The information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2008 contains statements that we believe to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “project,” or “continue,” or the negative thereof or similar words. From time to time, we also may provide oral or written forward-looking statements in other materials we release to the public. Any or all of our forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in any public statements we make could be materially different from actual results. They can be affected by assumptions we might make or by known or unknown risks or uncertainties, including those described in Item 1A “Risk Factors” and other factors disclosed throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the Company’s other filings with the SEC. Consequently, we cannot guarantee any forward-looking statements and undertake no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Investors should also understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all factors that might affect actual results and should not consider these factors to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. We assume no obligation and disclaim any duty to update the forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or any other public statement.
The following table sets forth the percentage relationship of certain items to sales for the period indicated (in thousands, except percentages):
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SALES
Sales increased $28,924,818, or 59.7%, in the three months ended December 31, 2008, and increased $77,671,986, or 53.5%, in the nine months ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the same periods a year ago. Sales of bulk chemicals, including caustic soda, were approximately 32% and 34% of sales for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2008, respectively, which is consistent with the comparable periods a year ago. Industrial segment sales increased by $23,907,648 in the three months ended December 31, 2008 and increased by $61,117,091 in the nine-month period ended December 31, 2008, as compared to the comparable periods in fiscal 2008. Water Treatment segment sales increased by $5,730,324 in the three months ended December 31, 2008 and increased $17,448,053 in the nine-month period ended December 31, 2008, as compared to the same periods in fiscal 2008. The Industrial and Water Treatment segments’ sales increases were primarily attributable to increases in selling prices related to rising material costs along existing product lines and also by increased demand combined with supply constraints for certain products. However, there was a decline in volumes of certain products within the Industrial segment, primarily products used in the agricultural markets during the three months ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the prior year.
Pharmaceutical segment sales decreased by 27.9% to $1,842,242 for the three months ended December 31, 2008 and decreased by 12.4% to $6,338,792 for the nine months ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the same periods in fiscal 2008. Sales during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2008 were negatively impacted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) having issued industry-wide restrictions on two major compounding chemicals. The FDA removed the restrictions on one of the chemicals in October 2008 however the restriction continues to be in effect for the other chemical. Supply constraints on certain other key products also contributed to the decline in sales during these periods. During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, the Pharmaceutical segment was restricted from selling certain products by the Minneapolis District Office of the FDA. The Company worked to resolve this matter and, during the third quarter of fiscal 2008, received clearance from the FDA to sell the majority of the products initially affected. Although sales within the Pharmaceutical segment were negatively impacted by these regulatory actions in fiscal 2008 and the first nine months of fiscal 2009, there was not a material impact to the Company’s results of operations or cash flows.
GROSS PROFIT
Gross profit margin, as a percentage of sales, for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2008 was 24.0% and 22.7%, respectively, compared to 18.8% and 22.6%, respectively, for the comparable periods of fiscal 2008. Due to significant increases in raw material inventory costs and, to a lesser extent, higher inventory levels, the LIFO method of valuing inventory resulted in a LIFO charge of $1,749,733 for the three-month period and $6,976,999 for the nine-month period that negatively impacted the gross margin for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2008 by 2.3% and 3.1%, respectively. The pass-through of higher raw material costs also reduces the reported gross margin rate as a percentage of sales. To more accurately reflect their underlying nature, certain operating expenses that were classified as selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 2008, are now classified as cost of sales. For the three and nine months ended December 31, 2008, these operating expenses totaled $626,373 and $2,211,462, respectively. The higher margin rates realized were primarily due to the sale of lower-cost inventory on hand and, to a lesser degree, an increase in margins on certain products due to the Company having the inventory to meet demand that escalated during the three months ended December 31, 2008 from current and new customers during a period of constrained supply. The Company saw a decrease in demand for lower-margin products sold into the agricultural markets during the three months ended December 31, 2008. Many of the Company’s products are commodity based and are subject to cost and pricing fluctuations that impact the reported gross margin percentage rate. The cost and pricing fluctuations are expected to continue in future periods.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses, for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2008 were $7,273,971 and $20,515,565, respectively, compared to $6,958,489 and $21,952,418 for the comparable periods a year ago. The increase for the three months ended December 31, 2008 was primarily due to higher employee compensation expenses, including variable rate pay plans and additional sales staff to support growth in the Water Treatment segment, as well as a $700,000 increase in bad debt expense. The increase for the three months ended December 31, 2008 was mitigated by and the decrease for the nine months ended December 31, 2008 was primarily due to the classification of $626,373 and $2,211,462 of certain expenses to cost of sales for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2008, respectively, which were classified as SG&A in fiscal 2008. Additionally, SG&A expenses were reduced by the elimination of contractor and consulting fees in the current year that were incurred in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007 related to the Company’s implementation of an Enterprise Resource Planning system and approximately $300,000 of non-recurring acquisition-related expenses associated with the Trumark acquisition recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2008.
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INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
Income from operations for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2008 increased by $9,098,766 to $11,276,218 and by $19,183,606 to $30,073,179, respectively. The increases for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2008 were driven by the Industrial segment, which increased by $8,270,073 and $17,587,493, respectively, and the Water Treatment segment, which increased by $900,461 and $1,984,359, respectively. The increases during the three and nine month periods were driven by higher than usual margins on certain products due to the sale of lower-cost inventory during a period of rapidly escalating commodity chemical prices and increased demand combined with supply constraints for certain products. Shortages of certain raw materials in the Industrial segment’s industry acutely impacted the ability of certain competitors to meet their customers’ product requirements, while the Company’s inventory position allowed it to meet the requirements of its current customer base and to expand its business. The Pharmaceutical segments’ income from operations decreased by $71,768 and $388,246, respectively, for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2008 due to the decrease in sales discussed above and higher lab testing expenses.
INVESTMENT INCOME
Investment income was $337,822 for the nine months ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $872,036 during the same period a year ago. The decrease was primarily due to lower average investment balances due to higher working capital requirements and capacity expansion projects initiated during fiscal 2009. The decrease is also attributable to lower yields due to the change in mix in investment balances in the current year as compared to the prior year, as the Company has moved a substantial portion of its investment assets into cash equivalents.
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
The effective income tax rate was 38.6% for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2008 compared to 38.1% and 37.3% for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007, respectively. The increase was primarily due to an increase in pre-tax income subject to a higher marginal income tax rate.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
For the nine-month period ended December 31, 2008, cash provided by operations was $5,514,843 compared to $6,925,567 for the same period one year ago. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was due to higher working capital balances commensurate with the higher commodity chemical costs and resulting increase in selling prices; including the timing of inventory purchases and the related vendor payments, as well as an increase in trade receivables associated with the increase in sales. Due to the nature of our operations, which includes purchases of large quantities of bulk chemicals, the timing of purchases can result in significant changes in working capital investment and the resulting operating cash flow. Historically, the Company’s cash requirements for working capital increase during the period from April through November as caustic soda inventory levels increase as the majority of barges are received during this period. Additionally, due to the seasonality of the water treatment business, the Company’s trade receivable balance generally increases during this period. Cash used in investing activities increased by $3,778,458 for the nine months ended December 31, 2008 compared to the same period one year ago primarily due to the purchase of the land and facility in Centralia, Illinois during the second quarter of fiscal 2009 and the related facility improvement projects to increase our lactate and other food ingredient manufacturing capacity. Other capital expenditures during the nine months ended December 31, 2008 consisted primarily of facilities improvement projects, machinery and equipment, new route sales trucks, and returnable containers. In the prior year, the acquisition of Trumark was largely offset by the proceeds obtained from the sale of investments during the nine months ended December 31, 2007. The Company has plans to spend approximately $8.0 million on capacity expansion during the current fiscal year, of which approximately $6.0 million has been incurred through December 31, 2008. Recurring capital expenditures for the remainder of this fiscal year are expected to be comparable with the prior year and they will primarily relate to equipment replacement.
Cash, cash equivalents and investments available-for-sale decreased by $9,779,563 from March 30, 2008 to $14,334,812 as of December 31, 2008 due primarily to capital expenditures of $10,243,053 and dividends paid of $5,125,049, partially offset by cash generated from operating activities during the nine-month period ended December 31, 2008. Cash equivalents consist of money market accounts and certificates of deposit with an original maturity of three months or less. Investments available-for-sale consist of corporate bonds and U.S. Government agency securities. The Company’s investment objectives in order of importance are the preservation of principal, maintenance of liquidity and rate of return. The fixed income portfolio consists primarily of investment grade securities to minimize credit risk, and have maturities ranging to 24 years. The Company monitors the maturities of its investments to ensure that funding is available for anticipated cash needs. At December 31, 2008, $350,647 of available-for-sale investments were classified as non-current assets as they were determined to be temporarily impaired with an aggregate carrying value exceeding market value by approximately $6,000 and have maturity dates of one year or longer. These investments were not determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired, as the Company has the intent and ability to hold these investments for a period of time sufficient to allow a recovery of cost.
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At December 31, 2008, the Company had an investment portfolio of fixed income securities of $872,088 and cash and cash equivalents of $13,723,527. The fixed income securities, like all fixed income instruments, are subject to interest rate risk and will decline in value if market interest rates increase. However, while the value of the investment may fluctuate in any given period, the Company intends to hold its fixed income investments until recovery of cost. Consequently, the Company would not expect to recognize an adverse impact on net income or cash flows during the holding period.
Expected future cash flows from operations, coupled with the Company’s financial position, puts the Company in a position to fund both short and long-term working capital and capital investment needs with internally generated funds. Management does not, therefore, anticipate the need to engage in significant financing activities in either the short or long-term. If the need to obtain additional capital does arise, however, management believes that the Company’s total debt to capital ratio at December 31, 2008 puts it in a position to obtain debt financing on favorable terms, although there can be no assurance of this.
Although management continually reviews opportunities to enhance the value of the Company through strategic acquisitions, other capital investments and strategic divestitures, no material commitments for such investments or divestitures currently exist.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The significant accounting policies followed by the Company are set forth in Note 1 to the Company’s financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 30, 2008. The accounting policies used in preparing the Company’s interim fiscal 2009 financial statements are the same as those described in the Company’s Annual Report.
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ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
At December 31, 2008, the Company had an investment portfolio of fixed income securities of $872,088 and cash and cash equivalents of $13,723,527. The fixed income securities, like all fixed income instruments, are subject to interest rate risks and will decline in value if market interest rates increase. However, while the value of the investment may fluctuate in any given period, the Company intends to hold its fixed income investments until recovery of cost. Consequently, the Company would not expect to recognize an adverse impact on net income or cash flows during the holding period. The Company adjusts the carrying value of its investments if an impairment occurs that is considered to be other than temporary.
The Company is subject to the risk inherent in the cyclical nature of commodity chemical prices. However, the Company does not currently purchase forward contracts or otherwise engage in hedging activities with respect to the purchase of commodity chemicals. We generally attempt to pass changes in material prices to our customers, however, there are no assurances that we will be able to pass on the increases in the future.
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ITEM 4. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
We maintain a system of disclosure controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliability of our published financial statements and other disclosures included in this report. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of December 31, 2008, the disclosure controls and procedures for Hawkins, Inc. were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in SEC’s rules and forms.
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Changes in Internal Control
There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the third quarter of fiscal 2009 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
There have been no material changes to the Company’s risk factors from those disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 30, 2008.
Exhibit Index
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| Exhibit | | Description | | Method of Filing |
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3.1 | | Amended and Second Restated Articles of Incorporation as amended through February 27, 2001. (1) | | Incorporated by Reference |
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3.2 | | Second Amended and Superseding By-Laws as amended through February 15, 1995. (2) | | Incorporated by Reference |
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31.1 | | Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act. | | Filed Electronically |
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31.2 | | Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act. | | Filed Electronically |
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32.1 | | Section 1350 Certification by Chief Executive Officer. | | Filed Electronically |
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32.2 | | Section 1350 Certification by Chief Financial Officer. | | Filed Electronically |
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| (1) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2001. |
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| (2) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 1, 1995. |
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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.
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| HAWKINS, INC. |
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| By: | /s/ Kathleen P. Pepski |
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| | Kathleen P. Pepski |
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| | Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer (On behalf of the Registrant and as principal financial officer) |
Dated: February 5, 2009
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Exhibit Index
| | | | | |
| Exhibit | | Description | | Method of Filing |
| | | | | |
3.1 | | Amended and Second Restated Articles of Incorporation as amended through February 27, 2001. (1) | | Incorporated by Reference |
| | | | |
3.2 | | Second Amended and Superseding By-Laws as amended through February 15, 1995. (2) | | Incorporated by Reference |
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31.1 | | Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act. | | Filed Electronically |
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31.2 | | Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act. | | Filed Electronically |
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32.1 | | Section 1350 Certification by Chief Executive Officer. | | Filed Electronically |
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32.2 | | Section 1350 Certification by Chief Financial Officer. | | Filed Electronically |
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(1) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2001. |
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(2) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 1, 1995. |