American Vanguard Corp
Annual Report 2013

Plain-text annual report

HERBICIDES CORN SOIL INSECTICIDES FUMIGANTS NON-CROP INSECTICIDES NON-CROP INSECTICIDES INSECTICIDES amERICan VanGUaRD 2013 annUaL REPORT SUSTAINABLE GROWTH THROUGH INNOvATION ANd dIvERSIfIcATIONDear Shareholders, During 2013, American Vanguard undertook several dynamic initiatives to ensure our future growth. The examples shown below illustrate the essential role technological innovation and market diversification efforts play in achieving sustainable, highly-profitable business performance. This year our strong commitment to innovation in product development and formulation has yielded several important new offerings. These include the development of liquid soil insecticides and highly concentrated granular soil insecticides. We also commercialized a new potato growth regulator and a unique, superior potato sprout inhibitor. AMVAC has embarked on a game-changing initiative to enhance the capabilities of our closed-delivery equipment. We intend to provide growers with a proprietary, time-saving system for applying comprehensive seed treatments at the time of planting — using an advanced version of our SmartBox® technology. This state-of-the-art innovation will allow growers to selectively apply crop protection and plant nutrient inputs in a prescription planting approach to maximize harvest yields while minimizing application time. InnOVaTIOn In PRODUCT DEVELOPmEnT AMVAC has expanded its product development capabilities with additional technical personnel and high-tech analytical equipment at the Glenn A. Wintemute Research Center in Los Angeles. These resources have facilitated the formulation and commercialization of a number of new products and assisted in the continuous improvement of our chemical manufacturing processes. Our new liquid soil insecticides are a shining example of this world-class proficiency. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • DIVERSIfIED maRKET PaRTICIPaTIOn AMVAC provides Yield Enhancement Solutions (YES) for many different crops worldwide. We participate in niche markets that are often under-served by our larger competitors and we capitalize on our ability to satisfy many crop protection requirements not adequately addressed by other methods, such as genetically modified seed technology. Through acquisition, licensing , technology development and international expansion, we will continue to grow our product offering and global market presence. Visit us at www.amvac-chemical.com or scan this QR code for instant access. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ENHANCING OUR INDUSTRY-LEADING POSITIONSWe continue to emphasize diversification in the number of crops that we protect and the number of geographic regions that we serve. While much of the Company’s recent growth has been driven by our U.S. corn franchise, it is important to recognize that we participate in a wide range of crops and are dedicated to expanding our global market presence. The Company has also invested in new, non-synthetic chemical technology that uses natural oils formulated to provide consumer pest control sprays, insect repellents and other products that are extremely safe and easy to use. This non- agricultural diversification offers many potential opportunities for the formulation of synthetic and non-synthetic chemical combinations that could provide a lighter chemical footprint and play a significant role in our future growth. AMVAC’s Yield Enhancement Solutions contribute significantly to increasing agricultural productivity. Our focus on innovation and diversification positions us to achieve sustainable growth and increased enterprise value. We appreciate the support of our customers, business partners and equity shareholders as we drive American Vanguard toward a very promising future. Eric G. Wintemute Chairman, Chief Executive Officer PRESCRIPTIOn PLanTInG TECHnOLOGY Building on our industry leading SmartBox® closed-delivery equipment technology, AMVAC is developing an advanced system for the deployment of multi-functional crop protection and plant nutritional products. This “Smart Integrated Multi-Product Precision Application System” (SIMPAS) has the potential to become the industry standard for providing prescription seed treatments at the time of planting. We expect to be a leader in taking precision agriculture to the next level. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • COnSUmER PEST COnTROL PRODUCTS For many years, AMVAC has provided proven chemical products that set the industry standard for safeguarding public health through mosquito abatement and commercial pest control management. The Company is expanding this segment by investing in a unique, non-synthetic chemical technology that uses naturally occurring raw materials to formulate highly-effective consumer pest control products. These products show great potential to satisfy the growing demand for environmentally safe and consumer-friendly household pest control treatments. ENHANCING OUR INDUSTRY-LEADING POSITIONS DIRECTORS Eric G. Wintemute Chairman Elected in 1994 Carl R. Soderlind Elected in 2000 Lawrence S. Clark Elected in 2006 John L. Killmer Elected in 2008 Alfred F. Ingulli Elected in 2010 Esmail Zirakparvar Elected in 2010 Debra Edwards Elected in 2011 Morton D. Erlich Elected in 2013 Scott D. Baskin Elected in 2014 OffICERS American Vanguard Corporation Eric G. Wintemute Chief Executive Officer David T. Johnson Vice President Chief Financial Officer Treasurer Timothy J. Donnelly Chief Administrative Officer General Counsel Secretary AMVAC Chemical Corporation Glen D. Johnson Senior Vice President Director of Business Development & Marketing Cindy Baker-Smith Senior Vice President Director of Global Regulatory Affairs & Product Development Jim Lehman Vice President Director of Sales John Rizzi Vice President Director of Manufacturing Johann Venter Vice President Director of Technology GemChem, Inc. Robert F. Gilbane President AMVAC Netherlands BV Ad de Jong Managing Director History and Heart. Purpose and Vision. The AMVAC brand represents a history of comprehensive experience and relentless commitment to the cultivation of our land, our products and our people. We are dedicated to improving agricultural productivity, safeguarding public health and making a positive contribution to the world around us. CORPORaTE InfORmaTIOn Executive Offices Operating Subsidiaries American Vanguard Corporation 4695 MacArthur Court Suite 1200 Newport Beach, CA 92660 (949) 260-1200 Domestic: AMVAC Chemical Corporation 4100 East Washington Blvd. Los Angeles, California 90023 International: AMVAC Netherlands B. V. Kokermolen 5 3994DG Houten The Netherlands Investor Relations William A. Kuser Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications (949) 260-1200 Independent Auditors BDO USA, LLP Los Angeles, California Annual Meeting The Annual Meeting of American Vanguard Corporation’s stockholders will be held at the Renaissance Long Beach Hotel located at 111 East Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, California 90802 on Wednesday, June 4, 2014 starting at 11:00 a.m. Stockholders of record at the close of business April 15, 2014 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 1200, Newport Beach, California 92660. ©2014 American Vanguard Corporation Proudly Made in the USA American Vanguard believes in contributing to a sustainable planet. This annual report is printed on recycled paper from responsibly managed sources. 

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