FORM CORRESP
Lancaster Colony Corporation
37 West Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215-4177
614/224-7141
FAX 614/469-8219
February 27, 2009
VIA EDGAR
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Corporation Finance
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20549-7010
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Attention: |
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H. Roger Schwall, Division of Corporation Finance
Sean Donahue, Division of Corporation Finance
Michael E. Karney, Division of Corporation Finance |
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Re: |
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Lancaster Colony Corporation
Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2008
Filed August 29, 2008
Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A
Filed October 15, 2008
Form 10-Q for the Fiscal Quarter Ended September 30, 2008
Filed November 6, 2008
File Number 000-04065 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Lancaster Colony Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the Company, or we,
our or us), is submitting this letter in response to the comment letter from
the staff (the Staff) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
Commission) dated January 30, 2009 (the Comment Letter) with respect to our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, filed August 29, 2008 (the
Form 10-K), our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for our 2008 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders, filed October 15, 2008 (the Proxy Statement), and our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2008 (the Form 10-Q).
Our responses are set forth below. For the convenience of the Staff, we have repeated each of
the Staffs comments before the corresponding response.
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008
Risk Factors, page 6
1. |
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We note your statements that [t]he risks and uncertainties described below are not the |
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 27, 2009
Page 2
only ones we face and that [a]dditional risks and uncertainties that we are not
aware of,
or focused on, or that we currently deem immaterial, may also impair our business operations.
Please eliminate any suggestion that this section does not state all of the material risks
affecting your company.
Response. We will eliminate such suggestion in our next Annual Report on Form 10-K.
2. |
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We note that each share of common stock includes a non-detachable stock purchase right that
provides for the purchase of preferred stock and additional common stock that is exercisable
when a person or group of persons acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of your common
stock or announces the initiation of a tender or exchange offer. Please include a risk factor
discussing how this non-detachable stock purchase right may prevent or frustrate a third-party
takeover of your company. |
Response. Please see the following additional disclosure that was included in our Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2008:
Anti-takeover provisions could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us.
We have adopted a shareholder rights plan and initially declared a dividend distribution of
one right for each outstanding share of common stock to shareholders of record as of April
20, 2000, including any transfer or new issuance of common shares of the Company. Under
certain circumstances, if a person or group acquires 15 percent or more of our outstanding
common stock, holders of the rights (other than the person or group triggering their
exercise) will be entitled to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of Series A
Participating Preferred Share at a price of $185 per unit, subject to certain adjustments.
The rights expire on April 20, 2010, unless extended by our Board of Directors. Because the
rights may substantially dilute the stock ownership of a person or group attempting to take
us over without the approval of our Board of Directors, our rights plan could make it more
difficult for a third party to acquire us (or a significant percentage of our outstanding
capital stock) without first negotiating with our Board of Directors regarding that
acquisition. Further, certain provisions of our charter documents, including provisions
limiting the ability of shareholders to raise matters at a meeting of shareholders without
giving advance notice and provisions classifying our Board of Directors, may make it more
difficult for a third party to gain control of our Board of Directors. This may have the
effect of delaying or preventing changes of control or management of the Company, which
could have an adverse effect on the market price of our stock.
Additionally, Ohio corporate law contains certain provisions that could have the effect of
delaying or preventing a change of control. The Ohio Control Share Acquisition Act found in
Chapter 1701 of the Ohio Revised Code provides that certain notice and informational
filings and a special shareholder meeting and voting procedures must be followed prior to
consummation of a proposed control share acquisition, as defined in the Ohio Revised
Code. Assuming compliance with the prescribed notice and information filings, a proposed
control share acquisition may be accomplished only if, at a special meeting of
shareholders, the acquisition is approved by both a majority of the voting
power of the Company represented at the meeting and a majority of the voting power
remaining after excluding the combined voting power of the interested shares, as defined
in the Ohio Revised Code. The Interested Shareholder Transactions Act found in
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 27, 2009
Page 3
Chapter 1704
of the Ohio Revised Code generally prohibits certain transactions, including mergers,
majority share acquisitions and certain other control transactions, with an interested
shareholder, as defined in the Ohio Revised Code, for a three-year period after becoming
an interested shareholder, unless our Board of Directors approved the initial acquisition.
After the three year waiting period, such a transaction may require additional approvals
under this Act, including approval by two-thirds of all of the Companys voting shares and
a majority of the Companys voting shares not owned by the interested shareholder. The
application of these provisions of the Ohio Revised Code, or any similar anti-takeover law
adopted in Ohio, could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control, which
could have an adverse effect on the market price of our stock.
3. |
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We note that Mr. Gerlach owns 29.39% of your company. Please include a risk factor
addressing the fact that his amount of share ownership gives him the ability to exert
substantial influence over the direction of the business, including the ability to influence
the board of directors. |
Response. Please see the following additional disclosure that was included in our Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2008:
Mr. Gerlach, our Chairman of our board of directors and Chief Executive Officer, has a
significant ownership interest in our Company.
As of September 19, 2008, Mr. Gerlach owned or controlled approximately 29% of the
outstanding shares of our common stock. Accordingly, Mr. Gerlach has significant influence
on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of our common stock, including the
election of directors. Mr. Gerlachs voting power also may have the effect of discouraging
transactions involving an actual or a potential change of control of our Company,
regardless of whether a premium is offered over then-current market prices.
The interests of Mr. Gerlach may conflict with the interests of other holders of our common
stock.
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, page
15
Liquidity and Capital Resources, page 23
4. |
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Disclosure under this section indicates, in part, that the 2008 decrease in cash provided by
operating activities from continuing operations was influenced by comparatively unfavorable
relative changes in working capital components. Explain to us how you considered providing
disclosure that explains the reasons for these unfavorable changes. See SEC Release 34-48960:
Commission Guidance Regarding Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations Section IV.B. |
Response: With respect to elaborating on the reasons underlying the various unfavorable
relative changes in working capital components, we considered Item 303 of Regulation S-K and more
specifically Instructions 3 and 4 to Item 303(a) which provide that a company shall focus
specifically on material events and uncertainties known to management that would cause reported
financial information not to be necessarily indicative of future operations or of future financial
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 27, 2009
Page 4
condition. This would include descriptions and amounts of (A) matters that would have an impact on
future operations and have not had an impact in the past, and (B) matters that have had an impact
on reported operations and are not expected to have an impact upon future operations...Where the
consolidated financial statements reveal material changes from year to year in one or more line
items, the causes for the changes shall be described to the extent necessary to an understanding of
the registrants business as a whole.
We did not believe providing further explanation for the changes noted in the working capital was
necessary as, relative to the individual line items affected, these changes were neither
significant nor indicative of unusual items or uncertainties that impacted past, or would impact
future, operations.
However, we acknowledge our responsibility under the foregoing guidance and have further considered
the guidance within SEC Release 34-48960: Commission Guidance Regarding Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Section IV.B. We will continue to enhance
our financial condition disclosures. As a recent example, we provided additional disclosure
relative to specific working capital amounts in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
ended December 31, 2008 within the Financial Condition section of the Managements Discussion and
Analysis. See the last sentence below for the related disclosure:
(Within Financial Condition)
For the six months ended December 31, 2008, net cash provided by operating activities from
continuing operations totaled approximately $62.9 million as compared to $50.0 million in the
prior-year period. The increase results from a higher level of net income and comparatively
favorable relative changes in working capital components, including inventory and other current
assets, as partially offset by the prior-year noncash impacts of the pension settlement charge
and loss on the sale of the glass businesses, as well as the comparatively unfavorable relative
change in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The increase in receivables and
decrease in inventories since June 2008 primarily relates to seasonal influences on sales
within the Glassware and Candles segment.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, page 30
5. |
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Please provide the qualitative information about market risk required by Item 305 of
Regulation S-K. |
Response: Item 305(b) of Regulation S-K, which speaks to the requirements for providing
qualitative information about market risk, requires a description, to the extent material, of a
companys primary market risk exposures, how those exposures are managed, and changes in such
exposures. Per the general instructions to Item 305, the disclosures called for by paragraphs
305(a) and 305(b) are intended to clarify the registrants exposures to market risk associated with
activities in derivative financial instruments, other financial instruments, and derivative
commodity instruments.
We have not utilized derivative financial instruments or derivative commodity instruments as
defined in the instructions and believe that our only other recent, material exposure to other
financial instruments relates to our bank debt. We believe this exposure is addressed
appropriately in our current disclosures, especially considering the relatively low level of debt
we typically have outstanding.
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 27, 2009
Page 5
However, for purposes of providing further clarification, we propose to add qualitative disclosure
of our market risks in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009 in a
manner similar to the following, assuming no material changes in such risks:
Item 7A. We have exposure to market risks primarily from changes in interest rates and
ingredient prices. We have not had any material exposure to market risk associated with
derivative financial instruments or derivative commodity instruments.
Interest Rate Risk
We are subject to interest rate risk primarily associated with our borrowings.
Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in interest rates could adversely
affect earnings and cash flows. Rates under our credit facility are set at the
time of each borrowing and are based on predetermined formulas connected to certain
benchmark rates. Increases in these rates could have an adverse impact on our
earnings and cash flows. At current borrowing levels, we do not believe that a
hypothetical adverse change of 10% in interest rates would have a material effect
on our financial position. At the end of [ ], we had $ outstanding under
our credit facility with a weighted average interest rate of . The nature and
amount of our borrowings may vary as a result of business requirements, market
conditions and other factors.
Commodity Price Risk
We purchase a variety of commodities and other materials, such as soybean oil,
flour, paraffin wax and packaging materials, which we use to manufacture our
products. The market prices for these commodities are subject to fluctuation based
upon a number of economic factors and may become volatile at times. While we do
not use any derivative commodity instruments to hedge against commodity price risk,
we do actively manage a portion of the risk through a structured purchasing program
for certain future requirements. This program gives us more predictable input
costs, which may help stabilize our margins during periods of volatility in
commodity markets.
Statements of Cash Flows, page 34
6. |
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Provide us an analysis that reconciles changes in operating assets and liabilities per your
statements of cash flows to differences in amounts reported in your balance sheets. |
Response: As requested, the following table summarizes the significant reconciling items
associated with changes in operating assets and liabilities in our 2008 statement of cash flows to
differences in the balance sheet amounts (amounts in 000s):
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 27, 2009
Page 6
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As |
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Presented |
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Balance |
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Sale |
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Other |
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on Cash |
Balance Sheet |
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Sheet |
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Adjustments |
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Adjustments |
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Flows |
Accounts |
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6/30/08 |
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6/30/07 |
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Change |
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(1) |
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(2) |
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Statement |
Accounts Receivable |
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59,409 |
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63,112 |
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3,703 |
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(8,162 |
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(1,392 |
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(5,851 |
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Inventory |
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120,303 |
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124,421 |
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4,118 |
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(11,588 |
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(17 |
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(7,487 |
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Deferred income taxes and other current assets |
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34,545 |
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27,757 |
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(6,788 |
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(889 |
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(600 |
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(8,277 |
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Accounts Payable |
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45,964 |
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41,791 |
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42,785 |
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48,121 |
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Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
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88,749 |
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89,912 |
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(1,163 |
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3,763 |
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4,157 |
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6,757 |
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(1) |
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Represents the adjustments necessary to properly reflect the November 2007 sale of the
consumer and floral glass operations as required per the guidance provided by Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows (SFAS 95), paragraphs
15 and 16 for investing activities and paragraphs 21, 22 and 28 for operating activities. |
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The Other Adjustments column includes other miscellaneous adjustments necessary to properly
reflect noncash entries, discontinued operations, a book overdraft and restructuring activity as
required per SFAS 95 paragraphs 28 and 115. More specifically, the Accounts Receivable adjustment
primarily consisted of the noncash provision for doubtful accounts of approximately $1 million
(properly moved to the Deferred income taxes and other noncash charges line item within the
cash flows statement) and the Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities adjustment primarily
related to the change in a book overdraft balance of approximately $0.6 million (properly moved
to the (Decrease) increase in cash overdraft balance line item within the Cash Flows From
Financing Activities section of the cash flows statement), the impact of accruals for capital
expenditures of approximately $1.5 million (properly moved to offset the total Payments on
property additions line item within the Cash Flows From Investing Activities section of the cash
flows statement), the impact of properly classifying discontinued operation items of
approximately $0.3 million and the effects of eliminating other noncash entries of approximately
$2.5 million offset by restructuring-related activities of approximately $0.7 million (properly
moved to the Restructuring and impairment charge line item within the cash flows statement). |
Notes to Financial Statements, page 36
Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, page 36
Revenue Recognition, page 37
7. |
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Currently, your revenue recognition policy appears to address delivery only. Explain to us
how you considered providing disclosure which addresses the other revenue recognition criteria
identified in SAB Topic 13.A.1. |
Response: The criteria set forth in Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) Topic 13.A.1
are: a) Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; b) Delivery has occurred or services have
been rendered; c) The sellers price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and d) Collectibility
is
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 27, 2009
Page 7
reasonably assured. Currently, our revenue recognition policy disclosure focuses primarily on
the delivery of goods with additional disclosure regarding pricing adjustments and other
reductions from revenue. We have focused on the delivery component of revenue recognition as our revenue is
derived from the sale of various products, for which the delivery point completes
the earnings process. We are not further obligated by additional servicing requirements or other
contingencies associated with these sales. We do, however, address pricing and collectibility in
our disclosures. Product pricing is addressed within the revenue recognition policy disclosure
through disclosure of the fact that revenues are recorded net of any estimated sales discounts,
returns and certain sales incentives including coupons and rebates. We also address the
collectibility criteria in the Receivables and the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts policy
disclosure within Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. The only criterion identified
in SAB Topic 13.A.1 not specifically addressed in our disclosures is evidence of an arrangement,
which we view as an implicit prerequisite to the delivery of goods.
However, while we believe we have considered and addressed the requirements of SAB Topic 13.A.1
appropriately in our past revenue recognition disclosures, we propose to utilize the following,
more explicit wording in future filings requiring disclosure of our revenue recognition policy:
We recognize revenue upon transfer of title and risk of loss provided evidence of an
arrangement exists, pricing is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is probable. Net
sales are recorded net of estimated sales discounts, returns and certain sales incentives,
including coupons and rebates.
Note 2 Discontinued Operations and Business Divestitures, page 40
8. |
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We note your discussion of losses recorded in June 2008 and June 2007 in connection with the
sales of the operating assets of your Des Moines, Iowa automotive accessory operations and
your automotive accessory operations in Coshocton, Ohio and LaGrange, Georgia. Explain to us
how the timing of these losses was determined. As part of your response, describe for us the
nature and timing of all significant events leading to the sales of these assets. In
connection with this, describe for us the actions and timeline of the strategic alternative
review of your nonfood operations. Also, tell us whether the assets sold had been tested for
impairment prior to their sale. If impairment tests had been performed, describe the
assumptions and conclusions of those tests. If impairment tests had not been performed,
explain to us your basis for concluding that impairment testing was not necessary. |
Response: We determined that the losses associated with the sales referenced above were
not incurred until closing, based upon our application of the guidance in Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,
(SFAS 144). As discussed in more detail below, we did not consider either of these sales
of operations to be more-likely-than-not until shortly prior to closing, and the Board of
Directors (the Board) did not approve either sale until such time. As also discussed in
more detail below, we conducted periodic impairment tests in accordance with SFAS 144 and recorded
impairments of specific manufacturing lines when appropriate.
The first timeline below pertains to strategic alternative actions relating to the sale of the
various operating assets of our Automotive Segment, including our Des Moines, Iowa automotive
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 27, 2009
Page 8
accessory operations and our automotive accessory operations in Coshocton, Ohio and LaGrange,
Georgia. This timeline is followed by analysis of the timing of the losses. We also provide
below a second timeline relating to our Glassware and Candles Segment, which was part of our strategic
alternative review.
Timeline #1 Automotive Segment:
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November 2004 The Board authorized management to engage an investment banking firm to
understand the alternatives available with respect to our automotive operations. |
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January 2005 We formally engaged an investment banking firm to explore strategic
alternatives involving all or a part of our automotive operations, including their
potential sale. |
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Summer of 2005 through fall of 2006 In conjunction with assessing various
alternatives, we undertook marketing efforts for this segments operations but this proved
challenging due to a number of factors, including deteriorating credit conditions for
automotive-related transactions. We were unable to find an acceptable buyer with
significant and satisfactory interest in the automotive operations as a whole. Discussions
then ensued with various potential buyers regarding purchases of various product lines. |
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March 2007 Pursuant to specific Board authorization granted on March 22, 2007, we
sold our heavy truck splashguard and pickup truck bedmat lines manufactured in Wapakoneta,
Ohio for a gain of approximately $1.2 million. |
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May 23, 2007 Board granted authorization to sell our automotive floor mat lines
manufactured in Coshocton, Ohio and LaGrange, Georgia pursuant to the material terms
presented to the Board by management. |
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June 2007 In accordance with the foregoing authorization, we sold our automotive
floor mat lines manufactured in Coshocton, Ohio and LaGrange, Georgia resulting in a
pretax loss of approximately $24.3 million. We retained the Coshocton real estate, but
very little of the Coshocton-related machinery and equipment. |
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May 28, 2008 Board granted authorization to sell our truck accessory lines
manufactured in Des Moines, Iowa pursuant to the material terms presented to the Board by
management. |
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June 2008 In accordance with the foregoing authorization, we sold our truck accessory
lines manufactured in Des Moines, Iowa resulting in a pretax loss of approximately $20.4
million. |
The primary driver for divestiture of the various operations was our strategic direction towards
becoming a more food-focused company. The Board did not authorize, however, any sale of nonfood
operations prior to finalization of the material terms, and initial Board directives were limited
to authorizing management to explore strategic alternatives. Accordingly, no sale was considered
probable until specific Board approval. The Board retained the ultimate authority to determine
when these operational assets could be sold, to whom and at what price. Each sale transaction
involved a purchase agreement not executed until closing after Board approval of all
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 27, 2009
Page 9
material
terms. Financing for the buyers in the latter two transactions remained in question until the date
of closing. While the Board and management discussed various
alternatives during this extended time
period, the challenges identified early regarding marketing efforts, the evolving nature of the
discussions with potential buyers and generally deteriorating sectoral market conditions precluded
a commitment to the divestitures until the actual time of sale.
As apparent from the discussion above, we did not consider our automotive operations as assets
held for sale prior to closing under the guidance of paragraph 30 of SFAS 144. We did not meet
all of the criteria of paragraph 30, including management having the authority to approve the action,
commit[ting] to a plan to sell the asset (disposal
group);...[and] the sale of the asset (disposal group) [being] probable (i.e. likely to occur). In addition, except for impairment of certain
manufacturing lines specifically described below, we did not consider our automotive operations to
be subject to impairment under SFAS 144. None of the asset sales met the more-likely-than-not
threshold consideration under paragraph 8 of SFAS 144 until shortly prior to closing; and except as
described below, our automotive operations had consistent, historic and projected positive cash
flows that obviated further consideration for an impairment analysis under paragraph 8 of SFAS 144.
In conjunction with SFAS 144, we monitor long-lived assets for impairment and test such for
recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not
be recoverable. As defined in paragraph 4 of SFAS 144, an asset group represents the lowest level
for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of the other groups of
assets and liabilities.
Of the above asset groups sold, only our automotive floor mat operation demonstrated adverse
operating conditions, beginning in the latter half of fiscal 2006 that required consideration of
impairment testing in accordance with SFAS 144. As such, with the input and assistance of outside
valuation firms, we conducted and documented tests of impairment for our fiscal year ended June 30,
2006. We assumed 3% sales growth over a five-year projection period with an EBITDA margin between
4% and 5% each year. We utilized a discount rate of 12% for the analysis, which represented the
estimated weighted average cost of capital calculated for the reporting unit. It should also be
noted that we actually began reviewing and evaluating the goodwill (approximately $1 million)
associated with this reporting unit in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 142 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets beginning July 1, 2002 (the beginning of our 2003
fiscal year) and conducted annual reviews through June 30, 2006. In addition, we also conducted
impairment reviews of certain specific long-lived assets relating to the floor mat products
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicated that the carrying value may not have been
recoverable and recorded impairments for specific manufacturing lines as considered necessary. As a
result, asset impairments relating to two of our specific manufacturing lines within our floor mat
operations occurred, and we recorded and disclosed these in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for
the periods ended March 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.
The fiscal 2006 evaluations of the automotive floor mat operation resulted in a) a fair value of
this reporting unit of $25.5 million as compared to a carrying value of $24.4 million and b) a fair
value more specifically for property, plant and equipment of $22.6 million as compared to a net
book value of $8.5 million. We continued to update our impairment review of this reporting unit
quarterly during fiscal 2007 until it was ultimately sold. The probability of a sales transaction
was not given weight due to the substantial uncertainties of successfully concluding a sale
considering
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 27, 2009
Page 10
the prior lack of significant transactional progress, open issues regarding the
negotiation of material terms and obtaining financing and the late timing (i.e., end of June 2007)
of the sale itself.
Given such factors as our strategic direction to become a more food-focused company, certain
management issues and the perception of increasing sectoral risks, the Board eventually determined
to forego further marketing efforts and approve the proposed transactions as soon as practicable
after management finalized the material terms. In each case, Board approval occurred shortly
before closing, and we did not enter into the sale agreements until closing. In the meantime, our
ongoing review under SFAS 144 did not result in an impairment in our Automotive Segment except for
the product lines discussed above. For these reasons, we determined that the losses did not occur
until closing.
Timeline #2 Glassware and Candles Segment (relevant to responses 9 and 10 below):
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November 2005 We engaged an investment banking firm to assist in exploring
alternatives with respect to our consumer and floral glassware operations. This effort was
deemed prudent given higher input costs, growing competition and the planning horizon
necessary to accommodate large capital expenditures forecast several years in the future. |
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Spring and Summer of 2006 We explored the possible sale of our glassware operations.
We determined that market interest did not meet our expectations. |
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March 2007 We announced the closure of our industrial glass operations, largely due
to a declining customer base. |
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Spring 2007 An inquiry from a potential strategic buyer sparked a renewed sales
effort of the consumer and floral glass operations. |
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November 2007 After lengthy negotiations and specific Board approval of all material
terms, we completed the sale of the consumer and floral glass business. |
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August 2008 We reported in our Form 10-K that we do not expect further progress on
our strategic evaluation of our candle operations under current market conditions. |
9. |
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We note you classified the $6.4 million loss from your disposal of certain consumer and
floral glass operating assets in cost of sales. Explain to us your basis for this
classification. As part of your response, describe the assets disposed. Also, explain how
you considered the guidance of SFAS 144, paragraphs 41 through 43. In this regard, we note
that you refer to these disposed assets as businesses, and that you disclose discrete amounts
of related net sales. |
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 27, 2009
Page 11
Response: The consumer and floral glass operating assets disposed of under the November
2007 purchase agreement consisted of substantially all of the related net noncash working capital
(approximately $18.1 million, including inventory of approximately $11.6 million), as well as most
of the associated machinery and equipment (approximately $7.4 million). We retained the associated
real estate. We also retained assets related to the SG&A function of this operation because such
functions were supported by our larger candle operation.
Loss Classification:
We considered separate classification of the loss on the income statement; however, aggregation
within cost of sales was influenced by:
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a less than 1% impact on consolidated gross margin as a percent of sales the
percentage including the loss equaled 16.04% while the percentage excluding the
loss equaled 16.69%; |
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the fact that the loss is properly included within consolidated operating
income (paragraph 45 of SFAS 144); |
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the fact that we fully disclosed the amount of the loss and its classification
on the income statement in the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements
(paragraph 47b of SFAS 144); |
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there was no impact on segment operating income; and |
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the majority of sold assets consisted of inventory and manufacturing assets. |
Discontinued Operations Consideration:
We considered the guidance for reporting discontinued operations under SFAS 144 paragraphs 41
through 43 and noted that certain conditions were not met to allow for this classification. While
the operations sold met the component of an entity requirements under paragraph 41 of SFAS 144,
they did not meet the conditions necessary for discontinued operations reporting under paragraph 42
of SFAS 144, and thus would not follow the classification requirements under paragraph 43 of SFAS
144.
Under paragraph 42 of SFAS 144, two conditions must be met before a component of an entity can be
reported as a discontinued operation: (a) the operations and cash flows of the component have been
(or will be) eliminated from the ongoing operations....and (b) the entity will not have any
significant continuing involvement in the operations of the component after the disposal
transaction. We documented our failure to meet the criteria through our disclosure in the
footnotes to the consolidated financial statements, As part of the sale, we entered into a
non-exclusive, three-year supply agreement with the buyer for certain glassware products that our
candle operations continue to use. In accordance with SFAS 144 and related accounting guidance, the
financial results of these operations do not meet the criteria for classification as discontinued
operations and, therefore, have been included in continuing operations for all periods presented.
Our evaluation of the terms of the supply agreement in accordance with SFAS 144 and Emerging Issues
Task Force No. 03-13, Applying the Conditions in Paragraph 42 of FASB Statement No. 144 in
Determining Whether to Report Discontinued Operations, indicated that the cash inflows and cash
outflows associated with its requirements would remain significant relative to the operations
disposed therefore precluding discontinued operation accounting under condition (a) above. In
addition to the supply agreement, we had further continuing involvement with respect to a two-year
lease of a related Oklahoma manufacturing facility, as well as certain transitional
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 27, 2009
Page 12
arrangements
for specified warehousing, accounting, human resource and IT services that required our involvement
beyond normal transitional arrangements. Collectively, we considered these arrangements to fail
condition (b) above. In conclusion, and as disclosed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial
statements, the requirements for discontinued operations reporting for these sold operations were
not met and therefore we continued to account for these operations within continuing operations for
all periods presented.
Note 17 Restructuring and Impairment Charge, page 54
10. |
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We note the disclosure indicating that the operations of your closed industrial glass unit
located in Lancaster, Ohio, have not been reclassified to discontinued operations. Explain to
us how you have considered the guidance of SFAS 144, paragraphs 41 through 43, in determining
the classification of these operations. |
Response: We considered the general materiality provision provided in SFAS 144 following
paragraph 51 which states The provisions of this Statement need not be applied to immaterial
items. Although the closed industrial glass unit located in Lancaster, Ohio may have met the
definition of a discontinued operation per paragraph 41 of SFAS 144, it was not considered
material. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007, this unit represented less than 3% of
consolidated net assets and total assets; approximately 3.3% of consolidated income before income
taxes; and less than 1% of consolidated net sales. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006, this
unit represented approximately 3% of consolidated net assets and total assets; less than 1% of
consolidated income before income taxes; and less than 1% of consolidated net sales. While the
guidance does not preclude classifying even immaterial operations as discontinued operations
(paragraph B105 of SFAS 144), we considered such a classification as not providing benefit to
readers of our financial statements. We did, however, in accordance with SFAS 146, Accounting for
Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, provide full disclosure in the footnotes to the
consolidated financial statements of the costs associated with the closure of this facility.
Note 18 Business Segments Information, page 55
11. |
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We note the disclosure indicating that your business is separated into two distinct operating
segments. Explain to us how you evaluated whether the operations in your retail and food
service markets represented separate operating segments, as defined in SFAS 131, paragraph 10.
As part of your response, identify for us your CODM. Additionally, provide a copy of recent
reports reviewed by your CODM. |
Response: In connection with our responses to your specific comments, we have set forth
below a detailed discussion of our view on segment reporting with respect to our food business. We
have assessed our segment reporting using the guidance in Financial Accounting Standard No. 131,
Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information (SFAS 131). Based
upon the way we have managed and viewed our food operations, we have concluded that reporting our
food operations as a single operating segment is appropriate and consistent with the provisions of SFAS 131.
Consistent with the guidance in paragraph 12 of SFAS 131, we have determined that Mr. John B.
Gerlach, Jr. is our chief operating decision maker (CODM). Mr. Gerlach is the Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board and is primarily responsible for allocating resources
through his influence or approval over matters such as significant
capital expenditures,
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 27, 2009
Page 13
recommendations regarding the allocation of equity grants and assessment of performance for key
management personnel. He has viewed and operated the food business as a single segment. He has
communicated his views on the food operations in this manner and has reported financial results to
the Board and external parties for the specialty foods business as a whole.
Paragraph 10 of SFAS 131 states that An operating segment is a component of an enterprise: a) That
engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses
(including revenues and expenses relating to transactions with other components of the same enterprise), b)
Whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the enterprises chief operating decision maker
to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance, and c)
For which discrete financial information is available. Although we have derived revenue in our
food operations from both the retail and foodservice markets, our activities in these markets have
not met the requirements of either clause (b) or (c) of paragraph 10.
Our food
operations are not organized by retail and foodservice and, therefore, expense data
and operating results have not been either accumulated or regularly available for these two
markets. Accordingly, with respect to clause (b), operating
results for these two markets are not regularly reviewed by our CODM for purposes of making decisions about resources to be
allocated or assessing performance; and, with respect to clause (c), regularly prepared financial
information below sales has not been available for our retail and foodservice markets.
Paragraph 14 of SFAS 131 states, an operating segment has a segment manager who is directly
accountable to and maintains regular contact with the chief operating decision maker . . . If the
characteristics in paragraph 10 apply to more than one set of components of an organization but
there is only one set for which segment managers are held responsible, that set of components
constitutes the operating segments. (Emphasis added.)
The CODM has allocated resources and assessed performance based on our food operations as a whole.
Further, in accordance with paragraph 14 cited above, we have only one segment manager for our food
operations, the President of Specialty Foods, and he reports directly to the CODM. Management
performance of key senior management within the segment has been assessed based on the performance
of the segment as a whole. We believe, therefore, the reporting of our food operations as one
segment is consistent with SFAS 131 and provides the best information to readers of our financial
statements, as it reflects managements internal view of the business.
We have disclosed the net sales contributed
by each class of similar products within our Specialty
Foods segment (i.e., foodservice and retail). We provided this disclosure under the guidance of
paragraph 37 of SFAS 131, but it is not intended to reflect how we manage our food operations.
The Staff has asked us to provide recent reports reviewed by the CODM. A copy of such reports (the
Reports) for our food operations is being provided under separate cover. In accordance
with Commission Rule 12b-4, we request that such materials be returned following completion of the
Staffs review.
The
primary information in the Reports pertains to the food business as a whole, and this is
indicative of how the CODM views the business. Further, reports presented by the CODM at
analyst meetings have spoken to this segment as a whole (except certain sales information by
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 27, 2009
Page 14
product category), and such reports have discussed acquisition and capital resource priorities for
this segment as a whole. Finally, the CODM has considered the food business as a whole for
purposes of investing additional capital, as well as evaluating acquisition possibilities. All of
this supports the view that we manage our food business as a whole and, therefore, reporting
our financial information in this manner is the best approach under
the guidance of SFAS 131.
We note that some data in the Reports
relates to our legal subsidiaries.1 The legal
subsidiary level financial information that has been made available
to the CODM is not used by the CODM for allocating resources and
assessing performance because such information has inherent business and
accounting limitations (due to numerous factors, such as the organizational structure, the nature
and extent of the segments shared resources and indirect costs, the absence of allocated
elimination entries and how resource allocation decisions do not align themselves with the
information captured at the subsidiary level). The subsidiaries products have been sold through common sales groups,
typically utilizing the same sales force/brokers to often-common customers. Other than infrequent
reference to relative sizes of related product lines sales, subsidiary-level information has not
typically been referenced either to external parties or within our filed financial statements.
The legal subsidiaries do not have segment managers, as defined in paragraph 14 of SFAS 131, who
are directly accountable to and maintain regular contact with the CODM. The CODM does not allocate
resources nor assess performance at the legal subsidiary level, the legal subsidiaries do not
maintain separate administrative support and the legal subsidiary level financial information is
not communicated to the Board or external parties.
Finally, we believe the information presented
to our Board further supports our decision to report
our food operations as one segment. Under paragraph 70 of SFAS 131, [i]n many enterprises, only
one set of data is provided to the board of directors. That set of data generally is indicative of
how management views the enterprises activities. (Emphasis added.) Our Board has been regularly
presented with information only on a segment basis and has made decisions based on the segment
as a whole and not on any individual subsidiary or other portions of our food business. An example
of the information routinely provided to the Board has been voluntarily provided under separate
cover. In accordance with Commission Rule 12b-4, we also request that such materials be returned
following completion of the Staffs review.
In conclusion, based upon the guidance
in SFAS 131, we believe reporting the food
operations as a single segment is the most appropriate basis. The groups reporting
structure to the CODM, group compensation strategies, external presentation, the CODMs management
of the food business and the information presented to the Board all strongly support
our conclusion that the food operations are a single operating segment.
We remain mindful, however, of our responsibility to reassess the segment reporting process
periodically, especially in light of our recent movement to a more food-focused business. As our
risks and opportunities become more concentrated within the Specialty
Foods Segment, an increasing amount of time is being spent by both
management and the Board on this part of our business. Recently, we
also initiated an IT project within this segment that contemplates
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The Specialty Foods Segment is comprised of five
individual legal subsidiaries engaged in the manufacture of different product
lines (i.e., T. Marzetti Company generally, salad dressings, sauces and
vegetable dips and croutons; Marzetti Frozen Pasta pasta products; New York
Frozen Foods frozen breads; Sister Schuberts frozen rolls and bread; and
Quality Bakery primarily limited manufacturing and distribution services
utilized by the other subsidiaries). |
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 27, 2009
Page 15
significant
enhancements to our existing systems. These factors may result in future modifications to the
process by which the CODM currently allocates and assesses performance for this segment. Should
such modifications occur, we will adjust our segment reporting appropriately.
12. |
|
Disclosure under this section indicates that the corporate identifiable assets include assets
that were retained when the related operations were disposed. Tell us the nature and amount
of these assets. Additionally, explain to us why they were retained and what you currently
intend to do with these assets. |
Response: The primary assets we retained consist of now-idle real estate that we previously
used in several of the disposed and closed operations referenced above. With respect to two of the
disposed operations, negotiations with each buyer eventually resulted in leases for the related
facilities rather than purchases. This afforded us the potential opportunity to realize more value
from the ultimate disposition of the real estate and also provided each buyer with more flexibility
in consolidating operations, if desired. We are actively marketing these properties, and we are
engaged in various levels of negotiations with different parties to sell certain of the properties.
We continue to monitor market conditions and related listing prices to ensure we are able to move
the properties as soon as practicable. We had properties held for sale totaling approximately $3.1
million at December 31, 2008.
Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2008
Note 4 Long-Term Debt, page 7
13. |
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In future filings, please disclose the specific terms of all material covenants in your debt
agreement, including the required ratios as well as the actual ratios as of each reporting
date, allowing readers to understand how much cushion there is between the required ratios and
the actual ratios. Also, show the specific computations used to arrive at the actual ratios,
with corresponding reconciliations to corresponding U.S. GAAP amounts, if necessary. See
Sections I.D and IV.C of the SEC Interpretive Release No. 33-8350 and Question 10 of our FAQ
Regarding the Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures, dated June 13, 2003, for additional
guidance. Please also disclose if there are any stated events of default which would permit
the lenders to accelerate the debt, if not cured within applicable grace periods. |
Response: In future filings, we will provide additional disclosures regarding material debt
covenants, the related requirements and our compliance. We will also disclose if there are any
stated events of default which would permit the lenders to accelerate the debt, if not cured within
applicable grace periods. We propose to provide this information by (a) including a description of
the financial covenants and our compliance therewith in the footnotes to our financial statements
and (b) discussing all the covenants and our compliance therewith in the Financial Condition
section of our Managements Discussion and Analysis. (See response 14 below.) The Staff has
requested that we include the computation of actual ratios, as well as any necessary reconciliation
to GAAP amounts. We propose not to include this detail in our disclosures as long as we meet the
ratio tests by substantial margins, and our risk of breaching these covenants remains highly
unlikely. To that end, we have included a statement regarding our expectations
about meeting the
facilitys covenants in our proposed disclosures for the Financial Condition section of our
Managements Discussion and Analysis. (See response 14 below.)
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 27, 2009
Page 16
The
following section represents our proposed disclosure to be included in the footnotes
to our consolidated financial statements in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the third quarter ending March
31, 2009:
Note 4 Long-Term Debt
At
and June 30, 2008, we had an unsecured revolving credit facility under which we
may borrow up to a maximum of $160 million at any one time, with the potential to expand the
total credit availability to $260 million based on obtaining consent of the issuing bank and
certain other conditions. The facility expires on October 5, 2012, and all outstanding amounts
are due and payable on that day. At
and June 30, 2008, we had $ and $55.0
million, respectively, outstanding under the facility with a weighted average interest rate of
and 2.93%, respectively. Loans may be used for general corporate purposes.
Based on the long-term nature of this facility and in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, we have classified the outstanding balance as long-term debt. We paid
approximately
$
and $ million of interest for the and
months ended
, respectively, as compared to approximately and million in the
corresponding periods of the prior year. Based on the borrowing rates currently available to us
under the facility, the fair market value of our long-term debt is not materially different
from the carrying value.
The facility contains two principal financial covenants: an interest expense test that requires
us to maintain an interest coverage ratio not less than 2.5 to 1 at the end of each fiscal
quarter; and an indebtedness test that requires us to maintain a leverage ratio not greater
than 3 to 1 at all times. The interest coverage ratio is calculated by dividing Consolidated EBIT (as
defined more specifically in the credit agreement) by Consolidated Interest Expense (as defined
more specifically in the credit agreement), and the leverage ratio is calculated by dividing
Consolidated Debt (as defined more specifically in the credit agreement) by Consolidated EBITDA
(as defined more specifically in the credit agreement). We met the requirements of these
financial covenants at and June 30, 2008.
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, page
14
Financial Condition, page 19
14. |
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You indicate under this section that there was approximately $80 million of borrowing
availability remaining under your unsecured revolving credit facility at September 30, 2008
(based upon the total amount available and borrowings made to date), with the potential for an
additional $100 million of available funds, subject to consent of the issuing bank and certain
other conditions. In future filings, please expand any similar disclosure to clarify whether
there are any limitations on your ability to access or use these funds. Additionally,
disclose the impact on your financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, if
additional finds become unavailable in future periods. |
Response: In future filings, we will expand the disclosures to clarify whether there are
any limitations on our ability to access or use the credit facility as well as the impact on our
business if additional funds become unavailable in future periods. We have disclosed previously
that the
additional $100 million in potential
availability is subject to bank approval. Because
the lenders are not contractually obligated to extend these additional funds and we do not expect
to request
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 27, 2009
Page 17
access to these funds in the foreseeable future, we propose to remove discussion of this
feature of our credit facility from our Managements Discussion and Analysis.
Please see the following for the proposed disclosure to be included in our Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the third quarter ending March 31, 2009 within the Financial Condition section of our
Managements Discussion and Analysis, subject to any change in circumstance:
On October 5, 2007, we entered into a new unsecured revolving credit facility, which
replaced the credit facility existing on September 30, 2007. Under the new facility, we
may borrow up to a maximum of $160 million at any one time. Loans may be used for
general corporate purposes. We currently have $___ million outstanding under this
facility. The facility expires on October 5, 2012, and all outstanding amounts are due
and payable on that day.
The facility contains certain restrictive covenants, including limitations on
indebtedness, asset sales and acquisitions, and financial covenants relating to
interest coverage and leverage. At March 31 2009, we were in compliance with all
applicable provisions and covenants of the facility, and we met the requirements of the
financial covenants by substantial margins.
We currently expect to remain in compliance with the facilitys covenants for the
foreseeable future. A default under the facility could accelerate the repayment of our
outstanding indebtedness and limit our access to additional credit available under the
facility. Such an event could require curtailment of cash dividends or share
repurchases, reduce or delay beneficial expansion or investment plans, or otherwise
impact our ability to meet our obligations when due. At March 31, 2009, we were not
aware of any event that would constitute a default under the facility.
We believe that internally generated funds and our existing aggregate balances in cash
and equivalents, in addition to our currently available bank credit arrangements,
should be adequate to meet our foreseeable cash requirements. If we were to borrow
outside of our credit facility under current market terms, our average interest rate
may increase significantly and have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
For additional information regarding our credit facility, see Note 4-Long Term Debt
in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q.
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 27, 2009
Page 18
Controls and Procedures, page 21
15. |
|
We note your disclosure that our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have
concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2008
to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit
under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods
specified in the Securities and Exchange Commissions rules and forms. In future filings,
revise to clarify, if true, that your officers concluded that your disclosure controls and
procedures are also effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the
reports that you file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to your
management, including your chief executive officer and chief financial officer, to allow
timely decisions regarding required disclosure. See Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e). |
Response: In our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2008, we
expanded our disclosures regarding Controls and Procedures to clarify that our officers concluded
that our disclosure controls and procedures were also effective to ensure that information required
to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are
accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief
financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Please see the
following for the additional disclosure that we included (italicized and underlined below):
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. As of the end of the period covered
by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer evaluated, with the participation of management, the effectiveness of our
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)). Based upon this
evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our
disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2008 to ensure that
information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the
Exchange Act is 1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods
specified in the Securities and Exchange Commissions rules and forms and 2)
accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer, in a manner that allows timely decisions regarding required
disclosure.
Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A Filed October 15, 2008
16. |
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Please confirm in writing that you will comply with the following comments in all future
filings. Provide us also with an example of the disclosure you intend to use. After our
review of your responses, we may raise additional comments. |
Response: We acknowledge the Staffs comment and confirm that we will comply with comments
17, 18 and 19 in all future filings, to the extent such comments remain applicable.
Primary Elements of Compensation, page 14
17. |
|
Although you have provided a general description of the factors the committee considered in
making the salary adjustments for the named executive officers, you should specify the
material factors the committee considered in making base salary adjustments |
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 27, 2009
Page 19
for each named
executive officer whose salary was increased. See Item 402(b)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.
Response: In future filings, we will disclose the information referenced in comment 17.
The following is an example of the type of disclosure we would expect to include in future filings
based on the executive compensation and decisions regarding our 2008 fiscal year that were
previously reported in the Proxy Statement:
Salaries. We provide our named executive officers with annual salaries both to attract
and retain the executives and to provide them with a steady source of annual cash-based
income. For each named executive officer, salary represents a non-at risk cash component
of compensation. We establish our salaries at levels designed to reward our named
executive officers for their overall level of expertise, responsibilities, experience and
other factors unique to each individual executive officer, as determined by our
Compensation Committee. However, our policy is that salaries for our named executive
officers should not exceed median salaries for executive officers with similar
responsibilities within our peer group.
For fiscal year 2008, the amount of each named executive officers salary increase,
expressed as a percentage of such officers fiscal year 2007 salary, was as follows: Mr.
Gerlach, 0%; Mr. Boylan, 3.8% and Mr. Rosa, 2.8%. Salaries earned by our named executive
officers for 2007 and 2008 appear below in the Salary column of our 2008 Summary
Compensation Table. For fiscal year 2009, we have increased our named executive officers
salaries by an average of 2.8%.
The Compensation Committee initially determined to increase Mr. Boylans salary for 2008
after considering Mr. Boylans 17 years of experience handling financial matters for us and
his in-depth knowledge of our business, and the Compensation Committees and Mr. Gerlachs
satisfaction with Mr. Boylans job performance as Chief Financial Officer during 2007. The
Compensation Committee initially determined to increase Mr. Rosas salary for 2008 due to
the Compensation Committees desire to ensure retention of Mr. Rosas services within our
Specialty Foods operations during our continuing shift to a more food-focused company. The
Compensation Committee also considered Mr. Rosas four years of experience as President of
our Specialty Foods Segment, and his specific knowledge of our Specialty Foods operations
and strategic plan, and the Compensation Committees and Mr. Gerlachs satisfaction with
Mr. Rosas job performance during 2007. Although the Compensation Committee also
considered increasing Mr. Gerlachs salary for 2008 for reasons similar to the ones listed
above, Mr. Gerlach requested that he not receive additional compensation at this time. The
Compensation Committee determined that Mr. Gerlachs request was acceptable given his
significant ownership position in the company and low probability of leaving the company.
The Compensation Committee used its judgment in choosing to increase salaries for Messrs.
Boylan and Rosa for 2008 by their respective amounts after taking into consideration Mr.
Gerlachs recommendations, each executives annual salary increases in prior years and the
amount that our Compensation Committee understands to represent average salary increases
among companies in our peer group over the past few years for officers holding similar
positions.
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 27, 2009
Page 20
Long-Term Equity-Based Incentive Awards, page 16
18. |
|
We note that in February 2008 you began a new equity incentive program consisting of grants
of stock-settled stock appreciation rights and restricted stock. Please provide a
substantially more detailed description of this program. |
Response: In future filings, we will disclose the information referenced in comment 18.
The following is an example of the type of disclosure we would expect to include in our future
filings, based on the executive compensation and decisions regarding our 2008 fiscal year that were
previously reported in the Proxy Statement:
Long-Term Equity-Based Incentive Awards. Until 2008, we used stock options as the primary
vehicle for providing long-term incentives to and rewarding our named executive officers
for their efforts in helping to create long-term shareholder value. We have also
considered stock options as a retention tool for executive talent. Both of these factors
have helped our Compensation Committee determine in past years the type of award and the
number of underlying shares that it granted in connection with an equity incentive award.
However, during fiscal year 2008, with the assistance of Pearl Meyer & Partners, we have
moved away from our reliance on stock options as our equity incentive compensation
instrument. We had historically believed that granting stock options was the best method
for motivating named executive officers to manage our company in a manner consistent with
the long-term interests of our shareholders because of the direct relationship between the
value of a stock option and the market price of our common stock. The following factors,
however, have caused us to reevaluate this approach:
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the evolution of regulatory, tax and accounting treatment of
equity incentive programs; |
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developments in our strategic objectives; and |
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the study of our equity-based incentive program that took
place during fiscal year 2007. |
Based on these factors, in February 2008, we began granting our long-term equity incentives
in the form of time-based stock-settled stock appreciation rights, or appreciation rights,
and time-based restricted stock instead of stock options. Messrs. Boylan and Rosa each
received 12,000 appreciation rights and 300 shares of restricted stock as part of our first
grants pursuant to new forms of appreciation rights and restricted stock award agreements.
Similar to our prior years grants of stock options, these grants of appreciation rights
and restricted stock were made under our 2005 Stock Plan previously approved by our
shareholders. The Compensation Committee believes these awards represent an appropriate
level of additional annual compensation that is aligned with the creation of long-term
shareholder value and that provides an additional retention tool for executive talent.
Appreciation rights give holders the right to receive stock in our company equal in market
value to the difference between the closing market price of our stock on the day of
exercise and the base price established for the appreciation rights, as set forth in the
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 27, 2009
Page 21
appreciation rights award agreement, multiplied by the number of appreciation rights
exercised. The base price for appreciation rights equals the closing price of our stock on
the date on which the appreciation rights are granted, which for the February 2008 grants
was $38.31. Appreciation rights cannot be exercised until they are vested, and we have
currently chosen for retention purposes that appreciation rights should vest over time as
follows: one-third of the total award will vest on each of the first, second and third
anniversaries of the grant date. The appreciation rights will vest earlier upon a change
of control of the company. The appreciation rights award agreement also provides that the
appreciation rights will expire on the earlier of five years from the grant date or 90 days
after the grantees employment with the company ceases other than as a result of his or her
death or disability, as described in more detail in the award agreement. As a result, the
appreciation rights granted in February 2008 must be exercised no later than February 27,
2013.
The Compensation Committee granted new awards of restricted stock on the same day as the
appreciation rights awards. Unlike the appreciation rights, the shares of restricted stock
do not vest ratably, but vest in the aggregate on the third anniversary of the grant date.
The restricted stock will vest earlier upon a change of control of the company. Once
vested, the restricted stock may be traded in the same manner as other shares. Each
recipient of restricted stock will receive dividends on the restricted stock during the
vesting period, but will forfeit all unvested restricted stock if his or her employment
with the company ceases other than as a result of his or her death or disability, as
described in more detail in the award agreement.
In
total, we issued 153,550 appreciation rights and 23,600 shares of
restricted stock to our employees under
our 2005 Stock Plan during fiscal year 2008. The Compensation Committee did not utilize
any specific formulas, mathematical calculations or peer group comparisons when determining
the amounts of appreciation rights and restricted stock that it granted to individual
employees, including our named executive officers, during 2008. Instead, the 2008 grants,
including the grants to Mr. Boylan and Mr. Rosa, were made solely in the Compensation
Committees judgment based on recommendations from Mr. Gerlach and motivated solely by the
Compensation Committees desire to award each employee enough value to achieve our
retention and motivation objectives discussed above. In the Compensation Committees view,
the amounts awarded in 2008 were necessary to help us retain executive talent and provide
reasonable incentives for our executive talent to work to create long-term shareholder
value.
We did not make any grants of stock options during fiscal year 2008. At this time, it is
our intention to continue to make long-term equity incentive awards in the form of only
appreciation rights and restricted stock using the forms we have filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission because we believe these types of equity awards offer our
employees, including our named executive officers, the best form of retention and
motivation incentive that is also aligned with the long-term interests of our shareholders.
We also currently expect that the Compensation Committee will continue to use its
judgment, based, in part, on recommendations by our chief executive officer, to determine
the value of appreciation rights and restricted stock awards because this gives the
Compensation Committee the most flexibility to make awards in amounts necessary to help us
achieve our long-term objectives. At this time, the Compensation Committee has not made
any determinations about awards for fiscal year 2009 or future years.
Securities and Exchange Commission
February 27, 2009
Page 22
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For each Named Executive Officer, provide the disclosure required by Item 402(b)(1)(v) of
Regulation S-K with regard to the Long-Term Equity-Based Incentive Awards for fiscal 2008.
Explain how the amount awarded was determined and if a formula was used. |
Response: In future filings, we will disclose the information referenced in comment 19.
An example of the type of disclosure we would expect to include in future filings, based on the
executive compensation and decisions regarding our 2008 fiscal year that were previously reported
in the Proxy Statement, is represented by the final two paragraphs of our response to comment 18
above.
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In connection with the above response, we acknowledge that:
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We are responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filing; |
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Staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to Staff comments do not
foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filing; and |
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We may not assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the
Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States. |
If you have any questions regarding these matters, please do not hesitate to contact the
undersigned at (614) 224-7141 or by facsimile at (614) 469-8219.
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Sincerely,
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/s/ John L. Boylan
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John L. Boylan |
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Treasurer, Vice President, Assistant Secretary
and Chief Financial Officer |
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