UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
þ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended May 31, 20212022
¨ | 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: 000-06936
Commission Company Name: WD 40 CO
WD-40 COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware |
| 95-1797918 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
| (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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9715 Businesspark Avenue, San Diego, California |
| 92131 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (619) 275-1400
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of exchange on which registered | ||
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share | WDFC | NASDAQ Global Select Market |
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 þ 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 þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See 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 þ 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.¨
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ¨ No þ
The number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, as of July 2, 20211, 2022 was 13,707,76713,627,441.
WD-40 COMPANY
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended May 31, 20212022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Item 2. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
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Item 1A. |
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PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WD-40 COMPANY NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) Note 1. The Company WD-40 Company The Company’s products are sold in various locations around the world. Maintenance products are sold worldwide in markets throughout North, Central and South America, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Homecare and cleaning products are sold primarily in North America, the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) and Australia. The Company’s products are sold primarily through warehouse club stores, hardware stores, automotive parts outlets, industrial distributors and suppliers, mass retail and home center stores, value retailers, grocery stores, online retailers, farm supply, sport retailers, and independent bike dealers. Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting PoliciesBasis of Consolidation The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company, without audit, according to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial information for the interim periods shown reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair statement thereof and such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of operating results for an entire fiscal year. COVID-19 Considerations The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted global economic conditions and has contributed to significant volatility in financial markets beginning in early calendar year that actual results experienced may differ materially from the Company’s estimates in future periods, which could materially affect our results of operations and financial condition. Foreign Currency Forward Contracts In the normal course of business, the Company employs established policies and procedures to manage its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company utilizes foreign currency forward contracts to limit its exposure to net asset balances held in non-functional currencies, primarily at its U.K. subsidiary. The Company regularly monitors its foreign currency exchange rate exposures to ensure the overall effectiveness of its foreign currency hedge positions. While the Company engages in foreign currency hedging activity to reduce its risk, for accounting purposes, none of its foreign currency forward contracts are designated as hedges. Foreign currency forward contracts are carried at fair value, with net realized and unrealized gains and losses recognized Fair Value of Financial Instruments Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company categorizes its financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a hierarchy that categorizes fair value measurements into the following three levels based on the types of inputs used in measuring their fair value: Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or observable inputs that are corroborated by market data; and Level 3: Unobservable inputs reflecting the Company’s own assumptions. Under fair value accounting, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. As of May 31, Internal-Use Software and Cloud Computing Arrangements
The Company capitalizes costs related to computer software obtained or developed for internal use. Software obtained for internal use has generally been enterprise-level business and finance software that the Company customizes to meet its specific operational needs. Costs incurred in the application development phase are capitalized as property and equipment in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. The Company also enters into certain cloud-based software hosting arrangements. In evaluating whether cloud computing arrangements include an embedded internal-use software license, management considers whether the Company has the contractual right to take possession of the software during the hosting period without significant penalty and whether it is feasible to either i) run the software on the Company’s hardware, or ii) contract with another party unrelated to the vendor to host the software. If management determines a cloud computing arrangement includes an embedded software license, the Company accounts for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other internal-use software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the Company accounts for the arrangement as a service contract. For such cloud computing service contracts, the Company capitalizes certain implementation costs such as the configuration, coding and customization of the software. Capitalizable cloud computing arrangement costs are generally consistent with those incurred during the application development stage for internal-use software, however, these costs are capitalized as “other assets” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company amortizes these capitalized cloud computing implementation costs into selling, general and administrative expenses using the straight-line method over the fixed, non-cancellable term of the associated hosting arrangement, plus any reasonably certain renewal periods. The useful lives of the Company’s internal-use software and capitalized cloud computing implementation costs are generally three to five years. However, the useful lives of major information system installations such as implementations of enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) systems are determined on an individual basis and may exceed five years depending on the estimated period of use. The Company applies the same impairment model to both internal-use software and capitalized cloud computing implementation costs. Recently In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, “Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes” under ASC 740, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and Note 3. Inventories
Note 4. Property and Equipment and Capitalized Cloud-Based Software Implementation Costs Property and equipment, net, consisted of the following (in thousands):
At August 31, 2021, capital in progress on the balance sheet included $30.3 million associated with capital costs related to proprietary machinery and equipment for the Company’s next generation of delivery systems for its WD-40 Smart Straw® products. During the nine months ended May 31, 2022, $13.5 million of this machinery and equipment was placed in service and thus the Company reclassified these amounts from capital in progress to machinery, equipment and vehicles. As of May 31, 2022 and August 31, 2021, the Company’s balance sheet included $5.4 million and $2.6 million, respectively, of capitalized cloud-based implementation costs recorded as other assets within the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. Accumulated amortization associated with these assets were 0t significant as of May 31, 2022 and August 31, 2021. Amortization expense associated with these assets were 0t significant for the three or nine months ended May 31, 2022 or 2021. Note 5. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill The following table summarizes the changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill by segment (in thousands):
There were no indicators of impairment identified as a result of the Company’s review of events and circumstances related to its goodwill subsequent to December 1, Definite-lived Intangible Assets The Company’s definite-lived intangible assets, which include the Spot Shot, Carpet Fresh, 1001, EZ REACH and GT85 trade names, are included in other intangible assets, net in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The following table summarizes the definite-lived intangible assets and the related accumulated amortization (in thousands):
There has been 0 impairment charge for the nine months ended May 31, Changes in the carrying amounts of definite-lived intangible assets by segment for the nine months ended May 31,
The estimated amortization expense for the Company’s definite-lived intangible assets
Note Accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
Accrued payroll and related expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
Note As of May 31, Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement The Company holds borrowings under its Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement, as amended (the “Note Agreement”) by and among the Company, PGIM, Inc. (“Prudential”), and certain affiliates and managed accounts of Prudential (the “Note Purchasers”). Credit Agreement The Company’s Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as amended (the “Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A. consists of a revolving commitment for borrowing by the Company up to $150.0 million with a sublimit of $100.0 million for WD-40 Company Limited, a wholly owned operating subsidiary of the Company for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India. The Credit Agreement currently has a maturity date of September 30, 2025. On
Short-term and long-term borrowings under the Company’s Credit Agreement and Note Agreement consisted of the following (in thousands):
(1)The Company has the ability to refinance any draw under the line of credit with successive short-term borrowings through the maturity date. Outstanding draws for which management has (2)Principal payments are required semi-annually in May and November of each year in equal installments of $0.4 million through May 15, (3) Both the Note Agreement and the Credit Agreement contain representations, warranties, events of default and remedies, as well as affirmative, negative and other financial covenants customary for these types of agreements. These covenants include, among other things, certain limitations on the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur indebtedness, create liens, dispose of assets, make investments, declare, make or incur obligations to make certain restricted payments, including the payment of dividends and payments for the repurchase of the Company’s capital stock and enter into certain merger or consolidation transactions. The Credit Agreement includes, among other limitations on indebtedness, a $125.0 million limit on other unsecured indebtedness. Each agreement also includes a most favored lender provision which requires that any time any other lender has the benefit of one or more financial or operational covenants that is different than, or similar to, but more restrictive than those contained in its own agreement, those covenants shall be immediately and automatically incorporated by reference to the other lender’s agreement. Both the Note Agreement and the Credit Agreement require the Company to adhere to the same financial covenants. For the financial covenants, the definition of consolidated EBITDA includes the add back of non-cash stock-based compensation to consolidated net income when arriving at consolidated EBITDA. The terms of the financial covenants are as follows: The consolidated leverage ratio cannot be greater than three and a half to one. The consolidated leverage ratio means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) consolidated funded indebtedness as of such date to (b) consolidated EBITDA for the most recently completed four fiscal quarters. The consolidated interest coverage ratio cannot be less than 3 to one. The consolidated interest coverage ratio means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) consolidated EBITDA for the most recently completed four fiscal quarters to (b) consolidated interest charges for the most recently completed four fiscal quarters As of May 31,
Note On Note | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 21,006 | $ | 14,524 | $ | 61,820 | $ | 41,045 | $ | 14,480 | $ | 21,006 | $ | 52,543 | $ | 61,820 | ||||||
Less: Net income allocated to | ||||||||||||||||||||||
participating securities | (73) | (68) | (247) | (203) | (56) | (73) | (193) | (247) | ||||||||||||||
Net income available to common shareholders | $ | 20,933 | $ | 14,456 | $ | 61,573 | $ | 40,842 | $ | 14,424 | $ | 20,933 | $ | 52,350 | $ | 61,573 | ||||||
The table below summarizes the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding included in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS (in thousands):
Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
Weighted-average common | ||||||||||||||||||||||
shares outstanding, basic | 13,708 | 13,674 | 13,694 | 13,700 | 13,656 | 13,708 | 13,683 | 13,694 | ||||||||||||||
Weighted-average dilutive securities | 38 | 26 | 33 | 27 | 24 | 38 | 29 | 33 | ||||||||||||||
Weighted-average common | ||||||||||||||||||||||
shares outstanding, diluted | 13,746 | 13,700 | 13,727 | 13,727 | 13,680 | 13,746 | 13,712 | 13,727 | ||||||||||||||
For the three and nine months ended May 31, 2022, weighted-average stock-based equity awards outstanding that are non-participating securities in the amount of 11,607 and 8,677, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS under the treasury stock method as they were anti-dilutive. For the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, there were 0 anti-dilutive stock-based equity awards outstanding.For the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, weighted-average stock-based equity awards outstanding that are non-participating securities in the amount of 9,479 and 8,229, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS under the treasury stock method as they were anti-dilutive.
Note 11.10. Revenue Recognition
The following paragraphs detail the Company’s revenue recognition policies and provide additional information used in its determination of net sales and contract balances under ASC 606.
Revenue Recognition
The Company generates revenue from sales of its products to customers in its Americas, EMEA and Asia-Pacific segments. Product sales for the Company include maintenance products and homecare and cleaning products. The Company recognizes revenue related to the sale of these products when it satisfies a performance obligation in an amount reflecting the consideration to which it expects to be entitled. Sales are recorded net of allowances for damaged goods and other sales returns, sales incentives, trade promotions and cash discounts. The Company applies a five-step approach in determining the amount and timing of revenue to be recognized which includes the following: (1) identifying the contract with a customer, (2) identifying the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determining the transaction price, (4) allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (5) recognizing revenue when the performance obligation is satisfied.
Contracts with customers are renewable periodically and contain terms and conditions with respect to payment, delivery, sales incentives, warranty and supply, but do not require mandatory purchase commitments. In the absence of a specific sales agreement with a customer, the Company’s standard terms and conditions at the time of acceptance of purchase orders apply to the sales transaction. The Company’s standard terms and conditions are either included in a standalone document or on the Company’s price lists or both, and these standard terms and conditions are provided to the customer prior to the sales transaction. The Company considers the customer purchase orders, governed by specific sales agreements or the Company’s standard terms and conditions, to be the contract with the customer. The Company considers each transaction to sell products as separate and distinct, with no additional promises made, and as a result, all of the Company's sales are single performance obligation arrangements for which the transaction price is equivalent to the stated price of the product, net of any variable consideration for items such as sales returns, discounts, rebates and other sales incentives. The Company recognizes sales at a point in time upon transferring control of its product to the customer. This typically occurs when products are shipped or delivered, depending on when risks of loss and title have passed to the customer per the terms of the contract.
Taxes imposed by governmental authorities on the Company's revenue, such as sales taxes and value added taxes, are excluded from net sales. Sales commissions are paid to certain third parties based upon specific sales levels achieved during a defined time period. Since the Company’s contracts related to these sales commissions do not exceed one year, the Company has elected as a practical expedient to expense these payments as incurred. The Company also elected the practical expedient related to shipping and handling fees which allows the Company to account for freight costs as fulfillment activities instead of assessing such activities as performance obligations. The Company’s freight costs are sometimes paid by the customer, while other times, the freight costs are included in the sales price. The Company does not account for freight costs as a separate performance obligation, but rather as an activity performed to transfer the products to its customers.
Variable Consideration - Sales Incentives
In determining the transaction price, the Company evaluates whether the price is subject to refund or adjustment related to variable consideration to determine the net consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled. The Company records estimates of variable consideration, which primarily includes rebates/other discounts (cooperative marketing programs, volume-based discounts, shelf price reductions and allowances for shelf space, charges from customers for services they provided to us related to the sale and penalties/fines charged to us by customers associated with failing to adhere to contractual obligations), coupon offers, cash discount allowances, and sales returns, as a reduction of sales in its consolidated statements of operations. These estimates are based on the expected value method considering all reasonably available information, including current and past trade promotion spending patterns, status of trade promotion activities, the interpretation of historical spending trends by customer and category, customer agreements and/or currently known factors that arise in the normal course of business. The Company reviews its assumptions and adjusts these estimates accordingly on a quarterly basis.
Rebates/Other Discounts — The Company offers various on-going trade promotion programs with customers and provides other discounts to customers that require management to estimate and accrue for the expected costs of such programs or discounts. These programs include cooperative marketing, volume-based discounts, shelf price reductions, consideration and allowances given to retailers for shelf space and/or favorable display positions in their stores and other promotional activities. Other discounts include items such as charges from customers for services they provide related to the sale of WD-40 Company products and penalties/fees associated with WD-40 Company failing to adhere to contractual obligations (e.g., errors on purchase orders, errors on shipment, late deliveries, etc.). Costs related to rebates, cooperative advertising and other promotional activities and other discounts are recorded as a reduction to sales upon delivery of the Company’s products to its customers. The Company had a $8.5 million and $7.5 million balance in rebate/other discount liabilities as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively, which are included in accrued liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company recorded approximately $7.5 million and $20.2 million in rebates/other discounts as a reduction to sales during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, respectively. Rebates/other discounts as a reduction to sales during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020 were approximately $5.2 million and $14.6 million, respectively.
Coupons — Coupon costs are based upon historical redemption rates and are recorded as a reduction to sales as incurred, which is when the coupons are circulated. Coupon redemption liabilities, which are included in accrued liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets, were not significant at May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020. Coupons recorded as a reduction to sales during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020, were also not significant.
Cash discounts — The Company offers certain of its customers a cash discount program to incentivize them to pay the invoice earlier than the normal payment date on the invoice. Although payment terms vary, most customers typically pay within 30 to 90 days of invoicing. The Company had a $0.5 million balance in the allowance for cash discounts at both May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020. The Company recorded approximately $1.3 million and $3.6 million in cash discounts as a reduction to sales during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, respectively. Cash discounts as a reduction to sales during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020 were approximately $1.1 million and $3.1 million, respectively.
Sales returns — The Company recognizes revenue net of allowances for estimated returns, which is based on historical return rates, with a corresponding reduction to cost of products sold. Although the Company typically does not have definitive sales return provisions included in the contract terms with its customers, when such provisions have been included, they have not been significant. The Company presents its provision for sales returns on a gross basis as a liability. The Company’s refund liability for sales returns is included in accrued liabilities and represents the amount expected to be owed to the customers for product returns. The Company’s refund liability for sales returns was not significant at both May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020. The Company also records an asset for the value of inventory that represents the right to recover products from customers associated with sales returns. The value of this inventory is recorded to other current assets and the balance in this account associated with product returns was not significant at May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020.
Disaggregation of Revenue
The Company's revenue is presented on a disaggregated basis in Note 14 – Business Segmentsfollowing table presents our revenues by segment and Foreign Operations included in this report. The Company discloses certain information about its business segments, which are determined consistent with the way the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker organizesmajor source (in thousands):
:
Three Months Ended May 31, 2022: | Nine Months Ended May 31, 2022: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Americas | EMEA | Asia-Pacific | Total | Americas | EMEA | Asia-Pacific | Total | |||||||||||||||||
Maintenance products | $ | 57,778 | $ | 47,289 | $ | 10,427 | $ | 115,494 | $ | 160,171 | $ | 154,825 | $ | 48,429 | $ | 363,425 | ||||||||
HCCP (1) | 3,675 | 2,161 | 2,337 | 8,173 | 12,067 | 6,243 | 6,664 | 24,974 | ||||||||||||||||
Total net sales | $ | 61,453 | $ | 49,450 | $ | 12,764 | $ | 123,667 | $ | 172,238 | $ | 161,068 | $ | 55,093 | $ | 388,399 | ||||||||
Three Months Ended May 31, 2021: | Nine Months Ended May 31, 2021: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Americas | EMEA | Asia-Pacific | Total | Americas | EMEA | Asia-Pacific | Total | |||||||||||||||||
Maintenance products | $ | 55,917 | $ | 56,074 | $ | 15,383 | $ | 127,374 | $ | 145,729 | $ | 156,188 | $ | 42,529 | $ | 344,446 | ||||||||
HCCP (1) | 4,129 | 2,513 | 2,389 | 9,031 | 14,661 | 6,962 | 6,800 | 28,423 | ||||||||||||||||
Total net sales | $ | 60,046 | $ | 58,587 | $ | 17,772 | $ | 136,405 | $ | 160,390 | $ | 163,150 | $ | 49,329 | $ | 372,869 | ||||||||
(1)Homecare and evaluates financial information internally for making operating decisions and assessing performance. The Chief Operating Decision Maker assesses and measures revenue based on geographic area and product groups.cleaning products (“HCCP”)
Contract Balances
Contract liabilities consist of deferred revenue related to undelivered products. Deferred revenue is recorded when payments have been received from customers for undelivered products. Revenue is subsequently recognized when revenue recognition criteria are met, generally when control of the product transfers to the customer. The Company had contract liabilities of $2.2 million and $1.4$3.7 million as of both May 31, 20212022 and August 31, 2020, respectively.2021. All of the $3.7 million that was included in contract liabilities as of August 31, 2021 was recognized to revenue during the nine months ended May 31, 2022. These contract liabilities are recorded in accrued liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company did 0t have any contract assets as of May 31, 20212022 and August 31, 2020.2021.
Note 12.11. Commitments and Contingencies
Purchase Commitments
The Company has ongoing relationships with various suppliers (contract manufacturers) that manufacture the Company’s products and third-party distribution centers that warehouse and ship the Company’s products to customers. The contract manufacturers maintain title and control of certain raw materials and components, materials utilized in finished products, and of the finished products themselves until shipment to the Company’s customers or third-party distribution centers in accordance with agreed upon shipment terms. Although the Company has definitive minimum purchase obligations included in the contract terms with certain of its contract manufacturers, when such obligations have been included, they have either been immaterial or the minimum amounts have been such that they are well below the volume of goods that the Company has historically purchased. In the ordinary course of business, supply needs are communicated by the Company to its contract manufacturers based on orders and short-term projections, ranging from two months to six months. The Company is committed to purchase the products produced by the contract manufacturers based on the projections provided.
Upon the termination of contracts with contract manufacturers, the Company obtains certain inventory control rights and is obligated to work with the contract manufacturer to sell through all product held by or manufactured by the contract manufacturer on behalf of the Company during the termination notification period. If any inventory remains at the contract manufacturer at the termination date, the Company is obligated to purchase such inventory, which may include raw materials, components and finished goods. The amounts for inventory purchased under termination commitments have been immaterial.
In addition to the commitments to purchase products from contract manufacturers described above, the Company may also enter into commitments with other manufacturers to purchase finished goods and components to support innovation and renovation initiatives and/or supply chain initiatives. As of May 31, 2021,2022, 0 such commitments were outstanding.
Litigation
From time to time, the Company is subject to various claims, lawsuits, investigations and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, including but not limited to, product liability litigation and other claims and proceedings with respect to intellectual property, breach of contract, labor and employment, tax and other matters. Except as disclosed herein,As of May 31, 2022, there arewere no unasserted claims or pending proceedings for claims against the Company that the Company believes will result in a probable loss for the Company as of May 31, 2021.loss. As to claims that the Company believes may result in a reasonably possible loss, the Company believes that no reasonably possible outcome of any such claim will have a materially adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
On or about August 18, 2020, Benny Bong (“Bong”) filed a civil action against the Company and the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, WD-40 Manufacturing Company (“WD-40 Manufacturing”), in Indonesia in the Commercial District Court of Central Jakarta, case reference number 41 / Pdt.Sus-Merek / 2020 / PN.Niaga.Jkt.Pst. (the “Jakarta Litigation”). In April 2021, the Company and WD-40 Manufacturing, owner of the WD-40 brand trademarks, were served with Summons and Complaint for the Jakarta Litigation, in which Bong is seeking damages based on the Company’s enforcement actions against Bong following registration of a Get All-40 trademark that includes a yellow shield logo similar to the WD-40 brand shield logo. The complaint asserts claims for damages for more than $25.0 million, and a request for a public apology by the Company and WD-40 Manufacturing.
The dispute underlying the Jakarta Litigation follows 2018 litigation filed by WD-40 Manufacturing, in which the Commercial District Court ordered cancellation of two earlier Get All-40 trademark registrations. In January 2021, WD-40 Manufacturing filed a new cancellation action seeking to invalidate the most recent Get All-40 trademark registration.
The Company denies the allegations asserted by Bong and will vigorously defend itself in the Jakarta Litigation. The Company believes that an unfavorable outcome in the Jakarta Litigation is not probable. Due to the uncertainty as to the claims asserted by Bong for recovery of damages and as to future actions in the Jakarta Litigation, the Company is unable to estimate an amount of possible future loss or a range of possible loss.
For further information on the risks the Company faces from existing and future claims, suits,lawsuits, investigations and proceedings, see the Company’s risk factors disclosed in Part I―Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020,2021, which was filed with the SEC on October 21, 2020.22, 2021.
Indemnifications
As permitted under Delaware law, the Company has agreements whereby it indemnifies senior officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was, serving at the Company’s request in such capacity. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, the Company maintains Director and Officer insurance coverage that mitigates the Company’s exposure with respect to such obligations. As a result of the Company’s insurance coverage, management believes that the estimated fair value of these indemnification agreements is minimal. Thus, 0 liabilities have been recorded for these agreements as of May 31, 2021.2022.
From time to time, the Company enters into indemnification agreements with certain contractual parties in the ordinary course of business, including agreements with lenders, lessors, contract manufacturers, marketing distributors, customers and certain vendors. All such indemnification agreements are entered into in the context of the particular agreements and are provided in an attempt to properly allocate risk of loss in connection with the consummation of the underlying contractual arrangements. Although the maximum amount of future payments that the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited, management believes that the Company maintains adequate levels of insurance coverage to protect the Company with respect to most potential claims arising from such agreements and that such agreements do not otherwise have value separate and apart from the liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of the Company’s business. Thus, 0 liabilities have been recorded with respect to such indemnification agreements as of May 31, 2021.2022.
Note 13.12. Income Taxes
The Company uses an estimated annual effective tax rate, which is based on expected annual income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates, to determine its quarterly provision for income taxes. Certain significant or unusual items are separately recognized in the quarter in which they occur and can be a source of variability in the effective tax rates from quarter to quarter.
The provision for income taxes was 21.9%20.9% and 23.9%21.9% of income before income taxes for the three months ended May 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively. The decrease in the effective income tax rate from period to period was primarily due to higher earnings from foreign operations resulting in an increasechanges in the benefit received from the applicationexpected timing and amounts of the Foreign-Derived Intangible Income calculation, coupled with a one-time benefit receivedexecutive compensation in fiscal year 2021 from an Investment Tax Credit.future periods which impacts deductible expenses.
The provision for income taxes was 17.7%20.2% and 19.1%17.7% of income before income taxes for the nine months ended May 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively. The decreaseincrease in the effective income tax rate from period to period was primarily due to a benefit from the High Tax Exception associated with Global Intangible Low Taxed Income during the first half of fiscal year 2021, as well as an increase in excess earnings from foreign operations resulting in an increase in the benefit received from the application of the Foreign-Derived Intangible Income calculation.non-deductible performance-based compensation expense.
The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. and in various state and foreign jurisdictions. Due to expired statutes, the Company’s federal income tax returns for years prior to fiscal year 2018 are not subject to examination by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Generally, for the majority of state and foreign jurisdictions where the Company does business, periods prior to fiscal year 20172018 are no longer subject to examination. The Company is currently under audit in various state jurisdictions for fiscal years 20172018 through 2019.2020. Estimated unrecognized tax benefits related to income tax positions affected by the resolution of tax examinations or expiring statutes of limitation within the next twelve months were not significant. Audit outcomes and the timing of settlements are subject to significant uncertainty.
Note 14.13. Business Segments and Foreign Operations
The Company evaluates the performance of its segments and allocates resources to them based on sales and operating income. The Company is organized on the basis of geographical area into the following 3 segments: the Americas; EMEA; and Asia-Pacific. Segment data does not include inter-segment revenues. Unallocated corporate expenses are general corporate overhead expenses not directly attributable to the business segments and are reported separate from the Company’s identified segments. The corporate overhead costs include expenses for the Company’s accounting and finance, information technology, human resources, research and development, quality control and executive management functions, as well as all direct costs associated with public company compliance matters including legal, audit and other professional services costs.
Summary information about reportable segments is as follows (in thousands):
Unallocated | Unallocated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the Three Months Ended | Americas | EMEA | Asia-Pacific | Corporate (1) | Total | Americas | EMEA | Asia-Pacific | Corporate (1) | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
May 31, 2022: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 61,453 | $ | 49,450 | $ | 12,764 | $ | - | $ | 123,667 | ||||||||||||||||||
Income from operations | $ | 13,360 | $ | 10,146 | $ | 3,101 | $ | (7,623) | $ | 18,984 | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
amortization expense | $ | 1,077 | $ | 780 | $ | 70 | $ | 131 | $ | 2,058 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest income | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 27 | $ | - | $ | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | $ | 518 | $ | 151 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 669 | ||||||||||||||||||
May 31, 2021: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 60,046 | $ | 58,587 | $ | 17,772 | $ | - | $ | 136,405 | $ | 60,046 | $ | 58,587 | $ | 17,772 | $ | - | $ | 136,405 | ||||||||
Income from operations | $ | 15,582 | $ | 15,288 | $ | 5,241 | $ | (8,790) | $ | 27,321 | $ | 15,582 | $ | 15,288 | $ | 5,241 | $ | (8,790) | $ | 27,321 | ||||||||
Depreciation and | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
amortization expense | $ | 840 | $ | 810 | $ | 78 | $ | 80 | $ | 1,808 | $ | 840 | $ | 810 | $ | 78 | $ | 80 | $ | 1,808 | ||||||||
Interest income | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 21 | $ | - | $ | 21 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 21 | $ | - | $ | 21 | ||||||||
Interest expense | $ | 489 | $ | 126 | $ | 1 | $ | - | $ | 615 | $ | 489 | $ | 125 | $ | 1 | $ | - | $ | 615 | ||||||||
May 31, 2020: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
May 31, 2022: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 50,094 | $ | 32,521 | $ | 15,632 | $ | - | $ | 98,247 | $ | 172,238 | $ | 161,068 | $ | 55,093 | $ | - | $ | 388,399 | ||||||||
Income from operations | $ | 14,424 | $ | 7,180 | $ | 5,736 | $ | (7,528) | $ | 19,812 | $ | 36,594 | $ | 38,074 | $ | 18,328 | $ | (25,209) | $ | 67,787 | ||||||||
Depreciation and | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
amortization expense | $ | 1,128 | $ | 724 | $ | 72 | $ | 32 | $ | 1,956 | $ | 3,289 | $ | 2,377 | $ | 214 | $ | 260 | $ | 6,140 | ||||||||
Interest income | $ | 2 | $ | 1 | $ | 17 | $ | - | $ | 20 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 73 | $ | - | $ | 73 | ||||||||
Interest expense | $ | 635 | $ | 142 | $ | 1 | $ | - | $ | 778 | $ | 1,502 | $ | 397 | $ | 3 | $ | - | $ | 1,902 | ||||||||
Nine Months Ended: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
May 31, 2021: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 160,390 | $ | 163,150 | $ | 49,329 | $ | - | $ | 372,869 | $ | 160,390 | $ | 163,150 | $ | 49,329 | $ | - | $ | 372,869 | ||||||||
Income from operations | $ | 40,564 | $ | 47,207 | $ | 15,488 | $ | (26,891) | $ | 76,368 | $ | 40,564 | $ | 47,207 | $ | 15,488 | $ | (26,891) | $ | 76,368 | ||||||||
Depreciation and | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
amortization expense | $ | 2,426 | $ | 2,373 | $ | 229 | $ | 238 | $ | 5,266 | $ | 2,426 | $ | 2,373 | $ | 229 | $ | 238 | $ | 5,266 | ||||||||
Interest income | $ | 1 | $ | 5 | $ | 53 | $ | - | $ | 59 | $ | 1 | $ | 5 | $ | 53 | $ | - | $ | 59 | ||||||||
Interest expense | $ | 1,435 | $ | 356 | $ | 4 | $ | - | $ | 1,795 | $ | 1,435 | $ | 356 | $ | 4 | $ | - | $ | 1,795 | ||||||||
May 31, 2020: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 143,672 | $ | 113,519 | $ | 39,661 | $ | - | $ | 296,852 | ||||||||||||||||||
Income from operations | $ | 36,404 | $ | 26,354 | $ | 12,044 | $ | (22,101) | $ | 52,701 | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
amortization expense | $ | 3,510 | $ | 2,099 | $ | 222 | $ | 149 | $ | 5,980 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest income | $ | 15 | $ | 2 | $ | 56 | $ | - | $ | 73 | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | $ | 1,367 | $ | 442 | $ | 4 | $ | - | $ | 1,813 | ||||||||||||||||||
(1)Unallocated corporate expenses are general corporate overhead expenses not directly attributable to any one of the business segments. These expenses are reported separate from the Company’s identified segments and are included in Selling, General and Administrative expenses on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker does not review assets by segment as part of the financial information provided, and therefore, no asset information is provided in the above table.
Net sales by product group are as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | ||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
Maintenance products | $ | 127,374 | $ | 87,859 | $ | 344,446 | $ | 268,676 | |||
Homecare and cleaning products | 9,031 | 10,388 | 28,423 | 28,176 | |||||||
Total | $ | 136,405 | $ | 98,247 | $ | 372,869 | $ | 296,852 | |||
Note 14. Subsequent Events
Dividend Declaration
On June 21, 2022, the Company’s Board declared a cash dividend of $0.78 per share payable on July 29, 2022 to shareholders of record on July 15, 2022.
Note 15. Subsequent Events
On June 15, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.72 per share payable on July 30, 2021 to shareholders of record on July 16, 2021.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
As used in this report, the terms “we,” “our,” and “us” and “the Company” refer to WD-40 Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, unless the context suggests otherwise. Amounts and percentages in tables and discussions may not total due to rounding.
The following information is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Part I―Item 1 of this Quarterly Report and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020,2021, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on October 21, 2020.22, 2021.
In order to show the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on our results of operations, we have included constant currency disclosures, where necessary, in the Overview and Results of Operations sections which follow. Constant currency disclosures represent the translation of our current fiscal year revenues and expenses from the functional currencies of our subsidiaries to U.S. dollarsDollars using the exchange rates in effect for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. We use results on a constant currency basis as one of the measures to understand our operating results and evaluate our performance in comparison to prior periods. Results on a constant currency basis are not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“non-GAAP”) and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, results prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Forward-Looking Statements
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for certain forward-looking statements. This report contains forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company’sour current views with respect to future events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are generally identified with words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “could,” “may,” “aim,” “anticipate,” “target,” “estimate” and similar expressions.
These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, discussions about future financial and operating results, including: growth expectations for maintenance products; expected levels of promotional and advertising spending; anticipated input costs for manufacturing and the costs associated with distribution of our products; plans for and success of product innovation, the impact of new product introductions on the growth of sales; anticipated results from product line extension sales; expected tax rates and the impact of tax legislation and regulatory action; the length and severity of the current COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the global economy and the Company’sour financial results; changes in the political conditions or relations between the United States and other nations, the impacts from inflationary trends and supply chain constraints; and forecasted foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices. These forward-looking statements are generally identified with words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “could,” “may,” “aim,” “anticipate,” “target,” “estimate” and similar expressions. The Company undertakesWe undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements.
Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to, those identified in Part I―Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in the Company’sour Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020,2021, and in the Company’sour Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which may be updated from time to time.
Overview
The Company
WD-40 Company (“the Company”(the “Company”), based in San Diego, California, is a global marketing organization dedicated to creating positive lasting memories by developing and selling products that solve problems in workshops, factories and homes around the world. We marketown a wide range of well-known brands that include maintenance products and homecare and cleaning products under the following well-known brands:products: WD-40® Multi-Use Product, WD-40 Specialist®, 3-IN-ONE®, GT85®, X-14®, 2000 Flushes®, Carpet Fresh®, no vac®, 1001®, Spot Shot®, 1001®Lava®, Lava®Solvol®, X-14® and Solvol®Carpet Fresh®. Currently included in the WD-40 brand are the WD-40 Multi-Use Product and the WD-40 Specialist® and WD-40 BIKE® product lines.
Our products are sold in various locations around the world. Maintenance products are sold worldwide in markets throughout North, Central and South America, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Homecare and cleaning products are sold primarily in North America, the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) and Australia. We sell our products primarily through
warehouse club stores, hardware stores, automotive parts outlets, industrial distributors and suppliers, mass retail and home center stores, value retailers, grocery stores, online retailers, farm supply, sport retailers, and independent bike dealers.
The following summarizes the financial and operational highlights for our business during the nine months ended May 31, 2021:2022:
Consolidated net sales increased $76.0$15.5 million, or 26%4%, for the nine months ended May 31, 20212022 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had a favorablean unfavorable impact of $13.2$1.6 million on consolidated net sales for the nine months ended May 31, 20212022 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Thus, on a constant currency basis, net sales would have increased by $62.8$17.1 million, or 21%5%, from period to period. This favorableunfavorable impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates mainly came from our EMEA segment, which accounted for 44%42% of our consolidated sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2021.2022.
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increaseddecreased to 54.9%49.7% for the nine months ended May 31, 20212022 compared to 54.0%54.9% for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.year primarily due to ongoing global supply chain challenges, including the increased cost of raw materials and constraints related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. These ongoing challenges have resulted in increased inflation rates globally. See the Impact of COVID-19 on Our Business section which follows for details, including actions the Company is taking in response to these challenges.
Consolidated net income increased $20.8decreased $9.3 million, or 51%15%, for the nine months ended May 31, 20212022 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates haddid not have a favorablesignificant impact of $2.9 million on consolidated net income for the nine months ended May 31, 20212022 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Thus, on a constant currency basis, net income would have increased $17.9 million, or 44%, from period to period.
Although consolidated results for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 were significantly improved from the same period last fiscal year due to a variety of factors, the Company’s operations and business continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. See the Impact of COVID-19 on Our Business section which follows for details.
Diluted earnings per common share for the nine months ended May 31, 20212022 were $4.48$3.82 versus $2.98$4.48 in the prior fiscal year period.
Our strategic initiatives and the areas where we will continue to focus our time, talent and resources in future periods include: (i) maximizingbuilding a business for the future; (ii) attracting, developing and engaging outstanding tribe members; (iii) striving for operational excellence; (iv) growing WD-40 Multi-Use Product sales through geographic expansion, increased market penetration and the development of new and unique delivery systems; (ii) leveraging the WD-40 brand byProduct; (v) growing the WD-40 Specialist product line; (iii) leveraging the strengths of the Company through broadened product and revenue base; (iv) attracting, developing(vi) expanding and retaining talented people; and (v) operating with excellence.supporting portfolio opportunities that help us grow.
InOur financial results and operations continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic that began during our fiscal year 2020,2020. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted global economies, the rate of inflation, supply chains, distribution networks and consumer behavior around the world. We have experienced both favorable and unfavorable impacts to our financial results and our operations wereas a result of the direct and indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, sales have been negatively impacted for manyat varying times in the regions in which we operate due to health and safety restrictions required by local governmental authorities and such restrictions most recently impacted our Asia-Pacific segment when COVID-19 lockdowns were in place in China during most of our markets bythird quarter. These negative sales impacts since the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the third and fourth quarters, during the early stagesstart of the pandemic which began in early calendar year 2020. We have sincehad often been able to reduce the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business due to the strength of our brands, ouroffset by increased focus on e-commerce, the global expansion in the distribution ofdemand for our products and a continued focus on our strategic initiatives and our strong culture and the dedication of our employees. Asas a result of these activities and the shift in consumer spending patterns towards products such as oursdue to increased renovation and maintenance activities compared to periods before the pandemic. However, global supply chain issues have resulted in increased raw material costs and other input costs, higher competition for freight resources, and labor constraints within manufacturing and distribution networks. These increased costs started to negatively impact our gross margin and financial results in fiscal year 2021. This inflationary environment has worsened during the pandemic, we have experienced increased sales period over period in most of our markets during each of the first three quartersnine months of fiscal year 2021. Sales during the nine months ended May 31, 2021 increased 26%2022 resulting in lower gross margins compared to the corresponding periodperiods of the prior fiscal year primarily due to a higher level of renovation and maintenance activities by end-users during the pandemic, recoveries in many markets due to improvements in public health and safety related to the pandemic, and increased distribution and sales within the e-commerce channel.year.
We are continuing to actively manage and monitor supply chain and transportation disruptions and constraints that have arisen periodically within all three of our business segments, but particularly in the Americas, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the increasing supply chain challenges that we have experienced include general aerosol production capacity constraints and competition for such capacity by other companies who utilize the same third-party manufacturers for their aerosol production, as well as significant competition for freight resources and increased raw material and other input costs that have resulted due to these constraints. In addition, supplyproduction. Supply chains at many companies globally are being strained due to shortages of certain materials and this is impacting the ability of our third-party manufacturers to procure certain of the raw materials needed to manufacture our
products. These challenges have periodically resulted in us not being able to meet the high level of demand for our products by customers and end-users in certain markets, most significantly those markets in our Americas segment where demand for aerosols has significantlyperiodically outpaced the available production capacity in the region. We are continuing to actively manage supply chain constraints and transportation disruptions that have arisen periodically. We have been actively working on various initiatives in partnership with our existing third-party manufacturers and we are also identifying and onboarding new third-party manufacturers, particularly in orderthe Americas and EMEA segments. In addition, we have taken actions to increase inventory levels of certain raw materials and finished goods, given the current challenges within supply chain and increased lead times required by suppliers. As a result of these initiatives, we have begun to see increases in the capacity and flexibility of our supply chain, to meet strong end-user demand.particularly in the second and third quarters of this fiscal year for our Americas segment. When we onboard new third-party manufacturers, it comes with inherent risks and in the current economic environment, it also potentially comes with higher costs. Although we are not able to estimate the degree of the impactcosts or the costsimpacts associated with potential future disruptions within our supply chain and distribution networks,disruptions, we believe that the changes we are workingcontinue to implement as a result of the pandemic will have a positive lasting impact on our ability to better manage any future disruptions. However, some of the additional costs resulting from these recent constraints in our supply chain and distribution networkconstraints, including costs resulting from higher inventory levels being maintained, as well as the inflationary environment that is impacting our raw material costs, are expected to unfavorably impact our cost of goods sold and lower ourfor as long as such conditions exist. To offset these unfavorable impacts to gross margin, significant price increases continue to be implemented across all of our markets and geographies. Although we are beginning to see the favorable impacts of these price increases, it will take additional time before the full impact of these price increases is reflected in our reported results, especially those in some of our largest markets which we implemented late in the near-term.third quarter or are scheduled to implement in the fourth quarter. However, it is possible that sales volumes may be impacted unfavorably in the short term as customers and end users adjust to increased sales prices.
Although several vaccines and treatments are authorized for use against COVID-19, these vaccines and treatments are being produced and distributed at varying rates globally. Therefore, uncertainty continues to exist regarding theThe severity and duration of this rapidly evolvingthe COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the current inflationary environment, remain uncertain and it remainsis difficult for us to estimate the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemicthese conditions will impact our financial results and operations in future periods. Also, as social distancing requirements resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic continue to lessen in future periods, itIt is also uncertain how thischanges in the pandemic or inflationary conditions will impact the highincreased levels of renovation and maintenance activities that we have seen by end-users in recentvarious periods which have contributed to our strong sales in fiscal year 2021.since the start of the pandemic. If such activities decrease in future periods, this could adversely impact our financial results.
We have continued to follow a variety of measures to promote the safety and security of our employees during the pandemic, support the communities in which we operate and ensure the availability and functioning of our critical infrastructure. These measures have included allowing for or requiring remote working arrangements for employees where practicablein some regions and the imposition of various travel restrictions. These policies and initiatives willIn addition, we continue to impact howdevelop and monitor plans to support a safe working environment for our employees in the various office locations in which we operate for as long as they arearound the world. These plans vary by region based on the evolving situations within those regions. In connection with these plans, we have put in effectplace our “Work from Where” philosophy to support work-life integration, and we are still workingenable management and employees to determine and implement safe and effective phased office reentry plans for employees at all of our office locations globally.align on where work is completed.
See the Company’sour risk factors disclosed in Part I―Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in itsour Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020,2021, which was filed with the SEC on October 21, 202022, 2021 for information on risks associated with pandemics in general and COVID-19 specifically.
The Impact of Russian Military Action in Ukraine
On February 24, 2022, Russian forces launched significant military action against Ukraine, which has resulted in conflict and disruption in the region. In response to this action taken by Russia, the U.S. and other countries immediately imposed various economic sanctions against Russia. These geopolitical tensions continued during our third quarter and it is uncertain when conditions will improve or whether additional governmental sanctions will be enacted in future periods. The direct and indirect impacts of this evolving situation and its effect on global economies in future periods are difficult to predict. We suspended selling our products to markets in Russia and Belarus beginning in March 2022, which has and will continue to have an unfavorable impact on our sales as long as that suspension continues. In addition, we are currently unable to sell our products in Ukraine due to the disruption in the country. Our net sales to the regions that are directly impacted were approximately 3% of consolidated net sales for fiscal year 2021 and approximately 4% of consolidated net sales for the first half of fiscal year 2022, prior to the suspension of sales in these regions. We do not have facilities, third-party manufacturing partners, employees or inventory in these affected regions. Additionally, the only activities we conduct in these regions are sales through local marketing distributors. Write-offs of previously existing accounts receivable from those marketing distributors affected by the crisis have not been significant to date and are not expected to become significant in future periods.
As a result of this conflict, commodity markets remain subject to heightened levels of uncertainty, especially as they relate to the price of crude oil, which increased significantly in the immediate aftermath of the sanctions against Russia. Increases in crude oil prices unfavorably impact the cost of our products, as well as the cost of the transportation and distribution of our products. The length and severity of the recent increases in the price of crude oil are highly unpredictable and may unfavorably impact our cost of goods sold for as long as these conditions exist.
Results of Operations
Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2022 Compared to Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2021 Compared to Three Months Ended May 31, 2020
Operating Items
The following table summarizes operating data for our consolidated operations (in thousands, except percentages and per share amounts):
Three Months Ended May 31, | Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change from | Change from | Change from | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | Dollars | Percent | 2022 | 2021 | Dollars | Percent | 2022 | 2021 | Dollars | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Maintenance products | $ | 127,374 | $ | 87,859 | $ | 39,515 | 45% | $ | 115,494 | $ | 127,374 | $ | (11,880) | (9)% | $ | 363,425 | $ | 344,446 | $ | 18,979 | 6% | |||||||||||
Homecare and cleaning products | 9,031 | 10,388 | (1,357) | (13)% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
HCCP (1) | 8,173 | 9,031 | (858) | (10)% | 24,974 | 28,423 | (3,449) | (12)% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total net sales | 136,405 | 98,247 | 38,158 | 39% | 123,667 | 136,405 | (12,738) | (9)% | 388,399 | 372,869 | 15,530 | 4% | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of products sold | 63,947 | 45,197 | 18,750 | 41% | 64,682 | 63,947 | 735 | 1% | 195,426 | 168,158 | 27,268 | 16% | ||||||||||||||||||||
Gross profit | 72,458 | 53,050 | 19,408 | 37% | 58,985 | 72,458 | (13,473) | (19)% | 192,973 | 204,711 | (11,738) | (6)% | ||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses | 45,137 | 33,238 | 11,899 | 36% | 40,001 | 45,137 | (5,136) | (11)% | 125,186 | 128,343 | (3,157) | (2)% | ||||||||||||||||||||
Income from operations | $ | 27,321 | $ | 19,812 | $ | 7,509 | 38% | $ | 18,984 | $ | 27,321 | $ | (8,337) | (31)% | $ | 67,787 | $ | 76,368 | $ | (8,581) | (11)% | |||||||||||
Net income | $ | 21,006 | $ | 14,524 | $ | 6,482 | 45% | $ | 14,480 | $ | 21,006 | $ | (6,526) | (31)% | $ | 52,543 | $ | 61,820 | $ | (9,277) | (15)% | |||||||||||
Earnings per common share - diluted | $ | 1.52 | $ | 1.06 | $ | 0.46 | 43% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares used in per share calculations - diluted | 13,746 | 13,700 | 46 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EPS - diluted | $ | 1.07 | $ | 1.52 | $ | (0.45) | (30)% | $ | 3.82 | $ | 4.48 | $ | (0.66) | (15)% | ||||||||||||||||||
Shares used in diluted EPS | 13,680 | 13,746 | (66) | - | 13,712 | 13,727 | (15) | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Homecare and cleaning products (“HCCP”)
Net Sales by Segment
The following table summarizes net sales by segment (in thousands, except percentages):
Three Months Ended May 31, | Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change from | Change from | Change from | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | Dollars | Percent | 2022 | 2021 | Dollars | Percent | 2022 | 2021 | Dollars | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||
Americas | $ | 60,046 | $ | 50,094 | $ | 9,952 | 20% | $ | 61,453 | $ | 60,046 | $ | 1,407 | 2% | $ | 172,238 | $ | 160,390 | $ | 11,848 | 7% | |||||||||||
EMEA | 58,587 | 32,521 | 26,066 | 80% | 49,450 | 58,587 | (9,137) | (16)% | 161,068 | 163,150 | (2,082) | (1)% | ||||||||||||||||||||
Asia-Pacific | 17,772 | 15,632 | 2,140 | 14% | 12,764 | 17,772 | (5,008) | (28)% | 55,093 | 49,329 | 5,764 | 12% | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 136,405 | $ | 98,247 | $ | 38,158 | 39% | $ | 123,667 | $ | 136,405 | $ | (12,738) | (9)% | $ | 388,399 | $ | 372,869 | $ | 15,530 | 4% | |||||||||||
Americas Sales
The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the Americas segment, (in thousands, except percentages):
Three Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||
Change from | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | Dollars | Percent | ||||||||
Maintenance products | $ | 55,917 | $ | 43,551 | $ | 12,366 | 28% | ||||
Homecare and cleaning products | 4,129 | 6,543 | (2,414) | (37)% | |||||||
Total | $ | 60,046 | $ | 50,094 | $ | 9,952 | 20% | ||||
% of consolidated net sales | 44% | 51% | |||||||||
Sales in the Americas segment, which includes the U.S., Canada and Latin America increased to $60.0 million, up $10.0 million, or 20%, for the three months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior(in thousands, except percentages):
Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
Change from | Change from | ||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | Dollars | Percent | 2022 | 2021 | Dollars | Percent | ||||||||||||||
Maintenance products | $ | 57,778 | $ | 55,917 | $ | 1,861 | 3% | $ | 160,171 | $ | 145,729 | $ | 14,442 | 10% | |||||||
HCCP | 3,675 | 4,129 | (454) | (11)% | 12,067 | 14,661 | (2,594) | (18)% | |||||||||||||
Total | $ | 61,453 | $ | 60,046 | $ | 1,407 | 2% | $ | 172,238 | $ | 160,390 | $ | 11,848 | 7% | |||||||
% of consolidated net sales | 50% | 44% | 44% | 43% | |||||||||||||||||
CC Net sales - non-GAAP (1) | $ | 61,496 | $ | 60,046 | $ | 1,450 | 2% | $ | 171,967 | $ | 160,390 | $ | 11,577 | 7% | |||||||
(1)Current fiscal year. Changes in foreignyear constant currency exchange rates had a favorable impact on(“CC”) net sales for the Americas segment from period to period. Sales for the three months ended May 31, 2021 translated at the foreign currency exchange rates in effect for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, would have been $59.4 million in the Americas segment. Thus, on a constant currency basis, sales would have increased by $9.3 million, or 19%, fromcompared to prior period to period.actual net sales.
Americas Sales – Three Months Ended – May 31, 2022 Compared to May 31, 2021
Sales
Net sales of maintenance products in the Americas segment increased $12.4 million, or 28%, for the three months ended May 31, 2021 compareddue to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Thisfollowing:
United States (“U.S.”) sales increase was mainly driven byremained relatively constant at $42.9 million, primarily due to increased sales of maintenance products in Latin America, the U.S. and Canada,WD-40 Specialist, which were up $5.4 million or 151%, $5.1 million or 13%, and $1.9 million or 87%, respectively, from period to period. Sales in the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year were negatively impactedwas almost completely offset by various disruptions and lockdowns in the market related to the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. As improvements in public health and safety restrictions have occurred in many regions within the Americas, the Company has been more able to growdecreased sales of its WD-40 Multi-Use Product through increased market penetration. Sales in Latin America increased primarily due to the transition to the direct marketing model in Mexico. Late in the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, we shifted away from a distribution model for Mexico where we sold products through a large wholesale customer who then supplied various retail customers, to one where we sell direct to these retail customers. The continued momentum from the shift in distribution model combined with increased demand for our product and decreased COVID-19 restrictions, resulted in increased sales in Latin America during fiscal year 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Sales of maintenance products in the U.S. and Canada also increased from period to period primarily as a result of a higher level of renovation and maintenance activities exhibited by our end-users during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the U.S. experienced some improvements in its supply chain in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 resulting in higher sales of maintenance products from period to period, it is still having periodic challenges meeting the high level of demand for our products seen in the market, particularly forProduct. WD-40 Specialist products which are sourced at certain third-party manufacturers that were heavilysignificantly impacted by the recent global supply chain constraints. As a resultconstraints in the comparative period. However, adjustments we have made in our supply chain to increase the production capacity of our most significant products, including WD-40 Specialist, improved the availability of these challenges, sales of theproducts from period to period. WD-40 Specialist product linesales increased by $2.8 million, or 78%, primarily due to these improvements, as well as price increases implemented during the last twelve months. Although WD-40 Multi-Use Product sales also benefited from price increases and improved supply chain capacity from period to period, sales decreased 33% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 comparedby $3.0 million, or 8%, primarily due to the corresponding periodtiming of customer orders and a temporarily lower level of promotional programs after certain sales price increases that occurred in the prior fiscal year.
Sales of homecare and cleaning products in the Americas decreased $2.4 million, or 37%, for the three months ended May 31, 2021compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. This sales decrease was experienced across all homecare and cleaning brands in the Americas due to particularly strong sales in the third quarter of the prior fiscal year. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, we experienced a significant increase in2022.
Latin America sales of many of our homecare and cleaning productsincreased $0.9 million, or 10%, primarily due to increased demand for such productsthe continued momentum from the shift in the Mexico market from a distributor model to the direct model that we made in late fiscal year 2020. This shift favorably impacted sales period over period as a result of new distribution and the COVID-19 pandemic. Duringcontinued growth of the third quarterbase business. In addition, sales were favorably impacted by sales price increases that went into effect in November 2021. These increases were partially offset by decreased sales of fiscal year 2021, we have seen demand for these homecare and cleaning3-IN-ONE products return to more normal levels due to improvementssupply chain constraints.
Canada sales increased $0.9 million, or 23%, primarily due to increased promotional activities and a higher level of demand in public health and fewer safety restrictions related to the pandemicindustrial channel in many regions withinWestern Canada as a result of increased activity levels of end-users in the Americas.oil industry. Sales levels for our homecare and cleaning productswere also positively impacted by sales price increases that went into effect in April 2022.
Net sales of HCCP brands in the Americas were also negatively impacted duringdecreased primarily due to the three months ended May 31, 2021 by the challengesfollowing:
Challenges in our Americas supply chain. chain, primarily in the U.S., resulted in decreased product availability and lower net sales for most HCCP brands. While we have been actively working to increase the capacity and flexibility of our supply chain in recent periods, the adjustments we have made to date have been more heavily focused on our most significant products, primarily our maintenance products.
While each of our homecare and cleaning products have continued to generate positive cash flows, we hadhave experienced decreasedflat or flatslightly decreased sales for many of these products in recent years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
periods.
For the Americas segment,three months ended May 31, 2022, 75% of sales came from the U.S., and 25% of sales came from Canada and Latin America combined compared to the distribution for the three months ended May 31, 2021 when 77% of sales came from the U.S., and 23% of sales came from Canada and Latin America combined for theAmerica. three months ended
Americas Sales – Nine Months Ended – May 31, 2022 Compared to May 31, 2021 compared
Net sales of maintenance products in the Americas segment increased due primarily to the distributionfollowing:
U.S. sales increased $7.2 million, or 7%, due to increased sales of WD-40 Specialist and WD-40 Multi-Use Product of $4.7 million, or 43%, and $3.2 million, or 4%, respectively. These increases for both products were primarily due to price increases that went into effect in during the last twelve months and supply chain improvements which resulted in increased product availability, particularly for WD-40 Specialist, as discussed above in the section for the three months ended May 31, 2020 when 87%2022. These increases were slightly offset by lower 3-IN-ONE sales of $0.7 million, or 13%, due to decreased product availability as a result of the supply chain constraints we have experienced at our third-party manufacturers who produce this product.
Latin America sales increased$6.4 million, or 24%, primarily due to higher sales throughout many markets in the region, including in our direct market in Mexico. In addition, sales were favorably impacted by price increases, increased product availability, successful promotional programs and the continued momentum in our direct market in Mexico,as discussed above in the section for the three months ended May 31, 2022.
Canada sales increased $0.8 million, or 8%, primarily due to demand in the industrial channel in Western Canada as a result of increased activity levels of end-users in the oil industry. In addition, price increases we implemented over the last twelve months also had a favorable impact on sales.
Net sales of HCCP in the Americas decreased due to the following:
Challenges in our Americas supply chain negatively impacted net sales for these products, as discussed above in the section for the three months ended May 31, 2022.
For the nine months ended May 31, 2022, 73% of sales came from the U.S., and 13%27% of sales came from Canada and Latin America combined, compared to the distribution for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 when 76% of sales came from the U.S., and 24% of sales came from Canada and Latin America.
EMEA Sales
The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the EMEA segment, which includes Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India (in thousands, except percentages):
Three Months Ended May 31, | Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change from | Change from | Change from | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | Dollars | Percent | 2022 | 2021 | Dollars | Percent | 2022 | 2021 | Dollars | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||
Maintenance products | $ | 56,074 | $ | 30,846 | $ | 25,228 | 82% | $ | 47,289 | $ | 56,074 | $ | (8,785) | (16)% | $ | 154,825 | $ | 156,188 | $ | (1,363) | (1)% | |||||||||||
Homecare and cleaning products | 2,513 | 1,675 | 838 | 50% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
HCCP | 2,161 | 2,513 | (352) | (14)% | 6,243 | 6,962 | (719) | (10)% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total (1) | $ | 58,587 | $ | 32,521 | $ | 26,066 | 80% | $ | 49,450 | $ | 58,587 | $ | (9,137) | (16)% | $ | 161,068 | $ | 163,150 | $ | (2,082) | (1)% | |||||||||||
% of consolidated net sales | 43% | 33% | 40% | 43% | 42% | 44% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CC Net sales - non-GAAP (2) | $ | 53,124 | $ | 58,587 | $ | (5,463) | (9)% | $ | 162,819 | $ | 163,150 | $ | (331) | - | ||||||||||||||||||
(1)While the Company’s reporting currency is the U.S. Dollar, the functional currency of our U.K. subsidiary, the entity in which the EMEA results are generated, is Pound Sterling. Although the functional currency of this subsidiary is Pound Sterling, approximately 50% of its sales are generated in Euro and 15-20% are generated in U.S. Dollar. As a result, the Pound Sterling sales and earnings for the EMEA segment can be negatively or positively impacted from period to period upon translation from these currencies depending on whether the Euro and U.S. Dollar are weakening or strengthening against the Pound Sterling.
(2)
Sales in the EMEA segment, which includes Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India, increased to $58.6 million, up $26.1 million, or 80%, for the three months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the priorCurrent fiscal year. Changes in foreignyear constant currency exchange rates had a favorable impact onnet sales for the EMEA segment from period to period. Sales for the three months ended May 31, 2021 translated at the foreign currency exchange rates in effect for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, would have been $52.9 million in the EMEA segment. Thus, on a constant currency basis, sales would have increased by $20.4 million, or 63%, fromcompared to prior period to period.actual net sales.
The countries and regions in Europe where we sell through a direct sales force include the U.K., Italy, France, Iberia (which includes Spain and Portugal) and the Germanics sales region (which includes Germany, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands). Sales in the direct markets increased to $40.2 million, up $18.5 million, or 85%, for the three months ended May 31, 2021, compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year primarily due to increased sales of WD-40 Multi-Use Product, WD-40 Specialist and 3-In-One of $11.5 million or 81%, $2.5 million or 94%, and $2.0 million or 112%, respectively, throughout all of the direct markets. This increase in sales was primarily due to increased demand for our products as a result of a higher level of renovation and maintenance activities exhibited by our end-users during the COVID-19 pandemic and the success of promotional programs that were conducted during the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 to meet the high level of demand. This increased demand and consumption of our products resulted in increased sales, particularly within the e-commerce channel. In addition, sales levels were much higher compared to the prior period due to severe lockdowns measures that occurred during the third quarter of fiscal year 2020 which limited many retailers’ ability to participate in promotional activities and sell high volumes of certain products. Sales from direct markets accounted for 69% of the EMEA segment’s sales for the three months ended May 31, 2021 compared to 67% for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.
The regions in the EMEA segment where we sell through local distributors include the Middle East, Africa, India, Eastern and Northern Europe.
EMEA Sales – Three Months Ended – May 31, 2022 Compared to May 31, 2021
Net sales decreased in the EMEA segment primarily due to the following:
Direct Markets – EMEA (71% of net sales QTD FY2022 vs 69% QTD FY2021)
Direct market sales decreased $5.3 million, or 13%, primarily due to decreased sales of maintenance products in the United Kingdom, France and Iberia of $2.2 million, $2.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively.
These decreases were primarily due to reduced demand compared to the prior period, as renovation and maintenance activities exhibited by our end-users during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in particularly strong demand in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 in certain regions of EMEA.
Although price increases implemented over the last 12 months positively impacted sales from period to period, timing of customer orders and promotional programs as customers adjust to price increases had an unfavorable impact on sales from period to period.
Sales in our direct markets were unfavorably impacted by $1.8 million due to the weakening of the Pound Sterling, the functional currency of our U.K. subsidiary, against the U.S. Dollar.
Distributor Markets – EMEA (29% of net sales QTD FY2022 vs 31% QTD FY2021)
Distributor market sales decreased $3.8 million, or 21%, primarily due to decreased sales of maintenance products in Russia, Poland, and Turkey, which were down $3.6 million, $0.9 million and $0.7 million, respectively. The sales decrease in Russia was primarily due to the ongoing effects of the Russian military action in Ukraine. See The Impact of Russian Military Action in Ukraine described in the “Significant Developments” section above for further information regarding the suspension of our sales to Russian markets.
These decreases were partially offset by sales increases in Saudi Arabia of $1.4 million, primarily due to strong demand and increased distribution in the region. In addition, sales were favorably impacted in various other distributor markets increased $7.6due to price increases we have implemented over the last twelve months. However, some of the positive impacts of these price increases were offset due to changes in the timing of customer orders from our distributors as customers adjust to price increases.
EMEA Sales – Nine Months Ended – May 31, 2022 Compared to May 31, 2021
Net sales decreased in the EMEA segment due to the following drivers:
Direct Markets – EMEA (66% of net sales YTD FY2022 vs 67% YTD FY2021)
Direct markets decreased $2.2 million, or 70%2%, primarily due to decreased sales in the U.K of $5.0 million, or 17%, offset by increases in our other EMEA direct markets, when combined, of $2.8 million, or 4%.
Decreased sales in the U.K. direct market were primarily due to a lower level of demand in the U.K. during the third quarter of fiscal year 2022, as discussed above in the section for the three months ended May 31, 2021 compared2022. The decreased sales from period to period were also due to the correspondinglower level of promotional programs that were conducted during the first half of fiscal year 2022. These decreases were partially offset by price increases we have implemented over the last twelve months.
Sales in EMEA direct markets, excluding the U.K., increased from period to period primarily due to new distribution and sales price increases, as well as successful promotional programs that occurred during the first half of fiscal year 2022. These favorable impacts were partially offset by unfavorable impacts during the third quarter, as discussed above in the section for the three months ended May 31, 2022.
Sales in our direct markets were unfavorably impacted by the weakening of the prior fiscal year,Pound Sterling, the functional currency of our U.K. subsidiary, against the U.S. Dollar. In addition, sales in our direct markets were unfavorably impacted by the weakening of the Euro against the Pound Sterling from period to period for sales generated in our Euro-based direct markets.
Distributor Markets – EMEA (34% of net sales YTD FY2022 vs 33% YTD FY2021)
Distributor market sales were relatively constant, primarily due to increased sales of the WD-40 Multi-Use Product in EasternNorthern Europe, India, and the Middle East of $1.4 million, $0.9 million and Northern Europe,$0.4 million, respectively, which were up $2.9 million, $1.7 million, and $1.7 million, respectively. This increasealmost completely offset by decreased sales to Russia of $2.2 million.
Sales were positively impacted in sales from period to period was primarilythe distributor markets due to the continued recoveriesnew distribution, price increases, and distributors purchasing product in the EMEA distributor markets which had previously experienced more severe lockdowns advance such price increases during the secondfirst half of fiscal year 2020 due to2022. These favorable impacts were partially offset by unfavorable impacts as discussed above in the COVID-19 pandemic. During the first nine months of fiscal year 2021, many of these regions experienced improved economic conditions as a result of reductions in COVID-19 related restrictions. This allowed our marketing distributors to participate in more of our promotional activities and to adjust to more normal levels of inventory for our product, which
resulted in increased sales to meet the higher level of demand caused by increases in renovation and maintenance activities by end-users during the pandemic. The distributor markets accounted for 31% of the EMEA segment’s total salessection for the three months ended May 31, 2021, compared2022, particularly those related to 33% fordecreased sales in Russia due to the corresponding periodongoing impacts of the prior fiscal yearRussian military action in Ukraine.
Asia-Pacific Sales
The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the Asia-Pacific segment, (in thousands, except percentages):
Three Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||
Change from | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | Dollars | Percent | ||||||||
Maintenance products | $ | 15,383 | $ | 13,462 | $ | 1,921 | 14% | ||||
Homecare and cleaning products | 2,389 | 2,170 | 219 | 10% | |||||||
Total | $ | 17,772 | $ | 15,632 | $ | 2,140 | 14% | ||||
% of consolidated net sales | 13% | 16% | |||||||||
Sales in the Asia-Pacific segment, which includes Australia, China and other countries in the Asia region increased to $17.8 million, up $2.1 million, or 14%, for the three months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior(in thousands, except percentages):
Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
Change from | Change from | ||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | Dollars | Percent | 2022 | 2021 | Dollars | Percent | ||||||||||||||
Maintenance products | $ | 10,427 | $ | 15,383 | $ | (4,956) | (32)% | $ | 48,429 | $ | 42,529 | $ | 5,900 | 14% | |||||||
HCCP | 2,337 | 2,389 | (52) | (2)% | 6,664 | 6,800 | (136) | (2)% | |||||||||||||
Total | $ | 12,764 | $ | 17,772 | $ | (5,008) | (28)% | $ | 55,093 | $ | 49,329 | $ | 5,764 | 12% | |||||||
% of consolidated net sales | 10% | 13% | 14% | 13% | |||||||||||||||||
CC Net sales - non-GAAP (1) | $ | 13,211 | $ | 17,772 | $ | (4,561) | (26)% | $ | 55,246 | $ | 49,329 | $ | 5,917 | 12% | |||||||
(1)Current fiscal year. Changes in foreignyear constant currency exchange rates had a favorable impact on(“CC”) net sales for the Asia-Pacific segment from period to period. Sales for the three months ended May 31, 2021 translated at the foreign currency exchange rates in effect for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, would have been $16.4 million in the compared to prior period actual net sales.
Asia-Pacific segment. Thus, on a constant currency basis, sales would have increased by $0.7 million, or 5%, from periodSales – Three Months Ended – May 31, 2022 Compared to period.May 31, 2021
Sales in Asia, which represented 66% of the totalNet sales in the Asia-Pacific segment increased $1.1 million, or 10%, for the three months ended May 31, 2021 compareddecreased primarily due to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Sales in the following:
Asia distributor markets increased $1.5sales decreased $4.1 million, or 26%56%, for the three months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year primarily due to increasedlower sales of WD-40 Multi-Use Product as a result of $1.2supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Products for our Asia distributor markets are sourced from a third-party manufacturer located in Shanghai, China. In late March 2022, Shanghai instituted severe lockdown measures as a result of a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country. This lockdown remained in effect for the remainder of the third quarter and resulted in our third-party packager and logistics partners in Shanghai being unable to manufacture or distribute products for our Asia distributor market in April and May.
China sales decreased $1.1 million, or 22%25%, primarilyalso due to the easinglockdown in Shanghai during the quarter that severely limited the production of COVID-19 lockdown measures and restrictions compared toour products by our third-party manufacturer located in the corresponding periodregion from late March 2022 through the end of the prior fiscal year. These reducedthird quarter. In addition, this lockdown measures positively impacted economic conditionsand the severe restrictions placed on various regions in China during the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 and resulted in increased demand and higher sales period over period, particularly2022 negatively impacted logistics networks in the Philippines, South Korea and Indonesia. Sales in China decreased $0.5country.
Australia sales increased $0.2 million, or 9%4%, primarily due to a higher level of sales in the third quarter of fiscal year 2020 associated with the timing of COVID-19 restrictions and shipping activities during that period. In the third quarterongoing growth of the prior fiscal year, China had a significant number of ordersbase business, increased promotional activities and price increases that were expected to be shipped to customerswent into effect in early February 2020 after the Chinese New Year’s holiday and those shipments could not take place due to COVID-19. This resulted in a backlog of orders being shipped in the third quarter of fiscal year 2020 due to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. No such comparable event occurred in the current fiscal year.
Sales in Australia increased $1.1 million, or 22%, for the three months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.2022. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had a favorablean unfavorable impact on sales in Australia. On a constant currency basis, sales in Australia would have remained constant from period to period at $4.9 million. Negative sales impacts to Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic have continued to be limited in fiscal year 2021 as COVID-19 case numbers have remained relatively low in Australia since the initial outbreak and governmental authorities had adopted less severe lockdown requirements. This has resulted in our key customers remaining open for business during the COVID-19 pandemic during both fiscal year 2020 and 2021. Sales of maintenance products in Australia during the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 were favorably impacted by a higher level of renovation and maintenance activities undertaken by our end-users period over period. This increase was almost completely offset by lower sales of homecare and cleaning products, as we have seen demand for these products return to more normal levels due to improvements in public health and reduced safety restrictions related to the pandemic.increased $0.7 million, or 12%.
Gross ProfitAsia-Pacific Sales – Nine Months Ended – May 31, 2022 Compared to May 31, 2021
Gross profit
Net sales in the Asia-Pacific segment increased due to $72.5the following drivers:
Sales in China increased $3.3 million, or 26%, primarily due to a higher level of promotional activities during the first half of fiscal year 2022, as well as customers purchasing product in advance of anticipated price increases. These increases in sales were partially offset by the various unfavorable impacts discussed above in the section for the three months ended May 31, 2021 compared2022.
Sales in the Asia distributor markets increased $2.1 million, or 11%, primarily due to $53.1 million for the corresponding periodsuccess of promotional programs and the easing of COVID-19 lockdown measures during the first half of the prior fiscal year. As a percentage of netyear, which resulted in increased demand and higher sales gross profit decreased to 53.1%in most countries. These increases were partially offset by the various unfavorable impacts discussed above in the section for the three months ended May 31, 2021 compared2022.
Australia sales increased $0.3 million, or 2%, primarily due to 54.0%the items discussed above in the section for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.three months ended May 31, 2022. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had an unfavorable impact on sales in Australia. On a constant currency basis, sales in Australia would have increased $0.9 million, or 6%.
Gross margin was unfavorably impacted by 1.8 percentage points due to increasesProfit
The following general information regarding the timing and nature of our product costs is important when assessing fluctuations in manufacturing costs, changes in sales mix and higher miscellaneous costsour gross margin from period to period. The increased manufacturing costs were primarily driven by higher labor and overhead costs at our third-party manufacturers caused by global supply chain constraints as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These pandemic-related challenges began to significantly impact the Americas segment starting in the second quarter of fiscal year 2021 and continued in the third quarter. No such challenges existed in the third quarter of the prior fiscal year since it was early in the pandemic. Gross margin was unfavorably impacted by 0.5 percentage points due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates from period to period in the EMEA segment. Gross margin was also unfavorably impacted by 0.1 percentage points from period to period due to unfavorable changes in the costs of petroleum-based specialty chemicals. Although petroleum-based specialty chemicals favorably impacted gross margin during the first half of fiscal year 2021 as compared to the prior fiscal year, such costs have increased significantly over the last several months and is starting to negatively impact our gross margin. period:
There is often a delay of one quarter or more before changes in raw material costsmaterials, such as specialty chemicals used in the formulation of our products, impact the cost of products sold due to production and inventory life cycles. The recent increases in the price of crude oil that we are seeing in the market are expected to unfavorably impact our cost of goods sold for as long as these costs remain at these higher levelscycles;
These unfavorable impacts to gross margin were partially offset by favorable changes in the costs of aerosol cans in the EMEA segment due to increased sales which resulted in higher can rebates, positively impacting gross margin by 0.8 percentage points. In addition, gross margin was favorably impacted by 0.3 percentage points due to changes in warehousing and in bound freight costs, primarily in our EMEA segment. Since warehousing costs are primarily fixed in nature, gross margin was favorably impacted due to the smaller impact that such fees had as a result of significantly higher sales in the third quarter of this fiscal year as compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. In bound freight costs in the third quarter of this fiscal year were lower than last fiscal year due to additional freight costs incurred last year associated with the movement of certain raw materials and finished goods in preparation for Brexit. Gross margin was also positively impacted by 0.3 percentage points from period to period due to decreases to advertising, promotional, and other discounts that we give to our customers, primarily in the Americas and Asia-Pacific segments. In general, the timing of advertising, promotional and other discounts may cause fluctuations in gross margin from period to period. The costs associated with certain promotional activities are recorded as a reduction to sales while others are recorded as advertising and sales promotion expenses. Advertising, promotional and other discounts that are given to our customers are recorded as a reduction to sales, whereas advertising and sales promotional costs associated with promotional activities that we pay to third parties are recorded as advertising and sales promotion expenses. expenses;
In addition,the EMEA segment, the majority of our cost of goods sold is denominated in Pound Sterling whereas sales are generated in Pound Sterling, Euro and the U.S. Dollar. The strengthening or weakening of the Euro and U.S. Dollar against the Pound Sterling may result in foreign currency related changes to the gross margin was positively impacted by 0.1 percentage pointsin the EMEA segment from period to period due to sales price increases, primarily in the EMEAperiod; and Americas segments during the last twelve months.
Note that ourOur gross profit and gross margin may not be comparable to those of other consumer product companies, since some of these companies include all costs related to distribution of their products in cost of products sold, whereas we exclude the portion associated with amounts paid to third parties for shipment to our customers from our distribution centers and contract manufacturers and include these costs in selling, general and administrative expenses. These costs totaled $4.9$4.7 million and $3.1$4.9 million for the three months ended May 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and 2020,$14.2 million and $12.5 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
For further information pertaining to recent trends and economic conditions affecting gross margin, please see the section titled “Significant Developments”.
The following table summarizes gross margin and gross profit (in thousands, except percentages):
Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | Change from | 2022 | 2021 | Change from | ||||||||||||||||
Gross profit | $ | 58,985 | $ | 72,458 | $ | (13,473) | $ | 192,973 | $ | 204,711 | $ | (11,738) | |||||||||
Gross margin | 47.7% | 53.1% | (540) | bps (1) | 49.7% | 54.9% | (520) | bps (1) | |||||||||||||
(1)Basis points (“bps”) change in gross margin.
Gross Margin - Three Months Ended – May 31, 2022 Compared to May 31, 2021
Gross margin decreased 540 bps primarily due to the following unfavorable impacts, partially offset by favorable impacts:
1010 | ||
(Unfavorable)/Favorable | Explanations | |
(400) bps | Higher costs of specialty chemicals used in the formulation of our products. | |
(220) bps | Higher costs of aerosol cans. | |
(150) bps | Higher warehousing, distribution and freight costs associated with supply chain constraints as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the worsening inflationary environment and initiatives to increase production capacity while these constraints exist. | |
(130) bps | Higher filling fees paid to our third-party contract manufacturers, primarily in the Americas segment. | |
(90) bps | Higher miscellaneous costs associated with inventory, unfavorable sales market mix, and higher other miscellaneous input costs. | |
490 bps | Sales price increases implemented in all three segments at varying times during the last 12 months. | |
Gross Margin - Nine Months Ended – May 31, 2022 Compared to May 31, 2021
Gross margin decreased 520 bps primarily due to the following unfavorable impacts, partially offset by favorable impacts:
1010 | ||
(Unfavorable)/Favorable | Explanations | |
(390) bps | Higher costs of specialty chemicals used in the formulation of our products. | |
(130) bps | Higher warehousing, distribution and freight costs associated with supply chain constraints as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the worsening inflationary environment and initiatives to increase production capacity while these constraints exist. | |
(90) bps | Higher filling fees paid to our third-party contract manufacturers, primarily in the Americas segment. | |
(80) bps | Higher costs of aerosol cans. | |
(50) bps | Changes in foreign currency exchange rates in the EMEA segment.. | |
260 bps | Sales price increases implemented in all three segments at varying times during the last 12 months. | |
Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
Change from | Change from | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | Dollars | Percent | 2022 | 2021 | Dollars | Percent | |||||||||||||
SG&A expenses | $ | 33,621 | $ | 38,131 | $ | (4,510) | (12)% | $ | 106,863 | $ | 109,586 | $ | (2,723) | (2)% | |||||||
% of net sales | 27.2% | 28.0% | 27.5% | 29.4% | |||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative (“
SG&A”) expenses for the three months ended&A Expenses – Three Months Ended – May 31, 2021 increased $10.2 million2022 Compared to $38.1 million from $27.9 million for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses decreased to 28.0% for the three months ended May 31, 2021 compared to 28.4% for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.
The increasedecrease in SG&A expenses from period to period was primarily due to a varietylower employee-related costs, which decreased by $5.5 million due to lower incentive compensation accruals of factors, but most significantly$6.7 million, which were slightly offset by higher salary and other employee costs of $1.2 million primarily due to increased employee-related costs of $6.1 million as a result of increasedheadcount and annual compensation increases. The lower incentive compensation accruals are based on our most current forecast for fiscal year 2022 and higher stock-based compensation from period to period resulting from stronger financial results from period to period.we are projecting a lower level of achievement than the prior year for such compensation. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates from period to period increasedalso resulted in a decrease of $0.9 million in SG&A expenses. These decreases were partially offset by increases in travel and meeting expense of $1.6 million due to the reduction in travel restrictions related to COVID-19, resulting in a higher level of travel and meetings by employees, as well as higher miscellaneous costs of $0.3 million.
SG&A Expenses – Nine Months Ended – May 31, 2022 Compared to May 31, 2021
The decrease in SG&A expenses from period to period was primarily due lower employee-related costs, which decreased $7.0 million due to lower incentive compensation accruals of $10.7 million, which were partially offset by $1.9 million. Increaseshigher salary and other employee costs of $3.7 million primarily due to increased headcount and annual compensation increases. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates from period to period also resulted in a decrease of $0.4 million in SG&A expenses. These decreases to SG&A expense were partially offset by to higher travel and meeting expense, which increased $2.6 million due to the reduction in travel restrictions related to COVID-19, resulting in a higher level of travel and meetings by employees. Additionally, freight costs associated withincreased $1.8 million due to higher sales levels as well as carrier price increases due toassociated with supply chain constraints and limited capacity in the global distribution networks from period to periodnetworks. Miscellaneous costs also increased SG&A expenses by $1.5 million. In addition,
professional services fees increased $0.8 million due to increased cloud-based software usage and license fees. There was also a slight decrease in SG&A expenses of $0.1$0.3 million from period to period due to lower miscellaneous costs.period.
WeNote that we continued our research and development investment, the majority of which is associated with our maintenance products, in support of our focus on innovation and renovation of our products. Research and development costs were $1.3$1.4 million and $1.4$1.3 million for the three months ended May 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and 2020,$4.0 million and $4.2 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.Our research and development team engages in consumer research, product development, current product improvements and testing activities. This team leverages its development capabilities by partneringcollaborating with a network of outside resources including our current and prospective third-party contract manufacturers. The level and types of expenses incurred within research and development can vary from period to period depending upon the types of activities being performed.performed.
Advertising and Sales Promotion (“A&P”) Expenses
Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
Change from | Change from | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2022 | 2021 | Dollars | Percent | 2022 | 2021 | Dollars | Percent | |||||||||||||
A&P expenses | $ | 6,022 | $ | 6,642 | $ | (620) | (9)% | $ | 17,242 | $ | 17,673 | $ | (431) | (2)% | |||||||
% of net sales | 4.9% | 4.9% | 4.4% | 4.7% | |||||||||||||||||
A&P Expenses – Three Months Ended – May 31, 2022 Compared to May 31, 2021
Advertising and sales promotionAlthough A&P expenses for the three months ended May 31, 2021 increased $1.9 million, or 39%,decreased from period to $6.7 million from $4.8 million for the corresponding period, of the prior fiscal year. AsA&P expenses as a percentage of net sales these expenses increased to 4.9% for the three months ended May 31, 2021 compared to 4.8% for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Changesremained relatively constant. The decrease in foreign currency exchange rates from period to period increased advertising and sales promotion expenses by $0.4 million for the three months ended May 31, 2021. The increase in advertising and sales promotionA&P expenses was primarily due to a higherlower level of promotional programs and marketing support in all three segments as a result of increased consumer demand and higherlower sales from period to period. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates did not have a significant impact on A&P expenses period over period.
As a percentage of net sales, advertising and sales promotionA&P expenses may fluctuate period to period based upon the type of marketing activities we employ and the period in which the costs are incurred. Total promotional costs recorded as a reduction to sales was $6.7$7.5 million and $5.0$6.7 million for three months ended May 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively. Therefore, our total investment in advertising and sales promotionA&P activities totaled $13.4$13.5 million and $9.8$13.4 million for the three months ended May 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively.
AmortizationA&P Expenses – Nine Months Ended – May 31, 2022 Compared to May 31, 2021
A&P expenses decreased primarily due to a lower level of our definite-lived intangible assets decreasedpromotional programs and marketing support in the Americas segment which were partially offset by a higher level of such activities in the EMEA segment. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates did not have a significant impact on A&P expenses period over period.
Total promotional costs recorded as a reduction to $0.4sales was $20.8 million and $18.4 million for the threenine months ended May 31, 2022 and 2021, compared to $0.6respectively. Therefore, our total investment in A&P activities totaled $38.0 million and $36.1 million for the corresponding period in the prior year due to decreased amortization associated with the 2000 Flushes trade name, which became fully amortized during the third quarter of fiscal year 2020.nine months ended May 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Income from Operations by Segment
The following table summarizes income from operations by segment (in thousands, except percentages):
Three Months Ended May 31, | Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change from | Change from | Change from | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | Dollars | Percent | 2022 | 2021 | Dollars | Percent | 2022 | 2021 | Dollars | Percent | |||||||||||||||||||||
Americas | $ | 15,582 | $ | 14,424 | $ | 1,158 | 8% | $ | 13,360 | $ | 15,582 | $ | (2,222) | (14)% | $ | 36,594 | $ | 40,564 | $ | (3,970) | (10)% | |||||||||||
EMEA | 15,288 | 7,180 | 8,108 | 113% | 10,146 | 15,288 | (5,142) | (34)% | 38,074 | 47,207 | (9,133) | (19)% | ||||||||||||||||||||
Asia-Pacific | 5,241 | 5,736 | (495) | (9)% | 3,101 | 5,241 | (2,140) | (41)% | 18,328 | 15,488 | 2,840 | 18% | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unallocated corporate | (8,790) | (7,528) | (1,262) | (17)% | (7,623) | (8,790) | 1,167 | 13% | (25,209) | (26,891) | 1,682 | 6% | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 27,321 | $ | 19,812 | $ | 7,509 | 38% | $ | 18,984 | $ | 27,321 | $ | (8,337) | (31)% | $ | 67,787 | $ | 76,368 | $ | (8,581) | (11)% | |||||||||||
Americas
Americas Operating Income – Three Months Ended – May 31, 2022 Compared to May 31, 2021
Income from operations for the Americas increaseddecreased to $15.6$13.4 million, up $1.2down $2.2 million, or 8%14%, for the three months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, primarily due to a $10.0lower gross margin, partially offset by a $1.4 million increase in sales and lower operating expenses. Gross margin for the Americas segment decreased from 51.2% to 45.8% primarily due to increases in the costs of petroleum-based specialty chemicals and higher warehousing, distribution and freight costs. In addition, gross margin was unfavorably impacted by higher costs at our third-party manufacturers due to supply chain constraints and inflationary impacts, as well as unfavorable changes in our sales mix and increased costs of aerosol cans. These unfavorable impacts to gross margin were partially offset by both a lower gross margin and higher operating expenses. the favorable impacts of price increases that were implemented during the first nine months of fiscal year 2022. Operating expenses increaseddecreased period over period primarily due to higher accruals forlower accrued incentive compensation, partially offset by increased headcount and stock-based compensation,salaries, as well as higher travel and meeting expenses. Operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased from 26.0% to 21.7% period over period.
Americas Operating Income – Nine Months Ended – May 31, 2022 Compared to May 31, 2021
Income from operations for the Americas decreased to $36.6 million, down $4.0 million, or 10%, primarily due to a lower gross margin, partially offset by a $11.9 million increase in sales. Gross margin for the Americas segment decreased from 52.9% to 47.0% primarily due to increases in the costs of petroleum-based specialty chemicals. In addition, gross margin was unfavorably impacted by increased warehousing, distribution and freight costs and higher costs at our third-party manufacturers due to supply chain constraints and inflationary impacts. Gross margin was also unfavorably impacted by unfavorable changes in sales mix and increases in the discounts that we provide to our customers. These unfavorable impacts to gross margin were partially offset by the favorable impacts of price increases that were implemented during the first nine months of fiscal year 2022. Operating expenses remained relatively constant period over period. Although operating expenses increased due to higher outbound freight costs as a result of increased sales and higher freight rates, increased headcount and salaries, and higher travel and meeting expenses, these increases were almost entirely offset by lower accrued incentive compensation and lower A&P expenses. Operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased from 25.3% to 21.2% period over period.
costs
EMEA
EMEA Operating Income – Three Months Ended – May 31, 2022 Compared to May 31, 2021
Income from operations for the EMEA segment decreased to $10.1 million, down $5.1 million, or 34%, primarily due to a $9.1 million decrease in sales and lower gross margin, partially offset by a decrease in operating expenses. Gross margin for the EMEA segment decreased from 54.4% to 49.0% primarily due to the increase in salescombined unfavorable impacts of increased costs of petroleum-based specialty chemicals and higheraerosol cans. In addition, gross margin was also unfavorably impacted by increased warehousing, distribution and freight costs, in our distribution networks from period to period. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit for the Americas segment decreased from 53.1% to 51.2% period over period primarily due to increases in costs at our third-party manufacturers from period to period due to supply chain constraints as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.and inflationary impacts. These unfavorable impacts to gross margin were partially offset by price increases that were implemented over the combined favorable impacts oflast twelve months.Operating expenses decreased costs of petroleum-based specialty chemicals$2.5 million primarily due to lower accrued incentive compensation, partially offset by higher travel and aerosol cans as well as decreases to advertising, promotional, and other discounts that we give to our customers, from period tomeeting expenses during the period. Operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased from 28.8%26.1% to 26.0%20.5% period over period.
EMEA Operating Income – Nine Months Ended – May 31, 2022 Compared to May 31, 2021
Income from operations for the EMEA segment increaseddecreased to $15.3$38.1 million, up $8.1down $9.1 million, or 113% from period to period,19%, primarily due to a $26.1lower gross margin and a $2.1 million increasedecrease in sales, partially offset by a lower gross margin and a $5.9 million increasedecrease in operating expenses. As a percentage of net sales, gross profitGross margin for the EMEA segment decreased from 54.9%56.5% to 54.4% period over period50.9% primarily due to the combined unfavorable impacts of increased costs of petroleum-based specialty chemicals unfavorable changesand aerosol cans. In addition, gross margin was also unfavorably impacted by increased warehousing, distribution and freight costs due to exchange ratessupply chain constraints and increases in costs at our third-party manufacturers from period to period.inflationary impacts. These unfavorable impacts to gross margin were partially offset by price increases that were implemented over the decreased costs of aerosol canslast twelve months, as well as decreases to advertising, promotional, and lower warehousing, distribution and freight costsother discounts given to our customers from period to period. The increased sales were accompanied by a $5.9Operating expenses decreased $1.0 million increase in total operating expenses period over period, primarily due to higher accruals forlower accrued incentive compensation, partially offset by increased headcount and stock-based compensation as well as increased advertisingsalaries, higher travel and promotionalmeeting expenses, higher A&P expenses and higher outbound freight costs due to the higher sales volumes.. Operating income as a percentage of net sales increaseddecreased from 22.1%28.9% to 26.1%23.6% period over period.
Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific Operating Income – Three Months Ended – May 31, 2022 Compared to May 31, 2021
Income from operations for the Asia-Pacific segment decreased to $5.2$3.1 million, down $0.5$2.1 million, or 9%41%, for the three months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, primarily due to a $1.7$5.0 million increasedecrease in operating expenses,sales and a lower gross margin, partially offset by higher sales and a slightly higher gross margin. As a percentage of net sales, gross profitdecrease in operating expenses. Gross margin for the Asia-Pacific segment increaseddecreased from 55.2%55.3% to 55.3% period over period51.8% primarily due to decreasesthe combined unfavorable impacts of increases to the cost of petroleum-based specialty chemicals and aerosol cans as well as decreases toincreases in advertising, promotional and other discounts that we givegiven to our customers from period to period. These favorableunfavorable impacts to gross margin were almost completelypartially offset by unfavorable changes in both sales product mix and market mix, as well as increased costsprice increases that were implemented during the first nine months of aerosol cansfiscal year 2022. Operating expenses decreased $1.1 million from period to period. The increased sales were accompanied by a $1.7 million increase in total operating expenses period over period primarily due to higher accruals for incentive compensationlower A&P expenses and a higher level of advertising and sales promotionlower miscellaneous expenses. Operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased from 36.7%29.5% to 29.5%24.3% period over period.
Asia-Pacific Operating Income – Nine Months Ended – May 31, 2022 Compared to May 31, 2021
Income from operations for the Asia-Pacific segment increased to $18.3 million, up $2.8 million, or 18%, primarily due to a $5.8 million increase in sales and decreased operating expenses, partially offset by a lower gross margin. Gross margin for the Asia-Pacific segment decreased from 56.3% to 54.4% primarily due to combined unfavorable impacts of increases to the cost of petroleum-based specialty chemicals and aerosol cans, as well as increases in advertising, promotional and other discounts given to our customers. These unfavorable impacts to gross margin were partially offset by price increases that were implemented during the first nine months of fiscal year 2022. Operating expenses decreased $0.6 million from period to period primarily due to lower accrued incentive compensation and lower miscellaneous expenses from period to period. Operating income as a percentage of net sales increased from 31.4% to 33.3% period over period.
Non-Operating Items
The following table summarizes non-operating income and expenses for our consolidated operations (in thousands):
Three Months Ended May 31, | Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | Change | 2022 | 2021 | Change | 2022 | 2021 | Change | |||||||||||||||||
Interest income | $ | 21 | $ | 20 | $ | 1 | $ | 27 | $ | 21 | $ | 6 | $ | 73 | $ | 59 | $ | 14 | |||||||
Interest expense | $ | 615 | $ | 778 | $ | (163) | $ | 669 | $ | 615 | $ | 54 | $ | 1,902 | $ | 1,795 | $ | 107 | |||||||
Other (expense) income, net | $ | 183 | $ | 27 | $ | 156 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other income (expense), net | $ | (42) | $ | 183 | $ | (225) | $ | (119) | $ | 513 | $ | (632) | |||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes | $ | 5,904 | $ | 4,557 | $ | 1,347 | $ | 3,820 | $ | 5,904 | $ | (2,084) | $ | 13,296 | $ | 13,325 | $ | (29) | |||||||
Interest income was insignificant for bothnot significant during the three and nine months ended May 31, 20212022 and 2020.2021.
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased to $0.6 million forwas relatively constant during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2022 and 2021 compared to $0.8 million during the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, primarily due to a lower balance on our line of credit from period to period.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Other income (expense), net was insignificant for bothnot significant during the three and nine months ended May 31, 20212022 and 20202021. Other income (expense), net changed by $0.6 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2022 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year primarily due to fluctuations in the foreign currency exchange rates for both the U.S. Dollar and the Euro against the Pound Sterling.
The provision for income taxes was 21.9%20.9% and 23.9%21.9% of income before income taxes for the three months ended May 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively. The decrease in the effective income tax rate from period to period was primarily due changes in the expected timing and amounts of executive compensation in future periods which impacts deductible expenses.
The provision for income taxes was 20.2% and 17.7% of income before income taxes for the nine months ended May 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase in the effective income tax rate from period to higher earnings from foreign operations resulting inperiod was primarily due to an increase in the benefit received from the application of the Foreign-Derived Intangible Income calculation, coupled with a one-time benefit received in fiscal year 2021 from an Investment Tax Credit.nondeductible performance-based compensation expense.
Net Income
Net income was $21.0$14.5 million, or $1.52$1.07 per common share on a fully diluted basis, for the three months ended May 31, 20212022 compared to $14.5$21.0 million, or $1.06$1.52 per common share on a fully diluted basis, for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had a favorablean unfavorable impact of $1.4$0.6 million on consolidated net income for the three months ended May 31, 20212022 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. OnThus, on a constant currency basis, net income would have increased by $5.1 million from period to period.
Nine Months Ended May 31, 2021 Compared to Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020
Operating Items
The following table summarizes operating data for our consolidated operations (in thousands, except percentages and per share amounts):
Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||
Change from | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | Dollars | Percent | ||||||||
Net sales: | |||||||||||
Maintenance products | $ | 344,446 | $ | 268,676 | $ | 75,770 | 28% | ||||
Homecare and cleaning products | 28,423 | 28,176 | 247 | 1% | |||||||
Total net sales | 372,869 | 296,852 | 76,017 | 26% | |||||||
Cost of products sold | 168,158 | 136,657 | 31,501 | 23% | |||||||
Gross profit | 204,711 | 160,195 | 44,516 | 28% | |||||||
Operating expenses | 128,343 | 107,494 | 20,849 | 19% | |||||||
Income from operations | $ | 76,368 | $ | 52,701 | $ | 23,667 | 45% | ||||
Net income | $ | 61,820 | $ | 41,045 | $ | 20,775 | 51% | ||||
Earnings per common share - diluted | $ | 4.48 | $ | 2.98 | $ | 1.50 | 50% | ||||
Shares used in per share calculations - diluted | 13,727 | 13,727 | - | - | |||||||
Net Sales by Segment
The following table summarizes net sales by segment (in thousands, except percentages):
Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||
Change from | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | Dollars | Percent | ||||||||
Americas | $ | 160,390 | $ | 143,672 | $ | 16,718 | 12% | ||||
EMEA | 163,150 | 113,519 | 49,631 | 44% | |||||||
Asia-Pacific | 49,329 | 39,661 | 9,668 | 24% | |||||||
Total | $ | 372,869 | $ | 296,852 | $ | 76,017 | 26% | ||||
Americas
The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the Americas segment (in thousands, except percentages):
Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||
Change from | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | Dollars | Percent | ||||||||
Maintenance products | $ | 145,729 | $ | 127,662 | $ | 18,067 | 14% | ||||
Homecare and cleaning products | 14,661 | 16,010 | (1,349) | (8)% | |||||||
Total | $ | 160,390 | $ | 143,672 | $ | 16,718 | 12% | ||||
% of consolidated net sales | 43% | 48% | |||||||||
Sales in the Americas segment, which includes the U.S., Canada and Latin America, increased to $160.4 million, up $16.7decreased $5.9 million, or 12%, for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates did not have a material impact on sales for the Americas segment from period to period.
Sales of maintenance products in the Americas segment increased $18.1 million, or 14%, for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. This sales increase was mainly driven by increased sales of maintenance products in the Latin America, the U.S. and Canada, which were up $10.1 million or 60%, $5.0 million or 5% and $3.0 million or 42%, respectively, from period to period. Increased demand for our products as a result of a higher level of renovation and maintenance activities exhibited by our end-users during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in increased sales of maintenance products in all three regions. In addition, sales in Latin America increased due to the transition to the direct marketing model in Mexico. Early in the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, we shifted away from a distribution model for Mexico where we sold products through a large wholesale customer who then supplied various retail customers, to one where we sell direct to these retail customers. This resulted in increased sales in Latin America during the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Although the U.S. experienced some improvements in its supply chain in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 resulting in higher sales of maintenance products from period to period, it is still having challenges meeting customer and end user demand, particularly for its WD-40 Specialist products. As a result of these challenges, sales of the WD-40 Specialist product line decreased 15% for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year.
Sales of homecare and cleaning products in the Americas decreased $1.4 million, or 8%, for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. This sales decrease was driven primarily by a decrease in sales of Lava and X-14 brand products in the U.S., which were down $0.9 million or 40% and $0.6 million or 42%, respectively, from period to period. We experienced a significant increase in sales of most of our homecare and cleaning products during the second half of fiscal year 2020 due to increased demand for such products as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2021, we have seen demand for these homecare and cleaning products return to more normal levels due to improvements in public health and safety restrictions related to the pandemic in many regions within the Americas. Sales levels for our homecare and cleaning products in the Americas were also negatively impacted during the nine months ended May 31, 2021 by the challenges in our Americas supply chain. While each of our homecare and cleaning products have continued to generate positive cash flows, we had experienced decreased or flat sales for many of these products in recent fiscal years prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the Americas segment, 76% of sales came from the U.S., and 24% of sales came from Canada and Latin America combined for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the distribution for the nine months ended May 31, 2020 when 82% of sales came from the U.S., and 18% of sales came from Canada and Latin America.
EMEA
The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the EMEA segment (in thousands, except percentages):
Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||
Change from | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | Dollars | Percent | ||||||||
Maintenance products | $ | 156,188 | $ | 106,720 | $ | 49,468 | 46% | ||||
Homecare and cleaning products | 6,962 | 6,799 | 163 | 2% | |||||||
Total | $ | 163,150 | $ | 113,519 | $ | 49,631 | 44% | ||||
% of consolidated net sales | 44% | 38% | |||||||||
Sales in the EMEA segment, which includes Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India, increased to $163.2 million, up $49.6 million, or 44%, for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had a favorable impact on sales for the EMEA segment from period to period. Sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 translated at the exchange rates in effect for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year would have been $152.9 million in the EMEA segment. Thus, on a constant currency basis, sales would have increased by $39.3 million, or 35%28%, from period to period.
The countries in Europe where we sell through a direct sales force include the U.K., Italy, France, Iberia (which includes Spain and Portugal) and the Germanics sales region (which includes Germany, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands). Sales in the direct markets increased to $108.9 million, up $32.8 million, or 43%, for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year primarily due to increased sales of WD-40 Multi-Use Product, WD-40 Specialist and WD-40 Bike of $21.5 million or 41%, $5.2 million or 61% and $2.2 million or 145%, respectively, throughout all of the direct markets. Additionally, sales of 3-In-One increased $2.9 million or 49% during the period. These increases in sales were primarily due to increased demand for our products as a result of a higher level of renovation and maintenance activities exhibited by our end-users during the COVID-19 pandemic and the success of promotional programs that were conducted during the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 to meet the high level of demand. This increased demand and consumption of our products resulted in increased sales, particularly within the e-commerce channel. In addition, sales levels were much higher in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 compared to the prior period due to severe lockdowns measures that occurred during the third quarter of fiscal year 2020 which limited many retailers’ ability to participate in promotional activities and sell high volumes of certain products. Sales from direct markets accounted for 67% of the EMEA segment’s sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to 67% for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.
The regions in the EMEA segment where we sell through local distributors include the Middle East, Africa, India, Eastern and Northern Europe. Sales in the distributor markets increased $16.8 million, or 45%, for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, primarily due to increased sales of the WD-40 Multi-Use Product in Northern Europe, Eastern Europe, India, and the Middle East, which were up $5.0 million, $4.1 million, $3.9 million and $3.1 million, respectively. This increase in sales from period to period was primarily due to recoveries experienced during fiscal year 2021 in distributor markets that previously experienced more severe lockdowns during the second half of fiscal year 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During fiscal year 2021, many of these regions experienced improved economic conditions as a result of reductions in COVID-19 related restrictions. This allowed our marketing distributors to participate in more of our promotional activities and to adjust to more normal levels of inventory for our product, which resulted in increased sales to meet the higher level of demand caused by increases in renovation and maintenance activities by end-users during the pandemic. The distributor markets accounted for 33% of the EMEA segment’s total sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2021, compared to 33% for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.
Asia-Pacific
The following table summarizes net sales by product line for the Asia-Pacific segment (in thousands, except percentages):
Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||
Change from | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | Dollars | Percent | ||||||||
Maintenance products | $ | 42,529 | $ | 34,294 | $ | 8,235 | 24% | ||||
Homecare and cleaning products | 6,800 | 5,367 | 1,433 | 27% | |||||||
Total | $ | 49,329 | $ | 39,661 | $ | 9,668 | 24% | ||||
% of consolidated net sales | 13% | 14% | |||||||||
Sales in the Asia-Pacific segment, which includes Australia, China and other countries in the Asia region, increased to $49.3 million, up $9.7 million, or 24%, for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had a favorable impact on sales for the Asia-Pacific segment from period to period. Sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 translated at the exchange rates in effect for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year would have been $46.6 million in the Asia-Pacific segment. Thus, on a constant currency basis, sales would have increased by $7.0 million, or 18%, from period to period.
Sales in Asia, which represented 67% of the total sales in the Asia-Pacific segment, increased $6.0 million, or 22%, for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Sales in China increased $4.0 million, or 46%, primarily due to improved market conditions as a result of the reduction of COVID-19 lockdown measures compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year when the COVID-19 outbreak resulted in significant governmental restrictions on movement and commerce. Sales in the Asia distributor markets increased $1.9 million, or 11%, for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. These increased sales were primarily due to the easing of COVID-19 lockdown measures in many of the Asia markets during fiscal year 2021 compared to late in fiscal year 2020. These reduced lockdown measures have positively impacted economic conditions and resulted in increased demand and higher sales period over period, particularly in the Philippines, South Korea, Indonesia and Hong Kong, during the nine months ended May 31, 2021.
Sales in Australia increased $3.7 million, or 31%, for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had a favorable impact on sales in Australia. On a constant currency basis, sales in Australia would have increased by $1.8 million, or 14%, partially due to continued increased demand for homecare and cleaning products, which were up $1.4 million, or 27%, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, sales of maintenance products were up $2.3 million, or 31%, from period to period primarily due to a higher level of renovation and maintenance activities undertaken by our end-users during the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in increased sales. Negative sales impacts to Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic have continued to be limited in fiscal year 2021 since COVID-19 case numbers have remained relatively low in Australia since the initial outbreak and governmental authorities have adopted less severe lockdown requirements. This has resulted in our key customers remaining open for business during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gross Profit
Gross profit increased to $204.7 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to $160.2 million for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit increased to 54.9% for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to 54.0% for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.
Gross margin was favorably impacted by 1.2 percentage points from period to period due to favorable changes in the costs of petroleum-based specialty chemicals in all three segments. Beginning in late February 2020, which was late in the second quarter of our fiscal year 2020, the price of crude oil dropped significantly for a period of several months. Although the price of crude oil has recently recovered to the prices seen in early calendar year 2020, the average cost of crude oil which flowed through our cost of goods sold was lower during the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, thus resulting in favorable impacts to our gross margin from period to period. There is often a delay of one quarter or more before changes in raw material costs impact the cost of products sold due to production and inventory life cycles. Gross margin was also positively impacted by 0.8 percentage points due to favorable changes in the costs of aerosol cans in the EMEA and Americas segments. In addition, gross margin was positively impacted by 0.2 percentage points from period to period due to sales price increases in all three segments during the last twelve months.
These favorable impacts to gross margin were partially offset by an unfavorable impact of 1.0 percentage points due to increases in manufacturing costs and higher miscellaneous costs from period to period. The increased manufacturing costs were primarily driven by higher labor and overhead costs at our third-party manufacturers caused by global supply chain constraints as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These pandemic-related challenges began to significantly impact the Americas segment starting in the second quarter of fiscal year 2021 and continued in the third quarter. No such challenges existed in the corresponding periods of the prior fiscal year. Gross margin was also negatively impacted by 0.2 percentage points from period to period due to higher warehousing and in-bound freight costs, primarily in the Americas and EMEA segments. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates from period to period in the EMEA segment negatively impacted by 0.1 percentage points.
Note that our gross profit and gross margin may not be comparable to those of other consumer product companies, since some of these companies include all costs related to distribution of their products in cost of products sold, whereas we exclude the portion associated with amounts paid to third parties for shipment to our customers from our distribution centers and contract manufacturers and include these costs in selling, general and administrative expenses. These costs totaled $12.5 million and $9.3 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 increased $19.2 million to $109.6 million from $90.4 million for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses decreased to 29.4% for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to 30.5% for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. The increase in SG&A expenses from period to period was due to a variety of factors, but most significantly due to increased employee-related costs of $15.1 million due to increased incentive compensation accruals and higher stock-based compensation from period to period resulting from stronger financial results from period to period. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates from period to period increased SG&A expenses by $3.0 million. Increases in freight costs associated with higher sales levels as well as carrier price increases due to constraints and limited capacity in the global distribution networks from period to period also increased SG&A expenses by $2.8 million. In addition, professional services fees increased $1.7 million due to increased cloud-based software usage and license fees. Other miscellaneous expenses also increased $0.6 million from period to period. These increases to SG&A expenses were offset by a decrease in travel and meeting expenses of $4.0 million from period to period. Travel and meeting expenses decreased primarily due to continued initiatives to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, including the imposition of business travel restrictions for all employees and the cancellation of all large meetings, such as regional sales meetings and global leadership meetings, in support of social distancing requirements.
We continued our research and development investment, the majority of which is associated with our maintenance products, in support of our focus on innovation and renovation of our products. Research and development costs were $4.2 million and $4.6 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Advertising and Sales Promotion Expenses
Advertising and sales promotion expenses for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 increased $2.5 million, or 16%, to $17.7 million from $15.2 million for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. As a percentage of net sales, these expenses decreased to 4.7% for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 from 5.1% for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates increased advertising and sales promotion expenses by $0.7 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2021. The increase in advertising and sales promotion expenses was primarily due to a higher level of promotional programs and marketing support in all three segments as a result of increased consumer demand and higher sales from period to period. These increases were partially offset by the decrease of physical marketing and sampling activities from period to period, such as the cancellations of trade shows, due to the continued indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic during the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 and this resulted in a decreased in advertising and sales promotion expenses as a percentage of net sales from period to period.
As a percentage of net sales, advertising and sales promotion expenses may fluctuate period to period based upon the type of marketing activities we employ and the period in which the costs are incurred. Total promotional costs recorded as a reduction to sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 were $18.4 million compared to $14.5 million for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Therefore, our total investment in advertising and sales promotion activities totaled $36.1 million and $29.7 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Amortization of our definite-lived intangible assets decreased to $1.1 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to $1.9 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2020 due to decreased amortization associated with the 2000 Flushes trade name, which became fully amortized during the third quarter of fiscal year 2020.
Income from Operations by Segment
The following table summarizes income from operations by segment (in thousands, except percentages):
Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||
Change from | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | Dollars | Percent | ||||||||
Americas | $ | 40,564 | $ | 36,404 | $ | 4,160 | 11% | ||||
EMEA | 47,207 | 26,354 | 20,853 | 79% | |||||||
Asia-Pacific | 15,488 | 12,044 | 3,444 | 29% | |||||||
Unallocated corporate | (26,891) | (22,101) | (4,790) | (22)% | |||||||
Total | $ | 76,368 | $ | 52,701 | $ | 23,667 | 45% | ||||
Americas
Income from operations for the Americas increased to $40.6 million, up $4.2 million, or 11%, for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, primarily due to a $16.7 million increase in sales which was partially offset by higher operating expenses. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit for the Americas segment remained constant at 52.9%. The combined favorable impacts of decreased costs of petroleum-based specialty chemicals and aerosol cans as well as decreases to advertising, promotional, and other discounts that we give to our customers increased our gross margin from period to period. These favorable impacts to gross margin were completely offset by higher third-party manufacturing costs as well as increased warehousing, distribution and freight costs. The increased sales were accompanied by a $4.7 million increase in total operating expenses period over period, primarily due to higher accruals for incentive compensation and stock-based compensation, as well as higher outbound freight costs due to increased sales and higher freight costs in the market from period to period. These increases in operating expenses were partially offset by lower travel and meeting expenses due to initiatives adopted by the Company during the third quarter of fiscal year 2020 to reduce the
transmission of COVID-19. In addition, operating expenses were favorably impacted by decreased amortization associated with the 2000 Flushes trade name, which became fully amortized during the third quarter of fiscal year 2020. Operating income as a percentage of net sales remained stable at 25.3% from period to period.
EMEA
Income from operations for the EMEA segment increased to $47.2 million, up $20.9 million, or 79%, for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, primarily due to a $49.6 million increase in sales and a higher gross margin, partially offset by higher operating expenses. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit for the EMEA segment increased from 55.3% to 56.5% period over period primarily due to the combined favorable impacts of decreased costs of aerosol cans and petroleum-based specialty chemicals, as well as sales price increases from period to period. These favorable impacts to gross margin were partially offset by unfavorable changes in third-party manufacturing costs, as well as increases in warehousing, distribution and freight costs, and increases to advertising, promotional, and other discounts that we give to our customers from period to period. The increased sales were accompanied by a $8.5 million increase in total operating expenses period over period, primarily due to higher accruals for incentive compensation and stock-based compensation, as well as increased outbound freight costs and increased advertising and sales promotion expenses due to higher sales from period to period. Operating income as a percentage of net sales increased from 23.2% to 28.9% period over period.
Asia-Pacific
Income from operations for the Asia-Pacific segment increased to $15.5 million, up $3.4 million, or 29%, for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, primarily due to a $9.7 million increase in sales and a higher gross margin, which were partially offset by higher operating expenses. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit for the Asia-Pacific segment increased from 54.2% to 56.3% period over period primarily due to decreases to the cost of petroleum-based specialty chemicals and favorable changes in both sales product mix and market mix from period to period. These favorable impacts to gross margin were slightly offset by the unfavorable impact of increased costs of aerosol cans from period to period. The increased sales were accompanied by a $2.8 million increase in total operating expenses period over period, primarily due to higher accruals for incentive compensation and other employee costs, as well as a higher level of advertising and sales promotion expenses and increased outbound freight costs from period to period.Operating income as a percentage of net sales increased from 30.4% to 31.4% period over period.
Non-Operating Items
The following table summarizes non-operating income and expenses for our consolidated operations (in thousands):
Nine Months Ended May 31, | ||||||||
2021 | 2020 | Change | ||||||
Interest income | $ | 59 | $ | 73 | $ | (14) | ||
Interest expense | $ | 1,795 | $ | 1,813 | $ | (18) | ||
Other income (expense), net | $ | 513 | $ | (197) | $ | 710 | ||
Provision for income taxes | $ | 13,325 | $ | 9,719 | $ | 3,606 | ||
Interest income was insignificant for both the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020.
Interest expense remained relatively constant at $1.8 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Other income (expense), net changed by $0.7 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year primarily due to foreign currency exchange gains of $0.3 million in the current year compared to $0.4 million of foreign currency losses during the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year as a result of fluctuations in the foreign currency exchange rates for both the U.S. Dollar and the Euro against the Pound Sterling.
The provision for income taxes was 17.7% and 19.1% of income before income taxes for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease in the effective income tax rate from period to period was primarily due to a benefit from the High Tax Exclusion associated with Global Intangible Low Taxed Income during the first half of fiscal year 2021, as well as an increase in excess earnings from foreign operations resulting in an increase in the benefit received from the application of the Foreign-Derived Intangible Income calculation.
Net Income
Net income was $61.8$52.5 million, or $4.48$3.82 per common share on a fully diluted basis, for the nine months ended May 31, 20212022 compared to $41.0$61.8 million, or $2.98$4.48 per common share on a fully diluted basis, for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates haddid not have a favorablesignificant impact of $2.9 million on consolidated net income for the nine months ended May 31, 20212022 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. On a constant currency basis, net income would have increased by $17.9 million from period to period.
Performance Measures and Non-GAAP Reconciliations
In managing our business operations and assessing our financial performance, we supplement the information provided by our financial statements with certain non-GAAP performance measures. These performance measures are part of our current 55/30/25 business model, which includes gross margin, cost of doing business, and earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), the latter two of which are non-GAAP performance measures. Cost of doing business is defined as total operating expenses less amortization of definite-lived intangible assets, impairment charges related to intangible assets and depreciation in operating departments, and EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. We target our gross margin to be at or above 55% of net sales, our cost of doing business to be at 30% of net sales, and our EBITDA to be above 25% of net sales. Results for these performance measures may vary from period to period depending on various factors, including economic conditions and our level of investment in activities for the future such as those related to quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property protection in order to safeguard our WD-40 brand. TheOur financial results and operations continue to be impacted by increased global supply chain constraints and an inflationary environment, both of which have significantly lowered our gross margin percentage over the last twelve months and moved us well below our target of 55%. Although we have been implementing strategic sales price increases across all segments at varying times in response to increased costs, it will take time before the full impact of these sales price increases are reflected in our reported results. In addition, it is difficult to determine how long these supply chain and inflationary conditions will exist and if they will worsen or improve over time. However, the targets for gross margin and these other performance measures are long-term in nature particularly those for cost of doing business and EBITDA, and we expect to make progress towards achieving them over time as our revenues increase.time. For more detailed information pertaining to recent trends and economic conditions and the actions we are taking to respond to them, please see the section titled “Significant Developments”.
The following table summarizes the results of these performance measures for the periods presented:
Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
Gross margin - GAAP | 53% | 54% | 55% | 54% | 48% | 53% | 50% | 55% | ||||||||||||||
Cost of doing business as a percentage | ||||||||||||||||||||||
of net sales - non-GAAP | 32% | 32% | 33% | 35% | 31% | 32% | 31% | 33% | ||||||||||||||
EBITDA as a percentage of net sales - non-GAAP (1) | 21% | 22% | 22% | 20% | 17% | 21% | 19% | 22% | ||||||||||||||
(1)Percentages may not aggregate to EBITDA percentage due to rounding and because amounts recorded in other income (expense), net on the Company’sour consolidated statement of operations are not included as an adjustment to earnings in the EBITDA calculation.
We use the performance measures above to establish financial goals and to gain an understanding of theour comparative performance of the Company from period to period. We believe that these measures provide our shareholders with additional insights into the Company’s results of operations and how we run our business. The non-GAAP financial measures are
supplemental in nature and should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to net income, income from operations or other financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP as indicators of the Company’s performance or operations. The use of any non-GAAP measure may produce results that vary from the GAAP measure and may not be comparable to a similarly defined non-GAAP measure used by other companies. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to our financial statements as prepared in accordance with GAAP are as follows:
Cost of Doing Business (in thousands, except percentages)
Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses - GAAP | $ | 45,137 | $ | 33,238 | $ | 128,343 | $ | 107,494 | $ | 40,001 | $ | 45,137 | $ | 125,186 | $ | 128,343 | ||||||
Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets | (364) | (552) | (1,084) | (1,856) | (358) | (364) | (1,081) | (1,084) | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation (in operating departments) | (1,098) | (1,050) | (3,217) | (3,046) | (1,108) | (1,098) | (3,318) | (3,217) | ||||||||||||||
Cost of doing business | $ | 43,675 | $ | 31,636 | $ | 124,042 | $ | 102,592 | $ | 38,535 | $ | 43,675 | $ | 120,787 | $ | 124,042 | ||||||
Net sales | $ | 136,405 | $ | 98,247 | $ | 372,869 | $ | 296,852 | $ | 123,667 | $ | 136,405 | $ | 388,399 | $ | 372,869 | ||||||
Cost of doing business as a percentage | ||||||||||||||||||||||
of net sales - non-GAAP | 32% | 32% | 33% | 35% | 31% | 32% | 31% | 33% | ||||||||||||||
EBITDA (in thousands, except percentages)
Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | Three Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||
Net income - GAAP | $ | 21,006 | $ | 14,524 | $ | 61,820 | $ | 41,045 | $ | 14,480 | $ | 21,006 | $ | 52,543 | $ | 61,820 | ||||||
Provision for income taxes | 5,904 | 4,557 | 13,325 | 9,719 | 3,820 | 5,904 | 13,296 | 13,325 | ||||||||||||||
Interest income | (21) | (20) | (59) | (73) | (27) | (21) | (73) | (59) | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 615 | 778 | 1,795 | 1,813 | 669 | 615 | 1,902 | 1,795 | ||||||||||||||
Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets | 364 | 552 | 1,084 | 1,856 | 358 | 364 | 1,081 | 1,084 | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation | 1,444 | 1,515 | 4,182 | 4,254 | 1,700 | 1,444 | 5,059 | 4,182 | ||||||||||||||
EBITDA | $ | 29,312 | $ | 21,906 | $ | 82,147 | $ | 58,614 | $ | 21,000 | $ | 29,312 | $ | 73,808 | $ | 82,147 | ||||||
Net sales | $ | 136,405 | $ | 98,247 | $ | 372,869 | $ | 296,852 | $ | 123,667 | $ | 136,405 | $ | 388,399 | $ | 372,869 | ||||||
EBITDA as a percentage of net sales - non-GAAP | 21% | 22% | 22% | 20% | 17% | 21% | 19% | 22% | ||||||||||||||
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
The Company’sOur financial condition and liquidity remain strong. Net cash provided by operations was $64.0 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to $40.8 million for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. Although there continues to be a certain level of uncertainty related to the ongoing and anticipated impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’sour future results, we believe our efficient business model and the steps that we have taken leaveposition us positioned to manage our business through this crisis as it continues to unfold. We continue to manage all aspects of our business including, but not limited to, monitoring our liquidity, the financial health of our customers, suppliers and other third-party relationships, implementing gross margin enhancement strategies and developing new opportunities for growth.
Our principal sources of liquidity are our existing cash and cash equivalents, as well as cash generated from operations and cash currently available from our existing unsecured revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement with Bank of America. We use proceeds of the revolving credit facility primarily for our general working capital needs. The CompanyWe also holdshold borrowings under athe Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement. See Note 87 – Debt for additional information on these agreements. Included in Note
8 – Debt is information on the Credit Agreement that we amended with Bank of America on September 30, 2020, and a third amendment to the Note Agreement. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2021 we refinanced existing draws under our Credit Agreement in the United States through the issuance of new notes under the Note Agreement in the amount of $52.0 million.
We have historically maintainedheld a balance of outstanding draws on our line of credit in either U.S. Dollars in the Americas segment, as well asor in Euros and Pound Sterling in the EMEA segment. Euro and Pound Sterling denominated draws will fluctuate in U.S. Dollars from period to period due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, we repaid $50.0 million of our U.S. borrowings outstanding under our line of credit using $52.0 million in proceeds that we received on September 30, 2020 from the issuance and sale of the Series B and C Notes which mature in November 2027 and 2030, respectively. Our remaining outstanding balance under our line of credit is denominated completely in Euros and Pound Sterling as of May 31, 2021. We regularly convert many of our draws on our line of credit to new draws with new maturity dates and interest rates. We have the ability to refinance any draws under the line of credit with successive short-term borrowings through the September 30, 2025 maturity date of the Credit Agreement. Outstanding draws for which we have both the ability and intent to refinance with successive short-term borrowings for a period of at least twelve months are classified as long-term. As of May 31, 2021, we had a $48.12022, $42.6 million of the outstanding balance under our line of outstanding draws oncredit resides in the revolving credit facility, all of which wasEMEA segment and is denominated in Euros and Pound Sterling and classified long-term, whereas $15.6 million is denominated in U.S. Dollar and classified as long-term.short-term. In addition,the United States, we held
$68.4 million in fixed rate long-term borrowings as of May 31, 2022, consisting of senior notes under our Note Agreement. We paid $0.8 million in principal payments on our Series A Notes during the first nine months of fiscal year 2021, which had an outstanding balance of $17.2 million as of May 31, 2021.2022. There were no other letters of credit outstanding or restrictions on the amount available on our line of credit or notes. Per the terms of both the Note Agreement and the Credit Agreement, our consolidated leverage ratio cannot be greater than three and a half to one and our consolidated interest coverage ratio cannot be less than three to one. See Note 87 – Debt for additional information on these financial covenants. At May 31, 2021,2022, we were in compliance with all material debt covenants. We continue to monitor our compliance with all debt covenants. Atcovenants and, at the present time, we believe that the likelihood of being unable to satisfy theseall material covenants is remote.At May 31, 2022, we had a total of $40.8 million in cash and cash equivalents. We do not foresee any ongoing issues with repaying our borrowings and we closely monitor the use of this credit facility.
We believe that our future cash from domestic and international operations, together with our access to funds available under our unsecured revolving credit facility, will provide adequate resources to fund both short-term and long-term operating requirements, capital expenditures, dividend payments, acquisitions, new business development activities and share repurchases. On April 8, 2020, we suspended repurchases underOctober 12, 2021, our most recentBoard of Directors approved a new share buy-backrepurchase plan. Under the plan, which subsequently expiredbecame effective on November 1, 2021, we are authorized to acquire up to $75.0 million of its outstanding shares through August 31, 2020, in order to preserve cash while we monitor2023, of which $52.6 million remains available for the long-term impactsrepurchase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company will continue to evaluate future authorizations of share buy-backs. Atcommon shares at May 31, 2021, we had a total of $80.4 million in cash and cash equivalents. We do not foresee any ongoing issues with repaying our borrowings and we closely monitor the use of this credit facility.2022.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows by category for the periods presented (in thousands):
Nine Months Ended May 31, | Nine Months Ended May 31, | |||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | Change | 2022 | 2021 | Change | |||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 63,975 | $ | 40,756 | $ | 23,219 | $ | 7,656 | $ | 63,975 | $ | (56,319) | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (10,371) | (17,090) | 6,719 | (6,738) | (10,371) | 3,633 | ||||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (30,615) | 37,490 | (68,105) | |||||||||||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (43,259) | (30,615) | (12,644) | |||||||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | 911 | 166 | 745 | (2,821) | 911 | (3,732) | ||||||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 23,900 | $ | 61,322 | $ | (37,422) | ||||||||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (45,162) | $ | 23,900 | $ | (69,062) | ||||||||||
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities increased $23.2decreased $56.3 million to $64.0$7.7 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 from $40.8 million for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.2022. Cash flows from operating activities depend heavily on operating performance and changes in working capital. Our primary source of operating cash flows for the nine months ended May 31, 20212022 was net income of $61.8$52.5 million, which increased $20.8decreased approximately $9.3 million from period to period. TheAlthough the changes in adjustments to reconcile net income to cash did not have a significant impact on net cash provided by operating activities in total, decreases in stock-based compensation due to a lower level of expense associated with performance-based awards were almost completely offset by various other adjustments, primarily an increase in depreciation expense. Change in our working capital, which decreased net cash provided by operating activities werewas primarily attributable to increases in tradeinventory, most significantly in the Americas segment but also in the EMEA segment. This increase in inventory was due to actions we took to stock certain raw materials and finished goods to increase the flexibility and capacity within our supply chain, as well as the higher carrying value of inventory due to higher raw material costs and other input costs from period to period. Net cash provided by operating activities was further decreased due to higher earned incentive payouts in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 compared to the same period of the prior fiscal year as well as lower level of earned incentive accruals from period to period. These changes in working capital that decreased net cash provided by operating activities were partially offset by lower increases in trade accounts receivable balances during the first nine months ended May 31, 2021of fiscal year 2022 compared to the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year as a result of significantly increased sales from period to period. In addition, the change in working
capital was impacted by increases to inventory from period to period. These working capital changes were partially offset by increases in accounts payable in the EMEA and the Americas segmentsprimarily due to higher levels of production and the timing of payments to vendors from period to period. In addition, accrued payroll and related expenses increasedlower sales during the first nine monthsthird quarter of fiscal year 2021 primarily due to significantly increased accruals of incentive compensation from period to period.2022.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities decreased $6.7$3.6 million to $10.4$6.7 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 from $17.1 million for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year,2022, primarily due to decreased capital expenditures. Capital expenditures decreased by $6.6 million primarily due to the renovations and equipping of the Company’s office building in Milton Keynes, England that were completed in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020 and a lower level of manufacturing-related capital expenditures within the U.K.United States and the United StatesKingdom from period to period.period. Capital expenditures during fiscal yearyears 2021 and 2022 were primarily related to manufacturing equipment,
some of which is currentlystill under construction, and will be located at our third-party manufacturers in the United States and the United Kingdom once completed.
Financing Activities
Net cash used by financing activities was $30.6increased $12.6 million to $43.3 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2022. This change was primarily due to the resumption of treasury stock purchases in November 2021, comparedresulting in increased treasury stock purchases of $22.4 million. In addition, increases in dividends paid to netour shareholders of $3.0 million and increases in shares withheld to cover taxes on conversion of equity rewards of $0.8 million resulted in higher cash outflows from period to period. Offsetting these increases in cash outflows from period to period were proceeds provided by financing activitiesthe Company’s autoborrow agreement of $37.5$15.6 million forduring the first nine months of the fiscal year, whereas no draws were made on our autoborrow agreement in the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year resulting in a net change of $68.1 million. This change was primarily due to $80.0 million in net proceeds that we drew under our line of credit in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic with no comparable event occurring inyear. In the first nine months of fiscal year 2021. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, we repaid $50.0 million of such borrowings outstanding under our line of credit using $52.0 million in proceeds that we received from the issuance and sale of senior notes during the quarter. This net borrowing activity resulted in a $2.0 million cash inflow during the periodfirst nine months of fiscal year 2021 compared to $84.6the $15.6 million in net proceeds onfrom our line ofrevolving credit infacility during the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. In addition, increases in dividends paid to our shareholders of $1.5 million and increases in shares withheld to cover taxes on conversion of equity rewards of $0.9 million, resulted in higher cash outflows from period to period. Offsetting these increases in cash outflows was a decrease in treasury stock repurchases due to the suspension of such repurchases beginning in the third quarterfirst nine months of fiscal year 2020, which resulted in a decrease in cash outflows of $16.8 million from period to period.2022.
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes
All of our foreign subsidiaries currently operate in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar and a significant portion of our consolidated cash balance is denominated in these foreign functional currencies, particularly at our U.K. subsidiary, which operates in Pound Sterling. As a result, our cash and cash equivalents balances are subject to the effects of the fluctuations in these functional currencies against the U.S. Dollar at the end of each reporting period. The net effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents, when expressed in U.S. Dollar terms, was a decrease in cash of $2.8 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2022 as compared to an increase in cash of $0.9 million and $0.2 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.2021. These changes were primarily due to fluctuations in various foreign currency exchange rates from period to period, but the majority is related to the fluctuations in the Pound Sterling against the U.S. Dollar.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements as defined by Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K.
Commercial Commitments
We have ongoing relationships with various third-party suppliers (contract manufacturers) that manufacture our products and third-party distribution centers whowhich warehouse and ship our products to customers. The contract manufacturers maintain title and control of certain raw materials and components, materials utilized in finished products, and of the finished products themselves until shipment to our customers or third-party distribution centers in accordance with agreed upon shipment terms. Although we have definitive minimum purchase obligations included in the contract terms with certain of our contract manufacturers, when such obligations have been included, they have either been immaterial or the minimum amounts have been such that they are well below the volume of goods that the Company haswe have historically purchased. In addition, in the ordinary course of business, we communicate supply needs to our contract manufacturers based on orders and short-term projections, ranging from two to six
months. We are committed to purchase the products produced by the contract manufacturers based on the projections provided.
Upon the termination of contracts with contract manufacturers, we obtain certain inventory control rights and are obligated to work with the contract manufacturer to sell through all productsproduct held by or manufactured by the contract manufacturer on our behalf during the termination notification period. If any inventory remains at the contract manufacturer at the termination date, we are obligated to purchase such inventory, which may include raw materials, components and finished goods. The amounts for inventory purchased under termination commitments have been immaterial.
In addition to the commitments to purchase products from contract manufacturers described above, we may also enter into commitments with other manufacturers to purchase finished goods and components to support innovation initiatives and/or supply chain initiatives. As of May 31, 2021,2022, no such commitments were outstanding.
Share Repurchase Plan
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to Part I—Item 1, “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” Note 98 — Share Repurchase Plan, included in this report.
Dividends
On June 15, 2021,21, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.72$0.78 per share payable on July 30, 202129, 2022 to shareholders of record on July 16, 202115, 2022.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our discussion and analysis of our operating results and financial condition is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Critical accounting policies are those that involve subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates. The following areas all require the use of judgments and estimates: revenue recognition, accounting for income taxes and impairment of definite-lived intangible assets. Estimates in each of these areas are based on historical experience and various judgments and assumptions that we believe are appropriate. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
There have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies from those disclosed in Part II―Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020,2021, which was filed with the SEC on October 21, 2020.22, 2021.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
InformationThere have been no recently issued accounting standards that will have a material impact on Recently Issued Accounting Standards that could potentially impact the Company’sour consolidated financial statements and related disclosures is incorporated by reference to Part I—Item 1, “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” Note 2 — Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, included in this report. disclosures.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The term “disclosure controls and procedures” is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). The term disclosure controls and procedures means controls and other procedures of a Companycompany that are designed to ensure the information required to be disclosed by the Companycompany in the reports
that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a Companycompany in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’scompany’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of May 31, 2021,2022, the end of the period covered by this report (the Evaluation Date), and they have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, such controls and procedures were effective at ensuring that required information will be disclosed on a timely basis in the Company’s reports filed under the Exchange Act. Although management believes the Company’s existing disclosure controls and procedures are adequate to enable the Company to comply with its disclosure obligations, management continues to review and update such controls and procedures. The Company has a disclosure committee, which consists of certain members of the Company’s senior management.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended May 31, 20212022 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the information set forth in Part I—Item 1, “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” Note 1211 — Commitments and Contingencies, included in this report.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I—Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020,2021, which was filed with the SEC on October 21, 2020.22, 2021.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
On April 8, 2020,October 12, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase plan. Under the plan, which became effective on November 1, 2021, the Company electedis authorized to suspend repurchases underacquire up to $75.0 million of its previously approved share buy-back plan, which subsequently expired onoutstanding shares through August 31, 2020.2023. The timing and amount of repurchases are based on terms and conditions as may be acceptable to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, subject to present loan covenants and in compliance with all laws and regulations applicable thereto. During the period from March 1, 2022 through May 31, 2022, the Company repurchased 23,200 shares at a total cost of $4.2 million under this $75.0 million plan.
The following table provides information with respect to all purchases made this election in order to preserve cash while it continued to monitorby the long-term impacts ofCompany during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company will continue to evaluate future authorizations of share buy-backs. No repurchase transactionsthree months ended May 31, 2022. All purchases listed below were made duringin the first nine monthsopen market at prevailing market prices. Purchase transactions between May 17, 2022 and May 31, 2022 were executed pursuant to trading plans adopted by the Company pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of fiscal year 2021.1934.
Total Shares Purchased | Max $ Value of Shares | ||||||||||
as Part of Publicly | That May Yet Be | ||||||||||
Total # of Shares | Average Price Paid | Announced Plans | Purchased Under the | ||||||||
Purchased | Per Share | & Programs | Plans & Programs | ||||||||
Period | |||||||||||
March 1 - March 31 | - | $ | - | - | $ | 56,834,925 | |||||
April 1 - April 30 | 5,000 | $ | 190.22 | 5,000 | $ | 55,883,740 | |||||
May 1 - May 31 | 18,200 | $ | 179.87 | 18,200 | $ | 52,609,660 | |||||
Total | 23,200 | $ | 182.10 | 23,200 | |||||||
Item 6. Exhibits
HIDDEN_ROW | ||
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Exhibit No. |
| Description |
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3(a) |
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3(b) |
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10(a) | ||
10(b) | ||
10(c) | ||
10(d) | ||
31(a) |
| Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
31(b) |
| Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
32(a) |
| Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
32(b) |
| Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
101 |
| The following materials from WD-40 Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31, |
104 | The cover page from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101. | |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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| WD-40 COMPANY Registrant | ||||||
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Date: July 7, |
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| By: |
| /s/ GARRY O. RIDGE | ||||
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| Garry O. Ridge Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
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| By: |
| /s/ JAY W. REMBOLT | ||||
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| Jay W. Rembolt Vice President, Finance Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | ||
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| By: |
| /s/ RAE ANN PARTLO | ||||
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| Rae Ann Partlo Vice President, Corporate Controller and Principal Accounting Officer | ||
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