impairment— The carrying values of long-lived assets other than goodwill are reviewed for impairment annually and/or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. The Company evaluates recoverability of an asset group by comparing the carrying value to the future undiscounted cash flows that it expects to generate from the asset group. If the comparison indicates that the carrying value of an asset group is not recoverable, measurement of the impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset. There were no circumstances that would indicate any impairment of the carrying value of these long-lived assets and no0 material impairment losses were recorded in 20192021, 2020, or 2018.2019.

The Company reviews goodwill for impairment utilizing either a qualitative or quantitative assessment. If the Company decides that it is appropriate to perform a qualitative assessment and concludes that the fair value of a reporting unit more likely than not exceeds its carrying value, no further evaluation is necessary. If the Company performs a quantitative assessment, the Company compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amounts and recognizes an impairment charge for the amount that the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The Company annually tests goodwill for impairment in beginning of the fourth quarter, or earlier if triggering events occur. The Company did not0t record any impairment losses in 20192021, 2020, or 2018.2019.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments— The accounting standard for fair value measurements provides a framework for measuring fair value and requires expanded disclosures regarding fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or the exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. This accounting standard established a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available. The following summarizes the three levels of inputs required:

 

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 – Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

Level 3 – Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The carrying amount of the Company’s financial instruments, which principally include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, long-term investments, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximatesapproximate fair value because of the relatively short maturity of such instruments. The carrying amount of the Company’s short-term and long-term borrowings, which are considered Level 2 liabilities, approximates fair value based upon current rates and terms available to the Company for similar debt.


We measure our contingent earn-out liabilities in connection with acquisitions at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. We may use various valuation techniques depending on the terms and conditions of the contingent consideration including a Monte-Carlo simulation. This simulation uses probability distribution for each significant input to produce hundreds or thousands of possible outcomes and the results are analyzed to determine probabilities of different outcomes occurring. Refer to Note 910 for a reconciliation of the Company’s deferredcontingent consideration.


Foreign Currency Translation— Certain international operations use the respective local currencies as their functional currency, while other international operations use the U.S. Dollar as their functional currency. The Company considers the U.S. dollarDollar as its reporting currency. Translation adjustments for subsidiaries where the functional currency is its local currency are included in other comprehensive income (loss). Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) resulting from exchange rate fluctuation on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are reported in earnings. Assets and liabilities of the foreign operations denominated in local currencies are translated at the rate of exchange at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the weighted average rate of exchange during the period. Translations of intercompany loans of a long-term investment nature are included as a component of translation adjustment in other comprehensive income (loss).loss.

Income Taxes—The Company utilizes the liability method of accounting for income taxes as set forth in ASC 740. Under the liability method, deferred taxes are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using tax rates expected to be in effect during the years in which the basis differences reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining the need for valuation allowances, the Company considers projected future taxable income and the availability of tax planning strategies. If in the future the Company determines that it would not be able to realize its recorded deferred tax assets, an increase in the valuation allowance would be recorded, decreasing earnings in the period in which such determination is made.

The Company assesses its income tax positions and records tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon the Company’s evaluation of the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date. For those tax positions where there is greater than 50% likelihood that a tax benefit will be sustained, the Company has recorded the largest amount of tax benefit that may potentially be realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those income tax positions where there is less than 50% likelihood that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the consolidated financial statements. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded unrecognized tax benefits of $4,597 and $2,170, respectively.

Per Share Information—ASC 260 requires dual presentation of basicBasic earnings per share (“EPS”) and diluted EPS on the face of all consolidated statements of operations. Basic EPS is computed as net income divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects potential dilution to EPS that could occur if securities or other contracts, which, for the Company, consists of restricted stock grants and options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, are exercised as calculated using the treasury stock method.

The components of basic and diluted earnings per share were as follows:

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to American Vanguard

 

$

13,601

 

 

$

24,195

 

 

$

20,274

 

Net income

 

$

18,587

 

 

$

15,242

 

 

$

13,601

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding—basic

 

 

29,030

 

 

 

29,326

 

 

 

29,100

 

 

 

29,811

 

 

 

29,450

 

 

 

29,030

 

Dilutive effect of stock options and grants

 

 

626

 

 

 

722

 

 

 

603

 

 

 

599

 

 

 

543

 

 

 

626

 

Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted

 

 

29,656

 

 

 

30,048

 

 

 

29,703

 

 

 

30,410

 

 

 

29,993

 

 

 

29,656

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, 2018, and 2017, no0 options or grants were excluded from the computation.

Use of Estimates—The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities (including those related to litigation), and revenues, at the date that the consolidated financial statements are prepared. Significant estimates relate to the allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory reserves, impairment of long-lived assets, investments and goodwill, assets acquired, and liabilities assumed in connections with business combinations and asset acquisitions, accrued program costs, and stock basedstock-based compensation and income taxes. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Total comprehensive income (loss)—income—In addition to net income, total comprehensive income (loss) includes changes in equity that are excluded from the consolidated statements of operations and are recorded directly into a separate section of stockholders’ equity on the consolidated balance sheets. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018,2021, 2020, and 20172019, total comprehensive income (loss) consisted of net income attributable to AVD and foreign currency translation adjustments.

Stock-Based Compensation—The Company accounts for stock-based awards to employees and directors pursuant to ASC 718.


ASC 718 requires companies to estimateStock-Based Compensation—The Company estimates the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods in the Company’s Consolidated Statementsconsolidated statements of Operations.operations.

Stock-based compensation expense recognized during the period is based on the fair value of the portion of share-based payment awards that is ultimately expected to vest during the period. Stock-based compensation expense recognized is reduced for estimated forfeitures pursuant to ASC 718.forfeitures. Estimated forfeitures recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations reduced compensation expense by $191, $358,$320, $222, and $177$191 for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018,2021, 2020, and 2017,2019, respectively. The Company estimates that 17.8%17.2% of allboth restricted stock grants and 17.8% of the performance-based restricted shares that are currently subject to vesting will be forfeited. These estimates are reviewed quarterly and revised as necessary.

The below tables illustrate the Company’s stock based compensation, unamortized stock-based compensation, and remaining weighted average period for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017. This projected expense will change if any stock options and restricted stock are granted or cancelled prior to the respective reporting periods, or if there are any changes required to be made for estimated forfeitures.

 

 

Stock-Based

Compensation

 

 

Unamortized

Stock-Based

Compensation

 

 

Remaining

Weighted

Average

Period (years)

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted Stock

 

$

3,655

 

 

$

5,512

 

 

 

1.9

 

Unrestricted Stock

 

 

411

 

 

 

205

 

 

 

0.4

 

Performance-Based Restricted Stock

 

 

3,094

 

 

 

2,835

 

 

 

1.9

 

Total

 

$

7,160

 

 

$

8,552

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted Stock

 

$

3,272

 

 

$

5,006

 

 

 

1.3

 

Unrestricted Stock

 

 

385

 

 

 

160

 

 

 

0.4

 

Performance-Based Restricted Stock

 

 

2,148

 

 

 

2,565

 

 

 

1.9

 

Total

 

$

5,805

 

 

$

7,731

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incentive Stock Options

 

$

345

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

Performance-Based Options

 

 

416

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted Stock

 

 

2,355

 

 

 

3,628

 

 

 

1.0

 

Unrestricted Stock

 

 

350

 

 

 

160

 

 

 

0.4

 

Performance-Based Restricted Stock

 

 

1,248

 

 

 

1,642

 

 

 

1.8

 

Total

 

$

4,714

 

 

$

5,430

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”) to value option grants using the following weighted average assumptions (i.e. risk-free interest rate, dividend yield, volatility and average lives). There were no0 stock options granted during 2019, 20182021, 2020 or 2017.2019. 

 

The expected volatility and expected life assumptions are complex and use subjective variables. The variables take into consideration, among other things, actual and projected employee stock option exercise behavior. The Company estimates the expected term or vesting period using the “safe harbor” provisions of SABStaff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 107 and SAB 110. The Company used historical volatility as a proxy for estimating expected volatility.

The Company values restricted stock grants using the Company’s traded stock price at closing on the date of grant. The weighted average grant-date fair values of restricted stock grants during 2021, 2020, and 2019 2018,were $20.00, $14.39, and 2017 were $16.84, $20.21, and $16.24, respectively.


Recently Issued Accounting Guidance:

Accounting standards adopted in 2019:

In February 2016, the FinancialRecent Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-02 and subsequent amendments, collectively known as ASC 842, Leases. ASC 842 requires recognition of operating leases as lease assets and liabilities on the balance sheet and requires the disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. The Company elected to adopt ASC 842 by applying the modified transition method and, in addition, elected to use the effective date of January 1, 2019 as the initial date of application. We elected to apply all relevant practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new lease standard with the exception of the practical expedient allowing the use of hindsight in determining the lease term and in assessing impairment. The new standard also provides practical expedients for an entity’s ongoing accounting. We elected an accounting policy to keep leases with an initial term of 12 months or less off the balance sheet and to recognize those lease payments in the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We also elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all our leases, except for warehouse leases.

The adoption of ASC 842 resulted in the recognition of operating lease ROU assets of $12,936 and operating lease liabilities of $12,936 on the effective date as of January 1, 2019. The new guidance did not have a material impact on the consolidated statement of operations or consolidated statement of cash flows. The accounting for finance leases under ASC 842 remained substantially unchanged from previous accounting guidance and are not material.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (ASC 350). The FASB eliminated the Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. In computing the implied fair value of goodwill under Step 2, an entity had to perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities (including unrecognized assets and liabilities) following the procedure that would be required in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Under this update, an entity should perform its goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount that the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted after January 1, 2017. The Company adopted ASU 2017-04 as of January 1, 2019. The impact of the new standard will be dependent of the facts and circumstances of future individual impairments but did not have any immediate impact.

Accounting standards not yet adopted:

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 "Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments" which requires the measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost. ASU 2016-13 replaces the existing incurred loss impairment model with an expected loss model, which requires the use of forward-looking information to calculate credit loss estimates. It also eliminates the concept of other-than-temporary impairment and requires credit losses related to available-for-sale debt securities to be recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than as a reduction in the amortized cost basis of the securities. These changes will result in earlier recognition of credit losses. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2020 with the cumulative effect of adoption recorded as an adjustment to retained earnings and is in the process of determining the impact on its operating results, however, we do not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-13 to result in a material change to our consolidated financial statements.Adopted:

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU no. 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes,” (“ASU No. 2019-12”). The amendment removes certain exceptions to the general income tax accounting methodology including an exception for the recognition of a deferred tax liability when a foreign subsidiary becomes an equity method investment and an exception for interim periods showing operating losses in excess of anticipated operating losses for the year. The amendment also reduces the complexity surrounding franchise tax recognition; the step up in the tax basis of goodwill in conjunction with business combinations; and the accounting for the effect of changes in tax laws enacted during interim periods. The amendmentsCompany adopted ASU 2019-12 as of January 1, 2021. The adoption did not result in this update area material change to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Accounting standards not yet adopted:

In November 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU No. 2021-10, “Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance.” The ASU codifies new requirements to disclose information about the nature of certain government assistance received, the accounting policy used to account for the transactions, the location in the financial statements where such transactions were recorded and significant terms and conditions associated with such transactions. The guidance is effective for the Company for fiscal yearsannual periods beginning after December 15, 2021. The Company does do not expect the adoption of ASU No. 2021-10 to have a material impact to its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2020, including interim periods within those years with early adoption permitted. the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” The pronouncement provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the current guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burden related to the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. The guidance was effective upon issuance and generally can be applied to applicable contract modifications through December 31, 2022. The Company is evaluating the effectimpact of adopting this new accounting guidancethe transition from LIBOR to alternative reference rates but does not expect adoption willa significant impact to its Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company reviewed all other recently issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they were either not applicable or not expected to have a materialsignificant impact on the consolidated financial statements.to its Consolidated Financial Statements.


(1)(2) Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment at December 31, 20192021 and 20182020 consist of the following:

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Estimated

useful lives

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

Estimated

useful lives

Land

 

$

2,706

 

 

$

2,548

 

 

 

 

$

2,756

 

 

$

2,756

 

 

 

Buildings and improvements

 

 

18,640

 

 

 

17,555

 

 

10 to 30 years

 

 

19,844

 

 

 

19,786

 

 

10 to 30 years

Machinery and equipment

 

 

116,757

 

 

 

109,064

 

 

3 to 15 years

 

 

132,159

 

 

 

124,199

 

 

3 to 15 years

Office furniture, fixtures and equipment

 

 

6,228

 

 

 

5,655

 

 

3 to 10 years

 

 

10,094

 

 

 

7,403

 

 

3 to 10 years

Automotive equipment

 

 

1,762

 

 

 

1,116

 

 

3 to 6 years

 

 

1,832

 

 

 

1,747

 

 

3 to 6 years

Construction in progress

 

 

5,263

 

 

 

2,513

 

 

 

 

 

8,199

 

 

 

10,392

 

 

 

Total gross value

 

 

151,356

 

 

 

138,451

 

 

 

 

 

174,884

 

 

 

166,283

 

 

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

 

(94,835

)

 

 

(89,199

)

 

 

 

 

(108,773

)

 

 

(100,901

)

 

 

Total net value

 

$

56,521

 

 

$

49,252

 

 

 

 

$

66,111

 

 

$

65,382

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018,2021, 2020, and 2017,2019, the Company’s aggregate depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment was $6,504, $8,142,$8,530, $7,466, and $8,154,$6,504, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018,2021, 2020, and 2017,2019, the Company eliminated from assets and accumulated depreciation $868, $4,057$658, $1,400 and $6,317$868 of fully depreciated assets, respectively.

(2)(3) Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt of the Company at December 31, 20192021 and 20182020 is summarized as follows:

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Revolving line of credit

 

$

149,300

 

 

$

97,400

 

 

$

53,300

 

 

$

107,900

 

Less debt issuance costs

 

 

(534

)

 

 

(729

)

 

 

(1,060

)

 

 

(458

)

 

$

148,766

 

 

$

96,671

 

 

$

52,240

 

 

$

107,442

 

 

Principal payments on long-term debt at December 31, 20192021 of $149,300$53,300 are due in 2022.August 2026.

The Company’s main bank is Bank of the West, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French bank, BNP Paribas. Bank of the West has been the Company’s bank for more than 30 years and is the syndication manager for the Company’s loans.

AsThe Company and certain of June 30, 2017,its affiliates are parties to a revolving line of credit agreement entitled the “Third Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement” dated as of August 5, 2021 (the “Credit Agreement”), which is a senior secured lending facility among AMVAC, Chemical Corporation (“AMVAC”), the Company’s principal operating subsidiary, as borrower, and affiliatesBorrower Agent (including the Company AMVAC CV and AMVAC BV), as  guarantors and/or borrowers, entered into a Third Amendment to Second AmendedBorrowers, on the one hand, and Restated Credit Agreement with a group of commercial lenders led by Bank of the West as administrative agent, swing line lenderdocumentation agent, syndication agent, collateral agent, sole lead arranger and Letter of Credit issuer. As of November 27, 2019, AMVAC, as borrower and certain affiliates,book runner, on the one hand, entered into a Fourth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with a group of commercial lenders led by Bank of the West as agent, swing line lender and Letter of Credit under the terms of which the maximum limits for both Permitted Acquisitions and Investments in Foreign Subsidiaries were increased and new language was added with respect to Eurocurrency Rates, LIBOR Rates and ERISA. The Third and Fourth Amendments, taken together, constitute the Credit Agreement.

other hand. The Credit Agreement is a senior secured lending facility, consistingconsists of a line of credit of up to $250,000,$275,000, an accordion feature of up to $100,000$150,000, a letter of credit and swingline sub-facility (each having limits of $25,000) and has a maturity date of August 5, 2026. The Credit Agreement amends and restates the previous credit facility, which had a maturity date of June 30, 2022. TheWith respect to key financial covenants, the Credit Agreement contains two key financial covenants;two: namely, borrowers are required to maintain a Consolidated Funded DebtTotal Leverage (“TL”) Ratio of no more than 3.5-to-1, during the first three years, stepping down to 3.25-to-1 as of September 30, 2024, and a Consolidated Fixed Charge CovenantCoverage Ratio of at least 1.25-to-1. In addition, to the extent that it completes acquisitions totaling $15 million or more in any 90-day period, AMVAC may step-up the TL Ratio by 0.5-to-1, not to exceed 4.00-to-1, for the next three full consecutive quarters. Acquisitions below $50 million no longer require Agent consent. Distributions to the Company’s shareholders are limited to net income for the four fiscal quarter period ending on the fiscal quarter immediately prior to the fiscal quarter in which the current distribution was declared.

The Company’s borrowing capacity varies with its financial performance, measured in terms of Consolidated EBITDA as defined in the Credit Agreement, for the trailing twelve-month period. Under the Credit Agreement, revolving loans bear interest at a variable rate based, at borrower’s election with proper notice, on either (i) LIBOR plus the “Applicable Rate”Margin” which is based upon the Consolidated Funded DebtTotal Leverage (“TL”) Ratio (“Eurocurrency RateLIBOR Revolver Loan”) or (ii) the greater of (x) the Prime Rate, (y) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, and (z) the Daily One-Month LIBOR Rate plus 1.00%, plus, in the case of (x), (y) or (z) the Applicable RateMargin (“AlternateAdjusted Base Rate Revolver Loan”). Interest payments for Eurocurrency RateLIBOR Revolver Loans are payable on the last day of each interest period (either one, two, threeone-, three- or sixsix- months, as selected by the borrower) and the maturity date, while interest payments for AlternateAdjusted Base Rate Revolver Loans are payable on the last business day of each month and the maturity date. The interest rate on December 31, 20192021, was 3.74%1.98%.


At December 31, 2019,2021, according to the terms of the Credit Agreement, as amended, and based on our performance against the most restrictive covenant listed above, the Company had the capacityavailability to increase its borrowings by up to $26,977.$178,705. This compares to an available borrowing capacityavailability of $112,150$86,736 as of December 31, 2018.2020. The level of borrowing capacity is driven by three factors: (1) our financial performance, as measured in EBITDA for trailing twelve-month period, (2) the inclusion of proforma EBITDA related to acquisitions completed during the preceding twelve months and (3) the leverage covenant (being the number of times EBITDA the Company may borrow under its credit facility agreement). The Company was in compliance with all the debt covenants as of December 31, 2019.2021.

Substantially all of the Company’s assets are pledged as collateral under the Credit Agreement.Agreement, as amended.  

(3)(4) Income Taxes

The provisions for income taxes are:

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

(235

)

 

$

5,641

 

 

$

2,124

 

 

$

6,684

 

 

$

(1,197

)

 

$

(235

)

State

 

 

(151

)

 

 

1,777

 

 

 

1,347

 

 

 

2,149

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(151

)

Foreign

 

 

2,956

 

 

 

2,121

 

 

 

570

 

 

 

1,106

 

 

 

2,831

 

 

 

2,956

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

 

2,867

 

 

 

650

 

 

 

160

 

 

 

(2,369

)

 

 

2,177

 

 

 

2,867

 

State

 

 

1,548

 

 

 

(365

)

 

 

242

 

 

 

(1,039

)

 

 

403

 

 

 

1,548

 

Foreign

 

 

(1,783

)

 

 

(679

)

 

 

 

 

 

1,635

 

 

 

(1,131

)

 

 

(1,783

)

 

$

5,202

 

 

$

9,145

 

 

$

4,443

 

Total

 

$

8,166

 

 

$

3,080

 

 

$

5,202

 

 

Total income tax expense differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. Federal income tax rate of 21.0% in 2019 and 2018 and 35% in 2017 to income before income tax expense, as a result of the following:

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Computed tax expense at statutory federal rates

 

$

3,993

 

 

$

7,054

 

 

$

8,651

 

 

$

5,619

 

 

$

3,874

 

 

$

3,993

 

Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State taxes, net of federal income tax benefit

 

 

1,131

 

 

 

1,627

 

 

 

988

 

 

 

1,485

 

 

 

559

 

 

 

1,131

 

Domestic production deduction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(150

)

Impact of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs

Act (net)

 

 

 

 

 

1,089

 

 

 

(3,433

)

Unrecognized tax benefits

 

 

(1,783

)

 

 

(2,092

)

 

 

263

 

Bargain purchase gain on business acquisition

 

 

(35

)

 

 

(978

)

 

 

 

Income tax credits

 

 

(819

)

 

 

(689

)

 

 

(431

)

 

 

(1,206

)

 

 

(812

)

 

 

(819

)

Foreign tax rate differential

 

 

341

 

 

 

(37

)

 

 

(1,503

)

 

 

262

 

 

 

2,145

 

 

 

341

 

Subpart F income

 

 

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

3

 

(Gain) loss on equity investments

 

 

 

 

 

(61

)

 

 

62

 

Stock based compensation

 

 

366

 

 

 

277

 

 

 

262

 

 

 

208

 

 

 

377

 

 

 

366

 

Global intangible low-taxed income

 

 

249

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

162

 

 

 

 

 

 

249

 

Change in valuation allowance

 

 

3,304

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

(59

)

 

 

(129

)

 

 

(6

)

 

 

150

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

(322

)

 

$

5,202

 

 

$

9,145

 

 

$

4,443

 

Total

 

$

8,166

 

 

$

3,080

 

 

$

5,202

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes and losses on equity investments are:

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Domestic

 

$

15,465

 

 

$

26,124

 

 

$

18,931

 

 

$

21,212

 

 

$

11,858

 

 

$

15,465

 

Foreign

 

 

3,547

 

 

 

7,472

 

 

 

5,922

 

 

$

19,012

 

 

$

33,596

 

 

$

24,853

 

International

 

 

5,929

 

 

 

6,589

 

 

 

3,547

 

Total

 

$

27,141

 

 

$

18,447

 

 

$

19,012

 

 


Temporary differences between the consolidated financial statementstatements’ carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities that give rise to significant portions of the net deferred tax liability at December 31, 20192021 and 20182020 relate to the following:

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Deferred tax asset

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories

 

$

2,912

 

 

$

3,299

 

 

$

1,777

 

 

$

1,416

 

State income taxes

 

 

328

 

 

 

53

 

Program accrual

 

 

7,529

 

 

 

7,088

 

 

 

9,098

 

 

 

7,306

 

Vacation pay accrual

 

 

756

 

 

 

685

 

 

 

792

 

 

 

815

 

Accrued bonuses

 

 

599

 

 

 

1,246

 

 

 

1,250

 

 

 

589

 

Bad debt expense

 

 

627

 

 

 

294

 

 

 

1,361

 

 

 

952

 

Stock compensation

 

 

2,755

 

 

 

1,723

 

 

 

1,532

 

 

 

2,079

 

NOL carryforward

 

 

1,141

 

 

 

580

 

Domestic NOL carryforward

 

 

675

 

 

 

708

 

Foreign NOL carryforward

 

 

1,718

 

 

 

1,434

 

Tax credits

 

 

824

 

 

 

779

 

 

 

807

 

 

 

931

 

Lease liability

 

 

3,308

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,718

 

 

 

3,378

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

723

 

 

 

347

 

Unrealized foreign exchange loss

 

 

3,847

 

 

 

2,798

 

Other

 

 

209

 

 

 

266

 

 

 

744

 

 

 

735

 

Deferred tax asset

 

$

20,988

 

 

$

16,013

 

 

$

31,042

 

 

$

23,488

 

Less valuation allowance

 

 

(4,262

)

 

 

 

Deferred tax asset, net

 

$

26,780

 

 

$

23,488

 

Deferred tax liability

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plant and equipment, principally due to differences in

depreciation and capitalized interest

 

$

35,545

 

 

$

30,269

 

 

$

37,113

 

 

$

36,878

 

Lease asset

 

 

3,265

 

 

 

 

Lease assets

 

 

6,600

 

 

 

3,332

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

1,323

 

 

 

1,107

 

 

 

1,666

 

 

 

1,508

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

1,014

 

 

 

874

 

Other

 

 

123

 

 

 

1,692

 

Deferred tax liability

 

$

40,133

 

 

$

31,376

 

 

$

46,516

 

 

$

44,284

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net deferred tax liability

 

$

19,145

 

 

$

15,363

 

 

$

19,736

 

 

$

20,796

 

As of December 31, 2021, we recorded a full valuation allowance against the net deferred income tax assets related to the Company’s operations in Brazil totaling $4,262, of which $3,304 is included in the provision for income taxes for 2021 and $958 related to unrealized foreign exchange losses for 2021 included in other comprehensive income for 2021. There was 0 valuation allowance as of December 31, 2020.

Gross foreign NOLs were $5,491 and $5,021 for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Substantially all of the Company’s foreign NOLs can be carried forward indefinitely.

Gross federal and state NOLs available across all jurisdictions in which we operate were $3,733 and $3,994 as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company’s federal and state NOLs expire over varying intervals in the future.

 

The following is a roll-forward of the Company’s total gross unrecognized tax benefits, not including interest and penalties, for the years ended December 31, 20192021 and 2018:2020 included in other liabilities, excluding current installments on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets:

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

2,170

 

 

$

2,118

 

 

$

3,222

 

 

$

4,395

 

Additions for tax positions related to the current year

 

 

155

 

 

 

128

 

 

 

223

 

 

 

159

 

Additions for tax positions related to the prior years

 

 

27

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

56

 

 

 

16

 

Additions for tax positions related to acquired businesses

 

 

2,458

 

 

 

 

Reduction for tax positions related to the prior years

 

 

(213

)

 

 

(100

)

 

 

(971

)

 

 

(841

)

Effect of exchange rate changes

 

 

(104

)

 

 

(507

)

Balance at end of year

 

$

4,597

 

 

$

2,170

 

 

$

2,426

 

 

$

3,222

 


 

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018,2021, 2020, and 20172019 the Company had recognized a balance of approximately $6,877, $2,368,$2,909, $4,195, and $2,257$6,528 respectively in interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits.

It is expected that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change and $1,699 of unrecognized tax benefits is expected to be released within the next twelve months; however, we do not expect the changemonths due to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements. At this time, an estimateexpiration of the rangestatute of the reasonable possible outcomes cannot be made.limitations.

The Company believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets detailed in the table above, exclusive of those in Brazil with the previously mentioned full valuation allowance, will be realized in the normal course of business. It is the intent of the Company that undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries are permanently reinvested. The amount of undistributed earnings was $5,315$12,741 as of December 31, 2019.2021. Upon distribution of earnings in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Company may still be subject to state income taxes and withholding taxes payable to the various foreign countries. Determination of the unrecognized deferred tax liability is not practical due to the complexities of a hypothetical calculation.

The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as to income tax in multiple state jurisdictions. Federal income tax returns of the Company are subject to IRSInternal Revenue Service (“IRS”) examination for the 20162018 through 20182020 tax years.  State income tax returns are subject to examination for the 20152017 through 20182020 tax years. The Company has other foreign income tax returns subject to examination.


The Company has been notified by the FloridaMississippi Department of Revenue ofhas completed its intent to examineaudit of the Company’s state income tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2013 and December 31, 20152016 through December 31, 2018. The Company has also been notified by the Department of Revenue State of Mississippi of its intent to examine the Company’s state income tax returnsproposed adjustment for the years ended December 31, 2015 through December 31, 2017. Currently the results of these audits are not determinable since the audits are presently in the initial phases.period is immaterial.

On November 9, 2018, the Company completed the purchase of all of the outstanding shares of TyraTech, Inc., a loss corporation. The Company obtained approximately $3,971 of usable federal net operating losses through the acquisition. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, imposes restrictions on the utilization of NOLs in the event of an “ownership change” of a corporation. During 2019, the Company completed the Section 382 analysis and determined that the utilization of the losses is subject to an annual limitation of $162, with an additional $890 of net operating losses available over the first five years after the ownership change.

(4)On October 2, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of all outstanding stock of the Agrinos Group Companies (Agrinos), except for Agrinos AS. Agrinos has operating entities in the U.S., Mexico, India, Brazil, China, Ukraine, and Spain. Agrinos, Inc., an U.S. corporation with operating losses. The Company obtained approximately $126 of usable federal net operating losses through the acquisition. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, imposes restrictions on the utilization of NOLs in the event of an “ownership change” of a corporation. During 2021, the Company completed an analysis and determined that the potential annual limitation on the Company’s utilization of the losses is insignificant.

(5) Litigation and Environmental

The Company records a liability in its consolidated financial statements for loss contingencies when a loss is known or considered probable, and the amount can be reasonably estimated. When determining the estimated loss or range of loss, significant judgment is required to estimate the amount and timing of a loss to be recorded. The Company recognizes legal expense in connection with loss contingencies as incurred.

A. DBCP Cases

Over the course of the past 30 years, AMVAC and/or the Company have been named or otherwise implicated in a number of lawsuits concerning injuries allegedly arising from either contamination of water supplies or personal exposure to 1, 2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (“DBCP”DBCP®”). DBCP was manufactured by several chemical companies, including Dow Chemical Company, Shell Oil Company and AVDAMVAC, and was approved by the USEPA to control nematodes. DBCP was also applied on banana farms in Latin America. The USEPA suspended registrations of DBCP in October 1979, except for use on pineapples in Hawaii. That suspension was partially based on 1977 studies by other manufacturers that indicated a possible link between male fertility and exposure to DBCP among their factory production workers involved with producing it.the product. The Company has not sold DBCP in over 40 years.


At present, there are three4 domestic lawsuits and approximately 85 Nicaraguan lawsuits filed by former banana workers in which AMVAC has been named as a party. Only two2 of the Nicaraguan actions have actually been served on AMVAC. With respect to Nicaraguan matters, there was no change in status during 2019.2021. As described more fully below, activity in domestic cases during 20192021 is as follows. The two cases remaining in Delaware includesinclude 287 plaintiffs who have appealed a lower court finding that the matter was barred by the statute of limitations; these matters (Chavez and Marquinez) havethis matter has been remanded to the trial court, following a ruling by the Delaware Supreme Court on recognizing the doctrine of cross-jurisdictional tolling. In Hawaii, in the matter of Patrickson, et. al. v. Dole Food Company, the parties have stipulated that the Company shall be dismissed, insofar as it was not a party to the class action case that tolled the statute of limitations. In Adams (also in Hawai’i), there has been no activity since 2014, when the court granted dismissal of co-defendant Dole on the basis of a worker’s compensation bar and gave plaintiffs leave to amend their complaint in light of that ruling. Finally, plaintiffs in Chaverri, which had been dismissed by the Superior Court of the State of Delaware in 2012 for failure to meet the applicable statute of limitations, have brought a motion to vacate the dismissal on the ground that the matter should be subject to trial on the merits under the principle of cross-jurisdictional tolling. That motion was denied and is now on appeal.

Nicaraguan Matters

A review of court filings in Chinandega, Nicaragua, has found 85 suits alleging personal injury allegedly due to exposure to DBCP and involving approximately 3,592 plaintiffs have been filed against AMVAC and other parties. Of these cases, only two – Flavio Apolinar Castillo et al. v. AMVAC et al., No. 535/04 and Luis Cristobal Martinez Suazo et al. v. AMVAC et al., No. 679/04 (which were filed in 2004 and involve 15 banana workers) – have been served on AMVAC. All but one of the suits in Nicaragua have been filed pursuant to Special Law 364, an October 2000 Nicaraguan statute that contains substantive and procedural provisions that Nicaragua’s Attorney General previously expressed as unconstitutional. Each of the Nicaraguan plaintiffs’ claims $1,000$1 million in compensatory damages and $5,000$5 million in punitive damages. In all of these cases, AMVAC is a joint defendant with Dow Chemical Company and Dole Food Company, Inc. AMVAC contends that the Nicaragua courts do not have jurisdiction over it and that Public Law 364 violates international due process of law. AMVAC has objected to personal jurisdiction and demanded under Law 364 that the claims be litigated in the U.S.. In 2007, the court denied these objections, and AMVAC appealed the denial. It is not presently known as to how many of these plaintiffs actually claim exposure to DBCP at the time AMVAC’s product was allegedly used nor is there any verification of the claimed injuries. Further, to date, plaintiffs have not had success in enforcing Nicaraguan judgments against domestic companies before U.S. courts. With respect to these Nicaraguan matters, AMVAC intends to defend any claim vigorously. Furthermore, the Company does not believe that a loss is either probable or reasonably estimable and has not recorded a loss contingency for these matters. There were no changes in connection with these matters in 2021.


Delaware DBCP Cases

Chavez.  On or about May 31, 2012, HendlerLaw, P.C. filed several actions involving claims for personal injury allegedly arising from exposure to DBCP on behalf of 230 banana workers from Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama. Defendant Dole subsequently brought a motion to dismiss these matters under the “first-to-file” theory of jurisdiction, specifically in light of the fact that they involved identical claims and claimants as matters that had been brought by the same law firm in Louisiana. These Delaware matters were consolidated into one matter (“Chavez”). On August 21, 2012, the U.S. District Court in Chavez granted defendants’ motion to dismiss the actions with prejudice, finding that the same claimants and claims had been pending in the Hendler-Louisiana cases where they had been first filed.  However, plaintiffs appealed the dismissal, and on September 2, 2016, the Third Circuit Court reversed the District Court decision, finding that it was not proper for the trial court to have dismissed these cases with prejudice even though the Louisiana courts had dismissed the same claims for expiration of the statute of limitations. In reaching its decision, the Third Circuit reasoned that no court had yet addressed the merits of the matter, that Delaware’s statute of limitations may differ from that of Louisiana, and that it would have been proper for the Delaware trial court to have dismissed the matter without prejudice (that is, with the right to amend and refile). Accordingly, Chavez was remanded to the U.S. District Court in Delaware on September 2, 2016, where it remained until it was stayed in June 2017 (as indicated in “Marquinez” below) and subsequently reactivated in March 2018.  

Abad Castillo and Marquinez.  On or about May 31, 2012, two2 cases (captioned Abad Castillo and Marquinez, hereafter “Marquinez”)Marquinez) were filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware (USDC DE No. 1:12-CV-00695-LPS) involving claims for physical injury arising from alleged exposure to DBCP over the course of the late 1960’s through the mid-1980’s on behalf of 2,700 banana plantation workers from Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Panama.  Defendant Dole brought a motion to dismiss 22 plaintiffs from Abad Castillo on the ground that they were parties in cases that had been filed by HendlerLaw P.C. in Louisiana.  On September 19, 2013, the appeals court granted, in part, and denied, in part, the motion to dismiss, holding that 14 of the 22 plaintiffs should be dismissed. On May 27, 2014, the district court granted Dole’s motion to dismiss the matter without prejudice on the ground that the applicable statute of limitations had expired in 1995. Then, on August 5, 2014, the parties stipulated to summary judgment in favor of defendants (on the same ground as the earlier motion) and the court entered judgment in the matter. Plaintiffs were given an opportunity to appeal; however, only 57 of the 2,700 actually entered an appeal. Thus, only 57 plaintiffs remain in Marquinez.  


On or about June 18, 2017, the Third Circuit Court submitted a certified question of law to the Delaware Supreme Court on the question of when the tolling period ended. At that time, as mentioned above, the Chavez case had beenwas stayed, pending the ruling of the state’s highest court. The Delaware Supreme Court heard oral argument on January 17, 2018 and, on March 15, 2018, ruled on the matter, finding that federal court dismissal in 1995 on the grounds of forum non conveniens did not end class action tolling, and that such tolling ended when class action certification was denied in Texas state court in June 2010. Thus, both Marquinez and Chavez were remanded toare now pending at the district court, following the appeals court’s receipt of the ruling. Discovery has commenced, and the court is considering proposed schedules for completing discovery over the next 2412-24 months. At this stage, defendants have identified multiple claimants whose medical examinations disqualify them from discovery. Plaintiffs seek to complete a limited number of medical examinations in each country in order to enable a representative subgroup of claimants to proceed with the litigation, while defendants seek to complete all medical examinations before proceeding. Further, in December 2019, defendants brought a motion to the effect that damages should be adjudicated as per local law (e.g., Ecuadorian). At this stage in the proceedings, the Company does not believe that a loss is probable or reasonably estimable for either Chavez or Marquinez and has not recorded a loss contingency for these matters.


Chaverri.  This matter involves 258 plantation workers from Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama alleging physical injury from DBCP in the late 1970’s, was originally filed in the state of Texas in 1993, then underwent a tortuous series of law and motion developments until it was ultimately refiled in May 2012 by the Hendler firm in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware as Chaverri et al. v. Dole Food Company, Inc. et al. (including AMVAC) (N12C-06-017 ALR), where it was subsequently dismissed with prejudice in August 2012 under the statute of limitations. In light of the Delaware Supreme Court’s adoption of cross-jurisdictional tolling, however, in January 2019, plaintiffs filed a motion to vacate the dismissal, arguing that the matter had been dismissed on a basis which the Delaware Supreme Court no longer recognizes without ever having been adjudicated as to the merits. On November 8, 2019, the court denied plaintiff’s motion to vacate on the grounds that the motion was untimely, and plaintiffs had presented no extraordinary circumstances to support this unusual remedy. Plaintiffs have filed a notice of appeal of the court’s order with the Supreme Court of Delaware. The Company believes that a loss is neither probable nor reasonably estimable and has not recorded a loss contingency.

Hawaiian DBCP Matters

Patrickson, et. al. v. Dole Food Company, et al. In October 1997, AMVAC was served with two complaints in which it was named as a defendant, filed in the Circuit Court, First Circuit, State of Hawai’i and in the Circuit Court of the Second Circuit, State of Hawai’i (two identical suits) entitled Patrickson, et. al. v. Dole Food Company, et. al (“Patrickson Case”) alleging damages sustained from injuries (including sterility) to banana workers caused by plaintiffs’ exposure to DBCP while applying the product in their native countries. Other named defendants include:include Dole Food Company, Shell Oil Company and Dow Chemical Company. After several years of law and motion activity, the court granted judgment in favor of the defendants based upon the statute of limitations on July 28, 2010. On August 24, 2010, the plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal. On April 8, 2011, counsel for plaintiffs filed a pleading to withdraw and to substitute new counsel. On October 21, 2015, the Hawai’i Supreme Court granted the appeal and overturned the lower court decision, ruling that the State of Hawai’i now recognizes cross-jurisdictional tolling, (that is, the principle under which the courts of one state recognize another state’s common law on the tolling of statutes of limitation), that plaintiffs filed their complaint within the applicable statute of limitations and that the matter is to be remanded to the lower court for further adjudication. However, in November 2018, the parties stipulated that, because it was not named as a defendant in the Carcamo matter (class action matter that gave rise to the tolling of the statute of limitations), AMVAC should be dismissed from this matter. Thus, we expect that the Company will be dismissed with prejudice from this action as soon as the court issues an order, to that effect.and accordingly have not recorded a loss contingency in connection therewith. There were no changes in this matter during 2021.

Adams v. Dole Food Company et al.al. On approximately November 23, 2007, AMVAC was served with a suit filed by two former Hawaiian pineapple workers (and their spouses), alleging that they had testicular cancer due to DBCP exposure; the action is captioned Adams v. Dole Food Company et al in the First Circuit for the State of Hawaii. Plaintiff alleges that they were exposed to DBCP between 1971 and 1975. AMVAC denies that any of its product could have been used at the times and locations alleged by these plaintiffs. Following the dismissal of Dole Food Company on the basis of the exclusive remedy of worker’s compensation benefits, plaintiffs appealed the dismissal. The court of appeals subsequently remanded the matter to the lower court in February 2014, effectively permitting plaintiffs to amend their complaint to circumvent the workers’ compensation bar. There has been no activity in the case since that time, and thetime. The Company does not believe that a loss is either probable or reasonably estimable and has not recorded a loss contingency for this matter. There were no changes in connection with this matter in 2021.

B. Other Matters

EPA FIFRA/RCRA Matter. On November 10, 2016, the Company was served with a grand jury subpoena out offrom the U.S. District CourtUnited States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama, seeking documents regarding the importation, transportation, and management of a specific pesticide in which the U.S. Department of Justice (“DoJ”) sought production of documents relating to the Company’s reimportation of depleted Thimet containers from Canada and Australia.substantially empty, closed containers. The Company retained defense counsel to assist in responding to the subpoena and otherwise defending the Company’s interests. OverAMVAC is co-operating in the courseinvestigation.

Since April 2018, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) has conducted several interviews of AMVAC employees and issued supplemental document requests in connection with the past two years, government attorneys have interviewed several individuals who may be knowledgeable of the matterinvestigation. In November 2020, DOJ issued a second grand jury subpoena seeking records and have sought and received documents from the Company. At this stage, DoJ has not made clear its intentionsrelated communications with regard to eithera submission made by the Company to the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) in connection with a request to amend a pesticide’s registration. Soon thereafter, DOJ also identified the Company and one of its theorynon-executive employees as targets of the case or potential criminal enforcement. Thus,government’s investigation. In January 2021, DOJ and EPA informed the Company that it is too early to tell whether a loss is probable or reasonably estimable. Accordingly,investigating violations of two environmental statutes, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (“FIFRA”) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), as well as obstruction of an agency proceeding and false statement statutes. DOJ also identified for the Company, hasas well as for the individual target, evidence that it contends supports alleged violations with respect to both the Company and the individual target. As part of discussions regarding possible resolution, in October 2021, the Company presented its evaluation of the legal and factual issues raised by the government (which do not include any allegations of harm to human health or the environment) to both DOJ and USEPA. Further, three corporate witnesses were called to be interviewed by the grand jury in Mobile, Alabama in February 2022.


The governmental agencies involved in this investigation have a range of civil and criminal penalties they may seek to impose against corporations and individuals for violations of FIFRA, RCRA and other federal statutes including, but not limited to, injunctive relief, fines, penalties and modifications to business practices and compliance programs, including the appointment of a monitor. If violations are established, the amount of any fines or monetary penalties which could be assessed and the scope of possible non-monetary relief would depend on, among other factors, findings regarding the amount, timing, nature and scope of the violations, and the level of cooperation provided to the governmental authorities during the investigation. As a result, the Company cannot yet anticipate the timing or predict the ultimate resolution of this investigation, financial or otherwise, which could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, operations, financial condition, and cash flows. Accordingly, we have not recorded a loss contingency onfor this matter.

In a matter arising from similar facts, USEPA Region 5 contacted the Company’s legal representatives in November 2019 to commence discussions on the resolution of potential civil enforcement claims that could be brought against the Company arising from its reimportation of depleted Thimet containers and the disposition of the contents of such containers in 2015. After negotiation, the Company and USEPA have entered into a consent agreement and final order (“CAFO”), including payment of a civil penalty in an amount that is not material to the Company’s financial performance.


Harold Reed v. AMVAC et al.  During January 2017, the Company was served with two2 Statements of Claim that had been filed on March 29, 2016 with the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta, Canada (as case numbers 160600211 and 160600237) in which plaintiffs Harold Reed (an applicator) and 819596 Alberta Ltd. dba Jem Holdings (an application equipment rental company) allege physical injury and damage to equipment, respectively, arising from a fire that occurred during an application of the Company’s potato sprout inhibitor, SmartBlock, at a potato storage facility in Coaldale, Alberta on April 2, 2014. Plaintiffs allege, amongFour other things, that AMVAC was negligent and failed to warn them of the risks of such application. Reed seeks damages of $250 for pain and suffering, while Jem Holdings seeks $60 in lost equipment; both plaintiffs also seek unspecified damages as well. Also during January 2017, the Company received notice that four related actions relating to the same incidentmatters were filed with the same court: (i) Van Giessen Growers, Inc. v Harold Reed et al (No. 160303906)(in which grower seeks $400 forsubsequently consolidated into this case (alleging loss of potatoes); (ii) James Houweling et al. v. Harold Reed et al. (No. 160104421)(in whichpotatoes, damage to equipment, owner seeks damages for lost equipment); (iii) Chin Coulee Farms, etc. v. Harold Reed et al. (No. 150600545)(in which owner of potatoes and truck seeks $530 for loss thereof); and (iv) Houweling Farms v. Harold Reed et al. (No. 15060881)(in which owner of severaldamage to Quonset huts seeks damages for lost improvements, equipment and loss of business income equal to $4,300)income). The Company was subsequently named as cross-defendant in those actions by Reed. During the third quarter of 2017, counsel for the Company filed a Statement of Defence (the Canadian equivalent of an answer), alleging that Reed was negligent in his application of the product and that the other cross-defendants were negligent for using highly flammable insulation and failing to maintain sparking electrical fixtures in the storage units affected by the fire. The parties have exchanged written discovery, and depositions of persons most knowledgeable took place during the first quarter of 2019. Citing the length of the cases’ pendency and the expense, in December 2019, plaintiff Reed voluntarily dismissed two actions (160600211 and 160600237) for no consideration. With respectOver the course of 2020, discovery was completed, and the parties held a  mediation on March 11, 2021; however, no settlement was reached. Thus, pre-trial discovery will likely continue. The Company believes that it is not primarily at risk but that a loss is probable and reasonably estimable and, to that end, has recorded a loss contingency in an amount that is not material to its financial performance or operations cash flows.

Pitre etc. v. Agrocentre Ladauniere et al. On February 11, 2022, a strawberry grower named Les Enterprises Pitre, Inc. filed a complaint in the remaining actions,Superior Court, District of Labelle, Province of Quebec, Canada, entitled Pitre, etc. v. Agrocentre Ladauniere, Inc. etal, including Amvac Chemical Corporation, seeking damages in the amount of approximately $5 million arising from stunted growth of, and reduced yield from, its strawberry crop allegedly from the application of AMVAC’s soil fumigant, Vapam, in spring of 2021. Plaintiff alleges that its application consultant’s advice was, in effect, incomplete and misleading (in light of the product’s label) and, further, depositions are scheduled during mid-year 2020.that the language of the product label was insufficient to warn the user about the proper time interval between application and planting of seedling plants. The Company believes that the claims against it in the remaining matters are withouthave no merit and intends to defend them vigorously.the matter. At this stage in the proceedings, there is no sufficient information to form a judgment as to either the Company does not believe that a loss is probableprobability or reasonably estimable; accordingly,amount of loss; thus, the Company has not recordedset aside a loss contingency.reserve in connection with this matter.  

(5)(6) Employee Deferred Compensation Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company maintains a deferred compensation plan (“the Plan”) for all eligible employees. The Plan calls for each eligible employee, at the employee’s election, to participate in an income deferral arrangement under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k). The plan allows eligible employees to make contributions, which cannot exceed 100% of compensation, or the annual dollar limit set by the Internal Revenue Code. The Company matches the first 5% of employee contributions. The Company’s contributions to the Plan amounted to $2,273, $2,172 and $1,997 $1,914in 2021, 2020 and $1,550 in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

During 2001, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the AVD Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP Plan”). The Plan allows eligible employees to purchase shares of common stock through payroll deductions at a discounted price. An original aggregate number of approximately 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share (subject to adjustment for any stock dividend, stock split or other relevant changes in the Company’s capitalization) were allowed to be sold pursuant to the Plan, which is intended to qualify under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Plan allows for purchases in a series of offering periods, each six months in duration, with new offering periods (other than the initial offering period) commencing on January 1 and July 1 of each year. The initial offering period commenced on July 1, 2001. Pursuant to action taken by the Company’s Board of Directors inon December 10, 2010, the expiration of the Plan was extended to December 31, 2013. The Plan was amended and restated on June 30, 2011, following stockholders’ ratification of the extended expiration date. The Plan was amended as of June 6, 2018, following stockholders’ ratification of a ten-year extension to the expiration date (which now stands at December 31, 2028). Under the Plan, as amended as of June 6, 2018, 995,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were authorized. As of December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, 2018,543,180, 593,962, and 2017, 643,630 690,859, and 726,809 shares, respectively, remained available under the plan. The expense recognized under the Plan was immaterial during the years ended December 31, 2019, 20182021, 2020 and 2017,2019, respectively.

Shares of common stock purchased through the Plan in 2021, 2020 and 2019 2018were 50,782, 49,668 and 2017 were 47,229, 35,950 and 34,016, respectively.


(6)(7) Major Customers and International Sales

In 2021, there were three customers that accounted for 17%, 14% and 8%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated sales. In 2020, there were three customers that accounted for 17%, 12%, and 10% of the Company’s consolidated sales. In 2019, there were three customers that accounted for 18%, 14% and 7%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated sales. In 2018, there were three customers that accounted for 12%, 9%, and 8% of the Company’s consolidated sales. In 2017, there were three customers that accounted for 13%, 10% and 10% of the Company’s consolidated sales.

The Company primarily sells its products to large distributors, buying cooperatives, and other co-operative groups and, in certain territories, end users, and extends credit based on an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition. The Company had three significant customers who each accounted for approximately 13%11%, 12%4% and 6%4% of the Company’s receivables as of December 31, 2019.2021. The Company had three significant customers who each accounted for approximately 8%, 7%4% and 5%3% of the Company’s receivables as of December 31, 2018.2020. The Company has long-standing relationships with its customers and the Company considers its overall credit risk for accounts receivables to be moderate.


International sales for 2019, 20182021, 2020 and 20172019 were as follows:

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

South and Central America

 

$

111,106

 

 

$

86,172

 

 

$

25,748

 

 

$

108,975

 

 

$

102,281

 

 

$

111,106

 

Mexico

 

 

28,835

 

 

 

24,578

 

 

 

16,030

 

 

 

40,724

 

 

 

33,517

 

 

 

28,835

 

Asia

 

 

15,554

 

 

 

14,828

 

 

 

28,880

 

 

 

26,234

 

 

 

19,290

 

 

 

15,554

 

Australia

 

 

20,257

 

 

 

9,902

 

 

 

2,798

 

Canada

 

 

11,637

 

 

 

3,403

 

 

 

4,083

 

 

 

10,377

 

 

 

10,572

 

 

 

11,637

 

Africa

 

 

3,468

 

 

 

6,072

 

 

 

6,750

 

Middle East

 

 

2,357

 

 

 

3,054

 

 

 

2,392

 

Europe

 

 

6,889

 

 

 

11,059

 

 

 

10,700

 

 

 

2,243

 

 

 

2,292

 

 

 

6,889

 

Africa

 

 

6,750

 

 

 

8,027

 

 

 

7,893

 

Australia

 

 

2,798

 

 

 

2,635

 

 

 

4,334

 

Middle East

 

 

2,392

 

 

 

3,256

 

 

 

1,237

 

 

$

185,961

 

 

$

153,958

 

 

$

98,905

 

Total international net sales

 

$

214,635

 

 

$

186,980

 

 

$

185,961

 

 

(7) Royalty expenses

The Company has two licensing agreements that require minimum annual royalty payments. Those agreements related to the acquisition of certain products. The Company also has two other licensing arrangements in which royalties are paid based on percentage of annual sales. Certain royalty agreements contain confidentiality covenants. Royalty expenses were $137, $86 and $81 for 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

(8) Product and Business Acquisitions

The Company completed 1 product acquisition during the year ended December 31, 2021. The acquisition was completed on July 1, 2021, for $10,000 in cash consideration. The acquisition was accounted for as an asset acquisition and the $10,000 in consideration was allocated as follows: product registrations and product rights $8,225, trade names and trademarks $1,650, and prepaid asset $125.

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company completed 2 acquisitions:

On October 2, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of all outstanding stock of the Agrinos Group Companies (Agrinos), except for Agrinos AS. Agrinos has operating entities in the U.S., Mexico, India, Brazil, China, Ukraine, and Spain. Agrinos is a fully integrated biological input supplier with proprietary technology, internal manufacturing, and global distribution capabilities. At closing, the Company paid cash consideration of $3,125, which was net of cash acquired of $1,813. The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination and resulted in a bargain gain.  The purchase consideration was allocated as follows:

 

 

Preliminary Allocation at December 31, 2020

 

 

Adjustments to Fair Value recorded in 2021

 

 

Final Allocation

 

Trade receivables

 

$

2,358

 

 

$

(81

)

 

$

2,277

 

Inventory and other current assets

 

 

5,133

 

 

 

238

 

 

 

5,371

 

Property, plant, and equipment

 

 

5,004

 

 

 

137

 

 

 

5,141

 

Product registrations and product rights

 

 

250

 

 

 

(200

)

 

 

50

 

Liabilities assumed

 

 

(4,963

)

 

 

77

 

 

 

(4,886

)

Bargain

 

 

(4,657

)

 

 

(171

)

 

 

(4,828

)

Total

 

$

3,125

 

 

$

 

 

$

3,125

 

Agrinos was acquired out of bankruptcy. This provided the Company with an opportunity to acquire Agrinos at an advantageous purchase price which was below the fair value of Agrinos’ net assets acquired, resulting in the above-mentioned bargain purchase gain. The liabilities assumed include liabilities of $407 related to income tax matters.


On October 8, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of all outstanding stock of AgNova Technologies Pty Ltd (“AgNova”). AgNova is an Australian entity that sources, develops, and distributes specialty crop protection and production solutions for agricultural and horticultural producers, and for selected non-crop users. The purchase price consideration was as follows:

 

 

Preliminary Consideration at December 31, 2020

 

 

Adjustments to Consideration recorded in 2021

 

 

Final Consideration

 

Cash

 

$

16,997

 

 

$

 

 

$

16,997

 

Less cash acquired

 

 

(157

)

 

 

 

 

 

(157

)

Contingent consideration

 

 

2,007

 

 

 

(955

)

 

 

1,052

 

Total consideration

 

$

18,847

 

 

$

(955

)

 

$

17,892

 

The fair value of the contingent consideration was estimated using a Monte Carlo Simulation. The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination and the purchase consideration was allocated as follows: 

 

 

Preliminary Allocation at December 31, 2020

 

 

Adjustments to Fair Value recorded in 2021

 

 

Final Allocation

 

Trade receivables

 

$

1,508

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,508

 

Inventory and other current assets

 

 

5,698

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,698

 

Property, plant, and equipment

 

 

73

 

 

 

 

 

 

73

 

Product registrations and product rights

 

 

6,395

 

 

 

1,932

 

 

 

8,327

 

Trade names and trademarks

 

 

1,195

 

 

 

(844

)

 

 

351

 

Distribution agreements

 

 

 

 

 

3,584

 

 

 

3,584

 

Customer relationships and customer lists

 

 

632

 

 

 

(246

)

 

 

386

 

Goodwill

 

 

8,672

 

 

 

(4,054

)

 

 

4,618

 

Liabilities assumed

 

 

(5,326

)

 

 

(1,327

)

 

 

(6,653

)

Total consideration

 

$

18,847

 

 

$

(955

)

 

$

17,892

 

The liabilities assumed include liabilities of $3,857 related to income tax matters.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company completed three acquisitions in exchange for a total cash consideration at closing of $37,972, net of cash acquired $981 and deferred consideration of $3,051. In addition, the Company assumed liabilities of $19,867 and capitalized costs of $14 incurred in the asset acquisition process. The total asset value of $60,904 was allocated as follows: product rights $13,279, trade names $5,452, customer relationships $5,705, goodwill $22,652, working capital and fixed assets $10,432, and indemnification assets $3,384.3 acquisitions:

On January 10, 2019, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of stock of two2 affiliated businesses, Agrovant and Defensive and Agrovant,(subsequently merged to form AMVAC 3p), which are located in Jaboticabal in the state of Sao Paul, Brazil. At closing the Company paid cash consideration of $20,679, which was net of cash acquired of $981, deferred consideration of $3,051 including contingent consideration dependent on certain financial results for 2019, and liabilities assumed of $18,160, including liabilities of $9,111 related to income tax matters. These companies were founded in 2000 and are suppliers of crop protection products and micronutrients with focus on the fruit and vegetable market segments. The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination and the total asset value of $41,890 was allocated as follows: trade name $1,010, customer relationships $5,705, goodwill $22,652, working capital and fixed assets $9,139 and indemnification assets $3,384. The operating results of the acquired businesses are included in our consolidated statement of operations from the date of acquisition. The goodwill recognized is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes, subject to merging AMVAC do Brasil with Defensive and Agrovant.AMVAC 3p.

On July 1,The 2 other acquisitions completed in 2019 the Company completed arelated to product acquisition for cash consideration in the amount of $7,293 and the assumption of a liability in the amount of $300. The acquisition was accounted for as an asset acquisition and the acquired assets consist of product rights $5,108, trade names $1,200, and inventory $1,293. Costs of $8 incurred in the asset acquisition processlines which were capitalized.

On December 20, 2019, the Company completed a product acquisition for cash consideration in the amount of $10,000 and the assumption of a liability in the amount of $1,407. The acquisition was accounted for as an asset acquisition and the acquired assets consist of product rights $8,171 and trade names $3,242. Costs of $6 incurred in the asset acquisition process were capitalized.

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company completed four acquisitions in exchangepurchased for a total cash consideration at closing of $19,851, net$17,307, including transaction costs of cash acquired $1,600, cash consideration paid in January 2019 $3,530 and the fair value of the Company’s pre-existing ownership position $2,044.$14. In addition, the Company assumed liabilities of $1,750 and capitalized costs of $108 incurred in the asset acquisition process. The total valueamount of $27,283 was allocated as follows: product registrations and product rights $12,720, trade names, trademarks and patents $2,678, customer lists $739, goodwill $3,927, inventory $5,461, other working capital $121 and property, plant and equipment $27, and deferred tax assets $1,610.


The acquisition of TyraTech Inc. (“TyraTech”) was accounted for as a business combination. The Company acquired 65.62% of TyraTech’s issued and outstanding shares on November 8, 2018 in exchange for cash consideration of $2,154 at closing, net of cash acquired of $1,600, and liabilities assumed of $1,750. Together with the Company’s pre-existing ownership of 34.38% with a fair value of $2,044, TyraTech became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and was delisted from the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. TyraTech is a life sciences company focused on nature-derived insect and parasite control products. Their patented technology platform leverages synergistic essential oil combination to target invertebrate pest receptors that are not active in humans and other mammals. The assessment of the purchase price allocation related to the business combination was completed in 2019. The purchase price allocation is as follows: working capital of $115, intangible assets of $180 and goodwill of $3,927, property, plant and equipment of $27, other assets of $89, and deferred tax assets of $1,610. Goodwill is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. The goodwill consists largely of acquired workforce and tax related matters. As a result of this acquisition, the Company was required to step up the value of its ownership and recorded a gain of $1,463. The acquired business was included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.

Three of the 2018 acquisitions mentioned previously related to product lines, acquired from E.I DuPont et Nemours and Company (one) and Bayer CropScience (two), were purchased for total cash consideration at closing of $21,335, including transaction costs of $108, and $3,530 paid in January 2019.$1,707. These acquisitions were accounted for as asset acquisitions because the Company did not acquire any substantive processes. Of this amount, $5,378 was recorded toThe acquired assets consist of product rights $13,279, trade names $4,442, and inventory and the remaining to intangibles. One of the asset acquisitions includes contingent consideration in the form of potential milestone payments that could amount to a maximum additional payment of $12,500. These milestone payments will be recorded as additional acquisition costs upon the point in time the milestone criteria are met, if applicable. No such milestones were achieved in 2018 or 2019. The purchase price allocation was completed as at December 31, 2018 and the acquired product lines were included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.$1,293.

Cash paid at closing for the asset acquisitions and business combinationcombinations was funded through our revolving line of credit. The Company considers that the acquisitions completed during 2019 and 2018 are immaterial individually and in the aggregate to the accompanying consolidated financial statements, and accordingly pro-formaPro-forma financial information is not included.

Duringincluded herein as the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company completed acquisitions with a total combined purchase consideration, net of cash acquired, of $92,555 including cash paid at closing in the amount of $81,896 and deferred consideration of $10,659. At closing the Company recorded $12,814 related to tax matters associated with the acquisitions. At December 31, 2017 the purchase price was provisionally allocated as follows: product registrations and product rights $55,127, trade names and trademarks $9,500, customer relationships and customer lists $3,700, goodwill $22,184, working capital $14,679 and property, plant and equipment $512. The purchase price allocation was finalized during 2018, which resulted in a reduction in goodwill of $348.

The following unaudited pro forma information presents a summarypro-forma impact of the Company’s combined results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017, as if the 2017 business acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2017. The following pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations as they would have been had the transaction been effected on the assumed date, nor is it necessarily an indication of trends in future results for a number of reasons. Consequently, actual results will differ from the unaudited pro forma financial information.material.

 

 

 

Year ended

December 31,

2017

 

Pro forma net sales

 

$

458,793

 

Pro forma net income

 

 

24,540

 

Pro forma earnings per common share – basic

 

 

0.84

 

Pro forma earnings per common share – assuming

   dilution

 

 

0.83

 

 


 

(9) Intangible Assets and Goodwill

The following schedule represents intangible assets recognized in connection with product acquisitions (See description of Business, Basis of Consolidation and Significant Accounting PoliciesNote 1 for the Company’s accounting policy regarding intangible assets):

 

 

 

Amount

 

Intangible assets at December 31, 2016

 

$

121,433

 

Additions during fiscal 2017

 

 

68,327

 

Impact of movement in exchange rates

 

 

(6

)

Amortization expense

 

 

(8,804

)

Intangible assets at December 31, 2017

 

 

180,950

 

Additions during fiscal 2018

 

 

16,429

 

Impact of movement in exchange rates

 

 

(45

)

Amortization expense

 

 

(10,751

)

Intangible assets at December 31, 2018

 

 

186,583

 

Additions during fiscal 2019

 

 

25,368

 

Write offs

 

 

(264

)

Impact of movement in exchange rates

 

 

(1,158

)

Amortization expense

 

 

(12,152

)

Intangible assets at December 31, 2019

 

$

198,377

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill at December 31, 2018

 

$

25,790

 

Net additions during fiscal 2019

 

 

22,652

 

Impact of movement in exchange rates

 

 

(1,885

)

Goodwill at December 31, 2019

 

$

46,557

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets and goodwill at December 31, 2019

 

$

244,934

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

Intangible assets at December 31, 2018

 

$

186,467

 

Additions during fiscal 2019

 

 

25,368

 

Write offs

 

 

(264

)

Impact of movement in exchange rates

 

 

(1,158

)

Amortization expense

 

 

(12,152

)

Intangible assets at December 31, 2019

 

 

198,261

 

Additions during fiscal 2020

 

 

12,675

 

Write offs

 

 

(41

)

Impact of movement in exchange rates

 

 

(637

)

Amortization expense

 

 

(12,744

)

Intangible assets at December 31, 2020

 

$

197,514

 

Additions during fiscal 2021

 

 

10,524

 

Measurement period adjustment

 

 

4,226

 

Impact of movement in exchange rates

 

 

(710

)

Amortization expense

 

 

(13,713

)

Intangible assets at December 31, 2021

 

$

197,841

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill at December 31, 2018

 

$

25,906

 

Additions during fiscal 2019

 

 

22,652

 

Impact of movement in exchange rates

 

 

(1,885

)

Goodwill at December 31, 2019

 

 

46,673

 

Additions during fiscal 2020

 

 

8,830

 

Other

 

 

617

 

Impact of movement in exchange rates

 

 

(4,012

)

Goodwill at December 31, 2020

 

 

52,108

 

Measurement period adjustment

 

 

(4,054

)

Impact of movement in exchange rates

 

 

(1,794

)

Goodwill at December 31, 2021

 

$

46,260

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets and goodwill at December 31, 2021

 

$

244,101

 

The following schedule represents the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets and goodwill. Product rights and trademarks are amortized over their expected useful lives of 25 years. Customer lists are amortized over their expected useful lives of nine to ten years.

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

Gross

 

 

Accumulated

Amortization

 

 

Net Book

Value

 

 

Gross

 

 

Accumulated

Amortization

 

 

Net Book

Value

 

 

Gross

 

 

Accumulated

Amortization

 

 

Net Book

Value

 

 

Gross

 

 

Accumulated

Amortization

 

 

Net Book

Value

 

Product Rights

 

$

252,786

 

 

$

89,204

 

 

$

163,582

 

 

$

235,684

 

 

$

79,627

 

 

$

156,057

 

 

$

271,632

 

 

$

110,090

 

 

$

161,542

 

 

$

260,393

 

 

$

99,228

 

 

$

161,165

 

Trademarks

 

 

32,795

 

 

 

6,633

 

 

 

26,162

 

 

 

30,483

 

 

 

5,337

 

 

 

25,146

 

 

 

40,578

 

 

 

9,870

 

 

 

30,708

 

 

 

37,335

 

 

 

8,111

 

 

 

29,224

 

Customer Lists

 

 

12,028

 

 

 

3,395

 

 

 

8,633

 

 

 

7,529

 

 

 

2,149

 

 

 

5,380

 

 

 

10,966

 

 

 

5,375

 

 

 

5,591

 

 

 

11,539

 

 

 

4,414

 

 

 

7,125

 

Total intangibles assets

 

 

297,609

 

 

 

99,232

 

 

 

198,377

 

 

 

273,696

 

 

 

87,113

 

 

 

186,583

 

 

 

323,176

 

 

 

125,335

 

 

 

197,841

 

 

 

309,267

 

 

 

111,753

 

 

 

197,514

 

Goodwill

 

 

46,557

 

 

 

 

 

 

46,557

 

 

 

25,790

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,790

 

 

 

46,260

 

 

 

 

 

 

46,260

 

 

 

52,108

 

 

 

 

 

 

52,108

 

Total intangibles and goodwill

 

$

344,166

 

 

$

99,232

 

 

$

244,934

 

 

$

299,486

 

 

$

87,113

 

 

$

212,373

 

 

$

369,436

 

 

$

125,335

 

 

$

244,101

 

 

$

361,375

 

 

$

111,753

 

 

$

249,622

 


 

The following schedule represents future amortization charges related to intangible assets:

 

Year ending December 31,

 

Amount

 

 

Amount

 

2020

 

$

12,768

 

2021

 

 

12,619

 

2022

 

 

12,498

 

 

$

13,878

 

2023

 

 

11,988

 

 

 

13,369

 

2024

 

 

11,690

 

 

 

12,963

 

2025

 

 

12,675

 

2026

 

 

12,531

 

Thereafter

 

 

136,814

 

 

 

132,425

 

 

$

198,377

 

 

$

197,841

 

(10) Contingent Consideration

 


The following schedule represents the Company’s deferredcontingent consideration liability under acquisitions agreements:

 

 

Amount

 

 

Amount

 

Obligations under acquisition agreements at December 31, 2016

 

$

592

 

Additional obligations acquired

 

 

10,659

 

Accretion of discounted liabilities

 

 

109

 

Payments on existing obligations

 

 

(26

)

Obligations under acquisition agreements at December 31, 2017

 

 

11,334

 

Adjustment to deferred consideration within the measurement period

 

 

(1,697

)

Reassessment of deferred consideration

 

 

(6,050

)

Accretion of discounted liabilities

 

 

345

 

Payments on existing obligations

 

 

(66

)

Obligations under acquisition agreements at December 31, 2018

 

 

3,866

 

 

$

3,866

 

Additional obligations acquired

 

 

3,051

 

 

 

1,312

 

Reassessment of deferred consideration

 

 

(4,120

)

Fair value adjustment

 

 

(3,866

)

Accretion of discounted liabilities

 

 

28

 

Foreign exchange effect

 

 

(96

)

Obligations under acquisition agreements at December 31, 2019

 

 

1,244

 

Additional obligations acquired

 

 

2,044

 

Fair value adjustment

 

 

250

 

Accretion of discounted liabilities

 

 

72

 

 

 

16

 

Payments on existing obligations

 

 

(850

)

 

 

(1,227

)

Foreign exchange effect

 

 

(229

)

 

 

141

 

Obligations under acquisition agreements at December 31, 2019

 

$

1,790

 

Obligations under acquisition agreements at December 31, 2020

 

 

2,468

 

Purchase price adjustment

 

 

(955

)

Fair value adjustment

 

 

758

 

Accretion of discounted liabilities

 

 

(8

)

Payments on existing obligations

 

 

(1,301

)

Foreign exchange effect

 

 

(176

)

Obligations under acquisition agreements at December 31, 2021

 

$

786

 

 

AsAmounts of December 31, 2019,contingent consideration recognized in the $1,790 in remaining deferred consideration is included in other liabilities.consolidated balance sheets:

 

 

December 31,

2021

 

 

December 31,

2020

 

Short-term

$

786

 

 

$

1,004

 

Long-term

 

-

 

 

 

1,464

 

Total contingent consideration

$

786

 

 

$

2,468

 

 

(10)(11) Commitments

We enter into various obligations in the ordinary course of business, generally of a short-term nature. Those that are binding primarily relate to purchase commitments for inventory and orders submitted for equipment for our production plants as well as service agreements.

(11)(12) Research and Development

Research and development expenses which are included in operating expenses were $8,906, $9,164$10,354, $8,757 and $8,455$8,906 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.


(12)(13) Equity Plan Awards

Under the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan of 1993, as amended (“the Plan”), all employees are eligible to receive non-assignable and non-transferable restricted stock, options to purchase common stock, and other forms of equity. As of December 31, 2019,2021, the number of securities remaining available for future issuance under the Plan is 1,171,059.870,345.

Incentive Stock Option Plans (“ISOP”)

Under the terms ofThe below tables illustrate the Company’s ISOP, under which options to purchase common stock can be issued, all employees are eligible to receive non-assignable and non-transferable options to purchase shares. The exercise price of any option may not be less than the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant; provided, however, that the exercise price of any option granted to an eligible employee owning more than 10% of the outstanding common stock may not be less than 110% of the fair market value of the shares underlying such option on the date of grant. No options granted may be exercisable more than ten years after the date of grant.

In 2019, 2018 and 2017, no options were granted.


Option activity within each plan is as follows:

 

 

Incentive

Stock Option

Plans

 

 

Weighted

Average

Price Per

Share

 

 

Exercisable

Weighted

Average

Price

Per Share

 

Balance outstanding, December 31, 2016

 

 

541,905

 

 

$

9.33

 

 

$

7.97

 

Options exercised

 

 

(55,979

)

 

$

8.37

 

 

 

 

 

Options forfeited

 

 

(13,143

)

 

 

11.49

 

 

 

 

 

Balance outstanding, December 31, 2017

 

 

472,783

 

 

$

9.38

 

 

$

9.38

 

Options exercised

 

 

(88,719

)

 

 

10.62

 

 

 

 

 

Balance outstanding, December 31, 2018

 

 

384,064

 

 

$

9.10

 

 

$

9.10

 

Options exercised

 

 

(51,241

)

 

 

8.87

 

 

 

 

 

Balance outstanding, December 31, 2019

 

 

332,823

 

 

$

9.14

 

 

$

9.14

 

Information relating to stock options at December 31, 2019 summarized by exercise price is as follows:

 

 

Outstanding Weighted Average

 

 

Exercisable Weighted Average

 

Exercise Price Per Share

 

Shares

 

 

Remaining

Life

(Months)

 

 

Exercise

Price

 

 

Shares

 

 

Exercise

Price

 

Incentive Stock Option Plan:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$7.50

 

 

195,850

 

 

 

11

 

 

$

7.50

 

 

 

195,850

 

 

$

7.50

 

$11.32-$14.75

 

 

136,973

 

 

 

58

 

 

$

11.48

 

 

 

136,973

 

 

$

11.48

 

 

 

 

332,823

 

 

 

30

 

 

$

9.14

 

 

 

332,823

 

 

$

9.14

 

During 2017, the Company recognized stock-based compensation, expense related to incentive stock options of $345. During 2019 and 2018, the Company did not recognizedunamortized stock-based compensation, expense related to incentive stock options.

Theand remaining weighted average exercise pricesperiod for options granted and exercisable and the weighted average remaining contractual life for options outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:

 

 

Number

of Shares

 

 

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

 

 

Weighted

Average

Remaining

Contractual

Life

(Months)

 

 

Intrinsic

Value

(thousands)

 

As of December 31, 2019:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incentive Stock Option Plans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

332,823

 

 

$

9.14

 

 

 

30

 

 

$

3,439

 

Vested

 

 

332,823

 

 

$

9.14

 

 

 

30

 

 

$

3,439

 

Exercisable

 

 

332,823

 

 

$

9.14

 

 

 

30

 

 

$

3,439

 

As of December 31, 2018:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incentive Stock Option Plans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

384,064

 

 

$

9.10

 

 

 

42

 

 

$

2,338

 

Vested

 

 

384,064

 

 

$

9.10

 

 

 

42

 

 

$

2,338

 

Exercisable

 

 

384,064

 

 

$

9.10

 

 

 

42

 

 

$

2,338

 

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $393, $955, and $545, respectively. Cash received from stock options exercised during 2019, 2018, and 2017 was $454, $951, and $468, respectively.

Nonstatutory Stock Options (“NSSO”)

The Company did not grant any non-statutory stock options during the three years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. This projected expense will change if any stock options and restricted stock are granted or cancelled prior to the respective reporting periods, or if there are any changes required to be made for estimated forfeitures.

 

 

Stock-Based

Compensation

 

 

Unamortized

Stock-Based

Compensation

 

 

Remaining

Weighted

Average

Period (years)

 

December 31, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted Stock

 

$

5,682

 

 

$

6,804

 

 

 

1.8

 

Unrestricted Stock

 

 

421

 

 

 

187

 

 

 

0.4

 

Performance-Based Restricted Stock

 

 

777

 

 

 

2,888

 

 

 

1.8

 

Total

 

$

6,880

 

 

$

9,879

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted Stock

 

$

3,166

 

 

$

6,954

 

 

 

1.9

 

Unrestricted Stock

 

 

461

 

 

 

183

 

 

 

0.4

 

Performance-Based Restricted Stock

 

 

2,934

 

 

 

3,352

 

 

 

1.9

 

Total

 

$

6,561

 

 

$

10,489

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted Stock

 

$

3,655

 

 

$

5,512

 

 

 

1.3

 

Unrestricted Stock

 

 

411

 

 

 

205

 

 

 

0.4

 

Performance-Based Restricted Stock

 

 

3,094

 

 

 

2,835

 

 

 

1.9

 

Total

 

$

7,160

 

 

$

8,552

 

 

 

 

 

The Company also granted stock options in past periods. All outstanding stock options are fully vested and exercisable and no expense was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Restricted and Unrestricted Stock

A summary of nonvested restricted and unrestricted stock is presented below:

 

 

December 31, 2021

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

 

 

Number

of Shares

 

 

Weighted

Average

Grant

Date Fair

Value

 

 

Number

of Shares

 

 

Weighted

Average

Grant

Date Fair

Value

 

Nonvested shares at January 1st

 

 

820,624

 

 

$

16.64

 

 

 

719,845

 

 

$

17.67

 

Granted

 

 

295,619

 

 

 

20.00

 

 

 

393,180

 

 

 

14.39

 

Vested

 

 

(244,651

)

 

 

19.23

 

 

 

(255,835

)

 

 

15.86

 

Forfeited

 

 

(54,302

)

 

 

17.11

 

 

 

(36,566

)

 

 

18.34

 

Nonvested shares at December 31st

 

 

817,290

 

 

$

17.04

 

 

 

820,624

 

 

$

16.64

 


Common

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Grants

A summary of nonvested performance-based stock is presented below:

 

 

December 31, 2021

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

 

 

Number

of Shares

 

 

Weighted

Average

Grant

Date Fair

Value

 

 

Number

of Shares

 

 

Weighted

Average

Grant

Date Fair

Value

 

Nonvested shares at January 1st

 

 

391,771

 

 

$

16.26

 

 

 

345,432

 

 

$

16.92

 

Granted

 

 

102,043

 

 

 

20.03

 

 

 

160,706

 

 

 

14.29

 

Additional granted based on performance achievement

 

 

71,180

 

 

 

20.53

 

 

 

76,445

 

 

 

16.56

 

Vested

 

 

(175,087

)

 

 

19.78

 

 

 

(184,785

)

 

 

15.87

 

Forfeited

 

 

(10,846

)

 

 

16.89

 

 

 

(6,027

)

 

 

17.52

 

Nonvested shares at December 31st

 

 

379,061

 

 

$

16.43

 

 

 

391,771

 

 

$

16.26

 

Performance Based Restricted Stock Granted in 2021During 2019,the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company issued a total of 341,653102,043 performance-based shares to employees. The shares granted during 2021 have an average fair value of common stock to certain employees and non-executive board members. Of these, 33,973 shares vest immediately, 500 shares will vest 6 months from the employee’s employment date, 1,000 shares will vest one year from the employee’s employment date, 500 shares will vest two years from the employee’s employment date, 15,001 shares will vest three years from the employee’s employment date, and majority of the balance will cliff vest after three years of service.$20.03. The fair values of the grants range from $13.09 to $17.34 per share based onvalue was determined by using the publicly traded share pricesprice as of the market close on the date of grants.grant and Monte Carlo valuation method. The total fairCompany will recognize as expense the value of $5,754 is being recognizedthe performance-based shares over the vestingrequired service period which is representativefrom grant date. The shares will cliff vest on April 16, 2024, with a measurement period commencing January 1, 2021, and ending December 31, 2023. NaN percent of these performance-based shares are based upon the financial performance of the related service periods. During 2019, 60,778Company, specifically, an earnings before interest and tax (“EBIT”) goal weighted at 50% and a net sales goal weighted at 30%. The remaining 20% of performance-based shares are based upon AVD stock price appreciation over the same performance measurement period. The EBIT and net sales goals measure the relative growth of the Company’s EBIT and net sales for the performance measurement period, as compared to the median growth of EBIT and net sales for an identified peer group. The stockholder return goal measures the relative growth of the fair market value of the Company’s stock price over the performance measurement period, as compared to that of the Russell 2000 Index and the median fair market value of the common stock grantedof the comparator companies, identified in the Company’s 2020 Proxy Statement. All parts of these awards vest in three years but are subject to employees were forfeited.reduction to a minimum (or even zero) for recording less than the targeted performance and to increase to a maximum of 200% for achieving in excess of the targeted performance.

Performance Based Restricted Stock Granted in 2020During 2018,the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company issued a total of 282,030160,706 performance-based shares to employees. The shares granted during 2020 have an average fair value of common stock to certain employees and non-executive board members. Of these, 25,312 shares vest immediately, 1,017 shares will vest 6 months from the employee’s employment date, 1,017 shares will vest eighteen months from the employee’s employment date, 5,250 shares will vest two years from the employee’s employment date, and majority of the balance will cliff vest after three years of service.$14.29. The fair values of the grants range from $16.85 to $23.60 per share based onvalue was determined by using the publicly traded share pricesprice as of the market close on the date of grants.grant and Monte Carlo valuation method. The total fairCompany will recognize as expense the value of $5,651 is being recognizedthe performance-based shares over the vestingrequired service period which is representativefrom grant date. The shares will cliff vest on May 13, 2023, with a measurement period commencing October 1, 2020, and ending March 31, 2023. NaN percent of these performance-based shares are based upon the financial performance of the related service periods. During 2018, 33,269Company, specifically, an earnings before interest and tax (“EBIT”) goal weighted at 50% and a net sales goal weighted at 30%. The remaining 20% of performance-based shares are based upon AVD stock price appreciation over the same performance measurement period. The EBIT and net sales goals measure the relative growth of the Company’s EBIT and net sales for the performance measurement period, as compared to the median growth of EBIT and net sales for an identified peer group. The stockholder return goal measures the relative growth of the fair market value of the Company’s stock price over the performance measurement period, as compared to that of the Russell 2000 Index and the median fair market value of the common stock grantedof the comparator companies, identified in the Company’s 2020 Proxy Statement. All parts of these awards vest in three years but are subject to employees were forfeited

A status summaryreduction to a minimum (or even zero) for recording less than the targeted performance and to increase to a maximum of non-vested shares as200% for achieving in excess of December 31,the targeted performance.


Performance Based Restricted Stock Granted in 2019 and 2018, are presented below:

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

 

 

Number

of Shares

 

 

Weighted

Average

Grant

Date Fair

Value

 

 

Number

of Shares

 

 

Weighted

Average

Grant

Date Fair

Value

 

Nonvested shares at January 1st

 

 

587,210

 

 

$

17.59

 

 

 

391,753

 

 

$

15.61

 

Granted

 

 

341,653

 

 

 

16.84

 

 

 

282,030

 

 

 

20.21

 

Vested

 

 

(148,240

)

 

 

14.99

 

 

 

(53,304

)

 

 

17.06

 

Forfeited

 

 

(60,778

)

 

 

18.12

 

 

 

(33,269

)

 

 

17.29

 

Nonvested shares at December 31st

 

 

719,845

 

 

$

17.67

 

 

 

587,210

 

 

$

17.59

 

During 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to restricted shares of $4,066, $3,657, and $2,705, respectively.

Performance-Based Stock Grants

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company issued a total of 137,557 performance-based shares to employees. The shares granted during 2019 have an average fair value of $16.96. The fair value was determined by using the publicly traded share price as of the market close on the date of grant and Monte Carlo Valuation method. The Company will recognize as expense the value of the performance-based shares over the required service period from grant date. The shares will cliff vest on March 28, 2022, with a measurement period commencing January 1, 2019, and ending December 31, 2021. EightyNaN percent of these performance-based shares are based upon the financial performance of the Company, specifically, an earnings before income taxes (“EBIT”) goal weighted at 50% and a net sales goal weighted at 30%. The remaining 20% of performance-based shares are based upon AVD stock price appreciation over the same performance measurement period. The EBIT and net sales goals measure the relative growth of the Company’s EBIT and net sales for the performance measurement period, as compared to the median growth of EBIT and net sales for an identified peer group. The stockholder return goal measures the relative growth of the fair market value of the Company’s stock price over the performance measurement period, as compared to that of the Russell 2000 Index and the median fair market value of the common stock of the comparator companies, identified in the Company’s 2018 Proxy Statement. All parts of these awards vest in three years but are subject to reduction to a minimum (or even zero) for recording less than the targeted performance and to increase to a maximum of 200% for achieving in excess of the targeted performance.

In 2021, the Company assessed the likelihood of achieving the performance measures based on peer group information currently available for the performance-based shares granted in 2019. Based on the performance thus far, the Company has concluded that it is likely that the performance measure based on EBIT will not be met and net sales will be met at 200% of targeted performance and have recorded the related additional expense in 2021. The performance shares based on market price are expected to be met at 27% of targeted performance. The effect of market conditions for performance shares based on market are included in the grant date fair value valuation and 0 additional expenses were recognized in 2021.

During 2019,2021, the Company concluded that the performance measure based on EBIT and net sales for the performance-based shares granted in 2016 and 2017,2018, when compared to the peer group, was both met at 200% of targeted performance and all related additional expenses were recorded as of December 31, 2019.2021. The 2016 and 20172018 performance shares based on market price was met at 125% and 50%43%, respectively, however, the market condition is reflected in the grant date fair value valuation and no0 additional expenses were recognized. As a result, 42,36871,180 additional shares were earned since the Company achieved performance targets when compared to the peer group.


DuringStock Options

Under the year ended December 31, 2018,terms of the CompanyCompany’s ISOP, under which options to purchase common stock can be issued, a totalall employees are eligible to receive non-assignable and non-transferable options to purchase shares. The exercise price of 130,332 performance-based shares to employees. The shares granted during 2018 have an averageany option may not be less than the fair market value of $18.74. The fair value was determined by using the publicly traded share price as of the market closeshares on the date of grant. The Company is recognizing as expensegrant; provided, however, that the valueexercise price of any option granted to an eligible employee owning more than 10% of the performance-based shares over the required service period from grant date. The shares will cliff vest on March 9, 2021 with a measurement period commencing January 1, 2018 and ending December 31, 2020. Eighty percent of these performance-based shares are based upon the financial performance of the Company, specifically, an earnings before income taxes (“EBIT”) goal weighted at 50% and a net sales goal weighted at 30%. The remaining 20% of performance-based shares are based upon AVDoutstanding common stock price appreciation over the same performance measurement period. The EBIT and net sales goals measure the relative growth of the Company’s EBIT and net sales for the performance measurement period, as compared to the median growth of EBIT and net sales for an identified peer group. The stockholder return goal measures the relative growthmay not be less than 110% of the fair market value of the Company’s stock price over the performance measurement period, as compared to that of the Russell 2000 Index and the median fair market value of the common stock of the comparator companies, identified in the Company’s 2017 Proxy Statement. All parts of these awards vest in three years but are subject to reduction to a minimum (or even zero) for recording less than the targeted performance and to increase to a maximum of 200% for achieving in excess of the targeted performance.  

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company issued a total of 128,594 performance-based shares to employees. The shares granted during 2017 have an average fair value of $15.43. The fair value was determined by using the publicly traded share price as of the date of grant.  The Company recognized as expense the value of the performance-based shares over the required service period from grant date. The shares will cliff vest on February 8, 2020 with a measurement period commencing January 1, 2017 and ending December 31, 2019. Eighty percent of these performance-based shares are based upon the financial performance of the Company, specifically, an earnings before income taxes (“EBIT”) goal weighted at 50% and a net sales goal weighted at 30% . The remaining 20% of performance-based shares are based upon AVD stock price appreciation over the same performance measurement period. The EBIT and net sales goals measure the relative growth of the Company’s EBIT and net sales for the performance measurement period, as compared to the median growth of EBIT and net sales for an identified peer group. The stockholder return goal measures the relative growth of the fair market value of the Company’s stock price over the performance measurement period, as compared to that of the Russell 2000 Index and the median fair market value of the common stock of the comparator companies, identified in the Company’s 2016 Proxy Statement. All parts of these awards vest in three years but are subject to reduction to a minimum (or even zero) for recording less than the targeted performance and to increase to a maximum of 200% for achieving in excess of the targeted performance.  

As of December 31, 2019, the performance-based shares related to EBIT and net sales have an average fair value of $17.34 per share. The fair value was determined by using the publicly traded share price as of the market closeunderlying such option on the date of grant. The performance-based shares related to the Company’s stock price have an average fair value of $15.46 per share. The fair value was determined by using the Monte Carlo valuation method. For awards with performance conditions, the Company recognizes share-based compensation cost on a straight-line basis for each performance criteria over the implied service period.

As of December 31, 2018, the performance-based shares related to EBIT and net sales have an average fair value of $19.95 per share. The fair value was determined by using the publicly traded share price as of the market close onNo options granted may be exercisable more than ten years after the date of grant. The performance-based shares related to the Company’s stock price have an average fair value of $16.49 per share. The fair value was determined by using the Monte Carlo valuation method. For awards with performance conditions, the Company recognizes share-based compensation cost on a straight-line basis for each performance criteria over the implied service period.

As of December 31, 2017, the performance-based shares related to EBITIn 2021, 2020 and net sales have an average fair value of $16.10 per share. The fair value was determined by using the publicly traded share price as of the date of grant. The performance-based shares related to the Company’s stock price have an average fair value of $12.60 per share. The fair value was determined by using the Monte Carlo valuation method. For awards with performance conditions, the Company recognizes share-based compensation cost on a straight-line basis for each performance criteria over the implied service period.  2019, 0 options were granted.

During 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to performance-based shares of $3,094, $2,148, and $1,248, respectively. In 2019, the Company assessed the likelihood of achieving the performance measures based on peer group information currently available for the performance-based shares granted in 2018. Based on the performance thus far, the Company has concluded that it is likely that the performance measure based on EBIT and net sales will be met at 125% of targeted performance and have recorded the related additional expense in 2019. The performance shares based on market price are expected to be met at 125% of targeted performance. The effect of market conditions for performance shares based on market are included in the grant date fair value valuation and no additional expenses were recognized in 2019.


As of December 31, 2019, the Company had approximately $2,835 of unamortized stock-based compensation expenses related to unvested performance-based shares. This amount will be recognized over the weighted-average period of 1.9 years. This projected expense will change if any performance-based shares are granted or cancelled prior to the respective reporting periods, changes to expected vesting for performance-based shares or if there are any changes required to be made for estimated forfeitures.

A summary of non-vested shares as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, is presented below:

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

 

 

Number

of Shares

 

 

Weighted

Average

Grant

Date Fair

Value

 

 

Number

of Shares

 

 

Weighted

Average

Grant

Date Fair

Value

 

Nonvested shares at January 1st

 

 

287,077

 

 

$

16.87

 

 

 

186,057

 

 

$

14.93

 

Granted

 

 

137,557

 

 

 

16.96

 

 

 

130,332

 

 

 

18.74

 

Additional granted based on performance achievement

 

 

42,368

 

 

 

12.97

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vested

 

 

(92,572

)

 

 

14.78

 

 

 

(22,857

)

 

 

11.90

 

Forfeited

 

 

(28,998

)

 

 

17.70

 

 

 

(6,455

)

 

 

16.22

 

Nonvested shares at December 31st

 

 

345,432

 

 

$

16.92

 

 

 

287,077

 

 

$

16.87

 

Performance Incentive Stock Option PlanPlans

ForActivity of the three years ended December 31, 2019, the Company did not grant any employees performance incentive stock options to acquire shares of common stock.

Performance option activity is as follows:plans:

 

 

Number of

Shares

 

 

Weighted

Average

Price Per

Share

 

Balance outstanding, December 31, 2018

 

 

384,064

 

 

$

9.10

 

Options exercised

 

 

(51,241

)

 

 

8.87

 

Balance outstanding, December 31, 2019

 

 

332,823

 

 

$

9.14

 

Options exercised

 

 

(196,736

)

 

 

7.79

 

Options forfeited

 

 

(13,000

)

 

 

7.50

 

Balance outstanding, December 31, 2020

 

 

123,087

 

 

$

11.48

 

Options exercised

 

 

(15,051

)

 

 

11.41

 

Balance outstanding, December 31, 2021

 

 

108,036

 

 

$

11.49

 

 

 

 

Incentive

Stock Option

Plans

 

 

Weighted

Average

Price Per

Share

 

 

Exercisable

Weighted

Average

Price

Per Share

 

Balance outstanding, December 31, 2017

 

 

81,666

 

 

$

11.49

 

 

$

11.49

 

Additional vesting based on performance

 

 

77,598

 

 

 

11.49

 

 

 

11.49

 

Options exercised

 

 

(18,853

)

 

 

11.49

 

 

 

11.49

 

Balance outstanding, December 31, 2018

 

 

140,411

 

 

$

11.49

 

 

$

11.49

 

Options exercised

 

 

(19,629

)

 

 

11.49

 

 

 

11.49

 

Balance outstanding, December 31, 2019

 

 

120,782

 

 

$

11.49

 

 

$

11.49

 


 

Information relating to performanceOutstanding stock options at December 31, 2019 is2021, summarized by exercise price is as follows:price:

 

 

Outstanding Weighted Average

 

 

Exercisable Weighted Average

 

 

Outstanding Weighted Average

 

Exercise Price Per Share

 

Shares

 

 

Remaining

Life

(Months)

 

 

Exercise

Price

 

 

Shares

 

 

Exercise

Price

 

 

Number of

Shares

 

 

Remaining

Life

(Months)

 

 

Exercise

Price

 

Performance Incentive Stock Option Plan:

 

 

120,782

 

 

 

60

 

 

$

11.49

 

 

 

120,782

 

 

$

11.49

 

$11.49

 

 

108,036

 

 

 

36

 

 

$

11.49

 

 

 

108,036

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

11.49

 

 

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2021, 2020, and 2019 was $119, $1,393, and $393, respectively. Cash received from stock options exercised during 2021, 2020, and 2019 was $172, $1,533, and $454, respectively.

Performance Incentive Stock Option Plan

Activity of the performance incentive stock option plan:


 

 

Number of

Shares

 

 

Weighted

Average

Price Per

Share

 

 

Balance outstanding, December 31, 2018

 

 

140,411

 

 

$

11.49

 

 

Options exercised

 

 

(19,629

)

 

 

11.49

 

 

Balance outstanding, December 31, 2019

 

 

120,782

 

 

$

11.49

 

 

Options exercised

 

 

(6,124

)

 

 

11.49

 

 

Balance outstanding, December 31, 2021 and 2020

 

 

114,658

 

 

$

11.49

 

 

The weighted average exercise price for

All the performance options granted and exercisable and the weighted average remaining contractual life for performanceincentive stock options outstanding as of December 31, 20192021, have an exercise price per share of $11.49 and 2018 was as follows:

 

 

Number

of Shares

 

 

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

 

 

Weighted

Average

Remaining

Contractual

Life

(Months)

 

 

Intrinsic

Value

(thousands)

 

As of December 31, 2019:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Performance Incentive Stock Option Plans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

120,782

 

 

$

11.49

 

 

 

60

 

 

$

964

 

Vested

 

 

120,782

 

 

$

11.49

 

 

 

60

 

 

$

964

 

Exercisable

 

 

120,782

 

 

$

11.49

 

 

 

60

 

 

$

964

 

As of December 31, 2018:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Performance Incentive Stock Option Plans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

140,411

 

 

$

11.49

 

 

 

72

 

 

$

520

 

Vested

 

 

140,411

 

 

$

11.49

 

 

 

72

 

 

$

520

 

Exercisable

 

 

140,411

 

 

$

11.49

 

 

 

72

 

 

$

520

 

a remaining life of 36 months.

 

During 2017, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to performance incentive stock options of $416. During 2019 and 2018, the Company did not recognize stock-based compensation expense related to performance incentive stock options.  

(13)(14) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table lists the beginning balance, annual activity and ending balance of foreign currency translation adjustment included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss:

 

Balance, December 31, 2016

 

$

(4,851

)

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

344

 

Balance, December 31, 2017

 

 

(4,507

)

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2018

 

 

(4,507

)

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

(1,191

)

Balance, December 31, 2019

 

$

(5,698

)

Balance, December 31, 2018

 

$

(4,507

)

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax effects of $802

 

 

(1,191

)

Balance, December 31, 2019

 

 

(5,698

)

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax effects of $2,521

 

 

(3,624

)

Balance, December 31, 2020

 

 

(9,322

)

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax effects of $76

 

 

(4,462

)

Balance, December 31, 2021

 

$

(13,784

)

 

(14)(15) Equity Method Investments

The Company utilized the equity method of accounting with respect to its investment in TyraTech, a Delaware corporation that specialized in developing, marketing and selling pesticide products containing essential oils and other natural ingredients, until the Company acquired all of TyraTech’s remaining outstanding shares as of November 8, 2018 (see Note 8). For the period from January 1, 2018 to November 8, 2018, and for the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized losses of $1,424, and $177, respectively on its equity method investment. In addition, the Company recognized a gain in the amount of $1,463 in connection with the re-measurement of its pre-existing equity interest in TyraTech at fair value as of the acquisition date of the remaining outstanding shares. As of December 31, 2017, the Company’s ownership position in TyraTech was approximately 15.11%.

Investment

On August 2, 2016, AMVAC BV entered into a joint venture with Huifeng.Huifeng (Hong Kong) Ltd, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Huifeng Group. The resulting entity, Hong Kong JV, iswas intended to focus on activities such as market access and technology transfer between the two members. AMVAC BV is a 50% owner of the entity. No material contributions were made subsequent to the initial investment.


On June 27, 2017, both AMVAC BV and Huifeng (Hong Kong) Ltd. made individual capital contributions of $950 to the Hong Kong JV. As of December 31, 20192021, 2020 and 2018,2019, the Company’s ownership position in the Hong Kong JV was 50%. The Company utilizes the equity method of accounting with respect to this investment.


On July 7, 2017, the Hong Kong JV purchased the shares of Profeng Australia, Pty Ltd. (“Profeng”), for a total consideration of $1,900. The purchase consists of Profeng Australia, Pty Ltd Trustee and Profeng Australia Unit Trust. Both Trust and Trustee were previously owned by Huifeng via(via its wholly owned subsidiary Huifeng (Hong Kong) LtdLtd). For the years ended December 31, 2019, 20182021, 2020 and 2017,2019, the Company recognized a (loss)losses of $388 (including an impairment charge of $288), $125, and income of ($209), ($356) and $128,$209, respectively, as a result of the Company’s ownership position in the Hong Kong JV. AtAs at December 31, 20192021, 2020 and 2018,2019, the carrying value of the Company’s investment in the Hong Kong JV was $0, $388 and $513, and $722, respectively.    

(15)(16) Equity InvestmentInvestments

In February 2016, AMVAC BV made an equity investment of $3,283 in Biological Products for Agriculture (“Bi-PA”). Bi-PA develops biological plant protection products that can be used for the control of pests and disease of agricultural crops. As of December 31, 20192021, 2020 and 2018,2019, the Company’s ownership position in Bi-PA was 15%. Since this investment does not have readily determinable fair value, the Company has elected to measure the investment at cost less impairment, if any, and alsoto record an increase or decrease for changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of Bi-PA. The Company periodically reviews the investment for possible impairment. The Company recorded an impairment in the amount of $399 during the year ended December 31, 2021. There was nowere 0 impairment or observable price changes on the investment during the years ended December 31, 20192020 and 2018. 2019. The investment is not material and is recorded within other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

(16)On April 1, 2020, AMVAC purchased 6.25 million shares, an ownership of approximately 8%, of common stock of Clean Seed Capital Group Ltd. (TSX Venture Exchange: “CSX”) for $1,190. The shares are publicly traded, have a readily determinable fair value, and are considered a Level 1 investment. The fair value of the stock amounted to $1,516 and $1,907 as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and the Company recorded a loss of $391 and a gain of $717 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.The investment is recorded within other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

(17) Share Repurchase ProgramPrograms

On March 8, 2022, pursuant to a Board of Directors resolution, the Company announced its intention to repurchase an aggregate number of up to 1,000,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.10 per share, in the open market over the succeeding one year at a price not to exceed $20 per share, subject to limitations and restrictions under applicable securities laws.

On August 30, 2021, pursuant to a Board of Directors resolution, the Company announced its intention to repurchase an aggregate number of 300,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.10 per share, in the open market over the succeeding six months. During 2021, the Company purchased 300,000 shares of its common stock for a total of $4,579 at an average price of $15.26 per share.

On November 5, 2018, pursuant to a Board of Directors resolution, the Company announced its intention to repurchase an aggregate number of shares with a total purchase price not to exceed $20,000 of its common stock, par value $0.10 per share, in the open market, depending upon market conditions over the shortat a price not to mid-term.exceed $17 per share, subject to limitations and restrictions under applicable securities laws. The Shares Repurchase Program expired on March 8, 2019. During 2019, and 2018, the Company purchased 158,048 and 452,358 shares for a total of $2,604 and $7,287 at an average price of $16.48 and $16.11 per share, respectively.for a total of $2,604.

The table below summarizes the number of shares of our common stock that were repurchased during the years ended December 31, 20192021, 2020 and 2018.2019. The shares and respective amount are recorded as treasury shares on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.  

 

Month ended

 

Total number of

shares purchased

 

 

Average price paid

per share

 

 

Total amount paid

 

 

Total number of

shares purchased

 

 

Average price paid

per share

 

 

Total amount paid

 

August 31, 2021

 

 

78,300

 

 

$

15.37

 

 

$

1,203

 

September 30, 2021

 

 

221,700

 

 

$

15.23

 

 

$

3,376

 

Total number of shares repurchased

 

 

300,000

 

 

$

15.26

 

 

$

4,579

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 31, 2019

 

 

158,048

 

 

$

16.48

 

 

$

2,604

 

 

 

158,048

 

 

$

16.48

 

 

$

2,604

 

Total number of shares repurchased

 

 

158,048

 

 

$

16.48

 

 

$

2,604

 

 

 

158,048

 

 

$

16.48

 

 

$

2,604

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 30, 2018

 

 

196,858

 

 

$

17.10

 

 

$

3,366

 

December 31, 2018

 

 

255,500

 

 

 

15.35

 

 

 

3,921

 

Total number of shares repurchased

 

 

452,358

 

 

$

16.11

 

 

$

7,287

 

 


(17) Quarterly Data—Unaudited

The following tables contain selected unaudited statement of operations information for each quarter of 2019 and 2018. The Company believes that the following information reflects all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the information for the periods presented. The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.(18) Supplemental Cash Flows Information

 

 

 

March 31

 

 

June 30

 

 

September 30

 

 

December 31

 

Quarterly Data—2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

99,676

 

 

$

113,104

 

 

$

124,884

 

 

$

130,521

 

Gross profit

 

 

41,702

 

 

 

41,653

 

 

 

47,463

 

 

 

46,536

 

Net income attributable to American Vanguard

 

 

3,906

 

 

 

3,106

 

 

 

3,153

 

 

 

3,436

 

Basic net income per share

 

 

0.13

 

 

 

0.11

 

 

 

0.11

 

 

 

0.12

 

Diluted net income per share

 

 

0.13

 

 

 

0.11

 

 

 

0.11

 

 

 

0.12

 

Quarterly Data—2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

104,108

 

 

$

107,046

 

 

$

111,780

 

 

$

131,338

 

Gross profit

 

 

41,051

 

 

 

43,297

 

 

 

45,300

 

 

 

52,983

 

Net income attributable to American Vanguard

 

 

4,655

 

 

 

5,599

 

 

 

6,525

 

 

 

7,416

 

Basic net income per share

 

 

0.16

 

 

 

0.19

 

 

 

0.22

 

 

 

0.25

 

Diluted net income per share

 

 

0.16

 

 

 

0.19

 

 

 

0.22

 

 

 

0.25

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Supplemental cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the year for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

$

3,520

 

 

$

5,313

 

 

$

7,121

 

Income taxes, net

 

$

5,796

 

 

$

3,881

 

 

$

9,276

 

Non-cash transactions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ROU assets in exchange for lease liabilities

 

$

18,521

 

 

$

6,309

 

 

$

3,580

 

Deferred consideration in connection with business and asset acquisitions

 

$

758

 

 

$

2,630

 

 

$

3,051

 

Cash dividends declared and included in accrued expenses

 

$

594

 

 

$

592

 

 

$

582

 

 

Note: Totals may not agree with full year amounts due to rounding and separate calculations each quarter.

68

(18) Forward Cover Contract

As of October 26, 2018, the Company entered into a foreign exchange forward cover contract in connection with the anticipated acquisition of the Defensive and Agrovant businesses in Brazil. The forward cover contract’s settlement amount was determined based on the BRL/USD exchange rate on December 27, 2018 and the Company was required to make a payment (and record a loss) under the terms of the contract in the amount of $1,401. Under the accounting rules for derivative financial instruments, a gain or loss related to a contract, which is entered into in connection with an anticipated business combination, is recorded in the statements of operations. There were no similar losses or gains recorded in either 2019 or 2017.

69