From time to time, Pro-Fac or persons acting on behalf of Pro-Fac may make oral and written statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “PSLRA”) or by the SEC in its rules, regulations, and releases. The Cooperative desires to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions in the PSLRA for forward-looking statements made from time to time, including, but not limited to, the forward-looking information contained in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section of this Report and other statements made in this Report and in other filings with the SEC.
The Cooperative cautions readers that any such forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Cooperative are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs, all of which could be affected by the uncertainties and risk factors described below. The Cooperative’s actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. The risk factors that could impact the Cooperative include:
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ITEM 2. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The purpose of this discussion is to outline the reasons for material changes in Pro-Fac’s financial condition and results of operations in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2009. This section should be read in conjunction with Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements, of this Report.
OVERVIEW
Since 1960, Pro-Fac has operated as an agricultural cooperative, owned and controlled by its members, to purchase, market, and sell crops grown by its member-growers, for the mutual benefit of its members. The Cooperative’s core business focus has not changed in 49 years and its current strategy is to continue its business of purchasing, marketing, and selling its member-grower crops to its customers.
As discussed in greater detail in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Pro-Fac’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 27, 2009, one of the challenges Pro-Fac faces, is the Cooperative’s source of available cash to fund its operations and pay its dividends. In recent years, Pro-Fac’s primary source of cash to fund its operations and pay dividends was the $10.0 million in payments it received annually under the Termination Agreement with the final installment of $2.0 million received in July 2007. Currently, Pro-Fac’s primary sources of cash are cash on hand, gross profit and margin on certain sales, interest income and possible distributions, if any, made by Holdings LLC to Pro-Fac under the Limited Liability Company Agreement. As previously reported, Pro-Fac received such a distribution in the amount of $120.1 million in July 2007. However, because Pro-Fac has no control over the determination of whether any such distributions will be made, Pro-Fac operates under a business plan that assumes that no further distributions will be made under the Limited Liability Company Agreement.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - FIRST QUARTER 2010 COMPARED TO FIRST QUARTER 2009
Net sales, cost of sales and gross profit: Net sales decreased from $0.3 million in the quarter ended September 27, 2008 to $0.1 million in the quarter ended September 26, 2009, and cost of sales decreased from $0.3 million in the quarter ended September 27, 2008 to $0.1 million in the quarter ended September 26, 2009, as the Cooperative entered into fewer sales transactions as a principal.
Margin on delivered product: The Cooperative negotiates certain sales transactions on behalf of its members, which result in margin being earned by the Cooperative. The Cooperative earned $29,000 in margin during the quarter ended September 26, 2009 and $86,000 in margin during the quarter ended September 27, 2008. The decrease resulted from volume differences.
Selling, administrative, and general expense: Selling, administrative, and general expenses totaled $0.5 million for each of the quarters ended September 26, 2009 and September 27, 2008.
Investment income: Investment income decreased from $0.2 million for the quarter ended September 27, 2008, to $8,000 for the quarter ended September 26, 2009, due to lower invested balances and interest rates. Investment income for the quarters ended September 26, 2009 and September 27, 2008, included unrealized gains of approximately $1,000 and $4,000, respectively.
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Income Taxes: See “Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in “Notes to Condensed Financial Statements” for a discussion of the Cooperative’s tax exempt status and the tax basis of the Cooperative’s investment in Holdings LLC.
For fiscal year 2010, the Cooperative expects to generate a net operating loss carry forward for income tax purposes. Realization of the related deferred tax asset is not assured. Accordingly, a valuation allowance has been recorded to offset the deferred tax asset, resulting in a reduction in the effective rate. The Cooperative also generated a loss for income tax purposes in 2009.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
“NOTE 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” under “Notes to Condensed Financial Statements” included in Part I, Item 1 of this Report discusses the significant accounting policies of Pro-Fac. Pro-Fac’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon its condensed financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires Pro-Fac’s management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Pro-Fac regularly evaluates its estimates.
Certain accounting policies deemed critical to Pro-Fac’s results of operations or financial position are discussed below.
The Cooperative accounts for its investment in Holdings LLC under the cost method of accounting. Under the cost method, distributions of earnings are reported as income and distributions that represent a return of capital reduce the carrying value of the investment, but not below zero. As a result of the $120.1 million distribution received from Holdings LLC during the first quarter of fiscal year 2008, Pro-Fac’s investment in Holdings LLC was reduced to zero. However, Pro-Fac continues to own an approximate 40% interest in Holdings LLC through its ownership of Class B common units.
A deferred income tax asset has not been recognized on the estimated excess of the tax basis over the recorded financial statement value of the investment in Holdings LLC at September 26, 2009, of approximately $76.4 million. This potential asset would only be recognized upon the sale of the investment based on the proceeds received or receipt of a distribution representing a return of capital, which was not considered probable at September 26, 2009.
Pro-Fac markets and sells its members’ crops to food processors. Under the provisions of Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 99-19, “Reporting Revenue Gross Versus Net as an Agent”, the Cooperative records activity among its customers, itself and its members on a net basis. For transactions in which Pro-Fac acts a principal rather than an agent, sales and cost of sales are reported.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As discussed in further detail in Pro-Fac’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 27, 2009, Pro-Fac historically has had four sources or potential sources of available cash to fund its operating expenses and the payment of its quarterly dividends: (i) cash from its sale of raw products to its customers, (ii) payments received under the Termination Agreement with Birds Eye, (iii) cash distributions related to its investment in Holdings LLC, and (iv) borrowings.
As described in Note 3 to the Cooperative’s unaudited condensed financial statements included in Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements, of this report, Pro-Fac may borrow up to $2.0 million from M&T Bank and approximately $0.1 million (limited by collateral) from another cooperative. At September 26, 2009, Pro-Fac had no outstanding borrowings under either borrowing facility.
A discussion of “Statement of Cash Flows” for the three months ended September 26, 2009, follows:
Net cash used in operating activities was $1.3 million for the first three months of fiscal year 2010 compared to cash used in operating activities of approximately $10.5 million in the first three months of fiscal year 2009. The change primarily represents a reduction in cash transferred to investments, reduced investment in inventory and changes in the timing of cash receipts from customers and related cash payments to member-growers between the first three months of fiscal year 2010 and the first three months of fiscal year 2009.
Net cash used in financing activities during the first three months of fiscal year 2010 consisted of payment of dividends of $0.3 million. During the first three months of fiscal year 2009, net cash used in financing activities consisted of $0.8 million in dividends paid.
Based on the assumptions contained in Pro-Fac’s current business plan, the Board believes that Pro-Fac has sufficient sources of cash to fund its operations at least through the end of fiscal 2013.
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ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
As a “smaller reporting company” as defined by Item 10 of Regulation S-K, Pro-Fac is not required to provide information required by this item.
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ITEM 4. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
Disclosure Controls and Procedures: Pro-Fac’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of Pro-Fac’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, Pro-Fac’s Principal Executive and Principal Financial Officer concluded that Pro-Fac’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 26, 2009 (the end of the period covered by this Report), have been designed and are functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by Pro-Fac in reports filed or submitted by it under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to Pro-Fac’s management, including its Principal Executive and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting: There were no changes in Pro-Fac’s internal control over financial reporting identified during the quarter ended September 26, 2009, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Pro-Fac’s internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II
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ITEM 1. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
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| The information called for by this Item is disclosed in NOTE 5. “Other Matters – Legal Matters” under “Notes to Condensed Financial Statements” in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q, and is incorporated herein by reference in answer to this Item. |
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ITEM 2. | UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
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| None |
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ITEM 3. | DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES |
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| None |
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ITEM 4. | SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS |
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| None |
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ITEM 5. | OTHER INFORMATION |
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| None |
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ITEM 6. | EXHIBITS |
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| Exhibit Number | | Description |
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| 31. | | Certification of the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer as required by Rule 13a-14 (a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith). |
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| 32. | | Certification of the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer as required by Rule 13a-14 (b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith). |
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SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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| | | | PRO-FAC COOPERATIVE, INC. |
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Date: | November 6, 2009 | BY: | /s/ | Stephen R. Wright |
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| | | | General Manager, Chief Executive |
| | | | Officer, Chief Financial Officer |
| | | | and Secretary |
| | | | (On Behalf of the Registrant and as |
| | | | Principal Executive Officer |
| | | | Principal Financial Officer, and |
| | | | Principal Accounting Officer) |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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ITEM 6. | EXHIBITS |
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| Exhibit Number | | Description |
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| 31. | | Certification of the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer as required by Rule 13a-14 (a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith). |
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| 32. | | Certification of the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer as required by Rule 13a-14 (b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith). |
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