American Vanguard Corp
Annual Report 2010

Plain-text annual report

A M E R I CA N VA N G UA R D C O R P O R AT I O N ExPANDING ThE POssIbIlITIEs 2010 Annual Report Message from the President Dear Shareholders, American Vanguard’s 2010 performance is reflective of an organization that responds to current opportunities and positions itself for a world of expanding possibilities. This past year’s sales grew by 10% and we recorded a gross profit margin of 39%, as our selling efforts focused on a higher margin product mix and we achieved improved manufacturing utilization rates. Management remained committed to the financial discipline that has strengthened our balance sheet over the last two years. We exercised tight control over working capital and inventory levels, maintained a prudent debt structure and increased stockholders’ equity by nearly 9%. In keeping with a hallmark of American Vanguard’s business success, we purchased the cotton defoliant Def®, and insecticides Mocap®, Nemacur®, and Aztec® in the largest series of product acquisitions in our history. This action allowed us to broaden and deepen AMVAC’s portfolio in high-value crop niches with very profitable, well-established, branded products which we were able to procure for a very reasonable investment outlay. We expect these new products to increase our total company revenues by 25%, double our international business, load our factories over the next three years with additional production, and contribute positively to our financial profitability for many years to come. Integration of this new business has begun and will be one of the most important objectives of 2011. As we branch out internationally, we have engaged market-leading distribution partners in a number of world areas and are strengthening our own organization to handle sales and marketing in Central America — a key region where our presence will expand dramatically. Eric Wintemute and Peter Eilers (representing Bayer CropScience) finalizing the purchase of Mocap® and Nemacur® on December 7, 2010. Our organization is continually developing to take full advantage of many market and business opportunities in agriculture and non-crop commercial pest control applications. A number of highly skilled and experienced new associates have joined the American Vanguard team recently, including a Vice-President of Technology; a Midwest Regional Sales Manager; and additional talent in our Regulatory Department. The Company’s Board of Directors has been strengthened by the addition of several new members who possess extensive AgChemical business management credentials. We have also established a very favorable five-year Bank Credit Facility that underscores the confidence our banking partners have in both our near-term and longer-term strategies. We intend to prudently utilize this financial capacity to facilitate our stated objective of strong, sustainable growth. In 2010, we made great strides to build on our traditional strengths and going forward, our mission is clear. Strong global demand for food, fiber and fuel requires ever-increasing productivity and yield enhancement. American Vanguard will provide the tools necessary to meet the needs of modern agriculture and to maintain the infestation control required to safeguard human health. This year and in the future, your Company, will identify, analyze and act on current profitable tactical opportunities and position itself to capitalize on many positive strategic possibilities. We appreciate your shareholder participation in this pursuit and encourage you to come grow with us. Sincerely, Eric G. Wintemute President and CEO HISTORICAL FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE (dollars in thousands except earnings and dividend information) 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 Net sales Gross profit $229,620 $ 209,329 $ 237,538 $ 216,662 $ 193,771 $ 89,082 $ 60,426 $ 101,131 $ 95,730 $ 82,358 Net income (loss) $ 10,984 $ (5,789) $ 20,019 $ 18,728 $ 15,448 Earnings (loss) per share Total assets Working capital Long-term debt less current $ 0.40 $ (0.21) $ 0.73 $ 0.68 $ 0.57 $281,799 $ 255,268 $ 286,937 $ 248,581 $ 262,376 $ 67,459 $ 68,797 $ 96,357 $ 75,144 $ 99,233 $ 53,712 $ 45,432 $ 75,748 $ 56,155 $ 93,761 Stockholders’ equity $166,437 $ 153,087 $ 155,943 $ 139,739 $ 120,877 Shares outstanding 27,652 27,120 27,469 27,436 27,186 Dividends per share (common) $ 0.030 $ 0.060 $ 0.080 $ 0.070 $ 0.083 Expanding thE possibilitiEs DIRECTORS Herbert A. Kraft Chairman Elected in 1969 Eric G. Wintemute President, Chief Executive Officer Elected in 1994 John B. Miles Elected in 1999 Carl R. Soderlind Elected in 2000 Irving J. Thau Elected in 2003 Lawrence S. Clark Elected in 2006 John L. Killmer Elected in 2008 Alfred F. Ingulli Elected in 2010 Esmail Zirakparvar Elected in 2010 OFFICERS American Vanguard Corporation Eric G. Wintemute President Chief Executive Officer David T. Johnson Vice President Chief Financial Officer Treasurer Timothy J. Donnelly Vice President General Counsel Secretary AMVAC Chemical Corporation Glen D. Johnson Senior Vice President Director of Business Development Doug Ashmore Vice President Director of Manufacturing Ian S. Chart Vice President Director of Regulatory Affairs Johann Venter Vice President Director of Technology GemChem, Inc. Robert F. Gilbane President Through teamwork we are expanding our possibilities. CORPORATE INFORMATION Executive Offices American Vanguard Corporation 4695 MacArthur Court, Suite 1250 Newport Beach, California 92660 (949) 260-1200 Investor Relations William A. Kuser Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications (949) 260-1200 Independent Auditors BDO Seidman, LLP Los Angeles, California Corporate Web site www.amvac-chemical.com Operating subsidiaries AMVAC Chemical Corporation 4100 East Washington Boulevard Los Angeles, California 90023 (323) 264-3910 Environmental Mediation, Inc. 4695 MacArthur Court, Suite 1250 Newport Beach, California 92660 (949) 476-9109 GemChem, Inc. 95 River Road, Suite B Canton, Connecticut 06019 (860) 693-1331 AMVAC do Brasil Representações Ltda Brasil AMVAC de Costa Rica S.A., Costa Rica Quimica AMVAC de Mexico S.A. de C.V. Mexico AMVAC Switzerland GmbH Switzerland AMVAC Chemical UK Ltd. United Kingdom Annual Meeting The Annual Meeting of American Vanguard Corporation’s stockholders will be held at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa located at 900 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, California 92660 on Thursday, June 9, 2011 starting at 11:00 a.m. Stockholders of record at the close of business April 15, 2011, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. Stockholders who plan to attend the Annual Meeting are encouraged to RSVP using the contact information shown on the front page of the proxy statement. Form 10-K Additional copies are available to stockholders, without cost, upon written request to the Chief Financial Officer of the Company at 4695 MacArthur Court, Suite 1250, Newport Beach, California 92660. American Vanguard believes in a sustainable planet. This annual report is printed on recycled paper. ©2011 American Vanguard Corporation 

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