for intangible assets is a critical accounting policy due to the requirement to estimate the value in accordance with SFAS No. 144. Our intangible assets consist primarily of customer relationship intangibles of purchased entities.
We recorded a net loss for the second quarter of 2007 of $446,000, or $0.19 per share, compared with a net loss of $701,000 or $0.30 per share during the second quarter of 2006. Our operating results for the second quarter were adversely affected by a provision of $200,000 in connection with a settlement with a supplier and by higher interest costs than in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Operating results were positively affected by higher gross margin amounts and percentages, as a result of higher average selling prices per pound, and by reducing or terminating our relationships with unprofitable customers.
We were able to achieve greater production labor efficiency through improved scheduling and more efficient utilization of production labor equipment. Additionally, we were able to achieve savings on outbound freight costs, principally due to consolidations of outbound deliveries, resulting in fewer delivery miles required.
Nationally, diesel fuel prices, a major component of our shipping costs, averaged $2.81 per gallon in the second quarter of 2007, compared with $2.84 in the year-earlier quarter, according to the United States Energy Information Administration.
Our gross profit was adversely affected by a provision of $200,000 in connection with a settlement with a supplier. During the second quarter of 2007, one of our suppliers alleged that we did not purchase the required quantity of lettuce from that supplier and the supplier sought to recover its costs associated with producing or acquiring the product that it alleges we did not purchase. Subsequent to June 30, 2007, we reached a settlement with the supplier and made a provision of $200,000 during the second quarter of 2007 in recognition of this settlement.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Our selling, general and administrative expenses amounted to $970,000 in the second quarter of 2007, compared with $1,177,000 in the year-earlier quarter, a decline of $207,000, or 17.6 percent. The decrease was primarily due to headcount reductions during the second and third quarters of 2006, and included reductions in administrative and sales salaries, commissions to brokers, and curtailments in sales training programs.
Other income and expense. Other income and expense amount to a net expense of $661,000 during the second quarter of 2007, compared to a net expense of $153,000 in the year-earlier quarter, an increase of $508,000, consisting primarily of an increase in interest expense of $525,000, and a loss on the sale of assets of $21,000.
Interest expense totaled $778,000 during the second quarter, compared to $253,000 in the year-earlier quarter. The higher interest costs were primarily attributable to higher levels of indebtedness resulting from bridge loans outstanding and higher amounts outstanding on other short-term debt resulting from our liquidity challenges in 2006 and the first six months of 2007.
As a result of the liquidity created from the proceeds the Company’s initial public offering of shares on July 3, 2007, the Company’s indebtedness has been substantially reduced subsequent to June 30, 2007. The pro-forma interest expense – taking into account the repayment of indebtedness from a portion of the public offering proceeds – would have been $258,000 and $503,000 for the second quarter and year-to-date periods of 2007.
Income tax expense (benefit). We recognized an income tax benefit of $98,000 during the second quarter of 2007, attributable to amortization of equity transactions, utilization of net operating loss carryforwards and other less significant items. During the second quarter of 2006, we recognized an income tax benefit of $487,000 due primarily to an operating loss, and utilization of net operating loss carryforwards.
Our income tax benefit differs from the benefit that would be expected by applying the statutory income tax rates. Our tax benefits are lower and income tax expenses are higher, resulting in effective financial accounting tax rates that are currently higher than the statutory income tax rates. The amortization of bridge loan assets in the 2007 period constitutes a permanent difference between tax return taxable income and pre-tax accounting income, resulting in a higher effective tax rate than would be expected based on the statutory income tax rates.
Comparison of Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006
We recorded a net loss for the first six months of 2007 of $558,000, or $0.24 per share, compared with a net loss of $448,000, or $0.19 per share during the six months ended June 30, 2006. Our operating results for the six month period were adversely affected by a provision of $200,000 in connection with a settlement with a supplier and by higher interest costs than in the corresponding period of the previous year. Operating results were positively affected by higher gross margin amounts and percentages, as a result of higher average selling prices per pound, and by reducing or terminating our relationships with unprofitable customers.
Net sales. Net sales increased by $161,000, or 0.6 percent in the first six months of 2007, compared to the corresponding period of 2006. We shipped 3.5 million fewer pounds of product during the 2007 period than in the year-earlier period however, the average price per pound was $0.07 higher in the 2007 period. The decline in pounds shipped was substantially all in the lettuce category, as demand for lettuce decreased in 2007 as a result of public concern over food borne illness linked to contaminated produce. Additionally, we also reduced or terminated our business with certain customers that were not profitable for us.
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Gross profit. Our gross profit percentage was 9.3 percent for the 2007 period, compared to 7.0 percent a year earlier. Our gross profit increased by $642,000, due to higher overall prices per pound of items sold, and a reduction of business with certain unprofitable customers. We were also able to achieve greater production labor efficiency through improved scheduling and more efficient utilization of production labor equipment. Additionally, we were able to achieve savings on outbound freight costs, principally due to consolidations of outbound deliveries, resulting in fewer delivery miles required.
Diesel fuel prices, a major component of our shipping costs, averaged $2.68 per gallon in the first six months of 2007, compared with $2.67 in the year-earlier quarter, according to the United States Energy Information Administration.
Our gross profit was adversely affected by a provision of $200,000 in connection with a settlement with a supplier. During the second quarter of 2007, one of our suppliers alleged that we did not purchase the required quantity of lettuce from that supplier and the supplier sought to recover its costs associated with producing or acquiring the product that it alleges we did not purchase. Subsequent to June 30, 2007, we reached a settlement with the supplier and made a provision of $200,000 during the second quarter of 2007 in recognition of this settlement.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Our selling, general and administrative expenses amounted to $1,803,000 in the first six months of 2007, compared with $2,207,000 in the year-earlier period, a decline of $404,000, or 18.3 percent. The decrease was primarily due to headcount reductions during the second and third quarters of 2006, and included reductions in administrative and sales salaries, commissions to brokers, and curtailments in sales training programs.
Other income and expense. Other income and expense amount to a net expense of $1,174,000 during the first six months of 2007, compared to a net expense of $321,000 in the year-earlier period, an increase of $852,000, consisting primarily of an increase in interest expense of $881,000, and a loss on the sale of assets of $21,000.
Interest expense totaled $1,397,000 during the first six months of 2007 compared to $516,000 in 2006. The higher interest costs were primarily attributable to higher levels of indebtedness resulting from bridge loans outstanding and higher amounts outstanding on other short-term debt resulting from our liquidity challenges in 2006 and the first six months of 2007.
Income tax expense (benefit). We recognized income tax expense of $54,000 during the first six months of 2007, attributable to amortization of equity transactions, utilization of net operating loss carryforwards and other less significant items. During the second quarter of 2006, we recognized an income tax benefit of $249,000 due primarily to an operating loss, and utilization of net operating loss carryforwards.
Pro-forma Results
Our pro-forma results include the following major assumptions:
| | |
| a) | That the initial public offering had occurred on or before January 1, 2006; |
| | |
| b) | That Allison’s had been acquired on for before January 1, 2006; |
| | |
| c) | That we had reduced certain indebtedness - specifically that indebtedness that was retired or reduced with a portion of the proceeds of the initial public offering – as of January 1, 2006 and the removal of the related amortization of the bride note asset and amortization of loan origination fees; |
| | |
| d) | An effective income tax rate of 38 percent; and |
| | |
| e) | That all intercompany transactions between Vaughan and Allison’s had been eliminated in consolidation; |
On a pro forma basis, revenues increased in the second quarter by 15.2 percent to $20.9 million, compared to $18.1 million in the second quarter of 2006. The increase in revenues was primarily attributable to the addition of Wild in
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June 2006 by Allison’s. Gross profit was $2.5 million, or 11.8 percent of revenues, compared to $1.1 million, or 6 percent of revenues in the same periods of the previous year. The increase in gross profit primarily resulted from revenue growth in the higher margin prepared foods business. Operating income was $694,000 compared to an operating loss of $693,000 million in 2006. This turnaround was attributable almost entirely to the gross margin improvement.
For the second quarter of 2007, we had pro forma net income of $265,000, or $0.06 per share, compared to a net loss of $529,000, or $0.12 per share in 2006.
For the six-month results, pro forma revenues were $38.7 million, up 15.5 percent compared to $33.5 million a year earlier. As with the quarter, the increase was primarily due to the addition of Wild by Allison’s. Gross profit was $5.1 million, or 13.1 percent of sales, compared to $3.3 million, or 10 percent of sales in 2006. Again, the increase in gross profit primarily resulted from revenue growth in the higher margin prepared foods business. Operating profit was $1.8 million, compared to $182,000, with this increase being due entirely to gross margin.
Pro forma net income for the first six months of 2007 was $808,000, or $0.18 per share, compared to a net loss of $167,000, or $0.04 per share. Weighted average basic and diluted shares outstanding were 4.45 million for both periods.
The following table shows the pro-forma effects for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2007:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Six Months Ended | |
| |
| |
| |
| | June 30, | | June 30, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2007 | | 2006 | |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| | (dollars in thousands, except share data) | |
Revenues | | $ | 20,913 | | $ | 18,144 | | $ | 38,727 | | $ | 33,521 | |
Gross profit | | | 2,466 | | | 1,084 | | | 5,084 | | | 3,337 | |
Operating income | | | 694 | | | (1,018 | ) | | 1,802 | | | 182 | |
Income (loss) before income taxes | | | 427 | | | (853 | ) | | 1,303 | | | (277 | ) |
Net income (loss) | | | 265 | | | (529 | ) | | 808 | | | (105 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, we have financed our liquidity requirements through internally generated funds, senior bank borrowings, and the issuance of other indebtedness. In addition to the proceeds of the public offering, we believe these sources remain viable financing alternatives to meet our anticipated cash requirements.
Cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2007 were $471,000. We had a working capital deficiency (current assets minus current liabilities) of $10.9 million at June 30, 2007. The deterioration in our net working capital is the result of (a) losses incurred in the first six months of 2007, (b) cash paid for expenses in connection with our public offering of securities, (c) repayment of certain long-term debt and capital leases, (d) costs incurred for capital expenditures, and (e) our occasional use of working capital to pay for portions of our building expansion.
The successful completion of our public offering subsequent to June 30, 2007 has improved our working capital position and will provide the necessary financing to fund our expansion and other normal operating expenses. We anticipate that our cash and cash equivalent balance, existing working capital, and expected cash flow from operations will be sufficient to satisfy our operational cash flow requirements over the next 12 months.
However, we can provide no assurance that our actual cash requirements will not be greater than we currently expect. Although we used a portion of the public offering proceeds to retire certain indebtedness, as of June 30, 2007, we are in violation of certain covenants in our loan agreements and under the terms of our industrial revenue bond agreement.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Market risk. Market risks consist of interest rate fluctuations and commodity price fluctuations as further described below.
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Interest Rate Risks. We are subject to market risk from exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. Some of our debt instruments contain variable interest rates adjusted quarterly and indexed by different published rates. At June 30, 2007, our revolving line of credit variable interest rate was 10.25 percent, or Wall Street Journal Prime + 2.00 percent, on borrowings of $2,726,578. This revolving line of credit was retired subsequent to June 30, 2007. Other long-term debt, totaling $3,506,000, secured by real estate and other assets also have variable rates indexed by LIBOR and other lending institution Base Rates.
Commodity Price Risks. The supply and price of fresh vegetables and fruits is subject to volatility due to growing seasons, crop failure and other factors beyond our control. We enter into agreements (which are specific as to price and quantity within a range and are cancelable by us and the supplier upon 60 or 90 days’ notice, depending on the term of the agreement and which contain “Act of God” clauses) for supply at fixed prices to provide a limited amount of ability to maintain an adequate supply of raw materials, so that we may service our customers in the event of a market shortage. Our purchase agreements may cause our purchase costs to be higher in the event of a low market with excessive supply. In contrast, our purchase agreements may cause our purchase costs to be lower in the event of a high market with limited supply. There is no assurance that our suppliers will be able to fulfill our contracts in the event of a limited supply market. We may also make purchase commitments for more product that we will require over a period of time, and may have to pay our suppliers for that product for which we have made a commitment, but that we do not require.
Packaging cost risk. Our packaging costs are subject to market risk due to the cost of petroleum products in plastics and the paper products in our corrugated boxes. Significant increases in petroleum and paper products could increase our packaging costs.
Fuel Cost. Our business is substantially dependent upon timely delivery of our products by our fleet of trucks and trailers. Increases in fuel costs increased our delivery costs during 2006 and future material increases in fuel costs could put us at a competitive disadvantage to suppliers located closer to their customers. Increases in fuel costs included increased raw material costs for inbound freight, and our cost to deliver products to our customers. We endeavor to pass all increased raw material costs on to our customers, however we cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to pass all increased costs on to our customers in the future, especially during short-term market fluctuations.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
Our management evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management.
We are required to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by our fiscal year ending December 31, 2008. The notification of such compliance is due no later than the time we file our annual report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008. We believe we will have adequate resources and expertise, both internal and external, in place to meet this requirement. However, there is no guarantee that our efforts will result in management’s ability to conclude, or our independent registered public accounting firm to attest, that our internal control over financial reporting is effective as of December 31, 2008.
(b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report on Form 10-Q that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are not a party to any material legal proceedings. We could become involved in litigation from time to time relating to claims arising out of our ordinary course of business.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Our Amendment No. 10 to Form S-1, which was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 27, 2007, includes a detailed discussion of our risk factors. Since that time, there have been no material changes to our risk factors.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Use of Proceeds from Public Offering of Common Stock
On June 27, 2007, our registration statement (No. 333-137861) on Form S-1 was declared effective for our initial public offering, pursuant to which we registered the offering and sale of an aggregate of 2,150,000 units, each consisting of one share of common stock, one Class A Warrant, and one Class B Warrant, at a public offering price of $6.50 per unit.
The offering, which closed on July 3, 2007, did not terminate until after the sale of all of the shares registered on the registration statement. The managing underwriters were Paulson Investment Company, Inc., Capital Growth Financial, LLC, I-Bankers Securities, Inc., and Capital West Securities, Inc. As a result of the offering, we received net proceeds of approximately $11.2 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of $1.0 million and additional offering-related expenses of approximately $1.7 million. No payments for such expenses were made directly or indirectly to (i) any of our officers or directors or their associates, (ii) any persons owning 10 percent or more of any class of our equity securities, or (iii) any of our affiliates.
Based on our current cash and cash equivalents balances, we expect that we will have sufficient resources to fund our operations for the next twelve months. We currently plan to use the net proceeds received by us from the offering to (a) expand our existing production facility (b) repay debt used to continue work on this expansion, (c) acquire the minority interest in Allison’s, (d) build a new production facility (e) pay debt; and (f) increase our working capital.
In addition, we may use a portion of the proceeds of this offering for acquisitions of complementary businesses, or other assets. We have no current agreements, commitments, plans, proposals or arrangements, written or otherwise, with respect to any material acquisitions. Pending such uses, we plan to invest the net proceeds in short-and intermediate-term, interest-bearing obligations, investment-grade instruments, certificates of deposit or direct or guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government. There has been no material change in the planned use of proceeds from our initial public offering from that described in the final prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b).
In the last three years, we sold the following unregistered securities:
| • | 10% Secured Notes Due June 30, 2007. |
| | |
| • | In September 2006 we sold $2.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 10% secured promissory notes due June 30, 2007 and the right to receive $1.25 million of units sold in our public offering based on the initial public offering price per unit. |
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| • | In August 2006 we issued a $1 million principal amount unsecured promissory note, bearing interest at 10% per annum to Paulson Investment Company. The original principal amount and all accrued but unpaid interest thereon is due and payable on the first anniversary of the date of issuance of the note but is repayable out of the proceeds of our public offering. |
The foregoing securities were issues in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the securities Act of 1933, as amended, provided in Section 4(2) thereof, as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering. The registrant reasonably believed that each purchaser had such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters to be capable of valuating the merits and risks of the investment, each purchaser represented an intention to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to distribution thereof and appropriate legends were affixed to the secured and unsecured notes and will be added to the shares and warrants when issued.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
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The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated by reference as indicated as required by Item 601 of Regulation
S-K.
| | |
Exhibit No. | | Description |
| |
|
| | |
10.14 | | Amended Promissory Note dated September 25, 2006. |
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10.15 | | Promissory Note dated July 3, 2007. |
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10.16 | | Promissory Note dated July 3, 2007. |
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31.1 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. |
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31.2 | | Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | |
32.1 | | Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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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.
Dated: August 10, 2007
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| Vaughan Foods, Inc. |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Herbert B. Grimes |
| | Herbert B. Grimes |
| | Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer |
| | |
| | (Principal Executive Officer) |
| | |
Dated: August 10, 2007 | | |
| By: | /s/ Gene P. Jones |
| | Gene P. Jones |
| | Chief Financial Officer |
| | (Principal Financial Officer) |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
| | |
Exhibit No. | | Description |
| |
|
10.14 | | Amended Promissory Note dated September 25, 2006. |
| | |
10.15 | | Promissory Note dated July 3, 2007. |
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10.16 | | Promissory Note dated July 3, 2007. |
| | |
31.1 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | |
31.2 | | Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | |
32.1 | | Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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