with the quantity of Grade I AP sold by us to all of our customers. Grade I AP unit prices in the matrix at all quantity levels escalate each year through fiscal 2003 and, in fiscal 2004, are adjusted downward by approximately 20%. Such downward adjustment will have the effect of reducing revenues and operating cash flows on Grade I AP sold to Thiokol by 20% in fiscal 2004. After the adjustment, AP unit prices continue to escalate each year through fiscal 2008.
In connection with the Acquisition, we entered into an agreement with Alliant Techsystems, Inc. (“Alliant”) to extend an existing supply agreement through the year 2008. The agreement establishes prices for any Grade I AP purchased by Alliant from us during the term of the agreement as extended. Under this agreement, Alliant agrees to use its efforts to cause our Grade I AP to be qualified on all new and current programs served by Alliant’s Bacchus Works.
During 2001, Alliant acquired Thiokol. We have agreed with Alliant that the individual agreements in place prior to Alliant’s acquisition of Thiokol remain in place. All Thiokol programs existing at the time of the Alliant acquisition (principally the Space Shuttle and Minuteman) will continue to be priced under the Thiokol Agreement. All Alliant programs (principally the Delta, Pegasus and Titan) will be priced under the Alliant Agreement.
Our annual sales volumes of Grade I AP were approximately 15.5 million, 16.4 million and 12.6 million pounds during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001 respectively. Based upon information we have received from our customers, we are currently estimating that our annual sales volumes of Grade I AP will range between 10.0 and 11.0 million pounds in fiscal 2004. Our revenues, operating income and cash flows from operating activities will be significantly less at these lower volume levels. In addition, demand for Grade I AP is program specific and we have limited ability to influence demand.
In January 2004, President Bush announced a new initiative for the Nation’s space exploration program. The President proposed a long-term human and robotic program to explore the solar system, starting with a return to the Moon. This program includes the following:
The President’s plan for NASA will likely have a significant impact on the demand for Grade I AP. The ultimate impact on the demand for Grade I AP is uncertain at this time, and will depend upon, among other things, the following factors:
We also produce and sell other perchlorates. Other perchlorates have a wide range of prices per pound, depending upon the type and grade of the product. We have recently experienced a change in the sales mix of other perchlorates, from lower price per pound products to higher price and margin per pound products. For example, shipments of other perchlorates accounted for annual sales of between $2.6 million and $3.2 million during the fiscal years 2001, 2000 and 1999. In fiscal 2003 and 2002, shipments of other perchlorates accounted for sales of $7.7 and $6.9 million, respectively, although there was no substantial change in pounds shipped. Other perchlorates are used in a variety of applications, including munitions, explosives, propellants, and initiators. Some of these applications are in a development phase, and there can be no assurance that sales of the higher price and higher margin products will continue. Sales of other perchlorates accounted for revenues of $2.3 million and $3.3 million during the six-month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
Sodium azide sales accounted for approximately 8% and 5% of revenues during the six-month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Worldwide sodium azide demand has declined significantly during the last two fiscal years. Our sodium azide sales volumes declined approximately 54% during fiscal 2003 and 10% in fiscal 2002. Worldwide demand for sodium azide is substantially less than worldwide supply. Based principally upon market information received from airbag inflator manufacturers, we expect sodium azide use to continue to decline and that inflators using sodium azide will be phased out over some period of time.
Sales of Halotron® amounted to approximately 5% and 4% of revenues during the six-month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Halotron® is designed to replace halon-based fire extinguishing systems. Accordingly, demand for Halotron® depends upon a number of factors including the willingness of consumers to switch from halon-based systems, as well as existing and potential governmental regulations.
Environmental protection equipment sales accounted for approximately 5% and 4% of revenues during the six-month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. This business produces both original equipment (OEM) and aftermarket replacement products for water treatment applications. International sales account for a significant part of the sales of this business.
There were no real estate sales during the six-month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003. We have approximately 14 acres remaining in our Nevada portfolio and real estate sales will cease after the sale of this property.
Cost of Sales. The principal elements comprising our cost of sales are raw materials, electric power, labor, manufacturing overhead, depreciation and amortization and the book basis in real estate sold. The major raw materials used in our production processes are graphite, sodium chlorate, ammonia, hydrochloric acid, sodium metal, nitrous oxide and HCFC 123. Significant increases in the cost of raw materials may have an adverse impact on margins if we are unable to pass along such increases to our customers.
Prices paid by us for raw materials have historically been relatively stable, although we have experienced cost increases on certain raw materials. All raw materials used in our manufacturing processes have been available in commercial quantities.
Net Income (Loss). Although our net income (loss) and diluted net income (loss) per common share have not been subject to seasonal fluctuations, they have been and are expected to continue to be subject to variations from quarter to quarter and year to year due to the following factors, among others: (i) the impact of President Bush’s new space exploration plan on the demand for Grade I AP, and related budgeting constraints; (ii) as discussed in Note 5 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, we may incur material legal and other costs associated with certain litigation and contingencies; (iii) the magnitude, pricing and timing of perchlorate chemicals, sodium azide, Halotron®, environmental protection equipment and packaged explosive sales in the future is uncertain; (iv) weighted average common and common equivalent shares for purposes of calculating diluted net income per common share are subject to fluctuations based upon changes in the market price of our Common Stock due to outstanding options; (v) the results of periodic
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reviews of impairment issues; (vi) the ability to pass on increases in raw material costs to our customers; and (vii) the financial performance of ES. (See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” and “Forward Looking Statements/Risk Factors” below.)
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2003
Sales and Operating Revenues. Sales decreased $0.8 million, or 4%, during the three months ended March 31, 2004, to $18.8 million from $19.6 million in the corresponding period of the prior year. This change in revenues was principally attributable to a decrease in sales from our real estate azide operations. The decline in revenues was partially offset by an increase in environmental protection products sales.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales increased $1.3 million, or 13%, in the three months ended March 31, 2004, to $11.5 million from $10.2 million in the corresponding period of the prior year. As a percentage of sales, cost of sales was 60% during the three-month period ended March 31, 2004, compared to 52% during the same period last year. These increases were primarily due to fixed costs that are allocated over a smaller base of perchlorates and other specialty chemical sale volumes for the year. This increase in costs was mitigated by lower real estate and azide costs due to lower sales volume.
Operating Expenses. Operating (selling, general and administrative) expenses increased $2.8 million, or 84%, in the three months ended March 31, 2004, to $6.1 million from $3.3 million in the corresponding period of 2003. As discussed in Note 8 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this report, a charge in the second quarter relating to separation costs for an employee of the Company was a major component of the increase in operating expenses.
Net Interest and Other Income (Expense). Net interest and other income (expense) decreased to $0.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2004, from $0.5 million in the corresponding period of the prior year, primarily as a result of the redemption of the Notes.
Six Months Ended March 31, 2004 Compared to Six Months Ended March 31, 2003
Sales and Operating Revenues. Sales decreased $11 million, or 32%, during the six months ended March 31, 2004, to $23.6 million from $34.6 million in the corresponding period of the prior year. This change in revenues was principally attributable to a decrease in perchlorate and real estate sales.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales decreased $3.2 million, or 16%, in the six months ended March 31, 2004, to $15.7 million from $18.9 million in the corresponding period of the prior year. The gross profit margin in the first six months of fiscal 2004 decreased to 33% as compared to 45% during the same period last year. The decrease in cost of sales and gross profits margin is primarily due to fixed costs that are allocated over a smaller base of perchlorates and other specialty chemical sale volumes for the 2004 fiscal year.
Operating Expenses. Operating expenses were $9.9 million during the six-month period ended March 31, 2004 compared to $7.0 million in the corresponding period of the prior year. As discussed in Note 8 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this report, a charge in the second quarter relating to separation costs for an employee of the Company was a major component of the increase in operating expenses.
Net Interest and Other Income (Expense). Net interest and other income (expense) decreased to $0.1 million in the six months ended March 31, 2004, from $1.4 million in the corresponding period of the prior year, principally as a result of the redemption of the Notes.
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Segment Operating Income. Operating income (loss) of our industry segments during the six-month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 was as follows:
| | 2004 | | 2003 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Specialty Chemicals | | $ | (1,523,000 | ) | $ | 8,036,000 | |
Environmental Protection | | | (145,000 | ) | | (150,000 | ) |
Real Estate | | | (340,000 | ) | | 849,000 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Total | | $ | (2,008,000 | ) | $ | 8,735,000 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
The decrease in operating income of our specialty chemicals segment was primarily attributable to a decrease in perchlorate chemicals and sodium azide sales. The decrease in operating income of our real estate segment (which is winding down) was principally due to a decrease in real estate related activities.
INFLATION
General inflation did not have a significant effect on our sales and operating revenues or costs during the six-month periods ended March 31, 2004 or 2003. General inflation may have an effect on gross profit in the future as certain of our agreements relating to Grade I AP and sodium azide customers require fixed prices, although certain of such agreements contain escalation features that should somewhat insulate us from increases in costs associated with inflation.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash flows provided by operating activities were $7.1 million and $8.9 million during the six months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The decrease in cash flows from operations in the first six months of fiscal year 2004, as compared to the same period in fiscal year 2003, is due to lower overall sales volume.
The combination of the lower levels of expected Grade I AP sales, the 20% price reduction on Grade I AP sold to Thiokol beginning in fiscal 2004, and declining real estate sales is expected to significantly reduce our revenues and cash flows from operating activities in fiscal 2004. As a result of these factors and absent the consideration of any changes in working capital, we currently expect that our cash flows from operating activities will be at least 50% less in fiscal 2004 as compared to fiscal 2003. We believe that our cash flows from operations and existing cash balances will be adequate for the foreseeable future to satisfy the needs of our operations, including the repurchase of our Common Stock and/or dividends under the Program. However, the resolution of litigation and contingencies, and the timing, pricing and magnitude of orders for perchlorates, sodium azide and Halotron, may have an effect on the use and availability of cash.
The Company had $0.8 million and $2.0 million of capital expenditures during the six months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Capital expenditures relate principally to specialty chemicals segment capital improvement projects. Capital expenditures are expected to be funded from existing cash balances and operating cash flows.
We issued $2.3 million of our Common Stock in the six month period ended on March 31, 2004 as a result of the exercise of stock options. The Company repurchased $2.8 million of our Common Stock during the six month period ended on March 31, 2004. As discussed in Note 10 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, our Program became effective in fiscal 2003. Under the provisions of this Program, on December 18, 2003, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.42 per share, which was paid on January 9, 2004, to shareholders of record on December 29, 2003.
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As a result of the litigation and contingencies discussed in Note 5 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, we have incurred legal and other costs, and we may incur material legal and other costs associated with the resolution of litigation and contingencies in future periods. Any such costs, to the extent not recovered by insurance, would adversely affect our liquidity. We are currently unable to predict or quantify the amount or range of such costs or the period of time over which such costs may be incurred.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS/RISK FACTORS
This Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which are subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. Such forwarding looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth below:
| 1. | (a) Declining demand (including excess customer inventories) or downward pricing pressure for our products as a result of general or specific economic conditions, (b) governmental budget decreases affecting the DOD or NASA, including the status of the Space Shuttle Program and the President’s new initiative for the Nation’s space exploration program, that would cause a decrease in demand for Grade I AP, (c) technological advances and improvements with respect to existing or new competitive products causing a reduction or elimination of demand for our perchlorates, sodium azide Halotron® and packaged explosives products, (d) the ability and desire of purchasers to change existing products or substitute other products for our products based upon perceived quality, environmental effects and pricing, and (e) the fact that our perchlorate chemicals, sodium azide, Halotron®, packaged explosives and environmental products have limited applications, specialized applications and highly concentrated customer bases. |
| | |
| 2. | The cost and effects of legal and administrative proceedings, settlements and investigations, particularly those matters described in Note 5 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. |
| | |
| 3. | Our ability to profitably integrate, manage and operate new businesses and/or investments competitively and cost effectively. |
| | |
| 4. | Competitive factors including, but not limited to, our limitations respecting financial resources and our ability to compete against companies with substantially greater resources, significant excess market supply in the sodium azide market and in the perchlorate market, potential patent coverage issues, and the development or penetration of competing new products, particularly in the propulsion, airbag inflation, fire extinguishing businesses, and explosives. |
| | |
| 5. | Underutilization of our manufacturing facilities resulting in production inefficiencies and increased costs, the inability to recover facility costs, reductions in margins, and impairment issues. |
| | |
| 6. | The near depletion of our Clark County, Nevada commercial real estate, with only 14 acres remaining for sale. |
| | |
| 7. | The effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies, laws and regulations and other activities of governments, agencies or similar organizations, including, but not limited to, environmental, safety and transportation issues. |
| | |
| 8. | The dependence upon a single facility for the production of most of our products. |
| | |
| 9. | Provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws and Series D Preferred Stock, and the dividend of preference stock purchase rights and related Rights Agreement, could have the effect of making it more difficult for potential acquirors to obtain a control position in us. |
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We usually use words such as may, will, should, expect, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, future, intend, or certain or the negative of these terms or similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Discussions containing such forward-looking statements may be found throughout the document. We disclaim any obligation to update these forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events. The business risks discussed in Item 2 of this Report on Form 10-Q, among other things, should be considered in evaluating our prospects and future financial performance.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates, commodity prices and foreign currency exchange rates. We had certain long-term fixed-rate debt that was redeemed on March 1, 2003. At March 31, 2003, we did not have any derivative-based financial instruments. However, the amount of outstanding debt may fluctuate and we may at some time be subject to financing risk. There have been no material changes in market risk since December 31, 2003.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Based on their evaluation as of March 31, 2004, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) were effective as of such date to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
None.
ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.
None.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.
None.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
Voting results of matters submitted to a vote of Security Holders at our Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on March 9, 2004 were as follows:
Item No. 1 – Election of Class A Directors (through March 2007).
Name | | Votes For | | Votes Withheld | |
| |
| |
| |
John R. Gibson | | | 4,039,602 | | | 2,826,331 | |
David N. Keys | | | 5,942,344 | | | 923,590 | |
Dean M. Willard | | | 6,289,872 | | | 576,062 | |
Mr. Gibson received less than 80% (approximately 58.8%) of the votes cast. Accordingly, under the Registrant’s Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws, he will remain in office, but must be renominated for election by the stockholders at the next Annual Meeting in March 2004.
Item No. 2 – Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent public accounts.
Votes For | | Against | | Abstained | |
| |
| |
| |
6,756,751 | | | 25,696 | | | 45,777 | |
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
In March 2004 Victor M. Rosenzweig resigned from the Company’s Board of Directors to pursue personal interests.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
| a) | Exhibits | | |
| | | | |
| | Exhibit No. | | Description |
| |
| |
|
| | 31.1 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
| | | | |
| | 31.2 | | Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
| | | | |
| | 32.3 | | Certification of Principal Executive Officer |
| | | | |
| | 32.4 | | Certification of Principal Financial Officer |
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| b) | Reports on Form 8-K |
| | | |
| | (1) | On February 4, 2004, we filed a Form 8-K furnishing our press release dated February 4, 2004. |
| | | |
| | (2) | On March 15, 2004, we filed a Form 8-K furnishing our press release dated March 12, 2004. |
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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.
| AMERICAN PACIFIC CORPORATION |
| |
Date: May 12, 2004 | /s/ JOHN R. GIBSON |
|
|
| John R. Gibson |
| Chief Executive Officer and President |
| |
| |
Date: May 12, 2004 | /s/ SETH L. VAN VOORHEES |
|
|
| Seth L. Van Voorhees |
| Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Financial |
| Officer & Secretary |
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