long-lived assets, and allowance for credit losses. Actual results could differ from these estimates and such differences could be material.
Our gross profit percentage was 7.4 percent for the second quarter of 2008, compared to 7.8 percent a year earlier, resulting from higher transportation costs. Our gross profit increased by $719,000. The acquisition of Allison’s
increased gross profit by $1,003,000, which was partially offset by a decrease $284,000 in our fresh cut vegetable business.
Selling, general and administrative expenses.Our increased selling, general and administrative expenses compared to the year-earlier quarter were incurred primarily in connection with (a) operating as a public company, (b) strengthening our management team and board of directors at all levels, (c) changes in administration and accounting processes and internal controls, (d) the addition of Allison’s, and (e) organic growth.
Our selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $1,520,000 to $2,490,000 during the second quarter of 2008 compared to the second quarter of 2007. The acquisition of Allison’s increased selling, general and administrative expenses by $840,000. Sales and administrative salaries increased by $346,000 due primarily to certain personnel additions aimed at strengthening our management team over the last twelve months. Expenses associated with operating as a public company increased total selling, general and administrative expenses by $258,000. Consulting expenses increased by $57,000 as we have employed payroll related and capital projects consultants. Other less significant increases in selling, general and administrative expenses include $19,000 of computer and office supplies.
Other income and expense.Other income and expense resulted in a net expense of $198,000 during the second quarter of 2008, compared to a net expense of $661,000 in the second quarter of 2007, a decrease of $463,000, consisting primarily of a decrease in interest expense of $553,000, a decrease in interest income of $5,000 and a gain on the sale of assets compared to a loss on sale of assets in the year-earlier quarter. The interest expense and income amounts are partially offset by a decrease in rent income, which was previously collected from Allison’s.
Income tax expense (benefit).We recognized an income tax benefit of $336,000 during the second quarter of 2008, compared to a tax benefit in the second quarter of 2007 of $98,000, which was higher than the expected rate primarily due to the amortization of equity transactions, which represent a permanent difference between tax and book income amounts.
Comparison of Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 and 2007
We recorded a net loss for the first six months of 2008 of $964,000, or $0.21 per share, compared with a net loss of $558,000 or $0.24 per share during the first six months of 2007.
Net sales.Net sales increased by $18,774,000, or 70.9 percent in the first six months of 2008, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. The acquisition of Allison’s represents $12,299,000 or 65.5 percent of the increase. Our fresh-cut vegetable business shipped 6.8 million greater pounds of product in the first six months of 2008 compared to the same period of 2007. Our average selling price per pound of product increased 0.9 cents or $384,000. Our sales volume increase is due primarily to new customer accounts within our existing geographic market area.
Cost of Sales.Our cost of sales increased $17,403,000 or 72.5 percent in the first six months of 2008, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. The acquisition of Allison’s represents $10,705,000 or 61.5 percent of the increase. In our fresh-cut vegetable business, we paid $2,570,000 more for raw materials, $438,000 more for packaging materials and $869,000 more for manufacturing labor and labor related costs, primarily due to increased sales volume. Our cost of delivery to our customers increased $2,236,000, of which $995,000 was increases in fuel purchases. Our fuel purchases for use in our delivery equipment represent approximately 5 percent of our total cost of sales. An increase of $0.50 per gallon of fuel purchased would cause an increase in our total cost of sales of approximately $400,000, annually. We have increased purchases of fuel as we are now delivering our products to our customers on the east coast. We experienced increased cost of maintenance and repair on facilities and equipment and other operating supplies of $585,000.
Gross profit.Our gross profit was weakened primarily by higher transportation costs and our inability to impose timely price increases to our customers to mitigate the effects of cost increases. Material increases in selling prices may adversely affect our customer relationships and, accordingly, we were reluctant to impose increases too rapidly and as market conditions would have dictated for us to maintain our historical margins.
Our gross profit percentage was 8.5 percent for the first six months of 2008, compared to 9.3 percent a year earlier, resulting from higher transportation costs. Our gross profit increased by $1,371,000. The acquisition of Allison’s increased gross profit by $1,593,000, which was partially offset by a decrease $222,000 in our fresh cut vegetable business.
Selling, general and administrative expenses.Our increased selling, general and administrative expenses compared to the year-earlier quarter were incurred primarily in connection with (a) operating as a public company, (b) strengthening our management team and board of directors at all levels, (c) changes in administration and accounting processes and internal controls, (d) the addition of Allison’s, and (e) organic growth.
Our selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $3,100,000 to $4,904,000 during the first six months of 2008 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2007. The acquisition of Allison’s increased selling, general and administrative expenses by $1,574,000. Sales and administrative salaries increased by $685,000 due primarily to certain personnel additions aimed at strengthening our management team over the last twelve months. Expenses associated with
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operating as a public company increased total selling, general and administrative expenses by $591,000. Consulting expenses increased by $102,000 as we have employed payroll related and capital projects consultants. Other less significant increases in selling, general and administrative expenses include $148,000 of computer and office supplies and travel expenses.
Other income and expense.Other income and expense resulted in a net expense of $356,000 during the first six months of 2008, compared to a net expense of $1,174,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2007, a decrease of $818,000, consisting primarily of a decrease in interest expense of $994,000, a increase in interest income of $4,000 and a gain on the sale of assets compared to a loss on sale of assets in the year-earlier quarter. The interest expense and income amounts are partially offset by a decrease in rent income, which was previously collected from Allison’s.
Income tax expense (benefit).We recognized an income tax benefit of $450,000 during the first six months of 2008, compared to a tax expense in the six months ended June 30, 2007 of $54,000, which was higher than the expected rate primarily due to the amortization of equity transactions, which represent a permanent difference between tax and book income amounts.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, we have financed our liquidity requirements through internally generated funds, senior bank borrowings, and the issuance of other indebtedness. On July 3, 2007 we completed our initial public offering, which improved our working capital position and allowed us to retire certain indebtedness. On December 31, 2007 we completed a $5.0 million secured bank line of credit, due on March 31, 2010. Our availability under the line of credit is limited to $1.0 million through December 31, 2008, and will be increased thereafter based upon our compliance with certain benchmarks of performance. There were no borrowings outstanding on this line of credit or any previous line of credit at June 30, 2008.
Our cash and cash equivalents were $698,000 at June 30, 2008, compared to $2,698,000 at December 31, 2007. Cash provided by operating activities was $671,000 in the first six months of 2008. Cash used by investing activities was $1,020,000 due to purchases of manufacturing equipment, upgrades to our facilities and information systems, partially offset by proceeds from a sale and leaseback of certain transportation equipment. Cash used by financing activities was $1,651,000, which consisted of repayment of long term debt and capital leases, and voluntary early extinguishment of indebtedness of $1,000,000 of short term borrowings, previously due on June 30, 2008.
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. The availability of our $1.0 million line of credit provides additional liquidity that may be utilized to meet temporary short term liquidity needs. However, we can provide no assurance that our actual cash requirements will not be greater than we currently anticipate.
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.
Interest rate risk.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 upon date of change, and indexed by different published rates. At June 30, 2008 our revolving line of credit variable interest rate was 4.375%, or the prime rate less 0.625% . As of June 30, 2008 there were no borrowings, however $400,000 was reserved for issuance of a standby letter of credit, for the purpose of collateralizing our self-insured workers’ compensation program. Other long-term debt, totaling $3.4 million, 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, fruits and other food commodities 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” or Force Majeure 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 than prevailing market conditions in the event of a low market with excessive supply. In contrast, our purchase agreements may cause our purchase costs to be lower than prevailing market conditions in the event of a high market with limited supply. There can be no assurance that our suppliers will be able to fulfill our contracts or will not invoke Force Majeure clauses in our agreements in the event of a limited supply market. We may also make purchase commitments for more product than 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.
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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 delivery equipment. Increases in fuel costs increased our delivery costs during 2006 and 2007, and future material increases in fuel costs could put us at a competitive disadvantage to suppliers located closer to their customers. Our fuel purchases for use in our delivery equipment represent approximately 5 percent of our total cost of sales. An increase of $0.50 per gallon of fuel purchased would cause an increase in our total cost of sales of approximately $400,000, annually. 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 4T. 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 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.
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
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 Form 10-K/A filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2008, 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.
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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 have used the proceeds of our initial public offering as follows:
Use of Proceeds | | | Amount | | Percentage | |
Acquisition of Allison's | | $ | 1,500,000 | | 13.4 | % |
Payment of short-term borrowings incurred in connection | | | | | | |
with expansion of the existing facility | | | 2,000,000 | | 17.9 | % |
Repayment of debt, excluding accrued interest | | | 2,821,304 | | 25.2 | % |
Repayment of non-secured promissory note | | | 1,000,000 | | 8.9 | % |
Working capital | | | 3,301,235 | | 29.6 | % |
Temporary investments (money market account with bank) | | | 557,222 | | 5.0 | % |
Total | | $ | 11,179,761 | | 100.0 | % |
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
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Item 6. Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated by reference as indicated as required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
Exhibit No. | | Description |
|
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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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 12, 2008
| 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 12, 2008 | | |
|
| Vaughan Foods, Inc. |
|
| By: | /s/ Gene P. Jones |
| | Gene P. Jones |
| | Chief Financial Officer |
| | (Principal Financial Officer) |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. | | Description |
|
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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