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Balchem

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FY2009 Annual Report · Balchem
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2009 Annual Report

52 Sunrise Park Road
New Hampton, NY 10958

Tel 845.326.5600
Toll free (in U.S.) 800.431.5641
Fax 845.326.5742

E-mail: bcp@balchem.com

www.balchem.com

 
 
 
C O M P A N Y   P R O F I L E
Founded in 1967, Balchem Corporation provides state-of-the-art solutions and the finest quality
products for a range of industries worldwide. The Company consists primarily of three business
segments: Food, Pharma and Nutrition; ARC Specialty Products; and Animal Nutrition and
Health. Balchem employs numerous technologies and over 300 people worldwide who are
engaged in the many diverse activities of developing the Company into a global market leader.

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S   2 0 0 9
Statement of Operations Data
(In thousands, except per share data)

Year Ended December 31,                                   2009                   2008                      2007                     2006                  2005

Net sales                                                       $219,438              $232,050              $176,201               $100,905             $83,095
Earnings before income tax expense                 40,602                  28,431                  24,829                  19,101               17,191
Income tax expense                                          13,817                    9,381                    8,711                    6,823                 6,237
Net earnings                                                     26,785                  19,050                  16,118                  12,278               10,954
Basic net earnings per common share*                 $.98                      $.71                      $.61                      $.47                   $.42
Diluted net earnings per common share*              $.93                      $.67                      $.58                      $.45                   $.41

Balance Sheet Data
(In thousands, except per share data)

At December 31,                                                 2009                     2008                     2007                     2006                  2005

Total assets                                                   $187,813              $154,474              $154,424               $  92,333             $75,141
Long-term debt (including current portion)          6,783                    9,531                  24,777                          —                       —
Other long-term obligations                                 1,825                    1,609                    1,529                       784                 1,043
Total stockholders’ equity                                147,143                114,506                  93,080                  75,362               60,933
Dividends per common share*                              $.11                      $.07                      $.07                      $.06                   $.04

Quarterly Stock Prices

                                                             2009                                                 2008                                                 2007

                                               High                    Low                      High                      Low                      High                    Low

1Q                                         $16.75                $12.60                  $15.56                  $12.70                  $12.37
2Q                                           16.95                  15.36                    17.63                    14.77                    12.78
3Q                                           18.50                  15.67                    19.67                    16.11                    14.17
4Q                                           22.86                  17.57                    17.91                    14.11                    16.00

$  9.39
11.43
10.40
13.44

*Earnings per share and dividend amounts have been adjusted for the December 2009, 2006 and 2005 three-for-two stock splits (effected by means of stock dividends).

Net Sales
dollars in millions

232.1

219.4

176.2

100.9

83.1

Net Earnings
dollars in millions

Stockholders’ Equity
dollars in millions

26.8 

147.1

19.1

16.1

12.3

11.0

114.5

93.1

75.4

60.9

’05

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’07

’08

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C O M P A N Y   P R O F I L E

Board of Directors

Corporate Officers

Dino A. Rossi
Chairman, President and 
Chief Executive Officer

Dino A. Rossi
Chairman, President and 
Chief Executive Officer

Kenneth P. Mitchell
Lead Director 
Retired, President and
Chief Executive Officer
Oakite Products, Inc.

Edward L. McMillan
Owns McMillan, LLC,
a transaction-consulting firm
Past President and Chief Executive
Officer of Purina Mills

Frank J. Fitzpatrick
Chief Financial Officer
Treasurer and Assistant Secretary

Matthew D. Houston
General Counsel 
Secretary

David F. Ludwig
Vice President/General Manager
ARC Specialty Products

Perry W. Premdas
Retired, Chief Financial Officer 
of Celanese AG

Paul H. Richardson
Vice President
Research & Development

Dr. John Y. Televantos 
Executive Vice President
Arsenal Capital Partners

Dr. Elaine R. Wedral
Retired, President of Nestle’s 
Research and Development, 
Food Service Systems

Headquarters
Balchem Corporation
52 Sunrise Park Road
New Hampton, NY 10958

Manufacturing Locations
Slate Hill, NY; Green Pond, SC;
Verona, MO; Channahon, IL; 
Salt Lake City, UT; St. Gabriel, LA; 
and Marano Ticino, Italy

Exchange
NASDAQ Global Market

Listed Security
BCPC Common Stock

Annual Report
For information relating to the
Annual Report please contact
Karin McCaffery at 845.326.5600.

Investor Relations
Jackie Powell
Virtual Business Solutions
864.486.8065

Transfer Agent
Registrar and Transfer Company
10 Commerce Drive
Cranford, NJ 07016

Corporate Counsel
Duane Morris LLP
470 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 500
Boston, MA 02210

Independent Accountants
McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
1185 Avenue of the Americas, 6th Fl.
New York, NY 10036

Website:
www.balchem.com

F o o d , p H A r m A

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Food,  Pharma  and  Nutrition
The  F,P&N  segment  is  one  of 
the  world’s  leading  providers  of
microencapsulated, granulated
and agglomerated ingredient solu-
tions.  Broadly  applied  across  a
spectrum of food, nutritional and
pharmaceutical markets, our tech-
nology  is  bringing  solutions  that
differentiate products for a variety
of applications.

Animal  Nutrition  and  Health
Our  ANH  segment  provides  the
animal  nutrition  market  with  spe-
cialty nutritional products derived 
from our encapsulation and chela-
tion  technologies,  predominantly
for dairy cows, to boost health and
milk production. It also manufac-
tures  and  markets  basic  choline
chloride–an  essential  nutrient  for
the  poultry  and  swine  industries.
Derivatives of choline chloride are
also  manufactured  and  sold  into
numerous industrial applications.

A R C  S p e c i a l t y P r o d u c t s
Through ARC Specialty Products,
Balchem provides select specialty-
packaged chemicals for use
by  contract  sterilizers  of  medical
devices in the healthcare industry.
In addition to drummed 100% eth-
ylene  oxide,  ARC  markets  ethyl-
ene oxide blends and propylene
oxide in two-way environmentally
safe containers.

1

T O   O U R   S H A R E H O L D E R S ,   C U S T O M E R S   A N D   A S S O C I AT E S :

2009 was  another  successful

year for Balchem. Despite
a very soft worldwide economy, we were
able to improve profitability, increase cash
flow, and produce record earnings.  We
remained focused on strategy and exe-
cution, both domestically and abroad. We
increased  penetration  in  several  global
markets, through domestic exports and
our European-based operations. The re-
sult was that international sales increased
to 34% of our total revenue in 2009. Prior
years’ investments in our global manufac-
turing  facilities,  along  with  aggressive
supply-chain management and the de-
cline of certain raw material costs, posi-
tively  impacted  our  bottom  line  and
enabled us to develop lower-cost solu-
tions for our customers. Leveraging our
cross-platform  technical  expertise,  we
continue to develop innovative products.
The development of new industrial appli-
cations for choline derivatives has allowed
us to enter new markets, while utilizing
existing manufacturing facilities. Although
our Animal Nutrition and Health segment
was negatively impacted by softness in
the U.S. dairy, swine and poultry markets,
we did see increases in the sales of our
chelated mineral and amino acid encap-
sulated products. Our global food busi-
ness  also  performed  well,  as  the  use 
of  choline  in  food  fortification  grew
through increased penetration into major 

consumer brands. Finally, we expanded
our  label-friendly  technology  within  our
food  group,  strengthening  our  role  as  a
wellness  provider.  We  continue  to  drive 
operating  efficiencies  and  leverage  our
technology base to develop new and inno-
vative products for customers worldwide.

Financial Results
Net earnings reached a record level for
2009,  despite  a  slight  decrease  from
record-setting  sales  in  2008.  For  fiscal
2009, sales were $219.4 million, down
5.4% from 2008 sales of $232.1 million.
Net earnings were a record $26.8 million,
up 40.6% from earnings of $19.1 million
in 2008. Diluted earnings per share was
$.93/share, an increase of  38.8%  over
$.67/share in 2008. Earnings per share
and  dividend  amounts  have  been 
adjusted for the December 2009  three-
for-two stock split (effected by means of
a stock dividend).

Our balance sheet ratios and cash flow
remain  excellent.  Free  cash  flow  in-
creased significantly, from $18 million in
2008 to $45 million in 2009. Cash on
hand  increased  to  $46.4  million  and
total debt was reduced to $6.8 million.
Although  we  did  not  complete  any
deals in 2009, acquisition continues to
be an integral part of our growth strat-
egy. Our strong balance sheet positions
us  well  to  aggressively  pursue new

strategic op-
p o r t u n i t i e s
that will com-
plement  our
existing busi-
nesses  and
technologies, and create synergies with
existing operations to drive sustainable
g ro w t h   w i t h   n e w   a n d   i n n o v a t i v e
products in new markets.

Sharpening our Strategy
We continually look for ways to refine our
business strategy, which includes staying
focused on improving our manufacturing
and supply-chain capabilities. Over the
past several years, capital investments in
infrastructure  at  all  of  our  plants  have
helped increase efficiencies across prod-
uct  lines.  Further  capital  investment  in
next-generation product lines will provide
added technology to our current portfo-
lio. This will increase ROI, positively im-
pacting  bottom-line  results. We  will
continue to benchmark comparative pro-
duction  facilities  as  we  are  always  fo-
cused on continuous improvement. Our
LEAN/Six Sigma initiatives, started sev-
eral  years  ago,  are  truly  becoming  in-
grained  in  our  culture,  resulting  in
significant cost reductions and operating
efficiencies. Supply-chain management
has also become a priority, as dictated
by fluctuations in raw material costs and
currency exchange rates. Finally, safety

I n 2009, the business community once again recognized us for our achievements and continued success.

We ranked number 62 on Fortune Magazine’s 100 Fastest Growing Companies. this ranking is based

on sales and earnings growth over the past three years. We also ranked number 64 on Forbes’ list of the

200 Best Small Companies, where membership is based on current and past performance, as well as the

potential for future growth. We are very proud to be included in these prestigious listings, as these are a 

direct result of the dedication, commitment and hard work of everyone in our organization.

2

continues to be at the forefront of our op-
erational philosophy, as once again our
Total Recordable Case Rate (TRCR) re-
mained at world-class levels.  

Collaborative Efforts to 
Speed Innovation
In 2009, we increased our commitment
to  research  and  development  by  15%
over  2008  levels.  Our  emphasis  on
strong and innovative R&D has made us
the market leader in the industries we
serve. The combined efforts of our U.S.
and  European  teams  have  produced
new and innovative breakthrough appli-
cations and technologies, positioning us
for further commercial success in new
and  existing  markets.  In  our  Animal 
Nutrition  and  Health  business,  the 
positive  response  to  the  launch  of
AminoShure™-L, last year, has fueled the
development of new amino acid encap-
sulates for ruminant production in dairy
cows. In our Food, Pharma and Nutri-
tion business, we continue to develop
new  and  innovative  uses  for  choline,
specifically in food fortification and new
products for preservation, flavoring and
sodium  reduction.  We  have  further
leveraged  our  proprietary  smooth  dis-
solve  granulation  technology  into  new
products, supported by multiple patent
filings in 2009. Our encapsulation "clean
label" technology, along with food forti-
fication solutions, has strengthened our

position as a wellness provider. Further-
more, as a market leader providing high-
quality  products,  we  have  continually
upgraded  our quality systems, support-
ing our customers to be compliant with
new  FDA  dietary  supplement  guide-
lines. We are committed to continue de-
veloping new concepts and products for
both  human  and  animal  nutrition,  im-
proving operational efficiencies to pro-
vide 
innovative  and  cost-effective
solutions for our customers.

Expanding our Global Reach
As Balchem grows its markets and oper-
ations globally, we also seek to broaden
the scope of our enhanced technology
applications.  By  leveraging  proprietary
technologies, collaborative R&D efforts,
and  our  overseas  manufacturing  and
marketing  operations,  we  continue  to
drive new and organic growth through in-
novative products and low-cost solutions
for our customers.

ARC Specialty Products performed well
the past year, with increased earnings on
relatively flat sales compared to the prior
year. As the North American leader in the
repackaging and distribution of Ethylene
Oxide, used primarily in the sterilization of
medical devices, this business continues
to operate on sound fundamentals. An
aging demographic helped offset nega-
tive economic conditions, and we feel the

maturing  baby  boomer  population  will
positively impact future growth. We are
also conducting trials with major fruit and
grocery companies, examining the use of
a new technology for controlled delivery
of ethylene used for fruit ripening. Lever-
aging  our  knowledge  of  the  packaging
and delivery of gasses, combined with li-
cencing innovative release technology, this
new application could improve quality and
reduce  handling  costs  in  the  transit  of
fresh fruit to market.

Total revenue in our Animal Nutrition and
Health segment declined slightly in 2009.
This was primarily due to lower demand
as a result of soft economic conditions,
specifically in the dairy and swine end-use
markets.  However,  lower  raw  material
costs and improved production efficien-
cies  enabled  this  segment  to  reach
record levels of profitability.  Sales of spe-
cialty encapsulated and chelated mineral
products, buoyed by the first full year of
AminoShure, were up 3% from last year.
We continue to focus on specialty prod-
ucts and technologies to drive profitable
and  sustainable  growth,  while  further
strengthening  our  position  as  a  global
leader in animal health.

The economic downturn impacted the
global choline market, as sales of our
choline  chloride  products  declined,
both domestically and overseas, from

We continue to drive 

operating efficiencies and

leverage our technology

base to develop new and

innovative products for

customers worldwide.

3

previous year levels. Sales of industrial
choline derivative products did rebound
at the end of the year, primarily due to
the development of specialized indus-
trial applications and our ability to pen-
etrate  new  international  markets.  We
have  benefited  from  internal  bench-
marking  of  our  production  facilities  in
North America and Italy, and continue
to look for ways to increase production
and drive efficiencies.

Sales in our Food, Pharma and Nutrition
segment were basically flat in 2009, pri-
marily  due  to  the  worldwide  economy
and  particular  softness  in  the  supple-
ment and OTC markets, which impacted
sales of calcium and choline products.
Despite  flatness  in  this  segment  as  a
whole, the Food sector had an excellent
year, delivering double-digit growth and
exceeding budget expectations. We saw
solid  growth  in  our  food  preservation
products,  adding  value  through  ex-
tended shelf life and optimizing manu-
facturing efficiencies. Our human-grade
choline continues to play an important
role in food fortification, and we made
significant  penetration 
into  mainline 
consumer  food  brands.  Through  the 

addition  of  two  European  distributors,
we leveraged our successful domestic
food business and gained market share
in Europe. Our Vitashure nutritional en-
hancement  products  saw  double-digit
growth, due to their ability to meet con-
sumer  demand  for  label-friendly,  trans
fat-free products. We remain committed
to pursuing pharma applications for our
products and technology, and last year,
a customer began a clinical trial to con-
firm if their product, utilizing our propri-
etary  encapsulation  technology,  would
be  effective  as  a  treatment  for  certain
symptoms of autism. We will remain fo-
cused, as a wellness provider, leveraging
new  and  existing  technologies  to  de-
velop new applications for our products
in order to gain market share.

Building on our Strengths
Last  year,  we  encountered  many  chal-
lenges, and we expect uncertainty in the
global  economy  to  continue  in  2010.
However,  we  are  well  positioned  as  a
company  to  meet  these  challenges
head-on.  Infrastructure  capital  invest-
ments, the benchmarking of production
facilities, ongoing quality initiatives, and
aggressive supply-chain management all

have  helped  to  increase  efficiencies
within our organization. We will continue
to  successfully  execute  our  core  busi-
ness  strategy,  drive  sustainable  long-
term  growth  through  innovation,  and
maintain  constant  focus  on  operating
margins. New product development, as
well as new applications and markets for
these products, will drive organic growth
in  the  years  ahead.  We  will  focus  on
growing markets abroad, as these areas
represent significant opportunity for fu-
ture growth. Finally, our strong financial
position will allow us to pursue strategic
acquisitions, focusing on complementary
businesses, technologies and operating
synergies. I would like to thank our Board
of Directors, employees, customers and
shareholders  for  all  their  hard  work, 
dedication and support. 

Sincerely,

Dino A. Rossi
Chairman, President and 
Chief Executive Officer

over the past several years, capital

investments in infrastructure at all

of our plants have helped increase

efficiencies across product lines.  

4

UNITED STATES  
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION  
Washington, D.C. 20549  

FORM 10-K  

(Mark One)  

 ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES 

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

 TRANSITION  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  13  OR  15(d)  OF  THE  SECURITIES 

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 
OR  

For the transition period from _______ to _____ . 

Commission file number: 1-13648  

Balchem Corporation 

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)  

Maryland  
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 

13-2578432  
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) 

52 Sunrise Park Road, New Hampton, NY 10958  
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)  
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (845) 326-5600  

Title of each class 
Common Stock, par value $.06-2/3 per share 

  Name of each exchange on which registered 
  Nasdaq Global Market  

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  

None  

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. 
Yes  No 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the 
Act. Yes  No 

Indicate  by  check  mark  whether  the  Registrant  (1)  has  filed  all  reports  required  to  be  filed  by  Section  13  or  15(d)  of  the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the Registrant was required to 
file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  No   

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and 
will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by 
reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.   

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a 
smaller  reporting  company.  See  the  definitions  of  “large  accelerated  filer,”  “accelerated  filer”  and  “smaller  reporting 
company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  

(Check one): 



Non-accelerated filer 

Large accelerated filer 
 

Accelerated filer 


Smaller reporting company



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  
Yes  No 

The aggregate market value of the common stock issued and outstanding and held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, based 
upon  the  closing  price  for  the  common  stock  on  the  NASDAQ  Global  Market  on  June  30,  2009  was  approximately 
$443,346,000. For purposes of this calculation, shares of the Registrant held by directors and officers of the Registrant and 
under the Registrant's 401(k)/profit sharing plan have been excluded.  

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's common stock was 28,174,224 as of March 3, 2010.  

Selected  portions  of  the  Registrant’s  proxy  statement  for  its  2010  Annual  Meeting  of  Stockholders  (the  “2010  Proxy 
Statement”)  to  be  filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  pursuant  to  Regulation  14A  within  120  days  after 
Registrant’s fiscal year-end of December 31, 2009 are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Report.   

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE  

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of 
Section  21E  of  the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934,  as  amended.    Forward-looking  statements  are  not 
statements of historical facts, but rather reflect our current expectations or beliefs concerning future events 
and  results.  We  generally  use  the  words  "believes,"  "expects,"  "intends,"  "plans,"  "anticipates,"  "likely," 
"will"  and  similar  expressions  to  identify  forward-looking  statements.  Such  forward-looking  statements, 
including those concerning our expectations, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which 
are  beyond  our  control,  which  may  cause  our  actual  results,  performance  or  achievements,  or  industry 
results,  to  be  materially  different  from  any  future  results,  performance  or  achievements  expressed  or 
implied  by  such  forward-looking  statements.  The  risks,  uncertainties  and  factors  that  could  cause  our 
results to differ materially from our expectations and beliefs include, but are not limited to, those factors set 
forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K under "Item 1A. - Risk Factors" below, including the following: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

changes in laws or regulations affecting our operations; 

changes in our business tactics or strategies; 

acquisitions of new or complementary operations; 

sales of any of our existing operations; 

changing market forces or contingencies that necessitate, in our judgment, changes in our 
plans, strategy or tactics; and 

fluctuations in the investment markets or interest rates, which might materially affect our 
operations or financial condition. 

We  cannot  assure  you  that  the  expectations  or  beliefs  reflected  in  these  forward-looking 
statements will prove correct. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking 
statements,  whether  as  a  result  of  new  information,  future  events  or  otherwise.  You  are  cautioned  not  to 
unduly rely on such forward-looking statements when evaluating the information presented in this Annual 
Report  on  Form  10-K  and  all  subsequent  written  and  oral  forward-looking  statements  made  by  us  or 
persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained 
herein. 

PART I 

Item 1. Business 

General: 

Balchem  Corporation  (“Balchem,”  the  “Company,”  “we”  or  “us”),  incorporated  in  the  State  of 
Maryland  in  1967,  is  engaged  in  the  development,  manufacture  and  marketing  of  specialty  performance 
ingredients and products for the food, nutritional, feed, pharmaceutical and medical sterilization industries.  
Our reportable segments are strategic businesses that offer products and services to different markets. We 
presently  have  three  reportable  segments:  Specialty  Products;  Food,  Pharma  &  Nutrition;  and  Animal 
Nutrition & Health. 

The  Company  sells  its  products  through  its  own  sales  force,  independent  distributors  and  sales 
agents.    Financial  information  concerning  the  Company's  business,  business  segments  and  geographic 
information appears in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8 below, 
which information is incorporated herein by reference. 

The  Company  operates  four  domestic  subsidiaries,  all  of  which  are  wholly-owned:  BCP 
Ingredients,  Inc.  (“BCP”),  Balchem  Minerals  Corporation  (“BMC”),  BCP  Saint  Gabriel,  Inc.  (“BCP  St. 
Gabriel”), each a Delaware corporation, and Chelated Minerals Corporation (“CMC”), a Utah corporation.  
We also operate three wholly-owned subsidiaries in Europe:  Balchem BV and Balchem Trading BV, both 

  1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dutch  limited  liability  companies,  and  Balchem  Italia  Srl,  an  Italian  limited  liability  company.    Unless 
otherwise stated to the contrary, or unless the context otherwise requires, references to the Company in this 
report includes Balchem Corporation and its subsidiaries. 

Food, Pharma & Nutrition  

The Food, Pharma & Nutrition (“FP&N”) segment provides microencapsulation, granulation and 
agglomeration solutions to a variety of applications in food, pharmaceutical and nutritional ingredients to 
enhance performance of nutritional fortification, processing, mixing, and packaging applications and shelf-
life.  Major product applications are baked goods, refrigerated and frozen dough systems, processed meats, 
seasoning blends, confections, and nutritional supplements. We also market human grade choline nutrient 
products  through  this  segment  for  wellness  applications.  Choline  is  recognized  to  play  a  key  role  in  the 
development and structural integrity of brain cell membranes in infants, processing dietary fat, reproductive 
development and neural functions, such as memory and muscle function. The FP&N portfolio also includes 
granulated  calcium  carbonate  products,  primarily  used  in,  or  in  conjunction  with,  novel  over-the-counter 
and  prescription  pharmaceuticals  for  the  treatment  of  osteoporosis,  gastric  disorders  and  calcium 
deficiencies in the United States.  

Specialty Products 

Our Specialty Products segment operates in industry as ARC Specialty Products. 

Ethylene  oxide,  at  the  100% level,  is  sold  as  a sterilant  gas,  primarily  for  use  in  the health  care 
industry. It is used to sterilize a wide range of medical devices because of its versatility and effectiveness in 
treating hard or soft surfaces, composites, metals, tubing and different types of plastics without negatively 
impacting the performance of the device being sterilized. Our 100% ethylene oxide product is distributed in 
uniquely  designed,  recyclable,  double-walled,  stainless  steel  drums  to  assure  compliance  with  safety, 
quality and environmental standards as outlined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") 
and the U.S. Department of Transportation.  Our inventory of these specially built drums, along with our 
two  filling  facilities,  represents  a  significant  capital  investment.  Contract  sterilizers,  medical  device 
manufacturers,  and  medical  gas  distributors  are  our  principal  customers  for  this  product.  In  addition,  we 
also  sell  single  use  canisters  with  100%  ethylene  oxide  for  use  in  medical  device  sterilization.  As  a 
fumigant,  ethylene  oxide  blends  are  highly  effective  in  killing  bacteria,  fungi,  and  insects  in  spices  and 
other seasoning materials.  

We  also  sell  propylene  oxide  principally  to  customers  seeking  smaller  (as  opposed  to  bulk) 
quantities  and  whose  requirements  include  timely  delivery  and  safe  handling.  Propylene  oxide  uses  can 
include  fumigation  in  spice  treatment,  various  chemical  synthesis  applications,  to  make  paints  more 
durable, and for manufacturing specialty starches and textile coatings. 

Animal Nutrition & Health 

Our  Animal  Nutrition  &  Health  (“AN&H”)  segment  provides  the  animal  nutrition  market  with 
nutritional products derived from our encapsulation and chelation technologies in addition to basic choline 
chloride.  Commercial sales of REASHURE® Choline, an encapsulated choline product, NITROSHURETM, 
an  encapsulated  urea  supplement,  and  NIASHURETM,  our  microencapsulated  niacin  product  for  dairy 
cows,  boosts  health  and  milk  production  in  transition  and  lactating  dairy  cows,  delivering  nutrient 
supplements that survive the rumen and are biologically available, providing required nutritional levels. We 
also market chelated mineral supplements for use in animal feed throughout the world, as our proprietary 
chelation  technology  provides  enhanced  nutrient  absorption  for  various  species  of  production  and 
companion  animals.    In  2008,  we  introduced  the  first  proven  rumen-protected  lysine  for  use  in  dairy 
rations, AMINOSHURETM-L, which gives nutritionists and dairy producers a precise and consistent source 
of  rumen-protected  lysine.  AN&H  also  manufactures  and  supplies  basic  choline  chloride,  an  essential 
nutrient  for  animal  health,  predominantly  to  the  poultry  and  swine  industries.  Choline,  which  is 
manufactured and sold in both dry and aqueous forms, plays a vital role in the metabolism of fat. Choline 
deficiency can result in reduced growth and perosis in poultry; fatty liver, kidney necrosis and general poor 

  2 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
health  condition  in  swine.  Certain  derivatives  of  choline  chloride  are  also  manufactured  and  sold  into 
industrial  applications.  The  AN&H  segment  also  includes  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  methylamines. 
Methylamines are a primary building block for the manufacture of choline products and are also used in a 
wide range of industrial applications. 

Raw Materials 

The  raw  materials  utilized  by  the  Company  in  the  manufacture  of  its  products  are  generally 
available  from  a  number  of  commercial  sources.  Such  raw  materials  include  materials  derived  from 
petrochemicals,  minerals,  metals  and  other  readily  available  commodities  and  are  subject  to  price 
fluctuations  due  to  market  conditions.  The  Company  is  not  experiencing  any  current  difficulties  in 
procuring such materials and does not anticipate any such problems; however, the Company cannot assure 
that will always be the case. 

Intellectual Property 

The Company currently holds 17 patents in the United States and overseas and uses certain trade-
names and trademarks.  It also uses know-how, trade secrets, formulae, and manufacturing techniques that 
assist  in  maintaining  competitive  positions  of  certain  of  its  products.    Formulae  and  know-how  are  of 
particular importance in the manufacture of a number of the Company’s products. The Company believes 
that certain of its patents, in the aggregate, are advantageous to its business. However, it is believed that no 
single  patent  or  related  group  of  patents  is  currently  so  material  to  the  Company  that  the  expiration  or 
termination of any single patent or group of patents would materially affect its business. Our U.S. patents 
will  expire  between  2011  and  2024.  The  Company  believes  that  its  sales  and  competitive  position  are 
dependent primarily upon the quality of its products, its technical sales efforts and market conditions, rather 
than on any patent protection.  

Seasonality 

In general, the businesses of our segments are not seasonal to any material extent. 

Backlog 

At December 31, 2009, the Company had a total backlog of $6,525,000 (including $4,100,000 for 
the AN&H segment; $1,622,000 for the FP&N segment and $803,000 for Specialty Products segment), as 
compared  to  a  total  backlog  of  $6,384,000  at  December  31,  2008  (including  $4,434,000  for  the  AN&H 
segment; $1,280,000 for the FP&N segment and $670,000 for Specialty Products segment). It has generally 
been the Company’s policy and practice to maintain an inventory of finished products and/or component 
materials for its segments to enable it to ship products within two months after receipt of a product order. 
All orders in the current backlog are expected to be filled in the 2010 fiscal year. 

  Competition 

The Company’s competitors include many large and small companies, some of which have greater 
financial, research and development, production and other resources than the Company. Competition in the 
encapsulation  markets  served  by  the  Company  is  based  primarily  on  product  performance,  customer 
support,  quality,  service  and  price.    The  development  of  new  and  improved  products  is  important  to  the 
Company’s  success.  This  competitive  environment  requires  substantial  investments  in  product  and 
manufacturing  process  research  and  development.  In  addition,  the  winning  and  retention  of  customer 
acceptance of the Company’s food and nutrition products involve substantial expenditures for application 
testing and sales efforts. The Company also engages various universities to assist in research and provide 
independent  third-party  analysis.  Our  competition  in  this  market  includes  a  variety  of  ingredient  and 
nutritional supplement companies many of which are privately-held.  Therefore, we are unable to assess the 
size of all of our competitors or where we rank in comparison to such privately-held competitors. 

  3 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In  the  specialty  products  business,  the  Company  faces  competition  from  alternative  sterilizing 
technologies  and  products.  Competition  in  this  marketplace  is  based  primarily  on  product  performance, 
customer  support,  quality,  service  and  price.  Our  competition  in  this  market  includes  sterilization 
companies a number of which are privately-held.  Therefore, we are unable to assess the size of all of our 
competitors or where we rank in comparison to such privately-held competitors. 

Competition in the animal feed markets served by the Company is based primarily on service and 
price.  The markets for our products are subject to competitive risks because these markets are highly price 
competitive. Our global competitors have competed in the past by lowering prices on certain products. If 
they  do  so  again,  we  may  be  forced  to  respond  by  lowering  our  prices.  This  would  reduce  sales  and 
possibly profits. Our competition in this market includes a variety of animal nutrition and health ingredient 
and nutritional companies many of which are privately-held.  Therefore, we are unable to assess the size of 
all of our competitors or where we rank in comparison to such privately-held competitors. 

Research & Development 

During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company incurred research and 
development  expense  of  approximately  $3.3  million,  $2.9  million  and  $2.5  million,  respectively,  on 
Company-sponsored  research  and  development  for  new  products  and  improvements  to  existing  products 
and  manufacturing  processes,  principally  in  the  FP&N  and  AN&H    segments.    During  the  year  ended 
December  31,  2009,  an  average  of  17  employees  were  devoted  full  time  to  research  and  development 
activities.  The  Company  has  historically  funded  its  research  and  development  programs  with  funds 
available from current operations with the intent of recovering those costs from profits derived from future 
sales of products resulting from, or enhanced by, the research and development effort. 

The Company prioritizes its product development activities in an effort to allocate its resources to 
those  product  candidates  that  the  Company  believes  have  the  greatest  commercial  potential.    Factors 
considered  by  the  Company  in  determining  the  products  to  pursue  include  projected  markets  and  needs, 
status of its proprietary rights, technical feasibility, expected and known product attributes, and estimated 
costs to bring the product to market.  

Acquisitions, Dispositions, and Capital Projects 

In 2007, we made two significant acquisitions. 

In  April  2007,  pursuant  to  an  asset  purchase  agreement  dated  March  30,  2007,  we  acquired  the 
methylamines and choline chloride business and manufacturing facilities of Akzo Nobel Chemicals S.p.A., 
located in Marano Ticino, Italy, through our affiliate, Balchem BV.  Balchem BV subsequently assigned 
this asset purchase agreement to its wholly-owned subsidiary, Balchem Italia Srl. In this Annual Report on 
Form 10-K, we refer to this acquisition as the “Akzo Nobel Acquisition”.  

In March 2007, BCP acquired certain choline chloride business assets of Chinook Global Limited 
("Chinook"),  a  privately  held  Ontario  corporation.  In  this Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K,  we  refer  to  this 
acquisition as the “Chinook Acquisition”.  

Capital  expenditures  were  approximately  $3.4  million  for  2009,  as  compared  to  $5.1  million  in 

2008.  Capital expenditures are projected to range from $7.5 million to $8.5 million for 2010. 

Environmental / Regulatory Matters 

The  Federal  Insecticide,  Fungicide  and  Rodenticide  Act,  as  amended  (“FIFRA”),  a  health  and 
safety statute, requires that certain products within our specialty products segment must be registered with 
the  EPA  because  they  are  considered  pesticides.  In  order  to  obtain  a  registration,  an  applicant  typically 
must demonstrate, through extensive test data, that its product will not cause unreasonable adverse effects 
on the environment. We hold an EPA registration permitting us to sell ethylene oxide as a medical device 
sterilant and spice fumigant.  

  4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We are in the process of reregistering this product’s use in compliance with FIFRA re-registration 
requirements for pesticide products.  With respect to the treatment of spices, the EPA prohibited the use of 
ethylene oxide to treat basil, effective August 1, 2007, but allows the continuing use of ethylene oxide to 
treat  all  other  spices,  provided  a  mandated  treatment  method  is  used  beginning  August  1,  2008.  During 
2009, the EPA mandated that a toxicity study be performed on ethylene chlorohydrins, which is a “residue 
of concern”, according to the EPA. This study is being financed by an industry trade association of which 
we are a member. The study is not expected to be completed until late 2011 or 2012. At this time, we do 
not anticipate there will be a further impact on the use of ethylene oxide to treat spices. 

Another area of the EPA’s re-registration effort resulted in the April 16, 2008 issuance of the RED 
(Re-registration Eligibility Decision) for ethylene oxide which permits the continued use of ethylene oxide 
“to  sterilize  medical  or  laboratory  equipment,  pharmaceuticals,  and  aseptic  packaging,  or  to  reduce 
microbial load on musical instruments, cosmetics, whole and ground spices and other seasoning materials 
and  artifacts,  archival  material  or  library  objects.”   Given  that  “the  database  to  support  re-registration  is 
substantially complete,” our re-registration effort is similarly substantially completed, which will continue 
to authorize our ethylene oxide product sales for medical device sterilization.  While the EPA may request 
additional  testing,  we  believe  that  the  use  of  ethylene  oxide  will  continue  to  be  permitted.  The  product, 
when  used  as  a  sterilant  for  certain  medical  devices,  has  no  known  equally  effective  substitute. 
Management  believes  absence  of  availability  of  this  product  could  not  be  easily  tolerated  by  various 
medical device manufacturers and the health care industry due to the resultant infection potential. 

The  State  of  California  lists  100%  ethylene  oxide,  when  used  as  a  sterilant  or  fumigant,  as  a 
carcinogen  and  reproductive  toxin  under  California's  Proposition  65  (Safe  Drinking  Water  and  Toxic 
Enforcement  Act  of  1986).  As  a  result,  the  Company  is  required  to  provide  a  prescribed  warning  to  any 
person in California who may be exposed to this product. Failure to provide such warning would result in 
liability of up to $2,500 per day per person exposed. 

The Company’s facility in Verona, Missouri, while held by a prior owner, was designated by the 
EPA  as  a  Superfund  site  and  placed  on  the  National  Priorities  List  in  1983,  because  of  dioxin 
contamination on portions of the site.  Remediation conducted by the prior owner under the oversight of the 
EPA  and  the  Missouri  Department  of  Natural  Resources  (“MDNR”)  included  removal  of  dioxin 
contaminated soil and equipment, capping of areas of residual contamination in four relatively small areas 
of the site separate from the manufacturing facilities, and the installation of wells to monitor groundwater 
and  surface  water  for  contamination  for  certain  organic  chemicals.   No  ground  water  or  surface  water 
treatment  has  been  required.   In  1998,  the  EPA  certified  the  work  on  the  contaminated  soils  to  be 
complete.   In  February  2000,  after  the  conclusion  of  two  years  of  monitoring  groundwater  and  surface 
water,  the  former  owner  submitted  a  draft  third  party  risk  assessment  report  to  the  EPA  and  MDNR 
recommending no further action. The prior owner is awaiting the response of the EPA and MDNR to the 
draft risk assessment. 

While the Company must maintain the integrity of the capped areas in the remediation areas on the 
site,  the  prior  owner  is  responsible  for  completion  of  any  further  Superfund  remedy.    The  Company  is 
indemnified  by  the  sellers  under  its  May  2001  asset  purchase  agreement  covering  its  acquisition  of  the 
Verona facility for potential liabilities associated with the Superfund site and one of the sellers, in turn, has 
the  benefit  of  certain  contractual  indemnification  by  the  prior  owner  that  executed  the  above-described 
Superfund remedy. 

In connection with normal operations at its plant facilities, the Company is required to maintain 

environmental and other permits, including those relating to the ethylene oxide operations.  

The  Company  believes  it  is  in  compliance  in  all  material  respects  with  federal,  state,  local  and 
international  provisions  that  have  been  enacted  or  adopted  regulating  the  discharge  of  materials  into  the 
environment  or  otherwise  relating  to  the  protection  of  the  environment.  Such  compliance  includes  the 
maintenance of required permits under air pollution regulations and compliance with requirements of the 
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The cost of such compliance has not had a material effect 
upon the results of operations or financial condition of the Company. In 1982, the Company discovered and 

  5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
thereafter removed a number of buried drums containing unidentified waste material from the Company’s 
site in Slate Hill, New York. The Company thereafter entered into a Consent Decree to evaluate the drum 
site  with  the  New  York  Department  of  Environmental  Conservation  (“NYDEC”)  and  performed  a 
Remedial  Investigation/Feasibility  Study  that  was  approved  by  NYDEC  in  February  1994.  Based  on 
NYDEC requirements, the Company remediated the area and removed soil from the drum burial site. This 
proceeding has been substantially completed (see Item 3). 

The  Channahon,  Illinois  manufacturing  facility  manufactures  a  calcium  carbonate  line  of 
pharmaceutical  grade  ingredients.    This  facility  is  registered  with  the  United  States  Food  and  Drug 
Administration  (“FDA”)  as  a  drug  manufacturing  facility.   These  products  must  be  manufactured  in 
conformity with current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations as interpreted and enforced by 
the  FDA.   Modifications,  enhancements  or  changes  in  manufacturing  facilities  or  procedures  of  our 
pharmaceutical products are, in many circumstances, subject to FDA approval, which may be subject to a 
lengthy application process or which we may be unable to obtain. The Channahon, Illinois facility, as well 
as those of any third-party cGMP manufacturers that we may use, are periodically subject to inspection by 
the FDA and other governmental agencies, and operations at these facilities could be interrupted or halted if 
the results of these inspections are unsatisfactory. 

Employees 

As  of  March  1,  2010,  the  Company  employed  approximately  337  persons.    Approximately  75 
employees at our Marano, Ticino, Italy facility are covered by a national collective bargaining agreement, 
which  expires  in  2010.  Approximately  51  employees  at  the  Company’s  Verona,  Missouri  facility  are 
covered by a collective bargaining agreement, which expires in 2012.   

Available Information 

The Company’s headquarters is located at 52 Sunrise Park Road, New Hampton, NY 10958.  The 
Company’s  telephone  number  is  (845)  326-5600  and  its  Internet  website  address  is  www.balchem.com. 
The  Company  makes  available  through  its  website,  free  of  charge,  its  Annual  Reports  on  Form  10-K, 
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to such reports, as 
soon as reasonably practicable after they have been electronically filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission.  Such reports are available via a link from the Investor Information page on the Company’s 
website to a list of the Company’s reports on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s EDGAR website.  

Item 1A. Risk Factors 

Our  business  involves  a  high  degree  of  risk  and  uncertainty,  including  the  following  risks  and 

uncertainties: 

Our operating results may be adversely impacted by macro-economic uncertainties and fears.  

Recently, general worldwide economic conditions have experienced a significant downturn due to 
the credit conditions impacted by factors such as the subprime-mortgage turmoil, slower economic activity, 
concerns  about  inflation  and  deflation,  decreased  consumer  confidence,  reduced  corporate  profits  and 
capital  spending,  adverse  business  conditions  and  liquidity  and  the  impact  of  natural  disasters.  These 
conditions make it extremely difficult for our customers, our vendors and us to accurately forecast and plan 
future  business  activities,  and  they  could  cause  U.S.  and  foreign  businesses  to  slow  spending  on  our 
products  which  would  reduce  our  revenues  and  profitability.  Furthermore,  during  challenging  economic 
times  our  customers  may  face  issues  gaining  timely  access  to  sufficient  credit,  which  could  result  in  an 
impairment  of  their  ability  to  make  timely  payments  to  us.  If  that  were  to  occur,  we  may  be  required  to 
increase our allowance for doubtful accounts and our days sales outstanding would be negatively impacted. 
We  cannot  predict  the  timing,  depth  or  duration  of  any  economic  slowdown  or  subsequent  economic 
recovery, worldwide, or in the markets in which we operate.  

  6 

 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Increased competition could hurt our business and financial results. 

We face competition in our markets from a number of large and small companies, some of which 
have  greater  financial,  research  and  development,  production  and  other  resources  than  we  do.  Our 
competitive  position  is  based  principally  on  performance,  quality,  customer  support,  service,  breadth  of 
product  line,  manufacturing  or  packaging  technology  and  the  selling  prices  of  our  products.  Our 
competitors might be expected to improve the design and performance of their products and to introduce 
new products with competitive price and performance characteristics. We expect to do the same to maintain 
our current competitive position and market share.  

The loss of governmental permits and approvals would materially harm some of our businesses. 

Pursuant  to  applicable  environmental  and  safety  laws  and  regulations,  we  are  required to  obtain 
and maintain certain governmental permits and approvals, including an EPA registration for our ethylene 
oxide sterilant product. We maintain an EPA registration of ethylene oxide as a medical device sterilant and 
fumicide. We are in the process of re-registering this product in accordance with FIFRA.  The EPA may 
not allow re-registration of ethylene oxide for the uses mentioned above.  The failure of the EPA to allow 
re-registration of ethylene oxide would have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. 

The  Channahon,  Illinois  facility  manufactures  a  calcium  carbonate  line  of  pharmaceutical 
ingredients.  This facility is registered with the FDA as a drug manufacturing facility.  These products must 
be  manufactured  in  conformity  with  cGMP  regulations  as  interpreted  and  enforced  by  the  FDA.  
Modifications,  enhancements  or  changes  in  manufacturing  facilities  or  procedures  of  our  pharmaceutical 
products  are,  in  many  circumstances,  subject  to  FDA  approval,  which  may  be  subject  to  a  lengthy 
application process or which we may be unable to obtain. Our Channahon, Illinois facility, as well as those 
of any third-party cGMP manufacturers that we may use, are periodically subject to inspection by the FDA 
and  other  governmental  agencies,  and  operations  at  these  facilities  could  be  interrupted  or  halted  if  the 
results  of  these  inspections  are  unsatisfactory.    Failure  to  comply  with  the  FDA  or  other  governmental 
regulations can result in fines, unanticipated compliance expenditures, recall or seizure of products, total or 
partial  suspension  of  production,  enforcement  actions,  injunctions  and  criminal  prosecution,  which  could 
have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. 

Permits  and  approvals  may  be  subject  to  revocation,  modification  or  denial  under  certain 
circumstances.  Our operations  or  activities  (including  the  status  of  compliance  by  the  prior  owner  of  the 
Verona,  Missouri  facility  under  Superfund  remediation)  could  result  in  administrative  or  private  actions, 
revocation  of  required  permits  or  licenses,  or  fines,  penalties  or  damages,  which  could  have  an  adverse 
effect on us. In addition, we cannot predict the extent to which any legislation or regulation may affect the 
market for our products or our cost of doing business. 

Raw  material  shortages  or  price  increases  could  adversely  affect  our  business  and  financial 

results. 

The principal raw materials that we use in the manufacture of our products can be subject to price 
fluctuations due to market conditions. Such raw materials include materials derived from petrochemicals, 
minerals,  metals  and  other  commodities.  While  the  selling  prices  of  our  products  tend  to  increase  or 
decrease over time with the  cost of raw materials, these changes may  not occur simultaneously or to the 
same degree. At times, we may be unable to pass increases in raw material costs through to our customers 
due to certain contractual obligations. Such increases in the price of raw materials, if not offset by product 
price increases, or substitute raw materials, would have an adverse impact on our profitability. We believe 
we  have  reliable  sources  of  supply  for  our  raw  materials  under  normal  market  conditions.  We  cannot, 
however, predict the likelihood or impact of any future raw material shortages. Any shortages could have a 
material adverse impact on our results of operations. 

  7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Our  financial  success  depends  in  part  on  the  reliability  and  sufficiency  of  our  manufacturing 

facilities. 

Our revenues depend on the effective operation of our manufacturing, packaging, and processing 
facilities.  The  operation  of  our  facilities  involves  risks,  including  the  breakdown,  failure,  or  substandard 
performance of equipment, power outages, the improper installation or operation of equipment, explosions, 
fires, natural disasters, failure to achieve or maintain safety or quality standards, work stoppages, supply or 
logistical  outages,  and  the  need  to  comply  with  environmental  and  other  directives  of  governmental 
agencies. The occurrence of material operational problems, including, but not limited to, the above events, 
could adversely affect our profitability during the period of such operational difficulties. 

Our business exposes us to potential product liability claims and recalls, which could adversely 

impact our financial condition and performance. 

Our  development,  manufacture  and  sales  of  food  ingredient,  pharmaceutical  and  nutritional 
supplement  products  involve  an  inherent  risk  of  exposure  to  product  liability  claims,  product  recalls, 
product seizures and related adverse publicity. A product liability judgment against us could also result in 
substantial  and  unexpected  expenditures,  affect  consumer  confidence  in  our  products,  and  divert 
management’s  attention  from  other  responsibilities.  Although  we  maintain  product  liability  insurance 
coverage in amounts customary within the industry, there can be no assurance that this level of coverage is 
adequate  or  that  we  will  be  able  to  continue  to  maintain  our  existing  insurance  or  obtain  comparable 
insurance at a reasonable cost, if at all.  A product recall or a partially or completely uninsured judgment 
against us could have a material adverse effect on results of operations and financial condition. 

We  face  risks  associated  with  our  sales  to  customers  and  manufacturing  operations  outside  the 

United States. 

For  the  year  ended  December  31,  2009,  approximately  34%  of  our  net  sales  consisted  of  sales 
outside  the  United  States.    In  addition,  we  conduct  a  portion  of  our  manufacturing  outside  the  United 
States. International sales are subject to inherent risks. The majority of our foreign sales occur through our 
foreign  subsidiaries  and  the  remainder  of  our  foreign  sales  result  from  exports  to  foreign  distributors, 
resellers and customers. Our foreign sales and operations are subject to a number of risks, including: longer 
accounts  receivable  collection  periods;  the  impact  of  recessions  and  other  economic  conditions  in 
economies  outside  the  United  States;  export  duties  and  quotas;  unexpected  changes  in  regulatory 
requirements;  certification  requirements;  environmental  regulations;  reduced  protection  for  intellectual 
property rights in some countries; potentially adverse tax consequences; political and economic instability; 
and preference for locally produced products. These factors could have a material adverse impact on our 
ability to increase or maintain our international sales.  

 We may, from time to time, experience problems in our labor relations. 

In North America, approximately 51 employees, or 20% of our North American workforce, as of 
December  31,  2009,  are  represented  by  a  union  under  a  single  collective  bargaining  agreement.    This 
agreement expires in 2012.  In Europe, approximately 75 employees are covered by a collective bargaining 
agreement.    This  agreement  expires  in  2010.    We  believe  that  our  present  labor  relations  with  all  of  our 
unionized employees are satisfactory, however, our failure to renew these agreements on reasonable terms 
could  result  in  labor  disruptions  and  increased  labor  costs,  which  could  adversely  affect  our  financial 
performance.    Similarly,  if  our  relations  with  the  unionized  portion  of  our  workforce  do  not  remain 
positive, such employees could initiate a strike, work stoppage or slowdown in the future. In the event of 
such  an  action,  we  may  not  be  able  to  adequately  meet  the  needs  of  our  customers  using  our  remaining 
workforce and our operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.  

  8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Our international operations subject us to currency translation risk and currency transaction risk 

which could cause our results to fluctuate from period to period 

The financial condition and results of operations of our foreign subsidiaries are reported in Euros 
and  then  translated  into  U.S.  dollars  at  the  applicable  currency  exchange  rate  for  inclusion  in  our 
consolidated financial statements. Exchange rates between these currencies in recent years have fluctuated 
significantly and may do so in the future. In the past year, as a result of the strength of the Euro compared 
to  the  U.S.  dollar,  our  operating  results  in  U.S.  dollars  were  positively  affected  upon  translation.  The 
positive impact of a strengthening Euro may not continue in the future and may even reverse if the Euro 
declines in value compared to the U.S. dollar.  Furthermore, we incur currency transaction risk whenever 
we enter into either a purchase or a sales transaction using a currency different than the functional currency. 
Given the volatility of exchange rates, we may not be able to effectively manage our currency transactions 
and/or  translation  risks.  Volatility  in  currency  exchange  rates  could  impact  our  business  and  financial 
results. 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 

None. 

Item 2.  Properties 

In February 2002, the Company entered into a ten (10) year lease for approximately 20,000 square 
feet  of  office  space  in  New  Hampton,  New  York.  The  office  space  is  serving  as  the  Company’s  general 
offices and as laboratory facilities for the Company’s encapsulated / nutritional products business. 

Manufacturing  facilities  owned  by  the  Company  for  its  encapsulated  products  business  and  a 
blending, drumming and terminal facility for the Company’s ethylene oxide business, are presently housed 
in three buildings located in Slate Hill, New York comprising a total of approximately 51,000 square feet. 
The Company owns a total of approximately 16 acres of land on two parcels in this community. 

The Company owns a facility located on an approximately 24 acre parcel of land in Green Pond, 
South Carolina. The site consists of a drumming facility, a canister filling facility, a maintenance building 
and an office building comprising a total of approximately 34,000 square feet. The Company uses this site 
for repackaging products in its specialty products segment. 

The Company’s Verona, Missouri site, which is located on approximately 100 acres, consists of 
manufacturing facilities relating to animal feed grade choline, human choline nutrients, a drumming facility 
for the Company’s ethylene oxide business, together with buildings utilized for warehousing such products. 
The Verona operation buildings comprise a total of approximately 151,000 square feet. The facility, while 
under  prior  ownership,  was  designated  by  the  EPA  as  a  Superfund  site  (see  Item  1  –  “Business  - 
Environmental / Regulatory Matters”). 

The Company leases production and warehouse space in Channahon, Illinois. The Company uses 
this facility for production related to the Company’s calcium carbonate line of business. The initial term of 
the  lease  is  effective  through  September  30,  2010,  subject  to  earlier  termination  by  Balchem  upon  sixty 
days notice, or by the landlord upon sixty days notice.  The Company’s leased space in Channahon, Illinois 
totals approximately 26,000 square feet. 

CMC owns a manufacturing facility and warehouse, comprising approximately 16,500 square feet, 
located  on  approximately  5  acres  of  land  in  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah.    The  Company  manufactures  and 
distributes its chelated mineral nutrients for animal feed products at this location.  

BCP  owns  a  manufacturing  facility  located  upon  approximately  11  acres  of  leased  realty  in  St. 
Gabriel, Louisiana. The Company manufactures and distributes animal feed grade choline chloride at this 
location. 

  9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Balchem Italia Srl owns a facility located on an approximately 30 acre parcel of land in Marano 
Ticino,  Italy.  The  Company  manufactures  and  distributes  methylamines,  animal  feed  grade  choline  and 
human choline nutrients at this location.  

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings 

In  1982  the  Company  discovered  and  thereafter  removed  a  number  of  buried  drums  containing 
unidentified  waste  material  from  the  Company’s  site  in  Slate  Hill,  New  York.  The  Company  thereafter 
entered into a Consent Decree to evaluate the drum site with the New York Department of Environmental 
Conservation (“NYDEC”) and performed a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study that was approved by 
NYDEC  in  February  1994.  Based  on  NYDEC  requirements,  the  Company  remediated  the  area  and 
removed  soil  from  the  drum  burial  site.  Clean-up  was  completed  in  1996,  and  NYDEC  required  the 
Company  to  monitor  the  site  through  1999.  The  Company  continues  to  be  involved  in  discussions  with 
NYDEC to evaluate monitoring results and determine what, if any, additional actions will be required on 
the part of the Company to close out the remediation of this site. Additional actions, if any, would likely 
require the Company to continue monitoring the site. The cost of such monitoring has recently been less 
than $5,000 per year. 

The Company is also involved in other legal proceedings through the normal course of business. 
Management believes that any unfavorable outcome related to these proceedings will not have a material 
effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity. 

Item 4.  Reserved. 

PART II 

Item 5.   Market  for  the  Registrant's  Common  Equity,  Related  Stockholder  Matters  and  Issuer 

Purchases of Equity Securities 

(a) 

Market Information. 

On December 11, 2009, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a three-for-two split of 
the Company’s common stock to be effected in the form of a stock dividend to shareholders of record on 
December 30, 2009.  Such stock dividend was made on January 20, 2010.  The stock split was recognized 
by  reclassifying  the  par  value  of  the  additional  shares  resulting  from  the  split,  from  additional  paid-in 
capital to common stock.  The stock split was applied retroactively to all periods presented. 

The  high  and  low  closing  prices  for  the  common  stock  as  recorded  for  each  quarterly  period 

during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were as follows:  

Quarterly Period 
Ended March 31, 2009 
Ended June 30, 2009 
Ended September 30, 2009 
Ended December 31, 2009 

Quarterly Period 
Ended March 31, 2008 
Ended June 30, 2008 
Ended September 30, 2008 
Ended December 31, 2008 

$ 

$ 

High 

Low 

16.75  $ 
16.95 
18.50 
22.86 

12.60 
15.36 
15.67 
17.57 

High 

Low 

15.56  $ 
17.63 
19.67 
17.91 

12.70 
14.77 
16.11 
14.11 

On  March  3,  2010  the  closing  price  for  the  common  stock  on  the  Nasdaq  Global  Market  was 

$22.98. 

 10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (b) 

Record Holders. 

As  of  March  3,  2010,  the  approximate  number  of  holders  of  record  of  the  Company’s  common 
stock  was  175.    Such  number  does  not  include  stockholders  who  hold  their  stock  in  street  name.    As  of 
March 3, 2010, the total number of beneficial owners of the Company's common stock is estimated to be 
approximately 13,700. 

(c) 

Dividends. 

The Company declared cash dividends of $0.11 and $0.07 per share on its common stock during 
its fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively (after giving effect to the December 2009 
three-for-two stock split). 

(d) 

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans. 

For information concerning prior stockholder approval of and other matters relating to our equity 

incentive plans, see Item 12 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

(e) 

Performance Graph.  

The  graph  below  sets  forth  the  cumulative  total  stockholder  return  on  the  Company's  Common 
Stock (referred to in the table as "BCPC") for the five years ended December 31, 2009, the overall stock 
market  return  during  such  period  for  shares  comprising  the  Russell  2000®  Index  (which  the  Company 
believes  includes  companies  with  market  capitalization  similar  to  that  of  the  Company),  and  the  overall 
stock market return during such period for shares comprising the Standard & Poor's 500 Food Group Index, 
in each case assuming a comparable initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2004 and the subsequent 
reinvestment of dividends.  The Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the shares of the 2000 
smallest companies included in the Russell 3000® Index.  In light of the Company's industry segments, the 
Company does not believe that published industry-specific indices are necessarily representative of stocks 
comparable to the Company.  Nevertheless, the Company considers the Standard & Poor's 500 Food Group 
Index to be potentially useful as a peer group index with respect to the Company in light of the Company's 
Food,  Pharma  &  Nutrition  segment.  The  performance  of  the  Company's  Common  Stock  shown  on  the 
graph below is historical only and not indicative of future performance.   

BCPC

Russell 2000® Index

S&P Food Group Index

$500 

$450 

$400 

$350 

$300 

$250 

$200 

$150 

$100 

$50 

$0 

)
$
(

S
R
A
L
L
O
D

12/31/04

12/31/05

12/31/06

12/31/07

12/31/08

12/31/09

 11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 6.  Selected Financial Data 

The  selected  statements  of  operations  data  set  forth  below  for  the  three  years  in  the  period  ended 
December 31,  2009  and  the  selected  balance  sheet  data  as  of  December 31,  2009  and  2008  have  been 
derived from our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein. The selected financial data 
as of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 and for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 have been 
derived  from  audited  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  not  included  herein,  but  which  were  previously 
filed  with  the  SEC.    The  following  information  should  be  read  in  conjunction  with  Item  7  — 
“Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results  of  Operations”  and  the 
Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included elsewhere herein. 

Earnings per share and dividend amounts have been adjusted for the December 2009, 2006 and 2005 three-
for-two stock splits (effected by means of stock dividends). 

(In thousands, except per share data) 
Year ended December 31, 

Statement of Operations Data 
Net sales 
Earnings before income  
     tax expense 
Income tax expense 
Net earnings 
Basic net earnings per 
     common share 
Diluted net earnings per  
     common share 

At December 31, 
Balance Sheet Data 
Total assets 
Long-term debt (including  
     current portion) 
Other long-term  
    obligations 
Total stockholders’ equity 
Dividends per common share 

2009 
(1)(2)(3)(4) 

2008 
(1)(2)(3)(4) 

2007 
(1)(2)(3)(4) 

2006 
(1)(2) 

2005 
(1) 

$ 

219,438 

$ 

232,050 

$ 

176,201 

$ 

100,905 

$ 

83,095 

40,602 
13,817 
26,785 

28,431 
9,381 
19,050 

24,829 
8,711 
16,118 

19,101 
6,823 
12,278 

$ 

$ 

.98 

.93 

$ 

$ 

.71 

.67 

$ 

$ 

.61 

.58 

$ 

$ 

.47 

.45 

$ 

$ 

17,191 
6,237 
10,954 

.42 

.41 

2009 

2008 

2007 

2006 

2005 

$ 

187,813 

$ 

154,474 

$ 

154,424 

$ 

92,333 

$ 

75,141 

6,783 

9,531 

24,777 

- 

- 

1,825 
147,143 
.11 

$ 

1,609 
114,506 
.07 

$ 

1,529 
93,080 
.07 

$ 

784 
75,362 
.06 

$ 

1,043 
60,933 
.04 

$ 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

Includes  the  operating  results,  cash  flows,  and  assets  relating  to  the  Loders  Croklaan 
Acquisition from the date of acquisition (July 1, 2005) forward. 
Includes  the  operating  results,  cash  flows,  and  assets  relating  to  the  CMC  Acquisition 
from the date of acquisition (February 8, 2006) forward. 
Includes the operating results, cash flows, and assets relating to the Chinook Acquisition 
from the date of acquisition (March 19, 2007) forward. 
Includes  the  operating  results,  cash  flows,  and  assets  relating  to  the  Akzo  Nobel 
Acquisition from the date of acquisition (May 1, 2007) forward. 

Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 

FASB Codification 

We  follow  accounting  standards  set  by  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board,  commonly 
referred to as the “FASB.” The FASB sets U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP” or 
“GAAP”) that we follow to ensure we consistently report our financial condition, results of operations, and 
cash flows. Over the years, the FASB and other designated GAAP-setting bodies, have issued standards in 

 12 

 
 
 
 
 
             
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
the  form  of  FASB  Statements,  Interpretations,  FASB  Staff  Positions,  EITF  consensuses,  AICPA 
Statements of Position, etc.  

The FASB recognized the complexity of its standard-setting process and embarked on a revised 
process  in  2004  that  culminated  in  the  release  on  July  1,  2009,  of  the  FASB  Accounting  Standards 
Codification, sometimes referred to as the “Codification” or “ASC”. The Codification does not change how 
the  Company  accounts  for  its  transactions  or  the  nature  of  related  disclosures  made.  However,  when 
referring to guidance issued by the FASB, the Company refers to topics in the ASC rather than Statements, 
etc. The above change was made effective by the FASB for periods ending on or after September 15, 2009. 
We have updated references to GAAP in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to reflect the guidance in the 
Codification. 

Overview 

We  develop,  manufacture,  distribute  and  market  specialty  performance  ingredients  and  products 
for  the  food,  nutritional,  pharmaceutical,  animal  health  and  medical  device  sterilization  industries.  Our 
reportable  segments  are  strategic  businesses  that  offer  products  and  services  to  different  markets.  We 
presently  have  three  reportable  segments:  Specialty  Products;  Food,  Pharma  &  Nutrition;  and  Animal 
Nutrition & Health.  

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should 
be read in conjunction with Item 6 — “Selected Financial Data” and our Consolidated Financial Statements 
and  the  related  notes  included  in  this  report.  Those  statements  in  the  following  discussion  that  are  not 
historical in nature should be considered to be forward-looking statements that are inherently uncertain. See 
“Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”. 

Specialty Products 

Our Specialty Products segment operates in industry as ARC Specialty Products. 

Ethylene  oxide,  at  the  100% level,  is  sold  as  a sterilant  gas,  primarily  for  use  in  the health  care 
industry. It is used to sterilize a wide range of medical devices because of its versatility and effectiveness in 
treating hard or soft surfaces, composites, metals, tubing and different types of plastics without negatively 
impacting the performance of the device being sterilized. Our 100% ethylene oxide product is distributed in 
uniquely  designed,  recyclable,  double-walled,  stainless  steel  drums  to  assure  compliance  with  safety, 
quality and environmental standards as outlined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") 
and the U.S. Department of Transportation.  Our inventory of these specially built drums, along with our 
two  filling  facilities,  represents  a  significant  capital  investment.  Contract  sterilizers,  medical  device 
manufacturers,  and  medical  gas  distributors  are  our  principal  customers  for  this  product.  In  addition,  we 
also  sell  single  use  canisters  with  100%  ethylene  oxide  for  use  in  medical  device  sterilization.  As  a 
fumigant,  ethylene  oxide  blends  are  highly  effective  in  killing  bacteria,  fungi,  and  insects  in  spices  and 
other seasoning materials.  

We  also  sell  propylene  oxide  principally  to  customers  seeking  smaller  (as  opposed  to  bulk) 
quantities  and  whose  requirements  include  timely  delivery  and  safe  handling.  Propylene  oxide  uses  can 
include fumigation in spice treatment, various chemical synthesis applications, making paints more durable, 
and for manufacturing specialty starches and textile coatings.  

Management believes that future success in this segment is highly dependent on the Company’s 

ability to maintain its strong reputation for excellent quality, safety and customer service.  

Food, Pharma & Nutrition  

The Food, Pharma & Nutrition (“FP&N”) segment provides microencapsulation, granulation and 
agglomeration solutions to a variety of applications in food, pharmaceutical and nutritional ingredients to 
enhance performance of nutritional fortification, processing, mixing, and packaging applications and shelf-

 13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
life.  Major product applications are baked goods, refrigerated and frozen dough systems, processed meats, 
seasoning blends, confections, and nutritional supplements. We also market human grade choline nutrient 
products  through  this  segment  for  wellness  applications.  Choline  is  recognized  to  play  a  key  role  in  the 
development and structural integrity of brain cell membranes in infants, processing dietary fat, reproductive 
development and neural functions, such as memory and muscle function. The FP&N portfolio also includes 
granulated  calcium  carbonate  products,  primarily  used  in,  or  in  conjunction  with,  novel  over-the-counter 
and  prescription  pharmaceuticals  for  the  treatment  of  osteoporosis,  gastric  disorders  and  calcium 
deficiencies in the United States. 

Management believes this segment’s key strengths are its proprietary technology and end-product 
application capabilities. The success of the Company’s efforts to increase revenue in this segment is highly 
dependent  on  the  timing  of  marketing  launches  of  new  products  in  the  U.S.  and  international  food  and 
nutrition  markets  by  the  Company’s  customers  and  prospects.  The  Company,  through  its  innovative 
proprietary technology and applications expertise, continues to develop new products designed to solve and 
respond to customer problems and innovative needs.  

Animal Nutrition & Health 

Our  Animal  Nutrition  &  Health  (“AN&H”)  segment  provides  the  animal  nutrition  market  with 
nutritional products derived from our encapsulation and chelation technologies in addition to basic choline 
chloride. 
  Commercial  sales  of  REASHURE®  Choline,  an  encapsulated  choline  product, 
NITROSHURETM,  an  encapsulated  urea  supplement,  and  NIASHURETM,  our  microencapsulated  niacin 
product for dairy cows, boosts health and milk production in transition and lactating dairy cows, delivering 
nutrient supplements that survive the rumen and are biologically available, providing required nutritional 
levels. We also market chelated mineral supplements for use in animal feed throughout the world, as our 
proprietary  chelation  technology  provides  enhanced  nutrient  absorption  for  various  species  of  production 
and companion animals.  In October 2008, we introduced the first proven rumen-protected lysine for use in 
dairy rations, AMINOSHURETM-L, which gives nutritionists and dairy producers a precise and consistent 
source  of  rumen-protected  lysine.  AN&H  also  manufactures  and  supplies  basic  choline  chloride,  an 
essential nutrient for animal  health, predominantly to  the poultry and swine industries. Choline, which is 
manufactured and sold in both dry and aqueous forms, plays a vital role in the metabolism of fat. Choline 
deficiency can result in reduced growth and perosis in poultry; fatty liver, kidney necrosis and general poor 
health  condition  in  swine.  Certain  derivatives  of  choline  chloride  are  also  manufactured  and  sold  into 
industrial  applications.  The  AN&H  segment  also  includes  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  methylamines. 
Methylamines are a primary building block for the manufacture of choline products and are also used in a 
wide range of industrial applications. 

Sales  of  specialty  products  for  the  animal  nutrition  and  health  industry  are  highly  dependent  on 
dairy industry economics as well as the ability of the Company to leverage the results of existing successful 
university  research  on  the  animal  health  benefits  of  the  Company’s  products.  Management  believes  that 
success  in  the  commodity-oriented  basic  choline  chloride  marketplace  is  highly  dependent  on  the 
Company’s ability to maintain its strong reputation for excellent product quality and customer service. In 
addition, the Company must continue to increase production efficiencies in order to maintain its low-cost 
position to effectively compete in a highly competitive global marketplace.  

The  Company  sells  products  for  all  three  segments  through  its  own  sales  force,  independent 

distributors, and sales agents. 

 14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following tables summarize consolidated net sales by segment and business segment earnings 

from operations for the three years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands):  

Business Segment Net Sales: 

Specialty Products 
Food, Pharma & Nutrition 
Animal Nutrition & Health 
Total 

Business Segment Earnings From Operations: 

Specialty Products 
Food, Pharma & Nutrition 
Animal Nutrition & Health 
Total 

2009 
   36,368 
   35,407 
 147,663 
 219,438 

2009 
 14,250 
  5,029 
21,380 
40,659 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

2008 
    35,835 
    35,702 
  160,513 
  232,050 

2008 
  12,545 
   5,469 
11,334 
 29,348 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

2007 
  33,057 
  32,052 
111,092 
176,201 

2007 
11,824 
 4,144 
 9,938 
    25,906 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

Fiscal Year 2009 compared to Fiscal Year 2008  
(All amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) 

Net Sales 

Net sales for 2009 were $219,438, as compared with $232,050 for 2008, a decrease of $12,612 or 
5.4%. Net sales for the specialty products segment were $36,368 for 2009, as compared with $35,835 for 
2008,  an  increase  of  $533  or  1.5%.  This  increase  in  sales  was  derived  principally  from  increases  in  the 
average  selling  prices  of  certain  ethylene  oxide  products  for  medical  device  sterilization  adopted  to  help 
offset rising raw material costs during 2008. This increase was partially offset by a decline in volumes sold 
of  propylene  oxide  for  starch  modification.  Net  sales  for  the  Food,  Pharma  &  Nutrition  segment  were 
$35,407 for 2009, as compared with $35,702 for 2008, a decrease of $295 or 0.8%.  This result was driven 
principally by aggressive inventory management by customers along with volume declines in the human-
grade choline and calcium products for the supplement market, which has been negatively impacted by the 
worldwide economic downturn.  These declines were partially offset by a favorable product mix sold in the 
domestic food market, including the growth of choline into new food applications as well as growth in the 
bakery, tortilla and preservation markets.  Also offsetting the declines were increased sales of Vitashure® 
products for nutritional enhancement. Net sales of $147,663 were realized in 2009 for the Animal Nutrition 
&  Health  segment,  as  compared  with  $160,513  for  2008,  a  decrease  of  $12,850  or  8.0%.    Feed  and 
industrial grade choline product sales and derivatives decreased 10% or $13,628 over the prior year period, 
principally  from  well-publicized  softness  in  the  U.S.  poultry  and  swine  markets.  There  were  also  lower 
export sales from our North American choline plants, largely due to the stronger U.S. dollar in 2009 versus 
2008 and international political factors affecting poultry exports.  This U.S. volume decline was partially 
offset by increased volumes of choline products sourced from our Italian operation into the European and 
international poultry markets. This geographic mix lowered consolidated feed grade prices in the period, as 
did lower pricing linked to the decline in raw material costs. Sales of industrial derivatives (both choline 
and  methylamines)  were  impacted  by  softness  in  the  industrial  sector,  principally  caused  by  the  general 
economic  downturn.  Sales  of  our  specialty  animal  nutrition  and  health  products,  targeted  for  ruminant 
production animals and companion animals, increased 3.3% or $778 from the prior year comparable period 
as some late year improvement in dairy economics created greater demand for certain products, particularly 
chelates  and  rumen  protected  lysine.  Partially  offsetting  this  increase  were  declines  in  certain  other 
specialty  animal  nutrition  and  health  products,  targeted  for  ruminant  production  animals  and  companion 
animals  largely  due  to  due  to  weak  dairy  economics  in  2009  which  resulted  in  lower  demand  for  these 
products. 

 15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Margin 

Gross margin for 2009 increased to $66,958 compared to $52,578 for 2008, an increase of 27.3%.  
Gross margin percentage for 2009 was 30.5%, as compared to 22.7%, for 2008, as our margin percentage 
was  favorably  affected  by  product  mix,  lower  raw  material  and  energy  costs  and  price  increases 
implemented in early 2009.  Gross margin percentage for the specialty products segment increased by 6.7% 
primarily due to price increases implemented in early 2009.  Gross margin percentage in the encapsulated / 
nutritional products segment decreased 3.2% as margins were unfavorably affected by the aforementioned 
aggressive  inventory  management  by  customers  and  volume  declines  in  the  human-grade  choline  and 
calcium  products  for  the  supplement  market.    Gross  margin  percentage  in  Animal  Nutrition  and  Health 
increased  9.9%  principally  from  reductions  in  the  cost  of  certain  petro-chemical  raw  materials  and 
improved production/supply chain efficiencies in both the U.S. and Europe.  

Operating Expenses 

Operating  expenses  for  2009  were  $26,299,  as  compared  to  $23,230  for  2008,  an  increase  of 
$3,069  or  13.2%.  This  increase  was  due  primarily  to  increased  payroll  expenses,  an  increase  to  some 
accounts  receivable  reserves  for 
international  accounts  and  non-cash  stock-based  compensation 
recognition. With these increases, operating expenses were 12.0% of sales or 2.0 percentage points greater 
than the operating expenses as a percent of sales incurred in 2008.  During 2009 and 2008, the Company 
spent $3,298 and $2,877, respectively, on research and development, substantially all of which pertained to 
the Food, Pharma & Nutrition, and Animal Nutrition & Health segments. 

Business Segment Earnings From Operations 

Earnings  from  operations  for  2009  increased  to  $40,659  compared  to  $29,348  for  2008,  an 
increase  of  $11,311  or  38.5%.  This  increase  was  primarily  driven  by  cost  reductions  of  certain  petro-
chemical  raw  materials  over  the  prior  year,  a  favorable  product  mix,  and plant  and  logistics  efficiencies.  
Earnings  from  operations  as  a  percentage  of  sales  (“operating  margin”)  for  2009  increased  to  18.5% 
compared  to  12.6%  for  2008,  principally  a  result  of  the  aforementioned  cost  reductions  of  certain  petro-
chemical  raw  materials  over  the  prior  year  comparable  period,  a  favorable  product  mix,  and  plant  and 
logistics  efficiencies.  Earnings  from  operations  for  the  Specialty  Products  segment  were  $14,250,  an 
increase of $1,705 or 13.6%, primarily due to reductions in the cost of certain petro-chemical raw materials 
and  increases  in  average  selling  prices.  Earnings  from  operations  for  Food,  Pharma  &  Nutrition  were 
$5,029, a decrease of $440 or 8.0%, due largely to the aforementioned aggressive inventory management 
by  customers  and  volume  declines  in  the  human-grade  choline  and  calcium  products  for  the  supplement 
market.    Earnings  from  operations  for  Animal  Nutrition  &  Health  increased  by  $10,046  to  $21,380,  an 
88.6%  increase  from  the  prior  year,  resulting  principally  from  reductions  in  the  cost  of  certain  petro-
chemical raw materials and improved production/supply chain efficiencies in both the U.S. and Europe. 

Other Expenses (Income) 

Interest  income  totaled  $107  in  each  of  2009  and  2008.    Interest  expense,  net  of  capitalized 
interest,  was  $209  for  2009  compared  to  $963  for  2008.    This  decrease  is  primarily  attributable  to  the 
decrease in average current and long-term debt resulting from both normal recurring principal payments as 
well  as  accelerated  payments  of  the  Term  Loan  (as  defined  below  in  the  Financing  Activities  section  of 
Liquidity  and  Capital  Resources).    Other  income  of  $45  for  2009  is  primarily  the  result  of  favorable 
fluctuations  in  foreign  currency  exchange  rates  between  the  U.S.  dollar  (the  reporting  currency)  and 
functional foreign currencies. 

Income Tax Expense 

The  Company’s  effective  tax  rate  in  2009  and  2008  was  34.0%  and  33.0%,  respectively.    This 
increase  in  the  effective  tax  rate  is  primarily  attributable  to  a  change  in  apportionment  relating  to  state 
income taxes, as well as a change in the income proportion towards jurisdictions with higher tax rates. 

 16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Earnings 

Primarily  as  a  result of  the  above-noted  cost  reductions of  certain  petro-chemical  raw  materials, 
the  favorable  product  mix,  and  plant  and  logistics  efficiencies,  net  earnings  were  $26,785  for  2009,  as 
compared with $19,050 for 2008, an increase of 40.6%. 

Fiscal Year 2008 compared to Fiscal Year 2007  
(All amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) 

Net Sales 

Net sales for 2008 were $232,050, as compared with $176,201 for 2007, an increase of $55,849 or 
31.7%. Net sales for the specialty products segment were $35,835 for 2008, as compared with $33,057 for 
2007, an increase of $2,778 or 8.4%. This increase was due principally to greater sales volumes of ethylene 
oxide for medical device sterilization and propylene oxide for starch modification as well as a modest price 
increase adopted to help offset rising raw material costs during 2008.  Net sales for the Food, Pharma & 
Nutrition  segment  were  $35,702  for  2008,  as  compared  with  $32,052  for  2007,  an  increase  of  $3,650  or 
11.4%.  This result was driven principally by increased sales of calcium and nutritional products, as well as 
increased product sales in both the domestic and international food markets.  Net sales of $160,513 were 
realized  in  2008  for  the  Animal  Nutrition  &  Health  segment,  as  compared  with  $111,092  for  2007,  an 
increase  of  $49,421  or  44.5%.    This  result  reflects  incremental  sales  of  approximately  $40,000  from  the 
customer  list  acquisition  of  Chinook  Group  Limited  (“Chinook”)  and  from  the  Akzo  Nobel  Acquisition. 
For  the  twelve  months  ending  December  31,  2008,  sales  of  our  specialty  animal  nutrition  and  health 
products,  targeted  for  ruminant  production  animals  and  companion  animals,  increased  32.9%  or 
approximately 12% of the overall AN&H growth. 

Gross Margin 

Gross margin for 2008 increased to $52,578 compared to $46,930 for 2007, an increase of 12.0%, 
due  largely  to  the  above-noted  increase  in  sales.    Gross  margin  percentage  for  2008  was  22.7%,  as 
compared  to  26.6%  for  2007,  as  our  margin  percentage  was  unfavorably  affected  by  product  mix  and 
higher  raw  material  and  energy  costs.    Gross  margin  percentage  for  the  specialty  products  segment 
decreased slightly primarily due to rising raw material costs.  Gross margin percentage in the encapsulated / 
nutritional products segment increased 0.3% as margins were favorably affected by increased production, a 
result of greater sales volume as described above.  Gross margin percentage in Animal Nutrition and Health 
increased  15.3%  and  was  favorably  affected  by  increased  production  volumes  of  choline  chloride  and 
specialty derivative products.  This favorable impact was partially offset by higher raw material and energy 
costs.   

Operating Expenses 

Operating  expenses  for  2008  were  $23,230,  as  compared  to  $21,024  for  2007,  an  increase  of 
$2,206 or 10.5%.  This  increase  was due primarily  to  $736  of  additional amortization  expense, plus  sales 
and  technical  personnel  expense  associated  with  the  Chinook  and  Akzo  Nobel  acquisitions,  as  well  as 
higher expenses relating to accounting, tax services, and non-cash stock-based compensation recognition. 
With  these  increases,  operating  expenses  were  10.0%  of  sales  or  1.9  percentage  points  less  than  the 
operating  expenses  as  a  percent  of  sales  incurred  in  2007.    During  2008  and  2007,  the  Company  spent 
$2,877 and $2,514, respectively, on research and development, substantially all of which pertained to the 
Food, Pharma & Nutrition, and Animal Nutrition & Health segments. 

Business Segment Earnings From Operations 

Earnings  from  operations  for  2008  increased  to  $29,348  compared  to  $25,906  for  2007,  an 
increase of $3,442 or 13.3%, due largely to the above-noted increase in sales. Earnings from operations as a 
percentage  of  sales  (“operating  margin”)  for  2008  decreased  to  12.6%  compared  to  14.7%  for  2007, 
principally a result of the previously-noted acquisition-related sales which carry a lower profit margin than 

 17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
the  Company’s  other  business  segments.  In  addition,  despite  the  implementation  of  price  increases,  we 
were not able to fully recover cost increases in certain petro-chemical raw materials, which continued or 
trended up within the year. We did begin to see a reduction in certain raw material costs late in the third 
quarter  of  2008.  The  Company  is  continuing  to  focus  on  implementing  price  increases,  productivity 
improvements,  and,  most  importantly,  growth  through  new  product  development  which  should  result  in 
improved operating margins. Earnings from operations for the Specialty Products segment were $12,545, 
an increase of $721 or 6.1%, a result of increases in sales volume and modest sales price increases offset by 
higher raw material costs and the previously-noted increased expenses relating to accounting, tax services, 
and  non-cash  stock-based  compensation  recognition.    Earnings  from  operations  for  Food,  Pharma  & 
Nutrition  were  $5,469,  an  increase  of  $1,325  or  32.0%,  due  largely  to  increased  sales  of  calcium  and 
nutritional products.  Earnings from operations for Animal Nutrition & Health, while unfavorably impacted 
by  the  noted  petro-chemical  raw  material  cost  increases,  improved  to  $11,334,  an  increase  of  $1,396  or 
14.0%, and were favorably affected by organic growth and the previously-noted increased sales volumes 
derived from the acquisitions. 

Other Expenses (Income) 

Interest  income  for  2008  totaled  $107  as  compared  to  $166  for  2007.    Interest  expense,  net  of 
capitalized  interest,  was  $963  for  2008  compared  to  $1,562  for  2007.    This  decrease  is  primarily 
attributable  to  lower  interest  rates  and  the  decrease  in  average  current  and  long-term  debt  resulting  from 
both normal recurring principal payments as well as accelerated payments of the term loan used to fund the 
Chinook Acquisition.  Other expense of $61 for 2008 is primarily the result of unfavorable fluctuations in 
foreign  currency  exchange  rates  between  the  U.S.  dollar  (the  reporting  currency)  and  functional  foreign 
currencies. 

Income Tax Expense 

The  Company’s  effective  tax  rate  in  2008  and  2007  was  33.0%  and  35.1%,  respectively.    This 
decrease  in  the  effective  tax  rate  is  primarily  attributable  to  a  change  in  apportionment  relating  to  state 
income taxes, as well as a change in the income proportion towards jurisdictions with lower tax rates. 

Net Earnings 

Primarily as a result of the above-noted increase in sales and the noted raw material and operating 
expense increases, net earnings were $19,050 for 2008, as compared with $16,118 for 2007, an increase of 
18.2%. 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES 

Contractual Obligations  

The Company's contractual obligations and debt obligations, excluding revolver borrowings, as of 

December 31, 2009, are summarized in the table below:  

Payments due by period 

Contractual Obligations 

Long-term debt obligations 
Interest payment obligations (1) 
Operating lease obligations (2) 
Purchase obligations (3) 
Total  

Less than 
1 year 
$   6,783 
89 
988 
9,671 
$      19,318  $   17,531 

Total 
$      6,783 
224 
2,640 
9,671 

1-3 years 
  $           - 
111 
1,045 
- 

More than 
5 years 
$           - 
- 
306 
- 
$   1,156  $        325  $        306 

3-5 years 
  $           - 
24 
301 
- 

(1) 

Includes interest payments on long-term debt obligations based on interest and foreign currency rates at 
December 31, 2009.  It is assumed that the European Term Loan (as defined in Financing Activities 

 18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
below) will be refinanced with similar terms and that there will be no prepayments of principal. 

(2) 

Principally includes obligations associated with future minimum non-cancelable operating lease 
obligations (including the headquarters office space entered into in 2002). 

(3) 

Principally includes open purchase orders with vendors for inventory not yet received or recorded on our 
balance sheet. 

The table above excludes a $726 liability for uncertain tax positions, including the related interest 

and penalties, recorded in accordance with ASC 740-10 (incorporating former FASB Interpretation No. 48, 
“Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FAS Statement No. 109”) as we are 
unable to reasonably estimate the timing of settlement, if any.  

The Company knows of no current or pending demands on, or commitments for, its liquid assets 

that will materially affect its liquidity.  

The Company expects its operations to continue generating sufficient cash flow to fund working 
capital  requirements  and  necessary  capital  investments.  The  Company  is  actively  pursuing  additional 
acquisition  candidates.  The  Company  could  seek  additional  bank  loans  or  access  to  financial  markets  to 
fund  such  acquisitions,  its  operations,  working  capital,  necessary  capital  investments  or  other  cash 
requirements should it deem it necessary to do so. 

Acquisitions and Dispositions 

Effective  April  30,  2007,  pursuant  to  an  asset  purchase  agreement  dated  March  30,  2007  (the 
“Akzo Nobel Asset Purchase Agreement”), the Company, through its European subsidiary, Balchem B.V., 
completed an acquisition of the methylamines and choline chloride business and manufacturing facilities of 
Akzo  Nobel  Chemicals  S.p.A.,  located  in  Marano  Ticino,  Italy  (the  “Akzo  Nobel  Acquisition”)  for  a 
purchase price, including acquisition costs, of approximately $8,000.    

On  March  16,  2007,  the  Company,  through  BCP,  entered  into  an  asset  purchase  agreement  (the 
"Asset  Purchase  Agreement")  with  Chinook  Global  Limited  ("Chinook"),  a  privately  held  Ontario 
corporation,  pursuant  to  which  BCP  acquired  certain  of  Chinook's  choline  chloride  business  assets  (the 
“Chinook Acquisition”) for a purchase price, including acquisition costs, of approximately $33,000.  The 
Chinook Acquisition closed effective the same date.    

Cash 

Cash and cash equivalents increased to $46,432 at December 31, 2009 from $3,422 at December 
31,  2008  primarily  resulting  from  the  activity  detailed  below.    Working  capital  amounted  to  $59,197  at 
December 31, 2009 as compared to $29,566 at December 31, 2008, an increase of $29,631. 

Operating Activities 

Cash  flows  from  operating  activities  provided  $48,072  for  2009  compared  to  $22,897  for  2008.  
The  increase  in  cash  flows  from  operating  activities  was  primarily  due  to  an  increase  in  net  earnings, 
depreciation and amortization, stock compensation, accounts payable and accrued expenses and decreases 
in  inventories,  accounts  receivable  and  a  reduction  in  prepaid  expenses  and  other  current  assets.  The 
aforementioned increase in cash flows was partially offset by a decrease in deferred income tax. 

Investing Activities 

Capital expenditures were $3,429 for 2009 compared $5,080 for 2008.  Assets acquired in 2007 
totaled $40,744, which was principally related to the Chinook Acquisition and the Akzo Nobel Acquisition.  

 19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
Financing Activities 

The  Company  has  an  approved  stock  repurchase  program.  The  total  authorization  under  this 
program  is  3,763,038  shares.  Since  the  inception  of  the  program,  a  total  of  1,961,800  shares  have  been 
purchased, none of which remained in treasury at December 31, 2009 or 2008.  During 2009, no additional 
shares  were  purchased.  The  Company  intends  to  acquire  shares  from  time  to  time  at  prevailing  market 
prices  if  and  to  the  extent  it deems  it  advisable  to do  so based  on  its  assessment  of  corporate  cash flow, 
market conditions and other factors.  

On  April  30,  2007,  the  Company,  and  its  principal  bank  entered  into  a  Loan  Agreement  (the 
“European Loan Agreement”) providing for an unsecured term loan of €7,500, translated to approximately 
$10,750 as of December 31, 2009 (the “European Term Loan”), the proceeds of which were used to fund 
the  Akzo  Nobel  Acquisition  (see  Note  5)  and  initial  working  capital  requirements.  The  European  Term 
Loan  is  payable  in  equal  monthly  installments  of  principal,  each  equal  to  1/84th  of  the  principal  of  the 
European  Term  Loan,  together  with  accrued  interest,  with  remaining  principal  and  interest  payable  at 
maturity. The European Term Loan has a maturity date of May 1, 2010 and is subject to a monthly interest 
rate equal to EURIBOR plus 1%. At December 31, 2009, this interest rate was 1.47%. At December 31, 
2009, the European Term Loan had an outstanding balance of €4,732 translated to $6,783. The European 
Loan Agreement also provides for a short-term revolving credit facility of €3,000, translated to $4,300 as of 
December  31,  2009  (the  "European  Revolving  Facility").  The  European  Revolving  Facility  has  been 
renewed for a period of one year as of May 1, 2009. The current European Revolving Facility is subject to 
an amended monthly interest rate equal to EURIBOR plus 1.45%, and accrued interest is payable monthly. 
No  amounts  are  outstanding  on  the  European  Revolving  Facility  as  of  the  date  hereof.  Management 
believes that such facility will be renewed in the normal course of business. 

On  March  16,  2007,  the  Company  and  its  principal  bank  entered  into  a  Loan  Agreement  (the 
“Loan Agreement”) providing for an unsecured term loan of $29,000 (the “Term Loan”), the proceeds of 
which were used to fund the Chinook Acquisition (see Note 5).  As of December 31, 2009, the Company 
had paid the Term Loan in full. The Loan Agreement also provides for a short-term revolving credit facility 
of $6,000 (the "Revolving Facility"). The Revolving Facility is subject to a monthly interest rate equal to 
LIBOR plus 1%, and accrued interest is payable monthly. No amounts are outstanding on the Revolving 
Facility as of the date hereof.  The Revolving Facility has a maturity date of May 31, 2010.  Management 
believes that such facility will be renewed in the normal course of business. 

At December 31, 2009, the Company had a total of $6,783 of debt outstanding, as compared to a 
total  of  $11,575  debt  outstanding  at  December  31,  2008.  Indebtedness  under  the  Company’s  loan 
agreements are secured by assets of the Company. 

Significant  financial  covenants  in  our  loan  agreements  include  maintaining  at  certain  levels  our 
Current Ratio, Funded Debt Ratio, and a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. We were in compliance with all 
material  covenants  related  to  our  loan  agreements  as  of  December  31,  2009  and  we  expect  to  be  in 
compliance with all material covenants during fiscal 2010. Our loan agreements require compliance with 
all  of  the  covenants  defined  in  the  agreement.  If  we  were  out  of  compliance  with  any  debt  covenant 
required  by  our  loan  agreements  following  the  applicable  cure  period,  our  lender  could  terminate  its 
commitment, unless we successfully negotiate a covenant waiver. 

Proceeds from stock options exercised totaled $2,988 and $1,050 for 2009 and 2008, respectively. 

Dividend payments were $2,008 and $1,975 for 2009 and 2008, respectively.   

 20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Matters Impacting Liquidity 

The Company currently provides postretirement benefits in the form of a retirement medical plan 
under  a  collective  bargaining  agreement  covering  eligible  retired  employees  of  its  Verona,  Missouri 
facility. The amount recorded on the Company’s balance sheet as of December 31, 2009 for this obligation 
is  $888.  The  postretirement  plan  is  not  funded.  Historical  cash  payments  made  under  such  plan  have 
approximated $50 per year. 

Critical Accounting Policies 

Management  of  the  Company  is  required  to  make  certain  estimates  and  assumptions  during  the 
preparation  of  consolidated  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  accounting  principles  generally 
accepted in the United States of America. These estimates and assumptions impact the reported amount of 
assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated 
financial statements. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically and the effects of revisions are 
reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary. Actual 
results could differ from those estimates.  

The Company’s "critical accounting policies" are those that require application of management's 
most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the 
effect  of  matters  that  are  inherently  uncertain  and  that  may  change  in  subsequent  periods.  Management 
considers the following accounting policies to be critical. 

Revenue Recognition 

Revenue  is  recognized  upon  product  shipment,  passage  of  title  and  risk  of  loss,  and  when 
collection is reasonably assured.  The Company reports amounts billed to customers related to shipping and 
handling  as  revenue  and  includes  costs  incurred  for  shipping  and  handling  in  cost  of  sales.  Amounts 
received for unshipped merchandise are principally not recognized as revenue but rather they are recorded 
as customer deposits and are included in current liabilities. In addition, the Company follows the provisions 
of  ASC  Topic  605,  “Revenue  Recognition”  (incorporating  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission’s 
(SEC) Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 104, “Revenue Recognition”) which sets forth guidelines on 
the  timing  of  revenue  recognition  based  upon  factors  such  as  passage  of  title,  installation,  payments  and 
customer acceptance. 

Inventories 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first in, first out or average) or market value and have 
been reduced by an allowance for excess or obsolete inventories.  Inventory reserves are generally recorded 
when the inventory for a product exceeds twelve months of demand for that product and/or when individual 
products have been in inventory for greater than six months.  

Long-lived assets 

Long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets with finite lives, 
are  reviewed  for  impairment  whenever  events  or  changes  in  circumstances  indicate  that  the  carrying 
amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a 
comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be 
generated  by  the  asset.    If  the  carrying  amount  of  an  asset  exceeds  its  estimated  future  cash  flows,  an 
impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair 
value of the asset, which is generally based on discounted cash flows. 

Goodwill,  which  is  not  subject  to  amortization,  is  tested  annually  for  impairment,  and  more 
frequently  if  events  and  circumstances  indicate  that  the  asset  might  be  impaired.    If  an  indicator  of 
impairment  exists,  the  Company  determines  the  amount  of  impairment  based  on  a  comparison  of  the 
implied fair value of its goodwill to its carrying value.  

 21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts Receivable 

We  market  our  products  to  a  diverse  customer  base,  principally  throughout  the  United  States, 
Europe,  China  and  Japan.  We  grant  credit  terms  in  the  normal  course  of  business  to  our  customers.  We 
perform on-going credit evaluations of our customers and adjust credit limits based upon payment history 
and  the  customer's  current  credit  worthiness,  as  determined  through  review  of  their  current  credit 
information. We continuously monitor collections and payments from customers and maintain allowances 
for doubtful  accounts for  estimated  losses resulting from  the  inability  of our  customers  to  make required 
payments. Estimated losses are based on historical experience and any specific customer collection issues 
identified. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate resulting in an impairment of their 
ability to make payments, additional allowances and related bad debt expense may be required.  

Post-employment Benefits 

The Company provides life insurance and health care benefits for eligible retirees and health care 
benefits  for  retirees’  eligible  survivors.    The  costs  and  obligations  related  to  these  benefits  reflect  the 
Company’s  assumptions  as  to  general  economic  conditions  and  health  care  cost  trends.    The  cost  of 
providing  plan  benefits  also  depends  on  demographic  assumptions  including  retirements,  mortality, 
turnover, and plan participation.  If actual experience differs from these assumptions, the cost of providing 
these benefits could increase or decrease. 

In accordance with ASC 715, “Compensation—Retirement Benefits” (incorporating former SFAS 
No.  158,  “Employers’  Accounting  for  Defined  Benefit  Pension  and  Other  Postretirement  Plans”),  the 
Company  is  required  to  recognize  the  over  funded  or  under  funded  status  of  a  defined  benefit  post 
retirement  plan  (other  than  a  multiemployer  plan)  as  an  asset  or  liability  in  its  statement  of  financial 
position,  and  to  recognize  changes  in  that  funded  status  in  the  year  in  which  the  changes  occur  through 
comprehensive income. 

Intangible Assets with Finite Lives 

The useful life of an intangible asset is based on the Company’s assumptions regarding expected 
use  of  the  asset;  the  relationship  of  the  intangible  asset  to  another  asset  or  group  of  assets;  any  legal, 
regulatory  or  contractual  provisions  that  may  limit  the  useful  life  of  the  asset  or  that  enable  renewal  or 
extension  of  the  asset’s  legal  or  contractual  life  without  substantial  cost;  the  effects  of  obsolescence, 
demand,  competition  and  other  economic  factors;  and  the  level  of  maintenance  expenditures  required  to 
obtain the expected future cash flows from the asset and their related impact on the asset’s useful life.  If 
events or circumstances indicate that the life of an intangible asset has changed, it could result in higher 
future amortization charges or recognition of an impairment loss. 

Income Taxes 

Income  taxes  are  accounted  for  under  the  asset  and  liability  method.  Deferred  tax  assets  and 
liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial 
statement  carrying  amounts  of  existing  assets  and  liabilities  and  their  respective  tax  bases  and  operating 
loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates 
expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be 
recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in 
earnings  in  the  period  that  includes  the  enactment  date.  The  Company  regularly  reviews  its  deferred  tax 
assets for recoverability and would establish a valuation allowance if it believed that such assets may not be 
recovered, taking into consideration historical operating results, expectations of future earnings, changes in 
its operations and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences. 

Beginning  in  fiscal  2007,  we  account  for  uncertainty  in  income  taxes  utilizing  ASC  740-10 
(incorporating  former  FASB  Interpretation  No.  48,  “Accounting  for  Uncertainty  in  Income  Taxes  —  an 
interpretation  of  FAS Statement  No. 109”).  ASC  740-10  clarifies  whether  or  not  to  recognize  assets  or 
liabilities  for  tax  positions  taken  that  may  be  challenged  by  a  tax  authority.  It  prescribes  a  recognition 

 22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to 
be taken. This interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, 
accounting in interim periods, and disclosures. The application of ASC 740-10 requires judgment related to 
the uncertainty in income taxes and could impact our effective tax rate.  

Stock-based Compensation 

We  account  for  stock-based  compensation  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  ASC  718, 
“Compensation-Stock Compensation” (incorporating former Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 
(“SFAS”) No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share Based Payment”). Under the fair value recognition provisions of 
this statement, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award 
and is recognized as expense over the vesting period.  Determining the fair value of share-based awards at 
the  grant  date  requires  judgment,  including  estimating  our  stock  price  volatility,  employee  stock  option 
exercise  behaviors  and  employee  option  forfeiture  rates.    Expected  volatilities  are  based  on  historical 
volatility of the Company’s stock.  The expected term of the options is based on the Company’s historical 
experience  of  employees’  exercise  behavior.    As  stock-based  compensation  expense  recognized  in  the 
Consolidated Statement of Earnings is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, the amount of expense 
has  been  reduced  for  estimated  forfeitures.    ASC  718  requires  forfeitures  to  be  estimated  at  the  time  of 
grant  and  revised,  if  necessary,  in  subsequent  periods  if  actual  forfeitures  differ  from  those  estimates.  
Forfeitures  were  estimated  based  on  historical  experience.   If  factors  change  and  we  employ  different 
assumptions in the application of ASC 718, the compensation expense that we record in future periods may 
differ  significantly  from  what  we  have  recorded  in  the  current  period.    See  Note  2  to  the  Consolidated 
Financial Statements for additional information. 

New Accounting Pronouncements: 

In  February  2010,  the  FASB  issued  Accounting  Standards  Update  (“ASU”)  No.  2010-09, 
“Subsequent  Events  (Topic  855)  Amendments  to  Certain  Recognition  and  Disclosure  Requirements” 
("ASU 2010-09"). ASU 2010-09 amends disclosure requirements within Subtopic 855-10. An entity that is 
an SEC filer is not required to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. This 
change alleviates potential conflicts between Subtopic 855-10 and the SEC's requirements. ASU 2010-09 is 
effective  for  interim  and  annual  periods  ending  after  June 15,  2010.  The  Company  does  not  expect  the 
adoption of this ASU to be significant to its consolidated financial statements. 

In  October  2009,  the  FASB  issued  ASU  No. 2009-13,  “Revenue  Recognition  (Topic  605): 
Multiple-Deliverable  Revenue  Arrangements—a  consensus  of  the  FASB  Emerging  Issues  Task  Force.” 
This  ASU  provides  amendments  to  the  criteria  for  separating  consideration  in  multiple-deliverable 
arrangements.  The  amendments  in  this  ASU  replace  the  term  "fair  value"  in  the  revenue  allocation 
guidance  with  "selling  price"  to  clarify  that  the  allocation  of  revenue  is  based  on  entity-specific 
assumptions  rather  than  assumptions  of  a  marketplace  participant,  and  they  establish  a  selling  price 
hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable. The amendments in this ASU will eliminate the 
residual method of allocation and require that arrangement consideration be allocated at the inception of the 
arrangement  to  all  deliverables  using  the  relative  selling  price  method,  and  they  significantly  expand  the 
required  disclosures  related  to  multiple-deliverable  revenue  arrangements.  The  amendments  in  this  ASU 
will be effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years 
beginning after June 15, 2010. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to be significant to 
its consolidated financial statements. 

In August 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-5, “Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value” (“ASU 
2009-05”).  ASU  2009-05  amends  ASC  820,  “Fair  Value  Measurements  and  Disclosures.”  Specifically, 
ASU 2009-05 provides clarification that in circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for 
the identical liability is not available, a reporting entity is required to measure fair value using one or more 
of  the  following  methods:  1) a  valuation  technique  that  uses  a) the  quoted  price  of  the  identical  liability 
when traded as an asset or b) quoted prices for similar liabilities or similar liabilities when traded as assets 
and/or 2) a valuation technique that is consistent with the principles of ASC 820 (e.g. an income approach 
or  market  approach).  ASU  2009-05  also  clarifies  that  when  estimating  the  fair  value  of  a  liability,  a 

 23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
reporting entity is not required to adjust to include inputs relating to the existence of transfer restrictions on 
that  liability.  ASU  2009-05  was  effective  for  the  Company  on  October  1,  2009.  The  adoption  of  this 
guidance was not significant to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

In  June  2009,  the  FASB  issued  ASU  2009-01,  “Topic  105-Generally  Accepted  Accounting 
Principles  amendments  based  on  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  168-The  FASB 
Accounting  Standards  Codification  and  the  Hierarchy  of  Generally  Accepted  Accounting  Principles” 
(incorporating former SFAS No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of 
Generally  Accepted  Accounting  Principles  –  a  Replacement  of  FASB  Statement  No.  162”),  which 
establishes  the  FASB  Accounting  Standards  Codification  as  the  single  source  of  authoritative  U.S. 
generally accepted accounting principles recognized by FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. 
Rules  and  interpretive  releases  of  the  SEC  under  authority  of  federal  securities  laws  are  also  sources  of 
authoritative  U.S.  GAAP  for  SEC  registrants.  ASU  2009-01  and  the  Codification  were  effective  for 
financial  statements  issued  for  interim  and  annual  periods  ending  after  September  15,  2009.  The 
Codification  supersedes  all  existing  non-SEC  accounting  and 
reporting  standards.  No  other 
nongrandfathered  non-SEC  accounting  literature  not  included  in  the  Codification  is  authoritative. 
Following  ASU  2009-01,  FASB  will  not  issue  new  standards  in  the  form  of  Statements,  FASB  Staff 
Positions,  or  Emerging  Issues  Task  Force  Abstracts.  Instead,  FASB  will  issue  Accounting  Standards 
Updates, which will serve only to: (a) update the Codification; (b) provide background information about 
the guidance; and (c) provide the bases for conclusions on the change(s) in the Codification. Pursuant to the 
provisions  of  ASU  2009-01,  the  Company  has  updated  references  to  GAAP  in  its  financial  statements 
issued  beginning  with  the  period  ended  September  30,  2009.  The  adoption  of  ASU  2009-01  was  not 
significant to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

In  June  2009,  the  FASB  issued  amended  guidance  (incorporating  former  SFAS  No.  167, 
“Amendments  to  FASB  Interpretation  No.  46(R)”)  incorporated  into  ASC  810,  “Consolidation”.  The 
amendments include: (1) the elimination of the exemption for qualifying special purpose entities, (2) a new 
approach for determining who should consolidate a variable-interest entity, and (3) changes to when it is 
necessary to reassess who should consolidate a variable-interest entity. This amended guidance is effective 
for the first annual reporting period beginning after November 15, 2009 and for interim periods within that 
first annual reporting period. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to be significant 
to its consolidated financial statements. 

In June 2009, the FASB issued ASC 860, “Transfers and Servicing” (incorporating former SFAS 
No. 166, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets, an amendment to SFAS No. 140”.) This guidance 
eliminates the concept of a “qualifying special-purpose entity,” changes the requirements for derecognizing 
financial  assets,  and  requires  additional  disclosures  in  order  to  enhance  information  reported  to  users  of 
financial  statements  by  providing  greater  transparency  about  transfers  of  financial  assets,  including 
securitization transactions, and an entity’s continuing involvement  in and exposure to the risks related to 
transferred  financial  assets.  This  guidance  is  effective  for  fiscal  years  beginning  after  November 15, 
2009. The  Company  does  not  expect  the  adoption  of  this  guidance  to  be  significant  to  its  consolidated 
financial statements. 

In May 2009, the FASB issued ASC 855, “Subsequent Events” (incorporating former SFAS No. 
165,  “Subsequent  Events”).  ASC  855  establishes  general  standards  of  accounting  for  and  disclosure  of 
events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to 
be issued. Specifically, ASC 855 provides the period after the balance sheet date during which management 
of  a  reporting  entity  should  evaluate  events  or  transactions  that  may  occur  for  potential  recognition  or 
disclosure in the financial statements; the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or 
transactions  occurring  after  the  balance  sheet  date  in  its  financial  statements;  and  the  disclosures  that  an 
entity  should make  about  events or  transactions  that  occurred  after  the balance  sheet date. ASC 855  was 
effective  for  interim  or  annual  financial  periods  ending  after  June  15,  2009,  and  is  to  be  applied 
prospectively. The adoption of this guidance was not significant to the Company’s consolidated financial 
statements.  

 24 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
In  April  2009,  the  FASB  issued  amended  guidance  (incorporating  former  FASB  Staff  Position 
(“FSP”)  FAS  141(R)-1,  “Accounting  for  Assets  Acquired  and  Liabilities  Assumed  in  a  Business 
Combination  That  Arise  from  Contingencies”)  incorporated  into  ASC  805,  “Business  Combinations” 
(incorporating  former  FASB  Statement  No.  141  (Revised  December  2007),  “Business  Combinations”). 
This amended guidance requires assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise 
from contingencies to be recognized at fair value if fair value can be reasonably estimated. If fair value of 
such  an  asset  or  liability  cannot  be  reasonably  estimated,  the  asset  or  liability  would  generally  be 
recognized in accordance with ASC 450, “Contingencies” (incorporating former SFAS No. 5, “Accounting 
for Contingencies”; and FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 14, “Reasonable Estimation of the Amount of a 
Loss.”).  Further,  FASB  decided  to  carry  forward  without  significant  revision  the  subsequent  accounting 
guidance  for  assets  and  liabilities  arising  from  contingencies  as  per  SFAS  No.  141,  “Business 
Combinations.” The amended guidance also eliminates the requirement to disclose an estimate of the range 
of  outcomes  of  recognized  contingencies  at  the  acquisition  date.  For  unrecognized  contingencies,  FASB 
decided to require that entities include only the disclosures required by ASC 450 and that those disclosures 
be  included  in  the  business  combination  footnote.    This  amended  guidance  also  requires  that  contingent 
consideration arrangements of an acquiree assumed by the acquirer in a business combination be treated as 
contingent consideration of the acquirer and should be initially and subsequently measured at fair value in 
accordance  with  ASC  805.  This  amended  guidance  is  effective  for  assets  or  liabilities  arising  from 
contingencies in business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009. The 
Company will apply this amended guidance prospectively to all business combinations subsequent to the 
effective date. 

In  April  2009,  the  FASB  issued  ASC  820,  “Fair  Value  Measurements  and  Disclosures” 
(incorporating former FSP FAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity 
for  the  Asset  or  Liability  Have  Significantly  Decreased  and  Identifying  Transactions  That  Are  Not 
Orderly”), and ASC 825, “Financial Instruments” (incorporating former FSP FASB 107-1 and Accounting 
Principles  Board  28-1,  “Interim  Disclosures  about  Fair  Value  of  Financial  Instruments”).  The  guidance 
relates to fair value measurements and related disclosures. The FASB also issued ASC 320, “Investments-
Debt  and  Equity  Securities”  (incorporating  former  FSP  FAS  115-2  and  FAS  124-2,  “Recognition  and 
Presentation  of  Other-Than-Temporary  Impairments”)  relating  to  the  accounting  for  impaired  debt 
securities.  This  guidance  was  effective  for  interim  and  annual  periods  ending  after  June 15,  2009.  The 
adoption of this guidance was not significant to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  

In  April  2008,  the  FASB  issued  ASC  350,  “Intangibles-Goodwill  and  Other”  (incorporating 
former FSP 142-3, “Determining the Useful Life of Intangible Assets”). ASC 350 amends the factors to be 
considered  in  determining  the  useful  life  of  intangible  assets.  Its  intent  is  to  improve  the  consistency 
between the useful life of an intangible asset and the period of expected cash flows used to measure its fair 
value. This guidance was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The adoption of this 
guidance was not significant to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

In  March 2008,  the  FASB  issued  ASC  815,  “Derivatives  and  Hedging”  (incorporating  former 
SFAS  No. 161,  “Disclosures  about  Derivative  Instruments  and  Hedging  Activities  —  an  amendment  of 
FASB  Statement  No. 133”).  ASC  815  requires  enhanced  disclosures  regarding  derivatives  and  hedging 
activities, including: (a) the manner in which an entity uses derivative instruments; (b) the manner in which 
derivative  instruments  and  related  hedged  items  are  accounted  for;  and  (c) the  effect  of  derivative 
instruments  and  related  hedged  items  on  an  entity’s  financial  position,  financial  performance,  and  cash 
flows. ASC 815 was effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning 
after November 15, 2008. The adoption of this guidance was not significant to the Company’s consolidated 
financial statements. 

In  December  2007,  the  FASB  issued  ASC  805,  “Business  Combinations”  (incorporating  former 
SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations”). The purpose of issuing this new guidance was to 
replace current guidance in SFAS No. 141 to better represent the economic value of a business combination 
transaction. The changes to be effected with this new guidance from the current guidance include, but are 
not  limited  to:  (1) acquisition  costs  will  be  recognized  separately  from  the  acquisition;  (2) known 
contractual  contingencies  at  the  time  of  the  acquisition  will  be  considered  part  of  the  liabilities  acquired 

 25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
measured at their fair value; all other contingencies will be part of the liabilities acquired measured at their 
fair  value  only  if  it  is  more  likely  than  not  that  they  meet  the  definition  of  a  liability;  (3) contingent 
consideration  based  on  the  outcome  of  future  events  will  be  recognized  and  measured  at  the  time  of  the 
acquisition;  (4) business  combinations  achieved  in  stages  (step  acquisitions)  will  need  to  recognize  the 
identifiable assets and liabilities, as well as noncontrolling interests, in the acquiree, at the full amounts of 
their  fair  values;  and  (5) a  bargain  purchase  (defined  as  a  business  combination  in  which  the  total 
acquisition-date fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired exceeds the fair value of the consideration 
transferred plus any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree) will require that excess to be recognized as a 
gain attributable to the acquirer. ASC 805 is effective for any business combinations that occur on or after 
January 1, 2009. The Company will apply ASC 805 prospectively to all business combinations subsequent 
to the effective date. 

In  December  2007,  the  FASB  issued  ASC  810,  “Consolidation”  (incorporating  former 
SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB 
No. 51”).  The  guidance  was  issued  partly  to  improve  the  relevance,  comparability,  and  transparency  of 
financial  information  provided  to  investors  by  requiring  all  entities  to  report  noncontrolling  (minority) 
interests  in  subsidiaries  in  the  same  way,  that  is,  as  equity  in  the  consolidated  financial  statements. 
Moreover, ASC 810 eliminates the diversity that currently exists in accounting for transactions between an 
entity  and  noncontrolling  interests  by  requiring  they  be  treated  as  equity  transactions.  ASC  810  was 
effective January 1, 2009. The adoption of this guidance was not significant to the Company’s consolidated 
financial statements. 

In  September  2006,  the  FASB  issued  ASC  820,  "Fair  Value  Measurements  and  Disclosures" 
(incorporating former SFAS No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements”). ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes 
a  framework  for  measuring  fair  value  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  and 
expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The Company adopted the provisions of this standard 
for  its  financial  assets  and  liabilities  as  of  January  1,  2008  and  it  did  not  have  a  material  impact  on  its 
financial condition or results of operations. As permitted by additional guidance (issued formerly as FSP 
No. FAS 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157”), the Company elected to defer the adoption 
of  ASC  820  for  all  nonfinancial  assets  and  nonfinancial  liabilities,  except  those  that  are  recognized  or 
disclosed  at  fair  value  in  the  financial  statements  on  a  recurring  basis,  until  January 1,  2009.  Effective 
January 1,  2009,  the  Company  adopted  the  provision  for  nonfinancial  assets  and  liabilities  that  are  not 
required or permitted to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis, which include those measured at fair 
value  in  impairment  testing  and  those  initially  measured  at  fair  value  in  a  business  combination.  The 
provisions  of  ASC  820  related  to  these  items  did  not  have  a  significant  impact  on  the  Company’s 
consolidated financial statements.  Additional guidance (issued formerly as FSP No. 157-3, “Determining 
the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset is Not Active”) clarifies the application 
of ASC 820 in a market that is not active and provides an example of key considerations in determining the 
fair  value  of  a  financial  asset  when  the  market  for  that  asset  is  not  active.  This  additional  guidance  was 
effective on October 10, 2008, including prior periods for which financial statements have not been issued. 
Revisions resulting from a change in the valuation technique or its application should be accounted for as a 
change  in  accounting  estimate  following  the  guidance  in  ASC  250,  "Accounting  Changes  and  Error 
Corrections"  (incorporating  former  SFAS  No. 154,  "Accounting  Changes  and  Error  Corrections").  The 
Company adopted the additional guidance on October 10, 2008 and it did not have a material effect on its 
consolidated financial statements. 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 

Cash and cash equivalents are invested primarily in money market accounts. The Company has no 
derivative  financial  instruments  or  derivative  commodity  instruments,  nor  does  the  Company  have  any 
financial  instruments  entered  into  for  trading  or  hedging  purposes.  As  of  December  31,  2009,  the 
Company’s  borrowings  were  under  a  bank  term  loan  bearing  interest  at  EURIBOR  plus  1.00%  and  a 
revolving line of credit bearing interest at EURIBOR plus 1.45%.  A 100 basis point increase or decrease in 
interest rates, applied to the Company’s borrowings at December 31, 2009, would result in an increase or 
decrease  in  annual  interest  expense  and  a  corresponding  reduction  or  increase  in  cash  flow  of 
approximately $68. The Company is exposed to market risks for changes in foreign currency rates and has 

 26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
exposure to commodity price risks, including prices of our primary raw materials. Our objective is to seek a 
reduction in the potential negative earnings impact of changes in foreign exchange rates and raw material 
pricing arising in our business activities. The Company manages these financial exposures, where possible, 
through pricing and operational means. Our practices may change as economic conditions change.  

 27 

 
 
  
 
 
Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 

Index to Financial Statements and Supplementary Data: 

Page 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of  
December 31, 2009 and 2008 

Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the  
years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity 
for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements   

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying 
Accounts for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 

29 

31 

32 

33 

34 

35 

56 

 28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders 
Balchem Corporation 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Balchem Corporation and Subsidiaries 
as  of  December  31,  2009  and  2008,  and  the  related  consolidated  statements  of  earnings,  stockholders' 
equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009.  Our audits also 
included the financial statement schedule of Balchem Corporation listed in the Index at Item 8.  We also 
have  audited  Balchem  Corporation’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of  December  31,  2009, 
based  on  criteria  established  in  Internal  Control—Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of 
Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission.  Balchem  Corporation's  management  is 
responsible  for  these  financial  statements  and  financial  statement  schedule,  for  maintaining  effective 
internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over 
financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial 
Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an opinion on the 
Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight 
Board  (United  States).  Those  standards require  that  we plan  and perform  the  audits  to  obtain  reasonable 
assurance  about  whether  the  financial  statements  are  free  of  material  misstatement  and  whether  effective 
internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audits of the financial 
statements  included  examining,  on  a  test  basis,  evidence  supporting  the  amounts  and  disclosures  in  the 
financial  statements,  assessing  the  accounting  principles  used  and  significant  estimates  made  by 
management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  Our audit of internal control over 
financial  reporting  included  obtaining  an  understanding  of  internal  control  over  financial  reporting, 
assessing  the  risk  that  a  material  weakness  exists,  and  testing  and  evaluating  the  design  and  operating 
effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk.  Our audits also included performing such other 
procedures  as  we  considered  necessary  in  the  circumstances.   We  believe  that  our  audits  provide  a 
reasonable basis for our opinions. 

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance 
regarding  the  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of  financial  statements  for  external 
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company's internal control over 
financial  reporting  includes  those  policies  and  procedures  that  (a)  pertain  to  the  maintenance  of  records 
that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the 
company;  (b)  provide  reasonable  assurance  that  transactions  are  recorded  as  necessary  to  permit 
preparation  of  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  and  that 
receipts  and  expenditures  of  the  company  are  being  made  only  in  accordance  with  authorizations  of 
management and directors of the company; and (c) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or 
timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a 
material effect on the financial statements. 

Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect 
misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk 
that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance 
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. 

In  our  opinion,  the  consolidated  financial  statements  referred  to  above  present  fairly,  in  all  material 
respects,  the  financial  position  of  Balchem  Corporation  and  Subsidiaries  as  of  December  31,  2009  and 
2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended 
December  31,  2009,  in  conformity  with  accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in  the  United  States  of 
America.  Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the 
basic  consolidated  financial  statements  taken  as  a  whole,  presents  fairly  the  information  set  forth 
therein.  Also  in our opinion,  Balchem  Corporation  maintained,  in  all  material  respects,  effective  internal 
control  over  financial  reporting  as  of  December  31,  2009,  based  on  criteria  established  in  Internal 

 29 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Control—Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway 
Commission. 

/s/ McGladrey & Pullen LLP 
New York, New York 
March 12, 2010 

 30 

 
 
 
 
 
BALCHEM CORPORATION
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2009 and 2008
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Assets

2009

2008

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $357 and $50 at

December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively

Inventories
Prepaid expenses
Deferred income taxes
Other current assets

Total current assets

Property, plant and equipment, net

Goodwill
Intangible assets with finite lives, net
Other assets

Total assets

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Current liabilities:

Trade accounts payable
Accrued expenses
Accrued compensation and other benefits
Accrued compensation and other benefits
Dividends payable
Income taxes payable
Current portion of long-term debt
Revolver borrowings

Total current liabilities

Long-term debt
Deferred income taxes
Other long-term obligations

Total liabilities

Commitments and contingencies (note 11)

Stockholders' equity:

Preferred stock, $25 par value. Authorized 2,000,000 

shares; none issued and outstanding

Common stock, $.0667 par value. Authorized 60,000,000 shares; 28,097,279
shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2009 and 27,374,020 shares
issued and outstanding at December 31, 2008

Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

Total stockholders' equity

$            

46,432

$              

3,422

29,149
13,965
2,046
891
529
93,012

41,579

30,250
16,618
2,581
649
1,731
55,251

42,513

26,658
26,504
60
187,813

$          

26,658
29,993
59
154,474

$          

$            

10,876
5,613
4 399
4,399
3,091
3,053
6,783
-
33,815

-
5,030
1,825
40,670

$            

10,336
3,948
2 501
2,501
2,008
1,988
2,860
2,044
25,685

6,671
6,003
1,609
39,968

-

-

1,873
26,541
118,576
153
147,143

1,824
17,808
94,882
(8)
114,506

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$          

187,813

$         

154,474

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

31

              
              
              
              
                
                
                   
                   
                   
                
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
                     
                     
                
                
               
              
                
                
               
              
                
                
                   
                
              
              
                   
                
                
                
                
                
              
              
                   
                   
                
                
              
              
            
              
                   
                     
            
            
BALCHEM CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands, except per share data)

Net sales

Cost of sales

Gross margin

Operating expenses:
Selling expenses
Research and development expenses
General and administrative expenses

Earnings from operations

Other expenses (income):

Interest income
Interest expense
Other, net

Earnings before income tax expense

Income tax expense

Net earnings

2009

2008

2007

$   

219,438

$   

232,050

$    

176,201

152,480

179,472

129,271

66,958

52,578

46,930

14,350
3,298
8,651
26,299

40,659

(107)
209
(45)

40,602

13,817

12,560
2,877
7,793
23,230

29,348

(107)
963
61

28,431

9,381

11,930
2,514
6,580
21,024

25,906

(166)
1,562
(319)

24,829

8,711

$      

26,785

$      

19,050

$       

16,118

Basic net earnings per common share 

$          

0.98

$           

0.71

$          

0.61

Diluted net earnings per common share

$          

0.93

$           

0.67

$          

0.58

See accompanying notes to consolidated  financial statements.

32

 
     
     
       
       
       
         
       
       
         
         
         
          
         
         
          
       
       
         
       
       
         
          
           
           
            
             
          
            
               
           
       
       
         
       
         
          
BALCHEM CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Total
Stockholders'
Equity

Accumulated
Other

Comprehensive
Income

Retained Comprehensive
Earnings

Income

Common Stock

Shares

Amount

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

Balance - December 31, 2006

$              

75,362

$      

63,988

$               

193

26,600,773

$        

1,773

$        

9,408

Comprehensive Income:
   Net earnings
   Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
      Net change in pension asset/liability, net of taxes of $26
   Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive Income

Dividends ($.07 per share)
Shares issued under employee benefit plans and other
Shares and options issued under stock option plans and

an income tax benefit of $677

Cumulative effect of adjustment from adoption of FIN 48

Balance - December 31, 2007

Comprehensive Income:
   Net earnings
   Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
      Net change in pension asset/liability, net of taxes of $8
      Translation adjustments
   Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive Income

Dividends ($.07 per share)
Shares issued under employee benefit plans and other
Shares and options issued under stock option plans and

an income tax benefit of $672

Balance - December 31, 2008

Comprehensive Income:
   Net earnings
   Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
      Net change in pension asset/liability, net of taxes of $6
      Translation adjustments
   Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive Income

Dividends ($.11 per share)
Shares issued under employee benefit plans and other
Shares and options issued under stock option plans and

an income tax benefit of $2,289

77,840

150

26,969,029

1,797

13,293

19,050

$              

19,050

19,050

-

16,118

$              

16,118

16,118

(43)
(43)
16,075

$              

(43)
-
-

(1,975)
379

3,530
(291)

93,080

-
-
-

(1,975)
-

-
(291)

48
(206)
(158)
18,892

$              

48
(206)
-
-

(2,008)
406

4,136
,

114,506

-
-
-
-

(2,008)
-

-

94,882

26,785

$              

26,785

26,785

(15)
176
161
26,946

$              

(15)
176
-
-

(3,091)
430

8,352

-
-
-
-

(3,091)
-

-

-

-
(43)
-

-
-

-
-

-

-
-
-

-
31,304

336,952
-

-

-
-
-

-

2

22
-

-

-
-
-

-
377

3,508
-

-

-
-
-
-

-
25,827

379,164
,

-

-
-
-
-

-

2

25

-

-
-
-
-

-
404

4,111
,

(8)

27,374,020

1,824

17,808

-

-
-
-
-

-
24,413

698,846

-

-
-
-
-

-

2

47

-

-
-
-
-

-
428

8,305

-
-
(158)
-

-
-

-

-

-
-
161
-

-
-

-

Balance - December 31, 2009

$           

147,143

$    

118,576

$               

153

28,097,279

$        

1,873

$      

26,541

See accompanying notes to consolidated  financial statements.
See accompanying notes to consolidated  financial statements.

33
33

   
                
        
                 
                
               
               
                     
                     
               
                 
                
               
               
                     
                     
               
                 
                
               
               
                     
               
                 
                
               
               
                
         
                 
                
               
               
                     
               
                 
         
                  
              
                  
               
                 
       
                
          
                   
            
                 
                
               
               
                
        
                 
   
          
        
                
        
                 
                
               
               
                       
                       
               
                 
                
               
               
                   
                   
               
                 
                
               
               
                     
                   
               
               
                
               
               
                     
               
                 
                
               
               
                
         
                 
                
               
               
                     
               
                 
         
                  
              
                  
               
                 
       
                
          
              
        
                   
   
          
        
                
        
                 
                
               
               
                     
                     
               
                 
                
               
               
                     
                     
               
                 
                
               
               
                     
                     
               
                 
                
               
               
                     
               
                 
                
               
               
                
         
                 
                
               
               
                     
               
                 
         
                  
              
                  
               
                 
       
                
          
   
BALCHEM CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net earnings

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to
net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization
Stock compensation expense
Shares issued under employee benefit plans
Deferred income tax expense
Provision for doubtful accounts 
Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss
Other

Changes in assets and liabilities

Accounts receivable
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Income taxes
Customer deposits and other deferred revenue
Other long-term obligations

Net cash provided by operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities:

Capital expenditures
Intangible assets acquired
Acquisition of assets

q

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from long-term debt
Principal payments on long-term debt
Proceeds from short-term obligations
Repayments of short-term obligations
Proceeds from stock options exercised and restricted share purchases
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation
Dividends paid

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents end of year

See accompanying notes to consolidated  financial statements.

34

2009

2008

2007

$      

26,785

$       

19,050

$      

16,118

8,130
3,076
430
(1,216)
305
36
(8)

862
2,656
1,776
4,037
1,009
-
194
48,072

(3,429)
(215)
-
(3,644)

-
(2,844)
701
(2,657)
2,988
2,289
(2,008)
(1,531)

113

43,010

7,786
2,414
406
(238)
-
31
-

(1,058)
(974)
(17)
(4,593)
6
(42)
126
22,897

(5,080)
(182)
)
(
(296)
(5,558)

-
(14,876)
3,516
(4,507)
1,050
672
(1,975)
(16,120)

(104)

1,115

6,376
1,636
379
(617)
-
(195)
15

(15,409)
481
(2,218)
7,634
1,803
(1,030)
664
15,637

(4,858)
(172)
)
,
(
(40,744)
(45,774)

38,946
(15,106)
3,684
(733)
1,217
677
(1,596)
27,089

166

(2,882)

3,422
46,432

$      

2,307
3,422

$         

5,189
2,307

$        

  
  
   
  
         
           
         
         
           
         
            
              
            
       
            
          
            
              
            
              
               
          
              
              
              
            
         
     
         
            
            
         
              
       
         
         
         
         
                 
         
            
              
       
            
              
            
       
         
       
       
         
       
          
            
          
            
            
     
       
         
     
            
              
       
       
       
     
            
           
         
       
         
          
         
           
         
         
              
            
       
         
       
       
       
       
            
            
            
       
           
       
         
           
         
BALCHEM CORPORATION 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
(All amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) 

NOTE 1 - BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING 
POLICIES 

Business Description  

Balchem Corporation (including, unless the context otherwise requires, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, BCP 
Ingredients,  Inc.,  Balchem  Minerals  Corporation,  BCP  St.  Gabriel,  Inc.,  Chelated  Minerals  Corporation, 
Balchem BV, Balchem Trading BV, and Balchem Italia Srl (“Balchem” or the “Company”)), incorporated 
in the State of Maryland in 1967, is engaged in the development, manufacture and marketing of specialty 
performance  ingredients  and  products  for  the  food,  nutritional,  feed,  pharmaceutical  and  medical 
sterilization industries.  

Principles of Consolidation 

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. 
All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  

Revenue Recognition 

Revenue  is  recognized  upon  product  shipment,  passage  of  title  and  risk  of  loss,  and  when  collection  is 
reasonably assured.  The Company reports amounts billed to customers related to shipping and handling as 
revenue  and  includes  costs  incurred  for  shipping  and  handling  in  cost  of  sales.  Amounts  received  for 
unshipped merchandise are principally not recognized as revenue but rather they are recorded as customer 
deposits  and  are  included  in  current  liabilities.  In  addition,  the  Company  follows  the  provisions  of  ASC 
Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition” (incorporating the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Staff 
Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 104, “Revenue Recognition”) which sets forth guidelines on the timing of 
revenue  recognition  based  upon  factors  such  as  passage  of  title,  installation,  payments  and  customer 
acceptance. 

Cash and Cash Equivalents 

The  Company  considers  all  highly  liquid  investments  with  a  maturity  of  three  months  or  less  to  be  cash 
equivalents. 

Inventories 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost generally determined on a first-in, first-out 
basis, and have been reduced by an allowance for excess or obsolete inventories.  Cost elements include 
material, labor and manufacturing overhead. 

Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation 

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of plant and equipment is calculated using 
the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows: 

Buildings 
Equipment 

15-25 years 
  3-12 years 

Expenditures  for  repairs  and  maintenance  are  charged  to  expense.  Alterations  and  major  overhauls  that 
extend the lives or increase the capacity of plant assets are capitalized. When assets are retired or otherwise 
disposed of, the cost of the assets and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts 
and any resultant gain or loss is included in earnings. The Company capitalized interest costs of $17, $158 
and $150 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. 

 35 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business Concentrations 

Financial  instruments  that  subject  the  Company  to  credit  risk  consist  primarily  of  money  market 
investments  and  accounts  receivable.  Investments  are  managed  within  established  guidelines  to  mitigate 
risks. Accounts receivable subject the Company to credit risk partially due to the concentration of amounts 
due  from  customers.  The  Company  extends  credit  to  its  customers  based  upon  an  evaluation  of  the 
customers’  financial  condition  and  credit  histories.  The  majority  of  the  Company’s  customers  are  major 
national or international corporations. In 2009, 2008 and 2007, no customer accounted for more than 10% 
of total net sales.  

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets 

Goodwill  represents  the  excess  of  costs  over  fair  value  of  assets  of  businesses  acquired.  The  Company 
adopted  the  provisions  of  ASC  350,  “Intangibles-Goodwill  and  Other”  (incorporating  former  SFAS  No. 
141,  “Business  Combinations”;  and  SFAS  No.  142,  “Goodwill  and  Other  Intangible  Assets”),  as  of 
January 1,  2002.    This  standard  requires  the  use  of  the  purchase  method  of  accounting  for  a  business 
combination  and  defines  an  intangible  asset.    Goodwill  and  intangible  assets  acquired  in  a  purchase 
business  combination  and  determined  to  have  an  indefinite  useful  life  are  not  amortized,  but  are  instead 
tested  for  impairment  at  least  annually  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  ASC  350.  ASC  350  also 
requires  that  intangible  assets  with  estimable  useful  lives  be  amortized  over  their  respective  estimated 
useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment.  

As required by ASC 350, the Company performed an assessment of whether there was an indication that 
goodwill was impaired at the date of adoption. In connection therewith, the Company determined that its 
operations consisted of three reporting units and determined each reporting units’ fair value and compared 
it to the reporting unit’s net book value.  Since the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying 
amount, there was no indication of impairment and no further transitional impairment testing was required.  
As  of  December  31,  2009  and  2008,  the  Company  also  performed  an  impairment  test  of  its  goodwill 
balance. As of such dates the Company’s reporting units’ fair value exceeded their carrying amounts, and 
therefore there was no indication that goodwill was impaired. Accordingly, the Company was not required 
to perform any further impairment tests. The Company performs its impairment test each December 31. 

The Company had unamortized goodwill in the amount of $26,658 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, subject 
to the provisions of ASC 350.  Unamortized goodwill is allocated to the Company’s reportable segments as 
follows: 

Specialty Products 
Food, Pharma and Nutrition 
Animal Nutrition and Health 
Total 

2009 
  5,089 
  8,607 
12,962 
  26,658 

$ 

$ 

2008 
  5,089 
  8,607 
12,962 
  26,658 

$ 

$ 

The following intangible assets with finite lives are stated at cost and are amortized on a straight-line basis 
over the following estimated useful lives: 

Amortization 
period  
(in years) 
 10 
 10 
15 - 17 
 17 
5 - 10 

Customer lists 
Regulatory re-registration costs 
Patents & trade secrets  
Trademarks & trade names 
Other 

Income Taxes 

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are 
recognized  for  the  future  tax  consequences  attributable  to  differences  between  the  financial  statement 
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax 

 36 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to 
apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or 
settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in 
the period that includes the enactment date. 

Use of Estimates 

Management of the Company is required to make certain estimates and assumptions during the preparation 
of  consolidated  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in  the 
United  States  of  America.  These  estimates  and  assumptions  impact  the  reported  amount  of  assets  and 
liabilities  and  disclosures  of  contingent  assets  and  liabilities  as  of  the  date  of  the  consolidated  financial 
statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed 
periodically and the effects of revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period 
they are determined to be necessary. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments 

The Company has a number of financial instruments, none of which are held for trading purposes. 
The Company estimates that the fair value of all financial instruments at December 31, 2009 and 2008 does 
not  differ  materially  from  the  aggregate  carrying  values  of  its  financial  instruments  recorded  in  the 
accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The estimated fair value amounts have been determined by the 
Company  using  available  market  information  and  appropriate  valuation  methodologies.  Considerable 
judgment  is  necessarily  required  in  interpreting  market  data  to  develop  the  estimates  of  fair  value,  and, 
accordingly, the estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a 
current  market  exchange.  The  Company’s  financial  instruments,  principally  cash  equivalents,  accounts 
receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, are carried at cost which approximates fair value due to 
the short-term maturity of these instruments. The fair value of the Company’s obligations under its long-
term  debt  and  credit  agreements  approximates  their  carrying  value  as  the  stated  interest  rates  of  these 
instruments are variable and reflect rates which are otherwise currently available to the Company. 

Cost of Sales 

Cost  of  sales  are  primarily  comprised  of  raw  materials  and  supplies  consumed  in  the  manufacture  of 
product,  as  well  as  manufacturing  labor,  maintenance  labor,  depreciation  expense,  and  direct  overhead 
expense  necessary  to  convert  purchased  materials  and  supplies  into  finished  product.  Cost  of  sales  also 
includes  inbound  freight  costs,  outbound  freight  costs  for  shipping  products  to  customers,  warehousing 
costs, quality control and obsolescence expense. 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses 

Selling  expenses  consist  primarily  of  compensation  and  benefit  costs,  trade  promotions,  advertising, 
commissions and other marketing costs. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll 
and  benefit  costs,  occupancy  and  operating  costs  of  corporate  offices,  depreciation  and  amortization 
expense  on  non-manufacturing  assets,  information  systems  costs  and  other  miscellaneous  administrative 
costs. 

Research and Development 

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. 

Net Earnings Per Common Share 

Basic net earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number 
of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net earnings per common share is calculated in a 
manner consistent with basic net earnings per common share except that the weighted average number of 
common  shares  outstanding  also  includes  the  dilutive  effect  of  stock  options  outstanding  and  unvested 
restricted stock (using the treasury stock method).  

 37 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock-based Compensation 

The  Company  has  stock-based  employee  compensation plans,  which  are  described  more  fully  in  Note  2.  
On January 1, 2006, the Company was required to adopt ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation” 
(incorporating  former  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  (“SFAS”)  No.  123  (revised  2004), 
“Share Based Payment”), which requires all share-based payments, including grants of stock options, to be 
recognized  in  the  income  statement  as  an  operating  expense,  based  on  their  fair  values.  The  Company 
estimates  the  fair  value  of  each  option  award  on  the  date  of  grant  using  a  Black-Scholes  based  option-
pricing model. 

Prior  to  adopting  ASC  718,  the  Company  accounted  for  stock-based  compensation  under  Accounting 
Principles  Board  Opinion  No. 25,  “Accounting  for  Stock  Issued  to  Employees”,  as  permitted  by  SFAS 
No. 123,  “Accounting  for  Stock-Based  Compensation.  The  modified  prospective  method  was  applied  in 
adopting ASC 718 and, accordingly, periods prior to adoption have not been restated. 

The implementation of ASC 718 has had no adverse effect on the Company’s balance sheet or total cash 
flows,  but  it  does  impact  cash  flows  from  operations,  cash  flows  from  financing  activities,  cost  of  sales, 
gross profit, operating expenses, net income and earnings per share. Because periods prior to adoption have 
not  been  restated,  comparability  between  periods  has  been  affected.  Additionally,  estimates  of  and 
assumptions about forfeiture rates, terms, volatility, interest rates and dividend yields are used to calculate 
stock-based compensation. A significant change to these estimates could materially affect the Company’s 
operating results. 

Impairment of Long-lived Assets 

Long-lived  assets,  such  as  property,  plant,  and  equipment,  and  purchased  intangibles  subject  to 
amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the 
carrying  amount  of  an  asset  may  not  be  recoverable.  Recoverability  of  assets  to  be  held  and  used  is 
measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows 
expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash 
flows,  an  impairment  charge  is  recognized  by  the  amount  by  which  the  carrying  amount  of  the  asset 
exceeds the fair value of the asset, which is generally based on discounted cash flows. 

New Accounting Pronouncements 

In  February  2010,  the  FASB  issued  Accounting  Standards  Update  (“ASU”)  No.  2010-09,  “Subsequent 
Events (Topic 855) Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements” ("ASU 2010-09"). 
ASU 2010-09 amends disclosure requirements within Subtopic 855-10. An entity that is an SEC filer is not 
required to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. This change alleviates 
potential  conflicts  between  Subtopic  855-10  and  the  SEC's  requirements.  ASU 2010-09  is  effective  for 
interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2010. The Company does not expect the adoption of this 
ASU to be significant to its consolidated financial statements. 

In  October  2009,  the  FASB  issued  Accounting  Standards  Update  (“ASU”)  No. 2009-13,  “Revenue 
Recognition  (Topic  605):  Multiple-Deliverable  Revenue  Arrangements—a  consensus  of  the  FASB 
Emerging Issues Task Force.” This ASU provides amendments to the criteria for separating consideration 
in  multiple-deliverable  arrangements.  The  amendments  in  this  ASU  replace  the  term  "fair  value"  in  the 
revenue allocation guidance with "selling price" to clarify that the allocation of revenue is based on entity-
specific assumptions rather than assumptions of a marketplace participant, and they establish a selling price 
hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable. The amendments in this ASU will eliminate the 
residual method of allocation and require that arrangement consideration be allocated at the inception of the 
arrangement  to  all  deliverables  using  the  relative  selling  price  method,  and  they  significantly  expand  the 
required  disclosures  related  to  multiple-deliverable  revenue  arrangements.  The  amendments  in  this  ASU 
will be effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years 
beginning after June 15, 2010. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to be significant to 
its consolidated financial statements. 

In  August  2009,  the  FASB  issued  ASU  No. 2009-5,  “Measuring  Liabilities  at  Fair  Value”  (“ASU  2009-
05”).  ASU  2009-05  amends  ASC  820,  “Fair  Value  Measurements  and  Disclosures.”  Specifically,  ASU 

 38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2009-05  provides  clarification  that  in  circumstances  in  which  a  quoted  price  in  an  active  market  for  the 
identical liability is not available, a reporting entity is required to measure fair value using one or more of 
the following methods: 1) a valuation technique that uses a) the quoted price of the identical liability when 
traded as an asset or b) quoted prices for similar liabilities or similar liabilities when traded as assets and/or 
2) a  valuation  technique  that  is  consistent  with  the  principles  of  ASC  820  (e.g.  an  income  approach  or 
market approach). ASU 2009-05 also clarifies that when estimating the fair value of a liability, a reporting 
entity  is  not  required  to  adjust  to  include  inputs  relating  to  the  existence  of  transfer  restrictions  on  that 
liability. ASU 2009-05 was effective for the Company on October 1, 2009. The adoption of this guidance 
was not significant to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

In  June  2009,  the  FASB  issued  ASU  2009-01,  “Topic  105-Generally  Accepted  Accounting  Principles 
amendments  based  on  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  168-The  FASB  Accounting 
Standards  Codification  and  the  Hierarchy  of  Generally  Accepted  Accounting  Principles”  (incorporating 
former  SFAS  No.  168,  “The  FASB  Accounting  Standards  Codification  and  the  Hierarchy  of  Generally 
Accepted  Accounting  Principles  –  a  Replacement  of  FASB  Statement  No.  162”),  which  establishes  the 
FASB  Accounting  Standards  Codification  as  the  single  source  of  authoritative  U.S.  generally  accepted 
accounting  principles  recognized  by  FASB  to  be  applied  by  nongovernmental  entities.  Rules  and 
interpretive releases of the SEC under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative 
U.S. GAAP for SEC registrants. ASU 2009-01 and the Codification were effective for financial statements 
issued  for  interim  and  annual  periods  ending  after  September  15,  2009.  The  Codification  supersedes  all 
existing  non-SEC  accounting  and  reporting  standards.  No  other  nongrandfathered  non-SEC  accounting 
literature not included in the Codification is authoritative. Following ASU 2009-01, FASB will not issue 
new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff Positions, or Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts. 
Instead,  FASB  will  issue  Accounting  Standards  Updates,  which  will  serve  only  to:  (a)  update  the 
Codification;  (b)  provide  background  information  about  the  guidance;  and  (c)  provide  the  bases  for 
conclusions on the change(s) in the Codification. Pursuant to the provisions of ASU 2009-01, the Company 
has  updated  references  to  GAAP  in  its  financial  statements  issued  beginning  with  the  period  ended 
September  30,  2009.  The  adoption  of  ASU  2009-01  was  not  significant  to  the  Company’s  consolidated 
financial statements. 

In June 2009, the FASB issued amended guidance (incorporating former SFAS No. 167, “Amendments to 
FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)”) incorporated into ASC 810, “Consolidation”. The amendments include: 
(1)  the  elimination  of  the  exemption  for  qualifying  special  purpose  entities,  (2)  a  new  approach  for 
determining who  should  consolidate a variable-interest  entity,  and (3) changes  to when  it  is  necessary  to 
reassess who should consolidate a variable-interest entity. This amended guidance is effective for the first 
annual reporting period beginning after November 15, 2009 and for interim periods within that first annual 
reporting  period.  The  Company  does  not  expect  the  adoption  of  this  guidance  to  be  significant  to  its 
consolidated financial statements. 

In June 2009, the FASB issued ASC 860, “Transfers and Servicing” (incorporating former SFAS No. 166, 
“Accounting  for  Transfers  of  Financial  Assets,  an  amendment  to  SFAS  No. 140”.)  This  guidance 
eliminates the concept of a “qualifying special-purpose entity,” changes the requirements for derecognizing 
financial  assets,  and  requires  additional  disclosures  in  order  to  enhance  information  reported  to  users  of 
financial  statements  by  providing  greater  transparency  about  transfers  of  financial  assets,  including 
securitization transactions, and an entity’s continuing involvement  in and exposure to the risks related to 
transferred  financial  assets.  This  guidance  is  effective  for  fiscal  years  beginning  after  November 15, 
2009. The  Company  does  not  expect  the  adoption  of  this  guidance  to  be  significant  to  its  consolidated 
financial statements. 

In  May  2009,  the  FASB  issued  ASC  855,  “Subsequent  Events”  (incorporating  former  SFAS  No.  165, 
“Subsequent  Events”).  ASC  855  establishes  general  standards  of  accounting for  and  disclosure of  events 
that  occur  after  the  balance  sheet  date  but  before  financial  statements  are  issued  or  are  available  to  be 
issued. Specifically, ASC 855 provides the period after the balance sheet date during which management of 
a  reporting  entity  should  evaluate  events  or  transactions  that  may  occur  for  potential  recognition  or 
disclosure in the financial statements; the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or 
transactions  occurring  after  the  balance  sheet  date  in  its  financial  statements;  and  the  disclosures  that  an 
entity  should make  about  events or  transactions  that  occurred  after  the balance  sheet date. ASC 855  was 
effective  for  interim  or  annual  financial  periods  ending  after  June  15,  2009,  and  is  to  be  applied 
prospectively. The adoption of this guidance was not significant to the Company’s consolidated financial 
statements.  

 39 

 
 
 
 
 
 
In  April  2009,  the  FASB  issued  amended  guidance  (incorporating  former  FASB  Staff  Position  (“FSP”) 
FAS 141(R)-1, “Accounting for Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That 
Arise  from  Contingencies”)  incorporated  into  ASC  805,  “Business  Combinations”  (incorporating  former 
FASB Statement No. 141 (Revised December 2007), “Business Combinations”). This amended guidance 
requires assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from contingencies to 
be  recognized  at  fair  value  if  fair  value  can  be  reasonably  estimated.  If  fair  value  of  such  an  asset  or 
liability cannot be reasonably estimated, the asset or liability would generally be recognized in accordance 
with ASC 450, “Contingencies” (incorporating former SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies”; and 
FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 14, “Reasonable Estimation of the Amount of a Loss.”). Further, FASB 
decided  to  carry  forward  without  significant  revision  the  subsequent  accounting  guidance  for  assets  and 
liabilities  arising  from  contingencies  as  per  SFAS  No.  141,  “Business  Combinations.”  The  amended 
guidance  also  eliminates  the  requirement  to  disclose  an  estimate  of  the  range  of  outcomes  of  recognized 
contingencies at the acquisition date. For unrecognized contingencies, FASB decided to require that entities 
include  only  the  disclosures  required  by  ASC  450  and  that  those  disclosures  be  included  in  the  business 
combination footnote.  This amended guidance also requires that contingent consideration arrangements of 
an acquiree assumed by the acquirer in a business combination be treated as contingent consideration of the 
acquirer and should be initially and subsequently measured at fair value in accordance with ASC 805. This 
amended guidance is effective for assets or liabilities arising from contingencies in business combinations 
for  which  the  acquisition  date  is  on  or  after  January 1,  2009.  The  Company  will  apply  this  amended 
guidance prospectively to all business combinations subsequent to the effective date. 

In  April  2009,  the  FASB  issued  ASC  820,  “Fair  Value  Measurements  and  Disclosures”  (incorporating 
former FSP FAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or 
Liability  Have  Significantly  Decreased  and  Identifying  Transactions  That  Are  Not  Orderly”),  and  ASC 
825, “Financial Instruments” (incorporating former FSP FASB 107-1 and Accounting Principles Board 28-
1,  “Interim  Disclosures  about  Fair  Value  of  Financial  Instruments”).  The  guidance  relates  to  fair  value 
measurements  and  related  disclosures.  The  FASB  also  issued  ASC  320,  “Investments-Debt  and  Equity 
Securities” (incorporating former FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, “Recognition and Presentation of Other-
Than-Temporary Impairments”) relating to the accounting for impaired debt securities. This guidance was 
effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of this guidance was not 
significant to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  

In  April  2008,  the  FASB  issued  ASC  350,  “Intangibles-Goodwill  and  Other”  (incorporating  former  FSP 
142-3, “Determining the Useful Life of Intangible Assets”). ASC 350 amends the factors to be considered 
in  determining  the  useful  life  of  intangible  assets.  Its  intent  is  to  improve  the  consistency  between  the 
useful life of an intangible asset and the period of expected cash flows used to measure its fair value. This 
guidance was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The adoption of this guidance 
was not significant to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

In  March 2008,  the  FASB  issued  ASC  815,  “Derivatives  and  Hedging”  (incorporating  former  SFAS 
No. 161,  “Disclosures  about  Derivative  Instruments  and  Hedging  Activities  —  an  amendment  of  FASB 
Statement No. 133”). ASC 815 requires enhanced disclosures regarding derivatives and hedging activities, 
including: (a) the manner in which an entity uses derivative instruments; (b) the manner in which derivative 
instruments  and  related  hedged  items  are  accounted  for;  and  (c) the  effect  of  derivative  instruments  and 
related hedged items on an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. ASC 815 was 
effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 
2008.  The  adoption  of  this  guidance  was  not  significant  to  the  Company’s  consolidated  financial 
statements. 

In December 2007, the FASB issued ASC 805, “Business Combinations” (incorporating former SFAS No. 
141 (revised 2007),  “Business  Combinations”). The purpose  of  issuing  this  new guidance was  to  replace 
current  guidance  in  SFAS No.  141  to  better  represent  the  economic  value  of  a  business  combination 
transaction. The changes to be effected with this new guidance from the current guidance include, but are 
not  limited  to:  (1) acquisition  costs  will  be  recognized  separately  from  the  acquisition;  (2) known 
contractual  contingencies  at  the  time  of  the  acquisition  will  be  considered  part  of  the  liabilities  acquired 
measured at their fair value; all other contingencies will be part of the liabilities acquired measured at their 
fair  value  only  if  it  is  more  likely  than  not  that  they  meet  the  definition  of  a  liability;  (3) contingent 
consideration  based  on  the  outcome  of  future  events  will  be  recognized  and  measured  at  the  time  of  the 
acquisition;  (4) business  combinations  achieved  in  stages  (step  acquisitions)  will  need  to  recognize  the 
identifiable assets and liabilities, as well as noncontrolling interests, in the acquiree, at the full amounts of 

 40 

 
 
 
 
 
 
their  fair  values;  and  (5) a  bargain  purchase  (defined  as  a  business  combination  in  which  the  total 
acquisition-date fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired exceeds the fair value of the consideration 
transferred plus any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree) will require that excess to be recognized as a 
gain attributable to the acquirer. ASC 805 is effective for any business combinations that occur on or after 
January 1, 2009. The Company will apply ASC 805 prospectively to all business combinations subsequent 
to the effective date. 

In  December  2007,  the  FASB  issued  ASC  810,  “Consolidation”  (incorporating  former  SFAS No. 160, 
“Noncontrolling  Interests  in  Consolidated  Financial  Statements —  an  amendment  of  ARB  No. 51”).  The 
guidance  was  issued  partly  to  improve  the  relevance,  comparability,  and  transparency  of  financial 
information  provided  to  investors  by  requiring  all  entities  to  report  noncontrolling  (minority)  interests  in 
subsidiaries in the same way, that is, as equity in the consolidated financial statements. Moreover, ASC 810 
eliminates  the  diversity  that  currently  exists  in  accounting  for  transactions  between  an  entity  and 
noncontrolling interests by requiring they be treated as equity transactions. ASC 810 was effective January 
1,  2009.  The  adoption  of  this  guidance  was  not  significant  to  the  Company’s  consolidated  financial 
statements. 

In September 2006, the FASB issued ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures" (incorporating 
former SFAS No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements”). ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework 
for  measuring  fair  value  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  and  expands 
disclosures  about  fair  value  measurements.  The  Company  adopted  the  provisions  of  this  standard  for  its 
financial assets and liabilities as of January 1, 2008 and it did not have a material impact on its financial 
condition or results of operations. As permitted by additional guidance (issued formerly as FSP No. FAS 
157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157”), the Company elected to defer the adoption of ASC 
820 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at 
fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis, until January 1, 2009. Effective January 1, 2009, 
the Company adopted the provision for nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are not required or permitted 
to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis, which include those measured at fair value in impairment 
testing  and  those  initially  measured  at  fair  value  in  a  business  combination.  The  provisions  of  ASC  820 
related to these items did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  
Additional guidance (issued formerly as FSP No. 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset 
When the Market for That Asset is Not Active”) clarifies the application of ASC 820 in a market that is not 
active and provides an example of key considerations in determining the fair value of a financial asset when 
the  market  for  that  asset  is  not  active.  This  additional  guidance  was  effective  on  October  10,  2008, 
including  prior  periods  for  which  financial  statements  have  not  been  issued.  Revisions  resulting  from  a 
change  in  the  valuation  technique  or  its  application  should  be  accounted  for  as  a  change  in  accounting 
estimate following the guidance in ASC 250, "Accounting Changes and Error Corrections" (incorporating 
former SFAS No. 154, "Accounting Changes and Error Corrections"). The Company adopted the additional 
guidance on October 10, 2008 and it did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements. 

Reclassifications 

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ financial statements to conform to the current 
year’s presentation with no impact on net earnings or stockholders’ equity. 

NOTE 2 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION 

On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted ASC 718, which requires all share-based payments, including 
grants of stock options, to be recognized in the income statement as an operating expense, based on their 
fair values. 

Prior  to  adopting  ASC  718,  the  Company  accounted  for  stock-based  compensation  under  Accounting 
Principles  Board  Opinion  No. 25,  “Accounting  for  Stock  Issued  to  Employees”  (“Opinion  25”),  as 
permitted by SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”. The Company has applied the 
modified prospective method in adopting ASC 718. Accordingly, periods prior to adoption have not been 
restated.  Under  the  modified  prospective  method,  compensation  cost  recognized  in  the  years  ended 
December  31,  2009,  2008  and  2007  include  (a)  compensation  cost  for  all  share-based  payments  granted 

 41 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance 
with the original provisions of SFAS 123, and (b) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted 
subsequent  to  January  1,  2006,  based  on  the  grant-date  fair  value  estimated  in  accordance  with  the 
provisions of ASC 718. 

As required by ASC 718, the Company has made an estimate of expected forfeitures, based on its historical 
experience,  and  is  recognizing  compensation  cost  only  for  those  stock-based  compensation  awards 
expected to vest.  

Additionally, since adoption of ASC 718, excess tax benefits related to stock compensation are presented as 
a cash inflow from financing activities. This change had the effect of decreasing cash flows from operating 
activities and increasing cash flows from financing activities by $2,289, $672 and $677 for the years ended 
December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. 

The  Company’s  results  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2009,  2008  and  2007  reflected  the  following 
compensation cost as a result of adopting ASC 718 and such compensation cost had the following effects 
on net earnings and basic and diluted earnings per share:   

Cost of sales 
Operating expenses 
Net earnings 
Basic EPS 
Diluted EPS 

$ 

$ 

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2008 

273  $

2,141 
1,614 
.06 
.06  $

2009 

365  $

2,711 
1,963 
.07 
.07  $

2007 

187 
1,449 
1,118 
.04 
.04 

On December 31, 2009, the Company had one share-based compensation plan, which is described below 
(the “1999 Stock Plan”). 

In  June  1999,  the  Company  adopted  the  Balchem  Corporation  1999  Stock  Plan  for  officers,  directors, 
directors emeritus and employees of and consultants to the Company and its subsidiaries. The 1999 Stock 
Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company. Under the 
plan,  options  and  rights  to  purchase  shares  of  the  Company’s  common  stock  are  granted  at  prices 
established at the time of grant. Option grants generally become exercisable 20% after 1 year, 60% after 2 
years and 100% after 3 years from the date of grant for employees and are fully exercisable on the date of 
grant  for  directors.  Other  option  grants  are  either  fully  exercisable  on  the  date  of  grant  or  become 
exercisable thereafter in such installments as the Committee may specify. Options granted under the 1999 
Stock Plan expire ten years from the date of the grant. The 1999 Stock Plan initially reserved an aggregate 
of 600,000 shares (unadjusted for the stock splits) of common stock for issuance under the Plan. In April 
2003,  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company  adopted  and  stockholders  subsequently  approved,  the 
Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Plan (the “Amended Plan”) which amended the 1999 Stock Plan by:  (i) 
increasing  the  number  of  shares  of  common  stock  reserved  for  issuance  under  the  1999  Stock  Plan  by 
600,000  shares  (unadjusted  for  the  stock  splits),  to  a  total  of  1,200,000  shares  (unadjusted  for  the  stock 
splits) of common stock; and (ii) confirming the right of the Company to grant awards of common stock 
(“Awards”) in addition to the other Stock Rights available under the 1999 Stock Plan, and providing certain 
language changes relating thereto.   The Amended Plan was scheduled to expire in April, 2009. In April, 
2008,  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company  adopted  and  stockholders  subsequently  approved,  the 
adoption  of  an  amendment  and  restatement of  the  Amended  Plan  (collectively  to  be  referred  to  as  the 
“Second  Amended  Plan”),  which  provides  as  follows:  (i)  for  a  termination  date  of  April  9,  2018;  (ii)  to 
authorize 6,000,000 shares reserved for future grants under the Second Amended Plan; (iii) for the making 
of  grants  of  stock  appreciation  rights,  restricted  stock  and  performance  awards;  (iv)  for  immediate 
acceleration of vesting of awards issued under the plan in the event of a change in control of the Company; 
and (v) for compliance with the requirements of Sections 409A and 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code 
of  1986,  as  amended  (the  “Internal  Revenue  Code”  or  the  “Code”).  The  1999  Stock  Plan  replaced  the 
Company's incentive stock option plan (the “ISO Plan”) and its non-qualified stock option plan (the “Non-
Qualified Plan”), both of which expired on June 24, 1999. Unexercised options granted under the ISO Plan 
and  the  Non-Qualified  Plan  prior  to  such  termination  remain  exercisable  in  accordance  with  their  terms. 
Options granted under the ISO Plan generally become exercisable 20% after 1 year, 60% after 2 years and 
100%  after  3  years  from  the  date  of  grant,  and  expire  ten  years  from  the  date  of  grant.  Options  granted 

 42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
under the Non-Qualified Plan generally vested on the date of grant, and expire ten years from the date of 
grant.  

The  shares  to  be  issued  upon  exercise  of  the  outstanding  options  have  been  approved,  reserved  and  are 
adequate  to  cover  all  exercises.    As  of  December  31,  2009,  the  plans  had  5,091,180  shares  available  for 
future awards. 

The Company has Restricted Stock Purchase Agreements (the “RSP Agreements”) with its non-employee 
directors and certain employees of the Company to purchase the Company’s common stock pursuant to the 
Company’s  1999  Stock  Plan.  Under  the  RSP  Agreements,  certain  shares  have  been  purchased,  ranging 
from  1,000  shares  to  20,250  shares,  of  the  Company’s  common  stock  at  purchase  prices  ranging  from 
approximately  $.02 per  share  to  $.07  per  share.  The  purchased  stock  is  subject  to  a repurchase option  in 
favor of the Company and to restrictions on transfer until it vests in accordance with the provisions of the 
Agreements. 

The  fair  value  of  each  option  award  issued  under  the  1999  Stock  Plan  is  estimated  on  the  date  of  grant 
using a Black-Scholes based option-pricing model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table. 
Expected  volatilities  are  based  on  historical  volatility  of  the  Company’s  stock.  The  expected  term  of  the 
options is based on the Company’s historical experience of employees’ exercise behavior.  Dividend yields 
are  based  on  the  Company’s  historical  dividend  yields.   Risk-free  interest  rates  are  based  on  the  implied 
yields currently available on U.S. Treasury zero coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected 
life. 

Weighted Average Assumptions: 

Expected Volatility 

Expected Term (in years) 
Risk-Free Interest Rate 
Dividend Yield 

December 31, 
2009 

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2008 

December 31, 
2007 

46.9% 
3.8 

1.8% 
0.5% 

44.5% 
3.3 

2.0% 
0.6% 

35.2% 
4.5 

4.7% 
0.4% 

The value of the restricted shares is based on the intrinsic value of the award at the date of grant.  

Compensation expense for stock options and restricted stock awards is recognized on a straight-line basis 
over  the  vesting  period,  generally  three  years  for  stock  options,  four  years  for  employee  restricted  stock 
awards, and four to seven years for non-employee director restricted stock awards.   

A summary of stock option plan activity for 2009, 2008, and 2007 for all plans is as follows: 

2009 

Outstanding at beginning of year 
Granted 
Exercised  
Cancelled 
Outstanding at end of year 
Exercisable at end of year 

2008 

Outstanding at beginning of year 
Granted 
Exercised  
Cancelled 
Outstanding at end of year 
Exercisable at end of year 

# of 
Shares 
(000s) 
3,594 
   339 
   (628) 
     (19) 
3,286 
2,255 

# of 
Shares 
(000s) 
2,916 
   876 
   (196) 
       (2) 
3,594 
2,530 

 43 

Weighted Average 
Exercise Price 
  $      9.21 
        21.38 
          4.79 
        14.10 
  $    11.28 
  $      8.52 

Weighted Average 
Exercise Price 
  $       7.10 
         15.35 
           5.31 
         13.61 
  $       9.21 
  $       6.89 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2007 

Outstanding at beginning of year 
Granted 
Exercised  
Cancelled 
Outstanding at end of year 
Exercisable at end of year 

# of 
Shares 
(000s) 
3,255 
     14 
   (329) 
    (24) 
2,916 
2,232 

Weighted Average 
Exercise Price 
 $      6.76 
        12.00 
          3.70 
          9.56 
  $      7.10 
  $      6.06 

The aggregate intrinsic value for outstanding stock options was $36,342, $26,873 and $22,786 at December 
31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, with a weighted average remaining contractual term of 6.6 years at 
December 31, 2009.  Exercisable stock options at December 31, 2009 had an aggregate intrinsic value of 
$31,179 with a weighted average remaining contractual term of 5.5 years. 

Other information pertaining to option activity during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 
was as follows: 

Weighted-average fair value of options granted 
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised ($000s) 

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2008 

2007 

2009 

$
$

7.74 $
7,425 $

4.98 $ 
2,023 $ 

  4.30 
2,721 

Additional information related to stock options outstanding under all plans at December 31, 2009 is as 
follows: 

Range of Exercise 
Prices 
$     2.20    -   $  8.79 
   9.21    -     13.71 
    16.57    -     21.39 

Shares 
Outstanding 
(000s) 

1,025 
1,512 
749 
3,286 

Options Outstanding 

Options Exercisable 

Weighted 
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual 
Term 

4.3 years 
6.8 years 
9.4 years 
6.6 years 

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise 
Price 
$    5.54 
    11.28 
    19.14 
$  11.28 

Number 
Exercisable 
(000s) 

1,025 
1,148 
82 
2,255 

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise 
Price 

$    5.54 
    10.55 
    17.28 
$    8.52 

Non-vested restricted stock activity for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 is summarized 
below:  

Non-vested balance as of December 31, 2008 
Granted 
Vested 
Forfeited 
Non-vested balance as of December 31, 2009 

Weighted 
Average Grant 
Date Fair 
Value 
13.39 
21.34 
- 
- 
14.56 

$

$

Shares (000s) 
347 
  71 
- 
- 
418 

 44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-vested balance as of December 31, 2007 
Granted 
Vested 
Forfeited 
Non-vested balance as of December 31, 2008 

Non-vested balance as of December 31, 2006 
Granted 
Vested 
Forfeited 
Non-vested balance as of December 31, 2007 

Weighted 
Average Grant 
Date Fair 
Value 
11.00 
15.29 
11.36 
- 
13.39 

Weighted 
Average Grant 
Date Fair 
Value 
10.93 
12.41 
- 
- 
11.00 

$

$

$

$

Shares (000s) 
176 
198 
  (27) 
- 
347 

Shares (000s) 
169 
    7 
- 
- 
176 

As  of  December  31,  2009,  2008  and  2007,  there  was  $8,291,  $7,248  and  $2,586,  respectively,  of  total 
unrecognized  compensation  cost  related  to  non-vested  share-based  compensation  arrangements  granted 
under  the  plans.  As  of  December  31,  2009,  the  unrecognized  compensation  cost  is  expected  to  be 
recognized over a weighted-average period of 2 years. We estimate that share-based compensation expense 
for the year ended December 31, 2010 will be approximately $3,900. 

STOCK SPLITS AND REPURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK 

On  December  11,  2009,  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company  approved  a  three-for-two  split  of  the 
Company’s  common  stock  to  be  effected  in  the  form  of  a  stock  dividend  to  shareholders  of  record  on 
December 30, 2009.  Such stock dividend was made on January 20, 2010.  The stock split was recognized 
by  reclassifying  the  par  value  of  the  additional  shares  resulting  from  the  split,  from  additional  paid-in 
capital to common stock.  The stock split was applied retroactively to all periods presented. 

The  Company  has  an  approved  stock  repurchase  program.  The  total  authorization  under  this  program  is 
3,763,038 shares. Since the inception of the program, a total of 1,961,800 shares have been purchased, none 
of  which  remained  in  treasury  at  December  31,  2009  or  2008.    During  2009,  no  additional  shares  were 
purchased. The Company intends to acquire shares from time to time at prevailing market prices if and to 
the extent it deems it advisable to do so based on its assessment of corporate cash flow, market conditions 
and other factors.  

NOTE 3 - INVENTORIES 

Inventories at December 31, 2009 and 2008 consisted of the following: 

Raw materials 
Work in progress 
Finished goods 
  Total inventories 

2009 
5,799 
793 
7,373 
13,965 

2008 
5,931 
540 
10,147 
16,618 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

On a regular basis, the Company evaluates its inventory balances for excess quantities and obsolescence by 
analyzing  demand,  inventory  on  hand,  sales  levels  and  other  information.  Based  on  these  evaluations, 
inventory balances are reduced, if necessary. The reserve for inventory was $799 and $94 at December 31, 
2009 and 2008, respectively. 

 45 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 4 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

Property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2009 and 2008 are summarized as follows: 

Land 
Building 
Equipment 
Construction in progress 

Less: Accumulated depreciation 
   Property, plant and equipment, net 

2009 
2,112 
15,593 
54,068 
2,676 
74,449 
32,870 
41,579 

$ 

$ 

2008 
2,088 
15,426 
50,719 
2,654 
70,887 
28,374 
42,513 

$ 

$ 

Depreciation  expense  was  $4,480,  $4,144  and  $3,466  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2009,  2008  and 
2007, respectively. 

NOTE 5 - ACQUISITIONS 

Akzo Nobel Acquisition 

Effective  April  30,  2007,  pursuant  to  an  asset  purchase  agreement  dated  March  30,  2007,  the  Company, 
through its European subsidiary, Balchem B.V., completed an acquisition of the methylamines and choline 
chloride business and manufacturing facilities of Akzo Nobel Chemicals S.p.A., located in Marano Ticino, 
Italy  (the  “Akzo  Nobel  Acquisition”)  for  a  purchase  price,  including  acquisition  costs,  of  approximately 
$8,000.  The  intent  of  the  Akzo  Nobel  Acquisition  was  to  provide  a  direct  platform  for  the  Company  to 
meet  the  growing  market  needs  of  methylamines,  choline  chloride  and  derivative  products  for  customers 
via improved global sourcing, regulatory support, marketing and distribution capabilities. 

The  Akzo  Nobel  Acquisition  has  been  accounted  for  using  the  purchase  method  of  accounting  and  the 
purchase price of the acquisition has been assigned to the net assets acquired based on the fair value of such 
assets at the date of acquisition. The allocation of the total purchase price, including acquisition costs, was 
based  on  the  estimated  fair  values  as  of  April  30,  2007.  The  purchase  price  including  certain  working 
capital acquired has been allocated as follows:  

Property plant & equipment 
Short-term receivable 
Inventories 
Goodwill 
Other 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 
Total 

Fair Value Recorded 
in Purchase Accounting 
$ 

7,994 
2,462 
4,323 
1,383 
     83 
(8,213) 
8,032 

$ 

The consolidated financial statements include the results of operations of the Akzo Nobel Acquisition from 
the date of purchase. Pro forma results for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 are not materially 
different from the results reported herein. 

Chinook Acquisition 

On  March  16,  2007,  the  Company,  through  its  wholly-owned  subsidiary  BCP  Ingredients,  Inc.  ("BCP"), 
entered  into  an  asset  purchase  agreement  with  Chinook  Global  Limited  ("Chinook"),  a  privately  held 
Ontario corporation, pursuant to which BCP acquired certain of Chinook's choline chloride business assets 
(the  “Chinook  Acquisition”)  for  a  purchase  price,  including  acquisition  costs,  of  approximately  $33,000. 
The acquisition closed effective the same date. The intent of the Chinook Acquisition was to gain scale in 
order  for  the  Company  to  more  effectively  and  economically  produce  and  distribute  choline  chloride 
worldwide. 

 46 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  Chinook  Acquisition  has  been  accounted  for  using  the  purchase  method  of  accounting  and  the 
purchase price of the acquisition has been assigned to the net assets acquired based on the fair value of such 
assets at the date of acquisition. The allocation of the total purchase price, including acquisition costs, was 
based on the estimated fair values as of March 16, 2007. The purchase price has been allocated as follows:  

Customer list 
Inventories 
Short-term receivable 
Other 
Total 

Fair Value Recorded 
in Purchase Accounting 
             29,262 
$ 
               1,840 
               1,850 
                    73 
             33,025 

$ 

The short-term receivable was included in other current assets. 

Pro Forma Summary of Operations 

The  following  unaudited  pro  forma  information  has  been  prepared  as  if  the  Chinook  Acquisition  had 
occurred on January 1, 2007 and does not include cost savings expected from the transaction. In addition to 
including  the  results  of  operations,  the  pro  forma  information  gives  effect  primarily  to  changes  in 
depreciation and amortization of tangible and intangible assets resulting from the acquisition. 

The  pro  forma  information  presented  does  not  purport  to  be  indicative  of  the  results  that  actually  would 
have been attained if the Chinook Acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the periods presented and is 
not intended to be a projection of future results. 

Net sales 
Net earnings 
Basic EPS 
Diluted EPS 

Pro Forma 
Year Ended 
December 31, 
2007 

$ 

$ 

185,188 
16,595 
.62 
.59 

NOTE 6 - INTANGIBLE ASSETS WITH FINITE LIVES 

As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had identifiable intangible assets as follows: 

Customer lists 
Regulatory re-registration 
costs 
Patents & trade secrets 
Trademarks & trade names 
Other 

Amortization 
Period  
(In years) 

10 
10 

15-17 
17 
5-10 

2009 
Gross 
Carrying 
Amount 
$  34,150 
93 

1,683 
911 
755 
$   37,592 

2009 
Accumulated 
Amortization 
$  10,011 
11 

504 
251 
311 
$   11,088 

2008 
Gross 
Carrying 
Amount 
$  34,150 
85 

1,673 
904 
619 
$   37,431 

2008 
Accumulated 
Amortization 

$   6,595 
3 

406 
198 
236 
$   7,438 

Amortization of identifiable intangible assets was approximately $3,650, $3,642 and $2,910 for 2009, 2008 
and 2007, respectively.  Assuming  no  change  in  the gross  carrying  value  of  identifiable  intangible  assets, 
the  estimated  amortization  expense  is  approximately  $3,600  per  annum  for  2010  through  2014.  At 
December  31,  2009  and  2008,  there  were  no  identifiable  intangible  assets  with  indefinite  useful  lives  as 
defined  by  ASC  350,  “Intangibles-Goodwill  and  Other”  (incorporating  former  SFAS  No.  141,  “Business 
Combinations”;  and  SFAS  No.  142,  “Goodwill  and  Other  Intangible  Assets”).    Identifiable  intangible 
assets are reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets under Intangible assets, net.  There were 
no changes to the useful lives of intangible assets subject to amortization in 2009 and 2008. 

 47 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
At December 31, 2009, the gross carrying amount included a customer list acquired as part of the Chinook 
Acquisition in 2007, a customer list, trade name and trade secrets acquired as part of the CMC Acquisition 
in 2006, as well as a customer list and patent acquired as part of the Loders Croklaan Acquisition in 2005.    

The  Federal  Insecticide,  Fungicide  and  Rodenticide  Act,  as  amended  (“FIFRA”),  a  health  and  safety 
statute,  requires  that  certain  products  within  our  specialty  products  segment  must  be  registered  with  the 
U.S.  Environmental  Protection  Agency  (“EPA”)    because  they  are  considered  pesticides.  Costs  of  such 
registration are included as regulatory re-registration costs in the table above.  

NOTE 7 - LONG-TERM DEBT & CREDIT AGREEMENTS 

On  April  30,  2007,  the  Company,  and  its  principal  bank  entered  into  a  Loan  Agreement  (the  “European 
Loan Agreement”) providing for an unsecured term loan of €7,500, translated to approximately $10,750 as 
of  December  31,  2009  (the  “European  Term  Loan”),  the  proceeds  of  which  were  used  to  fund  the  Akzo 
Nobel  Acquisition  (see  Note  5)  and  initial  working  capital  requirements.  The  European  Term  Loan  is 
payable in equal monthly installments of principal, each equal to 1/84th of the principal of the European 
Term Loan, together with accrued interest, with remaining principal and interest payable at maturity. The 
European Term Loan has a maturity date of May 1, 2010 and is subject to a monthly interest rate equal to 
EURIBOR  plus  1%.  At  December  31,  2009,  this  interest  rate  was  1.47%.  At  December  31,  2009,  the 
European  Term  Loan  had  an  outstanding  balance  of  €4,732  translated  to  $6,783.  The  European  Loan 
Agreement  also  provides  for  a  short-term  revolving  credit  facility  of  €3,000,  translated  to  $4,300  as  of 
December  31,  2009  (the  "European  Revolving  Facility").  The  European  Revolving  Facility  has  been 
renewed for a period of one year as of May 1, 2009. The current European Revolving Facility is subject to 
an amended monthly interest rate equal to EURIBOR plus 1.45%, and accrued interest is payable monthly. 
No  amounts  are  outstanding  on  the  European  Revolving  Facility  as  of  the  date  hereof.  Management 
believes that such facility will be renewed in the normal course of business. 

On  March  16,  2007,  the  Company  and  its  principal  bank  entered  into  a  Loan  Agreement  (the  “Loan 
Agreement”) providing for an unsecured term loan of $29,000 (the “Term Loan”), the proceeds of which 
were used to fund the Chinook Acquisition (see Note 5).  As of December 31, 2009, the Company has paid 
the  Term  Loan  in  full.  The  Loan  Agreement  also  provides  for  a  short-term  revolving  credit  facility  of 
$6,000  (the  "Revolving  Facility").  The  Revolving  Facility  is  subject  to  a  monthly  interest  rate  equal  to 
LIBOR plus 1%, and accrued interest is payable monthly. No amounts are outstanding on the Revolving 
Facility as of the date hereof.  The Revolving Facility has a maturity date of May 31, 2010.  Management 
believes that such facility will be renewed in the normal course of business. 

At December 31, 2009, we had a total of $6,783 of debt outstanding, as compared to a total of $11,575 debt 
outstanding  at  December  31,  2008.  Indebtedness  under  the  Company’s  loan  agreements  are  secured  by 
assets of the Company. 

The Company's debt obligations, excluding revolver borrowings, as of December 31, 2009, are summarized 
in the table below:  

Long-term debt obligations 

Payments due by period 

Total 
$      6,783 

   Year 1 
$   6,783 

 48 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 8 - INCOME TAXES 

Income tax expense consists of the following: 

Current: 
     Federal 
     Foreign 
     State 
Deferred: 
     Federal 
     Foreign 
     State 
Total income tax provision 

2009 

11,922 
  1,700 
  1,425 

  (1,181) 
       53 
    ( 102) 
13,817 

$ 

$ 

2008 

8,849 
   908 
   107 

  (473) 
    31  
  (  41) 
9,381 

$ 

$ 

2007 

7,688 
   295 
1,299 

  (320) 
  (100)  
  (151) 
8,711 

$ 

$ 

The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the Federal statutory rate of 
35% to earnings before income tax expense due to the following:  

Income tax at Federal  
     statutory rate 
State income taxes, net of  
     Federal income tax benefit 
Other 
Total income tax provision 

2009 

2008 

2007 

$ 

14,211 

$ 

9,951 

$ 

8,690 

     766 
  (1,160) 
13,817 

$ 

       - 
   (570) 
9,381 

$ 

   603 
   (582) 
8,711 

$ 

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and 
deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2009 and 2008 were as follows: 

Deferred tax assets: 
     Inventories 
     Restricted stock and stock options 
     Other 
          Total deferred tax assets 
Deferred tax liabilities: 
     Customer list and goodwill amortization 
     Depreciation 
     Prepaid expense 
     Trade names and trademarks 
     Technology and trade secrets 
     Other 
          Total deferred tax liabilities 
          Net deferred tax liability 

2009 

2008 

$ 

$ 

$ 

721 
2,525 
683 
3,929 

1,783 
4,866 
618 
199 
224 
378 
8,068 
4,139 

$ 

$ 

$ 

474 
1,429 
505 
2,408 

1,851 
4,430 
765 
199 
224 
293 
7,762 
5,354 

There is no valuation allowance for deferred tax assets at December 31, 2009 and 2008. In assessing the 
realizability  of  deferred  tax  assets,  management  considers  whether  it  is  more  likely  than  not  that  some 
portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is 
dependent  upon  the  generation  of  future  taxable  income  during  the  periods  in  which  those  temporary 
differences  become  deductible.  Management  considers  the  scheduled  reversal  of  deferred  tax  liabilities, 
projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level 
of  historical  taxable  income  and  projections  for  future  taxable  income  over  the  periods  in  which  the 
deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not the Company will realize 
the benefits of these deductible differences.  The amount of deferred tax asset realizable, however, could 
change if management’s estimate of future taxable income should change. 

The Company adopted the provisions of ASC 740-10 (incorporating former FASB Interpretation No. 48, 
“Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FAS Statement No. 109”) on January 
1, 2007.  FIN 48 clarifies whether or not to recognize assets or liabilities for tax positions taken that may be 

 49 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
challenged by a tax authority.  Upon adoption of ASC 740-10, the Company recognized approximately a 
$291  decrease  in  its  retained  earnings  balance.   A  reconciliation  of  the  beginning  and  ending  amount  of 
unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:  

Balance at beginning of period 
Increases for tax positions of prior years 
Decreases for tax positions of prior years 
Increases for tax positions related to current year 
Balance at end of period 

$

2009 
  813 
    73 
  (131) 
  217 
  972 

$

$

2008 
  733 
      - 
(151) 
231 
 813 

2007 
  411 
  320 
  (225) 
  227 
  733 

$ 

$ 

All of the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized in future periods, would impact the 
Company’s effective tax rate in such future periods. 

The Company recognizes both interest and penalties as part of the income tax provision. During the years 
ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company recognized approximately $110 and $22 in interest and 
penalties, respectively. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, accrued interest and penalties were $262 and 
$152, respectively. 

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and in various states and foreign countries. In the major 
jurisdictions where the Company operates, it is generally no longer subject to income tax examinations by 
tax  authorities  for  years  before  2006.  The  Company  does  not  anticipate  any  material  change  in  the  total 
amount of unrecognized tax benefits to occur within the next twelve months.  

NOTE 9 - NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE 

The  following  presents  a  reconciliation  of  the  numerator  and  denominator  used  in  calculating  basic  and 
diluted net earnings per common share: 

2009 
Basic  EPS  –  Net  earnings  and  weighted  average 
common shares outstanding 

Earnings 
(Numerator) 

Number of Shares 
(Denominator) 

Per Share 
Amount 

$  26,785 

           27,420,091  

$.98 

Effect  of  dilutive  securities  –  stock  options  and 
restricted stock 

       1,454,303 

Diluted  EPS  –  Net  earnings  and  weighted  average 
common  shares  outstanding  and  effect  of  stock 
options and restricted stock 

$  26,785 

 28,874,394 

$.93 

2008 
Basic  EPS  –  Net  earnings  and  weighted  average 
common shares outstanding 

Earnings 
(Numerator) 

Number of Shares 
(Denominator) 

Per Share 
Amount 

$  19,050 

           26,950,249  

$.71 

Effect  of  dilutive  securities  –  stock  options  and 
restricted stock 

       1,570,986 

Diluted  EPS  –  Net  earnings  and  weighted  average 
common  shares  outstanding  and  effect  of  stock 
options and restricted stock 

$  19,050 

 28,521,235 

$.67 

 50 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2007 
Basic  EPS  –  Net  earnings  and  weighted  average 
common shares outstanding 

Earnings 
(Numerator) 

Number of Shares 
(Denominator) 

Per Share 
Amount 

$  16,118 

26,657,281 

$.61 

Effect  of  dilutive  securities  –  stock  options  and 
restricted stock 

       1,258,517 

Diluted  EPS  –  Net  earnings  and  weighted  average 
common  shares  outstanding  and  effect  of  stock 
options and restricted stock 

$  16,118 

27,915,798 

$.58 

The Company had 338,400, 415,350 and 13,650 stock options outstanding at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 
2007,  respectively  that  could  potentially  dilute  basic  earnings  per  share  in  future  periods  that  were  not 
included in diluted earnings per share because their effect on the period presented was anti-dilutive.  

NOTE 10 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS 

The Company sponsors a 401(k) savings plan for eligible employees. The plan allows participants to make 
pretax  contributions  and  the  Company  matches  certain  percentages  of  those  pretax  contributions  with 
shares of  the Company’s  common  stock. The profit  sharing portion of  the plan  is discretionary  and non-
contributory.  All  amounts  contributed  to  the  plan  are  deposited  into  a  trust  fund  administered  by 
independent trustees. The Company provided for profit sharing contributions and matching 401(k) savings 
plan  contributions  of  $745  and  $430  in  2009,  $624  and  $406  in  2008  and  $503  and  $379  in  2007, 
respectively. 

The  Company  also  currently  provides  postretirement  benefits  in  the  form  of  an  unfunded  retirement 
medical  plan  under  a  collective  bargaining  agreement  covering  eligible  retired  employees  of  the  Verona 
facility.  The  Company  uses  a  December  31  measurement  date  for  its  postretirement  medical  plan.    In 
accordance  with  ASC  715,  “Compensation—Retirement  Benefits”  (incorporating  former  SFAS  No.  158, 
“Employers’  Accounting  for  Defined  Benefit  Pension  and  Other  Postretirement  Plans”),  the  Company  is 
required to recognize the over funded or under funded status of a defined benefit post retirement plan (other 
than a multiemployer plan) as an asset or liability in its  statement of financial position, and to recognize 
changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income.  

The actuarial recorded liabilities for such unfunded postretirement benefit is as follows: 

Change in benefit obligation: 

Benefit obligation at beginning of year 

Service cost with interest to end of year 
Interest cost 
Participant contributions 
Benefits paid 
Actuarial (gain) or loss 
Benefit obligation at end of year 

Change in plan assets: 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year 

Employer contributions 
Participant contributions 
Benefits paid 

Fair value of plan assets at end of year 

2009 
    801 
      33 
      43 
      14 
      (45) 
      42 
    888 

2009 
- 
  31 
  14 
  (45) 
- 

2008 
    805 
      28 
      40 
      13 
      (30) 
      (55) 
    801 

2008 
- 
  17 
  13 
  (30) 
- 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

 51 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts recognized in consolidated balance sheet: 

Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation 
Fair value of plan assets 
Funded status 
Unrecognized prior service cost 
Unrecognized net (gain)/loss 
Net  amount  recognized  in  consolidated  balance 
sheet (after ASC 715) 
(included in other long-term obligations) 
Accrued postretirement benefit cost  
(included in other long-term obligations) 

Components of net periodic benefit cost: 

Service cost with interest to end of year 
Interest cost 
Amortization of prior service cost 
Amortization of gain 
Total net periodic benefit cost 

2009 
(888) 
- 
(888) 
N/A 
N/A 

 888 

 N/A 

2009 
 33 
 43 
(19) 
  (3) 
 54 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

2008 
(801) 
- 
(801) 
N/A 
N/A 

 801 

 N/A 

2008 
 28 
 40 
(18) 
  (6) 
 44 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

Estimated future employer contributions and benefit payments are as follows: 

2007 
 29 
 41 
(18) 
  (3) 
 49 

$ 

$ 

Year 

2010 
2011 
2012 
2013 
2014 
Years 2015-2019 

$ 

34 
45 
38 
23 
26 
  370 

Assumed  health  care  cost  trend  rates  have  been  used  in  the  valuation  of  postretirement  health  insurance 
benefits.  The  trend  rate  is  10  percent  in  2010  declining  to  4.5  percent  in  2027  and  thereafter.  A  one 
percentage  point  increase  in  health  care  cost  trend  rates  in  each  year  would  increase  the  accumulated 
postretirement  benefit  obligation  as  of  December  31,  2009  by  $116  and  the  net  periodic  postretirement 
benefit cost for 2009 by $11. A one percentage point decrease in health care cost trend rates in each year 
would decrease the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 2009 by $101 and 
the  net  periodic  postretirement  benefit  cost  for  2009  by  $9.  The  weighted  average  discount  rate  used  in 
determining the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was 5.45% in 2009 and 5.50% in 2008. 

NOTE 11 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 

In February 2006, the Company entered into a lease agreement under which the Company leases a portion 
of a Channahon, Illinois facility where it conducts manufacturing and utilizes certain warehouse space. The 
term of the lease runs through September 30, 2010, subject to earlier termination.  

In  February  2002,  the  Company  entered  into  a  ten  (10)  year  lease  which  became  cancelable  in  2009  for 
approximately  20,000  square  feet  of  office  space.  The  office  space  is  now  serving  as  the  Company’s 
general offices and as a laboratory facility. The Company leases most of its vehicles and office equipment 
under non-cancelable operating leases, which primarily expire at various times through 2013. Rent expense 
charged  to  operations  under  such  lease  agreements  for  2009,  2008  and  2007  aggregated  approximately 
$1,183, $1,284 and $1,047, respectively. Aggregate future minimum rental payments required under non-
cancelable operating leases at December 31, 2009 are as follows: 

 52 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year 

2010 
2011 
2012 
2013 
2014 
Thereafter 
Total minimum lease payments 

$   988 
684 
361 
182 
119 
306 
$ 2,640 

In  1982,  the  Company  discovered  and  thereafter  removed  a  number  of  buried  drums  containing 
unidentified  waste  material  from  the  Company’s  site  in  Slate  Hill,  New  York.  The  Company  thereafter 
entered into a Consent Decree to evaluate the drum site with the New York Department of Environmental 
Conservation (“NYDEC”) and performed a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study that was approved by 
NYDEC in February 1994. Based on NYDEC requirements, the Company cleaned the area and removed 
additional  soil  from  the  drum  burial  site,  which  was  completed  in  1996.  The  Company  continues  to  be 
involved in discussions with NYDEC to evaluate test results and determine what, if any, additional actions 
will be required on the part of the Company to close out the remediation of this site. Additional actions, if 
any,  would  likely  require  the  Company  to continue  monitoring  the  site. The  cost  of  such  monitoring has 
been less than $5 per year for the period 2004 – 2009.  

The Company’s Verona, Missouri facility, while held by a prior owner, was designated by the EPA as a 
Superfund  site  and  placed  on  the  National  Priorities  List  in  1983,  because  of  dioxin  contamination  on 
portions  of  the  site.  Remediation  conducted  by  the  prior  owner  under  the  oversight  of  the  EPA  and  the 
Missouri Department of Natural Resources (“MDNR”) included removal of dioxin contaminated soil and 
equipment,  capping  of  areas  of  residual  contamination  in  four  relatively  small  areas  of  the  site  separate 
from  the  manufacturing facilities, and the installation of wells to  monitor groundwater and surface water 
contamination  by  organic  chemicals.  No  ground  water  or  surface  water  treatment  was  required.    The 
Company  believes  that  remediation  of  the  site  is  complete.    In  1998,  the  EPA  certified  the  work  on  the 
contaminated  soils  to  be  complete.  In  February  2000,  after  the  conclusion  of  two  years  of  monitoring 
groundwater and surface water, the former owner submitted a draft third party risk assessment report to the 
EPA  and  MDNR  recommending  no  further  action.  The prior owner  is  awaiting  the  response of  the  EPA 
and MDNR to the draft risk assessment. 

While the Company must maintain the integrity of the capped areas in the remediation areas on the site, the 
prior owner is responsible for completion of any further Superfund remedy.  The Company is indemnified 
by the sellers under its May 2001 asset purchase agreement covering its acquisition of the Verona, Missouri 
facility  for  potential  liabilities  associated  with  the  Superfund  site  and  one  of  the  sellers,  in  turn,  has  the 
benefit of certain contractual indemnification by the prior owner that is implementing the above-described 
Superfund remedy. 

From  time  to  time,  the  Company  is  a  party  to  various  litigation,  claims  and  assessments.    Management 
believes  that  the  ultimate  outcome  of  such  matters  will  not  have  a  material  effect  on  the  Company’s 
consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.  

NOTE 12 - SEGMENT INFORMATION 

The  Company’s  reportable  segments  are  strategic  businesses  that  offer  products  and  services  to  different 
markets.  Effective  with  the  quarter  ending  March  31,  2008,  the  Company  has  realigned  its  business 
segment reporting structure to more appropriately reflect the internal management of the businesses, largely 
due  to  the  impact  of  acquisitions  in  2007.  The  Company  continues  to  report  three  segments:  Specialty 
Products; Food, Pharma & Nutrition; and Animal Nutrition & Health. Changes to the reporting segments 
are as follows: chelated minerals and specialty nutritional products for the animal health industry, formerly 
reported  as  a  part  of  the  encapsulated/nutritional  products  segment,  are  now  combined  with  the  choline 
business  (formerly  BCP  Ingredients)  into  a  consolidated  Animal  Nutrition  &  Health  segment.  The 
encapsulated/nutritional  products  segment  has  been  renamed  Food,  Pharma  &  Nutrition,  focusing  on 
human  health.  There  are  no  changes  to  the  Specialty  Products  segment.  Business  segment  net  sales  and 
earnings from operations have been reclassified for all periods presented to reflect the segment changes.  

The Specialty Products segment consists of three specialty chemicals: ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and 
methyl chloride. Human choline nutrient products, pharmaceutical products and encapsulated products are 

 53 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
reported in the Food, Pharma & Nutrition segment. This segment provides microencapsulation, granulation 
and agglomeration solutions to a variety of applications in food, pharmaceutical and nutritional ingredients 
to enhance performance of nutritional fortification, processing, mixing, packaging applications and shelf-
life.  The  Animal  Nutrition  &  Health  segment  is  in  the  business  of  manufacturing  and  supplying  choline 
chloride,  an  essential  nutrient  for  animal  health,  to  the  poultry  and  swine  industries.  In  addition,  certain 
derivatives of choline chloride are also manufactured and sold into industrial applications and are included 
in this segment. Chelated minerals and specialty nutritional products for the animal health industry are also 
reported  in  this  segment.  The  Company  sells  products  for  all  segments  through  its  own  sales  force, 
independent distributors, and sales agents. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those 
described in the summary of significant accounting policies.  

Business Segment Net Sales: 

Specialty Products 
Food, Pharma & Nutrition 
Animal Nutrition & Health 
Total 

2009 
36,368 
35,407 
147,663 
219,438 

$ 

$ 

Business Segment Earnings Before Income Taxes: 

Specialty Products 
Food, Pharma & Nutrition 
Animal Nutrition & Health 
Interest and other income (expense) 
Total 

Depreciation/Amortization: 

Specialty Products 
Food, Pharma & Nutrition 
Animal Nutrition & Health 
Total 

Business Segment Assets: 

Specialty Products 
Food, Pharma & Nutrition 
Animal Nutrition & Health 
Other Unallocated 
Total 

2009 
 14,250 
  5,029 
21,380 
       (57) 
40,602 

2009 
    826 
1,489 
5,815 
8,130 

2009 
  19,235 
  22,156 
  98,784 
  47,638 
187,813 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

2008 
35,835 
35,702 
160,513 
232,050 

2007 
33,057 
32,052 
111,092 
176,201 

$ 

$ 

2008 
 12,545 
  5,469 
11,334 
     (917) 
28,431 

2008 
    913 
1,316 
5,557 
7,786 

2008 
   21,394 
   22,081 
105,296 
     5,703 
154,474 

2007 
 11,824 
  4,144 
  9,938 
 (1,077) 
   24,829 

$ 

$ 

2007 
   876 
1,206 
4,294 
6,376 

2007 
  18,583 
  22,426 
108,125 
    5,290 
154,424 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

Other  unallocated  assets  consist  of  certain  cash,  receivables,  prepaid  expenses,  equipment  and  leasehold 
improvements, net of accumulated depreciation, and deferred income taxes, which the Company does not 
allocate to its individual business segments. 

Capital Expenditures: 

Specialty Products 
Food, Pharma & Nutrition 
Animal Nutrition & Health 
Total 

Geographic Revenue Information: 

United States 
Foreign Countries 
Total 

2009 
     286 
     639 
  2,504 
  3,429 

$ 

$ 

2008 
     612 
     955 
  3,513 
  5,080 

$ 

$ 

2007 
     307 
     776 
  3,786 
  4,869 

$ 

$ 

2009 
145,226 
 74,212 
219,438 

$ 

$ 

2008 
146,753 
 85,297 
232,050 

$ 

$ 

2007 
132,632 
43,569 
176,201 

$ 

$ 

 54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE 13 - SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION 

Cash paid during the year for: 

Income taxes 
Interest 

2009 
12,001  $
214  $

2008 

9,379  $
958  $

2007 

6,718 
1,466 

$
$

Cash paid during the year for acquisition of assets: 

Assets acquired 
Less: liabilities assumed 
Cash paid for acquisitions 

Non-cash financing activities: 

Dividends payable 

2009 
- 
- 
- 

$

$

2008 
296 
- 
296 

2007 
48,957 
  (8,213) 
40,744 

$

$

$

$

2009 
3,091 

$ 

2008 
2,008  $

2007 
1,975 

$ 

NOTE 14 - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED): 
(In thousands, except per share data) 

2009 

2008 

Net sales 
Gross profit 
Earnings before  
     income taxes 
Net earnings 
Basic net earnings 
     per common share 
Diluted net earnings 
     per common share 

Second 
Quarter 

First 
Quarter 
$52,986  $  52,976 
   17,304 

16,298 

Third 
Quarter 
$54,292
16,399

Fourth 
Quarter 
$59,184
16,957

Second 
Quarter 

First 
Quarter 
$56,861  $  62,901 
   12,951 

13,483 

Third 
Quarter 
$58,235
12,712

Fourth 
Quarter 
$54,053
13,432

9,166 
6,098 

10,303
6,869

10.323
6,852

10,810
6,966

7,191 
4,641 

7,001
4,724

6,936
4,793

7,303
4,892

$    .23 

$    .25

$    .25

$    .25

$    .17 

$    .18

$    .18

$    .18

$    .21 

$    .24

$    .24

$    .24

$    .16 

$    .17

$    .17

$    .17

 55 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BALCHEM CORPORATION

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands)

Schedule II

 Balance at 
Beginning of 
Year 

Additions

Charges to 
Costs and 
Expenses 

Charges to 
Other 
Accounts 

 Deductions 

 Balance at 
End of Year 

$                

50
94

$            

313
924

-
$            
-

$                 

(6)
(219)

(a)
(a)

$              

357
799

$                

50
174

$            
-

58

-
$            
-

-
$               
(138)

(a)

$                

50
94

$                

50
147

$            
-

$            
-

20

-
$               
-

7

$                

50
174

 Description 

Year ended December 31, 2009

Allowance for doubtful accounts
Inventory reserve

Year ended December 31, 2008

Allowance for doubtful accounts
Inventory reserve

Year ended December 31, 2007

Allowance for doubtful accounts
Inventory reserve

(a)  represents write-offs.

56

                  
              
              
               
                
                
                
              
               
                  
                
                
                 
                 
                
Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 

None. 

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures 

The Company's management, with the participation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and 
Chief  Financial  Officer,  has  evaluated  the  effectiveness  of  the  Company's  disclosure  controls  and 
procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on such 
evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of 
the end of such period, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective. 

Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

Management  of  the  Company  is  responsible  for  establishing  and  maintaining  adequate  internal 
control  over  financial  reporting.  The  Company's  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  is  a  process 
designed  under  the  supervision  of  the  Company's  principal  executive  and  principal  financial  officers  to 
provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding  the  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of  the 
Company's financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted 
accounting principles. 

Our  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  includes  policies  and  procedures  that  pertain  to  the 
maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions 
of assets; provide reasonable assurances that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of 
financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and 
expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors of the 
Company;  and  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding  prevention  or  timely  detection  of  unauthorized 
acquisition,  use  or  disposition  of  the  Company's  assets  that  could  have  a  material  effect  on  our  financial 
statements. 

A  control  system,  no  matter  how  well  designed  and  operated,  can  provide  only  reasonable,  not 
absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system 
must  reflect  the  fact  that  there  are  resource  constraints,  and  the  benefits  of  controls  must  be  considered 
relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, no evaluation 
of internal control over financial reporting can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error 
or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our Company have 
been  detected.  Therefore,  even  those  systems  determined  to  be  effective  can  provide  only  reasonable 
assurance  with  respect  to  financial  statement  preparation  and  presentation.  Management  does  not  expect 
that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures or its internal control over financial reporting will 
prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. 

These  inherent  limitations  include  the  realities  that  judgments  in  decision-making  can  be  faulty 
and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by 
the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the 
controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood 
of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals 
under  all  potential  future  conditions.  Projections  of  any  evaluation  of  controls  effectiveness  to  future 
periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions 
or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures. 

As  of  December  31,  2009,  management  conducted  an  assessment  of  the  effectiveness  of  the 
Company's internal control over financial reporting based on the framework established in Internal Control 
-  Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway 
Commission (COSO). Based on this assessment, management has determined that the Company's internal 
control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2009. 

 57 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Attestation Report of Registered Public Accounting Firm 

The  independent  registered  public  accounting  firm  of  McGladrey  &  Pullen,  LLP,  has  issued  an 

attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, which is included herein. 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting  

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting in our most recent fiscal 
quarter  that  has  materially  affected,  or  is  reasonably  likely  to  materially  affect,  our  internal  control  over 
financial reporting. 

Item 9B . Other Information 

None. 

PART III 

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers of the Registrant, and Corporate Governance. 

(a) 

Directors of the Company. 

The required information is to be set forth in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual 
Meeting of Stockholders (the “2010 Proxy Statement”) under the caption "Directors and Executive Officers,” 
which information is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 

(b) 

Executive Officers of the Company. 

The  required  information  is  to  be  set  forth  in  the  2010  Proxy  Statement  under  the  caption 

"Directors and Executive Officers," which information is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 

(c) 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance. 

The required information is to be set forth in the 2010 Proxy Statement under the caption "Section 
16(a)  Beneficial  Ownership  Reporting  Compliance,"  which  information  is  hereby  incorporated  herein  by 
reference. 

(d) 

Code of Ethics. 

The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers that applies to its Chief 
Executive  Officer  (principal  executive  officer),  Chief  Financial  Officer  (principal  financial  officer  and 
principal  accounting  officer)  and  its  Treasurer.    The  Company’s  Code  of  Ethics  for  Senior  Financial 
Officers is filed as Exhibit 14 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

(e) 

Corporate Governance. 

The  required  information  is  to  be  set  forth  in  the  2010  Proxy  Statement  under  the  caption 

“Corporate Governance,” which information is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 

Item 11.  Executive Compensation. 

The  information  required  by  this  Item  is  to  be  set  forth  in  the  2010  Proxy  Statement  under  the 

caption "Directors and Executive Officers," which information is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 

 58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 12.  Security  Ownership  of  Certain  Beneficial  Owners  and  Management  and  Related 
Stockholder Matters. 

The  information  required  by  this  Item  is  to  be  set  forth  in  the  2010  Proxy  Statement  under  the 
caption "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and of Management” and the caption “Equity 
Compensation Plan Information,” all of which information is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence. 

The information required by this Item is set forth in the 2010 Proxy Statement under the caption 

"Directors and Executive Officers," which information is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services. 

The information required by this Item is set forth in the 2010 Proxy Statement under the caption 

“Independent Auditor Fees,” which information is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules. 

The following documents are filed as part of this Form 10-K: 

1.  Financial Statements 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 

Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the  
years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity 
for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements   

          2. Financial Statement Schedules 

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying 
Accounts for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 

Form 10-K 
Page Number 

29 

31 

32 

33 

34 

35 

56 

          3. Exhibits 

2.1 

2.2 

Sale and Purchase Agreement dated March 30, 2007, by and between Balchem B.V. and 
Akzo  Nobel  Chemicals  S.p.A. (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  2.1  of  the 
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 30, 2007). 

Asset Purchase Agreement dated March 16, 2007, by and between BCP Ingredients, Inc. 
and Chinook Global Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Company’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 16, 2007). 

2.3      Stock  Purchase  Agreement  dated  November  2,  2005,  between  Balchem  Minerals 
Corporation  and  Chelated  Minerals  Corporation  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit 
10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 7, 2005).   

2.4 

First Amendment to Stock Purchase Agreement dated January 5, 2006, between Balchem 
Minerals  Corporation  and  Chelated  Minerals  Corporation  (incorporated  by  reference  to 
Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 10, 2006).      

 59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.1 

3.2 

3.3 

10.1  

10.2 

10.3 

10.4 

10.5 

10.6 

10.7 

10.8 

Composite  Articles  of  Incorporation  of  the  Company  (incorporated  by  reference  to 
Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 16, 2006 for the 
year ended December 31, 2005). 

Balchem Corporation Articles of Amendment (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to 
the  Company’s  definitive  proxy  statement  on Schedule  14A filed with the  Commission 
on April 25, 2008) 

Composite  By-laws  of  the  Company  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  3.2  to  the 
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 2, 2008). 

Tolling  Agreement,  dated  March  16,  2007  between  BCP  Ingredients,  Inc.  and  Chinook 
Global  Limited  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.1  to  the  Company’s  Current 
Report on Form 8-K dated March 16, 2007). 

Non-Competition Agreement, dated March 16, 2007 between BCP Ingredients, Inc. and 
Chinook Global Limited; Chinook Services, LLC; Chinook, LLC; Dean R. Lacy; Ronald 
Breen, and John N. Kennedy (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 16, 2007). 

Loan  Agreement  dated  March  16,  2007  by  and  between  Bank  of  America,  N.A.  and 
Balchem  Corporation  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.3  to  the  Company’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 16, 2007).  

Promissory Note (Term Loan) dated March 16, 2007 from Balchem Corporation to Bank 
of  America,  N.A  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.4  to  the  Company’s  Current 
Report on Form 8-K dated March 16, 2007).  

Promissory  Note  (Revolving  Line  of  Credit)  dated  March  16,  2007  from  Balchem 
Corporation to Bank of America, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the 
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 16, 2007). 

Guaranty  dated  March  16,  2007  from  BCP  Ingredients,  Inc.  to  Bank  of  America,  N.A. 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K 
dated March 16, 2007).  

Guaranty  dated  March  16,  2007  from  Balchem  Minerals  Corporation  to  Bank  of 
America,  N.A.  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.7  to  the  Company’s  Current 
Report on Form 8-K dated March 16, 2007). 

Loan  Agreement  dated  February  6,  2006  by  and  between  Bank  of  America,  N.A.  and 
Balchem  Corporation,  Promissory  Note  dated  February  6,  2006  from  Balchem 
Corporation  to  Bank  of  America,  N.A.,  and  Amended  and  Restated  Promissory  Note 
(Revolving Line of Credit) dated February 6, 2006 from Balchem Corporation to Bank of 
America,  N.A.  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibits  10.2,  10.3  and  10.4  to  the 
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 9, 2006).  

10.9 

Amended and Restated Guaranty dated February 6, 2006 from BCP Ingredients, Inc. to 
Bank  of  America,  N.A.  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.5  to  the  Company’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 9, 2006). 

10.10  Guaranty  dated  February  6,  2006  from  Balchem  Minerals  Corporation  to  Bank  of 
America,  N.A.  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.6  to  the  Company’s  Current 
Report on Form 8-K dated February 9, 2006). 

10.11 

Incentive Stock Option Plan of the Company, as amended, (incorporated by reference to 
the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, File No. 333-35910, dated October 
25, 1996, and to Proxy Statement, dated April 22, 1998, for the Company's 1998 Annual 
Meeting of Stockholders (the “1998 Proxy Statement”)).* 

 60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.12  Stock Option Plan for Directors of the Company, as amended (incorporated by reference 
to  the  Company’s  Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-8,  File  No.  333-35912,  dated 
October 25, 1996, and to the 1998 Proxy Statement). 

10.13  Balchem Corporation Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Plan (incorporated by reference 
to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
June 30, 2003).*  

10.14  Balchem Corporation Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Plan, (incorporated by 
reference  to  the  Company’s Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-8,  File  No. 333-155655, 
dated  November  25,  2008,  and  to  Proxy  Statement,  dated  April  25,  2008,  for  the 
Company's 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.* 

10.15  Balchem Corporation 401(k)/Profit Sharing Plan, dated January 1, 1998 (incorporated by 
reference  to  Exhibit  4  to  the  Company's  Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-8,  File  No. 
333-118291, dated August 17, 2004).*   

10.16  Employment Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2001, between the Company and Dino A. 
Rossi  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.5  to  the  Company’s  Annual  Report  on 
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 (the “2001 10-K”)). *   

10.17  Lease  dated  as  of  February  8,  2002  between  Sunrise  Park  Realty,  Inc.  and  Balchem 

Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the 2001 10-K). 

10.18     Form of Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement for Directors (incorporated by reference to        

Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 30, 2005).   

14. 

Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to 
the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 15, 2004 for the year ended 
December 31, 2003). 

21. 

Subsidiaries of Registrant. 

23.1 

Consent of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. 

31.1 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).  

31.2 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).  

32.1 

32.2 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of 
Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.  

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of 
Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.  

* 
arrangement. 

Each  of  the  Exhibits  noted  by  an  asterisk  is  a  management  compensatory  plan  or 

 61 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the 

registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. 

SIGNATURES 

Date: March 12, 2010 

BALCHEM CORPORATION 
By:/s/ Dino A. Rossi 
Dino A. Rossi, Chairman, President, and 
Chief Executive Officer 

 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the 
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. 

SIGNATURES 

/s/ Dino A. Rossi 
Dino A. Rossi, Chairman, President, 
Chief Executive Officer, and Director (Principal Executive Officer) 
Date: March 12, 2010 

/s/ Francis J. Fitzpatrick 
Francis J. Fitzpatrick, Chief Financial 
Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Principal Accounting Officer) 
Date: March 12, 2010 

/s/ Edward L. McMillan 
Edward L. McMillan, Director 
Date: March 12, 2010 

/s/ Kenneth P. Mitchell 
Kenneth P. Mitchell, Director 
Date: March 12, 2010 

/s/ Perry W. Premdas 
Perry W. Premdas, Director 
Date: March 12, 2010 

/s/ Dr. John Televantos 
Dr. John Televantos, Director 
Date: March 12, 2010 

/s/ Dr. Elaine Wedral 
Dr. Elaine Wedral, Director 
Date: March 12, 2010 

 62 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 
Number Description 

EXHIBIT INDEX 

2.1 

2.2 

Sale and Purchase Agreement dated March 30, 2007, by and between Balchem B.V. and 
Akzo  Nobel  Chemicals  S.p.A. (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  2.1  of  the 
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 30, 2007). 

Asset Purchase Agreement dated March 16, 2007, by and between BCP Ingredients, Inc. 
and Chinook Global Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Company’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 16, 2007). 

2.3      Stock  Purchase  Agreement  dated  November  2,  2005,  between  Balchem  Minerals 
Corporation  and  Chelated  Minerals  Corporation  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit 
10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 7, 2005).   

2.4 

3.1 

3.2 

3.3 

10.1  

10.2 

10.3 

10.4 

10.5 

10.6 

10.7 

First Amendment to Stock Purchase Agreement dated January 5, 2006, between Balchem 
Minerals  Corporation  and  Chelated  Minerals  Corporation  (incorporated  by  reference  to 
Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 10, 2006).      

Composite  Articles  of  Incorporation  of  the  Company  (incorporated  by  reference  to 
Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 16, 2006 for the 
year ended December 31, 2005). 

Balchem Corporation Articles of Amendment (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to 
the  Company’s  definitive  proxy  statement  on Schedule  14A filed with the  Commission 
on April 25, 2008) 

Composite  By-laws  of  the  Company  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  3.2  to  the 
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 2, 2008). 

Tolling  Agreement,  dated  March  16,  2007  between  BCP  Ingredients,  Inc.  and  Chinook 
Global  Limited  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.1  to  the  Company’s  Current 
Report on Form 8-K dated March 16, 2007). 

Non-Competition Agreement, dated March 16, 2007 between BCP Ingredients, Inc. and 
Chinook Global Limited; Chinook Services, LLC; Chinook, LLC; Dean R. Lacy; Ronald 
Breen, and John N. Kennedy (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 16, 2007). 

Loan  Agreement  dated  March  16,  2007  by  and  between  Bank  of  America,  N.A.  and 
Balchem  Corporation  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.3  to  the  Company’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 16, 2007).  

Promissory Note (Term Loan) dated March 16, 2007 from Balchem Corporation to Bank 
of  America,  N.A  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.4  to  the  Company’s  Current 
Report on Form 8-K dated March 16, 2007).  

Promissory  Note  (Revolving  Line  of  Credit)  dated  March  16,  2007  from  Balchem 
Corporation to Bank of America, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the 
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 16, 2007). 

Guaranty  dated  March  16,  2007  from  BCP  Ingredients,  Inc.  to  Bank  of  America,  N.A. 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K 
dated March 16, 2007).  

Guaranty  dated  March  16,  2007  from  Balchem  Minerals  Corporation  to  Bank  of 
America,  N.A.  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.7  to  the  Company’s  Current 
Report on Form 8-K dated March 16, 2007). 

 63 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.8 

Loan  Agreement  dated  February  6,  2006  by  and  between  Bank  of  America,  N.A.  and 
Balchem  Corporation,  Promissory  Note  dated  February  6,  2006  from  Balchem 
Corporation  to  Bank  of  America,  N.A.,  and  Amended  and  Restated  Promissory  Note 
(Revolving Line of Credit) dated February 6, 2006 from Balchem Corporation to Bank of 
America,  N.A.  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibits  10.2,  10.3  and  10.4  to  the 
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 9, 2006).  

10.9 

Amended and Restated Guaranty dated February 6, 2006 from BCP Ingredients, Inc. to 
Bank  of  America,  N.A.  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.5  to  the  Company’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 9, 2006). 

10.10  Guaranty  dated  February  6,  2006  from  Balchem  Minerals  Corporation  to  Bank  of 
America,  N.A.  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.6  to  the  Company’s  Current 
Report on Form 8-K dated February 9, 2006). 

10.11 

Incentive Stock Option Plan of the Company, as amended, (incorporated by reference to 
the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, File No. 333-35910, dated October 
25, 1996, and to Proxy Statement, dated April 22, 1998, for the Company's 1998 Annual 
Meeting of Stockholders (the “1998 Proxy Statement”)).* 

10.12  Stock Option Plan for Directors of the Company, as amended (incorporated by reference 
to  the  Company’s  Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-8,  File  No.  333-35912,  dated 
October 25, 1996, and to the 1998 Proxy Statement). 

10.13  Balchem Corporation Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Plan (incorporated by reference 
to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
June 30, 2003).*  

10.14  Balchem Corporation Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Plan, (incorporated by 
reference  to  the  Company’s  Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-8,  File  No.  No.  333-
155655, dated November 25, 2008, and to Proxy Statement, dated April 25, 2008, for the 
Company's 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.* 

10.15  Balchem Corporation 401(k)/Profit Sharing Plan, dated January 1, 1998 (incorporated by 
reference  to  Exhibit  4  to  the  Company's  Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-8,  File  No. 
333-118291, dated August 17, 2004).*   

10.16  Employment Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2001, between the Company and Dino A. 
Rossi  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.5  to  the  Company’s  Annual  Report  on 
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 (the “2001 10-K”)). *   

10.17  Lease  dated  as  of  February  8,  2002  between  Sunrise  Park  Realty,  Inc.  and  Balchem 

Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the 2001 10-K). 

10.18     Form of Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement for Directors (incorporated by reference to        

Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 30, 2005).   

14. 

Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to 
the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K dated March 15, 2004 for the year ended 
December 31, 2003). 

21. 

Subsidiaries of Registrant. 

23.1 

Consent of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. 

31.1 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).  

31.2 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).  

 64 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
32.1 

32.2 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of 
Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.  

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of 
Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.  

* 
arrangement. 

Each  of  the  Exhibits  noted  by  an  asterisk  is  a  management  compensatory  plan  or 

 65 

 
 
 
 
 
 
LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES 

Exhibit 21 

Subsidiaries of the Registrant                

Jurisdiction of Organization 

BCP Ingredients, Inc.                        

Balchem Minerals Corporation         

Chelated Minerals Corporation 

BCP Saint Gabriel, Inc. 

Balchem BV 

Balchem Trading BV 

Balchem Italia Srl 

Balchem Ltd. 

Delaware 

Delaware 

Utah 

Delaware 

Netherlands 

Netherlands 

Italy 

Canada 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

Exhibit 23.1 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders 
Balchem Corporation 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements (Nos. 333-155655, 333-
118292,  333-118291,  333-78355,  333-44489,  333-5912  and  333-5910)  on  Form  S-8  of  Balchem 
Corporation and subsidiaries of our report dated March 12, 2010 relating to our audits of the consolidated 
financial  statements,  the  financial  statement  schedule  and internal  control  over financial  reporting, which 
appear  in  this  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  of  Balchem  Corporation  for  the  year  ended  December  31, 
2009.   

/s/McGladrey & Pullen, LLP 
New York, New York 
March 12, 2010  

 66 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
CERTIFICATIONS 

Exhibit 31.1 

I, Dino A. Rossi, certify that: 

1. 

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Balchem Corporation; 

2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state 
a  material  fact  necessary  to  make  the  statements  made,  in  light  of  the  circumstances  under  which  such 
statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, 
fairly  present  in  all  material  respects  the  financial  condition,  results  of  operations  and  cash  flows  of  the 
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 

4.  The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure 
controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control 
over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and 
have: 

(a)  Designed  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  or  caused  such  disclosure  controls  and 
procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the 
registrant,  including  its  consolidated  subsidiaries,  is  made  known  to  us  by  others  within  those 
entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; 

(b)  Designed  such  internal  control  over  financial  reporting,  or  caused  such  internal  control  over 
financial  reporting  to  be  designed  under  our  supervision,  to  provide  reasonable  assurance 
regarding  the  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of  financial  statements  for 
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;   

(c)  Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in 
this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of 
the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and 

(d)  Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that 
occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in 
the  case  of  an  annual  report)  that  has  materially  affected,  or  is  reasonably  likely  to  materially 
affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and 

5.  The  registrant’s  other  certifying  officer(s)  and  I  have  disclosed,  based  on  our  most  recent  evaluation  of 
internal  control  over  financial  reporting,  to  the  registrant’s  auditors  and  the  audit  committee  of  the 
registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): 

(a)  All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control 
over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to 
record, process, summarize and report financial information; and 

(b)  Any  fraud,  whether  or  not  material,  that  involves  management  or  other  employees  who  have  a 

significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.  

Date: March 12, 2010 

/s/ Dino A. Rossi    
Dino A. Rossi, Chairman, President, and 
Chief Executive Officer  
(Principal Executive Officer) 

 67 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I, Francis J. Fitzpatrick, certify that: 

CERTIFICATIONS 

1. 

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Balchem Corporation; 

Exhibit 31.2 

2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state 
a  material  fact  necessary  to  make  the  statements  made,  in  light  of  the  circumstances  under  which  such 
statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, 
fairly  present  in  all  material  respects  the  financial  condition,  results  of  operations  and  cash  flows  of  the 
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 

4.  The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure 
controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control 
over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and 
have: 

(a)  Designed  such  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  or  caused  such  disclosure  controls  and 
procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the 
registrant,  including  its  consolidated  subsidiaries,  is  made  known  to  us  by  others  within  those 
entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; 

(b)  Designed  such  internal  control  over  financial  reporting,  or  caused  such  internal  control  over 
financial  reporting  to  be  designed  under  our  supervision,  to  provide  reasonable  assurance 
regarding  the  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of  financial  statements  for 
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;   

(c)  Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in 
this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of 
the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and 

(d)  Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that 
occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in 
the  case  of  an  annual  report)  that  has  materially  affected,  or  is  reasonably  likely  to  materially 
affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and 

5.  The  registrant’s  other  certifying  officer(s)  and  I  have  disclosed,  based  on  our  most  recent  evaluation  of 
internal  control  over  financial  reporting,  to  the  registrant’s  auditors  and  the  audit  committee  of  the 
registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): 

(a)  All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control 
over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to 
record, process, summarize and report financial information; and 

(b)  Any  fraud,  whether  or  not  material,  that  involves  management  or  other  employees  who  have  a 

significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.  

Date: March 12, 2010 

/s/ Francis J. Fitzpatrick    
Francis J. Fitzpatrick,  
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer 
(Principal Financial and Principal 
Accounting Officer) 

 68 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 32.1 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO 

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 

In  connection with  the Annual  Report of  Balchem  Corporation  (the  “Company”)  on  Form  10-K 
for the period ended December 31, 2009 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date 
hereof (the “Report”), I, Dino A. Rossi, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, 
certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 
of 2002, that to my knowledge:  

(1)  The  Report  fully  complies  with  the  requirements  of  section  13(a)  or  15(d)  of  the  Securities 

Exchange Act of 1934; and  

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial 

condition and result of operations of the Company.  

/s/ Dino A. Rossi   
Dino A. Rossi 
Chairman, President, and  
Chief Executive Officer  
(Principal Executive Officer) 
March 12, 2010 

This certification accompanies the above-described Report on Form 10-K pursuant to Section 906 
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by such Act, be deemed filed 
by the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  

 69 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 32.2 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO 

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 

In connection with the Annual Report of Balchem Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10-K for 
the  period  ended  December  31,  2009  as  filed  with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  on  the  date 
hereof  (the  "Report"),  I,  Francis  J.  Fitzpatrick,  Chief  Financial  Officer  and  Treasurer  of  the  Company, 
certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 
of 2002, that to my knowledge:  

(1)  The  Report  fully  complies  with  the  requirements  of  section  13(a)  or  15(d)  of  the  Securities 

Exchange Act of 1934; and  

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial 

condition and result of operations of the Company.  

/s/ Francis J. Fitzpatrick  
Francis J. Fitzpatrick 
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer 
(Principal Financial and Principal 
Accounting Officer) 
March 12, 2010 

This  certification  accompanies  the  above-described  Report  on  Form  10-K pursuant  to Section 906  of  the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by such Act, be deemed filed by 
the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 

 70

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
C O M P A N Y   P R O F I L E
Founded in 1967, Balchem Corporation provides state-of-the-art solutions and the finest quality
products for a range of industries worldwide. The Company consists primarily of three business
segments: Food, Pharma and Nutrition; ARC Specialty Products; and Animal Nutrition and
Health. Balchem employs numerous technologies and over 300 people worldwide who are
engaged in the many diverse activities of developing the Company into a global market leader.

F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S   2 0 0 9
Statement of Operations Data
(In thousands, except per share data)

Year Ended December 31,                                   2009                   2008                      2007                     2006                  2005

Net sales                                                       $219,438              $232,050              $176,201               $100,905             $83,095
Earnings before income tax expense                 40,602                  28,431                  24,829                  19,101               17,191
Income tax expense                                          13,817                    9,381                    8,711                    6,823                 6,237
Net earnings                                                     26,785                  19,050                  16,118                  12,278               10,954
Basic net earnings per common share*                 $.98                      $.71                      $.61                      $.47                   $.42
Diluted net earnings per common share*              $.93                      $.67                      $.58                      $.45                   $.41

Balance Sheet Data
(In thousands, except per share data)

At December 31,                                                 2009                     2008                     2007                     2006                  2005

Total assets                                                   $187,813              $154,474              $154,424               $  92,333             $75,141
Long-term debt (including current portion)          6,783                    9,531                  24,777                          —                       —
Other long-term obligations                                 1,825                    1,609                    1,529                       784                 1,043
Total stockholders’ equity                                147,143                114,506                  93,080                  75,362               60,933
Dividends per common share*                              $.11                      $.07                      $.07                      $.06                   $.04

Quarterly Stock Prices

                                                             2009                                                 2008                                                 2007

                                               High                    Low                      High                      Low                      High                    Low

1Q                                         $16.75                $12.60                  $15.56                  $12.70                  $12.37
2Q                                           16.95                  15.36                    17.63                    14.77                    12.78
3Q                                           18.50                  15.67                    19.67                    16.11                    14.17
4Q                                           22.86                  17.57                    17.91                    14.11                    16.00

$  9.39
11.43
10.40
13.44

*Earnings per share and dividend amounts have been adjusted for the December 2009, 2006 and 2005 three-for-two stock splits (effected by means of stock dividends).

Net Sales
dollars in millions

232.1

219.4

176.2

100.9

83.1

Net Earnings
dollars in millions

Stockholders’ Equity
dollars in millions

26.8 

147.1

19.1

16.1

12.3

11.0

114.5

93.1

75.4

60.9

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C O M P A N Y   P R O F I L E

Board of Directors

Corporate Officers

Dino A. Rossi
Chairman, President and 
Chief Executive Officer

Dino A. Rossi
Chairman, President and 
Chief Executive Officer

Kenneth P. Mitchell
Lead Director 
Retired, President and
Chief Executive Officer
Oakite Products, Inc.

Edward L. McMillan
Owns McMillan, LLC,
a transaction-consulting firm
Past President and Chief Executive
Officer of Purina Mills

Frank J. Fitzpatrick
Chief Financial Officer
Treasurer and Assistant Secretary

Matthew D. Houston
General Counsel 
Secretary

David F. Ludwig
Vice President/General Manager
ARC Specialty Products

Perry W. Premdas
Retired, Chief Financial Officer 
of Celanese AG

Paul H. Richardson
Vice President
Research & Development

Dr. John Y. Televantos 
Executive Vice President
Arsenal Capital Partners

Dr. Elaine R. Wedral
Retired, President of Nestle’s 
Research and Development, 
Food Service Systems

Headquarters
Balchem Corporation
52 Sunrise Park Road
New Hampton, NY 10958

Manufacturing Locations
Slate Hill, NY; Green Pond, SC;
Verona, MO; Channahon, IL; 
Salt Lake City, UT; St. Gabriel, LA; 
and Marano Ticino, Italy

Exchange
NASDAQ Global Market

Listed Security
BCPC Common Stock

Annual Report
For information relating to the
Annual Report please contact
Karin McCaffery at 845.326.5600.

Investor Relations
Jackie Powell
Virtual Business Solutions
864.486.8065

Transfer Agent
Registrar and Transfer Company
10 Commerce Drive
Cranford, NJ 07016

Corporate Counsel
Duane Morris LLP
470 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 500
Boston, MA 02210

Independent Accountants
McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
1185 Avenue of the Americas, 6th Fl.
New York, NY 10036

Website:
www.balchem.com

2009 Annual Report

52 Sunrise Park Road
New Hampton, NY 10958

Tel 845.326.5600
Toll free (in U.S.) 800.431.5641
Fax 845.326.5742

E-mail: bcp@balchem.com

www.balchem.com