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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION |
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Washington, D.C. 20549 |
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_______________________________ |
FORM 10-Q |
_______________________________ |
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| [X] | QUARTERLYREPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) |
| | OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
| | FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005 |
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| [ ] | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) |
| | OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM _______ TO _______. |
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![[aoi12310510q001.gif]](https://capedge.com/proxy/10-Q/0000939930-06-000020/aoi12310510q001.gif)
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Alliance One International, Inc. |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
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Virginia | 001-13684 | 54-1746567 | |
________________ | _____________________________ | ____________________ | |
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
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8001 Aerial Center Parkway Morrisville, NC 27560-8417 (Address of principal executive offices) |
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(919) 379-4300 (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) |
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512 Bridge Street, Danville, VA 24541 |
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report) |
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: |
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Title of Each Class | Name of Exchange On Which Registered |
Common Stock (no par value) | New York Stock Exchange |
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ] |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer [ ] Accelerated Filer [X] Non-accelerated filer [ ] |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [X] |
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As of February 1, 2006, the registrant had 94,990,000 shares outstanding of Common Stock (no par value). |
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Part I. Financial Information Item 1. Financial Statements |
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Alliance One International, Inc. and Subsidiaries |
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME |
Three and Nine Months Ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 |
(Unaudited) |
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| Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
| December 31, | | December 31, | |
| 2005 | | 2004 | | 2005 | | 2004 | |
(in thousands, except per share amounts) | | | | | | | | |
Sales and other operating revenues | $528,144 | | $366,370 | | $1,555,116 | | $992,166 | |
Cost of goods and services sold | 474,854 | | 327,119 | | 1,392,445 | | 843,824 | |
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Gross profit | 53,290 | | 39,251 | | 162,671 | | 148,342 | |
Selling, administrative and general expenses | 40,398 | | 32,000 | | 124,942 | | 92,312 | |
Other income | (375) | | (606) | | (862) | | (5,236) | |
Restructuring and asset impairment costs | 15,163 | | 536 | | 32,737 | | 1,977 | |
Operating income (loss) | (1,896) | | 7,321 | | 5,854 | | 59,289 | |
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Debt retirement expense | - | | - | | 66,474 | | - | |
Interest expense | 28,186 | | 13,122 | | 83,686 | | 38,006 | |
Interest income | 3,578 | | 508 | | 7,497 | | 2,429 | |
Derivative financial instruments (income) | (1,239) | | (3,076) | | (4,023) | | (9,671) | |
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Income (loss) before income taxes and other items | (25,265) | | (2,217) | | (132,786) | | 33,383 | |
Income tax expense (benefit) | (3,300) | | (732) | | (23,689) | | 11,016 | |
Equity in net income (loss) of investee companies | (27) | | (20) | | 73 | | 122 | |
Minority interests (income) | 138 | | 82 | | (165) | | (277) | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | (22,130) | | (1,587) | | (108,859) | | 22,766 | |
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Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | (736) | | (277) | | (15,213) | | (5,669) | |
Net income (loss) | $ (22,866) | | $ (1,864) | | $ (124,072) | | $ 17,097 | |
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Basic earnings (loss) per share | | | �� | | | | | |
Net income (loss) from continuing operations | $(.26) | | $(.03) | | $(1.37) | | $ .51 | |
Loss from discontinued operations | (.01) | | (.01) | | (.19) | | (.13) | |
Net income (loss) | $(.27) | | $(.04) | | $(1.56) | | $ .38 | |
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Diluted earnings (loss) per share | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) from continuing operations | $(.26) | | $(.03) | | $(1.37) | | $ .50 | |
Loss from discontinued operations | (.01) | | (.01) | | (.19) | | (.12) | |
Net income (loss) | $(.27) | | $(.04) | | $(1.56) | | $ .38 | |
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Average number of shares outstanding | | | | | | | | |
Basic | 86,035 | | 44,918 | | 79,633 | | 44,879 | |
Diluted | 86,035 | | 44,918 | | 79,633 | | 45,426 | |
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Cash dividends per share | $.000 | | $.075 | | $.105 | | $.225 | |
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See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements |
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Alliance One International, Inc. and Subsidiaries CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited) |
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| December 31, 2005 | | December 31, 2004 | |
March 31, 2005 | |
(in thousands) | | | | | | |
ASSETS | | | | | | |
Current assets | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 49,112 | | $ 25,075 | | $ 29,128 | |
Notes receivable | 2,868 | | 2,449 | | 4,474 | |
Trade receivables, net of allowances | 252,873 | | 178,998 | | 219,775 | |
Inventories | | | | | | |
Tobacco | 695,006 | | 473,202 | | 457,159 | |
Other | 46,693 | | 31,201 | | 38,611 | |
Advances on purchases of tobacco | 119,680 | | 80,691 | | 79,268 | |
Current deferred and recoverable income taxes | 14,697 | | 18,469 | | 12,286 | |
Assets held for sale | 19,141 | | - | | - | |
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 30,316 | | 25,802 | | 15,461 | |
Assets of discontinued operations | 46,503 | | 21,254 | | 13,694 | |
Total current assets | 1,276,889 | | 857,141 | | 869,856 | |
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Investments and other assets | | | | | | |
Equity in net assets of investee companies | 16,780 | | 951 | | 918 | |
Other investments | 4,839 | | 2,517 | | 2,503 | |
Notes receivable | 6,659 | | 2,907 | | 2,835 | |
Other | 71,285 | | 46,711 | | 57,016 | |
| 99,563 | | 53,086 | | 63,272 | |
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Goodwill and intangible assets | | | | | | |
Goodwill | 271,775 | | 151,772 | | 151,772 | |
Customer relationship ($32,647 at Dec. 31, 2005) and other | 35,154 | | 9,434 | | 8,710 | |
Pension asset | 1,856 | | 1,934 | | 1,856 | |
| 308,785 | | 163,140 | | 162,338 | |
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Property, plant and equipment | | | | | | |
Land | 29,214 | | 21,447 | | 21,322 | |
Buildings | 229,763 | | 183,306 | | 183,262 | |
Machinery and equipment | 235,991 | | 197,154 | | 177,069 | |
Allowances for depreciation | (157,721) | | (176,661) | | (160,491) | |
| 337,247 | | 225,246 | | 221,162 | |
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Deferred taxes and other deferred charges | 106,536 | | 73,058 | | 87,431 | |
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| $2,129,020 | | $1,371,671 | | $1,404,059 | |
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See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements |
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Alliance One International, Inc. and Subsidiaries CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited) |
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| | December 31, 2005 | | December 31, 2004 | |
March 31, 2005 | |
(in thousands) | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | |
Current liabilities | | | | | | |
Notes payable to banks | $ 265,977 | | $ 235,748 | | $ 212,006 | |
Accounts payable | | | | | | |
Trade | 66,986 | | 34,714 | | 53,737 | |
Officers and employees | 4,456 | | 4,257 | | 4,635 | |
Other | 13,171 | | 6,116 | | 32,520 | |
Advances from customers | 155,289 | | 110,576 | | 49,384 | |
Accrued expenses | 85,699 | | 28,383 | | 33,147 | |
Income taxes | 10,249 | | 9,653 | | 10,804 | |
Long-term debt current | 22,349 | | 3,373 | | 3,509 | |
Liabilities of discontinued operations | 6,557 | | 2,576 | | 1,849 | |
Total current liabilities | 630,733 | | 435,396 | | 401,591 | |
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Long-term debt | | | | | | |
Bank Credit Facility | 393,375 | | 15,208 | | 94,917 | |
Senior Notes and other long term debt (net of fair value adjustment of $-0- at Dec. 31, 2005, ($1,391) at Dec. 31, 2004 and ($6,833) at March 31, 2005) | 329,294 | | 323,609 | | 318,167 | |
Subordinated Debt | 90,889 | | 73,328 | | 73,328 | |
| 813,558 | | 412,145 | | 486,412 | |
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Other long-term liabilities | | | | | | |
Deferred Income taxes | 17,116 | | 5,038 | | 7,779 | |
Compensation and other | 130,223 | | 92,869 | | 93,195 | |
| 147,339 | | 97,907 | | 100,974 | |
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Minority interest in subsidiaries | 2,810 | | 849 | | 770 | |
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Commitments and contingencies | - | | - | | - | |
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Alliance One International, Inc. and Subsidiaries CONDENSEDSTATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS Nine Months Ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 (Unaudited) |
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| | December 31, 2005 | | December 31, 2004 | |
(in thousands) | | | | | |
Operating activities | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $(124,072) | | $ 17,097 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided | | | | | |
by operating activities: | | | | | |
Net loss from discontinued operations | | 15,213 | | 4,237 | |
Loss on disposition of discontinued operations | | - | | 1,432 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | 33,515 | | 25,917 | |
Restructuring, asset impairment and integration charges | | 22,280 | | 753 | |
Deferred items | | (47,643) | | (17,223) | |
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions | | (3,370) | | 2,805 | |
Gain on sale of fixed assets | | (1,036) | | (4,803) | |
Decrease (increase) in inventories and advances on purchases of tobacco | | 115,852 | | (16,757) | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities | | 55,340 | | 26,160 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations | | 66,079 | | 39,618 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations | | 9,094 | | 14,485 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | 75,173 | | 54,103 | |
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Investing activities | | | | | |
Purchases of property and equipment | | (16,328) | | (11,674) | |
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | | 14,639 | | 7,930 | |
Cash received in acquisition of business | | 42,019 | | - | |
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations | | - | | 484 | |
Payments received on notes receivable | | 8,039 | | 3,239 | |
Payments for other assets | | (2,918) | | (8,741) | |
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities of continuing operations | | 45,451 | | (8,762) | |
Net cash provided by investing activities of discontinued operations | | 1,149 | | - | |
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities | | 46,600 | | (8,762) | |
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Financing activities | | | | | |
Net change in short-term borrowings | | (383,456) | | (18,363) | |
Proceeds from long-term borrowings | | 946,545 | | 63,711 | |
Repayment of long-term borrowings | | (623,715) | | (60,516) | |
Debt issuance cost | | (24,972) | | (11,883) | |
Proceeds from sale of stock | | 744 | | 107 | |
Cash dividends paid to Alliance One International, Inc. stockholders | | (9,921) | | (10,176) | |
Net cash used by financing activities | | (94,775) | | (37,120) | |
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Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | | (7,014) | | (1,965) | |
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Increase in cash and cash equivalents | | 19,984 | | 6,256 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | | 29,128 | | 18,819 | |
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Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | $ 49,112 | | $25,075 | |
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Non-cash activity: Common stock issued, including adjustment for options, in business acquisition | | $ 264,368 | | $ - | |
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See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements |
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Alliance One International, Inc. and Subsidiaries NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands) |
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1. | BASIS OF PRESENTATION | |
| Alliance One International, Inc. (the “Company”) is a Virginia corporation formerly known as DIMON Incorporated. The Company changed its name simultaneously with the closing of its merger with Standard Commercial Corporation (“Standard”) on May 13, 2005. | |
| The merger with Standard has been treated as a purchase business combination for accounting purposes, with the Company designated as the acquirer. As such, the historical financial statements for DIMON become the historical financial statements of the Company, the registrant. The accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the fiscal quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2005 include the results of operations of Standard since May 13, 2005, the effective date of acquisition, and a full nine months of results for DIMON. Note 2 provides summary unaudited pro forma financial information and details regarding purchase accounting for the merger. | |
| The accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. For additional information regarding accounting principles and other financial data, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005. The Company’s operations are seasonal. Therefore, the results of operations for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending March 31, 2006. | |
| In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections—a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3.” Under SFAS No. 154, changes in accounting principles will generally be made by the retrospective application of the new accounting principle to the financial statements of prior periods unless it is impractical to determine the effect of the change on prior periods. The reporting of a change in accounting principle as a cumulative adjustment to net income in the period of the change, as was previously permitted under APB Opinion No. 20, will no longer be permitted unless it is impractical to determine the effect of the change on prior periods. Correction of an error in the application of accounting principles will continue to be reported by retroactively restating the affected financial statements. The provisions of SFAS No. 154 will not apply to new accounting standards that contain specific transition provisions. SFAS No. 154 is applicable to accounting changes made in fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2005. The Company does not expect SFAS No. 154 to have a material effect, if any, on its consolidated financial statements. | |
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2. | MERGER OF STANDARD AND DIMON | |
| On May 13, 2005, the Company completed its merger with Standard pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 7, 2004 (the “Merger Agreement”). Upon the consummation of the merger, Standard was merged into DIMON, which simultaneously changed its name to Alliance One International, Inc. | |
| The Company merged with Standard to create a stronger organization better able to effectively address the challenges of an evolving global leaf tobacco industry. The merger provides the opportunity to enhance and expand customer service relationships; improve ability to competitively source leaf tobacco and implement DIMON’s and Standard’s expertise and capabilities across substantially larger operations. The combination also allows the Company to realize significant cost savings through rationalization of tobacco processing facilities and create long term shareholder value. | |
| Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Standard shareholders received three shares of the Company’s common stock for each Standard share owned. Approximately 41,243 shares of the Company’s common stock were issued in exchange for all outstanding common stock of Standard based on the three-for-one exchange ratio, at an aggregate value of $264,368 (based on the average closing price of $6.36 of DIMON common stock during the two business days before and after the date the merger was announced). The common stock issuance combined with professional fees and charges incurred to effect the merger of $12,297 result in a total purchase price of $276,573. | |
| The merger has been treated as a purchase business combination for accounting purposes, with the Company as the acquiring entity. As such, Standard’s assets acquired and liabilities assumed have been recorded at their fair value. In identifying the Company as the acquiring entity, the companies took into account the relative share ownership of the surviving entity, the composition of the governing body of the combined entity and the designation of certain senior management positions. As a result, the historical financial statements of DIMON become the historical financial statements of the Company. The purchase price for the acquisition, including transaction costs, has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimated fair values at the date of acquisition, May 13, 2005. The purchase price allocation is preliminary and is expected to be substantially complete during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2006 when management has obtained all of the information to finalize the integration plan. | |
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Alliance One International, Inc. and Subsidiaries |
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2. | MERGER OF STANDARD AND DIMON (Continued) | |
| The preliminary purchase price allocation, is as follows: | |
| | May 13, 2005 | |
| Cash | $ 42,019 | |
| Accounts receivable trade | 101,666 | |
| Inventory | 365,195 | |
| Advances and deposits suppliers | 41,945 | |
| Assets of discontinued operations | 68,567 | |
| Other current assets | 22,913 | |
| Property, plant and equipment | 175,462 | |
| Goodwill and intangible assets | 153,703 | |
| Other | 44,336 | |
| Total assets acquired | $1,015,806 | |
| Notes payable banks and other | $ 442,205 | |
| Accounts payable | 94,818 | |
| Other current liabilities | 98,887 | |
| Long term debt | 11,396 | |
| Deferred income taxes | 45,873 | |
| Deferred compensation and other | 43,844 | |
| Other | 2,210 | |
| Total liabilities | $ 739,233 | |
| Net assets acquired | $ 276,573 | |
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Alliance One International, Inc. and Subsidiaries |
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3. | RESTRUCTURING AND ASSET IMPAIRMENT CHARGES |
| The Company expects to realize significant savings as a result of the merger. With the help of a consultant, the Company developed a detailed preliminary integration plan as of the closing of the merger. Subsequent to the merger, the Company has continued assessing relevant information obtained as it relates to markets and customers that were not available prior to the merger which has resulted in modifications to the preliminary integration plan. The savings result from facilities rationalization and reductions in both operating and corporate overhead, including a significant reduction in the global workforce. Management expects to have all of the necessary information to substantially complete the integration plan within the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2006. Management has initiated several actions as a result of this integration plan which are discussed below. | |
| The integration charges resulting from the Company’s decisions have different accounting treatment depending on whether they are related to former DIMON operations or former Standard operations. In accordance with Emerging lssues Task Force (EITF) 95-3,Recognition of Liabilities in Conjunction with a Purchase Business Combination,the Company has recorded the costs of a plan to (1) exit an activity of the former Standard operations, (2) involuntarily terminate employees of the former Standard operations, or (3) relocate employees of the former Standard operations as liabilities assumed in a purchase business combination and included in the allocation of the acquisition cost resulting in an increase in goodwill. However, all costs of integration actions associated with former DIMON operations are recorded in earnings as restructuring and asset impairment costs only when they are incurred or meet the criteria for recording in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” or SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.” The following tables summarize the integration actions as of December 31, 2005 of both former DIMON operations which have been included in earnings and former Standard operations which have been included in adjustments to goodwill. | |
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| Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| December 31, | | December 31, |
| 2005 | | 2004 | | 2005 | | 2004 |
Restructuring and Asset Impairment Costs | | | | | | | |
Employee separation and other cash charges: | | | | | | | |
Beginning balance | $ 4,737 | | $ 1,039 | | $ - | | $ 1,582 |
Period Charges: | | | | | | | |
Severance charges | 2,363 | | 536 | | 11,607 | | 1,791 |
Spanish tobacco operations obligations | 2,000 | | - | | 2,000 | | - |
Other cash charges | 126 | | - | | 3,490 | | - |
Total employee separation and other cash charges | 4,489 | | 536 | | 17,097 | | 1,791 |
Payments through December 31 | (2,705) | | (341) | | (10,576) | | (2,139) |
Ending balance December 31 | $ 6,521 | | $ 1,234 | | $ 6,521 | | $ 1,234 |
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Asset impairments and other non-cash charges: | | | | | | | |
Spanish tobacco operations asset impairment | $ 1,241 | | $ - | | $ 1,241 | | $ - |
CdF operations asset impairment | 7,291 | | - | | 11,839 | | - |
Non- tobacco operations asset impairment | 1,764 | | - | | 1,764 | | - |
Other non-cash charges | 378 | | - | | 796 | | 186 |
Total asset impairments and other non-cash charges | $10,674 | | $ - | | $ 15,640 | | $ 186 |
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Total restructuring and asset impairment charges for the period | $15,163 | | $ 536 | | $ 32,737 | | $ 1,977 |
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Alliance One International, Inc. and Subsidiaries |
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3. | RESTRUCTURING AND ASSET IMPAIRMENT CHARGES(Continued) |
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| Although integration plans are still being completed, major actions that have been recorded are: | |
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| Significant global headcount reduction | |
| Employee related severance costs are expected to total approximately $30,000. For the nine months ended December 31, 2005, $26,345 has been recorded. The remainder will be recorded as employees are notified during the rest of fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2007. Substantially all payments will be paid by the end of Fiscal 2007. | |
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| Sale of Spanish tobacco operations | |
| As announced in the Form 8-K filed on December 2, 2005, the Company made a decision to exit the Spanish operations during the third quarter of Fiscal 2006, which triggered an impairment test as required by SFAS No. 144. As discussed in Note 15, subsequent to December 31, 2005, the Company entered into an agreement to sell the Spanish operations of the combined company. Both DIMON and Standard had Spanish operations. As a result, the Company recorded selling obligations of $5,800 and asset impairment charges of $4,739 at December 31, 2005. Also see Note 15. | |
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| Potential sale of dark air-cured operations | |
| The Company has entered into a non-binding letter of intent to sell its ownership interest in Compania General de Tabacos de Filipinas, S.A. (CdF), the owner of the Company’s dark air-cured tobacco business. As a result of the change in the probability of the ultimate use of these operations at December 31, 2005, the Company completed a review of the recoverability of these long lived assets and based on this analysis recorded additional asset impairment charges of $7,291 at December 31, 2005. Total asset impairment charges related to the dark air-cured group at December 31, 2005 are $11,839. Also see Note 15. | |
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| Potential sale of non-tobacco operation | |
| The Company has entered into a non-binding letter of intent to sell the assets of its non-tobacco operation in North Carolina. As a result of the change in the probability of the ultimate use of these operations at December 31, 2005, the Company completed a review of the recoverability of these long lived assets and based on this analysis recorded an asset impairment charge of $1,764 at December 31, 2005. Also see Note 15. | |
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| In addition to the above actions, the Company has incurred significant one-time costs, primarily related to legal and professional fees to effect the merger. These costs are $347 and $4,405 for the three months and nine months ended December 31, 2005, respectively. | |
| Assets of $19,141 are being actively marketed and have been reclassified in the Company’s balance sheet to assets held for sale. These assets are primarily production and administrative facilities that have become redundant as a result of the merger. As integration plans are completed, additional assets may become redundant and would be reclassified to held for sale as soon as they are identified and actively marketed. | |
| In fiscal 2004, the Company conducted a strategic review to evaluate its production capacity and organization relative to the major transition occurring in global sourcing of tobacco and over-capacity within certain markets of the industry. As a result of this review, the Company recorded additional restructuring charges of $1,977 during the nine months ended December 31, 2004 primarily related to additional severance costs associated with the closing of one of its two U.S. processing facilities. These costs were paid in fiscal 2005. | |
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4. | GOODWILL & INTANGIBLES | |
| Goodwill represents costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets of acquired businesses. Goodwill is not subject to systematic amortization, but rather is tested for impairment annually and whenever events and circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred. The Company has chosen the first day of the last quarter of its fiscal year as the date to perform its annual goodwill impairment test. | |
| The Company has no intangible assets with indefinite useful lives. It does have other intangible assets which are being amortized. The Company has recorded an impairment charge in Indonesia that resulted from strategic operating decisions. The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s goodwill and other amortizable intangibles for the nine months ended December 31, 2005. | |
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5. | DISCONTINUED ITALIAN OPERATIONS | |
| On September 30, 2004, concurrent with the sale of the Italian processing facility, the Company made a decision to discontinue all of its former DIMON Italian operations as part of its ongoing plans to realign its operations to more closely reflect worldwide changes in the sourcing of tobacco. As a result of the merger on May 13, 2005, the remaining net assets of the discontinued Italian operations of Standard were acquired. The Company has completed the sale of the Italian operations. The collection of the accounts receivable and the liquidation of the inventory not acquired by the purchaser are continuing and are expected to be completed within the next twelve months. Due to the merger between DIMON and Standard these efforts have taken longer than originally anticipated. | |
| Italian operations of both former DIMON and Standard were being investigated by the Directorate General for Competition (DGCOMP) of the European Commission (EC) into tobacco buying and selling practices within the leaf tobacco industry in Italy. As a result of this investigation, fines of $12,000 were levied against the former DIMON entity and $16,800 were levied against the former Standard entity. Fines levied against the former DIMON entity are included in the summary shown below while fines levied against the former Standard entity have been recorded as a purchase price adjustment as the process was initiated prior to the combination of the two companies. | |
| Results of operations and the assets and liabilities, other than subsidiary debt guaranteed by the Company and the related interest expense, are reported as discontinued operations. Sales and operating losses for the three months and nine months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 are presented below. This information is summarized for the appropriate fiscal periods as follows: | |
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10. | CONTINGENCIES |
| During June 2004, the Company received from Brazilian tax officials notices of proposed adjustments to income tax returns for the Company’s Brazil operations for tax years 1999 through 2002, inclusive, that total $54,360 as of March 31, 2005. Of these proposed adjustments $39,446 related to disallowance of local currency foreign exchange losses on U.S. dollar funding. In March 2005, the Taxpayer’s Council dismissed the assessment relating to the disallowance of local currency foreign exchange losses. The remaining $14,914 related to disallowance of other sales related expenses. As of December 31, 2005, this amount has increased to $18,012 due to the devaluation of the U.S. dollar to the Brazilian real. The Company is continuing to argue its position on the disallowance of sales related expenses, and believes it has strong defenses to these adjustments. | |
| In 1993 and 1996, the Company received notices from Brazilian tax authorities of proposed adjustments to the income tax returns of the Company’s entities located in Brazil for the calendar years ending 1988 through 1992. The Company has successfully defeated many of the proposed adjustments in litigation and settled the other issues under REFIS and Tax Amnesty programs. As of December 31, 2005, total estimated tax, penalties and interest relating to still unresolved issues is $1,526. | |
| On October 31, 2002, the Company received an assessment from the tax authorities in Germany regarding the taxable gain from the sale of its flower operations, Florimex, in September 1998. The report concluded the values of the real estate located in Germany were greater than those arrived at with the buyer of the flower operation. The proposed adjustment to income tax, including interest, is equivalent to approximately $5,660 for federal corporate income tax and $3,200 for local trade income tax. The Company has challenged this finding with valuations that support the values used in the original filings and is currently discussing the issue with the tax officials in Germany. During March 2005, the Company received an official rejection of its appeal from the tax administration officials in Germany. & nbsp;The Company has now appealed to the tax court and believes it has a strong case. During the quarter ended December 31, 2005, the Company was informed that our hearing will not take place before August 2006. This case is still ongoing as of December 31, 2005. | |
| In September 2002 and in January 2004, the Company’s Tanzanian operations received assessments for income taxes equivalent to approximately $2,400 and $5,600, respectively. In March 2005, the Company’s Tanzanian operations received assessments that show no additional income taxes but that reduce the balance of its tax loss carryovers as of the end of 2001 by approximately $4,000. In September 2005, additional assessments for 2002, 2003 and 2004 were received. The assessments for 2002 and 2003 reduce tax loss carryovers another $6,000. The 2004 assessment is equivalent to $1,800. The Company has filed protests and appeals and is currently awaiting replies. | |
| In September 2004, the Zimbabwe tax authorities (ZIMRA) issued a proposed assessment on DIMON’s operations for withholding tax on export commissions of approximately 22,000 Zimbabwe dollars, which at that time was approximately US $980. ZIMRA also assessed Standard Commercial’s operations 850 Zimbabwe dollars, which at that time was equivalent to US $36. With the devaluation of the Zimbabwe dollar, the U.S. dollar value of the total proposed assessments has decreased significantly and the official assessments as of December 31, 2005 were equivalent to US $340. On February 1, 2006, ZIMRA delivered additional assessments for export commission deductions and withholding tax that totaled 89 billion Zimbabwe dollars, which is equivalent to US $1,030. The Company has filed protests and appe als to these assessments and has met with the Commissioner of ZIMRA to express its objections to the assessments. The Company continues to challenge the assessments on their merits. Discussions with ZIMRA are ongoing and the Company believes it has strong defenses to these assessments. | |
| The Company believes it has properly reported its income and provided for taxes in Brazil, Germany, Tanzania and Zimbabwe in accordance with applicable laws and intends to vigorously contest the proposed adjustments. The Company expects the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet or results of operations. | |
| Since October 2001, the Directorate General for Competition (DG Comp) of the European Commission (EC) has been conducting an administrative investigation into certain tobacco buying and selling practices alleged to have occurred within the leaf tobacco industry in Spain and Italy. The Company’s subsidiaries in Spain (Agroexpansion and World Wide Tobacco Espana) and in Italy (DIMON Italia and Transcatab, Spa) have cooperated with the DG Comp. The EC issued separate Statements of Objections (the “Statements”) relating to buying practices in Spain and Italy. The Statements alleged that the buying practices of the tobacco processors and producers in Spain and Italy constitute infringements of EC competition laws. The Company filed a response to the Statements of Objections relating to Spain and Italy, and the EC conducted separate oral hearings on the Spanish and Italian matters. | |
| In respect of the Spanish investigation, on October 20, 2004, the DG Comp announced that DIMON Incorporated (now the Company) and Agroexpansion had been assessed a fine in the amount of €2,592 which was accrued in selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2004. At the same time the EC announced that it had imposed on Standard (now merged into the Company) and a number of its subsidiaries (now all subsidiaries of the Company), including World Wide Tobacco Espana, a fine of €1,823. A number of other tobacco processors, growers and agricultural associations were assessed fines in various amounts, including the | |
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10. | CONTINGENCIES (Continued) |
| amount assessed against our companies, which total €20,000. The Company, along with its Spanish and other involved subsidiaries, have appealed the decision of the Commission to the Court of First Instance of the European Commission for the annulment or modification of the decision; but the outcome of the appeals process as to both timing and results is uncertain. | |
| In respect of the Italian investigation, on October 24, 2005, the EC announced that Alliance One and Mindo (its former subsidiary) have been assessed a fine in the aggregate amount of €10,000 (US$12,000) and that, in addition, Alliance One and Transcatab, a subsidiary of Standard prior to its merger into the Company earlier this year, have been assessed a fine in the aggregate amount of €14,000 (US$16,800). Several tobacco processors, growers and agricultural associations that were the subject of the investigation in Italy were assessed fines in various amounts totaling €56,050 (US$67,260), inclusive of the fines imposed on Alliance One and its subsidiaries. The EC stated that the fines assessed against Alliance One and its Italian subsidiaries were reduced as a result of their cooperation in the investigation. Alliance One has established a reserve for the fines imposed on the Company and Mindo in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 in the amount of US$12,000. The US$16,800 in fines imposed as a result of conduct of Transcatab and Standard prior to the merger has been reflected as an increase in goodwill on the Company’s balance sheet, as required by purchase accounting. The Company, along with its Italian and other involved subsidiaries, have appealed the decisions of the Commission to the Court of First Instance of the European Commission for the annulment or modification of the decision; but the outcome of the appeals process as to both timing and results is uncertain. | |
| The Company received correspondence from a former employee alleging that the Company has engaged in employment practices with respect to some employees located in certain foreign jurisdictions in violation of such jurisdictions’ laws and which could subject the Company to fines and penalties. The Company has reported these allegations to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and is currently engaged in an extensive review in order to determine and take any appropriate remedial measures. | |
| The Company has recently received correspondence from an Italian company, Mindo S.r.l., which was the purchaser, in June, 2004, of the Company’s Italian subsidiary, DIMON Italia S.r.l., alleging that the Company and various of its subsidiaries, employees and other individuals not employed by the Company, failed to disclose, at the time of Mindo’s purchase, certain events or circumstances which, if disclosed, would have caused Mindo not to purchase the Company’s subsidiary and which amount to a breach of the purchase agreement. Although no formal legal proceeding has yet been filed, Mindo is apparently contending that it is entitled to the rescission of the purchase agreement. The Company has investigated the claims, believes them to be without merit and intends to vigorously defend any legal proceeding which might be brought. | |
| The Company and certain of its foreign subsidiaries guarantee bank loans to growers to finance their crop. Under longer-term arrangements, the Company may also guarantee financing on growers’ construction of curing barns or other tobacco production assets. The Company also guarantees bank loans to certain tobacco cooperatives to assist with the financing of their growers’ crops. Guaranteed loans are generally repaid concurrent with the delivery of tobacco to the Company. The Company is obligated to repay any guaranteed loan should the grower or tobacco cooperative default. If default occurs, the Company has recourse against the grower or cooperative. At December 31, 2005, the Company was guarantor of an amount not to exceed $316,407 with $278,707 outstanding under these guarantees. The majority of the current outstanding guarantees expire within the respective annual crop cycle. The Company considers the risk of significant loss under these guarantees and other contingencies to be remote and the accrual recorded for exposure under them was not material at December 31, 2005. | |
| On August 21, 2001, the Company’s subsidiary in Brazil won a claim related to certain excise taxes (“IPI credit bonus”) for the years 1983 through 1990 and is now pursuing collection. The collection procedures are not clear and the total realization process could potentially extend over many years. Through March 2005, the Company has utilized $20,377 of IPI credit bonus in lieu of cash payments for Brazilian federal income and other taxes. No benefit for this IPI credit bonus has been recognized, and it has been recorded as deferred revenue, because the Company has been unable to predict whether the Brazilian Government will require payment of amounts offset. In January 2005, the Company received a Judicial Order to suspend the IPI compensation. An appeal was filed and the Company received notification from the tax authorities in March 2005 to present all documentation pertaining to the IPI credit bonus. The Company is working with the tax authorities and believes it has properly utilized the IPI credit bonus. There have been no new developments during 2006. | |
| Zimbabwe remains in a period of civil unrest in combination with a deteriorating economy. Should the current political situation continue, the Company could experience disruptions and delays associated with its Zimbabwe operations. If the political situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate, the Company’s ability to recover its assets there could be impaired. The Company’s Zimbabwe subsidiaries have long-lived assets of approximately $34,439 as of December 31, 2005. | |
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11. | REFINANCING OF DEBT ARRANGMENTS | |
| Many of the Company’s financing arrangements were refinanced in connection with the closing of the merger with Standard because of change of control clauses in agreements governing such financings, or because the merged company would not have been able to comply with certain of the financial covenants contained in those agreements as of the closing of, or immediately after, the merger. The specific financing arrangements that were refinanced were: |
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| · DIMON’s $150,000 senior credit facility; | |
| · DIMON’s $200,000 of 9 5/8% senior notes due 2011; | |
| · DIMON’s $125,000 of 7 ¾ % senior notes due 2013; | |
| · DIMON’s $73,328 of convertible subordinated debentures due 2007 (July 2005); | |
| · Standard’s $150,000 senior credit facility; and | |
| · Standard’s $150,000 of 8% senior notes due 2012. | |
| The Company raised capital to tender for, repay or redeem these financings and pay the costs and expenses of the refinancing through the following financing arrangements, as amended, all of which were effective with the closing of the merger on May 13, 2005 and are described in more detail below: | |
| · the issuance of $315,000 of 11% senior notes due 2012; | |
| · the issuance of $100,000 of 12 ¾% senior subordinated notes due 2012 sold at a 10% original issue discount (reflecting a 15% yield to maturity); and | |
| · a new $650,000 senior secured credit facility with a syndicate of banks consisting of (1) a three-year $300,000 senior secured revolving credit line, which accrues interest at a rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 3.25%, (2) a three-year $150,000 senior secured term loan, which accrues interest at an annual rate equal to LIBOR plus 3.25%, and (3) a five-year $200,000 senior secured term loan, which accrues interest at an annual rate equal to LIBOR plus 3.50%. | |
| From time to time the Company may need to enter into various amendments and or waivers under its Senior Secured Credit Agreement seeking specific modification to covenants or provisions therein related to changes in the normal course of business, special one time occurrences, financial performance or other unforeseeable events. On October 28, 2005 the Company and the Lenders agreed to the First Amendment to the May 13, 2005 Senior Secured Credit Agreement where a provision was established permitting the payment of fines up to €24,000 related to European Commission anti-competition litigation. Additionally, effective November 30, 2005 the Company and the Lenders agreed to the Second Amendment to the May 13, 2005 Senior Secured Credit Agreement, where several sections were modified. The changes effected by the Second Amendment ar e described in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on December 1, 2005. | |
| The Company and Intabex Netherlands, B.V., or Intabex (one of the Company’s primary foreign holding companies), are co-borrowers under the new senior secured revolving credit line, and the Company’s borrowings under that line are limited to $150,000 principal amount outstanding at any one time. Intabex is the sole borrower under each of the new senior secured term loans. One of the Company’s primary foreign trading companies, Alliance One International AG, or AOIAG, is a guarantor of Intabex’s obligations under the new senior secured credit facility. | |
| Unlike its former long term debt, the Company’s new senior credit facility is secured by a pledge of certain of its assets as collateral for borrowings thereunder. Borrowings of the Company under the new senior secured credit facility are secured by a first priority pledge of: | |
| · 100% of the capital stock of any material domestic subsidiaries; | |
| · 65% of the capital stock of any material first tier foreign subsidiaries of the Company or of its domestic subsidiaries; | |
| · intercompany notes evidencing loans or advances made by the Company on or following the closing date to subsidiaries that are not guarantors; and | |
| · U.S. accounts receivable and U.S. inventory owned by the Company and its material domestic subsidiaries (other than inventory the title of which has passed to a customer and inventory financed through customer advances). | |
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| In addition, Intabex’s borrowings under the new senior secured credit facility are guaranteed by the Company, all of its present or future material direct or indirect domestic subsidiaries and AOIAG. | |
| The new senior secured credit facility includes certain financial covenants and requires the Company to maintain certain financial ratios, including a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio; a maximum consolidated leverage ratio; a maximum consolidated total senior debt to borrowing base ratio; and a maximum amount of annual capital expenditures. | |
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Alliance One International, Inc. and Subsidiaries |
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11. | REFINANCING OF DEBT ARRANGMENTS(Continued) | |
| The new senior notes indentures contain certain covenants that, among other things, limit the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness; issue preferred stock; merge, consolidate or dispose of substantially all of its assets; grant liens on its assets; pay dividends, redeem stock or make other distributions or restricted payments; repurchase or redeem capital stock or prepay subordinated debt; make certain investments; agree to restrictions on the payment of dividends to the Company by its subsidiaries; sell or otherwise dispose of assets, including equity interests of its subsidiaries; enter into transactions with its affiliates; and enter into certain sale and leaseback transactions. | |
| The Company continuously monitors its compliance with these covenants. No default exists at December 31, 2005. | |
| In connection with the refinancing activity, the Company incurred debt retirement expense of $66,474. This amount consisted of a loss on debt extinguishment of approximately $61,363 related primarily to premiums paid to lenders and write off of previously capitalized debt issuance costs and a $5,111 charge related to the retirement of previously existing Senior Note swap derivative instruments. | |
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12. | DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS | |
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| Fixed to Floating Rate Interest Swaps | |
| Concurrent with the issuance of $200,000 principal amount of 9 5/8% senior notes due 2011, on October 30, 2001, and $125,000 principal amount of 7 ¾% senior notes due 2013, on May 30, 2003, the Company entered into derivative financial instruments to swap the entire notional amounts of such Senior Notes to floating interest rates equal to LIBOR plus 4.25% and 3.69%, respectively, set six months in arrears. Both of these derivative financial instruments were terminated May 13, 2005 in conjunction with the redemption of the related senior notes, at a cost of $5,111 which is included in debt retirement expense. | |
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| Floating to Fixed Rate Interest Swaps | |
| Prior to the implementation of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” the Company entered into multiple interest rate swaps to convert a portion of its worldwide debt portfolio from floating to fixed interest rates to reduce its exposure to interest rate volatility. At December 31, 2005, the Company held instruments of this type with an aggregate notional value of $205,000 bearing interest at rates between 4.985% and 5.40%, and with maturity dates ranging from June 1, 2006 to September 21, 2008. The implementation of SFAS No. 133 eliminated hedge accounting treatment for these instruments because they do not meet certain criteria. Accordingly, the Company is required to reflect the full amount of all changes in their fair value, without offset, in its current earnings. These fair value adjustments have caused substantial volatilit y in the Company’s reported earnings. For the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company recognized non-cash income before income taxes of $1,239 and $3,076, respectively, from the change in fair value of these derivative financial instruments. For the nine months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company recognized non-cash income before income taxes of $4,023 and $9,671, respectively from the change in fair value of these derivative financial instruments. With the recognition of each income or expense relating to these instruments, a corresponding amount is recognized in Other Long-Term Liabilities – Compensation and Other. At December 31, 2005, there was an aggregate credit of $1,358 relating to these instruments accumulated in this balance sheet classification, all of which will reverse through future earnings over the remaining life of the instruments. | |
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| Forward Currency Contracts | |
| The Company periodically enters into forward currency contracts to protect against volatility associated with certain non-U.S. dollar denominated forecasted transactions. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, if these derivatives qualify for hedge accounting treatment, they are accounted for as cash flow hedges. Changes in the fair value of these derivative financial instruments, net of deferred taxes, are recognized in Other Comprehensive Income and are included in earnings in the period in which earnings are affected by the hedged item. If any contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, changes in fair value are recorded in earnings. | |
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| Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments | |
| In accordance with SFAS No. 133, the Company recognizes all derivative financial instruments, such as interest rate swap contracts and foreign exchange contracts, at fair value regardless of the purpose or intent for holding the instrument. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are either recognized periodically in income or in stockholders’ equity as a component of comprehensive income depending on whether the derivative financial instrument qualifies for hedge accounting, and if so, whether it qualifies as a fair value hedge or cash flow hedge. Changes in fair values of derivatives accounted for as fair value hedges are recorded in income along with the portions of the changes in the fair values of the hedged items that relate to the hedged risk(s). Changes in fair values of derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges, to the extent they are effective as hedges, are recorded in other comprehensive income net of deferred taxes. Changes in fair values of derivatives not qualifying as hedges are reported in income. | |
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Alliance One International, Inc. and Subsidiaries |
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12. | DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS(Continued) | |
| The fair value estimates presented herein are based on quoted market prices. During the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, accumulated other comprehensive income decreased by $20, net of deferred taxes of $11 and by $113, net of deferred taxes of $55, respectively, due to the reclassification into earnings, primarily as cost of goods and services sold, as transactions were fulfilled. For the nine months ended December 31, 2005, accumulated other comprehensive income did not change. For the nine months ended December 31, 2004, accumulated comprehensive income decreased by $557, net of deferred tax of $285, due to the reclassification into earnings, primarily as cost of goods and services sold, as transactions were fulfilled. | |
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13. | PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS | |
| As a result of the merger, the Company has multiple benefit plans across operations at several locations. The Company is evaluating alternatives for standardizing benefits. The merger has increased both the pension cost and post retirement benefit cost due to the addition of the Standard operations. As a result of the merger, the Company has experienced a reduction in the U.S. workforce during the second quarter that resulted in curtailments in the pension plan and post retirement health plan. There was a curtailment charge and a settlement charge in the pension plan and a curtailment credit in the post retirement health plan. | |
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| Retirement Benefits | |
| The Company has defined benefit plans that provide retirement benefits for substantially all U.S. salaried personnel based on years of service rendered, age and compensation. The Company merged the Standard Commercial Corporation Defined Benefit Plan into the Alliance One International, Inc Pension Plan effective January 1, 2006. The Company also maintains various other Excess Benefit and Supplemental Plans that provide additional benefits to (1) certain individuals whose compensation and the resulting benefits that would have actually been paid are limited by regulations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code and (2) certain individuals in key positions. The Standard Commercial Corporation Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan was frozen as of December 31, 2005. Eligible individuals became participants in other Company benefit plans. There were curtailments and special termination benefits recognized for several of these additional executive retirement plans prior to December 31, 2005. Pursuant to the merger, certain individuals were granted additional benefits under their employment agreements valued in excess of $1,300. | |
| Additional non-U.S. plans sponsored by certain subsidiaries cover certain full-time employees located in Germany, Greece, Turkey, United Kingdom and Brazil. | |
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| Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost | |
| Net periodic pension cost for continuing operations consisted of the following: | |
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Alliance One International, Inc. and Subsidiaries |
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13. | PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Continued) | |
| Postretirement Health and Life Insurance Benefits | |
| The Company also provides certain health and life insurance benefits to retired U.S. employees, and their eligible dependents, who meet specified age and service requirements. Plan assets consist of paid-up life insurance policies on certain retirees. The Company has amended the plan effective September 1, 2005 to limit benefits paid to retirees under the age of 65 to a maximum of two thousand five hundred dollars per year. Employees joining after August 31, 2005 will not be eligible for any retiree medical benefits. As of December 31, 2005, the Company has contributed $1,825 and expects to contribute $2,400 for fiscal 2006. The Company retains the right, subject to existing agreements, to modify or eliminate the medical benefits. | |
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| Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost | |
| Net periodic pension cost consisted of the following: | |
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14. | INCOME TAXES | |
| The effective tax rate used for the nine months ended December 31, 2005 was a benefit of 17.8% compared to an expense of 33% for the nine months ended December 31, 2004. The rate is based on the current estimate of full year results except for any taxes related to specific events which are recorded in the interim period in which they occur. The Company continuously updates its estimates and forecasts of tax expense and adjusts the effective tax rate accordingly. During the nine months ended December 31, 2005, adjustments of $29,010 related to valuation allowance adjustments as a result of changes in judgment about the ultimate realization of certain deferred tax assets that arose from foreign tax credit carryovers arising in the nine months ended December 31, 2005 were recorded as specific events. The Company’s total valuation allowance as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 was approxim ately $60,110 and $20,997, respectively. The net effect of these adjustments on the tax provision was to decrease the year to date effective tax rate from a benefit of 39.4% to 17.8%. | |
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15. | SUBSEQUENT EVENTS | |
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| As discussed in Note 3, integration planning commenced on the date of the merger that addressed each of DIMON’s and Standard’s processing facilities around the world and identified countries in which there may be duplicative facilities and/or excess capacity based on customer expectations and market conditions. Administrative locations were reviewed as well. For operations and/or facilities that were determined to be duplicative or have excess capacity, plans were initiated for disposal of those operations by closure or by sale. During the quarter ended December 31, 2005, the Company was in the final stages of negotiations for the disposal of the following operations. | |
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| Spanish Operations | |
| The Company believes that the continued decline in the Spanish leaf tobacco market, combined with the decoupling of farm support prices from tobacco production under the European Union Common Agricultural Policy enacted in the prior year, have significantly impacted the long term viability of its Spanish operations. As a result, a decision was reached to close the Company's two production facilities in Spain after the completion of the 2005 crop processing season. The decision was approved by the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors on November 28, 2005. This action would have affected approximately 200 persons and the closures were originally expected to be concluded after seasonal tobacco packing is completed at the Malpartida facility in March 2006 and at the Benevente facility in June 2006. | |
| During the quarter ended December 31, 2005, the Company entered into negotiations for the sale of the Spanish operations. On February 1, 2006, the Company entered into an agreement to sell 100% of the stock of Agroexpansion, S.A., its former DIMON operation and World Wide Tobacco España, S.A. (WWTE), its former Standard operation. | |
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Alliance One International, Inc. and Subsidiaries |
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15. | SUBSEQUENT EVENTS(Continued) | | |
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| The agreement contains customary representations, warranties and conditions to closing, including the entrance into certain tobacco purchase contracts by the purchaser on or before February 15, 2006 and that Agroexpansion and WWTE have a minimum amount of cash available at closing. In addition, the parties have agreed to a due diligence period during which the purchaser will continue to examine Agroexpansion and WWTE. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Company will complete the sale of Agroexpansion or WWTE on the terms outlined in the agreement or at all. The agreement provides that the closing shall be on or near August 1, 2006. | |
| In connection with the decision to close the operations, the Company reviewed its fixed assets for impairment. For the three months ended December 31, 2005, the Company recorded asset impairment charges of $4,739. Additional restructuring charges of $5,800 were also recorded which represent the costs to complete the transaction. Of the $10,539 total charges, the Company has recognized $3,241 in earnings and an adjustment related to the former Standard operations of $7,298 as an adjustment to the purchase price of the merger at December 31, 2005 in connection with the pending sale. Since the Spanish operations are not available for immediate sale they have not been presented as assets held for sale as of December 31, 2005. | |
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| Dark Air-Cured Operations | |
| In Fiscal 2004, the Company conducted a strategic review to evaluate its production capacity and organization relative to the major transition occurring in global sourcing of tobacco and over-capacity within certain markets of the industry. As a result of this review, the Company began tentative negotiations to dispose of its dark air-cured operations in Fiscal 2005. | |
| On January 23, 2006, the Company entered into a non-binding letter of intent to sell its ownership interest in Compania General de Tabacos de Filipinas, S.A. (CdF), the owner of the Company’s dark air-cured tobacco business. The purchase price for CdF will be based on CdF’s net asset value as of the closing date, as determined by an audit of CdF’s financial statements. The non-binding letter of intent specifies that at least 75% of the purchase price shall be paid in cash, with the remainder paid in the form of a promissory note. The Company anticipates closing will occur on or about March 31, 2006. | |
| Consummation of the transactions contemplated by the non-binding letter of intent is subject to the negotiation and execution of a final purchase agreement, buyer’s completion of its due diligence review of CdF, the Company and Buyer obtaining several consents from regulatory authorities and third parties necessary to complete the transaction, buyer obtaining the necessary financing to complete the transaction and other customary conditions. The sale is also contingent upon approval by the Company’s Board of Directors and by the Company’s lenders in conjunction with certain debt covenants contained in the Company’s secured credit facility. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able complete the transaction on the terms outlined in the letter of intent or at all. Due to these uncertainties the Company has not reclassified the assets of the dark air-cured operations as assets held for sale. | |
| In connection with this letter of intent, the Company reviewed its fixed assets for impairment. For the three months ended December 31, 2005, the Company recorded asset impairment charges of $7,291 in earnings. For the nine months ended December 31, 2005, the Company has recorded asset impairment charges of $11,839 related to the dark air-cured operations in earnings. | |
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| Non-tobacco Operations | |
| In January 2004, the Company acquired a majority interest in a non-tobacco entity previously reported using the equity method of accounting. Production expectations and the development of emerging markets have not met management’s expectations. As a result, the Company began investigating opportunities for disposal of its non-tobacco operation in Fiscal 2006. | |
| Negotiations entered into during the three months ended December 31, 2005 resulted in the Company entering into a non-binding letter of intent to sell 100% of the assets of its non-tobacco operation. The Company anticipates closing will occur on or about March 15, 2006. | |
| Consummation of the transactions contemplated by the non-binding letter of intent is subject to the approval of the minority shareholders of the operation. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able complete the transaction on the terms outlined in the letter of intent or at all. Due to these uncertainties the Company has not reclassified the assets of the non-tobacco operation as assets held for sale. | |
| In connection with this letter of intent, the Company reviewed its fixed assets for impairment. For the three months ended December 31, 2005, the Company recorded fixed asset impairment charges of $1,764 in earnings. | |
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The purchasing and processing activities of our business are seasonal. Our need for capital fluctuates and, at any one of several seasonal peaks, our outstanding indebtedness may be significantly greater or less than at year-end. We historically have needed capital in excess of cash flow from operations to finance inventory and accounts receivable. We also pre-finance tobacco crops in numerous foreign countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Greece, Guatemala, Malawi, Mexico, Mozambique, Tanzania, Turkey, Zambia and Zimbabwe. |
Our working capital increased from $468.3 million at March 31, 2005 to $646.2 million at December 31, 2005. Our current ratio was 2.0 to 1 at December 31, 2005 compared to 2.2 to 1 at March 31, 2005. Our current ratio decrease results from a current asset increase of $407.0 million and a current liability increase of $229.1 million. The increase in working capital as well as the change in assets and liabilities is primarily related to the inclusion of the assets and liabilities, at fair value, of Standard as a result of the merger. |
Net cash provided by operating activities was $75.2 million in 2005 compared to $54.1 million in 2004. The increase primarily relates to an increase of $132.6 million from changes in inventories and advances on purchases of tobacco, $50.3 million from changes in accounts receivable, and $48.0 million from changes in advances from customers. The increases were partially offset by a net loss in 2005 of $124.1 compared to net income of $17.1 million in 2004, decreases related to changes in deferred items of $30.4 million and decreases in accounts payable of $68.1million. |
Net cash provided by investing activities was $46.6 million in 2005 compared to net cash used by investing activities of $8.8 million in 2004. The increase in cash from investing activities relates primarily to $42.0 million cash acquired in the merger with Standard, an $8.8 million increase from changes in Brazilian tax deposits, an $8.1 million use of cash in 2004 related to long term tobacco supply arrangements, a $2.5 million increase in payments received on notes receivable and a $6.7 million increase in proceeds from sale of property and equipment partially offset by $4.7 million increase in purchases of property and equipment and $7.0 million increase in issuances of notes receivable. |
Net cash used by financing activities was $94.8 million in 2005 compared to $37.1 million in 2004. The increase is primarily due to repayments of $365.1 million on short term borrowings, $563.2 million related to repayments of long term borrowings and $13.1 million increased debt issuance costs. The increases were partially offset by a $882.8 million increase in proceeds from long term borrowings resulting from new arrangements discussed below, partially offset by repayments of former long term debt as indicated above. |
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Alliance One International, Inc. and Subsidiaries |
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES:(Continued) |
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At December 31, 2005, we had seasonally adjusted available lines of credit of $601.2 million of which $266.0 million was outstanding with a weighted average interest rate of 5.7%. Unused short-term lines of credit amounted to $268.3 million. At December 31, 2005 we had $37.6 million letters of credit outstanding and an additional $29.3 million of letters of credit lines available. Total maximum borrowings, excluding the long-term credit agreements, during the quarter were $481.4 million. |
No cash dividends were paid to stockholders during the quarter. |
On May 13, 2005 we completed a new $650 million senior secured credit facility, as amended, with a syndicate of banks consisting of (1) a three-year $300 million senior secured revolving credit line, which accrues interest at a rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 3.25%, (2) a three-year $150 million senior secured term loan, which accrues interest at an annual rate equal to LIBOR plus 3.25%, and (3) a five-year $200 million senior secured term loan, which accrues interest at an annual rate equal to LIBOR plus 3.50%. One of our primary foreign holding companies, Intabex Netherlands, B.V. (Intabex), is co-borrower under the new senior secured revolving credit line, and our portion of the borrowings under that line are limited to $150.0 million principal amount outstanding at any one time. Intabex is the sole borrower under each of the new senior secured term loans. One of our primary foreign trading companies, Alliance One International AG (AOIAG), is a guarantor of Intabex’s obligations under the new senior secured credit facility. |
From time to time we may need to enter into various amendments and or waivers under our Senior Secured Credit Agreement seeking specific modification to covenants or provisions therein related to changes in the normal course of business, special one time occurrences, financial performance or other unforeseeable events. On October 28, 2005 we agreed to the First Amendment with the Lenders to the May 13, 2005 Senior Secured Credit Agreement, where a provision was established permitting the payment of fines up to €24 million related to European Commission anti-competition litigation. Additionally, effective November 30, 2005 the Lenders and ourselves, agreed to the Second Amendment to the May 13, 2005 Senior Secured Credit Agreement, where several sections were modified. The changes effected by the Second Amendment are described in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by us on December 1, 2005. |
The new senior credit facility is secured by a pledge of certain of our assets as collateral for borrowings thereunder. Our borrowings under the new senior secured credit facility are secured by a first priority pledge of: |
· 100% of the capital stock of any material domestic subsidiaries; |
· 65% of the capital stock of any material first tier foreign subsidiaries, or of its domestic subsidiaries; |
· intercompany notes evidencing loans or advances we make on or following the closing date to subsidiaries that are not guarantors; and |
· U.S. accounts receivable and U.S. inventory owned by us or our material domestic subsidiaries (other than inventory the title of which has passed to a customer and inventory financed through customer advances). |
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In addition, Intabex’s borrowings under the new senior secured credit facility are secured by a pledge of 100% of the capital stock of Intabex, AOIAG, and certain of our and Intabex’s material foreign subsidiaries. They are also guaranteed by us, all of our present or future material direct or indirect domestic subsidiaries, and AOIAG. |
The new senior secured credit facility includes certain financial covenants and requires us to maintain certain financial ratios, including a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio; a maximum consolidated leverage ratio; a maximum consolidated total senior debt to borrowing base ratio; and a maximum amount of annual capital expenditures. |
We continuously monitor our compliance with these covenants and we are not aware of any default as of, or for the quarter ended, December 31, 2005. If we were in default or were going to be in default and were unable to obtain the necessary amendments or waivers under our senior secured credit facility, we could be in default with respect to our financial covenants in future quarters, which would give the lenders under that facility the right to terminate that facility and demand repayment of borrowings thereunder. A demand for repayment under the senior secured credit facility would result in a cross default under the indentures governing our senior notes and senior subordinated notes and could impair access to our seasonal operating lines of credit in local jurisdictions. A default under our senior secured credit facility would have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and financial condition. |
Also on May 13, 2005 we issued $315 million of 11% senior notes due 2012, and $100 million of 12 3/4% senior subordinated notes due 2012, with the latter sold at a 10% original issue discount (reflecting a 15% yield to maturity). The new senior notes indentures contain certain covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness; issue preferred stock; merge, consolidate or dispose of substantially all of our assets; grant liens on our assets; pay dividends, redeem stock or make other distributions or restricted payments; repurchase or redeem capital stock or prepay subordinated debt; make certain investments; agree to restrictions on the payment of dividends to us by our subsidiaries; sell or otherwise dispose of assets, including equity interests of its subsidiaries; enter into transactions with our affiliates; and enter into certain sale and leaseback transactions. |
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Alliance One International, Inc. and Subsidiaries |
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES:(Continued) |
Repayments of debt as of December 31, 2005 are scheduled as follows: $81.3 million in fiscal 2006, $156.0 million in each of fiscal years 2007 and 2008, $194.0 million in each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010, and $405.6 million in fiscal years 2011 and thereafter. |
We have historically financed our operations through a combination of short-term lines of credit, revolving credit arrangements, long-term debt securities, customer advances and cash from operations. At December 31, 2005, we had no material capital expenditure commitments. We believe that these sources of funds will be sufficient to fund our anticipated needs for fiscal year 2006. There can be no assurance, however, that these sources of capital will be available in the future or, if available, that any such sources will be available on favorable terms. |
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| Alliance One International, Inc. and Subsidiaries |
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| RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:(Continued) |
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Three Months Ended December 31, 2005 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2004 |
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Sales and other operating revenuesincreased 44.1% from $366.4 million in 2004 to $528.1 million in 2005 primarily as a result of the addition of Standard revenues. The $161.7 million increase is the result of a 47.2% or 52.4 million kilo increase in quantities sold offset by a 2.9% or $0.08 per kilo decrease in average sales prices. Non-U.S. revenues increased $173.3 million resulting from an increase in volumes of 54.8 million kilos and an increase in sales prices of $0.11 per kilo. The inclusion of Standard revenues primarily in Brazil, Turkey and Malawi significantly contributed to the increase in non-U.S. revenues this quarter. U.S. revenues decreased $22.5 million as a result of a slight decrease in volumes of 2.4 million kilos and a decrease from prior year prices of $1.00 per kilo. U.S. prices decreased primarily as a result of including Standard’s lower priced specialty products in 2005. |
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Gross profit as a percentage of salesdecreased from 10.7% in 2004 to 10.1% in 2005. However, gross profit increased $14.0 million or 35.6% from $39.3 million in 2004 to $53.3 million in 2005. The increase in gross profit overall is a result of the inclusion of Standard sales particularly in Turkey and Malawi. The increase in gross profit was partially offset by several factors which led to a decrease in the overall gross profit percentage as well. First, while the inclusion of Standard sales contributed significantly to operating results, gross profit on these sales was reduced by $4.4 million as a result of purchase accounting inventory adjustments. These non-cash adjustments related to the fair value of Standard inventory at May 13, 2005 which was shipped post-merger in the third quarter. Gross profit also declined due to decreased crop sizes in Zimbabwe and the United States. In addition, gross profit and gross profit percentage in the Brazil origin continued to decline significantly negatively impacting the results for the quarter. The 2005 crop was of a poor quality due to adverse weather related growing conditions. The result, under contract farming, is that certain tobaccos purchased did not meet customer quality requirements. Operating costs in Brazil increased approximately 20% due to a combination of the effect of the relative strength of the local currency against the U.S. dollar on prices paid to growers for leaf and related processing and conversion costs, coupled with the absorption of local intrastate trade taxes resulting from a change in local laws. Gross profit was negatively impacted as sales price increases were insufficient to cover these cost escalations. These factors will continue to affect operating results in Brazil in future quarters. |
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Selling, administrative and general expensesincreased $8.4 million or 26.3% from $32.0 million in 2004 to $40.4 million in 2005. The increase is primarily due to the additional expenses of Standard as a result of the merger. Expenses were further increased by the impact of expenses denominated in foreign currencies. |
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Other Incomeof $0.4 million in 2005 and $0.6 million in 2004 primarily relate to fixed asset sales. |
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Restructuring, asset impairment and integration chargeswere $15.2 million in 2005 compared to $0.5 million in 2004. The 2005 costs include $10.7 million related to asset impairment charges and $4.5 million related to employee severance and other integration related charges as a result of the merger. See Notes 2, 3 and 15 for further information. The 2004 charges are related primarily to employee severance charges in North America. |
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Interest expenseincreased $15.1 million from $13.1 million in 2004 to $28.2 million in 2005 due to higher average borrowings of the combined company reflected in the post-merger capital structure as well as higher average rates. |
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Interest incomeincreased $3.1 million from $0.5 million in 2004 to $3.5 million in 2005 primarily due to higher interest rates and average cash balances in the United States and Zimbabwe. |
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Derivative financial instrumentsresulted in a benefit of $1.2 million in 2005 and $3.1 million in 2004. These items are derived from changes in the fair value of non-qualifying interest rate swap agreements. |
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| Alliance One International, Inc. and Subsidiaries |
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| RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:(Continued) |
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| Three Months Ended December 31, 2005 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2004(Continued) |
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Effective tax rateswere a benefit of 13% in 2005 and 33% in 2004. The rates are based on the current estimate of full year results except for any taxes related to specific events which are recorded in the interim period in which they occur. During the quarter ended December 31, 2005, adjustments of $9.6 million related to an increase in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance adjustments were recorded as specific events. The net effect on the 2005 tax provision was to adjust the effective tax rate from a benefit of 51% to a benefit of 13%. |
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Losses from discontinued operationsof $0.7 million in 2005 and $0.3 million in 2004 are attributable to the discontinuation of operations in Italy of the combined company and the wool operations of Standard. See Notes 5 and 6 for further information. |
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| Nine Months Ended December 31, 2005 Compared to Nine Months Ended December 31, 2004 |
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| Sales and other operating revenuesincreased 56.7% from $992.2 million in 2004 to $1,555.1 million in 2005 primarily as a result of the addition of Standard revenues. The $562.9 million increase is the result of a 56.5% or 180.2 million kilo increase in quantities sold. There was substantially no change in average sales prices overall. Non-U.S. revenues increased $538.0 million resulting from an increase in volumes of 175.1 million kilos and an increase of $0.08 per kilo in average sales prices. The primary increase in non-U.S. revenues is attributable to the merger with Standard in the South American origins of Argentina and Brazil. Volumes of Argentine tobaccos were further increased due to the timing of shipments between quarters. Other non-U.S. revenues increased significantly in Turkey and Malawi as a result of the merger as well. U.S. revenues incre ased $10.5 million as a result of an increase in volumes of 5.1 million kilos that was partially offset by a decrease from prior year prices of $0.82 per kilo. U.S. volumes increased as a result of significant shipments this year that were delayed from the prior year and the inclusion of Standard revenues. U.S. prices decreased primarily as a result of including Standard’s lower priced specialty products in 2005. |
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| Gross profit as a percentage of salesdecreased from 14.9% in 2004 to 10.5% in 2005. Gross profit increased $14.4 million or 9.7% from $148.3 million in 2004 to $162.7 million in 2005. The increase in gross profit as well as the decrease in gross profit percentage are primarily attributable to two factors. First, while the inclusion of Standard sales contributed significantly to operating results, gross profit on these sales was reduced by $17.5 million as a result of purchase accounting inventory adjustments. These non-cash adjustments related to the fair value of Standard inventory at May 13, 2005 which was shipped post-merger in the first nine months. Further gross profit adjustments of $1.9 million will be made in future quarters as the remaining Standard inventory held at May 13, 2005 is shipped. Second, a significant decline in gross profit and gross prof it percentage in the Brazil origin also negatively impacted the results for the nine months. The 2005 crop was of a poor quality due to adverse weather related growing conditions. The result, under contract farming, is that certain tobaccos purchased did not meet customer quality requirements. Operating costs in Brazil increased approximately 20% due to a combination of the effect of the relative strength of the local currency against the U.S. dollar on prices paid to growers for leaf and related processing and conversion costs, coupled with the absorption of local intrastate trade taxes resulting from a change in local laws. Gross profit was negatively impacted as sales price increases were insufficient to cover these cost escalations. These factors will continue to affect operating results in Brazil in future quarters. Gross profit and the gross profit percentage were also negatively impacted by higher costs due to unfavorable growing conditions in Mozambique and decreas ed crop sizes in Zimbabwe and the United States. |
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| Selling, administrative and general expensesincreased $32.6 million or 35.3% from $92.3 million in 2004 to $124.9 million in 2005. The increase is primarily due to the additional expenses of Standard as a result of the merger. Expenses were further increased by the impact of expenses denominated in foreign currencies, primarily a 24% increase in the Brazilian real. |
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| Other Incomeof $0.9 million in 2005 and $5.2 million in 2004 relate primarily to fixed asset sales. |
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| Restructuring, asset impairment and integration chargeswere $32.7 million in 2005 compared to $2.0 million in 2004. The 2005 costs relate to asset impairment charges of $17.1 million and $15.6 million of employee severance and other integration related charges as a result of the merger. See Notes 2, 3 and 15 for further information. The 2004 charges are related primarily to employee severance charges in North America. |
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| Debt retirement expenseof $66.5 million relates to one time costs of retiring DIMON debt as a result of the merger. These costs include tender premiums paid for the redemption of senior notes and convertible subordinated debentures, the expense recognition of debt issuance costs associated with former DIMON debt instruments, termination of certain interest rate swap agreements and other related costs. |
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Alliance One International, Inc. and Subsidiaries |
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:(Continued) |
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Nine Months Ended December 31, 2005 Compared to Nine Months Ended December 31, 2004(Continued) |
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Interest expenseincreased $45.7 million from $38.0 million in 2004 to $83.7 million in 2005 due to higher average borrowings of the combined company reflected in the post-merger capital structure as well as higher average rates. |
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Interest incomeincreased $5.1 million from $2.4 million in 2004 to $7.5 million in 2005 primarily due to higher interest rates and average cash balances in the United States, United Kingdom and Zimbabwe. |
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Derivative financial instrumentsresulted in a benefit of $4.0 million in 2005 and $9.7 million in 2004. These items are derived from changes in the fair value of non-qualifying interest rate swap agreements. |
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Effective tax rateswere a benefit of 18% in 2005 and an expense of 33% in 2004. The rates are based on the current estimate of full year results except for any taxes related to specific events which are recorded in the interim period in which they occur. During the nine months ended December 31, 2005, adjustments of $29.0 million related to deferred tax asset valuation allowance adjustments were recorded as specific events. The net effect on the 2005 tax provision was to decrease the effective tax rate from a benefit of 39% to 18%. |
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Losses from discontinued operationsof $15.2 million in 2005 and $5.7 million in 2004. The increase of $9.5 million is due to a $12.0 million assessment related to an administrative investigation into tobacco buying and selling practices within the leaf tobacco industry in Italy by the Directorate General for Competition. The remainder is attributable to the discontinuation of operations in Italy of the combined company and the wool operations of Standard. See Notes 5 and 6 for further information. |
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OUTLOOK AND OTHER INFORMATION: |
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Due to adverse growing conditions, primarily in Brazil, which produced a large but below average quality crop in 2005, there is likely to be an excess supply of certain types and grades of tobacco. Mitigating this to a degree is that further tobacco production volume reductions occurred in the United States and Zimbabwe in 2005. These reductions, as well as anticipated future reductions in Western Europe and the anticipated continued lower production in Zimbabwe, have created a shift in the sourcing of customer requirements primarily to Argentina, Brazil, Asia and certain other African countries. These shifts should serve to keep supply and demand balanced in the aggregate in the near term. |
In the United States, we are operating in the aftermath of the U.S. tobacco quota buyout. The buyout repealed the federal tobacco price support and quota programs beginning with the 2005 crops, provided compensation payments to tobacco quota owners and growers, provided an assessment mechanism for consumer tobacco product manufacturers and importers of consumer tobacco products to fund the buyout, and provided for the disposal of existing flue cured and burley cooperative tobacco stocks. Tobacco can be grown anywhere in the United States, with no limits on volume or protection on price. The USDA commenced in March 2005 in conjunction with the CCC (Commodity Credit Corporation) a disposition plan for the previously held inventories of the Flue Cured and Burley Cooperatives. Currently, U.S. strip inventories held by the Flue Cured Stabilization and the Burley Cooperative are down to slightly less than 14,000 tons divided equally between flue-cured and burley tobacco. |
Risk of excess inventory through the non-governmental supply chain will continue to depend on the supply and demand for U.S. leaf tobacco in conjunction with the previously held CCC inventories entering the market place in an orderly manner over the next three years. Contracting for the upcoming flue-cured crop is complete and production volumes are expected to be up by approximately 15% based on customer demand. |
Zimbabwe is experiencing escalating devaluation of the Zimbabwe dollar (Z$). Our subsidiaries there have accumulated significant Z$ cash balances as a result of required liquidations of U.S. dollars into Z$ under current monetary policy in order to export tobaccos out of Zimbabwe. Our projections indicate that large sums of Z$ will continue to accumulate in future periods. These Z$ are difficult to convert into hard currency assets and are subject to exchange rate devaluation due to political, economic and monetary policy volatility. We are evaluating several strategies to minimize the accumulation of Z$ as well as mitigate our exposure to further devaluation during this period of economic instability. |
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Alliance One International, Inc. and Subsidiaries |
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OUTLOOK AND OTHER INFORMATION:(Continued) |
We continue to face industry challenges in the important Brazilian market. Our results for the remainder of Fiscal 2006 will continue to be negatively impacted by both the poor quality of the current Brazilian crop and the strength of the Brazilian currency as explained elsewhere herein. |
We will continue to focus on origins around the world that are growing in market importance in an effort to improve financial results. Although we are optimistic about the longer-term effects of our restructuring plans, it is too early to finalize the benefits that facility consolidation and strategic sourcing will have on our cost structure. |
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MERGER INTEGRATION |
Merger integration remains in line with our strategic plan including over $50 million in cost savings expected to be realized by our March 2006 year end and a further $115 million in potential pre-tax cost savings by fiscal year end 2007. One time cash costs to complete the integration are still estimated at approximately $55 million to $57 million. As part of the integration process to strengthen our core business overall, we have focused on achieving appropriate returns that support the strategic rational for our merger, including undertaking asset sales that will continue to have an important role in refining our footprint. As announced in February, an agreement was reached to sell our Spanish production facilities. The one time cost related to the sale is expected to be between $13 million and $15 million, which includes cash severance cost and other cash costs expected to be between $8 million and $10 million. We have also entered into a non-binding letter of intent to sell our interest in the dark air-cured tobacco business, Compania General de Tabacos de Filipinas, S.A. |
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FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS: |
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Readers are cautioned that the statements contained herein regarding expectations for our performance are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from our expectations and projections. Risks and uncertainties include changes in the timing of anticipated shipments, changes in anticipated geographic product sourcing, political instability in sourcing locations, currency and interest rate fluctuations, shifts in the global supply and demand position for our tobacco products, and the impact of regulation and litigation on our customers. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments, except as required by law. |
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
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Derivatives Policies:Hedging interest rate exposure using swaps and hedging foreign exchange exposure using forward contracts are specifically contemplated to manage risk in keeping with management’s policies. We may use derivative instruments, such as swaps or forwards, which are based directly or indirectly upon interest rates and currencies to manage and reduce the risks inherent in interest rate and currency fluctuations. |
We do not utilize derivatives for speculative purposes, and we do not enter into market risk sensitive instruments for trading purposes. Derivatives are transaction specific so that a specific debt instrument, contract, or invoice determines the amount, maturity, and other specifics of the hedge. |
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Foreign exchange rates:Our business is generally conducted in U.S. dollars, as is the business of the tobacco industry as a whole. However, local country operating costs, including the purchasing and processing costs for tobaccos, are subject to the effects of exchange fluctuations of the local currency against the U.S. dollar. We attempt to minimize such currency risks by matching the timing of our working capital borrowing needs against the tobacco purchasing and processing funds requirements in the currency of the country where the tobacco is grown. Also, in some cases, our sales pricing arrangements with our customers allow adjustments for the effect of currency exchange fluctuations on local purchasing and processing costs. Fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies can significantly affect our operating results. We have recognized exchange losses in our statements of income of $0.7 million and $2.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. For the nine months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, we have recognized an exchange gain of $3.4 million and an exchange loss of $0.5 million, respectively. |
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Interest rates:We manage our exposure to interest rate risk through the proportion of fixed rate and variable rate debt in our total debt portfolio. A substantial portion of our borrowings are denominated in U.S. dollars and bear interest at commonly quoted rates. |
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures |
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| Disclosure Controls and Procedures |
| We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports we file under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated, with the participation of other members of management, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. |
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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting |
In addition, as required by Rule 13a-15(d) under the Exchange Act, the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated the Company’s internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the quarter covered by this quarterly report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. |
As discussed elsewhere in this report, the Company had been integrating the operations, including financial reporting systems, of Standard since the date of the merger, May 13, 2005. As part of that integration, the Company has been implementing across the combined operations the best practices of each company with respect to internal control over financial reporting. Due to the size of the operations and scope of the financial system integration, the Company believes these changes are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company's internal control over financial reporting. |
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Part II. Other Information |
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Item 1. Legal Proceedings |
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Since October 2001, the Directorate General for Competition (DG Comp) of the European Commission (EC) has been conducting an administrative investigation into certain tobacco buying and selling practices alleged to have occurred within the leaf tobacco industry in Spain and Italy. Our subsidiaries in Spain (Agroexpansion and World Wide Tobacco Espana) and in Italy (DIMON Italia and Transcatab, Spa) have cooperated with the DG Comp. The EC issued separate Statements of Objections (“the Statements”) relating to buying practices in Spain and Italy. The Statements alleged that the buying practices of the tobacco processors and producers in Spain and Italy constitute infringements of EC competition laws. We filed a response to the Statements of Objections relating to Spain and Italy, and the EC conducted separate oral hearings on the Spanish and Italian matters. |
In respect of the Spanish investigation, on October 20, 2004, the DG Comp announced that DIMON Incorporated (now Alliance One) and Agroexpansion had been assessed a fine in the amount of €2.59 million which was accrued in selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter September 30, 2004. At the same time the EC announced that it had imposed on Standard (now merged into Alliance One) and a number of its subsidiaries (now all subsidiaries of Alliance One), including World Wide Tobacco Espana, a fine of €1.82 million. A number of other tobacco processors, growers and agricultural associations were assessed fines in various amounts which, including the amount assessed against our companies, total €20.0 million. We, along with our Spanish and other involved subsidiaries, have appealed the decision of the Commission to the Court of First Instance of the European Commission for the annulment or modification of the decision; but the outcome of the appeals process as to both timing and results is uncertain. |
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Alliance One International, Inc. and Subsidiaries |
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Part II. Other Information(Continued) |
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Item 1. Legal Proceedings(Continued) |
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In respect of the Italian investigation, on October 24, 2005, the EC announced that Alliance One and Mindo (our former subsidiary) have been assessed a fine in the aggregate amount of €10.0 million (US$12.0 million) and that, in addition, Alliance One and Transcatab, a subsidiary of Standard prior to its merger into Alliance One earlier this year, have been assessed a fine in the aggregate amount of €14.0 million (US$16.8 million). Several tobacco processors, growers and agricultural associations that were the subject of the investigation in Italy were assessed fines in various amounts totaling €56.1 million (US$67.3 million), inclusive of the fines imposed on us and our subsidiaries. The EC stated that the fines assessed against us and our Italian subsidiaries were reduced as a result of our cooperation in the investigation. We have established a reserve for the fines imposed on us and Mindo in the quarter ended September 30, 2005 in the amount of US$12,000. The US$16,800 in fines imposed as a result of conduct of Transcatab and Standard prior to the merger has been reflected as an increase in goodwill on our balance sheet, as required by purchase accounting. We, along with our Italian and other involved subsidiaries, have appealed the decisions of the Commission to the Court of First Instance of the European Commission for the annulment or modification of the decision; but the outcome of the appeals process as to both timing and results is uncertain. |
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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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(a) | | Exhibits | |
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31.01 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith). | |
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31.02 | | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith). | |
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32 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith). | |
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